Shallow Shale

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The sound of flapping came from behind me. Reacting on instinct I turned and threw my knife.

I missed and blinked as the crow flew off, cawing loudly as it went. Retrieving it, I ducked back down. Then I crawled back over to my position overlooking the shop, back to wait.

Every since I had killed their stallion they had not left that fortress of a shop, I was almost considering burning them out at this point. It would involve some risk, some other being may end up seeing my paychecks, but I couldn’t stay here forever waiting for them.

Sooner or later the whole continent will know that Ari was dead. Yes, his name had made the paper two days ago; he was expected by the princesses, only he wouldn’t be going now. And, well, I wasn’t putting anything above their magic.

I needed to be cashing my checks soon.

Any moment now the Minotaur would exit the shop, the open sign would be flipped, and I would be in store for another boiling summer stakeout. They were nothing if not predictable.

Like clockwork the Minotaur left, the sign flipped, and the wait resumed.

Something had to change…

It wasn’t so bad waiting; it was actually the easiest part of this job. Sure I ended up smelling like a buckball player after a three hour game but I didn’t have to do much, just watch, and plan their demise.

Actually killing the target, well, it was part of the job, what else can be said-

Hold that thought.

The heifer was back and she was pulling a huge box on a trolley behind her.

Checking my watch I did a double take, the Minotaur was only gone for two hours this time. Looking at the box I realized why, it said ‘Scrappy’s Metal Emporium’. It had been just a shopping trip.

Settling back down, I waited.

Muffled yelling made it to the street from the shop, attracting the attention of the passerby’s, and my curiosity. Just what was going on in there? Did she purchase the wrong type of steel?

After another hour the Minotaur left, off to return the trolley, and the noise from the shop stopped. I swiveled my ears, hearing nothing more. I blinked as I saw the sign flip over again. It wasn’t even noon yet!

Curiosity sated moments later as two familiar cloaked figures were thrown into the street. This was perfect! It looks like they overstayed their welcome, and coincidently I am more than happy to put up with them.

Jumping to the next rooftop I ducked down as they took a left, nearly seeing me if they looked up. I continued to jump between the roof tops till I got to the market on main. Here the stores were too small and the roofs too steep to stealthily travel on them.

Stretching my right hind hoof till it touched the top of the far alleyway wall; I braced my forelegs on the gutter as my left one got into position. I hated this part. Using as much speed as I could I slid down walls, descending in a split before righting myself. They all tell me that that is the fun part. I’m sure it is, if you were a vildkatt or a gymnast.

Myself? Not so lucky physically, the job had helped somewhat, but poisons were far easier to work with. When it comes to murder, poisons are often overlooked, ponies favoring the bloodier methods. But poison crafting was a true art, taking finesse, planning, and an intimate knowledge of all the ingredients. For example, too much curare kills, but too little acts as a sedative, which was exactly what I needed.

I poked my head out of the alley. To the left, no one, and to the right, no one was looking at me. The mares were standing at the crossroads deciding where to go.

Blending into the crowd, I continued following them.

The beach was practically calling to me now, telling me of all the smoothies I would have, and how happy my family will be to see me. What had it been, seven years now? I forgot, either way it has been way too long.

Well, first I did need to catch them but that wasn’t hard, contrary to what ponies thought, you can dart a changeling. They weren’t hard everywhere.

Short stuff stomped her hoof on the cobblestones, before turning left. This behavior continued on for awhile, the traitor stomping before leading the changeling queen around, a funny dynamic but I have heard that the small ones are the scariest. Anyway, this continued till they managed to get themselves lost in the east side of town. This suited me just fine. Folks around here wouldn’t mind I helped myself to these two, if I kept their hoods up that is, otherwise I might get some competition.

Glancing at my watch I cursed, they wouldn’t make it out of the town before nightfall and that meant I wouldn’t either. Taking a slow breath I realized I had to make my move soon, if I worked fast I could still catch a ‘mover’ to help me, I would at least make it to the edge of the city then.

My stock of curare was a little low thanks to their stallion’s metabolism, but I had enough for at least four more kills.

With that in mind I began my approach, as expected no one was paying me any attention. I was fifty feet away now. The targets were still unaware, taking another corner.

As inconspicuously as possible I added some speed to my walk, closing the distance, forty feet now. My heart pounded as they took another corner, thirty feet. It was possible to take the shot now, but if they heard it there was still plenty of time to dodge. Closer, I was almost in a trot at this point, my fast walk walking the line between nonchalant and purposeful.

Twenty feet, taking small steadying breaths, I felt my leg freeze as I reached for the dart.

Not this again.

I tried to remember what Shamkar had told me when I started, back when I was innocent to this job. ‘We’ve all got the power in our hooves to kill, but most ponies are afraid to use it; the ones who aren’t afraid, control life itself’, I was the one in control of my life now.

And I choose to go home rich beyond my wildest dreams.

Repeating that mantra I grabbed the first dart, sliding it down my blow gun, I loaded the second dart into the second gun. They were approaching another intersection, I had three hours till sundown…It was now or never.

Acting quickly I raised the first gun, a big breath in, putting it to my lips. Controlling my fate I released my breath, sealing my retirement, changing my life forever.

With adrenaline coursing through my veins I watched almost in slow motion as the main mare-target began shaking. Her frame beneath the cloak swaying as her fate approached with-

“Oomph!”

My head rang as I stared at the stone by my muzzle, the smell of burning wood reaching my nostrils. The world was ringing as I tried to make sense of what was happening. Not much was clear except that something, no, somepony was on my back.

They were amateurs.

Relaxing in their hold for a second, I waited, and it didn’t take long before they responded in kind. It wasn’t even a conscious action for most ponies, merely a fight or flight aspect of our nature, I stopped fighting and they mimicked me. The gap between my cloak and the chest grew.

Now!

Coiling, tightening my muscles, I sprang up from the street. Adding an extra buck for good measure, my assailant was flung off, and I tore off down the street.

Shaking the ringing from my head I looked back and felt my heart drop. My ‘main mare’ was nothing more than a city guard on stilts. His partner was removing his disguise as well. I had been tricked.

My assailant was nowhere to be seen.

Taking the corner sharply I turned right, further into the poor side of town, and toward the edge of town. Slightly off balance from the turn I was forced to slow and correct myself, my heart pounding as felt valuable time ticking away.

Right side up again I broke into a gallop, glancing for alleyways, open shops, even a vase to hide in. But there was none. I don’t mean that figuratively either, the spaces where the gaps between shops used to be were just GONE!

There wasn’t anyone behind me; there weren’t any crates, vases, nothing. THE WHOLE STREET WAS EMPTY!

A light pattering started to grow in my ears as I stopped running, my gaze darting around the street, all the escape routes were nonexistent. Movement was caught in my peripheral vision. Turning slowly back the way I came I shrank down at the sight, the noise in my ears intensifying, growing louder and quicker.

The siren was in front of me.

Whimpers escaped my throat as I cowered before her approaching form, my ears becoming one with my skull as something wet rolled down my fur. I was crying, trapped before this monster, slitted eyes promising a fate worse than death.

One thought rang out in my head though.

Where was-.

****

Somewhere in Minotaria

Moonlit Echo

My eyes scrunched shut as my bed shook, most likely Velvet Cloud trying to wake me early, didn’t she know I had to-

Wait a second, I was on the mission…Then why was I in a bed? Last thing I recall was-

A creak sounded in front of me.

I opened my eyes in time to witness the source of the noise; water consumed my vision as the wall in front of me collapsed inward. Sunlight and murky water rushed into my ‘safe’ room, sweeping away years of dust, and pushing me back as well. Still damp stealth armor became soaked once again, frigid water causing my body to start shaking, but it also woke me up.

Thinking fast I took a deep breath, clamping my muzzle shut as I squinted past the rushing water. No other openings and the room was filling up fast. The only way out was through the torrent of water.

With adrenaline fueling me I pumped my recharged legs against the current, slowly getting closer to the widening hole in the attic’s wall. Releasing my breath I stole another one and resumed a harder stroke, my cold enemy pushing harder as I neared the last feet to my freedom.

A slightly more ominous creak sounded.

My hoof grabbed the splintered wall as the very house itself seemed to lurch, as I pulled myself forward toward the opening, finally sunlight warmed my nose. Hugging the wall with my body I hauled myself through the hole, the torrent slowing its onslaught.

Outside the flooded house the world looked like a very different place than it did last night. What was once a field of market vegetables was now a part of what I would have called swamp had I not seen it yesterday afternoon. The Gryphon kingdom in the background marking the end of the country, the end of the chilly swamp before me, turning around I gazed at the way I had come. The ground was extremely damp, sopping wet, but not flooded.

The reports I had read up on hadn’t indicated any flooding in this country, in fact if I recalled the map correctly then there wasn’t any swamps in this country. So where exactly had this one come from? Better yet, where had that crazy storm come from?

Luna would be very interested to hear of this development, but she would prefer to learn how Ari is doing.

Sighing, I started to paddle away from the wreck of a house, off towards the mountains.

….

Hours, that was how long I had been paddling and I was growing tired of my view, yes I was warm from the exercise now, and of course I was glad not to be dead. But all I had to view was the sky, mountains, and the murky water. Occasionally I would see a pointed outline approach but it only disappointed me, revealing it to be a detached roof or half submerged wall.

My legs were burning a little, not used to this much paddling after standing guard most days.

This wasn’t at all what I expected when I agreed to this mission. I was hoping to unmask the changeling king, maybe get to see the sights a little, and return home a hero. Maybe even a kiss on the cheek from the princess of the night herself…What?! A stallion can hope!

You have no idea how it felt to hear the princess scream in pain, agony that she wouldn’t be feeling if not for that imposter, and I wouldn’t have had to watch her lay immobile at my hooves.

I hate him for what he has done to her.

A splash brought me out of my thoughts, focusing on the world around me I looked around confusion. There was nothing in front- Splash, right behind me. Paddling like mad I spun around and nearly vomited at what lay behind me. It was a dead body, a dead gryphon to be exact, beak down in the water. The water was getting dyed burgundy, the murkiness of the water taking on a new type gloom.

Where had it come from?

Looking around I saw no being, I don’t- My jaw dropped as another body fell into the water…From the sky, it was raining dead bodies. Tilting my head up I felt the color drain from my muzzle. Far above me was something I had only read about in Equestrian Discovery magazines: an airship.

I nearly forgot to paddle as I froze in place looking at the massive piece of modern technology. Even from my spot down here I could see the four enormous steam engines creating their own clouds as it continued its course, heading for the Gryphon kingdom.

Off to kill more innocent gryphons, most likely.

But where had such an enormous ship come from?

Watching it continue on I suddenly felt very weak, very small, as a new, terrifying thought hit me. What if that ship is filled with changelings? These poor birds may just be the extras that they don’t need any more, that ship was big enough to hold a small army easily.

I had to investigate that, yes, it could not be filled with changelings, but it still wasn’t a friendly ship.

Giving a snort I began paddling after the ominous ship, eyes focused on its vast retreating form. I had no hope of catching it but that wasn’t going to stop me.

We were going the same direction, somehow that doesn’t fill me excitement.

More hours passed and the mountains were nearly upon me. The entrance to ‘The Rocky Flagg Mining Company’ laid ahead, a dry path maintained by sandbags forming a wall two bags thick and ten bags high. It was huge and impossible to climb in my weakened state; flying was out of the question too. Those muscles still ached from fighting the bucking wind last night. The wall spanned a good mile leading to a make shift dock, four boats were parked.

With legs protesting from swimming for at least five hours, I made my way weakly to the ramshackle collection of planks and nails. Eyes fluttering with exhaustion as my body started to relax with the sight of land; I raised a weak hoof and grabbed the edge of the dock, managing to haul my upper half on before resting.

A quick rest wouldn’t hurt.

“Hey there pal, are you okay?”

I snapped awake, looking up at a light blue bull. “J-just taking a breather sir,” He screwed up his nose and gave me a once over.

“The names Gennady, notsir that would be my father, no way I wanna be like him…” The blue giant looked at me. “Well? You got a name colt?”

“The name is Moonlit Echo, notcolt.” I snorted and began to drag myself onto the dock, well tried to; my muscles didn’t even move me.

Shaking his head at me he hoisted me up onto the dock, “There Moonlit, now I won’t have to worry about you drowning while I eat.”

“Eat?”

“Yup, I forgot my lunch in my boat this morning,-” He gestured to the nearest boat, “-was in such a rush being late and all…”

I gave him a nod and spread my wings under the sun, wincing as the muscles protested. Luna won’t believe this weather, mind you she might not believe me when I unmask the fake Alicorn…How do I prove he isn’t real to her? She was so worried for him, getting attached already even though she had just met him once in a dream. But her banishment had been long and very alone, I just, I wish she would see the love I hold for her…

Maybe-

A rustle distracted my planning, as I rested on the dock the bull grabbed a burlap sack and sat cross-legged beside me, “So what’s a pony doing all the way out here?” He looked at my limp form, “Can’t be for a job with your muscle…Did you get flooded out? No, never mind that was stupid of me to say.”

I wasn’t getting rid of him apparently, “No I’m not here to get a job, although you were half right.”

As he munched on his apple, he raised an eyebrow at me.

“I was flooded out, but it wasn’t my home. I was just staying there till the weather blew over.”

Swallowing his bite he looked at his sack, then at me. “You are hungry I suppose?” Not waiting for my reply he placed an apple in front of my muzzle.

Grunting I pulled myself into a sitting position, I might as well enjoy the friendly company and recharge a little. “Thank you, I lost my saddle bags in the storm and I can’t fly home for a while now.” He nodded starting on a roll of bread, silence reigning as we enjoyed our food.

“So what would you would be the easiest way over the Gryphon Kingdom?”

Silence before he started chuckling at me, “Now why would a strange pony like you want to cross those heaps of mud? Not to mention no one crosses over anything anymore.”

Here I was hoping that he had dropped the ‘why is a pony out here’ question. It wasn’t that telling this Minotaur would affect the mission in any way, but Luna had said secrecy was of the utmost importance, that I couldn’t tell any pony about what I was doing. Hence the stealth armor, not even bearing her insignia, officially I wasn’t here.

The silence stretched.

“Look you don’t really need to tell it’s just I haven’t seen pony around these parts for forever. Then a week ago I see three and now you. It’s just strange. Yah know what I mean?” He gestures to me then scratches at his broken horn.

I was about to answer when he said that, that somepony had met him a week ago. It was probably nothing but…It wouldn’t hurt to ask, maybe they were more runaways from Equestria. “I am looking for a pony that is supposed to be on the coast, in Shallow Shale to be exact, and-.”

“Hey that’s where Ari and his herd were heading! Sure is getting to be a popular place nowadays…Maybe sis was onto something?”

Ari…

The Ari?!

It was too much of a coincidence; Ari wasn’t a common name, unheard for a pony, but…

“Was he taller than you, all black, no cutie mark, and an Alicorn?”

Gennady started to nod, before looking at me with narrowed eyes, “That would be him. I take he is the one you are looking for?” I nodded, causing him to frown and tense, “And what do you need to find him for?”

“Err, well, I’m not really allowed to say-,” it hit me then, “-but did you say he had a herd?!”

Crossing his arms he gave me a stern look, “I did say that and I’m getting the feeling you are going to be trouble for him and his mares.” He must have seen my mouth drop because he continued, “Yah I said mares, he has two of the most loyal mares I have ever seen…Not that have seen a lot of mares around here, but they are very, very protective of him…Maybe it would be best if I came along.”

My brain stalled as Gennady said that. Why would I bring him along? He obviously likes the fake Alicorn, could possibly be a changeling too, and doesn’t trust me now. But I can’t betray Luna, she is counting on me!

“NO! I mean no, I don’t think I need any help. I’m just here to-,”I put a hoof to my muzzle. “I mean I’m perfectly capable of handling a couple of mares,” horse apples that came out wrong.

For a couple seconds he just stared at me, and then he broke into loud laugh, attracting his buddies from inside the mine.

“What’s up Gen?”

“Did I miss a good joke?”

“Is that a pony?”

They looked at me and I looked back, my sopping wet fur and tired muscles, their rippling muscles and dirt smudged fur. Buck me, I couldn’t escape them.

“This pony, Moonlit Echo is looking for Ari.” They all crossed their arms, muscles bulging as they gave me the stink eye. “Won’t tell me why and thinks he can handle Ari’s mares!”

Another louder round of laughs and chuckles started. I pinned my ears back, snorting as another dagger went into my pride. So I’m a colt, huh? Can’t handle two mares? I was part of Luna’s bucking personal guard! She handpicked me from a hundred recruits, and although I’m not the best swimmer I was a fierce fighter. “I can handle two mares! I was handpicked by Luna herself; two mares will be foal’s play!”

Silence fell as Gennady stood suddenly, his buddies tensing up, expressions telling me I said the wrong thing.

“What makes you think you even get past Ari to ‘handle’ them as you put it?” We locked eyes before he continued, “Ovon, can you tell the boss I’m taking a sudden trip to visit my sister?” The shortest tan bull nodded.

I gulped, what was that code for? “So what does ‘see your sister’ mean exactly?”

The bull blinked, giving me a strange look as his friends shook their heads. “It means exactly that, I sent Ari to my sister. He is either there still or she will be able to tell us where he went. You really are kind of strange…" Shrugging he picked me up, "Oh well, come on then.”

His buddies really left no room for argument.