The Princess of the Night
Chapter 11 – The Big Reveal (Sort Of)
Gerard collapsed to the ground, the glow fading from around his horn.
"Goddess, I forgot how horrible that was.." moaned Gerard from where he lay.
"I know what you mean, there's no getting used to dimension hopping, is there?" replied the ever present voice. It took Gerard a moment to realise that the voice was not, in fact, inside his head, but coming from beside him.
He turned his head and yelped when he saw the jet black unicorn surveying the surrounding area. Gerard jumped to his hooves, spluttering.
"But… you… and the being all tangible… how?!"
The unicorn snorted.
"Oh please, you weren't exactly paying attention when you were preparing the spell, it was rather easy for a sentient piece of your consciousness to detach itself from you and manifest a physical form. I mean, I am part of you after all, and you are one of the most powerful magical beings to have ever lived."
Gerard sighed, "I have way too much on my mind right now to be dealing with you, so either you get back inside my head or help me find Princess Celest-"
"Holy… I must have had some bad 'shrooms or something…" muttered the very obviously stoned man that had wandered into the alley. Both unicorns stared in confusion as the man stumbled slowly towards the end of the alley, before collapsing in a heap on the floor, snoring.
"The world hasn't changed much, has it?" commented the black unicorn drily.
"Indeed it hasn't," replied Gerard. "Speaking of changing, perhaps we should do so, you know, to avoid attracting any unwanted attention?"
"I think that would be wise," responded the unicorn that wasn't-Gerard-but-still-technically-was-Gerard, his horn already glowing with Changeling magic.
When the glow dissipated two almost identical men stood side by side in the alley. They were tall, almost six feet, but that was where the resemblance ended. Gerard had medium length brown hair swept to the side, with dark, thick framed glasses in front of his chocolate brown eyes. He wore an exquisite suit, complete with waistcoat and pocket watch, made of a strange material that appeared to be black, but shimmered with purple wherever the moonlight touched it. The former jet black unicorn had gone for a less sophisticated look. He wore black denim jeans, heavy black boots, and a black leather jacket with a red t-shirt underneath. His hair was short and spiky, the same colour as his fur had been. His eyes were a piercing red, shining out from his pale face.
"Glad we're not going to be attracting any attention," glowered Gerard, "People will be too busy running in fear."
"Exactly what I was going for then," replied the man smugly.
"So, umm…" began Gerard, "What do I call you?"
The dark haired man was silent for a moment before replying. "Marek. It sounds pretty badass, don't you think?"
"It sounds like some terrible disease," retorted Gerard.
"You're just jealous that all you could come up with is 'Gerard'," snapped Marek.
Gerard merely rolled his eyes as he turned and walked out of the alley, leaving Marek to follow behind.
Gerard and Marek sat in the corner of a small café , sipping coffees.
"I've always wanted to taste coffee for myself," said Marek, "though to be honest, it's not all it's cracked up to be." He waved his hand over the cup and the liquid became an amber colour. Gerard leaned over to sniff it and crinkled his nose at the sharp smell.
"Whiskey? Really?"
"Yes, deal with it." responded Marek, taking a deep swig.
Gerard was lost in thought for a moment.
"I used to come here over a millennium ago to work on my books…" mumbled Gerard.
"Actually," interrupted Marek, shoving the newspaper he had grabbed into Gerard's face, "You came here a few decades ago. This paper is dated a few months after you left."
This piqued Gerard's interest. "Wait, really? Let me see that." He took the paper and checked the date. "Hmm… how odd… I knew that our time doesn't correspond to Equestrian time, but this just doesn't make sense… Maybe there's something wrong, fluctuations in the time vortex or something…"
"That," Marek interrupted, "is a mystery for another day. Don't we have something better to do than sit here reminiscing and musing on the nature of time?"
"You're right, but I'm not sure how to find Celestia… I mean normally if a huge mythical creature falls from the sky people tend to notice, but no one here looks like they've seen any excitement in years."
Marek's voice was cold as he said, "I think that's about to change, I don't like the look of the two guys that just walked in the door…"
"Look Marek, I don't want you causing any trouble," mumbled Gerard absentmindedly, scanning through the headlines.
It was at that moment that the newspaper was ripped out of his hands. He looked up scowling, expecting to see Marek, but instead he was gazing upon two men in suits. They had matching emblems on their right breast, a small silver pentagram.
"Shit…" Gerard thought before opening a telepathic link with Marek. "These guys are trouble."
"You think I didn't know that?" retorted Marek internally.
The first man cleared his throat. "Gentlemen, it is quite rude to talk about people as if they were not there. I would ask you to stop." Gerard stared at the man silently while erecting quick mental barriers.
The second man, obviously the younger of the two, interjected. "You two will be coming with us now. If you're smart, you'll come quietly. If not, then we'll be forced to make you."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" whispered Gerard, "There are mortals here. Your code forbids you from displaying powers in front of them, and for a good reason."
"Don't quote our rules to me!" snapped the younger man, "We have been authorised to use force if necessary!"
Gerard slowly rose to his feet as Marek did the same.
"Well then, it seems this is unavoidable."
There was a flash, and every non sorcerer in the café slumped to the floor, unconscious.
"Now," said Marek, "it seems we can speak clearly now. Why are you here? What do you want with us?"
The younger man opened his mouth to answer, but his older companion silenced him with a wave.
"Enough of this. By the power vested in me by the Supreme Council of Mages, I am placing you under arrest. Will you submit and allow us to take you before the council?"
Gerard and Marek shared a glance.
"You take the old coot?" smirked Marek.
"Why do I always get the experienced ones?" mumbled Gerard, before snapping his fingers. This generated a spark, which quickly grew in size until two small balls of fire floated just above his palms. He hurled one, but the older sorcerer moved with a speed that seemed beyond his years, dodging the fireball easily. He flung the other fireball and this time the man conjured a yellow barrier out of thin air, blocking the fireball.
Meanwhile Marek's fists crackled with blue electricity as he advanced towards the younger mage. He jabbed with his right hand, causing the man to jerk and twitch as he flew backwards, hitting the opposite wall. Marek then extended his arm and the man soared back towards him. Marek stepped aside at the last moment and the mage crashed into a table, splintering it upon impact. He advanced slowly towards the now terrified magus, picking up a broken chair leg along the way.
"Oh I am going to make you regret acting so cocky," he grinned, malice filling his eyes.
Gerard realised ranged attacks were useless and so advanced, his hands glowing. When the glow subsided he held a gleaming sabre, which he slashed at the protective barrier. The shield held for a fraction of a second before shattering. The older mage took a step back. He put on a confident expression and scoffed: "Projection magic? What are you, a novice? But, if that is how you wish to settle this, so be it."
The mage focused for a moment and a large broadsword appeared in his hand. Gerard couldn't help commenting.
"Compensating for something, are we?"
This enraged the sorcerer, who brought the broadsword down upon Gerard's head with an almighty slash. Gerard quickly raised his sabre, barely blocking the blow. The man kept the pressure on his sword, attempting to push Gerard's back. As the blade slowly inched closer to Gerard's neck the mage smiled, thinking he had won the battle.
The problem with mages though is that they always have an ace up their sleeve, and Gerard chose this moment to reveal his. In a flash he disappeared, and the mage stumbled forward, the broadsword embedding itself in the linoleum flooring. Gerard reappeared behind the mage and brought the hilt of his sabre down upon his head with a sickening crack. The older mage slumped to the ground as his broadsword vanished, offering no more resistance.
The café was silent. Gerard become more aware of his surroundings as the battle lust faded, and it was then that he noticed the sound of dripping, not unlike a leaking tap. He turned his head sharply, focusing on Marek. He stood above the younger sorcerer, breathing heavily. As Gerard watched, the bloody chair leg slipped from his grasp, crashing to the floor. The sound seemed deafening to Gerard. In an instant he teleported over to Marek and shoved him against a wall.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?" he shouted, spittle flying from his lips.
Marek shrugged dismissively. "I taught him a lesson. He certainly won't be taking that tone with anyone any time soon."
"YEAH, BECAUSE HE'S DEAD!" roared Gerard in response.
"And? Your point is?"
Gerard, not wanting to do something he'd regret, stormed away towards the bathrooms. He turned the corner and found himself face to face with a young woman, with a ball of fire in her hand.
"One more move and I'll burn you to a crisp!" she said, not quite concealing the tremble in her voice. Gerard raised his hands defensively.
"Woah, I don't want any trouble!"
"Yeah, we won't hurt you." Sneered Marek from behind the woman. She whirled in fear, throwing the fireball. It fizzled and died right before impacting with Marek's face. His expression hardened. "Try that again and you will regret it."
"Marek, enough." Said Gerard firmly. "You're scaring her." Marek scowled, but remained silent. He turned to the woman. "Now, how about you tell us your name?"
The woman answered hesitantly, hiding behind her fiery red bangs. "I'm Lily…"
Gerard smiled warmly. "Hey Lily, I'm Gerard, and this," he sighed," is Marek. He's not very good with people, so you'll have to excuse him."
Lily smiled hesitantly at this.
"Now, why don't you tell us about yourself, and why exactly those delightful men were here?"