Far West of Canterlot, there laid a nation that was free from the royal protection and leadership of the princesses. The city shrouded in smoke was lively and thriving with civilians but had a shady history to it. Tall Tale was known for having many of the ponies import illegal goods and eliciting riots that caused panic to the victims. There were even reports of royal guards going missing after trying to enter the city, though none have been confirmed true. Under the watch of the surrounding nations Tall Tale’s criminal activity slowed down relieving many. However, regardless of their depleted movement, it was safe to say that some of the shadier ponies in Tall Tale were not going to fade away so easily.
Within the city a local pub going by the name of The Bucking Brawn kept was where many of the residence spent their day listening to gossip and drinking until they passed out. The place was always lively, gaining attention from the locals and increasing in customer size by the day. The congested pub was filled with ponies talking, playing darts, and even at times having brawls just to show off. It appealed to rather rowdy customers, but generally didn't garner attention from officials since mainly what happened in Bucking Brawn stayed at Bucking Brawn. At the bar counter, a golden unicorn with a light brown mane was conversing with the bartender, who pouring grog for the lively colt’s declamation.
“And then the fool actually went up to the guy and asked him about his speech impediment! Poor bastard ended up in the hospital for months afterwards!?”
“Yeah yeah,” the bartender grunted as he continued supplying eager ponies with their drinks. “You know Sting, that instigating you do is going to get you killed one of these days.”
The golden colt tsked at the reply while bringing his half empty mug to his mouth. “Good old Barley Malt, being your usual pessimistic self! I’m pretty sure if ponies wanted me dead I’d be dead by now. They have the firepower to do that you know.”
“Thanks to you and your trouble making rebellion you got yourself into,” Barley retorted as he handed a clearly drunken Pegasus his drink. Most of it avoided the Pegasus’s lips and instead favored his face, but what drunken fools did with their money wasn't Barley’s issue. “I don’t understand what you and the…what you call yourselves, The Spores…are planning to do with the weapons anyways.”
Sting gulped down the rest of his grog and slammed the mug onto the counter, whipping the remaining liquids from his lips. “Ah, well that’s something I can’t disclose friend, namely cause I’m not too sure myself. Anyways more of the usual please.”
“You just had three mugs,” Barley stoically stated.
“So! I had eight last week remember?”
“Yeah, and I also remember you drinking yourself into a stupor and me having to drag your heavy flank half across town.”
Sting rolled his eyes and smiled back at the resisting bartender. “And who are you to question a paying customer?”
“Well seeing how I know you personally,” Barley started as he began pouring another mug of grog for Sting, “I feel inclined to make sure you don’t make too many stupid mistakes. But as you said, you have money so who am I to argue. You’re paying for it, in more ways than one.”
“That last bit was a little unnecessary but thanks anyways,” Sting playfully huffed, grabbing the mug and beginning to down the drink once more. Barley let out a slight sigh as he watched the youthful colt down the alcohol.
“So, like I was saying, about this group you’re into…”
“Ah ta ta!” Barley was hushed by a golden hoof on his mouth causing him to show annoyance in his brow. “Like I said before, if anypony wanted me dead, they would have done so by now. There hasn't been trouble in town for months, and there shouldn't be. So calm down okay will ya?”
The bartender’s gruff expression refused to fade from his face. All he did was slightly nod as he continued to serve some of the other customers who were looking to quench their insatiable thirst. “Still think you’re way in over your head.”
Ignoring Barley’s disapproval, he continued to down his grog swiftly. While he was drinking, Sting felt hooves tap him on the back; he turned around to see a mailmare standing behind him.
“I’m sorry, but are you by any chance a colt named Sting?”
“The one and only,” the colt pronounced and went back to drinking.
“Well here’s a letter for you. The guy said it was imperative that you read it as soon as you get it.” She took the letter out and set it next to his mug on the counter top. “Have a nice rest of the day sir!” She saluted the golden mare and leaves.
Sting looks at the lettering address, which instantly caught his attention. A small sigh escaped his lips which was followed by a grin.
“Yo Barley, I’ll catch you later!” Sting announced waving the letter to let him know it was urgent. “I got something I need to take care of!”
“Fine by me,” the bartender responded. “Just remember, you still owe me.”
“For what? I pay you upfront for the beer here so what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about me keeping you alive for the past five years.”
Sting allowed a hearty laugh to escape his lips. “Well as usual, just put it on my tab.”
***
Sting, we are in the process of establishing a plan of execution. All we need now is the cooperation of our friend here that I want to show you. If you really want to prove your worth in the organization, then come here immediately and do what needs to be done.
Down with the Royal Officials,
Ace
Sting reread the letter repeatedly as he headed down the back ally of Tall Tale.
A friend? Wonder who this might be.
Spore’s building was hidden behind the unsanitary streets behind the homeless and the starving. From the exterior, the organizations building looked drab and unappealing, making it a good spot for the group. Sting walked up the creaky front steps and rapped on the door.
Rat-tat…tat…tat.
“Took you forever Sting,” a rough voice complained from behind the door.
“Hello yourself,” Sting quipped as he waited to gain entry. Surely enough, the door opened and he walked inside.
The interior of the building was way more appealing than the outside. Vibrant colors painted the walls and the ponies inside were enjoying some of the finer services of Tall Tale. Colts were having food served to them by mares, lively conversations, and just laughter and pleasure all around. Sting himself wished he could join in on the fun, but was intercepted by a burly silver unicorn who carried a scowl on his face.
“You really ought to do better with your timing!” the colt scolded.
“Well, can’t help if I’m have other matters that needed to be taken care of Ace.” Sting countered sporting a toothy grin just to aggravate the bigger unicorn.
“Your idea of business is getting plastered at that damned bar! I’m not in the mood for your games today!”
Ace’s face was turning a hint of red as his face heated up. Sting was up for many things, but he didn’t want to catch Ace at his worse.
“Okay Ace I get it! Just calm down please! You get yourself so worked up over nothing.” Sting looked around the lobby briefly and redirected his attention towards Ace.
“Sure I can’t hang with the guys before you…”
“STING!” Ace hissed loudly making the golden unicorn flinch at his tone.
“Alright! So what is it? And who is this so called friend?”
“We’ll discuss it on the way to the interrogation room,” Ace led the way to the basement where Sting’s questions would be answered. The basement leading to the interrogation room was less appealing than the upper level lobby, but still more sanitary than the outside appearance.
“So, didn't want to pop this question on ya while we were in public, but how did you get that scar on your face?” Sting asked trailing behind Ace.
“Had a run in with a royal guard while I was out,” Ace stoically answered making his way down the stairs. “Shot a blast of magic at my eye.”
“Aw that sucks. Was kind of hoping you could go a month without killing one of them for once.”
“Oh this one made it out alive, though he’s not going to want to be after we’re through with him.”
Sting’s curiosity continued to grow due to the response. “Wait, so why did you let him go and have all the others killed?”
For the first time since Sting’s arrival, Ace let a grin form on his face. “Why don’t you ask the guy yourself?”
While still puzzled, Sting followed the leading colt into the interrogation room below the settlement. With anticipation stirring up, Sting found that he growing anxious and impatient. These feelings died down as they entered the room where he saw an unusual site; tied by a rusty collar was a tattered, beaten royal guard looking shamefully at the ground.
“So what, is this the friend you were talking about or a new pet?” Sting questioned sarcastically.
“The former,” declared Ace ignoring the tone of Sting’s question. “this is the guy who seemingly got a hold of what we were planning, what we were going to do, and how we were going to do it. Normally, a certain somepony here would be dead, but he’s an exception.”
“I’m assuming because he’s going to provide some important details.”
“Better than details Sting,” Ace proudly explained while pacing back and forth in front of the dishonored guard. “Upon fighting the ambitious friend of royalty, he let me hear something he wasn't supposed to, and after…’interrogating him’…I discovered this fellow has personal access to the area where the Elements of Harmony are kept.”
Sting’s ears perked from the reveal. A burst of excitement showed on his face. “And because he has access, he can help us by bringing them to us am I correct?”
“Exactly on point Sting! However, that’s all if he wants to comply or not. I mean the other option is involving his family that he has, and I’m sure he doesn't want that now do you?” Ace used a little magic to wave the picture of the royal guard’s wife and three fillies in front of him. On the verge of tears, the nearly broken guard returned to hopelessly at the ground.
“Oh it’ll be fine man,” Sting tried to assure the battered colt. “If it makes you feel any better I’m not into the whole involving family business, so my hands will be clean of any bodily harm our group might do if you don’t comply. Besides, you have options that will completely protect. I’d say that’s a hell of a lot better than the chance your nation gave my family.”
“As much as I’m sure he’d like to hear you go down memory lane, I think we should give him a day or two to think about his choice,” Ace demanded.
“Alright boss, let’s go,” Sting obeyed walking up the stairs. “Hey, are you willing to buy me some hay fries? I’m kind of hungry!”
“With the money you spent on alcohol you could have bought you a full helping of hay fries. So no!”
“Come on! Don’t be like that.”
The two continued their discussion and continued up the stairs, leaving the shamed member of the royal guard to sit and think of what his decision would be. Tired, bruised, and completely disgraced, he only had one thing to mutter before finally falling asleep due to exhaustion.
“Sorry Princess Twilight.”