ORIGIN ISSUE! THE BIRTH OF THE BLUE MANTIS! PT1!
3 days before hearths warming eve. The Annual Carver charity ball for the homeless.
"Oh yes Gin you must meet the mayor mare's husband! He is just a cut up, and he is really intrigued with your "Hooves for the homeless" project my darling." The beautiful red pelt with gold maned filly clung to his arm like it was the only thing keeping her on the ground. As usual for these classy affairs. Gin would have much rather been scarfing tacos and playing a computer game. But the life of an indolent multi Billion bit arms company owner must make 'Appearances' as Amber said.
Gin could not help but smile like a crushing school buck every time he saw her smile. Like she was now. It was a "Pinball smile" the kind of smile that made a buck feel the same as when he got the high score on a machine. It made bells whistles and lights pop in the heart. Of all changelings in the world. Gin had won. He had Amber Shimmer. A pony who loved him for him. Beyond the silly Black pelt blue maned visage he wore. She loved him for the changeling he was inside.
However for Gin the idea of having to deal with the social elite more then his "Job" demanded was an annoyance. Bless her heart for trying to "keep up the facade" though. Gin smiled and looked to his wife as he finished spooning out a bowl of hearty vegetable stew for a young little filly. "Honey I am the head of the 'Hooves for the homeless' charity. I have to be here. Showing that even the richest can understand the pains of the poor-" Two little unicorn bucks with matching coats of dull blue and eyes came up. One wore a scrappy snow cap, the other a ratty scarf. "Please sir. We'd like some more" They said in unison as they held up two bowls in dull white magical fields.
"Of course my boys" Gin replied with a smile, then poured out two bowls for the young ones. The eyes of the two lit like fireworks.
"Tell you what lads. When your done eating go see "Uncle discord" by the hearths warming eve tree. I am sure he will have something for two fine nice young bucks like you." The eyes of the two lit up as they dashed back to a mare with the same colored coat. A dull grey blue. One gave her one bowl. The other buck pulled out two spoons with magic and shared the second bowl with his brother. Gin felt a tiny ting of pain in his heart as he noticed the belly of the mare. She was pregnant with a third foal. She was hardly even the age of Amber.
A Zebra in the finest suit imaginable came up to him. "Good sir the latest wave of soup is ready. A minestrone that is very heady. But the mayor mare is looking for Madam shimmer. Shall I tell her ma'am your busy serving the underprivileged dinner?"
Amber gave that smile again. "No Zano. I shall attend to the mayor mare. Please look after my 'Love bug' " She started off and turned to toss one last "Pinball smile". Gin gave his apron over to another volunteer on the soup kitchen line and Pulled Zano aside. The Zebra merely smoothed his lapels before giving the same stone faced look. "Is there a bother with you and her sir? I do so hope it is not again the argument about her father"
Gin just sat on a cushion and smiled up to the balcony he knew she was mingling on. "No my faithful right hoof. I am just amazed at how lucky I am. A self made creature. Head of the finest multifaceted company in Trotston. Head of the most popular charity in all Equestria. Even engaged to the greatest mare alive. No... I am just right as rain. I just wish this moment could last forever.... Oh and Zano. Those two young bucks with the mother? The ones with the dull blue colors? Make sure they get double the blankets and coats and the mother receives a 500 bit grocery gift card. She is expecting, and from the looks of it very soon."
The Zebra gave a sweeping bow "Of course sir. I shall to attend to it post haste. Anonymously as with every case." The Zebra swiftly trotted off. Gin turned his gaze to the skies of the Botanical gardens pyramid. The evening sky was Beautiful. But to Gin only half as beautiful as Amber's smile. Even the fireworks where.... 'wait a moment. The fireworks are not scheduled till after 8.' Was the last thought Gin had before the entire world exploded
The entire charity ball became a ballroom blitz.
In an instant the glass roof shattered into dust and Earth ponies started rappelling downward firing guns. The security ponies instantly started to return fire as the soup volunteers tried to usher and herd the panicked homeless to safety.
Soon pegasi and unicorns stormed in from the door and roof and made way for the upper balconies where the rich socialites who where attending had been. A classic robbery.
Zano was soon at Gins side "Sir we it appears we are being robbed. I have already alerted the authorities. Please come to safety with me."
"No Zano! Help the homeless escape. I will round up the security. The target is the rich on the balcony. This is just a diversion!" A unicorn leaped between them, two pistols in magical fields. "HOOVES UP CASH OUT, SUCKAS!"
Zano and Gin shared the same glance. In a second the would be assailant was on the ground holding his head screaming in pain as his ears had been turned into paste from a swift double kick to the head.
"Very well. I shall help guide the homeless sir. Please be sure to save her!" And with that dashed off into the rushing crowds. Soon the bodies of the robbers knocked senseless started to fly up in his wake.
Gin levitated the two pistols and checked the mags and turned the safeties off. Rookie mistake. Only a few had actually fired. But automatic weapons make it seem like more then a handful are firing. From what gin could see no pony was hurt. Like all would be robbers, they where more content in making noise and fear to put down any reprisal from the "rent a cops" or the socialites.
But they didn't count on one of the Queens best.
***
What will happen next? Tune in, Same changeling time, Same changeling channel!