//------------------------------// // Kluggin in Klugetown // Story: My Little Universe: Season 7 // by EquestrianKirin //------------------------------// With their jump through the portal, Rarity, and Applejack were off from Equestria, and off into the city of Klugetown. The portal, much like before, got them over in a secluded location of the town, which itself was probably for the best. Applejack knew what they were getting into, and once they got there, she immediately made sure that there was no one around to jump them. Not many around here. "Good. Look, this isn't no fun rodeo, so try to keep yer heads down, and watch who you talk to," Applejack advised. Rarity's first impression on the place became clear when she looked down to her hooves to find she was standing in wet dirt, yelping before getting it off of her. "Disgusting," Rarity said, "This place could surely use a full makeover." "You don't know the half of it," AJ thought. Rarity and Applejack began to go off through a less populated area of Klugetown, Applejack's nerves on a knife edge. If this was anything like before, she wanted to be better prepared this time. Rarity wasn't enjoying this place anymore than she was, but more of the fact it looked so decerped compared to a typical Equestria settlement. Not even Hollow Shades looked as bad as this - least she could say nature was put in better play over THIS place. Applejack and Rarity both stopped once they got to the end of their little alleyway. They may not have seen Rarity before, but surely they would recognize Applejack from the last time they visited this place. "What a ruffled-looking crowd. Sorry you had to come here to get the keys, Applejack." "Just try not to draw attention to yerself, and we'll be fine. Soon as we get that shovel, we're gone," Applejack said, slowly starting to come out. Not a minute after they did, a few of the locals began to take notice, and … "You there, pony, how much for the hat?" called one of the barters. Here we go again. "I'm not here for sellin', tradein', or anything like that, K?" "How much for the hair?! I'll give you two stonebucks for it!" shouted another local. "TWO STONEBUCKS?! My mane's worth far more than that!" "Really?" AJ sighed, rolling her eyes. The fact she was asking to buy her mane and tail, and the worry was how much it cost? The crowds were starting to gather around the two ponies. Seeing so many of the strange creatures surely made Rarity uncomfortable: fish, reptiles, even a gray feline, all taking some interest. "Then I'll give you ten stonebucks for it!" shouted the barter again. "Fifteen!" yelled another. "Twelve stonebucks and a gold doubloon!" added another. Clearly these folks had a one-track mind, and without a quick escape like last time, Applejack had to think fast to get the crowds gone, and simply flying off or running away might not be the best idea ever. LYING wasn't gonna work - she was no good at that, and they were probably used to that by now. It was then she saw one particular object of interest, being placed on a window sill, though she KNEW Rarity probably wouldn't be so thrilled. "Rarity, you can forgive me later." "About what?" Rarity asked. Applejack answered when she bucked on one of the support beams. *crash* "AAHH!" Sometimes a old gag can do wonders: next thing Rarity knew, she found herself completely filthy with a ton of dirt, grass and flowers from several flower pots, which now laid broken and scattered everywhere. "DANG IT!" shouted one of the barters, "What am I suppose to do with that now?!" some ticked, some disappointed, they all moved off away from the dirty unicorn. They weren't going to buy something that just got broken. Applejack moved over to her, a bit embarrassed as the unicorn glared at her. "Sorry." "Now, I know we were in a precarious situation, and I can understand some tasks had to be called for, but be lucky I already got the seasonal winter discount to the Ponyville spa at home," Rarity said, trying in vain to get some bit of the dirt and debris off of her fur. "Right, but you see what I'm talkin about? These folks are one-track minded," Applejack said, as Rarity just got off a flower from her mane. "So I noticed. The sooner we find that shovel, the sooner I can put that pass to use," Rarity said. On the bright side, least the locals weren't going to ogle their way in appearance alone. AJ and Rarity started to go off, unaware that this little bit of an act caught attention of one local in particular, finding this whole situation a bit intriguing. AJ and Rarity went on from there, the unicorn getting off just enough of the dirt to at least look a bit presentable. But for the most part, the others kept off their back, as they tried to figure out where the shovel actually was. It wasn't easy, considering every creature there was bigger than they were, and plenty of items were already being moved back and forth with many creatures in some way. This was harder to find than a needle in a haystack. "Well what do we have here?" Applejack groaned, moving her hat over her face upon hearing that O too familiar voice. Rarity turned back first, and soon she found that mr. Verko and two of his colleagues (a pair of minotaur) were coming by to see both farm and city mare. The commotion sure got his attention alright. "Well, uh, how do you do?" Rarity said, as they moved over towards them. AJ turned herself, ready for another conflict, especially when she saw the cronies with Verko. "All the better for seeing you," Verko said, though this didn't make Rarity feel any better, especially when he began to eye her Cutie Mark underneath the dirt. A few wipes away and her cutie Mark was fully shown to the mole rat. The mole rat snickered, and Rarity immediately felt a blush on her face. "Fancy.~" "YOU LITTLE -" *SMACK* went the hoof to the mole rat's head. This left a horseshoe print on Verko's head, but he wasn't deterred. "Feisty too. I'll make a good price out of you, pony. BOYS, do your thing," Verko said, snapping his fingers as his cronies started to come in on both Rarity and Applejack. Applejack readied herself up, ready to jump in at a moment's notice. This started to bring a crowd over, and the goons were just about - "BACK IT UP, back, it, up!" Just like that, an actually friendly soul actually got in between the goons and the ponies. This was an anthropomorphic cat, brown tabby to be precise, donning a red trenchcoat, indigo hair, and a cloth wrapped around his tail. And this feline sure looked a little bit cautious in the presence of everyone else, though this seemingly was more because of the ponies. "Y'all in some serious danger!" he warned, "None of you touched em' have you?" "So what?" Verko spat. The cat went right to Verko's side. "Do those colors look natural to you?" the cat asked, before going to another part of the crowd and whispering "They're infected. With Sporatus … Coloritus." "Now hang on just a minute, fella, we're -" Applejack was silenced when the cat covered her mouth with his tail as he continued talking. "Now, calm down, long as you're not covered in purple splotches, you'll be fine!" … he said, as he dipped his tail in some purple paint, and flicked some onto Verko. Which he didn't notice until after he checking himself, growing surprisingly scared. He just touched one of them after all. Splotches got all over his shoulders, face, and bottom half. "Uh oh," said the cat, though he didn't sound scared much. "W-What the?! What do I do?!" "Enjoy your last moments, and don't touch anyone … because parts will fall off." The crowd disappeared in seconds shortly after that, not wanting anything to do with the two ponies anymore, even Verko leaving to handle his final moments with this coloritus thing. After the crowds had left, the cat strolled on out and got a good look to Rarity and Applejack. AJ was a bit conflicted, but Rarity was pretty impressed with him. "My, that was impressive. And charming," she giggled. "Capper's the name. And charming is my game," said the cat, giving a gentlemen's bow. "Now, a little birdie told me you two were looking for a shovel?" Applejack wasn't so sure about this, but if it meant getting out of this town, she might as well at least try. "Rockhoof's shovel." "Hmm, Rockhoof, Rockhoof. AH, yes, I think I would actually have a shovel back at the Hippo's Den. In fact, the very same shovel that belonged to Rockhoof is right in my room, right now," Capper said. Well, that sure was lucky, but Applejack didn't come here to end up swindled, so she stepped in first. "You sure you're tellin the truth now? That shovel's a piece of history, not somebody's trinket." "Now, now, let's not be too hasty, I know it's there. Tell you what, you two must be tired, I'll even let you stick around in my place if you'd like," Capper offered. While that was a kind offer, Rarity and AJ both knew that not only did they just come for the shovel, but they have a free ticket straight back home through their Portal Keys. Applejack could feel hers just under her hat, and she kept a firm hoof on it. "Well, thank you, but we'd hate to intrude. We just came for the shovel," Rarity said. "Come now, it's no trouble. Right this way," Capper insisted. He sure didn't sound much like the other swindlers in town, and his smooth tone surely got to Rarity, as she was willing to go with him. Applejack glanced to the ground and saw the can of purple paint on the ground. The same color that was on Verko earlier. She tipped her hat before following Capper. She'll have to keep a sharp eye on this guy. ~~~~~~ "Do excuse the clutter, not often I do get guests coming by." Applejack and Rarity eventually made their arrival to Capper's home. The home to this cat was up over at what mainly appeared to be a windmill, top floor, and looking in the place sure had a style to it. A few rugs along the floors, plenty of knickknacks and decorations around the place which included but not limited to; shelves of plates, silverware, chairs made up of crates with pillows, a chandelier with colored glass for some extra flair, and even a "portrait" or Capper himself as a captain of sorts - it was really just his face on a pre-established painting - hanging up in the wall. This was just a few of the many things in this place, which admittedly could just as easily be put off as an antique shop. "Ooh! A sort of a roco-hobo-Bohemian hodgepodge," Rarity observed, as she and AJ went on inside. Rarity and Applejack took some time to look around the place. "You have quite a way with words, don't you?" Capper said. "Well, I do have an eye for decoration, darling," Rarity replied bashfully. While Rarity was busy checking out the work around, Applejack kept to her guns and tried to find where Rockhoof's shovel was. If by some off chance Capper was telling the truth, it had to be somewhere. However, the more AJ looked around, she wasn't seeing it much of anywhere. Applejack tried to find where this shovel was as Rarity and Capper continued their own chit-chat. "Well, I've been wondering when a good eye would be coming by, could use a professional opinion on my little box," Capper said. Rarity felt charmed. "Well, Nobody's here to judge, though I do have to say you have a flair to your uh, little box." "What, these old things?" Capper said, flicking one of the decorative chandeliers, which made a sort of wind-chime jingle, "Just workin with what I got in town. You never know what you could find til you go and check out the neighborhood." "I see. Well, no offense, but I don't know how you could live in this town. So many ruffians," Rarity admitted. Capper paused for a minute, his ear flicking for a second before responding. "Eh, it's not that bad a corner of the world, you just gotta know how to handle the bigger crowds, if you get where I'm goin," Capper explained, which probably would be the typical strategy for living in a town like this. After all, these were creatures who're more than willing to buy off her own mane and tail for two stonebucks. "Understood. Oh, uh, not meaning to be a burden, but you wouldn't happen to have a washroom do you?" Rarity asked, though in her mind she was begging there would be one. Luckily Capper's got it covered. "Right over there," Capper said, thumb aiming to another door. Good enough for her, and she trotted on over towards it. Meanwhile, Capper then noticed that Applejack was still trying to find Rockhoof's shovel. At this point, AJ was looking under a clothed table, but finding nothing. "Somepony's got a one-track mind," Capper commented. Applejack bumped her head on the table before backing up. "Well "pardon me" for tryin to find what I'm lookin for, Capper," Applejack said, not trusting this feline so soon. Capper had to pull some good charm to get to this pony. Capper got comfy, leaning against the wall. "And I said I got it for you." "Alright then, partner. Where is it?" AJ quizzed. In such a town like this, Applejack couldn't afford to be too trustful to everyone in town, even if one of them did offer to let them stick around the place. But even this pony didn't exactly prepared herself for what happened next: Capper flicked his tail behind a curtain by the window, and something was knocked over into sight. A shovel. Rockhoof's shovel! Sure it looked a bit worn out, and the spade was a bit rusty but Applejack was taken aback when Capper presented this shovel to her. Applejack, to put it simply, was speechless. "What was that you were saying?" Capper said, as Applejack took a better look, bringing it up to her own hooves. To think that this same shovel was the one that Rockhoof used to save his village from a volcano. Applejack looked over the shovel for a bit more, seeing her reflection in the metal end of it. "Well I'll be," Applejack said in a hush tone. Capper went up to her. "There now, no need to fret my little pony," Capper said, fluffing AJ's hair. Well, guess they got what they came for, and Applejack waited for her Cutie Mark to … well, do something. Rarity already told her that her cutie Mark went off after getting the flower, but when AJ looked to her flank, nothing really happened. Was this Rockhoof's shovel, or no? Applejack got suspicious all over again, placing the shovel over by the door, leaning it against the wall, but unfortunately she then began to hear running water, and Rarity seemingly singing some sort of humming tune. "Eh, your friend gonna be much longer in there?" "Get comfortable, when she starts hummin that tune, you know she's gunna take her time," Applejack said. Rarity would sometimes hum a specific tune to herself that sounded a bit like something from opera or similar, and when she would make that kind of tune then it would at least take a good hour just to get through it. AJ's visits to the boutique taught her this after a few times. Anyway, Applejack felt that she wasn't getting anywhere anymore. Shouldn't her cutie Mark become active with the shovel now with her? Of course, any shovel could look the part, same as any pony could dress up for Halloween, so who was to say. Regardless, AJ couldn't leave Rarity just yet. "I'm gonna go out for some grub," Applejack said, heading off to the door. "Oh, food is what you wantin? I got some -" "I'm fine, thanks," Applejack cut in. She may not be the one to turn down charity, but this town was not the place to just take random offers which, as far as she knew, would end up getting a catch to it. Still, Capper didn't look willing to harm them, otherwise he'd done so from the get go when everyone else ran off, so the least AJ could say was that he was not as violent. So, Applejack stepped out, leaving Capper with Rarity. "Capper dear?" Rarity called from the bathroom, "Is there any normal shampoo you happen to have in here? All I'm able to find is dry shampoo." Capper just sighed. ~~~~~~ So now back on the town again, Applejack took time to better understand this situation of hers. With nothing happening, this could only mean two things: either that wasn't the shovel in Capper's den, or there was something else the map sent her out to do. What that was, she really didn't know, nor did she want to actually. The longer she stayed in this town, the more willing she wanted to just go. She grew up in a town of friends, family, and honesty - seemingly the opposite of this place. Of course, one-time visits couldn't fully picture a place, so the least Applejack could do was wait it out until Rarity had finished back at Capper's place. "Tarnation. K, AJ, think fer a minute. Capper's got a hold of a shovel looking lot like that of Rockhoof. Why would he be the ones to have it of all things?" Applejack's wondering was only cut short when she began to hear some commotion off down the main street, just to find a bizarrely familiar face rush by her, before taking cover behind some barrels. A few angry store-keeps went off by, almost barreling into Applejack who had to jump out of the way. Applejack slammed into one of the shops front counters just to get out of the way, though this didn't startle the shop keep, who was just wiping away at his front counter top. "Ponyfeathers, don't these folks know anything about -" Applejack stopped when she looked back to the barrels again. Looking there was, yet another anthropomorphic cat, this time being an American Shorthair by fur color, and he seemingly had something in one paw which looked like a bit of gold coins in his paws, only about five and apparently from the people that were chasing him. The cat waited until the group was well out of sight before the cat began to scurry off, all in sight of Applejack. "At it again is he?" sighed the shopkeeper. "Beg your pardon?" AJ asked. "Chummer. That little kitty scamp had run amok in Klugetown with that con-artist Capper. Thought he cut town ages ago," the shopkeeper said. Now THIS was some info. Capper never mentioned a thing about Chummer yet. "So Chummer and Capper handled business together, huh?" "If you call pickpocketing business. I remember when those two were running all over town, taking this and that, you know. Then one day uh …" the shopkeeper trailed off a bit, trying to remember properly. "What?" AJ asked. Eventually the shopkeeper shrugged. "Well, dunno. One day Verko wanted to chat with them, and next time I see em, it's just Capper. Sounds like Chummer flown the coop before he could take him in," the shopkeeper figured, though honestly he wasn't sure of the exact details. Applejack stopped and considered this idea a little more. Applejack felt a little conflicted with Chummer: on one hoof, he was still clearly a thief, but on the other hoof, what did he know about Capper? Or for that matter, why'd he take off from him? "Thanks fer the info," AJ said, before starting to trot off where Chummer had gone off to. And it turned out, Chummer didn't go too far away, and Applejack was quick to find him off down an isolated corner of town, counting out the loot he had. Applejack was a bit hesitant at first, with the place she was in, but she herself at the very least wanted some information on this Capper fella, and if Chummer worked with him, then it would be her best shot. Glancing one way and another, she took a few steps towards Chummer before the feline noticed her. "Back off, this is mine, get yer own!" Chummer made clear, back to her and trying to hide his money. AJ could guess it was a lie, but she didn't care for the money (yet). "Whoa, hold it partner, I just wanna ask ya a few questions," Applejack insisted, hooves up in defense. Chummer froze, but then turned, trying to look tough. "Well, ya want somethin, ya gotta give somethin!" "Like how someone gave you that there money bag?" Applejack said dryly, pointing to the bag. Chummer hid the bag behind his tail. "Yeah. So, what do ya got?" Chummer asked. Applejack though simply gave him a raised eyebrow. She wasn't fooled, he was only saying that because everyone else in town said that. She heard that saying passed around at least five times before reaching this point. All the same, she didn't want to give up her hat, or the key inside her hat, but she wasn't any better liar than Chummer was. "Oh. Uh, I got … nothin. On me, because it's off at home! Yeah." God, this was bad. Her smile didn't help either. "K, how's about your hat then?" "NO!" Applejack said immediately, hooves holding the hat on her head so Chummer wouldn't swipe it off her. Chummer, being the thief he is, went in and tried to see what was underneath the hat, as much as the pony didn't want him to. one hit on AJ's hat, and it flew right off, revealing the Portal Key! "Score!" Chummer beamed, immediately grabbing said key with his grubby paws … just for the key to pop out of them like a bar of soap. The key was not going to leave the owner, no matter what the case may be, and as much as Chummer tried he couldn't get a grip on it. One point he even tried his teeth, just for the key to flip him head over claws, slamming him into the ground before landing back on AJ's head. "Ya done?" Applejack asked. "Keep that key," Chummer murmured, face still in the dirt. Good thing no one else saw what happened there. AJ got her hat back on her head, Chummer spitting out some dirt from his mouth. "Sorry, but stealing's not a way to go. You almost got trampled by a bunch of those shoppers just now," Applejack reminded. "Well, what do ya want me to do? I got no job, not much to eat, and these coins are the best I got," Chummer explained, his stomach even grumbling to prove his point. O the pros and cons of being a thief. AJ got up. "There's lots to do fer a living: working on a barn, designing clothes, washin cars, you just gotta know where to look," Applejack stated, remembering the pretty good lives her friends have had for a good while. Chummer scoffed. "Easy fer you to say, you got those Cutie Mark things to tell ya what to do, all I got is my wit and two - er wait, four paws." Applejack stopped and looked to her cutie mark for a brief moment. Three apples, gained after rejoining her family at the barn. Not exactly too much to say on what one was supposed to do, but Applejack could see what Chummer was talking about. "Hey, look. Chummer is it? Y'all don't look like the criminal type to me," Applejack said, trying to lighten up the mood a bit for the cat. "I'm really tryin here, it's not that easy … er, now it's not easy." "Capper, right?" Applejack presumed. Chummer looked startled that this pony would know who Capper was, and more so that Chummer was involved with him in some way. "How do you know about him?" Chummer asked. Applejack pointed over to the tender not too far away, at this point was wiping away at his table. Chummer suddenly understood what happened. "Oh fer lord's sake, the only non-swindler in town," Chummer gripped. "So, what's your deal with him?" "Ugh. He and I used to be a tag-team: I make the plans, and he makes em work. Why?" Chummer asked, arms crossed, and the bag of money being gripped with his tail, thinking that there was some sort of catch to this. "Cuz I'm kinda stuck with him," Applejack admitted, getting it outta the way, "He's got me and my friend stuck with him at his place." Chummer felt a shiver run through him on this concept. Applejack wasn't really gonna get some story around it, and she needed to get this information down correctly. Chummer clearly didn't see this as a good idea. "Chummer?" "Blimey, he's still workin for him," Chummer realized. "Working for who?" "Verko, that's who! That two-bit rat in an overcoat's in charge of all the shady work in Klugetown. Black marketing, two-sided swindles, gambles from here to the icy north, he's got the charm of a viper and knows how to use it." "But I saw him swindle that rat outta robbin me blind," Applejack questioned. "I don't wanna know, but no way would Capper ditch out of joinin' him. I tried talkin him out of it, but he was just all "but this is a better life fer both of us" and "Verko will handle everythin". That naked mole rat's turned em all, that slimy bloke," Chummer spat. Well, one thing Applejack could say for Chummer was that this cat was NOT working for Verko the way he was talking. This did also confirm Capper may not be what he was making himself out to be. "So, what are you doing here then?" AJ asked. "Tryin to make a living, that's what. I'd rather steal some sap's cash than work under that snake in rat's clothing," Chummer admitted. Applejack sat down over next to him, the cat a bit more comfortable with this pony in his company. For poor AJ though, the realization started to come at her like a train. It made no sense that Capper would be working for Verko, yet trick him like that … unless … "Verko's got Capper wrapped around his grubby little paws, making him caught up in all his schemes ... My only pal, too." Applejack was now fully convinced, getting up to her hooves. This was a bit of a friend issue, but one thing at a time - Rarity was in some deep trouble right now. "I gotta go, thanks Chummer. We'll chat again." And with that said, Applejack turned and made a bolt for it back to Capper's place, leaving Chummer alone with what he at first thought was a good score. ~~~~~~ "AAHH~ Nothing brightens up a day better than a good mane treatment." FINALLY, Rarity got herself finished up in the bathroom after what felt like forever, and Capper could finally get to use his bathroom again. Rarity got a towel to use, and dried her mane off. Capper was checking out the newspaper, glancing passed the pages to see Rarity finally wrapping up. "Ah, done in there? You left some warm water for me in there, did you?" Capper asked. "It'll be fine. Sorry for taking so long, but as they say you can't rush beauty," Rarity said, hoof through her mane. Charming, she was sure, as Capper straightened his coat. As he did, Rarity then looked to the sleeve, seeing that there was a tear in it. "Oh dear." "Huh? what, this? Oh, it's nothing," Capper said, seeing the cut. "Oh, don't worry, I'll have it cleaned up in a jiff. Just give me a few shakes." "Whoa, hold up now," Capper insisted, as Rarity almost immediately went to work. She just couldn't leave clothes worn like this, so she got herself out a bit of her own tail (a strand of hair), and used that like a bit of string to sew up the cut good as new. It was a bit unexpected, just as the two golden buttons she also added onto the coat as well, giving it some bit of flair. "I do apologize," Rarity said "If we were at home, I could've made something more fabulous." Capper looked a little confused by this sudden act of generosity, with it being in Klugetown and all that. "Okay. What's the catch?" "Oh nothing at all. After what you did for us, consider it a thank you." A thank you. That was … different. Typically someone in this town wouldn't even say those words, or heck, remember what they were. Hearing this bit was a fresh air breeze for Capper's ears, and it was admittedly … good. It still made Capper feel a little bit unsure of things now. "Oh. Don't thank me, really," Capper said, as Rarity began to go over towards the Rockhoof shovel, as Capper was left to ponder a little bit about that. No one really had just given him something before without asking much in return, especially by a stranger he had just met. Rarity started to clean off the metal end of the shovel a bit, and as she checked in the reflection, she then noticed something off a ways, hidden just behind some bit of the clutter. Rarity turned and saw that it was a picture sticking out from one of the books on Capper's shelf. Curious, Rarity went over, and got the picture out, and showed two young cats hanging out together: Capper and another fellow cat, looking like they had taken a selfie, all smiles. Capper soon began to notice that. "Well, sure looks like you had fun. Who's your friend?" Rarity asked. "... What friend?" Capper sighed. Rarity went over to him, levitating the picture. "This cat here. He sure looks lively, whoever he is," Rarity pointed out. Capper just brushed it off, hand waving and dismissing it. "That's just some cat I knew back in the day, no big deal," Capper insisted. Rarity took a better look at the picture for a moment, having a seat by the table. "Well, then, what do you have it in here for?" Well, that question did it. Rarity could tell friends when she saw one. Capper just sighed, and took a seat across from her. "Let me tell you something about him, K? The cat's name is Chummer, and he and I used to hang way back," Capper began, holding the picture himself, "We get into all sorts of trouble together, you know?" "Oh, you two close before, huh? I have a friend myself who is a lively sort, a few of them actually," Rarity said, remembering a few in particular herself. Capper gave a soft chuckle before his smile started to disappear. "Yeah, well, Chummer and I came to this place, you see, and let's just say he and I don't see eye-to-eye." "How so?" Rarity inquired. Capper rolled his eyes. "Because that cat would rather go off and be a thief than stick with me and get a better life for himself. We came into town some time ago, and while here we met -" Capper suddenly stopped himself. "Um … well, one of the townsfolk, and he offered us room and board for rent, and gave us some place to crash." "How nice of him! But I'm guessing Chummer didn't want to, uh "crash" as you put it." "You got it. I tried getting him to hang with me like we always do, but that call of a thief was just too strong for him, so he up and left me here. Some friend he was to ditch me," Capper said, some spite in his voice on that last statement before tossing the picture. Rarity was now feeling a bit sorry for Capper, looking at the picture of Capper's once true friend. But before they could elaborate on it any further, they soon began to hear the oncoming sound of hoofsteps coming up to the door, before said door swung open. "Applejack, there you are," Rarity said. Capper got back to his charismatic self. "I Started to worry about you. so, have a good bite?" Capper said. This time Applejack was not having any of it, and moved straight passed him, and grabbed the shovel. Rockhoof or not, they weren't going to stay around any longer. "C'mon Rarity, we're goin now," Applejack said, sternly and quickly. Capper got a bit spooked with this decision, as the orange pony began to head for the door. "WAIT! Er, let's not be to hasty. You know, you two could use a ride, and Capper's got just what you need," Capper cooed, trying to put in some charm on the pony. Applejack and Rarity didn't need any ship though with their Portal Keys, so AJ moved him aside. "I think we'll manage," Applejack said, but just before she could go - "Heeere's VERKO!" Not again! The second AJ opened that door and she was met with the liver-spotted, ratty face of naked mole rat Verko, grinning at the sight of both ponies. So much for getting out before he would show, and Applejack moved back towards Rarity. Verko sure looked pleased seeing them both in one place. "Just as we planned, eh Capper? With that diamond pony and witty-hitter, it's a good start. These ponies better shoot rainbow outta their eyes though if it's gonna fill in your debt. Brought the big cage," Verko said. Applejack and Rarity looked back passed Verko and saw the big cage in question: a wheeled cage with a rider up front, ready to head out the moment they were given word. Just big enough for two good-sized horses to fit inside. What Verko said next just confirmed their suspicions. "Let's load 'em up!" The ponies were shocked. "Y-You … You were going to sell us?!" Rarity gasped, appalled at such an idea. She immediately took back her "thank you", and probably wouldn't of said it at all if she knew this would happen. "I knew it, you varmint!" Applejack snapped, giving a snort. Capper was tongue-tied. "Er, uh, hold on now, I-If you'd just let me explain -" "Don't you even bother, you lonesome creature!" Rarity cut in, making Capper back up a bit. "Come on, we're leaving." "Gladly," Applejack said. *snort* It wasn't gonna be that easy. Applejack and Rarity soon found the cronies stuck at their only exit. Verko wasn't gonna let them get away so easily, and soon both of said cronies began to go up to the two ponies. With the front door blocked off, there was only one way to go. Rarity and Applejack got themselves just out of the way of their hands, and with the shovel gripped in AJ's mouth, went out the only open access: the window. It was a rather sudden move, but at least AJ and Rarity got the one-up on the cronies by grabbing a part of the windmill, going just out of reach. One of the cronies tried to grab another windmill wing, and force it back, but Verko intervened. "They're not going anywhere. Wait for it to come back around," Verko suggested with a sly grin. Capper kept well back from the situation, silently wondering if he should bring AJ and Rarity in or not. They waited for a minute to get the two ponies but … nothing happened. none of them appeared on the windmill after a full rotation. Capper felt a little relief, but was just as curious as the others on the whereabouts. Wouldn't you know that they'd be up on the roof? "Well, congratulations, we're on top of Capper's house, now how do we get down?" Rarity whispered, finding herself shaking in her hooves from being up so high with little safety. Being on top of a windmill was a bit of trouble itself, but looking around, they both then noticed a little something: a set of wires, and a basket being moved up and down from one building to another, connecting to the top of the same building they were standing on. "Up fer a little ziplining?" Applejack asked. "Not much of a choice," Rarity replied. And that was true, especially when one of the cronies just managed to catch sight of the mares on top of the roof. It was now or never. As one of the cronies was starting to get up there, holding onto a wing of the windmill, Applejack and Rarity got their shovel in between both wires, it being wide enough to use, and both mares made a leap off of the roof just before the crony could snatch them up. AJ held onto the shovel with her front hooves as tightly as she could, and Rarity could only grip Applejack, her hooves gripping tightly n her torso like a belt. One slip, and the two ponies would fall right to the center of this crumby town. "Rarity, *ack* loosen that grip!" Applejack gasped. Rarity didn't really listen, her eyes locked downward to at least a ten story drop. The ziplining trip lasted for a good few minutes straight, but eventually the slide was halted pretty quick, the two hitting the end wall before finally losing their grip on the shovel. The impact made the shovel fall off anyway, and it left them tumbling off a shop overhang, before landing on the dirt street. It took them a bit before they got themselves back up from the crash, but their position was more than clear. "I can't BELIEVE him! And to think I've just fixed up his coat and gave him free golden buttons! HAH!" Rarity scoffed, getting dirt off her fur and mane. Applejack checked around for a bit to make sure they were good enough distance from the tower. Unfortunately, Verko and the cronies saw where the two went, and were already charging off after them with the cage, and even if they got a headstart, they looked up to an alleyway and saw the cronies, cage, and Verko rushing right towards them! "Haul it!" AJ yelled, pulling Rarity along to get her moving. The cage they saw, was actually being pulled by one of Verko's cronies, and even if they were galloping on all fours, the two-legged runner was still pretty fast. And then came the iconic, and ironic move: a lasso from Verko, getting Applejack right in the back hooves. Rarity skidded to a stop on seeing her friend caught, and Applejack's hat flown off her head, and the shovel thrown out of her mouth. She had nothing to get her out of this, as the crony began to pull her in. "Rarity, get a move on!" Applejack yelled. "I'm not leaving you!" Rarity said, as Applejack struggled to not get pulled in. The crony though held her up like as if he caught a fish, smiling smugly at the catch. "HIYAA!" *WHAM* right in the snout went Rarity's back hoof in a karate kick. It was just strong enough to give the creature a black eye, and knock him head over hooves, AJ falling to the ground. This pleased Verko a bit, despite a crony down, knocked senseless and eye spinning. This was short-lived though, as Rarity suddenly got tied up in a lasso too. That was always the things against odd numbers: especially when the odds were against you. There's always a disadvantage. In one yank, Applejack and Rarity ended up pulled right into the cage, getting locked up tight before they could get out. All of this too, viewed by Capper. "MAN," he sighed, "The one thing that actually gave me a thanks, and I throw them in a cage." Capper paused for a moment or two, before shook it off. "Eh, it's just business. Now this cat's got his debt filled in." At first, Capper felt not too indifferent over this, but as he began to head off towards home, little by little, he began to feel that his heart just wasn't in it. Especially since he was given free golden buttons and a sewing job for nothing more than just a thank you to him. It had been so long since anyone had ever really said that to him … Eventually, he just stopped and looked back, thinking about Rarity and Applejack stuck inside that cage, ready to be shipped off to who knows where. … And this got his front paw to his forehead. "Someone's getting his fur in a knot. How's it goin, mate?" Chummer. Capper wasn't the only one who saw that happen, and the other cat came out in sight of his old friend. Capper was both shocked and … well, not. "I'm gonna take a wild guess, and say those ponies had somethin to do with you being here?" Capper asked, tugging on his coat, as if seeing Chummer wasn't that much of a big deal. "Well, no, I was just passin by. See you got a new coat. Did that Verko give that to ya?" Chummer asked. Capper brushed it off though, although that would've been nice. "Nah, got it from the shop two blocks a ways. … So … still thieving?" "Eh, this is all I got," Chummer sighed, showing the admittedly small bag of coins he scuffled over. Capper remembered loots far bigger than this, at least when they worked together. "That all? Seen some of the shopkeeps make more loot than that." "Well, not all of us are cut to be shoppers. You know how it is," Chummer said, putting the money away. "... So … how's it been with Verko?" "Oh, going great, just got myself a debt finisher not too long," Capper said, looking proud of it, but Chummer knew his friend (or once was) more than anyone, and he saw that he didn't look as chipper as he should. "You say that, yet you look like you just hid a body er somethin," Chummer pointed out. "WHAT? pfft, NAH ……. it's two." Now, out of context, that's scary, but they knew what was really up, which might as well be as bad. Capper sat down, and Chummer sat down next to him. "So those two were your idea. didn't think you'd be down for selling people." "Neither did I. That debt had to be filled somehow." "Hmm … wait, how long were you in debt to Verko?" Chummer than asked, after a short bit of thinking. Capper was quiet at first, counting it out on his fingers. As the numbers went up, ever so slowly, Capper began to realize something … "Um … guessin … two years? Three?" "Seriously?! Capper, you're not gonna pay that debt!" Chummer snapped, not believing his ears. "Hey, I got my ways to do it, unlike you!" retorted Capper, "I gave up pickpocketing for something better!" "Working for a rat that won't give you up sounds so much better." "What about your money bag? THAT'S enough to pay any debt," Capper sarcastically remarked, Chummer hiding the money away, and hissing at him like the cat he was. Before a fight could be broken out, they began to hear the sinister chuckles of Verko off nearby, just to find him suddenly coming up to them both with the cage. "Capper, there you are! Come to watch the show?" Verko asked. Capper cleared his throat, seeing this as a good time to show Chummer how much better he had off compared to him. Rarity and Applejack were still trying to get out of the cage, as they saw the smug grin on Capper's face. "Afternoon, Verko. So, was I right? or was I right? This surely is enough for that debt," Capper said, ready to hear what Verko had to say. The naked mole rat hopped off of the driver's seat to see him. "Very nicely. But, you know the drill by now: we got time costs. And since you're last debt payment was a good three weeks ago, this debt is raised by fifty stonebucks. Gotta keep up with me, Cappy me boy," Verko said with a chuckle. "Again?" Capper groaned, not realizing that was said allowed. This wasn't exactly the first time Verko told him this, and what didn't help was that the greedy rat saw the small bag of money Chummer had been trying to keep for himself. And the cat noticed too late when he got his grubby paws on it. "HEY!" Chummer shouted, lunging for the money bag, but only to be met with dirt. Verko checked the bag. "Thank you for the donation," Verko chimed, just before laughing and giving the signal for the group to head off, leaving Capper and Chummer by themselves. Now Chummer had nothing but dirt, and Capper had even more debt to pay up. Not even those two were enough for the debt? He could've sworn he was at least close this time. Typically he would brush it off, but after seeing Chummer eat dirt for money … well, the reality of his situation hit him when it should have LONG ago. A debt that he wasn't going to fill, and never will. ~~~~~~ Applejack and Rarity were now in deep trouble. With themselves now stuck inside the cage, Verko brought them off away from the Klugetown square, and off towards what looked to be the Klugetown airship docks. As the idea sounded, the ships themselves were keeping themselves airborne much like a Blimp, with a slight mix of old-fashioned sea-going ships for stylized choice. It didn't matter much though for the ponies, as this ship was where they're going to be boarded onto, and they weren't interested in being sold for work horses. Applejack had been working time and time again to buck out of the cage, but the bars were just a bit too thick to just be bucked off, even by AJ's strength. "Easy, ponies. You don't want to ware yourselves out before you start your work," Verko snickered. "You cretin! When I get out of this, swear on Celestia you'll pay!" Rarity warned, staring daggers at the rat. "HA! The only thing paying is the bidders in the next county. Just think of the prices I can put for two fine looking ponies like you." Rarity almost looked rabid, she was so angry, desperately trying to reach the horrid rodent. Bad enough they got gipped by Capper, but being sold for pack mules was NOT something she wanted to re-live (she had enough bad memories with being pack mule to the Diamond Dogs). "Load em in, boys!" Verko called, giving a whistle to his men to bring them into said ship. However, just before they could be put up there, someone else started to stroll up to the rat. Much to the Ponies' dismay. "Capper, there you are! We're just loadin up these ponies of yours." "Yeah, I can see that. Eh, hey, can I talk to you for a sec, boss?" Capper asked strolling over to the mole rat. Rarity looked crossly at him. "Well, look what the cat dragged in. Himself!" Rarity spat. Capper ignored her, tugging on his improved coat. "Right, anyway, You didn't have time to check them, did you?" Capper asked, "Call me crazy, but as they were stayin at my place, I'm thinking they might have got at little something in their systems." "Don't be stupid, we already pulled that scam on everybody in town," retorted Verko. Capper raised his hands in submission. "Now, now, I know we did, but that was before I brought em back home. I've had them at my place, and they've been giving me a complete run for my money. That white one there spent three hours working out the knots in her mane, and did you see how ornery the orange one is?" "Beg your pardon?" AJ asked quizzically, eyebrow raised. "Well yeah, so?" Verko asked. "So, why do you think that any creature, pony or not, would spend SO MUCH TIME cleaning themselves up? I mean, who knows how long they've been roaming around outside of town? You did say they've been here before, right? and where'd could they've gone in the meantime? Oh, and may I remind you that one of them didn't even clean up yet? Wouldn't want a diseased animal for profit, now would we?" Capper made sure each of his words were as smooth and well put as loud and firm, so as to make sure each one wasn't missed and sounded as convincing. Verko had worked with Capper for years, but even times like this Verko was being charmed into his words, buying into it like any other merchant in town. Applejack and Rarity weren't going to trust this guy at all … until he glanced back and gave them a sly wink. "Now, this is just me, but least y'all can do is give these two a bath. you know, make them look their best for their "debut". Nobody likes little dolls in rags, if you get my drift," Capper proposed. Verko and his subordinates discussed it in private, and Capper turned his back to them with a smile on his face. He closed his eyes, and counted down the seconds with his fingers. Three. Two. One. "Alright, boys, get em in the ship and scrub them down. I don't want any fleas," Verko instructed. Insulting, yes, but Applejack and Rarity were a little curious as to what Capper was up to, as the thugs brought the cage on into the ship. Capper went on and followed them in, but not before giving a signal with his tail for someone off outside. Having seen the signal, Chummer slipped right on inside just before the ship's doors closed. Capper made sure the others were just out of sight before Chummer came in, feeling a good vibe from this plan of theirs. "Well, that was easy. You remember how to do this?" Capper asked. "Don't worry bout me. You just keep that naked mole head talkin while I get those thugs brawling," Chummer replied with a wink. With a high-five as they passed, they both went off to their posts. ……. And for AJ and Rarity, the feeling was a bit mutual when it came to bathtime. like a pair of dogs, both mares were dumped into a tub of water, and the thugs, unwillingly and reluctantly, started to give them both a good ol' scrub down. And they were just as rough on them. Applejack was forced to keep sitting in the water as they kept scrubbing her mane with a wire brush. The knots in her mane were sorted out fine, but it was surely painful for her. Rarity wasn't enjoying it any better, if anything she felt worse about it as it was wrecking her mane to no end! The thug dealing with her held her by the horn so 1: she won't use magic, and 2: it kept her head and body still as they scrubbed her. "Watch where those brushes are goin!" Applejack demanded, feeling another sting from the brushes going through a knot in her mane. Any harder, and she felt her mane would be pulled off. Unaware to the ponies though, Chummer had just managed to slip himself off close to the targets. The thugs did not really notice the cat nearby, and neither did the ponies off in the tub either. The cats had a plan in mind, and Chummer was ready to handle his part. While Capper was talking up Verko to keep him busy, Chummer got his own bit of talent to work. His long tail came out, and gave a tap on one thug's shoulder, distracting him for a brief moment before the cat came up, whacked him on the side of the face, and slipped away. The first thug looked to the second, and snorted at him, but the second guard was a bit oblivious to what just happened. They got back to work, but Chummer clocked the second thug in the face, and slipped before either could see. The two guards were suspicious of eachother. And with Chummer hitting them both at once and slipping out of sight … You could probably guess what happened next: the thugs got into a fight. Applejack and Rarity were startled on seeing the thugs beat eachother up, as Chummer got out of hiding, just to see both thugs give eachother a knockout punch. Only a true trickster can knock out two opponents without touching them. "Chummer!" gasped the ponies. "Sshh. Come on, ladies, before they grow a brain," Chummer said. Rarity and Applejack took the advantage, and got themselves moving off away from the thugs and on their way to the exit. Now, they would just bolt for it, but keen-eared Chummer skidded to a halt, and grabbed the mares, pulling them aside just before - "HAHAHAHA! Capper, you're killin me!" Verko laughed, seemingly just after Capper made a fairly good joke to him. "Ol' Capper: Master of comedy," Capper said with a smug grin. Verko chuckled a bit more before going passed them. "Well, you can give my pals a laugh when we meet em later. For now, let's check in on your - P-PONIES!" AND he found them not only gone, but the thugs knocked out senseless, beat up very badly. He did expect some bit of strength, sure, but looking at these two they looked a bit worse than he would've expected. He wasn't laughing anymore. "WHAT THE - they're gone! How did they do this?" Verko said in shock. As Verko was checking the others, the ponies started to see what the main plan was, and with Chummer's influence, moved them on out into the open. "There you are! You got me worried for a moment there," Verko said, going straight up to them, "How did you handled my pals like that?" Verko was right in their faces, and AJ glanced over to Capper, who gestured them to continue on. With his biggest and strongest now stuck on the ground unconscious, it was only Verko they had to deal with. The odds were now in their favor, but Capper had already gotten this part figured out, remembering a little trick that Applejack had pulled earlier. And with this being a cargo ship, there was quite the amount of boxes. Applejack kept her eye on Capper as he moved off just behind Verko, and his foot knocking over just enough stuff to - *CRASH* Capper, AJ, and Rarity got out of the way just in time before Verko found himself stuck underneath the cargo. He wasn't knocked out, but he was not going anywhere anytime soon. While he did fall for the trap, he knew well who was responsible, as he, Chummer, and the ponies began to take their leave. "You traitor! You back-stabber!" "I learned from the best," Capper said. "You - … hey, you're right. Good technique kid," Verko admitted. Odd to hear, but they knew he wasn't going to be any trouble, as they strolled out of the ship, closing the door behind them. It was a bit of an odd moment for ponies and cats. "Well. Uh, thanks," Rarity said, humbly. "Nah, I should be thanking you: you're the first to actually do something for me without expecting anything in return," Capper admitted, specifically referring to Rarity. "Nobody in this town's done that for me before. Especially that Verko." They weren't too sure if this was just some act on Capper's part or not, but Applejack: Element of Honesty, could see that even someone like Capper was moved by the generosity. AJ looked over to both cats next. "Well, that was a fine plan you both had going. Looks like you won't be working for Verko anymore though," Applejack pointed out. Capper was a little down, but he just shrugged. "Eh, not too bad. Playing con-kitten to a mole rat was never fun anyway," Capper replied. "So what're you gonna do now? Going back to thievery like you used to do?" Rarity asked. Chummer shook his head. "Nope. Being a thief's fun and all, but there's a lot of better, and easier, ways to make a living," Chummer decided. He and Capper smiled to eachother, for this was a decision that wasn't just for Chummer, but for Capper too. There are better ways to live aside from a thief or a con-man. Capper and Chummer started to go, but then Capper remembered something. "Oh yeah," Capper realized. Rarity and Applejack then saw what could only be described as a magician's trick: him reaching into the coat, and suddenly pulling out Rockhoof's shovel seemingly from nowhere. You didn't think they'd forget that did you? Capper gave em the shovel as his own way of thanks, and they both began to stroll off back into town together. It was then that Rarity tapped Applejack on the shoulder and brought her attention to something else: her Cutie Mark was flashing again. This time, she was officially done.