//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A door closes, another opens. // Story: The Black Cello Mafia // by WolfOblivion //------------------------------// The Black Cello Mafia Chapter 1: A door closes, another opens. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 1st Octavia shot up like a bullet from under the covers of her bed. It was the first day of the new month, and that meant waiting a very long time until she could have that Nightmare Night off. I am actually getting used to the idea of have nights off. Octavia thought as she looked out the window onto the slightly cloudy Manehattan sky. Getting out of bed to start the day, the telephone in the kitchen began to ring. Instead of heading to the bathroom first thing of the morning, Octavia trotted to answer whoever was calling. Octavia propped the phone in-between her shoulder and ear, and answered “Hello?” From the explosion of noises and surly, but subtle insults coming from the receiver to her now deafen ear, Octavia could tell it was her mother’s monthly check. Every month since Octavia moved out of her parent’s house seven months ago, her mother would insist on keeping tabs on her. Literally. Somehow getting information on what she did on certain days, her mother would hold her accountable for them, like she was committing a crime. Octavia sighed away from the phone, already dreading the fact that she was going to have to dodge around her mother’s smothering. “Octavia dear, why do you insist on living in such a small, and let’s be honest, disgusting building? It’s hardly a place for a high class mare to live,” Octavia’s mother questioned on “So why don’t you just take the allowance we are willing to give you to make you proper?” Octavia’s mother finished with more emphasis on the fact that Octavia’s family was rich. Coming from Canterlot, only the high class we’re allowed to live there, as so was Octavia’s family. They were rich off of various amounts of goods, but the main one, was instruments. The perfection sought out by the father of Octavia is what made his wooden instruments rated to be the best of the best out of all instrument production companies in Equestria. “Because mother, I want to live my own life and make a name for myself, one that wasn’t made FOR me. Build character, experience life you know?” Octavia gave her the reason she stuck with, the reason she always just wanted to drift from her entire family. Being wealthy is like being in a white, boring hell. Nothing came from the other end for quite some time, Octavia thinking that her mother hung-up in frustration and anger. But then a sigh came from the receiver. “I understand Octavia; rebellion is common in ignorant colts and fillies.” Octavia’s mouth hung open at the blunt insult. Instead of her mother, Octavia slammed the telephone, ending the conversation quickly and as angrily as possible. Octavia did her morning routine, scolding her mother within her own mind while doing so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 10th Octavia was reading to head out for the night, allowing herself to spend the spare bits she had gotten from her last gig. As usual, the streets were occupied by carriages and young ponies heading out to drink. Some ponies just going home from work were seemingly annoyed by the mass of people going in every which way, screaming or doing anything they can to arise a small ruckus. Octavia stepped down the steps she was admiring the view from, and started out towards Central Park. More ponies flowed from every direction, as Octavia too was getting annoyed of the ridiculous number of them. Breaking free from a river of ponies, she stepped up to the main entrance to the park, and trotted inside. Some ponies sat on benches, admiring Luna’s night sky, others, spending romantic moments on the grass and under trees. Street lamps lined the pavement walkway, and each one blazing tenaciously into Octavia’s eyes. Stopping under the light of a lamp, Octavia looked up towards the western side of the park. A large wooden stage was erected from the ground, and lights were lighting the area around it. Ponies sitting behind desks were handing papers to ponies gathered around the stage. A single unicorn mare with golden hair and a light yellow coat of fur levitated a microphone with a thick cord extending from it to speakers on each side of the wooden stage. Octavia was too far away to decipher what the mare was saying, but trotted quickly to the stage. Soon the words penetrated her ears “…And we are here to cure the city of Manehatten of its vile plague! Too many of the young and innocent are tainted by this…disgusting, awful liquid, not fit for society!” Octavia reached to stage, and snatched a paper from a stallion with her mouth, and read it on the ground. ALCOHOL: The drink that brings chaos to disrupt order! Oh no…Octavia thought as she read the headline. Continuing to read, Octavia frowned at the propaganda she was reading. This bitter, awful substance known by all as alcohol is destroying the city! Reports from clinics and hospitals tell us that every day, more and more ponies are being killed and affecting the environment around us by this substance! It is time we took action! The flyer ended with the short passage, and Octavia stated listening to the end of the mare’s speech. “…there is a ridiculous amount of ponies dying from Alcohol, but that is not the only thing! Our economic standpoint is down farther than it’s ever been! Instead of putting money back into our community, Stallions and Mares needlessly spend all their bits on destroying themselves, and end up making the unable to perform their jobs due to illnesses caused by Alcohol, and running businesses into the ground! “And the crime! Ponies ravaged by the taint of alcohol cause our police departments to run on fumes, a preposterous amount of drinking outside of designated areas, starting fights, robbery, and other disorderly conduct make the generous police ponies desperate and tired from all of the activity!” The mare had finished her speech as more ponies accumulated around the stage. For five more minutes, Octavia listened to the propaganda, hearing the murmurs of approval and seeing ponies being persuaded by her words. The yellow mare screamed her finishing statement. “It’s time we stood up! It’s time we ban this alcohol from our great city! It’s time, for unity and order!” Ponies all around Octavia were hollering and cheering agreement, stomping the ground with their hooves, showing support as the yellow mare smiled a triumphant smile. Octavia turned to see a large crowd of ponies all around her, causing her to back up into the stage. Getting looks from the ponies on and off the stage, Octavia broke from the crowd and ran towards the entrance. At the entrance, Octavia turned to see the stage. The mare was once again walking and talking on the stage, while the ponies on the ground were screaming support. Turning back towards the street, Octavia trotted back to her apartment, wanting nothing but sleep. Worry pulsed off of Octavia in waves, running all that she had heard from the mare in her head. Octavia fairly enjoyed drinking, it helped her relax, and it helped her musical career along its path. The banning of alcohol made Octavia’s skin crawl the more she thought about it. Eventually reaching her bed, she crawled into it, her mind burnt from the day and the event that had occurred in the park, not even bothering to drink a glass of scotch and listen to the news, and fitfully drifted to sleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 12th Octavia woke up slowly, a headache starting to un-ravel it’s self. “Too much zebra imported scotch.” Octavia slowly slurred. Rising out of bed to drink her hangover remedy: coffee; she turned on the radio, listening to a local orchestral oriented music station as she prepared her drink. The sun shined lightly, as if Celestia herself granted hung over ponies a truly awesome gift. Now sitting down on her couch, Octavia listened in complete bliss to the wonderful ensemble of classical instruments. After the song had ended, Octavia tuned the radio to a news station.“…and the burglar that had resided his crime in the carriageways has finally been caught due to a complex plan to stage an intense temptation to the stallion that he could not afford to lose. Basically, putting diamonds inside of a purse, completely visible by all in the area.” The announcement of the stallion being captured surprised Octavia. “Okay, I take my insult to the police back.” Octavia got up to refill her cup of coffee, turning the radio slightly up before she retreated to the kitchen to continue listening to the news. “Local Manehattan activist group, Purity of Alcohol, against alcohol and alcohol related products have inspired an uproar from other cities in Equestria, questioning the supreme power of its decision, after months of debates on the subject between the Princess and the Supreme Court. So a decision has been made by the government, and it will be hosted in Times Square by Princess Celestia herself! The Princess and three representatives of the Supreme Court will be there to discuss and let the fate of alcohol be known at 1:00 P.M., so be sure to attend if you are involved in this mess.” Octavia froze, in mid preparation of her second cup of coffee. The news cast continued on, but Octavia paid no attention to it as she ran into her room to check her clock by the side of her bed. It was 10:00 A.M., and Octavia had no intention of missing the gathering. The fate of her career hung in the balance, so it was of the upmost importance. Octavia relaxed as she realized she had a couple hours before the start of the announcement, returning to her coffee, Octavia turned on the music station she had on earlier, and counted the hours. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Octavia was wearing an ensemble of a light sweater and a scarf, the temperature dropping drastically given the time of year. Even standing at the back of the massive crowd residing at Times square, she could see the gigantic stage at the center. A regal looking desk sat in the middle of the stage with three microphones sitting on top. It was exactly 1:00 according to a clock hanging from the stage, and the people of Manehattan waited eagerly to hear the decision. But as three aging stallions walked on the stage, the crowd quieted down with a deafening silence, awaiting the arrival of the Princess to take her place behind the desk. And then, a shadow passed over the stage as the Princess descended down on to it. Taking her place next to the Supreme Court representatives, she was the one to start the announcement. “Hello Manehattan residents. This as you know, is the announcement of the decision that I and the Supreme Court have came to.” The Princess boomed, using her royal Canterlot voice. “And the fate of the distribution and production of all alcohol and alcohol related products is: All alcohol is now banned from Equestria, and is now illegal to have market in said prohibition.” The crowd was utterly silent, and to some, it seemed as though time had stopped. But it was for their drinking habits. For Octavia, it was for the loss of her only way to earn money. Octavia bent her head down, tears forming in her eyes. Now that I lost my gigs…I’m going to have to return to home, with my parents. Octavia thought with sour emotions tainting her body. One of the representatives of the Supreme Court spoke up. “As of now, all registered buildings in Equestria that distribute and produce alcohol shall be shut down.” As more ponies bent their heads, due to the loss of many jobs not only in Manehattan, but in all of Equestria. Many ponies, including Octavia, turned away from the stage and the crowd, somberly walking home, all out of jobs, and all at a loss of what to do, neither did any of them want to hear anymore about the prohibition. Octavia thought of the incoming call she would receive from her mother to return home, all the sour emotions being amplified as she reached her home, and fell asleep on the couch, not caring to take off her clothes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ October 16th Octavia woke up with her eyes closed, and sloppily positioned on the couch, then opened her eyes to a brightly lit living room. “Who opshen the cursans?” Octavia sleepily slurred as she sat up. The entire bottle of apple flavored scotch lay on its side on top of the coffee table, and several bottles of beer were strewn about. Octavia looked to the window in the kitchen, and saw Mugs making a pouring coffee into a cup. “So you’re awake now.” Mugs called without looking back at Octavia. Octavia grunted in response, not very pleased with the intrusion of the bartender. Mugs walked into the living room, levitating the coffee to the table. Octavia picked it up and drank greedily to rid herself of her head ache. Mugs sat and looked around the apartment. “Sweet Celestia ‘Tav, this place is a damn mess.” Mugs said as he kicked a bottle away from his hoof. “Why did you drink all of it?” “Because Mugs, I lost my dammed job!” Octavia yelled in response, instantly regretting it as she put a hoof to her temple. “And so did you, so it’s hard to not wallow in self pity being sober, y’know? I drank it so I wouldn’t have to sit through it. Octavia continued. “I drank ‘till I got drunk because it’s hard to deal with problems.” “You drank because you’re an alcoholic.” Octavia bent her head down and sighed. “Whatever. Why are you here anyway?” Mugs looked directly at Octavia “Well, I wanted to see how you were doing. You haven’t turned on your lights since the announcement of the prohibition.” Octavia nodded. “Yeah well we’re both out of a job, so at least one of us is dealing with it in the correct fashion. So what are going to do know since you can’t bartend.” Mugs flashed a smile at Octavia, and had a glare in his eyes. Octavia just stared dumbly, arching an eyebrow. “Oh you know same old same old.” Octavia was confused, because same old just meant bartending. “What’re you talking about? I know you had to sell the pub due to the banning, so why…?” Octavia trailed off. Mugs kept his smile going. “It’s called a Speakeasy.” Octavia also kept her confusion going. “What in the name of Discord is a Speakeasy? Sounds weird.” “I really shouldn’t be telling you this. It can get me killed, but due to the loss of your jobs, I see an opportunity for you. Well, you know the Mafia, right?” Octavia nodded. “Well, the Mafia and other organized crime contributors run these pub-like places called Speakeasy, or Speakeasies for plural,” “So since its all organized and secret crime, the Mafia brews the drinks, and distributes all over Equestria for bits. They also own the Speakeasies to sell the drinks, or to use as headquarters for the operations. Now, I’m the nephew of an executive of the Earth Mafia. Though I am a Unicorn, I’m still able to bartend for an Earth Speakeasy because of the risk factors,” “Bartending for a Speakeasy is a hefty prison sentence, so jobs aren’t fulfilled very easily for the Speakeasies. But since I have a fraction of the blood, and I am willing to take the job, I am now the bartender of an Earth Mafia Speakeasy.” Mugs finished with a boastful smile. Octavia sat with her mouth slightly open. “They sell drinks? I can get a dri…” Octavia stopped mid-sentence from Mugs snort. Octavia heavily sighed “ALRIGHT, I am an alcoholic. But aside from the promise of booze, where does all of this have to do with the ‘opportunity’ that you say is there?” Mugs acquired a serious tone to his voice as he spoke. “You’re entire family is just Earth ponies right?” Octavia nodded. “Well, then you’re in luck. Come on, I’ll explain when we get there.” Octavia stood on all four hooves. “Get where?” Mugs looked back while opening the door “To the Earth Speakeasy, come on." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Octavia and Mugs sat at a booth in the building Mugs said was a Speakeasy. There was a bar at the south end of the building, and there were two monkeys in a cage in the center of it all. Octavia, now have a permanent feature of confusion on her face, stared at the two animals, running around each other for seemingly no reason. Mugs was speaking to what seemed like a waiter, and turned to Octavia when she was done speaking to Mugs. "And what will you have miss?" The waitress asked. Octavia glanced at Mugs, who just smiled and gestured his hoof towards the mare. "Umm, a beer?" Octavia asked timidly. Mugs just snorted and shook his head, then spoke up. "She'll have what i'm having." The waitress nodded and walked away. Octavia was still in a fit of confusion. And looked at Mugs, waiting for him to explain why he ordered for her. Mugs took notice of her glare and hastily answered. "Octavia, this is a place that distributes all kinds of alcohol, you need to be specific for what you want." "Well, it's confusing. How are they able to sell these drinks and not be under the force of the ban?" "Oh, they are 'Tav, it's still illegal as in hear as it is to sell it in registered pubs. But these types of places are secret. It's obvious you've noticed the monkeys in the cage. And im sure you wondered why we had to pay five bits each to come inside right?" Octavia nodded along. "Well, this works in a way that we are paying for a show, not for drinks. We pay to come see the monkeys, but, they also sell us...'refreshments' to go along with the show. Understand?" Octavia nodded some more. "As for how it stays relativity secret," Mugs continued. "Is that there are no sale records to what drinks ponies buy. It's all just the Mafia selling their own brew, it's direct distribution, so no payments have to be sent far away to factories, and no trace of money is made." "Oh i see. Yes, that does make sense." Octavia spoke instead of nodding. "But, that doesn't mean Speaks don't get raided, and the ponies inside are arrested. Thats the main reason so few ponies bar tend for these places." Mugs added as the waitress placed two Mugs of frothing beer on the table. Mugs then gave her four bits. "Wait Mugs, did you just pay for my drink?" Octavia questioned. Mugs nodded. "You're out of a job 'Tav, you can't pay for it right now. Plus, since i got a new job, i do have the bits, so i might as well." Mugs countered. "Anyway, we're here on business." Mugs said while turning toward the waitress. "I request Applejack to come meet me at this booth." The waitress nodded and trotted away towards a door. Octavia leaned over to look inside, and saw some stairs going up. Octavia leaned back into her seat, and raised an eyebrow "Applejack?" Mugs smiled and explained "Applejack is an apple bucker and athlete from Ponyville. But, she also happens to be the second in command of the Earth Mafia and the ruler of the Earth brewing division." And from the door came a orange Earth pony in a stetson hat, and a pinstripe suite. She walked right toward Mugs and Octavia's booth, pulled a chair up to the bare side of the table, and sat down. Octavia looked at Applejack with a sense of intimidation, while Mugs looked at her with respect. Applejack looked at Mugs with a smirk, and the two shook hooves. Then, in a split second, Applejack turned on Octavia, causing her to cringe on the inside, not wanting to show a sign of weakness to the mare in a pinstripe suite. Applejack looked Octavia up and down, then turned to Mugs and spoke with a strong southern accent. "Are ya positive she's a hundred percent Earth?" Mugs nodded. "I know her family, and all of them are Earth." Octavia looked at the two ponies sitting in front of her and gathered the courage to speak. "So, why am i here exactly?" Applejack redirected her gaze on Octavia, a stern faded into s small grin. "Well, your friend here has told me about you. One-hundred percent Earth pony, young, able bodied and able minded, and fresh out of a job." Octavia nodded as she ended. "Simply, i am offerin' you the gift in bein' the Earth Mafia, Manhattan division. A job of high risks, high stakes, an' high pay." Octavia's mouth gaped open as the Earth pony gave her a proposal. Applejack spoke up again. "But my policy is to be honest. This job means you're going to have to kill ponies if the only solution is to, and you can be going to prison for a long time if you are ever arrested on the job." Octavia closed her mouth and formed a stern look to her face. An extremely dangerous job was laid out before her. I could DIE. I might have to murder ponies. But...i'm out of money, and my rent is coming up...and mother... Octavia thought back to the fight she had with her mother two nights prior, and it burned fiercely in her mind. I would've never thought my mother would insult me so much in my entire life. She called me names i wouldn't even call a rapist. Octavia pondered her decision, while both Mugs and Applejack stared at the serious toned pony. In all of what could be said out of desperation for money, desperation for alcohol, and a fierce hatred for her mother is what caused Octavia to say: "My answer is Yes, I will join the Earth Pony Mafia" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Authors Notes: First chapter! So I spent most of the night writing this thing, so I wouldn’t be surprised if I have made grammatical errors. After reading the Prologue earlier, I noticed that I had used an almost borderline retarded amount of commas, so now I am trying to lie off of them. As for my faulty pronoun usage, I have fixed that too (I hope), and now I make sense when I write Nightmare Night, Princess Celestia, and Supreme Court. But as it has been brought to my attention, I have made many errors, and I acknowledge them with a proposal of an editor. The couple of brony friends I know in real life are too busy at the conventions, so none of them can pre read my story, since my free time is at night, I get tired and lose focus on grammer. But I will take any volunteers. Also to account, I’m in a rut with the weapon design. In the Ask Mafia Octavia tumblr, you see Zedrin’s pictures of Octavia’s Thompson, but you never see the trigger mechanism, so I might need to look into that. Second chapter will come before monday, I will submit as soon as possible.