//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: The Runners // by DungeonMiner //------------------------------// Rarity stood in the elevator to Spike’s office, her mind still playing the events of what happened two days ago still playing in her mind. She couldn’t remember what happened when the six Elements of Harmony activated; all she could remember was a flash of color and light. After that, Nightmare Moon had been reduced to a small, quivering form. Honestly, that was only, what, the fourth surprise that night? So when Princess Celestia herself came to collect her, only for the smaller, light blue alicorn that remained to hug her with a cry of “sister,” Rarity just couldn’t make an effort to be surprised. She almost had the effort to act surprised when Celestia thanked Spike for completing the job. Spike offered a meager thanks before the two alicorns left. Spike led them back out of the Forest, shortly afterward, and into a waiting limousine. Once safe and back in the care of civilization he offered them all a place to stay for the night, with promises of pay in the morning. Rarity didn’t have the strength to argue, and neither did anypony else in the team. They were all shuttled off to a nice, Harmony Inc.-owned hotel, and now they were being shuttled to Spike’s office. The same office in the building they first hit. As the elevator opened for her, revealing the office with the cherry tree, the fine carpets, koi pond, and glass tables. Flashpoint smiled as she saw her with the others, while Spike sat behind his desk. “Well, ladies, the job is done. You’ve managed to save all of Equestria from an eternal night, and make sure that my client has all the tools she needs to begin re-establishing central power in the kingdom. Congratulations!” “Thank you, Mr. Spike,” Rarity said as she took the central chair. The others sat behind her, listening eagerly. Spike nodded. “It’s now everyone’s favorite time, collecting payment,” he said with a smirk before pulling out the AR contract. “Now, just to review, Ms. Web, you wanted protection from Ahuiztechnology, Ms. Steel we re-negotiated for your sister’s therapy, while you work off the farm I bought in your name, Ms. Candy you wanted a Marés Dragon, Ms. Wingmare you asked for ten million nubits, and Ms. Gem you wanted a new business to run. Does that all sound correct?” The ponies all nodded. “Wonderful. However, since Ms. Steel had a chance to re-negotiate, it seems only fair that I give the rest of you a chance as well. So, does anyone want to change something?” There was silence for a second before Web spoke up. “What did you have in mind when I asked for protection?” “A VIP citizenship in Harmony Inc. With your own security team to protect you from any attempt to find you. With a new clean SIN, of course. From what I understand, you took to Running to stay hidden from them, so I figured that this was the best compromise for that.” Web nodded slowly. “And what would the VIP citizenship entail?” “Whatever you want it to,” Spike replied. “You’ve already paid for it if you want to help my business, or follow your own hobbies with it is your call.” Web nodded. “That’s all I need, then.” Spike nodded. Candy spoke up next. “So you know how I said I wanted a Dragon?” she asked. “Yes,” Spike answered. “Well, I still do, but I don’t think I have a team to fly around anymore,” she said. “I can fix that, if you want,” Spike replied. “I can give you a job as a VIP transport for Harmony Inc. I have things and ponies I need moved, and you certainly have the skill to do it. I can’t promise my competitors won’t try to shoot you down, so they’ll be some excitement left in the job. Is that suitable?” She nodded, smiling. Spike turned to Rarity. “What about you, Miss Gem?” “What did you have in mind for my business?” she asked. “Well, it would be a subsidiary of Harmony Inc. mostly to keep you safe from buyout, but other than that, the entirety of its operations are yours to choose. That’s how I run my businesses, Miss Gem, you get to make your own calls. And, of course, as long as you don’t turn on me, your business will run a healthy life.” Rarity nodded. She didn’t like the idea, especially when that meant that Spike still had opportunities to figure out if she was a technomancer or not, though his reasoning was sound, so trying to dodge out would only appear suspicious. “You’ll…” Flashpoint began. “You’ll like working for Spike. He treats his employees fairly.” “Thank you, Twilight,” Spike said with a gentle smile. Rarity wasn’t sure if that was a code or not. “I’d...I’d like to renegotiate,” Wingmare said. All eyes went to her. “I owe a pony a new bar, so I’ll need that covered.” “Well, I’m sure ten million is enough—” Spike began. “I’m not done!” Wingmare snapped. “I need to pay him off, but...but I want a job.” Spike raised an eyebrow. “Well, you know, with this whole Element of Loyalty thing, it wouldn’t do well to leave them behind now…” Spike smiled. “I see. As it so happens, I could use someone in charge of security, and somehow, I imagine you have plenty of experience to fill that. Lots of dangerous responsibilities, maybe even some opportunities to join my elite team of flyers. Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?” Wingmare nodded. “So be it,” Spike said, before quickly making the changes to the contract, before sending it to the ponies for one final look. Once he had their approval. He began to hand out some SIN chips. “You’ll need these, of course, for the purpose of hiring you all.” Rarity took hers and checked the statistics, and again could not bring enough surprise to see her real name staring back at her. “You’re now all official employees of Harmony Inc.” Fluttershy stood. “Thank you, Mr. Spike I appreciate this.” “Of course.” Applejack sighed. “I suppose I best get to work. I have a farm to take care of.” “I’ve notified your brother,” Spike said. “He should be able to put in his two week’s notice, and join you. I’ve also had your home rebuilt, though most of the trees will have to be replanted.” Applejack nodded. “I’ll help you move stuff!” Pinkie Pie said, jumping out of her chair to join the ex-street sam. “At least until Spike has a job for me.” “I’ll get you the info for that bar,” Rainbow Dash told the dragon. “Until then, I guess I’ll meet her security team,” she said, pointing over to the shaman. Fluttershy nodded, approvingly. “I guess that means I have some paperwork to fill out,” Twilight said. “My job certainly didn’t stop while I was gone.” Spike nodded. And Rarity sat there. “Did you want to discuss your new business, Miss Rarity?” Spike asked. She flinched instinctively to having her name spoken aloud, but shook her head. “No, I’m wondering how you did it.” “Did what?” he asked innocently. “How did you manage to get us everything we asked for, but still managed to line your pockets?” she asked. “You managed to still be a slimy corporate scumbag, but also made sure we got what we want, without any real consequences?” Spike nodded. “Well, Miss Rarity, I have to ask, does suffering from corporate greed mean that you have to be an immoral despot?” “There are a lot of ponies I know who would argue that, yes.” “Maybe,” Spike admitted, “but maybe if you suffered under those kinds of despots, and know what terrible things they’ve caused will make you rethink a few things.” Rarity raised an eyebrow at him. Spike smiled. “Have a good day, Miss Rarity.” She gave him one last look before she began to walk away. She made it all the way inside the elevator before Spike called out again. “Oh, and Miss Rarity,” he said. She looked up. “For when you do want to talk about the details of your business, here’s my card.” She watched, eyes wide, as an AR card flew across the room to land in front of her. She blinked, as she saw the face of the card. It blinked at her, obviously a Sprite, before it laughed and met with the card that Thundr5tep gave her, meeting like…brothers. And the elevator door closed.