Vickors' Gambles
With Spike's disapperence after Sin's, the group concluded the obvious and were lead through the streets.
Mac had to admit, he liked Vickors. With out all of the misandryst dogma about, the well diversified city seemed lively and a little more friendly. Ace offered to give a brief tour around, to which everyone present was more than eager to accept. For the next few hours, Mac observed shops that parallel those in Equestria: Bakers, book stores, clothing enterprises, wagon and tool exclusive shops and the like. Next came the merchandise that ranged from bewildering to disturbing.
There was an auto shop for the steam powered vehicles that hogged the road along side the donkey pulled wagons. -he hadn't noticed before, but most transportation was held by the jack's-. Customized enchanters every so often, butcheries, tobacco shops, large hotels and even a casino. It was official, he wasn't in Equestria anymore. (Yes, I did just make that joke.:D)
Applejack and Twilight looked on with wonder and curiosity, while Rainbow and Shade seemed indifferent. Pinkie, for her part, was more interested in the ground than any of the sites. Twilight and the others had tried talking to her, but she just smiled and said she was just thinking.
"A dragon?" Rainbow asked. The rest of the group looked over and their eyes nearly burst from their skulls. Sure as sugar, there was a short, sapphire blue drake laughing with a pair of zebras. At first, Mac thought it was a trick of the eye; minotaurs looked something like dragons when they were both young, but nope. The scales, the base long tale and canines extinguished all doubt.
'She'd been that way ever since she left the spa, wonder what's eating at her.'
There was a baby sapphire dragon. The other citizens didn't seem to have any real fear of him. Matter of fact some even waved as if he was a familiar sight. This town was accepting of dragons? Well, at least Spike should be ok.
The more the group walked, the more the sub-urban construct became metropolitan. It wasn't that that big of a space, and took them half a day to wave through, however, the buildings still towered over head. Finally, they reached one building that was about twenty stories tall with the words "Federal Vindications" In bold white on the front.
"Here we are." Ace sighed happily, "Home sweet home." He ventured in with the others quickly on his tail. The inside was a lobby that wasn't too special, yet still held a quaint charm to it. A simple receptionist desk conformed to the tan and white walls and floors, a few red waiting chairs stood in rows with unimpressive plants serving as decorations. The feature that stood out was how the place smelled, or lack there of.
Mac sniffed the air. Nothing. There was no smell to the place, he'd at least expect the smell of pine scented cleaning agents; but there was nothing of the sort. It was as if his sense of smell had been taken away.
He didn't have long to linger however, the Golden pegasus lead them through a couple of doors to the left. The last said: "Authorized Personal ONLY!"
He burst in like he owned the place. What lay beyond was a concrete spiral stair case, and at the bottom, after it had gotten considerably colder, a pair of iron clad double doors. He stopped and turned to the group who'd just finished filing down the stair way.
"Now, listen closely." He started, his face dead panned serious. "You do not ask anyone any questions. You do not speak unless spoken to, and you do not touch anything with out permission." The dark tone in both his voice and eyes was actually kinda frightening. "Many in the Syndicate are paranoid beyond reason. The fact I have brought you down here qualifies me for an inquiry."
After he made everyone promise, backed up with a Pinkie Promise, to keep to the rules. He turned around and took a steeling breath before knocking on the door. A small slit opened up and a pair of eyes greeted him, a voice came asking him something in a language Mac couldn't understand, and Ace replied in kind.
The slit closed with an audiable thunk and the doors began to open. A rush of warm air overwhelmed the ponies and they were beckoned in by a surprised looking diamond dog. "Who are they?" It asked in a deeper and gruff tone.
Mac eyed the canine for a moment, it wasn't like any other he'd seen before. The muzzle was a bit longer, and it's colors were a simple black with orange paws and underside.
"Relax Disodo." Ace replied with a smile. "They're allies of the Syndicate." He tried to move through the doors, but the dog's fairly large arm blocked his path.
"And why should I believe that?" The rottweiler growled, his eyes full of skepticism.
Ace sighed and looked back to the group, he sighed again and shook his head. "They are with Islander."
The cynical dog's face turned bemused. "Islander? He hasn't shown his face here in over a year." He crossed his arms, "and if he's smart he wont. After his little stunt in the Senate, Mary is just aching to get a hold of him."
Mac's suspicions were all but confirmed. He couldn't believe Sin didn't tell him about Malich.
"I don't care who sent them, boss said no non-members can come in without authorization."
"Is that how things work now?" Called a voice from above. Sin strode down the stairs, Spike close behind, and past the Equestrians. "I wasn't aware the Syndicate had adopted taking leadership positions. I guess I was away longer than I thought."
Disodo's demeanor changed from casual to combative. "YOU!"
Sin lifted his hoof to cut the guard off. "Disodo, I'm in no mood for your shit." The pony pushed past the dog, "Tell Mary, the two of us will be having a little chat soon enough."
Mac couldn't help but wonder who this 'Mary' was.
With the guard dog subdued the Equines (and dragon) finally ventured into the warm, well lit hallway beyond. After they had entered another pair of doors, Mac's jaw hit the floor. A long railing encompassed all the way around the room. Below were dozens upon dozens of ponies, griffins, dogs, minotaurs, and every other race he'd ever seen. Including a few zebras.
Most were at desks, looking over documents and folders of every sort. Others were walking about holding quick conversations or exchanging pieces of paper or some small trinket or another. Surprisingly, with as many beings as there were present, the noise levels were practically unregistered. Had it not been for the visuals, Mac wouldn't have guessed there was anyone in the room.
"By Celestia's name." Applejack whispered.
"Welcome to the main Base of Operations to the Syndicate." He smiled and offered to lead them down to the lower levels. The ponies followed in quick order, until they came down to the bottom. The extreamly large interior looked even bigger from the lower level. More so, the volume had upped a bit. Though nothing distingishable, it was clear that the congregation of ponies were actually working.
"What's going on here?" One of them demanded, a turquoise earth pony. "What's all of this now? Who said you-" His words stopped. "You."
"Yes, yes." Sin waved his hoof dismissively. "It's me, spare me the rest."
The pony seemed to grow only more aggravated by Sin's words. "Fuck this, I'm letting the boss deal with you." He declared before turning around and trotting off.
"You aren't well liked around here, are you?" Twilight asked said sarcastically.
Sin smirked. "Only on days that end with 'Y'."
It took a moment, but everyone got the joke and shared a little laugh. A few moments later, the earth pony from before reappeared with a confident smirk, another pony, an older, dark orange and red unicorn followed with a frown that had to have been practiced for years. "That's him boss."
The new unicorn passed by the now onlooking workers and trudged up to Sin. Mac felt his body tense, if it came to it, he'd be ready to assist his friend if need be. Shade seemed ready to do the same, though with a disturbing smirk.
As the Federalists studded each other, the orange red stallion's serious expression didn't waver, and neither did Sin's. "Well?" He snapped looking back to the pony whom had fetched him. Said stallion's confident smirk disappeared to a look of confusion and nervousness. "What did you bring me out here for?"
His confusion turned into bewilderment and he began stammering. "But it's- He came back and... what?"
The superior of two sighed dramatically and slapped his hoof to his head. "By the gods Celvin, you disturb my speech preparation for this?" He motioned with a hoof. "This group of less than threatening ponies? I'll have your nuts on a pike, boy!"
Celvin's eyes constricted at the threat, he was obviously confused and distraught, but nodded his head in understanding and slowly back away with his tail between his legs.
"Nice to see you're social skills have improved, Mary." Sin chuckled.
This was Mary? Mac quirked a brow.
"What you're not dead yet? Fucktard can't do anything right, can you?" Mary spat before looking past. "And what the fuck are lookin' at, smiley?"
Shade's smirk grew, the challenge on his face only farther ignited by Mary's words. "Can't tell, some kinda failed mix between a tiger and aborted buffalo it looks like."
The stallion stood silent for a moment, his passive face leaving no indication to how he took the insult. While Mac had learned to keep his cool in almost any situation, on the inside he was a bit nervous. It was obvious this 'Mary' was feared among his subordinates, and Shade was... yea. This wont end well.
"HA! I haven't heard that one." Mary burst into a mirthless laugh. "Don't do it again."
"No promises."
"Now, who are they, and what are they doing here?" The orange unicorn asked, turning back to Sin.
"Good afternoon." Twilight interjected, much to Mac's disbelief. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, we are from-"
"PFT bwahahahaha." The addressed burst out into a more genuine laughter. "Twilight Sparkle?" He lost his words to another chuckle. "What? What is that? I don't even..."
Twilight frowned at the pony's display of mockery and rude comedy. What was so funny about her name?
"No, no wait." He wiped a tear from his eye. "Let me guess, that's your stripper name, right?"
"Stripper?"
"And let me guess." He continued looking to the other mares and inspecting them. "You're Applemare, Pink Ballon, and Rainbow Mane."
"That's Rainbow Dash." The cyan mare spat with venom.
Mary visibly fought back a laugh. "You're joking right?" The serious look on Rainbow's face made him lose it. Laughter didn't quite capture what he was doing, it was more of an insane cackle. Complete with him rolling on the ground and clutching his side. "Oh man, Oh gods, I- I can't... haha!"
Mac could only look on with a poker face. Mary's laugh, it was the contagious kind that, no matter the circumstance, would make almost anyone join in. Even Spike and Ace were fighting back the ultimately scold sentencing activity. Harty and lifting as it was, the bellowing eventually died after another few minutes.
"Ok, I've heard some names in my time, but that just out does it all!"
Sin cleared his throat and explained that the four were not from the Federation, but from the desegregated pony homeland of Equestria.
"Ohhh." The stallion nodded his head in realization. "So that's where your dumb ass went. Now it all makes sense." he looked to the foreigners and shrugged, all comedy removed. "Still stupid names."
The girls scoffed.
"Any way, why'd ya bring 'em here?" Mary barked. "I knew you were stupid, but I thought even you had more sense."
Sin opened his mouth to explain, but the superior cut him off again. "You know what? To Tartarus with it, I don't even care." He began walking back the way he came. "Just don't break anything."
As soon as the pony was out of sight, the other members of the Syndicate went back to their works and Ace gave a hard glare. "What in the world Twilight? I told you not to speak unless spoken to."
"I'm begining to wish I had." She shook her head. "That was just rude."
"And I say he's gonna pay for it." Rainbow called beginning to walk after him. "Nopony insults my friends and gets away with i- OW! What the hay?" She looked back to find Sin grabbing her tail with his good foreleg.
"Trust me," He let her go. "He's the last guy here you'd want to mess with."
Rainbow rolled her eyes and groaned. "Whatever."
Ace took that as a signal to lead the group away from the main area, and to another door which, low and behold, had another stair case going down.
"Hey Ace, What's the point of this building anyway?" Twilight asked, breaking the droning sound of hooves on concrete.
"This building is basically dedicated to defending private entities from the Federal government." He explained all to happily. "Basically, the State government and Federal government are two different entities to deal with. Be it taxes, regulations, actions or otherwise. There are things that the state says you can do that the Feds say you can't. Federal Vindications is a company built by the Syndicate to combat the system in a legal way."
Rainbow finally voiced her confusion about the differences between the two governments, with Applejack and Spike in full agreement. Mac didn't voice his opinion on the matter, seeing as he had a grasp on it, shaky as it was.
"Basically, one government makes laws for just the state it governs, the other makes them for the Federation as a whole." Sin blurted in annoyance.
By this time, Twilight had pulled out a quill and parchment and began jotting down notes. It didn't make any sense why, it seemed like an easy enough concept to understand. But, Twilight's going to be Twilight.
Finally, they made it down stairs and entered a large recreational room, consisting of a few recliner chairs, a pool table, lounge study with numerous books, and a few lights.
"Wow, nice to see they livened up the place a bit." Ace quipped genuinely.
"Right." Sin agreed before he lead the golden pegasus to the other side of the room while the Equestrians explored the lackluster entertainment the room had to offer. Mac recognized the pool table, it took a lot of practice just to hold the stick right when pinched between the foreleg and hoof, if he remembered right, it was a game created by minotaurs.
Eventually, the red clothed game arena lost his interest and he looked over to find Sin walking out the door they'd come in. Once the stallion had left, Ace addressed the room. "Alright ladies, gents and Star Shade." The mentioned narrowed his eyes.
"My name is Reverend father uncle Billy Bob Cletus Lee Roy - god free-god send - Alabaster the third to you, goldy."
"Yea, anyway..." Ace explained that since this city was the main head quarters of the Syndicate, it would be able to offer them the most protection, and it would make the best place for Twilight to gather information for her teacher. When she questioned about the diversity of the city and it's location bias, Ace assured her that Vickors was the most divers city in the entire Federation. Maybe lacking tolerance for other cultures more... extreme and traditional activities, but still there were seperate sectors where the population of a respective race became more dense and so was it's way of life.
However, the more one drifted away from those exclusive population concentrations, the more things blended together. For example: The traditionalist Earth ponies here HATED anything enchanted that had to do with labor. Mainly because it made harder jobs easier to do, and in turn, the fact that they were stronger and faster than most of the other races; were negated. However, you'd find them using said technology to assist them in preforming their work in more magic accepting communes than their traditional counterpart.
Ever since S. Equine needed a certain kind of drill to break through a mountain to create a more conventional road, due to popular demand, it was voted that the ban on magical items be lifted from the state. After, the ponies of said state, began to experiment more and more with the tools. Some taking reservation, but most finding the lightened work load more pleasing. Though, the traditionalists still held their way for their own reasons.
Applejack voiced her sympathy.
"yer darn tooten. Nothin' li'e ol' fashioned hard work ta' make taste good."
"Taste good? AJ, they are just making it easier to collect the food." Rainbow interjected. "That doesn't make a difference in taste."
"Oh no?" The apple mare rose a brow, "N' what about that time when them, 'Flim Flam brothers' came ta Ponyville pushin' their apple cider? Their fancy smancy invention broke down when i' was put against the Apple Family."
"Yea, because we helped you." Rainbow smirked.
That was true, Mac remembered Rainbow running with him to keep the cider press going at full steam. It wouldn't have been that important of a contest, except somepony, not going to name names, decided to bet the ownership of the farm on it. Not to mention the exclusive rights to sell apple cider in Ponyville.
"And you saw how everypony reacted to it." Applejack replied with an even bigger smirk.
That was true as well, of course that was due to the fact that Applejack's friends helped out, and forced the two to trade off quality for quantity.
The two continued their debate and Ace left it alone past that. He offered Macintosh a game of sticks and the two wondered over to the pool table. "So what do you think of North Equine so far?" Ace asked grabbing a pair of sticks from underneath.
"'Sides the stallion hating of the last town?" Mac replied in comedy. "Not to bad, really."
His opponent chuckled as he set the balls up. "Yea, there's a reason the Syndicate doesn't hold a presence there. Hey Twilight, Spike, you guy's up for a team game?"
The two looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure." The mare agreed. Ace grabbed another two sticks and handed them over. "I'm not too sure on how to play though." She grinned sheepishly.
Ace tapped a hoof on his chin, "Hey Mac, you've played this before right?"
"Eyup."
"Good, You and can help your team mate there." He motioned. Mac couldn't help but smile, he'd seen how the males taught the females pool.
He offered to have Shade be the judge of the game, even though one wasn't really necessary. The stallion declined in a declaration that such a game was against his religion. Knowing better than to argue, Ace moved onto Pinkie Pie, who also declined the offer, electing instead to go for a walk around the city. Rainbow offered to go with her, but the pink pony insisted that she wanted to be alone for a little bit.
Yea, something's definitally eating at her. Maybe some time by herself might be good for her. Mac and them wished her a good time, which she gave a small smile at, than walked back up the stair case.
"When you need to come back in, just tell whoever's on guard that you're with me." Mac wasn't sure if Pinkie heard the gold pony, but there was nothing he could do for it now anyway.
"What about you Twilight?" Ace asked setting up the cue ball. "How are you liking the Federation so far?"
"It's... Different." Twilight said awkwardly.
"I bet." The stallion quipped before lining up his stick and breaking the triangle of pool balls. None had found their way into any pockets, but Mac saw a nice yellow strip that he could sink.
"Between that first city and, well..." She paused an looked at her former assistant. He gave her a reassuring smile and told her that everything was fine with him now. His friends were changing alot since they'd been here, Shade's oddly calm behavior, Pinkie's depression as well as Sin's own, and after the dragon's little escapades, his mood swings weren't all that surprising. He didn't notice at first, but when Mac thought about it, it dawned on him just how much life had changed for him.
Before, he was just a simple farm pony. He bucked apples, pulled the plow, and tended to his chores. Now, he was in an entirely different country, shooting pool with a freedom fighting organization member after traveling in chilling colds, roughage terrain, and rode abroad a hot damn air ship! And that was only half of what he'd been through.
"Hey Mac?" Ace called, breaking the pony from his thoughts, "You gonna take the shot or what?" He looked around and realized he had yet to hit the ball. After a nervous chuckle, he narrowed his eyes and struck the cue ball, sending it cascading and hitting the 9 ball into the corner pocket.
Ace continued to reject something during their conversation until the ball hit home.
"Good shot Mac!" Twilight praised, causing him to blush in embarrassment. He lined up another with the 10, but that didn't go as well.
Spike was next, and had a much easier time with his actual clawed hands. He used his fingers to loop around the tip of the stick and aimed at the solid red. "I really don't know." He said before shooting and missing his mark completely. He cursed under his breath before continuing. "I mean, yea, I'm with Twi' on the last town, but in this one, I saw other dragons walking about."
Ace chuckled and told that when drakes were younger, Citizens didn't really fear them. Triple M. had managed to integrate dragons into the city when they were younger and since most didn't cause too much trouble, the city folk didn't object. It was still a relatively new concept, but if the reptiles had money to spend, they were more than welcome. There was even talk of opening an actual dragon colony and giving them their own state.
"Facinating," Twilight said jotting down a few notes on a parchment. "Celestia's been trying to make contact with Dragons for years. How did they do it?"
"How Triple M. does everything." Ace sighed. "By force... and It's your shot."
"Oh." The unicorn blushed and leaned over the table.to the white sphere, Mac couldn't help but allow his eyes flow across her now extended body. Her curves exaggerated and toned backside gave him a miniature heat stroke. Thoughts began to race in his head about how her warm supple body would feel beneath his as he-
"Am I doing this right?" She asked innocently.
Ace bit his lip, "Uh... No. Mac, wanna help her out?"
Mac's eyes darted over to his sister, for some reason to make sure she wasn't watching. She and Rainbow were now hoof wrestling on the ground, so she was distracted. "Sure." he walked up behind Twilight and carefully situated himself to help adjust her body to hold the stick properly. The more he tried, the more awkwardly he made her move. Slowly, he eased himself down onto her back to better move her forelegs.
After a bit of coaching, the mare pushed the stick forward, barely taping the ball a few inches.
"Aww horse apples." She complained. He coach couldn't help but smile, she was cute when she had that look of frustration.
"I' was a good firs' try." he assured, Twilight flashed him a quick smile and two shard a laugh.
"Uh, you can get off now Mac." Spike said blankly. Mac removed himself from Twilight's back and allowed Ace to take his next shot.
The game continued on, Twilight growing increasingly frustrated with her lack of the elusive spheres hit into pockets, and her opponents almost effortless near victory. Even with Mac helping her, she couldn't get one "point" as she called it.
While there were still four stripes on the table, all Spike would have to do is sink the 8 ball and they'd win.
"It was a good game." Ace called, knowing his victory was predetermined.
"It's not over yet." Twilight grinned as Spike missed his mark.
"I think I've got the feel for it, thanks Big Mac." Twilight winked at him. Mac shrugged and allowed her to go with out him. "Tell you what." She began rubbing some blue chock on the tip. "If I get this next ball, you have to lead us to every district in the city."
Ace stiffled a laugh. "Uh, no thanks. You may not be the best, but I'm pretty sure you can sink at least one."
"Alright, than if I win, you have to."
Mac's mouth dropped, she couldn't even hit one ball in, how did she plan to win?
"And should you lose?" Ace replied with a knowing smirk.
"I'll put in a good word for you with Fluttershy." Her eyes lidded half way. "I've heard you had a thing for her."
Ace pondered the notion for a moment.
'wait, when did he even meet Fluttershy?' Mac couldn't remember the stallion ever mentioning her from back on the farm.
"Alright, deal." he smirked.
And with that, Twilight lined up her shot and, sunk two at once. Everyone paying attention had to do a double take. No longer were her forelegs the wobbly and unbalanced wreck that Mac was trying to help stabilize, but the calm, cool and precise mechanisms for striking with a pool stick.
"Two down, three to go."
The next two were sunk with efficiency and precision, lining up the final shot like a pro. Ace broke from his stupor with a shake of his head. "You damn pool shark!" He exclaimed in disbelief.
Twilight smiled and took aim, in one last stroke, she slammed the white ball into it's black victim and sent the 8 into the corner pocket. However, the white ball didn't hit it at the right angle and began to roll to the opposite corner. Ace and Spike's faces lit up upon the revelation, slowly but surly, the scratch was coming to make her the loser of the game.
Five inches, three inches, two inches, One inch until finally, it was almost in. Though, it stopped just a centimeter short, and began to wobble on the brink. Mac's muscles tensed as the sphere hung almost over the edge until finally the wobbling stopped.
"Are you kidding me?" Ace demanded. Twilight gave him a smirk.
"Guess not." The stallion groaned at the terms in which he'd agreed and motioned he needed to get a drink. He invited Spike to join him and the two left the room. It was at that point Mac noticed something under the ball, the faintest hint of a purple glow emulated from beneath it.
His gaze flew up to Twilight who gave him another wink before the ball fell into the pocket with an audible thunk.
'... That was her magic, wasn't it?'
"Twiligh' Sparkle." Mac playfully scolded. "Did y'all jus' pretend to be bad ta win a bet?"
The mare in question giggled before giving him a sultry look, "Well, I'd be lying if I said that was the only reason." She gave a seductive smile before turning her back and following out the door, her plot waving a little too freely. For all of the mare's play on innocents, there was something more there after all.
Mac had to take a seat, he knew Twilight was a clever mare, but... wow. She played him as well as she had played Ace. Leaning back into the wall, he blew a relaxing sigh before he took notice of just how quite it was. Figuring he'd see what his sister was up to, he opened his eyes to find the room completely vacant. Even Shade was missing.
"Wher'd everybody go?"