//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Under-Mined // Story: A Dodgy Business // by MLP-Silver-Quill //------------------------------// “Wotcher, Mr. Sheriff.” Rawley leaned hard against the stockroom crates, hoping that taking the weight off his knees would hide any jittering. Lucky Roll’s eye bulged when he found Rawley. Found him. Standing there, bold as brass. Went completely against the art of the Sneak, it did. Why, Rawley’s da and gramps would both be turning cartwheels if Rawley had paid for a burial. “What are you doing here?” said Lucky Roll after he slammed the door shut. “And what happened to your face.” Outside, the pony who had knocked several teeth loose and given him a shiner was talking with the pony who’d landed a crate on his head. Intuition screamed he should bolt right on outta there. But intuition didn’t earn any scratch, and he needed that to get outta town. “I’m calling in your debt.” said Rawley. “Debt?” Lucky Roll’s face darkened. “I’ve been paying my debt for months now, and I’m no closer to being done than when I started!” “Oh no, gov. Not your debt over that card game. Which, by the by, I cheated.” He’d been hoping for a little shock, but Lucky Roll simply snorted. “Knew you did.” “Oh? Then why not call fowl?” “I thought I could outplay your cheating. Real arrogant, real stupid. Figured I’d pay my dues and be done. ‘Course, that ain’t happened.” Rawley shrugged and perched on top a crate. Better to spring away if things went south. “Ah, well, water under the bridge. Anyway, I’m talking ‘bout more recent generosities on my part. Like keeping the Grumble Brothers from squishing you like a grape.” Lucky Roll’s nostrils flared and his ears flattened. “So that was you too.” “Yep. Did you like the bit with Cherry Jubilee’s scarf? Ms. Preda’s orders, that was. Plant the evidence and let her send her errand boy. Pretty wicked, that move.” Lucky Roll nearly stomped a hoof before hissing. “What do you want?” “I want out of this game, gov. Stakes are getting to high. Bets are too steep. You know the score. Imagine you’d want out too. Ain’t nothing for you here, now. Not after what went down with the little missus, eh?” Rawley leaned in, making sure the light caught his grin. “Now, I got me a plan, you see. Plan to take care of all our little problems and get us on outta Dodge. You just gotta roll the dice with me one last time.” “Hmph.” said Lucky Roll. “I’d pay your ticket just to have you gone.” “Aye, but what about after? Varmin’s gotta have some bits to make his way in this great big world. And I figure you could use a little scratch too, eh? Start building some other debts.” The sheriff turned towards the door. “Wait here.” He slipped out and started barking orders at the bumpkins. Asking a scavenger to stay in one place. Cor! He was making a right mess of himself tonight. Not long, though. Just a little more. He tail lashed while Lucky Roll shooed off the two ponies. Still stung from being crushed by that red blighter, but he’d gotten off a good deal better than Harumphey and the others. Poor blokes are overreaching themselves. More reason for me to book it. After a few moments, Rawley crept up the door and pressed an ear. Sounds of a scuffle outside and Clutterstep’s shout of, “No! Mine!” Rawley retreated from the door just in time avoid getting clocked in the snout. Lucky Roll stomped in with a harmonica clasped between his teeth. He spat it into a drawer, slammed it tight, then turned the lock. “Now then. What was it you was saying?” “A game of chance, me lad. But here’s the twist: we win either way. It requires that you act fast, and deputize your latest guest.” Lucky Roll glanced back towards the office door. “You mean Clutterstep?” “Unless you went and arrested another accident-prone pony in the last five minutes.” “Deputize, him? I reckon Big Macintosh gave you a harsher whoopin’ than I knew. Clutter’d demolish half the town just trying to give a parking ticket!” “Exactly, me boy! But we ain’t gonna have him giving out slips of paper.” Rawley threw a paw around Lucky Roll’s blonde mane and leaned in close. “Turns out them Grumble Brothers ain’t in their hiding den at the moment. They’s off snatching up Big Red and his little sister, that firecracker with the Stetson.” “The Apple ponies?” Lucky Roll backed away. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “I’m telling you now, gov. Try to keep up. You make ol’ Clutterstep in there an offer. Full pardon if he’ll have a go at capturing the Brothers. He goes in, trips around a bit, odds are he’ll bring the whole mine down. Then them Grumbles got nowhere to hide from the sun. Nowhere they can get to before dawn, least of ways. You and your ponies can head on out, rescue the Apples, and we claim the bounty on them Grumble Brothers. Then we split the bounty, sixty-forty.” “And what about Clutterstep?” said Lucky Roll. Pony was glaring something fierce. Rawley couldn’t understand why. “That pony? He’s as immortal as that mare up in Canterlot, he is. Probably be right as rain in a week or three. Besides, worst case is that he don’t make it. How’s that a bad thing?” Lucky Roll’s face hardened, and Rawley’s intuition said this wasn’t going the way he planned. “Here now, has that badge gone and poked your brain? You ain’t a sheriff, Lucky. Never were. This is just a snatch, it is.” “You’re right.” Lucky Roll went to a safe in the corner and twisted at the dial. Rawley tried to see over his shoulder, but the pony made sure to block the sight. Shame he didn’t know Rawley could hear combinations. Mighty sporting of ya, Lucky. He pulled out a bag of bits and tossed them at Rawley. “I’m not much of a sheriff, but I’m mighty shamed that you think we’re alike. That money’ll pay for a train ticket. I want you outta this town by dawn.” “What?” Rawley hefted the bag of bits. Wasn’t enough to last more than a day. “Are you off your rocker? Oy!” Lucky Roll opened the door and went to the desk where he kept the cell keys. “Clutterstep, I’m releasing you into Ms. Jubilee’s custody. I want you to keep and eye on her tonight.” Rawley didn’t have a choice. He bolted into the open and slammed the drawer shut before Lucky Roll could grab the keys. “Oy, steady there!” “What’s he doing here?” Clutterstep pointed at Rawley, who ignored the blue pony. “You’re throwing away a right precious chance! You could be a hero.” Lucky Roll shoved him away and opened the drawer again. Quick as the Sneak demanded, Rawley snatched up the keys and leaped atop the desk. He kept the keys in one paw and the sack of bits in the other. Lucky Roll darted around a blocked the doorway. “I ain’t a hero. Or a sheriff. But I ain’t a swindler like you neither. Now give me them keys so I can go after them Apples.” “Apples?” Clutterstep pressed his front hooves against the bars. “Lucky Roll, what are you talking about?” The sheriff glanced at his prisoner. “The Grumble Brothers may have nabbed Ms. Applejack and Mr. Macintosh.” “What?” Clutterstep rattled against the bars. To Rawley’s surprise, they held. “Let me outta here!” Lucky Roll snorted, “I will, soon as that one hands over the keys. But then you go straight to Cherry Hill Ranch.” “Oh, forget that! You go mind Ms. Jubilee and I’ll go get my friends.” He gave the bars another shove and his eyes boggled when they held. “Just give me the sheriff’s badge and we’ll call it legal!” “There, see?” said Rawley. “Even this pony thinks—” Both ponies shouted, “Shut up!” They blinked at each other. Tossers. Lucky Roll kept his eyes darting between Clutterstep and Rawley. “I’ve done enough to Ms. Jubilee. I ain’t telling her I sent one of her friends off on a suicide mission.” “Everything I do is a suicide mission! Lucky Roll, I’ll go crazy if I’m just sitting at the ranch. I might as well be stuck in this cell.” He slammed his hooves against the bars. “Which apparently I am! What the crud?” Lucky Roll said, “Look, I know you’re worried about your two friends-” “My only friends!” cried Clutterstep. “I can’t lose them, all right? I just... I can’t.” He darted away from the bars and raised his hind legs against the far wall. Gave it a solid kick that made the floor tremble. Rawley and Lucky Roll paused, breath held. The mortar around the brick cracked at the floor. The crack worked its way up, arched over Clutterstep, and touched the ground again. One push, and the bricks scatted before him. “Finally!” Clutterstep was through the archway and down the street, quick as you pleae. “That git.” said Rawley. Well, end’s the same either way. Now he just had to make Lucky Roll see the light. The office shook. The combined abuse of the Grumble Brothers and Clutterstep had finally taken their tol. Lucky Roll and Rawley traded a look before breaking for the doors. Lucky Roll went for the front. Rawley went back towards the safe. Dust shook lose from the rafters and wooden supports cracked. Rawley’s shaking paws turned the dial. 8-17-64. The safe clacked open. Many thanks, Lucky. No partnership, though. Shame. Well, he’d just have to buy a new crew. Rawley flung the safe open. And boggled at the second safe with two dials and a note taped on the cover. Dear Rawley, I know you’ll make a play for this some day. It’s part of your nature. I just want you to know that it’s one thing to take my money, but I’d never let you steal from my neigh-bors. - Lucky Roll “Tosser!” shouted Rawley as the ceiling collapsed. XXXXXX Applejack thought she’d go sick or crazy or both from all the bouncing. The burlap sack stifled her with heat and the smell of her own sweat. She’d given up shouting and kicking. If anypony cared to hear, they hadn’t done a thing. She still gave a thrash, hoping to bean one of the Grumble Brothers’ heads. Was a no-brainer it was them. Given the length of bouncing on their way (sweet Celestia, she was gonna hurl), they were as like taking the Apples to their hideout in the Coltez Mines. She forced herself to think through the sickness and the fear. Nopony who’s gone into those mines has ever come out. She thought of home and shuddered. Just when she was sure to go loopy, the bag swung over and dumped her onto cold stone. The room was dark with a few candle pinpoints. Water dripped further down a tunnel and echoed all the way up. Applejack took in a lungful and tasted sulfur. A meaty hand grabbed her and flung her up against a support beam. Before she could catch her breath, several lengths of chain wrapped around her, pinning her. “ Lemme go, you thugs! Big Macintosh?” “Mmph!” He was on the other side of the beam, bound by the same chain and still gagged. Applejack forced the last of the burlap sack’s air out of lungs and looked for the Grumble Brothers. They were bound up in a circular chamber that branched off into mine shafts. Old and rusted pickaxes and shovels lined one curve near a thick table and two worn-looking chairs. The town’s wealth lined the opposite wall. Crates of fabrics and farm tools. Sacks of potatoes and fence posts. Here an there shone loose bits. Whole livihoods gathering dust in the dark. Flick and Pick Grumble stood at a distance, looking bored. The candlelight highlighted every sharp feature, including the tusks. Applejack scowled at them. “If’n you don’t let us go by the count of three, I’m gonna tan both your hides and make a quilt outta them!” “Oh, such bravado.” A delicate voice sounded from the back of the chamber. Penelope Preda dusted off the rotting table with one wingbeat and held up a kerchief to block the dust. “I do believe you’re properly suited for these conditions, my dear.” She prowled around the Apples. “I do hope these gentletrolls weren’t too harsh with you. I’d be ever so upset to have you both bruised.” Her tail reaching out and caressed Big Macintosh’s chin Applejack struggled against the chains. The same links that had bound the Grumbles kept her from tackling the dainty griffin off her talons. “You keep your filthy mitts off my brother!” “Filthy? Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. I shall have to bath at least five times tonight just to get the smell of this place off me.” Preda sidestepped a smudge of something dark on the floor. The Grumble brothers shrugged to one another and sat down at a table. Flick pulled a deck of cards out from under a buffalo skull. Preda continued, “Though I suppose you wouldn’t know anything cleanliness, would you? Tell me, when was the last time you luxuriated in a bubble bath? I’m guessing it wasn’t this week.” She giggled and padded around Applejack. “Well, I suppose it won’t matter soon. Terrible tragedy, your disappearance. Ms. Jubilee will be ever so upset.” “If you think ponynapping us is gonna win you that ranch, you got another thing coming, hussie!” Preda’s smirk faltered, and the lining of her slippers stretched. Applejack thought she saw the point of a claw trying to force its way out. “Mind your tone, pony.” Her growl filled the mine shaft. “In better times, you would have been a light snack for one of my kind. But then that nag from Canterlot defeated us and took away our pride. Some of my kind have accepted this and--the four winds forbid--actually think of ponies as friends. But I hold true to the old ways.” She grasped Applejack around the jaw with her talon. The points dug into Applejack’s coat. “Truth is, I don’t give two feathers about what happens to that land or that pathetic town. I just like to see the ponies struggle, thinking they can get out from under my claw. Nothing’s so entertaining as struggling prey.” Her tongue traced the edge of her beak. “But lately, I’ve been thinking about going back to the old ways in the truest sense.” Applejack pulled against the chains and worked up a gobbet of spit. “Just try it.” Preda released her grip with a push. “Oh, not until I’ve seen this through to the end. I want to see the look in your eyes when you hear that Cherry Jubilee’s out on the street and that buffoon Clutterstep’s the most wanted pony in the territory.” “Clutter?” said Applejack. “What did you do to him?” Penelope Preda cackled, “That’s just it! I didn’t do a blessed thing. Dang fool broke himself out of jail and tore it down in the process. Come first light, every sheriff and deputy on the frontier will be hunting him. It’s so delicious!” She consulted a watch from a purse about her neck. “Oh dear, where does the time go? Not much longer until sunrise and there’s ever so much to do. My business partners will keep you entertained until I get back.” The Grumble Brothers both grunted, cards in hand. Pick looked to be winning, given the pile of bones stacked in front. “And don’t you worry, little pony. I’ll gladly extend a line of credit to help your family through these hard times. What were their names? Oh yes, Applebloom and Granny Smith.” All the fire washed out of Applejack. “You stay away from my family! You—hmph!” Preda pressed a strip of cloth between Applejack’s teeth and tied the knot behind her head. Grinning like a skeleton, she danced out of reach from Applejack’s kicks. “I’m so looking forward to branching out into Ponyville. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention.” She patted Applejack on the forehead and stood to go. “Until brunch.” She turned and gave the Grumbles a glance before padding down the caves. Applejack pressed against the chains, but they had her tight as a barrel. I ain’t gonna cry. She thought, despite the welling tears. Her family. Her friends. It couldn’t end like this. It just couldn’t. Big Macintosh’s tail brushed against hers. It was the only contact they could manage. Applejack wished more than anything her brother could be safe, but a part of her was glad to not be alone now. Whatever happened, the Apple siblings would face it together. But who would be with Applebloom? First her parents, then her big brother and sister. Would she be okay when Granny Smith moved on? Had Applejack taught her enough about minding the farm and the harvest? Her friends would be there for her. She’d earn her cutie mark, make her way in the world. Maybe find a good stallion and raise a family of her own. Applejack wanted to see it. She wanted to see her home and her sister and be a part of that life. It just couldn’t end like this. She couldn’t help it. She started to weep. Through the tears, she spotted a patch of blue in the dark. Clutterstep poked his head out from a side passage and held a hoof up to his lips. Oh, you dang fool! She didn’t need Madame Pinkie’s crystal ball to know how this would end. She shook her head. Tried to wave him away. Clutterstep crept down the passage, keeping close to the candlelight’s shadows. He had a rock in one hoof. Don’t you dare! Applejack tried to project. She couldn’t tell if Big Macintosh saw it too, but the rapid flick of his tail was a good hint. Go back! Clutterstep watched the Grumbles, who were absorbed in their game. Hefting the rock, he lobbed it down a side passage. It struck a powerful racket in the mineshaft. Then it ricocheted off the floor, bounced off the shaft wall, and bounced back to Clutterstep’s hooves like a loyal puppy. He hadn’t even thrown it that hard. Clutterstep looked down at it as if to say Why you gotta be like that? What did I do to you? He then looked up at the looming forms of the Grumble Brothers. “Aw crud.” said Clutterstep. They’d taken up a pickaxe and shovel. Clutterstep grinned and started backing away. “Well, you two are looking fit. I guess abducting my friends is good for exercise. Leaves a bit of a moral void, though.” Flick lashed out with the pickaxe and embedded it where Clutterstep had been standing. The blue pony’s hooves fought for first place as he backpedaled. He then ducked a swing from Pick. “Oh, Mr. Pick! Maybe you should trade weapons with your brother? Get some symmetry going. Pick armed with a pickaxe, right?” Clutterstep backed into a curve while Flick advanced. Pick circled wide and blocked the passage. The Grumbles tossed their weapons to one another, caught the pickaxe and shovel midair. Clutterstep’s voice went deadpan. “The one pair of beings that actually listen to my suggestions, and they’re trying to kill me. Typical.” He cleared his throat. “Okay, you know what? This is just stupid! We all know how this is going to end, and it’s just going to messy and unpleasant and drawn out. So can we at least be efficient about this?” Flick and Pick hesitated. Applejack imagined nopony had tried that line before. Clutterstep continued, “Tell you what, I’ll tangle with the stronger of you two. That way, we can finish this quickly.” The brothers stared at one another. Applejack watched, breath held. The Grumbles’ stare intensified. “Come on.” Clutterstep beamed. “Which one of you is stronger? Let’s hear it.” The Grumbles drifted closer to one another, never shifting their gaze. “I hate to see siblings fight, but if you gotta settle this, I’ll wait.” Clutterstep shimmied along the shaft wall. The Grumbles were practically nose to nose, weapons held ready. Pick made the first move. “Well, I suppose it’s up to you, old chap.” Flick waved his hand, all dismissive. “Nonsense, my good fellow! Have at him.” Seriously? thought Applejack. Clutterstep’s slack jaw and bugged eyes said he was thinking the same. “Oh, come now brother. Remember that time you lifted that boulder and tossed it upon the train tracks. I daresay the entire world felt the impact.” “Pshaw, dear brother! What about the time you toppled that building with one swing?” Pick started blushing. “Why, ‘twas only a small shack. What about that beast you brought low with only a hearty-sized boulder?” “That manticore?” said Flick. “Why, that was less than a pup. Hardly the stuff of legend.” The back-and-forth kept going while Clutterstep crept past and drew up to Applejack and Big Macintosh. He muttered, “Everyone gets a fun accent except me. How is that fair?” He started fiddling with the lock. Applejack’s heart hammered. He’d never be able to pick the lock before the Grumbles settled their argument. They were already recounting feats from childhood. “What about that ruffian you beat up in the third grade?” “Oh, I simply had at him because you were too polite. I imagine you would have laid him out with one pinkie.” Clutterstep pulled at the lock, but it wouldn’t budge. “Hmph!” Applejack shook her head. Taking the hint, Clutterstep yanked the gag away. “Get outta here, Clutter! You can’t pick that.” “I don’t have to pick it.” Clutterstep struck the padlock with his hooves. “I just have to break it. And if there’s one thing I can do, it’s break stuff.” Flick said, “What’s say we have the pony decide?” “Capital idea, old sport!” Clutterstep struck the lock with all his might. The lock held, but a chain link snapped and the binding grip on Applejack slackened. “That’ll work.” She slipped free, giving Big Macintosh enough room to do the same. “Oh, bother!” Flick charged, swinging the shovel at Clutterstep’s head. Big Macintosh lunged and knocked Clutterstep out of the way. The weapon struck against the support beam, shattering both the shovel shaft and the wooden support. The ceiling trembled. “With one hit!” said Pick. “You see, brother? Your strength is truly amazing.” Applejack jumped out of the path of falling rock. Flick battered another away. “You’re too kind, dear brother of mine. But now may I suggest we run for our lives?” Having no idea where to go, the ponies followed the Grumble Brothers. Flick and Pick dashed up the passage, battering falling stones out of their way. The Apples and Clutterstep followed close on their heels, dodging the debris they shoved aside. Applejack and Big Macintosh took the lead with Clutterstep tripping over stones behind them. Applejack ducked under a rock big as her head. “How much further?” “I dunno!” Clutterstep tried to vault a falling rock, failed, and came up from a role without losing a step. “I just followed Ms. Feather Duster down here. Lucky for me she likes to gloat.” “Eeyup!” The ceiling behind them gave way, burying all of the stolen goods from Dodge Junction. Applejack coughed on the gathering dust and the thickening stink of sulfur. Her lungs burned and her vision watered, but she kept focused on the retreating trolls and remembered that she was running for home. I’ll see you again, Applebloom! A support arch gave out and nearly clocked her in the head. A shove from Big Macintosh got her under in time. She looked back and took some relief from her brother’s smile. “Terribly sorry about this.” Pick had stopped ahead and had his arm on another support beam. “But Ms. Preda was quite specific. Nopony gets out alive.” He made to pull it. “No!” Applejack spun in front of a falling rock. Rearing back with her legs, she gave it the perfect buck. The rock shot forward, nailing Pick between the eyes. The troll toppled back into his brother’s arms. “Pick! Speak to me!” Big Macintosh charged ahead. He launched himself at Pick, bounded off the troll’s round belly, and drove his hooves into Flick’s face. The impact rang louder than the cave in, and Applejack winced. The trolls landed in a tumble, and Big Macintosh bounded away without missing a step “C’mon, Clutter!” Applejack could see the first hint of stars up beyond. “I’m-Gah!” Pick had Clutterstep’s hind leg in his grip. For all his thrashing and kicking, Clutterstep couldn’t break free. The mine continued to toppled from the bottom up. The ceiling between them cracked and shook loose. Rocks fell into a barrier between them. Clutterstep looked from the tangled Brothers to Applejack. “Go!” The ceiling gave way. The last Applejack saw of him was that smile. “NO!” Applejack tried to throw herself against the rock pile, but Big Macintosh caught her. She struggled against her brother’s grip like a foal. “Let me go! We gotta help him.” “We can’t.” said Big Macintosh. He scooped Applejack up the way he used to when she was a filly and carried her on his back. They were off at a run, still outracing the dust cloud. Applejack didn’t have the gumption to fight her way off her brother’s back. She just held in tears and wished to be out of those awful tunnels.