//------------------------------// // Blood On The Streets // Story: Upon Wings of Sacrifice // by Rated Ponystar //------------------------------// Upon Wings of Sacrifice (Rewrite) Chapter 7: Blood On The Streets An MLP: FIM fic by The Rated PonyStar Edited by Mr. Minimii and Apple Cinnamon Formerly edited by: Fernin, Halcyon and Clavier Artwork done by: alfa995 *** I really can’t get a break, can I? thought Dash, doing her best to resist the urge to tell the guards to stop shoving her. To her left, she saw Tender Point, teary-eyed and shaking from horn to hoof, being yelled at by the guards to hurry it up. If it wasn’t for the fireblaster pointed at her flank, she would have screamed at them to leave her alone. Forced down the stairs, Rainbow soon spotted other guests, and even the hotel owner, being shoved or dragged out into the streets. At one point, a griffin demanded answers, but received a sword handle across the jaw in retaliation much to the horror of his family. None complained after that. The hotel residents were soon ordered to gather near a growing group of other civilians and refugees, voicing their opinions of being treated like criminals, while guards surrounded them in a tight circle. Rainbow Dash tried to make her way towards Tender Point, but she found herself shoved into the crowd and lost sight of her. She cried out her roommate's name, but her voice was cancelled out by all the other voices surrounding her. Flying was out of the question, she could see guards posted up on the roofs, and despite all her struggle she could barely make it through two individuals without getting squished. A loud thunderous boom echoed across the street, silencing all chatter and making everyone freeze up. Rainbow Dash gulped and looked behind her, spotting one of the guards, with feathers on his helmet, lowering what looked like a claw sized version of the fire-blasters. The only noises that could be heard in the silence were those of similar shouts of fear and terror in the distance, making Dash ponder if this was happening all over the city. “Alright, listen up! As of this moment, the entire city is under martial law. No civilians or refugees are allowed to leave or enter Dov’alona until martial law has been lifted!” shouted the officer, flying around them in a circle. “There will be a strict curfew placed at eight at night to eight in the morning. If you are seen outside the streets between these times you will be thought of as a hostile and will be arrested or killed depending on circumstances!” Gasps rang out as ponies and griffins started arguing about this, but a second shot in the air from a fireblaster nearby was quick to shut them up. The officer continued, “Now listen up. Every single one of you is going to be taken in for questioning where you will be either set free or arrested pending further investigation should your answers be suspicious. This is non-negotiable for anyone!” “Hey, what gives you the right to this! We didn’t do anything!” shouted someone in the crowd, a few others voicing their anger soon joining in. “We have a right to know what’s going on!” “You can’t do this to us!” “We demand answers!” The crowd was soon growing more and more restless, Rainbow Dash could barely keep herself on all four hooves as they continued to mash around. The guards raised their spears and tried to push back anyone that got to close. The griffin officer, looking more pissed than before, shouted, “You will receive no answers! You will obey! Unless you want to face punishment for your insubordination I suggest you all-gah!” The officer stumbled in the air and soon landed on the pavement, holding his eye. A few other officers surrounded him before he shoved them away. Glaring at the crowd with a murderous look, he spat out, “Who threw that?!” There was no answer. “If the pecking pony or griffin who threw that rock doesn’t come forward in the next ten seconds I swear I’ll make every single one of you pay!” shouted the officer, drawing his sword as the crowd stepped back in single, unified thought. Rainbow Dash looked around, trying to see paw or hoof raised up from the perpetrator. Everypony began to panic as some kept shouting for the guilty one to step up. The officer huffed and pointed his talons at the crowd while looking at a small line of fireblaster wielding soldiers. Each of them raised their weapons and took aim at the crowd who gasped and began to scream in terror. Rainbow looked around again, sweat dripping down her brow. She saw ponies praying to the goddess, hatchlings grabbing their mothers, others quivering in terror, but nopony or griffin was raising their hand. “If that’s how you all want to play then fine! Aim! Fi--” “I did it!” Rainbow felt every set of eyes in the area focused on her. Putting on her bravest face, she slowly flapped her way forward, her forehoof still held high into the air, only putting it down when she was under the shadow of the larger officer. The line of griffins lowered their fireblasters much to the relief of the crowd. Glaring back up at the officer, Rainbow said, “I’m the guilty mare. Don’t hurt anyone else.” The officer narrowed his one good eye and leaned down, inches away from Dash’s muzzle. “Why did you hit me in the eye?” Rainbow Dash, seeing as she was already putting herself in deep manure, cracked a smile and shrugged. “Actually, I was aiming for your mouth. You wouldn’t shut up.” Upon meeting the floor from the sudden backhand to the face, Dash almost regretted her witty response. She tried to get up, but an iron boot to the back quickly put a stop to that. Growling, the griffin officer continued to kick her. “How?! Do?! You?! Like?! That?! Huh?! Is?! This?! Funny?!” Spitting out blood from her mouth, Dash smirked and asked, “Think you can hit a little lower? I got this kink in my back that needs fixing.” The officer raised his boot again, but raised his head and shouted, “Hey!” Rainbow Dash quickly looked in the same direction. To her horror, and irritation, two young pegasi were trying to foolishly use the distraction to escape. Idiots! Get back here! Raising his talons the griffin officer ordered, “Fire at them! Don’t let them escape!” Rainbow gasped, “No!” It was too late. A series of thunderous cracks echoed in her ears as she saw small bursts of fire and smoke emit from the barrels of the fireblasters in the griffins’ hands. The retreating pegasi cried out in pain as small burst of blood splattered out of their back’s and chest. Rainbow watched both bodies fall down into a bloody mess, struggling to fight back the bile rising in her throat. The gunshots startled the crowd as they began flying or running in various directions. The officer ordered his men to subdue the riot by any means possible, resulting in many of them drawing their weapons. Rainbow Dash, knowing it was too dangerous to fly at this point, got up and ran into the riot, hoping to get lost. All around her she saw various soldiers and civilians struggling against one another, the latter being cut down easily. Bodies of ponies and griffins, young and adult, slowly began to fill the area, turning the bricks below even redder. Despite the macabre before her very eyes, Rainbow Dash continued to press on, jumping over bodies and ducking under blows from nearby guards. She only prayed that Tender Point wasn’t among the sea of dead corpses as she made it to the end of the street. Turning into an alley, she turned around, relieved to see that none of the guards were chasing after her. Suddenly, she felt a blow against the back of her neck and everything soon blacked out. *** Upon waking up, Rainbow Dash felt like she had been squashed by a dragon’s foot and left for dead. Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash slowly got up and saw she was back on the streets of Dov’alona, all but abandoned except for the blood red bricks. She looked around, trying to spot some form of life around her, but there wasn’t a single sound except from her own breathing. “Hello! Anypony here?!” cried out Dash, echoing across the streets. She scratched her head. “Where is everyone?” “Dash! Help!” Rainbow Dash quickly turned behind her as she felt feathers shake in shock. That voice... it can’t be... “Rainbow! Ah need ya partner! Help me!” “Applejack!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she ran down the street. “Hold on, I’m coming!” She jumped up and prepared to use her wings, only to find herself painfully back on the ground. Moaning, she looked behind her to see what was wrong with her wings only to find out that she had none. Checking every corner of her back, Dash saw no sign that she even had wings to begin with. It was like she had suddenly become an earth pony. A cry from Applejack shook Rainbow Dash away from her current worries and quickly got back on her hooves. The wings didn’t matter at the moment, all that mattered was finding Applejack. Galloping down the streets she heard the sound of construction echoing around her. Glancing to her left, she gasped upon seeing the entire city of Dov’alona slowly crumbling into pieces like broken clay figures. She looked to the other side of the city and saw, in the distance, the great towers and walls coming down as well. With this new fear driving her, she managed to run faster, jumping over the occasional pothole she came across. The sound of the city slowly meeting its demise haunted her ears upon every turn, tempting her to just look and see how much damage there was. A few times she felt the ground shake, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t going to be stopped by anything. “Dash! Please help me! He’s gettin’ closer!” “Applejack! Where are you?!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she turned around the corner. Her eyes lit up with hope as she saw, in the middle of the city’s square, Applejack looking at her with a shocked expression. Applejack was about to cry out Dash’s name when she suddenly gasped. Slowly, she looked down at the middle of her chest where the edge of a bastard sword was sticking out from. Rainbow Dash heart seemed to stop as she saw Applejack look at her with her fading emerald eyes one last time before slumping on her side. “Applejack!” Running forward, eyes gleaming with tears, she slid to Applejack’s cold body and held it in her hooves. “No... no, not again! Applejack! No!” Rainbow Dash was ready to scream some more until she noticed a shadow hanging over her. Slowly turning around, her eyes widen at the silhouette of a large griffin, wielding a large sword in his talons, with one cold and menacing eye focused on her while the other shined in the sunlight from its ruby skull form. The griffin lifted up his sword and quickly brought it down upon Dash’s skull... *** A splash of water woke Rainbow Dash from her nightmare as she slowly opened her eyes before another sudden blast of water hit her. She spat the bulk out and coughed up what remained. A few more splashes and she was wide awake, ready to beat down whoever was the wiseguy who decided to wake her up in such a way. She quickly lost this desire the moment she saw a muscled griffin with a bandana staring at her, cold and calculating. The sound of rattling chains above her head alerted her to a set that where hoisting her up from the floor. She swayed back and forth to loosen them, but she barely budged, remaining in the middle of the stone prison. Wake up from one nightmare and appear in another... Her captor walked up to her and grabbed her cheeks, forcing them face-to-face. “Listen here, pegasus. I'm gonna be asking a few questions about you. Give off even the slightest lie and you’ll regret it.” Rainbow Dash growled, but nodded. The bandana griffin let go of her face and slowly made his way behind her. She tried to keep an eye on him, but he soon disappeared beyond her vision. Before she could question him, she heard the sound of something cracking in the air and felt her heart sink. Sweat dripped down her back as she felt the touch of wrapped leather press right between her wings. “Now... first question,” muttered the griffin. “Did you come to Grydon alone?” “Yes,” answered Rainbow Dash. “Are you seeking to get into Grydon or out of it?” “In.” “Why?” “I’m... visiting a fri—augh!” screamed Rainbow Dash. She hissed, feeling the blood from her new scar start to seep into her back coat. “Tell me the truth!” “I am! I Sweaaaaugh!” Rainbow Dash cursed in her head, but held back any tears. She wouldn’t give this guy the satisfaction of seeing her cry. He sighed and began to walk back and forth, flailing his whip in the air. Rainbow gritted her teeth, doing her best to ignore the pain from both blows on her bleeding back. “Alright, pony. Are you involved with the organization Blood and Liberty?” asked the griffin, poking her in the back with his talon. He made sure to dig deep into her lashes, making her squirm. “N-no! I’m... gah... not!” cried out Rainbow, feeling his sharp claw against her open gash. The whip then wrapped around her neck, her eyes widened as she struggled to breath. She tried kicking in the air and even flapping her wings around, but despite her efforts the guard still held her in a death grip. “Then... what are you... doing here!” he demanded as Dash’s face began turning purple. Rainbow felt herself ready to fade back into unconsciousness again when she heard the door slam open, causing the guard to release the whip from her throat. Gasping for air, she spat out some of her saliva and slowly looked up and saw, to her surprise, someone marching towards them, her wings flaring out in rage. “S-silva?” gasped Rainbow Dash before getting into another coughing fit. Silva pressed her talon against Dash’s cheek and shook her head solemnly. “I’m so sorry, Daring. I came as fast as I could.” She raised her head and growled at the guard. “Let her go. She’s not involved in the incident. I already have her signed for release.” “I’m not done int—” “Peck yeah you are! Now get her down now before I take that whip and drag you out into the sea by your balls!” screeched Silva, ready to pounce. Rainbow Dash tried to turn around to see the other griffin’s reaction, but soon found herself on the floor, toppled by the chains that held her. Silva tried to reach out and help her, but Rainbow Dash pushed her way, glaring at the surprised rescuer who nodded and backed away. After the chains were off, she rose to her hooves and began making her way out the door and into the stone hallway. “Rainbow, wait!” shouted Silva, rushing behind her. “Listen, I know things seem strange, but...” “Strange?!” cried out Dash, turning around and facing her. “Strange is hardly the word I would use, Silva! I’ve been dragged out of my hotel, beaten up, seen guards kill innocent civilians-one of them possibly being my roommate whom I lost sight of in the riot-and got tortured! This isn’t strange! This is cruelty! What the hay is wrong with you griffins!” Each accusation made Silva stepped back in fright, her eyes glazed downward with a hint of shame in them. Rainbow Dash shook her head and flared her nostrils. “I’ve had it up to hear with you guards! All you keep doing is treat me and the others trying to get out of this goddess forsaken dump like manure! I thought you were different, am I wrong to judge that?!” “I’m not like them, Daring! You have to believe me!” begged Silva. “Then tell me what the hay is going on!” demanded Rainbow, huffing and puffing. Silva looked at her for a long time, tension building up around them. With a loud sigh, the griffin’s shoulders slumped and she nodded. “Alright, I guess you deserve to know. I can trust you. Don’t know why since I’ve only met you for a single day, but I can trust you.” This made Rainbow Dash slowly relax, but she still kept up guard up and her distance as Silva guided her down the hall. They passed a few guards who didn’t give them a second glance, but the thing that bothered Rainbow most was the occasional screams of pain or pleads of mercy coming from behind some of the closed doors. It made her stomach flip just thinking about it. They were just about to turn the corner when Silva growled and flew towards one of the guards. He cried out in pain as he got slammed against the wall. Rainbow quickly made her way towards the two struggling griffins, noticing that the one Silva attacked was none other than Lucion. “Silva! What the peck is your problem?!” demanded Lucion. “My problem?! My problem is you!” cried out Sliva, throwing him to the floor. She towered over him as he shivered so much, his armor pieces were clanking against one another. “First, you disappear on me when I needed you during the roundup operation, and then I hear reports of you appearing on the other side of town looking suspicious! What are you up to, Lucion?! You know that if you’re doing criminal acts again you’ll be jailed for this and joining the army won’t be an option this time to avoid bars!” He snarled and slowly got to his paws, wiping the dirt off his armor. “I have my orders, you have yours. Don’t think you’re special connections make you the big boss on campus, Silva. And stay out of my affairs. What I do is my business only...” He pushed both out of the way, making sure to give Rainbow a snarl before disappearing around the corner. Silva punched her talon into the wall and cursed. “That... that... augh! I swear he’s up to something and I’m going to find out what!” She shook her head and turned back to Rainbow Dash, motioning to follow her as they went on their way. They finally made it towards a back door where Silva lead them outside under the stars above, Rainbow noticing that they came out from of a large mansion-sized prison in the middle of one of the districts. Dash looked around in surprise. “I thought we were in the military headquarters?” “All the jail cells have been filled up. Since almost every building in this port was once used to hold prisoners, we’ve decided to just take the abandoned ones and start integrating with them,” answered Silva, flaring her wings open. Rainbow Dash did the same and followed her into the sky. As they flew, Rainbow Dash tried to hear the sounds of anyone down below, but it was as dead as a graveyard. Either they were hiding from the guards and obeying the curfew, or a good number of them in the area were being held captive for questioning. She also thought about Tender Heart and prayed that the unicorn she had befriended was safe somewhere and not lying in a box with holes in her body. Rainbow Dash snapped out of her morbid thoughts as Silva guided her to a nearby bell tower where they landed. After quickly checking the area, Silva took off her helmet and sat down, urging Dash to do the same. “Alright. You remember that bastard asking you if you were from Blood and Liberty? Well, that’s because the entire regiment in the city is out looking for them.” “Wait. Those terrorist guys are here? Are they planning something?” asked Rainbow Dash, leaning forward. Silva shook her head. “From what I hear, we found a letter bearing their seal sometime yesterday. Close to where we first met, actually. After making sure it wasn’t a letter bomb, we read the message revealing their claim of killing the head of Dov’alona, Colonel Volken. However, by the time we sent the warning to HQ, they found him dead in his room.” Rainbow Dash felt a chill through her spine, and it wasn’t from just the wind. She gulped and realized that somewhere in the city was a cold blooded killer from an insane organization running loose. No wonder they’re all acting so strict... That still doesn't’ give them the excuse of what they’re doing though! “How did he die?” asked Dash. “Poison made from a jikal plant from Zebswana, where the zebra live. It’s instant death should it enter the bloodstream. It was a perfect injection from the back of the neck,” answered Silva, running a claw through her head feathers. “It’s been a nightmare. All the commanders are after one thing, revenge. The fact that his even happened is dishonorable enough, but Volken was popular with the brass. They’re pulling all the stops to find the assassin from those terrorist bastards and bring him or her to justice.” “Even if it means killing innocents?” growled Rainbow, earning a glare from Silva. “What do you want me to do, Daring? I’m so far pecking down the food chain I’m barely a whisper. I don’t like that ponies and griffins are dying from all these riots and gun-ho soldiers, but there’s nothing I can do. We need to catch this assassin and none can leave until we’re sure it’s safe. You’re just gonna have to deal with it.” Snorting, Dash got up and flared her wings. “Whatever...” Before she could jump into the air, Silva cried out, “Daring... look if you’re in any trouble, just look for me. I know the guard hasn’t been the easiest to deal with, but there are good griffins in them. Including me.” Rainbow paused in her attempts to fly and remained silent for a while, until she asked, “It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better, isn’t it?” “Unfortunately,” answered Silva, shaking her head. Rainbow Dash said nothing else before flying away. *** Having found her way back towards the district she was in before, Rainbow Dash quickly landed on the pavement and did her best to get back to the hotel. Since there was a good chance the curfew was in effect, she had no choice but to stay hidden in the shadows, leaving them only when she was sure the coast was clear. A few times she managed to notice a guard walking by or on the rooftops, but with some skill she managed to avoid them easily. But the worse part wasn’t the guards or the fact she had to play the hide and go seek game with them. It was the smell of death and fire that still lingered in the area from the earlier riots. The guards had managed to clear the roads of any corpses, but Dash could still see the occasional blood splatter or loose body part in the alleys. It took all her effort not to throw up the first time she saw a severed wing, but she managed to calm down and proceed. Taking a break behind a dumpster, Rainbow Dash questioned what her next plan was when she heard crying in the middle of the street. Poking her head out, she saw a green earth pony filly in tears, crying “Mama” over and over. Rainbow Dash was about to step-forward to help the poor lost foal, when she spotted another guard rushing towards the filly. Dash ducked her head back and watched with her breath held. “Hey, are you alright, little filly?” asked the griffin, lowering himself so she didn’t have to look up. He smiled at her and wrapped his wing around her. “It’s okay. I’m with the military, you can trust me.” “I-I... I don’t know where m-my Mama is!” wailed the little pony. “There was a big c-crowd and we l-lost each other and...” “It’s gonna be okay, I promise,” comforted the griffin, patting her head and wiping her tears. “Can you remember where you and your mother were staying?” “It... it was some big scary place with a red door...” muttered the filly, her eyes focused on the blood red pavement. Suddenly, she snapped her head up and gasped. “Oh! I remember! It was across this place with a big silver bell!” The guard stood up and nodded. “I know that place. It’s just over by the next street. Let’s take you back to your mother.” The filly cheered and followed her guide with Rainbow Dash behind them. Keeping herself hidden at all times, she made sure to keep a sharp eye on the filly and an even sharper eye on the guard. If he does anything... She stopped behind a barrel of rotten tomatoes-which made her snout scrunch up in disgust-as she watched the guard knock on the door, wings on stand by. To her surprise a yellow mare opened the door and, upon seeing the filly, rushed out and hugged her. The two kissed each others cheeks as the guard nodded to both of them before flying away. After the two earth ponies had settled back into the house, Rainbow Dash got out of her hiding spot and stared at where the scene took place. He really was helping her... guess Silva was right. Maybe there are some good guards besides her... Remembering her treatment to her new friend, Rainbow Dash felt like a rain cloud was upon her, drenching her in water. Guess I should apologize in the future. Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash continued her walk. Silva had said that the entrance into Grydon was closed until they could find the assassin. Even worse, it seemed that the military was willing to ransack every nook and cranny of the city while killing any in their way. Silva had managed to save her blue butt for now, but who was to say she would be there the next time? Or after that? There was also Tender Point, and if she was even alive after all this. One thing’s clear, I’m a dead pony if I stay in this place too long, thought Rainbow Dash as she dug her hooves into her mane in frustration. There has to be a solution to all this! Her eyes widened upon remembering what happened last night. That griffin, Toma, he said he could get me out of here... but I would be working with criminals! Fighting for them like I was some pet for their personal amusement. And yet, was there any other option presented in front of her at the moment? Rainbow Dash knew that it would take weeks until the gates were opened, weeks she didn’t have time to spare. Just focus on getting back to the hotel, it’s not that far from here. Then you’ll find Tender Point, and we’ll go from there. Laying low, Rainbow Dash continued to crawl her way down the streets until she found herself just outside of the hotel’s entrance. Carefully, she opened the door but found not a single soul inside. The boards creaked as she walked towards the lobby, trying to find head or tail of a griffin or pony, but she found none; not even the owner seemed to be around. Rainbow didn’t know if they were either hiding somewhere else, dead like those outside, or in a cell getting the worst possible treatment. Then again, what if one of them was the assassin. Or assassins? Who knows how many of these crazy guys are there? thought Rainbow Dash as she made her way to the stairs. As she got closer to her floor, Rainbow thought she heard the sound of others above. Sneaking as best as she could, Rainbow Dash made it to her room level and was about to head inside when she heard a slap followed by a painful cry. Quickly peaking through the keyhole, she found herself enraged by what she saw. Tender Point, thankfully, was alive, but was tied up in a chair with two big griffins with balding heads right in front of her. It didn’t take long for her to recognize them as the two she fought with Silva against just yesterday. What are they doing here? Baldy Two stepped forward, leaned forward, and demanded, “We’re not gonna ask a third time. Where is the money?!” “I-I don’t know! Papa never told me about it! Please, believe me!” cried out Tender Point, only to get a backhand blow to the face. “Oh? Then why are you trying to leave Grydon and make way for Equestria, huh? Makes you look real guilty!” said Baldy One, shaking his head. “Our boss, wants his money and if you don’t have it... looks like you’ll have to pay it in blood instead.” Tender Point gasped in horror as he drew a knife from his belt. “No! Please! Somepony save me!” Rainbow Dash had seen enough and proceeded to buck down the door from it’s hinges. The two griffins were shocked by the sudden intrusion before each getting a hoof to the face. Rainbow Dash prepared herself for a fight, but to her surprise the two goons made for the window and flew out. She watched them fly off into the distance, hoping the guards would notice them and bring the two down. Hard. Remembering who else was in the room, Dash quickly went to a sniffling Tender Point and undid her bounds. The terrified unicorn quickly latched onto Dash’s neck and started crying, much to the pegasus’s surprise. Although a bit uncomfortable at the sudden embrace, Rainbow held on to her roommate and patted her on the back, letting her tears soak her pelt. *** Rainbow Dash was reluctant to leave Tender Point alone after what had just happened to her, but she figured a good meal could help calm her down. Making her way back from the kitchens, Dash went up the stairs and back into their room where she saw Tender Point huddled on her bed, wrapped around in blankets. She put down a plate of sandwiches and a pitcher of milk, pouring them each a glass. Not as soothing as tea, but then again beggars can’t be choosers. Dash started eating her dinner, but Tender Point still remained frozen in place, staring at her hooves in silence. Shaking her head, Dash pushed the plate closer to her roommate. “Eat up, you look like you need it.” Slowly, Tender Point raised her head and levitated a sandwich to her mouth, taking small bites. The two continued to eat their meal until Tender finished her second sandwich and muttered, “I’m sorry.” “For what?” asked Rainbow Dash, pouring herself another glass of milk. “For getting you involved... those griffins... the one who leads them... he’ll be after you too...” Rainbow shrugged. “Eh, I already fought them before. Kind of a surprise to see them again. And besides, I’m already on a lot of bad lists, what’s one more?” Tender Point’s stared at her in shock. “A-aren’t you afraid of death?” “Not really, I’ve been cheating it for a long time,” replied Rainbow Dash, thinking back to her many dangerous stunts and adventures she’s had over the past three years. “It’s kind of a second nature to me.” “You’re either really brave or very foolish...” muttered Tender Point, shaking her head with a small smile. A grin stretched across Dash’s muzzle. “I’ve been told I’m both.” The two giggled and continued eating, this time with a easier atmosphere around them. The sandwiches soon disappeared and the pitcher was dried up, leaving both ponies’ bellies full and satisfied. Content with their meal, the two turned around and gazed upon the stars, which still shined like hopeful wishes despite all the bloodshed and horror that took place earlier. A few minutes in, Tender Point opened her trunk with her magic and pulled out a needle set and half made scarf before quickly closing her trunk. “Why did you do it?” asked Tender Point, turning her focus on her needling while Rainbow stared at her. “Why did you lie about throwing the stone at the officer? You could have been killed.” “We were all about to be killed if somepony didn’t do anything. Guess I did rush out without thinking, but I do that all the time. Besides, I couldn’t stand and let that guy murder everyone.” Rainbow Dash’s ears flattened. “Not that it mattered anyway...” Tender Point turned away from her knitting and placed her hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “It wasn’t your fault.” “I know... but still...” Dash shook her head and looked at Tender Point straight in the eyes. “Anyway, that doesn’t matter. Who were those griffins? Why were they after you?” Tender Point leaned away a bit, nervously looking away from Dash’s gaze before shutting her own eyes. “Do you... do you remember when I told you not to trust crime bosses?” “Yeah?” Dash’s eyebrows raised when she saw tears slowly seeping down Tender’s cheeks. Tender sighed and said, “Well... I know from experience how cruel they can be.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “Those griffins work for a very powerful crime boss in the capital. My father was a good stallion, but he had an addiction to gambling. Every night he would go to the casinos, sometimes winning and sometimes losing more than he meant too. Despite this, he was good to me and my mother and we loved him nonetheless.” A small smile twitched on Point’s lips before disappearing. “Then one day my father caught wind of a huge blackjack tournament at his favorite casino. He didn’t have enough money to pay for it, so he took... he took a loan out from a mob boss. Promising to give him a good percentage of the money back when he won.” “I’m guessing he didn’t?” asked Rainbow Dash, slowly unfolding her wing and wrapping it around a trembling Tender Point. “H-he lost everything. Not a single chip was spared. My father couldn’t pay back the debt and when the crime boss learned of this, we knew we had to get out of town before they got to us,” cried Tender Point, sobbing. “They came at night, told my father to pay back in a week or else. He tried, but then on the deadline he didn’t come home... next day we saw his body on the newspaper, laying in the river face down.” “Tender...” “A-and then... then t-they told my m-mother to p-pay the debt or el-else she was next and a week passed and...” Tender Point dived into Rainbow Dash’s chest and continued to sob, “They didn’t even bother hiding it! They just came into our house and shot her in the face! I sat there in shock as my mom died in my forelegs, bleeding to death!” “And let me guess... you need to pay off the debt now or else they’ll kill you?” asked Rainbow Dash. Tender Point nodded. “I just ran... gathered all the remaining money we saved and fled here to escape to Equestria, so I could have a new life. The deadline is tomorrow and I hoped I would be safe here, but... looks like I’m doomed.” “No, your not!” shouted Rainbow Dash, taking her by the shoulders and straightening her. “You’re gonna live. Equestria will protect you, the princesses will protect you, I will protect you from them.” “But...” “No buts, I never abandon my friends, Tender, and I ain’t starting now,” declared Rainbow with a grin. “We’re gonna get out of this dump. The two of us. I’ll send you to Equestria and I’ll head into Grydon without anypony being the wiser.” “But how?” asked Tender Point wiping away her tears. “The way out is blocked by orders of the military. There’s no way we can leave...” Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. “Maybe not through legal means...”