//------------------------------//
// Under New Management: End of Part I 
// Story: The New Boss 
// by Dash Attack 
//------------------------------//

        It’s about 5:25 PM as Thunderlane and I enter the garden.  As we walk past the long rows of beautiful flowers, we can see the small stage that I had my men set up.  It’s a small stage that my family had in storage to use for outdoor parties and social gatherings.  It isn’t anything special, but it will do I suppose.

We make our way past the rows of chairs and onto the stage.  There are four chairs on the stage: two for us and two for our brothers.  Me and Thunder took the closest seats and sit down.  Of course I have I a hard time doing that because of my giant pony butt.  Eventually I realise sitting upright like a human would leave me exposed, so I decide to screw the chair and and lay down on my belly.  Nudity might be acceptable in the pony world but I’m not going to show my junk off to a large crowd of men.  Now if their were some mares in the crowd...? I cut my perverted line of thought before I can excite myself.

        I’ve been a pony for about three or four hours and I’m already thinking dirty.  I swear, I bet when the other ponies fully transform, they aren’t going to be this horny.  Anyways, over the next few days, I’m going to have to issue an all out pony hunt for some mares.

As I close my mind of vulgarity, I watch as gangsters start to pour in from both the left and right garden entrances. On the right side I can see Antonio and Rumble being escorted by the man I had ordered to look after them.  He brings them up to the stage and they take seats right behind us.  Rumble/Rudy, can’t stop staring at me.  His eyes gleaming with amazement.

“Oh my God Steve!” He says excitedly. “ You really are King Sombra!  That’s so cool!  Are you really evil now!?  Can you use magic!?  How come you're already a full pony!?  Will I be able to fly tomorrow!?”

Hearing Rumble’s enthusiasm makes me laugh.  

“Just as hyper as ever I see Rudy.  I’m glad the transformation hasn’t changed that about you.  Heck, maybe now you’ll be even more energetic than normal.  I can’t answer all your questions.  Ask your brother after the ceremony.  I’m sure he know just as much as I do about our changes now.”

“Will we ever be human again?” he asks.

I looked over at David with who seems really anxious from Rumble’s question.  I look back at Rumble and try to tell him what I really think.

“I don’t think that’s likely, but If you desire I can work on a spell that could turn you back.  Unfortunately I’d have know idea where to start on such a spell.  If it’s any consolation, I do believe that you will be able to fly eventually.”

“If that’s the case I’m never turning back!” shouts Rudy.

Antonio shakes his head in confusion.  I think a part of him might be jealous, but in reality he should be glad.  Even with all the perks that comes with this pony thing, the truth is none of us may ever belong in this world again.  That is, unless all my plans come to fruition. 

As I lay on my stomach I watch the incoming gangsters.  The bulk of them are walking in of their own accord.  Others are wearing glowing purple collars around their necks.  These ‘slave collars’ as I told David are a magical enchantment that ‘the voice’ taught me.  Anyone who wears one of these magic collars becomes a mindless zombie that will adhere to my every demand.  While it does sound really cool to have my own private army of zombies, I told myself only to enslave the defiant.  I didn’t want to run an Empire with mindless lackeys that won’t go to the bathroom without being told.  For what I have in store for the city, I need strong, loyal, and obedient followers.

Finally, the guard is completely full and I decide to take center stage.  I lift myself off the ground and walk toward the podium in the front of the stage.  I lift myself onto small crate and stand on it with my back hooves.  I then place my front most hooves on the podium itself for support.  I am now standing upright, in a way that is almost human.  I feel that by presenting myself in this way, I can lessen the effects of the species barrier.

Already people are starting to stare at me with confusing looks.

“This is it.” I say to myself under my breath. “The moment of truth.  Remember, if  you screw this up, you won’t only lose the support of the mob, but your family as well.”

Alright, enough pep talking.  Time to win them over.  

I levitate the podium speaker towards me and begin my speech.

“Members of the Anello organization.  I know that most of you have just come back from your manhunt for Tony Anello’s oldest son Steve.  I know that most of you are in a state of disbelief that a talking horse in royal robes is speaking right now, but if you bear with me I’ll explain everything.  Let me begin by saying that I am in fact the Steve Anello you have all known for years.  It all started seven years ago, on the night my mother disappeared.”

I tell the crowd everything.  I tell them about my former devotion to dad and how I latter resented him.  I tell them about the tattoo I found on my ass two nights ago.  I tell them all about my transformation and how I found out who and what I truely am.  At first I am reluctant to tell them everything, for I already caused my brother and best friend enough pain.  Yet every time I look away from the crowd to see them, I can tell I still have their attention.

I end my story with my fathers death, and restate his last wishes to the crowd.

“Since I am technically still Steve Anello,” I say to the crowd with charismatic energy.  “The rites to the Anello organization now rest in my hooves.  From this day forth, only people who I consider as family may call Steve.  The rest of you will refer to me as either King, Lord, Don, or simply Sombra.  In a moment, I will reveal our  organization’s new focus, but first are there any questions about anything I’ve just said.”

I see a hand go up in the back, so I point my hoof in that direction.

“You sir!” I shout.  Speak to your king.

“I always thought you were an underrated villain.” he says.  “Everyone made fun of me when I said you were cooler than Discord, but I always knew you were a badass.”

As members of the crowd gave the man speaking funny looks, I do the pony equivalent of a face palm.

Damn bronies and their impulsive obsession.  Keep it together Sombra.  Just brush it off and take his dorkish outburst for what it is.  A complement to your greatness.

“Thank you for your praise sir, but I’m afraid that wasn't a question.  Still I’m flattered. Now does anyone else have any other questions, how about you in the middle?”

“Why is my friend in the the corner drooling like a zombie?” 

“Because he tried to shoot me earlier today and I don’t want that happening again.” I answer harshly.  “Sorry, that was actually a very good question.  I was going to go over this latter, but since you asked I will explain it now.  I can’t afford any of you going forward about what I’ve become or leaving the organisation.  If word got out, the government would get involved and do God knows what to me.”

“So!” I continued. “Anyone who tries to leave will be forced to wear a slave collar.  Once worn, all your freewill gets terminated, and you will become a mindless zombie that will obey my every command.  Harsh, I know, but its a necessary evil, one I hope won’t always be necessary.  If we are to fulfill my ambitions, I will need loyal men who will serve me on their own accord.”

Just then a man rose up from the his seat in the crowd and pointed a pistol at me.

“There’s no way you're keeping me here, collar or no collar.”

I sigh and make a sad face. “Then the only alternative is death.”

I let out a sinister grin.

“You can shoot me if you like but it won’t do any good.  I don’t want to hurt anymore people today, especially not in front of my human brother.  However, don’t think I’m afraid to do it either.  You have three choices, right now.  Work with me, be enslaved, or die.  If you don’t take choice number one, it will be my job to decide your fate.  You already said choice number two wasn't an option so I’m afraid that only leaves death.  Do you want to reconsider?”

“Reconsider this ass hol...!”

Before the prick could finish, I zap him with the collar spell.  

The crowd watch as a glowing collar forms around his neck and secures itself.

“Go wait for me in my office.” I order the gunman.  “We’ll work out the terms of our contract latter.”

        “As you wished lord Sombra.” replies the hypnotised guard as I watch him walk away.

        I take a deep breath and look at the crowd.

        Crap, I’m loosing them.  They all look freaked out right now.  That dude so going to pay for making things harder than they already are.  This next part of the speech is going to be the hardest to sell.  If I screw this up, me and Antonio will never be able to have a life together, and David and Rudy will be outcasts.

        “I apologize for doing that, but right now there can be no discord amongst us.  If anyone has any complaints, you may voice them too me privately some other time.  In the meantime, can the guy in the back I just spoke to come up here on stage.”

        The brony from before makes his way through the crowd and onto the stage.  He turns to me with and marvels at my appearance.

        “This is really amazing.  I’ve been a fan of you for so long, and to see you in the flesh.  Hell, to think Steve Anello was King Sombra the whole time.  This just boggles my mind.  I want to pet you but I’m afraid you might have my balls chopped off if I did.”

        I sigh again.  I need to earn their trust.

        “Fine, you can pet me.  But don’t be creepy about it and do it gently.”

        “Don’t worry sir, contrary to what others may think, most bronies aren’t like that.  I just want to know that you’re real.”

        I huff as I feel him stroke my back.  To my surprise, it actually feels really really good.  A fuzzy feeling washes over me as he pet’s me.

        “You almost have it out of your system?” I ask calmly. Though to be perfectly honest, I didn’t want him to stop.  Still, if I kept it up too long, it could start to get creepy.

        “I think I’m good boss.” the man says has he withdraws his hand.  “Thank you.  Now what is it I can do for you?”

        I turn my head to him.  “Please tell me your name.”

        “Zack Miller sir.”

        I then turn to the audience.  “Today, Zack here proved that what I want is possible.  While plotting my revenge against Dad, I knew I wanted to take over the business.  Some time afterward, I remembered that I’m not the only pony on this planet.  Right now there are hundreds of confused people going through what I went through.  I’m sure all of you know David Price.  Right now him and his brother are here on stage, and are the precipice of losing every last part of their humanity.  Right now there are hundreds if not thousands of other people turning into ponies.

        “As the dick with the gun just demonstrated, some humans are not going to except these changes, and may try to harm them.  But there are also people like Zack hear willing to throw away what they know to be real, and accept the situation for what it is.  Yet right now, most of them are probably locking themselves in their homes, and are just as lost and confused as I was the previous day.

        “So from this day forth, our new goal of this organisation will be to seize control of this city under my banner, so that it may become a safe haven for my brother and sisters.”

        The crowd starts to murmur amongst themselves. 

        “Is that thing serious?”

        “We can’t take over a city. That’s childish.”

        “Won’t the government get involved?”

        “What about the cops?”

        “SILENCE!” I roar witch scares literally everyone to death.

        I turn around quickly to see that the three people behind me are shaking.

        “Sorry guys.” I whisper. It needed to be done.

        I turn back to face the mob.

  "Even as we speak, I am devising a plan in which we can do this.  I know this might seem ambitious, albeit impossible, but I can assure you can be done.  However, if we’re going to pull it off, we are going to need money.  We are going to take over every major television network in Chicago; by force if we have to.  We will buy out the smaller outlets using the money from our heists, but we going to have to take the bigger studios by force."

“Once the TV stations are under our control, we can control the flow of information that leaves this city.  Once Chicago is cut off from the outside world, we can start changing the city without the rest of the country catching wind.  In the meantime, I will send out a broadcast to the ponies here in the States and certain parts of Canada.  They will flock to the city, and praise me for saving them from this harsh world.

“What I am proposing is ambitious, but one that I see fully possible.  With my powers and your allegiance to me, I will provide you with wealth and power.  The ponies of this world can live in peace under my watchful protection, and live together with humans.

“Join me, and I will make you all wealthy.  Join me and we can save the ponies of Equestria.  Join me, and Chicago will become a testament to my power.”

I lean over to whisper something into Zack’s ear. 

“Say long live Sombra.”

He nods at me and pumps his fist.

“Long live Sombra!” he cheers.

Within seconds, almost everyone in the crowd starts to chant my name.  I can’t believe either my ears or my eyes.  At least ninety percent of the crowd that isn’t already a slave is on board.  I can’t help but smile.  If dad is watching me from Hell, I bet even he would be proud.  And my for my mom, well at least she would be proud that I want to do good for the ponies.  

As I usher my closing statements, the sun starts to set over the mansion.  When most of the crowd has left, I turn to face Antonio and the others.  They all have mixed expressions on their face.  I can tell they aren’t proud of me.

I sigh and rub the back of my head with my right hoof.

“I’m guessing you think I’m just as big of a monster as dad now huh.” I say.

“I wouldn’t cut yourself so short,” replies Thunderlan.  “I think you just got a little carried away.  Though I got to say you were wrong about this not feeling like a nazi pep rally.  Don’t worry, as far as I can tell you're nowhere near Hitler crazy.”

        “Not yet anyway.” I say sadly. “But how long until I get like that?  Like I told you before my heart is as black as night now.  Even with dad gone, all I can feel is hate.”

        “That’s not true!” shouts Antonio.  “I know if dad had your power he wouldn’t be thinking about the well being of others.  You might have changed Steve, but that change hasn’t completely wiped away who you once were.  Evil pony or not you're still my brother.  I see that now.”

        I can tell that deep down he probably still has his doubts, but his words comfort me nonetheless.  I trot over to him and hug him.  As I do I glance around at all three of them.  Antonio, David/Thunderlane, Rudy/Rumble.  If it weren’t for the three of them, the Steve Anello they all knew would have died at the bank.  Replaced with a power hungry sorcerer whose only passion in life is causing fear and bathing in crystals.  While I'm still going to do all that at some point, I’ll at least have them to keep me closer to the light.

        A small tear trickles down my face, and I pray that nobody/pony notices it.  I have to keep appearances after all.

        I break the hug and and smile at the three of them. 

        “Tomorrow, let’s see if we can’t teach the two of you how to fly.  Maybe if you get good I’ll let Antonio ride you Thunderlane.”

        “Man now your guys are really making me jealous.” moans Antonio.

“Easy for you to say.” replied Rudy. “Just be glad your still going to be able to play video games tomorrow.  I can barely move my fingers.”

A part of me wants to gloat that I’ll still be able to game since I have magic, but I realised that would be kind of a dick thing to do.

        “Anyways, I’ll give Antonio a ride if I get good.” replies Thunderlane. “Still can’t believe I’ll eventually be able to do it.  Also in the future, please just try call me David. I’m not ready to give up that name just yet.”

        I laugh. “It’s a good thing we never knew each other in our past lives.  If we had, I’d  probably call you Thunder by mistake like you've been calling Rudy ‘Rumble’. Though I recall you did call me Sombra a couple of times by mistake.  That’s probably because you knew of me.”

        “Yeah that’s probably true..” says David calmly. “I  think this whole name swapping thing has been happening a lot more since you left my apartment.  I guess at some point I’ll have to call you Sombra too.”

        “If you can help it you don’t have to.” I say. “After all, I still want my Antonio to call me Steve.  Anyways, let me show you two to your rooms.  I’m going to have some of the slaves guard your doors at night until I know you’ll all be safe.  I don’t wanna take any chances of some ass attacking you guys at night.  I promise it’s just a temporary precaution.”

        “If that’s the case could you find us a room with two beds in it?” asks David.  “I’d feel safer if we were together, at least until you can get that thing under control.”

        “But Thunderlane, I want my own room.” whines Rumble.

        “I know you do,” said David.  “But not until I know it’s safe.  I did something very degrading in my past life to make sure we'd remain a family.  I’m not going to let my humiliation be in vain.”

        “I still can’t believe that we are really from that television show.” says Rumble.

        “You're not the only one.” me and David say at the exact same time.

        After a good laugh. We all head back to the house. I lift Antionio onto my back again despite his protesting.  Of course, I completely ignore him.  As we start getting closer to the mansion, he stops trying to fight my magical grip on him and starts enjoying the ride.

        As we step inside, I think about all the challenges that still lie ahead of me.  Can I really pull this off.  Can I really take over a highly populated city and turn it into a pony empire?  Could I control the flow of information that leaves the city?  Even with all my powers and my ability to regenerate, even I wouldn’t stand a chance if the army got involved.  And then there was my struggle of balancing good and evil.  Can my good intentions justify the wrongs I am going to commit?  Will I eventually lose David and Antonios’ trust should I my actions go too far?

        Eventually I just shake my head and focus on happier things, like seeing my best friend fly for the first time tomorrow.  I’ll worry about my plans latter.  After the all the shit I went through these past few days, I deserve a rest.


End of Act I