//------------------------------// // Riser5 // Story: At The Drop of A Hat // by Tchernobog //------------------------------// It had been half an hour since Rainbow Dash had left Applejack under the bridge. Rainbow has made her way back to the city in hopes of finding a clue on how to get the hat back. She couldn’t buy a replacement, Applejack would never fall for it. Frustrated, Rainbow wandered down the streets deep in thought unaware of her surroundings. Rainbow was pulled back to reality when she heard the sound of running water. There was a grand fountain in the streets there, and a group of foals were running and playing around near the streams of water. Rainbow had walked straight into the city square without realizing. Forgetting her frustration with the hat and her anger at Applejack for a minute, Rainbow stopped to take in the beauty of Los Pegasus. She really hadn’t had the chance to do so with all this hat chasing. Rainbow had to admit, although she would never say it out loud, but the city was beautiful. Rainbow felt at peace with the city, and she ignored the glances she was getting from ponies around her. Yet one of these ponies was quite amused to see Rainbow standing in the streets, lost in her own mind. “Hey Rainbow Dash!” a familiar voice called from behind. “Rainbow, what are you doing?! You can’t just stand in the street like that.” Rainbow shot up into the air at the call of her name. Hovering above the ground, she sheepishly looked around for the pony that called her. Without even seeing the pony, Rainbow knew who it was, that voice was unmistakable. “Lightning Dust, where are you?” “I’m up here,” Lighting Dust called from above. Rainbow flew up to Lightning Dust so she wouldn’t have to yell. “What are you doing standing in the streets?” “I was–” Rainbow thought of an excuse “–just… resting my wings! Yeah, that’s it.” “Well you looked weird, anyways are you still looking for that silly hat with your friend?” “How do you know about all that?” “I talked to her about it earlier, right after she’d almost fell to her death.” Rainbow laughed nervously. “Heh, yeah, so what do you know about the hat?” “Not much, I was just curious.” Lightning replied. “It’s been so long since Wonderbolts Academy, it’s good to see you. I really do feel bad about the whole thing, and especially after how I treated you, I’m a better pony now, I swear. Maybe we could hang out some time and I could show you. You seem like a great person too though, Element of Loyalty and all…” Lightning Dust stopped, she noticed Rainbow wasn’t paying attention. Rainbow gazed off into the distance at something. “Uh, Lightning, sorry to be like this, but I really have to go.” Without waiting for a response, Rainbow dashed off into the distance. “So I take it that you’re busy, maybe later,” Lightning tried to call after her, her words lost in space. Rainbow was flying off to a black speck in the distance. “Hmph,” she said, “Rainbow sounded urgent, maybe she could use some help from a loyal friend...” As she neared the target, Rainbow started to yell to get the pony’s attention. “Yo ninja pony, err, donkey. Land the glider, I need to talk to you,” there was no reply. “This is serious, land now!” the ninja just glanced at Rainbow, and then after a few seconds of silence pulled a sharp right. Rainbow smiled at the thought of bringing it up to AJ that she was right, being a pegasus in this situation was more helpful. The ninja slowly soared down towards a field outside the city, Rainbow close behind. When the aircraft landed, the ninja walked over to Rainbow. “What do you want?” “Applejack’s hat, you were there when we ran from DeMule, what do you know of it?” she asked. “That hat? Didn’t you two just steal it?” asked the ninja. “Well, yes, but it wasn’t the real hat. It was some cheap fake,” Rainbow replied awkwardly. “If that was a fake, then I think I know where you could find the real one,” the ninja said, “DeMule isn’t exactly the smartest guy you’ll meet.” “You can get the hat for me?!” “No, I won’t get it. I can show you where it is and how to reach it, but I’m not messing with DeMule again for awhile. I barely managed to make it out last time because of you,” the ninja said bitterly. “But how ‘bout I make a deal with you. I can help you get the hat, but you have to repay me a favor later.” “You’ve got a deal,” Rainbow said impulsively, “I can repay you anytime you need. Just show me where to search.” Leaving the hang glider, the ninja smiled and turned towards the city. She just nodded for Rainbow to follow. The two were unaware of the pegasus with a pale turquoise coat in the distance who was watching the whole thing from a tree. The ninja donkey seemed to take a horribly slow time to wherever she was leading Rainbow. They seemed to have just turned down the 5th alley in a row, and the buildings grew taller as they walked. Rainbow came upon a massive warehouse that dwarfed all the surrounding buildings. “Well, this is DeMule’s warehouse. There are probably a lot of guards in there, making sure no one messes with Mr. DeMule’s stuff. This is the backdoor, usually not many guards are back here, so you’ll be safe when you enter.” “And you’re sure the hat is in there?” Rainbow asked. “Yeah, I think so,” the ninja replied nervously. “I can help you get in, but I’m leaving you after that.” The ninja fidgeted in place. “What’s wrong with using the door?” “Oh, nothing. I just thought you might be new to stealing after I saw your stealth last time.” “It’s not stealing! It was ours first!” yelled Rainbow. “Okay, okay! I’m not here to chat, let’s go. You first.” Something about that should’ve raised a flag for Rainbow Dash. Yet even after she opened the creaky door to the large warehouse, and saw only a few lights lit off in the distance, Rainbow still felt fine. The whole place far darker than she’d imagined, and some places were almost pitch black, which is weird, because that would just make it harder for a guard to spot a thief. The ninja nudged her further, muttering for her to keep moving. Rainbow walked ten steps into the warehouse, it seemed bigger on the inside, and darker. There was a click behind her. The warehouse door shut. Before she could react, Rainbow was slammed into the ground by two large stallions. Her head hit the ground hard, and her ears were ringing. The two stallions took her hooves and tied them together, and rope was taut around her core to keep her wings down. Rainbow lay motionless, her head in immense pain. She faintly made out the crude voice of someone laughing. The lights of the warehouse flashed on, making the entire place brighter than outside. DeMule stood there alongside the ninja, the former laughing with a big grin of his. “There, I brought you Rainbow Dash, just like you asked. Now will you leave me alone?” the ninja said to DeMule. Mr. DeMule condescendingly replied, “I appreciate your efforts, but that wasn’t our deal. You said you would bring them both to me, and I only see one pony tied down there. You still have to bring me the orange one. Or else.” “Yes Mr. DeMule, I’m sorry, but Rainbow was by herself when I found her. I have no idea where her friend is.” “WELL FIND HER THEN!” DeMule screamed. All the guards in the room visibly tensed up at this. Fearfully, the ninja nodded. “I will be back then,” the ninja said. “Oh, and Rainbow, remember how you owe me a favor?” she added with a crooked smile, “what I ask of you is that you be a nice little pony and wait here with Mr. DeMule while I capture your orange friend. He has big plans in store for you two, and they’re not good.” The ninja laughed as she walked out. Rainbow lay there in panic, her head still ringing. DeMule sat in the corner watching Rainbow struggle. He has big plans indeed.