//------------------------------// // Ch. 18: The Ugly // Story: Tales of Apple Scratch: Just Another Wild West Story // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// Chapter 18 The Ugly <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Falling. I've fallen many times in my young life. I fell out of a tree when I was trying to reach for a juicy apple, I broke my arm. I fell out of the hayloft when my brother shoved a hay bale at me, I was unconscious for three days, but my head was fine. I had slipped, tripped, pushed, shoved, I fell so many times in my life. But that time, those slow moments of falling really changed me. I thought at that time it was my true end. I had almost died three time in under two years living here in the frontier. Though I remembered the pain of being shot by Tinker’s own weapons, it didn’t match the feeling of possibly dying from the fall. As I fell I felt free, it felt like nothing would hurt me. That was the oddest thing I had ever thought about. And I always wondered why I was feeling so peaceful while plummeting to my death. My life flashed through my eyes, everything from seeing my family, my mother, my mother’s grave, my brothers marrying their wives, my own marriage. Then I started to remember things, meeting Melody for the first time, helping her and giving her a home, becoming the best of friends, then her leaving to the city. Then I began to remember my adventures here in the frontier. Leaving my husband for the journey I wanted, a future. Meeting Sisal, Ace, Velvet, Rose, Berry, Tinker, Wendy, Constance, James Temple, Dash, Butterfly... Diamond. I remember feeling a smile on my face as I closed my eyes. When I opened them one last time I remembered hearing the wind in my ears, hearing Melody’s scream, then the water. The last thing I saw was a white cloud forming out of nowhere up on the cliff and two streaks, a purple and black streak and a blue and rainbow streak fly into the cloud. The last thought that came to my mind was Kicker and Dash then.... nothing but my supposed cold wet grave. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dash sighed as he turned to see Butterfly with Annie’s revolver box, painting green ivies around the edge with pretty green leaves. Butterfly sighed wiping her forehead unbeknownst to her that she marked green paint onto her forehead. Dash chuckled as he reached for Berry's cleaning rag and wiped the girl’s forehead. "You’re turning into an artist." He said chuckling. "The more you draw the better you'll be." "Really Robby?" Butterfly asked smiling. Dash nodded with a caring smile. "Yeah," He looked down to realize that Butterfly's paint supplies were running low. "Here," He said reaching into his pocket to pull out a golden coin handing it to her. "Go and ask Aunt Velvet for some more paint." Butterfly nodded leaping out of her chair, into the new outing dress Diamond made for her. Before she was able to get far, Dash grabbed her arm to stop her. "Remember to be polite." He reminded her with a look. Butterfly nodded. "Yes, Robby." Dash smirked. "Good, now get going." Butterfly nodded running to the doors. "Hey!" He called stopping her again. "Watch your surroundings got it? "I will!" Butterfly giggled before running out of the tavern. Dash took a long swig of his drink. He turned to see Berry walk over to him and took Butterfly’s seat with a sigh. "So," Dash asked smiling at her as she smiled in return. "So," She answered chuckling as Dash chuckled in return. "I don’t know if I said this before but I enjoyed earlier." Berry said with a blush. Dash nodded. "Yeah ... Me too." Berry shrugged. "I never met a man with such gentleness." Dash coughed into his fist then scratched his head. Berry laughed at that. "Alright, I’ll keep my lip buttoned up about that dark secret of yours." She joked with a laugh. Dash blushed a touch, nodding. "So, got any plans tonight?" He asked grinning. Berry looked at him surprised. Dash shrugged. "That is if you want to?" Berry looked over seeing Diamond walk into the main room fixing her hair. "I like that. Same place?" Dash nodded. "Yeah." "Good, it's another date then." Berry stood up to meet with Diamond. Dash chuckled, smiling as he took another long drink. A few seconds later the doors opened and several men walked into the tavern casing the few patrons inside to stare. Even the working girls stopped what they were doing to stare. Dash noticed Diamond and Berry’s looks and turned to see the men dressed in black walk into the tavern and stood a different places of the tavern. Corners, tables, the stage, and the bar counter. One even pushed Wendy away from the back door causing her to shiver with fear. "What is the meaning of this?" Diamond asked worriedly. Just then the doors burst open again and Reginald Philharmonica came in with Kim and Lucky at his back. Dash stood up as Kim walked straight to him. "Kim?" "Sit down, bastard." She growled grabbing his shoulder and shoved him back into his chair knocking the glass to the floor. Diamond gasped seeing Reginald smile at her. "Ah Miss Belle. A pleasure." He said making a curt bow as he looked around the building. Berry side stepped to the bar counter seeing her trusty revolver in the cubby by her. Wendy hid behind Diamond. Several working girls stayed upstairs with fear. "Mr. Philharmonica," Diamond said as calmly as she could. "It has been a while. I wasn't expecting you." "That is Duke Philharmonica," Reginald snapped harshly. "My father passed from this world three years ago." "My condolences, your grace." Diamond said formally bowing her head to him. Dash looked to Lucky to see her in tears turning away pulling her hat over her eyes. "Save your breath." Reginald growled looking around. "I see you have built a ... fine establishment since I last saw this place." Diamond watching Reginald walk to the stage seeing the piano. Diamond swallowed clenching her jaw. She patted Wendy's arm to tell her to step back. Wendy shook as she backed to the wall as Diamond watched the thugs around them. "What are you doing here?" Diamond asked shaking, wondering where Annie was when she needed her the most. "I'm here on a personal errand. I'm looking for someone." Reginald answered as he approached the piano, looking at the browning white piano keys. He set his finger on a key hearing a low note. "This person stole money from me. And she thought that she could get away with it." He snarled before pressing the one of the dull black keys making a deeper note. "And I was told that this woman lived here in this establishment." He snarled glaring at Diamond. Diamond blinked a few times trying to keep calm. "I'm afraid I do not know who you are referring to, your grace." Diamond said politely. Reginald chuckled. "Funny, that is very funny. Because I was told by a reliable gentleman that the thief lived here." "Who is this gentleman?" Diamond asked. "Why the minister of the church here." Reginald said smiling seeing Diamond stiffen at the mention of the only minister in town. "Minister James Temple told you this? Well who is this woman?" "Melody Liker!" A voice said. Everyone turned to see Minister Temple walk into the tavern with a disgusted frown on his face. Dash growled standing up before he was shoved back into his seat by a grinning Kim. Diamond stiffened with a hard swallow seeing the man. "So where is the thief? And where is her discorded friend?" Diamond shook her head glaring at him. "I'm afraid you missed them both. They’ve been gone since this morning." "Oh?" Kim said walking away from Dash as she smiled at Diamond approaching her. "We saw Apple running off to the canyon after we got word that Melody Liker headed that way." Diamond gulped seeing the cold smile on the woman's face. "And Skytalon and Dust are on their tale now." Kim shorted. “I hated it that she ordered me to be here instead. I would have loved to see what happens to them.” Diamond felt a cold sweat when she saw Kim's widened eyes. "Also, the boss here has ordered her death." After hearing this many of the girls made horrified gasps. Diamond though was stock still with fear. "What?!" Dash roared out knocking back his seat reaching for his revolver. A gunshot rang the air causing everyone to scream out and duck. Dash turned to see a thug blowing the smoke off his revolver. He points the barrel at Dash with a warning glare. Dash lifted up his hands. Kim chuckled as she walked over taking the revolver out of his holster tossing it to a thug to hold. Dash growled as Kim chuckled. "Keep your gun half cock Dash." Kim joked as she walked away as Dash lifted his hands up to his head. "Now that that part is out of the way. It is true, I have Skytalon and her trusted to hunt down Liker and this Apple." "You won't beat Annie." Diamond growled glaring at Reginald. "She's strong as a gorgon.” "We'll just see about that." Kim called out as Reginald smiled playing another few keys. "No one is strong against bullets." Kim whispered smiling. Diamond went pale hearing such a thing turning to Reginald. "Where is Rose?" Reginald suddenly asked making Diamond jump. "She's not here." Diamond said calmly. "Really?" Reginald asked nodding to Kim. Kim smirked as she walked past Diamond to the basement door. "No!" Diamond called out grabbing Kim by her arm. Kim turned and punched Diamond in the face causing her to cry out. Wendy caught Diamond before she fell over. Kim opened the door as she and two thugs ran downstairs. Diamond turned away covering her mouth to hide her sobs. Dash gulped glaring at Reginald and the thugs around him desperate. He looked behind him to see the doors were blocked by thugs, the back door was blocked by another thug, and every clear exit was blocked by a thug with a gun. Until he looked to the windows and found hem unguarded. He gulped as a plan started to form in his head. All he has to have was a distraction to grab his gun and escaped and get help or go and warn Annie and Melody. He heard struggling and turned to see Rose being dragged out of the basement staircase with Kim behind the thugs. "Rose dear," Reginald called out surprising the younger woman. "I see you have grown some since last I saw you." Reginald called out. Rose glared coldly at him as she was pushed to the bar counter with Berry. Berry caught her before Rose stumbled to the floor. The two women glared at him. Reginald jumped off the stage walking over to them. Rose pushed Berry aside as Reginald walked up to her. He was so close to her that Rose was pressed into the bar counter behind her. He was uncomfortably close to her. She glared into her half-brother’s eyes that were so much similar to hers. Reginald's glare faltered into confusion seeing this girl actually standing her ground to him. "I see you have toughed up," Rose lift her lip up in a snarl, Reginald snarled back. To Berry who was the closest to the two looked like a pair of twins. "I am here for something," He growled grabbing her chin forcing her look at him. "And you are going to help me get was stolen from me." Rose kept silent glaring at him. Reginald growled before slapping her hard in the face. Rose stumbled and fell to the floor rubbing her sore cheek "Where is it?" Reginald yelled out as Rose glared up at him. Reginald could see it in her eyes, resistance, she knew something and she won't talk to him about it. "Where is it?!" He ordered again grabbing her arm forcing her up on her feet. Rose was now losing her glare and tried to pull her arm back but Reginald was stronger and squeezing so hard it hurt. "You know why I’m here, where is it?" Berry growled grabbing the revolver. "Keep your hands to yourself!" Berry screamed out pulling back the hammer. Before she could pull the trigger a gunshot broke out and Berry fell to the ground. Wendy screamed. Rose just stared with her mouth dropped open as she shoved past Reginald to Berry. Dash gasped dropping his hands from his head. Diamond sat down hard in a chair as Wendy covered her eyes crying. Rose examined Berry then saw the dark red spot on the bartender’s forehead. "She's dead!" Rose whispered in shock turning to Wendy with tears. Wendy started crying even harder. The girls all gasped backing away from the rail. The few patrons all stood up seeing this. Dash felt his heart break seeing the bartender dead on the floor. He growled seeing that the shooter was Kim who was smiling smugly at her recent kill. Dash looked to his revolver on the counter then looked up at the window. Dash roared out shoving Kim into Lucky and a thug. Dash grabbed his revolver and pointed it at the first thug and fired hitting him in the throat. The male patrons stood up and joined Dash in the attack. Reginald snarled seeing that five of the patrons were fighting off his thugs. Minister Temple yelped out as a man ran towards him with a balled up fist ready for the punch. A thug next to the minister used his revolver to dispose of the patron killing him instantly. James Temple fixed his hair and collar as the fighting was starting to ease. Minister Temple turned to Dash to see him shooting at the window breaking the glass causing a wife and husband outside the tavern to scream and duck away. Dash leaped in the air his wings appearing in a dark blue magical light. Kim pushed Lucky off of her seeing Dash escaping. She glares at the thug on the floor under her. "Stop him!" Kim screamed out pointing at him as a thug ran for him. Rose grabbed the revolver from Berry's hand then pointing it at the thug running for Dash and fired. The thug yelled out, falling to the ground holding his leg. Dash crossed his arms over his face as he leaped through the window. A few people on the street were in awe seeing the young man make a forward flip to the ground. He landed onto his shoulder then rolled to his feet and started running. "Get him you idiots!" Kim screeched out as Dash’s wings appeared again and with a two flaps he flew away like a rocket into the clouds. The fight was coming to an end as the last of the patrons were knocked to the floor. Three were dead the other two were horribly injured. Reginald smirked at the victory until he turned and stiffened to see the revolver in Rose's hand pointed at his face. He chuckled shaking his head. "You can't kill me." He whispered walking closer to her. Rose shook as she pulled back the hammer. "No woman can kill a man." He whispered. “You don’t scare me.” Rose whispered with a tremor in her voice. This just made Reginald chuckle. A thug from the back door snuck over seeing Reginald’s nod. Rose blinked seeing this but was too late to catch the meaning of the motion. The thug grabbed Rose causing her to scream out with fear. Reginald snatched the revolver from her hands as the thug gripped tightly to her arms as she tries to fight back. Reginald sighed and turned to his thugs. "Seven of you will come with me back to the hotel." He turned to Rose seeing her glare at him. "You're coming with me, we have a lot of catching up to do." Rose snarled fighting in her captors grip before she was dragged out. "You will not take her anywhere!" Diamond yelled out walking up to the thug with Rose to stop him with her charging magic. Two other thugs grabbed Diamond holding her still as she struggled to fight back. Reginald smirked. "Oh don’t worry about Little Rose. I’ll take real good care of her.” Reginald said smiling sweetly as Diamond glared at him trying to pull away from her captors. Reginald shrugged. “I believe Minister Temple has a special sermon planned for you." Diamond turned to see the minister grinning at her. Diamond paled seeing his green eyes stare into her blue ones. “If you behave yourself, I might let you see Rose before you take a visit to the church.” Reginald said smiling causing Diamond to stiffen. She thought for a long moment then sighed in defeat turning away. “Good.” Reginald whispered and nodded to the thugs. “Take her.” He two nodded as they dragged Diamond out of the tavern. Reginald turned to another group thugs. “The rest of you stay here and make sure no one escapes. Oh and get rid of the bodies. As for the living ones, make sure there are no witnesses." Reginald said looking down at an injured patron as he was groaning, holding his side. The thugs nodded at the order. One pushed Wendy away as they lifted up Berry's dead body and carried her away. Wendy sniffed looking up to see the thugs dragging the dead patrons out of the tavern to be disposed of. "Now," A lead thug called out. "Where are your best whores?" Wendy gulped back bile as she shook. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Dash flew fast and hard to Velvet's shop and burst through the door surprising Velvet form checking her stocks. "Dash?" She asked seeing his terrified gaze and the cuts on his arms. "What’s wrong?" She asked setting down her book. "Where's Ace?" Dash asked looking outside checking the streets. "What’s wrong?" Dash and Velvet turned to see Ace waking into the shop from the back room. He was dressed only in his pants and a sleeveless shirt, he looked miserable and sleepy. "We got trouble." Dash said with worry. Ace noticed how Dash was different than his normal self. He looked like he was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. "Dammit man!” Dash cried out shaking his head pacing the floor. “They came out of nowhere and shooting people and-" "Wait shooting people?" Ace asked waking up at the works “shooting people” getting serious. "Who's shooting people?” "These guys in black coats and hats. They’re dressed like Melody." Ace went pale turning away scratching his blonde head with worry. "They killed Berry." Dash whispered with shame covering his face with his hands. Ace and Velvet stared at him in shock. "Berry?" Velvet asked. "Why?" "She was just trying to help Rose. Dammit man!" Dash cried moving his hands from his face to his shaggy rainbow hair, shaking his head. "I just stood there like an idiot!" He cried. Ace walked over to the boy and wrapped his arms around him as Dash cried. "It was ..... They took Rose and Diamond and that Reginald guy." Ace patted his back looking to Velvet to see her covering her mouth with her hands with shock. "Where's Annie and Melody?" Ace asked with worry. "I don't know! Kim said that Skytalon and Maxine are tailing them to the canyon. Reginald said something about Melody being a thief and Annie's going to be killed off!" "Shit," Ace cursed pulling away thinking hard and fast. He didn’t think they would go into action so soon. Ace sighed and turned to Velvet pointing at her. "There's an extra horse out back." He said before running to the back room to get dressed. "Wait what?" Velvet called out chasing after him. "Ace, what's going on?" "Big trouble." He answered pulling on his shirt and buttoning it up. "I left yesterday with Skytalon to pick up the owner of the town." He tucked his shirt into his pants then grabbed his belt with his holster and pulled it on. Velvet watched him with fear. "The boss came with an army of thugs from Equestria. They came here for Melody's head." Velvet gasped covering her mouth as Dash entered the room hearing this. "What did Melody do?" Dash asked with worry. Ace thought for a moment then shook his head. "He stole a duke's fortune and he wants it back and in turn kill her off." Velvet was staring at him in shock. Dash started thinking and only one person occupied his mind. "But what about Annie?" Dash asked with fear as Ace pulled on his boots then grabbed his black jacket off the hook, pulling it on. "She's nothing to the boss, but he won't have anyone protect Melody if he had anything to say about it." Ace said grabbing his revolver and checked it, it was fully loaded as he stuck it into his holster. Velvet grabbed his arm as he reached for his hat. Ace turned to her to see her eyes already turning red with upcoming tears. "Where are you going?" She asked. Ace released his hat and wrapped his arms around Velvet’s waist and pulled her close to him. "I'm going to go and find Melody and Annie and get them out of trouble." Velvet shook her head. "But they have guns right? What if you get hurt?" Ace took Velvet by her face and kissed her. Velvet wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him back. Dash blushed as he turned away. Just seeing them reminded him of the last intimate moments with Berry. He sniffed covering his face with his hand shaking his head. Ace pulled back as Velvet wanted to continue the kiss. Ace stroked her face as she opened her eyes as tears threatened to cascade from her eyes. "Please," she begged. "Don't go." Ace smiled kissing her on her forehead. "Pack up what you can carry and get food and supplies. Go to my cabin in the backwoods. It's only four miles away." He said seriously. "Wait for us there." He pulled away from her as he grabbed his black hat and puled it on his head. He stopped looking down at his jacket to see the faded silver deputy star pinned to his jacket. He pulled out the pin and let the star clank to the ground. "I'm done being that bastard's dog." He growled as he left the star on the floor and grabbed the henry rifle Tinker made for him to see that it was still loaded with twelve cartridges. He walked out of the room patting Dash on the shoulder walking past him. "Come on, we have to go to the canyon." Velvet was sniffling clasping her hands in front of her as Ace walked out the door. Dash slowly followed behind him still feeling lousy. "Wait," Dash said suddenly turning to Velvet. "I sent Butterfly here, where is she?" Velvet sniffed. "I told her to go talk to Tinker for more paints. She went to Tinker's workshop." Dash and Ace nodded and started out the door to get to Tinker’s barn. Velvet sniffled and started crying. "Please Titania and great Jupitar protect Ace." Dash and Ace quickly made a quick flight to Tinker’s barn just in time to see Tinker and Butterfly walking out. "Robby!" Butterfly called waving to him as the two fliers landed on the ground. "Thank goodness you're alright!" Dash exclaimed running over to her, scooping her up into his arms, hugging the little girl tightly. "Robby? Why are you crying?" Butterfly asked curiously. Dash shook his head setting the girl back on the ground. He knelt down before her taking her hands into his. "Bad things are happening Butterfly and you have to get away." He said seeing her looking scared. He released her hands to take her face. "Understand?" "Huh?" Tinker asked turning to Ace to see his face turn grim. "What's going on?" She asked rubbing her elbow. "Trouble." Ace answered. "Pack up all you can and get to the cabin. Velvet will meet you there." Tinker nodded then ran into the barn. Dash took Butterfly by her arm and looked her in the eyes. "Listen to me very carefully alright?" Butterfly nodded getting scared. "There are bad people here and they will hurt us. I want you to go with Tinker into the woods. She'll take care of you with Aunt Velvet understand?" He asked. Butterfly nodded. "Repeat what I said." He ordered softly. "Go with Tinker to the woods and stay with her and Aunt Velvet." "Good," Dash whispered kissing her on the head then hugged her. He felt her arms warp around his neck hugging him back. "Will you come back?" She asked with a sniff. Dash nodded. "I promise you I will be back, and I’ll bring Annie back too." He looked up to see Ace waving for him to get going. "Now stay here with Tinker. I'll be back soon." Dash stood up walking over to Ace. Tinker came out of the barn a second time with a small sack in her hand to see Dash walk over to Ace. Tinker walked over to Butterfly and took her hand. "Tink," Dash called seeing her. "I need some bullets." Tinker nodded holding out the sack in her hand. She tossed it to Dash. "I read your mind." She stated coldly. Dash caught the sack hearing the sound of bullets all ready for action. He nodded to her for his thanks as he handed the bag to Ace for him to stuff into his jacket pocket. Ace saluted to her as his purple wings formed. Dash felt his own wings form magically on his back as he nodded to Tinker and the two Jupitarians jump into the air and headed for the canyon. Butterfly watched them fly away causing her to whimper wanting to fly with hem and help. She felt Tinker’s grip tighten around her hand causing her to look up at her. "Let's go." Tinker whispered urgently, leading Butterfly into the barn to get things ready for the move. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> As Ace and Dash flew in the air they reached the canyon. They flew around looking for their friends and sure enough they found them on the cliff talking. Ace lead Dash to a cloud to hide into. Ace peeked over the side with Dash to find Annie and Melody talking to each other by the cliff. "There they are," Dash said sitting up ready to fly. "Let's go!" But Ace felt something wrong and grabbed Dash by his shirt tail and pulled him back into the cloud. Dash looked to the older man with a glare. "What are you doing?" Dash asked seeing Ace glaring at the ground. "There’s movement in the forest." Suddenly a group of thugs and hired guns left the forest and confronted the sisters. "We got to help them!" Dash snarled. "No, too may." Ace said thinking fast. "So? We can help!” "Think Dash! Can't you see that they are carrying rifle and revolvers? They are armed to the teeth. They're here for the kill." "Then what are we doing?" Dash growled. Ace shushed him. "I'm thinking." He looked around the ground, counting the armed thugs then looked to Skytalon seeing her smirk. He growled clenching his fist feeling wetness. That made him blink then look down at his hand. He started smiling as a radical idea came up. "How's your weather magic?" He asked suddenly causing Dash to look at him curiously. "Pretty good, so I was told." Dash said with a quirked brow. “And how does this help the girls?” "Can you make fog?" Ace asked not answering the question. "I can," Dash said wondering what Ace was planning as he looked at his hands. Suddenly their conversation was interrupted by gunshots. They looked down to see Annie being shot before their eyes. Melody ran up to Skytalon and shoved her rifle away before the last shot went in the air. The final bullet penetrate the cloud and grazed Ace’s thigh causing him to yelp with shock almost falling out of the cloud. Dash grabbed Ace’s sleeve saving him form the fall. "Kill her!" Skytalon boomed. The two juptarians looked at one another in shock. Dash pulled Ace back on the cloud as the two watched stunned as their friend Annie was shot once more before falling off the cliff. "Make the cloud now!" Ace ordered as he and Dash concentrated hard forming the heavy white mist between them. "Then what?" Dash asked with strain as the mist grew bigger and heavier, he could see Ace’s fury through his hard purple eyes. "Distract them or kill them I could care less what you do. Try to keep them distracted for Melody to run." “Roger captain." Dash answered. Ace winked and nodded. “Let it go now!” He ordered as the two jupitarians threw their hands out causing the giant heavy cloud to fall on top of the thugs with guns causing them to yell out in shock being blinded by mist. Ace and Dash made the dive into the cloud with a battle cry. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> "Annie!" Melody screamed out as she was held back by the hired guns. She just watched Annie fell off a cliff with a bullet hole into her chest! How could this have happened? How could everything end up like this? Melody knew people would get hurt but not downright murdered! Skytalon growled turning to Melody grabbing her shirt pulling her up off her feet. Melody grabbed her hands trying to pry her fingers loose of her shirt collar. Maxine ran over and grabbed Melody’s arms and pulled them back behind her back and quickly tied a rope around her wrists. Melody glared coldly at her as Skytalon smirked. "You're going to join her soon, don't worry." "I’m going to kill you all for this!" Melody snarled feeling the magic tingling her fingers ready to strike. “With your magic?” Skytalon asked sweetly. “Not too soon, Equestrian.” She said smiling before turning to the group of thugs. “Hey, do that thing the boss ordered you to do!” She called. Melody blinked curious as Skytalon shoved her into Maxine. Maxine then kicked under Melody’s legs forcing her on her knees. One of the thugs was a titanian as he walked over smiling as he rubbed his hands together creating magical sparks. Melody stiffened seeing the titainian approach her reaching his glowing pink hand towards her. Melody backed away trying to get away but Maxine took a hold of her shirt and her shoulders to keep her in place. “No!” Melody screamed out trying to conjure her magic to fight back but the magical hand was placed on top of her head. For s second nothing happened until she felt her magic in her hands disappearing. The tingling feeling in her hands, arms, and her chest continued as her magic was begin sucked away. Melody groaned feeling the last of her power slip away, she fell forward face first to the dirt hearing the thugs around her laugh or chuckle seeing the great and boisterous Melody Liker laying in the dirt powerless to fight back. "Just a precaution." the titanian thug said chuckling. Melody though ignored him trying hard to keep herself from throwing up whatever was in her stomach from the night before. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. She felt a hand grab the back of her shirt and pulled her back up on her knees. “Now, let’s get her to the boss.” Skytalon said smiling. Melody closed her eye showing her head in defeat. It was over for her. Suddenly out of nowhere the air turned white causing everyone to scream and yelp in shock. "What is this?!" Skytalon yelled out as Melody looked around her. "It's weather magic!" Maxine yelled out before she was punched in the face causing her to yelp and fall hard on the ground. Another thug was beaten by a pair of feet in the chest. Melody’s slow mind began to process that this was a distraction. For what she didn’t care, everyone was too busy fighting off someone using the mist as a cover. She began to crawl on the ground, crawling to the nearest exit. She could see light as she made it out of the cloud to see clearly. She turned hearing the sounds of a fight going on and sighed. She stood up with difficulty, once she was on her two feet, she looked at the mist and then started to run for it. She has to get away and plan her next move. She could see the decline to the river and began sliding and skipping down the decline feeling the loose sand move with each step. "There she is!" A voice called out. Melody looked up behind her seeing five thugs running after her. They must have got out of the mist and saw her running. Melody quickened her pace trying to get away. She continued to run until she slipped falling down the hill. She rolled all the way down the rocky, sandy hill until she went to a stop coughing out the dirt and sand from her mouth. She tried to stand up but felt their hands grab her shirt and arms pulling her up to her feet. "Let me go!" Melody screamed out trying to fight back before she felt something hard hit her head causing her to fall to the ground unconscious. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Ace kicked another thug knocking him into a tree. Ace panted hard from a punch in the ribs he got earlier. He turned suddenly watching the fog cloud disappearing. He turned seeing Dash a few feet away from him looking around to see the change too. They turned seeing Skytalon panting hard with magic in her hands, she smirked seeing the two jupitarians shocked faces. "You Equestirans thought you were the only ones that could manipulate weather? Nice try, even griffins were taught weather manipulation." Ace and Dash growled ready to fight back. Ace drew first and fired hitting Skytalon's elbow casuing her to cry out, the magic in her hands vanished. "Dust!” Skytalon yelled out. Maxine groaned sitting up seeing the whole cliff side was clear of the mist. “Get Kicker and kill the son of a bitch!" She screamed out. Ace saw Maxine make a run towards him. Ace pulled out his wings and few in the air with Maxine behind him. Dash looked up then called forth his wings and followed the two out of the fading mist. Skytalon cursed rubbing her elbow seeing the blood. She turned seeing one thug with Melody over his shoulder while the other two followed him. "We got the girl." The thug said smiling. Skytalon snarled turning away. "We got one thing right." She stood up grabbing the reins of Twilight and Fair Breeze. Twilight snorted and started neighing pulling on the reins. Fair Breeze sensed the distress of the older horse and started kicking her back hooves out at the thugs behind her as Twilight reared up throwing her front hooves out at the griffin as she tried to grab the halter of the older mare. "You louts!" She called out to the hired guns. "Take grab one and take them to the trains. They will be useful for the Griffin militia." She ordered as the hired guns grabbed their reins of the horses and led them away. Skytalon sighed fixing her jacket and winced when she held her elbow where the blasted Kicker shot her from. She turned to the group of thugs with Melody. "So, what does the boss want to do with her?" Skytalon asked interested. “I know the boss wants to talk to her but what happens after he’s done with her?” The lead thug smirked. "What all street rats in Manehattan deserve when they steal." Skytalon began to smile. “Which is?” "Hanging." He answered chuckling. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Maxine Dust panted hard looking around flapping her magical wings. "Dammit!” She cursed looking around her to see nothing but gray and white. She lost the two jupitarians in the snow clouds. She sighed shaking her head. "Skytalon's going to kill me." She turned and flew back to Frontier City. Dash panted peeking out from his positon behind a tree in the woods watching the deputy abandon the chase. He let out a sigh of relief and slid to the snow covering his face with his hands. Ace crawled out from hiding behind a group of snow covered bushes. He stood up slapping the snow off his pants and jacket looking up at the sky with a hard look on his face. Dash looked up at him seeing Ace’s angered frown and his clenched fists. "What are we going to do?" Dash asked feeling hopeless. Ace turned towards the direction of the canyon past town. Ace knew that Melody can’t be saved right away but he knew there was one other friend that needed his help. "Come on, we're going back." Dash gasped staring at ace again but in shock. "Back? But didn't we just escape with our lives?" Ace nodded. "Yep, but this time we’re searching for someone." "Like who? Melody? She’s been taken by those bastards." "I know that. Now we have to find Annie.” Dash’s glare lessened to a look of shock. Ace bowed his head crossing his arms across his chest and started thinking out loud. “No doubt if the boss wants to get rid of loose ends, he wants to make sure those loose ends are tied or cut off permanently. He'll no doubt send someone to find Annie and finish the job." "Finish the job as in she's probably still alive?" Dash asked with worry. "Annie's tough." Ace said his wings appearing again. "I know she's still alive." Dash sighed and watched Ace leap into the air and started flying to the clouds. Dash stood up and followed him into the clouds. Hoping and praying he doesn't see another dead corpse of a friend. <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Reginald turned away from a room where he shut the door behind him. He grabbed a rag and cleaned off his hands of dried blood turning to see his thugs all standing at points of the room like guards. There was a knock on the door causing him to turn to the door. A guard opened the door as Skytalon came in with Maxine, and a few thugs walked into the room. Reginald smiled setting the stained rag on the table seeing an unconscious Melody in the arms of one of his thugs. He nodded to him, the thug nodded in return before dropping Melody to the floor. "Is she dead?" Reginald asked. "No, knocked out." The thug answered. "Good." Reginald said smiling. He turned to a chair grabbing it. "You untie her wrists and set her in the chair." The thug nodded as he untied the rope knot then set Melody into the chair and retired her arms behind her back. Reginald reached behind him for a glass and filled it with whiskey. The thugs backed away as Reginald splashed the whiskey into Melody's face causing her to jump and cough waking up. She felt someone grab her hair causing her to cry out squeezing her eyes shut. "Hello Liker,” Melody gasped and looked up to see Reginald's face close to hers. She swallowed hard biting her lip. "You thought you could get away from me?" "For a time." Melody whispered. Reginald chuckled. "Well guess what, I'm here and you're surrounded by my men. Isn't life just full of surprises?" Melody smirked. "True." Reginald's smirk left his face as he stood up releasing his hand full of hair to walk to the window looking out. "Now, let's not beat around the bush, I am here for one thing. And you’re going to give it back to me." Melody began to think and think fast. She can't tell him where it was if it's in her procession. She blinked then looked down at herself and noticed one thing, her watch! It’s missing! Where is it? She started to sweat with nerves. "Now, where is my money?" Reginald growled. Melody blinked then turned to him keeping her mouth shut. "Where is my money?" Reginald asked again this time as he was walking up closer to her. Melody remained silent as events from early started to come back. Her argument with Annie, then the realization that Reginald knew about Annie, then the guns, the shots, then Annie falling over. Melody turned away feeling her breathing quickened with her rapid heartbeat. Annie was dead. "How," Melody whispered. "What?" Reginald asked surprised. "How did you know?" Melody whispered keeping her eyes down to her lap. "That you were here?" "No, dumbass! About Annie?" Melody snapped glaring at him. "How did you know about my sister?" "Sister?" Reginald asked in surprise as he pulled out the paper with the two portraits. He unfolded it to look at the pictures to notice that the two weren’t related. "You don't look alike." He said holding out the paper for Melody to look at. Melody was surprised seeing the portraits. "Where did you get that?" "A reliable source to our cause sent it to me. He said you and this woman were hiding out here." Melody swallowed hard looking around seeing the thugs watching them. "Sir," He looked up at one of the thugs. "We took care of the big one." "Killed her you mean." Melody snarled. "Are you for certain?" Reginald asked. "That whore woman claims that this beast is very strong like a wall." "She fell off the cliff after getting four shots into her." Skytalon answered as she was wrapping some bandages around her wounded elbow with a wince. Reginald sighed shaking his head as he grabbed a thug by his shirt with a growl causing the thug to freeze with fear. "Go and find her body! I don't care if you have to climb into a ravine to find her. Find the body and make sure she’s dead." He roared pushing the thug into the wall. "No witnesses and no lose ends. Find her and kill her, even if she's dead make sure she stays dead!" Three thugs nodded and ran off. Skytalon rubbed her forehead. "Dust," "Yes sheriff?" Maxine answered with a quick salute. "Go and find Kim, she's proven useful. Tell her that she's in charge of finding Apple's body and make sure it won't be rising from the dead." "Of course sheriff." Maxine said with a salute before running out of the room. Skytalon smirked turning to Reginald. "Kim will make sure Apple's dealt with. She has a grudge against her so I know she'll get the job done." Reginald smiled as he looked down at Melody to see her glaring up at him. "Now," he started, "Where were we?" Melody turned away thinking hard. "Now tell me, where is my money?" Melody took in a breath trying to calm herself down. She looked up at him, glaring. "I'm not telling you anything. And you won't get anything out of me." Reginald blinked then smirked. "You know, usually I would be upset at such an answer." Melody swallowed seeing the sweet smile on his face. "I also learned a lot about you in the last hour. You're known to be quite the well-known woman here in this town." Reginald chuckled as he nodded to a guard to go into a separate room. "I also know who're you're close to." Melody froze looking up at him as the door opened and the thug was pulling Rose into the room. "Melody?" She asked with shock. Melody's mouth dropped open seeing her but by her half beaten state made Melody see red all over as she snarled at the man responsible. "You no good son of a bitch!" Melody yelled out trying to get up as Skytalon pushed Melody back down into her seat. Skytalon reached for another line of rope and made extra sure Melody doesn't stand up again by tying the rope around Melody's arms to the chair. Reginald nodded to the thug as he released Rose to let her run over to Melody. Skytalon moved away smirking with eh arms across her chest. "Are you alright?" Melody whispered silently. "It’s you I’m more worried about." Rose said back glaring at Reginald. "Annie's gone." Melody whispered sadly. Rose blinked with a gasp turning to her lover to see he look at her, tears forming. "They shot her down like an animal and she fell," Melody shook her head crying. "She’s gone!" Rose wrapped her arms around Melody holding her. "Now," Reginald started grabbing Rose and pulling her away. “Let's get to talking shall we?" Melody glared coldly at him, tears still streaming down her face. Reginald turned to Rose then to Melody. "Lesbians," He snorted shaking his head. "What has the world gotten into?" Melody snarled audibly. Reginald smirked take rose by her chin steering her face towards his. "But of course, I'm here for something other than rid the world of such sins. I'm here for my money and you Melody Liker, will tell me where you hid my money. Or this little one will suffer what I will do to you." Melody's snarl faded as she looked to Rose to see her shutting her eyes shaking. "Where?" Reginald whispered seeing Melody's shield cracking watching Rose getting scared. Melody began to think and think fast trying to think of something anything! Until she remembered about the discussion she and Annie had before her death. Melody handed the silver watch to Annie for her to look at. Melody stiffened suddenly remembering that Annie fell off the cliff with the watch in her pocket. Annie has the Philharmonica fortune with her! This might work to her advantage, keep her alive for a tiny bit longer to plan her next move or to allow the small possibility that her friends might come and get her. Melody knew for certain if Ace was still on her side he’ll be planning a rescue. At least she hoped he will. "I don't have it ... it's buried." Melody lied causing Reginald to blink. "What?" He asked taking the bait. "I'm not telling you anything because… I gave, my sister the location of it. And the last thing I remember is using my magic to wipe off my memory of the location." Melody lied causing Reginald to stare at her. "What?" He snarled releasing Rose. Rose took her chance to back away from her brother as he glared at the blue haired woman. "I knew you were coming Reginald." Melody said with a smile. The man was actually believing her lie. Just on last lie to make this better. "I erased my memory of the location of the money. I told my sister and you had sent your dogs to kill her off." Reginald’s were filled with total fear seeing Melody’s smirk. “You better hurry, if what Skytalon said was true, Annie’s probably good as dead by now and you’ll never get your money back.” She lied smiling seeing Reginald on the verge of breaking. Reginald turned to Skytalon. "Stop that girl! I want that woman alive!" Skytalon saluted and headed out. Reginald turned to see Melody's smirk. "You can't beat the street smart girl, Reginald. You still haven't learned." Reginald growled then smirked. "Well, you still haven't learned from me." He turned to one of his thugs. "You, go to Fort Smith and send word to that judge I told you about. Tell him I’m sending a criminal his way for trial.” The thug nodded before leaving the room. Reginald nodded to another thug. The second thug walked over grabbing Rose and pulling her away. Rose turned to Melody with tears. "Melody!" She called out trying to get away. Melody growled turning to Reginald. "Where are you taking her?" "Not far, I'll let you speculate what happens next Liker." Melody was silent as the despicable man left into the other room where Rose was taken into. Melody turned away looking at the thugs around her. She felt useless as the doors slam shut. "Dammit," She whispered before feeling the damn break again. "Dammit, dammit, dammit!" <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Dash and Ace flew in a slow pattern searching the river for any signs of Annie. Dash sighed shaking his head as he stopped his flying. Ace noticed his partner wasn't flying and turned to see him. He flew over to him seeing his sad face. "What if we can't find her? What if Annie's good as dead?" Dash asked seeing Ace think for a moment. "I mean you saw them firing at her. Five shots!" Ace patted his shoulder. "We're going to find her. If she's dead we'll take her somewhere for her to be laid to rest. But if she's alive we're going to take her to my place and give her help. Right now we have to find her before Skytalon or those thugs find her first to finish her off." Dash turned away towards the town. Ace patted his cheek causing him to turn to him. "Come on Dash. Stiff upper lip, got it. We're no use to Annie moping around." Dash nodded as Ace went back to searching. Dash followed him as they continued their search. As they flew Dash noticed something and stopped. "Hey!" Dash called stopping Ace. Ace turned to him to see Dash pointing right below him to see some color in the gray and white and brown of the ground and river. The two dove to the ground and ran to the river. Ace went through the tall grass first to see Annie lying face down in the mud, her legs still in the water. "Good eye!" Ace called leaping into the mud grabbing Annie's jacket and started pulled her out of the river towards dry land. Dash landed behind them grabbing Annie's trousers and helped in pulling her out of the water. "Damn she's heavy!" Dash winced. Ace and Dash laid Annie down on her back on the ground. Ace winced seeing how pale she looked. He pulled off his hat unbuttoning Annie’s shirt. "What are you doing?" Dash asked worriedly. Ace didn't answer as he placed his ear over Annie’s chest listening. Dash was wringing his hands with worry. Ace looked up at him with shock. "She has a beat, she's still alive!" Ace said with worry as he started patting Annie's cheek. "Come on Apple, I know you're in there!" "Thanks for doing the job for me," Ace and Dash turned behind them to see a revolver and a rifle pointed at them. It was Kim and Lucky. "Damn," Ace snapped. "Hands where we can see them boys." Kim said smirking at her victory. Lucky though was worried, her eyes moving between the men then to Kim, her rifle shaking with her nerves. Ace gulped as his hands went up, so did Dash's hands. "Why are you doing this?" Dash asked. Kim chuckled. "It's part of the job Dash. And also I can see two murderers when I see them. You are lucky getting a bullet in your head instead of getting the necklace of death for your crimes." "What crime?" Ace asked glaring. "Murder, Dash and Apple here tried to cover up murdering Darius and Mac! And unlike you and Apple,” She snapped pointing the revolver at Dash causing him to stiffen. “Darius was like a father to me. And Mac was my brother, the only family that cared for me out here." Kim pulled back the hammer pointing it at Annie's still form. "And now I'll kill all of you by the order of the high boss." "Kim!" Dash yelled out as she was pulling the trigger. A large gunshot rang in the air, the two men fell over Annie protecting her. Dash blinked hearing heavy breathing and looked up to see Lucky panting hard tears rolling down her cheeks. Dash looked over Ace to the ground to see Kim on the ground. Dash gulped as he crawled over to see the growing stain of blood on Kim's back. He looked up to see Lucky closing her eyes as she tossed the rifle away shaking. "Why did you do it?" Dash asked in shock as Ace was sitting up checking himself for wounds. "She changed." Lucky whispered crying. "She changed into this crazed lunatic wanting to kill you both .... Was it true?" She asked seeing Dash slowly stand up. "You and Annie killed Darius and Mac?" Dash nodded with a sigh turning away. "Why?" Lucky asked. "Annie and I, we went to a place we shouldn't have been and Darius threatened to kill us both for seeing that he was in the slave ring. Transporting Buffalo People to the griffin capital." Lucky’s mouth dropped open shaking her head. "Where did you think Butterfly came from?" Ace asked. Lucky placed her hands over her face. "I can't believe this. I was helping not only the owner of this damn town and then I helped a duo traffic human lives?!" Lucky fell on a log covering her face. Dash patted her on the shoulder. "I think it's best for you to get out of town and leave this place." Dash said causing Lucky to look up at him. "Get out of here Lucky, change your name again and hide yourself. Those thugs will try and get you when they learn you left and killed off Skytalon's new toy." Lucky turned away afraid. "Where can I go?" Lucky whispered. "Go back to Equestria." Ace said causing the two to turn to him. "But I left Equestria because of what my family did." "What part of change your name don't you understand." Ace growled standing up. "’Cause right now, you don't have any place to go, you can’t stay here and you can't go to the Griffin Kingdoms. All you have left is Equestria." Lucky gulped as Dash picked up the rifle and the revolver. He handed the revolver to Lucky keeping the rifle for himself. "Get your horse and run to the border. Don't look back until you know for certain you are free." Lucky nodded taking the revolver form Dash’s hand standing up. Lucky looked down at Annie and Ace then turned away. "I won't forget this. Thank you." She said. "Thanks for the fun while it lasted." Dash and Ace stayed silent as Lucky began her run to her horse. Dash turned to Ace to see him lift Annie up from under her arms. "Let's go, you carry her from eh legs, I got her arms. We're getting Annie out of here." Dash gulped as he wrapped the rifle strap over his shoulder. He grabbed Annie's knees lifting her up calling forth his wings. "You think she’ll make it. She's awfully white." "We have to hurry," Ace said with urgency. "But what about Kim?" Dash asked looking adown at the dead deputy. "Leave her. Let Skytalon find her." As Dash helped Ace lift Annie in to the air, Dash turned towards town. "What about everyone in town? And Melody?" Ace thought for a long moment as they flew to the clouds. "We have to worry about Annie right now. Make sure she lives in the next couple of days. Begin shot that many times can kill you quick if we aren't quicker than life." Dash nodded as he started flying faster. "As for Melody," Ace called over the wind. "She can take care of herself for a few days until we make a plan. She's smart, she'll keep herself alive." Dash nodded as the two flew off to the woods <>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<>:<> Velvet paced back and forth in the tiny cabin. Tinker was sitting by Butterfly as Butterfly was drawing on a paper with charcoal. Tinker looked up to see Velvet wringing her hands with worry. They had been at the cabin for a few hours already and no sign of Ace or Dash. There was a sound of grunts outside. Velvet reached for the rifle holding it up to the door. Tinker grabbed Butterfly and they hid behind a crate. Tinker had to cover Butterfly’s mouth to keep her quiet. Velvet heard voices and gasped hearing a familiar one. "Dash!" She called before opening the door to see Dash with his boot up as if ready to kick down the door. "Velvet!" Dash said smiling with relief. "Thanks for opening the door." "Get moving!" Ace ordered causing Dash to quickly run inside with Ace behind him, holding Annie between them. "Great Titania!" Velvet breathed covering her mouth seeing Annie in her state. "Put her on the bed." Ace ordered as he and Dash walked to the bed at the far corner of the room and carefully set Annie into the bed. "What happened?" Tinker gasped standing up. "She was shot." Dash answered as Velvet set down the rifle to go and get some supplies. "They shot her five or six times!" Tinker felt sick suddenly as she fell back onto the ground covering her face as Butterfly peeked out from her hiding place to see Annie sleeping. "Annie!" She called happily. Dash grabbed her holding her. "No, no, she's hurting right now." "What?" Butterfly asked confused looking at Annie, then she realized how pale she looked.... and dead. Almost the same look as her past mother before she left her. "What’s wrong with Annie?" Butterfly begged trying to pull away from Dash. Dash turned to Tinker. "Here," He said handing Butterfly to Tinker who feebly grabbed her. "Don't worry we're going to help her." Velvet walked into the room with the medical supplies. "Where was she shot?" "Not sure, the river washed off the blood. We have to take off her wet clothes and get her warm." He said pulling out his knife and started slicing Annie's clothes to pull the wet clothes off of her. Velvet gulped seeing the damage the clothes hid away. Two bullet holes on her upper body, one on her thigh and two grazes. "Damn," Dash winced. "She's banged up." He pointed to the purple bruises around her sides. "The river is full this time of year." Ace answered as he pulled off his jacket. "We need to get these bullets out and get her warm, fast!" "Will she be okay?" Tinker asked worriedly hugging Butterfly. "We'll wait a see." Ace said with a glare. "If she still breathes when we're done, we just have to hope the Horse Gods will let her stay with us." "What about Melody?" Velvet asked with worry. "Does she know about Annie?" "She had a front row seat to it." Dash said leaning against the wall shaking his head. "Skytalon got her." Velvet gulped. "What about Diamond and Rose?” Dash turned away feeling guilt. "I don't know." Dash whispered lamely. "I don’t know."