The Black Mask Brothers

by Alex Rite

Chapter 4: Laying Low

The next day, I found myself at work once again. Only this time, it was for more than just earning a paycheck, it was time to collect info on our new adversaries. Luckily, Goldie was all over that for me.

"So Gold Heart, what do we know about these 'Vendette' creeps?" I asked.

Gold Heart gave me an odd look, probably because I usually never ask questions about our cases, and replied, "Well, so far, not much. We know that they've pulled off a ton of major heists, and that they're a gang of females, though what species and how many of them there are is still unknown."

"That's all we've got?"

"Well, there is one more thing, but so far we've been unable to get any solid evidence to support it."

"Lay it on me."

"We have a suspect who is believed to be a member of the Vendetta Crew. A unicorn by the name of Scarlet Rose."

Rose! Just like in the recording! I thought to myself, glad to have a lead. "So, uh, what makes this 'Rose' character a suspect?"

"The thing is, Scarlet Rose is a rather wealthy mare, but how she managed to get so wealthy is a mystery."

Gonna have to tell Spark about this; if anyone could dig up info on a pony, it was him. Soon, he'd have everything on her from her criminal record to what she had for breakfast last Tuesday.

"Why are you so interested, anyway?" asked Gold Heart. "You were never this curious about the Black Mask Brothers."

Crap. Time to think of an excuse.

"Well, uh... the Black Masks are local, I found out whatever I wanted to know in the morning paper. The Vendettas on the other hoof, they're brand new!"

This answer seemed to be enough for Gold Heart, and I breathed a sigh of relief as she turned back to her work. We had a suspect. Now all we had to do was prepare.

Walking down the hallway, I spot Rainbow dumping out a bucket of water. She hears me come in, and she gives me a small wave. "Sup, Winter?" She said.

I gave her a nod, and she walked up to me. Her eyes narrowed and darted between the rooms we were in, but she resorted back to me.

"Found out who burned your house?" She quietly asked.

"Yeah, the Vendettas. They're burning down thieves, and if the guards are smart, they'll find us as well." I told her. She seemed a bit shock at that, but I continued.
"Luckily, we have a lead, so it's up to Alex to find some evidence and give us a start on what to do."

"Then can I join?" She asked.

I could've sworn I've heard something. Did she say what I think she just said?

"Uh, heh, what?" I asked.

"Can I join?" She asked again. I looked at her, and I swear that I must've looked like an ugly donkey, because she seemed to coil when I looked at her.

"You're joking, right?" I asked her.

"No, I--"

"Rainbow!" A familiar voice rang out. Oh Celestia, not him!! Not now!!

Alex, please tell me you have some information!! Please!!

A while later, during my lunch break, I met up with Baws at Cloudsdale, as usual. We sat outside, me munching on a comically oversized sandwich and drinking a cup of hot chocolate, and Baws just sitting there with his face in his hooves, scowling like an angry dragon.

"Soarin?" I asked.

"Soarin." he confirmed.

I put down my sandwich. "Dude, I'm gonna tell you now what I always tell you; if you want Soarin off your back, just ask Rainbow out."

"But... but that's just not me!" Baws countered. "I'm the cold, strong guy of the team, being romantic is just not my forte."

"I always offer to give you advice. You know me, I'm the king of romance." I said, and took a sip of my hot chocolate.

"Yeah, but... it's more than just that... Rainbow... Rainbow asked if she could join the gang."

My eyes shot open with a start, but I quickly regained my composure and set down my cup.

"And what did you say?" I asked.

"I... asked her if she was... joking..." replied Baws, now covering his face with his hooves.

I grimaced. "Ooh... that was a bad idea."

"Ya think?" Baws said sarcastically. "And of course, Soarin showed up right after."

"I see... well anyways, what's the problem with her being on the team? I think she'd be very helpful."

"Yeah, but, you know how it is. I just... don't wanna see her get hurt."

"You mean physically or emotionally?"

"Both. I just don't know how to handle a relationship if we're both wanted criminals."

"I see... well then, why not this; we let her in the gang, and I'll keep a close eye on her, that way she has someone looking out for her whenever you can't."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course! You forget, she's not just your friend. Heck, she's like a sister to me! Plus, if you want, I could help you pull off some romance while we're at it! What do you think, bro?"

"Yeah, but..." I trailed off into my own imagination. I really couldn't figure out why she can't come in. Something about her, it slipped my mind. She's part of...something. Fuck, what was it? "Dang it! I can't remember!" I spewed out.

"It's alright." He reassured. "She can hold her own."

A blue blur flew right above me, and she scared the color off me. My screaming was damn manly, but Alex laughed regardless. Asshole.

Rainbow was laughing with him, and she sat in the same table we were in.

"How are ya?" She asked, her toothy grin is just begging to be bigger.

"Fine. How was the talk with Soarin...again?" I asked. Her smile turned into a small frown, and she layed back a little.

"Oh...should we--?" She pointed at Alex, but I gave her a nod in response. She continued when she darted her eyes off to the sky. "He's...kinda...what's the word?"

"Angry?" I asked.

"Pissed?" Alex asked.

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah, that. And he's kind of upset that when he tried to make a move on me at my place, I turned him down." She said.

We read our minds when both me and Alex bursted out laughing. "Deserves what he gets." I said as my ass was being laughed off.

The laugher slowly died, but our smiles were still around. "So, can I join with you guys?" Rainbow asked. I gave a look at Alex, awaiting his approval.

"Why, certainly!" I told her, a grin forming on my face as her eyes lit up. "Of course, first you'll have to take a written test, then fill out the forms for your black mask, electronic devices, and membership card, and after that will be the dark ritual where you sign over your loyalty and your soul by way of contract signed in blood. Simple enough."

Rainbow Dash's quick transition from uncontainable glee to utter horror was too funny to ignore, and I burst out laughing, followed by Baws and then Rainbow herself.

"Hehe... yeah." I said, wiping a tear from my eye as I regained my composure. "In all seriousness, though, you're in. Just gotta give Spark Plug your info so he can assign you your role."

"Speaking of info," said Baws, "You get anything on the Vendettas?"

"Not much, I'm afraid. But I did manage to snag us a suspect; a little mare by the name of Scarlet Rose. Ring any bells?"

Baws thought about it for a second, his eyes growing wide once he put it together.

"So this Rose chick, what have we got on her?" asked Rainbow, clearly trying to get involved now that she was part of the team.

"Not much; just that she's mysteriously wealthy."

"I'm sure Sparks'll be able to find something." Baws said. "That colt could find dirt on a cloud."

"Exactly. Now, I suggest we all meet up with Spark Plug after work. Agreed?"

"Agreed." replied the two pegasi.

"In that case, back to lunch!" I said, stuffing my face yet again.

Lunch break is fun and all, but I got stuff to do. I awaited by the train, and Rainbow was resting beside me. Though, waiting a couple of hours is not one of her forte. She waited patiently before, but now she was groaning like she was a bear yawning. "I thought you said she was going to be here!" She complained, but I furrowed my brow.

"Give it a damn minute!! I had my house burn down, Soarin is suddenly visiting you, and I have the Vendettas to deal with! Not to mention I have to figure out where my sister has to sleep now! So just shut up and stay quiet!" I forced out.

She pouted a bit, and she darted to the left. My throat is just itching to apologize, but I was more focused on what to do than to say sorry. Finally my Little Sister walked out that train, and she was happy to see me. She galloped towards me, and we shared a bear hug. "Frosty!" She called out.

"Hey, Pastal!" I said, and the bear hug was ceased. "How are ya?"
"Good. I was excited to hear that your friends with the Wonderbolts!" She said, and I have a nervous, yet cheerful laugh.

"Yeeeaaahh...we aren't technically friends. He just doesn't like me." I told her, and she clicked her teeth.

"Still? He's mean."

I gave a pirate laugh, and Pastal looked at Rainbow. She looked right back at me with a devilish grin. "She your marefriend?" She asked.

"Did you get a coltfriend yet?" I replied with the same grin. That shut her up, and Rainbow giggled. "Pastal, meet Rainbow, and vice versa." I said.

My little sister gave Rainbow a smile, and waved. "Hi! I'm Pastal Black Flower! What's yours?" She asked innocently.

"Rainbow Dash! The fastest flyer you'll ever meet!" She boasted. I rolled my eyes, and I threw my hoof overhead. "C'mon, let's go. My house burned down..." I said.

"I know. I read it on Equestria Daily. Your gonna get a mansion!" She replied. I gave laugh.

"Your dang right I am! Let's go!" I repeated.

Guess I should figure out how to keep Wonder-Fuck off my little sister. This will be interesting.

I stared blankly at the clock, watching as the seconds ticked by, bored out of my mind. I really wished I could have gone with Baws to meet this sister of his, but unfortunately, my lunch break wasn't long enough. And with the very little information the department had on the Vendettas to work with, there wasn't much to do in the way of investigation. So basically, I was just there to be there.

SO. VERY. BORED.

In an attempt to lessen my boredom, I turned my thoughts back to Baws' sister. I was excited to meet this new mare, but I was more so interested in her meeting Spark. Who knows- maybe I'd get a chance to play matchmaker. I do so love getting involved in my friends' love lives.

"RITE!!" shouted Gold Heart, jarring me from my thoughts with a start.

"Huh?! What's going on?"

"Well, now that you're actually listening to me," the mare replied, "the boss said we could leave early since we have nothing to do. I'm heading home- you coming with?"

"In that case, I think I'll head up to Cloudsdale and see what Baws is up to. I'll catch ya later."

With that, we both left the office and headed our separate ways. I grinned mischievously.

Time to go bother my brother.

Yo ho look at the seas! This is what you wanted to be! Gonna go go sail over the seas! You are a pirate!!

"You are a pirate!" My Little Sis randomly yelled. I gave a good laugh.

"I seriously don't get how you can do that!" I said.

"Do what?" Rainbow asked, obviously wanting to be in the conversation. I give her a pat on the head and a chuckle.

"Me and my sister are...strange. So strange, in fact, that sometimes we can mind read each other." I explained.

Rainbow's eyes lit up like fire. "No, she can't mind read other people." And it extinguished faster than saying that your puppy was kicked.

"My shift is over anyway, since they agreed to let me check on the status of my house. We'll wait at your house."

She gave me a nod and flew off, leaving me with my sister. "...What now?" She asked. I gave a small hum.

"Let's get something to eat. Alex should be out in a minute." I told her.
She gave me a nod and she skipped ahead of me. "C'mon, slowpoke!" She taunted. I easily picked up speed, and we were side of each other. "Gotta be faster than that." I told her.

I swear, it turned into a race in just a few seconds.

I flew up to our usual meeting place in Cloudsdale. Knowing Baws, it was very likely he'd show up soon.

BAM!! CRASH!!

Not moments after that thought crossed my mind, I found myself lying on my face, pain coursing through my body.

"Oops..." said Baws, being that he and a mare I could only assume was his sister were the culprits of my assault. "My bad. Sorry."

"You know I hate you, right?" I say venomously.

"Eh, that's just the post-injury aggravation talking." he replied as he helped me up.

I rubbed the side of my head. "Doesn't make it any less true."

Piss off asshats! I didn't mean to.

After helping my fellow brother-from-another-mother, he rubs his head and takes a good luck at my sister. What I assume was blurriness because a few moments later, shocked, confused, and amazed all at the same time flew right through him.

"Th-this...is your sister?!" He asked.

"Uh, yeah?" I said. He darted back and forth between me and my sister. It's like watching a foal trying to figure out why the red cube won't fit in the yellow triangle hole, he isn't going to get anywhere doing that.

"B-but...you...and her...she's young?!" He asked again.

"She's no older than twelve, but she's smart enough to figure out an illogical puzzle." I said, burning into the cut with salt. I swear, if I laughed right now, Luna would have woken up from her morning slumber. He had to rub his temple and give out a large groan.

"When you said your little sister was coming, I thought she would be a few years younger than you." He explained.

"You were way off then." I said. Pastal gave a tap on my shoulder, and pointed at Alex. "Who's he?" She asked.

"Pastal, this is Alex. Knucklehead, meet Pastal, my little sister." I gestured my hood between him and her.

Alex looks like he made a mistake in his head. Holy Celestia is that hilarious! He looked at me, and I bobbed my head toward Pastal, awaiting his greeting.

Though I was still in shock, I regained my composure with a clearing of my throat, reminding myself not to be rude.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Pastal. I'm Alexander Rite." I greeted, holding out a claw for a hoof shake. She seemed hesitant at first, as most ponies are around me, but then smiled and returned the gesture.

"Likewise." she said.

"Ooh, polite! Clearly not something you learned from your brother." Baws glared at me for that remark, but Pastal laughed like a crazed maniac. "Okay, now I see a resemblance."

This only made her laugh harder. "I like this guy! He's funny!"

"Better believe it, Paz!" I replied. She stopped laughing and gave me a quizzical look.

"Paz?" she asked.

"Nickname." Baws answered her blankly. "He's the nickname guy. Everypony gets a nickname with him."

"Pretty much." I confirmed.

"Paz..." Pastal put a hoof to her chin in thought, before releasing a huge grin. "I like it!"

"Heck yeah, you do!" I exclaimed. "Now let's go get some food- I'm starving!"

Alex sped off in front of us, and we trotted along behind him. I was more pissed than happy now that Alex gave her a nickname to call me. That's 27...yippie. Though I used to play the 'Who's Bob' game with her and Alex, so when she decided to call me Paz, I ignored her. "Paz, how long?" She whined, but I kept on walking.

"Paz!!" She called out once more. I continued. She scrunched her muzzle and decided to endlessly poke me.

"Paz!!" She called again.

I looked at her, a supposedly confused expression. "Yeah?" I asked. She decided to throw her hoofs in the air, then give a bear groan. "I kept calling your name!!" She said.

I gave her a stupid smirk. "And what is it?" I asked. She was about to call the imposter name, but she once again scrunched her muzzle and blew a bit of hair away from her face.

"...Winter..." She sighed, defeated.

I chuckle. "Better remember." I told her. She gives me a slight shove, but I kept giggling like a mad pony.

Next time, gonna call Alex asshole when Pastal isn't around.

"You're a real killjoy, you know that?" I said to Baws.

"Says you. I put the 'F U' in fun!"

We all remained silent for a second.

"...That sounded better in your head, didn't it?" said Paz blankly, breaking the silence.

"...Maybe..."

"Idiot." I said. Paz and I burst out laughing, and, before he could get angry, wrapped Baws in a side hug. The power of our laughing and friendliness eventually overpowered him, and he began laughing as well.

"You guys suck," said Baws, grinning. "I love ya both, but you guys suck."

"That's what I love best about me!" I replied. "I'm a likable guy even when I'm being a jerk!"

"And I just do it for the lulz!" added Paz.

I laughed. "Dude, you sure she's your sister and not mine?"

"Pretty sure." Baws replied.

They both have each other a good laugh, and I sat there with a smile. At the very least their getting along. Then, out of nowhere, Pastal's eyes lit up like fire.

"Hey! Are you guys going to the Grand Galloping Gala this weekend?" She asked.

"Probably not. After what happened, we need to think what were going to do next." I said.

She had a small frown, but it quickly turned back into a smile. "But, what if you can find the ponies who burned down your house?" She said.

"I don't think we can. Those ponies are in Canterlot, and they are..." Then the puzzle pieces slowly came together. Alex had a pause as well, but it slowly turned into a grin.

"Their wealthy, huh?" He asked.

I nodded, and I was more curious than smiling. "Rich ponies are in Canterlot, sure, but how come it takes them an hour to get to Canterlot and back without leaving traces other than what they intended to leave?" I asked.

"And that's what we're going to find out!" Alex said.

How did this escalate so quickly? I mean, seriously? Couldn't even make it to lunch.

Son of a--!!

We burst through the door to Spark's room, shocking our injured friend and almost causing him to spill the soup he was drinking.

"We're going to the Grand Galopping Gala!" we exclaimed.

"Huh?! Who?! What?!" Sparks said, confused by everything. After calming down, we explained everything; starting with introducing Baws's sister, telling him about our plans to go to the Gala, and last, but most important, the info I had on Scarlet Rose.

"Hmmm..." Spark Plug was deep in tought, processing the information we had given him. "You said Scarlet Rose was wealthy, right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"So if she's wealthy... where's the one place we know there's a good chance she'll show up?"

Baws, Paz, and I all wracked our brains, trying to find the answer. Soon, we all came to the same conclusion, as we exclaimed, " The Grand Galloping Gala!"

"Exactly! This could be the perfect chance to tail her and get some information!"

Baws lit up with excitement. "And all the rich ponies start showing up a few days early to get ready!"

"Right again! Looks like we've got the makings of a plan, gentlecolts! Here's what we'll do. Alex, see if you can convince Gold Heart to plan a stakeout on the Gala. May make it more difficult for us, but at least it gives you a way to get there unsuspiciously. Baws, Rainbowdash has connections with Princess Celestia, right? You need to ask her to get tickets for the rest of us. As for me, I'll see what I can learn about our new target. The Gala begins this weekend, so we've only got about a day or two to plan this out, so let's get to work!"

"Right-o, Sparky!" said Baws.