'As you can imagine, the revelation of my illness has still shaken me. But I refuse to let it stop me from writing. It will take a lot more than Prancingson's to keep a stallion down. I'm still as good at writting... sorry, writing, as I always was.'
'Now, in this chapter, I've decided to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the mafia: Big Guns the buffalo, Carapace the changeling, and Gregory the griffon, three of our best operatives. Gregory is one of the sharpest Griffons I've ever known. Big Guns is a powerhouse, with crosspow prowess to rival Murray's. And Carapace? Well, there's nopony better at stealth and infiltration (though that last part probably goes without saying). You no doubt have read about them in previous chapters, and you may have wondered how they came to work under our family. Well, wonder no more, as I will tell you of their origin stories, in a chapter I call...'
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Tales From The Trio
One evening in a mafia outpost just outside Ponyville, Gregory, Big Guns, and Carapace were playing a card game. They had travelled to Ponyville to keep an eye out for a known shyster who had been reported to be in the area. After a few days with nothing to show for it, they had decided to take a small break.
"Boy, things have sure been crazy these last months, huh?" Gregory asked, as he drew a card.
"No kidding." Big Guns nodded. "I can't believe the Napoleons were outed."
"I can't believe they didn't wind up in jail." Carapace snorted. "And now everypony seems to know who we are."
"Not to mention how hectic things have been lately." Big Guns added.
"'Hectic'." Carapace sneered. "That's putting it mildly. Things were so much easier when nopony knew about any of this. Why did the Napoleons have to expose themselves anyway?"
"To save Equestria." Gregory pointed.
"Big deal, they live in Bitaly." Carapace scowled. "To save a country they barely knew, the brothers outed us all."
"Ah, come on." Gregory declared. "Don't look at it like that. Don't forget that we all lived there at one point."
"Why not?" Carapace spat. "They threw a spotlight on us! Dragging us into the fight against that psycho and his shadows, then taking 'time off', splitting up and leaving us in the lurch. Wherever I go, others look at me! They know who I am, and who I work for!" He sighed. "My hive and I have never been close, but when I came to visit last month, they barely even spoke to me."
"I can relate." Big Guns sighed. "When my sister found out the truth... well, she was outraged. Gave me this rant about how I sold out my morals to become some gangsters' lackey... Said she never wanted to see me again..."
"That's too bad, pal." Gregory sighed.
"What about you, Gregory?" Carapace asked. "Have your loved ones turned on you?"
"Well, Gilda was a little mad at first." Gregory admitted. "But it turns out knowing I kill crooked ponies on a regular makes her really hot."
"It does?" Big Guns frowned.
"Oh, yeah." Gregory nodded. "Just last week, after I took out a squealer, I came home with a little of his blood still on my talons. My gal went totally wild!"
"Dear Faust, I think your wife has a problem." Carapace grimaced.
"Hey, every gal has their kink." Gregory shrugged. "Why do you think I've got such a big family? It's cuz my mom loves it when dad preens her neck feathers! And I got a gal who's just as wild!"
"Lucky you." Carapace growled. "But the rest haven't been so fortunate. Our lives are ruined, thanks to the Napoleons. I thought they cared about us!"
"Of course they care about us." Big Guns admonished. "They treated us like family all these years. They made life better for us all."
"Hrrr...." Carapace growled.
"It's true." Gregory declared. "I remember what life was like before I ever knew the name 'Napoleon'. Boy, things were rough..."
Flashback...
It was mating season in Hollow Shades. The Griffons were all pairing up, and going off to the customary caves to seal the deal. While most Griffon males were willing to go with any female that would have them, Gregory only had intentions of courting Gilda. He thought she was the most beautiful Griffon around, and had done ever since she had moved to Hollow Shades from Griffonstone. Gregory had lived in Hollow Shades all his live, having a steady job as an assistant in the local library. It paid well enough, but he found it a little boring. In fact, he had found his whole life to be boring of late. Then Gilda came along. She was so beautiful, so feisty, so worldly... From the first moment he saw her, he knew he had to have her.
"Hey there, gorgeous." He sidled up to her.
"Hi, Gregory." Gilda smiled pleasantly. The two had had several interactions before that day, mostly friendly chats "How's your mating season been so far?"
"Until right now, I'd have said 'not good'." Gregory smirked. "But seeing you always makes my day."
"Smooth." Gilda chuckled. "Bet you say that to all the girls."
"So, what say you and me get... cozy?" Gregory purred.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Gilda asked. "You know the rules for mating: The male has to bring back a kill for the girl they want to court. The bigger the better."
"Seriously?" Gregory snorted. "We can't get together unless I bring you a blood-soaked corpse? What wacko came up with that idea?"
"Our ancestors." Gilda declared. "I'm not saying I like it, but that's the way it is. And you'd better hurry up if you want to get with me. Glen over there's been giving me the eye."
"Glen?" Gregory snorted. "That sack of pigeon droppings?"
"Hey, at least he knows the score." Gilda shrugged. "You wanna get with me, you gotta bring back a kill." She ran a talon gently down Gregory's beak. "You do that, and I'm all yours."
"Then that's what I'll do." Gregory said boldly. "Stay gorgeous, Gilda. I'll be right back."
"I hope so." Gilda said to herself. "That Glen really is a sack of pigeon droppings..."
Despite his boasts, Gregory was not a cold-blooded killer, and found himself having trouble pulling off a kill. His first target was a sheep. Everything went okay at first; He lay in hiding behind a bush, then leapt at the creature, pinning it down.
"Bahhh!" The sheep bleated, struggling in vain.
"Okay, here we go..." Gregory splayed his talons. "Sorry, wooly. Time to die!"
The sheep bleated mournfully, as if begging Gregory not do it. Gregory's talon hovered above it. Though he wanted to be with Gilda, he just couldn't bring himself to kill the sheep.
"Ah, geez..." Gregory sighed, releasing the sheep. "You know what? You're not a good enough kill, anyway. Go on, get out of here!"
The sheep ran away as fast as it could.
"I gotta find something bigger." Gregory declared. "Something that's really gonna impress Gilda..."
As he looked around, he spotted a moose.
"Okay, take two." He mused.
Gregory leapt onto the moose's back, digging his talons in deeply. The moose brayed in pain as it thrashed around, trying to throw Gregory off its back.
"Whoa, this is some ride!" Gregory yelped, holding on for dear life.
Eventually, the moose tired, and fell to the ground.
"Gotcha." Gregory grinned. He raised talons, ready to finish things... But as he looked at the panting, helpless moose, he felt a pang of remorse, and found himself once again restraining himself. "Aw, not again..." He simply walked away, leaving the exhausted moose to recover.
And so it continued; Every time Gregory caught something, he ended up wimping out on the kill. He just couldn't kill an innocent animal.
"What is wrong with me?" He groaned, as he stood in a clearing, bemoaned his acts of mercy. "Griffons are supposed to be fierce killers! Why can't I do this?"
"Hey pal, do ya mind bemoaning your life a little quieter?" Salt suddenly popped up from behind a rock. "I'm trying to hide here!"
"What the-?" Gregory frowned. "Who are you?"
"Salt Napoleon, nice to meet you." Salt nodded.
"Gregory." Gregory returned.
"Now, how about you quiet down a little, so I don't have to punch your beak off? Thanks." Salt glared.
"Why exactly is a pony hiding out here?" Gregory asked, lowering his voice.
"If you must know, I'm hiding out from a bunch of hill-billies I ripped off." Salt declared. "I sold 'em some counterfeit jewels. I didn't think they were smart enough to recognize the fakes..."
"Well, you may not want to hide here." Gregory frowned. "It's Griffon mating season, you know. And we don't take kindly to intruders during the procedures."
"Oh, I'll be gone soon enough." Salt shrugged. "I already gave those dumb hicks the slip. I'm only sticking around long enough to make sure."
"Counterfeit jewels... what are you, some kind of crook?" Gregory asked.
"I prefer the term 'unorthodox entrepreneur'." Salt shrugged. "Sure, me and my family pull off a few cons and heists, but we have our honor. I only ripped off those hillbillies because they were scum. They were running moonshine in their basement, inbreeding, the whole enchilada."
"Sounds charming." Gregory grimaced.
"So if this is the mating season, then what are you doing out here by yourself?" Salt asked.
"Well, in order to mate with a girl, first the male has to bring back a kill." Gregory declared. "That's the part I'm having trouble with."
"Oh, really?" Salt asked. "What's the problem? Not much cop at the old hunting game?"
"No, I can hunt just fine." Gregory declared. "I just... can't bring myself to kill any of my catches."
"Can't do the deed, huh?" Salt mused.
"Yeah." Gregory sighed. "Kinda pathetic, right?"
"To be honest, I kinda respect that." Salt smiled.
"You do?" Gregory frowned.
"Yep." Slat nodded. "It means you're a caring, compassionate guy."
"Fat lot of good that does me right now." Gregory scowled. "Without a kill to bring back, I can't mate with Gilda."
"Gilda?" Salt asked.
"The Griffon of my dreams." Gregory smiled. "Ever since I first saw her, I've been totally been in love with her."
"She really all that?" Salt grinned.
"You have no idea." Gregory sighed happily. "She's beautiful, she's spunky, she's got a fabulous wingspan... she's just perfect." His face fell. "And I won't get to be with her, all because I can't bring myself to kill anything!"
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Salt spoke up.
"I think I might have a solution to your problem." He smiled.
"A solution?" Gregory asked.
"More of a deal, actually." Salt corrected himself. "If I can help you get with this Gilda girl, you agree to join our little organization." Salt extended a hoof. "What do you say, Greggy?"
Gregory mulled it over. The idea of hooking up with pony criminals was a little galling, but he wanted to be with Gilda so badly, he was willing to do anything.
"Okay, I'm in." He nodded. He took Salt's hoof in his talon and shook it.
"Good choice." Salt smirked.
"Honestly, I'm not sure what exactly you can do to help, though." Gregory admitted. "The way I hear it, you ponies aren't much when it comes to hunting. I mean, you're herbivores, for Grover's sake..."
"Hold on." Salt stopped him. "We're not alone."
"Say what?" Gregory frowned.
"I can smell something in the wind..." Salt looked towards the bushes. "Something that you'd look really good bringing back... Wait here, 'kay?"
"Okay..." Gregory frowned.
Salt marched off into the bushes. Seconds later, Gregory a rustling noise, a roar, and the sounds of struggle.
"What the..." He frowned.
Gregory went over to investigate... and found Salt wrestling with a bear.
"That all you got, Smokey?" Slat jeered, as he grappled with his prey.
"Flying feathers!" Gregory gaped, amazed by what he was seeing.
The bear swiped its paw, striking Salt around the face.
"Oh, done warming up, are we?" Salt smirked. "Then let's get serious!"
The fight became more frenzied. The bear scratched Salt, but in return, Salt punched it on the nose. As the bear stumbled backward, Salt kicked it in the stomach, causing it to double over. Salt then leapt on the bear's back. As the animal roared, trying to shake him off, he wrapped his hooves around its neck.
"Say goodnight, Yogi." Salt sneered.
With one swift twist, Salt snapped the bear's neck. The animal collapsed, lifeless.
"Holy-!" Gregory gaped. "That was... That was..."
"Awesome, right?" Salt smirked. "You bring this big fella back, and every Griffon gal around'll want to get with you."
"It's not every gal I want." Gregory declared. "It's Gilda."
"Well, let's hope she's impressed by bear carcasses." Salt grinned.
"Thanks for this." Gregory smiled. "I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Salt smiled. "Now, after you and the little lady have your fun, I expect you to fulfil your end of the bargain."
"You got it." Gregory nodded.
With some difficulty, Gregory dragged the bear carcasses back home. The other Griffons gasped in astonishment at the size of his "kill".
"Incredible!"
"Is that... Gregory?"
"He took down a bear?!"
"No way!"
Gregory brought the bear over to Gilda, whose beak dropped.
"So... what do you think?" Gregory asked nervously.
Gilda grabbed Gregory by the feathers.
"You. Me. Cave. Now." She purred.
"...Oh, boy." Gregory gulped.
As Gilda practically dragged Gregory into the cave, Salt popped his head up from behind some bushes. He gave Gregory a small nod, and a look that said "Go get 'er, tiger."
The present...
"So there you have it." Gregory smirked. "I agreed to join up, and in return, Salt got me laid. Now, Gilda and I have a whole bunch of kids. In fact, there's another on the way."
"Whoa..." Big Guns gaped.
"Wait a second." Carapace frowned. "How could you go from not wanting to kill animals to freely killing ponies?"
"Oh, Salt taught me." Gregory shrugged. "It took a while, but he eventually taught me to get past it, and now I have no problem taking a life when I need to. Just another plus of making a deal with a Napoleon. That, and the aforementioned turn-ons I give Gilda."
"Talk about your perks..." Big Guns snickered. "Of course, my recruitment went a little differently..."
Flashback...
Outside of Appleloosa, Big Guns (known then as "Gunther"), was resting in his wigwam. His younger self was a little slimmer, with a very shaggy coat, and a feathered headband. Just then, his sister, Petunia, burst in, weeping. She was a slender, slim buffalo, with a desert rose in her hair.
"Gunther!" She sobbed.
"Petunia?" Gunther frowned, as she ran to him for comfort. "What's going on?" He noticed the bruises on her face. "What happened to you?"
"I... was in town, and I met that pony, Dandy Andy." Petunia sniffed.
"The mayor's son?" Gunther asked.
"That's him." Petunia nodded. "I met him in the tavern. We got to talking. He seemed so pleasant, and charming. He invited me back to his home to continue talking... but the second we were inside, he grabbed me, and tried to kiss me."
"He what?!" Gunther growled.
"I didn't like how forceful he was being, so I pushed him away." Petunia declared. "Then he got angry. He... he slapped me, kicked me, beat me... all the while telling me I was just some 'savage', that should have felt honored he would even touch me!"
"Why that low-down, dirty..." Gunther scowled.
"When he grew tired of hurting me, he threw me back outside... then spat on me." Petunia shuddered in anguish. "I... I..."
"There, there, little sister." Gunther comforted her. "Trust me, that filth won't away with this. I'll see to you he pays for what he did."
Gunther rushed over to the house of Appleloosa's current Mayor, Mudslinger. He banged furiously on the door. Mudslinger (a brown Earth Pony with a straw-colored mane, dark blue eyes, mud puddle Cutie Mark, and a white suit) answered.
"May I help you, sir?" He said, a tad annoyed.
"Yes, you may." Gunther growled. "Your son just tried to come on to my little sister, and he beat her when she spurned his advances."
"I find that hard to believe." Mudslinger glared at him. He called upstairs. "Dandy!"
Dandy rushed down. He had his father's coat, but a blonde, curly mane and pale green eyes. His Cutie Mark was of a top hat.
"Yeah, dad?" He asked.
"This... gentlebuffalo here says you made advances on his little sister, and then assaulted her when she refused." Mudslinger declared. "Is this true?"
"As if." Dandy snorted. "Like I'd ever waste my time on one of those desert-dwelling savages... no offense." He glanced at Gunther.
"Well, there you have it." Mudslinger told Gunther. "My son says he didn't do it."
"Are you serious?" Gunther spat. "My sister isn't a liar!"
"And you're saying my son is?" Mudslinger shot back.
"We'll see what the rest of the town thinks." Gunther glared.
"Oh, I don't think so." Mudslinger sneered. "If you even think about spreading those slanderous lies, I'll have the sheriff throw you into jail for the rest of your natural life. I'll have your little tribe driven off their land. And as for your sister... well, perhaps Dandy could deal with her."
"You... you lousy... you can't do this!" Gunther yelled.
"Actually, I can." Mudslinger smirked. "I'm the mayor, remember? I own this town, and I refuse to let some shaggy-coated beast of burden tarnish my family's reputation!"
"Good call, dad." Dandy smiled.
"This ain't over." Gunther spat. "I'll find some way of making sure your son gets what's coming to him."
"You would be wise to let this go." Mudslinger told him.
"Never." Gunther declared. "Good day, Mr Mayor."
With that, Gunther left the house. He was fuming, mostly because he knew the Mayor was right; He could touch Dandy, not without bringing down the full wrath of his father.
A short while later, Gunther sat in the local tavern, drowning his sorrows. Just as he slugged back another sarsparilla, Dandy entered the bar, flanked by two friends.
"What happened with you and that Buffalo gal, anyway?" One of the friends asked. "It looked like you were in there!"
"Eh, she was frigid." Dandy snorted. "Seriously, you'd think living out in the desert would have warmed her up a little..."
Gunther tightened his grip on the glass he was holding. He would have liked nothing more than to walk over to Dandy and put his lights out, but he knew the boy's father would waste no time in making him regret it. Unable to take being in the same building as that vile Earth Pony, Gunther left the tavern.
"Lousy punk." He muttered impotently. "Having his daddy keep him out of trouble. If the rest of the town only knew what Mudslinger was covering up..."
As he walked through the streets, muttering to himself, he failed to watch where he was going, and bumped into none other than Vinny.
"Hey, watch it!" Vinny yelled.
"Sorry, stranger." Gunther apologized. "I've... got a lot on my mind right now."
"Don't we all?" Vinny snorted. "I've got me an important job to get down, but I can't find anypony to help out! I had a guy who was supposed to help, but I just got word that he couldn't make it, so I'm up the creek without a paddle!"
"Well, my problem's a little more personal than that." Gunther sighed.
"Yeah, how so?" Vinny asked.
"Well... my little sister was beaten by the mayor's son, but the punk's father is threatening to have me thrown in jail, my tribe thrown off the land, and my sister killed if I try to do anything about it." Gunther admitted.
"The Mayor?" Vinny frowned. "You mean Mudslinger?"
"That's the one." Gunther nodded.
"I've heard of that slimeball." Vinny scowled. "Word is that son of us has done all kinds of vile stuff, and he covers it all up so he doesn't get in trouble. Means the kid's practically untouchable by both the law and the common folk."
"So I've just gotta stand by and let him get away with hurting my sister?!" Gunther snarled. "That's not right!"
"You know something? I just got an idea." Vinny smirked. "How about you give me a hoof on this job of mine, and I'll kill that punk for you?"
"Kill him?" Gunther frowned.
"He deserves it, doesn't he?" Vinny asked.
"...Yeah." Gunther nodded. "Yeah, he does."
"So I'll add icing him to my to-do list." Vinny smiled. "But first, you help me with this job."
"Deal." Gunther smiled. "By the way, what kind of job is it?"
"Oh, a bank job." Vinny said nonchalantly.
"A b... you're going to rob the bank?!" Gunther yelped.
"Hey, relax, big fella." Vinny told him.
"Relax? You're a criminal!" Gunther yelled.
"You could say that, sure." Vinny shrugged. "But the bank I'm planning on robbing is run by real crooks. They've been ripping off their customers for years. Stealing from their accounts, charging them way too much for transactions... And don't even get me started on the secret accounts for the mob bosses."
"Is all that true?" Gunther asked.
"Cross my heart." Vinny said seriously. "Robbing from that bank is just making things right, like killing that punk Dandy. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. You in?"
"Well, I already gave my word..." Gunther sighed. "Okay, I'm in!"
"Great." Vinny smiled. "Now, you go get a mask and a weapon, and meet me outside the bank in a couple of minutes."
"Got it." Gunther nodded. "By the way, the name's Gunther."
"Vinny." Vinny smiled. "See ya soon."
Gunther rushed back to his wigwam. Petunia had cried herself to sleep.
"You just hold on, sis." Gunther said grimly. "Justice will soon be served."
A short while later, Vinny was waiting outside the bank, crossbow at the ready, when he saw Gunther walking down the street, wielding an exceptionally large crossbow.
"Whoa!" Vinny gaped. "Nice piece!"
"Thank you." Gunther smiled. "It was my father's. It is like you ponies say 'you go big, or you go home'."
"Never been truer words. That oughta let folks know we mean business." Vinny smiled. "Now, we gotta do this quick, before the sheriff shows up. In and out in under five minutes."
"Understood." Big Guns nodded.
"Masks on." Vinny instructed. He pulled on a ski mask, while Gunther wrapped a bandanna around his face. "Crossbows loaded." They loaded their weapons. "Let's do this!"
They rushed into the bank, crossbows at the ready.
"Freeze, and nopony gets hurt!" Vinny yelled.
Customers and tellers alike threw their hooves up. While Gunther covered the front, Vinny walked over to the tellers, brandishing a large sack.
"Okay, bub, fill this up with Bits from the main vault." Vinny ordered.
"But..." The teller gulped, knowing that was where their more illicit takings were located.
"NOW!!" Vinny screamed, pointing the crossbow at him.
"Yes, sir!" The teller yelped.
More afraid for their lives than their jobs, the tellers took all the Bits out of the vault and into Vinny's sack.
"Pleasure doing business with you." Vinny smirked. He turned to Gunther. "Let's go, big guy!"
"Right behind you." Gunther nodded, as they rushed out the back way.
Following Vinny's lead, Gunther raced through the back alleys of Appleloosa, getting as far from the bank as possible, and out into the plains. They stopped to hide behind a large rock.
"Okay, that was a pretty good heist." Vinny declared.
"Whoa, what a rush." Gunther gasped. "I didn't think I'd find crime so thrilling..."
"You're a natural. We got out of there in four minutes!" Vinny smiled. "The only problem is the name. 'Gunther' just doesn't cut it as decent 'tough guy' name. ...Hey, how about 'Big Guns'?"
"Big Guns?" Gunther frowned.
"Yeah." Vinny nodded. "You got that big ol' crossbow, don't you? It's a perfect nickname for you!"
"Well, I guess it does sound imposing." Gunther smiled. "Just remember your side of the bargain."
"How could I forget?" Vinny smiled, as he pulled out a second mask, "Just give five more minutes and we will both be satisfied."
A short while later, Vinny, donning the second mask, and for some reason, a top hat, entered the tavern, where Dandy was still boasting to his friends of the things he had gotten away with.
"Dandy Andy?" Vinny asked.
"Who wants to..." Dandy stopped as Vinny pointed his crossbow at him. "...Know?"
"Big Guns sends his regards." Vinny announced.
"Who?" Dandy cringed.
"Exactly." Vinny smirked.
Vinny fired his crossbow. The bolt struck Dandy in the chest, killing him instantly.
"Good day, everypony." Vinny tipped his hat, and departed. The tavern's shocked patrons looked on in horror.
That evening, Vinny prepared to depart.
"Guess this is it." Vinny smiled. "See ya around, Big Guns."
"About that." Gunther declared. "I was thinking I could come with you."
"Oh, really?" Vinny's eyes widened.
"Yes." Gunther nodded. "I got quite a rush out of that job today, and from you taking out that lousy Andy. I'd like to feel that rush more often. If you'll have, I'll be glad to go to work for you and your family."
"Sure, why not?" Vinny chuckled. "We could always use another big guy..."
"Just so long as I get time off to visit Petunia." Gunther added.
"I think I can swing that." Vinny grinned. "Let's get going then... Big Guns."
"Right behind you." The newly-rechristened Buffalo smiled.
"...Oh, and by the way, after I got done with Dandy, I took the liberty of whacking off the other guy you wanted dead." Vinny smirked.
"What other guy?" Big Guns frowned.
"The mayor, Mudslinger. He let his son do all that stuff, and threatened you." Vinny explained, "So I left a little surprise for him..."
"Um, Vinny, I didn't want Mudslinger dead!" Big Guns protested. "He's a slimeball, but he's also the mayor!"
"Well, too late for that." Vinny shrugged.
Back in town, one of Mudslinger's aides knocked on the door of his study.
"Sir, you have to dedicate the new water pump, remember?" He called.
Receiving no answer, the aide entered the room... only to find the dead body of Mudslinger in his chair, a bolt through the head.
"Holy buck!" The aide yelped.
"Hmm..." Vinny checked his watch. "Time to get going. We don't want to be around town for the next few days. Folks can get pretty sensitive about a political assassination, y'know."
"Oh, Faust..." Big Guns groaned. "The Mayor's dead, because of me..."
"Relax, I already slipped in a nomination for the new Mayor on my way out." Vinny chuckled, "Let's just say that gay cowboy that always making that over-the-top greeting is getting a surprise tomorrow."
"What, Braeburn?" Big Guns frowned, "He's not gay."
"Really?" Vinny snorted. "Coulda fooled me... Now, let's ride outta this soon-to-be-run-by-a-mistaken-for-gay-stallion town!"
Vinny raced toward the train station.
"Well, I wanted excitement..." Big Guns shrugged. "Wait up!"
Big Guns followed Vinny, ready to begin his new life, warts and all.
The Present...
"And that's how Braeburn became mayor." Big Guns smirked, "And how I became a mobster."
"That's quite a tale." Carapace remarked. "But I assure you, it has nothing on mine."
"Oh, yeah?" Big smirked. "Let's hear it, then."
"Gladly." Carapace nodded. "In my youth, I was something of a claustrophobic. I hated cramped spaces... especially the cells of my hive. I spent as much time outside as I could, much to the annoyance of my fellows. Even Queen Chrysalis herself told me to 'act like a real Changeling', but I wasn't having any of that. Only my loyalty to the hive kept me from simply leaving, which gave me quite a chafing, unhappy existence. But one morning, something happened that changed everything."
Flashback...
A young Carapace was sitting on the edge of the Changeling hive's cavern, staring out into the countryside.
"Ah, such wide, open spaces." He sighed.
"Hey! Zzzlime for brains!" A young Char yelled. "Zzztop loafing around! Back to work!"
"Of course, Captain." Carapace snapped to attention. The second Char turned his attention elsewhere, he added "You hardshelled jerk" under his breath.
Once he was sure Char was gone, Carapace went back to gazing outward. Moments later, he saw an odd sight; Wizel, one of their eldest members, sneaking off, wearing a fedora and carrying a large sack.
"Hello..." Carapace frowned. "What's he doing?"
Wizel had always impressed upon Carapace and the rest of the younger Changelings to never leave the hive under any circumstances. Yet here he was, doing that very same thing.
"I'm sure there's a good reason for this." Carapace mused. "Maybe he's on a special mission for the queen. Yeah, that's it. Not really any of my business, anyway..."
But curiosity got the better of him. Making sure no one was watching, Carapace slipped away from the hive, intent on following Wizel.
Carapace's tracking led him a good distance from the hive.
"Where is he going?" Carapace frowned. "The Queen never sends us out this far. Not alone, at least..."
As Carapace followed Wizel, the old Changeling led him to a clearing, where Lars and Caboose were waiting.
"Who are they?" Carapace growled, hiding behind a tree.
"Ah, Wizel." Lars smiled. "Punctual as always."
"Hey, Wizzy!" Caboose waved.
"Lars. Caboose." Wizel nodded. "Good to see you again."
"Do you have the... materials?" Lars asked.
"Right here." Wizel patted the sack.
"Good." Lars smiled. "The representatives for the Red Horseshoe gang are just a ways away. We musn't keep them waiting."
"Of course not." Wizel agreed.
"You know how those guys get when they're crabby." Caboose tutted.
Both intrigued and confused, Carapace followed the truth further into the wilderness. Out by an old road, a quartet of ponies, led by a red-maned, gray-coated Pegasus stallion with silver eyes and a dart-shaped feather Cutie Mark.
"Well, it's about time." The leader scowled. "The Napoleons really need a better clock..."
"Really, Flechette, we're not that late." Lars frowned. "Patience is a virtue."
"And time is money." Flechette spat. "Now, let's see those goods."
Wizel opened the sack, revealing the contents.
"Some genuine Changeling royal jelly, tastier than it looks, I promise..." He held up a jar of pale yellow goo. "Some shed shells, excellent for use as armor..." He held up another jar, containing green slime. "Resin, stronger than any brick mortar..."
Carapace couldn't believe his ears. Wizel was selling the Changeling's natural resources to ponies!
"Wizel!" He stormed out of his hiding place. "How could you!"
"Carapace!" Wizel gasped "What are-?"
"I'll ask the questions here!" Carapace spat. "How can you sell our hive's resources to these ponies? These are the guys that are causing us to starve! Who forced us to hide in caves! Yet here you are, getting all chummy with them, you traitor! Why, if the Queen were here..."
"Queen?" Flechette scowled. "Is this some kind of set-up?"
"No, I assure you..." Lars declared.
"Sure it is." Caboose nodded.
"What?!" Lars yelped.
"Well, you did set up this meeting." Caboose shrugged.
"Filthy doublecrossers!" Flechette spat. "Plug 'em all!"
Flechette's underlings pulled out their crossbows. Lars and Caboose, having no choice, followed suit.
"Impertinent larva..." Wizel glared at Carapace, before charging up his horn. "Ruined everything..."
While the ponies and Wizel engaged in a fierce firefight, Carapace made a beeline for the sack and its contents.
'This is my chance.' He thought. 'If I can get this back to the hive, I'll be a hero! None of them will ever get on my back again. Even Char will have to kiss my thorax!'
Just as Carapace reached for the sack, Flechette spotted him.
"Feelers off my stuff!" He yelled. He threw a razor sharp knife right at Carapace's head.
"Look out!" Caboose pushed Carapace out of the way, leaving the knife to embed itself in the road sign.
"You... saved my life." Carapace declared.
"...Yeah, I did, didn't I?" Caboose smiled proudly. "I'm a hero!"
Wizel glared at Flechette.
"How dare you." He scowled. "Impertinent larva or not, that was one of my hive you tried to kill! For that you will pay!"
Wizel blasted Flechette with his horn, slamming the crooked Pegasus to the ground.
"Ahhh!" Flechette yelped. "Why, you-"
As Flechette got up, he realised that all his flunkies had been taken out, leaving him alone.
"I think you should leave, Mr Flechette." Lars declared.
"Oh, I will." Flechette spat. "Let that brother of yours know our deal is hereby null and void." He took off into the sky. "You made a powerful enemy today!"
"I'm shaking in my horseshoes." Lars deadpanned. He then turned to Carapace. "So, what should we do with this little fellow?"
"This one saved my life."Carapace pointed at Caboose...and then frowned, "Aw, crap, that means I owe him my loyalty!"
"Huh?" Caboose raised a brow.
"Changeling code." Carapace sighed, "If somepony saves a changeling's life, they are bound by honor to be forever loyal to the one who saved him and his family... even if that one is a pony..."
"Oh...cool." Caboose smiled.
"I suppose we could always use another agent." Lars shrugged.
"I'm still angry with you, Wizel." Carapace added.
"I'm sorry about the resources I took." Wizel apologised. "but I assure, we had surpluses of those...heck, we have enough to support three hives."
"That's not what I'm talking about." Carapace declared. "How many times have you told me not to go outside our borders, or consort with outsiders! yet here you are, doing those very things, and with ponies, no less you big hypocrite! The very ones who have been antagonising and oppressing us for years! How could you do such a thing!"
"I apologize, young one." Wizel sighed. "I allied myself with these fine fellows and their family in order to spread the wealth of the Changelings with the world. I know there are many who wish for us to remain in solitude, but I believe there is a place for us out there."
"Really?" Carapace scowled. "After everything those ponies have done to us?"
"Not all ponies are the same." Carapace declared. "The Napoleons may be criminals, but they are also open-minded and honourable. And there are many others out just like them. You just have to give them a chance."
"Maybe you're right..." Carapace admitted. "And I have always wanted to see the outside world..."
"If you're serious about working with the Napoleons as I have, I could help cover for your absences." Wizel suggested. "In exchange for not breathing a word of this to the others, of course."
"I accept." Carapace smiled.
"Welcome aboard, pal!" Caboose smiled.
"You want to see the world? Stick with us." Lars declared.
Carapace felt a new sense of excitement. At long last, he was going to be free of his confines, and go out into the wide world...
The present...
"So Caboose saved your life?" Gregory snorted. "Caboose?"
"Yes." Carapace nodded. "Such a noble gesture couldn't go unrewarded. I pledged my loyalty to the Napoleons that day."
"How can you say they don't care about us?" Big Guns asked. "They barely even knew us back then, and they still helped us out."
"Big's right." Gregory agreed. "If it weren't for them, our lives wouldn't have turned out half as good."
"Well, there is that." Carapace admitted. "but that still doesn't change the fact that they sold us out."
"Only to save the world." Gregory pointed out. "It must have been a tough choice for them. They had to bring everything out in the open, or risk that Black Knight nutjob destroying everything."
"I think they made the right call." Big declared. "They helped save Equestria, just as they helped us all way back when."
"That's just the kind of guys they are." Gregory added.
"Yeah, it is." Carapace smiled. "Even if things are different now, being one of their agents was the best thing I ever did with my life."
"Same here." Gregory beamed.
"Ditto." Big Guns nodded. "And so what if everypony knows who we are? That won't stop us from getting the job done!"
"Got that right." Gregory agreed.
"Hear, hear." Carapace nodded. "Now, enough mush. Back to the game. And I've got a full house!" He displayed his cards proudly.
"Aw, you win again!" Big groaned.
"Every time." Gregory sighed, as he pushed his Bits over to Carapace.
"Maybe my luck's changing after all..." Carapace chuckled.
'Carapace was right. Not long after that, the trio returned to their respective homes...'
Gregory returned to his family's home in Hollow Shades. A large house (paid for by his work for the Napoleons). The second he entered, he was swarmed by his many children.
"Dad's home!" A young male chick cheered.
"Yay!" A female cheered.
"Easy there, kids." Gregory chuckled. "Give daddy room to breathe."
"Hey, dad." Grizelda, Gregory and Gilda's eldest, smiled. She looked a lot like her mother, but she had her father's eyes.
"And how's my darling 'Zelda?" Gregory beamed.
"Pretty so-so... until you came back." She smiled. "Just seeing you's enough to make a bad day good."
"That's my girl..." Gregory grinned.
At that point, Gilda walked into the living room.
"Welcome home, Greggy." She beamed.
"Okay kids, give mom and dad a little private time." Gregory urged.
"You heard him, ya little ankle-biters." Grizelda teased. "Let's bounce."
The kids followed their big sister out of the room, leaving and Gregory and Gilda alone. Gilda immediately pounced on Gregory, kissing him fiercely.
"Miss me?" Gregory asked.
"Always." Gilda beamed.
"Same here." Gregory stroked her head feathers.
"So... did you kill anypony lately?" Gilda purred.
"Maybe..." Gregory chuckled. "I just might tell you after dinner."
"You tease..." Gilda smiled suggestively.
"You know you love it." Gregory grinned.
Husband and wife headed into the dining room for dinner with the family. And afterwards, Gregory and Gilda had some real fun...
Meanwhile, Big Guns returned to his old wigwam, currently being occupied by Petunia. He wasn't about to let his sister cut him out of her life, so he made another attempt to straighten things out.
"Petunia?" He said tentatively.
"Get out." Petunia scowled. "I have nothing to say to criminals."
"Do you know why I went to work for the Napoleons?" Big asked. "Because Vinny promised to take out Dandy Andy in exchange."
"What?!" Petunia gasped. "Why would you even agree to a deal like that?"
"For you." Big declared.
"Excuse me?" Petunia asked.
"I wanted to make Dandy pay for what he did to you, but his father, the Mayor, would have covered it all up, and had me thrown in prison if I tried anything." Big explained. "I couldn't let that punk get away with hurting you, so I made a deal with Vinny. Sure, I became a crook, but at least I could rest easy, knowing the pony who hurt could never do it again."
"Gunther..." Petunia gaped, unsure what to say.
"I still think I made the right choice." Big declared, making to leave. "If you want to hate me, then hate me. I'd pay any price to keep you safe."
"Gunther, wait!" Petunia stopped him. "...Maybe I was too hasty in judging you. I may not like you being a criminal, but knowing that you made a sacrifice like that for me... well, it means the world to me."
"Thanks, little sis." Big smiled.
"And I suppose your bosses did help save Equestria." Petunia added. "So I guess they can't be all bad."
"They're not." Big smiled. "They're all pretty decent guys, actually. You'd like 'em."
"Maybe... you could stay a while?" Petunia offered. "I have some of your favourite herbal tea."
"Sounds great." Big grinned.
Brother and sister shared a soothing pot of tea, and reconnected (to Big's joy)
Over by the Changeling kingdom, Carapace walked through the streets, still receiving glares from the populace. He was determined to ignore them, though.
'I know who I am.' He thought. 'I don't need anypony's approval...'
"Hey, look!"
Carapace turned to see a group of young Changelings rushing over to him.
"It's him!" The leader pointed. "Carapace!"
"Awesome!" A mid-sized female squealed.
"Mr Carapace, we think you're the greatest!" A smaller male smiled.
"Really?" Carapace gaped.
"Yeah!" A tall female nodded. "You're this way cool mobster guy. You travel the world, and beat up all sorts of rotten folks!"
"I wish I could be like you!" The small male grinned.
"You do?" Carapace said, surprised.
"We all do." The mid-sized female nodded.
"Well... thanks." Carpace declared, cowed by their adulation.
"Can we have your autograph?" The leader asked, holding a chunk of bark.
"Sure, kid." Carapace nodded.
Using his horn, Carapace burnt his signature into the bark.
"Cool!" The young ones cheered.
"Now get out of here, ya little scamps!" Carapace chuckled.
"Thanks, Mr Carapace!" The tall female whooped, as they rushed away.
"Huh." Carapace grinned. "Looks like my luck's changing after all..."
"It certainly is." Wizel walked over to him.
"Hey, Wiz." Carapace smiled. "Did you see that? Those kids love me!"
"Many here do." Wizel declared. "You're quite a hero amongst the young ones."
"Feels good." Carapace grinned. "Real good..."
"Still glad you followed me that day?" Wizel asked.
"You know it." Carapace nodded.
'So there you have it; The origin stories of three of our best operatives. I did feel bad about having to out them along with ourselves during the "Crystal Sun" crisis. I wouldn't have blamed them if they'd left our employ. But like true family, they stuck with us through thick and thin, and I couldn't be more grateful. I can never thank them enough for their loyalty. All I can do is trust they keep up the good work. Until next time, dear readers...'