1
January 16, 1008,
It’s gone too far, now. A line has to be drawn. Pick Pocket’s managed to get himself caught up inside the Red Hoof’s gang. I thought I could be okay with that, despite the risk to him. After all, he’s doing it voluntarily.
But I’m not okay. Not after last night. I followed him on his ‘initiation’, to make sure he’d be safe. I wish I hadn’t. I had to sit back and listen while they beat the living hell out of an innocent old sire - for some bits, no less! I bit my tongue - literally - just so I wouldn’t interfere. If I had, they might’ve thought he was some sort of spy. These types always turn on each other in the blink of an eye, and he’d’ve been the easy target.
Sitting back and doing nothing had been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Next time, I’ll find a way to jump in. Not just for my sake, or even his, but for whichever innocent bystander gets caught in the crossfire.
If getting mom and dad back means damning others to suffering… I’m not sure it’s worth it.
And where was Charade? I haven’t seen her for a whole day and a half. I'm sitting back at home, waiting to see if she'll show. It feels weird to be here now - I feel like a stranger. Everything's so quiet and cold, especially since Figaro is hanging out with Bolt Buck for his own safety.
Hopefully when I see Pick again, he’ll have something for me. The sooner this nightmare is over, the better.
-Snow Storm
2
“Mmm.” Amber Shield sleepily draped a foreleg over the slumbering form of Petunia, scooting herself up into a spooning position, intertwining one rear leg with her marefriend’s. Her muzzle just barely grazed Petunia’s neck, taking in the sweet mixture of aromas that surrounded the mare. Even in her half-awake daze, the memory of last night stood out in Amber’s mind - how intense yet sweet it had been. How she had felt from Petunia’s tentative touch in a way she had never felt from any coltfriend. How Petunia had tasted - strange at first, but the more response Amber received, the more confident she had gotten, until it seemed like the entire city could hear them go about their passionate lovemaking.
I don’t wanna get up, Amber thought wearily, cuddling Petunia as tightly as she could. Damn the Guard today.
Petunia shifted in her sleep, rolling over and pulling Amber closer to her, burying her muzzle in Amber’s chest, breathing deeply and giving a contented sigh as she settled back into a comfortable sleep. Amber felt Petunia’s forelegs slip around her frame, gripping her gently. To Amber’s delight, she felt Petunia tilt her head slightly, pressing her ear to Amber’s chest. Petunia passively smiled as the sound of Amber’s heartbeat filled her mind.
“You awake?” Amber mumbled, keeping her eyes closed.
“Mmm…” Petunia murmured. “I could lay here forever like this…”
“I wish we could,” Amber said, pushing herself up and rolling groggily out of bed. “But now that I’m up, I do make a mean pot of coffee.”
“But I don’t want you to go…” Petunia whined, stretching her forelegs out.
Amber smiled, tugging on Petunia’s outstretched foreleg. “Duty calls. And your flowers do, too. Come on, sleepyhead!” Petunia sat up, rubbing her eyes, then blinking a few times. She yawned, inhaling deeply, her eyes shooting open when the air carried a familiar scent reminiscent of last night’s events.
“Oh… um…” Petunia said, blushing heavily. “Last night was… fun,” she said, averting her eyes.
“Mhm it really was,” Amber said affectionately. “What’s the matter? You look embarrassed.” She nudged Petunia teasingly.
“Well… um…” Petunia said, turning to Amber, locking eyes with her. “That was… my first time…”
“Is that all?” Amber giggled, pulling Petunia into a hug. “It’s okay. It was mine, too.” Petunia returned the hug.
“Thank goodness… I mean, I wouldn’t have had an issue if you had already done things with a stallion, but it means a lot more to me that we got to share it,” Petunia admitted.
“Well… I was almost with a stallion. But, I sort of…” Amber winced. “I chickened out.”
“Oh, well, that’s okay. I mean, I’ve dated a couple of stallions in the past and we’ve, um… fooled around, but I never went that far. I was a little scared of it myself,” Petunia admitted.
“Y’know…” Amber said, gently pressing her muzzle up against Petunia’s. “Now that I think about it, I don’t go on duty for another hour.” She grinned. “And that coffee can wait…”
“I like the way you think!” Petunia said, reigniting the passion from the night before by heatedly returning the kiss, wrapping her forelegs around her and pulling her backwards into bed.
3
“I can’t beat him,” Charade said sadly, slamming her glass onto the table and wiping her chin. “Never could. He’s the perfect killer… even I can’t match that killing intent of his. And worst of all, he knows most of my moves… all except one. And even that… nah. It wouldn’t work. Not alone.” She sighed, staring at the bartender. “What do I do?”
“Beats me, kid,” the bartender stated flatly. “All’s I do is pour drinks and listen to mopey mares like you cry about things I don’t know nothin’ about.”
“...I need to go see her. It’s the only way.” She sighed again, putting thirty bits on the counter. “We good, or will I need a tab?”
“Don’t matter, I get my money regardless,” the bartender said, sliding the bits off the counter.
* * *
Charade cleared her throat, knocking on the door to the Orange mansion. “Yo, bitch! We need to have words!” she called out, diplomatic as ever.
“Madame is not here,” Deorsa said from behind Charade. He looked her in the eye as she turned around, keeping a stony expression on his face. “As I recall, you chased her out.”
“Well ain’t that just peachy…” she sighed crossly, trying to think. “Any idea of where she went? I promise to only punch her a little this time, no attempted murder.”
“She did not say where she was going,” Deorsa said stiffly. “If I may make a suggestion, a little courtesy goes a long way. You catch more flies with honey than you would with vinegar, as they say.”
“I ain’t trying to catch bugs!” she blurted out, growing increasingly annoyed with the tight-ass bat. “I’m trying to warn her! She thinks I’m tough, but she has no idea what’s coming…” The door behind them opened. Snow Storm emerged, trudging slowly up to Charade
“It’s fine, Deorsa. I'll handle this,” Snow said, trying to look Charade in the eye. It was a difficult task - the pegasus was at least a foot-and-a-half taller than her, forcing her to crane her neck at such close proximity. Under any other circumstances, the scene might’ve even been comedic. “Speak. You’ve got five minutes to explain yourself before I force you off our property personally.”
“Five minutes?” Charade snorted, waving a hoof. “I can sum this up in one sentence. The stallion that trained me is here in Manehattan to kick your ass.” Snow raised an eyebrow, nonplussed.
“Well, you’re not exactly the toughest pony I’ve ever fought, so I’m not too worried about your ‘master’ or whatever,” Snow said.
Charade gave her a stern look, utterly serious. “I am nothing compared to Hano. He could beat me with one move, without breaking a sweat. And if his orders are to kill you, you might wanna go say your goodbyes. Hell, start digging your own grave. Because he is inflexibly loyal, completely single minded, and without a single shred of remorse. He will kill you.”
“Riiight, and I’m the queen of Prance,” Snow said, rolling her eyes. “Look, if he shows up, we’ll see how it goes. All I know, is you’re gonna have a hard time eating your words when he’s out cold at my hooves.”
Charade gave her a long, hard stare, before slowly taking off the long scarf wrapped up her waist, showing off her wings. They were almost painful to look at, withered and sliced clean in half at the bottom. Tears started to form at the edges of her eyes. She didn’t say a word.
“What… what happened to you?” Snow asked, cringing at the sight. This wasn’t right at all - Charade was brash, cocky, and mouthy. She probably didn’t even know how to cry.
“He happened to me!” she said, tears starting to roll down her face as she quickly put the scarf back on.
“I, uh… I don’t know what to say,” Snow said, unable to find the right words. Okay, maybe she’s onto something… whatever though, I’ll beat him. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it, for whatever it’s worth.
“Snow Storm… just, run. Get out of the city. I might only buy you a minute or two, but I’ll get in his way. I don’t want him to do to you what he did to me… and don’t be a smartass. I know you don’t have wings.”
“Well… at the very least I’ll be wary of him. I still think you’re overblowing this a bit, but I’ll take your word for it,” Snow said. “Hell, maybe I’ll even kick his ass for you.”
At this, Charade laughed. “I’ll kick his ass myself when we next meet. But seriously, be careful… I’m not fighting for just myself, and I know you have your reasons, too. Even if I’m a crazy bitch, I can recognize when someone’s fighting for the right reasons. And screw the Red Hoof!” she said loudly in defiance, hoping whichever of his thugs that was listening heard it.
“Right,” Snow said. “Seems to me that I’m not the only one who needs to be careful now,” she stated as she turned to go back inside.
“... I died a long time ago,” Charade said in a tone Snow Storm hadn’t heard from her. It was a tired, hollow voice. So very tired. “Hano can’t kill me twice. You be careful too.” Snow pondered her words, but elected not to respond.
Just how tough is this guy if he’s got Charade shaking in her horseshoes? I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
4
“‘Ey! Our new buddy needs a nickname!” a beefy stallion said to his small band of misfits, wrapping a brotherly foreleg around Pick Pocket. “Whaddya guys think?”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea! What should we name him?” another stallion said, standing to the other side of Pick, nudging his shoulder.
“Slick? Nah, not good enough. I got nothin’. Anypony got a clue?”
“I got one…” Pick said. This is either gonna sound really cool, or really stupid, he thought. “Call me Edge, ‘cause I can edge my way into anypony’s pockets any day of the week, and ‘cause I got the edge to get the job done.”
“Not bad kid,” one stallion said. “I mean, ‘Edge’,” he said, correcting himself.
“Yeah, it suits ya,” another stallion affirmed.
I can’t believe that worked. These guys are morons, Pick thought to himself.
“I like it,” the head stallion said. “Say, you guys hear the latest rumors?”
“What’s going on?” Pick asked, curious.
“Word on the street is the Big Guy’s plannin’ something. That Mare do Well’s got him spookin’ at his own shadow… so he’s gonna do somethin’ about it, finally.”
“Any idea what he’s gonna do?” Pick asked. This is good. This is why I did this. Whatever I hear I can relay to Snow and prepare her.
“Well, you didn’t hear it from me, but… word is we’re gonna be hittin’ a carriage full of Guard stuff. Crossbows, spears, armor. Gonna be the biggest job he’s ever done… and nopony’s ever managed to pull it off.”
“That’s just like the boss! Always goin’ for the throat,” Pick said, faking enthusiasm. He’s going after an armored caravan full of weapons!? I gotta tell Snow the first chance I get!
“Yeah!” The stallion slapped Pick on the back. “That’s the spirit! We get that stuff, meet up with the Big Guy himself, gear up, and own Manehattan!”
“Wait, I’m going too? I don’t think I’m ready for something that big, I don’t wanna get in the way,” Pick said. I also don’t need Snow’s hooves up my ass.
“Eh… yeah, you’re right, Edge. You just wait ‘til the job’s done. You know that huge fruit farm outside the city? The, uh… what’s their names?”
“The Rinds,” one of them offered.
“Yeah, the Rind farm! It’s where we’re gonna meet up with the Big Guy. You just wait there, Edge. Got it? Hey, if you’re lucky, you might even get a peek at him!”
“Sure thing. I’m gonna mosey on out, got stuff to steal. Maybe bring in some bits for the Big Guy however I can,” Pick said, adjourning himself. I gotta find Snow, now!
5
“Amber, I’m going to be away on important business today,” Murdoc mentioned casually as they made the last patrol of the day, the sun hanging low in the sky. “You’ve been working hard. Perhaps you’d like to go home for the night? I’ll allow it, if you want.”
“What’s going on, sir?” Amber asked, gazing up at the Lieutenant.
“I wish I could tell you, and I hate pulling this on you, but it’s classified. Sensitive information we can’t risk leaking out. Only the ponies who are coming along are going to be privy to what’s going on,” Murdoc explained. “Take the rest of the evening. I know training usually leaves you pretty tired.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, saluting. “Good luck.”
“Thanks,” Murdoc said. I have a feeling we’re gonna need it… he thought. “Dismissed.”
* * *
Amber’s apartment was quiet as she walked into it, unbuckling her armor and levitating the pieces to rest on a mannequin. Of course it’s quiet. Nopony’s here.
But that was the problem, wasn’t it? Ever since her shift ended, Amber wanted nothing more than to find Petunia and spend the rest of the day with her. Maybe even another night. To come home to nothing was beginning to depress her.
There’s no reason I can’t hook up with her right now. Until she gets tired of seeing me. She then decided to do just that, slipping on a jacket and leaving her apartment, locking the door behind her. “Maybe I’ll pick up dinner for Petunia, she’ll like that!” She made her way towards Petunia’s, wondering what she would be in the mood for.
Along the way, Amber caught sight of a new restaurant that opened up. It was a small Neighponese restaurant, tucked in between two much larger buildings. She entered, and instantly was hit with the aroma of fresh veggies and rice. “I wonder if this place is any good…” she murmured, taking a seat at the bar.
“Good evening, my dear! Thank you for stopping by Tempura Treats!” an elderly yet hefty stallion said, coming in from the backroom and bowing.
“Oh, sure,” Amber said.
“Today is our opening day, and you are one of my first customers! As thanks I will give you your first meal at a discount! What would you like to have?” the stallion said with a kind smile.
Amber flipped through the menu, finding many delicious-looking entrees. “I think… I will have the veggie tempura rolls. Those sound delicious. What’s in them?” she asked.
“Aaah, an excellent choice! We take celery, carrots, mushrooms, sweet potato and green beans, coat them in breading then quickly fry it. Once it’s cooked, we wrap it up in rice and seaweed,” he explained. Just the sound of it had Amber’s mouth watering.
“Two orders, please!” Amber said with a smile.
“Excellent, coming right up! Would you like to watch me make it?” the stallion asked. Never one to pass up an opportunity at learning something new, Amber craned her head up over the bar, watching the stallion quietly chopping the vegetables. He wrapped them together, breaded them and then dipped them in the fryer. A few moments later, the delicious smell of fried veggies filled the air.
He removed them from the fryer, using tongs to lay them along the padded rice. He rolled them all up, then chopped them into individual, circular pieces. He collected them and put each order into two boxes. He then retrieved a bottle and poured a dark colored liquid into two small cups, putting lids on them.
“What sauce is that?” Amber asked.
“Family recipe,” the stallion winked. “Is there anything else you’d like to take with you?” he asked.
“Nothing else, thanks,” Amber said. “How much do I owe you?”
“Because you have been so sweet and understanding, this meal is on me,” he said with a smile. “Just make sure you tell all your friends about Old Tempura-san’s cooking!” he said with a hearty laugh.
“You got it, Mister Tempura!” Amber said.
“Oyasuminasai!” the stallion said in his native tongue as he turned to leave.
“I’m sorry?” Amber said, cocking her head.
“Oh, terribly sorry, I forget that not everyone speaks Neighponese,” he said with a chuckle. “It means ‘good night’ in my language.” Amber played with the word in her head, and tried her hoof at it.
“Oh yazoo mee nusai!” Amber said cutely.
“Close enough,” the stallion said with a bright smile, entirely endeared by her attempt. “Take care, and come by anytime, we have lunch specials!”
Amber left the restaurant, having enjoyed the experience and already making plans to go back. “I can’t wait to dig into these, they smell so good!” she said as she finished her journey to Petunia’s. Once she arrived, she knocked on the door. Petunia opened the door, blinking in surprise.
“Amber! I thought you said you were going home after work,” Petunia said.
“I was, but… it was… lonely.” Petunia’s expression softened.
“I know what you mean… it was lonely watching you leave,” Petunia said.
“Well… I’m here now!” Amber blinked. “Oh, I almost forgot. I brought food! I, uh, don’t exactly know what you like…”
“Oh, I’m not picky,” Petunia said. “It was sweet of you to bring dinner though,” she said, kissing Amber on the cheek with a small blush. “Well, come on in! You’re not gonna stand out there all night are you?”
“Thanks,” Amber said, stepping inside, levitating the bag of food behind her. “So how was the flower stand today?”
“It was okay, I had a few customers,” Petunia said. “It seems the begonias are a little more in season right now. How about you? Everything go okay down at the department?” she asked.
“I’m not sure… Everypony seemed tight-lipped today. Even Murdoc.”
“Huh… I wonder what’s going on. Must be important,” Petunia said. “No big deal though, at least you’re here now,” she said as she took one of the boxes with food. She opened it, and to her surprise sat several sushi rolls within. She sniffed it, finding no traces of meat. “Are these veggie sushi rolls?”
“Yup! Some ponies are okay with meat. I’m… not.”
“Neither am I, so you made the right choice. I mean, it’s okay if others do it, but I’m not much into it,” Petunia said. She gingerly lifted one and ate it. Her eyes widened. “These… these are amazing…” she murmured. The veggies were fresh and crunchy, the breading light and crispy, the rice and seaweed bringing it all together. “Oh Amber, you need to try yours!”
“I’ve been dying to ever since I picked it up!” she said, digging into hers. Her eyes rolled back into her head, the flavors of the sushi coming to life on her tongue. “Sweet Celestia that’s good!” she said.
“Where did you find this place?” Petunia asked.
“It just opened up on Mane and Fifth, between the old banking building and the old law offices. It’s maybe five minutes from the department. The place is called ‘Tempura Treats’,” Amber said. “We gotta go back sometime. Mister Tempura is super nice.”
“Definitely,” Petunia said.
6
Lieutenant Murdoc sighed as the sun set on the near side of the city. His shift was supposed to have ended two hours ago, but the equipment movement was too important for him to not be there.
He stood abreast fellow Lieutenants of all shifts, waiting for the train to pull into the station with its special cargo. Several carriages, exceptionally large and heavily armored, and pulled by a team of four large stallions, stood at the ready. The station itself had closed down to the public - anypony who came near it were quickly shunted away.
“Anything else sir, or are we squared away for receiving?” Joules asked, trotting up to his commanding officer.
“We’re ready,” Murdoc said, frowning. He’s a little young to be here… “As soon as the train arrives, we start loading up. Don’t waste even a second.”
“Yes sir,” Joules said. “Sentries, cordon this area off and make sure not a single pony without clearance makes it through here, double time, move it!” he barked, the Sentries saluting. They stood at each entrance in pairs, making sure each entry or exit was covered. “Ready when you are, Lieutenant.”
A whistle blew in the not-so-far-off distance, signalling the approach of the train. It began to slow down as the distance shortened, coming to a heavy stop as it pulled into the station. The wheels of the train locked in place, several armed Canterlot Royal Guardscolts stepping off the carriage behind the engine.
“You Lieutenant Murdoc?” one stallion said in a deep voice, striding up to him.
“Yes,” Murdoc confirmed, stepping forward to greet the Canterlot guard. “Iron Sights isn’t doing these runs anymore?”
“That’s classified information Lieutenant,” the stallion said. “The armament’s in the back. There you’ll find forty heavy bow launchers, forty light bow launchers, around five thousands bolts of varying size and caliber, as well as approximately five hundred feet of rope.”
“‘Classified’, my flank,” Murdoc mumbled under his breath as he stepped on board the rail car. “It’s safe to assume these long boxes are our new spears?”
“You are correct Lieutenant. In them you will also find twenty five swords and batons. In those boxes you will find shields as well as armor plating,” the stallion stated.
“Good.” He whistled, waving his own crew on board to start the unloading. “This your first run?” he asked, watching as the Manehattan Guards shuffled boxes into their armored wagons.
“First run to Manehattan. More often than not I’m in Fillydelphia or Baltimare,” the stallion said. “Baltimare needs us way worse.”
Murdoc nodded. “Baltimare. No wonder you have that stick up your ass. I wouldn’t go there for all the bits in Equestria.”
“For the record, Lieutenant, the ‘stick up my ass’ came with a medal of valor and service to Equestria by fighting off the warped reality creatures during the Discord Anarchy, a promotion to the rank of Major, and a commendation from the Princesses. I also have no problem pulling the stick out of my ass and beating your ass with it,” the stallion stated firmly, slightly offended. “Check your rank before mouthing off, hear me?”
“Well, congratulations on your career,” Murdoc said sincerely. “Maybe you Canterlot types aren’t as soft as I thought.”
“I’m going to pretend like what you just said didn’t give me the urge to crap, Lieutenant,” the stallion spat. “Anyway, get your stuff and get gone. We have three other stops to make.”
Sweet Celestia I miss Iron Sights… “You’ll get no argument from me, kid. My crew’s almost done.”
“‘Kid’, he says…” the stallion snickered. “You’re almost amusing. Almost.”
“Yeah, yeah. Alright everypony, let’s wrap this up! I should’ve been home two hours ago.”
* * *
“I don’t care what that Neighponese freak says, we oughta hit ‘em now!” a thick stallion said, watching the equipment exchange from an empty building. “They’re all locked in at that station!”
“Are you kidding? You wanna go against the Hoof’s secret weapon? You’re nuts!” another stallion said.
“Between you and me?” The first stallion leaned close, looking around the room. “I don’t trust him, and he don’t even look that strong.”
“...Is that so?” a voice said from the corner of the room. Hano emerged from the shadows, training his gaze on the stallion. “Care to see how you fare against me, then?”
“See, this is why we don’t talk about him!” the other stallion said, stricken with fear.
“You ain’t nothin’,” he grumbled. “Just some gelding with a wooden stick. If you’re so good, we could’ve had all that stuff by now!”
“If you lack faith in my abilities, then try your hoof and supercede me. Should be no problem for you, if what you say is true,” Hano said. “If you defeat me, then we will do as you say.”
“Look,” he said, feeling his confidence slip away. “I’m just sayin’, y’know, we hit ‘em hard and hit ‘em fast…”
“But you clearly have the better idea, no? Like I said, all you have to do is beat me and we do as you say,” Hano repeated. “I will even give you full control of the operation… unless, what you were saying is not true and you are a coward and a liar who only shows strength when not being scrutinized.”
“They’re movin’!” their scout said, waving his hoof at Hano. “Train’s leavin’. Carriages’ll be on the streets in five minutes! Orders?”
“Wait for the train to be out of sight and the carriage on the move. We will divert them off-course with carefully timed explosives and into a nearby alley where more of our stallions will be waiting. No civilian casualties, am I understood?” Hano asked.
“No civvies in the crossfire, got it.”
“Good… next time you decide to spit lies, make sure the one you are spitting lies about is not within earshot. They may just take you up on it…” Hano warned, his eyes flashing dangerously in the low light.
“You seem moodier than usual,” Charade commented as Hano returned to occupy his corner. She was leaning against the wall, peeking outside towards the train station every now and then. “Nervous?”
“Not in the slightest,” Hano stated plainly. “This mission will be fairly simplistic. I am more interested in this ‘Mare do Well’ that Master mentioned. Perhaps she will give me an actual challenge…”
“I suppose you could have your hooves full tonight…” Charade said. That is, when we team up against you. Sorry about that.
“Very possible, but I get the feeling that will not be the case,” Hano said. “I can only hope that this ‘Mare Do Well’ was worth the effort I spent training to prepare.”
“Yeah… Hey?” Charade played with her hooves nervously, peeking out of the window more frequently. “Whatever happens tonight… y’know.”
“Hmm?” Hano asked, casting a look in her direction.
He’ll break your legs if you tell him you’re a turncoat! “Just, good luck.”
Hano tentatively stared at her, before giving a small scoff. “Luck… I have never been one to need luck…”
* * *
“Hold!” Murdoc commanded, raising his foreleg to stop the convoy. “Something’s not exactly right…”
“Sir?” Joules asked. “What’s the matter?”
“Maybe it’s just an old sire being paranoid,” Murdoc admitted, waving them along to continue. “This would be my sixth equipment run. Two of them were attacked.”
“Well, there have been no abnormalities thus far sir, I think we’ll be alright,” Joules said. “Either way, we’re well-armed and ready to defend the cargo.”
“Hopefully it’ll just be a long, boring escort job. Usually is.”
“Just say the word sir,” Joules said, keeping an eye out.
Without warning, several small objects rolled out into the middle of the street ahead of them. They began to hiss a few moments later. Joules caught sight of them rolling into the middle of the street.
“Sir, we need to move the carava—!” His voice was drowned out as the objects exploded, erupting into balls of flame and sending concrete and shrapnel in every direction.
“Protect the carriages!” Murdoc commanded at once, immediately using a shield spell on the nearest one. “Get them moving!”
The carriages then began to change course, heading down a side alley… just as Hano had predicted. He had mapped out their only possible path and planned accordingly. They only had one avenue to escape and they took it without a second thought.
Once they were deep enough in the alley where they could not back out, Hano gave the signal. Suddenly, a small horde of the Red Hoof’s underlings stormed the alley in an attempt to take the carriage for themselves.
“Protect the carriage at all costs!” Murdoc shouted, the ponies under his command taking the fight to the thugs. We’re outnumbered… we need her. He trained his horn to the sky, firing off a beam of light which burst into a bright yellow, luminescent display like fireworks.
7
The night was far too quiet for Snow Storm’s liking. She felt tension upon the air, just waiting to snap like an overwound violin string. A company of Guards, along with several carriages, had marched by an hour ago, heading towards the train station.
I’ll stay nearby in case they throw up a signal… In the meantime, I’m gonna comb the streets some more… she thought to herself. Snow felt the tingle of magically charged air at her back, and she quickly swung around to find its source. Suddenly, a small pop and a bright flash signalled Pick Pocket’s entrance.
“Thank Celestia I found you, we need to talk,” Pick said urgently as he approached the Mare do Well.
“Have you found out where my folks are?” she asked. If Pick’s urgency was anything to go by, he indeed had learned something of value.
“Listen, there’s gonna be a raid. A big one. They’re gonna steal an armored truck’s worth of weapons, ammo and armor. I think it’s going down tonight, they didn’t say exactly when, but the way they talked it sounded like tonight,” Pick said.
“You’re talking about that caravan that passed by an hour ago? Nopony would be crazy enough to attack that - not even the Red Hoof. It’s too heavily defended.”
“It’s possible, I’m not sure, they didn’t say which one,” Pick said. “I also think they may have revealed where your folks are; they said that after the raid they’d be meeting at the Rind house.”
“The…” She felt her heart slam against her chest. The Rinds? They’ve been half a mile down the road this whole time!? That can’t be! “The Rind house!? You’re sure?”
“I know what I heard, Snow. They specifically said the Rind—” Pick’s sentence fell short when several explosions were heard in the not so far off distance. A few minutes later, the Mare do Well’s signal went up in the sky. “I hate being right…”
Snow Storm looked in the direction from where the burst came, mulling it over. Mom... Dad... They're so close...
The Guard is in trouble. Help them.
They're professionals.
They need your help!
“The Guard can handle themselves,” she said coldly, walking to the edge of the roof. “I’m going to get my family.”
“So what, you’re just gonna let the Hoof walk off with a small armory? How about when those weapons get turned on innocent ponies, or maybe even you? What if they turn them on your family?” Pick said forcefully. “It’s obvious that your family is important but you gotta think, Snow! Use that five and a half inch space between your ears and you’ll see that I’m right. The moment the Hoof gets his grubby little mitts on those weapons he’s gonna turn Manehattan into a warzone, and nopony will be able to stop him. Not even you.” He then fell silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts. “You gonna take responsibility for the bodies that’ll start piling up when it happens? If you don’t help those Guards keep that carriage, then you’d better prepare yourself for a lot of funerals and even more burials, ‘cause the Hoof is gonna start a war, and nopony’s gonna make it out unscathed.”
“There’s nothing short of a battalion guarding that convoy,” she replied defensively, as if it would justify her decision. “The Red Hoof’s dregs couldn’t possibly stand up to them!”
“You don’t understand, Snow! They’re pulling all the stops on this one, they had something like fifty or sixty guys on this last I heard, you don’t wanna give them that chance!” Pick urged.
“And what? Let my family suffer for a little while longer? This is the best opportunity I have to go get them!”
“You know what Snow? Fine, go get your parents. Let the Hoof take the carriage and start massacring ponies left and right, I don’t care,” Pick yelled, turning his back on her. “I’m not the one who swore to protect the innocent lives of those in this city, so it’s none of my business… but when your parents end up dead anyway because of some thug with a crossbow you let him take, you’ll remember this.”
She turned sharply toward him, snarling beneath her mask. “You want to know something funny? I didn’t swear crap! I put this suit on because I was angry and wanted to hurt somepony - and then I get roped into this whole mess! And now everypony puts this huge expectation on me that I don’t even want to fulfill! I didn’t even care about the Red Hoof or whatever he does until he made this personal!”
“Then take it off!” Pick fired back, wheeling around to face her. “Take off the suit and get out of our lives! If you don’t wanna help then get out of the way!” He shook his head. “And here I thought you were somepony we could depend on… guess I was wrong. Again.” Pick then turned to leave, having had enough of the conversation.
“Fine! Then you go get them!” she called out. “Round up your little posse and get my family, and I’ll deal with whatever’s going on with the Guard!”
“You know… I don’t know what’s worse; the fact that you can’t see past your own needs, or the fact that I had to guilt you into protecting others,” Pick said, his voice dripping with disappointment. “Whatever… I’ll find your parents.” He cantered away, leaving Snow to her thoughts.
8
I don’t believe it, Murdoc thought, firing bolts of magic at any thug he saw. We’re boxed in.
Joules was in the process of wrenching another stallion’s foreleg out of its shoulder socket when he caught sight of a thug leveling a crossbow at Murdoc. “Lieutenant, nine o’clock!” he yelled out.
Before Murdoc could react, the armed thug was tackled from above by the Mare do Well. Other, seemingly civilian ponies, joined in on the fray and fought alongside the Guard.
“Saw your beacon,” the Mare do Well said, kicking a stallion in the face. “What is all this!?”
“No time to talk, make sure they don’t get that carriage!” Joules yelled out, forcing another stallion to submit as he folded a leg back beyond its natural bending point. A bone snapped loudly, the stallion beneath him shrieking in agony and losing consciousness. Joules rolled off the stallion, heading off into the chaos to help a group of Sentries protect the carriage.
As the Mare do Well moved to approach the main carriage, a blur landed directly in front of her, his hooves digging into the ground beneath him. The stallion raised his head, his ice blue eyes boring into those of the Mare do Well. “You must be the one Master spoke of…” Hano said.
“Mare do Well, meet Hano,” Charade said, sidling up next to the costumed mare.
“So she warned you of me…” Hano said, shifting his gaze to Charade. What are you playing at? he thought. No matter. I will question her later. He returned his focus to the Mare do Well. “Then you know why I am here.”
“Huh. With the way you had her freaked out, I expected… more.”
“You would do well not to underestimate your opponent based on appearance alone…” Hano said plainly, his frigid gaze still locked on her. There was something about his stare that made the Mare do Well… unsettled.
The Mare do Well snorted. “To be honest? I really don’t care. I’m a little upset that you’re distracting me from running my hoof through your boss’s face, though. So just give up now and I can get on with my night.”
“If you know who I work for, then you know that I cannot allow you to leave with those weapons,” Hano said.
“Oh, you can’t allow me?” At this, she actually laughed. “Newsflash, buddy. You’re the one attempting the theft.”
“Is it theft if you are taking what is already yours?” Hano stated.
Why do they always make it so difficult?
This one’s dangerous.
Don’t worry. “Alright, fine. You want a fight? You got one.”
“Good,” Hano growled. “In the spirit of our contest, I will allow you to throw the first punch. Fillies first, after all.”
“Hey, it’s your hospital bill.” She sprung forward, leaning towards her own right side in a fake. Come on, buddy. Take the bait. Nopony likes fighting a southpaw, do they?
“I’m just gonna, uh, back off,” Charade said, getting into the fight already happening around them.
How naive. To Mare do Well’s shock, Hano swept to the left, effortlessly reading her movements and moving to avoid them. He gripped the scabbard of his blade, jutting it forward quickly, tapping her in the side with the head of the handle under her foreleg. One.
What…!? “Not bad. You any good with that stick of yours?”
“Careful what you wish for… you may just get it,” Hano taunted.
He’s open down low- no, it’s a trap. Go for the side. She took her own advice, charging into Hano’s face to tie up at least one of his forelegs where she could sweep a rear hoof into his ribcage.
Yet again, Hano met her face-to-face, his gaze piercing through the mask and into her eyes. He dodged effortlessly, watching her hooves pass him. The butt of his blade flew forward again, this time catching her square in the chest. Two.
That didn’t work. Plan C it is! Overwhelm. She sprung yet again, throwing her hooves in a flurry of jabs to his shoulders and torso.
Hano effortlessly avoided them, his head and upper body moving in one fluid motion, his eyes continuing to peer out at her behind unblinking eyelids, unsettlingly watching her every move. The moment he saw a break in her pattern, he pushed his blade out, catching her square on the nose. Three.
* * *
Several guardsponies and thugs alike stopped fighting to watch Hano and the Mare do Well square off.
“Did… did he just boop her on the nose?” one stallion asked incredulously.
“Sure looks like it…” the other said.
“Told you!” Charade called out, dumping a thug into a trashcan.
“He’s making the Mare do Well look like a chump!” one stallion said, loudly enough for his statement to catch her ear.
* * *
She stood there, glaring at Hano from beneath her mask. “Alright, I get it. You’re good. So who are you, anyways?”
“I have no obligation to tell you anything,” Hano spat. “As it is, you are lucky to still be standing . Though I cannot help but feel… underwhelmed. I have yet to see anything worthy of note.”
“Come on, you’re way too smart to be working for that psychopath. What’s your angle?”
“Do you do nothing but talk?” Hano said, the slightest tone of irritation in his voice.
I can’t win this one. “I talk when I see the possibility for it.”
“You are testing my patience… perhaps your parents will prove a better challenge,” Hano said.
“You son of a bitch!” she snapped, lunging at him with surprising speed, sending a hoof straight for his jaw. Hano quickly drew his wooden blade halfway, her hoof colliding against the flat side of it, magical runes inscribed onto its surface glowing with an ethereal light.
“That was almost impressive… Almost. It seems I underestimated your potential, wasted though it may be. I will not make the same mistake twice,” Hano said. “I do believe it is my turn,” he added, a small smirk creasing his face. Faster than the Mare do Well could react, he re-sheathed his blade and drew it forward, the butt of his blade colliding into her chest with an unreal amount of strength, sending her careening backward and tumbling to the ground.
The Mare do Well staggered to her hooves, trying to catch her breath. That’s not a sword, it’s a freaking jackhammer! “Is that all you’ve got?” she challenged, ignoring the hitch in her chest as she ran forwards, striking at him with a flurry of hooves.
Hano took his stance, and prepared himself. He then lunged forward at a freakishly fast speed, closing the distance between them before she could register he had moved, even before she could even throw the first strike. She didn’t even see him draw his blade. To her, she blinked and he was already resheathing his sword. The moment the blade clicked into place in its scabbard, the Mare do Well felt like she had been hit multiple times all over her body with a concrete bat.
What in Tartarus was that!? her mind screamed. She was vaguely aware of cheering noises all around her, as if this were some sporting competition.
Hano let no time pass between his attacks, lunging forward and stopping mere inches from her. He drew his blade, and shot it forward, rapidly jabbing her with the tip, but it felt as though a thousand blades were striking her at the same time. He kept this up for a solid five seconds, then rearing his blade back and finishing it with one powerful strike, catching her square in the chest again and launching her into a nearby wall.
It’s over. Defend. It’s all you can do. Dodge and block. She pulled herself up, glaring around. “Why are you all just standing there? Get those carriages out of here!”
Hano then took his stance, focusing his strength and tensing up every muscle in his body. He then lunged at the Mare do Well, looking as though he was going to collide with her. He came within mere inches of her, then seemingly vanished.
Where did he—?
The Mare do Well’s entire train of thought came grinding to a halt as strikes suddenly began to rain down from seemingly every direction. They came crashing down all over her body, though Hano was nowhere to be seen. Each strike left a tingling numbness quickly replaced by searing pain. One blow knocked several ribs out of place, constricting her breathing. Another landed directly across her tibia, severely bruising the tissue and almost cracking the bone. One caught her right along her spinal cord, causing her vision to blur for a moment and the feeling in her legs to falter. Every blow felt heavier and heavier, leaving her in unfathomable amounts of pain.
Hano finally broke her guard, one foreleg becoming exposed as it swung out and away from her face. He aimed a strike at it, the blade coming down square across her pastern. The edge of the blade dug deep into her foreleg, the only thing preventing it from cutting into her flesh being the suit itself. The blade sank all the way down to the bone, shattering it on impact, causing the hoof to hang at an eerily odd angle. He then reappeared, standing before her. He turned his back to her and re-sheathed his blade, the resounding click as well as the Mare do Well collapsing to the ground signifying the end of their battle.
“He… he beat the Mare do Well!” one Guard exclaimed in utter shock. “We’re doomed…”
She screamed as soon as the blade made contact with her hoof - it felt as though somepony had dipped her foreleg in a vat of molten lead. She cradled it up to her chest, trying to crawl backwards away from this freak who had outclassed her without even breaking a sweat. Her vision began to blur from a combination of unstoppable tears and the sweet desire to simply pass out. “What… in Tartarus… are you!?”
“You are a fool and a disappointment, Mare do Well,” Hano said, turning to face her as she lay on the ground. “Might controls all things. I know that. The Red Hoof knows that. To go against somepony who knowingly wields that might and does so with conviction will earn you a markerless grave. If you cannot grasp that, then you cannot hope to protect anything… let alone yourself. Without might or conviction you are nothing more than a weakling, drunk on delusions of grandeur and self-importance.” He then took a couple of steps closer to her, drawing his blade and pointing it at her. “I could kill you here and now, but death will not take you; not this day. I will not sully my honor or my blade by killing a child.” He then knelt low, looking her in the eye. “You are no threat to me or my Master. You never were, and you never will be. You. Failed.” He stood up, facing away from her. “Pray our paths never cross again. Next time…” He then eyed her from over his shoulder. “Your life is mine.”
He then sheathed his blade, turning to face the Guard. “I am giving you all one chance to walk away from this fight. Let us take the carriages and no other ponies will be hurt. You are all very aware of what I am capable of, and it is in your best interest to relinquish the carriages.”
“Just say the word and we’ll keep fighting sir...” Joules said, his breathing laboured as he gripped his aching ribs. He was unable to see from one eye after he took a sucker punch to the face.
Sweet Celestia why do I have to do this…? “Regroup, defend the carriages.” Murdoc sighed; this was the one command no Guard ever wanted to give. “Shoot to kill. Aim for the Neighponese stallion.”
“A poor decision,” Hano said. He quickly drew his blade and one by one, the guard ponies fell until only Joules and Murdoc remained. To their horror, it looked as though he just cantered past them as they collapsed, the stallion quickly drawing and sheathing his blade faster than their eyes could register. Joules stood between Murdoc and the Neighponese stallion, ready to give his life if need be. “Do you yield? I will not ask again…” he said, blade raised.
“Stand down, Watts…” Murdoc commanded, looking Hano in the eye. “It’s over.” Joules looked to Murdoc, and sat back on his haunches.
“Yes sir,” Joules muttered, staring daggers at Hano. Hano took notice of this, and smirked.
“There are bright, powerful flames dancing behind your eyes… they show promise. Perhaps one day you will be a better fighter than that one…” Hano said, gesturing to the Mare do Well’s crumpled form as his underlings manned the carriage. “Good evening, gentlecolts,” he said, taking a bow then leaping over to join the others as they disappeared into the night.
Joules then turned to Murdoc. “What do we do about her?” he asked, gesturing to the Mare do Well.
“Her friends will take care of her,” Murdoc said, watching the group crowd around the Mare do Well. “We need to worry about ourselves, now. I’d recommend picking out a plot in the cemetery, because the Captain’s going to kill us.”
9
“Dinner was so good, Amber… thanks for bringing me some,” Petunia said, nuzzling Amber’s jawline.
“Mmhmm,” Amber replied, lying in bed with one foreleg wrapped around Petunia. I wonder how Murdoc’s thing is going… “Hey, uh, Petunia?”
“Yeah?” Petunia responded. “What’s up?”
“Well, uh…” Amber fidgeted. “This is probably a little quick but I don’t like beating around the bush. I’d… like to move in.” Petunia sat up, looking her in the eye.
“This better not be a joke…”
“It’s not! I mean, my place feels so alone and empty now. I’d be spending every single night here anyways. So I might as well just live here, right?” Amber smiled as Petunia threw her forelegs around her neck.
“This is so exciting! I know exactly what you mean, when you were at work earlier I couldn’t help but feel lonely with you gone… I thought you were gonna go home, and waking up next to you this morning was just…” Petunia said, locking eyes with Amber again. “It’s something I want to keep happening.”
“Great! I don’t have a lot of stuff… my place was pre-furnished.”
“Okay, maybe we can get started tomorrow. You said that you only had to come in for a half-day, right? Something about a municipal holiday?” Petunia mentioned.
“Yup!” Amber smiled. “It should be a pretty easy day tomorrow. But, as for tonight...” Amber’s hoof started going slowly down Petunia’s back, giving her goosebumps.
“Ooh, you naughty filly…” Petunia mewled as she pulled her into a kiss. The two slipped under the covers, enjoying each other’s presence long into the night.