//------------------------------// // D is for Dive-bomb // Story: The ABCs of Harmonic Death // by Vertigo22 //------------------------------// On a cool, Spring morning, a pegasus stallion awoke in his home in Seaddle. A large smile formed on his face. ”Vacation!” he thought to himself. ”Finally, I get to go to Las Pegasus with Rose!” In a flash, the pegasus leaped out of bed and took a quick shower. A few minutes later, the pegasus walked back into his room and started to pack his things. Let’s see: Clothes, wallet, bits, he thought as he looked over a bag. I’m forgetting something. Think, Crescent, He put a hoof up to his chin. Oh right, breakfast! Crescent walked downstairs and made himself a sandwich, which he quickly ate. His hunger satisfied, he went back upstairs to retrieve his bag. Crescent walked back into his room and grabbed his bag. He looked around the room and spotted a Daring Do book. It’s going to be a long train ride, he thought. Might as well do some reading. Crescent walked over and grabbed the book and put it into the bag. He zipped it shut. With his preparations done, Crescent walked left his house and locked the door. He took to the air, his dark grey coat a stark contrast to the clear blue sky, and flew to the train station. Crescent arrived at the station a few minutes later. He looked at the clock atop the station building. “Seven-thirty,” he said to himself. He pulled out his book and read while he waited. A few minutes later, an earth pony mare carrying a bag approached him. She had a ruby colored coat and a bouquet of flowers for a cutie mark. He looked over and placed the book under his right wing. “Need help with that, Rose?” he asked as he walked over to her. Rose looked up and smiled. “No, I’m fine,” she said softly. “Appreciate you asking though.” The two started walking towards the ticket booth. “So, how was your morning?” Rose asked, trying to make small talk. Crescent looked at her and smiled. “Fine.” he said as he handed seventy bits to the ticket mare. “Two tickets for the one-way train to Las Pegasus,” Crescent said as he turned his attention to the mare, who handed him and Rose each a ticket. The two boarded the train. Placing their luggage in a storage compartment, they sat down and waited for the train to depart. Crescent removed the book from his right wing and placed it next to him. “So, are you excited?” He asked. Rose smiled and nodded. “I’ve always found Las Pegasus to be so beautiful at night. The lights are awe-inspiring.” she said. “And I appreciate you bringing me. It means a lot.” “We’ve been friends for twenty years now,” Crescent said. “Of course I’m bringing you.” As the two continued talking, the train departed. “And now begins the day long trip,” Rose said. “I’m going to go back to sleep.” Crescent nodded and picked up the book. He opened to a page that had been bookmarked and started to read. --- Crescent and Rose had just finished breakfast when the train arrived at Las Pegasus the next day. “So, where’s the hotel that you reserved for us?” Rose asked as she got off the train. “A few blocks from here,” Crescent said as he carried their bags. Rose walked over and grabbed her bag before beginning their walk. “So, what do you plan on doing here?” she asked as she admired the various casinos and hotels. “What do you think?” Crescent asked his friend. “I’m pretty sure it’s obvious. I just got paid for Celestia’s sake!” Rose let out a sigh. “If you intend on gambling away all of your money, I’m coming with you and making sure you don’t lose it all before we leave,” she said. “The last thing I need is for you to lose everything you have to your name.” “I guess it’d be a good idea,” Crescent said. The two walked into the hotel and walked up to the mare behind the counter. Crescent checked himself and Rose into the hotel. He grabbed their room key and walked towards the elevator. The two entered it and the doors closed. The elevator ascended to their floor. The two friends walked to their room. “I’m going downstairs to the casino after we’re done unpacking.” Crescent unlocked the room door and entered. “Unless you weren’t serious about watching over my spending.” Rose placed her bag on a queen sized bed that was up against a plain white wall. “I will,” she said. “I must say though, this room is very plain.” Crescent chuckled. “Well, I didn’t want to spend too much on where we’d stay,” he said as he unpacked his things. “I hope that doesn’t annoy you.” Rose shook her head. “Not at all. Just don’t use the money you saved on gambling.” “Yes, mom,” Crescent snarkily replied. “I heard you the first time.” Rose frowned. “Sorry,” she said. “I just worry.” Crescent rolled his eyes. “Well, there’s no need to,” he said with a reassuring smile. The two finished unpacking their things. Crescent grabbed a pouch full of bits and held it between his right wing. “Alright, let’s go,” Crescent said. Locking the door behind them, the two made their way to the hotel casino. --- Downstairs, Crescent and Rose entered the hotel casino. Slot machines and poker tables filled the room. The two walked up to slot machines and sat down. “Good luck,” Crescent cheerfully said as he pulled the handle. Rose smiled back. She opened her mouth to speak, but heard a loud laugh come from a poker table. “What the hell?” She asked nopony in particular. Crescent cringed. He grabbed the few bits he’d won and stood up. The laughing started to die down. The two friends walked around until they found the source of the noise. They friends stood near a slot machine and pillar and watched a cheering pegasus stallion with a light blue coat and five cards for a cutie mark. “Another win for Goodwin!” The pegasus stallion exclaimed. The other players looked pissed, and the dealer was visibly frustrated. One of the players, a unicorn stallion with a green coat and a pair of poker chips for a cutie mark, slammed his hoof on the floor. “Will you please shut up?!” He yelled. “Every time I’m here, you always shout your victories. Nopony gives a fuck!” Goodwin glared at the unicorn. “Watch your tongue, Yander.” Yander glared back at Goodwin. “Or what? You’ll have me thrown out?” He sneered. Goodwin stared back at him for a few seconds. Without a word, he stood up and calmly walked away, an evil grin on his face. “Out of my way,” he said as he pushed passed the two friends. Crescent and Rose flinched. “What’s his deal?” Crescent asked. “I don’t know,” Rose said. “Let’s just go play the slots some more. I don’t want to be around if he comes back.” Crescent nodded. The two friends walked back to where they originally were. “If he does come back though. I’m leaving,” Crescent said with a frown. Rose smiled back as she pulled the handle. “Let’s just enjoy ourselves,” she said. And so they did. From slot machines, craps tables, roulette wheels, and blackjack tables, the two friends enjoyed themselves to the fullest extent. By the evening, they were exhausted and somehow not broke. As the two were leaving the casino, Crescent noticed Yander standing in the lobby of the hotel, a scowl on his face. “Wonder what his problem is,” Crescent said. “Think that that Goodwin got him kicked out of the casino for good?” Rose shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t care. That’s his business.” She looked at Crescent and frowned. “You’re going to ask him about Goodwin, aren’t you?” Crescent shook his head. “No, you’re right,” he said. “Let’s just go.” Crescent walked over to the elevator and hit the “open” button. “I’m getting tired.” Rose nodded and they took the elevator back up to their hotel room. “I know what you’re thinking about doing, Crescent,” Rose said as the elevator door opened. “You still plan on asking Yander about Goodwin.” “I hate you.” Rose giggled. “Your curiosity is going to be the death of you.” Crescent rolled his eyes and opened their room door. He walked over to the bed and fell onto it. “Night,” he said as he got under the covers. “Night,” Rose said as she got under the covers with him. --- The next morning, Crescent and Rose went out for breakfast. As they sat waiting for their food, Rose looked around the restaurant. The whole place had a high-class atmosphere. “So, you didn’t get us a great hotel room, but we’re dining at a fancy restaurant.” “I figured we should go to at least one nice place,” Crescent said defensively. Rose smiled. “I’m teasing. Calm down.” As she finished her sentence, a waiter brought them their food. “Thank you,” she said. The waiter nodded and left. “So, what do you want to do today?” Crescent asked as he took a spoonful of his soup. Rose put a hoof up to her chin “How about we go swimming?” “Alright, sounds like fun,” Crescent said with a smile. A little while later, the two finished their breakfast. “So, where exactly is the swimming pool at the hotel?” Rose asked. “Roof,” he said as he left a tip. Crescent walked to the entrance and walked outside. The air outside was humid and the sky was mostly cloud free. As the two friends started their walk back to the hotel, Crescent fluttered next to Rose. “Next year, we should go to Canterlot,” Crescent said. “Maybe we could see Princess Celestia!” Rose rolled her eyes. “Calm down and quit thinking so far ahead.” She said. “Enjoy now.” “Fine.” Crescent landed and walked alongside her. A few minutes later, the two walked into the lobby of the hotel. “Sweet, sweet air-conditioning,” Crescent said. As the two walked over to the elevator, the door to the casino swung open. “Hey! Has anypony seen Yander?” Goodwin asked. “He said he’d be here for the poker game today and it starts in half an hour!” Goodwin walked into the lobby. “Well?” “No, Goodwin,” the mare behind the desk groaned. “I haven’t seen Yander.” Goodwin scowled. “What about you two?” He said as he looked at Crescent and Rose. “I noticed you two gambling your little hearts out yesterday.” Goodwin walked up to them. “Want to repla-” before be could finish his question, Yander ran in through the front door. As Goodwin walked towards him, the two friends made their way towards the elevator. Crescent hit the “open” button as quickly as he could. The doors slid open and the two ran in. The mare behind the desk shook her head as Goodwin began screaming at Yander. ”What in the world is wrong with that guy?” Crescent thought to himself as the doors slid shut and the elevator began to ascend. --- After a day of swimming, Crescent lay in bed. The sun had long since set, but Crescent couldn’t get his mind off of Goodwin. “Why do you think he is the way he is?” He asked Rose, who was trying to get to sleep. “I don’t know, Crescent,” she said. “If it truly bugs you that much, go see if that Yander fellow is in the lobby, or in the casino. Otherwise, I want to go to sleep.” Crescent sighed and got out of bed and made his way down to the lobby. To his delight, Yander was standing in the lobby. “Hey,” Crescent said as he walked up to him. “You’re Yander, right?” “That’s me,” he said. “Need something?” “I couldn’t help but notice you seem to know that Goodwin pretty well, and I’m curious. Why does he always seems so mad?” Crescent asked. “Mind if I ask why you care about that egotistical jerk?” Yander asked. “I’ve noticed you two arguing the past two days. I know it’s none of my business, but-” “That’s enough,” Yander said. “You’re not the first to ask about him.” “I’m not?” Crescent asked. “Then why’d you ask for a reason?” “I was just curious. Ever since I started playing poker here, ponies have asked what his deal is.” Yander said. “Ponies always hear him celebrating and yelling at other players. A few times, that yelling has lead to him getting into fights.” “Why hasn’t he been arrested for fighting?” “He never throws the first punch,” Yander said. “It’s always somepony else.” Crescent frowned. “Couldn’t you get him kicked out for how loud he is?” “His outbursts never last long enough to disturb what little peace there is.” Yander yawned and shook his head. “If you’re interested though, there’s another game tomorrow. I bet Goodwin will let you play. He runs the poker tournament. Small one. We’re playing for fun tomorrow, though.” “I’m not doing anything special tomorrow,” Crescent said. “Sure, I’ll join.” “Great. Game’s at five tomorrow afternoon.” Yander walked towards the front door. “Be here an hour early. You saw how Goodwin reacts when somepony is late. Oh, and a warning: Goodwin takes the game ridiculously seriously.” Crescent nodded. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said as he walked back to the elevator. “Good night,” he said to Yander. Yander nodded back to him as he left the hotel. --- The next day, Crescent and Rose walked into the casino. “Have fun,” Rose said, “and best of luck.” “Thanks,” he said with a smile. The two hugged before Crescent trotted off to the poker table. Crescent took a seat. He recognized the players from the other day, along with the dealer. “Who are we waiting for?” Crescent asked. “The guest of honor,” Yander said. “Who’s somehow late to the damn game he set up.” “I believe you mean ‘fashionably late’, Yander,” Goodwin said as he walked over. The dealer began to shuffle the cards. Goodwin sat down and looked at Crescent. “I see that we have somepony new. Don’t worry-” he patted Crescent on the back- “I’ll take it extra easy on you.” Crescent rolled his eyes. “Thanks a million,” he said sarcastically.  The players put their bets in. Crescent looked at his cards and smiled. His hand contained a Jack of Hearts and a Jack of Spades. “I can work with this,” he thought. Crescent looked at the other players, trying to read them. He looked at Goodwin, who had a grin on his face. “Somepony has a terrible poker face.” You win some, you lose some. Crescent thought as the game went on. He looked at his cards and mentally cursed. He placed his bet and waited. Goodwin turned to Crescent. “Just fold,” he said. “There’s no hope.” Crescent cocked an eyebrow. “How would you know whether or not I should fold?” He asked. Goodwin began to laugh. “I can read you like a foal’s bedtime story.” “Or you’re cheating,” Yander said under his breath. “Enough!” Yelled the dealer. She looked at the three stallions. Yander and Crescent both shook their heads. Goodwin, meanwhile, glared at her. “Something wrong?” She asked the glaring pegasus. “No,” he said. “Let’s continue.” As the turn went on, the pot became bigger and bigger. “All in,” declared Goodwin. He turned to Crescent. “Your turn,” he said. Rolling his eyes, Crescent went all in. “Screw your ‘advice’,” he said to Goodwin. The other players folded. Goodwin began to laugh uncontrollably. “Four of a kind,” he said through his laughter. Crescent chuckled. “Royal flush,” he said with a smirk. Goodwin shot up. “What?!” He looked at Crescent’s cards. “No, you can’t be serious!” He slammed his hoof on the floor. “Give me a break!” “Oh for the love of everything good in Equestria,” Crescent groaned. “You lost, deal with it. Seriously, you’re being a baby. Besides, I thought this was for fun.” “I still lost my chips to some nopony who decided to join us!” Goodwin whined. “Oh cry me a river, Goodwin,” Crescent said. “You made a giant deal out of winning the other day and then got pissed at Yander when he told you to stop celebrating since it was obnoxious. Now you’re making a big deal out of losing a game.” Crescent stood up and walked over to Goodwin. “Keep your damn chips. You’re nothing more than a sore loser.” Crescent walked off and left the casino. Yander looked at Goodwin, who was now gritting his teeth. “Calm down, Goodwin,” he said. “You look like you’re going to explode.” Goodwin spun around. “Did you not hear him?” He asked Yander. “I heard him,” the dealer said. “And honestly, he’s right.” Yander nodded. “Perhaps you should take what he said into consideration. You do rub it in our faces. Every single time. And now, you’re being a sore loser.” Goodwin’s eye twitched. He shook his head and stormed out of the casino with fire in his eyes. Outside, Goodwin noticed Crescent flying around. He stretched out his wings before flying straight towards Crescent. He stretched out his forehooves and slammed right into his side. Crescent screamed in pain. He regained his balance and looked at Goodwin, who was seething in anger. “What the hell?” He asked him. Goodwin flew at Crescent again and slammed his forehooves into Crescents stomach. “I don’t have to answer you!” He yelled. Crescent managed to dodge one of Goodwin’s punches and got him into a headlock. “Maybe we can ta-” before he could finish his sentence, Goodwin bit Crescents leg. “Ow!” Crescent yelped, letting go of the raging pegasus. Goodwin turned around and threw a right hook to Crescent’s jaw. Goodwin threw another right hook which knocked Crescent out. Crescent fell to the earth. Goodwin looked down at the knocked out pegasus. His left wing had been broken by the fall. He smirked and flew up into the sky. Meanwhile, Yander and Rose had stepped out into the lobby. They noticed a small crowd had gathered outside. “What’s going on?” Rose asked as they trotted towards the door. She got there just in time to notice Crescent hit the ground. She opened the door and ran towards Crescent, Yander following right behind her. Rose tried to stop the bleeding from his broken wing. Yander, meanwhile, looked for Goodwin. “Look out!” A pony shouted. Yander looked up to notice Goodwin dive-bombing down towards Crescent and Rose. He aimed a teleportation spell at the two and managed to send them to the other side of the street. CRUNCH The entire crowd flinched. Most lost their lunch. Goodwin slammed face first onto the sidewalk at full speed. His neck was twisted an unnatural angle. His face was nonexistent. Most of the sidewalk was covered in blood and bone. Yander shed a tear before running over to Rose and Crescent. Several hours later, at a local hospital, Rose was reading Crescent’s Daring Do book in a hospital  waiting room. A door opened and a doctor stepped out. “He’ll make a full recovery,” the doctor said to Rose. “But don’t expect him to be out for a week or so. He suffered a lot of nasty injuries from that fight and fall. He should be lucky it was only fifteen feet.” Rose smiled. “Can I see him?” She asked. The doctor nodded. “Though I think he’ll want to rest,” he said as he opened the door. Inside, Crescent had several casts on him. An IV was hooked up to him. “Oh, hi Rose,” he said. “Yander with you?” Rose shook her head. “He took over for Goodwin’s poker tournament.” “Goodwin get arrested?” “He’s dead. He slammed face first into the sidewalk.” Rose said, grimacing at the thought. Crescent stared blankly for a few seconds. “You can fill me in when I get out of here. For now, I’d rather not fight the urge to puke.” He said. Rose giggled. “Well, I brought your Daring Do book,” she said as she walked over. “I figured we could read it together.” Crescent smiled. “Better than laying here alone.” Rose sat down and opened the book. She flipped to the bookmarked page and began reading.