Baltimare Beach
Sin smiled as the slow anticipation in his belly grew more and more with every step he took.
The trio of pegasi, and single rabbit, reached the top of another bluff and looked down to the city in the not to far distance, Baltimare.
Buildings littered to and fro all across the coast line, a good mile or so of nothing but concrete, stone and buildings made of varying types of smooth and pleasing to behold metals and glass, with suberbian style homes reaching beyond what the eye could see. Many sparkled as they caught the light of the sun, giving the entire area a certain sense of industrial awe and wonder.
"Wow..." Krystal and Scootaloo said in unison, taking in the vastness of the first city either had ever seen.
Sin had to admit, he was rather impressed with everything he saw. It was different from Unitas, what with the buildings being much smoother and more, for lack of a better phrase, new age than the robust and rustic towers and buildings of his own country's architecture. Though it did make him long a little for the Federation capital... just a little.
He looked around to find the wood work near the city and smiled, that was where he needed to go, now he just needed to figure out a way to keep these two busy while he took care of the Trotski.
Between deciding if he'd try a more friendly infiltration method or simply sneak in an assassinate the room entirely, he'd given the matter less thought than he should have, and nothing substantial came to mind. From the map index, nothing much was here that he deemed suitable to keep these two entertained. There were bars, clubs, some more adult entertainment industries... but that was okay. The map index was no indication for all of what the city had to offer... they'd likely find something to do.
Sin and Scootaloo began walking down the bluff to the city proper, but stopped when they realized that their newest companion failed to move forwards.
"Krystal?" Scootaloo asked. "C'mon."
"Ummm..." Krystal said reluctantly, her gaze lightening with obvious nervousness. "Umm, do... do we really have to?"
Scootaloo tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
The white mare took a breath and looked as though she was about to explain herself, but quickly shook her head and frowned in determination. "Nothing." She declaired firmly. "N-nothing's wrong."
She strutted with a little too much forced confidence and the trio began marching down the hill.
'What do you figure that was about?'
Beats me. Anyrate, enough about that and help me figure out something for them to do.
Sin knew Critic didn't want the two to see what he had planned any more than Sin himself did. As they approached the city, the dirt path they followed curved in beside a road and, with the greatest of luck, tourist attraction signs with them.
'Hmmm, let's see here.' Critic mused as they passed by a few of the wooden information holders. 'Fire Circus? Krystal wouldn't like that, I don't think. They've been underwater for a few days, so the aquarium is out. Hmm...'
What about that one? The city tour?
'Oh yea. Let's just send two ponies who have no idea about city life to just wonder about with some stranger. Fucking brilliant idea, Sin.' Critic snapped with flippant sarcasm.
Sin found the hostile response off putting, but it wasn't an over reaction. It was a stupid suggestion on his part. As much as he wanted these three out of his hair while he slaughtered Puddinghead and company, Krystal and Scootaloo getting mugged or worse wasn't exactly on his list of things he wanted to have happen today.
That was when he saw it and nearly kicked himself for not thinking of it sooner.
Down by the waterfront, beach goers were playing about. Splashing in the water, playing some game that involved putting a ball over a net, relaxing on the beach side. Hell, there was even a few stands that allowed for, what he assumed, were beverages and other business endeavors.
Along with a familiar face that made Sin smirk with anticipation.
"Perfect." He said under his breath before turning to them. "Hey, what do you two say to a nice off day at the beach?"
"Off day?" Krystal asked.
Sin nodded and pointed, explaining that they'd either been walking or exploring for the past few weeks, but none of them had taken time to relax and enjoy some much needed downtime.
Scootaloo answered that she wasn't interested in swimming, on account of her spending enough time in the water, but Sin quickly pointed out that she didn't have to go swimming. This was a lazy day, a day where they would "all" simply kick back and unwind for a little bit. Spend all of today and tomorrow to recharge and then pick up again afterwards.
When put that way, the orange filly seemed much more open to the prospect.
"Well, we have been walking an aweful lot." She said.
Sin felt himself well up with hope a little, though a quick look of realization popped that bubble faster than a Fatchitaz stock after a bank run.
"Hey wait a minute! That pony from Appleloosa said that the ponies you were looking for were here." Scootaloo said, pointing an accusatory hoof at him.
'Clever girl.'
"Yea! You're just trying to get rid of us so we wont stop you!" Krystal agreed giving him a scowl. "You're trying to fool us!"
'Clever girls. Welp, now what?'
Honesty is the best policy.
"That would be correct." Sin replied with a knowing smirk. "You guys caught onto that pretty quick. Well done."
Amber and magenta orbs of accusation clashed with icy blue knowing. Soon, the accusation slowly turned to skepticism as time continued to pass without anything being said.
"Well." Scootaloo asked.
"Well what?" Sin replied, his smirk only growing.
The filly frowned in confusion. "Well... we're not gonna let you do it!"
"Is that right?" Sin asked.
"No." Scootaloo answered with absolution.
Sin hummed to himself and shrugged before wordlessly turning and marching down to the beach front. Scootaloo and Krystal were reluctant to join him at first, but slowly began to follow, both keeping a keen eye on the the stallion for any indication as to what he was planning.
'What are you planning?' Critic demanded, not liking the fact he had no idea what his vessel was contemplating.
It was simple really, if he couldn't get them to leave him alone willingly, than he'd just need them to want to be away from him. Perhaps the temptation of relaxing at the beach wasn't enough for them, but the prospect of listening to a teal colored deer chastising a group of college ponies about their idiocy might just do the trick...
Krystal flinched as the hot sand of the beach prodded at her her delicate under-hooves. She kept pushing forward to keep pace with her associates, but took note that they too felt the slight burn of the minerals.
She was happy to come to the beach for a day off from traveling, especially since she didn't need to go into the massive city.
She didn't know why she felt so unnerved by the huge conglomerate of buildings. What were they but massive slabs of stone and metal... that were extremely big? Really, really big. Massive, enormous buildings that dwarfed her and every other thing she'd ever seen in her life! They looked higher than the canyon to her farm was tall, for Celestia's sake!
Okay, it's okay. She didn't need to go in there. But what if Sin planned to and... she had to to stop him.
Krystal didn't care for that idea one bit. And the closer they got to the beach, and consequentially to the city itself, the less she cared for it.
She'd rather clean the bathroom for a week after Obsi and Scoria were ill than go in there, and those two were absolutely disgusting when sick.
"What's your game here, Islander?" Scootaloo growled.
"Game?" Sin asked casually. "I have no idea what you mean."
He did the thing with his voice where he raised it slightly to indicate he was only saying that, Krystal noted. It was something she didn't like that he did. He didn't really lie, per say, just... said the words of the lie while his voice conveyed he wasn't serious.
Krystal was curious as to their guide's trickery, but also remained guarded. He'd fooled her more times than she could count, but the mare figured that if she was vigilant, she could figure out his game and counter in kind. She wasn't as smart as he was, but she was starting to catch on and be less surprised by his strategies.
That's when she noticed a nice wooden shack not too far from where they were headed, and a familiar deer standing outside with a couple of ponies. She wasn't sure, but they looked to be arguing over something.
"That would be factually incorrect." The teal deer snarked at the pink earth pony before him. "According to the latest data from the Imperial Department of Commerce and Labor: Earth Ponies earn no more or less than unicorns or pegasi whilst entering the same jobs with the exact same hours, exact same experience and exact same qualifications."
"No they don't!" Cried the earth pony before him. "Earth ponies earn less on average, 27% on average to be precise, by the very same institute you've listed. How can there be such a pay discrepancy on average if all jobs are equally paying for all tribes?!"
Sin smirked and pushed through the small crowd around the two.
"Because," the deer replied, "Earth pony jobs are not in requirement of magic nor flight. Meaning their job prospects are more limited as opposed to the more specialized fields that require flight or magic in order to be efficiently completed or completed at all. Where both unicorns and pegasi are able to do earth pony jobs, for the most part. This is the simple result of supply and demand. When there are more capable workers for basic labor intensive jobs, the price of that labor is diminished due to others being willing to work for the cheaper prices."
"No it's not! It's because of institutionalized and systemic racism against earth ponies because they haven't the ability to fly nor use magic. It's discrimination and you're a racist for implying otherwise!" Countered the mare with a scowl.
The deer groaned. "Resorting to name calling and slander already?" He tisked three times. "Alright, provide your evidence for this alleged systemic racism and bias of yours."
Sin smile widened as he watched the mare bare her teeth and admit that she didn't have any evidence. "I don't need it anyways, it's self evident."
"Self evident how, exactly?" The deer asked wryly before searching through a few files he was holding and retrieving a document. "Because I have my source right here, if you'd like to take a look."
Sin could already see how the conversation would play out. Teal would provide evidence and sources to support his argument, thus giving himself more credibility and standing, while the pink pony would only argue from a place of emotion and flimsy statistical data at best, manipulating the existing data to support her own ends. Though, if the deer was as clever as the Federalist suspected, he'd quickly put all of that to rest by placing it into context.
And so, as expected, that's exactly what happened.
The two argued back and forth a little more, with a stray stallion or mare taking the side of the pony with words of agreement or helpful input, though each and every one of them was slammed down in one of the most brutal intellectual bitch slaps Sin had ever born witness to.
There was a wage gap between earth ponies and pegasus and unicorns? Yea, because most anything an earth pony could do a unicorn or pegasus could do. Though, earth ponies couldn't really fly nor cast magic.
Food supplies were necessary? Yea, and all races could do them while only pegasi could move around clouds and produce the needed weather, thus making them more in demand for such jobs and giving them higher pay.
Earth ponies connection to the earth made them more adept at farming and cultivating, but pegasi and unicorns could just as easily harvest or water/fertilize plants.
Earth ponies strength made them more adept to hard labor, but pegasi and unicorns could use their magic and wings to compensate.
It wasn't said in a way or as a means to degrade earth ponies, it was just the facts presented as they were. As any employer looking for labor would see them.
Honestly, it was pretty fun to watch on Sin's end. He had no idea what brought all of this nonsense about, but dammit if he didn't get a serine sense of pleasure from watching a throng of self righteous college punks get knocked down a peg or two. Colleges had expressly denied him any platform for speeches or rally's during his campaign for the Federal senate. Their "liberal" beliefs deemed his rhetoric and ideas "toxic" and "harmful" and "ruining their safe space."
All of the Feminist and Social Justice bull shit his country had fallen into seemed to have infected Equestrian Academia as well, though, unlike his home state, it was being thoroughly challenged here.
Tapio's beard did he wish he could see the looks on their faces when they'd realized he'd won the election. All of those self rightious infantile little shits whom protested his campaign, complaining how he'd "let the elderly and sick die" and "didn't care about mare's issues."
Charity and compassion, apparently it was only possible at force of violence.
Sin looked to find Scootaloo and Krystal watching with furrowed brows and bored expressions.
After what had to be a good hour of debating the finer points of multiple farms and food sources falling under single company jurisdiction of weather services, and why the weather pegasi were paid more for their more expansive duties, the pink pony finally had enough and let out a loud groan of frustration before she stomped off from the argument. Though, another pony, this one a light blue male pegasus, stepped up to continue where she'd left off.
"Can we go now?" Scootaloo said, taking the retreating pony's example. "This is boring."
"Hell no." Sin shot back with glee. "This is amazing, you guys go... lounge around or something."
Sin retrieved his saddle bag and took a few bits from within. "Here, go get something to eat or drink or something. Go have fun, I'm gonna stick here for a bit."
The filly, too happy at the idea of getting away from the dull and boring ideas, quickly took the coins and strutted off with Krystal in tow. Neither realizing they'd played right into Sin's hooves.
'Well done.'
Yea, now the question is: how do I distract them so I can leave and make sure they stay here? Tapio knows how long this is gonna take.
It didn't take him long to realize that there was no way he could comfortably say to keep them at the beach, nor how he'd even find them if they did stay. The shore stretched for miles upon miles... It would take him a good day and a half to comb it if they decided to wonder off from their current location
That's when another thought struck...
Krystal was an attractive young mare.
An attractive young mare with little sense and inclination towards the behaviors and dangers of the city, even out here on the beach... Stallions all up and down this place would be drawn to her like a moth to flame. Her kind nature, innocence, and homely submission would be an allure all it's own. And she was far too nice to turn them down if they pressured her...
Maybe leaving them here wasn't such a good idea after all...
"Sinbad, I'm surprised at you." The icy voice of Nightmare Moon tisked. "You've come all this way to get revenge and protect your friend Macintosh, a stallion you've known for months. And you're going to let your concern for a couple of ponies your barely know stop you now?"
Sin grimaced, as much as he didn't want to admit it, the Alicorn had a point... Every day he failed to stop them, the higher the chance the Trotski had to stumble upon the Apple farmer and kill him.
Still, what was he supposed to do? Just leave those two to the wilds of the dubious and hormone charged spring break goers on their own? The Federalist may not have gone to college, but he knew more than enough about the culture. Drugs and alcohol, general debauchery and experimentation... He was college age, with all of the hormones and sexual desires firmly repressed and suppressed. If these kids were in anyway as sexually charged as his body wanted him to be, he didn't trust a single one of them to behave in anything resembling an appropriate manner.
"So, you're willing to let Macintosh die because you can't trust you're associates to stay out of trouble?" The Alicorn cooed.
An unprecedented terror shot through the stallion's spine.
Sin didn't say that, of course he didn't say that. Macintosh's life was very important to him, it was just that there was a sever conflict of interests here and he didn't know what to do to handle the problem.
A slow feeling of inadequacy crept into the pony...
He didn't know, why didn't he know? He had to know. Sin had to know how to handle the situation, he had to. Who else would if he didn't?
So why didn't he? Why couldn't he know? Why hadn't he prepared for this? This was his life and his mission to accomplish, this was his business, and he needed to take care of it, yet he couldn't. He couldn't let Macintosh die, but he couldn't let anything happen to Scootaloo or Krystal either.
Sin felt his breathing quicken as he wracked his mind for some a plan, for something, anything he could do to ensure both of their safeties, but no matter how hard he tried to think, the escalating sense of fear and inadequacy clouded his mind from finding a solution. Nobody around here he could trust, no safe house he could keep them in, nothing.
No, no this was unacceptable! How stupid was he? How fucking retarded was he to think he could just so easily slip away from them and be certain of their safety now that they knew what he was planning? He was stupid, an absolute fucking idiot! Fucking useless failure, worthless, an affront to all things rational and intelligent.
Taking a breath, the stallion told himself he was over reacting, that what he was thinking may happen was simply his mind running to impractical extremes. This was Equestria, after all, a much more innocent and kind place than the Federation, so why wouldn't college culture be the same?
Though when the cloaked federalist looked around, what he saw made his stomach drop and his heart beat faster. Dozens of ponies making out on the beach, ponies and a few griffons dancing on top of a wooden building in manner one would find closer to mating than dancing, a stallion and mare exiting the same restroom at the same time, both looking much too satisfied with themselves...
He cast a look to Scootaloo and Krystal, both holding newly purchased beverages of pineapples with straws sticking out of them, with Angel perched on Scootaloo's head. They were looking out and observing just like he was, but by the innocence and wonder in their eyes, it was clear they weren't seeing the same things he was.
A sickening image enter Sin's mind, one of Krystal panting and whimpering while she was bent over with a stallion on top of her, having her drugged up or drunk to the point she wouldn't protest his advances. Or a mare, maybe, promising her the relationship of her dreams and all of the love she could offer, and then of the white pegasus sobbing and broken form afterwards when the mare left her to find the newest conquest she could lay, devastating her concepts of monogamy and exclusivity.
And that didn't even take into account the trauma that Scootaloo could endure.
No, no, he couldn't leave them here. Sin might as well drop them off into the local brothel and say "have fun". No, not here, but where then? What else was he supposed to do with them?
The thought of just allowing them along entered his mind more than once, but he couldn't let them. He didn't want them to see him commit slaughter, to see him endulge his sadism at the expense of others suffering. Or even worse if they were captured and held hostage...
And that didn't even take into account if they did try to stop him like they claimed.
Sin... Sin didn't know how he'd react if they did that. It would make him angry, but angry enough to do something he'd regret? Something he knew he'd never be able to fix? Would he kill them over it? He didn't know, he honest to Tapio didn't know...
Milikki dammit all! Why couldn't he think of anything? When did he become this incompetent? When did he lose his ability and capability? This shouldn't even be an issue for fuck's sake! He should have thought ahead, she should have prepared for this, he should have-
"Perhaps I may be of assistance?" The Nightmare interjected, derailing the stallion's internal self loathing tirade.
A small wave of relief pushed through the fear, and Sin cautiously accepted the bit to get his head on straight.
How?
The Nightmare hummed. "Well, as you've said: The Trotski are aware of your tactics with me. Yes? So would you not be better served if I was watching over these two and steering them clear of the fears you hold?"
Sin found some sense to this, the Nightmare did help to convince Scootaloo to go back home. Maybe not right away, but she still managed to do more good than Sin himself had.
As he found the idea more and more appealing, the sense of dread and self loathing began to leave him in subtle doses. She was everything he needed. The Nightmare could find him and relay their position, she could influence and guide them away from harmful situations, and she could distract them while he made his escape into the wood work.
This could work. As much as he hated the bitch for what she was, the Alicorn had proven herself trust worthy in keeping Sin's friends safe before.
And why should I trust you with this? Why shouldn't I think you'll poses one of them as you have me?
The Alicorn chuckled. "Sinbad, you insult me. I am not so foolish as to believe myself safe with either of them should Luna decide to interfere." She stopped chuckling, her voice losing all amusement. "But you must be quick. While I am out of your mind, I do not have the protection of your mind. I have regained enough of my power to shield my presence from Luna, but I will only be able to do so for so long before her dream walkers come for me. You need me and I need you, it's a... mutually beneficial relationship. If not against the Trotski, than against her underlings whom follow you."
That much was true.
"And if you intend to return home, against your father."
And that sealed it. The Alicorn's logic was sound, she had every reason to keep Krystal and Scootaloo safe, and Sin had every reason to keep Macintosh safe.
"Remain here, once I've gotten them sufficiently distracted, take your leave so they wont follow."
With reluctant confidence, Sin agreed to the deal and the Nightmare's cold presence left his mind.
Taking a sip from her pineapple drink, Scootaloo watched the beach goers with vague disinterest, casting a weary eye to Islander from time to time.
He thought he was so smart, trying to bore them into leaving him alone. It wasn't a hard ploy to see through, even Krystal had figured it out while the two purchased drinks from the snack shack.
It was a little insulting, really. How stupid did he think they were? Did he really think they wouldn't be watching him? That he'd just walk away and commit murder that easily? Scootaloo had half a mind to give him a lecture he wouldn't forget. But that would cause a scene, and that would make ponies ask questions and potentially get the guard involved.
The filly wasn't dissuaded from dressing him down though, it wouldn't be here, nor now, but it was going to happen.
"Think he'll try to slip away soon?" Krystal asked, taking a sip of her own drink.
"Not while he knows we're watching him." Scootaloo replied.
Of course, maybe it would be prudent to pretend not to watch him and just sneak along? It was clear he was going to go, it was only a matter of time, really.
"H-hey Scootaloo?" Krystal asked, pressing her lips nervously.
"Yea," Scootaloo asked, casting another glance.
The elder pegasus cleared her throat. "Umm, what's the plan if we do end up having to stop him?"
The filly turned her attention to her companion with a glance. "What do you mean, Krystal?"
The off white pony clarified that she didn't know exactly what they were going to do to stop their associate from killing. Like, what specific actions they were going to take to prevent death... "Are we going to, you know, tackle him or stand in front of him, or..."
Scootaloo opened her mouth to reply but quickly realized that she didn't have one to give. What were they going to do when the time came? Yea, she was resolved to stop him, but she'd never given much thought on the actual how aside from believing that their presence alone would deter it.
What if it didn't, though? What if he completely ignored them and went to kill anyways?
"The better question is, why do you care so much about him when he doesn't care about you?"
Scootaloo internally groaned. Great, that was back.
Look, we've been over this, Islander does-
"Let us put it to rest then, shall we?" The voice said, cutting her off. "If you're so certain he cares about you, than he wouldn't abandon you here, would he?"
Scootaloo's brow furrowed. Islander wasn't "abandoning" them, he was just doing what he came to do.
"That's not what I was referring to." The voice said cooly with a slight chuckle. "Keep on ignoring him, and then follow him when leaves. He's going to slip away from you at some point anyway, and you know it. If he really cares about you, than let us see if he's willing to put your well being over his petty revenge. That will settle once and for all if he cares as much as you claim, will it not?"
Scootaloo grimaced.
That... that would settle it once and for all. But... but what if she was wrong? She trusted Islander with her life, he'd done alot for her over the month or so they'd traveled together.
Though, she'd never really gotten in his way before, not in the sense that she would here. She knew Islander wasn't the most patient of ponies when it came to inconveniences, and what she planned to do was to become the biggest inconvenience to him she could think of...
The doubts crept forward now. Thoughts of Islander turning his wrath upon her should she successful interrupt his endeavors. He'd treated both Krystal and Scootaloo as if they were well meaning children so far, but that was because he didn't take them seriously, and he was a pony to place emphasis on asset and liability...
What would he do when he realized that they may be more capable of stopping him than he realized? Would he abandon them? Would he kill them?
A small feeling of dread and cold crept up the foal's spine in a painfully slow sliver right up to her stomach.
The thought never crossed her mind before, but she was so focused on stopping the killing that she'd never considered the consequences before.
What would they do if Islander did abandon them? Scootaloo's survival skills were coming along well enough, but she wasn't confident she could do for herself longer term. Especially when winter hit later in the year...
"Feeling some doubts now, are we?" The voice said cruelly.
"Scootaloo." Krystal whispered, her voice trembling a little. "M- maybe this isn't such a good idea..."
Gritting her teeth, Scootaloo tensed her muscles and relaxed in an attempt to drive away the dread and uncertainty in her body.
No, no, Islander was better than that. He wouldn't abandon them, they just needed to have faith that he'd forgive them and see their actions as from a place where his own best interest were in mind.
"If you're going to do it, you'd better go now. He's leaving."
Scootaloo tilted her head ever so slightly to see that Islander wasn't in the crowd anymore. She saw his retreating cloak though, keeping the crowd between himself and them while he walked.
"Don't be a scaredy pony, Krystal." Scootaloo said, giving the mare a hard look. "It's scary, and I get that, but he's being stupid about this. I know Macintosh, and I know Macintosh wouldn't want other ponies killed for him."
Krystal shook with emotion, obviously more distraught over the issue than Scootaloo herself. "But what if he... what if he decided to kill us?"
"He wont." The filly shot back, more with anger than reassurance. "Krystal, you have to believe he cares about us. He said he'd look after us, didn't he?"
Seeing her words merely make her friend more conflicted, Scootaloo reached out and hugged Krystal's leg, hoping the squeeze would offer the mare some kind of strength and resolve.
With a few calming breaths, Krystal slowly relaxed and agreed.
Though, it appeared that a third opinion had yet to be heard.
Angle Bunny jumped off of Krystal's back and began ruthlessly shaking his head in protest of the decision.
"Aw, C'mon Angle. Sin's our friend." Scootaloo cooed.
But the rabbit wasn't having it. He pointed to where Sin was walking and then pointed to Scootaloo before lifting his arm like Sin did his bow, lifting it as a sign of shooting recoil and the falling over and playing dead before standing up again and pointing at the two ponies with firm finality.
The display did hit at Scootaloo's confidence, but she wasn't about to give up on a friend because they were being difficult. She didn't care what the bunny thought, Angle was wrong to think it, and so was the voice in her head. Both were wrong, and she planned to show both what was what.
Once he was far enough away, the two stood from their place, dropped their expended pineapple drinks in a trashcan, and began to follow.