The humanised mane six are making their mark in the dark city of Ponyville Row.
Twilight Sparkle is the main agent to the great Celestia, leader of the Solar Flares, a gang that controls Canterlot. Celestia has sent her most trusted agent to the gang filled city of Ponyville Row to spread her rule. How will Twilight gather enough forces to make a new gang and take over Ponyville Row, and will she be able to do it if she is unwilling to make friends with her new gang members?
Once, in the city of Canterlot, there were two gang leaders who ruled side by side, and controlled all criminal activity in the city. Celestia, leader of the Solar Flares, ruled the East side. Luna, leader of the Moonbeams, ruled the West. Thus, crime was controlled across the city, and harmony was maintained across the gangs. But as the years went on, Luna's mind began to change. She would only wake through the night, and she became ruthless. Many people died in this time of her reign, and the Moonbeams were beginning to push into Solar Flare territory. Celestia tried to reason with Luna, but her mind had snapped. Luna was overcome with madness, and a thirst for blood that she could not quench. Celestia was forced to take drastic action. She gathered her 6 best members of the Solar Flares, and attacked Luna and the Moonbeams. After a heated battle, Luna was detained, and taken to the Equestrian Mental Hospital, otherwise known as Codename Moon. Celestia took over the West side, and disbanded the Moonbeams. To this day she rules over Canterlot, controlling the criminal underworld and maintaining its influence.
However, rumours have surfaced that there are plans for Luna to return to her role as leader of the Moonbeams, with the help of her old gang members. It is said that they will aid in her escape, and she will have crime take over Canterlot.
Twilight Sparkle looked up from her computer screen, focus upon her face. “Spike. I need you to get a message to Celestia. Now.” Spike, Twilight's teenage assistant poked his head around the door frame.
“You find something important Twi?” He slid into the desk chair and opened his e-mail account, starting a new message.
“I believe so.” Twilight began to pace as she told Spike what to write. “Dear Celestia. No doubt you have heard the rumours of Luna's planned escape from Moon. I have reason to believe they may be true. I have heard from Agent Thumbs that a new gang is gaining notoriety in the West side, and Luna's symbol has been seen on them more than once. I request permission to travel to Codename Moon, and check on Luna. I await your reply. Your faithful subordinate, Twilight Sparkle.”
“Aaaaaand sent.” Spike turned on the swivel chair. “What now?” Twilight had wandered into her bedroom next door, and Spike could hear drawers opening and closing, and something heavy being thrown onto the bed. He followed her in, making sure to duck his head as he passed through the doorway to avoid ruining his Mohawk. “What are you doing?” Twilight was carefully removing weapons from drawers, and placing them in her weapons case.
“Packing. I'm going to need some fire power at Moon.”
“You think she's gonna send you to Moon?”
“Well, of course! Who else would she trust with such an important task?” A sharp beep echoed through the small apartment. “Quick, she must have replied!” The duo returned to the computer, Spike sitting down and Twilight looking over his shoulder. “What does it say?” The teen opened the e-mail, Celestia's emblem coming up.
“My faithful follower, Twilight Sparkle. I appreciate your concern, but it is unnecessary. Luna is safe in Moon, and she will not be breaking out any time soon. I shall tell Agent Thumbs to keep her eye out, but I don't think the rumours are true. I do however have a new assignment for you. I need you to travel to Ponyville Row, and start a subdivision of the Solar Flares there. There have been murmurs of several gangs starting up there and plotting to overthrow me, and that just can't do. You will travel there immediately with Spike. I have a plane set up to fly you to a private airport there. I suggest you make friends with a young pilot there as a start. I want you to keep me updated with how things are going. I trust you to do this, my young agent.” The e-mail was ended with a sun, Celestia's signature. Twilight stood in shock as Spike turned to look at her.
“Twilight? Are you ok?”
“I...I can't believe she's sending me away! She didn't listen to me! ARGH!” Twilight pushed herself away from the chair in frustration, stomping her foot and pushing her indigo fringe away from her forehead.
“I'm sure she took it into consideration Twilight, but she obviously thinks this is more important. I mean, you're gathering a whole new gang! That's a huge honour!” Spike stood up and put his hand on his mentor's shoulder. “You better start packing Twilight, if there's a plane waiting for us. I'm just going to get changed and pack up.” The teenager left for his bedroom, leaving Twilight fuming.
With a sigh, she retreated to her room and pulled out a suitcase next to her weapons case and began filling it with clothes. Twilight had very little variety in her wardrobe, mostly wearing suits in similar shades of blue, with coloured waistcoats and shirts. She pulled off the shirt and trousers she was wearing.
“May as well look good if I'm going make some sort of impression on this pilot.” Twilight pulled on a pale pink shirt, a magenta waistcoat, and a midnight blue pant suit. Carefully, she brushed out her long, straight indigo hair, ensuring the pink and purple coloured streaks lay properly. Minimal make up was applied, just enough to make her look less tired and mad. She placed all her toiletries in the suitcase, and closed it. When she returned to the main room, Spike was waiting, now dressed in a white shirt, purple waistcoat and black knee length shorts. He hadn't noticed Twilight's return, and was smoking a cigarette. Twilight stomped towards him and smacked the cigarette out of his hand. “What have I told you about that? I despise smoking.” She stood on the offending article before it set the carpet on fire. “Take the hard drive out of the computer. This place won't be secure while we're not here.” Spike tutted at his mentor, then followed her orders. He was first out the door, muttering something about “crazy” and “taking it out on me”.
Twilight stood at the door, looking back at her small apartment. It hadn't been much, but it had been home. The walls were lined with bookshelves, every available space filled with a book. “I'll have to have some of these sent to me.” Her eyes fell on a tome above the computer desk, “Making Good Alliances”. She picked it up and slipped it into her blazer pocket. “Might come in handy.” With a sigh, she clicked the light switch and walked out the door.
Twilight looked out of the window of the small plane, watching the city of Ponyville Row reveal itself beneath them. Spike was on the other side of the plane, head banging to something loud.
“We'll be landing shortly Miss Sparkle. Please make sure your seat belt is fastened.” The young agent reached over to her protégée, tapping his shoulder and pointing to his seat belt. She fastened her own, and readied herself for the discomforting feeling of landing. Twilight hated flying.
Several minutes passed before the plane started to descend, the two gangsters' ears popping and Twilight resisting the urge to throw up. A short while after, they had touched down in a small airport in the south end of Ponyville Row. Twilight stood as soon as the plane was still, grabbed her luggage and practically ran to the door, gasping for fresh air. Spike followed her, chuckling. His mentor glared at him, looking slightly less pale.
The duo were greeted by a rather short figure, donned in a bomber jacket. They had large flight goggles covering their eyes, stopping Twilight from working out whether they were male or female. She had a hunch, however as her eyes were drawn to the bright shock of rainbow dyed hair upon their head. The technicolour figure held out a hand to her, helping the queasy Twilight to the ground. Spike jumped after her, still laughing quietly at his mentor.
“Ugh...thanks kid. I think I need to sit down...” Twilight staggered towards the nearby plane shelter, Spike and the figure following.
“No problem Miss, I've been expectin' ya!” The voice was feminine with a raspy edge, like one who had spent years yelling over the roar of planes. As the goggles were lifted, the figure was revealed to be a woman, not much younger than Twilight. She jogged to be in front of Twilight, turning to face her and holding out a hand. “I'm Rainbow Dash.” Twilight stopped to shake her hand.
“Twilight Sparkle. Nice to meet you. I'm guessing you're the pilot I'm supposed to be meeting?” Rainbow grinned and nodded. “Great. Now, seriously, let me sit down before I'm sick. I hate flying.” As she reached the bunker, she collapsed against the wall with her head between her knees.
“Eh, flying's the best! You just have to have a good pilot, not like the one you had. I saw you landing, he could have done that waaaaaay smoother.” Rainbow dropped to the floor to sit in front of Twilight. Spike had pulled out his phone and was staring intently at the screen.
“Yes, well, it doesn't matter now. So. You're a pilot here?”
“Yep! Best flier in all Equestria! And one day, I'm gonna join Celestia's Wonderbolts. But first I have to prove myself, which is why she wants me to work for you." The pilot looked off dreamily into the sky for a moment. "So, I've heard you're making a new gang.”
“Apparently. I've no idea where to look though. Having a look around the city would be a good start.” Rainbow Dash stood up suddenly, a grin on her face.
“Well, let's go then! My car's out front. Don't worry, it's got a back seat for the kid.” Spike scowled.
“I'm not a kid. And Twilight, I think we should check out Sweet Apple Acres, it says on their website they're the main producer of spirits in the city. That could be a good start for allies and income.” Rainbow Dash laughed.
“You don't want to go there. Not yet. Applejack runs that place with her brother, and they don't just make booze. They sell weapons too, big things like rocket launchers, and some explosives. They don't take kindly to strangers though.” Twilight slowly stood up, steadying herself.
“Well you seem to know them. Maybe they'll talk to us is they know you're with us?” Rainbow looked guiltily at the floor, chewing her bottom lip.
“Heh, yeah. We've kinda had a falling out. She caught me hiding in one of her apple cellars drinking her cider last month. We haven't made up yet. She's stubborn. Anyway, you want to head to your new house first, drop off your stuff. You're staying with me until you can get a crib up and running. So, let's go!” The energetic pilot grabbed Twilight's suitcase, and started off towards the car park, Twilight and Spike close behind.
~~~
Rainbow Dash's car was awe inspiring. The Pegasus 2000 was sleek, pale cyan, and had some of the most striking decals Twilight had ever seen on a car. Up each side was a large wing spread wide, and up the centre of the bonnet, over the roof and down the boot was a beautiful rainbow stripe. Dash laughed at the shocked looks on Spike and Twilight's faces.
“Yeah, I know. Cost me my life's savings, and she was worth every bit. Now hop in!” Rainbow slid into the drivers seat, and after shaking her head Twilight sat beside her, with Spike in the back. The interior was white, with the same rainbow stripe echoed in places, such as the centre of each seat. Celestia's sun hung on the rear view mirror in air freshener form, filling the car with a warm, spicy scent. Soon they were moving through Ponyville Row at what Twilight was sure was faster than the speed limit. “I don't live too far away. It's just a one bedroom apartment, so you'll have to sleep on the floor, but from what I've heard about you, I expect you'll have a crib really soon.” Twilight held tight to the side of the seat and simply nodded. It wasn't long before they arrived at Rainbow's place, the car parked in a garage around the back.
Twilight recoiled when she entered the main room. It was blinding white, with rainbow themed décor, and a lot of mess. There were books, clothes, dishes and rubbish all over the floor. If the pilot thought Twilight was sleeping there, she had another thing coming.
“Oh, uh, sorry about the mess. I live by myself and I'm hardly in the house so...it just sort of gets left.” Rainbow registered the look on Twilight's face. “I, I'll have it clean in ten seconds flat! Don't you worry!” With the look of a scolded school child on her face, Rainbow took the luggage to a different room. Twilight sat upon the surprisingly soft white sofa, pushing the mess on the floor away from her feet. Spike flopped down next to her, not caring what he crushed.
“Rainbow Dash seems pretty cool, huh Twi?”
“Hmm. A bit erratic. I hope she flies better than she drives.” There was a pause as Twilight looked around the room with disgust. “So then. If Sweet Apple Acres is out, where do we go next?” Rainbow came back in with a tray of drinks. Twilight thanked her and sipped at what she was given. The tang revealed that it was most likely and energy drink. Didn't she drink anything else?
“How do you feel about drugs?” Rainbow asked as she sat down.Twilight nearly spat out her drink.
“Ahem. I don't do drugs.” Rainbow laughed.
“I don't mean for you, I mean as a business move. I know a girl that lives nearby, she's one of the biggest drug dealers in the city, and she hasn't given her allegiance to any gangs yet. She's addicted to her own product unfortunately, so she's really paranoid. Scared that the gangs are going to try and wipe her out and take her business. Shit, they probably will sooner or later. Offer her protection, and you could have a good business venture on your hands.” Twilight sat in silence for a few moments, thinking about the proposition.
“I don't like drugs. They do bad things to people. But they are good business if you can keep it safe from the authorities...Let me meet her, and I'll see. I don't do business with just anyone, and if she's like some addicts I've met, I want nothing to do with her.”
“Trust me, she's a bit odd, but she's smart. Always seems to know when she's in danger and she hasn't been caught yet. She's one hell of a baker too.” Twilight put down her cup in an empty space on the table. She had to start somewhere, didn't she?
Twilight again clutched the side of her seat as Rainbow Dash shot them through Ponyville Row in her car.
“Good idea leaving the kid behind, if Pinkie's in a bad mood, this could turn sour.” Twilight grimaced.
“His name is Spike. He isn't allowed near any violence, he's too young. Though I am hoping there isn't any violence. Could you drive slower, maybe?” Rainbow braked quickly, jolting Twilight against her seat belt. “Jesus, not that much!”
“Sorry, I like to drive fast. And we're here.” Rainbow pulled the car up to a small bakery on a street corner. The words “Sugarcube Corner” adorned the sign above the window. The window was filled with cakes, their icing a million different colours. Twilight had to admit, they looked delicious. “Come on, we'll see if she's in. She's not always on the shop floor.” The two women walked into the bakery, their nostrils filled with the mouth watering smell of warm cake and bread. It was late in the day, and so there was only one customer. A plump woman stood behind the counter, chatting animatedly with her customer, pointing to cakes in a book. “Hey Mrs Cake!” Rainbow smiled at the woman, heading to the counter. “Is Pinkie in?” Mrs Cake looked up, smiling at the familiar face.
“Two seconds deary,” she said quietly to her customer. “Hi Rainbow! Erm, she's in...but she's in one of her moods. She had a bad visitor today. I'd take protection with you. Um, who's your friend?” Mrs Cake nodded in Twilight's direction.
“I'm Twilight Sparkle miss, nice to meet you. Your wares look delicious, I may have to buy one on my way out.” Twilight blasted her with her best smile. Mrs Cake seemed nice enough, and it was best not to ruin relations with local businesses with unnecessary coldness. Rainbow beckoned Twilight to follow her through to the back of the shop. Once they had left the shop floor and were out of site of Mrs Cake and her customer, Rainbow pulled out a gun from the holster on her leg. Twilight raised an eyebrow. “I thought this Pinkie was your friend?”
“It's a tazer, not a gun. If Pinkie's in a bad mood, we might need it. Sometimes she gets a bit violent, and I don't particularly want to kill her by shooting her.” Twilight nodded suspiciously, and stood behind Rainbow. If this girl was violent, she'd rather the person with a weapon was ahead. The two walked cautiously up the stairs until they reached a pink door. Rainbow knocked quietly and spoke through the door. “Hey Pinkie, it's Rainbow! Can I come in?” Twilight heard shuffling behind the door and a chain being moved. The door opened a fraction, and a bright blue eye emerged through the crack. It looked to Rainbow, then found Twilight.
“Who's she?” The voice was high, but emotionless.
“This is Twilight. She'd like to talk to you.”
“Yeah, what about?” Twilight coughed and addressed the eye.
“Ahem. I'm a member of the Solar Flares, from Canterlot.” Twilight lifted up her right arm to reveal the sun tattooed on her wrist. “I'd like to talk to you about joining us.” The eye widened in terror, and the door was shut immediately.
“She's from a gang! How could you Rainbow?!” A lot of banging was heard behind the door, and Rainbow stepped back, forcing Twilight down a step.
“Get back. I don't know what she's going to do, but it doesn't sound good.” Twilight stepped back down a few more steps, Rainbow following her slowly. They looked back as they heard the door creaking. In the door frame was a young woman, her dark skin stretched over her gaunt face. Her wide blue eyes were blazing with fury. Her pink hair was poker straight, covering parts of her face. Worn clothes hung loosely off her frame, her t-shirt ripped in places, barely covering her chest. Her arms were covered with long, blue arm warmers, and in her hands was a shotgun. “Shit! Come on!” Rainbow pushed Twilight, urging her to run.
“Run run as fast as you will, Pinkie Pie will catch you still!” Pinkie wasn't far behind them. The first shot missed, sailing over Rainbows head. “Traitorous bitch!” The two gangsters ran down the stairs, Rainbow occasionally turning to fire the tazer at Pinkie. Each time she missed, both of them moving too much to get a clear shot.
“Fuck this.” Twilight stopped and turned, putting a hand inside her blazer, reaching for the gun she kept there. Instead, her fingers close on hard corners, soft pages. Her heart sank as she realised that she'd put the book from her apartment there instead. She heard the shot, saw Pinkie laugh and then fall as the tazer hit her. Twilight fell backwards, numb. Rainbow caught her and dragged her away from Pinkie's twitching body, down the stairs. The injured woman looked down and saw blood blossoming from the side of her stomach. Twilight had never been shot before. It didn't hurt as much as she thought, she pondered. But maybe that was just the shock numbing her to it. She heard footsteps behind them, and a deep voice.
“Rainbow? I heard a gun! Is Pinkie all right?”
“Pinkie is fucking insane! She's at the top of the stairs knocked out, but Twilight's been shot, help me get her to the car!”
“No, let's call an ambulance, they'll get you there quicker than you driving.” Rainbow laughed nervously.
“Faster than me? Bullshit. And we can't go to the hospital, now come on Mr Cake!” Twilight felt her legs being lifted, and her head span as the bright colours of the bakery swam in front of her vision. Suddenly she was through the door, and the cool air was hitting her. Then she was lying on soft leather, her head touching a car door. “Come on Twilight, hang in there. I'm gonna get you to safety.” Rainbow shut the door and swore softly. “Thanks Mr Cake.”
“Just get her away and safe. I'll go check on Pinkie, she'll need locked up for the night. Probably hopped up on something, she'll need to get it out of her system. I'm so sorry about this Rainbow, but you know better than to mess with her when she's like that.”
“Whatever. Just make sure she doesn't get away. I need to get Twilight fixed up. See ya. And tell Pinkie I'll come around soon to talk to her about this.” Rainbow opened the car door and slid in. “Hold on there Twilight, I know somewhere we can get you fixed up. Just, don't, die on me. Please. Oh God...” She slammed her foot on the pedal, and zoomed away from the bakery. Twilight tried to cling to conciousness, but slipped, just catching Rainbow whispering to herself.
