5 - A Ruff Bunch of Crooks

"Ooh..." Fido growled, giving the white mare's hair a stroke with his sharply-clawed dirty paws. "I found a pretty pony!...Have I seen you before?"

"Leave me alone this instant, you ruffian!" Rarity cried.

"That was an awesome pun," I grinned, "but on a more serious note," I thrust the Power Hoof forward, "she's right. And if you don't..." I drew the hoof across my neck and threw it away from me. "...that's what'll happen."

Rover and Spot leapt from the bush, joining Fido. Rover shoved Fido aside, asserting his place as leader of the trio. As Fido picked himself up off the floor, Rarity stepped back, parallel to me. Our bodies brushed a little. "So, do you guys need an extra-large beating? I've got an order down for it," I smirked. "That was you, right?" The dogs scowled back, unsure of how to reply...until Rover stepped forward mightily.

"We're your rival company, pony scum. We've got supersize helpings ready to dish out free of charge!"

"Yeah, free of charge!" Spot sneered, copying Rover like a playground bully's crony.

"Rarity, I'm guessing you want to step back. Feel free," I smiled kindly.

"They don't call me the Element of Generosity for nothing," Rarity scowled at the dogs. "I've got something to give you. Want to guess what it is?" She swept back her navy mane and leapt at Rover with a vigorous fury I had seen very little of before. Rover got knocked back, dazed, by her strong hoof. A tiny whine escaped his attacker at the disgusting dirt that had accumulated on her hoof. "Don't worry, Rarity," she muttered to herself. "It'll be worth it in the end." She stepped back, waiting for me to make my move.

Shocked and stunned at the defeat of their leader, Spot and Fido leapt at me, fists out. I stepped back and watched them crash into each other, readying my hooves. One...two...three... I threw each of my hooves into each dog's forehead. They hit the floor, sounding fairly dazed.

I checked Rover's body for any signs of breathing, and it looked like he was knocked out. "That'll do. I can't kill, it isn't in my nature at all..."

"But won't they still be a threat alive?" Rarity spoke quietly, knowing that what she said sounded fairly sinful.

"Perhaps. We can deal with them though, right?" I gave her a confident smile, offering her a brohoof. She looked into my eyes, returning the brohoof...

"Oh, um...Rarity?" I couldn't think of anything to say. She'd taken my hoof in hers. "I appreciate it, and I would if I could, but...I'm so sorry, I can't..." I sighed, looking down. I'd just slipped such a great opportunity...but she'd started so soon...My mind couldn't handle the pressure.

"Thank you for saving me," she said. I couldn't detect any scorn in her voice. "I'm so sorry, Game Changer...I wasn't thinking, I haven't even known you that long, I'm just..." She also sighed, "...a bit caught in the moment, that's all."

I rested a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "It's fine, don't feel hurt. Feel confident, Rarity. Perhaps your time will come later?" I gave her a wink. "Let's move on."