What Happens In Las Pegasus Stays In Las Pegasusby inside scoopChaptersCollege lifePlanes, Trains And AutomobilesStrip PokerLet the Games Begin!Round 2: Pipsqueak Strikes BackGuns And RosesLady luckCollege lifeHomework can be such a pain. Especially when you have to work to pay the high government rent. Ever since Equestria invented electricity, prices had gone up and up. Which is not good for a single collage colt living in Canterlot. And on the subject of homework, my Mayanology professor was about to heap a ton of it on me. "Can anypony tell me today's date on the Mayan calendar?" she asked Everypony knew the Equestrian to Mayan calendar conversion. you take the date, the 125th of the 6th equestrian year, and multiply it by 335.833333 to get the answer. Witch I am getting quite good at, so it only took a few seconds to calculate the numbers on my abacus. "4/19/2017. ma'am!" I answered, proud of my record calculating speed. Maybe someday I would be a mathematician, even though it was never my best subject. Years ago, Cherilee was always grinding on me for my horrible mathematics. "Very good Pip!" said Dr. Heartstrings . "Although we do not know much about Mayan civilization, we were able to figure out their basic calendar through basic artifacts recovered by Ponies who have visited their dimension. Before we leave for the semester, I have one more assignment for you all. At this point, the school bell blared like the fire alarms of downtown Manehattan. The students grabbed their saddlebags and headed for the exits, making quite the cacophony. I tried my best to avoid getting trampled by the other Mayanology majors students. My dexterous abilities never were the best, and my left frontal hoof was aching by the time i made it out the doors of the lecture hall. It was lunch break, so I had an hour to blow before journalism studies. Reading the foal free press as a colt, I realized that being a reporter was my jam! I could be like Spiderpony, going on epic adventures and investigating scandals. Hey, maybe I could even get some mares with a job like that! Even though the journalism teacher is a bit harsh, It's worth it. And even though life and success is handed to some ponies on a silver platter, I'm not that fortunate. My father was injured in a construction accident 3 years ago, and died a month later. My mother has worked her flank off, scrubbing dishes for minimum wage, just to be able to send me to Canterlot Collage, the finest learning institution in Northern Equestria. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my mum back in Trotingham. My thoughts are interrupted by the rumbling of my stomach. I know I can help dig myself out of my financial situation somehow, but not until after I have some of the collage's famous carrot cake! ================================================================================================= I had just finished lunch the next day when the bell rang again. I wiped the last crumbs off my face, and picked up my books to head over to my favorite class of the day. Walking into the hall, I quickly took a seat next to my mate, Featherweight. No surprise he is going for his degree in journalism photography. We were buddies from the start, mainly because of our small stature, and embarrassing names. I love my mum dearly, but couldn't she have come up with a more noble name, like pinto? Naming me after my fur pattern wouldn't have been that bad. Maybe I could have become a conquistador. El Pinto! Has a certain ring to it, doesn't it? I'm surprised that we hadn't had any tasks to do in physics. I got of easy today, but probably only because tomorrow was the weekend. I couldn't wait for what i had planned with Feather. We were going to the Bad Apple, a local pub that was infamous for its live performances. The owners had a hard time finding a location in such a sophisticated city, but it was well worth it, and was the meeting spot of the poorer collage crowd. My books in my saddlebag, I trudged off to Mayanology. I just had to hope that Professor Heartstrings would let us off easy. No papers due on Monday meant I received some rest and a large mug of cider this weekend. =============================================================================================== Professor Heartstrings pulled a large fishbowl out from behind the classroom's curtains. This one was filled to the brim, but the fish, water and those cute decorative plants were replaced with slips of white paper. "Now class" she announced, her authoritative voice reaching all corners of the room, " If you recall, last week we were comparing the corruptness of the mayan civilization to modern Equestrian society. In this fish, or should i say paperbowl, is the key to your next big assignment." Right then, my hopes of bar hopping and sleeping went down the tube. " On each of these pieces of paper is the name of one of our nations fine cities. You will have to go to the city you draw, 100 bits of expenses paid by the university of course, and investigate one example of corruption. I have already notified your other teachers, and they will be fine with your 1 week 'eduvacation' as I call it." she said with a light chuckle, but I wasn't happy in the slightest. "This is NOT a partner assignment..." she stated, glaring at me and feather " ...and I expect a 7 page essay on my desk at the same time next week. I will now call you up alphabetically to draw slips" Starting with Apple Fritter, my fellow classmates were called up to pull slips. Canterlot, Manehattan and Appleloosa were all drawn before it was my turn. "Pipsquek, come on up. " Lyra said. I stuck my mouth in the tank, and pulled out a crisp white slip. Sunlight danced brightly over the bold letters spelling "LAS PEGASUS" Planes, Trains And AutomobilesI laid my saddlebag as it was passed through the x-ray machine. Airport security was a major inconvenience, but the princess had to be protected at all costs, so measures were exceptionally harsh, especially in flights leaving from the capitol. Flying itself scared me, but the invention of airplanes meant that I could reach Las Pegasus in less than one day instead of the 3 it would take if i was riding the express. Plus, those trains sure didn't have those delicious peanuts that were offered for free on the planes. Seriously, those peanuts break the laws of economy. If the airlines keep giving bags away like they were Ophra Whinnyfree, then they would have been bankrupt 5 months ago. But like the airplanes and a certain Pink Element, those bags of salty joy just refused to follow physics. A grey mare wearing an Air Equestria uniform opened the boarding gate, and beckoned for us passengers to enter the white iron leviathan that would fly us to the city of dreams. Just before boarding, I manged to grab a tour guide off a nearby table, flinging a couple of bits at the stand owner. He swept them up as I lugged my suitcase into the long corridor. =============================================================================================== I had just managed to stow my bags in the overhead storage compartment when the flight attendant came. But instead of bearing peanuts as I had hoped, all she gave us was a standard airline safety message. "Thank you for flying with Air Equestria!" She said perkily. She didn't let the smile off her face, even as she talked about those little baggies that fall from the roof in movies and the fact that the seats can be used as flotation devices when we get screwed over. You'd think she was practicing her speech for Valedictorian, not a safety infomercial. if I didn't know better, I would think she was Vince's cousin. After what seemed like an eternity, she ended her speech. "We hope you have a safe and enjoyable flight today! Buckle your seat belts, as we will be taking off shortly!" "You better do more than hope, lady." I thought to myself as the plane began to taxi down the long runway. =============================================================================================== Turns out flying is not near as glorious as the Wonderbolts make it out to be. Already two hours into the flight and my plot was cramping up, mainly from our 2nd class plane seats. It was like somepony just bolted plastic chairs to the fuselage. And the peanuts were STALE! Like come on guys! You hyped it up in movies, the speech at the beginning, and even the crappy magazine in front of my chair. The least you can do is practice what you preach... or something like that. My peanut rant was interrupted by a loud ping by the loudspeakers aboard the plane. "Dear passengers, this is your captain speaking. We are about to begin our descent into Las Pegasus international airport, so we strongly suggest that you re-buckle your seat belts." "Hah! Strongly Suggest?" I thought to myself. If we didn't put on our seat belts, I bet the Captain would come out and buckle 'em himself! All of a sudden the plane lurched violently to the side. I felt my hoofs fall from under me as my head smacked the isle carpet. On second thought, maybe I should have listened to that warning. While i tried to sneak back to my seat without commanding any more attention, I happens to glace out the window. I don't know what I expected, but it definitely wasn't the huge neon city I saw spread underneath the plane window. A huge row of fancy hotels and casinos were surrounded by high profile office buildings, with residential suburbs snaking out the the very edges of the endless desert. The city was massive, and the shear amount of neon cherries and sevens almost made me go blind on the spot. It was like nothing I had ever seen. As the planes wheels hit the tarmac, I got up and reached into the overhead compartment, grabbing my saddlebag. I knew I only had one week to get my report done and have a little fun on the side, so i figured i better hurry. The plane ground to a stop, and I cantered non-nonchalant out the door of the plane, basically galloping down the boarding gate. I rushed through customs, flashing my passport at the flustered security guard, and ran out the airport front entrance. A fleet of cabs was waiting at the curb, so I opened the door of the nearest one, a white car with a flashy sign on top advertising Flim Flam Brothers Famous Cider. "To the strip!" i commanded the driver. He turned around, and I immediately recognized his sloppily shaven face, his lopsided bow tie resting on top of his barrel. "Well, if it isn't Pipsqueak." said the tan colt. "Fancy meetin' you here." "Rubber!" i exclaimed, remembering him from my days in Ponyville. His father and mine were friends from their job together, and Burnt Rubber and I had always been friends when we were fillies. But then his father was transferred to Las Pegasus, and I haven't seen him since. "So, what brings ya to this fair city?" He asked. 'Well, I'm doing a report for... "Don't bother my with your complicated school stuffs, i think you need to see the sights first. What's a trip to Las Pegasus without some good ol' gamblin!" He said. A driver behind us was honking like crazy. "Hurry up, ya nincompoops! I have someplace I have to go, unlike you, so hit it granny" "If you say so!" said Rubber, giving me just enough time to buckle my seat before he floored the car, leaving the other driver in a cloud of fumes as we speed towards the capital street of equestrian gambling. Strip PokerThe cab sped onto a wide main street, bustling with other taxis and stretch limos, lined with palm trees as far as the eye can see. It was amazing! Ponies from all backgrounds were rushing in and out of hotels and casinos of all shapes and sizes, from medieval themed, to a Manehattan-like hotel with it's own roller coaster. "You think this is amazing, just wait 'till night!" said rubber as he honked furiously at a limo driver. "Why, what happens at night?" I asked. :Well, first off, that's when I get to quit work and go to the casinos!" He chuckled. "The real action happens after eight. That's when the big names put on their special events, if you know what I mean. Golden Horseshoe resort puts on a bingo extravaganza, Celestia's palace has a magic show, and Party Bros has their famous poker tournament. If I won that, I'd be set for life. But unfortunately, those events only happen once in a blue moon" He explained. day!" "Wait, isn't that today? I bet you knew that the whole time, didn't you?" I said, pointing to a sign that said "Hold em Tournament, on Tonight." "I guess you're right." he exclaimed. "What a coincidence! Why don't we go enter tonight, just like old times." "I don't know, I only have a week..." "Just say yes!!" Rubber yelled, almost rear ending a limo. "Ok, you win this time." I gave in. "But only tonight. ==================================================================================================== "Why did I ever agree to this?" I said, as Rubber's pimped out car skidded to a stop in front of the Party Bros Ballagio Hotel and casino. "Don't ask me." said Rubber as he adjusted his hoodie and sunglasses."This is a very important event, and I'm meeting some friends, so play it cool, OK?" "I'll try." I responded, as I fastened my new shades securely on my head. As we walked into the hotel, it hit me how extravagant the structure was. The front doors opened into a spectacular lobby, with a floor made of the finest marble and columns decorated with gold leaf. Plastic plants flanked glass elevators, and six huge marble pillars framed the casino floor. A banner loudly proclaimed "Party Bros 4th Annual Hold' Em tournament: 1 000 000 Bit Grand Prize" hung over the casino entrance. "Bingo!" said Rubber. "The poker rooms!" He was right. Just behind a 2016 Mustang and about six huge banks of slot machines offing multi thousand Bit jackpots sat a sign that read "Poker Tournament Rooms". We swiftly moved past dozens of roulette tables and fountains, arriving at a door, and a pony with a black suit, headset, and a clipboard. "Y'all thinking of entering the tournament?" He said. "Could I have your names so that I can enter you into the roster?" "Sure thing!" Said Rubber. "I'm Black Magic, and this is my friend Dick Move." he answered. "Why did you lie to that pony?" I whispered to Rubber, as we walked into room 7. "And why did I get the stupid name?" Rubber ignored me, and deciding to get to know the crowd, I walked over to a pink mare in a grey suit. "No Pip! Don't!" Rubber said. But it was to late. The mare turned around, and I found myself facing the pony that was the talk of the tabloids, the daughter of one of the most wealthy ponies in all of Equestria, Diamond Tiara. Let the Games Begin!"Do I know you from somewhere?" Diamond asked me. Her beautiful, famous face stared down at me, freezing me to the core. "Well, do I?" Don't leave me waiting!" she said. My words were released, flowing like a logjam that was just un-logjamed, spurting out like the Casino's beautiful fountains. "it's such an honor to meet you ma'am, I never thought this day would come, that I would get to meet THE Diamond Tiara Rich in the flesh!" I said. "Well, don't bother me. I will have tons of time to sign autographs and all after my father kicks off this tournament.' she said in a huff, as she went behind a large curtain, blocking a stage at the front of the room. "What was all that about?" asked Rubber. "How dare you disturb her? Do you know how famous she is?" "Well, I just thought she might recognize me from when I lived in Ponyville, just down the road from her house." "That's no excuse." said Rubber. "That mare is treated like a princess here, considering her "handsome, generous" father owns half the city. Seriously, even the Mayor works for him" Rubber's rant was silenced when fireworks burst right inside the room. The show was so impressive,I thought it might have been the third coming of Trixie. A tan stallion with a red and black mane stepped into view, his tailored grey suit showing that he was a pony with both power and great taste." "Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome to the 4th annual Party Bros Hold' Em tournament! As manager of this beautiful Party Brothers Hotel and Resort, one of over nine thousand Party Bros locations, I welcome you to this prestigious event. But more importantly, i welcome Party Brothers CEO and founder, the wealthiest pony in all of Equestria, his honor, Mr. Filthy Rich!!" Dozens of security guards flanked Mr. Rich, a stallion whose extremely expensive suit and distinguished hair made everypony in the room silent. He stepped forward as one of his guards brought forth a microphone, taking a deep breath. "Thank you for the lovely introduction Mr. Wheel." he said, in his extremely manly CEO voice. "Although I may be very important, as was very clearly stated by my manager here," Rich said, as he pointed towards a blushing Mr. Wheel. "What is truly the most important to me is the satisfaction of my customers. And although I may be the richest pony in this entire nation, my real inner worth comes from making all of you happy. And so, on that note, let the 4th annual party Brothers Poker tournament begin!" Everypony cheered as Mr Rich and his guards exited, and the room was in a jovial mood as the ponies went to their respective tables. "What do ya think of that?" Rubber said. "We got to see the richest pony in the nation, the known world, right in front of us!" "Well, he just seems like everypony else." I said, as we walked towards our table. "Just a lot wealthier, and with cooler eyebrows." A crackle of the PA system interrupted our conversation. "All ponies, the dealing may now commence. Round 1 begins in 2 minutes." Rubber and I seated ourselves at the table, beside a mare with a long, blue mane and a jacket wearing stallion as well as a dealer. His name tag read Upper Hand, in bold black letters beside a Party Bros logo, clipped on next to his bow tie. Mr. Hand gave us 50 chips, 25 white and 25 red. "The reds are worth 5 bits, and the whites are 2 bits. You will have to put a white chip in at the start of every hand. After that you can bet as much as you want, or fold. Last 2 ponies with chips go onto round two." He said, as he dealt two cards to each of us. I tossed a 2 bit chip into the center, and looked at my cards. A two of spades and a five of hearts stared up at me. I began to sweat as the hooded stallion threw in a red chip. Rubber folded, but the mare stayed in, and, weighing my odds, I decided to throw in 5 bits as well. Mr. Hand turned over three cards on the table. A queen of diamonds, jack of clubs, and a two of hearts were revealed. I did a dance of happiness inside as the fact that I had a pair sunk in. But my mood soon deflated, as the stallion put 3 red chips in the pot. "How do yall like them odds?" He said in a smug tone, grinning. The blue maned mare folded, pushing her cards toward the dealer. But I stood strong, knowing somepony had to put this stallion in his place. I timidly put my 15 bits worth of chips in the center of the table. Mr. Hand revealed another card, the jack of hearts. It was my turn for betting, so I just checked, hoping my adversary would do the same. To my relief, the dark pony checked as well, as the final card was turned over. It was the 2 of diamonds! I swiftly put 5 red chips in the pot. My opponent across the table, however, just scowled and matched my bet. I turned over my cards, revealing my 3 of a kind. "Beat that!" I taunted. But the stallion kept his cool composure as he turned over a jack of spades and a queen of hearts, my jaw dropping in awe of his full house, and used his hoof to sweep his 103 bit winnings into a messy stack of red and white. "Better luck next hand!" he said with a cocky grin, as the dealer dealt our next two cards. Play continued like this, untill the blue mare had been knocked out by Mr. Jacket, and I was down to 20 bits, whist he had around 175, similar to Rubber's amount, as he was responsible with his chips, and almost always folded. Similar to the last 10 hands, we tossed in a white chip each, and looked at our cards. Receiving the queen of hearts and 7 of spades, I had slightly better odds than last round. I checked, and so did else, but then it was Rubber's turn. He shocked everypony at the table, throwing in 150 bits worth of chips in, even before the other cards were shown. I folded, of course, but the other stallion matched his bet, making the total pot 300 bits. Rubber was throwing his bits out the window, with odds like that. Mr. Hand flipped over the queen of diamonds, the queen of clubs, and the ace of hearts as well . On that note, Rubber flipped his remaining 25 bits into the middle. "All In!" He exclaimed. But his opponent just kept his expression straight, and slid the last of his chips into the pot as well. Upper Hand flipped over a 7 of clubs, and all held their breath as the final card was turned. I realized one had to win, and one was knocked out, but that the top 2 at each table advanced. So no matter what, I could plan on being in this room tomorrow, either with a friend, or an enemy. The final card was flipped, and it was the 2 of hearts. The stallion grinned as he revealed his queen of spades, and a 4 of diamonds. But Rubber just laughed, and showed the 6 and 8 of hearts. "Flush beats three of a kind, pack your bags ya sap!" He said, high hoofing me as the dealer gave us passes to the next round. We walked out of the Casino floor, lights illuminating the lobby at 2 in the morning, sad and elated ponies streaming onto the benches. "How, and why did you do that?!" I yelled at Rubber. "That last card could have sent you home! But you knew, Didn't you?" "Ya just gotta have faith Pip." He replied. "Make your decision, and commit to it." But it still seemed to me as if he was hiding something. He was texting on his phone as he walked into the elevator. We stopped on the 6th floor, and Rubber pulled out a room card. "Well, time to hit the hay, eh Pip?" Round 2: Pipsqueak Strikes BackThe room was gold from mane to hoof. The walls were a light gold, gold bed sheets lay under gold monogrammed Party Brothers Pillows. The sole window faced the hotel pool, palm trees all around, and lit by tiki lights at this time of the night. Rubber launched himself onto the bed. "Ya best git resting. Round two starts at 7 sharp in the mornin', and I still need time to get my daily tea." Taking his advice, I slid into the other bed. My eyelids were closed before I hit the pillows. ================================================================================================= The next morning, we headed back down to the lobby. Rubber headed towards the hotel cafe to get his tea, but I headed towards the table we were booked at. Another mare, this one with a fire-like yellow mane, sat across from me. The table also had an elderly stallion and Mr. Hand, all waiting for Rubber to arrive. Rubber ran into the room in a huff. "And ah though I was late!" Sliding into his stool, Mr. Hand dealt out our chips with a composed air to him. I stacked my chips, trying to appear like I had my act together, while inside I was stressed out! This was the quarter final! Thousands of chips were on the line. Our pocket cards were dealt out, and I had received the aces of hearts and spades! Yes!, I thought to myself. Time to eliminate some opponents. I bet 5 red chips. Rubber and the mare folded, but the old pony stayed in. The flop reveled a three, the four of hearts and the jack of clubs. Trying to bet the old horse out, I slid 4 more reds into the pot. This time however, he folded, leaving me with the sweet pot. ================================================================================================= Hand after hand was dealt, the money shifting between the players. Eventually, the old stallion went all in and lost, leaving it between me, Rubber, and the mare. On one hand, I had a three of a kind, and Rubber was all in. As the dealer turned over the 4th card, Rubber flinched. He coughed, and then the mare bet two chips. He coughed again. I raised the mare's bet by 6 red chips. She folded. Rubber was freaking out on his corner of the table, coughing as if he had caught a cold. We flipped our cards. Rubber had one pair, and then I realized: It was my fault! I eliminated him. But he just shook my hoof, and glanced over his shoulder. "I think we should get back to the room Pip, ah need a bite to eat." He said, looking around nervously. But I agreed with him, wondering why Rubber was trying to signal me to fold with his coughing. I very well could have lost. It was as if he knew my hand, but I didn't think it was that obvious. =============================================================================================== As we entered our room, Rubber plopped down onto the bed. "Sit down Pip, ah have somethin' to tell you." He said. I complied, sitting on the other bed. "Now, how do ah explain this? Remember my strange behavior this game?" I nodded, thinking of his coughing. "Well, you know that mare at the table, and the guy with the jacket from the first round? We are part of a, well, team ah guess. "Wait? A team? You aren't aloud to talk or anything." "Well, let's just say that we can tell what the cards are before they appear. It's called card counting." he explained. "What?! Is that legal?" "Lets just say that some other activities aren't legal either, but ponies do them anyways. We were tryin' to win the tournament, until you knocked us all out. Now we need to..." Rubber was interrupted by a banging on the door. "Room service!" said a stallion. "Ah'm sleeping!" yelled Rubber, as the horse outside walked away. "what the buck was I thinking?" "What's wrong?" I said. Rubber reared back his hoof, and punched through a painting of a mare reclining on a couch. He pulled it out, and grabbed a metal object with his mouth. "What the buck is that? What else are you not telling me?" "The room is bucking bugged!" He yelled, running towards the window. Out in the hall, I could hear ponies running. The door shook, almost collapsing inwards.Rubber jumped, crashing through the window, and falling 9 floors off the side of the building. The door was kicked down, splintering into tiny wood fragments. Standing in the frame were three security guards, all holding sub machine guns in their mouths. Right now, the window seemed like the best option. I cantered towards the cracked glass, speeding to a gallop as the guards bit down on the triggers. I could feel the bullets speeding by as a lamp exploded behind me. Only 2 meters from the gaping hole where the window used to be, I felt a sharp stinging sensation in my plot. Ignoring the pain, I took a leap of faith through the window. Nine floors below me was a roof, containing a skylight over the casino floor. Crashing through the glass, I fell onto the floor, bones crunching on impact. With blood staining my coat, I limped over to Rubber. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that we were surrounded. Guards closed in on us from all directions, speaking in their earpieces. As a guard lunged towards Rubber, he ducked, flipping the pony. Rubber then started sprinting towards a large bank of slot machines, so I followed suit. A large gray mass lunged into me from the side. I smacked the guard with my hoof, shattering his jaw. He screamed in pain as I followed Rubber through several poker rooms, ending up at another slot lobby, the highlight being a beautiful new Cowtalac car, black finish gleaming under the chandeliers, rotating on a display table. Rubber jumped into the drivers seat, and I took the back as he floored the pedal. The car's V8 engine roared as a guard yelled into his radio. Launching off it's raised platform, the car tore up carpet and sent bits flying as gamblers jumped out of the way. A guard drew his gun as we drove towards him, but it was too late. There was a large thump as he hit the windshield and slid over the car. Speeding through the lobby, we hit several shrubs when swerving around tourists. Ahead of us, large iron doors were closing the exit through the front door. "Brace yourself!" yelled Rubber as we hit the steel at 100 miles. The doors crumpled like tinfoil in front of the might of the car, and we drifted onto the strip. =============================================================================================== Mr. Wheel heard a large banging on his door. Setting his paperweights aside, he opened the large oak door, a present from the royal family when they came to the casino for a night. Outside was a security guard, sweating. "Sir, the counters have escaped. They stole a car from sector 45, and proceeded to exit the building." "So, they are out of the building? Out of the sight of the tourists?" "Yes sir." "Gather 4 dozen of your best guards, and try not to wreck the company cars. Also, ditch those pathetic guns. Take the Thompsons and M4's." Guns And RosesRubber and I raced down the strip, ignoring all traffic lights and the other ponies furiously honking at our 100 000 bit stolen sports car. While running what must of been at least our 7th red light, Rubber decided to speak. "I'm sorry about what happened back there." He apologized. "I should have told you the truth from the start. I know now that pullin' ya into this whole poker mess instead of lettin' you study was the wrong choice, and I apologize." This sort of thing is what I expected from Rubber. He was always going behind my back, trying to get me to do stuff. To be honest, it felt good to do something other than studying, but this was a bit extreme. Our car continued down the side street we had turned onto, buildings and ponies a blur as we sped by. I just had to accept that my world was changing, developing as fast as equestrian world around us. In five years, my life had completely changed, and so had the rest of the world's. Wealth was what everypony desired, and banks, casinos, and big businesses had popped up to feed that dream, the unattainable standards set by billionaire CEO's. Taxes grew higher and higher as I grew up, and my mom gave away the last of father's life insurance money so that she could give me a brighter future, . But right now, economic problems were the least of my worries. In fact, I was much more concerned about the two black cars that were following us. ==================================================================================== "Boss, don't you think that you should listen to Mr. Wheel? He said to stay back." said the grey security pony. His family had recently died, so the social services ponies took him in. At his 18th birthday, they told him to chose a casino to work for, and that the honor of working for a major company would be his present that year. He chose the Party Bros Ballagio, and today was his first day on the job. Keeping this career would allow him to get funds to care for his marefriend's new colt, as his current part time job while attending high school would not be enough. "You do what I tell you, or you get my hoof." his commander said. "Roulette Wheel said to stay back in order to lay a trap so that we can capture those counting rebels. And 'capture' them is just what I am going to do!" Following orders, the rookie guard radioed the other 5 cars, telling them to fall back and asking one for backup, but he was still unsure of his superior's judgement. ==================================================================================== We were approaching the destination indicated by Rubber's map when he noticed the ominous cars following them. "Buck! Pip, can you do something for me?" Rubber asked. "Sure thing Rubber." "Reach into the glove compartment and grab the hat in there." I followed Rubber's directions, grabbing a ballcap with the Las Pegasus Kings logo on it. Rubber reached in the hat and pulled out a small, black pistol. "Holy Celestia Rubber!! What the buck are you doing with a bucking pistol in your car!" I yelled, shocked at the prospect of my childhood friend having a killing machine in his car. Next thing I know, I'll be putting a hoof in his freezer for some ice cream and pulling out a body."What are you going to do with this? Shoot at them? I never thought you were the kind of pony to do that?" "I won't shoot a single shot at 'em." he said."You are." "What?! You are expecting me to shoot?" I exclaimed, as the cars drew closer and closer. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed that the windows of the two cars behind us were rolling down. "It's easy, just put the pistol in your mouth," he explained as I reluctantly followed his instructions."Then, cock it back with your hooves. There, that's it. Now lean out the window." I did, and noticed two shiny barrels resting on the doors of the black cars, which were only ten yards away. "Rubber, they have guns. And the don't look like pistols." I tried to say, but it must have sounded something like 'mhhm' as I had a gun in my mouth. "What!? Guns!? No fair!" he replied, miraculously understanding my statement. "Now, aim for the wheels and bite down." The wind lashed at my face as I tried to keep the firearm steady. My mane felt frozen from the breeze even though the desert was scorching. Before I could bite down on the trigger, a flurry of projectiles hit the car. The car spun out of control, Rubber struggling to keep the car from slamming into the steel warehouses surrounding this part of the road.My head smashed against the window, shattering the glass that had not been protected by rolling the window down, cutting a massive gash into my forehead. Rubber's head drove into the wheel, rendering him unconscious. I took control of the car, blood staining my coat red as the occupants of the cars behind us let loose another series of shots, ripping through the aluminum frame of the car, and breaking what was left of the back windshield. Two bits of glass embedded themselves in Rubber's stooped over flank. Our choices were very clear: die from the guards, or have the car explode as we plow into a warehouse. We were nearing the end of the road when my stupidity to do something cost me something I would never be able to regain. Another round of ammunition came hurtling into the car, biting into my left hoof and my ear, as well as the back of my seat. The cars behind us heartlessly emptied all of their cartridges into the back of Rubber's car and his body. The road ended roughly 200 feet in front of our hood, where an oil tanker was docked on a pier. The river was one of the only sources of water in Las Pegasus, and carried enough cargo to make trading Las Pegasus' second biggest source of income. But these facts did not worry me right now, as I was in a car hurtling towards a ship full of oil, with my severely injured old friend and a set of guards who were being paid to see us dead. ============================================================================================== Mr. Wheel was having a cup of tea with the owner of Celestia's Palace Casino and Resort when the guards called. "Sir, they are a heading towards a oil tanker near the docks. Do we shoot?" Roulette Wheel contemplated his choices. should he murder them now, but risk blowing up the ship? Or should he let the guards corner them and bring them here? "Who owns the tanker?" "Rich Corp, sir" "No shooting, but remember the next time I see their names, I want it to be on a tombstone." ================================ When Pip came within 100 yards of the tanker, the guards stopped shooting. Rubber groaned. "Don't slow down Pip." He said "Rubber, can't you see the ship? We will ram into that thing, and then we will all die." "I know I will die." Said Rubber, "but let me drive and I won't today." Rubber grabbed the wheel as the car we were in jumped the dock, sinking into the murky depths of the Las Pegasus river. Lady luckA torrent of water rushed in the car from the vents. The interior of the vehicle was quickly becoming a swamp, filling up past my hooves with polluted river water. I struggled to unbuckle my struggling partner. "Get up Rubber!" I yelled, "Can't you see I'm busy dying?" He groaned back. "Not today Rubber, now unbuckle your damn seatbelt." He complied, floating out of his seat in the rapidly rising waters overtaking the car. I grabbed ahead of the door handle, but the car doors wouldn't open. "Pressure, it's because of the air pressure." Rubber said. "You'll have to bust open the back window." I reared back to kick out the window, my mouth submerged. I kicked, but the glass didn't break. I tried to come up for air, but my head banged against the roof. The car was completely filled to the brim. I began to feel dizzy, realizing how easy it would be to end it here, leave behind the pain from the gunshots, the injuries and regrets of life. But then, with a final buck, the back window shattered, the last few remaining air bubbles stampeding into the river. I unbuckled Rubber, and pulled us through the broken window. I burst through the surface, bubbles coming up around me. The night air chilled me to the bone. I scanned the surrounding streets, not a car to be seen. I pulled Rubber onto the dock, checking for a pulse. His veins throbbed softly, but he didn't look like he was in that good of shape. I slapped him, hard and on the cheek. The sound resonated, echoing off the sides of warehouses. "What was that for?" Rubber yelled. "I thought you were... I mean...what happened back there? Why do they want to kill us? What's going on Rubber?" "I should have been honest with you from the start." He replied with a sigh. "C'mon, let's call a taxi, I need to get a room, and then I will set things straight." ======================================== The Silver Saddle was nowhere near as nice as the Party Brothers Ballagio, but it was something. Rubber was just washing up, and I was sitting on the bed, looking at the skyline. The place was so tacky, a gambler's heaven. It was like a flower, beautiful to attract ponies and their money. How many ponies had given their lives to construct this place? It was beyond me. Rubber got out of the shower, and sat down on the bed next to me. "Listen, I should have told ya this from the start, but Card Counting isn't the whole story." He said. " y'see, Wheel and I, the fancy pantsy casino manager, have some history. About seven years ago, I was down at the cider store. It had been a long day cab drivin, and I needed to get my mind off of things. Well, I didn't know him then, but Mr. Wheel was down at the store as well, with his wife and daughter. They were coming in just as I was driving out of the parking lot." He paused. "I was drunk, too drunk to think. I hit her, you hear me?! I killed Mr. Wheel's daughter, and I didn't realize what happened untill I was in prison, locked behind bars for 5 years." He sighed, walking over to the window. "Pip, don't ever make the same mistakes that I did. It ruined my life, and if I was Wheel, I'd want me dead too." ================================= Mr. Wheel paced around his office. In front of him were the guards he had assigned to capture Rubber and his small sidekick. The guards stood there nervously, anticipating punishment. "What did I tell you clowns about splitting up?" He yelled, clearly very stressed. "Your foolishness has cost us two very wanted ponies, and has left a black mark on the entire Casino." He said, thinking of his raise. Mr. Wheel thought he deserved another house after all this stress. "It was the rookie's fault." Said the Senior guard. Mr. Wheel walked up to the rookie. "You, my friend, you need to go down to the kitchen, and for the next five days, you guard nothing but the dishes. As for you.." He said, pointing at the Senior Guard. "I want to have a chat. The rest of you, get out of my office. I don't want to see you again untill you find those ponies!!"
College lifeHomework can be such a pain. Especially when you have to work to pay the high government rent. Ever since Equestria invented electricity, prices had gone up and up. Which is not good for a single collage colt living in Canterlot. And on the subject of homework, my Mayanology professor was about to heap a ton of it on me. "Can anypony tell me today's date on the Mayan calendar?" she asked Everypony knew the Equestrian to Mayan calendar conversion. you take the date, the 125th of the 6th equestrian year, and multiply it by 335.833333 to get the answer. Witch I am getting quite good at, so it only took a few seconds to calculate the numbers on my abacus. "4/19/2017. ma'am!" I answered, proud of my record calculating speed. Maybe someday I would be a mathematician, even though it was never my best subject. Years ago, Cherilee was always grinding on me for my horrible mathematics. "Very good Pip!" said Dr. Heartstrings . "Although we do not know much about Mayan civilization, we were able to figure out their basic calendar through basic artifacts recovered by Ponies who have visited their dimension. Before we leave for the semester, I have one more assignment for you all. At this point, the school bell blared like the fire alarms of downtown Manehattan. The students grabbed their saddlebags and headed for the exits, making quite the cacophony. I tried my best to avoid getting trampled by the other Mayanology majors students. My dexterous abilities never were the best, and my left frontal hoof was aching by the time i made it out the doors of the lecture hall. It was lunch break, so I had an hour to blow before journalism studies. Reading the foal free press as a colt, I realized that being a reporter was my jam! I could be like Spiderpony, going on epic adventures and investigating scandals. Hey, maybe I could even get some mares with a job like that! Even though the journalism teacher is a bit harsh, It's worth it. And even though life and success is handed to some ponies on a silver platter, I'm not that fortunate. My father was injured in a construction accident 3 years ago, and died a month later. My mother has worked her flank off, scrubbing dishes for minimum wage, just to be able to send me to Canterlot Collage, the finest learning institution in Northern Equestria. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my mum back in Trotingham. My thoughts are interrupted by the rumbling of my stomach. I know I can help dig myself out of my financial situation somehow, but not until after I have some of the collage's famous carrot cake! ================================================================================================= I had just finished lunch the next day when the bell rang again. I wiped the last crumbs off my face, and picked up my books to head over to my favorite class of the day. Walking into the hall, I quickly took a seat next to my mate, Featherweight. No surprise he is going for his degree in journalism photography. We were buddies from the start, mainly because of our small stature, and embarrassing names. I love my mum dearly, but couldn't she have come up with a more noble name, like pinto? Naming me after my fur pattern wouldn't have been that bad. Maybe I could have become a conquistador. El Pinto! Has a certain ring to it, doesn't it? I'm surprised that we hadn't had any tasks to do in physics. I got of easy today, but probably only because tomorrow was the weekend. I couldn't wait for what i had planned with Feather. We were going to the Bad Apple, a local pub that was infamous for its live performances. The owners had a hard time finding a location in such a sophisticated city, but it was well worth it, and was the meeting spot of the poorer collage crowd. My books in my saddlebag, I trudged off to Mayanology. I just had to hope that Professor Heartstrings would let us off easy. No papers due on Monday meant I received some rest and a large mug of cider this weekend. =============================================================================================== Professor Heartstrings pulled a large fishbowl out from behind the classroom's curtains. This one was filled to the brim, but the fish, water and those cute decorative plants were replaced with slips of white paper. "Now class" she announced, her authoritative voice reaching all corners of the room, " If you recall, last week we were comparing the corruptness of the mayan civilization to modern Equestrian society. In this fish, or should i say paperbowl, is the key to your next big assignment." Right then, my hopes of bar hopping and sleeping went down the tube. " On each of these pieces of paper is the name of one of our nations fine cities. You will have to go to the city you draw, 100 bits of expenses paid by the university of course, and investigate one example of corruption. I have already notified your other teachers, and they will be fine with your 1 week 'eduvacation' as I call it." she said with a light chuckle, but I wasn't happy in the slightest. "This is NOT a partner assignment..." she stated, glaring at me and feather " ...and I expect a 7 page essay on my desk at the same time next week. I will now call you up alphabetically to draw slips" Starting with Apple Fritter, my fellow classmates were called up to pull slips. Canterlot, Manehattan and Appleloosa were all drawn before it was my turn. "Pipsquek, come on up. " Lyra said. I stuck my mouth in the tank, and pulled out a crisp white slip. Sunlight danced brightly over the bold letters spelling "LAS PEGASUS"
Planes, Trains And AutomobilesI laid my saddlebag as it was passed through the x-ray machine. Airport security was a major inconvenience, but the princess had to be protected at all costs, so measures were exceptionally harsh, especially in flights leaving from the capitol. Flying itself scared me, but the invention of airplanes meant that I could reach Las Pegasus in less than one day instead of the 3 it would take if i was riding the express. Plus, those trains sure didn't have those delicious peanuts that were offered for free on the planes. Seriously, those peanuts break the laws of economy. If the airlines keep giving bags away like they were Ophra Whinnyfree, then they would have been bankrupt 5 months ago. But like the airplanes and a certain Pink Element, those bags of salty joy just refused to follow physics. A grey mare wearing an Air Equestria uniform opened the boarding gate, and beckoned for us passengers to enter the white iron leviathan that would fly us to the city of dreams. Just before boarding, I manged to grab a tour guide off a nearby table, flinging a couple of bits at the stand owner. He swept them up as I lugged my suitcase into the long corridor. =============================================================================================== I had just managed to stow my bags in the overhead storage compartment when the flight attendant came. But instead of bearing peanuts as I had hoped, all she gave us was a standard airline safety message. "Thank you for flying with Air Equestria!" She said perkily. She didn't let the smile off her face, even as she talked about those little baggies that fall from the roof in movies and the fact that the seats can be used as flotation devices when we get screwed over. You'd think she was practicing her speech for Valedictorian, not a safety infomercial. if I didn't know better, I would think she was Vince's cousin. After what seemed like an eternity, she ended her speech. "We hope you have a safe and enjoyable flight today! Buckle your seat belts, as we will be taking off shortly!" "You better do more than hope, lady." I thought to myself as the plane began to taxi down the long runway. =============================================================================================== Turns out flying is not near as glorious as the Wonderbolts make it out to be. Already two hours into the flight and my plot was cramping up, mainly from our 2nd class plane seats. It was like somepony just bolted plastic chairs to the fuselage. And the peanuts were STALE! Like come on guys! You hyped it up in movies, the speech at the beginning, and even the crappy magazine in front of my chair. The least you can do is practice what you preach... or something like that. My peanut rant was interrupted by a loud ping by the loudspeakers aboard the plane. "Dear passengers, this is your captain speaking. We are about to begin our descent into Las Pegasus international airport, so we strongly suggest that you re-buckle your seat belts." "Hah! Strongly Suggest?" I thought to myself. If we didn't put on our seat belts, I bet the Captain would come out and buckle 'em himself! All of a sudden the plane lurched violently to the side. I felt my hoofs fall from under me as my head smacked the isle carpet. On second thought, maybe I should have listened to that warning. While i tried to sneak back to my seat without commanding any more attention, I happens to glace out the window. I don't know what I expected, but it definitely wasn't the huge neon city I saw spread underneath the plane window. A huge row of fancy hotels and casinos were surrounded by high profile office buildings, with residential suburbs snaking out the the very edges of the endless desert. The city was massive, and the shear amount of neon cherries and sevens almost made me go blind on the spot. It was like nothing I had ever seen. As the planes wheels hit the tarmac, I got up and reached into the overhead compartment, grabbing my saddlebag. I knew I only had one week to get my report done and have a little fun on the side, so i figured i better hurry. The plane ground to a stop, and I cantered non-nonchalant out the door of the plane, basically galloping down the boarding gate. I rushed through customs, flashing my passport at the flustered security guard, and ran out the airport front entrance. A fleet of cabs was waiting at the curb, so I opened the door of the nearest one, a white car with a flashy sign on top advertising Flim Flam Brothers Famous Cider. "To the strip!" i commanded the driver. He turned around, and I immediately recognized his sloppily shaven face, his lopsided bow tie resting on top of his barrel. "Well, if it isn't Pipsqueak." said the tan colt. "Fancy meetin' you here." "Rubber!" i exclaimed, remembering him from my days in Ponyville. His father and mine were friends from their job together, and Burnt Rubber and I had always been friends when we were fillies. But then his father was transferred to Las Pegasus, and I haven't seen him since. "So, what brings ya to this fair city?" He asked. 'Well, I'm doing a report for... "Don't bother my with your complicated school stuffs, i think you need to see the sights first. What's a trip to Las Pegasus without some good ol' gamblin!" He said. A driver behind us was honking like crazy. "Hurry up, ya nincompoops! I have someplace I have to go, unlike you, so hit it granny" "If you say so!" said Rubber, giving me just enough time to buckle my seat before he floored the car, leaving the other driver in a cloud of fumes as we speed towards the capital street of equestrian gambling.
Strip PokerThe cab sped onto a wide main street, bustling with other taxis and stretch limos, lined with palm trees as far as the eye can see. It was amazing! Ponies from all backgrounds were rushing in and out of hotels and casinos of all shapes and sizes, from medieval themed, to a Manehattan-like hotel with it's own roller coaster. "You think this is amazing, just wait 'till night!" said rubber as he honked furiously at a limo driver. "Why, what happens at night?" I asked. :Well, first off, that's when I get to quit work and go to the casinos!" He chuckled. "The real action happens after eight. That's when the big names put on their special events, if you know what I mean. Golden Horseshoe resort puts on a bingo extravaganza, Celestia's palace has a magic show, and Party Bros has their famous poker tournament. If I won that, I'd be set for life. But unfortunately, those events only happen once in a blue moon" He explained. day!" "Wait, isn't that today? I bet you knew that the whole time, didn't you?" I said, pointing to a sign that said "Hold em Tournament, on Tonight." "I guess you're right." he exclaimed. "What a coincidence! Why don't we go enter tonight, just like old times." "I don't know, I only have a week..." "Just say yes!!" Rubber yelled, almost rear ending a limo. "Ok, you win this time." I gave in. "But only tonight. ==================================================================================================== "Why did I ever agree to this?" I said, as Rubber's pimped out car skidded to a stop in front of the Party Bros Ballagio Hotel and casino. "Don't ask me." said Rubber as he adjusted his hoodie and sunglasses."This is a very important event, and I'm meeting some friends, so play it cool, OK?" "I'll try." I responded, as I fastened my new shades securely on my head. As we walked into the hotel, it hit me how extravagant the structure was. The front doors opened into a spectacular lobby, with a floor made of the finest marble and columns decorated with gold leaf. Plastic plants flanked glass elevators, and six huge marble pillars framed the casino floor. A banner loudly proclaimed "Party Bros 4th Annual Hold' Em tournament: 1 000 000 Bit Grand Prize" hung over the casino entrance. "Bingo!" said Rubber. "The poker rooms!" He was right. Just behind a 2016 Mustang and about six huge banks of slot machines offing multi thousand Bit jackpots sat a sign that read "Poker Tournament Rooms". We swiftly moved past dozens of roulette tables and fountains, arriving at a door, and a pony with a black suit, headset, and a clipboard. "Y'all thinking of entering the tournament?" He said. "Could I have your names so that I can enter you into the roster?" "Sure thing!" Said Rubber. "I'm Black Magic, and this is my friend Dick Move." he answered. "Why did you lie to that pony?" I whispered to Rubber, as we walked into room 7. "And why did I get the stupid name?" Rubber ignored me, and deciding to get to know the crowd, I walked over to a pink mare in a grey suit. "No Pip! Don't!" Rubber said. But it was to late. The mare turned around, and I found myself facing the pony that was the talk of the tabloids, the daughter of one of the most wealthy ponies in all of Equestria, Diamond Tiara.
Let the Games Begin!"Do I know you from somewhere?" Diamond asked me. Her beautiful, famous face stared down at me, freezing me to the core. "Well, do I?" Don't leave me waiting!" she said. My words were released, flowing like a logjam that was just un-logjamed, spurting out like the Casino's beautiful fountains. "it's such an honor to meet you ma'am, I never thought this day would come, that I would get to meet THE Diamond Tiara Rich in the flesh!" I said. "Well, don't bother me. I will have tons of time to sign autographs and all after my father kicks off this tournament.' she said in a huff, as she went behind a large curtain, blocking a stage at the front of the room. "What was all that about?" asked Rubber. "How dare you disturb her? Do you know how famous she is?" "Well, I just thought she might recognize me from when I lived in Ponyville, just down the road from her house." "That's no excuse." said Rubber. "That mare is treated like a princess here, considering her "handsome, generous" father owns half the city. Seriously, even the Mayor works for him" Rubber's rant was silenced when fireworks burst right inside the room. The show was so impressive,I thought it might have been the third coming of Trixie. A tan stallion with a red and black mane stepped into view, his tailored grey suit showing that he was a pony with both power and great taste." "Fillies and Gentlecolts, welcome to the 4th annual Party Bros Hold' Em tournament! As manager of this beautiful Party Brothers Hotel and Resort, one of over nine thousand Party Bros locations, I welcome you to this prestigious event. But more importantly, i welcome Party Brothers CEO and founder, the wealthiest pony in all of Equestria, his honor, Mr. Filthy Rich!!" Dozens of security guards flanked Mr. Rich, a stallion whose extremely expensive suit and distinguished hair made everypony in the room silent. He stepped forward as one of his guards brought forth a microphone, taking a deep breath. "Thank you for the lovely introduction Mr. Wheel." he said, in his extremely manly CEO voice. "Although I may be very important, as was very clearly stated by my manager here," Rich said, as he pointed towards a blushing Mr. Wheel. "What is truly the most important to me is the satisfaction of my customers. And although I may be the richest pony in this entire nation, my real inner worth comes from making all of you happy. And so, on that note, let the 4th annual party Brothers Poker tournament begin!" Everypony cheered as Mr Rich and his guards exited, and the room was in a jovial mood as the ponies went to their respective tables. "What do ya think of that?" Rubber said. "We got to see the richest pony in the nation, the known world, right in front of us!" "Well, he just seems like everypony else." I said, as we walked towards our table. "Just a lot wealthier, and with cooler eyebrows." A crackle of the PA system interrupted our conversation. "All ponies, the dealing may now commence. Round 1 begins in 2 minutes." Rubber and I seated ourselves at the table, beside a mare with a long, blue mane and a jacket wearing stallion as well as a dealer. His name tag read Upper Hand, in bold black letters beside a Party Bros logo, clipped on next to his bow tie. Mr. Hand gave us 50 chips, 25 white and 25 red. "The reds are worth 5 bits, and the whites are 2 bits. You will have to put a white chip in at the start of every hand. After that you can bet as much as you want, or fold. Last 2 ponies with chips go onto round two." He said, as he dealt two cards to each of us. I tossed a 2 bit chip into the center, and looked at my cards. A two of spades and a five of hearts stared up at me. I began to sweat as the hooded stallion threw in a red chip. Rubber folded, but the mare stayed in, and, weighing my odds, I decided to throw in 5 bits as well. Mr. Hand turned over three cards on the table. A queen of diamonds, jack of clubs, and a two of hearts were revealed. I did a dance of happiness inside as the fact that I had a pair sunk in. But my mood soon deflated, as the stallion put 3 red chips in the pot. "How do yall like them odds?" He said in a smug tone, grinning. The blue maned mare folded, pushing her cards toward the dealer. But I stood strong, knowing somepony had to put this stallion in his place. I timidly put my 15 bits worth of chips in the center of the table. Mr. Hand revealed another card, the jack of hearts. It was my turn for betting, so I just checked, hoping my adversary would do the same. To my relief, the dark pony checked as well, as the final card was turned over. It was the 2 of diamonds! I swiftly put 5 red chips in the pot. My opponent across the table, however, just scowled and matched my bet. I turned over my cards, revealing my 3 of a kind. "Beat that!" I taunted. But the stallion kept his cool composure as he turned over a jack of spades and a queen of hearts, my jaw dropping in awe of his full house, and used his hoof to sweep his 103 bit winnings into a messy stack of red and white. "Better luck next hand!" he said with a cocky grin, as the dealer dealt our next two cards. Play continued like this, untill the blue mare had been knocked out by Mr. Jacket, and I was down to 20 bits, whist he had around 175, similar to Rubber's amount, as he was responsible with his chips, and almost always folded. Similar to the last 10 hands, we tossed in a white chip each, and looked at our cards. Receiving the queen of hearts and 7 of spades, I had slightly better odds than last round. I checked, and so did else, but then it was Rubber's turn. He shocked everypony at the table, throwing in 150 bits worth of chips in, even before the other cards were shown. I folded, of course, but the other stallion matched his bet, making the total pot 300 bits. Rubber was throwing his bits out the window, with odds like that. Mr. Hand flipped over the queen of diamonds, the queen of clubs, and the ace of hearts as well . On that note, Rubber flipped his remaining 25 bits into the middle. "All In!" He exclaimed. But his opponent just kept his expression straight, and slid the last of his chips into the pot as well. Upper Hand flipped over a 7 of clubs, and all held their breath as the final card was turned. I realized one had to win, and one was knocked out, but that the top 2 at each table advanced. So no matter what, I could plan on being in this room tomorrow, either with a friend, or an enemy. The final card was flipped, and it was the 2 of hearts. The stallion grinned as he revealed his queen of spades, and a 4 of diamonds. But Rubber just laughed, and showed the 6 and 8 of hearts. "Flush beats three of a kind, pack your bags ya sap!" He said, high hoofing me as the dealer gave us passes to the next round. We walked out of the Casino floor, lights illuminating the lobby at 2 in the morning, sad and elated ponies streaming onto the benches. "How, and why did you do that?!" I yelled at Rubber. "That last card could have sent you home! But you knew, Didn't you?" "Ya just gotta have faith Pip." He replied. "Make your decision, and commit to it." But it still seemed to me as if he was hiding something. He was texting on his phone as he walked into the elevator. We stopped on the 6th floor, and Rubber pulled out a room card. "Well, time to hit the hay, eh Pip?"
Round 2: Pipsqueak Strikes BackThe room was gold from mane to hoof. The walls were a light gold, gold bed sheets lay under gold monogrammed Party Brothers Pillows. The sole window faced the hotel pool, palm trees all around, and lit by tiki lights at this time of the night. Rubber launched himself onto the bed. "Ya best git resting. Round two starts at 7 sharp in the mornin', and I still need time to get my daily tea." Taking his advice, I slid into the other bed. My eyelids were closed before I hit the pillows. ================================================================================================= The next morning, we headed back down to the lobby. Rubber headed towards the hotel cafe to get his tea, but I headed towards the table we were booked at. Another mare, this one with a fire-like yellow mane, sat across from me. The table also had an elderly stallion and Mr. Hand, all waiting for Rubber to arrive. Rubber ran into the room in a huff. "And ah though I was late!" Sliding into his stool, Mr. Hand dealt out our chips with a composed air to him. I stacked my chips, trying to appear like I had my act together, while inside I was stressed out! This was the quarter final! Thousands of chips were on the line. Our pocket cards were dealt out, and I had received the aces of hearts and spades! Yes!, I thought to myself. Time to eliminate some opponents. I bet 5 red chips. Rubber and the mare folded, but the old pony stayed in. The flop reveled a three, the four of hearts and the jack of clubs. Trying to bet the old horse out, I slid 4 more reds into the pot. This time however, he folded, leaving me with the sweet pot. ================================================================================================= Hand after hand was dealt, the money shifting between the players. Eventually, the old stallion went all in and lost, leaving it between me, Rubber, and the mare. On one hand, I had a three of a kind, and Rubber was all in. As the dealer turned over the 4th card, Rubber flinched. He coughed, and then the mare bet two chips. He coughed again. I raised the mare's bet by 6 red chips. She folded. Rubber was freaking out on his corner of the table, coughing as if he had caught a cold. We flipped our cards. Rubber had one pair, and then I realized: It was my fault! I eliminated him. But he just shook my hoof, and glanced over his shoulder. "I think we should get back to the room Pip, ah need a bite to eat." He said, looking around nervously. But I agreed with him, wondering why Rubber was trying to signal me to fold with his coughing. I very well could have lost. It was as if he knew my hand, but I didn't think it was that obvious. =============================================================================================== As we entered our room, Rubber plopped down onto the bed. "Sit down Pip, ah have somethin' to tell you." He said. I complied, sitting on the other bed. "Now, how do ah explain this? Remember my strange behavior this game?" I nodded, thinking of his coughing. "Well, you know that mare at the table, and the guy with the jacket from the first round? We are part of a, well, team ah guess. "Wait? A team? You aren't aloud to talk or anything." "Well, let's just say that we can tell what the cards are before they appear. It's called card counting." he explained. "What?! Is that legal?" "Lets just say that some other activities aren't legal either, but ponies do them anyways. We were tryin' to win the tournament, until you knocked us all out. Now we need to..." Rubber was interrupted by a banging on the door. "Room service!" said a stallion. "Ah'm sleeping!" yelled Rubber, as the horse outside walked away. "what the buck was I thinking?" "What's wrong?" I said. Rubber reared back his hoof, and punched through a painting of a mare reclining on a couch. He pulled it out, and grabbed a metal object with his mouth. "What the buck is that? What else are you not telling me?" "The room is bucking bugged!" He yelled, running towards the window. Out in the hall, I could hear ponies running. The door shook, almost collapsing inwards.Rubber jumped, crashing through the window, and falling 9 floors off the side of the building. The door was kicked down, splintering into tiny wood fragments. Standing in the frame were three security guards, all holding sub machine guns in their mouths. Right now, the window seemed like the best option. I cantered towards the cracked glass, speeding to a gallop as the guards bit down on the triggers. I could feel the bullets speeding by as a lamp exploded behind me. Only 2 meters from the gaping hole where the window used to be, I felt a sharp stinging sensation in my plot. Ignoring the pain, I took a leap of faith through the window. Nine floors below me was a roof, containing a skylight over the casino floor. Crashing through the glass, I fell onto the floor, bones crunching on impact. With blood staining my coat, I limped over to Rubber. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that we were surrounded. Guards closed in on us from all directions, speaking in their earpieces. As a guard lunged towards Rubber, he ducked, flipping the pony. Rubber then started sprinting towards a large bank of slot machines, so I followed suit. A large gray mass lunged into me from the side. I smacked the guard with my hoof, shattering his jaw. He screamed in pain as I followed Rubber through several poker rooms, ending up at another slot lobby, the highlight being a beautiful new Cowtalac car, black finish gleaming under the chandeliers, rotating on a display table. Rubber jumped into the drivers seat, and I took the back as he floored the pedal. The car's V8 engine roared as a guard yelled into his radio. Launching off it's raised platform, the car tore up carpet and sent bits flying as gamblers jumped out of the way. A guard drew his gun as we drove towards him, but it was too late. There was a large thump as he hit the windshield and slid over the car. Speeding through the lobby, we hit several shrubs when swerving around tourists. Ahead of us, large iron doors were closing the exit through the front door. "Brace yourself!" yelled Rubber as we hit the steel at 100 miles. The doors crumpled like tinfoil in front of the might of the car, and we drifted onto the strip. =============================================================================================== Mr. Wheel heard a large banging on his door. Setting his paperweights aside, he opened the large oak door, a present from the royal family when they came to the casino for a night. Outside was a security guard, sweating. "Sir, the counters have escaped. They stole a car from sector 45, and proceeded to exit the building." "So, they are out of the building? Out of the sight of the tourists?" "Yes sir." "Gather 4 dozen of your best guards, and try not to wreck the company cars. Also, ditch those pathetic guns. Take the Thompsons and M4's."
Guns And RosesRubber and I raced down the strip, ignoring all traffic lights and the other ponies furiously honking at our 100 000 bit stolen sports car. While running what must of been at least our 7th red light, Rubber decided to speak. "I'm sorry about what happened back there." He apologized. "I should have told you the truth from the start. I know now that pullin' ya into this whole poker mess instead of lettin' you study was the wrong choice, and I apologize." This sort of thing is what I expected from Rubber. He was always going behind my back, trying to get me to do stuff. To be honest, it felt good to do something other than studying, but this was a bit extreme. Our car continued down the side street we had turned onto, buildings and ponies a blur as we sped by. I just had to accept that my world was changing, developing as fast as equestrian world around us. In five years, my life had completely changed, and so had the rest of the world's. Wealth was what everypony desired, and banks, casinos, and big businesses had popped up to feed that dream, the unattainable standards set by billionaire CEO's. Taxes grew higher and higher as I grew up, and my mom gave away the last of father's life insurance money so that she could give me a brighter future, . But right now, economic problems were the least of my worries. In fact, I was much more concerned about the two black cars that were following us. ==================================================================================== "Boss, don't you think that you should listen to Mr. Wheel? He said to stay back." said the grey security pony. His family had recently died, so the social services ponies took him in. At his 18th birthday, they told him to chose a casino to work for, and that the honor of working for a major company would be his present that year. He chose the Party Bros Ballagio, and today was his first day on the job. Keeping this career would allow him to get funds to care for his marefriend's new colt, as his current part time job while attending high school would not be enough. "You do what I tell you, or you get my hoof." his commander said. "Roulette Wheel said to stay back in order to lay a trap so that we can capture those counting rebels. And 'capture' them is just what I am going to do!" Following orders, the rookie guard radioed the other 5 cars, telling them to fall back and asking one for backup, but he was still unsure of his superior's judgement. ==================================================================================== We were approaching the destination indicated by Rubber's map when he noticed the ominous cars following them. "Buck! Pip, can you do something for me?" Rubber asked. "Sure thing Rubber." "Reach into the glove compartment and grab the hat in there." I followed Rubber's directions, grabbing a ballcap with the Las Pegasus Kings logo on it. Rubber reached in the hat and pulled out a small, black pistol. "Holy Celestia Rubber!! What the buck are you doing with a bucking pistol in your car!" I yelled, shocked at the prospect of my childhood friend having a killing machine in his car. Next thing I know, I'll be putting a hoof in his freezer for some ice cream and pulling out a body."What are you going to do with this? Shoot at them? I never thought you were the kind of pony to do that?" "I won't shoot a single shot at 'em." he said."You are." "What?! You are expecting me to shoot?" I exclaimed, as the cars drew closer and closer. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed that the windows of the two cars behind us were rolling down. "It's easy, just put the pistol in your mouth," he explained as I reluctantly followed his instructions."Then, cock it back with your hooves. There, that's it. Now lean out the window." I did, and noticed two shiny barrels resting on the doors of the black cars, which were only ten yards away. "Rubber, they have guns. And the don't look like pistols." I tried to say, but it must have sounded something like 'mhhm' as I had a gun in my mouth. "What!? Guns!? No fair!" he replied, miraculously understanding my statement. "Now, aim for the wheels and bite down." The wind lashed at my face as I tried to keep the firearm steady. My mane felt frozen from the breeze even though the desert was scorching. Before I could bite down on the trigger, a flurry of projectiles hit the car. The car spun out of control, Rubber struggling to keep the car from slamming into the steel warehouses surrounding this part of the road.My head smashed against the window, shattering the glass that had not been protected by rolling the window down, cutting a massive gash into my forehead. Rubber's head drove into the wheel, rendering him unconscious. I took control of the car, blood staining my coat red as the occupants of the cars behind us let loose another series of shots, ripping through the aluminum frame of the car, and breaking what was left of the back windshield. Two bits of glass embedded themselves in Rubber's stooped over flank. Our choices were very clear: die from the guards, or have the car explode as we plow into a warehouse. We were nearing the end of the road when my stupidity to do something cost me something I would never be able to regain. Another round of ammunition came hurtling into the car, biting into my left hoof and my ear, as well as the back of my seat. The cars behind us heartlessly emptied all of their cartridges into the back of Rubber's car and his body. The road ended roughly 200 feet in front of our hood, where an oil tanker was docked on a pier. The river was one of the only sources of water in Las Pegasus, and carried enough cargo to make trading Las Pegasus' second biggest source of income. But these facts did not worry me right now, as I was in a car hurtling towards a ship full of oil, with my severely injured old friend and a set of guards who were being paid to see us dead. ============================================================================================== Mr. Wheel was having a cup of tea with the owner of Celestia's Palace Casino and Resort when the guards called. "Sir, they are a heading towards a oil tanker near the docks. Do we shoot?" Roulette Wheel contemplated his choices. should he murder them now, but risk blowing up the ship? Or should he let the guards corner them and bring them here? "Who owns the tanker?" "Rich Corp, sir" "No shooting, but remember the next time I see their names, I want it to be on a tombstone." ================================ When Pip came within 100 yards of the tanker, the guards stopped shooting. Rubber groaned. "Don't slow down Pip." He said "Rubber, can't you see the ship? We will ram into that thing, and then we will all die." "I know I will die." Said Rubber, "but let me drive and I won't today." Rubber grabbed the wheel as the car we were in jumped the dock, sinking into the murky depths of the Las Pegasus river.
Lady luckA torrent of water rushed in the car from the vents. The interior of the vehicle was quickly becoming a swamp, filling up past my hooves with polluted river water. I struggled to unbuckle my struggling partner. "Get up Rubber!" I yelled, "Can't you see I'm busy dying?" He groaned back. "Not today Rubber, now unbuckle your damn seatbelt." He complied, floating out of his seat in the rapidly rising waters overtaking the car. I grabbed ahead of the door handle, but the car doors wouldn't open. "Pressure, it's because of the air pressure." Rubber said. "You'll have to bust open the back window." I reared back to kick out the window, my mouth submerged. I kicked, but the glass didn't break. I tried to come up for air, but my head banged against the roof. The car was completely filled to the brim. I began to feel dizzy, realizing how easy it would be to end it here, leave behind the pain from the gunshots, the injuries and regrets of life. But then, with a final buck, the back window shattered, the last few remaining air bubbles stampeding into the river. I unbuckled Rubber, and pulled us through the broken window. I burst through the surface, bubbles coming up around me. The night air chilled me to the bone. I scanned the surrounding streets, not a car to be seen. I pulled Rubber onto the dock, checking for a pulse. His veins throbbed softly, but he didn't look like he was in that good of shape. I slapped him, hard and on the cheek. The sound resonated, echoing off the sides of warehouses. "What was that for?" Rubber yelled. "I thought you were... I mean...what happened back there? Why do they want to kill us? What's going on Rubber?" "I should have been honest with you from the start." He replied with a sigh. "C'mon, let's call a taxi, I need to get a room, and then I will set things straight." ======================================== The Silver Saddle was nowhere near as nice as the Party Brothers Ballagio, but it was something. Rubber was just washing up, and I was sitting on the bed, looking at the skyline. The place was so tacky, a gambler's heaven. It was like a flower, beautiful to attract ponies and their money. How many ponies had given their lives to construct this place? It was beyond me. Rubber got out of the shower, and sat down on the bed next to me. "Listen, I should have told ya this from the start, but Card Counting isn't the whole story." He said. " y'see, Wheel and I, the fancy pantsy casino manager, have some history. About seven years ago, I was down at the cider store. It had been a long day cab drivin, and I needed to get my mind off of things. Well, I didn't know him then, but Mr. Wheel was down at the store as well, with his wife and daughter. They were coming in just as I was driving out of the parking lot." He paused. "I was drunk, too drunk to think. I hit her, you hear me?! I killed Mr. Wheel's daughter, and I didn't realize what happened untill I was in prison, locked behind bars for 5 years." He sighed, walking over to the window. "Pip, don't ever make the same mistakes that I did. It ruined my life, and if I was Wheel, I'd want me dead too." ================================= Mr. Wheel paced around his office. In front of him were the guards he had assigned to capture Rubber and his small sidekick. The guards stood there nervously, anticipating punishment. "What did I tell you clowns about splitting up?" He yelled, clearly very stressed. "Your foolishness has cost us two very wanted ponies, and has left a black mark on the entire Casino." He said, thinking of his raise. Mr. Wheel thought he deserved another house after all this stress. "It was the rookie's fault." Said the Senior guard. Mr. Wheel walked up to the rookie. "You, my friend, you need to go down to the kitchen, and for the next five days, you guard nothing but the dishes. As for you.." He said, pointing at the Senior Guard. "I want to have a chat. The rest of you, get out of my office. I don't want to see you again untill you find those ponies!!"
