Dry Lands

Chapter Four - Bloody Rivalry

Early next morning, with the sun shining through the window hitting his face, Five Holes awoke. He got out of the bed and made his way towards the bathroom to clean himself for the coming day. Once out, he made his way downstairs to find himself greeted by his boss Applejack, “Well morning. How was your sleep?” she asked whilst drinking, what he assumed to be a cup of warm coffee to energize her day.

Stretching himself comfortably, he told her “Yeah, thanks, it was good. Is dat coffee ya got?” She nodded and offered to get him a cup, but declined saying he’d make one himself. “So, ‘ow was your sleep?”

Finishing off her drink, and taking it to the sink she said “It was alright. Ah just been thinking about the business that happened yesterday is all.” She went to sit back down at the table, looking lost in deep thought.

Walking over to sit at the table with her, fresh coffee gripped in magic, Five Holes asked “You okay? What you thinking o’ doin’ den?” Then he slowly began to drink waiting for a response from the mare, who was oh so nice yet, at the same time, oh so dangerous as she had proven just last night.

The was small silence that took the air in the room, before she finally stood up and spoke. “Ah think we might need to hit Flim and Flam. To show em that can’t just mess with us as they please.” She started to walk towards the front room and called out “Come in here, Ah want ya to meet somepony.”

With an eyebrow raised, and his head cocked in confusion, Five Holes got up from the table quickly finishing his drink before setting it back down to follow the mare into the other room. As he entered he noticed a grey earth pony stallion with a slicked back black mane wearing a similar coat to his own. As she turned to face Five Holes, she made introductions “Five Holes, this here is Ace. Ace, Five Holes. This guy chose to join us a few weeks after you did. He says he ain’t looking for too much trouble but, he can handle himself in a fight.”

The stallion rose from his seat and went to shake his new colleagues hoof. “It’s nice to meet you sir. I’ve heard about you from Applejack herself. She say’s you’re a good stallion, and she thinks you and I together would be quite a team.”

Five Holes looked at the stallion for moment in silence. Then spoke back questioningly “Team? What’s ‘e on about? You pairing us up? What’s da occasion?”

Applejack simply explained, “Well Ah thought that, since what’s going on, it’d be better if you had someone ta work with. Things might be getting a bit more rocky and dangerous from now on. Think of this as... a promotion. Your pay’ll be better and you got your own cover. Ah’m probably going to be a bit more busy during all o’ this so you might be on your own for a bit okay. Don’t worry Ah trust you’ll do good. Don’t forget though: any information found out gets reported back to me. Ace here’ll tell ya what Ah want ya both to do first.” With that, she left the two stallions to talk and get to know each other.

Ace started in the manor of business, “Miss Applejack want’s me to accompany you to Sugarcube Corner. She said it’s the home of one of her friend’s as well as a speakeasy of ours.”

Five Holes paused taking note of his new partners accent, he asked him “Where you from?”

Confused by the question, and its relevance of it, Ace answered with a question of his own, “Forgive me, but, I don’t quite understand as to why that is of any importance. Is there some reason you wish to know?”

As apologetic as he could he told him “I don’t mean no offense ta ya o’ course. I just wanna know abit ‘bout ya is all.”

Quickly Ace responded, “Ah. Sorry for the confusion. I live in Canterlot, or lived really as it were, and quite like to dabble in a fine bit of apple cider now and then. However, when princess Celestia brought the new laws forbidding the sale of cider I was quite displeased with the matter. I have never been one for openly attacking others with violence. Although, I did used to handle in managing a certain mare in Canterlot who was a great musician. Still is, if I may say so.”

“Wow.” Five Holes said simply, “Dat’s quite a bit dere ain’t it. Well, ‘fore ya ask, I don’t come from Equestria, but I did move here. I used to live in Manehatten, nothing fancy just some apartment, but my past weren’t so good. I used to steal from places from time to time; jewelry shops, shopping centers, convenience stores, ya know places dat had money or, places dat had stuff worth selling. I also used ta have a bit of a gambling problem... one too many losses got me an’ a mate in some big trouble. I ain’t heard from ‘im since, but ‘e’s a good guy I reckon ‘e’s alright. We split up. I started roaming from place to place, used ta drink a lil’ too much but, I got over dem demons. I came ‘ere ta Ponyville, then the whole laws came on by. One night, about a month ago, I came across Applebloom, who was in a spot o’ trouble. I ‘elpped ‘er out and bought ‘er back ‘ere. Applejack was pleased. As were Grannysmith and Mac o’ course.”

Before Ace could say anything he quickly added, “Da reason why I was so open with ya just now is ‘cause if ya joined this business, I reckon ya ain’t so good yaself. So ya can’t really judge me can ya.”

Casually Ace responded with “Well of course not. I chose this new life by my own will, did I not? I thank you for being so open with me. I think it is best you know that, during my fairly short time in this operation, I have been in a few firefights, if you will, and if I may say so, I’m quite good at what it is I do. Suffice to say, I’m still here and those who I have fought, are not.” ending his statement with a smirk he said, “Shall we make our way onwards then?”

In a cool, calm manor, Five Holes said, “Yeah, sure. Let’s get moving.” As they started to leave the sweet apple farm behind them, he asked his new partner, “So, why Sugarcube Corner? Is something happening there?”

Without looking behind him, and focusing on his path, Ace simply told him “Not exactly. I think the promotion Miss Applejack was telling you about was protection. So, we go in, make sure everything is fine and dandy, if need be rough a few ponies up, leave when the bar closes.”

Responding with a simple hum they both continued along to their destination, paying no mind to their surroundings, and keeping quiet for the rest of the journey.

******

Arriving at Sugarcube Corner, Five Holes knocked, and upon being recognized by Mrs. Cake both mafiosos were granted entrance inside. “Hello Five Holes! How are you? Who’s this with you? We’re not meant for a delivery just yet?” Mrs. Cake threw many a questions towards the stallion before her.

Calmly he responded, “‘Ey Mrs. Cake, I’m good thanks. ‘Ow are you? Dis is Ace, me new partner Applejack assigned ta me. I know ya ain’t got no deliveries today but, well, we’re your protection Applejack sent.”

With a shocked look on her face, she asked, slightly worried “Oh, I’m, um, fine thanks. Only two of you? I’ll be honest I expected more. Are there any more?”

With a grin and chuckle Five Holes joked “Oh c’mon Mrs. Cake, don’t ya trust AJ? You don’t reckon we’re good enough do ya?”

Feeling a little more she laughed “Oh of course you’re good Five Holes, and yes I trust Applejack’s jugement. If she thinks you two are enough then that’s okay.”

She walked off behind the bar to serve ponies waiting whilst some sat down at tables in the main room. The two soldiers moved around casually keeping an eye on the ponies around the room “‘Ey Ace, stand by the door and check any pony who comes in yeah? Ain’t no pony aloud a weapon ‘sides us two or our own, got it?”

Ace nodded and proceeded towards the entrance. Five Holes took in the scene around him, classic jazz was playing on a nearby jukebox, with ponies all around drinking cider and laughing and joking. Some sat together tell jokes to their friends, others sat alone wanting to find escape from the day at the bottom of the bottle. Feeling the urge for a drink himself, Five Holes was quickly brought to attention when he heard Ace call him over, “Five Holes! I’m going to need you to come over here, please!”

Five Holes made his way over instantly and met his partner and with a stallion in a dark brown trench coat wearing a matching fedora at the door. Recognising the look, he decided to be calm and cool about the situation. “What’s da problem Ace?” keeping eye contact with the stallion.

“Well this pony here seems to think I have absolutely no in searching his person.” Ace informed him.

The stallion before them looked at each sharply, sizing them up. Suddenly, from behind them, screams and shouts from the ponies within the bar were heard, catching the attention of both who proceeded to spin around. In front of them a stallion was holding a mare in his right foreleg around the neck, hostage. He had a small revolver in his mouth pressed against the back of the mares head.

Both stallions pulled out their guns, Ace holding his in his mouth, and Five Holes using his telekinesis, they aimed at the pony. Behind them they heard the click of a pistol being cocked, Ace turned around and aimed at the pony who he was previously about to search. Still looking forward towards the initial target, Five Holes reasoned “Alright, let’s not do anything stupid yeah? I doubt you wanna die. Let ‘er go yeah? Maybe then we can talk about this whole misunderstanding?”

The stallion ignored the request and push the revolver against the mare more, causing her to look at the floor. “Right. ‘Ave it your way.” and with that Five Holes pulled the trigger of his gun hitting the stallion in his foreleg causing him to fall, release his hostage -who proceeded to scream and fall to the floor herself- and fire his weapon into the ceiling harming no pony.

At the time Five Holes fired his shot, Ace proceeded to fire his gun into the head of the stallion in front of him killing him instantly. However, as he did so, the stallions gun fired and hit Ace in his left shoulder, causing him to fall and wince. “Shit!” He shouted as hit the wooden planks beneath him.

Five Holes turned around quickly after hearing both bodies hit the floor, but was motioned by Ace, who was gritting his teeth, to carry on over to the other one he just shot. He ran over to the wounded stallion and put a hoof on the leg he had just shot, making the stallion take a sharp breath in. “Right listen ‘ere! You try anything you’re dead, got it!” he told the stallion, with his gun trained on his head. The stallion did nothing but lay there groaning from the pain. “Right. I’m taking him in the back room. You okay there Ace?” He asked his partner waiting for a response.

“I’ll be fine. Just give me a rag to wrap around this and we’ll move on to business shall we? I’m tougher than may think.” Was the reply he gave.

With a slight sigh of relief, Five Holes holstered his gun and used his magic to lift the stallion into the kitchen behind the bar. He set a stool up and placed the stallion in front of him. “So. Tell me: why you ‘ere?” Five Holes asked the stallion.

The pony’s response was to spit on the floor and growl nastily back, “I ain’t gotta tell you shit, Apple!”

Rounding up on him, looking at the floor Five Holes tutted, “Opps. Dat looked like a mistake. It ain’t my floor really, but that ain’t very ‘ygienic now is it?” and lifted his right foreleg and threw his hoof in the face on the pony on the stool sending him to the ground, then spat on him. “You think I’m playing a fucking game?! I know who you work for prick! Flim, Flam, why’d dey send ya?!” He asked threateningly.

The stallion looked up at him glaring and said “You may as well put a bullet in me. Like I said: I ain’t tellin’ you shit.”

With an exasperated sigh Five Holes told him “Wrong answer mate.” and kicked him the stomach, making him reel and cough, spluttering up some blood. “Look, I don’t wanna kill ya okay. Ya gotta understand though; this is da business ya chose. You knew the risks. Well, if ya just tell me why you’re ‘ere you can get on ‘ome. Sound good?”

Looking back up glaring, then down again, the stallion sighed “Fine! Fine. They thought it’d be easy to ruin the Apple Family operations by getting rid of their bars, weakening them making them focus on here. That way they could attack the Orange Family in Manehatten taking the town for themselves. Happy?”

“Yeah, dandy.” Five Holes told him, pulling his gun out and cocking it, training it on the head of the pony on the floor.

Looking shocked the pony protested “What?! I thought you said I’d be free to go?! I ain’t lying! They’re looking to start a war, alright! You snake!”

“Dis coming from the guy dat was gonna shoot an innocent mare in the back of the ‘ead not ten minutes ago? Fuck off.” and with that, he pulled the trigger killing the defenseless pony on the floor, watching his life seep from the wound he just created before holstering his gun.

Ace limped in the doorway looking at the body on the floor, “Well? Did he saying thing Miss Applejack would find interesting?”

Turning around to meet Ace slowly he answered, “Yeah. Looks like we at war.” Then walked past him, and told Mrs. Cake, “Close up. Don’t no pony wanna drink after this. We’re going back to AJ, tell her what happened.” Mrs. Cake nodded and told everypony to leave, who all complied with the request.

After both Soldiers walked out, Five Holes asked, “You alright? We can’t really take ya ta da ‘ospital now can we?” Looking at the bloody rag wrapped around his new partners shoulder.

Waving him off with a forehoof he told him “Don’t worry about this. From the question you asked though, I suppose you don’t know of Nurse Redheart. Well, if you do get unlucky, as I have, then when you go to the hospital ask for Nurse Redheart. They won’t ask anything, or do anything.

With a nod, Five Holes affirmed he would remember that helpful piece of advice, and the two walked on until they came to a split in the road. “Alright, well thanks Ace. I ‘ope it turns out all good for ya. It was nice working with ya yeah.”

Ace chuckled and put his good leg over Five Holes shoulder like a brotherly hug, “Yes, it was quite an adventure today, was it not. Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be as fit as a fiddle in no time. Give Miss Applejack my regards, yes? Oh, and of course: have a safe journey back to your room Five Holes.” He then smiled and walked off leaving Five Holes to his own path home.

******

On his way back home, Five Holes started planning out the next day. Alright. I gotta tell AJ what ‘appened at the bar. Let ‘er know we gotta plan for war. Dese guys obviously ain’t nice. I might ‘ave to get meself something bigger than this pistol... and some more mags for this while I’m at it. I can’t keep relying on AJ for spare mags, I gotta ask her where to buy some from. Ain’t like I’m running low on cash. I wonder how long before Ace’ll work wit’ me again? If we are fighting this war, I’d rather us hit dem hard. Show em dey can’t just mess with us like dat. Tomorrow’s gonna be long.... and the day’s coming. Shit, blood’s gonna be raining. Well, I chose this life. Best stay strong. First thing tomorrow: Applejacks.