Dry Lands

Chapter Five - A Failing Crest

As morning came to greet a slightly worried Five Holes, the stallion arose and made his way to the one of the bathrooms on the ground floor of the inn at which he currently lived. After cleaning himself and putting on his coat from his wardrobe, then retrieving his pistol from the table end, the stallion made his way out of the inn, and set onwards to speak to his boss. Alright, I gotta let ‘er know what ‘appened at da bar yesterday. I guess it ain’t all quiet anymore, and it’s probably just gonna get louder.

With the incident which occurred along with the information received, he knew no good would come off of the news he bore. Thinking of what could, and may happen he stayed strong inside, preparing himself for the coming storm.

******

Arrive at the apple farm the mafioso soldier walked up to the front door and knocked awaiting for an orange mare or red stallion to greet him. The former opened up and greeted him with a smile on her face, offering him to step inside, which he did.

Once in, he motioned for the mare to sit with a look of worry on his face, and explained to her what had happened. He told her of the attack attempt at the bar, and that the pair responsible for it were situated in a town which was an hour train journey away.

Angrily the orange mare, his boss, told him “Well then. It sounds ta me that they want try and rule not only Manehatten, but Ponyville as well. They couldn’t win this country town in fair compatition so they wanna take it by force. Well they got themselves another thing coming. I want you go and check out one of our apple storehouses okay. I want you to go there and see how the ponies are. See if there’s anypony acting suspicious, for all we know we could have a rat. We don’t need no vermin in this here Family, ya hear me.”

Getting up and walking over into frontroom, the stallion stayed seated in the kitchen waiting for her return, which was swift. In her return she carried a large firearm, with a sling around it, in her mouth and placed it on the table in front of her soldier. “This here is a fully automatic submachine gun. They call it a “Johnson .45”. From the name, you can tell it uses the same ammunition as your pistol. However, this can fire a lot faster than you can pull the trigger on what ya got at the moment, and it holds up to fifty rounds a drum mag, the circular magazine it has. Although, it is a lot less accurate but I reckon you ain’t gotta worry about that.” She paused and pushed the gun towards him motioning him to take it.

Five Holes enwrapped the gun his magic and slung the sling around his neck so he didn’t have to hold it constantly. Applejack then informed him “Now, Ah sent five of our ponies to meet ya there. You’ll gonna arrive at nightfall. More specifically around 1100 hours. Alright? The reason why is because; you don’t exactly wanna be seen with that on you do you, and most ponies are in the homes sound asleep in their homes, no where near the storehouse. Also, I’ve informed the ponies I’ve sent that you’re a made stallion.”

Confused with an eyebrow raised, Five Holes opened his muzzle to ask “Huh? But-” However was quickly cut of by the mare raising her forehoof.

“Now, we normally have a formal meeting to make you a made stallion.” She informed him. “However, there’s no time for that, and I trust you enough to skip that stage on this occasion so you got some ponies at your disposal. Get to know em or not, thats your call, but don’t don nothing to brass with my acknowledgement first, ya understand?”

Nodding his head he told her, “Yes, Applejack, thank you. I appreciate this trust you’re giving me. I’ll be sure to meet them, and look the place over, making sure everything goes ok.”

She nodded back approvingly. Both of them rose and stayed around the house on the farm yard waiting for the time to come.

******

As nightfall arrived, Five Holes made his way to the Apple Family’s apple storehouse. Okay, so I got my own soldiers now. I’m more of a sergeant now, which is nice. Gotta do dis right. Make sure everything goes smooth. First sign of trouble, we let ‘em ‘ave it.

As he came towards the entrance of the storehouse he noticed one of the worker ponies, in his grey overall uniform with a brown flat cap on top, having a cigarette break and giving a nod towards Five Holes, who returned the gesture.

******

Opening on of the large wooden doors to the storehouse, Five Holes noticed ponies, in the same grey overall uniform, moving crates about and unloaded barrels of apples into more crates, whilst others moved other crates to the back end of the warehouse loading them onto carts to be pulled away towards the distillery where they would then be converted to cider for selling. As looked ahead, he saw five ponies talking to each other, two earth ponies, a mare and stallion, a unicorn mare, and two stallion pegasi, all wearing the same black coat with white shirts and black ties like his own.

He walked up to meet and greet them, waving a forehoof at them he said, “‘Ey, I’m Five Holes. I’m da one charge of this alright. Applejack put me in charge o’ you lot. Now, I want good relationships wit’ ya all. So, let’s meet an’ greet yeah?”  Taking note of the two earth ponies, he noticed the stallion was none-other than, “Ace? It’s nice ta see ya again!” He announced cheerfully. “You sure healed up quick.”

Chuckling, and nodding at his superior, he told him “Well Nurse Redheart does a wondrous job, if I may say so, and it is quite nice meeting you again as well sir.”

“Yeah it’s great, and dat’s wonderful news. Glad to hear it.”

Five Holes then looked at the earth pony mare gesturing for her to speak, “My names Rattle sir, don’t ask. I never did.” Chuckling awkwardly, she continued, “I actually live here, and although I never met Miss Applejack personally, I know shes a good trustworthy mare, and that’s why I wanted to work for her Family.” The teal coated mare with purple mane bowed her head at her new sub leader, then looked at him and presented a smile.

“Well it’s nice ta meet ya Rattle. Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna ask if ya don’t wanna talk ‘bout it.” Laughing to relax her, he then added, “Oh, and don’t worry ‘bout dese formalities, we all ponies here right?” He then looked at the two pegasi.

One of the stallions started with “Ah’m Plugger, and this heres, Eight Ball,” he pointed a hoof at the other pegasus next him and continued, “Ah was bought up on a farm not too far from Ponyville called Golden Apple Orchards.” He announced proudly. “However, it ain’t as well known as Sweet Apple Acres, so, I chose to work with the apples to earn a bit o’ extra money. Our orchard ain’t as large as the Apples is, and they don’t need no more apples so they wouldn’t buy none. Although, I was offered this job instead an’ I took ‘em up on da offa.” The whited coated pegasus with red mane looked at his friend to speak.

Looking up at his new boss, Eight Ball finally spoke, “Well ya know my name, and I been talkin’ ta dese lot ‘fore you showed an’ got ta know em. Well I comes from Manehatten. I lived in da ghetto out der, and it ain’t no fun.” Pausing a second him added, “Dis ain’t no fun eitha, but it pays, and it’s betta dan workin’ wit’ dem damn Brothers who are trying ta rule da place. I coulda worked for da Oranges instead. ‘Owever, I thought dat workin’ wit’ da Apples was da smarta choice. It’s safer out dis way.” The rust coloured, brown maned pegasus finished his story there.

Lastly, Five Holes looked at the dark green coated unicorn who had a grey mane and said, “So, another unicorn yeah? Well, looks like we got ourselves two of each huh?” Chuckling to himself the said “So why don’t ya tell ourselves who you are eh?”

The unicorn started off, “Well my names Snake Eyes. I used ta run a bar, but ta be honest with ya, dis pays better. So, here I am. Oh yeah, I also come from Manehatten, and Eight Ball’s right; them two brothers are a pair of pricks.” She snarled as she recollected, “Why, when I lived back dere, dey took out ma bar just ‘cause I wouldn’t buy what dey were selling! Dey burnt da whole place down. So dey can stick deir cider where da sun don’t shine for all I care.”

“Well,” Five Holes spoke to all them, giving out his instructions, “now dat we all know each other, I want ya’ll ta go ‘round ‘n’ see what’s what, yeah? Talk ta da ponies in ‘ere yeah? See if ya notice anything suspicious. If ya do, come see me. Then we’ll deal with it. Get moving.”

As they all departed in their own directions, Five Holes turned around and noticed ten ponies, all dressed in a blue uniforms with matching blue hats and badges planted firmly against their chests, he stood firm waiting.

The one leading them, he presumed their chief, walked up to him and asked “So, what you boys doing here huh?”

Calmly and cooly, Five Holes responded with, “Well, officer, if ya don’t me askin’, what are you doing ‘ere? Ain’t you lot meant ta be in Manehatten?”

The police pony told him straight “We’ve been told to come here and check out this building on good account that it’s being used to store cider, and we don’t want that now do we. So, if you don’t mind, may we look inside one of these crates.”

Knowing it wasn’t really a question, and more a demand, the mafia sergeant allowed them to look inside a few crates. After finding nothing but apples the chief asked “Where’s the cider, and don’t fuck me about boy.”

With a slight flair of his nostrils, Five Holes told him “Dere ain’t none. Dere’s only apples ‘ere as you plainly see. So, if ya don’t mind sir, I’d appreciate it if you would kindly leave. Unless you ‘ave a warrant?” He threatened.

Taking note of the SMG he had around him, the officer inquired, “What’s with the gun? You got a license for that do ya?”

Attempting to keep his cool, Five Holes lied, “Can’t be too careful nowadays can ya? All these mafias popping up outta da woodwork. Dunno when dey’re gonna try an’ rob ya. I do got a license as well yeah. It’s in da office though-”

Before he could finish what he was saying, a pony shouted out “‘Ey! Flim and Flam wanna give ya deir regards!”

Everypony stopped and looked towards the light green unicorn, whose magic held a work pony in grey overalls lifeless, his still lit cigarette falling out of his mouth onto the floor. He then let the body fall to the floor and used his magic to swing his Johnson .45 around, whilst the ten other ponies proceeded to draw their automatic firearms and pump action shotguns as well, all aiming in front.

Out of instinct, Five Holes turned around and ran up the metal stairs leading into an office with glass windows looking out over the warehouse, whilst also shouting out, so that everypony may hear, “Fuck! RUN! Dey got guns!”

Rat ta ta ta ta ta ta ta tat

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The sound of the shotguns and machine guns, rang out all over the warehouse, causing all of the unarmed workers to flee in panic. The police ponies in front tried to react, but failed, all of them getting mowed down by the gangster ponies in front of them, almost instantly. All ten of them hit floor, almost together, as the very liquid which gave them life, now seeked to escape on the cold factory floor.

Five Holes took cover in the office holding his gun up and smashing the window with it, then pointed it down to where he remembered them being and opened blindfire.

Rat ta ta ta ta ta tat

All of a sudden one the other windows were shot open, but to his relief, it was Eight Ball. The pegasus flew in next to his boss and pick up his own .45 SMG, resting in on the edge of the window for some stability whilst he aimed at some of the gang ponies who had, by now, taken cover behind some of the crates.

Rat ta ta ta ta tat

As he fired, one of the opposing mafia members had peeked up from the crate and a stray bullet went through his head killing him instantaneously. Once the pony next to the, now dead, partner of his, he whistled, gaining the attention of some of his comrades and pointed up to the window where three of the gang ponies toting their automatic firearms open a hail of bullets.

Before he could duck down, a stream of lead tore through his upper chest and face. His body hit the floor, but he was still alive, but he was surely dying. Five Holes quickly crawled over to him and held him in his hooves, “Shit! Eight Ball, ‘ang in there buddy c’mon!”

Coughing up blood wheezing, Eight Ball slowly replied “-cough- S-sorry b-boss... -cough- -cough- ahhhh, I gots... one o’ dem... bastards...” breathing slower he said “Just... promise me... one thing -hack- erugh... kill dem fuckers....” With his last breath leaving him, his head back, hanging in his recently new boss’s hooves.

Putting down his new (now newly deceased) soldiers body, he ran back and grabbed his gun with his magic, spraying bullets down upon the warehouse hoping to hit anything or anyone, whilst shout out to them in anger “C’mon you fuckers! Ya want dis place so bad!? Ya gonna ‘ave ta take it from me bloody dead hooves!”

Rat ta ta ta ta tat

Just as he started firing the other gang ponies started taking cover and blind firing in his direction, down the other end of the hall shots were being fired towards the entrance at the rivals.

A unicorn mare was firing off a shotgun of her own.

BANG! BANG!

The pellets from the shells peppered the crates at the other end from her. From above, Five Holes shouted down to her, “Snake Eyes! Down dere!” and he pointed to a pony in a brown trench coat to the right of her a few feet forward. As he laid down cover fire for her, she trotted forward fast and swung the barrel of the shotgun in the face of the gang pony in cover.

Paralyzed from shock, the rival soldier stood there and dropped his weapon before the mare unloaded a 12 gauge shell in his face, tearing his head from his body and covering her in gore. She quickly dove behind one of the crates and pumped shells into the gun.

Suddenly, one of the opposing mafia ponies pulled a cider bottle with a rag in it, whilst the pony next to him pulled out a box matches and lit the rag. The pony threw bottle of fire in the direction of Snake Eye’s, the bottle shattering on the wooden crate causing it to catch alight. Screaming from the sudden change of temperature upon her back, the mare jumped out from her cover, causing her magic to implode, dropping her gun on the floor.

As she jumped out, one the shotgunners fired at her, catching her in the side. The pellets of the shell tore a chunk of her side off making her fall in pain screaming, bleeding out heavily. However, before her killer could get back in cover, Ace, who was making his way up to the office where Five Holes was, fired a round from his pistol hitting his target in the head with marksman precision, having his target fall lifelessly to the floor, before continuing to his boss, and his friend.

As the fire started to spread, the other pegasus who was still alive, Plugger, flew forward and opened fire with a machine pistol catching the pony who threw the molotov in the shoulder dropping him to the ground momentarily.

One the SMG wielding mafia ponies fired up at the pegasus catching his right wing, causing him to drop to fire below him. As the ex-farmer fell and landed in the hot flames underneath, he rolled onto the floor off of the crate and rolled around screaming in agony as the flames consumed his flesh and coat slowly.

Focusing on the remaining ponies, Five Holes was still having bad luck catching a target as Ace came up behind him. “Hello sir.” He greeted as he spat his pistol out of his mouth. “It seems we are losing this fight, if you don’t mind my saying that is sir. Might I recommend we run so we may retrieve reinforcements?” Ace asked a slightly angry Five Holes.

Still focusing on the ponies below him, he snapped back at his formal friend “Fuck dat! Dey killed Snake Eyes, Eight Ball, and Plugger! I don’t wanna let dese pricks leave ‘ere alive!”

Somehow keeping his calm head in the situation, Ace responded “I understand sir. I do, but, there is no one way we can win this fight. Also, the smoke from the fire seems to be rising up, I doubt they can see you now, and it’s only going to rise. If you stay here, I think you succumber to the smoke.”

Reluctantly, Five Holes relented, “Fine! Fine!” then calming down slightly he told him “You’re right. You’re right, Ace. We won’t do nopony any good up ‘ere.” Then remembering the other surviving pony of his he quickly asked “Shit! Wheres Rattle?!”

Looking out through one of the back windows, Ace noticed Rattle letting out hopeful shots in the direction of their assailants, and told his boss, “She seems to be alright, sir. Perhaps if we were to leave now through the back door over there,” as he pointed to a small metal door with square fireproof window next to the large metal shutter, “she may survive. I don’t think she has any intention of leaving without your say so sir. I heard she’s actually one of the newest recruits.”

“She is? Well, fuck, let’s get down dere and tell ‘er to get out wit’ us!” Five Holes commanded. Both stallions ran down the backstairs of the office and made their way to Rattle, Five Holes leaving his new SMG behind. The earth pony mare starting to cough on the smoke as it coated the whole storehouse. “Rattle!” called out Five Holes.

Turning around, Rattle noticed her unicorn boss, and Ace with him, waiting by the door through the haze of the fire. “Yeah boss?!” She called out to him. Through the smoke she could just make out Five Holes waving his forehoof to her, motioning her to come over to him. As she did, he told her to get out with Ace behind her.

Closer than they were before the fire had stolen their vision they heard from behind them “They could be escaping through the back! Get out and get round there! I’m gonna push forward! GO!”

With haste, both Ace and Rattle ran out of the door as they heard four hooves galloping towards them. Just as Five Holes was about to exit, he turned around and noticed a hazy figure in the smoke. Pulling out his pistol he aimed but, the other stallion saw him first and fired a burst from his auto .45 and caught Five Holes in the left foreleg. However, through sheer luck, his shot still found his target, and through the flames, he saw the mark fall. He chose to run out before the flames caught him, making his victory only a pyrrhic one at best.

******

Outside, coughing, Five Holes gave his orders to Ace and Rattle, “Ace! -cough cough- Take Rattle -cough- to someplace safe, alright?” Spitting the blackness of the smoke inhalation out, he continued, “Don’t worry ‘bout me or me leg, okay? -cough- You two get somewhere safe, I’m gonna try and get back to Applejack alright? She ‘as ta know ‘bout dis.”

With concern in his voice, Ace asked him “But, sir, are you sure-”

Cutting him off, Five Holes repeated, “Go! Get somewhere safe, an’ before you say something,” holding his weak hoof up, pointing it to Rattle, “You go with ‘im alright? ‘E told me you’re only a newbie in dis game. So, ‘fore you say something stupid, just go wit’ ‘im ‘cause your boss said so, yeah?

Both earth ponies stayed silent, nodding. As they took off in one direction, Five Holes limped away in the opposite. Off towards Applejack.

As he got halfway from the burning storehouse, he heard voice behind him shouting, “Over there! Dat one! He’s limping, he musta been one o’ da ones who started the fire!”

Looking behind he saw four police stallions dressed in Manehatten blue.Shit. Do I need dis right now? I can’t let dem bastards catch me.

Limping as fast as he could, the police stallions gave chase shouting out “Stop! It’s useless running, you’re wounded! Give up, you have no hope!” Despite their calls, Five Holes limped as fast as he could still. In the end however, it was no good, and they caught up. One of the officers pulled his batton out smacked it around the back of his head, the pain giving his legs way to the ground. The others kicked him and beat him with their batons until he fell unconscious.

******

A few hours later, as the sun started to break over the horizon, Five Holes awoke, looking down at the dirt ground. One of the police officers were carrying him on his back. His eyes opening and close from the pain coursing through his body, he noticed they had stopped. The pony whose back he was on turned around and dropped him to the floor. He then proceeded to kick him with his hind legs, knocking Five Holes into a river. Awakening wildly, struggling to adjust to the situation, he spluttered and gasped for air as he partially drowned attempting to swim. He could hear the police ponies laugh at him as they watched him struggle in the river that was dragging him away from Ponyville, and into the unknown.