Viktor Wingspeed and Shadow Night: The Beginning
Manehatten
January 3, 1934
Viktor was running as fast as he could through the rather deep snow away from local police, a saddlebag full of precious jewels on his back. He began to hear sirens from a nearby police car, so he bolted down an alley near his apartment building. He ducked into a tight, dark space between two buildings and watched as two police ponies trotted swiftly by, looking for him. After a few minutes passed and no sign of police officers, Viktor slowly crept out of the crevice and looked around. No one. He ran down the alley to his building, going in the back entrance and up the stairs to his room, which was on the fourth floor. He dug through his saddlebag full of gems for his key's, which he eventually found, and went in his apartment as quick as possible. Upon entering, Viktor looked at his unchanged apartment. When you walk in, a large mirror sits on a wall to the left and a phone sits on a small table to the right. As he walked in the kitchen, Viktor noticed the piling dishes in the sink and the overflowing trash can in the corner next to the fridge. On his dinner table sat a few empty cartons of local takeout, an empty coffee mug, a full ashtray, and a .38 Snub nose revolver.
"Okay, let's see what I've got here." Vik said to himself as he poured the bag of gems onto the table. "Good, good. I can get at least two g's out of this score." Vik took the gems he had just stolen and put them with the rest in a large locked chest in his bedroom closet. He then proceeded out his window, onto the fire escape, and pulled out a pack of cigs he "borrowed" from a nearby gas station. He took one out and lit it. As he smoked, he looked at the widespread city beneath him. He wondered how long it would be before he was pinched by the law. After the cig was down to the butt, he tossed it down to the ground below and went back into his apartment. He took off his clothes and put on sleeping clothes, hopping into bed afterward. He fell asleep to words that have been implanted in his mind since he was a colt: I love you brother. Blame my bleeding on our parents.
Viktor Wingspeed is a Pegasus Pony. He was born in Manehatten 1911 to a poor family. His father was a drunk who beat his wife a lot if she didn't feed his habit. Viktor had an older brother, who was five years older than him, who didn't want to put up with the constant fighting anymore and jumped from the roof of the families twenty-five story apartment building. The only pony who cared about his death was Viktor. When Nightsail, Vik's brother, jumped off the building, Viktor ran down to the ground and found his brother clinging to life. Nightsail's final words, which haunt Viktor every day, were "I love you brother. Blame my bleeding on our parents." These words made Viktor the pony he is. As Viktor became older, his uncle took him for weekends away from Manehatten, to Ponyville, to get him away from the fighting. Vik's uncle had lots of guns, which they shot together at firing ranges. Viktor was an excellent shot and he competed with his uncle a lot, winning most challenges. One day when Viktor's uncle was shooting a rifle, it misfired and the bullet shards shot back at him, killing him instantly. Viktor's mind was so corrupt with death that he began to turn into a criminal. He robbed five pony's houses and beat up the ponies around Ponyville for money. He lived at his uncles house secretly until the town had it torn down, due to it falling apart. By this time, however, Viktor had enough money to get a train back to Manehatten, where he finds his parents still in a feuding relationship. Viktor was eighteen when he decided to enlist in the Royal Guard, only to be declined due to an eye injury. This particular injury was caused when Viktor was a colt. His father was in a drunken rage and smashed a bottle over his head, cutting his eye and leaving an X shaped scar over his eye. After being rejected from the Royal Guard, Viktor decided to rob places for quick cash to stay afloat. He later found out he was an excellent thief. He continued his criminal career for the many passing years of his life.
January 4th
Viktor woke abruptly the following morning to the usual blaring radio next door. Being fed up with the recurring noise, Viktor rose from his bed, grabbed a hammer from his small toolbox, and went out into the hallway and knocked on his neighbors door, concealing the hammer behind him. When the door opened a smelly, under dressed stallion came into Viktor's view. "Can you please turn your radio down. It's six o'clock in the morning." Viktor said in a calm tone.
"Yeah man, sure." the pony said. He then slammed the door in Viktor's face and as Viktor went to return to his room, he heard the radio get turned up all the way.
"Well I asked nicely." Viktor said to himself. He went back to his neighbors door and he bucked it off it's hinges and onto the floor in the apartment.
"Whoa, man! What the hell?!" the shocked pony said. Viktor didn't respond. He simply walked up to the radio and smashed it brutally to pieces until it made no noise whatsoever.
"I asked you to turn it down, and since you didn't, I did!" Viktor yelled. He then trotted back to his apartment and put coffee on, realizing that sleep was out the window for the day. Once his coffee was finished, he downed an entire pot and went to his closet and grabbed an outfit for the day. He found a heavy flannel shirt, a winter hat, and a wool scarf. He threw them on and put on his leather jacket, preparing to go for a drive, when he heard a knock at the door. He opened it and found three stallions, one being the neighbor, and the other two he didn't recognize.
"Can I help you?" Viktor asked in a polite manner.
"Fuck you! This is payback for that radio!" the pony closest to Vik said. He threw a hoof in Viktors direction, but he dodged it and grabbed it, pulled the stallion toward him, and into his own hoof. Viktor then smashed the stunned stallion's head on the mirror next to him. When the other two went to react, Viktor pushed the stallion he had beaten into them, causing them all to fall in the hallway. By the time they all contained themselves, they had a gun at their head.
"I suggest you leave now while you're still alive." Viktor said pushing the gun to one of the pony's head. They all just scrambled, two down the stairs, and the third went back into his, now door-less, apartment. Viktor walked out into the hallway and closed his door, locking it in the process. He kept the gun in his pocket for protection on the mean streets of south Manehatten. As he exited his apartment building, Viktor trotted briskly to his lockup where he kept his car. He unlocked the door and lifted it up revealing a beat up old sedan. "Better than walking, I guess." Viktor said as he got in his car. He put his keys in the ignition and turned it over. He drove out of the small garage and out into the street, headed for a diner a few miles down Mane Street for a cheap, home cooked breakfast.
A few blocks from the diner, Viktor came to a red light and when he stopped he looked in a nearby alley next to a bakery and saw a large stallion, possibly the baker himself, beating a younger one in the face. Better help this kid before he's beat to death Vik thought. He got out of his car, despite the traffic behind him, and ran down the alley to aid the young stallion. Viktor didn't say anything to the baker. He simply picked up a large brick and smashed it over the over weight baker's head, knocking him unconscious.
"You okay?" Viktor asked the young stallion.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for saving my flank. Name's Shadow Night." the stallion said, holding out a hoof.
"Viktor. Viktor Wingspeed. What was that all about?" Vik asked.
"Uh....well....I kinda robbed his store." Shadow said, holding out a bag full of bits.
"Ah, so you hit small time stores to stay afloat, am I right?"
"Yeah, look, don't tell anypony. I'll pay you." Shadow said beginning to get a hoof full of bits out of the bag.
"Hey, I do it too. No need to pay me." Vik said.
"You do?"
"Yeah, I hit a Jewelry store last night. Don't tell anypony I said that, and I'll make sure nopony finds out about your little stick-up."
"Thanks. That's good to hear." Shadow said in a relived tone.
"You want to join me for breakfast? I was headed toward a diner a few miles up Mane Street."
"Uh, yeah. I haven't eaten today yet. Sounds good."
"Cool. My car's over there. C'mon, before lard ass wakes up." Viktor said.
The two ponies trotted to Viktor's car and they got in it. Viktor started it up and continued his drive toward the diner. Once they got to the diner, Viktor and Shadow went in and ordered their food.
"So, where do you live? I'll drop you off after breakfast." Viktor asked Shadow.
"Uh, I don't really live anywhere. I had a makeshift bed on a fire escape, but the owner of the building found me, so I had to run."
"That sucks. You know what. Why don't you stay with me for a while. My apartment is small, but I have a couch you could crash on." Viktor said as he took a sip of his milkshake.
"Really? That's a good offer, but, why? I'm sure you wouldn't ask some hobo to live with you. Why me?" Shadow asked.
Viktor put his empty glass down and looked at Shadow. "Because as I was growing up, I did the same thing as you. Robbed ponies and stores. I got cars for a buddy of mine up at the junkyard. Stuff like that. I think, if we team up, we could hit bigger things. Like loan companies, or even banks! My dream has always been to hit the Manehatten National Bank. For years I've been studying it, but I needed another pony to fully complete the job. With a little practice, I'm sure you'll be a good thief. A better one."
"Damn, that's a hard score to take. Okay, I'll roll with you. I got the tab. It's the least I can do." Shadow said pulling out fifteen bits and giving them to the waitress. The two of them went back outside and got in Viktor's car and made their way back to Viktor's apartment building. Once Viktor put his car in his lockup, they entered the building and ascended the stairs to his room.
"What happened to that dude's door?" Shadow asked as he passed the dislodged door.
"Don't ask. It's this room here." Viktor said as he stopped at his door. He unlocked it and entered. "Here we are, home sweet home." Viktor said as he took off his coat and scarf.
"Cool. I'm guessing this is where I'll be crashing?" Shadow asked as he pointed at the thrift store couch.
"Yeah. Better than the streets, I guess. Building's got a good heater, so you shouldn't be cold." Viktor said. He approached the fridge and pulled out a brand new bottle of whiskey, grabbing two glasses out of the cabinet afterward.
"You ever had a drink before?" Vik asked Shadow.
"Ye...no. I'm only fourteen."
"Want one?"
"Sure. One glass'll do." Shadow said nervously.
"Here." Vik said holding out the full glass. Shadow took it and took a drink.
"Damn, that's hard to down. What is that?" Shadow said while gagging on the strong liquid.
Viktor laughed. "Straight whiskey. Good, ain't it?"
"Yeah, but hard to drink."
"Eh, you'll get used to it. Tomorrow we have some planning to do. We're going to hit the Manehatten Mall's Gem Joint as our first score together. I need to see how you do things."
"Already have a place to hit?" Shadow said putting the now empty glass on the table.
"There's always a place to hit in Manehatten if you look hard enough. You just have to have a good eye. We're going to relax today, but tomorrow we have work to do." Viktor said as he downed his entire glass in one gulp.
The Manehatten Mall Jewelry Store Stick-Up
January 4, 1934
After a day of relaxation, Viktor and Shadow began to make plans for the jewelry store hit. Vik let Shadow take over on planning to evaluate his approach.
"Okay. I say we smash the window in the rear of the mall, here. We sneak through the mall to the store and break into it, raid it, and get the fuck out of there. What do you think, Vik?" Shadow asked.
"I think you're making this too simple. For one, the store has an alarm system in it. And guards patrol the entire mall, so we have to work on the clock of rotation hours. Breaking a window will alert the entire mall and we'd be running away before we even get in the building. We'll have to enter through the skylight on the roof." Vik began.
"How the hell we going to get on the roof?" Shadow asked.
"The building next to the mall has a fire escape, believe me I've been scoping out the place for weeks. We'll climb it and jump onto the roof of the mall. Once up there, We'll go through the skylight window, the one right above the jewelry store. Once we open it, we drop right down onto the roof of the store." Vik began.
"And how do we get into the store without tripping the alarm?"
"With these." Vik said throwing a set of lock picks on the table.
"Lock picks? Where'd you get those?" Shadow asked as he examined the tool.
"I know a pony who gets this kind of equipment in regularly. He also gave me these glass cutters, in case the skylight window is locked. Also, if we run into trouble, I got these. Custom .357 Magnum's. They are untraceable and specially designed to be a few pounds lighter. Got two of 'em a while back, 'cause I knew I'd bring somepony along for the ride. Here." Vik said as he slid one of the revolvers across the table.
"No need, Viky. I got my own toy." Shadow said as he pulled out a Colt 1911. "Shoots nice size .45's and holds two extra bullets. If I have to roll with a gun, my .45 is what I'm rolling with." Shadow said.
"Suit yourself. I get two then. What time is it? We roll out of here at midnight." Vik asked.
"Eleven on the spot. We have an hour to bullshit some more. You have another story you could tell?" Shadow asked.
"Actually I do. It all happened in late summer of 1927. My buddy, Flash, and I were at a big fancy party with fake ID's so we could enter. It all started when I bet Flash that he couldn't get the hottest mare in there to do him. Her name was Starlight......"
August 5, 1927
"C'mon Flashy, you ain't scared, are ya?" Vik said as he nudged his friend.
"Hell no. I'm not scared of nothin'! She's just out of our league, man. Forget it." Flash said to Vik.
"Forget shit, go talk to her, ass hole. She a'int my type, but I know she'll fuck you in a heartbeat."
"Vik, her stallion's gunna have us in a hole if I do."
"No he a'int. I got my blade." Vik said as he held out his switchblade.
"What, you just gunna kill him if he tries anything?"
"If he tries anything, then hell yeah. Remember who I am, Flashy. I don't say no to a fight, I say hell yeah, bring it on!"
"Vik, you better have my back on this one." Flash said as he approached Starlight.
Vik went over to the bar and sat on a bar stool. "Martini, please. Make it strong."
"You old enough to drink, son?" the bartender asked.
"I got in here, didn't I? I know you have to be twenty one just to enter. I have my ID, if you'd like to see it." Vik said.
"My mistake sir, I apologize. Your martini." the bartender said as he handed Vik the beverage. As Vik drank, he watched as his friend talked to Starlight. After about half an hour, Vik watched as the two made their way to the elevator. Flash looked back at Vik with a smug smile across his face. Vik smiled back and held up his glass.
A few hours passed and Vik saw no sign of his friend and he began to get a bit worried. Just as he was about to go up the elevator, he heard a shriek come from outside. He ran out the doors and the first thing he saw was Flash's dead corpse on the large fountain, his blood turning the water deep crimson red. Vik looked up and saw a broken window and looking out of it was a large dark blue stallion with a diamond blue mane. Next to him stood non other than Starlight, a smug smile on her face.
"I swore to this day I would find that bitch and whoever it was that threw Flash out of the building. It's five 'til midnight, let's get on our way." Vik said as he held back his tears. The two stallions took their merchandise and headed outside to Viks beater. When they arrived at the building with the fire escape, they put all their gear in their saddlebags and headed up the ladder. Once they reached the roof of the building, there was a gap that was a good five feet wide.
We can totally make that Shadow thought. He ran and jumped right over without fault. Viktor followed, but his hoof slipped and he was about to fall a good four stories, when Shadow grabbed his hoof and pulled him up.
"I gotch ya, now c'mon lets move." Shadow said, running toward the skylight window. Once they dropped down to the jewelry store Vik went to work on the door with the lock. Once he popped the door open, they ran in and began cleaning the place out. Once Viktor's saddlebag was full, he opened the door and was happily greeted by a security guard.
"Put your fucking hooves in the air!" the guard yelled.
"Say it, don't spray it, buddy." Vik said as he put his bag on the floor.
Meanwhile, Shadow finished cleaning the safe he'd gotten into in the back room when he heard the guard. He peered out the door and saw Viktor at gunpoint by the guard. Shadow pulled out his gun and carefully shot by Viktor's head and hit the guard square between the eyes. Vik then picked up his saddlebag and walked out the door holding his face. Shadow, puzzled, grabbed his bags and ran for Viktor.
"Hey, you okay Vik?" Shadow said as he caught up. "Vik?"
Viktor said nothing and took his hoof from his face, revealing a deep cut along his face. "A bit too close, but thanks. Let's get to the car. I need to get my face fixed."
The two ponies ran out the back exit to where the car sat. Vik and Shadow got in as fast as they could and as soon as Vik put the key in the ignition, a rag was immediately placed over their muzzles, causing them both to fall unconscious.
