Carmino

A few miles from the jungle where Pea and her friends were, the town of Breeze had trouble brewing. The night sky was full of thick clouds and the moon cast beams of silver light on the windy town. The wind was cold and wet, almost all of the citizens stayed inside but there was large dark purple pony with acid red eyes in a heavy khaki vest walking along the westernmost end of town. The wind was the strongest here and there was a windmill that powered a type of arcane telegraph machine, the telegrapher inside had no idea as to who would show up in her building that night.

The bounty hunting group called The Patch Batch were gathered on the outskirts of the town, debating where Sponge...or Joe went. They argued for sometime until a voice behind them interrupted.

  "Excuse me, good ponies and...others," the voice said. His voice was dry and held thick big city accent.

"Wacha want, eh?" Whip Lash said called over his shoulder," Me an' my crew are busy at the moment."

"It's rather important," the voice said annoyed,"I'm sure a pony of your business would understand."

One of Lash's members, Sanchez, looked at the stranger first, the llama was rather unimpressed. The stranger was a squat stallion with round glasses and a bowler hat. He wore a thick black coat and had saddle bags at his sides.

Sanchez snickered,"Hey Lash, theres a little tax sprite here to see you."

"That's rather unprofessional of you, Llama," the short pony snorted.

"Okay, this I gotta see," Lash said as he turned to see him," Ahright shorty, wacha want?"

"Well Mr.Lash," the stranger said," I'm looking for somepony named Sponge...perhaps you've heard of him?"

"The mule with a 180k bounty? Sure have, me an' my boys are gonna bring that git in and keep the reward."

The short pony smiled," You? You're going after Sponge...interesting. I'll be in town for a few days so let me know if you catch that son of a bitch."

"Can do shorty," Lash said with a smug smile," So when I do, by what name am I going to call you?"

The short pony tipped his hat," I go by the name Dead Eye D, happy hunting Lash and company," he said as he made his way back into town. The bounty hunters' faces turned white, what was the most infamous Borgota mobster doing out here?

Meanwhile at the windmill, the unicorn mare running the depot was nibbling on crackers while reading a magazine about kites. She leaned her feminine figure over the counter, her blue eyes and hair shown out from her orange fur. Her door opened and she waved at it without looking up from the page.

"No no, we're closed. If a telegraph comes in I'll git it to you tomorrow. Go back outside, if you don't mind."

The pony that walked in was the dark purple pony from the street, he shook some of the wet off of him. The unicorn looked up from her magazine and glared at him. He rubbed the rain water off the top of his head, which was shaved almost completely bald. He had some stubble on his squared off chin.

He smiled,"Some place you got here..."

"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. I'm closed for the evening," the mare said with annoyance.

"But its cold and rainy outside," the unwanted guest complained," Surely you can let me stay inside until the weather lets up?"

"This isn't an inn, dumb ass," the unicorn said," If you want somewhere dry to stay, go there.  It's on the other side of town."

The unicorn's angry rant was stopped short when the stranger pulled a fold-up shot gun from the side of his vest, he looked with his red eyes at it as if to inspect it. The mare cringed and stuttered as she too looked at the weapon. The stranger looked up at her and she hid lower behind the counter.

"Now that your listening," he chuckled," I came here to send a message, care to hear it?"

"O-of corse!" the mare agreed trembling," J-just t-tell me it and I-I'll write it d-down..."

The armed pony walked closer to her, a sympathetic look on his face,"Awww, don't cry. A pretty little mare like you should keep a smile on your face...though you do look adorable when you're scared."

"S-sir, I thought you w-wanted me to send-" Her words were cut short.

"Shhhh, the letter can wait. Come here and let ol' Black Berry cheer you up," the big pony said smoothly.

The mare's eyes widened,"But-"

"Ol' Black has been soooo lonely, let me get close," The unwanted guest grinned. The mare began to quiver behind the counter.

"I said come here," Black said sharply. The mare stood up behind the counter, not keeping eye contact with the dark purple stallion. He lowered the gun to the floor and reached out to touch the mare's chin, she pulled away quickly.

"Ahhh, I see how it's going to be."

"Sir, I don't know w-why your doing this...but please don't!" she pleaded.

"Oh I love it when they tell me no," Black licked his lips," Now, I'm not gonna ask you again-"

"W-what do you want?" she asked with a shaky voice," I-I thought you wanted t-to send a message..."

"Like I said sugar cube, that cant wait...I'm interested in somepony right now."

The unicorn's heart pulsed in a  hopeless panic, she hoped...prayed for something to save her. Out of nowhere, a knock came from the door and both ponies looked at it. Black squinted angrily. A small look of hope shown on the mare's face.

"Shove off! This place is closed!" he snarled.  There was a silent response, who ever it was probably left. The mare looked from the door to Black, The muscular stallion smiled like a fox would to a crippled rabbit. A new sound came from the door;

"Black? I didn't know you worked here!" a voice said from behind the door.  " Come on, let me in."

Black paused for a moment, then he burst out laughing,"Well, I'll be damned! Dead Eye, is that you?"

The door opened and the squat stallion stood there, a wave of cold air and rain swept inside behind him. Black seemed to forget the mare and trotted over to the mobster. They seemed to be old friends, seeing these two froze the mare's heart with fear. They moved more over to the counter where the petrified mare was.

"So tell me Mr.Berry," Dead Eye smirked," Who's this peach ya got tonight?"

"Oh, her? I just needed to send a message tonight, thats why I'm here. But I didn't expect to find such a...peach as you said. She's a cute one when she's got that look in her eyes huh?" Black chuckled. The mobster's lips curled into a small smile.

Dead Eye looked around the simple interior,"That's a bit odd, Black. This town isn't near anyplace special or worthwhile, why send a letter from here?"

Black's cocky jubilation toned down," Well, tell ya the truth D...I'm running low on my stash and Jam said I could get some from him."

The mobster laughed a dry, hollow laugh,"So that old bastard is still alive ,eh? I thought someone would've tried to kill him years ago!"

"I know," Black nodded," He's gettin' old and doesn't have many friends these days. He's still got that old factory, actually he got a new one not too long ago," The dark purple stallion raised an eyebrow at the mobster.

"Come to think of it," Black continued," Why are you out here? Big Apple has got to be miles from here."

While the two stallions were chatting the mare inched towards the door as a means of escape, but a look from the nightmarish mobster stopped her. His single eye stared at her through his round glasses. His yellow iris pierced her, then he smiled a devilish grin from ear to ear.

"I'm lookin' for a run away, his name's Sponge," Dead Eye said dryly. The mare slumped to the floor and he chuckled," You're right, she does look mighty fine with that look."

The mobster wiped his face back to normal and looked back to Black. He cleared his throat,"Alright Black, I've got to get going. Meet me at the pub in an hour, I'll come up with a plan then," He went to the door briskly. Before he left he called over his shoulder," Oh and Mr.Berry...don't take to long getting to that sweet peach pit, we've got business to attend to..."

Black smirked at the mare as Dead Eye D left. The air was still cold and rainy, almost more now then earlier. The mobster hadn't taken more then a few steps before he heard a feminine squeal from the building. He rolled his eyes and headed to the inn. It was a terrible walk; the ground was muddy, the wind was strong and the rain had soaked his coat by the time he had reached it. He opened the door and sat at the nearest table he could find. After a few moments of taking in the rustic sod built inn a female griffon with a tight red collar on came up to the table. The mobster sat with his face mostly hidden from view.

"You look exhausted mister, care for a drink?" she asked. She looked like she knew who he actually was, which wasn't a surprise to Dead Eye.

"I'll take some whisky,"He said,"Don't bother brining me a glass. Just bring the bottle, miss."

The griffon left with a quick pace and Dead Eye saw that in the back of the main room were halls leading to bedrooms. He saw a glimpse of Whip Lash going back there with his crew. 'Perfect', he thought to himself. The griffon came back with a variety of bottles, some square and others more round.

"I didn't know what you wanted Sir, so I grabbed the good stuff so you could pick for yourself. Ive got some Apple Jack Daniel's, Stag Horn, some Fireball and a little bottle of rum. Is that okay with you?"

"It's fine miss, I'll take the Daniel's and the rum. It's been awhile since I've had that."

She put the two bottles on the table and went back to put the rest away. Several minutes passed and by then the mobster had gone through most of the Daniel's, he knew rum was Black's favorite. More time passed and customers came and went in the inn. Dead Eye rubbed his fore head,' Where is that stolid thug, he should be here by now!', the mobster growled internally. He sat looking at the art on the walls when the griffon came back, but this time, she leaned on the table and stared at him with hungry eyes.

"So, wacha doin' in Breeze? You are't the delivery boy type like most ponies with wings here."

"Miss, if you're trying to seduce me I won't allow it. I'm never having relations with a griffon," he said dryly.

The waitress scowled at him and left to see to other customers. Dead Eye was mid guzzle in whiskey when Black swung the door open. He flaunted over to D's table and flopped on a chair. He giggled stupidly as reached for the rum. Dead Eye glared at him.

"You're late," he said sharply," Its nearly been two and a half hours! What in hell were you doing in there?"

Black guzzled the rum and it dribbled on his chin before he spoke," If theres mares like her in hell, then let me burn 'cuz she was amazing! It took longer then I thought to get her though. I had to use the last of my stash, can you believe it? Once she was as high as a kite it was great, especially when she grabbed-"

Dead Eye cut him off," Don't tell me. If I wanted to know I would've stayed, Black. Now did you send that message to Jam or not?"

"Hell yeah I did!" Black hiccuped," I'm no rookie, I can play and work geezer. Cut me some slack!"

The mobster slammed his hoof on the table," GEEZER? You're older then me! Answer my question damnit!"

Black took another swig of rum and snickered," You're too uptight bud, relax. So what's the brilliant plan you thought up with that pencil pushing mind of yours?"

Dead Eye gritted his teeth," I'm a mobster, not an office worker. I hated that, being so cramped and lazy."

"Don't get all dramatic with me D, whats the plan you told me about?"

The mobster leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone. He told Black about the bounty hunters called the Patch Batch. Using them as bait for the Gnolls that were terrorizing the plains. He said that they could sweep in after the bounty hunters found Sponge and his accomplices. Once there, they could get Sponge, turn him and the ones following him in for their rewards in Big Apple and use their Mob connections to get them back for other reasons. Dead Eye wanted Sponge back to kill him; 'unfinished business' D called it. The other ones following him could be sold off as slaves.

Black smiled grimly,"I love it, so who's following him? I want to know if I need to bring my A game or not."

"Nothing too bad," D said," There's two mares with him, but the dragon may be a problem if he isn't killed by the Gnolls."

"A dragon you said?" Black scratched his buzz cut head," Was the dragon orange and white, was the chick a grey mare with orange hair and 'flesh color' on her face and her ass?"

"I'm surprised, a brute like you rarely ever reads the news. Yes, thats a very accurate description of them...are they important to you?"

"Sure as hell they are," Black Berry growled," those two punks stole my favorite slave...Dew Berry was the name I gave her. I wouldn't mind it as bad if they took some other bitch I had lying around but they took her," He looked off dreamily."

"She was actually loyal to me," he continued,"Beautiful isn't it, a slave who actually respects their master instead of waiting to try and kill him."

"Tell you what," said the mobster after he drunk the last of his whisky," I'll tell my friend to get your property first hand while they capture the rest, how does that sound?"

Black smiled a criminal smile," Anything that lets me get some action, I'm in. When do we start?"

"I think we'll start with the rookie bounty hunters tonight," D said as he gestured the back hall," We'll 'hire' them tonight and that'll bait the Gnolls."

"Let's go!" Black barked with a demented sense of glee.

With a few pairs of eyes watching quietly, the two stallions strode across the inn and to the back hall and moved from door to door searching for the loudest one. Once they found it the two deadly equines set into action. They silently looked at each other and went back to tactics as mob partners. Black would play a charismatic or pitiful role and lure the target into a trap...Dead Eye and his knives. While Black straightened up his look Dead Eye stepped out of view and let Black take over with his dramatic talents. He knocked on the door politely.

"Summer!" a tired voice called from behind the door," Somepony's there, go answer the door!"

"Alright, I'm going jeez!" a feminine voice said.

A curvaceous pony opened the door and looked up at Black," Hey mister, we didn't order any room service...whacha want?"

Black had a suave smile on his squared face," Well miss, I heard that the great Patch Batch was in town. I just had to see if the rumors were true."

The pony blinked at him," You heard about us? We haven't made a big haul yet, how do you know?" She waited for a response. He gazed at her dreamily.

"Well, I'll be damned...your really are as pretty as they say."

The mare blushed," W-what? Me, don't be silly. I'm not the reason you know about the crew...right?" she gazed back at him.

"You bet it is miss Summer," he said and she covered her face with a hoof," Your'e about the prettiest mare I ever did see."

A voice interrupted," Summer, who the hell is it? We've got a big day tomorrow, come back to bed!"

The mare scowled," In a moment Lash, I'm talking to somepony right now," she called back to him.

"It's alright," Black said," Go on to bed...all I wanted was a look at you," he turned to leave but the mare reached out for him.

"Hey, don't leave! I don't even know the name of my biggest fan...come here,"She said with a saucy tone.

"Well, if you insist miss..." Black said sheepishly," By the way, the names Black, Black Berry."

The mare pulled him closer by his vest collar. She raised an eyebrow while Black had an astonished look on his face, a blush could be seen on his dark purple cheeks. Summer batted her eye lashes with a crimson face.

"What are you doing?" he whispered," Lash may see you!"

"I don't care if he dose," she said quietly," I need to thank my biggest fan after all," she leaned forward to him. Black stood fixed while Summer caressed his lips with her own. She pulled back after a bit, a thin line of saliva on her lips. Black grinned.

"You know how to please your fans, Summer," He said," I wish I could return the favor..." he looked over to Dead Eye who was leaning on the hall's wall waiting.  Black winked at him and the mobster left. He went to the front counter and rented a room, then when he found it and opened it he waved at Black.

"Say Summer, care to follow me back to my room? We could talk in there," he said and the mare rubbed up next to him.

"Hey Lash, I'm going out for a bit," she called," I'll be back soon!" She turned to Black.

"Alright Black, let's see if you are my 'biggest' fan..."

As the two walked down the hall, Black caught a glance of Dead Eye sitting at a table in the main room. The dark purple pony winked at him and turned to the half open door, he led the pretty mare inside and turned down the lights as she closed the door.

Dead Eye sat at his table ridged, waiting for Black to show up again. It annoyed D on how easily Black could woo women. An hour passed, two hours. The mobster was almost dozing off when Black sat next to him again, a euphoric smile on his face.

"You've had a wild night, eh Black?"

"Hell yeah," Black said breathlessly," She was crazy, but I convinced her to tell Lash about how the Gnolls were wanted for a lot of money and weren't too hard to handle. Then she grabbed-"

"Stop, I don't need to know," D said again," I'm glad you can still do a job these days. So the plan is set...now all we do is wait."

"Alright bud, I could use a rest...I'm exhausted," Black said with a slack jaw.

"Don't remind me," Dead Eye groaned.