Chirpy Hooves Breaks Her Quill and Gets Caught Up in The Underground Rock Trade.

"What are the tears for kid?" a strange colt in a suit said as he walked over to the bench.

Chirpy look up from her quiet sob. Her mother taught her long ago to not talk to strangers but seeing how the day had went so far she figured that venting a little wouldn't hurt. She told him everything even though about half way through her rant the stranger seemed to have second thoughts about asking the question. After Chirpy described the depressing turn of events all the way up to the present the Stranger opened his mouth.

"That is a real bad run of luck kid. I feel awful sorry for ya but it could always be worse. Look at me for example since I haven't had a warm meal in a month. I don't wear this suit just to be all formal. It is all I have left. Besides you must work for Richardson, that cat is loaded with enough dough to make a baker jealous," The stranger said.

"I am sorry but I think you must have me mistaken for somepony else. I don't know any one by the name of Richardson," Chirpy replied.

"Ha, that is good because for a second there I thought old Richie sent a little foal to do his dirty work. I know you don't have anything left to trade for but do you have any bits? I am afraid my client won't be meeting me for a little while longer and I am sure even a little foal like you knows a thing or two about quality rocks," the stranger pitched in a salespony voice.

Chirpy felt the weight of the lunch money in her pocket and said, "I might have a few. It would be a shame to leave the great Rainbow Falls Traders Exchange empty handed. I am not sure I would want any old rocks though. Why look there is a pathway made of nothing but pebbles. What makes any of the rocks you are selling any more valuable that them, Mister?"

"Please, call me Lenny young lady since everyone else does. The rocks I supply to many colorful groups all come from deep within in the mines of Saddle Arabia. Now that is all fine and dandy but what makes them so valuable? The value kid is the fact that these rocks have a special ability. They grant the user access to a power denied to many in this unfair world. The power to channel unicorn magic! I would get them while there're hot because who knows if they will be here tomorrow. I will sell you one of my fine rocks for the modest price of four bits," Lenny said enthusiastically.

"Are the rocks safe Lenny?" Chirpy skeptically asked.

"Why you betcha! I have been using them for months and I am the picture of health. The hallucinations are not even a concern anymore. Why I-" Lenny proclaimed before getting into a coughing fit.

"I know what's going on. These new rocks are nothing but new addictive magic artifacts. Do you know what they say in school about those in school Lenny? My classmates and I have to sit through the same boring presentation every year. Those addictive magic artifacts will slowly turn you into a power obsessed lunatic before they eventually kill you. My mom said that is what happen the poor Trixie before the awesome Princess Twilight Sparkle saved her from its spell," Chirpy defiantly said.

"Listen kiddo and listen real close. I am known as the closer which means I don't let deals pass me by just because my clients have some reservations. Whether you try my product of your own free will or not you will be part of the trend latest in designer artifacts. I never have tested it out on a young foal before and it would be nice to know if you is going to blow up in tiny bits before I try to market my magic rocks to the younger crowd," Lenny whispered.

Chirpy looked around nervously. The immediate area around the bench was oddly vacant. There would be no one to hear her cry for help if she even tried. The only ponies she could see was a pack of surprisingly well dressed ponies approaching the bench from all directions.

"So this is what are supplier is up too when he isn't kissing our behinds for a cut of the sweet deal! Lenny I am disappointed but not at all surprised. Only real scum of Equestria like you would force their product on an innocent foal in the name of profit. I am going to give you five seconds to explain to me why I shouldn't take you around back and save your creditors the trouble of smacking you into tomorrow. Hey kid get behind me and let the adults sort it out," a pony in a white suit said.

Chirpy ran behind the formally clad gentlecolts as Lenny gulped really hard and started to speak, "Richardson it is so nice to see you boss! How is business... um I did get you the new shipment," Lenny said nervously.

"Business was better when you weren't selling to everypony who gave you a second look. When we reached an agreement on the terms of our repeat business I believe the matter was made crystal clear that we would be your one and only buyer. You have not only been unfaithful to us but you also have managed to offend our sensibilities. The Knights of Equity would never consent to the sale of the unstable raw product to young foals. We will be relieving you of the shipment and I want you to give me the names of all your suppliers because as of today they will be working for us. What do they say about doing something right again? I believe the answer was to simply do it yourself. Take him away boys!" Richardson eloquently retorted.

Lenny was picked up by two gentlecolts and dragged off somewhere while Richardson directed the rest to grab the bag of rocks.

Richardson walked over to Chirpy and leaned down to her level, "I apologize for the behavior of my former associate and I sincerely hope he hasn't soured the good name of the Knights of Equity for you. I believe an explanation is in order for what has just happened but I am short on time at the moment. Take this card it has a address of a dinner I frequent on Wednesday afternoons. I must ask for your complete silence on what you have been told or may have witnessed until we meet on Wednesday. The Knights of Equity grant you their blessing or as the young crowd might put it, we owe you one," Richardson politely said.

Richardson and his associates walked off the scene just as Chirpy heard her mother calling for her.