Reconnection

Reconnection

By: Michael A

Chapter: 1 - It's Just a Job...

[Adventure][Alternate-Universe]

The sound of my glass slamming onto the solid oak counter filled the ambient noise of bar. "Barkeep, I need another!!!" I mumbled loudly, trying to get the attention of the bartender.

The bartender, who was cleaning a glass farther down the solid oak bar top, sighed as he put the glass with the others on the large rack behind the bar. His horn ignited, and a large, half empty glass of fine, fine whisky floated up in his telekinetic grip. He trotted over to source of the outburst, me, with the bottle in tow. It only took a second for him to make it over towards me, and quickly filled my glass with the sweet amber liquid.

The bartender was an average sized unicorn buck with a black coat and a light grey mane. The bartender sighed, once again, before speaking, "Neon... look, don't take this the wrong way, but I think you've had enough…"

I groaned, moving my gaze from the counter to the bartender in front of me. I was was a well built grey-blue unicorn stallion with a dark grey mane. I wore a black, colored dress shirt, with a white tie—my black fedora with a white trim sat on the counter only inches away. "Glass, I know when I've had enough, an' I ain't had it yet," I muttered; more annoyed than angry. Don't tell me what to do...

The bartender, Shot Glass, bit his lip, seeming to take great thought in what he wanted to say. After a moment, the black unicorn spoke. "Listen... Me and you go way back, and you know as well as I do that you're an angry drunk..." The stallion paused, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow with a hoof. "And we both also know that you aren't the most...stable, when angry..."

Glass looked nervously at me, fearing my response. I returned the gaze, only mine was unreadable, even for the well versed bartender. After several tense moments, I sighed, pushing my half finished glass of hooch towards the buck, which made the bartender relax considerably.

"You're probably right," I said, shaking my head, before returning my gaze to the stallion. He looked considerably less nervous than before, but I could still see how tense he was. I leaned forwards slightly, putting a hoof onto his shoulder. The buck tensed more, but didn't move. I frowned. Shit. "Glass, stop that," I began, removing my hoof from the stallion's shoulder. "I'm not gonna whack you, you know that?" I hated it when ponies shied away from me, usually out of fear.

The stallion sighed, leaning onto the bar top. "Yeah, I dig," he began. "But I also know you, the real you, so you can't knock me for being a little edgy."

I chuckled, knowing all too well where he was coming from. "Yeah, I guess I can't."

The sound of more patrons entering the bar caught Shot Glass's attention.  "Well, duty calls," he said, turning towards the few ponies who had just entered. He gave me a nod, before dumping my glass into the the sink behind him, and walking towards to other customers.

I looked my glass in the sink, before shaking my head. I sat up from my barstool, sliding off and onto the hardwood floor beneath. My hooves made a soft "thud" as they made contact. I turned, grabbing my black fedora from the counter, put it on my head, then walking toward the exit...

Shot Glass’s uneasy form returned as he started at the patrons in front of him. There were three of them in total, all being earth-pony bucks, and all wearing red Blazers. The bartender rubbed the back of his head with a hoof as he spoke. "H-hello, gentlemen... Can I get you anything?"

The middle buck who, along with his blazer, wore a red fedora that matched his blazer. He chuckled slightly, the other soon following his example. The middle buck, who seemed to be the leader of the bunch, spoke.

"Hehe, you know what we want, Glass. Just give us your 'rent' you owe us and we'll be on our way."

Glass began to sweat even more, now, but he tried to put on a confident composure. "N...no! I will not continue to pay you for 'rent'! I worked my ass of to buy this bar, and I don't see why I should have to pay you!"

The middle buck was taken back by the bartender's response, but quickly regained his composure. "Very well, then... Boys?" He nodded to the two bucks besides him. "Please, remind this misunderstood stallion why he has to pay us."

Both stallions nodded in response. One walked up to a nearby table, before turning around and bucking the table, sending it flying. The table slammed into the wall, cracking and creating a large hole in the wall where it struck.

Glass shouted, trying to jump over the counter to stop the buck, but was stopped when the leader of the trio pinned him against the counter.

"You ain't going no where. You're gonna watch as my boys wreck you precious ba-" he was cut-off as his muzzle was suddenly slammed into the counter, a loud "crack!" followed by a scream of pain filled the air, which made the other ponies in the blazer's stop their destruction...

I stood over the leader of the group, balanced on my hind hooves with one of my front hooves on the counter of the bar and the other continuing to press the buck's muzzle into the counter. Think you're hot shit now, fink?! I thought as I removed my hoof, letting the buck recoil and fall onto the floor, holding his broken nose as it gushed blood.

The other two bucks stared in shock for a moment, looking at their bleeding leader, who had managed to hold back the pain long enough to scream, "Are you just gonna stand there, or are you gonna get him?!"

The bucks shook themselves out of their shock, and began to charge at me. I jumped down off of the counter, waiting for the first buck to come closer. Come on, come to Daddy Neon...

As he got a few feet from me, the buck lashed out with a hoof, aiming for my muzzle. Before he could make contact, I twisted in one fluid movement on my back hooves, making his hoof fly over my right shoulder. I lifted my front hooves up, wrapping around the buck's outstretched hoof, and pulled forward, flipping the buck over my shoulder, sending him flying into a table farther down the bar.

I instantly turned around as I hear the other buck approaching. He, instead of going for a punch like the other, decided to simply ran into me. I didn't react fast enough as he threw himself forwards, slamming his shoulder into my chest. I slid back, pain flaring from from where the buck had made contact. He continued to slide me back until I slammed me into a wall, causing more pain to flare up. Fuck, that hurt! I thought as the buck reeled a hoof back, intending on striking. He didn't get the chance as I slammed my head into his, momentarily stunning him long enough for me to push off of the wall I was press against, tackling the buck in front of me. He slammed into the ground, my hooves slamming into his chest. His eyes seemed to go wide as my blow knocked the wind out of him. I quickly took the time to slam a hoof into his face, striking true. The force of my punch causing him to black out.

I stood up, grabbing my fedora--which had flown off my head when I head butted the buck--and levitated it onto my head. I turned and looked into the large mirror that ran along the side of the wall opposite the bar, straightened my hat, making sure it had the perfect slant. I had figured out a while ago that something simple as the angle of a hat could cause it to me that much more intimidating.

Satisfied, I turned back towards the bar, stepping over the unconscious buck as I made my way towards the leader of the group, who was still on the ground, holding his broken nose. His eyes went wide as he noticed me approaching.

"B-back off!!" he stammered, using the his back hooves and his one front hoof that wasn't holding his nose to slide himself back, away from me.

I stopped a few feet in front of him, looking into his eyes with my emotionless stare. "I think it'd be in your best interest to leave, and not come back, dig?"

The buck nodded frantically, getting onto his hooves and running out of the exit. The buck I'd thrown had gone and put his unconscious friend on his back, and carried him out of the bar.

I let out a sigh, shaking my head, before trotting over to the counter. Looking behind it, I saw the shaking form of Shot Glass. I jumped over the counter, landing next to my friend. He looked up, and smiled when he noticed it was me. I offered him a hoof, which he accepted, and I helped him to his feet.

The Bartender dusted off his coat, before turning to face me. "Man, I owe you big."

I shrugged. "Nah, you don't owe me anything, Glass. You're my friend, and I like this bar, so leaving it to get trashed didn't seem like a good idea." I usually didn't like getting into confrontations when I wasn't working, but today was an exception. I wasn't gonna just stand back and let those idiots mess with my friend's bar, especially since I was beginning to favor said bar.

Glass looked around, and so did I. The damage from the fight wasn't overly bad. A few tables were broken, and there was a decent sized hole in one of the walls where the table had hit, but other then that, it was mostly intact. He shook his head in a friendly smile. "Because of you, I'm pretty sure those bums won't be coming back and the damaged they caused is far less than if you didn't step in. In short: you saved my a shit ton of bits. The least I can do is give you a free drink every once and a while."

I chuckled, realizing that the buck wasn't going to back down. "Fine."

He smiled in return, giving me a pat on the back. "That'a boy. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but I got some cleaning to do," he said, pushing my toward the door. "Come back tomorrow for your free drink!" He said, pushing me out the door before locking it behind him.

I chuckled at my friend's antics. I hadn't seen him in a long time, tonight being the first time I'd seen him in years, actually. The usual bar I went to got busted by the cops not too long ago, and I hadn't even known that he owned this bar until I'd walked in earlier that day.

I smiled slightly to myself as I walked up the stairs and to the actual front door to the bar. Opening the door with a hoof, I trotted outside. I was greeted by the ever-so-cheery sight of the dark clouds above the grand city of Chicacolt. I wasn't too afraid of rain, as the clouds that covered the cities skyline were almost always there, cloaking the dreary city in a shroud of black. I stepped away from the door to the speakeasy, my hooves making clopping sounds they made contact with the sidewalk.

I looked around. Same old skyscrapers, same old clouds, same old ponies, same old city, I thought to myself. The streets weren't overly crowded with ponies, but there were still quite a few walking about, going through their daily routines. It seemed so simple, so plain, so... boring. I rolled my eyes at my lack of chain of thought, and looked down at my watch. Twelve thirty-five... Well, better get on my way.

I merged with the flow of ponies as they walked along the sidewalk. The occasional chatter of conversation was the only other sound other than she shuffling of hooves and usual background of the city. I could hear sirens off in the distance, and chuckled to myself.

I continued to walk along with the herd until I made it to my destination: Bucky's Tower. Now, everyone knew Bucky, and Bucky knew everyone. He was in charge of the city, but not in the traditional government sense. No, he wasn't a mayor, governor, president, or anything like that. He was a king, the king, and everyone in the city belonged to him, even me.

I pushed through the large revolving door to the tower, entering into the main lobby. The lobby was something to behold. The ceiling was high, easily twenty feet or more off of the ground. White columns lines the walls. The walls were covered in many different painting, ranging from simple depiction of fruit, to masterpieces, hundreds of years old. The carpet was a plush read, and felt so soft under my hooves. On the opposite side of the lobby was a receptionist desk with a lightly blue mare with a bright orange mane. She had a cigaret in her mouth, taking occasional puffs as she typed up something on her typewriter. On either side of the desk were golden elevators, with a set of stairs next to the left one.

I trotted up to the receptionist, tapping my hoof a few times on the desk to get her attention. She turned to me, her face holding an unamused expression. "Do you have an appointment?" She asked in a nasally voice.

I shook my head. "Buck contacted me and said he wanted to meet. My name is Neon Light," I said, matter-of-factly.

The receptionist pushed a few papers around her desk, read one, then motioned towards the right elevator. "Yes, the boss is expecting you."

No shit... I thought as I trotted towards the elevator. I pressed the up arrow, and the doors opened with a soft "ding!". Inside of the elevator was a formally dressed unicorn stallion.

"Which floor, sir?"

"Top, I've been requested by Buck himself."

The unicorn nodded as I trotted in. His horn lit up as the doors closed, and the lift began to rise.

It didn't take long until we arrived at the top floor of the building. I tipped my hat to the operator as I stepped out, before trotting forwards and into the office in front of me. The office was huge, to say the least. The far wall was completely glass, giving an almost panoramic view of the city beyond. The floor was the same plush carpet, and the walls were covered in more expensive art and sculptures. A huge desk sat at the far end of the room, with the pony who I was to meet sitting in the desk's chair.

Buck was a decently tall, light grey earthpony. His mane was light black, almost grey, while his cutie-mark was a moneybag. He wore a black and white striped shirt, with a white and black striped tie. Yes, there was a difference.

The earthpony started out of his huge window, the back of his chair facing me. I took a few steps in, before I was stopped by his voice.

"Glad you could make it, Neon." The buck spoke, his voice firm and commanding.

I nodded, though I figured he couldn't see me. "The pleasure is all mine," I responded, trying to sound as respectful as possible. This guy wasn't just my boss, he was the boss.

The large desk chair swiveled as the stallion turned to face me. "You are no stranger to the services I require of you, as we both know, so I might as well get right to it," he began, sliding out of his chair and walking over to me. He stood before me, somehow towering over me, even by being only an inch taller at most. "I require another pony to be... dealt with, at your discretion, per usual."

I nodded, all too familiar with our usual 'business' transactions.

Buck smiled. "Good, good. Your pay shall be the usually wage; half out front, half when completed," the stallion began again, "and due to the... Importance, of said target, I will raise your usual pay by...10%."

I had to hold stop myself from screaming. A 10% increase?! Holy shit! Then it dawned on me. If it's that much... Celestia, who is the target? I was awoken from my mind by a light tap on my shoulder. I shook my head, before looking back at buck. "Sorry, lost in thought."

Buck chuckled. Not a jolly laugh, but almost an... evil one. "It's okay, my friend, we all find ourselves lost in our mind once in a while. Anyways," Buck pulled a white envelope out of his shirt pocket, before hoofing it over to me, which I took in my magic. "Here is the details of the pony I require being dealt with. As you know, I don't want thing coming back to me directly in any way, lest you'll become a frayed thread that'll require clipping, understood?"

I nodded.

Buck grinned. "Good. Well, I wish of you good luck," he turned and headed back to his chair. "Please, contact me as soon as it is done."

"I shall, sir," I spoke as I walked back towards the elevator door. I pressed the down button, which almost immediately opened, and I stepped inside.

"Lobby," I told the operator, who nodded, horn igniting as the doors closed and the lift began to descend.

I stared at the envelope as I held it in front of me with my magic. It's funny how somepony's life can be determined by something as simple as a note in an envelope. It shouldn't be that easy, but it is. I stared at the envelope in front of me, contemplating opening it now. It was just a job, one that I've done many times before. It payed good, and had decent, flexible hours. Surely, a dream job such as that shouldn't be this complicated. All I had to do was open the envelope, do what I am payed to do, and it'd be all over with. It wasn't a pony's life I held in this envelope, only a job...

The lift suddenly stopped, the doors opening. I trotted out of the elevator and down the lobby, exiting out the large, revolving door of Buck Tower. I stepped out into the dismal city and sighed, putting the envelope Into my shirt pocket, before trotting in the direction of home...

It hasn't taken long to get to my apartment, as it was located in a tower not far from Buck Tower. I unlocked the door, and trotted inside. I flopped down on my couch, pulling the envelope out of my pocket, throwing it into the table in front of me.

I sat there for a few minutes contemplating in my mind. I shook my head and picked up the envelope in my magic. I levitated it in front of me for a moment, running threw the last bit of resistance I had, before opening up the envelope. The note inside was brief, all it had was a name, sketch of the cutie-mark, and any special request my client had in mind. This one didn't have any special requests, though, only having the name and cutie-mark of the pony I was supposed to end.

Sapphire Shores. That was who I was supposed to end. I didn't know the exact reason Buck wanted her dead, and I honestly didn't care—it made the job easier. From what I could tell from her cutie-mark, I could tell she was a singer, and the address on the bottom confirmed that as being one of Chicacolt's main concert halls.

As per every job, I had to watch before I struck. It needed find the perfect time, use the perfect tool, and make it so that it was so perfect, it couldn't be connected to either me, or my client.

I looked around my apartment. It didn't have much, to be honest. It was a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. I never knew why I decided on this apartment, to be honest, it just felt... right. The only thing that set my apartment different from the rest was my instruments. Yes, my job wasn't a musician, but I loved music too much to not continue playing. After all, I got my cutie-mark from my shining talent in music. My collection included a double bass, a piano, a violin, a saxophone and a trumpet. I smiled, knowing that they could always take me away from the world when it got too much, that feeling of security was always welcoming.

But, playing them would have to wait, as I had a job to do...

Three days of watching, three days of planning, three days of strict focus... And today it would all come together.

Sapphire shores was an extremely talented singer, as he had learned from studying her. Her voice literally sounded like an angel's corus in his ears. More the usual he had to remind himself that she wasn't a pony, only a job...

I sat in the back row of the concert hall, waiting for my job to be complete. The sounds of a beam falling, followed by screams of panic, signified that my job had been complete. Out of the chaos that erupted in the theatre, I calmly walked out of the concert hall, and back to claim my pay.

The golden doors opened, revealing the familiar office of my employer. I trotted forward, my hoofsteps casting a somber tone to the quiet office. Buck sat at his desk, looking over some papers in front of him. He looked up, noticing me, and smiled.

"Good. If you are here... Then I take it your job has been completed?"

I nodded.

He smiled, nodding to himself. "Good, good. I would tell you why I wished this particular mare gone, but I know how you don't care for that kind of information." He straightened the papers on his desk, before placing them neatly on the corner. "As promised, your pay had been transferred to your usual account, and I would like to thank you for a job well done."

I nodded.

He chuckled. "You know, you're not good company. Sure, you get the job done, but you're not much of a talker, aren't you?"

I smiled slightly. "No, sir, I prefer to keep my work and life separate. It makes things... Easier, to deal with."

He nodded in understanding. "That's a concept that I take to heart, my friend." He paused, seeming to think of something. "You know... Here, walk with me." He said, putting a hoof on my back, leading me to the large window. We stopped just behind the glass , looking out onto the city beyond. "Tell me, my friend, what do you see?"

"I see... a city?" I said, uncertain to where he was going with this.

"Yes, my city. And it is not only that, it is a machine. It is my job to make sure that it works properly, each part making sure to do what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it.

"You, my friend, are my... Repair pony, of sorts. You remove those gears that don't work quite right, allowing me to replace them with gears that work better, more efficiently."

Buck sighed, putting a hoof to his temple. "Sadly... I have to ask you to remove something quite... Close, to me."

Another job? So soon?

He chuckled, patting me on the back. "I can already see the gears going inside of your head, my boy!!! Yes, I do have another job for you. This time, however, is different... I want you to remove part of my family, one that I feel... Tarnishes my machine.

"I know you don't like details, but you'll have to excuse me for this one time, because I must disclose. She is scum, deciding to pursue... Someone of her same gender."

A fillyfooler? He wants someone dead because of that?

"I know, it doesn't seem like a big deal. But there is more at stake...more than you could understand. Her name is Octavia, my... daughter." He looked solemnly at the ground. "I want her dead, but I want you to make it quick, and painless. Her lover, on the other hoof, I want you to make her suffer..." He scowled. "Her name is Vinyl Scratch."

He turned to me, a mixture of anger and regret filling his features. "I want this done as soon as possible; I want them dead by tomorrow..."