“That Applejack… is my younger sister.”

Rainbow Dash and Twilight eyed each other, before refocusing on Big Mac.

“I see the resemblance. She’s orange, and he’s red. Both got freckles. And they both got that annoying ass country accent, too.” Rainbow Dash muttered. Big Mac’s eyebrow twitched.

“So you lead the greatest threat to your little sister? What kind of brother are you?” Twilight asked. Zecora noticeably backed away at that sentence.

“Ignorance isn’t cute, young lady. I’d avoid talkin’ on things you don’ know ‘bout.” Big Mac said.

“That girl is a danger to herself and those who decided to side with her. That’s it.” Big Mac finished.

“Now…” Big Mac began, as he began to walk slowly towards the two, cracking his knuckles.

“I want to know a few things… and you’re gonna tell me exactly what I want to know.” Big Mac said, a cold stare in his eyes, as he stood firmly across from the two.

It was at this moment that Rainbow Dash had just realized that the chains she was looking for was slung around Big Mac’s neck.

“And I want my motherfucking chains back.” Rainbow Dash said, pointing to his neck, as her frown grew.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight readied themselves for another fight, despite their fierce exhaustion and existing injuries.

Twilight, however, knew one thing, and it was one of the moments where she began to despise Rainbow Dash’s driven character.

“We’re terribly exhausted, and that man was enough to scare away the girl we couldn’t even lay a finger on… We’re terribly outdone here, and if we die in prison, nobody’ll know… Better play this one safe.” Twilight thought, as the big red man, Big Mac, inched closer, his large fists bulged into a knuckle, veins popping all over his muscles.

“Well… As safe as this can possibly get…” Twilight sighed internally, steeling herself.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie stood outside Applejack’s house.

“Now, when we go in, I need you to apologize to my gran’ma and lil’ sister, okay?” Applejack instructed. Pinkie Pie nodded slowly.

Applejack nodded in return, approving of her attitude. However, she was still slightly worried, because although the nasty black aura around her dissipated, those crimson irises of hate and despair stayed. Her hair also refused to return to its previous exuberance. Shaking it off, Applejack put her keys through the door, and walked in, deducing that her mood would come back with Rainbow Dash.

As she walked in, she smelled something that caught her attention immediately.

“Gran’ma!?” Applejack yelled, licking her lips.

“Whatcha’ got bakin’!?” Applejack yelled, rushing inside. Pinkie Pie followed behind slowly, still feeling guilty about her previous behavior.

“Apple pie, you know it girl!” Granny Smith hollered.

“Mmm! Smells delicious! Got enough for four?” Applejack called.

There was a small silence.

“You didn’t bring that rude bitch back, did’ya?” Granny Smith called, walking out. As her eyes met with Pinkie’s, she made a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Applejack’s Grandma… I’d like to apolog- oof!” Pinkie Pie gasped, interrupted by a punch to the gut by the short Applebloom, who snuck up on her.

Pinkie Pie immediately fell to her knees, losing her wind and gritting her teeth.

Applejack immediately picked up Applebloom by one leg, holding her upside down to her face.

“Bloom? What’d I say about interrupting people?” Applejack asked, annoyed, as Pinkie clutched her stomach in pain. Granny Smith gave a small chuckle, before regaining her seriousness.

She walked up to the grovelling Pinkie Pie, staring her in the eye for a few seconds.

“Save the words,” Granny Smith began, seeming satisfied after having the eye contact.

“I can tell when a child’s sorry. Go wash your hands, we got some food to eat.” Granny Smith said, walking off, putting on her oven mitts.

Pinkie Pie, giving a suppressed sigh, finally regained her breath. She stood eye-to-eye with the upside down Applebloom being held by Applejack.

With a displeased pout, she flicked Applebloom’s nose, and walked off to the bathroom.

“Stinky-face!” Applebloom yelled after her, holding her nose in pain.

“Now now, play nice you two!” Applejack said with a small chuckle, as Applebloom lifted her fingers off her leg, and she fell, running after Pinkie Pie.

Applejack sighed, as she walked to the table to help Granny Smith serve everyone.

“Y’know, you’re too good to be leading a gang, dearie.” Granny Smith said, hearing Applejack walk into the kitchen.

“And you’re too good to be caring for a cold-blooded murderer, who leads a gang.” Applejack said, kissing her grandmother on the cheek, and setting out four plates.

“That was courageous of you, y’know.” Granny Smith said.

“Huh?” Applejack asked dumbly.

“Facing your past like that. After what you went through. It was brave.” Granny Smith said. Applejack stopped in her tracks.

“Your father would pat your head for standing so bravely in front of that gun without dropping a tear or having shaky limbs.” Granny Smith said.

Applejack clutched the tablecloth hard.

“Your mother would commend you for chasing down such a horrible memory for the sake of a friend.” Granny Smith finished.

A drop of liquid hit the tablecloth. Soon after, another one did.

“I… I try to make ‘em proud… I just did what I thought was best.” Applejack said.

“You did good, kiddo. She that important to ya?” Granny Smith asked, walking over to

Applejack and dabbing her face with a cloth. Applejack’s clutch on the tablecloth loosened.

“No, but… I can’t see someone else go through that. Plus, she means the world to someone who didn’t give up on me, when it was so much easier to just do so.” Applejack said, referencing to how Rainbow Dash came back for her in the cafeteria shootout.

“Is that so…? Well, then, we’d better get this table served… They won’t be long now.” Granny Smith said, pulling the cloth down from Applejack’s face with a warm smile, as both began to set the table.

Both Rainbow Dash and Twilight cautiously circled Big Mac, as Zecora watched with a sort of pity for the two. She pitied Rainbow Dash’s blind courageousness, and Twilight’s fierce loyalty to follow it.

She was already able to understand their personalities and behaviors, as well as the small hierarchy they formed in the short time she studied them.

“Rainbow Dash, your stupid bravery is a fatal issue; I can only hope that through this ordeal, God’ll be with you.” Zecora stated, holding her palm to her chest, as she eyed her.

Rainbow Dash grunted. “God? You believe that shit, too?” Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“God is a powerful entity, child, do not be mistaken. Do not lead It to have you forsaken.” Zecora replied quickly, her attention aroused at the Rainbow Dash’s disbelief.

“Right. If God exists, then the motherfucker’s ‘forsaken’ me years ago. Let me focus on this fight, huh?” Rainbow Dash said, as she began to move forward cautiously.

Zecora gave a small grunt in return. She was about to rebut Rainbow Dash once more, but decided against it, but decided against it, deducing that she likely wouldn't leave this encounter alive enough for it to matter.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head in a direction, as Twilight walked in it. The two began to circle him slowly, like a pair of sharks.

Big Mac held up one finger. “You both have just one chance. Tell me about my little sister now, and I might let you off with just a mild concussion for disrupting my gang. Otherwise, I’ll rip you two apart limb by limb.” Big Mac proposed, his only warning.

Rainbow Dash started with giggles, and then broke out into a laugh.

“You must not know what we’ve been through. Do you even know who we are?” Rainbow Dash asked, her ego high.

“Rainbooms, nigga. We’re gonna be running this city, so you think I give two fucks about ‘disrupting your gang’, dude?” Rainbow Dash laughed, mocking Big Mac’s countryside voice.

"A fight it is. This ‘lil lady needs to be taught a lesson.” Big Mac began, his face twitching in anger.

“Zecora, be my witness that they were warned." Big Mac said, staring at the two girls.

"I bear witness, it is true. Hopefully it will be quick and swift for the two.” Zecora stated, crossing her arms and leaning back.

“Not a chance.” Big Mac said, a small smile creeping to his face.

"Who's going to get broken first?" Big Mac asked, carefully watching the two girls circle her.

"Big talk for someone who's 2 against 1." Rainbow Dash replied, tightening her fists.

"Big talk for some lil girl who couldn't even land a scratch on a single unarmed girl." Big Mac smirked.

Rainbow Dash's brow twitched. "Motherfucker, I'm gonna beat that goddamn smug ass smile off your little red face."

While the two spoke, Twilight thought of why Rainbow Dash was incredibly persistent in hopeless situations.

Sure, it was one of the main reasons she had chosen Rainbow Dash, but in situations like this where she was fighting for almost nothing, it made no sense to her.

She could always find a different, much less dangerous way of regaining possession of her valuables. Twilight looked at the chains around Big Mac’s neck, thinking why they really meant anything.

"This is your last chance to give those chains over your neck, nigga. Cause when I swing, this shit gonna be over real soon." Rainbow Dash said.

"Mmm, nope." Big Mac replied simply.

"That's time." Rainbow Dash said to Twilight, as their hands went up into a fighting stance.

"Fuck..." Twilight thought, regretting the situation she was about to enter.

Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash lunged forward, fist cocked back. Her fist came in contact with Big Mac's gut.

Big Mac barely lurched over. He smiled down at Rainbow Dash. He let out a small breath, looking down at Rainbow Dash.

"I'll give you a little credit, girlie. You pack a hell of a lot more of a punch than most of these idiots. But you couldn't even match my little sister, so," Big Mac began grabbing Rainbow Dash's hand, lifting her.

"This'll be over soo-"

*Doosh!*

Twilight had jumped and delivered a powerful kick to Big Mac's head.

While he did stumble, it didn't seem to bother him much. Before Twilight could fall all the way back to the ground, Big Mac grabbed Twilight's calf, holding her up above the ground.

"Two little flies caught in my hands. Didn't I say this'd be quick?" Big Mac chuckled, tightening his grip.

"Don't be so confident, bitch!" Rainbow Dash yelled, lifting her body, and planting both her feet on Big Mac's chest.

With great strength, Rainbow Dash pushed off of his chest with her feet. After 2 seconds of maximum exertion, Rainbow Dash finally broke free, hopping off and away.

Big Mac stumbled just enough for Twilight to do the same, but with her hands.

Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash met up again, panting.

Rainbow Dash lurched over slightly, holding her now red arm, burned from his powerful grip and the friction of releasing herself.

"Don't get caught again. That motherfucker has monster strength, just like his dyke sister." Rainbow Dash said through breaths.

"He's strong? The fuck was your first guess, Einstein?" Twilight asked, as she rubbed her red-sore calf, staring at the man.

"Fuck up... Look, we need a good strategy to take dude out. We can't win with just strength, this time." Rainbow Dash said.

"Plan?" Twilight asked, as Big Mac began to walk towards them slowly.

"The knife and the pipe. Go for them, I'll distract him." Rainbow Dash said, walking forward slightly.

Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash. "You sure? That's Applejack's brother, and leader of the Pirus. Might be a lot of heat if we cut his throat." She said, thinking about what his death would mean.

Rainbow Dash's eyes focused on the chains around Big Mac’s neck. Something about this situation, having those valuables taken from her, boiled her blood, as her anger grew.

"Yes I'm fuckin sure! Ain't enough space in this town for more than the Rainbooms. We’re killing him." Rainbow Dash replied, annoyed.

“Alright. When do I go?” Twilight asked, readying herself.

"On my mark." Rainbow Dash said, as they began to walk towards Big Mac.

"Mark!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as both ran forward. Twilight jumped and rolled to the side, running for the weapons.

Big Mac looked back slightly at Twilight. However, he decided to focus on the approaching threat, which was Rainbow Dash.

"Alone? You suicidal, silly bitch?" Big Mac laughed, preparing himself.

"I can't wait to knock the cockiness outta ya." Rainbow Dash growled, as she ran towards him.

She threw a single punch, which Big Mac caught. Before his grip could harden, Rainbow Dash chopped his hand away, rolling underneath him.

She wrapped her hands around his body, and tried to lift, to no avail.

With great strength, Big Mac grabbed the two forearms on his body, and lifted Rainbow Dash over his back, slamming her into the ground with ferocity.

"Ahgck!" Rainbow Dash cried out in pain, arching her back. She rolled over, and stepped back from Big Mac.

“Definitely too heavy for a slam.” Rainbow Dash mentally noted, feeling weak from the attack.

Rainbow Dash looked behind Big Mac, and saw Twilight running at him with the knife.

Seeing the shift in eye-focus from Rainbow Dash, Big Mac knew what was up.

He turned quickly, and was surprised to see the blade mere inches from him.

With no hesitation, he lifted the palm of his hand, as the blade drove through it, and also slightly stabbed his chest, due to the close proximity.

However, Twilight wasn't done. She lifted herself on the knife, shifting it down, and causing more pain to Big Mac.

As she lifted herself to his head, she used her other hand to swing the pole into his head with all her strength.

Big Mac stumbled, the thick red substance beginning to leak down his head.

He began to feel woozy.

"Fuck I say bitch, Rainbooms running this shit! We ain’t done yet!" Rainbow Dash gloated, giving Twilight a high-five.

"Ee-yup... 'Fraid you are." Big Mac said ominously, as his orange hair covered his face. He walked over to the two slowly, the knife still impaled in his hand.

Soon, he picked up into a sprint, aimed at Rainbow Dash.

Twilight tried to stop him with the pipe, but Big Mac gave her a powerful shove, sending her tumbling.

"Ah shi-"

*Doof!*

Rainbow Dash was sent sailing back, and crashing into the cement wall of the prison cell. She was temporarily immobilized immediately, writhing in pain.

"Now for you, little girl. You're gonna pay for this." Big Mac said, pointing to the blade in his palm, as he walked towards Twilight.

Twilights heart filled with fear. She wouldn't be able to stop him from jamming that knife into her throat or skull, not with that kind of strength.

For a short while, Twilight contemplated fleeing, as her heart began to beat faster and faster, thoughts of what Big Mac would do to her accelerating through her mind.

"Didn’t know I was such a pussy." She thought, scolding herself.

Big Mac ripped the knife from his palm, as blood splattered on the ground. The hole in his hand leaked profusely.

"Ready to die?" Big Mac asked, as he walked towards Twilight, bloodlust in his eyes. Twilight tried to focus her senses on the blade and Big Mac’s hand. One mistake would mean her death.

Big Mac reached Twilight, and slashed powerfully. Twilight ducked it, but was immediately met by a powerful knee to the gut, knocking the wind out of her.

She stumbled back, and immediately fell to her knees, coughing and choking.

Big Mac picked Twilight up by her throat aggressively, and bashed his forehead into hers, as Twilight fell again, feeling woozy.

As she tried to get up again, Big Mac placed his palm on her head, and smashed her head into the wall forcefully.

Twilight fell again. Tears welled in her eyes, as she looked through her now bloody eyes up at Big Mac. She was powerless against him, she could barely even withstand his strength. She began to fear for her life.

Rainbow Dash finally recovered, witnessing the situation. She immediately began to rush over to Twilight.

"Goddammit, stop it!" Rainbow Dash yelled. Seeing someone she cared for, being manhandled like that. It triggered something in her.

Rainbow Dash picked up the pipe as she ran, her teeth gritted in anger.

Big Mac turned, to see Rainbow Dash running. Planting her foot against Twilight's head, he turned his body halfway to Rainbow Dash, pointing the knife towards her.

Futilely, Twilight planted both hands around Big Mac's large calf, as she felt him put more and more pressure on her skull. She could feel herself losing consciousness from the head wound, as blood poured down her forehead.

Rainbow Dash swung hard with the pipe. Big Mac simply caught her forearm, disarming her.

With a powerful swing of the pipe, Rainbow Dash flew to the ground, blood immediately beginning to leak from her head.

"D-Dash...!" Twilight cried from underneath the boot crushing her face, as more tears fell. Twilight's heart was beating with fear. They’d both die in the depths of prison. Nobody would even know.

"I'm coming, Twi!" Rainbow Dash called, as she dizzily got up, the head-wound affecting her.

“Gonna make it in time, before I flatten her head like a pancake?” Big Mac said, pushing his boot further into Twilight’s nose.

"For fuck's sake, I said stop!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as she punched. Big Mac caught the fist, crushing it in his huge palm.

"Argh!" Rainbow Dash yelled in pain, beginning to lose feeling in her hand, and feeling her bones grind against one another.

Big Mac let go, and quickly grabbed her neck, holding her up.

"Stop? I thought the Rainbooms run this city? You’re supposed to make me stop, not ask." Big Mac taunted, smiling in her face.

Rainbow Dash punched at his forearm, holding his hand over her throat. It was no use, and her arms were too short to reach his face. She could feel her breath draining slowly.

“A bug under my boot, and a cretin in my hand. This is the Rainbooms? Fucking pathetic excuse of a gang.” Big Mac said, laughing.

Rainbow Dash, in a bout of anger, lifted her body, and kicked Big Mac's face repeatedly, until his grip weakened enough for her to drop, allowing her to finally catch her breath, her eyes watery from the ordeal.

Big Mac decided it was time to end this. He pulled his foot back, feeling Twilight’s grip on his calf weaken, assuming she finally lost consciousness. As he pulled it back, however, Twilight was quick to stand.

In that half-second she stood, Big Mac's foot shot back forward, crushing Twilight's stomach. She coughed up an unhealthy amount of blood immediately, falling to her knees.

"Lucky you, I thought you were blacked out. If you weren't so quick to stand, I might've had some brain on my boot." Big Mac said sadistically, watching the stunned Twilight.

Twilight could not breathe at all. She fell onto her back, a single stream of blood lying on the side of her mouth to her chin.

Big Mac knelt, tapping her face a bit.

"C'mon missy. You gotta stay up and watch what happens when some ragtag, underdeveloped gang challenges Blood gang. My gang." Big Mac said in mockery of Twilight’s earlier actions, as he grabbed both of Twilight's forearms, lifting her.

Holding the blade, he smiled sadistically at the teary-eyed Twilight, loving every bit of fear on her face.

*Schinkt!*

"AGGGH!"

Big Mac drove the blade through both of Twilight's hands and into the wall, pinning her to the wall.

Blood leaked from Twilight's hands onto her forehead. Blood dripped from her chin, leaking from her forehead. She was sure she was defeated.

She was also sure that she now had some type of severe internal bleeding after receiving that kick. Thankfully, she was able to take extremely small breaths now, her wind barely and slowly returning to her.

"Fuck you! I'm gonna fuckin kill you!" Rainbow Dash yelled, finally regaining her breath. She stood, clearly angry.

"What can a little ant do to a giant?" Big Mac asked, shrugging.

Rainbow Dash, furious, ran towards Big Mac. She jumped, and punched at Big Mac's face. Big Mac side-stepped it, kneeing Rainbow Dash's gut.

"Rainbow Dash...!" Twilight yelled. However, it came out as nothing more than a wheezing squeak. Although she was able to barely breathe, she could only do less of a job at speaking.

As Rainbow Dash kneeled, trying to catch her breath, Big Mac approached with the pipe.

*Dink!*

Rainbow Dash fell, more blood leaking over her face. Her vision was bloodied now. With rage, Rainbow Dash stumbled back to her feet in no time. She couldn’t take her eyes off the chains and Twilight. Her fists tightened hard.

"Rainbow Dash...!!" Twilight squeaked again. Only Zecora noticed this time. She noticed that Twilight was terrified, as tears ran down her face, mixing with the blood dripping from her chin.

Twilight was in fear for not only her life, but Rainbow Dash's as well. Twilight knew that she was defeated, but Rainbow Dash didn't accept defeat, and she feared that it would cost her her life.

"You can't win!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"I am the leader of the Rainbooms, god-fuckin-dammit!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as she dodged a punch from Big Mac. She then kicked at Big Mac's side.

Catching the foot with one hand, Big Mac looked into Rainbow Dash's face with cold eyes.

"Rainbooms obviously don’t mean shit right now. Ready to talk about my sister yet?" Big Mac asked, holding the pipe up with a tight grip.

"Fuck y-"

*Dink!!*

Rainbow Dash fell to the ground again, her head spinning, and the metal sound ringing in her ears.

With even more rage, Rainbow Dash punched the cement floor hard, and stood back up, blood dripping from her chin and knuckle.

"You're gonna fuckin die, I swear you're gonna die!" Rainbow Dash yelled, her face heavily wrenched and twisted with anger. Her eyes shined. Pain, passion, and determination.

"Twilight, just wait for me, hurd?" Rainbow Dash yelled behind Big Mac, to Twilight.

“I’m fucking coming!” Rainbow Dash said adamantly.

"Dashie...!!!" Twilight yelled, mouth agape, but coming out as nothing more than a squeak once again, that Rainbow Dash was too absorbed with anger to notice. More tears fell, as she noticed Rainbow Dash become more and more wounded.

She struggled to free herself, hurting herself more on the blade pinning her to the wall, to no avail.

"Keep going, and you might have brain trauma you can't live with. If I let you live at all, that is." Big Mac warned.

"Fuck you, fuck your gang, fuck your birth, fuck what you want, fuck what you need, fuck your friends, fuck your shitty ass gang again, and fuck you! I don't want any pity from you! From any of you!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as she put her fists up again, stumbling much more.

Big Mac sighed. "No pity, huh?" He asked, his grip on the pipe tightening again.

"I'm. Gonna. Fucking. Kill you." Rainbow Dash droned on, her eyes focusing on the chains swinging from his neck.

"I won't lose to someone like you." Rainbow Dash began.

Through Rainbow Dash's eyes, a faint figure of a woman’s face appeared over the silver bullet swinging from Big Mac’s neck.

"Not again." Rainbow Dash said, tightening her fists.

"Come." Big Mac said.

Rainbow Dash ran to Big Mac, planning to put all her strength into this one final onslaught.

Big Mac swung the pipe, but Rainbow Dash blocked it with her forearm, feeling the area bruise immediately. Gritting her teeth, she continued.

With a powerful kick, Rainbow Dash grabbed the pipe, and kicked off of Big Mac's thigh, disarming him.

She quickly dashed forward with the pipe, and swung at his ribs.

*Clink!*

Rainbow Dash rolled to the side of Big Mac. Jumping off the wall, she swung the pipe at the back of his head, as blood stained his orange hair, and he stumbled forward.

"That's it! His weakness is speed! I'll fuckin slaughter him now!" Rainbow Dash grinned, finding her success, as her mood eased slightly, and her confidence began to return slowly.

As Big Mac turned, Rainbow Dash rotated around him, and smashed the side of one of his knees with the pipe.

He swung behind him, as she ducked it, and swung at his head again, causing another wound.

"How does it feel!?" Rainbow Dash yelled, swinging away at Big Mac.

"Feels like..." Big Mac began, as he began to follow her not with his body, but his senses instead.

Feeling the wind rush to his side, he turned, spotting her.

"You're still too slow!" Big Mac said, blocking the pipe with the palm of his hand, and kicking her back, regaining control of the weapon.

Rainbow Dash rolled back, coughing from the kick to the chest.

"No pity in this one." Big Mac said, one of his eyes covered in blood, as he lifted his arm, angry that she had hurt him so much. Rainbow Dash, winded, could only watch as the pipe approached.

*DLINK!!!*

The pipe broke and was dented beyond use with the last hit. It slid across the floor, as Rainbow Dash dropped, unmoving, a severe wound now lying in her forehead.

Big Mac paused, watching her. After some seconds passed, he saw her spit blood on the ground.

"Still awake? Good." Big Mac said, stomping his foot onto her chest, crushing it.

Rainbow Dash's hair-color was beginning to now be replaced with the red substance leaking from her wounds.

"Now, about my sis-"

"Fuck what you want." Rainbow Dash spat, grabbing his ankle with both of her hands. Tears stood at the edge of her eyes.

“I’m getting my chains back, and I’m saving Twilight!” Rainbow Dash said, struggling.

Big Mac put more weight into his step, as Rainbow Dash groaned more.

"R-A-I-N-B-O-W D-A-S-H!!!" Twilight squeaked out once more, this time more powerfully.

Rainbow Dash looked beyond Big Mac, and saw Twilight's crying face. She looked desperate. The look of fear on her face wrenched Rainbow Dash's heart.

"I-I'm coming...!" Rainbow Dash wheezed out, having the air pushed out of her.

"No! Stop! It's not worth it!" Twilight squeaked, her air still having not returned. Rainbow Dash paused, looking at her underneath Big Mac.

"You can't die here. We've been through too much! Why would we waste it? Why are you so persistent?" Twilight asked, tears running.

"This cunt-licker... Has my... Fuckin chains!!!" Rainbow Dash yelled, exerting the last of her strength to displace Big Mac's foot just enough to roll out of the way, and stand again, coughing and gasping. She nearly stumbled back to the floor.

"So what? Is it worth your life? Is it worth throwing away what we worked towards?" Twilight asked, her lips wrenched into a pained frown.

"Those are my fucking mother's chains! And Pinkie's, too! That's worth more than my shitty life would ever be worth!" Rainbow Dash yelled, the tears beginning to fall down her face.

"But Dash...! There's gotta be another way..." Twilight said, unable to understand the value behind just a few items.

"Another way? To get MY MOTHER’S chains back!? Are you DEADASS?!" Rainbow Dash yelled with rage, as the tears leaked down at a greater pace.

"My mom, wherever she is, is seeing this shit go down, and is probably pissed the fuck off I don't have her shit back by now! And you want me to haggle for it or some shit? Are you FUCKIN serious?!" Rainbow dash yelled.

"Listen-" Big Mac began, retreating slightly.

"No, you fuckin listen! Those chains are the last thing my mom gave me. I'll die before I let you have those! You understand me? You’ll have to fucking kill me!" Rainbow Dash said, stumbling still from the head wounds. Blood still dripped from her hair and chin.

“I’m sick of letting people take my shit away! I’m sick of people stealing shit from me! Momma, Dad, my life! Now these chains, Twilight, and shit knows if Pinkie’s okay! I’m fucking through letting you motherfuckers think they can just take my shit away! I’m, going, to, kill you!!!” Rainbow Dash roared, her emotions surfacing. Tears streamed down her face.

“I’m not losing you Twilight. I’m fucking done losing people I care about!” Rainbow Dash said, veins appearing over her body as she steeled herself one final time.

She saw the situation happening again: the vision of a single man taking it all away; Twilight, someone she could trust; her chains, the last vision she had of her mother; and he would be preventing her from getting back to Pinkie Pie, the last person on this planet that made her feel loved.

It frustrated her being faced with such a vivid past-image.

Twilight fell quiet, the outbreak of emotion surprising her. She became still, pinned to the wall, silently watching.

Big Mac was silent. He had now decided against simply killing her. He wanted to talk to her, but knew calming her at this rate was impossible.

Instead, he balled his fists once more, walking towards Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash thought hard about how to fell Big Mac; she couldn’t rely on simple power, nor could she rely on her specialty of speed, as he surpassed both.

She let out an involuntary yell of frustration, feeling helpless.

“Fine then!” Rainbow Dash yelled, running at Big Mac, her body flexing in preparation for another bout of attacks.

As Rainbow Dash reached, she dodged a punch from Big Mac, jumping up onto his body, kneeing his head. As she dropped, she was caught by Big Mac holding onto her arm.

Turning, she slugged her arm into his gut, to no avail.

“Nngh! Fuck! Fuck!” Rainbow Dash yelled and grunted, trying to free herself.

“Rest.” Big Mac said simply, as he pulled Rainbow Dash towards him, moving behind her and shoving his elbow down into the back of her head with much power.

Rainbow Dash fell onto her back, finally unconscious. Blood began to seep into her hair.

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight yelled, regaining her voice little by little.

Big Mac stared down at the unconscious figure. He studied her face, messy with blood and tears. Her features were wrenched with anger and determination. He shook his head, calmly removing the chains from his neck, dropping them onto Rainbow Dash’s body.

“Rest now.” Big Mac repeated, turning to the cell’s exit.

Silently, he walked out of the cell, shoving past the crowd that had arrived to watch the bout.

Twilight hadn’t even realized that a crowd had appeared to watch.

However, she was only worried about Rainbow Dash. From this distance, Twilight couldn't deduce if she was still breathing or not, and the simple "Rest now," from Big Mac caused her mind to race.

"Arrrgh!" Twilight groaned in pain, trying to release herself from the knife pinning her to the wall.

Zecora shook her head, walking over to Twilight slowly.

Twilight looked at Zecora with a pleading look.

Zecora grabbed the handle of the blade, and ripped it out of the wall, as blood splattered across the ground. Two unsightly holes were now present in both of Twilight's hands.

"F-fuck! It hurts! It hurts...!" Twilight hissed lowly, as she stumbled and tripped and crawled over to Rainbow Dash.

With tears over her face, she shook Rainbow Dash feverishly.

"Boss, you gotta get up!" Twilight said frantically, unable to tell if she was breathing, still.

Zecora walked over, and kneeled beside Twilight. She took a single hand, and pushed it beneath Rainbow Dash's shirt, trailing to her chest.

With ferocity, Twilight grabbed Zecora's forearm and tore it from Rainbow Dash's being.

Zecora looked at the anger-driven Twilight in confusion.

"The fuck are you doing at a time like this? You think this is the time for that creepy shit!?" Twilight yelled, turning to Zecora with rage.

“She could be dead, and you wanna fucking touch her? I’ll fuckin drive that knife through your throat!” Twilight threatened, peeved.

"Take a second to calm yourself from the bout. It is only her heartbeat that I wish to check out." Zecora explained, handling the directed anger well.

Twilight only retreated slightly, and nodded. Zecora placed her hand over Rainbow Dash's chest once more for just a few seconds.

"That girl is made of steel. And God, sure as daylight, is real." Zecora said, as she made the symbol over her heart again, with a small smile.

"She's alive...?" Twilight asked, worry on her face.

Zecora nodded. Twilight breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

Twilight lifted Rainbow Dash's limp body, and hugged it.

"Thank goodness! Thank goodness..." Twilight said, holding Rainbow Dash's bloodied head with her bloodied hands.

Suddenly, Twilight felt an aggressive tug at her shirt. She looked down, and saw Rainbow Dash's hand on the collar of her shirt.

She looked back up to see Rainbow Dash streaking tears down her face.

"Dash?" Twilight asked with worry.

Suddenly, Twilight was pulled into a tight hug that hurt her much more with the kick she received to her core. However, because it was from Rainbow Dash, she endured.

Twilight could feel Rainbow Dash's body shake, as she sniffled with the occasional whimper.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked softly, hugging her back softly.

"I-I'm... I'm so glad..." Rainbow Dash said between gasps and sniffs from her crying. She spoke lowly, as Zecora walked back a few steps, giving them their privacy.

"Glad? About?" Twilight asked, confused.

"So glad... that you're okay..." Rainbow Dash sniffed.

"I'm..." Rainbow Dash sniffed, as her hug tightened further, causing Twilight to squelp.

"So sorry..." Rainbow Dash said, as her body shivered again, and more tears fell onto Twilight's back.

“Sorry? Dash, what’re you sorry about? What’s wrong? Are you feeling okay?” Twilight asked, worried that the constant head-injuries might be causing her to hallucinate.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... He'd've killed you...!" Rainbow Dash said, her tears picking up, as her lips wiggled uncontrollably. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Twilight directly.

"I can never protect the things I love…” Rainbow Dash said, as her hug tightened further. Her heart wrenched in pain.

“We’re still alive, Rainbow Dash. And you have your chains back.” Twilight said, pulling back and showing her the chains. Rainbow Dash ignored the chains, her tears continuing.

“We’re only alive because he let us live. I only have them because he let me have them. Why am I so weak? Why am I always powerless? I’m sorry, Twilight. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m sor-,” Rainbow Dash began, the crying shaking her body. Twilight interrupted her, however, her brows furrowed.

“You recruited the leader of a prominent gang, Applejack. You stood up to someone clearly impossibly stronger than you. You’ve almost raised an entirely fresh gang in just barely two or three days. You think you’re weak? Where’s Top-Law, leader of the Rainbooms? Where’s Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked, trying to re-motivate Rainbow Dash.

“... Pinkie Pie, the chains, now you-,”

Twilight had interrupted Rainbow Dash by closing the distance between their lips. She couldn’t think of anything else to calm her, and the closeness tempted it.

Rainbow Dash was too surprised by the action to continue or back away.

Realizing what she had done, Twilight's face reddened greatly.

"Th-that's to say... That i-it's fine... I mean you not being able to-not to say that you couldn't, y'know what I mean-," Twilight stammered on, her heart racing a thousand miles a second. She stopped herself, taking a deep breath.

“W-what I mean is… Rainbow Dash, you’re great. Really, you’re awesome. Look at these wounds you have. You try so hard to protect. The shredded skin on your hand and back and shoulders, all for Pinkie. Fighting so hard to retrieve the chains, and to save me. Doesn’t the effort speak levels to how powerful you really are? Power and strength isn’t defined by success.” Twilight said, her face red as she spoke her mind.

Rainbow Dash’s crying slowed, as she processed what Twilight said. Twilight’s hue grew, expecting that she was so quiet because of the kiss, which was still burned into her mind.

“Thanks, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash finally said, after a good 30 seconds of silence. Her crying had stopped, but her brows were furrowed still.

“But, if I can’t succeed in protecting what I love, I can’t ever run this city the way I want to. I’ll get better. So much better that they’ll fuckin fear my name when they hear it! They won’t dare even look at my family, my possessions, my life!” Rainbow Dash said, standing slowly.

Twilight looked up with a small smile. As Rainbow Dash tried to take a step forward, she stumbled again, falling to her butt.

“Relax. Your head wounds are still pretty severe.” Twilight said, holding her.

Rainbow Dash put her chains back on, and sat back. No words left her mouth, she only stared into the wall, deep in thought. Twilight watched, trying to deduce what Rainbow Dash could be brewing in her mind.

Suddenly, Big Mac walked back into the room, a large metal box in his hand.

Walking next to Rainbow Dash and Twilight, he dropped the box with a heavy thud. He then walked over to his bed, silent.

Rainbow Dash had not even bothered to look at him.

“There’s supplies in the box. Use them before those wounds get worse.” Big Mac instructed, sitting back in his bed.

“Why didn’t you kill us?” Rainbow Dash asked, unmoving. Twilight, however, began to open the box, fishing around for supplies.

“Simply put, I know what it feels like to have everything taken from you, constantly. Family. Friends. Possessions. Hope.” Big Mac said plainly.

“Death Lotus?” Rainbow Dash asked, her voice rough form crying.

“Applejack.” Big Mac said, looking up with a glare, as both Rainbow Dash and Twilight looked at him, their curiosity and surprise aroused.

Applejack and Granny Smith had just finished setting the table as Pinkie Pie and Applebloom returned to the dining room.

"The gang's all here! Dinner time y'all!" Granny Smith said, as they all sat, and Granny Smith served everyone. They began to eat, all hungry from the long day.

"Hey, 'Jack?" Applebloom asked, muffled, her mouth full.

"Swallow your food first, Applebloom." Applejack said. Swallowing, Applebloom continued.

"Why does that pink girl have momma's hat?" Applebloom asked.

"Whoa there, now that she mentions it, why does she have their hat?" Granny Smith asked.

"It's a deal, between the two of us. If I break my end of the deal, she gets to burn the last thing my mother gave me." Applejack said calmly, gesturing towards Pinkie Pie.

Applebloom and Granny Smith stared between Applejack and Pinkie Pie. There was an obvious unease in the silence.

"D-d'ya realize what you said there, dearie? Gosh, maybe I need my glasses, I'm not hearing that right." Granny Smith said.

"Yeah! That's mom’s hat." Applebloom agreed, emphasizing its importance.

“First off, ‘Bloom, it was actually Dad’s hat, mom only made it.” Applejack said, her eyes closed as she chewed her food.

"Second, I know what I said, and what I’m doing. Leave it at that, and let me enjoy dinner, because after tonight, I won't be able to hang with you guys like this for at least 2 weeks." Applejack said, taking another bite.

"Oh… kaaayyy..." Granny Smith said, shaking her uneasiness away.

Clearing her throat, she decided to change the subject.

"So, pink girl-"

"Her name's Pinkie Pie, for pete's sake." Applejack interrupted. Granny Smith eyed Applejack, before continuing.

"So, Pinkie Pie, what's your relation to this gal you wanna save again?" Granny Smith asked.

"She's my girlfriend. And the best friend you could ever have." Pinkie Pie said simply.

"I see. And you love her so much that you'd risk my granddaughter's life and prized possession by breaking into the Orange Penitentiary just to save her?" Granny Smith asked.

"Damn skippy." Pinkie Pie said, looking into her eyes.

Granny Smith chuckled. "Well, if it were any less than that, I wouldn't let either of you go, so I guess it works out." Granny Smith said.

"Oh?" Pinkie Pie hummed, eyeing Granny Smith.

"As if your permission would've changed anything… It’s not your gang to permit." Pinkie Pie thought bitterly, taking another bite, closing her eyes.

"So, babygirl, what's the plan? How're you gonna prepare for an invasion of that scale?" Granny Smith asked Applejack.

"You ain't hear? 'Bout Mac?" Applejack asked, replying.

Granny Smith's expression changed completely, and so did the mood.

"Gotta be big news if you've just mentioned my grandson just like that." Granny Smith said, the air becoming thick and intense.

"Braeburn's connects in the cells suggest that he's gonna be breaking out soon." Applejack said.

"Big Mac's comin back home!?" Applebloom asked excitedly.

"Don't be so happy, 'Bloom. He might not even make it back to the city." Applejack said, her eyes not leaving Granny Smith's face.

"Are you still stuck on the past, 'Jack? You gotta let go." Granny Smith said, her voice in a serious tone.

Applejack's fists tightened. "I'll let go when he pays for what he did." Applejack said, her brows furrowing.

“I’d rather not have my grandchildren at each other’s throats. What happened was just-,”

"Like I was saying... We're gonna have a bit of an arms race. Except, instead of racing another army, we'll be racing time. I want to get what we'll need before the breakout initiates. Ideally, we'll be posted just a mile or two away from the Penitentiary hours before it begins. Then, we can invade during the internal confusion." Applejack explained, interrupting Granny Smith purposefully. It was to show that she wouldn’t tolerate ‘the talk’ around an outsider of the family.

Granny Smith sighed, understanding, as her eyes quickly shifted from between her and Pinkie Pie.

"Forcing them to fight on two fronts. It's highly simple, but effective. Sounds good." Granny Smith nodded.

"Ee-yup." Applejack nodded.

They all ate in silence for a few seconds.

"But the question is, how will you prepare? What will you do before then?" Granny Smith asked.

"Well, I think I'll begin with my dear 'ol big brother's little gang on the west side of town. I'll probably do a few raids there, steal whatever supplies they've been hoarding, and then allocate the Crips' funds towards some ordinance. Basically, as if we were prepping for turf war." Applejack explained.

"I can handle the allocation of funds. You just focus on not dying in your brother's territory." Granny Smith said, pushing her plate forward as she finished eating.

"Yes sir, Gran'ma. Thanks." Applejack smiled, pushing her plate forward as well. Pinkie Pie and Applebloom did the same.

"I wanna help too!" Applebloom said, standing on her chair to be at eye level with the rest of them.

"Hmm... Maybe it is time for Applebloom to start helping with family affairs." Applejack thought, rubbing her chin.

“You just said about an hour ago she was too young, though. What’s this?” Granny Smith thought out-loud.

“Change of mind. How old are you now, Applebloom?” Applejack asked.

“Nine!” Applebloom stated proudly, holding up her nine fingers.

Applejack nodded in approval. “About the same age I had joined the Pirus. It’s your time to join a gang, too, Applebloom.” Applejack said.

"Yeah it is!" Applebloom said excitedly.

"But it's a scary world out there, sis. You sure you ready to bang?" Applejack warned, one finger up.

"Scary? Pssh, nobody can beat me! I'm the best gangbanger on the street!" Applebloom bragged.

"Really? Well, before I initiate you, you've gotta prove your worth. Then after the Orange Penitentiary Exfiltration Raid, I might have a spot for you in a new gang." Applejack proposed.

"I'll prove my worth ten times over!" Applebloom vowed.

"Awesome. You can start by washing all the dishes while Pinkie Pie and I start planning how we're gonna gear up and coordinate these raids on the Bloods." Applejack said, patting her head.

"H-hey! That's not fair!" Applebloom said, crossing her arms and pouting. Her eyes shined.

"Look 'Bloom, time management is super important for a gang's operation. You'd be doing us a huge favor." Applejack said.

After a few seconds of silence, Applebloom replied, "Fiiiiiiiiiine."

"Thanks girl! I'll pay you back, take my word!" Applejack said, smiling.

"Promise?" Applebloom asked.

"Promise." Applejack smiled, ruffling her hair.

"Alrighty then, I'll have these done lickety-split!" Applebloom declared, clearing the table and bringing the dishes to the sink in lightning speed.

"I'll leave you girls to it then. I'll start calling up some of the more prominent gang members and tell them where they should be putting the trafficking money. Sound good, boss?" Granny Smith asked.

Applejack couldn't help but smile at their relationship. Although Applejack was forced into submission by Granny Smith due to their parent-daughter relationship, Applejack was still referred to as boss.

It was the one thing she would miss when the Crips fell underneath the Rainbooms.

"Perfect, Gran'ma. Thanks." Applejack nodded, as Granny Smith disappeared out the doorway.

"So, Pinks. How combat ready are you?" Applejack asked. She only stared back, thinking. Applejack noticed that Pinkie was still far from her normal self. Her eyes were still cold and dull, and the crimson color remained; her hair was still straight, but the murky aura around her had at least dissipated.

With no words, Pinkie simply reached under the table and brought out the gun. She cocked it back, and flicked the safety off, sending a shot into that rang through the house. She then flicked out her blade and stabbed it into the wooden table.

"That ready. Can we get moving already?" Pinkie asked, impatient.

"'Jack!?" Granny Smith yelled from the other room.

"We're fine, Gran'ma!" Applejack yelled back.

"Sure. But first, let's go to my room; maybe you'd like a little more than that pea-shooter." Applejack smiled, as paint chippings fell from the roof.

Both walked to their room, as Applejack sat on her bed.

"Open the closet, and take your pick." Applejack instructed.

Pinkie walked over to the closet, and opened it. As it opened, lights came on, and guns sprawled out across the entire span of the closet.

"Oh, this'll do." Pinkie Pie said simply, a small, sadistic smirk creeping across her face, as she reached for some weapons.

Author's Note

I played around a lot with the text sizes in this chapter. Also, it takes me way too long to update this, I'm gonna have to start scheduling myself!

... Meh ...

Anywhosies, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and please do R&R, it makes me happy! ^,^ Other than that, if there's any vocabulary, lingo, or grammar you're not particularly familiar with, or think is wrong, do feel free to ask and/or inform me of it. Toodles!