Songs of Sorrows

Trebass led Royal Flush around Ponyville for the entire afternoon. They visited restaurants, shops and even Sweet Apple Acres. The two stopped by a cafe for a break, Trebass ordered a cup of tea while Royal Flush ordered a coffee. Royal Flush shared her stories of Las Haygas, how she was a regular gambler back in the city. Trebass enjoyed hearing about all the casinos she had worked and played at.

The time passed quickly, and before they knew it, the sun had begun to set. They passed a night cafe on their way back to Sugar Cube Corner. One of the signs in the window said "Open Mic Night".

"Hey, maybe you could play me a song up there?" Royal Flush asked her new unicorn friend.

Trebass wondered if that was the greatest idea or not. His guitar was hanging on his back, it seemed like it was beckoning him to play it.

He decided that he would give it a shot. They both walked in and sat down at a table. Trebass set his guitar on the adjacent seat next to him. He sat across from Royal Flush so they could both have a clear view of the stage.

"I'll be right back, I need to go freshen up." Royal Flush politely excused herself as she trotted over to the little filly's room.

Out of the corner of his eye, Trebass thought he saw a familiar face leaning on a wall across the room. But a crowd of ponies blocked his vision.

Ponies drifted on and off the stage. Singers, Comedians and ponies with other talents amazed Trebass. Royal Flush returned from washroom and sat down next to Trebass. The unicorn was about to go on stage, but a large crash stopped him in his tracks.

The crash was followed by a gunshot. The noise echoed from the outside into the cafe. Ponies gasped, screamed, and panicked. The entrance door swung open, and a stallion with a black ski mask walked in. The colt had a black mane and grayish skin.

"EVERYONE, HOOVES ABOVE YOUR HEAD!" The stranger commanded.

All the ponies in the cafe obeyed the strange pony. All but one, Trebass remained standing.

"I said, HOOVES ABOVE YOUR HEAD!" The stranger commanded again, while pointing the gun at Trebass.

"What are you doing?!" Royal Flush whispered loudly, she hid under a table.

Trebass ignored the warnings and vaulted over the table then rushed towards the stranger.

A loud bang echoed through the room, as the stranger fell on his knees.

Trebass had a gun pointed at the already dead colt.