It’d been two days since that day and Ray was sipping whiskey out of a bottle as he wrote down details of his PMM. He was wearing a white tank top, and some shorts Rarity had made for him.

He stared at the pieces, laid out on the table beside his bed, questioning himself. However, his thoughts were interrupted by his room’s door being opened, Aj stepping in, “Are you enjoying your new room, Ray?” she asked, smiling at him. Ray nodded, and went back to drawing out details and instructions.

Aj trotted over, sitting beside him, “What’ca doin’ there?” she asked, trying to make sense of what was on the paper. Ray chuckled, and explained, “I wanted to write down some notes on my gun.” Aj looked at, shocked, “Gun?! Those aren’t allo-” Ray placed a finger on her lips, “If I didn’t have this, your sister would be dead Aj… I’d like you to realise that… And it was a gift from my father.” he said, smiling, “So please, I’d like to hold onto it.” he finished.

Aj nodded, and watched him, intrigued by the lines and detail, “You ever thought ‘bout being an artist?” she asked, looking up at him. Ray shrugged, “I wanted to go into the art business, but my father never let me, wouldn’t pay for it…” He took a moment to draw in some details on the barrel, “So I switched to market business, and he happily paid my way through school.” he finished, sharpening his pencil.

Aj nodded, and got up, “Well… Dinners on the table, and everyone’s havin’ at, come on.” she said, leaving the room. Ray watched as she left, sighed, and stood, letting out a yawn as he stretched. Looking outside, he noticed how late it was, “Well damn.” he thought aloud.

Turning, he noticed Applebloom standing in his doorway, and smiled warmly at her, “What’re you doing up her Applebloom?” he asked, kneeling as she trotted over, “Sis told me to come ‘n’ get’ca.” she answered, smiling up at him. Ray nodded, and picked her up, getting a squeal of delight from her, and he smiled. Remind’s me of when Hugo was younger… He shook his head, and exit the room.

Heading down the stairs, Ray could hear the chatter at the table, “That Ray boy-” “Not a boy.” Mac cut in, but Granny continued in stride, “He’s quite the charmer, I seen him and you, Mac, goin’ into the Boardwalk place.” she continued, and Ray came around the corner into the kitchen, holding Applebloom, “I heard my name?” he said, trying to change the subject.

Aj looked at him, and smiled, she was finally starting to see him for his good side.

Ray set Applebloom down, “Go eat kid.” he said, and she went and sat down. Granny looked to Ray, “Ain’t you gonna eat honey?” she asked, holding a spoon infront of her mouth, shaking. Ray waved his hand, “I’m afraid I’ve got to make a call, but you have my dish, you need to build your strength, so that we can keep callin’ you tough old bird.” he said jokely, getting a laugh from everyone.

Ray smiled at them all, then stepped out into the living room, sitting on the couch, letting a sigh escape his mouth. Picking up the phone, he waited a moment. There was a click, “Operator?” he asked, “Yes?” was the response. Ray smiled, lines were working, “I’d like to be put through to the Flim Flam brother’s office.” he requested, to which he got a confirmation.

The phone rang a few times before he heard the click, “Yes?” Flam said, sounding uninterested, “I have the notes, I’d like to meet this Diamond Dogs within the week.” Ray stated simply, crossing his legs. There was a pause on the line, “Alright, Ray, we’ll be down tomorrow, bring your piece and notes, and your shipment should arrive tomorrow mornin;.” Flam stated, “Shipme-” Ray was cut off by the click.

Ray slammed the earpiece onto the rack, and sat the phone down. Rubbing his face, he groaned, coughed, then stood, stretching.

Hooves, he could hear them behind him, and he turned slowly, seeing Aj staring at him, “Are you alright?” she asked, looking worried. Ray stared at her for a moment, letting his anger settle before sighing, “I’m fine… Tired.” Aj nodded slowly, “I… told Granny to save you a fritter.” she said, looking down, holding out a plate with the fritter

Ray smiled, warmed by the gesture, “Thank you, Aj, I’ll eat it in here.” he said, taking the plate, smiling warmly. Aj nodded and left, leaving Ray there. He let out a sigh, and sat on the couch, eating quietly, wondering about the other elements.

Never really see Rainbow Dash that much… Nothing of that Pink One… And I don’t like Twilight, far too close to Celestia…

He was drawn from his thought by someone poking him, and he looked down to he left, noticing Applebloom, “Excuse me Ray, but… Could I sleep with you tonight?” Ray shuddered, but this was different, it was comforting a child, “Of course.” he said, rubbing her head.

Standing, he took his plate to the kitchen, and cleaned it, ignoring the talk of Mac and Granny.

When he finished, he said his goodnights and went upstairs, followed by the Bloom, and went into his room, sitting on the side of his bed. Putting in the final details in the notes, he got under the covers with Applebloom, and shut his eyes, “Good night, Ray.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray was sitting in a field, and he knew this place, it was somewhere he’d been before. Looking around, he noticed that the field was all that there was, and the sky was night, but the land was bright, like the sun was shining. Strange place.

He could hear the sound of wings flapping behind him, and he turned, coming face to face with Luna, “So, this is your world?” Ray asked, crossing his arms. Luna chuckled, “No, this is your world, just a field; I find that interesting.” she said, trotting past Ray, looking around, “Mind if I make a few changes?” Luna asked, looking back at him.

Ray only stared at her, then just shrugged, “Yeah, but don’t mess up my grass.” he said jokingly.

Suddenly, a bright flash blinded him for a few moment, “Gah! Fuckin’ jesus?!” Ray yelled, flailing his arms. When his sight finally returned, he was greeted by an amazing sight.

A city, massive, he found himself in the middle of it all, nightclubs and bars at every corner, a place he could enjoy, “What is this?” Ray asked, spinning around to take it all in. Luna sighed, “My dream…” she said sadly, looking down. Ray was confused, “Your dream? This is what you want?” he asked, trying to clarify. Luna nodded slowly, “Celestia does not show me the respect I deserve now that I’m back.” she explained.

Ray was only becoming more confused, “Now that you’re back? I…” he couldn’t really express himself. Luna only shook her head, “Story for another time, but Celestia has placed me in charge of keeping an eye on you, but you won’t have to worry about me. From what i can see, you’re making Equestria what it used to be.” Luna said, smiling at him, it made his skin crawl.

Luna clapped her hooves, and the whole city collapsed into the field, leaving nothing behind. The wind was a nice return. Looking around, he noticed everything was back to normal, but when he looked back at Luna, she was gone, “Where’d…” he said quietly, before suddenly he was enveloped in darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray woke with a start, gasping as he reached for the side table, slapping his hand against the wood surface. Applebloom was awoken from the smack, staring at him, “Are ya alright, Ray?” she asked, worried. Ray nodded slowly, getting up out of bed, quickly putting on some clothes, “I’m fine, I just… Had a bad dream.” he said, finishing buttoning up his silver vest.

Ray growled, noticing his gun was still apart, and went about putting it back together. Applebloom got out of bed, and left, looking back at Ray, worried.

Soon, Ray was staring at a PMM, smiling at it, the turned, heading for the door. However, he was stopped by Aj, “Why was my sister in here?” she asked passively. Ray tried to get by, “She couldn’t sleep alone.” He squeezed by Aj, and rushed down the stairs, heading for the front door.

Mac stopped him, “I’m going with you.” he said, causing Ray to groan, “Mac, please… I… You can’t, I’ll tell you later, but I can’t take you with me on this.” He said, holding Mac by his shoulders, staring him in the eyes. Mac sighed, nodding, and moved aside, letting Ray get by.

Opening the door, he was greeted by Flim and Flam, both of which were putting a crate onto the porch, “Hey boys.” Ray said, closing the door behind him. Flam smiled, “Nice to see ya fella.” he said, holding out a wooden chest. Ray took it, opening to look inside, and smiled. My blood money. He thought grimly.

Ray walked past them, and put the chest under the stair, “Put my things there from now on.” he said simply, and Flim grunted a yes. Flam smiled, and began leading Ray, “You look nice.” Ray smiled, “I know, Rarity’s been a great help.” he said, smiling at the clothing he was wearing.

They walked in silence for the most part after that, going past the farm. Along the trail away from Ponyville.

Eventually, they came to an open field, nothing was growing here either, which Ray thought was odd, “So?” “Pull out your gun.” Flam said quickly. Ray did so, making sure the safety was off, “Why do-” Ray began, but was cut off by a mound of dirt suddenly appearing, and three Diamond Dogs popped out of it.

Ray was slightly shocked, then realised how stupid they were, considering the Dogs just blindly charged at them. So Ray opted to shoot the least important looking one, the short on on the right, couldn’t even run properly.

Two shots. One in the chest. One in the head.

The other two dogs suddenly skid to a halt, looking down at their now dead friend, then back at Ray. Flam was watching in shock, surprised by the power of Ray’s pistol, then more so when Ray took initiative, “You’d best stay right there.” Ray said calmly, approaching them. The Dogs shook, not daring to move, “I’d like to talk to you about some work we’ve got for you.”

Flam took it from there, “We’d like for you to help use with mining out metals and other materials. In return, you’ll not have to worry about the ponies taking your gems.” The Dogs seem to like this deal, and nodded vigorously, “Yeah! We take you to boss! He will hear deal!” the tallest Dog said. Ray sighed. It’s going better than I thought it would.

Flam nodded, his brother remaining quiet, “Of course, we’d love to.” he said quickly, a smile on his face. Ray rubbed his beard, and nodded along.

The two Dogs quickly began digging a diagonal path into the ground, and Ray sighed, taking the lead. Let’s get this over with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray had to cover his mouth, it was awful, the place smelled like shit and death. Not pleasant. Flim and Flam were not faring any better.

Dog were watching them as they walked. Ray noticed some using their claws to have at veins of metal, and dug out massive gems. Ray could feel a business coming to mind.

Eventually, that came to a large room, tall enough to have stone pillars holding the ceiling up, Ray was impressed, and whistled. This caused a great many Dogs to glare at him, “Please… Do not whistle here… It is offensive.” A deep voice spoke, and drew Ray’s attention to it, revealing a large Diamond Dog upon a stone throne. It’s like something out of Fantasy.

Ray’s little group approached, and Flam took the floor, “We come bearing ideas and deals to bring you work and money. All we ask for, is part of your caverns so we can build small forges.” The ‘King’ seemed to think about it, “Fine.” he said plainly, “Now leave.” he continued.

Ray took the hint, and turned, leaving, “Where’re you going?” Falm asked, trying to stop him, “He told us to leave, we’re living.” Ray stated simply. He can stay if he wants. Ray though, making his way past Flam, who sighed, and followed. Flim didn’t seem as willing, but did turn after a moment, slowly following them out as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray could breathe again, the fresh air of the surface very welcome. Flam was happy… enough. Flim could be in a far better mood. Flam tried to lighten it, “He said yes, that’s all that matters.” Ray nodded, agreeing.

Ray looked at the sky, and smiled, “I think I’m gonna… Go…” He was stumped, he could have swore…

Flam patted Ray’s back, “You alright big guy?” he asked, giving Ray a worried look. Ray shook his head and smiled, “Yeah, I’m fine. Why don’t you guys head on down to The Boardwalk? I hear they have something new on the menu.” The two brothers looked at each, shrugged, then left, leaving Ray to watch the sky.

After a few moments, Ray shrugged, and started to walk, until he heard a cough from behind him. Turning, he came face to face with Luna, who only chuckled, “Hard of hearing?” she asked, joking. Ray smiled, and nodded, “Comes with old age, you should know.” he joked back, and they both laughed.

Stifling them, Luna smiled and held out her left hoof, “It’s nice to see you again, Ray.” she said, her smile warm. Ray took her hoof, not willing to kiss it, but a good shake and nod of the head, “Charmed, nice to see you as well Luna.” He said, smiling back, “What brings you around this tiny town?” Ray continued, looking around.

Luna brushed back some of her hair with a hoof, “I came to see you, you’re far more interesting than my sister, all she does is politics.” she said, making a bored expression, Ray decided to make a joke, “I don’t like hearing about your sister sleeping around with the our board member.” he joked, causing Luna to cough and blush.

One punch to the shoulder later, and they were walking along the trail back towards Ponyville, “I came to ask how’s your business going?” Luna asked, getting slightly closer to him, trying to pry. Ray wasn’t having it, “What business?” he asked innocently, smiling as he walked. At least she isn’t blind. He thought, chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” Luna asked, glaring, to which Ray waved a hand, “Oh nothing, I was only thinking about heading to Daniel’s bar for a drink.” he said simply, “Care to join me?” Ray asked, giving her a dashing smile, and she only laughed, “Trying to do to me what you did with those…” A look of thought, “four mares?” she asked, a wry grin on her face.

Ray stumbled, causing Luna to laugh, “I didn’t know there were four, maybe I’m better than I give myself credit.” he said, but shuddered. What the fuck is wrong with me… I really might just ring Danny’s neck. He thought, and looked at Luna. She is attractive, for a pony.. Or.. horse, if you considered her size.

Luna looked at him, and rose a brow, “Yes?” she asked, to which he shook his head, “Sorry, was lost in thought.” Ray said quickly, looking to see the progress they were making in their walk. Only now, they were just coming up on the farm.

Ray sighed, “Business is well, Apple Family is making it’s money, and I make mine from Daniel.” He said, looking at Luna, chuckling dryly. Luna smiled, “Was that so hard, and don’t worry. Honestly, I’m rooting for you, and I can be of great help to you, anything to undermine my sister and make her look bad.” she said, looking at him, “I won’t get in your way.”

Ray was shocked, a government official… Just gave him the green light to go about his criminal business. Ray chuckled, and looked at her, “Would you also be willing to give me money?” he asked, seeing if he could push his luck. Luna put a hoof to her chin, thinking, “Hmmm… No.” she said simply, smiling at him, “But I’m sure you can get your own money.” she continued.

Ray sighed again, and noticed Mac coming towards them from the town. Once he was close, he nodded to Luna, and smiled at Ray, “You headin’ to The Boardwalk?” he asked, curious. Ray nodded, “Yep, gonna bring the pretty lady with me as well.” he said, motioning to Luna, who smiling lightly, chuckling.

Mac nodded slowly, “Alright Ray… I’m gonna head to the farm, make it home safe.” he said slowly, smiling as he went past. Ray watching him go onto the property, then head to the farm.

Luna laughed lightly, “You’re good friends with him I assume?” she asked, to which Ray nodded, “You could say that.”

They kept walking, talking about pointless things from then on, weather, news, other things and such. Ray was ready for a drink, and was in the mood for something strong.

Once in town, Ray followed a remember path to the bar, and when he was able to see it, he noticed it had far more business now. He and Luna approached, skipping a line outside the door, the bouncer letting him and Luna in.

The inside was pretty much the same as ever, though, he noticed two stallions guarding the stairs upto the rooms, and chuckled, “Well, isn’t this nice.” Ray said, nudging Luna, who smiled and nodded, “Quite, let’s get a drink.” she said, leading them to the bar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ray couldn’t tell how long they’d been there, but it was a while. Most of the customers were upstairs at the moment, and there was a dancer on the stage Ray was watching, taking the occasional sip of his whiskey out of a glass. Luna, on the other hand, was drinking from a bottle, her fourth bottle.

“This is nice.” Luna said, watching the stage, “I always wanted to be a dance when I was younger.” she continued, leaning towards Ray, yelling over the music. Ray nodded, “I’d bet you’d do great.” He yelled back, grinning ear to ear. This is fun. He thought to himself, watching the dancer make her way off the stage, letting out a sigh.

“Well Lu-” He turned to face Luna, but she was gone, “Luna?” Ray asked aloud, looking around for her, only to notice her step onto the stage, wearing one of the flapper dresses, smiling at him.

Music began to play.

Ray suddenly felt his heart lift, leaning forward far more interested now.

An owl and a squirrel watched a happy couple~

Spooning ‘neath a tree

And they heard him say

Be my honey and I’ll be bumble bee~

He whispered listen to me, dearie

I always want you to be near me

Don’t ever, ever stay away

When you hear me call “Yoo-Hoo”

Ray was standing now, right at the edge of the stage, staring up at Luna. He felt angry with himself, at the world, at her. He didn’t want to admit something to himself.

When you hear yoo-hoh-hoo-hoo

You'll know I’m waitin' for you

We’ve got some lovin' to do

Under the moon

Ray could only stare. Why was she doing this, to scare him, to tell him she loved him? We’re only drunk. He thought, wanting to believe it.

The skies are starry and bright

The birds are sleepin' at night

And there is no one in sight

Under the moon

Ray couldn’t think about the negatives anymore, and only watch Luna, her eyes closed, singing into the microphone.

Close to my heart

I feel your tender embrace

Never to part

Like birds in June

Nothing, would get in Ray’s way now. Not in the way of her.

I’m calling yoo-hoo-hoo-hoo

You know I’m waitin' for you

We’ve for some lovin' to do

Under the moon

Luna finished, and opened her eyes, smiling as the small crowd clapped their hooves and Ray helped her off the stage, “Did you like my singing?” Luna asked, smiling, stumbling slight. Ray nodded, “I did… It was.. Beautiful... But why did you do it?” he asked. Luna chuckled, “You said you thought I’d be good, so I wanted to see if I was.” she said simply, grinning.

Ray nodded slowly, feeling down, “I see.” he said, wobbling slightly. Luna placed a hoof on his chest, balancing him, “Ray, I’d like for you to wait for me outside, I’ll be there in a moment.” Ray nodded, and headed out.

Standing there, Ray began to realise what an idiot he’s been. I was about to go against my morals… for some fuckin’ pony. He sighed, and leaned against the wall. Looking to the sky. Night already? He thought, shrugging.

The door opened, and Luna came outside, trotting past him, “Follow.” she ordered, and Ray almost said ‘no’ but he sighed and followed.

They walked in silence, walking down the path to Fluttershy’s home, “Why’re we going to Shy’s house?” Ray asked, stumbling every now and then. Luna sighed, “We aren’t.” she said simply, turning to follow the river. Ray groaned, “Then where are we going?” he asked, looking at the sky, and thought he saw something move. What was…

Luna coughed, taking his attention. They were in a small field, beside the river, and she levitated a blanket out of a saddle bag Ray now noticed, laying it out, “Sit.” she ordered, and Ray did so. She sat beside him, sighing, “I’m tired of my sister Ray… I hate her.” Luna stated, staring at him. Ray shrugged, “What’s that got to do with me?” he asked.

Luna laid down, and showed herself to him, “Comfort me.” she said simply.

Ray was flabbergasted, shocked, and any other words you could think off. … Fuck it.

Author's Note

I'd like to let everyone know, what happened at the end, was caused due to inebriation, anger, and some want. It will not last, and there will be hell to pay. So don't shoot me.

Let me know about mistakes.

Good day.