There were a few things in the new world that made Mike happy, a latte was on that short list, an old memory of his past life since he would have a large hazelnut latte every morning before work. Danni was happy as well, since no matter what the weather, how hot or cold it was outside, it was always the right time for hot chocolate, especially with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Every part of the human ghetto was the same. The march of people headed to work, the same amount headed from work. The human children playing, the occasional pony child also joining in. There were a few ponies living in the ghetto, too poor to afford even the poor pony areas.

The shopkeepers were busy with what was needed, and the occasional ten pony armored clad royal guard patrol moving by. It wasn't the guards in broad daylight that people worried about, it was the ones who raided and dragged people away in the middle of the night that people worried about.

They waited for their client to arrive, still unsure how he was to get there. Ponies, in general, were not welcomed to the ghetto, even those who lived there for years. Now, one with money would attract thieves and muggers. So, for that client, he would have to play private detective and bodyguard.

They waited for what felt like a lifetime and was unsure of what to look out for. Their speculation ended when they saw the carriage come up the street, struggling to move against the foot traffic of the slum's streets. The carriage was old, it was rotting, and it looked like it had at least being one or two years of service before being used for firewood. The carriage was drawn by four muscular men, struggling to move forward due to the traffic.

"That's our client," Mike announced.

"How you know?" Danni asked.

"You mean how DID I know? Simple: everyone around here knows that the carriage is a guaranteed time waster,"

"oh I see,"

"Yep, finish your drink. It's time to put in work." mike commanded as he dropped his newspaper on the table.

***

The pony stepped outside of the hotel. He had a sophisticated look that screamed money, an older stallion, was a green oasis in the ocean of poverty. He was inviting himself to get robbed, so Mike and Danni had to move quickly to make sure he didn't get dragged to an alleyway by the local scum.

"Hey, Cash!" Mike called out to Cash Money, his hand on his gun.

"Mike!" Cash hollered back. The two man exchanged a hoof shake, with mike flattening his hands against Cash's hooves. The smiles immediately turned to frowns, and business was started.

"So you're sure she is here?" he asked.

Both sets of eyes turned to the young girl in the hoodie.

"Yes'm. Few folks told me she was around here, and I saw her go inside room 404's. I assume it's hers' "

Mikes frown turned back to a smile.

"Good job kid," Mike said as he turned to Cash. "Stay here, I'm going to get Danni to cut off the fire escape."

Mike and Danny did the one thing they knew they were not supposed to do: enter the alley. If being a man entering the alleys were bad, women had it worse due to what the men would do to them. But, she had protection, in the form of her guardian and a nasty looking six shooter. In fact: they reached the fire escape and found themselves confronted by an older, pepper haired Hispanic man and a pegasus brandishing knives.

"Hole up, this is a mugging," The pegasus barked. "hand us your girl and your cash and no one gets hurt."

Danni and Mike looked at each other and laughed. Mike pulled his jacket to show the gun he was carrying while Danni pulled out her switchblade.

The two would be thieves' face turned from sinister to afraid in a split second, and they chose to run than fight.

He helped Danni up to the fire escape, whose ladder was out of both of their reaches. Once she got on, she was climbing on her way to the fourth floor. Staying silent, she peeked into the window of room 404 and got out of sight, pressing her back against the faded brick wall. She gave a smile and a thumb up down to Mike to know that Cash's daughter was there. Mike kept his hand on his gun as he walked out of the alley, and with a flick of his head, he invited Cash Money to follow him. The hotel was run down, the wallpaper was peeling off, and the ground was dusty. The human desk agent didn't care about the human and pony walking buy, rather choosing to chat up the maid that was as young as he was.

They took the stairs to the fourth floor, being silent. With Mike's luck, an old housekeeping cart was there, and he pushed it even if the wheels were uneven to the point where one wheel was not rolling, all the way to room 404. Mike gave three sharp raps to the door, but at first, it was silence

"W-who is it?! " the young voice cried out.

"Housekeeping! Need any towels or toilet paper?!"

"Yea! come on in!"

He spotted the master key and used it to get inside. She was also an earth pony, with a curly mane and tail. Her white coat and baby blue mane took Mike aback since it was the first time he considered a pony "beautiful,"

"Oh-um… There was someone here looking for you as well," He said as Cash walked in.

" Diamond!" he shouted with glee.

"Father!? How did you?!" she said as she started to turn and run from them and to the fire escape. She stopped to see Danni sitting on the window sill.

"Heya! you and your dad need to talk this one out!" Danni said in cheer.

"There's nothing to talk about! you drove my beloved away because you couldn't let me go and be an adult!" she cried.

"I know. You are not wrong, I put what I thought was best for the company, our family, over what you wanted. I decided to make it up to you,"

"How can you?! He is gone!"

"Not at all. Turns out he is working on one of the merchant ships we get our shipments from. He is waiting for you back in Manehattan!"

Diamond Ring was stunned by the news. She bowed her head and began to cry. Cash walked up to her and allowed her to cry on his chest.

"It's okay sweetie, it's okay. It's going to be okay." Cash softly said.

In the meantime, Mike and Danni were standing and watching the heartwarming moment, Mikes hand around his apprentice.

"You better not find yourself a boy and run off," He whispered.

"And she gets to?" Danni replied.

"Yes, because she doesn't make my job a whole lot easier."

Author's Note

I have a discord group for fans, and people who want to help edit. If you want to join the madness here is the link https://discord.gg/uAk5aAP