Stable

The tall normally-built Griffon of khaki coat and gold-fusion head feathers named Vain Envi noticed the hero near the doorway. Easily.

Vain wondered if he should tell him his eyes were much better than that of a pony's, so he could easily spot the ears, white spiky mane, and all-too gallant eyes of the brave pony.

Well, Vain did love others watching him in action. Were he to call out to the hero named Nick, it could sweep the tale of two opposing forces fighting it out in a battle of powers and wits into the wind...leaving only the scene of a pony embarrassingly shuffling out as its remnants.

...I'll just let him think I can't see him.

Vain turned his head in acceptance of the risks, having a feeling he might get shot at pretty quickly and pretty soon.

Nick wanted to get in there, and put a stop to Vain's plans. But, Vain and his Dicers could just start butchering those poor trapped ponies kept pressed against the wall.

He had waited until it was only Vain left in the main lobby of the torn-through museum, which was agony for his heart.

Unlike all those previous times, lives were at stake here. He couldn't just run in there, no matter how much his body felt the need to do the right thing.

He would have to plan this out. He would have to keep his thoughts in control.

Now...couldIopenupwithasprayofmagic?No,tooloud.MaybeifImixedinAccelerowithmycombatspell?Itmighthitsomeponybehindhim, too.Maybe-

As Nick's mind raced and was on the way to spitting out more resolutions than he could hoofle, he saw Vain turn.

...

Screw planning.

Nick drew power from his horn, filling his body with magic meant to enhance his agility. And, a second later, he was off to the races. Charging to the unsuspecting Griffon, Nick knew he'd never see it coming.

Vain had seen it coming. More specifically, the prone-to-overthinking Unicorn dash out of his 'hiding' place, tearing down the marble on a war path to save the captives.

But, still did as was expected of any villain, even shouting out the classic phrase as he dramatically glanced fully behind himself, "What the buck is going on?!"

And, there's the pain.

He very deservingly got a karate kick to the base of his back, throwing him to the ground.

He could only smirk through the pain, even as the civilians all took up the chance for escape by stampeding past his now-throbbing body.

And, now's my turn.

Standing up as the hero's attention diverted from the crime lord to making sure the inner hallways didn't suddenly explode with heavily-armed gang members, Vain rose above them all, grin staying steady as he pulled his arm back.

Then, with a snap of a talon, his entire left claw was enveloped in lightning, directing some of the crowd to look back and scream as the Griffon channeled his power.

A brilliant surge of electricity zigzagged towards the ground, intent on a light-show.

Nick had only a few seconds to react, pushing a mare out of the way as the blast impacted, releasing a wave that charged the ground in voltage.

Ahhhhahahahhhhhh!!!!

Whole body seized up, and Nick could do nothing except clutch his chest as a tingling stab skyrocketed from his hooves to his head.

Stand up. F-fight him off. Give 'em time to e-escape.

Trying to prepare a counter-attack of some kind as he fought the will to collapse, he noticed his magic not working.

It doesn't just wound me. I-I can't use my magic.

He'd never stayed up past being directly struck by this body-shaking, throttling pain.

So, he was relatively easy for Vain to pick up by the mane, then smash into the flooring.

Vain really liked this little pony he was currently picking up and tossing around.

He'd never found a hero who could hold his own against the crime lord. The Unicorn struggling to breathe and get up before him was as close as he might ever get.

Which I don't know if that's pathet-

A out-of-the-blue blur of red threw a barrage of hooves Vain's direction. The Griffon hadn't expected this sort of reaction as he took a knee, coughing up some of his lunch.

Just as Nick prepped another spell, Dicers rolled into the main lobby, having heard the commotion of ponies crying, shouting, and brushing past each other to beat it to the entrance.

They soon all diverted their attention from the runaway leverage to the lone hero, who panted and eyes twitched from various injuries.

Surrounding the tired stallion with overwhelming numbers didn't seem much fun. On top of that issue, the feeling of bones ready to break wasn't much enjoyment either to the boss.

And, the distinct sound of sirens playing out in the background sparked Vain's final decision of the battle, asking his members, "Any of you guys get the book?"

One held up his claws in excitement, knowing extra pay would come his way.

"Nice work, Dripdrop. Everygriffon else, I wanna line. We're going to make ourselves a distraction."

Snapping his talons once the simple orders were followed, Vain’s Dicers immediately opened fire on Nick with their Wind Cannons, sending him, glass, wood, and other debris rocketing outside.

Not caring as long as the hostages got out safe, Nick accepted his fate.

He was thrown with such force that, once he 'landed' onto the cement stairs all the way outside, he could do nothing as his body bounced and rolled onto the cleared road.

Nick briefly saw hooves reaching out for him, heard a blaring ringing in his ears, and felt a rumble as an incalculable amounts of cops charged into the building.

Then...darkness.