A steely white stallion with a jet black mane sat at the bar. Winged Dagger took another mouthful of hard cider, looking around in boredom as he sat at his stool. He didn't mind a bit of peace and quiet but Luna dammit all, what was the point of a tavern if all there was to do was drink?

Normally Canterlot's alleyway bars were full of life: pretty, single mares trying to unwind after working for some wealthy businesspony, the usual nightlife and even some more... unique sights that only the Capital itself could offer. Boy, he'd never get over the first time he'd ventured out there from Stratusburg .

Tonight though, there was nothing like that to be seen: dull music played in the background, a few couples walked in and out and unlike some other nights he could actually tell what gender everypony there was.

Sighing internally, he wondered whether or not it was a good idea to have come out tonight. While he'd made-and lost- many a friend over the years, his 'nights on the town' were something he normally did himself; an opportunity to find himself a pretty mare or maybe have some fun at the expense of the locals. After all, he had his youth, he had a few bits and he had plenty of testosterone.

Of course, he would have preferred it a little differently and he'd come on this occasion with the hope that maybe he'd have an old acquaintance to share the experience with.

Suddenly, the atmosphere changed as a group of pegasi walked in. Led by a mare with a bright orange coat and mane, a total of five walked in: a stallion with a grayish- white coat and blue mane and three other mares, one light blue, one cream- coloured and one white with a yellow mane.

They seemed a little apprehensive, glancing around as their leader talked with the barpony. Two of them wore shades, giving off a slight air of superiority, showing that they were clearly not your regular townsfolk. If they didn't want to be noticed, the Pegasus observing them from the bar noted, they weren't helping themselves out much.

''- so I kept the spot you asked for. Is everything to your liking, ma'am?'' the mare at the bar asked her friend.

''Drop the act, Breeze. You don't have to call me 'ma'am' every time we talk, ya know,'' the orange mare deadpanned.

Mint Breeze giggled. ''Sorry, Spits. It's just weird seeing you again. You're like, never here anymore''.

'Spits' shrugged. ''Meh, crap happens-'' she gestured to her friends- ''I tell you, some of these slackers would never get off the ground if I didn't whip their asses into shape every day''.

''Just 'cause Soarin' sucks, don't take it out on the rest of us, Cap!'' one yelled back at her. The captain waved a dismissive hoof.

''I hope we'll get to catch up. It gets so boring here, I'd love to be able tell everypony about the latest from the bolts. You have to tell me if it's true about you and-'' she glanced awkwardly at the other pegasi, then whispered something in the pony's ear, giggling in the process.

Spitfire narrowed her eyes. ''Just gimme a cider, Breeze''.

The barpony smiled sweetly. ''Coming right up''.

''Buck,'' the Wonderbolt cursed as his opponent hit the bullseye.

''Better luck next time, dude,'' Dagger smiled, eyeing the other stallion expectantly.

Furrowing his brow, Soarin took a mouthful of beer before responding, ''one day I'll wipe that smile off your face, Dagger''.

''Yeah, bitch about it to someone who cares. Come on, pay up''.

''Hmph,'' he started rummaging through his bag of bits, ''usual stakes?''

''Yeah- actually, you know what, why don't you just buy the next round,'' his partner suggested.

Soarin raised his eyebrows. ''Uh, yeah sure. That's a pretty good deal dude, thanks,'' he commented putting away his purse.

Dagger waved a hoof at him. ''Don't mention it. We don't hang out nearly enough, you know?'' He drained his glass.

Mimicking the action, Soarin gestured to the bar. ''Shall we?''

''Two whiskies Breeze, top shelf,'' Dagger pointed out to the barpony.

She furrowed her brow. ''The oak malt? Damn hon. What's the occasion?''

He smiled. ''Found myself a real dumbass for a drinking buddy,'' he pointed to his left. She looked between the two stallions, then resigned herself to fetching the requested spirits, the joke clearly lost on her.

''Prick,'' the wonderbolt seethed at his partner. Winged Dagger simply looked on in mild amusement.

An hour on and both stallions were feeling the all-too-familiar buzz. The atmosphere seemed so much different now, the boredom no longer a problem. Soarin may have been a little gullible from time to time but he was good company and the two had a lot to talk about.

Still, a night always felt empty to Dagger if it didn't culminate in going to bed with a pretty mare. It was a slight weakness of his, something he'd gotten himself into trouble over before but nothing he ever thought he couldn't control.

Or so he liked to think.

''So, Spitfire- that's the captain over there- she wanted a quiet spot and we both thought of here. The bolts like a drink as much as anypony but you know, we have to be discreet''.

''Hmm...'' Dagger responded absently.

''I dunno why she let Fleet and Surprise wear those bucking shades though. I tell you, some of these mares have more balls than brains- pardon the expression,'' he took another drink, ''if Dash had been with us this would have been literally impossible''.

''Say, you ever tried getting laid with any of them? Doesn't sound like you have much competition,'' Dagger asked suddenly.

Soarin spat out some of his beer. ''Dude,'' he snickered, ''you taken a look at them? I mean, maybe if I thought any of them were straight but I doubt it''.

''That's stupid thinking, Soarin. You have to at least try, you limp dick,'' he gave a sly smile.

His partner deadpanned. ''Not this shit again''.

''You only say that cause I can actually get 'em,'' Dagger challenged his associate.

Soarin shook his head. ''Dude, take this from a friend. You're a bucking tool''.

''Whatever''

''No, really. You know not every mare likes smug guys and brawlers, right?''

''Pfft, that's a load of crap. They just tell you that to boost their self-image- how many times have we had this conversation anyway?''

''Way. Too. Bucking. Many,'' Soarin took another drink, this time of brandy. ''Ugh,'' he winced, ''You are unbelievable''.

Dagger observed him. ''I'm gonna get you laid one day, lad. See that Captain of yours?'' he gestured over to Spitfire, ''I'm thinking you and I should work together on her''.

He just got a blank look in return. ''You are unbelievable,'' the wonderbolt repeated. ''No. I'd rather keep my job. And my genitals too, come to think of it''.

''You're a pussy. No, buck it, we're doing this,'' he tapped him on the shoulder. ''Come on,'' he stood up, the alcohol hitting him suddenly. ''Whoa''.

''I- I dunno dude. You haven't got as much to lose as I have,'' Soarin slurred, observing his boss who was still chatting to the barpony.

''Think of it this way,'' Dagger paused and re-gained his balance, ''It'll mean more to you than me if we succeed, right? You actually kinda know her, right?''

''I guess,'' Soarin stood up. ''Oh Celestia, I am wasted''. He paused. ''Are we really gonna do this? Shit''.

Dagger gave him a push. ''That's still not the attitude lad. You know what, look at me a second'', he said in a stupor, turning his friend round.

''What?''

''Dude,'' he slurred, ''Seriously- seriously, you're way too bucking uptight. Loosen up- you know well as me how short life is, take a few more risks''.

Despite the silliness of the situation, Soarin had to fight back a few tears in his drunken state. He wasn't used to this much affection from his associate, though he did indeed know all too well where he was coming from.

''Also, you always have those bags under your eyes. What's with that? We need to get that checked out''.

''Yeah- wait, what?''

''Follow my lead''.

Mint Breeze had to go attend to some other customers and once again, Spitfire was left alone with her cider. The other bolts had all gone off to their own things.

She sighed internally. She would have liked to interact more with the rest of the team besides just work. It wasn't a well-kept secret that she enjoyed the ''attention'' of some of the other mares in her squadron at times but to them it seemed she was only of any interest during work when they couldn't really get anything better.

No sooner had she arranged for a night of drinks and entertainment with the rest of them had they all up and left her.

She rested her head on the bench in front of her and pawed at her drink, feeling way too alone.

Soarin and Dagger stumbled towards the bar. A smile took the cockier Pegasus' face when he noticed Breeze had left her friend and she was splayed out over the bar.

He stopped their advance with a hoof to Soarin's chest. ''See that?'' He pointed to the object of their attention. ''Child's play my friend. Mare all sad, on her own. Jackpot''.

Soarin gave him a look. ''That's really obnoxious''.

He shrugged. ''Eh, doesn't make it any less true''.

Soarin wasn't convinced; Spitfire wasn't what one would consider a 'typical mare'. He didn't like the idea that she was some prize to be won.

Oh sure, he was young, drunk and thought she looked attractive but... he had enough respect for her that manipulating her this way gave him pause.

However, his friend was well in control here and before he knew it, he found himself in front of said mare. For a brief moment, sobriety hit him as he froze up.

Two shadows emerged on the bench in front of the Captain of the Wonderbolts. She looked up to find two white- coated stallions looking at her. She immediately recognized one as her second-in-command but the other she wasn't familiar with.

She looked between them expectantly.

''Everything alright, Soarin? Who's your friend?''

''Uhh...I...ah'' he stammered. Dagger gave him a nudge.

''Look at that, you got the lad right under your hoof, I like that. Winged Dagger, Miss; Soarin and I used to be in the guard together. Pleasure to meet you''. He slurred as he held out a wing.

His breath reeked of booze and he seemed like a total creep but she kept herself civil. She returned the gesture and forced a smile.

''Spitfire. Likewise. I'm sorry to say you boys actually got me at kind of a bad time- I'm waiting for the bartender. But maybe we'll catch up later?''

She turned to her associate. ''Soarin, I need you to meet me back at HQ pretty early tomorrow. I'd recommend you quit for the night''.

''Uh, yeah, understood boss''.

Dagger rolled his eyes. Of course his friend would bail on the spot. However, he wasn't one to give up easily.

''Actually miss, Soarin's just been telling me all about his time with you in the bolts. Pretty impressive''.

''Is that right,'' she responded, trying not to let her annoyance show.

''And we kinda thought it'd be indecent of us to let such a wonderful pony sit here on her own for so long. It just doesn't seem right, you know?'' He sat down next to her.

She raised her head to observe him a little more attentively now. An idea began to form in her head but considering this pony was known to her subordinate, she didn't want to let her disgust become too apparent.

She forced another smile. ''I'll be alright, thanks. You two should probably get wrapped up, anyway. It was nice meeting you''.

Though he didn't feel like responding to it in the proper fashion, something within the stallion could sense her lack of interest and he felt his patience falter, so he opted to try a more direct approach.

''I'd rather not leave such a lovely mare to herself if at all possible, Captain. It's been pretty dead in here lately and I just can't pass up the opportunity to get to know somepony who actually interests me. Am I right?''

Was this guy serious? He may have been Soarin's friend but she didn't take kindly to his attitude. She was no stranger to pride but who did he think he was? Clearly the polite approach wasn't going to send him the message.

''You two have obviously had a good night. But you're both way in over your heads and I'm not interested in joining you. Now leave me alone please''.

''Oh come on now-'' Dagger began but was interrupted when bar security approached the three.

''These two bothering you, maam?'' the biggest one asked: a clean cut unicorn stallion whose face was obscured by a pair of shades.

''Nah, it's nothing,'' Spitfire raised a hoof. She may not have wanted anything to do with this stranger but she had her pride. ''I think I can handle my lieutenant just fine,'' she added more to her colleague than to the security.

Meanwhile Dagger (in all his wisdom) had seen in this an opportunity. ''Let's see just who this place hires to keep the peace'' he thought. He knew charm was probably not his strong suit but if there was one thing that consistently helped him get a mare it was the 'tough guy' act.

The staff had been about to leave the trio to it on Spitfire's request: ''Alright but I would ask that you two gentlecolts behave yourselves in future. The owner doesn't like it when his customers are made to feel uncomfortable and Miss Spitfire happens to be a friend of ours. Yeah?''

Soarin was about to hurriedly agree and get this situation diffused but- as he should have expected- his friend cut him off and stupidly stated: ''Don't worry, I'm sure you four dipshits will keep her safe from us''.

This got everypony's attention. The addressed stallion turned to face him.

''Excuse me? You talkin' to me, boy?''

Dagger stepped forward. ''Nopony else is here getting involved in my business, are they?''

Bravado like that was almost unheard of in that particular town, especially considering the two were outnumbered and one of them didn't look quite as sure of himself as the other. If this idiot was serious he was either really brave or really stupid. The head of security stared his challenger directly in the eyes.

''Okay. You get this one warning, boy. This is a decent establishment and we will not tolerate the types who behave like you. Keep it up and you won't be coming back in. Understand?''

Dagger smiled. ''Good thing they hired you dumbasses then, huh?''

The other stallion growled. ''You're pushing it, stranger''.

''Then why don't you run away back to your spot at the door and let me try and pick up some ass if I feel like it?''

Spitfire gave him a look. ''You know what,'' she told the guards, ''I've changed my mind, this one is bothering me a little''.

''Our pleasure ma'am'', their leader replied as the group took their cue to apprehend the stallion.

As one casually made to grab his forehoof, Dagger pulled the aggressing hoof towards himself. Surprised, the guard too late realized the danger when his target suddenly withdrew and slapped the appendage down and out away from his opponent's torso, making him grunt in pain slightly. The coup de grace was delivered swiftly however when Dagger flew up and using multiple hoof- strikes at once, hit his target in the ribcage and temple simultaneously.

After the guard had fallen disabled to the ground, the other three responded accordingly and being easily more powerful combined than the lone stallion was, subdued him despite his resistance.

While they detained him and made various threats of legal action against him for hurting their friend, Soarin looked on and shook his head. He was content enough to let them deal with his friend as necessary, hell it would even serve him right if they gave him a few kicks for good measure as far as the wonderbolt was concerned.

Dagger was an unpleasant drunk to say the least and maybe this time he'd learn to control his behaviour. Or at least that's the stance he wanted to take.

After they'd made sure other Pegasus could not give them any more trouble, one of the guards decided that perhaps Soarin wasn't entirely innocent and made to grab him. Backpedalling slightly, Soarin' gave various points of protest, claiming how it wasn't his fault, that Dagger was just somepony he met up with from time to time and that he didn't condone his behaviour any more than they did.

The guard wasn't convinced, referencing the cliché of how ''I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen'' and how unconvincing it was.

Spitfire herself intervened, taking Soarin's side; after having spent the past few years with him in the Bolts, she knew well enough that an incident like this wasn't something any of her flyers would get into willingly. However, while her objections were noted the guard stated that he wasn't in the mood to be so lenient.

The head of security agreed, noting how the two seemed rather chummy maybe a few minutes before. He conceded that legal action against the wonderbolt wasn't his intention but they were well within their power to eject him from the premises.

Not as used to trouble as his counterpart, Soarin did not know how to respond to being confronted by such a situation and as the guard approached clearly intending some form of violence or restraint, he panicked slightly in his still- drunk state.

Unfortunately for the other ponies involved, while the athlete hadn't practiced violence since his brief tenure in the military, the instinct and ability to defend was still very much there: ducking, the stallion dodged the assailant's hoof. As the guard turned to readjust himself, he felt his leading front hoof slammed down onto the bench, which was followed quickly by a bottle to the face.

The other two were taken aback at this and got up to address the new threat. This was unwise of course as the troublemaker they had pinned down before was allowed freedom once again and set upon the leader of the group, taking a bit more care this time to put some distance between them and the last remaining usher-pony.

While one didn't get into private security by being incompetent and he could counterattack against most ponies who tried their luck at fighting him, Dagger wasn't most ponies in terms of skill and the guard's defence was shattered by a spin and a buck to the knee and groin. Recoiling, his survival instincts took over his sense of calculation slightly as he started flailing his hooves about to deter a series of quick blows aimed at him.

Dagger took advantage of this and aimed his strikes so that soon enough he was landing hits on the pony's eyes, nose, ribs and ears. The guard was worn down and then grounded finally by a leg sweep.

Soarin for his part was barred from engaging further in the fight by a few of his fellows who'd noticed the fight break out and rushed to intervene. Easily dissuaded by all four at once, he could make out cries and pleading for him to stop, while he was treated to his Captain's disapproving glare and the ''you're- in- trouble'' look she used to give him in his early days on the team.

With his comrades all pretty much removed from the situation, the last standing guard backed away from the one upstart still kicking, pointing at him and making promises of arrests being made.

Dagger advanced at a steady pace, pointing out with amusement how well that had gone thus far as his opponent finally fled. He was too sure of himself, however. He had indeed assaulted staff merely doing their jobs at their place of employment and unbeknownst to everypony, the bar staff in anticipation of the fight getting out of hoof had already fetched a nearby Royal Guard patrol.

Figuring he owed the stallion as much for his actions, he confronted the group of mares holding Soarin down and tried somewhat to persuade them into letting him go (not liking having to use violence against females).

''None of us have anything to say to you,'' Spitfire spat at him though still wary. ''Tell this loser to go away please, Soarin,'' she ordered. The group looked at him, waiting for a response.

''Dude...'' he tried to find the best way to address his associate, ''you've already done enough. I can handle this''.

Dagger looked slightly downcast but gave in without much hesitation. ''Suit yourself. I got bigger problems anyway''.

''Soldiers are coming!'' Someone cried out.

Mint Breeze and another pony he guessed was also part of the crew opened the door to a large unicorn stallion dressed in bright purple armour. Upon locating him, they pointed Dagger out to his enemy.

No less than half a dozen more arrived, swords drawn. Now, the Pegasus may have been capable, bold and drunk on booze as well as a sense of power but even he knew that fighting when you were outnumbered and all your opponents had weapons while you had none, was suicide.

He flew out the back door, at least a couple of pursuers following suit.

At first, Dagger cared for nothing but putting distance between the approaching patrol, knocking over trash cans and boxes, taking as many turns as he could, pushing aside anypony who was unfortunate enough to be in his way. As the shouts of his pursuers grew more faint however, he slowed his pace: recovering his energy and leaving as little evidence of his movements as possible.

After a brief and explosive moment of adrenaline and urgency as he fled the scene of his crime, he found that eventually he could cool down and regain his composure.

Canterlot's lower district was still full of life and after a couple of careful turns he found the main street to be only a short distance away. Calming himself and joining the crowd with as much fluidity as he could manage- leaving no trace of panic or guilt to be found on his face- he did his best to obscure himself whenever any passing patrols may have glanced his way and made his way to a more peaceful part of town where the visitors from outside usually stayed.

Once inside an inn he had visited only once before, he bought himself a key and an overnight stay in one of their beds. The receptionist had found how underdressed and unburdened with personal belongings he was to be strange as the place was only frequented by tourists and businessponies usually but thought nothing of it and, he suspected, would likely not be of any concern even if anypony cared to investigate his antics for the night.

After checking out his room and finding the comfort and privacy it offered to be to his satisfaction, he snuck one of the windows and made his way to the roof, perching on the steeple unnoticed as he lit himself a cigarette and admired the clear night sky.

He led a good life, he thought.

Author's Note

No moral or lesson was intended from this whatsoever.