Mare Do Well: Rebirth

MARE DO WELL: REBIRTH

A My Little Pony Fanfiction

By Unknown Nemesis & KingOfMyOneTrueWorld

Chapter One - “Out of the Shadows”

The veil of night had fallen over the nation of Equestria, covering the land under a warm blanket of indigo, complemented by the stars that winked like faint pinpricks of light in the darkness. The milky white glimmer of the moon bled through a cluster of clouds, shining down on the proud city of Manehattan like a cosmic spotlight. The metropolis bustled with life, especially during the late hours of the evening. The resident ponies were out and about, attending late night dramas at the theatre, gambling at casinos, dating at a restaurant, or partying at one of the many bars, to name just a few on a long list of recreational activities. Such lively business earned Manehattan the title, “The City That Never Sleeps”. But beneath the surface of carefree fun and peace, lied a rotten core run by lawless gangs, professional crime syndicates, and drug rings that preyed upon those who could not afford the more luxurious attributes of the city. The city of Manehattan never slept, and neither did the underworld.

“Cherry!”

Cherry Harvest let out a startled yelp as her husband, Flynn Moonshine, burst through their apartment door in a panic.

“Flynn, what’s wrong?” she asked with worry.

Flynn sped to the window, peeking outside through the curtains, then glanced back at Cherry.

"Cherry, I need you to listen to me, okay?” he said, making a visible effort to appear calm. “We need to leave, now.”

Cherry’s eyes widened. “Leave, what for?! Flynn, what’s going on?!”

Flynn placed his hooves on his wife’s shoulders and lowered his voice to a hushed whisper. “It’s the Mafia. They’re on their way here!”

“What?!” Cherry gasped, raising a hoof to her mouth. “Can’t we call the police?!”

“The cops wouldn’t make it time, not when those thugs already have a head start!”

“But what would they want with us?!”

“There’s no time! I’ll explain as soon as we’re out of this blasted town. We need to go--now!” Flynn hissed, every word dripping with desperation.

Cherry saw the plea in Flynn’s eyes and relented.

“Alright, I’ll go wake up Daisy.”

“Good,” Flynn nodded. “I’ll find us a carriage. But move fast!”

Cherry darted down the hall and into her daughter’s bedroom. She flipped on the lightswitch and gently shook the slumbering filly awake.

“Daisy, sweetheart, wake up,” she whispered.

The filly mumbled incoherently as she fluttered her eyes in an effort to adjust to the light.

“Mommy?”

“Come on, sweetie, we’re going for a little ride, okay?”

Flynn’s horn lit up as he flung open drawer after drawer in the kitchen, scrounging up whatever spare change he could find. He hoarded the bits into a small pile on the counter and did a quick tally.

Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen! Good, that should be enough to pay for the carriage!

He scraped the pile into a small sack and shoved it into his pocket.

“Flynn!”

Cherry came into the kitchen, carrying the groggy Daisy on her back.

“Mommy, I’m tired,” muttered the filly.

“I know, honey, you can sleep in the carriage, alright?” Cherry cooed, rubbing Daisy’s head.

“Are you ready?” Flynn asked.

Cherry nodded.

“Alright, then let’s get out of here!” Flynn led his family down the apartment hallway, making sure to move as swiftly and quietly as possible, so as not to disturb the neighbors. The last thing he needed, was for them to get caught up in this mess as well. He threw open the door and leapt down the front steps, but froze in his tracks. His eyes widened into saucers at the sight before him.

In front of his apartment complex, a group of sharply dressed ponies stood in a semicircle, trapping Flynn. A bulky, dark grey earth pony shoved his way past the burly ponies, offering a disingenuous smile as he chewed on a toothpick.

“Evening, Mr. Moonshine,” he said. “Where are you headed in such a hurry?”

“S-Shakedown,” Flynn sputtered, his throat choking on fear. “I-I didn’t expect to see you here so soon! To what do I owe the pleasure…?”

Shakedown removed the toothpick from his mouth, flicking it to the side. “Let’s cut to the chase, you owe us some protection money. You were late on last week’s deadline. The boss was beginning to think you were holding out on us.”

Flynn gulped. “Shakedown, please! I don’t have the money to pay you! My convenience store’s profits are falling this month, and I’m giving you at least half of whatever I’m able to make! If this keeps up, I’ll be forced to file for bankruptcy, I’ll lose everything--!”

Shakedown held up a hoof, silencing Flynn.

“I didn’t come to hear you grovel. I came to make sure the debt is paid in full. If you don’t have the money, my boss is willing to accept a substitute payment.”

One of the ponies flanking Shakedown gave a toothy grin as he levitated a bat, waving it at Flynn’s face.

“I-I…” Flynn scrambled to utter a word, let alone formulate a sentence in his fear-induced state.

A sudden, sharp gasp from behind Flynn made his blood run cold.

Oh, Celestia… Cherry, Daisy!

His worst fears were realized when he followed Shakedown’s gaze behind him, spotting the terrified mare frozen in the doorway. Daisy hugged her mother tight, quivering with dread.

“M-Mommy, I’m scared…” she squeaked.

Cherry wanted to say something, to give her daughter some assurance that things would be okay. But the look on her husband’s petrified face provided no such assurance, and she herself unable to do the same.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Shakedown chuckled.

Flynn whipped his head back around to faced Shakedown.

“No, please! I’ll do whatever you want, I just need more time! Please leave my family out of this!”

“More time, eh?” Shakedown echoed faintly, rubbing his chin in thought.

“Yes, just give me a week! I’ll have the money for you then, I promise! You have my word!”

Shakedown thought for a moment, allowing a tense silence to settle in. Then the stallion’s mouth stretched into a grin.

“You know what, Flynn, sure! I’m a reasonable stallion. I’ll give you more time.”

Flynn felt a wave of relief wash over him.

“Oh, thank you--!”

Shakedown interrupted him, “We’re just going to hold on to your wife and daughter for insurance.”

Flynn’s relief evaporated into pure horror, Cherry emitting a gasp as she started to back away, holding Daisy close to her. Shakedown’s smile widened as a large Diamond Dog lumbered to his side.

“Bulldog, if you’d be so kind?”

“No! Leave them alone!” Flynn moved to intercept the Diamond Dog, but his face was struck with a pair of hind hooves, knocking him to the floor. Two of Shakedown’s cronies stood over their fallen victim.

“Nice kick, Haymaker.” remarked the first stallion.

“It’s what I do, Coltrane.” the second cricked his neck.

The pair continued their onslaught, kicking Flynn in the stomach and face multiple times, until he was reduced to a twitching heap on the ground, blood seeping from a broken muzzle.

“Leave him alone! Stop it, please, stop!” Cherry cried out, but was quickly silenced by Bulldog clamping one of his paws over her mouth. He did the same to Daisy, reducing her sobs to muffled whimpers.

“Alright, boys, that’s enough.” Shakedown inserted himself between Haymaker and Coltrane, and crouched to Flynn’s level. “You have one week. Go to the cops and Bulldog gets to have a little... fun.”

Bulldog’s fanged jaws stretched into a malicious smile, his eyes fixating on Cherry with lustful intent. The mare quietly whined, tears streaming from her eyes.

“N-No, don’t…” Flynn reached for Shakedown’s leg, but suffered another kick to the ribs.

“Let’s get going, boys, I think he’s got the message.” Shakedown snickered.

The gang prepared to depart, leaving the broken Flynn on the sidewalk. Daisy thrashed against Bulldog, reaching out to him.

“Daddy!” she cried, muffled through the paw.

Haymaker shot the filly a cold glare that pierced through her like knives. “Shut it, kid, lest I--AGH!”

He was suddenly yanked off his hooves, causing him to land face first onto the pavement. Haymaker looked down to find a cord wrapped around his hind legs.

“What the--?!”

The cord began to pull Haymaker away from the group and up the side of the apartment complex. Haymaker screamed and flailed his hooves, but to no avail as he disappeared over the roof. It happened so fast, the rest of the mobsters barely had any time to react.

“Haymaker?!” Shakedown glanced around the buildings, the houses and apartment buildings surrounding him and his gang like trapped animals. “Who’s out there?! Show yourself!”

His wish was granted immediately, as a figure burst from the shadows, rolling right behind Coltrane and delivering a sturdy buck to his face. Coltrane was propelled across the street, his body slamming into a fire hydrant. Bulldog hurled his hostages to the side and swung a flurry of mighty paws at the assailant, but the attacks were easily evaded. With a snarl, Bulldog threw himself at his attacker, slamming into them. He rammed the assailant against the wall, causing them to audibly grunt in pain. Bulldog pulled back, letting the assailant fall to the ground. He clasped his hands over his head, preparing to bring down an axe-handle, until he was cut down by a blow to the groin. Bulldog whimpered loudly and collapsed to his knees, rendering him vulnerable enough for the attacker to slam their forehoof into his face, knocking him unconscious.

“Stay back!” Shakedown shouted at the figure. They turned their head, to see the mobster holding Daisy in a headlock. The filly kicked and struggled against her captor, but he only tightened his grip.

“Daisy!” Cherry and Flynn cried out.

“None of you come near me or she dies!” the remaining mobster backed away again. In the moonlight, Shakedown could finally make out his attacker. They wore a dark blue mask and a largely purple outfit, complete with a cape and hat.

The masked pony advanced and Shakedown tightened his grip on Daisy’s neck.

“I’m not messing around, I’ll break her neck! I’m not afraid to do it!”

A moment of intense silence followed, then the masked pony’s eyes narrowed and they spoke in a feminine voice.

“I believe you.”

The masked pony produced a small projectile shaped like a question mark, then tossed it at the thug, the gadget circling around him like a boomerang and slamming into the backside of his head. Shakedown grunted, dropping Daisy to nurse his cranium. The masked pony lunged forward and tackled Shakedown to the floor, flipping over his body and landing a few feet ahead of him. Shakedown scrambled to his hooves, throwing a few desperate hooks at the masked pony, but none connected. Ducking an attempted punch, the masked pony retaliated, slamming her own hoof into Shakedown’s chin, knocking him to the ground.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Daisy rushed into her family’s hooves, crying into their chests. Flynn and Cherry barely held back their own tears as they embraced their daughter.

“Thank Celestia, you’re both okay!” Flynn kissed his wife and daughter, hugging them both.

“Come on, let’s get out of here!” Shakedown shouted as he leapt to his hooves and fled down the street, followed by the still conscious Coltrane.

The masked pony prepared to pursue the fleeing criminals, only to be halted in her tracks by Daisy, who’d wrapped her in a hug. The mare’s mask hid her surprised expression as she looked down at the filly.

“You saved us!” Daisy buried her head into the masked pony’s chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

For a moment, the mare did not respond. Daisy raised her head to look at her savior, then felt their hoof softly petting her mane.

“It’s alright,” she finally replied, returning the hug in kind. “You’re safe now. Go on back to your family now.”

Relinquishing the hug, Daisy withdrew to her parents, who stared at the masked mare incredulously.

“You saved our lives,” Flynn said, managing a smile through his bruised face. “Thank you.”

Cherry nodded. “How can we ever repay you?”

“There is nothing to repay,” the mare turned away from the family. “The authorities have been notified and are on their way. You won’t have to worry about them again. Take care of yourselves.”

She raised one of her forehooves, with a gadget strapped to it shooting out a cable that pulled the vigilante off the ground and toward the rooftops, where she disappeared over the balcony.

“Ugh, my head,” Haymaker groaned as he sat up, slowly opening his eyes. His head still throbbed with pain and his vision was hazy from disorientation. He rubbed his hoof against his temple in a weak effort to quell the aching in his cranium. “What hit me?”

The answer came in the form of the masked mare violently seizing Haymaker by the collar and hailing him to his hooves. He was slammed against the side of a brick chimney, the mare’s hoof firmly entrenched in his neck. A gag forced its way from Haymaker’s mouth as his vision began to focus. His eyes were met by the light blue lenses of the masked mare, which cut into him like a scalpel.

“Who are you working for?” the mare asked.

Haymaker gritted his teeth. He'd been asked this question countless times, and he never felt obligated to disclose that information. Not unless he wanted to wind up in the gutter.

He growled, “Piss off, you cu--ACK!”

The mare dug her forehoof deeper into his windpipe, cutting him off. Her lenses narrowed into a glare.

“Believe me, you don't want to finish that sentence,” the texture of her voice changed, taking on a darker, menacing tone. “You were going to take that stallion’s family from him. You were going to take a filly away from her father over extortion money. Do not test me. I will repeat my question, who are you working for?”

Haymaker coughed, struggling to get his response out. “You have no idea who you're messing with,” he gasped. “Do you know what he would do to me if I told you anything?”

“Something like this?”

The mare dragged Haymaker towards the ledge of the building. The stallion’s eyes widened with horror.

“What are you doing?!”

The mare said nothing as she shoved Haymaker against the ledge, holding him so that his torso hung off the side of the complex. Haymaker’s world spun from vertigo as he realized they were at least five stories off the ground.

“Oh, Celestia! No, no, no! Please, no!”

“Your boss,” the mare simply said.

“Shakedown! I work for Shakedown!”

“The one at the top, not some flunky,” the mare said, her voice expressing a tinge of irritation.

Haymaker bit his lip.

“I don't know, I just work for Shakedown--!”

The mare started to push Haymaker further off the ledge.

“No, don't!” he screamed.

“Last chance,” she growled. “Give me a name or they'll be scraping you off the pavement.”

Haymaker’s nerve broke and he blurted out, “Tommy Gun! We call him, The Tommy Gun! I don't know his real name! I swear!”

“Swear to me.”

“I swear! I swear!” Haymaker nodded rapidly, his eyes glued shut with fear.

The mare stated at him intently for a moment, searching for any signs of dishonesty. His sweat, panicked voiced, and fearful eyes were all the proof she needed. She pulled Haymaker back onto the safety of the roof. The stallion let out a gasp before he broke into a fit of relieved panting.

“There, now was that so hard?”

Haymaker never got the chance to reply, for when he looked up, he caught a glimpse of the mare’s hoof rushing straight for his face. The world fell into blackness upon contact.

A slight chill hung in the air as Mare Do Well traversed the landscape of Manehattan’s rooftops, leaping from one building to the next. She paused for a moment to wince at an aching pain in her shoulder, then continued Eastward.

Mare Do Well spotted her destination, a large tower that proudly stood above its neighboring skyscrapers. Manehattan knew it as Ace Powers Industries; Mare Do Well knew it as home. She quickened her speed and gracefully leapt off the building she currently occupied and fired her grappling hook at one of the many windows, catching the ledge. She pulled herself toward the window, placing her hooves along the ledge, allowing her to peer through the glass and into an empty bedroom. She gently pushed the window open and climbed inside the room, sliding the window shut behind her.

As soon as the window clicked shut, the lights suddenly turned on. Mare Do Well spun around in a defensive stance, only to relax at the sight of a white Unicorn standing in the doorway, her purple mane messy and in knots.

The Unicorn muttered, “Belle?”

Mare Do Well exhaled and stood up straight.

“Hey Amethyst,” she replied, taking off her hat and resting it against the foot of the nearby bed.

Amethyst Powers; Belle’s best friend, fellow business entrepreneur, and professional worry wart.

“Another night of ‘work’, I see?” said Amethyst, more matter of factly than an inquiry. “Belle, are you aware that it's almost three in the morning?”

Mare Do Well removed her mask, revealing Belle Hearts, a light orange Earth Pony sporting dark brown mane, which she wore in a ponytail.

“It's 2:55 AM, to be precise,” Belle said as she unclipped her cape.

Amethyst rolled her eyes. “My point still stands. What kept you out for so long? This is late, even for you.”

Belle didn't look up as she continued to undress.

“A family was being terrorized by some thugs, nothing major.”

“I don't buy that for a second,” Amethyst frowned. “You don't go on patrols until nearly three in the morning for ‘nothing major’.”

Belle sighed and conceded, “Okay, so I took some time to gather leads.”

“Oh?” Amethyst quirked an eyebrow, her attention peaked. “On the Don of the Mafia, I presume?”

Belle nodded. “The one and only.”

“Well, don't leave me hanging. What did you find?”

“Not much, unfortunately. Just an alias. He goes by ‘The Tommy Gun’ in some circles.”

Amethyst rubbed her chin as she processed this information.

“Tommy Gun? Can't say I’ve heard of anypony going by that name. Still, we at least have a name to go by.”

“Better than nothing at all.”

Belle slid the rest of her costume off, only to wince in pain, a grunt escaping her lips. She caressed her hoof over the sore, muttering a cursed under her breath.

“Belle, you’re hurt!” Amethyst gasped, rushing to her friend’s side. “What happened?”

“Ugh, my shoulder’s been nagging me for the past hour,” Belle groaned. “One of the thugs I stopped earlier was a Diamond Dog. He caught me off guard and rammed me into a wall. I may need to see Gearbox for this.”

Amethyst guided Belle out of her room and towards the staircase.

“Take it easy, Belle.”

“Amethyst, it’s probably just a bruise. I can walk fine on my own.” Belle said.

“I’m not taking any chances.” Amethyst replied as the pair descended the stairs, entering a workshop.

Across the room, a dark blue Earth Pony was busy at work with welding, the torch generating a stream of sparks that just barely illuminated the workshop. With the flip of a switch, Amethyst bathed the workshop in light and shattered the mare’s concentration, visibly evident by her head snapping towards the ceiling.

“The fuck?”

“Ahem,” Amethyst called out, garnering the Earth Pony’s attention.

“Oh, it’s just you, Powers,” said the mare, setting aside her welding tools and lifting her mask to reveal a black, messy mane. “I see Belle’s back, eh?”

“Speaking of which, Belle was hit by a Diamond Dog earlier and her shoulder is sore. Mind giving it a look, Gearbox?”

“Aye,” Gearbox set her mask on the work desk, gesturing to a table to her left. “Bring her over to the table.”

Belle was brought to the table as instructed, and she propped herself on it in an upright position. Gearbox examined her shoulder and started pressing down on a few points, to test her reactions. Belle hardly flinched the first few times, until Gearbox touched her shoulder blade, and she quietly sucked air through her teeth.

“Ah, here’s your problem,” Gearbox hummed. “You’ve got a nasty bruise, but nothing serious.”

Belle shot Amethyst an I told you so look.

“Powers, mind fetching an ice pack?”

“Of course,” Amethyst nodded and headed upstairs, leaving the two alone.

Gearbox reached under her table, pulling out a first aid kit. As she was withdrawing some bandages to dress the bruise, Gearbox allowed a sly smirk to cross her face.

“She overreacted again, didn’t she?”

“You know it,” Belle chuckled.

“I swear, she gets more wound up every night.”

“She worries when I’m on duty. I can’t really blame her for it.”

“I never did, though it wouldn’t kill her to have a little more faith in you.”

“Here we are,” said Amethyst, returning from the kitchen with a bag of ice in a magical aura.

“Hold it on her bruise for me while I apply the bandages,” Gearbox instructed.

Amethyst placed the ice onto Belle’s sore, which made her visibly shiver.

“Oh, don’t be a baby,” Gearbox teased as she placed the bandages over the ice pack to hold it in place. “You deal with thugs on a nightly basis, an ice pack’s nothing. There we are, all finished.”

The mares backed away, giving Belle the space to hop off the table.

“How do you feel?” Amethyst inquired.

“Better already,” Belle smiled.

“I’d recommend taking it easy for the next few days, as well as some painkillers, just to be safe.” Gearbox advised.

“Thank you, Gearbox.”

“If only it were that simple,” Amethyst sighed. “Belle can’t exactly ‘take it easy’ when she’s out and about every night.”

“You worry too much, Amethyst. I’ll be fine.” Belle said, hoping to assure her friend.

Amethyst shook her head, not entirely convinced.

“Nonsense. Every time you leave this apartment at night, you’re risking your life. I think you downplay the danger in your job too much.”

Gearbox interjected herself into the conversation.

“To be fair, she’s been at this for a little over a year now and hasn’t come down with anything worse than a few cuts and bruises.”

Amethyst responded with a heated glare. Gearbox dismissively waved her hoof.

“What, I’m just saying.”

“You may say that now, Gearbox,” said Amethyst, “But you never know if she may wind up having to be carried home next time, or worse, she doesn’t come back at all. In this line of work, that’s a very real possibility.”

Gearbox crossed her hooves over her chest.

“Well, aren’t you just the positive thinker?”

“That’s enough, both of you.” Belle said, getting both mares’ attention. “Gearbox, I appreciate your vote of confidence, but there’s nothing wrong with her being concerned over my well-being. And Amethyst, I know that this isn’t an easy job for you. It certainly isn’t for me. But I chose to do this. I need you to respect that, and trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“I just want you to be safe, Belle,” Amethyst said in a hushed, sincere voice. “Whenever you come home with bruises like this, it’s hard for me not to worry.”

“And I get that, but I’m as careful as can be. I was just caught off guard.”

“See, that’s what worries me. You were taken by surprise and this is what happened. The next time you get caught off guard, could also be the last time.”

Belle breathed and turned away from both mares, leaning against the table.

“Maybe I shouldn’t be alive, but I am. I wouldn’t be here, unless there was a reason,” she turned back around to face her friends. “I’m not crazy, Amethyst. I just know that I need to do this, and I know in my heart that it’s the right thing to do. I have to do this, because nopony else will.”

There was a long string of silence between the three mares. It was Amethyst who finally broke it with a resigned sigh.

“Alright, Belle. I don’t completely get it, but do what you have to do.”

“Just remember that you’re not alone in this, okay, you nutcase?” Gearbox added with a pat to Belle’s back. “You’ve got Powers and I here to help you anytime.”

This brought a smile to Belle’s face.

“And I’m thankful to have friends who are as willing to help as you are, and I can’t think of anypony else I’d rather have.”

“Well, of course, you’ve Amethyst Powers backing you.” Amethyst said with a cocky smile of her own.

“There’s our resident narcissist.” snarked Gearbox.

Amethyst placed a hoof over her chest with a feigned hurt expression. “Whatever do you mean, Gearbox? I’m not narcissistic, just self-indulgent!”

“This is coming from the mare who had a golden statue of herself made and placed in front of her company’s building for all the world to see.” Belle retorted.

Amethyst let out a giggle, followed soon after by a yawn.

“Well, I don’t know about you gals, but I’m pretty beat. I think now’s a good time to hit the hay.”

“Yeah, I could use some rest myself,” Belle concurred.

“Sleep’s a no-go for me,” Gearbox was already putting her equipment back on. “I’ve got to finish installing these computers, running systems checks, and all that crap. I’ll see you both in the morning.”

“Try not to overwork yourself, Gearbox,” Amethyst warned.

“Ha! That was so funny, I forgot to laugh--minus the initial scoff.”

“You at least remembered to smile!”

“Yeah, yeah, go to bed already.” Gearbox rolled her eyes and pulled down her welding mask, shifting her attention back to her work as the other two mares departed her workshop.

“Typical Gearbox.” Amethyst remarked as they strode down the hall side by side.

“You know here, once she gets going, she doesn’t stop.”

“You’re one to talk.”

Belle chuckled. “I’m aware of the similarities.”

The two stopped in front of Belle’s bedroom.

“You sure you’ll be okay?” Amethyst asked.

Belle opened the door and gave her friend a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine, Amethyst. I’m heading straight to bed, no more vigilante activity tonight. Heroine’s honor.”

“Alright, be sure to get some rest. I’ve got big news tomorrow. Goodnight, Belle.”

“Goodnight, Amethyst.”

Belle shut her bedroom door.

“The boss isn’t going to happy about this,” said Shakedown as he trotted down a hallway, flanked by Coltrane. Their chests were weighed down with fear and unease as they drew near a large wooden door at the end of the corridor. Shakedown raised his hoof, but paused before turning to Coltrane. “You want to tell him?”

Coltrane shook his head fervently. “No way, man, I’ll pass.”

Shakedown sighed, then braced himself as he knocked his hoof against the door.

“Who is it?” rumbled a deep, gruff voice.

Both stallions cringed as his voice sent chills up their spines. They suddenly felt light-headed, as if they would pass out from sheer fright at any moment. Shakedown managed to keep himself composed enough to respond. “Mr. Gazillion? It’s Shakedown and Coltrane, sir.”

A string of silence followed, neither stallion daring to move a muscle, as if they were being watched through the door.

“Come in,” the voice finally said.

Shakedown gulped and pushed the doors open, allowing him and Coltrane to enter. They were immediately greeted with the foul smell of cigar smoke that burned their nostrils. The room was well-lit, showing off a red carpet that ran from the door to a desk at the opposite end. A large, black stallion leaned back in his chair, puffing small wisps of smoke from his lips as held the cigar firmly in his teeth. A massive, dark grey Diamond Dog flanked Gazillion’s desk, arms folded over his chest. Behind the stallion, sat an armored Griffon, whose face was obscured by his helmet’s visor. The stallion’s golden eyes honed in on the stallions, locking them where they stood. His eyes narrowed and his brow arched in a manner that spoke of his mood; and it was not a pleasant one.

“Good evening, Mr. Gazillion,” Shakedown nervously smiled as he tried to sound cordial. “How are you this evening--?”

“Did you take care of business with Moonshine, like I told you?” Gazillion bluntly asked, cutting Shakedown off.

“Yes, sir, we did… or at least, we were, but… but…”

Gazillion’s eyes narrowed into irritated slits. “But what?”

“I… I don’t know how to say this, but… we were attacked by Mare Do Well again, and we had to… run before the cops showed up.”

Gazillion glared at the pair for what felt like minutes, his gaze cutting into them like surgical knives.

“S-Sir?” Shakedown whimpered.

“Tell me something, boys,” Gazillion finally said as he smothered his cigar in an ashtray, then leaned back in his chair, never taking his eyes off the pair. “Do you like pissing me off?”

Shakedown and Coltrane exchanged worried looks, eyes widening with concern.

“N-No, sir! Absolutely not!” Shakedown spat out quickly.

“Yeah!” Coltrane parroted. “Quite the opposite, actually! We hate pissing you off!”

“I used to believe that, boys. But after three straight months of wasting time, resources, and manpower to fix your screw ups, I’m beginning to think otherwise.”

“Sir, please let us explain! We’ve tried everything!” Coltrane begged, his legs threatening to give out under him.

“We’ve doubled patrols, upped the rackets, and moved shipments, but the bitch is always one step ahead of us, and she’s been cracking down on us hard these past few weeks!” Said Shakedown.

“Sounds to me, like you boys are more adept at producing excuses, rather than results.”

“But sir--!”

“Shut up, I ain’t done talking!”

Both stallions clamped their mouths shut immediately.

“You’ve become quite a liability lately. I think it’s time we reevaluated your place in my organization.”

As if given a silent order, the Diamond Dog unfolded his arms, then made his way behind the two stallions. Both were frozen in place, shaking like leafs as the hound loomed over them. His eyes bore an indifferent expression, but his shadow wreaked of malevolence.

“Shakedown,” Gazillion said, “you’ve been around for over fifteen years now, and have demonstrated a good degree of loyalty. Ever since I promoted you to run your own district, you’ve produced mixed results, thanks to your little vigilante problem. As for you, Coltrane, you’ve only been around for the better part of a decade, and that’s about it. You’ve done nothing noteworthy, you’ve proven yourself to be little more than muscle, and unreliable muscle at that.” Gazillion shifted his gaze to the Diamond Dog. “Orson, I think the verdict is clear.”

Before Coltrane even had the chance to open his mouth, Orson’s massive hand clamped itself around his muzzle and hauled him off his hooves. Orson brought Coltrane to eye level, baring his fangs.

“Have fun with your new toy.” Gazillion remarked.

Orson smiled at Coltrane, then bared his fangs as he growled. “Tell me, little pony, are you afraid?”

Tears poured from Coltrane’s eyes as he screamed and thrashed in Orson’s grasp.

“All I needed to hear.”

Orson carried the wailing Coltrane out of the room before slamming the door shut, leaving Shakedown alone with Gazillion and the Griffon. To Shakedown, it was the most frightening display of ruthlessness he had to witness. For the don, it was business, and such brutality contrasting with his nonchalant attitude only made him even more frightening.

“Shakedown, let me make something perfectly clear to you. I want you to pay very close attention, because I’m only going to say this once. You’ve got one more chance, got it? One. Last. Chance. Fail me again, and your next screw up will also be your last! Got it?”

Shakedown nodded vehemently. “Yes, sir! But what about Mare Do Well?”

“What are you, an idiot? It’s just one mare playing dress up! Do whatever you need to! Poison her, drown her, cut her throat, bash her head in, or fill her full of lead! I don’t care! When she shows up to shut you down, have a party waiting for her… and by party, I mean a whole lot of stallions who are gonna kill her! Am I clear?!”

“C-Crystal, sir!”

“Good,” Gazillion exhaled, then relaxed in his chair, lowering his voice to an even pitch. “Now get out of my sight.”

Shakedown scrambled through the door and out of the office. Orson walked in a few seconds later, wiping his mouth with a red-stained cloth.

“Think this vigilante is going to be a problem?” Orson asked.

Gazillion didn’t reply, instead taking out a glass and depositing a few rocks into it. He proceeded to silently pour himself a shot of scotch.

“That bad, sir?”

“You want a glass?” Gazillion simply said.

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.” The don gulped down the shot, then grimaced as the alcohol flooded his taste buds. “It wasn’t so bad having her around, at first. She took out what was left of my competition, but now that I’m the only boss left in town, she’s set her sights on me. She’s quickly become the biggest pain in my flank.”

Orson arched an eyebrow. “Afraid for the business, sir?”

Gazillion snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. Aluminum Metallic Gazillion ain’t afraid of some mare running around in a stupid costume. But she still complicates things. As annoying as the pigs can be, at least they’re only as troublesome as the law allows. The fact she operates outside the law, is what concerns me.” He rubbed his chin. “She’s been most active in Shakedown’s district, so I’ll bet she’s going to strike another one of his operations soon. It’s best we stop her now before she starts branching out. I’ve got a job for you, Orson. I’ve got a shipment coming up this week. I’ll have Shakedown undertake the exchange. If Mare Do Well shows up and Shakedown proves incapable of handling the situation, step in and take care of it yourself.”

Orson grinned. “With pleasure, sir.”