Equestria Underground-Book I: Hope Is Magic

Amongst the bustling, malformed miscreants that infested the Klugetown marketplace, Tirek appeared to blend right in. Thankfully, he hadn’t drained enough magic to drastically alter his size, so he was of average size and didn’t draw too much attention to himself. The only real change was that his bones no longer hurt from moving, not that he was complaining. His eyes darted around, searching for any possible pursuers. When in Klugetown, it never hurt to be extra cautious.

He eventually came across a “gentlemen’s” club and decided on it as a place to hide out for a couple hours. While the other recently freed slaves went nuts and drew attention to themselves, Tirek would be hiding in plain sight. The front of the establishment was crawling with a multitude of males and some females from different species, all of them chattering, smoking or simply eyeing whoever came into their line of sight.

Something resembling a large toad stood with his arms akimbo in front of the club’s entrance. He took a long hard look at Tirek. “Where do ya think you’re goin’?”

“In,” Tirek simply said.

“Name?” The toad growled.

“Tirek,” He replied almost bored.

“You ain’t on the list,” the toad grumbled indignantly. “And if you ain’t on the list, you ain’t getting…-”

“Petey! Long time no see, man!” A lanky, Abyssinian cat strode up to him, his gait one of casual arrogance.

“Capper?” The toad-man asked. “I didn’t know you was in town.”

“Just got back. The boss is expecting me.” The toad-man, Petey, pulled aside the velvet rope and allowed Capper to enter. The cat then turned and said, “Oh, and the centaur guy is with me.”

To say Tirek was surprised was a understatement but he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you for your cooperation.” Tirek smiled as he went inside past the reluctant toad.

Almost as if to mock the building’s plain and shabby exterior, the club’s interior was sleek and well-designed, covered in Saddle Arabian carpeting, neon lights and expensive wooden tables. The women were very eye-catching, even for one as old as Tirek.

“Enjoying the view?” The cat from before quipped, casually leaning up against a stone column. “Welcome to Venko’s Oasis, where the drinks are fine and the, he he, entertainment even finer.”

“Capper, darling, welcome back.” A white tabaxi said from the pole in the center of the stage. Tall and slender, she resembled a bipedal leopard with a spotted, dark yellow coat and olive green eyes. Clad in a criss-cross halter top-style brassiere, G-string and ankle-length loincloth, she exuded feminine beauty and sensual beguilement as she danced like a pro. The Abyssinian's eyes tracked the movements of the tabaxi's rather generous hips while she crouched and rubbed her back against the pole.

“And Lucille, my sweetheart, it is great to be back!” Capper chuckled and tossed a wink at her. “How’s my little kitten doing, hmm?”

“I’m doing good but I have been asked to do a special dance in a little while.” Lucille replied in a semi-bored tone. “The boss is in the back by the way. One of the dancers brought their kid in today.” She said as she spun around the pole with her legs.

Capper rested his chin in his paws. “Lucille, I swear you’re an artist! Seriously, it may have Venko’s name on it but you own this place, baby!”

“And don’t you forget it,” she laughed breathily, finishing up her routine before collecting the money and leaping off of the stage gracefully. She winked at Capper and caressed beneath his chin with her tail as she headed backstage while the next performer came out, this one a white pegasus with a stripper pole for a cutie mark.

Tirek was confused as to what exactly is going on but knew enough to not ask any questions. Yet.

“So, are you enjoying yourself, big guy?” Capper asked, skillfully rolling a silver coin between his fingers. “Aren’t you glad you ran into me?”

“Not yet as I know there is a catch to your generosity.” Tirek crossed his arms knowingly.

Capper let out an exaggerated gasp. “I go through the trouble of getting you into this fine establishment and you accuse me of having ulterior motives? Didn’t your mama teach you any manners?”

“She did. She also taught me that nothing comes for free.” Tirek smirked.

“Sounds like a woman after my own heart.” Capper let the coin slip through his fingers and land onto his tail, which he then flipped onto his nose and carefully balanced it. “Okay, okay, there is a reason I let you tag along. You see, I couldn’t help but notice that you have the look of someone in need of some dough. I can help you with that.”

“How kind but money isn’t on the top of my priority list right now.” Tirek tried not to show his shortening temper.

The coin rolled from Capper’s nose and back into his right paw. “So money’s a no-go. That’s cool. I’ve got all kinds of connections. So what do you need? Girls? Perhaps a good knife or two? Tell your old buddy Capper and he can deliver.”

“Simple. I need a way out of town and actually make it to the next one.”

“Pfft! Is that all? You could’ve just asked!” Capper palmed the coin and opened his fingers, revealing that the coin was gone. “I know just the person for the job. An ex-girlfriend of mine with a nice ship that’ll take any and all kinds of payment. Heck, she’ll even help someone like you.” He opened his left paw and held up the silver coin. “I know you’re not exactly a free person. Don’t worry, I won’t tell. I used to be a S-L-A-V-E myself.”

“I never would have guessed.” Tirek commented with genuine surprise, considering the Abyssinian cat looked like he never did an honest day’s work in his life.

“It’s true.” He rolled up his right sleeve to reveal a strange marking burned into the inside of his forearm. “Abyssinia is known for its blackmarket slavery rings.” Rolling his sleeve back down, Capper shrugged, “Anyway, that’s a story for another day. So, shall I show you around this little den of sin? You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if you left without a sample.”

“I’ve lived a long time, cat and I can assure you that I’ve probably tried what you’re selling. Let us just get going.” He said somewhat iritibly.

Capper flicked the coin into an inner pocket of his coat. “If you insist. Follow me, please.” He strode past a table and briefly flirted with a griffon dancer before beckoning Tirek to follow him. “We’ll have to use the back door. Given your current status, the less people that see you the better,” he explained, opening a red-painted door and turning down a corridor. They passed through a metal door and arrived at an alleyway. Some passed-out, possibly dead hobos were there so the both of them had nothing to be worrying about to say the least.

After a few twists and turns, the two arrived at an airship port, where all manner of merchants, traders, sailors and cutthroats were gathered, either peddling their wares, unloading their shipments or swapping tales. A frill lizard-looking thing and a mole rat were knocking back drinks like it was going out of style while two diamond dogs were engaged in a fist fight, a small crowd gathered around them waving bits and hollering for blood.

“Charming place,” Tirek stated cynically.

“Eh, it has its moments. Ah, here we are: the Harpy Queen.” Capper gestured towards a nearby zeppelin and as they approached it, Tirek could see it being loaded up by Ornithian parrots, who appeared to be the only species that worked aboard the vessel. A few of the avians glared in Capper’s direction as the pair climbed aboard deck but the feline either didn’t notice or did a real good job of acting oblivious.

“Oh Celaeno, I’m home!”

A female parrot stiffened and turned to meet the two, her expression initially one of shock that quickly transformed into anger. Every crewmember stopped what they were doing and crowded around the three, intrigued by the drama unfolding around them.

“That’s Captain Celaeno to you,” one burly parrot grimaced and pointed his hook hand at Capper threateningly. Grunts of agreement accompanied him as the entirety of the crew glared at the cat.

The female strode over to Capper, her crystal peg leg thumping with every step. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face around here. Didn’t you get the message that you’re not wanted here or should I have my crew throw you out?” Tirek decided then and there that he liked her.

Capper held up his paws defensively. “Ah, Celly, don’t tell me you’re still mad at me?”

“Don’t call me that!” Celaeno shot back, her voice full of rage and hurt. “You lost that right months ago when you skipped out on me. Now get lost before I neuter you with my sword.”

“Cel-Captain, wait a minute! I came here with a business proposition.”

The parrot turned and narrowed her eyes. “And what hair-brained scheme is it this time?”

Tirek, had to admit watching a lover’s spat was certainly interesting but he wouldn’t let a little thing like a grudge keep him there. “I am in need of transportation.” He said plainly, grabbing the captain’s attention.

Celaeno looked the centaur from head to hoof. “Oh? And where is it that you’re trying to get to?”

“North, across the desert. I have someone I need to give respects to as it’s been far too long.” As Tirek spoke, he noticed a small pegasus filly slowly tip-hoofing to the door leading to the below deck. It appeared that everyone else was so engrossed in the current drama that none of them noticed her. He didn’t say anything as the filly looked rather skinny and just barely able to fly. Besides, he doubted the Captain was feeling hospitable towards stowaways.

The parrot scratched at her chin with a talon. “I think that can be arranged.”

“And don’t you worry about payment,” Capper assured her. “I’ll be paying for both Tirek and myself.” He rooted around in his coat and brought out a small bag. Taking out some gold bits, he placed them into Celaeno’s hand and watched her count them. “So...are we good?”

“Almost. There’s an additional fee.”

Her fist connected with Capper’s left cheek, sending him sprawling onto the ship’s deck. He sat up and rubbed at the developing welt, noticing Celaeno grinning at him from ear to ear.

“Now we’re good.”

“Nice punch,” Tirek commented with a genuine smile.

“Thank you. Mullet?”

A one-eyed parrot with a red feathered mohawk stepped forward. “Yes, Captain?”

“Escort Mr. Tirek down to the crew’s quarters. I’m sure that there’s an extra cot that’ll fit him.”

“Aye, Captain,” Mullet nodded and waved Tirek over. Meanwhile, Capper had risen to his feet and wiped his mouth on his sleeve after spitting out a glob of blood. He made a move to follow the two when Celaeno shot her arm out and blocked his path.

“I don’t think so. Boyle, please show Mr. Dapperclaws to the supply closet.”

The hook-handed parrot from before chuckled, “Aye, Captain Celaeno” and began shoving Capper forward. “Come on, fur ball. To the luxury suite with you.” Capper briefly peered back at Celaeno dejectedly before vanishing from sight. Despite her outward stoicism, Captain Celaeno was a raging hurricane of emotions, particularly anger, regret and wistful sorrow.

Damn it Capper, why did you have to come back?