Gangs of Manehattan

by LoadingPleaseWait

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, Thriller, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Romance, Twilight Sparkle, Profanity, Dark
Length: 8465

Rainbow Dash struggles to balance the violence of the Crimson Serpents, with her budding romance with her geeky next door neighbour.

The allure of crime corrupts all; the lust for money, women, and power, to control many ponies lives with just a little powder in a bag or liquid in a syringe; to hold a pony’s head beneath your hoof; to feel the adrenaline course through your veins every night. For many, it’s a way forward to freedom and riches; for Rainbow Dash, it’s a way back to the top.

After suffering 5 years in a cage for a deal gone south, she resurfaces and finds an old friend willing to give her a chance back to where she once was. But with violence, death, and heartbreak around every corner, will the pain break the spirit of a once-proud pegasus; or will she wear the crown of fortune once again.

For when one goes into crime, they better be prepared not to come back out.

Published 2020-07-01 01:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2020-07-01 01:00:00 UTC

A Chance Encounter

Chapter 1:

A Chance Encounter:

“Well, if it isn’t Rainbow Dash!” Called a clean, feminine voice from within the crowd of ponies who sat scrunched up along broken, wooden benches. The grey walls were cracked as webs hung in the corners and spiders eyed the Ponies below; bars lined the windows and a single metal door stood in front as Police guards peered on through.

I looked up slowly at the voice that called my name, moving my blue hoofs back to my sides with a grimace as my shoulders popped and my back cracked, as my greasy hair dangled in front of my eyes, blocking my sight. Swiping a hoof across my hair, my eyes scanned across the many ponies that sat and stood, before looking upon a pair of golden eyes staring back at mine with their owner wearing a grin stretched across her face, walking towards me.

“Holy shit, if it isn’t Lightning Dust in the flesh. What the fuck are you doing here! Aren’t you supposed to be a Wonderbolt?” I asked in my raspy voice before moving forward, leaning of the wooden bench before pushing my hooves and landing on the cold, concrete floor, walking towards Lightning Dust with a half-smile present on my face. I haven’t seen this kid in years!

I noted that as Lightning walked towards me, ponies in her way moved quickly with their heads dangling low as Lightning moved through them without a care. She must have gotten a reputation after I left.

“Nah, ever since you got kicked out of that place it got pretty fucking boring and nopony gave me a challenge, so I just got up and quit.” Lightning said, casually.

“Just like that?” I asked in shock as we meet face to face in the middle of the cell, many ponies avoiding eyesight, pretending to mind their own business. But I could see their ears twitch as soon as Lightning spoke.

“Just like that.” Lightning repeated. “You should have seen the look on Spitfire’s face, priceless! Mumbling over her words like a fucking 2nd grader, scrambling about trying to make me stay while I just laughed and flew off.” She said with a chuckle.

I joined in. “I can’t believe it, walking out of a 60,000 bits a year job all because there was no challenge. Incredible.” I said with a sigh, shaking my head in bewilderment at the shit I just heard.

Years ago I would have killed to get into the Wonderbolts, but luckily enough I didn’t have to. I got in by winning the Wonderbolts entrance exams in the Cloudsdales north region, winning first every time, obviously.

After getting in that’s when I first met Lightning Dust, she competed in the Eastern region of Cloudsdale so we never competed against each other, but if we did, it would have been awesome, legendary, spectacular. But I digress.

After meeting her I found out we were made for each other. I had my pride and she was just downright cocky. Nothing could stop us. We were constantly pushing each other to the limit and beyond, never settling for second place, only first. We were the leading cadets in every camp, blowing away the competition with ease until…. until my stupid pride got in the way.

During a training exercise, me and this other cadet called Derpy got into a fight because I overtook her during a flight routine because she was going so damn slow. Back then I was quick to flare up, so guess what I did. That’s right, I punched that bitch right in the fucking mouth, thinking she would recover quick enough to get straight back up and punch me back, just like the wannabe-gangsters back in my neighborhood in Cloudsdale.

Little did I know that I knocked her out, I found it pretty funny back then, too. Idiot.

Anyway, she fell down and landed on her wing, breaking every bone and pretty much breaking it forever. Spitfire grabbed me by the ear and dragged me all the way back to her office after getting Derpy to medical, asking me why I did it. After explaining what and why I did it, she asked me to go up to Derpy, apologies and I can keep my job, not knowing the full extent of the damage I had done.

However, as the young, dumb, irrational kid I was, I said “No” with the biggest smug eating grin on my face, thinking I was some hot shit and that Spitfire would never fire me because I was such a profitable cadet with the highest potential there.

Well, after getting the biggest beating of my life, I was told to pack up and get the hell out, with Lightning Dust laughing about how scared I looked as Spitfire grilled me to near tears as she stood outside listening in. I later found out I essentially ended Derpy’s dreams of getting into the Wonderbolts, destroyed her wing beyond repair. Back then I found that news fairly comforting, but now I feel terrible, after founding out myself just how painful it is to lose your dream because of somepony else.

Laughing, Lightning flung her hoof around my neck and came up beside me. “You make it sound like I regret doing it. Nah, I’m in a much better place now then I would have been if I stayed, living the life with money and stallions lining up within half a mile!” She said casually, as she guided me over to a secluded spot along the bench near the bars, as ponies sat there quickly scurried away, trying to act like they didn’t care but you could see it in their eyes.

They’re petrified. But why?

Sitting down, Lightning continued. “What brings you here, all the way back to the glorious city of Manehattan. Last time I heard, you were going to go to Las Pegasus to join up with the Blazers gang and join the underground racing scene. Make a name for yourself there?” She asked as she sat me down beside her.

“Well, the plan didn’t exactly go to plan…” I said with hesitation as I rubbed the back of my head, chuckling.

“What do you mean?” Lightning questioned as she shook my shoulder, urging me on to speak further.

“Well, you know Coco?” After lightning nodded her head, I continued. “She asked me for a favor-”

Before I could even blink, Lightning burst out laughing as she slapped her leg with her hoof. “No! Please tell me you didn’t agree?” She said with disbelieving eyes.

I let out a chuckle myself. “I realize how dumb it was now....”

“I can’t believe you agreed to a drug deal with Coco’s crew!” She shouted with disbelief. “I know you’re not the smartest cookie there is but come on Rainbow!” She said as she hit my side.

“Fuck you.” I said, laughing. “How was I supposed to know the cops would show up?”

Lightning looked at me with amusement. “Oh, come on, Rainbow. You know Coco’s a dumbass when it comes to arranging places to deal with. I’m surprised she’s even still alive! it’s only because of her husband that’s she’s in that position.” Lightning said.

I chuckled again. “Well, it didn’t go as planned...” I continued.

Lightning leaned against the wall behind her. “Well tell me about.” She asked as she eyed me with curiosity.

Leaning against the wall, I brought my hoofs up to my mouth and blew into them as a chill began creeping up my body. “Well, I started off like normal, until….

Flashback:

Rain poured down on the many metal containers around me as I continued walking with my partner, Amber, talking beside me.

“And remember, don’t do anything foolish. We just talk to Caramel, give him the drugs, get our money and get out.” She said as she looked at me, a briefcase secured tightly under her left-wing, while she held a 9MM hoofgun strapped under her right-wing (as did I), hidden from any prying eyes.

“I got it, I got it, Calm down already, rookie.” I said in a strained voice as I continued to stare in front of me, pulling my black hood down more as I rounded a corner as Amber did the same. We were both wearing black hoodies we bought for a cheap 15 bits at ‘Bargain’s bargain’, nothing special but they were necessary incase the deal went south.

In the distance, I saw Caramel round the corner, sided by two of his Earth pony lackeys dressed in black with hoofguns strapped around their barrels. Caramel was a fat fuck but a very dangerous stallion who held a lot of power in the lower parts of Las Pegasus. He had hookers, drugs, guns, anything you could think of, he had it and was willing to sell them.

Only for the right dime of course.

Ponies that try to cross him are rarely ever heard of again. It reminds me of this mare called Aqua. She had a blue coat and mane with bright blue eyes. Pour girl, needed protection for her and her twelve-year-old daughter, who was doing things she shouldn’t be doing and getting themselves in debt because of it as she got too caught up into the life.

Aqua thought she could play the game against Caramel, done favors for him in the past. What favors I don’t know. Thought she could get away with getting the gun for free. Pour girl, after Caramel got a heard of it, ponies swear they can still hear her screams today. She was never heard or seen of again, with the daughter having nowhere to go now and no protection, Celestia knows what’s happened to her. Rumor on the street was Caramel took an interest in her.

One can only hope the rumor about him weren’t true either. And if they were, Celestia help that pour girl.

It reminded everypony of one thing and one thing only: Don’t fuck with Caramel.

Period.

As we walked up to each other, we placed our briefcase on a wooden crate next to us as Caramel walked up to us before motioning for his goons to open it.

After screwing with the lock, Amber remembered it was locked with a number code and walked up beside them and began putting in the code.

Waiting, I could see Caramel fidgeting anxiously before looking over at me with a nervous glance as he noticed my weapon strapped around my side, barely seeable against the black hoodie I was wearing. He had better eyesight than I expected for such an aged stallion.

Finally hearing the case pop open, I could see Caramels face change into that of delight as he looked at what was inside, his double chin flapping between his face and chest as he giggled like a schoolgirl.

It made me chuckle.

Pig.

“You got the money.” I asked forcefully as he looked at me with disinterest now that his goon’s attention was back on him.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m some commoner, little girl!” He sneered.

“I've heard you like little girls, Caramel.” I answered back in a cold voice as my partner beside me looked at me in shock, as did Caramels guards. Funny.

He looked at me in shock before shouting in anger. “I beg your pardon, bitch!” As he pulled out his own gun, hidden under his belly and pointed right at me. “I think you should take back what you said.” He said menacingly.

I didn’t even flinch. He was trying to intimidate me, but I knew he wasn’t stupid enough to pull the trigger.

A faint noise, however, caused my ears to twitch in its direction, followed shortly by my partner, then by the goon’s, then by Caramel himself as he twisted his heard to the direction of the sound.

As I concentrated on the sound, what I heard made my heart freeze.

“Police sirens!” I shouted, hearing the screeching sound come closer every second as my heart began to beat rapidly.

“Money!” I shouted as Caramel motioned to his crew quickly as he ran to the drugs as one of his goons threw me a rucksack with the money in it.

Before I could realize, I felt Amber’s hoof pull me backwards as she shouted at me to run, quickly.

“Why are they here!? Were we set up? There’s no way they would know we were here!” I shouted as I could feel my heart beat painfully against my chest as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

“Where were you?” Lightning asked as she interrupted my story.

Looking around me, I could see other Ponies in the cell were listening intently, others hiding it better than others. “In an abandoned industrial building. Once owned by the Flim and Flam brothers before they adventured into other businesses, stationed near the train station in east Las Pegasus.” I said as I turned my attention back on Lightning.

She shook her head. “Sounds like a good place to do a transaction. I forgot that place even existed, damn near before my time.” She chuckled. “I find it hard to see a reason behind the police randomly showing up there at that particular time. No workers, only the homeless, and they don’t snitch.”

Before she could let me speak, she looked at me with the corner of her eye before a knowing smirk grew on her face. “You mentioned a mare named Amber, who is she?” She asked slowly.

I looked at her cautiously. “She’s was my partner, why?”

“Yes, I know she’s your partner.” She said angrily. “But how did you two meet?” She asked.

“How did we meet?” I repeated. “Erm… Well, now that I think about it, after being assigned to that deal, she volunteered to join me. Other than that, my interactions with her have been brief, if any actually.” I said and as I looked at Lightning’s grinning smile before realization dawned on me.

Anger surged through my body as I slammed my hoof down angrily onto the bench, making it rattle loudly before being shouted at by one of the guards outside. “That bitch!” I shouted, ignoring the guard’s angry gaze.

Lightning laughed loudly beside me. “She played you!” She chuckled. “She played you good!” She said before shaking her head.

She continued as I shook my head furiously. “It doesn’t take a genius to know you got caught.” I nod my head silently. “But if you got caught, what about her?” She asked as she looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

I sighed heavily before I leaned my back against the wall.

“Let me continue. We had just got out of the building and she suggested to take to the skies. I refused as I knew we would be caught easily. I’m fasting than any cop, but against the whole police force that appeared at our door step? No chance. Then she suggested the subway, which I thought was a great plan.”

“But little did you know.” Lightning said.

I chuckled. “Little did I know that this bitch had thought this whole thing through. The Subway was close by, easy to get to from where we were. Just take a straight down Centre Street, then take a left at Circle Drive and keep going forward until you hit Lantern Lane, the stairs down to the subway are hard to miss. It was perfect. And that’s when things got strange…”

"Hurry the fuck up Amber!" I shouted furiously.

"I'm coming, just get to the East Exit through the service tunnels, I'm right behind you!" I heard her shout from behind me, her voice barely audible through the sound of my own pulsing heart in my ears and the shouting of the numerous police officers quickly gaining on us.

The East Exit is the exit that quickly leads to the underground, a series of sewers, basements, drug dens, and gang hideouts, all easily accessible through windows, broken doors, and abandoned tunnels; the perfect place for a quick and easy get-away.

If you knew where you were going. If not, you may never get out alive, lost to the eternal labyrinth. I’m exaggerating of course, but you’d be surprised at how long it takes for some dipstick Ponies to find their way out, or to find the door that leads to any of the shit I just mentioned.

"Almost there. Move! Get the fuck outta the way!" I screamed as I slammed Mares, Stallions, Zebras and Griffons out of my way, regardless of their shouts or complaints as the turn to the service tunnels was just seconds ahead of me, where it was home sweet home from there, money in hoof.

"Stop right there! Don't move!" The two guards shouted as they ran around the corner and held out their Standard Issue Tasers in my direction, as civilians quickly screamed at the sight of the weapons and got out of the way ahead of me, giving the guards the perfect line up to deliver a devastating shot to my wings.

"Fuck you!" I shouted angrily as I spread my wings and lifted off the ground and into the cramped space above me, before twisting my wings left while pulling my hooves tightly to my body, followed quickly be my wings as I span in the air, feeling the skimming of the bolts fly past my back and into the crowd behind me, as the burn sizzled across my fur.

Quickly flaring my wings, I flew above the stunned guards before pushing out my rear hooves and striking the back of their heads, knocking them out cold before landing cleanly on my hooves, turning into the service tunnel around the corner.

"Oh, the half barrel twist, smart move." lightning complimented.

I turned into the tunnels, flaring my wings again and taking flight into the open space around me, flying straight down the tunnel.

"None of those fucks can get me now, once I'm in the air, nopony can stop me!" My ego pulsed as a smug smile grazed my lips.

"There you are!" I said confidently, eyeing the East Exit as it quickly slid into view before smashing into the door and flying straight through, landing on my hooves and continuing in an exhausting sprint. Little did I know, that I was walking straight towards a trap that was just right around the corner.

End of Flashback:

“And that’s that.” I finished.

“Wow.” I heard Lightning say quietly. “And let me guess, Amber was nowhere near you, but still somehow managed to get out of their alive.” She said, chuckling as she shook her head.

“Ye, I never would have thought she’d have the balls, she looked way to green, too scared to cross with a pony like me. Let alone stay in Coco’s gang after I got out after 5 years. You would have thought she would have left after I got out, in case I found out about her identity.” I finished, flabbergasted at my own gullibleness.

I should send Coco a letter, and expose Amber as the rat she is. I’d love to know what would happen.

“Don’t do what you’re thinking of doing.” I heard Lightning say beside me.

“Huh? Why not! That bitch stole 5 years of my fucking life!” I shouted angrily, as the guard once again smashed his baton against the metal bars, his warning failing to reach my ears.

“The sooner Coco’s gang is off the street the better. She’s a dumbass who doesn’t know her left from her right. It's better she’s dealt with quickly before she goes and ruins another pony’s life like yours, because if she can’t see Amber as the clear rat she is, then she doesn’t deserve to be in charge of other ponies’ lives who’re just trying to earn a living.” Lightning said as she shook her head.

When the fuck did Lightning get so smart and reasonable. When I knew her, she’d fight a pony who just said her name. I can still remember grabbing her off this poor mare who made a snarky comment on her way past. I can still hear the cracking of her nose to this day. Brutal.

I heard her chuckle again. “Listen, I know what you’re thinking. The reason I got so smart was while you were locked up in prison for 5 years, I was out here on the street, making a name for myself. As you’ve probably noticed.” She gestured around herself. “I’ve been working my behind off and have finally gotten into a comfortable situation.” She leaned in closely. “Hey listen, Rainbow. I want the same for you.”

Hold the phone. “What you talking about, Lightning?” I asked calmly. Heart chill the fuck out, stop beating so hard!

“Join me.” She announced suddenly as she leaned back against the wall. “You’ve heard of The Crimson Serpents, right?” She asked.

“The gang that controls the East part of Manehattan?” Who hasn’t heard of this gang, they’re known to be bloodthirsty and calculating, while controlling the major part of the drug trade within Manehattan, as well as numerous street gangs littered throughout the city, there to get the dirty work done.

“Exactly!” She said energetically. “I want you in. You’re tough, determined and most importantly, you’re street smart. Heck, you taught me half the things I know!” She said happily. “If I give a good enough word to the boss, he’ll let you in on a heartbeat. He trusts me. That’s why I’m in the position I’m in.” She gestured around herself.

“What?” I look around. “In the police station behind bars?”

She laughed loudly, the same boisterous laugh she’s used since the first time I met her, before grabbing me around the shoulders and pulling me in close. “You’re just as cocky as ever, Rainbow. I’m only in this holding cell with all these others rats because I got a bit too cocky with a Police Officer while drunk. Anyway, are you in or are you not? This place will change your life. For the better, Rainbow. Trust me.” She whispered before letting go of my shoulders, still staring at me with the intent for an answer.

I chuckled. Lightning really wants me to say it out loud? She already knew the answer.

“I’m in!” I said, putting on my confident smile once again.

“Perfect.” She said, smiling as she looked at the clock outside the metal bars. “I’m almost out, so come to Ivy Street in New Neighington, and go to the Rose Deluxe bar at 8 PM tonight, you can’t miss it.” She said as she started messing with her hair.

“You never know Rainbow, you might find some fun there as well. You’re looking pretty tense as it is.” She brought her hooves back to her sides and pushed off the bench, walking towards the metal exit as one of the guards opened the door to let her out.

“Don’t make me wait Rainbow. It’s your future, not mine!” She shouted as she slid from view, the guards closely flanking her sides as they guided her to the exit.

“I got you...” I whispered to myself, before laying back against the wall and staring at the slow ticking off the clock, letting my mind wander until it was my time to get out.

End of Chapter 1

The Rose Deluxe

Chapter 2:

The Rose Deluxe:

The Rose Deluxe. A huge isolated building located in the middle of Ivy Street, the most popular strip in New Neighington, filled to the brim with drunken college students, the occasional stag do, and the local drug dealer on the search for any party hungry suspect willing to fork over 15 plus bits for some shit gear. The building itself was quite impressive, surrounding the sides hung pink neon-colored lights that made the white bricked building stand out on its own, as a huge cocktail glass figure hung in front of the building, with a single rose hanging out of it.

Just like Lightning said, you can’t miss it.

It was, without a doubt, the most popular location amongst the nightlife seeking ponies looking for a cheap but fun night out. Cheap entry; cheap drinks; cheap girls. Everything a stag do or a couple of lads (And the occasional Mare) could ever want and more.

“Wow…” I said to herself in amazement. “Why doesn’t it surprise me that it’s a fucking strip club?” I chuckled, shaking my head. It’s Lightning Dust, I reminded myself. It’s fucking Lightning Dust I was talking to.

Walking up to the front of the building, a lengthy line could be seen hugging the wall as the concussion inducing blasts of music could be heard and felt vibrating through the floors and walls, as the semi-drunk ponies looked at each other in confusion as they all yelled “What!?” while others just nodded and laughed, pretending that they heard the other pony as they swayed on the spot.

I chuckled at the display in front of me. Walking up to the front door, the bouncer looked at me in confusion before holding out a hoof to stop me in my tracks. “Who are you, missy?” He said in a gruff tone.

“I’m here to see a mare called Lightning Dust. The name is Rainbow Dash.” I said calmly.

He looked at me for a second more, before moving his outstretched hoof over to his walkie-talkie. “Hey, there’s a mare here called Rainbow Dash looking for Lightning. Should I let her through?” There was a brief pause. “Understood.” He said.

“You can head on in Miss. Go straight to the left and you’ll find a ‘Staff’ door, just head on through.” He finished as he held open the door for me.

“Cheers big guy.” I said as I walked straight in. The sounds of ponies complaining at my instant entry soon fading out as the door closed behind me.

What hit me almost immediately was the smell. The thick scent of sex, booze, and sweat were familiar and almost homely to a street mare like me. Coco owned a few establishments like this back in Las Pegasus, but they never had the popularity or budget like the Rose Deluxe, I could see that the moment I saw the building. This probably had a responsible team behind it. Unlike the ponies Coco probably employed to run hers. Low class; low area; low everything. Not something to write home about.

I turned left and saw the ‘Staff’ door immediately, another guard posted outside. Our eyes meet, and he opened the door for me immediately as I walked on past, to be instantly greeted with numerous ponies sitting down on ripped coaches drinking whiskey or mixed vodka, as busy employees hurried through door-to-door. A red-coated mare with a spikey black and navy blue mane saw me, nodded, and pointed to the stairs to her right.

I walked on past, mindful of my own space as I walked up the stairs, the flashing lights of the dance floor pulsating of the walls. Lightning must be upstairs in the V.I.P section drinking her socks off.

Typical.

I rounded the corner and I was immediately blasted with loud music and the same old smell I smelt downstairs. This place was everything I could have imagined. Ponies upon ponies were dancing wildly on the dance floor below, ponies lined the bars longer than the eyes could see, as stallions tried valiantly to pick up some mares with sweet rose-covered lies; some succeeding, others not so much.

I look to my right, and across I could see Lightning’s golden mane shine out like a fire in the dark, before making my way over, passing numerous ponies who wobbled around me or just straight up into me. I chuckled. Been there. Done that.

Lightening saw me and called me over. “Rainbow, you made it!” She shouted as she laughed loudly, leaning back against the sofa as her cocktail swayed, held afloat by an outstretched wing.

“Now this is a sight I haven’t seen in years!” I laughed as I sat down next to her. “Pissed with a drink in your wing; by Celestia how I’ve missed that.” Fuelling the infamous back-and-forth banter me and Lightening shared.

Lightening put her drink onto the glass table in front of her, before turning to look me in the eyes. “I’m glad you could make it Rainbow, you made the right choice, trust me.” She turned to the side and shouted at a Pony who barely looked like she could stand. “Hey, Sapphire! Get Rainbow here a drink.” She looked at me for a moment, before turning back. “A lighthouse! Get her a lighthouse!”

The mare looked at Lightning for a moment, nodded, and then stumbled off to the bar right behind her.

Lightning chuckled. “Drunk bitch.” She said with a shake of the head.

“Thanks for the drink, but I’ve barely got enough money as it is. I can’t afford to get drunk, my landlord is a bitch Unicorn who thinks she’s a fucking queen.” It stung to say, but I’m dead broke, living off instant noodles with a kettle that barely boils water properly, not something one would consider ‘fine dining’.

“Don’t worry about it, Rainbow. This drinks on me.” Lightning said as she shook my shoulder. “I want to talk about what you’ll be getting yourself into if you’re still serious about joining the gang. I’ve already put in a word about you to Mythic Aura, who runs the East block.”

“I was under the impression you run the East block.”

“Me?” Lightening laughed loudly. “No, I run this place!” She extended her hooves around her. “This is my domain. All the business here is done through me. Drugs, booze, hookers, everything. I’ve made it far for the few years I’ve been here, but I ain’t in the big big leagues yet.”

I was shocked. How the hell did Lightening become the boss of The Crimson Serpents' most profitable night club? That’s some serious power right there. And if my experience is anything to go by, I would bet she runs a few more than just this one.

“Here’s the drunken bitch!” Lightning suddenly shouted, and even I struggled to hold in laughter at the sight of the state this Mare was in as she handed Lightning her Lighthouse, which was nowhere near as full as it should be, most likely staining the carpet behind her or she mistook it for her own and started to drink it. I don’t know, nothing would surprise me after looking at this wreck of a Mare.

Even Lightning took note of how empty the drink was, before handing it to me with a shrug of her shoulders. “No more drinking for you, Sapphire. Go get some water down your neck and head off home, you’re done.” Sapphire nodded absentmindedly, before turning around and falling straight into the bar behind her.

Lightning just shook her head and laughed. “I don’t think that’s just alcohol. She’ll be picked up in a minute anyway, she works her.” She turned back to me. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s good for a laugh, but that little missy gets into more trouble than she’s worth, but I keep her around. She’s popular with the…” She coughed. “Let’s say, the ‘older’ clients. She does the jobs no other Pony here wants to do, by choice or not.”

“Now!” Lightning continued before I could get in a say edgewise. ”Drink up, we’ve got business to discuss.”

I continued to look at Sapphire as security tried picking her up off the floor. Lightning was right, that wasn’t just alcohol. Despite her barely looking awake, her eyes themselves were as wide as sources. Ecstasy, cocaine, I would guess one of the two. Cocaine probably.

As Sapphire was helped up off the floor, she started to push the security away and swear audibly over the blaring music. Definitely Cocaine. You can’t get mad at somebody robbing your own house on Ecstasy, makes you feel like you can be everyponies friend. On Cocaine, however, makes you feel like you could beat everypony up with your hooves tied together and your eyes blindfolded.

I shook my head and sipped my drink. Been there. Done that.

“I’m gonna be honest with you Rainbow, the jobs you’ll be doing is basic shit. Doing deliveries, picking up money that’s owed, racking up bags and weighing them, all that shit a high-schooler can do, but Mythic doesn’t know if he can trust you yet, even with me vouching for you.”

Lightning looked me in the eyes. “I know you’ve been there and done that, we all have. But trust me, the sooner you do this, in 2 or 3 months you’ll be by my side running shit, you’ve just got to show Mythic you can get stuff done.”

I laughed in sheer disbelief. “What is this bullshit! Why can’t I just join you right now? I don’t want to do this boring shit that would barely earn me some pocket change if I’m lucky. You run this joint and probably a lot more, I would bet you have more power than Mythic himself!” I couldn’t believe it, getting degraded to doing jobs like this.

Sure, I got caught doing a delivery, but that was to a fellow crime lord himself, handing over the best China White Heroin that money can buy.

“Don’t bite me Rainbow, I’m doing the best I can. And trust me on something.” She leaned over to me and stared into my eyes. “Don’t. Fuck. With. Mythic. Trust me on that Rainbow. Otherwise, he’ll send one of his boys over and you can say goodbye to those pretty little wings of yours as he skins them off.”

I can’t believe it. Fear. I can see pure fear in Lightning’s eyes.

Noted.

Lightning leaned back into her seat and sighed. “Listen Rainbow, just think it over. We’ll meet up back here and talk about it in a weeks’ time, gives you plenty of time to figure things out.” Lightning downed the rest of her drink with a single swig. “I know that you’re pissed, but it’s the right thing to do. And before you know it, you’ll be by my side running this joint, earning stacks that can’t help but fell out your pockets.” She laughed.

I shook my head and began downing my drink. Doing basic lackey shit was boring and cheap and there’s always the looming threat of getting jumped or caught, but the good side was that you’re not on any Police watch list that Ponies like Lightning and Mythic were probably on, and had to be careful with the moves they made in public.

The higher jobs you get more money and more freedom, but only behind closed doors. With the jobs I’ll be doing, I get less money but more freedom to do what I want in public, without the fear of a pig watching me from behind a corner.

Only the Ponies that run shit get the perks of both. They own everyone. And for the ponies they didn’t? They owned the Ponies who did.

I sighed. “Ye, I’ll think about it and get back to you on that one.”

“What are you doing for money, anyway?” Lightning asked with a cocked eyebrow. “I doubt many places would hire an ex-criminal like yourself.”

I chuckled. “I work as a packer in a warehouse, packing up boxes day in and day out. And when I get home to my apartment, I do some extra cleaning for my bitch of a landlord.” I could feel it in my stomach. Pure embarrassment. I can feel it coming. Any second now Lightning’s gonna laugh her ass off.

To my surprise, she didn’t. “More reason to take up my offer. And don’t worry, I’m not gonna laugh at you, I had to do the same thing when moving here. There’s no shame in earning a living, Rainbow.”

I couldn’t believe it. What the fuck happened to Lightning?

“Enough of this talk, listen here.” She grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close. “Down that drink, get to the bar, and order us some Celestia-damned drinks!” She laughed loudly. “Oh, and just say Lightning sent you. Time to drink the night away, Rainbow!”

I got up and began my walk to the bar. Lightning’s changed, but I’m no fool. I’ve been in this game for years, and I know Ponies, and I know Lightning. Ponies like that don’t change so drastically, with no sign of who they used to be, and especially not in this game. There was no cockiness, no ego, and she showed something I never thought she would.

Sympathy.

It just didn’t add up. The way the Ponies back in the cell moved out the way and avoided eye contact, the casual mocking when talking about my deal gone wrong, the way she didn’t get up and help Sapphire, but sat and laughed. The way she acts just doesn’t add up with the way she talks to me.

Maybe I’m being too paranoid and she has changed. But I’ll wait. I’ll bide my time, see how she acts, how she moves. I’d be a fool to trust her. You’re a fool to trust anyone in this game. And I am no fool.

“Two lighthouses. Lightning sent me.” I added. The bartender moved, no hesitation, but quick, almost hasty movements. I chuckled.

Something’s wrong. I’ll figure it out, but for now, let’s enjoy the night.

End of Chapter 2:

Neighbour to the Rescue

Chapter 3:

Neighbour to the Rescue:

The trot back to my apartment was uneventful to say the least. Well, as uneventful as trotting home gets when you’re drunk of your tits, screaming out Ponies Gone AWOL’s greatest hits to the displeasure of sober Ponies going to work early, or to the pleasure of equally drunk Ponies who sing it along with you as they stumble about just as much as you do.

And now here I stand, leaning against my apartment door searching for a key I know I don’t have but have lost back at the Rose Deluxe.

Just another night out in Manehattan.

I sigh. Time for the walk of shame.

I trot up to my next-door neighbor’s door. By trot, I mean get up to about a foot away from the door before falling face-first into it and waking up the entire street with the pursuing bang. I gingerly touch my nose. It’s not broken.

Thank Celestia.

I hear movement from the other side and before I can move and stop myself from leaning up against the door, it swings open and I fall straight into my neighbor, her ensuing scream waking up the entire neighborhood.

Sometimes, I surprise even myself.

We lay there. Not moving. Before I hear an extremely tired sigh.

“For a Mare who claims to have no money, you seem to be pretty drunk again, Rainbow Dash.” My neighbor says with a tired tone.

“Sorry, Twilight.” I slurred. “And I’m not drunk.” I lied. “But… I’ve lost my key at the bar so I need to crash at yours for tonight.”

Twilight sighed once again. “Why can’t you just go wake the landlord and ask her for the master-key?”

“Wake the landlord!?” I shake my head. “You’re crazy, Twilight. That bitch will kill me!”

Waking the landlord? Fat chance of that happening, without the fear of an ear full for losing another key and an hour-long lecture.

If Twilight sighs one more time, she’ll sound like a broken record. “This is the third time you’ve had to crash at mine because you’ve lost your key, why can’t you just stop losing it?”

Third time? Was she really that bad?

“I’m sorry…” I slurred again.

“I know you are. You always say that.” Twilight taps my shoulder. “Now come on, get up, unless you want to sleep out here all night?” She joked.

Oh, ye…

I reluctantly get up as Twilight soon follows, dusting herself off before doing the same to me, as I sway on the spot.

This hangover is gonna suck.

I follow her inside her small, single-sized bedroom not meant for two adult ponies (Heck, Twilight’s bed took up half the room!), as the soft orange glow coming of Twilight lamp cast the room in a comforting aura.

Twilight pulled out a small blow-up bed from underneath her bed and began pumping it up. It was comedic really, watching a fully grown Unicorn blow up an air bed for her drunken friend inside her own apartment, but I’ve crashed here enough times that Twilight thought it necessary to buy one for me, drunk or not.

I smiled. That didn’t last long though.

“The bucket is in the corner over there.” Twilight said in-between breaths as I ran over and proceed to empty my guts out into the bin. I heard Twilight chuckle behind me.

That witch.

“I don’t know why you do it to yourself.”

“I met an old friend and decided to have a few drinks with her.” I said as I spit inside the bucket, the awful taste still present in my mouth.

Twilight cocked an eyebrow. “What’s her name?”

“I shouldn’t say, but her name’s Lightning Dust. I knew her back in Wonderbolt training, she’s that Mare I told you about that always used to get in fights.” I shouldn’t tell Twilight this, but Twilight damn near knows my whole background now. She was the first face I saw and the first friend I made when I came back here and got this shitty apartment. She’s stopped me from going insane, by just being someone to talk to.

“Ah.” Twilight nodded. “The legendary Lightning Dust. I wonder if she knows how many stories you’ve told me about her. One would think she’s your idol or something.”

I chuckled. “I’d rather she didn’t.” I shook my head. “She’s changed, that’s for sure. Well… I don’t know, maybe it is genuine, maybe it isn’t. I don’t know yet.” Fuck, this headache kills.

My ears flinched as I heard movement outside the still open door and I turned around to see who was there, as did Twilight.

“Applejack!” Twilight called out in surprise.

Fuck… It’s Applejack.

She looked like shit. I could see her eyes had bags under them and her hooves shook when she walked from pure exhaustion. She works down at the local Flim Flam factory and works ungodly hours, and from what I know when talking to Twilight, is treated like shit by the owner and the staff.

“Hi’ya, Twilight.” She said in a tired tone before she looked over to me. “Rainbow.” She said with a nod. “Looking like shit and drunk? Why am I not surprised.” She said as she walked on.

“Ye, fuck you too, Applejack.” I said as turned around back to my bucket. Fuck, this is embarrassing.

“Rainbow met an old friend today, thought they’d have a few drinks.” Twilight told Applejack, as she continued to blow up my bed that now damn near took up half the room.

“Rainbow met someone from her ‘glory days’?” Applejack said from down the hall as the sound of keys rattling together could be heard. “I thought they didn’t exist, besides hearing Rainbow tell a story about them damn near every week.”

I faked laughed. Very funny.

I heard Applejack close her door.

“Bitch.” I whispered into my bucket.

“Hey! Watch that potty mouth, you may not like her but I do.” Twilight said as she levitated her book and hit me over the head with it.

“Ow!” It didn’t hurt, but making Twilight think it did would stop another from ha-

WACK!

“Ow! That hurts you know!” Why she do it again?!

I heard that witch giggle behind me. “I know that didn’t hurt you, so just making sure you get my message.” She giggled as she continued pumping up my bed.

I look over at the (admittedly) cute sight and saw the book she’s reading.

“Daring Doo?” Unbelievable. “Isn’t that a kid’s book?”

She stopped mid blow and looked at me like I had just struck a Filly. “Daring Doo is NOT a ‘kids’ book! It’s a high intense adventure novel suitable for all ages, I’ll have you know.” She went back to blowing up my bed.

3… 2… 1…

“You should try it sometime.”

There it is. “I knew you were gonna say that!” Every damn time I come here she tries to make me read books! I don’t read books! No chance.

“What! Come on, you’ll love it, just give it a try, please.” She whined.

I quickly turned around back to my bucket. Don’t look behind me. I know what she’s doing. I can feel the puppy eyes she’s giving me, but I won’t be beaten that easy.

I moved on quickly. “I thought you just read history books anyway. Or them ‘magic’ books.” What were they called again?

“Magic books? Oh, you mean Arcane Theory or Arcane Enchantments or Arcane Wa-“

“Yes, yes, Arcane chibber-chabber, whatever it’s called.”

“Arcane books are very important to Unicorns as it’s what makes us unique, and knowing more of what you can do at a moment’s notice can be really helpful.”

Ye, she’s right about that, I don’t know how many times aerial maneuvers have helped me escape the cops. I look over at Twilight to see her completely hidden behind a stupidly large blow-up bed. She doesn’t need to know about what I do, she thinks that’s all behind me and that I’m on track to being a packer for the rest of my life.

Fat chance of that happening.

“Move.” She said after a moment’s pause. “I need to put this down.”

Begrudgingly, I crawl up the side of Twilights bed, bucket in wing, and watch as she closes the door and places my bed onto her floor, which is now completely covered. This blowup bed is a godsend, but when somebody needs to use the now blocked door? What a pain in the ass it is to move...

I sit there, thinking. Lightning Dust may be an old friend, but to trust her? Foolish. But I don’t have many options, it’s either this or risk my luck finding a better job while being stuck in this broken apartment barely making any money, but with a criminal record? No chance.

Even if I do get kicked out, I don’t doubt Twilight would offer her floor to me until I find one, but I know for a fact that bitch of a landlord will double the rent, and Twilight can’t afford that.

I feel the bed shift to my side and see Twilight sit next to me, book in magic.

This has happened more times then I care to admit (both drunk and sober), but still to this day I can’t stop the blood rushing to my cheeks. Fuck sake.

“Lost in thought, are we?” She said as she opened her book.

I chuckle. “Just weighing up my options… and I’ve made my decision.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “May I ask what it is?”

The cheek on this mare! I raise a wing and flick it lightly against her nose and chuckle in devilish delight as she squeaks in surprise.

“Hey!” I laugh loudly as I crawl into my bed. “That’s not funny!”

“Then why are you smiling?” I said with a knowing smirk.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep already? You have work in the morning.” An angry hiss before shoving the book back into her face but even then, she still can’t hide that blush from me. Celestia be damned I’ve still got it.

“Oh?” I fake being hurt. “Trying to get rid of me already, are we? And I thought we were friends!”

I risk a side glance at her reaction as I slid onto my bed, but I see nothing as the book now covers her face. I shake my head at the short but fun bit off teasing. I guess sleep would be the wise choice. Fuck, getting up’s gonna suck massive Celestia sized balls.

I place my bucket on top of her single draw at her bed's feet, next to her lamp. “Guess you’re right, sleep would be the right idea.”

“It’s good to know you’re listening to some sense. I’ll be sure to wake you in a few hours, so don’t worry about missing work.” Twilight places her book down before sliding under her covers and with a flick of her magic, her lamp turns off, casting the room into darkness, save for the slight sliver of light that creeps around her blinds.

“Cheers, Twilight. Celestia knows what I would’ve done without you, waking up the landlord is like walking into Tartarus with a sign dangling from your neck, reading ‘Free Meat!’”

The thing is, I’m not lying.

I hear a light chuckle from above me. “I can’t exactly disagree with you there.” A pause. “But I swear to Celestia Rainbow, if I hear you snoring again tonight, I’ll drag you to her room myself.”

“Yes, ma’am! No snoring from me tonight.” I saluted the air while making my best impression of Spitfire’s gravelly voice, which is quite easy for a mare with a gravelly voice also.

“I mean it Rainbow, I have Uni tomorrow and I don’t want to be half-asleep because of your earthquake causing snores.”

Touchy touchy

“Yeye, I get ya. Goodnight, Twi.”

A pause. “Goodnight, Rainbow. Get some sleep, okay? You’ll need it for the morning you’re about to have.”

Please don’t remind me, ugh…

As I hear the clock tick, I sat there, thinking. Lightning Dust offers me everything I’ve ever known, but there’s just something about this that I can’t put my hoof on. I’m gonna have to be careful with my every move, but if there’s one thing I know I’m good at, it’s crime.

Fuck, my head hurts like a mother bucker. I just can’t seem to get comfy, this sucks. Hoof under head? No. Hooves sprawled out? No. Hooves crossed? No. Nothing’s wor-

Before I could realize what was happening, I felt something warm be placed over me.

“You’re so drunk you forgot to put on your blanket.” A pause. “Here’s your pillow, too.”

Oh. “Thank you, Twi.”

I hear her rustle beneath her bedsheets. “It’s okay, Dash. Just get some sleep.”

I swear, that Unicorn… I smile a small smile before snuggling into the blanket, and sleep seemed a lot easier then it was before.

.

.

.

“Rainbow! You’re snoring!”

Shit. “Sorry!”