Clout

Chapters

Rainbow Pie | Chapter 2
A Very High Low | Chapter 3
Groundwork | Chapter 4
Execution | Chapter 5
Comedown, Pt. 1 | Chapter 6
Master Puppeteer | Chapter 7
Comedown, Pt. 2 | Chapter 8
To Fool Your Enemies... | Chapter 9
Politics | Chapter 10
Orphan Death Bond | Chapter 11
Rainbows over the Flowers | Chapter 1

Rainbow Pie | Chapter 2

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A Very High Low | Chapter 3

[A conversation in the dead of the night between three figures in concealing clothing ensues…]

“What did you think?”, one figure asked, leaning back, as an ember glowed in the night. Shortly after, the ember died down, as a thick cloud of smoke flowed through the wind. The figure passed the blunt to the one the question was directed to.

“Of her? Fuck if I know, dude. You sure this is worth it bruh?”, the figure answered back, taking a long draw from the blunt.

“I guess we find out…”, the main figure replied, the words drawing off. The figure’s head rose towards the moon, watching the night sky.

“Fuck you mean ‘I guess we find out’? Hell naw, a bitch like you don’t make gambles. I know that much.”, the silent-until-now figure spoke, as she reached over for the blunt, the other figure now being done with it. She pulled from it, as the ember glowed once more.

“We both do. But we wish you would trust us a lil more. It’s hard, kinda scary sacrificing ourselves like this without even knowing where the end goal really is. You know these niggas make you disappear, right?”, the second figure said, more than a hint of concern and worry on their voice.

The main figure was silent, for a while. Pondering, as smoke flowed between the three of them. Finally, she looked up at the two.

“Alright, look -- I’ll let y’all in a lil more once you get the numbers, sound good? But right now, y’all gotta trust me. I’m watching out for y’all. I promise.” The main figure stated. The other two figures’ body languages more than communicated their discomfort and displeasure with that response.

The main figure heaved a heavy sigh.

“Y’all are my sisters, truly. But if you gotta keep things from your enemies, you keep ‘em from your friends, first… Now, let’s split ‘fore shit get weird. I shouldn’t be seen with no small dogs like y’all.”, the main figure stated, as the blunt was passed back to her. All three stood, and two went in one direction, while the main figure stood at the table, simply continuing to smoke.

“Oh, and one more thing!” The main figure called out, before the two got far. Both stopped, and looked back at her.

“You--", the main figure began, pointing at one of the two figures across from her.

"There’s gonna be a lot of work -- for all five of us in the coming weeks. This’ll be over in a month, tops. So make sure it’s something they both can recover from in a timely fashion, huh? You know how that nigga get, and if she’s alone, she ain’t gon’ be no better.” The main figure instructed.

“Wait, five? Damn, so I guess we really are finna use that moon pawn, huh?” The figure who was being referred to spoke up. The other aggravatedly pushed her shoulder.

“She’s not a fucking pawn, she’s my sister. Watch your mouth.” The figure hissed towards her counterpart, getting up into her face. Their hoodies nearly seemed to engulf one another due to how close they now stood.

“Yeah yeah, whatever nigga. We’re all pawns. That’s why I put my neck out first -- so I’m already doing my part.” The other figure replied. She then looked her counterpart up and down with an air of aggressiveness. She pushed her in the shoulder with one arm, just enough to make her step back a couple of feet. Through the darkness of the hoodie, all that could now be seen were gritted, frowning teeth covered with a shining, sunset gold -- grills. She was clearly angry -- pissed off, would be more accurate.

“You pussies better make sure you do yours, too.” The same figure spoke back with venom, not only to the figure beside her, but the main one as well. The figure beside her grunted, walking off ahead of her in distaste, shoving past her counterpart.

“Don’t trip, girl. I put you out first, because you my most valuable piece. Nobody but you could kick this off. We gotta make sure her potential ain’t wasted like them other two. I can do it right this time, with yo’ help. Don’t stress. You’re all my girls, and nobody is a pawn. We ain’t like them.” The main figure spoke reassuringly, as she ashed her blunt, pulling it back to her lips once more.

“Now get goin’, that nigga might call you soon.” The main figure instructed, making a shooing motion with her hands.

“We be in touch…”, the figure called out, as they caught up with the other. Both disappeared into the night.

“Yeah… you will.” The main figure stated, as she sat once more, one hand gripping her hair underneath her hoodie, as she pulled out a phone, and began dialing some numbers and going through a few apps for the rest of her blunt. She had a lot to put together, and her wits would be tested…

[About half an hour before the first peek of dawn, around 4:20AM…]

Rainbow Dash sat at the desk. A spliff laid in between her lips, filtering smoke about the room. She worked in a comfortable illumination from a desk lamp.

She had, underneath her, the bag of loot. She was currently noting down the prices of each bit of jewelry and accessories, as that was always the first to go. She was also using her duller phone to procure preview pictures of what she would be fencing off this time around.

Finally, she was satisfied with her amount of work, and placed the loot she had priced in a separate bag, as she killed time scrolling through her main phone. She put on a playlist, and played it from a speaker on the desk at relatively low volume.

As she took another pull from the spliff, her eyes peeled back to check that Pinkie Pie was still sleeping comfortably -- Rainbow Dash smiled, as she spun the chair around on its swivel to face Pinkie Pie -- her world.

Rainbow Dash looked at her, sloppily wrapped in the sheets -- her breasts hung out beautifully. She had a small tummy, and cute tiny hands that grabbed at the sheets, presumably where she thought Rainbow Dash would be. Her mouth was slightly agape, and she could see her chest heave slowly, peacefully. Her skin still glowed, despite being in the shadows of the room.

These were one of those moments -- one of those times where Rainbow Dash could reaffirm herself that every last struggle, was worth it. She felt at great peace knowing that anything she’s done, is doing, and will have done, could help this girl sleep so peacefully, so happily.

Rainbow Dash stood, walking over to the bed slowly, as she took a final pull from the spliff. She dropped it in the ashtray, as she stood over Pinkie Pie, smoke calmly filtering out from her nostrils, as she watched over Pinkie Pie. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smile -- she was a goddess, she thought.

Rainbow Dash leaned over. “I’m gonna shower, beautiful. Today’s another grind.”, she whispered to the slumbering Pinkie Pie, gently kissing her forehead.

As Rainbow Dash turned, a small moan made her twist her head back. Pinkie Pie’s body came into motion slowly.

“W-without me…?” Pinkie Pie said in a groggy voice, beginning to stretch in bed.

“You can’t just fuck a girl, shower, and leave her, silly.” Pinkie Pie squeezed out with her stretch, as she sat up with a small giggle, seemingly full of energy at an instant.

Rainbow Dash returned it with a small smile. “A girl? No honey, you’re the girl.” Rainbow Dash said, as she walked over to the table, picking up another spliff that she had prerolled for Pinkie Pie.

She flashed it at Pinkie Pie with her brows raised in question. Pinkie Pie shook her head with a soft “Mm-mm”, instead pointing over to a pink, transparent bong beside the table. Rainbow Dash picked it up and handed it to Pinkie Pie.

As Pinkie Pie dug through the bag of marijuana they left beside the bed, Rainbow Dash watched her, having a conversation with herself mentally.

How long had it been since they had gotten to wake and bake together, she thought. Rainbow Dash was glad they got this chance out of the blue -- Rainbow Dash wasn’t the type to do drugs of any sort, not while she was in the middle of business. And even though they got this amazing little place for a discounted price, it was still expensive; which meant that Rainbow Dash was always in business.

Even so, she’d begun letting herself slip more and more -- Pinkie Pie was quite the enthusiast in this field, and Rainbow Dash found it hard to not be attracted to her world. Rainbow Dash would almost never smoke before a morning of the usual business, but…

“This is gon’ be the last time we get to wake and bake together for a hot minute. You cool wit’ that babes?” Rainbow Dash asked, watching Pinkie Pie finger crush the weed into the bowl attached to the stem of the bong’s piece.

“Hmm…” Pinkie Pie trailed, as she motioned for the lighter. Rainbow Dash tossed it.

“Not really… But, I know your heart’s in the right place, so, I can’t complain, right?” Pinkie Pie stated, with a shrug. She lit the bowl on fire, placed her lips inside the mouth-hole, and began to suck strongly, but consistently -- soon, smoke filled the entire bong. She pulled the bowl and stem out, and gave one final, strong pull, as the smoke completely cleared from the bong. The bowl was filled with nothing but white remains.

Pinkie Pie looked at Rainbow Dash with a rather neutral face. She then held out her arms like a baby reaching for its parent.

“Oh god, babe, no, those hits are vicious -- and believe me, I’m already twisted, I had two spliffs before you woke up!” Rainbow Dash whined, knowing exactly what Pinkie Pie was asking for. Pinkie Pie’s arms dropped, only momentarily, her face with an unimpressed look. Then, her brows furrowed, and her lips pouted. She held out her arms once more.

“You… surely are a fucking demon, babe. You’re lucky I love you.” Rainbow Dash said with a defeated smile, as she picked Pinkie Pie up off the bed. Pinkie Pie’s legs wrapped around Rainbow Dash’s waist, with her arms slung over her shoulders.

“You have iron lungs, babe. You held that for a hot ass minute.” Rainbow Dash said, as their lips brushed. Then, they connected -- Rainbow Dash could feel her chest light up immediately, as Pinkie pushed the smoke into her own lungs. But, this time, she endured the burn, and held it -- it was one of the romantic times where Pinkie Pie dragged her into her realm.

The two finally pulled back, smiling, as two pairs of streams of smoke clashed against one another from either’s nostrils.

“You really love doing that, huh?” Rainbow Dash smiled. Pinkie Pie stifled a chuckle, as she let her arms off of Rainbow Dash, slinging back. She hung off of Rainbow Dash horizontally, her legs still wrapped around her waist. Rainbow Dash stumbled forward only slightly, not expecting Pinkie Pie’s sudden shenanigans.

“Almost as much as I love doing this~!” Pinkie Pie giggled, as she flexibly bent her back to grab Rainbow Dash’s heels. She then agilely climbed in between Rainbow Dash’s legs, and onto her back, not touching the floor once. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but giggle, as she supported Pinkie Pie on her back, feeling her breaths now on her neck.

“What, am I your jungle gym now?” Rainbow Dash asked with a chuckle.

“No, you’re my robot, and I am the pilot! Come, robot, there is more waking and baking to do before the shower and breakfast!” Pinkie Pie giggled pointing back towards the bed. Rainbow Dash could feel her mind float, and with how heavy her eyes felt, she knew they were glazed over in pink. She was already ‘sauced’. But, Pinkie Pie was having fun -- she wouldn’t say no to that. She’d be just fine, there wasn’t much work to do today anyway, she thought, convincing herself to let loose, at least a little.

“As you command, cap’n!” Rainbow Dash giggled, before she launched forward, and both tumbled into the bed. Rainbow Dash’s jump was off, as she watched Pinkie Pie bounce and nearly fall off the bed -- but, she was just quick enough to sling her arm around her back, and catch Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie slung her arm around Rainbow Dash’s neck for further support.

“My hero.” Pinkie Pie smiled, pecking Rainbow Dash on the lips. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, as Pinkie Pie rolled out of her arms and back onto the bed, reaching over for the bong.

“Corny…” she remarked, sitting beside her pink princess.

[Later that morning, around 7AM…]

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie sat together over the dining room table, both smoking another spliff. Rainbow Dash was struggling to keep her head straight, yet Pinkie Pie only seemed to be half as intoxicated.

“Babe…” Rainbow Dash said in a seemingly weak voice -- truthfully, she was just incredibly intoxicated, and her words drew out lowly and weakly as a result.

Pinkie Pie looked up. Rainbow Dash handed her the spliff, getting up from her chair, as Pinkie Pie looked on at her curiously. Rainbow Dash walked over to the kitchen, opening a cupboard. She pulled down a shot glass and a bottle of brown liquor.

She then poured one shot, downing it immediately. She poured another shot, and turned to Pinkie Pie.

“I’m leaving early… you know the drill, right?” Rainbow Dash asked. Pinkie Pie nodded -- they always avoided leaving together as a precautionary measure for Pinkie Pie. But Pinkie Pie pointed at the liquor.

“Want some?” Rainbow Dash asked, downing the second shot. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but chuckle, watching Rainbow Dash pour a third shot, as she looked at Rainbow Dash’s eyes -- completely glazed over with red, looking as if they would shut any second, and her stature was leaned and movement slowed.

Pinkie Pie shook her head in response; she was fine finishing her own and Rainbow Dash’s half-smoked spliffs -- liquor was a rarity for her tastes.

“But why are you drinkin’ that stuff? I thought you’d wanna leave less fucked up?” Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head only slightly, as she smoked both of the spliffs.

“Biiiiitch, I am way too fucked up. ‘A little alcohol make the work stiff’, you remember that lyric?” Rainbow Dash asked, downing the third shot, before she sucked in sharply, covering the bottle.

“Hmm?” Pinkie Pie hummed. Rainbow Dash replaced the bottle of liquor, and placed the shot glass in the sink. She then began placing her jacket over her body, buttoning it up. She made sure to grab the knife she took from the boy in her pocket, and picked up the crowbar beside the door.

“Well, babe, to put it frankly, I’m seeing the walls spin right now, and my body feels so damn heavy. I think a lil alcohol would stiffen me up, don’t you?” Rainbow Dash asked, leaning against the door. She crouched down to pick up her backpack -- it was full of the jewelry she was going to fence today, and was quite heavy as a result.

Pinkie Pie chuckled. “Silly, that’s not how you mix drugs. Let me teach you somethin’...” Pinkie Pie said, holding a finger up as she placed both of the half-smoked spliffs in the kitchen ashtray, rushing up stairs.

“Hurry up babes, remember, I gotta meet that piss-haired bitch before I run to class today, and I definitely don’t want Cheerilee up my ass!” Rainbow Dash yelled upstairs after her, as she folded her arms, simply trying to stand straight.

Rainbow Dash tapped her forearms, and nodded to herself confidently -- the liquor had stiffened her some, and mixed very nicely with the high. A good intoxication mix, she thought. But, admittedly, she was curious as to what Pinkie Pie had up her sleeve.

Pinkie Pie came rushing back down the stairs. She held something in her palm, which she kept concealed until she stood face to face with Rainbow Dash. She then held in front of her, a small vial that seemed to be full with white powder.

“Coke?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising a brow. “Babe, you know that shit barely lasts an hour, right? I ain’t done nothin but weed and liquor yet, but I sure as hell wouldn’t waste my first time with something as short-lasting as t--”

Rainbow Dash was silenced by Pinkie Pie pinching her lips shut. “Are you trying to lecture the Demon about drugs right now? This party gyal? Really?” Pinkie Pie asked with a playfully condescending tone.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. “But, you sure I’ll be alright? I mean, I still got shit to do today, y’know…” Rainbow Dash asked, feeling a creeping nervousness under her skin.

“Babe, would I ever hurt you? Don’t you trust me?” Pinkie Pie asked with a pleading face that drove Rainbow Dash’s heart through her throat.

“Of course I trust you, cutie.” Rainbow Dash reassured, placing a single palm over Pinkie’s face and jaw.

“Good. Then let’s hurry up--”

“Can I at least ask what it is?” Rainbow Dash asked, curious -- surely, a powder like this had to be cocaine -- what other white powder was there?

“Shh, I’ll tell you after. Now, breathe, and tell me which nostril seems more clear.” Pinkie Pie instructed. Rainbow Dash breathed in, and then breathed out. She pointed to her left nostril.

Pinkie Pie nodded, and dragged a stool near the kitchen counter to the door where Rainbow Dash was. She got on the stool, and crouched down, her knees on either side of Rainbow Dash, but her head still being higher than Rainbow Dash’s.

Pinkie Pie gently placed the vial’s open end into Rainbow Dash’s left nostril, and closed her other nostril with her other hand. Rainbow Dash nearly winced at how chemical the substance smelled -- what in the hell was this?

“Now, this’ll sting, but trust me baby, it’ll set you right for the day, especially seeing as how I got a little selfish and made you smoke yourself out.” Pinkie Pie said, as she flicked the vial, presumably to shake the powder up, had it settled.

“When I say breathe in, I want you to give me a hay-fever sniff, a couple powerful ones, mmkai?” Pinkie Pie instructed. Rainbow Dash nodded. Pinkie Pie slowly tilted Rainbow Dash’s head back, and she could feel the powder trickle in, and true to Pinkie’s warning, it did burn… However, her now being met directly with the gaze of her pink princess canceled out the burn.

“Go!” Pinkie Pie shouted, as Rainbow Dash gave a few powerful sniffs. She knew the goal was likely to get all the powder down her nose, but -- god did it burn!!!

“Nngh!” Rainbow Dash groaned shortly, trying to sniff still, seeing as how Pinkie Pie had not yet removed the vial. Finally, Pinkie Pie removed it, and just as Rainbow Dash’s head began to drop down, Pinkie put two fingers under her chin, forcing Rainbow Dash to look back up at her.

“Uh-uh-uh… Don’t waste my product, Dashie. I see a lot, keep pulling.” Pinkie Pie said in a rather authoritative tone. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel powerless and seduced underneath Pinkie Pie. She obeyed, until finally, she felt a disgusting taste in the back of her nostril and throat. She gagged.

“That means, it’s time for water… You did good, babe, way better than my first time!” Pinkie Pie chuckled, as she hopped off of the stool, rushing to the fridge to grab a water bottle for Rainbow Dash. She tossed it, and Rainbow Dash feverishly caught it, downing the water, and sniffling still.

“With how well that went, I might have just found my perfect little demon disciple, huh?” Pinkie Pie chuckled, as she watched the now wide-eyed Rainbow Dash settle back, and experience the train hitting her.

Pinkie Pie pulled out another vial from her shirt pocket, and comfortably dumped its deposits into her nostril, making not nearly as much of a scene as Rainbow Dash did. Rainbow Dash watched in disbelief.

“How the hell…? It doesn’t burn you?? And what about that god awful taste???” Rainbow Dash asked her questions in quick succession -- she only just realized as she got those three sentences out that her words were hyper, and full of energy -- a stark contrast to how she was just feeling, extremely stoned and lethargic.

Pinkie Pie gave a soft chuckle. “Crazy what experience does, huh?” Pinkie Pie spoke normally, at her regular pace of speed. Truly, this was nothing new for her, she had been in this environment plenty ‘a times.

“By the way…” Rainbow Dash trailed on, as she picked her half-smoked spliff out of the ashtray, and re-lit it. She was amazed at how the intoxication mixed in, now. Pinkie Pie had piqued her interest in this world of hers. This environment was… interesting, Rainbow Dash thought, still sniffling.

“What exactly was that? And why the hell is it already so dangerously enjoyable?” Rainbow Dash asked, taking a long drag from her spliff, noticing that even her hands began to shake with hyperness. She found that she could control it if she focused just a little.

Pinkie Pie twirled over to Rainbow Dash and kissed her on the cheek.

“I’m glad you said that -- dangerous. That’s exactly what it is, so don’t get used to it.” Pinkie Pie began, however, her next sentence came out much quicker once she noticed anxiety consume Rainbow Dash’s face, as if she just made a fatal mistake.

“What I mean is!” Pinkie Pie immediately blurted out, holding her hands up defensively, feeling guilty that she scared Rainbow Dash.

“This isn’t like weed, or liquor. You can’t do this often. But once in a while, only on special occasion, without any habits or routine use, should be fine. So, no more unless I say so, okay Dashie?” Pinkie Pie instructed more than asked, as she playfully flicked Rainbow Dash’s nose. She turned, heading to the table to retrieve her own spliff.

“Yeah, I gotcha… Whoa…” Rainbow Dash commented out loud, noticing how her sight seemed to zoom into tunnel-vision. Her brain was running at a thousand paces a second. Everything felt so overwhelming, but in an exciting and incredible way. As excited as she was, she couldn’t help but realize that there’d surely be a bad trade-off for a feeling like this.

“So… what exactly was it that you gave me?” Rainbow Dash asked, as Pinkie Pie re-lit her own spliff.

“Amphetamine. One hundred and twenty-five milligrams of it. A helluva starter dose.” Pinkie Pie said. “But you’re a tough-nut, I knew you’d handle it well. By the way…” Pinkie Pie continued, getting up out of her seat, and planting her lips on Rainbow Dash’s for a quick peck.

“Thanks for trusting me. I’ll keep you safe in this world Dash. You won’t go wrong as long as you listen to me, alright?” Pinkie Pie said. Rainbow Dash nodded, feeling secure with Pinkie Pie as her guide. Pinkie Pie walked over to the fridge, and grabbed three more bottles of water.

“I gotcha…" Rainbow Dash began, examining her environment and mentally noting how this new intoxication affected her senses. While Rainbow Dash was distracted with her childlike curiosity at the effects of the substance, Pinkie Pie slipped three bottles of water into her bag.

"You're gonna need those, this stuff will make you sweat more than me when I see you get out the shower, get me?" Pinkie Pie half-joked.

"Uh-huh... Wait a sec..." Rainbow Dash trailed, before fishing through her pockets.

"Hey, shit!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, looking at the time on her phone.

“I was ‘sposed to leave like 8 minutes ago babe, I gotta run! No earlier than 30 minutes till I’m gone, okay?” Rainbow Dash instructed Pinkie Pie on when she should leave. Pinkie Pie nodded. Just before Rainbow Dash could exit, she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

As she turned, a fist grabbed her collar, and another hand removed the spliff from her lips.

“And hey, babe… Do me a favor and handle business quick today, hm? This stuff makes me so horny.” Pinkie Pie cooed. Rainbow Dash looked Pinkie Pie up and down, at a loss for words at her sudden dominant behavior. Pinkie Pie looked Rainbow Dash’s silent being up and down triumphantly, before licking her lips.

“I think we’re understood. Stay safe, babes!” Pinkie Pie chuckled, letting go of Rainbow Dash’s collar, kissing her on the lips once more, and placing the spliff back in her mouth.

“Good luck, have fun! Oh, and tell orange-hair that if she gives you trouble, I’m gonna give her a real bitch of a time, mmkai?” Pinkie Pie called out to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash turned back with an amused smile and ‘ok’ sign with her hand.

Pinkie Pie watched Rainbow Dash with a single hand over her chest, until she disappeared around the corner.

“The love of my life…” Pinkie Pie thought with warmth, as she closed the door, deciding how she’d kill time until it was her turn to leave.

[Less than halfway to Sunset Shimmer, 15 minutes of walking…]

🎶“Brown ‘nd purple keep my cup full… couple yellow percys and some redbull!”🎶

Rainbow Dash walked down the streets with a bump in her step, feeling as if she was on top of the world. The three intoxications seemed to make her float down the sidewalks -- she was in her own world, bobbing her head to her playlist.

Her cyan durag bobbed around happily in her thigh pocket, matching her energy.

Her vision seemed sharp, and zoomed in, like her eyes had turned into strange binoculars. She was, in street terms, absolutely ‘booming’. Her grin shined.

🎶“Sippin on red, sippin on Ritalin, stick hit yo’ head, now that bitch riddlin’.”🎶

After some minutes of walking, she noticed a jeep in jet-black zoom by -- Rainbow Dash was distracted, so she wasn’t sure, but she could’ve sworn that she noticed orange highlights on the vehicle.

“Lotus…?” She thought, cracking her knuckles as she saw the tail of the car whip around the corner. She smirked widely, hoping that she would see the car spin back around. She walked for another 45 seconds, and then tossed her backpack underneath one of the cars parked next to the sidewalk. She patted her back-pocket -- the knife was still there, good.

She tightened her grip on her crowbar, and simply stood against a wall a few cars down from where she hid her backpack. She pulled out her duller looking phone, and sent a text apologizing to Sunset Shimmer.

“I’m gonna be late. Think I got some pussies looking for trouble.” Rainbow Dash texted, slipping the phone back in her pocket. After a few short moments, she felt a buzz in her pocket, but ignored it -- she was too focused looking down the street, awaiting the car she was sure would be coming back around.

A few minutes passed, before Rainbow Dash almost breathed a sigh of relief, assuming she was mistaken -- just as she pushed off the wall, she heard an engine not far off from the corner -- as she watched intently, surely enough, the same car creeped down the street, gently slowing to her position.

The cautions started blinking, as four figures emptied out of the large jeep. The one in the very back exited last, and that’s when Rainbow Dash understood exactly where this was going.

“So, ya bitch ass was fiendin’ for round 2, huh?” Rainbow Dash taunted, watching as the boy she embarrassed in class the other day, step out of the passenger seat. She removed only one of her earphones. She noticed a rather timid, pale-yellow girl with pink hair in the back, sitting in the seat beside where the boy exited.

“What, ya bitch too good to come jump me, too? Or you just tryna return the favor for me kickin ya ass in front of my girl? It’s different when it ain’t one-on-one tough guy.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, further taunting the boy and his goons.

They were silent, as the five walked onto the side walk, all entrapping Rainbow Dash against the brick wall of the building in a semi-circle. Three held bats with crooked nails impaling their ends. The boy stepped forward, smiling at Rainbow Dash.

“Fuck’s so funny? Cause unless you shoot me, y’all niggas not leavin this with no scars.” Rainbow Dash smirked. Her confidence now, felt unrivaled. These four were scum beneath her sneakers as far as she was concerned.

“That ‘bitch’ is the one who told me exactly where I was finna find yo’ ass. It seems like your bitch ain’t as protective of you as you are of her, huh?” The boy spoke back to Rainbow Dash, his smile growing.

“Pinkie Pie knows that girl? Prolly not what I think it is, these opps don’t know they ass cheek from their face…” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, her movements pausing for a moment as she pondered. This boy clearly knew what could get under her skin.

“Where that confidence went, huh? I thought that girl was everything to you, Rainbow Dash.” The boy taunted with a hearty laugh.

“How about you shut the fuck up, flower boy? You still goin’ by daddy’s cute lil’ name for you?” Rainbow Dash responded with her own witty hostility.

“It’on really matter for a nigga boutta get they ass beat, but I been pullin’ my weight, they call me YP now. Young--”

“Pussy?” “Protégé.”

Rainbow Dash chuckled, and the boy frowned.

“That sounds like too a good name for ya. I like Young Pussy better, but don’t nothing sound more bitch-made than Lotus. That shit kinda cute.” Rainbow Dash taunted the boy. “Daddy made sure his lil bitch was gonna live up to the gang, huh?” Rainbow Dash continued taunting. Lotus’ face only continued to twist into angrily.

“You know, you real funny for a bitch who’s about to leave the scene with a couple shiners and some knots.” Lotus spoke, as he took the bat from one of his allies. Rainbow Dash’s grip on her crowbar tightened, as she motioned them toward her tauntingly.

🎶“Stupid niggas think he fuckin’ wit me, I’m ‘ah show ‘em niggas why they bitch-made.”🎶

Rainbow Dash took a second to pull the cyan durag from her pocket, and tie it across her bicep.

With no words, Lotus was the first to step forward, giving a powerful swing of his bat -- the wood creaked against Rainbow Dash’s crowbar. From her side, she could see that another boy with a bat was already on top of her -- she let one of her hands off the crowbar, and blocked the bat impact with her upper forearm, wincing as the nails ripped through her skin -- however, she stopped most of the impact.

In that split moment, Rainbow Dash realized that the drug Pinkie Pie gave her, certainly made things less painful -- and she was holding off two at once at the moment.

“Guess you right mom, shit does happen for a reason…”, Rainbow Dash thought, pleased with how this morning turned out, even though she had previously felt it a mistake to have indulged as much as she did.

Rainbow Dash lifted one her legs, and delivered a powerful kick to Lotus’ neck, immediately felling him. Her crowbar hand was now free, and she swung it with all of her strength into the temple of the boy who had swung a spiked bat into her forearm.

He collapsed with an unsettling thud, his hair beginning to collect crimson.

Lotus rolled back, and stood again, bat in hand -- he motioned the others back momentarily.

“I forgot this bitch is a fucking gorilla -- don’t be stupid y’all.” Lotus warned, as two of the other boys dragged the now unconscious boy to a safe distance, leaving him beside one of the parked cars.

Rainbow Dash and the four boys watched each other carefully, nobody moving. Rainbow Dash decided she would move before they could have a chance to all move on her at once.

She rushed for Lotus, crowbar already behind her in preparation for a powerful swing. Lotus held up his bat defensively, and as Rainbow Dash swung down, she gave a fatal dent to the bat, as part of it splintered back into Lotus’ face and shoulder. He rolled back over the concrete in pain.

Rainbow Dash was pleased -- one of the weapons were disabled. She was, however, too late to react to the incoming swing from one of the other three boys, and received a direct hit to her rib. Her feet left the ground, and she hit the concrete shoulder-first.

The pain may have been dulled, but Rainbow Dash could still feel her side throb in intense pain. Still, she rolled and jumped back in recovery as quick as she could. She tried to stand straight, but found it hard with her sides bruised and hurt as they were -- that was a very direct hit, she thought.

The two other boys immediately pursued her -- she decided to focus on the one that was armed: she decided to sacrifice her palms a bit, and drop her crowbar. She caught the swing directly, feeling the spikes impale her hand.

“So much for fingering her today…” Rainbow Dash thought, as she pulled forward whilst pulling her leg up and back, charging a powerful kick. As she stomped into the boy’s abdomen, she immediately grabbed the flipped the bat around, wincing as she tried her best to grip the handle.

She then turned to the other boy and swung at his calf, hearing an unsettling impact as he immediately flipped over onto the ground. Rainbow Dash then flung the bat with as much strength as she could muster, watching it fly out of range of everyone.

She then immediately picked back up her crowbar -- there was only one weapon left to handle. Rainbow Dash willed herself to disable the final bat somehow, thinking that would be her best chance for a win.

Lotus and the three boys surrounded her once more. Lotus had in both hands, either of the parts of his destroyed bat. With an unexpected speed, he tossed the part riddled with spikes at Rainbow Dash, who held up her arms defensively -- however, it only ricocheted off of her forearm, damaging it, and then lodging into her shoulder / neck momentarily, before falling out again.

By the time Rainbow Dash could shake off the pain, they were already on top of her -- she swung the crowbar and hit one of the boys into the ground. He laid on the ground barely moving, presumably in recovery from the hit.

The boy with the fully functioning bat swung at Rainbow Dash, and she only had enough time to hold up her crowbar defensively, blocking the bat. However, Lotus was already on her side, with the broken handle of the bat.

“Rargh!” Lotus grunted with great strain, as he stabbed the fragmented end of the handle into Rainbow Dash’s body, between her right shoulder and breast. Rainbow Dash fell back, her hand weakening due to the stab, as her crowbar fell from her hands. She tried to quickly recover and grab the crowbar with her other hand, but the other boy immediately connected the tip of his shoe to her temple, as she smacked down into the concrete.

As she tried to grab for the crowbar, Lotus stomped on her fingers, eliciting from Rainbow Dash what he thought to be an incredibly satisfying yelp of pain.

“That ain’t sum’n we get to hear from you often, Dashie…” Lotus taunted, knowing that to be the special nickname that she only allowed Pinkie Pie to call her. He knelt down to be face to face with the felled Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash, with her free hand, immediately slugged Lotus in the face, causing him to fall back on his butt, but she was immediately met with another shoe to her face. She could feel the blood begin to leak down her forehead.

“You think you’re tough, huh bitch?” Lotus asked, crouching over once more, rubbing his now bruising cheek. Rainbow Dash sat with her back against the wall, feeling that standing up now was useless.

“That’s a nice lil shiner I see develop--”

*Dmpt!*

Rainbow Dash did not get to finish her sentence, as Lotus punched her square in the nose before she could finish, . Rainbow Dash’s nose bled. She was now back on her butt / back, looking up at the boys who surrounded her.

“You’re so cute when you can beat me up with all you--”

*Dmpt!*

Again, Lotus would not let her finish the sentence. Rainbow Dash simply smiled, through red teeth, and a face with three streams of blood leaking down. A single drop of blood fell onto the the treasured jewelry around her neck.

“Daddy would be so proud of all the clout this’ll get--”

*Dmpt!*

Lotus smirked, shaking his fist. Rainbow Dash wanted to be witty once more, but in truth, she was in much pain. It felt as if they were knocking her back into sobriety at the moment, as her heart raced, and her mind seemed to clear. This time, she was silent.

“Yeah? That’s all the witty replies from you? C’mon now Rainbow Dash, I thought you were--”

*Ppthpt!*

Rainbow Dash interrupted his sentence by spitting a nasty mixture of saliva and blood directly onto his face, some even getting into his eye. Rainbow Dash gave a pained chuckle, watching Lotus wipe his eye out with his shirt.

Then, Lotus picked up the bloodied piece of wood that he had impaled her with, and jammed it into her thigh this time.

“Nnnghh...!” Rainbow Dash tried her best to conceal the groan of pain, but it was impossible. Her heart raced a thousand times a second, and even though the drugs in her system was dulling everything, she could tell the immense pain she was in every time any pained muscle tensed, or any element touched her wounds -- she had pushed herself too far, this wouldn’t be a fast recovery, and that wasn’t good for the revenge she was already eagerly plotting in the back of her head.

“You just don’t get it, do you, you lil dumbass bitch…” Lotus went on, as he twisted the piece of wood deeper into her leg.

Rainbow Dash only breathed in sharply -- the piece of wood was relatively small and jagged, so he was having trouble properly impaling her leg, but it still hurt greatly.

“You’re literally nothing. Not even the bitch you live for is gonna keep you safe.” Lotus said to her, looking her in the eyes. Rainbow Dash breathed heavily, pains throbbing throughout her entire body. Her mind went back to what Lotus had said earlier, as she eyed the pink haired girl in the car, who seemed to be trying her best not to view the situation. Her brows furrowed in rage.

“It’s her… Pinkie’s not to blame, I know that. That bitch’s days are fucking numbered!” Rainbow Dash thought with rage -- she was more angry at the fact that this current route could be one of the many that Pinkie Pie walks to go back home. She’d have to warn Pinkie Pie to never take this route again.

“Any bitch that’s gonna limit my princess’ life in any way is as good as dead.” Rainbow Dash thought, glaring beyond Lotus, at the girl who had her chin tucked to her chest, focusing on whatever was beneath her.

“Dead bitch of a mom would be so proud, wouldn’t she?” Lotus further taunted. That, triggered something in Rainbow Dash -- her head snapped back towards Lotus, and she immediately began getting up; expecting this, Lotus simply stomped his foot down into the piece of wood in her thigh.

“Aargh!!!” Rainbow Dash yelled out in immense pain, immediately falling back down. Her entire body flexed and tensed in pain as she punched the concrete beside her in both extreme anger and pain.

Just as she tried to stand again, Lotus lifted his foot, and stomped her head back into the wall. He rubbed the bottom of his shoe into her nose, chuckling lowly.

“Remember your place next time you wanna talk funny, huh, Dashie? I ain’t daddy’s lil’ boy no more.” Lotus spoke with great confidence, as he continued rubbing his sole into Rainbow Dash’s nose. Rainbow Dash could only hold his calf in a rather desperate attempt to stop his insulting behavior.

“Yo,” Lotus began, pointing at the unconscious boy beside the parked car, his shoe still over Rainbow Dash’s face.

“Pick that nigga up, class prolly start in like 30 minutes, nd I rather get cleaned up before I let anybody know this bitch put hands on us.” Lotus instructed. The boys looked down at Rainbow Dash, then back to Lotus, and then left to drag the unconscious boy into the jeep, triumphant smiles on their faces.

Lotus tried to remove his foot from Rainbow Dash, but she had a death-grip on his calves. He pulled back with great strength, as her hands finally released, not wanting to fall forward on the piece of wood now well within her thigh.

Rainbow Dash looked up at Lotus with a glare that could make a soldier sweat. Lotus looked back down with an equal level of smugness. He smirked, before turning with not another word exchanged between the two.

Suddenly, Lotus heard two strong footsteps, with metal grinding across the concrete, and as he turned back, Rainbow Dash took a third, and immediately buckled, falling face-first back into the concrete, her crowbar falling not far off. The pain in her leg was too great to withstand movement so sudden.

Lotus laughed, and laughed, and laughed. Rainbow Dash could only look up in defeat, her glare burning hotter by the second. As she looked past the laughing boy, she made a brief moment of eye-contact with the pale-yellow girl, who looked back with what Rainbow Dash could only deduce as either fear, guilt, or surprise.

“So long, stupid nigga.” Lotus laughed, as he got back into the jeep, sitting beside the girl. As they drove off, Rainbow Dash could see Lotus wrap his arms around the girl’s abdomen, and pull her in for a kiss.

“You, and that lil thot you got is finna make the news, I promise you that, nigga…” Rainbow Dash thought in great bitterness, as she pulled herself up again, desperately.

Rainbow Dash laid in the street for a few minutes, trying to get enough of a grip to go against the throbs of pain resonating throughout her body.

As her adrenaline was settling, she could feel her intoxications kick back in, the pain subsiding little by little. She felt the intoxications calm her only slightly, as she hobbled over to the car with the backpack, fishing it out. With each movement, she winced, her shredded palms still bleeding. She collapsed against the car, and pulled out her phone. Her entire body seemed to be absolutely wet with sweat; she was drenched, and her mouth felt so incredibly dry. She needed water, bad.

She couldn’t let Sunset Shimmer see her like this -- she’d call Pinkie Pie to help her clean up, first, and then tell Sunset a new location to meet at. She pulled out her personal phone, and dialed Pinkie Pie.

“Heyyy babe, you finished up that quick!?” Pinkie Pie shouted through the phone with more exuberance than usual. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smile, both at the fact that Pinkie Pie’s voice warmed her, and that she, too, was clearly feeling the intoxication.

“Heh… Uh, not quite… Um, say, you think you could come get me, I’m on Quincy, the bit you take goin towards that club you love hittin’ up, y’know the one...” Rainbow Dash said, trying her best to conceal the pain on her voice. She dug through her bag, taking one of the water bottles, and as she chugged it, she could swear her mouth and throat were so dry the water itself would’ve torn it.

“Dashie…? You’re breathing real heavy, and you sound hurt, what the fuck happened??” Pinkie Pie questioned, immediately alarmed. Rainbow Dash could hear a ton of shuffling on her end; she seemed to be frantically gathering items.

“Babe, relax, I'm fine, I swear... I’ll explain later… Oh, and definitely bring me a spliff, good lord…” Rainbow Dash said with a defeated tone and exasperated sigh, starting on her second bottle of water. “And, uh… maybe some more water, that shit got me dehydrated…” Rainbow Dash continued, wiping her beady forehead with her shirt.

“The fuck… Yo, Rainbow Dash, that’s you?!”

Rainbow Dash’s motions paused, as she felt her sweat go cold. That sounded like…

“Great… It’s fucking piss-hair…” Rainbow Dash sighed in defeat, as she watched Sunset Shimmer begin to jog down the street towards her. She was the last person she wanted seeing her in this “sorry ass state”.

“Today’s really not my fucking day. Fuck...” Rainbow Dash thought, as she swigged the water bottle once more, laying her head back against the car, staring into the sky.

"Fuck..." Rainbow Dash thought again, as she closed her eyes, awaiting the earful she was sure to hear from Sunset Shimmer...

Author's Note

Ah yes, finally done with another chapter, and clearly within my 2-4 week quota. Totally. Absolutely. 100%.

Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and as usual, feel free to make any inquiries you wish about any vocabulary or lingo that you may not understand, as I am always more than pleased to educate others on my beautiful dialect!

Until next time, have a wonderful day, an even better tomorrow, and, toodles as usual! ^-~

Groundwork | Chapter 4

“Shiiiiit dude, who the fuck did your makeup?” Sunset Shimmer asked half-jokingly, as she kneeled down beside Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked up at her through a bruised eye, glaring. Sunset chuckled nervously.

“Relax, it was a joke. You good dude? Need sum’n?” Sunset Shimmer asked, sitting beside Rainbow Dash upon the side of the car. Rainbow Dash was silent, simply looking straight at the wall ahead of them -- the spot where Lotus had rubbed his shoe into her face. Her brows furrowed further, and her fists tightened, despite the injuries.

“... It was the fucking the Death Lotus and their lil fuckin flower boy.” Rainbow Dash hissed, as she stared forward between slitted eyes. Her forehead wrinkled in rage.

“Damn, a bitch like you don’t go down easy. They jumped you, huh?” Sunset Shimmer sighed, looking forward with Rainbow Dash.

“That pussy knows he couldn’t handle me 1-on-1. And he thinks he some hot shit… Fuck that nigga.” Rainbow Dash growled.

“Yo,” Sunset Shimmer called. Rainbow Dash turned to her, and Sunset Shimmer paused momentarily, looking into her eyes.

“What?” Rainbow Dash responded aggressively, annoyed at the sudden silence.

“... You really boomin’, huh? Molly?” Sunset Shimmer asked, realizing how large her pupils were.

“A lotta weed… My girl smoked me out this morning.” Rainbow Dash replied, not wishing to disclose her behind-the-curtain habits with someone who was essentially a stranger.

Sunset Shimmer chuckled in response. She was amused that Rainbow Dash thought she was so innocent -- or that she seriously thought she was that ignorant.

“Nah homie, you not foolin’ nobody wit that shit. Ya eyes pink, yeah, but don’t nothin but uppers or psychs stretch ya pupils like that. Iss chill if you’on wanna tell me though, I’ll cool it.” Sunset Shimmer said. Rainbow Dash was silent for a while.

“... Amphetamine.” Rainbow Dash said, finally. Sunset Shimmer snapped her head towards Rainbow Dash.

“Wow, ain’t know you fuck wit it like that.” Sunset Shimmer responded with surprised haste. Then, she shrugged it off, quite literally. “How you feelin’? It hurt?” Sunset Shimmer asked, digging through her backpack.

“What the fuck does it look like?” Rainbow Dash hissed with aggression. Sunset Shimmer couldn’t help but laugh in response, as she pulled out a small pill bottle.

“I usually save these for the hype drills, but you might wanna take one right now.” Sunset Shimmer said, screwing it open and dropping a single blue pill into the palm of her hand.

“Open it up.” Sunset Shimmer instructed, holding the pill between her thumb and forefinger. Rainbow Dash looked up at her, unmoving. Sunset Shimmer sighed, before she shot forward one hand, and put three fingers and her thumb in Rainbow Dash’s mouth, extending them. For the brief moment her mouth was open, Sunset Shimmer dropped the pill in.

She grabbed a water bottle from Rainbow Dash’s bag and tossed it into her chest with playful aggression. Sunset Shimmer sat beside her once more, as Rainbow Dash silently chugged the bottle, swallowing the pill.

She looked over at Sunset Shimmer momentarily. Sunset Shimmer looked back at her. Rainbow Dash felt like she should say thank you, but didn’t know how to proceed. Sunset Shimmer, instead, simply chuckled and looked forward once more.

“Rest easy, those are perc 30s. You ain’t gon’ feel shit inna bit.” Sunset Shimmer said aloud, guessing that Rainbow Dash wanted to know what she consumed.

“And, it’s okay to say ‘thank you’ sometimes, you weird bitch.” Sunset Shimmer said with a low chuckle, fastening one book bag strap over her shoulder again, still sitting.

Rainbow Dash was conflicted. It was odd -- she wasn’t used to help from a near-stranger like this, and her brain was wired on the fact that she was supposed to be seen looking so ‘pussy’ in front of Sunset Shimmer, yet… she was here, calm, helping her.

“Yo,” Rainbow Dash called out. Sunset Shimmer looked over at her, a long pause carrying on.

“Wassup?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“So you tryna push for this gang or nah?” Rainbow Dash asked. Sunset Shimmer sent a hardy chuckle.

“What’s your vision, man?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Rainbow Dash looked over at Sunset Shimmer.

“Windy ring a name?” Rainbow Dash asked. Her brows furrowed. Sunset Shimmer’s head twisted.

“Yeah, it was like that…” Rainbow Dash sighed. She continued, nonetheless.

“She never belonged to a gang -- she was just an OG doing her thing, not listening to nobody. She was my idol. She ain’t take shit from nobody till her dying breath.” Rainbow Dash said slowly and tenderly. Her eyes burned with fury-- she paused, as if she wanted to say more. But, instead, she simply clutched her “RD” chain, eyes burrowing further, as she continued on.

“The Death Lotus took her. So I’m gonna take them. Every one of them. Every last soul. Every bit of influence they have. Their resources, their families, their homes. I want them smoked and ashed like they did my mom.” Rainbow Dash said.

Sunset Shimmer stared forward at Rainbow Dash momentarily. Her clutch over her chain tightened.

“You’re gonna go against them?” Sunset Shimmer asked, as if revising the statement for her interrogatively.

“Ion think I stuttered, G. That’s the whole reason this gang started. So, you finna pull that weight or nah?” Rainbow Dash asked. Sunset Shimmer searched Rainbow Dash’s eyes once more, before smiling.

She stood, and in a second, she lifted her jet-black hoodie from the waste, revealing a gun on her waist. She flipped it out and held the barrel to Rainbow Dash’s head. Her smile widened, and Rainbow Dash’s brow raised, and her body tensed up. However, her finger laid off the trigger.

“Then, if that’s the case, I suggest you don’t get caught lacking again. I’on run for skinny dogs.” Sunset Shimmer said, as she unloaded the gun and flipped it so that she the handle was facing Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash looked up at her momentarily, before looking back down at the gun and the clip. She reached for the gun, and as her hand took it, Sunset Shimmer held it firmly. Rainbow Dash looked up, and Sunset Shimmer tilted her head slightly with an expectant look.

“Thank… you…” Rainbow Dash said lowly. Sunset Shimmer smiled, letting go, as Rainbow Dash took the gun, and the clip after, reloading it.

“Ooohhh, you’re not new to a piece, huh?” Sunset Shimmer asked, watching Rainbow Dash handle it expertly.

“Momma wasn’t new to the game.” Rainbow Dash replied, checking it out. She clicked the safety on, and put it in her bag.

She noted mentally that she’d need to get a real jacket so that she could walk with it concealed in her waist.

They sat in silence for a while longer, before swift steps began stomping through the street. Rainbow Dash turned, and she saw a figure, mostly pink, running over towards her.

“RAINBOW DASH!!!” Pinkie Pie bawled out, sprinting towards the two.

Sunset Shimmer rubbed her ear from the yell, as Rainbow Dash chuckled sheepishly.

Pinkie Pie slid beside Rainbow Dash, hugging her. “Omigod! Are you okay?!” Pinkie Pie asked, twisting and turning Rainbow Dash’s head and limbs, examining her.

“Babe, like I said, I’m fine. Did y--”

“Bitch, this??” Pinkie Pie began, gesturing over Rainbow Dash’s bruised body. She looked over her gingerly, gently touching her bruises and gauging reactions.

“Is not okay!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, as she pulled out two small bottles -- iodine and alcohol. She poured them into cloth, and began wiping Rainbow Dash down.

“Your girl? She’s a keeper.” Sunset Shimmer said, elbowing Rainbow Dash as she received tender treatment from Pinkie Pie.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Pinkie Pie looked down at Rainbow Dash’s leg, her worry deepening.

She partially covered Rainbow Dash’s face with medicated bandage, to cover and heal some of the bruises; only her eyes and mouth could be seen -- her nostrils were also clear.

“This is gonna be fucking embarrassing…” Rainbow Dash groaned out loud in detest.

“Shut, up, Rainbow Dash. Do you want this to heal, or not?” Pinkie Pie hissed with doting motherhood. She placed her jacket over Rainbow Dash’s leg, and lifted her body onto her lap. She pulled down her pants, and despite being underneath the jacket, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but blush, being babied by Pinkie Pie on a sidewalk in front of Sunset.

Rainbow Dash swallowed, as she could accurately calculate, approximately all of her pride, as she attempted to simply speak past this scene.

“Act, normal…” Rainbow Dash thought, feeling her cheeks flushed, as Pinkie Pie lifted the coat from her side, away from Sunset, and began treating the nasty gash in her leg.

“So… if you’re giving me your piece, what the fuck’re you gonna do?” Rainbow Dash asked, her neck craned over towards Sunset.

Sunset was silent for a couple seconds, watching Rainbow Dash’s face. She seemed to sigh internally, stifling something. She looked up, and smiled.

“You know any street nigga worth they salt’re always two blickys a piece.” Sunset Shimmer chuckled. She dug in her jet-black hoodie, and out came another gun, this one looking a bit heavier than the one she handed Rainbow Dash.

“My favorite cannon. This pawn’s ahead of the game.” Sunset Shimmer chuckled, strapping it to her waist, like she did with the previous.

“I need some of that…” Rainbow Dash commented, her eyes beaming towards the gun.

“Mmph!” Pinkie Pie huffed, as she pulled Rainbow Dash’s pants back up. She removed her coat, and placed it back over her person.

Rainbow Dash patted her leg down. She couldn’t feel much, but she could tell that her leg was weaker. She wasn’t sure if Pinkie Pie did a great job healing her, the drugs were doing a great job kicking in, or a good mix of both.

“Whatever,” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, as she stood. Her leg wiggled for a second, but for the most part, she could use it. She’d have to be careful not to strain it, though, and that meant staying out of trouble…

Her brows furrowed, as her mind returned to the pale-skinned, pink haired girl. Her fists clutched.

“C’mon y’all, we late for class, ain’t we?” Rainbow Dash said, as she stomped off towards the direction of their high school.

Pinkie Pie grabbed her arm, and Sunset Shimmer hadn’t moved a step.

“Hold on, babe, I see you’re angry. We don’t need you making any rash decisions now.” Pinkie Pie stated, as she placed something in Rainbow Dash’s lips.

“Ohm, so you’m did brimg et.” Rainbow Dash said, with the spliff between her lips, as Pinkie Pie flicked it lit. She pulled, looking over at Sunset.

“Comin’? We can talk action while we walk.” Rainbow Dash offered. Sunset Shimmer looked as if she was pondering upon something. She paused to look on her phone. Her fingers tapped the screen at lightning speed for several seconds, before she closed it, and placed it back in her pockets.

“Yeah, let’s go.” Sunset Shimmer said with a smile, as she walked forward with the two.

“How’s the leg, Dashie?” Pinkie Pie asked, leaning her shoulder into Rainbow Dash affectionately.

“Good enough to withstand you.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, as she stretched her hand around Pinkie Pie’s shoulders and neck, holding out the spliff towards Sunset. She flicked her head towards it. “Go ‘head.” Rainbow Dash encouraged.

Sunset chuckled. “Pregame ain’t bad.” She grabbed the spliff, and pulled.

“So, Sunset, whatchu’ know bout the Pirus and Crips?” Rainbow Dash asked, feeling her eyes become cakey once more.

“The only other two gangs worth their salt in this one-sided turf war against the Death Lotus? Who the fuck lives in this city that doesn’t?” Sunset Shimmer said, pulling from the spliff once more. She passed it to Pinkie Pie, who took it expeditiously.

“We need footsoldiers, y’know…?” Rainbow Dash began, looking over at Sunset. Pinkie Pie pulled, looking up at Rainbow Dash.

“And you think they just gonna give it up?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Pinkie Pie exhaled, looking over at Sunset Shimmer.

“Of course not. We’re gonna take it.” Rainbow Dash scoffed, as if the answer was so obvious. Pinkie Pie pulled once again, looking up at Rainbow Dash.

“Uh-huh… And you’re gonna do that, how, exactly?” Sunset Shimmer inquired, twisting her head. Pinkie Pie passed the spliff back to Rainbow Dash, exhaling once again.

“We’re like three people deep, how you think we gonna take two gangs with over fifty members each?” Sunset Shimmer laughed.

Rainbow Dash sucked on the spliff deeply, pondering upon how to word her already-crafted response.

“We strike the head, immediately. Whether it converts or has to be destroyed, leaves us plenty of control either way.”

Rainbow Dash stated, as she blew out a cloud of smoke.

Pinkie Pie and Sunset Shimmer were silent, looking between each other, sharing the same look of skepticism.

“That’s a grand penultimate plan, but we need stepping stones homie. How we gonna locate anyone? Get information? Get weapons? And, lemme reiterate -- three people ain’t enough!” Sunset Shimmer stated, raising her arms in frustration.

“She’s right, Dashie. We gotta do some groundwork.” Pinkie Pie stated. Rainbow Dash groaned, passing the spliff back to Sunset Shimmer.

“You know anyone, piss-hair?” Rainbow Dash asked in an annoyed snarl. She chuckled, pulling. As she exhaled, she grew the cockiest smile one could possibly wear.

“I happen to know someone, who also knows someone, that’s perfect for this kind of work. I’m glad you actually asked for help, Rainbow Dash.” Sunset Shimmer teased.

“Are they trustworthy?” Rainbow Dash interrogated, looking directly into Sunset Shimmer’s eyes. She pulled from the spliff once more, before passing it to Pinkie Pie.

“I trust ‘em with my life. They’ll get the job done, we’re all sisters at the end of the day.” Sunset Shimmer reassured. Rainbow Dash was pleased, nodding.

Pinkie Pie tried to pass the spliff back to Rainbow Dash, but she shook her head, feeling her intoxications twist and turn her reality. She had had enough, surely.

“Naw, you can clip that, babes. We almost at school ‘bout now, anyways. Got like 3 more blocks from here.” Rainbow Dash said, shaking her head.

“Oh, say word? Lemme go grab my girls, they’on start till two periods later, so they prolly still coolin’. Lemme hit you later, iigh?” Sunset Shimmer said, standing off from the two.

She walked up towards Rainbow Dash. “And, stay out of trouble, iigh Rowdy?” Sunset Shimmer teased, rubbing Rainbow Dash’s hair. Rainbow Dash frowned, gritting her teeth at her.

“But, more importantly, if you got to, use that clip I gave you to put a few holes in a nigga that tries you, huh?” Sunset Shimmer said a little more lowly, patting Rainbow Dash on the shoulder with a hearty chuckle.

“Ain’t need to tell me that twice. Hit my line, homie, we soon link up.” Rainbow Dash called out, walking ahead with Pinkie Pie. Sunset Shimmer waved them both off.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie walked on in silence for some seconds, before Pinkie Pie broke the silence.

“So… she seems cool. She helped you out?” Pinkie Pie asked. Rainbow Dash looked down at Pinkie Pie with a wide smile.

“I think we gained an important ally today, Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. Her steps were wobbly. Pinkie Pie could tell she was intoxicated. She’d have to keep close watch over her today.

“She give you something?” Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head. Rainbow Dash looked over to her with lazy eyes.

“A perc 30. Whatever that is.” Rainbow Dash replied. Pinkie Pie hummed in response, not quite what she was asking. She chuckled shortly after, mulling over the silly response only a high person would give. Then, Rainbow Dash continued.

“But, babe, you know, we can’t let her do all the work, right?” Rainbow Dash spoke. Pinkie Pie hummed again looking up.

“She said she’on eat for skinny dogs. We gotta eat, too. Let’s put in work today, iigh?” Rainbow Dash said, as they came within view of the school.

“Yeah, I’m down. What you got in mind?” Pinkie Pie asked, as she flicked the spliff away. She went back to leaning affectionately on Rainbow Dash’s side.

“... You know a pink-haired, pale yellow-skinned jawn? She kinda cute, too…” Rainbow Dash asked, as Pinkie Pie looked up in thought…

[Nearly 20 minutes later…]

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash walked into the classroom. The teacher paused momentarily, staring at the two.

“Finally joining us for class, you troublesome duo?” Ms. Cheerilee said disapprovingly, a brow raised.

“We’re sorry, we got… caught up.” Pinkie Pie apologized, scratching the back of her head with a sheepish laugh. She left an apple on her desk and began dragging Rainbow Dash to her desk.

“Caught up, haha!” a boy in the back laughed. Rainbow Dash’s eyes beamed towards the back of the class. It was inconvenient sharing so many classes with this clown.

“Lotus, quiet down now, you know we don’t have this nonsense in my class. I will have you sent straight to the Principals.” Ms. Cheerilee piped up immediately. Lotus grunted, frowned, and continued leaning back in his seat, kicking his feet up on the desk.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Such a fake display of machoism, she thought, scoffing. She was thankful for Ms. Cheerilee, though. She had a close relationship with not only the Principals, but her late mother. Rainbow Dash sent her a weak smile, and she waved in return, wiggling her fingers at her.

She had put two and two together quite quickly, and wanted to settle any tension as quickly as possible. She looked worriedly between the clearly beaten up Rainbow Dash, and the gossiping boys in the back.

Pinkie Pie sat Rainbow Dash and herself near the window, on the far side of Lotus and his other boys in Orange. This was a double period, but next period was study hall, where Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash would be staying here, with Ms. Cheerilee. They were ‘home’ for three periods, and these goons would be leaving them for the third.

“So, you two, I expect you both have the homework?” Ms. Cheerilee said, walking over to their desk with her hand out. Rainbow Dash’s face paused -- she had been too caught up, she totally forgot…!

“Um, I may have f--”

“We both, have it, no problem!” Pinkie Pie said assertively, nudging Rainbow Dash, interrupting her.

“Just check Rainbow Dash, we did it this morning, remember…?” Pinkie Pie said again. Rainbow Dash raised a brow and searched her bag. She pulled out a folder, and slipped out 2 worksheets. She stared at them, looking them over, surprised to see all of the problems and explanations filled out.

“This beat bitch still had time to do her homework? Impressive.” Lotus laughed in the back.

Rainbow Dash craned her neck lazily towards Lotus as she handed over the worksheets to Ms. Cheerilee. She chuckled.

Truly, she seethed with rage inside, but she respected Ms. Cheerilee too much to respond how she wanted, and she was feeling pretty ‘dulled’ otherwise.

Pinkie Pie took out her own 2 sheets. Ms. Cheerilee collected the homework, and handed them another 2 worksheets each in return, glaring Lotus off as she returned to the front of the classroom. Rainbow Dash turned back to Pinkie Pie, leaning on the desk.

“When the heck did you have time for that?” Rainbow Dash asked, scratching her head.

“Silly, you’re always so busy! The least I could do is complete your homework if you forget. I usually get mine during study or lunch anyways.” Pinkie Pie shrugged.

“Shit… Thanks babe. You’re always looking out for me...” Rainbow Dash smiled, as she sank back in her seat. Pinkie Pie leaned over to her lazy-postured girlfriend, and cleared her throat.

“So, babes, what’d you want with that Fluttershy girl anyway?” Pinkie Pie asked, her hand over her lap.

That question seemed to wring Rainbow Dash to life just a little, as she sat back up slightly. Ms. Cheerilee had now returned to teaching, as the two chatted away quietly.

“Just wanted to have a chat with her, that’s all.” Rainbow Dash said with a small smile.

“Yeah? And what’s that gonna do for us? How’re we gonna eat today?” Pinkie Pie interrogated.

“You said we gotta do groundwork, right? Well, since you said she’s alone with us in study-hall with no other orange idiots, we can talk to her… She’s probably a lot more interesting than you think, babes.” Rainbow Dash began, her small smile widening into a grin.

“Yeah? You think so?” Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head once more. Rainbow Dash looked down at her, her grin widening into a devious smirk.

“Oh, I’m sure. Too bad it’s only one period, forty minutes just won’t be enough time to chat with her.” Rainbow Dash said, her voice getting low. She paused, and then leaned back in her seat again.

“C’mon, let’s pay attention. I don’t wanna fuck up and miss this again.” Rainbow Dash said, as she pulled her seat up and picked up her pen, trying her best to focus.

Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but giggle. She just had to see Rainbow Dash’s notes after this class, she thought amusedly.

[1 Hour Later…]

Rainbow Dash yawned and stretched in her chair. Ms. Cheerilee turned around and eyed her.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash, am I boring you? We still have another period together, you know.” Ms. Cheerilee said, her hands on her hips. Rainbow Dash shook her head.

“Not at all, Ms. Cheerilee. Go ahead.” Rainbow Dash said back, sitting up straight once more. Pinkie Pie peeked over her shoulder at her notes -- they were surprisingly consistent, albeit inevitably sloppy and a tad sprawled. Pinkie Pie could tell that Rainbow Dash was focused, and it wasn’t necessarily on the classwork.

“Thank you.” Ms. Cheerilee stated. As she turned, the bell rang, and students began filtering out in no time at all.

“Don’t forget, you all received your homework in the beginning of class, so no excuses!” Ms. Cheerilee called out from her desk, beyond the bustling students.

“Okay, babe, I need you to do me a favor, okay?” Rainbow Dash asked, grabbing Pinkie Pie’s hands suddenly. Pinkie Pie nodded, looking up at Rainbow Dash with puppy-dog eyes.

She suddenly grabbed Pinkie Pie close, and began unzipping her coat. She smirked in Pinkie Pie’s face as she took one arm out of it. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but blush, and Ms. Cheerilee watched the two suspiciously.

“R-Rainbow D--”

“Shh. I need this.” Rainbow Dash said with a small chuckle, having her fun. She leaned in, kissing Pinkie Pie on the lips shortly, while removing the coat, and placing it on her own person, leaving the expecting Pinkie Pie in a hot daze. She covered her arms with a deep blush.

“I’m gonna take a quick nap. Sit with that Fluttershy girl and chat as usual, mmkai babes?” Rainbow Dash asked, looking between her and the door to see if the girl had made it yet.

Pinkie Pie nodded slowly, understanding what Rainbow Dash wanted, but was still confused as to the particular intent. Still, she would parade this far, only because she was still immediately present to stop Rainbow Dash from getting into any trouble, if need be.

“Good. Thank you, babe.” Rainbow Dash said, leaning over and kissing her forehead, before placing her head down on the desk, and concealing herself with the hoodie.

Rainbow Dash inhaled deeply… and then exhaled deeply. She closed her eyes, and felt her mind twist and spin in the intoxications. She heard the many voices in her study hall period. She usually fully napped, but this time, she would have to listen -- she tried her best to focus in.

“... Fluttershy… over here!”

Rainbow Dash could hear Pinkie Pie call out. This was it, Rainbow Dash thought!

However, there was a long, long silence. Finally, Rainbow Dash heard a chair slide, and somebody sit at their desk.

“That was a long pause…” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, wiggling her fingers as she struggled to listen.

“How was your morning?” Pinkie Pie asked with her usual exuberance, and a straight-laced voice. She did well at concealing her intoxication, Rainbow Dash thought, much unlike herself.

“It was… um… good… I got a ride.” Rainbow Dash heard a girl, presumably Fluttershy, spoke. She sounded quiet, and timid.

Rainbow Dash was unsure if this was the girl -- surely, Lotus’ girlfriend wasn’t so… soft?

“Oh yeah? That’s nice! I hopped my way along today with my girlfriend!” Pinkie Pie declared aloud with such sureness and confidence that Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel her cheeks flushed.

“Yeah? That sounds wonderful!” Fluttershy exclaimed softly. Rainbow Dash could hear her hands clasp together gently.

“... She can’t be…” Rainbow Dash thought, shuffling gently as she tried to softly clear her throat.

“Isn’t it? But, she got a little battered up today… That really sucked!” Pinkie Pie said, her tone lowering in a tinge of sadness.

Another long silence ensued, and Rainbow Dash felt caution in her entire body trigger.

“W-who’s your f-friend borrowing y-y-your c-coat?” Rainbow Dash could hear the girl stutter out. It was now, or never, while they had the cover of the bustling classroom.

Rainbow Dash suddenly shot up from beneath the pink coat, and she locked eyes with the cyan colored orbs across from her. She felt her blood seethe and boil, but in an instant, she calmed herself -- she had to be level-headed about this, like Pinkie Pie had warned her.

“Eep!” The girl shrieked, which surprised Pinkie Pie, and amused Rainbow Dash -- the shriek was much more quiet than the classroom, however, Ms. Cheerilee eyed the situation.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Rainbow Dash said slowly and cooly, as she leaned forward.

“Ubuh-um-uh…” The girl stuttered, backing in her seat as far as she could. Her eyes seemed to dart back and forth in short spaces.

“Relax. I just want to talk. Your boyfriend doesn’t have to know about this, okay?” Rainbow Dash said, as she stood, and walked around the desk. She sat her chair beside Fluttershy, now trapping in between herself and Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy seemed to sink in her chair.

“T-t-t-t-this is your g-g-girlf-friend, P-Pinkie Pie…?” Fluttershy squeaked out.

“Yeah… And I think I’m starting to put two and two together here…” Pinkie Pie stated, her arms crossed, as she looked down between Fluttershy and up at Rainbow Dash.

“No harm, no foul. Ion want any trouble… right now. Listen, it’s simple. I just want to talk, so loosen up, alright?” Rainbow Dash said in an icy, commanding tone. The girl’s eyes froze over, and she immediately stiffened up in her chair, looking down at the desk, trying to appear as normal as possible.

“That’s more like it. Relax, you’re fine. I just need you to keep shut about this interaction, and future interactions. Now, let’s chat. Who are you?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Fluttersh--”

“Cut the bullshit, I know your fucking name. Who, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked again, more aggressively. Pinkie Pie put her hand over Fluttershy onto Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, shaking her head, as she looked at Fluttershy, who’s body had begun shaking silently. A single tear streaked down to her chin.

Rainbow Dash groaned in frustration backing off from Fluttershy as she sat straight in her seat again.

“Fluttershy, relax… I promise, we’re not gonna hurt you, and that guy won’t find out about this. We just need your help, okay?” Pinkie Pie whispered to her slowly and gently, rubbing her shoulder.

Fluttershy sniffed, and nodded, as Pinkie Pie wiped her face.

“Okay, now, like I was asking… who are you? What are you to that chump?” Rainbow Dash asked once more, this time calmer than previously.

“... I-I’m his piece? His girl? His… bitch?” Fluttershy said, her eyes not moving from the desk, as her hands raised and clasped together on the desk beside her. They seemed to squeeze together.

“And? What’s your connection to him, really?” Rainbow Dash interrogated, as she leaned forward once more.

“I-I… I d-don’t know…” Fluttershy said again, as her body shook once more. Her hands tightened even further.

“H-he… I-I’m his… H-his...” Fluttershy began once again, as her eyes glistened, tears threatening to fall.

Pinkie Pie’s pupils shrunk, and her own eyes widened. She pushed Rainbow Dash back momentarily, and waved her hand by her throat, signaling to cut those questions.

“It’s fine. Forget it. Ask something useful, Rainbow Dash. This is going nowhere, and we’re already about twelve minutes in.” Pinkie Pie advised, as she rubbed Fluttershy’s back gently.

Rainbow Dash breathed in slowly, and exhaled even slower, containing herself.

“Do you know anything that might be useful to say… gangs opposing the Death Lotus? You think you could leak some information to us?” Rainbow Dash asked. Fluttershy looked up for the first time. She nodded slowly.

“Good. But, before we talk, I need to decide something. So let me ask you a few questions.” Rainbow Dash said, her tone becoming serious.

“Look at me.” Rainbow Dash began. The girl seemed to shiver, but nonetheless, she obeyed the command.

“Sit back. Loosen up. I need you calm, at peace for this. I want you to be honest, and cool.” Rainbow Dash said. This time, her words came out much calmer, and though her glare burned, her face was otherwise calm and lax. Fluttershy obeyed, though she still felt inferior underneath her presence.

“Good. Listen, do you believe in auras? Like, how you can feel something?” Rainbow Dash asked. Fluttershy looked her silently for a few seconds, mouth slightly agape. She then silently nodded.

“I can feel something ‘bout you. You… You’re not what I thought you were, and what I felt earlier, well… I could just be soft and fuzzy right now, but something tells me you’re not even about that. So, do you even like that guy?” Rainbow Dash asked, with a heaving sigh. She had resigned her anger towards the girl.

Fluttershy’s mouth opened immediately, as if she wanted to say something, but then it shut. She looked towards the door, as if expecting something, but nobody came. She looked back towards Rainbow Dash, and shook her head vigorously.

“I see. You don’t gotta explain shit to me, but that must mean you wanna take him down, too, right?” Rainbow Dash asked, leaning forward.

“Oh, absolutely!” Fluttershy spoke for the first time, softly, but firmly, holding her hand to her chest.

Rainbow Dash grinned. She pulled her bag into her lap, trapped into view by herself, Fluttershy, and the desk, she opened it, revealing the gun. She smirked into Fluttershy’s face, leaning in slightly. Pinkie Pie looked on with focused eyes.

“We can protect you. You tryna push some real work for us, and join the gang?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy seemed to freeze up. She looked around anxiously -- nobody seemed to be paying attention to them.

“Rainbow Dash, I thi--”

Pinkie Pie had begun talking, but suddenly, Fluttershy leaned forward, and grabbed Rainbow Dash’s hand with both of her palms.

“For once, I have a decision. If you can help me get out of this alive, I trust you. I’ll do it.” Fluttershy said with a tone of despair.

Rainbow Dash smiled. She held Fluttershy’s hands in response.

“We’ll talk more, later. Are you home alone?” Rainbow Dash asked. Fluttershy nodded, pulling away from Rainbow Dash.

“Take down this number.” Rainbow Dash instructed, as Fluttershy took out her phone. She repeated some digits, and Fluttershy copied them down.

“We’ll talk more tonight and tomorrow, yeah?” Rainbow Dash asked. She nodded silently.

“Hey, Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash called, as Fluttershy looked up once again.

“You’re in good hands. With friends now, so don’t feel responsible for anything, okay?” Rainbow Dash said in a foreshadowing manner. Fluttershy paused momentarily, and then nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Then, the bell rang. The students began rushing out, and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy themselves began gathering their things.

Pinkie Pie, who was already prepared to leave, stood, and faced towards the door. She could’ve sworn through the bustle of students, that she saw someone in a jet-black hoodie rushing out. Her eyes widened slightly. She rubbed them, and looked again to be sure, but could only see blurs. She shrugged it off, assuming her intoxication was to blame.

“Hmm, shadows wouldn’t be so soon…” Pinkie Pie thought, as she turned back to Rainbow Dash.

“Yo, you ready, Dashie?” Pinkie Pie called.

“Just about.” Rainbow Dash said, as she strapped her bag on. She joined Pinkie Pie.

“See you.” Rainbow Dash waved off Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie waved her off as well, as she rushed out of the door.

“Told you we’d eat, too.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, nudging Pinkie Pie. She giggled.

“I suppose you always find a way to work your charm.” Pinkie Pie replied.

“So we got Luna for History next, lunch, and then that old bag for economics which is just a reading elective anyways, then we’re done, huh?” Rainbow Dash asked with a slight drawl as she and Pinkie Pie exited the classroom.

“Yep, yep, and yep.” Pinkie Pie checked off. She looked both ways intently, trying to see for the black hoodie, to no avail.

“Shit… Think Luna gon’ let me nap?” Rainbow Dash asked, as they made their way to the stairs -- she was the next floor up. Pinkie Pie shook her head.

Suddenly her phone lit up. She pulled it out, and her eyes widened, and she put pep in her step.

“Nevermind. It’s piss-hair. She’s got ‘em. We’re gonna skip old bag and meet ‘em.” Rainbow Dash said, as she rushed to the next class.

“Oh?” Pinkie Pie called, as she rushed after the suddenly energetic Rainbow Dash -- she was a flip-switch, really, Pinkie Pie thought.

“Yeah, c’mon, let’s not be late, I don’t need Luna up my ass, too!” Rainbow Dash called, as she hopped up to the top of the steps hyperly. Pinkie Pie bounced up after her.

[45 minutes later…]

Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and a slew of other students filtered out of the classroom. Rainbow Dash groaned -- the bell had rang 3 minutes ago, Luna always kept them late.

“Alright, I’m gon’ see if those niggas can meet me early, babes. Cool to skip lunch?” Rainbow Dash asked. Pinkie Pie looked up at her and nodded. She pulled out a candy bar from her coat pocket and began munching.

“I’ll be fine.” Pinkie Pie said, nibbling away. Rainbow Dash nodded in approval, beginning to text away. The two leaned against the lockers, as the hallways cleared.

“She said to come to the cafeteria.” Rainbow Dash said, with a sigh, as she kicked off the wall, looking towards the stairs.

“Ironic. Alright, let’s go.” Pinkie Pie chuckled, as they made their way to the cafeteria. They descended to the ground floor, and made their way to the center, where the cafeteria was located. It was full of chatty students, the air shaking with voices.

“The fuck are they…?” Rainbow Dash thought aloud. Her phone vibrated again, and she read it.

“Over in the corner, fag-hair.” Rainbow Dash’s eyebrow twitched. She made a crooked smile as she pulled Pinkie Pie along with her to the corner of the cafeteria. She finally saw ‘piss-hair’, and two other girls she had not yet met before -- all were in jet-black hoodies, the hoodies only halfway over their heads, still concealing them to an extent.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie took a seat on opposite sides, fully concealing the group from the outside view.

“What’s good, piss-hair. These your two ball-tuggers?” Rainbow Dash asked with an amused chuckle.

“Starlight Glimmer,” one spoke up, reaching her arm over the table, holding out her palm. She had purple hair with a cyan streak, and deep lavender eyes.

“Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash greeted, slapping her palm and dapping her up, both pulled back, and looked expectantly at the party that had not yet been introduced.

“Trixie, Lulamoon.” The other spoke up, with pale blue hair and grayish-violet eyes, extending her arm.

“Pinkie Pie.” Pinkie Pie spoke up, extending her palm to slap Trixie’s own and dapping her up.

“Great, we’re all buddies now. Good to see you’re still bumping, Rainbow Dash.” Sunset Shimmer joked with a small chuckle.

“So, what’s the plan? What do these two pussies do for us?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“This bitch’s got some lip. You don’t train your dogs anymore, Sunset?” Starlight Glimmer spoke up.

“You got somethin’ you’d like to say, hoe?” Rainbow Dash retorted, leaning over the desk. Pinkie Pie immediately dragged her back down.

“I suggest we all make nice, because we’re going to be doing a lot of work. These guys skipped their entire day of class to get us some very useful intel, Rainbow Dash. So, I suggest you check yourself and approach your allies with some respect.” Sunset Shimmer lectured, slapping her palm on the table.

“... Should’ve just said that, then…” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Well?” She asked expectantly.

“We’ve got some news on the big dog of the Crips. You know her?” Trixie asked.

“Not really. I know what she look like -- big, burly, dyke ass bitch, ain’t she?” Rainbow Dash said, trying to recall as much as she could from her memory.

“Her name’s Applejack. Heading her opposition, the Pirus, is her big brother, Big Macintosh. Needless to say, they’re both fighting a war on two fronts with the Flower boys in the mix -- however, the big brother’s territory is being trampled by the police, and it’s a matter of days before he’s found -- we suggest that in the time the Pirus cripples, we subjugate the Crips, and add everything to our own power once the chaos ensues.” Starlight Glimmer chimed in with an advanced explanation and rundown.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes seemed to beam and shine over in glory. “This is amazing! You guys really did your stuff! Alright, we’re gonna fucking trump this! So, what’s next?” Rainbow Dash asked, now leaning over her seat in anticipation.

“Well,” Sunset Shimmer began, as she, too, leaned forward. “Applejack just so happens to have this lunch period next, before her mandatory History class after… So, do with that information what you will.” Sunset Shimmer stated.

“Oh, I think you know exactly what I’m finna do…” Rainbow Dash said, lifting her bag onto the table, and beginning to open it. As she did, Sunset Shimmer grabbed her wrist.

“If that’s the case, I’ve got something better, from my personal little armory.” Sunset Shimmer smiled. She looked around momentarily, making sure they were still all concealed -- she then opened her backpack to reveal what looked like a small assault rifle.

“That, is my favorite little draco. Already fully loaded, safety on. Treat her well.” Sunset Shimmer said, gesturing to it.

“R-really bitch?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in as low of a whisper as she could.

“Hurry nigga, we’on got all day out here!” Sunset urged. Rainbow Dash hurriedly put in her own bag, above the pistol she was handed earlier today.

“Thanks. Shit, you really setting me up!” Rainbow Dash grinned and laughed, examining the arsenal provided to her -- it had been so long since she had her hands on a gun, let alone a high-caliber weapon such as this rifle.

“We’re all pieced up, we got a piece for your jawn, too.” Trixie said, as she slid over a glock and four clips to Pinkie Pie. She quickly loaded one in the gun, and placed the other three in the inside pockets of her coat, doing the same with the gun, after clicking on the safety.

“Damn, you roll with just killers, huh?” Sunset Shimmer commented, seeing that both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie knew how to handle guns. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smile dumbly in return.

“You know my bitch gotta handle business when it come down to it.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. Sunset Shimmer chuckled in response as well, before digging in her bag once again. She slid over two clips of one type, and two clips of another.

“Take those -- the big heavy ones for the draco -- the others are for that fine cannon I handed you this morning. Don’t hesitate to use ‘em, you hurd?” Sunset Shimmer stated. Rainbow Dash nodded, putting them in her backpack as well.

Suddenly, everyone paused for a second. Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, and Sunset Shimmer all looked between each other. Then, they nodded.

“We think it’s time. Here,” Starlight Glimmer said, digging in her own bag -- she pulled out another jet-black hoodie, flopping it on the table -- it landed with a sturdy thud. Rainbow Dash’s eyes fixated on the sweater -- why the heck was it so heavy??

“Go ahead -- you might wanna keep that close -- they’re easy to scrub-clean, too. These two,” Trixie Lulamoon began, taking out one from her own bag, and tossing it over near Pinkie Pie, landing with the same firm thud.

“Are on the house, but after this, they’re $200 a pop if you really fuck ‘em up. Might wanna trash ‘em after five or six… 'impacts'.” Trixie finished explaining, putting "impacts" in finger quotes. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked between each other with knowing smiles.

Rainbow Dash was quick to placing hers on -- she was delighted to find that their were inner-straps to hold the even out the weight, and it was still small enough to be inconspicuous -- it also had various inside pockets, including one large enough with a strap for the draco -- she wasted no time suiting up, placing the small assault rifle, handgun, and their clips to her inside pockets. She patted the hoodie, and it was clearly armored -- that explained the weight and the thud when it landed; Rainbow Dash was impressed.

“This shit is sick -- you girls are fuckin sick for dipping in for us like this.” Rainbow Dash grinned, looking over herself -- it barely felt like she really had anything on her, save for the weight. Pinkie Pie placed her coat in her bag, and began putting on the hoodie offered to her, and suiting up similarly.

The girls looked up at Sunset Shimmer, and Sunset Shimmer, in turn, looked up at Rainbow Dash. She chuckled lowly. “Don’t think me and my girls work for free, Rainbow Dash. Remember what I said? I’on eat for skinny dogs.” Sunset Shimmer began, as she stood, putting her hand on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder.

Her aura began to ground Rainbow Dash once more. “And the same can be said for my girls. This, better work off -- it ain’t free work. Nothin’ sweet out here dawg.” Sunset Shimmer said firmly, patting Rainbow Dash’s shoulder firmly.

“So it isn’t…” Rainbow Dash whistled.

“Well, if that’s the case, I hope everyone does their part.” Rainbow Dash said, leaning over on the desk. All four figures looked at her, heads twisted in confusion.

“You dumbass, what’s the plan?!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, slapping her palm on the table again.

Rainbow Dash paused momentarily, a dumb look on her face.

“Shit, yeah, that’s right… Everybody, pull in real quick,” Rainbow Dash said, waving her arm over to motion them to huddle. The girls fell in.

“Y’all iigh wit’ catchin’ a few bodies?” Rainbow Dash asked, an evil grin on her face.

“Nothin’ new to me.” Sunset Shimmer smiled.

“I do what I ‘ought.” Starlight Glimmer said.

“If things get messy, you can’t help it, can you?” Trixie Lulamoon replied.

“Dashie, you know I been down since I been with yo’ rowdy ass.” Pinkie Pie said.

Rainbow Dash nodded approvingly. She looked between Trixie and Starlight.

“More importantly, for you two… Y’all ready to catch bodies for this gang, the RainBooms, nigga?” Rainbow Dash asked in a low, throaty voice.

“... For now, since my girl recruited me, sure. Show me sum’n, and I might stay.” Starlight Glimmer said.

“I’m with my sis. I’m just here to fulfill my big dog’s request. If y’all worth ya salt, you might could recruit me.” Trixie agreed, with a nod.

Rainbow Dash was pleased enough with that answer -- that meant they had a good reason to work hard.

“Good… So then, let’s work hard, and lemme blow y’all fuckin’ minds with this work I’m boutta cook up… C’mon, huddle in, let’s start with laying the information out…”

And with that, the huddled group of girls chatted away, devising a plan to subjugate the incoming leader of the Crips.

True, they were five killers deep, however… This was a large cafeteria -- would Applejack be vulnerable enough, or would the enemy density wash them over?

One thing was for sure -- Rainbow Dash would need to bake one hell of a plan and have an even grander execution.

Author's Note

Ah, another chapter done after fucking ages! Oh well, I'm back to writing again. Got caught up adjusting to a new job, but now we are back on things!

As usual, feel free to leave any questions you may have on the vocabulary / lingo used in this story and / or chapter -- it would be my pleasure to educate any on my beautiful dialect!

Toodles, see y'all next time~! ^_~

Execution | Chapter 5

Author's Note

Took a while to get this chapter out, but here it is! Nothing in particular to say here, but please notify me of any typos or awkward grammar, I proofread, but I always seem to miss things (spliff definitely not to blame... >.>)

Anywhosies, it's always my pleasure to educate any about my beautiful dialect if any questions arise on grammar / lingo / vocabulary, so don't be afraid to ask!

Also, be sure to check out the playlist that inspires the writing of this story, in the description! Toodles! ^-~

Execution | Chapter 5

"So, what we’ve got so far is that, first, the dyke bitch headin’ the Crips is finna be here next period.” Rainbow Dash began, the five girls still in a huddle.

“Based off of how Starlight ‘nd Trixie rate their history with her, this bitch is a lot like me; cocky, arrogant, competitive. She commands a lotta clout, too, so it’s prolly best to assume she gonna be rollin’ deep.” Rainbow Dash continued. She looked towards Pinkie Pie, her features pausing in thought momentarily, before her gaze returned to the center.

“I want my gang to be ruthless, but I want my Clout to be as clean as possible. We finna let some shots ring and let these innocents clear out -- whoever stays after that, well… their fate is out of our hands.” Rainbow Dash went on, but then, she paused, as if finding a hitch.

“But, the main problem I’m seeing, is that the Death Lotus prolly gon’ have this lunch period too, ain’t it? We need as little crossfire as possible, we got one main objective…” Rainbow Dash pondered aloud, looking down. Pinkie Pie noticed that Sunset Shimmer, Starlight, and Trixie all shared very short glances, before Sunset cleared her throat.

“I don’t think the Flower boys gon’ bother us next period. Chatter talkin’ says they gon’ be havin’ a lil warming pretty soon. You might have a few Pirus to worry about, at best, but that’s unlikely seeing as how they’re otherwise occupied, and that this area is mostly Crip territory for the next period.” Sunset Shimmer explained. Trixie and Starlight nodded in agreement.

Rainbow Dash was confused -- a “warming”? For what, exactly? She shook her head, though. It mattered not -- all that took precedence now was this encounter, now all the more destined for success! She smiled widely.

“If that’s the case… Then, we got nothin’ to worry about! Once the civilians clear the caf, iss dog time!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with an excited chuckle.

“Soon as I let the shots off, I want piss-hair’s two ball-tuggers by the exits -- make sure don’t nobody gets out, or in -- that means security, or police, too, if they show up that quick.” Rainbow Dash explained. Trixie and Starlight nodded.

“Pinkie Pie, keep the hoodie way on -- I want you lurking around and watching closely -- smoke any pussy who even looks like they start movin’ funny.” Rainbow Dash instructed. Pinkie Pie nodded, patting her chest to make sure her weapon was close.

“Piss-hair, you’re with me. We’ll be confronting Applejack. When I let the shots ring off, it’s greenlight!” Rainbow Dash stated, giving out all their roles.

“Alright, sounds good. So, what’s the objective, then?” Starlight inquired.

Rainbow Dash smiled in response to the question. “The plan, is to drop as many Crip bodies as possible till them niggas surrender. Then, we can talk Applejack into a deal, or execute her and keep things pushin’ -- either way, it’s a win for any gang that ain’t the Crips, and we definitely gonna eat the most, if we survive.” Rainbow Dash responded.

“If we survive? And you tal’m bout clearin’ civvies? You new to this street shit, lil’ girl?” Trixie asked, her brow raised.

“How many shootouts you been in, Rainbow Dash?” Sunset Shimmer asked only for the occasion.

Rainbow Dash was silent for some seconds. “Two.” She answered lowly, averting their gazes. Even then, she was lying -- the two ‘shootouts’ she was in, were against her mother with non-lethal projectiles.

The huddle broke up, as Trixie and Starlight threw their hands up in frustration, and Sunset Shimmer’s face scrunched into an uncomfortable and equal look of frustration and unsureness.

“Oh hell no…” Starlight groaned in deep frustration, eyeing Sunset Shimmer. Rainbow Dash looked on with uncomfortable agitation. She hadn’t been in a real shootout, but she more than knew her way around a piece! Her face, too, scrunched into frustration.

“Yo, you lettin’ this fuckin lawn green-as-grass shit head this?!” Trixie growled, her teeth bearing from beneath her hood. Her eyes glowed furiously. Sunset, suddenly snapped, her own fierceness blowing off.

“Shut, up!” Sunset Shimmer yelled in a hushed, but assertive and harsh whisper, holding Trixie’s mouth, and looking towards Starlight.

“Don’t forget what we’re here for. This is all going to play a large part in destroying the Death Lotus. So are you two going to pussy out now, and run away again? You gonna live on your knees, or die on your fucking feet?!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, exasperated, as she slapped both of palms on the table even harder than before, letting go of Trixie. Her blue eyes shone beneath the hood with anger, as they darted between the two, like a parent scolding her children.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked between each other with confusion -- this was clearly something personal, and with a bit of history, at that -- Sunset didn’t seem to be the type to run on short fuses.

The two girls looked back up at Sunset Shimmer with still faces, and slightly agape mouths.

“Remember, if we make today good, ‘cash the receipts’, and show the numbers…” Sunset Shimmer trailed on, hinting at something. Trixie and Starlight’s faces seemed to return to normal, Sunset’s words calming them.

Starlight’s brows still furrowed however, as her eyes shot over to Rainbow Dash with an intense level of… something akin to animosity, Rainbow Dash thought.

“You better be worth your fucking salt, Rainbow Dash. For some reason, you’ve got a lot of trust on your shoulders. And if you waste it, I’m going to knock your head out the ballpark myself.” Starlight said, before she exhaled deeply, and calmed herself once more.

Rainbow Dash gave a cocky chuckle in response, and then some seconds of silence followed -- there was a bitter tension in the air, but she was confused as to where it began, and where it ended, or to what the means were.

But, Rainbow Dash’s mind couldn’t help but glean over one particular part of that sentence --

“I’ve ‘got a lot of trust’ on my shoulders, huh…?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, smiling inwardly.

“Then, that means, my Clout's got some pull… I wonder if niggas know my name yet…?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, her inward smile widening. It seemed to herself that the encounter with Lotus she had yesterday, in which she had finally announced the gang, was taking traction. Or, she was overthinking it. Either way, things began now, and she was determined.

As the girls waited silently for the bell to ring, the tension in the air seemed to settle. The girls looked between each other briefly, as Rainbow Dash tried to relax herself in lieu of her intoxications.

Finally, the bell rang, and students began to filter in and out of the lunchroom.

“Safety triggers off.” Sunset Shimmer instructed, as the girls dug into their sweaters, flicking them. She looked up at the clock, flicking her own. They all nodded at each other, knowing this was the signal.

“This is it. Let’s eat, y’all, I want everything off the plate.” Rainbow Dash began with a wild smirk, as she extended her arms to instruct the girls.

“Pinkie Pie, go blend in. Trixie, Starlight, I need y’all looming the entrances. Sunset, you’re with me, we’re gonna harass the dyke.” Rainbow Dash stated, pointing off into the cafeteria. The girls soon began to fan out, spreading into the large cafeteria crowds, while Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer remained seated at the table.

“Any idea where she might be at?” Rainbow Dash asked, examining the cafeteria, and not seeing anyone that quite stood out. Sunset Shimmer twisted her head around a few times as well, before she grunted.

“My guess is, we wait till we start seeing some more blue -- she’s not gonna be out here alone, that’s for sure.” Sunset Shimmer said, as they both simply examined the entrance/exit for the cafeteria. Rainbow Dash hummed in response, watching the entrance / exit once more.

Rainbow Dash breathed in, and then out, slowly. She felt her mind finally twist comfortably to her will, despite the aforementioned… ‘complications’.

After some minutes, they noticed some students filtering in that were relatively decorated in deep blue assortments; sneakers, bags, pants, shirts, sweaters, coats, and other things of the like.

“That’s our crowd, huh?” Rainbow Dash stated, watching as they filtered in by groups of three or four. Then, in one large group and bustle, a rowdy set of students rolled in -- one in particular, was in a cowboy hat, comfortably sipping a bottle of hard rum.

“That’d be the one.” Sunset Shimmer said, both watching on from beneath the shadows of their hoods.

“Follow my lead, G.” Rainbow Dash said lowly, as she stood up. She began walking slowly over towards the group, who was now being seated near the center of the cafeteria. Sunset Shimmer followed closely in tow.

As Rainbow Dash creeped closer, she examined the cafeteria momentarily -- she could see two figures in the familiar black sweaters, presumably Trixie and Starlight, hanging around the entrance, leaning against a support pillar nearby. She saw them conversing with another hooded figure, who she assumed was Pinkie Pie, waiting for her cue to begin lurking.

Her focus finally returned to Applejack and the over half-dozen goons they had sitting at the table; she only had one person sitting near her, which was another cowboy hatted boy, who looked considerably softer than the large Applejack beside him.

Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer finally reached the table, and Rainbow Dash took a seat beside Applejack, which brought an immediate stop to the lively chatter at the table -- it was clear that nobody was sitting very close to Applejack, perhaps as a manner of her status.

Applejack was the only one who hadn’t stopped laughing, as Rainbow Dash sat beside her, hood still fastened over her head, concealing her facial features.

Rainbow Dash looked up, only slightly, shadows only showing her calm, maroon eyes, examining the situation around her -- Sunset Shimmer took a seat between the soft-looking hatted boy, and the other goons. She examined her situation calmly, but swiftly -- she eyed the boys who were silent, looking between her and Rainbow Dash; she eyed the three hooded figures nearby the entrance with extra suspicion, as the hooded one seemed to rush off into the shadows behind some support pillars not far off from their table; and her eyes loomed around the cafeteria, as if looking for one more person, before returning her focus to the table.

The boys were silent, as Applejack laughed once more, swigging the bottle of liquor in her hand.

“What’s up with you pussies? Couple no faces gotch’y’all shook?” Applejack chuckled, wiping her lips with her forearm. She passed the bottle over to Rainbow Dash, looking directly down at her.

By now, the cafeteria’s attention had begun to center on the two -- civilians and gang-members alike.

Rainbow Dash smiled, removing her hood with only a single hand, the other still comfortably in her sweater. Her bandaged face, and soft maroon-red eyes stuck out like a sore thumb.

“Oh-ho? You’re that bitch them Flower boys was hustlin’ for yesterday, huh? Guess they found ya, didn’t they, BAH-HAH-HAH!” Applejack’s laughter roared, as Rainbow Dash picked up the bottle, and downed the rest of its contents in a few, hardy gulps, looking her straight in the eye with still calm eyes.

The goons, and even Sunset Shimmer from beneath her hood looked on with great intrigue at how calmly Rainbow Dash downed the hard liquor.

However, as she set the bottle back down with an absurdly loud clink, her high, mooned eyes burned with a calm rage, focusing back on Applejack. The bottle read, “35% alc/vol”.

“You might be right. Unfortunately, I ain’t here to really just talk today, y’know?” Rainbow Dash said with a small, wry smile, as she whipped a handgun out of her sweater,

*BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!!!*

and let seven shots ring out into the sky in quick succession, her arm extended towards the ceiling. She looked directly into Applejack’s eyes, and Applejack stared into hers, time seeming to pause.

As the cases clanged onto the ground, panic filled the cafeteria, and the boys tensed up, hands searching. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were unmoving, Applejack looking down at her, and Rainbow Dash up. Applejack’s face was one of mild amusement, while Rainbow Dash’s was of wild confidence. Both seemed to be living in the moment.

“I wouldn’t try that shit, if I were you!” Sunset Shimmer snapped, holding out one arm towards the goons on the opposite side of the table searching themselves, with her ‘cannon’ equipped in it.

Sunset Shimmer heard a slight shuffle beside her, and before the soft-looking boy could even react, he felt metal press to his chin. Sunset Shimmer shot her other arm out, another gun equipped, finger on the trigger, against his face.

“And don’t think I forgot about you, nigga. Be easy, now.” Sunset Shimmer said with a low, intimidating whisper. She whipped her head, looking between either party.

Time seemed to pause between the group at the table near the middle of the cafeteria, the center of attention, as the tension thickened…

Trixie and Starlight immediately spotted several boys in blue beginning to equip themselves, and all three let off quick, decisive shots, before a hail of bullets began raining in their general direction -- they split up on each pillar, and fanned out only a few feet from the entrance, to attract fire away from the entrance, allowing innocent students to escape, as per Rainbow Dash’s request.

“Yo! How many you count?!” Trixie yelled over, peeking out to let off two shots, before ducking her head back in, seeing concrete fly off from the pillar she hid behind, now under fire.

“Uh…” Starlight began humming, as she peeked out, letting three shots off between civilians, hitting two. She examined for a couple more seconds, before feeling a bullet whiz by her shoulder -- she hid back behind the pillar, as several more shots followed.

“I’m seeing ‘bout ten, maybe eleven, tops! Should be lightwork, and it looks like they’re leaving fire away from Sunset and ‘ol girl!” Starlight yelled back. Trixie nodded, as she reached into her sweater, putting away the gun, and taking out a small rifle, similar to Rainbow Dash’s.

She met gazes with Starlight, as Starlight nodded and did the same.

“Soon as these civvies clear, iss lightwork.” Starlight confirmed, as they hid behind the pillars, awaiting the wave of civilians to clear.

“Yeah, and she better hurry up! She’s fucking crazy or something, I swear!” Trixie yelled back in exasperation.

Starlight was quiet, as she looked down in thought momentarily -- she peeked out, only slightly from behind the pillar, Trixie’s words making the situation with Rainbow Dash attract her attention.

“And what’s all this?” Applejack asked, as she put a single palm on her hat, clutching it.

“You finish my special home-brewed hard cider, and then start all this chaos on my rest time?” Applejack questioned calmly, lifting the hat off of her head, and placing it onto the table.

“Relax, it ain’t like that. I just wanted to talk, face to face, y’know? Just me ‘nd you.” Rainbow Dash said coolly, with an arrogant smile.

“Yeah? You think you’re hot? Think you can come in here and act all cool?” Applejack asked, as she leaned forward, smiling in Rainbow Dash’s face.

“If you think this is tag, let me tell you something...” Applejack began, rearing her arm back, still sitting. Rainbow Dash’s hand dropped back into her sweater, but before she could get it out,

“Pussy, I’m NOT IT!” Applejack roared, shoving her fist forward with faster speed than Rainbow Dash could react with -- she was sent sailing out of the cafeteria seat, and tumbled over the ground twice, as a few students rushed past her, going for the exit.

Rainbow Dash sat on the ground, barely recovering herself, as she held her face -- it was bruised, and her lip was bleeding -- she was just barely able to hold her elbow up whilst digging into her sweater to block her face, but it still hurt that much.

However, she had to admit, it was quite hard to feel with the twist of substances running through her at the moment. She smiled -- she had a little time left to make the most of things.

She picked herself up, hands releasing from her sweater -- in her left hand, was the ‘draco’ that Sunset Shimmer had gifted her just moments ago.

She equipped it with both hands, aiming at Applejack calmly.

“You’re as big and burly as they say. But this shit’ll roast an elephant.” Rainbow Dash smiled cockily, as Applejack sat calmly in her chair. Applejack couldn’t help but tilt her head and smile further.

“Now now, little wolf. Who’s den you think you rollin’ through?” Applejack said, her green eyes shining brightly.

Rainbow Dash heard a click, and as she looked beside her, two men stood aside from her, guns aimed.

*CRCK-CRCK-BOOM!*

Time seemed to freeze, as everybody’s motions froze -- Applejack was wide-eyed, staring at who shot; Sunset Shimmer was the same, her mind still trying to perceive what just happened.

The same hooded figure, features completely hidden, stood with a single .45acp round handgun held at her waist. The boys dropped, one with two holes in the head, and the other with a single shot through the neck.

“Nice to see you’re still as arrogant as ever, Applejack. But, you might wanna watch this one closely, huh? She’s real interesting. Might be worth your time...” The figure spoke, her voice gliding through the silence of the air effortlessly to all ears.

Rainbow Dash froze, and Applejack’s eyes seemed to widen further -- Rainbow Dash was confused… That wasn’t Pinkie Pie; it didn’t sound anything like her!

Rainbow Dash turned to the girl underneath the hood, all eyes still gazing upon her for the moment. She was silent for a moment -- her presence felt familiar, and as she focused, she saw a familiar lavender and purple skin tones and hair / eye colors. Was it that same girl…?

“Yo, aren’t you th--”

Rainbow Dash had begun talking, but paused, when she saw the girl’s faint smile from beneath the hood, her teeth glowing bright and white. Her lavender eyes glowed calmly, and serenely, as her arm raised, and extended slowly.

“Wha…?” Rainbow Dash hummed on dumbly, feeling her body become lax underneath this oddly comforting presence. Then, she saw her hand fully extend, and a finger point behind her.

Rainbow Dash turned back first, meeting eyes with Sunset Shimmer, and then seeing that Applejack and Twilight seemed to be sharing a short conversation that was just out of her earshot -- as her eyes went beyond Sunset, they widened; Sunset saw this, and immediately pieced two and two together, whipping her head back to the boys on the table, seeing them just finally begin to raise weapons above the cafeteria table.

*BANG-BANG, CRCK, BOOM, CRACK!*

Shots began ringing off instantly -- Sunset Shimmer had dropped the goons on the other side of the table, with both hands, immediately downing five of them, with two others. Trixie and Starlight began shooting at the other Crips in the cafeteria trying to shoot at Rainbow Dash and Sunset, quickly suppressing their fire, as they began to attract fire once more.

Beyond the chaos, the same hooded figure could be seen walking calmly beyond the carnage, tapping away on their phone as she eyed each major individual in the cafeteria. She smiled to herself contently, as she returned to the entrance / exit once more...

Rainbow Dash was quick on the punch -- she immediately began letting out the entire clip against the goons on the other cafeteria tables behind Applejack, watching on as bodies dropped, her borne fangs flashing into view with each round that left the chamber.

Before she could empty the full fifty rounds, Applejack was already on top of her, moving quick for a girl of her size.

“RAH!” Applejack roared, grabbing Rainbow Dash by the waist with both hands, immediately knocking the gun out of her hands.

However, Rainbow Dash was quick, and pulled the handgun back out of her sweater -- it still had 2 rounds.

*BANG, BANG!*

Applejack paused momentarily, 2 holes bleeding from just below her right deltoid and between her right shoulder and chest.

“Nngah!!!” Applejack roared, striking back up with life, as she slammed Rainbow Dash into the ground with monstrous strength, the handgun flying off into the distance.

Rainbow Dash writhed on the ground in pain -- the girl, older and burlier than her, was strong.

“Juniors ‘oughta learn to stay in their place, you know?” Applejack said, cracking her knuckles. Rainbow Dash looked up through gritted eyes, hearing shots ring off around them -- for better or for worse, the shots seemed to avoid them entirely from both sides, now…

Starlight and Trixie stood by the entrance, seeing the final wave of students through -- they stopped briefly to talk to one who was still hooded up in the familiar black sweater.

“What the hell were you doing here?!” Starlight growled angrily.

The figure did not remove their hood.

“You said I ain’t the type to gamble, did you not? Well, I collected her number, phone’s as insecure as we thought.” The figure stated, rubbing their nose briefly.

“So?” Trixie asked, as they stood behind the pillar, avoiding ringing bullets.

“I’ll talk with her, alone, and soon, before this shit storm blows off with the Flowers.” The figure stated back, seeming to smile faintly beneath the hood.

“And what about right now? Where the Flowers at?” Starlight questioned.

“Outside of the school mostly, for now. I’m going to the warming right now. Lotus is real hyped up.” The girl spoke with a small chuckle. Trixie and Starlight looked between each other worriedly.

“How many y’all count?” The figure asked with a serious tone, snapping the girls back into focus.

“Just under a dozen, off my guess.” Starlight responded promptly.

“Wrong, there’s probably two dozen or so left. You good on ammo?” The figure asked, placing her hands on both Trixie and Starlight’s shoulders. They both nodded.

“Good. Then I expect this cleaned up promptly. And sorry to burden you again, but make sure she can recover from this quickly -- we’re on a schedule. Fill Sunset in later, and make sure the Crips fall in.” The figure instructed with authority, as she fastened her hood once more. She turned, watching the final wave of students exit. She took two steps forward, before looking back once more.

“I’m gone. Show me the receipts.” The figure called out, as she exited with the final wave of students. Starlight and Trixie nodded, as Starlight rushed to shut the doors, sealing her and the rest of the combatants inside.

“We’re good! Where’s Pinkie Pie?!” Starlight yelled, rushing back into cover opposite from Trixie, as the doors were shut and secured.

“Don’t know, but make sure the Blue doesn’t move up! I’m gonna go cover Sunset!” Trixie yelled back.

“Alright, don’t get reckless!” Starlight shouted back, as she stuck her head and hands out slightly, letting off two decisive shots, seeing two boys drop.

“Hah! This whole thing is reckless!” Trixie cackled, as she ran out, letting off three shots, downing two boys. She flipped a cafeteria table over for cover, reloading her weapon.

She crouched alongside it’s length, and jumped to a pillar. She was covered, and could see Sunset struggling with the cowboy-hatted boy.

He was on top of her, and was delivering powerful right and left hooks. He was small, but powerful.

“Goddammit, Trixie, get him already, would ya?!” Sunset yelled, craning her head back to see Trixie taking aim.

The boy suddenly looked up, and picked Sunset Shimmer up in a chokehold, protecting himself. Suddenly, two boys shot out behind the two, letting three shots ring -- Trixie retreated behind the pillar, and peeked around the other side, downing them with a quick four shots.

“What’re you gonna do, girl? I’ve got her. Relax, and be easy, now.” The boy spoke, reaching for his pockets slowly with his other hand. Sunset’s eyes widened.

“Trix--” Sunset began,

*BANG!*

“I know.” Trixie interrupted, as the two fell over in shock. Trixie quickly rushed forward, and stomped the boy in his chest, holding the gun to his head.

Sunset Shimmer picked herself up, unharmed, thanks to the plate in her sweater.

“Heh… Didn’t turn out how you’d think, did it?” Trixie smirked, as she dropped the clip to reload it, grinding her foot into his chest.

“... And you ‘oughta learn that Juniors gon’ be next up!” Rainbow Dash yelled, rushing to her feet -- she knew she could take good body shots, as her sweater was plated, so she would work with that the most.

Applejack shot a straight forward for Rainbow Dash’s gut, and Rainbow Dash smirked -- however, she was surprised to see that the force still knocked her too far back for a counter-punch; she instead, immediately raised her leg to connect her shoe with her face.

“You’re a tough bitch!” Rainbow Dash chuckled, collecting her breath -- the force had still affected her a bit.

“And you’re quick on your feet. So, what you wanna talk ‘bout?” Applejack inquired, walking forward once more.

Rainbow Dash jumped side to side, shaking her limbs out, as her smile widened. She wiped her nose with her knuckle, holding her hands back up.

“Come work for me.” Rainbow Dash stated simply. Applejack paused walking momentarily, before she looked Rainbow Dash up and down seriously.

Then, she suddenly began to rush forward. She raised her leg in a kick that Rainbow Dash ducked and rolled under. Rainbow Dash looked up to see a fist approaching, and quickly backed just out of its range, hopping back after.

She looked to her right, and smiled, seeing Trixie approach the boy who was putting up a fight with Sunset, a gun equipped.

“Relax, it ain’t even like that! We got a common goal, and look… Your boys are already losin’...” Rainbow Dash chuckled, gesturing to the downed boy who seemed to be one of the higher-status members rolling with her.

“Yo, Braeburn!” Applejack yelled over to the boy.

The boy looked over at Applejack from beneath Trixie’s boot.

“Do I even have to say it?!” Applejack called over menacingly, her fists tightening.

With lightning quick speed, Braeburn dug into his pocket, and out extended a revolver -- he took quick aim for Trixie’s shoulder, letting out a powerful round, outside of the sweater’s protection, standing.

“Agchk!” Trixie yelled in pain, as she fell down on one knee, watching the standing Braeburn hold the gun to her head.

*BANG, BANG!*

Two shots rang out -- the first knocked the gun from Braeburn’s hand expertly, and the second ran through his wrist, disabling that hand.

“Don’t move. Next up’s gonna be the arms.” A hooded figure stated, coming from within view from a shadowy pillar.

Rainbow Dash smiled at the familiar pink she saw leaking from the hood.

“Pinks! Right on time!” Rainbow Dash smiled, watching as she walked towards Braeburn, her gun held tight in one hand at her waist.

“Yo, we all clear up here, too! Gotta few pussies who ain’t really want the smoke.” Starlight called out, walking over a group of four surrendered boys and two girls over to the group.

Sunset Shimmer began to tend to Trixie, whilst Pinkie Pie subjugated Braeburn from beneath the barrel of her gun.

Rainbow Dash smiled widely at Applejack. “Do you wanna talk now, country dyke?” Rainbow Dash said menacingly her grin wide.

Starlight kicked the draco back over to Rainbow Dash, who picked it up, and promptly reloaded it.

“Yo, you lot over there, fall in with commander cowboy and ball-tugger-in-tow over here.” Rainbow Dash said cockily pointing her head over towards the direction of Applejack, who was now silent, calmly examining the situation around her.

Starlight guided them from behind her handgun to the center underneath Rainbow Dash’s aim with Applejack. Pinkie Pie did the same for Braeburn, who held his bleeding wrist.

“Pinkie Pie, a chair, if ya would?” Rainbow Dash asked, her head not turning from the group, as she began to speak.

“So, Applejack, is it?” Rainbow Dash inquired, Pinkie Pie bringing the chair over. She sat, the rifle aimed comfortably at the entire group of Crips.

Although there was an entire group of people, Rainbow Dash’s focus could only zoom in one person. She couldn’t tell if it was the intoxication, but their eyes locked once again.

Rainbow Dash wore a cocky smile, and Applejack’s face was now one of indifference.

“Something seems to have changed in your demeanor, there. A little more willing to talk, now?” Rainbow Dash inquired with a smile.

“Rainbow Dash, ain’t’cha? I don’t think you understand your situation, here.” Applejack stated, a small smile growing on her face. Rainbow Dash became only slightly unnerved, that the woman could show such confidence in a situation like this.

“I’m a simple country gal. Started a little later than y’all, ‘cause I had to work the farm. So y’all’s all 17, and 16, and 18, I’m gonna be 23 when we graduate. People think that makes me dumb, but ya see, my parents taught me to be real wise in the short time they was here with me.” Applejack monologued calmly, as her smile grew.

“And I know, that whatever you’re doing this all for, you’ve gone a great way to making me your enemy, and upsetting the one neutral zone in the den of the Flowers. Naturally, we both took part in this -- I didn’t flee, you fought, we retaliated, we’ll both face punishment by the Death Lotus.” Applejack continued smiling widely, as she walked forward slowly to Rainbow Dash, whose finger on the trigger tightened only a slight tad bit.

“However, outside of my people that you’ve killed today, I have assets, forces, property, capital, to combat the Death Lotus.. I can get out of here today unscathed, and live. Or, you could kill me, and we could both die in the long-run when the Death Lotus and the rest of my boys hunt your hide. That’s two out of three options. But,” Applejack went on, as she stood directly in front of Rainbow Dash now, whose smile began to falter, piecing her deduction together.

“I know the option you really want, is for me to work with you. That’s the only way you get out of here today. If you kill me, do you really think you’ll make a hundred allies, or a hundred enemies? So, what’s going to happen, now?” Applejack asked, face to face with Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash’s face was still, her mind pondering upon how to verbalize her thoughts.

“... Applejack, I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but…” Rainbow Dash began in a slow drawl, before she gathered herself, trying to keep up with her intoxications, as she stood, facing the towering woman.

“We’ve already overpowered you,” Rainbow Dash began, as she gestured to Pinkie Pie, Starlight Glimmer, Sunset Shimmer, and Trixie Lulamoon aiming at her and the group of Crips.

“Now, you’re right -- I don’t want any enemies, but a big-headed powerhouse like you won’t settle down if I don’t show my fangs, now will she?” Rainbow Dash smiled, as she slung the rifle her shoulder.

Applejack stared at her with a straight face, and then cracked a small smile, before chuckling lowly.

“You’ve got my attention. Speak.” Applejack stated, her face returning to a neutral position.

Sunset Shimmer seemed to watch the moment with extra curiosity, remembering the figure’s words.

“She’s real interesting…”

Sunset Shimmer studied the situation -- just like when she had encountered Rainbow Dash, she was somehow talking down an enemy through, what she could only deduce as, some inexplicable charm or link -- did she have real Clout?

“You and I ain’t so different.” Rainbow Dash began in a cryptic manner, as Applejack tilted her head.

“Sometimes, things don’t go right with family, does it?” Rainbow Dash began, as her brows furrowed -- memories of her mother flashed, as she felt her heart wrench.

Applejack looked on with a raised brow. She crossed her arms, becoming suspicious.

“What’s your big brother’s name?” Rainbow Dash asked, as a thick tension grew in the air.

“‘Jack…” Braeburn called out from the crowd walking up to her -- he handed her the hat that she had placed down earlier.

Applejack placed it back on her head and looked back down at Rainbow Dash, her brows now furrowing.

“I don’t know what you’re pulling here, but you ‘oughta stay outta business that ain’t got jack-shit to do with ya, little girl.” Applejack said in a low, growling manner.

Rainbow Dash grew a small smile.

“We both know the government and the Death Lotus are one in the same. Never in the same room typa thing, y’know? I also know that the Crips and Pirus have been warring for way too long to be all that hostile. You’re not gonna just let him get swallowed up by those crooks, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked, her smile sincere.

Applejack’s frown twisted. This girl felt invasive.

“And?! You think I give two fucks if some rag-bitch from the streets wants to just up and offer her dirty ass hand to me? You don’t even know how deep this shit goes.” Applejack said, her teeth gritted, and aura steamy.

Rainbow Dash didn’t back down. She took a step forward, and stared straight up into Applejack’s face.

“First off, I’m top dog of the RainBooms, bitch, never fuckin forget it! Second, I’m saying we can help each other! Come work for me came off wrong… Look, I want us to collab, and I know family’s important -- I just want to provide some good relations, so we can strike the real fuckin snake in this shit-hole.” Rainbow Dash explained, trying to level with Applejack.

Applejack was silent. She examined Rainbow Dash, ironing out her options, as she looked over at the door, calmly -- surely, the Death Lotus should be crawling through here already, yet...

“Applejack, that’s Rainbow Dash -- rumors goin’ ‘round that she has personal beef with the Flowers, so you can trust her to that length -- and, it’s true, she just started her gang yesterday, and has never interacted with any other entities. This new blood smells promising!” Braeburn said beside Applejack, tapping her arm with his palm. Applejack looked back towards Rainbow Dash.

“I just want that idiot to stop being so reckless, but he’s so goddamn…!” Applejack began through furrowed brows and slitted eyes, but promptly stopped herself.

“Ugh, I don’t need to explain shit to you -- if you can help us with something, we might cosign you.” Applejack stated, holding her hand out.

Rainbow Dash stood a distance back, and held her own hand out. “Cosign under me.” Rainbow Dash corrected. Applejack paused momentarily, before she looked back to Braeburn.

“If Mac gets on board, then all our objectives line up. Doesn’t matter who leads us then, as long as she’s got some Clout to command.” Braeburn stated, nodding affirmatively.

“And I guess you already started tracking some rep with this mess today… Granny’ll tear me out for this, but,” Applejack stated with a slight groan, as she slapped Rainbow Dash’s hand with her palm and dapped her up.

“I’ll do that.” Applejack stated. Rainbow Dash smiled triumphantly. They soon began to hear sirens collect and gather on outside of the building.

Sunset Shimmer watched on in nigh disbelief. Rainbow Dash is interesting, she thought.

The girls all lowered their weapons, and began to gather up. Trixie and Starlight went to take their hoods off, but Sunshimmer held her hands out towards them, signaling to keep them on with a serious, but brief glance.

All three listened to the sirens closely, and their skin colors seemed to immediately pale.

Pinkie Pie watched them strangely, removing her own hood comfortably.

“So, then, what’s next, big dog?” Applejack asked with a small chuckle.

“Why don’t we get to know aaallll about each other…?” Rainbow Dash smiled, as her eyes rolled over to the door, expecting something.

As if on cue, the school’s emergency alarm began blaring.

“Over the way on outta here?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, as she tossed the draco into Applejack’s chest. She took out her own handgun, reloading it, and looked towards the door.

“Let’s stop by my place, huh? I think I can miss Luna today…” Applejack chuckled, smiling.

“Sounds good, lemme round ‘em up,” Rainbow Dash began, as she hopped to the top of the cafeteria table.

“Iigh, Crips, RainBooms, whatever, listen up, and listen good! Pick up something that ain’t jammed, and get movin’! Today, we met in blood, but tomorrow, we pourin’ each others’ shots, juhurrd?!” Rainbow Dash yelled out to the over half-dozen participants in the room.

The rest of the boys and girls loaded up, gearing onto the situation quick, and swiftly defecting to whatever side now gave them the best survival rate.

Sunset Shimmer sat beside Rainbow Dash’s feet. Rainbow Dash hopped down, and sat next to her, watching the people gear up, and Pinkie Pie and the other girls slowly walk over to them.

She turned her head over to Sunset, smiling in her face.

“You said it wasn’t free work, ain’t ya? Well, this to ya liking?” Rainbow Dash chuckled confidently, her question entirely rhetorical.

“Relax greenhorn, shit’s just starting.” Sunset Shimmer said with a small smile, as she listened to car doors slamming outside -- police troops would soon be on their position…

“Yeah?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, watching Pinkie Pie join her side, with Trixie and Starlight standing beside Sunset Shimmer.

“Somehow, I think shit can only sail from here. Lotus gon’ burn slow…” Rainbow Dash stated leaned back coolly with her elbows on the table, her calm, high, maroon-red eyes burning with a calm and focused flame, watching as Applejack and co., equipped, approached them for the push out...

Comedown, Pt. 1 | Chapter 6

“So then, we all good to go?” Rainbow Dash asked, sitting upon the cafeteria table, her feet on the seats. She had her handgun comfortably equipped in her hand, and watched Applejack with the draco in one hand, and another revolver strapped to her thigh walk towards her.

“More or less. Tell me somethin’, Rainbow Dash…” Applejack began, as the other Crips gathered behind her. She took off her hat, and unstrapped something -- a small bottle, likely no bigger than a few ounces, fell into her palm; it had a skull on it, and read “105%?”.

She took a small swig, and winced only slightly. “The Flowers are kinda occupied today, don’t’cha think? They should be crawling here by now with fireworks like that, shouldn’t they?” Applejack questioned suspiciously, eyeing the group in front of her, and remembering her exchange with the hooded figure.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, before laughing lowly. “Are you deaf, nigga?” Rainbow Dash chuckled further, as she pointed to the windows. Sirens blared outside of the building.

“They’re already here.” Rainbow Dash stated, her features darkening as she became serious.

“I don’t think you realize it, but popes is probably the worst Flower influence we’re gonna face. So, instead of playing detective, I suggest we get to steppin.” Rainbow Dash said, her words laced with aggressive authority, as she pushed off of the table, jumping off and facing Applejack.

“Hmph.” Applejack grunted lowly, watching Rainbow Dash carefully as her mind replayed her interaction with the figure over, and over again. Her brow was raised, but she huffed, and relaxed herself, turning to her group.

“C’mon y’all. Game ain’t nothin’ new.” Applejack beckoned them over towards her to begin moving out of the building -- their time was limited.

“That’s more like it. Pinkie Pie, Sunset, and co.,--”

“Co.?!” Trixie and Starlight groaned simultaneously,

“--let’s get goin’.” Rainbow Dash instructed, waving her hand over her shoulder as she jogged towards the exit, taking point.

As she closed in, her smile widened -- everything she had learned, and been taught, was in practice today -- endurance, combat, and she was still in one piece!

“Mom, would ya call me Lil Whistles?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, smiling, as she moved her finger from the side of the gun to the trigger, bracing herself to head through the cafeteria doors shoulder-first…

*SMASH!*

“HALT! PERPETRATORS OF THE SCHOOL ARE ORDERED TO STAND DOWN IMMEDIATELY OR FACE FIRE!”

A squadron of police officers and SWAT combatants alike stood beyond the entrance, just under one and half dozen members.

Rainbow Dash stood, facing them with a wild smile, her teeth showing to an unsettling amount, as the group of assailants behind her slowly closed in.

She held her arms out aside from her, not dropping her weapon.

“DROP THE WE--”

*CRCK-CRCK-BOOM-BANG-BANG-BANG-BOOM-CRCK--!*

Bullets began hailing off from behind Rainbow Dash, as the officers dropped in moments -- only three members remained, behind riot shields.

“I got it.” Pinkie Pie stated, as she took aim, crouching. She took three successive shots, hitting each of their exposed feet, knocking them over, and they were swiftly executed underneath a second hail of bullets.

“No time to breathe, this means they’re gonna be on us! Just try to uh, hopscotch over the bodies, huh? Heheh,” Rainbow Dash chuckled, sprinting forward, as she vaulted over the slaughtered officers, skillfully reloading her wapon-- the girls looked between each other briefly, before following, followed by Applejack, who sipped her bottle twice more, before following in tow with her group. She looked forward with excitement, her pacing still steady.

“You look like you’re in the zone, ‘Jack.” Braeburn said, running beside Applejack, his hand now wrapped up, and revolver equipped in the other.

“Well, you know how I am, Braeburn,” Applejack began, taking another swig, before placing the half-finished bottle in her pocket.

“Once things get interesting, I like to be a little stiff.” Applejack said, her smile slanting with the substance settling in her stomach.

Braeburn chuckled, before his face settled after laying his eyes on the two bullet wounds upon her back.

“You sure you’re good, ‘Jack? Those holes are just breathin’.” Braeburn said with concern, as the group took around the right and began rushing for the entrance to the main hallway and exits.

“I’ll be fine, Burns, just focus on yourself, and chin-up, the day’s just getting started. I’ll be fine once Granny sees me.” Applejack smiled, as they jogged on forward.

“Besides, we got more important shit to worry about…” Applejack urged, facing forward as they heard more commotion ahead…

Rainbow Dash reached the entrance, and stood beside it, listening -- she heard several boots clanging against the ground, rushing through the hallways, she stopped, turning back towards the group, thinking hard.

“What the fuck’s the hold up, Dash?” Applejack yelled behind her, as she rushed forward. Just before she could get past Rainbow Dash, she hopped up in front of her, off her feet, and headbutted her to a standstill in playful aggression.

They both came to a standstill, staring at each other momentarily, Applejack’s brows furrowed, and Rainbow Dash smiling with amusement.

“Listen up -- you wanna go to a slaughterhouse?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, speaking lowly, as she pointed towards the door with her thumb over her shoulder. They could hear the loud commotion of shouting and running on the other side of the door.

“What’s next, then?” Sunset Shimmer asked, as the group stood by the door, tension thick in the air, as the officers could burst through any moment.

“Well, we’re not going without a fight, that’s for sure. I got a plan, let’s huddle up, by the stairs.” Pinkie Pie said, as everyone gathered back around the corner to one of the several flights of stairs located throughout the building.

“First off, Applejack -- where’s your spot?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“On Hope Ave, some ways off the Parkway.” Applejack said. Pinkie Pie looked up at Rainbow Dash expectantly.

“Then, that means we should probably head for Exit C or D. Both are a good ways to goin’ there.” Rainbow Dash said.

Pinkie Pie nodded, pleased that Rainbow Dash’s intricate knowledge of the streets and infrastructure held up, even now when her eyes were so obviously hung and wired by her intoxications.

“Iigh, well, it would be stupid to run through that swamp out there. We can assume they’re already on the second and third floors. They can’t cover every set of stairs with a heavy amount, so we’ll clear up to the fourth floor, hit up a set of stairs, and fight our way straight down to Exit D immediately -- Rainbow Dash and Applejack can take lead, they’ll know the way there best.” Pinkie Pie explained. She fastened her hood over her head, taking note that Sunset Shimmer and her two friends took care in keeping themselves concealed.

“Considering that it’s the Death Lotus, it’s also probably best that we’re not seen too many times.” Pinkie Pie said, more towards Rainbow Dash, hinting for her to put the head on.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, patting Pinkie Pie’s head. “Heh, ‘preciate the concern, but I want these niggas to know who turnin’ they shit upside down.” Rainbow Dash chuckled cockily.

“That makes two of us -- this shit been personal since day one.” Applejack agreed in fashion, her grin wide.

“Since day damn one!” Rainbow Dash chimed in agreement, holding her fist out towards Applejack. She punched it gently, both smiling.

“... Then, let’s get going.” Pinkie Pie hummed, after staring at the two for a slight moment. She began jogging up the stairs, before Rainbow Dash quickly overtook her, heading the group, Applejack in tow.

Trixie and Starlight pulled Sunset Shimmer to the back of the group to converse as the group moved, which caught Pinkie Pie’s attention momentarily. She looked back suspiciously.

“What is it?” Sunset Shimmer hissed, looking forward to see if anyone was looking back at them. She accidentally met direct contact with Pinkie Pie for a short moment, before she turned back to Rainbow Dash. Sunset Shimmer’s nerves were set off, as her brows twitched.

“And it better be good, that Pink girl is probably suspicious…!” Sunset Shimmer hissed even more aggressively.

“You saw her too, didn’t you?” Starlight asked, referring to the moment in the cafeteria in which the hooded figure rescued Rainbow Dash.

“... What the fuck was she doing there?!” Sunset Shimmer yelled in as quiet of a whisper as she could, frustrated at the figure’s apparent recklessness.

“That’s what I said!” Trixie chimed in.

“She said that she doesn’t gamble. She got her number through that little hacked-up phone of hers. She’s gonna meet her sometime soon… Probably before tomorrow ends, considering we’re about to make big with the Flowers…” Starlight explained promptly.

Sunset Shimmer processed the information briefly, as she looked up, watching as they passed the second floor, heading up the third flight of steps. They began to hear commotion -- the opposition was already spreading out.

“So then, I guess that means she wants us to keep her good enough to recover again, huh?” Sunset Shimmer asked, her brows furrowing from beneath her hood.

“... You know her so well, don’t you?” Trixie asked, with a chuckle.

“That’s exactly it. You already let Lotus have his way with her, from the looks of it; she’s all fucked up. We can’t risk any bullet wounds right now, the war hasn’t started, yet.” Starlight advised, remembering the words of their shadowy commander.

“Then, we have to be on dog time. But, this is serious -- this is where all the real danger comes. You understand, don’t y’all?” Sunset Shimmer asked ominously, looking between the girls. A thick tension grew through the air, as the girls fastened their hoods further.

“Don’t let the flashes see you. If our face is on the media, she can only do so much from her position…” Sunset Shimmer warned. The two girls nodded, and Sunset Shimmer nodded back, the group catching back up with the others as they passed by the third floor.

The commotion of moving boots through the building could be heard, however by now, students and faculty have surely evacuated or safeguarded themselves.

“You hear that? They’re probably gonna be fanned out on the other staircases by now!” Rainbow Dash yelled back to Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight, as they rejoined them.

Sunset Shimmer listened carefully as the group trudged through the staircase -- they only heard sirens, the movement throughout the building, and plenty of commotion outside.

“But there’s no helicopters, so,” Sunset Shimmer began, pulling both of her handguns out from her sweater, as she ran in front of Rainbow Dash, with Trixie and Starlight moving forward in front of Pinkie Pie to make things seem a little less suspicious.

“That means the forces are as light as they’ll ever be! C’mon, we got this!” Sunset Shimmer finished, rushing ahead of the group, her, Trixie, and Starlight now suddenly taking point. Rainbow Dash raised a brow.

“We gotta go to Flight F! It’s right around the corner from one of the exits we need!” Rainbow Dash yelled ahead.

“Gotcha! Let’s get a move on people, these guys are sweeping the building!” Sunset Shimmer yelled back, as the group rushed on forward -- they finally reached the fourth floor, and as they entered its main hallway, they noticed two officers roaming the hall -- as one reached for his radio, and the other extended his arm to aim, the two were both immediately executed underneath two well placed headshots by Sunset Shimmer, who ran onwards.

Trixie rushed forward, spotting Flight F -- she kicked the door down, and heard commotion downstairs -- Sunset Shimmer and Starlight formed up with her, and all three nodded, heading down the stairs, as a hail of fire was exchanged -- Sunset Shimmer crouched down behind the low wall guarding the stairs, whilst Trixie and Starlight laid back on the stairs, now laying beneath the hail of bullets raining over them.

Applejack rushed forward, and let off the draco that Rainbow Dash handed her, but was surprised to see it only shot out seven bullets -- she ducked, two SWAT officers still remaining, pushing fire. They began walking up, to lay the group with bullets, however,

*BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!*

Rainbow Dash hopped over Applejack in fashion, letting five shots ring off on the two officers, as she landed on the flight of steps below. She dug in her sweater, and tossed two clips towards Applejack, which she caught, immediately loading a new one into the rifle.

“C’mon, we ain’t got no time to waste! Rest time’s over,” Rainbow Dash joked at Trixie and Starlight, who began getting up from their laid down position on the stairs, coming into view.

“Heard that!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, as she hopped over the small wall guarding the stairs, hopping down two flights of stairs ahead of the others with great agility.

“Hmph. She’s zoning in, isn’t she?” Starlight chuckled, taking off after her.

“Perhaps.” Trixie half-agreed, running off after them, as the group followed, rushing to keep up with the girls who began hopping down the stairs in parkour fashion.

*BANG-BANG-CRCK-CRCK-BOOM!*

The three girls were at the bottom of the steps, but Rainbow Dash and the others hadn’t yet caught up. Rainbow Dash’s grip on her gun tightened, as she noticed the ringing of bullets ceased nearly immediately. Her brows furrowed.

“Shit, that might be trouble. I’m going on ahead, hurry up y’all!” Rainbow Dash yelled with urgency, as she hopped over the small walls, making her way down in a sloppy, but somewhat similar fashion to Sunset Shimmer and co. She was worried that the girls got ahead of themselves.

“Sunset!” Rainbow Dash began, as she finally hopped down to the ground floor, falling to a single knee briefly.

“Are you good--!” Rainbow Dash went on in concern, but as she looked up, her words got caught in her throat --

Trixie, Starlight, and Sunset Shimmer all stood over a slew of bodies, at least a dozen, fanned out in the hallway leading to the main entrance -- they had secured the exit!

Sunset Shimmer turned back to Rainbow Dash, dropping the clips out of either of her guns, and reloading them one by one. She gave a bright smile to Rainbow Dash.

“Relax, fag-hair. We’re not lawn-grass like you and your girl.” Sunset Shimmer laughed, teasing Rainbow Dash for her concern. Rainbow Dash’s brows furrowed, as she frowned, her teeth gritted.

“Shut the fuck up, already.” Rainbow Dash groaned, walking forward, zig-zagging around the bodies.

“But, that being said, even these guys are riff-raff… Which means, the Death Lotus is real busy today, they’ve even got the suits occupied… Something big is going on…” Sunset Shimmer hummed, thinking aloud.

“Yeah? All the better for us, ain’t it?” Rainbow Dash asked, as commotion behind them picked up -- the group had finally caught up.

Sunset Shimmer looked towards Rainbow Dash with calm, analyzing eyes. “Yeah… That means getting out of here should be simple. Nobody of any importance is responding to this, the forces are gonna be light, and the opps’ll be dumb and new.” Sunset Shimmer said quietly to Rainbow Dash, making sure to be out of earshot of the others.

“Then, you know what to do.” Rainbow Dash smiled, cocking her gun, as she walked forward. Sunset Shimmer suddenly grabbed her by her wrist, pulling her back behind herself.

For a small moment, the two looked at each other in an awkward silence. Rainbow Dash blushed only slightly, but Sunset Shimmer’s gaze was still, her brain’s gears turning.

“Listen, Rainbow Dash -- in a short time, you’re going to learn a lot of things. So, pay attention,” Sunset Shimmer said in a demanding tone, now placing either of her palms across both of Rainbow Dash’s arms. Starlight and Trixie looked on with curious glances, listening in, knowing what Sunset was referencing.

Pinkie Pie had caught up first, and Applejack and the other Crips began to filter in -- out of respect, they gave Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, and Starlight their brief privacy -- but, they were restless -- they were on a timer before more troops moved onto their position, and the exit was very close; it’d be best not to be sandwiched from two fronts.

Rainbow Dash twisted her head slightly, staring at Sunset Shimmer -- she forced her mind to focus, but she could feel her senses dulling -- these were the “comedowns” that Pinkie Pie used to complain about every now and again.

“I’m listening, I promise.” Rainbow Dash said, her pupils shaking back and forth slightly -- her eyes fluttered occasionally, but otherwise, she was focusing as hard as she could.

Sunset Shimmer’s eyes tightened slightly -- she could see that this operation would have to be wrapped up shortly; Rainbow Dash would soon be out like a light -- she wondered just how much, and how many substances Rainbow Dash put into herself today. She hummed lowly, before continuing on.

“You’re going to take the Death Lotus down, right?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Rainbow Dash smiled, her eyes seeming to shake a little less, as her gaze focused up once more.

“You’re damn fucking right. That’s exactly what the RainBooms are for! They’ve been fucking things up for way too long.” Rainbow Dash said with sureness. Sunset Shimmer smiled, nodding.

“Then, if you’re the head of this shit, we need you alive -- so until you meet her, we need you unharmed. We’ve been preserving you for a while, and I know you’re a weird bitch, but if you wanna be head of a gang, you gotta get used to the help.” Sunset Shimmer stated, as she stood halfway in front of Rainbow Dash, letting her go, she smiled brightly, though her hood still shadowed her face.

“Stop being so goddamn bull-headed and putting yourself in the front of all the danger you face; you ‘oughta know that Kings and Queens never move ahead of the pawns.” Sunset Shimmer continued, holding her arm out defensively in front of Rainbow Dash.

Trixie and Starlight seemed to frown at the suggestion that they were merely ‘pawns’. Sunset Shimmer figured this would be the case, but was unbothered.

Rainbow Dash smiled. “Then, protect me by my side, nigga. I’m not Lotus, or his pussy ass father, I show my face when I claim rep for my drills.” Rainbow Dash stated, placing her hand on Sunset Shimmer’s chest / shoulder, gently pushing her out of the way.

“And besides, you niggas ain’t pawns, are you dumb?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, speaking with playful aggression as she patted Sunset on the shoulder, and smiled towards Trixie and Starlight, standing beside Sunset. The three focused on Rainbow Dash with a new air of curiosity.

“You said it yourself, these gals already spent a lot of they day for us, and putting they neck out on a drill for the RainBooms right now…” Rainbow Dash began, as she walked forwards towards Trixie and Starlight, and placed her arms around both of their shoulders.

“Y’all can say whatever, but as far as I’m concerned, you’re already a step too deep into the gang to say no, now. Guess you could say y’all lives got a lil worth to me now.” Rainbow Dash chuckled with a hardy smile, as she walked on forward to the doors, exiting the conversation swiftly after her words.

“Stubborn bitch…” Sunset Shimmer grumbled beneath her breath, as she began walking forward as well, along with Trixie and Starlight.

“Heh… Shouldn’t say things like that when you got a smirk on like a goofy.” Trixie chuckled -- true to her words, Sunset wore a small grin on her face, affected by the words Rainbow Dash spoke -- through her character, she knew the words meant more than their face value.

“She’s different, for sure. Just like she said.” Starlight grinned as well, walking forward. The rest of the group advanced as well, seeing that chit-chat and rest time was over. Sunset Shimmer turned to face the group before they continued on:

“Before we all exit, I need you all to understand somethin’!” Sunset Shimmer began, tightening her hood instinctively. The group paused, looking up at her.

“Once we reach outside, the media’s gon’ get to flashin, trust! You get seen, that’s on you! If you care about your life,” Sunset Shimmer began, as she looked between Trixie, Starlight, and Pinkie Pie, who had their hoods fastened.

“Then, keep yourselves concealed. If you wanna chase Clout, well…” Sunset Shimmer went on, smiling as she stared at Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Braeburn.

“I think there’s only few here dumb enough to tango with the Orange like this.” Sunset Shimmer shrugged with a small chuckle.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack chuckled in response.

“From here-on in, we’re gonna need to move fast, and the group has to stay sparse -- we’ve gotta divvy up the pigs, and once we’re in the clear, we gotta book it to Applejack’s. The rest is history.” Rainbow Dash instructed, as she placed a single palm on the door leading to the main hallway surrounding the school’s entire exterior.

“We’re going to bust a left as soon as we go out, and then hit the first door on the right -- once we’re out, do whatever you can to push down to towards Hope Ave; that’s gonna be to your right once we exit!” Rainbow Dash barked, as the group nodded and gave verbal confirmations.

Rainbow Dash nodded back, pleased, as she pushed the door open with swift and ferocious strength -- it was time for the final push!

“Contact!”

Three officers already laid behind Rainbow Dash -- as she looked over her shoulder, bullets whizzing past, Applejack quickly stepped out behind her to lay them down with a quick burst of fire.

Rainbow Dash looked forward, and saw two more officers, shoot around the corner -- she quickly shot one, and the other was dispatched by Starlight, who ran up from behind her rear -- the group began filling into the hall, and they sprinted around the corner.

“First door on the right, keep it up y’all!” Applejack yelled back to her group, and everyone else, as she took lead, and bashed open the doors with ferocious strength -- as they swung open, Applejack was stunned momentarily:

A line of about a half-dozen police cruisers and two SWAT trucks stood, guarding the road -- however, they could still escape from the sidewalk, were it not for the group of assailants that stood behind the vehicles in cover. There were also several other vans and media crews about, creating a bustle behind the aggressive force standing before them.

“Yo, no time to waste--!” Rainbow Dash began, but paused in similar fashion, as she laid her eyes on the scene.

“Tch!” Rainbow Dash hissed her teeth, clutching her gun with a cold grip.

“FIIIR--”

“Rainbow Dash, senior student of this very Highschool, aged seventeen years old!”

Before the squad could fire, a group of reporters and media crews hustled out in front of all of the officers in a wave of pedestrians, completely blocking view -- the forces of the officers were too light to suppress it, and nobody menacing enough was on scene to command them to fire through the innocents.

“What the fuck?!” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed, the group now all pausing on the stairs outside of the school, the flock of media workers rushing to the sidewalk. She saw cameras, and instinctively backed away behind Rainbow Dash, tightening her hood. Trixie and Starlight did the same with the others.

An immense wave of white flashes took place, blinding them momentarily -- they could hear much clicking and mechanical noises in the crowd.

*CLICK, CLICK, FLASH!*

The group quickly began flashing many pictures and recording the armed group of assailants exiting the school.

“Shit, I dunno, but,” Rainbow Dash began, as she extended her arm over her shoulder, standing out in front of the girls, signaling to run.

“We’ve gotta get to steppin’ while these niggas flockin’!” Rainbow Dash urged, as they all began rushing towards the crowd swiftly.

Rainbow Dash was quick, and agile, but she quickly lost track of the others, as she ran out of range of the officers, through the wave of reporters.

Finally, after about thirty seconds of desperately rushing through the bustling crowd who, suspiciously enough, seemed to be after nobody in particular, she made it to the other end, which was significantly less dense with people.

She quickly began scanning her environment, looking for the others. Her head whipped around wildly, her adrenaline running -- their time was short!

“Lil’ Dash!”

Rainbow Dash heard that familiar voice, and her entire world froze momentarily -- that was something only her mother and her friends called her -- her head whipped around instantly to the source of the voice.

Her features immediately dropped, and her blood ran cold -- there was Ms. Cheerilee, standing there amongst the crowd of bustling media workers, with a stern gaze. She pointed to her feet with urgent aggression, as Rainbow Dash quickly jogged over to her.

“So, it was you then, after all?” Ms. Cheerilee asked, a single camcorder hung over her shoulder. Rainbow Dash’s eyes averted her gaze.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!” Ms. Cheerilee shrieked angrily, her hands on her hips, as she leaned down, facing Rainbow Dash’s turned head.

“This school might be neutral, but you and I both know the Death Lotus owns everything! They won’t take nicely to what you’ve done today… And we heard the bullets from inside, too…” Ms. Cheerilee went on worriedly, speaking into Rainbow Dash’s ear.

“This is the type of stuff that your mo--”

“Hmph!” Rainbow Dash quickly interrupted Ms. Cheerilee with a confident grunt, as she took a single step forward, whipping her head around, her nose mere inches from Ms. Cheerilee’s -- Ms. Cheerilee froze, taken aback by the sudden closeness, blushing.

“Before you mention how she fell, mention everything else she did first. There’s a reason my mom was the most influential nobody ever. I’m just going to carry on her legacy, but this time, I’m gonna put a little Clout in the mix.” Rainbow Dash chuckled cockily, staring directly into Ms. Cheerilee’s eyes.

“In the end, just like her, I’m gonna do what I want. And what I want, is for this city to be peaceful again.” Rainbow Dash declared. “The Flowers are going to wilt.” Rainbow Dash said with a low, but fierce tone.

Ms. Cheerilee closed her eyes, and then sighed, stepping back. She looked Rainbow Dash up and down with the fiery glare in her eyes, the chains swinging off of her neck, and the gun in the palm of her hand.

She suddenly lifted her camera up, and

*FLASH!*

Took a bright picture, before a red light turned on the device in her hand -- she still held it aimed at Rainbow Dash.

“You really are her spitting image. She’d be proud, y’know?” Ms. Cheerilee spoke softly, as she walked forward to Rainbow Dash, whose gaze softened as Ms. Cheerilee went on.

“You’re gonna do great, kiddo.” Ms. Cheerilee finished, patting Rainbow Dash’s head, who looked up dumbly, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes staring straight into the camera.

Ms. Cheerilee chuckled, dropping her camcorder. “You’re such easy bait. This’ll be good for later on, don’t’cha think?” Ms. Cheerilee smiled, before Rainbow Dash frowned, catching herself from the moment. She crossed her arms, and looked to her side -- she realized Principals Luna and Celestia were walking over with Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Sunset. They seemed to have scolded the girls, as well.

“So, you’ve caught the other one, I see, Ms. Cheerilee.” Principal Luna stated, forcefully pulling Applejack ahead of her.

“You’ll be punished duly for derailing my class and the order of the school, Applejack.” Principal Luna stated aggressively down towards Applejack, who smiled smugly in response.

“Yeah, with what? Detention? Suspension? Get real.” Applejack chuckled, holding her hands behind her head. She pulled the same bottle from her pocket, and took a quick swig, wincing as her smile widened.

Principal Celestia immediately locked eyes with Rainbow Dash.

“So, I assume then, that Little Whistles here is heading this?” Principal Celestia hummed, rubbing her chin. Rainbow Dash looked up at her with unmoving eyes, as Pinkie Pie rejoined her side.

“Strangely enough, you’re a lot more social than your mother was as my student.” Principal Celestia spoke, as Rainbow Dash raised a brow -- her mother certainly did know a lot of people; and Celestia was Principal even back then? How old were the two Principals, then?

“But, if you upset zones of neutrality like this, we can’t protect you like we did this time.” Principal Celestia began, as Rainbow Dash suddenly noticed that she and Principal Luna were also equipped with recording devices of some sort.

“Lucky enough for you, my ex pupil made haste in informing me of the impending events. You kids will have a lot to do before you can show up here again.” Principal Celestia explained, as she turned Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie around, and pushed them forward.

So that’s what it was, Rainbow Dash thought. Something had clearly been set up in their favor, and not to mention she was able to pull this off smoothly without too demanding a presence of outside forces.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but ponder upon what Sunset Shimmer had told her, as her eyes wobbled, her gaze coming out of focus as she thought.

“In a short time, you’re going to learn a lot of things…”

“Now, get a move on before they wise-up -- this is just another shooting for them, so if you move quick, they likely won’t pursue.” Principal Celestia began, interrupting Rainbow Dash’s thinking.

“Get to work, huh children?” Principal Luna smiled, as Principal Celestia pushed the two off, urging them to leave with the others. Ms. Cheerilee waved them off, before turning to Principal Celestia.

“Man, they were real fucking calm about that shit! What’s that about? And who the fuck is ‘Little Whistles’?” Applejack questioned, as they jogged through the street, the density of pedestrians clearing more and more.

“Forget it man, just focus up on getting to safety now, shit ain’t sweet yet!” Rainbow Dash urged. She looked back over her shoulder as she ran, watching Principals Celestia and Luna, as well as Ms. Cheerilee disappear back into the crowd together...

“Yo, I see Trixie and Starlight down there!” Sunset Shimmer yelled, pointing over to the end of the block.

“Your boys are there, too, Applejack.” Pinkie Pie stated, seeing the lurking group of six or seven other Blues nearby, conversing with Braeburn, whose features were shadowed beneath his hat.

“Good! Let’s group up, and get a move on! We gotta keep off the main roads, hit the alleyways and service roads, we’re almost home!” Rainbow Dash urged, rushing forward to rendezvous with the others…

[Some 15 minutes later…]

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Sunset Shimmer sat in an alleyway, ducking low behind some electrical generators, hearing sirens ring through the sky.

Sunset Shimmer tapped on her phone, the dull light illuminating her soft, cyan eyes.

“Shit’s calming down -- Trixie’s with Braeburn and your Crips back in Blue territory, Applejack; as for you, Rainbow Dash, pink girl and Starlight are ducking off not too far from here, we’re gonna clique up with Brae and Trix.” Sunset Shimmer said, shutting her phone off and placing it back in her pocket.

“Trixie said that you should know the best way, Applejack. So once we clique up with Star, we can go.” Sunset Shimmer stated, looking up at Applejack from beneath her hood. Rainbow Dash sat against the wall, preparing to ready herself for one more move.

However, Applejack sat calmly, her back against the generator, calmly sipping her drink, which was now nearly done. She hadn’t picked up the draco that sat beside her, either.

“What’s the rush guys? We’re not on a time-limit right now, those boys aren’t gonna find us -- since we’re gonna be working together, why don’t we get to know each other a little better…” Applejack spoke slowly and ominously, smiling at the bottle in her hands, as she swigged around the last bit of liquid, watching its contents splash and wave.

Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer both raised a brow, watching the calm, burly figure sit. She fingered at her ‘bandaged’ wounds -- she had tore off parts of her tank top to tie up her wounds, and sat in her sports bra, arms and core well-defined; she was an intimidating presence, to be sure.

“Sunset, I thought it was funny that you, Trixie, and Starlight of all people were involved… And now that Twilight showed up in the cafeteria, things make a little more sense, don’t they?” Applejack began in an ominous manner.

Sunset Shimmer face palmed internally, her face twisting into a slight frown of panic.

“How reckless of you, Twi!” Sunset Shimmer cursed mentally, thinking hard of what her next words would be.

“I don’t know your specific beef with Twilight, Applejack, but as far as we’re concerned, that girl did you a favor not letting you kill Rainbow Dash today.” Sunset Shimmer began, as her gaze briefly focused on Rainbow Dash, before returning to Applejack.

“You and I both know the decisions that Twilight’s made, that two -- no, three-faced bitch. Now,” Applejack began, as she turned to Rainbow Dash, whose mind was turning in confusion.

“Twilight?” Rainbow Dash thought in confusion. Who the hell was that? The girl who saved her? The purple one?

“Why in the world is she interested in you, rainbow gal?” Applejack asked, as she swallowed the last of the contents of the bottle in one swig. She took her hat off, and strapped it back to the inside, replacing the hat onto her head.

“And, frankly, I don’t quite want to associate with anyone that fucks with the Flowers.” Applejack said, her voice rising, as she rotated her neck around, cracking it.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened, as she stood up, readying herself as well. She was confused, but clearly something was wrong here -- someone was working with the Death Lotus?

Sunset Shimmer chuckled, before laughing, as she stood. “Is that what you think, Applejack?” Sunset Shimmer asked, smiling. Her smile was faint, underneath the hood, but she stood forward with clear confidence.

“You’ve got to learn that time keeps on moving, Applejack. People change. So do their motivations.” Sunset Shimmer began, as she said something that particularly resonated with Applejack next.

“Twilight would rather live on her knees, than die on her feet, so,” Sunset Shimmer began, piquing Applejack’s interest.

“I suggest you sit back, and watch things unfold. Twilight’s going to be meeting Rainbow Dash tomorrow, and soon after, the rest of us are gonna clique up, too. After your brother, things are gonna get real interesting.” Sunset Shimmer said directly to Applejack, her attention completely displacing Rainbow Dash from the situation. She walked towards Applejack, standing face to face with her.

“So, my advice? Let’s play nice for now, if you actually give a fuck about killing Lotus and the Rich family, that is. It’ll all fall into place, soon.” Sunset Shimmer said, with a smile, as she brushed past Applejack’s shoulder with passive-aggression.

Applejack looked back over her shoulder at Sunset Shimmer, before looking back towards Rainbow Dash, who could only look on in confusement.

“You’d better tread carefully, girl. You might be swimming in the wrong pool, with the wrong sharks…” Applejack said towards Rainbow Dash in caution. Rainbow Dash felt her heart rate unsteady itself, as her mind twisted in doubt.

“Hey, get a move on, cowboy! You gotta take us there, remember!?” Sunset Shimmer yelled from halfway down the alleyway, already on her way out.

“I’ll make my own decisions, but thanks for the concern.” Rainbow Dash said, nodding at Applejack, as she began walking forward, picking up the draco that she had lent Applejack. “I’ll be taking that back.” Rainbow Dash chuckled jokingly, as she placed it into her sweater comfortably.

“Now, let’s go.” She urged, jogging on past Applejack, who followed closely in tow, pulling the smith & wesson revolver off of her waist.

“We’re gonna go collect Starlight and Pinkie Pie, first. Then, you’re up, Applejack.” Sunset Shimmer said, as the three exited the alleyway, rushing down the sidewalk.

Pinkie Pie and Starlight both sat on a bench behind a fence, their hoods fastened on -- they were hiding in plain sight.

“Hey, Starlight Glimmer, right?” Pinkie Pie spoke up suddenly, after some minutes of silence.

Starlight turned to her, nodding. “Wassup?” She asked, her pale lavender eyes looking into Pinkie Pie’s own cerulean-blue ones.

“What’s up with you and Sunset and Trixie? You guys act like you’re hiding shit all the time…” Pinkie Pie said, taking Starlight off guard with her straightforwardness, which she thought was out of character.

She averted her gaze for a small moment, cursing the moment she saw them on the steps, feeling a bead of sweat form on her forehead.

“We… have some history.” Starlight said vaguely, rubbing her head as she looked off. Pinkie Pie tilted her head, looking at her, which made Starlight’s face heat further.

“That was such a bad excuse!” Starlight thought to herself with great tension.

Pinkie Pie then turned back to face forward with sudden speed, plopping back in her seat fully.

“Okay, then! I saw you guys get heated at the table, and it definitely seems personal, so… I’ll butt out.” Pinkie Pie said, as Starlight sighed with great relief.

“But!” Pinkie Pie suddenly yelped, as Starlight stiffened once more, looking over at Pinkie Pie.

“If you’re hiding anything that’s gonna fuck the gang over…” Pinkie Pie began, as she placed her hand over Starlight’s shoulder.

“Rainbow Dash won’t have time to get to you.” Pinkie Pie said ominously, her blue eyes bright with an icy stare.

“Do you understand me?” Pinkie Pie questioned. Starlight huffed, and slid across away from Pinkie Pie, folding her arms.

“If you think we’re gonna put our necks out for you low-lives to get a response like that, you’re outta your goddamn mind.” Starlight said, sticking her nose up at Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie couldn’t help but giggle in response, the atmosphere losing its seriousness -- Starlight sighed once more, this time internally, thankful that the heat was gone, for now.

Then, she felt her thigh vibrate; she pulled out her phone, and saw a text from Sunset Shimmer.

“End of the block, to ya right. Get to it.” The text read. Starlight pocketed the phone, as Pinkie Pie looked up at her expectantly.

“They’re here. Let’s go.” Starlight said promptly, as she stood, walking off outside of the fence, Pinkie Pie following closely, both keeping their heads low, as cars passed, but thankfully no police cruisers.

As they reached the end of the block, they saw Sunset Shimmer, alone, waving them over -- they crossed the street, and met up with her.

“Where the hell’s everyone else?” Starlight asked in frustration. Sunset Shimmer pointed down the block.

“Three blocks down, that way. We should get a move on while the sirens are calming down.” Sunset Shimmer suggested, as she began jogging down the block, followed closely by Starlight and Pinkie.

“And you’re sure that you can’t give any more reliable information on the main perpetrator?”

Principal Celestia groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose, as she stood with a single hand on her hip, facing the three officers interrogating her, as well as Principal Luna and Ms. Cheerilee, who stood beside her.

“For the last time, sir, the girl literally does not have an address. You’re better off patrolling the streets, if you care that much.” Principal Celestia said, now crossing her arms.

The officers looked at the three teachers in extreme distaste. The officer clicked his pen, and placed his notepad back into the pouch on his utility belt.

“C’mon, this ain’t going nowhere. Dumb bitches are useless.” The officer who was taking notes grumbled, walking off, quickly joined by one other officer.

The last one who stood, the Sergeant who had responded to a disturbance at Lotus’ school, stood, staring the teachers down. He smiled, before turning halfway, preparing to leave.

“Cooperation goes a long way to keeping up that facade of neutrality you’ve got here at the school. Don’t fuck it up.” The sergeant stated blandly, before marching off to join the two other officers in the final cruisers to leave the scene.

As they drove out of view, all three women let out nearly simultaneous breaths of relief.

“Thank goodness, I thought they were never going to leave!” Ms. Cheerilee cheered gently.

“But sis, you think things’ll be okay prodding the Death Lotus like this? We refused them when they harassed Lotus yesterday, too…” Principal Luna spoke up worriedly. “What of the school’s safety? Upholding the importance of academics?” Principal Luna added on.

Principal Celestia turned, her eyes slim and regretful.

“We can only play neutral for so long -- such an illusion as neutrality allowed us to stand by and watch Lil’ Dash lose Windy.” Principal Celestia spoke, with pain on her voice. Ms. Cheerilee looked down, folding her arms, her face wincing slightly in pain. Principal Luna backed down.

“That won’t be happening again. Just like that catchy little quote she breathed into life… ‘Will you live on your knees, or die on your feet?’” Principal Celestia recited, forcing a small smile.

“I understand. And I was unaware that Ms. Whistles was even the one who established that lingo. What an interesting woman, may she rest.” Principal Luna stated, as she turned back towards the school, viewing the small bustle of students still fully exiting the school to return home for the day.

“The most influential nobody, huh? She wasn’t quite a nobody…” Ms. Cheerilee thought, feeling her eyes sting as the conversation laying around Rainbow Dash’s late mother began wrenching a deep and buried pain in her heart.

“Enough of the semantics, then, girls. Rainbow Dash is going to be working hard, so we need to, as well. Let’s get to it!” Ms. Cheerilee stated, walking off hurriedly back to the school.

Principal Luna began walking off to follow, but was stopped by Celestia grabbing her arm.

“What’s the matter, sis?” Luna questioned, turning back to face her sister.

“... Twilight. She’s the one who told me about what was happening.” Principal Celestia spoke, her voice growing very low as she stepped closer to Luna.

Luna’s eyes widened. “R-really? You’re sure?” Luna questioned with extreme curiosity. Celestia gave an affirming nod.

“If it wasn’t for her, Cheerilee wouldn’t have been able to tip off her news station so quick, and have their connections flag the other media stations.” Celestia said, looking down slightly.

“But, it’s Twilight…” Luna stated, putting her arm on Celestia’s shoulder. Celestia’s brows furrowed.

“I know, that’s why it’s so… confusing! But, she said that to me -- about living on one’s knees, or dying on their feet?” Celestia recalled. “Something’s different with her -- Rainbow Dash not being killed after her run in with Lotus, of all people? And her tipping me off to save her little group being filled with lead by the corrupt officers?” Celestia went on, crafting her explanation.

“Twilight’s different now -- she’s doing things that don’t directly benefit her -- even more so, they threaten the very safety she blew everyone off to secure!” Principal Celestia continued, as Principal Luna listened intently, thinking hard about what her words.

“All I’m saying is, Luna… she’s changed. Perhaps we can see where it goes?” Celestia asked, more than suggested. Luna hummed in thought for a few moments.

“Fine then. If it is what you wish, sister. But, don’t let yourself get charmed over just because that was your little pet. Be cautious.” Principal Luna warned, stepping away from Celestia with a sigh. She shook her head slightly, feeling a twinge in her gut as a reaction to her decision.

“Loud and clear, sis. C’mon, let’s go join up with Cheerilee, we’ve got some work to do to keep the media buzzes quiet.” Principal Celestia instructed, waving her sister over to join her, walking over towards the school’s entrance…

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Braeburn, and Trixie were all gathered in a small concrete park, seated by two benches surrounding a table -- Trixie still had her hood fastened over her hood, though it was now like how she initially had in the cafeteria; halfway on, and more casual -- the activity seemed to calm down, after all.

Applejack and Braeburn sat in near-silence, urgently murmuring with each other lowly, sitting opposite of Trixie and Rainbow Dash. It seemed that the other Crips had already returned home.

Rainbow Dash sat, her hood on as well, her head bowed, her facial features covered completely. She hung loosely in her seat, her chest ebbing slowly, calmly.

Trixie simply watched the streets, raking them over and over with her eyes, thoroughly. The adrenaline still hadn’t quite settled out in her, yet.

Finally, she caught a glimpse of something hopeful:

Pinkie Pie, Starlight, and Sunset walked towards the group, all three still hooded as they arrived on the scene in a swift and lowkey fashion.

“Babe!” Pinkie Pie shouted immediately, running up to Rainbow Dash and immediately hopping over a surprised Trixie, directly into Rainbow Dash’s lap, throwing her arms around her neck.

“I’m so glad you’re okay!” Pinkie Pie said with exuberance, gathering the attention of the group.

Pinkie Pie was displeased to see that Rainbow Dash had not much moved from her place in the seat besides moving her arm around her waist to fasten her in her lap.

Pinkie Pie tilted her head quizzically at Rainbow Dash’s still bowed head, and brought two fingers beneath her chin, lifting gently.

As Rainbow Dash’s features became illuminated by the afternoon sky, everything made sense to Pinkie Pie, as she gave a slanted smile of mixed feelings.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes fluttered, as she struggled to keep awake in lieu of the intoxications finally beginning their comedown.

“She off that yak, huh?” Applejack chuckled, watching the wobbly, unbalanced Rainbow Dash wave in Pinkie Pie’s arms.

“Like you said, bitch got fucked up earlier. I handed her some perc.” Sunset Shimmer said, taking a seat beside Applejack, leaning her elbows over onto the table.

Pinkie Pie gasped softly: that’s why she still felt pretty energetic, whilst Rainbow Dash’s mix was all over the place and already dying down -- she had the downer more recently.

Pinkie Pie’s brows furrowed only slightly -- Rainbow Dash would be in no condition to do anything else serious today, she thought. Besides, they had already earned Applejack’s attention; that’s all they needed, for today.

Pinkie Pie slapped Rainbow Dash’s face gently, as her fluttering eyes focused up onto Pinkie Pie’s face -- her body felt heavy, and her vision was fuzzy, but, she was awake.

“You good, Dashie?” Pinkie Pie whispered over into Rainbow Dash’s face, staring into her shaky pupils.

Rainbow Dash was silent, breathing in, before thinking for a second. She felt pains throb throughout her body -- she had certainly pushed herself quite hard after the altercation with Lotus, and now that her senses were lulling out, she oddly enough felt the pain in greater sensitivity again.

Her leg throbbed especially badly, in lieu of all the activity she underwent after Lotus had injured her just this morning.

“I don’t… feel so hot, if I’m being honest, babes…” Rainbow Dash replied honestly, speaking with a low and wry whisper, yawning directly after.

Pinkie Pie put both of her hands over Rainbow Dash’s cheeks, and gave her a quick, short kiss on the lips before pulling back.

She then pulled her hands back, and then slapped them back on Rainbow Dash’s face, as she winced slightly, her shaky pupils focusing in a little more, as she woke up further in reaction to the pain.

“Well, put on a tough face, and lead your gang! They all decided to meet back up here for something, and it wasn’t to just chill in silence. They need to hear what’s next from you, head of the RainBooms. So get it together, I’ll help you out.” Pinkie Pie urged. Rainbow Dash was silent for some seconds, before her brows furrowed, and she nodded.

“I got it. Thanks babe, couldn’t ask for something better than you.” Rainbow Dash smiled, as she pulled herself up in her seat, suppressing another yawn, watching as pairs of beady eyes watched her expectantly She still wobbled about slightly.

Pinkie Pie removed herself from Rainbow Dash’s lap, and instead sat beside her, leaning into her shoulder to help keep her a bit more stable.

She stared back at each and every one of them, her tired and slowed mind trying to think of what should be the next major thing. Idly, she fingered her chain, and as she felt the “RD” in her chain, her mind immediately flashed over to her mother -- family.

“Applejack. You said we can work together, so, it’s time we get to talkin’ -- do you even know where your brother is?” Rainbow Dash questioned. Braeburn seemed to tip his hat over his eyes at the question.

“If that stubborn nigga wanted me to know where he was, he’d tell me. He’s never ran from a fight before.” Applejack said, between gritted teeth, as her gaze set down into the table, her hat only half-covering her eyes, which seemed to slim slowly.

Rainbow Dash tilted her head in slight curiosity. “Then…?” Rainbow Dash questioned, waving her hand, motioning for Applejack to continue on.

“He’s acting tough or something. I don’t know what, or who’s scaring him, but whatever the Pirus are struggling with right now, he doesn’t want me involved. Nobody from his side is answering, and only the Death Lotus knows where he’s at now.” Applejack said, her fists tightening, as she punched the table in frustration.

Rainbow Dash smiled, before she leaned over on the table, folding her hands. Applejack watched her strangely, the confident smile feeling entirely out of place.

“You’re a Crip, Applejack. Of course you can’t find your brother if you look for him. But, you’re his little sister, are you not?” Rainbow Dash asked with a knowing smile, as she stared into Applejack’s eyes.

Applejack gave a small gasp, before turning her gaze, a small blush growing over her cheeks.

“So, if you’re family, it doesn’t matter who it is, he’s gonna come looking for the nigga that harassed you.” Rainbow Dash stated with sureness, before she pointed to herself with her thumb.

“Or, at least, that’s what I’d do.” Rainbow Dash stated, as she sat back in her seat once more, before Applejack simply grunted, folding her arms. Braeburn looked up, a small smile on his lips.

“She might know ‘Mac pretty well, huh ‘Jack?” Braeburn said half-jokingly, nudging Applejack.

“Hmph.” Applejack grunted, tipping her hat over her face, thinking.

Rainbow Dash, too, fell silent for a few seconds, before looking between Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight, and then back to Braeburn and Applejack.

Things were getting… silent…

Pinkie Pie perked up suddenly with a lively yelp.

“I think it’s best we all meet back up another day, wouldn’t you say, peeps?” Pinkie Pie suggested, seeing Rainbow Dash become more and more out of it by the minute.

Sunset Shimmer immediately studied Rainbow Dash after Pinkie Pie’s suggestion, and nodded her head, agreeing that it would be best for Rainbow Dash to be well-rested for her meeting with Twilight.

“Yeah, I’d rather not do anymore groundwork while the nest is stirred…” Sunset Shimmer stated, using two fingers to pinch her hood further down over her head, as she stood along with Starlight who had never seated herself.

Trixie, stood along with the two, fastening her hood, as well.

“Yeah, we can clique up later on, after we regroup and get some more information gathered.” Trixie agreed, preparing to leave along with her two companions, the three turning to walk off in a hurry.

Rainbow Dash turned out of her seat, and stood suddenly, though her movements were a little sloppy. “Hold up!” She yelled, rushing after the girls, stepping away from Pinkie Pie, Braeburn, and Applejack.

“So then, y’all finna pull work for the RainBooms or nah?” Rainbow Dash asked straightforwardly, before the girls could leave the scene.

Sunset Shimmer looked back over her shoulder, a small grin tugging at her lips -- she knew the question was for the other two, as she had already been the first ‘pawn’ to spearhead this operation.

However, she now knew, that much like herself, Rainbow Dash had already won these two over naturally, even if it weren’t for Twilight’s instructions up until this point to assimilate with the RainBooms.

“You said it yourself, ain’t you?” Trixie said, not looking back.

“We’re already a bit too deep, ain’t that right?” Starlight chimed in, not looking back either, as Sunset turned once more, knowing Rainbow Dash would be satisfied with the answer. The three exited the small concrete park, and quickly disappeared around the block…

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief, and felt her motions pause entirely, as she simply stared off where the three girls left from -- she wasn’t thinking anything in particular, and her features were frozen, mouth slightly agape, just watching the direction.

Though she couldn’t place her finger on it, she felt like Sunset was supposed to get something important from her, or perhaps vice versa, however… her mind was too fuzzy to quite pinpoint it. So, she stood, frozen, in thought.

“Whoa there!” Pinkie Pie yelled, suddenly joining Rainbow Dash by her side, jolting her out of her trance.

“Spacing out now, are we?” Pinkie Pie joked, as she hugged around Rainbow Dash’s waist supportively. “Don’t worry, I’ll get you home nice and safe, Dash!” Pinkie Pie stated, looking up into Rainbow Dash’s lax eyes.

She looked over to the bench, to see Applejack and Braeburn heading off in their own direction, allegedly going home themselves.

“You did good today, Dashie! I’m proud of you!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, as the two began to make their way over to their abode, Pinkie Pie pulling the half-responsive Rainbow Dash along, twice as cautious to look out for any lurking cruisers.

Although it was slightly annoying to pull the now lackadaisical Rainbow Dash around by her waist and arm, she had to admit that she was pleased with how the day went -- Rainbow Dash had already established plenty of healthy allies.

She smiled to herself widely, humming and skipping along with the tired Rainbow Dash, her hopes bright for the future of Rainbow Dash’s ambitions. Things looked promising.

Internally, she breathed a sigh of relief -- the day was coming to an end...

Master Puppeteer | Chapter 7

[Some time before the altercation with Applejack began, in the main office on the 2nd floor of the building...]

The main office was relatively empty. Behind the main desk, a slew of open office stations could be seen, with the Principals’ office marked clearly by a decorated Sun and Moon. The Principals’ symbol, integrated with the school’s own emblem, was easy to recognize.

There were few faculty in the office, maybe three or four souls, and the shades on the Principals’ office were down.

After some moments, a single entity walked silently through the open doors. A jet-black sweater hung calmly off her shoulders, the hood bobbing along her back with each step. She was relatively short and skinny, but her bare forearms were built and toned, and lavender in color. Her black shirt was only arm length.

She stepped behind the main desk, peeking back into the office calmly.

“Can I help you, young lady?” One of the faculty asked gently, looking up at the apparently curious student. The girl was quiet for some moments, her eyes examining each detail and person in the room.

“I see the shades are down… Principal Celestia working back there?” The figure asked calmly and as gently as the faculty woman, her cold, icy purple eyes peering directly behind her, eyeing the multi-colored hair through the slits of the shades.

By now, the other faculty members had begun to look on from their computers, wondering what was going on -- it was mid-period, did a student get sent here for punishment? Rare that one would actually make their way here.

“Now now, were you sent to see the Princi--oohh…!”

The girl had plopped her bare forearm down onto the table -- but that in itself was not what instilled fear. It was the orange rag that was tied to her forearm, its tips blackened. The same as Lotus’, the girl was a high-ranking Death Lotus operative. The girl lifted her neck with a wide smile, as the woman read something on her neck, her eyes widening further.

“Time’s short, let me ask again; Principal Celestia back there?” The girl asked again, her voice now sparking with more authority.

“I-in the back, yes.” The woman nodded, rushing out of the girl’s way, as she walked behind the main desk with a casual demeanor, the rag flowing gently below her elbow.

The staff immediately looked back down, focusing on their work, recognizing the authority the girl carried. She walked up to the main door in the workspace, knocking on the door, before entering, closing the door gently behind her, some of the staff craning their heads behind them to watch in both worry and intrigue.

“Good to see you again, Principal.” The girl spoke, her face exposed. She stood, her chin tall.

Principal Celestia looked up, examining her neck. She winced in disgust.

“Twilight Sparkle. That mark of betrayal still taints your skin, I see.” Princess Celestia scoffed, looking down from her neck, where, printed in black ink, were the initials, “DL”.

“Call it what you will. Everybody has a chance to grow...” Twilight began, chuckling lowly, as she pulled up a chair, and sat in front of Celestia’s desk.

The two stared at one another in silence for some seconds. Celestia’s eyes stared directly into Twilight’s; Twilight’s eyes seemed to search Celestia’s body up and down.

“How’ve you been, Principal? I’ve missed you, y’know?” Twilight spoke, with a small smile tugging at her lips.

Principal Celestia looked on, unimpressed, raising a brow.

“Cut the butter, Sparkle. You’re here for something, otherwise you wouldn’t have brute-forced your way in here like you did. What, is, it?” Principal Celestia interrogated. Twilight held back a small chuckle at Celestia’s anxiety.

She sat in silence, staring into Celestia’s eyes for a few more seconds, before settling back in her seat.

“Say, you been keeping an eye on things lately? Seems like things are stirring up a little, wouldn’t you say?” Twilight finally spoke, looking away and humming as she examined her fingers.

Celestia was quiet for some moments -- of course, she knew what was going on in the school, but what exactly was she getting at…?

“Do you think you can come in here and play puppeteer again, just because of the privilege you once abused as my pupil?” Princess Celestia accused.

Twilight smiled once again, but it was wry, and calculated -- it unnerved Celestia.

“Do you think it was a coincidence that Rainbow Dash wasn’t gunned down by now? Seems to me like you did nothing when Cheerilee reported their short altercation, but if I wasn’t here, she’d be with her mother by now, six feet under, or sky high with the angels…” Twilight said leaning forward with a sadistic smile.

Celestia was unmoved in her chair -- her gaze was stiff.

“You know of--”

“Windy Whistles? Or that her daughter is Rainbow Dash? C’mon teach, you ain’t raise no goddamn amature.” Twilight chuckled, oozing with arrogance, holding her fingers over her lips.

“So then… you’re here to tell me you protected Rainbow Dash? Why?” Principal Celestia stated, now folding her hands over her chin, covering her mouth, as her eyes slimmed onto Twilight suspiciously.

“Because you could’ve done it yourself.” Twilight said, her gaze falling back into Celestia’s eyes, who was unfazed.

“Is that so? And how would I warn or protect a child with no parental or guardian contact?” Celestia inquired, as she felt a bead of sweat running down her cheek.

“You and I both know damn well there’s only one girl that sticks around that rowdy thug, and her Guardians are the Cakes renting out her little place in the Heavens borough.” Twilight said matter-of-factly, leaning over the desk with a single elbow, holding her chin up in her palm.

Celestia looked gently on. Everything Twilight said, was true.

“So, you’ve come to embarrass me? For potentially letting another life go?” Celestia stated, feeling a twinge in her stomach.

After some seconds of silence, a warm, genuine smile emanated from Twilight’s lips.

“Of course not. Your heart’s in the right place -- if you upset the neutrality here ever again, where can the children be safe? Where can academics continue to enlighten? One life for the protection of many -- it’s a decision every leader must make time and time again, isn’t it?” Twilight smiled, before her features dropped back to a crisp and business-like demeanor.

Celestia watched on with immense curiosity. This child had… grown.

“The next generation...” Celestia mulled in gentle analysis of this new human in front of her -- her gaze shifted to the tattoo on her neck, before her gentle thoughts paused.

“Such gentle words for a girl who submitted herself to the Orange plague and stabbed many backs for her own benefit.” Celestia began, her gaze beaming into the tattoo. “That mark taints you.”

“Well, I don’t know about you, Celestia, but I’d rather die on my feet, than live on my knees. This tattoo’s gonna be gone before long.” Twilight chuckled, speaking slowly and coolly, feeling her throat up, with a knowing smile. The patch of skin over her neck seemed to be a darker shade of purple than the rest of her nice, lavender skin.

“Is that so? Don’t go around and piss off the wrong people using that phrase so lightly.” Celestia said, crossing her arms. She knew that this child was no friend of such a high-class woman. She was but a toddler in her glory days. Yet, she was very knowledgeable…

“You can’t live up to Ms. Whistle’s words, whilst hiding behind the most chaotic threat she warred to defeat.” Celestia reaffirmed.

“And who are you to be talking? We all know your illusion of ‘neutrality’ is just whoring the school out to the Flowers.” Twilight said in rebuttal, with a knowing smirk.

Celestia paused, before her brows furrowed.

“But, we all have a chance to grow, change, and take the better route of action, don’t we?” Twilight went on with a knowing hum. She chuckled inside -- she was pulling strings beyond comprehension, a grand plan forming in the grinding gears of her synapses.

“So then, why bother telling me anything? You’ve done your part. Why bring me in?” Celestia interrogated, leaning over her folded arms, now somewhat vested in what Twilight had to say.

“Hahah, you silly old crane, my part’s just begun; that crazy woman’s daughter’s going to be challenging the Crips today, in your cafeteria. We’re going to protect her.” Twilight said calmly and slowly, without skipping a beat, as Celestia’s eyes widened.

“I suggest you hail up Cheerilee, and have her let her second job know there’s about to be one interesting story here… A shootout in a neutral High School? They’d be dying to know who’s upsetting the Death Lotus’ city, don’t you think?” Twilight smiled.

“You expect me to sacrif--”

“And, might I add, this day was orchestrated well, by a certain ‘puppeteer’, as you put it, so the Death Lotus will be mostly busy today. No big figs, no jackets. You’ll be dealing with small dogs, so, if you want that little reckless girl to stay alive,” Twilight began, leaning over, interrupting Celestia with an air of absolute authority, her smirk wide in her face, as Celestia backed into her own chair.

“--No, if you want the Death Lotus to really go down, now’s the time to play ball. Upset the Death Lotus -- keep them from their prize, and I’ll protect you pulling strings in the background. So, Celestia,” Twilight continued, now fully standing, leaning over the table with both palms dug into the desk.

“Catch. Because if you don’t play ball, it’ll be on you. I gave you what you needed, I’m going to do my part. Be quick about it.” Twilight grinned, turning around, as she pulled her sleeved down, and placed the hoodie back over her head, shadows concealing her features once more.

“Be easy, now.” Twilight cheered her last words on to Celestia, waving as she exited the room, Celestia looking on, with her heartbeat out of sync, and her mind twisting.

She immediately picked up the office’s phone and wasted no time phoning Cheerilee’s room. She decided she would hail her sister after, as well.

“Twilight… What the hell are you doing…?” Principal Celestia thought in worry, as she finally hear Cheerilee pick up the phone.

“Cheerilee, listen…!”

“I’m gone. Show me the receipts…” Twilight called out to Starlight and Trixie, before disappearing behind the door with the wave of students ducking under bullets.

She walked calmly out of the building, looking through her phone -- in lightning speed, she organized all the numbers she had collected from the major individuals in the cafeteria thanks to a phone she built a specific software for.

“Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Braeburn, and Pinkie Pie. Now I just need her’s, and I’m sure Lotus’ll be bringing the girl to me any moment now… The puzzle pieces are really falling in, now.” Twilight thought to herself, placing the phone in her pocket, as she rushed out of the building.

It was time to attend Lotus’ “Graduation” ceremony…

Twilight stood outside of a relatively wide and large, but flat building. As she entered, there was a gloomy lighting, and the lights shone and sparkled in a ballroom manner.

Though the lighting was pretty, few people seemed to be in any classy wear. Twilight looked towards the main stage -- a slew of cloths, orange with black tips, hung on each individual. Behind them all, was one in a plain, brown suit -- the Mayor, Ms. Mare.

“So, she is overseeing this? Oh, things are gonna move fast from here-on in…” Twilight thought to herself with a deep breath, as her eyes moved from the Mayor to the other major individuals -- a tall, slender, but well-built man in a jet-black tuxedo stood, his tie jet-black with orange cash signs and lotus flowers on it. In his breast pocket, was an orange durag colored in a bright yellow gradient -- the heads of the Death Lotus. As of now, only one has that...

As her eyes gazed over him, she glared, and seemingly noticing the aggression, he turned and met eyes with her -- but, he smiled pleasantly -- Twilight was already beaming a smile back towards him, a master of social manipulation.

“Sparkle!” He called out, his voice throaty and pompous.

“Filthy Rich…!” Twilight called out in only slightly less enthusiasm than him. Her mind twisted, as she eyed the man behind it all. He had such a threatening aura, despite his calm demeanor -- this was truly the head of the Snake -- the moving leader of the Death Lotus.

“This… is the man with the most commendable Clout in the city...” Twilight thought, scoffing internally, as she walked up on the stage, showing her neck and DL tattoo ‘proudly’.

“Finally. You were almost fuckin’ late, where were the hell were you?” A much less mature sounding voice than the previous called out. Twilight turned, and there he was -- Lotus, who looked somewhat roughed up, but mostly clean in a similarly-styled tuxedo of Filthy Rich’s. He still had, however, his black-tipped orange durag.

“Hm. Father-Son thing, I see?” Twilight commented, completely blowing off Lotus, as she looked between the two. Filthy Rich chuckled a throaty laugh, walking over to Lotus, towering over him, as he placed his palm down onto his shoulder with a firm clutch.

“Today, as you know, Sparkle, is a special day for us… For those who’ve put their due work in for the family. For my gang, and my city.” Filthy Rich said, fidgeting with his tie with his free hand. He looked down at Lotus briefly, before looking back at Twilight.

“And I’m glad to say that Lotus has really grown up since his smaller days. It means a lot that you continue to guide him in the best light possible -- he told me what you did to protect his image in that classroom. Composure, and dealing with your enemies in silence, behind the scenes, is respectful, and of poise. Truly, you continue to ensure my son’s Clout grows, and reinforces that the Death Lotus is not a name to be taken lightly.” Filthy Rich monologued shortly, his eyes locking with Twilight.

Twilight felt a bead of sweat grow behind her ear. This man had no idea how deep she had already cut him, and here he was, allowing her to dig the knife deeper… and deeper… She almost couldn’t hold back her grin.

“These fools are just too easy…” Twilight thought to herself, giving a bright and genuine smile, as she nodded in response to Filthy Rich, who paused only momentarily before holding his hand out.

“I salute you.” Filthy Rich stated. Twilight dapped his hand up, still retaining her street manner, rather than simply shaking it.

“It’s my honor, sir. Lotus, congratulations. And they told me you cleaned that mess up nicely. Bet you won’t be hearing any small dogs yapping anymore, huh?” Twilight smiled, holding her fist out to Lotus.

“Damn right! Straight up, Twilight.” Lotus chuckled in a cheery mood, bumping Twilight’s fist. His smile widened.

“You know, my girl saw it all happen, the sorry piece ‘ah shit. Hold on,” Lotus began, before craning his head back.

“Yo, sweetcheeks, this way!” Lotus called out into the small crowd on stage -- Twilight saw a pale-yellow skinned girl in an elegant white, tight-fitting dress over her frame.

She walked over to Lotus, standing beside him -- she was clearly timid, and shy. Twilight couldn’t help but notice that although Lotus’ arm slung comfortably around her waist, she seemed to almost limp away from his touch.

Her lip twinged -- it was too short a moment for any to notice, but her quick-working brain made a few theories…

“Tell ‘em Fluttershy baby, let ‘em know how I let that fag-haired shit eat my fuckin’ sneakers, ahaha!” Lotus cackled, patting Fluttershy on the back.

Twilight immediately noticed that Fluttershy’s eyes and ears seemed to perk up at the mention of “fag-haired”. Curious.

“M-mhm… That idiot a-ate shit…” Fluttershy squeaked out before immediately clearing her throat, and wearing her initial small and wry smile.

“She sure the fuck did, ahahahaha!” Lotus cackled on, hitting his palm in laughter on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“Is this beautiful maiden, the one?” Twilight asked with a warm smile, holding her hand tenderly, looking into the girl’s eyes.

“Could be… First one I had that don’t bitch so much, y’know?” Lotus chuckled, pushing the girl’s hair behind her ears affectionately, as she continued to wear her soft, wry smile in unchanging expression.

“That so? Fluttershy, was it?” Twilight asked again to confirm, gently squeezing her hand for only either of them to notice.

Fluttershy’s eyes locked with Twilight’s own momentarily, before she nodded.

“It was good to meet ya. Let’s have a lil chat later -- some shit you gon’ need to get right if you gonna be next to Lotus once he moves up, ya know?” Twilight offered in compassionate warmth and friendliness.

Fluttershy was silent, but her small smile grew only slightly, as she nodded comfortably.

“Damn Twilight, you thirsty for a promotion, huh? Doin’ all the groundwork.” Lotus joked.

“Shut the fuck up, you want ya bitch actin’ right or not?” Twilight looked over to Lotus with a glare that was just a bit more than playfully aggressive.

Lotus was quiet for some seconds, before he walked up and patted Twilight’s shoulder.

“Watch how you talk to me these days, huh?” Lotus chuckled, before walking off, his father, Filthy Rich, eyeing the two, and quickly stepping off to join his son as well.

A long silence ensued, as Twilight looked over her shoulder at the two, her fists squeezing into balls.

“What, ever” Twilight scoffed aloud as soon as the two were out of earshot, which elicited a small smile in response from Fluttershy.

Twilight looked over at Fluttershy with a small chuckle. “Yeah, you like that? Can you believe them goofy niggas? Sheesh, they actually run the city…?” Twilight went on jokingly, giggling.

She finally earned a small giggle from Fluttershy, and smiled triumphantly. Fluttershy quickly covered her mouth, looking around to see if Lotus was around.

“Say… Fluttershy…” Twilight went on lowly, before she walked around Fluttershy, and draped her arm over her shoulder, the orange durag with black tips hanging calmly below her elbow.
Fluttershy looked up with an air of fear -- such a rag was worn only by the highest-ranking, most loyal Death Lotus members. It promptly reminded Fluttershy of the true difference between the two of them, as all of her previous comfort seemed to be eviscerated.

“You had an interesting reaction to his mention of ‘fag-haired’ back there… Why’s that?” Twilight asked, nuzzling her cheek into Fluttershy’s just slightly, her wide grin unnerving Fluttershy, who’s mind twisted in thousands of ways, wracking itself for an answer.

“Could it be because you’ve already met… Rainbow Dash, leader of the RainBooms?” Twilight whispered gently into Fluttershy’s ears. In moments, she felt Fluttershy’s head twist back with such suddenness that Twilight was sure her head’d come right off.

“Please…!” Fluttershy squeaked out in despair; Twilight smiled gently -- she was right.

Twilight hugged Fluttershy suddenly, as to not create a scene. She closed her eyes, and pulled her jaw to Fluttershy’s back, speaking gently.

“Relax, we’re on the same side… If you’ve met with her, and still look like you’re in one piece, then that means she recruited you, didn’t she?” Twilight asked with swift pronunciation, knowing they had but a few seconds before this gathered more eyes.

She felt Fluttershy’s head nod on her arms / chest.

“Did you exchange digits?” Twilight asked. She felt another nod.

“Give me your last 4 digits. I’ll find it from her contact list.” Twilight said, as she pulled away, holding onto Fluttershy’s shoulders still, as to block any eyes from viewing her lips when she spoke next.

“3947.” Fluttershy said quietly and gently, as Twilight’s arms dropped.

“Great, and just remember, you’ve got a lot to do for the Death Lotus, now. We ‘preciate ya.” Twilight said, letting one arm off of Fluttershy’s shoulders, and patting her back with the other hand, before walking off and separating, leaving Fluttershy to find her way back to Lotus, both breaking off from lurking gazes from the other members…

Twilight backed into a corner, and leaned upon it, flicking her phone out. She quickly downloaded both of Rainbow Dash’s phonebooks, and skinned it for any numbers ending with ‘3947’.

“Bingo.” Twilight thought to herself triumphantly, as she recorded a single phone number into her phone. Her setup was complete. Now, all that was left, was to make sure they were as uninterrupted as possible, and rendezvous with Rainbow Dash later on…

She smiled to herself -- it was only a matter of time before she pulled the most important trigger… She just needed Rainbow Dash to make enough noise…!

“C’mon you guys, get the receipts…” Twilight thought to herself, as she searched the crowd for Lotus and his father, Filthy Rich. She found them, and calmly walked over to them, finally slipping on her jet-black sweater, but leaving the hoodie off.

“Yo, Lotus, you tell these fools how you almost took that stupid bitch’s head off inna classroom?” Twilight said jokingly, walking into the circle.

“Oh-ho-ho, yeah, I remember that shit!” Lotus laughed, patting Twilight on the back with hearty laughter.

Twilight smiled, she had gently placed herself back in the conversation. In truth, she was waiting for one final string to pull, to fast forward this war. Some momentum, if you will.

Finally, after some minutes of conversation, Twilight heard Filthy Rich’s phone ring. He stared at the number for some seconds, before stepping off a few feet, and answering.

Twilight continued her chatter mindlessly, but attuned her inner focus on Filthy Rich’s conversation as best she could.

“... The school…? No, today’s far too important, let our sergeant in the area handle it.” Twilight could hear Filthy Rich speak into his phone with his dep, throaty voice.

“If children have guns, then they are criminals, nonetheless. Let him know to use whatever force is necessary.” Twilight’s smile in the conversation widened, but it was not due to the banter.

She knew exactly which sergeant ran the police department in the school’s area. The soft bastard wouldn’t shoot through a bunch of innocents.

“Celestia, you’d better hope you were fast enough…” Twilight thought, as she saw Filthy Rich end the call from the corner of her eye.

But, now, it was her turn to move a piece on the board, once again; the final trigger she needed before her time with the Death Lotus meant nothing. She watched on casually as Filthy Rich rejoined the conversation.

“What, Ms. Rich given’ you shit you ain’t let her come?” Twilight joked. Filthy Rich chuckled in response, and shook his head.

“Just some hooligans at the school… They’ll be handled, I’m sure. But, today, my son graduates. There will be no distractions.” Filthy Rich spoke with sureness and pride. This was her chance.

“At the school, you say?” Twilight beckoned, looking up with such a genuine face of suspicious curiosity.

“If the Pirus are busy with the police hunting them, and we’re all here, then… It’s gotta be the Crips, don’t you think?” Twilight asked, with a raised brow and scrunched face, as if she were connecting many important dots together at once.

“And so what if it is? Crips, Bloods, they’re all equally irrelevant.” Filthy Rich said in a tinge of annoyance.

“But, we know the leader of the Crips and Pirus are connected by blood. What if this is a distraction ploy? What if it means that Big Mac of the Pirus is about to be caught?” Twilight insinuated.

Filthy Rich looked on quietly. “So you’re suggesting that one sibling is trying to take resources off of another?” Filthy Rich hummed in thought, mulling over Twilight’s words.

To him, it only made sense. He knew that Pear Butter and Bright Mac’s offspring were heading each gang, but now that Twilight connected the circumstance that Crips were dividing them on one end, whilst the Pirus drained them on another, made complete sense.

“Then, Lotus,” Filthy Rich began, looking down at his son, as the information was relayed.

Twilight almost couldn’t hold back her smirk growing from the inside -- there was no way this was about to happen! She had a made a chess move, alright. She just needed to hear the next words…!

“You have your first mission once you’re promoted.. See to it that the Pirus are crushed. Once your graduation is over, we will be applying much pressure.” Filthy Rich commanded.

“Ain’t had to tell me twice pops. You know how I move now.” Lotus agreed heartily, giving his father a firm handshake.

Twilight was elated. This was the perfect case scenario for both her, and Rainbow Dash. Tomorrow’s rendezvous would go well, undoubtedly.

“So then, looks like you’ll be busy.” Twilight noted on with a tone of seriousness. Lotus looked back at her, and then chuckled.

“Fuck you mean, I’m leaving finding the Pirus’ head up to you! Since you wanna be all helpful ‘nd shit, right?” Lotus called out, bursting with laughter at siccing his work on Twilight.

Twilight, too, chuckled.

“This dense idiot doesn’t realize how much power he just gave me.” Twilight thought to herself in great delight. Oh, this setup would be delectable.

“Hmph. May have caught me, but I work quick, so just make sure you have what you need.” Twilight shrugged. “You’ll have his addy within the week.” Twilight confirmed with a confident nod.

“Yeah? Damn, you’re really fuckin’ clutch, Twi.” Lotus said, punching her shoulder playfully.

“Yeah, yeah, thank me when we pop that nigga.” Twilight chuckled in response, rubbing her shoulder.

“Then, there’s no time to waste.” Filthy Rich stated with a small, wry smile. He clapped his large hands together three times, the sounds ringing throughout the building.

“It’s time we settle down, you rowdy bunch. We’ve arrived at the main event.” Filthy Rich called throughout the building, the slew of orange beneath the stage stopping chatter and looking up.\

As if rehearsed, the orange rags tipped in black gathered behind Filthy Rich and Lotus.

Filthy Rich cleared his throat, facing the slew of orange-clothed men and women below him.

Twilight looked on -- she knew this was far from their full-force, but all the big slugs were here. She recognized many faces, and worked with, and perhaps undermined, many of these people here.

Even though these were the big slugs, the room was still chock full of people. There would be much work to do.

“As you all know, my son, Lotus, has been my greatest passion for a long time. For a while, he was stubborn, innocent, lazy!” Filthy Rich began, roughing up his son’s hear with a gentle chuckle.

“But, as of his late years, he’s been a formidable hand to the gang. Truly, an heir to the Death Lotus legacy I can be proud of. A day I have dreamed of. It as much his achievement, as it is all of ours. We have bred, simply put, someone who will be greater than I.” Filthy Rich monologued with great, beaming pride.

Lotus, too, smiled, teeth glowing with happiness.

“As of today, Lotus, you have graduated. Your commendable Clout will have reached as high as it ever can be: alongside me, as the head of the Death Lotus.” Filthy Rich stated, digging in his breast pocket, where out came another orange rag with its tips in bright-yellow gradients, similar to his own.

He handed it to Lotus, who grabbed it with swift and impatient desire.

“Ho--ly--shit…” Lotus breathed out slowly, as he put it in his own breast pocket to hang out gently, replacing his black-tipped one, which he quickly stuffed into his breast pocket entirely.

Twilight watched on with an odd and confusing sense of something akin to pride. She did indeed, play a great role in creating this technically superficial father-son bonding moment. So, it was nice -- as nice as two murderers in such platonic love could be.

At least she didn’t have to fake her smile so much, she thought.

“I just wanna go ‘head and say it right now -- I’m gonna make sure we all eat. Ain’t shit change, we still gonna be hittin’ these drills and runnin’ these bands up. Keep poppa proud, juknow?” Lotus said calmly, stroking the rag in his breast pocket.

“Runnin’ the motherfuckin’ bands uuuuppp!”

The crowd cheered on, despite Lotus not saying much of anything. Filthy Rich chuckled underneath their roars of pride and elation, and patted Lotus’ shoulder.

They looked to each other, before Filthy Rich iterated one more thing to his son.

“This, is now as much mine, as it is yours. Someday, you will have to learn everything it is that I do. From foreign affairs, to running this very city we’ve been graced with.” Filthy Rich stated in a more dark and ominously foreshadowing tone than the previous elation.

Lotus looked back up with a slightly agape mouth, the sudden shift in mood catching him off-guard.

“So, there is much work to be done. We will make quick work of this petty opposition before it catches the wrong eyes.” Filthy Rich said authoritatively to Lotus, who could only nod in response.

“The wrong… eyes?” Lotus couldn’t help but think of the line more and more.

But, right now, none of it mattered. He was promoted… His Clout would be undeniable, unchallengeable, undefeatable.

Twilight watched Lotus smirk off to himself in the chat with his father, and knew that this meant she had much work to do… She had seen the graduation, the duo would not mind if she slipped off now.

After all… She had much more to orchestrate, she thought to herself, exiting the building and taking refuge within her personal vehicle parked not far off the corner.

She began by pinging the location of Fluttershy’s phone to find when she headed off from Lotus… She would give Rainbow Dash the night to recuperate from her drill, and instead, condition Fluttershy, her soon-to-be best leak of information once Twilight herself gets figured out.

She began to pick at her neck, a piece of 'skin' beginning to peel off. Within seconds, She peeled off the odd looking layer of purple on her neck, and underneath, was instead, a tattoo of a tall, slender pink star, with the background of a shorter, wider white star, surrounded by a series of other white stars on her neck.

She threw the waxy substance with the 'DL' printed on it out of the window, rubbing her neck briefly.

"Hah, as if I'd ever actually wear that shit on my skin." Twilight chuckled to herself in the comfort of her car, thinking back to Celestia's lines.

They didn't know how long this Chess game had been being played. She made more moves than either side could ever know.

She checked Fluttershy's location once, and upon seeing that it hadn't moved, deduced they'd be staying for some time, so she'd make herself otherwise useful.

“Until she leaves, I suppose I can take a look at censoring any media with my girls in them… Stay safe, Sunset, Trixie, Starlight… Everything’s in motion, now.” Twilight hummed in thought, pulling up her phone to surf any recent news on the school...

Comedown, Pt. 2 | Chapter 8

A single lavender-skinned girl sat comfortably in the recesses of a relatively cozy-looking living room. She wore the usual jet-black sweater, but her hood hung off her back, and her multi-shaded purple hair was tied back into a single bun. Behind her ear was a single blunt. The TV blasted a very rhythmic assortment of lyrics and music.

The lavender-skinned girl checked her phone, examining the time. Moments later, she heard shuffling by the door. She saw shadowy figures in the moonlit sky behind her windows’ shades, and one-by-one, three hooded figures filtered into the lobby of the small house, coming to join the lavender-skinned girl.

“Girls, you’re here. Please, get comfortable.” The lavender-skinned girl urged with the smuggest of smirks. The girls exchanged looks of slight confusion or discomfort.

“You know, Twilight,” Sunset Shimmer spoke, walking ahead of the other two girls first, sitting beside Twilight, leaving two spaces on the other couch. She removed her hood.

“Kinda sudden for a summons, wouldn’t’ya say? We just got finished with that shit storm you brewed up at the cafeteria, we’re tired, y’know.” Sunset Shimmer continued, as Starlight Glimmer and Trixie Lulamoon sat on the other couch.

Twilight, in turn, chuckled. “The shit storm I brewed up? You can blame Rainbow Dash for that. I just orchestrated the play.” Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes, as Starlight and Trixie got comfortable, removing their hoods as well. The eyes looked around the room, before all but Twilight’s eyes fell on the centerpiece they were all sitting beside:

There was an assortment of whiskey, dark liquors and rum, combined with a plate full of neatly stacked blunts. There were also four glasses placed neatly across the table, and an assortment of lighters.

“I figured I’d reward you girls with a bit of a celebration. You’ve all been working hard.” Twilight spoke, gesturing down to the centerpiece ahead of them, that they were clearly looking at.

“Please, help yourselves.” Twilight urged, once more. The girls were relatively stiff, looking between Twilight and the table.

“That good, huh?” Sunset Shimmer commented finally with a small smile, as she leaned forward, and opened a glass of orange-gold whiskey. The label read “67%”.

“Hm?” Twilight hummed, eyeing Sunset as she poured shots for each of the girls in the room.

“We all know you ain’t the sentimental type. This little operation… it go that well?” Sunset Shimmer elaborated, as she picked up a blunt, flicking a lighter underneath its end, before putting it between her lips.

Starlight sipped her whiskey silently, while Trixie reached for a blunt herself.

“I don’t know, you tell me. You girls got them receipts I was askin’ about?” Twilight asked, removing the blunt from behind her ear, and sparking it to life.

“Well, seeing as how we’re being treated this nicely, I can only assume you’ve already got the rap sheet, no?” Trixie inquired. Twilight sent a small chuckle.

“The Crips are willing to work with the RainBooms, and with the footage I was able to attain today off Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s standoff, it’ll only be a matter of time before I’m able to pull Mac out of hiding.” Twilight spoke with a soft and precise tone. She took a deep pull from her blunt.

“Yeah? And what about the graduation ceremony?” Sunset Shimmer asked. Twilight’s smile grew.

“I’ve been left in charge of intel-gathering for Lotus' first task as the young head of the Death Lotus: eliminating the Pirus, namely, their leader, Big Mac.” Twilight said slowly, smoke filtering out of her mouth with each word.

Silence grew as the smoke settled.

“Then, that means…” Starlight began, as all the girls shared enthusiastic smiles.

“We’re in.” Twilight chuckled lowly, as she took up her own glass, and sipped its contents longingly.

“But, that’s not what this summons is about.” Twilight continued, a small wince on her face as she swallowed.

“Yeah, that’s what I told the girls when you summoned us. You’re all business, never a moment of rest with you. By the way, you did an excellent job censoring us on the major media outlets.” Sunset Shimmer grinned. Twilight nodded.

“So, Rainbow Dash, huh…?” Twilight asked with a gentle pause. There was a small silence that followed, before Starlight spoke up, first.

“Girl’s green as grass, you sure she’s the best bet to taking out the Death Lotus?” Starlight inquired, remembering the relative inexperience Rainbow Dash had in the field. She picked up her glass, swallowed it, and then lit her own blunt as well.

“She was enough of an aid to you all to subjugate the Crips, was she not? Give the girl a chance, that’s Windy Whistles’ seed. She’s got fire in her blood.” Twilight said, her mind tracing back to what she knew of Rainbow Dash’s mother.

“You speak so highly of Rainbow Dash, and that woman… Windy… There a reason you kiss her ass like that?” Trixie asked, sucking on her blunt once more.

“Rainbow Dash is bigger than you think. There’s a reason nobody knows her father, and better yet, a reason why the Death Lotus wanted her mother dead.” Twilight mused on.

“You girls showed me some receipts, so I guess I’ll fill you in on some of the details. Do you all recall last night, when I said we’ll have plenty of work in the coming weeks?” Twilight asked. The girls nodded.

“Well…” Twilight began, before pausing, taking a second to pull from the blunt between her fingers, as she tried to find her words.

“Well, that’s because the second the Death Lotus finds out exactly who’s going to overthrow them, their superiors are going to step in.” Twilight stated. The girls shared confused looks.

“The Death Lotus has superiors?” Sunset Shimmer asked, feeling a small lump in her throat -- the most feared gang in the city, had superiors?

“Everyone does, Sunset. You just have to make sure you’re working for the right ones.” Twilight interjected, before continuing on.

“The thing is, Rainbow Dash is the child the Death Lotus never wanted to happen. My mother, Twilight Velvet --”

“Wait, Twilight Velvet? Your mother’s the mayor of Manehattan, and you’re sitting out here living in some shit-hole like this? The fuck?” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed with surprise. Twilight gave a wry smile.

“That bitch never raised me, let’s not get it mistaken. She just birthed me, and threw me onto my brother the second she realized I was a threat…” Twilight said with a bitter tone.

“A threat? To what, exactly?” Trixie asked. Twilight was silent for some time. She took another swig out of her glass, before she showed a toothy smile.

“To her secrets. Twilight Velvet is the one who murdered the country’s underground legend -- my mother killed Windy Whistles.” Twilight stated. The three other girls shared surprised glances.

“But, that’s not the kicker… You see, my mother left her job half-done…”

“Babe, come on, we’re almost there, hold it together…!” Pinkie Pie groaned with annoyance. She had her arm wrapped around Rainbow Dash’s waist, practically dragging her along down the streets. The sky glowed a dull orange, sunset coming to its end.

“Gosh, I’m… I’m sorry babe, I’m just…” Rainbow Dash spoke with a slow drawl, her words slurred terribly. She walked along with severe drag, limping, her high coming down and her pains coming back to her tenfold.

Pinkie Pie huffed, Rainbow Dash’s weight tiring her. She looked up, and relief filled her eyes when she realized they were now only a few steps from home, finally reaching the block where they had lived upon.

She trudged towards the small flight of stairs leading up to their door, and took one final breath, before climbing the steps. She fished her key out with her free-hand, and kicked the door open. She stumbled in with Rainbow Dash, as both collapsed onto the floor immediately, the door slamming behind them. She noticed that Rainbow Dash still had her backpack from earlier this morning, and it felt no lighter.

“She never fenced the stuff off, huh…? Rent’s soon…” Pinkie Pie thought with a huff, taking a relieving breath.

Pinkie Pie’s skin glistened with sweat thanks to the labor of carrying Rainbow Dash all the way home, and the anxiety of being stopped by any troublemakers or law enforcement.

For a moment, she simply laid on the ground with Rainbow Dash -- she looked into Rainbow Dash’s face, watching her eyes stop fluttering, and finally calmly coming to a close, her body finally realizing she was home. Her chest ebbed peacefully.

“So cute…” Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but think to herself, as she finally dragged herself up from the floor. She locked the door, and then looked down at the half-conscious Rainbow Dash, who was now presumably falling asleep.

“I need some bud, the amphetamine’s wearing off…” Pinkie Pie thought, feeling buzzes in her skin, as she realized the comedown was upon her. Her head felt a bit heavy and her body felt unnaturally stiff. She also felt her jaw hurt from the clenching.

She walked over to the table, where she had three spliffs rolled from before she left earlier that morning. She figured Rainbow Dash would succeed today, and wanted to reward her appropriately on her return.

She sat down, and sparked one up, placing it between her lips, as she watched Rainbow Dash, still passed out on the ground, with a small smile. She chuckled, thinking back on the day, admiring Rainbow Dash’s efforts:

The bout with the Crips went well -- they gained a powerful ally with Applejack and her gang, and Rainbow Dash managed to secure a leak inside the Death Lotus with Fluttershy -- not to mention her being able to connect with Sunset Shimmer and her girls, who, in her opinion, truly had Rainbow Dash’s best interests in mind.

Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but to smile down at her girlfriend with glee. She had started her day being beaten to a pulp, and still accomplished this much.

“What a fucking rollercoaster…” Pinkie Pie huffed, as she pulled deeply from the spliff, turning away from Rainbow Dash and leaning over the table. She removed the gun from her sweater, emptied the chamber, removed the magazine, and placed the contents on the table, sliding them to the other end.

She removed her sweater, and simply let it drop on the floor, hearing a loud and heavy thud from the plate of kevlar still within it.

She let her mind wander, as she asked herself many questions: what was the next move? The plan? One way or another, things were surely going to be a little more… tight. The Death Lotus surely knew of their interference at school, and that would make moving around the city a constant mission.

Then, all of a sudden, Pinkie Pie felt something wet and slender slide across her neck, while two hands grabbed her hips from around the chair.

She felt hair brushing across her head and neck, while the hands sloppily and heavily caressed her waist.

Pinkie Pie felt her entire body shudder, and couldn’t help but let out a small, soft moan.

“Were you going to… smoke without me?” Rainbow Dash chuckled lowly in her ears. Her words were slow, and her voice was deep and seductive. Pinkie Pie knew that it was likely just Rainbow Dash still feeling the high of the many intoxications in her body, but her manner of speech was… erotic.

“You sure you wanna keep smoking, Dash? I mean, this is sativa, but--”

“What, you worried about school in the morning, honey bun?” Rainbow Dash retorted sarcastically, before pivoting around the chair, sitting on Pinkie Pie’s lap, and wrapping her arms around her neck. Pinkie Pie struggled to not make the spliff fall onto her.

“Hmhm, fair.” Pinkie Pie chuckled, before her thoughts trailed off once again, feeling Rainbow Dash push her nose into Pinkie Pie’s neck, hugging her tightly, and affectionately.

“You’re definitely still high, huh Dashie? You never let me be mommy like this.” Pinkie Pie giggled softly, caressing Rainbow Dash’s scalp. She felt Rainbow Dash’s grip tighten, as some seconds of silence followed.

“Yeah, I guess I am… it’s not my fault you did such a great job taking care of me today, though. You make me feel…” Rainbow Dash began, before her grip tightened a little more, and Pinkie Pie felt a deep hop breath filter out onto her neck.

“... safe…” Rainbow Dash whispered lowly.

“Like... my mom did.” Rainbow Dash yawned, her body arching towards Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie’s heart thumped with great acceleration, as her entire body began to feel gooey and warm. “I swear to the Sun, you make me fall harder every day….” Pinkie Pie thought, closing her eyes momentarily as she continued to run her fingers through Rainbow Dash’s hair.

She couldn’t stop the large, goofy smile that grew onto her lips.

“Silly… You’re the one that does all the safe-keeping… But I’m happy I can make you feel like that, too.” Pinkie Pie silently said to herself, gently massaging Rainbow Dash’s scalp.

“Welp…” Pinkie Pie began, looking to her arm with the spliff in it -- it was still mostly unsmoked, seeing as how she only pulled once. However, now being out, she figured it was time to take things upstairs.

It’s a shame that Rainbow Dash was so good at making her horny, she thought, because her behavior today was asking for a night of absolutely no sleep -- but, no, her hero worked hard today.

“C’mon babes. Let’s go to bed.” Pinkie Pie said, with a small huff, carrying the groggy Rainbow Dash bridal style, as she hugged around her neck still.

Pinkie Pie leaned over the table, Rainbow Dash still in her arms, grabbing the lighter and the other two spliffs in one hand, and carried the gently-breathing Rainbow Dash up to their bedroom. She closed the door with her foot as she entered, and gently placed Rainbow Dash onto the bed, and the spliffs onto the small nightstand on the opposite side of the bed.

Rainbow Dash’s body only moved slightly here and there, her body not being able to go fully unconscious, surely due to the intoxications still dying down within her.

Pinkie Pie slowly and carefully removed her clothes, stripping down to just her underwear.

She placed her clothes in the hamper beside the door, and then tended to Rainbow Dash, removing her clothes. She breathed out with a hint of frustration when she pulled her pants off and saw the wrapped up leg, all slashed up inside. She grabbed Rainbow Dash’s hand, before pulling the covers over her exposed body. She decided to leave the leg wrapped up, but began to pull off the bandages over her face and head -- as she unwrapped each lace of the bandage, she winced at the bruises across her face. She was clearly through an ordeal with her meeting with the Death Lotus this morning. Her eyes squinted with anger, as she threw the bandages in the garbage.

“Next time… I’ll be there.” Pinkie Pie swore to herself. But she shook her head, looking back at the resting Rainbow Dash. Next time, things would be better. For now, just like Rainbow Dash had always taught her, it’s time to look at the positives. They made waves today, and that’s what matters. They did good.

Pinkie Pie smiled, relaxing herself, and made her way to the bed, laying beside her partner. She connected her phone to the speaker, and queued up a gentle, romantic music. She once again, lit the spliff to life, and after a few hits, she felt Rainbow Dash roll over, and climb on top of her, straddling her legs. She wobbled slightly, and her eyes hung low, but no longer fluttered.

“Gimme some.” Rainbow Dash said lowly and plainly.

“Are you sure? You can barely stay up.” Pinkie Pie inquired, figuring it would be best for Rainbow Dash to simply sleep, now.

“I can’t stay up, and I can’t fall asleep… Besides, I… really like smoking with you.” Rainbow Dash drawled on, placing her hand on Pinkie’s forearm, and guiding the spliff to her mouth. She caught it between her lips, and pulled.

“Funny. The roles seem switched from this morning.” Pinkie Pie mused aloud, as Rainbow Dash took the spliff between her own fingers, rolling back over to sit beside her.

“Yin and Yang or something, huh?” Rainbow Dash joked, pulling from the spliff once more, as she felt her body steady in pace from the comedowns she was feeling.

“You’re a bit of a demon, you know that?” Pinkie Pie chuckled, nudging Rainbow Dash in the side, eliciting a laugh from her.

“Living with you? The club and rave gal? I have to be, don’t I?” Rainbow Dash retorted, as she blew out a cloud of smoke. Pinkie Pie shrugged.

“You get what you sign up for, Dashie.” Pinkie Pie chuckled. “Anyways, bullshit aside, I must say… You did a great job today.” Pinkie Pie swooned, putting her cheek onto Rainbow Dash’s.

Rainbow Dash blushed momentarily. “Heh, thanks, it was a helluva day for sure.” Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, before leaning away just enough to pull from the spliff once more, before handing it to Pinkie Pie.

“You can have that… I wanna relax for now.” Rainbow Dash said, exiting the cyph, as she snuggled up under the covers once more.

“Already? So you are tired. Bastard.” Pinkie Pie half-chuckled, as she pulled from the spliff and looked away. Although her back was turned, she could still hear Rainbow Dash chortle, and then pick up into a knowing laugh.

She turned over, facing Pinkie Pie with a smug smirk. Pinkie Pie looked back down with her best attempt at a poker face, smoking the spliff gently.

“... So it’s nothing, then. Goodnight.” Rainbow Dash said, beginning to turn back over.

“Mean.” Pinkie Pie muttered. Rainbow Dash stopped.

“So I’m not trippin’. That’s what you want?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, her smirk growing.

“I didn’t say much. But I mean, if you are tired…” Pinkie Pie said in a very unconvincing manner, as she blew out a small stream of smoke.

“Yeah, right, well…” Rainbow Dash began with a small huff, as she rolled back over on top of Pinkie Pie, straddling her once more.

“I’ve heard that one before.” She chuckled, before she plucked the spliff from between Pinkie’s fingers, and placed it in the ashtray, beginning to lean over on top of Pinkie Pie…

[11 hours later, 7:30AM]

Pinkie Pie sat behind the computer desk in the room, scrolling through some videos.

Rainbow Dash was still in bed, laying upon her bare chest, still uncovered from the previous night. Pinkie Pie had on a baggy pajama shirt, and seemed focused on her screen.

After being absorbed by one particular video, she scooped the headset from her head and placed it upon the desk in an urgent manner. She walked over to the closet, grabbed a shirt, and slapped Rainbow Dash’s face with it.

“Uuuggghhh…” Rainbow Dash groaned, turning over. Pinkie Pie snapped her fingers at her.

“Aht aht aht, this is serious Dashie, up-up-up!” Pinkie Pie urged, shaking her back with her other hand.

“Alright, alriiight… Gimme like… 30 seconds…” Rainbow Dash said in between long drawls. Pinkie Pie shook her head -- she’d have to get used to morning-after comedowns.

“Sorry babe.” Pinkie Pie said lowly, before pulling the sheets off of Rainbow Dash.

“Son of a bitch, I get it…” Rainbow Dash sighed with defeat, as she rolled herself out of bed, onto the floor, sloppily. Her head hung, and she simply raised her hand.

“Shirt, please.” Rainbow Dash said tiredly, making a grabbing motion with her hand. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but smirk, threatening to laugh, but she swallowed her amusement at her clearly hung over girlfriend. She leaned over the bed, and threw the shirt Rainbow Dash had tumbled past into her hand.

“Thank you.” Rainbow Dash yawned, covering herself. “Now, what is it??” Rainbow Dash asked, annoyed that she had been pulled out of her heavy slumber.

“C’mere, check this shit out.” Pinkie Pie said, pulling up a second chair behind her computer desk, gesturing to the monitor.

As Rainbow Dash made her way over, Pinkie pulled out her headphones, and turned up the volume on the speaker.

“You see the top video on our charade yesterday? Of course you didn’t, check this shit out.” Pinkie Pie went on with no pause, as she clicked play on the video.

A young female reporter with gray skin and dark brown hair, stood in front of the school, pointing with an exaggerated expression in the distance, as cameramen shot a blurry but somewhat decipherable shot of Rainbow Dash and the crew running through the crowds to safety. Their flee into the streets stood as the hook of the video, before it paused on a relatively blurry picture of Rainbow Dash’s bandaged face, with her multi-colored hair streaking behind her. The cyan durag she had worn that day was also visible, tied around her neck.

Pinkie Pie paused the video. “Look… You see that?” Pinkie Pie said in a hinting tone, gesturing towards the screen. Rainbow Dash studied the picture momentarily, before she raised a brow, scratching her head.

“Yeah… Someone’s got the picture all fucked up.” Rainbow Dash said, upon closer review of the picture.

“Mhm, someone with some inside access has been changing and distorting the color of everyone’s skin and eye colors across the board, except for you and Applejack. Somebody’s been pulling some strings to save the accomplices.” Pinkie Pie spoke with thorough analysis. For further proof, she scrolled through other media reports and blogs on the situation.

Every picture showed Rainbow Dash and Applejack running with gray, brown, purple, yellow, and all sorts of differently-colored people, with different hair-color patterns, effectively concealing the identities of Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, and all the other aidees they had during the situation with the police at the school.

“Somebody went through a lot of work to cover our tracks. We have some good allies, this couldn’t have just been the Principals and Cheerilee, you know that, right?” Pinkie Pie asked.

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, as Pinkie Pie clicked back towards the video. “I have a feeling I know who might be behind this little stunt…” Rainbow Dash spoke lowly, her mind scraping up a memory of the lavender-skinned girl she had witnessed conversing with Applejack in the cafeteria.

“She saved my ass, then… But who the fuck is she?” Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but ponder upon the girl’s identity. Her mind also returned to Applejack’s words, when they were escaping from the school.

“You might be swimming in the wrong pool, with the wrong sharks…”

Rainbow Dash’s fists tightened. Was there already some inner-turmoil she should be worried about?

“I’m starting the video again.” Pinkie Pie announced, with a click, ripping Rainbow Dash from her thoughts.

The picture zoomed out, now becoming a small frame in the top right of the screen, freeze-framing Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the censored crew fleeing with them, as the female reporter appeared again, now standing in front of two figures that widened Rainbow Dash’s eyes.

“T-That’s Lotus!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, immediately perking up, her interest piqued.

The reporter spoke first.

“Over 50 confirmed casualties, an absolutely staggering number in yesterday’s struggle at Principals’ Celestia and Luna’s school. So far 17 are identified gang affiliates, rolling with the Crips allegedly run by Apple Descendent Applejack, and a devastating 33 belong to the local police department, who were under the guidance of Sergeant Hawkes. Standing here, with me, are the well-esteemed Filthy Rich, and his son, a star attendee at the school where this grim slaughter took place, Lotus Rich. Any words on this occurrence at your son’s school, Mr. Rich?” The reporter interrogated, pushing the mic to his face with an outstretched arm, his height much greater than hers.

Both he and Lotus stood in simple black slacks and black blazers. Both had an orange durag with yellow-gradient tips hanging from their breast-pocket. This was a show of power, and status, by both.

Without bothering to grab the mic or lean down, Filthy Rich cleared his throat, before huffing out his message.

“The sergeant in charge who would let a few teenagers wreak this amount of havoc on the school is surely going to be reprimanded for his actions,” Filthy Ric huffed momentarily. “Or lack, thereof, the imbecile.”

“Furthermore, his report of the faculty at the school’s unwillingness to help identify and locate the perpetrators, is duly noted by my associates. And, finally, for the brat who headed this destruction, and consumed the lives of thirty-three good men, well… Lotus has a word for you.” Filthy Rich spoke out with an air of authority in one single breath. He placed his hand on Lotus’ shoulder, nodding.

“Hey, Dashie, I’ve seen the media, and I don’t know how you hid the snakes in the grass, but leaving your face out was a bold move. I dunno if you’re just barking to get my attention after yesterday morning, or if you were really desperate enough to run to the Crips, but either motivation was a stupid, desperate howl from a downed dog. A word of advice? You’re messing with the wrong people. Make your mother proud and lie down quietly in the dirt she left for you, b----.” Lotus said, his words teething with toxicity.

“Excuse me, sir, we can’t have yo--”

Pinkie Pie paused the video, as it was nearing its end. Rainbow Dash’s fists tightened greatly, her fingernails tearing into her skin.

“That motherfucker wants to die.” Rainbow Dash chuckled with animosity.

“Relax. Him calling you out is just an acknowledgement of your Clout. And from the sounds of it, he doesn’t know you’ve got the Crips on your side.” Pinkie Pie reassured. Rainbow Dash’s fists relaxed slightly.

“He didn’t even address it, let’s not get comfortable.” Rainbow Dash sighed, before she stood up, stretching. She walked over to the nightstand, and picked up one of the unsmoked spliffs from the night before.

“Well, that means we’re gonna have to lay low for a while, till I figure out the next move.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, as she sparked the spliff to life.

“Don’t get comfortable, huh?” Pinkie Pie sighed with a smile, as she shook her head at Rainbow Dash, who was now medicating casually.

Just as Rainbow Dash had begun smoking, they heard a few violent knocks at the door. A pause… and then more violent knocks.

Both looked at each other urgently.

“You’re not expecting anyone, are you?” Rainbow Dash asked lowly, as she grabbed some pants from off the floor, and quickly slid into them.

Pinkie Pie shook her head, and Rainbow Dash rushed down the stairs, spliff still in her mouth, puffs of smoke flying into Pinkie Pie, who trailed her.

Both reached the bottom of the steps, and stared at the door.

*BANG! BANG! BANG-BANG!*

“Oh for Sun’s sake, relax! I’m coming…!” Rainbow Dash yelled. She looked to the table, pulled from the spliff once more, and walked towards it.

She loaded the pistol that Pinkie Pie had left there from the previous morning, and held it in her right hand.

“Two more seconds, don’t you dare bang again!” Rainbow Dash called out towards the door, not wanting more knocks offsetting a headache with her grogginess.

She carefully and cautiously unlocked the door with her left hand, and opened it, keeping the right side of her body behind the door. Pinkie Pie watched on with caution, ready for anything.

In a moment, a figure pushed Rainbow Dash back inside the house, the door quickly slamming behind them. Rainbow Dash went to raise her hand, but found it felt much lighter.

“Really? That’s cute.” The figure spoke, wearing an elegant purple dress, underneath a glittery midnight purple jacket with a white fur collar. In her left hand, she held the barrel of the gun between two fingers.

Rainbow Dash stood with her face in shock, looking between her hand and back to the woman.

“Don’t look so surprised. I’m a thief, it’s what I do. I’ll have your valuables gone right off your neck.” The girl chuckled, before unloading the gun, and handing it back to Rainbow Dash.

“How nice of you, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash sighed, as she placed the gun on the table, taking a seat and returning to smoking peacefully.

“Rarity? Why are you here?” Pinkie Pie questioned, tilting her head, as she pulled up a seat for herself and Rarity at the table, taking a seat.

Rarity gave a small smile towards Pinkie Pie, before sitting beside the two at the table, putting her royal purple handbag down onto the table with quite a loud thud.

“The real question is, Pinkie Pie, why is your girlfriend picking a fight with the Death Lotus, namely the son of Filthy fucking Rich, whose Clout way outranks her own?” Rarity spoke with a calm and subtle manner. She turned to Rainbow Dash, who was still casually smoking, her small and graceful smile turning into a deadly grimace.

“Because, y’know, that kind of heat and attention can really fuck up a good business relationship that we have going on, no?” Rarity asked in a low and intimidating voice.

There was a long silence before Rainbow Dash chuckled, and then smiled. Her head slowly turned to meet eyes with Rarity, before she leaned forward, inches away from her face. She pulled the spliff to her lips, pulling gently, before she blew the cloud of smoke directly into Rarity’s face. Rarity scrunched up, leaning away from Rainbow Dash, clearly annoyed.

“Disrespectfully, you can calmly miss me with that bullshit, Rarity. You came to my house, banging with that noise, to come and scold me about some bullshit like that and cut the business off? You coulda just texted me for that; coming here was prolly more dangerous than that.” Rainbow Dash began, taking another pull from her spliff.

“Second, I know you don’t take unnecessary risks, and you know damn well nobody else lifts goods even close to the way you can, like I do. So, did you come here to bitch, or to lift this merchandise off me?” Rainbow Dash asked, leaning back again. Rarity’s features paused momentarily, before they resumed a rather calculated and business-like demeanor.

“... Rainbow Dash, I’d be careful how you speak to those you do business with. This could very well be our last transaction, and while you are a good portion of my goods, I am all of your income.” Rarity spoke with a tone of authority, maintaining her elegance.

“And Rarity, I’d choose what bridges you burn more carefully, too. I’m a bigger fish than you think, you really want to cut such beneficial ties so soon? You think someone like me would upset the Death Lotus without a big return in mind?” Rainbow Dash said in rebuttal, a wild smirk laying on her lips. She was tugging at a string.

Rarity sat quietly in thought, pondering upon her words for a moment. Pinkie Pie simply looked between the two, assessing the situation as it unfolded.

“You speak my language well, for a ruffian, Rainbow Dash. Business and investment is my weakness. Show me what you sorted already.” Rarity instructed more than asked.

Rainbow Dash smiled triumphantly, as she went upstairs, and soon returned with the duffel bag of goods Pinkie Pie helped her secure 2 days back. She unzipped it open, and a shiny assortment of gold accessories and jewelry shined from the bag.

“This is every single one I priced for you, back when I was supposed to meet you before my classes, but I got caught up.” Rainbow Dash said, with a smile, gesturing down to the goods.

“I doubted you when you said this batch would be $8,000, but it all looks legit, at least to my eyes.” Rarity said, notably impressed.

“And I’ve still got a sizable batch of narcos, phones, tax and security cards, y’know, the small contraband.” Rainbow Dash stated. Rarity said nothing, rubbing her chin, as her purple lips scrunched to the side in thought.

“Okay, Rainbow Dash, I think I’ll be making an investment.” Rarity stated, with a large smile.

“Hm?” Rainbow Dash hummed in thought.

“I managed to make a comfortable amount on some… affairs, some nights ago, so, it’s disposable income, if you will.” Rarity stated, before digging into her handbag for something.

“Here’s $20,000, for everything. I’m sure this will more than pay for everything you’ll gather for me in addition to this bag of jewelry.” Rarity stated, dropping stacks of bills on the table.

“I expect that if you make any good of hacking at the Death Lotus, that I have a place with you.” Rarity stated blandly.

“Oh, and Pinkie Pie, dear,” Rarity stated, digging in her handbag once more.

“Here’s an extra $5,000 for you, just to make sure you keep your girlfriend here motivated to remember my investment.” Rarity stated with a smile, leaning over and placing the money in Pinkie Pie’s lap. She brushed their noses together momentarily, before standing, and heading towards the door.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked between her and the money with wide eyes, before Rainbow Dash shot up from her seat, leaving the spliff with Pinkie Pie as she ran up to Rarity.

“Yo, you for real right now? I mean, no strings, right? And this money is good, right?” Rainbow Dash jammered on in disbelief grabbing onto Rarity’s arm.

Rarity chuckled lowly, before she turned to face Rainbow Dash. “The money’s not counterfeit, and I can assure you it’ll be good for whatever an outlaw like you will be using it for. As for the strings? I believe the best business is done with a level of straightforwardness. I already announced my strings, but I think you’re misunderstanding something--” Rarity began, as she gently displaced Rainbow Dash’s hand from her arm, turning to face her. She sent a warm smile, before continuing.

“I respect you, Rainbow Dash, always have, but we’re partners, not friends, dear. The $20,000 was a generous investment, not a generous gift. I’m happy that you’re excited, but don’t think of this as a favor. If you eat, I want to eat, too, it’s just that simple.” Rarity finished explaining, as Rainbow Dash mentally laughed, assessing Rarity’s behavior.

“We’ve been in business for a while, and you haven’t let me down yet. Call me if you need something, I’m probably more useful than you think. Enjoy the advance.” Rarity said with a shiny smile, before returning to a more neutral smile.

“But, don’t make me regret my investment. I want to see some returns.” Rarity reaffirmed, holding up a single finger.

Rainbow Dash chuckled, before stepping back. “Well, we’ll be trying our best to make good with that. In fact, I think we might already have some good assets. I’ll stay in touch.” Rainbow Dash said with confidence, thinking on what operations and stock the Crips might have for sale through Rarity.

“Help me carry the bag to the chest in my trunk. And I expect the other contraband in a week.” Rarity stated, as she began to open the door.

“You’ll get it long before that.” Rainbow Dash replied, zipping the duffel bag back up and lifting it up over her shoulder with a heavy huff.

“Okay, c’mon, let’s go.” Rarity said, holding the door open for Rainbow Dash, who squeezed through quickly. Pinkie Pie got out of her chair, and began walking back up the stairs.

As Rainbow Dash got out of the door, she was surprised to see a slender figure in a jet-black hoodie waiting for her at the bottom of the steps. Her skin and hair jumped as her peripherals realized the figure.

“Good Sun, you ever think of calling? That you, piss-hair?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock at someone waiting outside her home for her.

Then, Rainbow Dash’s features dropped, as she saw multi-colored purple hair spill out of the hoodie -- that was the same one at the cafeteria, but her features were still hidden underneath the shadow of the hoodie.

“I see you’re in the middle of something. I’ll wait.” The figure spoke, before leaning back on the guard of the stairs coolly, watching on as Rarity walked out and beyond the two, down the stairs.

Rainbow Dash felt her nerves spike, feeling an odd feeling in her stomach at the girl’s very plain tone.

“Rainbow Dash, hurry it up.” Rarity called from the car, before sitting down in the driver’s seat, shutting the door.

Rainbow Dash turned her gaze from the hooded figure, and to the car. Its trunk popped open as she approached it, and Rainbow Dash saw the chest that Rarity always used to transport goods. She opened it, and emptied the duffel bag inside, clicking it back shut.

She shut the trunk, and tapped the back of the car. Rarity honked at her, and pulled into the road, wasting no time in starting her journey.

Rainbow Dash turned back, and headed back up the empty stairs.

“Wait…” Rainbow Dash thought, realizing the girl had disappeared. She swung the door open, and she saw Pinkie Pie passing a spliff to the same hooded girl she saw, her hood now removed, showing her face.

As the door slammed behind Rainbow Dash, both faces turned towards her. Rainbow Dash locked the door behind her, and looked at the gun on the table, closer to the stranger and Pinkie Pie than it was to her. She sighed internally -- she got comfortable because of Rarity’s visit, and now she let a damn stranger into her home, into Pinkie Pie’s home. No less, with $25,000 just sitting on the table.

“Relax, Rainbow Dash, if I was here for smoke, this would be a done deal already, you know that.” The girl spoke, with a small chuckle. The smile she sent to Rainbow Dash was warm, but somehow, Rainbow Dash felt it to be more calculated, and artificial.

“I thought you said you were a friend of the gang?” Pinkie Pie stated, as she placed one hand on the table, now beside the gun. Rainbow Dash’s nerves calmed, Pinkie Pie wasn’t as soft as she thought, and she now secured the distance between her and the weapon, if this person meant ill.

“And I am. You guys are getting tense, cool it. I’m the only reason that dickhead Lotus didn’t paint the wall with your brains in class that day.” The girl spoke, as she unzipped her sweater, dropping it onto the ground. Like Pinkie Pie’s, it made a heavy thud on the ground due to the plate.

As she dropped her sweater, Pinkie Pie loaded the gun and had it trained on the girl in moments, as Rainbow Dash tensed up even further -- below her elbow, was the signature orange durag, with its tips blackened.

“You’re a friend of the wrong gang, bitch.” Rainbow Dash said, walking over to sit behind the girl within her home.

“Am I? Name’s Twilight, you might wanna reconsider before you kill the girl who censored your precious little girlfriend and accomplices in your little show at the school.” The girl chuckled, not bothering to raise her hands, as she calmly smoked the spliff while under the barrel of a gun.

“And also the reason Lotus decided to beat you up instead of jump and kill you like he originally planned. Or why Sunset was able to find you and orchestrate her little posse to help you overturn the Crips. Not to forget how I saved your reckless ass in the cafeteria.” Twilight said with quick succession, as Pinkie Pie’s grip on the gun lightened.

“Or, the icing on the cake, the fact that me, combined with Fluttershy, will net you all the information you’ll need from within the Death Lotus.” Twilight said with a smirk, the spliff drooping between her lips as ash fell over the floor.

“Don’t let that gun limp just yet, Pinks.” Rainbow Dash stated, as she dug in her pocket, and fished out her work phone. She dialed up Sunset Shimmer, putting the phone to speaker. It began ringing.

“What’s your name, chick?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“If that’s my lil homie Sunset you’re calling, let her know that Twilight’s being held at gunpoint by some stupid rainbow-haired bimbo.” Twilight chuckled. Rainbow Dash’s brows twitched.

“I see you and your group got the same lame ass jokes.” Rainbow Dash scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Yo?” a voice finally spoke on the other end of the phone.

“Hey, Sunset… Got some Death Lotus gal here, claiming she knows you. What you take of this?” Rainbow Dash asked, watching Pinkie Pie hold the gun on Twilight.

“...” There was silence on the other end for a moment.

“Multi-colored purple hair, skinny with a sharp tongue, and icy purple eyes that stare right through ya?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“Sum’n like that… You know her?” Rainbow Dash asked once again.

“Rainbow Dash, listen up, and listen carefully. That person you probably have at gunpoint right now, is Twilight Sparkle -- remember when I said you’d be learning a lot soon? That time is now. She’s on our side, I promise. I have an idea why you might hate the Death Lotus so much, but you have to trust her for now. She’s the one who bought your girlfriend and my girls a lot of extra time with the censorship on the news. Listen to what she has to say; if we want to take out the Death Lotus before things get serious, we’re on short time. So don’t waste any.” Sunset Shimmer spoke into the phone with urgency, quickly reading into the situation at hand.

“... I’ll call you back later.” Rainbow Dash said into the phone.

“Don’t be stup--!” *click!*

Rainbow Dash tossed her phone onto the table, before signaling for Pinkie Pie to lay the gun down. She flicked it back to safety, and pulled her finger off of the trigger, laying it back down on the table.

“That’s more like it.” Twilight breathed out before untying the orange durag from her arm, and dropping it onto the ground.

“So, Twilight, is it?” Rainbow Dash asked, sitting down once more. “Sunset and her girls did a lot of work for me yesterday. Invaluable help, I’d say. So, if she trusts you, then that means I don’t distrust you.” Rainbow Dash said, leaning over on the table. Pinkie Pie, too leaned forward, as Twilight sat back in her chair still, in between the two.

“That’s a start. Here,” Twilight said, handing Rainbow Dash the spliff that Pinkie Pie had brought down from upstairs.

“So, you’re the reason that Lotus decided not to kill my girlfriend? And why the Death Lotus hadn’t killed Rainbow Dash yesterday morning? How’re we supposed to believe that, your story seems a little convenient to just believe.” Pinkie Pie interrogated.

“Really, now? Convenient? I think you of all people should understand that Rainbow Dash is nonexistent; it would’ve been much more convenient for them to simply kill her, seeing as how police wouldn’t investigate the death of a ghost. Pinkie Pie, you’re one of four people in this city that knows Rainbow Dash isn’t registered on any official government databases.” Twilight stated with seamless analysis. Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie raised a brow at the knowledgeable girl.

“I mean, there’s a reason your mother was very selective with who you met, and why she kept you a secret in a little shithole on the edge of this country. Isn’t it funny that the cafeteria never had an account for your school lunches, or that your name never shows up in the school’s grade ranks? Kind of like you don’t exist?” Twilight rhetorically stated with a small shrug.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie shared glances, as Rainbow Dash put the spliff out in the table’s ashtray. Both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie’s demeanors went from curiosity, to caution. This girl clearly knew about them, more than anyone else possibly should. Rainbow Dash's eyes slimmed at Twilight for a few moments, before she spoke again.

“Okay, so what? My mom was a fucking outlaw, keeping me a secret from everyone only makes sense. How do you know any of this, anyway, what’s your deal, kid?” Rainbow Dash asked with an air of aggression -- there was something that bothered her about this woman’s calculated speech.

Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash with a smile. “Rainbow Dash, what if I told you that our parents were great friends? Long before the day we were destined to meet?” Twilight asked, her grin widening. Rainbow Dash was quiet...

“I’d say cool story, my mom did a lot of business, both in-state and out.” Rainbow Dash said after some seconds of thought, breathing out a small huff of air.

“Your response is nonchalant, but that initial silence tells me you’re curious to know what information I might have on the mother you got to spend so little time with.” Twilight said with a knowing smile.

Rainbow Dash’s brows furrowed as she stared down directly into the table. She didn’t like this girl’s hyper-intuition -- it was dangerous that she could be read like this.

But, she knew a lot about Rainbow Dash, and yet, here she was, still standing, still alive -- a woman with blackened tips on an orange durag could've had her killed at this very moment if she really wanted.

So, for now, Rainbow Dash decided she would trust Sunset's word, and get things rolling along.

“Sunset said we’re short on time, so how about we save the sentimentals for later, and get to work. I want to take out the bastards that murdered my mother, and I want their heads on the platter for breakfast. How are you going to help me do it?” Rainbow Dash said, changing the subject -- she decided she’d figure out what this girl knew of her mother when there were less pressing matters to attend to.

Twilight chuckled. “Business, are we? That works better for me, anyhow, but you’re asking for a feast that could be much bigger than just the Flowers,” Twilight said. The line flew over Rainbow Dash’s head, but garnered special attention from Pinkie Pie, which Twilight noted.

“You girls managed to get Applejack and the Crips on board with the RainBooms, did you not?” Twilight asked, already knowing the answer.

“Thanks to the help of Sunset Shimmer and the two ball-tuggers, we pulled along. But I get the feeling they won’t be so willing to pull weight for us before I do something for them, first.” Rainbow Dash explained. Twilight hummed.

“Applejack’s brother, Big Mac, right? In hiding from the Death Lotus and the police putting pressure on the Pirus?” Twilight said, to the surprise of the two other girls.

“You’re an informed gal.” Rainbow Dash commented.

“When your goal is to overthrow a syndicate with such a large veil of power, you kinda have to be.” Twilight responded with a small, smug smile.

“You’re pretty smart, yourself -- Sunset and her girls let me know how you planned to make contact with Big Mac. Your analysis was spot-on, he does have quite the soft-spot for his younger sister. He absolutely will come looking for you.” Twilight explained, as Rainbow Dash gave a small smile at the compliment.

“What’s even luckier, is that being in Lotus’ inner-circle, his father has tasked him and I with cutting the head off the Pirus -- he wants to finish the job on one of the descendants of The Apple Family. Subsequently, Lotus has personally tasked me with finding him, and setting up the drill. I’m sure you know what that means…” Twilight trailed on with a hinting tone. Rainbow Dash processed the information briefly, before a glowing smile grew on her lips.

“Then, that means we’ve got a lot of options here to set that lil’ pussy up, don’t it?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, feeling her heart pump with adrenaline -- she couldn’t help but wonder what benevolent god in the sky had worked things to her favor like this??

“Exactly. And it seems your meeting with Miss Bejeweled earlier seems to have given us a budget to work with. How much is it?” Twilight inquired about the money that had been sitting upon the table the entire time.

“Miss Bejeweled? Is that someone else, or are you referring to Rarity?” Rainbow Dash asked, confused at her wording. Twilight paused for a moment, a surprised look on her face, which looked almost out of place, before she returned to neutral.

“I suppose she trusts you enough with her real name, seeing as how you’re not gang-affiliated. How intriguing…” Twilight hummed in thought.

“You know her?” Rainbow Dash inquired, knowing Rarity to be a rather secretive person.

“Not directly, but we’ve dealt before in the past, though, she probably doesn’t know it.” Twilight confessed.

“I see. Well, she netted us twenty-five bands for our goods. Think that’ll be enough for what we need?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“No, that’s just a small fraction of what we’ll be needing, especially seeing as how we’ll need to be buying outside of the Death Lotus’ jurisdiction, which will be expensive considering the risks on such trades. But twenty-five thousand is a small inconvenience for Miss Bejeweled, if you can get her on board fully, we’ll be able to generate the cash we need quite easily.” Twilight said, indirectly encouraging Rainbow Dash to further her allyship with Rarity.

“Hm, understood. By the way, I have a question -- why is Applejack so suspicious of you?” Rainbow Dash questioned, remembering Applejack’s eerie advice to her.

Twilight paused momentarily, choosing her words carefully. “I’ve been playing a game of chess for a long time, and unfortunately, my dealings with the Death Lotus soured our relations in some cases. But, she’ll come around.” Twilight stated finally, with a deep sigh. Rainbow Dash could sense the regret in her voice, as she hummed in thought.

“Well, whatever differences you two have, it’d better not strain this operation. Can you keep it under control?” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight simply nodded, not giving it much thought.

“What’s important, is that we have some starting cash, which will be more than enough for the set-up. Now, here’s the part where we pull some strings. We need to get your face around, let Big Mac think he knows where to find you, while I keep the Death Lotus on a wild goose chase, so listen up, and listen carefully, because we’re only going to have one shot at this, and it has to be done right, from start to finish, no screw-ups… If we play our cards right, we’ll have Lotus on our plate within the week…” Twilight began, leaning over, as she began to lay out her plan for Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie...

To Fool Your Enemies... | Chapter 9

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie sat outside of a cafe sipping coffee out of lidded cups. Rainbow Dash looked slightly irritated, and quite bored. Her facial wounds had mostly healed, and she only had a single bandage over her nose. Pinkie Pie had a rather soft and focused look on Rainbow Dash. Both wore the signature black sweaters, hoodies off.

“Hun, why can’t you just relax?” Pinkie Pie cooed. Rainbow Dash’s eyes slowly drawled over to Pinkie Pie.

“Why the hell’s she got us just wasting time on this shit? This is already the third day of going on these damn dates, and ain’t shit interesting happen yet. Twilight barely says shit anymore either, I feel funny about this…” Rainbow Dash sighed in frustration.

“Babe, chill, out. Twilight would’ve killed you if she had the chance, she clearly had more than enough information to work with, and who knows for how long? Let’s just, enjoy the date for once? Without you being so tense, huh? For me?” Pinkie Pie urged, trying to get Rainbow Dash to relax, who had been on edge since Twilight had been constructing this operation to lure out Big Mac.

“...” Rainbow Dash was silent, but she at least turned around in her chair to face Pinkie Pie, trying to calmly sip her coffee, and ‘relax’.”

“So, what’s up? How do you think this is gonna go down?” Rainbow Dash asked, trying to make small talk. Pinkie Pie smiled, finally having her attention. In truth, Rainbow Dash focused on her peripherals, examining the streets behind Pinkie Pie.

“Well, I think… that, as you always do, you’re gonna find a way to finesse this, and do some crazy shit to get more Clout again. You picked up some good allies, especially with Twilight. She’s a good drip from the Flowers. So, chill out, and let some weight off your shoulders for once. You can’t carry the entire city on your back when you win.” Pinkie Pie spoke softly, as she raised her hand to caress Rainbow Dash’s cheek.

“Yeah? You think so?” Rainbow Dash asked, with a small smile tugging at her lips, looking into Pinkie Pie’s eyes momentarily.

“Mhm. So don’t be so anxious. It’ll be fine. Twilight wouldn’t screw us. The plan’s gonna be a hitch, they’re watching.” Pinkie Pie reassured her.

“I hope you’re right…” Rainbow Dash sighed, as she started focusing on her peripherals once again. She turned her body to look just slightly behind her, and saw nobody walking down the street behind them. She focused forward behind Pinkie Pie again, and saw nobody down the other way, either.

She breathed a calm sigh, and simply sipped her coffee. “I guess I’ll enjoy it for now. You picked a great spot. This shit’s bomb.” Rainbow Dash commented, taking another, much longer sip.

Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but smile. “Ain’t it? Glad you like it.” Pinkie Pie chuckled triumphantly.

“Yeah, yeah. My bad I been kinda off. I enjoyed all the date’s, for what it’s worth. I just… I dunno, my gut always twinges up when that Twilight girl interacts with me. She feels so… robotic, or somethin. Maybe I’m paranoid, I dunno…” Rainbow Dash vented momentarily, taking another few sips from her coffee cup.

“A twinge, huh?” Pinkie Pie commented, with an intrigued look.

“Yeah, like a real bad gut feeling. Like I can’t figure her out. It’s prolly nothin’, maybe I’m just anxious getting over withdrawals, huh?” Rainbow Dash said with a half-empty laugh.

“Hmm… Maybe…” Pinkie Pie said, raking her mind about Twilight -- in truth, she wasn’t too sure of the girl, herself. She knew a scary amount, and yet, they’d never met before just a few days ago. How many other people were capable of tracking their footprints that well? Not to mention that the girl was their age, arguably even younger, judging from her small and petite figure.

“Do you think Rarity would come through for us if things go sour with Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked, deciding to begin shifting the subject little by little.

Rainbow Dash gave a proud chuckle. “That lady can dress her words up however she wants, but she’s easy to see through. That ‘investment’ was as generous as it gets. She’s loyal to us, I’d say.” Rainbow Dash commented finally, after pondering upon her interactions with Rarity some days ago, where they left Rainbow Dash, or the RainBooms more specifically, $25,000 to help kickstart her operation.

“You think so? Well, I guess she is usually pretty stingy with her ca--”

*bang!*

A large, red hand slammed down onto the table with an unsettling smack, startling both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie from their conversation.

As both shot their necks to look up, their eyes widened -- an extremely large and burly man with red skin towered above the both of them, standing 7 feet tall. His gray sweater hugged his muscles, and though his hoodie was on, they could see his short blonde hair spilling out.

This was the exact description Twilight had given them for Big Mac, Applejack’s older brother and rival, head of the Pirus gang.

“Rainbow Dash, is it?” The large figure spoke in a nauseatingly ominous manner, his voice deep with a grisly bass.

His hand shot forward with great speed towards Rainbow Dash, catching her and Pinkie Pie off-guard as he clutched her wrist with one, large hand.

In one swift moment, he lifted Rainbow Dash out of the chair aggressively, knocking over her chair and the umbrella laying over the table. As he looked down at Rainbow Dash, he noticed the cyan durag tied to her neck, his brows furrowing into his head.

“Hey--!” Pinkie Pie yelped, immediately hopping over the table, but the man was prepared, knocking Pinkie Pie back rolling over the cement with one swift, powerful backhand. She knocked over several tables, and lay still in a mess of tables, chairs, and umbrellas.

“Pinks!” Rainbow Dash yelled in concern, being held above ground in one hand by the monstrously large man.

“You sonuva bitch!” Rainbow Dash growled in anger, turning to face him with a glare that could burn holes through cloth -- she lifted a single leg to kick the face of the man with ferocity, causing him to stumble, but not nearly enough damage for him to loosen his grip.

His face turned back to Rainbow Dash slowly, still holding onto her forearm with a grip that she thought would break her forearm. Her teeth gritted in pain.

“I came to say just one thing.” The man spoke with intense animosity. Rainbow Dash’s face began to form sweat droplets as she saw the man reach inside of his sweater. She could try to reach her own piece, but she wouldn’t make it in time like this, and besides, that wasn’t the plan.

This was going south, fast, and just when she thought there’d be no action. She hissed her teeth, realizing she was stuck.

“Applejack is off-limits to street rats like you.” The man stated, as he pulled out a single handgun, aiming it to Rainbow Dash’s chest, from his hip. “Ah, shit…!” Rainbow Dash thought in frustration, simply bracing herself .

As the shots went off, frantic shuffling could be heard immediately, not far off from behind the two.

“That cyan durag looks like dirt. Keep my sister out of it.” The man stated, watching smoke rise from Rainbow Dash’s chest, who only looked on with a bit of blood leaking down her chin from her mouth, an intense glare on her face.

The man chuckled. “You’re tough, even if you have a plate in there.” He lifted a single leg, and released his grip from Rainbow Dash’s forearm. Before Rainbow Dash could hit the ground, his foot stomped into her chest, forcing her into the concrete beneath his shoe.

He grinded his foot into Rainbow Dash’s chest, who tried to no avail to lift his leg off of her -- the man was quite heavy, and even stronger than he looked somehow. Rainbow Dash cursed underneath her teeth -- he was observant -- she was certainly armored, but even now, she could feel the pangs of pain ring throughout her body. Undoubtedly, she had taken damage.

She could feel the parts of her chest where some shrapnel got through -- the plates were only good for three or four impacts, as she recalled. She wasn’t sure how many hit the same spot, but either way, she certainly felt some damage.

She gritted her teeth beneath the man’s gaze, trying to block the pain out. The man held the gun to her face, blocking out most of the light with his tall figure.

*BANG!*

The gun flew out of the man’s hand, his head turning in surprise. He flexed his hand, barely wincing as he felt the pain out in his now sprained wrist. Pinkie Pie stood, a gun trained on the man, her face still and brows furrowed. She clutched her gun harder, squinting with anger, and a focused, hostile grimacing frown on her face.

“Next one’s the kneecap, unless you get it up off her.” Pinkie Pie said in a rather authoritative tone, pointing the gun at his knees.

The man chuckled, before stomping down into Rainbow Dash’s chest with violent aggression, in antagonizing protest to Pinkie Pie.

“Agchk!” Rainbow Dash coughed up blood over her sweater, as her head fell back onto the concrete. The stomp intensified the pain from the bullet shrapnel that pierced her body armor.

*BANG, BANG!*

The man’s leg began to leak red, and Rainbow Dash felt some pressure let up off her chest, but not a great enough amount for her to get up.

“The hell is this guy made of? I know Pinkie Pie doesn’t miss!” Rainbow Dash thought, trying her best to displace the man’s foot between pained groans and gritted teeth.

“Nnghhah!” Rainbow Dash grunted with all her strength, but no matter how hard her wrists twisted and pushed, the man was overpowering her weakened body easily.

The man gave a menacing smile to Pinkie Pie, his foot not leaving its position, even with two new holes in it. Pinkie Pie’s eyes stood wide.

Big Mac thought for a few moments, before making his next move -- he could easily finish off the girl with a curb stomp, but the girl was clearly a marksman, she hit her target twice, with clear precision. He decided that they weren’t necessarily hoping to kill him, for whatever reason, he couldn’t be sure. But, if he killed Rainbow Dash now, that would surely change. He’d have to start with “Pinks” first, and move on her ulterior motive of going for non-fatal blows, and the weakened girl would be easy to defeat after he recovered the pink one’s firearm.

He smiled. This was the confidence and combat-experience of a veteran with much Clout to his name. His face grew a small smile, as he met eyes with Pinkie Pie.

“You’re lucky you shot the gun out my hand. That was a smart move, but…” The man began talking, as he lifted his foot finally, and began walking towards Pinkie Pie.

Unexpectedly for Big Mac, Rainbow Dash had more endurance than he anticipated, as she immediately rolled over, threw the sweater off of her, and withdrew her gun in one swift movement, having it trained on the man’s back. Her posture was weak, and red could be seen painting three different spots on her chest, though they were not bleeding profusely.

Just as the man took two steps towards Pinkie Pie, car tires began screeching around the corners, catching the attention of Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

Both felt a flush of relief, as they heard cars pull up -- they held out long enough, it was time to wrap this up.

Now between two guns, and with multiple cars pulling up, the man paused momentarily, baring his options, looking between Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, and the cars now parking up on the sidewalk.

“For the record, buddy... if the plan was to kill you... you’d be dead already...” Rainbow Dash said lowly between deep breaths, training her gun on the man with aggression and regret that she couldn’t make him pay for the shots he gave her. It hurt her pride that she had to let the man handle her like that. Applejack had better make good returns on this little operation, Rainbow Dash thought.

People finally began filtering out of the vehicles that pulled up; three different black jeeps and two SUVs.

The first to pull up was one that only reaffirmed the comforting feelings of relief that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie felt.

Twilight stepped onto the premises of the outdoor cafe, carrying a rifle in one hand. She had no durag on her.

“Bout time, bitch. I thought you said one minute, didn’t you hear the fucking gunsh--”

“Well, well, well, Twilight, you weren’t kidding…! What a catch!”

Rainbow Dash’s rant was interrupted by a traumatically familiar voice that made Rainbow Dash’s hair stand on edge with animosity.

Then, her features dropped entirely, as did Pinkie Pie’s. Even the large man looked on with a look of mild surprise, keeping a mostly lean face.

“Big Mac, and the fag-haired bitch and her girlfriend?” Lotus spoke, finally walking into view, in rather casual street wear. Beneath his elbow was an orange durag with yellow-gradient tips. Behind him filtered out a group of at least a dozen people, armed, and with orange decorating their wear.

Big Mac’s eyes seemed to train on Twilight. Though his face did not change from its lean features, there was a clear one-sided transfer of aggressive resent, his slimming slightly over the lavender girl.

Upon closer inspection, Rainbow Dash found that Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight were within the crowd, decorated in orange durags like the rest of the Death Lotus.

“What’s going on? Why the hell are the Flowers here, and what’s up with Sunset and the ball-tuggers being all decorated with that shit-ass orange??” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, feeling a familiar twinge in her gut as she watched Twilight’s face. Things weren’t supposed to go down like this… She clutched her gun harder, placing her finger over the trigger, though it still laid in an unready position.

Twilight informed them that it would just be her and Sunset’s crew to help subjugate Big Mac and bring her to Applejack. But the more Rainbow Dash thought about it, the more she cursed herself for not realizing this was a set-up -- the reason Twilight gave for not simply inviting Applejack along on the drill was pretty weak and vague.

“Death Lotus, huh? I knew it was only a matter of time, Twilight. So you used my sister to lure me out? With two grass green girls in over their head messing with any gang in this city? You’re dirty.” Big Mac commented, taking the hoodie off of his grey sweater. His voice was deep, and stale, simply cold.

“I might be. But you’re caught, aren’t you?” Twilight smiled, slugging the rifle over her shoulder, still securing it in one hand, her finger beside the trigger.

“Alright, alright, lock it up y’all, let’s make this quick and clean. Pops wants me for 2 o’ clock.” Lotus said, walking forward, no weapon in hand. He was cocky. Trixie, Starlight, and Lotus, along with two other boys in orange walked up towards Big Mac, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie.

This left Twilight, Sunset, and five other boys in orange crowding around the vehicles.

“Yo, what the fuck, Twi--”

Rainbow Dash’s words stopped, as Twilight brought the rifle over her shoulders down into her hands, the barrel pointing directly in between Rainbow Dash’s eyes.

“You got sum’n to say, Dashie?” Twilight spoke with her usual icy and cold tone, taking a few steps toward Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash looked to her right, and saw two boys with rifles surround the tall burly man, she could now confirm was Big Mac after Lotus’ identification.

Starlight, and Trixie approached Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie looked on with a similar confusion and frustration as Rainbow Dash, taking two steps back from the approaching girls, deciding whether or not to raise her gun. She looked on to Rainbow Dash for an answer, but she was busy staring down Twilight’s barrel.

“Drop it.” Starlight said blandly, aiming a small SMG directly in Pinkie Pie’s face.

“And don’t even act funny, I’m sure you can do the math here.” Trixie chimed in, walking around to Pinkie Pie’s back.

She violently kicked the back of her knee, immediately bringing Pinkie Pie down to her knees, the gun dropping from her hand before she could do anything.

“Are you fucking serio-- oof!” Pinkie Pie was interrupted by Trixie kicking Pinkie Pie down to the ground, firmly grinding her boot into her back, holding her still.

She looked towards Starlight, and nodded, as Starlight walked over, and stomped over the gun, holding it underneath her shoe, and standing beside Pinkie Pie. She looked down with a small frown, but not one of great aggression.

Rainbow Dash looked on with a resentful rage -- this is why her mother taught her not to trust people, she thought furiously.

“Fucking backstabbers!” Rainbow Dash thought with anger. She began to run over towards Pinkie Pie, but just before she could lift her weapon or even pass Big Mac, or even take more than three steps in total, she was slapped to the ground with something heavy.

She collapsed to the cement, dazed for a moment, as she felt a foot kick the gun out of her hand before she could recover. She turned to her side, and saw a shoe over her gun, securing it, and as she followed the leg up, she saw Twilight above her, rifle aimed towards her.

*BANG!*

The barrel from Twilight’s rifle steamed, a hole in the cement some inches from Rainbow Dash’s face flowing with a mix of brittle and smoke.

“You understand what kind of situation you’re in, you dumbass?” Twilight asked in a rather calm and quiet voice, as she looked down at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth in anger, as she punched Twilight’s leg, and immediately grabbed the gun with swift speed.

With even swifter speed, Twilight stomped back down, onto Rainbow Dash’s forearm this time, grinding her foot into it, the gun dropping once more.

As Rainbow Dash looked up, another stomped right into her chest, forcing more blood out of her mouth.

“Do me a favor and stay still, would ya?” Twilight said in a low and stale tone.

Rainbow Dash tried to displace her once more, but she stood firm over her body, and Rainbow Dash was quite injured from the encounter with Big Mac.

Twilight looked over to Sunset Shimmer, and nodded.

Lotus looked on with glory at the subjugated Big Mac, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie with a wide smile.

“Well, this how you think it would go, Rainbow Dash?” Lotus shouted out towards the grounded Rainbow Dash. “Ending up like your mother, hunted and pinned for execution like some stray dog?” Lotus chuckled, as his smile grew.

Rainbow Dash’s neck craned back to face Lotus, staring at him with a furious fixation, her teeth gritted with rage.

His grin reached ear-to-ear, and his tone was of amusement and arrogance. However, a short chorkle from beside Rainbow Dash interrupted him. He turned over to its origin, seeing Twilight with a growing smile, one he had never seen her with before -- it was crooked and sleazy. Immediately, he felt chills in his stomach.

Twilight looked up with a now wide, smug smile, her eyes meeting with Lotus’. For a moment, everything was silent, and the world itself seemed to pause with suspense, the skies still and the atmosphere silent, allowing this one moment alone to play out independently on a spotlight. Lotus’ smile began to falter, feeling a dark opposition from Twilight’s gaze.

“Is this?” Twilight said, her voice gliding through the silence with an ominous and dark tone.

Twilight turned her rifle towards the two boys aiming Big Mac down, and let out two precise shots, as their bodies folded over lifelessly, being sure not to let any hit Starlight, Trixie, or Pinkie Pie out beyond them.

“Twilight, what the f--!!”

*BANG-BANG, BANG-BANG!*

Shots rang off from behind Lotus all of a sudden.

Lotus looked behind him, and four of the remaining Death Lotus members crowding the vehicles dropped, Sunset now aiming both hands towards Lotus, two handguns staring him down from behind.

As the other three members began raising their arms to do anything, fire from Trixie and Starlight suppressed them in moments.

Lotus stood, shocked, and still. His body seemed to freeze with anxiety, as his mind tried desperately to calculate what exactly had just happened.

Trixie and Starlight helped Pinkie Pie up off of the ground, patting the dust off of her clothes gently.

“Sorry, but in order to trick your enemies, you’ve gotta trick your friends, first. The kick wasn’t anything personal.” Trixie apologized sincerely, as she dusted off Pinkie Pie’s back.

Pinkie Pie huffed, and grabbed her gun from off of the ground, looking up at Trixie and Starlight through slitted eyes, before she calmed herself. Her nerves were on fire, but she was slowly calming down now seeing what the plan really was.

“Whatever.” Pinkie Pie said, trying to shrug it off. All was well, after all.

Twilight held a single hand out to help Rainbow Dash up, but Rainbow Dash aggressively slapped it away, picking up her pistol, and immediately pushing the barrel of it to her forehead, rising to her feet within a second. Her face was wrenched into a menacing scowl, as she got face-to-face with Twilight.

“The next time you pull some stupid shit like that without informing me first, will be the last breath you draw. You understand me, Twilight? Don’t ever hide anything from me. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you, as the RainBooms’ Top Dog.” Rainbow Dash hissed with aggression, shoving the barrel deeper into Twilight’s head with each word.

Twilight didn’t flinch -- in fact, she stood still the entire time Rainbow Dash pushed against her, a small, almost unnoticeable frown on her lips. As she pulled back, a small imprint of the barrel was left on Twilight’s head in a red, sore spot.

“I’m forgiving it this time, because you netted us a pretty big fish. But don’t fuck with me, because if I wasn’t injured, Orange wouldn’t’ve been the only casualties, today.” Rainbow Dash finished.

Twilight was silent for a few moments, calculating her response.

“Rainbow Dash, think! Who stopped Lotus from shooting you in the classroom? Who made sure you met Sunset at the stash and made sure she got recruited?” Twilight began, as Rainbow Dash’s features began to settle. Come to think of it, Sunset had never asked for anything back, yet. As if she wasn’t robbed in the first place.

“And you think Trixie and Starlight were just hanging around, ready with armor and arsenal to bang with you? C’mon now, get real. I’ve been on your side this whole time, but some things have to go a certain way. It’s about planning ahead, taking every possible contingen--ungh!”

Twilight was interrupted by Rainbow Dash aggressively shooting her arm out and grabbing Twilight’s collar. There was a moment of silence, as Rainbow Dash’s nose touched Twilight’s, her teeth showing through an angry frown.

“Listen up, kid.”, she began, her grip on Twilight’s collar tightening further. “It sounds like you don’t understand what it means to be on my side, then. There’s one person here who’s going to be in charge of the plan of action. You’re overplaying your role.” Rainbow Dash said in a near-growl, before pushing Twilight back, as she stumbled and fell back onto her butt.

“Now I’m gonna make myself clear. The next time you overwrite me like that, you’re an opp. Understood?” Rainbow Dash reiterated, fiercely holding her position. Twilight was quiet, watching Rainbow Dash for a few moments, her mind grinding in thought.

“Before I agree to that, we need to clear this up, and talk, first. I’ve been at war with the Death Lotus much longer than you. I need to have a certain level of power, permissions… there’s things that you don’t even know yet, I need you to be on board with me, before I am with you. I assure you that we both want the Death Lotus dead, especially now that I no longer have their protection from the people who had your mother whacked. But, like I alluded when I formally met you, the Flowers are just the trail.”

It dawned on Rainbow Dash that this implied the Death Lotus hadn’t been the ones who assassinated her mother, but that didn’t make sense. She knew from many interactions with the Death Lotus, and more namely, Lotus Rich, that her mother was killed by Filthy Rich’s closest underlings. They were directly responsible, that was an irrefutable fact. And the Death Lotus answered to none, as far as she knew…

Lotus, who had been frozen in shock the entire time, heard Twilight’s rambling, and reminisced on what his father, Filthy Rich, had taught him about cleaning up messes swiftly. But why did Twilight seem to know so much more than him? How many sides was this girl playing? Two? Three?

Lotus knew one thing, however -- while they were busy dialoguing, he had one chance to exit the scene; he eyed a pistol not far off the ground from him. He decided to wait for a more crucial moment, scoping out who he’d have to down first.

“So, you were playing both sides, were you Twilight? You really never change, do you?” Big Mac chuckled lowly, assessing the scene as it played out, kicking the two lifeless bodies beside him with no remorse or cares.

“On the contrary, Mac. I do change. The question is, can you? We’re gonna need you to team up with your little sister to wrap this mess up with the Orange quickly.” Twilight offered. Big Mac hummed in thought momentarily.

Lotus, in the meantime, had decided who he’d target first: Rainbow Dash was weak, and she had to be the reason Twilight defected in the first place; she was easily his first target. Next up was gonna be Big Mac, the fastest person capable of tailing him -- but, he did have Sunset Shimmer behind him, which would certainly be a problem. He looked back and forth, frozen, as cold sweats trickled down his entire body. He mentally counted each gun that would lay on his being the second he moved, and his heart only thumped faster.

“Six vs one… No matter how you look at it…” Lotus thought to himself, slowly losing his nerves.

“... I’m fucked…!” Lotus thought to himself, feeling his lips tremble. His brows furrowed, and he steeled his eyes.

“Focus. Get your phone, emergency dial 1, pops’ll know what to do.” Lotus thought to himself, beginning to slowly fish one hand into his pocket casually, trying to do it from muscle-memory, as to not cause any alarm by withdrawing his phone.

“I’d say you have yourself a deal. But just because we’re working together, don’t expect me to just bury any hatchets. Once we’re done, it’s back to business as usual. And I’ll be taking Applejack with me, once this Death Lotus fiasco is wrapped up.” Big Mac declared, standing proud and tall despite the bullet wounds in his leg.

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, looking towards Twilight.

“I thought you said there’d be no problems, Twilight…” Rainbow Dash hissed with aggression, with a low enough tone for Big Mac not to hear.

“Relax, we’ll get this all sorted out before you know it.” Twilight responded in a cool and calculated manner… which ticked Rainbow Dash off.

“Twilight, I’m going to say this one time, and one time only. I don’t know who you’ve dealt with in the past, but I am not them. You ain’t finna string me along with vague reassurances and empty promises. I’m going to talk to you, one-on-one, later. But, for now…” Rainbow Dash spoke, quelling her displeasure with Twilight, turning to face Lotus.

“Aye,” Rainbow Dash called out, immediately spotting Lotus’ hand in his pocket. She raised her arm, aiming the gun directly at him.

“Out. Now.” Rainbow Dash said, gesturing to his pocketed hand, as she immediately closed the distance between the two. Lotus gave a rather small, but relatively smug smile, as his hand exited his pocket.

“Whatever you say, fag-hair. Can I ask you one thing, though?” Lotus asked, his smug smile falling into a rather calculated focus.

“Yo, Twilight -- check his pocket.” Rainbow Dash called back behind her, ignoring Lotus, as Twilight began to walk forward, a rather cocky smile on her face. Her eyes met directly with Lotus, and her smile gave him some level of hope that she was going to turn the tables once more, but in his favor.

“Why keep me alive? Dead or alive, I’m the same use to you, ain’t that right?” Lotus asked. This sentence seemed to perk some unique excitement in Rainbow Dash, as she chuckled. She motioned for Twilight to pause, seeing as she was just about to search him.

“Lotus… when your father ordered for my mother to be killed, it was something that I had to witness. It’s a memory that has been burned into my memory, etched into my synapses. I couldn’t even hear her final words, because the shot she got in her throat began drowning her words in blood. You don’t know what it’s like to watch your entire world crash and burn right in your arms…” Rainbow Dash began, before placing a hand on Lotus’ shoulder, tightening her grip with such ferocity that Lotus’ legs nearly buckled. He tried his absolute best not to give her a satisfying grimace of pain.

“But soon, you will.” Rainbow Dash said, as her grip began to loosen. The “RD” chain she wore proudly over her neck dazzled in the soft afternoon sunlight. “The same use to me dead or alive? That’s hilarious. You’re of your best use to me while you’re alive. I need to see you feel what I felt. I’ve dreamed of some really fucked up shit, Lotus, I ain’t gon’ cap. Blowing your little sister’s brains out right in your lap. Shoving a knife down your mother’s throat before she can tell you she loves you. And your father? Oh, he’s gonna have a long, slow, gruesome, painful, messy death, and you’re going to witness every second of it.” Rainbow Dash began to ramble, but collected herself.

“So, that’s why I’m keeping you alive, pussy. Hope you’re ready. Twilight, hop to it.” Rainbow Dash stated, shaking her head in Lotus’ direction, signaling her.

Lotus only chuckled, no words leaving his mouth, although, throughout the entire monologue, he couldn’t hide the glee grin on his face. Rainbow Dash’s dreams were about to be shattered when his father’s retaliation to this initiated, and he was rescued.

He was able to successfully retrace his phone to the emergency dial as he’d done many times before, and by now his father should’ve already realized something was wrong. His smile only grew, which didn’t unnerve Rainbow Dash, as this cocky behavior was rather normal of him.

Twilight stood face-to-face with Lotus, who only smiled back at his former fellow gang-member.

“Say, Lotus, you seem to be in pretty high spirits right now, real cool and collected. It’s a stark contrast from how you usually are when you realize you’re in a pretty fucked situation, ain’t it?” Twilight began, one hand in her pocket. Her smile was small, and faint, but far more genuine than any of her previous facial expressions.

“Well, Twilight, when you’re the son of the largest power this city has ever seen, it really takes a lot to unnerve you. Especially more than an opp and some nameless buffoons.” Lotus chuckled in an arrogant retort.

“That so?” Twilight began returning with a small chuckle of her own. She dug her hand into the pocket of her pants.

“Do you know what this is, Lotus?” Twilight asked, as she fished out from her pocket, a small black box. It almost resembled an old cell phone, but with a very uniform and symmetrical aesthetic.

Lotus’ smile faltered some. Truthfully, he had no idea what the device was, but one thing he did have an idea of, was how damn resourceful the lavender-skinned girl was. She was one of the backbones of intelligence and technical operations with the Death Lotus. If there was one person who could actually make his disappearance go correctly, it would be her. Realizing this, Lotus’ smile fell less and less -- was she going to lie to his father, and lead him in the wrong direction? Was his phone disabled? Stolen? Why was she so smug, knowing how quickly and fiercely the Death Lotus could respond to things?

Surely, she knew that the longer they kept him here, the larger danger there was of someone spotting it and communications somehow reaching the Flowers. So then, why was she so calm? His smile faltered further and further.

“This, my dear boy Lotus, is what they call a cellular jamming device.” Twilight stated, silencing herself to let the realization truly settle in with Lotus.

As it did, Lotus’ smile completely dropped, and his entire aesthetic seemed to dull and gray. His posture weakened, his skin paled, and his fingers became restless. He was quiet, and his eyes seemed to sink back into his skull. His mouth was still.

“So, that cute little trick you have, keeping your pops on emergency call? Yeah, that’s not gonna work with one of these boys active. Here, lemme show you,” she began, as she aggressively fished the phone out of his pocket, smiling a cocky and toothy grin.

As she showed him the screen, Lotus’ features only worsened. There was a large red circle with a white ‘X’ on the screen, and above it, read “Call failed.”

Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle at Lotus for a few moments.

“There’s the pussy I recognize. The real you, without all your protections and luxuries -- the you that faces what the rest of us face in these streets every day: death. You may have some Clout, Lotus, but I have always despised the way you boast feats that would be impossible for you to achieve with a majority of your own ability. It’s gonna be a slow crash, Lotus… A real slow crash.” Twilight chuckled, as she patted his back with pseudo-reassurance.

“Alright, you had your fun, Twilight. Now, tell me, how much of the plan has changed? What else haven’t you told me?” Rainbow Dash asked, interrupting Twilight’s dialogue with Lotus, or more accurately, her monologue to him.

“The rest remains the same. Capturing Lotus was the final plan of action that required me to… deceive you. There won’t be any hiccups from here-on in, I promise.” Twilight reassured.

“Good. Then, let’s get a move on -- Twilight, Big Mac, Pinkie Pie, take one of the SUVs. Sunset, Trixie, Star, you’re with me on the other. We’ll leave the rest, we want to keep a low-profile until the next operation. And don’t leave these motherfuckers with they shit; pick up every gun and bullet, and search every pocket, we need everything.” Rainbow Dash instructed, as the other members crowded her, Twilight, and Lotus, who were the current center of attention.

“And please, keep the radios off. There’s a good chance these vehicles will be easier for the Death Lotus to track, it won’t be a good idea to even hold on to these for long.” Twilight cautioned. Rainbow Dash nodded approvingly.

“You heard the girl, let’s get a move on, people!” Rainbow Dash barked, as she turned to Lotus, who had been staring at the ground in silence since learning he hadn’t even contacted his father.

She balled her fist, growing a crooked smile, and prepared to give him just the nap he needed to rest up while they were on their way to regroup with Applejack and the rest of the Crips...

Politics | Chapter 10

Two black SUVs with orange highlights pulled into a rather small-looking ranch, with a quaint home lying on the far side of it.

Their roaring engines died down, and Big Mac was the first to exit either of the vehicles. He paused momentarily, collecting the sights of the farm, spinning around slowly.

“Ahhh… It’s been years since I’ve been home.” Big Mac sighed nostalgically, continuing to examine the ranch in all its glory, reminiscing on simpler times.

“Yeah yeah, save the sentimental shit for later nigga, there’s work to do.” a voice yelled out from one of the vehicles, immediately breaking the mood. Big Mac frowned slightly.

Rainbow Dash stepped out herself, dragging an unconscious Lotus behind her in rope-cuffed hands, not caring for the tumbling of his head along the surface of the car and ground.

“Careful with that, Rainbow Dash. We want that idiot coherent, he might be some use to us yet.” Twilight cautioned, exiting the vehicle as well. The others, too, filtered out, stretching their limbs; the drive lasted for quite some time. They were deep behind allied lines.

“I didn’t know the Apple farm would be so far, ugh…” Pinkie Pie groaned, stretching her back out with several loud cracks.

“You think you had it bad? Rainbow Dash drives like a fucking maniac, that bitch gave me a couple bruises zooming on down here.” Sunset complained, rubbing her body gingerly.

“No cap.” Trixie chimed in agreement.

“But, did you die, though?” Rainbow Dash inquired, laughing at both of the girls.

“I’d say one of us did…” Sunset retorted with a chuckle, gesturing to the carsick Starlight Glimmer, clutching her stomach on the ground.

“Such a drama queen… She’ll be al--”

“BIG MAC!”

All eyes turned to what sounded like the voice of a child. As they did, they saw a short, orange-skinned girl deeply resembling Applejack sprinting down the stairs of the ranch’s house with all the energy her little body could carry.

Big Mac, uncharacteristically, immediately grew a warm smile, walking -- speed walking towards the girl. As their distance closed, she jumped forward, up towards Big Mac, with all the speed and strength her body could muster. Big Mac caught her without stumbling a single step, as she hung over his right bicep; they laughed together as Big Mac spun around, arm out, the girl enjoying the joyride.

“I missed you! I couldn’t believe it when big sis told me you were coming back!” The child cried out, hugging Big Mac tightly.

“Of course. Whatever we got goin’ on has no concern with you, or home. We’re not gonna fight here and upset you, sugarcube.” Big Mac spoke, lowly and gingerly, patting her head and massaging her scalp.

Applebloom’s grip tightened, relief flowing through her body.

“Has grandma been taking good care of you, ‘Bloom?” Big Mac asked. She nodded swiftly, beaming a bright smile, lifting her arms up, as she slinked backwards on Big Mac, hanging horizontally off of his body.

“I’ll be…!” another familiar voice called out. All heads turned to see Applejack stepping out of the same house, in her right hand a rather large looking custom AK in her hand. Its black drum magazine shone in the sun.

She stood at the top of the steps momentarily, gazing over everything -- all the members, the Death Lotus vehicles, and the bound up hostage they had with them. Her mind could make a few guesses, but…

“Well, good shit, Twi. You pulled it off for real.” Applejack continued, slugging the rifle over her shoulders, seeming to avoid a certain person’s eye contact.

“I knew you said to be expecting you sometime within the week, but sheesh, a fuckin’ call or somethin’ next time, huh…?” Applejack hissed, her facial features immediately twisting into subtle anger. She placed the gun beside the wall, before descending the steps.

She walked down and faced Twilight, glaring down at her. She turned her head slightly to the side, staring into her eyes. Then, she began to speak in a growl, low enough so that only the two of them could here.

“You might have them fooled, Twilight, tuh, but not me. Reckless shit like this means you didn’t include everyone on the plan ahead of time.” Applejack said, her growl and features still straight. She grabbed Twilight’s collar slowly and firmly, crunching it with so much strength that Twilight’s back slightly arched towards Applejack -- still, she looked on with no fear.

“Do… you know… where you just drove to with those…?” Applejack went on, with each pause, anger picking up onto her voice, her features beginning to grimace. Her grip continued to tighten, as Twilight arched more and more towards her.

“Do… you know… what I almost did when I seen two opp packs runnin’ up on this lawn?” Applejack asked, her green orbs glaring with a furious fire, teeth gritting as Twilight looked up at her.

“But, you can’t help yourself, can you? This is who you are at your core. Someone who can’t help but try and use up everyone you come across, no matter what danger you put them in. You’re so…” Applejack continued, pausing, her features twisting into a different downward scale, as she found the appropriate description for her averseness.

“Disgusting.” Applejack growled lowly, a deep frown on her face. Twilight’s brows sunk -- not by much, just a slight amount that was barely noticeable with focus, but the words had struck her.

Applebloom jumped out of Big Mac’s arms, and ran to her sister, and with no understanding of social cues and tension at her age, began jumping and yelling loudly, pointing at Big Mac.

“Look, ‘Jack, it’s Mac! Can ya believe it?!” Applebloom yelled with glee. Her eyes sparkled, and her toothy smile seemed to as well. Applejack’s gaze did not leave Twilight for many moments. Suddenly, she let go of her collar, and Twilight was able to straighten her back once more.

If they focused, they would see Twilight’s jaw muscles flexing, her nerves tightening after Applejack’s dissent.

“Yeah yeah, sis. I got eyes, too.” Applejack said, smiling down to her little sister, before her eyes met with Big Mac.

A long, tense silence filled the air, as Big Mac and Applejack’s eyes met. An aura of hostility seemed to boil the air between them, not a word being spoken. Finally, Applejack broke the silence with a small chuckle, a bitter, crooked smirk on her face. She pointed directly towards Big Mac, not moving from where she stood.

“You’re real fuckin’ stubborn, you know that, Mac?” Applejack spat at her brother. He gave a low chuckle, grunting in response. Arms crossed, he huffed out his response, chin straight, towering over his sister.

“Maybe the stubborn one is the dumb bitch that would embarrass the family by losing to some nameless rainbow-haired street thug.” Big Mac retorted. Applejack’s face turned to an enraged grimace, veins popping into life over her forehead.

“Excuse me? Don’t get me fucked up, I only agreed to work with her because yo’ ass is too fuckin’ stubborn to come see me on some straight shit.” Applejack yelled at her brother between gritted teeth. She was not a loser.

Applejack stomped forward, now standing inches from her brother, her neck craned up to stare him down.

“I had to pull yo’ scared ass outta hiding on some federales shit. A lil pressure from the Orange and you duckin’ out? Whose embarrassing who?” Applejack retorted, her smirk growing wide. Big Mac was silent for some moments, before he too, smirked. He opened his mouth, however, just before he could respond:

“Guuuuyyys!” Applebloom whined, looking up between the both of them with watery eyes and pouting lips, threatening to bawl.

“Stop it, we just got back!” Applebloom pleaded, tugging on Applejack’s pants with her pout deepening. She whipped her head around to look up at Big Mac, tears soaking her eyelashes. Both of her older siblings sighed, watching their young sister carry-on.

“I suggest you listen to your sister, Apples. We need you to open the barn, so we can hide these vehicles and go indoors. If you haven’t noticed, we’ve got Lotus fucking Rich laying on your ranch.” Twilight stated, clearing her throat and gesturing to Rainbow Dash, who, ignoring the commotion and understanding the assignment, was already dragging Lotus’ unconscious body towards the house.

“Ho--ly--shit…” Applejack began, chuckling slowly, a wide grin growing on her face. “How the hell did you guys pull that off?!” Applejack yelled in disbelief, only just now noticing Rainbow Dash lugging the body along towards the house.

“Sun’s sake… can we save this shit for when we’re inside? I don’t know if you realize it, but we don’t have a whole lotta time for real. Lil’ bitch boy’s pops is gonna come looking for his son. Sooner, rather than later. And we wanna be ready for that.” Trixie urged, before rushing forward to help Rainbow Dash drag the body indoors.

“She’s right. C’mon, someone get the other car, let’s take it to the barn… Everyone else, regroup inside. Anybody that was recently associated with the Orange, listen up and listen up closely: keep, your, fucking, phones, off. No exceptions…” Twilight spoke slowly and authoritatively.

“I’ll have Rainbow Dash arrange some new ones for you all tomorrow.” Twilight stated, heading back towards one of the vehicles. Applejack and Big Mac headed towards the other, whilst everybody else joined Rainbow Dash and Trixie to help lug the unconscious Lotus inside the building…

However, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel something twinge underneath her skin at the syntax of Twilight’s statement. There was a superiority complex that she thought needed to be ironed out, effective immediately.

The Apples, along with the RainBooms, all lounged inside the living room of the wooden rustic house. Some were smoking, some sharing drinks, but despite the formalities, the air seemed tense; Granny Smith and Applebloom were no longer present, and each member of the room seemed twisted in thought of the moments to come.

Lotus was neatly tied in rope-cuffed ties, further reinforced now that they had a moment of respite. Over the top half of his face was a thick, heavy black woolen bag with markings, tied to his ears to prevent it from falling. He laid on the floor limply, presumably because he was yet to regain consciousness.

“You sure that little fuck’s okay, Dash? He’s been snoring for a lil minute…” Twilight commented, breaking the tense silence that befell the room shortly after settling down. Rainbow Dash looked over at Lotus’ limp body, pulling in a deep breath, a small grin growing on her face for a few moments. Her face lit up in a shallow red light from the ember not far from her lips.

“Actually, Twi…” Rainbow Dash breathed out, a thick gray cloud escaping her lips. She stood slowly, and walked to the next room, craning her finger in a summoning motion as she exited the doorway.

Twilight looked between everyone else in the room, and receiving nods and stares, she shrugged, and arose to follow Rainbow Dash.

Everybody stayed quiet, as they watched Twilight exit the doorway, and soon after, two pairs of shoes beat away into a distant part of the house.

After more moments of silence, Pinkie Pie eyed the room for a few moments, before downing a small glass of whisky.

“Aah!” She exclaimed, breathing out a low burp immediately. Chuckling lowly, she turned to Trixie, Starlight, and Sunset, who all sat next to one another.

She craned her wrist so that her palm faced the ceiling, holding her finger upside down at them playfully. “I wouldn’t suppose there’s any more secrets you guys are keeping from us, is there?” Pinkie Pie inquired, a half-smile tugging at her lips.

“We caught a fish you had no chance of sniffing out alone. You think we’re sus for that? That’s your prerogative” Trixie mocked with a passive-aggressiveness, immediately getting defensive. Pinkie Pie’s half-smile immediately fell, replaced with a small grimace.

“Yeah, without any inside work, your asses would’ve ended up like any other six-foot rockstar.” Starlight agreed, also defensive from accusation. Pinkie Pie’s eyes shot over to Starlight, before she tried to retain some composure, breathing in a deep helping of air from her nostrils, the air whistling quietly.

Pinkie Pie didn’t claim to be smart. But, if there was one thing she truly hated, it was being infantilized; being taken for a fool, as if she were an absolute idiot.

A tense silence grew. Sunset looked around, watching as faces lit up with suspense and expecting faces. She sighed internally, before quickly shooting up from her seat, leaning in between Pinkie Pie and her two companions.

“What they mean, Pinkie… is that we just did what we had to. But regardless, we’re all on the same side. If we weren’t, you should know damn well you wouldn’t even be breathing right now.” Sunset Shimmer spoke, her voice a bit louder than she wanted, having forced herself to unsettle the silence.

Pinkie Pie was silent for some moments, before she relaxed the tension within her body.

“Humph…” Pinkie Pie huffed out, crossing her arms. “You think that lowly of us, huh?” Pinkie Pie trailed on, frozen in silence for a short few moments, before a crooked smile grew on her face.

“Being lied to is just such a bad look, y’know?” Pinkie Pie began, as she walked over, and leaned over into Sunset’s face. Sunset, for the first time, felt unnerved beneath Pinkie Pie’s presence, the two icy blue pupils staring chills into her spine.

“And the shit is, I know this ain’t even close to the first lie you’ve told; there’s a lot more that y’all are hiding.” Pinkie Pie spoke slowly and clearly, her eyes constantly scanning Sunset’s face as she said each word.

“And you do a fuckin’ piss-poor attempt at hiding that guilt on your face every time I bring it up.” Pinkie Pie commented, as she leaned back, a small grin growing on her face.

She looked between Trixie and Starlight, placing a single hand on her hip. They all looked at her with features of suspense.

“Not so dumb, am I?” Pinkie Pie chuckled, before she looked between everyone in the room. “I’m not finna sit here and interrogate y’all, but understand this,” Pinkie Pie continued, holding a single finger up.

“You have a lot of trust to regain after that little stunt you pulled. Before, I could’ve made all the lil’ funny shit slide, but this? You’re way the fuck outta line…” Pinkie Pie spoke in an almost uncharacteristic manner. Sunset looked between Trixie and Starlight. All three swore as if their saliva would tear their throats apart at this very moment if they swallowed.

*DOOJ!*

Every participant in the room jumped, their attention immediately dragging to the sound of something heavy hitting the wood inside the house. They looked towards the direction of the noise in confusion, before laughing off one another for being startled.

Although the mood shifted, and Pinkie Pie found herself back in her seat, her mind wandered towards what Rainbow Dash and Twilight could be discussing now, of all times, as she watched Lotus on the floor, still out-cold. Her frown did not disappear.

Rainbow Dash was right to be weary of the sly behavior those girls exhibited, and although Pinkie Pie did not want to worry Dash any further with her concerns, she knew it would be up to her to shoulder at least some of the syndicate’s affairs.

Pinkie Pie sighed, sipping another glass of whisky. Yes, she’d have to keep an eye on the girls. But, then, perhaps that’s something they’ll be expecting. For snakes, you always had to be two steps ahead.

“Hmm…” Pinkie Pie hummed in thought, sipping her glass yet again…

“So, what’d you wanna talk about?” Twilight asked, a knowing impatience on her tone, following Rainbow Dash, who walked slowly and deliberately.

“Just wanted to ask a few questions. C’mon…” Rainbow Dash called back lazily, as they headed up some stairs, and walked down the hall next to a nearby bedroom.

Rainbow Dash stood beside the doorway, and nodded her head inside the room, her arms crossed and blunt burning gently between her lips.

Twilight, remembering their prior conversation outside of the cafe, tensed herself, but walked through the door nonetheless. For her, this was a calculated outcome.

“Another step to endure.” She thought, locking eyes with Rainbow Dash as her head bobbed by hers; an intoxicating mix of hatred and aggression emanated from the tensed girl watching her walk inside the room.

If it meant that Filthy Rich and his flowers would wilter, then every piece of the equation was necessary, Twilight thought, as she entered the room and heard the door slam shut behind her; of course.

If it meant those who nurtured the garden of Flowers would fall, then this was expected.

“Twilight, we’re on the clock right now, so I’ll skip the small talk…” Rainbow Dash began, as she plucked the blunt from between her lips between two fingers. She turned fully to face Twilight now, arms crossed, the blunt ashing slowly, like an incense stick.

“Why the fuck did you lie to me?” Rainbow Dash asked blandly.

Twilight sucked in a deep breath, before exhaling slowly. Then, slowly, in that same calculated manner, began to speak. Of course, this was the inevitable outcome if she were to get exactly what she spent all this time chasing.

“We didn’t lie to you, we did what was necess--mmph!”

Rainbow Dash had stomped forward and snatched her lips shut between two fingers aggressively, pinching them so hard Twilight swore she would begin bleeding.

“Aht aht aht… See, this is problem number one, Twilight. You don’t understand how, fucking, much, I hate being insulted.” Rainbow Dash said, before Twilight slapped her hand off, distancing herself, cupping her lips gingerly.

Rainbow Dash put the blunt back between her lips, giving it a longing, deep draw, a glob of ash falling over the floor. A thick tension began to grow between the two girls, as Rainbow Dash’s magenta orbs began to glow with a small crimson fury.

“I’ll ask again…” Rainbow Dash began, smoke filtering out with each syllable.

“Why did you lie to me?” Rainbow Dash asked, staring down into Twilight’s eyes with squinted eyes, looking for something precise to pounce on.

“Because it was necessary, Rainbow Dash. Because that was how we got Lotuuu--uuuusss--nngah!”

*DOOMJ!*

Twilight was swung into the wall with ferocious strength, her back smashing it so hard that she found herself stunned on the ground momentarily trying to gain a grip on the pangs of pain in her back.

Rainbow Dash marched over, grabbed her by the jaw, and lifted her up, pushing her back into the wall. Twilight tried to find something to say, but no matter what she did, Rainbow Dash’s grip was too tight for her to get a single syllable out.

Now, her eyes burned over with a roaring, furious crimson glow, her grip tightening as Twilight struggled; fighting, scratching, kicking, and slapping. But, nothing would shake Rainbow Dash’s furious grip now, and after many moments of struggling in vain, settled down, as if to surrender, feeling her cheeks begin to bruise and pain even further underneath her struggle.

That’s when Rainbow Dash tightened her grip even further; Twilight’s glare burst with fury, but she stayed still, not wanting to exacerbate the pain she was currently in. Her eyes slimmed with anger.

“Now, you get it.” Rainbow Dash began, features lightening only slightly, a low chuckle escaping her lips. “Think about how you feel, Twilight. Right,” she continued, before aggressively tossing Twilight down into the ground, her shoulder bashing the floor violently.

“Now!”

As she yelped in pain, a foot stomped down into her chest, grinding into it, pinning her down. Rainbow Dash stared at her with a wide, sadistic grin on her face.

“Think about exactly how you feel right now, motherfucker.” Rainbow Dash yelled, as Twilight grabbed her calf, fighting with all her strength.

“I feel like I’m gonna fucking kill you!” Twilight choked out in breaths, the air being squeezed out of her. Tears began forming on the edge of her eyes throughout her struggle. Rainbow Dash was pushing her.

“Good. Now we have an understanding.” Rainbow Dash trailed on, as her smile settled, and her eyes squinted upon the girl beneath her shoe. She folded her arms once more, before finding her next words.

“You think I don’t know when I’m being insulted? Why the fuck would you lie to me?” Rainbow Dash asked, her eyes donning a threatening crimson glow, as her fingers sprawled out, her body tensing, as if she had to hold herself back from lunging at Twilight.

“YOU WORK FOR ME!!!” Rainbow Dash roared, crouching down and closing the distance between their two faces. Twilight could only stare into her furious stare.

“Notthe other fucking way around!” Rainbow Dash continued, before straightening and stomping into Twilight’s chest once more, eliciting a pained cough. She stared down at the lavender-skinned girl with no remorse, her chest and shoulders heaving with rage.

She composed herself, if only slightly, nostrils flaring as she regulated her breaths.

“So what was it Twi?” Rainbow Dash asked, increasing the pressure underneath her foot slowly and consistently, Twilight feeling the air squeeze out of her body, her veins beginning to push against her skin in stress.

“Was I too fucking stupid for your plan? Was I too much of a fucking simpleton? Just another piece on the board, huh? You think that lowly of me? Don’t fucking play with me bitch. I’m not them other niggas you take for a joke. Humble yourself. Immediately.” Rainbow Dash continued, her deep, low, and menacing voice deepening in intensity with each sentence, pushing her foot deeper and deeper into Twilight’s chest, as she fought with even more strength just to keep her breath.

Finally, Rainbow Dash sighed, before she let her foot up, turning around and taking two steps away. Twilight immediately rolled over onto her side, gasping for air, as she slowly got up onto all fours, neck down.

As she sucked in one more breath, and craned her neck upwards to scan for Rainbow Dash, she was met by the same eyes, but this time, they had mostly returned to their normal state, just a hint of crimson lining her irises.

“You make me feel all funny inside, Twilight…” Rainbow Dash began, as she held a hand over her heart. Twilight’s brows raised inquisitively -- Rainbow Dash was being more sincere with her than usual.

“I don’t like people that make me think two, three, and four times over about them, y’know? Let me know, right now, that you gon’ stop being shady as fuck. You could be useful. We could be powerful. But not like this. Not like how you actin’ right now.” Rainbow Dash said in a low and angry voice, turning her back on Twilight, struggling to unclench her fists.

Twilight was silent for some moments, a mix of fear and adrenaline slowing down her ability to realize that it was her turn to move the next piece…

“I’m sorry.” Twilight coughed out, struggling to pick herself up. Rainbow Dash was silent.

“I’m sorry that I lied to you.” Twilight said weakly, her air still returning, as she fully stood.

“You’re right… even though I did what I thought was best, I still lied to you at the end of the day, and I can see how that can really damage trust.” Twilight began, holding her arms out to the side in a pleading manner. Rainbow Dash turned back to look at Twilight.

Twilight steeled herself, and she tried to react as naturally as possible to Rainbow Dash’s gaze as she spoke further.

“I’m not tryna have no static between us now, or at any point in the future. I did what I had to do, and what I had to do is done.” Twilight continued in what Rainbow Dash found to be an earnest manner.

“From here on in, I’m playing by your rules. And I’ll make sure my girls got the message, too.” Twilight explained, standing straight, staring Rainbow Dash directly in her eyes.

After a long few moments, Rainbow Dash sighed heavily, turning away from Twilight as she plucked the blunt between her lips once more. Her brows were no longer deeply furrowed into her head, although they still sagged with anger.

“You have…” Rainbow Dash began, her voice still laced with a slight tinge of anger. “Exactly…” She continued, holding up a big ‘O’ with her thumb and forefinger, her head turned back over her shoulder, a single eye piercing through. “Zero, chances left to pull some shit like that again. You understand me, Twilight?” Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight nodded silently, the icy, cold, and unreadable crimson orb staring at her in such a cryptic manner.

No more words were spoken as Rainbow Dash shoved past Twilight, opening the door, and leaving. Twilight, however, could not move, her mind twisting in thought.

Her eyes shot down into the ground, replaying Rainbow Dash’s face just now, over, and over. But, for some reason, she couldn’t quite pinpoint her feelings to assess her next moves. Somehow, in these short moments, Rainbow Dash had become much less of an open book.

She looked up, a small grin appearing on her face. The grin, in just a few moments, turned to a frustrated frown, teeth gritted. Then, it picked up into a smirk, as she chuckled silently to herself once more.

“So you’ve learned that much, huh, Dash?” Twilight thought, picking up into a slow, confident walk outside of the room, towing not far off from behind Rainbow Dash. Just as she pulled into the hallway, she saw the stream of rainbow-colored hair disappear down the stairs.

“It’s no matter.” She thought to herself, forcing the grin off of her face as she approached the stairs.

Rainbow Dash plopped down the steps, dropping her blunt in an ashtray lying upon a small wall across from the stairs, smoking the very last of it as she descended.

As she approached the living room, she whistled, a long, steady puff of smoke leaving her lips as she did. She clapped twice during the whistle, and as all eyes laid on her, the chatter stopped.

Rainbow Dash carried an unfamiliar, looming aura that seemed to tower drearily over the audience underneath her stare.

She placed both hands on her hips, watching as Twilight walked on beyond her, standing beside the group of people in the living room, all now watching her.

“Sunset and ball tuggers, you’re with Twilight. Go take care of those cars for me.” She spoke blandly, pointing back over her shoulder.

A small silence ensued; Sunset, Trixie, and Starlight’s eyes shifted, though they tried to remain calm. Applejack and Pinkie Pie raised a brow, but Big Mac was unchanged. Nobody moved. Rainbow Dash’s brows rose, too.

“I stutter?” Rainbow Dash asked, her eyes slimming. Twilight immediately stood up out of her seat, calm and collected as usual.

“We piss you off that much?” Twilight asked, staring into Rainbow Dash’s eyes. However, just like the previous time, and unlike the times before then, Rainbow Dash’s eyes were steeled, unwavering, and reserved. Rainbow Dash cracked a small smile at Twilight.

“It’s called trust-building, huh Twi? Besides, this?” Rainbow Dash began, lifting her shirt, showing several bruised wounds from the shattered plate and shrapnel.

“Is gonna take some time to take care of. How long do you need to dump the whips?” Rainbow Dash inquired, as she began to walk forward.

“Heh…” Twilight chuckled, watching Rainbow Dash strut slowly over towards the couch. She understood.

“I suppose the question is, how long do you need?” Twilight retorted, a knowing sarcasm lacing her tone.

Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself; today, she had finally realized something -- the cold and calculated mannerisms Twilight displayed, was exactly that. She let off exactly as much as she needed to, and now, Rainbow Dash had a useful tool in her arsenal.

However, it was amusing to see Twilight immediately understand her position. For the time being, they had a lot of trust to earn back. The politics would be rough. Rainbow Dash would have to take things into her own hands. It was clear that Twilight was going to steer Applejack away from her, and she needed all the synergy possible if she wanted to have an easy time growing her empire following this little Flowers endeavor.

“Four hours.” Rainbow Dash finally spoke, holding up four fingers. “We’ll meet back here in four.”

Twilight nodded her head forward, motioning Sunset, Starlight, and Trixie. As the three girls got up to join Twilight, Rainbow Dash put her hand in Twilight’s chest, stopping her.

“Here,” she began, digging through her pockets. She then slapped a wad of cash into Twilight’s hands.

“However many plates you can get with this; we’re gonna be walking ducks, right?” she chuckled, walking on beyond Twilight.

Twilight didn’t bother to look back, and instead simply headed for the door. Just before the girls could catch up to her…

“Starlight!”

All of the girls looked back to who called Starlight: Pinkie Pie craned her finger forward, a puffy, sparkling smile on her face. “How about you stay with us?” Pinkie Pie inquired innocently.

Rainbow Dash looked towards Pinkie Pie with an inquisitive expression, plopping down beside her to sit.

Pinkie Pie simply smiled back at Rainbow Dash, her features unchanging. Starlight, Sunset, Trixie, and Twilight looked between Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, confused.

Rainbow Dash looked between Pinkie Pie and Starlight, mulling over a decision for some moments. Although, her face remained relatively unchanged.

“Come on Starlight. I guess she likes you.” Rainbow Dash motioned her over with a nod of her neck. Rainbow Dash couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but something in her gut told her to trust Pinkie’s instinct.

Starlight looked back to the girls she was about to leave with, before shrugging, and walking back over to the couch, reclaiming her original seat not far off from Pinkie Pie.

“Alright, guys. Chop chop, we got four hours to kill. Have fun, Star!” Twilight spoke with more sarcasm, rolling her eyes as she slipped out of the room, the two other girls following her closely.

…

More silence ensued, before a lightbulb ticked on above Rainbow Dash’s head.

“Wait a second muh’fucka, it’s been a hot ass minute…” Rainbow Dash chuckled to herself, hopping up out of the couch, grabbing everyone’s attention.

She kneeled next to the limp body beside the end of the couch. “Hey dickhead. I know yo’ ass ain’t still sleep in there. Ain’t no way at this point.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, moderately knocking his head with her knuckle twice.

He did not move. Rainbow Dash then swiftly grabbed his nostrils shut as she saw his chest rise, and managed to get a jerk reaction from one of his hands.

“I knew it.” Rainbow Dash breathed out, giggling to herself. He whimpered slightly, blood running cold knowing that his captors had caught on to his regaining consciousness.

“If you keep being good, you don’t have to nap again, y’hear, Flower boy?” Rainbow Dash smiled down at her hostage. She ruffled his head through the sack on his head.

She laughed, before standing, cocking her leg back, and launching it directly into his ribs. Lotus coughed brutally, with an agonizing groan followed after, as he choked for air.

“Enough fun, babes.” Pinkie Pie called out, standing from her seat. She looked at Big Mac, Braeburn, and Applejack.

“Applejack, why don’t you come with us to see your Granny, we never got a chance to get Rainbow Dash fixed up.” Pinkie Pie requested.

Big Mac’s face seemed to light up, and Braeburn, too, became interested. Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash’s bloodied top, and then between Big Mac and Braeburn, and then to Starlight. Her eyes widened, but only a slight bit.

“Cool it, y’all. I’ll be back. Just stay here.” Applejack requested both of the boys, motioning them to relax.

“Come with me, you two.” Applejack motioned with her hands towards Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, exiting the room. They both followed behind her quickly…

“So, Granny don’t stay with y’all on this side of the ranch?” Rainbow Dash inquired, walking alongside Applejack with Pinkie Pie across their farm.

“Don’t shit where you eat, kid. Can’t have the people you love living right on top of the business. Shit, if it were up to me, she wouldn’t even be on this farm.” Applejack explained, not bothering to look back at Rainbow Dash.

“By the way, Dash…” Applejack began, as she loosened the bottle she kept underneath her hat. She took a swig. Rainbow Dash looked up at her back.

“You’re smarter than you look. You heeded my words.” Applejack commented, breathing a refreshing sigh from her drink.

Rainbow Dash looked away from Applejack, silent for some moments.

“You said I might be swimming with the wrong sharks, ‘Jack. What you mean by that?” Rainbow Dash inquired, curious as to what the deep-rooted aversion to Twilight related to.

“We ain’t that close, girlie, so I’ll skip the intimate details… But, just know that keeping Twilight at a distance is in your best interest. That gal’s only interested in ‘erself.” Applejack spoke, sighing softly afterwards, as Rainbow Dash saw her neck crane up ever-so-slightly towards the sky.

Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash looked between one another.

“And that bitch is crafty, too. Everything you know, is exactly what she wants you to know. Whatever you know now, ain’t even the half of it, I guarantee ya.” Applejack finished, taking another swig of her bottle.

“In that case… why don’t you help us out? We got some plans for Flower boy, but we can’t trust Twilight to help us move all the pieces.” Rainbow Dash requested.

Applejack kept on walking without turning to look back at Rainbow Dash. Her mind twisted in thought.

“What can a sapling like you even offer me?” Applejack asked, wondering if it would be worth the extra work -- at the end of the day, Twilight clearly wasn’t going back to the Orange themselves, so then, what did it matter who got to have Lotus? It didn’t.

“I need something to offer, for us to do each other a favor?” Rainbow Dash asked. Suddenly, Applejack turned, and grabbed Rainbow Dash by the throat, lifting her off the ground.

“Let’s not get things twisted, Rainbow Dash--”

Applejack was interrupted by Pinkie Pie immediately trying to attack her; she kicked Pinkie Pie square in the gut, knocking her air out, as she thrashed about on the ground trying to regain her wind.

“You came and killed a lot of my people. We’re working together because we have a common enemy, not because we’re friends. Twilight will kill Lotus either way, I’m not gonna waste my time making sure you get to hold the blade. Get that shit through your thick skull before you get me involved in some politics.” Applejack began, as Rainbow Dash watched her between squinted eyes, struggling to fight her grip.

“From what I can tell, you haven’t done shit, yet. Twilight’s been holding your ass up. Maybe when you show me you can carry some real weight, not just shoot a few niggas, then you might be worth some salt. Be a real leader, then maybe I can make sum’n shake.” Applejack continued, her grip tightening.

“Until then, don’t fucking disrespect me with that buddy-buddy act. I hope we’re understood.” Applejack spat, tossing Rainbow Dash to the ground, as she continued walking towards the house Granny Smith and Applebloom stays at.

“Dashie!” Pinkie Pie yelled, running to her side, finally having recovered. Rainbow Dash glared holes into Applejack’s back, rubbing her throat gingerly.

“Are you okay?!” Pinkie Pie asked with great concern, helping Rainbow Dash straight.

“Nng…!” Rainbow Dash huffed, gently but firmly removing herself from Pinkie Pie’s embrace, her eyes slimming on the tall woman strutting ahead of her. Rainbow Dash chuckled lowly, her fists clenching. Pinkie’s brows raised, inquisitive.

Then, she regained her composure, looking towards Pinkie Pie with just a slight curve in her lips, only something she would notice.

“Change of plan, Pinks…” Rainbow Dash trailed on lowly, her knuckles finally releasing as she walked forward to follow Applejack.

“Big change of plans…”

Orphan Death Bond | Chapter 11

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Rainbows over the Flowers | Chapter 1

Author's Note

This is a rewrite of a story I previously had uploaded here, called "The Thug Life Chose Me".

If any of my returning readers remember that, I am rewriting this story because I've had a much more fulfilling envisioning of the story-line.

That being said, I will try to update this every 2-4 weeks, so, I hope you are all excited!

Oh, and if there are ever any questions about any of the vocabulary / lingo used in the story, feel free to comment or directly message me your questions, I would be glad to enlighten you! Toodles! ^-^

Revision Notes, 10/1/24
Mainly addition of exposition, plus implementing an idea I hadn't planned to until the next book (decided it'll be less janky if it's kinda eased in lol)

Rainbows over the Flowers | Chapter 1

In the empty blue skies, overlooking a large, densely-populated city, the sun loomed directly overhead; despite the lack of obstruction in the skies, it seemed that the sun chose grace, its energy seeming to gently rain down through the atmosphere.

Attuned with the serenely empty, quiet, still blue skies, the sun's light seemed to trickle down through the atmosphere, illuminating every stretch of the urban jungle indiscriminately -- from the numerously condensed, cramp communities populating crammed, dilapidated buildings constructed with weak, brittle bricks that couldn't afford weather the gentlest storm; to the high-rise in the center of the city, surrounded by new roads, maintained homes, and clean structures.

|| Amongst the outskirts of the city's center, a woman made her way down the street, strolling slowly along. Her elbows flared out, bouncing gently, palms holding the back of her head. Her face tilted towards the sky, features suspended in idle thought, focusing her gaze directly into the sun as she walked.

From head to toe, tattoos of all kinds and colors decorated multiple regions of skin upon the woman; it felt as if the tattoos could be peeled right off the top of her skin, or dug into and scraped out -- they were immensely saturated, creating an impossibly surreal vibrancy and depth; it would be impossible for anyone with healthy vision and a tattoo to assume such detail came from anything other than a recent touch-up.

Her uninked skin was a particularly pale, grayish light-blue, and no matter how the sun shined upon her being, it seemed as if her skin perpetually displayed a subtle, but noticeable luminescent hum.

A simple black tank top, cropped off just a couple inches above her belly-button, concealed her chest. The shirt extended up to her collarbone, completely concealing her cleavage; despite the lack of a bra, her shirt had no issues supporting her chest. From her hip down, just simple cargo pants resting upon plain sneakers.

Taking one look at her face, most would assume her to be in her late 20s or early 30s; thought subtle and hard to notice, stress and age-lines did tug at her eyes and other parts of her face -- her eyes, still gazing directly into the powerful sun, were a deep, dull reddish-pink in color. Her face, although gruff and hardened, displayed an undeniable softness and inviting charm.

Although her full figure was hard to make out, it was clear that she was a strong, athletic person -- she had clearly been training her body for quite some time; her muscles weren't gigantic, but they were noticeably bigger than average, and absolutely shredded.

Lying atop her scalp, a naturally colored and uniform pattern of colored streaks: the wider streaks a dull orange, simply spanning back to front uniformly; the thinner streaks, a much more interesting light-scarlet, seemed to fork off a few inches before reaching the front of her head, the separated space filling with orange.

Consisting of several thin locs, she wore her hair in seven neat braids, uniformly bundled along the length of her head. Up until about the middle of her scalp, discreet elastic bands held her braids together; afterwards, lacking bindings, the hair seemed to fray out from the tightened braids, allowing it to flow out and cascade over her shoulders and back; her longest locs hung down to the middle of her spine, impressive for the relatively tall woman.

Although a treasure, most inhabitants of the city would argue that the most noticeable feature of the woman lied within the fancy, expensive accessories that she wore.

A silver chain looped her neck, linking together to support a decorated emblem: "WW", in a shiny gold backdrop, tastefully decorated and studded with diamonds. The emblem could only occupy a third of her palm, and yet, nearly every angle of light illuminated an envy-inducing sparkle.

Despite being in an urban setting with such an expensive piece of apparel, she strolled with a distinct lack of situational awareness -- undoubtedly, people also walking the streets would immediately pin such a person as either oblivious or a careless tourist. Even so, with the lunch hour concluding, a vast majority of the streets were barren, and passerby seemed to pay the woman no mind at all.

Finally, after many minutes of idle strolling, the woman approached the end of the block hearing the familiar traffic density of another intersection approaching. She released her palms from behind her head, allowing her to lower her gaze just in time to see a red-skinned woman retreat from the street, cars beginning to inch beyond the service line.

Sighing, she shoved both hands into her pockets, lazily, craning her neck to look up and across the street, studying the building:

The structure was absolutely enormous, several stories tall and taking up the entirety of the block. In the front courtyard, she could see several flagpoles, but only one in particular caught her interest -- an orange flag, with a familiar white-ink Paisley design, tattered in the winds.

After a few short moments of studying the flag, she simply chuckled, shaking her head and closing her eyes. She opened them once again, her smile wide and prideful. Unlike before, there now seemed to be a clear direction and urgency behind the woman's heels as she kicked off into the street, not awaiting her right-of-way, gaze focused on a particular section of the building...

Now, each of her stride's were accompanied with an energetic bounce, triggering a unique phenomenon: her necklace seemed to bounce sluggishly, and her hair had an uncanny, floating feeling to it, bobbing side to side as she walked.

Despite the traffic barreling down both directions on the wide street, the woman hadn't picked up her pace any, maintaining the previous swag and swing of her step, her focus ensnared by the building; likewise, the other woman, still waiting on the opposite side tapped about on her phone, awaiting the barreling two-way traffic to come to a pause.

Though the red-skinned woman stood directly beside her path, neither woman seemed to acknowledge the other as she approached...

However just as the pale blue woman bounced past the red-skinned woman, she gasped, head flicking up from her phone, watching the passing cars for some moments, frantically looking about. After a few moments, she whipped her head all the way around, desperately searching the pale blue woman's direction, once again failing to find what she had hoped for.

Finally, she turned, shoulders sulking dejectedly and a defeated sigh escaping her lips as she continued the opposite way of the blue woman...

Unlike the red woman, the blue woman had already been far too absorbed with observing the scene of a class from a window of the school... ||

A boisterous class roared over the teacher who, in lieu of his inability to leash the little animals, simply sat in his chair, minimally concerned with actually educating the wild bunch. As far as he was concerned, he would require 3x the hazard pay before he'd chance reigning the class in. After all, he was getting old -- no need to risk a disaster so close to the finish line...

"This class is a disaster in every sense of the word..." The teacher thought to himself, gazing upon the students in the room -- several orange groups, some with blue, and a few red. However, as his gaze focused upon one particular student, he began to feel a particularly deep disdain, eyes squinting upon the cyan durag wrapped around her head.

Near the center of the class, leaning back coolly in a chair, a young girl bobbed her head, thoroughly enjoying the music blasting within her ears. Each bob started with a sure, powerful flick, making her locs flick and jump about in rhythm with her movement.

Though her hair was rainbow-gradiented, she bore an uncanny resemblance to the strolling woman otherwise -- similar facial features, and essentially the same complexion, but with a brighter hue -- a light-blue, grayish cerulean. She, too, wore a very similarly styled tank top, jet-black in color. Over the tank top she had a cyan-colored long-sleeved cyan denim jacket, cropped about half a foot longer than the tank top. She wore baggy sweats and simple sneakers.

Just like the pale blue woman's before, she, too, had a similarly-themed necklace. Due to the necklace having been placed beneath her shirt, it was hard to make out what anything other than the links looked like.

He frowned, observing the orange belongings scattered around the girl, before pinching the bridge of his nose -- surely, the owners of the space she occupied were going to come and reclaim the area -- he studied the room, finding several other locations the girl could occupy instead, his frown deepening.

Of course, he knew, she wouldn't be doing that even if it was suggested -- she'd been harassed nearly every week of her time here, and on top of that, her non-affiliation coupled with rumors of her amongst the students meant that she'd never keep a companion very long.

Even the one friend he knew that she had, a pink girl, wearily lurked around other groups in the room, not wishing to be as reckless as her outcast friend.

Now, here she sat, a cyan durag -- a color never repped within the city before -- hugging her temples. He knew she had a disdain for the other gangs, but to come into school with a color never repped before was a dangerous omen -- a declaration...

Waiting for things to sufficiently escalate, he hovered his finger around the quick-dial button for security and the police...

Suddenly, the girl's skin shivered -- a familiar sense of déjà vu jolted within her body from head to toe -- her shoulders jumped reactively to the intense, short-lived, invasive feeling; immediately she balanced the leaning chair, paused her music, and whipped around to face the window. She watched intently, facial features paused in confusion, trying to confirm the feeling she had.

Several moments passed. Nothing. The girl scratched her head, assuming that perhaps it was just her body having a strange moment... Just as she pushed off the chair to lean on it once more...

*SLAM!*

A hand gripped the back of the chair, aggressively forcing it back down onto the ground, immediately startling the girl student once more. Alongside her, the entire class jumped, forcing all attention upon Rainbow Dash's position.

Brows immediately sagging into a glare, she turned, meeting eyes with a boy who glared back just as meanly as she did. "Too early for this shit hoe... Fuck out my seat, Rainbow Dash, we dusted yo' ass this week already..." he threatened, his hand still gripping the back of the chair.

However, upon recognizing the boy, Rainbow Dash's frown quickly replaced itself with a wide smirk, standing from the seat, facing the boy and staring up directly into his eyes. He was slightly more muscular than your average build, a bit taller than Rainbow Dash, and with pale orange skin, and red hair.

"Your seat?" Rainbow Dash chuckled, shoulders bouncing with amusement, her pearly whites glistening.

"You deaf, bitch?" Lotus retorted, becoming impatient with her. "On Death Lotus, you better get the fuck up out here..." He continued, pointing to the classroom's door.

"Ain't deaf, but maybe I am blind..." She began, consoling herself and gesturing to the chair. "Show me where they wrote 'Daddy's Boy' on here?" she taunted, chuckling again.

Lotus' eyes squinted on the girl, fists tigtening. Suddenly, he swung, which Rainbow Dash anticipated, quickly kneeling over and pushing her palms into his lurched-forward chest, throwing him over her back and flat onto the ground.

For a small moment, he writhed on the ground, reaching for his back to soothe it as he rolled about, eliciting loud, hearty laughter from Rainbow Dash, who clapped her hands, pointing at him and gleefully watching all the members of the crowd spectate them.

The civilian students looked on, features of concern and aversion to Rainbow Dash upon their faces -- to them, it was like watching a drunken daredevil teeter across a tightrope connecting two canyons...

Then, Rainbow Dash's laughs slightly faltered, looking at a particular student's worried gaze -- suddenly, Rainbow Dash heard a loud shuffle, flicking around to see Lotus shooting off for her, already in a running stride-- one of his hands seemed to be behind his side, and the other, a reaching arm, fingers grabbing forward.

In a singular moment, Rainbow Dash knew that if his closest arm wasn't attempting to make a meaningful impact, he likely had a deadly weapon in the other. Her eyes lasered into life, immediately zoning in, her adrenaline on fire.

By the time Lotus entered a 3-foot radius of Rainbow Dash, she'd already envisioned her counter -- as Lotus finally closed the distance, and she saw him begin to slink his other arm from around his side, she ducked his grabbing hand with a crouch, purposely swinging herself to his left side.

In that moment, ducking into the dangerous weapon, Lotus immediately put all of his force into the stab, planting his feet as hard as he could, his arm swinging forward, muscles flexing into life.

Rainbow Dash smiled, planting her own feet into the ground, pushing off to the left, getting just enough distance to have the blade only graze her jacket; in the same move, she wrapped her right hand around his wrist, pulling his arm behind and twisting.

*Klang!*

As soon as the blade dropped, Rainbow Dash lifted her leg, planting it directly upon Lotus' butt.

*pnt, dcchh!*

"Unnf!" Lotus grunted in pain, sliding across the floor and knocking two desks over as Rainbow Dash let her foot go. Quickly, she crouched, picking up the blade -- a fancy, multi-colored butterfly knife, with longer than average blades.

"Perfect gift, bitch boy." Rainbow Dash joked, skillfully flicking the blade around with one hand, other on her hip, awaiting Lotus to rise. He angrily shoved the tables away from himself, sitting back against one before scrambling to his feet, teeth grit in fury.

His chest and back heaved with rage; he glanced back between the other members in orange around the room, before facing Rainbow Dash once more.

His shoulders simply rised, and fell, body frozen with anger, deciding what he'd do next. Ceasing the moment of silence, Rainbow Dash tugged at her cyan durag, her locs dropping to her shoulders. She shook the durag around for the entire room to see.

"Every one of you pussies wearing orange better remember this color." She began, scanning the room, shaking the durag toward the other students in orange that refused to step in for Lotus.

"Tell ya' block. Tell ya' big bros. Warn ya' lil bros. Tell da' lil' fam y'all got in the patrol unit. Tell dem' lil' politicians y'all buyin' out..." Rainbow Dash rambled, feeling that her point had now gotten across.

"Tell 'em I'm coming for everything. Your drugs, your money, your power, your status..." She continued, still scanning each face in the room. "... Your life." Rainbow Dash emphasized, purposefully weighting the delivery with a pause.

"RainBooms, nigga. That's who's runnin' yo' ass down every time you see this color, YURD?!" Rainbow Dash barked, before facing Lotus once more.

"You can't be serious..." Lotus chuckled to himself, deeply amused that the girl thought she had any chance with a new gang in a city with established entities.

"You can't be serious..." Rainbow Dash immediaetly retorted, tying the durag back around her head. "What's it been, like damn near 11 years and you still can't touch me on these ones?" She began, her tone cocky and arrogant.

"But somehow, you be in the tren--" Rainbow Dash began, shrugging and closing her eyes.

*CRK-BOOM!*

Immediately, Lotus' eyes burst with fury, becoming wide, his hand shooting for the inside of his sweater and quickdrawing his gun, releasing a round towards Rainbow Dash.

All members of the room jumped, heads turning towards Lotus, who now held a gun, barrel steaming. Rainbow Dash, quickly regaining her composure, placed a knuckle on her hip, shooting a disapproving frown toward Lotus.

Of course, Rainbow Dash thought -- that's why they hadn't bothered backing him up; they wouldn't bother stepping in for a man that could just shoot her. Shooting in the school was an unspoken taboo, but if anyone could get away with it, it would be the Death Lotus, and most especially, Lotus Rich.

She clicked her tongue, closing her eyes and shaking her head. “Nice aim. So you're gonna shoot me for kickin’ ya sorry ass?” She asked rhetorically, unimpressed. Her grip around the buttefly blade she looted tightened immensely, feeling her nerves become tight. Lotus, in turn, laughed this time, seeing how quickly Rainbow Dash's amusement dissipated.

"You always got sum'n smart to say... That's really what you want your last words to be...?" Lotus trailed on ominiously, his finger curling around the trigger once more.

“You better not miss the next one...” She added, taking one step forward, blade pointed towards Lotus. He chuckled.

“Ain’t had to tell me twice. Last time you disrespect me like that…”, the boy agreed, his fingers beginning to squeeze…

Unbeknownst to the two within conflict, a figure in a jet-black hoodie scrambled through the room, shoving through the crowd, rushing toward the boy in Orange, moments away from taking his second shot...