Opening

Two silhouettes moved down a dirt road. One was clearly equine, though he couldn't tell if it was a stallion or a mare. It carried a long staff with a jewel set into the top, emitting a light glow. The other was a tiny fellow, slouched across the pony's back and snoring loudly enough to awaken a deaf pony. He wasn't deaf though. In fact, he was quite a light sleeper, with excellent hearing. It took him less than a second to size up the two of them. Travelers, no doubt, but not fighters. That was the important bit. A good highwaypony could tell in an instant whether or not a pony would fight back. If they did, he would be in trouble. He wasn't a fighter. Why should he be? It was the threat of force that convinces ponies, not the application. And he was good at convincing ponies. The silhouette of the pony started to speak. “Alright Spike, this looks like a good place to stop.” A mare's voice. He grinned. Even better. Mares never fought back. These two would make him a nice little profit to bring to Mr. Ranger.

The mare laid her belongings in a small clearing beside the road. The small figure named Spike groggily assisted her. Her horn began to glow. 'A magician,' he thought, surprised. The ground around the two figures warped, and large tree branches emerged from the soil. They rapidly grew to form a tiny hut of leaves and branches. 'And a powerful one at that.' He shook his head. 'No matter,' he thought, 'Even powerful wizards are usually cowards.' He watched as the two began to move their things into the makeshift shelter. 'Now or never.' He stepped out of the bushes calmly. “Hello there, young miss!” Rapparee Rookwood said brightly, “I have come to relieve you of your purse.”

Twilight Sparkle turned to face her foe. It was an elegant looking pony, with a steel blue coat and a golden mane. His face was difficult to see in the dark night, but it was clear that he held a rather sharp rapier, and even clearer that the sharp end of the weapon was pointed directly at her. She thought furiously for a moment. She couldn't afford to lose her money. She considered trying to talk him out of it, but dismissed the thought immediately. He was probably used to ponies trying to convince him that he shouldn't take their life savings at sword point. She glanced at Starswirl's staff. It was a few feet away, its lower end peeking out of her shelter. Twilight didn't know many combat spells. In fact, she only knew one. Magic Missile. Looking back at the highwaypony, she knew that it wouldn't be enough. She was exhausted from a long night of walking, and had little strength. But if she could reach her staff... “O-ok,” Twilight said, trying her best to sound shaky, “M-my bits are in my shelter.” She moved to get them, but a sharp rapier pressed itself against her neck. “I think I am capable of fetching them myself, don't you?”

'Not good,' thought Twilight. There was no way she could get to Starswirl's staff now. Raparree moved around Twilight, keeping his eye on her hooves and his sword on her neck. He stopped. He now stood directly between Twilight and the staff.

The highwaypony let out a sudden yelp. He turned his head to see a small but determined baby dragon, its jaws clamped around his tail. Twilight smiled. Spike could always be counted on. “Get off me, you foul lizard!” shouted the highwaypony, shaking his tail to try to dislodge Spike. Twilight ran past him and grabbed Starswirl's staff. She let her magical energy flow through her and into the staff. She turned and fired a bolt of energy right at the attacker. It hit him in the chest, sending him flying. He hit the ground with a thud, unconscious.

Rapparee Rookwood opened his eyes. He felt a soft warmth on his side. “Oh, you're awake,” came a voice. He sat up groggily. He was sitting next to a fire, the first rays of dawn breaking through the clouds. A purple-coated pony was moving towards him. “I was wondering when you would get up.” He squinted. She seemed vaguely familiar. He tried to think of where he had seen her before. His head throbbed. Dear Celestia, what had happened? His eyes widened as he remembered. “You...!” He gasped, scrambled back defensively. “Hey, it's OK,” she said, smiling, “I won't hurt you. Well, not unless I have to. Again.” Rapparee looked around for his sword. It was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, the purple mare was still coming towards him, with a friendly expression on her face. “Calm down. My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She stuck out her hoof. He shook it hesitantly “Rapparee. Rapparee Rookwood.” 'Why was she being so kind to him?' he wondered, 'I tried to rob her! And then she nearly killed me!' He tried to get his bearings. They were in the same small clearing that he had been knocked unconscious in. Twilight's staff lay on the other side of it, with her other belongings. It was a powerful weapon, but it would do him no good. He was an earth pony. It would be as useful as a stick. In fact, in his hooves, it was a stick.

Twilight held out a small plate to him. “Here. You must be hungry. I found a wild fig tree nearby, so I have food to spare. Go on.” Rapparee ate the proffered fruit. He was beginning to feel better. “What time is it?” He asked between bites. “About 6:30,” replied Twilight, “Though you have been out for more than a day.” Rapparee stopped with the food still in his mouth. “You mean...? You mean I've been here for over 30 hours?” This was not good. He was supposed to check in with Mr. Ranger every day. They would be out looking for him soon. “Listen, Twilight,” he said urgently, dropping the plate, “You need to get out of here. Fast. Leave me here and run.” If the boys found out that he had been beaten by a naive young mare like Twilight, he would be out of the gang for sure. And Mr. Ranger didn't like loose ends. “I can't just leave you here to terrorize this road,” said Twilight, “I am going to turn you in.”

'Turn me in...' thought Rapparee, 'It would at least be an alternative to facing Mr. Ranger.' “OK then,” he said quickly, “You can turn me in to the royal guard at the next town. Lets get moving then.” He stood up.

“Leaving so soon, Rookie?” Twilight and Rapparee turned to see a rapier wielding pony standing on the road. “J-Jack! You, uh...” he gulped, “what are you, uh... I was just about to check in with the boss, but I uh...”

“Oh, do be quiet, Rookie,” said the gray coated highwaypony, “You know the rules. If you don't check in with the boss every day, I come looking.” His face brightened he saw Twilight. “Why, hello there young miss! And what are you doing with a big, bad highwaypony like Rookie here?”

Twilight faced him determinedly. “I am turning him in.”

'Oh, Celestia,' thought Rapparee, 'Is she really that foolish?'

Jack seemed amused. “Oh, Are you now?” he said with a grin, “Well, Mr. Ranger doesn't like it when one of his boys gets arrested. So I'm afraid I can't let you do that.”

“Surely we could come to some arrangement,” said Rapparee quickly. “Perhaps she can buy my contract?” 'Everyone has a price,' he thought, and for the first time in his life he hoped his was low. He had only a bit of pocket cash, and when the truth got out he wanted to be either miles away from the boss or not his problem anymore. He would prefer the latter. Mr. Ranger found things out fast, and Rapparee didn't like running.

“I think I had better take you two to see the boss,” said Jack slowly.

The three ponies arrived at a small barn. Jack trotted up to the barn doors and knocked five times. “Six-String Jack?” came a voice from the inside. “The one and only,” replied Jack with a smile. The door swung open. He turned to the ponies behind him. “Don't even consider running,” he said. They considered it anyways.

The three ponies trotted into the single room of the barn. Seated on various hay bales, barrels and woodpiles were ponies of every type and color. Some were playing cards, some were eating, some were sleeping. A few even held instruments, playing tunes for the others to general apathy. They did not seem mean, or brutish. They actually carried themselves about with an air of gentleness. “Mr. Ranger!” Shouted Six-String Jack, “I've got a pony here who wants to buy Rookie's contract!”

A large figure dropped down from the rafters, hitting the ground with a thud. It was a golden stallion with a dark brown mane. He wore a large stetson. “That so?” said the pony, grinning toothily, “Ace, mate! I can always make a heap of moolah when a bloke buys his contract!” Twilight furrowed her brow. Even with her extensive vocabulary, she only understood about half of that sentence. “The name's Bush,” said the stallion, ”Bush Ranger.”

Mr. Ranger was not what Twilight had expected at all. She imagined a cigar smoking, suit wearing mob boss with no sense of humor and a necktie that cost more than her house. Admittedly, she got the house for free. Still, for a pony with no job, free was at least a year's wages. Instead, she got a grinning, energetic young stallion with a Sydneigh accent.

“Don't mistake him,” said Rapparee under his breath, “He's ruthless. The friendly energy is just an act. Stay on your guard.” he glanced around before adding, “And be ready to run.”

“Where are my manners? I'm lairing it up! Jack, grab me a stubby and get these folks some tea.”

“Yes, right away sir,” said Jack with a slight smile.

“Now, where were we? Oh yeah! Buying his contract, eh?” asked Mr. Ranger, “You little ripper!”

“Er, sir,” said Jack hesitantly, “The teapot is broken.”

Mr. Ranger's face fell. “The billy's cactus? Crikey, I thought it would last. No drama, get our friends some damper. And my stubby.” He turned back to his guests. “Sorry about old jack, the ocker's not the full quid, eh? Now,” He settled into a hay bale, “Let's talk price. What do you say to...” he thought for a moment, “4,000 bits.”

Twilight's mouth dropped. “4,000? Are you serious? I don't even own-” Rapparee placed a hoof over her mouth, cutting her off.

“C'mon, uh, mate,” said Rapparee desperately, “That's pretty, er, exy. Can't you, uh, give a bloke a fair go?”

Bush Ranger was silent for a time. He stared at them blankly. Then his face broke into a grin. “Ah, Rookie. You know I love a dag. Alright,” He crossed his forelegs, “make me an offer, and we can haggle.”

“How much money did you say you had?” whispered Rapparee out of the corner of his mouth. “1,200,” said Twilight.

“2,400!” said Rapparee.

“3,500” replied Bush.

Rapparee gulped. “2,600”

Bush Ranger narrowed his eyes. “3,200”

“2,700”

“3,000”

“Get ready to run,” Rapparee whispered to Twilight.

“2,700”

“2,900”

“2,800”

“Deal”

Rapparee nudged Twilight. “Now,” he whispered.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” he said to Bush Ranger with a smile. He looked at Twilight. Without another word, they turned, took a few casual steps towards the door, and took off in the approximate direction of not here.