Entrapment

Fluttershy was excited. Malak had told her this morning that she was going to be allowed to go to the market without her leash. She still had to wear the collar, and he would be right beside her the entire time. Nightshade was also going along, and would be handling all of the money. She still hadn't learned how the currency worked, but she had learned the names of the coins. She was even allowed to paint her own stripes today. They were a bit shaky, but she had managed to paint them correctly despite her nerves.

The trio set out after Nightshade arrived. The entire walk there, Fluttershy held Malak's hand like a filly on her first trip to purchase her own supplies with supervision being the only interference. There was a particular item she was going to be looking for today; she wanted to give Applejack a gift at their next meeting. She had lost her hat, and Fluttershy was in a position where she could replace it. She thought it would be a nice gesture, and it may even put a smile on her friend's face.

Meanwhile, Big Macintosh had just arrived in the city. His clothes were filthy, as he had just travelled for eight days on foot on roads that were mostly dirt. He hadn't eaten particularly well on his trip, either, so he drew a lot of attention to himself. He looked around as he walked, being appalled at what he saw. Ponies with painted-on stripes clad in simple garb, homes with no defining features, and all the guards were wearing almost no armor. It was no wonder these people were slave owners, the whole town looked like a slum. Regardless, he continued on his path towards the palace. He was here to see the king. As poorly-equipped as these guards were, they would soon be assisting him in finding his sister and punishing those responsible for her capture.

Suddenly, he saw a mare who looked like Applejack. Would he even need the king? He ran up to her, grabbing her shoulder and turning her around.

"Oy! What do you think you're doing, buddy!?" shouted the mare. She had the same color palette as his sister, as well as body shape. But her face was a vast departure, having a prominent horn. She also held a foal in one arm, perhaps two years of age at most.

Big Mac felt the prodding of a metal prong against his shoulder. He turned to see a short Pegasus stallion with a pitchfork pointed at him. "What are you bothering my wife for?" he demanded.

Big Mac put his hands up and backed away. "Sorry, I thought she was someone else..."

A zebra mare stepped up to the trio, placing a hand on the stallion's shoulder. "I'll handle it from here, go back to work." The stallion nodded and retreated to the hay cart he had been loading. The unicorn similarly retreated into her house. The zebra approached Big Mac, her face twisting into a scowl. "We rarely have visitors, let alone jerks. Whatever your business is, make it quick. I have little patience to deal with a dick."

"My apologies," said Big Mac. "She looks like someone very special to me who was kidnapped a week ago."

"She and her husband have been with me eight years. If you have no business, leave. I need to go dry her tears." The zebra mare followed the unicorn into the house. Big mac decided it would be a good time to vacate the scene.

He headed to the market. He was going to see the king, so he should perhaps change his shirt, at least. He found a vendor, but realized that he had no zebra currency. His bits were not legal tender here. Just as he was about to leave, He saw Fluttershy. He was sure of it this time, but he made it a point to watch and listen. The market was more crowded than the stables, and there were guards present. He couldn't risk grabbing the wrong girl this time.

Fluttershy had arrived at the market, and she had let go of Malak's hand. With a look back into his eyes to make sure he was watching her, she filed into the crowds with Nightshade. She wanted to see if there was a vendor that traded in headwear. Certainly, she had a list of items she was supposed to purchase, but she thought it wouldn't be too much to ask for a hat. She was even willing to give up her strawberries to make up the cost. She found a vendor about halfway through. She turned to Nightshade after finding the hat she wanted for Applejack.

"My friend, the one I went to see, lost her hat while we were on our way here. It wasn't unlike this one. She wore it everywhere she went. Do you think Master Malak would mind if I picked it up as a gift?"

Nightshade smiled. "I think it's good that you want to look out for your friend. I also think she'd be very appreciative of any gift you give her, whether Master Jax will let her wear it or not. But this is Master Malak's money. You should ask him first."

Fluttershy nodded and put the hat back down. She wove through the crowd until she returned to Malak. She explained her intentions and he nodded in approval. He was even going to let her keep her strawberries. But before she could return to the vendor, she was grabbed by the wrist and pulled out of her way. She felt an arm wrap around her midsection and she was tucked under his ribs. She cried out for aid, and as the crowd opened up, she could see her master chasing after her, as well as several guards.

The chase continued into the alleyways. Now that Big Mac had her, he wasn't stopping until they were in the clear. Though, now that he was here, he was regretting his choice of escape plans. Three guards with tower shields blockaded the other end of the alley, and more were filing in behind him. He was trapped. Or he would have been, had he not been the powerhouse that was Big Macintosh. He slammed into the wall of one of the buildings, breaking the clay and thatch structure. He was now inside the building. He rushed up the stairs, knocking a zebra stallion over a balcony railing as he pushed past. The guards continued to chase him up to the roof.

Once on the roof, he leaped across the alleyway he had entered through. It was a six metre drop if he slipped, but he made it across the gap unscathed. While a jump like this would have absolutely stopped the Equestrian guards with their metal plate armors, the lightweight nature of the zebra guards allowed them to easily clear the distance. Big Mac had really been counting on them being blockaded by the jump. He rushed off across the rooftops, until he ran out of buildings to jump to. As the zebra guards closed in around him, he was left with only two options. Surrender wasn't a choice he was willing to make, so he leaped as hard as he could towards the next roof. He and Fluttershy fell three metres into the roof of the next building, and it collapsed under the weight of their combined impact.

As Big Mac picked himself up and cleared away some of the rubble, several guards filed in and surrounded them. From behind their tower shields came several spears. They pressed him to the floor as one of the guards came in to pick up Fluttershy. She hadn't seen who had grabbed her yet, but her foot brushed up against the hat he had dropped. She picked it up and looked at it, instantly knowing whose it was. Before she could turn and look at him, Malak arrived and pulled her in close.

"My sweet mare, I feared you'd be lost. This was a line I'd never wished crossed."

Fluttershy turned around. She wanted to be sure it was Big Mac. "Master Malak, I know this stallion. He's Applejack's brother."

"Is that so?" Fluttershy nodded. "In that case, I'll be nice. While the usual punishment for his crime would suffice, I'll have Jax look into his case. With luck, he'll soon feel his sister's embrace."

"Thank you, Master Malak," said Fluttershy, hugging him gently. She'd have tried harder, but she had a few light injuries.

Nightshade came in just then. "Miss Fluttershy!" She ran up and hugged her. "I'm so glad you're alright. Come on, I'll take you to see the physician." After confirming their identities with the guards, the trio left the building, having a selection of new plans for the rest of the day than when they had started. Fluttershy had held onto the hat.