Goodbye Las Pegasus, Hello Reality!

In Canterlot, the castle has been in a frenzy for the past 16 hours. The sun and moon guards are running around the palace, taking orders from Shining and Vanta. It’s been high alert ever since Feather and Bebop returned from Las Pegasus. Telling the princesses that they couldn’t find Riki or Blueblood anywhere. They have gotten reports of an incident that happened Saturday night, but they don’t have enough information to see if it's connected to Riki and Blueblood.

In the castle hall, Specs briefs Captain Shining on new information they found. “Captain, we got reports that Prince Blueblood and Riki were spotted at the Gold Haybale casino Saturday night.”

“Anything else?”

“Yes, we now know there was a fight in the Gold Haybale casino.” Specs said, “Two parties were involved, the Pipistrello family and the Limelight family.”

“A mafia squabble in a public area?” Shining said to himself, “Do we know why they fought?”

“No, all we know is that the families fought and that ‘Iron Horn’ Slugger was defeated.”

Shining stops in the middle of the hallway. He heard stories about ‘Iron Horn’ Slugger when he was just a regular sun guard. One of the heavy hitters of the Pipistrello family, the one you don’t want to fight alone. “Did one of the Limelight members beat him?" Shining sputtered, clearing his throat. “Was it Goco? From what I know, they do have a history.”

“No, Captain, there were no reports of the griffin Goco. It was somepony else.” Specs answered, “Reports did say that it, and I quote, ‘A hairless tall creature saying oi'." Specs watch Shining’s face, trying to express his feelings right now, which is like a show. A mix of curiosity, shock, relief, worry, and a hint of anger. “I expected this would happen.” Specs said to himself.

“Captain Shining, there you are. I was looking all over for you! What’s wrong with your face?” Feather asked, entering the hallway. “It looks like you ate a lemon. Anyway, the Elements of Harmony, Liz and Vanta, are in the throne room with the princesses. They're waiting for you.”

“Alright, I’ll head there immediately. I'm just worried about how they're going to react,” said Shining. “The two of you have been working a lot, so take a break. I don’t want both of you dropping on the job.”

“Yes, Captain!” Feather and Specs said as they watched Shining run to the throne room. As Shining turns the corner, Feather drops to the floor.

“Feather, are you okay!?” Specs asked worriedly as he helped her up. Specs gets a better look at Feather’s face, and she looks horrible. “What was the last time you got some sleep, don’t lie.”

“…I haven’t got any sleep. I have been worried about what is going on.” Feather responded sluggishly, “Ever since Bebop and I came back, it’s been nonstop work. I want to find them.”

He sighs, “We all want to find them, but you can't help like this. Riki doesn’t want to see you in this state.”

“I know… It’s just I heard what you told the captain.” Feather mumbled, “…You don’t think the mafia got to them?”

“No. Riki is strong.” Specs reassured her. “Anyway, where’s Bebop? I haven’t seen her since you two came back.”

“She was with me an hour ago and said something about getting some air.”

“Alright, let’s go find her.” Specs said, “Then we can all get some food in our stomachs.”

The two of them make their way to find Bebop, but it takes a lot longer than they thought. They checked the training ground and the garden, and they even checked inside the maze. Specs is getting annoyed trying to find Bebop, and Feather just wants some rest. They make their way to the castle front. When they walk outside, they see a sleeping Bebop on the ground. Specs let out a sigh, knowing that they should have checked here first. Feather, on the other hand…

“Wake up, we've been looking for you!” Feather yells as she flies over, preparing to land on the bat pony. But at the last second, Bebop slowly wakes up and tiredly rolls out of the way. This causes Feather to land on her face, “Aghhh!”

The scream fully wakes Bebop up. Looking at Feather, and says, “Feather, what happened?”

“Nothing,” Feather answered, spitting grass out of her mouth.

“Bebop, how’s your nap?” Specs asked, walking to them.

“It was alright,” Bebop said as she stretched her wings. “Have we found Riki and the Prince?”

“No, still looking.” Said Feather.

There is a moment of silence for a while. The three of them watch the many ponies walking about in the royal city of Canterlot. “…Guys, have you noticed ever since Riki came here and we became his friends. Stuff got like ten times harder and exhausting.” Bebop asked with a yawn.

“Yeah, it’s a wild ride.” Specs answered, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t satisfied with Riki’s company.”

“You’re right about that. It’s been the weirdest point in my life.” Feather smiled, “I’m glad we’re Riki’s friends, but sometimes I want a day that I don’t have to worry about the big guy, right?” Bebop and Specs nod in agreement. ‘Buck, I’m so worried about Riki, I think I can hear him say ‘Oi.’”

“Yeah, me too.” Bebop said, “…And it’s getting louder?”

Specs looks into the distance, “Wait, is that!?”

“Huuuuhhh!?”

“Riki fought who!” yelled everyone in the throne room. The reaction is what Shining expected. He was surprised to see Luna had a small smile on her face. Shining, Vanta, and the princesses had to explain to the Elements and Liz who the Pipistrello family is. Twilight had read a few things about them, but it was minor compared to what she was told right now. Also, telling them when it comes to the Pipistrello family and others like them, it’s hard to get a hefty amount of evidence to bring them down. Well, Luna wishes she could go in there and crack some heads like Riki did.

“Wow, and here I thought my brother could have a normal job. He’s missing!” Liz yelled, “Now I’m being told he fought some minotaur.”

“Well, it’s not some minotaur,” Vanta said, “Like what Shining said, Slugger is part of the Pipistrello family. He's infamous for what he can do in a fight. There are rumors that he killed a young adult dragon.”

“D-do we know why Riki got in a fight with that dangerous minotaur?” Fluttershy hesitated to ask, “What if they wanted him to join, and Riki said no, so they attacked him.”

“Now, Darling, why would those ruffians even want Riki.” Rarity responded.

“Riki is super strong!” Pinkie said.

Shining shakes his head, “Look, all we know is that the Pipistrello family got in a fight with a rival family. We can assume that Riki and Prince Blueblood were there when it happened. Riki and Slugger could have bumped into each other, then started fighting.”

“That could be possible.” Liz mumbles, then she looks at the princesses. “Can you guys track down Riki and Blueblood with magic?”

“Sorry, our magic can't locate them,” Celestia said.

“Riki's anti-magic body is probably why we can't,” Luna added.

As Liz lets out a sigh, Applejack walks up to her. “Sugarcube, you’re taking this a lot better than expected.”

“Yeah, I thought you’ll be freaking out.” Rainbow Dash added.

“I am freaking out, but that won't help.” Liz said, “Twilight was the one to freak out the most. You should have seen her reaction when she read Celestia’s letter for the first time.”

“I spat my drink on Spike,” Twilight sighed, “Anyways, we should head to Las Pegasus to see if we can find Riki and the Prince.”

“I hope you girls have a better time finding them than us.” Said Celestia, “We are all counting on you.”

As the girls make their way to the door, everyone hears yelling, crying, and laughing. Then suddenly, the throne room's doors burst open, causing everyone to freak out. Because they see Riki with Feather and a crying Bebop hanging on him. Right behind him is Blueblood and Specs.

“We're here!” Riki shouted with utter joy. He landed right in front with a smile on his face. “Sorry that we are late.” Feather and Bebop fell off. “Oh, and sorry about that.”

Blueblood stopped running and tried to catch his breath, “Why did we have to run all the way here?”

"Oh, Liz, did you get taller?" asked Riki.

His sister and the others then surrounded Riki. They all notice Riki and Blueblood's rough appearance. Before the girls can really ask Riki what happened, Celestia is the first one to talk. “Riki, would you like to explain why you and my nephew have been missing?”

Riki shakes his head, “Missing? We were not missing, right?”

“Y-yeah,” Blueblood agreed.

Celestia gives the two a skeptical look, “Really, so why you two didn't return with Feather and Bebop?”

Blueblood begins to clam up, and Riki steps forward. “Prince Blueblood had decided to take the train back. He wanted to see the scenic route.”

“Riki is right,” Blueblood interjected, “You know the countryside. Hills and plains, stuff like that.”

Everyone just looks at the two, knowing they are hiding something. Blueblood looks like he can keel over and die from paranoia. Riki, on the other hand, looks alright, but he feels like shit.

Luna then asks, “Is there anything you want to tell us? Like anything at all?”

Blueblood shakes his head, and Riki says, “Nothing really happened. Me and the Prince just had a regular time.”

“Yeah, it was fun?” Blueblood said like he was questioning himself. “I enjoyed myself. Riki was very good at his job. I can say Riki is an acquaintance after my trip.”

“Thanks. Oh, there was one thing.” Riki said, “I did get into a fight and with the help of Blueblood. I won.”

“Huuuhhhh!?” The whole room was surprised to hear that. If they weren’t confused about what was happening, now they are. Celestia whispers to Luna for a few seconds, then says, “We don’t know what's going on, but as long the two of you are safe and sound. We think we should call it a day.”

“Really!?”

“Yes,”

“Woohoo!” Riki exclaimed, falling on his back. He couldn’t stand up anymore.

“Specs and Feather, escort Prince Blueblood back to his room, then get some rest.” Shining said, “I got to go spread the word that everything's fine now.

“Yes, Captain.”

“Understood,”

“Bebop, you can go with them too. And I’ll help Shining.” Vanta smiled.

As they say their goodbyes to Riki and leave the room. Liz, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie surrounded Riki again. Pelting him with a whole bunch of questions.

“Darling, why do you look and smell horrible.”

“You and the Prince look pretty chummy. What happened between the two of you?”

“Sugarcube, did he really help you in a fight? Don’t tell me you're lying?”

“Riki, do you need to get checked up?”

“Ohohoh, Riki was it fun at Las Pegasus? I always wanted to go, and you’re so lucky!”

“Big guy, how much bits did you win?”

“I’m just happy you’re back, bro.”

With all these questions, Riki is tired, hurt, and hungry. He just looks up at the ceiling, thinking back on what happened. Not as stressful as Taboo, but still, it was tough. And the fight with Slugger, what was that weird power back then? The same thing happened with Taboo, but this time was different. He shakes his thoughts out of his head and lets out a yawn, causing everyone to stop. “Look, all I want to say is goodbye, Las Pegasus, hello reality.”

Back at Las Pegasus in the parsley burned down Red Daffodils bar. The Pipistrello family is sitting in defeat. Slugger is bandaged up and lying on a charred couch, drinking his pain away. Scout is flipping through a burned magazine. And Coal still hasn’t recovered from what happened. Their bar, destroyed. Their bits, stolen. Notoriety, down the damn drain. He’s worried about how the Don is going to react. Coal begins to bang his head on the table. “T-this is bad, oh shit, this is bad! How are we going to explain this to the Boss!?” He quivered.

“What do you mean we?” Scout asked while chuckling. “I think this is all on you. You're the one that set this place ablaze.”

“It was an accident,” Coal yelled, “This is on you and Slugger. He got away from you two!”

“Coal shut up!” Slugger yelled, shaking the room. “You’re giving me a headache!”

Scout scoffs at Slugger as he puts down the charred magazine. “Are you sure it wasn't the human?”

The dog’s snarky comment really gets under Slugger’s skin. Slamming his bottle of booze on the table, Slugger gets up in Scout’s face, “You listen here, mutt, I’m not in the mood to take shit from you.”

“What are you going to do?” Scout asked with a deep growl.

“Break you,”

“You couldn’t even do that to the human, pathetic!”

The tension in the room is so thick you can drown in it. As it looked like a fight was about to break out between the three, there was a knock.

“Come in,”

Kaz enters the room and says, “…The Don is here. He demands to see you three.”

They all begin to sweat.

“Why is the Boss here?” Coal whimpered, “His wedding anniversary isn't over until tomorrow.”

The three make their way out of the room and down the stairs. All close to each other in fear of their boss. At the bar, a bat pony as black as night, looking through burnt rubble. He’s wearing a pinstripe suit jacket with a matching fedora and a gray overcoat. This bat pony has been a member of the Pipistrello family since he was a colt. Worked his way up the family and finally became the Don at the right age of 25, after the old Don died, his father. He is feared and respected by friends and foes. The pony that’s been the Don of the Pipistrello family for the past 31 years is…

“Don Waltz, it's good to see-”

“Never in my life have I seen anything like this,” Waltz said coldly, cutting Coal off. “How long has this once beautiful place been here?” There was no answer. He doesn’t like that. He stomps his hoof, cracking the burned wooden floor. Making everyone there jump.

“Sorry Boss, I just thought that rhetorical-”

“Answer!”

“Ever since Las Pegasus was built, sir!”

Waltz plays with the charred wood with his hoof. It almost feels like he lost an old friend. “Coal, was it the Limelight family who did this?”

”N-no, it wasn’t them.”

“Then who!” Waltz yelled, making Slugger take a step back. He notices this and says, “Slugger, what happened to you? I've never seen you so bandaged up like this.”

“He lost to this wild beast,” Coal answered for Slugger, “It was also the one that burned your bar.”

“And who may that be?”

Scout clears his throat, “The human named Ricochet, Boss.”

Waltz's eyes widen as he remembers reading about the human and his exploits. Never thought he would cross paths with that creature. As Waltz was about to say something, a maple colored pegasus wearing an expensive looking dress walked inside, “Waltz dear, what going- Oh my Celestia, what happened here!?” The Don’s wife, Maple Page, said in shock. “Is this way we came here? And Slugger, who did this to you?”

“Maple, I’m handling this. And I thought you were going to see your friend Ruby?”

“I wanted you to come along, Dear,” Maple said.

“You know she doesn’t like me,” Waltz deadpans. Just wait outside. I'll be out in a few.” He then kisses his wife. When she leaves, Waltz remembers the real reason why he’s here: “Coal, come here.” The pony carefully walks to his Boss, scared of what might happen next.

“Y-yes?” He said, sounding a bit terrified.

“Is there a Kaz here?” Waltz asked him, “Because I can’t keep up with everypony that joins the family at my age.”

Coal nods, “Yes, he’s fairly new. Do you want me to go get him?”

Waltz pulls Coal real close. “No, it’s just on my wedding anniversary. I got a message about Kaz's behavior from my wife’s friend. This is what will happen. I’ll be back here in Las Pegasus in one week, and I expect this place to be fixed and Kaz be… Let's say terminated. Use a cloudy sinkhole.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

“Good, and next time you see that human, I want him dead.” Waltz smiled. Alright, it's time to leave. The wife is waiting.” As he left the bar and began to walk with his wife, Waltz looked behind him and saw a crow flying away.

From that day on, Riki had started a war between him and one of the strongest mafia families. What’s one more enemy on the human's table going to do? It’s not going to hurt anyone… will it?

Author's Note

Oi, how's it going!? Well, that's the end of the Las Pegasus arc! Did you guys enjoy this part of the story or not? And do you have any questions? The next arc is in the work, but there will be some between chapters, like two or three. So have a nice day and be safe.