“What in Tartarus happened to you!” Octavia shouted. I dropped down off of Vinyl sitting. I rubbed my forelegs together wincing at the pain. Octavia got up and rushed over to Vinyl, grabbing her and looking her over.

Octavia looked her over again and again. The only thing she could see wrong was how much redder her eyes were. “What happened to your eyes?!” I looked over at Fire, who was just sitting there, looking over at us. “We were attacked by an assassin.” I said aloud for everyone to hear.

“Fire, we were attacked by Iron Chaser. Steel Wings top hitpony.” Fires eyes widened at the name. “How in Equestria did you get Steel on your ass!?” He got up and walked over to the rest of us. I looked back at Octavia and Vinyl. Octy was staring at me with concern.

I sighed. “Let me start from the beginning. Help me over to the couch. Its about to be along story.” I opened my forelegs like I was about to receive a hug, smiling at him like a filly in a candy shop. He shook his head smiling. He picked me up and threw me on his back.

I let out a short laugh. “haha, just like old times?” He sighed as he threw me down on the couch. “Yeah. Just like old times.”
The girls made their way over to sit as I started telling my tale.

“Ok. It all started when I got back to the Inn over in Manehatten. After that job in the Crystal Mountains.”

I walked into the Inn yawning. I sat down at my little table in the corner of the room. Resting my head on the tabletop, I waved over one of the Innkeepers. “Oh hey Black Foxx! Your back! We missed you sooooo much!” She leaned down giving me a soft kiss on the scar upon my snout. I grunted. “Hey Sweets. Mind having your father bring me a drink?” I looked up at her lazily, She had the sweetest look on her face. “Sure thing BF. The usual?” I nod.

“Oh and while your over there.” I pulled out five bags from my saddlebag. Placing them in front of her. “Take two of these for the Inn and put the rest in my room would ya’?” Her face softened as she picked up the five bags of bits. “Your always helping us out. Why wont you let us help you?”

I smiled weakly at her. “You and your sisters do enough for me. Your Fathers my best friend. You let me stay here, eating and drinking at no cost. I don’t need much Sweet Water.” She gave me a quick hug. “Then why wont you go out with me? You’re the nicest stallion that’s ever come around here. You treat us so good…”

I put a hoof up to her lips. “I don’t deserve love. Not yet. Ask me again another time. Maybe I’ll change my answer. But, until then.” I waved my hoof playfully. “Shoo. Up to my room with those.” I smiled. She moaned in fake disappointment.

“You say that every time!” She stuck her tongue out and walked away. I put my head back down and closed my eyes.

The hours past like minutes. I had just finished off my second bottle of wine. ’I should go to bed, its pretty late.’ I went to get up, but was stopped by a new voice.

“Your Black Foxx correct?” I turned around, a Pegasus Pony was standing at my table. I only nodded to him, allowing him to continue. “I represent the Steel Wing Mafia. Land was just stolen from us by a rival family. We are looking for help to get it back. Interested?” I didn’t give him time to breath before I answered. “I thought Mafias always took care of things themselves?”

“Normally we would. But we were severely crippled from the loss of that particular piece of land. And we need extra hands to fight.” I shook my head and got up. “No thanks. I’m retired. Been since this morning. Your to l…” He slammed the table softly. “Six Million Bits.”

I stared at him, “Where, and when?”

My legs were now bandaged thanks to Fire. We sat on the couches in the living room warming up by the fire. “Then I fought for a bit. We were outnumbered three to one but, it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Well, until those three Hydras came out of nowhere.”

Their eyes widened at the creatures name. “You fought against Hydras!?!” Octavia and Vinyl both yelled. Almost perfectly in sync. “Well that explains why your all fucked up. Your shit at fighting Hydras, what do you always say? ’To many heads, not enough brians?’” Fire added.

I laughed. “Yeah, took a spear to the chest too. Ended up crawling off the field and falling down some hill.” Vinyls ears perked up. “That’s when I found you!” I gave a small smile and shook my head.

“Yes, that’s when you found me. I didn’t remember anything then either. Oh shit, Fire.” I turned my gaze towards him. “Celestia came to see me in the hospital.” Fire laughed hard, falling and rolling on the floor.

“What’s so funny about that?” Vinyl questioned me. I couldn’t help but give a small chuckle. “Haha…She wanted to arrest me. But..” Octavia interrupted me. “Why would she want you arrested?”

Fire laughed even harder. “Hahahaha!!! Its probably because..hahaha…He stole the crown…heh..three times!” He continued to laugh. My ears fell flat and I glanced everywhere but the two mares.

“YOU STOLE THE CROWN!!!” Octavia screeched. “Dude, Badass!” Vinyl added. Fire had stopped his laughing and was now on his back rubbing his face in the carpet. ‘The fuck?’ I looked at the two girls. Octy looked kind of mad, and Vinyl looked surprised.

“Yeah…Once for money, the other two. Well, I was bored. So…I went to mess with Celestia.” Octavia face hoofed, and Vinyl started to laugh. “Dude, that’s so cool! How did you even steal it in the first place? I mean, isn’t Celestia supposed to be all knowing or something like that?” Fire got up and smiled at me. He walked over to the window and peered out.

“No, not really. She’s just a Pony. Like you, or me. She just has an abnormal amount of magic, and the ability to control it. She just acts all knowing because she wants other Ponies to believe that she’s a God.” I said flatly.

“But Celestia’s so nice to everypony. I cant picture her so cruel.” Octavia said with a questioning tone. I frowned angrily. “Celestia is nothing but a self-centered Bitch! Sure she cares for everypony, but she cares a whole lot more about her image.” Before I could continue, Fire closed the curtains.

“Foxx, we got Guards going house to house. What happened to you two?”

‘Shit.’

I hopped off the couch and went over to the window. I moved the curtain just enough to see. Sure enough, Guards were walking up and down the street. Stopping at every house and asking questions. I let the curtain drop back down. “We were attacked by Iron Chaser. Steel Wing is trying to kill me. Why? I have no idea. But if they find out about his death…”

I shot around to the girls. “We got to go. Now.” I looked over to Fire. “I need you to stay here for a few days. If they find out I’m here. I need you to throw them off.” Octavia and Vinyl were beyond confused.

“Wait, what? Why do we have to go?” Octavia asked. I walked over to them, placing a bandaged hoof on her shoulder. “If they find out I’m here. It wont take them long to find out who I’ve had contact with. You and Vinyl are in danger.” I looked over to Vinyl. She looked terrified.

“Vinyl, you alright?” She looked at me. “I…I met Steel Wing earlier.” I bit my lip. ’Fuck.’

“You didn’t tell him anything did you?!?” I grabbed her. Not forcefully, but enough to get her attention. “N..no, I said I didn’t know you. And that I hadn’t seen you around at all.” Her voice was shaky. I sighed in relief.

“Thank Luna…Still, we all need to leave. Tonight the latest.” I turned back to Fire. “You can stay at my place, its at the end of the road. Last house on the right.” I said approaching him. “It’ll be dangerous though. Don’t let your guard down.” He nodded and went to leave the house.

“What about our works? I have a concert next week in Manehatten I cant miss!” I turned to face her. “Your in luck. That’s where we’re headed. it’s the only place I know where we can lay low.” I checked the window again. A guard was walking up to the door.

He knocked and stepped back. “Fuck, Octavia. Answer it. You don’t know what went on, and if they ask about Vinyl or me, you haven’t seen us.” I whispered to her.

She nodded and opened the door. “Yes?” She stepped half outside. “A Pony was murdered down the street. Did you hear or see anything strange?” He asked in a serious tone. “Oh my goodness. N..no I didn’t.” Her back leg twitched. “I see.

Witnesses said they saw Vinyl Scratch and a Pegasus Pony they’ve never seen before at the scene. Do you know where Miss. Scratch is? Or who this Unknown Pony is?” Her leg twitched again. “No, I haven’t seen her all day. Oh Goddess Vinyl!” She sat down and started to cry.

“I see, I’m sorry ma’am. If you find anything out, please let a Guard know right away.” With that, he turned and walked away. ’Huh, her leg twitches when she lies…’ Octavia closed the door and looked at me. “How in Tartarus are we supposed to get out of the town?”

“Fire can get us train tickets. We just need to get there and on the train. You’ll need to pack light and make sure no one can recognize you. So jackets, hats, hoodies, anything to hide your features.” They nodded and went to get ready. “Well, a little accepting to the situation. But I like them. So, three for Manehatten then?” Fire announced to no one.

“Yeah, and can you see that their jobs know what’s going on. And that Octavias band mates know that she left for Manehatten early, and she’ll meet them there.” He opened the door. “Sure thing. Be back soon.” The door closed and I waited patiently on the couch.

My forelegs throbbed in pain form all the walking I just did. ’Fuck, I gotta take it easy for a few days. If I don’t, I’ll be useless in a fight.’ I watched the fire crackle and twist through the air. I was deep in thought, ‘what was going to happen to us?’
I wasn’t worried over me. But over the two Mares that now accompanied me.

‘Ok, so if we keep to the ally ways, we should be able to get there with out anyone spotting us. Getting on the train wont be much of a problem. As long as they wear something concealable, we can blend in with the crowd. We’ll just stay in our booth on the train. Only leave to use the restroom and to eat. What if they find us before then? I..I cant fight more then three Ponies in my current state. Or else risk further injury. But if we make it to Manehatten, Elemental will take us in without question. We should be able to hide there for a while.’

My train of thought was broken by the door opening. Fire walked in and quickly shut the door. “Got the tickets. All you got to do is show them to the Pony and you’ll get on.” He sat next to me. “Thanks Fire, once things cool down, find me.” He nodded and got up. Leaving the tickets on the table. He opened the door, “Oh and Foxx. Don’t die again.” I smirked as he closed the door and left.

Vinyl came out first. She had a green jacket and a green military cap on. She didn’t have a saddlebag on her. “Pack light?” She smiled. “I couldn’t pack light if I wanted. All I got is my DJ equipment.” She walked over to me. I reached up and took off her glasses. “No shades Vinyl. Cant risk it. Sorry.” I placed them on the table.

Vinyl frowned but understood. “Ok..” Octavia came in with a black hoodie on. She carried her Cello case on her back. “I don’t think bringing your…”

“I’m NOT leaving my Cello behind!” She walked over to the door. “Are we ready?” I shook my head.

“Yeah, lets go. Stay behind me.” I got up and went to the door. “Foxx, what about your hooves?” Vinyl asked. “I’ll be fine for now. Don’t worry.” I opened the door and looked out.

The Guards were far up the road by now. The train station was beyond the Market down the road. ’Good, not many Ponies out either.’ I waved a hoof and left the house. We circled around to the ally ways behind their house. Nopony was in sight. We kept low just in case, trotting as quiet as possible. We reached the market, there were a few Ponies walking through it. ’No Pegasus, that’s good.’ I turned around.

“Ok, spread out, I don’t want to attract any unwanted attention. Meet me at the other side of the market.” I faced the open area and walked out.

So far so good. Nopony really cared for my presence. I walked through the empty lot slowly. When I got the other side, I turned around to see both Vinyl and Octavia on opposite sides of the Market place. I waited for them to get to me. “Ok, good job. it’s a straight shot from here so lets hurry.”

We started down the road once more, no eyes were on us. This was going to smoothly. We reached the train station. And sure enough, some of Steel Wings boys were watching out for me.

“Alright, you got your tickets right?” They both nodded, staying quiet. “Good, They most likely are just looking for me. So you two can just walk straight up to the train.”

“But what about you?” Octavia whispered. “I’ll have to sneak around those guys. I’ll meet you on the train. Go.” I ushered them away and looked around.

I opened my wings. Wincing as my right wing stiffly, and slowly opened. I gave a flap and almost shouted in pain. I gritted my teeth and folded my wings back in. ’Flying’s out. Gotta do this the old fashion way.’

I ducked into the crowded line next to me. I looked around for any more of Steels Ponies. With none in sight, I made my way to the ticket booth. I wrapped around the back and made my way up next to the train. ’I should have bought a coat or something.’

I took a deep breath and walked out behind the watchful eyes of the Pegasus. I walked the train looking for my section. “Can I help you sir?”

I froze in place. I dare not look behind me. A hoof fell upon my shoulder.

“You got a ticket right?”

I basically fell to the ground. ’Oh thank Luna it’s the ticket Pony.’ I reached into my wing and took out my ticket. He took it and punched a hole into it. “Here you go sir. Have a nice trip.” I nodded and took it back, I climbed in and walked the halls looking for my booth.

‘Number 47, here we go.’ I reached for the handle and pulled. It was locked, I knocked on the door. “Who is it?” Vinyls voice called from inside.

“Its me. Open up.” I heard the door unlock and it slid open. I walked in and locked it behind me.

I looked at Vinyl and Octavia. “Ok, it’s a two day trip to Manehatten. We are not to leave this room for anything except, to go to the bathroom, or to eat. Clear?” They nodded in understanding. Octavia set her saddlebag down. “Where are we staying at in Manehatten? And for how long?”

I sat next to Vinyl. “Well, we’ll be there as long as Steel Wings in Ponyville looking for me. And we’ll be staying at the ‘Elements Inn and Pub’. I have a friend there who will keep us safe.”

The train whistled and started to move forward. “Looks like we’re on our way. Best get some sleep. Its gonna be a long ride.” I laid down on the seat, resting my head on Vinyl. I didnt realize how exhausted I was, as soon as my head touched her shoulder. I was out.

She blushed. “Um, so…night. I guess…” She leaned her head on the wall.

Octavia just rolled her eyes and laid on the seat across from us. Soon we were all asleep.

Author's Note

Thank Goddess. I tried 3 time to upload this chapter. FINALLY it worked. Hope you enjoyed it.