The Gentlecolts Club

Soarin looked at the menu reading off each item as he went through them.  None of the offerings appealed to him.  He didn’t even feel hungry.  His head still ached from the fall earlier in the day.

“See anything good?”  Rainbow dash called to him from the other side of the table.  Looking at her from over the menu, she smiled and fluttered her eyes in the candlelight.  “How about now?”  Grumbling and furling his brow, he looked back down.

Making his decision, he closed the menu and placed on the table.  As he looked over at Dash, she already had her menu closed.  Out of mild curiosity, he piped up.  “So, have you made up your mind?”

Her face lit up as she leaned over the table.  “Oh I know what I wanted since this morning.”  She cooed at him as she blew a kiss.

Soarin spoke as he turned his head and sighed looking around.  “This is going to be a long night.”  Spotting a waiter several tables down, he raised a hoof trying to get attention.  As the server saw him, he swiftly came over notepad in hoof.

As he looked at Rainbow Dash, he brightened up.  “Well!  I see we have a lovely lady and a…”  Looking at Soarin dressed in his attire, he stalled and appeared puzzled.  “…erm, hmm.  Begging your pardon sir, but isn’t it rather dark inside for sunglasses?”

“Eye problem. “  Soarin replied flatly.  “Doctors orders.”

“Perhaps I should blow out the candles then sir?”  The waiter asked curiously.

Soarin raised a hoof in protest.  “No, no.  We’re fine.  I’m ready to order.”

The waiter readied the notepad pencil in mouth as Soarin started.  “Small side of alfalfa greens mixed with dandelion flowers.”  He then motioned to Dash.

“Small slice of cherry pie and extra whipped cream.”  She replied with a fiendish smile.

“No main course for you tonight madam?”  the waiter asked.

Dash snickered while pointing a hoof across the table at Soarin.  “Oh no.  I’m saving him for later.”  Hearing her, Soarin groaned from the other side of the table.

Scribbling on the pad, the waiter spoke up again.  “Anything to drink?”

“Just water.”  Soarin started.

“Bottle of wine please.”  Dash said gleefully.

With a look of discontent, Soarin leaned over to her.  “Aren’t you a bit young for that?”

“Yup!”  She answered enthusiastically.  “It’s for you.”  She could be heard giggling softly.

With a frustrated sigh, Soarin turned to the waiter.  “Two glasses of water please.  We’re done.”  The waiter nodded and walked off to the back kitchen.

The joy had faded from Dash as she sat back pouting. “Aww.  You’re not going to be any fun tonight, are you?”  She spoke out in protest.

Soarin lowered his glasses as he looked at her directly with the deep green eyes of his.  “Look, I have to be here because of something a friend did for me.  If I owe a favor, I repay it in kind.”  Lifting the glasses, he folded his hooves on the table while looking down.  “In this case, I think he owes me two favors for just this one.  You’re quite a handful you know.”

“Hey!  I am not a burden.”  Dash retorted.  “Do you know long I’ve waited just to hang out with one of you guys?  It’s hard enough just to see any of you on my time off!  I mean your training and performance schedules are booked solid yet I have to take care of all of the weather patrol duties and discipline all the ponies that don’t do their jobs like Thunderlane.”

Soarin chuckled a bit.  “Yeah.  He was pretty much was always like that.  He’s a good pony though.”

Dash brought up a hoof and dug it into the table.  “Soarin, of all Wonderbolts you are the one I’ve thought about for a while.  You are so much more than other ponies.”  She spoke warmly as she leaned over to him.  “You’re the hardest one to see after the shows.  Nopony knows why you don’t stay around.  So many ask for you, but you can’t be seen.  Just to sit here this close to you is unheard of.”  She reached over and touched his hoof with hers.  “For once I can believe you’re real here with me now.  Not just a ghost or a mirage.  It’s almost magical as if it was meant to be.”

Nervously, Soarin pulled his hoof away.  “I…I can’t.  I just can’t get involved.”  He lowered the brim of his hat to hide his face.

“Soarin.”  Dash spoke softly.  “Please let me in.  What are you afraid of?”

Soarin looked up at her.  “Dash, it’s…”

As he started, he noticed a pony in bright yellow and orange walk through the front door.  Squinting in the low light, he saw her wander over to the bar.  His heart skipped a beat.  It was clearly Spitfire.

Soarin locked up.  “No.  No way.  It can’t be.”  He whispered.  Just as he briefly lowered his glasses again, she looked around and locked eyes with him.  Quickly raising his glasses he held motionless as the pony down the bar cocked her head continuing to stare.

“No!”  Soarin hissed as he saw her slowly slide off the chair.  Dash looking confused whispered back. “What is going on with you?”

Quickly sliding out of his seat, he moved around the table and sat on the cushion directly next to Dash pushing her over.  Dash surprised, leaned in and smiled at him.  “Wow!  What a change of heart!”

Soarin leaned down and glanced around the bench at the bar.  The gold colored pony continued to walk towards them.

Soarin sat up knowing he only had a few seconds until she would be there.  Dash giggled covering her nose with a hoof.  “Do you have something in mind Soarin?”

As he looked at her he paused for a brief second with his heart pounding hard and hooves shaking.  He closed his eyes and thought of the Doctor and the words he said earlier.  He whispered them aloud. “I’m not going to run, I am in control.”  He drew a deep breath.

A surprised Dash closed in on him nose to nose.  “You sure are.”  She cooed.

From the corner of his eye as Spitfire was nearly next to him, Soarin trembling badly leaned in and kissed Dash stonefaced.  Warmly accepting him, she wrapped her hooves around him pulling him in closer.  Trying to be anywhere but there, he focused on flying high above the clouds free from the ground.

Spitfire looking at the back of the ponies in arms deliberated with herself raising a hoof as if to touch the individual on the back.  Stalling for a second, she placed it back down still watching for a few more seconds and finally turned away in confusion heading back to the end of the bar she came in from.

Soarin shaking so badly at this point jerked back with a pop of the lips propping a hoof on the table and exhaling hard.  Dash came in close rubbing noses with his with cheeks blushed red.  “You are so incredible.”  She said nuzzling into his neck as he turned wide eyed and breathing hard to see Spitfire make it to the end of the bar and sit on the stool glancing briefly back at where they sat.

Soarin had to catch his breath.  “We’ve got to get out of here!”  He panted.

Smiling happily and biting down on her lower lip again, she pushed him out of the seat.  “Lets go!”  Regaining focus, Soarin pulled on her hoof and started toward the back door running into a waiter.

Lowering his glasses, he looked at him intently.  “Is there an exit back here!?”

“Well, you can get through the kitchen exit if…” the waiter started.

“That’ll do!”  Soarin made his way through the back and forced his way through the kitchen doors past two ponies still cooking up on stoves.  Still pulling Dash along, he made it through the rear exit door and jumped into the air clumsily.  Dash followed suit climbing high alongside him.

“Where are we going?”  Dash called as she followed him.

“I need to get back to Thunderlane’s house.  I can’t stay here anymore.”  He shouted going up.

“I bet you’re thinking of me aren’t you?”  Dash called as she got in close and nuzzled her nose under his wing.”  Soarin stumbled a bit trying to stay stable.  “Don’t!  I’m just trying to keep it together here!”

In a gleeful cheer, she let out a hoot.  “So am I!”

Pausing for a moment, he thought to himself and understood where the intention went.  With a long face, he groaned.  “Oh brother.”

**************************************

Slowly peeking over a window sill into the living room, Derpy looked around for any sign of Soarin.  She knew he could only be either at the house or the restaurant Thunderlane talked about.  She banged her hooves on her head in angst not knowing if she should stay or go.

“Oh, what to do!  What to do!”  She muttered.  Just as she thought of flying to the restaurant, voices could be heard approaching in the dark.  With a muffled gasp, she pushed on the shutters and dove into an open window.  She kept a head below the sill as the hoofsteps came closer.

“My, you were in an awful hurry to leave.”  Rainbow dash could be heard talking in a comical tone.  “You must have something on your mind, right?”

In a tired repose, Soarin was heard next. “I felt ill and I just had to get out of there.  I’m ready to go inside and just relax.”

As the hoofsteps are came close to the house, Derpy snuck behind the couch as the pair came inside and the lights turned on.  Sorain made a straight line for the couch, climbed into it and lay down as Dash came over and sat next to him.  Looking down at his rear hoof, she traced a line on the couch leading up to it and eventually tapped it.  Lifting a forehoof, he wove it back at her without looking.  “Hooves OFF.”  He mumbled.

“Aww, come ON.”  Dash whined.  “That wasn’t even a real date between us.  I was hoping for at least a little more.  Besides, you really left in impression back there.”  She lifted the rear of his overcoat he had on and traced an outline of the thunderbolt on his back flank.  With a snort, he sat up and placed a hoof an inch from her nose and looked quite angry.

“I have just about had enough of you tonight.  Today has quite literally been the worst day of my life and I don’t know how much more I can take.  I had to fulfill a deal made by a pony I haven’t seen in years for reasons he hasn’t even told me!”  Soarin blurted.

Dash looked at him looking so manner of factly.  “Oh I know why.  He has been late or absent to weather patrol duties so many times the books can’t log them all.  I’ve already covered for him to the point where he’s in so much hot water, if he so much as sneezes the wrong way, he’s on disciplinary review.”

Soarin looked at her aghast.  “Wait.  I had to go out with you because he can’t keep his schedule together?”

Smiling, she tapped him on the nose.  “Yup!”

Fuming, Soarin stood up and paced the room.  “He sold me out!  I don’t believe him!  Augh!”  Stomping up and down, he lost his balance for a moment and leaned up against a wall having to take a deep breath as the room turned.  As Dash got up and walked over to him, she helped to lift him up.  As she did so, she pulled him a closer to her smiled as she cuddled him.  Weakly he fought her, but tired and spent, all he could do was try to look away.  Dash came in nuzzling into his neck and under his chin speaking softly.   “Soarin, I need you just as much as you need me right now.  We can be together here for tonight.  Just you and me.”  With that, she looked up, leaned in and kissed him softly letting out a dull hum.

As a surge of terror and fear overwhelmed him again as he pulled himself back from her hooves with what strength he had.  As he looked behind him stepping backwards while hunched over against the wall, he choked as he thought how to stall her.  “I…I have to go to the colts room.  Badly.”  Turning around, he made his way inside and locked the door.  Derpy noticing the action from around the edge of the couch jumped back out the window she came in and worked her way around to the washroom window.

Soarin in the meantime turned on the sink faucet while removing the hat, sunglasses and beard he had worn for more then half of the day.  Dipping his hooves under the running water, he splashed it on his face, rubbed it in and groaned.  Looking up at himself in the mirror, he stared at the mess of a pony looking visibly drained, tired and tortured.  “Look at you.”  He muttered.  “How are you going to get out of this one?”

As he heard the tap on the window he jumped mildly startled.  “Psst!’  The shadow called.  Walking over and undoing the latch, he opened the window.  With a goofy smile, Derpy waved a hoof.  “Hi!”

“Derpy!  Shush!”  Soarin whispered.  “What are you doing here?”

“The doctor says he’s ready to see you.  All of the Gentlecolts are there too!”  She whispered back enthusiastically.

Thinking for a second, Soarin looked down at the attire on the ground.  He looked back up at the mare and waved for her to come in as he backed up.  “Come on in.  I have an idea.”

Derpy squeezed in through the small window and sat awkwardly in the corner.  “Now what?”

Soarin picked up the items on the floor with his teeth and placed them on her one at a time.  Taking off the coat, he draped it over her.  “Derpy, I have to go.  I need a head start so dash can’t see me leave and catch up.  Whatever you don’t tell her where I went.  Okay?”

With a nod, Derpy saluted back in a humorously goofy manner.

Raising a hoof and nervously tapping on her back, he happily smiled at her.  “Thanks friend.”  As he started to climb out the window, a knock on the door is head.  “Are you Okay Soarin?”  Dash called from the other side.

“Be careful with her.”  Soarin grumbled.  “She can be a real hoofull.”  Making it the rest of the way out, Soarin took a large chestful of crisp evening air and lept up trying to steady himself as he directed his way to the doctors house by the stars once again.  It was harder for him now to stay awake then before, but the doctor had answers he wanted.  He knew the trip was worth the effort.

The knocks on the door continued as Derpy turned to look at it with concern.  “Soarin.”  Dash called from the other side.  “If you’re still feeling ill, let me in.  I can take care of you.  Come on.”

Derpy looked around still dressed in the attire.  Flushing the toilet and running the sink, she quickly had an idea.  Lifting the lid and making the clank as audible as possible, she made heaving sounds while trying to stick her head into the bowl without actually touching the water.  “Erhnn!”

A minute passed by until Dash could be heard on the other side of the door.  “Just let me know when you’re done.  I really want to help if I can.”

Derpy rattled the toilet handle, flushed it again and gave a dull groan.  “Mmmhrmm.”  She tried to groan with hooves covering her mouth.

Dash could be heard on the other side moving away as Derpy sat on the toilet lid in thought.  She bought Sorain time, but as far as how much remained to be seen.

**************************************

As the first few minutes passed, the house faded long into the distance behind him.  The night was becoming colder and he left his attire behind him.  Trying to continue thought the night, he carried on toward the doctors house.  It would take work, but he knew for sure he wouldn’t stay behind with the advances by Rainbow Dash.  Minutes felt like hours as he took his time breathing deep and focusing on the stars and lights that covered the sky and landscape.

As he came closer to the study where the doctor resided, Soarin spent of energy drifted off every few seconds as the sleep attacked him during his descent.  Trying to stay awake, he bumped his head with a hoof and drew another deep breath.  Looking around in the dim light, he saw the complex where he knew the doctor was.  With crude judgment, he came down steep near the front entry landing hard into a grass knoll with a rather clumsy landing.  Dirt raked his hooves as he came down on his right side dragging the soil across his body.  Once on the ground he skidded to a stop leaving a short track in the earth.  After a brief moment of breathing hard, he grit his teeth and pulled himself together slowly standing up.  Outside of the complex, he walked slowly through the main entry with a wing lowered dragging the ground.  As he did before on finding the address, he banged his hoof against the door as he lay down for just a moment.  Tired, he scraped a hoof at the door without a response.  He drew another long breath as he looked up without any change.  The ground beneath him moved and standing was longer an option.  No hoof steps, no light change, no shadows.  Perhaps nopony was home he thought.

He lay flat at the doorstep.  Sleep had overtaken him and the fatigue took over.  His consciousness slipped. Time was no longer relevant.  Lowering his head down on the cold ground, he closed his eyes.

As he faded out, voices could be heard as light from the door became brighter.  He then felt many hooves shuffle under and  pick him up.  His body lifted as he moved.  All he heard as he passed out was the words.  “Carry him gently Gentlecolts.”

**************************************

Derpy ran the faucet again when the knock became louder this time on the bathroom door.  “Sorain!  You open this door right now!”  Dash yelled.

Inside the restroom, she tried to run the faucet a second time and flushed the toilet.  “That’s not going to work this time!”   She called through the door.  “If you don’t come out, I’m coming in!  This door won’t stop me!”

Derpy touched the deadbolt on the door to indicate movement.  As she gulped knowing that she couldn’t stall her any further, she undid the latch.  The door handle instantly turned ad the door flew open with Dash on the other side.  As she stepped in, she came in close to her still dressed in his attire.  “I don’t know what’s going on, but I really wish you would tell me what is wrong.  I’m just trying to make you feel comfortable you know.”

Lowering the brim of the hat, Derpy gave a mild nod.

“If you’ll let me, I’ll be very gentle with you tonight.  Just don’t leave me alone.”  Dash came in closer and ran her nose over the beard.  Derpy caught off guard snickered as her nose was tickled.

Dash perked up at the laughter.  “Feeling better I take it? You don’t know how much that means.”  As Dash closed in, she couldn’t smell any sign of a foul odor.  She suspected the illness was a fake.

“I don’t think you have any problems you troublemaker.”  She said with contempt.  “I think you were just stalling.  Tonight you and I are alone and that’s all that matters.”  With that she closed in and again kissed the bearded pony, but instantly she noticed a difference.  The body smaller, the mouth smaller and the tongue hanging out was not that of the pony she held before.

Dash drew back astonished.  With a quizzical look, she pulled up on the glasses and gasped wide eyed as she saw the crossed eyes of Derpy.

“You!”  She reacted backing up.  “What…what are you doing here!”

“Heya Dash!”  She chuckled.  “You’re a bit of a mooch pooch.”  She said with a sheepish smile.

Instantly Dash looked fierce as she came eye to eye with her.  “You’re not Soarin!  Where is he!?”

Looking up with hoof in chin she shrugged.  “Search me!”

“Ooh!”  Dash bucked the wall leaving holes as she looked angrily at Derpy.  “Where!  I know you talked to him!”

A bit nervous, she said the first thing on her mind.  “He said something about a doctor and…”

“Doctor!” Dash exclaimed.  “Of course!  The doctor from earlier today at the ponyville hospital!  I can catch him there!”  Before Derpy had a chance to continue, Dash jumped out a nearby window and took off into the night.

“But, but wait!”  Derpy called to her as she disappeared.  Looking out into the night, Dash was clearly long gone before she had a chance to stop her.

Sitting to herself in the living room, Derpy thought for moment then laughed to herself.  In jest, she smiled and spoke out in the empty room.

“When what is done is meant to be, all one can say is C’est la Vie.”

Running headlong with a pirouette and a leap, she dove out the same window and started on her way back to the study.

**************************************

Soarin awoke to the doctor hunching over him while laying on the pillow next to the fire.  Looking into his eyes by pulling a lower eyelid down and checking his pulse with an ear to his neck, he nodded to the darkness in agreement.  “He appears to be just fine.  It seems to be severe strain and fatigue.  Earlier he explained that this has been a rather terrible day.”  The doctor gave him a tap.  “Lean up if you can, friend.”

Lifting himself from the pillow, Soarin strained to look around in the study.  In the dim light his eyes focused in on the other four figures in the room close to a far wall on pillows with only the firelight to show their form.  When looking at their faces, he couldn’t make them out as each had a large bag like hood with a mask to cover their faces and necks.  The long dark coats they wore also hid their fur and cutie marks.  The only distinguishable differences he could see was one pony with a protrusion in his mask indicating a horn.  Another looked noticeably thinner and gaunt compared to the others.

In the silence, the pony on the far left spoke up.  “Doctor, what do you propose to do now?”

“As we have done many times before Mr. Tan, I believe introductions are appropriate.”  The Doctor replied.  As he sat next to Soarin, the Doctor began to point each pony out one at a time.

“Over in the far corner there Soarin is our Mr. Tan.  His primary purpose is simply to help out whenever funding is an issue.  He knows other rather useful information when it comes to monetary information that really helps the club for both acquiring and dispersing funds when needed.”  With a nod, the pony raised a hoof.

The doctor moved a hoof to the next pony.  “To the left of his if you look is our Mr. Yellow.  Predominantly responsible for supply issues of everything from perishable goods to weapons whether legal or illegal he can get them whenever and wherever you want.”  With a mild nod, he tipped a hoof to his brow.  “You name, I can get it.”  He said with confidence.

The doctor continued.  “Next to him you will see our conversationalist Mr. White.  He has the connections to all of the highest influential ponies to the lowest forms of life around Equestria.  If he doesn’t know them, he can and will find them through those that he knows or will find out about.”  With a mild circling of a hoof, he gave a short bow with his head.  “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”  The pony added.

The doctor pointed to the last pony in the corner.  “Over there we have our Mr. Red.  He’s not exactly the friendliest pony, but isn’t meant to be.  If we need a strong hoof, he has the ties to other ponies from everything between raids to covert operations.”  With a grunt, Red swung a hoof across himself and banged the wall next to him hard leaving a dent impressed of his hoof.  A low maniacal chuckle could be heard from him.

The doctor looked angrily in his direction.  “I really would appreciate if you didn’t do that.  I pay rent and the repairs get expensive just to keep the landlord happy.”

Mr. Red groaned while waving a hoof in disapproval.  “Bah.”

The doctor then turned to Soarin.  “As for me, I am known as Mr. Brown when I must play the role for their clients.  My job is to make everything for the club work as one.  A think tank of a sort if you wish to call it as such.”  The doctor waved his hoof across the room at the four ponies in front of him.  “For those of us that have lives outside of the club, we have to hide who we are to safely keep our outside role protected.   As for me unless you already know or haven’t yet figured it out, the main reason I’m not worried about revealing my own identity to you is that I have more than enough proof to destroy your career and your name around Equestria should you attempt to reveal mine.  It’s not something I would like to do, but it provides a safeguard much better then masks in my opinion.”  The Doctor gave a mild smile.  “Besides, I prefer transparency when talking to clients.  From what I gathered before I started this meeting, you obviously would do anything to spare your career.”

Soarin aghast spoke out.  “But why would you do that!?  It took me years to make it where I am!”

The doctor laughed lightly.  “No, you misunderstand me.  This is something I do to keep out of trouble from those out to entrap me.  Much like protecting my king in a chess game, I can end the match should you try to bring me down at any moment.  I have kept many secrets over the years in fact.”  Leaning over to his side, he tapped on a tray out of view to Soarin.  “How do you feel about a cup of tea for your nerves?  It’s quite good.”

The visiable disbelief could easily be read on the face of Soarin.  “But, what would you gain on ruining me?  Why would you want to do anything to me when I only sought your help?”  He replied.

The doctor lifted the teacup, sipped it lightly then set it down with a mild nod.  “Yes, I suppose we could just get to the point then to clear things up.”  Turning to Soarin, he looked at him with grave concern.  “Recently we’ve picked up on indicators that a saboteur has plans to do great damage, but don’t know where, when or how.  Only through clues have we been able to try and piece together what may be in store for us.  It’s like flying blind with a dim light I’m afraid.  Even with the resources we have, we can’t be sure what to do next.  This is quite possibly one of the most difficult cases we have had to handle.”

Looking around the room at the different ponies, Soarin looked at the Doctor quite puzzled.  “I just don’t understand.  What exactly is going on here?”

The pony with the protrusion from his mask spoke up from the edge of the room.  “We are the Gentlecolts Club.  An organization that has been around for several decades and has a rather spotted history I’m afraid.  Shall I give him the history lesson Doctor?”

Settling into the pillow on the floor the Doctor nodded.  “I suppose so Mr. White.  It can’t hurt the situation at all and there’s nothing you won’t mention that isn’t already printed at the library.  We have plenty of time tonight.”

Mr. White slowly walked on over and sat in front of Soarin.  “Decades ago when the club was first organized, it was originally an affluent society that predominantly dealt in the pleasuring of stallions in more ways and means then all of the texts and historians that are even aware of on the subject matter.  This was a secretive operation that went undetected.  They practiced old forms, new forms, alternative and forsaken forms of an erotic nature.  The experiments into trying to break new ground were a common practice and they actually did research in seeking how to become more efficient at it.  Being as small, selective and secretive as it was, the practice of hiding their faces and names was a core value so that if one was found from the club, they couldn’t provide the information of anypony else that was involved.  Since they changed locations so often as well, the society survived for a long time until…”  Mr. White stalled.  The room became quiet.

Breaking the silence, Soarin spoke out.  “Until what?”

“A whistleblower ended it all.”  The masked pony spoke sullenly.  “A single pony that craved the power to run the organization and wanted more for himself rose in power until the day he was judged by his peers to be too much of a risk to continue with the club.  He became careless and endangered the group with his recklessness nearly exposing them all several times.  Falling to the lowest possible position inside of the group, he received little to no respect although he was permitted to stay.  One night as he convinced the group to meet at a new location, he had a trap planned by the royal celestial guards and the entire group was detained and faced Celestia herself.  She ordered the entire group punished save for our whistleblower and the organization was disbanded.  To this day any mention of the Gentlecolts club may or may not even be recognized since it has been so long since its demise.  It’s far more likely to be associated with tall tales then actual truth.  Most of the old books of inner history and the practices of theirs was destroyed or lost, the original members long passed and what little remains that you see in print I have just mentioned is all that remains.  Did I leave anything out Doctor?”

The Doctor shook his head.  “No.  That’s about all of it as far as information on the outside has told.”

Soarin looked around at the ponies before him and spoke.  “But if what you say is true, I thought the Gentlecolts club was gone?  What is this and who are they?”  He pointed to the four at the far wall.

The Doctor looked up at him with a growing smile.  “That bit of history was current only until recently.  A revival of sorts has taken hold.”

Leaning over out of view, the Doctor lifted an old book massive in size.  As he brought into view, Soarin saw the beautifully adorned gold carvings on the cover showing ponies after ponies engaged in visibly lewd acts of various form.  As the doctor held it up, he blew off the debris on top.  “This…”  The doctor spoke out as he ran a fur covered knuckle across the cover leaving a line thought the dust.  “…is the last book that details the most intimate acts and most risqué information that detailed the inner workings of the club.  This is the crème de la crème of their research.  It’s quite an unusual text you know.”

Opening the cover slowly, he turned to a random page in the center of the book showing several ponies in specific alignment outlined with a list of ingredients and incantations.  Soarin looked at it in curiosity.  Just the pictures alone were enough to give him goosebumps as he stared at the images and his eyes grew wide as he read into the context.  Understanding the operation of practice detailed within, he felt himself lock with what felt like this heart in his throat.  Interest quickly turned into fear.

“Gods alive!”  He choked as he quickly turned away.  “Please, just close the book doc!”

Soarin heard as the Doctor closed the book and he slowly turned back.  He looked at him almost crazily.  “That…that sort of equine foolery isn’t normal!  What is the point in having something that arcane?!  Most everypony knows the practice of magic like that is banned everywhere in Equestria!”

The doctor softly talked with a mild repose as he leaned in to him.  “Not only is this book designed to enhance your existing level of euphoria, it can also fix the problems for those that can’t enjoy or tolerate it at all.”  With that, the doctor slowly pointed a hoof at Soarin with a serious look in his eye.  “Specifically for a certain pony I know.”

Looking around as if searching for answer, he muttered as he chewed on his words as he said them.  “I don’t have a problem.  Ponies just don’t understand me.”

The doctor looked at him with eyebrows raised in question.  “Really?”  He then leaned his head to one side.  “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”

Soarin could be seen growing angry as his temper flared.  “In all my years I have never touched a mare!  Every single one of them attacked me!  Evey one!  I didn’t do anything!”  he shouted back.

“Ah.”  The doctor calmly nodded.  “Never touched a mare you say.  That does help us to understand your situation a little more.”

“What is with you?!”  Soarin yelled as he struggled to his feet.  “I came here for help and you show me this book of forbidden magic and a bunch of unknown masked ponies.  Some help you are Doc.”  Soarin started to walk towards the door.  “I’m going home.”

As he fought to work his way stumbling, Mr. Red came over and stood in front of him as his eyes could be seen through the mask.  “We’re not done.”  He warned.

“Get out of my way.”  Soarin growled at him through his clenched teeth.  All ponies watched as the gaunt pony immediately came forward and placed a hoof between them.   He spoke aloud as he looked at the pony through his own mask.  “Red, don’t you dare hurt him.”  Turning to Soarin, he came closer as he whispered almost pleadingly.  “Sit down.  Red is just asking for this.  I think you’ve had enough trouble for today.”

With a short pause as the three didn’t budge, he continued.  “Understand that I do this help for the doctor and how helped me and for the sake of my family and business.  Please.”

Soarin understood the serious tone coming from him.  He was already tired and having the chance to keep it was from becoming worse was a change.  Clearing his throat, Soarin took a step back.  “Maybe the Doctor does have more to say.”  He mumbled as he returned and sat on the pillow.

A low grumble could be heard from Mr. Red.  “You got lucky.”  He said as as he returned to his corner then looked over at the gaunt pony.  “And you need to stay out of others affairs Mr. Yellow.”

Mr. Yellow let out a long sigh and gave an audible whisper.  “Thank you.  You’ve saved us all a lot of grief.  That and more holes in the wall at a minimum.”  He said before he returned over to his corner.

“Please make yourself comfortable.”  The doctor spoke as if nothing happened.  The light blue pegasi settled back onto the pillow where he was before and gave the doctor his full attention.

“There is much more to this story and this bit is by far the most important part.  The story didn’t end with the disbanding of the Gentlecolts.”  The doctor started up again.  “Vengence and retribution can run quite deep when you have an organization that ran as long as this one has.  Just as one pony brought it all down, another sought to find him and have him atone for his actions.”  Leaning down, the doctor picked up his tea and took another sip.  “I do have honey and some sweet cream if you’re still interested in a cup.”

Clearly more interested in the tale, Soarin waved a hoof.  “No thanks.  Please continue.”

“As luck would have it, our whistleblower sought only to benefit himself with the remaining resources that was out of the reach or unknown by the Celestial empire.  He created many new problems by transferring his new organization of theft and extortion throughout all Equestria.  Tales grew from abroad of cities and towns falling victim as calls for help reached Canterlot.  In order to quell this new threat, the Princess attempted to search him out and stop his actions to no avail.  As a last resort, Princess Celestia turned to the help of the Gentlecolts club members locked away in her dungeon for their crimes.  A single pony volunteered to talk with her and it was none other than the club leader that denied the further involvement of the whistleblower before he was demoted within the ranks.

The Doctor placed the cup back down on the tray.  “This one pony plead his case to Princess Celestia that his group meant no wrongdoing.  He promised to her unconditionally that in exchange for their freedom and to save what few items he was allowed, he was mandated to serve the princess with his club as a task force without knowledge of the common pony to find and stop the raiders.  The princess understood that having such a group with official ties to the empire would be looked down with contempt and mistrust.  She had to inform them that if caught or captured, she would deny all association to them.  It became a sort of secret service she would call upon for special duties.  As the time wore on, the Gentlecolts knowing the tactics and the way this whistleblower thought were able to bring in each of the raiders in exchange for more and more of themselves for freedom.  As an additional promise, they could no longer practice the forms of which the club was founded.”

The doctor again looked at the large book as he continued.  “From what I know, the text ends that nearly all of the raiders were caught and brought to justice, but this unknown informant was able to escape.  His group having been crushed and nothing left with to reorganize, he faded into obscurity.  The Gentlecolts enjoyed a peaceable existence thereafter and continued to serve Celestia for several years thereafter, but unable to practice their mainstay their meetings became scattered and further apart in time as the group dwindled and intrest waned.  Eventually they chose to disband rather than continue work for Celestia.  As the years went by, they lost contact with one another until it simply faded away.”

The doctor ending with a pause raised a hoof in uncertainly.  “After that, we know nothing more.”

“How do you know of this additional information?”  Soarin asked.

The doctor tapped a hoof on the book.  “Detailed notes have been kept in the back.  Not only is this a manual of the club and it’s exploits, it became the journal for which the we learned of the search for the raiders by those that were freed to clear their names.  Sadly they don’t include the information as to who they were in the book for fear of being tracked.  Perhaps it is best that we don’t know who they were just as much as it is for us now.”  The doctor placed the book on the ground.  “Being that this isn’t common knowledge, it also proves how few of these actual texts survived.”

Soarin thought for a moment.  “There is still one lingering question I haven’t yet understood Doctor.  Why am I even involved in this?”

“Ah, now we finally arrive at the reason we’re here in the first place.”  The doctor laughed heartily.  “I imagine I’ve bored my cohorts to tears as they know all of this already.  This certainly wound up taking longer then I believe we were all expecting.”

“It does give us something to reflect on Doctor.”  Mr. Tan spoke out from his corner.  “What we do is quite important even though few know of our activities.  I can live with that.”

“It was only fair to let you steal the wind from my sails.”  Mr. White followed up.  “After all, you tell it better then I do.”

“This is all water under the bridge.”  Mr. Red continued.  “Can we move along already?”

The doctor briefly looked a Mr. Red with disappointment.  “From what I’ve learned, he’s not one to request a personal opinion from should you ask.”

The doctor turned and directly spoke to Soarin.  “Anyway, as you may or may not know you friend Thunderlane has provided us some useful information while you were out busy today.  We now know that your captain from the Wonderbolts has a letter from you explaining your deepest love for her and what we-”

“A WHAT!?”  Soarin shouted with surprise in reaction.  “A letter!?  From me!?”  Soarin stumbed to his feet and walked over to the fire as he paced between it and the pillow while looking around and back at the doctor.  “Of all things, it was a love letter!?”

Coming back to his pillow, he flopped down and hit the ground with a hoof clearly distraught.  The doctor paused and eventually spoke a lingering question.  “You didn’t write it, did you?”

“NO!”  Soarin yelled and bringing his head up.  “Of course I didn’t!  I don’t want anything to do with her!  Everything was fine for a long time until the last few months she kept pestering me and touching me and eventually tackling me leaving me with this lump on my head.  Now it’s so obvious as to why she’s crazy for me.”  He sighed as he lay his head on the pillow.  “She was bad enough, but Rainbow Dash just made it all worse.  If they find out about one another, I’m doomed.  I can thank Thunderlane for that.”

“I know you didn’t write that letter.  It just confirms my suspicions.”  The doctor replied.  “As for Rainbow Dash, that was a totally unexpected variable we now have to work with.”  Standing up, he walked nearby the fire looking into the flames.  After a moment, he looked back at Soarin.  “What we suspect is our saboteur has intentionally written that letter for a strategic purpose.  Something having to do with the Wonderbolts I imagine.  I also suspect that whomever made it intended on one or both of you to be affected in some way to benefit that particular pony.“

“I’m fortunate she didn’t have me kicked out of the Wonderbolts already for that.”  Soarin interjected.  The doctor nodded in agreement.  “But she accepted it.  I think this pony also knew you had a problem and wouldn’t want to be with her.  You could have complained to your higher ups, but didn’t.  Either way it’s the perfect storm to create.”  The doctor brought a hoof to his chin.  “The question however is why.  Why would a pony do such a thing?”

As the doctor paused to think for a moment, he simply shook his head.  “I can’t think of anything else to go on.  We can try asking Thunderlane some more.  Maybe one of us missed something.”  Looking up, pointed over to a door.  “Mr. Red, would you be so kind as to bring him in?”

Soarin looked over to the masked pony as he went through the door and then looked back at the doctor.  His expression changed to anger as he asked a question.  “He’s here!?”

The doctor nodded before he spoke.  “We didn’t expect him to come here, but when he did looking for you we had to keep him around until you came back.  We’re trying to stop all variables from getting out of hand before we have control of the situation.  With you and Thunderlane here, nopony knows where you two are and we must review a few things as well for your safety and ours.”

As the door opened, Thunderlane came in sleepily as he yawned having been removed from bed.  “Guys, I already told you what-“  He paused mid sentence as he blinked to focus and saw Soarin.  Between surprise and shock, he gave a nervous chuckle.  “Oh, hey Soarin!  How did um…the date go?”

“YOU!”  Soarin stood up and walked his way over to him.  “After what you pulled I ought to tear your legs off and beat you with your own hooves!  Do you know what you’ve put me through!?”

Thunderlane backed up as he prepared to defended himself.  “Soarin, I was desperate!  It was just a date!  I mean, I thought it would do you good and all!  I was just trying to help you with your problem by killing two birds with one stone, you know?”  Thunderlane then perked up a bit.  “Heck.  I even ran into Spitfire and told her you would be there.  I thought it would good to have her there to better my chances of being on the level with Dash, right?”  He smiled looking for support.

The second soarin heard the last part, his look of fatigue, anger and shock all transformed to flat out rage.  “RAUUGH!”  He yelled bolting forward.  As Soarin leapt at Thunderlane, Mr Red jumped in between and tackled him to the ground.  Soarin flailing to get up struggled weakly then stopped.  Mr. Red laughed coldly as he looked at him close.  “Ready for round two, rabbit?”  Thunderlane unable to react only watched in shock as the scene unfolded in front of him.

As Soarin still looked at Thunderlane angrily and teeth bared while breathing heavy, a moment of silence passed until he calmed down enough, looked up and answered the pony on top of him.  “No.  Can you get off me now?”

Mr. Red got up and pointed a hoof at both pegasi as he returned to his corner.  “You two behave or I’ll start cracking skulls.”  He clapped his hooves together hard before he sat down.  Still visibly upset, Soarin glared at Thunderlane until the Doctor tapped a hoof to get his attention.

“Thank you Mr. Red.”  The doctor said.  “Would you two please have a seat?  I’d like to finish things up tonight so the rest of the group may go.”  Hearing this, Soarin quickly went over to his pillow and flopped down as Thunderlane slowly crept up and lay down with the doctor between them.

“Much appreciated doc.”  Mr. Tan called from the corner.  “I imagine you don’t have to say that twice for Mr. Red.”  Mr. Red meanwhile visibly hit one of his front hooves with another as if pounding something together.  “Not unless we have another fight.”  He chided.

“So for you two my proposition is this.”  The doctor explained to Soarin and Thunderlane.  “For Soarin I am certain that one of the more powerful spells in this book can cure you of your ailment of being fearful around mares.  For you Thunderlane we can take care of all your misgivings and wipe the slate clean with your poor job performance.  In return we need the undivided cooperation and help from both of you on this matter at hand until we’re through.  What do you say?”

Thunderlane immediately brightened up.  “Really!? No kidding!?”

Mr. White nodded.  “Yes indeed.  Shouldn’t be too hard with a few contacts I know in Canterlot.”

“You got a deal doc!”  Thunderlane happily responded as he quickly turned to Soarin.  “Do you hear that?  I’ll be in the clear from so many headaches with weather patrol duties!  What about you?”

“I don’t know about the whole thing.”  He said with repose.  “Something looks fishy.”  Quickly the doctor spoke up.  “I won’t force you to do anything I wouldn’t.  I also wouldn’t force anypony into something I need done.  I ask this of you because I need your help.”

Soarin debated a moment then spoke his mind.  “Well, I’ll need a place to stay.  I’d rather make my decision tomorrow.”  Immediately the doctor responded.  “You may stay here tonight if you feel comfortable.  There is a back bedroom where Thunderlane was earlier.  You may stay too if you wish Thunderlane.”  Thinking for a moment, he continued.  “And no fights please.  I may keep Mr. Red here if you do.”  Speaking up, the masked red pony dryly responded.  “I’m not playing babysitter doctor.”

Soarin looked at Thunderlane with an uncomfortable look, but took a deep breath and gave a quick nod.  “Okay, no fights.  I can promise that much.”  Thunderlane on hearing this sighed in relief.

“I think that wraps everything up for tonight everyone.”  The doctor calls around the room.  “Once we have a plan of action and a direction to go, you will all be contacted for anything needed.

The doctor stood up and faced the four ponies as the four themselves evenly spaced themselves apart.  With all five raising a hoof in succession, a resounding chant is heard from the group.

Though honor and pride with friends by our side

Our feats may all go unsung

But Celestia be praised with the greatness we’veraised

For the Gentlecolts Club will live on!

As each pony came forward to the doctor, they shook hooves and one by one they left through the main entry.  Just as Mr. Yellow approached the doctor, he held up a hoof.  “Hold on a moment.”  He said as he picked up a note from next to his pillow and placed it between his ear and mane.

“That is a list ingredients I need for several spells.  Some are fairly easy, but others a bit difficult.  I know you can get it done.”  He said.

Mr. Yellow nodded.  “Right.  Till next we meet.”

As the last pony left, the doctor faced both Thunderlane and Soarin.  “Come now, I imagine you’re ready for some rest.  Let’s get you two settled.”

Soarin smiled and responded with a weary tone in his voice.  “Right now, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”