Of Coal and Diamonds

Chapters

2. Business as Usual
3. Tea with Tiara
4. Smokey's Bar
5. Friday Night
6. The Wonderbolt Derby
7. Coming Together
8. Sunday Brunch
10. From Bad to Worse
11. Preparations
12. A Manehattan Wedding
13. The Donna
14. Renewal
15. Coalfire
16. Applebloom Wants You!
17. One Step Closer
18. Bait and Switch
19. Blood Diamond
20. It's Settled
21. Last Chance
22. Hearth's Warming
1. The Party
9. Correspondents

2. Business as Usual

2. Business as Usual

The early rays of Celestia's brilliant sun bathed Equestria, causing the morning dew to glisten on the blades of grass. All over the Kingdom ponies were getting out of bed and preparing for the day ahead of them.

Applebloom was no exception. The light leaked through the blinds of her bedroom, hitting the mare's closed eyes. Cringing at the brightness, she turned her head into her pillow. Trying to milk whatever precious minutes she still had to sleep, her greatest fear was realized when the bedside clock began to beep.

Groaning, she swung her hoof down on the clock, and slowly rose out of bed.

Licking her lips, she walked into her large bathroom. Gazing at the mirror, Applebloom saw a half-awake yellow pony, her mane an absolute mess. Turning the knob on her shower, she stepped inside the glass enclosure and woke herself up completely with a sudden and cruel rush of freezing cold water.

The die was cast. From then on Applebloom would remain awake.

Drying herself off, she grabbed a brush and brought order to her wet and easily styled hair. Nothing fancy, just a respectable grooming. Proceeding into her massive closet she grabbed a neatly hung black suit. Five minutes later she was dressed. Before she left her room, however, Applebloom required the pièce de résistance: a crimson bolo tie fastened with a slide in the shape of a red apple. That tie had become her signature accessory, and she wasn't about to change it.

Coming down her grand staircase, she smelled a most delicious scent from the kitchen. Excited, she cantered into the room. There, a tall unicorn stallion dressed in a black tailcoat and apron, wearing a stoic expression, stood over a hot stove. He turned around towards Applebloom, levitating a tray of food.

"Ah, Mistress Applebloom. Good morning. Nice of you to finally wake up." He said, his countenance never changing.

"Give me a break, Jeffery. Ya know Ah got home late. The food looks delicious!"

"Considering how much you pay me, it seems only right. Come. Please take a seat."

Applebloom took a seat at her breakfast table as her handycolt placed the tray on it. A buttermilk pancake sat in the center of the plate, with just the right amount of syrup and butter. Toast and a blueberry muffin accompanied the meal, along with a glass of milk and a glass of apple juice.

The yellow mare's stomach growled, and after saying grace she picked up a fork and dug in. Wearing a large smile on her face, Applebloom was lost in a culinary bliss of flavor and textures.

Finishing her first bite, she took a sip of juice. "Thank you so much for breakfast, Jeffery. Absolutely delicious, as always!"

"I aim to please." He gave a slight bow.

"So how were things while Ah was gone?" The wealthy pony asked, her fork already sticking into another part of the pancake.

"I exercised my right to invitation, as my contract dictates. A few of my friends visited for a time."

"Have Ah met these friends before?"

"I don't believe so, Mistress."

"Hm...well I hope Ah do someday." Applebloom swallowed, and then gave her butler a smug look. "Oh and Ah found certain...garments last night while Ah was heading to mah bedroom."

Jeffery's normally calm expression became slightly nervous. "Um...well...yes I enjoyed the presence of very...amiable company."

Applebloom gave a soft laugh. "Ah bet you did."

Several minutes later, she had concluded her meal, and now was at her front door. After grabbing a brown Stetson from her hat rack, she placed the cap on her head, and called out to her servant.

"Bye Jeffery! Ah'm off to work! Don't forget mah dry cleanin'!"

Without another word Applebloom was galloping off her front steps and past the verdant lawn. Inputting a code into a box, the large metal gate, bearing the letters "AB" slid open, and she continued down the road from her estate, towards a very tall tower in the city.

A short twenty or so minute walk later, Applebloom was in the big city. When she first came to Manehattan, the tall buildings and urban setting astounded her. It was unlike anything she had ever seen in Ponyville. The giant signs advertising theater shows and the neon lights at night in the plaza. It was magical then, and even though she had lived here for a while now, it still amazed her.

Even in the morning the streets were bustling with vendors and shoppers, gossiping and laughing. A few fillies and colts were playing ball. They managed to knock the ball right in front of Applebloom. Smiling she kicked it right back at them.

"Thank you!" They waved. Applebloom just tipped her heat.

A few yards later she came to a fruit stall, with a sign overhead that read "Red Gala's Apples". The businesspony approached the owner.

"Hi, Red Gala! Ah'd like an apple, please." She said, placing several bits on the counter.

"Well sure thing, cuz. One apple coming up."

The pink earth pony hooved Applebloom the fruit.

"You sure are lookin' sharp today, like ya do every day. How're they back home?"

"Applejack’s doin' fine. Still bucking apples. Big Mac's gonna get married here in the next couple months!" The yellow one took a bite of her apple.

"Well shoot! Who's the lucky lady?"

"Rarity. Remember her? From the reunion last spring?"

"Her huh...she's got expensive tastes...Ah'm sure glad Ah ain't paying for that."

"Ah wish Ah could say the same." The two shared a laugh, and while Red Gala turned to provide for another customer, Applebloom placed a healthy amount of bits in the tip jar. The vendor would never have accepted them if she knew.

"Bye Gala!"

"Take care!"

Another few minutes passed, and Applebloom wasn't far from the tower. Just twenty yards from its front door, a familiar voice stopped her.

" 'Ay! AB! Good mornin'!" An orange earth pony mare ran over, clad in a blue police uniform.

"Hiya Babs!"

"We still on for tomorrow night at the bawr?" She asked in her Manehattan accent.

"Of course!"

"Alright cool! See ya later. I'm off to the station. Got a lot of paperwork."

"Tell me about it."

The quick meeting was over, and Babs Seed rushed off to her place of work. Applebloom did the same, stopping in front of the entrance to the skyscraper.

Commonly called "Apple Tower", but officially the "Apple Industries Executive Headquarters Building", the large structure was brand new, being built only a couple years ago. Applebloom's empire needed a lot of offices for its massive amount of employees, and it had become too expensive to rent the three towers being used before.

The state-of-the-art building had been engineered by the owner herself, and came complete with thousands of offices, break rooms, a luxurious lobby, daycare centers, and even an employee recreation facility.

Applebloom opened the doors, and went inside the lobby. A large fountain was the centerpiece of the room, above which a globe was suspended. Engraved on the sphere was the company motto: "Building a Better Future for Equestria". A restaurant had been incorporated off to the side, and a large and comfortable sitting area hosted dozens of weary employees.

Suited ponies, conversing with each other or studying brief, immediately stopped and greeted Applebloom as she walked to the elevators. Always wearing a smile on her face, she shook their hooves and asked them about how their families were or how their day was going. Her gregarious disposition had earned her the respect and admiration of the ponies. A generous paycheck and frequent bonuses didn't hurt, either.

Inside the elevator, Applebloom hit the button for the top floor. The newer, faster elevator she invented brought her up in the blink of an eye. Stepping out of carriage, the earth pony again was bathed in good mornings and hellos. At the end of the top floor was her secretary.

"Howdy, Cyrus. Got anything new for me today?" She inquired, leaning on his desk.

The astute grey unicorn adjusted his bow tie and spectacles. "Yes Miss Applebloom. Several correspondences and requests are on your desk."

"Thank ya kindly." She then unlocked the door to her executive officer. Inside was a large room adorned with the varnished chairs, furniture, and paintings. Applebloom had a certain fondness for different types of wood, and that was evident in her office. The desk, chairs, and tables were made of cherry woods, mahoganies, oaks, pines, hardwoods, softwoods, ebonies; most of it was crafted by the magnate herself.

Sitting down in her large, padded chair, she placed her hat on the desk and picked up the stack of papers. Sifting through them, she found nothing too out of the ordinary. Order forms, sale charts, company bills, etc. But there was also a letter from the Manehattan Stock Exchange. She rolled her eyes, knowing full well what it said.

Slicing open the envelope, she pulled out the message. Sure enough, the Stock Exchange had made a long, dull, and ultimate fallacious appeal to convince Applebloom to sell shares in Apple Industries. Like that would ever happen. The last thing she ever wanted was for some greedy Old Monies being able to have their way.

A newspaper had been placed along with the mail, and she took it in her hoof. The Manehattan Times was her source for what was going on in the city. Glancing over the obituaries, she took a moment of silence to remember the deceased. Then a quick look at the economics section. Naturally an article announced Apple Industries' record high sales last quarter made Applebloom smile with accomplishment. But another article caught her attention.

It was about Rich Enterprises, the business which the Rich family had owned since Granny Smith was a filly. The story was entitled "Rich Enterprises acquires Amber Food Co."

Applebloom carefully read the article:

Last Wednesday, the food growing and packaging giant Amber Food Co. was acquired by Rich Enterprises. 87% of Amber Foods's assets are now held by Rich's shareholders, with CEO Diamond Tiara reportedly owning as much as 32% of the new subsidiary. This buyout marks the 22nd expansion by Rich Enterprises since Ms. Tiara took over last August.

She put down the paper, her eyes locked in confusion.

"Th...that can't be! The Amber family would never sell their company. Not for a million bits. Not for 2 billion bits." The matter perplexed Applebloom. Only the Amber family possessed shares in the business, and familial loyalty was one of their most stringent values.

"Wait...22nd?! Mah goodness." Flipping to the stock market statistics in the paper, her eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Tiara's company had grown by no less than 400% since she took power. That pink mare must be doing something right! And while by no means as massive as Applebloom's business, it was still respectable.

Calming herself down and coming to her senses, she overcame the shock. Ultimately, she believed in competition. "Bring it on." Applebloom muttered.

Even so, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was up. She knew the Amber family, and they weren't ones to sellout.

She sat there for a few minutes, hoof under her chin, in thought. Applebloom was broken from her trance by a ring from her phone. Without hesitating, she picked it up.

"Howdy! This is Applebloom, owner and CEO of Apple Industries. What do you need?"

"Oh Applebloom good morning!" The voice was one she knew all too well. A white unicorn with a curled purple mane.

"Well hi Rarity! Good morning to you too. Why are you callin’ mah work phone?"

"I simply must ask you, how big of a cake would you be willing to pay for? And the decorations! Pinkie Pie insists on the most gorgeous streamers, but I protested that they were much too expensive. Oh and the invitations! What about tablecloths? I was thinking gold leaf, but that seems a bit too pricey. And―"

Applebloom cut her off. "Gold leaf!? Rarity Ah don't much care what y'all want. It's your special day. But please remember Ah ain't made of money."

"Was there a budget you had in mind?"

"Ah don't wanna make you feel constrained."

"Then how do you feel about―"

Again Rarity was interrupted. "Ah don't care. Why don't ya meet up with a wedding planner, and then send me the projected cost. Ah'll tweak it then. Just...no gold leaf...or solid diamond sculptures! "

"Of course! I'm very sorry to have bothered you; it's just that since you're paying for the wedding, I don't want to take advantage of your generosity―"

"Rarity it's―"

"And I know I can be a tad demanding. But I'm very stressed out. I'm getting married after all―"

"Rarity―"

"But I feel just awful for making YOU pay for MY―"

"RARITY!! It's fine! Please...calm down."

"Oh...sorry Applebloom. Thank you again. I've must go and hire a planner. Ciao!"

"Bye." The yellow mare then hung up the phone, and slammed her face onto her desk.

"Ah sure hope Big Mac knows what he's gettin' into."

At Manehattan Police Station all the officers were busy shuffling papers and eating donuts. Babs Seed was sitting in her office, going through some files. One of them reminded her of a pony she had just arrested. Taking a sip of coffee, she went into the main area.

"Hey! Whatever happened to the crime baws I busted the other day?"

"Who, Chief?" Asked a policecolt, as he nibbled on a cruller.

"Big Daddy Palomino! You know the guy, wanted for heading the crime organization down on the east end."

"Oh dat guy? Yeah we set him free." Said another officer.

"You did what??" Babs shouted, withholding all urges she had to blow up.

"Mayor gave him a pardon. What else could we do?"

"Why did nopony tell ME??" Babs said, her hoof messaging her head. "Wait...why?? Why did the mayor pardon him?"

"Something 'bout fawlty evidence. I dunno."

"And nopony...questioned anything? Don't any of youse find it a tad disturbing that Palomino was just 'pardoned'?"

Some of the lesser officers began to raise their hooves, but were overshadowed by the higher ups. "Not really. We leave the ‘why’ to the politicians. All we do is enforce the law. And the law says the Mayor can pardon ponies."

"Since when??" The Police Chief was losing her patience.

"Eh...about two weeks ago. City council voted on it. Governor approved it, too."

The orange mare was about to say something, but instead opted to just return to her office. Something was going on. The whole situation had a bad smell to it. Palomino had murdered and stolen for a long time; Babs busted her flank, working undercover for months, trying to bring him down. They eventually caught him on tax evasion, and an investigation was pending to prove the other illegal activities he had done.

But all that work had been rendered moot. And worse, her own officers seemed to have bypassed her, AND withheld all this information. She tried her best to stay informed, but sometimes it was too much for one pony.

This did not bode well, and Palomino was loose again, probably "offing" the contacts Babs made with his mafia. And he was probably putting a price on her head.

Not well at all.

3. Tea with Tiara

3. Tea with Tiara

Several burly ponies stood beside a fine wooden desk, their visages barely visible under the minimal light from the lamp overhead. The room was bathed in tobacco smoke, the largest source coming from behind the desk. A large stallion pegasus, his coat golden and mane as white as snow, puffed his cigar. The unicorn across his desk, sitting in a chair, shook several ashes from his cigarette.

The pegasus leaned in, hoping his intimidating appearance and reputation would work in his favor.

"What do you want? I can pay you a hefty sum."

The unicorn inhaled his cigarette, then smiled. "I'm not looking for money. We had a deal."

"I'm alterin' da deal. Accept da money, and I'll let ya run away with youse limbs intact." The pegasus said, puffing his cigar.

"I'm afraid that's not good enough. You will follow the parameters of the agreement. Face it, Palomino, you aren't the legend you once were."

"I'm about to prove you wrong. Gotta hit on dat police chief."

"You will leave Babs Seed alone. Is that clear?" The unicorn said, his voice becoming more forceful.

"What? You think I'm gonna just let dat bitch slide? Because of her, they caught me! AND if she went ahead with dat investigation, I'd be facing life in da big house, or sittin' in da chair!"

"Which is exactly why you should be so gracious that we helped you. Polly―"

The don pony interrupted. "Nopony but my friends cawll me dat!"

"But I thought we were friends."

"You better watch yourself." Palomino said, visibly losing his patience.

"Likewise. The East End is lacking 'protection'. It'd would such a shame if those good ponies' homes had an...unfortunate accident. Address this matter."

"So what, you expect me to take orders from you?"

The unicorn crushed out his cigarette, then gave the most devious smile the boss had ever seen. "Not from me, Polly." The pegasus shot him a glare. "I'm just the messenger. And you're just a pawn. Do as I say, and I promise you, my boss won't seek retribution."

"I'm da only boss 'round here! 'Big Daddy Palomino' don't take orders from nopony!"

"You do now. Get that through your thick skull." When the unicorn finished speaking, his two massive bodyguards slammed their hooves into the don's nose. He yelled out expletives and clutched his bleeding snout. The guards turned around and knocked out Palomino's own guards, sending them to the ground.

"Times have changed. Now get to it. My employer does not like to be kept waiting."

"...Yes...yes Grey Eminence."

The unicorn got up and left, opening the door to the outside. Before he crossed the threshold, he turned his head and addressed the don one last time.

"And Polly, pay your taxes. Honestly that was just pathetic."

He exited, followed by his two bodyguards. Slamming the door behind them, the party abandoned Palomino alone to his thoughts. Who was this "boss"? And how could they be more powerful than him? Wiping away his blood with a rag, he took out a bottle of whiskey, trying to ease the pain.

In her office, Applebloom resumed studying her stack of papers, paying close attention to any mistakes. They were few and far between however, as the businesspony had learned over time what separated a good manager from a poor one. After many, many hours of trial and error, Applebloom had her company running like the hundreds of well-oiled machines she built weekly.

Barring interruptions, she could finish going through all the papers within the hour. However, distractions had a habit of popping up, whether her own fault or not; a second time her phone rang.

Dearly hoping it wasn't Rarity; she picked up the phone and again respectfully answered whomever was on the other end.

"Howdy! This is Applebloom, owner and CEO of Apple Industries. What do you need?"

"Hello Applebloom! It's me, Diamond!"

The industrialist was...unenthused to say the least. "Oh uh hi."

"I'm calling to see if you're available later today for some tea."

"Ah suppose so. What time did you have in mind?"

"How does five o'clock sound? In fact, we'll dine as well. My treat!" The voice on the other end was as cheery as Applebloom's old schoolteacher.

"Sounds good. Where?"

" ‘A Taste of Heaven’. All the critics say it is simply to die for! Meet me there at 4:45. I'll make us reservations!"

"Alright. Um bye."

"See you then, Applebloom!"

Hanging up the phone, the yellow mare found herself more confused than at the party the previous night.

"What's goin' on? She used to be such a brat. Hmmm...Ah guess she matured. Oh why did Ah say yes? Ah have no desire to eat at some fancy restaurant with pompous ponies."

Her regret lessened however when she recalled why she agreed to do anything with that pink mare.

A chance to become one of the high society ponies. The prospect of being considered part of them. Being invited to cocktail parties and charity drives. She loved her friends, but Applebloom was a pony of two different worlds now; her small town country roots would never be forgotten, but she had to acknowledge the fact that she was one of the richest ponies in Equestria. As superficial as it sounded, she was required to be proper and classy if she was ever going to be accepted as the upper class citizen she was, never minding her dislike for all those "trust fund foals" and stockbrokers.

Was all this what she really wanted? Maybe, maybe not. Hopefully Applebloom would find out tonight with Diamond Tiara. Perhaps making amends wouldn't be so bad.

Returning to the papers, she spotted a request document, filed by a manager of hers. It was a detailed permission form to launch the new model of locomotive, the AI-SL 13/67. All the railroad giants wanted some, and it was advertised in the company catalog that they would be the fastest, safest, and most efficient engines when they hit the market. Only one problem; it wasn't done yet.

Every day for the past week, the head of the Mechanical Engineering Department had been sending her these forms. And every time she explicitly told him that it wasn't ready. And every time he ignored her.

Fed up, she rose from her chair and made her way to the elevator. Applebloom was going to set this stallion straight. Pressing the button to the floor where his office was, the carriage took her down. Stepping out a few seconds later, she walked past all the cubicles with ponies selling her products.

One after another called out to inform the CEO of their latest sales.

"Miss Applebloom! The Coltorado Mining Corporation just ordered 4 units of steam shovels!" Yelled a young unicorn mare.

"Excellent." She said, still focused on the office at the other end of the floor.

A pegasus colt was next. "Ma'am, I've finalized an order for 17 steam turbines for Vanhoover Shipping!"

She paused for a second and congratulated the colt. That was a considerable sale.

Continuing on, slightly annoyed by these interruptions, Applebloom was a few feet from the office door when yet another pony announced their sale. But this one was special.

"Miss Applebloom!" cried a pinto stallion. "We got the Hoofington-class Contract!"

This bit of news made her stop dead in her tracks. "The...Hoofington-class..."

He smiled, understanding fully the importance of his sale. "That's right. We beat Baltimare Shipbuilding to it. Now the four Hoofington-Class battleships will be constructed at our shipyards! And of course the Navy gets a free patrol boat with the purchase of three or more capital ships."

"H-h-how much was the sale?"

"4 billion bits."

Applebloom's jaw dropped, and for a second she felt as if she were about to fall over. Regaining her composure, she rushed over to the pony and shook his hoof.

"You just earned your Hearth's Warming bonus! Everypony's earned a bonus!”

The entire room cheered, befuddling the ponies on the phone with the sellers.

Amidst the happy occupants of the floor, Applebloom trotted to the office door marked "Head of Mechanical Engineering Dept." Knocking on it, she heard a voice from the other side.

"Yeah? What is it? I'm very busy!"

"It's your boss! Open up!"

Not two seconds later the unicorn inside rushed up and opened the door. Looking nervous, he pulled out a chair for Applebloom to sit down in, and even began pouring her a drink.

Hoofing her the glass of water, he sat down in his own chair, straightening up the desk to appeal to his employer.

"What can I do for you, Miss Applebloom?"

"Ah'm here concerning the request form you filled out. The one about the new locomotives."

"Oh yes! I can have them ready for production by the end of the day."

"That's what Ah wanted to talk to you about. Ah've told you several times it ain't ready."

"Yes but our buyers are getting antsy. I don't want to lose the sale―"

"We ain't gonna lose it. We have a reputation to uphold, and Ah can't do that if y'all try to launch somethin' before it's ready! They'll wait a little longer for a quality product."

"But it's finished enough. Couldn't we push it through? I mean―"

"NO! Ah know you don't know much about engineering, Joint Stock; you're a wonderful manager though. Listen carefully: the new line has a problem with overheating. Do ya know what that means?"

"Um...well..." In truth, the stallion probably had actually only seen one of those steam engines no more than five times in his life.

"It means that at the high pressures we advertised it could go, the engines have a tendency to get too hot. That can lead to some nasty problems. Ah've built a name on safe, reliable products, and Ah intend to stand by that principle. We sell so much because our customers know we make good stuff. How do ya think Ah can give ya that six-figure salary?" She asked, staring the poor stallion down.

Joint Stock was about to answer, before he realized it was a rhetorical question.

"If Ah let this model go now, well it could explode, killing somepony! And since Ah'm the owner, it’s mah responsibility! Do you think Ah want to live with that? Having one of mah products kill a pony because Ah wanted to make some extra bits? What do Ah tell the family?" Applebloom was now beginning to rant. "And if killing somepony wasn't bad enough, those self-righteous anti-business crusaders in Canterlot who think they know best would then pass laws and regulations, telling ME how to build an engine when they can't even tell a gasket from a piston head!" Her last sentence ended in her hoof slamming down on his desk.

"I'm...I'm sorry, ma'am...I didn't realize how strongly you felt about this..."

"Ah'm sorry for yellin'. But please remember, Ah say no for a reason. You had good intentions, but Ah don't pay you to think; Ah pay you to make sure these ponies sell."

"Yes ma'am"

"Don't let it happen again. Ah'd hate to do this, but Ah will take extreme measures if necessary."

Now sweating beads, he saluted his boss. Before she left, Joint Stock asked her one last thing.

"Miss Applebloom, could I have a performance review?"

Rolling her eyes, she replied. "Fine...um Ah guess you're doin' somethin’ right. We got the Hoofington-class contract. Keep up the good work, but leave the decision making to me."

Joint Stock thanked his lucky stars he had such a forgiving employer, and as soon as she left the office, he sighed audibly.

A bottle of liquor was stored in his office refrigerator for the times she became angry. Thank Celestia this was not one of those times.

As the day dragged on, Applebloom had returned to her office and finished looking at the paperwork. For a few hours afterwards she paid most of her managers a visit, inspecting their work and reviewing the day's sales. At Apple Industries an executive always had to be prepared for a surprise inspection. They were scheduled without rhyme or reason. Applebloom did this to captured them in as natural state as possible; if they knew she was coming, they all could prepare.

And what point was there in seeing how they acted while she was around?

After some fun scares with that, the yellow mare ventured back to street level. Walking around behind the tower revealed a large building just away from the view of street travelers. Passing underneath the large shutter doors, Applebloom entered a massive warehouse-like setting, filled with sparks of arc welding and the industrial dim of metal being machined.

Dozens of ponies, all grease-covered and wearing tool belts ran around, hammering and drilling, driving rivets and fabricating large sheets of steel. This building was warmly known by its occupants as the "Shop". This was where Apple Industries built most of its prototypes. To the casual observer, its hundreds of yards of cables, advanced machinery, and small rail network would have given the impression that it was a factory. In fact, however, the real factories were much, much bigger.

Applebloom carefully stepped over power cords and ducked as low-lying chassis suspended by cranes swung overhead. Grabbing a hardhat from a bin near the entrance, she greeted the ponies walking along the catwalks above.

"Hi Miss Applebloom!" Said a gruff-looking stallion, the true color of his coat belied by the grease and dirt in it.

"Howdy, Rusty. Ah'm heard to check up on the new train."

He blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "Well...this is embarrassing, but uh we were hoping you could come take a look. We can't seem to get it right."

"Lemme see what Ah can do."

Taking off her jacket and rolling up her sleeves, Applebloom donned a tool belt and cantered over to a large locomotive sitting on a platform. The vehicle was unpainted and unfurnished; bare bones.

"As you know, the radiator just don’t seem to be able to handle the heat. She was pushing critical before we got to the 'max' pressure. I dunno, maybe we ought to make it a standard."

"The Western Railroad's havin' trouble fillin' up their boilers, out near Appaloosa. We promised a condensin' engine, and Applebloom is a mare of her word. Ah've amended the design." She produced a blueprint from her waistcoat pocket, and hoofed it to the overseer.

"Well I'll be...never thought to do that."

The yellow mare just smiled. Tying up her red mane and tail, Applebloom went to work on her newest invention.

If the Apple family was considered to have an oddity, something that didn't quite fit, it was her. Her talent was not in any way related to bucking apples, growing apples, making cider, making pie, or anything like that. Granted she was not inept, and enjoyed helping her family on their farm sometimes. But Applebloom had a different calling.

The wrench and screwdriver were her instruments with which the pony composed beautiful symphonies of metal and coal. On every track in Equestria; in every armory the military owned; in every home from Fillydelphia to Cloudsdale; there stood her pieces. Strong, reliable, and very difficult to break.

At her large home, the study desk was usually covered in blueprints and sketches detailing the latest idea her mind thought up. A garage also sat adjoined to the house, full of engine parts and tools, where Applebloom spent a good chunk of her Saturdays. The mechanical was her calling, and Applebloom had made a fortune on selling her legendary creations. She didn't acquire wealth from inheritances, nor trusts, nor stocks, nor entertaining; she was a billionaire from her own blood and sweat. She was an industrialist in the purest sense of the word.

And she loved working so much on a machine, trying to make it run, that she had forgotten the time. Before Applebloom knew it, it was already 4:30.

"Buy some apples! Rusty, Ah gotta go! Test it out, and tell me how it works tomorrow!" Wiping her hooves and grabbing her jacket, she galloped out of the Shop, saying goodbye to all the ponies.

Now running at full speed, the pony rushed past all the pedestrians on the Manehattan streets, trying to arrive at that restaurant at the agreed time. Finally, her heart pounding as if it might burst from her chest, Applebloom was at the entrance to an eatery vainly named "A Taste of Heaven".

"With a name like that, Ah'm gonna walk in with high expectations."

Straightening her tie and hat, making herself look presentable, the mare trotted up to the hostess, standing behind her podium.

"I do believe the 'hoedown' is on 3rd street. Please step out of line. Some of these ponies wish to pay." The rude pegasus' words reeked with disgust at Applebloom.

"Actually, ma'am." Her voice contained a hint of malice. "Ah have a reservation. Applebloom."

The name immediately caused the hostess to act courteous to the earth pony. "Oh! Right this way! Miss Diamond Tiara is waiting for you."

Applebloom followed the pegasus as she admired the decor in the restaurant. It certainly was a pretty place to dine.

At the end of the direction, the hostess stopped in front of a luxurious ebony table, which seated two posh mares, one pink and the other grey.

The pink pony had a violet mane, with a white streak running through it, which was done up in a fashionable hairstyle; something Applebloom never much cared for. For the cold weather, she wore a coat, the collar adorned with feathers. Sticking out of her mouth was a black cigarette holder, filled and lit. Most notable of all was a diamond-encrusted tiara sitting on top of her head.

The pony beside her possessed a light grey mane, braided into a ponytail. The mare wore blue eyeglasses and a similar coat to the former, but colored to match the fur of her natural coat.

The two had been chatting about who knows what when Applebloom took a seat. Immediately stopping their conversation, the two mares lit up and dropped everything to give her their undivided attention. Bracing herself for the worst, Applebloom would confidently brave whatever these two fillies could dish out.

Diamond Tiara was first, bearing a smile so big that it would put Pinkie Pie to shame.

"Applebloom! I'm so glad you could make it!" The pony motioned to a waitress. "What's your pleasure?"

"Um...tea will be fine."

"One iced tea, please." The waitress abided, bringing back a glass in record time.

"Thank you." Applebloom said, taking a sip from the glass. "Ah didn't know they'd let ponies smoke inside a fancy place like this."

Diamond smiled, tasting her own tea. "Normally they don't, but being as important ponies as we are, they're willing to make an exception. Oh where are my manners? You remember Silver Spoon, don't you?"

The grey mare smiled at the yellow one, adjusting her glasses. "It has been a long time, Applebloom. What have you been up to?"

"Yes. Tell us all about your life!" The two placed their elbows on the table and held their heads, preparing to listen intently.

"W-Where should Ah start?"

"After high school, when we all went our separate ways."

"Alright." She took another sip of water and cleared her throat. "Well Ah attended the Manehattan Engineering School, and uh...got a Master's. Then Ah got a job at a machine shop, where Ah worked for a while. Then Ah started mah own company...and it sorta took off from there."

"Riveting. A true rags-to-riches story! Looks like Applebloom isn't just another pretty face, huh Silver?"

"Congratulations!"

"Uh thanks. So what about y'all?"

The grey one elected to go, perhaps at the silent approval of her "master".

"My trusts have matured, and I can happily say I'm living comfortably as Diamond's right-hoof filly."

"That's right!" The tiara-wearing pony interrupted. "I'm the new CEO of Rich Enterprises...well after my father died..." Her face took a bipolar turn from jovial to spirit-crushingly sad. Applebloom placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"Ah'm sorry. If it makes you feel any better, mah parents died when Ah was really young..."

The grieving pony wiped her eyes and shook herself from sorrow. "Oh it's quite alright! Let's get ready to eat, hm?"

"But Ah haven't even ordered."

"I took the liberty of ordering for you. I hope you don't mind."

In truth Applebloom did mind, more than she would like to admit. But she had to be polite. "Not at all."

Not a minute later a waitress came levitating several plates. Placing them on the table, she bowed and left the three ponies to their meal. Each of the plates had a salad. But not just any salad; the lettuce was of the highest quality, perfectly grown and tended. Covering the greenery was a plethora of small vegetables, from carrots, baby corns, mushrooms, and broccoli. It was skillfully glazed, but not bathed, in a sweet yet tangy dressing. It actually wasn't that bad, Applebloom thought. Certainly not a "taste of heaven", however.

"So, Applebloom." Diamond asked between chews. "Are you ready to undergo your 'high society training'?"

"Ah sure am."

"Alright. Well for starters, that bolo tie."

"Ya like it? Ah made it mahself. Outta stainless steel and―"

"It's...nice. But I'm afraid it’s too country. Same goes for the hat."

"...Not mah hat."

"It's fine for whenever you're working. But during social gatherings it is a grave faux pas. Also you must reform your speech. The accent isn't helping."

Applebloom blushed, feeling very small.

"Oh it'll be fine, dear. There's a cocktail party at my mansion this Friday. Please come. Dress fashionable and I'll help you every step of the way."

"...And you're sure this'll get me accepted?"

"Of course." Diamond smiled.

Several hours passed as they ate their meals and chatted, mostly Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Many laughs were shared, even if Applebloom didn't quite understand some of the jokes. By the time the clock struck seven, the businesspony got up from her chair.

"Ah'm sorry, but Ah really should be goin'. It was nice catching up again!"

"Yes it was! Don't forget about Friday! And I have your bill covered."

Applebloom left, but not before placing at least twenty bits on the table as a tip. "Thank y'all, girls!" She yelled before exiting the restaurant, snow lightly falling on the sidewalk. She took a moment to look at the menu posted outside. "62 bits for a salad?! They sure ain't payin' for the food." Mentally reviewing the establishment, giving it about three stars, Applebloom headed in the direction of her home as the sun began to set. Perhaps Diamond Tiara had changed. A welcome change, she thought.

Meanwhile back at the table the yellow earth pony was just at; Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were still sitting, waiting for the check.

The pink pony snatched the tip money Applebloom had left and placed it in her purse.

"How long do you think it'll take?" Asked Silver Spoon, finishing her tea.

"This is a very different scenario. But I'll get there. I think we made quite the impression." For the umpteenth time today she smiled. But not one of bliss; rather a devious grin hinting at some not-so-nice machination of her mind.

Diamond Tiara took a breath from her cigarette, and then exhaled. "Soon, if I play my cards right."

4. Smokey's Bar

4. Smokey's Bar

Manehattan, on a cold Thursday afternoon, was busy as usual. The ponies were traveling along the sidewalks, doing some early holiday shopping and socializing. Nothing too special. Adjacent to the pedestrians, the roads were filled with the newest craze to hit Equestria: the automobile.

They were by no means new or novel. Parades of course had used motorized floats, and the military had possessed trucks for quite a while. But those machines were a tad cumbersome, and expensive to produce and maintain. It was only in the recent several years that an automobile became cheap and reliable. Now more and more families could afford one, and the streets of cities everywhere filled up with these vehicles.

Police Chief Babs Seed was in one of these automotives, painted blue and wearing a siren on the roof. Sitting behind the orange mare was a hoofcuffed pegasus stallion, his mane and coat dirty and messy. Iron bars separated Babs from the criminal, and if that didn't work, her gun was never far away.

The stallion was known as Crank to the underground of Manehattan; to Chief Babs he was just another low-life, peddling his illegal merchandise. Crank was a seller of various banned substances, anything from cocaine and heroin to narcotics and methamphetamine. For far too long he hooked dozens of innocent teenagers on the addictive drugs, and Babs finally busted him.

He didn't go peaceably, however. His face was covered in cuts and bruises from her black nightstick. She would chase a law breaker halfway across town, a reputation that frightened many of the scum she devoted her life to stopping.

"Soooo...." Babs Seed began, trying to awkwardly start a conversation. "How's your...jaw."

"You crazy bitch! You coulda knawcked out awll my teeth!" Crank yelled, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage.

Babs merely chuckled. "Yeah well ya shouldn't have run away."

"I already was on the ground!"

"And who threw the first punch? I’m probably gonna need stitches.”

"You'll hear from my lawyer!" The stallion shouted, desperately trying to wiggle out of his cuffs.

"Yeah yeah, cry me a river." The Chief said as she turned up her car radio. "These new portable radios are great! Hope you like 'Black Hooves in Chains'!"

About ten minutes later, Babs pulled into the Station parking lot, and got out of her vehicle. She opened up the back door. Crank fell out, unable to stand on his hind legs.

"C'mon, get up. I got plans tonight. I wanna get youse processed and locked up."

He squirmed around on the pavement. "Dis is humiliatin'! Could I get some help?"

"Alright fine." She picked him up and slung the dealer over her back.

"Wow...you're strawng for a filly..."

"Shutup." Babs Seed replied nonchalantly as she made her way to the door of the Station.

Inside, they walked towards the jail cells and she threw him into one. Locking the gate behind her, the Police Chief addressed one of the guards, placing about 8 ounces of cocaine on the desk.

"Hey, I nicked ol' Crank over on Seventh Street. Caught him trying to sell two unwitting colts some base. Bring him up. I gotta go. See ya all tomorrow!"

Just as she was about to leave the building, the guard stopped her.

"Wait! Chief!" Said a yellow unicorn mare. "I'm afraid we can't do nothin' 'bout him."

"W....what do you mean? The evidence is right there!"

"No go. City Council voted on it, and cocaine is now legal in Manehattan."

Babs grew even more puzzled. "City Council don't decide stuff like that. They can't just do that."

"I know. It's causin' a whole constitutional uproar. Unfortunately some politicians have buried the matter. Might be months before they actually appeal the case in Canterlot."

"So....we can just lock him up, right? He broke the law."

"When did you find him dealing?"

Babs Seed pulled a notepad from her jacket pocket. "Uhhh....1:37 this afternoon, right after I had lunch."

"The law went into effect at noon."

"Well he's been dealing drugs for months now. I finally got him!" She said, wearing a proud smile.

"We can't prove that with the evidence you brought, and since the law isn't retroactive, he's free to go. Also, you could get into trouble for arresting him without due cause"

"Whaaaaaaat!!" Babs yelled, her jaw dropping. "That's not how it works!"

"I'm sorry Chief, but we gotta let him go." The unicorn grabbed a ring of keys with her magic and unlocked the cell door containing Crank. "I'm very sorry sir. You're free to go now." She then opened up his cuffs

"Damn right!" He looked straight at Babs. "Dis ain't over. I'll see you in court! I'm going to file assault AND battery charges. Throw your sorry plot jail!" Crank made obscene gestures on his way out of the station, but not before reclaiming his bag of white powder.

The Police Chief continued to stand dumbstruck, uncertain about everything now.

The unicorn placed her hoof on Babs' shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll get an investigation going as soon as possible. I don't like this anymore than you do."

The orange policemare smiled. "Thanks, Aina. But why did nopony tell me?"

"Lieutenant Cruller said he'd radio you about the law change. I'm guessing he forgot."

"Cruller...that..." Babs looked at the clock. "Listen, I gotta go."

"Alright Chief! See ya tomorrow!"

The crimson-maned pony waved back and ran out of the Station. Her destination was several blocks away and during the short journey, she began to try and piece this whole matter together. Hopefully talking to her best friend could allow her mind to peel back the mystery and come up with a logical explanation for everything.

Why did City Council legalize such an addictive and harmful drug? How did she let such a dangerous criminal walk free? And how come Cruller didn't tell her?

First Palomino, then Crank; things weren't looking good for such a highly decorated police officer of Manehattan.

Half an hour of walking later, Babs came up to one of her favorite establishments; Smokey's Cigar Bar. Inside she found the usual crowd for a Thursday night. Behind the bar stood a gruff-looking dark brown unicorn, his mane a muted gold. Dressed in a black vest and bowtie, the bartender wiped down empty glasses.

Babs trotted up to an empty stool in front of him and sat down. The stallion looked up at the blue-uniformed pony and smiled.

"Well if it ain't Police Chief Babs Seed! Coming down here for a cold drink after a hawrd day's work, hah?"

"Oh Smokey, you know I'm ALWAYS on duty. Crime don't sleep. It's a shame I do though."

"Serve and protect! So is it dat time of da month?"

"You bet! I'll take a house special."

At the magic words, Smokey produced a glass from beneath the bar and filled it with a cold lager from the tap behind him. Hoofing the drink to the officer, he then fetched a cigar from the wall.

Babs picked up the rolled-up bundle of tobacco leaves and ran her nose form one end to the other.

"Finest cigars in Equestria! Care for a light?" The bartender offered, levitating a metal flip lighter.

"Not yet. I'm waiting for AB." Babs reached into one of her pockets and pulled out some money. She then placed several bits on the table.

"Danks for ya patronage." Smokey said, grabbing the money.

"I'm happy to give it." Babs replied, taking a healthy drink from her beer.

"Yeah well my customers treat me right, so I treat dem right." After the stallion made sure one of his favorite clients was satisfied, Smokey walked to the other end of the bar to cater to some other ponies.

Babs sat quietly for several minutes, listening for every ring of the door's hanging bell. The first few times were just regular ponies, but on the fourth an expected mare walked in.

It was that yellow earth pony, dressed in her usual business attire. Waisting no time, Babs yelled halfway across the room. "Hey Applebloom!"

The mare's eyes lit up, and she galloped towards the stool next to her friend.

"Hey Smokey!" She called, removing her jacket. "Whiskey on the rocks, and whatever Babs' smokin'!"

Unfortunately, a passing by young colt, who frankly looked too out of place at this bar, noticed something when Applebloom took off her black coat. A pistol holster rested around her waistcoat, holding a loaded weapon.

The colt's eyes bugged out. "Gun! A pony's got a gun!" Nopony really paid any attention. "Everypony!" Some rougher looking stallions glared at him, wanting to enjoy their drinks and card games in peace.

Smokey came up to face the disturber, placing Applebloom's requested items in front of her. "Ya better pipe down. I'll throw you out."

"B-But does she even have a concealed hoofgun license? And what if she shot up the place? How can you allow such barbarous weapons in your bar?"

"She's got one of those, though it ain't concealed no more. And if she decided to shoot up da place...everypony what do ya think?"

A smirk grew on Smokey's face as over half the room's occupants pulled out some kind of firearm and pointed it at the colt. His face became pale and he froze in place.

The bartender leaned to meet the stallion's face. "Kid I think dis place just isn't for you. Now head home to your chai tea and pillow fights, before I have Babs over here arrest you for disturbin' my lovely customer's evening."

"O-Ok...but before I do, why do you all have such violent things?"

"The world ain't full of sugar and lollipawps, colt." Babs Seed answered. "And a policepony will only get you so fawr."

Scurrying out of the establishment, the pony left with his tail between his legs. A good hearty laugh was had in the bar, and the patrons returned to whatever they were doing.

"Thanks, Smokey." Applebloom said, sipping her drink.

"No problem. I'm tired of dem young morons who think they know everything. Anyways, how 'bout a light?"

"Be mah guest!" The bartender obliged and lit the two cigars before delivering a tray of drinks to a table.

After a few seconds of puffing, Babs began to speak again. "So, AB, how'd your day go?"

"Ain't nothin' too special. Selling, buying materials, expanding factories. I don't wanna bore y'all with the details. What about you?"

"I tell ya, Applebloom, something's going on around here."

The businesspony's expression became stern. "What do ya mean?"

Babs puffed her cigar and drank from her glass. "Remember that ol' crime baws? Big Daddy Palomino?"

"Yeah Ah think so. Was he the one on the East End?"

"Yep." The policemare said in a melancholy tone.

"Well? Did ya ever get him?"

"I did. But get this: the Mayor gave him a pardon. No hearing, no trial, no nothin'. Just pardoned."

Applebloom's eyes widened. "What?? Why?"

"The official report says there wasn't sufficient evidence to arrest him. Biggest load of shit I've ever heard. Also, just before I left the Station today, the guy I caught after lunch is let off scot-free! What the hell?" Babs took out her cigar and took a deep breath, trying to lower her anger. Celestia knows what happens when she loses her temper.

It wasn't working.

"And nopony seems to care! They all just disregard it as not our business! My Lieutenant seemed very eager to change the subject whenever I mentioned Palomino. That just don't sit right with me."

"Yeah Ah remember now, about City Council's latest deeds. What's going on with those idiots? I read an article about some embezzlement, but today the paper actually ran an apology for lying about the story."

"I tell ya what's goin' on, AB. I smell corruption. I don't know who is involved or how far it goes, but I do know no sane pony would acquit a murderer."

Applebloom giggled. "Ah know, but if y'all look around, ya might see some of those ponies we elected aren't necessarily all there. Do you really think it's corruption?"

"Maybe I don't have enough evidence, but I do have a strong gut feelin'. Have you noticed anything else weird?"

Applebloom finished her glass, and then place her hoof on her chin. What else had she seen, read or heard that wasn't...right.

"Well...a week ago Rich Enterprises bought Amber Foods."

"Is that...bad? I mean don't companies buy other companies all the time?"

"Yes...but Ah know the amber family...they wouldn't sell their company. Not for a billion bits."

"Maybe they got a reeeeeally good offer?"

"Perhaps...but like you said, Ah got a feelin'..."

"Didn't that bitch Diamond Tiara take over after her daddy died? You sayin' she's responsible?"

"No! Not at all. Ah mean she is-was mean, but Ah'd never think she'd have the capacity to do anything illegal. Besides, I’m sure she’s just a figurehead. The directors hold the real power."

"Alright. Hey, speakin' of her, how'd your little date go yesterday?"

The yellow mare gave her drinking buddy a light punch to her foreleg. "It was fine. Kinda dull, but she seems to have changed. Tomorra she's hostin' a cocktail party. It'll be a nice way for her to introduce me to all those fancy ponies."

Babs shook her head in disappointment. "Ugh...Applebloom! You still fixated on gettin' 'accepted' into those rich snobbish assholes’ circle?"

"Ah know Ah know...but Ah just gotta do this."

"Whatever. I hope you find what you’re looking for." Babs may not have cared much for this desire of Applebloom's, but she was a true friend, and supported her nonetheless.

"Thanks!" The two toasted their friendship. Babs turned and called out to Smokey.

"Yo! We need refills!" She shook her glass in the air, and then placed the cigar back in her mouth.

"Comin' right up, Chief!"

Spinning back to meet her friend, Babs suddenly recalled something important. "You excited for Saturday?"

"Oh how could Ah forget?? The derby!"

"That's right! Ain't Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash gonna be in it?!"

"Hell yes! Ah got us two tickets in mah box. Fancypants'll be there!"

"Haha and do we get drinks?"

"What do Ah look like, a teetotaler? Of course!" Their anticipation was only interrupted by Smokey putting two glasses down in front of them. They placed money on the counter and resumed their conversation.

"And before the race," Applebloom continued. "Sweetie Belle's gonna preform the national anthem. Boy Ah tell ya Saturday night we four are gonna paint the town red!"

"Saturday done right!" Babs shouted, taking a swig of her beer. "You know Hearth's Warming is in less than a month. Done any shopping yet?"

Applebloom's mood immediately soured as she recalled the awful memories of holiday wish lists and shopping. "Oh no...Ah sure do dislike this time of year sometimes. Everypony expects something big and expensive from me. Ah tell ya nopony will be satisfied until Applebloom buys them a brand new dream home!"

Hey, you brought this on yourself." Babs retorted, trying to withhold a laugh. "Though I can imagine the stress. Ponies can be greedy sometimes. They forget about the true meaning of the season. Plus that weddin' is five presents all in itself."

Again the billionaire's eyes grew large and she slammed her head down on the bar counter. "Oh the weddin'. The weddin'. Why me? Gosh dang Rarity...Big Mac ain't innocent in this neither...Ah swear if she decided to have it anytime near the holiday..."

"Hehe take it easy. We're here to relax."

"You're right” Applebloom puffed again. “This cigar ain't bad."

"Smokey always has the best. I might get another."

"Probably shouldn't or y'all be here all night. Got work in the mornin', right?"

Babs waved a hoof dismissively. "Fine, 'mother'."

Several hours passed and several rounds of drinks were had. By the time their cigars were finished, the two mares were wavering between heavily tipsy and slightly drunk. The final bill was paid, and the two wily ponies noticed across the bar two rather handsome stallions. Applebloom and Babs made their way over towards them, and began to speak seductively to the "victims".

The words were sweet, and in a humorous reversal of gender stereotypes, the two managed to lasso up some warm company. It wasn't too hard, in truth; a stallion is not a hard puzzle to solve. A mare on the other hoof...

The four walked outside and hailed two cabs. Babs and Applebloom bid goodbye, while the males made a gesture some would interpret as "score!"

Back in the bar, Smokey just smiled and leaned in to talk to two young colts sitting on the stools.

"Hey lemme give ya some advice: if ya ever spot a nice lookin' mare, just be careful. Those rough ones can be a little ornery, especially dem country types." He then returned to wiping off a glass, watching the night's patron return home.

Back in front of Applebloom's mansion, the cab pulled up, and the two passengers exited. After paying the fee, Applebloom opened up the gate and led her guest down the lightly snow-covered pathway to the front door.

"Wow you live her?!" He said, never seeing anything bigger than a city apartment.

The yellow mare only gave him a seductive nod and led him further into the house, up the grand staircase, and into her bedroom.

Inside she disrobed, tossing her suit and hat into a corner of the room. Then she threw him down on her luxurious red comforter. He was momentarily lost in the pure, heavenly softness of the mattress. This bliss was short-lived, and Applebloom jumped on top of him, holding the colt down by his hooves. His excitement waned when he saw what was staring at him: beautiful orange eyes burning with unfettered lust.

Meanwhile in the parlor just before Applebloom's bedroom, Jeffery was sitting in a chair, enjoying an excellent novel and drinking green tea.

Never looking up from his literature, the handypony listened very intently as his employer entered the house. Several minutes after the door was shut and locked, he took a sip of his beverage. The sounds could not be mistaken.

"It seems Miss Applebloom was brought yet another unsuspecting pony to endure Luna's night in her amorous embrace. He will be raw by the time she has satiated her carnal desires. Poor stallion."

He turned the page in his book and took another sip.

"And I had just washed her bed sheets..."

5. Friday Night

5. Friday Night

In Applebloom's bedroom, the shining rays of the sun stabbed through the blinds of the window, right into the eyes of a very sore earth pony stallion. The glare of light hit him straight in his eyes, permanently waking him. Weakly rising up from the bed, the pony cursed the day, and desperately tried to return to sleep, his form entangled in the red blanket.

But his body rejected this. After tossing and turning for several minutes, the stallion finally yielded. Literally falling out of bed, he took in the world around him.

The room was filled with a fine wooden dresser and armoire, as well as end tables on either side of the king-sized bed. The headboard was elaborately carved, and the carpet was as soft as the fur of a newborn foal.

Standing up on all fours, the pony frowned.

"Where's that yellow mare from last night? Oh what happened?" He began massaging his back, which ached for some reason. Trying to walk out of the room, he cringed at a pain in the rear half of his body.

"Ohh...I remember..."

Essentially limping out of the room, he made his way into a long hall filled with large windows. Standing in front of one such window was a neatly-dressed blue unicorn wearing a dignified expression. He turned towards the stallion and spoke.

"Ah, good afternoon sir. It appears you have finally decided to get up."

" 'Afternoon'? What time is it?" The earth pony asked, wiping his eyes.

"A quarter past noon. I began to dread you'd never awaken. Come downstairs to the breakfast room. I have prepared for you a meal." Jeffery began to lead the pony to the intended destination.

"You made me food? Well....uh thank you. Um...where's that filly? From last night."

"Mistress Applebloom departed at 8:30, as she does every weekday. Prior to her leave, however, she gave me the instruction to provide you breakfast...er...lunch rather." The two were now around the breakfast table.

"Now please, sir. Take a seat. I will have your meal momentarily."

The stallion complied, and ten seconds later the handycolt placed a tray on the table. He had prepared for the guest a daisy sandwich, to be washed down with fresh apple juice.

The stallion looked puzzled at the simple meal. Jeffery took note of his countenance.

"I understand it isn't much, but this is one of the Mistress' favorite meals.

"No it's fine. Though seems like a place like this would have more...variety." He cringed again at his sore body.

Jeffery struggled to withhold a smile. "It seems you were not physically prepared for last night's escapades, eh?"

The pony took a bite and glared at the unicorn. "Yeah well I wasn't expect her to–"

"Please sir, spare me the details. But it appears to me that fate had been kind towards you."

The earth pony rubbed his back again. "How so?"

"From what I have heard and can deduce, your courter's companion yestereve is much more abrasive. Perspective, sir."

"I'll keep that in mind." He said dryly.

After his meal, Jeffery took the dishes and placed them in the sink. He then shooed the stallion towards the front door.

"So uh I guess I'll go home now. Should I leave my name or phone number or something?"

"No. Such familiarities are of little concern to Mistress Applebloom. Though you might want to take this with you." The butler levitated a bottle of some unknown white liquid into the hooves of the stallion.

"What's this?"

"Read the label." Jeffery opened the door and gently pushed the guest out. "Good day." He then shut it, and looked out the window at the stallion walking towards the front gate.

He then sat down on a chair in the Applebloom's living room and grabbed his book. Sighing, he turned to his bookmarked page.

"I do so hope this habit dies soon."

At the Manehattan Public Library, ponies were coming and going, renting books and tapes as usual. The librarians stamped and reshelved items, ever vigilant over the books that insensitive patrons would not return to their designated locations.

Among the countless ponies to enter the establishment was a blue-uniformed orange policemare. Trotting up the front desk, she cleared her throat and addressed the attendant.

"Excuse me, Miss..." Babs looked downed at the nameplate. "Pageturner. Could you direct me to the political records?"

"Why certainly, Officer. On the second floor you'll find the Hall of City Records."

"Thank you."

"It's my job. and if there's anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask!" Pageturner said, her face beaming.

Babs Seed traveled up the stairs and looked around for the desired section. Passing by great throngs of bookshelves and study desks, she came to a sunlit hall that led to a detached part of the library. Inside this building was the Hall of City Records.

The Police Chief had come here to help piece this mystery together. What was going on in Manehattan? Every City Council meeting, everything they said, every trial, every sentence; everything that the bureaucratic machine of the city did was recorded in some way. And it was all here.

Well, the recent history of the city was. Only the past hundred years or so. But that's all that mattered to Babs. Scouring the shelves of government documents, microfilms, and audiotapes, she gathered a giant stack of material and took it into a small projection room.

Placing the documents and such on a small table, she picked up the first item and began to read.

"Hopefully this'll point me in the right direction."

Hours passed in her little chamber. She played the microfilm footage and listened carefully to the tapes. She made copies of the pages and annotated them with highlighters, and wrote things down in her notebook. Babs Seed must have gone through over a hundred records.

But it was time well spent.

Sitting at the table, after having finished the last roll of film, she placed her hoof under her chin and began to think very hard.

"Hm...so let's see here...City Council has ten members...in October, six resigned." She carefully looked over her notes.

"Two because of sex scandals, one for immoral conduct, and three cited as 'personal reasons'. No unifying factor to them. They were male, female, earth pony, unicorn, pegasus, several different pawrties. Diametrically opposed to each other. So it couldn't have been a coordinated pawrty attacked. Those six were replaced with..." Her eyes widen.

"Sweet Celestia! The Mayor appointed replacements!" She grabbed a copy of the Town Charter. "The mayor can't just appoint ponies to elected positions!"

Again she got another piece of paper; this time a newspaper dated the day of the appointments. "There is an awrticle criticizing this action, but it's fairly small and on a random page. I'd make it a front page story. And then there's next day's paper. Another smawll awrticle apologizing for the previous one. Almost like they didn't want nopony to know..."

She grabbed some city documents. "And here...the zoning records say that all them lots have been bawt up...three members of the council have purchased a few lots for...6 MILLION BITS EACH!?" Luckily the room was soundproof.

"Jeepers! Where'd those politicians get that kinda money? They only get ten thousand annually as Council members."

She sifted through the profiles of the council members. "The only one could afford that ludicrous price is that pompous Fauntleroy. Wait a second! Why didn't I see it before? Those three...they were the same three out of four who didn’t resign!"

Babs seed then realized something much bigger. "The Mayor...he dropped 10 million simoleons on a beach house just outside of Marebu."

The Policemare recalled one of the rolls of film which detailed a press conference by the Mayor answering allegations about embezzlement of the city treasury.

"He says he got all that money from investments. However...I looked through all sorts of companies that could supply him with that kind of income, and he ain't a shareholder. Somepony is giving these Council members cash...and I gotta hunch it's got something to do with pardoning Palomino and the cocaine peddlers...but why?" She took a look at the Mayor's picture in disgust. "I never liked him...or the rest of City Council. But I suppose one is still clean."

Babs groaned in disgust at the pony who apparently still had some integrity. If only he weren't so insufferable. "Blue Suit. Looks like he's the only one I can trust, though."

She would have to continue this later, as it was already almost three o'clock. She would have to return to the Station soon. Gathering up all the things she took off the shelves, Babs Seed quickly walked out of the Library, but not before being stopped by the librarian sitting at the desk.

"Find everything alright, dearie?"

"Oh yes ma'am. I sure did." Babs replied, heading out the door.

Unbeknownst to either of them, a silver unicorn dressed in a very expensive-looking suit was quietly watching Babs as she exited the Library. He lowered his eyes back onto the book just under him.

"What are you up to, Babs Seed?"

Day turned to night, as it inevitably always does. Applebloom stood in front of a large gilded gate with a large dollar sign in the upper center. Flanking the gate on either side was a tall brick wall. Spaced at regular intervals along the wall stood towers, each with a light fixture at the top.

Taking a deep breath, the yellow pony walked up towards the intercom box beside the gate.

"Alright Applebloom, time to mare up."

She rose up her hoof and pressed the button. A dignified voice sounded from the speaker.

"Rich Residence."

"Hello. Ah'm Applebloom. Ah was told that there was a party here."

"Ah yes! Come inside, Miss Applebloom."

The gate slowly swung open, revealing the large mansion on top of the hill. She took her time as she made her way towards the house, appreciating the beautiful surroundings. The lawn was covered in a fresh blanket of white snow, and the still, quiet air gave off a peaceful ambience. Under the light of Luna's Moon, the evergreen trees along the property and the light snowfall set the mood for a warm, winter's night party.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all, just like her dinner date the other night.

Moments later, the guest stood on the stone porch. Making some last minute adjustments to make sure she looked not only presentable, but exceptional, Applebloom then knocked on the door, and awaited a response.

Answering the door was tall pegasus dressed in a tailcoat. He was eerily similar to Applebloom's own handycolt.

"Good evening, esteemed guest. You will find Miss Tiara down the hall, in the parlor. And please; allow me to take your coat."

The businesspony allowed the butler to do just that, and placed the garment in a large closet beside the front door.

"Thank you." Applebloom then walked through the hall, admiring the large collection of paintings and pottery placed on tables along the hall's length. This contrasted starkly with her home. The Applebloom Mansion was large and filled with many rooms, but it had a practical feel to it; there weren't many pieces of "art". Modern art never really appealed to the industrialist.

But she could respect Diamond Tiara's tastes. It was her money, after all.

At the end of the hall, Applebloom came to a large room, as high as two stories. The expertly decorated parlor was a giant of its kind, containing dozens of tables and chairs, a multitude of art around the walls, and very expensive-looking chandeliers lighting the room. Large windows were draped with curtains, and must have bathed the room in sunlight during the day.

Swinging doors periodically opened as waiters came out to place appetizers on a long table, decorated with exotic flowers just like at the Ball in Canterlot. On another wall was a bar, complete with a bartender serving cocktails.

There must have been several dozen ponies conversing with each other inside this massive room. Applebloom looked around for the hostess, but to no avail. Walking up to the tables, she started looking for her name on the nametags. She soon found her spot, but much to her surprise, Applebloom was seated next to Diamond Tiara.

"Might as well get a drink. Ah wonder what—" She turned around, and became startled by a smiling pink pony who stood right in front of her. The pony's dress matched the purple creamsicle of her fashionably styled mane topped with a tiara. Adorning her body was, naturally, diamond jewelry. All white, clear, and skillfully cut.

"Applebloom! I’m so glad you could make it!" Diamond Tiara said, grabbing the mare for a hug. The red-maned pony uncomfortably reciprocated the action. "Come on! Let me introduce you."

Diamond Tiara led her guest into a circle of polished and well-to-do ponies. "Everypony, this is my good friend Applebloom. Applebloom, of course you know Silver Spoon."

"Good evening, Applebloom." The grey filly warmly said, adjusting her glasses.

"Allow me to introduce you to Pish Posh, Bourgeois, and Opulence." All three were rather young, wearing the epitome of gross extravagance. The gems on their jewelry alone probably cost over a hundred thousand bits, Applebloom thought.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." The unicorn identified as Posh stuck out her hoof to the earth pony.

Applebloom was about to speak when Diamond Tiara leaned up to her ear and began whispering. "Remember, your accent."

Hearing this, the nouveau riche pony cleared her throat, and prepared to do her best to appeal to these old money daughters. "The pleasure is all mine."

"So tell us, Applebloom," Posh began again. "What is your family involved in?"

"Well...I'm—"

Diamond Tiara interrupted, having planned out much of this prior. "The esteemed Apple family owns shares in dozens of great enterprises. Applebloom here has been given management over her family's flagship company; Apple Industries."

A succession of "oohs" and "ahhs" followed. They seemed to be warming up to her.

"You were given a company?? My parents say I'm 'fiscally irresponsible' and have no business in any position of power. Can't say I mind, though. Work is soo uncouth." Opulence replied.

"Indeed. I'd ruin a perfectly good hooficure, not to mention get dirty! Once I had to..." Posh's eyes started tearing up. "Make my own breakfast! Oh it was simply awful!"

"That all sounds terrible!" Applebloom said, doing her best to put on a poker face.

"What hard work have you been made to do?"

The red-maned mare answered without thinking. "Um well in college I made money by shoveling coal." As soon as the last word left her lips, the posse looked at her in the most puzzled manner.

Applebloom thought fast on what to do next. Then it hit her. She immediately burst out laughing. The rest followed suit.

After a few moments, Diamond Tiara wiped a tear from her eye and responded. "Oh Applebloom you really had us going! Now if you excuse us girls, she and I will go get a drink."

The pink mare led her "friend" towards the bar. Waiting for the bartender to finish with the ponies already in line, she glared at her guest.

"What were you thinking? You need to watch yourself."

"Ah know, Ah'm sorry. But them mares're dumb as a post."

"Yes, those three really aren't the brightest. I'm convinced they think money comes out of thin air. Now what do you drink?"

"Appletini, Ah suppose."

"Coming right up. And even talking to me you should still talk...normally. It's good practice." A minute or two later and Applebloom was hoofed the requested drink. Taking a sip, a sudden question popped into her head.

Applebloom knew it probably shouldn't have been asked, but she needed to know. "Hey Tiara, what's the deal with Amber Foods?"

"Huh?" Diamond asked, shaken from watching over her party. "Oh! Rich Enterprises bought them."

"H...How'd you get them to sell?"

"I hardly think this is an appropriate time to discuss matters of business." The hostess said, visibly annoyed.

"Please? Ah—I know them, and...you must have done something pretty...uh...convincing."

"Oh! You want a little advice from me about business, eh?" Applebloom nodded, even though that was far from the truth. "Ok! You caught me. It's true I've had my eye on Amber Foods for quite some time. They kept rejecting every offer I made. So I eventually offered every member of their lovely family shares in Rich Enterprises, as well as 50 million each. It was a pretty penny, but you need to take risks to get anywhere in life, right?"

"That's not a bad tactic. Did you let them run it still?"

"Of course! It's their company. I just wanted to 'extend' the family! But wouldn't you know, most of them retired. Only Amber Waves opted to remain."

"Huh. Interesting."

A moment later, several chefs came from the kitchen and rang a few bells. "Dinner is served." Waiters erupted from the double doors wheeling carts of fresh food to the guests. Every table soon was covered in 5-star meals, steaming with delicious aromas that drove the ponies mad. Before they ate, however, the hostess needed to make a toast.

"Attention! Attention!" Diamond Tiara called out, lightly tapping a crystal glass. "I wish to thank everypony who came here tonight, especially the lack of special occasion. But I must say I have enjoyed your company, and hope to continue enjoying it for a long time to come." Soft hoofstomps followed. "I also want a round of applause for my dearest friends Silver Spoon and Applebloom!" She gestured towards them as the room applauded. At first the yellow mare thought she'd be humiliated by ponies would hated her, but strangely they smiled and whispered what sound like kind things.

Perhaps Diamond Tiara could make her into a proper high society pony, or at least appear to be.

The rest of the night wasn't very notable. Applebloom was introduced to some more ponies during the meal, and elicited positive responses from them, with Diamond's help. Adapting her country charm with an appropriate Manehattan upper class presentation, the industrialist managed to form solid acquaintanceships with the other guests.

By the time everypony began leaving, most would say goodbye to her. Soon only she, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon were left. As she was about to leave herself, Applebloom was stopped by the owner of the home.

"Goodbye, Applebloom! Be safe!"

"Thank you. Bye!" Walking down the steps of the porch, she heard Diamond Tiara yell one last time:

"We can do something when Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo come into town! I'll call you!"

"Alright!" The departing guest acknowledged.

Soon, the yellow mare in the red dress was out of sight, and off the property. Diamond Tiara retired to her living room. She plopped down on a recliner, and Silver Spoon took a seat in a large chair. The pink pony opened up a drawer in the table beside the recliner and took out a small notebook. Flipping to a particular page, she clenched a pen in her mouth and jotted down some things.

"She's a nice filly. Quite polite for a country bumpkin." Silver Spoon said, staring into the fire.

Diamond placed the pen down onto the table. "Yes she is. Things are going smoothly. I see a beautiful marriage between the two of us."

"But what if she refuses? It will be difficult to achieve otherwise, and she is rather attached to her work."

"Her willingness is immaterial, Spoon. But I do have methods to entice her with." She looked away from the fire and called out to her handycolt. "Saddlesworth! Could you fetch me a cigarette?"

6. The Wonderbolt Derby

6. The Wonderbolt Derby

"You thought youse could rat me out, hah!?" A large golden stallion furiously shouted at a bound earth pony.

The tied up colt dared to speak, his muzzle covered in blood. "You got lucky...you should be facin' a firin' squad now."

"You turn me in? For amnesty? You were like a pawrt of my family. You broke my heart. Well Palomino don't take dat sittin' down."

The captive got a smile on his face, and began laughing mockingly. "You think you're still anything special? The days of Big Daddy ownin' da streets is over. You think roughin' me up proves any different?"

The boss' anger began rising, and his body started to shake. "I OWN DIS CITY!! I've been offin' ponies and racking up cash since before youse was born! And I'll be damned if I lose it awll before I finally kick da bucket! Manehattan is wrapped around my hoof. I got goons in the East End, doin' what dey do best."

"I 'member da tales of Palomino strickin' terror into da heart of police officers. Then Babs Seed came alawng."

Clenching his teeth, Palomino swung a hoof at the earth pony's face, knocking out several teeth. "Don't you ever FUCKING mention dat name around me!!"

"Dat bitch pinned ya down." He said, spitting out blood. "Gotcha by to your nads. She almost brought you down too. Then some bastards saved your sorry flank."

"If you think for a moment that I work—"

"Somepony you don't even know's got your bawlls in a vice grip, ready to close it. Why are you lyin' to yourself? You can't even do nothin' 'bout the Police Chief! You're washed up, a has-been; you ain't nothin' no more. Just a pawn in a scheme. You try anything funny, dey gonna put you six feet under."

Palomino spent several moments regaining his composure. "Alright...it's clear dat you need a little convincin'."

"Gonna kill me now? Thank goodness! I don't wanna endure your mediocrity no more!"

"Not before I show you who Palomino truly is." The colt's smile faded, and the crime lord unfurled his wide wings to make himself appear larger. He slowly walked to a metal table and pick up a knife with his mouth. Taking it in his hoof, Palomino grinned down at the to-be dead pony. "Ever heard of the Palomino Necktie?"

The colt's eyes widened and his overall complexion paled. "No...no...please, anything but dat! Shoot me! PLEASE!! I'm sorry! It was just business! You know how it is! Right?"

"I do know how it is. You're a little punk, and youse gonna get what's comin' to ya." He inched closer with the knife, until the tip of the blade just broke the skin of the colt's throat.

The next few seconds were filled with agonizing screams and curses, which could be heard throughout the building. The underlings of the crime organization could only imagine what was causing the wails.

When it was over, Palomino nonchalantly walked away covered in blood, leaving behind the lifeless corpse of an earth pony. "I still got it. I'm goin' to take a shower, then go to da race." He said to his bodyguards. "Put dis body out so nopony gets any funny ideas."

"You got it, baws. Who ya bettin' on?"

"I got a tip..."

Two mares stood just in front of the Grand Manehattan Raceway, taking in the massive size of the venue. Their breaths visible in the cold air, the orange one turned to face her yellow companion.

"Ya ready to go in?"

"Sure am."

"Well then let's hop to it!" The pair gleefully cantered up to the entrance. Under the giant concrete pillars and arches were dozens, if not hundreds of ponies, each one wanting badly to enter the building and find their seats. A special line was set aside for "VIPs". A finely dressed unicorn stallion stood guarding the red rope, and politely addressed the two mares as they came to the line.

"Excuse me, ladies. May I see your tickets, please?"

"Why certainly." Applebloom flashed a small piece of paper. He examined it for a couple seconds, then taking the ticket he subsequently used his magic to make a hole in it with a hole punch. Returning the ticket to its owner, he repeated the process with Babs Seed.

After hoofing the stallion a fairly generous tip, Applebloom led her cousin up through the long corridors of the raceway.

"Wow...this sure is a big place. Look at all these food stawlls! How much food and drinks do you think they go through in a day?" The Policemare inquired.

"Well Ah don't know about when major events ain't goin' down, but Ah do know during a race like this, easily 40,000 ponies come to watch...so multiply that by the amount of food the average pony would eat during the race...compensatin' for lack of some eatin' and others taking a little too much...Ah'd reckon about 30 tons maybe. And Ah'm bein' modest."

"Do you do all that math in your head?"

Applebloom replied as if she were just asked if the sky was blue. "Yeeeah. Why?"

"I respect a pony would can add and multiply like that without a piece of paper. Takes me ten minutes to do a simple problem."

"Well thanks Babs. Ah like to think Ah'm alright at math. You don't get through a day in mah life without at least some calculus."

"Yeah yeah you went to college." Babs warm-heartedly chided. "Where are we going? Seems like this hawll goes on forever."

"Actually we turn up here to the stairs." The duo began up the steps. "You haven't been to a derby yet, have ya?"

"Nope. I've been to some sports games though."

"Well Ah guess it's pretty similar. 'Cept this time you'll be in mah box."

"I've gotta say, I'm pretty excited, cuz. How much did one of them boxes cawst?" The orange pony said, trailing behind her friend.

"Actually, since Ah gave a lot of money to build this place, Ah was given a special box that has been leased in perpetuity to me."

"How much did you give?"

"Um...300 million...maybe. Ah can't recall."

"Wow. That's one expensive box."

"Oh Babs, it's not about the money. It's what y'all do with it."

Babs rolled her eyes. "Another nugget of wisdom from Applebloom, hah?"

"Charity's its own reward. Now ponies have a great, state-of-the-art place to watch their favorite racers!"

"And we got a luxury, private box with all the booze we can drink!" Babs paused for a second, feeling a nagging feeling at the back of her head. "Hey AB, there's somethin' I need to tell ya."

"Shoot."

"Um...what was it...OH! I remember! I went to the library to do some research yesterday." She said just as they had left the stairs and entered another hall.

"You can tell me once we're inside." A few more steps later and they entered another hall. "We're here!" The two mares were now standing before an uninteresting door. The contents of the room behind it were revealed only by a metal nameplate reading "Applebloom". The owner took out a key ring, and fumbling with it in her mouth, she unlocked the door and entered. Babs followed suit.

Inside was a room filled with two couches arranged in an "L" shape, a coffee table between them, a small bar, a refrigerator, a small kitchenette, and a door presumably leading to a restroom.

Babs smiled at what she saw, and nodded in approval. "Well?" Applebloom asked. "What do ya think?"

"Pretty nice. Is that the track?" The orange filly rushed over to the large windows overlooking the track. In front of the windows was a small balcony the occupants to go out on and watch the race. Below that were thousands of seats, most of them starting to fill up.

The Wonderbolt raceway in most cities was indeed on the ground. It would have been quite the engineering challenge, not to mention a costly venture, to build a stadium suspended in the air that could still allow non-flyers. The raceway in Canterlot was a notable exception, given that the city itself was built into the face of a mountain.

"When do you think everypony will get here?" Babs asked, still looking out at the stadium.

"Within the next half-hour, Ah'd imagine. Here, have a cold one." Applebloom hoofed her guest a beer from the refrigerator. "The race doesn't start for another hour."

"Thanks. So anyway about what I was sayin' earlier..."

"Go on."

"Well I did some research, and I've compiled a nice theory." Babs took a sip, and then continued. "Turns out six City Council members resigned in October. The Mayor then appointed replacements."

"Can he do that?"

"No! But the newspapers didn't say nothin' about it, or at least they were made to pull back a story about the matter. And get this; three of the four who didn't resign later dropped a lot of money on some land around the city."

"How much?"

"Several million!"

"Where'd they get that kind of cash?"

"That's the same thing I asked myself. I’m sensin' somethin' fishy's goin' on."

"Maybe they all have a wealthy contributor." Applebloom replied, taking a drink from her bottle.

"Maybe. But I've got another idea. Somepony, or a group of ponies, is fixin' the Council; you know, makin' them 'complient'."

The yellow billionaire thought for a second until a revelation came to her. "So...so they can vote on what their 'benefactor' wants! And if that's what's goin' on, Ah'm willing to bet they got more cronies in Canterlot and the newspaper places burying the matter under unimportant political bullshit!"

"Now you're gettin' it!"

"Ah like your theory, but this conspiracy is a little hard to swallow. But still...the pardonin' of the boss. Ah think you've convinced me about corruption, though. What about the police?"

"Cruller laughed at me for wasting my time 'reading'. Besides, I don’t have enough evidence to issue a warrant or nothing’."

"Are YOU gonna do anythin’ about this?"

"I need more information. But luckily for us, one Council member appears to be clean."

"Who?"

Babs took a healthy swig of her beer, cringing at the pony in question. "Blue Suit."

"Oh dear Celestia...really? He's gonna be your informant??"

"Afraid so."

Applebloom couldn't help chuckling at her cousin's misfortune. "Good luck with that."

A few moments later, a knock was heard on the door. Setting down her drink, the red-maned pony cantered towards the door. Opening it, a large smile erupted on her face. Two tall white unicorns stood, one with a blue mane, the other pink.

"Fancypants! Fleur! Come on in!"

"Why thank you, my dear. How generous of you to allow us to watch the race with you." The polite stallion turned towards the orange pony. "Why good day, Police Chief Babs Seed! It is a pleasure to see you again. Have you met my companion, Fleur-de-Lis?"

The slender mare walked up to Babs. "Nice to meet ya, Fleur. Why don't youse take a seat?"

"Don't mind if we do." The model replied.

"Would y'all care for a drink?"

"Oh don't trouble yourself, Applebloom. Allow me." Using his magic, Fancypants got out a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. Levitating one to his marefriend, he took a sip. "This was an excellent year." He said, quietly smacking his lips.

"So, how was the trip from Canterlot?"

"Our train ride was rather smooth, nothing out of the ordinary. Quite peaceful traveling through the countryside, wasn't it dear?"

"Oh indeed. Fancy, perhaps we could get a place outside the noise of the city?"

"I do like that idea. By the way, Applebloom, it should please you to know that the foundation has been laid for the hospital."

"Really? Well how about that."

"It has been estimated that the complex will be up and running in about...nine months." The stallion took another drink. "Now, Applebloom. I take it our two golden girls shall be racing today?"

"Who are the 'golden girls'?" Babs asked.

"Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. And they are." Applebloom replied.

"Yes. You see Miss Babs, every race that features the two Wonderbolt prodigies, she usually bets on Scootaloo, and I on Rainbow Dash. More often than not, one of them wins."

"Though it ain't easy to tell who."

Fancypants chuckled. "Mostly it is a photo finish. After the race, either she or I collect our winnings and then we donate it to various charities."

"Sounds noble, but you don't really get much winnings from pickin' the best of the best, do ya?" Babs said.

"Actually, since it's not quite certain who will win, either party stands to gain quite a bit. It's just a fun game Applebloom and I play. Are you going to bet, Babs Seed?"

"Nah. I think I'll pass."

Right as Applebloom was getting comfortable, there was another knock on the door. Excited for the pony or ponies behind the door, but still slightly annoyed at having to get up, she turned the knob and revealed three fillies.

Another white unicorn, and two pegasi.

Not five seconds after entering the room, the unicorn and younger pegasus were squeezed by Applebloom, her strong earth pony legs nearly crushing the life out them. Babs ran with full force towards them, very nearly knocking Fancypants off the couch. She dove into the circle, and gave them all an embrace.

"Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle! Ah'm sooo happy y'all could make it here!"

"Uh yeah, AB. I'm racing." Scootaloo said.

"And I'm singing. Of course we'd show up. Now could you please stop squishing us?" Sweetie added.

"Oh...sorry." Applebloom and Babs released them. "Good to see ya too, Rainbow Dash! Y'all want anythin' to drink? Some water perhaps?"

"Nope. Actually we were just stopping by. Remember Scoots; we gotta warm up. It would be a shame to pull a muscle like last time." The cyan Pegasus said.

"Yeah yeah, Rainbow. We can stay for a bit, right?"

"Fine kid, ten minutes." She hovered over towards the couches to greet Fancypants.

Applebloom led her three friends out onto the balcony. Sweetie Belle rushed to the railing and pointed at a spot inside the track, on the grass. Set up on it was what looked like sound equipment.

"I sing right there! Oh I'm so excited I could—" She was interrupted by a flash of magic discharging from her horn. It was harmless, but that didn't stop the others from cowering in fear. "Oops...hehe sorry." The alabaster unicorn started to turn red.

"Ain't no big deal." Applebloom assured, trying to disregard her frightened response.

The four former Cutie Mark Crusaders spent the next ten minutes or so talking about their lives. Scootaloo had just graduated from school, and earned her commission as a medical officer. Sweetie Belle stood to sign a several million dollar recording contract. Even though they had since earned their marks and gone their separate ways, the four fillies were still the best of friends, and cherished any time they could get to spend with one another.

Meanwhile Rainbow Dash was boasting to Fancypants and Fleur about her latest airshow; about how she performed all sorts of dives and dips and doing barrel rolls. The two unicorns very much enjoyed the exciting stories, their glory days now behind them.

Rainbow dash looked at the clock on the wall and grabbed her partner. "Come on Scoots. Time to get ready!"

"Oh alright. See ya guys! Cheer loudly for me!" The orange pegasus shouted.

"We sure will!" Babs said.

"Do your best!" Encouraged Applebloom.

"Leave them in the dust!" Demanded Sweetie Belle.

Bearing a giant smile, Scootaloo followed Rainbow Dash out of the room. Before they exited, Fancypants stopped them for one last sentiment:

"Now remember, girls. It does not matter which one of you wins, so long as it is one of you. Do your best, and of course, have fun! It is a race, after all!"

"We'll see if this little orange filly can best the 'Fastest Pegasus in Equestria'!" And with that the pair left.

Applebloom was fiddling through the drawers. Pulling out a tin of fine tobacco blend, she lit up a pipe. Pulling out a cigar, she turned to Babs.

"Hey Babs! Want a smoke?"

"I dunno. I had one the other night."

"Come on. It's a special occasion!"

The policemare didn't need much convincing. "Well...alright!"

Giving her cousin a light, Applebloom stepped out onto the balcony, and gazed out onto the track. Sweetie Belle looked at the two with disapproval.

"You two are still smoking?"

Applebloom puffed a cloud of smoke and smiled. "Ah find a good pipe every now and them calms my mind and spirit."

"And this is one of Smokey's!" Babs added, laughing. Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes. "Hey, at least we're outside."

In the locker room underneath the seats, Scootaloo was limbering up, performing wing exercises and stretches. Her mind was ready to leave Rainbow Dash in the dust, and her body was getting there. Ever since her wings had grown large enough to enable flight, the orange pegasus had practiced and practiced for many hours a day. Now the muscles in her wings were perhaps the strongest in her body, except her heart of course.

Scootaloo knew this well. In fact, after visiting the doctor who revealed this intriguing fact, she developed an interest in flight mechanics. She wasn't an exceptional student in grade school, but something awoke in the pegasus that compelled her to read all she could about the subject of flight. It proved very useful, and her increased knowledge in not only biology but also physics gave her an edge: she learned how to maximize her performance while at the same time not overexert herself.

Her self-taught know-how proved decisive, literally catapulting her to first place in dozens of “street” races. After the Wonderbolts signed her on as a cadet, Captain Rainbow Dash personally took Scootaloo as her apprentice. Now, after much hard work and perseverance, the once flightless orange filly had executed maneuvers in shows perfectly, and became a rising star. She was so good, a special exception was made so she could participate without a formal commissioning.

Looking into a mirror to examine the movements of her wings, Scootaloo began to give herself some pep-talk.

"Alright Scoots. You can do this. Remember; don't use your vestigial diaphragm. Too many pegasi make the mistake of not breathing like they should." She caught herself about to take a deep breath.

"You ready to get beat, kid?" Her former mentor asked, placing her hoof onto Scootaloo’s shoulder.

"I should ask you the same." Scootaloo replied smiling.

"Good luck. You'll need it." Boasted Rainbow. "Time to suit up!"

Opening the locker door, Scootaloo took her Wonderbolt uniform off the rack. Removing the hanger, she unzipped it and began to put it on.

Right next to her, Rainbow Dash was doing the same. They were both unaware of anything else in the room, as were the other racers. The preferred circumstances for a grey unicorn, dressed in a black suit.

Stealthily uncapping the two water bottles on the bench closest to the two fastest flyers, he levitated a pair of small white tablets, quietly placing each one in a bottle. He then placed the caps back on. All this happened in a matter of seconds.

Almost immediately after he had finished, the two turned around, clad in their uniforms. He smiled and rushed over to greet them.

"Oh what an honor it is to meet you two!" He said, shaking Rainbow Dash's hoof.

"Um...how did you get here?" Asked the confused cyan pony.

"I was sent to check up on the racers. But I just couldn't pass up the chance to meet you! In fact," He got out a small book and a pen. "Could you both sign my autograph book?"

Rainbow laughed and took the pen in her mouth. She had a tendency to become rather proud during moments like these. Signing the book, she hoofed the pen to Scootaloo. Wiping it off, the orange pegasus signed the book in kind.

Closing it up and cleaning the pen with a handkerchief, the grey unicorn smiled widely, revealing his pearly white teeth. "Oh thank you so much! Good luck out there!"

He quickly galloped off.

The two pegasi shrugged, but honestly thought nothing odd about the meeting. Rainbow picked her water bottle up off the bench and took a drink. "Remember, stay hydrated!"

"And don't breathe." Advised Scootaloo, who was about to drink form her bottle. Rainbow frowned. Every race the younger racer told her this, but she could never figure out what it meant. Maybe it was just a joke.

In any case, the pair ran out into the sidelines as a white unicorn began to step into the center of the track. Standing in front of the microphone, facing the stands, Sweetie Belle caught sight of Scootaloo giving her a reassuring gesture. Smiling widely, the singer cleared her throat and waited for the music to start playing.

Several soldiers came out to bear the Equestrian flag. The first notes of the anthem began. Her heart pounding, Sweetie opened her mouth, and began to sing.

What followed next could only be described as the immaculate voice of a divine gift from above. Everypony, patriotic or not, could not help but stand and place their right hooves over their hearts, feeling a sincere love of their country. Tears came from the eyes of all in the stands and even the racers. The song lasted only a minute, but had made an impression so deep that everypony present that day would remember the performance for life.

When the music finished, thunderous cheers roared from the spectators. Sweetie Belle, a humble pony, merely bowed and returned to her spot in Applebloom's box.

After taking a few minutes to regain their composures, the racers lined up at the starting line. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were adjacent to each other. Unfurling their wings, the two pegasi gave a look to one another; a kind of look that said encouragement but at the same time one to intimidate.

This was it. All her training and hard work had led up to this. Every race Scootaloo had with her idol was a chance to prove how far she had come; from a small flightless "Dodo" to one of the fastest pegasi in Equestria. Officially that title belonged to the Element of Loyalty, but Scootaloo knew she would one day gain it.

True several times she had won, but only when Rainbow Dash let her cockiness get the better of her. It happened more than the cyan mare would have liked to admit.

The objective was simple: cross the finish line first. The referee stood along the inner edge of the track. Nodding to another official on the other side, he raised up a starting gun. Applebloom and company up in her box looked with anticipation at the racers. What seemed like an eternity passed, but the racers paid no attention. Inside their heads were tranquil thoughts, determination, and a reflex to jolt the moment the shot was heard.

"Alright racers! On your mark! Get set!" He waited a second, and then pulled the trigger. "GO!"

The shot was fired, and the entire group of pegasi zoomed past the starting line, leaving the referee in the dust.

The announcer eagerly reported the obvious, watching intently. "And they’re off! It looks like Scootaloo is in the lead! But fortunes change like the seasons during a race!"

Scootaloo's wing muscles were filled with blood, supplied with oxygen from her continuously-flowing respiratory system. Every part of her body was in sync, having long adjusted to the kind of stresses she put it under. She never turned her vision away from what was in front of her; what the others were doing was unimportant. Only the race mattered.

Rounding the first turn, she picked up the pace, pushing herself more and more. Everything was a blur, except what she focused on. Scootaloo made the second turn, and now flew down the long stretch to the other end. But then something happened.

Her vision was fading, her eyelids became heavy, and she started feeling drowsy. Nearing the third turn, she was too sleepy to continue flying. Knowing that passing out at such speeds would likely severely injure her, Scootaloo slowed down, and then faded off to sleep.

Meanwhile on the balcony, Applebloom and her four other guests looked on in horror as Scootaloo seemed to...just fall down and roll over in the dirt. Rainbow soon suffered the same fate.

The race was over quickly, and a winner was declared.

"It's Jetstream! I don't believe it, fillies and gentlecolts! Jetstream is the winner!" The announcer's mood saddened when he saw two pegasi not moving in the dirt. "I...It seems Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo have...been injured! Several ponies with stretchers are coming to aid the unconscious pegasi."

Sweetie Belle had tears in her eyes over the status of her friend. "What's going on? Why did they just stop?"

"Ah dunno! Somethin' must be terribly wrong. We gotta go see if they're alright!" Applebloom shouted, putting down her pipe.

The other two fillies nodded, and leaped back into the box. Before she left the room, Applebloom turned to Fancypants.

"Ah'm sorry, you two. But we gotta check up on them! Hopefully we won't be gone long!"

"No need to apologize to us, my dear. We're coming too!" The yellow pony smiled and led the party down towards the small clinic in the raceway.

Meanwhile, many racing fans left, unhappy and equally concerned for the safety of the two downed flyers as much as their own friends. The rest of the races, not as anticipated or hyped, went on as planned.

Down on the ground floor, winnings were being hoofed out. One winner in particular was a large golden pegasus with a white mane. A pink pony with a purple mane and her silver friend were walking through the crowd when she accidentally bumped into the pegasus.

"Hey! Watch where you're goin'! Youse better be more carefully; next time I might not be so generous. Now get the hell outta here!" He angrily yelled, not caring who saw him.

She responded cheerfully. "Oh pardon me, sir. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day." Her tone immediately shifted to become more serious. "Though, I wouldn't be so hasty to lose your temper over an accident." Her face flashed back to a smile, and she and her friend left.

Palomino, perplexed, looked at the departed mare. "Well that was...odd.”

7. Coming Together

7. Coming Together

Fives ponies nervously paced around the small raceway clinic waiting room, eagerly awaiting news about the conditions of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash. The orange pegasus' crashed wasn't too bad, and it would surprise everypony if she had a broken bone. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, wasn't so graceful or prudent. She continued on full force, ignoring her drowsiness in favor of winning.

The cyan pegasus could quite possibly come out in far worse shape.

The group had been waiting for around twenty minutes, and heard very little noise coming from the other side of the wall. The three conscious former Cutie Mark Crusaders sat down on a nearby bench, their faces sunken in sadness.

Fancypants noticed their despair, and with a smile addressed them.

"Now look here, girls. I'm sure those two will be fine. These doctors are trained professionals."

Applebloom looked up at the benevolent stallion. "Ah suppose you're right. But we can't help but worry; Scootaloo is our best friend, and Rainbow Dash is mah sister's."

"The very fact that you care so much is a testament to your friendship." Just then a unicorn in a white coat came from the other room. Around his neck was a stethoscope and he had the kind face of a doctor.

"Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash are perfectly fine. A few bruises here and there, but nothing that should keep them from racing again real soon. However, we do ask that they stay in bed for a few hours."

"Well how about that!" Cried the blue-maned stallion. "I told you. Now how about you all go check up on them, hm?"

"Don't gotta tell me twice!" Shouted an excited Babs.

The five ponies followed the doctor into a good sized room with several beds and medical equipment. Sitting in one of them, with a bored look on her face, was Captain Rainbow Dash. To her right sat Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Babs rushed up to embrace the pegasus, grateful that she wasn't hurt.

"Don't you scare us like that again!" Cried Applebloom as she wrestled the life out of her friend. "What happened out there?"

"I...I dunno. One minute I was flying as fast as I could, then I became tired, and the next minute I'm here."

"Acute narcolepsy, perhaps. Nothing to worry about, though if this is a new condition, I would recommend seeing a specialist." Said the doctor as he looked through some medical charts.

"Hm...maybe a hormone imbalance or something like that."

"I think you're looking into this way too much."

"With all due respect, doctor, MY body deserves the utmost care and attention from me. Can I use that blood drawing machine?"

"That's only used for emergency transfusions."

"This is an emergency!"

The doctor realized there was no point in arguing with Scootaloo, and relented. "Fine."

For the next couple minutes, the doctoral graduate, with the help of her friends, prepped her forelimb for the needle. Gnashing her teeth as the needle went in, Scootaloo starting pumping. After drawing only about a few ounces of blood, she removed the needle and bandaged the place where she had been stuck.

Rainbow Dash saw the bag filled with red, gushy, grotesque, sticky blood, and felt faint. Her head plopping down on the pillow, the other ponies in the room could not help but laugh.

Turning back to Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle looked at the bag and asked. "What do you plan on doing with that blood? I don't think it's enough to donate."

"That's because I'm not donating it. Applebloom! Do you know of any labs or someplace we could go to examine this?"

The yellow mare thought for a second. "Um well...actually there is. Over at mah buildin', we have a lab. But Ah don't know if it can accommodate blood samples. Mainly oils and coals; more geology."

"That'll do. Come on! There's no time to lose!"

Scootaloo was about to exit the room when Applebloom stopped her. "Wait! What about Rainbow Dash? Shouldn't we wake her up?"

"Nah, she'll be fine. Let's go." The red-maned pony nodded, and followed the orange pegasus, Sweetie Belle and Babs following suit.

The businesspony turned back to Fancypants, who wasn't heading in the same direction as the others. "Ain't you comin' too?"

The stallion had an almost disappointed look on his face. "I'm sorry, my dear. But I must take my leave here. I have business matters I must prepare for, but I do wish you good luck."

"Oh...alright then. Bye! Ah'm sorry the race didn't turn out so well."

"We had a wonderful time, didn't we Fleur?"

"Of course! Now go! Don't keep your friends waiting." Encouraged Fleur.

Applebloom gave a quick smile and trotted off. Fancypants and his companion then went a different route out of the raceway.

While walking through the halls of the arena, the pair stopped by a concession stand and each bought a soft pretzel for the road. Wiping his face from the bite he’d just taken, Fancypants looked back at the shrinking raceway.

"I cannot wait to hear what those crazy fillies have found out. Being around them makes me feel young again." He sighed. "Those ponies possess such great energy. But Applebloom...she's something special. That mare has the kind of vitality and determination that will continue on past her prime."

"Am I to hear another discourse on your praise of Applebloom?" Fleur said with a smirk.

"Perhaps not now." He chuckled slightly. "But I do sense that for all she has accomplished thus far, she has yet to make her greatest contribution. She will be pivotal in something...I'm not sure what. But her true quality will shine; someday."

"Well, here we are." Applebloom said, opening the door to her company lab. "Inside is all the microscopes, petri dishes, and indicators you could want."

The room contained just that, all lined up in closed cabinets or placed on sterile countertops. Scootaloo rushed over to one of the counters and grabbed a piece of paper and pencil, and begun scribbling out a list. She then hoofed the list to Applebloom.

"What'd you write down?" Asked Babs.

"It's a list of chemicals I need. Hurry, Applebloom!"

The owner of the lab looked puzzlingly at the page. "Um ok." She got a binder on one of the tables and leafed through it, looking up a list of chemical locations. Sure enough, the required ones were stored somewhere in the room, though Applebloom had no idea why. She was an engineer, not a scientist.

About a minute passed and the requested materials were retrieved. Scootaloo prepared them into a variety of solutions.

Sweetie Belle had been given the task of holding the bag of blood. "Sweetie, hoof me the bag. There's no time to lose."

"Here!" The white unicorn was glad to be rid of the bag.

Several test tubes were poured with blood, and Scootaloo took an eyedropper. A few drops of one solution were put into a beaker.

Applebloom leaned in closely and studied the beaker. "What are ya lookin' for, Scoots?"

"Anything; just something to explain why me and Rainbow Dash blacked out."

The blood didn't change color or show any indication of a problem. Scootaloo tried the next solution. Nothing. Several more trials commenced, until she came to the last one. A few drops of the final mixture caused the blood to change color.

"Damn!" Scootaloo cursed.

Babs then looked intently. "What does it mean?"

"Looks like some kind of slow-acting short-term sedative. You all know what this means?"

The three other mares collectively answered. "No."

"It means we were drugged! Somepony cheated!"

"Who could have done this?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"Maybe it was...no. It couldn't be."

"Who?"

"Before Rainbow and I left for the race, a unicorn came and asked for our autographs. He didn't say his name, but he seemed eager to leave after we gave them."

"So we got a suspect." Babs replied, smiling deviously.

"Somepony wanted Jetstream to win."

"Makes sense. They would've stood to gain a whole lot. Babs, did you notice anypony at the bettin’ booth ya recognized? Anypony we could question?" Asked Applebloom.

"Now that you mention it, AB, I...I did! A golden pegasus...with a white mane!"

"Who was that?" Inquired Sweetie Belle.

"Palomino." Applebloom said dryly.

"Exactly! That damn bastard...somepony gave him a tip!"

"Who’s Palomino?"

"Big Daddy Palomino, Scoots, is a crime bawss. I took him down about a week ago, but the Mayor pardoned him. And now he's runnin' around free to do whatever his black heart wants."

"Why would they pardon him?!" A shocked Sweetie Belle shouted.

"There's a lot of weird things goin' on around the city. Babs seems to think it's got to do with lots of corruption. Ah don't think it goes as deep as Babs does, but there's definitely somethin' goin' on."

"Like what?"

"We’ll tell you both during dinner. It's gettin' around five o'clcock. Who's hungry, hah?"

"So that's everything?" Asked Scootaloo, sipping from her glass.

"Mhm. Everything that I've uncovered. I'm tellin' youse, City Council's gawt a benefactor that's givin' them all this money." The policemare said, taking another bite from her salad.

"And it seems that the 'benefactor' might have some kind of connection with the whole fiasco today at the raceway." Applebloom added.

"That's right. Givin' the bet money to the politicians so they can control them."

"Well it that's the case, then this benefactor can't be too well funded, if they need to cheat to get the money in the first place."

"Or just greedy." Sweetie Belle said.

"Are you gonna start making arrests and all that, Babs?"

"No can do, Scootaloo. Not yet. Problem is awll I've got to work with is a hunch; not really any evidence. Those documents don't actually spell out a crime, but they sure hint at one. Naw I'm gonna go to City Hall Monday and see what I can wring outta Blue Suit."

"Who's this Blue Suit guy you keep mentioning?"

"One of the members of City Council. Total dick. Hates Applebloom for bein' so rich. But he's my only lead, and he seems clean. For all his repugnance, he's pretty honest."

"Hopefully that'll provide some answers. But enough about all that, y'all. Everypony ready for Hearth's Warming!?"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both got guilty looks on their faces. They glanced at each other, and then back at Applebloom.

"Um...what? Do Ah have something on mah face?"

"No, it's not that. It's just well..." Sweetie began. "I have a secondary mission in Manehattan."

The yellow mare started to grow concerned. "What kinda mission?"

"Rarity got with a wedding planner...and decided everything. I have the bill here in my purse."

Applebloom massaged her temples as if she had a migraine. "Alright...let's see what the damage is."

Taking the paper in her hoof, the wealthy pony looked at the items on the bill. Upon reading the final tally, her eyes bugged out. "Woah...dammit if McIntosh weren't mah brother...fine! But what does this have to do with Hearth's Warming―" The sudden realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Don't tell me, Sweetie...she didn't."

"I'm afraid so."

"But why?!" Applebloom whined.

"She said they want to spend this holiday together as a married couple."

"When is it scheduled?"

The white unicorn hesitated, fiddling with her hoofs and refraining from eye contact. Finally she responded in a soft whisper that Applebloom could not hear. "...Friday..."

"Beggin' your pardon?"

"Friday."

"Are you kiddin'?" Cried Babs. "I ain't leavin' the city!"

"Me neither! Tell them they'll just have to wait. Manehattan could be in serious danger, and I ain't lettin' my estate or tower remain unattended. Call me paranoid, but I've made mah decision!"

"Um YOU can tell Rarity." Sweetie Belle said.

"Why not have it here?" Suggested Scootaloo.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? I'd hate for somethin' bad to happen."

"Babs makes a good point. But we can't just tell them what’s goin’ on. Oh what a dilemma!" Thinking over the issue, Applebloom weighed the good and bad of each decision. After several seconds her reluctant choice was made. "Fine. You call them sometime tonight or tomorrow and inform them all that the location has changed. Ah'll tell Fancypants. There's no need for weddin' invitations. What the hell kinda color is amaranth anyway?"

"I'll get right on that, Applebloom."

"Good. And you two can stay at mah mansion. Babs, hopefully you can solve this mess before Friday."

"You gonna invite Tiara?"

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stared slack-jawed at Applebloom. "Whaaaat?"

"Yeah. AB's gone and made nice with Diamond Tiara. They're best buddies now."

"Ah'd hardly call us best friends. But she has shown a much more...not bitchy side. But Ah can't invite somepony none of y'all like..."

Babs waved a hoof dismissively. "Hey, you're payin' for it."

"Don't remind me."

"Hehe. Well then it's settled, you guys. I'll keep the bad guys at bay, and you three prepare everything. Come Friday we'll have a beautiful weddin', and I get a new cousin. We gotta lot of work to do."

"Ah hope ya got a good trick up your sleeve, Babs..."

8. Sunday Brunch

8. Sunday Brunch

The handycolt of Applebloom's manor, normally very calm and reserved, huffed through its halls, thoroughly annoyed at the present situation. Jeffery was not prepared to take on three additional houseguests, let alone three drunk houseguests. The previous night, the "Cutie Mark Crusaders" as they were once called returned to the house inebriated AND escorting...other company.

He was feeling a bit cranky as well, his good night's sleep having been interrupted by the activities of the mares.

"Why do I put up with her shenanigans?" He thought for a moment. The hefty paycheck his employer paid him every week. "Ah, yes. Though I shall charge her for this additional work. I pray that Bachelorette party is off the premises."

He came to one of the guestroom doors and knocked with just the slightest bit of anger. "Miss Scootaloo. This is your 10 o'clock wakeup call."

The orange pegasus, her eyes bloodshot and desperately trying to remain closed, grumbled and groaned. "Mmpphh." She then pulled up the blanket and snuggled next to the stallion in her bed.

"Quite." Nonchalantly proceeding to the next room, Jeffery again knocked on a door. "Miss Sweetie Belle. This―"

The singer's voice lashed out like a cobra. "I heard you wake up Scootaloo!" She recoiled into her bed and massaged her temples, trying to alleviate her splitting headache.

"My apologies. Carry on." His tasks completed in this part of the mansion, the handycolt went downstairs to finish the rest of his business.

Walking through the large living room to another door, he used his magic to turn the knob and step inside. Behind the threshold was a garage, filled with all sorts of machinery, workbenches, and tools. The air was filled with the sounds of loud rock music, and a yellow mare was standing in front of a lathe, working on a new carpentry project. Babs Seed was reading a magazine not far away.

"Mistress Applebloom, I have awoken your friends." He reported, trying to maintain his composure.

Applebloom could just barely hear what he had said over the music and her earmuffs. She turned off the machine and removed her ear protection. "Thank you, Jeffery."

"And I should also tell you that your new pipe has arrived in the mail, as well as the utility bills. I've taken the liberty of placing them on your desk in the study." Applebloom gave him a nod, and prepared to return to her craft. "Honestly, I cannot fathom HOW you manage to run an enterprise, spend amble time working in here, attend philanthropy events, socialize with your friends, AND go out on weekends to drink yourself silly and fetch the first colt to catch your fancy." Though he was pouring his thoughts out, his tone remained was dignified and respectful.

He knew he hadn't crossed any lines, but Babs was shocked to hear the stallion talk this way.

"You just gonna let him tawlk to you like that, AB?"

"Haha of course! Jeffery is a member of this household, and he's entitled to his opinion. Ah know he means that in the most loving of ways! Anyways, Ah can do everything Ah do because Ah got such great help!"

"Yes thank you, but I must confess I do find it a bit tiresome to cleanup." He said dryly.

"Would a raise help to rejuvenate ya?" Applebloom asked with a smirk.

Jeffery smiled back. "I suppose it might help. Well if you don't need anything more, I shall be off. I have errands to run."

"See ya later!" The blue Unicorn exited the garage and shut the door.

"You two must have an interesting relationship, huh?" Babs asked, turning a page in her magazine.

"Hehe yeah."

"You know I never thought about this...but Scoots and Sweetie really can't seem to put away their booze like we can."

"Well we have an unfair advantage; our earth pony sturdiness combined with the Apple family's ability to tolerate high alcohol concentrations. Not sure if Ah should be proud of that." Applebloom laughed and returned to her activity.

"What're you making, anyway?" Babs shouted, trying to be louder than the machine.

"Just a chair. You want it?" Before the policemare could answer, the phone on the wall rang. "Applebloom's Residence. Whadya need?"

"Applebloom, Darling! How are you on this beautiful Sunday morning?"

"Diamond? Uh hello. Ah―I'm just relaxing. Nothing special." Babs heard her cousin's accent change, and looked at the mare puzzlingly.

"Oh good, then you aren't busy I take it?"

"Not really. Did you wish to do something?"

"Actually yes. I heard your friends were in town. I'd be just thrilled to have you four over for brunch later today, if you're so inclined."

"Sure! Ok! When?"

"Shall we say...noonish? My place."

"Alright! We'll be there!" Hanging up the phone, Applebloom noticed her friend's curious expression. "What?"

"You changed your accent. What's up with that?" The yellow mare stared down at the floor, kicking her hoofs softly.

"Oh...Diamond Tiara wants me to practice my accent when talkin' with her."

"Um...alright. It's kinda weird but that's cool. I heard you say 'we'. What did you rope us into doin' with that creamsicle-headed nightmare?"

"Comin' with me to have brunch with her. Come on, it's a great opportunity to make amends and get to know the new Diamond Tiara."

Babs shook her head disapprovingly. "You'll have to do better than that. I'm perfectly fine here, or at my own home."

"An hour or two ain't gonna kill ya; besides, it's free food."

"Free food?...Fine. But I ain't gonna like it, AB. So when do we leave?"

"In about an hour and a half. Ah'll be nice and let the two others sleep for a little longer." Applebloom thought for a second, and got a devious grin. "Actually, why don't we do somethin' really fun?"

Her cousin recognized that look. Ever the prankster, Babs got the same smile. "I'm all ears. What did you have in mind?"

"Let's make some noise!"

Later that morning, a little before midday, the four mares were standing on the snow-covered pathway just in front of Diamond Tiara's large entry doors. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were both clutching their heads, which were still pounding violently. The aspirins they had taken hadn't quite kicked in.

"Why did you guys do thaaat?" Sweetie whined.

Babs nearly fell over with laughter. "Oh it was hilarious! You two looked like you were about to have some kind of alien baby burst outta your heads!" Applebloom was laughing vehemently as well, hanging on to Babs as they chortled together.

Not long after Diamond had called her, Applebloom thought it would be very entertaining for the two awake ponies to get out some pots and pans and start banging them against each other. The entire house reverberated with the din, and the ponies not committing the act weren’t thrilled.

"We'll...get you back for this." Scootaloo threatened, still hearing that awful noise.

"You can try." Applebloom replied as she wiped a tear from her eye. Having calmed down a bit, her tone shifted. "Alright y'all. Remember what we done talked about; try to be nice. Ah know Diamond wasn't the kindest filly back in grade school. But she's changed."

"Alright, AB. You have my word. I won't say anything that'll piss off your new marefriend." Babs said.

Applebloom blushed. "She ain't my marefriend."

"Mhm sure. That's why you put that bow in your hair. I haven't seen you wear that since we were fillies."

The yellow pony had once worn a large bow in her mane so often that it became a trademark of sorts. In fact, most ponies had never seen her without it. However, since then she had replaced it with a stetson, taking after her sister.

"Ah'm...tryin' somethin' different. There ain't nothing wrong with lookin' good durin' an outin'!"

Babs rolled her eyes. "Alright alright. Well don't keep us waiting! It's friggin' cold out here!" The orange earth pony urged, seeing her breath visible in the air.

Without further hesitation, Applebloom knocked on the large double doors. Seconds later, the handycolt known as Saddlesworth answered. "Good morning. Miss Tiara did mention that three additional guests would likely be accompanying you, Miss Applebloom. Please, right this way." With his hoof he gestured for the party to enter the house. "May I take your coats?"

"Here ya go." Babs said, essentially tossing her garment at the stallion. "Where’s Diamond?"

The other fillies followed Babs' example, throwing their coats onto Saddleworth's back. "You will find her in the Sun Room, just past the entranceway to the Parlor. I believe Miss Applebloom should know the way."

The yellow earth pony cleared her throat and threw up her facade. "I believe we will be fine. Thank you."

"Then if you would all excuse me, I must attend to my duties." Saddlesworth departed the foyer to wherever his next task was.

The four ponies took a look around the room, appreciating the grandiose decorating style. Applebloom hadn't paid much attention to the foyer the other night, and noticed such things as the paintings and grand staircase leading up to the second level of the mansion. The centerpiece of the ceiling was a large gilded chandelier, its lights each encased in fine crystal shells. Photographs and portraits of Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and the late Filthy Rich adorned the walls. Even the rug in front of the door wasn't spared the luxurious treatment.

Babs Seed whistled in a bewildered fashion. "Seems Diamond has some expensive tastes. This one room probably costs more than my net worth."

"Oh now don't say that about yourself." Sweetie Belle said, the pain in her head subsiding.

"It sure will once I get a hold of you..." Scootaloo mumbled. "I've had my fill of this fine...entrance room. Lead the way, Applebloom."

The group proceeded through down the hall past all the slightly open doors. Every now and then they would sneak a peak of what was behind the doors. Some were lit by sunlight; others completely dark. The parlor, however, had its doors shut.

Coming to the last door, Applebloom turned the knob and entered into a large, sun-bathed room with what seemed to be some kind of self-contained ecosystem. The walls were glass windows, and along the stone patio was a small stream leading to the right into a garden of exotic and fragrant flowers. Several ponies were tending to the plants, while another cleaned the big swimming pool just behind the garden. On the left side, an "outdoor" kitchenette assembly had been built, complete with various appliances and a large bar.

"My goodness...this is...beautifuuuuul." Sweetie swooned, starry-eyed.

"It's so strange. It's like its summertime." Scootaloo remarked. Indeed the Sun Room was starkly contrasted by the snow visible just on the other side of the windows.

Applebloom cantered down the steps towards a dining table. Sitting at the table was a pink mare accompanied by her grey friend. Immediately Tiara's face lit up at the sight of the red-maned filly.

"Applebloom!" She ran up and gave her a hug. "Oh this is so wonderful! Please, let's eat! I'm starving." Diamond then noticed Babs, Sweetie, and Scootaloo. "How are you three doing? I haven't seen you all in years! We have so much catching up to do!"

The three fillies gave each other a look of apprehension, and reluctantly found a place at the table. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Babs all sat on one side; Applebloom, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara on the other. The pink mare's smile never went away, but the next few seconds were spent awkwardly looking at one another or avoiding eye contact.

Diamond Tiara finally broke the silence. "Soo...how have you all been?"

Babs was the one to answer. "Fine...I guess..."

Sweetie began to utter a derisive comment. "We were just fine bef―" The unicorn retracted her foreleg in pain. Applebloom had kicked her from under the table.

"You'll have to excuse her." The yellow pony said, trying to fix the situation.

Diamond Tiara's face became calm and serious. "No no. It's true. She has every right to say that." The jewelry clad mare looked down on the table. Her silver companion did the same. "It wasn't right what we did to you all as fillies. We were cruel, confrontational, and just plain ugly."

"We were bullies, and no words can describe how sorry we are. So we invited you all over here to make our appeal." Silver Spoon said.

"Yes. We understand if you never want to forgive us, but we ARE sorry. And we would love nothing more than to put this all behind us. We're adults now, and if you would allow us, we would be thrilled to accept your friendship." Diamond Tiara held out her hoof, her voice emanating sincerity.

The three ponies on the other side of the table looked at one another, then back at the two penitent mares. They all crossed their hooves and frowned. Babs opened her mouth to say no.

However, Applebloom's look stopped her. The way she held her eyes told Babs that her cousin really wanted them to accept Diamond and Silver. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle saw it too.

Rolling her eyes, Babs Seed finally relented with a sigh. "Fine! We'll give you a chance. BUT! Only for Applebloom. She sees the good in you two, though I don't know how."

"Yeah, for Applebloom. So don't try anything funny." The orange pegasus added.

The yellow businesspony merely smiled, while Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon became ecstatic.

"Yes! Oh thank you all so much! You won't regret this! We're going to have such fun!" The pink mare looked over at an incoming waiter bearing several silver trays. "But for now, who's hungry?"

The waiter placed the trays on the table and lifted up the lids. Underneath was an assortment of gourmet brunch items, all giving off succulent aromas. The guests all licked their lips and nearly drooled on the table. Their stomachs each growled ferociously as the food was placed onto their plates. Grabbing their utensils, the ponies dug into the meal.

During this time, the six mares talked about their lives and affairs. At first the three who yielded to Applebloom were somewhat hesitant to really ask or say anything. However, as brunch went on they found themselves gradually warming up to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Sweetie Belle, being such a kind soul, accepted them the most, while the suspiciously natured Babs still was only lukewarm. Nevertheless, thought they might have had trouble admitting it, the guests did have a good time.

After everypony was finished eating, waiters came to pick up all the contents on the table. Diamond Tiara wiped her mouth so elegantly and addressed her guests. "I hope you all had as good of a time as I did."

"Thank you for the meal." Scootaloo said.

"It was delicious." Complimented the white unicorn singer. She noticed Babs didn't say anything and gave her a nudge.

"Yeah it was good. Thanks."

"You all are most welcome! Actually, Applebloom, before you leave, may I have a word in private?" The earth pony nodded and followed Diamond Tiara to another room.

"Hehe yeah. 'In private'." Babs chided. Applebloom shot her a glare.

The industrialist was led inside to a small sitting room near the parlor. Diamond Tiara sat down on a couch and got out a cigarette. Lighting it up, she blew a cloud of smoke and smiled at Applebloom.

"Have a seat, dear. I have a proposition for you."

"Um alright. What is it?"

The pink pony leaned in closer to the mare, giving her a sultry look. Tiara's smiled faded to a slight smirk. "You're a great pony, Applebloom. You're very smart, strong, and above all you have excellent character. I must admit I am a tad jealous."

Applebloom laughed nervously. "Thank...you?" Maybe Babs was on to something, she thought.

"Indeed." She exhaled smoke again. "Already Apple Industries is a powerful entity. Imagine, Applebloom, what we could do together. Imagine how much bigger it could become with my extra capital. You're friendship means the world to me. Perhaps a partnership could form between us as well?"

"Are you talking about a merger or something?"

Diamond leaned in a little closer. "A union between our two empires. We both could stand to game a hell of a lot of money. And who knows? Perhaps our partnership might even blossom into something...more."

Applebloom processed what she had been told. Staring off into space, she thought about the implications of a union. Apple Industries was her...baby. Would it be right to dilute her legacy, for greater success, for more money?

"Ah―I'm not sure...I'd have to think it over..."

"Please take your time. I'm happy to wait as long as I need to."

Applebloom got up from the couch. Still lost in thoughts, she left the room after waving goodbye.

Returning to the patio, the businesspony gathered up her friends. Passing down the hall to retrieve their coats, Babs stopped to talk to her cousin.

"So what'd she have to say?"

"She suggested mergin' our two companies."

The other three's eyes bugged out. "Are ya gonna go through with it, AB?"

"Ah dunno, Babs. Ah...Ah gotta think this through." Snapping herself out of her trance, Applebloom led the group out along the path and back to her home.

Meanwhile back in the sitting room, the pink owner of the mansion was joined by her silver friend. Sitting down on a couch, Silver Spoon looked at her friend’s expression. She could tell something had gone right.

Diamond Tiara grinned another devious smile. All was coming together. She could smell the scent of apples in her mane. She could see the kind gaze of her gamboge eyes. And most of all, Diamond could feel the cold hard cash. But, that orange earth pony could prove to be a hindrance.

10. From Bad to Worse

10. From Bad to Worse

On a Wednesday afternoon, the yellow pony sitting in her high rise office was hardly able to concentrate on her work. Applebloom's mind had been very busy the past two days, and at every opportunity she forsook the brief and documents in favor of gazing out her window, and pondering the situation she had found herself.

Earlier today, Applebloom had phoned Diamond Tiara, asking that they meet. In a couple hours, she would go over to the Rich mansion and solve whatever mysteries surrounded the acquisition of Amber Foods, as well as discuss the proposed merger.

She hadn't known the "new" Tiara for long, but Applebloom always saw the good in ponies. And the pink mare genuinely seemed to want to make amends. Indeed during the week or so of their "burying the hatchet", Diamond Tiara demonstrated a friendly and inviting demeanor. But Mr. Amber had resurged Applebloom's old thoughts on the matter.

She didn't want to believe it, and she still had trouble accepting that any kind of devious activity went into the acquisition. Tonight would clear things up, and if what Mr. Amber had said proved to be true, Applebloom could at least try and convince her "friend" to make things right.

But the merger was a different story.

Intently staring at the many buildings outside her window, Applebloom looked past the city to the many factories she had built. Every single refinery, every single mine, every single building, plant, and warehouse her company owned Applebloom knew its location and helped lay the foundation. Most every employee she knew on a first name basis. Nothing made her smile more than when one of her workers came and said "thank you for this job". Money was never the reason she went into business.

Money mattered little. True, Applebloom enjoyed the fruits of her labor. Her large house was a testament to this. But she had too much of it, so she thought. She could spend it on plastic surgery or solid gold swimming pools or other such idiotic things moronic billionaires did. But she'd much rather just give it away to the less fortunate or to firms that could cure diseases. Or maybe just a mining museum that would captivate a young filly or colt, as such a place had once captivated her.

Money was only second rate. The true reward was the idea that everything she did was to improve the lives of ponies. The sense of contributing to society, and perhaps many years from now, a little foal would look up at his or her parents and point at a picture of Applebloom, and say "I want to be just like mama."

A small smile grew on Applebloom's face, and she wiped a tear from her eye. Apple Industries was her baby, her legacy. When she would be long gone, ponies would remember her as a little yellow filly who had a dream. She'd never sell it or hoof it over for all the money in Equestria.

She'd have to tell Diamond Tiara, whether a robber baron or not, that Apple Industries will remain in her own possession.

Calming down from this intense resolution, Applebloom picked up a newspaper from her desk. Opening up the first page, she began reading the print. Nothing too interesting for most of the paper. The obituaries were last, and she made a quick survey over them. One entry, however, left the earth pony very saddened and disturbed.

There, written on the lower left corner, as clear as day in plain, everyday Equestrian, in black and white, the text clearly stated the name of one of her dear friends.

Earlier Tuesday morning, Amber Waves, former CEO of Amber Food Company, was found dead at his estate. The cause of death remains unclear, however authorities speculate Mr. Amber died of a heart attack, having had a history of cardiac problems. Amber Waves is succeeded by...

Every word Applebloom read filled her with soul-crushing sorrow, and she was unable to read any further. Indeed, after placing down the paper, she had a difficult time even accepting that this was true. For the next several minutes, Applebloom just sat at her desk, her face completely still and vacant. Her breaths were long and deep, accompanied by a loudly beating heart.

All the evidence was stacking up, and Applebloom slowly came to terms with this new revelation. She had learned a long time ago coincidences were very rare.

The next several hours were spent in deep thought. Today Applebloom wouldn't get any work done; instead she'd be planning out what she was going to say and do tonight. Fearing for her safety, she reached into her jacket and pulled out a firearm.

Placing the gun on her desk, she got out a few cleaning supplies from a drawer. It was a custom double-action .45 revolver, carried for her own protection. She started wearing it as soon as she had something worth stealing, but it was never necessary. Even so, Applebloom carried the revolver nearly everywhere. Perhaps she liked the tough cowgirl image it evoked. And she was no stranger to firing it, frequenting the shooting galleries with Babs.

But never before had it been used in anger. In fact, Applebloom never wanted to use it. She had never hoped it would be necessary. And even now, she didn't feel it would be used. But one can never be too careful.

Swinging out the cylinder, she unloaded it and began polishing the gun. After a few minutes, the stainless steel revolver shone brightly, no part more than the centerpiece: on the grip was a shining silver version of her own cutie mark, which these days she rarely paid much attention to. Loading each chamber in the cylinder, Applebloom flicked the gun to the side, bringing the chambers back into the gun.

Holstering it up, Applebloom looked at the clock. It was time now. Getting up from her desk, she neatly stacked up the papers, and did all the other things that were routine before the work day was up. Exiting and locking the room, Applebloom walked down the hall, bidding farewell to all her employees, who were also preparing to leave. A quick trip down the elevator, and then through the front door.

Now Applebloom was outside. Snow was falling down and the streetlights were beginning to turn on. Patting down her jacket to ensure her protection was with her, Applebloom took a deep breath and stood silent for a couple moments.

Working up considerable courage, the red-maned industrialist headed in the direction of the Rich Mansion, bearing a few choice words for her "friend".

At the Main Manehattan Police Station, an orange mare had just walked in. Her blue uniform and cap signified to everypony in the building that she was in charge, and didn't put up with any nonsense. Making her way towards her office, Babs Seed picked up a donut from a box nearby and poured a cup of water from the water dispenser. Munching on her confection, the policemare then stopped in surprise at her own office door.

Where her nameplate had once been, a new one that read "Cruller" was there. Thinking it was some kind of prank, Babs burst into the office, startling the colt inside. He looked at his boss, her expression borderline homicidal.

Standing straight and dignified, Babs addressed the stallion. "Dammit Cruller! What the hell's the meanin' of this? Why are you in my office?" She took a look around, seeing that her Lieutenant had put posters and other personal effects throughout the room. Babs grew livid. "Why are YOU in my office!?"

Under normal circumstances, Cruller would've cowered in fear at his superior. Instead he gave a smug little smirk and laughed. "Oh hey Babs. Nice of youse to drop by MY office. Now get out."

"What are ya tawlkin' about? This is my personal place of work. I come back to the station after a lawng day of patrollin', and I find ya in here, sayin' it's yours. What gives?"

"You're lookin' at da new Chief of Police for Manehattan."

Babs' eyes widened, and she felt lightheaded. "What? But..."

"Dat's right, Babs. Dat little stunt ya pulled on Crank made its way to da Mayor. Here." He hoofed her a piece of paper.

Still shocked, Babs looked down at the print. It was a formal notice that she had been relieved of duty.

"You've been dishonorably discharged for usin' 'unnecessary force'. Ya can't go 'round arrestin' ponies for not committin' no crimes." Leaning back in his chair, Cruller's smile grew even smugger.

With half a mind to strangle the colt, Babs exploded. "WHAT!! You were supposed to tell me about the law change!! You...you planned this, didn't you?"

"Oh Babs, you give me too much credit. I ain't dat smart. Now turn in your badge, uniform, and all dat good shit."

Babs couldn't believe it. A stallion who was once her friend seemed to be taking pleasure in her leaving. But what really hurt was the fact she was no longer a police officer. Ever since fillyhood, she had wanted to get back at all the bullies in her life. All those punks calling her "Blank Flank" or talentless drove her to be very mean to her cousin and friends. She turned over a new leaf, and when she grew up, Babs became a decorated police officer.

She wanted to make a difference, and took down criminals left and right. Her entire adult life was dedicated to making the streets safe. And now, in one overzealous move, she lost it all. Trying her hardest not to cry, Babs complied with Cruller's orders.

She took off her uniform and cap, and placed them on his desk. Next her police badge. Cruller looked at her, as if she had committed some great sin.

"Your gun?" He eyed the pistol strapped to her chest.

Glaring at the colt, Babs replied. "It's mine."

"Alright, whatever. Not get outta here; you ain't got no business with da police."

Hanging her head low, Babs slowly exited the office. All the way from there to the front door, the other officers looked on at her, saddened to lose their leader. They took off their hats, and gave their friend a sympathetic look. Babs didn't look up. Instead she just grabbed her coat from the hanger, put it on, and left.

Outside in the snow and cold, Babs Seed wiped her eyes, silently sobbing to herself. She then headed in the direction of the park, hopefully to clear her mind and cope with this situation.

Meanwhile, back in his office, Cruller got a telephone call. Picking up the device, he bit into a donut.

"Yeah?...Oh yes, she'd gawn...Mhm went out like a crybaby...Of course. The 'exercise' will go as planned...I'm sure she does suspect something. Girls gawt a sixth sense for dis kinda stuff." The voice on the other end made the Chief curl his lips into a smile that would put a comic book villain to shame. "Consider it done." Hanging up the phone, Cruller rose for his office chair and went out into the main part of the Station.

"Alright, everypony. Da trainin' exercise starts in about an hour. Let's get movin'!"

For the third time in the past week or so, Applebloom found herself at the front gates of the Rich Manor. The determined countenance she held indicated a mission not of friendly visitation, but of strict business. Pressing the button on the intercom beside the gate and saying her name, the gate swung open and the earth pony wasted no time running up the steps.

Knocking on the door, Diamond Tiara's hanycolt answered and allowed her in, remarking that Applebloom was expected.

Inside, Applebloom removed her coat and asked the whereabouts of the pink owner of the home.

"You shall find Mistress Tiara upstairs in the living room. Silver Spoon will be accompanying her."

Thanking the stallion, Applebloom trotted up the stairs and found the desired room. Amidst the crackling fireplace, that pink mare and her grey friend sat on two adjacent couches, smoking from fine black cigarette holders and reading different books.

Bookmarking her page, Diamond Tiara took notice of Applebloom's appearance. Smiling accommodatingly, she rose from the sofa and greeted her guest.

"Applebloom! Oh how nice it is to see you! What brings you here on this fine Wednesday evening?"

The yellow mare did not reciprocate the greeting. Instead she replied coldly. "Ah have a few questions for you, if'n y'all don't mind."

Diamond was taken off guard by Applebloom's accent. "Remember what we talked about concerning―"

"Ah know. Ah don't care no more. Some things have come to mah attention, and Ah want to get to the bottom of things."

"Alright. Let's have a seat on my sofa, shall we?" The two mares walked over to the couch and sat down. Diamond Tiara insisted on scooting closer to Applebloom, much to her discomfort. "Now, what seems to be troubling you?"

"Ah talked to Amber Waves on Monday. He said some pretty disturbing things."

Taking a sip from her glass of wine, Tiara smiled. "And what might those things be?"

"He said Rich Enterprises played dirty to get his company. He accused y'all of using...unethical methods to gain its shares; that his family wasn't quite treated as fairly as Ah was originally led to believe."

"Oh my. Well I can assure you, Applebloom, that they gave their shares to us, willingly. Though, they did require some...convincing. Indeed some of our methods weren't...how you say...honorable. But we have the company."

Applebloom's suspicions were finally starting to be made true. "Are ya sayin'...you admit to bein' a 'robber baron'?"

Diamond Tiara just laughed. "I would never use such a term. It was invented by the anti-corporate savages to demonize the true...extent of business deals. Applebloom, surely somepony as smart as you would realize sometimes certain means must be used to achieve a goal. I tried to be fair, but that proved ineffective."

Silver Spoon spoke up. "Indeed. We cannot let the disapproval of others get in the way of business."

Applebloom couldn't believe what she was hearing. "What about Mr. Amber? Ah read the obituaries. What happened to him?"

"Are you implying I had something to do with his untimely death? Applebloom, I must say I'm a bit hurt. Accidents happen all the time." She said, sipping again from her glass. "Why concern yourself with something you had no control over?"

"Because...he was mah friend." The red-maned pony said solemnly. "And Ah miss him."

"You'll make new friends, darling. In fact, friends come and go. All these 'old monies' are your friends now. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Applebloom was hesitant. "Well...yeah...but..."

"And now you have it all. Money. Power. Acceptance. The city is poised for you to take control. Imagine it, Applebloom. The entirety of Manehattan at your hooves. Together we could be unstoppable. We could bathe in money; be the envy of all ponies. Even the Princesses."

"So that's why you wanted the merger."

"That's not the only reason. If we worked together, we'd be spending..." Diamond tiara leaned up to Applebloom's ear, whispering. "Many hours with each other."

"I cannot deny it, I do feel a strong...attraction to you. But yes; if you were to join me, we'd be unstoppable. All you could ever want...and more would be in your grasp. We'd have each other, and money, and power. Isn't that what everypony wants?"

Applebloom scooted away from the pink mare. "Um...Ah like...stallions."

Her hostess merely uttered, "For now, darling."

"But that's not important. Ah'm sorry...but Ah ain't gonna be part of this whole thing. Ah like mah work, and Ah have a code of conduct. Obviously you don't." Applebloom prepared to get up to leave, her emotional distress unknown to the ponies in the room.

"Wait! Why? Why do you worry about how you appear to act? What do you care?"

"There is a right and a wrong. Ah ain't never done a dishonest deal, or stolen, or nothin'."

Diamond Tiara laughed mockingly. "That's right. You've done far worse. To some, those rights you've committed are evils. Two diametrically-opposed camps denounce everything that you are. To the aristocrats, a simple country hillbilly should never command the wealth you do. You belong in a field, toiling for your lord. To the communists, you stole your money from the hard-working proletariat, who have broken their backs to feed a fat cat like you."

Tiara got up, staring down Applebloom. "To them, you have committed worse sins than rape...or murder. To them, everything they do is just, and everything you do is evil. You see, morals are relative. What one group views as ethical is seen as sacrilege to another. Why concern yourself with what is right and wrong, Applebloom, when nothing IS right or wrong? When morality is an invention?"

The yellow pony digested Tiara's words. After a few moments, she responded. "Because Ah've made it right for mahself."

"To what purpose?" Silver Spoon said. "There is only what is and what isn't. You have wealth and power. Others don't."

"Exactly. Applebloom, we can have whatever we want. I get WHATEVER I want. I do not bog myself down with petty moral quandaries. The meaning of life is to please yourself, no matter the cost. If I want something, it is my duty to my own life to have it. No matter what ends I must go, it will be mine." Dimaond Tiara's look at Applebloom frightened her. Obviously the statement was partially meant for her.

"Ah...Ah can't believe this..."

"You will in time. Applebloom, you mustn't lie to yourself. Did you really think you’ll ever be a 'high-society' pony? You were born a farmer, and that's all you'll ever be. No matter how rich or powerful you become, the upper crust will always see you as an uncultured nouveau riche. They'll want to destroy you; break your legs and leave you for dead. Nopony cares for right or wrong. Only for what they want."

Diamond Tiara blew out a cloud of smoke. "But with me we can keep them in check. They will respect you if they fear you. The illusion you want for yourself can become a reality. How badly did you want to be accepted?"

"Well...Ah...very much...but that ain't the point!"

"It doesn't matter. The only way is to use extreme measures. A simple gold coin will make a poor colt murder his neighbor, or betray his parents. Think about what ponies do for money. They sell their bodies, their dignity, and their children! At their expense, we prosper. You've read the biologists' papers? The strongest survive to pick on the weak."

Applebloom’s mind was busy trying to process Diamond Tiara's speech. Everything she had grown up learning, about right and wrong, morals, honesty, kindness...it didn't matter to this mare. The scary thing, though, was that some of it started to make sense.

"The city can be ours. All you have to do is break from these ethical bonds that restrain you from your true potential. The gangs are mobilizing. Soon the city will fall into chaos."

Applebloom's ear perked up. Turned her head to face Tiara, the revelation dawned on her. "The gangs? The derby...the pardonin'...you didn't..."

"You give me too much credit. As if I were that cunning. A happy coincidence is all, which we can exploit."

A tear ran down Applebloom's cheek, and she responded, her chest heaving. "Ah don't care. A pony ain't nothin' if she doesn't have a good heart."

Diamond Tiara began to recognize her friend's resolve. "But...Applebloom...I'm your friend. I'm only looking out for―"

"Yourself. That's what you're sayin', right? You don't know what friendship is. Goodbye, Diamond. Ah don't have anything more to say."

Diamond Tiara however wouldn't take no for an answer. She rushed over to Applebloom and slammed her against the wall. Her mane became messy and her expression manic. "No! Applebloom, I will not be denied!" Silver Spoon got a worried look, and stood up to either intervene or flee. "The gangs are coming. I know it. Only if we work together can we survive. Do the smart thing!"

Applebloom had her hoof against her chest, right above her gun. Diamond Tiara calmed down, seeing the horrified face of the yellow pony. "Forgive me...I only speak for your best interests." She was, however, unaware that Applebloom was armed.

The industrialist pushed Tiara away. "Ah'm gonna do the right thing." Quickly running down the stairs, Applebloom exited the mansion. Outside, breathing heavily and beginning to cry, Applebloom galloped full force back home. She wanted nothing more to do with Diamond Tiara or Rich Enterprises.

Left in her living room, the pink mare grew increasingly angry and swung her hoof at a lamp, smashing it against the wall. "So Applebloom has chosen her fate. She will regret this night." Silver Spoon cowered in the corner, shacking in fear.

"You're not going to...to kill her?...Please Diamond..."

Diamond Tiara began laughing for a third time, but now it was offbeat. "No. I'm not going to kill that Blank Flank. I will give her a FAR harsher punishment!" The pink earth pony, adjusting her mane and then relaxing, gazed into the fire, now hell-bent on some terrible goal.

The East End of Manehattan had become a terrible place to live. Along its streets strong ponies came and bullied the inhabitants. The mobs had a chokehold on this part of the city. In a run-down motel, several armed gangsters escorted a large golden pegasus, cigar in mouth, to a certain street.

Palomino was now in charge of the East End, and tonight was promised to be very...entertaining. Puffing a cloud of smoke, the Don looked around to see dozens of ponies in the street, all armed and ready to fight.

"Alright...now dis is what I'm tawlkin' about. What time did youse say they'd be comin'?" He asked one of his guards.

"Eh...'bout two minutes, on the mawrk, bawss."

"Good. Now let's get ready, ya bastards."

Another guards cocked his submachine. "Sure thing, bawss."

The ponies all scrambled into hiding places around the street. Further down the road was a large host of blue-uniformed policeponies, some holding flashlights.

One spoke up. "Hey! Where'd the Chief say he'd be?"

"Cruller said he had something to take care of. Don't worry; the Lieutenant'll direct the training exercise."

A third police officer spoke up. "Why the hell are we doin' an exercise out here at night? We should awll be at home."

"To simulate workin' in dark environments, I guess. Mayor's orders."

"Yeah. I think he wants us to be on edge, you know. Be prepared to do some night fightin'."

"But we hardly ever get into gun fights!"

"Never hurts to be ready. Who are we pretend fightin' anyway?"

"About half the officers are gonna be bad guys, and we switch every session. Should be like a game or something."

One officer chuckled a bit. "Yeah...'cept we get graded."

Stupidly standing around for the order to begin, the policeponies began making idle chat and whatnot.

Palomino peaked from behind his hiding spot. He saw all the colts and mares in blue, just standing there.

"Dis is too easy." Puffing his cigar, he grinned. "Go to town, boys."

Babs Seed strolled alone in Central Park, feeling very downtrodden. Her hoofsteps were muffled by the snow, and it was a quiet and peaceful place to lament the loss of her job. The bitter night would soon set in, however, and eventually Babs would have to leave. Wiping her eyes for the last time, the orange mare walked over to the edge of a bridge. The river was partially frozen over, but it would break up some during the warmer daytime. Leaning over the rail, Babs sighed, and wallowed in self-pity.

As she prepared to leave, she heard a voice to her left. "Hello Babs Seed. Lovely night, isn't it."

She recognized that voice too well. She turned to face the pony and glowered at him. "What do you want, Cruller. Kick me while I'm down?"

The stallion smiled. "Why are you out here? There's nopony around...what if somethin' were to happen to you?"

"I came here to be alone...of course nopony's here. Now go away...I'm in no mood to put up with your bullshit." She turned around to leave.

"No can do, Babs. You see I've come here for a reason."

"What?"

Out of nowhere, Cruller pulled out a gun and pointed it at Babs. The orange earth pony stopped dead in her tracks. Trying to calm down, she carefully addressed the colt. "W...Why are ya holdin' a gun up to me? What'd I do?"

"You've become a real problem for my employer. I’ve given da privilege of getting’ rid of you."

"Employer? Who?"

"I don't know, actually. But I do know dey paid me good money to do deir dirty work. I gawt ya now, Babs."

"So that's why you didn’t tell me...that's why you gawt the job. Those corrupt bastards roped you in too, hah?"

“‘Bout right."

"How much'd they pay you to betray the city?"

Cruller smiled, and cocked the gun. "400k. It's a nice sum of cash I can use for a vacation, after you're nothin' but a memory. Bye bye." He prepared to shoot, but Babs was too quick.

She bobbed out of the way and swung her hoof into his jaw. Cruller fell to the ground, dropping his gun. Babs reached into her coat to pull out her own firearm, but Cruller immediately rose up and shoved Babs down onto the icy concrete.

Babs got up, and wiped the blood from her mouth. Cruller did the same. Both unarmed, the two ponies took to fighting. Babs lunged forwards and wrapped her hoofs around his neck. He wouldn't go quietly, and Cruller elbowed her in the gut.

Temporarily fazed, Babs allowed the new Chief to run over to his gun. Before he could grab it, the orange mare galloped forward and slammed her hoof into his snout, sending him backwards. The gun went flying, and she couldn't see her own against the like-colored pavement. She instead jumped onto Cruller's back, causing it to audibly pop.

Cruller cried in pain, and desperately tried to push the mare off. Pressing her hoof down on his chest, Babs took shots at his face. Bloody and bearing black eyes, Cruller just laughed. "You think killin' me will do anything? Just give up. We're too entrenched in da city now. By dis time next week, we'll have your little cousin on her knees beggin' for death."

In truth, Cruller was just trying to demoralize Babs. But it only served to make her even angrier. "If any of ya dares to touch my family, I swear I'll break every bone in every gangster's body!" She punched him again, but in her blind rage, she didn’t notice his own hoof before he smacked it into her temple. Babs fell off, momentarily confused.

Cruller ran to grab his gun, but Babs got up just in time to pursue him. He swung to point it at her, but his foreleg was caught in a hold by Babs. Bent in a way it shouldn't be bent, Cruller foreleg was broken. Screaming in pain and trying to get away, he saw Babs' gun. He picked it up.

"What ya shootin'? A .45? Seems a bit excessive." He was about to use it when Babs took his other foreleg and wrenched it so much that it left bloody bones jutting from it.

"The Apple Family don't believe in small bullets." Before she could make her next move, Cruller kicked her down onto the edge of the curb. Trying to balance on two legs, the stallion then kicked Babs' head so her teeth were biting the curb. The only thing keep him from yelling in pain was the satisfaction of what came next.

"You're a tough one, Babs." He then raised his leg up and placed it over her head. Before he could bring it down, Babs rolled out of the way. Cruller's hoof met the curb, hurting him. Delayed from the failed stomping, Cruller couldn't react fast enough when Babs turned around and bucked him with all the strength her hind limbs had. He flew back and slammed against the bridge railing. Nearly exhausted from having two broken legs and likely several more fractured ribs, Cruller tried to crawl away.

Wasting no time, Babs got her gun and pointed her semi-automatic pistol at Cruller. Not thinking twice, she fired the gun, and Cruller’s skull was pierced by a large lead bullet. The force sent him falling off the edge of the bridge. His lifeless corpse then slammed onto the ice, stained it red, and finally slithered off into the river.

The adrenaline rush fading, Babs' breathing became less intense, and her eyes began to water. Holstering her pistol, she looked at the bridge. Trembling and both physically and mentally exhausted, Babs spat on the pavement. She then made her way home, quietly weeping to herself again.

11. Preparations

11. Preparations

For the better part of the morning, Jeffery had been cleaning his employer's home vigorously, vacuuming and sweeping every possible nook and cranny. Applebloom was expecting a lot of guests, and for reasons the handycolt was not informed of, the yellow mare was particularly agitated. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were doing whatever things Applebloom had them do for tonight's events.

Jeffery was rather thankful that those three ponies weren't in his vicinity. He could only imagine what sort of trouble those three would cause together, and distance between them as they tried to accomplish ANY task was essential. Somepony unfamiliar with their antics would ask the suited stallion "surely they can't mess anything up inside her own home."

To which he would reply. "You have no idea."

An expert multitasker, the butler often performed his assigned tasks simultaneously. Applebloom had grown reliant on his lightning-fast efficiency and top-notch job; the unicorn took great pride in his work. Wiping the dust off the living room mantel, and clearing the soot from the fireplace, Jeffery tidied up all the photographs and assorted knickknacks Applebloom had placed around the room.

After fluffing the sofa cushions and straightening the end tables, he heard the doorbell sound. Ridding his attire of any wrinkles or folds, the handycolt hastily cantered to the front door.

Using his magic to open the great wooden door, the tall stallion looked down to see a familiar orange earth pony.
"Ah. Miss Babs. Do come in."

Babs neither spoke nor even looked up from the ground. Her expression was dreary, and to Jeffery it seems she hadn't groomed herself at all. The unicorn knew enough about his mistress's cousin to know something wasn't right.

"Is everything alright, Miss Seed?" He asked sincerely.

Babs took a moment to respond. "Huh?...No....I'm mean...I need to tawlk to Applebloom."

"Of course. You will find her in the Great Room. I trust you know where that is."

"Thank you." She continued on her way, still looking on the floor. Jeffery thought he even saw a small tear. Seeing her like this pained the stallion.

"Before you go..." She weakly turned her head to meet the stallion's look. "If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask." Jeffery smiled, but Babs merely nodded and made her way down the hall.

His mood saddened, the handycolt returned to his cleaning duties.

Meanwhile, in the Great Room, Applebloom was busy moving tables and chairs out of storage for the reception that was to take place tomorrow night. The large hall was a little over a story tall, and rather plain. She had it built to house any events Applebloom had the misfortune of hosting. Thankfully that seldom occurred.

During the whole morning she was quiet, but Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle could tell she was very stressed. But they knew any misstep could unleash her fiery temper. As such, the pair completed the tasks their friend gave them, in hopes that she'd calm down.

Scootaloo hovered below the ceiling, checking all the light fixtures and things. Sweetie's job was more varied, and she did anything from helping Applebloom with tables to checking off items from the list.

The trio was too occupied to notice a dour Babs enter the room. She slowly walked over to Applebloom, who was silently muttering to herself.

The orange earth pony took a deep breath before speaking. "Hey Applebloom...ya got a minute?"

Scootaloo heard her, and flew down to meet her. "Hiya Babs. Here to help?"

"Hi, Scoots. No I just need to tawlk to AB." Babs replied.

"Well you're gonna have to wait. Ah got too much to do right now."

"This is important. Somethin' happened last night." She said, sterner than before.

Applebloom's eyes widened, but she didn't cease her task. "Oh y'all bet something happened last night. Ah haven't been able to focus because of it...Ah been on edge all day. Ah haven't slept for the past twelve hours, or gotten any work down the past two days. And now Ah got this goin' on. Babs please you gotta wait. Ah'm at mah wit's end."

"This is serious! Like a hell of a lawt more serious than this stupid wedding!" Babs' rebuttal was angry, but drove the point home.

"What is it, Babs?" Sweetie asked.

"I gawt fired last night."

Applebloom calmed down a bit, and gave her cousin a sympathetic look. "Ah'm so sorry Babs. But we can deal with—"

"That ain't the serious pawrt." Taking another deep breath, Babs continued. "Somepony tried to...I mean..." her eyes began tearing up. The normally tough policemare cried herself to sleep the previous night. Even now she couldn't believe the events transpired as they did. "Somepony wanted me..."

"Wanted you what, Babs?"

"To...to....to KILL ME!" Babs fell into Applebloom's shoulder. The yellow mare embraced her, tearing up a bit herself.

"Who tried to do this?"

"I...I don't know who wanted it done...but Cruller tried to do it." Through her hiccups and sniffs the traumatized pony continued. "He caught me last night at the pawrk. The Mayor made him chief; gave him my job. Somepony else paid him to get rid of me."

Sweetie Belle was almost about to cry. "Where is he?"

Having wiped her eyes, Babs' expression became angry. Gnashing her teeth she replied. "At the bottom of the river. I...I shot him. Straight through the head. I killed that son of a bitch. He's dead,...because of me." She began crying anew. "I didn't want to, guys! I had no choice!"

For what seemed like several minutes, nopony spoke. Instead they all let Babs weep into Applebloom's shoulder. The yellow pony tried to come up with something to say; anything to make her cousin feel better. Several times she opened her mouth but the words died on her tongue. Soon she decided it was better to not say anything.

After a few sniffles, Babs looked up and wiped her eyes again. Regaining her composure, she looked around the room.

"You have to cancel the wedding." She said plainly. Applebloom's eyes widened.

"What? Babs. You know Ah love you, but Ah can't do that."

"You have to. Manehattan is too dangerous! Do you really want our family right here? It's bad enough my parents live in the city!"

"Ah know...but what am Ah supposed to do?"

"Babs makes a good point." Sweetie interjected. "Maybe we should cancel the wedding."

"Ah can't! Everything's paid for! The planners and caterers are already booked—"

"You're a damn billionaire! What difference does it make to you?!" Babs exploded.

"That's not the point! Everypony's already on their way! Ah'm expecting them all in a couple hours! Most are likely already on a train!"

Babs lost it, and flung herself at Applebloom. The two took to fighting, each one jamming their hooves at one another. "Dammit Applebloom! You gotta cancel!"

Applebloom dealt a spot-on punch to Babs' cheek. In retaliation, the orange mare bit her cousin's ear, drawing blood. Sweetie Belle was horrified at the sight. Scootaloo knew the pair wrestled occasionally, but an actual fight was something else.

"Should we do something?" The white unicorn asked.

"Each one of them is strong enough to throw us to the other side of the room." Scootaloo replied, desperately wishing to intervene. "What can we do?"

Fortunately, her question was answered when the tussling ponies put each other in a headlock. The two called a truce. Breathing heavily, Applebloom massaged her neck and wiped the blood from her nose. "Ah can't...Ah can't. What do you want me to tell them? Nothin' Ah say will avoid a mass panic."

"I just...I dunno. I'm scared...AB."

"We all are. But mah property is as far from the East End as y'all can get. We'll talk later, after everything is done. Fancypants might know what to do."

"You're inviting him?" Babs asked as she got up and popped her back.

"Of course." Applebloom said, her ear still hurting. "Owww...Ah can't believe you bit mah ear!"

"Oh...hehe sorry 'bout that. At least I didn't punch your eye or something."

Sweetie's expression was full of disappointment. "What are we gonna do with you two?"

"Y'all can decide that later. Right now we have to finish cleaning up and all that good stuff. But first Ah think Ah'll get a tissue." Applebloom then went towards a bathroom, all the while holding her head back to prevent blood from spilling on the floor.

In the great room, flying up to resume her assigned task, Scootaloo whispered to Babs. "What if something really goes wrong?"

"I've been asking myself that question all night. Looks like we'll have to take some extra precautions."

Over the next several hours, the five ponies inside the household cleaned and arranged everything perfectly. The great room was filled with tables and chairs, and the rest of the mansion was spotless and flawlessly aligned. Applebloom looked on at their hoofwork, and sighed. Once Rarity and the planner got here, they could decide what to do with it.

She didn't care what they did with her room, so long as the bride-to-be was happy.

The four mares made their way into a room with various couches and chairs, a large bookcase, and a billiards table. Applebloom herself plopped down on the nearest seat. Tired and stressed out, the yellow pony needed something to calm her down.

A game, perhaps.

Babs must have had the same idea, because she walked over to the cue rack and grabbed a fine wooden billiards cue. "Anypony up for pool?"

"Sure!" Scootaloo enthusiastically replied, grabbing another cue from the rack. Chalking up its tip, the pegasus began practicing her shot. Sweetie Belle followed, smiling widely.

"Hold on." Applebloom however first got up and took a small box off of one of her shelves. Upon opening the box she revealed a very new-looking pipe. Inside one of the end table drawers was a tin of fine tobacco, which she packed into the pipe. Finally, after lighting up her smoke, Applebloom took another cue and puffed.

"Eight-ball. Babs and Scoots versus Sweetie and Ah." She dictated, clenching the pipe in her teeth.

"You're on!" Babs said, a determined look in her eyes. "We'll break. But first, I'm thirsty."

As if she were reading her cousin's mind, Applebloom opened the door to a mini fridge in the room and tossed Babs a bottle of beer. Biting off the cap, the policemare took a swig and lined up her shot.

Intently watching, the three others all became silent. Babs thrust the cue forwards, and scattered the balls across the table, pocketing several solid ones. "Looks like we got solids. Your turn."

"Applebloom can go first." Sweetie politely said. Nodding, Applebloom repeated the process and pocketed a striped ball. Smirking at her opponents, the industrialist backed away.

While Scootaloo was taking her turn, Sweetie Belle felt it was a good time to engage in small talk. "Hey, Applebloom. How many ponies did you invite?"

"Only Fancypants. Your sister took care of the rest."

"Really? No Diamond Tiara?" Babs teased.

Applebloom's expression grew sullen, and she looked down on the floor. Why did Babs have to bring that up?

She took her pipe out of her mouth. "No...we're no longer friends...y'all were right, guys. About her. She ain't nothin' but a no good crook." The mood of the room shifted from jovial to morose in a flash. "Ah’m such an idiot!"

Sweetie Belle, feeling like the instigator of her friend's bad mood, placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I'm sorry I brought it up. But today's a happy occasion. Don't worry; you'll never have to see her again, right?"

"Ah guess so. You're right. Ah'm not gonna let this put me in a bad mood. But still..."

"What is it?" Scootaloo asked, hesitating to take her shot.

"Never mind! Let's play! Like Ah said, we'll talk about it tonight. Uh...Scootaloo, you're up."

A sincere smile of empathy found itself upon the orange Wonderbolt's face, and she proceeded to take her shot. Several seconds after the cue tip hit the white ball, Scootaloo pocketed a couple solids

The game continued for around ten minutes; a very casual enterprise. By the end of the session, Babs lined up her cue to make the final move of the game. Sweating and narrowing her vision in sheer determination, the orange earth pony took a deep breath and mentally mapped out the ball's trajectory.

"I'm gonna pawcket the 8 bawll." She announced, and flexed her muscles in anticipation. The three others watched; Scootaloo rooting for Babs' success, and Applebloom and Sweetie for some miracle of the Almighty to mess this up. The latter camp would have their prayers answered.

For as soon as Babs thrust her stick forward, a noise sounded throughout the home. Babs would come to resent this ding, however petty it was, for quite a while. The doorbell had been pressed, indicating somepony was at the door.

The bell caused Babs to completely lose her focus, shooting the cue ball off away from the black 8 ball necessary for her victory. The white one found itself inside a pocket. The game was effectively lost.

"AH dammit!" The policemare took her bottle and held it over her open mouth. Not a single drop fell. "I need another beer..."

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle couldn't help but laugh, hoofbumping in victory. Scootaloo pat Babs on the back, trying to alleviate the sting of defeat.

"Alright y'all. Looks like we'll have to cut this short. Ah'm gonna see who's here." Applebloom trotted over to the front door, beating Jeffery to its handle. Shrugging off the occurrence, the handycolt returned to the kitchen and resumed preparing dinner for an upwards of several dozen guests.

The yellow mare opened the door, her smile stretching from ear to ear. Behind the tall block of wood were two unicorns, one white with a greying brown mane, and the other magenta with a similarly-aged purple mane. Each was lugging around a suitcase and wearing warm clothing for the weather.

"Well hi there, Applebloom!" The stallion said, whom the earth pony immediately recognized as Rarity's father. "Well isn't this a nice little place to call home!" He said in his Midwestern Equestrian accent.

"Oh you betcha!" His wife replied. Applebloom smirked. And she thought her accent was silly.

"Come on in! Follow me; Ah'll take ya to your rooms." She gestured them to come forth, puffing another cloud.

Before the elderly couple could, however, Sweetie Belle came running and stared on starry-eyed. "Mom! Dad!"

The three embraced and kissed, happy to be reunited. Applebloom smiled and teared up a bit. After they were done, the couple grabbed their things and followed their hostess up the staircase.

"Are you the only ones here?" Applebloom inquired.

"Oh don't cha know? We all came on the same train! The rest are outside, dealing with all the luggage." The mother answered.

"You bet! Say, Applebloom..." Rarity's father began. "Where's the bride and groom-to-be gonna bunk?"

"Haha! Typical dad. Ah got them in separate arrangements."

"Oh, that's a relief. I don't want any funny business going on before tomorrow."

Applebloom blushed. That was not an image she wanted in her head. "I think that ship sailed a long time ago..." She muttered.

"What did you say, dearie?" Applebloom's soon to be mother-in-law asked.

"Oh nothin'. Here you are." She opened the bedroom door, revealing the neatly made bed and furniture. "Now if y'all need anything, come on down and ask me." Rushing down the stairs, Applebloom caught the rest of the guests being informed by her handycolt.

"...Now there are TWO rules in this household, if you would respect them. Don't touch anything without explicit permission from the Mistress. She is very...possessive. Second, nopony is allowed inside her bedroom. I myself am only allowed in to wash sheets. Don't ask me why."

"Oh certainly, sir." A purple unicorn very politely agreed.

"Howdy Twilight!" Applebloom greeted. "How was your trip?"

"Fine, thank you. Though a couple someponies couldn't hold in their excitement." Twilight said, glancing over to the now entering Rarity and her pink friend. The earth pony known as Pinkie Pie bounced inside, exuberant as always.

"Hi Applebloom! Nice pipe! VERY fancy! What a pretty house! Oh this is going to be so much fun! Applebloom, did you know I'm one of the bridesmaids?" The yellow mare chuckled to herself. Same old Pinkie.

"Nice to see ya too." Rarity followed in, having her fiancé lug around several large suitcases.

"Applebloom darling! What a lovely home you have!"

"Thank you, Rarity. Seems like Ah'm gonna be hearin' that for a while now. How ya holdin' up, Big Mac?"

The large stallion, sweating profusely, merely gave his signature response. "Eeeee...yup."

"Applebloom!" A familiar voice called out, sounding a little less than pleased.

"Um...hi, Applejack..." The filly said to her sister, looking guilty for no reason in particular.

"What'd Ah tell y'all 'bout smokin'?"

Before Applebloom could speak up to defend herself, the normally soft-spoken largest member of the Apple family interjected. "Now AJ, Ah think our sister can do whatever she wants, bein' that this is her house and she's allowed all of us into it as guests."

Applebloom's only response was a smug grin, followed by a cloud of smoke. "Come on, Ah'll show you to your rooms. Since we got a lot more ponies that we have beds, it's gonna be tight." The businesspony went outside and looked at the rest of the horde advancing on the mansion; nearly the entire Apple family and friends were here.

The next hour or so was spent greeting all the guests, catching up, and Applebloom showing them to their accommodations. Sometime during all this, the wedding planner arrived, and Rarity and her friends went into the great room to decorate and arrange the reception area however they wanted. After everypony was situated, Applebloom returned to her living room and plopped down on a chair. Babs leaned over the side, sipping her beverage.

"So, how many in all came?"

Relighting her pipe, Applebloom sighed. "Ah lost count. Let's see...there's Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Granny Smith, the bride's parents, your parents, your sister, damn near the entire Apple clan...and Spike. Fancypants hasn't showed up yet, though. Where're Sweetie and Scootaloo?"

"Sweetie's with her parents and Scoots’ outside flying with Rainbow. You sure there's room for all of us?"

"Packed in tight, sure am." The pair shared a laugh, before being interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Babs instinctively frowned and cursed the ding.

"Ah'll get it!" Applebloom galloped over to the door and opened it. To her delight, a tall white unicorn and his slender companion had arrived.

"Good afternoon, Applebloom. Forgive us for being late. Our train from Canterlot experienced delay before arriving into the station." The stallion said with the utmost sincerity. Shortly after, his stomach growled. Blushing, he kicked a hoof. "Excuse me...we haven't eaten since breakfast. I'd hate to sound rude, but when might I expect dinner to be ready? There's no rush!"

Jeffery, donned in a white apron, was happening to pass by on his way to the kitchen. "Master Fancypants, preparations of a meal for several dozen ponies does take considerable time. Miss Pinkamena however has lent considerable aid. I therefore pledge to my Mistress' guest that within the hour, you shall be fed." The blue unicorn then returned to his task.

"Then I shall wait patiently."

And patiently he did wait. Giving his dear Fleur a kiss and sending her off to mingle, he followed Applebloom into her living room. Greeting Babs, his face changed to an expression he seldom wore; seriousness.

"Applebloom, I'd hate to be direct, but what did you find out the afternoon you left?"

Babs spoke up, finishing the last of her second bottle. "Actually, we wanted to tawlk to youse about that. I gawt attacked last night."

"Oh my! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, thanks for askin'. But after dinner, we should convene somewheres private. Behind closed doors."

"Yes. After dinner we'll have some time before the parties." Applebloom said. "Ya know, the bachelor and bachelorette parties?"

"Sounds interesting." Fancypants laughed softly. "But in all seriousness, I shall provide any counsel I can, Applebloom."

"Good!" She smiled and rose from her chair. "Now let's try to have some fun!"

The hour before dinner was spent very differently for each of the various guests. Some delighted in idle chitchat, others in played outside in the snow, while many enjoyed the things Applebloom's mansion had to offer. Enclosed in its walls, the house had a small bowling alley, an indoor swimming pool, and a projection room. There was even a large library, which Twilight Sparkle could not help but investigate.

Applebloom herself alternated between talking to everypony and getting drinks and such. In the parlor, several of her relatives were sitting and talking, warming up by the fire. Her older brother and soon to be father-in-law were laughing and bonding. Apparently the two had grown fond of one another. Applejack was busy in the great room helping Rarity, as were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Twilight's aid was intermittent, Spike offering as a stand-in.

Eventually, Jeffery informed his employer that dinner had been completed. Ushering everypony into the giant formal dining room, Applebloom then sat at the head of the table. Tomorrow the bride and groom would sit there, but tonight Applebloom was the de facto Matriarch. Jeffery and Pinkie Pie brought out a great number of trays, each containing succulent pieces of culinary art.

After toasting the new couple-to-be, Applebloom gave the word and everypony dug in, including her handycolt. The meal was perhaps the finest they had in a long while, easily causing most of the guests to stuff themselves. Every single plate was cleaned and every glass emptied.

Afterwards, true to the Apple Family virtues, everypony pitched in to clean the dishes. Much to Jeffery's relief, the entire load was spotless in no more than fifteen minutes. The handycolt walked over to Applebloom and quietly thanked her.

"I express my gratitude, Mistress. Though I must ask, where are tonight's activities to occur?" He asked, a bit apprehensive for an answer.

"Don't worry; the stallions go to one place, the mares to another. We'll be out of your mane, unless you wanna come." She glanced to her side as everypony was taking a moment to let their food settle. "We're scheduled to leave in about a hour." she also noticed her closest friends going into the parlor, as instructed to during the meal. "Ah must host a...meeting in private."

"Of course, Applebloom." Escaping into the parlor, the yellow mare closed the doors behind her, preventing anypony from eavesdropping. Jeffery stood in front of the door to puzzled looks on the room's occupants’ faces.

Taking out his pocket watch, Jeffery noted the time. "In fifty-five minutes, you all are to disperse in two camps and have parties, I'm told. If any of you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask."

Behind the locked parlor doors, Applebloom, Babs Seed, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Fancypants all sat in their chairs, the room lit be the fire. Silence permeated for a few moments, before a white Canterlot stallion spoke.

"Now that we have privacy...Miss Seed, what happened?"

Gazing into the fire, Babs began. "Yesterday, I came back to the station to find my old Lieutenant was in my office. Turns out a guy I apprehended last Thursday didn't do anything wrong, accordin' to the new legalization of cocaine. Mayor dismissed me."

A single tear ran down her cheek. Her friends took notice, and prepared their hearts for wrenching. "He made Cruller Chief. It was a game of corruption. He was brided; apprently I have become a threat to their little operation. He was tasked with getting rid of me. Last night...in the pawrk...he came up...and pointed a gun at me..." Sniffing a bit, Babs continued. "We threw down, and I won. I shot him in the skull. Bastard was dead before he hit the ice on the river below."

"I'm so sorry, Babs." Sweetie Belle consoled. She knew of the events, but that didn't ease the pain her sympathetic heart felt. "So are the police...part of this 'organization'?"

"I don't know. Without Cruller, they might still be on our side."

"Then you haven't heard..." Fancypants said solemnly.

"About what?" Scootaloo asked, expecting the worst.

"Last night, on the East End, a police exercise occurred. The papers say it was a gross miscalculation on the part of police management."

"W...What happened, Fancypants?" Applebloom asked, removing the pipe from her mouth. "What's wrong?"

"They were ambushed." He said in a dreary tone. "All officers in the East End have been either...captured...or..." The kind-hearted stallion couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence.

"No...no! It can't be..." Babs' mind started spiraling, and she felt sick.

"I'm so sorry." Nopony spoke for a few minutes. Instead, Babs silently sobbed to herself, pounding her hoof down on the table beside her chair. Finally, Fancypants added to his statement. "At least, that is what the paper said."

Babs' ears perked up. "The paper? Blue Suit said the paper wouldn't even report on unconstitutional appointments. But they report the massacre of POLICE OFFICERS?!"

"How could somepony do this?...Wait! Why WOULD they let them report that?" Applebloom thought out loud. "It just don't make no sense. You think they'd wanna keep it secret. Unless—"

"They don't need to anymore." Scootaloo interjected, a revelation having just dawned upon her. "Think about it. The crime lords or whoever is orchestrating all this have the East End. It's theirs to control. Who knows how long they've been planting the seeds, but now they've taken over. They've got nothing to hide because...they know nothing can stop them."

"Are you sure?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"They taught us all about military strategy in Wonderbolt training. It's psychological warfare. They have, in one decisive move, eliminated all immediate threats to their position, as well as made an example out of them. They've sent a message to not cross them."

"So we know why they did it. What are we gonna do now?"

"There's only one thing to do, Applebloom! We fight back! Send every one of those bastards to Hell!" Babs had fire in her eyes and half a mind to leave right now and exact justice.

"Hold on! Let's piece this all together. Alright," Applebloom began. "The crime lords somehow fixed City Council and the Mayor. They manipulated them and now they're just puppets. They cheated in the derby with those sedatives that caused Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash to faint. They got money on the bets to use to bride ponies like Cruller."

"So that's what you girls found out the other day. This 'hyper-syndicate', if I may call it that, seems very well funded." Fancypants said, thinking just as hard as the others.

"The drug trade! Now that they can traffic all those drugs legally, they wouldn't be bothered. They could raise funds quite quickly, right?" Sweetie Belle said, casting her theory.

"That'd put a dent in their expenses, but Ah'm not sure it was exclusively that. And Diamond Tiara has to fit in here somewhere..."

Babs glared at her cousin. "What do you mean? What's that bitch hidin'?"

Sighing and slumping in her chair, Applebloom recalled her conversation with Tiara the previous night. "She ain't worth nothin'. She's a crook; a robber. Ain't got morals or values. She only thinks about money. Y'all were right. But she offered me a partnership. Ah turned it down, but she did say somethin' about the gangs. 'Buyin' 'em off'. She's a cog in the machine; no doubt."

"Diamond Tiara? As in the new head of Rich Enterprises?"

" 'Fraid so, Fancy." Babs said. "Well, I think we've pretty much solved everything."

"For now...but the important thing is...finding out what to do. The western half of the city is still free, Ah sure hope. But how can we dislodge all these gang members in the east? CAN we even do that? Babs, what do you think?"

"I don't know, AB. But I do know I'm burnin' with fury, and I just wanna rip them all apart."

Applebloom buried her face in her hooves. "Oh Ah've made a terrible mistake! The more Ah think about it, Ah really shoulda cancelled..."

"There's no point in blaming yourself, Applebloom." Fancypants assured her, smiling. "We'll think of something."

"Yeah, and in the meantime, we'll be extra careful!" Scootaloo said, leaping into the air and hovering. "I'm charged with protecting the citizens of Equestria from ALL threats, foreign and domestic!"

"And I may not be a cop no more, but I still have a duty to Manehattan."

"And whatever happens, we'll all stick together." Sweetie Belle said, caught up in the moment.

Applebloom however got up and slowly walked towards the fire. Gazing into its mesmerizing glow, she puffed her pipe. "You know, Ah never thought this would ever happen. Ah never thought when Ah came to Manehattan that this great city would fall to crime lords and gangs. Growin' up in Ponyville, we never heard of corruption or violence. But now it's very real." She paused. "Ah always try to be the best Ah can be, and be kind, generous, and above all honest. Sometimes it's a strange, alien thought that many ponies aren't like us. They're downright mean, cruel, greedy, and selfish. They lie and cheat to get what they want... Diamond Tiara is one of them."

Turning back toward her friends, Applebloom frowned. "Ah thought she'd grow out of it...Ah guess Ah was wrong." Then, out of the blue, she laughed quietly. "Sorry, Ah'm beginnin' to ramble."

The industrialist looked at the clock. "Ah think we should get ready to go."

"Alright Applebloom. Where are we going?" Sweetie Belle inquired.

"Ask Pinkie Pie. Ah have no idea."

The group exited the parlor and mingled for a bit before grabbing their coats. The mares and stallions segregated into two camps and went off in separate direction, Applebloom very conscious that the locations chosen were on the West End.

"Are you sure it's safe?" Sweetie Belle asked her best friend.

"As long as we maintain a low profile," Applebloom said, looking on at the cityscape. "Everything's gonna just fine."

12. A Manehattan Wedding

12. A Manehattan Wedding

The cold Friday morning brought a frigid wind across Applebloom's balcony. Clad in a bathrobe, the yellow mare couldn't help but shiver, her teeth chattering. Looking out to her snow-covered estate, Applebloom saw it glisten as the first rays of Celestia's brilliant sun rose up from the horizon.

She didn't get much sleep last night, kept awake by a million things racing through her mind. Everypony else was still asleep, warm and cozy in their beds and couches. The only other exception would've been Jeffery, who was likely already making breakfast. Applebloom's three friends slept on cots inside her own bedroom, a place few ever went.

As such, slowly returning to the room, Applebloom crept quietly, making her way to the bathroom. Today was a big day; the union of two ponies, and by extension two families. Such an occasion demanded the utmost of hygiene, and right now, when nopony was putting unimaginable strain on the water heater, was the perfect time to take a shower.

Disrobing, Applebloom turned the knob and waited for the water to heat up. Looking into the mirror, she sighed and prepared for the crazy day ahead of her. From breakfast to three o'clock, the large house would be bustling with busy ponies doing everything needed to make sure Applebloom's brother and his bride-to-be had the perfect wedding. The food for the reception had to be cooked and the makeshift chapel had to be prepared.

Applebloom knew no day at the office could ever compare to the impending hectic time she was in for.

After a long and refreshing hot shower, Applebloom combed her mane and brushed her teeth. Creeping through her room full of sleeping ponies, she made her way downstairs into the kitchen. Sitting at the breakfast table were Rarity's parents. They must've just woken up, as evidenced by them still wearing their pajamas.

The father greeted his hostess with a wide smile. "Well good morning to you, Applebloom! Didja sleep well, there?"

"G'mornin'. Honestly I didn't get much sleep, but that's ok." She replied, the aroma of Jeffery's meal filling her nostrils.

"Oh that's a shame. Go on deary, get some sleep." Rarity's mother encouraged. "We'll take care of everything."

"Ah appreciate your concern, but Ah'll be fine. What're y'all doin' up?" Before the couple could answer, Jeffery came up behind and levitated three plates onto the table. Three omelets and fried potatoes.

"It seems your two guests are early risers. Not as much as I, but they've been here for the past ten minutes patiently waiting for their meal." He turned towards the husband and wife. "I hope you find it satisfactory."

Taking one bite, the mustachioed stallion let out a euphoric "Mmmmmm!". His wife let out a similar interjection, and they finished the rest of their meal in record time. Applebloom giggled at this, and took a bite herself.

After the three were done and excused themselves, everypony else was starting to wake up, albeit often returning back to sleep. Applebloom was on her way to the living room when Rarity's father galloped up and stopped her.

"Hey Applebloom!" He began hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. "I...uh...just wanna thank you for all this. I mean, you didn't have to―"

The generous little mare stopped him right there. "Don't mention it. It's a gift. Rarity deserves the best, right?"

"I understand this is costing a pretty penny, isn't it?"

"Well," Applebloom said candidly, "It's a little more than Ah would've liked to spend, but that's no problem."

"I'll repay you someday. Don't worry!" Applebloom knew he couldn't be serious, but the father's tone suggested otherwise.

"Really, there's no hurry."

"But it'll get done." He started to turn the other way to his room until her perked up. "Oh! I almost forgot! Applebloom, can you keep tabs on McIntosh? He's a good stallion, but I'm concerned for my little filly."

The smile on the yellow pony's face became devious. "If he steps outta line, Ah'll have to pull him aside and give him a talk. Y'all gonna be family in a couple hours, and if there's any problems, it'll get solved." Big Mac knew not to cross either of his sisters, but if there was anypony he truly feared, it was his grandmother.

"Thank you so much! Say, how did that party go?"

Applebloom nervously looked back and forth. "Um...yeah...it went p-p-pretty good. Pretty borin' actually."

Naïvely accepting this answer, the old stallion finally left Applebloom to go iron out his tux and get ready for the wedding.

Meanwhile, the hostess went to finish her own tasks. While everypony was eating and getting ready, she could do last minute checks and preparations in relative peace.

Over the next few hours, the Applebloom mansion was saturated with lines of ponies all waiting for a turn in the shower. Applebloom was yanked away from her duties when the water heater broke and nopony else in the entire house knew what to do. Dripping wet and freezing, many were yelling quite loudly at her to hurry up and finish the job. Before she was done replacing the components, she nearly threw a wrench at her hecklers.

And of course, of all days to malfunction, the mansion boiler broke as well. Everypony was chattering and shivering, including Applebloom, before she repaired that as well. After shoveling some coal into the furnace, Applebloom emerged back on the ground floor to thunderous cheering and stomping.

She was not thrilled, however. Covered in grease and soot, she exercised owner privileges and claimed the next shower for herself.

Finally, after everypony was clean, fed, and at least somewhat quiet, Applebloom fell down on a chair and tried to take a nap. She would never have the chance to fall asleep, though.

Sweetie Belle was designated by Babs and Scootaloo to break the news to their friend. Lightly tapping Applebloom, Sweetie sheepishly spoke.

"Um...Applebloom." The yellow mare groaned, thoroughly tired of all these shenanigans.

"What is it now? Ah suppose some snow cause the roof to cave in! Or a pipe froze over! Or even better it burst!"

"No it's nothing like that."

"Then what? I'm trying to take a nap." She replied, closing her eyes.

"It's 2 o'clock. The wedding's going to start in an hour."

"Aw dammit. Fine." Applebloom got up and retired to her bedroom, followed by her friends. Opening her wardrobe, she got out a white dress. Donning the garment, she gazed at herself in the mirror.

"How do Ah look, y'all?" She asked, trying to style her mane.

"Beautiful!" Sweetie Belle said, stars in her eyes.

"Why thanks. You know, Ah don't much care for dresses, but this one ain’t too bad. Nice and simple."

"How do ya think I feel?" Babs said. "I'm only doing this for Big Mac and his bride."

"Do y'all know who's gonna be the ring-bearer?"

"Rarity told us one of the little cousins or something." Scootaloo responded, examining herself in the mirror. "Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and all them are gonna be the bridesmaids. Big Mac's got some friends of his being his groomsponies."

Applebloom cocked her head sideways in confusion. "How do you know so much more about this than me?"

Scootaloo shrugged. "Rarity told us while you were in the basement."

"Alright...and the Maid of Honor?"

"She didn't say." Sweetie Belle answered. "But we were told it'd be a surprise."

"Seems kinda unprofessional if you ask me." Babs said, rolling her eyes.

"That's the way it is." Scootaloo looked at the clock. "Think I'm gonna now. They're probably all taking pictures." The orange pegasus then left the room and headed downstairs.

"Me too." Sweetie did the same, leaving Applebloom and Babs alone.

Finishing up her ensemble, the red-maned filly suddenly got a thought. "Hey, Babs. How's Spike holdin' up? Ah imagine he's gotten over her."

The orange mare laughed. "Haha you'd think so. Nah I tawlked to him earlier today. He's still a little steamed. I'm bettin' he's cursin' the moment when they say 'I do'."

"Poor dragon. He'll get over it, Ah'm sure."

"That Spike does have some issues though."

"Maybe I should...comfort him a bit." Applebloom got a sly smile.

Babs smirked back. "What're you sayin', AB?"

"I've heard things about dragons."

"Like?" Applebloom leaned in quietly and whispered into her cousin's ear. Babs' eyes widened at what she heard. "Oh my. You better keep that to yourself in mixed company."

Applebloom just giggled. "Come on, we better take some pictures."

Before the businesspony could make for the door, Babs stopped her. "Wait. Listen...I have a very bad feeling."

"What do ya mean?"

"We should take some precautions. You and I. Just in case."

"Are you sure? Ah mean, we're safe here on mah―"

"We ain't. At least, we need to believe that." Babs went over to her cot and lifted up the pillow. Underneath was her pistol.

"You slept with that under your pillow?"

"Of course. I always do." Babs could not be more serious.

"Why? It's not like somepony..." Luckily Applebloom caught herself. "Oh...Ah'm sorry."

"Where's yours?" Babs asked as she strapped the firearm to her thigh.

"In mah bedside." Applebloom opened the drawer and pulled out her revolver. Girding herself up just like Babs, she sighed. "Are you sure this is necessary? Do you really think they'll be needed?"

"If I had my way, they'd never be used." Babs solemnly answered. "Now let's get goin'."

The pair joined their friends and family downstairs, smiling and ready to take pictures. After all sorts of pre-nuptial photographs had been made, the main event could commence. Two families would be united and one less burden lifted from Applebloom's shoulders.

Unfortunately it was apparent many more might rise up to take its place.

The wedding procession began when the groom first made his way into the "chapel", Applebloom's outdoor shelter meant for summer cookouts. Following him were his groomsponies and best stallion. Then his family, the bulk of the ponies present. Applebloom and Babs found themselves in this camp, while Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were in the second.

Rarity and her bridesmaids however were relegated to waiting just outside the structure, so as to not disrupt the tradition of having the bride and groom avoid each other before it was time. This meant those six ponies were stuck in the cold until somepony gave them the go signal.

Feeling guilty, Applebloom volunteered to summon them into the chapel.

"Alright y'all! Sorry to leave you out in the snow, but you won't have to wait anymore. Come on." Just as she was about to leave, Applejack stopped her sister.

"Wait, Applebloom! Rarity has something to tell ya."

"Can't it wait?"

"I'm afraid not, darling." The bride began, her face covered by a veil. "Applebloom, would you be the Maid of Honor?"

"W...what? Me? But why?" The yellow earth pony stammered, somewhat irritated.

"None of this would be possible without you."

Applebloom looked back and rolled her eyes. How cliché, she thought. Even so, she appreciated the gesture and felt honored to have been chosen. Not wanting to leave them waiting, she agreed.

Applebloom and the other bridesmaids made their way into the chapel and down the carpet before finding their places beside the altar. Shortly afterwards, a couple small fillies came bouncing up and tossing flower petals. Applebloom recalled her own instance of being a flower filly quite fondly. Next, the bride herself appeared, and slowly but gracefully walked up to her groom.

Her parents smiled widely and tried their best not to cry. Their little filly was all grown up, and about to start a family. Meanwhile, Granny Smith was leering McIntosh, just to be sure he didn't get cold hooves. When the bride finally made it, Big Mac lifted up her veil. In front of the altar and chaplain, Rarity and Big Mac met for the first time today, and gazed into each other's eyes pleasantly. A small colt came bearing the rings, or rather a ring and a large necklace of gold.

The chaplain cleared his throat and began. Applebloom stood there and listened to him go through the motions before the moment of truth. Then it came, and everypony's hearts started pounding.

"Do you, Rarity, take Big McIntosh to be your lawfully-wedded husband?"

"I do." She replied, nearly bursting into tears.

"And do you, Big McIntosh, take Rarity―"

A simple response was all the large red stallion usually gave. It would suffice here, because to his bride, no answer was more sincere than this concise utterance. "Eyup."

Rarity levitated the necklace over Mac's head and gently lowered it down on his neck. The stallion took the ring in his hoof and placed it over her horn. The decisive action was done. Now the special words.

"I now pronounce you Mare and Colt. You may ki―"

Rarity, forsaking all decorum, threw her bouquet into the audience and herself at Big Mac, wrapped her hooves around him, and gave him a passionate kiss. The room echoed with cheers and stomping.

Applebloom wiped the tears from her eyes. A beautiful thing had just happened.

Wasting no time, Pinkie Pie yelled out to start the party. The newlyweds leading the way, the occupants of the room headed for the reception hall. A wonderful party had been promised, with cake and food and wine. Pinkie Pie had worked all day to make sure it was perfect.

Applebloom looked forward to this reception. A piece of cake, a glass of wine, and maybe a good smoke.

Just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, a single automobile pulled up in front of Applebloom's manor. Two suited stallions got out, one a pegasus, another a unicorn. The unicorn took another breath from his cigarette before throwing it on the ground and stamping it out.

"Nice place. You sure dis is da place?"

"Yep. Look at da letters on da gate." The pegasus then got out a bolt cutter and broke the gate's hinges. Bucking the gate down, the two cantered up the walkway.

At the large wooden doors they skillfully picked the lock and entered the house. Looking around at the expensive-looking furnishings, the unicorn thought to himself a bit.

"Now where do ya think the pawrty's at?"

Looking at him like he were an idiot, the pegasus dryly responded. "Don't you hear da music? Now, get ready." The pair each took out a small pistol. "We've gone undetected so fawr. A couple of quick rounds, and we hightail it outta here. Remember who we're gettin'?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. I've looked at their pictures enough times. Da yellow one's a real looker. Shame, really."

Meanwhile, in the reception room, Applebloom was sitting at a table with her friends, telling stories and jokes and having an all-around fun time. Big McIntosh and Rarity were dancing, as were many of the other couples.

Granny Smith sat down next to her youngest granddaughter and smiled.

"Well looky there. 'Ol Mac done found himself a good girl. Ah ain't gettin' any younger. Applebloom, you gotta find yourself a good, strong stallion."

"Aw Granny. Ah got other things to worry 'bout. Like mah career."

"Don't gimme that. Y'all don't need no more money. Ya have enough to support your GREAT-grandfoals."

Playfully rolling her eyes Applebloom just waved a hoof. She then noticed Big Mac take a break from dancing and come to sit down beside his sister. Pulling out a small silver case from her purse, the mare smiled and addressed her brother.

"Congratulations, Big Mac!"

"Why thank ya, baby sis!" He said while wiping his brow with a napkin.

"Ah've been savin' these ones for a special occasion. Care to have one?"

"Don't mind if Ah do." Before she could open the case, Applebloom caught site of two unfamiliar ponies entering the room. She stood and got a serious countenance. "Excuse me. This is a private party."

Babs, at the buffet bar, turned around to see what her cousin was talking about. The unicorn reached into his jacket. "Our regawrds to da newlyweds."

The pair pulled out their pistols. Babs noticed this first and pulled out her own, but she wasn't quick enough. Before the policemare could shoot off a round, the shady pair of stallions shot several times each, hitting her every time. The sound of gunshots sent to room into a panic, and Babs fell to the ground, convulsing in shock.

Horrified, Applebloom didn't realize she was targeted next, but thankfully her brother did.

"Applebloom!" He yelled before shoving his sister out of the way. He took a couple bullets before Applebloom could draw her revolver. Wasting no more time, she shot the unicorn straight through the chest, blasting a hole that penetrated his heart. He fell to the ground, dead.

Seeing red, Applebloom shot again with such precision that she hit the pegasus' right hoof, effectively disarming him. In fact, the high caliber round caused his foreleg to physically come off. Bleeding profusely, he tried to crawl away in the wake of a furious Applebloom coming forward.

Rarity saw her husband get shot, and rushed over to him, tears in her eyes. He was still conscious, and luckily wasn't fatally wounded.

Babs, on the other hoof, was still shaking and fading quickly. Scootaloo darted to her and switched into doctor mode. "Alright everypony! Back up! I'm a trained Air Force medical officer!" The orange pegasus did what she could to give Babs a little more time.

Jeffery just hung up the telephone when Scootaloo began her work. "The ambulance is one its way! Can you give her a few more minutes?"

"I'm gonna have to." Scootaloo replied, shadowed by weeping ponies all fearing the worst.

Applebloom however wasn't paying attention to that, as she had her own issue to deal with. Looming over the disabled stallion, she grabbed his lapels and slammed him against the wall. He was too weak and she too strong for him to do anything.

Punching him several times, she gritted her teeth. "WHO SENT YOU!?" the stallion only whimpered. "WHO SENT YOU!?"

His breaths became short and fearful. "P...Palomino. He said...somepony...gave him a hit..."

Applebloom leaned in closer. She could crush his rib cage if she wanted to. "Who gave him that hit?"

What the stallion whispered next was the single most disturbing and emotion-inducing thing Applebloom had ever heard. "Some...pink mare...uh...Diamond..."

Shaking in pure, unfettered anger, Applebloom could not contain herself. She beat his face to a bloody pulp. His cries for mercy fell upon deaf ears.

Scootaloo had done what she could for Babs and Big Mac. Turning to see how Applebloom was doing, she saw her about to kill the stallion. Nodding to Rainbow Dash, she flew over and grabbed one of her friend's hooves. Her cyan captain did the same.

"Stop! Don't do it, Applebloom!" Try as she might, Scootaloo could not restrain the strong earth pony.

"LET! ME! GO!" Fueled by adrenaline and her own muscles, Applebloom swung her forelegs so hard the two pegasi were flung back into opposite-facing walls, knocked quite hard. Breathing heavily, she aimed her revolver as the dying stallion looked up in resignation. One gunshot later, what was left of him fell to the ground.

Covered in blood and her rush subsiding, Applebloom looked at the stallion's corpse, and at the two pegasi she threw against the wall. Dropping her gun, she began to cry uncontrollably, and screamed up at the ceiling.

Reduced to a weeping pile of tears, Applebloom collapsed on the floor.

13. The Donna

13. The Donna

In the intensive care unit, the doctors were doing all they could for the two injured ponies. All during the ambulance ride, Big Mac remained conscious, encouraged by his new wife. Babs, however, would not respond to anything anypony said.

And now, a team of surgeons and specialists, including Scootaloo, were busy in the emergency room while the others were waiting anxiously just outside. Seldom did anypony speak, for they were too busy wiping their tears. Rarity's friends were comforting her as she came to terms with the prospect of becoming a widow. Babs' parents feared the worst for their daughter. She had lost a lot of blood already.

And Applebloom sat alone in a corner, silently crying to herself. This whole thing was her fault, and she couldn't bear to lose either of them. In the utmost sincerity she prayed that her brother and cousin would be alright.

After what seemed like an eternity, an orange pegasus and blue unicorn both wearing white coats emerged from the doors. Their expressions were neutral, so as not to convey any verdicts yet.

"Scootaloo! How are they?" Rarity asked, drying her eyes.

"Maybe you should see for yourselves." The pegasus led all of them down the hall and into the room they both were. Inside were two beds, each occupied by a pony.

In the one nearest the door, a large red stallion laid, apparently sleeping. The sound of the heart monitor was all that could be heard.

Scootaloo came up to McIntosh's bed. "Big Mac is gonna fine. He took a couple hits, but they weren't fatal. We've removed them all and stitched him up. Given some time and minor physical therapy, he'll make a full recovery."

Overjoyed, Rarity threw herself down on his sleeping form, crying tears of happiness. "Oh thank the Almighty!" Disturbed from his slumber, Big Mac woke up to see his wife kissing him all over.

Most were relieved to hear this news, but then they recalled there was another patient in the room.

"What about Babs?" Applebloom asked.

Scootaloo's expression became dour. "Her fate is less certain..."

Looking over to the bed, Babs was hooked up to IV injections and a heart monitor, and a band of cloth was around her eyes. Applebloom could also see her bloodstained fur around the many bandages covering her body.

A long tube had been inserted into her trachea, something that made Applebloom cringed.

"How is she?" Babs' mother asked.

"Not good, I'm afraid." Scootaloo began. "We removed the bullets no problem, but they hit her harder it seems. One was lodged in her lung and another in her spleen. We had to operate quickly or she would've had unfortunate complications."

"Indeed. Had we been a few minutes too late, it's doubtful we could've saved her." The blue doctor added.

"She's unconscious...effectively comatose. She went into hypovolemic shock, but the injections have made her stable...for now."

"Is she...can she still..." Applebloom tried to utter.

"She's not brain-dead. Mentally she's fine. But her body's broken. We've done all modern medicine can do."

"As well as unicorn magic. It's up to her now." The doctor looked at his charts. "I must get going. The nurse will be here soon to attend to any matters. Dr. Scootaloo, it was a pleasure working with you." He held out his hoof.

After Scootaloo shook it, the doctor left. Applebloom looked on at Babs, pained to see her in such a state. "What're her chances?"

"The other doctors are pessimistic. Some think she won't even live through the night..."

"And you?"

"Well...I've seen ponies come back from worse. It’s a miracle she survived in the first place. She's strong, and might have a fighting chance." Scootaloo placed her hoof on her friend's shoulder. "But...this is as hard for me to say as it is for you to hear...Babs is our friend, and I want nothing less than for her to recover...but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that she..." Scootaloo wiped her eyes and sniffled. Applebloom pulled her in for an embrace.

Babs' parents were at her bedside, praying and crying. Many members of the Apple family opted to remain at Applebloom's house. The ones that came, however, joined her parents in lamentations.

Applebloom walked over to her brother, unsuccessfully trying to contain her tears, she wrapped her hooves around him and nuzzled closer. "Thank ya, Big Mac! You...you save mah life. Why did ya do it? This...is all mah fault."

"That's what big brothers do. Don't cry for me, Applebloom. Ah'll be fine. Plus Ah got somethin' to look forward to when Ah get out." He glanced at Rarity.

"Who were those ponies, Applebloom? And why did they try to shoot y'all?" Applejack asked.

"They were out for Babs. She must've made a lot of enemies in the mob, for puttin' 'em all away."

"And what about you? What'd you do?"

"Ah don't know..." She thought for a second, and it all became clear. "Yes Ah do. Ah made an enemy in a high place. And now, look what's happened. Babs was right. I should've cancelled everythin'." Burying her face in hooves, all she could hear was crying for Babs' condition. Lifting her head up, she took one final look. That last glance at Babs tore her down. Overcome with guilt and emotion, Applebloom made for the door.

"Applebloom?...Where are you goin'?" Her sister asked.

"It's all mah fault..." Was all she said before she left the room.

How could this happen? She invoked the wrath of that pink monster, and now she was paying for it. Her dear cousin's life was hanging by a thread. Applebloom had wrought pain and suffering on all the ponies she knew and loved. The more she thought about it, the more it stung.

Everypony, from Fancypants, Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo; all of them stayed in the hospital room, but Applebloom left them behind. She needed to be alone and far away from anypony else she could harm. Never before had she felt so helpless and scared. One of those bullets was meant for her.

Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad it succeeded.

Stopping by a convenient store, she bought a large bottle of hard liquor. Walking through the snow on her way home, she took a long drink, hoping to drown her sorrows.

A high-rise office offering a look over the Manehattan skyline was the backdrop to the scheduled meeting between two parties. A large tan pegasus with a white mane looked at the door to the office. After a few minutes, it opened; revealing the suited grey unicorn Palomino hated so much.

"She will see you now."

"She? Eh...whatever. As lawng as I get my money."

Following the unicorn, the crime lord entered the office to find all sorts of expensive looking decorations and furniture. The nighttime lights were all that lit the room, giving a very shady atmosphere. A shadowy figure blew a cloud of smoke from her cigarette, and another similar sized figure sat beside her.

"Ah, Mister Palomino." She began. "Please, take a seat." The pegasus obliged. "Now, what brings you here?"

"So you da bawss here, hah? Then it shouldn't be too much trouble to afford my services. Let's say, sixty-thousand? Dat's a deal. Da ones I whacked are worth a lot more."

"Money? I didn't agree to pay YOU money. Why should I pay you? You didn't do the work."

"Yeah well da ones dat did got demselves killed."

"Then you accept responsibility for their actions?"

"Uh...yeah?"

A large white smile grew on the figure's face. She turned on the desk lamp, revealing herself. A pink earth pony with a purple creamsicle mane topped with a tiara.

"You?? You're dat mare from the derby last week!"

"Yes I know. Now, Palomino, I'm not paying you."

"What? Why not? I did what you wanted―"

"No I'm afraid you didn't. It seems I'm going to have to discipline you. You see, you work for me now."

"I work for myself."

"Used to. But you have taken orders from me for the past couples weeks. That purging of the East Police force was...admirable. But even though I have filled your paycheck, you still exhibit defiance. I am your Donna. Is that clear?"

"You are my client. I'm quite kind to my clients, so lawng as dey pay me." Palomino hoped his reputation for brutality would swing things in his favor.

"For what?" This mare, though, appeared unafraid.

"Knockin' off Babs Seed and her little cousin Applebloom."

"But you didn't kill them. You didn't even harm Applebloom. And though your failure works to my advantage, you still disobeyed my orders. Applebloom was not to be harmed."

"Yeah well..." He nervously said. "Two birds, one stone, and all dat shit. I gave you a two-for-one."

"The written communique SPECIFICALLY set those parameters, correct?" Diamond Tiara started waving a gun around just to intimidate the stallion.

"It...It was an accident?" Palomino started sweating profusely.

"Oh I understand. I understand completely." Aiming the pistol, she fired it, hitting Palomino straight in the knee. He curled up in his chair, writhing in pain. "Oooh sorry. Accidents happen, you know."

"OWWWW! YOU CRAZY FUCKIN' BITCH!!" He yelled out.

Visibly upset by this insult, the mare fired again, hitting his other knee. Over his cries of pain, the mare took another breath from her cigarette. "Now, I don't want any more slipups, is that clear? You will do as I say, exactly when and how I say it. Otherwise, I will replace you."

"Yes...yes...Donna." He whimpered, still holding his leg.

"Pathetic; spineless. Hard to imagine you once ruled over the criminal underground. Grey Eminence!" The silver unicorn perked up. "Get this stallion cleaned up. We have work to do."

Lifting the injured pegasus up and ferrying him out of the room, Grey Eminence left the "Donna" and her friend alone.

"It is fortunate that Applebloom remains alive. The first move has been made, Silver Spoon, albeit delayed. Cruller and those other two were weak, but such ponies are expendable."

Looking out the window, the grey mare replied. "Are you sure that was a wise opening move? Applebloom is not one to be messed with, I think."

"This action was decisive. We've broken her. Now she doesn't have the will to do anything while we continue on."

"For your sake, I hope so...because I fear we've awoken a beast, and filled her with a terrible resolve."

"You've been reading too many novels, Spoon. Such idealized heroes of unyielding strength and determination are...fictitious. The pony psyche is too weak. She has fallen like a house of cards."

14. Renewal

14. Renewal

"Yes? Hello?" A tall unicorn stallion said, bringing the phone up to his ear. Who could possibly need him at this hour?

"Good morning, sir. I understand you are President of Apple Industries, correct?" A dignified voice asked in a clear Hoofington accent.

"Yes I am. But I'm afraid that office holds little importance. If you need to talk to somepony in charge―"

"That won't be necessary. My name is Jeffery, and I am calling on behalf of Mistress Applebloom, my employer. I've been instructed to inform you she will not be present today."

"What?" The President said. "Why not? She said she'd only miss Friday. She promised she'd be here Monday."

"Yes. The Mistress deeply regrets not being able to come in, but she is emotionally compromised and in no state to run a company."

The President leaned back in his chair, rubbing his head. "I heard about the shooting...I'm so sorry."

"I shall give your regards to Mistress Applebloom. In the meantime, she's putting you in charge again. She affirmed me that you know your duties in the case of her absence."

"Um...alright." The stallion replied, not very excited for his new appointment.

"Thank you for understanding. Have a nice day, sir."

"You to." The President placed the phone back on its stand and held his temples. The title he had procured through years of service to the company did well to impress his in-laws, but in actuality he hardly ever got to do anything important. He became comfortable shuffling papers all day. But today, he had actual responsibilities, as one of his boss' most trusted employees. He nearly pulled out his mane Friday with all that went on.

How did Applebloom deal with it?

Back at Applebloom’s manor, after Jeffery had hung up the phone, the handycolt proceeded to attend to his own duties. Most of the guests had already left by train during the weekend. The rest stayed behind to look after those in the hospital.

A few, however, remained in the mansion to keep an eye on Applebloom. For the past two days she had been locked in her study or bedroom severely burdened with emotions. Jeffery remembered the cringe worthy suffering of his dear employer, complete with bouts of binge drinking and fits of rage.

While gathering up sheets and other linens, Jeffery ran into Sweetie Belle, who had just woken up.

"Good...morning." She quietly said, rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning, Miss Belle. Breakfast is on the stove. Forgive me, but I cannot serve you right now."

"That'll be fine!" She said, bearing a smile. "But you really should've let me do breakfast again. You work too hard."

"Please, you're guests. I cannot ask that of you." Sweetie Belle had cooked the meal Saturday morning. Jeffery only finished scraping the "food" off the stove last night.

Sweetie Belle turned away to fetch her breakfast, but stopped before she made it to the stairs. Looking back at the handycolt, she became very serious. "How's Applebloom? I know she can be very...difficult when she's upset. We've all been trying to stay out of her way. It just seemed like...the best option. But you've had contact with her."

Placing down the basket, Jeffery sighed. "I've been making it my mission to give her space when I can. I bring her meals but other than that no direct contact." The stoic expression he customarily wore faded to pain. "But...I can tell you she's more angry at herself than anypony. I don't think anypony short of Babs' parents are quite as distraught. I confess I've been eavesdropping every so often, to check up on her."

"Has she said or done anything?" Sweetie Belle asked, tears starting to stream down her cheeks.

"Yes. That first night after the wedding, I was awake well past midnight. I found that I could not sleep. While in the hall, I heard a noise from Applebloom's room. Placing my ear against the door, my heart sank to find out she cried herself to sleep that night...and every night since.

"All during the previous two days, she's done nothing but drink. There must have been three bottles of whiskey she's taken into her study and emptied. Afterwards, she's so disappointed in herself that she throws the bottle at the wall. Had I not hooves, I'd surely cut myself on the glass. After her alcohol is done, Applebloom...rages. All the contents of the desk, she shoves off onto the floor. When there's nothing left to ruin or attack, she breaks down and weeps."

Sweetie Belle could do nothing but hurt. She saw the same pain on the stallion's face.

"I had to force myself to listen..."

The white unicorn wiped her eyes. "Is there anything we can do? I...I can't believe we've just been ignoring her. She needs us more than ever."

Just then, Jeffery got an all too obvious idea. He would kick himself later for not having thought of it sooner. "Actually...there is. You're right, Miss Belle. I should've done something all along." Standing up tall, he got a look of determination. "I'll deal with Applebloom. Please, enjoy your meal. Master Fancypants and Miss Scootaloo are already downstairs."

Nodding in approval, Sweetie headed to the breakfast room for her meal while Jeffery ventured towards Applebloom's study. Once he was at the door, the handycolt reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a ring of keys. Magically manipulating the ring, he produced the particular key to the study.

Taking a deep breath, Jeffery inserted the key and unlocked the door.

Inside was the very same depressing sight he had seen for the past two days: a yellow red-maned mare in her bathrobe quietly sobbing on a desk. As the stallion inched closer, the more sorrow tugged at his heart. Documents, books, broken glass, and even a globe and chair were scattered across the floor; the only item on the desk was a tall bottle of whiskey.

Hearing somepony come in, the mare lifted her head up to reveal puffy red eyes, glossy with tears. She lacked the strength or will to say anything in protest of his disturbance.

Closing the door behind him, Jeffery stood straight and dignified, searching for the right words to say to his broken employer.

Applebloom reached for the bottle to down whatever was left, hopefully to quell some of the pain. The unicorn however engulfed the bottle in his aura and confiscated it from her grasp. In a desperate and heartbreakingly pitiful display, Applebloom mindlessly stretched out her hoofs for it, like a foal for its formula bottle.

Placing the whiskey on a small table beside the door, Jeffery looked Applebloom in the eye with a comforting sincerity. "Forgive me for this intrusion...but I cannot sit idly by anymore. I've respected your privacy long enough, but I cannot further allow you to subject yourself to such destructive behavior."

Applebloom said nothing, and instead buried her head into her hooves, crying again.

"Seeing you drink yourself into a stupor has been most painful for me..." His normally monotonous and stoic tone shifted to become emotional. "Your suffering has not gone unnoticed... Applebloom, please."

The mare did not respond, but she was listening intently. "I know you're hurting... I know you feel nothing but sorrow and regret. I understand what it is like to feel such depression..."

"How can you know?" Applebloom softly muttered.

"Did I ever tell you of my brother?" She did not answer, but Jeffery could tell by the way her ears perked up that she was interested. "I once had a younger brother, back in Hoofington. We were...very close, and often played together during the summertime. I...I don't wish to go into details, but...a young mare broke his heart."

His lip beginning to quiver, the handycolt continued. "None of us thought it was a big deal, honestly. But then...he turned to alcohol. I tried my best to stop him, but eventually he got into an argument with my parents. He found himself on the street, before I took him in. But that didn't stop his binges. I...I grew impatient one winter night, and lost my temper. I told him things...nopony should ever tell a brother...

"I made him feel...simply awful. He went off for a walk, I thought. But...he didn't return the next day. Or the day after...or the next week." Jeffery wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

"I later found out, in his drunken state...he slipped on some ice, and fell into a river. He hit his head and drowned... I never....forgave myself for that... I haven't seen my parents since...I've been too ashamed."

It took all the strength Jeffery had not to break down and weep. "So I devoted my life to serving others...so that I may help them when times are tough. Bouncing from various charities and households, I find myself your own helper. And you...Applebloom, are distressed and not well.

"I won't let you destroy yourself...like he did...like I let him. I simply can't. I...I love you too much to let that happen."

Moved by his story, Applebloom looked up, utterly speechless.

"The situation has become dire. But you can't let it stop you. Babs Seed devoted her life to protecting the citizens of Manehattan, and keeping the streets clear of violence and crime. While you were building your empire, she put her life on the line every day. And now, gangsters and corrupt politicians and businessponies threaten all her work."

"B...But what can...Ah do? They've...beaten me."

"No they haven't. For the love of her, you cannot allow this. Not while Applebloom yet draws breath will they take the city. If anypony can do something, it's you. Why do you think they targeted you? They fear what you can become."

For the first time in days, the mare sat up in her chair. "But they already have won! Ah can't do nothin' against gangsters! Ah abide by the law. They fight unfairly. I'd lose, and have nothin' show for it but another body to bury."

"You know you're just making up excuses. This isn't the energetic determined mare I know. Come Hell or high water you'd stand your ground." Looking down at the mess of papers on the floor, Jeffery spotted a magazine Applebloom had kept from several years ago.

In bold white letters read the name "Equestrian Entrepreneur". That particular issue was focused on the rising industrialist, something the mare kept near and dear to her. The stallion knew this well, and levitated it off the floor and placed it in front of Applebloom.

Seeing her own picture, she looked up at nothing specific, and grew wide-eyed. He was right: this is who she truly was. Realizing her mistake, she rose from her chair.

She recalled something another unicorn stallion told her; back when she was just an adolescent filly. "Ah...Ah...Ah have to do something! For Babs, for...everypony in Manehattan, for mah family, for mah friends. For...Equestria!" She looked fondly at Jeffery. "Thank you! You know, Ah ain't never heard you talk like that."

The stallion just smiled. "Now get ready. I'll clean up here."

Nodding vehemently with a wide grin, Applebloom practically bolted from her study. Racing through the house, she entered the breakfast room to find her best friends eating. Scootaloo took a bite of toast before noticing Applebloom.

"Applebloom? Are you...do you feel better?" The pegasus asked, putting down her newspaper.

"Y'all better believe it! Now, come on! Finish eating! We've got work to do!"

Sweetie Belle burst from her seat and grabbed Applebloom in a hug. "You're back! We were so worried!"

"Ah'm sorry. I was bein' selfish. But now Ah've got a new resolve."

"That's fantastic to hear!" Fancypants interjected.

"Ah know! Everpony, get ready! Take a shower, brush your teeth, and get dressed! Scootaloo!" She yelled at her orange friend. "Ya bring your service blues?"

"Um...well yeah." Sweetie Belle looked at her strangely. "What? I had military functions to go to."

"Good! Put 'em on!" As her friends finished their last bites and went to prepare, Applebloom gathered some food from the stove. She was starving and needed a good meal to start the day. As she sat down, Fancypants leaned in closer to her.

"I must say, Applebloom. I'm positively enthralled with your new outlook."

"Thanks. Ah guess Ah just needed a good perspective check." She replied, taking a spoonful of cereal.

"What do you plan on doing?" The unicorn inquired.

"Ah...Ah don't know. Ah honestly didn't think that through. But Ah have to do something, even if Ah don't know what."

"I trust you'll figure it out. You always do." Looking at the time, he stood up. "Though I'm afraid I must depart soon."

"What do ya mean?"

"Fleur and I decided it was time to leave. She’s upstairs packing as we speak."

Applebloom became disturbed. "But what if Ah need your help? I can't do this alone!"

"And you won't. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle will be by your side. And you do have me. I'm going to Canterlot to see what I can do there. It's high time I did something about the corruption there. Even though we'll be miles apart, you'll still have my aid."

"Ah can't even begin to say hope grateful Ah am to be your friend."

He placed his hoof on her shoulder. "My sentiments exactly." He pulled her into his embrace. After he let go, Fancypants turned around to leave. Before he did, he looked back and smiled. "Remember: take your best shot, Applebloom. You only fail if it's your last." Within minutes the stallion and his companion had left, but his words stuck with that yellow mare.

"Shot." That was it! That's what Applebloom was going to do! Fight fire...with fire!

Devising her plan and calculating everything in her head, Applebloom finished her breakfast and went upstairs. All while she took her shower and brushed her mane and teeth, the filly muttered to herself. Had a group been around to listen, they would be polarized on what to think. Half would claim she was hearing voices, the other that she was a brilliant mind solving a great mystery of the cosmos.

After drying herself, Applebloom returned to her bedroom and opened the wardrobe. She didn't have many different clothes, which made the search for her favorite ensemble all the more easier.

She took the hanger in her mouth and placed it on the bed. A few short minutes later, Applebloom was donned in a black suit. Opening her drawer, she got out her trademark bolo and straightened everything out in a mirror. Satisfied with her appearance, she reached into the drawer again, this time pulling out her revolver.

Ashamed after having used it, Applebloom hid it away. But now she needed it more than ever. Placing it in the holster over her vest, she also got out a few loaded clips to place in her jacket pocket. Diving into her closet again, she produced a fine metal gun case and set it on her bed.

Unlatching the case revealed a rifle, seldom seeing the light of day. Applebloom was not messing around, and this weapon was the most powerful one in her arsenal. The semi-automatic clip loaded wooden stock rifle complete with bayonet was her tool of choice should everything ever go to Hell.

Looks like it was the appropriate time.

Slinging the rifle over her back by its strap, she headed downstairs. In front of the grand doors were her friends. Scootaloo was looking neat and official in her service blues while Sweetie Belle dressed warmly in her coat. The two were quite shocked to see what was on their friend's back.

Looking awkwardly at each other, then at Applebloom, the pair thought for a second. Then, Scootaloo spoke up.

"What do you have on your back?"

"The model 10 .30 caliber semi-automatic gas-operated rifle. Ah got it just outside of Dodge Junction. I woulda thought you'd know that." Applebloom answered nonchalantly.

"I know WHAT it is! I meant WHY do you have it? Why in the world would you bring it?"

"Ah ain't gonna sugarcoat it for y'all. It's gonna be dangerous. There WILL be blood. But Ah've made up mah mind. You can turn back now; there ain't no shame."

"I know nothing we do will stop you from getting yourself hurt. Count me in, whatever it is." Scootaloo saluted.

Sweetie Belle however was very hesitant. She had done nothing particular gritty or violent. In fact she still felt the trauma of the wedding, albeit did her best to hide it. For a time she didn't respond, instead only nervously looked at the ground.

Finally, Sweetie Belle made her decision. "You two are my best friends...I trust you with all my heart. Yes. I'll go." She said, hesitation heavy in her voice.

Applebloom smiled widely. "Alright! We'll take mah automobile." The other two ran out into the cold snowy morning. Before Applebloom followed, however, she noticed her head was uncovered.

A voice called out behind her. "I think you're forgetting something." Turning around, Applebloom saw Jeffery levitating her Stetson. Grabbing it, she looked at her handycolt. Immediately she threw herself at him, wrapping her strong forelimbs around his neck. Had she not been careful, he could've suffocated.

But Jeffery didn't care. His employer...friend whispered into his ear. "Ah'm sorry about your brother."

"Thank you, Mistress Applebloom."

"Will you be fine here?"

"I think I can take care of myself. I have a little something in my room for such an occasion. Now go!"

Not thinking twice, Applebloom donned her hat and rushed off to meet her friends shivering in the cold in front of a black automobile.

Cranking and starting up the engine, Applebloom placed her rifle on the seat and got into the driver's seat. Her friends quickly followed.

"Alright..."Sweetie began. "Where are we going? Wait...you're not seriously gonna go headlong to the East End, are you??"

Applebloom laughed. "No! We're gonna make a quick stop at the hospital, then to one of mah factories."

"Factories? What do we need there?"

"Scoots, if we're gonna deal with this crisis, we'll need ponies. And firepower."

Flooring it, Applebloom drove full speed to her destination, the glow of determination restored in her heart. A shadow of doubt remained, but her confidence did well to suppress it.

Applebloom made a choice then: to either save Manehattan, or die trying.

15. Coalfire

15. Coalfire

"So Applebloom, what exactly is your plan?" Scootaloo asked, concerned over what she had gotten herself into.

"You'll see. Can you call in a friend or somepony from the military to help us?" The yellow earth-pony said, driving down the Manehattan streets on her way to the hospital.

"Um...no. I'm not that high up on the hierarchy. I just perform airshows." Scootaloo then adjusted the radio dials, sifting through the music stations.

During her search for an appropriate song, a news station was reporting on some issue. "―The Crisis in Manehattan―"

The mere split second of what she heard prompted Applebloom to intervene. "Wait! Switch it back." Scootaloo obliged.

"Manehattan Island is now completely under the control of a crime syndicate which has been responsible for the recent tragedy of last Wednesday night when a police training exercise went awry. It is unknown who leads the organization, but it is clear that military action will not be carried out. The Governor of the province had this to say:"

An elderly stallion's voice came up next. The trio was listening intently to him. "It is...regrettable that direct military action cannot be undertaken. The citizens of Manehattan's safety is my primary concern, and force of arms will not...further that goal. However, we are doing everything in our power to diplomatically resolve this crisis."

The anchor resumed speaking. "Almost overnight, these criminals have overrun―" Applebloom couldn't listen anymore, and turned off the radio.

"Well...it don't matter now. We're on our own."

"On our own for what?!" Sweetie Belle asked, thoroughly confused. "You still aren't considering taking them on! Without the military―"

"Actually, this works in our favor." Scootaloo realized. "They're holding the city hostage. They probably threatened to waste the city should any soldiers enter the island."

"But if we intervene, they couldn't. Because then they'd lose their hostage." Applebloom added. "Nothing would prevent the military from pourin' in. Paperwork maybe." She chided.

"They won't see us coming, and once they do, it'll be too late to threaten us. Or it would, if we had weapons, or some kind of battle plan. Or better yet...actual ponies!" Scootaloo shouted.

"And that's where Ah come in. Trust me, Ah got a great plan. Ah just need y'all to help me carry it out." Pulling up along the edge of the street, Applebloom parked the vehicle and got out. "We're here. We won't stay long."

The group trotted up to the hospital and into the lobby. After asking to visit the room where her brother and Babs were staying, Applebloom and company were allowed inside. Out of breath from running all the way, they got strange glances from the ponies in the room.

Ignoring this, Applebloom came up to Big Mac's bed. Rarity was sitting in a chair beside him. He looked fine, and was wide awake. "Howdy, big brother! How ya feelin'?"

"Applebloom! Ya sure sound better! Ah'll be fine. Couple more days, and they'll let me go. Gotta avoid heavy liftin' though. And um...things that could increase mah blood pressure." He blushed. Leaning into his baby sister's ear, the stallion began to whisper. "AJ ain't too thrilled about that. She's gonna have to do all the hard work for a while."

Applebloom chuckled, but immediately ceased upon seeing her sister's angry look. Composing herself, the yellow mare and her two friends slowly approached Babs' bed. Her parents and older sister were sitting beside diligently. Removing her hat, Applebloom looked at her cousin.

Babs was still covered in bandages and hooked up to an assortment of medical equipment. Her heart rate was stable, and she remained unconscious. Applebloom noticed the dark lighting in the room, and reached for the blinds cord.

Scootaloo stopped her from opening the blinds. "Don't. They gave her special medication that makes her photosensitive."

"Has she gotten any better?" Sweetie Belle asked nopony in particular.

"The doctors say she keeps clotting. She's fine, when they come in and help her. She still hasn't woken up though..." Her father replied, tearing up.

"I'm so sorry." Applebloom turned to Babs. "Ah'll make things right. Don't you worry Babs! We'll fix everything, and when you get out...we'll do whatever you want..." She then leaned down and very gently kissed her cousin's forehead.

Rising up, Applebloom placed her hat back on. Walking past her teary-eyed and smiling friends, she went to the telephone. "May Ah use this?"

Mostly everypony nodded. Picking up the phone, Applebloom dialed a number and waited for a response. After a few seconds, a voice answered.

"Hello? This is Backlash, President of Apple Industries, standing in for―"

"Backlash! It's Applebloom! I'm comin' in."

The President did a small dance in his office chair. "Oh thank goodness!"

"Ah missed ya too. Now Ah want you to do some things for me."

"Of course!" He got out a pen and paper.

"Ah want you to tell all our engineers, designers, logistical and materials specialists―anypony who has some kind of expertise to meet me at factory number one.

"Uh...Miss Applebloom, we have orders to fill. Doing that would halt most of our production! Are you sure?"

"Dead serious. We have more pressin' matters right now. Ah'll be there in twenty minutes."

"But―"

"Just do it! Ah want the furnaces hot and the engines boilin'!" She hung up the phone.

Applejack was concerned about what her sister had just ordered. "What was that about?"

"Ah had some directions to give." As she made her way to the door, Applejack placed her hoof on her shoulder in an effort to stop Applebloom.

"Hold on, sugarcube. Now y'all ain't thinkin' about takin' on those ponies, are ya? Don't be a fool, Applebloom. You'll get yourself killed!"

"It's somethin' Ah have to do." Applejack however would still not let her leave.

"No you don't! You ain't gonna go pretendin' to be a hero! You stay right here!"

"AH HAVE TO!" Applebloom yelled, holding back Applejack's hoof. Panting for a second, she continued. "Ah'm the only obstacle between the crime lords and the rest of the city. Ah have the resources to act and do somethin'. If ah don't, who will?"

"Somepony else! You three will not go heading into trouble." Rarity said, fully behind Applejack.

"Ah'm sorry, but Ah ain't a little filly no more. Ah've made up mah mind. You can either support me or not, it doesn't matter. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle? You can still opt out."

The two did think about it for a second, but decided to remain loyal to Applebloom. Sweetie and Scootaloo stepped forward, and stood beside their friend.

Tipping her hat to her sister, Applebloom left, followed by the orange pegasus and the younger white unicorn.

Applejack tried to follow to, in one last effort to convince Applebloom, but McIntosh stopped her. "Let her go. There ain't no stoppin' that filly."

Shedding a tear, Applejack responded with a sigh. "Ah know...but Ah'm sacred Ah won't see her again..."

Just then, Applebloom rushed back into the room, as did Sweetie Belle, and they each gave their sisters a big hug before they "went to war".

Nearly squeezing the life out of Applejack, the yellow mare looked up and said. "Ah'll be back." Smiling, she let go of the farmpony.

The trio then made their way out of the building and back into their vehicle, setting course for Apple Tower for one last stop.

Not long after they had left the hospital, their automobile pulled up in front of Applebloom's executive building. Assuring her friends she'd be very quick, the yellow mare ran off with all haste into the skyscraper, traveling to her office as fast as the elevator would take her.

When Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo saw her reappear not three minutes later, Applebloom was carrying what looked like some kind of scroll. Hopping back into the vehicle, she placed the scroll right beside her rifle.

"What'd you need to get?" Sweetie Belle asked, eyeing the scroll.

"A blueprint. You'll see why soon."

Scootaloo however couldn't wait. She reached for the blueprint and unrolled it. Sweetie peaked over her shoulder. It was the white outline of a rifle. A bolt-action clip-fed rifle. Very much the same as Applebloom's own weapon, but required manual chamber loading.

"A rifle? Why do you have this?"

"Ah told y'all: we need firepower. Ah've been thinking about everything for the past hour or so. This is our best bet."

"So that's why we're going to your factory." Sweetie realized. "So I understand WHY we'd need weapons, but...couldn't you just buy them?"

"Ah thought about doin' that. Problem is though we're...pressed for time. The closest manufacturers are still a good distance away, and an order on the scale Ah intend would take time to make. Not to mention they'd need to get here via train. That's a good three or five days." The vehicle was coming up to a section of the outskirts of town with large buildings puffing out steam and smoke.

"How fast do you think you can do it?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's not a question of how fast; it's a matter of doin' what Ah can in a span of time."

"But you're rich! Surely there's a way to speed it up, with enough money..." Sweetie suggested, looking out at the oncoming industry.

"Ah'm afraid not. No matter how much money Ah throw it something, Ah'd still have to deal with constraints. There's a little philosophy we engineers abide by: resource management. Ah have all the money and materials Ah would ever need for this endeavor."

"But money won't buy ya time, huh?"

"Not in the amount we need, Scoots. Which is why we can't dawdle." Pulling up into a lot filled with other automobiles, Applebloom stopped the vehicle, and stuffed the blueprint into her jacket pocket. "We're here. Everypony out!" Her friends obliged, and walked towards a medium-sized steel building.

Overhead, just above the large shutter doors, read in big red letters "Apple Ironworks." accompanied by an early version of Applebloom's company logo.

Scootaloo suddenly remembered where she had seen that name before. "Is THIS what I think it is? What Rusty was telling us about?"

"Y'all bet! This is where it all started. Nowadays it's factory number one. Come on in."

Following the industrialist, the unicorn and pegasus entered through door into a small office room devoid of anything except a couple naked desks.

"This was mah old office. We don't use it anymore." Continuing through another doorway, the pair was blow away by the sudden shift in size. A large open area about two stories tall covered in a concrete floor. But instead of any machines, couches and tables were set up. A full-fledged kitchen and recreation area completed this curiously decorated shop room.

"Um this looks cozy, but where are all the uh..." Sweetie Belle asked, searching for any places she hadn't looked.

Applebloom responded with a giggle. "This is the worker lounge. Our needs grew too big for this little ol' thing. The real magic is in here." Slowly opening the double doors, the yellow mare's friend's eyes widened.

Just behind those walls was the largest single room they had ever seen. Easily several stories high, girders and catwalks saturating this marvel of modern industrial civilization. The hissing of steam engines and the roar of generators filled their ears. Hundreds of jumpsuited ponies worked tirelessly at their stations, tending to the machines and boilers.

Plumes of fire erupted from giant steel blast furnaces, their molten products pounded into shape by muscular stallions. Small rail tracks carried tons of raw materials and machine parts back and forth to their destinations. Fluttering up into the air, Scootaloo could see several locomotives being assembled by massive cranes.

"This...is..." The orange pegasus began, trying to think of something to say. "Amazing."

"Ain't it beautiful? This is mah pride and joy. Ah keep this factory up-to-date, clean, efficient, and most importantly safe." She wiped a tear from her eye. "You know...sometimes Ah miss grinding pieces of metal or blasting iron in a furnace...but we got more important things to do right now."

Meanwhile, while her friends were still in astonishment, a red unicorn standing on a catwalk noticed her boss, and slipped down some stairs to catch up with her.

"Miss Applebloom! Good to see you! What bring you to Number One?"

"Hey Bessie. Ah've got business to take care of. Ah told all the department heads to come down here. Seen them?"

"Yeah. They went into the executive break room. Said you told them to."

"Alright! Oh! Bessie, these are mah two best friends: Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Girls, this is mah Overseer. It's her job to make sure everything runs smoothly down here."

"Please to meet you both." The unicorn noticed the pegasus' uniform. "Always an honor to meet a soldier."

"Before Ah go up, how's she doin'?" Applebloom inquired, looking up at the factory ceiling.

"Everything's just fine. Nothing broken yet. I won't keep you. Have a nice day, Miss Applebloom!"

"You too." The industrialist tipped her hat before rushing up another set of stairs to the break room. Wasting no time, she opened the door to reveal several dozen suited executives chatting amongst each other. Upon noticing her enter the room, the crowd fell silent. Looking around sternly, Applebloom walked slowly to the desk at the far wall. Her friends followed her, a bit uneasy at the group staring at them.

Taking a seat at the desk, Applebloom leaned forward, hooves on the desk surface.

"Everypony, Ah've summoned y'all here because as you may already know, Manehattan is in a state of extreme duress. Crime Lords have taken the East End."

"Yes, we know." One department head spoke up. "But what are we gonna do about it? We're not soldiers."

"Right. Not yet, at least."

"What are you talking about, Miss Applebloom?" Another head asked.

"The military can't help us. The mobsters would waste their hostages. HOWEVER, we can do something. To keep the military at bay, they'd keep the hostages alive. Ah propose we gather a small but effective force and...invade the occupied city."

A dirty old pegasus came forth from the crowd. "Now, Little Red, you ain't seriously considering we...go to war?"

"Indeed Ah do, Rusty. We're already at war. And what do manufacturers do in a time of war?" Applebloom waited patiently for an answer.

One colt had one. "Um...make weapons?"

"Bingo!" Taking the blueprint from her jacket, Applebloom unrolled it and placed it on the desk. "This is a standard bolt-action rifle. We're gonna put this baby into production as soon as we can. And that's why Ah need everypony's help." She took a deep breath, and gave them the most constricting parameter. "Ah'm givin' us...twenty-four hours to retool the factory and make as many of these guns as we can."

Muttering and gasping permeated the room. The accountants were calculating costs, executives dreading the paperwork, and engineers thinking Applebloom had lost her mind.

"Twenty-four hours? How can we do all that in twenty-four hours? Do you realized how much production we'd lose retooling this factory? Easily thousands!" Her favorite department head, Joint Stock exclaimed.

"Money is no object. We're gonna save the city."

A company lawyer raised his hoof. "Miss Applebloom, it'd take days, maybe weeks to acquire the proper permits to manufacture weapons. Not to mention―"

"I don't care what the law says." The room fell dead silent. They knew their boss was a very moral and law-abiding pony. What madness caused her to forsake such a cornerstone of society?

"Applebloom...?" Sweetie Belle uttered, hesitance thick in her voice.

"Ah've made mah decision. Forget the law. We need to do what's right. Ah accept full responsibility for the company. Therefore if any of y'all have any moral conflicts with this, you may leave." She waited for about ten seconds for anypony to exit. Quite a few looked as if they were about to.

"But before you do go, think about what's at stake. Manehattan is now effectively lawless. The gangs do as they please. Ah ain't gonna abandoned my ethics, but this is an instance where mah heart and the law have an impasse. Ah can't do this alone."

Upon hearing her sincere plight, everypony raised their heads in approval. Rusty smiled at his employer. "Well Little Red, where do we begin?"

"We're gonna be up all night. Tell your families you won't be home for dinner. Legally Ah can't do that, but Ah'll pay y'all double―no! Triple!" The room erupted into thunderous cheers. "Alright. Engineers, you start working on how to properly retool everything. Logistics! We need raw materials. Ah want train cars hauling in metal by the ton. Zinc, lead, iron, copper! We need wood, preferably walnut. And don't forget the gunpowder!" The commanded ponies went off to do their tasks.

"Applebloom, where are you gonna get all these materials?" Scootaloo asked, looking at the map mounted above Applebloom's head.

"Two-hundred miles from here are some minin' towns. They can give us all we need."

"We got a fast runner to bring 'em?" Rusty asked, smirking.

"How's the AI-SI 13/67?"

"Some are under construction on the factory floor. We still have the prototype, though."

"She's in working condition. Go get her ready for launch. Execs! You'll be in charge of makin' sure everypony is doin' their job! Oh and tell the workers what Ah told you. Also that they'll be gettin' triple pay as well." Nodding quickly, the tidy suits rushed off, trying not to get dust on their clothing.

"I'll get right on it, AB." Rusty said flying off.

"What are we gonna do?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Get down and dirty." Applebloom grinned. "Take off anything you don't want getting messed up, and tie up anything you don't want getting in the way."

Applebloom removed her jacket and hat and placed them on the desk. Tying up her mane, she scurried out the room, and down the stairs. Scootaloo took off her own jacket and felt cap, while Sweetie hung up her coat on a nearby rack. Trying to keep up with their fast companion, the two looked at each other, wondering what they had gotten themselves into.

"Oh, and be very mindful of the machinery! Especially y'all's tail; you wouldn't want it gettin' caught in anything. That's why Ah cropped mine. Ya only make that mistake once."

Within the hour, the factory overhaul was in full swing. Invigorated with Applebloom's plight, her workers toiled doing as the engineers directed. Stoking furnaces, hoisting and welding components together, and machining new parts for barrel lathes and firing mechanisms.

Scootaloo, being a pegasus, was well suited to hovering about and making sure the heaviest and largest pieces were in their right place. She conducted her job with the unparalleled efficiency and scrutinous attention to detail.

Sweetie Belle, not being as strong or rugged as the other two, nevertheless found her position beside a grinder smoothing off everything as best she could. Sweetie picked up the craft rather quickly, considering her scant ten minutes of training and practice.

Applebloom herself took a spade and began to feed the massive engines that powered her iron behemoth. Her white sleeves became covered in coal dust, but she didn't mind. The yellow mare was shoveling too fast, some thought. They were frightened by the sudden increase in pressure. The needle was heading into the red region on the gauge.

"Miss Applebloom!" A worker cried out. "The pressure! It's too high! She's gonna blow if it goes any higher!"

"Actually!" Applebloom yelled, trying to be heard over the sound of steam and fire. "The gauge don't go no higher than the boilers can take! The red's just to discourage accidents. But trust me; it'll hold! These babies are made of hardened steel! The same stuff they use on warships! Now come on! The sooner we can finish the factory, the sooner we can start production!"

Meanwhile, racing down the western railroad running from Manehattan Island to Las Pegasus, a brand new shining silver train was hauling dozens of freight cars to the company's main supplier of ore. The conductor blew the train's whistle and cruised down the track at speeds unheard of. The four-hundred mile round trip was estimated to take at least eight hours; plenty of time to get the factory ready.

The hours melted away as the majority of Applebloom's industrial resources were devoted to this one task. The workers each took shifts, sleeping and resting for an hour at a time. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle eventually wound up resting for a bit. Applebloom, however, would not rest nor stop. Even after the boilers were fed and reached optimal pressure, she wandered around to find any other tasks she could do or direct.

By nightfall, the train had arrived with its precious payload. Scores of ponies ventured out and unloaded the raw materials. Iron went to the blast furnaces, the wood to the carpenters, and the other metals to be molded into ammunition.

Molten steel was beaten and shaped into ingots, which were grinded down into the standardized identical parts to be assembled into the rifles. Placed in their wooden stocks, the finished products would be placed in a crate.

Several hours after manufacturing started, Applebloom looked at the first weapon to come off the assembly line, shiny and new. Almost giddy with excitement, she congratulated her employees and returned to work.

All through the night, this makeshift weapons plant churned out as many rifles and ammunition as its improvised infrastructure would let it. By dawn, everypony was very tired, but kept working. When Applebloom declared it was time up, the crates were loaded up onto the distribution trucks by the loading docks.

By then, the factory produced perhaps a couple thousands rifles. Applebloom tested a few to make sure they were in firing order, and they were. After the trucks were loaded, she directed the next phase of her plan: getting them to the citizens.

Kept awake by her sheer resolve, the mare stood outside in the morning light. Everypony was walking out; just awake enough to get home.

"Thank you, everypony. Ah can't tell y'all how thankful Ah am. Take the day off! You've earned it" A small group however decided to stay, each of the ponies in it having taken a rifle.

"Miss Applebloom, if it's alright with you, we'd like to stay and fight!"

Seeing these stallions and mares standing in the snow ready to put their lives at risk to save their city...it brought a tear of joy to Applebloom's eye. She gave a nod of approval. "Apple Tower. We rendezvous there."

The group hitched rides on the truck or their own vehicles. Applebloom walked over to hers to find her two best friends napping on the upholstery. The opening of the door caused Scootaloo to wake up.

"Applebloom...now what are you doing?"

"You'll see. Y'all get some rest for now." Not even bothering to argue, Scootaloo closed her eyes and faded back off to sleep.

Shifting the automobile into gear, Applebloom drove off from the factory. When this is all over, it's gonna be a nightmare to put everything back the way it was, she thought. But for now, she was one step closer. The gangs would rue the day they ever crossed Applebloom or Manehattan.

And she wasn't sure how involved that pink mare was in all this, but she did know one thing:

She ordered the hit, and that would not go unpunished.

16. Applebloom Wants You!

16. Applebloom Wants You!

In the early hours of the morning, when Celestia was just beginning to place the sun above the horizon, a small automobile cruised down the Manehattan streets. On its way towards a very tall skyscraper, it followed a convoy of other vehicles carrying precious cargo.

Applebloom sat in the driver's seat while her two best friends got some well deserve sleep. The yellow mare could persist without it. On one occasion, she had gone nearly three days without any sort of rest. Pushing herself to the limit was a characteristic many of her acquaintances both admired and dreaded.

What if she pushed herself too far?

But quitting was an option Applebloom seldom chose, due in part to her headstrong stubbornness. The point of no return had not yet arrived for others, but it was gone a long time ago for that pony.

Within half an hour, Applebloom pulled up to the base of her building, rendezvousing as planned with the others who opted to stay and fight. Motioning to them, she began to take a box off one of the trucks. Soon, dozens of such wooden crates were stacked on the pavement. The ponies took a look inside each one to determine what was packed in it; the quick nature of their content's construction prevented the crates from being marked properly. Rifles were placed in one area, and ammunition in another.

After the unloading was finished, a few early-morning joggers ran up to Applebloom and her operation, utterly dumbfounded as to why all these crates were piled up along the curb.

Simply confused over this unusual sight, one of the joggers addressed the industrialist earnestly.

"Excuse me...miss? W...why are all these boxes here? You're blocking the sidewalk."

Applebloom giggled. "Go around it. We're gearin' up."

"For what?"

"An attack. Ya see, these crates are full to bustin' with rifles and bullets."

"Excuse me?" The earth-pony stallion asked, genuinely unsure if he heard her correctly.

"That's right. We’re gonna mount an all-out assault on the East End. We're gonna take back the city from the gangs. You interested?"

"Um...uh..." The pony nervously stuttered, afraid he would momentarily be impressed into serving in some rebel army. He did all that he thought he could and galloped off as fast as his legs would carry him.

Applebloom rolled her eyes. "That's just as well. Ah need to find some real ponies." She called out to the beginnings of her freedom fighters, motioning for them to congregate toward her. "Alright y'all! I'm sure we'll find some worthy soldiers somewhere out there! Now go and knock on every door and tell 'em to come here!"

One of her employees raised her hoof. "But Miss Applebloom! It's just barely sunrise. Everypony is probably still asleep."

"Ya mean sleepin' in! This is bigger than any of us. Just do it! Come on! We're burnin' daylight!" After stomping her hoof on the pavement, Applebloom rushed onwards to recruit anypony willing to fight for her cause. The rest followed suit.

A good hour was spent covering several city blocks, tediously knocking on doors and trying to entice tired ponies to answer Applebloom's call. Many agreed to check it out on the condition that they could shower and drink a cup of coffee. When they were ready, over a hundred ponies surrounded the entrance to Apple Tower.

The black-suited mare climbed on top of a box, mentally estimating the numbers. Nice turnout, she thought.

Meanwhile, in Applebloom's vehicle, her two friends were awoken by the sound of a hundred ponies talking with each other. It took a while for Scootaloo to realize her current position: Sweetie Belle had cuddled up next to her, and the pegasus had laid her foreleg around the white unicorn.

The curly-maned filly opened her eye and looked up at Scootaloo, then back down at the uniformed torso directly in front of her. A couple seconds later, the situation was finally made clear. Repelling from one another like the equal poles of two magnets, the pair each hit their head on the windows.

Rubbing the bump, Sweetie Belle awkwardly began to speak. "Uh...how did you sleep?"

"Good...good. You?"

"My back's a little stiff." Sweetie replied, rubbing her lumbar region.

"What's that noise?" Scootaloo asked, shifting her ear around to pinpoint the source of the sound.

Sweetie came towards the pegasus' window and looked at the large crowd gathering just outside. "Looks like Applebloom's got an army..."

"She's living on a prayer if she thinks we can turn this into an effective fighting force." Scootaloo opened the door and climbed out, followed by her unicorn friend. The duo ran over to their optimistic third member.

"Applebloom!" Sweetie cried. "You did it! You actually got together some ponies!"

The earth-pony looked down at the two, rubbing the back of her head. "Ehhh...not quite." Turning back to face the crowd, she cleared her throat. Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, Applebloom began to address the congregation.

"Attention! Quiet y'all! You all probably know why Ah've called you here!"

A gruff unicorn stallion in the group spoke up. "I sure do. We awll heard some country filly came out here askin' for our help fightin' dem thugs over on da Island. I came out here in the freezin' air, standin' in my robe in da snow just to see if dat mare had really lawst her mind!"

The pony's friend laughed and joined in. "Yeah! You're dat Apple...Blossom who runs my cousin's workplace. I heard youse was eccentric, but what makes you think you can take on dese ruthless gangbangers, hah?"

The businessmare adjusted her hat to appear more dignified. "Mah name is AppleBLOOM. And Ah believe, with all mah heart, that we can free Manehattan! This ain't somethin' y'all hear every day, but Ah'm in desperate need of ponies..." She paused, glancing around the crowd. "Ponies who are willin' to go into battle with me."

Immediately the mass of stallions and mares turned into a sea of whispers and conversations. What Applebloom could pick up let her know they understood she was asking them to go to their possible deaths. A shrewd salespony, the yellow mare knew she had to hook them now or risk losing them.

But unlike a sale, this was about something more important than money.

Before Applebloom could convince them, Sweetie Belle joined her friend up on the box. Noticing that many were about to leave, the unicorn summoned the power of her voice.

"Wait! Please, we need your help! Hear us out." The crowd stopped and listened.

"I'm not a soldier, or a Wonderbolt, or a factory worker. I'm certainly not some big name industrialist. I'm not strong or cunning are anything like that. I'm just a singer. I've never shot a gun before, or even so much as thrown a punch. I'm sure Applebloom really wants to tell me to just go back home. I have no business here. I'm sure many of you feel the same way."

A good portion of the crowd was nodding their heads. "But! I've decided to stay. Why? I don't know, to be honest. Maybe it's because I need to stand by my best friend...my sister-in-law. Maybe I've realized I shouldn't worry about myself so much when others are in danger...because right now over a million in the East End fear they might not see tomorrow..."

A few moments passed as the crowd digested Sweetie's words. Then, a mare started shouting.

"We know! I've got family there. The phone lines are dead. I haven't heard from them in days. I...I'm scared...of what they'll do if I cross them."

"Yeah!" Cried another mare. "You know about what happened to the police! They gunned 'em down...in cold blood."

"If we don't do something, though, they'll just keep picking at us because they know we won't fight back."

"It's a catch twenty-two!" The first mare said.

"Yes. There will be blood and suffering. Some of us will be hurt. Some of us even may die. But it's no different from the way things are now. It's only a matter of time before we're at their mercy. There's no point avoiding war...because it's already here." Sweetie Belle was now shaking, her speech causing her nerves to rack. "And...I'm terrified..."

Noticing her friend's energies starting to subside, Applebloom interjected in, fueled by Sweetie's passion. "That's why we have to fight now! Fight 'em here! Show them what it means to mess with Manehattan!"

About a minute passed while the ponies silently thought to themselves. Then, rousing cheers erupted from the audience, but the bulk still weren’t won over.

"Come on! This is y'all's city! This is your home! We can't live in fear! We can't let them bully us!" More joined in the clamor. "Do it! So years later you can tell your children that YOU fought to protect your city! To free your compatriots groanin' beneath the tyrant's hoof! To give the foals not yet born a safe place to live!" The shouts were now so loud Applebloom's ears began to hurt.

"Who's with us?" The very earth shook as the crowd stomped their hooves and rallied around Applebloom and Sweetie Belle's box.

Scootaloo flew up behind her friends. "Looks like we've got the makings of an army."

"Indeed. Ya think ya can whip 'em into shape?"

"I'll do my best, AB. But for that I’m gonna need a lot of leeway. How you setting up your command structure?"

Applebloom smiled. She was sure that Wonderbolt would come in handy. "Ah'll leave that to you."

Scootaloo nodded, and flew out over the crowd. Clearing her throat, she puffed out her chest, wearing the full dignity of her commission.

"Alright, everypony! I am Lieutenant Scootaloo, Equestrian Air Force, Wonderbolt." The crowd fell silent and looked up at her. "Applebloom may be your civilian commander, but I am responsible for turning this group of proud Manehattanites into an effective assault force. Do we have any veterans here?"

About twelve raised their hooves. They were mostly older and less suited for combat. "Good. You will be our company leaders. Now would my company leaders approach this...box, please?" The veterans obliged. "Everypony, split into equal sized groups for each of them. It doesn't have to be exact."

For five minutes each member of the crowd scrambled to find a company to be part of. When they were finished, one of the leaders addressed Scootaloo. "Excuse me, Lieutenant." He asked saluting. "Are you sure we're enough?"

"No. Which is why I want every group to go out and recruit more ponies! Do what you have to convince them. Come on! We've got a lot of rifles to distribute!"

Each unit broke off to different parts of the city. A hundred could cover much more ground in the same amount of time than the dozen or so earlier.

Scootaloo landed softly on the group, please with her work. Applebloom and Sweetie hopped of the crate, and joined their friend.

"Wow, Sweetie...I didn't know you had it in you." The orange pegasus said, referring to the unicorn's speech.

"Yeah." She replied, giggling a bit. "Me neither. How soon do you think you can train them?"

"It takes months to properly train a soldier. Most I can do is teach them to fire and follow orders. We only have one day." She turned to Applebloom. "It'll be sloppy."

"It's the only chance we got. If anypony can do it, it's you."

"I’ll do my best. What's the plan of attack, anyway?"

"We'll go over that with your sergeants once everything is done. Trust me."

"We've gotten this far, Applebloom." Sweetie Belle said smiling.

"Gettin' the weapons and army was the easy part. The actual fightin' is still ahead."

"Then we'd better get to work. First, I think I'm gonna teach you how to shoot, Sweetie." Scootaloo flew over to a crate and lifted off the top. Grabbing the first rifle, she tossed it at the white unicorn. She caught it with her magic, the barrel muzzle inches from her face.

"First rule...NEVER point the barrel at yourself." Scootaloo chastised, turning the gun around so it was pointing at the ground. Sweetie could only give a guilty grin.

Applebloom shook her head in a playful fashion before returning to her inventory. She pulled a large piece of paper from her jacket pocket and placed it on a box. Unfolding it revealed a map of the city. Producing a pen, the yellow mare began scribbling battle plans.

Without reliable intel or really any firm idea what she was doing, this proved a difficult and risky endeavor. But if there was anything Applebloom had going for her, it was a strong gut feeling.

After all, she hadn't gotten to her current position by playing it safe.

By the time dawn had turned to late afternoon, Applebloom's army was ready. Over a thousand ponies were recruited by her original hundred. The company leaders all gathered around Scootaloo as she taught them everything she could about military discipline she could in the short amount of time. They in turn taught the recruits.

The ponies all learned to shoot a rifle and vigorously went through the drills, unloaded of course. By the time the sun was nearing the horizon, the average citizen-soldier could theoretically fire off a round every two seconds of so.

Jogs around the city blocks were made to warm up the ponies. Pegasi exercised their flight muscles and with Scootaloo's help broke their personal speed records multiple time. The training was grueling, but in the back of all their minds they knew it had to be done.

When Scootaloo thought everypony was ready for action, she came back down to the front of Apple Tower. Among the parked vehicles and stacks of opened crates, Applebloom stood still thinking through her plan. The orange pegasus hovered down, looking at her friend.

"Well...Scootaloo..." The yellow mare began, still looking at her map. "We're outta time."

"Perfect! 'Cause I think we're ready. I know it's not much Applebloom, but it's something."

The earth pony glanced up and smiled. "Get your officers over here. We'll go over the plan, and then move out as quickly as possible."

"You got it!" Scootaloo wasted no time and lifted off.

Within ten minutes, the summoned ponies all gathered around Applebloom's map. Sweetie Belle coming up to her side, the Commander waited for all to place their attention on her.

"Alright y'all! Ah think ya know what time it is. Here's the plan: there are twelve companies. Scootaloo gave you all designations, right?

A collective affirmative came from the officers. "Excellent. Groups one through three will approach from the northern bridge. Ten through twelve will go along the southern bridge. Scootaloo and Ah will lead the remainin' six across the largest bridge. We hit 'em fast and hard in the center." Her pen followed the lines she drew, clearly illustrating the operation.

"We tie 'em down in the middle, while the two outer battalions fight their way through and swing on down, surroundin' the gangs. Once we got them smashed against the rocks, we can push forward and take the city. Pick up any ammo and weapons y'all can! They got some real nice sub-machine guns Ah hear.

"And you're sure dis'll work?" One of the older stallions asked.

"If we fight hard enough. Whadya think?"

"It's all we gawt!" Another pony said. "Come on! We're wasting time!"

The group broke off and reported to their units. For the next hour or so, ammunition clips were distributed out to everypony with a rifle. Locked and loaded, the companies all advanced to their bridges. Some were in vehicles, but most had to walk in the cold snow and ice.

Before Applebloom would get into her position, she motioned to her friends. Following their friend, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came to the large building directly behind Applebloom's tower. After turning on the huge number of lights, the trio made their way to a large object covered in a tarp.

"What's this, Applebloom? Why aren't we joining the others?" Sweetie Belle inquired.

"We got a different job than them, and we need the right equipment."

"Job? What job?"

"Ah need to have a word with the mayor, Scoots. While the tough fightin' is happenin', we'll slip past and head to the Capitol."

"How are we going to 'slip past' heavily armed gangs?"

"With this." Pulling off the tarp revealed a large metal vehicle, the likes of which Scootaloo and Sweetie had never seen.

A shining metallic automobile stood, bearing reinforced metal plates and snow tires, the latest headlights and suspension, as well as two large guns mounted atop its frame.

"This is the AI-AV 01/12. Ah like to call it the 'Thunder Runner'. It's entirely constructed out of high-carbon hardened steel, has bulletproof windows, advanced shock absorption, twin mounted belt-fed .50 caliber machine guns, AND even has heated seats."

"Whoa..." Scootaloo said, her jaw literally dropped.

"And it can go zero to sixty in less than a ten seconds. Maximum speed is about...one thirty-two miles per hour."

"Why do you have this, Applebloom?"

"The Army asked me to look into a heavy-duty assault vehicle, Sweetie. It's technically not done and this is only a prototype, but ah have my models built like the real thing. Let's try her out!"

The pegasus gleefully jumped into the armored automobile, much to Applebloom's delight. Their unicorn friend followed suit. Scootaloo however realized that the vehicle had not yet started.

"Um...it's not on. Somepony go crank it."

"No need! It's got this new gadget called the 'electric starter'. All you do is take this key...and turned it right here." Seconds later the engine was revving and the lights came on.

"That's pretty neat, but ponies will misplace the key. Eh...it'll never catch on."

Applebloom just laughed. She then took her semi-automatic rifle off from her back and placed a clip into its chamber. Closing the breech, she fastened the bayonet to the end and placed the rifle safely on the seat. Motioning for her friends to do the same, they each made sure their weapons were loaded and ready to fire.

Rolling down the window, Applebloom had one last thing to do. Reaching into her jacket pocket, she produced a clipped cigar and a matchbox. Placing the cigar in her mouth, she struck a match and lit up, puffing a couple times.

Sweetie Belle looked on with disdain. "Applebloom! Put that out!" The white unicorn tried to reach over to take it away but her hoof was swatted back.

"Don't y'all ever, ever touch mah cigar." Her tone wasn't disrespectful, but serious nonetheless. Next, she stuck out her foreleg. "Come on! You know you want to."

"We haven't done that in years!" Scootaloo objected.

"Do it!"

The pegaus rolled her eyes and laughed. "Fine!" Placing her hoof on Applebloom's, she gestured for Sweetie to do the same. Enthusiastically the unicorn obliged.

In one voice, the three uttered a derivative of a phrase they hadn't said for a long time. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS GANGBUSTERS!!!"

After their cheer, Scootaloo climbed up into the turret on top, while Sweetie Belle sat comfortably in the passenger’s seat, clutching her gun like the lifesaver it was. Blowing a cloud of smoke, Applebloom shifted the vehicle into gear and put the pedal to the metal, showing the true speed capabilities of her new toy.

The "soldiers" Scootaloo had trained were already on their way into position. Soon the three crusaders would join them, speeding along the streets of West Manehattan.

Armed and dangerous, Applebloom's army will have put the Fear of the Almighty into the gangs by the time they were done. And the Mayor would soon know what it was like to have the yellow industrialist as an enemy.

17. One Step Closer

17. One Step Closer

Just as Luna's night began descending upon the city, the single vehicle carrying the three Ponyville Cutie Mark Crusaders alumnae reached its commanding position at the head of the newly formed Manehattan liberation army. Softly roaring motors broke up the dead silence as the members anxiously awaited the "Thunder Runner" to charge into battle.

Looking up at the steel cables of one of the largest suspension bridges in Equestria, then at the starry sky, Applebloom closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Calmed in her inner thoughts, the yellow mare quietly whispered to herself.

"Forgive me." She uttered, barely audible.

Sweetie Belle, sitting in the passenger seat, heard her friend speak. "Who are you talking to?"

Applebloom paused and thought for a second. Then she replied with a vague statement. "Whoever's listenin'."

Taking a puff from her cigar, the pony was about to shift the vehicle back into gear when a rattling sound stopped her. Using her ears to pinpoint the source, she soon realized it was her unicorn friend. Sweetie Belle was shaking in fear, her rifle's components causing a faint tapping sound.

"Are you alright, Sweetie?"

"Yeah...um...Applebloom?" The white pony asked, trying her hardest to calm down. "Do you think...maybe I could drive? I'm sure you're a better shot than me...and well..."

Applebloom gave her a comforting smile. "Of course. Here."

The two swapped places and Applebloom rolled down her window to point her rifle out of the automobile. Sweetie Belle rolled up her window, feeling safer behind another piece of bulletproof glass.

Amid the glow of the dashboard lights, Sweetie moved the stick into "drive" and looked at Applebloom. The industrialist nodded, a stream of smoke coming from her mouth. The unicorn proceeded to press the pedal, accelerating the armored car down the bridge.

As the snow fell, the assembled horde of Manehattanites advanced at the urging of their leader. The dozens of vehicles sped up likewise while the "foot soldiers" galloped or flew full force. Rousing cheers erupted from these brave ponies.

Atop the Thunder Runner, Scootaloo prepped her weapons for an all-out barrage of lead. Squinting her eyes, the Wonderbolt surveyed for a target. As a member of Equestria's esteemed Air Force, she was finally going to engage in the activity she was trained for: actual combat.

The idea of killing another living thing for your country was one the pegasus occasionally had difficulties accepting. She knew the rules of war were different, and deeds must be commited that would be abhorred in peacetime. But enemy soldiers were loyal patriots, little different from her.

However, these mobsters were criminals, who'd gladly kill or steal for money. They tried to kill Applebloom and Babs, and very nearly succeeded. As much as it disturbed her, Scootaloo found it easier to aim the guns at these ponies.

As expected, perhaps twenty or so gangsters stood at the very edge of the bridge, drinking and smoking. They were placed there to restrict entry into the city to supply shipments. Now they would serve as the first line of defense for the massive syndicate that held Manhattan Island in a vice.

Sweetie Belle stopped the automobile right before them, at Applebloom's insistence. What looked like the ringleader, a green suited unicorn, approached it, a smug look on his face.

He directly addressed the red-maned earth pony. "Wow! Dey done gave youse some fancy toys, huh? Don't you come no closer. For every hoof that crosses dis bridge, ten ponies die. Kindly back up. I know the military don't wanna hurt innocent civilians."

Glaring assertively, Applebloom aimed her rifle at the stallion, the bayonet point touching his throat. Blowing a big cloud of smoke in his face, she sternly replied. "We ain't the military. We're just citizens."

The unicorn's countenance shifted from arrogance to fright. He galloped back to his group and seemed to be about to give some kind of orders. Before he could, Scootaloo pointed the dual .50 caliber machine guns at the "bouncers". A few short seconds later, after the sound of gunfire had subsided, all of them laid motionless on the cold street.

The battle had started. The decisive event that would determine Manehattan's fortunes erupted in a burst of gunpowder and blood. Hundreds of gangsters soon poured into the fray, bringing with them very effective weapons. Applebloom couldn't be sure how the other two bridges were doing, but the fighting here was getting intense.

Sweetie Belle kept racing down the streets and boulevards, hell-bent on reaching the Capitol. Quite a few bullets actually hit the windshield, terrifying her. Of course they didn't penetrate, but that made little difference to the filly. An eternity would pass before they finally reached their destination, with each minute agonizingly stretching on for Sweetie Belle.

For the other two, however, things were different. Scootaloo felt everything happening at the speed of light. Having a full three-sixty range of movement on her turret, the pegasus tried her damnedest to alleviate as much as she could the fights other ponies were engaged in. The gangs were outnumbered and likely outmatched, but that did not stop them from landing a few good shots. Ponies did die. Ponies Scootaloo had just met, spoken to, or even trained earlier today. They're lives ended; mangled and bloody corpses on a grim battlefield.

The many apartments passed along the way were not spared the chaos. At the knowledge they were under attack, many mobsters broke into the abodes and drug out hostages. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle could not see much of this inside the cab. Scootaloo had the cruel experience forever engraved in her memory. Wives and children screamed at the top of their lungs when their husbands were taken outside and shot in cold blood.

One bit a solace remained, though. The murderers wouldn't last long as the onslaught of freedom-fighters avenged their fellow compatriots.

These atrocities made Scootaloo furious, and she gunned down any mafiosos with extreme prejudice, especially if they tried to enter a home. Finally, when the ammo belts had been depleted, Scootaloo slipped back into real time, nearly hyperventilating.

And of course during this nightmare ride, Applebloom sat in the passenger seat, smoking her cigar and shooting a very accurate and deadly weapon. Rustic country folk enjoyed a nice gun, and she was no different. But Applebloom was not a soldier, and hadn't worked up the mentality Scootaloo had been trained with. The yellow mare shot many rounds off into the crowds of criminals, but she made no effort to see if anypony was hit. She made no count of her kills. In fact, she didn't even aim at anypony in particular.

For all her building up this army, for all the words she said and the work she did, Applebloom's mind just wasn't where it should've been. Consciously the pony knew she needed to shoot to kill. But something stayed her hoof, and she just couldn't accept that fact. The blood of two ponies was already on her hooves. Could she live with much more?

She was disgusted with herself in having shot those two, regardless of their intentions. As far as reason went, Applebloom was quite aware of the necessity of that act. Emotionally, she could not forgive herself. Her reservations on taking the life of another were very well hidden, to keep morale high. But in the thick of things, they started to show.

Every silenced scream, every sound of a pony hitting the asphalt, Applebloom shed a tear. When her eight-round clip was emptied and popped out, she even thought about whether or not to load a new one. But bravely she soldiered on. This first engagement was over before she knew it, but when the large white capitol building appeared outside the window Applebloom had to take a moment before she got an anxiety attack.

The sound of gunshots was distant here. Scootaloo took short breaths, visible in the cold air. The last rounds had come off from her barrels, the smoke still rising. Grabbing her rifle and flapping down to the ground, she opened the driver's door.

Looking inside, she saw Sweetie Belle still sitting at the wheel. The unicorn seemed zoned-out, staring blankly into space.

"Sweetie." The orange mare asked. "Hey! Sweetie!"

The filly snapped back into reality, jerking her head around to face Scootaloo.

"Are you alright?"

"Huh? Yeah...I'm fine. Just a little...shaken up." Scootaloo smiled and helped her white friend out of the vehicle. Before closing the door, Sweetie Belle levitated her weapon up off the seat and removed the ignition key.

The two hopped over to the other side, prepared to meet Applebloom. To their surprise, the earth pony was still inside, oblivious to the world, her cigar in hoof. She felt a bit nauseous, and was bowing her head, trying to make the illness subside.

Glancing out the window, the concerned looks on her friends' faces prompted Applebloom to exit automobile. She couldn't let any sign of weakness dishearten them. Puzzled and worried, Sweetie and Scootaloo tried to aid the yellow filly, but she gently shoved their hooves away.

"No. Ah'm fine...Come on! We're wastin' time." Slinging her gun, the cowgirl galloped up the steps of Manehattan's center of government, cigar clenched in teeth.

"Applebloom! We can take a breather! It was rough back there and we understand if you need a moment!"

She stopped and turned around, looking down the steps. Scootaloo was truly afraid Applebloom might just give out, sooner than later. "You'll push yourself too hard. A pony can only take so much."

"We can't afford to wait around. Not on mah account. Y'all can stay behind it ya want. Ain't no problem goin' alone." She replied, puffing once more. Dignity was restored to herself, and the ultimate goal still in her eyes.

Little solace was offered in Applebloom's response. Scootaloo knew the truth. That strong earth pony could only steam forth for so long until her "engine" blew. But taking after her idolized captain, the Wonderbolt remained fiercely loyal. Nodding to Sweetie, the pair rushed up the stairs.

Applebloom bucked open the large double doors of the building, causing a large echo to resound inside the vaulted marble room. Before all of this started, the room would have been bustling with politicians, union members, businessponies, interest groups, protesters; really just about any kind of pony.

Now vacant, the trio ran quickly, their hoofsteps painfully obvious. Two "guards" were standing in front of a staircase, preventing any entry upstairs. Upon noticing the three mares careening towards them, they stood up tall and puff out their chests.

"Hey! Stop right there! This area is off limits! If you want to see―" The senior guard was interrupted when Applebloom's bayonet found its end touching his jugular. The other guard was likewise threatened by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle's barrels.

"How many are up there? How many ponies do Ah have to shoot to get to the Mayor?"

Gulping audibly, the terrified guard made it clear he wasn't armed. "It's...just the two of us. Listen, we're just security. Whatever qualms you have with him, we don't know nothing about it.

"What kind of guards are you!?" Scootaloo angrily shouted. "Unarmed and spineless!"

"The Mayor don't need a whole lotta protection: he's just a pawn." Applebloom proceeded to whack the guard across the head with her rifle's stock. Scootaloo did the same to the junior one. They both fell to the ground unconscious.

As they trotted up the stairs, Sweetie Belle looked down at the guards. "Will they be alright?"

"Well..." Scootaloo began. "Blunt force trauma's never a good thing, but they're strong stallions. I'm sure they'll be fine. I'm a little concerned Applebloom broke his skull, though."

Sweetie gave a soft chuckle, and followed the rest up the stairs. Dashing past many empty offices and rooms, Applebloom came to one marked with the Mayor's name. Narrowing her eyes, the industrialist kicked down the door.

Behind it was a lone secretary, just getting ready to return home. When she turned around to see what happened to the door, the light orange unicorn dropped everything in horror at the sight of a rugged, armed pony smoking a cigar. Throwing up her hooves, she began to cry.

"Please! Take my necklace! Take my money! Take everything! Just don't hurt me, please!" She was pleading for her life, mascara dripping from her eyes. She soon fainted, collapsing on the floor.

Applebloom simply rolled her eyes and continued on to the Mayor's office. Busting the door's hinges, she came to a stallion dressed in a blue suit leaning back in a nicely padded chair. He was talking on the phone, not minding the intruders.

"Are you sure? Who would dare do something like that? How many can we spare?...Yes I know!...Of course!..." His eye wandered to the three fillies standing in his office. That eye widened and beads of sweat dripped down his face. "I'll have to call you back."

Hanging up the phone, he sat up straight in his chair. Almost hyperventilating, the Mayor couldn't believe his eyes.

"A...Applebloom! How...is it possible? What are you doing here? Oh no..." The stallion was about the cry. His superiors had assured this couldn't happen.

"Surprised to see me?" She walked closer to his desk and threatened him. "Ah have some questions for you and you better have some answers, because I'm gettin' tired of holding ponies at point-bayonet with no payoff."

"I...I don't know anything! I’m a victim...like you!"

"You're a bad liar. Who're you workin' for? I'm gettin' antsy" Applebloom was of course bluffing, but the Mayor didn't know that.

Scootaloo figured she'd help with the interrogation, and flew up behind him. "I know quite a few ways to fatally shoot a pony but in such a way that they won't die for a little bit. Enough time to make you regret holding your tongue."

Trembling and nearly wetting himself, the stallion struggled to find any excuse that could save him. Then he decided it would probably be against his best interests to try and deceive these mares. "The...crime lords...I'm working for them. I'll tell you everything if you can stop them."

"That's better. First and foremost, why'd you pardon that son'a'bitch Palomino?"

"I...I got wrapped into this when they approached me with the idea of winning the elections every time."

"And in return for fixing the elections, you were willing to overlook some of the things they did, huh?" Sweetie Belle said, the story quite evident to her.

"Yeah. They fixed the council; bribed, blackmailed, threatened; you name it. Everything from legalizing the drugs to pardoning that murderer Palomino. They gave me lots of money and an estate in Western Equestria. You got believe me, I had the best intentions!"

" 'Best intentions' mah ass! What? You thought since you would be mayor for life you could enact whatever laws you wanted to?"

A weak nod from the pony followed Applebloom's outburst. "I wanted to make Manehattan the shining pillar of excellence for the whole country. But now..." He buried his face into his hooves as he sobbed. "I'm an unwilling pawn in all this. I would've gone to police...or Babs Seed."

"Babs is now in a coma because of them. Why didn't you?" Applebloom asked, fire in her eyes.

"Because..." He couldn't follow this up due to his sniffling.

"Because why?" Sweetie Belle interjected, curious about this unrevealed dark secret.

"Their leader...the Donna. She's the most sadistic, cruel...evil pony I've ever heard about. She took over the criminal underground and effectively drove Palomino into servitude. Thank all that is holy I've never met her personally. The things she does...never would I dream of having her as my enemy."

Applebloom now shook with rage. Leaning in closer, she blew smoke into his face. She grabbed his tie and stared the stallion down. "...Who? Who is the 'Donna'?" Thought she already had a pretty good idea.

"The CEO of Rich Enterprises...Diamond Tiara. Whatever challenges her rule is destroyed. Absolutely."

The words rocked Applebloom's very core, and her left foreleg came up, then slammed down, cracking half the Mayor's desk. Dropping her rifle she grabbed his lapels and pressed him against the wall. Her seething fury sent total fear into the stallion.

Scootaloo started to stop Applebloom, but she realized it was all but futile. The vengeful industrialist almost bit her cigar in half as she resumed the interrogation.

"Tell me...where is she? Is she at her headquarters?" The stallion whimpered. "TELL ME!!"

"I don't know." Applebloom raise her hoof, prepared to ram it straight into the Mayor's face. "I DON'T KNOW! I PROMISE!"

"She tried to have me killed. Ah swear Ah'll bring her to justice. And if you dare lead me astray..."

"You have my word. I don't know. They don't tell me much. I'm just another device for their aims."

"Do you know where Palomino is?" Scootaloo asked.

The Mayor's face lit up. "Yes! There's an old motel by the docks!"

Calming down, Applebloom looked at the clock. Almost eight o'clock. It was the best she could get, and she was wasting time. "You better hope Ah find that stallion. Because if Ah don't, you'll be facin' a lot worse things than an impeachment."

"Are you sure? Should we go there?" Sweetie asked.

"Might as well. We can't hang here much longer." Without missing a beat, the trio ran out of the room, leaving the Mayor to cower at his desk.

Outside in the cold, Sweetie Belle hopped back into the driver's seat. Turning the key, the engine revved and she shifted the vehicle into gear. Scootaloo flew up into the turret, while Applebloom resumed her position as side gunner. Sweetie pressed down the pedal as her yellow friend pointed her in the right direction.

The fights down the streets were likely still raging as fierce as ever. But the three mares had another matter to deal with. This was about cutting the head off the snake, slicing the roots and killing the beast. Applebloom had suspected for a while that Diamond Tiara was hiding quite a bit, a duplicitous mare with ulterior motives. She let her guard down, and it cost her dearly.

Applebloom still had questions, and they would be answered in time. But the hardest part would be dealing with that creamsicle-headed tyrant. Would she have to kill her? COULD she kill her?

Anger filled every vein in her body, but nothing could remove that looming hesitation. A price would be paid. In blood or something else; that remained to be seen.

Chest heaving, the Mayor of Manehattan crawled back into his chair, silently weeping to himself. He glanced at his phone, and thought for a minute about what had just happened. That pony who had given this city so much life and prosperity now threatened his position and even his life.

Not just because she had pointed a gun at him not thirty seconds ago, but because if she succeeded in bringing down the crime lords, it would remove him from office. As unlikely as it was, this potential scenario could very damaging to those who grew very comfortable under the new regime.

Not to mention the wrath of a certain pink psychopath. Something had to be done to protect himself. Picking up the phone, he dialed a number he seldom ever dialed, or even dared to.

Placing the mouthpiece to where the receiver could hear, he summoned whatever courage he still had and waited for the line to pick up.

After what seemed like an hour, a voice finally sounded through the other end. A sultry, calm voice that on the surface would be soothing. To him, it was pure horror. "Yes, Mr. Mayor?"

18. Bait and Switch

18. Bait and Switch

Somewhere in the city of Manehattan, an affluent pink mare sat in a comfortable padded chair. On her desk stood a fine crystal glass of brandy and a porcelain ashtray, as well as a telephone set. Currently the phone itself was held up to her ear, the pony anxiously awaited whatever her crony had to tell her.

The Mayor, to be perfectly fair, wasn't quite an underling. He was a valuable asset that served to insulate her from debilitating threats. Or rather...he did. The old stallion had kept the law away from Diamond Tiara long enough to ensure the law could not touch her even without his help. Now she controlled the city, behind the scenes. Masked by cigarette smoke.

He was no longer important and therefore valuable resources would not be spent protecting him. His fate didn't matter anymore. Live or dead, this was immaterial.

But while he remained firmly under her power, he could serve well as an agent reporting whatever he felt she needed to know. The Mayor was cowardly enough to comply, lest a bullet find its way into his body.

Taking her glass and sipping the drink, Miss Tiara listened carefully to the words coming from the speaker. Her right-hoof mare Silver Spoon sat in a similarly comfortable chair, watching the face of her magenta friend. As time went on, the large white smile on her face faded to a frown of worry and perturbance.

Silver Spoon had known Diamond Tiara long enough to realized the pony was very distressed. However well she tried to hide it, the truth was readily obvious.

After the Mayor was finished speaking, she gave a calm response. "And...you say she's...on her way to the docks?"

"Yes ma'am." He answered.

"Thank you for telling me. We'll make things right. Call me if anymore developments occur." Before he could reply, she hung up the phone. Taking another drink, she stared blankly into space.

A few moments later, she began tapping her hoof on the desk, anger starting to make itself shown.

"It seems...Silver, that our dear Applebloom...has just paid the lawfully elected Mayor of Manehattan a visit. What's more, a large assembly of ponies has taken upon itself to 'fight back'." Diamond took a couple deep breaths. "She did it...I'm...impressed, really." A deranged smile appeared, only to return to ire.

"What do we have to do? You said it would be enough―"

"I know what I said! And evidently it was wrong. She bounced back. All Hell broke loose, and she still had the GUTS to push back. What can't this mare do?"

Silver Spoon looked at her best friend in this current state. Gritting her teeth and gazing at a picture of her late father, the pink pony shed a few tears.

"It's not fair. How? HOW!?" Silver Spoon had endured enough of Diamond Tiara's fits of rage to know she shouldn't fear; not that it eased her nerves. "I have Babs hospitalized...I break her...and yet she comes back for more! Isn't it enough that she's...'Applebloom'? That she has more money than me? She's more successful! I was born to wealth! She's just the spawn of farmers! But that...BLANK FLANK! How?!"

Silver Spoon remained silent as Tiara took the photograph in her hooves. Staring at it pulled up repressed emotions. "My...father always told me it was lonely at the top. He said it was tradeoff of success... But her. She has friends. True friends! Ponies like her! They LOVE her! Even I―My 'friends' fear me. Hers are sincere." Now shaking with raw, mixed emotions the mare placed the picture frame back on her desk. "And just for one...final blow, she has a loving family, while my own father has passed...away. All I have is you, Silver."

The grey pony stood up and smiled at her friend. "I know how you feel about all this...about her. Are you...having a change of heart?" Silver's response was strangely enthusiastic.

Almost as if she were bipolar, Diamond's expression shifted to sinister delight. "No...not at all. I understand how you could arrive at that conclusion. I cannot have what she has...so I must give myself more. Money has gotten us so far...I think it can get us a little further. We have to end this now. We have to ensure Applebloom cannot interfere any more than she already has. No loose ends. The Mayor’s slip of information can give us a decisive advantage after all."

"How? Where is she?"

"She's headed towards Palomino's motel. He may have one more good use in him yet."

"What if she's already arrived? What if when we get there, Palomino's already dead?"

"He might be. We'll just seek her out again. We'll be relentless. I WILL apprehend her. Too much is at stake." Diamond Tiara went over to a coat rack and donned the winter garment.

Silver Spoon did likewise. "I thought we were immovably entrenched. One pony can't change that. I know Applebloom isn't―"

"She'll find a way! Against all odds she's acquired wealth, power, respect...we cannot be too careful." As the pair left the office room, Diamond dealt with her anxiety. There was one thing that threatened her. The military couldn't touch her. She tied them up with bureaucrats she paid off, not to mention holding Manehattan hostage. The Police were incapacitated, even though the chief she pulled strings to appoint was dead. The law itself bent to her whim.

Even the Princesses were bound by various measures. She had done the impossible and set up a criminal empire COMPLETELY inaccessible from any and all powers wanting to disassemble it. Unmolested the magenta Donna could rule however she saw fit.

BUT, one obstacle remained. Applebloom possessed the resources, the reason, and above all the determination to stop her. THAT is why it was so imperative to disable the industrialist. It didn't work, and Applebloom had apparently formed a sizable resistance. The 'liberators' could be put down.

However, that mare could raise another army. And another. Diamond Tiara knew this well. It was all she feared.

This was about securing her position, and also some...personal matters that needed to be resolved.

On their way to that motel, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon took a slight detour to oversee a very important move in this game for Manehattan. When the automobile had arrived, the chauffeur opened the rear door and helped his employer and friend out. As the armed guards followed suit from their own vehicles, she led them to the rim of a large concrete depression.

The smell of seawater was unmistakable. This structure was accompanied by a series of buildings and piles upon piles of metal sheets and cables. One of the buildings read very clearly "Apple Industries."

This was one of the company's dry docks, drained for the next ship to be constructed and christened. A skeletal line of steel beams rested along the bottom. Diamond Tiara looked into what was being built here: some new warship for the Equestrian Navy. She didn't really care about the specifics, but she knew how important it was. VERY expensive to make, and therefore...replace.

Giant lights illuminated the workplace, allowing the nightshift to do their job well. Nighttime jobs paid much better working for Apple Industries. Soon, those workers would regret their decision to take this shift.

Lined up against one of the walls were a couple dozen ponies, all held there at gunpoint by several stallions armed with sub-machine guns. Diamond Tiara galloped down and smiled widely. She approached one of the ponies, overlooking her latest "prey".

"And...are these who I think they are?"

"Yes, Donna. Rebel leaders. Ones from a couple days ago. None from what's goin' down by the river. Also, we rounded up da workers, just like youse told us to. And da place is rigged too."

"Good work! Keep them here for a bit longer. I just remembered I have a phone call to make." The pink mare and her friend proceeded to the manager's office. Throwing off all the stacks of papers, Diamond found the phone. Dialing the number, she waited for a response.

After a couple seconds, a very broken pegasus answered. "Yes? Who is this?"

"Palomino." The former boss recognized the voice immediately. "Applebloom is stopping by for a visit. I say we join you two. Keep her occupied and the conversation...interesting. Get her nice and riled up. We're about to follow through with our first major blow to Apple Industries. And...don't touch her. I don't want to punish you again. We'll be there soon."

"Understood..." He weakly affirmed. The once-mighty crime boss had lost all free will, and did whatever he was told. To resist was pointless.

Hanging up, Diamond Tiara left the office and returned to the hostages. Her business done, she prepared to give the orders.

Before she could, however, a beaten unicorn cried out, tears in her eyes. "Please! Can we go home? I want to see my family!"

Nonchalantly, the pink terror came closer, sending fear into the filly. Glaring at her, Diamond patiently awaited another statement.

"We...We haven't done anything wrong! Please let us go! Please..." The unicorn was now crying, and her fellow hostages joined in.

Diamond Tiara lifted up the mare's face so their eyes met. "Ooooh...I know, I know. And it's because you're so innocent that you'd be perfect for this. If you were criminals, nopony would care. Especially that yellow mare you call...boss. And of course some dissenters among you need to be dealt with."

The demented pony gave the unicorn a soft kiss on the cheek then backed up behind her guards. "Go to town." Silver Spoon looked away.

In a blinding flash of muzzle blasts, all the armed ponies unleashed their fury on these defenseless mares and stallions. When they had their fill of bloodshed, the gangsters let the dead bodies fall to the ground.

Diamond summoned her guards back to their vehicles. "You!" she shouted to the others. "Head over to the bridges and see how many you can contain. Your magazines better be empty when you get back!"

Silver Spoon quickly climbed into the limousine, trying to forget the previous minute or so. Before Diamond Tiara joined her, the pony called out to the guards. "We'll be going to Palomino's place! There's a very special guest I want to welcome to my city. Not her or her friends are to be harmed. If even one hair falls from her head...I will repay the inflicted damages with interest."

Nodding in affirmation, her entourage returned to their automobiles. Closing the door, Tiara's chauffeur resumed his driving, heading towards the aforementioned destination. Once the group was a good several hundred feet away from the dry dock, Diamond Tiara produced a small device with a bright red button.

Turning to Silver Spoon, she grinned malevolently. "And so I make my first move of the Second Act."

All over the dock, tons of TNT, dynamite, and whatever other explosives Diamond Tiara could procure were all connected to a remote-control detonator. Hours had been spent setting up this giant bomb. Everything from the large cranes to the drains was rigged to blow. It was all calculated to cause serious damage.

A button press later, the great sound of a thousand explosions erupted, sending shockwaves out in every direction. A massive plume of fire burst from what was once a dry dock, throwing hundreds of tons of steel and concrete into the air. The spectacle could be seen from all points of the bay, casting an orange reflection on the water.

When the smoke had cleared, the charred remains of the concrete structure crumbled onto the ground, broken and twisted into a mass of ruins. The material damage was not irreparable, but the dead workers would linger like a bad memory.

A memory that would take hold in the mind of Applebloom once it reached her ears. The time for head games was over. The true extent of Diamond Tiara's plan was just beginning to blossom. By its end, that yellow pony would beg for death.

Sitting in the turret built atop the Thunder Runner, and orange Wonderbolt saw a faint light in the general direction they were driving towards. A loud sound soon followed, like the massive boom of a fierce storm. That's odd, Scootaloo thought. There usually aren’t storms like that scheduled during winter. As for the light, it could be anything really. A lighthouse, a faulty streetlamp; it didn't strike her as something she needed to pay any attention to. And in some ways, it wasn't.

Shaking off this little anomaly, Scootaloo looked forward at an old sign. In its heyday it might have read "motel". But now the vowels' neon lights were burned out. The building itself wasn't much better. Dilapidated and crumbling, boards covered the broken glass of old windows, their shudders falling off by the hinge.

Sweetie braked the automobile on some grass outside the motel. Keeping their weapons close, the three fillies hopped out and nodded at each other. Applebloom glanced at the paint peeling off the walls and frowned.

"Ya know, from what Babs told me about this guy, he was real rich. Ah wonder if he works outta here against his will. You'd think an old mafia boss would care about his place of business."

"Maybe it's inconspicuous enough that nopony would suspect he worked here." Sweetie said.

"Whichever the case, he better be in there." Scootaloo replied, loading a cartridge into her chamber.

"Ah'm very excited to meet him. Ah've heard some stories. Let's see if he lives up to them." Applebloom approached the door and removed the cigar from her mouth. Now spent, she threw it on the ground and kicked the door open.

Applebloom frankly was disappointed. All that was immediately inside was a golden pegasus stallion, sitting in what looked like a wheelchair. He wore a very depressed expression, and sat there listening to a small portable radio. A dim lamp was all that illuminated the room, and the broken windows caused the motel lobby to be quite chilly. Curiously, nopony threatened the trio.

Huffing, her breath visible in the cold air, Applebloom laughed a bit. "Don't tell me she thinks you’re not important enough to guard either!"

He looked up from fiddling with the contents of his desk to give a pathetic look of resignation. He said nothing.

"So...this is the great Palomino? The pony who ruled the Manehattan underground since before Ah was born? Babs said you were quite the adversary. Ah just don't see it."

"Why do you mock me? Can't you see I've suffered enough?"

Applebloom grit her teeth. "Not yet you haven't. You sent two ponies to kill me and mah cousin. They were lousy shots. Now, the only reason I'm not paintin' the wall behind you red...is because Ah have some questions."

"Didn't you do dis with da Mayor?"

"We'll do it a thousand more times. However many it takes." Scootaloo proudly pronounced, her barrel aimed at his head. "Where's your boss?"

"Do you three intend to stop her?"

"...Well...that part's...unclear." Sweetie admitted. "Wait! We'll be asking the questions!"

"You can't stop her. I once tried to." He began rolling himself out from behind his desk. Immediately he raised his hooves to declare that he was unarmed. Rolling forward, he revealed his lower half. Covering his hind legs was a blanket; more reminiscent of an old man than a fearsome crime lord.

"If it means anything, I gawt a lotta heat for trying to kill you." Applebloom found no comfort in this, instead reminded of the painful state of her dear cousin. "She shot my kneecaps. These ones are FAKE!"

"It's what you deserve." Scootaloo hissed.

"And who are you to make that cawll? Diamond Tiara...that pony...took everything from me. My power, my money, respect, my loyal employees. It's like she lurked in da shadows, and by the time I realized what was goin' on...it was too late." He sighed, resting his head on his hoof. "She did da same thing in takin' over da city. You can't win, Applebloom."

"It looks like Ah did a hell of a lot more than you in tryin'!"

"And where will dat get you?" Palomino wheeled himself back behind the desk. "You can cause a dent, but once it’s dealt with, everypony you signed up, well dey'll be executed. She has no mercy. The point of mere deterrence is over. Diamond Tiara wanted me to kill Babs so you'd give up. I figured I'd just end the threat altogether by gettin' you too."

"And a lot of good that did you. Nopony messes with our family!" Scootaloo interjected.

"You're a military mare right?" He asked, a slight grin growing on his face.

"Yeah!" Scootaloo huffed, not letting up her gun.

"Tell me dis: what happens when one pawrty wants to avoid conflict with another? What do dey do?"

"Hold them off with threats of force."

"Or demonstrate dat force. But what if dat fails? What if da pawrty cannot succeed in keeping the others out of the way?"

Scootaloo thought for a second. Almost on cue, Sweetie Belle pieced it together.

"War." She said flatly. "Whatever they can to win."

"I'm afraid Diamond Tiara decided to turn da war with you hot a while ago. I understand, Applebloom, you have a dawck somewhere 'round town."

Disturbed and frightened, Applebloom nodded. She was scared to find out where the stallion was going with all this.

"How many worked at dis place?"

Mentally recalling those documents and rosters, she paused and realized what he meant. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came to the same revelation soon after.

"No...it can't...she didn't...no no no..." Applebloom was holding back tears, about to erupt in rage and sorrow. "WHY! They didn't do anythin'!"

Scootaloo remembered the light and thunder from earlier. She decided to remain silent, not wanting to upset her friend anymore.

"I told you. Ain't no way out." Applebloom slowly thrust her rifle closer to the pegasus' neck, the bayonet blade cutting some hairs covering the skin. She was done "dancing" with this pony. Now she wanted nothing but answers.

"Where is she? Where is Diamond Tiara?"

"I wouldn't want to trouble you with dat." Palomino slowly reached for the pistol strapped to the underside of his desk.

"You have until the count of five. Five. Four..." Applebloom was deadly tired of playing games. She was very serious about shooting this miserable pony. Or at least she thought she was.

Palomino saw out of the corner of his eye a small shape approaching the motel through the open doorway. "She's a fool for letting you live." Lightning fast he yanked the gun out and prepared to shoot. Applebloom's mind wasn't fully committed to take the shot, and as a result she hesitated.

Luckily Sweetie Belle noticed him and reacted quickly enough, swinging her rifle around to bash Palomino's face. The blow knocked him to the side, causing the bullet to miss Applebloom's vital areas. But it still grazed her right foreleg.

Before the three could follow this up, a voice called out. "Drop your weapons!"

All of the sudden the room became filled with large muscular stallions, aiming rifles and sub-machine guns at the trio. They had no choice but to comply. Palomino wiped the blood from his mouth, looking at the pink mare entering the room, followed by her silver companion.

"Applebloom! Darling!" Tiara cried out. The yellow pony turned around slowly to face her. She winced a bit at the pain in her foreleg. "Aw...are you ok? Let me have a look."

Applebloom's anger reached its boiling point. There she was. That pony who had caused all this trouble. Wasting no time, she drew her revolver and pressed its muzzle against her head. However, Diamond Tiara wasn't scared. She wasn't even shaken.

"Put that away. Please. You aren't fooling anypony."

Trembling from the adrenaline rush, Applebloom pressed harder. "Ah don't care about your guards. Before they get me, you'll be a red spot on the floor."

Diamond just laughed and smiled deviously. "You know you won't. If you're going to shoot, shoot already!"

No matter how much her brain commander her foreleg, Applebloom couldn't follow through. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked on nervously.

"What’re you doing! Shoot her!" Scootaloo shouted, her legs now being held by a brutish stallion.

"She won't do it. Because if she was going to, Applebloom already would've." Diamond Tiara glared at Palomino, still holding his pistol. "I'll deal with YOU later."

She took Applebloom's weapon and left the mare to silently sob to herself. "How about we all reconvene somewhere less...awful! But…let's keep it a surprise."

"What do mean by―" Sweetie Belle began, only to black out as something hard hit her in the back of the head. Before Scootaloo could do anything, the same sort of blow caused her to collapse unconscious on the floor.

Smiling in unfettered cruelty, Diamond Tiara removed Applebloom's hat and softly stroked her red mane. Admiring the delightful scent, she leaned in closer. "We can talk there, my dear." The yellow earth pony's eyes didn't leave the floor. Glancing at the wound on her "friend's" foreleg, Diamond Tiara took her hoof and jammed the edge inside it.

It stung Applebloom, and the magenta pony keep pushing harder until the victim couldn't take the pain anymore. Her adrenaline rush had subsided, and she fell down.

Wiping the blood of her hoof, Diamond Tiara gave the order to bring the four ponies with her, finally having the much coveted prizes in her possession.

As she left, the Donna wondered just how much entertainment she could extract from the unicorn and orange pegasus. Just how loyal would they remain to Applebloom once they learned what it entailed?

19. Blood Diamond

19. Blood Diamond

The worst images she had ever seen filled her view. Scenes of death and violence burned themselves into her mind, unable to be ignored. She could not close her eyes, no matter how hard she tried. She could not get away, no matter how fast she ran; Applebloom merely slipped and left herself exposed. Applejack, Big Mac, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo...all of her dear friends and family wailed in agony, blaming the yellow mare for their suffering.

And finally, when the shadows were peeled back, a large white smile gleaned upon her. A gunshot later and Applebloom began her plummet. A fall that ended once she struck a hard surface.

The shock caused her to catapult back into reality. The world jolted into sight, and she screamed. Hyperventilating, anxiety overtook her mind. She found she could not move her hooves; they were fastened somehow to each other against a hard wooden object; a chair. She also discovered her hat and jacket both were removed, and the contents on her pockets probably emptied.

Weakly looking to each side, Applebloom saw her two best friends both tied to similar chairs. They looked unharmed and they were conscious. Moving her head up, the pony's eyes widened when she saw a pink filly sitting on a nearby table, waving Applebloom's own revolver.

"Ah...you're awake! I must admit I was a tad disturbed when you started convulsing. Must've been a bad dream."

Applebloom was breathing so hard it was difficult for her to speak. "W...W...Where are we? How long..."

"Oh you're here in my office. You were out for a couple hours. It's just a bit past midnight." The magenta mare noticed her captive was trying to break the ropes that bound her forelegs. Smiling deviously, Diamond Tiara hopped off the table and approached Applebloom. "There's no use. I don't care how strong you are...you cannot break these ropes. I've had them enchanted by Grey Eminence here."

Appearing out of the shadows was a slender grey unicorn, levitating a cigarette he periodically brought to his mouth. Scootaloo recognized this stallion in a matter of moments.

"You! You're that fan! From the derby!"

"I'm flattered you remember me. I still have that autograph." He replied, smiling in a fashion similar to his boss.

"Grey Eminence has been a major help in all this. And just so you have the closure, Scootaloo, he did put that sedative in your water bottle. Worked like a charm." Diamond Tiara sat back down on the table, and admired the quality of the weapon she had.

"This is a nice revolver, Applebloom. Custom made?" The industrialist just glared, only to be ignored by the Donna. "It even has a replica of that graffiti you call a cutie mark. I'm genuinely surprised you've manage to acquire one." She sneered.

Snapping her head to the side, Diamond Tiara aimed the revolver at a pitiful pegasus being held in the corner. His muzzle was bloody, and the gauzes around his knees were tattered. Palomino could not stand up on his own, his two hind legs largely useless. And he had not the strength to fly.

Diamond however wasn't satisfied with a gunshot. She placed the revolver back on the table and walked towards the stallion, making sure the Cutie Mark Crusaders could see.

"I told you, time and time again, Palomino...Applebloom was not to be touched. Look at her." She gestured to the earth pony. "Look what you did to her foreleg." Turning her head, Applebloom noticed a bandage over her left leg, blood clearly having been absorbed by it. "And yet...you've tried TWICE! I'm lucky she's alive. And because you didn't actually kill my dear Applebloom...well..."

She stood over him, and grabbed his necktie. "I'm still going to have to punish you." She threw him to the ground, the old pony crying in pain as he struggled to get up. "I paid for your knee surgery just so you could disobey me?" She kicked him hard in the stomach, destroying all progress he made in standing up. "I save you from incarceration and likely execution. I fund you. I do all these things, just for you, and you have the GALL to go against my word."

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and especially Applebloom looked worriedly at the stallion, and what Diamond Tiara was doing to him. To what extent was she going to harm him, and would she do the same to them?

"I...I did it..." Palomino fought to say. "Because she would only trouble you later. You think...you can neutralize her." He looked straight at Applebloom. "But I know ponies like dose three. The only way to stop 'em is a bullet. I did what you were too arrogant to do."

Revealing just how unstable she had become, Diamond Tiara started shaking in rage. She brought down her hoof on his ribcage in a harsh stomp. "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" Another stomp, causing bones to break. A third one and Palomino was coughing up blood. He used all the strength he had to stand up, and he was crying and wheezing vehemently.

"OH! You're crying?! I thought you had some balls!" She delivered a kick into his groin, the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Diamond Tiara then positioned her hoof over his head, ready to end this miserable pony.

It took her friend sitting on the sidelines to stop the cruelest mare in Manehattan. "Diamond! He's...he's not worth it!" Silver Spoon ran up and held her friend back, tears in her eyes.

As quickly as she snapped, the pink mare smiled warmly and swept back the stray strands of hair that had fallen down her face. "You're right! Guards! Take Mr. Palomino out for some fresh air. I'll join him in a bit." The guards drug off the broken stallion back into the darkness. "Our real guests are these three."

Diamond Tiara took an apple and a fancy-looking knife off the table. Cutting a slice, she ate the piece of apple and offered some to her "guests". They refused with horrified stares.

"I told you Applebloom. They were coming. You should've done the smart thing."

"Ah already had this conversation with you: Ah did the right thing."

"And where did that get you? Tied to a chair at my mercy." Tiara laughed gloatingly.

"What was the 'smart thing'?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I offered your yellow friend a partnership. I spent so much time making nice with you, Applebloom. I wanted to make you feel comfortable around me. It's probably very obvious, but her financial resources could do wonders for my little operation."

"What're you talking about? All that money you gave out for brides; what do you need Applebloom for?" Scootaloo shouted, furious at being tie up.

"It's true. I did everything I could to set up city council. I bribed them, threatened them and of course blackmailed them. You all know this. I needed them to...alter the law. I needed Palomino's criminal underlings, and he proved useful as a vassal. They could aid me in securing all those little companies, including Amber Foods." She leaned closer to Applebloom. "And...I did kill Mr. Amber. That was on a need to know basis, and well...now you know."

"You filthy...rotten...y'all better hope Ah don't get loose!"

"Don't worry. Anyway...all those expenses caused me to go into the red; I'm sorry I'm not a billionaire. When company owners overstayed their welcomes...I removed them. I needed the funds. And I just had to cheat in the derby." Winking at Scootaloo, Grey Eminence took a drink from a water bottle. "I really must thank you and that pleasant gent Fancypants. Thanks to the two of you, I procured 9 million bits from that race."

Gritting her teeth, Applebloom replied. "That...was meant...for charity. And you used it for murder."

Diamond Tiara pouted innocently. "Not necessarily. I never wanted to involve you like this, love. But it seems one way or another, it was fated. Babs Seed got in the way."

"Quite right, I'm afraid." Grey Eminence said, shaking the ashes from his cigarette. "She stuck her snout in places it didn't belong. She started investigating everything going on with the politics. Had we left her alone, well...she might've caused some potent damage." He took an apple slice offered by Diamond Tiara. "But wouldn't you know it, both ponies we sent to do her in failed."

"But all's well that ends well. The plan was flexible and we adjusted ourselves. And, I think you three know what happened after that."

"Stupid villains telling us everything. You're just setting yourself up for failure." Sweetie spat, trying to talk herself up.

"I'm telling you this...because I want you to fully grasp exactly whom you're dealing with; what lengths I shall go to in accomplishing my goals. There's no way out. No gaps in the wall, no weakest link, no trick up your sleeves. I've sealed every crack. I've made it impossible for you to prevail."

She turned back to Applebloom, still grinning. "In truth, I feared you. I know you could stop me. So I've tied you down. But I don't want to kill you three." Diamond Tiara moved up to the yellow pony's ear. "I want to have some fun." She whispered.

Heart pounding, Scootaloo hesitated. "What do you mean?"

Diamond Tiara grabbed Applebloom's tie and pulled her forward, careful to balance the chair on two legs. She wiped the dirt and soot from the earth pony's waistcoat, wanting her object of affection to look nice and pretty. In her other hoof was the knife, a fact that terrified Applebloom.

The knife was not used...immediately. For better or worse, Diamond Tiara pulled Applebloom into a kiss. The despicable act as met with hostility, making the kiss that much sweeter.

Eyes closed, Diamond Tiara admired the taste of her lips, their flavor exactly as she imagined. Her bliss mutated into masochistic delight at Applebloom's playful contribution to the kiss. As Diamond Tiara pulled away, she yanked her tongue from the victim's mouth. It was bloody; bitten hard by Applebloom.

Diamond Tiara could only laugh. "Hahaha! You like it rough, don't you?" Applebloom spat the remaining blood in her mouth at its owner. Wiping it from her face, the demented mare wandered around the back of the chair, readying her knife.

Silver Spoon cringed, and she bowed her head. Grey Eminence looked with the same sadistic glint in his eye as the Donna.

"My turn." Diamond positioned the knife just above Applebloom's right temple. Trembling, the pony felt the blade sink into her skin, carving a path down her cheek. Tears streaming from her eye mixed with the blood and dripped onto her shirt, then the floor.

It was a special kind of pain, the kind so small that it felt the worst of all. The cut was slow and Diamond Tiara savored each bit of skin to be split open along the blade's path.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo could not bear the sight and their friend's whimpers of pain. The white unicorn yelled for mercy, crying in pure empathy. "Please! Stop it! Leave her alone!"

Diamond Tiara removed the knife from Applebloom, having just gotten to the base of her jaw. "Oh! I think Sweetie Belle's feeling left out."

The unicorn shook her head fiercely, realizing what she brought upon herself. The magenta sadist just walked slowly toward her next indulgence. "This knife is very special, you know. The blade is encrusted with...diamonds." She cackled. "Cost a pretty penny...but so worth it. Because I lied earlier. There is one loose end to tie up."

She placed the edge about two-thirds the way up Sweetie's horn. "Nothing is stronger than diamonds." The slicing lasted mere seconds, but it might as well have been hours for the unicorn. The knife cut straight through some of the most sensitive nerves in her body. When it was done, the amputated tip fell on the floor, pinging on impact. The lack of major blood vessels kept the bleeding low, but agonizing nonetheless.

Sweetie Belle cried and stomped her hooves however much she could. Her magic wasn't exceptionally strong, but now she found she couldn't utilize it at all. A faint spark and it fizzled out.

"Excellent. But Scootaloo, don't think I've forgotten about you."

"What can you do to me, that's worse than...what you did to Sweetie?"

Tiara's pearly white teeth shown in her latest smile. "What's the worst thing you can do to a Wonderbolt?"

"You wouldn't..."

Without speaking, Diamond placed the blade over one of Scootaloo's wings. "I wonder if this can cut through bone." Making sure the orange pegasus was convinced her wings would be cut off, Diamond Tiara laughed and grabbed the wing itself. "I'm only kidding. But not entirely."

Looking at the proud long flight feathers, Diamond Tiara took the knife and randomly cut some off, ensuring the pegasus would remain earthbound for quite some time. She then serviced the other wing, allowing the severed feathers to gently float down.

Scootaloo was trying to retract the appendages the whole time, but Tiara proved too strong, Scootaloo's energy reserves running dry at this point.

Admiring her work, Diamond Tiara went back to the table and placed the knife on it. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. I didn't let you have fun like the others." Maybe in her jaded view of reality, she was sincere. "But don't worry: I won't forget about you. Anyway―"

Just then Applebloom blurted out, sobbing and blood trailing down her head. "WHY?! WHY ARE YOU DOIN' THIS?! Why me? Why us? Just kill us! Just let it be done."

This was the moment Diamond Tiara had been waiting for. Applebloom was finally reduced to a broken shell of a mare. Now it could begin. "But I don't want to kill you."

"Then...torture me and me alone! Leave them alone! They don't deserve any of this."

"I did all this for naturally money and power...but you, Applebloom. You're the exception. It's clear I cannot have you. Fine. So I will destroy what I can't obtain. Your friends must suffer. Your family must suffer. Your employees must suffer."

"Is that why you killed them!? To settle some unrequited feelin's with me?!" Applebloom yelled. "Destroy me then! But let them be!"

"You don't understand, my dear." For the first time in a while, Diamond Tiara's smile faded to true seriousness. "For my victory...to be absolute, uncontested, and total...you must be no more. I'll keep you here, as you look out on the city you helped build. It will burn, Apple Industries along with it. It will be annihilated, until nothing remains. Your legacy will be destroyed, and your fortune seized by me, funding further death and destitution."

Diamond Tiara looked at the cut unicorn horn atop Sweetie's forehead. "And you will watch as your friends and family are harmed on your account. I'll kill your sister, brother, grandmother, any cousins...I'll personally pull the plug on Babs. I'll torture the others until they beg for death, and I'll be nice and give it to them."

Applebloom just stared in disbelief. Utter disbelief. "And I'll do the same for the two ponies beside you. And you can watch. When they ask 'Why?' I'll tell them...'because of Applebloom'. Finally, when memory of you has been erased, and everything you ever cared about it gone...and your broken spirit gazes upon the smoldering ruins that were once your life, you can die."

She moved in closer to Applebloom, a crazed, insane look in her eye. "When you've died inside, and truly know my wrath, I'll afford you the solace of death...VERY slowly."

Left speechless, Applebloom watched the pink mare exiting the room after grabbing her knife. "Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a stallion to deal with. I'm feeling...especially punitive right now. Grey Eminence! Silver Spoon!"

The grey unicorn followed his Donna, but Silver Spoon, heretofore thinking very carefully about her choices in life, opted to stay behind. "If you don't mind, Tiara, I'd like to stay and uh keep an eye on these three."

Diamond Tiara just waved a hoof as she left. "They can't go anywhere, but alright."

The next few minutes passed in dead silence, the captives too terrified and in pain to say anything. Silver Spoon however was waiting to be completely sure Diamond Tiara was far away.

The pink mare had been her only true friend for quite a while, but in recent years something happened. The two were bullies, and picked on the so-called "Blank Flanks" for little reason other than they hadn't learned their true talents yet. But Silver Spoon noticed as she got older Diamond Tiara developed a disturbing jealousy/lust complex over Applebloom. Exactly how or why was never clear, but the bespectacled mare observed it for years.

Being naturally submissive, Silver Spoon followed her friend even as she developed cruel and sadistic tendencies, a trait plainly demonstrated not ten minutes ago. Silver always had reservations and second thoughts, but greed and more importantly fear took its hold on her and she put up with it.

But this time was different. All the hurting, the stealing; it had to stop. Knowing full well her actions would be "treason", Silver Spoon took the bayonet off from Applebloom's rifle on the table and approached the industrialist.

"I'm not going to hurt you!" Silver Spoon assured.

"How do Ah know you ain't―" Applebloom's doubts were refuted when her bayonet cut the rope binding her. Standing up, she applied pressure to her head wound. "Um...thanks?"

Quickly, Silver freed the other ponies. Giving the bayonet to Applebloom, she started crying. "Now go! Hurry! I can't take this anymore! Please help Diamond Tiara! Anything!"

"Are you kidding!? I should put a bullet in her! Why should we help that...fucking psycho!?" Scootaloo erupted, half a mind to march to wherever the Donna had gotten off to.

"She's my friend, and even though she's done terrible things, I need to believe we can help her. Could you get the care she needs?"

Applebloom put on her jacket and hat, and holstered her revolver. After fastening the bayonet back to the rifle, she sighed. "Don't try to complicate things anymore...thanks for freein' us, but..."

"We shouldn't hang around here anymore, guys!" Sweetie urged, already eyeing the elevator. "Come with us!"

"No! I'll remain here to ensure you get away safely. There's at least one vehicle on the street."

Scootaloo nodded. She wasn't going to question anything and waste precious time.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo rushed into the elevator just as it opened. Before Applebloom could, she was stopped by Silver Spoon.

"I'm so...so sorry." She said, bawling. Whatever she could do alleviate the pain was not enough, but it helped.

Applebloom gave her a dour look as the elevator doors closed, bringing the trio down to ground level. Galloping out, Scootaloo located an automobile and cranked it up with lightning fast speed. Hopping in, Sweetie Belle was already driving when Scootaloo grabbed the door and swung herself inside.

"Mah buildin'. We'll decide what to do there." Applebloom commanded.

This had to end, and it couldn't be in Diamond Tiara's favor. Only Applebloom's terms would suffice. First she had to determine what they were, though.

But whatever they were, Applebloom would ensure they were met. No matter the cost.

Atop the Rich Enterprises tower, a group of thugs held a battered and bruised stallion by his wings. He was overlooking the Manehattan skyline, lit by the fights happening in the streets. He gulped and waited for whatever fate his Donna had for him.

He would find out soon enough when Diamond Tiara stepped out of the door and onto the rooftop. Her coat blowing in the cold air, she admired her new domain. Then, smiling at Palomino, she pulled out her trusty knife and approached him.

"Let's make this quick; I have better things to do."

"Don't I get a last meal or somethin'?" He joked, maybe earning a slim chance of living.

"What'd you eat last?"

"Uh...a hay salad. Nothin' special."

"Hope you enjoyed it." She teased.

Diamond performed the same act on this golden pegasus as she had on the orange one. Once he was incapable of flight, she smiled. Thinking for a second, she kicked him for old time's sake.

"Is...is that awll? Bless you for your mercy!" His happiness was either genuine or a defense mechanism for sympathy.

Ignoring him, Diamond Tiara looked over the edge of the tower. "And so ends a legend of the Manehattan underground."

The brawny ponies then tossed the poor stallion over the edge, allowing him to plummet to his death. It was too far to see Palomino, but he could be heard until impact. However, the taillights of an automobile caught the Donna's attention. "Looks like somepony's making a round. Well time to check up on those adorable three fillies."

Returning to her office, Diamond Tiara however was met not with three captives, but three empty chairs. And a guilty-looking Silver Spoon. The crime boss glared at the mare, her eyes filled with unadulterated ire. Utilizing all her strength in an attempt not to explode, she put two and two together within moments of entering.

"It seems...there was one variable...I did not take into account."

20. It's Settled

20. It's Settled

A quarter until one, the nighttime air chilling and filled with a healthy snowfall. The environment was all too reminiscent of the freezing cruelty of that pink pony a group of three mares had just escaped the grasp of. They had already crossed one of the bridges connecting the island to the mainland, facing no resistance. Quite unlike when they had first headed to the East End.

Along the way, the trio encountered a fiercely victorious group of citizens driving the criminals and gangsters from their hideouts. Rousing cheers and gunshots signaled the final victory in the Battle of Manehattan. Ponies emptied their cellars and pantries to arrange celebratory meals and parties, even at this late hour. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers and determination, the ponies who aimed to hold the city in their iron grip were now prisoners of a vengeful populace pushed too far.

And this victory comforted somewhat the three ponies passing by in a vehicle. A unicorn, pegasus, and earth pony. However they could not cheer or smile. Both physical and emotional pain preoccupied them on their journey back to Applebloom's large tower.

Applebloom herself remained silent the entire way, looking solemnly out the window and lost in her thoughts. Scootaloo periodically examined the wounds her friends had sustained, to ensure they would be fine until proper medical attention could be procured. Sweetie Belle winced every few minutes or so over her horn.

"Well looks like it finally stopped bleeding." Scootaloo remarked, dabbing the last bit of blood from the horn with a small tissue.

"Will I be able to...do magic again?" Sweetie Belle asked, afraid to hear the answer. Though she was never adept at using her magic, it was something she would dread losing. Thankfully Scootaloo's response lifted a great burden from her mind.

"Of course! Fractures above the foramen cornuale will heal good as new. Might take a while, though."

Sweetie decided to ignore the technical jargon and breathed a sigh of relief. "Still hurts, though. I'm sorry about your wings..."

"The feathers'll grow back come molting season." The Wonderbolt dismissed. Turning from the driver to the other pony in the vehicle, the pegasus studied the long cut running down Applebloom's head. "It's started clotting...probably won't need stitches. Definitely some kind of strip, though."

Applebloom didn't say a word, not even glancing at her "personal doctor". Awkwardly sitting back in her seat, Scootaloo waited for the trip to be over, patiently waiting for that tower to pop up.

The uncomfortable silence lasted a few more minutes, thankfully, as the destination appeared just down the street. Scootaloo observed the glowing streetlamps and undisturbed sidewalks. No hoofprints could be seen in the thin layer of snow on top of them. Had it been any other night, the avenues and boulevards of the "City that Never Slept" would be crowded with ponies living the nightlife amidst neon signs and intense light bulbs.

But tonight the emptiness only solidified the defeatist attitude permeating the automobile. The group was precariously perched on a teetering point, poised to fall at any moment. A critical error had been perpetrated by Applebloom, a fact which all three mentally agreed upon.

And this mistake might be the gust of wind to push the trio off the mountain.

Braking in front of the Apple Tower, Sweetie hopped out and galloped to the glass double doors, only to realize they were locked shut. Smacking her face with a hoof, Sweetie Belle awaited the owner's key. Still painfully dour, Applebloom slowly walked up to the doors and pulled out a ring of keys from one of her pockets.

After the door was opened, the three stepped into the lobby. Distant streetlights and moonlight barely illuminated the dark room. The centerpiece fountain had been shut off by the custodians tidying up after everypony else had left. The janitors finally went home a few hours ago. The only souls within this massive skyscraper were Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom.

The time was perfect for a rest, and some private conversation. The orange pegasus looked up, seeing only blackness.

"Hey, AB? Would it be too much trouble to turn on some lights?"

No response or sound could be heard. Glancing around to see whatever her eyes had adjusted to, Scootaloo searched for Applebloom, Sweetie Belle joining in. "Applebloom?"

Still no response. Then Scootaloo spotted a dark figure across the lobby. The yellow mare was sitting quietly on a comfortable couch, placed to accommodate waiting business associates.

Trotting to her friend, Scootaloo looked down on the dark shape that was Applebloom's head. "Well? How do we turn on the lights?"

Again, there was no answer, as if the pony were locked in a trance. Scootaloo was losing her patience fast.

"Look; if we're gonna regroup and come up with some plan, we should at least be able to see two feet in front of us."

This time Applebloom did reply. "Ah have a plan. Leave town. Avoid Diamond at whatever cost. We should gather some supplies or―"

The mare was cut off by an angry Scootaloo smacking the back of her head, knocking off her brown Stetson.

"Dammit Applebloom! The hell's wrong with you?!"

Sweetie Belle gasped, but still trusted that the Wonderbolt would talk some sense into the despairing pony.

"I know you didn't kill that bitch 'cause you were too much of a coward! But I didn't think you'd run away! Ya know what they'd do to me if I ran away from duty?"

Applebloom looked up with a distressed visage. She struggled on what to say.

"They'd shoot me." Scootaloo said flatly. "Are you the same mare I charged into battle with? Or was she lost?"

Nearly hyperventilating, Applebloom replied with tears in her eyes. "We tried our best! But we―Ah...screwed it all up! Y'all heard what she's gonna do! To you both! To me! Mah family! If Ah fight back, she's gonna come down harder on all of us!"

"So you're just gonna give up?" Sweetie asked.

"She’s coming for us anyway. You gonna let her waltz in here and pick you up at her convenience, or are you gonna go kicking and screaming?"

"Ah can't take that risk..." The earth pony lamented. "If Ah fail...others will pay for mah mistake."

"Isn't that was all this is built on?" The pegasus gestured to the large metal globe above the fountain. "The idea that you'd fail? You're no stranger to risks, Applebloom."

"But...that was different. AH would've lost it all, not everypony else."

"You're just making up excuses. We looked to you as a leader; somepony to incite and guide us in saving Manehattan." Scootaloo sighed. "Whether you're beside me or not, I'm gonna stop that pink menace."

As the Wonderbolt headed towards the doors, Applebloom stuck out a hoof. "Wait! It's...not safe to go alone."

Scootaloo turned around and smiled, a fact unknown in the darkness. The yellow businesspony got off the couch and kicked the floor. "But...if we do fail...promise me...y'all won't..."

"Nopony can fault you for making an effort." Sweetie Belle warmly reassured.

"I'd follow you to Hell and back! Now what's the plan?" Scootaloo eagerly questioned.

"Hold that thought." Applebloom then galloped over to a fuse box hidden quite well behind the receptionist desks. How she found it in the dark would remain a mystery to her friends. Flipping a few switches immediately illuminated the lobby and delivered power to the elevator.

Heading to the elevator, Applebloom picked up her hat and placed it back on her head. Pressing the button to open the steel doors, the mare gestured for the other two to join her.

"Ah'd feel much more comfortable in mah office. Maybe after a drink or two."

The doors opened, and in a flash the trio stepped in and pushed the highest button. Careening up the tower, their next course of action could be determined in peace and quiet.

Objects were hitting and shattering against the wall. A raging mare was destroying everything in her sight. Absolutely furious, everypony in the office cowered in fear from her. Calmed, the Donna was cruel; fueled by anger, she could commit deeds ponies only read about.

Her three prizes were so irrefutably contained. Nothing, no loose ends stood to change that. She had those three right where she wanted them. But she left for a few minutes, and then they were gone. Her best friend had betrayed her.

Finally out of things to hurl, Diamond Tiara glared at her silver companion. Crying and truly terrified for her life, Silver Spoon backed up as far as she could when the magenta filly approached. Only the wall stopped the retreat. Diamond Tiara slammed her hooves against the grey pony, pinning her to the wall. Visibly losing her sanity and composure, the Donna twitched as she interrogated Silver Spoon.

"Why?" She whispered, paradoxically calm and manic simultaneously.

Trembling, Silver Spoon fought an answer through her sniffles. "You need help. Please! I just want to help you." The sincerity in her voice was ignored.

"Oh yes...you were supposed to help. I...trusted you in keeping them nice and safe. And in here. And. You. Didn't."

"Diamond..."

Utilizing her earth pony strength, the pink mare pressed hard, possibly cracking several of Silver Spoon's ribs. "YOU BETRAYED ME!! I HAD THEM RIGHT WHERE I WANTED THEM!! And you let them go. Why? What'd they offer you?"

Crying in pain, both physical and emotional, the grey filly pleaded once more. "You're not well... You're my best friend! I just want to help you! You're breaking the law! Hurting innocent ponies! Even killing them! I can't take it anymore..."

"I would have never harmed YOU." She pressed harder. "But now you've left me no choice. How am I supposed to get her now? Applebloom's far too smart to fall into the same trap again." Diamond Tiara then got an idea. "One move, two pieces."

Diamond let up on Silver Spoon. Out of energy, she collapsed on the floor. The Donna ignored her, and instead picked up the phone from the pile of objects she threw. Thankfully it was still in working condition.

"Grey Eminence!" The stallion perked up, taking a breath from his cigarette. "You're my new right-hoof! Effective immediately. Now, what do you say we give our good friend Applebloom a call?"

Having calmed her nerves with a single glass of whiskey, Applebloom was busy thinking of a plan with her unicorn and pegasus accomplices. Ideas were being thrown around, most extemporaneous machinations of desperate ponies' minds. Applebloom gazed out her window at the illuminated skyline.

She wasn't sure what to do about Diamond Tiara, but she had resolved to see it through.

"We can't kill her." Sweetie said. "Silver Spoon asked us to help her. We owe her our lives."

"Yes but she’s too dangerous to be kept alive." Scootaloo replied, showcasing an absolute outlook. "Besides, I'm not sure we CAN get her help. A padded cell, maybe."

"Sweetie's right." Applebloom said, downing the last sips of her drink. "We have to neutralize her. Silver Spoon still thinks Tiara can be redeemed."

"She's a damned fool." Scootaloo hissed.

"She's her only friend. That must awful..." Sweetie uttered, cringing at that prospect.

Before the conversation could continue, the phone on Applebloom's desk began to ring. The yellow mare looked at it puzzled.

"Who could be callin' at this hour?" The realization dawned on her immediately after she spoke. Picking up the device, she hesitated to answer. "Hello?"

"Hello m'dear." That voice would haunt Applebloom nightmares for a long time to come. "It's a shame you had to leave early. We were just getting started."

Applebloom only offered heavy breaths to the dialogue. "My good friend Silver Spoon sent you off too soon. You turned her against me. She is now my enemy."

"But...wait!" The yellow earth pony said, trying to form a thought.

"This could be a blessing in disguise. Who knows? I miss you, baby. When can I see you again?" The sound of a pistol cocking was very clear to Applebloom. Her eyes widened, and she placed the phone so Sweetie and Scootaloo could hear as well. "I'll let you decide that." Time slowed down, and Diamond Tiara looked over to the fear-soaked Silver Spoon. The grey pony's screams for mercy hurt the three former cutie mark crusaders. A gunshot later, and those cries faded as a faint "thud" came from the speaker.

The room was silent. The trio couldn't believe Diamond Tiara ki―no! They couldn't bring themselves to admit it. But it happened.

The Donna slipped back into madness, her voice becoming erratic. "I'll be at my mansion. Stop...by anytime." A demented laugh later and Tiara finished. "Come...bring down the Beast..." The distinctive click signified she had hung up.

Emotions running high, the office's occupants couldn't fully grasp the situation. Another one for the body count. That mare had claimed too many lives. The three nodded to each other, understanding all too well the logical and necessary measure to take.

Applebloom would have to do it. She truly was too dangerous to keep alive. This was her war, and she would be the one to lay the final blow. Her friends would be indispensable, but ultimately it was her burden. Any petty reservations she had were to be put aside. Now was the time for courage and resolve.

Producing her cherished revolver, she swung the cylinder out and made sure it was fully loaded. Six shots; five more than she would need. Girding it again, she looked at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Scootaloo said, her face unmistakably determined.

"Of course." The white unicorn confidently spoke.

"Let's go." They wasted no time in leaving the building, locking all doors and turning off all lights on the way. After shutting off the switches for the main lobby, Applebloom trekked outside into the cold night and galloped to the automobile they had used to escape. At first appearing to jump inside, Applebloom immediately hopped out bearing her rifle.

"We're takin' MAH vehicle." Scootaloo cranked up the industrialist's personal motor carriage while Sweetie Belle revved the engine. Applebloom checked her rifle. "Looks like Ah got a single clip left in here. Scoots!" She then tossed it.

The pegasus looked up and caught the rifle. She closed the chamber and got a fierce look in her eye. "Eight rounds. Let's do some damage."

After everypony was inside, Sweetie floored the pedal and raced off to the Rich Mansion. It was settled. The group determined Applebloom would confront the Donna, and Scootaloo would ensure a safe journey.

The red-maned earth pony knew that before Celestia's sun would rise again, only her or Diamond could see it. But Applebloom endeavored to make sure if she couldn't see the next day, by all her strength and will, neither would Diamond Tiara.

Her revolver would be emptied if necessary. No more than six bullets would be needed.

By her dying breath, Applebloom would ensure the Donna fell.

21. Last Chance

21. Last Chance

The Rich Mansion was built several years ago, when a certain Filthy Rich decided he should relocate his family to Manehattan. The late businesscolt acquired majority stock of several varied companies, and eventually consolidated them into the more easily manageable Rich Enterprises. In the remaining time that he lived, the corporation expanded modestly, netting the Rich family a healthy profit.

But even with the business sense of Mr. Rich, he still couldn't even compare with the meteoric rise of Apple Industries. The tenacious Applebloom quickly became a titan of industry, soon to lead the economy forward. Filthy noticed this, and though not a direct competitor, the Apple family was a close associate of his.

A friendly, unspoken contest between the two. Confident pushing arrogant though the old stallion was, he still maintained an amiable attitude to whomever he encountered.

But all his plans were suddenly halted by an unsuspected death. The cause was never fully determined. Some said he simply gave out from stress. Others said it was just his time. Whatever the cause might have been, his young adult daughter was devastated.

She looked up to her father, and took every word of his advice to heart. She loved him dearly, and grew inconsolable in the days after his passing. Silver Spoon managed to coax her into the limelight. Within weeks Diamond Tiara became the new face of her father's company, and did her best to expand.

Even taking less than honest measures.

The vast fortune Applebloom had amassed needed to be surpassed! There was no other way than to cheat and lie, steal and threaten.

But Diamond Tiara realized it couldn't be done. Applebloom was just...too good. So the logical solution came: acquire her company. Ever since that night at the party, Diamond had carefully and cunningly played her cards, building up a relationship with the mare. All was perfect to obtain both the industrial giant and its owner.

Until that yellow pony adamantly refused her.

Now Diamond Tiara had only one choice: destroy what she couldn't have. It was all laid out and planned. Everything would be flawless, and she could sadistically enjoy her victory prize. But even that failed. She was running out of options. Her world was crashing down.

Manehattan had been freed from her "soldiers" and the criminal underground was becoming unraveled. Palomino served to solidify her hold over those gangsters, but not five minutes ago she received calls that all of her leaders were captured and facing judgment by the citizenry.

She could rebuild it all. Straight from scratch. But not until her greatest threat was no more. Not until Applebloom was a memory could she reconquer her shining gem.

This was her last shot. If she didn't succeed here, there were no second chances.

And so, in the mansion her father had built, Diamond Tiara patiently awaited the arrival of Applebloom.

Shaking the ashes from her cigarette, she brought the black holder back up to her mouth. Distracted from her thoughts, the magenta pony heard a voice. Staring at a photograph of her late father on the end table, her eye began twitching.

"I did what I had to do!" She yelled, reaching for her glass of wine.

The voice continued.

"No! She betrayed me! TRAITORS MUSTN'T BE TOLERATED!" She screamed. "You said all traitors deserve the same thing!"

"Shut up!" Calming down, Diamond Tiara laid her head down on the chair arm. Mascara running from her eyes, she gazed into the crackling fire. "I...I miss her too. But...it had to be..."

The voice didn't let up.

"Applebloom is too dangerous! She'll ruin everything you strove to accomplish!" Now holding the sides of her head, the Donna thrashed about on the chair. "STOOOP!!!"

In a fit of rage, Diamond Tiara swung her hoof across the table, causing its contents to smash on the floor. The picture frame was shattered.

Realizing what she had done, the mare picked up the photo and started sobbing uncontrollably. Only the approach of her handycolt ceased the crying.

"Excuse me, Mistress. There is a vehicle outside. The occupants are as of yet unknown."

In true bipolar fashion, she perked up and gave a devious smile. "Tell everypony to be ready. I don't want her to leave the carriage. Bring me her head!"

Saddlesworth gave a similar grin. "Of course." He bowed and trotted off to complete his task.

There was no conceivable way Applebloom could fight her way through all the stallions Tiara had placed. Producing her diamond-encrusted knife, the Donna stared into the fire once again, imagining her deceased friend before all this. Applebloom would pay. Damn it would she pay.

Coming up to the open gate leading to the mansion, Sweetie Belle looked around for anything suspicious. This was obviously some kind of trap. The key to a trap, however, was anticipating it. Caught off guard, the trappers become the victims.

And Scootaloo knew for a certain fact somepony would be waiting for them. Lying in wait, they would shoot the three quick and easy, securing final victory. But the pegasus was on her best vigilance. She squinted, looking for any poor bastard unlucky enough to wander into her line of sight. Innocent or not, anypony was a target to be eliminated immediately.

Mentally prepared for what seemed like ages, Scootaloo noticed a dark figure shuffling out of the bushes beside the path. She saw the pistol, and like lightning aimed her rifle at the figure.

The Wonderbolt was too fast, and whoever sought to shoot was shot himself, now dead on the snow-blanketed grass.

The firefight had begun. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom held their heads down. The earth pony wished to save ammunition, and the unicorn of course was a noncombatant. With outstanding aim, Scootaloo quickly felled the three stallions dashing out to fire.

A conservative gunmare, the pegasus expended only one bullet for each colt. It was more than enough, hit in the right place. Four ponies dead and the way seemed clear. Seemed.

Sweetie Belle heard the shooting stop, and rose her head up.

"Is that all?"

Remaining dutiful, Scootaloo surveyed the area. "Appears like that..."

"Alright! Now let's go!" Sweetie exclaimed, hopping up from her hiding spot under the dashboard. Too easy, the concealed thug thought. A combustion of gunpowder, and Sweetie Belle was knocked into the backseat.

With a vengeance, Scootaloo shot that stallion, and to ensure he was dead, she unloaded the rest of her rounds into his body. Only when the clip popped out did she let up. Heaving, she put the rifle down and turned to examine Sweetie.

With Applebloom holding her unicorn friend's hoof, Scootaloo studied the wound. The bullet had pierced through her shoulder, first penetrating the windshield and eventually embedding itself within the seat cushions.

"The bullet isn't in there." Scootaloo said in a morose tone.

"That's good, right!?" Applebloom asked, desperate for a yes.

"Not as much as you might think. It helps to lessen bleeding."

"It hurts...like my bone was shattered." Sweetie said, trembling. She then looked up at the doctor with sad eyes. "Am...I going to...die?"

Biting her lower lip, Scootaloo tried to come up with a response. Instead, she opted to question Applebloom. "AB! We gotta get to a hospital!"

"But...Ah need to do this!" She shouted, mentally cursing the situation.

Calculating the outcomes in her head, Scootaloo produced a compromise. "I can give you five minutes. After that..." She looked at the hemorrhaging already increasing through Sweetie Belle's overcoat.

"After that, y'all leave without me. Assume the worst." Applebloom drew her revolver. "You have been the best friends ever in coming this far, but it looks like Ah gotta go the rest of the way mahself."

"Go kick...some flank..." Sweetie uttered, still wearing a smile.

Filled to the brim with confidence, Applebloom nodded and jumped out of the vehicle. Leaving Scootaloo to attend to the ballistic trauma, the yellow mare cantered up to the doors of the mansion and bucked them open.

Inside was the grand staircase she admired not two weeks ago. The luxurious decor now held empty meaning to Applebloom; gilded and full of deceit. Prepared to run up the staircase, she was interrupted by the sound of hooves on the wooden floor getting closer. Turning to her left, she spotted a grey stallion emerging from the hall.

Dressed in a very expensive-looking black suit, he smirked and levitated a pistol, matching Applebloom stance. Glaring at him, the earth pony didn't let up. She had seen enough films to know better.

"So you've bested those outside? Admirable, but I―" BANG! The unicorn fell to the floor, dead.

Applebloom didn't care to remember the more visceral details, and she ran up the stairs. Or rather she would have if another interruption hadn't arrived.

Steely eyed, she stared down the butler bearing a gun appearing on the scene. Oddly reminiscent of her own aid, he was still in the service of that cruel pony.

"Applebloom!" He shouted, alerted by the gunshot. "The Donna's not going to like th―" Again she fired, this time leading the bullet straight through the stallion’s chest. He was knocked back by the force of the large caliber round, and rested on the floor. Blood flowed from his corpse, staining the wood.

Smoke still rising from her barrel, Applebloom hoped he would be the last distraction from her ultimate goal.

Meanwhile in her parlor, Diamond Tiara was well aware her adversary had infiltrated the mansion. Against all odds, she made short work of her security and beaten her way to the center. Caring little for the demise of her right-hoof and handycolt, she took up the knife from the table, and readied herself for the decisive showdown.

She then casually walked up to the top of the stairs. There she was. Applebloom stood staring back at Diamond Tiara.

"I give you one last chance."

Applebloom didn't want to listen, and fired again. Unfortunately, anger affected her aim. Diamond went down, but only for a split second. The bullet merely grazed her foreleg.

The Donna quickly jumped behind the wall, trying to avoid another shot.

Applebloom began her ascent up the stairs. "Ah didn't come here to talk." She aimed the revolver and let off another round, hitting the wall Diamond hid behind.

Yet again she missed, but just barely. Tiara started sweating, noticing the bullet hole in the wall. It had missed her by a few inches. Then she got an idea.

With only two bullets left, Applebloom had to make them count. But as soon as she reached the top, Diamond Tiara leaped out and tackled the mare. The revolver was thrown off to the side. Her target defenseless, the pink pony began punching Applebloom's face, never feeling more satisfied.

Diamond only got a few good hits before the strong red-maned pony thrust her down, reversing the position. Applebloom grabbed Tiara's head and started bashing it on the floor. A bit fazed, the magenta one realized she still had that knife, and found a nice placed to put it.

A sharp pain in her chest caused Applebloom to relent. The knife had been jammed into a space between the ribs. Ignoring the blood staining her waistcoat, the adrenaline-fueled pony grabbed her pink enemy and hurled her to the fire place. Quickly jumping on her as Diamond tried to get up, Applebloom could hear something pop. Again punching the pony, she would've reduced that once pretty face to a bloody pulp.

But Diamond Tiara noticed a wooden chair. Utilizing all her strength, she reached for it and swung it across Applebloom's face, breaking her nose and busting her lip. Now getting on top of the yellow pony, Diamond Tiara laughed maniacally.

Applebloom however saw a shovel used to move the coals in the fire. Grabbing it, she bashed Tiara's face, causing first degree burns all over her cheeks. Thinking it a victory due to Diamond's shrieks of pain, she didn't realize Tiara still had the knife, or that the coals were setting the wooden floor alight.

Diamond Tiara resumed her pinning, and positioned the knife over Applebloom's left eye. Coming down hard, only the strong foreleg of her victim prevented a total slash to the eye. Instead the blade tip just cut a long laceration from her brow to upper cheek. Trying her best to endure the pain, Applebloom made Diamond Tiara drop the knife. In retaliation, the Donna pile drove her hoof into the bright orange orb. The cornea had been ruptured, blood and vitreous humor pouring out at an alarming rate.

The pure agony was greater than anything Applebloom had ever experienced, and she wailed out at the top of her lungs. Temporarily incapacitated, the yellow pony was tossed against the wall and pressed there by Diamond Tiara. Pushing her hooves against Applebloom's throat, she smiled and leaned closer.

"I've heard suffocation is one of the least pleasant ways to die." She pressed harder until Applebloom started choking and coughing.

But the resourceful mare's hind legs were still free. She folded them up, storing a massive amount of energy, and like a spring released them right into Diamond Tiara's gut. Flung across the room, the Donna landed on a table, breaking it on impact. Applebloom quickly ran over to find her gun, a challenge without depth perception. Grabbing it, she turned around to shoot but was pounced by Diamond Tiara,

Her eponymous accessory had already fallen off during the fight, and her mane was messy. The look in her eyes was of true insanity, and she was poised to end Applebloom. Seeing an opportunity, Applebloom pointed the gun as best she could and fired.

In a spray of blood, the bullet has taken Diamond Tiara's left foreleg clean off. Glancing at the stump, she belted out in pain, screaming up at the ceiling, which was now burning faster and faster. Then, upon the realization of a missing leg, she cried again. The wound was spurting blood, and Applebloom was distracted for too long. Diamond Tiara unleashed a one-armed beating on her opponent, and finally kicked her down the stairs, the revolver going with her.

Applebloom tumbled down each stepped, banging every part of her body. Once at the bottom, a strong pain in her left shoulder prevent further movement; she had dislocated it.

While Applebloom was falling, Diamond Tiara hastily tore a strip of fabric and fashioned a makeshift tourniquet. Grabbing the knife, she calmly stood at the top of the stairs. Her demonic countenance was shadowed by the ever-increasing fire raging.

Applebloom braved the sensation of shoving her humerus back into position, and reached for her revolver. One last bullet.

"This is the end of the line. Goodbye...Applebloom." Biting the knife hilt, she curled up for a large jump, aiming for Applebloom.

Leaping off the stairs, Diamond Tiara smiled through her clenched teeth and never stopped glaring at Applebloom. The yellow mare struggled to aim, but knew if she missed...it was over.

Firing off her last round, the pink form of Diamond Tiara landed just past Applebloom. The shot made contact, and finally brought down the tyrant. Her body was mangled upon landing, her three remaining legs bent in horrifying positions. Her head, or what was left of it, didn't bear a face.

Applebloom stood up and spat blood on the corpse. Despite her hate for the mare, it was still rather hard to look at Diamond Tiara in such a fashion. A once such elegant and refined creature reduced to a sanguine mess. A fitting metaphor, Applebloom thought. The "Donna" truly was a lesser spawn of greater sires.

Finished reflecting, Applebloom witnessed the flames consuming the rafters. Embers started falling onto the floor, and she knew it was time to go.

Outside Scootaloo could see the fire growing, and began to despair. She heard the gunshots. She counted them. Time was almost up. Sweetie was slipping into unconsciousness. Where was Applebloom?

Then, as if by a miracle, the yellow pony came from the doors. She was alive! Limping, battered and bruised, covered in blood; her eye swollen shut and her yellow fur stained red. But alive.

Positively elated, Scootaloo grinned widely and cheered at the triumphant Applebloom. However the industrialist was quickly becoming drowsy. Her adrenaline rush gone, and blood continuing to leave her body, she fought to remain awake.

"It's...done...it's over." She weakly murmured.

"Let's go." Scootaloo suggested, a great burden lifted from her shoulders.

"We...gotta take care of...Sweetie... Hey Scoots?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm...I'm gonna need a doctor too..." Totally exhausted and pushed to her limit, Applebloom collapsed onto the pavement.

"Coming right up." Scootaloo picked up her friend and placed her inside the vehicle. Starting it up, she set course for the nearest hospital. The ordeal was finished, and they all deserved a good rest and a hot meal.

Putting the automobile into gear, the pegasus left the Rich Mansion. The inferno would consume everything and reduce it to ash. There would be hardly anything left to find.

But a single gust of wind blew through the house, taking with it a photograph. It would land safely in the snow, surviving the charring of all other contents within.

A photograph, taken many years ago, of Filthy Rich.

22. Hearth's Warming

22. Hearth's Warming

Applejack heard the doorbell, and excused herself from the conversation of the room. Biting the tray of cider off her back and setting it down, the earth pony proceeded to the door. Who could it be?

Well her six best friends had already arrived. Big Mac was here too. They had all left Manehattan about a day and a half ago. Quite hesitantly too. Applejack hadn't heard from her sister since Monday. No other family members or friends were officially slated to arrive.

Applejack silently hoped the pony behind the door was somepony very special to her. Turning the knob, her prayers were answered. On the Day of Harmony no less.

Lo and behold they were Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. Under normal circumstances, Applejack would've swooped up her sister and given the little yellow filly a big country hug. But the blonde mare took one look at the three standing before her.

Scootaloo looked to be the only sound one. The other two were covered in bandages and stitches. Applebloom was the most beaten up. Gauze had been wrapped around her right foreleg. Her other was caught in a sling. Her left eye was patched up, and a strip was placed on her snout.

"Howdy, AJ!" The yellow pony exclaimed, trying to bring as little attention as possible to her condition.

"Wha...how..." Applejack stuttered, stunned and shocked.

"Ah told y'all Ah'd come back!"

Rarity and Pinkie Pie heard the voices very clearly and galloped towards the threshold.

"Applebloom, darling―Sweetie Belle?!" The unicorn shouted. The sometimes dramatic mare picked up her sister, who had bandages over her chest and a nub of a horn. "Oh my only sister! What have they done to you?"

Sweetie Belle couldn't really say anything except "Ouch..."

"Please don't be too rough. I've put enough staples into them." Scootaloo said, half joking.

"Now what just happened to y'all?" Applejack demanded.

"Um...we got into a little scrap..." Applebloom replied. Honestly she didn't want to go into details. Ever. "C'mon girls! Let's take a seat."

Sweetie Belle wiggled her way out of Rarity's embrace and joined her friends on a nearby couch. Immensely sore, Applebloom took to the seat with gusto.

Applejack however wasn't so quick to forget the issue. "What happened?"

Scootaloo took it upon herself to explain. "Applebloom got into a nasty fight. She'll be fine. Sweetie Belle got shot―"

"WHAT??" Rarity screamed. "She's going to be alright, yes?" Then the older of the white unicorns noticed her sister's horn. "A...and her..."

Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "It'll grow back. She's just fine too."

"And what about you?" Rainbow Dash, sitting on another couch, asked her Lieutenant.

The orange pegasus spread her wings, showing that many crucial flight feathers were gone. She then shrugged. "Sorry, Cap'n. Looks like I'll be out of commission for a while."

The several seconds of awkward silence ended when Applebloom spoke. "Well...let's not allow this to ruin the occasion!"

Granny Smith gave a hearty laugh. "That's it girls! Take it like mares! AJ!"

Applejack stood at attention. "Yes?"

"Get them some drinks! Now we got plenty of cider to go 'round." The orange earth pony ran off to the kitchen. Granny Smith then approached Applebloom. "Dearie, Ah think there's somepony here who would like to see you.” The old green pony called out. “She's here!"

About ten seconds later, coming from one of the hallways was an earth pony sitting in a wheelchair.

Applebloom couldn't believe her eyes, and a large smile slowly grew on her face.

It was Babs.

The mare didn't look much better than Applebloom; battered and wrapped up. Wheeling herself closer to her cousin, Babs Seed gave the same smile. It was clear to everypony else that the two wished to embrace. But being too sore, they struggled to move. Soon they just settled on a hoof bump.

"Ah can't...Ah mean...how are ya?"

"Better now that I don't gotta be lawcked up in that hospital no more."

"Yeah. Listen, Ah uh..." Applebloom began, rubbing the back of her head. "Ah'm real sorry. Ah shoulda listened to you..."

"Hey! Don't blame yourself." Babs smiled. Applebloom smiled back. "How's that eye?"

"Ah dunno. Ah ain't the doctor. But Ah do got this ugly scar. How am Ah ever gonna get a date now?" Applebloom jested.

"'Date?' What about that handsome stallion ya live with, Applebloom? Where's he at?" Granny Smith said, always eager to advance her youngest grandchild's love life.

The industrialist blushed. "Our relationship is strictly professional! And he went to Hoofington to spend the holiday with his family."

Scootaloo meanwhile glanced at a clock. "Oh! It's one o'clock! You know what that means, Applebloom!"

Applebloom's eye widened. "Uh...no it isn't."

"What DOES that mean?" Applejack asked.

The orange pegasus produced a small tinted bottle from her saddlebag. "This." Popping to top off the bottle, Scootaloo realized it was best to request some help. "Anypony mind holding her down?"

"Why do we have to hold her down?" The orange farmer inquired, still confused.

"Trust me." Scootaloo then removed the patch over Applebloom's eye. Applejack and Big Mac came over to press down their sister for whatever reason. The orange pegasus carefully pulled her friend's eyelids apart, revealing a very sickly and damaged eyeball.

"What happened to her eye?!"

"Blunt force trauma. Now hold her still while I put some drops in. She really doesn't like it."

"Of course Ah don't! It hurts!" Applebloom said, struggling something fierce.

The yellow pony's thrashing wouldn't allow Scootaloo to put the drops in. She was starting to become frustrated. "Hold still, dammit! Do you know how long I spent in surgery trying to fix that eye?"

"There's gotta be a better way!"

"You know what? You're right, Applebloom. Hey, AJ! Could I borrow a pair of tongs? Make this whole thing a lot easier."

Babs, looking at this spectacle, laughed and joined the fun. "I'll get a towel!"

"Ok! Ah'll stop. Geez..."

After the medication had been applied, Applebloom blinked a few times and put her patch back on. "And you promise Ah'll be able to use it again?"

"Um...you might be able to see...shapes and colors."

"It's a small price to pay for what you did, AB." Babs said, grabbing a newspaper from the table. "There's a lot of praise for you in here."

It was yesterday's edition of Equestria Daily. Applebloom was VERY curious to know how much of the situation was reported, or made up.

"Hey Scootaloo? Could you read it to me?"

"Fine." The pegasus flipped to a page concerning the situation in Manehattan. "Some useless filler...here we go: ’The criminal activities in Manehattan have ceased, thanks in part to a civilian resistance led by a businessmare by the name of Applebloom.' No mention of a resoundingly fast Wonderbolt but whatever."

Scootaloo continued to glance through the story. "'It was discovered by a close associate of Applebloom that the political corruption spread to Canterlot itself, and a national investigation is being conducted.' "

"Way to go, Fancypants." Applebloom whispered.

"Really all it says is that it's better and you're the reason. But here's something interesting: 'A large portion of city voters have voiced mayoral support for Applebloom. It is unknown currently if she will run in the election, as former mayor...' How about that? Are you gonna run?"

"Probably not." Applebloom laughed. "I'm too honest and...moral for politics."

"Well in either case, she will be a major force in the social, economic, and political climate of Manehattan for quite some time." Sweetie Belle said, giving some insight seldom show for her profession.

"Uh-huh..." Scootaloo replied, not quite sure how to respond. "Hey. Here's another last bit: 'An anonymous donation of 500 million bits was given to the Manehattan Restoration Committee, but this journalist has a fairly good idea who might have done this.' Just how much money do you have, Applebloom?"

Nervously looking around, the yellow billionaire thought on her feet. "That's a great question. But why don't we start opening presents?"

Rarity perked up, knowing what the earth pony was trying to do. "That's a marvelous idea. We've all opened our gifts this morning. But I have set aside some for you all."

"As have Ah." Applebloom reached into her coat pocket and pulled out two tickets. "Here."

Rarity caught them in her magic. "Train tickets?"

"Yeah. Ah thought you and McIntosh would like your honeymoon somewhere nice. So Ah booked y'all a week at a very lavish Coltorado resort. Oh! Ah almost forgot this." She gave her sister-in-law a check. "Spendin' money."

Rarity's eyes bulged, and she became enveloped in emotion. "I...I don't know what to say. Thank you...Applebloom."

The next half hour or so was spent divvying out gifts. Unbeknownst to everypony else, Applebloom had given quite a bit of money to help Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle purchase things for the holiday season. Most of them were just vouchers representing things bought that were not well suited to the journey to Ponyville, and would be shipped to their respective destinations.

Next came laughter and conversation as the day wore on. Applebloom looked warmly at the joy this time of year brought. A nice distraction from the far darker things she had endured a few days ago.

"So Applebloom...what happened to...'her'?" Babs asked, relishing the moment of privacy the two had.

The yellow pony turned her head to the cousin, bearing a very serious face. It was enough for Babs.

"Alright. I uh noticed you didn't get no presents. I would've gotten one but you know..."

Applebloom gave a weak chuckle. "That's ok. Ah told everypony not to get me anythin'. What do Ah need?"

But it turned out a single present had been procured for the wealthy pony. Applejack picked it up and brought it over to her little sister. Her family crowded around and gave the small box to her.

"Ah know you said you didn't want nothin', but everypony deserves a somethin' on Hearth's Warmin'." Big Mac said, standing beside his wife.

"Y'all really shouldn't have." Applebloom began opening the box. "Ah don't need―"

There is was. A little wooden object carefully wrapped in tissue paper. Applebloom had not seen it in years. Wiping the tears from her eye, she pulled out the object.

It was just a toy. A carved wooden rabbit with four wheels. The toy held immense sentimental value for its new owner, and it looked better than ever with a fresh varnish.

"This...is the first thing Ah ever made. Thank you all so much."

"It's from all of us!" Pinkie Pie said "I'm so very glad you love it! Now who wants to go caroling??"

"We'll go out after dinner, y'all. Pinkie's done planned some games for us to play!" Applejack announced.

The occupants in the room all got up to partake in those activities. But Applebloom and Babs wished to remain where they were, for reasons nopony thought polite to bring up. "Ah'm gonna go back to work on Monday, but before Ah do, Ah'll put in a good word for you. Manehattan needs a police chief."

"So we're just gonna pick up where we left awff?" Babs asked.

"Might as well. Scootaloo and Sweetie ain't comin' back with me. Ah'll need somepony to drink with." Applebloom said, admiring the toy.

"I think I can manage that. Soon I'll be able to wawlk again, and Smokey's probably missed us, hah?"

Giggling to themselves, the two mares leaned back and took a deep breath. They were both tired and relaxation was all they wanted.

Applebloom would have a lot of work to do come next week, and rebuilding the assets and lives destroyed in the crisis would take a lot of time, money, and effort. But it was the life she had chosen to lead.

And she wouldn't trade it for anything. What she got out of it was worth more than gold, and shined brighter too. Money mattered little; she had already immortalized herself in both business and the hearts of Manehattanites. And Applebloom wasn't done yet.

The End

1. The Party

1. The Party

The grand hall was luxuriously decorated; brilliant banners hung down from the rails of the mezzanine. Painstakingly hoof-crafted ice sculptures lined the walls on the ground floor, each one skillfully created into distinct and unique shaped. Some were unicorns, others pegasi and earth ponies. In between the frozen statues stood gilded marble pillars, topped with the most artistic capitals. Precious, one-of-a-kind paintings littered the walls, and priceless artifacts sat in glass cases just below them.

On the far wall of the ballroom sat a line of tables absolutely covered in entrees, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and sides. Several chocolate and fondue fountains had even been fit into the assembly. Dozens of round tables, seating eight each, filled the area just behind the dance floor. On the tables were the finest silk tablecloths money could buy, and place settings of fine porcelain plates and genuine silverware. Crystal glasses and silk napkins flanked the plates, and a vase of the most beautiful and exotic flowers completed the arrangement.

The dinner was to precede the dance, and scores of the wealthiest and most famous ponies arrived, checking in their heavy overcoats, worn for the cold night. Unimaginably fancy stallions and mares, donning expensive ball gowns and tailcoats, conversed with each other over matters of business, politics, racing, elegance and the latest gossip of Canterlot.
The air was saturated with the dignified "yeses" and "quites" endemic to the cultured speech of the upper class.

But one presence broke that mold, bringing a different sort of culture into the formerly homogenous setting.

A yellow mare, her mane a pretty shade of red, just entered the building. Her eyes bulged out form her head at the sight of such an expensively decorated room. She carefully took in all that she saw, trying to pace herself. The mare was so fixated on the environment that she didn't notice a young colt talking to her.

"...Ma'am...ma'am...ma'am..." A gangly light blue unicorn kept addressing the zone-out earth pony. After about the sixth time, she snapped back into reality.

"Huh...Oh yes sorry! What do ya need?" She asked in her country drawl.

"I'm here to take your coat."

Applebloom slipped the garment off herself, revealing the expertly sewn gown beneath it. It matched her mane perfectly. "Thank you!" She smiled and reached into her purse slung about her neck. When her hoof came out, at least 30 bits came out with it. She hooved it to the colt, causing the pony's face to light up.

"No no no...Thank YOU!" He quickly put the money into his golden vest’s pocket.

Applebloom proceeded inside, still awe-stricken at the room. Its carefully tiled floor, the vaulted ceiling bearing a hoof-painted mural of the heavens; and at the front of the room was an orchestra of several ponies, most notably a grey cellist masterfully plucking the strings of her instrument. Violas and violins, as well as the harmonies of a grand piano, accompanied the musician.

This party was perhaps more fancy that the Grand Galloping Gala. Maybe.

Applebloom continued towards the tables, looking for her assigned seat. Sure enough, just as she was at all these formal gatherings, the yellow pony was put right next to the bathrooms. As was the rest of her family.

Her older sister and brother, and green grandmother, had arrived by train from Ponyville the previous night. Applebloom had been too busy attending to business matters that she did not have a chance to meet them before they left for the ball. She could see by the bags and trademark brown Stetson that they were here.

Placing her belongings at her spot, Applebloom left to find her relatives. Sifting through the none-minding uptight ponies, she scanned the room, looking for any signs of the orange or red farmers. So focused was Applebloom on her quest that she bumped into a large unicorn.

Lightly jostled, Applebloom shook her head and immediately apologized.

"Ah'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Her eyes widened at the stallion she ran into.

"Oh that's quite alright. I'll be just fine, my dear. Good to see you again, Applebloom!"

"Fancypants!" The earth pony's face beamed at the sight of the white unicorn, his mane and mustache perfectly groomed, his monocle perfectly adjusted, and his bow tie perfectly tied.

"I do believe I have seen your sister and brother around here. Last I saw them, they were over by the balcony upstairs." Though his speech was dignified, it was never condescending.

"My Applebloom, you do clean up VERY nicely, if I may say." Said Fancypants' companion, a slim, tall unicorn, her mane a light shade of pink.

The yellow mare blushed. "Why thank you kindly! Now if y'all excuse me, Ah'm going to find mah family."

"Take care! And try the fondue. It's simply delicious." Fancypants suggested, waving a hoof at the departing Applebloom.

As she made her way towards the upstairs balcony, the red-maned earth pony reflected on who Fancypants was to her. A friend of Rarity’s, she met him a while back, showing him her new machines that she built. Applebloom was just a filly then, but the cultured stallion still took her work very seriously. Even then she was enterprising, and earned several patents.

She remembered the day her life changed forever, though. Fancypants noticed her penchant for not only mechanics, but also business. He took her under his wing, and taught her how to be a savvy entrepreneur. Over the years her mentor had watched Applebloom’s small business blossom into a giant corporation. Her undying determination combined with her practical talents skyrocketed her to fortune. But even for all her wealthy, Fancypants seemed to be the only high-class pony to respect her.

To all others, Applebloom was the dreaded "Nouveau Riche", an uncultured, poor farmer at heart.

So why was she here? Nopony but the rich snobs were on the guest list, well them and several guests Applebloom had invited. Perhaps she just liked to stick it in their faces. Much to the ire of the old money, Applebloom was one of the largest contributors that paid for this ball. It was a fact they hated with all their hearts, and she loved every second of it.

But still, a large part of her wanted to be among them. She longed to become accepted as one of them. Did she have anything to prove? She certainly wasn't ashamed of her background. Questions like these kept her up for many nights in her large mansion.

Breaking from her thoughts, Applebloom came to the balcony. Sure enough, three nicely dresses ponies in orange, red and green stood looking out at the Canterlot cityscape.

"It sure is beautiful, ain't it? All those lights." She said.

"Eeyup...Applebloom!" Big McIntosh swiftly swooped up his baby sister and squeezed her in his embraced.

"Woah hey! You're gonna mess up mah mane! Ah just had it styled!"

"Hehe since when did ya ever care about mussin' up your mane?" Applejack said. "It's good to see ya!"

Big Mac set down his breathless sister. "Looks...like...ahem...looks like y'all care about y'alls appearance too! Lookin' real sharp."

"Why thank ya!" Applejack replied, wearing her brown and green gala dress, complete with its bolo tie and boots. Her long blonde mane and tail were braided. It was completely unlike her. Even her favorite hat was gone, instead sitting on their table.

Big McIntosh rocked a black tuxedo, complete with a boutonniere. An apple blossom naturally. His golden mane was neatly combed, and this was the first time in a long while Applebloom had seen him without his yoke.

Granny Smith wore a simple dress, perhaps unsuited to such a formal event and more to working in the orchards. But she would never wear a fancy ball gown. Not in her lifetime.

"So what have y'all been up to?" Applebloom inquired, smiling widely.

"Well you know, just apple bucking. Running the farm." the orange mare replied.

"Y'all ain't still doin' it with your hooves are ya? What about that new harvester Ah sent ya?"

"There ain't no way to harvest apples other than good ol' fashion buckin’!" Granny Smith interjected. The elder green pony didn't trust any machines, and wouldn't have them working on her farm.

Applebloom just rolled her eyes. "Come on downstairs. Ah think dinner is about to start."

The party made their way back to their table, as did everypony else. At the Apple's table were four more additional guests. One was an orange pegasus with a purple mane. She had just arrived, and smiled widely at the sight of her friend.

"Scootaloo! How are you?" Applebloom asked with delight

"I'm doing good, just became second-in-command of the Wonderbolts!" It was no surprise that Scootaloo, now an ace flyer, loved the Wonderbolts. And now she was living her dream of not only flying with them, but also serving under Captain Rainbow Dash!

"What about me?" A white unicorn, her mane a series of pink and purple swirls, called out to her friend. "I get to sing tonight in the show!"

"That's wonderful, Sweetie!" The mare had realized her talent to be her vocal ambrosia, as some reviewers had called it. Accompanying Sweetie Belle was her sister Rarity.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, Applebloom. My, your dress is very gorgeous." The yellow pony gave a soft smirk. She made the dress. Of course it was gorgeous!

Rarity herself was dressed up in the most exquisite gown her hooves could craft, and caught the eye of more than a few stallions.

The fourth guest was a much rougher looking mare. Orange and freckled, the Manehattan filly Babs Seed. When she grew up, she wanted to give something back to her community. Wanting to fight back against bullies, she joined the police force, and quickly became Captain.

"How ya doin', AB? Last time I saw youse, was about...two days ago!" The two shared a laugh. They saw each other very often now that Applebloom had moved to the city. They formed a close bond, and frequently went out together on weekends.

The eight ponies caught up for the next several minutes. Then the room became quite, and all eyes went towards the dance floor.

Fancypants stood there, levitating a crystal glass. Lightly tapping it with a fork, he announced in his calm, dignified voice, "Attention everypony! It is my greatest pleasure to formally welcome you to the 3rd Annual Canterlot Charity Drive. As you know, our most generous benefactor, largely responsible for this lavish occasion, has donated 300 million for this cause. As it stands now, a total of 2.1 billion bits will go to the foals' hospital, as well as funding the new foals' museum!" Light hoof-stomps filled the room. "Thank you, Miss Applebloom!" The stomp was noticeably less enthusiastic.

Applebloom blushed. Her cheeks became even redder when Fancypants pointed his fork at her. "Let us give her applause!" The crowd obliged, despite their apathy or dislike for the industrialist. Fancypants knew full well ponies would do whatever he said, and though he personally didn't care for most of the elite, he still enjoyed making them do things he knew the arrogant ponies hated, like cheering for a simple-girl-from-Ponyville-turned-billionaire.

After the toast, everypony left their tables to get some food from the massive supply at the back. After returning with their plates, the eight ponies exchanged stories and jokes, talked about lives and their relationships. Several months ago Big Mac had proposed to Rarity, and the wedding plans were being discussed. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were going to be sisters!

But of course the wedding of Rarity's dreams just wasn't in the budget for her dear old father, nor could Sweet Apple Acres ever hope to pay for such unnecessary extravagance. Naturally, the financial burden fell to Applebloom.

But she wanted both of them to be happy, and to be honest, the cost was simply pocket change.

Concluding their meal, waiters came around and took away their dishes. The last sips of finely-aged wine were being drained from the crystal as the band began to play dancing music.

Wiping their mouths, many ponies walked to the dance floor, and partook in the refined art of ballroom dancing.

"Looks like it's time to get down!" Applejack said, eagerly rushing to the floor. Rarity took Big Mac by the hoof, and the two began to Waltz. Granny Smith merely sat and admired the young ponies dancing. If she were thirty years younger, she'd show these hoity-toity snobs a real hoedown.

Applejack flailed her forelegs about in pure dancing bliss. After the first song was done, she ran up to the stage and addressed the violin player.

"Can Ah play a little somethin'?"

"Um well...uh...I'm scheduled to play all night..."

"Y'all can take a break!" Not waiting for an answer, she grabbed his instrument. "You're pretty good, son. But sit right down in that chair right there. Lemme show ya how it's done! Time to liven this place up!" Then, bow in mouth, she began to saw that violin-turned-fiddle. The fiddle playing was unlike anything anypony had ever heard. So...violent...so fast...it was awful! Applebloom and the rest were dancing to the beat, thoroughly enjoying her sister's music.

The only thing that stopped everypony from eliciting a boo was Fancypants.

"What a marvelous sound!" The white unicorn yelled, winking at Applebloom.

Much to their chagrin, the high-class attendees wanted to appeal to him, so against every bone in their bodies they joined in dancing. Fortunately for them, Applejack only played one song, and then returned the violin to its owner. The band returned to their routine, and Sweetie Belle got on stage to sing.

Tears left many eyes at the melodious voice that came from that unicorn.

As the evening drug on, several circles of ponies began forming. One such group was a ring of wealthy business ponies. Fancypants invited Applebloom to join in.

"This is Applebloom, everypony. Our benefactor. It was her generous donation that paid for most of this." The group gave a half-hearted "hello" and then changed the subject back to whatever it was before she arrived.

Frowning, Applebloom was about to leave when a hoof stopped her, and a magenta mare wearing a tiara stepped in. "Oh hello Applebloom!" She then made a fake kissing gesture, as if the two were friends.

"What are you doin' here?" She asked, not sure whether to be frightened or just surprised at the sudden appearance of Diamond Tiara

"Oh silly! This is only the fanciest party in Canterlot, well besides the Grand Galloping Gala."

"Ah know why you're here but...why'd you...say 'Hi' to me?"

"Come with me, please."

"Why? So nopony will hear me when you stab me?" Applebloom wasn't about to accept this mean filly into her life. She had been teased and bullied for much of her childhood by this spoiled brat. But still, she was curious as to what Diamond wanted. Against her better judgment, she followed.

A few moments later, they came to the smoking room. Elderly stallions puffing cigar smoke sat on the sofas, chatting like gentlecolts.

"I want to say that I'm sorry for how I acted back when we were fillies. It was immature and foalish."

"Ya got that right. No if you excuse me―" Before Applebloom could leave, Diamond Tiara grabbed her.

"Wait wait wait! I want to make amends. I want to help you."

"Help me with what?" The yellow mare made no attempt to mask her ardent desire to not be here.

"I know you’re having trouble fitting in, as it were. I can help you."

Applebloom's expression changed from impatience to uncertainty. "How will you do that?"

"I know all about how they act, speak, think. I can teach you how to be a true lady. Knowing Fancypants only gets you so far. Please? It's the least I can do."

Applebloom thought it over for a bit. Could this be her chance to finally gain acceptance? Would she be one of the elite ponies? Whatever doubts she had about Diamond Tiara evaporated at the prospect.

"Um...fine. If you can deliver."

Diamond Tiara jumped up, squealing like a filly. "You won't regret this! We're going to have so much fun! I've just moved to Manehattan! I'll call you sometime later this week!" Without another word, Tiara fled, disappearing into the crowd. Applebloom sighed, and plopped down on a sofa.

Pulling a match and pipe from her purse, she asked for some tobacco and began to indulge in her guilty pleasure. In the calming atmosphere she became lost in her thoughts. Something was off about Diamond Tiara. Had she changed? This wasn't the bully she knew as a girl.

At the ball's conclusion, Applebloom retrieved her coat and left with her friends and family. Outside, in the cold November air, a light snow began to fall. They said goodbye to Fancypants and his companion Fleur-de-Lis, and went with her seven former tablemates towards the train station.

On the platform, Applebloom sent off Applejack, Big Mac, Granny Smith, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle as they boarded the train to Ponyville. Scootaloo was next, on the midnight train to Cloudsdale. Now it was just her and Babs.

"Whadya think of the party?" Asked the policemare.

"It was certainly fancy."

"You know you’re gonna help a lot of kids down there at the hospital. They'll be tawking about how generous you are and stuff."

"Well you know, anything to help the fillies and colts." Applebloom’s modesty was a necessary reaction to the constant praises she received for her philanthropy.

"But hey! Don't forget about your favorite cousin, hah?" Babs gave her a light punch to the shoulder.

"Geez not you too! Ah got a weddin' soon to pay for. Wait your turn!" The two laughed, which was broken by the sound of a locomotive's whistle as it chugged to the platform. Along the side of the engine was a stylized apple, followed by the words "Apple Industries".

"All aboard!" The conductor called out, steam pouring from the boiler behind him.

The two mares boarded the train, found their seats, and, too tired to talk anymore, faded off to sleep; bound for Manehattan, where dreams come true.

9. Correspondents

9. Correspondents

High up on the top floor of Apple Tower, two fillies stood looking out the window in its owner's office. The streets and the ponies walking along them seemed impossibly small from their viewpoint. The cliché remark of them looking like ants would've proved an understatement.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were permitted inside Applebloom’s office by herself, provided they promised not to touch anything. The pair wished to "shadow" their friend during her work this Monday. Of course Applebloom couldn't say no, but she had a few errands to run in the morning. Assuring the two she wouldn't be gone long, she informed her secretary ahead of time to allow a "white dictionary with cotton candy for a mane and an orange chicken" into the room. Her friends were...not amused by the choice of words.

Sweetie Belle looked out onto the cityscape. The tall skyscrapers were visible, each with their own company logos on the sides. Beyond that she could just see plumes of steam coming from the refineries and factories far off in the industrial districts. Likely Applebloom owned most of them.

She quickly glanced over her shoulder to the sound of the door being opened. A scruffy-looking pegasus wearing overalls walked in, carrying a box on his back. He noticed the two mares at the window.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know anypony else was in here."

"Um...hey. I don't mean to sound rude, but what're you doing in here?" Asked Scootaloo.

"Oh I just came by to drop off a gift to Miss Applebloom. I guess you both got permission to enter too."

"Yeah. But Applebloom isn't here; she had other things to do."

The stallion had a disappointed look on his face. "Dang. Well do you two mind if I hang around until she does? I'd really like to give this to her personally."

"Sure! We don't mind, right Scootaloo?" Sweetie warmly replied.

"I guess not."

"Thanks." He took the box and placed it on the wooden table in the small sitting area of the office.

"Excuse me sir, but who are you?" The white unicorn asked.

"Name's Rusty, ma'am. I'm one of Applebloom's first employees, so I have special permission to enter her office like this. You two must be her best friends. Pleasure to meet you both!"

"What do you do?"

"I work down in the Shop, making prototypes and things like that. It's a rewarding job."

"Applebloom sure has a lot of stuff all around her. I wonder how she did it all." The orange Wonderbolt looked back at the window, and proceeded to her thoughts.

Rusty walked over to the two, trying to figure out what they were looking at in particular. "Well it wasn't easy. I can tell you that before she got on her feet, Applebloom almost went into debt five times. She nearly lost it all. But your friend's something special."

"You know we never thought about it, but I wanna how it started. What about you, Scootaloo?"

"I could use a story to pass the time. She sure is taking a while." Scootaloo said, reading the clock on the wall.

"It's a good story, but kinda long. You sure?"

"Yep!"

"You're a peppy little unicorn, ain't ya?" Rusty said giving a hearty laugh. "Alright, well back some time ago, I just got laid off at a plant. So I'm standing in the unemployment line, waiting to see what jobs are available, and this little redhead with nothing to her name except a college degree and a whole lot of debt, comes up to a group of us. She asks 'anypony want a job?' We're like 'hell yes!' “

"She just...asked some random ponies to work for her? That's kind of odd." The orange pegasus remarked.

"I guess to some ponies. Anyway we get to this little...basically a shack she bought. Next to it is a warehouse filled with some machines. She gives us a few rules and we sign some contracts...yadda yadda yadda. Then she puts us to work machining components for factory equipment. At first I expected her to just go off to her office and do whatever managers do. But no!"

Sweetie Belle looked a bit concerned, as if something wrong had happened. "W...what happened?"

"That yellow mare came up, put some goggles on, and started working alongside us. I've never had a boss that did that. A supervisor, but not an actual 'boss'. So well fill the orders, and start getting more. Nothing too special. Applebloom's trying to balance the budget with little success. Then word starts spreading of some place called 'Apple Ironworks' that makes a damn good coupling. More and more orders come in. She gets a little extra capital to work with. It was incredible! The phone was ringing off the hook! We buy a second building and hire more workers. She's scouring the unemployment lines looking for jobless ponies like I was."

"Then what? Did she start a whole chain of 'Ironworks' or something?"

"Not quite. One day AB gets the crazy idea that we not only make the parts, but put them together too! Soon she gets the even crazier idea of actually putting the machines to work for us. And instead of keeping all that money to herself like some young businessponies who don’t know what they’re doing, she buys mines and foundries. We got blast furnaces and pumps just churning out metal! She also gives us all really big salaries for simple factory workers. Soon entire firms are losing their workforce to come here!"

Rusty took a deep breath, wiping his brow. "Sorry. I get a little worked up about this kinda stuff. It can't possibly be as interesting for you as it is for me."

"Nah, it's cool. Go on. Applebloom never talks about this kind of stuff."

"Yeah, she wouldn't. Alright Scootaloo, if you say so. Because we're just getting started! So she changed the name to Apple Industries. Soon, a run-down old shipyard is up for auction. She buys it, then..."

On the streets of Manehattan, a small red maned pony dressed in a black suit walked down the pathway. Her mane was neatly combed and her clothing devoid of lint or any other such imperfections. Her teeth were a pearly white, and in her eyes a glimmer of determination shone. Today she had a very important meeting, and Applebloom needed to look her best.

Her morning errands completed, the industrialist made her way to her building. Nothing unusual happened during the journey, just the daily occurrences of the big city. A stallion dropped his wallet and she returned it. An old mare had her purse stolen by a thief. Applebloom tripped him during his getaway, causing him to slam into the icy sidewalk. The last she saw of him, he was on the way to the ER to stitch his face back together.

Her cheery disposition was revealed by the tune she whistled all the way and the smile she held. Several blocks away from the Tower, Applebloom noticed a bell ringer beside a metal pot hung by a stand. A sign was next to her that read "Manehattan Foal's Fund".

She made her way towards the charity worker. "Good mornin'! How's it comin' along?"

"Good Morning! We've had quite the turnout in the last few days. Nothing warms you up more in this cold than to see a few coins clank into the pot!" The bundled-up unicorn said, her bell ringing never ceasing. "Care to donate? All the money goes to getting a Hearth's Warming present for foals whose families can't afford much this year."

"Ah'd be happy to! Here, lemme see..." Applebloom pulled out a wallet and looked through it. "Hm...ya know what? Ah got a better idea." Pulling out a checkbook and pen, she took the writing utensil in her mouth a scrawled some letters and numbers on a check.

After putting away the book and pen, Applebloom dropped the check into the pot. As she turned to leave, the bell ringer picked up the piece of paper and forgot to breathe for a second. "My goodness! No no no I cannot possibly accept this much!"

Nonchalantly continuing on, Applebloom responded. "Think nothin' of it. Everypony deserves a present for the holidays. Happy Hearth's Warming!" Waving at the unicorn, the donor resumed her trek.

"Oh bless you! Happy Hearth's Warming!"

By the time the enthusiastic sound of the bell faded from her ears, Applebloom had made it to the Tower. Walking inside the building, she was greeted by all sorts of employees. Naturally she returned the gregarious responses, often asking how family was and how kids were doing. Scanning the room, she spotted a stallion sitting in one of the lobby seats.

Cantering over excitedly, she addressed the pony. "Well howdy! Ah don't recognize you, so you must be the rep from Bitumen Incorporated. Pleasure to meet ya!" She immediately took the stallion by the hoof.

The reserved pony was taken aback by Applebloom. "You must be the CEO of Apple Industries. They said you would be rather...up front."

The yellow businesspony flashed her beautiful teeth. "The one and only! Now come with me, and we'll discuss whatever's on your agenda."

"Yes ma'am." He rose up and got beside Applebloom. "Now, as you may know, the Board of Directors for my company is thinking about expanding into the northern regions. The coal deposits should prove to be very profitable."

"Mhm. There ain't much work for ponies out there; a couple mines oughta liven things up! But y'all better treat 'em right." She said, cantering to the elevator.

"Of course, Miss Applebloom. Which is why they had some of us scour many different manufacturers of excavators and pumps." He explained as the pair entered the carriage.

"Well, the quality of a machine can make or break the quality of a mine. What have ya found out so far, mister...?"

"Feldspar. Several companies have forwarded us excellent deals. But several directors were very interested in your business. Apple Industries does have quite the reputation."

"Alright, now we're talkin'. Ah can assure y'all that there ain't nothin' that can match one of mah machines per hour of hard labor. Feldspar, who's your biggest competitor?"

"The CMC, why?"

Applebloom blinked for a couple seconds. "The...CMC?"

"Yes. Coltorado?"

"Oh! Oh, right. You know where they get their machines?"

"Not off the top of my head."

Giving the stallion a sly smirk, she uttered. "Us."

"You supply our competitors?"

"Of course. A little competition never hurt nopony. In fact, the market would stagnate without it. Ah'll give y'all both the same tools to play ball with. Now you don't want Coltorado havin' better toys, do ya?"

"My company has appropriated millions to pay for the expansion. I'm afraid taking the indirect word of a rival corporation will not suffice."

"Ah thought you'd say that. So let's get down to the nuts and bolts. Ah can sell ya the machines you want at a fraction of the price of other manufactures. Not only that, but each one comes with a 5 year warranty. If y'all have a problem, Ah will personally compensate you."

"Wow...that's very generous. You certainly have a lot of faith in your products."

"Ah got good ponies makin' them. Now, let's talk specifics..."

"Wow!" Sweetie Belle shouted, completely moved by Rusty's story. "I...I never knew that! Is that true?"

"Every word. Applebloom is a bona fide grade A pony. Come to think of it, you three are a match made in Heaven." The old pony looked at the clock. "I wonder where she is."

As if on cue, the office doorknob turned and in came two well dress ponies, a mare and a stallion.

Applebloom looked inside the room to see it already occupied by three other ponies. Temporarily ignoring the others, she returned to her client.

"My goodness! Uh...I've got to speak with my superiors immediately! Thank you so much! You don't know what this means to me!" The businesscolt practically exploded in happiness, his chance of securing that bonus all but certain.

"Mah pleasure. So Ah take it we're gonna have a deal?"

"You bet! By golly they can't possibly be stupid enough to reject this offer!" He turned around and left the room. "Goodbye, Miss Applebloom! Expect a call VERY soon."

She waved at the departing stallion. "Take care, !" Facing her friends, she smiled and began to speak. "Sorry 'bout that, you guys. Ah had some business to take care of."

"Don't worry, AB. We were just listening to a fantastic story this guy told us." Scootaloo said as she nudged her elbow into the old pegasus' side.

"Did he? Rusty, what brings ya up here?"

"I have a box for you. By the way, if you don't mind me asking," He paused, looking at the businessmare. "Where's your hat and tie?"

Applebloom had indeed come to work without bearing two of her signature accessories. No brown Stetson rested on her head, and a traditional necktie finished off her suit instead of the bolo. Looking a tad guilty, she answered. "Ah'm tryin' somethin' different. Somethin' less...regional." Her response elicited raised eyebrows from Sweetie and Scootaloo. Where had they heard that before?

"Oh...alright!" Rusty just smiled, and returned to his warm demeanor. "So about that box!"

Applebloom noticed the box on the table. "What's in it?"

The overalled pegasus picked up the container and brought it over towards the fillies. "Well Little Red, my wife was so thankful for my bonus this year, that she baked you a batch of apple muffins." He popped the lid off and the breathtaking aroma of the baked goods permeated into the nostrils of the three mares. They became lost to the scent, fantasizing about indulging in that splendiferous taste.

Rusty then placed the box on a clear spot on Applebloom's desk and put the lid back on. "If there isn't anything you need from me, I'm gonna go back to work. See ya later, Miss Applebloom!"

Shaking herself out of the daze, the mare bid her employee farewell. She then trotted over to the box, pulled off the lid, and took out a muffin. "Help yourselves! There's a dozen in here!"

Over the next few minutes, the room was silent except for the near orgasmic sounds the three former Cutie Mark Crusaders made while they ate their muffins. Lost to culinary bliss, nothing else mattered except the marriage of their taste buds and the treats.

After they had finished, Applebloom licked her hoofs clean of all residue the muffins could have possibly left. "Alright...nopony EVER tell Granny Smith."

"My lips are sealed." Scootaloo said, making the motion of zipping her mouth shut.

"About what?" Sweetie replied. At first the other two thought she was just playing dumb, but her innocent smile gave them other ideas. The white unicorn could be a bit...slow to pick up on cues.

Applebloom walked over to her desk and sat down in her chair. "Anyway, how have y'all been enjoyin' your day?"

Before her friends could answer, however, a voice on her intercom spoke out. "Excuse me, Miss Applebloom?"

Pressing the button, the industrialist answered. "Yes, Cyrus? Whadya need?"

"Somepony is requesting to see you. A Mr. Amber. Shall I tell him to make an appointment?"

Applebloom's eyes widened. She had really wanted to talk to a member of his family, and now one was outside her door. "Uh...no! Let him in."

A couple seconds later, a golden colored earth pony walked in, his coat and mane rather messy and tattered. He rushed over to the front of Applebloom's desk. "Oh thank you! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much it means that you let me speak with you."

"You're quite welcome. Have a seat. Allow me to introduce you to mah friends. The orange one is Scootaloo, and the white one is Sweetie Belle. Girls, this is Amber Waves, CEO of Amber Food Company." The three guests greeted one another. Afterwards, Mr. Amber turned back to face Applebloom, his countenance very worried looking.

"Actually, I'm no longer CEO. I'm just a minor and often ignored member of the Board."

"What? Bu...but Ah was told you still run the company."

"No. That's why I've come here. I'm sure you read in the newspaper about Amber Foods being bought by Rich Enterprises."

Placing her hoofs under her chin, Applebloom leaned in intently. "Indeed Ah have. Ah thought it was odd. Y'all'd never sell."

"Of course not! But we didn't have much of a choice!"

"Why? Did you have some rough spots? Needed money?"

"Not at all! We were doing excellent! That's why they wanted us."

"Woah!" Sweetie shouted out. "Wait a second. Rich Enterprises? As in the company Diamond Tiara runs?"

Applebloom's response was rather morbid. "The very same, Sweetie. Mr. Amber, what happened?"

"One day a representative came from the company, and put an offer on the table. Naturally we all rejected it. Day after day, they kept coming back. And every time we turned them down. But they wouldn't take no for an answer."

"So y'all didn't get shares in Rich Enterprises?"

"What? No! They played dirty. My family controlled the company, and together we owned it. Soon, more and more of my family members resigned their positions, or sold their shares. Most wouldn't say why they did it. About two weeks ago, Rich shareholders acquired the entire company; except for my own stock. I'm the only one left of the original directors."

"So what're you sayin'? What kind of stuff did they do to get the shares?"

"After digging around for a bit, I found some things out. Anything from brides, to blackmail, to outright threats. They kept me because I'm the face of the company; the patriarch of the Amber Family. But for all intents and purposes, Rich owns everything. I've been under house arrest for the past week, and I'm gonna be in serious trouble for having escaped."

Applebloom had a panic attack. "Oh no! W...What are we gonna do? Are they looking for you right now??"

"Yes. Which is why I cannot stay. You're the only pony I trust anymore, Applebloom. You must do something!" The stallion then ran towards the door, extremely agitated and not wishing to remain in the office anymore. "Goodbye! I...I gotta go!"

Before Applebloom could say anything back, Amber Waves galloped out of the room at full speed, hell-bent on trying to return home without being noticed. But, it was probably already too late.

The red-maned businesspony, so honest and moral in her conduct, knew the corporate world was full of backroom dealings and less than ethical actions, whether legal or not. And every gnawing doubt in her mind on the situation with Amber Foods she had pushed aside. She had been giving her new friend the benefit of the doubt.

But now those blinders she made for herself were shattered.

Her expression conveyed exactly what Applebloom thought, and Scootaloo took notice. "Face it, AB. Your little friend Diamond Tiara is a robber baron."

"I knew she couldn't be trusted!" Sweetie said, slamming her hoof down on the desk.

A few moments passed before Applebloom responded. Her thoughts were racing along at a mile a minute. Finally, she gathered them into a cohesive answer.

"Ah...should go talk to her soon. Ah ain't gonna start point' hooves."

"This is the perfect time to point hooves!" Scootaloo yelled, losing her composure. "That guy was a friend of yours. Would he ever lie to you?"

"Never in a million years. But there are two sides to this story. I need to get down to the truth."

"And is Diamond Tiara gonna tell you the truth?" Sweetie Belle harshly asked. "She told you those lies! You really think―"

Applebloom lost her temper, and shouted so loud that the other two shrank in size and fell deadly silent. "AH DON’T KNOW!! BELIEVE ME AH'M JUST AS UPSET AS Y'ALL!!" Taking a deep breath, she slammed her head onto her desk. Tears streaming from her eyes, Applebloom continued in a quieter tone. "Ah'm sorry for yellin'. But part of friendship is trustin' your friends. Ah cannot call myself a respectable pony if Ah don't do that." Turning to face the window, Scootaloo could see Applebloom's expression, now unmistakably determined.

"But y'all better bet that Ah'll get to the bottom of this."

Noontime in city hall, and Police Chief Babs Seed was standing within the grand corridors of the building. The marble columns and vaulted ceiling made her feel very small, and every sound, even the slightest drop of a pin, would’ve echoed throughout the room. She was here to catch a certain pony who ventured out into the hall at 12 o'clock every weekday for lunch.

Looking out onto the steps that led to the Council Chamber, Babs saw a light blue unicorn canter down the stairs. His mane was a muted shade of grey and he wore a navy suit.

Humming to himself, the pony froze at the sight of the policemare. Quickly glancing at a way out, he tried in vain to leave the building. A mere five feet from the door, Babs was right in from of him, staring him down.

Smiling almost sadistically, Babs "greeted" the stallion. "Why hello there, Blue Suit. Where do ya think you're goin'?"

Using his magic to straighten his tie, the unicorn cleared his throat. "Good morning, Officer Babs Seed. I was just on my way to lunch. Now if you'd kindly―" His attempt at leaving was foiled when Babs placed her strong hoof on his chest, effectively halting his movement.

"Not so fast. I gawt some question for ya, and I ain't leavin' 'til you answer them. It won't take but five minutes."

"Alright. What do you want?" He asked, rolling his eyes.

She led him into a secluded corner in the room. Whispering, Babs began. "Palomino. What do ya know about the Mayor pawrdoning him?"

"What makes you think I know why the Mayor does what he does?" Blue Suit replied, obviously upset about having to be there.

"Because he's a member of your pawrty, AND you're a Council member. I did some diggin'. What you guys voted on was unconstitutional. Not to mention the fact that he appointed replacements to those six that resigned. What do you know about that too?"

"Wow, you don't waste time. I can assure you, the Council is working to make Manehattan a better city. There's no need to-"

"You're not answerin' my question. Ain't that just like a politician. You're the only one who hasn't dropped a big fat pile of money on anythin', AND who didn't resign. So you're my only lead...unless..." She grabbed his lapels and propped him against the wall. "Unless you're wearin' a wire!"

"No! I...I swear I'm not!" Calming down, Babs released him. "Thank you. Officer, I'm just as concerned for the city as you are. I investigated a bit myself, and from what I've gathered, the six who resigned received threats and blackmails. Several were threatened to have...extramarital affairs exposed."

Babs gave a sarcastic chuckle. "I bet they were. What about Palomino? I busted my flank takin' him down and they up and release him!"

"Believe me, I was furious. I voted against giving the Mayor the power to pardon. I voted against legalizing all those drugs. I voted against at least five ordinances. But I was the only opposition."

"So, Blue Suit actually using his vote towards something useful? What's goin' on with the unconstitutionality issue?"

"I looked in the paper, and it didn't say anything about the appointments. So I went to the newspaper offices."

Babs furrowed her brow, now VERY interested. "And what'd they say?"

"I asked why nopony was talking about it, and they told me it wasn't 'newsworthy'. Whatever that meant."

"What?"

"Indeed. But they said it rather...nervously. As if somepony were...watching them."

"Damn. So this runs deeper than I thought...crime is on the rise, and now that bastards like Palomino are protected, what the hell's gonna happen?"

"I'm not sure. But I do know the poverty level in the East End has grown quite a bit in the past week or so."

"What? It doesn't work like that. Ponies just don't fall into poverty like that. At least not a whole section of a city."

"They might if something were taking their money, somepony like your greedy little cousin. It's like a depression hit the place. I know; I've seen it just yesterday."

Babs glared at the stallion. "Screw off. But you do have a point. Risin’ crime and poverty rates...the city has never been more prosperous. Blue Suit, your Council's corrupted like no other. Do you know anything about the National Court appeal to the appointments?"

"Yes. I've read into it. Some politicians are burying the case under literal stacks of paperwork. What do you think this all means?"

"The crime organizations...may be banding together...and interweaving themselves in politics."

"Are you sure? That's a bit farfetched, don't you think, Officer?"

Babs smiled and looked at the unicorn. "Never."

"Hm...well if that is all true, I'll have to start writing some new laws. We must bleed those criminal CEOs of their money."

" 'More regs'. Whatever. It's not about the money." Babs then turned away and walked towards the door.

"Wait a second? Then what is it about?"

"Enjoy your lunch. And Blue Suit," She turned her head back to face him, giving the stallion a very serious look. "Keep in touch. I don't like you, and you don't like me, but you're all I gawt." With that, the policemare exited City Hall, leaving the suited pony to his grumbling stomach.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, nonchalantly reading a paper, there sat a grey unicorn on a bench. When the blue unicorn had left, the grey pony rose up and walked over to a payphone. Dialing the number, he picked it up with his magic.

"I believe Officer Babs Seed has become a major detriment." He listened to the voice on the other end. "Yes. She has placed her nose into many places it does not belong. I think now might be the time." Listening again, he got a devious grin on his face. "Oh, I know just the pony..."