Chapters The Godmare: Only Personal
"And do you, Rainbow take this stallion to be your husband, Ora e per sempre, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in me, I pronounce you mare and stallion. You may now kiss the bride. Complimenti, i miei figli."
Twilight felt a single tear of happiness welling into her left eye as her life-long friend engaged in a romantic kiss signifying her unity to a stallion which she loved. All Twilight wanted was for her friends to find happiness in their lives. She never wanted any of them to join in on the family business, but when they came to her and said that they were helping no matter what, how could she send them away? Her focus on the ceremony was interrupted as Spike whispered something into her ear.
"Octavia is in your office. She has a urgent matter she needs help with." Twilight glared angrily at her Consigliere.
"Can it wait?"
"It's pretty urgent." Spike knew not to be scared when Twilight got angry. She was always constantly under pressure from this thing of theirs, but underneath she was kinder than any pony Spike had ever met. He was but a new hatch-ling when she was forced into the life, so he never really knew her before the life claimed her.
"Confonderla... Fine, tell her I'll be right there." Spike nodded and made his way back to the office. Twilight took one last look to Rainbow, who was busy dancing happily with her groom. Rainbow's smile faded as she looked over and saw Twilight walking away with a sigh. She knew that Twilight was busy for a good reason, but she hated the fact that business always came first. With a sigh, she turned back to her groom and continued dancing.
"Godmare." Octavia nodded as Twilight entered the room. Three years ago, Twilight had helped Octavia get her career started by rigging a local music contest in her favor. Ever since then, Octavia had been famous. The favor, of course, was repaid in full by Octavia serving as a distraction while Big Mac pulled a hit on a city official. And now it seemed she needed another favor...
"Be quick, Octavia. You're interrupting a wedding." Twilight's temper was very thin. The only things that could anger her were insulting her, causing her to miss time with her friends, hurting her friends, and wasting her time. Right now, Octavia was doing one and possibly doing two.
"Thank you, Godmare. You see, I am having a slight problem with a big shot producer who agreed to sign me on under his company."
"So? How is that a bad thing? You don't want to be wasting my time, Octavia..."
"Sorry, it gets worse. My current producer found out that I was thinking of accepting the other producers offer and dropped me. I wouldn't have minded it, only the new producer decided that I wasn't good enough. I pleaded with him, and he called me a talent less attention whore." Tears began to fill into the mares eyes, causing Twilight to roll her eyes.
"Stop crying. I don't have time for this."
"I-I want... Want." Twilight, having had enough of the stuttering mare, raised her hoof and smacked her in the face.
"ENOUGH! It's one thing to come to me after I specifically stated that I don't want any more visitors, but it's another to come into my office and cry about something so small. Grow up!" Octavia swallowed and stood from the ground. She immediately stopped crying and with a sniffle, kissed the Godmare's hoof.
"Thank you, Godmare. I am very sorry."
"You know I enjoy your company and your music. I just can't have you in here crying like a newborn foal. Leave this producer to me. You'll be under his employment by tomorrow."
"How are you going to do that? He stated very obviously that he'd never have someone as untalented as me under his employment." Octavia wiped her eyes and rubbed the red hoof mark on her cheek. It wasn't the first time Twilight had hit somepony while she was angry, but everypony knew she only did it when they deserved it. Twilight turned around and smiled slightly at the musician.
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. Now, go back out there and entertain my guests. I want this to be the perfect day for Rainbow Dash."
"Yes, Godmare." Twilight stepped aside as the sobbing mare exited the room.
"Spike, go get your coat and briefcase." Spike nodded.
"What for?"
"You're going to Fillywood. I want you to arrange a meeting with this producer stallion and see if he'll be open to reason. If not... Then call me and I'll take care of matters from there, okay?" She stared firmly at her assistant.
"Yes, Twilight."
"Good. Now, could you please ensure I don't have any more visitors today? All I want is to be able to enjoy Rainbow's wedding."
"Don't worry, Octavia was the last guest. Do you need me for anything else, or should I depart immediately?" Twilight opened the door and turned back to her Consigliere.
"Go ahead and leave. I'm going to need all the time I can get if he doesn't agree."
"What are you going to do?"
"You just worry about doing business. I'll worry about the dirty stuff, alright?" She narrowed her eyes at the dragon, who sighed and nodded. "Good." She didn't like to be assertive with her friends, let alone Spike, but when they started asking about her dirty business... She had to be assertive to protect them from hearing of the things she must do. As she returned to the yard, she wondered what her mother would think of her.
Her mother was actually the reason she joined Celestia's family. Around 17 years ago, her mother had been killed in a drive-by shooting on a shop that didn't pay it's protection. For three years she lived with her friends as she tried to find the ones responsible. During that time, she had become ruthless in her search, killing around 30 mobsters in search of her mothers killers. Each kill hardened her and it was only a matter of time before Celestia came to her with a job offer.
"Hey, Twilight." She smiled as Fluttershy called at her from her table. It just now occurred to her that she hadn't had a chance to talk to her friend.
"Fluttershy! Come sei stato? How have you been?" She tried to be careful about using ancient Equestrian when talking to others, but sometimes it slipped out. Fluttershy herself was very fluent in it, but her stallion friend obviously was not. It was plain disrespectful to have a conversation with somepony without including their friends!
"Well, besides the post traumatic stress disorder from the war, I'm good. But the doctor says that since I didn't see much over there, it'll be gone within a week. Nightmares are terrible though..."
"I'm sorry to hear that." She turned to Ace. "You are Ace, I presume? Fluttershy has said much about you in her letters." Ace stopped sipping his cider as the Don addressed him.
"The one and only. How're you doing?" The stallion extended a hoof to shake with Twilight. Fluttershy cringed as he did so, since Twilight had never once in her life shook hooves with someone. She said it just wasn't a proper way to greet somepony. The last pony that had offered her a hoof shake was thrown from the compound and told to never come back.
"Just great!" She placed her hoof against his and shook it, much to Fluttershy's surprise. Was it because she was dating him? Or was it because he wasn't from Equestria and had no idea of their customs. "I take it you are enjoying the Equestrian hospitality?"
"Oh, yes! I'll admit, some of the stuff over here you ponies do it strange. Like that big stallion, Big Mac was it? He was talking to himself over there." Fluttershy looked at Twilight, expecting her to show any sign of anger. Instead, all she did was smile and continue talking to her stallion friend.
"Yes, he is a little strange. But he's one of my most loyal businessman. He always gets stuff done when I need it done." Twilight smiled as she accepted a cider from a nearby waitress. As she took it, she nodded and mouthed thank you.
"So, what type of business are you into? Fluttershy won't tell me." Fluttershy continued to hold herself back from covering Ace's mouth. If anything else didn't anger Twilight, asking about her business definitely would.
"We make some of the finest ciders in Equestria. You're drinking one right now, matter a fact." Twilight remained calm as she spoke to her guest. He didn't know of their customs, nor did he have any intentions to offend. As long as he was with Fluttershy and showed her respect, he would have her respect. And everypony knew that having the respect of a Godmare was a good thing to have.
"I assume it's a fine business. I mean, look at the size of this place! You'd have to kill to be this rich in most places." He and Twilight laughed. Fluttershy, however, was stiff as a board. How long until Twilight had enough and kicked him from the compound? She loved Twilight like a sister, but she also feared her. Everypony did. But still, she would do anything for her. Just like Twilight would do anything to protect Fluttershy.
"Ace, can you go fetch the car? I'm going to talk to Twilight for a moment later. I'm getting pretty tired." Twilight, a smile still on her face, looked to Fluttershy.
"Sciocchezza! You two can stay in the extra room. You're always welcome here."
"No thank you, Twilight. It's going to be busy here tonight and I just want to go right to sleep." Twilight's smile faded as her friend rejected her.
"Fluttershy, I wish you would stay and catch up. But if you are truly tired, then please, go get some rest." Ace nodded to the two and stood up.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Twilight Sparkle." She stood and shook his hoof once more.
"Please, call me Godmare." She smiled much to Ace's confusion.
"That's a bit of a strange name, but if that's what you want to be called! Good day to you, Godmare." Twilight curled to left side of her lip up a little bit as he called her Godmare. Ace departed their presences, leaving Twilight to sit down across from Fluttershy.
"Thank you for not getting angry with him, Twilight." Fluttershy sighed as Ace exited the compound yard. He was the only pony she had ever had romantic interest in. If anything were to ever happen to him...
"Of course not, my dear friend. As long as he treats you right, he is like family. So, now that he's gone... Why have you refused my offer of staying the night here?"
"You know I don't want any part of this... Thing of yours. Just being close to here makes me feel like a criminal." Twilight sighed. Being called a criminal by her favorite friend hurt her more than anything. Still, she did not get angered, nor did she get saddened. It was true after all, but she didn't like to think of herself as a criminal. Rather, a businessmare that goes to higher lengths to get what she wants; to protect her and her family.
"I understand, my beloved friend. I can't and won't force you to stay somewhere you aren't comfortable. How long are you staying?"
"I actually left the military. Too much death over there... I'm just going to make a life here. Probably open up a flower shop. Ace also talked about opening up a bakery, since he was quite the baker over in the Zebra homeland. Those striped oddballs definitely have a interesting cuisine."
"That's good to hear." Fluttershy stood as she heard their vehicle's horn.
"I wish they would just bring back the carriages... Those automobiles are so untrustworthy. Anyways, goodbye, Twilight." Both nodded to each other as Fluttershy stood. As Fluttershy began to make her way to the car, Twilight extended her hoof and stopped Fluttershy.
"Remember, I'm here if you need anything. Anything at all. If those hoodlums around there start messing with you, let me know." Fluttershy looked down at her hoof and followed it to Twilight's face, which was solemn and caring.
"Thank you, Godmare." She brought her trench coat over her body and made her way to the vehicle. As she walked away, Twilight sighed and frowned. If she was back for good, then she was in danger of being brought into the family business... None of her family would even attempt to do so, but what if one of the other families start something? She was going to have to try her hardest to never allow her dearest friend to be forced into this life of theirs.
Even if it was the death of her.
The Godmare: Only Personal
Revenge (Flashback - 1952, August 16)
"Grazie, Don Teologo." Twilight kissed the foreleg of her Godmare, Celestia. She had just been ranked up to Underboss of her family, which was the biggest honor available to a family member, right after Don. And on her 30th birthday, no less.
"You earned it. You've been by my side through thick and thin since I found you 17 years ago. You know how to show respect and you know how to accept respect. Come, walk with me." Celestia walked forward down the middle of cabaret club, Twilight in tow. "Tell me, do you know what being an Underboss means?"
"Yes, Godmare." Celestia nodded to her Underboss and began to explain anyways.
"I understand you know what it means, but you don't truly understand what it means to me. When I pass -which I will- it means that you will take over the family business."
"I understand this, Godmare."
"Good. It also means that it's finally time for you to take your revenge." She stopped, turned and looked down on her Underboss and nodded subtly to her. Nodding back, she smiled a bit. She had been waiting for this day for 19 long years. "You'll be meeting Trixie at our Manehatten warehouse. She'll direct you towards the ones that killed your family. What you do to them, it's your choice."
"What do you mean, Godmare?"
"I mean, you'll be able to choose if they live..." She started walking down the hallway towards the stairs that lead to the underground racket, which was a casino. "Or die. If you choose to let them live, they'll be released back into Equestria. But know this, they came to us for protection... They managed to anger the Meraviglia's." She sat down at a card table, gesturing her Underboss to sit across from her. "If you let them live, the Meraviglia's will claim their life. I'll judge you not for the choice you make, since it's personal." She took a sip of her drink and looked to the stage as a performer stepped onto it.
"It's something I must do."
"Twilight." Celestia looked to her Underboss, her most loyal family member with a stern face. "This time is an exception. But never let personal matters interfere with the business. It only... Complicates things." She waved off a waitress as she was brought a cigar. "Do you understand why?"
"No, Godmare." She stood from the chair and started walking out of the club.
"Come, I need some fresh air." She promptly followed her Don. That was her way, to move a lot. Don Teologo never liked to sit in one place for too long. Nor did she ever like to talk while crowded around people, especially not of such matters. The double doors swung open to the streets of Canterlot. The sky was a grey color and the sounds of the increasingly popular automobile filled the streets.
"Hey, you forgot to pay!" Celestia simply stopped and turned around to the pony who was holding a baseball bat in his mouth.
"Twilight, take care of this."
"Of course, Godmare." Twilight slowly walked over to the owner, who was now realizing who he had just stopped. Fear spread across his face, into his eyes as Twilight stopped in front of him and reached into her trench-coat with her magic. He dropped the baseball bat, but didn't run. Everypony knew that running was a sure way to catch lead, so you were better off just take the beating you were to be given. Fear turned to relief as Twilight levitated out a wad of cash and handed it to the owner.
"Don Teologo is most sorry for insulting you by not paying for your services. Please, take this gift from us as an apology." Turning away from the pony, who was now sighing in relief, she returned to her Don's side.
"Good, I taught you well." Back when she had just started in the business, she had always been quick to resort to violence. Now, she was much more calm and knew the correct way to get a pony on her side. "The reason you must never interfere your personal matters with business is simple." She stopped in the middle of the cross-way and turned to Twilight. As she was about to finish her thought, a cargo truck honked at them, causing Celestia to slowly turn around to look at the driver. Upon seeing who the figure was, he immediately backed up and allowed her all the time she needed. "It clouds your judgement." The two exited the crossway.
"That makes sense. Should I take the death of my family personally?"
"You're allowed to, on this one occasion. They were not part of the business, nor were you. Now that you are, anything that happens to you," she handed of a wad of money to a nearby police officer as they passed, "it's only business. Capiche?"
"Capiche, Godmare." The two entered a nearby shop, which had refused their offer for protection. When a shop refuses protection, it is equivalent to spitting right in the Don's face. There are many ways to anger a member of one of the three families, but that was the worst way. Nothing shows disrespect more than denying protection.
"Sorry, we're clo-"
"You dare to sully my name when I come to you with an offer for protection." The mare's eyes widened as she looked up from his register and saw none other than the feared Godmare of the Teologo's standing before him.
"D-Don T-Teologo." Twilight stepped towards the scared mare at Celestia's gesture.
"I'll offer you one final chance to accept my offer. This time, however," Twilight violently grabbed the mare and slammed her head into the cash register, "I'm not going to ask nicely. There's a lot of expensive looking antiques in here... Be a shame if anything were to happen to them, right Twilight?"
"My thought's exactly." With a swift swipe of a hoof, she knocked an entire shelf over. Outside the window, a cop looked in. Deciding he had seen nothing, he moved along.
"Please, I'll pay... Just don't hurt me anymore!" The shop owner stood from the ground and placed a hoof against the side of her head, a thin line of blood trickling from the side.
"Good to hear. I look forward to doing business with you." Celestia exited the shop and awaited Twilight. The shop owner slowly stood, helped up by Twilight, who brushed her blouse off and steadied her. The mare silently thanked Twilight, who was already on her way to the door.
"Arrivederci." She cracked open the door before glaring calmly back at the mare. "Don't insult the Godmare further by being late on your payments." The mare shakily nodded to the Underboss as she exited out onto the Autumn Canterlot streets.
Canterlot was yet the most beautiful city in the entirety of Equestria. Flora and fauna grew on the sides of the roads, the sky was almost always sunny and everypony was friendly. The town was the only to not have any different districts of it, instead only housing the compound for the Teologo's, which was in fact a castle from ancient Equestrian days. Despite it's happiness, it was also the largest crime city in Equestria. Every shop had to pay protection to the Teologo's; every city official turned a blind eye to their actions.
"I'll walk with you to the train station." Trains were the main method of transportation in these times. They could get you anywhere they needed to go. There was the nation wide train, which took you to every city and town, then there was the city train, which transported ponies to different parts of the towns. And finally, there was the trolleys, which took it's passengers to individual streets and could be boarded and de-boarded at any time.
"Thank you, Godmare. It is truly an honor." The smell of Equestria cooking was heavy in the air as they continued down the street towards the station. In the old days, Equestrians had been purely vegetarian. Nowadays, they consumed the meats of animals that were hunted in the wilds. Still, large amounts of Equestria still ate only pastas without meats and the sort.
"So, tell me Twilight... Did you ever imagine yourself my Underboss?" It was rush hour. The streets now bustled with the daily lives of ponies. Each pony that passed the Godmare gave a hello, from both respect and fear.
"No, I didn't."
"Did you ever imagine yourself involved in this thing of ours?"
"No, but life has a strange way of leading us down paths we never expect."
"You have a point. But I see the fire in your; in your eyes. You must meet the ones who killed your family soon, or I feel you may snap. That is why I arranged for you to meet them. Twilight, you are a most loyal Underboss. No, friend. I trust you more than my own sister; my Consigliere. Your pain and anger emanates off of you and affects the others around you. Today is the day for you vent it all out, then and only then, can you become my Underboss."
"Thank you, Don Teologo." The two walked in silence for three minutes, the only gestures between them subtle looks. That was the way of the family business. When you had nothing to say, you were strangers to one another. Made it harder for rival families or the peacekeepers to find you. Still, family members always traveled in flocks. Wherever you saw one, there was bound to be more of them.
"Do not return to me until you have taken care of this matter of yours."
"Yes, Godmare." Twilight began to lean over to kiss the Godmare's foreleg, but was interrupted by the Don, who instead did so to the soon to be Underboss. To be kissed on the foreleg by a Godmare... It was the single greatest honor that anyone below the rank of Don could ever feel. It meant that the Don had great trust and respect in you, even so much as to put respect for their blood and flesh to shame.
"Go, with my blessing and my respect. When you return, we shall have a party at the compound in your favor. I have already sent the invitations to your friends. For tonight, you will be the life of the party; for tonight, you will have the honor that only a Don could deserve."
"Thank you... Celestia." The Godmare smiled as the train pulled up into the station. Their eyes met once more as Twilight entered the train. Upon looking out the window of her seat, the Godmare was long gone from the station, such was her way. Even though she stood out, being one of only two pseudo ponies, she had a habit of disappearing into thin air when she wanted to.
The whistle of the train cut through the air as if it was a knife through butter as it slowly departed. A glace out the window revealed a overlook off the side of the cliff; the town of Ponyville. It wasn't her destination, but it was her hometown and indeed the hometown of all her friends. While once being a small town, it was now separated into three sections and was right in the middle of the three families territories. That being said, there was always a war going on in the streets for defacto control of the city. The sections of the city were Little Equestria, a slice of ancient Equestrian life; Old Town, the oldest part of the city, including the apple orchard run by her friend, Applejack, named Sweet Apple Acres; and Downtown, the biggest war zone between the five families of all Equestria.
It was at least a three hour ride to Manehatten, but she didn't mind it. Deciding it was best for a quick nap, she rested her head against the window and sighed, falling asleep soon afterwards.
"Manehatten, Docks. Please prepare for de-boarding!" Twilight perked her head up and yawned, returning her attention to world around her. The train hissed as metal scraped against metal, the grinding only being drowned over by the whistle of the train as it announced its stop. Ponies began to murmur and say their goodbyes as they began to exit the train. Twilight, having no one to say goodbye to, simply stood from her seat and made her way to the door.
The city of Manehatten was pretty much the exact opposite of what Canterlot was. Where it was sunny in Canterlot, it was constantly cloud and dull in the city of Manehatten. This was due to the cars and factories, which both produced large amounts of pollution. Despite this, the city still had a reputation for being the place where anypony could make it big. Hell, she'd seen a lowly beggar make it to the head of a business in her short visits here.
The crime in the city was more or less the same in Canterlot. The city officials weren't as well paid of here, but they were still quite lenient of any 'business' that happened in their streets. The heading family of Manehatten were the Meraviglia's, headed by the ruthless Pegasi, Spitfire. While Pegasi mostly lived in the grand cloud city of Cloudsdale, which was completely free of any of this 'business' of theirs, she decided she didn't want the easy life and instead formed her own family.
"The Don sends her regards." Twilight looked across the street as a Pegasi held a gun in his mouth; a stallion dressed in casual wear at the end of it. "You should have paid her your dues." She didn't flinch as three shots were fired into the chest of the stallion. The assassin was probably none other than one of Don Meraviglia's goons sent to teach the poor guy his lesson. As a crown formed around the now dead stallion, she just continued to walk away. Whatever he had done to suffer that fate, he had known the consequences of crossing the Don. He deserved it.
She turned down a road with warehouses on either side of it. Warehouses were a major racket for any family to own. They were used to ship illegal goods in and out of the country; to take care of business that couldn't be taken care of in public, and to arrange for meetings like the very one she was heading to. Stepping inside, she was greeted with the smell of cigarette smoke and the voice of the Don's latest Capo, Trixie.
"Ciao, Twilight. I take it the train ride went well?" Trixie always had a smugness about her. She was also completely ruthless. One time, she had shot a mare for simply bumping into her. Of course, Don Teologo was never informed of this, since it would have been bad for her reputation. After all, you an't be connected to that which you never knew about. Still, her methods were unorthodox, even outright evil at times.
"Yes, as good as a stale cannoli."
"Eh, I don't envy you. Anyways, I have somepony you'd like to meet. Follow me." They exited out of the back of the warehouse, onto a dock. Seagulls squawked as they walked down, but Twilight's attention was on the figure at the end of the dock.
"Is that them?"
"Yes, that's him ." The earth pony stallion stood from the ground as the boards creaked under the pressure of their combined bodies. As he looked upon Twilight, he knew what she was there for. Her magic unwrapped the cloth draped into his mouth, allowing him a chance to speak. After all, she wanted to her what her mother's murderer sounded like.
"You look just like her..." Anger slowly rose in Twilight. Who was this pony to say she looked like her mother? All he knew her as was the added point to his kill count.
"No... I'm not riddled with bullets. I'm not innocent!" She barely contained herself from attacking the stallion and ripping him into looking like something that would be in a freshly made lasagna.
"You think me some kind of monster. I understand... Twilight."
"What? How do you know my name?" She grabbed the pony by his collar and lifted him into the air. She wasn't the best at balancing on her hind legs, but it's amazing what the body is capable of when driven by anger.
"Your mother wasn't just a random target."
"Spit it out! Why did you kill her? Let it be your apology to god before I send you to his realm."
"I... I did it... I did it to protect you." Her face twisted into that of extreme confusion.
"To protect me? How could killing my mother ever be twisted into being done to protect me?!" The stallion sighed and with a face of sorrow, spilled the beans.
"Your mother owed the Meraviglia's a large sum of money that she wasn't able to pay... It was either the money, or... Your life in exchange." Her jaw slid open as the truth was finally revealed to her. 19 years of mystery, of wondering why it had happened... And there it was.
"Why me? Why save me...?" She dropped the pony and returned to all four hooves. What was once anger was now confusion; her face an expression of bewilderment.
"Because... I couldn't kill my own daughter." She nearly fell back onto her haunches as he said that. Surely it couldn't possibly be true... No, there was no way it was true.
"You're lying."
"Twilight Scintillare... Twilight Sparkle, I am no liar. Your mother kept me away from you because I was involved with the business. Never once did I think that they would use my own family as leverage against me... Crepuscolo Scintillare, I was never a father to you. When I saw my one chance to protect you... I had to take it." She didn't know how to register what she was hearing. Deep down, she knew this was her father. He was broken... Only a broken pony could be broken more by having to tell his own flesh and blood that he was the one that caused them so much pain. That only made the next part so much harder...
"I understand... Father." Slowly, her magic wrapped around the .32 in her jacket. Her father slowly watched the gun with his eyes as it was brought out and aimed at his head.
"I don't expect you forgive me."
"I don't... I never will. But at least I now know one thing." She sighed as a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her father, knowing exactly what his daughter was going to say, nodded and closed his eyes.
"I understand, Twilight..."
"It's only business." A single gunshot echoed out across the town of Manehatten. To everypony else, it was just another gunshot. To Twilight, it was the gunshot that killed her inside.
The Godmare: Only Personal
The sun sat behind the large Fillywood sign as Spike exited the train. The city in question was under control of the Crociato's, ancient Equestrian for crusaders. The four used to be such happy fillies, two of which were dear sisters to two of the Scintillare family members, Applejack and Rarity. While they are indeed the youngest of the families, their leader only being 23, they are also one of the most ruthless. Cast into the life by their sisters' carelessness in joining Twilight, they had no remorse for what they did.
Spike tipped his hat to a mare as she stepped onto the train after him, walking steadily to a taxi that had been paid to wait for him. He had been in the strange new creations many times before, as they were no doubt a very good transportation. Still, he had no trust or love for them. The steering wheel was a round device that had two grooves for the hooves to go into, allowing manipulation of the device. The gas was applied by a lever that was pushed with the right rear hoof, the brake being the same but on the right. As for the changing of the gears, it was done automatically by magic infused into the engine.
"Mr. Mason's residence please." The stallion nodded to him through the rear view mirror and slowly made the vehicle go forward, creaking as it did so. Spike viewed out the window as they made their way through the bustling streets of the city of Fillywood. The city was very high in crime, but not from that of the Crociato's. No, it was high in crime from the swindling of the corrupt filmmakers and music producers. Ponies would come from far and wide, giving up everything they had before to have their chance on the radio or big screen. Each time, only getting shot down by the very ponies that promised them a good life.
Spike sighed as he thought of what would happen to Mr. Mason should he deny the Don's kind offer. Twilight was not one to take refusal kindly, often resorting to violence should it happen. Every time, it had worked and scared the receiver into doing what she willed. Still, he just wished that for once, somepony would listen to reason. Listen to his pleas to hear her out, for he feared what she was becoming.
"So, you going to try and get a music deal going with Mr. Mason? Never heard of a dragon singer before, but I suppose anything is possible in this day and age. I mean, I'm driving a fancy automobile!"
"Something like that. More like I'm a spokesman for somepony else, a mare."
"Oh? Is she any good? My daughter loves those mare singers."
"Ever hear of Octavia?"
"Oh, you're her spokesman? You're pretty lucky to be working for a mare like that. I heard she recently got dropped by her current producer..."
"Yes, terrible business that. I'm pretty sure that Mr. Mason will accept my offer though. I'm very persuasive."
"That's good. My daughter loves her music." Spike returned to looking out the window as they neared a large mansion surrounded by a tall metal gate. Obviously he had trouble with break ins, because there were guards surrounding the mansion.
"Thank you for the ride." Spike reached into his jacket and pulled a bag of bits out. Handing them to the driver, he exited into the evening air and neared the front gate. "Mr. Mason is expecting me." The guard pulled a small notebook from his jacket and checked it. Normally, he would have confirmed, but it wasn't necessary considering he was the only dragon around.
"Go right on in. He's about to sit down to dinner."
"Thank you." The guard opened the gate, allowing the dragon access to the courtyard. The manor was of great construct, being made from the finest of stones. It was all he could do to help himself from admiring the windows expertly crafted into the sides of the walls, the trimmings of the corners and roof. The front door itself was a marvelous work of art, having a beautiful carving encompassing the front of it. Almost feeling as if he was violating a work of art, he knocked on the door. Moments later, he was greeted by a maid.
"Hello, there."
"Might I come in?" He removed his hat and placed it against his chest.
"Of course. Mr. Mason is eagerly awaiting your counsel. May I take your coat and hat?"
"Yes, please." Her removed his tailored jacket, which was made to suit the dragon only, and his hat, made from the finest of fabrics. Handing it to the unicorn, she gently and swiftly placed them on a coat and hat rack, and then showed the dragon to Mr. Mason. Upon seeing the dragon, he stood from his set and walked over to him.
"Ah, hello. I'm Agley Mason. I take it you are the one sent from Ponyville?"
"Yes, Mr. Mason. My name is Spike."
"Spike, eh? Please, call me Agley. Come, I had a seat reserved for you."
"You too kind, Mr. Ma-Agley."
"Please, sit. I prefer to discuss business like a gentlecolt." Spike nodded to the silver pony and took a seat across from him. As he observed over the cuisine, it became obvious that he was from the Crystal Empire from up north. Very few ponies came from up there, as it was the pinnacle of peace and prosperity. Even the technology made the mainland look primitive. The Crystal Empire was also the head of the government, the leader of everything being none other than the previously unknown Alicorn, Princess Cadence. She had apparently been kept away from the families by her adoptive parents in the Crystal Empire until about three years previous.
"I've never had the honor of enjoying your cuisine. I've heard only good things." He picked up a nearby fork and moved the food before him around a bit before picking up a piece and chewing it.
"Thank you for the compliment." Spike wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"What is it made from?"
"Only the finest of vegetables and fruits. None of that meat that you ponies so love down here. Of course, I can say I enjoy the Spaghetti you all have down here. Anyways, I don't believe this meeting is of a food critics, now is it?"
"You're right. Now, recently you turned down a mare named Octavia after promising her a job. She is extremely upset by this, since her previous producer dropped her upon hearing of this."
"Ah, yes. Unfortunate business that. But she needs to understand, I never guaranteed her a job. It was unfortunate what happened to her, but it's none of my concern."
"Surely you can take some responsibility? She's young, very talented. But we both know, she won't make it without a producer."
"Like I said, I didn't intend this for her. But I'm also not going to offer her something from me just feeling sorry for her! That's not how the world works. I worked for what I have and she must do the same. Would you have me sully my name if she isn't up to par?"
"I'm not asking that. I'm only asking you give the poor mare a chance. I promise you, she won't-" Spike revolted a tiny bit as Agley stood from his chair.
"Now you listen here! I won't risk my good name for some two-bit mare that thinks she can sing! Now, you go back to this 'Don' of yours and tell her I won't listen to any of her threats! Nor will I listen to some dragon who thinks he can solve everything with a silver tongue!" Spike simply chewed his food as the pony yelled at him. "Now, I implore you to leave my home immediately." Spike stood from his chair and nodded to the pony.
"Thank you very much for the dinner, Mr. Mason. If you're driver could arrange for a ride, the Don likes to hear bad news immediately." The maid brought him his coat and hat, which he immediately placed on. "Your house is very nice, by the way."
"Get out of my sight." The stallion opened the front door, prompting Spike to leave. "And if I see any of your friends snooping around here, you'll have the full wrath of the Crystal Empire on you!" Spike entered a nearby car, where a driver took him to the train station. He was of course sad that he had been denied a chance to negotiate, but knew that it could not be helped. Mr. Mason had a reputation of being a stubborn stallion, so it was now on Twilight's hooves to do as she willed.
Upon arriving at the station, Spike neared a telephone and turned the dial, calling Twilight. "He refused the offer."
"I see... Come on home, Spike. It saddens me that he wouldn't listen to reason." The other end clicked as Twilight hung up. Moments later, the train arrived, allowing Spike to get on. It would be morning before he arrived, so he would have time to sleep. His part of the job was over.
"Spike couldn't get through to the stubborn fool." She had immediately called Applejack, who was sent to Fillywood immediately after the wedding in case Spike couldn't get through. "Do it."
"You sure this is what you want to do?"
"He didn't give me any choice."
"Understood." Applejack hung up the phone. She was across the street from the Mason manor, the guards patrolling around the border. She was currently wearing a completely black sports jacket, along with her usual cowboy hat. She normally didn't wear the fancy attire that her friends wore while on the job, instead just wearing the usual black pants with a shirt. While ponies used to walk around without any clothes on, it just wasn't how the world worked anymore.
She waited until the southern wall was devoid of guards, scaling it using her rope that she carried with her all the time. Once she landed on the other side, she ducked behind a bush as a guard looked at what caused the noise. When he came by to see what the noise was, Applejack popped from behind the bushes and wrapped her rope around the guard's throat. She was under strict orders to kill nopony, so she instead just choked him until he passed out.
Hiding the guard behind the bushes, she darted across the courtyard, barely avoiding being spotted by the guard on the above balcony. The moment he turned away, she swiftly moved behind the house, where Mr. Mason kept his phoenix, a rare bird that cost him around 1,000,000 bits to purchase. He loved the thing more than anything else he owned. So much that he even built and entire guest house just for it to live in.
She slowly opened the door to the guest house, sneaking in, the door closing behind her. Luckily, the room didn't seem to have an guards in it. Even better, the bird in question was perched on the back of a couch, asleep. She crouched down and slowly crawled her way to the bird. Before it even have a chance to squawk in protest, Applejack whacked it on the head, knocking it out cold. A slight frown on her face, she picked it up and made her way to the main house.
She continued through the house, choking guards out as she passed them. Finally, she found herself outside of Mr. Mason's room. Opening the door, she saw the pony sleeping in his silk sheets. She unstrapped the unconscious bird from her back and placed it quietly on the ground. She didn't want to do the next part, as harming innocent animals was on her list of things to never do, but she knew she had to. Even though Twilight would never punish her for failing, Applejack never liked to see her friend disappointed in her.
With a quiet sigh, she threw her rope silently over the stallion's bed on the chandelier above, careful not to wake him. She had tied her rope into a noose, intended for hanging the phoenix above him. When he woke, he would be greeted by the sight of his beloved animal hanging dead above him. Of course, that wasn't it...
"Sorry, sugarcube." She grabbed the small bird by it's wing and placed a knife firmly against the bone connecting the wing to it's body. With a swift swipe, the wing came off. She did the same with the other wing, then wrapped the modified noose around it's neck. After she was sure it wouldn't fall of the noose, she pulled the other end of rope, causing the bird to suspend over the bed. Applejack, looking back once more at the innocent Phoenix she just murdered, exited the room and snuck back out of the manors grounds through the way she came. Going back to the phone, she called Twilight once more.
"It's done."
"Good. I know it was hard to do, but you've made the family proud."
"Yeah, I did." She hung the phone up and looked back across the street. Regret deep in her heart, she made her way back to the train station.
The sun shone brightly into Agley's bedroom. He smiled as he opened his eyes to the sun shining on his face. With a yawn, he began to get out of his bed. Confusion hit him as he felt a rather large wet area around his midsection. Looking down, he saw a puddle of thick blood on the top of his blanket. With horror, he slowly looked up. The moment he saw his prized Phoenix, he let out a bloodcurdling scream, the likes of which the entire town could hear.
The Godmare: Only Personal
"Don Scintillare, Twilight Sparkle. Godmare. I thank you for allowing me in your home, on this, the day of your best friend's wedding." The pony sat on a chair outside of the mansion located where the Apple family orchard once stood. The day is a sunny one and all around ponies can be found dancing to music by the famous musician, Octavia. It's not her usual relaxing music, but rather something more akin to apple family folk music, but with a slower beat. The pony reciting his condolences for being allowed to the Godmare's home is none other than Big Macintosh, brother of Caporegime Applejack. Meanwhile in the main house, Twilight Sparkle is greeting one of her guests.
"Hello, Don Scintillare." Twilight slowly turned around in her chair and looked at the balding pony before her, who was wearing a nice suit and a fedora. His facial features were that of a kind man, but one with troubles.
"Godmare, this is Hearth, the owner of the crematorium in Little Equestria." Twilight nodded to her Consigliere, Spike. He had been the Consigliere of the family ever since she had broken away from Celestia's family and made her own. Since then, he has been loyal and willing to die for his Godmare.
"Please, come in." Hearth slowly took off his hat and steadily, albeit shakily, neared the chair across from the powerful pony. He knew that angering her wouldn't have him killed, since she was the most forgiving of the Dons, but it would ensure he wound't get his favor. "Come, don't be shy." Perking up a tiny bit, the frail stallion sat down in the chair and placed the hat and his hooves in his lap.
"I'm sorry for intruding on your business, but I came to ask a favor." Twilight blinked calmly at the pony as she awaited him to continue. "Oh, uh... You see, my dear daughter was taken from me a few nights ago. I fear that it was the hoodlums down the street from us, but the police won't do anything about it. I fear the police are on their payroll." Twilight looked out the window to the party outside. She could see Rainbow Dash with her groom.
"I see. You know that by ancient Equestrian ethics, I'm not allowed to deny you a favor on the wedding of my family or honorary family members." She stood from her chair and neared the window. "But what would you expect me to do?" The mortician pony waited to ensure to Godmare was done talking.
"I wouldn't want anypony killed. I just want my daughter back and to be ensured it won't happen again" He paused for a moment, then quickly added more. "If anything has befallen my lovely daughter, then I want the ponies responsible brought to me, so that I may see their faces. Then, and only then, will I want them killed." Twilight sighed and turned back to the earth pony.
"If anything has befallen your daughter, you are asking the impossible of me. These thugs you speak of are probably not even old enough to buy apple cider, let alone old enough to be killed. Not to mention..." She walked behind the pony, who was now shaking and fearing for himself. "You come in here, show no respect for me, then you have the audacity to ask a favor from me?" She calmly returned to her side of the desk and placed her front hooves on it. "It's an insult to me, you know? You didn't even call me Godmare."
"I apologize... Godmare." The pony's voice was shaky, sweat beading onto his forehead. Out of respect, he didn't move his hoof to wipe it away.
"See? Was it so hard to show a little respect?" She walked over to the pony and extended her front left hoof. Gently, the stallion grabbed it with his two front hooves and kissed it. It was one of the biggest signs of respect you could give to a Equestrian, especially one of the heads of the four families.
"I am sorry to have wasted your time, Godmare." He stood and began to make his way to the door. Behind him, Twilight smiled a little. All she wanted was to be shown a bit of respect after all.
"Wait." She walked over to the pony and placed a hoof over his shoulder. "I'll do the favor. But know this... I may one day call on you to do me a favor. That day may never come. But if and when it does, I want to know that you'll carry out said favor without any hesitation. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Godmare."
"Good. Now, please. Go enjoy the ceremony with my blessing. And rest assured that my best men will find your daughter, or her killers." The frail pony nodded and opened the door.
"Thank you, Godmare." The door creaked closed behind him, leaving Twilight and Spike.
"Spike, take note of that favor."
"Yes, Don Scintillare." The dragon, who was no longer a baby, rather a dragon around a head taller than a average pony, took out a notepad and quill and wrote Hearth's name onto the list. So far, she had been visited by about thirty ponies who needed favors, and one who had come to repay a favor. She neared the window and looked out.
"When is Fluttershy coming?" The dragon put the notepad on the desk.
"Her train should be arriving about now."
"Send one of the guards to pick her up." Twilight had always been protective of the yellow mare. Ever since Twilight had gotten into the business 15 years ago, back when she was but a teenager, she had been protective of all her friends. Fluttershy most of all, since she was the most frail of the six friends. While her other four friends decided to join Twilight in the business, Fluttershy had stayed away. Who was Twilight to endanger one of her friends by forcing her into this thing of theirs?
"That's unnecessary. She served in the war against the Zebra's. She can handle herself." Twilight neared the front door, turning back to the dragon.
"I suppose your right. I'm going out to mingle with the guest. I'll have no more visitors today."
"Of course, Don Scintillare." Twilight departed from the room, her Consigliere following soon after. As she stepped out into the sun, everypony started saying their hellos. Big Mac, however, avoided the Godmare, since she had not yet graced him with his presence.
"Ah, saluti Godmare." Applejack, her underboss kissed her hoof respectfully and stood in front of the Godmare.
"Felice di verdeti, Applejack." Applejack gave her a odd look. "Oh, sorry. I said glad to see you. Sometimes I forget your not as familiar in the words of ancient Equestrian as most are. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to speak to the wedding mare."
"Of course, Godmare. She's over by the stage." Twilight nodded to her dear friend and underboss and started off to the bride for the day. When Rainbow Dash saw Twilight, she smiled and neared the Don.
"Rainbow Dash, my dear Caporegime, you look lovely!" Twilight leaned in to a hug with her friend and kissed her on both cheeks. "Did Rarity make the dress?"
"Yes, although I'd prefer my suit anytime of the day... I suppose I can stand it for a bit longer." Her dress was the usual rainbow that she insisted on wearing. It was a extravagant wedding dress, decorated in only the most expensive of jewels and gems. The crowning spot on it, though was the large rainbow lightning bolt going down the back of it.
"Hush now. You look good."
"That's the point! You know how much I hate this type of stuff." Twilight laughed and sat down in a nearby chair. A waitress neared her and offered her a glass of cider, to which she politely denied with a wave of a hoof.
"Yes, I know. But would you show up to your wedding wearing a suit? Nopony could tell who the groom was."
"You saying I look like a stallion?" Both laughed.
"No, no. Just forget it."
"Everypony gather around for the group picture!" The two looked to the center of the garden, where a bridesmaid was setting up a camera.
"Come on, Twilight." She smiled and gathered into the front of the group of ponies, next to all of her friends. She was in the dead center, Rainbow and her groom to her left and all of her other friend to the right. A frown appeared on her face as she saw a empty spot where Fluttershy should have been standing.
"I'm not taking the picture until Fluttershy is here." She quickly exited the group, leaving everypony with disappointed looks on their faces. None spoke up though, since they all knew that once she made her mind up, it was final. Her eyes moved from side to side as she examined her surrounding for any hint of her yellow Pegasus friend. Seeing nothing, she took a seat on a nearby chair seated in front of a round table.
"Don Scintillare!" She looked up to her Consigliere, who was running to her. "Fluttershy just called. Her train was running late. She called from the restaurant up the street."
"Well?" She waited impatiently for the news of her friend's arrival.
"She'll be here in a minute or two. She didn't want to park here, since it would be hell to get out." She nodded and looked back across the yard. Octavia was busy having a conversation with one of the bridesmaids; Applejack was drinking cider like she usually did; Pinkie Pie was dancing happily on the dance floor.
"Good. Good."
"And uh, that's not all. You're needed in your office. Big Macintosh wants to see you, but refused to go in there until welcomed." Twilight frowned and looked to Spike. With slight anger in her voice, she stated her displeasure.
"I though I said no more guests."
"Yes, you did. But he just wanted to thank you for allowing him to come to the party, since you originally stated he was needed elsewhere." She thought for a moment, and with a sigh nodded.
"Fine." She stood and made her way to the office. As she entered into her office, a yellow Pegasus entered into the yard. Right behind her was a stallion with a blue coat, orange eyes and a blonde mane.
"So this is your home?" Fluttershy turned to her special somepony and smiled.
"When I'm in town. I don't normally stay here though. I have an apartment Don Scintillare purchased for me that I use."
"Why wouldn't you use this place? It's amazing!" The two took a seat near the manor, Big Mac sitting on a nearby chair still reciting his thank you.
"I just, uh... Don't like big places."
"Oh, come on Flutters! This place is beautiful."
"Ace, trust me... My apartment is much better." Fluttershy had failed to tell Ace about the four families and the fact that they were in the compound of one of the families. He had grown up away from Equestria, in the Zebra nation, so he had no idea of how Equestria worked. The two sat in silence for a few moments before Ace overheard Big Mac reciting.
"Hey, that guy over there is talking to himself." She stifled a laugh.
"That's Big Macintosh. One of the kindest stallions ever. Well, unless your on Twilight's bad side..." Ace turned and looked at the stallion.
"Twilight's bad side?" He turned back to Fluttershy. "He her bodyguard or something?"
"Too long of a story. I'll tell you later, once we are back at the apartment. Until then, just enjoy the party and quit asking so many questions." Ace blinked twice and looked away from Fluttershy. She normally wasn't that assertive, so something had to have been upsetting her.
"Something wrong, sweetie pie?" Fluttershy blushed at being called one of Ace's love names.
"No, just don't like this place is all. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Ever since Twilight had formed her own family, Fluttershy had disliked being around the business. She still loved Twilight and her friends more than anything, but just feared the business. She constantly wished that things would return to how they were before Twilight had created her family...
The two turned as Spike neared Big Mac and whispered something in his ear before returning to the manor. Big Mac sighed and slowly stood up. Taking three deep breaths and quickly reciting his thank you to himself once more, he made his way into the main house of the compound.
"Was that a dragon?!"
"Yes, that's Don Scintillare's Consigliere." Ace looked at Fluttershy with a confused expression on his face.
"And a Consigliere is...?"
"A advisor. Basically a lawyer if you will. He also does the families accounting and takes care of small business matters."
"I see..." The two turned away from each other and gazed over the yard. Fluttershy, despite the dislike of the family business, found herself happy to be home. She smiled as she looked through the window and saw Twilight talking to Big Mac.
"Don Scintillare, I am honored that you have allowed me into your house on the most joyous of days." He quickly raised his hoof and looked at the scribbled writing on it. "It means a lot that you, the Godmare of the Scintillare family, would allow me in your presence." He lowered his hoof and nodded to the Don. "I'm going to leave you now, since I know that you have important business to attend to."
"Thank you, Big Macintosh. You are too loyal." The tall stallion began to make his way out of the door, before being stopped by Twilight. "One thing, Big Mac."
"Yes, Godmare?"
"I need you to take care of a small matter. There is a group of hoodlums over in Little Equestria that takes a fancy to fillynapping. I want you to find them and recover the child. If the child is alive, return her to her father who owns the crematorium in Little Equestria. If she isn't, then bring them to the owner and allow him to see his daughter's murderers. After that, you do what the owner asks you do with them understood?"
"Yes, Godmare. I will not let you down." Twilight smiled slightly and looked out the window. A large grin took over her face as she saw Fluttershy sitting on a chair accompanied by the stallion she talked about in her letters.
"Come, Spike. Let us go take the photo."
"I'll inform the bridesmaid that you are ready." The dragon jogged quickly out into the yard and told the bridesmaid to start prepping the picture. By the time Twilight made it out into the yard, everypony had already gathered into the yard and were awaiting Twilight. She smiled happily as she took her place in the group of ponies and wrapped her hoof around both Rainbow and Fluttershy.
"Smile!" Everypony did as asked, the flash of the picture happening right afterwards.
It was the final time the six friends had gathered under such a happy occasion.