Chapter 2: Choosing Sides

Years later...

“No! Hell bucking no!”

Leaf winced at the harsh tone of his friend’s words.

“There is no way you’re going! This has got to be the stupidest thing you’ve ever said!” Steel Grey huffed, glaring at the taller earth pony. The scruffy beard he’d been growing for the past month made him look almost comical. “Those guys are seriously screwed up, Leaf. I’m not going to let you go off and talk to them, much less join the crazy bastards.”

Leaf stomped a hoof in frustration, wondering if he could force his way out past the pegasus. He doubted it. It had been several years since they had first met, and Steel had only gotten bigger. He was massive for a pegasus buck, and Leaf had never won in a wrestling match against him. Or really any physical contest, as he was woefully scrawny by comparison, despite his height advantage.

“Come on, Steel, don’t be like this. I can take care of myself. Besides,” He added testily, “You’re not my boss. I have every right to go out and do what I want. Understand?”

Steel only gave him another glare. “All I understand is that you seem to be hell-bent on joining up with a bunch of freaks dressed like they’re from bucking Wonderland.” He growled. “Dammit Leaf, I keep telling you that just because some random stallion wants you to join up...”

“Random stallion who saved my life,” Leaf interjected.

“Whatever. The guys are trouble. Read the papers lately? That fire on Buckingham and Glaze? That was them. The Cards.” He stomped, glaring hard at the earth pony. “You really want to be in a gang like that? I keep telling you, they’re bucked up!”

Leaf snorted. “Look, It’s abundantly clear where we’re going right now. I know you’ve noticed how little Umber’s been bringing in. Celestia knows what she does to get the bits, but its not enough anymore.” He looked to the side, frowning. “Look, all I’m saying is; We have to do something to help her out. Joining a gang is the only way either of us is going to rise any higher than the average Joe, so why not join the one that I’ve been personally invited to?”

Steel facehoofed. “Princesses above, I cant believe you’re seriously considering this!”

“What’s the matter with it? What is so wrong about trying to survive in this world? What’s your problem with the Cards?” Leaf demanded.

Steel took a deep breath and looked at Leaf. “Okay. Fine. The real reason I don’t want you in the Cards is because... Well... I’m considering becoming a Piece.” This wasn’t the reason at all, but Steel wasn’t about to tell Leaf that his sister, the mare Leaf had a raging crush on, was already a member of the Chess, the rival gang to the Cards. Especially not when there was a risk that his friend would be joining up with the other side of the gang war. He couldn’t risk her cover like that.

Leaf stared him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “Well damn! You hypocritical bucker! Here I was, thinking you were all caring about my skin, when you were really just trying to save your own hide from having to go up against me!” He grinned, nudging Steel with a hoof.

Steel cracked a smile, despite himself. “Like hell. I’d tear through anything your weak-flank Card gang could throw at me. I’m just making sure you don’t end up on the business end of my hooves.”

Leaf snorted derisively, then chuckled. “Come on jackass, lets go see what the street has for us today. I just need a Bacolti and a Tiara Royal cap to finish my alcoholic bottle cap collection.”

Steel nodded, and the two made their way outside,the quarrel resolved for the moment. The city streets were slick with ice, which was common weather in Coltago. The cold season started months early, and ended months late. As they walked out of the door, the landlord glowered at them from behind his desk.

“Where’s muh money you two? Dat whorse ova sister you got owes me big now. What, she not keepin’ up wiv her ‘customers’?” The grotesquely overweight pony snickered lewdly when he said the last word. “Mebbe I oughta take muh payment in... altern-at-ive methods, if ya get muh meanin’.”

A rich, husky voice rang out from behind the obese pony. “Oh certainly, Dank. We can go out back right now, in fact.” The landlord, Dank Spots, turned towards the source of the new voice, and Burnt Umber stepped into the room. “Of course, you’ll have to discuss it with Buck Wild, and if I recall, he doesn’t exactly like you,” she purred. “My boyfriend is a little... protective.”

Dank Spot blanched, wisely deciding to keep his muzzle shut.

The ruddy orange mare chuckled, dropping a bag of bits on the desk in front of him. “Or you can just take plain money, like everypony else, you fat shitlord.” She turned to the two colts, flinging them a smaller money bag. “Good news boys; Got a pay raise today. I want you two to take those bits and buy some of that Zap Apple jam they’re selling down at the market, then use whatever’s left over to get something for yourselves.” She winked broadly at Leaf. “Got it?”

Leaf reddened and mumbled something, unable to meet her eyes. Steel came to the rescue, thanking his sister profusely and congratulating her on the pay raise as he shoved his friend out of the building.

As soon as the door shut behind them, Steel rounded on his friend, hissing. “Seriously, could you make it any easier for her? Celestia, you are stupid.”

“What are you talking about?” Leaf sputtered. “Make what easier?”

Steel whacked him with a hoof. “She’s toying with you! My sister thinks its funny that you’re crushing on her hard enough to break a walnut shell, and messing with your head is prime entertainment. Every time you get a boner, she gets a laugh. Get it?”

Leaf glared at him, his expression sullen.

Steel facehoofed. “Okay, you know what? Forget it. Lets just go to the market and get some of that Zap-Apple jelly Umber wanted. Just try not to buy her any flowers while we’re there.”

They came to the market soon after, but the stall that was selling the specialty jelly was out of stock. But before they left in dejection, Leaf spotted a second stall near the back of the market, run by a seedy pink mare with a cutie mark of a drinking straw and a white line. She had two jars of the rainbow-striped gel sitting in front of her, and several smaller containers of a thick brown sludge behind them. “How about over there?” asked Leaf.

Steel shrugged. “Probably just rainbow-dyed toothpaste. Worth a shot though, I guess.” They trotted over to the broken-down stall, and the mare smiled sweetly at them, talking with a fake southern accent.

“Well ain’t you two jus’ tha suhweetest thangs?” She simpered. “How are y’all today? C’n ah get’cha anythin’?”

Leaf looked at the jars. “Is this real Zap-Apple jam?” he asked. He prodded one with a hoof, nearly knocking it over save for some quick hoof-work by Steel.

The pink mare tittered. “Whah of course it’s real, shuga! What a thang ta say! Straight offa Sweet Apple Acres! Now, normally Ah’d charge about twenty bits apiece for these here jars o’ goodness. but...” She fluttered her eyelashes at the two colts. “Yew two are jus’ so downright adorable ah think ah c’n make an exception. How’s about fifteen bits fer the lot, and I’ll throw in a nice little surprise fer ya too?”

Steel shrugged and passed the mare the bits. It was only about half of what his sister had given him, so even if the jam wasn’t real zap-apples, it might still be worth it. The mare smiled, wordlessly pushing three jars towards them as she pocketed the money.

Leaf picked up two jars of the alleged zap-apple jam, and Steel studied the third critically. It was filled with a brown sludge that shimmered faintly, rainbows playing off the surface like it was coated in oil. “Um, thanks?” He said uncertainly. “What... what is it?”

The mare leaned in close, putting a hoof over her mouth. “It’s called Flinch. Makes ya faster.” she giggled, tapping the side of her snout with a hoof. “Comes from a pair o’ colts ah know, Flim n’ Flam. If’n ya pick the zap-apples before they ripen, this is what ya get. Ah promise y’all are gonna enjoy it.”

Leaf smiled nervously and started tugging his friend away from the stall. “Uh-huh. I’m sure we will. Thanks a whole lot, miss. We’ll just uh... be going now. Bye!”

As soon as they were out of sight, Leaf shuddered. “Ick. She gave me the creeps. Toss that crap quick, before it comes to life or something.” He checked the jars of jam in his saddlebags. “Well, at least the jelly seems legit.” He licked his lips, already imagining the taste of the delicacy. “Mmm... Zap-apples. This shit is going to be delicious.”

Steel ignored him, unscrewing the jar of brown fluid and sniffing the lid cautiously. Before Leaf could stop him, he had taken a mouthful of the Flinch, his expression thoughtful.

“Steel, what the hell are you doing!?” Leaf asked, incredulous. “That stuff could be mud and piss for all you know!”

The pegasus shrugged. “Hey, you said yourself the jelly was the real deal, so whats the harm in trying this stuff?” He made a face. “Tastes like cat piss, though. And I don’t feel anything happening. Ugh. Maybe you were right.”

“Of course I’m right! Throw it away, it’s probably rotted or something.” Leaf said, grabbing the jar.

Steel looked like he was about to respond when he froze, his eyes dilating and his short mane standing on end. “Oh my Celestia. This... is... awesome...” He snapped to attention as Leaf went to throw the jar at a wall. Steel struck out with a hoof, snatching the jar out of the air. “Don’t! It works! It works!” He cradled the jar in his hooves, grinning manically.

“Luna on the moon, Leaf, you have got to try this. It’s like lightning in my brain. And in my hooves. Everywhere.” He shivered, static electricity crackling in his coat.

Leaf looked askance at his friend, unsure what to think. “No thanks... You look ridiculous with your mane like that,” he said. “Are you sure that stuff is safe?”

Steel nodded vigorously. “Yeah, yeah, it’s gotta be safe if it’s as good as this.” He giggled, then yelped as electricity sparked off his tail. “Uh... yeah, it’s fine. Watch, I’ll try some more.” He greedily lapped up another tongueful, but Leaf yanked the jar away from him.

“Okay, this stuff is making you act weird. I think you’ve had en-”

“GIVE THAT BACK!” Steel interrupted, snarling. He grabbed for the jar, but Leaf twisted, and his hooves caught the earth pony on the side of the head instead. Leaf fell, his head cracking against the pavement, as Steel caught the jar of Flinch inches from the ground.

“What’s wrong with you?!” Leaf yelled. “Throw it away!” He watched Steel bury his muzzle in the jar, not listening. “Fine!” He said, his vision clouding with tears. “Be an ass! I’ll be joining the Cards, if you need me!”

Steel didn’t even notice as his friend ran off at a gallop.

------

Leaf walked into the store nervously, glancing at the flashing neon sign: The Cornerstone; Tobacco etc.

He walked to the counter, where a bored-looking unicorn was flipping through a magazine (Playcolt- Wingboner Wonderbolts exclusive!). The stallion didn’t even look up when he said, “You don’t look anywhere near legal age, kid. Get lost.”

Leaf shook his head. “I don’t... I don’t want to buy anything. I’m here to join.”

Now the unicorn did look up, raising an eyebrow at the colt. “Join? The Cards? Damn kid, you know what you’re getting into? Gang war is dangerous. Why don’t you go home to mommy, so I can forget you said that? Wouldn’t be cool to have a foal get shot up by a Pawn ‘cause I let him join.”

The colt in question stomped angrily. “Ace said I could join if I came here. Where is he?”

The clerk’s eyes snapped open. “Ace? Which Ace?”

“Clubs, I think he said. He was black, and his cutie mark was burned off. He had an ‘A’ on his flank, instead.”

“Santa Sangre?! Santa Sangre, the Ace of Clubs, sent you? Shit, kid, why didn’t you say so? Come around back, we’ll talk.” As they walked, the unicorn kept talking. “Damn. Ace of Clubs. You must’ve impressed him somehow, and that ain’t usually easy. I dunno, maybe he just wants a gopher. Or target practice.”

The red colt gulped nervously. Target practice? Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. As he was led down a grimy hall that had been painted white at some point, Leaf reflected that perhaps joining a gang was more dangerous than he had thought, and wondered if he was really cut out for it.

Leaf’s train of thought was interrupted when the unicorn stopped him abruptly and shoved him through a door. “Here you go. Recruitment office. Just tell Rough House what you told me.”

Leaf found himself in what looked like a crowded pool hall. Ponies drank, smoked, and fought on and around the half-decomposed billiards tables, and the feeble air conditioning did little to alleviate the heat of so many bodies packed so tightly. There was a thick haze of smoke hung on the ceiling, and a pegasus had taken up residence there, occasionally letting a fresh blast of smog escape his muzzle. It was this pegasus who the clerk addressed. “Oy! Roughy! Get your flank outta the tar cloud, we got a new recruit!”

The pegasus, who turned out to be a powder blue mare with an unruly red mane, craned her neck out of the smoke cloud and peered at Leaf. “Bit short, ain’t he? What is he, from Shetland? I hear everypony there’s a midget.” She snorted, chuckling at her own joke as she dropped to the floor, landing heavily on her hooves. “Naw, but really, what you bringin’ me a foal for? You know I like older stallions.” She wheezed, laughing again.

Leaf stepped forward, his heart in his throat. Or maybe that was just the smoke choking him. Either way, his voice sounded small and unimpressive when he spoke. “Um... My name is Tobacco Leaf. I want to join your gang. And... Ace of Clubs sent me.”

Rough House nearly choked when he said the name. “An Ace?” She sputtered. “Nuh-uh, no way. Foal, if you’re lyin’ you better admit straight up, right now. Otherwise, there’ll be hell to pay.”

Leaf stomped, growing more sure of himself. “I’m not lying! A pony with an A on his flank told me to come here and say Ace of Clubs sent me! So am I in, or not? Just tell me!”

The two older ponies looked at one another. Then Rough House shrugged. “Ah, what the hell. If he’s lyin’, its himself he screws over. And if he ain’t... well, we could always use another asset. An’ if an Ace says the kid’s in, who am I to say different?”

The mare dug in a satchel at her side, flinging Leaf a deck of cards. “There. Those are special marked. If you want to get into a Card place, flash any one o’ those cards, and they’ll let’cha in. An’ here...” She carefully placed a pin in the shape of a club in his hoof. “That’s your Suit, since Clubs was the one who wanted ya. I’ll see what I can do to set up a meetin’ with one o’ the higher-ups on the matter, but that’ll take time. Your brand’ll come later too.” The mare shook her head ruefully. “Hope you know what yer gettin’ into, kid. I’d Hate so see you in the obituaries this week.”

------

Hours later, Leaf stumbled into the apartment, his head buzzing pleasantly with the effects of several drinks he couldn’t remember the names of. Rough House had hoisted him into the air, and shouted something about celebrating the induction of the youngest Card ever, and they had pressed every kind of congratulation on him. For the hundredth time, he checked his saddlebag to make sure the deck of cards was still there, and glanced at his mane to make sure the pin was in place. It was incredible, he thought, that he had gotten into what might be the most powerful gang in the whole city. He would have to tell Steel. His expression would be priceless.

As he walked into the modest living room, leaning heavily on the wall, he saw Burnt Umber sitting by the ratty couch, which Steel was lying on. The pegasus had numerous cuts and bruises on his stocky frame, and half of one ear was missing. The worst injuries, though, were his wings, which looked like they had been pulled out of their sockets and now hung like rags from his back. Umber was trying to coax them back into position, while Steel gritted his teeth and bit back screams of pain.

Leaf began to back out of the room as quickly as he could, but Steel’s eyes snapped open and locked with his. They were wild and bloodshot, and both had dark bruises forming around them. “Where’ve you been?” Asked the grey colt from between clenched teeth. Umber looked up and saw Leaf, her tear-stained face relaxing into a relieved expression.

“Oh thank Celestia, Leaf... I wanted to get a doctor, but I couldn’t leave him alone. Would you keep him company? I need to hurry, before the hospital closes.”

Leaf nodded slowly, still shell-shocked at seeing the state his friend was in.

“Thank you, Leaf. You’re an angel.” The unicorn mare brushed past him, planting a kiss on his cheek as she galloped for the door.

The earth pony almost didn’t notice. He went to stand by Steel’s side, horrified at the amount of blood staining the already filthy couch.

“I know... I really look like shit,” Steel said with grim humor. “Probably a good thing you weren’t there when those bastards hit me.” He winced, twinging as his body gave him a painful reminder that it was in dire need of medical treatment. “Where... Where were you, anyway? I assumed you’d just come back here...”

Leaf stayed silent, but his gaze drifted to the pin entwined in his mane. Steel followed his gaze, his expression shifting rapidly from curiosity, to confusion, to dark anger.

“Leaf... What... the fuck... is that?”

The red colt bit his lip, stammering. “I... I just... I decided...”

“Decided what?!” Steel snarled, eyes blazing. “Just decided you’d go see your little Card buddies while I was out of my mind on that Zap-apple drug? Decided you’d tell ‘em where I was? Decided you’d get on their good side by letting them kick the everlasting shit out of me? Is that what you decided?! Those Cards could have killed me, you son of a bitch! They fuckin’ would have killed me, if my sister hadn’t shown up!”

Leaf stared at his friend, confused. He hadn’t said anything about Steel to the Cards. “I didn’t know...”

Again, he was interrupted. “Oh, you didn’t know! That makes everything better! You didn’t know that the most depraved gang of ponies in Coltago was willing to beat me to death over a jar of Flinch! Okay, apology fucking accepted! We can be best friends again, even though you’ve already joined the assholes who did this to me!”

Leaf was crying now, and he could see, to his surprise, that Steel was too. “Steel, I... I’m sorry, I didn’t mean...” He shook his head, trying to clear it of the alcohol still in his undeveloped system. “I didn’t want this to happen! I just wanted to make a place for myself in the world, am I allowed to do that?” He began raising his voice, despite himself. “Am I not allowed to try to keep myself out of the gutter? Do I need your permission now, is that it? When the hell did you become my mother?!”

Steel turned his face away, shaking. “Get out.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I feel sick just looking at you. I thought we were friends, but apparently I was wrong. Get out.”

“Steel, you can’t just...”

“Get out! Get out, you disgusting fuckup! I never want you to come anywhere near me, my house, and I DEFINITELY don’t want you sniffing around my sister EVER AGAIN! Now GET! OUT!”

Leaf tensed, feeling as if his friend had just sucker-punched him in the gut. “Fine.” He backed towards the door, glaring at the pegasus. “I’ll leave. Not like I haven’t done it before. I’ll probably be better off anyway...” His voice broke, and he shut his mouth before he could start crying outright. On his way out, he slammed the door behind him, and Steel winced as his dislocated wings twinged.

------

Tobacco Leaf shivered in the night air. He was curled on a bench in the park, glaring at the ground through a film of tears. He was so confused... Just that morning, he and Steel had been laughing about the gang argument. Now that he’d actually brought that into reality, he’d lost the only ponies he’d ever truly felt close to. He thumped his head against the metal bench. Why did he keep running away? First his mother, and now this. “Maybe I’m just not supposed to have a family,” He mourned.

“Wouldn’t be so sure about that, kid.”

Leaf jumped at the sudden voice, looking around frantically to see where it had come from. As he watched, Rough House stepped into the light of a street lamp. She walked over to his bench and knelt by him.

“You always got the Cards, kid. We take care of our own. Now I dunno what went down with you an’ your fam, but if you need a place ta crash, there’s a spare bunk in tha back room of the Cornerstone.”

The colt looked up at her in amazement, wiping his eyes. “You really mean that?” He snuffled.

“O’ course. Why don’tcha come on with auntie House, and we’ll get you somethin’ ta eat? You can tell me all ‘bout it down at the ‘Stone.”

Leaf leaped off the bench, wrapping the older mare in a hug. “Thank you! Thank you so much!” He almost bawled.

The mare nodded, smiling awkwardly. “Yeah, uh, not that I really know how to take care of a colt... Don’t think any of us really do, in fact. You might hafta get used to some o’ the rougher guys, since they can be a little... loud. An’ they use words you prob’ly ain’t even heard b’fore.”

She kept talking to him as she walked him down towards the drugstore that was to be his new home. He felt a measure of happiness return in the knowledge that he’d have a group of ponies who would take care of him. Maybe life as a Card would work out after all.

------

Long after they were gone, Burnt Umber trotted past the spot where Rough House had found the colt, calling out, “Leaf! Leaf! Tobacco Leaf! Where are you? Leaf, please come home! Answer me...!” The mare looked like she was about to collapse from exhaustion. She passed through the light of the street lamp, heading in the opposite direction the two ponies had taken.

Then she, too, was gone.

------

End turn, Next player.

END - To be continued.

Next Chapter - Let the Games Begin
















Hope you enjoyed our story so far. We’ll update as soon as we can, our schedules permitting.
Thanks for reading!

- Tangus.

A lot of time went into this, but we’re always willing to put more in if it means bettering the story. Time permitting, we’ll be doing everything we can to make this better. Enjoy the read, and thanks!

- Silvertongue