“Yeah, yeah, right there love.” Stale moaned in pleasure as a masseuse ground her hooves into his back. “Aw, yeah.”

After their meeting yesterday with Pike, Stale and Lemon had been given additional perks, one of which was a free stay at the Fair Mane hotel. So, after Stale had raided the minibar, he had taken the next step for a massage.

Lemon came out of the bathroom to the sight of the rubbing. “You do know it would be better to go to the spa, right?”

Stale snorted. “Yeah, right, like you're to catch me in that place. A real stallion relaxes in private. Heh.”

“Well, while you relax, I’m going to head down there. Try not to spend to much of the boss’ money.” Lemon combed his hair down over his eyepatch.

Stale blew a raspberry. “Pfft, guy’s rich. He can afford a few beers, wine, and brandy.” Stale rolled over onto his back, opening his eyes when he heard the mare gasp. “Something wrong—Oh, sorry about that.” Quickly thinking of ugly things, Stale’s “thing” pulled itself back in.

Lemon facehooved. “Can you for once stop trying to buck somepony?” He left the room without another word.

“So, this is the Mane Fair hotel, huh?” Humble looked at the luxurious building. “The M.I.T. really gave it a makeover.”

“Pfft.” Coil waved his hoof in contempt. “This place is just a big, ugly electronic waste machine. I mean, look at that!” He pointed at the now electric doors. “All that did was put a doorpony out of a job.”

Humble raised his eyebrow. “Why so touchy? I thought you liked simple things like that?”

“Not when they’re powered by Mr. Stealy Pants over there.” Coil pointed at a poster of Light Wizard holding a lightbulb with the words “It’s Fun to Learn” on it in big blue letters. “Look at him, all smuggy and stuff.” Coil looked down as they entered the lobby. “It should be me on there.”

Humble glanced at his friend with a grin. “Come on, Coil, you made some famous things, too. Like that machine that can call birds!”

Coil perked up. “You mean the Pigeonator? Yeah, but it’s only in it’s blueprint stage...you know, someone wanted to buy it from me.”

Humble pressed the elevator button. “Really? Who?”

“Some ponies with business suits, but I just couldn’t.”

Both of them entered the elevator. Humble pressed the top button. “Why not? Sounds like you could’ve made a lot of bits from it. Celestia knows we need some.”

Coil leaned against the elevator’s side. “Yeah, but they wanted me to change it.”

“Change it? Change it how?”

Coil glanced side to side, as if he was looking to see if someone was listening, before leaning in. “They wanted a death ray,” he whispered in a grave tone.

“A death ray? Now why on Celestia’s green earth would they have wanted such a monstrosity?” The elevator dinged, signalling their stop.

“Didn’t say.” Coil looked at the lights above them and sighed. “And it wasn’t a death ray, exactly. More of a… death tower.”

“Well, whatever it is, I’m glad you didn’t make them one.” Humble looked at room doors until they came to the one they were looking for. “Ah, here it is, 101.” He reached for the handle. Instead, it quickly opened on its own to Rarity, Fluttershy, and Octavia.

Rarity smiled. “Humble, you're here! If you're looking for Pinkie, she took the children to the arcade.” She noticed Coil. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Spark.”

Coil’s muzzle grew a big grin. “A pleasure to see you again, too, Miss Rarity. Almost as an afterthought, he added “And, of course, you too, Fluttershy and Octavia. Where are you three heading?”

“Oh, the spa here is to die for. It’s almost as good as the one in Ponyville.” Rarity leaned in. “I finally convinced Octavia here to come along with us.”

Humble looked over Rarity to see Octavia mouthing, “help me” before smirking. “Well, I’m sure you three will have a good time. Might I suggest getting Octavia to try a mud bath?”

Octavia's eyes grew wide. “Now wait just a—”

“That sounds like a perfect idea!” Rarity announced with glee. “It will do wonders on that coat of yours, darling.”

Octavia gritted her teeth. Fluttershy giggled. “Thank you for your suggestion, Humble.” Octavia’s tone dripped with sarcasm.  “Let’s get this over with, shall we?” As the three left, she shot a dirty look at Humble, who mouthed, “payback.”

“Howdy! What’re you two doing here?” Applejack stopped kicking the soccer ball she was guiding out the hotel doors  and smiled at Humble and Coil. Rainbow hovered next to her and waved. “If y’all are lookin’ for Pinkie, she’s in the arcade.”

“Thanks, Rarity told us. Where are you two going?”

Applejack was about to speak when Rainbow Dash swooped in and grabbed the ball. “I’m going to show this pony what real sports are.”

Applejack rolled her eyes at the comment. “Rainbow thinks she’s the better soccer player.” She grinned. “I’m gonna prove her wrong.”

Humble felt his legs tire from standing still. “Well, you have fun with that. See ya.” He watched the two fillies leave before heading into the hotel and up to Twilight’s lodgings.

Knocking on it gently, Humble put his ear to the door. “Twilight? You here?” Silence… until a faint rustling came from somewhere within the room. “Miss Twilight? You in there?” When no reply came, Humble peeked into the room. He was greeted with total darkness. “Um, hello?”

Coil turned on the light switch. “Hello!” From the deep within, a groaning sound was heard. “Zombiepony! Run away!” Coil jumped behind the couch.

Humble rolled his eyes. “Coil, there’s no such thing as zombieponies—”

“Actually…”

Humble turned around to see a corpselike Twilight with a lantern highlighting her features.

“In some dark—What are you doing?” Twilight asked. “Why do you have my copy of ‘A Dissertation of Physical Magic’ brandished like a weapon?”

“Go back to Tartarus from whence you came!” Humble threw a book at Twilight, but missed by ten feet. “Maybe I should’ve done a sport for high school after all.” He quickly turned around and joined Coil behind the couch. “Don’t come any closer or we’ll… um… Any ideas, Coil?”

Coil put his hoof to his chin. “Maybe we could throw more books?” Humble rolled his eyes.

Twilight looked between the two in confusion, until she caught her reflection in the mirror to the left. “Ahh!” She stumbled back into a bookcase, causing the books to fall on her.

“What is going on?” Spike came out from the kitchen room holding a pot of coffee. “How is an assistant supposed to make coffee with all this noise?”

“Spike! Get over here!” hissed Humble. “There’s a zombiepony!”

Spike stared at them for a second, tumbling to the floor in a fit of laughter he said, “That’s not a zombiepony! Twilight just hasn’t slept! She was too busy reading last night.” Spike walked over to Twilight, who had fallen under all the books. “This should wake her up.” He opened Twilight’s muzzle and poured the coffee into it.

“I thought I said no sugar?” Twilight sat up and rubbed her head. Spike flipped on the rest of the lights, revealing her crusted eyelids. “Sorry about that, everypony. I forgot to use my sleep in a bit spell.”

Humble breathed with a sigh of relief before getting out from behind the couch. “Sorry about throwing a book at you, Twilight. It’s okay, Coil, you can come out.”

Twilight’s horn lit up, and a second later her body look rejuvenated. “Ah, much better. So, what are you two doing here?”

“Well, I thought I would check up on you all. It’s the least I can do for you coming to my rescue.” Humble looked sideways. “Sorta.”

Twilight floated the books back into place. “Thanks Humble. Did you ever find the ponies who hurt you?”

Humble frowned. “Not the two who abducted me, but what I want to know is why on earth you invited Miss Yearling to ‘rescue me.’”

“Humble, don’t be sarcastic.” Coil headed for the kitchen. “It’s not healthy for a pony.”

Twilight sighed. “So that’s what this is about. Listen, Humble, I’m sorry about bringing her, but she honestly seemed to care about you.”

Humble trotted over to the couch and fell onto it. “Please, if she cared for me, then she would’ve wrote to me to at least explain.”

Spike walked over. “If it helps, I know how you feel.”

“You mean you were crushed horribly by someone you knew you loved since you were a kid and had already kissed them but were rejected after you gave them the most amazing night of their life?”

Spike rubbed his back. “Um… I reluctantly helped Rarity with her crush...?”

“Oh, sorry.” Humble got up and rubbed his neck. “You okay?”

Spike shrugged. “Eh, I do it kinda every week. I know she tried to impress you once in a letter.”

“Wait a second... Did she use the name ‘Marshmallow’ by any chance?” Humble grinned.

“Yeah. Wait, you got that letter?”

“Yep. In fact, I based a character in one of my books on that letter.” Humble’s eyes widened for a second. “And I left the draft in my baggage.” Humble facehoofed. “I had over thirty thousand words typed in that.”

Coil sat next to Humble and smiled. “On the bright side, you forgot about Dazzle!” Coil instantly realized his mistake. “Just made you remember, didn’t I?” he asked, sucking air in through his teeth.

Humble wrinkled his nose. “You know what, I keep hearing there’s a nice arcade here, and I might as well spend some time with Pinkie. You guys wanna come? My treat.”

“I’m going to see to go see if there are any pigeons on the roof.” Coil rose and left the room.

“You going to be okay?” Humble called after him, his tone carrying concern.

“I’ll tag along.” Spike put his claw between the couch cushions and brought out a Power Pony comic. “The view might be nice, anyway.”

Humble looked over to Twilight. “How about you?” She was too preoccupied with her reading to hear him. “Well, I guess it’s just me.”

“You go, hot stuff!” Vinyl Scratch slapped the flank of the stallion who had driven her from the train station. “Be sure to write back!” The stallion nodded with a blush before picking up speed and disappearing down the highway. Turning around, Vinyl breathed in the smoggy air. “Manehattan, get ready to—”

“Make way!” said a voice. Quickly jumping to the side, Vinyl saw an orange filly coming to a rough stop with a cart of apple cider in tow. “Watch where ya trot!”

“Hey, wait a second.” Vinyl squinted in the sunlight. “Aren’t you Applejack’s cousin?”

Babs took a defensive position. “You know me?”

“Yeah, I remember seeing her little sis Apple Bloom following you.”

“Alright, yah, I’m Babs, but who are you?”

“Fans call me Dj-pon3—”

“Wait! The Dj-pon3? I’m a huge fan!” Babs quickly tore a piece of paper from her order clipboard. “Can I get yah autograph?”

Vinyl smirked. “Sure kid, anything for a fan.” Scrawling her name on the paper, Vinyl gave it back. “See ya!” She galloped inside the hotel.

Babs looked down at the autograph. When she was certain nopony was looking, she squeezed it tightly. “Now then. How am I gonna get this up the steps?” she asked aloud, looking at the cask of apple cider.

“Oh my,” Rarity moaned as the griffon rubbed her hoof. “This is paradise! How is your massage going Fluttershy? Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy’s massage was being administered by an elderly mule, who was quickly jabbing Fluttershy in her joints, causing her to experience a  light show in the center of her mind and a state of pure bliss. “Ohhhhhh,” she managed to utter in response to Rarity.

“I do agree, darling. Octavia? How is your mud bath going along?”

Octavia sighed beneath her avocado face mask and cucumber slices. “It’s actually not as bad as I thought it would be, to be honest. Not that I would come here again, but not bad.”

“Excuse me,” said a stallion’s voice. Octavia thought she recognized it, but shrugged it off. “Is this mud bath over here taken?”

“No, it’s all yours,” replied Octavia.

“Thanks.” Lemon eased his hoof into the mud and slipped it. Immediately, spa attendants bombard him with avocado and cucumbers, covering his face entirely except his eyepatch.

Rarity thought it strange to see a stallion in such a feminine environment. “Might I say, you're quite unique to be coming into a spa. Your friends didn’t dare you to, did they?”

Lemon chuckled at the question. “Nah, miss, I came here by my own free will.”

Octavia snorted. “Why on Celestia’s green earth would you want to come here?”

“I take it you didn’t?”

“Does it count if you're being emotionally blackmailed?”

“I only whined a bit, Octavia,” said Rarity as she got her horn chiseled. “And besides, it’s good to try new things.”

Octavia fidgeted. “You sound like Vinyl.”

Lemon’s ears perked up. “Who?”  

“Just the most vulgar pony alive.” Octavia sighed. “Always trying to push me to ‘enjoy myself.’ I can get as much joy playing my violin as she does bringing back home the random stallion.”

Rarity’s cheeks grew hot as the conversation turned into more intimate matters. “Is that so—”

“Tell me about it, sister.” Lemon signaled for his horn to get chiseled. “I have to deal with my co-worker, who probably makes your mare look like Luna in terms of etiquette. Guy always thinks with his parts rather than his brain.”

“Oh my.” Rarity’s mind could barely stand the juiciness of the gossip she was hearing.  Like all good things, it ended with Octavia’s prying.

Octavia relaxed more into the mud. “What do you and your co-worker do, um—”

“Lemon Squeeze, and we’re sorta... freelancers.”

Rarity decided to take some gossip, even if it was less meaty. “What do you freelance in?”

“Oh, um...” Lemon thought on what to say next. “We work in... fixing problems.”

“Hmph, wish you could fix my roommate,” said Octavia, rolling her hoof in the mud.

“Ha! If I could fix anybody like that I’d do it to my co-worker.”

“What’s his name, anyway?”

“Stale Crumbs.” Lemon lifted his forelegs up before settling them again in the mud. “He used to be my und-information broker when I worked as a guard.”

Rarity’s interest was as rejuvenated as her coat. “Unafraid to walk into spas and a former guardspony? My, Lemon, how you do not have a filly friend is beyond me. Perhaps Octavia here could help?”

“What?” Octavia blushed heavily under the mud.

“I appreciate the offer, miss, but frankly, despite everything, I just can’t leave the idiot while I go frollicking in fields with mares. Er, no offence.”

Octavia sighed. “None taken, and nor I, Vinyl. Just between you and me, I have to open her cans for her. But back to you, Lemon. You say you were a former guard?”

Lemon grinned. “Not just any former guard, the best damn one ever, pardon my Prench. Was the greatest markstallion in the entire organization, better than those in charge. Captain Shining Armor was a pretty good captain though. A bit clumsy but dedicated and focused.”

“Oh, you served with the prince?”

“Heh. Lady, I taught him how to hold a spear properly. Pitied the kid, I guess. ‘Course, before I could even scold him, he was being coddled by the princess, the pink one. He and the princess love each other a lot...and I mean a lot.  The stuff in their love letters, sheesh. Even caught the two doing their ‘business’ in the barracks once.”

Rarity shot up and put her hoof to her muzzle. “No!”

“Swear on my honor, miss. ‘Course, he still was the better leadership choice than those two fools Cloud Skipper and Midnight Blossom.”

Octavia remembered the guard leaders. “Aren’t those two in control of the Solar and Lunar guards?”

Lemon snorted. “Pfft, glorified bureaucrats if anything. Oh, sure, when it’s a direct order from the princesses themselves they’ll get on it like that—” Lemon splattered the mud “—But when it’s a crisis like bandits, they’ll give it to us, regular guards.”

Rarity went to the salon section of the spa. “You keep saying you're a former guard and something about bandits? I didn’t even know Equestria had those.” She took a sip out of her complimentary drink.

Lemon chuckled. “ ‘Course you don’t! It’s probably the biggest lie this country has. Safety. Feh, ain’t nothing safe about Equestria and the guards know it!” he barked.

Octavia was taken back by the sudden shouting. “I thought you said they had a good leader?”

“We did and even then it wasn’t enough—” Lemon scooted up a bit “—listen, compared to the rest of the world, Equestria may seem like a paradise. We don’t have crimes like, say murder...that much.” Lemon’s voice turned grave.

Octavia shifted uncomfortably. “I take it you have seen some?”

“A few here and there, mostly merchants and nobles. In fact, there was a recent attempted one in this city a few months ago on a business pony by the name of Green Bucks.”

Octavia sat up quickly and started getting out. “I see. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to go.” Octavia looked over at Lemon ,but his back was turned. “I’ll see you guys later.”

Rarity looked up from a magazine. “Are you alright, Octavia? You’re shaking like Opalescence when she gets scared.”

Octavia rubbed the mud off her coat. “I, um, must be having an allergic reaction to the cucumbers is all. I’m going to go lie down in the room. It was nice talking to you, Lemon.”

“A pleasure, miss.”

Octavia took one last look at the stallion. Why does he seem so familiar?  She shrugged it off and took her leave.

Pinkie stared at the dark abyss before her, waiting for her enemy to strike from below. “Come on.” A bead of sweat rolled down her muzzle and dripped onto the sticky floor.  A popping sound shocked her to action as the creatures came out in droves. Quickly picking up her weapon of power, she slammed it down upon the beast, only for another to take its place. “Take this, and this!” She slashed up and down with the brutality of a timberwolf devouring its preys after not eating for days. Eventually, the creatures retreated back into the darkness. as Pinkie breathed heavily.

“WINNER!” The whack-a-mole machine jetted out three tickets as the text scrolled across the marquee screen. “NEW HIGH SCORE!”

“Yipee!” Pinkie threw the mallet into the air. Humble chuckled, having watched the scene play out. Pinkie did a victory twirl. “Who’s got the high score? I got the high score! P to the I to the—Unkie Humble!”

Humble simply smiled. “Well, it seems somepony’s having a good time.”

A sudden cry came from across the arcade.

“Just three more minutes!” Button reached for the joystick. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo dragged him by the hindlegs as the screen flashed “TRY AGAIN” over and over.

“No!” Sweetie Belle let go of Button. “You said you would play with ‘Prance Prance Revolution’ with me!”

“Why am I even doing this?” Scootaloo wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. “I got better things to do than being in you two’s mushy conversation.”

“But I want to play—” Button noticed Humble staring at him. “Hey, it’s that hobo I was telling you about!”

Scootaloo looked up at Humble and smiled. “Humble, you're alright! What are you doing here?”

Humble trotted over to Scootaloo, grinning ear to ear. “I’d ask you the same thing. It seems your injury got better.”

“Pfft, it was just a scratch.” Scootaloo thumped herself on the head before groaning in pain.

“Well don’t hit it, and it’s good to see you Sweetie Belle and—Who are you?”

“I’m Button Mash.” Button looked under the whack a mole. “You didn't happen to see any bits lying around, did you?”

“Not that I can—oh, wait a second.” Humble unwrapped his white scarf, causing a bit to drop on the floor. “Found that one yesterday. You can have it.”

“Thanks!” Button picked it up and galloped off to another machine.

“Ugh, he never wants to dance anymore!” Sweetie Belle took off running in Button’s direction, leaving Scootaloo alone with Pinkie and Humble.

“So,” Humble spoke. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”

“Hngg!” Babs struggled to push the kegs of cider into the elevator. “For Celestia’s sake, mom and dad need to get someone else to do the deliveries!” Pushing the button for the elevator, a voice rang out.

“Wait!” Apple Bloom rushed into the elevator just as the doors closed. “Sorry, don’t want to be—Babs!” Apple Bloom wrapped her hooves around the city pony.

Babs returned the hug with a confused look. “Cuz? Whatcha doin here?”

“You know Humble?”

“Yeah?” Babs hit the seventh floor button.

“Well he got foalnapped and then we decided to come and rescue him but now we found him!” Apple Bloom’s hooves hit the barrels. “What’s this?”

Babs groaned before tapping the barrels with her hoof. “Just a delivery for the hotel. Does Applejack know you're here?”

Apple Bloom frowned and looked up at the buzzing lights of the elevator. “Yeah,” she groaned. “She and Rarity found out we hitched a ride here.”

“We?”

“Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are here too, along with Button Mash.”

Babs looked dumbfounded at the last name. “Who’s Button Mash?” The elevator stopped, but both fillies were too busy to notice.

“Oh, he’s Sweetie Belle’s coltfriend—”

The doors opened as Stale came in, frowning.

“Damn mare. Just because I ask if she does ‘extra services’ she bucks the table over and leaves.” Stale noticed the barrels of apple cider. “Well, well, what do we have here?”

“Don’t even think about it, bucko!” Babs voice caught Stale’s attention. He looked down at her. “I had to walk six blocks to deliver those and I ain’t lettin no pony take ‘em!”

Stale snickered. “Oh, I’m so terrified—”

The doors opened up to the tenth floor.  Cloud Skipper and Midnight Blossom looked at the three and the barrels.

“Mind if we come in?” Cloud shuffled past Stale and into the corner, while Midnight moved behind Apple Bloom and Babs.

Midnight pressed the fourteenth floor button. “I told you it was the fourteenth floor they’re on, idiot. What penthouse is on the tenth?” Recognizing Apple Bloom, she raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing here, kid? Shouldn’t you be with that sister of yours?”

Apple Bloom looked up. “I was just using the restroom downstairs. The arcade’s had a big line.”

Babs looked at both guards before leaning towards Apple Bloom. “You know these guys, cuz?” she whispered.

Apple Bloom nodded as the elevator reached the twelfth floor. “So, once you're done with your delivery, wanna come to the penthouse?”

“Sure! I’ll see you later, cuz.” Babs went to the front of the elevator and tugged on the rope, pulling the small wagon into the hallway toward one of the hotel’s bars.

Stale sighed with relief and moved past the guards. “Yeah, this is my stop, too.” He started galloping towards towards the bar with great speed.

“Now what was that all about?” said Cloud, looking at Midnight.

“Must’ve been in a hurry to get drunk.”

“Well, that was dreadful.” Octavia decided to get some fresh air after escaping the spa. She took the elevator up to the roof, stepping out to see Coil feeding birds. Spike sat on a ventilation shaft, invested in his comic. “Hi Coil, whatcha doing?”

Coil looked up with a smile. “Hiya Octavia! Just feeding some feathered friends.” He threw some more bread crumbs down. “They really like sourdough.”

“That’s nice, Coil, but, um, would you mind if I have the roof to myself for a bit? I need some alone time.”

“Okie dokie! Spike!”            

Looking up, Spike realized this was his time to go, and he followed Coil into the elevator. “The birds in the park need some bread anyway.”

The second the door closed, Octavia turned her attention to the building’s griffon-shaped gargoyles. Taking a deep breath, Octavia started walking onto one of them and looked around. From high above the city, she could see all of  Manehattan’s West Side. From the most elegant shop to the darkest alley, she could see it all. Turning her focus to surveying the other side, Octavia came muzzle to muzzle with a pegasus stallion. Dressed in a white robe similar to one she owned, only this one had a blue sash on it, along with holes for flight use.

“Enjoying the view, I take it?” Stormbreaker hovered in the air . “It is a nice city.”

Octavia rolled her eyes and pushed Stormbreaker off the gargoyle. “I’m surveying, Storm.”

Stormbreaker flapped his wings and chuckled. “Can’t take a joke, can you?”

Octavia snorted as she trotted over to the other gargoyle. “What do you want? How did you even find me?”

Stormbreaker hovered over to the other gargoyle. “Please Octavia, we had you tagged the second you got off the train. Needed to see what you’re here for.”

Octavia stopped surveying at the East Side of Manehattan and stared at Stormbreaker. “And why are you alone? Isn’t Rolf supposed to be helping you?” The sound of the elevator coming up caughter both ponies’ attention.

“Indeed I am.” A grey mule with a balding head and an outfit similar to Stormbreaker’s, dyed brow with its hood down, stood in the elevator. “It’s good to see you again, Octavia.” He walked over with a slight limp. “I see you got here first, Storm.”

Octavia grinned. “It’s nice to see you again, too, Rolf. What’s it been two, three years?”

“Four, if you don’t count letters. How’ve you been?”

Stormbreaker did a loop around one of the gargoyles and sat on the top of the elevator shaft. “Yeah, you still playing that guitar of yours?”

Octavia groaned. “It’s called a bass, you fool, and yes, I still am.”

Rolf adjusted his hidden blade. “And that friend of yours, uh, Record Player, was it?”

Octavia sighed and looked across the city towards the M.I.T. Towers. “Vinyl Scratch, and we’re kinda having a spat after I didn’t let her come with me to Manehattan.”

Rolf put his hood up as the cold air started to chill his bald head. “Sorry to hear, but I actually want to talk to you about that. What are you doing here?”

Octavia looked towards a small building with a snow pile on top of it. “Remember that mission

I did a few months back when you guys needed extra help?”

Stormbreaker snorted and jumped off the elevator. “You mean the one you messed up?”

Octavia shot a dirty glare at Stormbreaker. “I’ll have you know that the reason it failed was because somepony didn’t get their information right!”

Sensing a fight about to happen, Rolf got  between the two. “Enough. What happened, happened. Octavia, what does that event have to do with you coming to Manehattan?”

Octavia thought for a second before sighing. “Remember how I said I took care of my wounds myself?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I wasn’t being completely honest. I was found by two stallions who brought me back to their apartment and cleaned me up.”

Stormbreaker’s mouth dropped to the floor. “You mean you comprised us?”

Octavia shook her head. “No, no, I was able to convince them I got it from a history fair, but recently, one of the stallions, Humble Pie, came to Ponyville to visit his niece, Pinkie Pie.”

Rolf scratched through his hood. “The Element of Laughter? And Humble Pie, the author? I know he was abducted recently...”

“We found him yesterday. He’s in the hotel arcade, last I heard, but what I really want to talk to you about is who abducted him. It was the same pony who hit me with an arrow.”

Stormbreaker sputtered his lips. “Pfft, and I keep telling you that nopony could hit a moving target in the dark with that kind of precision.”

Octavia frowned. “Just because you competed in the Equestrian Games in Ice Archery doesn’t mean you know everything about it.”

Rolf saw that they were getting off track. “Storm, please take this seriously. This could severely hinder our mission.”

The mention of a mission made Octavia’s ears perk up. “Mission? What mission?”

Rolf and Stormbreaker looked at each other before nodding. Stormbreaker took a step forward. “We think we found the Grandmaster.”

Octavia almost fainted from the news. “The Grandmaster? But how?!”

Rolf put his hoof in his robes, pulled out a bunch of documents, and gave them to Octavia. “We found this on a Templar courier.” Octavia scanned the papers. “They talk about a gathering of high ranking Templar supporters to happen in a week.”

Octavia looked up with a frown. “And when did you find these?”

Stormbreaker pointed at the M.I.T. Towers. “About five days ago. The event happens in two days at the Manehattan Institute of Knowledge product announcement party.”

Octavia gave back the letters. “And your mission was?”

“Identify all Templar agents, including the Grandmaster.” Stormbreaker put the letters away. “Which, with you here, is going to be a lot easier.”

Octavia went over to the south side gargoyle and looked out toward Manehattan’s harbor, where she could see a bunch of yachts docked. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do that.”

Now it was Rolf’s time to sputter. “What? Need I remind you how long we’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this? If we succeed we’ll know the identities of dozens of high ranking Templars!”

“I know, but someone has to make sure Humble doesn’t get taken again.”

Stormbreaker groaned. “Why?”

“Because something weird is going on. Time Turner was the stallion they hurt at the Daring Do convention, yet they abducted Humble. Why?”

Rolf’s expression softened. “You think the Templars are after him?”

“Somepony is… Tell you what, if I can stay here and keep watch over him, I’ll help you guys when the time comes.”

Rolf and Stormbreaker looked at each other for a second and nodded. Rolf took out a pipe and started smoking bubbles from it. “Alright Octavia, you’ll find all you need here.” He took out a yellow folder and gave it to her. “Schedules, clues, and your invitation.”

“You sure she’s here?” Humble asked Sweetie Belle, Pinkie, Button, and Scootaloo outside the penthouse door.

“Yeah, she said she was tired and after using the bathroom would head up here,” said Sweetie Belle as all four headed on in to find Apple Bloom talking with Babs while Midnight stood on one side of the room, Cloud sitting out on the balcony. “Babs?”

Babs looked over and Apple Bloom and grinned. “Well if it ain’t Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo-” She noticed Humble “Nice to see ya again, Humble.”

Humble smiled and walked over to the filly. “Nice to see you again, too, Babs. What are you doing here?”

“Making a delivery when I ran into Apple Bloom. What are you doing here?”

“Visiting Pinkie.” He pointed at Pinkie, who was having a staring contest with a fish trophy.

“Babs!” Sweetie Belle pushed Button to the filly. “I want you to meet Button Mash!”

Babs jumped down from the couch and walked over to the colt before staring at him. “So you're the colt Sweetie Belle’s dating?” She looked up to the propeller on his hat. “Nice hat.”

Button smiled. “Thanks.”

“Well then.” Humble rubbed his hooves together. “Anypony wanna order room service?” A loud cough was heard as Humble looked up to see both Cloud and Midnight looking at him with a frowns. “Something wrong?”

Cloud was about to speak when Midnight beat him to it. “You were supposed to be come to the station this morning. Let’s go.”

Pinkie stopped her staring contest and jumped in front of Humble. “But Unkie Humble was going to take us to see a movie!”

“Well, you can see your movie tomorrow. For now, your uncle has to come with us.” Midnight trotted to the door with Cloud stepping out first. “Coming?”

Humble sighed and looked at Pinkie with a sad smile. “We’ll do it tomorrow, I promise.” With that, he left the room.

“Oh, that is some good shit.” Stale threw the glass mug down onto the counter, almost hitting the coaster. “Hey!” The bartender looked up from his cleaning. “Get me some of that cider, and don’t tell me you don’t have any. I saw that filly bring in the barrells!”

The bartender rolled his eyes and took the glass. “Hardplot.”

Stale stiffened and grabbed the bartender, whose expression was now one of fear. “Whatcha say mate?” Stale blew hot air from his nostrils.

“Um, nothing sir.” The bartender glanced around to see if someone was going to help, only to see that everypony else in the room was too scared to do anything.

Stale let go of the bartender and snorted before sitting down on his stool. “That’s what I thought. Now go bring me my cider, with extra foam.”

The bartender meekly nodded. “Yes sir.” He scurried to the taps and refilled the glass. “Here you go.”

Stale stared at the mug and smirked. “ That’s more like it. Now scat.” The bartender nodded and went to the other side of the bar. Turning around, Stale saw that the room was staring at him. “You want some?” He showed his brass horseshoes casings everypony to go back to their meals. “Heh, I love restaurants.”

“I know, dude!” Vinyl grabbed the stool next to Stale, who was sipping his drink, and got comfortable on it. “The only thing this place is missing is some phat beats.”

Stale put down his cider and smiled. “I’m guessing you like music, Miss-”

“Pffft!” Vinyl waved a hoof. “Just call me Vinyl. Or,” she said, putting on a seductive look, “the mare who’s gonna rock your world.”

Stale chuckled at the flirting attempt. “Sorry, Vinyl, but you seem a little young for my tastes.”

Vinyl was taken aback by the rejection, but an idea came to mind. “Is that so? Hey, um-” Vinyl squinted to make out the bartender’s name tag. “Cock?” She fell to the floor laughing as Stale chuckled as well.

The bartender rolled his eyes. “It’s Cock Tail.” A dirty shot from Stale made him reconsider his attitude. “Miss.”

Vinyl got off the floor and wiped her eyes. “Okay, Cock. I’m gonna have the strongest thing you have.”

Cock Tail grabbed a rum bottle with a picture of a stallion dressed up as a pirate and the words “Captain Booty” on it. He was about to reach for the shot glasses when Vinyl stopped him.

“Nuh, nuh, nuh. The whole bottle ,” she said with a determined look. “And two shot glasses.”

Cock Tail shrugged and gave the bottle of liquor along with two shot glasses over to Vinyl before going back to the end of the bar.

Stale's curiosity was rising along with something else. “What’re you doing, love? A bit much for one mare, don’t ya think?”

Vinyl looked at him with a grin. “Oh, this isn’t just for me. Tell you what. If I drink more shots than you, I get to be on the top.”

Stale’s reluctance was about non-existent as he thought the proposition over. “Fine, but if I win, you gotta do head.” He tapped his hoof before snickering. “And swallow.”

Vinyl chuckled sinisterly. “Oh you are so going down.” She popped the bottle’s cork and filled the two glasses with the clear substance. “You ready, boy?”

Stale snorted. “I was born ready.” Both took their glasses and emptied them in one gulp as the liquid burned down their throat. Stale’s throat felt on fire. “You done?” He was surprised to see Vinyl already filling the glasses again.

Vinyl looked up with a sinister smile. “Not by a longshot.”

The two drank all throughout the day. Patrons were amazed to see the ponies take so much liquor and not go blind. At 7 P.M. with eight distilled rum bottles  (and one wine) strewn about the floor, both ponies started getting tired.

“You done yet, you saucy little thing?” slurred Stale to Vinyl, who was cackling.

“You’re drunk, Stale!” Vinyl took another shot of rum. “I think you've had too much.”

Stale huffed in indignation. “I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough you-you... Um, what’s the word I’m looking for?” He took another swig at the glass.

Vinyl thought for a moment before gasping. “Bitch?”

Stale stopped his futile attempts to grasp the glass and stared at Vinyl in amazement. “You swear? I didn’t think anypony in this damned country did.”

Vinyl laid her head down on the counter in a dream-like state. “Yeah. When you live with my roommate as long as I have, you need to say buck once and awhile.”

Stale slammed his hoof down on the counter, earning him an “Eeep!” from the bartender. “I know what you mean! My bloody partner in crime is an ex-guard, so he likes to keep things ‘professional.’ ” Stale snorted at the word. “Bucking stick in the mud if you ask me.”

Vinyl leaned back, nodding. “Tell me about it! It’s always ‘Vinyl, why did you leave your discs around the living room?’ ‘Vinyl, stop playing while I’m practicing!’ ‘Vinyl, stop using my bed for you and your buckbuddies.’ ” She threw her hooves up. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, Octavia is my best friend, but for Celestia’s sake, she is such a tight wad!”

Stale looked up from his mug. “Yeah, I know the feeling. My bud may be as tight as a griffon’s asshole, but he did help me clean myself up.”

Vinyl nodded and took hold of her glass, raising it to eye level. “To our best friends.”

Stale nodded and lifted his glass as well. “May they never find that stick in their plots!” Both took a sip of their drinks and smiled for a moment before falling backwards into unconsciousness as their alcohol limits were finally reached.

The cold air of the winter night whipped at Daring. Looking down from the balcony, she saw the street full of taxi carriages, frustrated drivers yelling at each other to move along. She took a deep breath and looked up to the moon above. “I remember when Humble and I used to look at you when we had sleepovers in the clubhouse.” Daring grinned at the memories. “Ace would stand outside with Arrowhead watching for trouble while Coil would bother him with talks of gadgets and stuff. Humble and me would just look at your craters and talk about who had the greyer hair.”

“And I would explain to you that the moon isn’t made of cheese,” said a voice, startling Daring.

Twirling around, she breathed in relief. “Oh, it’s just you, Grampa… I said it was made of clay, not cheese.”

Daring’s grandad chuckled weakly as he took a blanket off Daring’s bed and wrapped it around himself. “Of course, my sweet. It was Ace who thought it was cheese... Mozzarella, to be exact.”

Daring shook her head with a smile. “You told me this already, Grampa.”

“Did I?” He put a hoof to his head. “I must be forgetting stuff again. Probably a good thing I came now, then.” He shuffled over to the room’s fireplace, holding his hooves out toward the roaring flames. “I was wondering if you’d still come to the party. It would help the company a lot for my most creative granddaughter to come.” He took a seat in an armchair and shivered slightly. “Would you mind coming in? The cold rattles these old bones of mine.”

Daring sighed and entered the room, closing the balcony behind her. “I don’t know, Grampa, it’s just with all that's happened recently, I don’t think I’m up for talking to a bunch of nobles.”

“Oh.” Daring’s grandpa looked down. “I was really hoping to show you could show how a real mare acts, with grace, wit, and a tough underhook if need be.” He snickered at his joke.

Daring rolled her eyes and put another blanket on him. Giving him a kiss on the muzzle, she relented. “Alright, I’ll come, but only for a while.”

Daring’s grandpa smiled softly and yawned. “Thank you, sweetie.”

“How about I go make you some corn soup and get your bed ready?”

He looked up to Daring, his big, wide eyes gentle, the expression on his face bringing a feeling of melancholy. “That sounds perfect.”

“Okay, you just rest and I’ll be right back.” Daring trotted over to the door and into the hallway.

Looking at the roaring fire, Daring’s grandpa smiled as the flames reflected off his eyes. “Perfect.”

Next Chapter: Skating in the park Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 4 Minutes