Chapter 16: The Strip

Dawn sat there in silence, caught up in deep thought, slouching lazily in her chair. The Figure expectantly waited for her to continue but was meet with a pregnant silence. In frustration he  rubbed his temples to calm himself. Dawdling was not on his agenda.

“Go, on.” He said, trying to sound reassuring.

Dawn snapped from her trance with the finishing of his sentence.

“I have a question.” She said quickly, snapping into a better posture.

The Figure rubbed both his temples now, in fast circles, massaging the annoyance from his mind.

“We’ve been over this Miss Dawn, I’m the one asking the questions.” He said belligerently.

Dawn shot her hoof up, she needed to know.

“Don’t worry, it’s not about you, it’s an opinion I’m after.” She said, keeping focused on her goal.

“On, what?” The Figure replied cautious.

Dawn rocked forward and leaned across the table, The Figure shrunk back keeping his face concealed. Dawn disregarded this and continued.

She licked her lips bracing for the question and more importantly the answer.

 “Who is all this about?” She asked, in her mind the question had more depth than she versed it and against the odds she expected a in depth answer.

The Figure thought for a moment and spoke “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”

Dawn sighed, “Trouble, me, you. Who is all this about? This story, whose it about? How does it end, what’s the plot? I need to know, I’m I just a pawn in all this? A necessary part for the story? A spectator? Or am I the one to end it all? I need to know.”

She looked at the Figure expectantly desperate for the answer. It had been plaguing her too long, she refused to believe Trouble was just a passing chapter in her life. And that she was just going to fade away, that all her achievements had been achieved and she would amount to nothing more.

The Figure shrugged “I dunno Dawn, I dunno. I was just told to get the information. You were there from the beginning, you’re the best lead we have.”

“For What?” She replied.

The Figure leaned in also, still keeping his face shrouded.

“Do you have any idea what Trouble and his ‘family’ done? He tried to raise another one with you being the firstborn. A lot of very influential ponies don’t want him alive.” The Figure said quietly the words bleeding out through his gritted teeth.

Dawn slunk back into a slouch, she went back into thought. “Unfortunately, rather soon I learned about his past. It wasn’t pretty.” Dawn concluded, demoralized.

“The family?” The Figure asked.

“No, just what he did after he saved what was left of it.”

The Figure cocked his head quizzical.

_____________________________________________________________________

Dawn felt her mouth salivate. A tingling sensation ran through her body from her hooves to her head. A large smile spread across her face, inside her brain was alight, every fibre of her wanted to charge forward into the nirvana behind the gates.

Dawn sporadic, reluctantly craned her neck down from the brilliance of New Pegas to the gate. Before her very eyes she seen the guardians of heaven. Towering, shimmering hulking metal guardians. Pillars of strength and at the pinnacle of advancement. Robots, not just any boring old machines though.

These were erect malicious monstrosities, robots balancing on a chunky threaded wheel, machine guns mounted on their limbs. A large screen in the carapace of their bodies with a solid and permanent image of a mean old police pony.

Huge thick shoulder armor, an antenna mounted on their backs easily 5 times the size of Trouble standing on his hind hooves. A large blanked out light resting above the screen.

Ponies were amassing around the robots, waiting, herding into a circle by them. The robots were cold, frightening, you could see it on the faces of all the ponies gathered there, it was pure intimidation.

They were waiting. For what though? The answer was unclear to Dawn. Tyke nudged her, snapping her from her trance she whispered into Dawn’s ear.

“Securitrons. They’re the vanguards of the Strip. Break the rules and I can guarantee they will break you in half.” She whispered with an air of calmness that seemed misplaced on her.

Trouble and Flint Fang lowered their necks from the lights and grandeur of Pegas. Simultaneously gesturing to move forward with a snap of their necks. They walked side by side, the more Dawn studied the two the more she realised how identical they were.

Both leaders, both experienced, both heading in the same direction, both travelling in a band of three, both had the exact same band formation and both were exceptionally lethal.

They bobbed down the street in silence, Dawn with every passing hoofbeat could hear her heart pounding in her ears. The steady rhythm keeping her locked on her goal.

So close now. They were in the jaws of the gate, among the robots, the dull constant hum of their power supplies audible. The robots all peered into Trouble, assessing the threat level.

If you were to pick between killing a small dunce of a mare or a hardened heavy weight merc that first target was obvious.

“Halt, submit to credit check before passing and please wait till the next opening hour.” It chimed in a mechanical tone.

The red light above the screen began to flicker, it flicked on and off several times. The robot shot into a perfectly erect posture, it looked into the distance and spoke.

“VIP Protocol engaged, please confirm identity.”  It chimed at them, Dawn looked around on confusion before realising everypony was staring at Trouble. He looked around at the group and said “Don’t look at me like it’s a fuckin’ secret.” Trouble said defensively.

He reached into his duster clawing about for something a few elongated moments later he slowly revealed something.

A small metal plate.

Trouble held it down low staring at it, he wiped some dirt from it, Dawn couldn't get a good look at the metal tablet but she could she Trouble’s expression. It was blank, he was just staring at the plate and the small engravings on it, from Dawn’s angle she couldn't see what they were, a mural or depiction of some kind.

He held it up to the robot, almost reluctantly. Dawn see the back of it, carved into the silver metal rectangle was a love heart with a scythe behind it. The engraving went into minute detail, around the emblem was a checkered pattern. The emblem itself was solid black, the pattern was a light grey on the silver metal.

The red light flickered again, on the sixth flicker it stayed a prominent red.

The robot spoke again “Admin privileges granted, directive sir?” All eyes were on Trouble, the weary travellers gazed at him in confusion as did the Show Ponies.

Trouble shrugged “Open the gate?” He offered.

The red light on the robot flickered 3 times before it stated “Complying.”

A screeching noise blasted through the streets, Dawn gritted her teeth at the painfully dreadful noise. The huge metal panels were retracting, everypony shot up to gaze inside. Dawn pushed through to the very front.

She peeked through, her heart rate soared. Inside were gallivanting ponies laughing with beaming smiles, all probably intoxicated. Bands of happy ponies sauntered casually along the arrow straight road lined with fabulous and radiant buildings.

The doors opened barely enough for Dawn’s shoulders to squeeze through, she darted in forcing her shoulders inwards. Her mouth was watering, she was too close to be asked to wait any longer. It was nothing short of cruelty to have gates that open this slow, since she had come so far.

She bullied her way in, pushing against other eager ponies. The greediest always come first. She crashed onto the strip, and took in all its beauty. A sudden relaxation watered across her body, her greedy expression turned into a euphoric grin.

Smooth jazz played in the background, adding character and atmosphere.

She stood gawking at the tallest, most prestigious building at the end of the road, dwarfing all the others. The huge casino that was visible miles upon miles out. The building had a tall wheel shaped base. There was no windows on this casino unlike all the others. This casino was rather fittingly designed in the style of a roulette wheel. The circular base had Red and Black wall segments with golden diamond shapes on each. At the door of the casino were nearly 2 dozen securitrons. Vanguarding the crowds of eager tourists pouring into it. Brightly wrote above it was

“The Red&Black Casino and Lounge” Everything stopped.

Dawn’s eye twitched, she suddenly became riveted to the ground, her muscles locking up. Her consciousness or rather her control over herself dissipated, melted away. A new being had invaded and annexed her mind. And she was watching it helplessly.

Her teeth began to grind, her face scrunched into a snarl, blood flowed all around her body making her hot with rage. An ungodly rage, making her spine quiver and her vision quake.

Her eyes turned to the peak of the spire.  At the very top were darkened windows, slanted panes of glass to give the viewer a glorious vantage point over all of the strip. The sweet music that played casually in the background was drowned out by a high pitched whine. The pitch of the buzzing whine intensifying. The noise fueling her rage, her mind teetered on the brink of total anger filled explosion.

She breathed out angry hate filled pants, the hijacker spoke, with her voice.

“Cheat... Liar... Deceitful...” Her muscles braced about to charge, at the very same moment before take off the hijackers grip was shattered with a quick blow to the head.

The high whine ceased abruptly and slowly, the ambient music of Pegas filled her ears once more. Her muscles unlocked themselves becoming lax, she nearly slipped before catching herself. Trouble’s voice came next “I said, you alright?” he said, Dawn could have sworn she heard concern in his voice. Or maybe it was confusion at her actions. “Am I gonna have ta slap ya again?” Maybe not concern after all.

Her heavy pants became quick and short ones, her vision blurred before returning to normal, she noticed she was covered in a layer of sweat. “Kid?” Trouble asked again.

“Eh, um yeah.” Dawn blubbered out, Trouble disregarded her social awkwardness and weird behaviour, he took her by the shoulder and faced her towards a building to her immediate right.

“Home sweet home.” Trouble said elation in his voice.

Dawn faced a huge structure, Hexagonal in design. At every angle was illuminous green neon lighting, every side was littered with windows with sharp yellow lights beaming from inside.

The doors to this casino were much different to that of Red & Black. The doors here were heavy duty and low down, ponies cued up in an orderly fashion. rather than pour in. the crowd here was much shorter than that of Red & Black.

 A slot shot back and forth from the doors, ponies dropped their caps and the door next to the slot opened. And the ponies would step on through into a dark hallway and the door would slam shut behind them on pneumatic hinges. An entrance fee, there was no such thing at Red & Black. This was either a sign or greed or class.

To the extreme right of all the other doors was an empty lane, boldly stamped on the door was “VIP ACCESS ONLY”

Dawn looked up at Trouble, he was smiling wholeheartedly at the building.

“That’s us.” he said and gestured to the VIP access before strutting over with clear vain and pride.

Dawn gave a trembling smile and dashed after him, Night Light all this time from the moment they arrived at the gate had kept her head ducked low. The brim of her hat shrouding her features.

Night Light followed Trouble and Dawn but severely lacking the same zest as the two. The only thing she had done was be wary in Freeside and have a very stilted conversation with Blood Letter due to her nervous behaviour.

Dawn and Trouble bounced side by side, drawing many strange gazes from the ponies stuck cueing behind them. Dawn felt a fit of giggles coming about but managed to repress them, it was until Trouble was at the door did he realize the Show Ponies left to join the cue  with the rest of the tourists.

Trouble rolled his eyes before cupping his hooves and calling over “The Fuck ya Doin’ Over there!? Show Ponies dun fuckin’ cue!” They exchanged looks before trotting briskly over to Their group, once all assembled, Trouble pounded on the door in 3 hard thumps.

Flint Fang spoke up “So why the special treatment? You only just met us?” asked Flint Fang suspicion clear and present in her tone.

“You’re Show Ponies. Simple as, I own the penthouse. Ya can stay there with us if ya want.” Trouble offered.

Flint Fang exchanged glances with her colleagues, she got a shrug from Blood Letter and a brisk nod from Little Tyke.

“Why not?”

A small tray jutted out adjacent the door. Trouble took out the same metal plate as earlier and gently placed it flat on the tray face down. The slid snapped shut. A few seconds later, the heavy door inches thick swung inwards. Inside was a dark as night corridor, with a door at the very end. a metallic “Clack.” was heard. The metal plate shot out from another concealed tray in the black wall.

Trouble quickly reclaimed it and stowed it on his person somewhere. And began to trudge down the derelict hallway. Every hoof beat was pristinely clear in Dawn’s ears. Her breathing steadied. This was it, the week of pain’s reward. Her light at the end of this dark and treacherous tunnel.

The door was made from polished wood with a brass handle. Trouble clenched it in his grip, “Welcome home kid.” he said with fatherly affection.

He forced the door open, inside was impossible.

Everywhere was lavished in chic fabrics and stylish designs and vinyls, sharply dressed ponies walked the floors. Stallions in Tuxedos with beautiful trophy mares at their sides. The general colour scheme of the place was a beautiful bright green and gold.

Sounds rang out everywhere of laughing ponies, the sound of dispensed winnings, everyone pleased. No, honoured to be in the lap of luxury. Dawn’s heart melted away as she entered, the floor beneath her hooves was carpeted in a thick fluffy and soft violet coloured fabric.

The green and golden vinyls on the wall added more character to the place then anything else. Right before them was a receptionist’s desk, it was a huge polsihed mahogany circle with four ponies in stripped suits working behind it, busily typing away or speaking to patrons with false smiles on their faces.

Behind that was endless rows of tables and machines with countless ponies depositing strange circular objects into them and tugging on levers. Some others she recognized to be card games, the corner gangs of Dry Town used to play.

All the miseries of the world had no place here, this was a place of fun and enjoyment. A place for friends and lovers to rejoice and escape the woes and weights of the world. Even if just for a single afternoon.

To Dawn’s right was a huge dining area with a big stage near the back, closed indigo  curtains spanned its entire length. Many ponies were eating at candlelit tables in intimate duos or friendly gangs of four and six being served the finest wine by finely dressed waiters, others occupied booths in large groups lining the walls. Drinking shots ordering food also.

To Dawn’s 8 o clock were the ‘regular’ ponies checking in. Well armed and armoured ponies patting them down, mean looking mercenaries and other armed ponies checking in their weaponry, as insurance.

The guards of the casino were spaced out pretty well on the first floor, every 20 meters or so was a sentry standing on guard. And there was duos patrolling the gambling area, presumably on the lookout for cheats. All the guards wore the exact same armour, Thick chest and shoulder piece combat armour with a coat of forest green.

At Dawns eleven o'clock was a grand staircase leading up onto the second floor, giving a good look out point at the stage from a cozy high class lounge.

Trouble stepped forward, Dawn stood with her jaw haging low, her eyes watering at the splendour of this Valhalla. It drove a rod of comfort through her, releasing all the pains and hardship from her mind, she was in a state of perpetual bliss.

Night Light brushed passed her grinning, as did Flint Fang and Blood Letter, Tyke nudged her and said “You alright? You're acting... Weird.” Dawn snapped out of it and followed Tyke, Trouble drew near the receptionist's’ desk.

Nearly all eyes were drawn to him, or them. Dawn wasn’t entirely sure, but it felt like they were looking at Trouble, she could just tell. The nearest receptionist slowly raised his head, Trouble quickly and silently rose to his hind hooves.

The receptionist, a deep green unicorn with a brown mane looked at Trouble without the slightest bit of surprise facing the imposing figure.

He smiled, this one wasn’t fake like the others, the receptionist spoke glancing at the group of ponies along with him.

“Trouble,” He beamed up at him “what the fuck did you do this time?” the receptionist said jokingly.

“Awh, you’re funny aren’t you Inky? And and besides ya wouldn’t believe me if ah told ya.”

The pony identified as Inky turned his attention from Trouble to the rest of the group “Hi my name is Inky Pistachio, if you need anything you come to me, okay?” he said in a friendly and mild mannered tone, the opposite to what he used speaking with Trouble.

He didn’t address anyone in particular just the group as a whole. He turned his attention quickly back to Trouble “I guess these ponies will be staying with you then?” he asked a little monotonic.

“Yeah, any mail?” the two casually went, back and forth.

Dawn was a little confused, there was six of them. She was going to ask Trouble but she cast it to the back of her mind. She was loving this place too much.

“One letter from House and well...” Inky trailed off.

“Wah?” Trouble pressed.

“Your brother is here, The Cannibal.”