Chapter 18: Jet Fuel

“So?” The Figure said blandly.

“So?” He said again. Louder and more demanding this time.

Dawn stared at him in confusion.

“So what?” Dawn replied bashfully.

The Figure let out a long sigh. “How much do you know about Worthy?” He asked.

“Enough.” Dawn replied snidely.

“Worthy once smuggled explosive ordnance into a cease fire zone, nearly three hundred kilos of high explosives. With the scarcity of arms in the region, he made a fortune. Would you like to know how he done it?” The Figure asked spitefully.

Dawn remained silent, The Figure continued.

“He stuffed the explosives into the corpses of dozens of ponies and wheeled them into town, he figured the civilized ponies wouldn’t search them. He’d split their stomachs open and scoop out their organs, their intestines, whatever was in his way and replaced it with bags of explosives. Once done he’d stitch the body back up and be on his way. Disgusting, but clever.”

Dawn cringed. She knew nothing was above his “Tactics” but he never regaled her with that business trip.

Worthy had a very different way of handling things versus his brother. Dawn picked up on all these things travelling with them. Trouble had even sat down and explained Worthy’s actions to her.

Worthy is what Trouble called a “Terror Fighter.” It’s all about inducing fear, making yourself seem more horrific and chaotic than you really are. His weapons and dress code were evidence enough of that. Dawn found that out sooner than she would have liked.

“He always had a... cracked morality.” Dawn commented on the story.

“The question I asked myself Dawn was, where did the bodies come from?”

_____________________________________________________________________

Dawn found herself awake and dazed, her head lolling on her shoulders. She was seated in a lavish armchair, sprawled across it. Her vision was unfocused and her hearing was drowned out, all she could glimpse through her dazed state was Trouble raving at a rather intimidated Rico.

“WAH TAH FUCK DO YA MEAN ‘BAD DEBT’!?” Trouble howled at Rico maliciously.

Rico averted his eyes from Trouble’s face and stared at the floor. Dawn’s brain couldn’t handle concentration right now. She scanned the room, with every inch of motion from her head the world blurred around her.

Rico spoke back pathetically “I need your help. Please.”

Worthy sat across from Dawn in a similar armchair. Dawn was beginning to take in her surroundings.

She was in a wide open room, in front of her was a beautiful low lying table with assorted canisters, bullets and 2 large rifles. The first was a pristine wooden bolt action rifle, with a custom gold plated action and humongous scope mounted on the top. The second rifle was burnt black at the muzzle and the rest of the weapon was rusted. It was a regular automatic rifle except various tubes and wires ran along it and underneath the barrel was a canister pressed against it. Secured by bracing. Impressive weapons all the same.

There was four identical lavish red armchairs surrounding the table, for now the table was all Dawn could make out. her focus returned to Trouble and Rico.

“Muh fuckin’ help ah? I’ll give ya tuh back of me hoof!” Trouble roared in vexation.

Night Light’s voice came from a distant corner “It’s his fault for getting mixed up with them, let him sort it out by himself.” She said displeased.

Trouble paced furiously across the room.

Dawn’s vision began to stabilize. Worthy slowly turned his head towards Dawn, she looked back at him and groaned. She hadn’t a clue what else to do.

He cocked an eyebrow before announcing “She’s come around.”

Trouble ceased pacing and approached Dawn on his hind hooves, his fore hooves behind his back. When he came into focus Dawn thought she was hallucinating.

Trouble was wearing a purple jacket and trousers with a black silk tie, waistcoat and and shirt. He was also entirely unarmed, something Dawn never would have expected from him.

Rico let out a sigh of relief as Trouble turned his back, he crouched next to Dawn on his hind hooves, it was amazing the amount of balance he had, he asked inquisitively.

“You awrite kid?”

Dawn’s head ceased lolling for a split second and she muttered out “ You look weird.”

Trouble smirked, Dawn’s head fell backwards into the headrest of the chair and there is stayed, it was cushioning and soft, she let it consume her as her muscles went lax in the chair.

Trouble rose and gently tousled her hair with his hoof, careful not to slice any strands with his sharpened digits.

He said solemnly “Rico. I can’t be runnin’ after you anymore. No more favours like this. I’m sorry.”

Trouble sat opposite his brother and slouched backwards into it. Rico stood looking deeply dismayed, his mouth hanging agape. Looking vulnerable.

“Whaddya reckon Worthy?” Trouble requested.

“What difference will my opinion make?” Worthy answered, staring into space.

“Dun nay play games Worthy, you know better than you let on how much your opinion matters to muh.” Trouble replied, his voice a little vexed.

Worthy shot a look over to Rico and then over to Trouble.

“Well the way I see it, he fucked up. When I fucked up, I lost an eye. Did I beg for a new one? No. I played the hand I was dealt, you wanted to help me Trouble, I refused because I deserved no help. Rico was a boot boy, there is no reason he should be knocked around by a bunch of drug pushers. He landed himself in a pitiful situation and all he will have is my pity. Not my help.”

Rico looked crushed. His red mane fell in front of his demoralized.

Dawn regained some sense, she still hadn’t a clue as to what was going on so she called out sluggishly.

“What!?” She sluggishly called out to nopony in particular.

“I think she’s curious as to what’s going on.” Worthy announced.

“I’ll let Rico explain. Worthy, Ranger I need you elsewhere. Let’s go. Rico you fuckin’ sit tight, we’ll be back soon enough.”

Dawn slipped into a void once more, if only for a second. Her head bounced off the chair, as she was engulfed by the blackness she heard a voice shoot through it. The familiar feminine, endearing voice.

“Fear little one, you lack that which makes the weak valiant. Sweet sweet Worthy, he will show you fear.”

_____________________________________________________________________

The Figure slammed his two hooves on the desk in anger with a crashing noise.

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN THERE IS A VOICE IN YOUR HEAD!?” The Figure roared at her.

Dawn snapped back defensively “What do you want me to say!?”

The Figure leapt from his chair and pounded the table.

“The truth.” he grunted.

“You’re getting the truth, but as I’m guessing you know as well as I do. There is always more than just,”

“The truth.” The Figure finished.

_____________________________________________________________________

Worthy, Trouble and Night Light were in the elevator on their way down to the stage, for a “Talk”

“Trouble what's this all about?” Night Light asked, bewildered.

“Show Ponies, Frail Ponies and Fucked Ponies I bet.” Worthy answered.

Perplexed Night Light asked Trouble “ What does he mean by that?”

“He means, the Show Ponies, Dawn and Rico in that order. And he guessed righ’ as he always does.” Trouble concluded a little vexed from the whole ordeal of tonight.

“Your brother attacked Dawn, she fainted from shock. You’re just going to let that slide?” Night Light challenged, annoyed by his complacency.

Trouble pressed his back against the wall of the elevator, just as the soldiers have done. He was going through inner combat, he never mastered it the same way he had with ‘proper’ combat.

His suit bore the same pistol belt he wore on his armour, before he left he was sure to grab it. It finished his look of smooth, suave, dangerous and above all professional.

“He’s family.” He frankly put it.

“You mean to tell me she isn’t? She’d be dead without you. You can’t say she doesnt matter, not after you dragged her through all that. You could have left her at any stage, slit her throat if you wanted you. But you didn’t.”

Trouble stared at Night Light, and she stared back. Worthy broke the silence with a silent affirmation.

“Family, my dear brother. What is life without it? The girl needs a family like a blade needs a whetstone. She’s doomed without it and you are incomplete without it. She will be my sister if she is yours, and by God she will have my unflinching support. What have you got if not your family?”

Night Light swallowed hard. A poignant speech from Worthy striking a chord in her heart. He was indeed an “odd” pony.

The elevator dinged open and they strode out from it in unison.

They brushed past the drunkards and the defiant gamblers onto the area where the stage was. They found themselves in a quiet and remote booth next to the wall. A waiter took their drink orders and zipped away, when Trouble cleared his throat.

“Show Ponies, Dawn, Rico and a proposal.” he declared, counting the topics on his metal digits.

“A minute ago it was just three things. What proposal?” Night Light objected.

“Howled on now, Show Ponies first.” Trouble stated.

“I don’t like it,” Rico began “there is no way they would have left the Thundering Herd for R&R, special forces are too valuable asset to have getting drunk and galavanting across the Ponave, especially with war on the doorstep of Marizona.”

Night Light spoke next “ Colonel Ice Pick never would let it happen, no doubt their story was rehearsed. Commander Starsky would never let us do something like that, especially now. But I dunno, their story is so unbelievable it's nearly believable. And if they need R&R for a war, then why only three? There are at least a hundred Show Ponies, even more Work Horses in the Thundering Herd. What makes them so special?”

“I don’t feel we should be discussing why they aren’t with the rest of the herd, we should be discussing what they are after. Why New Pegas? Maybe some sort of contract with House, or a contact. Maybe a hit.” Worthy contributed.

Trouble gave his take on it next, “Nah, nah, nah. We should try and help them, they ain’t here for any of us. And a good word from a Show Pony is worth it’s weight in gold. Besides, a hit in New Pegas would require subtlety, not three prominent showcase killers. I think they're on either meeting a contact or on a fact finding mission.”  

The drinks arrived: A pint of strong cider, a large brandy and a sparkle cola.

“Still don’t like it...” Night Light commented begrudgingly.

“None of us do Ranger.” Worthy said.

“Now Dawn,” Trouble announced, starting the new topic “she’s a kid. But. She’s special, how are we gonna handle her? She was flung into all this, I took her in, I don’t what else to do except make her a bad pony. I don’t want to ruin her. But what will I do? Leave her here to fall into the vices on offer? If I leave her with all my money and belongings. I’ll be bankrupt, she’ll be an addict and probably heartbroken by a con pony who played with her fragile emotions and stole all my shite.”

“My dear brother, you don’t ruin ponies. The family never ruined a pony, we only ever helped them reach their full potential. You can refine her. Make her so much more. She’s delicate I know, I barely know her but the elevator was proof enough her emotions are fragile. Out here, in this tough and rugged world. There is no room for delicate, fragile ponies. Only the hard and brutal make it. As beautiful as such a delicate flower is, it must blossom into a formidable and fierce thing, with a nurturing carer like you brother, I have no doubt about it.”

Trouble shot a confounded look at his brother before saying “You should have been a fuckin’ poet not an assassin. Ranger, whaddya reckon?”

Night Light took a gulp from her drink.

“She’s soft true, but that leaves a pony after you get the shit knocked out of you a few times. She can hold her own, and is very willing to kill. Never seen that before, in my first kill or be killed scenario I locked up, had my flank saved.”

“Does she have any idea who’s rifle she’s carrying?” Worthy asked seriously.

“No. I’m surprised you noticed. Keep it that way, she’ll know when I think she should know.” Trouble answered. Night Light glanced between them in confusion.

“What that rifle she’s toting around?” She asked quizzical.

“It’s a very famous rifle my dear.” Worthy answered.

“Why? Who’s is it?” Night Light inquired further.

“I can’t help but wonder how it got this far south. It was in EverBright before the raiders took over that much is certain.” Trouble said, ignoring Night Light.

“That pistol she’s carrying. We both know who owns it.” Worthy added.

“Found two memory orbs with it as well with the pistol and pipbuck, need ta have a looksee at ‘em later.” Said Trouble reaching for a cigarette.

“What are you talking about? Who owned the rifle? What about Dawn’s pistol?” Night Light demanded getting flustered.

Worthy and Trouble exchanged glances before speaking “A very, Very important family member a long time ago owned that rifle. As for the pistol it’s got history.” Said Worthy.

“What bout Rico?” Trouble started, abandoning the subject.

“If he actually had a brain he’d be twice as stupid. He dug a grave for himself while high on hallucinogens. He lost everything he owned, despite being one of the best paid ponies on the strip. I remember when you bought him that rifle.” Worthy said.

“Another time, another pony.” Trouble commented.

“He needs help you can easily provide, nobody likes to look like a chump I know. But still if you bump off a few dealers who think they run the streets because a friend asked nicely. I think that’ll send a message that you’re not to be fucked with.” Night Light added.

“Ponies already know I’m not to be fucked with. But it will emphasize my point, I’ll help him out on one condition; he joins up with me for a few jobs. It won’t hurt his pride as far as he’s concerned he’s jus’ riding along  for a couple o’ jobs, hopefully I can get some caps back in his pocket and sort him out.” said Trouble.

Trouble rose up from his chair “Ranger ya look ridiculous with a hole in hat, Duct Tape will sort tha out fir ya.” He said gesturing towards the hole blown into Night Light’s hat.

“I don’t think duct tape is gonna cut it Trouble.” She said back a tad unsettled.

“No, Duct Tape is a pony. She’s a regular genius when it comes to fixin’ shite up.” Trouble less than elegantly replied.

“What about that proposal you mentioned?” Worthy asked still seated.

“That can wait, besides I wanna see if she patched me duster up yet. I had that thing since I was a young fella. Dawn’s gear won’t take long either.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Dawn awoke into a meagre state of consciousness. She felt lighter and more tatty than she had in days. Her armour and weapons were stripped off of her, her saddlebags laying next to her chair.

She felt vulnerable without all her accumulated belongings. It seemed the more she could call her own the safer she felt. There was comfort in high calibre weaponry.

Sitting adjacent to her, staring intrinsically was a naked Rico no longer clad in his fine suit. He sat there smiling at her, she leveled her eyes on him and he spoke.

“Now, what is a sweet little innocent mare like you doing with this?” He said bemused.

Dawn stared at him in bewilderment for a moment, before she spotted it. in her hazed vision she could hardly see it. A syringe was levitated next to Rico. He found her only shot of Jet.

“I guess you want this?” he asked.

Dawn gave a weak nod. In her crippled state, if there was ever a time for jet. It was now.

Rico removed the cap, slowly he jabbed the needle into dawn’s forehoof and injected the contents into her bloodstream.

Dawn involuntarily let out a moan of ecstasy as the jolt from the jet kicked her. She slouched slightly as the effects took hold.

Her vision was greatly enhanced, her body no longer was running on minimum capacity. And all the tiredness and sluggishness that plagued her was washed away.

Alert, she shot a look to Rico, her curiosity pumping in her veins.

“What happened? What did you do? Why’s everyone mad? That makes me sad. Who are you? Worthy said boot boy. You need help?” She spat out nearly incoherently in one rapid breath.

Rico let out a chuckle “You know, the best way to handle some pony on jet is to answer in single words, which question would you like to ask me first?” He said, joyously enthralled. He rested his head on his hooves and stared in amazement at the jumpy Dawn.

“W-W-What happened!?” She tried to utter bouncing in her seat.

Rico’s grin remained, he rocked his head foolishly in his hooves humming to himself.

“Oh, Trouble’s old. Worthy is being a hard ass as usual and I need a helping hoof.” he said complacently and lazily, just observing Dawn as she fidgeted.

“Help? What with?” She asked sporadically, a bead of sweat trailed down her brow as she felt a strange tingle relay up and down her spine.

“A deal. It would take not even a minute and would mean a lot of jet, among other things. All I need is somepony to come along.” he said enticingly.

At the mentioning of jet Dawn’s eye twitched, Rico noticed.

Dawn stammered out “I-I-I could go. One minute right? Right!?” She said getting angered for no clear reason.

“Oh, I dunno. Mean ‘ol Trouble told me to stay here. And you don’t look like much.” He answered totally relaxed.

“Look like much!?” Dawn growled, “Fuck you! I’ve killed ponies! DEAD! I fucking killed!” She howled, pounding the chair with her hooves, her teeth gritted in vexation.

“Bad trip much?” Rico casually commented.

Dawn stopped spasming in her chair. She glued her vision onto Rico, the casual Rico and slipped into a state of provisional calmness.

“What's the plan?” She calmly inquired.

Rico leaned forward, his smile growing “I’m glad you asked.”

_____________________________________________________________________

The Figure averted his eyes to the ceiling in boredom.

“You still shooting jet?” He asked.

“Who isn’t?” Dawn replied.

“Me.” The Figure retorted, he rose his hoof into the air and flexed his joints, getting several sickening resounding cracks from his stiff joints.

Dawn liked the noise, “Rico was on a lot more than just jet.” She commented.

“I could have guessed that. When do you take jet Dawn? Out of curiosity.” The Figure said, only half paying attention, his gaze was riveted on the ceiling.

Dawn was beginning to deeply dislike his mood swings. one minute he was chummy the next he is barking down at her in anger. She began to wonder if his invisible audience was directing his actions. She began to wonder if he was acting on his own initiative or if he was just a puppet. A mouthpiece for somepony less disposable.

“Whenever I need it.” she replied, which was true in a sense. Its main function was performance enhancement, a little boost when you're down. More than a boost it put you into overdrive. Running at 100%+ lethality.

“We both know thats not true, now don’t we? I want to know if you’re still taking it is all.” he spoke with an air of serenity he lacked before. now he was just asking instead of demanding.

“Yeah,” Dawn admitted “I need it when things get a little too hot. I’m not as talented as Trouble or Night Light with dealing with combat. I’m too green Trouble says.”

“That is very much indeed, interesting.” The Figure announced a little distant from the conversation.

“What do you mean?” Dawn asked suspicious.

“Every pony has leverage, that's just the way things are.” He lazily said still staring into space.

“What?” Dawn asked confused.

“Nevermind, carry on.”

_____________________________________________________________________

“The deal is to take place down on the lounge floor, three ponies will be waiting with a briefcase. The guards were already bribed so don’t worry.”

Dawn wasn’t listening, all she could do is bounce up and down in her chair in rhythm with her racing heart beat.

“... All you gotta do is stand there and look pretty.” Rico concluded before smiling at her.

Dawn hadn’t a notion as to what was going on but she understood her instructions. But standing? That was so dull, and look pretty? That was more Night Light’s game. But she’d give it a go.

“You ready?” Rico asked.

Dawn cocked her head before raising an eyebrow “Huh?”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Rico left his chair and extended his hoof to Dawn. She sat there on her haunches wondering whether to bite it or, or do something else with it.

Her eye twitched as she sat staring at his outstretched hoof. it made her nervous, just did. Maybe it was going to slap her, she didn't want that. She couldn’t be having that now could she? Best do something very clever.

Nervous, she poked her head out towards the hoof. Rico just observed her baffled yet bemused.

She licked Rico’s hoof. Sticking her tongue out she slid it across his hoof streaking saliva all over it.

“What the Fuck!?” Rico cried out before pulling his hoof backwards.

Dawn grinned in satisfaction, she just showed that hoof what's what. He won’t be pulling any more stunts any time soon.

“Eh, alright then. Follow me.” Rico nervously said, totally baffled.

Rico left for the door, constantly looking over at Dawn, gesturing her over.

She looked at him, there was a plan. She began to wonder if he was part of it. Or just some sick demented lunatic tagging along for the thrill ride of an action packed, fast and furious shootout starring her in the lead role. By Celestia, there was no backing out of it now. She already bought this maniac’s ticket into hell and she was his tour guide. This could not be classed as a mere fuck up. But some kind of divine justice, she had to see it to the end now. There was forces at work she could not begin to comprehend, but she knew better than to go against their will.

Dawn slowly prowled out from the chair towards this Rico character. By Celestia how did he even get in here? This was a rigged game, but the question was; who was to take the hit?

Slowly Rico left the room, swinging right down a flight of stairs Dawn passed out before passing.

She cautiously poked her head out the door and basked in the weirdness of the stairs.

Convoluted and strange things. Rico had mastered them, striding down them at an even pace. Dawn had no time for such tedious and frivolous matters such as simply ‘going’ down the stairs.

Thats what these rat bastards wanted, there was no way in hell she’d play their twisted game. No Way!

A hop.

A skip.

Dawn dived head first down the first flight. Letting out a muffled battle cry as her side crashed against the railing used for support. Rico spun around to look at her collapsing against the cold iron.

“Are you alright?” This shifty character asked her. She could see right through his transparent act, he was one of them, she knew it.

“I’m on to you.” She grunted at him. No doubt he’d panic and scurry off to rally and regroup the others, but he was a cool customer. He stared bewildered at her before proceeding. An unforeseen and tactical play to be sure.

She bounced down the rest of the stairs bruising ribs, but thankfully the mind expanding and body enhancing effects of the jet kept the pain at bay.

After between 14-16 flights of stairs was the entrance back into the casino floor, She took a step out alongside Rico, wearing her tinted black pilot shades. She wasn’t sure where she got them, but she didn’t need an explanation right now. There was too much at stake.

Mother of Celestia, the casino floor was insanity. No other word in the available vocabulary to pony kind was better suited for the sheer grotesque spectacle before her.

Wall-to-Wall spies. Everyone of them ready to pounce, she knew how to handle these characters. These were the right people after all. Reasonable degenerates of peace. Everyone a diplomat in their own right, none of them were to be made a fool of and never to be trifled with.

Rico took the lead, the fearless bastard. He boldly strode amongst them, forsaking any nagging notion of self preservation. Sweet Celestia, the stallion is an inspiration to us all.

Dawn followed the valiant pony, he may have been a twisted and demented soul damned for damnation but still he had some redeeming qualities. Dawn would have felt sorry for that son of a bitch, if he weren’t such a hard ass.

She skulked among them and through them, penetrating the impermeable horde of these mongrel maniacs. Every one of them seen things nopony had any right seeing. She thought back to Trouble and the others, Luna fucking dammit, they were already gone. Absorbed into the horde, walking agents of monotony and inescapable lies and deceit. If she wasn’t careful she’d soon be joining them.

Rico broke free of them, that pony had a sense of navigation unparalleled to any other living organism on this disoriented world. Relief washed over Dawn as she escaped also. That was a once and a lifetime kind of lucky, she didn’t dare try her luck at that again.

These shades were nothing short of a god send. If they seen the fear scratched into Dawn’s eyes, her cover would have been blown. It was already sixty two shades of shit lucky they didn’t sniff her out. Those mongrel fucks.

She still has no recollection of finding these things, she chalked it down as her own ingenuity and cunning when acting under pressure. Planted maybe. By a friend from above, watching over her. Hopefully this friend wouldn’t depart any time soon, she was still propelled into the deep end of this clusterfuck. Without a paddle or water wings to stop her from drowning.

Wading through a river of shit, and if she kept this level of crystal clear excellence up she’d come out the other end smelling of roses.

They made their way through, finally after those hours locked in that maze they reached the staircase. The final hurdle before the grand finale. This was it. What happens now would make or break this entire gig.

Here it comes. Rico calmly and elegantly trotted up the stairs. Keeping that bizarre posture and rhythm. An absurdity if Dawn ever seen one.

 She bravely began up the grand staircase. One hoof down. NOW VAULT.

She propelled herself up 3 steps at once, negating the inevitability of unforeseen circumstances and conundrums of 3 entire hoof paces. A masterstroke of strategic ingenuity. All thanks to a little needle.

Little more than 29 to go.

Panting, she reached the summit of the staircase, hitting the Shangri-La of the landing. She looked back upon the monstrous feat she achieved. Most have been 30 maybe even 32 steps. Everyone of them riddled with danger and uncertainty.

She can’t remember most of the trip. She wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted to. Celestia only knows what horrors lay in her wake. And all those fool ponies, ignoring her. Jealousy was unbefitting of them. They were above such nonsense.

Dawn turned, more confident than ever back to the ombudsman of tranquility and carnage himself, shady rat bastard number one: Rico.

He was cool, calm and composed. How he maintained it was a grand mystery to shadow every mystery that has plagued pony kind since the dawn of time and memorial.

They were at the lounge, Dawn recognized it from a past life. A time long since past. Familiar faces were everywhere, even if she didn’t recognize them.

They headed for the bar, waiting there for them was three ponies. Bad ponies, their mothers breed them for this crucial and pivotal moment in Dawn’s life. Dawn hadn’t an idea as to whether this was a stupid suicide mission or an ingenious, valiant crusade.

Rico sat his flank down on a stool to the right of these ponies. Dawn carefully took the seat next to that. No telling what might happen, the whole place could combust sending this collective scumpot straight into oblivion or maybe just maybe She’ll cross the threshold and become enlightened, she could see more truths than nearly all these fuck buckets combined. So she was on a good start. In fact, she was on a roll.

The Bar pony arrived, Dawn straight away identified him. Mixer.

“What’ll it be?” He asked.

Dawn knew she could trust him. He was a friendly, kind and benevolent face in an unfriendly, cruel and evil sea of degenerates. This pony could be counted on. How long has he been stuck here? Days? Months? Celestia forbid, years?

He just by looking at him has clearly adapted. At the drop of a soiled hat he could blend in amongst them. Become one with them. He was her ticket out of here.

“Hrrrgghhh” Gurgled Dawn, the noise came from within her. Deep down she knew it was a coded message from her very soul. One that this blessed soul couldn’t ignore.

 What she meant was “I need your help, I’ve been trapped among them for an insurmountable period of time, and desperately need respite from this dreaded marsh of insufferable malcontents.”

“Eh, right then.” He said turning his attention to Rico. That could only mean a single thing.

He took the message, he gave an affirmative in response. Now he was endeavouring to release her from this torment. Turning his attention to the enemy. Dawn felt safe, finally.

He whispered something into Rico’s ear. Rico swiveled to face Dawn “Keep cool.” He whispered to her, before returning to business.

“As I was saying Bad Trip, the money is right here. Now hand over the goods, my friend here is getting jumpy.” Rico said to the pony adjacent him.

Sweet merciful Celestia she was doomed. All this for nothing, the finale was bust. She was blown. Dawn began to shake in her stool. Trembling. The whole damn cesspit of deceit was closing in around her. Her one light had failed her. Any attempt at escape by now was folly, as soon as she made a move she’d  have be consumed.

A pony sat next to her, the noose was tightening, she could feel it closing around her neck. This place always was going to be the death of her, bad vibes surged through this place.

“Hey.” A voice rang out, Dawn turned to see the source.

Oh Merciful Celestia the pigs got her too.

Tyke sat looking at Dawn, her gaze struck right through Dawn’s shades. Her last line of defense. Busted. Blown. Caught out.

Maybe. Just maybe be some miracle Dawn could try and reason with the girl. Maybe she wasn’t entirely lost to us yet.

“The whole thing is... fuck.” Dawn uttered as gracefully as she could manage. But it was fruitless, there was no way to communicate on a basic level with these beasts, let alone bargain with one.

“Are you okay Dawn? You don’t look so good.”

Reeling her in, Dawn wasn’t going to fall so easily for some cheap trick.

“I like my glasses.”

“That’s good.” Tyke responded. She was good, too good for this game maybe. This bowl of hellish refinement was all too much. Dawn’s eye was twitching excessively, her nostrils filled with malicious intentions and bad thoughts. The jig was up.

“Dawn, are you high?” Tyke asked her, trying to ring her in.

“Oi Rico, the fuck is all this craic eh!?” Echoed a familiar voice. Dawn spun the stool seat around, there he was. The bad pony, but the best of ponies. Trouble.

Tyke even quietened her seditious mouth. The Trouble barged his way through the tables, maneuvering them with masterful ease. He pushed between Rico and the one they call Bad Trip. A yellow earth pony with a black mane.

“Giss a pint of lager there Mixer. He barked courageously at their single ally. Mixer out of nowhere pulled out a tall pint of yellow liquid. He gulped it down. Bad Trip looking venomous, Trouble exposed the plot, the finale was botched.

“Who the fuck do you think you are? You have no idea who you’re fucking with. If you don’t get out of my face in three seconds I’ll have your legs broken, you hear me?” Bad Trip growled at Trouble.

In response Trouble faced a guilty looking Rico. “This them?” he asked casually.

Rico looking at the ground gave a quick nod.

“Who them? You’re not right friend, watch your back.” Bad Trip tried to stand up, Trouble forced him back into his seat with his fore hoof, his two companions rose, he did nothing to stop them though.

“We’re not done. Not by a fuckin’ long shot.” He whispered angrily into Bad Trip’s face.

“I’m a very powerful pony. I’ve got friends, we run Freeside, I ain’t getting pushed around by no chump.”

“Thats a shame.” Commented Trouble as he took another gulp from his pint, swirling the contents around in the glass.

Rico was shrinking Dawn was sure of it. Everything was shrinking. This pig had more guts than every one of these backstabbers combined. The question was what's the collateral gonna come to?

“Fine by me. You may think you run Freeside, I run this casino. And you jus’ went and pissed me off.”

Trouble slapped Bad Trip on the cheek, stunning him. He clutched his neck in his iron grasp. Bad Trip squirmed for air as a thick red trickle of blood left his cheek. Trouble took a final swig of his pint.

“Bad luck.”

He collided the pint between Bad Trip’s eyes. The glass exploded, splintering. Shards skating into his face. Bad Trip let out a scream of agony and shock. Blood trickled from every inch of his face, falling down the glass pieces stuck in brow, forehead, muzzle cheeks and even eyelids. Trouble slammed the wailing pony’s temple down onto the corner of the bar with immense strength.

All at once with a terrible

Thud

The wailing ceased. Alarmed his two companions bolted up.

“Mixer, Shotty!” Trouble ordered.

The bar pony lobbed a small pump action shotgun out from behind the bar. Trouble pumped a round into the chamber. Time slowed.

Dawn felt an uneasiness build in her stomach. Stress binding her muscles, she tipped out of the stool, slowly watching herself collapse. In freefall, she glanced up at Trouble and a cowering Rico. The shotgun at Trouble’s hip, the two companions with frightened looks dashed across their faces.

BAAANNNGGG!

A flash erupted from the barrel, light strewn pellets left the gun at impossible speeds, connecting with one of the companions, hurling him backwards as the pellets ripped through his innards. Another pump came from the gun ejecting the smoking spent shell.

Before Dawn hit the floor she was caught by somepony.

The jerking of her head was the final push, knocking her out cold.

--

New Perk: Auto Pilot -- When ingesting Jet the effects double and last twice as long.