White. Celestia was very quickly beginning to get sick of the color white. It was absolutely everywhere she looked. The raging storm swirled around her, sending chills to her very core and blasting her in the face. The wind blew her mane around, but she quickly brushed it out of her eyes with a hoof. Yet again, the alicorn found herself in the tundra, surrounded by the massive concrete pillars that reached into the sky to touch the clouds. This time though, it was different. The pillars were no longer pillars and instead they had taken on detail to reveal that they were in fact building made by the hooves of ponies. They were not familiar to her in any way, but she now recognized that she was in a city, one that had been lost to the elements long ago.

This was a dream, all of it. It had to be. Celestia very clearly remembered going to bed after her conversation with the thestral who called himself Nightfall and she hadn't woken up since.

"Come on out," Celestia called into the storm. She waited a moment, but there was no response. "I know you are here. You might as well show yourself." Still there was nothing. The shadowy figure that had appeared to her in her previous dreams now alluded her and it seemed as if she were alone.

Suddenly, the wind shifted violently in several different direction, nearly throwing Celestia off her own hooves, before it finally ceased. The blinding torrent of snow and ice calmed and settled into a gentle dusting. Then, Celestia felt a presence.

"Sister," a familiar voice called from behind.

"Luna!?" Celestia replied, frantically spinning around to find her sister.

Sure enough, there she was. Standing before her was Princess Luna, but not as Celestia remembered her. She looked tired, her mane having lost all of its magical luster and dark bags forming under her half lidded bloodshot eyes. She seemed more than tired. She looked absolutely defeated. "Hello, Celestia," the princess of the night barely managed.

Celestia rushed forward and met Luna with a hug. "I am so glad to see you again. I've been so worried." Her expression suddenly grew very grave. "Please tell me you are safe! I can-"

"Sister, please," Luna replied, cutting Celestia off. "There is not much time and my magic is beginning to fail me. I believe I am in Manehattan, but everything is wrong. You must come and find me so that we may correct what has happened, but whatever you do, do not trust the Warden. He is-"

Without warning, Luna's body began to evaporate from her hooves upward. "No, no, no!" she sputtered panic clear in her voice. "I still have so much I need to say!" She looked back to Celestia again. "Please hurry! We can still-" That was all she managed to get out before she was gone completely, having been blown away with the wind that now began to pick up.

Celestia was only able sit there as she tried to comprehend what she had just been told. Her sister was alive, that much she was certain of, but Luna did not seem to understand the larger scope of the situation. At the same time, Celestia herself did not understand what it was that Luna was experiencing. She had not had enough time to relay her message.

Before Celestia could even begin to ask herself the important questions, the storm picked up yet again, Luna no longer being around to hold it back. Celestia held her hooves over her eyes to protect them as everything went white one final time.

Celestia practically shot up out of bed like a rocket. Her breathing heavy as her heart furiously thumped away in her ears. She took several deep breaths as she tried to steady herself, soon finding that she was drenched in a cold sweat. She had been correct. It had indeed been a dream, but not a meaningless one. Luna was out there somewhere. Lost, cold, and probably scared.

Celestia sighed after finally finding her composure. She was overjoyed at the fact that she had seen Luna again and that she was alive, but she could not rest easy. Not yet. She did not feel that she could rest at all even. Not until Luna had been reunited with her. Not until she had found her. "I'm going to find you, sister." That was a promise.

Three days. It had been three wonderful day since Nightfall returned from his last assignment with the Initiative. Usually, after coming home, he would have to get in as much of his old life as he could before shipping back out in a week or two depending on his next set of assignments. Now? Now there was no rush to try and live like he wanted. There was no next deployment hanging over his head for him to worry about. Now he could just take it slow and do just that: live.

Each morning he had woken up next to Meadow in a bed that he recognized. He'd eat breakfast with Spectre, Lullay, Meadow, and the kids before taking Snow Gloom to school. Then he'd be free to spend the next few hours with Meadow. Readjusting his sleep schedule yet again would be tedious, especially now that he was back home, but would be well worth it. The true challenge though was finding work. Scotch had repeatedly offered it to him at the Hideout and Nightfall would only be lying to himself if he said he wasn't beginning to consider taking him up on the offers. Working with his old friends and Meadow would certainly be a comfortable position.

This morning had begun like any other. He had woken up at a reasonable time and was now downstairs finishing off a stack of pancakes with the rest of the family. He couldn't help but wear a content smile on his face as he looked around to see everypony at the table. Spectre was telling another story from him and Nightfall's younger days, one that was a bit more on the lighthearted side of the spectrum at least. Snow, Dimmet, and Doppler were all captivated by the tale of the daring escape, which of course had been exaggerated to no end by Spectre simply for their amusement. Over night, Meadow and Lullay had become like inseparable sisters who told each other everything. And Nightfall? He was just happy to be here.

For the first time in what felt like forever, all was right in the world. And there was peace in his life.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Nightfall and the guards, who's company he now found himself in, had gone through nearly half the castle on their way to wherever it was he was being taken. He didn't like this, not one bit. Something was very wrong about all of it. He hadn't committed any crimes since he returned and although he was being led around, there had been no effort to restrain him. No cuffs. No magical bindings. No use of force. This was all very strange indeed.

They wandered down endless hallway after endless hallway, passing both castle staff and high profile figures alike. As they did so, Nightfall couldn't help but to wonder just how much gold must be stashed in a place like this, a reflex left from a time now long gone. He had tried to suppress the thoughts initially. That wasn't the kind of pony he was anymore. He was an honest worker now. A loving father and one day he hoped, a loving husband as well. Despite this, numbers were now rampantly running through his mind as his wildest dreams laid just outside his grasp.

Eventually, Nightfall managed to fight these thoughts off and they came to a large oak door. Other than its scale - it was oversized in every since of the word - there was nothing particularly special about it. Large, sturdy, same carvings as all the others. The only difference was that it was the one the guards chose to open for him.

As Nightfall passed through the door and into the large dining room, he couldn't help but feel like someone was about to make him an offer for his soul over dinner, or in this case breakfast. The room was dimly lit with candles and the neo-gothic furnishings made everything seem just a little too medieval for his liking.

"Welcome, welcome," a voice sounded from a pony seated at the other end of a long table, which was covered in all manners of exotic foods and fruits. "Please, do have a seat," the finely dressed pegasus continued, gesturing towards the place at the other end of the table.

One of the guards placed an armored hoof on Nightfall and gave him a slight shove towards his seat.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going," the thestral snarled. He sat and the two guards took their posts at the door behind him. He looked around for a moment. From the masterful portraits hanging on the walls to the sparkling silverware on the table, the room was loaded with all types of valuables. If it hadn't been for the stiff security, he probably would have hit this place years ago.

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Nightfall," the mystery pony said with a noble accent. "I hope the guards weren't too rough in getting you here."

Nightfall crossed his hooves and leaned back in his seat. "I'm afraid we haven't met," he said with an accusing glare.

"You're quite right," the pony replied. "We haven't met, not face to face at least, but I have read much about you." He pulled out a large yellow file from under the table and began to read. "You've been a part of the TRST Initiative for the last five years now, correct? You have quite the list of commendations. High mission success rate. An impressive windigo kill count. You even made it to a leadership position despite only entering the initiative by court order." He put the file down and just began to smile at Nightfall.

"I'm was good at what I did," Nightfall said with disinterest as he examined his surroundings. " Now, is there some kind of point you're trying to make?"

"Tell me, Nightfall," the pony began. "Who exactly do you think I am? Why would I go through all the trouble of tracking you down and bringing you here?"

"Let me guess," Nightfall said, not looking to excited about his current situation. "You're some noble with connections to the Equestrian chancellery who wants to make me a job offer, but it's something you cant have your little minions do because it's outside the law and you need someone to take the fall incase it all goes sideways. Am I close?"

The pony chuckled and sighed. "Only partially... My name is Solaris Luminis. Perhaps you've heard of me. I currently act as head director of the TRST Initiative and serve on the high advisory council for the chancellery."

"I don't think I like where this is going," Nightfall pointed out.

"Well, that's because you haven't heard the offer yet," Solaris said. "You see, Nightfall, Equestria is in need of your assistance. It is my understanding that you and your team were the ones that found our dear Princess Celestia. We believe that by analyzing the spell along with the runes found in the cave, we can trace the spell and the other alicorns who assisted in its casting can be located."

Nightfall put a hoof up to cut Solaris off. "I'm going to stop you right there, Sparky, because I'm not interested. You can find somepony else for your suicide mission."

"I can assure you, it would be anything but," Solaris countered. "Once these alicorns are located, we'd simply need someone to retrieve them, something I'm sure you're more than capable of. We have both Princess Celestia and our best mages working on where they may be. If anything, you have the easy part. Of course, you wouldn't be working alone and the compensation from taking on such an assignment would be more than reasonable."

Nightfall sighed. "Look, I get it. I really do. You're trying to minimize the number of ponies who know about all this alicorn business. The less ponies who know about this the better, but I'm done. Okay? I'm not going back out there."

"Yes, well. You're also one of our best, Nightfall. There are plenty of others who can keep a secret, but we need someone who gets results."

"Not happening."

Solaris frowned. "You don't even want to consider it? After all this time you've spent out of normal society, don't you think that a large lump sum would go a long way? I know you crave it. The thrill. The danger. And of course, the reward. Back in the old days, you had quite the reputation, still do in some places."

"Yeah, well. That was a long time ago," Nightfall said, looking away uncomfortably. "I've finally got my life back. I'm not going to be doing that anymore."

"Oh, yes. I'm certain of it," Solaris said sarcastically. "I'm sure you've learned your lesson and that you'll have no trouble finding honest work. Be honest with yourself, Nightfall. You need this."

"I don't need a damn thing from you," Nightfall snapped. "Now if there's nothing else, I'll be going." He stood up to storm off, but only made it halfway to the door when Solaris pulled out several more yellow files.

"I guess it's so long for your friends at The Hideout then, isn't it?"

Nightfall stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face Solaris who just wore a smug grin on his face. "What the hell did you just say?"

"I said that it's so long for The Hideout," Solaris repeated. "Y'know, that little bar you and your friends created down in the lower district. With all of it's employees behind bars it will be quite hard for it to remain open. It would truly be a shame. And then there's you're brother, Spectre." He held the stack of files up.

All of what was being said caught Nightfall's attention, his ears perking up and eyes widening in alarm, but he quickly relaxed and casually slumped down in his chair. "You're bluffing," he said, pointing an accusing hoof at the pegasus.

"No, I'm not." Solaris motioned to one of his guards who brought the stack over to Nightfall and dropped it onto the table causing the silverware to rattle.

Nightfall nervously looked over the first few files. Sure enough, they were legitimate. Name after name of ponies Nightfall knew and worked with showed up, some being from The Hideout and others being old friends, each with a different condemning crime listed. It wasn't just a few. There were thirteen of these files in total. He closed the one he was reading and looked up to Solaris.

"I may have had some of my agents keep tabs on your friends and coworkers," Solaris explained with a devilish smile. "You see, I needed a little dirt in case you ever got out of line. I must say though, I am impressed. Your lot is certainly a cut above the common gang of thieves."

"You son of bitch..." Nightfall breathed. He felt his blood boil and began his march down towards Solaris with anger in his eyes. He didn't make it far, before he found himself being restrained by both of the guards in the room. Despite his advance, Solaris continued completely unfazed by the aggressive thestral.

"Forgery of legal documents. That's a big offense," Solaris said. "I cant help but wonder what kinds of things Specter's been doing with all that false information. Without him, your bar wouldn't have stayed open for more than a week. It's been convenient having him around. Especially to watch over poor Snow Gloom while you were away. Tell me, who is her real mother? You and Meadow Spring hadn't met yet when she was born."

Nightfall felt fire rush through his veins. He so desperately wanted to break Solaris's neck, but struggled to get away from the guards so he could do so. The more he fought them, the more they held him in place.

"Ah, speaking of Meadow, did you know there's sufficient evidence to put her behind bars? Turns out she's quite resourceful when it comes those little operations of yours. I guess that's what happens when you hang out with criminals though. With her in prison, I'm sure it will be quite hard for a single father to support his daughter with no employment or previous job experience. And let's be honest. Not many ponies are interested in hiring thestrals."

"I'm going to rip your head off!!!" Nightfall shouted, no doubt waking up just about everyone in the castle.

"Please Nightfall, I'm trying to be civil here," Solaris said. "If pointing out the fact that you'll have to resort back to crime to make ends meet offends you, that's hardly my fault. It truly would be a tragedy if you were caught again. Then little Snow Gloom, with no grandparents to speak of, would be put into foster care. I doubt you'd even see her again after that."

With merely the mentioning of that, something inside Nightfall broke. His willpower to do something only grew, but it did not direct him to fight. He stopped resisting and his body went limp. "Stop," he begged. "Just stop... please."

Solaris gave a wave of his hoof and the guards let Nightfall go, who dropped down to the ground.

"Isn't blackmail a bit far below you," Nightfall asked angrily.

"I would hardly call this blackmail," Solaris answered. "We've had these documents for quite some time now to ensure that you didn't try anything while we let you loose out there in the tundra. If anything, I should be having all your friends arrested right now."

"I don't see how this isn't blackmail."

"Well that's just it," Solaris continued. "If you accept, I'll burn these documents upon the completion of your assignment. Hell, I'll let you be the one to throw them into the fire if you want. All their criminal history will be erased just like that and you'll have nothing else to worry about." He held up a quill and piece of parchment. "All you have to do is sign on the dotted line."

Nightfall just laid there on the ground, looking off in the distance as if in deep thought.

At the thestral's silence Solaris just sighed and his expression faded from one of smugness to one of pity. "Believe me, Nightfall. I take no pleasure in this, but if there is one thing I am more than anything, it's a scout for talent and might I say, you are quite talented. When you joined the Initiative five years ago, I was the only one who saw your potential. They all called me crazy for putting so much stock in you, but look at all you've accomplished. You're one of the most successful rangers to ever join. You're too valuable to go to waste, Nightfall."

"I don't like being someone's puppet," Nightfall muttered.

Solaris shook his head. "I dont want to use you like this, Nightfall," Solaris said with some semblance of sincerity. "But think about everything that is happening. The world is changing and it needs you. Equestria needs you."

Nightfall took a second to compose himself. He sat up and got back to his hooves. The two guards that flanked him both seemed to stiffen a bit, preparing to pounce on him if need be. Instead of aggressive actions though, he simply returned to his seat. "Fine," he said unhappily. "I'll do it, but I get to pick my own squad."

"Of course," Solaris said, a satisfied, but in no way sinister smile spreading across his face. "I'm glad we were able to come to an agreement."

Nightfall just sat there for a moment, glaring angrily at Solaris, casting his gaze over to the guards around him every so often. They stared at him right back.

Eventually, one of the guards dropped a sheet of paper in front of Nightfall and handed him a quill.

Nightfall snatched the quill from the guard's hoof and began to read. He knew how this worked. He would sign, perform the indicated task, and then they would pull something out of their asses to keep him longer than agreed upon. It wasn't going to go down that way though. Spectre had taught him about how contracts would often be worded in ways that could often be misleading or interpreted differently depending on the point of view of who was reading. Usually it was something that happened with contracts that used very generalized terminology, but this one was actually very specific in what it indicated.

He made sure to read it thoroughly and as far as he could tell there was nothing in it that would come back to screw him later. Despite this, he froze. He thought about everything he could lose, everything he loved and held dear. He thought about Meadow, Snowy, and Spectre. Images of all the hard work he and his friends had done to open their own business flashed through his mind. The warmth he felt when he was where he belonged instead of the harsh cold of the tundra filled his body, only serving to remind him of all that was at risk. His hooves began to shake and his breathing grew heavy. He hesitated, but finally signed.

He dropped the quill and slid the paper away from him. He sunk down into his seat and just like that he knew, somehow, that his soul was no longer his own.

Solaris smiled triumphantly from the other side of the table. "Excellent," he said, but his expression grew into concern as he laid eyes back on the thestral. "Nightfall, I dare say you look a little sickly. Are you feeling alright?"

"How long do I have?" Nightfall just asked, mostly ignoring Solaris' question.

"A month," Solaris answered. "Possibly two. I was blessed with a pair of wings, not a horn, so I dont know anything about magic. Those were just our current estimates."

"In that case, I'll be in touch." He got up to leave. Neither one of the guards attempted to stop him. They had since returned to their posts at the door.

"Oh, before you go," Solaris called out. "Do see to it that you're friends stay out of trouble from here on out."

Nightfall just rolled his eyes before exiting the room. On the other side of the door were three more guards who began to escort him out. They made their way down hallway after hallway before finally reaching the large oversized doors leading to the courtyard. From there, it was just a small trek to the front gate. As usual, it was snowing, but not very heavily. A light dusting was beginning to accumulate over the already frozen ground.

After being let outside the walls, the gate closed shut behind him with an audible thud. Nightfall took off down the road as quickly as he could. The cold day air stung his lungs and his face felt like it was going to freeze as the air rushed passed him, but only for a few moments as he stopped at the first phone booth he came across. He shut himself inside and caught his breath, before digging out a few bits and putting them into the slot.

"Hello?" a familiar voice answered on the other end of the line.

"Scotchy, it's Nightfall. Call everyone in. We've got a major problem."

There were ten individuals in attendance, not counting Nightfall himself. They all sat around the long table in the basement of The Hideout. Most of them were thestrals who worked there, with the exception of a few day ponies and a rather large griffon who sat in the corner. An emergency meeting had been called and now they all sat around anxiously waiting for Scotch to take the podium and get things moving.

"Is this everyone," Nightfall asked as he slipped in the door at the last moment.

"Yeah, that should do it," Scotch answered, trying his best to look more comfortable than he currently was. The truth was, he was actually terrified. Last time an emergency meeting of this size got called in, things didn't turn out too well for a few of them. "Mind telling me what this is about? You were pretty vague over the phone."

Nightfall sighed. "To put it lightly, I'm being blackmailed. If I'm not careful, it could bring down everything we've built here. It's a bit complicated though. I figured it would be best to let everyone know so that things dont spiral out of control."

"Who's the guy and what does he have on you?"

"Like I said, it's complicated," Nightfall explained. "It's not so much about what he has me as it is about what he has on all of us. I'll explain it on the podium."

"In that case, I'll get us started." With that, he headed to the head of the large table at the center of the room and took his place a small podium that allowed him to stand where he could be seen. "Alright, alright, everyone," he called over the chatter. "Everyone settle down. I know you're all curious to know why you've been called here."

As Scotch started the meeting, Nightfall moved to take his position so he could make the bomb shell announcement that all they were being blackmailed, but was stopped by a pony he was more than glad to see.

"Nightfall," Meadow said, as she appeared out of seemingly nowhere. "What's going on? You were taken away by armed guards and now we're having some kind of emergency meeting. What's happened? Are you okay?" Meadow's tone was frantic, but not frightened. She just sounded confused.

Before Meadow could say anything else, Nightfall took her hooves into his own and brought her into a hug. "Everything's okay... for now, at least. I just want you to know, whatever happens, I love you so much."

Meadow suddenly felt her breath catch in her throat and she looked up to him with a look of pure terror. "Nightfall, you're really scaring me now. What's going on?"

Nightfall sighed, a look and mood of pure anguish overtaking him. Without a moment of hesitation, he pulled Meadow in closer and planted a prolonged kiss on her lips. When they finally parted, Meadow just stood there, sorrowfully staring into his eyes as she failed to find her voice. Then Nightfall let her go and took his place at the podium.

"Okay," Nightfall began, taking a few deep breaths as he tried to calm his nerves. "So, as most of you may know, I've just returned from spending five years serving in the TRST Initiative." There were a few cheers from the group, before the room returned to relative quiet. "As much as I was looking forward to retiring from such a dangerous job, it seems that that wont be happening for a while." He quickly cast a glance to Meadow, who looked at him like she had just seen a ghost, her ears now firmly flattened against her head.

"Earlier today, I was detained by the guards and brought to the castle where I met with the head director of the Initiative, Solaris Luminis. He informed me that there is an operation coming up in the next month or so, in need of extra hooves. He made me an offer. I turned him down. Turns out though, he has dirt on all of us."

Whispers suddenly broke out around the room. The things that had been done years ago to build what they now had was a secret to no one. Before then, many of these ponies had already had criminal records. The Hideout had been their chance to get clean, relatively speaking. Despite this, Nightfall continued.

"As you can probably guess by now, I'm being blackmailed into joining another assignment in the Initiative. He knows about the things we did when we were first getting started and he knows about what we did to get started here and he knows about our projects. That said, if I hadn't accepted, it would have been the end of everything we've built here together. I couldn't let that happen to you guys."

"Damn right!" the large griffon called out, suddenly leaving his dark spot in the corner and stepping out into view. "But that doesn't mean we're just going to let him screw you over. If this Solaris wants to dance, then lets give him a dance. Show him what happens when you try to lock us up." This got a few cheers from the surrounding thestrals.

"Easy there, Galen," Nightfall scolded. "Believe me, I want you to get a chance to crack a few skulls more than anyone, but I dont think brute force is how we get out of this one."

"So what do you suggest we do?" Galen asked as he began to cool off. Nightfall and the rest of the thestrals were his friends, his family, and he wasn't about let some stuck up noble take them from him.

"For now," Nightfall answered. "For now, we lay low. That's the reason I came here tonight, to warn you. The last thing we need is for us to draw more attention. You guys had a right to know that something was going on. That's all I've got for you." With that, he stepped down from the podium, finding himself face to face with Meadow.

She just stared at him in utter disbelief. The expression she wore was as if this was the last time in her life that she would ever see him. Her mouth moved to form some words, but they never actually came. Instead, she just stood there, her eyes glued on him as if she was trying to memorize every one of his features before she lost him. Then the panic set in. "No," she simply said as tears began to form. "No, no, no, no, that's not right. They cant do that. This isn't right. It has to be some kind of mistake."

"It's going to be okay," Nightfall tried to assure her.

"No!" Meadow practically yelled, slapping his hooves away in denial. "This isn't supposed to happen!"

"I know," Nightfall whispered to her after successfully pulling her into a hug. He stroked her back as he tried to comfort her. "It's not fair, but I have to do it."

"There has to be another way," Meadow argued as she tried to rationalize what she was hearing.

"There isn't, Meadow. I know this is hard to hear, but there really isn't." He ran his hooves up to her shoulders, placing his forehead against hers and stared directly into her eyes. "It's just one more assignment, Meadow."

"No," she protested. "No it really isn't. They wouldn't be doing this to you if it was just another assignment. This is the big one isn't it?"

Nightfall sighed as he tried to look away and compose his thoughts, but was stopped when Meadow wrapped her hooves around him again. She buried herself in his chest fluff, running her hoof down his torso, feeling both the old and new scars hidden under his coat. "Every time you come back," she began, "you have a new scar. Every time you go back out, I wonder to myself if this is the time that the bullet, or sword, or windigo comes just a few inches closer and takes you from me."

"That's not going to happen, Meadow," Nightfall suddenly replied sternly.

"You dont know that, Nightfall," Meadow countered. "There's no way you could." It was then that she began to break down and her tears now flowed freely, staining her cheeks and dripping down to her hooves.

Nightfall wrapped his hooves around her to hold on tighter. His dark leathery wings unfurled and covered them, creating their own little pocket of security. Despite the warmth, it did nothing to stave off the wave of guilt that now washed over him. In all the time he had spent with the Initiative, fighting bandits, banishing windigos, and working in all around hostile environments, never once did he ever consider how his own injuries affected the ones who cared about him. To him, it had always been just another bruise, just another scar, or just another broken bone. His world had become one of pain, but he had been far too blind to ever realize that that pain was bleeding into the life of the one he loved.

He rested his head against hers. "I'm so sorry, Meadow. I've been a damn fool."

By now, everyone else had dispersed from the basement in order to take care of whatever business they needed. For now, Nightfall and Meadow were left in relative privacy. The world itself, it seemed, was falling apart. In this empty room, they were all they had to stave off the collapse of all they treasured. Two pillars, each too worn and broken to go on without the other in this moment. One more blow and the roof would come down on top of them. For now though, they stood.

Things had calmed down around The Hideout. It was now noon and most thestrals were now asleep or off somewhere else. Currently, the bar was not open, but that did not prevent the small group of four within from taking care of some business. Nightfall, Meadow, and a younger thestral by the name of Gray all sat at bar stools, while Scotch stood behind the counter polishing glasses. They were all tired. For the most part, they had all grown accustomed to being nocturnal, though Meadow and Nightfall were constantly readjusting their sleep schedules.

Nightfall anxiously tapped his pencil against a notepad as they tried to figure out where they were now at. They had made a list of all the things that could possibly be used against them and of all the ways the fallout could be minimized. Given how much Solaris had, it wasn't looking good.

Gray groaned, rubbing his hooves through his disheveled mane. "I dont have enough bits to pay for all those fines," he moaned, plopping his head down on the countertop.

"Better start saving," Scotch replied. "It's either that or jail time for vandalism."

"I dont get it. Those buildings look way better with those murals. Why cant ponies just appreciate art?"

"Nopony's denying your artistic skill," Nightfall answered. "But from now on, you'll have to limit that creativity to a canvas."

"I feel like saying something about how the world is my canvas and I must be the brush, but all those zeros have more or less killed my sense of humor." Gray's head fell into his hooves again. "I wont even have enough bits to get a drink."

Scotch slid him a small shot of clear liquid. "Here," he said. "Strongest we got, on the house. I think we all need a little something." He began to pour a few more glasses, but Meadow and Nightfall both inevitably passed. Something Scotch just shrugged to, before downing his own share.

After checking over their list several times, Nightfall couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Meadow. Since the meeting, her demeanor had gone from sad to just straight depressed. Her ears splayed back across her head, dark bags formed under her eyes, and she more or less hid behind her mane at this point. She cast her gaze downward, continuously rubbing her hoof against the countertop as she absentmindedly played with a knot in the wood, never once looking up.

Nightfall felt absolutely terrible for her. Why did he have to bring her into this? How could he have been so stupid? When they had first met, he had been the one that introduced her to the lifestyle that he once led. Climbing through windows, sneaking through darkened halls. Picking locks and running down alleyways to escape the guard. He had tried so hard to go legitimate before meeting her, but the excitement, the thrill, it was all so... intoxicating. And now she too was paying for his failures.

In his chest, Nightfall could feel the cracks in his heart grow with every breath that she took. He could feel the bandages that had been there for so long, slowly begin to slip. Meadow had saved his life as far as he was concerned, and now he felt as if he was potentially ending hers. What was he supposed to tell her even, that everything was going to be okay? That there was no need to worry? If only things were so simple.

All he could do now was reach out to her and take one of her hooves in his own. She didn't look up, but he could feel her grip tighten around his own. For now, that was enough.