I sat quietly in the room where Kingpin sat behind a large half circled desk. Bucky had made it clear that I was the one that was supposed to report in with him. He also didn’t like the accusations we placed on him. Neither Kingpin nor Al Capony were happy at the moment, leaving me to sit there with my head bowed as the gang heads discussed the issue while my friends waited for me down in the casino. At least they don’t have to deal with all this.

I didn’t think gangers really took any accusations offensively. Boy, was I wrong. I sat quietly as the three gang heads talked amongst themselves. I couldn’t really pay attention to what they were saying. The Mint-als had stopped working their magic when we got back. I fidgeted, feeling the urge to pop another in so I can think clearly. Dammit, I hate it when shit like this happens. Usually, it happens after a successful delivery. Just… with chems this time.

The two small ponies on my shoulders were quiet too. I could tell they weren’t happy with me. I didn’t want to admit it, but the Mint-als finally got me addicted. I bit my lip, feeling ashamed. But… how can I describe it? I’ve only used these chems three times, but I knew about the effects of them, so I would toss them away. The third time however… I pat my vest pocket softly, feeling the slight bulge of the tin. These things were… no, are… great!

They made me feel good. Really good! Intellectually good! The only downside is feeling stupid after six minutes. I blinked, seeing the gang heads looking at me.

“Err… what?” I asked.

“I asked if you would like to enlighten us on what you think.” Kingpin said. He gave a small smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t have you whacked. I’m just more… concerned for the safety of my family and my best man. So, we would love to hear why you would accuse Bucky a saboteur of my daughter’s wedding?” I rubbed the back of my head. I couldn’t say that I had a lead from the Followers of the Apocalypse. New Pegas said that their positions in Las Pegasus was to remain secret. I had to come up with something. I looked and saw Bucky narrow his eyes suspiciously at me.

“W-well… First off, I would like to apologize for the sudden accusation.” I frowned. “I’ve been hearing about certain plans that have ended up targeting your daughter and the wedding.” I gave a small grin. “So, me and my friends decided to look into it.” Now to reveal the culprit. I hope nothing goes wrong from this. I sighed and waved my hoof to them. “After investigating things, we believe we know who is behind it all.”

“And you think it was Bucky?” Al Capony asked with a raised brow. I bit my lip as I hesitated. How should I explain it? Damn, it shouldn’t be this hard to come up with something.

“A-and that is why I’m sorry we accused Bucky. We’ve managed a lead that we followed and the hooves point to two ponies.” I nodded to Bucky. “And it seemed like all the evidence also pointed to Bud working along with Bucky.” Kingpin and Al Capony looked baffled when I mentioned Bud’s name. Bud is not a popular pony with The Family, thanks to me exposing him and got all of us to believe he died.

“Bud… is alive?” Al Capony asked. I nodded. I looked to Bucky.

“I didn’t believe it at first either. But when we confronted Bucky, he showed up with a half broken Alicron.” I sighed. “So, I’m real sorry that I accused you like that Bucky.” Bucky nodded, looking serious now.

“I would wonder why you would believe me, of all ponies, to do something as ruin a sacred event, let alone my own wedding.” He smiled. “So, I’ll let it slide. Now onto important matters.” I nodded.

“Bud.” I said. I took a moment to process the shaking head of Bucky’s. “I… no?”

“I don’t believe Bud would be at all in any position to attack again. That robot was poorly reconstructed.” He snorted. “Even the minigun jammed.” He tipped his fedora. “Bud has given The Family trouble in the past. It was thanks to you that we were finally able to bring the slimy rat in. Well… what was most of him.” I blinked.

“Are you… saying that you pulled him out of the cockpit?” I looked to the floor and thought about my confrontation the first time around. Bucky hadn’t realized Bud had brought in Alicron. And when he got me to help him and his gang take him out and destroying Alicron in the process, I made sure that he was in no condition to move. “When did you pull him out?” I asked. Bucky sighed.

“The day after the fight.” He looked to Kingpin. “Saw that the slimy rat was still breathing. He’s a tough bastard, I’ll give him that.” Kingpin rubbed his chin.

“So… if you brought him out of the wreckage, how did he escape?” Kingpin asked. Bucky grit his teeth.

“I was careless. I let my guard down. Damn buck still had fight in him. Knocked me out before I knew what hit me. When I came too, he was already gone. Alicron gone with him as well.” He bowed his head. “Forgive me, boss. I had failed to put a traitor out of his misery.” Kingpin smiled kindly at him.

“Bucky, you are my best soldier for our cause. I can forgive a flaw or two.” He said. Bucky smiled.

“I won’t let it happen again.” Bucky said. Kingpin nodded. Al Capony suddenly stood up and swayed a little. She slumped, rubbing her head in a hiss of pain. Kingpin quickly looked over to her as Bucky walked towards her.

“Alabaster. Why don’t you call it a night?” Kingpin said. Al Capony shook her head.

“I-I’m fine, daddy. I just suddenly felt light headed.” She said. Bucky frowned.

“The stress has been getting the best of us, Al.” Bucky said. Al Capony smiled as Bucky put his horn to her head and with a light glow, Al Capony rubbed her head, feeling relieved.

“Mother Dandy certainly knows what spell works for a headache.” She said. Bucky winked.

“No worries, doll. We just got to last it out in a week. Once this event kicks off, we can spend a little time away.” He looked at Kingpin. “If it’s not too much to ask.” Kingpin smiled slightly.

“Bucky. Alabaster. I wish the best of you luck.” The two walked past me and into the elevator. Before Al walked in, she turned to me.

“Courier. Have you’ve been brushing up on your etiquette skills?” she asked. I arched a brow at her. Al Capony sighed. “Guess not. Well, if you want to really be one of my maidens of honor, you have got to learn to act like a normal mare.” She smirked. “I forbid you to attend our wedding in that outfit you had the last time you visited. Honestly, stallion clothing is way too big for you.” I flushed and rubbed the back of my head.

“I err… appreciate the concern. B-but I really don’t think me wearing a dress is a good idea.” Unless I can get Goldenlee to help. But… The way she handled some of my copies was time consuming. She spent half an hour on two of them! Two! And I hate not being able to move around!

“Nonsense. Why, with the right TLC, you will be having stallions and mares begging for you on their knees.” She winked. “Which is why you and Uncle Stiletto will be spending time.” I stiffened. Imagining the stallion… mare… whatever he was, touching me was unnerving. I felt a little ashamed at the thought, but I was honestly creeped out by Al Capony’s uncle. Al Capony smiled and entered the elevator, leaving me to turn back to Kingpin. We stared at each other, deciding on what we should say.

“Listen, kid.” Kingpin said. “I know you are this big hero and all. And let me tell ya’, your deeds aren’t going unnoticed. The entire Strip to the Shining Armor Dam is talking about you.” I bowed my head. That is not something I should never really be proud of. He looked sternly at me. “And you do realize you haven’t completely killed all of the Fiends.” I looked up at him in surprise. “You only cleared out a quarter of their territory. The entire south side of the Strip has been receiving reports of Fiend activity.”

He looked with a serious expression at me. “You’re a good kid. And a hell of a soldier if you were one. Most couriers would just run with their tails between their legs. But you, kid. You go above the call of duty as a courier. One out of the few that would risk their lives for a small brown package even in Hellhound territory.” He sighed. “What my point is, I don’t want to have your reputation with The Family ruined because of a simple accusation. We all remember The Cathedral incident. At least twenty ponies were sent to the Redheart clinic and yet, you were back here, planning out your next move. Most ponies would see that as you having an ulterior motive.” Me with an ulterior motive? Nonsense. I’m a courier. It’s not like I planned to take over Las Pegasus with the help of a machine.

In fact, I haven’t even met Mr. House at all yet. LittlePip has been the only one in ages to have walked into the Lucky 38 and back out. I guess my only chance was to deliver that package. But I doubt they would let me in. I would think Mr. House would just send one of his bots out to pick it up from me. All this thinking was giving me a headache. I pulled out the tin and popped a chalky tablet in, perking up as the Mint-als worked their magic. Kingpin seemed to chuckle when I did.

“Better becareful with those things. I knew a couple of friends that were addicted to Buck, Dash and Hydra all at once. Sure, those can be fatal if over dosed too much. But Mint-als can be both a blessing and a curse.” I smiled and tapped my head with my hoof.

“Don’t worry. If anything, they just make me feel… you know… me.” I said. He arched an amused brow at me before dismissing me with a wave of his hoof.

“Now, I don’t want to hear about another accusation. My daughter speaks very highly of both you and Bucky.” I sighed and nodded. As I entered the elevator and began making my way back down to the suites, I couldn’t help but think back to when I first encountered Bucky and Bud. Bud had charmed himself as my brother to get to me, because Father Pride didn’t like the fact I had messed with his own game. And Bucky just came up to me and handed me a letter to Mr. House with that ring-a-ding attitude he always had. Now that I think about it, Bucky did seem to lose that attitude. I replayed a few small minor bits of confrontations I could have done to catch both Bucky and Bud in the act.

I frowned. Something was still sending alerts to my brain.

“Where’s Iris?” I asked as I finally made it back to our suite. My companions were spread out, occupying themselves with their gear or looking over some equipment. Sanity looked up from the sapphire colored cube key.

“She went back to update the Followers on what had happened.” She said. Comp walked over to me with Rex trailing behind him.

“I honestly thought Bucky and Bud were working together. They had the evidence didn’t they?” he asked. I thought back to when the scribe mare showed us the picture of Bud. That was just it. It was a picture of only Bud. I rubbed my chin. Maybe I should check back on that picture. See if I could find anything unusual about it. I felt Comp tug my vest slightly. He looked a little nervous. “Umm, Courier. Do you think we can talk?” he asked. I smiled.

“Sure, what’s up?” I replied. Comp shook his head and looked towards my companions.

“Not in front of them.” He said quietly. I arched a brow as he motioned for me and Rex to follow him out to the hall. Comp seemed to be acting a little… strange. He looked pale and tired. Did something happen to him while he was down with us in the sewers? I hope he wasn’t sick. I exited the room with Rex in tow.

“What’s up, Comp? Is everything okay?” I asked. Comp snorted and looked sourly at the opposite wall, sitting on his haunches and leaning against the other wall.

“If that’s what is really happening, then you are dead wrong.” He said. I cocked my head. He sounded a little… different too. He gave me a smug smirk before pointing at himself. “What do you see?” I cocked my head.

“Well… you look… sick.” I said. Comp gave a small rasped chuckle.

“Then you are correct.” He sighed and put a hoof over his eye. “It’s… strange. I’ve been recently having these weird thoughts.” He bowed his head, his bangs covering his eyes. “And I’ve also been having this strange craving. Like I’m hungry or something. But… I always eat when that feeling comes up. This time, it didn’t go away.” I looked worriedly at him. He must be sick. “And I don’t think it’s really me being sick, if that’s what everyone is thinking.” He said. “Goldenlee performed small little tests to see if I am really sick. All my tests came out to normal.”

“So… if you aren’t sick… then what’s wrong?” I asked. Comp shook his head.

“I really don’t know.” He said. I arched a brow.

“And these thoughts you’ve been having?” I asked. Comp sighed.

“They are about Bell.” He said. I gave an amused look at him and he narrowed his eyes.

“Well, then what you are feeling really isn’t anything other than you having a crush on my little sis. It’s natural.” I said. Comp gave me a look of dead seriousness as he spoke.

“Does eating the soul of a pony feel natural to you? Let alone your little sister?” he asked. I opened my mouth, expecting a retort, only to close it and look baffled at him. He nodded. “I’m sorry… I’ve should have said something sooner. But it wasn’t like I had really intend to do any of those thoughts. I’m a pony. Not a soul eater. These thoughts have been coming back to me after meeting Bell. Everytime it was just me pinning your sister and…” he shuddered. “I would open my mouth and see a small wisp come out of her. She would scream in pain as I ate her soul. When I had finished, she would be dead.” He bowed his head more and slumped. “She would always be dead.” I was dumbfounded.

What kind of thoughts were these? And why is it about my little sister!? I glared at him.

“Comp, if you are trying to imply something, you can forget it. I won’t let anything happen to her. And if you even try to pull something like that against her, I would end you.” I said. Comp smiled at me, making me arch a brow.

“How about you end me right now?” he said. He reached back into his jacket and pulled out a 9mm pistol and tossed it to my hooves. I didn’t catch it. I let it clatter to the floor. “Do it, Courier. Every second that passes, this craving gets stronger.” He grit his teeth. “I don’t want to end up being the bad pony. So just go ahead and end me now while your sister still has her soul left.” I shook my head and stomped my hoof.

“What kind of ridiculous notion is that!?” I said, bristling a little. Comp didn’t react. “I’m not going to really end you!” Comp arched a brow.

“But didn’t you say so yourself? Don’t go being a hypocrite now.” He said. I swatted the pistol at my hoof away from us, glaring at Comp.

“I’m not going to do anything towards you! I said if. If you pulled something like that. But I know you, Comp. I also promised you that I would figure out who you really are!” I said. Comp retorted back.

“That’s just it, Courier! What if I’m not the Comp you know? What if I am a soul sucking monster!?” he shouted. I silenced him with a swipe of my hoof in the air.

“Because there is no such thing as a soul sucking monster. It’s only myth and legends. Fictional stories created by mothers meaning to scare their children to sleep.” Comp smirked.

“And you don’t think the Maidens are myth and legends?” he asked. I was about to protest, when I stopped and looked at him. Dammit, he’s right. Din and her sisters were ancient stories told by ponies long ago. But when Starswirl discovered them to be real, well then that meant anything could be possible with myths and legends. The Headless Horse can be real, now that I think about. I shuddered at the thought, focusing back to my troubled friend. “Face it, Courier. I’m a potential threat to you and your sister.” I shook my head.

“No you aren’t. Because one, you haven’t even done anything that awful. Two, you still don’t know about your memories. And if those thoughts turn out to be memories, then we will find a way to make sure it doesn’t happen!” I said. Comp groaned.

“Then shoot me already!” he shouted. That was it. There was no way to tell him to back off from this topic. I stomped over and he shrunk back. I didn’t give him the chance to shrink anymore, as I picked him up and slammed him against the wall, pinning him with a foreleg under his neck. We both glared at each other with grit teeth.

“The fuck I won’t. Quit being a suicidal colt!” I hissed. “I made a promise to you and if you end up dying because you told me too, I will never forgive myself!” Comp bristled.

“But you said-.” I shoved him harder against the wall, putting a small bit of pressure at his neck with my leg.

“I know what the fuck I said, Comp. I can be a hypocrite if I want too, but this!? This is ridiculous!” I bristled more. “Why is this such a big deal? It’s just a thought! Something that you can never pull off in a million years even if you tried! Because I would be there to stop you! Our friends would be there to stop you! You wouldn’t even get as far as you are if you decided to do just that!” I shook my head. “I’m not going to shoot you because you tell me too! I don’t want you dead at my hooves! And you are not a fucking soul eating monster! You are Comp! A normal pegasus colt!” Comp said nothing. I could see the paleness more now that I was face to face with him. He looked like he hadn’t really gotten any sleep.

I let go of him and he slid down the wall, rubbing his neck. I loomed over him.

“Why… what if that actually happens, Courier?” he said, looking up at me. Tears were starting to well up. “These thoughts… they aren’t normal. But that’s just it. The sensation of eating a soul… it felt… natural.” He hugged himself, shaking more. “I… don’t want anything to happen to anypony. It’s bad enough that I still don’t know who I am. But these thoughts. They do feel like memories. Bell isn’t the only pony I thought of eating a soul.” I said nothing as I let him continue. “There were others too… I would pull the same thing over and over, eating soul after soul. They would just… die right then and there. No words. The screams would falter. And I would toss them aside to go to the next.”

He looked at me, tears finally streaming down his cheeks. “Those aren’t natural thoughts, Courier! But it feels natural!” he sobbed. I rubbed the back of my head, feeling my anger towards the ridiculous notion Comp had a couple of minutes ago be replaced with pity. We still don’t know much about Comp. The only memory we know is when he had met me sometime during my life. Now that I think about it, that memory showed him exactly how he is today. He even knew my rank and we haven’t even met at all other than that certain confrontation.

And yet, here we are. Comp still looking like how he was when we had apparently met in the memory and now he’s having strange “natural” thoughts about eating pony souls.

“Comp. You are not a soul eating pony. You don’t have that type of power. You saved me from myself. All of you have. You got a lot of ponies to help me within a week when it took me a few weeks to get them to take over a carrier. And that time when we were captured by slavers? How you knocked on the cage to get their attention? I wasn’t happy about that at first. But you didn’t care. You knew you had to help those ponies, even if it meant taking the heat from slavers. Is that something a soul sucking pony would do?” Comp took a moment, before shaking his head. I nodded.

“But-.” I silenced him again with a wave of my hoof.

“No buts. You wouldn’t think twice about hurting Bell. Like I said, you wouldn’t get far doing so.” I smiled. “And you know… I’ve also been thinking too. That if we don’t end up figuring out who you are, well… You wouldn’t mind still being Comp?” Comp pondered this. Either way he answered, it meant having to stick under my supervision. Comp relaxed a little and gave a relieved breath.

“Thanks, Courier. I’ve… never had a friend like you.” He said. I grinned.

“I’m not your only friend you know.” I said. Comp nodded.

“I know. It’s just that… you listen. When I try to bring it up with the others, they just tell me not to worry about it. And when those thoughts started to get out of control, I swore I was going to lose my mind. You were my last hope.” He smiled weakly. “And I was stupid to not go to you in the first place. So… thanks.” I flushed slightly. I wasn’t expecting an actual compliment from Comp. Sure, he tried to be tough, but deep down, he’s scared. Not scared of the world, but scared of himself. I sighed and watched him as he rubbed his neck slightly again.

“You okay?” I asked. Comp nodded.

“I will be. But next time, can you not be so rough? That actually hurt.” He said. He stood up, dusting himself off before walking down the hall.

“Where are you off too?” I asked. Rex followed him.

“Going to take Rex out for a walk. He needs the fresh air.” He said. I gave a small smile as I watched him turn the corner. When he did, my silver love flew around the corner he disappeared too. Iris stopped and looked back.

“Comp?” she asked. I heard Comp reply back.

“I know.” He said. Iris smiled and flew towards me, landing softly and nuzzled me.

“Hey, babe.” She said. I smiled, returning the favor before speaking.

“So, did you go to the Followers?” I asked. Iris nodded.

“I told them that the intel we had was false.” She sighed. “Now New Pegas thinks we have a mole.” I looked her in the eyes as I spoke.

“Then I wouldn’t blame him.” I said as I popped another chalky tablet into my mouth and putting the tin back into my vest pocket. Iris arched a brow as I continued.

“You think we might have a mole?” she asked. I nodded.

“Think about the picture given to us by the scribe. Now remember that intel on Bucky. Now remember what had happened earlier.” I watched as Iris tried to piece it together, only to sigh in defeat.

“I’m not a smart pony.” She said. I nickered lightly before continuing.

“Well, you have common sense, so that’s a good thing.” I said. Iris blinked at me in confusion. I smiled. “But honestly, I think it’s all far-fetched.” I rubbed my chin. “Something doesn’t add up. Didn’t the scribe mention something about a scout reporting in that intel about Bud and Bucky working together?” Iris rubbed her chin before going wide-eyed. I nodded to confirm her realization.

“But… I’ve been told he is our recent recruit.” She said.

“Which makes it even more suspicious.” I said. Iris darted her eyes in thought.

“I see. We’ll bring this up with Homage.” She said. I shook my head.

“No. You go ahead and do that.” I said. Iris arched a brow at me. “I… Al Capony will kill me if I don’t go to see Stiletto.” Much to my chagrin. Iris smiled.

“What reason?” she asked. I snorted.

“She has false hopes I can still look good in a dress that would make both genders beg for me.” I said. Iris seemed amused and I flushed. “N-not that I was thinking about it! I’m not even into stallions!”

“Ahh, but you are into mares.” She said with a wink. I flushed more. She nickered. “I wonder if my orgy dream will come true after that.” I locked her head and ruffled her spiky mane, making her laugh.

“You are still on about that?” I sighed. “Why are you bent on an orgy? Is it because Homage convinced you too?” Iris chuckled.

“Actually, a mercenary friend of mine came up with a very convincing story about orgies.” She said. I arched a brow . A mercenary friend? Iris smiled. “Dusk Fang and I made up a joke about orgies and we ended up making it a goal for me.”

“And you were okay with it!?” I asked surprised. Iris shrugged.

“Not like I was accepting anypony to begin with. If we weren’t going out, it would just continue to be an inside joke between us. Buuut.” She gave a sly smirk. “After meeting you and seeing the potential mares after you, maybe we can-.” I covered her mouth, feeling my face even hotter than it should be.

“No more. We will talk later.” I said sternly at her. Iris rubbed the back of her head.

“I honestly thought you would go for it.” She said. I shook my head at my silver love. As pretty cool as she is, sometimes, I feel slightly confused around her. Iris sighed before smiling. “Alright, you win this one. But I will convince you in on that orgy.” We kissed before going separate ways. I sighed. I really didn’t mind Iris being like that. Having a joke dream about an orgy. But the idea didn’t exactly cross my mind. In fact, I was eighty percent on the idea. The other percent was the awkwardness of asking mares to be in on it was more for dignity sake.

Before meeting Iris and after the events of my first crush, I wasn’t at all beaten down with my attraction to mares. In fact, when given the chance, I would actually fool around with them. Hell, I probably would have had bed fun with some of them. But when I fell in love with Iris, I always felt more attracted to her than other mares. And the last two mares to kiss me were Cream and Bubble Pop. And both were pretty and unique in their own way. And not to mention their sexy flanks. I smiled slightly as I trotted down the hall, thinking of those plots.

Realizing what I was thinking, I flushed more and wished I had my duster with me to hide my embarrassment. Iris must be teasing me in some way without me knowing. Relationships don’t work like this! I never had a kink at all. Of course I would imagine sometimes, but that was just fantasy. I stiffened at the sudden realization.

I don’t think I’m actually ready for a kink! Fantasy was nowhere near close to reality. And having other mares at my pleasure and their other pleasures felt… sexy yet awkward. I believed I was also worried that Iris and I wouldn’t pay much attention to each other after that and end up messing around with other mares than each other. Now another emotion played. Worry.

I was worried that Iris and I will become distant with the amount of possible mares to spend time with. Sure, Lemon was my first crush. But Iris is the only pony to have ever returned her love back to me. Not to mention, she was the first to confess. I must have been too deep into thought when I suddenly bumped into, much to my chagrin, Stiletto.

He beamed down at me.

“Why, hello there, dear!” he said as he hugged me. I awkwardly patted his back, managing my best smile I could as he pulled away and brushed my mane slightly. “Oh dear. Has anypony ever told you how your mane isn’t clean?” I blinked and brushed my mane.

“Well… now that you mention it, it’s been a while since I had a proper shower.” I said. Come to think of it, the last time I ever had a shower was before we left Glaciale. Now, I felt myself feeling dirty.

“Well, let us remedy that. Come along dear!” he said as he wrapped a foreleg around mine and dragged me along. I sighed. So this is where Al Capony gets the dragging me around from.

I had to admit, Stiletto was a pure aristocrat when he spoke to the Boutique mare. I arched a brow in confusion when Stiletto complimented the mare and the mare seemed to flirt with him. My brain was feeling another withdrawl from the Mint-als and I wanted to take another. But Stiletto kept his full attention onto me.

I groaned when I found myself trying on another dress. I didn’t really have to look in the three mirrors in front of me to know that it was pointless. None of these dresses that Stiletto recommended even looked slightly good on me. Even Stiletto was seeing how futile it was. He frowned, looking me over before speaking.

“Perhaps maybe a mane dresser would help. Your mane really isn’t mare appropriate.” He said. I gave him an annoyed look, feeling offended at the comment. But what can you do when a gang head is trying his best to make you look even decent in a dress. I didn’t want to be rude. I felt ashamed as is by the way he looks. I remained silent as he turned to the tailor. “Dear, do you perhaps have a dress that captures this mare’s essence?” The mare looked me over.

“Hmm… perhaps.” She said. Stiletto beamed and turned to me.

“Now then. What speaks to you, dear?” he asked. I lazily moved aside a rack of dresses and snorted.

“Other than karma, I’d say nothing.” I said. I turned and noticed the confused look on his face. I sighed. “Every now and then I have two little ponies that constantly bicker at my decisions.” Wait, why was I sharing this? The last time I brought this up, Goldenlee looked at me like I was some sort of lunatic. I winced, expecting the same look. But Stiletto smiled and clopped his hooves together

“Anything else?” he asked. I rubbed the back of my head slightly.

“Err… I probably shouldn’t. I’ll just sound crazy.” I said. Stiletto hummed before speaking.

“Dear, if I tell what The Family was back before being big shots in Las Pegasus, then perhaps you will find that your crazy is nothing like that.” He said. I cocked my head slightly. “You see, The Family never existed until eighty some odd years ago. In fact, we were once just a pack of tribals. The Omaretas were a group of raiders that, well you could say, more organized and classy.” I frowned. Figures as much. Over the years, The Family has become notorious throughout the northern regions. Rumors spread that they were once a group of lowlie ponies that were just as bad as raiders. Stiletto continued.

“And yet, The Omaretas were the only civilized part of The Family. The Pride was once a group of tribals following a hallucinogenic plant that could only be found in the Everfree Forest. In fact, they came from the forest itself. And that goes for us. The Whitehoof Society.” He looked grimly at me. “I don’t like to bring this up. Not one bit. I’m not proud of it and I wished I wasn’t born into this group.” He sighed. “But what can you do? It’s been years since we even have tasted the flesh of living ponies.” I balked in utter shock.

“The Whitehooves were a pack of cannibals!?” I said. Stiletto shushed me and looked around. He then leaned in and gave a slight nod.

“We once were. I was honestly shocked too the first time I heard about it when I came to lead the Whitehooves. In fact, some of the members of The Family want to regress back to the old times.” I looked at my hooves, darting my eyes in thought. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I mean, the entire region knew that they were once a pack of tribals. But they never really said for sure what they had done. They were bent on never returning back to the old times. Stiletto nodded. “I bet you are wondering why we are still acting the way we are today.” I said nothing but nodded. I needed something to ease my headache.

I levitated out the tin of Mint-als and popped another in before focusing back to Stiletto, sighing in relief. Stiletto smiled.

“Yes, it’s hard to believe that tribals who were once raiders, chem addicts and cannibals are big in a city. It was all thanks to Mr. House.” Stiletto sighed. “Mr. House had given us tribals a chance at a new life. And now here we are, under his rule no less.” Stiletto smiled. “Now, that I told you a dark secret I was sworn never to talk about, what can you tell me about your own?” I looked at him, seeing if he wanted anything specific. I sighed.

“I have a pyromaniac spirit named Din inside my head.” Stiletto clopped his hooves.

“Excellent! I know just the type of dress you should wear! Tailor, my dear, care to honor a request?” The tailor mare smiled.

“Of course, Stiletto.” She said.

This day couldn’t get any more… how shall I say, odd. Stiletto was determined to make me a mare. I know damn well that I am one. It’s not my fault ponies can’t see past my looks. I remember my mom telling me that I had her looks. Yet, why do ponies believe me to be a male then? Another problem had come to my attention too. I was running low on Mint-als.

Stiletto took me to almost everywhere. We did some shopping, had lunch, sight-seed and even chatted. It was strange. I felt awkward around the pony. But as the more time we spent, I realized that I shouldn’t have been so judgmental about his looks. Considering the irony of some ponies mistaking me for a stallion who seemed younger than most. In fact, I finally mustered up the courage to ask why he was dressed like he was and why he preferred to be a mix gender.

“Of course, I don’t mind.” Stiletto said with a small chuckle. “Well, when I was born into the Whithooves, I was raised as a mare.” I furrowed my brows. Being raised as a mare? “You see, father wanted a girl to run the Whitehoof Society. He figured a mare displays all forms of formality that the group needed. And when I was born, he was distraught that I am a boy.” I frowned.

“So, he decided to raise you as a mare?” I asked. Stiletto nodded.

“It took a while for him to figure it out. He honestly thought it was a clever idea. But you can’t hide the fact that a stallion has a certain… part on him that makes him a stallion. And when I was young, I had believed myself to be a mare with a strange condition down there.” He shrugged. “Eventually, I found out I was indeed a stallion and seeing father so frustrated just broke my heart.” I arched a brow.

“And that’s when you thought you can make him happy by stitching together a tux and a dress together?” I asked. Stiletto chuckled.

“Much more than that. I wanted to show that I am a stallion, but deep down, I wanted to stay a mare as how I was raised to be. It’s more of an identity reminder.” He looked saddened as he looked down at himself. “Though, I knew the consequences of doing such a thing.” He then smiled with a wink. “I proved those degenerates who was a true leader. Now here I am, the leader of the Whitehoof Society.” I smiled.

“I see. No wonder Al Capony says you are her favorite uncle.” I said. Stiletto smiled.

“Yes, she enjoys the quirkiness I give about. She really uses it as an excuse to get into trouble.” I could have sworn I saw a small tear trail down his cheek. “And now the time has finally come. That mare is now going to be married. She’s all grown up.” I couldn’t help but smile. I don’t know why Stiletto creeped me out. He seemed like such a nice pony. As we rounded a corner, I noticed one of the members of the Whitehoof Society heading our way.

“Sir Stiletto. We have some décor that needs to be approved by you.” She said. Stiletto nodded and looked at me.

“Well then. I guess we’ve spent quite a bit of time together. I’m so glad we got to do so.” He said. I nodded, then blinked in confusion.

“Wait, didn’t Al Capony say that I was to spend time with you so you can ‘make me a mare’?” I asked. Stiletto smiled.

“Yes. But I see no problems with you. You don’t need to be somepony else. Just be you and let it go from there. Now, I do believe that Alabaster told me to tell you to meet her in the lobby of the Roulette hotel once we were done. Trot along now.” He said with a little hoof wiggle at me before turning and walking with the Whitehoof at his side. As I watched the two walk away, it took me a moment to finally realize that there was somepony beside me. I looked and saw Bucky smiling at me.

“Hanging with the uncle I see.” He said with a smile. I gave a small smile back.

“It was Al’s idea.” I replied casually. Bucky nodded.

“I don’t know about you, but I think Stiletto is doing one hell of a job with the wedding set up.” He said.

“I don’t think I really had the time to look around.” I sighed. “Been busy and what not.” Bucky nodded.

“I understand. You are the Savior after all. Have ponies to save and Fiends to kill.” He teased. I gave him a small smug grin in return.

“And I guess that goes for you too, the groom of the hour.” I said. Bucky chuckled.

“Well, a buck has to find some way of bringing justice to this place.”

“And by justice, you mean daddy trying to run Las Pegasus.” A voice said behind us. We turned to see Al Capony look confidently at us. Bucky winked.

“Just giving us a rep, ya’ dig?” Al shook her head with a small sigh and a smile.

“So, are we ready, Sixteen?” she asked me. I looked at her. Oh right, I was supposed to meet her in the lobby of the Roulette. Wait… if she told her uncle for me to see her in the lobby, why is she here looking for us? Bucky seemed to read my mind.

“Weren’t you supposed to meet her, doll?” he asked. Al Capony nodded slightly, wincing a little.

“I tried, but my damned headache came back.” She rubbed her face slightly, the pain and stress clearly showing. Bucky chuckled as he went over to her.

“Really? I thought it was because it was hard to resist me.” He said. Al Capony giggled at the flirt comment and sighed in relief when Bucky put his horn to her head. I cocked my head.

“Al.” I said. “How long have you’ve been having those headaches?” Al Capony hummed in thought.

“About three weeks. Why?” she asked. Three weeks… I rubbed my chin and looked at Bucky.

“Nothing. Just wondering if you had it checked out.” I said. Al Capony smiled.

“I appreciate the concern, but it’s just a headache. Nothing but simple medication can remedy.” She said. And that medicine came from Bucky? I hid my frown as I turned.

“Hey, Al. Do you think we can catch up later?” I asked. “I promise that we will do what you planned for me. I just have to handle a couple of things.” Al Capony sighed.

“Alright, but if you want to be my maiden of honor, you have to promise you’ll see me after you are done.” I beat my chest with a hoof, smiling.

“Promise.” I said. And with that, I turned and made my way back into the Roulette Hotel. I couldn’t help but feel as if something had just gone wrong right in front of me. But why? And what had happened in front of me? I found it hard to think straight. I took another Mint-al before heading over to the hotel and then to the caged counter. The mare behind the counter smiled.

“Are you hear to trade in your chips for bits or bits for chips?” she asked. I shook my head.

“Neither. I’m here to speak with Mother Dandy.” I said. The mare arched a brow.

“Mother Dandy? Who’s that?” she asked. I blinked. Did she not know that a zebra lived in the basement? I shook away the thought before continuing.

“Listen, it’s very urgent I talk to the err… medicine mare. I believe Kingpin said I could find her in the basement.” I said. The mare rubbed her chin before looking back to the door behind her.

“Oh, you mean Sukuji! Of course.” She reached under the table and a buzzer sounded. I looked at the mare with an arched brow. Did she just say Mother Dandy’s real name? The mare sang as she spoke. “Go on ahead, Savior.” I frowned.

“Does everypony know it’s me?” I asked quietly to myself as I entered into the basement. My brain was once again sending me alerts. But I ignored them. I’ve been getting too paranoid lately and so far, I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary. Well, except for Stiletto. I glared at the horned pony who shrugged at me. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I peeked around the corner. I saw a cloaked figure humming quietly as she stirred a green sloppy goo in a bowl. The medicine in the air made me scrunch my muzzle up slightly

“Mother Dandy?” I asked. The zebra turned and smiled.

“Ah, hello again, Maiden. My leaves told me you would be coming. And no later than I expected.” She dumped in a small stem of blueberries into the goo. “You have something to ask of me?” I nickered a little.

“Gee, I didn’t think leaves would be so prophetic.” I said. Mother Dandy smiled.

“I do believe them to be beings themselves. Everything around you may look inanimate. Ordinary. But no, there is something unique about each and every mineral. Every particle you see. I respect and trust these living beings and they offer me guidance in return.” She said.

“So, does that mean every zebra know what’s going to happen?” I asked, remembering the zebra outside of Stableton. Mother Dandy shook her head.

“I fear not all are attuned to nature. Take the Legion for example. They believe they know full well the destruction of their tribe and what course of action to take. What they have yet to realize is that nature sees all.” She said. I cocked my head.

“But I thought the Legion was dedicated to the Ceaser?” I said. Mother Dandy nodded.

“They believe in a higher power. Power that comes from someone of their own. What they don’t realize is the higher beings above them.” She nodded at me. “And a few others.” She rubbed her chin. “Which bears a question to my mind. Will Equestria finally seal its fate before the G.O.E. is activated or will you and the other maidens remain in conflict until the time has come for one to decide?” I sighed.

“I haven’t… really thought about how I should approach it. All I was told was to find the others and bring them to a certain place. I know each Maiden is bent on creating a land of their own ideal and could care less if we survive or not.” I said. Mother Dandy nodded.

“And the only way to figure that out, child, is to relive history itself. Be forgotten to the present and live the past. Only then will you understand.” She shook her head. “But I am just a simple medicine mare. And I think you didn’t come all this way to hear me speak of certain prophesies. Pray tell, child. What burdens your mind?” she asked. I sighed.

“Well, the wedding is in a week or so and I’ve been having this strange sense that something is going to go wrong.” I said. Mother Dandy nodded.

“Well, it’s no surprise that something will go wrong.” She said. I looked at her, trying to see if she was messing with me. She returned my gaze. “It is a big event that is being broadcasted across the region. The RCE and Mr. House as well as The Family are in a temporary truce. But that doesn’t mean other ponies will have other agendas. A lot in the region is going on as is and a lot of time and money is being spent for a simple ceremony of union between a mare and a stallion that are heads of their gang.” She smiled. “Kingpin wants his daughter to be happy and doesn’t want anything to ruin it.”

“So, why does it feel like it’s not going to be a simple assault?” I asked her. I just couldn’t help it. Ever since we got here, I felt like something had changed. Like everpony wasn’t acting like… themselves. I frowned. “Has Al Capony ever talked to you?” Mother Dandy nodded.

“Not recently, but yes, she does. A gentle heart.” She said. I nodded.

“How long since you last talked?” I asked. Mother Dandy rubbed her chin.

“About three weeks ago. She dropped by because of a certain headache she’s been having. But it was nothing to so be worried about. The headache is nothing but minor at the most.” I rubbed my chin.

“So, did she ask for a treatment?” Mother Dandy nodded.

“I gave her a simple remedy that should last her until her wedding is finished.” I again pondered in thought. I smiled and looked at her.

“Thanks, Mother Dandy. But, I think I got what I came here for.” She nodded.

“Think nothing of it, child. If you are in more need for guidance, do not hesitate to find me.” She said. I trotted back up the stairs and out into the lobby. The mare that was behind the counter was gone. Probably taking a small break or something. But what was important now was to do a little investigation. My curiosity and my alerts going off in my mind rarely combine together for me. And when that happens, I have no choice but to at least listen and pay attention to my surroundings.

Time for some stealth recon.

Footnote: Max Level!