The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 87 – A Not so Shiny Equestria

- Manehattan, After the Very Next Train Out of Ponyville -

“Okay Rarity, explain it again! I want to make sure I understand it. Every bit of it!” Starlight growled. The unicorn was absolutely fuming by this point and Rarity knew well to not argue with her while she was like this.

“Like I told you before, Rayne has secretly been working with an underground music industry here in Manehattan. He met his contact after establishing connections with DJ PON3. Why even I wouldn’t have found out about it had her club not been located directly above my boutique.” She explained as the group of girls walked down the pearly polished streets of the busy city.

“Wait, he’s doing what with music now?!” Rainbow Dash interrupted as she flapped her wings along behind them. “Rayne? Our Rayne? Massage cracking cryo-whatsit Rayne?”

“Ugh, do please try to keep up darling.” Rarity spoke up while trying to avoid sounding entirely insulting. “Dash, you do remember our lovely outing where he treated all of us girls out on his last date with Starlight don’t you?”

“Well of course! It was only a few days ago! My memory isn’t THAT bad!” Rainbow sassed out.

With a nod Rarity continued, “And did it never occur to you as strange that, even as glamorous a stallion he is, that some random patron of the club could direct the DJ to play whatever song he wanted just when he wanted her to play it?”

Now Starlight froze where they were walking and said, “Oh, you’re right. I never thought of that before. That is strange. And how would he even know the track numbers for her songs? Doesn’t she come up with those herself?” Rarity nodded along as she started guiding the group away from the high rises and skyscrapers of the city.

“You’ve got it darling. And yes she does… or she would, if all her new hits had been her songs. You see the two of them have become business partners.” Rarity explained.

“Business partners?!” Twilight blurted out. “Rayne? And Vinyl? How did that happen?!”

With a slight chuckle Rarity explained, “Oh well maybe you hadn’t heard but the success of DJ PON3 has skyrocketed within recent months due to a seemingly endless supply of new hit songs. Now the original copies of all these songs are sold very exclusively and carry quite the price tag to obtain. However, Vinyl’s club has been contracted to be the only establishment allowed to remix those tracks and play them however they’d like.”

“So what yer sayin’ is,” Applejack began, “Rayne has been making all these fancy new songs and sellin’ em so that only Vinyl can play them at her club?”

Rarity turned to nod back to Applejack. “Oh well I doubt that he is actually 'making' the songs sweet AJ. I’m sure he is just the one writing them or some-” She trailed off with a frown as she was promptly interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on now! If Rayne were really behind the scenes of an entire night club’s success then why haven’t we heard anything about this before? Wouldn’t that make him famous for being a singer or song writer or something?”

Again Rarity attempted to respond but was once more interrupted. “Ooh! Ooh! Not unless he went by disguise or some secret pseudo alias to hide his identity!” Pinkie cheered.

“Heh, yes quite right Pinkie.” Rarity acknowledged. “There’s an underground band that’s developed quite the cult following. They typically play harder metal covers or alternative rock hits but it’s not unheard of for them to branch out. It is through this band that all of Rayne’s songs are debuted and from there provided to Vinyl’s club for her to remix into a dance theme.”

“Oh really?” Starlight asked sounding intrigued. “Well don’t judge me too harshly but I’ve listened to my fair share of pony metal groups in my youth. What’s the band’s name?”

Rarity sidestepped a discarded banana peel on the ground as the group was definitely in a different part of the city now. The streets were dirtier and the corners of buildings were darker. Everywhere around them were locked doors and the ponies in this part of town avoided eye contact with a permanent scowl etched onto their faces.

“Oh I doubt you would know them darling. They only just formed together a few months ago. The band is named after the lead singer’s stage name and to this day his identity has never been revealed. The group goes by ‘Faceless.’”

“AUUUUHHHH!!!” The whole lot of them shouted in fright as a loud gasp of surprise erupted from right behind them. Looking back in complete dismay the friends from Ponyville saw that it came from the last pony they would have expected it from.

“Oh dear, oh my! Is it true? Are we really headed to go and see the band Faceless? As in seeing them in a live performance for real?” Fluttershy gushed with her front hooves raised up to her lips.

Dash completely balked in disbelief asking, “Really Fluttershy? YOU are a fan of rock music?”

“Oh yes!” The yellow pegasus gushed.

“You like hard metal bands that scream and yell in practically all of their songs?” Dash queried further.

“Absolutely! I am a huge fan.” Fluttershy confirmed.

“WHY?!” The whole group shouted together.

“Oh, well that’s simple.” The pale yellow mare responded. “I find their music to be very therapeutic.” She explained while seeming completely oblivious to the bewildered expressions of her friends. “Yes they may be loud and angry, but I also find them to be so passionate and determined. They are just so upfront and honest about their feelings, which is something I can really admire about them. And seeing, or in this case hearing, somepony be so true to themselves… Well that just makes me happy for them with every song they sing.”

The others were all semi dumbstricten for a moment but eventually each of her friends shrugged as that was logic that none of them could argue with. “Alright now, we’re here everypony. Stay close to me and for Celestia sake don’t say anything unless I tell you to...” Rarity announced as she finally stopped in front of an alley in between two grimy gray buildings.

“Here? Here where?” Twilight asked as she looked around not seeing the flashy entrance or long line of ponies that she’d come to expect from a Manehattan night club.

Rolling her eyes Rarity pointed to a small stairwell in the alley that led to a solid steel door with no imprint on it whatsoever. “This way please. Don’t wander apart from each other now.” The others looked unsure but they crowded in close as they followed her down the stairs.

Raising her hoof Rarity gave a confident knock and a moment later the door opened but only a crack. “This is private property! Get outta here before-” Growled a hefty voice in an unwelcoming tone.

The other mares lowered their ears wanting to back away but Rarity spoke over him saying, “We’re not trespassers, we’re here for the show. DJ PON3 told us about this place.”

Suddenly there was a mocking laugh from the other side of the door. “Ha! You lot are friends with PON3?! I don’t buy it. You smell like country ponies to me.”

“AH! HOW DARE YOU?!” Rarity screamed and tossed her mane. “I assure you there is nothing country about the way that I smell! Eh, no offense Applejack.” But when Dash kicked her from behind she nodded and continued. “Vinyl Scratch sent us here. Said this was the place to find the scene where it’s all up and coming. We’re here for the band and we know ’he’ is playing tonight!”

“Hmph!” Came a deep grunt from inside before the door was opened the rest of the way. Then a mammoth of a stallion stuck his head out the door. He looked down the street and up to the roof tops before letting their group inside. Once the door slammed shut behind them a deadbolt was immediately fixed in place. The girls found themselves in a small steel room with only one door in front of them which had loud banging noises coming from the other side.

Twilight looked around noticing a table with a box of large rings in them. But once she realized what they were the princess started to panic. “Rar-!”

“Shh!” Her friend silenced her as the bouncer turned to face them.

“Follow the rules! NO MAGIC! You make trouble and you’re out! Put up a fight and I rip your horns and wings off and replace them where the other used to be!” Then he pointed aggressively toward the box and glared.

“What’s going on?” Starlight whispered as she saw the nervous expression on Twilight’s face.

Rarity was quick to whisper out while trying to make it seem as if nothing were wrong. “Don’t make a fuss. This is normal in these kinds of places. Didn’t I mention that when I was explaining before?” She asked before slipping one of the metal bands over her horn like a game of horse shoes.

“No! You didn’t!” Twilight hissed and grit her teeth as she looked from the box to the bouncer who was watching them very carefully. With a sigh she reached down and picked up one of the metal rings and looked it over.

“What’s the problem?” The bouncer growled as he started to eye them suspiciously.

“Oh, oh no. No problem!” Rarity chimed in with a smile as she bumped Starlight in the flank with her rear to shove her toward the box. “Girls…! ixnay on making a fussiay!” She whispered. “Just slip one over your horn which will cancel your magic so we can go inside alrea-”

“WHAT?!” Starlight screamed having never heard of such a device before which startled the bouncer who was now looking at them more closely.

“Hey wait a minute!” He yelled causing them all to wince in fright. “I knew something was suspicious about you all!” Shuffling right through the others as if they weren’t even there the stallion grabbed Twilight by the shoulder and pinned her back against the wall. “This one’s an alicorn! This is a raid!” He roared before turning to raise his hoof and pound alarmingly on the inside door.

But before he could Twilight quickly grabbed him by the scruff of his chin and painfully yanked his face back to look at her. Everyponies jaw dropped when she gave him a set of devious eyes until she almost looked like their friend Tempest. “Aww, what’s the matter? So what if I’m an alicorn? You think princesses don’t like to rock or something?”

Her voice was almost sultry and the stallion stared at her, angered but intrigued. “Uhh.”

His eyes followed as she levitated a ring which had dropped to the floor and then watched as she pushed it firmly down over her horn. Instantly she could feel as the connection to her magic was cut off. “Now are you going to let my friends and I have a good time tonight or not?” She asked with a pouting face as if she were just toying with him.

He lifted his head back in surprise as he also turned toward Starlight. After receiving an urging glance from the other two Starlight donned a ring and then stumbled nervously at the feeling.

“Hmph, then I guess there’s no problem. My mistake.” The bouncer grumbled before dropping Twilight to the ground. After moving away he gave three knocks to the inside door which then opened flooding the steel room with blaring rock music.

The lot of them all slipped by quickly with their heads lowered. “Twilight!” Rarity whispered over the roar of the dance club. “I had no idea that you had such crafty behavior hidden within you!”

“Neither did I.” She replied sullenly. “That was terrifying Rarity, I almost peed myself when he grabbed me. Please tell me I won’t have to do anything like that again!”

Shaking her head the pale gray male assured, “Just stick close to me and don’t talk to anypony! Let’s find Rayne and get out of here. Places like this are fine for stallions but for mares... let’s not extend an invitation for anyone to get ‘friendly’ with us for sticking around for too long.” The others all nodded together as they quickly scanned the room with their eyes.

The lighting inside was bad, consisting almost entirely of red flood lights giving the entire club the look of a darkroom for photography. There was a long bar that smelt of alcohol which was only slightly more pungent than the stench of other patrons dancing around. Other than a few decorative strobe lights the only place that seemed properly lit was the stage which focused a large spotlight upon the band.

“Eeeehhh!” Came a loud shriek from behind their group but when they all turned they saw that it was their own yellow pegasus that had shouted in excitement before rushing straight ahead and away from them all.

“No! Fluttershy come back!” Twilight yelled but it was too late as their friend was head long into the crowd by that point. Once the exuberant mare was surrounded by head banging ponies of various sorts, the pegagus simply smiled in the crowd peacefully as if it were a melody she was listening to instead of a thrashing metallic rhythm.

Twilight’s mood was quickly degrading from bad to worse. “That’s just great! Not only do we have no idea how to find Rayne in all this, now we’ve gone and lost Fluttershy too!” She bellowed until an annoying tapping on her shoulder made her look up. “What?!” She snapped only to see Starlight pointing to the stage in disbelief.

“I found Rayne...” She whispered as her eyes were spread open as wide as saucers.

On stage there were four band members consisting of a lead guitarist, a base guitarist, a drummer and a keyboard synthesizer. All four of them were wearing black leather outfits adorned top to bottom in silver metal studs.

“No way...” Dash whispered out.

The drummer was a fiery orange pegasus mare with more metal clipped into her face than a radiator.

“It can’t be… it just can’t.” Applejack uttered aloud.

The base drummer was a unicorn with the side of his head shaven off and a graphic half skull tattooed across where his mane should be. The other unicorn stallion on keyboard was styled much the same.

“Oh no, it’s him.” Starlight said to the others. “It may not look it… but my heart knows the stallion it fell in love with when it sees him.”

At that Fluttershy reappeared from the crowd almost manically shouting, “Look! Look! It’s him, it’s Faceless!”

The music died out as the band prepared to play their next song. The lead singer was standing on stage wearing a full leather top and bottoms with pleated zoot suit striping. His shoulders were flared out with sterling spikes rising from them. Most startling however was his face, or lack there of one. Long dark hair cascaded down from his skull as if it grew equally from the front as it did the back leaving no identity to be confirmed.

https://youtu.be/l771ja5zRc0

When the music started to kick back in the Ponyville mares were left staring dumbstruck at the rock mogul in front of them. Try as they might they were unable to believe the rock singer in front of them was the same, sweet, charming stallion they all knew.

“All we hear is noise,
Like we ever had a choice.
Life’s a never ending void,
So what’cha gonna do about it?!” Faceless roared out as the crowd was jumping up and down with the beat.

“All we hear is static,
In a constant state of panic.
We’re pissed of and abandoned,
So what’cha gonna do about it?!”

“Oh Rayne...” Starlight whimpered, feeling that it was her fault for driving Rayne to such an angry underground dive like this.

“Take those horns, throw them up!” Every unicorn in the crowd raised their horns into the air, all sporting the same magic binding rings as any other.
“Show them we don’t give a fuck!” The crowd screamed in approval to Faceless’ lyrics.

All of a sudden the patrons went wild and the girls screamed when a mosh pit broke out around them.

“We like our hair down, volume up,
Kick like a machine gun!
Cold beer, stage dives,
Scream along all night!” Faceless yelled as several mares screamed back to him.
“Metal brings us to our knees,
Mother fucking therapy!
Wear it like a scarlet letter,
It’s what brings us all together!
Hit the floor, turn it up,
Everypony ready?!” Now Faceless leaned down into the crowd causing those in the front to scream at seeing there really was no face hidden beneath his mane.
“’Cause when it comes to music,
We all lose it when it’s HEAVY!!!”

“Girls! Girls!!!” Twilight cried out as the dancing crowd was forcing her friends apart from each other.

Despite this both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie seemed to be having a grand ol’ time. “Aww come on Twilight! Go with the flow! This is fun!” The pink pony shouted as she raised her hooves and let the sea of metal goers sweep her away.

“This is NOT my kind of music!” Twilight pouted, crossing her arms indignantly.

“They’’ll push you to the edge,
‘Till all you see is red.
‘Cause tonight we raise the dead,
That’s what we gonna do about it!”

Starlight stood still in the crowd hoping that Rayne would spot her staring longingly at him. But stare as she might, Faceless seemed to have no eyes for which to look out with.

“We’ll burn this mother down,
We’re gon’ have it now.
We all want it loud,
So what’cha gonna do about it?!” Now Faceless waived his hoof gathering everyponies attention and wildly brandishing his showmanship.

“Take those horns, throw them up!
We live for it, it’s in our blood!”

“Oh no!” Twilight whimpered as even Dash got swept up in the excitement when the crowd turned wild once more.

“We like our hair down, volume up,
Kick like a machine gun!
Cold beer, stage dives,
Scream along all night!
Metal brings us to our knees,
Mother fucking therapy!
Wear it like a scarlet letter,
It’s what brings us all together!
Hit the floor, turn it up,
Everypony ready?!
’Cause when it comes to music,
We all lose it when it’s HEAVY!!!”

“Take those horns, throw them up!” Faceless sang as Applejack helped Twilight get their friends back together.
“Show them we don’t give a fuck!” Suddenly dancing hooves were thundering like they were trying to stomp through the floor as Applejack threw a rope around her friends from Ponyville to stop them from being separated again.

“We like our hair down, volume up,
Kick like a machine gun!
Cold beer, stage dives,
Scream along all night!
Metal brings us to our knees,
Mother fucking therapy!
Wear it like a scarlet letter,
It’s what brings us all together!
Hit the floor, turn it up,
Everypony ready?!
’Cause when it comes to music,
We all lose it when it’s HEAVY!”

Now Faceless began head banging forward and back while screaming with a frightful presence of no eyes, nose, or mouth ever being seen.

“When it’s heavy, when it’s heavy!!!” Then the music ended with a final synchronized stomp from the band.
“HEAVY!!!” Every patron in the club erupted into applause while they remarked about the show with vulgar praise and revelry.

Meanwhile Fluttershy was hopping up and down trying to cheer until six different colored hooves pulled her back to her senses. “FLUTTERSHY!” Twilight yelled trying to speak quickly before the next song could be played. “That is Rayne! Faceless IS Rayne!”

“What?! Oh dear! Are you absolutely certain?” But then seeing the nod from the three mares who had dated him she decided not to question it. “Oh well then I’m not sure what we will be able to do. If we tried to climb on stage to speak to him then security would probably mistake us as fans and throw us all out.”

“Grrr!” Twilight growled in frustration. “If only I could use my magic! I could quiet everything down, we could say our peace or wave at him or give him a letter or just anything and then just be on our way! But at this point we can’t even get his attention! AND WHY DOES HE LOOK LIKE THAT?! IT’S RIDICULOUS!” The alicorn huffed. “Rarity!” Twilight snapped, suddenly redirecting her frustrations. “Why didn’t you tell us about this?!”

“Wha- Twilight?! I promise you that I had absolutely NO idea that Rayne was in the band himself. I thought he was only writing the songs! Not performing them!” She mused out in her defense.

That was when they were startled by a group of stallions slipping their hooves across their shoulders. “Hey now brown cow, easy your fury and calm your wow.” A seedy voice whispered into Twilight’s ear sounding as if he thought he was being clever.

“Ugh, get off of me!” She yelled out but then froze realizing that they were surrounded. There were four gray unicorn stallions who were encircled around their group and pulling the girls in tightly. They were all wearing flashy blazers and were staring out over the rims of sunglasses despite how dark it was in the underground club. All four of them wore security badges around their necks but even more striking to Twilight was that none of them were wearing rings around their horns.

“Whoa, whoa. Calm your fuss girls. We’re just here to help, you see?” One of them said while trying to look charming as he grinned to them through dirty teeth. “We’re part of the organizer team here at this venue, the staff, the backstage access. You feelin’ me?” As he spoke the other stallions just chuckled and nodded while holding the mares tightly. “I know what you’re wanting, you’re wanting to see the band! Riiiiight?”

Most of the girls looked wary but Fluttershy chimed in excitedly, “Oh do you mean it? Are you offering to let us go back stage and meet Faceless face to, well, hehe, face?”

“Uh, Fluttershy darling-” Rarity began but the stallion who had been speaking to Twilight stepped forward and into the way.

“Oh yes, that is exactly what we're offering you. I’ve been watching you tonight and you seem like you have the right kinda stuff. You know, the vibe, the mojo. You interested?”

“Fluttershy!” Dash yelled as she was now trying to struggle out of the grip of the stallion who was holding her.

“Um, well, I suppose that maybe it might be a good idea.” Now all of her friends looked to her with surprise. “Well we came here to speak to Ra- um, Faceless. Didn’t we? This would let us do that. Also, we could meet the other members of the band as well. How often does any pony get the chance to hang out with a group of star musicians like this?”

To this Applejack wasted no time in pointing out, “Have you forgotten that I am good friends with Ra Ra?! And through Rarity we all got to meet Sapphire Shores! Not to mention I wouldn’t exactly label rabble as ‘stars’ playin’ in a dump like this!” But despite her protests Fluttershy was already being escorted toward a back room where the other stallions were clearly trying to corral the rest of the girls as well.

“Rarity? Is this okay?” Starlight nervously choked out as the group slowly allowed themselves to be guided through the crowd.

“Well...” The pale gray mare whimpered. “This isn’t unheard of. But the question is whether they are bringing us to see the band, or if we are being escorted back for the band to see us.”

“Uh, what does that mean?” Dash gulped.

“Hey, I ain’t that kinda girl!” Applejack argued.

“You know… I would really appreciate it if you would stop doing that!” The sound of Pinkie growling angrily was a shock for her friends to hear, almost as much as turning around and seeing that the stallion escorting her was trying to lower his hoof by her flank.

“You all better quit making a fuss and get back through those doors if you know what’s good for you.” Starlight heard the stallion behind her whisper. “We aren’t planning on hurting you but if you don’t-”

“Hurt this!” She shouted, immediately bucking the stallion right in the chest causing him to stagger back out of breath. “APPLEJACK!”

Without missing the cue the country mare kicked the stallion holding her so hard he went flying back into the crowd. Rainbow was right in time with flying upward but didn’t expect to have her tail yanked quite harshly. The surprise caused her to stall just long enough to be slammed down to the ground.

Twilight immediately thrust her head forward but gasped as she had forgotten that her magic was cut off. In an instant Dash was being held down by her throat and was choking, Applejack was levitated and could no longer reach the ground or any of the stallions, and Starlight was dog piled with one stallion now brandishing a blade toward her face. The princess huffed in panic as Fluttershy’s screams rang out in the background demanding to know what was going on with her friends.

The stallion leaning over Starlight was now seething in anger as he hissed, “Alright now listen here you little pain in the ass! You and all your friends are gonna git back in that room and you’re gonna quit your struggling else my friends and I are gonna carve you until-”

“ZZZZZAAAAAHHHHPPPPP!!!”

Everypony in the club dropped in fright as a massive bolt of electricity flooded the room in light. A scream tore out from the stallion and his blade went flying until it stuck into the far side wall. No pony moved now as they all watched Faceless step down off the stage and make his way through the crowd.

“Hey now! What’s a fancy dandy like you doing getting involved wit-” The stallion who had been choking Dash started to say until a blast shot out from above Faceless’ head which sent him flying like a ragdoll. Now the entire group who had been accosting the mares stood nervously but were all similarly blasted just the same by a multiple beam strike.

“Are you okay?” The singer asked as he reached down to help Starlight up and then proceeded quickly to go check on Rainbow Dash.

“Y-yes, thank you. Ray- I mean... Is that really y-” Starlight begin to ask as the night club was now dead quiet with every patron staring their way. But she was interrupted as the same back doors that the stallions had been leading the mares towards suddenly burst open.

“WHAT is going ON out here?!” Screamed a very different looking stallion in an angry panic. He was an earth pony with an off white coat. His mane was bushy and dull pink while he was dressed up in a blue suit with miniature glasses set upon the bridge of his snout. “What is my lead singer doing off the stage?! And what is-?!” But he stopped as he took a better look around.

“Svengallop sir, I can explain.” The stallion who had been holding Fluttershy suddenly pleaded out.

“Explain what? That you were trying to abduct me and my friends?!” Fluttershy yelled being quick to speak against him. Then she stomped on his hoof to get free and ran back into the crowd. With Fluttershy not recognizing Svengallop and he not recognizing her she was pleased to see the boss did not seem too happy with her accusation.

“What did I tell you about pulling this kind of thing in this club?! That’s it, I’ve had it! You’re fired, all of you! Take your loser buddies and get out of here!” He shouted as the bouncer from the front door appeared by his side and flexed his muscles. The crew of stallions all dropped their badges on the ground and then helped their friend who had been zapped to rush out the door.

“So what are we going to do about this?” Faceless spoke up while giving the Ponyville ponies absolutely no regard. Patrons everywhere were looking nervous now that their night had been interrupted by violence.

“Why do things never go the way you expect them too?” Svengallop complained while rubbing his temples as if a headache were coming on. “Excuse me, everypony! Please forgive the interruption! The show will continue momentarily and as an apology please enjoy all of your tabs being cleared for the evening!” This definitely turned the crowd around into a sea of smiles to which Svengallop immediately signaled the barkeep to close down for the rest of the evening.

Before he could turn to leave Svengallop froze when he heard the most unpleasant voice he could think of. “Well, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised to find a snake down in a hole now should I? What nefariousness are you doing skulking ‘round in a place like this?!” The country mare sassed as if she were about to spit on him.

“Applejack?!” Svengallop turned in horrified disbelief. “What are you and… Oh, all of your friends are here too. Isn’t that just great?” He sassed right back as the mares all gathered back together. “Well if you must know, I own this place now. What are YOU doing here? This doesn’t really seem like your part of town.” He chuckled, imagining what had probably just happened before he stormed in.

“We came here for him!” She pointed to the black stallion with the dark mane cascading down from his head. “And YOU! What are you doing working for a good for nothing like Svengallop?!” Applejack demanded to know, having no qualms about reprimanding the stallion she was dating in public. “Uh, that is you you under there right?”

“Heh, yeah it’s me Applejack.” Rayne replied but left his guise up as the fans started crowding around. “And you have it wrong by the way.” He stated but it was the other stallion who explained.

“Faceless isn’t working for me! Haha, oh the very thought… I am the one working for him!” Svengallop announced as if he couldn’t be prouder.

“WHAT?!” The mares all cried out together.

“And that is JUST what I want to talk to you about!” Two muscle ponies suddenly appeared while shoving the crowd aside as a golden stallion with a long flowing red mane stepped forward.

“S-S-Shinning Records?!” Rarity gasped. “What are you doing here?!”

“Uhhh, who’s that?” Dash interjected which made Rarity gasp in disbelief.

“Ughh Rainbow dear would it kill you to pick up a Pony-Times Magazine for at least once in your life? This is Shining Records! The largest musical artist producer in Canterlot! He’s been the supporting back bone behind all the great singers of our age including Sapphire Shores! Some call him the king of the modern day music industry!”

“Yes, heh heh, that’s true. They do call me that.” The arrogant looking pony admitted proudly. “And what I’m doing here is scouting for talent. I heard that there was a small time group making waves and I’ve come to see the hype for myself. I must say, I’m very impressed. Mister Faceless sir, it’s time to step out of the underground filth with these rats and shine in the light for all to see.” He offered while being none too subtle with his insult to Svengallop.

“Thank you but no thank you.” Faceless said with disinterest. “Excuse me, I have a show to do.” Then he turned his back but wasn’t surprised to feel the glory hog from Canterlot suddenly grab him by the shoulder.

“Whoa, whoa. Now hold on there boy. I don’t think you quite understand the opportunity that you’re turning down here. We’re talking about real stardom here! With my backing your fac- err, mane could be all over Equestria! I’m talking private chariot rides, the best penthouse rooms after every show, beautiful mares licking your hooves wherever you go! I mean come on, how could you pass that up?” Records asked sounding absolutely sure of himself. “And of course… money! Heh heh heh.”

Faceless simply turned back to Svengallop and the two seemed to snickered with each other. “You mean so you can profit off me?” The singer spat over his shoulder which immediately wiped the smirk off of Record’s face. “So you can mass produce cheap low quality copies of my music under your own brand label? No thank you. I have my own plans and they don’t involve you.”

“YOU THINK THIS LITTLE PISS-ANT OF A MANAGER CAN GIVE YOU WHAT I CAN’T?! I AM OFFERING YOU EVERYTHING YOU IGNORANT COLT!” Shinning Records roared out as his illustrious mane fell in his face.

Faceless however remained completely unphased. “No, you are offering me what you think I want. Meanwhile, Svengallop is providing me with something very different. Exactly and precisely what I need.”

“Who wouldn’t want everything that I’m offering you?!” Records shouted in disbelief but to this Faceless just climbed back up on stage and pointed straight down to him in front of the crowd.

“Stick around… Maybe I’ll tell you.” Then he stomped his hoof and immediately his band kicked up with a heavy beat.

https://youtu.be/txLhxY_mNzE

“Rayne! Rayne!” Starlight yelled but she could no longer be heard over the music and the roar of the crowd. The mares from Ponyville were now left with nothing to do other than to watch the show.

“I don’t need diamond rings or a high price suit that shines!” Faceless screamed to the crowd.
“Limousines and flashing things or ancient bottled wine!” Now a rhythm kicked in from the crowd as the base guitarist encouraged the crowd to jump.
“Designer names and lavish things and million dollar hair!
Bonny dames without a brain,
I never really cared!
Wow! Yeaaaaah!!!” The crowd was going wild once again as they all cheered along to his lyrics.

“I don’t care for glitzy things or a fancy neighborhood!
Glamour games or plastic fame or the king of Ponywood!” Shining Records scoffed as he realized he was never going to convince this singer to join him.
“Dazzling flamboyant things or a top hat on my head!
Modeling for magazines and to be a deboinair!” But Records missed it as Faceless nodded to Svengallop and then to him. Likewise he also failed to notice as his two muscle ponies were mysteriously removed from his sides as well.

“I don’t care nothin’ about it!
Wow! Yeaaaaah!!!” Records jumped when Svengallop appeared out of nowhere and plopped his hoof over his shoulder.

“I think it’s time for you to leave.” The pompous stallion attempted to argue back but never got the chance. “Oh I can just read the headlines now. ‘Top Canterlot Music Produce Can’t Hold His Own, Gets Thrown Out of Nightclub Like Gutter Trash!’ Has quite the ring to it don’t you think?”

As he was being pulled out the door Records shouted, “You’re making a big mistake! Don’t you know who I -AAMMM!” He cried as the bouncer threw him out the door into a pile of garbage bins on the sidewalk.

“You’re eighty-sized! Don’t come back!” The mammoth of a stallion told him.

Svengallop stood by his side smiling and followed the bouncer back inside. But then he stopped and his blood ran ice cold as he felt something sharp digging into his shoulder while a voice spoke from just behind him. “You and I need to have a little talk. Bring those girls to my room.”

“Y-yes s-sir.” Svengallop whimpered as he felt panther claws digging deeper into his shoulder, even as Faceless continued to sing up on stage.

“Oh and Svengallop… You better hope they weren’t hurt tonight. What was our agreement? Repeat it back to me...”

“It’s-a, it’s-a… Everything you say… when you say… without fail.” The pale stallion whimpered. The bouncer looked back questioningly seeing some sort of shadow looming over his boss’s shoulder but Svengallop immediately waved him off to leave him alone.

“And if you ever betray me, back stab me, or misrepresent me?” The voice breathed against his ear causing the stallion to buckle in the knees with fright.

“I wont! Please… I promise I wont!” Svengallop whispered remembering every detail of when the large dark feline had approached him and struck their deal in the dark of night.

All of a sudden the presence was gone but Svengallop was certain he could feel Faceless looking right at him from across the club.
“I don’t care nothin’ about it! Wow! Yeaaaaah!!!” The singer encored for the audience. “I don’t care nothin’ about it!” Svengallop nodded and the crowd cheered their praise as the song ended.

Twilight and the others now looked to each other nervously feeling unsure of what to do. But just as the song was over they saw Rayne’s manager push his way through the crowd toward them. “Please, all of you come with me. If you want to talk to Rayne then that’s fine but not until I get you away from this crowd.” None of the mares wanted to follow him because of their past dealings with him in Ponyville. “Please!” But his pleading triggered something in Applejack that made her believe he was telling them the truth.

“Alright. But you better explain this whole mess to us right quick!” The country mare shouted and he nodded before escorting the group into the backstage hallway and then guiding them straight to the performer’s lounge.

Author's Notes:

Hello all. Yeah so a semi dark chapter here and definitely one that raises lots of questions. First of all let me remind you that I stated long before that crime exists in my understanding of Equestria. Just because it isn't prevalent in everyday society doesn't mean it can't be found if you go looking for it. Equestria is a kind and happy place... but no where is perfect.

Okay so as for the previously foreshadowing hint, who remembers Rayne's date with Starlight where he split a copy of himself away to meet with a secret party backstage in Vinyl's club? It was him making arrangements with Svengallop all along.

Yeah so bomb drop. Rayne has been having a copy of himself living in Manehattan in secret who's been carrying on as an underground rock star. He had been carrying on in name only but after Raybe acquired Changeling magic he started making appearances in this underground club.

Oh please, come on. Fluttershy being a fan of rock and metal? That's just awesome. Remember, she likes being friends with Discord after all. It shouldn't be so surprising.

Okay so speaking from personal experience I have actually been to underground clubs before with secret doors and scary bouncers. It's not all Hollywood dramatization. So as it was pointed out to me, spellbinding rings are canon since S9EP15. But I'll be having them be a rare item that do exist but are not common place in this story.

The first song Rayne sang was Heavy by Theory of a Deadman. I love how the lyrics fit perfectly for introducing that Rayne isn't afraid to sing songs that normally might be too metal for Equestria. It's the perfect fit for an underground club scene.

The second song was Debonair by Dope and is also an appropriate song for telling Shining Records to step off. And Records is an OC I created for this scene, mainly to show how Rayne hired Svengallop to throw out the trash for him.

But as shady of a character as Svengallop might be, Rayne knows all his ills and is on it to not allow his manager any slack.