Social Sciences (IC)

[Das Metro]

The OOC

Manehatten was a pretty city at night. Nothing like the splendor of Las Pegas, but the skyline of Manehatten just had that unique flare. The towering skyscrapers, the fashion plaza, everything was larger than life. Unfortunately, that exaggeration applied to more than the cityscape. That exaggeration also applied to the crime in Manehatten.

Crime had become a problem in Equestria, but Manehatten was a hot zone. When a city was as big as Manehatten, with as much industry and commerce going on, it became a breeding ground for corruption. The day was the safe, as if Celestia's Sun was a repellent to those in low places, but as soon as Luna brought her moon to bear in the sky, they came out of the nooks and crannies like cockroaches, scraping along for a meal. It was a mutually recognized fact among the ponies, humans, and anthro's in Equestria, though it often went unspoken. Sad but true.

A paper white stallion with a black hooded jacket hugging tighly to his slender form crept through the streets with a paranoid look on his face. His long black mane was dirty and matted with sweat from Luna knows what. Running from thugs with knives counted as exercise didn't it? It was great cardio. Opium gave the pony next to him the same paranoid look, and the black coated bat pony just about smacked him. Whisper hated it when Opium bitched out like this.

"Calm down," Whisper muttered quietly, his blood red eyes glowing brightly in the dark, "It's gonna go fine."

"Nah, fuck that shit, I'mma get my ass killed," Opium said hurriedly, giving Whisper a look.

Whisper sighed, "I'm here remember?"

"So?"

"You brought me along so you wouldn't get your ass killed."

Opium squinted at Whisper, "Are you a wizard?"

"...What?"

"You just read my fucking mind."

Whisper glared at Opium and shook his head, "Shut up and walk Opium, we're almost there."

That must of sounded like a good idea to Opium, because he didn't say anything as he nervously continued on his way with Whisper. Opium could still remember how he met his bat pony friend. It was a long story full of grandeur, and adventure and- who the fuck was he kidding. Whisper was on duty, and Opium was sleeping outside of a boutique, whose owner was not happy to have a scantily clad colt dozed outside her place of business.

The pair of unlikely friends had reached their destination after close to a half hour of trotting in the dark. Perhaps that was another reason why Opium brought him along. It was dark as all hell, and this part of Manehatten didn't have street lights. Well, it did, it was just that folks like Opium threw rocks at them for fun. Their destination was a tall warehouse, on the very edge of the Manehatten waterfront. The walls stretches up to the sky like the hands of the American Authors, and the windows were shattered like love, and hope, and sex, and dreams. Opium frowned, "Think they're coming."

"Opium, you blew up their email with directions, they're coming."

Opium bit his lip, "What if it all ended up in the spam folder!?"

"Well, it's not like anyone wants to hear what you have to say-"

"Shut up! They'll come..."

Whisper sighed and shook his head as he climbed into the warehouse through one of the broken windows on the bottom floor. This is where they'd all be meeting, all the members of what would be the biggest gang in Manehatten! Okay, that might of been wishful thinking.

[The Flutterlands]

A lone, teenage unicorn with black mane and coat was strolling the streets of Manehatten. Things has been rough for Pitch Black since he ran away from the wretched City Orphanage. However, there's nothing that a gun and a few knives, can't solve. Though, there's still having to find shelter from the cold and rain. Damn this city. thought Pitch, Damn it all to tartarus. The black unicorn colt looked at the paper with the location the place were he's suppose to be. Unlike everypony else, Pitch didn't get an email. Instead, some batpony dropped a note beside him, while he was sleeping under a box. Once Pitch took his eyes off of the paper, he found himself right in front of the building. Guess this is it. thought Pitch, sighing slightly as he crossed the street. Pitch Black walked towards the door, and knocked on it.

[Aelarus]

JACK NICKELS
TERROR OPERATION ON ASTRAL STAR

Rain fell lightly on lower east side Manehatten. Jack sat quietly on the roof of a cafe, staring out at the street. His earpiece clicked and a gruff voice came through it.

"Astral is moving down on your left side, he's in a black limo."

"Have the parameters changed?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Alright then, just make sure you do your part because I'm not all that sure you'll be able to keep up."

"Be glad no one's payed me to shoot you yet."

"Oh, I'm sure, always looking to remove the competition right? Especially since I'm better."

At this point, a black limousine came into view from down the street. The window tint hid what was inside but it obviously had the target inside, or at least a double, either would work just fine.

"He-"

"Can't talk, going through interference, must be excessive amounts of sarcasm clogging my mic."

Jack raised his rifle and deftly shot out the tires, causing the limo to swerve out of control straight into a lamp post.

"Damn" Jack commented, "I was aiming for the shopping mall front entrance."

"Like hell I'm going to drive a bus into a shopping mall."

"Just hurry up and hit the car will you?"

"Fine."

A bus barreled down the street, heading straight for the crashed vehicle. The occupants all scrambled out in a hurry, and staggered away. The driver of the bus jumped out and took flight as the bus rammed into the pole, completely dislodging the empty limo and sending it straight I to the store under him.

"Well I'm impressed, I think you scared some diners."

Jack jumped down onto the roof of the bus and fired at the escaping targets. The guard and driver both fell, bullets deftly passing through both their skulls.

The last pony standing was obviously a very bad double who was trembling in fear on the sidewalk. Jack hopped down and stood over the double.

"Tell Astral that Mister Bristles sends his regards."

He dropped a bullet casing at the pony's hooves, turned, and left.

[The Republic of Greater Appalachia]

Brandon McTavish.

After receiving a crap load of emails about this secret meeting from a stallion named Opium Brandon decided to go to the meeting to see what this was about. If this was a Robin Hood type group he could live with it as long as they didn't go to any extremes, but if not, then he will do his best to make sure that this group has bad luck. Anyway he went to the building and picked the lock and went inside.

Luna.

Luna was doing her normal duties of the night, which wasn't much other than dealing with a few trivial matters that happened to come up the ladder. All in all it wasn't much, until a anonymous letter showed up, she knew who it was that sent it, but there would be problems if others knew who was sending them. So until the right day comes, it's been in secret. She opened the letter which was a "friendly" letter from Brandon McTavish. Telling her about some things that he planned on doing when he had a chance to get to Canterlot and that he was heading to a meeting place to a unknown group. After reading it she muttered to herself "Good luck. Don't get hurt."

[Das Metro]

A lone, teenage unicorn with black mane and coat was strolling the streets of Manehatten. Things has been rough for Pitch Black since he ran away from the wretched City Orphanage. However, there's nothing that a gun and a few knives, can't solve. Though, there's still having to find shelter from the cold and rain. Damn this city. thought Pitch, Damn it all to tartarus. The black unicorn colt looked at the paper with the location the place were he's suppose to be. Unlike everypony else, Pitch didn't get an email. Instead, some batpony dropped a note beside him, while he was sleeping under a box. Once Pitch took his eyes off of the paper, he found himself right in front of the building. {i]Guess this is it.[/i] thought Pitch, sighing slightly as he crossed the street. Pitch Black walked towards the door, and knocked on it.

Brandon McTavish.

After receiving a crap load of emails about this secret meeting from a stallion named Opium Brandon decided to go to the meeting to see what this was about. If this was a Robin Hood type group he could live with it as long as they didn't go to any extremes, but if not, then he will do his best to make sure that this group has bad luck. Anyway he went to the building and picked the lock and went inside.

Inside the warehouse was a mess of machinery. Word on the street was the building used to store factory assembly lines and all that heavy stuff. The place was used to store heavy metal, so it was only fitting Opium had brought a portable speaker with him and had hooked up Whisper's phone to it. At first glance, Opium figured Whisper for a jazz guy, but for whatever reason, there Morbid Angel ripping out of the speakers, and Whisper seemed to be enjoying himself. Opium scoffed, "How do you listen to this?"

"It's Altars of Madness, this is great."

"This is scary."

Whisper rolled his eyes and peered out into the cluttered dark of the warehouse, "Shut up Opium, I think we got visitors..."

Opium smiled, and then gave Whisper a look, "Shut off that music! We want them to think we're friendly."

"...I'll put on something jazzy."

It was Opium's turn to roll his eyes as he galloped to the door and ripped it open, "Hello~!.. The fuck. You're a kid."

Meanwhile, Whisper gazed out, "Hey... Anyone else there?"

[The Flutterlands]

A lone, teenage unicorn with black mane and coat was strolling the streets of Manehatten. Things has been rough for Pitch Black since he ran away from the wretched City Orphanage. However, there's nothing that a gun and a few knives, can't solve. Though, there's still having to find shelter from the cold and rain. Damn this city. thought Pitch, Damn it all to tartarus. The black unicorn colt looked at the paper with the location the place were he's suppose to be. Unlike everypony else, Pitch didn't get an email. Instead, some batpony dropped a note beside him, while he was sleeping under a box. Once Pitch took his eyes off of the paper, he found himself right in front of the building. {i]Guess this is it.[/i] thought Pitch, sighing slightly as he crossed the street. Pitch Black walked towards the door, and knocked on it.

Brandon McTavish.

After receiving a crap load of emails about this secret meeting from a stallion named Opium Brandon decided to go to the meeting to see what this was about. If this was a Robin Hood type group he could live with it as long as they didn't go to any extremes, but if not, then he will do his best to make sure that this group has bad luck. Anyway he went to the building and picked the lock and went inside.

Inside the warehouse was a mess of machinery. Word on the street was the building used to store factory assembly lines and all that heavy stuff. The place was used to store heavy metal, so it was only fitting Opium had brought a portable speaker with him and had hooked up Whisper's phone to it. At first glance, Opium figured Whisper for a jazz guy, but for whatever reason, there Morbid Angel ripping out of the speakers, and Whisper seemed to be enjoying himself. Opium scoffed, "How do you listen to this?"

"It's Altars of Madness, this is great."

"This is scary."

Whisper rolled his eyes and peered out into the cluttered dark of the warehouse, "Shut up Opium, I think we got visitors..."

Opium smiled, and then gave Whisper a look, "Shut off that music! We want them to think we're friendly."

"...I'll put on something jazzy."

It was Opium's turn to roll his eyes as he galloped to the door and ripped it open, "Hello~!.. The fuck. You're a kid."

Meanwhile, Whisper gazed out, "Hey... Anyone else there?"

Pitch rolled his eyes, before giving Opium a cold stare. He was quite use to these kinds of greetings. Not that heard those exact words before, just that it's rare that Pitch receives a polite greeting. "Yeah, so?" said Pitch with a cold voice, "This is your ad, right?" The black unicorn colt showed Opium the paper he had, and debated in his head wither or not to just blow his brains out, and leave.

[Das Metro]

Pitch rolled his eyes, before giving Opium a cold stare. He was quite use to these kinds of greetings. Not that heard those exact words before, just that it's rare that Pitch receives a polite greeting. "Yeah, so?" said Pitch with a cold voice, "This is your ad, right?" The black unicorn colt showed Opium the paper he had, and debated in his head wither or not to just blow his brains out, and leave.

Opium glared right back at Pitch. Though he met very few children his age back during his foalhood due to... situational complications, he could tell a troublemaker when he saw one. What was worse, was this troublemaker in particular was savvy enough to print out the email. If it came down to it, Opium figured he might have to flame war this punk. "Whatever... Wait... How the hell do you have an email!? You look homeless!.." Opium said, and paused, "You smell homeless too... Have you been using public computers? That's fucking lame."

JACK NICKELS
TERROR OPERATION ON ASTRAL STAR

Rain fell lightly on lower east side Manehatten. Jack sat quietly on the roof of a cafe, staring out at the street. His earpiece clicked and a gruff voice came through it.

"Astral is moving down on your left side, he's in a black limo."

"Have the parameters changed?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Alright then, just make sure you do your part because I'm not all that sure you'll be able to keep up."

"Be glad no one's payed me to shoot you yet."

"Oh, I'm sure, always looking to remove the competition right? Especially since I'm better."

At this point, a black limousine came into view from down the street. The window tint hid what was inside but it obviously had the target inside, or at least a double, either would work just fine.

"He-"

"Can't talk, going through interference, must be excessive amounts of sarcasm clogging my mic."

Jack raised his rifle and deftly shot out the tires, causing the limo to swerve out of control straight into a lamp post.

"Damn" Jack commented, "I was aiming for the shopping mall front entrance."

"Like hell I'm going to drive a bus into a shopping mall."

"Just hurry up and hit the car will you?"

"Fine."

A bus barreled down the street, heading straight for the crashed vehicle. The occupants all scrambled out in a hurry, and staggered away. The driver of the bus jumped out and took flight as the bus rammed into the pole, completely dislodging the empty limo and sending it straight I to the store under him.

"Well I'm impressed, I think you scared some diners."

Jack jumped down onto the roof of the bus and fired at the escaping targets. The guard and driver both fell, bullets deftly passing through both their skulls.

The last pony standing was obviously a very bad double who was trembling in fear on the sidewalk. Jack hopped down and stood over the double.

"Tell Astral that Mister Bristles sends his regards."

He dropped a bullet casing at the pony's hooves, turned, and left.

Karbidan was in no sense a stranger to violence. He grew up on the snow shod streets of Stalliongrad, and was shooting rifles before he could read. Of course, he didn't learn to do so until he was ten, but what does that have to do with anything. The point was, was that a man just killed quite a few people in a stunning display of badassery that would of made a McLane proud. In theory, approaching a dangerous gunman was a bad idea, but Karbidan didn't have much to live for other than a nagging wife and a pair of overachieving daughters. With a slow, cautious step, Karbidan inched towards the man. "Hey!" the brown earth pony called out, "Meester! I 'vould like, a- uh, a 'vord with you!"

[Aelarus]

JACK NICKELS
TERROR OPERATION ON ASTRAL STAR

Rain fell lightly on lower east side Manehatten. Jack sat quietly on the roof of a cafe, staring out at the street. His earpiece clicked and a gruff voice came through it.

"Astral is moving down on your left side, he's in a black limo."

"Have the parameters changed?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Alright then, just make sure you do your part because I'm not all that sure you'll be able to keep up."

"Be glad no one's payed me to shoot you yet."

"Oh, I'm sure, always looking to remove the competition right? Especially since I'm better."

At this point, a black limousine came into view from down the street. The window tint hid what was inside but it obviously had the target inside, or at least a double, either would work just fine.

"He-"

"Can't talk, going through interference, must be excessive amounts of sarcasm clogging my mic."

Jack raised his rifle and deftly shot out the tires, causing the limo to swerve out of control straight into a lamp post.

"Damn" Jack commented, "I was aiming for the shopping mall front entrance."

"Like hell I'm going to drive a bus into a shopping mall."

"Just hurry up and hit the car will you?"

"Fine."

A bus barreled down the street, heading straight for the crashed vehicle. The occupants all scrambled out in a hurry, and staggered away. The driver of the bus jumped out and took flight as the bus rammed into the pole, completely dislodging the empty limo and sending it straight I to the store under him.

"Well I'm impressed, I think you scared some diners."

Jack jumped down onto the roof of the bus and fired at the escaping targets. The guard and driver both fell, bullets deftly passing through both their skulls.

The last pony standing was obviously a very bad double who was trembling in fear on the sidewalk. Jack hopped down and stood over the double.

"Tell Astral that Mister Bristles sends his regards."

He dropped a bullet casing at the pony's hooves, turned, and left.

Karbidan was in no sense a stranger to violence. He grew up on the snow shod streets of Stalliongrad, and was shooting rifles before he could read. Of course, he didn't learn to do so until he was ten, but what does that have to do with anything. The point was, was that a man just killed quite a few people in a stunning display of badassery that would of made a McLane proud. In theory, approaching a dangerous gunman was a bad idea, but Karbidan didn't have much to live for other than a nagging wife and a pair of overachieving daughters. With a slow, cautious step, Karbidan inched towards the man. "Hey!" the brown earth pony called out, "Meester! I 'vould like, a- uh, a 'vord with you!"

JACK NICKELS
WANDERING, LOWER EAST SIDE

Jack slung his rifle over his shoulder and thumbed his mic.

"The job is done."

A sinister, thin voice responded through the earpiece, "Excellent Mr. Daniels. We have moved your payment into the account you have specified. It is a pleasure to watch you work."

Jack closed the connection, and continued walking but stopped when a bystander called out to him. He turned to find a brown earth pony roughly middle aged, eagerly vying for his attention. He answered.

"So, what do you want?"

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch rolled his eyes, before giving Opium a cold stare. He was quite use to these kinds of greetings. Not that heard those exact words before, just that it's rare that Pitch receives a polite greeting. "Yeah, so?" said Pitch with a cold voice, "This is your ad, right?" The black unicorn colt showed Opium the paper he had, and debated in his head wither or not to just blow his brains out, and leave.

Opium glared right back at Pitch. Though he met very few children his age back during his foalhood due to... situational complications, he could tell a troublemaker when he saw one. What was worse, was this troublemaker in particular was savvy enough to print out the email. If it came down to it, Opium figured he might have to flame war this punk. "Whatever... Wait... How the hell do you have an email!? You look homeless!.." Opium said, and paused, "You smell homeless too... Have you been using public computers? That's fucking lame."

Pitch's eye twitched and his neck cracked, but he kept his cool. Though, in his mental debate, Pitch did began to lean towards the idea of blowing Opium's brains out. "No," said Pitch in his usual cold voice, "I don't even have an email. Last night, I was busy sleeping in my... box, when I felt that paper rolled up in a ball, land on my head. I looked up, and saw a bat pony flying overhead."

[Das Metro]

Pitch's eye twitched and his neck cracked, but he kept his cool. Though, in his mental debate, Pitch did began to lean towards the idea of blowing Opium's brains out. "No," said Pitch in his usual cold voice, "I don't even have an email. Last night, I was busy sleeping in my... box, when I felt that paper rolled up in a ball, land on my head. I looked up, and saw a bat pony flying overhead."

Opium eye twitched right back and he slowly craned his head back into the warehouse where Whisper was nodding his head to a rollicking Carniflex number. "Whisper! Did you print out the email?!" Opium shouted.

"Yeah!" Whisper called back, "Why?"

Opium stomped his hooves in a foalish manner, "You ass! What if they got picked up by police?"

"I didn't drop any."

"Well," Opium angrily shrilled, "This smelly kid out here says a bat pony dropped one on his head!"

Whisper paused. It wasn't often he was really at fault with Opium. "Hey it's- it's hard to carry a stack of papers when you're flying..." Whisper said indignantly.

Opium rolled his eyes, "Bullshit! I've seen you carry bodies while flying!"

"Yeah, I'm much more comfortable carrying those!"

"You are a no-good, leathery bird!" Opium shouted.

"That's racist!"

"You're racist!"

Whisper rolled his eyes and turned the music up. Opium huffed and turned back to Pitch, "Come in y'little scamp..."

JACK NICKELS
WANDERING, LOWER EAST SIDE

Jack slung his rifle over his shoulder and thumbed his mic.

"The job is done."

A sinister, thin voice responded through the earpiece, "Excellent Mr. Daniels. We have moved your payment into the account you have specified. It is a pleasure to watch you work."

Jack closed the connection, and continued walking but stopped when a bystander called out to him. He turned to find a brown earth pony roughly middle aged, eagerly vying for his attention. He answered.

"So, what do you want?"

Karbidan stopped dead in his tracks and smiled warmly. It bothered his wife how friendly he was with strangers, especially criminals, but Karbidan just genuinely wanted people to feel comfortable around him. "Ah- Er, I say what you deed back there young man, and I haf' to say that I am 'eempressed," Karbidan began happily, "My nephew is uh- a contractor... Pays very 'vell! Big time sort of fella..." Okay, so maybe that was a lie, but that was what Opium had told him to do! He internally rolled his eyes. Karbidan loved his nephew, but sometimes he figuref that Opium should be shot. Not because he was a bad pony (which he was), but because he could be such a ditz.

[Aelarus]

Karbidan stopped dead in his tracks and smiled warmly. It bothered his wife how friendly he was with strangers, especially criminals, but Karbidan just genuinely wanted people to feel comfortable around him. "Ah- Er, I say what you deed back there young man, and I haf' to say that I am 'eempressed," Karbidan began happily, "My nephew is uh- a contractor... Pays very 'vell! Big time sort of fella..." Okay, so maybe that was a lie, but that was what Opium had told him to do! He internally rolled his eyes. Karbidan loved his nephew, but sometimes he figuref that Opium should be shot. Not because he was a bad pony (which he was), but because he could be such a ditz.

JACK NICKELS
WANDERING, LOWER EAST SIDE

Jack had apparently found a new customer. Groups popped up and down on the scene so this wasn't all that surprising, but being directly approached after a job was unique.

"I'll tell you what, tell you're nephew that I can be reached through this number," he said, handing the pony a slip of paper, "Then we can discuss possible arrangements. Have a nice night."

He left, tossing a rope end idly in his hands, quickly vanishing into the shadow of an alley.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch's eye twitched and his neck cracked, but he kept his cool. Though, in his mental debate, Pitch did began to lean towards the idea of blowing Opium's brains out. "No," said Pitch in his usual cold voice, "I don't even have an email. Last night, I was busy sleeping in my... box, when I felt that paper rolled up in a ball, land on my head. I looked up, and saw a bat pony flying overhead."

Opium eye twitched right back and he slowly craned his head back into the warehouse where Whisper was nodding his head to a rollicking Carniflex number. "Whisper! Did you print out the email?!" Opium shouted.

"Yeah!" Whisper called back, "Why?"

Opium stomped his hooves in a foalish manner, "You ass! What if they got picked up by police?"

"I didn't drop any."

"Well," Opium angrily shrilled, "This smelly kid out here says a bat pony dropped one on his head!"

Whisper paused. It wasn't often he was really at fault with Opium. "Hey it's- it's hard to carry a stack of papers when you're flying..." Whisper said indignantly.

Opium rolled his eyes, "Bullshit! I've seen you carry bodies while flying!"

"Yeah, I'm much more comfortable carrying those!"

"You are a no-good, leathery bird!" Opium shouted.

"That's racist!"

"You're racist!"

Whisper rolled his eyes and turned the music up. Opium huffed and turned back to Pitch, "Come in y'little scamp..."

Pitch's eye twitched once more at Opium's name calling, and he continued to debate wither or not to just kill Opium and his bat friend, and leave. However, Pitch nodded and trotted inside. Hmmm... he thought, Not a bad looking place, yet what do I know? Pitch sighed, and took out a box of cigarettes from his cloak. "Mind if I smoke, Mister... Opium, is it?"

[Das Metro]

Pitch's eye twitched once more at Opium's name calling, and he continued to debate wither or not to just kill Opium and his bat friend, and leave. However, Pitch nodded and trotted inside. Hmmm... he thought, Not a bad looking place, yet what do I know? Pitch sighed, and took out a box of cigarettes from his cloak. "Mind if I smoke, Mister... Opium, is it?"

"Go ahead kid, if I know who is showing up tonight, I'd be a hypocrite to tell you that y'can't," Opium said curtly. This wasn't the only youth he had involved in his criminal life. There were a surprising amount of children involved in the crime scene. Opium kept them around because not only were they seedlings of useful soldiers, but worked great as hostages and meat shields. No cop would shoot at him if he had a little kid as a shield, criminal or not.

JACK NICKELS
WANDERING, LOWER EAST SIDE

Jack had apparently found a new customer. Groups popped up and down on the scene so this wasn't all that surprising, but being directly approached after a job was unique.

"I'll tell you what, tell you're nephew that I can be reached through this number," he said, handing the pony a slip of paper, "Then we can discuss possible arrangements. Have a nice night."

He left, tossing a rope end idly in his hands, quickly vanishing into the shadow of an alley.

Well, that wasn't abnormal in any way. Karbidan watched as Jack slinked away and pocketed the number in his saddlebag. It now sat among his many groceries. Karbidan smiled and turned back to his route home. His wife surely wouldn't be pleased with his dilly-dallying, but his nephew would.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch's eye twitched once more at Opium's name calling, and he continued to debate wither or not to just kill Opium and his bat friend, and leave. However, Pitch nodded and trotted inside. Hmmm... he thought, Not a bad looking place, yet what do I know? Pitch sighed, and took out a box of cigarettes from his cloak. "Mind if I smoke, Mister... Opium, is it?"

"Go ahead kid, if I know who is showing up tonight, I'd be a hypocrite to tell you that y'can't," Opium said curtly. This wasn't the only youth he had involved in his criminal life. There were a surprising amount of children involved in the crime scene. Opium kept them around because not only were they seedlings of useful soldiers, but worked great as hostages and meat shields. No cop would shoot at him if he had a little kid as a shield, criminal or not.

Pitch sighed coldly, and sat down on the couch. He took out a lighter, and lit his cigarette, before putting it in his mouth, and sighing once more. The black unicorn colt took an enjoyment in smoking ever since he ran away from the orphanage, and liked how it calmed his nerves. "So," said Pitch, "What exactly are we going to be doing, as far as crime goes? I don't mind slitting some throats, or blowing some brians out. ...As long as you provide me with food and a good place to stay."

[The Republic of Greater Appalachia]

Brandon was watching from a hidden place, just enjoying himself as this meeting was more of an argument than anything based on what he could tell. His concern about this group was almost none, since they can't agree here there business wouldn't ever grow past this.

[Das Metro]

"Go ahead kid, if I know who is showing up tonight, I'd be a hypocrite to tell you that y'can't," Opium said curtly. This wasn't the only youth he had involved in his criminal life. There were a surprising amount of children involved in the crime scene. Opium kept them around because not only were they seedlings of useful soldiers, but worked great as hostages and meat shields. No cop would shoot at him if he had a little kid as a shield, criminal or not.

Pitch sighed coldly, and sat down on the couch. He took out a lighter, and lit his cigarette, before putting it in his mouth, and sighing once more. The black unicorn colt took an enjoyment in smoking ever since he ran away from the orphanage, and liked how it calmed his nerves. "So," said Pitch, "What exactly are we going to be doing, as far as crime goes? I don't mind slitting some throats, or blowing some brians out. ...As long as you provide me with food and a good place to stay."

Opium nodded, "If you want you could stay with my Uncle, he's real nice." As far as Opium knew, Karbidan would accept just about anyone into his home. He could recall on multiple occasions where he stumbled onto his uncle's doorstep, drunk as all hell, and covered in a mix of blood, vomit, and other various forms of filth, and that humble earth pony still let him stay.

"If you want kid, you can stay at my place too," Whisper said, "As long as you don't bother my niece."

"But to answer your question..." Opium began, "We're gonna start off small. You let me worry about throat slitting, and bomb making, and all that fun stuff."

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch sighed coldly, and sat down on the couch. He took out a lighter, and lit his cigarette, before putting it in his mouth, and sighing once more. The black unicorn colt took an enjoyment in smoking ever since he ran away from the orphanage, and liked how it calmed his nerves. "So," said Pitch, "What exactly are we going to be doing, as far as crime goes? I don't mind slitting some throats, or blowing some brians out. ...As long as you provide me with food and a good place to stay."

Opium nodded, "If you want you could stay with my Uncle, he's real nice." As far as Opium knew, Karbidan would accept just about anyone into his home. He could recall on multiple occasions where he stumbled onto his uncle's doorstep, drunk as all hell, and covered in a mix of blood, vomit, and other various forms of filth, and that humble earth pony still let him stay.

"If you want kid, you can stay at my place too," Whisper said, "As long as you don't bother my niece."

"But to answer your question..." Opium began, "We're gonna start off small. You let me worry about throat slitting, and bomb making, and all that fun stuff."

Pitch took his cigarette out of his mouth for a moment with his magic, and sighed. He was somewhat disappointed that he won't be able to put his talents with weapons to use. Not that he can't fight without them. He once broke a pony's neck with his magic. It was really easy, really. The black unicorn colt thought about it, and decided to go live with Opium's uncle. "I guess I'll live with your uncle, Opium." said Pitch calmly, as he put the cigarette back into his mouth, "Where does he live, exactly?"

[Das Metro]

Pitch took his cigarette out of his mouth for a moment with his magic, and sighed. He was somewhat disappointed that he won't be able to put his talents with weapons to use. Not that he can't fight without them. He once broke a pony's neck with his magic. It was really easy, really. The black unicorn colt thought about it, and decided to go live with Opium's uncle. "I guess I'll live with your uncle, Opium." said Pitch calmly, as he put the cigarette back into his mouth, "Where does he live, exactly?"

Opium had to think about that for a moment. Whenever he found himself going to his Uncle's, he didn't really rely on street signs, it was more memory than anything. "Uh... He lives in like... a big fancy townhouse..." Opium said after a moment of thought, "Uh... Fuck it, after this I'll take you alright? Or maybe I can have Whisper take you there, I might have shit to do." Whisper gave Opium a look and went back to scrolling through his music. He really hated it when Opium dumped responsibilities on him, though it seemed to happen alot. He'd just spit in his coffee the next time he got sent out to Starbucks.

Brandon was watching from a hidden place, just enjoying himself as this meeting was more of an argument than anything based on what he could tell. His concern about this group was almost none, since they can't agree here there business wouldn't ever grow past this.

The door of the warehouse slowly edged open, and a little rust colored mare stumbled in. At first glance, she very well could of been a foal, but this was indeed a mare, if a rather petite one. She carried herself with a rather nervous gait, shooting paranoid glances around the warehouse as though she were afraid of the dark. By the way she gazed into the black, the mare very well could of been. "Uh, hello? Opium? A-Are you there?" she called out, looking around.

[The Flutterlands]

Pitch took his cigarette out of his mouth for a moment with his magic, and sighed. He was somewhat disappointed that he won't be able to put his talents with weapons to use. Not that he can't fight without them. He once broke a pony's neck with his magic. It was really easy, really. The black unicorn colt thought about it, and decided to go live with Opium's uncle. "I guess I'll live with your uncle, Opium." said Pitch calmly, as he put the cigarette back into his mouth, "Where does he live, exactly?"

Opium had to think about that for a moment. Whenever he found himself going to his Uncle's, he didn't really rely on street signs, it was more memory than anything. "Uh... He lives in like... a big fancy townhouse..." Opium said after a moment of thought, "Uh... Fuck it, after this I'll take you alright? Or maybe I can have Whisper take you there, I might have shit to do." Whisper gave Opium a look and went back to scrolling through his music. He really hated it when Opium dumped responsibilities on him, though it seemed to happen a lot. He'd just spit in his coffee the next time he got sent out to Starbucks.

Pitch sighed and looked at the bat-pony Whisper for a few minutes. He began to debate wither this was even a good idea, joining this seemingly incompetent crime organization, and ultimately decided that he would kill every member, with finds no use for them. "Anyway..." said the black colt, "I'm Pitch Black."

[The Republic of Greater Appalachia]

Brandon noticed the mare in the dark and also noticed how afraid she looked in it. He left his little hiding spot and went over to her. He knelt down so he was eye level with her and he spoke in a soft voice, "Hi there. What's your name?"

[Das Metro]

Pitch sighed and looked at the bat-pony Whisper for a few minutes. He began to debate wither this was even a good idea, joining this seemingly incompetent crime organization, and ultimately decided that he would kill every member, with finds no use for them. "Anyway..." said the black colt, "I'm Pitch Black."

Whisper looked away from his iPod and glanced at Pitch. "Nice to meet you kid. Don't let Opium scare you. He's only scary when he eats his breakfast off a mirror, if you know what I mean," Whisper said with a nod. Opium wasn't much different high off his plot, but he did lose his inhibitions, and that meant he could, and would do a lot of dangerous crap. Whisper recalled him snorting a line of fire ants, that ended very well.

[spoiler=Brandon]

Brandon noticed the mare in the dark and also noticed how afraid she looked in it. He left his little hiding spot and went over to her. He knelt down so he was eye level with her and he spoke in a soft voice, "Hi there. What's your name?"

The mare jumped as the figure came out of the darkness. The first thing that caught her eye about him was his bipedal stature. Opium warned her about humans, anthro's too, but not to the same degree. "U-Uhm, O-Oh..." Gallows stammered, and paused. After a moment of thought she continued, "Y-You're one of O-Opium's friends? Uhm... I- I should really talk to him first..."

[spoiler=Jack Nickels]

JACK NICKELS
WANDERING, LOWER EAST SIDE

Jack had apparently found a new customer. Groups popped up and down on the scene so this wasn't all that surprising, but being directly approached after a job was unique.

"I'll tell you what, tell you're nephew that I can be reached through this number," he said, handing the pony a slip of paper, "Then we can discuss possible arrangements. Have a nice night."

He left, tossing a rope end idly in his hands, quickly vanishing into the shadow of an alley.

Karbidan was now long gone, but phone numbers quickly changed hooves. A scarlet colored anthro unicorn was lounging idly on a bus, fiddling with his new smart phone. He heard little stories from his grandparents about a time in Equestria when 'phones' weren't even a thing. Seemed funny to him, it'd be kinda hard to live without one. He dialed the number Karbidan gave him, not quite sure what he was getting himself in to. That was apart of being friends with Opium though. Something new every time. The stallion waited as the phone rang.

[The Republic of Greater Appalachia]

"Alright, follow me, I'll take you to him." Brandon commented softly, he stood up slowly and turned around to walk to Opium. Which did raise a few questions to why he was there, but he guessed he get a answer soon enough.

[Aelarus]

Karbidan was now long gone, but phone numbers quickly changed hooves. A scarlet colored anthro unicorn was lounging idly on a bus, fiddling with his new smart phone. He heard little stories from his grandparents about a time in Equestria when 'phones' weren't even a thing. Seemed funny to him, it'd be kinda hard to live without one. He dialed the number Karbidan gave him, not quite sure what he was getting himself in to. That was apart of being friends with Opium though. Something new every time. The stallion waited as the phone rang.

JACK NICKELS
ROOF OF THE GALLOPING HOTEL, UPPER EAST SIDE

Cigar smoke trailed up and over a ventilation box twenty stories above the ground below. The Galloping wasn't the biggest hotel around, but it certainly was one of the nicer ones, even if Jack received some less than friendly glares inside. The roof he was standing on was dark, having no lights to brighten it except for his cigar and tablet on which he was idly popping red dots with his finger. Cool wind blew over Jack, making his cigar brighten slightly, then fade out.

His smartphone went off, causing him to curse and drop the cigar. An unknown contact, perhaps from the pony from the last job. He swiped across the screen and put it against his face.

"Hello, you've reached the Hangman, how may I be of your services?"