[MLP:FiM] Pony Crime Pulp Fic

[Kairaven]

This is not exactly a game, but a thread for imaginary writing set in an Alternate My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic universe.

Basically you take on a persona (ponysona) and write in first person perspective of the adventure or situations you may face in the story setting.
One of the charm of noir and pulp is finding out the secrets a pony holds, so that's a reason not to post bios, use the first few paragraphs (or less) of your first post to slightly place your current description and where you are. Jump right into another writer's action if you wish. It's more fun to reveal your background slowly through out your story.

A couple guidelines (restriction)

Spoiler

Show

- Write in 1st person perspective, in the style of noir, or pulp if you can.
- Your ponysona should be one of the following when possible, active/rookie/retired law enforcement, private eyes, or smalltime crime pony. Investigating or committing a crime to start.
- Although set in alternate MLP universe, you will never directly interact with the main casts of ponies (the mane 6, CMC, Trixie, Zecora, Celestia, Luna, Spike) You can write about some distant activity they perform that affect your story, or interact with their hench-ponies.
- Background pony and is allowed, but if someone else already placed a background pony in a role in their story, try to keep their role consistent
- If your story has your ponysona interact with another writer's ponysona, then either let them write their part of the interaction or do some writing coordination.
- Violent imagery should never be directly described, keep it PG-13

Settings:

Spoiler

Show

- The majority of the story is set in alternate Ponyville, a Criminal City (yes, it is a city in this universe.) controlled by several Crime Families.

The City is in 3 main sections, Western, Eastern and Central, each with its own police(guard) department. Although it seems only the Central Guard Department, the largest one, is any effective at keeping crime rate down. Although that's also Uptown, so the crimes up in central is just more subdued. Most pony say that central is rife with corruption, and this may be true, but it's also the only real government presence that can put up a fight against the crime lords. Cloudsdale is in the skies above Ponyville, and is considered a district of Ponyville, it sort of drifts over each ground districts, but is far enough removed that what happens on the ground don't really affect it.
Everfree Forests is past Eastern Ponyville and most pony don't venture into the area, it is not considered ponyville jurisdiction.

Terms: For the purpose of this setting,
Salt=alcohol
Sugar=drugs
Apple/pie=weapons/alternate sugar supply
Friendship beam = tazers
Moon= Prison

Weapons:
Since almost every weapon are non-lethal in nature, not counting blades, a pony usually get captured instead of injured. Unicorn ponies do have magic and pegasus ponies can fly and manipulate weather. Lightning/lightning clouds are valid weapons, but it also just stuns and is non-lethal. Rainboom are rare and probably not available to your ponysona. No lethal poison in this world either, worst you can find are probably poison joke. Magical beast are available and some deadly, but are closely controlled, probably only really high ranking members of the family/government has them available for use.
Captured criminals are usually sent to the moon. Ponies captured by a crime family isn't necessarily killed, they are just sent somewhere nopony ever hears from them again. (Rumors of underground gem mines and Diamond Dog wardens, who's knows if it's true.)

Crime Lords
1. Fluttershy controls Eastside Ponyville mainly with her smuggling racket and exotic animal slave labor, but she has a bit of dealing in almost every trade. She operates mostly near the edge of Everfree Forrest, with good deal of ties to Zecora's weapons supply. Fluttershy has the largest Crime Family in Ponyville
2. Pinkie Pie is controlling the pastry operations in the Westside of town, the second largest crime faction after Fluttershy. Normal pastry is a food staple for ponies, but her pastries have high concentration of sugar, which becomes very addicting. She also trades in confection sugar. (Note that pure refined sugar is usually too much for a pony to take, hence why it needed to be cut with corn starch to make confection sugar) There is cruder, less refined version of sugar, usually in crystal form, nicknamed “rock” that is cheaper but not as good in quality. Pinkie does not deal in rocks.
3. Apple family, mostly Salt/Apple supply business, but they have members all over Equestria, and therefore has the largest supply chain, but a small share of the market.
4. The Cloudsdale Race track controlled by Rainbow Dash, mostly deal with gambling.
5. Madam Rarity - high-class pony escort business. She’s good to her ponies and has some muscles for protection, plus some highly influential clientele.
6. Cutie Mark Crusader Gang, headed by 3 young fillies, a growing gang that deals in most small time crime, they mostly recruit troubled, directionless, young ponies that have not yet gotten their cutie marks, although some members do have them, but choose to stay with the gang. The term "Blank Flank" is an insult to them when spoken by non-members.
7. Trixie, the mysterious Trixie is the head of "The Thread", an underground information network that caters in information about anything and everything, for the right price of course.
8. Zecora, “The Zebra” operates within Everfree forest, and has a good supply of mercenaries for hire and weapons of different kinds for sale; she may also deal in information.

Government:
1. Twilight Sparkle, Hand of Celestia. Though she appears to be in cahoots with each and every Ponyville Crime lords, she is actually a spy for the government that leaks criminal operation info to the Equestrian Guards, or to try exposing corrupt officials to the Night Watchers, although some believe she also tips off the crime families to sting operations. Her position is a tight rope walk and her loyalty are unknown, which side is she really for?
2. Spike, The Judgment of Celestia, is an up and coming Federal officer of the law that untiringly arrests the criminal elements. He gets his info from Twilight, via secret dragon-breath communications. Some say he has a soft spot for Madam Rarity.
3. Celestia, The ruler of Equestria and therefore the commanding officer of Equestrian Guard. Her duty keeps her from being able to do anything substantial against the Crime Lords, plus she's also committed to rooting out government corruptions, and day to day operation of Equestrian government, which makes her immensely busy.
4. Luna, the Night Watchers, if Celestia's Equestrian Guards operate within the law, Luna's Night Watchers don't, Cloak and Shadow is their game, they are the spies, that roots out corruption from within, or assassins when the need is there, basically they are CIA. And therefore if their operatives are exposed, all governmental knowledge is denied.

Equestrian wide organizations: (optional)
1. The Guild of Chains - a shadowy organization of some influence with sinister goals, nopony know exactly what. Has come recently into some internal power struggles, so the rumor say
2. The Army of Cut Rope - another murky organization, only thing anypony knows is that they oppose the Guild.

- You can start your story anywhere.
- your ponysona can die, if you wish for it to happen. yes you can start another ponysona, but try to keep your ponysona down to 2 at most at any one time.
- You don't have to interact with other writer if you don't wish to, if they write about your ponysona and you don't respond, it is assumed they were mistaken about who they talked to or they never found you.
- Try to keep the timeline about the same if you do coordinated writing with another writer.
-Use colored text for OOC comment, voting, and writing coordination. It seems fitting that the common and dreary black text be used for this story setting.

Every once in a while I may post a few possible major events that are happening in the City of Ponyville, we might vote on it to see which event happen, you can incorporate the event's effect into your story if you wish.

At the start of this game/story, no major event is happening, business as usual in this city.

This is the chronicle of the Crime City, and the lives of the ponies that live in it....



edit: added more description on the geography of the City of Ponyville and OOC rules, also added slightly more settings descriptions including some weapon's description.

[Kairaven]

Blinders...

We intentionally blind ourselves to the happenings in and around Ponyville, just to convince ourselves that life is all sunny days and happiness.

But anypony that takes a good look will tell you, this town preys on weakness, it feeds on fear and caters to the vices.

I see the graffities that marked this part of town as CMC territory. The blank flanks has been muscling in on the pink one's pastry business, although it's still small time compared to the vast network the Pink one has established. The quality isn't up to par either, I heard they are trying to find sweeter recipes, and new sources of sugar supplies that isn't controled by Pinkie. They have ties to the Apple family though, and pure apples could do as substitute.

A birdie told me that Orzel manage to make this month's protection payment. How he manages to keep up his baking business is a miracle in itself. I cringe to think what he must have had to do to keep up with the bits payment.

But this stroll is not for pleasure, and I set my mind back towards business. I am here to find a filly, Diamond Tiara. Silly young filly thinking that her family's money could keep her out of trouble. It might have, if only she didn't offend the CMC. you don't casually call one of their members blank flank and get away with it, and political influences in Canterlot means little here. No, not in Ponyville, the capital of crime....

I do need information though, and the best place for that is The Thread, an underground information network headed by the Great and Powerful Trixie. Anything you wish to know can be bought, for a price. No pony has ever seen Trixie in person though, her trade is always in shadow, but her information is reliable.

I enter the local salting hole, and looked up at the mantle above the bar. Ah, yes, the purple hat, that shows this is one of The Thread's contact point.

It's a quiet place, and only a few ponies, tucked away in dark corners, looking deep in salt slumber. But I know better, they are here incase somepony didn't know his place. I sat at the bar and slid a few bits over the counter.

"Smoothie, with extra hay." Trixie's drink of choice, and the code to initiate business.
"Would you like anything else with your drink?"
"A look of the menu would be nice" I slide a photo of the filly on the counter, along with more bits
"very well, please wait."

The bar tender trotted into the back of the bar, and after a while came back with a smoothie and a folded piece of paper, conveniently placed under the coaster.

Only one word is written on the paper... "Lixie"

What have I gotten myself into...

Lixie, that’s a name of myth spoken in hushed tones, the boogie pony that comes up in talks only in the deepest of crime circles. In this town where the territories are clearly marked by the various heads of pony families, Lixie is the wild card.

I have only heard stories about her, the latest one involving the takeover of the Guild of Chains and Amish Pirates up in Manehattan. Who knows if it’s true? I don’t know why she would be involved, but if she is, then this is not the usual Ponyville dealings.

I need to talk with Raz_fox it seems. This job is getting worse by the minute.

[Thanqol]

Who's side am I on?

Hah. I wouldn't tell you that even if I knew.

I'm on everypony's payroll. Fluttershy pays me to make sure Rainbow Dash doesn't get herself into any trouble, Rarity employs me to make sure that Fluttershy's going to wind up kippin' with the fishes (well, more often than her job requires), Applebloom wants me to keep an eye on Scootaloo, and Pinkie has me making sure Gummy isn't on the take. I've got more masters than Shimmer at a bondage convention.

And, thing is? They all know it. They all know how many pies my hooves are in. They all know that I'll swan from crime lord to police chief, selling secrets and telling lies all the way. Everypony knows my reputation. Everypony knows my style.

I guess it's something about the mask, that faceless, eyeless, soulless mask. It makes me seem trustworthy. Makes me seem legit. It has no business doing either, but it does anyway. Applejack's normally such a good judge of character but one look at the mask and she's certain that I'm working for her and her alone, and every other job is just part of her intelligence network. Celestia help me, this mask is the only thing keeping me alive. And I've got no idea how it works.

Maybe one day I'll wake up and it won't work any more. Maybe ponies will look into my eyes, or lack thereof, and realise they're talking to a liar, a traitor, a fraud. Maybe the music will stop and everypony will realise, all at once, that they took away the last chair hours ago. Hay, not 'maybe' - it's absolutely bound to happen, bound tighter than a Guild of Chains Chief Exec'. All it needs is one pony to wise up a bit and that's the end of Metal Mask.

So what the hay am I doing here?

I looked in the mirror this morning. Looked at my own reflection, looked that blank mask in the eye myself. And I knew. I knew that I had a reason. I knew that I had a plan. And I knew that it was so secret I couldn't even tell myself.

I guess if you can't trust anypony, trust yourself.

And if you can't do that, well. That's when the trouble starts.

My name is Metal Mask. I do trust.

[Lix Lorn]

No-one understands me!
Oh, sure, you cry. The exclamation of every young mare and colt since the dawn of time. Well, I can tell you several things about that, mister, and...

And I won't. You see, that's my business. In a town of strictly defined borders, rules, and regulations, I am the blur. I fizzle the edges, sully the purity of anger, dilute the power of friendship and love. I am the laughter at the funeral and the tears at the birthday. I make everything alike different, and everything different a little more alike. I deal not in truth or lies, but deceit, confusion, half truths.

And secrets. A lie has power, and the truth can end a war. But nothing has more power than a secret.

Save maybe an iron chain. But no worry; I have plenty of both.

[Kairaven]

It is easier said than done, however, The Fox is elusive, and not so easily found.
However his old friend, Metal Mask, would probably know.

Mask, a two bit crook on the take of every pony, but because of that, he knows things, and he's easier on the wallet than Trixie. This job may pay, but I am sure only if the filly is alive and unharmed, and I don't want to incur too much expenses since I can't be certain of her fate.

But talking with mask is like talking with those ancient gods of lie and deceit in them mythologies I use to read as a foal. And his empty stare behind that pale mask gives me the creeps. I unintentionally place my hoof on my piece, an old 6-apple shooter that's been with me since my guard rookie days, its presence comforts me a bit.

The sky seems about to storm, Pegasus ponies working for one of the families no doubt. Probably in order to wash some evidence from a crime scene. I lift up my coat collar and adjusted my fedora. It's going to be a wet trot to Mask's apartment...

[Shadowy]

I survey the landscape, The city, the FILTH before me. I have my job to do though. Personal time can wait.

.................................................. ............................................

Heh. These jobs are just. too. easy. I slip into the back of the warehouse after seeing the deal go down. The mark leaves, I follow. I make my ambush, the six hidden escorts come in to try and tag me. Like I said before, easy.

.................................................. ..............................................

I make my way back to the apartment ready to drown my sorrows in some salt. When a normal pony thinks of Luna's night watchers they think of some hidden-shadow lurking pony ready to fill a wrong doing pony's throat full of knife. What they don't realize is who propogated that ideal and how it REALLY began. Either way that, in a way is behind me now. I shouldn't have much time before someone, somewhere figures out who I am. Then it's just a matter.....of time.

.................................................. ..................................................

I am Shadowy and I am hidden.

[RdMarquis]

I watch the world play out from behind the counter of a bar. Unfortunately, the actors on stage sometimes try to kill me. Needless to say, we have a tense relationship.

And yet, it is an impersonal one as well. For as often as they pass into and out of my vantage point, they never leave me with more than a drink order to identify them with. Take the vision of beauty with a coiffed purple mane and the companions who looked strong enough to pull a single locomotive each. I didn't get her name or her business here, but I remember that she ordered a bottle of Trottinger 45.

Sometimes I reach out to them. I look the other way when shady dealings are afoot, or I stop them with a well placed bullet. It depends on my mood at the time, really.

All that said, welcome to the Red Horseshoe. What can I get you?

[Raz_Fox]

Once upon a time there was a wizard. He was young, and thought himself to be rather clever and powerful, as all colts do at that age. He was, though not nearly as much as he thought. And, as the saying goes, he fell in among thieves. He dies. Everypony dies at the end.

The night's neon and wet and loud and dirty. I taste the neon, I feel the noise, I smell the rain running down in rivulets and lurking in puddles and gathering in ragged manes and fleeing to a place where there is no sin. My coat's cheap, made for a colt a size smaller than me, and it doesn't keep the wind out. Nopony bothers me. Not me. They know better.

Once upon a time there was a filly. She was beautiful, and innocent, and clever, and she ran with colts who were none of these things. Except for one, a magician, a clever clever pony. She had the world placed at her feet, but lost that one. He dies. Everypony dies at the end.

A good narrativist's hard to find. Most kill themselves young, high on sugar or salt or fillies, punching the universe in the face and then finding that they've got a glass jaw. Not me. I've got the haggard face and bright, too-bright eyes that comes with seeing the stories, though. You can't escape that. Can't escape them. A boy runs away from home to seek his fortune, and you see the trolls beneath the bridge. Too few find the Cat in Boots, or the Wise Mare, or take upon the aspect of the Fool to save themselves. So many bones beneath the bridge.

Once upon a time there was a colt. He bargained with yokai and traveled the world, to far-off Dromedaria and Neighpon, he dressed to kill and often did, he ran with the most dangerous ponies in the world. And then he ran, and he ran so far. Too dangerous, he said. And he saw what he would become. Who he would be. Seeing the Evil Enchanter looking back in his mirror. So he dies. Everypony dies in the end.

There's a photo in my pocket. Just a foal. Just a bloody foal. Not magical enough to become a wizard, just foolish enough to try and make it big. Her parents can pay just enough. They don't want to believe that she's been appled in a back alley, or shanghaied into one of Madame Rarity's exclusive "restraint" clubs. I can't believe. But I'm looking anyway, because to those who search comes finding. Maybe I won't like what I find, but they deserve to know. Everypony deserves to know. It's not kind, it's not profitable, but to Hades with that.

The night air's hot. Ponies packed together like sardines. Ponies grow cruel, trapped inside boxes, cut off from the sky. They can't dream anymore, can't see the threads.

I'm Raz. Just Raz. Some people, they used to call me Pure and Honest. She... she used to call me the Fox. Ginger-maned, ace-of-rubies in my black hat's brim, rusted iron horseshoes on my hooves, black market chains and cellar keys and a gag in my pockets. It says Narrativist on my card, and if you ask the right ponies, they'll say Chainer. I find things, I lose things, I can make ponies disappear for a little while. That's what a cellar is for, after all.

Once upon a time there was a pony who walked through dark streets. He dies, but not just yet. Not today. Because some days are merciful, and some days Luna comes to call. Some days, a pony can be found in the dark. He's in the phonebook, under N. Give him a call, if you've got nopony else to turn to.

[the_druid_droid]

Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster.

That's what the motto on my badge says. A writer might call that irony; I call it getting the short end of the stick. Not that many ponies see my badge anyway; by the time they find out who I am they're either safely home or ready for the glue factory. That's because I'm part of the Watch.

We got our start as a little rag-tag band of spies; a bunch of ponies who felt more at home in the shadows, where there weren't as many sideways glances at us or our methods. Now we're just about the only thing keeping this town together.

Not to say we haven't lost some things along the way; these days I'm not even sure whose side any of us are on. I've arranged accidents, shuffled funds, and cracked skulls on both sides; sometimes to cover my tracks and sometimes because I wanted to. These days I can't tell if my reasons were anything more than lies I told myself at the time. And it's not like the Boss helps clarify the issue; she's the worst of us all...one minute she's posing with her sister at the Gala, all smiles and social graces, and the next minute one of us is tailing Celestia's agents, looking for signs of 'disloyalty'.

The job today is simple at least; I've got to find one of Zecora's dealers and negotiate for some heavy firepower. It's supposed to be the setup for a sting later on, but who knows? Maybe the higher-ups just want some more bang for their buck...

[Kairaven]

I am drenched. Puddles of water forms around my hooves as I stand out in the hallways of Mask's apartment complex. My wing ache from the moisture, the old wound that never disappears. The doctor said it was all in my mind, that although I can't fly anymore there should be no pain, charlatans. I reach into my coat pocket and grabbed my pill box. Days like these... are pill days, just a bit to sooth the pain.

I knocked on the door of Mask's apartment....


Thanqol, you will see a old grey haired black coat Pegasus pony. You recognize him as Kai, an old guard pony now turned to a Seeker, one who finds things or person lost in the city. you are not on friendly terms but neither is he an enemy. He ask you about Raz_fox, give whatever answer you wish, and you can choose to accompany him to find RAZ, tail him for whatever reason, or leav him to go on your own adventure. or if you wish, you are not in your apartment and I never meet you. Ball is in your court


let's make some possible events for vote
you can yay it and nay it or say nothing if you con't care, a nay vote cancels a yay vote, and if there's more nays or no yays the event doesn't happen. keep in mind these events are like rumors, one hear on the streets, it may not be completely true in details. basically use them as story elements if you happen to be at the area. Events happens at the end of voting, which is exactly 24 hours from when it's posted.

event 1: CMC GANG highjacks a possible sugar shipment from Pinkie Pie in the western Ponyville, Pinkie has sent her goons to investigate, and they are pretty angry.

event 2: A watch agent reports that he has information/evidence on possible corruption charges against a high ranking Eastern Guard pony that is taking bribes from Fluttershy, but he/she is wounded and in hiding, deep inside East Ponyville, and worse, both Eastern Guards and Fluttershy family are looking for him/her.

event 3: A bank heist by small gang of ponies in central resulted in loss of a lockbox content that seemed very important to a high society pony, who has secretly place a substantial bounty for its recovery.

example of a vote:
1: yay
2: nay
3:

[dromer]

A roll of the dice.
That's all it takes to make it or break it. I'm a member of Luna's Night Watchers, though how a professional gambler like me made it in I don't know. The Night Watchers and I have a nice agreement. They give me information, the best slots, the most generous tables, the weight of the dice, the results of the races, before they happen, of course. I give them table banter, dirty dealings, the latest Equestrian big shot who fell from his high seat to deal some revenge against the race pony that lost him his fortune.
I take my chips and leave the table to the ponies who have all begun to drop the bits on my previous bets. Too bad the dealers always switch out the dice every hour.

A deal of the cards. All the kings have been played, one's in my hand. I'll have to fold.
Ponyville's premier casino always deals to win. The dealer's seen my pile of chips. He's been dealing me bad hands for the last five minutes. I'll pull out before I lose the money I need to support myself. I always loved Rainbow Dash's casinos. The dealers knew all the tricks; the likelihood of you coming out with any bits was low. And Art Deco. I loved Art Deco. Her hive of evil could never look more stunning.
I cash tonight's bounty. Another five hundred chips added to one of my identities, Silver Slots. Another gift from the good boys at the Watchers, who want to see a day in the red for the House. To be fair, I'd want to see that, too.
The cashier swore she saw me earlier. I tell that I wish I did because I can't believe I went a day without seeing her face. She giggles, and hands me the bits. I head to the casino's bar to make see what nuggets of information I can dig out from the dirt that's gathered here.


2. Yay
3. Yay

[the_druid_droid]

Sun and Moon, it’s hot. Hotter than it has any right to be after dark, and the drizzle of rain coming down over Ponyville is keeping things humid. I knock at the door of an old dive bar, nestled in tight between a cheap clad club and what used to be a theater. A good hit of salt would do me wonders right now, but business comes first; at least that way I can pretend I have my priorities in order.

The door opens up to reveal a bouncer the size of a locomotive, all gruff voice and angry looks...too bad he’s the least of my worries tonight. A few bits and a whispered password later, I’m inside the bar. The sharp tang of salt is everywhere, and in spite of myself I can feel my mouth water...gonna be hard to keep it together tonight.

Somehow, this bar is even smaller than it looks on the outside. There’s only a few other ponies in here, but it still feels crowded; by now the sweat’s matting down my mane in a couple places and all I can think about is getting on with the job. Before anypony starts to get curious, I walk up to the bar and order some food. It’s not salt, but I’m hungry and the hay fries will have to do. The businesspony I keep shut up in the back of my head is pushing me to start looking for my contact, Trigger, but that’s not how it’s going to play out.

The rules had been very clear: I stay quiet and wait for Zecora’s agent to contact me. He’d been given my description and once I was in the bar it was out of my hooves. I just hoped it wasn’t a setup. The last time I walked into a trap, I’d only gotten out by the skin of my teeth, and worse yet, my cover had almost been blown. That had been one close call too many; tonight was gonna go smooth, if I had anything to say about it.

Suddenly, a harsh whisper in my ear:“You look like you could use a shot.”
That was the signal; it looked like the food would have to wait.

“It’s hard to find a good one in this town.” I turn just in time to see a dull gray pony gesturing toward a door. It wasn’t the one I came in through, which probably meant we were headed to the back room and the real lifeline of the bar. I follow him, wondering what I’ll find behind door number two...


1.)
2.) Yay
3.)

[Thanqol]

I am drenched. Puddles of water forms around my hooves as I stand out in the hallways of Mask's apartment complex. My wing ache from the moisture, the old wound that never disappears. The doctor said it was all in my mind, that although I can't fly anymore there should be no pain, charlatans. I reach into my coat pocket and grabbed my pill box. Days like these... are pill days, just a bit to sooth the pain.

I knocked on the door of Mask's apartment....

[I understand a limited amount of god-modding is appropriate for this setup?]

Who's side am I on?

The question won't leave my mind.

I've taken the mask off, for the first time in... I can't remember. I remember I wasn't wearing it at the Summer Sun celebration. I remember that there was fresh air on my face, that the warmth seemed to melt frozen cheeks and allow a smile. I remember the Princess, smiling, benevolent, in those days before...

I don't remember when that was. I suppose I could look it up, the last time the Summer Sun celebration was held. They've been cancelled for years now. Too big and dangerous a target, can't do it, not with all these mad fillies running the show.

I don't know where the mask came from either. I don't know when I got it, how I got it. I think I knew, once. A long time ago. I think. I think once I was different.

There was a knock on the door, and I was instantly awake. I immediately put the mask back on. There was a click as it locked into place. The sound gave me pause.

I'd never heard that sound before.

I opened the door without pause or hesitation. I didn't carry a weapon or practise any sort of personal security. I figured it'd be a waste of time given the number and type of ponies who'd have cause to rub me out. Didn't stop me being jumpy as all get-out, even when it was the harmless old retiree, Kai.

Of course, if anypony was going to see through me, it was going to be Kai. I'd trained under him in the Royal Guard ten years ago, of course, and learned all his tricks. Wait, that's not true. I hesitated, trying to sort my mind out... no, I'd known Kai, but not closely. I'd never been in the guard. Why had I thought that?

Luckily, my mask did whatever talking needed to be done. I had no idea what it was saying, what it was expressing, but Kai relaxed and came in, shrugging off his coat. I saw him holding his wallet.

"Put that away," I said, annoyed. "Does it look like I need your pocket change?"

That, at least, was true enough. Working for over six mistresses meant more than six paychecks, and I had more bits than I knew what to do with.

"I need -"

"Information, yes, yes, I'm busy," I said irritably.

"I need to find Raz_Fox."

"Who's Raz_Fox?"

Kai stares at me in shock.

Suddenly, I'm worried. I'm very, very worried. I stand up and start pacing nervously, hooves twitching, the familiar feel of motion and the click of hoofbeats filling my mind. I knew this was important. Not much startles Kai. I'd forgotten... something.

"Oh, that Raz_Fox." I laughed nervously, voice high pitched and false, but immediately Kai relaxed again. It had almost stopped surprising me how nopony was ever able to tell how nervous I was. "And you need to find this, Graz_Fox?"

"Raz_Fox, yes," Kai corrected, giving me another odd look.

I was starting to panic. Kai thought that name was important to me. I didn't even recognise it.

This was a lead. The only concrete thing I had. I needed to follow it.

"Sure! I know exactly where he is. Or, I know somepony who does. Let's try," random pick, "Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash! We'll find Laz_Box no problems after we talk to her!"

I put my coat on and hurried for the door. Kai followed me without hesitation, as if I was oozing confidence and conviction and not running terrified.

Well, if there was one thing I'd learned about terrified running was that it was better than terrified standing still.

3: yay

[Shadowy]

I sat.

This was my apartment and I had done my job for tonight so I had some salt.
Suddenly in the corner of my apartment the radio that was used to give me my assignments crackled.
"NO NO NO" I thought desperately. I thought that I was done with any assignemnts for today! I can't go out on a job while I'm out on my head.

Maybe..... it won't be anything serious?

All three: yay

[Kairaven]

Sry about the late update, all events happen

event 1: if you are at western Ponyville, watch out. pinkie's goon aren't subtle in their home territory, and any young filly/colt are being detained and questioned, they might not take kindly to suspecious ponies walking about.

event 2: there is a secret message sent to all available Night Watchers, this rescue is a priority, but secrecy is the key, if the rescue is botched it means a good agent gone and a corrupt Guard stay in power. If fighting begins, it will turn to warzone, and then it's all pony for him/herself. Eastern Ponyville is all cloak and shadow right now, none of the ponies wants to make too much noise, but the situation is a lit fuse to the motherload of dynamite.

event 3: Central is investigating the heist, any pony with access to guard band radio will know that this is an amateur job, the suspect is in hiding somewhere in a safe house in central. the content need recovery is a photograph, likely dumped into a bag along with other contents in a hurry, the reward is 200,000 bits. This reward has lured a lot of unsavory bounty hunter types, so conflict between hunters is likely.


The rain has cleared, across the sky a rainbow appears, an ominous sign for our trip to the Cloudsdale casino; I hail a balloon to take us there.

Mask has been acting creepier than I remembered. Did that green light use to emanate from behind his mask? Also his voice tone changes between conversations. And he becomes evasive when I ask about Raz_Fox. My gut tells me this trip may be a trap but he’s my only lead to Raz_fox for now, who is the only lead to Lixie, who is my lead to the missing filly.
I start to wonder if Trixie’s info is right after all. That’s a dangerous thought as well, I’ve heard only of two instances of bad information from Trixie, and her response was to both eliminate the information sources and the ponies she sold the info to, anything to protect her reputation. I would not like to be the third strike.

The race track/casino is open 24-7, its dazzling lights bright even at night. Rainbow at night, it is a sight to see, I heard it takes a special mix to create one that shines at night, The formula is especially guarded by the weather factory. Lines of balloons bring patrons of all types. Unicorn attendants casting the cloud-walking spell on non-pegasi patrons so they can enjoy the evening, What they don’t know is that the trouble makers gets a quick enchantment-dispel, and gravity takes care on the rest. Pegasi trouble maker gets the special treatment.

My heart pumped faster as I remember the last time I was here, when I could still fly. The thrill of betting on races, picking the right pony to win, shouting at the races, collecting my winnings, it tempts me even now, my hooves shakes a bit at the familiar feeling.

I am not exactly welcome here though, so I keep a low profile and motioned Mask to follow. I don’t expect I will see Rainbow Dash face to face. Only important ponies meet the heads of families, so we are left with Dumb-Bell, one of her underlings. He’s at his usual place, a private booth by the bar, a good view overlooking the races.

“You got guts Kai, to show your face here again, I thought I told you to stay out of Cloudsdale.”
“Just business, I am sure you don’t want a scene made, tell me what I want to know and I’ll be gone.”
“What’s this? You brought da masked freak with ya, the circus in town? Mistress Dash ain’t got no business with ya today freak. You got 3 seconds to get out of here before I get unfriendly.”
“I seek the narrativist.” Dumb-Bell grows silent at the mention of the title.
“…. You are lucky that there is important business being conducted tonight, so I won’t toss you out on your plots. You want the Fox? He’s in the Phonebook, under N. Now get out of here before anyone else sees you.” I hear him mutter under his breath as I walk away. “#$% zoo tonight, $%^% zebra and $%^ fox…..”

So the Zebra is conducting business here tonight, no wonder they won’t want to make a scene. That’s not my business though, I got my answer, the Phonebook. Not your average phonebook, this one is alive, the Message-mare, who guaranty message delivery to anyone, Derpy Ditzy Doo

Raz_Fox, you WILL get a message from Derpy, and it ask you to met Kai at a Bar in eastern ponyville (yes, it might be a potential war zone, but how would Kai know that?) of course whether you respond or not is up to you, you don't really know Kai, just a professional acquaintance.

Thanqol, Mask can come along or he could have slipped away while we are at Cloudsdale.

[Mindfreak]

Zach Rolfe, Private Eye In the Case of the Missing Heirloom
I threw the salt up in the air, and neatly caught it with my right hoof. I poured myself a glass, and drank it. I savored the roughness of the texture as it went down my throat. A drip slithered down from my mouth and fell onto my badge. I've been about everything these past years; A cop, a mercenary, a smuggler, you name I've been it. It goes unsaid that I've built up a lot of contacts and favors over the years, which is why a career as a private eye is a good choice for me. I worked my own hours, and had my own office, it was a sweet gig. In my field I've dealt with many cases; adultry, business espionage, I've even been hired by some of the big shots criminals a couple times. I began to pour myself some more salt when she walked in. She looked to be only 25. Her mane fell down into scarlet curls, and a tear ran down onto her peach coat. She looked like she had been crying a long time. Another tear fell from her green eyes as she looked at me.
"Are you the Private Eye Zach Rolfe?" she asked with a nervous voice.
"Yes I am, and who are you, doll face?" I said these words as if I've been saying them forever, I've long since stopped being attracted towards my female customers, they always had way too many emotional issues.
"I'm Jasmine" she said this while looking around, as if she was worried somepony was listening, "I hear you're good at finding things."
"That I am" I said, "For a price."
"I need you to find my family heirloom, it got stolen in the old warehouse district."
I gave a small chuckle, "This is an easy job, I'll have it done pretty soon."
Her face became a picture of relief and she quickly hugged me, "Thank you."
I returned her hug awkwardly, "Woah now, hug me when I actually get it." She showed herself out after leaving a number and address where she can be reached, I played with the strip of paper as I thought. It looks like I'll have to go have a little 'talk' with Mackey the Lackey.

[Shadowy]

I walked over to the radio and flicked it on. "Agent, we have a job for you."

I sat, in my haze of salt and listened to the details.
I began to compose a plan to myself and sighed heavily. I've always hated rescue jobs because I either have to kill nearly everyone and takes AGES or I end up carrying a sturggling pony out of a warzone where everyone is taking shots at me. While I'm currently..... incapitated. I sit back taking comfort in the fact that the other agents will take care of it.

Ten minutes later I am on a rooftop en-route to the scene.

"I always do my job.... and my duty".

But either way it's going to be a LONG night.

[Orzel]

The below is loosely based on a Traffic case in the game LA Noire called The Fallen Idol. It's not really spoilers though

And that's how Branflakes and I got to Pastry Crimes.

It was a sunny day. I'm pretty sure Pinkie payed off the weather ponies so her stallions could get clear shots and not waste ammo. Pinkie Pie was frugal like that. So her goons rarely threw a miss. They got my hat. Just got it cleaned too.

Here am I. Atop a termite infested movie set. Pinned down by pies from all direction. My partner, Stephan Branflakes, was stuck by the wagon on the ground. Poor position for a pegasus like him. Stefan seemed lazy to most but he was a good cop. He said I was a good cop too so he wasn't that observant. That's why he wasn't the pony protecting the Mare Bishop up here.

Bishop caused all the trouble. Last week I was investigating a cart crash. Usually duty for a Traffic cop. But this cart had a mare and little filly in it. The filly was a nobody but the mare was one of Pinkie's favorites back when Pinkie went to Madame Rarity's. And Mare Bishop crashed the cart.

So where I was. On some crumbling scaffold, my jellybean tommygun almost empty and two pies that I snatched of Pinkie's goons in my jacket pockets, with the suspect I took all week to find dodging pies and my cuffs. The pies were blueberry and poorly made. Not weighted right for throwing. Hung to the left and spun. The only pony who could bake a decent throwing pie in town was Mrs. Cake.

"Colt Orzel, You okay." Stephan hollered once I finally got myself and Bishop down to the ground"
"They pied my hat, Stephan" I told him.
"Pied mine too" Stephan replied.

That's when backup arrived. Pinkie must have cause plenty noise for police backup to come. Pinkie Pie must be been mad.

And that's how Branflakes and I got to Pastry Crimes. Got Vice a few months later. Quit the force not long after. Now I'm a baker.

[Kairaven]

quick situation summary:

Night watchers: Druid_droid, dromer, Shadowy
ex-guards, Kai, Orzel
criminals: Metal Mask
bartenders: RdMarquis
private-eyes: Zach Rolfe
unknowns: lixie, raz_fox


Druid Droid is conducting business with The Zebra's pony in Cloudsdale.
dromer is also there, just information gathering.

Shadowy is heading to eastern (I presume) for the rescue

RdMarquis, is your bar in eastern? cause I can make that the meeting place

Orzel, so you are an ex-guard (in the western vice department I guess) which means you have history with Pinkie's family?

More information needs to be revealed about other ponies.

[Mindfreak]

Zach Rolfe, Private EyeIn the Case of the Missing Heirloom
I drove my car along the streets of Ponyville, the streetlights gave the streets a look of unease at night. I pulled up near an alleyway and saw Mackey taking a hit off of a sugar cigar. I got out of my car, I was wearing a nice suit, the kind I usually wear. Mackey looked my way, and took the cigar from his mouth and blew a ring of smoke. "What'd you want?"
I gave a small snicker, "I wanna know who took an heirloom belonging to Miss Jasmine." He gave me a look of mistrust, "I don't know nothin-"
Those were the last words he got out when my hoof got him in the left eye, knocking him to the floor and giving him a black eye. "Mackey the Lackey, are you going to tell me what I want to know about Miss Jasmine's heirloom, or am I gonna have to give you another shiner?"
He raised his hooves defensively, "I don't know anything, I swear!"
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him up, and aimed my hoof at his right eye and punched.
"Alright, alright, I'll tell you!"
My hoof was a few inches away from my face, I released his shirt which caused him to fall back on the ground.
"Melvin has it, that's all I know, I swear!"*
I turned around and have a chuckle as I opened my car's door, "Ya did a smart thing Mackey, telling me the info. Too bad you have loose lips, they sink ships as they say."
He gave me a look of hatred, and I sat down in my car, I started it up, and drove down the street, it was time to talk to Melvin. It made sense that he would have it, he had an antique business. That heirloom would be worth a large amount of money if sold. I slowed down at the red light, and opened my glove department. I grabbed my holster, it held a candy corn revolver inside. I put it on quickly, and the light went green, I would need it soon.
Anyone want to be Melvin and his henchmen? They mostly use their fists except for Melvin's two bodyguards. It will be happening in a warehouse district.

[RdMarquis]

RdMarquis, is your bar in eastern? cause I can make that the meeting place

Sure, let's go with that.

[Orzel]

Administrative Vice. Back when I worked there, I dealt with everything naughty that couldn't kill you. Well not directly. Escorts, salt, sugar, lewdness, lasciviousness. and obscenity. Dealt with them all. Met with every sugarhead, saltlip, pusher, mare of the night, bootlegger, bookie, thug, and gangster on the West Side. Working those cases will defied my worst and lowest expectations of ponydom.

I started to work in this department following a harrowing stint investigating pieings on the Patsy Crimes desk. I found things where even sicker on this side of the crimeworld.

Half our cases dealt with Pinkie. She was queen of the party scene and with Fluttershy unwilling to come on this side of town, she controlled all the sugar over here. At least she didn't deal in "rocks". So I only got hooked on regular sugar before I left the force. Looking the other way never tasted so good.

Another player when Madame Rarity. Rarity. She's how Pinkie got me hooked. How could a stallion resist that voice. That slightly gray coat pulled me in. The purple mane kept my mouth shut. That and the escorts. HAd my pick for silence. The beauty of a dame brought down many a detective. I was just another. Who would say "no" to a mare you spent a month on for just a "walk?"

Now I'm just a baker. Though the guard come by for tips. Everypony knows. But have no reason to tell yet. As long as make the pies.

Sweet potatoes with whipped cream is my specialty. The thickness makes them throw well from close range. The cream is a bonus. And somepony is in need of a treat.
"Hello Gummy. Twenty pies this week?"

[Shadowy]

I own the rooftops. Oh I'm sure that there are those with things like deeds thing would allow them to say otherwise. And I suppose that theives and policemen and those in-between make use of them, but only someone with training could tell that lot apart so why even bother?

Leaping from roof to roof I end up at my destination, the house of the corrupted eastern guard pony. I observed the compound, noting that they had the new brand of friendship tazers. "And the pie's fresh as well." A voice snarles behind me.

Taken by surprise I aim a kick backwards and was amazed when it didn't connect. The new pony charged me, and while I was stunned delived a quick kick to my face. I let darkness take me, if only for a while.

[happyturtle]

((Please edit the first post to include a universe [Tag] in front of the title, to help keep the subforum organized. Thanks! ))

[the_druid_droid]

I heard the door close behind me as I walked into the back room. There were a couple ponies in there with me, mostly bruisers with badly-concealed weapons poking out of vests and cheap jackets; in my line of work, hardly worth noticing. But then I saw her. Out of all the ponies that could have been running this deal, it turns out it’s her...

She was a pegasus, orange, with looks that could break hearts, even when framed by the dingy concrete of a run-down dive bar. I knew her name was Orange Blossom, and I knew some ponies whispered that she was kin to the Apples, though there wasn’t much proof. I knew a lot about her in fact, because in another life I’d been assigned to learn everything I could about her.

Back then, I was in deep cover, working as a mid-level enforcer and spy for Pinkie’s bakery thugs in an effort to get some intel and coordinate Watch movements on the West side. At the time, Rocky happened to think the orange filly had some other sugar momma on the side, and that she was acting a little too friendly to some of The Zebra’s ponies; it was my job to get to the bottom of it and report back to Pinkie’s inner circle, The Baker’s Dozen.

Orange Blossom was tough, but new to covering her tracks, so I learned everything I needed to put her away with time to spare. But then, for some reason, instead of going back and reporting her, I just kept watching. Rocky’s goons eventually got pushy, but I managed to string them along, buying time. To this day I don’t know why I did it...if Pinkie had put another snoop on her, it would have been bad news for me just as much as Blossom, and it would have endangered the Watch to boot. I’d like to pretend it was some basic decency on my part that didn’t want to see a young filly get hurt, but I know that’s a lie. I’d handed over more than my share of clueless young ponies, sometimes to the Watch, and sometimes to...darker...agencies, but for some reason I couldn’t do it to...her.

All the old memories came rushing back at me the moment I saw her, and my longing for salt flared up into an absolute need; it felt like some joker had replaced my guts with a block of lead, but years working in the shadows kept my poker face intact. The deal went through, just as smooth as I could have hoped, and I headed back to my little apartment carrying enough firepower to light up a city block. My contacts hadn’t been kidding when they said Zecora had the good stuff.

******

Now I’m back at home, sitting on my ratty little couch, nursing some salt and thinking. These days, Rocky and the Baker’s Dozen are under the impression that I’m taking a prolonged tour of the bottom of Ponyville lake, and I’m in no hurry to correct them. Somehow though, it looks like Orange Blossom got out too. She’d picked smart; the Zebra might be the only pony with enough connections to protect her from Pinkie’s notorious grudges. Maybe the time I’d bought her had paid off after all...

Suddenly, I hear the doorbell. Snapping to attention and sliding a candy corn revolver out from beneath a cushion, I check the peephole. Seeing nothing I venture to open the door a crack and take a longer look.

Still no ponies in sight, just a little white rectangle sitting in front of my door and the gray night looming all around me. I pick up the rectangle and discover it’s an envelope; shutting the door I move into the dim light of a table lamp to read better. After some fumbling, the envelope opens and little slip of paper slides out; not much is written on it, but what is there freezes my heart.

I know what you did for me. We need to talk. Meet me at The Giddy Foal, 10 PM tomorrow.

-O.B.

[Kairaven]

I'll do some scene settings to prod things along.
Use these scenes if you want or ignore it and make your own.

Ozel: Pinkie's pie orders for the week is extra large, you wonder what she'll need all these pies for. Meanwhile you read in the papers news about a random flyby pieing that took down a young colt that is in sugar coma. You recognized the pie as one of your custom bake job, raspberry cream. Do you feel guilty? Or are you worried somepony will trace the recipe to you?

Mindfreak586: You sneak in the warehouse and get the drop on Melvin and one of his body guards. But you were surprised by his other bodyguard who has found Mackey in your car trunk, they come in the warehouse behind you. if you are quick, you might be able to escape, or you get captured. Either way, you learned that the Heirloom, a necklace, has been sold to one of Rarity's top girl, who took a fancy to it. If you are captured, they leave you in the warehouse with one unarmed pony guard, since they have some business to take care of, and will take care of you in the morning.

I'll continue on my own story solo tomorrow night if there hasn't been any response from LIX, Raz_Fox, or Thanqol.

[dromer]

There is one feeling that defines me. The feeling you get when every piece falls into place. When the dice roll in your favor. When a slip of the tongue reveal an invaluable piece of information. I left the casino feeling better than a rock addict at a sugar factory.

The bar was almost a bust. No pony was particularly interested in having some salt, or even a friendly chat. I thought I'd leave the bar two hours short on life until someone started to discuss the reason for the tense atmosphere. A bank heist had just robbed all these lovely ponies of a paycheck. When life gets you down; gamble and drink. Their employer was short an important lockbox, and refused to pony up any bit to anyone until it was returned. To anyone who returned it, 200,000 bits. That would be a nice boost to my paycheck.

I checked out, shrugged off the caparison that prevented me from flying at coat check, (which wasn't required in the casino but required to play at the high-roller's tables) exited the building, stretched my wings and took off for my apartment in uptown Ponyville.

It wasn't impressive, just a two rooms and a basement rented out of a decrepit apartment complex. Almost tripping on the set of weighted dice (If I remember correctly, they were both weighted to roll a four more than any other result) I was just about to turn the lights on, when I saw a particularly interesting report on the table. Normally Night watcher information either wasn't new (I had given them the information) or wasn't relevant. (Except when I was about to give them said information.) I opened it anyway and moved myself to one of the two windows in my apartment. (Night watcher letters can only be read in moonlight, or at least that's what they always do to me.) It declared that a high-ranking pony has gone corrupt, was found out, and is now making a last stand. Not particularly surprising, part of the proof of his corruption was information obtained by me.

What it did mean, however, was that the Night Watch was busy not investigating the heist, a potential goldmine of information I can trade. Unfortunately, The police were on it. Anything the cops knew; the Night Watch knew. Fortunately, anything the Night Watchers knew, I knew. Badges are such useful tools. I'd have to go this alone, and with the 200,000 bit bounty, I think I'll be bumping heads with more ponies than I like. That's okay though. Heads are full of information.

I put my suit back on, with some expensive looking shoes. (Persuasion is much easier if you always look your best.) Time to take a visit to the crime scene.

[Thanqol]

Raz_Fox, you WILL get a message from Derpy, and it ask you to met Kai at a Bar in eastern ponyville (yes, it might be a potential war zone, but how would Kai know that?) of course whether you respond or not is up to you, you don't really know Kai, just a professional acquaintance.

Thanqol, Mask can come along or he could have slipped away while we are at Cloudsdale.

I was standing at the edge of the clouds when Kai had found me. I had almost stepped off. Because I'd been certain I could fly.

I'd been convinced I was a pegasus. Flight had been so natural I'd started to spread my wings and jump into the air. I'd barely caught myself, looking down at the long, long drop below me.

I didn't know if I was connected to reality at all at this point. It was all a blur, all times becoming one. I remembered my pet bird, my mother. I remembered being a writer, an artist, a wizardess, an entire nation. What was wrong with me? Who was I?

I fell into step alongside Kai as he left Cloudsdale. I'd purchased a weapon while he wasn't looking, and not just any weapon. Tropical pineapple and kiwi fruit - luxurious, deadly, and highly illegal. It was to a pie what a pie was to a custard tart. I couldn't remember carrying a weapon before, let alone one as dangerous as this. I kept it out of sight in my coat.

I had no idea what I was going to use it for.

I stayed close to Kai.

[Shadowy]

I woke up, jaw aching. Observing my surroundings I figured out the situation.
I was tied to a chair in a small backroom. "Only one thing for it then" I tihnk to myself as I get myself ready for what's about to come. Now to just wait and hope that I can keep whoever comes in here talking........

[Raz_Fox]

There's one pony everypony knows, who knows everypony. They call her the Phonebook. Amazing, really, how a cripple manages to find anyone in the city at all.

She found me down by the docks. All I heard was the fluttering of grey wings, and then she was there, golden mismatched eyes glimmering. Gotta message, she said. Kai wants to meet with you. Red Horseshoe, tonight. Innocent, glimmering smile. I toss her a bit, and then start walking.

Fluttershy's side of town. Part of me twists inside whenever I hear about the animal smuggling. I almost want one of her thugs to try and stop me, for one of her gangs to try a mark on me. Come on. Give me an excuse. Thank Celestia. None of them do.

Red Horseshoe. The stereotypical bad guy bar. I could work with that. I looked enough like a bad guy to blend in, felt enough like a bad guy. Like a Guildman.

I entered the bar, took my seat, ordered a Stalliongrad Salter. And I opened my eyes to watch the world.

Let the good times roll.