DAiE Ch. 5 P. 3 - The Counter-Offer

>You are Flim.

>And right now, you are feeling spectacular.

>Everything went according to plan. You got your superiors off your case, and you didn't have to spend a single bit.

>You clink your tankard of cider to your brother's, and drink deeply.

>The drink doesn't fully mask the pain of your broken snout, but it certainly helps.

>This is what, your third mug?

>Maybe your fifth.

>You've lost count.

>Flam is going on about something to a pretty mare who's joined your celebration.

>He doesn't notice a large figure maneuver its way behind you.

>Nor does he notice the hand that places itself on your shoulder.

>You freeze up, your mind flashing back to that night.

>"Hello, Flim. How's your nose?"

>You don't answer. You want to call out for help but the words catch in your throat.

>"Grab your brother. Meet me out back."

>You can't see that 'human' behind, but you know he's smiling. You can feel it.

>"I've got a business proposal for you."

 

>The longest, loudest silence in your life follows. It drowns out the din of the cider bar with its volume.

>You spin around, to face him, but he's already gone.

>"Oi, Flim. What's gotten into you?"

>You don't answer. Getting out of your seat, you motion to him towards the door.

>He shoots you that "don't clockblock me, man," look. He doesn't understand.

"We need to go."

>Through the drunken haze, he looks into your eyes and immediately understands the urgency. He turns to the mare and apologizes, offering her a kiss on the hoof and a hotel room number before stumbling towards the door with you.

>You exit the bar. Your eyes dart left, then right. No sign of-

"Oof!"

>You bump into a large frame. Your brother gives a soft squeak.

>You look up, and see him. The air leaves your lungs.

>Standing there, in a dark brown leather trenchcoat and fedora, is the human who put you in the hospital for a week.

 

>Stumbling to your feet, you back into a wall away from him.

"Wh- what do you want?"

>Underneath the shade of his hat, he grins.

>"You two are hard to find, you know that? I had to trace you all the way from Ponyville."

>He takes off his hat and admires it. Is that a... candy cane in his mouth?

>"Like the getup? I had Rarity make it up for me. I feel like a real gangster."

>What the hell is this crazy alien on about?

>He looks down and notices your expression.

>"Uhm. Nevermind."

>Putting the hat back on, he takes a step towards you. You and your brother can't help but flinch in response.

>He smiles, secure that he's got control of the situation.

>"Now then, let's take a walk, gentlecolts. I'd like to make a deal with you."

 

>His hand gestures for you to lead the way. Flam looks to you, and you to him. Swallowing your fear, you give him a nod and start walking.

>The busy streets of Manehattan give you some confidence. He wouldn't attack you here, right?

>Right?

>"So. Down to business."

>He takes the candy cane out of his mouth for a second, and blows through pursed lips into the air.

>"I know you burned down Pinkamina's lab."

>"You can't prove that."

>Your brother is quick to react. Maybe a little too quick. The human raises an eyebrow at that.

>"Oh no?"

>He reaches into his coat, and produces a small metal device.

>It flicks open, and reveals a small glass screen.

>With a press of a button, what can only be some sort of recording starts to play.

>And you do not like what you see.

 

>It recorded everything.

>You and your brother.

>Your cutie marks.

>Breaking into the building.

>Leaving.

>The fire.

>Everything.

>Your legs freeze up as you watch on, horrified.

>"Hostile business practices? Not illegal. Making awful cider? Not illegal, but a damn shame."

>He does that weird blowing thing with the candy cane again.

>"Arson? I'm fairly certain that's illegal."

>"Are you pretending to smoke?"

>The human freezes up, his face turning bright crimson.

>"...no. I'm just... cold."

>"In that coat?"

>The human shoots your brother a look that could melt steel. He promptly shuts up.

>"Look, I've got something you want. Namely, I've got something you want the authorities not to see."

"S-so you're blackmailing us."

>"In so many words, yes."

>Flam takes on a grim expression.

>"And what do you want?"

>The human takes a bite of his candy cane, the confection crunching loudly between his teeth. It seems like minutes before he gulps down the pieces of sugar.

>"Well, if I recall correctly. You were offering Ms. Pie somewhere in the range of..."

>"What was it, 20,000 bits?"

 

>That's when Flam's magic grabs the device out of the monkey's hand.

>Before you know what's going on, you're running.

>The sound of your hooves galloping is almost a whisper under your heartbeat.

>You hear the human yelling about something. It's not important.

>Flam tosses the device your way, and you catch it. You already know the plan.

>You both take separate turns. You don't have the luxury of looking back to see who the human followed. All you know is you've gotta get rid of this thing.

>You dart left. Then right.

>You run and run and run.

>Finally, you're at the docks. You think you've lost him.

>And then, you bump into a large frame.

>You're pretty sure your heart stops. Looking up, you see it was only a minotaur.

>"Watch where you're goin', pipsqueak."

"S-sorry. Sorry."

>You breathe a sigh of relief, turning to leave.

>And the human steps into your line of sight.

"bugger"

 

"H-how did you-"

>He taps his temple, grinning. "My vision is augmented."

>You don't stop to think about what the hell that means. You back away. He takes another step towards you.

>Every step you take is matched by him, eventually you back into a railing, the Manehattan bay behind you.

>"It's over, give me the camera, Flim."

>Your eyes dart around for an escape route.

>There is none.

>As the human takes one final step towards you, you yell out, flinging the camera towards the water.

>"NO!"

>He pushes you to the ground as he runs up to the rail, clamoring to reach out.

>But he can't, the metal device drops into the murky, polluted waters with a 'ploop' noise.

>"No, no, NO!"

>The human slams his hand against the metal rail, which you can hear dent slightly.

>Even still, you're safe now. Even if he kicks the crap out of you, you're safe.

>You stumble to your hooves, trying to catch your breath.

"L... looks like I won, you.. stupid monkey."

>He deflates slightly, turning and slumping against the rail as he slides to the ground.

>"I.. I..."

"Yeah, what is it?"

>"I really liked that camera."

 

>You are Pinkie Pie.

>And right now, your heart just isn't in it.

>You smile, as Berry Punch leaves with her cookies. But it's a sad smile. All of your smiles have been sad lately.

>You barely see the Doctor anymore. With the workshop gone, you have to throw parties just to get him out of his house.

>And it's been even worse since he's gotten back from that trip. You haven't seen him all week.

>And if you don't see him, how are you gonna ask him...

>Oh, come off it, Pinkie. You aren't gonna ask him even if you WERE seeing him more. You don't have the-

>The bell rings, and the sound of footsteps snaps you out of your brooding.

>"Hello, Pinkamina."

>Before you know what's happening, you're over the counter and hugging the Doctor. He lets out a surprised sound, but before long returns the hug.

>It makes you feel so warm and happy in his strong arms.

>You contain the blush on your face as you look up at him. His face is... blue?

"Doc?"

>"I-I can't breathe."

"...oh!"

>You release him from your hug, and the color returns to his face quickly as he takes deep, gasping breaths of air.

"S-sorry!"

>"It's alright. I'm sorry I haven't seen you much lately."

"It's... okay."

>It's not okay.

>"No, no it's not okay. But I'm going to make it okay. I have a surprise for you, Pinkamina."

 

>You trot along awkwardly, the Doc's hands over your eyes.

"U-uhm... is this really necessary, Doc? I can't see where I'm-."

>"If you see where we're going, it will ruin the surprise."

>He's got a point. And you bet he looks really silly trying to walk while covering your eyes.

>You stifle a giggle, letting him lead you on.

>You walk for a while now, you think you're on the edge of Ponyville now.

"Alright, alright, the suspense is killing me, where are you taking me?"

>"Sh, sh! Almost there!"

"Uuuuuugh!"

>Not long after, you hear the faint 'pssh' of pneumatic actuators. You're hit by a burst of cool, conditioned air. Your hooves are hitting metal now.

"...Anon? Where are we?"

>"You can open your eyes now, Pinkamina."

>He lifts his hands off, and you can't believe what you see.

>Tables, benches, vices, tools.

>Tanks, shelves, several crates labeled "duct tape."

>It's... your workshop. But new. Brand new. Newer than it's ever been. Everything is shiny. Everything is...

"...it's wonderful."

 

>The Doctor has a big, stupid grin on his face.

>You would too, if you could believe what you were seeing.

"I... I don't... how..."

>"Surprise."

"It's.. you... but..."

>He just grins at you.

>Finally, you let the smile spread to your face.

>Your entire body starts shaking.

>Pink energy starts to build up around you.

>"Uhm... Pinkamina?"

>Your smile takes up your entire face now, your eyes and snout just tiny afterthoughts.

>"Pinkamina?"

>The energy builds up, more and more.

>"pinkamina"

>You rocket up, smashing through the ceiling and shooting into the sky.

>When you hit your peak, you let out the biggest "WOOOHOOOOO!" you possibly can.

>When you land, you come back in through te door, tapping the confused Doctor, who is still looking at the hole you left in disbelief, on the shoulder.

"S-sorry. We can fix that. But.. but..."

>And then the tide comes.

 

>You are Doctor Anonymous.

>And right now, all you can hear is Pinkamina talking.

>She has said "thank you" more times than you can count. And there is a chip in your brain for counting things.

>She's nerdgasming over every detail, every tool, her voice never stopping for breath, not one millisecond.

>You smile, just letting her run her course. You can't stop her now, and you don't want to.

>She deserves this, for all she's done for you.

>For all you'll... ask her to do.

>Finally, after what seems like hours, she finishes, almost passing out before she takes a long-needed breath.

"...are you done?"

>"I... I think so. But..."

"Yes?"

>"How did you afford all of this?"

>You grin.

"Well, Pinkamina. Let's just say it's a very good idea to keep back-ups of all your data."

>You pause.

"And to buy a waterproof camera."