On the Rocks [Selenia, ZipFyre]

[Red Charge]

"Cancel that order." Said a deep male voice as a stallion entered the room. He was obviously one of Rainlock's goon by the sign emblazoned on the shoulder of... whatever he was wearing. Quite in fact, most people assumed the Rainlock Security Forces were only tough ponies in a fancy uniform, no one really saw any of them wearing actual combat gear. This one did and boy did he not look pleasant. What he was wearing was alien to all their eyes, an armor made out of some alien material colored in black and grey looking quite heavier and bulkier than even a full plate-mail. The helmet he was wearing on his head concealed his entire face and seemed to be sligtly overkill, with goggles (possibly nightvision) and a gas filter. This pony looked ready for the end of days. Klepto could recognize his rank as pretty high up the Rainlock Ladder by the markings on his armor. The fact the pegasus was also carrying a very futuristic looking repeating crossbow with what seemed like explosive bolts did not make his appearance any more welcoming.

"Lady Rainlock has reported some ... irregularities in her account and has hereby suspended and revoked all of your expedition funding." He said, throwing Feathermain's calculator across the room with a hoof. "As for the money that has already been spent by you, the debts have been moved to your own names. Meaning there are a bunch of very angry griffons waiting for you to pay them off." The armored pegasus cracked his neck, in preparation for his coming speech, "After miserably failing to compleete the expedtion in the Governor's Palace I don't see how you even dare to spend Lady rainlock's funds on your own convinience. My forces and I had to clear these ruins ourselves when manpower is crucial. As for the money already transferred prior to the expedition itself, Lady Rainlock has decided to bill you for it until such time as she can sort what money was used for the expedition and what was wasted."

The pegasus berathed in deeply, looking deadlier than ever, "You should be thankful, usually Lady Rainlock has much less... I want to say merciful ways of disposing of problematic operatives. This insolence will be dealt with once you are back in Equestria. Put one more hoof out of line here and let's say your return there would not be guarenteed."

[Selenia]

Selenia smiled as best as she could at Feathermain through the number he had just read out. That sum was more than what her life was probably worth, and they were spending it on mere supplies. Something about that just felt inherently wrong, which was probably because she herself had never gone on a shopping spree for anything more than some antiquarian books or some trinkets for the library. Nevertheless, Klepto had assured her that the pool of money they were going to be drawing out of was effectively unlimited, so she hesitantly picked up a nearby pen with her magic and levitated it to the receipt.

Selenia squeaked and dropped the pen in surprise, however, when a solid male voice came out from the stairwell, leading her to find an equally solid and male pegasus heavy with combat gear, wearing the security seal of none other than the Rainlocks. She stood there, frozen in surprise and shock as the burly pony sauntered his way over, explaining their situation, and tossed Feathermain's calculator across the room with a clatter. The sharp sound startled her out of her daze in time to hear the guard's fateful words, 'the debts have been moved to your own names'.

As soon as Selenia's mind could register all the expenditures of their group -the hotel fare, the hotel amenities and services, that exorbitant breakfast, even her costly hospital bill- she just sat down with a look of utter distain and defeat. She didn't have any money to pay off the debts. She had essentially rented out the entire library for a significant period of time and sold a lot of her non-essential possessions to fund her personal research and creation of another Etherium pendant, which she was wearing at the time, and to cut any serious ties while she was out in the world. She had assumed that Lady Rainlock would provide housing and other necessities for the duration, seeing as she was under Rainlock's employ, but now that was voided. She felt the urge to cry, but it would be too pitiful in front of the audience, so she fought it back.

Selenia was now a homeless, penniless pony in the middle of a war. At least there would be no trouble fitting in with the refugees back in Canterlot. Heck, she might even go ahead and enlist again when she got back, but that would probably do little to get Rainlock off her flank... She would have to wait and see.

[Klepto Moonlit]

Klepto couldn't help but grin as Feathermain announced the sum. Over a million bits! Now that was a noticeable expenditure. A million bits was probably nothing in comparison to Rainlock's total wealth, but it was definitely something she would notice. The mare had wanted to drag a pony against his will onto an expedition, and now her pocket book was going to ensure he was more then well-equipped.

The sound of another pony behind them shattered Klepto's fantasy. The thief turned around, examining the stallion from head to hoof. Rainlock guard. The dude looked like a pony with a built-in bomb shelter, and Klepto could tell by the markings on his armor that he was pretty high rank. And that crossbow didn't look very friendly either.

"You've gotta be kidding me," the thief thought to himself, glaring at the guard. Had Rainlock been spying on them? What the heck was this guy doing here? And that attitude, that Klepto should be thankful Rainlock was being so merciful, like she was some some sort of goddess generous enough to spare puny mortals like himself. The thief didn't have that much to begin with, so going into debt wasn't that big of a deal. But Selenia... she didn't deserve any of this!

"Failing? If anything, we were set up to fail. You sent us in there with no supplies, no directions, and when half our group gets incapacitated and we try to regroup and restock, you steal the baton and cross the finish line. Well, I'm glad we could do at least some of the legwork for you, though I'm sure with equipment like that you hardly had any trouble," Klepto said, motioning towards the stallion's combat gear.

"We came here to get restocked, so we could head back to the ruins, and maybe stand an actual chance. Not our fault you got antsy and decided to do the job for us. Far as I'm concerned, you've only wasted our time and your resources. Keep your debt, I ain't payin'."

[Stygg Whitefeather]

Feathermain was having none of this sordid business, not a lick of it. Not only was he out his insanely high profits he was banking on making to keep his business afloat (plus a little on the site for a vacation to Acapulcolt). This transgression could not be tolerated, none in the least. These were his saps and that money should have been is!

"What is the meaning of this!?" Feathermain scolded, tossing his calculator aside and pushing past the two ponies on the receiving end of a verbal tongue lashing from the Rainlock goon. "No Rainlock thug is allowed in my place of patronage! That mare is not welcome here and neither are her closest subordinates - especially if they are here to threaten my paying customers. I demand that you leave immediately and unequivocally before I get dangerous." Feathermain used his superior size and stature to tower over the Rainlock pony goon. "And you and anyone else you brought here won't like to see me dangerous. I've faced down the Ghost and Darkness, two of the most vicious zebra eating lions that ever existed... I could devour you for breakfast if I wanted, hay-muncher." His fathers were puffed, his wings extended and menacing. "Leave now and tell your mare that she is to never set hoof here again by decree of the Standing Master of the Kings Hunting Lodge of Royal Rocks. Remind her that her authority ends at the Equestrian border and that no griffon kowtows to a pony, ever! Even a rich tart such as her." He talons clicked against the floor, just begging for the stallion to dare challenge him in his own shop. "Now go and never again soil my rugs." He flicked his arm out, talon extended and pointing to the exit.

[Red Charge]

A *thwack* was all that was heard as a bolt let loose from the pony's repeating crossbow. It took everyone a short while to realize what had just happened. Klepto Moonlit's chest had been pierced, the bolt had struck him directly in the lung. At the sound, a couple of more, similarly geared ponies jumped right into the store, hooves raised for a possible fight.

"one of my soldiers died clearing that ruin, because of your ineptitude marking the traps you went through." He said, as the crossbow reloaded, now aimed squarely at Feathermain. "As for you, there are two resolutions to this situation, one where we leave you with gold, the other where we leave you with a burnt property."

Klepto's lung had been pierced by the bolt and blood was starting to fill the air sac, it was a critical, immediately life threatening injury that first aid could neither slow nor stop. He needed to be in a hospital, but they were still in a horrible situation, caught between the soldiers and feathermain. Magical healing may save him, but there was no magic healers in the Griffon Kingdom, nothing short of an experienced unicorn para-medic could help him at this stage unless they got to a hospital soon.

[Selenia]

Even though the series of events took less than a full second, Selenia watched Klepto fall in slow motion. Her eyes were wide and her mouth fixed open in horrified surprise at the act. She didn't even care about the full predicament anymore, one of her friends was just shot. Fear filled her brain as the tiny thought surfaced that Rainlock might have just considered them useless, and she automatically put up a barrier facing the goons as she half-leapt over to Klepto to investigate his injuries. "What... What in Celestia's name do you think you're doing?!" She hollered, not looking up from the protruding bolt. It had sunk deep into his chest, probably puncturing a lung, judging by Klepto's reactions. It was a critical injury, and he didn't have much time. She was about to yank the offending object from the wound to seal it when she noticed something even more horrifying; the bolt had an explosive charge in the tip. That made the situation infinitely more complicated- Actually, who was she kidding thinking all this through? She was no paramedic, and Klepto needed serious medical attention fast. All she could do was tear off a piece of cloth from her saddlebags and hold it against the exposed wound, providing what support she could.

Selenia looked up once she had the cloth in place with her magic, and was greeted to the armored pony pointing the very same crossbow right at Feathermain's face, plus two more armored ponies, lacking the bow but no less menacing. "Please, help! Klepto needs a doctor!" she yelled at the thug, lowering her barrier once she saw that Feathermain wasn't on the ground with a bolt in him, too. Her mind raced, trying to find some way to convince these thugs to help Klepto, and her mind fell on Rainlock herself. "Look...", she said, lowering her voice a bit, but maintaining some volume to be heard over Klepto's.. struggling, "I know you're mad about this whole thing, about your comrade, the mission, and especially Klepto, but killing him isn't the answer, here! He may be rude, and he may be a thief, but he doesn't deserve to die for it! Don't you remember the war back home?! Everypony that can contribute is necessary for us to win that war, you three and Klepto included, and if we waste time with petty grudges, then there won't be an Equestria to protect, and you three won't have Rainlock to keep you employed, or alive."

Selenia sighed and looked at the floor, maintaining pressure on the wound as Klepto's life ebbed away, "I don't expect myself to be able to talk you into helping me, but I might as well try, right? Debts can be repaid and apologies made for what can't be replaced, but you colts have no reason to fear, or even listen to me. If Klepto dies, Rainlock will call it justified and you get your 'revenge'. If I try to hold anything against you three- " She gave the pony with the crossbow a steely glare, "You can just have it refuted, reversed, and me thrown in jail, or worse," She glanced at the crossbow and gulped. "It's never good news to be related to somepony's death, though, you should know that much, and Klepto doesn't need to die." She turned to her friend, still choking away on the floor. "He doesn't have much time left, and I need to take him to a hospital now!" She turned back to the thugs, yet to respond to her statements, "But I can't do it without you." She gestured in the armored ponies' direction, specifically at their wings. "He needs your help... Please." She begged, pleadingly, desperation in her eyes.

Selenia expected even less sympathy than words from the colts, but what else could she do? She couldn't live with the guilt if she did nothing, and if she tried anything else, the ponies would probably leave her no better than Klepto... Only she dreaded her punishment wouldn't come by way of crossbow.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

Feathermain flinched and cringed when the bolt snapped from its the pony's crossbow and struck Klepto straight through the chest. The gurgling blood choked gasps were almost immediate, a lung shot. Not good for the chap, he'd be likely to drown in his own blood before long - worst yet, he was bleeding all over the floor. Blood was so hard to clean up and what would future clients think, seeing a blood stain puddle right in the middle of the floor like that. Wait, he contemplated, this was perfect. He could spin this in his favor, add more mysticism to the shop. Perhaps the tale of a poor pony who unleashed an ancient curse upon himself by failing to heed his warning. Oh Feathermain you brilliant old bird.

Recomposing himself, he turned to the armored Rainlock goon with a fluff of his chest - not seemingly intimidated by the crossbow. Doubt they were willing to risk the international backfire by killing a griffon in griffon land though Feathermain knew well enough not to push it when it came to that Mare. "Very well, enough of all this wanton pony killing in my shop, I have plenty of things that can do that without your intervention. Now give me your blood-bits and remove the drowning pony from my shop before there is anymore of a scene."

Feathermain would take the bits without another question, he certainly didn't want to lose the shop after all. He stepped away, around Klepto and Selenia, but he did have a word of advice for Selenia. "Chap, keep the bolt steady. His thorax may be filling up with air and blood but he won't have a chance if you stir his organs up like whipping cream."

[Klepto Moonlit]

Klepto was glad to see Feathermain sticking up for the two of them. The griffon was not only helping them fend off the wolves, but his involvement might intimidate the goon into leaving them alone. After all, this was between them and Rainlock, and a third party getting involved probably wasn't part of the armored pony's plans. He and Selenia may not have been able to pay for their purchases, but as long as Feathermain had this grudge against the pegasus mare, the two might be able to get out of the situation with her guards off their back.

And then, a sharp pain right in his chest, like someone had driven a dagger through it. The guard had a crossbow pointed right at Klepto, its bolt now lodged firmly in the colt's chest. He was used to taking advantage of the rules others had to follow. But this guy didn't have rules, and it caught him off guard. The armored pony was a Rainlock guard, not a police officer. He got things done however he wanted them done, and his employer had the money and power to allow it.

The thief opened his mouth to say something, but was overcome by a sudden coughing fit, so strong that it brought him to the ground. He looked down at the floor in front of him, sighting specks of blood. His blood. Klepto's innards were bleeding, filling up at least one of his lungs. And all he could do was cough and gasp in reaction to the terrible sensation.

His focus was lost now. He had no clear idea of what was going on around him. He thought he saw some other guards appear, and Selenia forming a barrier and kneeling over him, but it was hardly at the forefront of his attention. All he could really do was try to expel the blood in his lung, try to get rid of what was making each breath deeper and more strenuous.

So, was this how we was going to die? As pathetically and worthlessly as the last several months of his life had been? Gasping on the floor with Rainlock and this goon smirking down at him, patting themselves on the back for ridding the world of another street rat? He wasn't sure he had thoughts on the matter. He just wanted to be able to breath normally again.

[Red Charge]

The armored ponies looked at each other, the ones who had burst in through the door shrugged at the leader. Who turned back to Selenia. "We'll help." He said finally, ordering one of his soldiers to stabilize Klepto and take him to the hospital. "However," He stopped Selenia as she turned to follow them outside, "You are in Lady Rainlock's debt. There's hardly anything for you to get back to Equestria for anyway, but I hear you about the need for contribution. However, once you're done... 'contributing', you belong to Rainlock, you understand? That means that when we need you for something, anything, you're there without argument. Or I could just tell them to drop that pony off a cliff." He threatened.

"Don't worry, Rainlock takes care of her own, you're just going to have to prove that you have what it takes. So what do you say, Selenia, your freedom for his life? I'm even prepared to offer the freedom of your other friends, the ones making out in one of the alleys. All you need to do, is become one of us." The armored pony extended a hoof, as one of his soldiers, a unicorn approached.

[Selenia]

Selenia breathed out a sigh of relief she didn't know she had been holding. The situation was successfully diffused. She had brought her plea's reasoning home with enough zeal that Rainlock's guards chose not to shoot everyone else in the shop and were going to take Klepto to the hospital, on one condition; that Selenia join their outfit and work more professionally for Lady Rainlock. In all honesty, Selenia didn't like her, even less so after this little fiasco, but she couldn't hold it against her. It was the guard's decision to pull the trigger on the crossbow, not Rainlock's, and her deploying of her guards from their almost-purchase was more than likely an attempt to put a stop on exorbitant spending. Given, the money they nearly spent was probably no more than pocket change to her, but Equestria was a warzone, and any money that could be put to the war effort was worth it.

Selenia didn't like Rainlock, not one bit, but she had a grudging respect for her and her dealings, which would have to be enough for Selenia if Klepto was going to live. After the end of it, who knows, it might end up being a worthwhile experience. She looked up from her thoughts and met the eyes of the armored pony, "Alright. You have a deal," as she pressed her hoof on his, sealing the agreement. She set her hoof back on the ground and looked blankly at his armor, contemplating the gravity of the decision she had just made.

[Draft Design]

Three more Rainlock guards were standing outside Feathermain's shop, Draft Design among them, making sure no one wandered into the store. The griffons passing by were giving the armored ponies odd looks, one of which approached the trio. "What's going on in there?"

"Private business," Draft answered. "Move along."

"I've got an item I need to-"

"Come back later."

The griffon frowned at the pegasus before walking away, giving the ponies a look over his shoulder before lifting off.

Finally one of their fellow guards resurfaced, carrying a gasping earth pony on his back with a bolt sticking out of his chest. "This the one I've been hearing about?" Draft asked, motioning towards the pony.

The guard nodded, carrying the injured thief forward.

"Must've done something stupid."

"Probably," the guard said, finally reaching the others. "Major wants him taken to the nearest hospital. Made a deal with the unicorn he was with."

"Don't worry," Draft said, taking the pony. "If he lives I'll make sure he gets a good doctor. He deserves one after all the trouble he's caused." With that the corporal flew the dying thief to the nearest hospital in Royal Rocks. There he'd be in the hands of the griffon doctors there, and hopefully out of Lady Rainlock's, for good.