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."