8

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Inside the police station Blacksad has gathered all the information he has managed to get on Sunset Shimmer and her pride. He also gotten a list of properties that Shimmer owns in the city, buying ownership from the business owners who continue to run their businesses but now answer to her. She has invested in the businesses and improved things, fixing the shops up and bringing in new equipment in.

Benson, a ceramic factory was brought and now mass producing clay statues of young women. The statues are all modeled using the same mold that used the pride member Catra as the base. Lacking tails but very appealing in the shape but lack much details. Blacksad talk with the workers and ask who are ordering all the statues, and none of them know but they're being paid to make them and been storing them in the factory's warehouses. There are already hundreds of them and the order is still not near completion.

Gorge's Gunshop, while not owned by Shimmer is still under contact to refit the guns she brought. Gorge the owner of the shop had hired help to get the order filled. With one of Shimmer's pride members coming once a week to get the completed guns and making sure he's working on the order.

Arezz's Jewelries, a high class shop in the rich section of the city. Has been supplied with jewelry thanks to the new owner Shimmer's connections, all coming from Europe.

Gabriel Villa's Quality Tailoring, the tailor shop has been doing some good business thanks to the female underwear the shop is selling that's made for women by women. Something that Felina said that she has gotten from the shop and they're much more comfortable to wear, not pinching or digging into her body.

Nate's Pawn Shop, like other pawn shops doesn't ask questions where the stuff the people come in with came from. Blacksad learned that the new owner wants Nate to put aside anything that is said to be magical. So far only one item was taken by one of the pride members of Shimmer. A strange amulet with an eye in the middle.

Donny's pharmacy, the pharmacy is supplying with medical supplies to Shimmer. When ask the reason why, Donny said that he was only told that it's for the pride members as they do shows around the city and want to be well stocked. They also donate medicine to charities, making Shimmer very well liked.

Shimmer Clinic, a clinic open for the general public which Shimmer open in the poorer part of the city. Is supplied by Donny's pharmacy and has good doctors working there.

Sunny Soup, a private charity that Shimmer started that provides free food to the poor and the homeless. It's supplied by some of the other businesses that Shimmer owns, giving Shimmer very good PR with the city. There is one odd thing about the soup kitchen, it serves lots of turnips and eggs for some reason. Blacksad peek around in the back and saw that the pantry of the kitchen is overflowing with bags of turnips and cartons full of eggs. He asked one of the workers where all the turnips and eggs came from, and they said that the turnips and eggs are drop off by one of Shimmer's pride members.

Charlie's Pizzeria, time to time a pride member would show up to get some pizzas. Donates unsold pizzas to the soup kitchen.

Ross Accountant Firm, from what he learn the firm has been handling the money coming in from Europe and the businesses that Shimmer owns.

Boolie's Bakery, donates unsold bake goods to the soup kitchen. The shop also mass produces burger buns for a restaurant Shimmer owns.

Sunny Library, a library setup in an old pool hall in the poor area of the city by Shimmer. Made her well like by the people there.

Bella Siciliana, a high class restaurant that pride members and Shimmer go to time to time. They also get kitchen supplies from the restaurant too.

Max Butcher, donates to the soup kitchen of meat that are nearly bad and pride members come by to pick up some meat and bones.

Goble's Imports and Exports, a warehouse on the riverfront. The shipments of the scale model military buildings and equipment are off loaded there, with shipments of so called magic items. So far there's nothing being smuggled in from that end, the custom agents had made sure of that.

Vick's Gas Stop, the Shimmer pride main source of fuel and repairing their vehicles.

Xander Smelter, the new owner has been ordering some custom machine parts.

Coin Wash, a laundromat that the pride members use.

Egg Barrel, a restaurant that Shimmer calls fast food that serves egg burgers, like that burger place he stops by now and then, White Castle back in New York. The restaurant use to be just another diner till Shimmer brought it and had it remodeled. The burgers are fried eggs or scrambled, on a bun with toppings being extra. The meal comes with fries or onion rings and a soda of your choice. The burgers are cheap and tasty, with it being very popular thanks to word of mouth and radio ads. (1)

"I check around and the supply of eggs for the Egg Barrel, doesn't seem to come from any farms around here. The same with the turnips," Blacksad said to Feral as he eats his 3rd burger from said fast food restaurant.

"Well the eggs and turnips have to be coming from somewhere," Feral said.

"Feral you really should just tell me if some government agency is the reason why I'm here," Blacksad said.

"I already told you, my hands are tied," Feral said.

"Well, I figure that Shimmer has been buying businesses and is the one behind all the imported booze coming into the city. Of course how she's able to do it is still a big mystery and the only things she's been bringing in from Europe are the scale model doll houses and magic items. And going in to search her manor would just bring lots of heat and unwanted attention if things go south. Seeing how well connected Shimmer is and which of the royal families she's related to would be a big black eye for whoever hired me to investigate her," Blacksad said.

"Shimmer and her prides odd behavior and all the shipments she's been bringing in has some people interested in her," Feral admitted.

"Tell me about it, those statues of young women are being made by the hundreds and yet no one knows who they're going to be sent to. The guns she's having remodeled have all the legal documents done for them so she's covered by that end, but she doesn't have any ammo for them that I know of for them. And there's all those miniatures military equipment and weapons that she keeps having ship to her from Europe. She is planning on something but what it is, I'm still trying to figure it out," Blacksad said and look at Feral. "Mind telling me what I'm actually looking for?"

Feral lock the door of the room making sure it's lock.

"What I say will not leave this room," Feral said.

"Crystal," Blacksad said.

"Surplus weapons and equipment that are leftover from the war have been going missing throughout Europe. Besides the usual military men selling off the old equipment, the reason why the state department is so interested is that warehouses that contained American equipment have also gone missing," Feral said.

"Wait the war has been over for years, why are there still warehouses of old equipment still over there?" Blacksad ask.

"Red tape, in whose going to pay and handle the transportation," Feral said.

"Oh," Blacksad said.

"Intelligence agents from allied countries have been reporting the forces loyal to the Russian royal family have suddenly being armed with old equipment, just appearing in tents and buildings that were empty before. With members of Shimmer's pride being spotted around. Seems she's helping the royal family and that she's been keeping some of the equipment for herself for some reason," Feral said.

"Looks like she's a Russian noble by the sounds of things. But the only military equipment I have found are the guns she brought outright and had ship here. If she's smuggling the military equipment anlong with the imported liquor into the country she's not doing it here. Or doing it so well that only she and her pride knows how they're doing it," Blacksad said.

"Which is why you were called in to find out how she's doing it," Feral said.

"I can't find anything on the military equipment but I'm close to finding the speakeasy where the import liquor are ending up. Squeeze that and I should find how she's getting stuff in. Of course it would help if more of the cops in the city are as honest as you are," Blacksad said.

"I only became commissioner 3 years ago. There is only so much that I can do, and ever since the 18th amendment was pass like everywhere else there seem to be more drinking then there was before liquor was ban," Feral said who is fed up with that law the morel guardians got pass, doing more harm then good.

"With prohibition, the crime rate has sky rocketed and mobsters are getting really powerful. Those moral guardians really made a mess of things. Not to mention how much money is going into the pockets of organized crime," Blacksad said. (3)

"But it's the law and I have to enforce it," Feral said missing the days when he could relax with a strong drink.

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Lackadaisy -

In the underground speakeasy, Cheethara, and Pumyra are treating some members of their pride who were in Europe a tour of the city. The 5 pride members are the first of many who are still busy in Europe making sure that all the military equipment is being shipped to the manor. All right under the noses of the custom agents and other government agents from both here and back in Europe.

Celestia the oldest member of the pride and the one who found Sunset when she first came to this world. She's very close with Sunset due to her still being young when she found her and took her in, having a very close relationship that's very motherly. Thanks to some magic and potions, she's now a more youthful mature woman than her real age would be, she also has a very voluptuous body with very large M cup breasts.

Gunevia a large woman who was living out in the middle of nowhere til Sunset came across her and joining the pride. Has modified her body to be very strong and has K cup breasts.

Veronica a woman who lived in a small village running her late husband's butcher shop, till she met up with Sunset on her travels and joined her pride. Used the potions and magic to get a younger body and more shapely, has J cup breasts.

Ishtovia a former nun who left after she learned how deep the corruption the church goes. Protecting the image of the church then dealing with the priest that's been raping the boys under his charge. Sunset help her arrange an accident to kill the priest and send him off to Hell where he belongs. Has turn her back on the teachings of the church and has embraced her suppressed sexual desires. Has a use body with I cup breasts.

Liesel a fire blower from a traveling circus that suffered an accident that caused the circus to disband. Sunset found her on the streets and joined up with the pride. Has a talent in fire magic and used potions and magic to fix her body from the years of rough living, has a slender body with H cup breasts. (2)

The ladies are attracting lots of attention from the other guests of the speakeasy. Thanks to how attractive they are combine with their more than ample bodies on display with clothes that aren't meant to contain melon sized breasts, even if their clothes cover them up. Also that all of them are drinking baby mice wine with the bottles that contain dead animals empty of liquor on their table.

On stage are 4 other members of the Shimmer pride, Cleo, Felicia, and the sisters Blackfire and Starfire. The foursome are putting on a dance and singing a song, which after the mayor's party the new brand of music called Rock and Roll has become hugely popular within the city. The songs are spreading thanks to Shimmer and her pride making records causing it to become widespread across the country.

"Those girls are great," Rocky said working as a server till it was his turn to play.

"Sure and it has nothing to do with how… ample their figures are," Ivy huffed staring at the bodies of the women on stage that are covered in skin tight outfits, causing certain parts of their bodies to jiggle. And from what she has seen is causing both the men and women in the club to stare.

"Well it's not like you're not staring either. Shimmer's pride is already known for the beauties that are in it and seeing how the new pride members are all hot mamas. I can't wait to see what the rest look like," Rocky said causing Ivy to blush.

"Rocky please don't get your hopes up. There are plenty of guys around here who outclass you trying to be the king of that pride," Freckle said who is manning the bar.

"True but a guy can dream. Also there are plenty of women who want in on that pride too," Rocky said teasing Ivy.

"Stop that," Ivy said blushing as she does have friends and family who are in prides but thinking of her with Shimmer's pride of beauties just intimidates her. With her slender body compared to their voluptuous bodies, she just felt like a younger girl compared to them.

"Where is Viktor anyways?" Rocky ask.

"Getting a new shipment," Freckles said.

"The new shipment has mead," Ivy said.

"What's mead?" Rocky ask.

"A drink made from honey," Freckles answers.

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Upstairs -

The 4 pig farmers who attempt to kill Rocky yesterday where he ended up burning their house down. The brothers Avril, Avery, and Emery, and their friend Benjy, finally tracked him down. He was looking for a supplier for moonshine but the farmers just tried to kill him.

They broke into the storehouse where the cars of the speakeasy are kept, where Viktor was unloading the new crate of liquor from Shimmer. He wasn't alone as Tigress is the one who was delivering that night. Viktor had seen the 4 coming and turn off the lights, leaving everyone lost in the dark, expect for Tigress who could locate the farmers by her magic enchanted night vision, letting her see even in pitch darkness. Using her knife she killed one of them by throwing it into his neck. The other 3 fired wildly with Tigress sliding underneath a car and using her gun fired at two of the men's feet sending them falling followed by head shots. And because she's underneath the car the remaining farmer didn't see the flash just the noise. Viktor spotting the flash of lights from the wild firing of the last farmer fired his shotgun and killed him.

"You killed him," Tigress said getting up and turning on the lights, revealing the four dead bodies.

"You're good in the dark," Viktor said.

"Yes, I have to be. A mass of bodies in the dark and having to make your way to the bathroom without stepping on someone, I need to be," Tigress said.

"Oh," Viktor said looking away and saw the crate of mead having been shot.

"What's the damage?" Tigress ask.

"Lost six bottles," Viktor said.

"Replaceable," Tigress said and looks at the bodies. "I'll take care of them. I go and drop them off where they can be food."

"Food for what?" Viktor ask.

"Some animals," Tigress said opening the trunk of the car she came in with and began stuffing the bodies inside which Viktor helped.

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Author's Notes -

1 - Seeing how in cannon of the show Equestria has Hay Burgers a fast food restaurant. Sunset would know the concept of fast food, which like in real life started off regional before spreading.

And White Castle restaurant is the very first fast food restaurant that became a chain of restaurants later.

2 - From Funbag Fantasy 4

3 - Prohibition caused the loss of at least $226 million per annum in tax revenues on liquors alone; supporters of the prohibition expected an increase in the sales of non-alcoholic beverages to replace the money made from alcohol sales, but this did not happen.

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