FOE: The Price We Pay

I rolled out of Stable 55 and straight into a raider camp. You see, Stable 55 was built under a small mining town called Rattler Junction in the Macintosh Hills. It was home to a raider gang led by a mare named Tramp Stamp.

When I stumbled out of the mineshaft I had just dug my way out of, I was confronted by the freshly flayed corpses of five ponies and the crazed shouts of some buck that was wearing the skin of one of the mares like a coat and charging me with a meat cleaver.

Tiered from digging my way out, and not in the mood for this shit, I activated S.A.T.S. on my Pipbuck and blew his brains out the back of his head with my battle saddle mounted IF-88 Ironpony, the only thing I had left of my father, grandfather, great-grandfather...it was an heirloom.

The shot drew the attention of the other blood crazed ponies in the small town but they only lasted a few minutes. You don't charge an Ironpony with a frying pan. The only one with a gun was Tramp Stamp, and it jammed after four wild shots that didn't even hit close to me. My Ironpony made short work of her.

I looted everything I could find, dropping it all in my saddle bags and letting the sorting spell identify things I wasn't sure of. Among the spoils were a bunch of chems and a large bag of bottle caps. Thank the Goddesses I'm a pack rat, that big bag of caps came in handy.

I also found a badly written journal that told me what these ponies were doing and who the were. The spelling was atrocious but clear enough to set my blood boiling at the descriptions of mutilation recorded there. I decided to stamp out this menace called Raiders. Lighting a cigarette, I headed north, into Equestria.

 

************

 

Now, some ponies might have a problem with senseless killing. I don't. Pipbucks have a nice little feature called Eyes Forward Sparkle that helps you identify friend or foe with a glance at the color of the bar representing that individual. If it's green, we're good. If it's red, it's dead. I sleep fine at night, thank you.

I made my way to Tenpony tower over the next few weeks. Killing my way through raiders, manticores, feral ghouls, and hell hounds. By the time I got to the tower, which I had heard about on that DJ Pon3 station, I had amassed a decent fortune through trade with settlements along the way, and bounties. Paying the fee to enter the tower was nothing, and I spent the night in one of the best rooms, ate some amazing cheese...they have a cheese shop...really, run by a stallion named Monterey Jack, and met Marzi.

Marzipan, the most beautiful mare I had ever seen. She was a pale green unicorn with a cream colored mane and tail, slim and sleek in riot armor with two SMGs holstered at her withers. Her deep purple eyes drew me in from across the restaurant and she spent the night in my bed where I got to remove that armor and get a look at her cutie mark, a pair of crossed arrows with a heart around them.

That was quite a week. Laying around my fancy room, eating good food, taking long soaks in hot water, getting that sweet plot over and over and over...but it couldn't last.

Marzi had a job to do. Escorting a caravan out to New Appleoosa. So I decided to join her, and this is where the real adventure begins.

 

**********

 

I was walking point in front of the caravan so my E.F.S. wasn't cluttered up with the bars of the various ponies and brahmin. A day and a half out from Tenpony tower and the clouds were starting to bring back that depressing feeling. Mundane doesn't begin to describe it. Why can’t those stupid turkeys up there just give us a few hours of sunlight? Not that I know what it feels like...but still.

Sunlight walked up beside me, in the form of Marzi. I rolled my cigar to the opposite side of my mouth so the smoke wouldn't get in her eyes and spoke. “What’s shakin toots?” I could see the smirk on her face out of the corner of my eye.

“I told you not to call me that.” she said, bumping me with her flank. “I'm not some Stable floozy. I could kick your ass if I wanted, and you know it.” She reached over and nibbled at my ear, causing chills to shoot down my spine as I twitched my head away.

“Gah! Don't do that Marzi, I'm trying to concentrate.” I focused back on the road ahead, sweeping with my E.F.S. for threats. “We're getting close to Ponyville. This is raider territory. Gotta stay alert.” My eyes snapped to the right, thought I saw a red bar, but it was just a leaf.

“I think you need to lay of the mint-als. They're making you paranoid. Besides, you said you cleaned out Ponyville a month ago, that's where you got this.” She brushed a hoof lightly down the scar on my neck from a machete graze I received from some sneaky cunt.

I twitched away from her hoof, then forced myself to relax. “You know how Ponyville is. That place is like a magnet for raiders, you can't keep them out. And we have one fat target walking the road with us.” I glanced back at the caravan, two brahmin loaded with packs and one wagon loaded with a full water tank. I also noted the other six guards in various positions behind us, then glanced up at the single griffin flying above us.

Nine guards total, for a small caravan. Seems like overkill, but this is the wasteland. You can't be too careful. Only the well protected make it. Unlike that one in the ditch, a busted wagon and a few empty crates. No bodies. They're most likely decorating the walls of the Ponyville town hall.

“You need to chill, before you pop a blood vessel or something. We'll be fine. We have your fancy bracelet and eyes in the sky. Not to mention the best merc group in Equestria.” She spins as she walks, sweeping a hoof around. “And best of all…” completing her spin she landed beside me again and licked the side of my face “you have me!” she punctuated that statement with a kiss.

I managed to not flinch away this time, and returned the kiss, swirling my toung through her sweet tasting mouth. I'll never get used to that ‘sugar'. As we broke the kiss I glanced around, just to be sure something wasn't sneaking up, before speaking. “You're right, I should relax, and I will. As soon as we're past Ponyville.” As soon as those words left my mouth, a red bar appeared at the far right side of my vision. I quickly turned my head and stopped. “7...8...9...Shit, HOLD!”

On the right there was a stand of dead trees atop a small rise. They were hiding behind the rise and had sprung their ambush while I was making out with Marzi. I could see the barrel of a rifle, and the silhouette of a pony with spiky armor. I quickly checked the left side of the road for bars, not seeing any, I shouted “Right flank, Ambush!” and looked to Marzi. “Get some grenades on that ridge, I'm going around their left flank. Twenty seconds, then one volley.” I spoke quietly and Marzi nodded as I dove into the ditch and out of sight of the tree line.

20 seconds later I was in the woods, almost behind the raiders position when I heard the rattle of a machine gun, then the thump of the griffins grenade launcher. It was followed by five explosions and a few screams from ahead. The machine gun stopped suddenly, but started right back up after the last explosion. I had to take that out.

I popped another Mint-al, and chewed a Buck for good measure. Starting up the back side of the hill I could see the ass end of seven ponies and five smoking craters, three of them with body parts and scraps of mish-mash armor. There were eleven bars when I left the road, now there were only eight.

I could hear the pop of return fire from the caravan, and the purr of Marzi’s SMGs. As the drugs kicked in the world became clear. I could see wood splintering off the trees and arterial spray arcing through the air as one of the raiders was hit and fell. I focused on the mare with the machine gun. It was a belt fed type on a stand, in decent shape considering these were raiders. They had more guns than most do which was strange.

I calmly walked up behind the machine gun mare and blew the back of her head off with my Ironpony. I quickly swiveled to the left and hit SATS, splattering three more if the raiders before they could turn to see what happened. That left one in front of me, pinned under one of his comrades corpse, and two behind.

I dove to the left and rolled a short way back down the hill as bullets tore up the ground where I had been standing. I came up with my 44 revolver in my mouth and quickly dispatched the other two before they could adjust their aim. Didn't even need SATS for that.

I looked back to the last raider, who had just managed to pull himself to his hooves and was preparing to charge me with a piece of rebar. I dicked under his charge and planted a double applebuck in his side as he went past. Dropping my 44 back in it's leg holster I turned to watch the buck struggle up from the base of the tree I had bounced him off of.

I sprang into the air and brought my forehooves down on his head with a sickening crunch. Spinning in a quick circle, I checked my EFS for threats, and seeing none, shouted “Clear!” toward the caravan.

 

**********

 

As Smoke disappeared into the trees I whistled for Gunny, who landed next to me almost immediately. “Put five boomers on that ridge when I signal, then switch to guns and cover our back.”

“Got it.” Gunny said, springing into the air. I gave him time to get into position then glanced left and right, making sure my crew was in position. Unholstering the twins, Huginn and Munin, I counted to 10, that should be plenty of time. I took a deep breath...

I saw the muzzle flash at the same instant dirt kicked up in front of me. Diving to the side I let out the breath in a short, shrill whistle. As I came to my hooves I emptied the twins at the muzzle flash. The gun went quiet long enough for me to reload. As I took aim again the ridge exploded. Five grenades in rapid succession followed by screams.

“Fire for effect, don't shoot unless you can see ‘em!” I shouted as I scrambled for cover. The machine gun began to chug again as dirt kicked up around my hooves. Rolling up under the wagon, I pointed the twins back toward the tree line, just in time to see two raiders running out of the trees with melee weapons. Raiders, not the smartest ponies.

I heard the roar of Smokes Ironpony and the machine gun went silent. As soon as the lead raider leapt to clear the ditch I let loose with the twins. He was dead when he hit the road in front of me. I saw the other one fall short of the ditch, holes in his chest.

The fire from on the hill had stopped after I heard two cracks of a 44. A few moments later, I faintly heard Smoke shout ‘Clear!'.

“Sound off.” I commanded, listening to make sure nopony was hit. I got to my hooves and looked around, making sure all were accounted for as my crew responded. One of the caravan ponies was on the ground at the front of the wagon, two holes in her flank. Her pulling partner was administering a healing potion. Both of the brahmin where perforated, but still on their hooves. Looked like the goods they were carrying protected them from serious harm.

I walked toward the back of the cart as Gunny landed beside me. “No movement on the other side, I think we're clear. That was AWESOME!” he pumped a fist in the air as he said it. I just rolled my eyes at his over enthusiastic attitude. “Smoke just took out seven of them in a span of seconds. He stomped the last ones head in!” Gunny gave a short hop and slammed his front paws down in demonstration.

“Gunny, you were supposed to be watching our rear, not the fight.” I berated him. “Get back up there and sweep those woods again.” I pointed a hoof toward the opposite treeline as Gunny hung his head. He was a good fighter, but sometimes his excitement got the better of him. Youngster.

As he spread his wings and sprung into the air I turned to Crackerjack, my second in command for a report. “Everypony ok?”

“Sweetie is the only casualty, she'll be back on her hooves in a few minutes, the brahmin are slightly bruised but fine. Only pony I don't see is your new buckfriend.” he said with a smirk, nodding toward the hill the raiders attacked from.

I sighed as I looked up the hill “I'll go fetch our Stable dweller, he must be looting the bodies. Get everypony up and ready to move, but stay alert. Something doesn't feel right. They had too many guns.” Crackerjack nodded at me as I turned and leaped over the ditch, headed up the hill to Smoke.

 

**********

 

After shouting the all clear I turned to the corpses around me. I lit another cigar, having dropped mine at some point, and started on my favorite part after the killing. Loots! I sharted rifling through pockets, tossing chems, ammo, caps, and whatever else I found in my saddle bags. I gathered all the guns into a pile and then turned to the heavy machine gun on its stand.

As I was admiring this thing of beauty I noticed a green bar approaching from the caravan, had to be Marzi. I went back to inspecting the gun, pulling back the bolt with a hoof and unhooking the belt. It was made to be hoof fired from a portable tripod. .30-06, belt fed from a box beside it. There were a couple of unopened ammo boxes beside it, all stamped Equestrian Army Issue.

Where in the world did these raiders get such heavy ordinance? I slipped the strap around my neck to my shoulder and kicked the release to detach it from the tripod. Swinging it onto my back i shifted it to better carry the weight. “Found a new toy, hun?” Marzi asked as she stepped around a tree.

“Eyup. Not for me though. Too heavy. Maybe Gunny will like it.” i kicked the release on the tripod, folding it up and grabbing it with my mouth. I walked over and dropped it by the pile of guns I had gathered, then I laid the HMG gently beside it. “We got 3 hunting rifles, one assault rifle, several 10mm’s and other small caliber pistols. There's a box of 10mm ammo over there.” I pointed at the pile of ammo next to the HMG belts with a hoof. “These guys were armed to the teeth, for raiders.”

“Yeah, doesn't seem right” Marzi kicked at one of the corpses, eyeing the armor. “They didn't behave like normal raiders. Hey! Look at this.” She flipped one of the corpses over onto its back and pointed to it's chest plate. It was made from an old street sign, the words ‘Flankfurt, 2 miles’ “That's Hoofington, how did it wind up on a raider way over here?”

“I dunno, but they had some good loot, so I'm not complaining. Let's get this stuff down there and loaded babe, so we can get movin’. I'm ready for a hot shower, and some flank.” I reached over and nibbled Marzi’s ear, causing her to giggle. She kissed me on the cheek, then let out a shrill whistle. I started gathering guns as Gunny landed nearby.

“That was awesome Mr. Stack! You kicked ass!” The young griffin was practically vibrating with excitement.

I put on a smug look and pointed to the HMG. “I got you a present kid. How about helping us lug this stuff back to the wagon so we can get going.”

He hopped over to the pile of guns and scooped up the HMG. “This is for me, gosh it's heavy! Thanks Mr…” whatever he was about to say was interrupted by an explosion on the other side of the hill.

I kicked the reload lever on my battle saddle as the screams started, and then looked at Marzi as I heard the hum of a motor spinning up. “Is that a…”

“Minigun” Marzi said, a look of fear creeping into her eyes.

 

**********

 

More explosions sounded from below, and more screams as we peeked over the rise. Dirt and dust was raining all around the overturned wagon. I saw puffs of dirt chase down one of the caravan ponies as she tried to run. The minigun cut her legs from under her and she face planted on the ground, writhing in agony. I started to rise and dive down the hill into the fray when I felt Marzi’s magic pull me back down.

“Wait! You can’t charge that minigun, we have to flank. They’re going to have to hold out.” She turned to Gunny. “Can you handle that big gun kid?” He nodded back at her, a determined look in his eye. “Good. get it loaded, take the left flank, stay low. See if you can take out that minigun, if you can find it.”

“Yes Mam!” Gunny snapped off a salute, grabbed a belt of ammo and started off to our left, loading as he went. Marzi pointed to the right. “Can you see any red bars, any idea of their positions?”

“I see four, mixed in with the greens of the others. There may be more out of range on the other side.” I kept my head on a swivel as we worked our way back to the road, ahead of the caravan. The explosions had stopped, as well as the hum of the minigun. There were still pops of small arms fire, and screams of the wounded.

As we approached the road and slipped into the ditch I could see Crackerjack and two other mercs in cover behind the water tank. The mare that I had seen cut down wasn’t moving anymore. There were several other bodies, and parts of bodies, scattered on the road.

I counted bars on my EFS. “Three green, a whole lot of red. I count maybe fifteen. They’re moving around.” I could see ponies moving through the trees on the other side of the road, cautiously approaching the wrecked caravan. One of the brahmin was laying on the road not far from our position, obviously dead. The other one was not in sight.

“Let's move. Stay low behind the brahmin and make a break for the trees, maybe we can get behind them.” I followed Marzi into the road and ducked behind the hulking corpse. We paused for a moment, then dashed for the treeline. No shots rang out in our direction so we weren't noticed. As we slipped into the trees I heard the chug of the HMG. Gunny must have found a target.

“Now’s our chance Smoke. Let’s take em while they are distracted.” She kissed me quickly on the cheek. “Do what you do best.” With that she turned sprinted to my right, circling around behind them without a sound. I watched her move off into the trees like a wraith.

I checked to make sure my Ironpony was loaded, and replaced the two rounds I had fired earlier in my 44. I was still riding the Buck, so all good there. I heard the hum of the minigun start up again, and turned my head towards the sound. I started in that direction with steady steps, being as quiet as I could. They never saw me coming.

I walked right up behind the pony with the minigun, a unicorn buck, sweeping the gun from side to side trying to hit Gunny, who was way to fast. There were two other raiders flanking him, laughing. I hit SATS, targeted heads, and let loose. Before the bodies and the minigun clattered to the ground I was moving. Pivoting to my left I started blasting into the backs of four that were firing towards the water tank. I heard the purr of Marzi’s twins off to my right and saw three more red bars wink out in the corner of my eye as the last of the for in front of me died. I spun back to the right and threw a double applebuck at the mare who was trying to sneak up on me. .Won’t fall for that again. I thought as I felt the kick connect and heard a crunch.

By the time I made sure she wasn’t getting back up the other gunfire had died down. I scanned for red, didn’t see any. I once again shouted “Clear!” and then headed over towards Marzi and Gunny. “You two ok?” I asked as I approached.

“I’m fine.” Marzi responded. “Gunny went to check on the others.” She was hoisting the minigun in her magic, checking it for damage. “This thing is brand new, looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. I’m not liking this at all. The first attack was a distraction. Raiders don't use tactics like that.”

We gathered what we could carry, more chems, caps, and small arms, and headed back to the road. Gunny was off to the side, back the way we had come a ways, sitting on his haunches and cradling a pony. Tears were streaming down his beak. Marzi motioned to the others with her head “Go check on Crackerjack and the others, I'll tend to this. That's Red, he practically raised Gunny. This will be tough.” with a sad look in her eye she turned to comfort Gunny.

I watched her walk over and sit next to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder as he sobbed. She looked around, then levitated up a battered old stetson and set it on Gunny’s head, speaking softly to him.

I turned and headed over to Crackerjack and the others. I didn't say a word as we began to gather the dead. Marzi had lost three of her crew, and one of the bucks with Crackerjack was nursing a healing potion. All of the caravan ponies were dead, along with the one brahmin. I never even knew their names. All in all I think we failed this job.

I put my shoulder against the wagon next to Crackerjack to help him push it upright. I heard a soft thump from up the road, then Marzi shouted “Look out!” Before I could react, the wagon exploded. I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my body and realized I was flying before everything went black.

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

The soft thump from down the road chilled my blood. I knew that sound, no. It couldn't be, not here. I shouted a warning to Smoke and saw his head turn toward me. I looked on in shock and horror as the wagon exploded, sending Smoke Stack flying into the ditch beside the road along with splinters of wood and Crackerjack.

I heard an assault rifle open up, had to be Brownie, he was farthest from the wagon. The sounds of bullets pinging off of armor reached my ears as I headed for Smoke. I shouted over my shoulder at a stunned Gunny, “Fly you fool! Fly! Go, get away!” I gave him a shove with my magic, snapping him out of it and he sprang into the air, flying back down the road.

I reached the edge of the road and slid down into the ditch beside Smoke. Under cover for the moment, I checked for a pulse. It was weak and he was barely breathing. His left side was a mess of shrapnel and blood. I pulled a healing potion from a pocket and attempted to pour it down his throat. He was conscious enough to swallow most of it, and I felt his pulse strengthen as the magic went to work.

“Hold on Smoke, Hold on! You'll be ok...just hold on.” I opened his saddle bags and dug out a Med-ex, this probably wasn't a good idea because I had no clue what he had already taken, but I needed him out so the healing potion could work. As I injected the Med-ex into his neck I said a prayer to Luna, asking her to protect him.

I hoisted Smoke up in my magic as another soft thump came from up the road followed by an explosion that shook the ground, silencing the gunfire. I looked in that direction through the dust, knowing what I would see, but dreading it just the same.

Standing in the middle of the road was an abomination. More machine than pony. A massive earth pony buck, mostly armor and hydraulics. Cannons attached to either side of his body. Glowing red eyes. Pure, unadulterated death in pony form. A Reaper, THE Reaper. Deus.

Suddenly it all made sense. I should have known when I saw that chest plate, and all those new weapons. I guess I assumed we were safe here, this far from the Hoof. I had to run. I had to hide. I looked at Smoke, levitating beside me. I had someone I really cared about now. Sure I cared for my crew, trusted them, relied on them, but from what I could tell, they were all gone, but Smoke...Smoke I loved, and he was alive for now. I could run, but eventually I would have to fight. I would just have to find a way to take down a god.

I turned and started down the ditch dragging Smoke through the air beside me. Hopefully I could slip away before he noticed us. If I could get into the woods…”I see you, Cunt.” that deep, metallic voice. The one that chilled to the bone. There was a thump and the trees in front of me exploded some of them toppling onto the road, blocking my exit.

“Hiding in a ditch like the little cunt you are, huh Cunt? Get up here Cunt. We have a score to settle.” If there was the tiniest shred of doubt in my mind that the monstrosity on the road was Deus, it was dispelled by the third ‘Cunt'. I released my magic from around Smoke Stack and left him in the ditch. Slowly walking up into the road, I turned to face Deus.

All I could hope to do was stall and pray for an opening. “You're a long way from home Deus. I know you didn't come all this way for little ol’ me? I thought me and Big Daddy had an understanding.”

“Understanding was over when you stole from him, Cunt. He sent me to fetch you. You have two choices Cunt. Come willingly back to the Arena and pay for your crime, like a Cunt, or ride back on my dick. What's it gunna be Cunt?” He scraped a hoof against the road and snorted steam from his nostrils. “Please pick the second one Cunt. I need a good fuck.”

I chuckled, letting a smug smile spread across my face. “You know that's not going to happen. Remember the last time you thought you were going to fuck me? You're lucky you got away with your nuts still attached.”

I was glad I gave Smoke the Med-ex now. I definitely didn't want him to see this. A layer of overglow coated my horn and ethereal smoke flowed from my eyes as I cast my special spell.

I saw Deus’s red eyes narrow as he spoke “Not this time, Cu-” a spire of purple crystal burst from the ground and hit Deus right in the chin, causing the shot he fired from his left cannon to ruffle my mane as it went over my head. The spire continued upwards, flipping him onto his back.

I released the spell and grabbed Smoke in my magic as I felt a pair of strong talons wrap around my barrel and my hooves lift off the ground. I held on to Smoke as Gunny banked in the direction of Tenpony and poured on the speed. We were going to make it, this time. Behind us I heard Deus’s bellow.

“CUUUUUUUUUNNNT!”

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

**********

I opened my eyes to darkness. Not like night time, but the kind of darkness where you have to blink to feel your eyelids move just to make sure they are working. I could hear the clanking of machinery, and smell stale, dusty air. There was a gentle feel of the floor pushing against my hooves.

I was on a lift, rising out of a shaft. Shift is over, that's what it was. Coming off work in the mines, headed back to the Stable. There's no lights in the elevator shafts, to cut down on power consumption. I must have dozed off on the ride up, which is not that hard to do after a long day of digging coal.

Blinding light flooded the cage as it reached the top of the shaft. I closed my eyes and shielded them with a hoof for a moment in pain. When I was able to open them, I saw my best friend, Garnet. We grew up together, like brothers, worked the mines together for a while, until he decided he wanted to work Security.

Standing there in his brand new armor, a big goofy grin on his face. “Gar you sonofa bitch. What are you doing here?” I asked as I started pulling the coal wagon out of the lift, throwing my shoulder into it.

“What? You think just because I got a new job I don't want to hang out with you anymore? Let's go get a drink.” He put his shoulder against the rear of the cart and pushed as I pulled it up the slight incline to the processing center. An action we had done together hundreds of times.

“I figured you would be too good to hang out with the lowly diggers now that you got that shiny badge.” I unhooked myself from the harness and headed for the locker room as Garnet followed.

I dumped my tools in my locker, grabbed a towel and stepped over to the showers. “Just get cleaned up and come on Smoke. I've got us some mares from 56 lined up, they're waiting.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me as he said it. I had to admit, Security has its perks.

I kicked the shower on and as the water hit my side I felt a searing pain.

**********

My eyes snapped open and we're filled with a vision of beauty. Inches from my face where Marzi's deep purple eyes, filled with worry. “Smoke! You're awake, lie still. Don't try to get up, don't try to talk!” she looked away above me. “Give him something doc! He can't be awake for this.” as every nerve in my body screamed I had to agree with her. Thankfully I felt the warm sensation of Med-ex wash the pain away as I slipped back into the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~

Some time later I awoke again, sore but not in searing pain like before. I felt a warm presence pressed against my back and turned to see Marzi’s sleeping face. I shifted so I could kiss her muzzle and felt the bandages against my side. Marzi stirred at my kiss, mumbling something incoherent and slowly opened her gorgeous eyes.

“Mmm...morning hun, any pain?” She sat up on the bed, gently pushing me back down and lifting the covers to check my bandages.

“Some soreness, not much. I feel kinda strange, like someone pulled the cotton stuffing out of my head. What happened? Where are we, and where are the others?” I looked around the room, finding it vaguely familiar.

“We’re back in your room at Tenpony. You were hurt pretty bad, Gunny flew us back. That was three days ago.” I stared up at her, trying to process as she continued. “You were hit by an artillery shell, Crackerjack took the brunt of it, but it tore your entire left side up pretty good. Me, you, and Gunny...are the only ones that made it out.”

I reached up and pulled her down to my chest as tears welled up in her eyes. She had lost a lot out there on that road, and from the looks of things, she’d been holding it in to take care of me. “I got you love, let it out.” I stroked her mane as sobs racked her body and her tears soaked the fluff on my chest.

We lay like that for the better part of an hour before she finally sat up. “You need to get up and move around. Let's go get something to eat. I'll be alright now Smoke. Thank you.” she leaned in and softly pressed her lips to mine. I returned the tender kiss, brushing a hoof along her cheek.

As the kiss started to turn deeper she pulled away, a small smile on her lips. She shook her head at me. “None of that now, the Doc said you have to take it easy for a few more days, and I know you can't take ‘that' easy.” Her normal smirk returned to her face as she slid off the bed, swishing her tail at me. Such a tease.

“Come on stud, get moving. The quicker you get on your hooves, the quicker you get better.” I rolled over and put my hooves on the floor, feeling a little shaky. Marzi slipped up beside me and let me lean against her wither as she guided me to the door.

“Just give me a Buck babe and I can walk by myself.” I said, looking around for my saddle bags.

“No. No chems. Life Bloom had to purge your system after the surgery. I didn't know what all you had taken before the fight, and we pretty much ODed you on Med-ex getting you stable. I would prefer it if you stopped with the chems, you don't really need them anyway, you said something about cotton stuffing in your head. That's what the chems did to you. You feel better because you're clean.”

I pouted at her for a moment, until I realized the stern look on her face was for real. I sighed and relented. “I guess I can lay off while I recover.” the stern look didn't let up as she stopped and stared me down. “Ok, fine...fine. No more chems. If it'll make you happy, and you're right. I do feel better. Maybe I don't need them like I thought I did.” I hung my head in shame. This mare was doing things to me, I hadn't decided if I liked it or not, but I knew one thing...As she placed a hoof under my chin and pulled my face up, pressing her lips to mine...I loved this mare.

 

~~~~****~~~~

 

I stared at Reds old beat up stetson, laying on the bar in front of me. A half empty bottle of Wild Pegasus and two shot glasses sat beside it. One full, the other empty. It's previous contents burning in my belly, keeping company with the ones that had gone before it.

Father. The only one I had ever known, not blood, but father just the same. Red Delicious. He always claimed to be a member of the famous Apple family, a relative of Big Macintosh, the great war hero. He certainly knew his genealogy, tracing his family history all the way back to the war, not that there was anyway to confirm it, but I loved to hear the stories.

He always talked about how important family was. ‘Son' he’d say ‘No matter what happens in this world, what tartarus brings, ya can always count on family.’ I'd answer him by reminding him I was an orphan and he would pat me on the back and say ‘No yer not kid, yer an Apple. No matter if ya got feathers instead’a fur. You got me.’

No more. I was alone now. I always knew this day would come eventually. What we did was dangerous. Just living in this blasted wasteland was dangerous. But knowing doesn't prepare you for the loosing. Nothing can.

I poured another shot and sent it down to it's friends. The thought of Friends made me remember Marzi. She was the only one left. She would probably move on, she had her new buckfriend. No point in training me anymore, since the whole crew was dead. I knew enough about life in the wastes to acknowledge the fact I'd have to move on too. Maybe I could go join up with the Talons. I'd probably get a shit job, bottom rung. At least I'd have something to do besides sitting here, staring at Reds hat.

I poured another shot, but before I could down it a voice spoke my name softly from behind me. I turned and glanced at Marzipan. “May I join you, Gunny?” I nodded my head and motioned to the stool beside me, then tapped the bar to get the bartender's attention.