Fallout Equestria: The Sickness Within

Chapter 13: Storm

"Is inside a tree really the best place to be in a lightning storm?"

*****

"—Happy?”

The gray colt blinked, glancing up from the tiny, green-spotted beetle crawling across his hoof. His ears twitched, shifting toward the source of the sound.

"—Happy? Are you coming?"

The colt glanced over his shoulder, prompting the tiny insect to flare its wings and fly off. He could see his mother on the other side of the small clearing, her light blue coat standing out against the deep greens and browns of the forest behind her. He hadn't realized she'd been calling for him.

Turning away from the small stand of ferns he'd been inspecting, he nodded back to her.

“Yes, Mother.”

The mare smiled at his response, her green eyes warm and gentle. He watched as she trotted over to his side, setting down the small basket she’d been carrying in her hooves and giving his mane a tussle.

“Did you wait here the whole time like I asked?”

The colt nodded.

“Mm.”

The mare smiled again, closing her eyes as she knelt forward to kiss his forehead. The colt giggled as the dark blue wisps of her mane not woven into her braid tickled his ears.

Following up with a gentle nuzzle, his mother pulled back, chuckling in turn.

“That’s my little Happy. Are you ready to head home?”

"Mm!"

The colt nodded again, smiling back at her.

If it was time to head back, that meant it was almost dinner time. He loved helping his mother make dinner. As long as it wasn't oats. He didn't like them very much.

Returning his nod with one of her own, his mother tilted her head, motioning to the forest.

“Do you remember which way it is?”

The colt beamed, his tiny chest puffing up in pride. He nodded more forcefully.

"Mm!"

His mother smiled.

“Lead the way, then, Happy.”

Excitement welling in his chest, the colt scrambled to his hooves, slowing for a moment to pick up the small, stuffed bear at his side and place it carefully onto his back. It had been a gift for his birthday. His mother had made it especially for him.

Glancing back up, the colt’s eyes scanned the trees around him.

It was darker here—this deep in the forest—but there was still enough light to see by during the day. He and his mother came here often to gather herbs and flowers.

Though it was still dangerous to travel at night, this part of the forest was safer than others. That's what all the other ponies in the village said. For some reason, the monsters didn't seem to come here. Or near the village. Something about an old curse that kept them away. His mother had told him it was a blessing, though. Something that protected them.

The colt’s eyes found their way to a familiar looking tree at the edge of the clearing. A large “x” had been carved into one of its lower branches, the marking itself well weathered.

The trail home. Marked for them to follow like it always was.

With a grin, the colt darted toward the marker, brushing aside some of the taller grass to reveal the narrow path just beyond it. He could hear his mother let out another gentle laugh behind him, stepping forward to follow.

Though they'd walked this path many times before, the forest was always different every time they visited.

The plants. The wind. The bugs. The flowers. There was always something new to explore. A new sight the colt had never seen. He liked living close by.

The colt didn’t remember much of his old home. Only that it was gray. And dreary. And that a lot of angry, mean looking ponies would visit from time to time. Sometimes they'd yell at the ponies that lived there and ask them for caps. Other times, if the ponies didn't have any caps to give them, they'd take them away in chains.

Brushing the memory aside, the colt forged ahead—but not too far—glancing back at his mother every so often. She smiled back and waved every time he did so, the continued reassurance bringing another smile to his face.

There weren’t many other foals in the village. Most of them were older than he was. None of them really seemed to like him. But as long as he could spend time with his mother, the colt didn’t mind.

As long as she was there, he could be happy.

As long as she was there, he would be safe.

As long as she was there…things would be alright.

*****

Happy was in a meadow.

He could feel the warmth of the big yellow sky-circle on his back. Taste the scent of the morning dew in the air. Whole herds of pink, flappy insects fluttered above the vibrant green grass surrounding him, small groups of brahmin grazing idly nearby.

The buck's eyes widened.

It was just like in the pictures-book he'd seen when he was a little Happy. Bright. Clear. Warm.

With a giddy yelp, the buck leapt forward, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. His hooves bounded in time with the slow, waltzing melody that had started to play in the air around him.

♫ Poing poing poing poing poing! ♫

♫ Poing poing! Poing poing! ♫

Happy grinned, leaning down to sniff a cartoonish, pink flower.

It smelled just like fresh, deep-fried tatoes.

He giggled, bounding forward once more.

♫ Poing poing poing poing poing! ♫

A giant replica of his bunks-bed had appeared before him, the buck's eyes immediately zeroing in on the new target. Bounding onto it without hesitation, he flew up into the sky, his lips flapping in the wind

♫ Flip flap! Flap flip! ♫

“Happy!”

Glancing down at the field, Happy's face brightened. He could see Serenity waving up at him from below, a smile on her face. All the other ponies from Creaky Bend were there waving, too—Red, Valentine, Gilly, Victor.

"—Keep up the good work, son!"

"—Make sure you land safely, dear."

"—Can I try flying, too, Mommy?"

"—Zats some good height for a pony, Happy. "

Just behind them, he could see his clanmates as well, clapping their hooves and pointing up in his direction.

“—Oye dere, mutt! Dat’s some good flying!”

“—I guess that buck isn’t a total loser.”

“—That’s way cooler than my spikes!”

Happy waved back, giggling with excitement.

All of his friends had come to see him!

“Happy!”

Reaching the top of his arc, Happy's eyes shifted right. He could see another mare just a little distance off, waving up to him as well. She had a light blue coat and darker blue mane, the image of a white flower resting on her flank. He couldn’t make out her eyes for some reason though. They were dark. Hidden in shadow.

Happy tilted his head to the side, the wind shifting as he started to fall back down to the meadow below.

Did he know a she-pony that looked like that?

After a moment, Happy shrugged, giggling to himself and waving back.

Oh well. Anypony who was a smiley-pony like her must be fun to be around.

Aiming for one of the groups of bhramin below, Happy landed, bouncing from cow to cow in time with the music.

♫ “Moo moo moo moo moo!” ♫

♫ “Moo moo!” “Moo moo!” ♫

He bounded back to the ground, smiling widely as all his friends came up to meet him, forming a half circle around him in the grass. He giggled as Red threw a foreleg around his shoulder while Serenity tussled his mane, the blue mare watching with a smile from close by as everypony else cheered and waved in his direction.

Happy nodded, letting out another giddy yelp of excitement.

Being around all his friends like this was the best!

Laughing at his outburst, he could see all his friends step forward, lifting him over their heads. Cheering in time with the music, they tossed him back up into the air, the buck's stomach tingling with every shift in direction.

♫ “Hip hip hip hoo-ray!” ♫

♫ “Hoo-ray!” “Hoo-ray!” ♫

Happy giggled at the sensation, closing his eyes once again to bask in the sky-circle's warmth. He couldn't remember ever being this happy before.

Again reaching the height of his arc, he started to rush back down, smiling to himself as he stretched his legs out wide.

He had no doubt the ponies below would catch him, after all.

Whumph!

“Zzzmphhmmm...?”

Happy cracked open a groggy eye, his head spinning from the impact with the floorboards beneath him. He blinked slowly, the room around him blurry and dark.

Where was he again?

The buck rubbed his eyes, glancing around a second time.

He could see the furnishings of a small, upside-down room around him, a set of beds-bunks on either side. The one across from him was covered with thin, pink curtains, the one behind him curtainless with a yellow blanket.

He tilted his head, feeling it rub against the floorboards.

This wasn’t his room.

Eyes widening, Happy could feel his center of balance start to shift, his back legs sliding off the bed behind him. With a faint yipe! he listed forward, his head spinning as he tumbled onto his stomach.

A second whumph! echoed through the room.

“Heh...heh.”

The buck giggled at the dizzy sensation. Though the room was kind of spinny now, at least it wasn’t upsides-downs anymore.

He glanced back at the bed he’d rolled off from. Though it hadn’t been his beds-bunk, it had been plenty comfy. He felt more rested than usual, despite the rude awakening.

"Mmmn..."

The buck's ears twitched, his gaze drifting toward the head of the bed. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of another pony, a mare, shifting in her sleep.

Serenity?

The buck blinked.

Just a few hooves away, he could see Serenity sleeping, her back rising and falling as she lay there, eyes closed. Her lips were faintly parted, her long, red mane falling over her eyes and shifting gently with each breath. Her forelegs were stretched out before her, the dark circles beneath her eyes still present as she slept peacefully.

Da-dunk.

Happy shook his head, a blush forming in his cheeks.

How had he gotten here again? He couldn’t remember. Why were he and Serenity sharing a beds-bunk?

He could feel his cheeks grow warmer.

Tap. Tat-ta-tap.

Happy’s eyes darted toward the shuttered window, watching it shake against its frame. He could hear a strong wind blowing past outside, a faint chill present in the air. From the dim light he could see filtering through the slats, it was getting close to nights-time.

Happy exhaled, the memories slowly returning.

That’s right. He and Serenity had been eating lunch-snacks together before it had gotten stormy. Their walk back. Their talk. Her sleepy smile. It was coming back to him.

He glanced back at Serenity, his eyes slowly drifting across her sleeping form.

He blushed again.

Wait a second.

Happy shook the blush away, tilting his head to the side. A thought had suddenly come to him.

Nights-time? Wasn’t there something he was supposed to be doing before nights-time came? Something he was supposed to finish?

He scratched his head.

He felt like it was important.

The buck's eyes widened in realization a moment later.

His clanmates. The surprise party. Red.

Happy’s back straightened in alarm. His eyes darted back toward the window.

It would be dark-dark soon! His friends were out there waiting for him!

The gray buck brought his hooves to his cheeks, tugging them downwards.

He hadn’t gathered any of the supplies for the party at all! No balloons, no horns, no radroach-shaped party cakes—he didn’t even have streamers to wave around!

He shook his head back and forth, trying to push back the panic rising in his chest.

Inviting Red, getting the party ready—he didn’t have time for both. It would be Dark-dark soon and he didn’t want his friends to worry where he’d gone. The party was supposed to be for them, after all.

He shook his head again.

Making sure that Red was there was the most important thing. As much fun as it would have been to have decorations and treats, they would have to wait until next time.

The gray buck nodded to himself.

Mm. First things first. Find Red. Find his friends. Everything would work out from there.

Happy glanced back at Serenity, her sleeping form still resting on the bed next to him. He could feel a bit of hesitance at the thought of leaving. Would she be lonely-sads if she woke up and he wasn't there?

He gave himself another nod.

He’d make sure to come right back after everything was done. Even if she had woken up by then, he’d tell her he was sorry-sorry and make sure to make it up to her. Maybe they could go for a walk-talk to that outs-post she’d mentioned from before, once the weather cleared up.

Rising quietly to his hooves, the buck took a step backwards, wincing as the floorboard beneath him let out a loud creak. He could see Serenity shift slightly, her even breaths breaking for a moment.

He froze in place, lifting his hoof back up from the floor. His cheeks poofed out to each side as he held his breath.

After a few moments, Serenity’s steady breathing resumed, her mane shifting slightly with each breath.

Happy sighed in relief, wiping his brow with a hoof. Careful to step over the creaky slat, he crept over the door, quietly pushing it open and sneaking out into the hall. The mares from earlier had returned to their own rooms, not noticing as the buck quietly made his way to the door and exited the bunkhouse.

Closing the front door, Happy sighed again, bringing a hoof to his chest. He winced a moment later as a strong wind whipped across his face, the sleeves of his jumpsuit flapping. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

Happy frowned, glancing up toward the sky.

The scent of rain was stronger now. The rains-clouds would be here soon. He hoped he had enough time to find Red before they arrived.

Squinting through the wind, Happy could only see a few ponies outside, most holding a hoof in front of them as they made their way into the other settle-houses. He could still see a few figures moving around next to a small line of wagons near Warehouse's boxcar—their voices hard to make out as the wind carried them away.

Happy was pretty sure he could see Warehouse among the ponies there, as well as one or two of the other loader-ponies he'd worked with before. He could see them struggling against the wind with their heads down, ferrying crates from the wagons to the boxcar's open door.

“Keep them crates coming, foalks! Almost there! Careful not to let the wind catch ya!”

Happy’s eyes widened.

Glancing toward the back of the farthest wagon, he could see Red stepping out from behind it. The stallion smiled, nodding to the other ponies around him as he balanced the crates on his back with a hoof.

Red! There he was!

Happy sighed, some of his tension fading. Finding Red this quickly made things easier.

Plip.

Happy raised an eyebrow, glancing down at his shoulder. He could see a small, round spot on the sleeve of his jumpsuit, the tiny patch cold and wet against his coat.

Plip.

Happy blinked. Another cold drip. This time just above his right eye.

Plip plip plip.

Happy’s eyes widened, then squeezed shut again, the sensation of heavy raindrops pattering against his head and face. He could see the ponies near the boxcar shield their eyes as they glanced up at the sky ahead of him, their eyes widening as well.

Red’s voice called out again, harder to hear against the plips and plaps of the rain that had started to fall.

“Double time, foalks! Let’s get this wagon train a-movin’! Five minutes, in and out!”

Happy cast a nervous glance toward the hillside, furrowing his brow.

Would his friends still come if it was raining?

Memories of Deuce, Rowdy, and Scalper cursing as the four of them ducked into an abandoned bookstore to get out of the rain flashed across his mind.

“—Fuckin’ skysweat. Shit. I tink it got in one of da barrels.”

“—Fuck! That stupid buck splashed mud all over my barding!”

“—My spikes! My spikes!”

Happy shook his head. He knew his clanmates didn’t like the rain.

Pushing the thought aside, Happy started forward, breaking into a canter toward the warehouse. He could see the ponies moving faster now, shielding their manes and eyes as best as they could as they continued unloading. He could feel the earth growing damp beneath his hooves.

Red continued to shout out encouragement, all while hefting twice as much as anypony else, balancing multiple crates on his broad shoulders at a time.

“Watch your hooves, there, Dew Drop! You, too, Clover. Don’t need no colts or fillies knocking on Fleet Hoof’s door at this hour.”

Happy could see Red turn as he approached, a wide smile breaking over the stallion's face behind his beard.

“Happy! There ya are! We were wonderin’ where you and Ser got off to.”

Happy offered the stallion a quick nod before shaking his head, glancing back toward the hillside.

He knew Red liked his smalls-talks, but they had to hurry. If they took too long, he wasn't sure his friends would wait for—

Thump.

The gray buck’s eyes widened as he felt a hoof wrap around his barrel, lifting him fully up off the ground a moment later. He could hear Red chuckle above the sound of the rain as he was carried backwards toward the line of wagons in the crook of the stallion's foreleg

“Just the pony we needed! Extra set of hooves should help make sure we get those crates inside lickity-split.”

"Gnngh!"

Happy shook his head, struggling against the stallion’s grasp as he pointed behind them.

His clanmates! They were waiting! What if they got tired of waiting in the rain? What if they'd already left by the time they'd got there? What if—

With another thump Happy felt himself deposited back onto the wet ground next to one of the wagons. Small patches of water had already begun to pool at this point, soaking into the legs of his jumpsuit.

Happy swiveled around to see Red slide a few more crates onto the shoulders of the other rushing ponies, nodding and grinning as he directed them back toward the boxcar. The rain and wind didn't seem to phase him.

Happy took a breath, trying to organize his thoughts.

It was Red’s job to be a trader-pony. Happy knew that. He was a trader-pony now, too. It was their job to make sure the caravans ran on time.

The buck took a deep breath, nodding to himself.

He knew his friends were waiting, but...he would help with the wagon, too.

Part of being a good pony—a not-raider—was helping out when other ponies needed it.

Sliding in to intercept one of the crates from the back of a tired-looking Warehouse, Happy nodded up at Red. The bigger stallion grinned in return, shifting the wooden box onto his shoulders.

“That’s the spirit, son! Let’s get these crates movin'.”

Happy nodded. If he wanted to show his clanmates how to be a good trader-pony, he had to be one, too.

He spared a glanced back toward the dimming hillside as he galloped toward the boxcar, moving as quickly as he could with the crate on his back.

He just had to have faith that his clanmates would wait for them. That they wouldn't leave because of the rain.

They were his friends, after all. They would wait for him—wouldn't they?

Like Red had said, with the extra set of hooves, unloading the rest of the wagon didn’t take long. Most of the wooden containers were fairly light—full of dried food supplies and fabrics—the heavier ones easily dealt with by Red himself. By the time ten minutes had passed, Warehouse had already shifted back into his inventory role, tallying the last few crates as the other ponies dropped them off inside.

There was a collective sigh from the group—Happy included—a few tired grumbles breaking into the air beneath the boxcar's awning. The rain was growing steadily heavier as time wore on. Not quite coming down in sheets, yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Slicking his wet mane back with a hoof, Red laughed as he approached, one of the bucks in front of him- lurching forward as the larger stallion gave him a firm pat on the back.

“Good work there, y’all. Earned them caps tonight, each and every one of ya. Next time Rainy Tree comes through with another shipment, have a round on me, ya hear?”

A couple tired cheers rose up from the group—present, if a bit half hearted. There was a general sense of recognition of Red's words, though. Even the expressions of those who’d been grumbling seemed to lighten a bit, small smiles breaking across their faces.

Happy could feel a smile break across his muzzle as well, more in pride than anything else. There was something about working together side-by-side with other ponies to finish a job that felt nice.

Despite the warm feeling, however, Happy glanced back at Red, then back toward the ridge. It was too dark to make out anything clearly at this point. He knew the rocks they were supposed to meet at were there, though. Just out of sight.

The buck glanced down at his hooves.

The question was, were his friends still there, too?

Happy watched as Red waved to the other ponies, a few of them waving back as they started back towards the other settle-houses. Happy could see the stallion wave to Warehouse in turn, nodding as the two of them trotted over toward one of the piles of crates.

Happy shook his head, steeling himself.

He didn’t want to interrupt Red and Warehouse's inventory-talk, but this was important. Now that the wagon-boxes were where they needed to be, they needed to find his friends before it was too late.

Trotting up to Red’s side, Happy nudged the stallion's shoulder with his head.

Both Red and Warehouse turned, the larger stallion raising an eyebrow as he craned his neck down to meet Happy face to face.

“Hey there, Happy. Somethin’ wrong?”

Happy blinked, glancing over at Warehouse out of the corner of his eye. He could see the brown stallion regarding him and Red with a confused stare of his own, clipboard and pencil fixed firmly in his hooves.

Happy could feel a small twinge of self-consciousness. He remembered the stares of the other townsponies earlier in the day.

He waved the memory away with a hoof.

Turning back to Red, he nodded his head, pointing back to the ridge. It was already past the time they were supposed to meet.

The larger stallion tilted his head, glancing in the direction of the buck's hoof before looking back.

“Happy? Somethin’ up?”

Happy shook his head, pointing with a bit more urgency. He could feel another twinge of discomfort as Warehouse raised an eyebrow.

The stares and grumbles of the townsfoalk came rushing back again. The faces of the mares at Serenity's bunks-house, too. He struggled to speak.

“Happy rock-rain...hills-rocks...friends…friends-rocks—”

The buck shook his head, raising a hoof to his temple. He could feel himself getting frustrated—unable to find the right words to convey his thoughts.

Noticing his discomfort, Red reached out, resting a hoof on Happy’s shoulder. The gesture was gentle for Red—the buck's back barely cracked. Happy glanced back up in Red's direction, watching the stallion turn back to Warehouse.

“Say there, Warehouse. Could you see about finishin’ up the rest? Seems Happy here has somethin’ important he’d like to talk about.”

Happy watched Warehouse’s eyes shift in his direction, his gaze hesitant. After a moment, he glanced back toward Red, shrugging as he nodded toward the crates.

"Uh, sure thing, Red. I’ll...I’ll get right to it.”

“You’re a good pony, Warehouse.”

Red let out a chuckle, lifting his hoof from Happy's shoulder to pat Warehouse on the back. Happy could see the smaller stallion's eyes widen as he stumbled forward, juggling the clipboard and pencil in his hooves to avoid dropping them. Straightening his tie, he stood back up, nodding back to Red.

“Of course. Any—*cough cough*—anytime.”

Dusting off his cufflinks, he gave Red and Happy an awkward nod and turned back into the boxcar, stepping over one pile of crates toward another that had been dropped further inside.

Red’s hoof returned to Happy’s shoulder with the usual thump. He turned to meet Happy’s gaze, a warm smile breaking over his bearded face.

“Alright there, son. No need to fret. Just take a little breath. We all get a little stage fright from time to time.”

Happy nodded, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. His racing thoughts and the sound of rain around him were still a little distracting, but with just him and Red here, it was easier to focus. He could feel his shoulders relax a little.

Red nodded in front of him.

“Good job. Now—”

Happy’s eyes opened as he felt Red give his shoulder a nudge. The stallion met his gaze.

“—what’s on your mind?”

Happy nodded, focusing his thoughts inward. He wasn’t very good at speaking them aloud—most ponies besides Serenity didn’t seem to understand him very well. If there was anyone who came close though, it was Red.

Happy took another breath.

“Happy...friends-friends…Red meet...rocks by...day-dark…”

Happy could see the stallion raise an eyebrow. He could feel another twinge of frustration in his forehead.

Why couldn’t he talk better? Everypony else seemed to be able to use their words just fine. He wished he could do the same, especially at important times like this.

“Red...come-come...meet...friends-friends...rocks-by...rain-rocks—ggghmm!”

Happy squeezed his eyes shut, scratching at his mane with a hoof.

There was too much going on in his mind. The rain. The wind. Trying to speak. Trying not to worry about whether his friends would still be there waiting or not. Remembering the disappointed looks he'd gotten lately.

The gray buck winced as he felt Red’s hoof land on his head, trapping his hoof in place. Another deep chuckle met his ears, prompting the buck to crack open his eyes once more.

Red gave his mane a tussle, the motion rattling Happy’s skull as usual.

“It’s alright there, Happy. It’s alright. You’ll get there, son. I didn’t quite catch everything you had to say, but you want me to come with you, right? To see somepony?”

Happy’s eyes widened, the frustration in the back of his mind falling away.

He nodded in excitement—anticipation.

Red had understood! Mostly, at least.

Slipping back out from under Red’s hoof and into the rain, Happy nodded, pointing in the direction of the ridgeline.

Just a couple minutes. They could still make it. Before his friends decided to leave.

Red chuckled, dropping his hoof back to the ground.

“Alright, alright. Hold your horses.”

His cheerful grin unhampered by the rain, Red started off after him, his hooves sending ripples across the small puddles of water that had started to rise in the streets. Giving the larger stallion another nod of excitement, Happy started forward as well, glancing back over his shoulder periodically as Red followed suit. The scene felt oddly familiar to Happy.

He shook the thought away. Had to focus. Had to get to his friends.

He could already feel the muddy earth starting to grip at his hooves as they trotted, but he ignored it. Nothing was going to slow him down at this point. He could jump in the puddles later.

As quickly as the larger stallion would follow him, Happy trotted out past the edge of the settlement, his eyes scanning the obscured ridgeline for any signs of movement. The rain and darkness made it difficult to see more than fifty hooves ahead, occasional flashes of distant lightning providing faint outlines and silhouettes to orient himself by.

Happy could still feel the tension in his shoulder. Excitement was still there, too, but his anxiety hadn't left him.

His friends had left him once before. But that had been an accident, right? They’d gotten lost, right? If they knew he was coming this time, they wouldn't just leave without saying anything, would they?

An anxious giggle escaped the buck’s lips. He opened his eyes wider, despite the rain, trying to peer through the darkness ahead.

Another flash, followed by a distant roll of thunder.

Happy’s eyes lit up. There! He could see the outlines of the fallen rocks, just ahead.

He glanced back over his shoulder, making sure Red was still there behind him. The red stallion regarded him with another nod, holding a hoof up to his forehead to shield his eyes from the rain.

"You're good there, son. Lead the way."

Happy smiled.

Good! Good! Things were coming together!

Splashing forward through the mud, Happy made his way toward the biggest rock—the same one he’d met his friends at the night before. Excitement starting to overpower his doubts, he could feel his grin grow wider.

He was almost there. Almost back to them.

Water and mud splashed over his jumpsuit as he shifted into a full gallop. He barely noticed it. The rock was just up ahead.

Another giggle. He was nervous. Excited. Nervouscited.

His old friends. His new friends. They would all be together. And be happy. Just like in his dream. That’s what Happy wanted more than anything. To be surrounded by his friends. To see them, smiling, every day. To not be alone anymore.

Reaching the front of the rock, Happy bounded forward, the eagerness in his chest coming to a peak. He couldn't hold back his feelings any longer.

“Friends! Friends! Happy from-back Red-Red with—”

The buck stopped in his tracks, his voice going silent.

The other side of the rock was empty.

Happy stared forward in silence, the rain continuing to fall from above. He could feel it dripping off his muzzle and onto the ground, joining the wet earth and rocks beneath him.

They weren’t here.

Happy could feel the excitement in his chest wane, his shoulders slumping.

The smile faded from his lips.

There were no signs of his clanmates. No Deuce. No Rowdy. No Scalper. Only empty field and dirt. Only rain and puddles.

No smiles. No laughter. No friends.

Happy slowly settled back onto his haunches, the mud sucking at his jumpsuit. His hooves felt numb, as did his whole body.

He felt...empty.

The faint sound of splashing hooves followed a few moments later. A large shadow appeared at his side. The buck could hear Red's breathing, sensing the stallion's gaze as it passed over the empty field in front of them.

Despite the numbness that had settled in, Happy winced. He could imagine the look of confusion and disappointment in Red's face. There was nopony here, after all.

A few moments passed in silence—the sound of the storm drifting into the background. Eyes still set on the empty earth at his hooves, Happy could sense Red's gaze shift over to him, looking him over from the side.

After a few more moments, the red stallion spoke up.

“Seems somepony that was supposed to be here didn’t show up?”

Happy nodded dimly.

There was another pause.

A few moments later, Happy could hear a heavy splash beside him. Glancing up, he could see that Red had dropped down onto his haunches as well, staring down at him with a small smile.

“That happens, sometimes, I s’pose. Life has away of throwin’ a broken wheel at your wagon from time to time.”

Happy nodded dimly.

He felt like he’d broken all his wagons-wheels at once.

The gray buck could feel a hoof on his shoulder a moment later. It was heavy, as usual, but placed there with more restraint than Red usually showed.

“Ya know, Happy. There was a time when I was in a bit of a rut as well. When it came to getting along with other ponies and all.”

Happy tilted his head back, glancing up at Red’s profile. The stallion regarded him with a nod.

“Fresh off the farm—or at least what my old stallion liked to call a farm—I had a bit of an ornery streak in me. Thought I was tough tatoes.”

He chuckled.

“First few years on my own were a bit of an eye-opener. Hadn’t realized how good I’d had it back home. Half the ponies I met wouldn’t give me the time of day. Other half were happy to give me a good beating whenever I thought it’d be a good idea to run my mouth.”

Happy raised an eyebrow.

It was hard to imagine a stallion as friendly and smiley as Red making other ponies angry.

The stallion patted him on the back.

“Things just didn’t go right for a while. Couldn’t hold a job. Couldn’t find a town to settle down in. The few bucks and mares I thought I’d been friends with growin’ up were happy to high-tail it and run at the first sign of trouble.”

He chuckled again.

“Not that I can blame ‘em. I doubt I’d have risked my hide for them if they were in a pinch back then, either.”

Happy tilted his head.

Friends. It seemed Red had had other friends before coming to Creek Bend, too.

The stallion glanced back down to face him. More thunder rumbled in from the distance. Though the rain wasn’t letting up, it seemed the worst of the storm was passing through farther north.

“Long story short, I found some good ponies with good heads on their shoulders. Ponies that took the cowpies I was throwin’ and whipped ‘em right back in my face. Showed me what bein’ true friends was. Showed me what it meant to have each others’ backs.”

Happy glanced at the stallion’s hoof resting on his shoulders. They shifted as Red pointed toward the settlement.

“Val was the one that got that hoof of mine in the door. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be pushing up daffodils by now.”

He looked back down at Happy.

“What I’m tryin’ to say here, Happy, is that things’ll get better. Surround yourself with good foalks that care about ya, treat ‘em right, and you’ll get by. Times might get rough—and there’ll still be those out there who might not like ya much or try to put one over on ya—but as long as you’ve got those ponies to come home to, you’ll make it.”

He gave the gray buck another pat.

“Like I said before, Ser’s good foalk. Victor, too. We all have our rough patches. Just keep looking out for each other. You’ll get by.”

Happy nodded slowly. He could understand the jist of what Red was saying.

While it hurt that his clanmates weren’t here...he still had Serenity. And Victor. And Red here and his family. Maybe one day he could be better friends with ponies like Warehouse and Fleet Hoof, too.

He wasn’t alone anymore, and the ponies here really cared about him. With them at his side, he could get by. Make it through. Even if he got strange looks from other ponies, sometimes. Even if he was still learning how things worked.

He nodded a bit more sternly.

He’d keep doing his best. Like he had been. He’d do what he could to help everypony else, just like they’d been helping him.

Happy blinked, glancing up in surprise as Red laughed beside him.

“That’s a good expression you’ve got there, Happy. The look of a good, hardworking buck. Makes me wish I’d have figured things out for myself as quick as you did.”

Happy smiled, a small flush of pride filling his chest.

It wasn’t everyday somepony told him he was quicker to figure things out than they were. Maybe he was a smart-pony, after all.

Red’s back-pats returned in full force this time, the buck smiling as he felt the heavy thumps echo and vibrate through his torso.

“Alrighty. What say we head in for now? Get outta this rain? Val’s got some good food cooking up for supper from this last shipment—we can even holler out Serenity’s way if she’s up for it.”

Happy bobbed his head, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth as he smiled.

Food sounded good. Food with Serenity, Red, and Valentine sounded even better. Having slept or worked the better part of the afternoon away, he could feel his belly-rumbles starting up again.

Red flashed him another smile.

“Alright, then. Let’s head on back.”

Cla-chink.

“—Might wanna retink dat, big pone.”

Happy’s ears twitched, his eyes darting back behind them. He could sense Red turning to look in the same direction—their gazes coming to rest on a figure standing a few lengths back.

A stallion. His blue coat drenched. His hoof racking the double barreled pistol in his mouth grip. One eye covered with a rough looking eyepatch.

A couple hooves to his side, there was a red unicorn mare as well, her waterlogged, green mane falling in wet strands over her eyes. There was a faint hum in the air as a small, plasticy looking pistol hovered at her side in the midst of an emerald glow. It seemed to list slightly, as if the mare wasn’t used to handling it.

Happy’s eyes widened—the brief moment of shock and confusion giving way to a surge of excitement in his chest.

His friends!

Splurch splurch!

Happy bounced back onto all fours, his hooves sinking into the muddy earth beneath him. His jumps-suit was covered in it at this point, but he barely noticed.

His friends were here! They had come! He appreciated the comforting sit-talk Red had given him, but it looked like he wouldn’t have to forget about them after all!

The buck’s eyes widened again.

That’s right! Red was here! Now he could meet Happy’s friends, too!

Happy bounced into the air, giggling as he turned toward the stallion at his side.

“Red-Red Happy friends rain-meet here-here!”

Happy could see Red rise to his hooves as well, staring up at Happy’s clanmates a few hooves away. The stallion’s earlier smile had shifted into a faint frown of confusion—his eyes moving back and forth between the two new arrivals.

There was another moment of silence—the sound of heavy rain and distant thunder filling the void. After a moment, Red shifted forward to raise a hoof, Deuce cutting him off as he nodded forward with his piece.

“—No funny business. Keep dose ‘ooves where I can see ‘em.”

Happy could see Red lower his foreleg to the ground, straightening his back. Both stallions remained silent after that. A sense of unease—tension—had settled into the air.

Happy blinked, tilting his head.

He’d expected more smiles for a first meeting. Laughter. Was this how introductions usually were? Wasn’t Red going to have a sit-talk with his friends as well?

Happy could see Red glance upwards, his eyes searching the clouds. After a few moments, he turned his gaze back earthward, nodding toward the two figures. A smile—the practiced smile of a business-stallion—slowly returned to his face, his voice friendly and even as he offered the two a nod.

“Evening there, foalks. There somethin’ I can help ya with?”

“You could say dat.”

Another pause.

Happy shifted, his smile waning slightly.

Was everything alright? Why were his friends and Red acting so strangely?

There was another roll of distant thunder. After a moment, Red nodded again.

“Well, I’d be happy to help in any way I can there, friend. No trouble. What do you say we put down the pieces for now and talk a bit?”

“Don’t tink so, big pone. Stay where ya are.”

Happy could see Red glance down in his direction before turning back, offering his clanmates another smile. A broader one, this time.

"Can do, friend. Can do. You mind if we let this here young stallion get on back to his bunk, though? He’s been workin’ all afternoon. I’d be happy to talk ‘bout anything you foalks’d like to—”

There was a faint chuckle from the mare, Rowdy's voice joining the conversation for the first time.

“Isn’t that cute? Big stallion doesn’t realize that stupid buck’s the one that brought him here for us.”

Happy could see Red pause—one of his eyebrows shifting upwards. Keeping Happy's clanmates in his line of sight, Red shifted his focus back to Happy, his words coming a bit more slowly than they usually did.

“Happy...you know these foalks?”

Happy grinned, his smile returning as he bobbed his head up and down. Things had gotten off to a rocky start, but maybe he could fix it starting here.

Happy could hear a snicker from Rowdy and Deuce, his own smile growing even wider.

See! Laughing! Smiling! Things were already getting better.

The gray buck could see Red glance back and forth between Happy’s excited smile and the sneers of the two raiders, a look of comprehension slowly growing in his eyes. Happy tilted his head as the larger stallion shifted his gaze back to him, a faint sadness in his expression as he smiled.

Happy blinked, the rain continuing to fall around them.

Was something wrong? Why was Red looking at him that way?

Glancing back toward Happy's clanmates, Red offered them another nod.

“Didn’t realize you were friends of Happy’s. He’s a good, hardworking buck. Appreciate you looking out for him up until now. I’m sure he’s happy to see you decided to come out all this way to visit.”

Red motioned to himself.

“You can call me Red, if you’d like. I run things around here. What brings you foalks here tonight?”

Deuce offered him a nod.

“We know who you are, red pone. Stripes’d like to have a little chit-chat wit ya.”

Happy could see Red’s smile waver—his brow furrowing. The smile on Happy's own face had faded as well.

Something didn’t feel right here. This didn’t feel like a meeting between friends.

His eyes shifted back to Rowdy and Deuce.

Why did they still have their bang-guns and zap-guns out, anyways? And when had Rowdy gotten a zap-gun in the first place? She'd never had one before.

At his side, Happy could see Red nod, closing his eyes as he continued to smile.

“I s’pose I couldn’t convince ya to give me a couple days to get things in order? Put a caravan together to meet him with? Stripes and I been colleagues for years—I’d be happy to talk things out with him like always.”

Happy could see Deuce shake his head across the way.

“Someone’s comin’ wit us, big pone. If it ain’t you, den maybe dat purple wife-horse of yours’d radder make da trip. Or maybe dat little, red filly?”

Happy could see Red’s figure tense, the big pony’s eyes narrowing. The buck could suddenly sense a still rage radiating from his form—an emotion he’d never felt in the stallion’s aura before. Red's smile had all but disappeared, his words suddenly growing firmer and curt.

“That’s alright, friend. I’ll come along.”

“Good choice.”

Deuce nodded to the unicorn at his side.

“Rowdy. Get da chains.”

With a nod, Happy could see Rowdy levitate her weapon to the holster at her side, wiping her brow as the aura of her magic dissipated. Reaching into her saddlebags, the sound of clinking metal met the buck’s ears as she drew a length of rusted chain out by hoof. There were five heavy bands attached to it.

Happy remembered seeing chains like that before. Long ago. Before Creek Bend. Before he’d met his clanmates. When he was a little Happy. Ponies had been dragged through town in chains like those. Sad. Scared. Covered in bruises and scars.

His eyes widened.

Taking a couple steps forward, he put himself between Red and his friends, eyeing the two raiders with uncertainty.

“Deuce-Deuce? Rowdies? Red-Red chains-clink no Happy-friend?”

The two stopped for a moment—equal looks of surprise settling over their faces.

“Since when did you start talkin’ in full sentences, mutt?”

“Did those fucking traders actually manage to teach that dumb buck something?”

Happy shook his head, glancing between the two. He didn’t like where things were going. Their tone. The way they were looking at Red. He had to make them understand.

“Red-Red Happy friend trader-pony. Happy trader-pony. Not-not raider. Deuce-Rowdy Creaky Bend not-raider, too.”

Happy winced. His head hurt. It was hard to focus with everything going on. But he had to say this. They needed to understand.

The two ponies exchanged a glance. Happy could see Rowdy raise an eyebrow and shrug, repeating the gesture in irritation a moment later as Deuce rolled his eye and glanced back.

“Outta da way, mutt. We don’t got time ta fuck around.”

Happy could see Rowdy flash him a glare in turn, taking another step forward with the chains in hoof.

Happy could feel a brief flare of panic as he took a step back.

Why weren’t they listening? Red was a friend. A good pony. Like he was now. A not-raider. His friends could be not-raiders, too. That's why he'd brought them here.

He shook his head.

“Happy stop-think, Red-Red pony-friend—”

“Can it, buck!”

Happy stopped short as Rowdy snarled, pointing a hoof in his direction.

“It’s your fucking fault we had to come out here again in the middle of a fucking rainstorm. If we hadn't ran into you last night, we coulda bagged up any one of those drunks and been on our way.”

She started forward again, looking past Happy toward Red and cursing under her breath.

“Fucking idiot. Fucking job. Fucking Stripes and all his fucking bullshit—”

Another flare of panic.

Happy’s eyes widened.

They weren’t listening. Rowdy was still moving forward. With the grab-chains.

Happy’s eyes darted back toward Red. He could see the stallion standing there—stern faced—watching the red unicorn move in his direction. Happy's eyes darted back to Deuce. Rowdy.

Why were they doing this? Red was his friend. He could be their friend, too.

Darkness swirled in the back of the buck's mind. Beneath the panic. Beneath the worry. It had been some time since he'd felt it. A sense of urgency. Frustration. Anger.

Rip. Tear.

Happy could feel his ears flatten against his skull. He took another two steps forward—placing himself between Rowdy and Red, a low growl rising in his throat.

The mare stopped short, her expression shifting from irritated, to angry, to hesitant as she held her ground.

“…Deuce?”

Happy could see the blue stallion narrow his eye. He met Happy’s gaze—the hairs on Happy’s neck starting to bristle.

“Mutt. We said back da fuck down. Dat pone’s our quarry. He ain’t your fuckin’ playmate.”

“—Happy.”

Happy flinched, his head whipping around as he felt a hoof land on his shoulder. His aggression immediately faded when he realized it was Red, the larger pony looking down at him with a soft smile.

"Don’t worry, son. I appreciate the thought, but things’ll work out. No need to get yourself shot over an old stallion like me. Stripes and I go a ways back. Didn’t think he’d go this far, to be honest, but I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”

He smiled a bit more broadly, patting Happy on the back. The gray buck could feel his heavy hoof rise and fall, thumping against his tense shoulders. The buck's ears perked up a moment later as he heard the clinking of Rowdy’s chains resume, Red giving him one last nod of assurance.

“Don’t worry, Happy. I’ll be fine.”

Don’t worry, Happy. I’ll be fine.

I’ll be fine, Happy. Don’t worry.

Don’t worry.

I’ll be fine.

Happy brought his hooves to his temples, his forehead dropping down into the muddy earth beneath him. A sharp pain had pierced through the back of his skull—voices echoing in his mind.

The blue lily-pony. The one from his dreams. Warm. Caring.

Her voice. She’d said the same thing to him before. Her words. Red’s words.

I’ll be fine, Happy.

Don’t worry.

Another sharp pain.

Memories of the blue she-pony getting weaker and weaker. Coughing. Sleeping restlessly. Staring up vacantly from the floor, a red ring of blood around her lips.

Don’t worry, Happy.

I’ll be fine.

“NO!”

Lifting his head back up from the ground with a spray of mud, Happy lunged forward through the rain, his eyes zeroing in on the two raiders before him. His lips curled back to reveal his teeth as he let out a low, guttural, growl, arching his shoulders as he took a low stance between them and Red.

He could feel a faint prickling sensation all over his body—the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as his muscles tensed with hostility.

A few hooves away, Rowdy immediately dropped the chains, her hooves coming up in front of her in a defensive stance. There was a faint shink as her hoofblades jutted out from their sheaths on her forelegs, her eyes locking onto his in challenge. A pony length behind her, Deuce’s aim shifted from Red to Happy, both barrels of his namesake piece swinging in the buck’s direction.

Happy didn’t flinch.

The raiders standing before him weren’t his friends. They were a threat. Ponies that had come here to hurt Red. To hurt Creek Bend. Enemies. Danger.

He wouldn’t let Red end up like the pony from his dreams. He wouldn’t let any of them end up like her. None of the ponies here in Creek Bend. Nopony.

Another long pause hung in the air. The rain, at this point, was pouring down even harder than it had been before, making it difficult to see Deuce and Rowdy's expressions even a few hooves away.

Deuce’s voice finally broke over the sound of pouring rain.

“Dis how it’s gonna be, mutt? You turnin’ traitor on us?”

Happy growled again, holding the blue stallion’s stare. He took another step forward, the muck shifting beneath his hooves.

The darkness in him seemed to be growing restless. Frustrated. Unable to manifest itself fully. Inhibited by something.

Fire prickled from Happy’s muzzle. His hooves. His snout. But the changes hadn’t started.

Deuce’s good eye stared back at him, narrowing further. He continued to aim his piece in Happy’s direction, his hooves planted firmly in the ground. Happy’s eyes darted between his and Rowdy’s—the two raiders standing there, tense, as the standoff continued.

He could smell their hesitation. Their unease. They knew what Happy—Angry—was capable of.

Happy’s senses remained trained on the scene before him. Alert to any movement. Any sound. It was as if there was nopony that existed but the three of them, now, in this motionless scene beneath the rainwashed sky.

KRA-KOW!

Happy’s ears twitched, his eyes darting into the air. He could hear a distant gunshot coming from the direction of the settlement—its origin obscured by rain and darkness.

His eyes widened immediately.

Serenity. The others.

Across from him, he could see Rowdy and Deuce shift, their sudden movement drawing his eyes back to their obscured forms.

“—Da fuck was—”

“—Shit! Was that—”

Happy growled again, taking another step forward. The hairs on his neck were bristling at this point—the frustrated tendrils in the back of his mind surging forward with enough potency for him to hear their words.

Tear. Slash.

He took another step, hoof digging deep into the earth. Rowdy and Deuce immediately shifted their weapons back in his direction—their curses cut off mid-sentence.

KRA-KOW!

A second shot. Closer this time. The gray buck could just make out the sound of shouting in the distance. Confusion. A few faint bars of light appeared as doors in the settlement swung open.

“Fuck.”

“Shit. Deuce!”

Ahead of him, Deuce and Rowdy cursed again, their eyes darting back between Happy and the settlement. Happy could see the blue stallion glance toward the ridgeline, gritting his teeth as he weighed his options.

His eye darted back toward the buck’s. Happy could see it stare directly into his—frustration, anger, and...something else...mixed into the expression.

“Mutt—”

KRA-KOW!

Veeeeow-pthss!

The two stallions flinched, their eyes shooting back toward the sound of gunfire that had erupted just beyond the edge of their vision. The sound of splashing hooves and panicked breathing had suddenly joined the sound of rainfall—the silhouette of a third figure appearing between Deuce and Rowdy.

“Fuck fuck fuck!”

The nasally voice was immediately familiar, the silhouette of a yellow, spiky-maned pony barreling into view as fast as his hooves could carry him. The gray buck’s eyes could make out a small, plasticy looking pistol like Rowdy's clamped in his muzzle, his curses and breathing muffled.

Scalper.

Happy bristled, taking another step forward.

More enemies. More danger.

Happy could see the yellow stallion continue to gallop frantically, his eyes darting back over his shoulder toward the distant sky. Taking in the sight of Deuce and Rowdy ahead, Scalper’s eyes widened as he whipped his head back and forth.

“Deuce! Rowdy! It’s the fuckin’ griff! The fuckin’ griff! He’s—”

Scalper's eyes shifted back toward the scene.

Deuce. Rowdy. Their weapons trained on Happy coiled in front of them.

Recognition flashed across the stallion's face. Realization. Sudden terror. The look of a pony who's long held fear had become a reality.

“Oh fuck!”

Falling flat onto his haunches, Scalper skittered forward in the muck, swiveled the barrel of the energy pistol in Happy’s direction, and fired.

“—Scalps!”

“—No! Shit!”

Time seemed to slow.

Happy could see the two other raiders throw their hooves in Scalper’s direction, but it was already too late. Happy could hear the click of the trigger. See the red light begin to glow at the end of the barrel.

The hampered darkness in his mind—furious, frustrated—roared in anger, calling out to him with all the hatred it could muster.

KILL!

The buck's eye twitched. His muscles tensed. He opened his muzzle to roar.

“—Happy, get down!”

Another voice, unexpected, called out behind the buck, breaking the buck's attention for the briefest instant. A half second later, the buck could feel himself slam into the ground—a bulky wall of muscle pinning him into the mud below without reservation or restraint.

“Mmmgh!”

Tkzzt!

His roar stifled, the buck was dimly aware of a flash of light, the beam burrowing itself into the mass of weight above him. The figure on his back let out a muffled grunt, collapsing forward onto him as it continued to hold him down.

Crrk!

The buck roared as he felt something in his chest snap beneath the weight. The sensations around him were blinding. Deafening. Overwhelming.

Rain. Darkness. Flashes of light. The sounds of shouting. The sensation of somepony holding him down from behind. The voice ranting inside his head, telling him to kill.

He roared again.

What was holding him down? Another enemy? Had this one snuck up on him? Was it another pony who wanted to hurt the others?

The buck could feel a vein in his forehead burst.

KILL! KILL!

He wouldn’t let that happen.

Thrashing back and forth in his captor’s grasp, the buck managed to roll onto his back, kicking his hooves at the underside of the pony’s exposed stomach. He could hear another muffled grunt from the figure as it tightened its grip and pressed him further into the mud, another crrk! issuing from the buck's chest as another of his ribs fractured. It was getting difficult to breathe.

KILL!

Bellowing in rage, the buck kicked his hooves against the ground beneath him, slamming his skull against the underside of the larger pony’s jaw. He could hear the figure grunt in pain, its head shifting upwards just long enough to expose the side of its neck.

He clamped down without hesitation.

“Gnnngh."

The buck could feel the figure on top of him tense, the taste of blood immediately filling his mouth. Sensing that he’d hit his mark, he clamped down harder, his jaws sinking into flesh as he continued to thrash.

More sounds. More voices. Filling the air above him. All but lost to him in the midst of his rage.

“Da fuck you think you’re doing, Scalps?”

“What? That freak was gonna jump us!”

“You shot the fucking target, moron!”

“Shit!”

More distant shouts. Lights.

“Fuck. Dat’s it. We’re out. Scrap da job.”

“What? But the griff! I nearly fucking died trying to—”

“Eat shit, Scalps. Dis shit’s on you. Rowdy.”

“Ugh! Fucking good-for-nothing bucks!”

The sounds of splashing. Galloping. Hoof-falls disappearing toward the ridge.

The buck’s eyes widened.

No! They were getting away. He couldn’t let them. He had to stop them. Even if they did have guns. Even if he couldn't fully change. He didn't care if they shot him.

"Mggghh!”

The buck bit down harder into the neck of his aggressor. He could feel blood flowing freely from the wound now.

The figure grunted again, trying to shift its stance—trying to keep him from chasing them—but the buck could feel its grip beginning to weaken. With another kick to its abdomen, he managed to wrench himself from the figure's grasp, scrabbling out to freedom beneath the roiling sky.

His eyes immediately darted in the direction the three raiders had gone.

He had to find them. Had to stop them. They were a threat. A danger.

He didn’t care about the sudden weariness in his hooves. The pain in his chest. The blackness at the edge of his vision.

They had to die. He had to kill.

The buck’s ears twitched. He could hear the flapping of rain soaked wings from above.

“—Happy?”

The buck swiveled instinctively, dropping into a low crouch as his eyes scanned the skies. He could see another figure—birdlike, but different—descending from above, a long, glistening rifle held in its grip.

The buck’s eyes flared.

Another weapon. Another enemy.

Kill!

The buck growled, the hairs on the back of his neck bristling once more. His chest pounded with pain—his breaths uneven where one of his ribs had punctured his lung. He could already feel his adrenaline being overtaken by exhaustion—fatigue. The prickles in his muzzle were there, but he couldn’t change, no matter how furious the voice was.

“—Happy? Vhat is wrong? Happy? Happy!”

The buck blinked, suddenly shifting back in confusion.

He knew that voice. That way of speaking.

The flapping. The wings. The beak.

Victor-bird?

Happy slumped back onto his haunches, shaking his head.

He suddenly felt tired. Exhausted. The last half hour seemed like a blur.

Swooping down, Victor landed in the mud a few hooves away. Glancing up in the griffon’s direction, Happy could see the sharpshooter step forward, his yellow eyes darting around to survey the scene.

“Happy? Vhat happened? Vhy are you out here? Vhat’s going—”

Happy could see Victor’s eyes widen as they took in the sight of something over Happy’s shoulder. Rushing past him, Happy watched the griffon sling the rifle over his back, stooping down next to a figure lying on its stomach a few hooves away.

Happy blinked, his vision still swimming. The rain and darkness made it difficult to see.

Who was Victor sitting next to? Another raider? The pony that had tried to tackle him earlier?

Happy blinked again, taking a step forward.

Splurch.

What...what was going on? Something wasn’t right here. He was forgetting something.

Glancing down, Happy could see blood on his hooves. His coat.

Where had that come from, again?

Across from him, he could see Victor at the figure’s side, the griffon's eyes flaring again as he pressed his talons against the figure's neck, stemming some sort of flow. Glancing up at Happy’s approach, the griffon shook his head, motioning for the buck to come close.

“Happy! Eet’z Red. Somezing—”

Happy could see Victor stop short, his yellow eyes settling on the red streaks on Happy’s torso. Almost quicker than the buck’s eyes could make out, one of the griffon’s claws whipped down to the holster at his side, drawing a small pistol and aiming it in the buck’s direction.

Happy stumbled forward, blinking in confusion.

Victor? Why was he pointing a bang-gun at him? What was wrong?

It took a moment for the griffon’s words to fully process.

Red?

“Vic. Wait.”

Both Victor and Happy stopped short, their gazes shifting down to the prostrate figure at the griffon’s side. Its voice was raspy, weak—just loud enough to make out over the sound of falling rain.

Happy’s eyes widened.

Red?

Struggling to lift his head from the mud, the red earth pony turned to the griffon, shaking his head.

“Not his fault, Vic. Raiders. Stripes’s. He was tryin’ to fight them off. He got mixed up.”

Happy could feel the color drain from his face.

Why did Red sound like that? Why did it seem like he was hurt? Why was Red here in the first place?

Happy could see Victor’s pistol remain trained on his position, the griffon’s face unreadable. His other claw continued to press against Red's neck. There was nothing but the sound of rain and distant shouts for a few moments.

From the ground, Red spoke again, his voice softer.

“Vic. It wasn’t his fault.”

There was another pause. Slowly, the griffon lowered his sidearm, his gaze still fixed on the buck.

Happy however, barely noticed.

Red. Why was he... Why was—

He stumbled forward a few steps, pitching forward into the mud a few hooves away from the stallion.

That was right. They’d come out here. Together. Happy was going to have him meet his friends. Then his friends...the raiders...had shown up and...

The buck could feel a cold pit start to form in the center of his stomach.

Lifting his head from the mud, he glanced up at the stallion again, his eyes drifting toward Victor's talons as they held a piece of cloth against the base of the earth pony’s neck.

It was stained with crimson, the same color as the blood on Happy’s hooves and coat.

No...

Happy slumped back onto his haunches, landing in the mud beneath him.

No. No no.

This wasn’t—

He hadn’t—

The sound of the voice from earlier telling him to get down played across his mind. The sensation of being pushed into the mud. The sound of laser fire hitting the figure on top of him.

Happy’s eyes shifted back to Red. He could smell burnt flesh. See the patch of exposed, blackened muscle in the center of the stallion's back.

Happy’s stomach dropped out from under him.

“Happy.”

His eyes moving on their own accord, Happy glanced up, meeting Red's eyes. Green eyes. The same color as his mother’s had been. They stared back at him from behind a soft smile.

“It ain’t your fault, Happy. I know you didn’t mean it.”

The stallion's eyes shifted back toward the griffon’s.

“You tell them it wasn’t his fault Vic, ya hear?”

Happy could see the griffon nod, his expression unflinching. Red smiled in return.

“You’re a good friend, Vic. Best a buck could ask for. Been a pleasure workin’ with ya all these years.”

More shouts had risen up in the distance. The sound of slamming doors. Hooves moving in their direction.

The older stallion shifted his gaze back toward Happy. There were dark lines beneath his eyes. His face had paled.

He gave the buck a small nod.

“Take care of those three for me, alright?”

Happy just stared, his eyes wide.

His hooves had gone numb. His whole body had gone numb.

He couldn’t process what had happened. What was happening.

Red just smiled beneath his beard, his eyes slowly drifting shut.

"It’s alright, son. You’ll get by.”

The stallion’s head sank back down into the mud, his wet mane falling over his eyes.

His broad shoulders rose with one breath. Then a second, shallower one.

Then they lay still.

***