Honora Gregatim

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

Chapter One

"For thou have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy" psalm 61:3

The shade of the night faded as Sol rose, and for the tribe of antelope, the day had begun. From their huts and tents then walked, and stretched. Amongst the grass, bucks and doas roamed with their foals, idly munching the grass, or lounged under the trees near the village, nibbling the mobola plumbs that had fallen, or standing on their hind legs, picked the low hanging fruits hidden amongst the leaves. Soft voices and chuckles resounded through the air, and life was good.

Suddenly, all there stilled. As one, the antelope lifted their heads, eyes wide and noses twitching. Ears swiveled left and right as foals whimpered and drew close to their dam’s, or were herded indoors. What was it? Hyena’s, lions? Unlike Equestria, Zebrica was filled with many a feral beast, and though their warriors were deadly, the antelope were peaceful. An attack would simply spoil the morning. In the distance, a cloud of dust drew closer, a quickly escalating roar coming from it. As the cloud drew closer, the headlights of a tan colored truck could be seen. And as the construct sped on, shouts could be heard.

With the roar of the angry spirits that called its shell home, the truck barreled through the grass, and shouts filled the air as antelope scrambled, clutching their foals as the machine made its way. Beside it, and keeping close pursuit behind, zebra’s ran, shouting and cursing. The back of the truck was covered in a brown canvas, the back of which was open. From it, barrel of a rifle stuck out, muffled whumps of the silencer sounding as the truck beds occupant picked off the pursuers. As the truck barreled through the villiage, over the engine and even the shouts of angry zebra’s and terrified antelope, the radio blared.

The tribe’s chief limped out his tent, and looked around. Both eyes widening, the left one milky white, he watched with a bemused expression as their visitors. Next to him, his doa stood, yawning while their foal stood next to his sire. Eyes wide as his sire’s, the foal’s jaw dropped as the iron beast shattered the gate at the villages edge, and the ground shook for a time as the rest of its zebra pursuers made after it. As the beast and the zebra’s faded into a dust cloud once more, noses and heads poked out from doors and windows, or from behind trees and rocks. Closing his mouth, the chiefs son tilted his head.

“What the buck was that?”

The foal yelped and looked up at his now frowning sire, sticking out his bottom lip in a pout as he rubbed the back of his head, wincing at the sting of his fathers cuff across it.

……………………………………………………………………………

The zebra hunter’s hooves blurred under him as he kept pace with the truck, his teeth bared and eyes flaring as he came up to the door of the vehicle. Running past it slightly, he took a moment to pause and bend his legs, and a split second later, leaped at the doors window. Forelegs clutching his chest to the metal, the stallion began yanking himself up, and he looked up, muzzle inches from a humans. Down one cheek, a jagged scar ran down the man’s cheek, and between clenched teeth, a cigar jutted, the end of which smoldered, the ashes scattering as the cigar jerked up and down in time to the trucks movement. The hunter shouted, “Give us the…”

In a flash, the twin barrels of the mans sawed off shotgun pressed to his nose. One hand on the wheel, the human looked out the corner of his eye at the hunter, and his finger drew tight on the trigger.

“Ey, parshiviy! ee-dee na khuy!”

The roar of the shotgun sounded, the top of the zebra’s head sent off into a haze of gore to the ground below, the zebra sliding off the door to fall under the trucks carriage, the rest of the zebra sending a thud and a thump through the vehicle as the hunter passed under the wheels, his innards spurting out across the dirt. Shouts of rage from his compatriots sounded as they passed, promising vengeance on all within the vehicle.

Lero scowled as he poked his head through the window into the trucks cab.

“Hey! Fuck man! You get your license at the bottom of a cereal box?”

Scowling back, the driver pulled his cigar out, and shouted back “Hey, fuck you! Fucking Americans, all you do is piss and fucking moan!”

Pulling his head back, Lero responded, “At least we can fucking drive!”

Eyes fixed forward, the driver shouted over the engine “She okay?”

Looking down, Lero’s scowl softened as he slowly ran his fingers through blue fur of the neck of the mare laying at the trucks bed, her wings oddly bent. Lero gritted his teeth at their sight. The bastards had broke them, and they had healed at an odd angle. Groaning in her daze, Rainbow nuzzled against the humans leg, and settled her head into his lap. When they had finally found her, one of the zebra’s wives had been forcing a concoction down her throat, something to keep Dash docile. That… thing had been Lero’s first kill.

Ramirez pulled his gaze away from his scope for a moment, regarding the scene behind him. Looking forward once more, his lips tightened into a grimace as his crosshairs locked with a stallion. Lowering the end of the rifle so the crosshair went between the legs of the racing zebra, he muttered, “Your ass is grass…”

The rifle’s silencer jerked up as its shot sounded, and a split second later, the hunter jerked back on his hind legs, a freshly made hole through its skull, the larger and more ragged exit wound making a squelching noise as it fell back and hit the ground. Ramirez turned his gaze towards another target, and the weapon clicked. Pulling his eyes away from the scope, Ramirez held the rifle up as he undid the now empty magazine, and patted his sides, searching for the next magazine. As he looked down a split second, a zebra, much larger and more toned then his brothers, leapt through the back of the truck, knocking over the soldier down. As Ramirez rolled out from under a stomped hoof, Lero laid Dash’s head gently on a folded blanket. Smiling, he said “Be right back love.”

In a flash, Lero rushed across the truck, and put grabbed the zebra by the Mohawk. Muscles flexing in his forearm, he jerked the stallion to the side, sending him with a somewhat mare like shriek onto his back. Pressing a knee to the zebra’s chest, and fingers around his throat, Lero looked down at the stallion, his other hand poised, the green handle of his survival knife clenched between his fingers. Squeezing the stallions throat tight, Lero growled, “Get this now… no one fucks with my mare? Got it?”

Adams apple working around the hand, the stallion gave a nod. Lero nodded back, and said “So… you work for me. Get it? And your only job is to deliver a message.”

The stallions eyes bulged, and again he nodded. Pulling his hand away, Lero leaned close.

“Say it…”

Rubbing his throat with a hoof, and drawing a ragged breath, the stallion grimaced.

“I… work for you… and my only job is to deliver a message…”

Lero’s clenched hand arched down, and the zebra’s eyes bulged as the cold steel of the knifes right side slid quickly down his cheek, the end of the weapon piercing the truck bed. Leaning further down, Lero snarled “You tell that fuck to pluck whatever wild hair he’s got up his plot, or next time, I’m bringing Lyra.”

At this the zebra sneered.

“Ha! He’d ravage her just like…”

The stallion jaw snapped shut as the knife jerked up, then Lero pressed the edge of it against his throat, eyebrows raised.

“I’ll… deliver the message.”

Lero smiled, and standing, grabbed a handful of Mohawk once more, which he then used to chuck the hunter bodily from the vehicle. Looking at Ramirez, he shrugged. Grinning back, Ramirez thumped him on the shoulder.

“Leave one alive huh?”

Lero looked out over the landscape, and scowled. Behind him, the zebra he’d let go struggled up, the last of his party nudging him. Sheathing his knife, then puulling his sidearm from its holster, Lero took a kneeling stance behind the trucks tailgate, and took aim.

“Only need one too deliver a message…”

Lero flinched as Ramirez’s hand went over the top of the weapon, and gently lowered it. Scowling, Lero glared at Ramirez, who only shook his head, then tilted it towards the still sleeping Pegasus.

“Go. Care for your wife…”

Scowl softening, Lero sighed, then nodded, and sitting back down cross legged, went back to stroking his mare’s neck.

………………………………………………………………………

A man learns something the first time he takes a life. Not what he’s capable of, or anything like that. He learns whether, afterwards, he can sleep at night, or not. That night, his beautiful Dash snoring softly in the cot next to his in an office of the Zebrican human embassies, Lero slept like a baby.

……………………………………………………………………

In 2015, mankind made first contact with another species. On October twelfth, Celestia and Luna, diarchy or Equestria, stepped forth and made their existence known to the United Nations, and by it, made their existence known to the world.

Much has happened in the few years Lero has been gone. At the end of world war three, where Lero’s brother lost his life, the Earth has entered a golden age. Many nations are more then willing to become Allies with Equestria, and with the opening of the gates, the two lands have begun trade. But, as is life, there are those who would employ violence to achieve their ends, either for ideology or greed. In the face of this, Lero became the protégé of lieutenant Ramirez of the United States green beret special forces, feeling that, as he was, he couldn’t defend his herd.

Ramirez has taught him well.

Author's Note

Back again, boys and girls, and we're off to a running start^^ Don't worry, this will all make sense in succeeding chapters. And yes, I am aware the tone is different in this, like the last one. But it's still a side story! Its the same verse, same mare's, same Lero, though the human has learned quite a few tricks. This is not a romance or clop, but a Nature vs Nurture story. I will no doubt have down votes and editing in my future.

Comments, critiques, and suggestions are more then welcome^^ I think I've improved quite a bit, though I may have missed a word or two here and there

Chapter Two

The streets of Buenos Aries were devoid of even the life of animal or force of nature, the slight evening breeze managing to not even rustle a piece of old newspaper across the road. Through the air, the sound of footsteps echoed, and swaying slightly and man stumbled from a doorway, singing drunkenly as he walked. Pausing to take a swig, he gulped down half the containers contents, and then with a snort, threw the rest against the wall. Still swaying, the man walked.

“Hey mister…”

The man stopped, and slowly turned. A young man leaned against the wall, a blue bandana around his neck, a cocky smirk over his face.

“What you doin’, eh?”

Shrugging, the man turned back to the road, and from the shadows, two other young men walked, and then blocked his path. While one stood scowling, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoody, the other smiled, and cracked his knuckles.

“What’s eh matter, senor? Don’t you know it’s rude not to answer a man when he’s talking to you?”

The other youth spat, the lugey splattering at the foot of the man. From the doorways, more of the gang members walked, carrying bats and metal pipes, a couple twirling open basilongs. In the end, the man was surrounded, swaying in the middle of the throng. Leaning up off the wall, the leader stretched.

“’Sides mister, this here’s a toll road. You gotta pay if you wanna walk.”

The man hiccupped, and slurred, “ ‘is a public ‘oad.”

The large youth who was cracking his knuckles stepped forward, and picked the man up by the front of his shirt.

“Not here it…”

Faster than their eyes could follow, the drunk’s fingers curled around the gang members wrist. A shriek filled the air as the arm was twisted, a dry snap mixed in with the cry. Falling to his knees, the thug clutched his now broken arm, and the next instant, was sent sprawling back, the drunk’s knee smashing his nose. As tendrils of blood flew through the air, and the thug thumped onto his back, the drunk raised a booted foot over the youth chest, and stomped down hard, snapping the sternum in his body. The thug’s body jerked up once, his eyes bulging, then lay still, the shattered bone having done its work. Swaying still, the drunk pulled a pair of gloves from his jacket, and put them on.

“Don’t ‘anna bloody up my hands…” he slurred, and took a stance.

“Come on boys…”

From the right, one of them charged, his blade arching at a right downward slash, and leaning slightly to the side, the drunk dodged it, then gripped the man’s wrist, and in one swift movement drew it behind his back. As he did, his free hand disarmed the thug, and once he had the gangbangers palm crossed with his shoulder blade, he jammed the basilong sideways through the back of the thug’s neck, severing the cord. Letting the newly made statistic slump to the street, the drunk whirled to his next attacker, this one running up with a pipe held over his head. Smirking, the drunk drew his hand back, then attacked, driving the palm into the thugs nose. This time, the bone in the gangbanger’s nostril was forced upwards into his brain, and the force of the strike sent the thug flailing back.

Another drew a gun, and the next instant found himself face to face with what he thought an easy mark. The thug was so shocked; he barely felt his finger being snapped in the weapons trigger guard as it was jerked to the side. Sliding the now bent appendage from the guard, the drunk quickly adjusted his grip, and the thugs eyes bulged as the man pressed the gun to the underside of his jaw.

“Fuck me…” the thug managed before the drunk’s finger drew the trigger back. As the round ripped through the gang member’s skull, sending a geyser of blood and brains to arc up momentarily in the air, the drunk whirled around. His finger never hesitated. Seven targets left, glock. More than enough. Blam, blam, blam… fuck, jammed. Pausing, the drunk looked down at the weapon in disgust.

“Cheap fucking Chinese knock offs…” his arm arced suddenly, the now useless gun whizzing through the air to smash into the furthest to the right thugs face. As the man dropped his bat to clutch at his nose, the drunk rushed over, and with a jab, crushed the targets trachea. As the thug flew back, eyes bulging as he felt his airway now ruined and no longer drawing air, the drunk let his arms fall limp at his sides. Steam condensed in the somewhat chilled air as he breathed, and slowly, he turned to the last three. Eyes wide, the three dropped their weapons, and the drunk smiled.

“Good boys. Fuck off…”

The three nodded, then ran, the youngest screaming of demons as he did so. Still sway, the man turned to the last one. Breathing as though he had just run a marathon, the thug pressed hard against the wall. As the drunk slowly walked over, he held up a raised hand, palm out. Seeing this tactic do nothing to desist the man’s movement, the thug fell to his knees. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he now folded his hands, and lowered his head as he clenched his eyes.

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

The drunks leer continued, and slowly he walked, his steps echoing like thunder in the thugs ear. Closer and closer, it came. The man stepped around him as the thug continued.

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death.”

Reaching into his shirt, the thug pulled out the rosary around his neck, and pressed the wooden cross at the end to his lips. Taking a breath, the thug slid the rosary back into his shirt, and closed. Leaning down, the man put a hand on either shoulder.

“Finish what you started boy….”

Wincing at the slight dig of the fingers into his shoulders, the thug crossed himself.

“Amen.”

The drunk grimaced as his right hand left the thugs shoulder to dig into the underside of his chin, and with one swift jerk to the left, then a harder one to the right, the drunk snapped the thugs neck. Undoing his grip, he let the thug fall to the ground. Turning his head to the right, then the left, the drunk sighed, and then stumbled on, occasionally leaning against a wall or garbage bin as the world around blurred and spun.

“My… how delectable…”

Slowly the drunk turned, teeth bared. He was so not in the mood…. His eyes widened as he turned, the source of the voice before him. A woman. Not an uncommon occurrence, but this one… her entire frame was covered in a pale blue diaphanous gown; her arms thin though also toned belaying their seeming frailty. She stood at five two, and smiled up at the man, her lips red, her eyes a pale green. Her skin was pale, but seemed to glow in the night, but what was truly awe inspiring was her hair. A tri-colored ponytail lay down one shoulder, the light blue, green, and pink held by a red ribbon. Slowly, the woman pressed a hand to his chest, and tilted her head.

“Sleep…”

…………………………………………………………

Another place…. Another time. The drunk lay bound in the back of a van, body bruised from a combination of beating and the rough ride the van was giving him. His wrists were bound behind his back, his ankles wrapped firmly with rope. Over his head, they had placed a burlap sack. In his head, the drunk counted off from the second he heard the vans back door slam shut. The vehicle skidded to a stop, and the drunk heard the door of the van slam. The back door opened… about three hours. They obviously didn’t want him just dead. He felt one of his captors pull him up, then the drunk felt the rope binding his ankles jerk back and forth a moment, then loosen completely. His two captures put a hand under the drunks armpit, and tossed his worthless carcass from it. The vans back doors slammed again, and the squeal of its tire sounded as the smell of exhaust and burning rubber filled his nostrils. Fingers dug into his shirt sleeve, and the drunk was dragged up into a kneeling position. The drunk felt drops against the bare skin of his forearms, and thunder sounded. It was raining. Slowly, whoever had brought him here drew the sack of his head. Blinking in the light, the drunk looked around. An airstrip… maybe a plane ride…

Looking up, the drunk squinted, unable to see his captors face. Lightning flashed, exposing it, and the drunk grinned.

“Ramirez…”

Ramirez began to walk around the drunk.

“Jacob…”

The drunk snorted.

“Been awhile since I heard that… how you been since Michellines and that fudge packer you slobbered over bought the big one…”

“How much?”

Jacob shrugged, a huge grin across his face.

“Ten k. Five when I first signed up, the rest when I finally got you out there.”

Jacob chuckled.

“Figured you get to me sooner. Especially since you’ve been capping the fuckers who paid me to get to you.”

Ramirez walked slowly to the front of Jacob. Looking down, he said softly “Jacob… was it worth it?”

Jacob looked up. Smirking, he said “Oh yeah baby. Hookers, booze, blow. I spent every last fucking red cent.”

Ramirez drew his pistol. Taking a step back, he pressed it to Jacobs head. Leaning forward, Jacob closed his eyes. Around him, the rain began to fall harder. Slowly, the smirk faded. Suddenly, the drunks eyes flew open.

“Well… what the fuck are you waiting for?”

Ramirez just stood there. Baring his teeth, Jacob snarled, “Come on, come on, quit teasing me. Quit being such a fucking woman, pussy, fucking faggot! Do it, you chugger of cocks! Blow my fucking brains out and fuck the still smoking hole!”

“Must thou be so… vulgar…”

Jacob’s eyes opened, then grimacing he shut them again. Head throbbing, the human rolled over onto his belly. Across the room, the Lady lay back against her various silk pillows, idly reading as her newest toy awoke. The pet sat up, going into a kneeling position. Rising, the Lady took a brush from her night stand, and began slowly stroking it through her hair. Slowly, she walked around the brute. In the night, she had removed his shirt. Despite his best efforts as a drunkard, this beast had maintained the chiseled form of a practiced soldier. He kept looking down, seemingly lost in his own world, or perhaps still too hung over.

Arching a regal brow, the Lady’s brush turned to smoke in her palm, and floated back onto the mantle. Slowly her eyes ran up and down her pets back and arms, taking in all the scars he had managed to accumulate. Crossing her arms, her tone of honey drenched over razor blades.

“What is thou called?”

The human opened his mouth, then slumped forward, slamming a fist into the floor. Eyes bulging, he gave a strangled scream as fire lanced over every nerve. Tilting her head, the Lady began “Forgive me… I…”

“Fuck you!”

The Lady stood, both brows raised to their fullest, her arms falling limp at her side. In her shock, her hair had returned to its jet black form a moment, then just as quickly returned to its normal state. Teeth bared, the Lady fists balled up, then with a smile, she loosened them. Reaching down, she slowly drew the end of her finger down a scar across the human’s right shoulder blade.

“I art impressed, mine pet. None before thou has ever been able to speak in the midst of my works, and none has dared to speak to their Lady in such a way ever.”

Digging her fingers into the light brown hair on his head, the Lady drew the human back up.

“And I assure thee… thou shan’t again….”
……………………………………………………

Lero winced as the snap of his mares wing being rebroken echoed out from the medical wings double. Behind the double doors, human, pegasi, and unicorn toiled over the wings, Celestia’s orders quite clear in their minds: restore Rainbow Dash, fully. Slowly, old feathers were pulled before the wings could be cast up, looks of disgust across the doctor’s faces. It must have been weeks since this mare had been properly groomed. Once finished, the wing was made immobile. She’d fly again, and just as well as she had before. Her wings would heal… her mind, however…

“Lero…”

The human turned toward the nurse who had poked her head out the door. Smiling, she tilted her head towards the room.

“She’s awake. A little groggy, but… she wants to see you.”

Author's Note

You didn't the Fair Folk were done, did you? Another piece is placed on the board.... Also, and this will probably not come up in story, Ramirez is bisexual. He was married for a bit, but... well, I hardly think I need to say it here, do you?

Well, anywho^^ Any grammer mishaps or general comments would be greatly appreciated. Later!

Chapter Three

Lero pushed the door open, eyes tearing up again. He’d always figure himself far from being a girly man. Not a tough guy by any stretch of the imagination, but not a wuss, or a wimp. But when he found what happened to Dash… It was funny. Before that point, Ramirez had been teaching him to be a soldier. Not only a soldier, a unofficial green beret. But not even Celestia, not even his brief stint as a play thing of the Fair Folk, scared him as much as the thought of losing his mare. And after he and Ramirez had killed or forced their pursuers to retreat, when he was holding her for the first time in months, her beautiful head in his unworthy lap, he cried. Not loudly, but not quietly either. Bawling came later when she had to have her wings rebroken. And both times, Ramirez just put a hand on his shoulder, telling him to let it out.

But now, everything was going to be okay. Dash’s wings were going to be okay, Lyra and Twilight, while upset he left without telling them, were relieved both their herd mates were alive and coming home. He now had the skills and strength to protect his herd, and a friend who would back him up. Pulling back the curtain, he exclaimed, “Dash.”

The mare jumped slightly, eyes wide with panic.

“No! Get away…. Please…”

Lero stopped, his voice catching in his throat, then stammered “Rainbow… its… its me…”

Dash whimpered, covering her head with her hooves. Putting a hand on his shoulders, the nurse said softly “Dash, sweetie, its your stallion. He’s here to see you.”

Dash shook her head under her hooves.

“It’s a trick. A dream…. I’m not really here… Lero’s not really here…”

Lero knelt next to the bed.

“Dash…”

Reaching over, he slowly ran his fingers through her mane. For a few minutes, there was only the sound of her sobs and Leros soft words of assurance. But slowly, Dash drew her hooves from her head, and looking over her shoulder, opened one eye. Lero’s throat grew tight at the orb gazing at him. It was… not dead. Within its rose colored glow, the fire that was once there had somewhat diminished. At the sight of her stallion, some of it had returned, but not enough to ease Lero’s feelings of inadequacy.

“Lero… big…. Big guy, is it you…?”

The human nodded, a few tears leaking out, the disbelief in his wife’s voice threatening to split his heart in two. Narrowing her eyes, Dash winced as she drew close, her wings now starting to hurt with the sedative wearing off.

“Prove it…”

At this, Lero chuckled.

“How.”

Putting a hoof on his shoulder, the mare growled “Kiss me…”

Lero happily obliged.

…………………………………………………..

One sedative, a few more kisses, and many tears later, Lero sat on the edge of the side of the bed, idly running a brush through Rainbow’s. Even though Dash winced with each pull the brush gave as it pulled a knot, the mare still gave a soft murr as Lero worked.

“Celestia… I’ve missed this…”

Lero chuckled, continuing his strokes.

“Happy to oblige love.”

“You shaved your beard and cut your hair…”

“Yeah… military reg’s at Ramirez’s insistence…” smiling he patted the front of his shirt. Under it, next to his dog tags, the feather his mare hung.

Suddenly, Dash looked at him again, her eyes sad. Looking back, Lero pulled the brush away, and gave an uncertain smile.

“Yes…?”

“You… you killed that zebra.”

Lero sighed, and looked away from Dash.

“I did.”

“Lero… you… I didn’t even recognize you. What… what were you thinking? You didn’t have to do that for me…”

Lero took the brush, and began pulling loose fur from it, his mouth set into a line.

“Lero… What… what did you feel…?”

The human looked up, and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Dash… when… when you made the sonic rainboom… not when you were on the podium or when Celestia gave you that wreath as a sign of your accomplishment… but when you were coming out of your dive, friends and the wonderbolts in tow. When you were looking down, and realized you had beaten everyone else by a landside, when you heard the cheers of the crowd…”

Lero looked back at Dash.

“When I put a bullet through that bitches side, when I knew I had ended the life of the cunt who was messing with my mare, that’s what I felt.”

Dash looked away. She didn’t like Lero as a soldier. She knew he felt it was what he had to do, and she would support him no matter what… But that look he had… That same coldness was in Lyra’s when she came home that night…

Dash shook her head.

“That… that doesn’t make me happy!”

Lero’s hand flinched away from her neck. Looking back at her stallion, Dash said “Lero… when I saw you like that… it was Lyra after the attack on those gryphon refugees. Not later, when she found out they were civilians, but the night when she got home. When she just sat in the darkness. That’s how you looked… Cold, as if killing was a casual thing. And… it scares me big guy. I couldn’t take it if you or Lyra ever left me…”

Lero shook his head, and giving a smile despite his anger at himself for distressing his mare, he patted her side.

“Dash… I’m not going anywhere. I did what I had too. I’m not sorry for it, but I am sorry it upsets you.”

Rainbow nodded, giving an uncertain smile.

“No more killing…?”

Lero nodded. Sighing in relief, the Pegasus laid her head back on the pillow and yawned.

“Hey… big guy… I’m kinda tired…”

Lero gave her one last, and stood.

“Hey, you get some sleep. I’ll come by and check on you later, okay?”

“Night Lero…”

………………………………………………….

Meanwhile, in another corner of the Embassy, the chief of security folded his hands in front of him on his desk, giving a shake of his head to the zebra across from him.

“There is no anti-zebra conspiracy, sir. The Equestrian and United States ambassador are simply not having audiences at this time.”

“Where then, in the name of Sol, are they then?”

Grimacing, the chief lay back in his chair, patience now completely at its end.

“Listen buddy, you think I like playing goalie between you and them? I’m not here to hold their hands, and I’m certainly not here to babysit you.”

The zebra’s eye twitched, and nostrils flaring, he stamped the ground with a hoof.

“Unacceptable! You harbor criminals who dared to assault my people, and are hiding my wife! I demand you return her, and turn over these men immediately.”

At this, the guard stood up, and jabbed a finger in the direction of the current cause of his headache.

“Listen here, fella, not only is making demands of me an excellent way of getting your nose broken, you’ll have a fucking interdimensional incident at your door. So unless you wanna have the Guard and every soldier on this continent breathing down your neck, I’d suggest you get up, walk out this embassies doors, and don’t come here again.”

Jumping onto all fours, the zebra’s jaw dropped. Lowering his head, he stamped his hoof again, and snarled, “You will return my wife and those criminals immediately. Failure to act will be in direct violation of The Equestrian-Asana concordant of…”

“Actually, there is no violation.”

The head of security and zebra both looked at the source of the voice. Shrugging his shoulder, Ramirez said “The concordant only covered Equestrian soldiers acting on behalf of the Diarchy. Neither the driver or Lero are part of any military, but were under my direct command.”

“Then have you come to turn yourself in?”

At this, Ramirez chuckled.

“I’m in the United States army, sir. Last I looked, we are under no treaty with you, and therefore, are not bound by any treaties you may or may not have.”

Looking back at the other human, the zebra shrilly screamed “You worthless monkey! Arrest him!”

Cocking a brow, the guard crossed his arms.

“Do I look like the bloody Equestrian Gendarmerie? In any case, he’s right. You have no legal leg to stand on sir, and any ambassador will tell you the same. You were illegally holding a mare against her will. Hell, you’re lucky Lero and Ramirez didn’t black bag both you and every other male in your family out.”

Baring his teeth, the zebra snarled, “Under our laws, she is mine! I may do as I wish with my herd! You worthless monkey’s have no right to keep her from me, and I will have her back!”

“Or what?”

Smirking, the zebra said “Or I’ll kill the driver.”

The guards arms dropped.

“What? He was on sovereign embassy grounds!”

“You’d be amazed what doors a little gold and precious stones can open. Now, return her within the the next two days or…. Or…. What in the name of sweet grass are you laughing at?”

Ramirez leaned against the door frame, chuckling.
…………………………………………………………………

Meanwhile, about two miles away in non-descript building in one of the few cities on the continent, Malcolm twisted the head of his captor around, then smashed it into the table. Picking up a leather pouch, he pulled out a cigar, then picking up the candle the minotaur had been using to read by, he lit it.

Out of the corner of his mouth, he grumbled, “Told you I’d kill for one of these.”

Walking to the coat rack, he removed his shell pouch and belt, and put them on. Reaching into a cabinet, he then pulled out his revolver and shotgun, then without another word, left the prison.

…………………………………………………………….

“You thought that pudgy bastard was that easy? Nah… no way. He probably let himself get caught.”

The zebra’s eye twitched.

“You’ve may have immunity, ambassador…” Ramirez walked over, his smile fading, his features hardening as he drew close.

“And you may have the Diarchy’s and the U.N’s tits in a vice with all your legal chicanery. But I promise you… you come after Lero or his herd, I will come back to Zebrica, find you, and then break my foot in your ass.”

Groaning, the security chief face palmed. Just what he needed. Now this striped asshole was gonna be burying bearucratic red tape for months. Eyes bulging, teeth clenched, the zebra looked over his shoulder at the guard again, and hissed “Rest assured, good sir, this is not over. Both of you will regret this insult. It will simply be a matter of waiting for your superior.”

The chief guard shrugged.

"Fine. Hope you've brought your sleeping bag."

Author's Note

Chapter three up^^ Need an editor... badly. I'm posting something on the Xeno forum about this... Comments critiques are more then welcome

Chapter Four

“I met an old human today. Outside a town in a land called Germany, I wandered, and came upon a place I had never seen before. Years ago, humans were gathered, some lucky enough to die with poison, the rest left to starve. As the old human sat there, he began to tell me what had happened in this place, all the terrors of that still haunted this land. I asked him if he was a prisoner there. He shook his head, and said “No. I was a guard.” Now, the old man spent his days in repentance, hoping to make up for what he did. In my talks with Bellephoron, I thought I’d come to know man in its entirety. What a foal I was.”
-Excerpt from the private journal of Luna

………………………………………………………………..

Lero leaned against the doorway leading into the embassy gardens, basking for a moment in the warm summer wind as hummingbirds and insects milled about the various flowers. A small smile across his lips, he raised the cup of coffee in hand to his lips, taking a sip as his mare wandered the grounds. The last few days had been an ordeal, the human mused as the liquid ran down his throat. Rainbow, while not yet her former perky self, had regained a bit of the light she had before, and after her first night of recovery, demanded to be allowed to explore. Out of the corner of his eyes, Lero saw something, and standing straight once more, the human tensed, eyes flashing as they locked fully at the corner of the garden. One second later he relaxed, and raised his mug in greeting.

Raising his hand back in greeting, Malcolm shifted his ammo belt further up on his shoulder, then dusted off the front of his shirt with the opposing hand. Raising his brows, Lero watched as the human made his way to his mare, the guard apparently getting a new limp in his travels through the grasslands. As he drew closer, Rainbow Dash’s eyes narrowed, a small scowl in place. Seeing this, Lero sighed. He loved the mare, but she could be such a hot head at times. She hated the idea of anyone helping her, even in the extreme circumstances she’d been under, so having Lero, along with two of the guards assigned to protect the elements, had been a serious blow to her ego. And Malcolm, of course, enjoyed teasing her. Rolling his eyes, Lero upturned his mug, and watched as the human finished his trek. Laying the cup on a low wall, Lero crossed his arms, and waited for the show.

Malcolm tilted his head, and lifting Dash’s head slightly with a finger under her chin, he said “Well, well, what is this? Is our pretty little desert flower losing some of her wilt?”

Eyes flashing, Dash snarled, her jaw drawing back in a flash from the hand, and her teeth snapping at them. Raising his brows, Malcolm drew his fingers back in a flash away from the gnashing teeth, and quipped “Ahh, I see she’s more like a desert cobra.”

Leaping back, now healed wings flared, Rainbow Dash pawed the ground with a hoof, and lowering her close to the ground, snorted, the output of breath kicking up a bit of dust on the ground. Smirking back, Malcolm lowered his ammo belt a shell off his shoulder to the dirt, and placing his shotgun and revolver next to them. Stepping in front of his belongings, the human took his stance. Whinnying in equine fury, Rainbow Dash charged. Standing up on her hind legs, her fore hooves blurred as she shot them out. Ducking under the blows, and with a feint to the left, Malcolm made a right hook. Yelping in pain, the mare fell back onto all fours, and snarling again, whirled around, then in a split second later, kicked out her hindlegs in a buck. Grinning, Malcolm stood to the side, then with a couple of slight hops, was at Rainbow Dash’s side. Lero winced at the muffled whumps of Malcolms blows connecting. Sobbing, Rainbow Dash collapsed, and drew a couple of quick gasps. Lowering his arms, Malcolm walked over to the hunched over mare, smile now gone.

“Dash, are you…?”

The mare suddenly stood fully, then leaped at the human. Grabbing a foreleg in both hand, Malcolm turned his body slightly to the left, his hip against the mares stomach, giving him the proper leverage for the next move. Yanking down, Malcolm drew the Pegasus over his shoulder, and with a pained yelp along with a couple of loose feathers coming loose, Rainbow’s eyes rolled comically in her sockets a moment, then scrunching up her muzzle, she glared up at the human.

“Damn it all! You beat me again!”

Smirking, Malcolm bent down to held Rainbow Dash up. Rolling onto her stomach, the mare stuck her nose into the air, and huffed “I don’t need your help! I can get up on my own.”

Sighing, Lero walked over to the two hunched figures. After kneeling down, he gently stroked Dash’s withers, and slowly her scowl turned into a discontented pout. Leaning down slightly, Lero kissed his mares cheek, then straightening up once more, gave a shrug.

“Well, you tried your best love. But even though you lost, I have a lovely gift for you anyway.”

Reaching into the satchel at his side, the human paused a moment, taking a sadistic thrill in his wifes eyes widening in anticipation. With a flourish, Lero drew a brown faux leather collar from the bag. Pressing a hoof to her mouth, Rainbows eyes teared up in an instant.

“Big guy… you… you remembered.,.”

Suddenly, Malcolm yanked the collar from Lero, and ignoring his comrades shout of dismay, and the Pegasus covering her head with her hooves and began groaning, the soldier read the gold tag hanging in the middle of the collar.

“Property of Lero, Lyra, and Twilight. If lost, please return…”

Making a face, Malcolm tossed the collar back to Lero.

“What the hell…?”

Scowling, Lero began putting the collar around his mares neck, and said “Something that’s none of your business, Malcolm.”

As the polychromatic equine gently leaned up to kiss her mate, their friend rose, shaking his head.

“You guys are weird.”

Author's Note

Well, another chapter folks^^ Enjoy. Sorry this ones kind of on the short side. And as always, constructive criticism is always welcome