Dry Lands

Chapter Three - The First Month

Cider running had been pretty easy for Five Holes his first month. He made easy money, and only really run into the law but, with a nice bribe and decoy barrel along with ponies on the inside, the law was pretty laughable.

Although Five Holes was lucky to have some easy runs, he had heard not all were so lucky. A week ago he choose to attend the funeral of another one of his own. A mare, whose name he had not known. He heard she was on her way to Manehatten to deliver a shipment of cider for the Orange Family to distribute. When she arrived at the border, he heard that there were five members from a rival Family waiting for her.

Just as she was about to pass, all five mares and stallions unloaded their machine guns into her. She had two following behind as well but... they ran. Never heard from again. Some assume they gave up the life but, Applejack declared for them to be hunted down and brought before her. No news was heard until the previous night; both were found inside an apartment in Manehatten, one was dangling from a rope lifeless, the other was slumped against the wall which had been painted red from their own brains, their .45 laying next them in a pool of their own blood along with a small stack of bits, and few bottles of cider.

The news did no good for Five Holes, it made him worry if he could truly trust those whom he worked with. Would they turn tail and run if he was the same situation? Would he go out in a blaze of glory in the action, or, would he die pronounced a coward begging for his life? Only time would tell depending on what situations arise.

He had just arrived back to Sweet Apple Acres for the 100 bit payment for his latest payment when he saw Big Macintosh waiting for him just outside, “Hey Five Holes, AJ wants to see you down in the cellar. It’s important.”

Confused he tilted his head and asked “Did I do something? Did something happen?”

Macintosh just told him “Somepony did do something, and something did happen but, you already know that.”

What? Celestia ‘e don’t mean me does ‘e? I ain’t done nothin’ wrong to nopony.

Quietly he followed Big Macintosh down into the cellar and saw Applejack standing next to a pony who’s forelegs was tied behind his back and was on the knees of his hindlegs, with a bag over his head. Applejack motioned for him to come over, and so he did. She removed the bag but the pony was gagged with not allowing him to speak, without looking away at the pony on the floor she said, “You know this stallion don’t you.”

It took a moment for him to realize but, he did know him. He was the one he saved Applebloom from. Guess Bloom found da guy after all. Well, shit. Now I know what’s coming. He looked at AJ who just kept eye contact with the stallion before her. “Yeah. Yeah, this is guy. I recognize his eyes. You... want me to... well ya know, finish him.”

Applejack looked at him and nodded, “We don’t ever get the wrong ponies. Now, from we found out he’s working for the Flim Flam brothers. I know them two. They came here once and tried to run us out o’ ponyville but they failed. Turns out they’re operating out in Manehatten now. So I guess we know what happened to our own right. I want you to do it.”

With a single droplet of sweat forming on his brow, he grabbed his Stallion .45 with his magic and removed it from his coat. It still had the first magazine loaded. He cocked the gun and placed it to temple of the stallion on his knees. Holding his breath to steady him so that he didn’t appear to shake, he looked the pony in eyes. Swallowing, he pulled the trigger of the gun. BANG. Then, just as the flash from the muzzle of the gun went, so did the life of the previously live stallion.

Slowly, Five Holes holstered his gun. He didn’t remove his eyes from the still corpse in front of him. Applejack put a hoof on his shoulder, and whispered to him “You done good. He won’t hurt nopony no more. He ain’t like us, we only do it stop others. He did it to further his own greedy needs. You know what Ah saw in his eyes? Nothing. Those were the eyes of a monster. No good could have come from letting him live. Look at me.”

Slowly Five Holes turned his head to look at Applejack. His face failing to keep the mask up with tears forming in his eyes. Applejack embraced him a hug, and he returned the gesture. “It’s ok.” she cooed him, “Don’t worry, the first is always the hardest. Don’t stop caring when ya kill. Don’t let it consume you. However, ya will get used to it. Move on with life. Just don’t stop caring.” She let him go and went to go back up stairs, “Oh yeah. Ah know ya probably don’t care right now but when you’re ready, come see me for ya payment.” With that, she left him to think.

******

Sweet Celestia. I just killed somepony. Fuck. I mean yeah ‘e was bad but, did he deserve to die? I can’t believe I almost cried about it as well. I mean ‘e was a bad guy right? Right? AJ said ‘e was. She is the Element of Honesty. I gotta pull meself together and get over this. Maybe a nice drink. I might go Davenports. Nah fuck that. I don’t need to be intoxicated. I need sleep is what I need. Yeah just rest up.

Fives Holes thoughts were interrupted as Big Mac entered the came down the stairs, “You still down here?” Five Holes just looked at him blankly. “Don’t worry, the first is always the hardest. You ain’t a bad pony, don’t worry about that. I just came here to remove the body. We don’t want it just sitting here. Look, go home, get some sleep, come back here tomorrow, okay?” Silently, Five Holes nodded and went upstairs.

******

As he got up he was embraced in another hug by Applejack, “Thank you. Really. Here’s six hundred. One hundred for the run today, and another five for what you just did. Ah really do appreciate it for many different reasons. One, Ah know you’re really with us, which Ah’m happy ‘bout. Two, now Ah can worry a lil’ less ‘bout Applebloom. Ah know he probably wouldn’t come back for her but, he accepted whatever contract was set for her for whatever reason. Hey, Ah’m gonna see if we can get in contact with the Flim Flam brothers. Ah’m gonna see if we can talk for a lil’ bit of a truce with em. When we hear from em, Ah want you to come with me. Now I don’t trust either of em but, we gotta try peace before war. Okay?”

Looking at her he asked “You want me to come with ya? Why?”

Smiling at him she told him, “Ah reckon Ah trust ya. Ah can see you didn’t want to do what you done, and because of that Ah reckon Ah trust ya ta cover me if needed.”

Surprised he looked at her and said “Oh. Well, alright. Yeah I’ll join ya AJ.”

With her smile still present, she said “Alright. Ah’ll see another time yeah.”

Five Holes started to walk towards the door when he remembered, “Oh yeah. Big Mac told me to come ‘ere tomorrow. After what I ‘ad ta do, ya know.”

She just looked at him, nodded, and walked away. So he took his leave for home.

******

The next morning Five Holes made his way to Applejacks, losing himself in thought on the way. Damn. Yesterday was crazy. I’m feeling better though. I guess. I dunno. It’s a crazy thing killing somepony. Thinking about it now though... ‘as it made a difference to me? I mean ‘e’s dead, and I’m not. Everypony I know is ok. I felt bad, that’s something right? I gotta get used to dis, I’ll probably be doing a lot more as time goes on. Don’t stop caring though. That’s what she told me.

As he arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, he was greeted by Big Mac who told him Applejack was inside waiting for him. Once inside he found her in the cellar looking a book on the oak table. Applejack looked up at him and greeted him “Howdy there Five Holes. You look better today than you did yesterday which is good.” He just looked her and gave a slight smile. “Well, I gotta go collect some protection money from Davenport. You wanna come along with me?”

Waiting for a second remembering yesterday a little bit more vividly, and the story of what happened to the mare who was delivering cider to Manehatten, he wanted to say no out of slight paranoia but, thought to himself: Ain’t no rest for the wicked, money don’t grow on trees. Not that I’m struggling really. “Sure AJ, I’ll come wit’ ya.”

Happy about the response she, told him “Well alright then, let’s get going shall we.” With a nod from him, they both went on their way to Davenports speakeasy for the protection money. “You got your piece? Nothing should go wrong, we’re just collecting but, Ah dunno... ever since what happened with that mare of ours Ah just don’t trust none of the other Families out there.” With a simple nod he gave her reassurance.

******

After a while they reached Quills and Sofas. Knocking the Family’s knock they waited... and waited... then waited. “What the hay is going on? Where’s Davenport? Davenport! Open up! It’s Applejack!” Her shouts were answered by silence. “Ah gotta bad feeling about this. We gotta get in there, NOW. Davenport! Whether you can hear me or not Ah’m coming in!” and with that she slammed herself against the door, an attempt to break in.

Grabbing her before she could it again, Five Holes asked her “‘Ey, dat’s a little loud, and will probably take a while. You got a hairpin an’ something else small an’ metal?”  Sadly for both of them, she shook her head. “Damn I was thinking o’ picking da lock... before all dis I used be a petty thief okay.” Getting a confused look from Applejack, he proceeded to draw his gun and shoot three rounds into the lock, “I ‘ope ya got spare mags for me. Just in case of course.”

With a slight smug look on her face she said to him “What happened to being quiet eh?”

With a serious look slapped on his face he told her, “Fuck quiet. Dis don’t feel right... I ain’t gonna lie; I’m kinda nervous.”

This time with a smile she told him, “Don’t be. Ya got me after all.” and trotted off in front leaving him chuckling before catching up.

Inside they saw members of their own family. Some face down, some face up, and others over the bar. All were in pools of their blood. From the shock of the scene in front of Applejack let out a small gasp “Sweet Celestia! Who done this?” she asked nopony in particular. Suddenly they heard mumbling from the stockroom, “Well whoever they are, they’re still here, and we’re gonna take em.”

Pointing towards the bar, Five Holes told her “Right, we are but, we should probably get behind dat for some cover. Otherwise we could very well be joining em.” So with that, both the Don and the Soldier made their way over to the bar vaulted behind it to take necessary cover from the intruders.

The stockroom door opened and four ponies walked out, three stallions and one mare, all from the same Family. “So I reckon the boss’s will be pleased with this haul.” One of the unknown stallions said.

“Yeah. Too bad we lost some of our guys though.” mentioned another.

The first stallion barked back, “Fuck them! They ain’t here ‘cause they ain’t got the damn skill to aim right! So it’s there own fault.”

The mare of the group spoke up to him, “What the fucks wrong with you? You don’t even care that our own poines died here? You’re a dick.”

The first stallion turned to mare and cockily replied, “Oh I bet you know a lot about dicks, don’t you. I’ve heard about you, you’re that slut all the stallions talk about-”

“Fuck you Billiard! You don’t know me! It was one stallion who couldn’t take being turned down! So keep your muzzle shut before I start talking to mare!” The strange mare defended.

The third stallion intervened and told them both “Look calm down both of you! Us four are still here! Now the night ain’t over yet, we still got the trek back to Manehatten okay? So, Billard, calm the fuck down you hot headed prick, leave them two alone and lets get moving okay.”

“Ah reckon we c’n get the jump on em.” Applejack whispered to her Soldier, peeking over the bar slightly.

“Yeah, I reckon ya right, I’ll take two, you take da other two. On three.”

Applejack nodded and cocked her pistol then inserted it in her mouth ready, whilst Five Holes un-holstered his with his magic and check the mag. He still hadn’t loaded a new one in, and only had four rounds left. Should be enough he thought.

“One. Two. THREE!”

Both of the mafia poines jumped up and opened fire on the unsuspecting rivals. Applejack shot the first stallion on the left expertly in the head, causing his brain matter to slam into the wall behind him, and his body thudding on the floor becoming soaked in a dark red pool. She then turned to the mare and fired three shots into her side, causing him to fall and bleed out heavily as his life slowly escaped his body.

Five Holes, with the help of his magic aimed down the sight of his pistol and luckily got a shot in one of the stallions eye making him fall backwards lifeless as his brain met the stockroom door. Then he turned his attention quickly to the last one firing his last three shots at until his gun went click empty. The first shot missed his target and hit a glass on the table next him, the second, however, met its mark and hit him chest causing him to tumble down to the ground. The third embedded itself in the wall. Although as both, Five Holes and AJ saw, this one wasn’t dead quite yet, and started crawling away coughing up blood and leaving a trail of his life force behind him. Applejack walked up to the crawling stallion and sent a mercy shot to the head, shocking Five Holes, and holstered her gun.

Five Holes, who had already holsted his after he saw the stallion crawling away, asked “What der fuck was dat AJ?! ‘E was already basically dead!”

She turned around and explained to him “Yeah, he was... but not quite, and he was in pain basically. What Ah done was put him outta it.”

Five Holes understood then and just stayed quiet. Guess I would ‘ave been in quite some pain after being shot too. Guess it was best. With that, both ponies left the scene of the crime.

******

“Okay, so we know they were from Manehatten.” Applejack was the first to break the silence between the two. “The question is: Why would Flim and Flam allow them to raid one of our bars? It don’t make no sense. I s’pose peace talks are outta the question now. Do they wanna start some kinda war wit’ us!? Well, iffn they are, then they got em selves a good one. We ain’t gonna back down from them easy. If Ah find out they attacked more of our own or our bars then we gotta knock em down a peg Ah say.”

There was only silence from Five Holes. Then he finally spoke, looking forward all the while, “Davenport was among the dead.”

Shocked from this Applejack asked, “Really?! How’d you know? Why didn't he run? He never lived there. He was a good pony.”

“I only met ‘im once... but yeah, he seemed like a nice guy. I guess ‘e thought ‘e was safe, what with our ponies there. Maybe ‘e did try ‘n’ run. Maybe they attacked by surprise and gave nopony a chance. I don’t know. ‘Is body was next to me. Just lying there. Lifeless. ‘Is eyes were still open.”

Applejack stopped him and gave him a hug whilst ensuring him “Don’t you worry none. I promise we’ll put em to rest. All of em.” With that she let go, and they carried on back home.

******

Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack told Five Holes “Thank yer kindly Five Holes. For having mah back of course. Ah know today was rough, and Ah’m sad about Davenport too but, we gotta stay strong and think about what we’re going to do okay? You’re welcome to stay here for the night iffn ya want ta of course.”

Looking her in the eyes he responded “Thank you Applejack. I know I ain’t meant to be this weak in this kinda business but, like I said: before this I was a petty thief. I never ‘ad ta kill ponies before. I know what I was doin’ weren’t no better but, at least I never kill. I guess time’s are different now and some just wanna take what dey can’t ‘ave by force.” Then looking down slightly, but meeting her eyes, he sheepishly asked, “So um... I c’n ‘ave da guest room, den?”

With a chuckle, Applejack responded “Yeah pardner, ya c’n have the guest room.”