The Man in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

Chapters

Chapter I: Prepare for Everything; Hope for Nothing
Chapter II: Enjoying the Little Things
Chapter III: Baby Steps

Chapter I: Prepare for Everything; Hope for Nothing

The bushes ahead of me were thin enough to see through which is all I needed to get a clear glimpse of what's ahead. My body went stock still, my breathing ceasing in heavy attempts of filling my lungs. The rain easily surrounded much of my already damp surroundings with an echoing resonance.

Everything felt right. The moment was now.

The rifle that I held with firm, gloved hands rose slowly to my shoulders. The rain droplets that fell from the ghillie scrub which covered most of the barrel were silent. The only thing that I could possibly hear now is my heart rate as it hammered in my ears. My cheek rested against the butt of the rifle as the scope before my eyes revealed my intended victim.

The cross hair swayed with my breathing but it was nothing. The man in my magnified sight seemed particularly content considering being alone in the Zone. Why he was out both at night and by himself was puzzling to me. Bandits were anything but stupid but I have been following him for most of the day. His path was erratic and on several occasions he had sloppy aim to dispatch a lone Flesh. Everything reeked of a Rookie lost in the midst of supposed attempt of glory.

“Then why is Owl so damn interested in you?” I whisper under my breath as I study for a few more minutes. The young man simply tapped his legs to some unknown tune but otherwise kept the poorly maintained rifle to his side. My finger slowly moves to the trigger being careful not to get itchy. My breathing steadies for a moment before I hold it mid release; the reticule easily remaining still upon the man's undefended chest. It would be all I need with the .308 that I was firing. The pad of my finger depressed with painfully slow determination until I witnessed the blur.

It was only for a moment but it was there. My finger released the tension on the trigger as my breathing pattern restored my dismayed lungs. My attention was on the shadow behind the man however as it flashed by the unsuspecting boy. My target only continued to tap his leg as another shadow passed behind him. Something else was interested in my prey.

It wasn't human by the sudden quickness of it's movement. To be honest, I'm surprised it has yet to actually strike. The young man was obviously distracted and unarmed. He would be easy prey for any Mutie in the Zone. There had to be something stopping it; preventing it. Did I miss any other threats nearby? A quick glance away from the scope only strengthened my sudden distress. If there was another threat nearby, it was well hidden amongst the many bushes and shadows.

My head quickly rested against the butt once more to align my sight picture on target. The prey continued to play a drum solo upon his leg but something else made me hold my breath. The shadow behind the Bandit graced me with the privileged of seeing two white orbs that glared at me.

Impossible.

Unthinkable.

The orbs were gone but so was the blur.

“Oh shit. . .” I mouthed only moments before quickly getting to my feet and slinging my hunting rifle across my back. My hands moving deftly to my assault rifle, HK 417, that dangled briefly from my chest sling. All at the same time I was moving with sudden haste away from my cover with only the sloshing of my own footsteps to break the melancholy of the heavy rain.

I didn't even need to turn to acknowledge how horribly my ex-prey was now being fed upon. His cries of pain were more then I needed to paint a picture mentally. What caused me to pick up my pace through the wooded brush was the foliage a few feet behind me also being separated by another body. Apparently the damn Bandit wasn't so satisfying of a meal. A new surge of energy propelled my legs to beat against the damp, earthen floor.

My luck was not to be held however as a new pressure slamming against my back was enough to send me sprawling against the forested floor of wet leaves and mud. Ignoring the pain was all I could do now as I quickly regained my footing only to turn several times. My illusive attacker was nowhere to be seen. Such was the way with Bloodsuckers, damnable things. Back stabbing assholes who have an almost perfect cloaking ability to fight with. Stalkers and Bandits alike were bled dry numerous times before and the cycle was no where close to finishing. I'll be damned if I'm the only one shedding blood tonight, though.

A snap of a twig behind me got only one reaction as I dove forward in a sloppy roll, trigger depressed. The roar of my rifle defied both rain and thunder as the flash easily illuminated the area. The creature broke it's camouflage to attack with it's revolting tentacles that easily froth from it's opening maw. It's lanky frame held a slime covered gel over it that gave the creature a pasty coating. Truly a creature that you'd expect to come out from underneath your bed. Except you don't often sleep with your rifle. A rifle that fired a 7.62 bullet into its shoulder that caused it to scream in pain.

The creature only gave a small pause to it's movement before retreating back into the bushes to undoubtedly curse my name. Cursing under my breath I also regained my footing as my hand fell unto the familiar fore grip. My eyes scanned my surroundings but nothing except the rain filled my senses.

“Come on, shit head, I don't have all day! Come get some triple grade A human steak,” I let my taunt hang in the air knowing the damn Bloodsucker was ignoring it. It didn't stop my ragged breath from being all my opponent needed to gain the upper hand. The warning roar came on furiously as my back erupted with pain. My muffled scream fell silent as my face slammed into the dirt and muck. I could only grit my teeth as the taste of dirt and muck remained distastefully. What worried myself now was the warming ache that ran down my back that easily told of a Bloodsucker wound. They never stopped bleeding.

It was him or me. I bleed out or he dies.

I let my rifle drag in the mud only having the chest sling keeping it tied to me. The pain increased as my body flopped to the ground in distress. My chest begun to heave out and in much like a wounded deer waiting for the final strike.

Almost as if on cue, the monster appeared from a nearby set of bushes no longer trying to hide itself. It's tentacles whipping and wrangling amongst his maw as if dogs waiting to be released. The hunger in his eyes could not be filled. His awkward steps closed the distance as I shuddered in growing pain. The creature bent over with increasing delight of his approaching meal. I could feel his claws grabbing hold of my vest as he heaved me to face upwards.

Meal time and I was the damned Chef.

My pistol jabbed with a sudden thrust into the Bloodsucker's chest as it let out a surprised gurgle a moment before I squeezed the trigger. The .45 round shattered rib and organs alike as I witnessed the blood follow the exit path from it's back. I didn't stop with one round. Three ear shattering shots filled the small forested area as the creature gave a blood curdling scream. My feint however paid off as the corpse fell over in the muck causing it to splash even more of the mud in my covered face.

I finally let out the long awaited breath of relief moments before realizing the aching pain. Bandages, my kingdom for some damn bandages! My hands quickly went to my utility pocket on my left hip as the small search finally ended in glorious fruition. It wasn't exactly the best area to patch up after rolling the mud but Bloodsucker strikes would otherwise live up to their name and make me a human prune.

I winced several times but otherwise kept my mouth shut as the improvised wad of bandage covered the wound. It would stop the bleeding long enough for me to return to the ship. With that happy thought in my head I struggled to my feet making sure to stomp the damn Bloodsuckers skull in for good measure, plus a good spit on your enemy never hurt.

I slowly made my way back to the dying campfire as much to my expectancy remained a lone corpse. The young guy had most of his neck torn asunder but there was little amount of blood to be seen amongst the wet concrete surface. Either by rain or Bloodsucker, it would be hard to see any remains soon. The Dogs would be here soon to pick the corpse clean which I had no intention to stick around for. My hands deftly searched the corpse which granted me a few 12gauge shells, half a ration and most importantly, a PDA.

A smile remained on my lips as I set out once again using the rain to cover my footsteps.

My hands wrapped around the welcoming warmth that seeped from the coffee mug. The fresh steam of the tea, a welcoming aroma that easily soothed my body to the point where I slouched in the chair with ease. The surroundings of my front porch was calm except for the chattering of songbirds through the air. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon but my eyes were glued to the dark forest to the point that everything around me became opaque; stale.

There was nothing that I could see beyond the dark borders but I knew the beast that rested within. It was a patient killer always willing to pounce on its next victim foolish enough to enter. The very thought made my fingers twitch for the familiar comfort of a firearm. I could feel my thigh harness that held my .45 pistol securely by nylon straps. It was familiar, a warmth all in its own.

My eyes narrowed for a moment as the familiar pull passed upon my body. It was there. Four eyes, white as the sun, glared at me from the border's edge. My hands only tightened around my mug to the point where my knuckles whitened.

“Dad?”

My eyes lost all focus as my head whipped around suddenly to look down at the young Mare. Her long blue mane was tangled and messy but her drawn out yawn showed enough reason to why. Her coat reflected the moon however as the light tint of blue brought out her bright green eyes. A fine young mare if I have ever seen one. I let my anger diminish slowly through a few breaths before speaking. “Morning, Star. How did you sleep?” my question came out with a low tone but then again I must have the deepest voice besides Big Macintosh.

She shrugged before jumping into the adjacent lawn chair to gaze out at the Equestrian landscape that wasn't covered in Apple trees or the Everfree Forest. It was one of the pros of living outside by a few minutes of Ponyville. You had less sounds of the morning market and the view of the sunrise was unbeatable. The negative however comes with Everfree so near by. Just thinking about it cause my eyes to drift back to find the glow orbs gone from the darkened canvas. They'll be back, they always will be.

I tap my finger a couple more times on the mug unable to really watch anything but the forest. It was like a unbreakable chain but I wouldn't shift this weight on any other shoulders, for any sort of treasure. No other being should have to deal with the terrors within that forest, not when I still have a good trigger finger and two feet capable to carry me. A cross to bear.

“It was watching again, wasn't it?” Star's naturally beautiful voice spoke as she continued to ignore the forest. My vision shifted over to her as I notice a shine reflecting off of her necklace. It was one of my .308 rounds with all of the powder removed. The brass casing and bullet easily reflecting the sun's light much like the Mare's smile who wore it.

“Every morning,” I finally responded with slight distaste in my mouth. “He chooses to test my patience every morning,” my remark appeared more hate filled then I originally planned. I had more then enough reason to hate my Predator but giving in to emotions and chasing after it will only get me killed. “What are you doing today?” I ask before taking a cigarette from my chest pocket and the lighter from my jean's.

Even through the wafting smoke I can see Star's frown. “I ain't quittin' so don't even bring it up, Missy,” I spoke up the moment I noticed her mouth move.

Star could only roll her eyes at me but otherwise ignored my habit. “I have the day off work so I'm going to see what Big Macintosh is doing today,”

I cringed during the the explanation of her plans. Call it 'Fathers Universal Rulebook' but when someone is dating your little girl, no matter the species, you get wary. I remember clearly I was more then a little on edge when they both trotted up to my door step. I just got off the latest excursion as the knock resonated through my two story house. Let's just say Big Macintosh, in all his big 'Earth Pony' stature, seemed more then off settled when I answered the door. My HK rifle, hanging off my vest rig sling, plain to see along with the blood smear on my face, dirt and twigs in my thick, dark brown hair and to put the cherry on top, my combat utility knife in my hand. Poor bugger went pale white.

“He still scared shit less of me?” I mutter through a shit eating grin, barely able to hold my laughter back.

“Language, Daddy!” Star chuckled through a laugh of her own as she pulled a few strands of her mane away from her face. “And yes, he is. You could have at least sheathed your knife. Poor dear was white as a ghost when he caught the glint of light off the edge,” Star's explanation was all I needed to let loose a low chuckle of my own.

“Good,” my large smile easily giving away my excitement of her little report. “A little fear will keep him in line,”

“He's my boyfriend, not a Pseudogiant,” Star quickly interjected my chuckling with a stern glare. This only spawns another comment from me.

“Hell, I'd rather fight a Pseudogiant then seeing my little girl in the hooves of that over grown goofball,” The hard part is that I'd fight two Pseudogiants if it would stop Star Struck from growing one more day. Where was the Filly that use to run around thinking she was the best STALKER in Equestria? Big Macintosh didn't really bother me considering all the good word around town about him being dependable but the Father feeling still stuck true.

“I'm afraid if you lay a single finger on him,” she spoke as I shifted one eye to look at her. A move I regret. Her glare held a flame hotter than the Sun itself. “I'll have to feed you to a Pseudogiant myself,”

The mug that was held against my lips suddenly felt like a shield, as if it would block that ungodly stare. “Yeah, yeah,” I mutter trying to shrug off Star's Rays of Daughter resentment. “You'd better be off then, Big Mac is probably out in the fields by now if you wanted to cheer his day up,”

My little order seemed to hit dead on as she gave me her one heart warming smile. Damn that natural ability of hers. “Thanks, Daddy!” she said with excitement before hopping off her chair and trotting back to the front door.

I turn my gaze back to the forest for only a moment before I hear the unmistakable sounds of trouble. A shriek erupted from the main door as a small filly came sprinting out past Star and standing before me, fiery spirit in her eyes. The Filly swung a small wooden sword around in wide, sloppy arcs before placing it down beside her. Her mane was illuminated thanks to the rising sun as the red base and orange tips easily gave the impression of fire. If you were placed in the same room with her for a full thirty minutes, you'd know why she was born with it.

I could only let out a sigh before leaning my head into a cupped hand.

“I'm ready to defeat some Amomalies!” she spoke valiantly with her head held aloft as if inspected by the Princess' themselves. Just like her older sister, she held the brilliant green eyes with ease and determination. “Lemme at 'em!”

“It's Anomalies, Vehement, and what have I told you about swinging that thing around?” I sternly gaze down at her but I knew well enough that it'd take more then that to dissuade the filly.

“Doesn't matter to me! Whatever their name is, I'll beat 'em!” Vehement boasted with ease although she only gained another sigh from me. “After I beat a Chimera all by myself, I'm bound to get my cutie mark in being a STALKER!”

“Oh, please!” Star Struck laughed from the front door before sticking out her tongue.

“It's true! I'll be the best STALKER that ever lived!” Vehement smacked her fore hooves down in rising anger towards the young mare who was now laughing from within the house. “You believe me, don't you, dad?”

I let out a long sigh as my heart broke a little inside. To save my daughter, I often had to break her adamant dreams. “You won't be chasing Chimeras or even Fleshs. For now, you can get ready for school like a good, little Filly,” I ordered as I watched the defiance in her grow more. She simply sat there on her haunches and crossed her arms over in a pout. “Couldn't you try and get your cutie mark on sky diving or dolphin surfing? Anything but what comes from the Zone?” I ask even though I can practically guess word for word what her response will be.

“No way!” she protested before standing up once more to show her little amount of intimidation. “Those are all wussy sports compared to what glory lies for me in the forest! I'll be in magazines everywhere for my awesome talent!”

I could poke a needle to her side just to see an ego inflated balloon fly off in the distance. Sighing once more I simply stand with a cup in one hand and a complaining Filly in the other. Shouts of glory and awesomeness filled the greeting room as I kick the door shut behind me. “Yeah, yeah, will STALKER Vehement go and get some breakfast in her? You still have singing lessons after school today with Sweetie Belle, remember,”

The Filly instantly scrunched up in my arms at the mention of her lessons. My ace of spades was the very thing that broke through that almost impenetrable armour of attitude. What does every tomboy, anti-lady Filly hate? Something that makes her seem like a frilly girl. In all honesty though, she sings when she thinks she's alone. Years in the Zone can train any man to become quiet as a ghost. Hell, I've seen her do an air guitar solo to boot in her room.

“Do I have too?” she muttered with an irritated tone.

I set her down as she turned to look up at me with thee most adorable, yet pouting, look I've ever witnessed. “Well if you don't want to go I suppose the ballerina class is still open . . .,”

“Anything but that!” her pleas echoed through the house as I watched her sprinting form head towards the dinning room door.

Ruffles: 1 Vehement: 0

Drinking whatever remained in my mug with one last gulp I shuffled into the dinning room to see Vehement devouring the small amount of porridge that was still left in her bowl and a bored looking Unicorn colt. He had a lime green coat and a messy, brown mop attempt of a mane. Unlike his younger and older sister however, he had dull purple eyes. The same eyes that eagerly devoured the stack of books before him as he levitated small spoonfuls of porridge to his mouth.

“Good morning, Letter Head,” I call out with a smile as he rose his eyes briefly over the rim of his glasses to acknowledge my existence.

“Good morning, Pops,” he replied calmly before diving back into whatever he was reading.

Letter head was the saving grace when the three siblings came into my care. A male that I could bond with more fruitfully but it quickly became apparent that he and I were two completely different entities. Much of his time is consumed to reading, studying, experimenting and other wise keeping to himself. He reads, I hunt mutants. He experiments with weird ingredients with Twilight Sparkle, I map out anomalies. It's hard to connect to some pony when they have little in common.

I placed my mug into the sink before turning around to see the young Filly gallantly declaring that she finished her meal like a true warrior. It appeared however that the porridge that was smeared across her cheeks put the picture of barbarians in my mind. “Ok there, Miss Warrior, wash up and gather your things for school. Ready for school, Letter?” my question was only answered by a charging Filly who made a dash for the bathroom and a small nod from the teenage Colt.

“I'm heading out, Daddy!” Star's voice called out from the front door.

Sticking my head out of the dinning room doorway I see she already ran a comb through her mane and coat. “Do you have your protection?” I call out inquisitively.

Rolling her eyes she shifted to show the small Combat knife that was sheathed on her fore leg.

“Good girl!” I submit easily at the visual reassurance. Yes, I know that having your child walking around with a deadly serrated knife may seem very dangerous but I refuse to have her go anywhere without it. “Be home before dark!”

“I am an adult you know!”

“Sure you are,” I grin back at her. “And when you're not living under my roof, you can prance about all night!”

She scrunched up her face in a rivalling adorable factor of her younger sister. Some days I am surprised at how well I play this game. “Now come give your Dad a hug,” I call out which causes her to break out in a small giggle before galloping to meet my open arms. I have to kneel down but it doesn't stop from her fore hooves from crushing me. Damn, when did she gain so much strength!?

“I love you, Dad,” she whispers as she tightens her hug slightly more.

“I love you too, Star,” I whisper back before she broke the hug to look at me with teary eyes, something that I immediately noticed. “What's wrong? Did Big Mac do something to you?” I ask as my voice almost went feral in anger; growls may be more appropriate for a description.

“No, no, of course not. I was just thinking of all the time that we've been together as a family,” she admitted through a cough. She was a strong Mare however as she fought back any sort of tears that threatened to glide down her cheeks. “I'm afraid that you won't return from the Forest one day,”

I did the only thing that I could think of. I mustered the softest smile to adorn my face as I gazed into her young eyes. “Remember the first day I brought the three of you into my home?” I ask quietly as Star sat on her haunches before nodding. “What did I tell you then?”

She laughed as her eyes softened at the memory. “'Remember the good times; lock away the bad, this I swear,'” Star Struck responded easily as she rose a hoof as if to reenact the swear. “I still think it's a goofy promise to hold on to,” she muttered between giggles.

“True,” I mutter with a grin spreading. I know it sounds goofy but I wasn't exactly the best caretaker back then. “But it got you to smile, didn't it?”

“You're a goof ball,” she muttered once more as any remnant of sadness disappeared away.

“As long as it gets you three to smile, I always will be,” I leaned forward and kiss her on the fore head gently before motioning towards the door. “You better get on your way, Missy, or Big Mac will think a Gravity anomaly has swallowed you whole,”

She nodded once before disappearing out the door only giving pause to wave back at me which I gave one back. I gave out a small sigh only moments before a red blur ran past my legs to the door screaming 'Zoom!' at the top of her lungs.

“Don't bring that sword to School, Vehement!”

My knuckle rapped against the door of the Ponyville Library before crossing my arms in honest patience. The smoke between my lips was a small comfort as the smoke filled my lungs for a moment before being forced out through my nostrils, slightly burning. I could hear the shuffling from within as a familiar figure opened the door. “Morning, Bines,”

Binary Storm, a gentlecolt Unicorn who originally hailed from Manehatten, Equestria. Celestia even specifically hired him for his special talent in the still fledgling technology that Equestria wields. His beige coat showed some muscle underneath although the smudge of what looks like Ice Cream is a little disheartening. His chestnut brown mane was jutting off in all different directions and his slim glasses were off centred. I didn't want to be an asshole but, “You look like shit, Bines. Is Twilight still running you into the ground?”

His groan only cemented my accusation as his head dipped with fatigue closer to the ground. “Do yourself a favour and never get married. When they ask, just run, dude. Run and never, ever look back!” he almost seemed to plead to me as if the very advice he planted on my boots was going to save my life.

I could only chuckle before taking a deep drag on the cigarette which started to illuminate an odd purple aura. I observed the small rolled tobacco stick get crushed, the lite end extinguished, and hurled away from my mouth. It didn't take long to see the culprit as Princess Twilight Sparkle herself came forth in all her glory. The only difference was the obvious pregnancy that showed several months into. What scared the crap out of me was the teeth grinding expression she was giving me. Was that smoke coming out of her ears?

“Smoke could hurt the Foal if I breath it in!” She accused directly at me which only made me put my hands out in defence. Binary gave me a apologetic expression as he placed a hoof on his wife's shoulder to ease some tension.

“He didn't mean too, Hun,” He spoke out as soothing as his tired body could manage.

“I'm sorry, Twilight,” I apologized which seemed more then enough to calm her down slightly. “I'll make sure to be more careful of Pregnant Mares when I smoke next time,”

Twilight sunk slightly herself as a sigh escaped her lips in frustration. “I'm sorry as well, Ruffles. I just freaked out when I noticed you smoking at our front door. It's a dirty enough habit to begin with but with the Foal on it's way, I've been making sure everything in my environment is Foal-proof,”

“And she means everything,” Binary groaned before getting a small jab in the side from an already irritated Twilight. “So are we scouting out the Eastern edge of the Everfree today to prepare for the Colt and Filly camp out next weekend?” Binary shifted his attention to me with a rather eager apprehension over him.

I gave him a quick nod much to his relief.

“Great!” Binary gave an enthusiastic cheer as his body was refilled with a sort of joy. “I'll go grab my gear and we can head out!”

Binary Storm didn't waste a second more as I winced at the bright pop of a teleportation spell. It gave me time to at least apologize once more to the already stressed Princess. She seemed to have the same idea as me because she spoke before I could even open my mouth.

“You do know how much I hate his job, right?” she asked knowing full well that I was very much informed of her desire to have Binary quit the STALKER business.

“I know, Twilight,” My response was easily remorseful in tone. To be a STALKER, one must know how to sacrifice. Soldiers are akin in a way but they know nothing of the hunt. Every time Binary and I walk past that forest line, we take a gamble with our lives. The normal wildlife in the Everfree is bad enough but when the Mutants spread to far past the Zone limits, things get far worse. “Have you brought up the idea of retiring from STALKER with him?”

“Yes, although he is very adamant on staying with you,” Twilight admitted with a defeated sigh. “I think he fears you may get hurt without him, or with another new partner,”

I smiled for a moment before patting the mare on the head which made her jerk her head up. “You sure have a good guy, you know that right?” I tell her through a small smile.

“Yeah,” she mutters with a smile of her own. “In a way, I have to thank you for hiring him. I doubt I'd ever have met him otherwise,”

I observed Twilight Sparkle in her happy gaze. She had a foal on the way and Princess duties to boot. How could I possibly let her go through that without the support of a Husband? I know my kids could handle themselves in case I bite the dust. Twilight shouldn't have to deal with it though. “I promise to talk to him about resigning today, Twilight,” I offered.

The effect couldn't have been more positive on her as she beamed at me with a large smile. She extended one fore leg to hug around my stomach. “Thank you, Ruffles! I owe you a debt, big time!”

I only laughed for a moment before gently nudging the Mare off. “We've been friends for years, Twilight. You owe me nothing except maybe letting me hold the little guy or gal when the time comes,”

She laughed a little before nodding her head in agreement.

Binary came trotting out with a couple of duffel bags strapped to either side of him. It seemed heavy but it hardly registered in his movement. He gave Twilight a long kiss good bye before falling in beside me as we made the ten minute walk to my house outside of town, Twilight wishing us good luck on our departure. Our arrival to the house brought on immediate press of relaxed rhythm. I unlocked the large safe in my office and started to pull out the weapons from within.

Prepare for anything, hope for nothing.

I tossed the sawed off Shotgun which Binary caught gleefully in his magical grasp. “Let's make a safe, little camp site, shall we?”

Author's Note

In case any of you were confused, Italics at the start of any chapter will be flashback of sorts. Hopefully I can cure most of the confusion as we continue on. Any criticism is well appreciated! Thanks for reading!

Chapter II: Enjoying the Little Things

“That wasn't the deal, Owl!”

My hands balled into fists of rage at the man on the other side of the desk. He had dark stubble growing in which made up for the lack of hair up top. His name is Owl, an information and weapons dealer aboard the beached cargo ship Skadovsk. He held a vicious grin on his face but otherwise remained silent.

“You said if I retrieved the PDA from that kid, you'd give me the co-ordinates of my Brother!” My voice could have easily been heard throughout the rust bucket of a ship. I had just given the scum the PDA and he simply gave me a small cash pay out for my trouble. How I wanted to reach across the table and beat that stupid smirk off his face! “Where is he? Where is Daniel?”

Owl's simple response was an irritated roll of his eyes and deep sigh, as if I was some sort of annoying mosquito. There was an uneasy silence between us for a moment as a few heads peeked into Owl's office from the medic's office adjacent the hall. “Fine, you damn Canuck. I know where you can find more information on your Brother but I need one more job from you,”

“Fuck your jobs!” I shouted in rage fuelled defiance. “I bet you don't even know anything about Daniel. Get some other monkey to dance on your lap!” I mocked him and lord did it feel good! As much as I wanted to just crack his jaw with my fist, Owl had many allies aboard that would be more then willing to waste a bullet or two for a discount.

Owl could only smirk as he reached underneath his counter. Instinctively, I had my hand on my pistol that was holstered against my thigh. The Information Trader however brought something that scared me more then any weapon he could pull. It was a photo of my Brother that he tossed onto the table top with a small flick of his wrist. It was him. The same stupid, goofy smile that got him the King of Prom back home. He was giving the photographer a thumbs up as a Chimera was strung out behind him and his STALKER buddies all in arms.

My hand trembled for only a moment as I hovered my hand over the priceless artifact before me. I glanced up to Owl who seemed to have softened his expression to a point I thought impossible for the old man. He simply gave me a nod of admittance as I picked the photo up closer to the light. I have been looking for a good year now and was starting to lose hope. Many thought I was foolish to still have hope that my Brother was still alive although many haven't seen him since a year ago.

My face hardened into complete dedication as I lowered my vision down to Owl. He gave me a small smirk knowing full well that he had me in his pocket.

“What do you need me to do?”

My footsteps were muffled under my boot as I tread with extreme caution. The Waste Processing Plant was ahead with the moonlight shinning off the large construct and adjoining pipes. A simple snatch and grab of intelligence from the small mercenary group stationed within. Many STALKERs have given the Mercs plenty of room since they often give a “Fuck off!” before opening fire on you, unlike the Bandits.

I, however, have no hesitation of sinking my blade deep in their throat when it comes to my Brother. My body hugged the concrete wall of the sewage drain as a small two man patrol exchanged idle chatter only a few meters away from my form. I held my breath until they disappeared after turning around the corner. I stalked away from the shadow like a silent, lumbering creature of the dark. My blade and silenced pistol out front in case I was in for a few surprises along the way. My boots patted against the still wet concrete beneath me as I quietly leaned my head to see down a sewer pipe. I noticed nothing until my night vision flicked on.

Through the green tinted vision I noticed a shape disappear farther down the large pipe. I only cursed under my breath before pulling myself up into the awful smelling pipe. The smell was beyond foul! It's as if every single being came to this exact location to crap and die. It wouldn't be a great shock to believe the Mercenaries were using this as a sort of defence mechanism. Inhumane if you ask me but then again, the whole Zone was inhumane.

I made forward, taking every precaution of both my stealth and security as the pipe eventually lead out to a small room. A few corpses laid out in no particular pattern which I quickly gave a small pat for anything useful. They were all picked clean which could only make me assume that it was a simple burial ground of past owners of the Station or perhaps unlucky passersby. My gaze shifted to the roof as I saw something that chilled my bones. Shadows passed by as a few shouts could be heard through the large hole in the ceiling.

“Let's dump 'em already!”

I panicked. My eyes darted left and right for a place to hide but all that surrounded me was the corpses that laid lifeless before me. The sweat glided down my face as the shouts were getting closer as my vision glanced once more to the figure at my feet, decaying flesh easily wafting through my nose. I swallowed hard to try and keep the puke from coming out as I quickly knelt, holstering both my pistol and knife before pushing the corpse over. I quickly pulled with a great huff of effort as the man's dead weight laid upon me. Maggots fell out of the gas mask eye piece as I tried yet again to contain my urge to puke.

The puke that did form in my mouth spilled out in small heaves. The remnants of the canned Tuna easily seen amongst the other indescribable mush. It was muffled thankfully by the yelling over head until I heard the tell tale sign of a new deposit for their make shift grave yard.

“One! Two! Three!”

I watched for a small moment as beside me a corpse collided with the cold cement beside me with a wet thud. Blood sprayed against my face as the man's deformed body simply laid still, lifeless eyes staring at me. “I fucking hate you, Owl,” I could only utter with despite as another wet thud was heard a few feet away from me. I held my breath to hear the Mercenaries above me clearer.

“Stupid, Bandit fucks; never learn. At least the Snorks will get a meal now!”

My blood ran cold on the spot as the low growls filled the small, makeshift burial room. The small pattering of boots and hands slightly echoed as the sound closed closer. It was the moment of sudden silence that terrified me the most. The only thing that perturbed the silence was three long sniffs much like any animal trying to detect prey. I held my breath in fear as I noticed the shadows of the Mercenaries above were still there watching the enfolding scene, probably making bets.

My vision snapped close as the foretelling of attack echoed through the sewer as the Snork leaped upon its food. I cringed for only a moment as the sound of flesh tearing by teeth brought a crowd of cheering from above. I opened one eye to see the unlucky sod beside me was now becoming a feast for a sole Mutant Snork. The lanky creature was once a human much like myself but radiation has messed both body and mind. An old gas mask was strapped to its face as the hose simply waved left and right with each jerk of its head. Most of the old Russian uniform was still attached to the creature though it has seen much nicer days. I continued to watch in horror until a shout brought me from my stupor.

“Hey! Get back to your patrols!”

A host of grunts above responded as the shadows begun to move away and silence regained my senses. I let out a breath of small relief until my eyes shot open. The room was silent. Silent. I jerked my head left once more to see the freshly mauled corpse was alone. My panic easily set in once more as I reached for my pistol that was on my thigh. One thing stopped me however as the weight of the corpse above me suddenly became heavier as I quickly gazed down to see a gas mask tube run down my arm.

“Ah shit,” I muttered before the Snork gave a roar of attack as hands tried to grasp for me underneath my dead shield. The Snork barely showed its head over the corpse before I gave both a great heave upwards, the light bodied Snork rolled with the decaying man. With more then enough time for me to recover myself, I grasped onto my pistol and brought it to bare. In all of that movement however the Snork gave another shout as it hurled itself at me as I fired the first round.

The Snork shrieked in pain as the bullet tore through its left arm. I, on the other hand, could only swear as the propelled Snork collided into me with enough force to cause my side arm to fall to the side with a clank. The adrenaline pumped through my legs as my retaliation came as a swift kick to the ribs of the creature that was on all fours. The bastard went a few feet airborne before colliding with the cement wall.

I didn't waste a moment as my hand deftly scooped my pistol up and lined up a shot to the recovering monstrosity. The end came with a kicking top receiver of my pistol that caused much of whatever remained for a brain to be splattered against the cement wall. The Snork twitched once or twice before remaining still once more, two lenses of the worn gas mask looking off into some distance. If anything, I did that poor creature a favour.

Not wanting to waste any more precious nighttime, I hustled to the iron bar ladder and begun my way up to see part of an abandoned courtyard. One lone guard was gazing off at an opposite length of darkened landscape as I silently pulled myself up. I gave a small prayer of thanks that the sewer was behind me as my quiet form stalked across the concrete ground until I begun enter the main complex through a rear door. Thankfully the main interior was hardly defended as I made my way towards the only lite office. I stopped for a moment before entering the room to find a lone man leaning back in his chair.

“Who the fuck-,” was all that he was able to say before my pistol once more claimed another life. The muffled gunshot echoed for only a moment as the shell clattered on the ground. My hands quickly routed through the small scattering of papers until I found the single portfolio labelled “Weapon Transaction”

I left the station in a hurry as the station was becoming a darkened silhouette behind me. The band finally caught on as I watched a single red flare rocket towards the sky to illuminate the ground in a useless attempt to find the intruder. I could only chuckle as my HK rifle rested in my grasp, my body hidden in the reefs of the small swamp around the Skadovsk. Owl lightened up with a round of laughter as he greedily begun to observe the contents within the folder. He simply dismissed me with a hand and payment saying only “I have more info on your Brother. Tomorrow, tomorrow,”

I stayed angrily mute as I simply retired to a small bunk in one of the spare rooms. The small lantern nearby giving me just enough light to see my Brother's stupid goofy smile. My thumb ran across the picture as if a priceless treasure.

“I will get you out of here, Daniel,”

The faded picture of my brother reflected the years of it's survival. The edges have been beaten and frayed but the picture itself still remained mostly pure. Daniel's smile still remained a bright beacon amongst the rather grey and dull background. My grasp on the edges tightened until something smacked me across the face. Looking up from my photo I noticed Binary giving me an odd look.

“You ok, man?” Binary asked with his shotgun levitating in front of him with a bore brush cleaning out the barrel. We had cleared out a nice spot where most of the dangerous Everfree inhabitants leave alone already. Luckily we didn't have to actually kill anything which kept my guns in better shape and Fluttershy from crying over another dead Boar or Squirrel. “I practically shouted your name without even a flinch from you,”

I could only groan as I simply paused for a moment to think up a convenient lie. “Sorry, Bines. Vehement just would not go to sleep last night. Little bundle of energy ran all over the the house,” I falsely explained while my hands rubbed the side of my head for emphasis. I slid the picture quickly back into my pocket as Bines just gave me another odd look before closing his shotgun breach, satisfied with his clean job.

“Yeah, I will be feeling that pain soon,” Binary chuckled as he gave his own pistol a quick look over even though he didn't get to fire a round from it.

“Which means I need to ask a favour from you,” my voice spoke out as I obviously caught his attention. I let out a huff before unzipping my tactical vest which now laid like a lump on the hardwood floor. “You need to quit this job, Binary,”

I could see it on his face. He was motionless for more then a few moments as my words started to sink in. “Did Twilight get you to try and convince me to quit?” he asked with anger starting to build up in his tone.

What's one more lie? “No,” I responded with little change in emotion. “You have a foal on the way, Binary. The Zone and Everfree is not worth dying in some irradiated pit just to leave a widowed Princess and newborn,” I tried to make him see light although a part of me secretly wanted to give Twilight the middle finger. Binary Storm was a decent shot and great with tinkering around more delicate instruments like Detectors. Field repairs and working out the artifact detectors was always a cinch with him around.

He simply satisfied himself with a steel gaze from behind his glasses. The air between us was tense as neither of us said a word. The clock on the wall filled the dinning room with the rhythmic sound of the needle calculating the time passing by.

“No way,” Binary finally responded as he crossed his fore hooves over his chest. “You'll get partnered up with some numb skull who'll get you both killed,”

His reasoning was solid, no doubt about it. It's hard to pick an individual who'll go into the Everfree without much in payment. If it ever came down to that, I'd simply just go alone and stick with my solo tactics that saved my hide back on Earth's Zone. “Then I'll go alone. You know I hunt perfectly well on my own. I'm light on my feet and I know the Zone better then ten of Pony kinds best experts put together,”

Binary bit his tongue at my rebuttal. He knew I was speaking the truth and was probably trying to find another excuse out of the forced retirement. I raised my hand however to stop him. “It's time, Bines. You've shed more then enough blood for Equestria's safety,”

“Fuck Equestria!” Bines shout took me off guard as the Stallion was now properly angry. “I don't venture around in the damn Everfree or the Zone for some thankless tart in Canterlot! The Mutants rarely venture beyond the Zone anyway!” Binary's form slouched for a moment as he cast his gaze to the floor.

“Then why?” I asked in curiosity.

“Because you're my best friend, Asshole,” he chuckled slightly but it didn't really lighten the mood set about the room.

I let out a long sigh before grabbing a well known cure all. I stood up from my seat with a slap of my knees and pulled a bottle from one of the top shelves. “Stalliongrad Vodka,” I announced as I placed it on the table for him to see. He cringed slightly knowing full well what it meant. “Two months,” I also announced in slight defeat.

“Two months?” Binary asked as he raised his gaze to meet mine.

“Take two months off for both Twilight and yourself,” I practically ordered as my hands twisted the cap off the bottle only to get the familiar smell waft through my nose. “After those two months you can rejoin me if you want, although you'd be stupid to do so,” I explained further to see him practically smile ear to ear. I only gave my own hearty chuckle as I noticed that Bines levitated a couple of glasses over to the table. “To hell with that,” my lips muttered as I tipped the bottle to my lips for a great chug. The liquid burned to the point that it was something oddly relaxing in it; much like a memento to a home sick fella.

Binary levitated the bottle closer to him after I offered. He was the light weight between the both of us but tradition is tradition; no matter the species. He tipped the bottle back for a mouthful which he coughed for a solid minute afterwards. He held it in however as we chuckled for a solid minute before making our way to the front door.

We finally arrived to the Library after a few more chugs of the bottle which easily caught the Stallion in a bad stagger back and forth. My knuckles rapped against the door once more as hurried hoof steps came to the door. Twilight greeted us with a large smile until she witnessed her Husband give her a odd wink and kiss. The Princess was mad till I gave her the good news after she placed her blissful Husband in bed.

“You got him to retire?” she burst with joyful excitement, something I found odd for a pregnant Mare capable of doing.

“All I could do was buy two months for you and your Foal. I offered him the job again after this vacation but my hopes is that when your little bundle of joy comes, he'll forget all about being a STALKER again,” I explained which caught her in roller coaster of emotion. She was silent for a few moments in humming thoughts until a knock on the door caught our attention.

“That must be Rainbow Dash! Wow, she's even using the front door for a change as well,” Twilight mused as she gave the door a pull by magic. I watched from my spot near the table as Rainbow Dash trotted in calmly with a uniform on. “Looking good there, Wonderbolt,” Twilight said with a small laugh before going to relax on her lavish pillow.

“What can I say?” the multicoloured Mare sauntered over closer to us trying her best to show off the crisp, blue uniform that was adorned with a few medals. “I make just about anything look good. Sup, Ruffles,” she said in a confident tone before nodding in my direction which I responded with a slight nod of my own.

“I'm surprised Princess Celestia had selected another Pony so quickly. Did you receive the orders straight from her?” Twilight directed her curious question towards Dash as I simply crossed my arms over my chest.

“Spitfire got them and then offered it to the entire squad. She said it was a dangerous mission for a few months or so, which no Pony even bothered for,” Dash started to explain as I started to let my mind wonder to my watch. Had to pick Letter and Vehement up in a few minutes. “I volunteered which brought me here!”

I slightly rolled my eyes for a moment as I coughed for a moment to get both Mares to look up at me. “I don't want to interrupt, but I should be on my way,” I said giving the two a nod and making my way to the front door.

“Wait, Ruffles!” Rainbow Dash called out to me which made my shoulders droop slightly in tired irritation.

I turned to see Rainbow looking at me while she hovered oddly before me. “So, what's the first thing on our to-do list?” her question left me with nothing but confusion. Rainbow Dash and I were never anything more then acquaintances since I arrived in Ponyville years ago. We may have shared a few words at parties but beyond that, nothing.

“What do you mean our to-do list?” I ask suddenly filled with a certain dread.

“Has no Pony told you? I'm your new partner for a couple of months!” Rainbow Dash eagerly informed me as I stood there in shock. “I know, I know! Pretty cool to get a chance to work with a Wonderbolt, huh?” she nudged my shoulder until I caught her appendage with a free hand.

She immediately changed her cocky attitude when she witnessed the scowl I now possessed. “You are not my partner. I don't care who ordered you to help me, go tell them to shove it,” I informed the shocked Rainbow Dash as she hovered for a moment.

“What? Am I not good enough to become a,” Dash fumbled over her words for a moment. “What do you call yourselves again?” she asked which only caused me to shake my head and close the Library's front door behind me. It wasn't enough to stop her however as I soon found myself face to face yet again to the Rainbow clad Pony. “What's your problem, Ruffles?” she asked with easily understood irritation of her own.

“No offence, Rainbow Dash, but I don't take Pegasi with me on expeditions,” I explained without backing down. “Especially ones that have such a bright mane colour,” I noted with a flick of my finger to make a few strands of her yellow mane to the side. “I only take Unicorns, no exceptions,”

Dash's growl of anger only made me smirk. It was easy to tell that this Mare wasn't exactly known for having a cool head. “I could do anything better then a Unicorn!” she stated which got a huff of derision from an amused Twilight who was watching from the Doorway.

“Bullshit,” I muttered as I side step to walk past the Mare only to get blocked once more by the hovering annoyance. “Alright, Rainbow Dash, how about this,” I pull my pistol out which caused a gasp of shock from Twilight who knew full well of the power of the firearm. “Shoot this gun in the ground and I'll accept you as my partner,” I ordered Dash as I flipped the gun in the air and caught it by the top receiver so the pistol grip was towards the surprised Pegasus.

“That's it? Piece of cake!” she exclaimed with ease as she fumbled with the pistol. The barrel swayed all over which caused Twilight to practically dive for cover. I however stood my ground and begun to tap my boot with impatience. “I got this!” Rainbow said once more as she finally manage to gain a solid hold of the firearm. Her frown however managed to show as her desperate attempts of fitting even the smallest parts of her hoof into the trigger guard proved challenging.

“Look, Dash, I got to pick up my kids. . .,”

“I got this!” she repeated as she scrapped the trigger only to find that the gun didn't fire. She attempted again which only succeeded in getting a long sigh from me.

“Next time you try to fire something, try taking the safety off,” I inform her as I ply the pistol from her grasp and flipped the lever down to show that the pistol was good to go. “Go back to the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash,” I said once more as my hands deftly holstered the pistol once more to my thigh, safety on.

“Just because you think you're some fancy Human that you get to decide how things go?” Dash shouted after me which I just ignored.

I don't know what Celestia or Twilight were going with this but I was making sure to put a stop to it. They didn't even talk to me about a new partner or how Binary was doing before selecting another to fill a missing slot. Twilight probably assumed that I was just going to forcefully retire Binary!

The thankful silence was enjoyable as I made my way to the School house only a few minutes away from the Library. I waited patiently among a few other Parents, some I enjoyed chatting with while others simply waved. It was a comforting thought that many have accepted me not only as a different, unknown species but as a Father figure as well. The bell rang out as the torrent of Colts and Fillies spilled forth to their parents or to play in the playground nearby.

“Dad! Dad!” Vehement voice easily caught my attention first as the dark coated Filly ran up to me before stopping with a confused look about her.

“Vehement?” I asked as I watched the Filly's head turn from side to side as she gazed at something above and behind me. I turned only to see a Cyan Mare lazily laying on the nearby tree branch watching us. “Rainbow Dash!” I groaned loudly as my hand slid down my face in exasperation.

“One and only,” she simply smiled at my apparent displeasure. “You're stuck with me, Grumps,”

“Rainbow Dash, the Zone is dangerous! Do yourself a favour and just stick in Ponyville. You can say you completed your task after a couple of months and I get to work alone; win, win,” I offered her as Letter was trotting up to meet us.

“Why are you going to work alone, Dad?” Vehement asked curiously before letting out a gasp. “Is uncle Storm hurt?” she asked with sudden worry shown on her face. I simply just scooped the Filly up in a small embrace as she leaned in to the hug.

“Uncle Storm is just fine, Hemi,” I reassured her by using her little nickname.

“And I'm not going anywhere, Ruffles,” Rainbow Dash stated along with a small flick of her tail before jumping down to land beside me. “You should just get used to seeing me around,” her tone just oozed a certain cockiness that I hated to hear sometimes.

“What is Rainbow Dash doing here, Dad?” Letter Head enquired as he let his gaze examine the Mare over his glasses black frame.

“Trying to be annoying,” I muttered which caught me a sudden jab against my side. Turning my head back to the now fluttered Mare I could only groan once more before walking away for home, Letter following with eyes glued to a book.

“So how was your day, Sweetie?” I ask as she began to pout in my arms as I cradled her.

“I'm not a sweetie! I'm tough!” she tried to then convince me with a flex of her fore legs. I tried to contain my laughter, I swear! “Don't laugh, Dad!” she protested against my chuckles but it only caused me to laugh more.

“You seem like a tough Filly, Hemi was it?” Rainbow Dash spoke again which caused me to groan.

“See, Dad! Rainbow Dash thinks I'm tough!” Vehement immediately jumped on that metaphorical bandwagon.

“Why are you following me home, Dash?” I asked the Mare as she grinned back up at me.

“I want to get to know you better,” her explanation caught me off guard as my eyes narrowed at her. “We are going to be spending a lot of time together so I might as well get used to you before we do any actual work,”

I let out a long sigh and before I could speak, an unusual thing occurred. Letter Head spoke out.

“Why not stay for dinner, Rainbow Dash?” he suggested without actually moving his gaze away from the book.

“I'd love some grub!” she agreed with a eager smile all at the same time ignoring the growing frown on my face.

“Hold on a moment,” I started to protest before Vehement exhaled in sudden excitement to cut me off.

“It's Lasagna Fridays!” the small Filly squealed with delight.

“I love Lasagna!” Rainbow Dash announced as the two girls began to talk back and forth about their similar interest in food.

“No, that's ok. I love for everyone to come over to share in my food. Maybe we should invite some Pseudodogs while were at it?” I mutter to myself knowing full well that I was officially separated from their food oriented conversation.

“Why are you talking to yourself, Dad?” Letter mentioned which only caused me to let out a drawn sigh.

“Nothing, bud,”

“That dinner was fantastic, Ruffles! Where did you learn to cook?” Rainbow Dash asked as she leaned back in her chair at the dinning table, a hoof over her stomach. Her face easily described inner bliss as she eyed the small remains on her plate.

“In the Army,” I mutter as my hands deftly collect the few dishes to dump them in the kitchen sink. “Go brush your teeth and get ready for bed, Vehement,” I call back from the kitchen only to get a loud groan in reply before dumping some water in the sink. “No huffs, Missy, get to it!”

“I'm going, I'm going!” she called back with annoyance before heading towards her room, a quiet Letter Head following.

I heard a few hoof steps stop at the doorway to the Kitchen just as I turned the faucet off and begun to scrub the dishes. Knowing full well who was standing at the door, I simply just kept scrubbing the dishes. The room grew awkwardly quiet except for the small splashes made now and again by my frustrated cleaning attempt. My patience however decided to end abruptly as I threw the scrubbie in the water and turn to lean against the table top edge. “Why does this mean so damn much to you, Dash?” I asked with my mild temperament in tow.

She stood uneasy for a moment before sitting on her haunches to view up at me. Her gaze was surprisingly different from before as she let out a long sigh. “All I ever wanted to be is a Wonderbolt,” she started to explain before I rudely cut her off.

“Which you already are. Speed up to the part where you should convince me to not write to Celestia to get you removed from my so-called partnership,” my words were sharp and to the point which Dash seemed to pick up on quite clearly.

“It's my Captain. She wants me to one day take over the Squad so I've been trying to show her that I'm capable of anything she can throw at me,” Rainbow began to explain with unease, more then once checking to see if there was anyone listening in. “Don't you have three Ponies living here?” she asked.

My eyes narrowed at her as I thought about her reasoning. “Star Struck is still with Big Macintosh probably,” I informed her before rubbing my eyes to get the sleepiness out. “Dash, the Zone and the Everfree can be extremely dangerous to the unprepared. You can't fire any of my guns and I can guess you have no skills in hunting,”

I could see the overbearing sense of being out of place slowly dawn in her eyes. She was confident, sure, but that only got you so far in life. The look she gave me however was one of utmost desperation. Either the story she told me was complete phooey or she was one hundred percent committed to showing this Captain Spitfire of hers that she could indeed do anything.

“I'm a good flier though,” Rainbow Dash started to plead her case.

“If you fly in the Zone, a Gravitational Anomaly will chew you up and spit you out,”

“I have a good swing,” she flexed her fore legs to show well defined muscle care.

“A Bloodsucker is invisible, you know? Snorks can smell you out in pitch black nights. Pseduodogs can lead packs of ten to twenty dogs to maul you and don't even get me started on Chimeras,” I explained some of the Mutants which seemed to bring Dash's hopes so far down that they were trampled in the mud. “This job is too dangerous to just waste your life on,”

“Then why do you do it?” her question caught me off guard; her eyes, inquisitive but soft.

I was quiet for a moment. We exchanged nothing but our unblinking gazes until a long sigh broke from my lips. I sauntered towards the hallway before motioning the Cyan Mare to follow after me. I lead her to a door down the hall which opened to a spacious bedroom. A simple blue blanket laid in a room of soft white paint and a single closet. “I know you live in Ponyville but you can sleep her anytime you need. You start tomorrow morning,”

I watched as the Mare who was sullen only a moment ago jumped up in cheer as she did a small victory dance to celebrate. “Thank you, Ruffles! I won't let you down!” she promised as she did something I didn't expect nor was prepared to receive. Her fore hooves wrapped around my chest while she was hovering and gave me a good squeeze that almost made me go blue. I raised an eyebrow while looking down at her as she caught on to what she was actually doing. Her head was rested against my chest before noticing my gaze. Flustered she broke off and hovered over to her bed trying her best not to make immediate eye contact.

“Your welcome,” I simply mutter before leaving the room, closing the door behind me. My silent mutters of curses followed me up until I reached Vehement's room.

“Look, Dad! I'm a Pseudodog! RAWR!”

Oh boy...

Author's Note

Italics in the start of chapter are Flashbacks! Hope you're enjoying Ruffles adventure so far as we discover both past and potential future epics! R & R!

Chapter III: Baby Steps

“Wake up, Rainbow Dash,” I called calmly for the fourth time.

The Cyan mare mumbled slightly but otherwise remained quite still. My nerve with the damn Pony was being stretched thin as I simply gave her a simple smack on the head which caused her to startle to wakefulness, an amusing spectacle.

“Wha? Huh?” she muttered in her dazed state as she gazed around in the unfamiliar room. Her eyes finally dawned on the clock which read 6:30 AM quite clearly compared to the dark contrast of the room. “Why are you awake so early on a Saturday!?” Her groan erupted as she dove straight back into the welcoming pillow's embrace.

I watched all of this with a small twitch in my eye. If she was going to become my partner, she was going to train up to the level of expectancy. I don't expect superpony powers but god dammit if I'm not expecting some effort in getting up in the morning! My hands grasped the edges of the mattress as I gave the whole thing a sudden lift which caused a cry to erupt moments before pillows, blankets and Mare were tumbled onto the carpet. “Breakfast is in ten minutes. Get ready,”

I then walked out of the room where the kettle whistled for my attention. All in all I simply had the table set for breakfast for two considering both Letter and Vehement would be asleep for a couple hours more. It may not have been particularly fair on Rainbow Dash but I needed to see how much she actually is dedicated to this job. I don't need a two to three month temporary covering my back. To them, it's a simple job to guard the bushes considering no pony ever goes near the Zone besides Binary Storm and myself. I needed to see if Rainbow Dash can keep a cool head when things get turned upside down, literally.

Just as I poured myself some lemon tea, I noticed the dishevelled Mare approach the table. Her mane was jutting out here and there along with slight bags underneath her eyes. What I noticed the most however was the narrowed gaze of distaste directed at me. Something deep in my conscious agreed that I may be seeing much more of that look over the next few weeks. “Eat up, you have a big day ahead of you,” I inform her before scooping up some porridge of my own.

“You could have just asked me to get up, ya know,” she muttered before slowly eating the porridge on her side of the table.

“Yeah,” I agreed for a moment while faking a look of deep reflecting before grinning. “But then again, I did enjoy tossing you off the bed,” I admit before breaking down in a small chuckle before finishing the last of my own porridge.

“You're an ass,” she muttered before trying to finish the rest of her porridge with the same gusto as myself.

“Damn straight I am,” I mutter as my eyes rested on the window that showed a still dark canvas but the sky was becoming a shade lighter. “We better head off soon,” I say although my attention was on the window.

“Where?” Rainbow asked as she gave her body a long stretch while still sitting in the chair.

“We're going to the Zone,” I announced with narrowed eyes now levelling on Dash's.

She was blank with disbelief for a moment before waving a foreleg suddenly. “The Zone? You said all last night that I wasn't ready for it!” she began to protest.

“You're going to learn just like everyone else does; trial by fire. I know the Wonderbolts is a military organization so you must know some combat basics,” I stated while starting to place dishes away. “We are going to make a small excursion on the very edge and pop your Zone cherry,”

“Pop my cherry?” Rainbow Dash said with slight confusion before standing herself to deposit her own dishes in the sink.

“Yeah,” I said with some confusion myself. “You know what that means, don't you?”

“Never heard of that phrase before. Maybe it's a Human thing?”

Oh boy. “When I say 'Poping your Cherry', it usually means that you are trying something for the first time,” I explained and I could see the sudden redden blush spread over her face as it all started to click on for her. “I think you get it. Alright, lets get outta here and on the road. If we return, it'll be dark out already and it's never a good idea to be anywhere within that forest at night,”

Rainbow Dash was quietly occupied in trying to keep her wings at her side. To be honest, it was a weird thing to witness. What good was a pegasus if she couldn't even keep her wings under control? Odd. Ignoring it however, I made my way to the office to retrieve the equipment we'd need. Most was for me but since Binary wasn't here, Dash could use some of his stuff. Noticing that the Mare had recollected herself from whatever body malfunction she was going through, I tossed a camouflage suit at her.

“What is this?” her enquiry came forth as she held the suit oddly. She kept turning it over and over only to frown deeply. “It has no holes for my wings to fit through,”

I opened my mouth to argue the point of useless flying only to look at her. She probably had the bare minimum of combat training to defend herself. With out the power of flight, even low flying, may just put the nail in her coffin. “Put the suit on,” I ask her only to get a defeated look in return.

It took her a few minutes to figure it all out but she stood proudly in her new dark forest pattern camouflage. She strutted about for a moment as if to show off to me although why she did it is beyond me. “Stand still,” I order which she thankfully followed. I approached with a black marker and begun to feel her sides of her back.

“Woah! Woah!” she shouted while jumping away from my touch. “Going a little fast don't ya think, buddy?” she accused directly at me with an angry tone although the blush on her face seemed like an awkward counter.

“Going fast?” I repeated as I held the marker out. “I'm going to mark holes in your suit so your wings can come out,”

“Oh,” she simply muttered only to hang her head low in sudden shame. “Sorry, Ruffles. Wings are sort of a sensitive spot for Pegasi,” her explanation caused me to reel for a moment in sudden realization.

She thought I was trying to grope her. My mind ran a mile a minute as I studied the Mare before me in finer detail. She was definitely built like an athlete with the muscle shown even through the suit she wore. Her mane obviously stood out the most but what could easily hold my attention was the strong gaze her eyes often had shown over me. “Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I didn't mean to offend you or anything,” I apologized in the hopes to ease any unwanted tension.

“It's alright,” she simply muttered while holding still for me. As my hands glided over the suit, she flinched every time my fingers ran over what must have been the joint between her wing and torso. Turning my own head to look at her face, she was turned so we couldn't make eye contact. I decided that any sort of lingering was only going to harm our already tipsy work relationship.

“All done. You can take the suit off so I can puncture some holes in it for you,”

She did as instructed without giving any verbal response. I simply let out my own drawn out breath before taking my knife out and made progress with her suit. The whole ordeal was done in a awkward quiet as she just simply watched my hands cut away the material so as to leave a comfortable amount of room for movement. I didn't like the idea of puncturing the suit at all but then again, simply hovering may save her one day. “All done,” I stated while tossing the suit back over to her before standing to get to my own locker.

She quietly started to get dressed before turning back to me with a sudden shocked look. “What are you doing?” she asked as she noticed my naked torso and the fact that I was starting to get undressed myself. Her wings did that thing again where they just snapped to attention. I noticed her apt attention to my exposed skin as I gazed down myself to see nothing out of the usual. I was muscled but nothing over the top. It's hard to keep all that extra muscle and the payoff was almost always aesthetic. Putting more bulk on was just more weight to have when you had to run away from a mad pack of Bloodsuckers.

“I have to put my own suit on and what is with your wings?” I had to ask. I almost wanted to go over there and try to pin them to her sides myself. Maybe some tape would work? “Stop looking so shocked, will you? It's not like I adjusted my eyes while you changed. You Ponies walk around naked all day anyway,” I stated before dropping my pants to the floor which caused Dash to grow red in the cheeks.

“Ok, that's it. Stand outside if this embarrasses you so much,” I ordered only to get her shaking her head rapidly. She wasn't enjoying this, was she? The whole idea of actually having someone romantically interested in me, even if just for a good romp, was so foreign to me that it was honestly shocking to think about. There's no room for romance in the Zone and it even seemed more bizarre of a thought to even think about dating while in Equestria. The look Rainbow Dash was giving me however was very, very odd.

She simply sat on her haunches with what seemed to be a mix of embarrassment and intrigue. Donning my own suit and tactical vest, I begun to retrieve my own weapons and ghillie suit. I proceeded to make a few checks over my things like jumping up and down to check for noise. It was the usual stuff like a reflective surface or loose metal that gave a Hunter's position away.

“What are you doing?” Rainbow asked as her eyes watched me carefully as I begun to jump up and down.

“I'm checking for any noise I can be creating by loose objects I'm carrying,” I explain as I smile with satisfaction of being quite silent. Sheathing my knife on my chest and double checking each weapon I finally gazed down on Rainbow Dash with a frown. She sat there watching me prep with a sort of fascination. It was odd considering Twilight always told me that Dash was the one that didn't like to sit still long. Another thing that caught me while checking my magazines was the lack of firepower that the Pegasus was packing. I let out a long hum of deep thought while placing each loaded magazine away in their respective pouches.

“What?” Dash asked as she caught my gaze than begun to look at herself.

“Have you ever used a knife before?” I asked while tapping my lip in thought.

“I've had some self defence and hoof-to-hoof combat training while back in basic,” Rainbow answered while scratching the back of her head. It almost seemed like she was trying not to brag in front of me but I only thought the training was minimal at best. “They let us use a few knives to get the feel of them,”

I opened the locker once more and pulled out my seven inch hunting knife before offering it to her, my hand grasping the actual blade. “Tell me how this feels for you,” I offered her as she gripped the handle within her mouth. She gave a few swings with even a switchover so the blade was jutting out the other side. I have to be honest when I was actually surprised at how well she could handle the weapon. She was quick with each potential strike while also maintaining a strong centre of balance. “How is it?” I finally asked as she placed the large serrated knife on the carpet.

“It is way better then the crap they gave us in boot camp! It's a bit heavier too but I don't mind all too much,” she admitted as she let loose another confident grin.

I smiled as well before gathering the sheath which she begun to strap onto herself. “I'll see about getting you some sort of custom firearm made but the Princesses have been very, very restrictive of my human produced weapons. I'll bring it up in the upcoming Gala,” I informed Dash before closing the locker and locked it. With that we made our way into the main room where two young, sleepy eyed ponies waited at the bottom of the stairs.

“Are you leaving now, Dad?” Vehement asked as she rose a hoof to wipe any lingering effects of sleep away from her eyes. It was a cute spectacle to be sure as I knelt down on one knee as I had to push my HK rifle to the side so it wouldn't drag along the ground because of the sling.

“I am, Hemi,” I respond softly as I rubbed both Letter and Vehement's head affectionately. “You two be on your best behaviour. Star will be home soon to look after you two while I'm gone so try not to cause her too much grief and tell her I'll be back late tonight,” I ordered as both Ponies nodded their heads in understanding.

“You'll be careful, right, Dad?” Letter asked almost shyly before I gave the top of his messy mane a quick rub again.

“And what?” I ask with a heartening tone. “Miss one of your Magic lessons with the famous tutor Twilight Sparkle herself? Wouldn't miss it for the world, Letter,” I answered which made him smile before fixing his glasses so they sat on his muzzle straight. “And you'll be a good girl while I'm away?” I turned to look at Vehement as she shot a hoof in the air.

“Don't worry, Dad, I'll protect the house!” she volunteered herself gallantly which only caused me to crack a wider grin and a slight chuckle from behind me.

I let a small chuckle escape myself before giving the Filly a kiss on the forehead. “Just don't destroy the house, please?” I ask which caught a slight groan in return. “Alright, give your old man a hug before he goes,” I ask which was responded by an energetic rush of fore hooves wrapping around my chest as I scooped the two small Ponies in a tight hug. I hate to leave them like this, not knowing if I was going to return but they are a strong family. Releasing both of them back onto the floor I simply say “I love you guys. Make sure you let Star know,” I respond once more before pushing the front door open to exit.

“You are a pretty cool Father, you know that?” Rainbow Dash acknowledge my flimsy parenting skills. Although my facial expression didn't really give her much praise for her comment, it was nice to hear all the same.

“I try,” I simply muttered back as I tapped the magazine housing of my rifle with my trigger finger. The rest of the walk to the forest was quiet as Dash took the time to do a few aerial manoeuvres in the sky while she still had the chance. It was a calming quiet that I appreciated as a familiar sight approached along with the edge of the foreboding forest. Two gravestones stood erected near the trail that had a few flowers beneath each stone.

I pulled my rifle horizontally so when I knelt to the two graves it could rest on my legs. My eyes ran over the well known names as a small smile crossed my features. The two that were buried here could be the closest thing I had to family when I first came to Equestria. The smile faded from my face as my eyes darted to the bare spot twenty meters or so off. Bad things happen to good people however. . .

“Are you ok, Ruffles?” Dash's voice suddenly pulled me away from my thoughts as I twirled while I was still kneeling.

“Yeah, yeah,” I replied before putting on my serious face and standing. I didn't leave the graves before kissing my hand and placing it on both stones.

“It's been a long time since then, hasn't it?” Rainbow asked which I simply nodded too.

“Let's go. We still have a while to go before we reach the Zone,” I ordered as I begun to walk towards the forest. My hand deftly grasped onto the cocking handle as the calming effect of hearing a round loaded in the chamber filled my ears. It was officially go time and with a FNG team member to boot. “Keep talking to an absolute minimum and pay attention to where you are walking. Game face time, Dash,” I ordered as Dash simply gave a nod back in understanding.

The forest welcomed us with it's usual sounds of sudden silence. The birds stopped any sort of chirping but after half an hour of bush whacking the animals seemed more then eager to return to their instinctive calling. Rainbow Dash, for her own credit, tried her hardest to remain quite although she needed much more practice and experience in path finding. There was times I honestly thought she purposely stepped on every damn twig in the forest. It was an assuring thought however as the Pegasus did manage to keep any comments to herself unless directed too.

I paused silently as I heard another twig.

“Sorry,” Rainbow finally broke her own silence as her voice was from what I could tell, of guilt and anger.

I turned my head slightly just so I could see her with my peripherals. She was making sure there was another clear spot for her hoof before placing it onto the forest floor once more. When her hoof connected, however, the unmistakable sound of a twig snapping came forth once more. Dash and I both froze however as she raised her hoof to see no twig underneath.

In an instant, my form turned to a small sound of nearby bushes ruffling slightly. My HK rifle was levelled with my finger slightly touching the trigger guard. Whatever that was coming out of that bush was getting a quick double tap. It was quiet for a moment as both Dash and I watched the foliage with an uneasy tension until the creature finally busted from his hiding. My finger slightly depressed the trigger until the thing in my iron sights actually locked within my thinking.

“A fucking Rabbit,” I whisper hoarsely as I lowered the muzzle of my rifle only to watch the creature run off in fright. “Are you ok, Da-,” I turned to ask until a small rustle of bushes was all I heard before the strike. It came blindly fast and I was completely caught off guard. The fangs already sank into my side as the shot of pain escaped my lips in a small cry of agony.

“Ruffles!” Dash shouted at me with shock and worry.

“I'm alright! Get your knife ready!” I ordered through the pain as I gathered my own wits as my rifle raised to meet my attacker. What I witnessed however was something that shocked me. To newbies, it would look like some deformed dog, which in a right, it is. Too much radiation over a long time has deformed the beast so large patches of bubbled and distorted skin affections have appeared. What was visible however was the pure muscle in its legs and large teeth from it's maw. It was a damn Pseudodog.

My hesitation didn't halt my trigger finger as the rifle kicked back into my shoulder with it's recoil. The loud gunshots echoed out in the forest but my focus was purely on my fast moving target. My initial double tap connected as I grinned with slight delight at seeing the creature limp away into the bushes.

“Ruffles, are you alright?” Rainbow Dash's voice sounded out surprisingly close as a sudden jab of pain echoed through out my body. I gazed down to see that Dash had slightly jabbed my bleeding thigh wound with her damn hoof!

“I'm fine! Fuck, Dash,” I say allowing one of my hands to come down to smack her hoof away.

“I'm just worried, Ruffles,” Rainbow suddenly got defensive to the point where I had to shake my hand in front of her to stop any more argument.

“We gotta get out of this forest. The rest of that dog's pack will be back here any moment!” I point towards what seems to be a small clearing ahead. We needed to get into a clearing so I can at least see my attackers approaching instead of getting ambushed from dense foliage. “Fly, Dash! Go!”

“But you said I can't fly in the Zone!”

I was already jogging with my rifle still close to a proper shooting position in case the damn mutt returned. “We haven't even entered the Zone yet! It shouldn't be for another good 500 meters!” I shouted even though I could tell she was easily keeping up with my pace. It was impossible. It just couldn't be true. The Zone doesn't just extend it's border and the Mutants never go beyond said borders.

Freak encounter. Yeah. That's the only explanation. Must be...

Dash took my words to heart as I could only hear a brief flap of her wings before she shot out in front of me till she entered the clearing. She turned constantly while hovering in one spot as if to check every inch of the surrounding area. It was almost hysterical to watch if my sides didn't scream in agony. I witnessed her turn to me for only a moment before a howling erupted behind me.

“Ruffles!” Dash's voice cried out but I didn't turn to see.

My feet carried me through the last of the foliage moments before I felt a force crash into my back sending me sprawling in the dirt. My sides burned as I rolled before coming to a stop where I witnessed my attacker getting ready for another pounce. It almost seemed like the previous Pseudodog but was smaller and its eyes were very diluted with a milky glaze. I didn't give it another moment of satisfaction as my rifle raised in a violent embrace. The five round burst seemed more then effective at ending the creatures life as the body collided on top of me with a loud thud.

The force of the impact made me exhale much of the needed air in my lungs. I coughed for a few moments in pain as my arms protested in an aching pain. The Dog thankfully didn't weigh too much as it slid onto the ground in a lifeless thump. It was then that I glimpsed the next attack. The radiation afflicted canine had already leapt towards me. There was no time to bring my rifle to bare.

A blur of blue overcame my vision for a moment as I tried my best to concentrate through the pain. A grunt left my lips as I got to one knee only to see Dash wrestling for dominance atop of one of the beasts. Its maw was snapping but luckily Dash had some decent sense in her to avoid the attacks. Her hoofs worked in quick succession to pin the beast down on its back as she held her knife in her mouth.

“Dash!” I shouted as I stumbled a step before letting my rifle dangle on the sling. My hand quickly pulled my pistol from its holster as I took a careful moment to aim. My shot echoed out in the sudden silence as I witnessed Dash just staring at what used to be a dog's head below her. Her eyes just stared for a moment until I could finally get over to her side. “Dash!” I said along with a nudge of my free hand.

She was still for a few more moments which made things worse. She might be in some sort of shock after seeing everything develop. Especially for Equestrian standards, it's not every day death or violence is involved. I let my hand run under her muzzle and forcefully pull her gaze to mine. It was there deep in her pupils. Fear and deep shock showed much like the old saying of the eyes being the person, or pony's, soul. “Concentrate on me, Dash. Breath,” I ordered her as my own eyes held their gaze upon her.

It took a few moments before her breathing regulated but she blinked once or twice. She relaxed her muzzle in my hold but otherwise remained quiet. Her eyes grew soft as I could see the acts of that she just witnessed finally registered.

“Are you alright, Rainbow Dash?” I asked with the most caring voice I could muster.

“Yeah, Ruffs, I'm ok,” she answered although her tone carried the exact opposite notion.

“You just witnessed more violent deaths in less then a few minutes than others would in a life time. You won't be ok for a while, Dash,” I tried to explain but death is a thing people conquer in their own styles. “You're not alone though,” I tried top comfort her by removing my hand from under her muzzle to pat the side of her head gently.

“I think you've seen enough of this-,” I tried to explain to her before bending over with a grunt of pain. The warm sensation of blood running down my leg came back to my fore front. “Fucking mutt nicked me good,” I chuckle as I started back to the forest only to give out a curse as my injured leg flared with every step. I grumbled for a moment before taking out a stripe of gauze and medical pad to help stop the bleeding.

“You can lean on me,” Dash was suddenly beside me with a wavering smile.

It was quiet between the both of us but comforting. I could only give her a smile and nod before heading back home before sundown.

“I need a drink,”

“Amen, Dash,”

The clock in the living room ticked as both Pony and Human sat in comfort. Dinner had been a hectic affair of questions and worrying glances which he tried to deal with. Vehement was trying to defeat her salad like some sort of monster of the Everfree while Letterhead simply observed the conversation in silence. Star Struck however was more worried about the leg wound getting infected. After a quick visit to the hospital to get things stitched up they had all returned back home. I had just managed to get Vehement to stay put in bed long enough for sleep to claim her before heading downstairs with Rainbow Dash.

“You did good today, Dash,” I said before placing the bottle that I had retrieved previously from the kitchen.

“Doesn't feel like it,” she muttered from her recliner seat. Her tail flicked once or twice but it seemed more out of some inner thought troubling her.

“You saved my ass back there,” my admittance got one smile out of her although I also notice her attempt to hide it. “You and I need a drink. It's tradition to have some good Vodka after a intrusion into the Zone,”

“Vodka?” she asked with a hint of apprehensive guilt. “Vodka and I have a bad past, Ruffles,”

“Yeah? Well join the party than, butter cup,” I chuckle as she gave me a roll of her eyes in response. The first gulp of the drink was down right burning. It was a good burn that brought both memories and soon enough, a sort of relaxation. “Bottom's up, Dashie,”

“Don't call me Dashie,” she gave me a dead panned stare but other wise refused the bottle.

“Alright, Dash, I admit that you are going through some shit right now. Is me offering you a drink pretty damn stupid and irresponsible?” I started to explain and when she tried to respond I squished her lips together with my free hand. “You bet it is. I can tell what kind of Mare you are and you will keep shit to yourself till you explode. Now indulge in a little drinking and then you can go home or crash here,”

Rainbow Dash, after pushing my hand away from her lips, stared hard at me but softened slightly. Her response soon came in a swipe of the bottle and a very long chug of the bottle. I couldn't believe my eyes. This Mare had more balls than Binary did when it came to a good drink! She placed the bottle back on to the table and wiped her muzzle with a hoof. She noticed my shock and quickly acquired a smirk.

“Damn, Dash,” I simply muttered as soon as I recalled my wits. “I wish Binary could drink at least half as much as you. He barely has a few shots and starts juggling my damn furniture!”

“That sounds like Twilight when she has a few too many hard Ciders. You should have seen her at the last party Applejack hosted!” Rainbow started to recall the story between a few snickers. “Who knew Twilight loved jello shots so much?”

I let out a genuine laugh as Rainbow Dash easily followed. The tension between us seemed almost non existent as we shard stories of our past. The bottle was passed between us until the last drop hit my tongue as the clock hit close to one in the morning. It was also at this point where I had witnessed Dash in all her drunken glory. She could pack the stuff but keeping her cool was not part of it.

“And then I was all like POW, BAM, ZAM! The stupid Manticore went runnin' fer its life!” Dash retold her, apparently, heroic fight scene against a Manticore during Twilight's initial visit to Ponyville atop of my living room table. She sluggishly did a few jabs in the air but otherwise tried to maintain her balance.

What Dash apparently forgot was that I trailed the group the entire trek to face off against Nightmare Moon. I didn't partake in the fight, as per Celestia's orders, but I can still recall the Manticore incident clearly. “Gotta admit that I'm a damn fine Mare,” she bolstered once more but this time by shaking her flank on my living room table.

“Uh, Dash?”

“Waz up?”

“You are one of a kind,” I simply mutter with a goofy smile. I swear by the hairs on my chin, that it was the alcohol talking. I meant it however.

I watched as she stood there mid way through some unknown dance move, frozen in some sort of shocked state. It was hard to tell if she had a slight blush on due to the colouration caused by the drink but it seemed as if I rightfully flustered her.

I was quick to mentally slap myself for mild stupidity. “Sorry, Rainbow, I just let a thought out-,”

That was when it happened. I had never expected, planned, foreseen such a thing to really occupy my mind or soul. Rainbow Dash leaned in quickly to press her lips against mine.

The whole event only lasted for a second before the Mare succumbed to the reality of physics; specifically gravity. She fell with a thump against the carpet only to lay still. A soft snore came in little purrs to show that the pegasus still drew breath into her lungs.

I on the other hand was still holding mine. It felt like hours until I blinked away the sort of haze that fell before my gaze. My mind refused to think of anything other then the lips that preoccupied my very personal space only a moment ago. Was it purely drunken stupidity that drove Rainbow Dash to such an act? It had to be. I lived on this planet for years now and I've yet to have any sort of relationship. I only took care of what matters to me. My kids, my friends and my duty to the Zone was all that was ever required of me.

My gaze fell upon the snoring Mare who seemed quite happy as she smirked at some hidden dream within her own imagination. It was also there that I decided to take the route I was meant too. This incident was a mistake caused by drinking and nothing more. Rainbow Dash will wake the next morning without a clue as to what happened last night.

“You are one of a kind,” I repeated although weighed down by deep thought. I cradled the Mare in my arms as I stumbled towards the guest room to lay her under the covers. I paused for a moment at the door to gaze upon her one last time. “Remember the good times; lock away the bad, this I swear,” I muttered before flicking the light off and heading to my own bed.

I placed my holstered pistol on the side table to my bed as I undressed to the dim light provided by the lamp. It was there that I crawled into bed and held one of the objects that I still held dear to me. My brother's goofy grin staring at me. What an odd day...