I Just Want to Make You Proud

“Yeah, you lil’ faggot,” The burly colt grunted as he slammed his fist into the small pegasus’ gut, sending him into the wall. A small disgruntled groan emanated from his mouth as he slumped to the floor.

“Get the hell outta here,” Another one said as he kicked the tan-coated pegasus as he lay on the ground. The other two colts proceed to follow suit. Pain streaked through Yan’s body every time a hoof connected with his pelt. Hot tears streamed down his face as he cried out in pain.

“Hey, back the fuck off him!!” A loud voice shouted from behind. All three colts looked back to see the owner of the voice. Standing at the alley’s opening was a tall, slightly built unicorn with a sandy mane and coat. “You mess with him, you mess with me.”

“Oh, what’re you gonna do about it, Desert Eagle? Call yer mommy?” One colt sniggered at his own remark.

The unicorn cracked his neck. “You wanna stick around to find out?”

“Oh, watch out, we got a badass over here,” Another remarked.

Yan tried to crawl away, only to be kicked in the head. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere, bitch.”

“That’s it, asshole,” The unicorn stepped forward, a menacing look in his eyes. One colt growled, and ran forward.  Desert sidestepped, causing the colt to tackle into nothing. Another charged forward as well; Desert ran towards him, and lowered his head, pointing his sharp horn forward. The colt couldn’t stop in time; he ran straight into the horn as it punctured his shoulder.

“Oww, dammit!” He cried, shrinking back. The colt that failed an assault retaliated, tackling Desert from behind. Desert grunted in pain as he fell to the floor. Reacting quickly, he used his magic to push the colt off of him, and then he jumped to his hooves, battle ready once more. A third colt charged, only to be downed by a well-timed buck to the face, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Fuck this, let’s get outta here!” One said as they all scrambled upright and began to run off.

“Don’t mess with him again, or a nice flank-whuppin’ will be waitin for ya!” He called out as they ran. Desert Eagle approached Yan as he lay on the ground, crying in pain.

“It’s alright, you’re fine, c’mon, get up.” Desert supported Yan with magic, helping him walk. “I’ll take ya home and clean ya up, k?”

“T-thanks…” Yan choked through the pain and tears. His nose was bleeding, and he had a black eye, and one wing was bent at an awkward angle. He could hardly walk, and fully depended on the magic support Desert was providing.

***

Desert dipped rag into a bowl of ice water with telekinesis, and wiped away the blood that covered Yan’s face.

“Jeez, they banged you up good didn’t they?” Desert muttered under his breath as he cleaned Yan’s face.

“I-I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have walked that way home…” Yan’s voice was warbling, as if he was suppressing tears.

“Why are you sorry? That’s the only way to your house. It was their fault for attacking you.”

“Still…I…I’m no use to anypony…” Yan let his head hang.

“Pff, hell no. You’re a use to me.” Desert said as he pressed a bag of ice to Yan’s head. “Who else would I be able to talk to if you weren’t here?”

“You could just talk to somepony else…I’m not really that useful…Why would you  even talk to me? I’m just a nuisance. You could’ve gotten really hurt back there…”

“You only live once. Take all the chances you can! You may never be able to do something over again. Hell, it felt awesome taking those assholes down. I took a chance, and I took some hits, but it ended up fine. You won’t always go through something without getting a few cuts and bruises, but in the end, you’ll pull out.” Desert grabbed another ice pack and pressed it to Yan’s bent wing, which in turn made Yan squeal in surprise.

“Ahh, it’s cold!!” He shrieked.

“Well, duh, it’s ice,” Desert said sarcastically. The two chuckled to themselves for a while before Desert returned to tending to Yan’s wounds.

***

You only live once. Take all the chances you can!

Desert Eagle’s words bounced around in Yan’s mind ever since his “date” with Applejack.  He recalled those words after he took the orange mare on a small flight. The advice helped, but now it just rampaged on in his mind.

You won’t always go through something without getting a few cuts and bruises, but in the end, you’ll pull out.

Hm… Yan thought about that line for a while. Desert didn’t know it most likely, but it sounded so philosophical and…just like a great thinker would conjure up in his mind. This reminiscent moment made Yan miss his old friend even more. He wished he could see him again soon…

Yan raised his hoof to the doorknob just as he heard a voice emanate from behind him.

“Whoa, man, you got tall!”

Yan turned around instantly at those words. Could it be!?

It could. Standing there with a laid back smile on his face was Desert Eagle, sandy mane longer than Yan remembered, horn larger and more prominent as well.

“H-holy crap! Desert!” Yan shouted, before he quickly tackle-hugged the unicorn.

“Whoa, hold up there, don’t knock me down.” He said, trying to keep his balance. “I heard from your aunt that you were staying in your dad’s old house, so I thought I’d pay a visit, seeing as I haven’t seen you in over 2 years.”

Yan didn’t know what to say. The only familiar face, the only pony Yan completely trusted was standing in front of him.

“So, how ya been? Aside from the obvious, of course. Meet any new mares lately?” This is why Yan adored Desert so much. He never dwelled on a depressing subject. He would show he cares, and then would do the best he could to get your mind off of whatever’s ailing you.

“Um, what do you mean, by…meet?”

“You know…meet.” Desert added with a suggestive tone.

“N-no! I’m only 18, jeez. Besides, you know I don’t…I’m a…you know…”

“Yes, yes, extra virgin, I know, but still, come on, your innocence’s gotta break someday, you know?”

Yan merely blushed and scraped the ground. It was true Yan had found someone he had a small, small crush on, but he couldn’t tell that to Desert, he’d be all over it, trying to be the matchmaker. It was something Yan couldn’t deal with.

“Eh, anyways, come in, please, sit down, I’ll go get something to drink.” Yan opened the front door, entered, and led Desert to the couch before getting some soda from the fridge.

“So, anything interesting happen lately?” Yan said as he set down two glass bottles of soda, which Desert opened with his magic, and sat the tops on the table next to the bottles.

“Nothing really, other than getting dumped hard by my marefriend.”

“Aw, seriously? That sucks!” Yan knew of Desert’s marefriend, who Desert actually hoped for a future with. “How’d it happen?”

“Well, I was getting home from work, and saw that all my stuff was on the front step with a note on a suitcase saying, “Hope you have fun with the filly you’ve been cheating on me with, I’m sick of your lies.” Apparently, she ran off with a new coltfriend, leaving all of the house payments on me. I don’t make enough to pay the rent in full. I didn’t even cheat on her! She my freaking sister’s best friend for Celestia’s sake! There was nothing between us!”

“Yeesh, sounds rough.” Yan sighed. Even Desert was having problems in his life.

“Yeah…anywho, at least I got a place to live. I’ll try to find a better job or something.”

“Or you could sell all of your video games; that might help.”

“Oh hell no! I couldn’t get rid of those!” Desert put on a look of fake shock.

“Well…um…you’re welcome to stay here, if you want to…”

Desert gave Yan a confused look. “Are…are you serious?”

“Maybe.”

Desert quickly shot towards Yan, pulling him in a friendly hug. “You are the best, man!!” I’m never gonna forget this!! I’ll pay rent and everything! I promise!” Desert was profusely spouting thanks and promises he most likely will forget in a few minutes.

“What about your job?” Yan asked.

“Oh, yeah, that. Maybe I lied when I said I still had that job…”

“Then, how were you gonna pay that rent?” Yan inquired.

“Um. Well…” Desert scratched the back of his neck nervously.

“Whatever. It’s fine. You can stay here for free for the first month until you can find a job.”

“You are the most awesome friend ever!! I will never forget this!!”

“Think of it as thanks.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

“Um…you’re…welcome?”

Yan only smiled in reply.

***

The past few days went by rather quick. Desert Eagle had applied for a job at Ponyville Post Office, considering they were still low on mail carriers. He’d also been trying to sell his house, but couldn’t find a good buyer, and it would most likely sit on the market for ages, which would drain Desert of his funds. Yan was grateful, and said that he would lower the rent considering his circumstances as long as he didn’t run up the electric bill with his avid gaming. Yan introduced Applejack, Fluttershy, and Ditzy to Desert, which he was instantly greeted warmly.  Not a day later, Pinkie got word on Desert’s arrival, and threw a party for the unicorn, granting a large amount of surprise from him. Still, he had nothing but thanks for Pinkie and the rest of the party goers.

Yan was very grateful for Desert’s arrival, for he felt a little better, a little less…alone. Of course, his father was irreplaceable, but he still felt better.

But he still had a feeling nagging him in the back of his mind. Somewhere, there was a feeling hidden in his brain that was doing damage.