Between Life and Death

Clockwork’s outfit appeared to be very strange, he was wearing a black tank-top that showed every muscle on his arms, a tan vest with hundreds of pockets on it, black jeans that looked almost identical to Monochrome’s with the exception of a few holes in them, his hair was a light blue color and messy like always, and he had a strange sent on him, the smell made people around him feel woozy and off balance, and his shoes were the strangest part of his outfit, they were a dark brown colored combat boots with spikes lining the sides of them and steel souls . He pulled a cigarette out of the carton in his vest, he put it in his mouth, then snapped his fingers which created sparks the lit it.

“I cannot believe that you’re the watchman, “Monochrome complained. “You’re a complete idiot, you don’t even like Ankh-“

“Guy’s gotta do what he can to survive you know, also who the hell gave you the right to call me an idiot-“

“Just like old times huh you two.” Apple Jack laughed.

“You stay out of this.” Monochrome snapped. “Ok Clockwork, since you’re the watchman it’s your job to guide us to Ce’Dal.”

“Yup,” He replied, he exhaled a puff of smoke.

“Ok, guide us then.”

“Nope.”

“…Excuse me-“

“I’m here for the princesses, not for you bozos.”

“Clockwork, your job is to guide people to Ce’Dal, princess or not-“

“I’m just following orders.” He interrupted. He inhaled and blew out another puff of smoke. “Ankh said to wait here for the princesses, if anyone ells tell them to wait, his words.”

“Ok then.” Twilight walked up to Clockwork. “As a princess I demand that you escort me and the others to-“

“Kiss my ass you purple feathered harpy.” Clockwork interrupted. “I’m here for the sisters, not for a whore like you.” Twilight started growling at him. “When the sisters get here I’ll escort them then come back for the rest of you, so otherwise or until then you can all go to hell-“

“My sisters are dead.” Monochrome interrupted. Clockwork dropped his cigarette.

“…What-?”

“Those things killed them, they were evacuating Canterlot when they attack the sky yacht, it went down in flames with everyone on it.” Clockwork started trembling.

“They’re immortal how could they-“

“Immortality can stop disease and age, but not this.” Clockwork fell to his knees and his entire body started shaking.

“I can’t believe this, this is worse than I thought…I’m going to need more guns.” He stood up and pulled another cigarette out of his pocket. “Ok, I’ll take you all to Ce’Dal, but in exchange I ask for one thing.”

“And what would that be.”

“I come with you on your voyage out of this place, I’m not staying with Ankh anymore, the guy pisses me off.” Monochrome nodded his head in agreement, Clockwork pointed to the stairs and told them to wait downstairs for a few minutes, everyone except Nyx turned around and started walking down the stairs, Twilight walked past Clockwork and bumped him, he ignored her and turned around, Twilight passed by Nyx who looked like she was going to tear off Clockworks head. She approached him, spun him around and grabbed the coaler of his shirt.

“What was that you said to my mother?” she growled at him.

“I said she was a beautiful women with great taste in clothing and could charm anyone.” Nyx shoved him away then went to join the others. An hour later Clockwork met up with them on the lower level, he gave all of them a plastic helmet with tainted visors on them and led them to the back of the castle.

“Would you kindly tell us why we need these things already?” Twilight complained.

“No.” Clockwork replied smugly. He walked up to a bush and moved it to the side to reveal a strange vehicle.

“What is that thing?” Twilight asked.

“It’s called a quad, it’s good for moving off stone roads, now put the helmets on they’ll keep your heads safe.” He sat down on it and put a key in on the handles and turned it, he then grabbed a small T-shaped piece of plastic and pulled on it with half of his might and the quad roared to life.

“So, what do you expect us to do now that you have...whatever the heck that thing is started?”

“First I want you to use your copy spell to make multiple, 3 to be exact.” Monochrome snapped his fingers and three more appeared lined up right behind the first.

“Ok, now what-“

“Get on,”

“…What-“

“Get on, two of you on each of them. Red, Apple Jack, and Monochrome, you three are going to be the drivers, got it.” Monochrome shrugged his shoulder then walked over and sat on the quad behind Clockwork, Apple jack took the one behind him and Red sat on the one in the back. “Ok, each of you pair up,” Clockwork demanded. They didn’t argue with him, so they went up and sat with one another. Flutter shy sat with Red, Nyx with Monochrome, and Twilight with Apple Jack.

“What about me?” Agony wined. Clockwork turned around.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Agony, princess of life-“

“You’re with me.” He patted the seat behind him and she walked up and sat down.

“Ok, now what?” Monochrome asked. Clockwork snapped his fingers and the engines came to life. “How do I know how to drive this-“

“You’re welcome.” Clockwork interrupted. He revved up the engine and sped off into the distance, the others did the same. Monochrome increased his speed and caught up to him.

“So Clockwork! How’d you do all that magic stuff with the memory enhancer!?” Monochrome yelled over the loud noise coming from the quads.

“I’ve been training my magic! Now I’m as good as you!” he replied right before he sped up. Monochrome slowed down and the others passed him, then eventually he stopped completely.

“Something wrong?” Nyx asked. Monochrome didn’t say anything. “Yoo-hoo Monochrome!” Nyx yelled in his ear. He remained silent. Eventually Nyx grew to annoyed, she used her magic and threw him off the bike and into the grass.

“Who, what where, what happened!?” Monochrome yelled as he was freed from his silent trance.

“Would you be kind enough as to keep driving so we can catch up with the others?” Nyx pouted.

“Oh…yeah sure.” Monochrome got back up and walked back over to her. He sat down and revved the motor back up then continued.

“So, what was that about?”

“I don’t know, I just sort of, froze.” Monochrome replied, he went silent again, but this time he continued driving. A few hours later they caught up with the others, they were all parked right in the center of Apple Loosa and they joined them.

“Where the hell have you two been? If you wanted time to your selves you could have said something-“

“Clockwork, shut-up.” Monochrome interrupted with a tired voice.

“What, I’m just saying-“

“Clockwork, I don’t care, just shut-up.”

“…What’s wrong, didn’t get lucky?” Clockwork started laughing.

“That’s it!” Monochrome walked up to him and punched him, he then spun around and stumbled backwards and the others rushed up and held Monochrome back.

“Dude, what the fucking hell!?” Clockwork yelled at him afterwards he spat out one of his teeth.

“I’ve had a long day damn it, and you making jokes is just making it worse-“

“They’re just jokes!” Clockwork yelled back as he stood up.

“Yeah, jokes about me and Twilight’s daughter!”

“…Twilight has a daughter?” Monochrome groaned then freed himself from the other’s grips. He went up to Clockwork he started cowering in fear, he took the gun with the barrel the size of his forearm out of his holster and pointed it at his head, Clockwork opened one of his eyes and looked right down the barrel of the gun. Clockwork started chuckling and stood up strait.

“You wouldn’t use that on me…would you?”

“You wanna bet?” Monochrome pulled the trigger and the gun clicked.

“Apparently you would use it on me.”

“Like hell I’d use it on you, you stupid son of a- why is there a picture of Apple Jack painted on this thing?” Clockwork started freaking out and attempted to take the gun back. Monochrome did the same to him that he did to Twilight a while ago, he placed his hand on his forehead and took a step back, and as Clockwork attempted to get it from him he started smiling. “Hey A.J. come see this! He’s got a picture of you on his gun!”

“What are yawl talkin about?” Apple Jack asked as she walked over to them.

“He’s got a picture of you nake-“

“Bitch!” Clockwork yelled as he kicked him in his shin. Monochrome yelped and threw the gun into the air, Clockwork shoved him out of the way, he dove and caught it right as it landed on the ground. He side with relief and joy and as he stood back up Monochrome walked up to him, and when he was up Monochrome lifted his leg and kicked him between his. He groaned and fell back to the ground without saying a single word, and when he finally lied down, Monochrome flipped him over and took the gun back from him.

“Thank you.” He sarcastically said as he took it. He then walked over to Apple Jack and handed her the gun.

“What in tarnation!” she yelled as she saw the picture painted on the side of it. “Clockwork what in tarnation is this?!”

“…the greatest mural I’ve ever painted..” He groaned while he was still face down in the dirt.

“Look on the bright side, it could be a compliment-“

“A naked picture of me aint a compliment!”

“Well considering that he’s a heartless jack ass and looking at it, must mean he’s in love.” Apple Jack growled at him then walked over to Clockwork, she took the gun be the handle and dropped it on his back.

“I’m going to forget about all of this.” She snapped at him then walked back to the others. Clockwork started groaning and stood up.

“So grease monkey, what do you call this work of art?” Monochrome asked smugly as he helped him back up.

“Mug slut-“

“What!” Apple Jack yelled at him angrily.

“Let me explain…uhh…I got nothing” Apple Jack started stomping towards him and he freaked out and hid behind Monochrome. “Now just listen ok! I…um…ok so you see the thing fires 50 caliber rounds and-“

“You might want to say stuff she could actually understand.” Monochrome interrupted as he stepped out from between the two.

“…Shit…” Clockwork stood there speechless, Apple jack took him by his shirt and posed ready to punch him. “Before you crack my skull can I at least tell you that you are the most beautiful women in the world and that I would gladly die to protect you?”

“…You…You really think I’m beautiful?” Apple jack repeated as she let go of him and lowered her fist.

“Beyond words, remember that thing I gave you for hearts and hooves day?”

“You mean that gear with the glass heart in it?”

“That’s the one.”

“Yeah I kept it, I kept it in my room.” After Apple Jack was calm Clockwork grabbed her and hugged her tightly and she started blushing. He let go of her and looked into her eyes and right as she was about to speak he kissed her. The others stood several paces away with their mouths agape.

“…Uhh…Clockwork.” Monochrome attempted to get his attention. He pulled his face away from her.

“Yeah?”

“We are kind of running from those things, is now the best time to make a move.”

“…Fine.” Clockwork moaned, he let go of Apple Jack and she fell straight to the ground.. The others started to panic and rushed towards her. After about an hour she started to wake up, her vision was blurred and her hearing was fuzzy.

“You alright?” Clockwork asked her.

“…Do it again.” She told him with a blank expression. Clockwork laughed.

“Ok come on.” He reached out his hand and helped her back up.

“Ok, were all here, no one’s infected or a carrier…now what?” Monochrome asked.

“Well we were supposed to make it to Ce’Dal by now but because of all this stuff that just happened we’re going to have to stay here for the nigh.” Everyone looked around, the buildings were ruined, the windows were boarded, and the doors were barricaded.

“So, we have to stay here in a literal ghost town…for the night…” Monochrome asked.

“Yup”

“…Sounds good to me, Twilight you did pack campfire stuff in this thing right?” Monochrome took of the backpack and started unpacking it. An hour later when the sun was down, the group was gathered around a fire and calmly talking. The crickets were chirping in the distance, the fire roared with popping sparks, and the night sky was clear.

“It’s incredible you know. Middle of nowhere during a deadly epidemic…and the night is just perfect.” Monochrome said aloud. The others agreed with him.

“Yawl said it.” Apple Jack agreed as she snuggled up to Clockwork.

“So Clockwork, when are you two going to get married?” Monochrome asked and the others started laughing.

“Yeah laugh it up, at least I got someone.” Clockwork said triumphantly.

“Don’t forget Greygear, I’m married, and I have two children.”

“Speaking of which-“ Apple Jack started.

“CRAP!” Clockwork interrupted and all the others started laughing. When the laughter began to die down Clockwork pulled a syringe off the right shoulder of his vest.

“Hey, Clockwork what is that?” Monochrome asked.

“Huh, oh, it’s just medicine.” He replied. He pulled a bit of string out of his pocket and tied it around his arm, he put one end of it under his arm and put the other end in his mouth then bit down on it.

“Is it really necessary to do that? I’ve gotten hundreds of shots and I never had to do that.”

“Yesh, it’sh  nesheshary.”

“Wait,” Red interrupted the two. “That’s heroine, That’s an illegal substance-!”

“Yeah well geush what,” Clockwork interrupted. He inserted the needle into his arm and injected himself with the drug, he removed the needle then loosened the string. “Equestria is dying, so I think the least of our problems is me doing drugs.” He stood up and threw the empty syringe over a building, then he sat back down and acted like nothing ever happened, and the others slowly started to forget.