Apocolyptria

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1: Just have to play the cards you're dealt
Chapter 2: You can run, but you can't hide
Chapter 3: On the road. Again.
Chapter 4: Hallucinations
Chapter 5: Home Sweet Home

Prologue

Ponies frantically ran around the streets, as if in one unorganized stampede. The buildings that lined the roads in Ponyville were either destroyed or on fire. Black smoke stained the cloudless sky. One building that was on fire now gave a loud crumbling sound as the base finally gave way. The two story brick building collapsed, sending a loud, deafening sound throughout the town. Unfortunate souls were crushed as the burning building fell on them. A little down the road, a stallion was trying to lower his family of two daughters and his wife out of a window. When his wife landed, he started to climb through

when the building he was in started rumbling. He yelled to his family to go with promises of his safety. His wife dragged the two crying daughters away from the building.

The building collapsed, surely killing the stallion. Nopony really took notice, save for the now widowed wife, who was now collapsed, hugging her daughters as she sobbed uncontrollably. Everypony else just ignored her as they were making a mad haste to get away from the town. A black earth pony was watching the scene in front of her unfold. She had red hair, green eyes, and black fur. Her cutie mark displayed a skull-and-crossbones. She just watched the scene in front of her unfold. The way these ponies left others to die was

The black pony wasn't much of a people's person. In fact, she hated almost about everypony. She hates ponies so much that she curses whatever creator put her on this planet in a pony's body. Oh, how she dreams of the of humans that the one annoying shit by the name of Lyra Heartstrings talks about all the time. This particular earth pony had great ears, which explains how she could hear Lyra's rambling. When she was a filly, she always seemed to get in trouble for eavesdropping. It wasn't her fault, though. Her ears could pick up most any sound within the ten mile radius.

The black earth pony was jolted from her thoughts when another pony rammed into her. "What in the holy hell?" The black mare said as she was knocked down. She landed hard, on her shoulder. Grunting, she pushed herself up from the ground, not giving a fuck if her antagonist was okay. She looked down at the pony who ran into her. She was a brown earth pony with a shaggy, long, black and white mane. Her cutie mark presented a spade. She shook her head and looked up at the black pony, revealing two emerald eyes.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I'm just trying to-" the brown mare began. "I really don't give two shits what you were trying to do. Now piss off. I have better things to do than sit here and listen to some douche trying to explain herself and get burned like the rest of these ponies." The black mare interrupted. She turned to leave, leaving the brown mare to look at her with a hurt expression.

There was never a reason to be so mean. The brown mare just shook her head as she got up. Only to be pushed down by a panicking pony. The brown pony pushed herself up again. The pony that pushed her down didn't stop to see if she was okay. The brown mare just got up, resenting the prick that knocked her over. At least SHE stopped to ses if the black mare was okay. Whatever. The brown mare was just about to leave when she heard a loud crumbling sound from behind her. When she turned around, her jaw went slack and her ears lowered to her head. There was a charred building behind her, still on fire. The bottom gave out, creating a crack along the building's base. Shock froze the brown mare to the spot for a short second. Then, she shook her head and whipped around to flee in any random direction, as long as it took her far from the building.

Bam! When the brown mare fled, she ran straight smack back into the black pony. Again. "Oh fuck my life." The brown mare said to herself. "No friggen way." The black mare said, still on the ground. "I can't believe it. The same asshole from earlier just-Hey! Let me go!" The black pony yelled as the brown mare grabbed her by the tail and started dragging her through the road. The black pony let out a stream of curses as the brown pony dragged her. The black pony was quickly silenced as the collapsing building smashed down right where she was standing just five seconds ago. The brown mare just held back her amusement when she saw shock on the black pony's face.

"I-I-I-I can't belive it..." The black mare stuttered. "You saved my life..." The black mare said. The brown mare just spat out her tail and hucked a wad of saliva on the ground. Man, her tail tasted like shit. Then the black mare remembered who she was talking to. "Coltdammit, next time watch where you're going. And a simple warning would have worked peaches." The black mare retorted. The brown mare rolled her eyes. The black mare just awkwardly got to her hooves. "I'll just be leaving." She said curtly. "Sheesh, just go. There's no reason to narrate your life every second." The brown mare flashed at her. The black mare just walked off, muttering what sounded like "bitch" under her breath. The brown mare just rolled her eyes and walked off the other way.

The black mare walked past the panicking ponies. Ones that got in her way were either pushed aside or shoved to the ground. She was angry. Not only did some random bitch run into her, but the same one saved her life. That's a suck if your a self reliant pony. The black pony was yanked from her thoughts.when fresher and louder screams filled the air. The buildings that lined the sides of the roads were exploding one by one, as if the bomber was a subject of OCD. The black mare finally felt fear grow into her stomach. Quickly, her eyes grazed the road. They stopped once they reached their target.

A manhole was in the road. A perfect plight. The black pony pushed her way past the panicky ponies and reached the manhole. She lifted the lid and dropped down inside. She replaced the lid. Scrunching her nose at the smell, she climbed down the rusty latter. Luckily, the cemented ground was dry. She dropped down and sank into a sitting position, sighing with relief. A rumble and the ceiling shaking was enough to tell her that the explosions were still going.

Suddenly, she got really quiet as she heard something deeper inside the sewer tunnels. "Hello? Is anyone there?" She called out, hoping it was a sewer rat. When a responding "hello?" came from inside, the black pony grunted with annoyance. There goes the thought of being along. She stayed in the dim light the holes in the manhole provided. She heard hoofsteps approach her. Tensing up, she waited for the pony to show herself.

Finally, she could make out a dark figure in front of her. When her eyes finally adjusted to the light, she recognized the brown mare. The one that knocked her over. "Coltdammit, son of a-" the black mare was cut off as a rumble sounded off deeper in the cave. It grew louder and louder. Something was happening outside. The black mare started to climb back up the ladder to see what was going on. "I'm not so sure that's a good idea." The brown mare said. "Shut up." The black mare said back to her. Just after she said that, the ground gave a massive heave, throwing her off the ladder. A loud sound erupted through the cave. Both the brown and black mare were crouched down, eyes shut, hooves over their ears, and mouths open in a soundless yell as the loud eruption seemed to never end.

Chapter 1: Just have to play the cards you're dealt

Three days earlier

Spade tried to drown out the loud, thumping music of the club and tried to focus on her card game. She was an earth pony with a light brown coat, long shaggy black-and-white hair (She has the nickname of "Skunk" as a filly), and emerald green eyes. Her cutie mark displayed a spade, like the one you would find on a playing card. Spade was obviously a cardmaster locked in an intense game of poker against a pony that challenged her. The challenging pony was a stallion by the name of Lance Redwing. He was a white pegasus with black, short hair. His eyes were a deep bright blue. His cutie mark displayed two gold wings with a red crucifix in the middle. Lance served at the local church for his living.

Spade tossed in a few red chips, adding on to the growing pile in the center. Her face was in an emotionless poker face, which she wore almost constantly. Spade hardly ever showed emotion. Spade looked back at her hand after she tossed in the red chips. It wasn't looking good for her. She had what was so close to a full house. Three fives, one seven, and one nine. Spade was a cheater. She would even admit it with pride. When things got tough, she cheated. Experience taught Spade only to use the dark suits if she hid cards in her mane. At this present moment, she had all 26 of the dark suits; clubs and spades. She had a hidden scar down the length of her inner thigh, caused by when she got too careless to cheat. She kept the scar secret from everypony. Only a few stallions know about it. But Spade never sees them anymore.

It was kind of a game changer when Lance threw in two red chips and one black chip. "Shit." Spade mumbled under her breath. Either Lance had a really good hand that would win no matter what she played, or he was hoping Spade had a hand lower than his and was trying to steal away the chips in the center. Spade focused on what to do next. Coltdammit, that music was loud. It made focusing hard to do. No one never beat Spade, and especially in Manehatten, where she was at now. Spade didn't have a house, for she was always traveling all over Equestria, looking for more opponents everyday, living off of the winnings she makes.

Spade sunk down into her chair and covered part of her face with her cards. The nine of clubs in her deck was laughing in her face. Spade had the seven of clubs in the tips where her mane ended by her side. Spade knew where and what every card was that was hidden in her mane. Spade first needed to see Lance's hand before she tries anything. Spade was always careful where she sat around the table. Always, in every game of poker, she chose the darkest corner around the table, making it impossible to see her cards reflecting off of her eyes.

Lance was none the wiser about the strategy. While he waited for Spade to make her move, he looked back down to his hand. Spade saw his eyes move to his hand and took her chance. Not moving her head or any other muscle, she looked up into his blue eyes. From her angle, she caught a glimpse of his whole hand. He had weak cards. He only had a three of a kind made up by tens. If Spade could reach that seven of clubs stashed in her mane, she would win. With one slowly and precisely planned move, Spade grabbed her water glass from the table in a way the droplets clinging onto the outside rubbed all over her hoof.

Whenever Spade played a game of cards, she always ordered water with extra ice. When the water in the glass gets cold enough, condensation sticks to the outside of the glass. Spade had another trick up her sleeve that required the condensation. Spade new that if she got the back of her card wet enough, it can stick to almost any surface. Playing it cool, Spade took a sip of the water while the droplets on the outside stuck to her hoof. After, she set the glass down and replaced her hoof back where it was. Lance looked impatient, still waiting for Spade's move. Spade was still looking at her hand. Lance started looking around. He was sure he was going to beat Spade, considering she was taking a long time.

When Lance looked one way, Spade saw her chance. He hoof, still damp from the glass, pressed against the back of her nine of clubs. She yanked it out of the hand and shoved it into her tail. She replaced her hoof tobl hold the deck while the other one reached down her side. She slid the seven out and placed it next to the other seven. She barely had time to act as if nothing happened when Lance turned back to her. Spade finally grabbed a black chip and tossed it in with the pile. Lance laid his cards down after, and Spade did the same. Lance's victorious smile soon turned to a frowm as he caught sight of Spade's full house. He leaned back with his arm crossed against his chest and let out a huff. Spade just grinned as she gathered the chips from the center and dragged them towards her. "Up for another game?" She asked once shd had all of the chips.

Lance just shook his head. "Nah, I think I'm done for tonite." He mumbled. "Pay up." Spade said after Lance. "Coltdammit, Spade, you are running me dry." Lance grunted as he reached into his satchel and pulled out his wallet. He grabbed the amount he owed Spade, who eagerly stashed it away in her traveler's pack. She was going to eat tomorrow after all. Money wasn't a big issue for Spade, but getting enough just to pull her through was always great. "Well, I'd better get going." Lance said, getting up from the table. "Yeah, me too. Gotta get a motel or something." Spade said, getting up as well. As she got up, though, the nine of clubs fluttered down out of her mane.

Spade didn't secure it tight enough, and now it just landed on the tabled in front of Lance. Dread sent anxiety all through Spade's body as Lance picked up the card then looked at Spade. He had been tricked! Lance slammed his hoof angrily on the table. He gave away over two hundred bits to this cheater! Spade grabbed her pack and shouldered it on quickly. She was in no hurry to be giving away that amount of money. "Sit down." Lance demanded loudly. "No thanks, I prefer standing..." Spade whimpered. Lance held his hoof out, silently demanding his money back. Spade stared at his hoof, then wrapped her hoof around the glass of water on the table. This glass had another perk to it. She placed the rim to her mouth and drank the water. When it was drained, she sighed in relief and grinned at Lance.

That's refreshing." She said. Then Lance made a mistake of taking a step forward. Spade immediately brought the glass down over his head, shattering it as it made impact. Lance screamed with surprise and pain at the same time. Spade took this opportunity to turn and galloped to the exit. She pushed and shoved past ponies, and reached the exit. She looked back and saw Lance at the table still, rubbing his head. Some ponies tried to help him. Others looked from him to the direction Spade ran off to and then back to him. Lance shook off the ponies that tried to help him and looked up furiously. His gaze traveled over the ponies in the club, obviously seeking for Spade. Spade just ran off outside into the cool night. Lance yelled her name out furiously as Spade galloped off into the night.

Chapter 2: You can run, but you can't hide

Spade was still galloping away when Lance finally recovered. He was still determined to get his bits back. He wiped away the blood on his snout, which was probably going to need stitches. All thanks to Spade. "Spade!" He yelled into the club, seeking for the mare he didn't know was gone by now. He pushed aside the ponies that were trying to help him and marched towards the door. Or whatever you call an awkward march that involved pushing past sweating, stinky bodies of ponies that were dancing around. After a while, he just opened his wings and hovered over the partying ponies. Of course he had to come on one of the most busiest nights.

Lance abruptly clapped his wings to his body, and landed sharply next to the exit. He busted open the club doors angrily with a powerful buck from the hindlegs. He used to work voluntarily on a farm in Fillydalphia. It paid off moments like this. Extending his wings, he zoomed off into the night sky. It felt good to fly, especially after being in a club full of ponies that were stinking up the already claustrophobic air with awful body odor. Lance shuddered at the thought. He didn't dwell too much on it though. He was too busy looking for a certain brown mare.

Meanwhile, Spade was running out of breath and her legs felt as if someone was slowly sliding glass into them. Her legs were already sore from constantly traveling, her hooves nearly worn down to a nub. Spade ducked quickly into the nearest alleyway. Unicorns and pegasi have it easy. Spade wished she was more than a simple pony, then in situations like these she could get away easily. Spade pranced over to a garbage can and ducked behind it, wrinkling her nose at the smell. Spade had only been behind the garbage can for only about thirty seconds and already hated it. She started hating the town she was in. Fillydelphia was interesting at first, but now she thought it was trash. And it was. The sad excuse of a town was the last thing on her mind as she saw a white flash appear overhead.

Spade held her breath as she recognized Lance. She shrunk back against the slimy garbage can as much as she can, her heart thudding harder than a rabbit's foot. If Lance found her, it was game over. The white pegasus landed on the other side of the garbage can. Spade shimmied slowly to the edge of the can where the back of it met the wall. She grimaced as she felt slime following her. Her back pack only covered so much of her back...

Spade slowly turned and lifted a hoof to reach the top edges of the trash can. In the small light the moon provided, it was hard to see if the lid was up or not. When Spade felt no lid, a small weight felt lifted off her shoulders. She had to hurry. Lance was getting closer. Due to years of evading ponies gave her enough skill it was almost ninja-like. She placed her other hoof on thd edge and lifted herself up. She swung her hindlegs over, but strained her muscles as she refused to land inside the garbage can completely.

She lowered her body slowly, her arms shaking with effort. She wanted to scream with relief when she felt her hind hooves reach a slimy but soft garbage bag underneath her. She held back the urge and slid down into a crouch inside the can. If she hesitated maybe even half of a second too late, she would have been found. She shoved her hoof in her mouth in an attempt to muffle her breathing. Her heart beat even faster as she heard Lance's hoof steps around the garbage can.

He seemed to have been grumbling to himself. Spade strained her ears to hear him, but he was too quiet. She waited.

And waited.

After about five minutes of waiting, she slowly began to stand. Fear made her muscles stiff, making it hard to move. She twisted her head until she felt the knuckle in her neck pop. That was a relief. Sitting against that hard metal wall made her neck stiff. Spade turned and grabbed the top edge of the garbage can and slowly hauled her aching body up. She peered over the edge of the garbage can. She couldn't see Lance anywhere. She looked around, but found no trace of him.

Spade sighed loudly with relief. She began to lift herself out of the garbage can. It was easier to get out now that she could make noise. She landed with a loud CLOP on the ground, her backpack dropping down with her. She shouldered it back on and began to walk torwards the entrance of the alley. She turned her back on the garbage can and walked away slowly. And that was her mistake. Something tackled her from behind, grabbing her by her hindlegs and tripping her. "What the hell?!" Spade cried in surprise. "I have you now!" A familiar voice cried maniacally. "Lance! Let go!" Spade scream as she kicked at the white pegasus. Her right hind hoof caught him in the same place she smashed the glass on his face, causing more blood to gush out of the open wound.

Lance didn't even flinch. He was too busy trying to hold down a wild kicking mare. Spade reached her left front hoof behind her ear and grasped hold of her Ace of Spades playing card. She angled it correctly and flung it like a ninja star. The tip caught Lance in the eye. The throw had enough force behind it for the card to get stuck in Lance's eye. Lance cried out in pain and released Spade's legs. Spade dragged herself away as quickly as she could. Lance's cries renewed with fresh pain as he ripped the card out, sending blood spraying everywhere, even all over Spade's face.

Spade ignored it as she stood up and walked over to Lance. She stepped on his arm, holding it down, and ripped her card out of his grip. When she saw there was still some blood on the tip, she wiped it off on his white coat. Then immediately felt ashamed of it. "Might as well add insult to injury." She muttered. The shame didn't last long as she remembered this was the same guy who wanted to kill (and possibly rape) Spade over two hundred bits. Spade just grabbed her pack that fell off of her and shouldered it back on.

She was about to leave when she heard Lance begin to talk in his deep voice.

"You'd better watch your back...*gasp*... Because I will find you...*gasp*... And I Will kill you...*gasp*... You can run...*gasp*... But you can't hide." Lance grinned widely, his hoof covering his eye. Spade didn't respond. If she felt any fear, she sure as hell didn't show it. Spade turned and walked away as fast as she could. Before she got back to her hotel, she stopped by Sport's Colt's Warehouse. She packed the item she bought into her pack.

She purchased a gun.

Because if Lance found her again, it will take more than just a card to stop him.

Spade knew from experiance.

Chapter 3: On the road. Again.

Spade's sleep was interrupted by the bright sunlight that filtered through the gap in the hotel's blinds. Spade placed her forearm over her eyes and gave a moan that was mixed with both soreness and annoyance. She sat up with a grunt, her shaggy mane sticking up all over. It was about eight-thirty, as displayed on the hotel clock. Spade lifted the sheets off of her body and swung her legs over the bed, yawning. She pushed herself off the bed and landed on the carpeted floor. Then immediately regretted it. Her hooves sent a quick jolt of pain through her legs. "What the hay? What did I do last night?" Spade asked outloud as she rubbed her sore legs. She closed her eyes for a moment while she tried to remember. "Oh yeah..." She murmured as she remembered the events from last night.

Running from Lance left her more sore than usual. Or maybe she was sore from when he tackled her. "I'd better get out of town..." She said, then stood up, ignoring her sore legs. She walked over to the bathroom and started the shower faucet. She smelled like the bottom of a farm pony's horseshoe after he plowed the feilds. It was probably from the garbage can. She stepped in the tub and felt her soreness vanish as the soothing warm water washed over her. She grabbed the hotel's complimentary shampoo and tried squeezing the contents into her shaggy hair. She got as much as she could out of the bottle (which was barely enough for her thick hair) and massaged it around. She rinsed it then moved on to the body wash. It was only on good occasions she used conditioner, which wasn't often because she hardly celebrated anything.

When she was done, she switched off the water and stepped out onto the tile. When she tried to move her other leg, the one planted down slipped and she fell back, her head hitting the tile. "Fuck!" Spade screamed when her head collided with the floor. That hurts. Spade gritted her teeth as she covered her head until the pain dulled to an aching throb. Spade got up, still holding her head, and looked at herself in the mirror. "Keep it together, Spade." She said to herself. Then someone knocked on the door. "Who the hell could that be at frikin' nine o' clock?" Spade grumbled before walking.out of the bathroom. She looked through the peephole at the front door. Sweet Celestia, she had a killer headache. She nearly screamed when she saw two police ponies waiting at the door. One was tapping his hoof impatiently. "Club of Spades, we know you're in there. Come out with your hooves where we can see them, or we will do this the hard way!" The other pony yelled. "Ohshitoshitohshitohshit..." Spade repeated as she backed away from the door.

She couldn't go to jail. Not now. She turned and ran to the chair that was supporting her traveler's pack. She shouldered it on and rushed over to the window. She opened.it and climbed out onto the balcony. "Okay..." Spade whispered shakily. She looked down. Of course she had the room on the second story. Atleast it wasn't the fifth...

Spade rushed back inside and looked for a solution. The police knocked louder. "Club of Spades, we give you ten seconds to open this door or we will be forced to break it down!" The same police pony from before demanded. "Fuck it." Spade said as she grabbed all of the pillows off the bed. She wasn't going to jail today. She rushed back over to the balcony and dropped the pillows. When they landed, Spade heard the police pony begin to count down from five.

"Five!"

Spade shut the window behind her, hoping the police will think she didn't escape from there.

"Four!"

Spade swung over the balcony rails.

"Three"

Spade felt dizzy looking at the fall.

"Two!"

Spade shut her eyes and clenched her teeth. She leaned forward and released her grip. The fall gave her stomach butterflies. She landed on the pillows, which absorbed some of the shock. Spade tried to muffle her cry of pain when she felt the part that wasn't muffled by pillows. Concrete hurts.

"One!"

The police smashed his baton against the door handle, breaking the lock.

"Zero!"

When they entered the room, it was empty, all except a joker playing card that was left on the bed.

***

Spade ran straight in a sprint for about five miles straight. She wanted to be sure the fuzz wouldn't catch up to her. She stopped when her already sore legs gave out and she fell. "Shit!" Spade gasped as she fell. She landed in the hot sand. There was a long distance between herself and the next town over, Ponyville. Of course, the space was occupied by a deathly dry desert. Spade considered going back to town, but remembered she was wanted by police and by a possible rapist that claims he is part of the church.

Spade got up and dusted the dry, hot sand off of her. She spat out a mouthful of sand, already feeling thirsty. She had a bottle of liquor in her backpack, but it wouldn't even come close to quenching her thirst. Besides, getting drunk in an uninhabited desert isn't very smart. Spade shook her mind clear of the stupid idea and started to walk off into the opposite direction of Fillydelphia.

***

"Fucking three hours later and no signs of liwfe." Spade grumbled to herself. Within the three hours of her traveling, she took habit to talking to herself. Probably had something to do with dehydration. She was deathly thirsty. That bottle of liquor seemed to have been calling her name. "Name...." Spade whispered to herself (again) and led her dehydrated mind to another thought. "How did the police know my full name?"

No one should know her full name. And she preferred to keep it like that. She kept any personal information to herself, her birth certificate and social security with her at all times. Club of Spades. Why, another living pony hasn't said it since- "No!" Spade yelled out loud all of a sudden. She didn't want to think of him. He was gone. "Accept it." Spade grumbled, again, to herself.

Spade continued walking deeper into the unforgiving hot desert. That bottle of liquor no longer seemed like a bad idea...

***

The night air was a cool, fresher difference from the hot, sunny days. Spade was exhausted from walking all day. She was laying in the dirt, in a small cave she found deep in the ground. Who knows what was down there with her. Spade wasn't too worried about that though. She was more worried about how the fuzz knew her name. The only prison that had her records was the farthest place away from Fillydelphia. The Fillydelphian police should have no business knowing about her or her records.

Then, she began to think deeper.

What did the police want this morning? It couldn't have been the issue with Lance the night before. If it was, Spade could have just told the police about how he assaulted Spade and they both would have been screwed.

Spade facehoofed. Of course, she ran away without knowing what they wanted, and now she was a wanted fugitive. "Nice job, you dunce." She told herself, rubbing her sore eyes. She couldn't go back. The only way is forward.

Ponyville was her destination.

Spade smiled, happy she had somewhat of a plan. She rolled over and shut her eyes, still smiling. Ponyville it is.

Chapter 4: Hallucinations

Spade woke up early the next morning. It was cool, the air fresh compared to the midday temperatures of the unforgiving desert. Spade crawled out of the tight cave and sprung up to her already sore legs. "Oh sweet Celestia!" Spade gasped as she stretch the aching limbs. Spade reached back into the small cave and grabbed her backpack. She opened it up and pulled out her map and compass. About a good twenty miles north was Ponyville. How lovely. Nothing like walking twenty miles in the desert. Not to mention Spade was critically dehydrated. sleeping was a hassle as Spade found out it was hard to sleep when you're thirsty. Spade got up and packed away her map. She'd better get going if she wanted to get to Ponyville and have a nice glass of cider. Spade began the long walk to her hometown.

***

Spade was hardly walking anymore. Staggering is the perfect word to explain her steps. "No, no, no, no, no, no..." Spade kept repeating as the dehydration began to kick in. Spade staggered to one side very briefly, then staggered back. Something glimmered in the distance, slowly taking shape. Spade stared, then blinked as the shape began to look like a stallion.

Spade shook her head. She stared at the stallion while she kept walking. As Spade got closer, the stallion began to develop characteristics. He was a pitch black stallion with ice blue eyes, his mane was as long as Spade's, but having a yellow color with white highlights. "No... it couldn't be!" Spade whispered. "You're supposed to be dead!" She yelled out. The stallion swung his head around and fixed her with an ice blue gaze. Spade swallowed back tears, biting her bottom lip until she tasted blood.

"I will not cry... I will not cry..." Spade whimpered. She never cried unless it was something bad. When the stallion smiled, Spade lost it. "You're supposed to be dead!" Spade yelled, sobbing. She ran to the stallion and embraced him in a large hug. The stallion didn't move, he just let Spade hug him as she cried into his chest. "D-don't ever leave me again like that." She sobbed. Sniffling she pulled herself up from his chest and looked up at his face.

The stallion wasn't looking at her. In fact, he was still staring straight ahead. "Jester..." Spade murmured. "Say something." The stallion was still staring straight ahead. "Jester." Spade said a little more louder this time, gently shaking him. "Say something." Still, he stared. "Jester!" Spade finally yelled. "Say something! Anything!" No prevail. "No! Jester! Please!" Spade screamed.

She collapsed back down and sobbed into her hooves. "Why Jester?" Spade's voice quivered. "Why...?" Spade felt anger surge through her.

She pushed herself back up and raised a hoof, ready to slap the stallion "Coltdammit, answer me you Celestiadamned stall-" she cut herself off. There was no stallion.

Just a rock.

Spade was hallucinating the whole time.

Spade's lip quivered.

She shut her eyes and screamed, hitting the rock. She took out all of her anger and sadness on the rock. Tears poured from her eyes as she did so.

Finally, when she was tired and her hooves were cracked and bleeding, she collapsed and buried her face into her bleeding hooves.

And she cried.

***

Spade shook herself awake. At one point, the exhaustion took over and she cried herself asleep. "Shit! It's sunset!" Spade exclaimed. Sure enough, the sun was setting behind the large mountain in the distance. Spade was going to have to travel by night. She pushed herself up from her sore hooves. They were still cracked, but they stopped bleeding. It still hurt, though. Spade's backpack was still on her back when she got up. Spade turned to leave and saw a rock in front of her.

Spade shut her eyes as they watered up at what happened that day. She shook her head and walked around it. "I'm so sorry, Jester." She whispered as she walked away, and she didn't look back.

***

Spade discovered that day that traveling at night was better than traveling during the day. Heat stroke was less likely, hallucination rates go down, and the tempature is nice and cool.

Spade was getting ready to find a place to sleep when something bright flashed from behind the mountains. It was the sunrise. "Sweet Celestia that is beautiful." Spade whispered to herself. That meant she traveled for ten hours the most. Suddenly, Spade felt the familiar wave of exhaustion wash over her. She looked around and settled for under a bush. Curling up under it, she held her backpack to her chest and dozed off into a nice dream.

***

Spade had learned something new. Sweet dreams don't come if your dehydrated. For about two hours, Spade thrashed around under the bush, stuck in between reality and the world of dreams. Spade felt something sharp poke at her, and she jerked awake fast, panting, damp with sweat. " 'Ello there, ma'am? Are you awright?" A heavy Britmane accent spoke. Somepony was poking at her with a stick. A mare by the sound of it, around Spade's age.

Man, the dehydration's a bitch. Spade felt lightheaded, slightly swaying. " 'Ello, miss?" The accented pony spoke again. Spade crawled out limply from the bush with one arm, the other strapped around backpack. The sunlight was blinding. Spade fluttered her eyes, and her eyes rolled back as she did so. The lightheadedness was taking a toll on Spade. "Miss..?" A flash of green blinded Spade. The Britmane mare prodded her again with whatever sharp objectshe had.

Spade pushed the stick away lazily, groaning. Finally, she lost her feelings in her arms. They limply dropped down, as well as her head. "Miss!? Hold on, I'll help!" The mare said, and Spade felt herself being levitated. "Yhuurgh gha hunicoen?" Spade slurred. She was still holding her backpack in her other arm.

"Gah hackphack! Hurh jhush blem." Spade slurred again. She was slowly losing consciousness when she felt herself gently being layed down. "Hurgh?" She slurred. "Do you think you can 'elp 'er?" The mare said to somepony Spade couldn't see. "What's wrong with her?" A deeper voiced stallion asked. "I dunno. I was walking through the desert when I found 'er." Spade's rescuer said. "Alright. Bring her in." The stallion said. When Spade felt herself get, lifted up again, she felt even more lightheaded. Spade lost consciousness shortly after.

Chapter 5: Home Sweet Home

Spade woke up to the feeling of water trickling on her lips. She gasped and opened her eyes wide. She sat up fast, her heart beating fast, and looked around. "It's awright miss!" The Britmane accented pony said. Spade looked around and saw a green unicorn with red eyes and a very long black mane. Spade jumped up fast, backing up against the wall.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Spade demanded, still backed up against the wall. "It's awright!!" The green unicorn repeated. She levitated a cup full of water towards Spade, wrapped in a sparkling red aura. "Answer me!" Spade demanded more loudly. "Stop the yelling! I'm trying to sleep!" a Mexicolt accented stallion from another room yelled.

"Jose! The mare woke up!" The unicorn shouted back. Spade began to slowly relax, but was still tensed up against the wall. "Forgive me." The unicorn spoke again, drawing Spade's attention. "My name is Nylon. Nylon Strings." She said, holding out a hoof. Spade cautiously took Nylon String's hoof in her own, still backed up against the wall.

"And you awe...?" Nylon hinted slowly. "Spade..." Spade said, releasing Nylon's hoof. She looked around, taking in her surroundings. She was lying in a small room painted... Well, there wasn't really any paint. Just metal boards. Spade was in a shack, handmade. It felt like a refugee's shack. A beautiful 1975 acoustic Martin guitar was in a stand, by the foot of the bed. The wood was dark, glimmering in the pale light of the lantern, which hung from the ceiling.

Spade drew her gaze from the guitar and back to the green unicorn. Spade just saw that Nylon's cutie mark portrayed an acoustic guitar. "Nylon Strings..." Spade whispered. "Like the type of strings you put on a guitar!" Spade said, grinning at her statement. Her grin disappeared when Nylon rubbed her eyes. "Cap' n' obvious, I presume?" Nylon murmured as she rubbed her eyes. Spade blushed and sank down into a sitting position, her back still against the wall.

Nylon raised her head and smiled at her. "Well, welcome to the li'l shack o' mine." Nylon said, obviously trying to change the subject. "We tried to make it a li'l nice, but the ol' thing's a bit 'ardah to work wit'." Nylon said. "I live wit' a Mecsico't named Jose. 'E reallay doesn't mind company, but the ol' bat's a wee bit grumpay when I find unknown strangers 'ike 'ou.."

"Well, now you know who I am." Spade said curtly. She leaned forward and started to get off the bed. "I don't think dat's a good idea, puppet." Nylon said, gently laying a hoof on Spade's shoulder. Spade slapped her hoof off. "I don't like to be touched."

Spade proceeded to get off the bed. She tried to stand, but sat back down quickly when a blinding dizziness washed over her. She sat there, waiting for it to pass. "What did I tell yew?" Nylon said, rubbing it in. "Just shut up." Spade grumbled, rubbing her temples.

"Awright, when yew finish your attitude, we can get yew some water and medicine. Then I could take yew to town, if yew want." Nylon offered.

Spade stopped rubbing her temples and looked up at Nylon. She forced a smile at her. "I would love that." She said as politely as she could.

Nylon got up from her position by the bed and walked over to a cabinet by her guitar.

She pulled open a drawer and grabbed a bottle of aspirin. Twisting the lid open, she levitated a single pill out and floated it towards Spade. Spade cautiously took it in her hoof.

Nylon passed her a cup full of water, which Spade took gratefully. "How did I even get here?" Spade asked. "We, well I, found yew in the desert, passed out under a DragonFruit bush. Yew seemed delirious, and kept crying out. So, I carried yew back here, where Jose le' me bring yew in. Yew woke up 'bout an hour later, and now here we awe." Nylon replied. "Oh." Spade said, trying to remember but failed.

They sat there for a little while longer. "Who's Jester?" Nylon asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "Wait what?" Spade said turning to look at her, surprised. "I said, 'who's Jester.'" Nylon repeated. "What... Where did you hear that?" Spade blubbered. "Yew kept yelling 'is or 'er name out while I carried yew back, and again while you thrashed 'round in your fevered dreams." Nylon said.

Spade looked away quickly, trying to hide her panicking face. "N-n-n-nopony!" She stuttered. "Suuuuuuure..." Nylon said, rolling her red eyes. "What? He isn't important!" Spade blubbered again. "So it's a he?" Nylon replied matter-of-factly. "No!! I mean yes! I mean... look, Jester is somepony I used to know. All you need to know is that he is gone." Spade grumbled. "I thought I said I was sleepin" another voice said from the entrance to the room.

Spade looked over to the door. In the door frame stood a red stallion, maybe in his twenties, glaring back at them. Well, Spade assumed he was glaring. It was kind of hard to tell on the account he was wearing black glasses. Spade couldn't see the scowl he probably had on either. A peachy colored plain bandanna was tied around his mouth.

"Jose! You scared the living-" Nylon began, but was cut off when this 'Jose' stallion interrupted her. "Who is she?" Jose demanded, pointing at Spade. "I's the mare 'e rescewed from the desert." The green unicorn replied.

Jose stepped the rest of the way into the room, which became more cramped with the stallion inside.

Jose rubbed back his black hair, which was slick back and shiny. "I'm guessing she's not familiar with my sleeping schedule yet." The Mexicolt snorted gruffly.

"Yeah, well don't get used to it because I won't be staying long." Spade retorted.

Jose eyed her dangerously, then snorted with laughter. "Feisty, aren't we now?" Jose sniffed. Nylon rolled her eyes, sighing loudly.

"Yeah, and she probably isn't interested in someone like you." Nylon pointed out. "Then again, nopony was really ever."

"Shut up, Nylon." Jose snorted.

"Make me." Nylon brushed some of her long black mane out of her eyes.

"Don't make me make you." Jose warned.

"You can try." Nylon flashed back.

"Whatever. Just please be courteous and let be sleep." Jose yawned.

Spade, who watched the argument quietly, finally spoke up. "And he must be...?"

"That's the Mecsicolt, Jose." Nylon responded. "He can be a grump at some times."

"Oh." Spade said distantly. Even though she asked, she still only listened to have of what Nylon said.

"So, we should probablay leave Jose alone. How's 'bout a good walk inta town?" Nylon asked Spade.

"Uh..." Again, Spade was only half listening.

"Ahem." Nylon nudged her, waiting for an answer.

"Sorry, what?" Spade asked. Nylon sighed. "I asked if yew wanta go inta town."

"Sure. But wait, are you sure I'm fit to go?" Spade questioned. "As fit as an alicorn!" Nylon reassured her. "The aspirin would have kicked in by now."

Cautiously, Spade scooted off of the bed. Nylon stood back to give her some room.

When Spade wasn't met with swirling dizziness or painful nausea, she stood up. Her hooves felt sore. Really sore. Looking down, Spade choked back a gasp as she just then saw the dried, caked blood that lay between cracks in her hoof that weren't there before.

"I see yew just noticed your 'ooves. Wasn't sure 'ow that all 'appened, I just assumed yew stepped onna rock or somethin'." Nylon said. "If yew awe feeling too weak to walk, yew can stay 'ere 'n we can go anotha day."

"No, no. I'm fine. We can still go. It just..." Spade looked for the right word. "...surprised me, is all. Not everyday you see your hooves caked with blood." Spade choked out what might have been a laugh but sounded like a dying cat.

Nylon rolled her eyes and started walking by her guitar. Spade thought she was going to play it. Instead, Nylon reached down and picked up a saddlebag that was hidden from Spade's view. "Awright. Let's get out of 'ere b'fore Jose comes back."

Spade followed Nylon as they walked out of the room.