The Life of a Merc

I'm FreezeFlame a simple unicorn trying to get by. I live in ponyville with my daughter. Me and my daughter Emerald live in a medium sized house. I make my living as a mercenary doing jobs for people when the pay is good enough. I usually look at the bounty board at sugar cube corner or I'll get a letter from Derpy. Letters are usually special requests or something that me specifically is wanted for. Emerald doesn't mind that I have This dangerous job in fact she thinks she could be better at it. She is convinced that because she's a pegasus she could do any job faster and more effectively,she can be stubborn sometimes but all I can do is shrug it off and encourage her in her dream. She likes to come on some of the smaller jobs to help like simple pest problems or body guarding some of the clients. Helping everypony like this has made us out to be like heroes. I don't like being the center of attention when I go to the store,Emerald however loves the attention she loves the admiration the ponies give her she said she likes the proud feeling she gets when somepony tells her she did a good job or says thanks. To me it's just my living. Today was a slow one no jobs just some thank you letters in the mail. That was probably the highlight of Emerald's day me however I was still bored I asked Emerald what she wanted to do then she showed me the the letter from Canterlot she was so happy. The one thing Me and Emerald didn't agree on. The Grand Galloping Galla. "Come Emerald do we have to go this year?" I said with a winy tone.

"Yes we always go it's always so fun."

"Fun? Eveypony there is always so boring."

"Well I like it besides you can get in plenty of excitement before the galla it's not till next week."

"Your lucky your my little girl."

"Dad your such a kid when it comes to this."

"Why does somepony like you want to be a mercenary anyway?"

"You know where we need to be right now don't you?"

"Emerald Please just use the dress she made you last year."

"Dad if I did that Rarity would never forgive me you know how important it is that I show off the wonderful dresses she makes."

We went to the boutique for some new formal clothes as we do every year. We quickly arrived at Rarity's considering that Emerald was in a hurry and she's a fast flier sometimes I have to use my magic to hold her so I can catch up. Well when we got there rarity already had her ticket and knew exactly why we were there. Her and Emerald started talking and catching up with recent events. I just stared out the window. "Emerald my darling looking pretty as ever."

"Yep this year I have my own design." She showed Rarity a note pad from her pack she had a small drawing of a dress although it was sloppy. Drawing was never the strong suit of anypony in my family. "Uh lovely dear but I've got a better idea." She already had a dress designed for her. "Mr. Flame should I get you the usual?"

"Yes Please."

"Why do you never want anything fancy? well what ever plain and drab I guess."

"Dad you have no sense of fashion." We got the clothes and started home when and passed through sugar cube corner hoping to see a job ready. I saw a hooded pony at the board. "Emerald take the clothes home I'll catch up later." I ran up the the job board to see a slip of paper on it. It read "Help requested I need somepony to take care of a group of bandits outside the village. I ran home so fast I past Emerald hurrying to get my gear. I got my armor,Shield,and sword. I went to the sight were the bandits were. "Hey boys causing trouble are we? Some of them started to quiver. "Hey wait I know some of you."
"Whats wrong mates? it's just a merc." One of the bandits charged me. I used my shield to swat him away like the bug he was. That enraged the others and they too ran at me. I stabbed the closet and shield bashed another. "Now men does this need to come to blows?" They kept coming and attacking. "Nice I've been in need of a good fight lately." They continued the assault I laughed and started swinging I cut through a small shield one of them had then to the one next to him. I sliced up another,blood splattered everywhere. I cut up a couple more all had fallen. "DAD LOOK OUT!" I herd my daughters voice yell. I turned around to see a mare earth pony running for me I readied my shield and blocked her blow then Emerald flew in front of me and kicked her off her hooves. Then a filly ran out of one of the tents. "MOMMY" she screamed.

"Screw Ball get in the tent."

"But mommy why are these bad ponies hurting you?"

"Screw Ball I'll be fine get." The mare got back on her hooves. She looked at me and Emerald. "You let your daughter fight? What kind of father would let his daughter fight bandits?"

"What kind of mother raises her daughter in the company of bandits."

"This wasn't ideal I was on a job."

"A job?" I asked.

"Yes a job I'm a sellsword you know a mercenary. I was hired to kill a pony named FreezeFlame."

"Why would ponies want to kill you daddy?"

"Some of the jobs I do make someponies mad. That's why I don't want you to do this job. Just who are you anyway?"

"Just call me Lucy."

"My name is FreezeFLame."

"Your FreezeFlame oh come on. Well at least I'm not working with those idiots anymore."

"You no longer wish to fight?"

"Why would I I've know wish to be slain in front of my child.

"You'd better not hurt mommy." the young filly said.

"I've no desire to hurt your mother young one. I guess if you have nowhere to stay I have room at home."

"Thanks well need it. Are employers seem to be out of commission." We went back to my house and the first Lucy saw was the clothes we had for the galla. "Fancy you got a party to go to?"

"Sadly."

"Dad stop wining you'll survive. Why is going to the Grand Galloping Galla such a ordeal for you?"

"The Grand Galloping Galla me and Screw Ball have always wanted to attend? Can you bring us?"

"They're plus one invites."

"You'll need new dresses. I know the perfect place.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I hate shopping!

"Dad your such a drama queen." When went back to Rarity's for dresses for Screw Ball and Lucy. Rarity greeted us at the door. "Ah FreezeFlame do have a design for me this time?"

"No but they might."

Then Emerald walked in with Lucy and Screw Ball "Well well who are these two?"

"Doesn't matter we need two dresses a grown mare and small filly."

"Mr. FreezeFlame that is no way to treat you date to the galla."

"Excuse me not even." I said.

"Yeah FreezeFlame why is it that to treat me so?" She countered.

"I'm out numbered here come on." Rarity took the girl's measurements and started the sewing. We waited for hours and she finally finished with the dresses. By the time we got home it was night and I was ready to go to bed. But Emerald insisted she cook for our guests. Cooking was one of the many things she was good at and loved to do,I encouraged it she loved it and we don't have to go out. I was never a good cook I'm just glad her mom showed her before she passed. It was a sad day when she died it was all my fault. After dinner Lucy came up to me. "Okay where do me and the little one sleep?"

"Well I have an extra bed in my room and Emerald's bed could hold two."

"Hey Emerald you don't mind if Screw Ball sleeps in your room do you?"

"Not at all my bed 's big enough."

"Thank you Emerald I'll be good." We went to bed and I fell straight to sleep. I woke up next morning to the girls sitting on the couch in the front room talking about stuff I'll never understand. "Your finally awake. Oh last night I wanted to ask you but you fell asleep. Anyway why do you have two beds in your room?" With that I grabbed my pack and walked out the door. "Jeez whats with him?"

"That was mother's bed. He doesn't like when ponies talk about her. He blames himself for her death."

"Oh didn't know I'm sorry.

"If you wanna say sorry then you'll have to tell him. When something like this happens he goes to the tavern.

"I'll give him some time." I went to the tavern I needed something to calm me down. I opened the door to be greeted by everypony there. I walked to the bar and ordered a strong cider,before I knew it I had already drank twelve mugs. Later on I herd the door and somepony ask for my name. " Hey FreezeFlame you should probably come home now."

"Hey Lucy what are you doing here?"

"You need to be home lets go you've been here long enough." She dragged me home and threw me on the floor in the front room. "He's a real piece of work isn't he."

"Yeah but he's all I got. On the bright side he's funny when he's drunk. Well sometimes."

"What are the other times like?"

"He's a sad drunk or He'll just stay asleep." I woke up later that night to an empty house. I thought I'd just check the job listings to see if anything else needed done and there was a lot of jobs. I grabbed them and started working with the little daylight I had left. When I finished and went home Screw Ball and Emerald where trying on there new dresses. "Hey wheres Lucy girls?"

"Oh she's in the back in your room." I went to the back where Emerald said she was. When I walked in I was speechless, she had her dress on and she looked beautiful. "Oh your back when me and the girls got home we were wondering where you were. Well say something. Did you get so drunk you forgot how to talk?"

"No I-I uh you look amazing."

"Oh that's it I guess,that clothier over a the boutique knows how to make a dress." Lucy and Screw Ball continued to live with us for the next few days and that brought enough excitement not including the jobs. Derpy came by almost every day with a special job. Lucy always came with me and I got to see her skill in battle she was a graceful fighter and looked beautiful even when covered in blood. Soon the day for the galla came and it was going to be as boring as ever. The girls were psyched and ready to go they all rushed me out the door. We got in the sky carriage sent for us. We walked in with all the other guest and even in a giant palace it was still dreadful. Screw Ball took off with Emerald socializing with the high society ponies. I just went to my normal spot on a hidden balcony that I found the first time I was ever at a galla. The one time I enjoyed the galla was when those five odd ponies crashed the galla. The yellow one was terrorizing the animals the one with the hat was trying to force her goods on the guests an odd pink one riled all the guests a cyan pony was causing problems for an unknown reason and my favorite Rarity was harassing the queen's cousin. But that was a one time thing so I just sit at the balcony and wait for the galla to end. I think the queen keeps sending tickets is because she has the occasional job that she wants me to do. I was sitting on the balcony enjoying the quiet when I herd someone coming. "Oh is this where you where some of the others were looking for you."

"They always are just more congratulations and thanks for my work."

"Well what are you doing here?"

"Just thinking."

"Ah well do you mind if I join?"

"I thought you have always wanted to attend the galla."

"I did but I didn't know it was so BOOORING."

"Yeah I can't stand it. You still look beautiful in that dress though."

"Thanks you don't look to bad in that tux either." We started talking about our lives before we met about jobs and all else and I think I fell in love with her. Ever since I saw her in that dress I started falling of her. But I didn't know what to do what would Emerald think and would Screw Ball accept me as a father. All these questions didn't make me anymore sure about the choices I'm making. But here tone as she talked she sounded more and more sure of herself. Later that night we where leaving the galla and heading home. "See dad you lived."

"Yes yes calm down yourself I just hope you can sleep tonight nothing riles a child like talking to bores all night."

"Ha Ha father how was sitting on a balcony alone all night?"

"How was your night Screw Ball."

"It was fun Mommy I'm tired though."

"Hm I'd bet you are did Emerald have you running all around all night." We got home and we were all ready to collapse. The girls went to Emeralds room and Me and Lucy went to mine. "Hey Freeze I just wanted to say I had a great time with you."

"Yeah me too I have to say you and Screw Ball has had an interesting life."

"Yeah it's been wild ride. I-I um have a nice night." I went to lie down when she put her hoof on my back I turned around and she kissed me. and turned a away in embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry that was stupid good night I'll sleep on the couch tonight."

"I don't mind I think I'm falling for you too."

"It's just been so long since I've been so comfortable around a stallion like yourself."

"I thought when my wife died I could never love again but here I am."

"Yeah I herd about that but how did she die all I know is that you think it was your fault."

"It was. She and I were on a job we were supposed to kill some powerful bandits. We were out numbered and out matched I was fight some of the bandits when one came from behind and sh-she jumped in the way and and was stabbed in the heart. I held her as she died. I barely made it out alive. That's why it's my fault the sword was meant for me and she blocked it. Because of me because of my carelessness she paid with her life. Worst part is... I asked her to come."

"That wasn't your fault she was protecting her love. What did you expect she let you die. Your not to blame." I started to cry and she hugged me. "It's okay you don't have to feel bad anymore."

"Thanks." I eventually settled down and we went to bed the next morning I woke up feeling the best I felt in years. There was a bounce in my step and I was ready to take on the world."Well hey there sunshine how'd you sleep last night was eventful."

"Great. Hey Lucy thanks for last night I needed that talk."

"Your welcome I enjoyed it too." I went to look for more jobs and Emerald walked in to the back again. "I can't believe this he's that FreezeFlame I can't let him know that I was at that attack." I was walking along to the board and I saw more jobs. Lucy kept living with us and we got by on jobs for a few months I loved her more and more each day,and Screw Ball started to really like me too. I had been saving my bits for something special. We had made our relationship apparent to the kids and they were happy. On this night I left Screw Ball with Emerald and gave them some bits for entertainment. I Was going to take Lulu to a restaurant she had been wanting to go to. Lulu was the nick name I had given her she thought the whole idea was cute. The one thing I'd come to hate is when she calls me cute I lived my life as a warrior and she thinks of me as "cute." Well never mind tonight I was ready to put up with anything. We went to the restaurant she was so happy but I didn't like it was populated with nobles. Again I had promised myself to wear a smile and keep her doing the same we were at the end of our meal and were ready to go. We had just left the restaurant and I fell behind. "Hey slow poke come on we have to get home who knows what those fillies are doing."

"Yeah it's just...it's ju-just I have something really important to say."

"What is it baby?"

"I-I want you to uh I love you Lucy and I want the rest of my life to be with you."

"What are you saying Freeze?"

"Lucy will yo-you marry me?"

"Of course I will I've been waiting for this since the night at the Galla."

"Heh really that's wonderful I love so much." We were soon married the ceremony was amazing the girls were dual flower girls the whole thing couldn't have been better. Soon enough the jobs rolled again the honeymoon couldn't last forever. Although I wish it could of. One day we were having a lazy day no jobs nothing to do not one reason to get out of the house. Then I saw Screw Ball talking to Derpy She flew away and Screw ball came in and handed me a letter it read "Ser FreezeFlame as the best Mercenary this humble town has seen you have been called for very important job. You are to go to the Northern Mountains and kill a group of bandits that the Crystal guard have failed to defeat. The group has a strange magic about them that gives them enhanced physical abilities. I urge you to be careful Your princess Celestia." A job for the princess those jobs are unbelievably high paying. But the Northern Mountains that's very far I have to move us out there for the duration of the job. I discussed it with the family and they were excited. Emerald like the renown she'd get for something this big Lulu wanted to go to on a big job and Screw Ball was excited for unknown reasons. It was a long journey and a tiring one. We eventually got there and it was beautiful but I was thinking of the job we were going to have to live in the mountains until I found the bandits. No matter what the map looks like the Northern Mountain Range was huge. After some sight seeing we went into the mountains. It was a tough couple of days but I eventually I traced the bandits and we staged an attack. It was a full proof plan me and Lulu would fight the bandits head on while Emerald and Screw Ball provide long distance support with their bows. Only thing I see that could go wrong is the fact that Screw Ball had never been trained in any sort of combat,she can't use a sword she can't do hoof-to-hoof and she's never used a bow before. Really my main concern is that she doesn't shoot any of us. We started the attack and I instantly recognized the bandits the way they were armored these were the bandits that killed my first wife. I was full of rage I was a vastly superior fighter to what I was when I last fought them. Emerald and Screw Ball were providing excellent support and me and Lucy were crushing the bandits when I saw one of them charging for me and I couldn't get out of the way then I saw Lucy take the blade. "LULU NO NOT AGAIN!" I stabbed the bandit and held Lucy as she bled. "Lucy you should have let me take the blade."

"You know I couldn't have."

"Lucy please don't leave this can't happen again please."

"Just know I love you." I saw her go then I herd a chilling laugh. I looked be hind me and saw a hideous figure. I herd Lucy yell "Discord why are you here?"

"Lucy your alive?!"

"Yes your little lovebird is alive,just thought I'd put the stress on you of seeing this a second time."

"Daddy!" I herd Screw Ball yell as she run to Discord.

"Hello my little atrocity."

"Whats going on? Screw Ball get away from that monster."

"I don't know what illusions that mare has you under but this is filly Screw Ball Is my daughter."

"Lucy what is he talking about Screw Ball Is your daughter,right?"

"Come on merc put two-and-two together. Screw Ball is mine and Lucy's daughter which means..."

"Lucy what is he talking about tell me this isn't true."

"I um FreezeFlame you must listen-"

"TELL ME THIS IS NOT TRUE! Please tell me."

"It is please I can explain just listen."

"Lucy Lucy Lucy why dose he care so?. Oh I see a little unfaithful are we."

"Silence Discord I've left that life I'm happy with my new life of fighting bad instead of spreading it."

"Well if were turning a new leaf I suppose we should tell you new husband everything then."

"Discord please don't I beg of you."

"Lucy what is he talking about now?"

"I'll get to it but lets build on the pony she really is. She said she loved me like she did you and look were she stands on that now. She stole my daughter and left in the night whose to say she won't deal you the same hoof. and her greatest feat which almost makes up for this whole thing."

"Discord stop please he doesn't need to know."

"Quiet Lucy I want to know what he's about to say."

"No you don't please."

"Discord continue."

"Thank you what was saying was she is the one who killed your wife."

"Lucy you didn't."

"Yes she did all those lonely nights all the sorrow the emotional stress you and you filly went through. What are your thoughts on her now?"

"I uh I don't know what to think."

"Yes amazing how a few simple words can reshape your entire view on somepony isn't it."

"Your the one who killed my wife and you thought you could hide it!?"

"Please calm down."

"Calm down? CALM DOWN? my biggest problem is how Emerald took the death of her mother. and we have the pony responsible living with us!"

"I knew I couldn't hide it I just wanted to avoid it for as long as I could." I heard Emerald starting to sniffle and cry,she loved her mother more than anything it almost killed her when I told her about her mother. "Please stop yelling? I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring pain I just wanted to protect my daughter."

"That's understandable but I wouldn't slay a mother or child. I'm leaving you with this abomination. You and your little family can do what ever it wants. Come on Emerald were leaving." She stumbled barely able to see through her tears trying to follow. "My my were do you think your going?"

"Away leave us be freak!"

"Ah but you see I can't all those years ago you escaped with your life you were lucky. You were supposed to die and you will now. This time I'll see to it personally."

"What do you have against,me you've caused enough pain just just leave us alone."

"I thought you might question my motives. You see I'm am the spirit or chaos and there is no better way to spread chaos than bandits running around causing chaos,and you are the biggest thorn in the plan I've ever seen. You inspire hope which brings calm and I'm sick of it."

"I'm tired of this place I'm sick of all three of you I'll kill you all if you try to stop me!"

"Challenge accepted. Lucy pick your side and fight."

"Discord you want me leave the others out of it."

"Fine fine one-on-one is it so be it." With that me and discord stared into each others eyes and I saw pure madness. He rushed at me and ripped the sword from my mouth and threw me against a wall. I scrambled to my hooves and bucked him in the chest as he approached. He grabbed my sword and threw it,I caught it with my magic. I bit down on it and was determined to end this quickly. I impaled him and he picked me up and slammed on the ground,I used the magic to grab the sword and stab him again. He slapped me with is tail and took the the sword. and sunk it in my leg,we were both oozing blood. My leg was difficult to move he seemed to also be in intense pain we kept fight ferociously it kept going back and forth We were both ready to collapse I felt like passing out the life was leaving me he too showed weakness. "Well well pony you put a decent fight I thought this would be quick."

"I will not fall."

"Oh come on I don't see why you persist just make it easier on yourself and die"

"Never I've too much to lose."

"Fine you've chosen you fate and will be dealt a slow and painful death." He stuck the claws from left front leg in my side and started to rip down,I yelled in pain. "Stop I'm sick of watching this!"

"Lucy keep quiet." Discord said

"NO I'm not your property Discord."

"I don't care what you say or do my goal is chaos and I'm very close to achieving it the only thing that stands in the way is this pathetic little pony. You know you caused him this pain."

"What did you say?"

"Yes you see he fought with anger and sorrow. Anger that lies with you and Sorrow for the one he loved and you were the cause of both."

"No I didn't... just leave him you monster!"

"I've already explained why I can't and you should quit while your alive." I lied on the ground ready to die as Discord readied to finish me my vision blurred when I saw Emerald run over. I was scared that he would hit her I got up and pushed her from my way and we both dodged the blow somehow. "Emerald leave you'll not die the way your mother did not protecting me I'm supposed to protect you."

"Dad you can barely breath I have to do what I can."

"What a beautiful sentiment so warm so... disgusting listen fool filly you can live but he must die now move." With that Emerald drew her sword and swung it. Discord tried to duck but she still cut one of his horns off. "You insolent little brat." Then he smacked her away from us and she was knocked unconscious. I shouted her name and turned to Discord I had no more strength to fight and no will to. I can't continue to get those who I loved hurt anymore. I closed my eyes and accepted my fate. Then I herd a clash of metal I looked up to see Lucy holding Discord back. "I'm tired of watching this Discord. You've tortured these ponies long enough you do not need to take their lives."

"Fool I've explained myself enough and shall do so no more." He picked her up by the throat and threw her down. "MOMMY!" Screw Ball yelled as she ran over to Lucy. It was clear that her loyalty lied with Lucy at that point. Screw Ball bucked at Discord repeating "leave mommy alone." Lucy was winded from hitting the ground she could barely stand but she did what she could to fight. I mustered my strength and did the same. Discord was overwhelmed he still tried to fight as well even with the little strength he had left. Me and Lucy clearly had the upper hoof we swung and jabbed furiously with our weapons. Discord was soon dead and I felt pity for him. The world could never truly be cure chaos there would always be some harmony and had I fallen others like me would arise and continued to try and help the ponies of Equestria. And this experience seeing Lucy wager with her life to fight for me,Emearld and Screw Ball. Trying to help the family that she had grown to love. This made me think I must let go. I can't dwell on the past. I thought back and remembered that my late wife hated seeing me sad she told me to do anything that made me happy. That mare was amazing she was the the perfect pony and she was right. As long I don't forget I can move on It's what she would have wanted for me and what I would have wanted for her.

We got Emerald up and I explained what I learned and hoped she too would live by this lesson. I continued my life as a mercenary with my wife and two daughters we still have all kinds of fun jobs and we travel often. Me and Lucy are still forced to go through the annual Grand Galloping Galla as well. My life is going great and I'm happy with my life and would defend It all. My home,my wife,and my daughters. We all like the hoofs fate's dealt and would change nothing. We all love each other and will be ready for any adventure to come.