The Unnoticedby pvtspoonChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 5Chapter 1Pinkie skipped down the street that served as the Ponyville market. She scanned the stalls when something caught her eye. She stopped mid-skip and floated slowly to the ground. She had planned to go see if Rainbow dash wanted to go prank someone but this development require some investigation. Pinkie skipped toward the stall the Apple family always had set up. She figured that would be the best place to try and get some information. Pinkie was in luck as Applejack was running the stall today. “ Hey Applejack” Pinkie said “I have a quick itty-bitty question for you.” Applejack arched an eyebrow at Pinkie, internally pondering why she hadn’t acted in her usual over the top manner. ” Oh uh, Hey Sugarcube. What can I do ya for?” Applejack asked Pinkie looked over her shoulder for a moment and snapped her attention back to Applejack. ” Have you ever seen that guy over there?” Pinkie asked while gesturing over her shoulder. Applejack looked toward where Pinkie was motioning. Across the street, by the cherry stand was a young man in a black hat. He wore a simple white shirt, blue jeans, and seemed to be deep in thought. The thing that grabbed the most attention, however, was his size. While not particularly muscular he was very tall, probably taller than her brother Big Mac. He was maybe a couple years older than the two of them. “Huh, no I can’t say I’ve ever seen that feller before.” Applejack said while Pinkie began to grin an absurdly large grin. “Sooooo, what you’re saying is….. He’s new?” Pinkie asked “Sure would seem that way.” Applejack replied. Pinkie giggled excitedly while bouncing up and down. Inside her own head she was going over all the details of what had to be done. She thanked Applejack and ran off toward Sugarcube Corner. She had a party to plan. Locke watched the crowd while he stood by the cherry stall. Suddenly a young woman with shockingly pink hair went bolting out of the crowd and down the street. He wondered briefly what had gotten her so excited but shook the thought out of his head. He went back to his favorite past time, people watching, while he waited for the morning rush at the stalls to end. He never went shopping during peak hours but rather, waited until in between the breakfast and lunch rushes so he wouldn’t have to wait in line. He began thinking about what he would get for lunch when he decided to just go home and eat what he already had there. He stepped in to the crowds and began slowly making his way home. He only stopped once just outside his door to pick up the newspaper. He opened the door to his small two story townhouse. He weaved through the piles of boxes he hadn’t bothered to unpack and entered the kitchen. He opened the fridge, peering critically at its contents before pulling out an unmarked bottle. He went back in to the living room and sat down on the sofa. He cracked the bottle open and took a deep breath before swigging down a portion of the liquid inside. The sharp, bitter taste of poorly made beer stung his throat. He shook his head and sighed, he had been told that this brand was good by the woman at the liquor store. He opened the newspaper and began to read. It was four in the afternoon when Pinkie finished baking but it was perfect. She had muffins, cupcakes, pies, and pastries of all kinds as well as a single large three tiered cake. She had checked around and no one knew the young man from the market, so she didn’t know what he would have liked. The only choice was to make some of everything. Pinkie had already sent out invitation to everyone in town and her friends were coming to help her decorate. Soon everything would be ready for the party and she would just have to get the guest of honor. She smiled knowing she would soon have a new friend. Locke jolted awake so quickly he rolled off the couch. He hit the floor with a resounding thump. He sat up rubbing the back of his head before standing up. He yawned and made his way to the window. Looking outside he figured it was somewhere around five in the evening. With it being spring he knew he had a couple hours before sun down. “Just enough time for a walk” Locke thought. Locke stepped out in to the cool evening air. Breathing deep he looked left and right. Locke saw absolutely no one. He arched an eyebrow wondering if there was something happening this evening that he didn’t know about. He shrugged his shoulders and began to walk down the street. After a few minutes he had still not seen another person and began to feel that something wasn’t right. He looked around for any sign of life. The stalls were all deserted, all the houses had their lights off, and not a single sound was heard. Locke made a suspicious noise before continuing on his walk. His hand strayed down toward the back of his belt as he walked. He was walking past the local bakery when he finally found some sign of life. Pinkie roamed the crowd inside the bakery making sure everything was just right before sending Rainbow Dash to get their new neighbor. Satisfied that everything was alright see nodded to Rainbow to go get the stranger. Rainbow was about to leave when she stopped, turned back, and waved pinkie over. “Is that him?” Rainbow whispered once Pinkie was close enough to hear. Pinkie peered out the window at the young man whom she had seen in the market that morning. “Yep, that’s him alright.” Pinkie confirmed while nodding enthusiastically. “Well, that was easy.” Rainbow muttered as she slid over to the door. As the young man passed by Sugarcube corner Rainbow poked her head out the door and whistled. “Hey!” Rainbow shouted “Hey you!” The young man turned toward her and tilted his head asking for confirmation. Rainbow nodded and waved him over. “Come here.”She said “I need your help.” The young man walked over to her with a quizzical look on his face. “What do you need help with?” He asked in a slightly raspy voice. Rainbow thought that the young man sounded like a bit of a smoker but shook her head internally. “Oh, I just need some help moving a really big cake.”Rainbow lied. “Alright,” the young man said “I can help with that.” Pinkie waited anxiously while Rainbow called the young man over. She could hear him climbing the three small steps outside as he made his way toward the door. Pinkie smiled as she prepare to shout what she had wanted to shout all day. Locke opened the door to the bakery when the lights flashed on. “SURPRISE!” The crowd shouted as they leapt out at him. Locke stepped back in shock at the sudden appearance of what seemed like everyone in town. He recognized the pink haired girl from the market as she hopped up and down while she giggled. “Tee hee hee, you sure were surprised, your eyes almost bugged out of your head!” The girl giggled. Locke took the time to take stock of the girl in front of him. Everything about her was pink. Pink hair, pink shirt with blue and yellow balloons on the front, pink sneakers, rosy pink cheeks, everything was pink. He looked around the room of smiling townsfolk before glancing up at the banner hanging from the ceiling.”Welcome to Ponyville!” It read. He arched an eyebrow as was his way. “And what is all this?”Locke asked. “Well duh,” the girl said “It’s your welcoming party, and I’m Pinkie what’s your name?”She stuck out her hand. Locke took it and gave a firm but gentle shake. “Um, I’m Locke,” Locke said “and you said this was a welcoming party?” “Yep, I throw one for everyone when they first move here.” Pinkie said with a smile. “Oh, well, um, thanks for the sentiment,” Locke said “but parties aren’t my thing.” Locke turned away and headed for the door. He paused before he stepped out and looked back at a gob smacked Pinkie. “And by the way,” Locke said over his shoulder “I’ve lived here for almost two years.” Locke then closed the door and headed for home. Chapter 2Pinkie stood in the middle of the bakery with a slack jaw. All around her people were muttering and milling around awkwardly. She took no notice as Locke’s parting words bounced around in her skull. “I’ve lived here for almost two years.” Pinkie couldn’t believe it, she knew everyone in town how did she miss him? Rainbow walked up to Pinkie cautiously. “Hey Pinks, you ok?” Rainbow asked. “I know everyone in Ponyville. How did I miss him?” Pinkie muttered absently. She turned around and shuffled dejectedly toward the stairs. Rainbow stared as her friend slowly mounted the stairs. “Pinkie, wait!”Rainbow called. Pinkie slowly turned, her hair beginning to flatten.”Maybe you missed him but that doesn’t mean you can’t fix it by getting to know him now.” The other partygoers nodded and voiced their agreement. Pinkie gasped and her hair shot back into its’ normal bouncy consistence. “You’re right! But I need to plan… help yourselves to the snacks everybody! See you later!” Pinkie exclaimed as she rushed up the stairs. Rainbow sighed in relief and turned to the snack table trying to decide what to eat. Locke was lying in bed, still clothed, when he heard the creak of floorboards. He thought it was his imagination playing tricks on him at first. After all, when he got back home from the “welcoming party” he drank himself more or less stupid out of sheer boredom. *CCCRRREEEAAAKKK* Locke’s shot open only to be met by startlingly blue eyes staring in to his own. “AAAAAHHHH!”Locke shouted as he rolled away only to fall out of bed. He hit the floor face first and groaned. He lay on the floor as he listened to the intruder trying to stifle their giggles. He sat up bleary eyed to find Pinkie standing by his bed with her hand over her mouth.”What are you doing in my house?!?”Locke exclaimed “*Snicker* Well, I was thinking about how you said you lived here for two years but no one at the party knew you. That got me thinking ‘how did he live here with no one meeting him?’ So, I decided to ask you about it.” Pinkie spat out with absurd speed. Locke looked at her incredulously. “Aaannddd that means you can break in to my house?” Locke asked sarcastically “I didn’t break anything silly I just opened one of your windows and climbed in.” Pinkie giggled. Locke face palmed. “Breaking in means entering without permission, you know.”Locke grumbled. “Oooohhh, well then I guess I did.” Pinkie stated with a giggle. Locke sighed and shook his head. “Ok then, now that that’s all cleared up what do you want?” Locke asked bitterly “Well, no one in town knows you and I don’t see how that’s possible. How do you get the money for your food without a job? How do you buy your food without meeting any one?”Pinkie asked curiously. Locke groaned before answering “I get a check from the government and I get my weekly groceries delivered from the market by that wall-eyed mail-woman. Anything else you feel you have to know?” Lock stated impatiently. Pinkie thought for a moment then stared at Locke eyeing him up and down. “Why do you get a check from the government?”Pinkie asked.”You can’t be more than twenty- four or five.”Locke paused for a moment, slightly startled by Pinkie’s sudden knowledge behind her question. At least, until she ruined the moment by asking “Also why is your voice so raspy?” Locke grimaced “I just do, it just is, now get out of my house!” Locke growled. Even Pinkie could pick up on Locke’s hostility. “Okay doki Loki!” Pinkie stated, with just a hint of nervousness in her voice before skipping out of the room. Locke sat on his bedroom floor until he heard the front door shut. He sighed then went down stairs to make himself some breakfast. Pinkie walked down the street pondering the information she had gathered from Locke. She knew only two things for certain: He got money from the government and she needed to talk to a certain mailwoman. She nodded to herself and went off to find the mailwoman in question. Pinkie found her target walking back from Sweet Apple Acres, the last stop on her route. “Hey Ditzy, can I talk to you?”Pinkie called out to her. Ditzy exhaled sharply out her nose before walking toward Pinkie. “Yeah, what do you want?” Ditzy stated sharply. Pinkie was taken a back at the attitude Ditzy had. “What’s a matter Ditzy? You seem kinda cranky.” Pinkie asked. Ditzy sighed ruefully. “You had a party last night and made my favorite muffins.”Ditzy said dejectedly. “I’m confused. Why did that make you cranky?”Pinkie inquired. Ditzy sniffed and her bottom lip trembled slightly. “I wasn’t there in time and didn’t get to have any.”Ditzy whispered. Pinkie giggled and pulled a muffin seemingly out of nowhere. “Don’t be sad Ditzy I saved one last night.”Pinkie stated while handing the muffin to Ditzy. Ditzy squeed in glee. “Now Ditzy quick question, do you deliver anyone their groceries?” “Huh, oh, yeah I deliver this one guys’ food every week. I make about twenty bits from it.”Ditzy mumbled around her muffin. Pinkie nodded. “One last thing….. Why does he get his food delivered?” Pinkie asked. Ditzy just shrugged. Pinkie thanked Ditzy and went off to try and find better answers. As Pinkie walked she thought of where she could ask around.”Hmm, well I suppose I could try to get more information from Locke. She smiled thinking he must have just been cranky when she woke him up. Pinkie arrived at Locke’s house and knocked before entering this time. That is to say she knocked then walking in, not waiting for a reply. She saw Locke sitting on his couch surrounded by unopened boxes, several empty bottles sat on the coffee table in front of him. His head was tilted back and he groaned slightly as he righted it to look at her. When he saw her he groan and let his head fall back to where it was. “Augh, what do you wwwaaannttt from me?” He grumbled drunkenly. Thinking quickly Pinkie came up with an excuse. “I was thinking about these empty boxes in your living room and really wanted to know what was in them.” Pinkie said half truthfully. She looked around until she found a box labeled “Personal affect”. She tore the tape of and looked through it. Moving bits and baubles around she came across several leather bound books and what appeared to be photo albums. Grabbing the top most leather bound book and a photo album she peered over her shoulder at the drunken young man on the couch. “Say,” Pinkie said “do you mind if I borrowed some of these books?”Locke didn’t bother to look up. “If that’s what it takes to get you to leave fine.”Locke snapped. Pinkie grinned and bounded out the door. Several minutes later Pinkie stood in Sugarcube Corner anxiously tapping a foot. The door at the front of the bakery swung open and her five best friends stepped in. “Alright Pinkie, what did you call us over for?”Twilight asked. Pinkie grinned “I thought we might learn a little bit more about a “new” neighbor, Locke.” Pinkie giggled as she held up the two books she had gotten from Locke’s house. Chapter 3There was silence in the bakery. No one spoke, no one moved, they just stared. Finally, Rarity broke the silence. “Umm, Pinkie, dear, where did you get those?” Rarity asked motioning to the book and photo album. Pinkie giggled. “Well, I went to visit Locke but we I got there he was totally drunk. So I just took a look around and found these. When I asked if I could borrow them he said yes. “Pinkie stated matter-of-factly “I see,” Rarity replied “well, we can’t look at these…” Applejack nodded and was about to voice her agreement went Rarity said “At least not without snacks.” Applejacks’ jaw dropped while everyone else murmured their agreement. Pinkie squealed and ran off to get snacks. Applejack sighed and plopped herself down in a chair with the rest of her friends. Shortly later Pinkie returned balancing cookies, cupcakes, chips, and soda in a frighteningly swaying tower. Once it was all situated they came to the hardest question they had at the moment. Which do they look at first? There was a minor argument as Rainbow and Twilight wanted to look at the book first, Rarity and Pinkie wanted to look in the photo album, Fluttershy was silent, and Applejack refused to participate. The two groups glared before deciding Fluttershy would be the decider. This didn’t go over well as she squeaked and hide under the table when all the attention was turned on her. It ended as a coin toss. The photo album won. After a few moments sulking on Rainbows part, they opened to the first page of the photo album. The first picture in the album showed a young man with longish brown hair and glasses smiling while he sat at a table with a group of other young people. It took the six friends a minute to realize that the young man was Locke. For one thing Locke didn’t wear glasses and his hair was cropped much shorter. Plus, they hadn’t seen Locke smile…ever. They flipped to the next page. There was Locke again looking like he did in the picture before. He stood in between two other young men. The one on the left had long golden hair and a goofy grin while the one on the right was bulky and had white hair. The tips of his hair were bright red and his eyes were surrounded by a similar red. It reminded the six of someone else. “Hey Rainbow,” Pinkie said. “Those marks kinda look like…” “Gilda.” Rainbow finished “Yeah must be from the same place.” They continued through the album most of the pictures showed Lock and the other two. Toward the end however they began to see Locke and a young woman with fire orange hair. She looked familiar but they couldn’t place her. They were shown walking by a lake, climbing up a mountain trail, and sitting together on a blanket in a clearing. “Awww, “Fluttershy sighed “They look so happy.” They did too. The girls hadn’t seen Locke smile before but in these pictures he looked like he was in heaven. One of the pictures was obviously taken on in older camera as it had a thickness the others didn’t. It was one of the few that had any sort of label. It said that it was taken about three years ago and read “L + S” followed by a heart. Even Rainbow was a little touched by the happy scene in the photos. The next photo, however, surprised them. It was Locke as he looked now standing with the two young men from before. Their hair was cropped short and they wore army fatigues and dog tags. Pinkie and the others were shocked. “He was in the military?!”Applejack breathed. They looked to each other as if searching for confirmation of what they were seeing. Satisfied they weren’t seeing things they turned the page. Locke and the other two were still there but they were joined by another young man, a young woman that hadn’t been shown before, and a middle aged man all in similar outfits. The photo was labeled “EEC squad Echo 3, The Jungle Miners.” The friends, intrigued, were about to turn the page when the door burst open. A couple minutes earlier Locke was starting to stir from his drunken state. Heaving himself off the couch he stumbled toward the kitchen with the intention of getting more beer. As he walked he passed an open box. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned back toward the box. His eyes widened when he saw which box it was. He fell upon the box desperate to find what was taken. He noticed his photo album was gone but what really chilled his blood was the lack of one of his journals. Not any journal, but THAT journal. He sobered immediately as he tried to figure out where it had gone. Then he remembered….. “PINKIE!!!” Locke shouted as he ran toward his door. He all but ripped his door off its hinges as he rushed outside. Everyone outside all the time stared as he went tearing through the streets with a look of pure rage on his face. As the bakery came in to view he managed to run even faster. He hit the door running and it burst open startling the six girls inside. There they were standing shame faced and red handed with his photo album on the table they stood around. He was still breathing heavily when Pinkie tried to talk. “Uh heh heh, h-hey Locke…” Pinkie said “How dare you steal my photo album and journal?” Locke interrupted through gritted teeth. The other five girls gasped. “W-well, I didn’t you said I could borrow t-them.”Pinkie stammered “No, I said you could borrow a couple of my books.” Locke said twitching “They are books.”Pinkie countered. “YOU’RE SPLITTING HAIRS AND YOU KNOW IT!!” Locke roared in anger. Pinkie and her friends retreated in fear as Locke stalked up to the table and snatched up the books. He then stared each of them in the face one by one. Twilight and Rarity looked away, Rainbow sank down a bit, and Fluttershy all but fainted in fear. When his gaze fell on Applejack she blurted out “Ah had nuthin’ tah do wit this.” Locke shook his head and looked Pinkie right in the eye. She swallowed nervously and lowered her head without breaking eye contact, preparing to take a verbal lashing. Locke sighed after looking at the sorry sight of the cringing girls and walked out of the bakery. There was a moment of silence before the other five turned angry gazes at Pinkie. “You said he let you borrow them.”Twilight said accusation hinting in her voice. “He did! I guess he just didn’t realize what books I meant.” Pinkie exclaimed in defense. Applejack sighed. “Ah knew nothin’ good would come from this.” Applejack mumbled as she walked out the door followed by the others. Pinkie stood alone in the bakery once again as her hair slowly lost its poofyness. Fluttershy poked her head back in and motioned Pinkie to follow. “Come on Pinkie, we have to go apologize.” Fluttershy whispered. Pinkie sighed sadly and followed knowing she had made a major mistake. Chapter 4The walk from the bakery to Locke’s house was a fair distance only made longer by the fact Pinkie was dragging her feet. Even so, the walk felt far too short for her. Soon, the friends were standing at his front door. They stood there for a few minutes before all eyes turned to Pinkie. It didn’t take long for her to realize they wanted her to be the one who was confronted by Locke’s anger when he answered. She took a deep breath knowing that their decision was fair. She slowly made her way to the door, raised a trembling hand, and knocked three short raps. Locke was sitting on his couch staring at the two books in front of him. One held good memories, the other held bad ones. He was shaken from his thoughts by a short, curt knock at his door. He knew who it was before he even stood up. He didn’t want to open the door but he felt almost compelled to hear what they planned on saying for themselves. He swung the door open to see the almost exact sight he thought he would, six guilty, dejected faces. He regarded Pinkie coldly knowing she was the main offender. “What?” Locke asked icily while glaring down at Pinkie. Her response was not quite what he expected. Her eyes began to water and she began to sniffle sadly. She threw herself on a startled Locke knocking him back a couple of steps. She began to bawl into his she as she stuttered out incomprehensible apologies. Locke was startled at her extreme reaction and genuine tears at his anger towards her. It was making him feel incredibly guilty even though he had done nothing wrong. He looked to the other five young women for some sort of aid but found them to be just as startled as he was. He began to try to console the weeping girl by patting her on the back while awkwardly muttering things like “There, there” and “It’s ok.” But the girls’ response made him feel even worse. “N-n-no-o it’s not alright.” Pinkie stuttered through her tears “I just wanted to be friends but you didn’t so I tried to find out more about you so we could be friends and made you mad and now you HATE me.” Locke felt even worse at this point but also perplexed about two things: how did she say all that in one breath and why she wanted to be friends so badly. One of these he chose to ask about. “Why do you want to be friends with me so badly?” Locke asked confused. “Because I’m friends with everyone!” Pinkie exclaimed while trying to dry her tears. Locke sighed. He had tried to avoid situations like these by NOT making friends, But, of course, the world couldn’t have that. “You don’t want to be friends with me.”Locke said much to the others confusion “Why wouldn’t I?”Pinkie asked as she got her tears under control “I’m not exactly very good friend material.”Locke said with a grimace. Pinkie wasn’t sure what to make of that statement. He seemed like he was great friends with the people in those photos she saw. “But you seemed like you were friends with plenty of people in those pictures….Especially that girl with the orange hair.”Pinkie stated with a curious tone. Locke made a face like he was just punched in the gut as he hissed through his teeth while nodding. “True, I was. But I’m not now and there is a reason for this.” Locke mumbled “Oh…”Pinkie said not quite understanding.”Well, I’m sorry I stole your books. Can you forgive me?” Locke gave a short nod. “Yeah, I forgive you.”Locke said then just to be safe he added “But don’t do that again.” Pinkie brightened up considerably and her hair sprang back as she giggled. Locke wasn’t quite sure how her hair did that but his thoughts were cut off by another hug from the excited girl. The other five were also looking quite chipper. They pulled Pinkie out of Locke’s house before she could anger him again. They soon elected to go to Rainbow’s house to celebrate the headway they had made. Sadly, something there would quickly stop the party. The girls walked into Rainbow’s house laughing and smiling at Pinkies ecstatic reaction to Locke forgiving her. As Pinkie danced ahead of them into the living room she suddenly stopped and stared at something they couldn’t see at their vantage point. They made their way to Pinkie’s side and looked where she was staring. There on the wall was one of Rainbow’s autographed posters of the famous flight group the Wonderbolts. Pinkie eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She didn’t react to any of her friends prodding or questions. She slowly raised a finger to point at the poster as she stepped forward. She stopped as her finger made contact with one of the figures on the poster. “Which one is that?” Pinkie asked with an odd tone in her voice. Rainbow took one look before answering. “That’s Spitfire the captain of the Wonderbolts. Why?” Rainbow asked. Pinkie’s answer came in the form of a rhetorical question. “Does that fiery orange hair look familiar to you girls?” Pinkie asked with a growing smile on her face. The others gasped at what her friend was implying. Pinkie turned towards her friends with a smile that threatened to tear her face in half. ”I think we need to have a talk with Miss Spitfire.” Rainbow scoffed. “Oh yeah? And how will we do that, huh?” Rainbow asked with an air of disbelief that her friend thought it would be so easy. Pinkie turned to Twilight. “Hey Twilight, do you think you can ask a favor of princess Celestia? “ Pinkie asked still sporting the same grin. Twilight slowly cracked a grin. “Yeah, I think I can do that.” Twilight said with a slight giggle in her voice. The friends quickly turned and ran out of Rainbow’s house toward Twilight’s. All, that is, except Rainbow. She stood there, jaw on the floor, not believing she could have got to the Wonderbolts through one of her closest friends. She broke out of her internal storm with the realization they were trying to get a hold of the Wonderbolts. She ran as fast as she could to try and catch up. When Rainbow arrived Twilight was just getting off the phone. She had a huge grin on, one that could have rivaled Pinkie’s. “Well, I just so happen to have called while the princess was having lunch with a certain group of pilots.” Twilight said. The others began to get giddy and press for more info.”I explained to a certain captain the situation and was happy to help…. She’ll be here tomorrow.” Everyone cheered until something dawned on Rainbow. “Hey, wait, you could have got the Wonderbolts to come down here at anytime and you DIDN’T!?!” She questioned with indignation. Twilight’s eyes roamed back and forth nervously. “N-n-no, she just agreed to come because she happens to know Locke is all.” Twilight stammered. “Yeah, maybe but you still could of TALKED TO THEM.” Rainbow accused, eyes narrowing. Applejack thinking quickly said, “Hey sugarcube, don’t you want to go get ready fer tomorrow. The Wonderbolts are comin after all.” Rainbow gasped. “OHMYGOSH, YOU’RE RIGHT I GOTTA GO BYE!!” She shouted as she ran out the door. Twilight shot Applejack a look of thanks and Applejack nodded in return. *THE NEXT MORNING* Rainbow bounced excitedly next to Pinkie as they watched the horizon for any sign of the Wonderbolts. The rest of their friends had arrived moments a go to find the two excited girls had been there for hours. They all waited a few minutes before Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy decided they would have tea in Twilight’s home. Rainbow and Pinkie elected to stay outside. Nearly half an hour later the girls in side heard Rainbow begin to squeal in glee. They rushed out and looked to the horizon. They could see the small dot that was the Wonderbolt’s carriage in the distance. Soon the carriage slowed to a halt in front of the girls. The driver smiled and tipped his hat the girls as he hopped out of the drivers’ seat and made his way to the door to the passenger car. He swung the door open and held it as a figure exited. The girls held their breath. There she was, Spitfire. The leader of the Wonderbolts . Right in front of them in her street clothes. Rainbow fainted. Spitfires’ eyebrows rose as she looked at the fainted girl and then to her friends. “Umm, is she alright?”Spitfire asked pointing at Rainbow. The others reassured her that Rainbow was just really excited to see her. Pinkie hopped forward. “C’mon Miss Spitfire, we need to go see Locke!” Pinkie burst out with an anxious grin. “Yes. Yes we do.” Spitfire said while nodding her head. Pinkie and her friends then proceeded to lead Spitfire to Locke’s house, leaving AJ behind to take care of the unconscious Rainbow. Locke sniffed and shifted in his bed. He yawned and groggily opened his eyes. His eyes quickly shot wide as he stared at Pinkie, who was standing over him. “Gah, is this gonna become a common thing or what?!” Locke snapped. Pinkie just giggled “Me and my friends tried knocking but you weren’t awake! We got a surprise for you!” Pinkie chirped. “Wait you and your friends? Where are your friends?”Locke asked suspiciously. “Outside. Now do you want the surprise or not?!” Pinkie asked becoming impatient. Locke nodded warily. Pinkie grinned. “Alright, come on up!” She called. Locke’s eyebrows lowered in suspicion as he heard the footsteps on the stairs. Meanwhile, Rainbow was just starting to wake up. Applejack smiled. “Mornin’, Sleepin’ Beauty.” She joked. Rainbow groaned with a hand on her head. “Uhhh, wha’ happened.” Rainbow said sleepily. AJ snorted. “Yah passed out, Yah light weight.” She said jokingly. Rainbow glared and prepared a rebuttal when a second carriage sped slightly past them before grinding to a halt. The door of the carriage burst open and a figure jumped out. The figure turned to show it’s self. It was a young man with blue hair wearing a very worried. Rainbow gasped. “It-it’s Soarin.”She mumbled. Applejack grabbed her around the shoulders and shook her. “Don’t ‘cha go fainting on me…..again.” Applejack warned. She turn back towards Soarin to find him standing a lot closer to them. “You two are some of the girls who called Spitfire here right?” He asked anxiously. Applejack blinked. “Uh, yeah that was us. Our friends just left to take Spit fire to her friends’ house” Applejack said. Soarin looked relived. “Oh good then we might still be able to save him.”Soarin said with relief evident in his voice. Applejack looked worriedly at Soarin. “Save who from what?” She asked. “Locke from Spitfire, of course.” Soarin said urgently. “Spitfire is really vengeful. I mean I put an empty milk carton in the fridge ONCE and she made my life Hell for a week. I can only imagine what she’ll do to him.” Soarin shuttered. Applejacks’ eyes widened. “Why would she be so mad?” She asked. “They were going out when Locke just up and left without a word to anyone. She’s been real mad ever since.” “Sounds like Locke deserves what’s coming.” Rainbow said snapping out of her fan coma. Applejack nodded her agreement. Soarin, however, shook his head. “The stuff Spitfire does when she’s mad is horrible. She goes right for your weakness and turns it on you. Locke would never be at peace again if she catches him.” Soarin said gravely. The two girls realized just how bad this was. “We’ll take yah where they went.” Applejack said while Rainbow nodded. The three of them then began to run towards Locke’s house praying they weren’t too late. Chapter 6Locke’s eyes rolled around in his skull as he desperately looked for a way to get out of this unfortunate situation alive. He swallowed hard as Spitfire stopped a mere two feet from the chair he was tied to. She tilted her head to the side as she slowly circled around him. Locke shivered as she left his peripheral vision. He stiffened in fear as he felt her hand slowly caress the back of his neck. “So, Locke” Spitfire purred into his ear “what have you got to say for yourself?” Locke bit his lip to try and stop the whimpers from escaping his mouth. He failed. Spitfire arched an eyebrow at his fearful mutterings. “Aww, Locke why so scared?”Spitfire asked with false sympathy. “I haven’t done anything to hurt you…..yet.” She finished with an evil grin. “O-ok, Spitfire. What will it take for you to not hurt me?” Locke stammered. Spitfire clicked her tongue in disappointment as she shook her head. She placed her chin on his shoulder from behind before she answered. “There is nothing you can do that will stop me.” She said. There was a short pause before she continued.” You can make easier for yourself by telling me why you left.”Locke’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait, wait, you don’t know why I left?” Locke asked puzzled. “Of course not. How would I?” Spitfire replied. “When I left I was wasted, but Soarin was there he could have told you.” There was a moment of silence after Locke spoke. The two of them hissed at the same time. “SOARIN!” They sat fuming for a few minutes before Spitfire walked back in front of Locke. She plopped herself into his lap causing him to gasp as her weight forced the air from his lungs. She giggled and smiled at him as she wrapped an arm around Locke’s neck. “Well all that doesn’t change the fact that you ran off.” She said with almost creepy cheer.”Now I don’t know quite how to punish you but I think I can figure something out.” Spitfire laced her fingers together and stretched outward. Her knuckles made loud snaps that made Locke wince and hiss through his teeth. Spitfire noticed his expression and grinned as an idea formed in her head. “Oh ho, does that bother you Locke?” She asked with false sympathy. “How about this?” She asked as she raised her arms above her head and rolled her shoulders. The sound of her joints popping made Locke feel a little sick. “Please don’t do that. You know I hate that.” Locke pleaded. Spitfire just smiled and rolled her head from side to side. “Auurg, that’s so gross, stop!” Locke said over the nauseating sound of Spitfires’ joints cracking. “Oh, did you just demand something? Well, I think that calls for a worse punishment, but what?” Spitfire tapped her chin with a finger. “Let’s see what always bothered you…” Spitfire looked at Locke with an evil smirk. “OOH, I know what to do.” She hopped off of his lap and walked out of his view. Moments later she came back with her hands behind her back. “What do you hav-! “Locke tried to question her before she jammed a rag in his mouth. “You might want to bite down on that.”Spitfire chirped as she crouched in front of him. She began to roll up the leg of his pants. He gave her a questioning look. Spitfire smiled as she pulled a second item from behind her back. Something round and silver, with a hole in the middle. DUCT TAPE. Locke’s eyes widened as she began to pull a piece of and stick it to his leg. “MPMH! MNPH GUMP HUN SHMUP!” Locke pleaded unintelligibly as he rocked back and forth in the chair. “What was that, I didn’t quite catch that?” Spitfire asked sweetly as she reached for the strip of tape…. Soarin sat at a table upstairs dejected. He looked at the young woman behind the counter who, in return, shook her head at him. Soarin sighed. “Look I feel terrible about it but there’s nothing I can do. Can I please get some pie?” Soarin spoke with a pleading tone towards the pink haired girl. She humpmh’ed at him and went to get his pie. She stopped as a sudden muffled scream of pain echoed from the basement. She looked at him wide eyed and worried. “Hoch, she found the duct tape….. Make it two slices please.” Locke rocked back and forth as tears streamed down his face. Spitfire looked at the hair covered piece of tape then back to Locke’s leg. Little pinpricks of blood began to form where the tape had been. “Maybe I took that too far…” Spitfire said wincing at his wound. Locke whimpered in response. Spitfire walked around behind him and untied him. “Let’s get you home.”She said taking the rag from his mouth. Spitfire had to help him up the stairs as he was too busy trying to figure out how he was going to cover up a large rectangular bald spot on his leg. Pinkie watched as they left the store. Soarin, however, looked away as to not make eye contact with the man he betrayed. He didn’t need to see the glare from Locke as he could feel it burning into him. The bell above the door signaled their departure. Soarin finished his pie and went to pay Pinkie. She looked at the bits he offered her as payment and looked up at him. She looked in to his eyes and narrowed her own. She snagged the bits out of his hand. “Get out…Meany.”Pinkie hissed. Soarin turned and left the bakery dejectedly. Meanwhile, Locke and Spitfire arrived at the formers’ home. She helped him up the three small steps outside and they entered his home. She then helped him climb up the stairs to his room. “Did you really need help getting up the stairs and walking home?” Spitfire asked exasperated. “No, not really.”Locke smirked. Spitfire gasped exaggeratedly. “Well, I’m glad I saved a punishment then.” Spitfire said. Locke’s eyes widened. “Whoa there, Spitefire. Let’s take it easy, huh?” Locke asked anxiously. Spitfire scoffed. “You ran off and you think a little leg hair is gonna make up for it? Nuh-uh. You are in for it.” Spitfire said. “What am I gonna have to do to make you not want to hurt me?”Locke asked worried for the answer. “Don’t know yet, but I do know it’s been over two years and I have a certain itch that needs scratching.” Spitfire said from behind Locke. Locke turned not quite understanding. He watched as Spitfire locked the bedroom door behind her and stared at him with a certain look in her eye. “Ooohhh, uh, well-“was all Locke got out before Spitfire tackled him. Chapter 7Locke sat silently as Spitfire cuddled up against his side. She purred contently, her arms wrapped around his waist. Locke's clothes lay on the floor tattered and the room reeked of sweat and... activites. "Alright, I think i'm a little calmer. So, how about that explaination?" Spitfire asked looking up at Locke from his chest. He sighed and gave a look that asked if he really had to. Spitfire glare confirmed that he did. Locke grumbled. "What did you want explained again?" He asked. "Why you left, and with no word to any of your friends." Spitfire said with little patience. "and why does your voice sound like you've been smoking six packs a day?" "Those are related actually." Locke said almost amused. " My throat and lungs got damaged by smoke while on a mission down south. Because of the damage the guard gave me and most of my squad an honorable discharge." Spitfire remain silent as Locke paused. He gave a gravelly and humorless chuckle. "After that I was pretty shocked and lost. Soarin took me out drinking in hopes of calming me down. While we were at the bar I realized I didn't know what I was gonna do if not in the guard. I decided I need to come to terms with what my life was gonna entail now. Once I knew that I would contacted the people I left behind." Locke concluded. He looked down at the firey headed young woman who was resting her head on his chest. She took a deep breath. "That is really freaking stupid." Locke blanched. " You didn't once think to come to me or any of your other friends before running off?" "Erm, well-" "Shut up. No, you didn't, that was rhetorical." Spitfires' face turned from blank to angry. "That is some stupid and self centered thinking there. " "W-well, I was drunk at the time." " And after you sobered up?" Locke went silent. "That's what I thought." Spitfire sighed. "At least I've found you now." Locke tried to interrupt. "And I'm not leaving." She growled as she dug her nails into his chest." Got it?" "O-ok, fine, geez." "So, do you know what happened to the other people in your squad?" Spitfire asked after several minutes. "Um, I think Smoothie moved back to Manechester. Carnation is a florist up in Trottingham now." "What about that Griffonian Guy? He seemed like fun went I met him." "Oh yeah, Angelo. He became a fisherman over in Baltimare, i think. Rig went to help some little settlement out west." "And that dickweed Bolt?" Spitfire asked with narrowed eyes and a scowl. "HE is in prison, last I heard. Got busted in Las Pegasus while trying to hire a hooker or something." "HA! Serves him right." Spitfire laughed. Locke shook his head. "Don't speak ill of the dumb, it's not nice." Spitfire stuck her tongue at him. "Anyway, time to get up lazy. I'm hungry." Locke grunted and rolled out of bed as Spitfire hopped up, pulled on her pants and shirt, and sauntered out the room. Several minutes later Locke stumbled down stairs to find her in the kitchen peering into the fridge. "Bout time, you lazy ass." She said without looking at him. "All you have is old sweet and sour chicken and cheap beer... and you're not wearing pants." She looked at Locke quizzically. "Why are you not wearing pants?" "You wreaked my only clean pair. Well, cleanish pair." Spitfire shook her head. "No clean clothes or food, too much booze, not even unpacked, we are going to have to fix your life style." Locke blinked several times. "Also you're getting a gut. I need to get you working out again." "Not even a day here and your making me change how I live." Locke snorted while throwing up his arms. Spitfire smiled. "Yep, now get dressed, we are going SHOPPING!" *Several minutes later* Locke and Spitfire strolled through the market swinging by several stalls to by fruit and vegetables, much to Locke's chagrin. "Alright, because you are a big, fat baby, you go pick up some carrots, I'll grab some meat from the butcher, and we will meet at that little bakery, Alright?" Spitfire said over her shoulder to a sulking Locke. "Aw, I don't want to have to talk to some one..." Locke whined. Spitfire shot him a glare. "Alright, alright fine." Locke wandered off to get carrots while Spitfire went to the butchers. What Locke didn't know was She had planned another stop before heading to the bakery. One he wouldn't like nor find out for a couple of days. Locke stepped into an almost empty bakery. Pinkie stood behind the counter while Applejack and Rainbow Dash chatted with her. Pinkie quickly spotted Locke over her friends shoulders and began waving rapidly. The other two young women turn to look and saw to their pleasant surprise, a living Locke. "Yay, you're Alive. I was kind of worried." Pinkie joked. "I'm pretty sure I'm not of the hook yet but I guess I do get to live." Locke joked as he walked up to the counter. Applejack patted his shoulder. "Ah'me sure ya'll will be fine." She drawled "Yeah, Spitfire's probably really cool about things that make her mad." Rainbow said. Locke shook his head. "No, she can really hold a grudge and, well, there is a reason she has the nickname Spitefire." Just then Spitfire walked in carrying several bags. "Heh, speak of the devil...not one day she's been her and she's already riding me about how I live." Spitfire smirked. "Oh, I was 'riding' you earlier already." She said with a grin. Locke blushed, Applejack pulled her hat down in embarrassment, and Rainbow laughed with a lecherous grin. Pinkie just cocked her head to the side not understanding. "I don't get it..." She said. Applejack patted her on the head. "That's good Pinks keep that pure mind of yours." Applejack muttered. Spitfire shook her head. "I need a loaf of bread, whole wheat if you have it. Pinkie nodded rapidly. "Okay, let me get that for you." She bounced of the get the bread." Here you go, that will be three bits please. Oh, and don't be too hard on Locke, huh?" Spitfire chuckled as she payed, and left with a wave and Locke in tow. There was a few moments of silence after they left when suddenly... "OH! It was a sex joke!" Pinkie blurted out. Applejack sighed and rubbed her face while Rainbow laughed so hard she choked. Chapter 5While Soarin, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were rushing across town to save Locke from the wrath of an angry Ex. He was dealing with his own issues a little differently. He was still in bed listening to the footfalls that were ascending the stairs. He looked at Pinkie. She grinned at him as she slowly walked back towards the door. She stepped outside the room and looked towards the stairs. “I’ll leave you two alone now.” Pinkie said with a little wink as she walked out of the room and, assumedly, down the stairs. Locke looked toward the door as he sat up pondering who it could be. The answer did not make him happy. Spitfire strolled in to the room and stopped just inside the door, a wicked grin on her face. “Hello Locke, did you miss me?” She asked coldly. Locke swallowed hard before stammering a response. “S-Spits, h-hey what are you d-doing here?” He stammered. She looked at him with cold vengeful eyes before leaping at him with a yell of pure anger. Locke screamed in terror as a response. Pinkie and her friends stood outside listening to the screams and crashes emanating from the house. “I think we might have made a mistake.”Pinkie said cringing at a particularly loud crash. Suddenly, one of the upstairs windows shattered and Locke came flying out it will a cry. He hit the ground hard and rolled a few feet before staggering upright. Spitfire leaned out the shattered window and cried… “You won’t get away from me that easy, Locke.” Spitfire shook her fist at the dazed young man before dashing away from the window. Locke whimpered in fear before staggering into a run. He ran down the street as fast as he could. Just before he turned out of sight, Spitfire bust from out the front door and caught sight of him. She snarled and bolted after him. Pinkie and the others stood dumbfounded. “Yup, we definitely made a mistake.” Pinkie sighed. Locke was running as hard and as fast as he could. He could hear her a few hundred feet behind him as she shoved people out of the way. He stumbled slightly as he tripped over a discarded half apple. He righted himself and swiftly looked around for where he could hide. That’s when he saw him. Standing in an alley way, waving him over with urgency, was Spitfires’ teammate, Soarin. Locke didn’t want to but he ran toward Soarin. They had been friends before Locke left, surely He wouldn’t turn Locke over to Spitfires’ wrath. “Soarin! What are you doing here?” Locke asked as he ran toward the other young man. “I’m here to try and save you from the horror that is an angry Spitfire.” Soarin replied. Locke felt that much happier knowing he had an ally. “I was being helped by two young women but I think I outran them by accident.” Locke looked at him questioningly. Soarin shook his head.”Ah well, come on we gotta go.” Locke and Soarin then took off down the alley. Spitfire stared down the alley way at the two fleeing figures. Her eyes narrowed and she frowned angrily. “Soarin…. I’ll get you for helping him.” She hissed through gritted teeth. She then began to chase after her prey once more. After almost ten minutes of running with no sign of Spitfire the two young men stopped in a crossroad of alleyways. They looked down each of the four paths Spitfire could come at them from, but saw nothing. They breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief “Heh, Ya’ know I thought she was gonna catch us there for a minute.” Soarin laughed between his gasps for air. Locke laughed along with him. “I know what you mean that was nerve-wracking.” Locke replied with a raspy laugh of his own. His laughter ended quickly, however, when he saw Spitfire race out of the alley behind Soarin like a demonic spirit. “SOARIN, LOOK OUT!!” Locke shouted pointing pass Soarin at the horror emerging from the darkness. Soarin turned, but it was too late Spitfire tackled him to the ground. Soarin reached out a hand to Locke. “RUN, YOU FOOL.” Soarin shouted to Locke. Locke turned and ran faster than he had all day driven on by the fear inspired by the pleas for mercy coming from behind him. He muttered an almost silent prayer for Soarins’ soul. Locke sat hiding behind a tree hoping that Spitfire was merciful to his old friend. He perked up instantly at the sound of someone coming towards his hiding place. He braced himself to run as the bushes not far from his tree rustled ever closer. Soarin stumbled out of the bushes dirty and a little battered looking. Locke was overjoyed to see his friend was alright for the most part. He ran over to his companion. “Soarin, you’re alive. How did you get away?” Locke asked as he looked Soarin over. “Heh, Spitfire told me she would get me after she got you. After all she knows where I work and live.”Soarin replied glumly. Locke felt bad for getting him in trouble. “But hey, I ran in to that Pinkie Pie girl and she agreed to hide you in her basement seeing as she caused all this.” Locke was a little nervous about accepting Pinkie’s help but he was desperate. “Alright then, lead the way, buddy.” Locke replied. The two of them slowly left the wooded area Locke was hiding in and made their way to the bakery, carefully. Soon the two of them strode into the bakery. With a brief nod to a relived looking Pinkie they made their way up to the counter. “Oh you’re okay! I was so worried. I didn’t know she would act like that, I’m so sorry.” Pinkie said apologetically. “Look Pinkie, right now I just want to hide until Spitfire leaves.” Locke said wearily. Pinkie nodded and showed them the way to the basement. Locke and Soarin descended the stairs in to the gloom. In the little light of the small hanging light bulb, there was a table and two chairs set up. Off to the side was a small standing tray of snacks. Locke sat in one of the chairs as Soarin went for the snacks. “Going immediately for the food, eh? Some things never change.” Locke chuckled. “Oh ha ha, do you want anything, smart ass?” Soarin replied. “Yeah, get me a beer.”Locke said. Soarin walked up behind Locke food in one hand beer in the other. He reached over Locke’s shoulder and plunked the beer down on the table. Locke was about to reach for the drink when the rope dropped over him. It tightened around his arms and torso before he could try to move. That’s when Spitfire stepped out of the shadows. Locke was shocked. “Good work, Soarin.”Spitfire said an evil grin on her face. “Yeah, yeah, just remember our deal ok?” Soarin replied. Soarin turned to the stairs and began to climb them. “Soarin, you pie-loving, traitorous bastard!” Locke spat angrily. Soarin turned back to Locke. “Sorry man, but it was you or me and when she offered to not hurt me for helping you by tricking you in to this trap, I went for it.” He said with just a hint of remorse. He then left the dark basement. “Well, well, well, Locke looks like it’s just you and me.” Spitfire cooed. Locke swallowed as she stalked toward him with a look of grim satisfaction.
Chapter 1Pinkie skipped down the street that served as the Ponyville market. She scanned the stalls when something caught her eye. She stopped mid-skip and floated slowly to the ground. She had planned to go see if Rainbow dash wanted to go prank someone but this development require some investigation. Pinkie skipped toward the stall the Apple family always had set up. She figured that would be the best place to try and get some information. Pinkie was in luck as Applejack was running the stall today. “ Hey Applejack” Pinkie said “I have a quick itty-bitty question for you.” Applejack arched an eyebrow at Pinkie, internally pondering why she hadn’t acted in her usual over the top manner. ” Oh uh, Hey Sugarcube. What can I do ya for?” Applejack asked Pinkie looked over her shoulder for a moment and snapped her attention back to Applejack. ” Have you ever seen that guy over there?” Pinkie asked while gesturing over her shoulder. Applejack looked toward where Pinkie was motioning. Across the street, by the cherry stand was a young man in a black hat. He wore a simple white shirt, blue jeans, and seemed to be deep in thought. The thing that grabbed the most attention, however, was his size. While not particularly muscular he was very tall, probably taller than her brother Big Mac. He was maybe a couple years older than the two of them. “Huh, no I can’t say I’ve ever seen that feller before.” Applejack said while Pinkie began to grin an absurdly large grin. “Sooooo, what you’re saying is….. He’s new?” Pinkie asked “Sure would seem that way.” Applejack replied. Pinkie giggled excitedly while bouncing up and down. Inside her own head she was going over all the details of what had to be done. She thanked Applejack and ran off toward Sugarcube Corner. She had a party to plan. Locke watched the crowd while he stood by the cherry stall. Suddenly a young woman with shockingly pink hair went bolting out of the crowd and down the street. He wondered briefly what had gotten her so excited but shook the thought out of his head. He went back to his favorite past time, people watching, while he waited for the morning rush at the stalls to end. He never went shopping during peak hours but rather, waited until in between the breakfast and lunch rushes so he wouldn’t have to wait in line. He began thinking about what he would get for lunch when he decided to just go home and eat what he already had there. He stepped in to the crowds and began slowly making his way home. He only stopped once just outside his door to pick up the newspaper. He opened the door to his small two story townhouse. He weaved through the piles of boxes he hadn’t bothered to unpack and entered the kitchen. He opened the fridge, peering critically at its contents before pulling out an unmarked bottle. He went back in to the living room and sat down on the sofa. He cracked the bottle open and took a deep breath before swigging down a portion of the liquid inside. The sharp, bitter taste of poorly made beer stung his throat. He shook his head and sighed, he had been told that this brand was good by the woman at the liquor store. He opened the newspaper and began to read. It was four in the afternoon when Pinkie finished baking but it was perfect. She had muffins, cupcakes, pies, and pastries of all kinds as well as a single large three tiered cake. She had checked around and no one knew the young man from the market, so she didn’t know what he would have liked. The only choice was to make some of everything. Pinkie had already sent out invitation to everyone in town and her friends were coming to help her decorate. Soon everything would be ready for the party and she would just have to get the guest of honor. She smiled knowing she would soon have a new friend. Locke jolted awake so quickly he rolled off the couch. He hit the floor with a resounding thump. He sat up rubbing the back of his head before standing up. He yawned and made his way to the window. Looking outside he figured it was somewhere around five in the evening. With it being spring he knew he had a couple hours before sun down. “Just enough time for a walk” Locke thought. Locke stepped out in to the cool evening air. Breathing deep he looked left and right. Locke saw absolutely no one. He arched an eyebrow wondering if there was something happening this evening that he didn’t know about. He shrugged his shoulders and began to walk down the street. After a few minutes he had still not seen another person and began to feel that something wasn’t right. He looked around for any sign of life. The stalls were all deserted, all the houses had their lights off, and not a single sound was heard. Locke made a suspicious noise before continuing on his walk. His hand strayed down toward the back of his belt as he walked. He was walking past the local bakery when he finally found some sign of life. Pinkie roamed the crowd inside the bakery making sure everything was just right before sending Rainbow Dash to get their new neighbor. Satisfied that everything was alright see nodded to Rainbow to go get the stranger. Rainbow was about to leave when she stopped, turned back, and waved pinkie over. “Is that him?” Rainbow whispered once Pinkie was close enough to hear. Pinkie peered out the window at the young man whom she had seen in the market that morning. “Yep, that’s him alright.” Pinkie confirmed while nodding enthusiastically. “Well, that was easy.” Rainbow muttered as she slid over to the door. As the young man passed by Sugarcube corner Rainbow poked her head out the door and whistled. “Hey!” Rainbow shouted “Hey you!” The young man turned toward her and tilted his head asking for confirmation. Rainbow nodded and waved him over. “Come here.”She said “I need your help.” The young man walked over to her with a quizzical look on his face. “What do you need help with?” He asked in a slightly raspy voice. Rainbow thought that the young man sounded like a bit of a smoker but shook her head internally. “Oh, I just need some help moving a really big cake.”Rainbow lied. “Alright,” the young man said “I can help with that.” Pinkie waited anxiously while Rainbow called the young man over. She could hear him climbing the three small steps outside as he made his way toward the door. Pinkie smiled as she prepare to shout what she had wanted to shout all day. Locke opened the door to the bakery when the lights flashed on. “SURPRISE!” The crowd shouted as they leapt out at him. Locke stepped back in shock at the sudden appearance of what seemed like everyone in town. He recognized the pink haired girl from the market as she hopped up and down while she giggled. “Tee hee hee, you sure were surprised, your eyes almost bugged out of your head!” The girl giggled. Locke took the time to take stock of the girl in front of him. Everything about her was pink. Pink hair, pink shirt with blue and yellow balloons on the front, pink sneakers, rosy pink cheeks, everything was pink. He looked around the room of smiling townsfolk before glancing up at the banner hanging from the ceiling.”Welcome to Ponyville!” It read. He arched an eyebrow as was his way. “And what is all this?”Locke asked. “Well duh,” the girl said “It’s your welcoming party, and I’m Pinkie what’s your name?”She stuck out her hand. Locke took it and gave a firm but gentle shake. “Um, I’m Locke,” Locke said “and you said this was a welcoming party?” “Yep, I throw one for everyone when they first move here.” Pinkie said with a smile. “Oh, well, um, thanks for the sentiment,” Locke said “but parties aren’t my thing.” Locke turned away and headed for the door. He paused before he stepped out and looked back at a gob smacked Pinkie. “And by the way,” Locke said over his shoulder “I’ve lived here for almost two years.” Locke then closed the door and headed for home.
Chapter 2Pinkie stood in the middle of the bakery with a slack jaw. All around her people were muttering and milling around awkwardly. She took no notice as Locke’s parting words bounced around in her skull. “I’ve lived here for almost two years.” Pinkie couldn’t believe it, she knew everyone in town how did she miss him? Rainbow walked up to Pinkie cautiously. “Hey Pinks, you ok?” Rainbow asked. “I know everyone in Ponyville. How did I miss him?” Pinkie muttered absently. She turned around and shuffled dejectedly toward the stairs. Rainbow stared as her friend slowly mounted the stairs. “Pinkie, wait!”Rainbow called. Pinkie slowly turned, her hair beginning to flatten.”Maybe you missed him but that doesn’t mean you can’t fix it by getting to know him now.” The other partygoers nodded and voiced their agreement. Pinkie gasped and her hair shot back into its’ normal bouncy consistence. “You’re right! But I need to plan… help yourselves to the snacks everybody! See you later!” Pinkie exclaimed as she rushed up the stairs. Rainbow sighed in relief and turned to the snack table trying to decide what to eat. Locke was lying in bed, still clothed, when he heard the creak of floorboards. He thought it was his imagination playing tricks on him at first. After all, when he got back home from the “welcoming party” he drank himself more or less stupid out of sheer boredom. *CCCRRREEEAAAKKK* Locke’s shot open only to be met by startlingly blue eyes staring in to his own. “AAAAAHHHH!”Locke shouted as he rolled away only to fall out of bed. He hit the floor face first and groaned. He lay on the floor as he listened to the intruder trying to stifle their giggles. He sat up bleary eyed to find Pinkie standing by his bed with her hand over her mouth.”What are you doing in my house?!?”Locke exclaimed “*Snicker* Well, I was thinking about how you said you lived here for two years but no one at the party knew you. That got me thinking ‘how did he live here with no one meeting him?’ So, I decided to ask you about it.” Pinkie spat out with absurd speed. Locke looked at her incredulously. “Aaannddd that means you can break in to my house?” Locke asked sarcastically “I didn’t break anything silly I just opened one of your windows and climbed in.” Pinkie giggled. Locke face palmed. “Breaking in means entering without permission, you know.”Locke grumbled. “Oooohhh, well then I guess I did.” Pinkie stated with a giggle. Locke sighed and shook his head. “Ok then, now that that’s all cleared up what do you want?” Locke asked bitterly “Well, no one in town knows you and I don’t see how that’s possible. How do you get the money for your food without a job? How do you buy your food without meeting any one?”Pinkie asked curiously. Locke groaned before answering “I get a check from the government and I get my weekly groceries delivered from the market by that wall-eyed mail-woman. Anything else you feel you have to know?” Lock stated impatiently. Pinkie thought for a moment then stared at Locke eyeing him up and down. “Why do you get a check from the government?”Pinkie asked.”You can’t be more than twenty- four or five.”Locke paused for a moment, slightly startled by Pinkie’s sudden knowledge behind her question. At least, until she ruined the moment by asking “Also why is your voice so raspy?” Locke grimaced “I just do, it just is, now get out of my house!” Locke growled. Even Pinkie could pick up on Locke’s hostility. “Okay doki Loki!” Pinkie stated, with just a hint of nervousness in her voice before skipping out of the room. Locke sat on his bedroom floor until he heard the front door shut. He sighed then went down stairs to make himself some breakfast. Pinkie walked down the street pondering the information she had gathered from Locke. She knew only two things for certain: He got money from the government and she needed to talk to a certain mailwoman. She nodded to herself and went off to find the mailwoman in question. Pinkie found her target walking back from Sweet Apple Acres, the last stop on her route. “Hey Ditzy, can I talk to you?”Pinkie called out to her. Ditzy exhaled sharply out her nose before walking toward Pinkie. “Yeah, what do you want?” Ditzy stated sharply. Pinkie was taken a back at the attitude Ditzy had. “What’s a matter Ditzy? You seem kinda cranky.” Pinkie asked. Ditzy sighed ruefully. “You had a party last night and made my favorite muffins.”Ditzy said dejectedly. “I’m confused. Why did that make you cranky?”Pinkie inquired. Ditzy sniffed and her bottom lip trembled slightly. “I wasn’t there in time and didn’t get to have any.”Ditzy whispered. Pinkie giggled and pulled a muffin seemingly out of nowhere. “Don’t be sad Ditzy I saved one last night.”Pinkie stated while handing the muffin to Ditzy. Ditzy squeed in glee. “Now Ditzy quick question, do you deliver anyone their groceries?” “Huh, oh, yeah I deliver this one guys’ food every week. I make about twenty bits from it.”Ditzy mumbled around her muffin. Pinkie nodded. “One last thing….. Why does he get his food delivered?” Pinkie asked. Ditzy just shrugged. Pinkie thanked Ditzy and went off to try and find better answers. As Pinkie walked she thought of where she could ask around.”Hmm, well I suppose I could try to get more information from Locke. She smiled thinking he must have just been cranky when she woke him up. Pinkie arrived at Locke’s house and knocked before entering this time. That is to say she knocked then walking in, not waiting for a reply. She saw Locke sitting on his couch surrounded by unopened boxes, several empty bottles sat on the coffee table in front of him. His head was tilted back and he groaned slightly as he righted it to look at her. When he saw her he groan and let his head fall back to where it was. “Augh, what do you wwwaaannttt from me?” He grumbled drunkenly. Thinking quickly Pinkie came up with an excuse. “I was thinking about these empty boxes in your living room and really wanted to know what was in them.” Pinkie said half truthfully. She looked around until she found a box labeled “Personal affect”. She tore the tape of and looked through it. Moving bits and baubles around she came across several leather bound books and what appeared to be photo albums. Grabbing the top most leather bound book and a photo album she peered over her shoulder at the drunken young man on the couch. “Say,” Pinkie said “do you mind if I borrowed some of these books?”Locke didn’t bother to look up. “If that’s what it takes to get you to leave fine.”Locke snapped. Pinkie grinned and bounded out the door. Several minutes later Pinkie stood in Sugarcube Corner anxiously tapping a foot. The door at the front of the bakery swung open and her five best friends stepped in. “Alright Pinkie, what did you call us over for?”Twilight asked. Pinkie grinned “I thought we might learn a little bit more about a “new” neighbor, Locke.” Pinkie giggled as she held up the two books she had gotten from Locke’s house.
Chapter 3There was silence in the bakery. No one spoke, no one moved, they just stared. Finally, Rarity broke the silence. “Umm, Pinkie, dear, where did you get those?” Rarity asked motioning to the book and photo album. Pinkie giggled. “Well, I went to visit Locke but we I got there he was totally drunk. So I just took a look around and found these. When I asked if I could borrow them he said yes. “Pinkie stated matter-of-factly “I see,” Rarity replied “well, we can’t look at these…” Applejack nodded and was about to voice her agreement went Rarity said “At least not without snacks.” Applejacks’ jaw dropped while everyone else murmured their agreement. Pinkie squealed and ran off to get snacks. Applejack sighed and plopped herself down in a chair with the rest of her friends. Shortly later Pinkie returned balancing cookies, cupcakes, chips, and soda in a frighteningly swaying tower. Once it was all situated they came to the hardest question they had at the moment. Which do they look at first? There was a minor argument as Rainbow and Twilight wanted to look at the book first, Rarity and Pinkie wanted to look in the photo album, Fluttershy was silent, and Applejack refused to participate. The two groups glared before deciding Fluttershy would be the decider. This didn’t go over well as she squeaked and hide under the table when all the attention was turned on her. It ended as a coin toss. The photo album won. After a few moments sulking on Rainbows part, they opened to the first page of the photo album. The first picture in the album showed a young man with longish brown hair and glasses smiling while he sat at a table with a group of other young people. It took the six friends a minute to realize that the young man was Locke. For one thing Locke didn’t wear glasses and his hair was cropped much shorter. Plus, they hadn’t seen Locke smile…ever. They flipped to the next page. There was Locke again looking like he did in the picture before. He stood in between two other young men. The one on the left had long golden hair and a goofy grin while the one on the right was bulky and had white hair. The tips of his hair were bright red and his eyes were surrounded by a similar red. It reminded the six of someone else. “Hey Rainbow,” Pinkie said. “Those marks kinda look like…” “Gilda.” Rainbow finished “Yeah must be from the same place.” They continued through the album most of the pictures showed Lock and the other two. Toward the end however they began to see Locke and a young woman with fire orange hair. She looked familiar but they couldn’t place her. They were shown walking by a lake, climbing up a mountain trail, and sitting together on a blanket in a clearing. “Awww, “Fluttershy sighed “They look so happy.” They did too. The girls hadn’t seen Locke smile before but in these pictures he looked like he was in heaven. One of the pictures was obviously taken on in older camera as it had a thickness the others didn’t. It was one of the few that had any sort of label. It said that it was taken about three years ago and read “L + S” followed by a heart. Even Rainbow was a little touched by the happy scene in the photos. The next photo, however, surprised them. It was Locke as he looked now standing with the two young men from before. Their hair was cropped short and they wore army fatigues and dog tags. Pinkie and the others were shocked. “He was in the military?!”Applejack breathed. They looked to each other as if searching for confirmation of what they were seeing. Satisfied they weren’t seeing things they turned the page. Locke and the other two were still there but they were joined by another young man, a young woman that hadn’t been shown before, and a middle aged man all in similar outfits. The photo was labeled “EEC squad Echo 3, The Jungle Miners.” The friends, intrigued, were about to turn the page when the door burst open. A couple minutes earlier Locke was starting to stir from his drunken state. Heaving himself off the couch he stumbled toward the kitchen with the intention of getting more beer. As he walked he passed an open box. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned back toward the box. His eyes widened when he saw which box it was. He fell upon the box desperate to find what was taken. He noticed his photo album was gone but what really chilled his blood was the lack of one of his journals. Not any journal, but THAT journal. He sobered immediately as he tried to figure out where it had gone. Then he remembered….. “PINKIE!!!” Locke shouted as he ran toward his door. He all but ripped his door off its hinges as he rushed outside. Everyone outside all the time stared as he went tearing through the streets with a look of pure rage on his face. As the bakery came in to view he managed to run even faster. He hit the door running and it burst open startling the six girls inside. There they were standing shame faced and red handed with his photo album on the table they stood around. He was still breathing heavily when Pinkie tried to talk. “Uh heh heh, h-hey Locke…” Pinkie said “How dare you steal my photo album and journal?” Locke interrupted through gritted teeth. The other five girls gasped. “W-well, I didn’t you said I could borrow t-them.”Pinkie stammered “No, I said you could borrow a couple of my books.” Locke said twitching “They are books.”Pinkie countered. “YOU’RE SPLITTING HAIRS AND YOU KNOW IT!!” Locke roared in anger. Pinkie and her friends retreated in fear as Locke stalked up to the table and snatched up the books. He then stared each of them in the face one by one. Twilight and Rarity looked away, Rainbow sank down a bit, and Fluttershy all but fainted in fear. When his gaze fell on Applejack she blurted out “Ah had nuthin’ tah do wit this.” Locke shook his head and looked Pinkie right in the eye. She swallowed nervously and lowered her head without breaking eye contact, preparing to take a verbal lashing. Locke sighed after looking at the sorry sight of the cringing girls and walked out of the bakery. There was a moment of silence before the other five turned angry gazes at Pinkie. “You said he let you borrow them.”Twilight said accusation hinting in her voice. “He did! I guess he just didn’t realize what books I meant.” Pinkie exclaimed in defense. Applejack sighed. “Ah knew nothin’ good would come from this.” Applejack mumbled as she walked out the door followed by the others. Pinkie stood alone in the bakery once again as her hair slowly lost its poofyness. Fluttershy poked her head back in and motioned Pinkie to follow. “Come on Pinkie, we have to go apologize.” Fluttershy whispered. Pinkie sighed sadly and followed knowing she had made a major mistake.
Chapter 4The walk from the bakery to Locke’s house was a fair distance only made longer by the fact Pinkie was dragging her feet. Even so, the walk felt far too short for her. Soon, the friends were standing at his front door. They stood there for a few minutes before all eyes turned to Pinkie. It didn’t take long for her to realize they wanted her to be the one who was confronted by Locke’s anger when he answered. She took a deep breath knowing that their decision was fair. She slowly made her way to the door, raised a trembling hand, and knocked three short raps. Locke was sitting on his couch staring at the two books in front of him. One held good memories, the other held bad ones. He was shaken from his thoughts by a short, curt knock at his door. He knew who it was before he even stood up. He didn’t want to open the door but he felt almost compelled to hear what they planned on saying for themselves. He swung the door open to see the almost exact sight he thought he would, six guilty, dejected faces. He regarded Pinkie coldly knowing she was the main offender. “What?” Locke asked icily while glaring down at Pinkie. Her response was not quite what he expected. Her eyes began to water and she began to sniffle sadly. She threw herself on a startled Locke knocking him back a couple of steps. She began to bawl into his she as she stuttered out incomprehensible apologies. Locke was startled at her extreme reaction and genuine tears at his anger towards her. It was making him feel incredibly guilty even though he had done nothing wrong. He looked to the other five young women for some sort of aid but found them to be just as startled as he was. He began to try to console the weeping girl by patting her on the back while awkwardly muttering things like “There, there” and “It’s ok.” But the girls’ response made him feel even worse. “N-n-no-o it’s not alright.” Pinkie stuttered through her tears “I just wanted to be friends but you didn’t so I tried to find out more about you so we could be friends and made you mad and now you HATE me.” Locke felt even worse at this point but also perplexed about two things: how did she say all that in one breath and why she wanted to be friends so badly. One of these he chose to ask about. “Why do you want to be friends with me so badly?” Locke asked confused. “Because I’m friends with everyone!” Pinkie exclaimed while trying to dry her tears. Locke sighed. He had tried to avoid situations like these by NOT making friends, But, of course, the world couldn’t have that. “You don’t want to be friends with me.”Locke said much to the others confusion “Why wouldn’t I?”Pinkie asked as she got her tears under control “I’m not exactly very good friend material.”Locke said with a grimace. Pinkie wasn’t sure what to make of that statement. He seemed like he was great friends with the people in those photos she saw. “But you seemed like you were friends with plenty of people in those pictures….Especially that girl with the orange hair.”Pinkie stated with a curious tone. Locke made a face like he was just punched in the gut as he hissed through his teeth while nodding. “True, I was. But I’m not now and there is a reason for this.” Locke mumbled “Oh…”Pinkie said not quite understanding.”Well, I’m sorry I stole your books. Can you forgive me?” Locke gave a short nod. “Yeah, I forgive you.”Locke said then just to be safe he added “But don’t do that again.” Pinkie brightened up considerably and her hair sprang back as she giggled. Locke wasn’t quite sure how her hair did that but his thoughts were cut off by another hug from the excited girl. The other five were also looking quite chipper. They pulled Pinkie out of Locke’s house before she could anger him again. They soon elected to go to Rainbow’s house to celebrate the headway they had made. Sadly, something there would quickly stop the party. The girls walked into Rainbow’s house laughing and smiling at Pinkies ecstatic reaction to Locke forgiving her. As Pinkie danced ahead of them into the living room she suddenly stopped and stared at something they couldn’t see at their vantage point. They made their way to Pinkie’s side and looked where she was staring. There on the wall was one of Rainbow’s autographed posters of the famous flight group the Wonderbolts. Pinkie eyes were wide and her mouth hung open. She didn’t react to any of her friends prodding or questions. She slowly raised a finger to point at the poster as she stepped forward. She stopped as her finger made contact with one of the figures on the poster. “Which one is that?” Pinkie asked with an odd tone in her voice. Rainbow took one look before answering. “That’s Spitfire the captain of the Wonderbolts. Why?” Rainbow asked. Pinkie’s answer came in the form of a rhetorical question. “Does that fiery orange hair look familiar to you girls?” Pinkie asked with a growing smile on her face. The others gasped at what her friend was implying. Pinkie turned towards her friends with a smile that threatened to tear her face in half. ”I think we need to have a talk with Miss Spitfire.” Rainbow scoffed. “Oh yeah? And how will we do that, huh?” Rainbow asked with an air of disbelief that her friend thought it would be so easy. Pinkie turned to Twilight. “Hey Twilight, do you think you can ask a favor of princess Celestia? “ Pinkie asked still sporting the same grin. Twilight slowly cracked a grin. “Yeah, I think I can do that.” Twilight said with a slight giggle in her voice. The friends quickly turned and ran out of Rainbow’s house toward Twilight’s. All, that is, except Rainbow. She stood there, jaw on the floor, not believing she could have got to the Wonderbolts through one of her closest friends. She broke out of her internal storm with the realization they were trying to get a hold of the Wonderbolts. She ran as fast as she could to try and catch up. When Rainbow arrived Twilight was just getting off the phone. She had a huge grin on, one that could have rivaled Pinkie’s. “Well, I just so happen to have called while the princess was having lunch with a certain group of pilots.” Twilight said. The others began to get giddy and press for more info.”I explained to a certain captain the situation and was happy to help…. She’ll be here tomorrow.” Everyone cheered until something dawned on Rainbow. “Hey, wait, you could have got the Wonderbolts to come down here at anytime and you DIDN’T!?!” She questioned with indignation. Twilight’s eyes roamed back and forth nervously. “N-n-no, she just agreed to come because she happens to know Locke is all.” Twilight stammered. “Yeah, maybe but you still could of TALKED TO THEM.” Rainbow accused, eyes narrowing. Applejack thinking quickly said, “Hey sugarcube, don’t you want to go get ready fer tomorrow. The Wonderbolts are comin after all.” Rainbow gasped. “OHMYGOSH, YOU’RE RIGHT I GOTTA GO BYE!!” She shouted as she ran out the door. Twilight shot Applejack a look of thanks and Applejack nodded in return. *THE NEXT MORNING* Rainbow bounced excitedly next to Pinkie as they watched the horizon for any sign of the Wonderbolts. The rest of their friends had arrived moments a go to find the two excited girls had been there for hours. They all waited a few minutes before Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy decided they would have tea in Twilight’s home. Rainbow and Pinkie elected to stay outside. Nearly half an hour later the girls in side heard Rainbow begin to squeal in glee. They rushed out and looked to the horizon. They could see the small dot that was the Wonderbolt’s carriage in the distance. Soon the carriage slowed to a halt in front of the girls. The driver smiled and tipped his hat the girls as he hopped out of the drivers’ seat and made his way to the door to the passenger car. He swung the door open and held it as a figure exited. The girls held their breath. There she was, Spitfire. The leader of the Wonderbolts . Right in front of them in her street clothes. Rainbow fainted. Spitfires’ eyebrows rose as she looked at the fainted girl and then to her friends. “Umm, is she alright?”Spitfire asked pointing at Rainbow. The others reassured her that Rainbow was just really excited to see her. Pinkie hopped forward. “C’mon Miss Spitfire, we need to go see Locke!” Pinkie burst out with an anxious grin. “Yes. Yes we do.” Spitfire said while nodding her head. Pinkie and her friends then proceeded to lead Spitfire to Locke’s house, leaving AJ behind to take care of the unconscious Rainbow. Locke sniffed and shifted in his bed. He yawned and groggily opened his eyes. His eyes quickly shot wide as he stared at Pinkie, who was standing over him. “Gah, is this gonna become a common thing or what?!” Locke snapped. Pinkie just giggled “Me and my friends tried knocking but you weren’t awake! We got a surprise for you!” Pinkie chirped. “Wait you and your friends? Where are your friends?”Locke asked suspiciously. “Outside. Now do you want the surprise or not?!” Pinkie asked becoming impatient. Locke nodded warily. Pinkie grinned. “Alright, come on up!” She called. Locke’s eyebrows lowered in suspicion as he heard the footsteps on the stairs. Meanwhile, Rainbow was just starting to wake up. Applejack smiled. “Mornin’, Sleepin’ Beauty.” She joked. Rainbow groaned with a hand on her head. “Uhhh, wha’ happened.” Rainbow said sleepily. AJ snorted. “Yah passed out, Yah light weight.” She said jokingly. Rainbow glared and prepared a rebuttal when a second carriage sped slightly past them before grinding to a halt. The door of the carriage burst open and a figure jumped out. The figure turned to show it’s self. It was a young man with blue hair wearing a very worried. Rainbow gasped. “It-it’s Soarin.”She mumbled. Applejack grabbed her around the shoulders and shook her. “Don’t ‘cha go fainting on me…..again.” Applejack warned. She turn back towards Soarin to find him standing a lot closer to them. “You two are some of the girls who called Spitfire here right?” He asked anxiously. Applejack blinked. “Uh, yeah that was us. Our friends just left to take Spit fire to her friends’ house” Applejack said. Soarin looked relived. “Oh good then we might still be able to save him.”Soarin said with relief evident in his voice. Applejack looked worriedly at Soarin. “Save who from what?” She asked. “Locke from Spitfire, of course.” Soarin said urgently. “Spitfire is really vengeful. I mean I put an empty milk carton in the fridge ONCE and she made my life Hell for a week. I can only imagine what she’ll do to him.” Soarin shuttered. Applejacks’ eyes widened. “Why would she be so mad?” She asked. “They were going out when Locke just up and left without a word to anyone. She’s been real mad ever since.” “Sounds like Locke deserves what’s coming.” Rainbow said snapping out of her fan coma. Applejack nodded her agreement. Soarin, however, shook his head. “The stuff Spitfire does when she’s mad is horrible. She goes right for your weakness and turns it on you. Locke would never be at peace again if she catches him.” Soarin said gravely. The two girls realized just how bad this was. “We’ll take yah where they went.” Applejack said while Rainbow nodded. The three of them then began to run towards Locke’s house praying they weren’t too late.
Chapter 6Locke’s eyes rolled around in his skull as he desperately looked for a way to get out of this unfortunate situation alive. He swallowed hard as Spitfire stopped a mere two feet from the chair he was tied to. She tilted her head to the side as she slowly circled around him. Locke shivered as she left his peripheral vision. He stiffened in fear as he felt her hand slowly caress the back of his neck. “So, Locke” Spitfire purred into his ear “what have you got to say for yourself?” Locke bit his lip to try and stop the whimpers from escaping his mouth. He failed. Spitfire arched an eyebrow at his fearful mutterings. “Aww, Locke why so scared?”Spitfire asked with false sympathy. “I haven’t done anything to hurt you…..yet.” She finished with an evil grin. “O-ok, Spitfire. What will it take for you to not hurt me?” Locke stammered. Spitfire clicked her tongue in disappointment as she shook her head. She placed her chin on his shoulder from behind before she answered. “There is nothing you can do that will stop me.” She said. There was a short pause before she continued.” You can make easier for yourself by telling me why you left.”Locke’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait, wait, you don’t know why I left?” Locke asked puzzled. “Of course not. How would I?” Spitfire replied. “When I left I was wasted, but Soarin was there he could have told you.” There was a moment of silence after Locke spoke. The two of them hissed at the same time. “SOARIN!” They sat fuming for a few minutes before Spitfire walked back in front of Locke. She plopped herself into his lap causing him to gasp as her weight forced the air from his lungs. She giggled and smiled at him as she wrapped an arm around Locke’s neck. “Well all that doesn’t change the fact that you ran off.” She said with almost creepy cheer.”Now I don’t know quite how to punish you but I think I can figure something out.” Spitfire laced her fingers together and stretched outward. Her knuckles made loud snaps that made Locke wince and hiss through his teeth. Spitfire noticed his expression and grinned as an idea formed in her head. “Oh ho, does that bother you Locke?” She asked with false sympathy. “How about this?” She asked as she raised her arms above her head and rolled her shoulders. The sound of her joints popping made Locke feel a little sick. “Please don’t do that. You know I hate that.” Locke pleaded. Spitfire just smiled and rolled her head from side to side. “Auurg, that’s so gross, stop!” Locke said over the nauseating sound of Spitfires’ joints cracking. “Oh, did you just demand something? Well, I think that calls for a worse punishment, but what?” Spitfire tapped her chin with a finger. “Let’s see what always bothered you…” Spitfire looked at Locke with an evil smirk. “OOH, I know what to do.” She hopped off of his lap and walked out of his view. Moments later she came back with her hands behind her back. “What do you hav-! “Locke tried to question her before she jammed a rag in his mouth. “You might want to bite down on that.”Spitfire chirped as she crouched in front of him. She began to roll up the leg of his pants. He gave her a questioning look. Spitfire smiled as she pulled a second item from behind her back. Something round and silver, with a hole in the middle. DUCT TAPE. Locke’s eyes widened as she began to pull a piece of and stick it to his leg. “MPMH! MNPH GUMP HUN SHMUP!” Locke pleaded unintelligibly as he rocked back and forth in the chair. “What was that, I didn’t quite catch that?” Spitfire asked sweetly as she reached for the strip of tape…. Soarin sat at a table upstairs dejected. He looked at the young woman behind the counter who, in return, shook her head at him. Soarin sighed. “Look I feel terrible about it but there’s nothing I can do. Can I please get some pie?” Soarin spoke with a pleading tone towards the pink haired girl. She humpmh’ed at him and went to get his pie. She stopped as a sudden muffled scream of pain echoed from the basement. She looked at him wide eyed and worried. “Hoch, she found the duct tape….. Make it two slices please.” Locke rocked back and forth as tears streamed down his face. Spitfire looked at the hair covered piece of tape then back to Locke’s leg. Little pinpricks of blood began to form where the tape had been. “Maybe I took that too far…” Spitfire said wincing at his wound. Locke whimpered in response. Spitfire walked around behind him and untied him. “Let’s get you home.”She said taking the rag from his mouth. Spitfire had to help him up the stairs as he was too busy trying to figure out how he was going to cover up a large rectangular bald spot on his leg. Pinkie watched as they left the store. Soarin, however, looked away as to not make eye contact with the man he betrayed. He didn’t need to see the glare from Locke as he could feel it burning into him. The bell above the door signaled their departure. Soarin finished his pie and went to pay Pinkie. She looked at the bits he offered her as payment and looked up at him. She looked in to his eyes and narrowed her own. She snagged the bits out of his hand. “Get out…Meany.”Pinkie hissed. Soarin turned and left the bakery dejectedly. Meanwhile, Locke and Spitfire arrived at the formers’ home. She helped him up the three small steps outside and they entered his home. She then helped him climb up the stairs to his room. “Did you really need help getting up the stairs and walking home?” Spitfire asked exasperated. “No, not really.”Locke smirked. Spitfire gasped exaggeratedly. “Well, I’m glad I saved a punishment then.” Spitfire said. Locke’s eyes widened. “Whoa there, Spitefire. Let’s take it easy, huh?” Locke asked anxiously. Spitfire scoffed. “You ran off and you think a little leg hair is gonna make up for it? Nuh-uh. You are in for it.” Spitfire said. “What am I gonna have to do to make you not want to hurt me?”Locke asked worried for the answer. “Don’t know yet, but I do know it’s been over two years and I have a certain itch that needs scratching.” Spitfire said from behind Locke. Locke turned not quite understanding. He watched as Spitfire locked the bedroom door behind her and stared at him with a certain look in her eye. “Ooohhh, uh, well-“was all Locke got out before Spitfire tackled him.
Chapter 7Locke sat silently as Spitfire cuddled up against his side. She purred contently, her arms wrapped around his waist. Locke's clothes lay on the floor tattered and the room reeked of sweat and... activites. "Alright, I think i'm a little calmer. So, how about that explaination?" Spitfire asked looking up at Locke from his chest. He sighed and gave a look that asked if he really had to. Spitfire glare confirmed that he did. Locke grumbled. "What did you want explained again?" He asked. "Why you left, and with no word to any of your friends." Spitfire said with little patience. "and why does your voice sound like you've been smoking six packs a day?" "Those are related actually." Locke said almost amused. " My throat and lungs got damaged by smoke while on a mission down south. Because of the damage the guard gave me and most of my squad an honorable discharge." Spitfire remain silent as Locke paused. He gave a gravelly and humorless chuckle. "After that I was pretty shocked and lost. Soarin took me out drinking in hopes of calming me down. While we were at the bar I realized I didn't know what I was gonna do if not in the guard. I decided I need to come to terms with what my life was gonna entail now. Once I knew that I would contacted the people I left behind." Locke concluded. He looked down at the firey headed young woman who was resting her head on his chest. She took a deep breath. "That is really freaking stupid." Locke blanched. " You didn't once think to come to me or any of your other friends before running off?" "Erm, well-" "Shut up. No, you didn't, that was rhetorical." Spitfires' face turned from blank to angry. "That is some stupid and self centered thinking there. " "W-well, I was drunk at the time." " And after you sobered up?" Locke went silent. "That's what I thought." Spitfire sighed. "At least I've found you now." Locke tried to interrupt. "And I'm not leaving." She growled as she dug her nails into his chest." Got it?" "O-ok, fine, geez." "So, do you know what happened to the other people in your squad?" Spitfire asked after several minutes. "Um, I think Smoothie moved back to Manechester. Carnation is a florist up in Trottingham now." "What about that Griffonian Guy? He seemed like fun went I met him." "Oh yeah, Angelo. He became a fisherman over in Baltimare, i think. Rig went to help some little settlement out west." "And that dickweed Bolt?" Spitfire asked with narrowed eyes and a scowl. "HE is in prison, last I heard. Got busted in Las Pegasus while trying to hire a hooker or something." "HA! Serves him right." Spitfire laughed. Locke shook his head. "Don't speak ill of the dumb, it's not nice." Spitfire stuck her tongue at him. "Anyway, time to get up lazy. I'm hungry." Locke grunted and rolled out of bed as Spitfire hopped up, pulled on her pants and shirt, and sauntered out the room. Several minutes later Locke stumbled down stairs to find her in the kitchen peering into the fridge. "Bout time, you lazy ass." She said without looking at him. "All you have is old sweet and sour chicken and cheap beer... and you're not wearing pants." She looked at Locke quizzically. "Why are you not wearing pants?" "You wreaked my only clean pair. Well, cleanish pair." Spitfire shook her head. "No clean clothes or food, too much booze, not even unpacked, we are going to have to fix your life style." Locke blinked several times. "Also you're getting a gut. I need to get you working out again." "Not even a day here and your making me change how I live." Locke snorted while throwing up his arms. Spitfire smiled. "Yep, now get dressed, we are going SHOPPING!" *Several minutes later* Locke and Spitfire strolled through the market swinging by several stalls to by fruit and vegetables, much to Locke's chagrin. "Alright, because you are a big, fat baby, you go pick up some carrots, I'll grab some meat from the butcher, and we will meet at that little bakery, Alright?" Spitfire said over her shoulder to a sulking Locke. "Aw, I don't want to have to talk to some one..." Locke whined. Spitfire shot him a glare. "Alright, alright fine." Locke wandered off to get carrots while Spitfire went to the butchers. What Locke didn't know was She had planned another stop before heading to the bakery. One he wouldn't like nor find out for a couple of days. Locke stepped into an almost empty bakery. Pinkie stood behind the counter while Applejack and Rainbow Dash chatted with her. Pinkie quickly spotted Locke over her friends shoulders and began waving rapidly. The other two young women turn to look and saw to their pleasant surprise, a living Locke. "Yay, you're Alive. I was kind of worried." Pinkie joked. "I'm pretty sure I'm not of the hook yet but I guess I do get to live." Locke joked as he walked up to the counter. Applejack patted his shoulder. "Ah'me sure ya'll will be fine." She drawled "Yeah, Spitfire's probably really cool about things that make her mad." Rainbow said. Locke shook his head. "No, she can really hold a grudge and, well, there is a reason she has the nickname Spitefire." Just then Spitfire walked in carrying several bags. "Heh, speak of the devil...not one day she's been her and she's already riding me about how I live." Spitfire smirked. "Oh, I was 'riding' you earlier already." She said with a grin. Locke blushed, Applejack pulled her hat down in embarrassment, and Rainbow laughed with a lecherous grin. Pinkie just cocked her head to the side not understanding. "I don't get it..." She said. Applejack patted her on the head. "That's good Pinks keep that pure mind of yours." Applejack muttered. Spitfire shook her head. "I need a loaf of bread, whole wheat if you have it. Pinkie nodded rapidly. "Okay, let me get that for you." She bounced of the get the bread." Here you go, that will be three bits please. Oh, and don't be too hard on Locke, huh?" Spitfire chuckled as she payed, and left with a wave and Locke in tow. There was a few moments of silence after they left when suddenly... "OH! It was a sex joke!" Pinkie blurted out. Applejack sighed and rubbed her face while Rainbow laughed so hard she choked.
Chapter 5While Soarin, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash were rushing across town to save Locke from the wrath of an angry Ex. He was dealing with his own issues a little differently. He was still in bed listening to the footfalls that were ascending the stairs. He looked at Pinkie. She grinned at him as she slowly walked back towards the door. She stepped outside the room and looked towards the stairs. “I’ll leave you two alone now.” Pinkie said with a little wink as she walked out of the room and, assumedly, down the stairs. Locke looked toward the door as he sat up pondering who it could be. The answer did not make him happy. Spitfire strolled in to the room and stopped just inside the door, a wicked grin on her face. “Hello Locke, did you miss me?” She asked coldly. Locke swallowed hard before stammering a response. “S-Spits, h-hey what are you d-doing here?” He stammered. She looked at him with cold vengeful eyes before leaping at him with a yell of pure anger. Locke screamed in terror as a response. Pinkie and her friends stood outside listening to the screams and crashes emanating from the house. “I think we might have made a mistake.”Pinkie said cringing at a particularly loud crash. Suddenly, one of the upstairs windows shattered and Locke came flying out it will a cry. He hit the ground hard and rolled a few feet before staggering upright. Spitfire leaned out the shattered window and cried… “You won’t get away from me that easy, Locke.” Spitfire shook her fist at the dazed young man before dashing away from the window. Locke whimpered in fear before staggering into a run. He ran down the street as fast as he could. Just before he turned out of sight, Spitfire bust from out the front door and caught sight of him. She snarled and bolted after him. Pinkie and the others stood dumbfounded. “Yup, we definitely made a mistake.” Pinkie sighed. Locke was running as hard and as fast as he could. He could hear her a few hundred feet behind him as she shoved people out of the way. He stumbled slightly as he tripped over a discarded half apple. He righted himself and swiftly looked around for where he could hide. That’s when he saw him. Standing in an alley way, waving him over with urgency, was Spitfires’ teammate, Soarin. Locke didn’t want to but he ran toward Soarin. They had been friends before Locke left, surely He wouldn’t turn Locke over to Spitfires’ wrath. “Soarin! What are you doing here?” Locke asked as he ran toward the other young man. “I’m here to try and save you from the horror that is an angry Spitfire.” Soarin replied. Locke felt that much happier knowing he had an ally. “I was being helped by two young women but I think I outran them by accident.” Locke looked at him questioningly. Soarin shook his head.”Ah well, come on we gotta go.” Locke and Soarin then took off down the alley. Spitfire stared down the alley way at the two fleeing figures. Her eyes narrowed and she frowned angrily. “Soarin…. I’ll get you for helping him.” She hissed through gritted teeth. She then began to chase after her prey once more. After almost ten minutes of running with no sign of Spitfire the two young men stopped in a crossroad of alleyways. They looked down each of the four paths Spitfire could come at them from, but saw nothing. They breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief “Heh, Ya’ know I thought she was gonna catch us there for a minute.” Soarin laughed between his gasps for air. Locke laughed along with him. “I know what you mean that was nerve-wracking.” Locke replied with a raspy laugh of his own. His laughter ended quickly, however, when he saw Spitfire race out of the alley behind Soarin like a demonic spirit. “SOARIN, LOOK OUT!!” Locke shouted pointing pass Soarin at the horror emerging from the darkness. Soarin turned, but it was too late Spitfire tackled him to the ground. Soarin reached out a hand to Locke. “RUN, YOU FOOL.” Soarin shouted to Locke. Locke turned and ran faster than he had all day driven on by the fear inspired by the pleas for mercy coming from behind him. He muttered an almost silent prayer for Soarins’ soul. Locke sat hiding behind a tree hoping that Spitfire was merciful to his old friend. He perked up instantly at the sound of someone coming towards his hiding place. He braced himself to run as the bushes not far from his tree rustled ever closer. Soarin stumbled out of the bushes dirty and a little battered looking. Locke was overjoyed to see his friend was alright for the most part. He ran over to his companion. “Soarin, you’re alive. How did you get away?” Locke asked as he looked Soarin over. “Heh, Spitfire told me she would get me after she got you. After all she knows where I work and live.”Soarin replied glumly. Locke felt bad for getting him in trouble. “But hey, I ran in to that Pinkie Pie girl and she agreed to hide you in her basement seeing as she caused all this.” Locke was a little nervous about accepting Pinkie’s help but he was desperate. “Alright then, lead the way, buddy.” Locke replied. The two of them slowly left the wooded area Locke was hiding in and made their way to the bakery, carefully. Soon the two of them strode into the bakery. With a brief nod to a relived looking Pinkie they made their way up to the counter. “Oh you’re okay! I was so worried. I didn’t know she would act like that, I’m so sorry.” Pinkie said apologetically. “Look Pinkie, right now I just want to hide until Spitfire leaves.” Locke said wearily. Pinkie nodded and showed them the way to the basement. Locke and Soarin descended the stairs in to the gloom. In the little light of the small hanging light bulb, there was a table and two chairs set up. Off to the side was a small standing tray of snacks. Locke sat in one of the chairs as Soarin went for the snacks. “Going immediately for the food, eh? Some things never change.” Locke chuckled. “Oh ha ha, do you want anything, smart ass?” Soarin replied. “Yeah, get me a beer.”Locke said. Soarin walked up behind Locke food in one hand beer in the other. He reached over Locke’s shoulder and plunked the beer down on the table. Locke was about to reach for the drink when the rope dropped over him. It tightened around his arms and torso before he could try to move. That’s when Spitfire stepped out of the shadows. Locke was shocked. “Good work, Soarin.”Spitfire said an evil grin on her face. “Yeah, yeah, just remember our deal ok?” Soarin replied. Soarin turned to the stairs and began to climb them. “Soarin, you pie-loving, traitorous bastard!” Locke spat angrily. Soarin turned back to Locke. “Sorry man, but it was you or me and when she offered to not hurt me for helping you by tricking you in to this trap, I went for it.” He said with just a hint of remorse. He then left the dark basement. “Well, well, well, Locke looks like it’s just you and me.” Spitfire cooed. Locke swallowed as she stalked toward him with a look of grim satisfaction.
