Fallout: Equestria- The Lone Rifleman
Sweet dreams
Previous ChapterNext ChapterChapter three: Sweet dreams
Trust.
Trust is something that I barely had with some people back home. Here, I have even less trust as it is every person or pony for themselves up to a point. But, sometimes you have to trust someone or somepony in order to do something great or evil depending on what you do. It is trust is what builds relationships and it is betrayal that destroys them.
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The next morning I woke up the book was in my face and drool going down my cheek and staining the paper. I sat up causing the book to fall on the floor making a dull thud on . I looked around to see that one of the ponies from last night were gone but, the other was still here and covered like a mummy. I swung around and planted my feet on the floor. I stretched my shoulders and yawned. I smacked my mouth and looked at my gear. My duster was hanging from the edge of the cot and my boots were on the floor one was fallen. I popped my fingers and neck before getting in my boots. I got up and placed on the gunbelt with my revolver in its holster around my waist and tightened it. I put on my duster covering most of my cloths and gunbelt. I grabbed my M77 strapping it across my back I took the carbine slamming a magazine inside then, charging the rifle chambering a round with a soft click. I moved my duster and check my .357 magnum. I swung out the cylinder and spun it whipping it back in with a click. I holstered it again. To finish it off I placed my hat on top of my head. I looked at my Pip-Boy smiling 11:24. “Just enough time to find the train.” I said to myself picking up the book and putting it back in my duster. “I really to find a bag or something cus this is getting ridiculous.”
I looked around the room once more My HUD only had four non-hostiles on it. I could tell that they were the ponies I was thinking of. One was running back and forth, one was just sitting still and the other was milling around. The forth one was the pony that was mummified with bandages. I dusted off my duster then, began to walk toward the door. It was closed and I just noticed a mirror. I was filthy and covered in grim mixed with blood on my skin. A faint scar from the round that grazed my cheek. I sighed and began to chuckle. “All I need is a pair of black mirror Aviators to complete this look.” I said grinning. I opened the door to the usual scene. Thorn earning her name by bugging Rose who was on her terminal typing away then, there was Cross who was now in the other room what looked like a store room. I smiled at this. I was fully geared up to kick some Slaver ass and save some ponies. I took one step…one and Thorn was on me like stink on a skunk.
“Parker I’m glad that you’re up!” She said hugging my leg.
I looked down at her “You say that every time I wake up from sleeping.” She looked up at me with sad puppy eyes that made me cave. I sighed and bent over rubbing her head. “I’m glad to see you walking normally.” I said getting a smile from her.
“Yeah, my dad used regeneration potions to heal my nerve endings.” I smiled patting her on the head.
“Be good now, I’m going to be gone for a while and I don’t know when I’ll be back.” She looked sad like she just lost her favorite toy. I sighed. “I’ll be sure to bring you something.” I said getting back up. I looked at Rose. “Hey, Rose do you know where the Train is?” I asked.
She sighed and turned in her swivel chair. “Yeah, I’ll show yeah. I need to walk around more often” She said getting up from her well used chair; stretching.
********
“That is a nice train.” I said looking over the train reminding me of the old west steam engine trains. There was flatcars and boxcars holding supplies for the Slavers. A red caboose in the back to stop the train in case of runaways or going down steep mountains and going around curves. Then, one passenger car that holds the ponies. That was going to an awkward ride there is anybody in there. What struck me odd are the four giant ponies about five feet tall and built like tanks were strapping themselves to the front of the train. Every so often one of them gave me an odd look. “Why are those ponies strapping themselves to the front of the train?” I asked looking down Rose.
She sighed looking back up at me. “They pull the train because we don’t have any coal for the engine to run off of but, they love to use the whistle. There are two teams of puller ponies that run the train. When the first team gets tired or needs water the other team takes their place. They use the caboose to stop the train when going down the mountains and when the teams trade places when pulling up the mountains.” She looked up at me. “Be careful when you are there. If you caught they will try to kill you or make you a slave. Make sure you get what you’re there for and get out. Ditzy has told me that the train ponies will stay there for about an hour to unload and load the trade goods and if they a gunfight they will leave. After that and you are not on the train you’re on your own. No back up nothing. Just…don’t make a scene. After that Ditzy says that she wants to call on her favor that you owe her.”
I chuckled. “That was fast.” I said to myself stepping forward towards the train. I turned to her just before climbing on. “I’ll be sure to bring back your sister in one piece I promise on my balls that I will.” I said making the yellow mare earn her name.
“Yeah, just go before I tell the sheriff. He doesn’t like it when ponies cause trouble with a dangerous town just over a mountain.”
I tipped with my hat. “In case you didn’t notice. I’m not a pony.” I said climbing on the 200 year old train. I was the only one in the car besides a hooded figure in the back of the car and seems to have a rectangular box wrapped in a blanket or cloth. More and likely a rifle or something but, I couldn’t tell.
I took a window seat and sighed. ‘This is going to be a long ride.’ I thought looking around for something to do. I decided to take out the Wasteland Survival guide again. “Alright, I was just at the end of mines.” I said flipping through the pages. I looked outside just as the train began to lurch forward. After a bit of just looking outside I was really surprised to how fast we are going. I mean we must be going about a good sixty miles per hour. “Not bad for some ponies.” I said to myself turning my attention back to the book in front of me.
After about an hour of reading I’ve learn quiet a few things. That I was right about the bombs 200 years ago. That there are also robots and automatic turrets in this world so I would have to be more careful when going into a building. I read the part about raiders. It turns out that they are usually on chems called Dash, Buck, and some other shit. I knew that I would stay away from that shit so I just skipped that part. Back on the raiders. They usually are on the chems. Their weapons range from anything from a rusty kitchen knife to a working missile launcher on rare occasions. I turned to the next page to see what other knowledge this book holds. The book revealed a Chapter on Slavers. I smiled and adjusted my hat. “Alright, now this is a chapter I could read.” I said pretty loud forgetting the buck in the back. The chapter was pretty short despite my enthusiasm. It said: ‘Slavers are known to have around 25 to 75 Slavers per camp on most occasions and well armed on every occasion. They don’t care who they hurt to get their slaves or ‘product’. Slaughtering entire towns to get the foals and other youthful ponies just for a profit. They are abusive and can not be reasoned with if you have something they want. In their camps they usually have one or more pins to house the slaves until they are sold or dead. Be warned to those who think that they can save the slaves. If you free any of their slaves especially those who have been already sold and awaiting shipment; The slavers will come after you and try kill you…Slowly. If they catch you and you messed with them; they will torture you, beat you just to an inch of your life. Then, they will sell you off into slavery. If you are still thinking you can take them on. Make sure you have plenty of ammo, medical supplies and friends with you because you will be outnumbered.’
I sighed closing the book and stuffing it back into my duster. I decided to look at the wanted poster again. “Alright, Snapper. Wanted Dead or Alive for illegal Enslavement, Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, and Assault on Security Guards of Tenpony Tower. Reward: 750 Caps. Last Known location: Old Appleloosa. Gender: Male. Race: Earth Pony. Color (Coat): Swamp Green. Color (Mane and tail): Bronze. Cutie Mark: Whip and skull…” ‘Cutie Mark? What in the hell is that?’ I thought looking at the poster more. “…Scars: three scars from jaw to bottom of neck. Umm, at least I know what he looks like.” I said folding it up and stuffing the poster back into my pocket. I looked outside to see that we were already going up the mountain. I sighed a little as the train moved along a cliff showing me a desolate wasteland with a thick cloud cover over head. It had a peaceful feel but, mixed with so much dread and death. The shells of cities that once according to the book once held millions of ponies. It gave me a bad feeling but, I couldn’t look away from a lone city in the distance.
“I wonder which city that is?” I mumbled to myself; the train passing the view and going into a tunnel. It got dark for a bit then, we got out revealing a small old western town. I smiled bringing up my rifles to my side. I charging my M77 getting up on my feet. “Looks like its go time.” I said strapping the rifle across my back and bringing up my carbine. I adjusted the stock so I could see the sights better and so it could feel better. I placed that back on the seat and took out my .357 and swung out the revolver seeing that I was loaded. Satisfied, I whipped the cylinder back in. I did a little spin and holstered it. The train slowly came to a stop then, I made my way to the back of the train; leaving the hooded buck behind me with the weird box. I stepped off the car to a part of a run down loading station. The town looked like it was made in a hurry. . But, it was in total ruins except for the large barn and a couple of the buildings that weren’t falling apart just by gravity.
I quickly moved behind the loading station just before several ponies with scars covering their faces boarding the train. I grin backing away from the station then, towards the town. I crept behind the buildings catching view of several ponies in barbing patrolling a chain linked fence with razor wire on top. I pressed my back against the wall as three fully armored ponies with what looks like a fucking mini-gun, a missile launcher, and a flamer. I looked at my gear and sighed. “I didn’t come really prepared for this.” I said checking my HUD ammo count. 24/48. ‘Alright full magazine for everything I have on me but, it’s not much. I’m going to have make every shot count.’ I lined up a shot with the carbine at the flamer when I saw a yellow mare and black mane near the slaver with the flamer. ‘Shit! She too close!’ I brought up my carbine with the barrel pointing to the sky. I noticed a door to the side of building that lead inside. I crept towards the door with the coast was clear. I softly pushed opened the door to reveal a office of some kind. I looked back and forth in the room seeing nothing on my HUD showing no signs of life in the room or any part of the building. I softly closed the door and locked it. I saw that there wasn’t anything worth looking through just an empty room full of crap. I saw a staircase going up the stairs making me bring up my carbine to my shoulder. I quickly went up the staircase and cleared the room. Nothing.
I saw a couple of desks with some pony skeletons sitting in the chairs slumped over the backs and over the desks. I sighed and shook my head. “Poor bastards.” I looked around the desk opening them only collecting a few bottle caps here and there. In one desk I found six round of 10mm. I shrugged and threw them into my duster. I was about to go back down stair when I saw something reflect the dust filled sunlight on the desk near the window. Curious, I decided to look at it. I bobbed and weaved between the desks towards my target. I was confused when I saw it. In a thick layer of dust and other crap a perfect snow globe of Appleloosa; it had a pony in a yellow and blue jumpsuit with a cowboy hat and gunbelt. Shrugging, I scooped up the snow globe and threw into my duster.
I quickly and quietly ran down stairs. I pressed my back against the wall cracking open the door just enough for me to look out. It was the same three slavers that were patrolling the pin. When they went around the building, I slipped outside and dashed across the alley. I crouched down looking back and forth down the single street. It was empty and quite except for the pin. ‘I don’t like this. There’s something going on.’ I thought seeing that it was clear dashing across the street in the alley one building away from the pin. I looked back at the pin and sighed. ‘I’ll get them on the way out.’ I thought making my way to the barn.
“Ok, you son of bitch where in the hell did you put my Buck!!! I said right before I kicked him in the stomach dropping him to the ground.” I heard a angry voice just to the side of me just in the alley next to the building. The voice was starting to come closer. I wasn’t thinking then, panicked. I looked straight ahead of me and saw the building’s front door was cracked open. I dashed jumping into the building closing the door with my foot just after I landed. “What was that?” the same voice from the alley said going by the door.
“I don’t know. Probably some ponies fucking. Don’t think on it too hard, hurts your head.” A feminine voice replied.
“You’re right. Lets get back to the boss’s party.” The buck said.
I was on the floor panting. “Goddamn it.” I mumbled.
“Took you long enough.” A male voice came from behind me scaring me making me draw my revolver. I looked at what I was aiming at. It was the hooded buck from the train.
I sighed decocking my revolver. “Don’t scare me like that. I almost shot you.” I said getting up and dusting off my duster. I holstered my weapon and picked up my carbine. The buck was sitting on a wooden rocking chair with the same box wrapped in the blanket leaning against the wall next to him.
“Sorry…” He said with a light chuckle. His face still being covered by his hood. “As an apology I will let you have whatever weapons in here.” He said gesturing toward an open weapons locker with the broken lock on the ground. I looked at it getting a big grin on my face. Even what very little there was. It still stocked with a lot of weapons, Rifles, pistols, and I think a missile launcher. I looked at the hooded buck tipping my hat. I went to the locker looking at the weapons. I saw only a few weapons I knew what they were and could use.
“Nice.” I said taking a 12.7mm pistol and five eight round clips including the one in the pistol; along with a fifty round box of 12.7mm and .357.
“Sorry but, there wasn’t any regular ammo for your carbine. It’s a popular round so it’s hard to find.” the hooded buck said when I was holding a metal apple. “You might want to handle that carefully because that’s a grenade.” He said making me get a big grin stuffing the grenade into my duster. He sighed as I was inspecting the 12.7mm pistol.
I locked open the slide of the 12.7mm checking the chamber and sighed. ‘Could use some repair but, still useful.’ thought sliding back in the clip and chambering a round. “You ever going to tell me your name?” I asked seeing the ammo section for anymore .308. I found a twenty round box and stuffed it into my duster pocket.
As I was doing this I heard a soft chuckle behind me. “You have a lot of room in that duster of yours.” The buck said taking off his hood.
“Yeah, it has carried a lot of things in the three years that I’ve had it. So, are you going to be gabbing or you going to tell me your name?” I asked stuffing the 12.7mm pistol in the back of my pants. I turned around to see that he was a gun metal grey unicorn. He had a large 10mm pistol levitating with the barrel pointing at my face.
“I’ll tell my name if you tell yours.” he said with a smirk. He had a black mane and a scar at the base of his neck and the rest of it was concealed by the clock as it went down. He had cold blue eyes that could kill or at least injure.
I just busted out laughing startling the pistol wielding buck. I wiped a tear from my face. “Really? You had to point a pistol to get me to say my name?” I asked looking at his shocked expression. “Sorry, I think that is just rude but, funny.” I sighed sticking out my left hand. “Name’s Parker Williams or but, I think that some ponies are going to start calling me the Lone Rifleman or some other bull shit. ” I said with a smile.
He cracked a smiled and put down the gun. He got off of the rocking chair and trotted to me. “Nice to meet you, Parker. I’m Silver Cloud.” he shook my hand. But, before I could react he had his pistol to my balls. “Now, I know that you are doing a bounty from your loud conversation with Ditzy Doo.” He said looking up with a wise grin. I raised an eyebrow. “I want in.”
“Why should I let you?” I asked getting the gun pressed harder on my balls.
“Because I’m the one with the gun pressing against your balls. Plus, you stick out like a sore fucking thumb around here. I just strolled into this building while you tried to be sneaky. If those guards weren’t drunk or high right now they would’ve found you and you would be filled with holes. That’s why.”
I sighed and looked at the gun at my balls. “Fine, we can split the bounty 50/50. Ok?”
He grinned “How about 40/60 and you sell their weapons.”
“How about 40/60 and I get to sell there weapons and you help me free the slaves.”
He studied me for a moment or two then, taking the pistol off my balls. “Alright, buddy we got ourselves a deal.” he holstered the pistol looking at my gear that I had. “You really didn’t come prepared for this did you?” he asked well knowing the answer. I shook my head. “Well, perhaps I can help you.” He said going to the arms locker where I got the 12.7mm pistol. “It won’t be much but, it will be better then, what you have arms wise.” After about a minute looking through the ammo case he took two assault rifle magazines filled with ammo.
“Hey, I thought you said they didn’t have any ammo for my carbine?” I said while he levitated me four of the magazines.
“You owe me for this but, all I said was regular ammo. The boss around here keeps the good stuff for himself. He has hidden away a good five boxes of armor piercing ammo.” He said as I placed the last magazine into the ammo pouches in my duster. I only had two empty pouches left. I decided to place the spare mags of the 12.7mm into one and the grenade into the other.
“Armor piercing?” I asked taking one of the mags and slamming into the carbine. I chambered a round. My HUD next to the ammo counter said AP.
“Yes, Armor piercing. It will defeat most armor including Power armor on most occasions unless you are facing a juggernaut or something then you’re fucked.” Cloud said taking out five more mags then, sticking them into a chest rig that he made into whatever armor he is wearing. “Alright, we good to go. They’re having a party for their boss’s birthday in the barn so most of them are in one place. I suggest that you make use of your long rifle there and make a distraction.” He said taking out the box and laying it on the floor. “When they are scrambling I will take out the target and make sure that the slaves and foals are good to go. Just keep them scrambling by shooting their high command. As I mean the ones ordering everypony around. Any objections?” He said unwrapping the blanket from the plastic box.
I raised my hand. “One, the moment that there is shooting is the moment the train leaves us. How are we going to get the slaves out safely?”
That made him rub his chin. He thought for a moment and looked at bag of white plastic looking stuff with wire all over it. “We could black mail them?” He said pointing to a bag next to the rocking chair.
“How?” I asked.
“We could wire the C4 to the foundation of the barn after we take out the sentries guarding the pin and foals. After we have secured the slaves onto the train we kick open the door then, politely ask for Snapper maybe some caps. If they try to pull anything blow the place on top of them. Then, scaving for Snapper’s body. That sound good?”
“Yeah, that doesn’t sound too bad. lets do it.” I said going to the door opening it with a mission.
********
“Ok, when they come over shoot the Flamer’s tanks engulfing them in flames their weapons shouldn‘t go off but, the ammo has a fifty-fifty chance of going boom.” Cloud whispered with both of us peering around the corner of the building behind the slave pin; the guards are making their rounds terrorizing the slaves in the process. “When the slavers from the loading dock come to put out the flames, I’ll shoot them. Got it?” I didn’t respond as I got down on one knee and took out my carbine. I lined up the sights when the Flamer Slaver came around the pin corner. The two others were still around her. I made sure that they weren’t near the slaves when I took the shot. I took a deep breath and concentrated then, went into VATS. I focused on the weapon’s tank. I smiled when I saw that I had an 90% chance of hitting it. I qued two shots and let VATS go. I fired twice. One went wide hitting the dirt in front of them making the guards stop looking around for where the shot came from. The second one hit the tank causing all three of them to be engulfed in flames.
There screams of agony reached the sky as their skin and flesh melted under the flames. The smell made me gag some. I saw that Flamer’s dot was gone then, a second one. But, the third one was fading in and out. “HEELP PLEASE!!!” He was screaming and sure enough one hostile reading came. I retreated behind the building just time for the scene to unfold.
“That the fuck happened!?!” The loader yelled trying to put out the flames by stomping out the flames with his hoofs. “I knew that Flamer would be a bad idea but, Nooo. Nope listens to Soap.” We heard him sigh. “I need to just raid the armory and mess then, get the hell out of here. I didn’t even want to be a slaver, I wish I can just get out of this job.” Once he said that his indicator went green.
I looked at Cloud just as he was getting ready to dispatch the loaders with a suppressed marksmen carbine. “Hey, don’t shoot the one stomping out the flames.” I whispered looking at the young buck about from what I can tell about this world and its weird aging thing; he is my age maybe a year older. “His friend and Foe indicator on my pip-boy says his isn’t hostile.”
Cloud just looked up at me with a raised eyebrow. “You sure?” I nodded towards him making him go back on the rifle.
“Yeah, I feel generous today. But, you can take out his friends, I don‘t give a shit about them.” I said looking over Cloud.
“What’s going on here, Soup?” One of the other three Slavers said coming from behind him looking down at their three charred friends.
“I don’t know, sir. All I saw was the Flamer going up in flames and killing all three of them.”
The one that was talking to Soup looked irritated. “I don’t give a shit. Why in the hell are their bodies still here!?” He yelled back hoofing Soap making him fall onto the ground. “I don’t know why the boss took a liking to you and freed you but, I don’t give two holy flying monkey shits about you. Get these bodies out of here and make sure then, gather any weapons and gear that hasn’t been burnt to a crisp then, put them back into the armory.”
I tapped Cloud on the shoulder. “Take that asshole first.” I whispered getting a suppressed shot as a response. The asshole fell on the ground dead with a single hole in the chest where his heart is.
The other two looked at the body wondering what just happened. “Spoon? You ok?” He got a bullet to the face for an answer.
The other one freaked out then, starting to run toward the barn. “Oh, we got ourselves a runner.” Cloud said to himself shooting down the Slaver like a dog.
The entire time Soap was standing there shocked and frozen in fear. I took a deep breath smiling then, walk out from the corner into view. He looked at me and was shocked again. “Hello, Soap. I heard that you wanted to get out of here and your wish is here by granted.” I said going to the light blue buck’s eye level. “But, you are going to have to do something for me.”
He stared at me; his eyes filled with fear “W…What?” he was starting to shake.
I smiled and patted him on the head. “Three things.” I said holding up three finger of my right hand. “One, I want you to release the slaves and foals. Two, I want you to get them on the train. Three, get on the train yourself and leave this place. That’s all.”
“Y…Yes, sir.” he stuttered out. Going though the charred bodies of the three sentries. It took him a moment but, he found the keys to slave pin. He ran and began to do his thing.
I looked to my right just in time to see Cloud trotting right next to me with his Marksmen Carbine slung around his neck. He was looking at Soap who was releasing the slaves from what looks like explosive collars. “Are you sure that we can trust him?”
One by one they began the slave began to wobble out. Most of them were weak using each other for support. All of them had severe scars across their backs some of which were still bleeding. I sighed. “No, I’m not. But, in order to build trust you have to trust them.”
I noticed that all of them were adults. I looked at Soap as he finished with the last slave the yellow mare with black mane. Rose’s sister. I walked up to her as she limped out. She was wide eyed when she saw me. She fell onto the ground shaking with her legs over her head. “Please don’t hurt me.” Her back was criss crossed with whip lashes some were still bleeding. It made me sick to see this but, I had to control myself.
I sighed again and began to pet her mane. She opened her eyes in surprise. She looked up with teary eyes. “Don’t be afraid. Your sister Rose sent me from New Appleloosa to get you.”
“Rose…She remembered me.” she said in disbelief as if she didn’t think she would be saved.
I smiled withdrawing my hand. “Of course. She’s your sister. Now get on the train before the fireworks start.” I said getting up. She looked up at me then, Cloud. Cloud nodded. she limped away towards the loading station along with the rest of the slaves. I looked around for Soap to make sure that he was good. But, when I got to what looked like an old sheriffs station I saw the door get kicked out. I saw Soap letting out malnourished and injured fillies and colts outside. Soap looked at me with fearful eyes. I nodded towards him and he ran with the foals toward the train. I tell you there was about twenty five foals and maybe thirty adults. “That train is going to be packed.”
Cloud looked up at me. “I know it will. But, we still have business to attend to like making our caps.” He said beginning to trot down the main road with his saddle bags filled with C4. We ran to the barn like our asses were on fire. It took us about ten minutes to set the C4 in the proper places.
The sounds of partying and bar fights could be heard as me and Cloud met at the barn doors. “Ready to kick some ass?”
He smiled and faced the door. “Is water wet?”
“Yeppy kiiiii ya MOTHERFUCKER!!!!” I yelled kicking in the front door making the sounds of the party stop dead. They all stared at us with my carbine in my hand. It was total silence except for a glass bottle breaking on the floor. “Hello, bitches! Daddy’s home!” I yelled. As if I shot someone they all pulled their guns on us. The sounds of lasers charging, rifles being loaded, etc.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” Cloud said with a sadistic smile waving a detonator. “This detonator is linked to six enchanted blocks of C4! The moment I press this trigger or if it is shot the explosives will make the entire building come down on top of you assholes…” Cloud paused to look up at the ceiling seeing assortment of hooks, beams and a hell of lot heavy objects. “And from what I can tell from tell there are a lot of heavy object that would kill every single one of you!!” he yelled.
The slavers looked at each other then, one by one they began to put down their weapons. A big old black buck with a grey beard that looked like he got in a fight with a Mr. Gutsy fighting robot from his burns and scratches on his face came up to the front of the group. “What the fuck do you assholes want that you want to ruin my birthday!!!” he yelled sending spit in my face.
I wiped the spit off my face with my hand. “First of all. Say it don’t spray it.” I cleared my throat. “Second, we are here for two things.” I said holding my two fingers One, Snapper. He is wanted for several charges from the Tenpony security force.” I said taking down one finger.
The old buck sighed. “Is that all you want?!” He said looking at us as if we’re crazy.
“No. Second, I want five thousand caps for me and my colleague here.” Gesturing to me and Cloud.
The buck glared at me and sighed. “Is that all?” He growled flicking his head toward us then, two large brown bags with the aid of levitation fell in front of us.
I looked at a Mare with a pair of mirror black aviators. “I would like her shades.” Pointing at the mare who was surprised at the request.
She looked back and forth looking at who I was pointing at then, when she realized I was pointing at her she yelled “I’m not giving my damn glasses to that what ever the hell that thing is!!” Pointing back at me.
The boss looked at her with some irritation. “Are you seriously questioning to the ponies who happen to have us by the balls?!”
“If you haven’t noticed, I don’t have balls. But, fine.” She said throwing the glasses at me. I caught them and placing them on my face darkening my view. I then, picked up one of the heavy bags and placed it into Cloud’s saddle bag. Cloud was grinning when the weight of the caps pulled on his side. I took the second one and put it into my caps pocket in the inside of my duster.
“There happy?” The boss said his voice starting to get more irritable. “But, seriously one of my most horrible employees?” The buck said turning around to the group. “Send that lazy good for nothing dipshit up here so these guys can get out of here and we can continue partying!” He turned back to us, the sounds of scuffling and duct tape came from behind him in the group. “You’re lucky that it’s my birthday or I would have had you guys shot on the spot.” he said the smell of alcohol came off his breath in waves making me wave my hand in front of my nose..
“Tic-tac?” I muttered. We waited for a moment before Snapper was thrown out of the crowd with his hoofs and mouth tapped together with duct tape. I took out the wanted poster and checked the description. “Yup, this is our guy.” I said swinging my carbine across my back and picked up the heavy hog tied buck then, put him over my shoulders like a sack of potatoes. “Thanks, I was glad I didn’t have to shoot up the places.” I said stepping back.
The boss glared at me. “The only reason I’m giving you that limpdick is that he is lazy and he has a drug problem messes with profit. Plus, he takes more profit then, you did in one week.” The moment he said that it made me cringe tighting my grip on snapper’s leg making him make muffled scream of pain. “Besides, if the tenpony tower ponies want him then, I don’t want to mess with that. Just be glad that I didn’t shoot you on sight. So now that you have him give me the detonator so we can disarm the C4.” He said gesturing for us to give him the detonator.
I looked at cloud who was smiling. “Give it too him. We’ve got what we need.” I said turning around beginning to walk away.
“Fine.” He said dropping the detonator and kicking it over. “Just don’t press the shiny red button underneath.” He said catching up with me.
We walked for until we made sure they were out of ear shot. “You gave them a fake trigger didn’t you?” I said walking with the train in sight.
“Yup.”
“You are going to blow them up the moment this train leaves aren’t you?”
“What gave it away?”
I rubbed my chin getting closer to the loading station. “Well, you have another detonator sticking out of your saddle bag and two you were on the train for a different reason besides the bounty. I knew that nobody that was within earshot when I was speaking to Ditzy. There wasn’t anybody in the store either. You just got the idea of making me join you for the bounty when I was reading the wanted poster out loud. What you really wanted to do was save the slaves and take out the slavers in one fail swoop, didn’t you?”
That made Cloud just stare at me when I continued. “That’s why you didn’t put more a fight when we were negotiating the bounty split when I said that I wanted you to help free the slaves. I’ve been in this wasteland for about a day and half maybe and I already know that most ponies try to get what they want for less.” I looked down at Cloud as we were hopping onto the loading station. I tipped my hat. “I may be an idiot but, I’m perspective.” I looked at the passenger car and it was filled to the brim. There was no room for me and Cloud. The foals were sitting on the seats comforting each other along with the adults who are sitting on the floor. I couldn’t imagine what they went through. I looked at Cloud was thinking about something. “Cloud.” I said softly nudging him with my leg.
He was snapped out of what ever thought he was in. “Huh, What?” he said looking up.
“It looks like we are sitting in the caboose with out little friend here.” I said adjusting Snapper. I looked at the red caboose and sighed. I climbed on followed by Cloud. The moment that we got on the train lurched forward then, began to speed up. I opened the door to see that a few of the Slaves who decided to hunkering down inside. This gave me an idea. I turned to Cloud who was behind me. “Hey, Cloud we aren’t going to be in the caboose. My friends here are going to have some fun.” The slaves looked at me for a bit then, turned to look at the floor.
Cloud looked at the slaves then, at Snapper. “Alright, that’s cool with me.”
“Hey, guys.” I said getting their attention once again. “Do you recognize this guy?” I said turning to give them the view of Snapper. All of them glare at him with unquenchable rage and hatred. I smiled when I saw this. “Here, this is a present from us to you.” I said throwing him on the metal floor with a dull thump. Snapper moaned in pain from the sudden hit. The slaves continued to look at him with unimaginable rage. “You can beat the shit out of him if you want. I don’t care just make sure that he is a live alright. I don‘t care if you break his legs, his nose and smash his teeth in. Just make sure he lives.” I said tipping my hat. I put my hand on the handle just as the slaves got up and started to surround the Slaver who was screaming muffled screams of mercy. “Have at him.” I said closing the door shutting off any noise coming out. I didn’t want to hear that but, they deserve to have a little revenge.
I looked behind me the flatcar was moved back on for some odd reason. The train was starting to go up the mountain. Holding onto the rails I followed them to the back of the caboose. When I got there I saw that Cloud was sitting against the back of the caboose. I smiled. “You do want to send them farewell present?” I asked Cloud.
He got a wicked grin. “Yeah, and you are going to be glad you got those shades. There nice by the way.”
I adjusted them. “Thanks, now give them a proper send off!” I yelled sticking out my arm and pointing my finger to the sky.
“Sweet Dreams motherfuckers!!” Cloud said calmly pressing the trigger. A large explosion rocked the town sending the barn and train station into the sky in splinters and flames.
I raised an eyebrow at the station blowing up. “When did yo-”
“Oh, that? I did that before I met you. You might want to hold onto something.” Cloud said scooting up and hugging the railing. I followed his lead by sitting down and hugging the rails with my feet just above the rails. Then, about a second later a huge force of air hit the train nearly making it go off the tracks. I held onto my hat the moment that it tried to go with the wind. When it was over a huge smoke stack coming from where once a barn and station once stood. From where I was I could only see maybe ten or so figures that were starting to move around then, scattering.
“Well…Damn.” I said taking off my shades. I looked at the smoke stack that was at least ten stories up now. “Well, ponies are going to be seeing that for a while.” Then, after a brief moment a message appeared on my HUD. ‘Unity Infamy Gained!’ I looked at Cloud who was now sitting against the side of the caboose getting ready for a nap. “Hey, Cloud.” I yelled over the sounds of rocks hitting steel. He looked over at me with a raised eyebrow. “What’s Unity?” I asked thinking it wasn’t anything big.
My thoughts were quickly dashed by his expression. Total fear. “What did you say?” His voice clearly shaken and filled with fear.
I raised an eyebrow. “What’s Unity? Because my Pip-Boy says that we got some Infamy from blowing up the Slavers.”
Cloud without warning slammed the back of his head against the side of the caboose. “Celestia fucking damn it!! Why didn’t I think that they could be with fucking Unity!?!” he slammed his head again.
I was starting to get concerned with Cloud when I saw blood trickling down his neck. “What the fuck is wrong?!” I exclaimed almost jumping towards him.
Cloud rubbed the back of his head then, looking back at his blood covered hoof sighing. “We are fucked. That’s what’s wrong.” flicking some of the blood off of his hoof.
I walked on the unstable platform of the rust covered caboose and sat next to Cloud. “Tell what is Unity?”
He looked at me with fear filled eyes. “Unity is something that you don’t want to mess with. Unity is one of the most powerful groups in the entire wasteland. Barely anypony survives their attacks and the ones that do don’t last very long from disfigurement and blood loss.” he looked at me. “Let just prey to Celestia and Luna that we don’t get found by those freaks of nature. But, that is all we can do for the moment.” He said flaring his horn and enveloping his head in his blue aura. I looked with curiosity at what is his doing. Little by little the blood started to stop. When it stopped completely his magic evaporated. He looked at me with a smug grin trying to hide his fear of Unity. “Minor healing spell.” he said setting his head against the caboose looking up at the sky; his marksmen carbine is across his lap.
Sighing, I placed my hat over my eyes to take a nap when the sweat on my neck started to form. “Fuck me!” I exclaimed looking behind us; where a large amount of hostiles appeared on my HUD. I got to my feet making Cloud look up at me with confusion.
“What’s wrong?” he asked getting the sound of gunfire coming toward us. A few bullets hitting the back of the caboose.
“That’s what’s wrong!” I yelled grabbing my carbine pulling back on the action then, letting it snap closed. I took out the magazine checking the ammo count. 22/98 AP is what it said on my HUD for the ammo count. I reinserted the magazine then, adjusting my duster. “Get ready for a fight! Cus here it comes!!” I roared firing at what looks like a griffin. I fired three times. Two shots struck; one hitting the lower torso and the other the joint on a wing. It fell to the ground screaming in pain. “Please don’t tell me that was a griffin!” I screamed firing on a couple of Slaver ponies on the ledges above us. Several shots found there marks sending the attackers plummeting to their deaths if the shots weren’t enough.
“I don’t know what to tell you then.” I heard suppressed shots from behind me. I turned to see several Slaver ponies laying on the flatcar dead. “Where are they coming from!?” I heard him yell narrowly dodging several bullets that we meant for him.
“I don’t know but, just keep them from getting to the passenger car!” I yelled back firing a salvo of 5.56mm death at a griffin that landed on the roof of the caboose. “Three on your eight!” I yelled at him getting several shots in response, the Slavers dropped.
“Thanks!”
I turned firing on a couple of griffins that managed to get on the flatcar until my rifle ran dry. I quickly switched to my .357 and fanned the hammer four times dropping the last stubborn griffin. Bullets were grazing me in every which way. “Reloading! Cover me!” I yelled with a grin on my face for some odd reason. I let free the empty mag pulling out a fresh one and slamming it in to my carbine. I released the bolt flipping the safety of the carbine one flip farther making me discover the fun switch. I got a grin on my face putting the stock to my face and fired on a single pony that was about to shoot Cloud. I fired a rapid three round burst killing him. The number of Red dots kept creeping up towards the passenger car. “Cloud, go to the passenger car now and protect the ponies!!” I roared sprinting across the shell covered platform toward Cloud; firing a full auto burst on a Slaver that was dropped off by a griffin. The slaver caught a couple of bullets but, kept firing on us. I fired again catching a bullet to the left shoulder. Pain roared through my shoulder. Ignoring it I put my sights on the slaver and fired a five round burst. He finally dropped his blood starting to pool and shift with the train.
“What about you!?” he yelled over the gunfire that was starting to eat away at us.
“Just go! I’ll be fine!!” I exclaimed pushing him toward the car. He looked at me with confusion. “Just fucking go!” I yelled kneeling firing a couple of ponies on top of the car. I took off my M77 rifle and shoved it into his side. “Take this if you run out of ammo for your rifle!”
“I won’t go without you!” he yelled back refusing to go. Grabbing the rifle in his aura.
I grabbed him by the collar of his robe, sending his face just a few inches away from mine. “We don’t have fucking time for this. Those ponies are defenseless and we are being shot at us!” I paused shooting a three round burst into a griffin that trying to attack us from the air. The griffin fell off the train and a cliff. I reloaded looking Cloud after he just killed another slaver that got on top of the passenger car. “Now fucking go!!” I yelled picking him up and throwing him at the door just before I got shot in the chest several times my duster absorbing the lead but, not the impact. I dropped to the ground gasping for breath pain shooting through my chest making it hard to breath. Cloud got up from his flight and crash then, looked at me with concern. I got on one knee firing the last two shots of the .357 dropping a Slaver that landed next to me from the caboose. Cloud tried to step forward but, I stopped him. “I’m fine! Just protect the ponies and worry about me later!” I got back on my feet again just in time for a griffin making a run at me in the air. I brought up my carbine up but, the griffin knocked it out of my hands with a swipe of its talons sending the carbine over the railing down a cliff that we were going by. “Oh come o-” The griffin tackled me to the metal floor trying to claw out my eyes before I could finish my witty remark. We began to tear away at each other. I was punching the griffin in the face, chest and any where I could get a hit on. The griffin was literally tearing away at me with its talons. My blood was staining my duster on the inside from multiple wounds and punctured bruises. After a brief and fruitless effort I was finally pinned to the ground just barely keeping the griffins beak away from my face with my boot. I had the claws wrapped entangled with my hands. Then, the train took a sharp right turn making both us started to roll towards the left near the edge of the flatcar and cliff. I using the momentum when we were on our sides I used my other foot to kick the griffin the chest sending it over the edge.
When the train straightened out the griffin came flew back from the fall then, when he was a good ten feet above me; he dive bombed me. In a split second I drew my 12.7mm pistol and went into VATS. Time slowed to a crawl; the griffin was close enough that I could see my reflection in its rage filled eyes. I had a 95% of hitting the griffin’s head. I cued up five shots taking a mental deep breath before letting go of VATS; letting the machine take control. I fired five times turning the head into a bloodbath of gore and brains that covered me. the momentum of the dive bomb hit me knocking me to the ground and pinning me. I felt several bone snap from the impact sending a fresh wave of pain through me making me yelp. I was breath heavily and was sore; blood was starting to pool around me from different parts of my body, pain was making my body numb but, I had to get up or I was going to die. Using as much strength as I possible could use, I shoved the heavy corpse from on top of me and fall off of the train and cliff. I got on one knee to catch my breath. I looked at Cloud who had three magazines on the ground with bullet casings littered the ground around him with bodies of slavers everywhere around him. His rifle’s muzzle was smoking from the rabid firing. He looked at me with a big grin and I nodded in response. With the break in the fight for the moment I looked at my HUD; surprised to see the number of hostiles was dwindling. I smiled but, I realized that let guard down too soon when another griffin tackled me throwing us both off the ledge. I was in free fall with the griffin pushing me to the ground. The wind was blowing my duster around and making my hat fly off going off into the wind revealing my brown hair. I was now in the griffins territory and I thought that I was going to die but, I wasn’t going die without a fight as I doubt that fate would give ma a third chance at life.
It was starting to claw at me tearing through my duster’s armor with ease starting to draw more and more blood. After about a second, I grabbed the left claw with my left hand pushing him to my right making his side venerable; I brought the 12.7mm to his side with my right hand and fired twice making him roar in pain and starting fall freely. With his claw still in my hand I brought him close then, I head butted the griffin making it lose even more control. Using momentum I grabbed onto his back. Just before he could roll me off and regain control; I grabbed his wings and pulled making his screech in pain again for a few more moment before we hit the ground. The force of the impact sent me flying across pavement scraping me and what‘s remaining of my duster. I rolled and tumbled until I came to a full stop. Pain was flooding in every part of my body, and I couldn‘t move for the most part. My HUD was flashing red again with the urgent messages.
“No…” I muttered slowly reaching my hand into my duster pain shooting up my pain in every movement screaming at me just to stop. I found the right pocket feeling for the stimpaks. I felt one of them grabbing it; I then, jerked my hand out then, plunging the needle into my side and pressing on the plunger with what little strength I had left. The minor relief came when my ribs snapped back together and healed; along with the scraps and some of the bruises healed fully. “I’m not going to die here.” I said to myself with the messages were starting to disappear.
********
I ripped open my eyes and looked around to see that I was in the same place. Several vultures were circling above me. I looked down at my Pip-boy and was shocked at the time. 5:16. “Fuck, I fell asleep for two hours? And I didn‘t get robbed and killed, how about that.” I said to myself scratching my head reminding me that I lost my hat, saddening me a little. The pain was still there but, duller then, before.
When a little strength that gain from the nap, I used my knee as a crutch; I got up on my two feet and popping my neck. “This walking ain’t going to do itself.” I said following the road adjusting my duster. For about thirty minutes later I came upon a what looks like a pile up of metal wagons and what appears to be buses. I moaned again beginning to make my painful trek around the crash. I walked between the wagons and buses with my hands in my duster pockets. My legs were aching from the landing and parts of my torso are bruised from the gunshots that the stimpak didn’t fix. I came to an old abandoned bus that was tipped over with all windows busted in. I didn’t pay much mind to it until I heard a growling noise then, was sounded like squishing flesh.
Curious, even when I’m half dead; I walked up to the tipped over bus and looked inside through the windshield. I wish I hadn’t for what I saw horrified me making me recoil in disgust. There was ten or eleven ghouls feasting away at a dead pony merchant inside. It was a fresh kill there was several dead ghouls inside and some on the outside with a couple of magazines littering the ground along with bullet casings. I nearly vomited at the sight but, I just dry heaved catching the attention of a couple of them. Just looked at me baring their rotting teeth then, came sprinting at me with a awful growl. Using VATS I killed both of them but, once they were down my HUD was picking up readings all around me. I looked to see Ghouls crawling out of the wreckage. “Goddamn it.” I barely muttered. Then, with energy that I thought I didn‘t have I was starting to sprint like my ass was on fire. The ghouls were popping up everywhere. I was bobbing and weaving through the wreckage dodging ghouls in every which way; my feet and legs were telling me to stop and take a rest But, my brain was saying get your fat lazy ass out of here so I don’t get eaten by ravenous ghouls! I followed my brain. I looked to my right to see a small wall of wreckage. I jumped up on a hood using momentum to jump on top of the small wall about six feet tall. I took the time to take a few shots killing a few but, more and more kept appearing from the gunshots. I would long run out of ammo before I could kill them all. So, I made the only rational decision: I fucking ran. I looked behind me to see that the ghouls were climbing over the wall with ease along with the ones now appearing out of the wrecks most of them covered in black blood making me sick a little. I run until I saw a bridge that was still somewhat intact except for the gapping hole about ten feet wide and getting wider from corrosion. “God fucking damn it!” I yelled sprinting to the remains of a bridge that went once went over a large riverbed.
I stopped at the edge of the bridge looking behind me at the hoard of feral ghouls. “Fuck this shit.” I murmured sprinting with what little energy I had left. When I was at the edge I jumped making the stupid mistake of looking down. It was a good hundred feet off the ground on solid bedrock and rusted old wagons. Realizing that I wouldn’t make it by doing a hop skip and jump; I reached out with my hand hoping for the best… and it did. My hand hit the hard pavement and concrete jolting my arm with a stinging sensation, a hot liquid crimson began to trickle down my arm from my hand. I reached out with my other hand grabbing onto the ledge. I was hanging there for a moment then, with a burst of the last remaining energy I pulled myself up onto the bridge. I flopped down in the spread eagle exhausted and tired. I looked to my left to see the ghouls running over the edge plummeting to their doom. “Thank…God.” I rested there for a moment gathering what remaining strength I had left. When I gathered enough energy to get onto my wobbly and aching feet and sighed. I had my hands on my knees resting from the sudden five hundred yard dash. I looked at the ghouls again; they were still going over the edge. It was breaking my heart to see how many lost souls turned into monsters like but… “There are some things that are just the way they are.” I said dusting off my newly holed duster but, for the most part it’s fine. I looked at the position of where the sunlight is coming from to see that I had about an hour and half of sunlight left. I looked at my compass and saw that there was a blank arrow underneath my compass. I raised an eyebrow at it. I looked back at the time 6:07 PM. I sighed and flipped to the DJ-PON3 station to see what’s new around the wasteland.
“HEEEEEELLLLLLLLOOOOOOO, everypony! This is DJ-PON3 as always I’m broadcasting from tenpony tower giving you the news no matter how much it hurts. Today’s weather includes chances of death with partial dismemberment! Now, for the five day forecast! Now, for the real news. Everypony, you all remember that human that appeared a couple days ago that kicked raider ass? I do too. It appears that he went on a rescue mission saving a total of 59 ponies from the Old Appleloosa slavery camp. Mind you that half of these ponies were foals. But, don’t fret as if he would leave the slavers alone when was rescuing. From the reports of only about seven survivors, he and a colleague had planted enchanted blocks of C4 on the barn and train station of Old Appleloosa. They demanded three things. One was a Slaver by the name of Snapper that was wanted by our very own Tenpony Security Force. Two, was five thousand caps that was split between them half of which was used for the slaves for housing in New Appleloosa. Three, and get this a pair of black mirror Aviators that the human thought was cool. The boss that was alive at the time was celebrating his birthday when the explosives went off that’s how The Lone Rifleman and his colleague got the drop on them. Now, that is some smarts. But, I do have some bad news regarding the Rifleman. On the train ride by they were attacked by Unity Raiders and griffins. One of said griffins tackled the Rifleman just after he had a fistfight and killed another griffin; They were sent over the side and off a cliff. There is a high chance that he didn’t make it. Yet, another pony or person that died while trying to make a difference. But, Lone Rifleman if you are listening to this and are still with us. I give you props because you are now the toughest SOB that I know now. If you are ever in the neighborhood come and I would love to talk to you as would the rest of my listeners. Now, that is the news. Here is a song that just gives us hope for survival. It was written and sung by sweetie bell when a friend of hers gave his life so that somepony else could live.” After he said that music that sounded sweet and uplifting but, it had a dark undertone that made you want to continue on. I did just that, I continued on towards the arrow by following the road for about an hour listening to the songs that radio filled my ears. It was nearly dark with the sun setting in my face and the moon rising to my back. I could feel the cold that start to creep up towards me and trying to engulf me. I stopped right in front of the once great farm.
There was about a good fifty acres of land that was fenced. The arrow pointed at the house. I looked at the windows that were amazingly still intact. Just looking around with the darkness that was now starting to engulf me, I started to see lights in the windows. I took a deep breath keeping my pistol close. “Just hope they’re the friendly type.” said hoping but, I doubt it. The moment that I got off the rode my Pip-boy said ‘New location discovered! Littlestrong heart’s farm!’ “Ok…That’s good to know.” I said slowly limping towards the front door. I knocked on the door and then, the sounds of hoofs on wood floor.
I leaned closer to the door and I could hear voice’s. “Honey, grab the kids and go upstairs in the spare bedroom. I’m going to see who it is. If you hear gun shots make sure that you lock the door until you are sure that they are gone.” A male voice said just before the sound of a break open shotgun closing. I gulped. The door was slowly opened to reveal a olive green buck with a light orange mane about the age of thirty with a small tobacco pipe in his mouth. He looked at me with shock and fear. “Y…You are the human that DJ-PON3 keeps telling us about.” he said dropping the pipe from his open mouth. “What do you want?” he said his left side was tensing.
I raised my arms in the air, my duster’s sleeves falling a little showing the scars that I got from the griffins but, showing that I meant no harm. “I’m just here for some rest. I’ve had a long day.” I said my eyes were starting to get heavy and tired. “Please.” I said.
The buck thought about this and nodded. I smiled but, before I could take a step inside. “I will let you in on one condition.”
“Ok?”
“You are to give me any weapons that you have on you until you leave. Do you accept?” He asked.
“Yes, I do.” Pushing away my duster revealing my pistol. I grabbed it and handed it to him butt first. He grabbed with his mouth making me cringe at the thought of having to do that but, I held my composer.
“Comm omm inmm.” He said his voice muffled by my pistol. I stepped into the old farm house. It reminded me of…home. I lived in a farm house for better part of my teenage life and it looked really close to my house. I stood in the hallway waiting for the buck to come back. I looked back and forth seeing every part of the hallway. There was three entrances to different rooms of the house along with a staircase that goes upstairs to the rooms at the end of the hallway. After about a minute or two, the buck came back without my pistol. He was still kind of skittish that I was here but, he was a little more calm then, before knowing that I didn’t have any weapons. “Come on we are just about to have dinner before you arrived.” He said waving me to a dinning room where two unicorn fillies sat what looked like twins both of them had teal colored coat with brown eyes with bronze colored manes and tails. What threw me off was that one was bigger then, the other looking maybe about a year or two older plus, they seem to be the only ones that were excited to see me as they stared at me with fascination. The mother a light brown unicorn with the darker mane and tail was sitting on a wooden dining room chair looking at me with absolute fear and uncertainty.
They all were staring at me like was a monster that was about to kill them. “Umm, I’m glad that your husband let me stay here tonight ma’am.” I said looking at the mother who was snapped out of her trace and surprised that I had manners.
She was hesitant for a moment before speaking. “Yes, we heard about you on the radio. I think that it was wonderful how you saved all of those ponies. But, how in Equestria did you survived that fall?” She asked flaring her horn opening a seat at the end of the table . “Why don’t you take a seat and we can talk a little.” She said looking at me then, her husband. “Wood, get our guest something to eat. He must be starving after the long day he has had.”
I stopped him tiredly. “I’m good ma’am maybe in the morning but, right now…” I said almost passing out right then, and there; falling onto one knee. The mother squeaked along with the rapid gasp of concern.
“Are you alright?” Wood said using his shoulder to help me up.
I got up on my wobbly feet with Wood‘s help. “ Thanks.” I looked at Wood’s wife. “I’m sorry but, I just need to rest. Out running a hoard of feral ghouls doesn’t do well for energy.” I said joking dryly.
She smiled and looked at Wood. “Honey, can you please show our guest to the spare room please.” She asked.
Without saying a word Wood began to trot away leaving me to support myself. He trotted towards the staircase leading upstairs. I followed his lead toward the wooden stairs that were older then, all of us combined. This places was defiantly made for ponies or something just a little bigger. We came up to a single hallway where there were five doors. One of which I thought was a bathroom; the walls were covered in peeling wallpaper. When me and Wood got the last door next to the window he turned to me. “I’m letting you stay here tonight and tomorrow because of all the good you have done for the ponies that we heard about. But, if you threaten my family in anyway shape or form. You are getting two shells of double buckshot in the chest and that’s a promise.” He said making me face him with a glare. He expression soften when he placed his hoof on the door handle “Other then, that this is your room until you leave.” he said opening the door to a bed about the size of a twin with a thin blanket and pillow. There was a window just at the foot of the bed facing the road, along with a lamp on a nightstand. There was a large wooden cabinet in the corner that seemed that it hasn’t been opened in long time. I just shrugged and turned to Wood.
I looked at Wood. “Thank you very much.” I said getting on his eye level. “If you want me to do anything around the house I would be glad to do it.” I said with a weak tired smile.
Wood grinned. “I just might take you up on that offer. If you need anything just holler.” He said closing the door; leaving me alone in the dusty room. I walked to the bed and sat on it making the box spring squeak. I took off my duster revealing my torn up shirt and jeans mainly my shirt though. It was almost in rags now so I took it off revealing even more of the scars from the fight. I was just wearing my jeans, gunbelt and boots in an empty room with nothing but, a lamp. I got up taking my duster and shirt hanging them over the rail on the foot of the bed. I took off my gun belt with a clank and slumped it over the railing with my duster and shirt. I sat back on the bed taking off my boots. They fell off then, I began to reflect on the last couple of days and tears started to form in my eyes. “I just want to go home…” I said tears starting to flow freely hitting the floor in a pitter patter. I began to sob for what felt like hours and hours until I heard the soft click of my door opening. I looked up wiping my nose with my arm to see one of the fillies. The oldest of the two.
She looked at me with a confused look on her face. “What’s wrong, mister?” she asked her voice reminding me of a eight year old girl.
I sighed looking back at her. “Nothing, just I miss home.”
She giggled and ran up to me. “Why don’t you just go back then?”
I got a shallow smile on my face and I petted her on the head. “I wish it was that simple…” I laughed a little looking down at her. “I’m sorry but, I don’t know your name.” I said looking down.
She got a big grin on her face. “My name’s Apple Pie!” she said making me smile.
“Nice to meet you Apple. My name’s Parker Williams.” I said patting her on the head.
“Nice, to meet you, Parker! I’m going to bed just wanted to say good night.” She said hugging me. Smiling, I hugged her back. When I did it brought back memories of my family and home again then, the tears started to flow again.
“Good night Apple. Sweet dreams.” I said separating us.
“I will!” She exclaimed running off and closing the door on her way out. I was sitting there once again alone with tears in my eyes thinking of home.
“Home…” I said laying down on the bed with the tears flowing cheeks. I laid there for a minute thinking of the last of my family…“Uncle Buck, I hope that you’re ok and that you‘re still up and kicking ass.” I said with a sad tired chuckle.
Chapter end.
Parker Williams: Level Up!
Silver Cloud: Unknown…
New Perk! Free Fallen…I’m…Free Fallen rank 1- With each rank of this perk it prevents additional 20% of fall damage then, a 10% increase in health regeneration for blunt trauma.
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