Those Who Need A Friend

Bang bang bang bang bang “Sane! Sane are you in there!? Open the door!” Bang bang bang bang bang “Sane! Sane open the door!”

“What in...” Sane shot up from his bed in alarm. “The hell is going on?”

Bang bang bang “Sane we're serious!”

“Guards? Why are they...” Sane jumped down from bed and trotted quickly out of his room and to his front door. On the other side he heard the shuffling of hoofsteps and murmuring voices. He opened the door to three guards, one on either side of the door with their weapons drawn and the third about fifteen hooves from the front of the opening. “What the fuck are you guys doing?” He was still half asleep, and not at all pleased with the rude awakening from what he thought was supposed to be a day off.

The guard that had been in front of the door, Edge, the guard he remembered the name of, trotted closer to greet him while the other two sheathed their weapons. “I'm sorry, but... We needed to make sure you were okay.” Edge sighed.

“And you were going to break down my door?” He shook his head. “Never mind, why wouldn't I be?” Sane rubbed one of his eyes with a forehoof. “It's too early for this shit.” He mumbled under his breath. His point only reinforced with the light blue hue that came just before the rise of the sun.

“Yesterday, those ponies.” He continued.

“What about them?” Sane suddenly growled, making the guard take a step back in caution.

“One of them got away.” Edge looked uneasy upon revealing the news.

“What!? Are you serious? How?” Sane was fully alert now, his ruined sleep forgotten for the moment.

One of the guards he didn't know too well, a white earth pony with a blue mane stepped in front of Edge. “From what I heard, the two that had the head start split up when they got out of the alley. When the guards got their and searched they barely caught site of the one they did catch turn a corner. Rather than losing both searching for the other they chased the one they saw. After they caught him they sent out a hasty search party of a few Earth guards and a couple of pegasi to find the remaining one. As you can tell... They didn't have much luck. When we took over on shift the Captain caught wind of this, our whole shift was briefed on what we knew and the one's we caught are being interrogated. We got a name, and we're they came from... Cause they are not from Ponyville, but that's it.” The guard took a deep breath upon finishing his explanation to a now distraught looking Pegasus.

“So... Well. Fuck.” Sane kicked the dirt. “That still doesn't tell me why you're here.”

Your the reason these ponies got caught in the first pace. If Rails... The pony that got away... If Rails knows anything about you, he might try and find you. So the Captain sent us here to see to it that you were fine.”

“Well, I'm fine... What about Rainbow?” Sane asked quickly. “Have you-”

“Yes, she's okay.” Edge cut him off.

Sane sighed and visibly relaxed. “Good.”

“There ya are!” Came a mare's voice who had just turned the corner. The first two guards were too bewildered by her appearance to stop her as she ran by them, slamming into Sane who hit the ground with a thud. He wasn't even able to recover before she was on him.

Luckily however the third guard that had been on the other side took her down before she could do any more damage. The orange furred mare kicked and beat at the guard's helmet furiously before the other two pinned her forehooves. Sane got back to his hooves, checked to see if his muzzle was bleeding, it wasn't and trotted over to the still struggling mare.

It was the orange farm pony from the apple cart a while back. She probably didn't recognize or remember him. Edge looked up at Sane. “Another friend of yours?” The sarcastic pitch in his tone made Sane sneer. Edge looked back down at the mare. “You're under arrest for-”

“No.” Sane stopped him, surprising the farm pony enough to cease her struggle. Though she still looked mad as a boar.

“What did you do to Rainbow?” She growled, trying once more to pull one of her forehooves free.

“Apple...Applejack right? Another of Rainbow's friends.”

“Way to go, you're a regular detective.” She spat.

“How did you find me?” Sane asked.

“Buck you you no good piece-”

“Rainbow's fine. I helped her. Now how did you find me?” Sane stomped a hoof in impatience.

The orange mare didn't look convinced but sighed. “Two of yer guards came to my farm just last night searching for a stallion that had gotten away. When I told them that I hadn't seen anypony but Rainbow one of them looked awfully nervous all of a sudden but refused to elaborate. They asked to search the barn and the grounds around and found nothin. I knew they wasn't going to tell me a thing so I came into town my self. I checked in with a few ponies and a couple of em said somethin about a tan furred Pegasus named Sane that she had gotten into a scuffle with. Early last evening she was in one of my tree's and looked a little beat up and had told me it was over. Just a minute ago I heard these guards shoutin your name and beatin on your door so I came to investigate." She growled. "I knew I shouldn't have believed her."

Applejack struggled once more but quit when she found it vain. “Y'all shouldn't be holding me y'all should be holdin him!” She exclaimed.

“So you talked to Pinkie then?” Sane asked, and let a small smile turn the corner of his muzzle when she looked up at him  in shock. “Let her go.” Sane instructed.

“Sane we can't jus-” Edge started

“Just let her go.” He repeated with obvious frustration.

The guards reluctantly released their hold, but loomed close in case she jumped again.

Applejack growled at them but sat up slowly so as to not trigger another scuffle. “You have my attention.”

“If you jump again, I won't be able to stop them from arresting you. Technically they have all the right now but I understand your confusion. Now listen.” Sane sat and sighed. “Yes, me and Rainbow did get into a fight, but I am not who the guards are looking for, that was two days ago. After she left, I'm guessing your farm... She was attacked in an alley by a few Earth stallion. Luckily I was out and about and stumbled upon the situation and jumped down to help her.” He didn't go into detail for Rainbow's sake, if she wanted to tell her she would. He didn't like explaining what he had but it was the only way he could think to calm her.

Applejack studied his face for a moment then kicked at the dirt. “Damnnit who am I lookin for then? You!” She pointed a forehoof at the the guard who had explained the situation to Sane. “You said something about a pony getting away, what were you talking about?”

“Applejack that's enough.” All of a sudden Rainbow landed just outside the circle.

Applejack pushed past Edge who was still dumbstruck and ran up to Rainbow. “Rainbow are you okay? Why didn't you tell me somepony was after ya? Why didn't you come back to the farm after all that? I was worried sick, all the mares are worried sick. All cept Fluttershy, I hadn't gotten to her yet.”

“Applejack please... I'm fine. I'm a big mare, I can take care of myself.”

Applejack looked a little hurt at the comment but perked up when Rainbow nuzzled her side.

“He's telling the truth.” Rainbow told her. “He saved me, if anything I owe him.” Sane averted his gave when she smiled at him before turning her attention back to the farm mare. “I'm okay.”

Applejack grumbled a bit and kicked the dirt again. “I'm sorry Rainbow, I was just worried.” She turned her attention back to Sane. “I'm sorry to you too, I shouldn't have ran up here like that without knowin my facts. I ain't hurt you did I?”

Sane looked up at her. “No. Don't worry about it.” However he frowned when he saw the mare's face harden.

“That still don't explain why you was fighten with Rainbow in the first place.” For a second it looked as if she was about to attack him again.

“I started that.” Rainbow stepped in front of her.

“Rainbow?” Applejack looked shocked. “I know you ain't the subtle type but a guard?”

“It's complicated.” Sane finally said.

“Hey!” Edge snapped. “I don't know what's going on and I don't care. All I know is we have a guard fighting a mare, supposedly in defense because the mare attacked him, a mare who just assaulted a guard and resisted three others, and a guard who is defending them both. On top of all that there is still an escaped convict who could quite possibly be looking for you two.” Edge pointed an accusing hoof at Sane and Rainbow. “What the hell am I supposed to do here?” He threw his hooves up in frustration.

“That's easy.”

Sane turned his attention to the speaker. The one stallion who had yet to speak the entire time. A dark gray furred pegasus stallion, probably just a bit older than Sane who kept a clean cut, black colored mane and never spoke much. In fact, Sane couldn't remember him ever speaking. Even Edge looked a little uneasy upon hearing his voice.

The stallion cleared his throat. “You, you and me are going to report to the Captain that Sane is fine as is Rainbow, then go about our day.”

“But they-” Edge started.

“Sane, did Applejack assault you?” The expression on his face was unreadable.

“Nnnno?” Sane answered carefully.

“Rainbow, all of those bruises came from the three ponies that cornered you in the alley right?” Again, unreadable.

“Umm... yeah sure.” She nodded with a dumb, knowing grin.

“And Sane, your injuries came from defending her, am I correct?”

“Yes.” His answer was much more confident this time.

“Well, as far as I see it... The only problem we have left to worry about is the escaped suspect.”

“You can't be serious.” Edge retorted.

“Did you see anything?” The stallion asked the remaining guard.

“Nope.”

“Trale! You're seriously going along with this?” Edge barked.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Trale gave him a stupid grin.

Edge growled and stomped the ground. “Fine, whatever.  One more thing before we leave.” He turned back to Sane. “Rusty told me I probably shouldn't bother askin, but he wants to know if you want an escort until the suspect is found or proclaimed to be long gone.”

Sane spat on the ground and bit back an angry retort that wasn't meant for Edge. “No...”

“I figured... Rainbow the offer is extended to you as well.”

“No, I'll be just fine.” For the first time in a while her self righteous attitude was back.

Edge sighed and let his shoulders slouch for a moment. “No offense, but I think that's mighty foolish... However this is a free country.” Edge turned and began to trot off, exhausted with the situation. The dark furred pegasi's expression was still blank, however the one Edge called Trale had a smile across his muzzle as they followed him. Probably enjoyed the show.

Rainbow sighed with relief but jumped when Applejack stepped in front of him. “You have some explaining to do.”

“Applejack I told you, he didn-”

“You do too.” Applejack turned her attention on Rainbow. “Now usually I wouldn't pry but ponies are starting to get hurt and I want to know why. Specially when one of those ponies is a close friend.”

Rainbow looked over to Sane with dismay. “Sane, I'm sorry, but... She's gonna find out one way or another.”

Sane looked down to the ground. This was exactly the type of thing he liked to avoid. He just reminded himself that there was no point in getting upset with something he couldn't do anything about. Now was not the time anyway. He sighed. “It's fine.”

“Don't worry Sane.” Applejack could tell something was wrong. “So long as you ain't hurtin anypony I'm not one to judge, neither are the others.” Referring to Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight of course.

“Hey, wait a second. What do you mean others? No pony needs to know that doesn't know already.” Rainbow replied.

“Well Rainbow, I already have the lot of em worried, cept Shy. Twilight and Pinkie nearly lost their minds. Rarity would have killed me if I hadn't of told her something after speakin with Twilight.”

“Why did you even talk to Rarity?” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Like I knew what was goin on Rainbow.” Applejack stomped her hoof. “I was lookin for you and thought the best places to start would be our friends.”

Sane shook his head and raised a hoof to stop Rainbow from saying anything she might regret. “Rainbow, I'm fine. Thank you but you don't need to worry about that stupid promise anymore. It's hurting more than anything right about now. Especially since the rest of the guards have their muzzles in this business because of this stupid stallion runnin about.”

However, Rainbow was already agitated and didn't stop to think before she spoke. “Why do you assume I'm worrying about you? Do you think I want everypony knowing what happened to me?” She looked upset the moment Sane flinched at her words. “Sane...”

Sane shook his head. “I-It's fine...”

“Sane... I'm sorry.” Her ears folded back. “I'm just...”

“No, Rainbow... Seriously it's fine. I understand.” Sane smiled to reinforce his sincerity.

Rainbow closed the distance between them and nuzzled the side of his neck before hugging him. “Thanks.” She was surprised to feel him return the hug briefly, especially in front of Applejack, who even she herself had almost forgotten was there.

“Alright, what in the hay is going on?” Applejack sounded frustrated and confused.

Rainbow backed away from Sane quickly, trying to hide the red in her face.

Sane sighed and decided to go for broke. “Rainbow spent quite a bit of time listening to... a few of my problems. Well, I made her promise not to tell anypony anything. She slipped up around Pinkie, and Pinkie told me... Or slipped too I guess. We got into an argument, that got out of hoof. Later on I told her  I didn't want to talk to her anymore. Well, I'm just guessing but I assume that's how she ended up at your farm...

Which is where the whole situation with Rainbow and those stallion came into play. I happened across the commotion, and when I saw what was happening I did the only thing I could think to do and like I said, jumped down there with her. Long story short we were in trouble until the rest of the guards showed up.” He sighed

“I was sent home, but I took Rainbow with me.” He continued. “I wasn't going to leave her alone after that. I apologized for being so close minded, and for brushing her off when she'd tried to apologize. In a way, you have every right to be mad at me. It's my fault she was caught up in this mess.” He betrayed nothing but a straight face to the farm mare.

Though his face was masked, Rainbow could hear the faint depression in his words. He still blames himself...

Applejack didn't know what to make of his explanation, looking over to Rainbow who nodded to her. “Well, I can't really be mad at ya. The way I hear it you helped her.”

Way to go Applejack! Rainbow was thrilled to hear her tell him the same thing she had said the night before. Even Sane looked a little surprised to hear her response. You don't know my friends Sane. She thought happily.

“And Rainbow. They have to know. They're all worried sick and would be mad to find you hid somethin like this from them. If something happens to you later because of all this they'll kill me, but... If you really want to keep it quiet...” Applejack trailed off. She wouldn't betray her friend's trust if she didn't absolutely have to.

“I know Applejack. I didn't mean what I said before about not wanting them to know. I'm just a little, eh... on edge.” Rainbow looked over to Sane. “I can keep you out of it, if that's what you want.” She knew this was the opposite of what he was comfortable with but with what she heard she hoped Sane would surprise her.

“No.” He replied quickly then took a step back. “Sorry. I mean no... This will be good for me. If you trust your friends... Then I do too.” What am I doing? He shook his head. What I need to. For me and for Rainbow. I can't just leave her alone in this either, especially after she stuck by me, especially with that idiot on the loose.

Rainbow didn't hold back her smile, and trotted up to hug him again. He didn't stop her, in fact he shared the moment with her and hugged her tight. They pretended not to see the still very confused farm mare staring at them.