If You Don't Draw First

"For a moment I thought you wouldn't come."

Kriket said without looking at him, Booker rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"I don't know what could make you think that. I never fail when I make a compromise."

He answered with monotone voice.

“It’s good to know that. In that way I will not have to worry about getting a substitute.”

“Stop fooling around and tell me what will be the plan of action before I change my mind.”

“I don't understand why you take away all the fun to the things.”

Kriket walked until she was in front of him, Booker just crossed his arms waiting for her to continue.

“Well, if you insist.” She started to walk and he followed her. “Our first stop will be Helios, a small city on the Griffin Kingdom. There you will get some “tools” that you will require for the job.”

“Tools?” Booker asked somewhat incredulously.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. The day of the attack on the bank I was able to see what you're capable of. That weapon you’re carrying is magnificent and if there’s something that distinguishes the griffins from the rest of the races of Equestria is their ability to build weapons, I’m sure you will be able to find something that works for your purposes.”

“I'm starting to get a clearer idea about this job and it's like a bad song that is repeated again and again.”

“Don’t be so dramatic DeWitt, soon you will feel like on your own element.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Booker sighed and his mind traveled once more to Elizabeth. He was glad that she wasn’t there to see him do the same atrocities that have marked his life.

“We will have to travel for at least 7 days until we reach Helios, this because according to Celestia now you are a fugitive and we will have to avoid the main roads, I don’t think you can pass unnoticed, less when you’re the only one of your kind.”

“I don’t care about her and her rules; they don’t apply to me.”

“You’re tough DeWitt, but you better watch your mouth, she’s the princess for a reason, keep that in mind.”

With that they finished the conversation and walked towards a mountain on the distance. He took the revolver and opened its charger, inside of it there were still two bullets, something that he didn’t like it at all because he will need to rely on the use of the vigors.

“Is there any problem?”

She asked.

“Yes, I don’t have ammo.”

“I don’t think we need it at the moment, also, you are deadlier with those powers you have, to be honest, the guys at the banks didn‘t stand a chance against you.”

“It was just luck.”

“Whatever you say, freak.”

Some hours passed until they stop in a small clear of the woods. Booker leaned against an old trunk while Kriket flew away over the trees. With his eyes closed, he listened to the noises of the surroundings; the wind passing over the pines brought with it the chirp of the birds and the sound of a distant river. For a moment he stop thinking about what he was doing, he forgot Celestia’s threats and his fears leaving his mind in blank.

“Booker, you there?... I miss you. You were the only one who ever... You were my only friend.”

It was only a whisper, a split second that was enough to make him stand up instantly with his senses fully alert.

“Elizabeth!?... Where are you?”

He looked in all directions, but he was alone, or at least that's what he thought until something hit him on the chest and sent him to the ground without breath.

“Booker! What the hay are you thinking?!"

He found himself unable to move, a purple unicorn was standing over him.

“Twilight? What the hell are you doing here?”

He protested moving from side to side trying to shake her off him. Finally, Twilight understood the message and let him stand.

“Booker, I don't know what you have in mind right now, but you must stop, you can't just disobey a royal order, do you want more problems with the Princess?”

She told him with an angry tone, he just crossed his arms.

"That doesn't answer my question, how on earth did you find me?"

"Hmm, I think that's my fault."

Another voice joined the discussion; Trixie appeared behind some bushes and walked to stand beside Twilight.

"I should have guessed."

"Sorry Booker, but Twilight would know it sooner or later."

Trixie lowered her head; he pinched the bridge of his nose trying not to lose the control.

"She's right, did you really thought you could go unnoticed? I thought you were smarter than that. I'm glad that the tracking spell worked."

"Twilight, don't push me... wait, tracking spell?"

"I… I put a spell on your weapon while you were sleeping."

Trixie said to him with a reddened face. Booker wanted to say something but Twilight interrupted him.

"Maybe you're immune to magic thanks to those strange powers you have, but I'm glad that your objects aren't."

"Damn my luck!" Booker thought.

"At least we're still near Ponyville, I think that no pony saw you left the town, we better hurry if we want to return before sunset."

Twilight smiled triumphantly, turned around and started walking followed by Trixie; however, Booker didn't take a single step.

"I'm not going back."

"What?!" Twilight stop and said in disbelief.

"You heard me; I will not return with you, I have a job to do."

He turned just to find that Twilight had appeared before him in a flash of magic.

"Booker, stop joking, you must return with me before..."

"Before what? Before your beloved teacher finds out? I don't give a shit."

"No! No! No! You can't just do whatever you want, she gave you an order."

"She's not my ruler, so leave me alone and go home."

Booker passed at her side without giving her more importance, but something hit him on the shoulder making him stop.

"You're a damn stubborn!"

He gritted his teeth, his patience was reaching the limit, another stone crashed against his chest and he just stood there with his eyes fixed on the blue unicorn.

"Trixie, stop this nonsense."

"You are a selfish bugger, all we want is to help you, make you understand that you're just putting your life in danger by following an ideal that you don't even know if it's real."

"It is all that I have!"

He finally lost it and screamed using a blast of bucking bronco against Trixie. The cyan unicorn floated in the air and Twilight stood there without knowing what to do. She never expected that Booker would attack them.

“Booker? Please, calm down and tell me what is she talking about.”

Twilight pleaded, he finally regained his senses and withdrew his hand, Trixie fell to the ground but when Booker kneeled in front of her trying to apologize to her, she crawled away from him in terror.

“DeWitt took a job in exchange for way back home.”

A pegasus said as she descended between them.

“Who are you?” Trixie asked.

“Just call me Kriket. Now, if you excuse us, we have a long way to go and you're only delaying us.”

“Wait a moment, a job? What kind of job?” Twilight inquired.

“You’re annoying Sparks, has anypony ever told you that?”

The purple unicorn stood face to face with Kriket.

“My last name is Sparkle.” Twilight told her with gritted teeth. “It will be better that you start to talk before I force you to do it.”

“Miss bookworm have claws?” Kriket mocked her. “I would like to see you try, however, I don’t have time for this.”

The pegasus walked towards Booker.

“DeWitt has qualities that I require in order to retrieve something important, if he success, I'll show him a way to return to his own home... or whatever he calls it."

Twilight and Trixie were left stunned at what Kriket said.

“You’re just a pegasus, you don't even have magic?” Said Trixie.

"Do you really think that your childish tricks are the only way that he has to solve his dilemma? There are bigger powers in this kingdom of ours, powers that are even beyond your wildest dreams."

None of them said a word for a moment; Booker sighed and looked towards the unicorns.

“Booker… please, come back with us, we will find a way to help you.” Twilight pleaded.

“No, I can’t, I've made my choice.”

He turned around and walked away from them. Kriket smiled and followed him until Trixie’s voice stopped them.

“If you’re not coming back, then I’ll go with you.”

“What!?” Said Twilight, Kriket and Booker.

“Are you mad!? You can't be serious!” Said Twilight

“He saved my life, is the least I can do for him.”

Booker kneeled in front of her. “Trixie, you owe me nothing, and I can’t let you put your life in danger because of me.”

“He’s right Trixie.” Twilight tried to argue with her. “You don’t know what will happen in this crazy travel that he will do.”

"All my life I've been somepony selfish, there was nothing and nopony I cared about, it's time to change that."

"Awww, what a touching moment, do you want me to bring you a box of tissues?" Kriket said with annoyed voice. "If Miss "I am all powerful" wants to come, she can do it, but she better takes a decision quickly, we are losing time."

Booker looked at the show mare. “Trixie…”

"Everything will be fine Booker, I know how to defend myself, you only guide and I'll follow you."

She said with a smile and determination in her eyes.

"In that case, I'll too go with you." Twilight said stepping forward.

He stared at her with wide eyes "No! You'll stay."

"Of course not, don't you see the advantages of having me on your team? I am Princess Celestia's personal student and protégé, I can be helpful."

Booker took his hand to the bridge of his nose. "I will not make you change your mind, right?"

Both shook their heads.

"All right, but if you are going to accompany me, you will have to do everything I say, when I say it and without discussion, okay?"

“Yes sir!” Both said in unison.

“So, Sparkle is coming too? This is getting better and better.” Kriket thought before said unicorn called her.

“So… bug name, what will be our destination?”

Twilight had a sly smile on her lips, Kriket narrowed her eyes.

“The city of Helios.”

“Helios? That’s at ten days of travel from here.”

“Well, you better start moving that fat flank of yours, Sparky.”

“It’s Sparkle.” Twilight whispered.

“I think we can make less time with a transport.” Interrupted Trixie.

“And where do you plan to get it? Are we going to steal it? Kriket answered somehow excited.

“"Of course not, just wait a moment."

Trixie's horn shone and slowly, her wagon began to materialize in front of them. A few minutes later, the wagon was ready to travel.

"All aboard, we have to reach a city."

Twilight and Trixie went up to the transport while Kriket approached Booker.

"I want to make something clear, if they come, I will not assure you their safety."

Booker clenched his fists. "I know."

"And I will not be responsible for their lives, understood?"

"Yes, totally."

Kriket smiled. "Good." She gave a few steps and without looking at him she said. "By the way, we better keep the condition of my nature among us by now; I do not want your friends to panic."

She finally pulled away and climbed into the wagon, Booker followed them moments later.