Anarchy in the Equestrian Nation

I placed the gas mask in the brass box Clockwork gave me, shut the lid, and placed it in the closet.

"So why are you not going to wear the mask anymore?" asked Clockwork.

"The paint is flaking and the leather is cracking. I'll just go get another one down at the military surplus store when I have the cash." I replied.

"Still, that thing was a gift from your dad. Why not wear it until it's really done in?"

"Simple. It's because it was a gift from Dad. I don't want the paint disappearing or the leather becoming dried out and warped. It means a lot to me. I don't want it becoming unwearable."

"Ah, I see." Clockwork said. "So, what mask do you have in mind?"

"It's more modern, and a lot more durable. The surface is rougher, which means the paint won't start peeling off, and it's a lot more comfortable. It's an HR-101."

"Whoa, slow down. Isn't the Model 101 the current model the Equestrian Armed Forces use?" he asked, worriedly.

"Yeah, but it's a military surplus store, remember? Military and surplus being the key words." I said as I laid down on my bed.

"True. But how much is the mask?"

"64 bits. Then the waterproof acrylic paint is a bit a tube. Brushes are 4 bits. All in all, about 71 bits, which I can easily rack up from a day or two at the shop."

"Why bother with working at the shop during the days you have off? Why not work with me? I have a project I'd like you to help with." Clockwork asked.

"Forgive me for answering your question with a question, but are you paying?"

"No, but I do have a reward for you if you do help. You'll see what it is." he said with a smile on his face. "Oh and you never did tell me why you have the next three days off."

Shit. He's backed me into a corner. Now I have to tell him.

"Black Bell cheated on me, so Six-String gave Turntable and I the next three days off so he could help me bounce back. I've been trying to keep my mind off the whole thing."

"Hold on. Black bell did what?" he asked with a slight hint of anger.

"She was with another stallion. A jock no less. Turntable and I ended up kicking her out of the Outcasts for it." I answered, crying.

"Ouch. I never expected she'd do that, especially not to a nice stallion like you. You did the right thing in disowning her from the Outcasts." he said sadly. "I'm sure you'll find somepony better."

"No. I won't. Vagabond, her and Charger are the only female Outcasts, and Black Bell is no longer one, along with Vagabond and Charger being taken." I mumbled as tears streamed down my face.

"There will be more Outcasts by the end of the year, and I'm sure some will be mares." Clockwork replied as he laid a comforting wing (Thankfully the organic one) across my shoulder.

I sobbed until the tears didn't flow anymore. "You've never seen me cry have you? Well now you have. You've seen how weak I am. Go ahead, tell the Outcasts how I cried like a little filly."

"Union Jack, I would never do that. You're like the brother I never had. I know we don't spend much time together, but you are like a little brother to me."

"Really, Clockwork?" I said. "Thanks. That means a lot."

"Yes, really. Now, let's go spend some quality bonding time together."

And so we did.

"Well, this is the project." he said, gesturing with his hoof to a black leather vest and foreleg guards sitting folded next to a new gas mask. "Some new clothes for you. Dad and I have been working on these ever since you moved in. That's why you didn't get a birthday present. They're finished, more or less. Try em on." He smiled as he said the last few words.

I slipped the vest over my head and put my forelegs through it. The leather was supple and soft on the inside, but the outside was more like leather armor. The same went for the vambraces.

"Comfy. Thanks, Clockwork." I said with a smile.

He hoofed me the mask and said "Try it. The leather is enchanted so as not to dry out, and it's dyed, not painted."

I slipped on the mask and tightened the straps. I inhaled experimentally and found the filters were still in. "Uh, Clockwork. You forgot to remove the filters."

"Oh, whoops. Sorry." I undid the mask and gave it back to him. He took the filter out of the muzzle and slipped it back over my head.

"Looks better than the original." I said proudly, looking at my reflection in a polished piece of sheet metal. "Thanks again."

"Don't mention it, little brother. Just a gift from Dad and I. Sorry it's two and a half weeks late."

"Not a problem."

He and I spend the rest of the night making tweaks to the vest and vambraces, from adding a shoulder belt for my bass to polishing the smooth black material.

The phone in our room rang around 10:15, and when I picked up, I was surprised to hear Charger's voice.

"Hey, Union Jack. Turntable told me about what happened between you and Black Bell. Just know my heart is with you and I hope you find somepony soon. Tell Clockwork I said good night."

As I laid down to sleep, another tear formed in my eye.