Carter sat by the fire, staring deep into the flames of the formerly Powder ganger controlled camp. Beside him, a worn, dirty canvas duffelbag. A collection of weapon parts sat before him, Each being carefully inspected before Either being used in one of his growing collection of firearms, or tossed aside as garbage. He sighed, leaning against the rusted hulk of the trailer, before pulling a photograph from the brim of his new hat. It was wrinkled, and slightly water damaged, but still quite clear. It was Carter and the girls, Waiting on the train to canterlot. A sad smile formed on his lips as he looked for a minute, before it fell from his face. A hardened expression took over s he put away the photo, remembering the events that had brought him back to this wasteland...

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The gala, as Carter had expected, was a stuffy affair of rich folk putting on airs. Each of them trying to be seen rubbing elbows with the other elites and nobles of the realm. However, the Party itself had seem a tad more relaxed. Pinkie had said it was a big improvement over the last one, if nowhere near the fun of one of hers. He didn't remember much of the party itself, other than being dragged off to see one thing or another by his mares.It was when celestia had pulled him aside that things had turned sour.

"Courier...There is something we must discuss. Something that will be hard to swallow. We have to return you to the mojave. There is a magical anomaly following you, and it is tearing rifts between our world and yours. So far they have been small, and short lived. However, they are getting worse, and larger. Its only a matter of time before something dangerous comes through." She said, shaking her head sadly. Courier just sat silently, holding his cane in a white knuckled grip and gritting his teeth, trying not to cry.

"I knew it. everything was so perfect. Going too well. it was obvious that the other boot was waiting to fall....Fuck...How are we gonna tell the girls? Should we tell them? Fucking goddamn it..." He choked, placing his head in his hands, sobbing. Celestia wanted to hug him, tell him it'd be okay, but she knew she could not. She was barely holding her own emotions in check. She hated that she had to send this good stallion back into that hell. She hated that it was almost assuredly a death sentence if they were unable to retrieve him quickly. However, She had to protect her people. The portals could easily cause chaos as mad raiders, horrifying mutants, and radiation seeped into her world. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but whatever it was was lost as a bloodcurdling scream came from the gala.

Both the princess and the courier shot to their feet, the royal's horn lighting up before they teleported with a flash. A Wide shimmering tear in reality was in the middle of the dance floor, and several angry Cazdores were wrestling against the telekinetic grip of several unicorns as the guards tried to push their way through the panicking crowd. More bugs were coming, however.

"Pinkie! Gun! Shouted courier to the pink mare blasting away with her party cannon. The concussive blast was keeping the bugs back, but only annoying them more as well without any real damage. The pink mare nodded seriously, reaching into her mane and tossin Courier's .44 and .357 to him, as well as his bandolier and holsters. Meanwhile Luna and twilight were scorching bright lights of blue and purple fire, incinerating and crushing the poisonous creatures as well as they could without harming the guests. Celestia was quick to join them, trying to seal the portal with her magic. However, all it did was spark, while across the room, carter screamed in pain as electricity coursed through him. Applejack, Rarity and FLuttershy watched helplessly from a corner of the room, defending the guests with magic, wind and broken furniture.
Courier recovered, as celestia landed by his side, shouting over the din. "Courier! You must go through the portal! Its the only way!"

Courier shuddered, wiping tears as he fumbled with his belt and loaded his pistols, taking one in each hand. "Why did it have to be cazadores..." He said, Rushing into the fray. His pistols barking as he felled any bug that got close. He saw lyra get cornered by one, her magic sparking as she panicked. With no time, he charged the mutant, knocking it aside and onto the ground. He rcovered first however, stomping his crystal hoof onto the stinger before unleading his .44 into the bug's head. Panting, he looked over to lyra one last time.

"I gotta go. It won't close unless I go through it" He said, pulling the mare into a kiss before pistol whipping her unconscious. The last thing she saw, was his silhouette running into the light...

Author's Note

Lotta things have happened, and I haven't had the will to even attempt writing this. I hope its of the quality y'all used to enjoy.