Author's Note

Man, and Courier just got out of the hospital too. I may ye end up editing this chapter, or completely changing it. I feel like I may have been bullshitting with this one

The date, and the morning after

Applejack held Courier tightly as they slowly made their way towards a secluded spot in sweet apple acres. She loved the way he smelled, deeply inhaling the comforting scents of Old leather, Dust, and cigarette smoke. Courier on the other hand, was nearly intoxicated with her scent of apples and hay. Soon enough, Courier and Applejack found themselves in front of a pair of well maintained gravestones. The names inscribed were Autumn Glory and Baldwin Apple. Applejack detached herself from Courier and placed her hat on the tombstone that said Baldwin.

"Mama, Pa, This is Courier. " AppleJack began...

************************

an hour and a half later.

"So that's how you lost'em huh?" Asked Courier, running his fingers through AppleJack's hair as she leaned against him. "I'm sorry for your loss."

Applejack sighed and held him tight. "They died protectin' their kin. I'm proud of 'em... I just miss'em so dern much." she said, wiping away a tear. Courier just held her tight.

"I'm sure they miss you too AJ, and I bet they're right proud of who you are and what you've done." he said as he leaned back against the tree, watching Luna's sky. Applejack leaned back too, resting her long blonde mane on is chest, and listening to his heartbeat.

"Ah love you Courier..." said Applejack as she closed her eyes. Soon enough, Both Courier and AppleJack had fallen asleep under the stars. The last thing Courier saw were two falling stars.

*********************

Courier woke up after being nudged rather roughly, and opened his eyes to find the stoic form of big mac standing over him.

"Uh....Mornin' Big Mac...." Courier said sleepily. Big mac just stared.

"Mind tellin' me what all this is about?" asked the larger stallion while crossing his arms. Worry immediately shot through Courier.

"I-I swear Big Mac, Nuthin' happened! You believe me right?" asked Courier hopefully.

"eeenope" Said Big Mac, Leaning down far enough that Courier could see the Mischievous grin that told him he'd never live this down. At that point AppleJack stirred, and upon seeing Mac, turned as red as one of her apples.

"Err...Mornin' Big Mac....Ah'll be hearin' about this for the rest of eternity, ain't Ah?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup." answered the larger, grinning stallion.

"Aw Horseapples" Said applejack. After taking a moment to collect himself, and saying goodbye to Big Mac, Courier Started on the path home. He paused and swiveled his ears, certain he'd heard something. Courier Stood stock still and leaned on his cane before her heard it again, A filly screaming. Courier Took off in a loping, somewhat staggered run. He'd need to visit the hospital after this for another tub of the cream he used to reduce the rawness of his stump after this.

Courier found the source of the screaming, the Cutie Mark Crusader treehouse...Which was currently surrounded by timberwolves. Scootaloo and Applebloom saw him first.

"Deputy Shields! HELP!" they shouted, causing the Timberwolves to notice the new arrival. Courier counted them as they slowly closed in on him, choosing the larger, easier-to-get-to prey.

"Three" he said to himself as he gripped his cane. A Timberwolf jumped, Going for Courier's throat. Courier Raised his arms and put the cane between him and the razor teeth of the wooden Monster. Courier and the wolf tumbled from the attack, and the wolf landed on top, trying to snap at Courier. Courier held the wolf at bay with his sturdy cane, extremely thankful for the durability enchantments on it. Unfortunately, The Cane began to crack, Leaving Courier with just a moment to formulate a plan.

When the Cane snapped, Courier used the Sharpest piece to jab the eye of the Timberwolf, which reared back in pain. He then grabbed the wooden wolf by the neck, and using his adrenaline and earth pony magic fueled strength, pulled off the monster's head. Before he could celebrate though, the second Wolf grabbed his prosthetic, and swing him into the tree, knocking the breath from Courier's lungs.

"Why does that always happen" thought Courier as he tried to stand. He fell back over, and looked a his Prosthetic. It was shattered and unusable. However, it left him with his final hope, and the reason the fake leg was so uncomfortable. Courier reached into the hidden Comparment and withdrew his .357 Magnum, Chrome finish and pearl grip, and one speedloader. The third Timberwolf decided to attack while the second one tried to remove half of Courier's Prosthetic from it's teeth. Courier Just smiled.

Scootaloo and Applebloom watched in horror as the wolf bore down on their savior, Fully believing it was his end. ..Until he pointed a shiny thing at it. BANG! and the wolf went down. The remaining wolf, After finally having freed it's jaw from the remnants of Courier's just stared at the dead wolves, and then looked back at Courier, Who had leveled his weapon. It seemed Courier had the Upper hand, Until a fourth Timberwolf sprang from the Underbrush and grabbed courier by his other leg.

"FUCK!" shouted courier as the fourth wolf tried to drag him away. Courier tried to level his gun at his new attacker, But the third grabbed his arm and bit down. The pain was too much, and Courier dropped the gun.

"S-scoots! Applebloom! Get outta here! GAH!" he shouted as the wolves began pulling. Courier's Self sacrifice was short lived however, As AppleJack and Big Mac, sprinted into the clearing and attacked. the first Timberwolf became a pile of twigs as Big Mac landed on it and AppleJack Bucked the next one back into the Everfree.

Courier could only marvel at how beautiful her eyes were as for the umpteenth time, Darkness claimed him.