Fallout Equestria: Dawn of the Ranger

by MrHouston

Rating: mature
Tags: Adventure, Crossover, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Original Character, Comedy
Length: 19309

A strong hero ventures into wasteland as a vow to his fallen family.

A lone stallion ventures out into the wasteland as a promise to his dead family. He vowed to help everyone in need, no matter how big or small. His name is Sharpshooter. When he discovers a NCR suit however, he decides to use this new identity to help others. When he discovers a plot to destroy a local town. Sharpshooter will do any means necessary to protect it.

However, even the strongest of heroes fall.

Published 2015-02-08 05:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-06-09 04:34:23 UTC

Chapter 1: Stable 9

  It began as always for Sharpshooter, the only pony left in the rotting metal shelter of Stable 9, as his daily business came upon him. Sharpshooter opened his eyes only to be greeted with slightly burnt out lights above him. He sat up slowly in his rock hard bed that made his back ach with grief. Sharpshooter nudged his way out of bed with hesitation. He did not like waking up in the mornings or should I say whenever. Sharpshooter didn't even though what time it was, all the clocks in the Stable are either destroyed or full of rust due to water exposer. Sharpshooter looked around his filthy room. The walls were smeared in a green like slime, the floor was stained with blood and mud. He still wasn't sure how the blood stay got their, he couldn't even remember who's blood it was. Sharpshooter scratched his head, messing his mane a little bit. He walked over to a drawer that was in the corner of his room. He opened the drawer looking in to see a large insect eating a rotting corpse of...something. Sharpshooter closed the drawer with force and backed away slowly.

"Dammit, can I go one day without something trying to kill me?" he asked himself.

Sharpshooter walked out of his room and headed for the kitchen. As he walked by he could see dark hallways that were once lit up with ponies, and rooms that once had families living in them. Stable 9 was by his knowledge, was the only Stable that was the most crowded. Now its just...dormant. Nothing but empty rooms. Sharpshooter missed the days when he could to some pony as a filly and they would talk back. He also missed the days when he still had a family. His dad, mom, and brother...all gone. It wasn't because of them passing away either, and it wasn't because they left the Stable, it was because they did away with themselves. The conditions on the Stable were so horrible all three of them shared the same revolver to end it. Sharpshooter could remember the blood spattered walls of their room. The looks on their faces. He couldn't even tell if they were faces of pure joy, or pure sadness and regret. How much emotion did they feel when all three of them did this? Sharpshooter asked himself this question everyday. Before he realized, Sharpshooter had bumped into the refrigerator in the kitchen. He shacked his head and opened the fridge, scraps...as usual. Sharpshooter picked up a soda bottle in the back. He picked up a bottle opener and knocked the cap off before storing it in his pocket. As soon as he opened it, it was gone in a single chug. Sharpshooter dropped the bottle making a loud crash that echoed through the Stable.

"I'm sick of drinking these things, when I'm I gonna eat something that's real?"

Sharpshooter then looked at his Pip-Buck. It was reading no radiation within.  He scrolled to see the same message his mom had left him the day before they committed suicide. Sharpshooter couldn't number the times he listened to that message and cried from listening to it. Sharpshooter wanted to play it again, but with some hesitation. It didn't hit him before but Sharpshooter was starting to get bored of the message and wanted to delete it.

"Why the hell I'm I thinking about this!?" he asked himself.

Sharpshooter decided, he pushed the play message. As always, his mother's voice rang through the speakers of the Pip-Buck. Sharpshooter listened to the message with a smile.

"Hi honey...its mommy. I wanted to get you info about what's going on while your at school. Me and your father have been moved to engineering, which means you'll see us later then usual. Your brother also wanted you to know he was going with his friends tonight so you'll be home alone, again. I'm sorry this had to happen but it isn't our choice. Please understand honey...we love you very much and we whish for you to have a good future. I know you don't have a job yet, only being six years old of course. Oh, listen to me ramble about none important things. OH! Daddy says hi sweetie. I love darling see you soon."

The minute the message ended, Sharpshooter was wiping his eyes from his tears. After wiping his eyes he noticed something...another message from his mom. The message had been locked and hidden in the Pip-Bunk until this day. Sharpshooter had been using his Pip-Buck for years now and never did he see this message. He opened the message. He was shocked to discover a password to the Stable door! Sharpshooter had always wanted to know what the outside was like. He wanted to go out and see if the world had finally healed. Sharpshooter had been wishing for this day for years ever since his tenth birthday. Now, twenty-four years old he was finally ready. Sharpshooter packed up a rifle and over a hundred rounds. He packed a magnum revolver, the same one his family used. He decided to use it as reminder to never let the ones he cared about die again. Sharpshooter packed medical supplies, food or what was left, and water.

"Now the real fun begins."

The Stable door hold shut. Sharpshooter entered the password and just like that the door's lights and motors kicked on. The Stable door opened with ease. Sharpshooter looked at the bright light at the end. He then proceeded to move outside. Outside, a word that had rocked his skull since he learned about it. Now it wasn't a dream anymore, now...it was real. Sharpshooter, holding his arm to his eyes walked to the breezy outside. What he saw next both shocked him, and made him slightly happy. Everything was destroyed, nothing but desert for miles. Buildings looking as if they were burned to the ground. Sharpshooter then saw what looked like a huge insect. The insect was a scorpion was huge! Bigger than anything he'd ever seen. The scorpion then noticed Sharpshooter who had been at awe at what he was seeing. The scorpion let out a loud growl and lunged. Sharpshooter smiled and through out his revolver. Using his Pip-Buck, he opened the V.A.T.S system and targeted the scorpion's body. The three shots hit the scorpion, making green blood spew from the wounds. Still not giving up, the scorpion lunged again only to get another bullet. This time in its face. The scorpion dropped dead. Sharpshooter blew and the barrel which had smoke coming from it.

"Well, that was easy. I wonder if any more fun will come my way?"

With that, Sharpshooter trotted into the wasteland not knowing about pursuer.

Chapter 2: The House

  Sharpshooter had been through a lot. He had lived in a Stable all his life. He's possibly become insane due to solitary confinement. Confinement, this was the word that Sharpshooter was bothered by for nearly ten years. If he only found that message earlier, he could have escaped sooner. Now that he thought about...why the hell did the code not show up on his Pip-Buck before? How come it didn't give him a heads up too? His Pip-Buck was designed to give him an alert every time he got a message. Why didn't it do it this time? He didn't know; he wasn't a technician. Nun the less, Sharpshooter found himself standing on porch of a house in the middle of no where. The house was covered in rotting wood that had a grey brownish color. The front door had boards blocking from anything entering.

"Well shit...no way I'm I gonna give up possible supplies!" he said getting ready to back kick the door down.

-Possible supplies? Oh fuck me with Celestia's horn.-

With a quick kick, the door flew off the hinges and slammed on the ground. Dust flew out of the house in the shape of a cloud. Sharpshooter brushed off the dust from his face and his mane. He laughed knowing his mane couldn't get any messier than it is. Sharpshooter walked into the abandoned house with caution; pistol in hoof. The house was filled with an orange mist and it smelled of rotting flesh and black mold. This was confirmed when Sharpshooter turned a corner and saw two rotting corpses of a unicorn and another earth pony. Sharpshooter had to hold his nose due to the foul smell. He then noticed a what looked like machete next to the unicorn. Sharpshooter was hesitant to approach to collect the melee weapon, he didn't know what they died of and honestly he didn't want to find out. Sharpshooter, going against his own will, went to pick up the machete. He moved the rotting unicorn slightly to grab the machete. Once in his grip; Sharpshooter then heard a slightly quiet moan coming from behind him. He looked to see the earth pony corpse rising up from the ground. Sharpshooter watched as the corpse walked toward him.

"Stay back!"

It was no use. The corpse kept walking toward him. Sharpshooter then remembered the machete he picked up. Without hesitation, Sharpshooter wiped out the blade and sliced the corpses head off. Blood spurt out of the neck like a fountain. The corpse fell on its side, blood still pouring out. Sharpshooter wiped the blood from his face and laughed. He spoke out in a hardy tone.

"Now stay dead!"

Sharpshooter then felt blood dripping from his mane. He then decided to go in the bathroom to get it off. The bathroom was even more dirty than the house itself! The mirror was intact and the water was running okay. Sharpshooter through water on his mane and rubbed it. Sharpshooter was dripping wet from his mane. He shacked off the water causing his mane to mess itself. He looked into the rusty mirror to see himself. It had been awhile before he got a good look at himself in a mirror. Sharpshooter had a pure gold mane with a black shade of color running through it same as his tail. His eyes just like his mane, pure gold. His body was black with white hooves.

"Hey good look-in, how's it cook in?"

Taking time to ignore himself, Sharpshooter looked away from the mirror to leave the house. Sharpshooter packed the machete into his backpack and walked out of the house. As he walked back out, Sharpshooter looked back at the corpses. Still laying their, lifeless. This made him think about who they were before. HOW they were before. Sharpshooter then thought about his parents and how they were. His mother was nice with a gentle smile which melted anyone's hearts. His dad was an officer for the Stable and was generally chilled most of the time. Sharpshooter then remembered his brother. His brother was almost five years older then him. He was almost identical to Sharpshooter but with a different mane and eye color. his brother was also know to be competitive with Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter still remembered his name.

-Longshot-

Sharpshooter then remembered why he left the Stable in the first place. He wanted to venture out. Not just for himself; for his family as well. On that note, Sharpshooter proceeded to a near bye town called "PonyVille."

Chapter 3: Dreams

  Sharpshooter wasn't used to being in a town. In fact, he wasn't even born in one. PonyVille was similar to any other destroyed town in the area. Sharpshooter walked until he was in front of what seemed like a town hall. The building was purple and white with fancy windows and decorations. The door was boarded up and windows were covered in bullet holes.

"Huh...pretty looking for a town hall."

Sharpshooter then proceeded further into town. As he walked down an empty street, he saw nothing but heavily destroyed buildings and craters where grenades blew up. What was odd though, their were no bodies or ponies anywhere. The entire town was abandoned. More empty than Stable 9.  Sharpshooter was used to huge insects that were infected with radiation being with him. He would have expected at least that. Nothing however. Sharpshooter liked this, it was good to have some peace and quiet for once. It was getting dark and Sharpshooter needed a place to sleep. He picked what looked like a two storied bakery shop. The place was trashed of course and no food was inside. Sharpshooter's stomach growled. He looked around in his bag, trying to find something to eat. He didn't mind what size it was and how it tasted, at least it would be food. Sharpshooter thankfully upstairs found a bed that was, somewhat intact. The bed looked dirty with mud and smelled like a skunk's toilet. However, Sharpshooter has smelled worse. He leaned back himself on the bed and slowly closed his eyes. Sharpshooter dreamt about his years in Stable 9 and about his family.

Sharpshooter remembered what his mother said the day he was born. Sharpshooter's mother was a unicorn. He remembers looking into her beautiful cobalt eyes that sparkled like stars and her charcoal mane. He remembers her gold fur coat as well. However, due to being exposed by radiation, green patches have been implanted on her body.

"You're a very special one indeed little one. Your are the ninth filly to be born in this place. I think we'll call you nine for now. How does that sound?"

Baby Sharpshooter laughed. Sharpshooter's father was an earth pony who was very buff and was more of the leader of Stable 9. His father had a white coat with a red and blue flowed back mane. His eyes were maroon red. He also had black hooves. His father approached his mother and him.

"Well Raidy, we did it. A son, a healthy baby boy!"

His father hugged Raidy and kissed her with passion. Then called to Longshot, Sharpshooter's brother. Longshot was a little bit older then his baby brother. Longshot was born however with a birth defect. Due to his mother having a severe case of radiation poisoning and only excessive amounts of Rad-X keeping her alive. Longshot was born a unicorn. He had forest green, with patches of green just like his mother. His body was blood red with no mane. If Longshot did have a mane however, it would have been like his dad's. Longshot took a look at his new baby brother. He tickled his nose with his hoof causing Sharpshooter to sneeze.

"He's adorable."

"What's his name?" Longshot asked. Raidy laughed. "His name is nine" she said. Longshot didn't really like the name it didn't sound right to him. He then remembered a name he made for the baby before he was born.

"Why not Sharpshooter?" he said, rubbing him on the head. Both parents looked at each other. The name did make sense since their other son was named Longshot. So it was only fair that the second would be named Sharpshooter. The decision was made.

"We'll call him Sharp "nine" shooter then!" their father exclaimed.

Sharpshooter awoke with the sun in his face from a huge hole in the roof of the bakery shop. He sat up in the rusty bed and smiled. He wiped tears away from his eyes after remembering the day he was born and getting to see his family for the first time. Sharpshooter missed his family and he wished they were still alive. Sharpshooter heard a gun shot from the street. He walked over to see ponies dressed in what looked like gladiator armor. He ducked behind a destroyed wall and peeked over.

"Search the town, you find anypony, kill them."

Sharpshooter took out the pistol he had in his bag and clocked it using his teeth. He thought to himself.

-This is gonna be fun!-

Chapter 4: PonyVille Shootout Part 1

  It was mid-day, an entire squad of raiders were swarming PonyVille. Sharpshooter watched as the raiders searched nearly ever building on the block. As determined as they were, Sharpshooter didn't think they would search upstairs. Sharpshooter's blood went cold though as footsteps grew louder as they went up the stairs. He scrambled to get his pistol ready as the footsteps grew louder. He then noticed a closet in the far corner in the room. Sharpshooter dashed into the closet once he heard the door knob turn. He listened as the footsteps went further in the room. What he didn't count on though, was a young unicorn mare and her young filly. The mare was tan colored with a pink mane. Her filly was brown with Pegasus wings with purple mane. The mare and her filly were severely dirty. The mare limbed, it looked as if her right arm was crippled due to combat. The filly had mortal fear in her eyes and clenching her mom's arm with all her little might. The two proceeded to the cover Sharpshooter was at before. Sharpshooter watched as the mare picked up his pistol.

"Son of a bitch!" he whispered.

"Mommy...what's that?" the filly asked pointing to the pistol.

The mother smiled with joy as she unloaded the clip to check the magazine. The mother reloaded the magazine and looked down at her child.

"A way out sweetie, a way out."

Sharpshooter stopped cursing himself out for a minute to try and come up with a plan. He figured he would jump out and risk getting his face blown in or possibly ask for his pistol back. He then heard loud chatter coming from downstairs. The mother and the filly heard this too and raced for the closet as well. Sharpshooter only could muffle his breathing as the filly and the mother got in the closet with him. The two right away knew how small it was.

"Uh...hi."

Sharpshooter had to muffle the two ponies screams as a raider came rushing into the room. The raider was a unicorn and was levitating a .44 Caliber magnum. He then proceeded to ravage the already destroyed room looking for anything, or anypony. The small filly then was getting in a sneezing position. Sharpshooter quickly covered her snout to prevent a sneeze. She stopped at half way. However, as if it wasn't timed, the mare sneezed. The raider then shot a look toward the closet. Sharpshooter then remembered the machete he took from the house. He unsheathed the blade from its holster, he tried not to hit the mare or her filly. The mare gave Sharpshooter a worried look.

"Do you even know how to use that thing!" she said.

Sharpshooter tried to ignore the comment. He responded with a snicker.

"Course I do, how else did I survive out here so long?"

The raider reached for the door knob, but before he could, Sharpshooter leaped out of the closet and pushed the blade through the raiders neck. The raider was forced to scream through blood and a nearly closed airway. Sharpshooter placed his hoof over the raider's mouth to keep his wheezing to a minimum. The raider died soon after. The mare and the filly slowly came out of the closet to see the dead raider. the mare shielded her filly's eyes from the site. Sharpshooter expected that two would have seen or have DONE their fair share of killing in the wasteland. This reaction was unexpected.

"What?" Sharpshooter asked, shrugging his shoulders.

"You could've done a little mercy." she said.

Sharpshooter laughed at the statement. Mercy wasn't in his dictionary and neither was it in his enemy's. Sharpshooter then noticed the mare still had his pistol. Sharpshooter reached his hoof out as a sign to give it back to him. The mare saw the motion and tugged the pistol into her chest.

"What the hell is this?" he said.

The mare looked at her filly and back at Sharpshooter with a intimidating stare. It wasn't intimidating to Sharpshooter since he's seen worse in Stable 9.

"I need to get us out of this crazy place!" she said raising the pistol.

Sharpshooter put a hoof to his face and slid it down in a cartoonist fashion. Sharpshooter was worried the raiders would notice one of them missing or the chatter from one of the buildings. He tried to hurry the conversation.

"Okay, okay is their anything I could do to get my weapon back?" he said pleading.

The mare looked at Sharpshooter to think it over. The expression on her face was heavy determination. She made up her mind.

"Fine. Help me and my daughter get out of the town and we'll return this to you."

Sharpshooter didn't have any choice. This would now have to become a rescue op. Sharpshooter only had his machete to fight with and...and the .44 Caliber magnum the raider had. Jack Pot! Sharpshooter picked up the magnum and unloaded the wheel. six shots and five rounds. Just enough to take care of the raiders. Sharpshooter motioned the mare and her filly to follow him. Sharpshooter and the two were downstairs when two more raiders came toward the shop. Sharpshooter heard as the two came closer. He took in a deep breathe and whispered to the two.

"When I say now, you shoot that pistol in that fuckers face." he said loading the magnum.

"NOW!"

The two sprung up from behind the cover and blasted the two raiders in the head. A raiders eye came rushing out as soon as the bullet hit him. The other suffered a huge hole in between her eyes, both collapsed.

"Well...were not through it yet." Sharpshooter said reloading the bullet.

"Don't remind me." the mare said.

The three ponies then heard yelling from down the block as more raiders came running. Sharpshooter felt as though a stampede was coming toward him. Except, the stampede had guns. This would be fun for him.

Chapter 5: PonyVille Shootout Part 2

  He could hear them. All screaming and running to the gun shot. Sharpshooter tried thinking of a plan. His original plan was to shoot the raider and escape, but that went down the toilet when he heard the ear splitting crack of the gun. Sharpshooter looked everywhere trying to think. The mare next to him wasn't helping him though.

"HELLO? FOR FUCKS SAKE WAKE UP!" She yelled in his ear.

  Sharpshooter rubbed the side of his head and clinched his eye.

"Ow." he replied.

"Well excuse me mister daydreamer! What the hell are we gonna do now!?" Sharpshooter didn't know himself.

  He didn't count on being hit from both sides by raiders. He thought they would only come from one direction. Just then he remembered the proximity mines he saw while passing some buildings. The mines looked as though they were highly sensitive to movement. He figured the raiders would be killed by that.

"We'll wait for a boom." he finally told her.

  The mare gave Sharpshooter a confused look. He grabbed her by the  shoulder and pulled her and her filly into the store. He slammed the door and blocked the front with a couple chairs. Sharpshooter hunched himself on the chairs. All went silent for a mere two minutes. Sharpshooter expected the sound of mini nuke to go off at this time. Curious, Sharpshooter looked outside one of the windows. What he saw made him nearly collapse.

All the bandits were outside the building looking over their dead comrade. Sharpshooter once again cursed under his breathe.

"What happened to this guy?" one asked.

"To hell I know." another commented.

  Sharpshooter saw this as an opportunity to get them all at once. Six ponies, six shots. He raised the magnum and pocked it out the window. He pointed it at the head of one of the raiders. The gun clicked, but no bullet. The magnum had jammed.

"FUCK ME WITH LUNA'S MAREHOOD!!!" Sharpshooter yelled so loud all the  raiders turned to see him in the window.

"Well done moron." the mare commented.

The raiders charged the door, slamming into it with all their might. Some were shooting inside the store. Sharpshooter and the mare, along with her filly, ducked behind a counter. Both tried to blind fire. Sharpshooter heard the door start to break and some of the chairs falling off. Sharpshooter noticed something behind the counter though, it was a hand grenade! Thinking he had found a stash of explosives, Sharpshooter dug into the counter.

What he found was not what he expected. Their was only one grenade and ammo for a weapon he didn't have. Thinking was an only way out, Sharpshooter took the grenade but not the ammo. Now he had a plan. Sharpshooter lowered himself to a crawling position and made his way for the staircase. Multiple bullets were flying past him as he went up the stairs to the next floor. He looked over the huge hole in the side to see all the raiders shooting and trying to knock down the door. With a smile on his face, Sharpshooter pulled the pin and dropped it in the middle of the group. No body heard the metal clank the grenade made when it hit the floor.

"Come out of their! We wont-" the raider was cut off by a huge explosion, followed by a blood mushroom cloud.

  Sharpshooter shielded his eyes. He looked back to see body parts and blood scattered every where in front.

"Teacha to mess with me." Sharpshooter returned downstairs to a mare who was trying to calm down her filly, who was having a panic attack.

"That looks like all of them." he said blankly.

  The mare gave Sharpshooter a thankful look as she tried handing back his pistol. She was surprised however, when Sharpshooter denied it.

"You keep it, did you better than it did me." he said with a smile.

"Now that I have this baby, I'm better off." Sharpshooter twirled the revolver on his hoof and smiled.

"Thank you." she said before putting her filly on her back.

  The mare was about to leave when she turned around and looked at Sharpshooter with tears in her eyes.

"I wish I met more ponies like you." she said before leaving a happy pony to himself.

  Sharpshooter was new to saving others. He really didn't know why it felt good either. Back in Stable 9, folks weren't the kindest to each other. As Sharpshooter left PonyVIlle, he felt unsatisfied with the outcome. He wanted to actually use his revolver more than once against enemy's. He only killed one with it. The rest were killed by a grenade. Sharpshooter soon found himself on a hill over looking the empty (for now) ghost town. He walked further down the road he was going before receiving a message on his PipBuck. He looked to see he had discovered a new location. The location was a small shack out in the middle of nowhere. Sharpshooter looked inside to see skeletal ponies on the ground. Trying not to vomit, Sharpshooter moved past the ponies. He then noticed a wardrobe in one corner of the room. He looked inside to see what looked like a suit. The suit was dark brown with a built in overcoat. The collar was flared up like one of the gangsters he met in Stable 9. He also saw a helmet. The helmet had two eye holes with a red visor. It also looked to have a built in respirator. Sharpshooter noticed a note next to it. "NCR" Sharpshooter ignored the note and dawned his new look.

"Not bad." he said looking himself over.

"Not bad at all."

Chapter 6: The New Colt in Town

Sharpshooter walked aimlessly for hours. He encountered bandits ever now and then, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Sharpshooter took the time to rest on a tree stump before continuing. He leaned on the stump with relieving moan and began rubbing his hooves. Sharpshooter (as far as he could tell) had been walking for nearly a couple days and needed to rest. He removed his helmet and took a deep breathe. The helmet (although it had a ventilation system) was very hard to breathe in most times. Sharpshooter wiped sweat from his forehead and looked at his PipBuck. The PipBuck read he was near a small town.

"New Appleloosa."

  Being near a town gave Sharpshooter a little sign of relief. He didn't know if the locals were good or bad though. That was the part that made him worry. Since he stepped out of Stable 9, Sharpshooter has only met one good pony in the wasteland.

"I need to be ready." he thought.

"If these town folk are like those raiders, well...damn it! What was it dad use to say?" Sharpshooter thought back to when he used to tell his dad about seeing other kids being bullied.

-When ponies give you lemons, make lemonade!-

"Wait no...that wasn't it." he said shacking his head. Sharpshooter then thought of another thing his dad use to tell him that he was most familiar with.

-If somepony bugs you, let them know.-

"Okay, so dad's advice wasn't so helpful." he said laughing.

  Sharpshooter heard a noise behind him. He threw he helmet on and took out his revolver. Sharpshooter waited while the bushes moved and twigs were being cracked. What came out of the bush was what he didn't expect. A small filly came from behind the bush with a saddle on his back. The colt was brown with a blonde mane. However, no cutie mark. Sharpshooter looked confused at the colt as he stared at the ground looking at him. He looked angry but also sad. Sharpshooter heard him mumbling to himself.

"They say I'm a blank flank huh? Well, I'll show them."

  Sharpshooter couldn't help but feel depressed looking at child, remembering the same thing he went through. Except, Sharpshooter didn't run away. He didn't just have kids picking on him though. Almost all of Stable 9 picked on him. The only ponies who didn't pick on him were his family.

  Sharpshooter snapped out of his trance to realize that the colt was looking at him. He had a scared look on his face as though he was staring at something he never saw before. It didn't take Sharpshooter long before he made eye contact with him. Sharpshooter scrambled to make himself look professional. He had to keep in mind he wasn't a soldier, neither did he have any military experience.

"Um...hello." the colt said.

  He voice was crackly with a light tone. Sharpshooter snapped out of his thoughts. Although you couldn't tell what expression he was giving off.

"Uh...hi their little one. Tell me, what are you doing out here all by yourself?"

  The colt lowered his head and ears as if he was getting his ass chewed out.

"I...um...ran away." he said in a sad tone.

  Sharpshooter gave the kid credit for being honest with him.

"Why? Surly you have a family in the town?" Sharpshooter could hear the child sob.

  He came around the stump and kneeled next to him.

"The other fillies and colts treat me like garbage, calling me 'blank flank' just because I don't have a cutie mark!" he said while tears fell from his eyes.

  Sharpshooter couldn't help but feel pity for the colt. He had been down that road before, he knew how it felt to be called 'blank flank'. Sharpshooter smiled behind his helmet. He picked up the colt and put him on his back. He was surprised.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Taking you home." Sharpshooter said.

The colt was even more surprised and opened his mouth to say something but Sharpshooter stopped him.

"I'm not taking you back so you could be bullied again, I'm taking you back so you can still be with your family. Little do you know kid, you wouldn't last two seconds out in the wastes. Their are all sorts of bad ponies who just see you as dollar signs or lunch, okay? Your family though, they care about you more than anything and will do everything in their power to make you happy. I know you don't believe me. I don't blame you, I wouldn't trust some strange stallion in a suit like this even if my life depended on it. I'm helping you though because I don't want you to lose a family...like I did. I also don't want you to lose your life. The day I left my Stable, I vowed to travel into the wasteland for my family, because they weren't able to. I'm not a raider, nor am I a bad guy. I'm somepony who wants to help. No one is going to stop that."

  The colt couldn't help but feel happy about what Sharpshooter just told him. In response, he gave Sharpshooter a hug around his neck. He smiled in his helmet again. Sharpshooter walked him to the front gate only to be greeted by a mare with a cowboy hat and an accent that Sharpshooter wasn't a custom to.

"Ya'll state your business." she said.

"Uh hi, I found this colt out in the forest. I need to return him to his family." The mare gave Sharpshooter a cautioned look and looked back at the child.

"What's your name son?" The colt gave the mare a shy look.

"My names Dutton Mash." The mare nodded and pulled a lever to lift the front gate.

  Sharpshooter gave the mare a nod of thanks and walked into town. The old western town looked like it did decades ago. Nothing damaged, nothing missing. Sharpshooter enjoyed it for a while until he noticed ponies giving him a strange looks. Looks of fear. The colt noticed this too.

"Weird, I never saw anyone do this before." he said scratching his head.

  Sharpshooter didn't think anyone would trust him right away. Hell, he thought he would be shot at the moment he stepped through the gate. Sharpshooter then noticed a building that had a sign that said 'Saloon'. He needed a place to stay until tomorrow. He looked into the Saloon. The Saloon looked bigger than it did on the outside. It had a stage in the which had performers doing some acting routine and a bar on the left side. Sharpshooter could go for a drink, but he needed to get a room first. Sharpshooter walked over to counter and sat in a high chair.

"What'll it be?" the bar tender asked.

  Sharpshooter decided he wouldn't hide his face anymore. He removed his helmet at set it on the counter. Sharpshooter's black mane puffed out of the helmet and was even messier than before. The stallion gave Sharpshooter an unimpressed look.

"I need a room for a couple days." he asked placing some caps he picked up along the road on the counter.

    The stallion smiled. He took the caps without hesitation and brought a key from behind the counter.

"Welcome Partner." he said.

  Sharpshooter nodded and followed the stallion up the stairs. The room was somewhat clean with a queen sized bed with a white blanket. Dutton Mash jumped off Sharpshooter's back on onto the bed with a giggle. Sharpshooter couldn't help but do the same thing. Sharpshooter and Dutton laughed as the bed sunk them in it.

"Hey. I never got your name mister!" Dutton said leaping on Sharpshooter's chest.

  Sharpshooter laughed and got the filly and ruffled his mane in a noogie.

"Name's Sharpshooter kid."

Chapter 7: Family Reunion

  It was early. Earlier than Sharpshooter ever woke up for anything. He was use to waking up at almost five in the morning, but when he looked at his PipBuck he groaned. It was nearly three in the morning and the Saloon he was staying at was dead silent. Nothing was moving, no talking could be heard. Nothing. It was almost eerie to listen to nothing. Sharpshooter rolled out of the bed, trying not to disturb Dutton Mash, who was sound asleep. Sharpshooter saw he was still wearing his NCR suit. It wasn't long before he asked what it meant. A mare came to him saying it was part of the New Coltifornia Republic. Sharpshooter now knows he is wearing a military uniform. He could care less about any military, all he wanted was to wear something besides rags.

  Sharpshooter silently trotted over to the window. He pushed back the apple patterned curtains to see the moon at mountain level, lightly everything with its silver glow. Sharpshooter enjoyed the moon. He liked to look at it and just loose himself in it. Sometimes he would day dream about being a filly again, and laughing and playing with his brother. Sharpshooter chuckled softly and took his glaze away from the moon. He looked in the streets to see nothing but giant ants crawling around. Two of them were fighting over what looked like a dead rat. Sharpshooter then looked back at the bed to see Dutton still asleep. Good. Nothing to worry about for another few hours. Sharpshooter then sat in a wooden chair next to the window. He looked through his PipBuck, through the messages he collected over his travels. Some of them suicide notes, others were journal entries. Then, their was the message left from his family. Sharpshooter swallowed hard. He never wanted to hear that message again for as long as he lived. He also had a family picture he packed with him before he left the Stable. He tried to hold back tears as he looked at the smiling ponies in the picture with the mother carrying a foal in her arms. Sharpshooter couldn't help it, he started to feel tears run down his face as he looked at the picture more. Sharpshooter then smiled and whispered to himself.

"I miss you guys."

  The next morning came with a bright orange sun in the sky. Towns folk were going about their business in a almost completely destroyed country. Sharpshooter exited the Saloon with Dutton Mash next to him. Two walked down the dirt road, observing everything in sight. They were being observed however. Multiple ponies stared at Sharpshooter and Dutton as they walked down into the market square. The market square was filled with booths with more than just food. Sharpshooter then saw something that really caught his eye. A gun booth. The booth was very large with energy weapons, rockets, SMG's, Shotguns, the whole nine yards. Sharpshooter then felt a tug at his jacket, he looked to see Dutton pulling.

"What's up little guy?" he asked lowering his head.

  Dutton dropped the jacket and pointed to a neighborhood of wood shack houses.

"My mom lives over there." he said.

  Sharpshooter nodded and continued with Dutton to the neighborhood.

"You said your mom? Where's your dad?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Dutton didn't answer for a while until they entered the neighborhood. Dutton finally answered but with some hesitation.

"He...He isn't here anymore." Sharpshooter felt embarrassed from the blunt question he just asked the colt.

  It was known he touched a nerve, so he stopped the conversation. Dutton soon stopped in front of a shack with black tinted windows. Sharpshooter wanted to knock but Dutton beat him to it. They waited while footsteps could be heard from the inside. The door swung open to see a unicorn mare with a blonde mane and a magenta coat. Her voice had the southern accent but a bit more lighter.

"Dutton, where have you been?" she asked stroking her sons cheek.

  She then saw Sharpshooter's helmet and without caution levitated a double barrel shotgun from behind the door. The barrel was pointed straight at Sharpshooter's eyes. He wasn't impressed. Dutton motioned his mom to put away the gun.

"What? Why?" she asked her son.

"Because, he's my friend." he said looking at Sharpshooter with a smile.

  Sharpshooter was shocked to hear the answer. He had only met the colt yesterday, and he thinks of him as his friend. Sharpshooter smiled behind his helmet and realized the mare still giving him an angry look. Sharpshooter removed his helmet and smiled slightly at the mare. The mare soon ceased her stare and turned to move inside the shack. Dutton motioned Sharpshooter to follow. The shack was a little homie, with a kitchen in the top right corner, a lone bed in the other corner, the rest was living space. A dining table sat in the middle of the shack. Sharpshooter and Dutton sat at the table while the mare made some coffee. The mare gave the coffee to Sharpshooter, while she gave a glass of milk to Dutton. Sharpshooter took one sip to have the biggest kick in the flank ever. It was the first time he had ever drank coffee.

"Excuse my unnecessary gun pointing." she said.

  Sharpshooter looked to see the mare giving him an apologetic look. He returned the look.

"Its fine, really." The mare  perked up a bit.

"I understand if I worried you with this armor. Lots of folk have been giving looks like I was the boogiemare or something." Every one laughed.

"Well..." Sharpshooter said with a smug smile.

  The mare gave him a confused look.

"Well what?" she said.

"Lets get with introduction shall we?" The mare blushed a bit and smiled.

  Sharpshooter went first.

"My name is Sharp 'nine' shooter." he said saluting.

"My name is, Colony." she said.

"By the way, what's with the 'nine' in your name?" she asked.

Sharpshooter didn't realize he said his nickname.

"Oh, uh...I was born as the ninth member of my generation." The mare gave a surprised look.

"Wow, that's a special number to you then?" she asked.

  Sharpshooter didn't feel special. Matter of fact, he hated the number nine. It always reminded him of his time in Stable 9.

"Not really, It was never really used by my parents." he answered.

"Your parents? Not even-" Colony heard a knock at the door.

  She trotted over to a window and looked out. She groaned in frustration.

"What is it mom?" Dutton asked.

  Colony didn't answer right away.

"N...nothing son. Say, Sharp, can you look after him for a minute?" she asked.

  Sharpshooter didn't feel accustom to the nickname but nodded in agree. The mare steeped out of the shack with a upset look on her face. Sharpshooter was suspicions. He walked over to the door and put his ear to it. What he heard made his blood run cold.

"Listen Jazz, I'm not working tonight, understand?"

  Another voice, a stallions, he was upset and pursuing something from Colony.

"Listen toots, I pay you a hundred caps every weekend to come by and have some fun. I aren't sticken my neck out for just because you can call it off!" Jazz was growing more agitated.

"Jazz please, I cant do it tonight. Maybe next weekend?" Colony said.

  Jazz let out a frustrated groan.

"Mom works every weekend with this Jazz guy. Says he's our provider." he said twirling his empty cup.

"What do you mean works?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Dutton knew the answer.

"She told me she goes over to his place and stays their the entire night. She never really goes into detail."

Sharpshooter's blood ran even colder. He thought to himself.

-Holy shit...she's a fucking prostitute!-

Chapter 8: Apploosa Affairs

  Sharpshooter couldn't believe what he was hearing behind the door. He would have never guessed this sweet of a pony, who was a mother, to be a working girl. Sharpshooter wanted to swing open the door and stop the conversation dead in its tracks. However, it seemed like it was about to end.

"Enough Jazz, I've had enough. I need to be with my son."

  Sharpshooter let out a soft "whew" as he heard footsteps approach the door. That didn't last for long though. Jazz had gotten so irritated he grabbed Colony around the neck and covered her mouth to silence her screams. Sharpshooter only heard the muffled screams get quieter and quieter. Sharpshooter cussed under his breathe and ran over to the table.

"Wha...what's wrong?" Dutton asked with worry.

  Sharpshooter threw on his helmet and galloped to the door, but to be stopped by Dutton.

"Nine please, where's my mom?" he asked with sorrow.

  Sharpshooter turned around to see Dutton had tears in his eyes. He felt his heart break as he had to tell this little boy that his mother was just kidnapped and possibly going to be treated as a sex slave. Well...he wasn't going to tell him THAT much. Sharpshooter was running out of time, he loaded his magnum and faced Dutton.

"In trouble."

  Sharpshooter threw open the door and galloped away into the darkness town. Sharpshooter was following Jazz's footsteps as he ran as fast as he could. As he ran, Sharpshooter ran past the gun booth. He stared at the booth for awhile. Sharpshooter picked up the sawed-off shotgun he saw. He noticed the gun was especially designed for earth ponies! The grip had a built in trigger system which, when pulling the grip, the shotgun would fire. Sharpshooter laughed and continued his quest. He followed the trail to a even more shady looking cabin. The windows were covered in some sort of green muck. The door had bullet holes everywhere on it. The wood was even darker shade than the others.

"Get off me you bastard!" Colony said.

  Sharpshooter leaned into the door to hear more.

"Nah, you know how much I pay you every weekend for this? I'm not gonna waste it!" This was disturbing to hear.

  Sharpshooter felt sweat drop down his face.

"Please Jazz, please, don't do this!" Colony pleaded.

  Sharpshooter had enough. He backed up from the door. He charged the door with all his might as he tried to bring it down. The door came off its hinges like paper.

"Who the fuck are you!?" Jazz said.

  Sharpshooter got up from the door and was embarrassed about what he was looking at. Colony was chained to the bed with shackles around each of her limbs. Jazz got up from the bed and pulled a pistol from the drawer.

"I don't know how you NCR found out where I lived, but I wont go back alive!" Jazz pointed the pistol at Sharpshooter.

  Sharpshooter was now even more confused.

"Whoa wait, I'm not with the NCR." he said.

  Jazz gave Sharpshooter a surprised look.

"Wait, really?" he said.

"Yeah, I'm just wearing this because I liked it." Sharpshooter commented.

"Cool bro." Jazz said.

"Um, boys."

  Both Jazz and Sharpshooter turned around to Colony, who was still shackled to the bed. Sharpshooter felt his face grow red again.

"This is sweet and all, but I would really appreciate it if I could leave and see my son please." she said.

"Nah doll, I want my pay's worth." Jazz said before turning his attention back to Colony.

"Now then...where were-" Jazz was cut off by his head exploding across the walls.

  Colony closed her eyes to shield her from the blood shower. She looked back to see a decapitated Jazz and a blood soaked Sharpshooter with a smoking double barrel.

"What the fuck!?" she said with shock.

  Sharpshooter wiped the blood from his visor. He looked himself over and saw his blood soaked coat.

"Wow...he was full of juice." Sharpshooter said with a laugh.

  Sharpshooter unshackled Colony and the two walked out of the shack. The gun shot hadn't woken the town. This was good. Sharpshooter and Colony began their walk back to her cabin. On the way, the two got into a rather odd conversation.

"Why are you working like this?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Colony looked at Sharpshooter before she knew what he was asking.

"Times were tough when Dutton's father died. I had to make a decision." she answered.

"But...there must be a different job then prostitution?" he said.

"I don't have a choice, I've asked every shop in town, nobody wants me." She said with a sad tone.

  Sharpshooter felt sorry for Colony. Even though he had only met her today. He wanted to help her.

"What if...what if I went with you to one of the shops tomorrow? Since I'm dressed as a member of the NCR, they might cut you a break if they found out if-" Sharpshooter's face went even redder inside his helmet.

  Colony looked at him with innocent and joyful eyes.

"-if your...um...brother! Ya brother! Was in the army." Sharpshooter let out a long sign.

-That was close one!- he thought.

  The two arrived at Colony's shack. Without a moment to soon, Dutton burst through the door and wrapped both Sharpshooter and Colony in a mega bear hug. With tears in his eyes, Dutton hugged them with all his might. Colony broke the grip and hugged her son back. Sharpshooter let out a breathe.

"I was so worried about you guys!" he said while buried in his mothers chest.

  Dutton looked back at Sharpshooter.

"Thank you Sharpshooter, thank you." Sharpshooter smirked.

"Your welcome Dutton, and please, call me Nine."

Chapter 9: Are you finished with those errends?

  Sharpshooter and Colony left the next morning for the Saloon. Colony had told Sharpshooter they should try the Saloon first. They are always under staffed and are in need of a new waitress. Appaloosa was even more active then it was yesterday. Ponies were zooming past Sharpshooter and Colony. They then noticed medic ponies carrying a headless body on a stretcher. Sharpshooter looked as they galloped to the hospital. Colony stops to ask a civilian what's going on.

"The whole town is buzzing about Jazz." she said.

  Sharpshooter almost felt bad for killing Jazz. Their were other ways to settle the situation besides killing him. He could've beat him down into a pulp, left him bruised and with a warning. The other was to break a limb and again warn him. However, from what Colony told Sharpshooter, Jazz was hated for being a drunk and a drug addict.

"Ponies wouldn't have missed him." Sharpshooter said walking in front of Colony, leaving her with a agreeing nod.

  They arrived at the Saloon at its most crowded time of the day, happy hour. Happy hour at the Saloon was like saying free steak to a pack of lions. The entire Saloon was so crowded with ponies you couldn't even see the bar. Sharpshooter and Colony walked until Colony pointed out the manager. The manager was a mare who was a unicorn. The mare was orange with a black mane. Her eyes were lime green. Her cutie mark was, of course, a beer jug. Sharpshooter all ready didn't like this mare. He didn't like the greed he saw in her eyes. The two walked up two the mare, trying not to bump into any other ponies along the way.

"Ah! Colony! My girl!" she yelled.

  Colony gave her a small smile and walked over to her. Sharpshooter followed Colony close. He saw how many the ponies were already drunk. He didn't take any chances.

"Hello Weiser." Colony said.

  Weiser saw Sharpshooter behind Colony behind her and smirked.

"Well, well, got yourself strong one I see." she said looking over Sharpshooter.

  Both Colony and Sharpshooter blushed. Sharpshooter's helmet felt like someone kicked up the AC.

"Th...that's not who he is!" she said.

  Weiser looked back Colony with a confused look.

"Oh? Who is he then?" Colony looked at Sharpshooter with desperation.

"I'm her brother." he said.

  Weiser looked even more surprised.

"Oh...well why didn't ya say so?" she said.

"What can I do ya for?"

"I was hoping you could give my sister a job." Sharpshooter said.

  Weiser's happy expression turned down then. It was like someone kicked her dog when Sharpshooter said that.

"Well...that's gonna be a problem." she said rubbing her neck.

  Both Sharpshooter and Colony exchanged looks.

"Why?" she asked.

"Well we don't have enough profit to give if we hire you." she said.

  Sharpshooter raised an eyebrow under his helmet. That has got to be the hookiest thing he's heard all day, no, week!

"Seems you getting a good profit right now." Colony said.

  Weiser shacked her head.

"Not really, were running low on booze and we need to pay the dancers."

Sharpshooter thought to himself.

-Well there goes that idea...-

"Well...maybe I could be a dancer!" Colony said with determination.

  Weiser put a hoof to her chin.

"Well...one of our dancers had to quit because of moving to another town." she was silent for a minute.

"Yeah, yeah I guess we could do that." Weiser said with a smile.

"When do you want to start?" she asked.

  Colony didn't need to think.

"I'll start now!" she said with joy.

  Sharpshooter felt happy with himself. He had helped a friend get her job.

"The dressing room is backstage, I'll show you it." Weiser motioned Colony to follow her.

  Colony was about to when she ran up to Sharpshooter and hugged him. Sharpshooter expected that to happen.

"Thanks." she said.

"No problem." he said.

  Weiser and Colony trotted to the backstage door next to the stage. Sharpshooter watched from the crowd as the whole place went dark and ponies were telling each other to quiet. The Saloon was silent for a few minutes before a voice of sweet caramel came from behind the curtain. A couple of ponies cheered. A the curtains opened to reveal a couple mares in dresses that made a couple of the stallions howl like wolves. One of the mares he saw was none other than Colony! He didn't believe what he was seeing and listening to as the mares sang with grace. The stallions erupted in more wolf howls. Sharpshooter rolled his eyes. The performance was fantastic from were Sharpshooter was. He could see everything. Sharpshooter then turned to the bar.

-Might as well have a good time.- he thought.

"Whiskey please." he said to the tender.

  The tender hoofed over a shot glass of whiskey to Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter removed his helmet and placed it on the counter.

"Friend of yours?" he asked.

  Sharpshooter looked up from his glass.

"The new comer?" he asked.

"Yeah, she's pretty good." the tender said looking over to the stage.

  Sharpshooter looked back to see the mares doing a dance routine. Sharpshooter grinned.

"Yeah." he answered.

"Well, you better keep an eye on her, some of these guys are a little...yeah know."

  Sharpshooter looked back to see multiple stallions getting even more rowdy. Sharpshooter nodded and turned back to the stage. One of the mares, a violent one, got in front of her friends. Her voice was somewhat lustful.

"I'd like to thank everypony for coming out to our first show here in New Appleloosa!" she said.

  The crowd cheered. It sounded like a pack of wolves howling.

"Now before we finish our routine, I'd like you all to meet our newest member!" The mares pulled Colony to the front.

  Sharpshooters jaw dropped from he saw her in the orange and black dress they picked for her.

"Um...I..." she stuttered.

  The violent mare put her hoof around Colony and smiled.

"Why don't you tell us why you are here." she said.

  Colony looked beyond the crowd. She saw Sharpshooter and smiled.

"Well...its because of a very kind friend of mine, without him, I would have gotten this job." The mare gave Colony a smile.

"What's this guys name?" Colony looked to Sharpshooter who had a huge smile on his face.

"His name is Sharpshooter." she said.

"Well then, thank you Sharpshooter for this lovely gal!" she screamed.

  The crowd cheered. The mares then finished their dance routine.

  Sharpshooter met Colony after the routine.

"You were awesome!" he said. Colony blushed.

"Ah, well it was you who got me the job." Sharpshooter felt like he shrank a inch.

"No way, I was just intimidation." The two walked home.

When they got their, a note was placed on the front door. Sharpshooter and Colony looked at each other.

-Your times come Ranger!-

Chapter 10: Bar Fight: Part 1

  The note had Sharpshooter up for hours. A dozen questions were circling in his mind. How could he have pissed off someone in town? He had only been their for a few days. Did they know he actually was? Did they know where he stayed? Sharpshooter didn't know the answer. For the first time since he left his Stable, he didn't know what to do. He didn't want Colony or Dutton getting hurt in the process or let alone involved. Sharpshooter checked his PipBuck, it was almost five in the morning. He had not slept since yesterday. Sharpshooter signed and walked to the window behind the dining table. Sharpshooter took his shotgun from its handle and looked it over. If that gun was strong enough to blow a ponies head off his shoulders, it was strong enough to blow a few more. He still had his magnum too, it wasn't as powerful but it got the job done. Sharpshooter was token out of thought when he heard someone's voice behind him.

  "Your still up?" a voice soft sounding said.

  Sharpshooter looked behind him and saw Colony. The bags under her eyes told Sharpshooter she couldn't sleep too.

"Yeah." Sharpshooter said.

  Colony walked over to the kitchen counter and started making some coffee.

"How's Dutton?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Colony laughed while pouring the coffee in the mug.

"Sound asleep." she answered.

  She walked over and sat with Sharpshooter, levitating her mug in front of her. Sharpshooter laughed.

"It hasn't been a week and already I've managed to piss somepony off." he said.

  Colony looked at him surprisingly.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

  Sharpshooter stared into the stars and remembered his childhood. The worst years of his life he liked to call them.

"Well, when I was foal, I would get somepony angry with me everyday." he said.

"Lets just say I was a bit of a hand full when I was a kid." he continued.

  Colony was glued into Sharpshooters story like her life depended on it. She had heard the story of why Sharpshooter was here in the wastes in the first place.

"Wow, so I guess your childhood was even more trouble than its worth?" she asked.

Sharpshooter laughed. "Yeah I guess you can say that." he said.

  The next morning was full of caution. Sharpshooter had been on his toes the entire time. Colony had been staying close to Dutton to keep him safe. Sharpshooter made it his mission now to keep the family safe, whatever it took. Sharpshooter paced back and forth in the cabin, wondering about who would wright the note. It had to be someone In town, their was no other pony who knew about him being the town except the townsfolk. Dutton had stayed a home of the request of his mom. Both sat at the dinner table eating breakfast.

"Aren't you going to eat Nine?" Dutton asked stuffing his face with cereal.

  Sharpshooter grinned and looked at the two ponies.

"No, I'm not hungry right now." he said.

"You sure? Its gonna be awhile before we eat again." Colony said.

  Sharpshooter shook his head. Colony didn't want to against his wishes. When Dutton got done stuffing his mouth, he looked at Sharpshooter.

"Hey Nine, can I ask a favor?" he asked.

  Sharpshooter gave a interested look.

"Can...can you take to me to school tomorrow?" Dutton asked.

  Colony spit her coffee out her mouth and Sharpshooter gave a surprised look.

"Um...what?" Sharpshooter asked.

"Yeah know, to school? I supposed to back tomorrow." Dutton said slightly twirling his bowl.

"Absolutely not!" Colony said.

"I like how you want to go back to school son, but with the note we received, we cant risk it!" Colony said looking over at Sharpshooter.

   Sharpshooter had a hoof to his chin. He then got a crazy idea.

"Its okay, I don't mind." he said.

  Colony's jaw dropped.

"But...but Sharpshooter." Sharpshooter raised a hoof.

"Its fine, I could do a day without this suit on." he said scratching his chest.

  Colony was about to say something but stopped.

"Oh...fine." Colony said realizing her lost argument.

  Sharpshooter removed his suit in the bedroom and put it on the bed. Sharpshooter made his way into the dining room, seeing Dutton eagerly at the door and Colony with a backpack.

"Wow, you look different without your armor." Colony said.

  Sharpshooter lightly blushed and trotted over to the door. Dutton nearly tackled Sharpshooter when he jumped on his back. The trio left the cabin saying their goodbyes and heading in different directions. Sharpshooter couldn't help but feel different without his armor in. In honest truth, he felt naked. Sharpshooter and Dutton headed to a little school house near the edge of town. The school house was painted to look like a familiar barn he saw when he exited his Stable.

"This it?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Dutton flew off his back and looked at the school house as foals were entering the school house.

"Yeah." he answered.

  Sharpshooter had seen ponies that happy in years.

"So I guess this is goodbye for now?" he asked Dutton.

  Dutton gave Sharpshooter a sad look.

"Hey look, its okay, I had a hard time when leaving my family when I went to school." he told Dutton with a smile.

  Dutton had a tear in his eye. Sharpshooter yipped it off and muffled the colt's mane. Dutton went to school, Colony was working at the Saloon, and Sharpshooter was by himself. He thought he might as well head back to the cabin. The trip to the cabin was somewhat pleasant because of the wind flowing in Sharpshooter's mane and quiet street he was on. Sharpshooter arrived at the cabin without any trouble. The cabin was empty. Sharpshooter was alone, some time to himself. It was glorious.

  Sharpshooter sat at the dinning table with a relaxing sign. A furious knocking at the door was then heard. Sharpshooter turned around with fury and pointed his shotgun at the door.

"Who's there?" asked Sharpshooter with caution.

"Sharpshooter its me!" a voice called.

Sharpshooter opened the door with force and pointed his shotgun at none other than Weiser.

Chapter 11: Bar Fight: Part 2

  Weiser had looked as if she was raped. Her dress was torn and dirty, and she smelled disgusting. Her makeup was running and she had a clear as day bruise on her cheek. Sharpshooter lowered his shotgun.

"Weiser? What's wrong?" Weiser suddenly leaped forward and wrapped Sharpshooter in the biggest bear hug of his life.

  He could feel Weiser's tears soaking into his fur.

"Oh Sharpshooter its awful! Bandits took over the Saloon!" she cried.

  Sharpshooter pulled Weiser back.

"What!" he gasped.

  Sharpshooter then thought of something that made his blood run cold.

"Where's Colony?" he asked.

  Weiser pointed to a Saloon that was riddled with broken holes and gun fire erupting from the brown building. Sharpshooter slammed the cabin door shut and galloped back to his suit. He threw on his suit and helmet and almost trampled Weiser as he sprinted toward the Saloon. Weiser followed behind as best she could to keep up with Sharpshooter. Multiple ponies were running the other way from Sharpshooter and Weiser. They stopped at the entrance only to see a guard pony being bombarded with bullets. He collapsed to the ground, laying in a puddle of his blood. Weiser covered her mouth to avoid vomiting as she gaged from the scene. Sharpshooter proceeded to the entrance of the Saloon. Sharpshooter had to stop because of a bullet almost hitting his hoof.

"Stay back!" a bandit yelled.

  Sharpshooter looked up to see a dozen bandits holding and levitating assault rifles to him. Sharpshooter reached for his shotgun.

"Don't do it!" another yelled.

"Pull a gun and we kill these bitches!"

  A couple bandits step aside to show the group of dancers from the day before. They obviously looked as if they were either raped or beaten. Sharpshooter grinned his teeth beneath his helmet. These bandits were starting to become annoying. All the dancers stared at Sharpshooter, fear in their eyes.

"Look...I'm not in a good mood today you pricks." Sharpshooter said.

"Well to bad motherfucker. Were here to get some pussy and were not leaving until we get some!" a bandit said smiling at the dancers.

  Sharpshooter didn't have much choices.

"How bout we make a deal?" Sharpshooter asked.

  Some of the bandits lowered their weapons and gave a puzzled look.

"What kind of deal?" one asked.

  Sharpshooter had to think fast.

"How about you guys leave and I don't kill all of you?" All the bandits laughed.

  Sharpshooter slowly reached for his holstered magnum, which was strapped on his wrist.

"You kidding right?" one asked.

  Sharpshooter grinned.

"Last chance." he asked gripping the magnum.

  The bandits continued to laugh. Sharpshooter then spotted something that made him chuckle. Oil barrels above the bandits. He would have to ask Weiser why she has that later on. Sharpshooter raised his magnum which made all the bandits give an even more puzzled look.

"I warned you." he said.

  Sharpshooter shot the middle oil barrel which erupted in a cloud of fire. The other barrels exploded after word. The fire wall collapsed on the bandits, The dancers sprinted just in time before they were killed. The bandits were coated in fire, their skin burning to the bone and their flesh falling off. Sharpshooter yelled to the dancers to get out of the building as bits and pieces were falling from the roof. Everyone watched as the Saloon caved on itself, taking the corpses of those who died with it. Soon after, ponies came running with water barrels and unicorn ponies levitating water hoses. They started dousing the fire to prevent the whole town burning down. Sharpshooter signed in relief seeing every one of the dancers were present. Sharpshooter removed his helmet and wipe the biggest sweat coat from his brow. He felt a poke at his shoulder. He turned to see a wide grinning Colony. Colony didn't say anything as she wrapped Sharpshooter in a bear hug.

"T-t-thank you...Sharpshooter." she said.

  Sharpshooter returned the favor and hugged her back. Soon after, the lead dancer came up to the two. Sharpshooter released Colony and stood firm in front of the gorgeous pony.

"Thanks Shooter, we would have died if it weren't for you." she said.

  Suddenly Sharpshooter was ambushed by lips hitting his cheek. He felt himself blush hard as it lasted for mere seconds. Sharpshooters face turned bright red and Colony felt herself doing the same.

"Huh...yeah...no problem."

Chapter 12: Double Barrel Headache

  It has been nearly a week when Sharpshooter killed the bandits who took over the Saloon. He felt proud for a while knowing he saved the dancers from Celestia knows what! However, that stop when the town mayor came to his door one day and told him he would be charged with arson after he destroyed the now burned down Saloon. A new one is being built but its making more of a headache for him than he wishes. Back to the present, the Saloon is up and running and everything is back to normal for the workers, except Sharpshooter. Because he was the one who destroyed the Saloon. Sharpshooter had to pay for it with his own pocket of caps. He thanks the Goddesses knowing he saved over five thousand caps while in the wastes and in town from doing small time jobs. Sharpshooter as part of the punishment as well, had to help build the Saloon. This went to shit for him because he never used tools in his life. After sending two workers to the doctors office, Sharpshooter was relieved of duty. Sharpshooter slumped in the armchair he bought from a trader. The leather of the chair was warm from baking in the sun for a few hours. Sharpshooter signed and turned on his PipBuck. He switched it to a random radio station and listened.

"Good evening everypony! My name is Monigen and this is Jet Set Radio! I hope you all don't mind but I scored an interview with a NCR general! General Rodhood is here today to discuss a series of reports in the old town of New Appaloosa."

Sharpshooter froze. He thought it was about him killing nearly a ten ponies since he has been there. The general came on. His voice deep and intimidating.

"Thank you Monigen, I'm glad to help."

"Its a pleasure to have you General! First of what I want to ask you, what do you think of the reports of a rouge trooper in New Appaloosa?"

Sharpshooter cussed under his breathe. However, he heard something that almost made him shit himself.

"I think I have respect for this young lad. He has the groin to dress up as one of our soldiers and still fight the greater good? Hats off to you sir!"

Sharpshooter smiled and laughed.

"Interesting...I thought you would be mad that this guy."

"Oh...I'm not...doesn't mean my officers do."

Once again, Sharpshooter cussed.

"Wow. I'm amazed knowing this guy be one of two things. One, this guy is a bandit who decided to turn a leaf but took a life in the process to get the armor. Or, a soldier who didn't like the system and decided to take matters into his own hands. I still think this guy is awesome for what he does but feel sorry for him at the same time."

Sharpshooter had enough and turned off his radio. He felt uneasy. The NCR now know about what he does, and they don't like it. However, their are those who like what he does and wish for him to keep doing it. Sharpshooter reclined in the chair and heard the door to the cabin open. It was Colony and Dutton coming home from a long day at work and school. Dutton immediately jumped on Sharpshooter, knocking the wind out of him.

"Hi Nine!" he said jumping. Sharpshooter felt like his stomach was a trampoline as Dutton bounced up and down on him. Colony chuckled.

"Dutton honey come your gonna take the wind out of him."

Sharpshooter thought to himself. "To late."

  Dutton jumped off of Sharpshooter and proceeded to the fridge. Colony undid the hair band that made a bonnet shape on her head. Her long mane flowed down her neck and shoulders as she signed and slouched on a chair next to the recliner. Sharpshooter laughed.

"Work kick you in the flank today?" he asked. Colony signed.

"Yep...goddesses those new routines were doing are rough." Dutton comes rushing toward the two with an apple in mouth. He sits down in-between the two and chows down on his apple.

"Piggy." Colony said.

  Dutton laughed and stuffed the rest of the apple in his mouth. Sharpshooter laughs.

"I heard the radio." Colony said in a concerned tone. Sharpshooter broke his laughter and gave Colony a worried look.

"Yeah, I did to." he said.

"Sharpie I'm worried about your safety." she said. Sharpshooter slightly blushing at his new nickname, nodded.

"I'm starting to wonder if I should turn in my helmet. If they know I'm here, the NCR will come looking for me."

  Sharpshooter got up and went to the dresser he stored his suit. He glared at it for a while before shutting the door. Sharpshooter proceeded back to the living room and swiped a smile on his face. The two stared at him with concern.

"To hell with em! Let them come and stop me!"

Chapter 13: The Ghoul

  *Somewhere Underground*

  An NCR Ranger comes trotting down a long, dark corridor. The sound of his hoofs hitting the mettle ground echoed. The Ranger stopped in front of a huge mettle door. The Ranger takes out an ID card and swipes it on a scanner next to the door. He mutters something under his radio and proceeded into the dark room. The only light he had was his helmets visor glow. Even that didn't reveal much. He did however have a motion tracker which was reading at a flat line. The Ranger speaks into the radio.

"Command come in."

Silence for a few seconds before a female voice answers back to him.

"Yes Ranger? What have you found?"

"Nothing so much command, its pitch black in here."

"Roger that. Keep searching for those documents."

The radio signal dies and the Ranger continues his search. He searches around the next few rooms but finds nothing of interest. Nothing but empty soda cans, beakers, and other surgical equipment.

"This Vault's dead." He thought.

*Beep* *Beep* Beep*

The Ranger quickly looks and sees two dots on his motion tracker. He then pulls out a Lazer Rifle quickly from his back and aims it in the direction of the signals. He calls out.

"Identify yourselves!"

No answer. He then proceeds to the two dots. He can hear what it sounded like moaning. The moans sounded painful, sad, and angry. The Ranger moves further but is not prepared what he sees. Two children, not even six, were sitting in front of him. Their bodies look as if they were decaying. The flesh was far gone from one of the children's face. Their tiny bodies were nothing but skin and bone. The Ranger couldn't help but start crying about what he was seeing. Ghouls. Then, one of the fillies looked at him. Her groan was hard to listen to as she tried to get up but noticed her leg was bended and twisted beyond medical help. The Ranger put down his gun, and picked up the filly. Her body was cold and roughed textured. Her breathing was hot. He also felt little, to no heart-beat. The Ranger hugged the filly and whispered.

"S..sorry...we couldn't save you in time."

He could feel his helmet fill up with his tears. The Ranger then let out a blood curdling scream at the sight of the Ghoul biting in his neck. Blood was leaking from the wound fast. The Ranger pulled the filly away and shot her dead in the head. Her body collapsed to the ground. The other Ghoul filly jumped and tried to mimic the same thing the other filly did. The Ranger however wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. He shot the filly with the Lazer Rifle hitting her in the chest. The filly then turned to dust. The Ranger leapt to his feet and began sprinting out the Vault. He turned on his radio.

"Command! We have a situation!" he yelled, panting.

The female voice from before came back.

"Ranger what's wrong!?"

"This Vault's got Ghouls! We need an extermination team out here now!"

The Ranger was then tackled by another Ghoul, must larger than the fillies. The screams of bloody murder cried over the radio as the Ranger was torn to pieces. The female had no choice but to shut the radio off.

*Back at New Appaloosa*

  Sharpshooter was in the mist of cleaning his shotgun after yet another attempted bandit raid of the town. One of the bandits got his shotgun all bloody after Sharpshooter stuck it in her mouth. Sharpshooter had to admit these raids were starting to get tedious. Every week or so they would happen. Sharpshooter heard the door open to see Colony and Dutton coming home. He could see the wear and tear this week's taken out of the both of them. Colony collapsed on the couch with Dutton collapsing in her back. Sharpshooter grinned.

"Hard day?" he asked.

Colony with her baggy eyes looked at Sharpshooter. She groaned shoved her face into the couch.

"Yes." she said.

Sharpshooter took some time away from his shotgun(which was done any way, he just liked looking at it) and got some water in a couple cups. Dutton came over and grabbed his. Sharpshooter handed Colony hers. She took it and drank it in one gulp. Sharpshooter's grin was now above his head. Colony saw this and slugged him on the arm. Both laughed.

"I want to take the weekend off." Colony groaned.

"Diddo." Sharpshooter laughed.

Colony looks over to the dining table and sees Sharpshooter's gun. She then gets an idea. Colony goes over to his shotgun. Sharpshooter gives her a confused looks.

"Up for a little competition?" she asked.

Sharpshooter raised an eyebrow.

"Depends...what did you have in mind?"

Colony walks over to Sharpshooter with a strange look in her eye.

"Who has the best aim." she said with a smile.

Sharpshooter gave an evil smile. Colony did the same.

"What are prizes?" Sharpshooter asked.

Colony giggled and handed Sharpshooter his shotgun. She put a hoof to her chin and started thinking. A light bulb went off in her head.

"The winner gets what ever they want from the other."

Sharpshooter thought about it for a minute before he gave a nod of agreement. A knock was heard at the front door. Sharpshooter opened the door and saw something he wished he didn't. Sharpshooter was looking at something dead. The rotting corpse in front of him tackled him and tried biting Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter punched the Ghoul in the jaw. The jaw went flying out the door and Sharpshooter kicked the Ghoul off him. Sharpshooter grabbed his shotgun and pulled the handle trigger. Nothing. He forgot to load the gun. The Ghoul came full force. Sharpshooter braced himself. The Ghoul's head exploded in mass cloud of blood. Sharpshooter looked back to see Colony with a Cowboy Repeater. She lowered the gun from her face and gave Sharpshooter a wide smile.

"Your screwed." she said.

Sharpshooter gave a slightly annoyed face.

"Fuck you."

Colony shot back with loud laugh.

"You wish."

Chapter 14: Friendly Composition

  It was a hot afternoon. Hotter than any day Sharpshooter has ever experienced. As sweat dripped from his brow, him and Colony proceeded to a outdoor shooting range just at the edge of New Appaloosa. The shooting range was decent size, enough to fit at least five ponies. It looked as if nobody had used it in a while, or hell even years. The smell of the place was disgusting. It smelled as if a Ghoul was sprayed by a skunk and then lit on fire. The mixture of skunk spray and sulfur was not a good combo. Colony appeared to not be affected by the smell.

"I come almost every week to practice my skills." she said.

  Figures. Colony set up three targets. The targets were cola bottles with red dots painted on them. Colony trotted back over to Sharpshooter who was behind a table with two guns on it. Colony picked up her Cowboy Repeater. Sharpshooter picked his magnum. Sharpshooter is using his magnum for range purposes, figuring his shotgun wasn't going to cut it. Both ponies looked at each other with competitive smiles.

"First one to hit all three in the middle wins." Colony said using her magic and aiming down her guns sight.

  Sharpshooter watched as Colony took her time and aimed carefully down the sight. He could hear her breathing calmly. Colony took her time as she lined up the sight with the first target. The target dot was so small it Colony had to admit, this was going to be tough. She took her first shot.

BANG!

  The shot rang out through the forest with an echo. The bottle flew off the pedestal with force, hitting the ground with a loud sound.

CLINK!

  Colony smiled as she aimed down her sights again to hit the other two targets. She fires yet again.

BANG! BANG!

  The other two bottles toppled over next to the other bottle. Colony lifted her gun to her muzzle and blew the smoke coming from the barrel. She shoots Sharpshooter a smug grin. He grunts and gets ready for his shots. Dutton gets the three more bottles and outs them up. Sharpshooter grips his magnum in his mouth as he aims it down the sight. Aiming with the mouth was way harder than it was from using magic to hold the gun. Colony had it easy. None the less, Sharpshooter was skilled with any gun. He aimed carefully with the magnum. Breathing through his nose, holding steady, he took a deep breathe as he let his first shot go.

BANG!

  The shot was clear as water as the bottle flew off the pedestal immediately. Colony's smile went away fast as the bottle shattered across the floor. Sharpshooter let out a soft giggle as he blasts the other two bottles with the same outcome. Dutton observes the broken bottles. He yells out from behind the pedestal.

"Nine won! He broke all the bottles! You just cracked em' mom!"

  With that, Colony's expression went into deeper shock as she realized defeat. Sharpshooter couldn't help but start laughing. He gets himself together and faces Colony, who is still dumb founded. He gives her a smug smile.

"Well...'pears that I have won." he said.

  Colony gets herself together and faces Sharpshooter with a defeated groan. Sharpshooter then realizes...he had no punishment planned. He was so focused on his shots that he didn't know what Colony's punishment would be for losing. Colony lowers her head.

"Alright...what do you want me ta' do?" she said annoyed.

  Sharpshooter had to think quick. He had to come up with an excuse.

"Oh, it'll come at ya when you see it." he said smiling.

  Colony looked at him with a confused look. Now she was scared, she didn't know the punishment was going to be, or how it was going to be. She expected it to be something dumb like, washing dishes, give him a massage, or whatever! She would have to see the punishment in order to do it. As little sense that made to her.

  The trio walked back to the town to see it was the evening. The sun was setting a gold and orange scene over the horizon. It was quite beautiful. The town was almost quite empty as a few ponies were closing their shops. The trio arrives home as night arrives. Colony put Dutton to bed as Sharpshooter was fiddling with his suit. Colony walks in on Sharpshooter messing with his helmet.

"What are you doing?" she asked

  Sharpshooters turns to face Colony. Holding bobby pins in his mouth. She laughs and Sharpshooter gives her a confused look.

Chapter 15: Welcome To Camp Blood

  Sharpshooter could hear it. He could hear the footsteps of multiple ponies around him. His helmet was hot inside  on the summer day. He pulled his shotgun from the strap and started looking it over. He thought back to when he got the report from Weiser. She came in one day at the shack with four other ponies. All were caravan ponies who were going on an expedition.

"Were kind of run-in low on supplies at the Saloon. Me and the boys are heading out to get more supplies." she said

  Sharpshooter could use the time to get some excursive and stretch his hooves. He accepted without hesitation. Dutton and Colony however, were cautions about it. They didn't trust it. Colony tried to convince Sharpshooter to reconsider but he wouldn't listen. Before he left it was a little emotional. Many ponies who left on the expeditions, normally, only half came back alive. Sharpshooter assured his friends though, he would return safely. After a emotional departure, Sharpshooter left with the caravan. Sharpshooter snapped out of his daydream to find the caravan had stopped. The leaders Weiser, and another pony were talking about something. Curious, Sharpshooter went to another pony and asked.

"What's going on?" he asked.

  The caravan pony looked at Sharpshooter with the same curious look.

"Not sure, they're sayin we at a cross roads." he answered.

  Sharpshooter pushed his way through the ponies to get to the front. He could hear Colony and the other pony arguing. Sharpshooter could see the other pony wasn't kidding about a fork in the road. One road looked as though it was going through the forest. The other went into a wide open area. The two's argument was getting at a boiling point.

"No! We need to go through the forest! We don't need to be in a wide open area!" Weiser argued.

"That forest will put us two days behind schedule! The supplies will be gone by then!" the other argued.

  Sharpshooter could see the problem here. The quick way? Or the long way? Weiser was aiming for the long way because its safer. The other pony is aiming for the short way because The supplies would be gone by then. Sharpshooter was aiming toward both ways. He wanted the caravan to be safe, but at the same time, he wanted to kill some bad guys if they came around. None the less, this argument was going no where. Weiser eventually had enough.

"Alright! If you think your a big badass! Then why don't cha just go that way on your own!" she said angry.

  The other pony was satisfied by that decision.

"Alright. You have yourself a deal." he said.

  Each party took two of the four members. Sharpshooter being on Weiser's side, making it three. The parties moved on their paths and continued the expedition. On the short way path with Weiser and Sharpshooter, Sharpshooter was curious about the whole problem with that other pony. He caught up to Weiser who had a annoyed look on her face.

"Who was that jack off?" Sharpshooter asked with humor.

  Weiser giggled a bit at the name and turned to Sharpshooter.

"He's my husband...Roller." she said.

"Okay...wasn't expecting that..." Sharpshooter thought.

  Weiser noticed Sharpshooter's surprised look and giggled.

"Roller can be an asshole sometimes...but...I love him." Weiser said with a smile.

  Sharpshooter now thinks he's touched a nerve. Feeling bad he stops the conversation in its tracks. The walk continues for a few more hours before Weiser's trio come across another little town. Weiser said along the way that this was the trading depot. The town was much darker than any town Sharpshooter has discovered, his PipBuck read it as "Camp Blood."

"Oh...wonderful." Sharpshooter thought as he spotted the locals.

  Some of the locals were dressed as either soldiers or raiders. The feeling in the town was an unwelcoming one. It felt as though you could be stabbed in the back at any second. Sharpshooter upholstered his shotgun for protection. Weiser was a convenience stand getting food, medicine, ammo, pretty much anything to help New Appaloosa.

"Alright little missy, that would be two-hundred caps." the tender said.

  Weiser gave a agreeing nod, her and the other ponies loaded supplies onto a carriage while Sharpshooter was keeping an eye out for trouble. The sun was rapidly coming down and it looked as though a storm was coming. Sharpshooter gritted his teeth under his helmet.

"Its gonna be a long trip back."

  The trip back was soaking wet from the rain and most of the ponies beside Sharpshooter were not enjoying it. Sharpshooter was glad he packed his armor with him on this trip. As the trio went through the forest they came across the fork in the road as a few hours ago. They stopped however when Weiser abruptly stopped moving forward. The group was curious as to why she stopped. Sharpshooter made his way up front to see what the problem was. He saw Weiser facing her right as if she was looking at something. Sharpshooter couldn't see because of the rain but something had Weiser frozen.

"Weiser? What's wrong?" he asked.

  Then, Weiser began breaking down and start crying. Sharpshooter was now more worried then curious! Weiser's behavior was getting weird as she looked at nothing but rain. Sharpshooter then noticed all the other ponies having the same shocked expression on their faces. Sharpshooter needed to get to the bottom of this. He flew off his helmet to get a better view. What he saw, made him swallow, hard. It was Roller's head through a wooden steak. His ears were gone and his eyes were gouged out. A sign was placed at the bottom of the steak. It was written in what Sharpshooter thought was Roller's blood.

"COME BACK TO CAMP BLOOD SOON YA HEAR?"

Chapter 16: Trail of Blood

  The storm was getting out of control by this point. Rain started coming down harder, and harder. The wind was blowing furiously. You couldn't see for miles because of It. The caravan group, what was left, had token shelter inside a small cave further down the road. They tried to fight the storm but a tree had broken and had fallen on one if the ponies. He was in desperate need of medical attention but the group didn't have the supplies to help. Sharpshooter tried his best to help the pony, thanks to his knowledge in medicine, but he only helped it for a short amount of time. The space they were in wasn't any better situation. Sharpshooter had to work in a confined space and had little supplies to work with. He even had to use his own stimpacks to help the poor guy. Weiser wasn't doing any better. After seeing her husband's head on a steak, Weiser had the longest panic attack Sharpshooter had ever seen. Weiser had been like this for hours until she finally stopped and stayed in a curled position. She hasn't moved since the group claimed the cave. Sharpshooter didn't know what to do by this point. He was the only one who still has his head screwed on and wasn't freaking out. Sharpshooter checked his PipBuck, it was late at night with the storm looking at though it wouldn't end here soon.

"Its bad enough were waiting out a huge storm, but its another thing when we run out of supplies and half the crews gone nuts." he mumbled.

  Sharpshooter didn't know what else to do then to get some sleep. He crossed his forearms and placed his head on top of them. Sharpshooter slowly closed his eyes as his mind drifted into his dreams.

  The sun's rays engulfed Sharpshooter's face as he could feel the heat coming from it. Sharpshooter shielded his eyes from the sun to realize, he was moving. Not physically, but moving. He scrambled and found himself inside a cage and his hooves and mouth were bound. A rusty metal cage, with the other members of his group. All of them tied up as well. Sharpshooter then noticed his weapons were gone, his uniform as well. He was only wearing rags. Goddess how he hated wearing rags. A hard tap rung on the metal bar. A slaver wearing a covering face mask and goggles, with a ammo belt and wacky hair cut. He snarled at Sharpshooter.

"Quiet in there!" he snapped.

  Sharpshooter narrowed his eyes at the slaver. The slaver and spit in Sharpshooter's face causing him to jerk back to avoid the spit. The slaver laughed. Another slaver from ahead shouted something and the one bothering Sharpshooter ran ahead. This gives Sharpshooter some time to wiggle out of his restraints. No other guards are in the back so he tries to wake up his friends. All of which are out cold. Sharpshooter then notices a small knife coming from the back leg of the pony driving the cage. Without notice, Sharpshooter gently pulls the knife from the holster. With success his makes a plan. The slaver from before comes back seeing Sharpshooter is unrestrained.

"How the hell did you get untied?" he asked.

  Sharpshooter simply shrugged.

"Loose tie?"

  The slaver yells something to the driver. He stops and he opens the gate to the cage. Sharpshooter springs his attack on the slaver. He tackles him to the ground and slices his neck causing blood to erupt form the neck like a fire hose. The slaver dies in an instant. The other slaver, who was more buff built then his friend came at Sharpshooter with force. Knocking him onto the ground with a hard THUD! He could feel his back begin to ach as the larger slaver picks up Sharpshooter and throws him  further away. Sharpshooter needs a plan and his needs it now. He then notices were they are. Sharpshooter then gets the idea. He gets up, holding his bruised ribs and begins taunting the slaver. The larger one gets even more angry as he charges Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter jumps out of the way for the larger slaver to fall into a huge scorpion nest. He frantically gest up and tries to crawl out of the pit. A huge stinger then comes from the bottom of the dark nest and plunges it through the slavers body. Sharpshooter walks away as he hears the bone's and flesh being  crunched and mangled.

  Sharpshooter makes his way back to the cage to find all his friends still there. He gave a sign of relief under the pressure of bruised ribs and goes to them. Finding no other way to get his trio home, Sharpshooter takes it apon himself to pull them home. With only a knife equipped...with no direction of where he is...Sharpshooter doesn't know what to do. All he can think to do it go back the way the slaver's came and hope for the best. Sharpshooter begins haling the cage but then finds it extremely difficult to drive with over two hundred pounds of weight inside of it. With the odds against him his begins the way back.

  The trip back has not gotten easier. Its been hours and Sharpshooter doesn't know where he's going. His group woke up hours ago and have since then been helping him trying to find a way back. So far, nothing is new. The group eventually comes across the same forest they were once in before. However, it looked different. The tree's were different colored. The ground was more rough then it was before. And the sun was blocked out from storm clouds. This was different. They trio eventually find the cave they camped at to find signs of a struggle. Sharpshooter see's his uniform and his shotgun. He quickly throws on his uniform and loads his shotgun. At the moment of good time, a group pony screams.

SPLUURCH!

  The right side of the ponies head is gone and pieces of skull and flesh scattered across the ground. Weiser covered her face and screamed while the other group pony suffered the same fate. Sharpshooter shot into the dark cave to find nothing coming forward. He quickly grabs Weiser and lunges out of the cave. He runs and fast as he cane, still holding onto Weiser's arm. He can hear her screaming about something behind them. Sharpshooter picks up the paste and shoots his shotgun behind him without looking. He then darts behind a large rock out in the open. His heavy breathing makes for an easy giveaway. He holds his breathe. Nothing. Nothing comes after them. Sharpshooter looks through his helmet and behind the rock to see nothing. He turns to face Weiser to ask what she was screaming about. His face became pail.

"Oh...goddess." he said, his lip throbbing.

  Apon shooting his shotgun a second time, Sharpshooter shot Weiser straight in her eye. Her blood covered eye socket and her gaping mouth, drooling with blood and mucus. Sharpshooter lets go of Weiser's arm and lets her fall to the ground on her side. Sharpshooter could feel all sorts of dread load up in his mind as he began to cry softly in his helmet. He threw off his helmet to breathe the dirty air that surrounded him. Sharpshooter cried even harder. He berried his face in his arms as he cried harder. Sharpshooter let out a loud, mournful, angry, upset, scream that could be heard for miles.

Chapter 17: A Hero Amerges

  The indent in the sand was becoming more deep as the day past on by. The hot summer rays had not affected our hero. He just sat there, thinking of a plan. Sharpshooter didn't have one. He was scared, for the first time since his time in the wasteland, he was scared. He didn't want to move from that spot. He wanted to die right there and then. He forgot how long he had been sitting there, days, weeks, months, it was all a blur. He then remembered the smell, the horrid smell of which he knew the origin. Sharpshooter looked over to Weiser's body. Her body was paler then it was a day ago. Bugs had already infested her orifices. Coming from every hole their was. Sharpshooter could see the bones start to form out of the body. Her hair started to rot away leaving almost a bald head. Her eyes. They were the worst part for Sharpshooter when he looked at the corpse. He could see the shock in her decaying left eye. Her right eye, was nothing but a large hole in the center. Sharpshooter had to look away to avoid vomiting, again. Sharpshooter was no sight for sore eyes though. He was on the verge of starvation. Sharpshooter undid his shirt to look at his chest. His ribs beginning to show out of his chest. Sharpshooter groaned in pain and zipped his short back up. He looked at his PipBuck, his health was running low and so was his ammo. He groaned again. Sharpshooter then noticed a large object approaching him. The object was fast approaching and looked as though it was running. Sharpshooter threw on his NCR helmet and prepared for the worst. What he didn't expect was the object to be wearing the same uniform as him.

  Sharpshooter woke up in a dark room, barley lit by candle stick. He tried to get up but then felt the worst pain in his lower back. He groaned in pain and quickly stayed laying on his back. He then noticed something different, his armor was missing. Everything was gone. His armor, his weapons, all gone. Sharpshooter cursed under his breathe. He then heard a deep stallion's voice call from the shadows.

"Your awake? Good."

  Sharpshooter turned his head, at the dismay of his body, and saw a white bearded stallion wearing some sort of outfit. He eyes were dark blue with the look of a strong leader inside them. His coat was a deep shade of brown. The stallion approached Sharpshooter with a not threating stance. Sharpshooter relaxed at the site.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you." he said with a smile.

  Sharpshooter couldn't tell but, his voice was awfully familiar.

"I'm here to tell you we found you out in the wastes a few days ago." he continued.

  Sharpshooter didn't realize he was gone that long. He couldn't remember how long its been. He then remembered something important.

"W...where are...my friends bodies?" he asked under his back pain.

  The stallion gave a friendly smile.

"We sent them back to New Appaloosa. They should be arriving as we speak."

  Sharpshooter released the tension of his thoughts as he heard those words. He gave a soft breathe as he shut his eyes. The stallion continued.

"We found you laying next to your friends corpse, looking as if a Rad Scorpion had stung ya for days. A ranger radioed in, saying something about pony out in the wastes wearing one of our armor's. The ranger took you in and a batch of our doctors spent a whole night patchin you up." he said looking over Sharpshooter.

"Where's my suit?" Sharpshooter asked.

  The stallion coughed and made slit embarrassed look on his face.

"Its...uh...in, the trash." he said with a goofy smile.

Sharpshooter's eyes went as wide as plates when he heard that. His suit, the one he used to help ponies, to save them from danger, was in the trash. Sharpshooter felt his face get hot.

"WHAT!" he screamed.

  The stallion motioned him to be quiet. Sharpshooter was breathing heavily and was getting angrier by the second.

"Please I know its bad! But you mustn't scream that loud!"

"Why the hell not!?" Sharpshooter demanded.

  The stallion shot back.

"Because if command knows your here its my ass AND yours!"

  Sharpshooter calmed himself to lower the noise. Now he has millions of questions in his mind. Why must he remain a secret? Why does it matter if he is here? What will happen if he is discovered? These are but of the few questions that are shrouding Sharpshooter's mind.

"Then why are you keeping me here?" he asked finally.

  The stallion gave Sharpshooter a defeated look and spoke the truth.

"The truth is the NCR was assigned to assassinate you a few weeks ago." he said.

  Sharpshooter gave a shocked look and stared up at the ceiling. He listened while the stallion continued.

"My division was assigned to raid New Appaloosa to look for you. I said I would but I went against the order and made up a story about how you killed yourself before we got there. It was the only way I could make sure the NCR backed off from you. We also told this to the ponies at New Appaloosa no long ago." he said.

  Sharpshooter felt his heart sink at the thought of all his friends thinking of him as dead. Colony...Dutton...what will happen to them? He didn't know, and Sharpshooter wished to not think about it. All he wanted was one thing right now.

"How long do I have to a healthy recovery?" he asked.

  The stallion shot a look of innocents toward the pony on the surgical table. His body fully healed, his eyes full of determination. He simply laughed.

"In about a day or so. Why?"

"Because I need to get back to my friends." Sharpshooter replied, trying to get off the table.

"You gone nuts or something!?" the stallion asked.

  Sharpshooter looked the stallion in the eyes, full of determination. He wanted to get back to New Appaloosa. To Dutton. To Colony. He needed them. And they needed him. Sharpshooter was almost out the door when the stallion called to him. He threw a new uniform at Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter smiled as he looked over the new and shiny ranger uniform. This time it had no insignia on the coat.

"Freshly made...no added designs." the stallion said.

  Sharpshooter smiled as he threw on the armor and trotted out the door. On his way home.

  Sharpshooter galloped as hard as he could to reach New Appaloosa in the speed of light. He ran for hours before he came across the little town. It was all there still. Nothing had changed. It was under the dark of the moon that Sharpshooter realized he was walking the streets toward his old home. Sharpshooter spotted the old shack wear he once slept, and ate. He trotted over and peeked inside to find another surprise. Colony was at the dinner table holding a shotgun shell in-between her hooves. She was crying over it.

"I miss you." she whimpered.

  Sharpshooter didn't know how to feel about the scene in front of him. He felt sad. Sharpshooter felt his heart melt as he burst open the door to the shack. Both him and Colony looked each other in the eye. Colony with a sense of confusion and shock. Sharpshooter realized his helmet was still on, he threw it off and show Colony. Her expression speaked for itself. Sharpshooter tried to say something but Colony tackled him before he could say anything. Both ponies falling into an embrace as Colony kissed Sharpshooter and did not let go.

Chapter 18: Rememeber Me

  The night was late. Almost morning. The shack smelled of sweet liquor and perfume that had been mixed with something indescribable. Moonlight shinning through the only window in the shack. The only light source being a candlestick. The rugged floor was messy with new imprints on it. A soft snore was heard on the ground. The body on the floor was sprout out in a comfortable sleeping position. Sharpshooter was sleeping on the floor, where he had the most tremendous experiences of his life. His armor scattered across the room. The helmet on the couch, his suit on the chair, his guns on the floor. Sharpshooter slowly got up from the floor, moving the blanket covering him. He rubbed his eyes to discover that it was almost morning. He then noticed something else, no sign of Colony. Sharpshooter then remembered after he came back last night. How quickly things escalated between him and his friend. A small groan was heard behind him. He looked back to see Colony sleeping, her hair a mess. Sharpshooter smiled and got up from the floor. He started to clean up the mess that him and Colony caused. After words, he put Colony in her bed to let her sleep it off. Sharpshooter gears up in his armor again and waits for Dutton to wake up for school. Right on cue, Dutton comes into the room, not noticing Sharpshooter. Sharpshooter grins and tries to resist laughing as Dutton casually gets ready. Sharpshooter then whispered in Dutton's ear.

"Whacha eaten dude?"

  Dutton groaned and turned to say something to the talker. Sharpshooter notices the red in his eyes. Dutton must have been crying for days. His eyes looked of sadness. Sharpshooter gave Dutton a more sad look himself. Dutton answered as if he were sobbing.

"Cereal...isn't the same without-"

  Dutton stopped to only realized who he just faced. He turned again to face Sharpshooter who was trying not to laugh like a monkey. Dutton could feel tears in his eyes as he tackled Sharpshooter to the ground with force. The force of sadness, happiness, and relief. His tears were soaking Sharpshooter's coat.

"I-I-I CANT BE-LEIVE YOUR A-ALIVE!"

  Sharpshooter patted Dutton's head as he let him cry it out on his coat. Sharpshooter could even feel his tears start to swell up as he then hugged Dutton as he were his own child. Both then heard a soft gasp from in front of them. Both looked up to see Colony standing at the doorway with what looked like a night gown. She looked as if she was seeing a ghost. Dutton got off of Sharpshooter and went over and hugged his mother's leg. Colony just kept staring at Sharpshooter. The same went for Sharpshooter. Dutton, feeling the elephant in the room. Grabbed his backpack and ran out the door to school. Leaving Colony and Sharpshooter. Colony was frozen in place. Sharpshooter felt awkward. Suddenly, Colony broke the silence.

"I thought...it as just a dream." she said.

  Sharpshooter could see the tears filling up in her eyes. He felt even more awkward now. Before he knew it, Colony rapped herself around Sharpshooter into a tight bear hug. Sharpshooter could feel the air escape his lungs as Colony squeezed him. Colony released him only to kiss him hard. Sharpshooter went wide eyed at the moment. Colony pulled away with smile on her face as the two stared into each other's eyes.

"Sharpie...I-"

  Colony was cut off by a barrage of bullets surging through the front door and the windows across the shack. Sharpshooter and Colony ducked in cover as the assault raged on. Sharpshooter the crawls toward his shotgun and to a nearby window. The bullet barrage stops as he looks out through one of the holes. An entire battalion of NCR soldiers are outside the shack, reloading their guns. Sharpshooter calls out.

"Hey! What the hell do ya think your doin!?" he shouts.

  A broad white coated, gray beard stallion comes from behind the rangers as his deep voice rung out.

"Sharpshooter! You are here by ordered to death under the orders of the New Coltifornia Republic!"

  Sharpshooter cursed and reloaded his own gun. He then throws picks up his helmet. and brings it close to him. Colony then emerges from the back room with her Cowboy Repeater. Sharpshooter gives her a worried look.

"Colony don't! Its me they want! No you!"

  Colony looked at Sharpshooter with a determined look and loads the rifle. With a loud clank of the reloader, Colony looks at Sharpshooter.

"This my fight now as well. If their here to kill you...they gotta go through me."

  Sharpshooter felt his heart sink as his friend said that. The tow begin to argue but are quickly silenced by the stallion outside yelling again.

"You have the count of three to get the hell outa that shack and take your death like a stallion!" he yells raising his arm.

  The rangers all aimed their rifles at the shack as the stallion began counting.

"One."

   Sharpshooter and Colony look at each other. Colony jumping next to Sharpshooter. Both with their backs against the wall. This is it. The end. After all that's happened.

"Two!"

   Sharpshooter then gets an idea. He grabs Colony by her hoof and runs with her to the back of the shack. She drops her Cowboy Repeater as Sharpshooter throws her on the bed. Colony giving a surprised look.

"Sharpie! This isn't the time!"

   Sharpshooter ignored the joke and brought his magnum from his holster on his back leg. Colony gives him a nervous look.

"What are doing with that?"

   Sharpshooter throws the magnum toward Colony on the bed as she looks it over. It was loaded.

"Your going to take my gun and run from here." he said throwing off his helmet.

   Colony gives him a shocked look. As Sharpshooter breaks open the back of the shack and reveals a small tunnel leading to no where. Colony gives Sharpshooter a worried look. Sharpshooter giving a small grin.

"Found this awhile ago...note near it said it was a tunnel toward a building near here called Tenpony Tower."

   Sharpshooter goes and picks up Colonies repeater and gives it to her. She gives him a confused look.

"An escape route?" she said looking at the tunnel.

"Yes. It also runs past Dutton's school. Get him out and go to the tower. They will keep you safe." he said putting a hoof through her mane.

   Colony holds Sharpshooters hoof as she holds onto it with tears in her eyes. She kisses him again, it was long and passionate this time. They broke the moment as more bullets rung through the house. Bullets flying everywhere, bouncing off the walls. Colony screams as Sharpshooter tackles to the ground and covers her with his body. Sharpshooter then feels a series of bullets hit his back and legs. The tremendous pain rings through his body. Colony sees this as the barrage stops once more. Both slowly get up. Sharpshooter, will blood leaking from his mouth, smiles at her. Sharpshooter slowly speaks.

"Go...and...by safe, okay?"

   Colony the quickly crawls her way into the tunnel after giving Sharpshooter a farewell kiss. Sharpshooter the glints toward the front door. With extreme pain in his body Sharpshooter makes his way to the front door. He then puts on his visor cracked helmet. Sharpshooter grabs his Shotgun from the floor and loads the last bullet into it. With only two bullets in his shotgun, Sharpshooter tends to make them count. As he hears the stallion screams again and chuckles at the sound. Sharpshooter lays his head on the door as he sees his life flash before his eyes. His mother, father, brother, all smiling at him. The he sees Colony and Dutton, smiling and laughing with him. Sharpshooter could feel tears swelling up as began chuckling again. Sharpshooter then whispers.

"Show time."

   Sharpshooter then springs open the door to the shack. He pulls the shotgun trigger firing two bullets in a rangers helmet, killing him instantly. The stallion shouts and Sharpshooter is assaulted with a barrage of bullets coursing through his body. He could feel the bullets tear his insides to pieces as he collapsed to the ground. Sharpshooter's helmet, covered in blood, slams on the ground. Sharpshooter feels his blood escape his body as he lay in a pool of his own blood. His eyes then slowly close. Sharpshooter was dead. NCR rangers surround the body, making a perimeter. A few yards away Colony and Dutton watch in horror. Dutton still violently crying in Colonies chest. Colony trying to look away but she cant. Tears flowing down her face. The two then begin their journey to Tenpony Tower.

Epiloque

[6 months later]

  Tenpony Tower was busy as usual. Ponies going about their business on the regular bases. Some traders, some food marketers, some even selling illegal things. A pregnant tan pony walks through the crowd of ponies with a bag of groceries levitating within her magic. Ignoring any other pony, she walked fast out of the crowd and quickly became alone as she walk more slowly down a hallway with apartment doors to each side. Colony opens the door slowly to see her son Dutton Mash doing homework from school. She smiles as she closes the door. Dutton looks up and quickly walks over to her and hugs her leg. Colony puts her leg on top of Dutton's head. She then starts putting groceries away in the rusty old refrigerator. She then feels a tug at her tail as she turns to see Dutton poking at her belly with his hoof. She giggles slightly.

"How much longer till she arrives?" he asks.

  Colony gives Dutton a playful in her voice.

"She wont come out if you keep asking."

  With that, Dutton pretended to zip his lip and throw away the zipper. Colony laughs and returns to the groceries. Dutton then remembers something he was supposed to give her. He scurries into his room and grabs a small bag from under his bed. He quickly runs out and plants his flank next to his mom. She looks down at him with a raised eye brow, seeing the mysterious bag in his mouth.

"What do you have there Dutt?" she asks her son.

  Dutton then pulls a picture frame from the bag and shows it to his mom. Colony felt tears beginning to swarm her eyes as she sees what it is. Its a group photo of them with Sharpshooter. Colony picked up picture and happily sobbed at it. She looks down at her son. Dutton was giving a sly smile. Colony brings him in for a tight hug, nearly choking him. She pulls away slightly so that she looks at him in the eyes.

"How did you-?"

"I saved it in my room from when Sharpshooter was still around. I thought I would keep it for myself, but after he died, I thought both of us could have it."

  Colony kisses her son's head and wipes the tears from her eyes. She lowers her son to the ground and ruffles his mane. She then puts the picture onto the kitchen counter. Another hug this time. Colony looks back at Dutton and then at her belly.

"Do you think ponies will remember him mom?" he asks.

  Colony smiles at her son and looks back at the picture. She stares at the picture for a few moments. The memories that screamed from that picture were priceless. How she wished Sharpshooter was there right now. She wished their could've been a different solution to his sacrifice, but Sharpshooter was a pony with a big heart and wouldn't let any of his friends or family get in harms way until he did. Many tales were made about Sharpshooter after his death. Most notable his title as 'The Ranger.' That was the title that made ponies remember. How it made for a tale about a brave soldier who stared death in the face and died like a hero. A hero, that no one would forget.

"Yes Dutton...ponies will remember."