Loyalty and Sacrifice

by I am Memorial

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Dark, Sad, Romance
Length: 3850

Jecht discovers the magic of friendship and stuff. I hate short descriptions, just read the story, its good.

Jecht is just an average Stallion. His whole life has been choosing one side or another, or choose neither at the cost of acceptance. What happens to this stallion when he leaves his life behind carrying the in search of something new, something different, something that makes him feel he belongs?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-05-10 18:20:03 UTC

Crossfire's and over known Locales

It was mildly amusing to be honest

Same thing every day.

Everypony'd run around, getting pissy because of this or that. The petty arguments that turned pony against pony because of a simple misunderstanding, or a single bad day.

And to be GOD HONEST it was bucking revolting. He couldn't wrap his head around it.

He stood on the roof of the building pondering why he was different. Was it just this region that made him stick out or was it the whole damned world?

'Don't get me wrong, I'm nice and polite, and I'd rarely ever say anything cruel or negative to anypony for no reason. Besides not everypony acts like these ones do but for Celestia's sake why couldn't they just shut up and get along. I've lived my whole life refusing to pick a side, and sure I've made enemies, but the friends I've made are better.'

Jecht thought as stood over the city.

'I need to get out of here. I know this whole area like the back of my hoof. It's too cramped now.'

The earth pony stallion suffered from extreme wander lust mixed with feelings of not fitting in. Bugged him to stay in one place too long but he'd already been everywhere in the city.

'I'm no fan of bars, but maybe I'll just pop in for a spell, relieve some tension.'

It was true, the black coated royal blue maned stallion didn't drink, and the rowdy place filled with random ponies he didn't know wasn't his idea of a good time, but on that note it was better than sitting on his plot at home trying to not be bored.

Mind settled, Jecht stood up and turned to his right. Sizing up the distances between buildings he started at a brisk trot that immediately evolved into a well paced bound. His air time between steps carried him to the ledge in two movements. Springing up like a coil, his rear legs snapped out behind him. The resulting effect carried him easily across the 7 foot wide space between buildings. His next set of bounds effortlessly brought him to the other side. The cycle continued until he found himself on the roof of his apartment. Using the gutter he brought himself in through the window and proceeded into the bathroom to take a shower before he left.

~^~^~^~

Not too terrible concerned with his hair he gave it a brief combing. The result was a unkempt look that appeared to say "buck it" but upon closer inspection actually reads more along the lines of "Yeah, it's my hair, and yeah I made it look this way. If your talking to me though it obviously doesn't matter." It was more or less a devil may care look.

Jecht then slipped on his half leather boots. The toes were cut out so he'd still get a good grip will most of the back of the hoof was covered. Wrapping a belt around his chest he attached his two combat knives. He'd never needed them but on the off chance he did they were there. Slipping a jacket on over these he came out of it looking roguish and rough and tumble.

He took off out the window once he was ready and slid down the gutter pipe to the streets below. A couple saw him land and gave him an odd look. Smiling to himself Breach just walked away. 'Probably wondering if I'm a thief. They won't do anything though. Nopony ever does these days. Bad parenting and what not.' It humoured him. Here he was, a 22 year old stallion, never had a single kid, but he still called out bad parenting.

It really did bother him with how bad things had gotten in the town. He barely recognized the place as Equestria anymore.

As he went along he noticed an older mare trying to get some groceries across the streets. He noticed two colts walk past, one using his magic to rip the bottom out the mares bags. Jecht shook his head, "Bucking disgraceful...' trotting over he started helping the elderly lady in picking up her groceries. Pulling his climbers tape out of a pocket he taped up the bags as best he could and then offered to carry them across the street.

Flashing him a grateful smile the elderly mare took her bags from Jecht.

"Thank you sonny. There are so few stand up ponies these days amongst the younger crowd, I'm just happy to know they aren't all like that."

"Not a problem ma'am. You have a good evening now."

With that Jecht walked away. He didn't mind helping other ponies, but the thanks pissed him off. It wasn't the fact that somepony was thankful mind you, but the fact that other ponies were so damn selfish. He had been the only pony to stop and help out of about 10-12.

'Bucking disgraceful.'

~^~^~^~]/center]

As he neared the bar he started to recognize the music. Sure enough there was a sign stating DJ PON-3 was playing here. He enjoyed the music. Not that he enjoyed most of the music these days, like Mare GaGa or Neighy Minage, but some dubstep, specifically PON-3' dubstep, just had good rythm.

Heading in he trotted through the crowd to the bar.

Wothout taking a seat, Jecht simply leaned on the edge of the bar.

"I'll take a glass of lemon water."

The barkeep shot him an odd look, but said nothing else as he poured a water and tossed a lemon in it.

'And there's the expected 'Why the buck did he order water?' look. Never fails.' Jecht grumbled mentally. He'd taken to noticing slight social cues amazingly well.

Jecht wasn't a drinker, it all tasted like piss and swill to him and it made ponies act like fools. 'Big surprise' when a mare, obviously drunk tried to sidle up next to him.

"Hey there big guy, you look tense, wanna get comfortable?" she suggestively slurred.

"I'm just fine and comfy right here." Jecht countered, trying his best to ignore the mare.

"Oh, kinky, so you don' mind gettin it on here then eh?"

Doing his best not to slap the mare Jecht spat back his answer.

"No. I meant I was just fine and comfy here with my drink. I don't really feel like you level headed at the moment anyway."

This earned him a snort and annoyed look from he mare as she sauntered off.

"Well that wasn't very nice of ya'. Your barn door swing the other way then?" questioned the bar keep, who had seen the whole thing.

"No." Jecht replied with an annoyed look, "I just don't know who that mare is, nor do I have a care to do so. Just tried to let her down nicely as possible."

"Huh." grunted the keep as he turned to another customer.

~^~^~^~]/center]

Jecht got up and started walking around the outskirts of the crowd. He felt comfortable here. Not in the spotlight, safely out of the way at a perfect position to 'fall-back' if the shit hits the fan too hard, or to step in if the need arises.

Leaning against a pillar he sized up different ponies from how they acted, spoke, carried themselves, or danced. That's roughly the same time he heard it. He knew the noise, the one caused by hoof connecting with cheek flesh. Snapping his head to the right he saw a rather drunk stallion standing over a terrified mare. He also saw as the crowd simply formed a ring to watch what would happen.

"Bucking idiots." Breach muttered to himself as he walked over.

"Nopony rejects me whore. The way yer dresshed and the clothsh you have on. You know you want shum a' thish."

The mare in question shot her head all around looking for help. She had a slate grey coat and black mane, as well as a pink bow tie around her neck. She also had a panicked look on her face as she looked to see if anypony would help.

'The buck is that the way a whore dresses. Bucking drunk ass.' Thought Jecht as he pushed through the crowd ringing the two.

"'Scuse me sir, but I think you've made a mistake. I suggest you leave." Jecht dropped the statement flatly.

"'Shcush me shur' The buck do you think you are you shtupit shtallun." the inebriated stallion roared.

"Sir I ask again, bugger the buck off!" Breach shot back in a heightened tone.

At this the drunkard stormed towards the offending(in his head) stallion. Jecht knew it was coming though, side stepping quickly he left a hoof behind to trip the stallion while driving his right fore hoof into the drunkards jaw joint. The resulting pop told him he had dislocated it. Following up with a second punch to the base of the throat and a quick strike to the back of his legs the stallion dropped like a sack of bricks.

'Idiot.' Jecht thought disgustedly.

He turned to the mare, who was still on the ground, and offered her his hoof. She took it dainty as he helped her up.

"You okay ma'am?"

The mare brushed herself off quickly and rubbed her cheek.

"Oh yes, dreadfully sorry you had to get involved in that, and thank you so much."

"Was he your ex or something?" Jecht implored, trying to find any reasoning for the incident.

At this the mare blushed. "No, just a drunk. You see that's who I'm with on her way over now."

Breach turned and saw none other than DJ PON-3 heading his way. The mood coming off of the mare radiated anger.

'Well now this oughta be good. I'll get yelled at, then walk away like usual despite the fact that I helped. Well at least I helped.'

It wasn't like Jecht was negative all the time, but it was standard for him at this point.

"Octy are you ok!? How dare that pig touch you."

With that said the blue maned mare rounded on Breach, "AND YOU,"

'Damn, here we go...'

"Thank you, for helping Tavi and all. I stopped my music and tried to get over here as fast as I could but if you hadn't stepped in..." With that said PON-3 turned and kissed the grey mare.

Jecht just stood there, a somewhat stunned yet amused expression on his face. The two mares must have noticed because the grey one cut off the kiss, blushing thoroughly.

"Um, Vinyl, I don't think he is used to mare like us.."

Jecht quickly explained his behaviour to the two mares.

"Oh, no sorry about that. I've no problem with your personal lives. I was honestly expecting to get slapped by PON-3 here and sent on my way but hey, this works too. Nice change in tempo."

'And maybe I wasn't quite right about everypony after all.'

"Well then you gotta find better ponies to hang 'round with! By the way, call me Vinyl, PON-3's just a stage name. Oh, and this is my marefriend Octavia, world renown.."

"Cello player, also you had an intrestingly stupid tabloid slapped up revolving a tuba once. I'll be honest I love both of your musical talents."

At this the mares got an odd look upon their faces. Breach recognized the, 'is this an idiot tabloid reading pain in the flank, or is he a fan' look.

"I saw the tabloid cover in the grocer's once. Stupid crap made by those who wallow in self pity and only feel better if they drag other down with them."

"So your a fan then, awesome! Chill with us for the night eh?"

"Sure."

The three trotted over to the bar. The barkeep wore a somewhat amused expression at the stallion rejecting one mare and coming back with two.

"Before you ask, I was the stallion who broke up the scuffle earlier. You should get a bouncer for that, lest anypony find this bar, uhm, usound."

The barkeep's expression turned serious when Octavia interjected. "Sir I'd like a whiskey here, and Vinyl would like bacarti. Drinks are on us sir what would you like?"

"Lemon water please." 'What a surprise, no funny look from Octavia, Vinyl on the other hoof stared at him like he had three eyes.'

"C'mon man how do you have fun if you don't drink?"

"I hang around with friends."

"Oh, do ya have any friends around here?"

"Nope."

At this point Octavia spoke up. "Oh your'e looking for a mare or colt then."

'Innocent question, whatever.' "I swing towards mares, but no. Just had nothing better to do today. Needed a change in tempo."

"Oh yea, me and Tavi here did that once, or twice, or a few times..."

Octavia blushed as Breach realised the blue maned mare had downed about 5 bacartis already.

"Well I see one of you is obviously a partier. Not surprising given her attitude."

"Yes, and I'm sorry about that, her tongue slips alot when she's like this."

"Not a problem."

The night carried on, Breach sipping his water and such as the two mares beside him quickly became more than a little inebriated. The two eventually got up to leave, and as they walked out the door Breach noticed the troublesome stallion from earlier grab some buddies and start out the dorr after them.

"Hey, keep, here a tip for you!" Breachs yelled as he got up.

The barkeep trotted over to see 100 bits laying there. Astounded he looked up to see the odd stallion heading out the door.

Breach took to the roofs as soon as he got out. He headed off after the two mares, tailing the group that obviously meant them harm. 'I may not know them too well, but I'm NOT about to leave them for those jackoffs."

Tavi, the more sober of the two mares, suddenly realized that she had a few stallions around her. Looking around nervously, she was shocked to realize that the drunkard from earlier was right in front of her. His leering form moved towards her when Vinyl picked the best possible time to come to. She belted the stallion across the nose and dragged Tavi down an alleyway. Sadly it was a one way, with the other side ending in a brick wall. Vinyl stepped forward as the stallions made their way towards them.

'Damned twits. Well this is going to make me feel alot better about myself.'

Drawing a knife from a pocket in his jacket he readied iot in his mouth. It wasn't a combat knife, rather a finely balanced one meant for throwing.

"Nos I've got you, fillyfooling shlutsh. There'sh no shtallion to shave you thish time." he reached towards the white mare with the blue mane when pain erupted from his foreleg. Drawing it back he was horrified to see a knife sticking out of it.

From the entrance of the alleyway Breach trotted in. A combat knife at the ready he came right up next to the drunkard, who was frozen where he stood, grabbed the throwing knife, twisted and yanked. Blood spurted from the stallion as he screamed. Breach, now with a spray of blood across his face, twisted around to face the other three stallions. He smiled, teeth gleaming in the dark. "So, which pony is next?" The three took off out the alleyway leaving their ringleader in the mud.

"Thank you again man. If you hadn't come along when..."

"Vinyl now isn't the time. Get Octavia and let's get you two home, huh?"

"Oh-OK"

Breach made to follow the mares, but stopped just long enough to whisper to the satllion laying on the ground. "You're damn lucky I'm a nice guy." It carried so much venom in it the stallion fainted right away.

"So you live in a swanky hotel?" questioned the amused Breach. Walking past the counter mare had been hilarious. 'I don't think she's ever seen blood before. Hahahaha.'

He'd followed the mare up to their room and ensured they were safely inside before turning to leave.

"Uhm, sir, I wouldn't feel right sending you back out there by yourself. Would you like to stay here for the rest of the night."

"Oh no, I'll be fine, wouldn't want to intrude."

"Oh but no, I simply won't allow it."

'Well she's certaintly persistent, and I am a little tired.'

"Allright then. If you really don't mind."

Entering the room Breach quickly noted that the two mares infact did not live here.

"Just staying in town for a spell then?"

"Yes, Vinyl had a few gigs to play. We're actually headed out tommorrow."

"Really? Well I didn't take you for somepony who does city life much, well not in this city much."

"Well yes, originally I'm from Hoofington and Vinyl is from Canterlot, Echelon Gardens to be precise."

This brought an amused expresion to the stallion. The mare with blue hair came from there? Hahaha that had to be the best thing he'd ever heard of. Here he thought he stood out.

"Well from the way you act sir, you obviously aren't from this ruffian filled city."

At this Breach busted out laughing. "Oh God I wish it were true. No this is where I was born and raised.'

"Really?" replied a mildly shocked Octavia, "I'm sorry if I offende..."

"Not don't be, this city is filled with degenerates and scum in my own opinion. Actually tonight I went to the bar to see if I could find any redeeming qualities, but nope none at all. Looking at moving now."

"Are ya huh?" Vinyl had exited from the loo just in time to hear this. "What kinda town you lookin' for then?"

Octavia decided to get up and wash up from the night at the bar leaving Vinyl to grill Breach.

"Any where but here. I don't belong here in my own opinion. Just need somewhere new, refreshing, and with lots of space to explore."

"Really?!" questioned the amused unicorn mare.

"Yeah. Just need away from all this. It's messy and unorganized."

"Well no offense man, but so is your face hahaha. Sorry I'm still tipsy."

"No your right. Mind if I go check and see if Octavia's done so I can get this blood off my face?"

"Have at it dude."

He went and got himself washed up. When he came back Octavia and Vinyl were out cold on the couch. The stallion flipped the lights off then grabbed a cusion off the recliner and layed down on the floor on the other side of the den.

"I can't believe he slept on the floor, Vinyl. I feel horrible now."

"I've gotta agree with you on this one, he saves our flanks and then sleeps on the floor. He could've taken our bed at least."

Breach stirred slightly.

"Yes, I could have. But it wouldv'e been rude to not ask regardelss of any actions I'd taken last night."

"Well I guess that's true. It's also a very nice sentiment, and I'm sure all your friends think your a noble, loyal friend."

At this Breach smirked and shifted a little uncomfortably.

"So are you two counting yourselves my friends, well then if you feel I'm noble and loyal then you'd be right."

"Oh, dude, sorry man I'm sure Octy just assumed you had lots of friends. I did too actually."

"I did, for a time. Had quite a few friends. Friends I'd fight tooth and hoof for, but even I can't fight overdoses, suicides, and runk cart drivers. Sorry about that actually. I shouldn't have dropped that on you two."

Octavia, realizing there was more to this stallion than he let on, immediatly tried to comfort him.

"I'm so sorry, er, uh, actually I never caught your name." the mare stated sheepishly.

"That's because I never acutally gave it to you, I'm mildly guarded about myself. Actually with all that's happened, and the fact that I've settled on leaving this town for a new start. Hmmm, just call me Loyal. It's time for a change and you helped me with that. Thank you."

"Well then Loyal. I'm sorry for dredging up your past in such a brutish way."

"Not a problem."

"Hey Octy I just got a great idea. We've still got to got to Manehatten and Canterlot. Why don't we let Loyal stay at our place in Ponyville till we get back. Taht way he can leave on his hooves rather than just winbging it!"

"Vinyl that is your best idea ever, what do you say Loyal?"

"Well if you're sure you don't mind or anything..."

"Of course not dear. Besides you'll love it there, the ponies are the nicest in all of Equestria."

Breach, now calling himself Loyal, was just a couple days out from Ponyville.

'I wonder what it's actually going to be like. Sure Vinyl and Octavia said it was great. But then again I've heard the same said about my hometown too. Well let's hope for the best.'

Loyal was finally entering the small town. He was also pleased that the place was vibrant with colour. No dulled colours of his hometown here. It was all bright and full of life.

He was hungry and seemed to be passing what appeared to be an apple farm. 'I'm sure one apple wouldn't hurt too much. Trotting up to a tree he gave it a light one hoofed buck. An apple fell from it's boughs and Loyal caught it deftly. He was near biting into the succulent looking fruit when he heard another pony grumbling about something headed his way.

"Dash, I don't care whether your an Element like me or not. I'm bucking your loyal butt right out my orchard!"

Loyal was surprised when an angry country mare rounded the tree and stared right at him.

"Um sorry, I'm not 'Dash' or whoever, but I didn't realize these were so important to you. Here you go. Sorry about that ma'am."

'And how did she know to call me Loyal?'

"Oh, well shucks, Ah'm sorry 'bout that sir. Ah thought you were one of my friends. By the way mah name's Applejack, and feel free to have that apple. Ah don't mind losin' one apple."

"Well my name is Loyal, sort of. It's just what I'm going by, escaping the past. You sure you don't mind me having this apple?"

"Not at all sugar. Hehe funny though. Now I've got two "Loyal" ponies to deal with. Anyway your new in town aintcha?"

Loyal nodded.

"Well then colour me pleased as punch to be the first to welcome you to Ponyville. Also there WILL be a party thrown for you iffen yer stayin. Mah friend Pinkie always throws parties for the new ponies. Just thought Ah'd let you know before hoof. Well Ah've got to get back to buckin' apples. Have a good one!"

Loyal was finding himself rather pleased with meeting that first pony. She was definitely somepony he could get along with.