The Chained Luna Cycle

Binary groans in pain as he stirs from his unconscious state and begins to work off the groggy haze that clouds his mind. The smell of burning and metal ferments his senses and makes him feel a little sick. Slowly opening his eyes, his vision begins to clear up and vague memories of what just happened to them start to return. Looking around Binary can see the wreckage of the train strewn about the tracks and surrounding desert.

"That was totally not awesome..." Rainbow's voice states.

Binary looks beside him to see a sprawled out Rainbow lying on her back. She glances at Binary before rolling over onto her stomach.

"You alright..?" Binary asks shielding his eyes from the sun.

"I can't believe you did that..." Rainbow states shaking herself free of sand.

"What did I do?!" Binary protests sitting up.

"You jinxed us like three times before we boarded the train!" Rainbow looks around as she stands up.

"We were attacked! How is that my fault?!" Binary slowly gets up despite his pain.

"You still have the map though right? In your messenger bag?" Rainbow asks looking at Binary.

Binary stands up and looks around before finding his messenger bag mostly intact. Shifting through its contents he finds the map with their highlighted route.

"We still have the map... Though it'll take us much longer to reach our halfway point." Binary sighs deeply.

"What about all the ponies that were on the train?" Rainbow asks looking around.

"I blacked out after getting jumped before the train crashed. Though looking around at this level of wreckage... I'm surprised we even survived. We can only assume those who didn't die were kidnapped by the remaining soldiers." Binary stretches.

"If that's true, why not take us? Why not take me? This guy and his motives make less and less sense to me..." Rainbow groans before starting to walk off.

"Where are you going?" Binary asks.

"I'm going to Dodge City, where we are heading." Rainbow replies looking back at him.

"Umm... The map says Dodge City is this way..." Binary shows Rainbow the map.

"S-shut up... I knew that." Rainbow blows a raspberry at Binary before walking the right way.

"This is already shaping up to be an annoying journey..." Binary groans.

"Did you say something?" Rainbow asks looking back at Binary.

"Not a thing..." Binary rolls his eyes before following her.

Binary groans as he adjusts his messenger bag strap which is starting to feel tight against his chest. On his back is Rainbow who has her head rested on his left shoulder, his trench coat draped over her head for joint shade.

"I still wonder why you don't just fly us to Dodge City..." Binary asks stopping to adjust Rainbow.

"I'm way too tired and hot to fly right now..." Rainbow sticks her tongue out and groans.

"Least one of those things is appealing." Binary continues walking.

Binary feels Rainbow hold onto him a little tighter than before making him glance at her confused.

"Sorry... It's just, been a small while since you did your thing again. Saying your thoughts out loud without realising. Even before the chain when leading up to Despair's tea party, you weren't exactly yourself." Rainbow comments.

"Not sure a mare that has only known me for just under or slightly over a month could attest to what counts as me being myself." Binary takes a moment before sighing. "That was unfair of me... Sorry."

Instead of getting mad like he feared, Rainbow simply held him a little tighter.

"I suppose that's not entirely false... But I want to know more about you, I want to spend more time with you. I understand right now is difficult..." Rainbow nuzzles Binary's neck ever so slightly.

"This isn't just about my mood lately is it?" Binary asks as he feels Rainbow shake her head gently. "You're also thinking about those who were on the train and how close we came to dying as well. I... I'm sorry-" Binary is cut off by Rainbow.

"I don't care about the jinx thing anymore... I was joking before..." Rainbow grips him tighter.

"You don't want something like this to happen again, I understand. Truthfully we cannot predict if it will or won't happen again. All we can do is live each moment as it comes and savour what we can of life..." Binary muses out loud.

"Could we rest for a bit? Maybe find somewhere safe and use your coat for shade again?" Rainbow asks hopefully.

"I'm sure we can manage that. We still have quite a way to go till we get to Dodge City. I'd ask you to hold on tight, but you seem to have that down." Binary states.

"S-sorry, I didn't mean to-" Rainbow begins to state as she loosens her grip.

"Please don't... I... I'd prefer if you kept your grip. Hold on tight, Rainbow." Binary requests.

Rainbow resumes her tight grip knowing Binary likely needs it as much as she does right now.

Binary opens up a canteen from his messenger bag and eagerly take several swallows of water, making sure there was more than half left. He did his best to sit in such a way so that his left leg was bent up and his right was laying flat with Rainbow's head on his lap. His trench coat is over his head and positioned so it covers a portion of Rainbow's body, her saddle bags are shifted to protect most of her flank from the sun. Rainbow stirs from her nap and blinks the little sleep from her eyes before licking her lips and swallowing dryly. Binary noticed and offered her the canteen which she drank from generously, still leaving quarter left.

"How was your nap?" Binary asks, looking at Rainbow.

"It was okay... I kept seeing faces." Rainbow admits.

Binary sighs and strokes his fingers through Rainbows mane gently making her nuzzle his hand with her head.

"I know what you mean... I see them too. We didn't kill them. We did all we could to save them. Still, their faces haunt us." Binary looks up slightly to the sky.

"It'll get better, though, right?" Rainbow asks.

"I don't know... I've never had to deal with grief on my own. I've never really had to deal with any emotions besides logic and such." Binary muses with a sigh.

"You have me... I'm not an alter, or Yuuki... But I'm a rainbow maned Pegasus, who you live with. I'd like to think that counts for something." Rainbow comments.

Binary chuckles as he looks into her magenta eyes.

"Of course it counts for something. You're right... You're not an alter or Yuuki. You are Rainbow Dash, I'd like to think that makes you unique. I guess we are both not quite feeling ourselves right now." Binary takes a deep breath.

"Yeah... Just a bit." Rainbow nuzzles closer into Binary looking for comfort.

Her wish was granted as he strokes her vibrant mane more and allows her to lay closer.

"We're almost there. We should be there before the evening then we can crawl into a bed at a Dodge City hotel after a meal and a shower." Binary states closing his eyes.

"Hmm... Sounds very nice." Rainbow closes her eyes gently.

Binary continues to stumble into the rustic western town much like Appleloosa. The sun was just setting behind him as he made his way towards the inn or tavern Twilight had given him directions too. With Rainbow barely conscious on his back and their water supply out, he pushed through the saloon type doors and collapsed in the middle of the lobby. A mare rushed over to provide assistance before Binary blacked out. After being nursed back to health by the brown Earth Pony who has a golden blonde mane and tail with light amber eyes, they were treated to a meal on the house on account of their mission. Binary had a note saying that Twilight would reimburse any establishment they visited for the provisions they required. After eating, the pair retired to a room which was generously provided at half price. Binary opens their room door and they enter to inspect their dwelling for the night. Rainbow blushes upon seeing one bed.

"The mare downstairs said this was the only room they had available at such short notice. Looks like we'll have to share the bed." Rainbow states.

"I don't mind if you want too. We already share the sofa on several occasions." Binary comments moving to the bathroom first.

Rainbow walks over to the bed and crawls on top before splaying herself out and letting out a relaxed sigh.

"Oh, that's so much better... Can we vow to never walk through a desert again?" Rainbow asks as the shower is heard turning on.

"I will gladly vow that so long as we uphold it. Although, the desert was the only drag about the start of our journey. Carrying you was pleasant enough." Binary states, making Rainbow blush a little.

"The mare downstairs also said you stumbled through the door with me still on your back... I don't remember much besides blinking in and out of conscious states. Why'd you go through so much effort just to protect me?" Rainbow asks rolling onto her side.

The shower turns off a few minutes later and Binary sighs.

"I... I wasn't going to leave you out in the desert while I went to get help. Either we both made it to safety or I'd be taken by the desert with you. That was the choice I made." Binary can be heard drying himself before coming out in his outfit.

Rainbow slips past him so she can use the shower. A light blush crosses his face when she lets out a satisfied moan at the showers hot relief.

"It was a stupid choice. You could have been killed and Twilight believes that you and the others are needed to cut the chains." Rainbow states.

Binary flops down onto the bed after hanging up his trench coat and putting his boots by the bed. Opting this time to enter the bed wearing only his boxers as he knows the night might get hot. They are still in the desert after all. His shirt, pants and socks are neatly folded on a nearby chair.

"People do crazy things when..." Binary begins to trail off.

"When what?" Rainbow asks.

"Nothing... It doesn't matter." Binary replies getting comfortable.

Rainbow exits the shower a few minutes later and drys herself thoroughly before turning off the lights and sliding into bed beside Binary. Subconsciously she cuddles close to him making the pair blush as she realises he has only his underwear on.

"Since when...?" Rainbow asks weakly.

"You expect me to sleep in a desert environment fully clothed? I'd rather as much a peaceful night sleep as I can manage." Binary states not rolling over to face her.

"Can I still cuddle..?" Rainbow asks, hugging herself to his body slightly.

"I'd not speak out against it. You feel rather soft." Binary comments sleepily.

Rainbow smiles to herself before they settle in for the night.