The Reluctant Gunman

(Vash’s PoV:)

Days had passed since my meeting with my other children. It was hard to tell how many though as I had thrown myself back into my work with what some might’ve called an unhealthy fervor. I just couldn’t get what Shooting Star had said out of my mind. It was harsh, sure, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t agree with every word of it. The stinging barbs dug into my skin like a persistent itch, desperate for me to scratch at it and make it raw.

Thanks to the magical efforts of the crew, my workshop was done much faster than I could have anticipated. Ponies and changelings were nothing if not industrious. There were several rooms to it with curved walls, making the rooms feel a bit larger than they really were. One corner of the main room was dominated by a forge and a hydraulic lift meant for hoisting vehicles. Unlike the one I’d had at the old castle, this new forge was sleeker and burned much hotter. Definitely something to keep in mind for future projects. There were two side rooms with work tables to work on things of various sizes. I was holed up in the back which served as an office. It had a few bookshelves that held reference materials to help me work out the mechanics of my ideas. The office was the only room in the workshop with carpeting, the others all had tile.

I was hunched over my desk, eyes scanning over a book on magic theory while I jotted down notes. With my memories returned, I resumed work on my magitech idea. Thankfully magic had been harnessed in small ways already so it made my job easier. It was a little upsetting that one of the ways magic was used was in a weapon, but I had to deal with what I could get. I also had my previous research fresh in my mind so I knew what I had tried already and could move on to new experiments.

I only stopped to grab a few hours of sleep here and there, use the bathroom and grab food. With some foresight on my end, I’d included a fridge in my office stocked with some basic food. This meant that I could stay holed up for long periods of time whenever I was on a roll with a project. Or trying to avoid the world around me as was the case.

My routine became a slight blur, each action becoming automatic as I went. What broke me out of my self-inflicted stupor was the sound of the main door being pulled open. Reluctantly, I put down my pencil and went to greet whoever was trying to pull me out of the workshop by force. When I stepped out into the main room, I was greeted by Tia descending the stairs while sniffing the air warily.

“Well, the whole place doesn’t smell like b.o. so that’s something at the very least,” the solar princess commented, slowly approaching me. “It’s just like you to put a shower in this place.”

“There were already water pipes running through here for the sprinkler system and the toilet so it wasn’t that much extra work to install a shower down here too. Not as spacious as one of the ones in the castle but it gets the job done.”

Sighing, Tia put a hand on my shoulder and gazed deep into my eyes. “Vash, I know that Shooting Star’s words cut deep. I won’t pretend to know just how much it hurt you or how exactly you’re feeling. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you can’t squirrel away here forever. It’s been almost five days; Morning and I want to talk to you. Maybe we can help you work you through your feelings,” she offered, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

I shook my head, unable to keep my eyes on hers. “I’m not ready for that, not yet anyway. I know I’ll have to get out, and soon. I just ask for a couple more days. I might still not talk about it, but at the very least I’ll be out and willing to spend time with you and Morning.”

Tia gave my shoulder a squeeze and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “A couple days; I can work with that. But if you don’t want to talk about Shooting Star, how about you tell me about what you’ve been working on down here. With nearly five days straight of work, I’m sure there’s something you could show me.”

A weak chuckle escaped my throat as I led Tia to my office. “Are you really sure you want that? I seem to recall your eyes glazing over the last time I talked shop with you.”

“Yes, but you like explaining your thought process. So while I’ll surely only understand every third word or so, seeing you happy will make me happy in turn.”

I managed a slight smile at that, gathering up my notes. “Alright, I guess I can gush for a little bit. Wanna borrow my pillow? I’ve got a feeling I’m gonna be extra boring today.”

Taking a seat, Tia made it a point to yawn. “I’d greatly appreciate that.”

With that bit of banter out of the way, I showed off my notes to the alicorn. I started off by reviewing the blueprints I was making for a car powered by the magic engine I was designing. I may or may not have taken some inspiration from a certain hack and slash game featuring Jack Black. For a while she made a good show of feigning interest while I prattled on about wires and axles but I cut it short when even her practiced mask started to show cracks. I made sure to yawn and played up how badly I needed to get some sleep. With a reminder of our promise, Tia left me to my self-imposed solitude once more.

(Cadance PoV:)

I strode towards the throne room, tension filling the air. Aunt Celestia had called me to the throne room for a meeting with her. Toya had offered to come with me but the messenger had made it a point to tell me that the meeting was for me alone. It wasn’t often that Auntie made a request of me like this. Normally a lone meeting like this meant I was in trouble. The only problem was, I didn’t remember doing anything worthy of a throne room lecture. I mean, except maybe putting itching powder in Blueblood’s clothes but that had been more Toya’s doing than mine.

The giant doors leading me to my meeting place pulled me from my train of thought. Nodding to the guards at the door, they let me in with little fanfare. The stretch to the throne might’ve only been a couple hundred feet, but to my stressed out mind it might as well have been a couple miles. Stress turned to confusion once I was able to see Auntie properly. Instead of the stern, knowing look that preceded a lecture she was offering a small smile. Was this some new tactic to lull me into a false sense of security? Unfortunately, I didn’t have the luxury of time to think it over. I quickly reached the steps leading up to the throne and gave the older alicorn a practiced curtsy.

“My dear niece, how are you doing today?” Auntie inquired, standing up from her throne. With a few graceful steps, she had descended the steps and pulled me into a quick hug.

I returned the gesture, turning my head or else risk getting smothered accidentally. “I’ve been well, Aunt Celestia. I was planning on hanging out with Toya and Gleaming before I got the message. A new machine got added to the arcade on Clover Street and Big Scoops has a mystery flavor milkshake that we were gonna try out.”

Ending the hug, Auntie nodded at me. “Sounds like a lot of fun. Sorry for interrupting that plan. And what about your magic lessons? Your tutor has told me that you’ve made some progress lately.”

A grin broke out across my face and I lit up my horn. “Yeah, Toya and Gleaming have been coaching me.” To demonstrate, I held up my hand for her and used my magic to easily create an orb of light that fit snugly in my palm. “I know it isn’t much, but my friends told me that all progress is good progress. No matter how small.”

A giggle escaped Auntie’s muzzle as she crossed her arms over her chest. “It sounds like you’ve found yourself some fine friends, Cadance.” Clapping her hands, she started to head for the doors and motioned for me to follow after her. “Now, as much as I’d love to keep up our chat there was a reason why I called you to see me. My two students are not quite seeing eye to eye yet. Twilight is too enthusiastic for her own good. Outside of lessons her nose is firmly pressed inside a book. And Sunset still seems to resent Twilight’s very existence. I need a mediating force in order to bring them together. Someone older than both of them to be in charge but close enough in age to not feel like a true authority figure.”

“Okay Auntie, I’d be happy to help these two get along.”

A sigh of relief escaped the older alicorn as she stopped in front of a door. “I’m so glad you’re willing to help me with this matter. I was almost worried that I’d have to hire someone for this task.”

“Why wouldn’t you ask Toya to do it?”

Stopping with a hand on the doorknob, Auntie glanced over her shoulder to reveal a deadpan look. “Cadance, what do you think would happen if I left Toya in charge of two raw magical talents like Twilight and Sunset?”

My mind drifted, suddenly picturing the two fillies transformed into muscle bound battle mages by an onlooking Toya. “Fair point.”

Auntie dipped her head for a moment, indicating that she knew exactly what I had just pictured and had done the same earlier. With no other interruption, she threw open the door to the classroom that she used for Sunset and Twilight’s lessons. The two fillies in question were on opposite sides of the room, with Sunset idly making shapes in the air with her magic while Twilight was jotting down notes.

“Hello girls,” Auntie greeted, stopping in front of her blackboard. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long.”

“It’s fine, Princess!” Twilight chirped, her head snapping up from her notebook as her eyes gleamed with wonder. “I managed to complete a page of notes from this Ancient Southern Equestria History book.”

“Not like we can tell you what to do,” Sunset dismissed, her leftover magic fizzling out of the air.

Aunt Celestia bit back a response before her warm smile returned. “I have some news for the two of you. Outside of lessons I can’t devote as much attention to you girls as I’d like. And Twilight, I talked with your parents and they’ve expressed interest in having outings of their own. So, I’ve invited Cadance here to watch you when we’re not having lessons.”

Sunset jumped out of her seat, her fists clenched at her side. “What?! I don’t need a foalsitter, I’m twelve!”

“I don’t recall using the word foalsitter. And I’m sorry Sunset, but twelve or not I can’t allow you to watch after yourself.”

“Then why not just let me go out with a group of guards?” Sunset questioned, falling back into her seat.

“Because guards wouldn’t be able to say no to your whims,” Auntie answered, her expression hardening. “As a fellow member of the royal family, Cadance can.”

Clicking her tongue, Sunset looked away in irritation. “You should know better than anyone that I can handle this city alone, Princess.”

Auntie’s face fell, silent for a few moments as she thought of a response. Letting out a deep sigh, she finally said, “It seems I have to say it outright. The other reason why I want Cadance to look after you two is that I want you and Twilight to get along.” Striding forward, she put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “For so long you’ve built up walls around your heart. I can’t expect you to let just anyone in, but for now I ask that you at least let Cadance and Twilight past them. I’d consider myself a failure of a mother if my daughter was completely shut off from the rest of the world.”

Sunset tried to hide it, but Auntie's words clearly hit home. Even from where I was standing I could see her trembling lip. Resting her chin on one hand she answered with, "Whatever. Like I said, it's not like I can go against what you want, Mo-ma'am, ma'am!" A hot blush spread across her face, turning her orange fur bright red.

"Why did your face turn red?" Twilight asked, tilting her head. “Are you getting sick?”

Auntie had instantly perked back up, the little black cloud hanging over her cleared away. "Alright, I've said my piece. Sunset, you can go to your room for now. Twilight, Cadance and I will walk you home."

Hopping out of her seat, Twilight stood in front of us. With a little indication from my aunt, I took the filly’s hand and we led her out of the castle. As we walked down the city streets, Twilight raved about what she had learned that day. I hate to admit it, but hearing about the spells she learned left me feeling a little self conscious.

I had to push it out of my head quickly. It wasn't fair to compare myself to someone that was born with magic. I'd be willing to bet Twilight would be having similar troubles with flying if she were to suddenly grow wings.

“Say Twilight, you wouldn’t happen to be related to Gleaming Shield, would you?” I asked, hoping to get her attention.

Twilight’s eyes lit up, her head shooting toward me. “You know my BSBFF?! That’s so cool!”

“BSBFF?” I repeated, quirking a brow. “Does that stand for Big Sister Best Friend Forever? And yeah, I do know Gleaming. She started out as a workout buddy but then we just started hanging out.”

Twilight nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly right! You’re the first to get that on the first try.”

I couldn’t help but grin, the filly’s enthusiasm was contagious. Our chat continued until we made it to the front door of the Sparkle Household. I waved goodbye to the little unicorn, excited for what was to come. I had never really thought of being a foalsitter before, but it seemed promising.

(Sunset’s PoV:)

There was no part of me that was excited about being forced to spend time with Cadance and Celestia’s other apprentice. I mean, getting shanghaied into spending time with anypony would be about as pleasant as a belly button lint smoothie; but being told to hangout with what’s essentially your replacement? Yeah, forgive me if I wasn’t jumping for joy. The worst part was that I couldn’t bring myself to try and get out of it. Celestia had played the mom card. How the Tartarus could I fight that? Stupid princess and her emotional validation.

Once the last lesson of the day passed, Twilight and I were left on our own while we waited for Cadance. I say on our own, but only if you didn’t count the pair of guards at the door. Which was pretty hard to do given that they seemed more like decorations in whatever room they were stationed at. Which wasn’t their fault, Celestia was almost universally beloved and even those that hated her understood why trying to break into a solar princess’s castle was a bad idea.

Before I could continue my train of thought, Cadance burst into the room with a bright smile on her face. “Hello Girls! Are you two ready for a fantastic first outing?!”

Twilight hopped up from her spot at the desk, leaving her book open while she rushed over to stand in front of the teenaged alicorn. “Yeah! I was reading all about babysitter relationships to get ready for today!”

Rolling my eyes, I placed a bookmark in Twilight’s book before closing it and getting out of my own chair. “Let’s get this started. No sense dragging our hooves since we’re gonna be together the same length of time no matter what.”

Chuckling nervously, Cadance reached into her bag to pull out a piece of paper. “That’s a good attitude to have, I guess. So I’ve actually got a few ideas of what we can do today. I know this great little arcade that’s right by a smoothie place. I figured that’d be a good place to start.”

With an affirmation from Twilight and I, we were on our way. Between most of the schools in the city letting out and ponies getting off work, the streets were bustling with activity. We had to stick close together to avoid getting separated.

It took us a while to navigate the streets to the middle district of the city, but we eventually stood in front of a sizable arcade. The storefront was painted green and black in some effort to make it look digital or maybe futuristic. The sign read, ‘The Pixel Pony’ and the two words were broken up by a logo of a cartoon mare with a pixelated mane of various colors. The inside was mostly black with a spiderweb of green, glow in the dark paint made to look like circuitry. The mascot from the logo was also painted around the walls, doing things like laser tag and mini golf to display where customers could find those activities to just looking playful and cute in other nooks and crannies. The interior was dominated with rows upon rows of machines ranging from cabinets with joysticks to ones that had fake guns and of course the carnival style games for the sake of tickets. The place was surprisingly clean with only the faintest scent of stale nachos lingering in the air.

“Pretty cool, right?” Cadance said, snapping me out of my observation with a beaming grin on her face. “My friends and I found this place not too long ago and fell in love with it. Good game selection and their slushies are super tasty.”

“Seems okay,” I dismissed, trying to hide any hint of interest I might’ve shown. “Might as well get a drink and try out Mare of the Dead.”

“Nice, that one’s two player, mind if I join you for the first round?” Cadance asked, a hopeful look in her eyes. “And we can switch places with Twilight when one of us dies.”

I wanted to shut her down, but I had promised Celestia that I would try to play nice so I gave her a quick nod. Once we each had a slushie we went over to the cabinet and began to play. The acting was cheesy and some of the hits were cheap but it was surprisingly fun.

Despite my best efforts, I was the first one that needed to use a continue and had to give my spot up to Twilight. She was a little too short to quite see the screen on her own so I had to hold her up with my magic. I got a big thank you from the younger filly as she started blasting away zombies. She was surprisingly good at the game for somepony so young. After a while, I got an idea in my head and a grin wormed its way onto my face.

“Hey Twilight, wanna try something to make the game more interesting?” I questioned, getting ready to make a change to my magic slightly.

“That sounds fun, do it!” Twilight grinned back at me, a move that even I had to admit made her look adorable. How was I supposed to resent her if she kept being oblivious and cute?

With another nod I turned Twilight around in my magic so she was hanging upside down. Cadance seemed like she was about to say something when the little filly started giggling her head off and kept playing. Eventually, we had eaten up a lot of bits on just the one game. With our cups empty and our wallets lighter we decided to head out for the time being.

Once we were back out onto the street, Cadance told us that our next stop would be the park. Seemed like an okay idea. Twilight had that future shut-in energy going so making sure she learned the wonders of vitamin D was something I could get behind. With the crowds thinned out our walk was much quicker and we arrived at the park. I was never a big fan of the parks in Canterlot. The city council seemed to make it a policy to make all of them manicured to the point of feeling artificial. I preferred the castle garden, besides the hedge maze nothing felt like the life had been pruned out of it.

Despite my small personal hang ups, the park was nice enough and the playground and other equipment were well maintained. Save for the guards closely following us, we seemed to be the only ponies nearby. The three of us congregated at the closest swings and decided to have a contest on who could get the highest. Cadance was a dirty cheater and won by using her wings to hang at the top of the frame.

I wanted to call her out, but something pricked at my neck before I could even form a syllable. Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of something that looked like a tuft of fur as my vision blurred before ultimately going completely dark

(Vash’s PoV:)

My work was progressing smoothly. I’d begun work on a magic engine prototype. Given how rudimentary and large it was likely to be, the only real place to give it a real test would be in a train. I’d have to talk to Tia about that one. My work had been disturbed by a light rumble above me brought on by what I assumed were people scrambling for some kind of guard training drill. Seemed a bit late for something like that but it was probably to keep them on their toes… er hooves.

I was just about to start shaping the special wires when the door to my workshop slammed open. A moment later and Morning was standing before me in utter panic. “Vash! Cadance, Twilight and Sunset have gone missing. A patrol found their security detail passed out in a park near the middle district,” Morning explained, her tail twitching behind her. “We’ve already mobilized pegasi to scout the city but there’s been no signs of them.”

I knew what Morning wanted to say and with children involved she didn’t even need to ask. Standing up from my work table, I threw on my duster and moved over to my bookshelf. Pulling out a specific topographical map, there was something I recalled from the initial construction of my workshop. I just had to double check the map based on what Morning had told me.

I nodded once, rolling the map up once I had what I was looking for and had my hand hover over the revolver on my hip. “Don’t worry, Morning. I’ll have those girls back before the moon’s up in the sky.”

(Sunset’s PoV:)

My return to consciousness was rough, punctuated by a heaviness in my limbs and the worst case of cottonmouth of my life. The first thing my dim awareness noted was the fact that I was laying on stone. I tried to push myself upright, only to find my arms bound to my side. Trying to use a quick spell revealed there was an inhibitor ring on my horn.

On the inside, my mind was racing and I could feel panic clawing at the corners of my thoughts. It tried to keep my composure though. One thing I'd learned in my life was that letting others see you sweat it. The kinds of creeps that’d kidnap young girls would capitalize on perceived weakness.

Speaking of creeps, I decided to crack one eye open to take stock of the situation. As I thought, we were in a cave of some sort with odd crystals poking out of the stone in odd places. The immediate area was illuminated by a few magic lanterns that revealed a number of our captors. From what I could see there were four earth ponies, 2 unicorns, a pegasus and even a diamond dog.

A knot formed in my stomach when I saw them crowding around Cadance and inspecting her like livestock. She had a gag in her mouth. She must’ve been loud when she initially came to since there wasn’t one in mine. “Those fish freaks in Klugetown are gonna flip over the stock we’re bringing them,” one of the earth ponies commented, leering at the pink princess and making her recoil. “An honest to Faust alicorn and two unicorn fillies.”

“Plus they’re all different ages,” one of the unicorns added, running his hands over Cadance’s wing and rubbing her feathers the wrong way. I cringed at the sight of it. Everypony knew what a taboo it was to touch a pegasus’s wing without permission and even more so to literally ruffle their feathers. “Appeals to more folks that way.”

This caused the others to laugh heartily, and resecure Cadance. Before they could finish the knots, Twilight let out a scream that echoed along the cavern walls. The bulkiest earth pony had a dull expression on his face as he motioned for one of the others to deal with her.

“Wh-what’s going on?!” Twilight screeched, trying to wriggle away from the approaching pegasus. “G-get away from me!” With the way her face scrunched up, it was obvious she was trying to cast a spell on reflex. When that failed, her body locked up and she gave out another panicked scream.

“Can it, bitch!” the pegasus snapped, roughly grabbing at Twilight.

I don’t know what came over me, one moment I was lying on the ground and the next I’d used my legs to spring forward and headbutt the pegasus at the knees. He fell forward, narrowly avoiding landing on Twilight as I tumbled into a heap in front of her. Why was I protecting her? I’d never put myself at risk for the sake of someone else before. Despite my inner conflict, my body was still moving to shield the crying filly. I wanted to give her a reassuring nod, but I was hoisted up by my throat before I could manage it.

“Someone wants to be a little hero,” the diamond dog growled, pulling a knife from his breast sheath. “Lucky you, we make more money off slave stock that’s fully intact. But maybe they won’t notice if you’re missing a tongue?” He pushed the tip past my lips and scraped it against my teeth to produce a sickening sound. A trickle of blood dribbled down my chin as the blade split my lip.

If his goal was to terrify me, then he was succeeding. Knowing what he wanted, I went limp in his grasp but kept my teeth clenched. I was done fighting. I’d spent my whole life clawing and scrambling for whatever scraps life would give me and it seemed the universe had given me its final answer. I was simply destined to suffer.

The diamond dog tossed me to the ground, my head bouncing against the stone. I was dimly aware of a gag being put in my mouth as my consciousness swam from the blow and the waning cocktail of chemicals in my blood.

“Let’s haul ‘em outta here,” the earth pony leader ordered, glancing around the thugs. “The guard’s bound to have scrambled at this point and we can’t risk them fin-”

A gunshot rang out from down one of the tunnels, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and look in the direction of the sound. With everyone still and quiet, the dull echo of footsteps reached us, growing louder every moment. A silhouette appeared in the tunnel, its form flickering with the light of the lanterns.

“Looks like my hunch was right,” the figure said, still approaching the kidnappers despite the group now grabbing their own weapons. “A diamond dog, that explains how you were aware of these old caverns.” A chill went down my spine, the figure’s voice ice cold.

“So the princess was already desperate enough to turn to bounty hunters,” the lead earth pony taunted, unholstering a magi-buckshot from his back. "So what, you got some buddies holed up in the tunnel."

"No, I'm here alone." The figure finally stepped into the light, putting him into view. It was the person from that statue in Celestia's garden, Vash. Gone was the goofy grin of the statue, replaced by a gaze that screamed hostility. In the lantern light his eyes seemed to glow, though that didn’t seem to unnerve the kidnappers.

“Tough luck for you then, one freak against all of us. What are you supposed to be anyway? Some kinda shaved gorilla?”

Vash didn’t rise to the taunt, instead dashing forward, six shots ringing out from his gun. Several of the kidnappers cried out in pain, blood gushing from their weapon hands. The leader fired his buckshot, the pellets only hitting the wall behind where Vash had been standing just a moment before. The red coated man spun on a heel, kicking the diamond dog in the chin while his hands busied themselves with reloading his weapon in a blur of movement. Once the cylinder was popped back into place, Vash drove his elbow into the massive canine’s solar plexus and had him fall to the ground with a pitiful whimper.

A few more shots rang out, followed by the sound of metal clattering on stone filling the cave. The attitude among the creeps had changed. Their confidence was gone, replaced by a mixture of anger and dread. They tried to charge Vash, but he effortlessly weaved his way through the mass of swinging limbs.

The kidnappers started to drop one by one, Twilight beginning to cheer our rescuer on. The lead earth pony growled in frustration, scooping up Twilight and pulling out a knife. Vash’s attention snapped towards the stallion the instant the filly screamed at the way she was being handled.

“Drop the gun,” the earth pony ordered, hanging the blade dangerously close to Twilight’s throat. Vash took all of a second to assess the situation before letting his weapon slip from his fingers and held his hands up. “Good, now I’m gonna walk outta here and you’re not gonna follow us. Not unless you wanna see something happen to this filly.”

The earth pony started backing out towards one of the tunnels, his eyes never leaving Vash. The man didn’t seem to reciprocate that, his eyes darting around the cavern for some unknown reason. Inspiration struck the gunman, his left glove bursting apart revealing a mechanical limb that slid down to reveal a gun barrel. With a slight adjustment, Vash fired the hidden gun, the bullet ricocheting off the cavern wall and striking the earth pony in the shoulder.

The kidnapper hissed in pain, the knife pulling away from Twilight by reflex. Vash rushed forward, his arm sliding back into place as he used the fake limb to wrench the knife away from the recoiling stallion while his right arm moved to shield Twilight. With a twist of his wrist, Vash had the knife at the stallion’s neck.

“Stand down.” Vash punctuated his statement by lightly pressing the blade to the kidnapper’s throat. A pregnant pause filled the air for a moment as the earth pony stared defiantly at the man before he ultimately put his hands up in surrender. Taking hold of Twilight, Vash straightened himself out and used the butt of the knife to knock the stallion out.

With that done, he let out a sigh of relief, his intense expression disappearing. Carefully, he cut the ropes off the three of us with a serene expression. Once her arms were free, Twilight threw her arms around Vash and broke down crying. With practiced ease, he patted her head and gave her gentle assurances while he freed Cadance and I.

Seeing him in action, there was no wonder Celestia spoke so highly of him. He moved like a living typhoon and dealt with eight thugs in the time it would take an average pony to change their clothes. And he did it all without magic! This whole situation made me realize just how helpless I was when my horn was taken out of the equation. And I refused to feel helpless.