Devil's Due the flip side of the coin

Author's note: Sorry about the wait I have been busy. Grad parties, music making and random bullshit.

I feel kind of rusty like word has been covered in webs or something. So let me just get back into the groove of things.

Sex, Drugs and Dubstep. Not the best set of life plans to cram writing in but hey I do it for you.

Okay lets get this pony show going.

The sound of footsteps dissipated into the noise of the wind and that of the train’s engine. The world just outside the window flew by. The trees looked like they were all preparing for the winter. My mind began to wander. I always hated long rides anywhere. I was just about to go to sleep when I saw a feather fall across the plain of glass. I shook my head and looked again.

“It was probably nothing… I must be getting paranoid.” I shook my head again.

The female earth pony who gave me the newspaper was walking by as I shook my head.

“Are you ok?” She asked in a friendly tone.

“Fine, but I could use a drink and none of that watered down shit either.” I said while I took another cigarette from my pocket and put into my mouth. It’s a victory smoke, so I lit it.

“I sincerely apologize, but we don’t serve alcohol on this train Sir.” She said still in a still friendly manner.

“Then can I just get a sandwich or something?” I asked with a little disappointment in my face as I blew smoke into her’s.

“*Cough* Sure. But could you not do that in here? She while waving her hoof to get the smoke away from her.

“No, but how’s about that sandwich?” I asked indifferently towards her as I inhaled once more.

“Would *cough* you please not do that in there?” She said losing her friendly tone and waving her hoof to beat back the smoke.

“If you bring me that sandwich, sure, if not then ‘no’.” I said while blowing a rather big puff of smoke into her face.

She had the look of a disgruntled worker now but she put on a kind face and spoke again.

“Sure I will be right back.” She said as she trotted off.

I continued my smoke enjoying every moment knowing that I’d run out eventually. I sat there waiting for the much needed food to arrive. I was hungry. Surviving off of some canned fruit for several days is something I never thought would happen. Neither was ending up in Candy Land but here I am.

I heard the noise of footsteps again coming from above me on the train’s roof. The sound stopped again as the earth pony came back.

“I just need some food and rest.” I said aloud as she came up to stand only about at my chin when I am sitting my seat. She held a plate in her mouth with a rather delicious looking sandwich on it. Might have been the hunger talking but that was one of the best looking things I have ever seen in this place.

I grabbed the sandwich from the plate with my left arm. Cigarette was still in my right hand as she began to put the plate down and I had at the morsel. I began the first bite the texture… was strange like lettuce no it was some kind of greenery though. I took a few more bites to find it had no beef, chicken or any speck of protein. I lifted the top slice of bread to find the sandwich covered in grass and hay.

“What the fuck is this? You could’ve at least put meat on it. Damn did you spit in it too?” I said holding the sandwich in front of her like one holds a dog’s nose to a shit it took on the rug.

“What’s wrong with it? If this is a joke, then you have a sick sense of humor.” She said her voice betrayed her calm face she was pissed. She pushed the sandwich away.

“I do have a sick sense of humor but that’s not the point. As for what’s wrong with it? It’s not food for one and it tastes like nature blew a fat load onto a piece of toast.” I said annoyed. It didn’t help I was bitter from all the crap I had to deal with over my time here in Candy Land but this just pushed me to be an asshole.

“I could go make you another if you did not like this one.” She said with her voice expressing sadness and face anger.

“No.” I said taking another long breath taking in the smoke and exhaling it right into her face again.

“*cough* Then can you please put that out?” She asked annoyed.

“Gladly.” I said smug as I took another strong puff then put the cigarette out on top of the sandwich while blowing the smoke into her face.

She trotted away down the aisle in between the rows rather sad looking. I was still hungry and that horrid food did not change that. I opened another can I took from that home two days back. It was canned strawberries. I began to drink the fruit juice from the can. It hit the spot even if all I wanted was a nice piece of chicken right now.

After I finished the can and left it for the cleanup staff to take care of I began to wonder if I really evaded Gilda, I mean chicken wing, for the time being. I started to remember her face as I checked the wound she’d left on along my right arm and across my face. I was not wearing the ghillie so I was able to freely check the wounds. They still stung quite fiercely as I wrapped them up in cloth from my bag.

I checked over my body looking for other wounds I found little except for what she had done to me. My black uniform was a sharp contrast to the red seats and brown interior of the train as the other ponies stared at me while I bandaged myself up. I looked up at them and they turned from my gaze. Fine, I did not need friends for this ride.

I began to check over my things in the bag. I took several mags for the M9 out checking them and putting them into the breast pockets of my uniform. My rifle was neatly place in the seat next to me with its barrel facing upwards. I felt nature call so I got up and looked for the bathroom.

I walked through the aisle as I found my way to a door marked with a picture of two ponies side by side. I could not tell if it was coed or something else but I did not really care as I opened the door. It was quiet. Thank god that it did not start off with a scream. I would not like to look like a perv in front of these animals.

I locked the door and proceeded to let lose the hounds of war so to speak. After I was finished I started to wash my hands. I began to rinse my face with splashes of water I looked at the mirror. My brown eyes were tired and faded. My hair was an utter mess. Spending days out in the woods and rain went a long way towards making you look like you were homeless. My beard was coming in like a thick five o clock shadow. I began to shave with the knife I kept in a leg holster on my right leg.

It irritated my face but if I was going to see the man who, for most of my life was like my brother, I wanted to look better groomed. I finished shaving leaving very little stubble, if any. I washed my face once more. I while I brought my hands full of water to my face I found myself looking at the mirror again.

My eyes focused on the claw mark that ran across my left cheek to just past my right eye. I felt a sting a little from the pain, but mostly from pride. I had fought on numerous fronts. Afghanistan, Georgia and even some Black Ops in Syria, but she still got the better of me. Why? I took my right hand to search for my trophy I took from her when we first met in the forest.

I pulled her large brown feather from one of the pouches of my uniform. I studied the feather as if it would tell me anything. I started to think about her face, her voice and her body. I shook my head then put the large feather into the lapel of my collar as a reminder.

I heard someone speaking to another person through the door.

“He’s in here.” A frightened female voice said.

“Thank you the Griffon kingdoms applaud you for your aid in catching this criminal.” A smug voice said.

I readied my handgun cocked it and aimed at the door.

“Well at least they didn’t catch me with my pants down.” I said in a whisper as a knock came to the door.

“We know you’re in there! Surrender and we will not harm you!” I soldier said amongst the clanging of his armor as he readied himself.

“I was just about to say that.” I replied back with a snicker.

“We will bust the door down and take you by force if need be.” The voice said now a little pissed.

“I killed, like eight of you a day ago. You think you’re going to fare any better?” I said as I readied myself to breach out the door.

“That’s it scum, I’m taking you down!” The voice said in a rage.

“Don’t bother!” I said as I fired eight rounds through the door and kicked it open. The Griffon soldier’s body was pushed aside by the door as I bolted out with weapon drawn.

The Griffon I just made into a six piece meal had friends. There were five others they looked like the normal rank and file except their armor shared Gilda’s eerie black shine.

“Those better than you have tried!” I said as I desperately unloaded the rest of the mag.

I took out three with the single burst of gunfire.  One fell amidst the rows of seats his blood added to the red of the seat behind him. The other two still stood upright. Their comrades used them to shield themselves from my weapon. I began to reload dropping the spent mag. They saw their time to strike.

They charged at me with reckless abandon. I pulled the knife from its holster as one reached with claws bared at my chest. I turned to the side and his claw just missed me. I ran the knife along the top of his arm until it reached his throat as he passed.

The blade cut into his neck with a deep tearing sound. Blood sprayed from the wound as he fell to the ground. His much larger comrade was already on me as I turned to fight back. I felt a sharp pain in my side as he smashed into me grabbing me with his claws by the right side and throat. He lifted me up off the ground throwing me over his shoulders as he flew up into the ceiling crushing me between the roof and his body.

I coughed up some blood and yelled in pain as I bounced off the ceiling like a ragdoll. When he dropped me onto the ground it felt as if the was just been hit by a freight train. I held the blade tightly in my hand as I struggled to get back on my feet. I holstered the handgun knowing he would not give me time for a reload anyways. He laughed as he landed back on the ground.

He then balled his claws into fists and slammed them together. The act reminded me of the Rocky movie except this time the Russian was the underdog.

“I am Alex Litivnova and I must break you.” I smirked and said aloud panting a little from the pain.

He merely looked at me like a bird of prey looks at a field mouse. He let out a roar as he charged again. I swept past him ducking under his charge to stab him in the right side leaving the blade inside him. I stopped and turned around to inspect the damage.

“Minimal.” I said sadly as I rose back up off the ground.

He stood there looking at me then at the wound. He smirked as he pulled the blade from his right side. He held the blade in his hand inspecting it with his ice cold eyes.

“You needed this you know.” He said as he dropped the blade onto the floor and took his helmet off with both hands tossing it aside.

“I still have my hands.” I said while getting into a boxing stance readying my fists and body.

He let out a bellowing laugh as he charged in flying over the seat and aisle. I charged as well with a howl as if I was a wolf going for the throat. I met him with both arms as he surged forward. I slammed into him, but he was like the Berlin Wall. Except this one showed no signs of going down.

I pushed him back with all my might but I only moved him a meter. God damn I wish Ryan was here. I could use him like that one time at the bar. The Colossal Griffon trooper was taller than me by at least a foot when standing on his hind legs. He let lose a savage punch for my face I blocked it with my arm but still buckled under the force.

I punched him several times just under the chest plate of his armor. He grabbed me by the right and left shoulder to throw me again. I tried to slip out from his grasp but he was too strong and he threw me over a few rows of seats against the wall of the back of the train. When I landed, I felt as if God himself said ‘fuck you’ to me in the form of a punch. I grasped my side as I rose up off the ground he already was just a few meters away from me by the time I got up.

I swung for his face with a weak punch. He grabbed my fist almost enveloping my whole hand as he pulled me closer. I fell forward towards him. He grabbed my uniform’s shirt and tossed me over his shoulder into the row of seats that I had left my gear in.

I fell onto the floor in front of my original seat. The SVD fell right onto my chest. I turned the rifle frantically towards the aisle he would come at me from. As he turned the corner to see me with my weapon his fiendish smile turned sour.

I shot him three times in the chest. The rounds tore through his armor and body. Blood and splintered bone covered the seats across from me. Yet he still stood upright only falling to his knees. I moved forward and I planted the barrel of the SVD under his chin.

“Nice try.” I said looking right at his rage filled eyes.

I pulled the trigger plastering the ceiling with his blood and brains leaving a stain and hole for the next riders to see. I got up and looked around wiping the blood from my mouth and searching around. I found no survivors of mine or their brutality. Five civilian ponies sat dead throughout the seats with their throats cut.

“Damn how could they do that without anyone making any noise?” I asked already knowing the answer.

I checked the body of my large would-be assassin. His armor told me all I needed to know. These were not the punk rank-and-file these were Spec Ops, the big boys. Seems I made quite the impression with Griffon command. I walked over and retrieved my knife from the floor and put it back into its holster.

As I checked the body of the large one I just killed I found a blood stained piece of paper tucked away in a pouch on his armor. The piece of paper read as follows.

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

I’m sending you and your team in to take care of the human. I don’t want him leaving the train at it the correct stop. If you can take him alive do so but this is not your primary objective. He may know a lot about combat but he is a liability here. Your rules of engagement are as follows: All on that train have to die, no witnesses and bodies are to be removed. We can’t let the Equestrian’s get wind of this, so I need this cleared quietly.

When I am done leading the dweeb General 12-Gauge off our trail, I will meet up with you and your team. Remember, his equipment is the objective here. Only try to take him alive if you can.

-Sargent Gilda

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

“She’s like a crazed ex.” I said as I stood back up to look around.

I looked about the scene with pity and anger. Was this my fault? These civvies did not ask for this. I walked down the aisle and over the body of the linebacker sized griffon. I felt a sense of being watched as I looked around.

As I looked around with my rifle slung over my shoulder, I saw Gilda again. She had a smirk on as she flew towards the window. I pulled the rifle off my back dropping the note onto the floor. Even as I brought the weapon up at her she still showed a face of blind confidence. I fired off several shots. She evaded around in a swooping motion letting the shots break the glass for her.

She flew through the broken open window tackling me out the opposite window. I smashed through the glass shards rained all around us as she flew upward corkscrewing towards the roof of the train. As she went towards the train’s roof she let go of me and I fell onto the train in utter agony.

When I slammed into the top of the train I felt my grip on my rifle loosen. I heard her land on the train no more than a meter or two away. I rose to my knees firing more rounds. Even as she flew up to evade I tried to stay on target but she moved far too quickly. I fired until only an audible click could be heard.

She swooped back around to hit me once more. I used the rifle as a barrier between us as she tackled me down. Her face was warm as we flew together with my face pressed against her’s for a moment. For a second, I imagined that this was all just a weird dream. But then the sudden crash back onto the train brought me away from any warmth that thought gave me.

I hit the train hard my bones rattled with the force of the slam. Gilda landed in front of me again. I swiped at her legs with my rifle as if it was a baseball bat in a desperate attempt to get some room. I hit her hard in the right leg but she did not fall. She grabbed the rifle and pulled me towards her. She grabbed me by my throat and dragged me over to the edge of the roof.

She pulled the SVD out of my hands with her left claw and still held me with her right by the throat. She looked me in the eyes. In my peripheral vision I could see a bridge coming up. Her eyes were still that of an ice queen but also of something more. She studied me her eyes going back and forth down my body until they stopped at my collar. Her eyes, if even for a moment, were no longer an icy blue but rather a warmer sky blue.

She lifted me over the edge. My feet fought to stay in contact with the edge. She looked at her left arm with the rifle in it and laughed.

“You made a big mess here. One I now have to clean up.” She said as she drove her face closer.

“So we can’t end our game yet. I have to let you go for now… with a gift and a thank you.” She put her beak to my lips.

Her beak was warm and sweet as she gave me a passionate kiss. My eyes widened unable to comprehend what was going on. Her tongue invaded my mouth like an armored column into a nation. I tried to resist her advances but could not break free from her. Her tongue met mine and then just as quickly as she began, she stopped.

“Thanks again for your stuff dweeb!” She said with pride in her voice. “I will see you again soon.”

She let go of me. I fell backwards to the sight of her warm smiling face and her waving her right arm goodbye with my SVD still in her left. I closed my eyes thinking that this was the end. As I came closer and closer to the ground I found myself still thinking about her...