The Fast, Dangerous and the Furious

Chapter Eighteen: Return

Being with Silver Shoe taught me one thing, being with Glider taught me another, but I think being in Equestria is what taught me this lesson. I’m sure every pony else around hearing this already knows. This Equestria isn’t sunshine and rainbows anymore. It’s a very mean and nasty place. This Equestria will beat you to the ground, keep you there permanently if you let it. Life will hit you harder than any pony, griffon, or other creature in this world can. It doesn’t matter how many times you get hit. It’s about how many times you get back up after being knocked down. Celestia knows her subjects have been knocked down, but we get back up. We evolve our way of life. Even if it means using weapons we never needed way back when. Equestria has taught me that I can take a lot and keep moving, no matter how much it hurts, you keep walking forward with your head held high.

*** ***

I sat on my haunches outside Princess Twilight’s castle reading the twentieth issue of Swordmares. I had sold the book War dropped on my head the other night. I got six bags of gems since it was a spell book written by Star Swirl. Plus it was first edition! Now I was catching up on my reading having just bought the sixteenth through twentieth issues of my favorite comic. Best exchange ever. If the Traders Exchange in Rainbow Falls ever gets started back up I am so going there to track down some mint comics. The clouds above my head rumbled loudly which oddly enough sounded like an engine.

Specifically a 3.0 liter, turbocharged, with four hundred horsepower.

I took a look up at the skies to find a glider descending to the street near Sugar Cube Corner. The engine roared a bit louder as I stood up. “That’s got to be Glider,” I said to no pony in particular. My hooves slid the comics back inside my bags before I galloped off to find out the owner that engine belonged do … oh … and that’s not four hundred horsepower.

It’s five hundred. You’re slipping Runner, what would the others think! Shame on you.

I trudged down several different streets, mindlessly bumping into ponies on accident, before seeing the glider disappear from view behind some buildings. Ugh. I hate it when gliders disappear on me. Turning to the next street I passed Sugar Cube Corner listening carefully for any engine revs. I waited. And waited. And waited. Waited some more. Still waiting. Nothing. I groaned again. Galloping down the street practicing my transparency spell on a few office buildings around, it became more apparent to me that Ponyville had changed a lot since that memory jewel with the first glider test.

I found my way to the end of the street and saw a bright sunrise orange Supra Mark IV glider parked in an open garage. My jaw dropped. It looks beautiful!

The stance is near perfect. And with a closer look it look lit it’s boasting a proud five hundred fifty horsepower. Without as much as a second thought I galloped off to the Supra to get an up close look. I slowed to a light trot admiring the large spoiler that almost looked like it was another set of wings. The blocks were made out of the same nice looking metal similar to Glider’s 240SX. This is pure eye candy for me! It looks so COOL! On the side of the blocks, one on each side, was a pair of silver pegasi flying forward.

The owner popped open the hood and I gave a gentle knock on the door. I was taken a bit surprised by the stallion’s coat. He had a dark blue coat with an orange mane color that I wasn’t sure would work for other ponies, but this guy pulled it off well. He also had a pair of ocean blue eyes that seemed to stand out more than anything else. His cutie mark was an indistinguishable silver pegasus with one hoof sticking straight out. “What’s the retail on one of those,” I took a hoof step in and examined the amount of wrench time that had gone into it. Then I realized I had stepped in uninvited. The owner smiled.

My hooves moved back a little while the owner just waved a hoof at me without a care in the world. “Without any aftermarket parts, about three bags. With parts, it’ll go for five or six bags worth of gems.” We shook hooves over the blocks. Inside the engine bay was a Rainbow Dash engine that had sounded nearly, if not already, tuned to perfection.

“Sweet Luna, that is beautiful.”

The owner chuckled reaching for a wrench on the wood shelves built along the walls. It was a completely better version of the little fun house I had back at my old place. Seriously, this garage was my dream. Every kind of tool I could ever need was in here. “You a glider enthusiast,” the owner inquired curiously. I nodded with a grin. “You know if you’re interested I have a glider for sale.” My attention went down to the Supra giving me time to register his words in my head. I did a double take.

He was selling a glider? I need a glider! Sometimes I just want to give the universe a big hug and thank it for being so nice to me. “Heck yeah, I’m interested. What is it?” I was full of energy now. Blood racing with anticipation for a race that would be coming sooner than later. It wasn’t until now that I realized my hooves were covered with dried up blood. The owner noticed and offered a rag. I declined the offer.

His hoof pointed out a picture on his wall. I turned my attention to it with a dropped jaw. Stunning. To say the least it was stunning. It was a Pegasi Import, bright green with two eagles painted on the wingspan to look like they were taking off. “That’s what mine used to look like before it was shot up,” the owner chuckled, “but with enough wrench time you could have it running again. It tops out at one forty, just a heads up.” I nodded and hummed. That was reasonable enough to make an offer on it. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t in slightly used condition. I turned looking straight at his eyes. Seriously, it was like I was staring at the ocean itself, which I had never actually seen except for in books.

“Sold, how many bags?” I didn’t need to think about it, I wanted that glider. If my Mustang is out of reach then this will be the next best thing.

The owner thought about it for the longest time. His attention went back to the picture. It almost felt like he didn’t want to let go of it. “Tell you what, why don’t you let me think it over. Swing by tomorrow?” I nodded and we shook hoofs before I trotted out the garage.

“I’ll hold you to it,” I called back to him. The owner chuckled and shook his head before closing the garage.

*** ***

I approached my new home with more enthusiasm than I thought, each step had a little bounce to it, almost like I had Pinkie Pie’s energy inside me. My light bounce turned into a slow trot once I caught the sight of a dark blue Maxima alongside an icy white Jetta parked near the garage. The stickers plastered on the blocks stood out like a sore hoof. I took note that those gliders were designed differently. They both turned transparent.

The Maxima had two sets of wings, one in the back and one in the front, not counting the spoiler attached to the back. The Jetta was low slung, at least without the kick stands, and was made to be a freaking bullet. Mm, damn those are sexy. I let out a low whistle and felt the sunshine beat down on me a little. My entire coat warmed up right away. Finding my way around the corner I inhaled the smell of hay burgers and saw Vin having some sort of game with Lucky Clover. They were playing … I think the griffons called it Rock Paper Scissors. “Why do we even play this game I always lose,” Lucky grunted out before giving up. Candle Light was at the grill laughing.

Her hoof went back to grilling the hay slowly, until her eyes locked on me.

She gasped a little trotting over to me. I was brought into a tight hug, “Runner, I heard about the shootout, are you okay?” I looked at her, then at my slightly red hooves. There was no hiding it from her. With each passing second I began to notice how badly those throwing knives had sliced up my hooves. It was a surprise to even me that I had walked all around town without taking notice. “There are bandage rags upstairs in the bathroom, behind the mirror,” she took a sniff at my mane. “You … need to shower.” What? I don’t smell … Oh, sweet Luna, I need a shower.

I galloped on inside coming face to face with Glider. She took one look at me and put a bottle of Pegasus Breed in the freezer. After a pat on my back she trotted out the door with a drink in her hoof. I went upstairs, pushing open the bathroom door to find a set of bandage rags already set out on the sink. The showerhead sent water pulsing out like a jet while I tossed my saddle bags down in the corner of the room. My holster was set down on top of the rest of my stuff. I stepped inside the tub and took in a long stuttered deep breath.

The water practically slapped the ground beneath me while I mentally went over the events in Harbor City. Everything came crashing down on my conscious for a second and then washed away. I wasn’t going to let it hurt me, not that and certainly nothing else from my past … except for Silver Shoe. I exhaled slowly with a stutter. My eyes looked down at the stream of red water rushing to the drain. That place sure did a number on me. I just have to endure and survive. Just like the mare in Swordmares. I’m going to miss Daring though … it was fun just being in her general area. Even if she can be headstrong sometimes. I wonder if that’s a trait that all of Daring Doo’s decedents have.

It took me until now to notice all four of my legs were burning underneath the rushing water. I nickered. Alright, so now I just need to do one more thing to set myself straight. Candle Light said I needed to find a code. Well … I don’t know where to start, but I’m sure finding a code will be easier if I just let it find me. I turned the shower off, shaking my mane like a wet dog trying to dry off.

Taking a step out of the shower I grabbed a towel, quickly drying off while listening to the sounds of hip hop music out in the backyard. I let out a yawn and opened up the bandage rags. One of them was long enough to serve my purposes, once I was done patching myself up, I took my belongings to my room and tossed them on top of the bed before trotting back down to the kitchen to grab my icy cold Pegasus Breed.

I trotted back outside immediately greeted by the warm sun again. Sweet smelling horseshoe fries filled my nostrils to the point I was about to drool. Lucky Clover’s slightly gruff voice caught my attention. “Well, well, well there’s our very own timber wolf in training. Where’ve you been pumpkin,” he teased. I just chuckled, taking seat down at the picnic table right next to Glider.

“I thought I was the timber wolf around here,” Vin commented before chugging his Pegasus Breed.

Glider couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “Don’t be jealous Vin, you’re still our teams timber wolf, although Runner could give you a run for your bits if he keeps gallivanting off like this.”

I rolled my eyes in amusement, taking a sip from my Pegasus Breed. The smell of the last batch of horseshoe fries caught my attention again. It smelt so good that my stomach let out a low growl. Candle Light set two bowls of fries down with a plate stacked with hay burgers.

My hoof went in, pulling one delicious looking burger out for my watering mouth. The moment I went to bite it, a hoof smacked my muzzle. I blinked a few times before looking over at Glider. Lucky Clover nickered. This didn’t feel right, I felt like I had done something wrong. Candle Light took a seat, “Because you were the first to reach in to get the burgers you’re saying grace.” Oh. Well. That. Yeah, I can do that.

Every pony looked down and joined hooves. A moment went by. There was another problem. I didn’t know any prayers. My eyes went around, no pony was giving me the slightest attention yet. Vin coughed over his shoulder signaling for me to say something. “Thank you heavenly … Celestia for bringing us all together. Luna, we give thanks to your spirit watching over us at night, as well as your beautiful moonlight,” I was running out of things to say. Do … Do I say something about Princess Twilight? I … just don’t know. “Cadence, thank you for spreading love across Equestria for all of us to have. Twilight, ugh … umm, thank you for hoof crafted ball bearing turbos, well made intercoolers and two stage nitrous systems.” I cleared my throat once I finished.

Glider let my hoof go as her warm yet squeaky laugh was let out. “Praising the glider goddess’s man,” the mare next to me gave me a light shove. “Let’s eat some grub guys.” Both mares went in for some food and the other two guys followed their example. Candle Light gave me a satisfied smile for that.

In all honesty I lost track of time after the first bite. All I remember is having a great time talking about fast gliders, especially the Grand Tour circuit that took place in Saddle Arabia this year. Didn’t know much about it, but from what was said, they had phenomenal gliders!

The clouds had rolled in again taking away the sunlight that I was beginning to get accustomed to. We took our little party inside to catch a movie on TV while Candle Light, or should I say me and Candle, did the dishes.

Candle Light’s hoof made a circular motion against the plate using a rag. I set the last of the dishes down on the counter, listening to the sounds of explosions coming from the TV. Action movies, the best kind of movie out there, none of the romantic bull shit that doesn’t actually happen. Just two hours of cool characters mixed with a decent plot where those same characters do something slick to get out of a bad situation. “Need anything else?” My hooves took a plate and rag from the counter.

Another series of explosions echoed from the other room making Candle Light and I jump. I swear that little TV has some sort of surround sound system hooked up to it. Knowing how much tech those gliders have in them it wouldn’t surprise me if they had the same setup inside. “That’s okay, go join the others watching the movie.” She gestured towards the door.

Yeah, see that’s where I’m a little confused. My father had taught me one important lesson about the pony that cooks. Always clean for them.

I shook my head with a slight nudge at the soap. “No, see my father taught me that the cook never cleans.” Candle Light put her plate down. Her eyes stared straight at out the window looking a tad bit upset. There was a bit of water near her eye, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the running faucet or from her tearing up about something.

There was a small grin on her face, “Yeah, well I’d welcome a place that teaches that.” I looked at her eyes and could see water in them. If it bothers her that much though I could just … set down the plate. Rather not though, especially after how nice she’s been. I asked her if she was alright, but all Candle did was shrug it off not wanting to talk about whatever was bothering her. “Here’s some soap,” she passed me half a bar of soap, “try not to drop it.” I laughed giving her a light bump.

So I understand why Luck Clover has a glider, but Glider and Vin have wings. I voiced my notice to Candle while she hummed a song to both of us. “You’d be surprised by how many glider enthusiasts ask that question,” she said with a laugh. “I’m sure you know that those gliders can go up to triple digit wing powers, well most pegasi can’t fly that fast without using some NOS pills. Glider can fly that fast without a machine, but she prefers the sound of pistons over her own wings.” I chuckled nodding understandingly. Who wouldn’t like flying gliders? I mean the response you get from a perfectly tuned V8 with turbochargers or that sweet hiss of a NOS kit just can’t be beat.

“Oh, speaking of gliders, I met a stallion who’s willing to sell me one.”

Candle Light smiled and set the clean plate down. “Really, who?” You know I didn’t think to get his name. I exchanged my clean plate for a dirty one.

Several minutes of silence went between us until Candle Light figured out what was going on through my mind. Her smile was gorgeous. “I, uh didn’t think to ask him for his name. Let you know when I talk to him tomorrow, after I get a price for the Eclipse.” Her smile wavered a bit. Her hoofs let the plate slip out, but she quickly caught it.

*** ***

My mouth stretched open wide letting a yawn the size of an average Pinkie Pie party balloon out. Ugh. Man those guys sure do know how to party. Last time I checked I clocked in around midnight having no prior knowledge to what time I should show up at the Supra owner’s place.

With a loud groan I rolled off my bed stretching out like a cat, which I wasn’t a big fan of. I’ll give those felines this though, they sure do know how to get a good stretch going. I shook off the rest of my drossiness and took a look at my comics. My hoof tapped the ground a couple of times until I lit up my horn. Each comic individually floated up out of my bag then into two stacks of ten. Twenty down. Twenty five more to go. This was shaping up to be a great collection. Maybe when I’m done I’ll ask Page Turner for another comic book series to check out.

Freshly cooked eggs caught my noses attention forcing a good growl out of my stomach. “Time to get some food then head out at,” I looked at the clock, “almost noon with partially sunny skies.” Taking a look out the window I noticed it was nothing but grey outside. “High chance of rain,” I said dully.

Entering the kitchen I found the sweet sensational smell of eggs was nowhere to be seen. Candle Light was washing some dishes humming to herself. “Did I miss breakfast?”

She turned her attention over to me and shook her head.

“No, Glider and the others just had one last delivery to do early today, but if you run by Sugar Cube Corner I can whip you up something.” I shrugged and pulled out some bits from my bit bag. With a quick salute I wished her a good morning and trotted out the back door.

I galloped down the road feeling a gust of wind whip by me sending shivers through my whole body. Ponies were already moving about without a care in the world. It’s funny how easy I forget about the infected being here. I hope at some point a pony out there can find a cure for all of them. Can’t begin to even imagine what the inner pony inside that messed up head of theirs is going through.

From what I can gather, if the Alicorn Sphere caused all this mess, maybe reverse engineering it would help bring about the cure. After all it did cause all of this. That’s all hypothetical though, plus it’s none of my business anymore.

Speaking of business, what the hell am I going to do with my map of Equestria? I’ll figure that out later. Got nothing but time these days along with enough bits to last me until I start racing for gems.

I galloped into Sugar Cube Corner with a greeting of a pure cold wave of air. Within a moment of being there I started wondering why in Celestia’s name some pony found it necessary to keep a building this cold.

“Runner!”

My ears perked up a little. I turned around with my jaw dropped. A pony wearing rancher clothing and a silver star on his vest was panting behind me practically gasping for air. “Deputy … uh … here.” I tossed some bits down on the counter and grabbed a water from the refrigerator. The deputy drank it right away.

His attention was more or less on water. I sighed, waving my hoof around for him to get to the point. “Runner, you’ve got to come with me. You and Silver Shoe’s home is under attack!” I scoffed. That’s bull shit. Those walls are taller than Celestia’s castle in Canterlot and thicker than a bloaters gut. “I didn’t believe it either until the Sheriff showed me these,” he pulled out several pictures of Reapers going into the tunnel I used to escape.

“What the hell,” I spat on the pictures on accident. My heart rated picked up as my eyes slowly narrowed on Deputy. “When were these taken?”

“Today,” he wheezed. “Runner, they’re slaughtering ponies in droves and the militia inside doesn’t have enough pony power to push them back. Can’t get enough ponies inside either.”

My horn lit up and levitated out Candle Light’s eggs simultaneously setting down enough bits to pay for everything. Adrenalin pumped through every vein in my body. My blood boiled. Hot, electric almost. I felt more focused then I had ever been in my entire life now that I knew what I was going to do. “Runner, where are we going?” I hadn’t noticed until now, but Deputy was stuck in my levitation field.

It took me just a couple of minutes to get back to the house. Nothing but silence had been between me and Deputy since he asked me that question. I telekinetically threw him in a chair next to the picnic table. “I’m going to show the Reapers the door step to hell.” I turned, bucking open the door to the kitchen. Candle Light jumped up startled with her mouth open. I put my hoof to her muzzle and shushed her. “I need your glider key.” Her hoof slid it to me.

I could tell I was scaring her, but she was ready to do something about it. Just as I got ready to turn she cut me off. “What’s going on?” I looked straight into her eyes. She knew something had gone wrong.

“Reapers are attacking mine and Glider’s sisters old home,” I paused thinking about the gear I would need. “Guns. I need guns.” My hoof tapped the ground, but I told myself there was no gun shop around here or for miles. Time was short and I needed to move. “I’ve got to go. I’m taking your glider. Pray for me, please.” Candle Light nodded, wrapping her hooves around me, wishing me to be careful.

It didn’t need to be said, but I could see that she had wanted a family member that didn’t go off doing crazy dangerous things. Sadly, I’m not that family member. “Come back to us safely and stop whatever it is that’s going on out there. You understand me.”

I galloped out the door while my holster wrapped around me. My pistol slid inside it.

Wrapping my hoof around Deputy, I yanked him up from the chair and told him to stand where he was at. Approaching the garage as fast as I could I bucked the doors open and geared up with the Integra. My hoof revved the engine just before I galloped forward, having Deputy jump on and grab the handle inside the top to keep him from slipping, most ponies called it the “oh shit” bar. “Hang on.” I galloped forward taking off into the air at thirty wing power. My back hoof shifted into second then third while the wing speedometer approached seventy wing power after just a couple of seconds passed.

*** ***

Dust flew past my hooves while coming to a sliding halt in front of the bar I used to hide out in. Huh. Now that I see those walls, they don’t look as big anymore. Actually they don’t even look that thick or as terrifying like they used to. I spat at the ground. “The ponies in there need to see the outside world. They’re nothing but animals caged up waiting for death when there’s so much out here to experience,” Deputy gave me a deadpan expression, “you know when you’re not being chased by infected.” We both nodded understandingly.

Deputy stretched his neck back to get a good view of the walls top edge and protection spell. I took a peak up noticing the pink dome was no longer there. It was just … gone. That can’t be good. “So this is where you an that beautiful mare came from. Is it really a prison?”

I hummed looking at our former escape route. It didn’t take me that long to decide, but I think part of me wasn’t sure if Silver Shoe was being serious at the time. One of the best decision we ever made was leaving and now I’m going back.

“Deputy, how’d you guys get those pictures without being seen,” I voiced the question that had been on my mind since we left Ponyville.

Deputy was reloading his revolver. We needed more than just this. “Oh, actually we got them from some mare. Sheriff should be getting here soon.” As if on que, there were voices coming from behind another building. My hoof tapped the ground impatiently. “You know my name isn’t Deputy right?” I froze for a moment then looked at him. “It’s Chest Nut.” I totally knew that. “Don’t give me that look, you had no idea.” We started laughing. Oh! I still have his comics!

I cleared my throat and scratched my mane. “Hey, Silver Shoe took your Swordmares comic books last time I saw you. If you want them back, they’re yours.” Chest Nut shook his head telling me to keep them. I offered for him to take them back, but he declined saying that he already read the entire series.

Sheriff came around the corner with his usual stone expression. Couldn’t read his thoughts for anything even if I tried. “Good to see you again Runner, I took the time to get your team together.” I liked the sound of that.

“You guys found Glid … what the hell are you guys doing here,” I gritted my teeth. Rusty Horseshoe along with Eleven Oceans stepped around the corner armed to the teeth with weapons of all kind. My anger got the better of me as I marched over to them.

Sheriff got between us, slowly pushing me back, “Hey, now just calm down!”  Not Important showed up with a wagon behind her. Deputy took one look at her and … wait a second. Are there weapons in that wagon? “That one right there brought us an army of weapons to use.” I let out a sigh of relief and looked at the two con artists in front of me. Half of me knew I could use their help, but the other half just wanted me to go at this with just a four pony team consisting of myself, Deputy, Sheriff and Not Important.

My emotions eventually got in check thanks to a long deep breath along with a quick reminder of why I was about to do what I was going to do. I took a look at each pony here to help me. Daring wasn’t here. “I understand why you’re here,” my hoof pointed at the Sheriff standing with his Deputy, “but not why you two are here.” Not Important and I had no hard feelings against each other. In fact she looked like she had been ready for a fight like this a long time ago.

Eleven Oceans charisma wasn’t going to work on me this time. After Harbor City this guy’s charm had worn off on me. Rusty put his hoof against Oceans just before he tried to speak. “Runner, what we did to you was wrong. After you left, Daring confronted us so we told her everything. However, Not Important got in touch with her after she found out what was going on over here.” I’m impressed, not by the two con artists, but by the fact that Not Important can get around Equestria so fast. I looked at her and got ready to ask how she got around so fast.

“I knew a guy that knew how to get around, different country different time.” Not Important responded bluntly, before mentioning she didn’t want to talk about it.

Not Important spoke with little emotion in her voice that time. Obviously there was more to her than met the eye which I loved. An asset who knew how to get shit done was always welcomed. Rusty cleared his throat, “We decided that this is going to be our last job, we’ll leave the other missions for some other rag tag team of renegades. I know we owe you a lot of money, but I hope being in charge of our group for this mission will suffice.” I nodded. That was a good deal actually. Bits will come and go, but a crew that can get something done is hard to find.

Now that just left Daring, wherever she was it wasn’t near me or the District. “Daring’s on her way,” Not Important informed me. “With more backup from Manehattan.” Her hoof went to the wagon and we all walked around to the back ready to examine her inventory. The back swung up as everything inside practically began glowing gold. My horn lit up and I took an extra pistol with enough ammo clips to keep me company. Rusty took all the sniper rifle ammo he could fit inside of a duffle bag then slung it around his back.

I slowly nodded my head. Everything was going through my head right now, mostly emotions, anger towards a few different ponies and even some sympathy for the ponies inside. I took in another deep breathe. “Alright then, here’s the plan. Oceans, when we get inside I want you to find a machine gun. Get it by any means necessary then unleash hell. Sheriff and Deputy, I need you two to bring as many Reaper ponies as you can into the street.” We started walking to the walls with our focus turned to the small hole leading to the pipes underground. I knew the pipes almost by heart even after being gone for an unprecedented amount of time. I could still get us through with little effort. “Not Important, I need you to get my glider over the wall,” she was busy prepping her glider. With a simple hoof wave she got to work on doing … whatever idea she had to get them both over the wall. “Rusty, once we get inside I’ll need you to be our sniper,” I sounded almost unsure of what our jobs would be.

“Is that an order or a question,” Not Important called out to me.

“An order.”

She smiled at that, nodding confidently.

I slowed to a light trot then started looking in the bushes for Silver Shoe’s map. That’s strange, it’s not here. My hooves ripped every branch away, but nothing was there. “So where’s that friend of yours?” Deputy commented next to me. I moved away from the bush and looked at him. As much as I wanted to feel bad about that, I didn’t have the time. Not now. Deputy got the message though. “I’m so sorry.” He gave me a pat on the back and we all jumped down the hole into the darkness below.

Ready or not, here we come.