The Fast, Dangerous and the Furious

Chapter Twenty One: Faith

Funerals.

Ponies live. Ponies die. Some live their lives to the fullest with no regrets. They die at peace. Some live their lives crawling, clawing for their dreams with never once reaching satisfaction. Ponies that die before they reach their dreams and goals have been beaten to the ground. Their legs give out on them, crushed by the pressure of every day challenges that seem too difficult to overcome.

The ponies you know, love with all your hearts, can die before they have the chance to make peace with you. Sometimes there are things left unsaid. Every day you will wish to have said that one last sentence to them. That one last word. Tell them you love them. Tell them everything will be alright. Sometimes you won’t ever get that chance. There will be times where you will regret never being there for the ones you loved even when the ones you love have stabbed you in the back. Never turn your back on family even if they have.

Rusty wasn’t the best role model, in fact he was never a pony I looked up to in any way shape or form. The way he does business isn’t right. Oceans and War were good company and great thieves. In fact they were the best thieves I have ever seen second only to Han. However, despite everything they did to me I won’t overlook that they helped me figure out where I don’t want to go in life. From now on I’m going to surround myself with the ones I love. Surround myself in strength. I’ve only known Glider a short amount of time, but she’s a great sister. In fact I’ll go as far as to say she’s the older sister I never had. Candle Light … she’s wonderful. Compassionate. Loving. Everything my mother wasn’t.

My mother always slapped reality in my face. If something seemed impossible, she would say so then discourage me from ever accomplishing it. She said I would never get that Mustang going; while my dad put every bit of confidence he had in my ability to bring it back to life.

BONG! BONG! BONG!

I blinked my eyes, carefully looking up at the ruined building behind the pony dressed in fine egg white robes with symbols tracing back to the Royal Pony Sisters symbol. Sitting next to me amongst the hundreds of other ponies, smoking a cigar, was Sheriff with a quiet Chest Nut. They filled me in on what happened with Rusty. He never made it off the rooftop. “Ladies and gentle colts, fillies and colts, District and Non-District residents. It is with a heavy heart that I must confirm the deaths of several hundred ponies,” the priest announced over a podium. I knew several of the ponies on that list. All of them were innocent aside from my former team. They had demons to deal with and lots of them. Especially Rusty, for whatever reason he seemed to just throw himself into his work. To my knowledge he never had a mare for his hooves. In all honesty, I wouldn’t have mind sticking with Daring as a partner.

I hadn’t seen a hint of that adventurous mare anywhere since earlier this afternoon. “Eleven Oceans,” the finely dressed priest called out. My mother’s name along with Silver Shoe’s parents were called out.

Revenge. At some point in every pony’s life they have a choice whether or not to get back at the pony that caused them suffering. Bolt Action didn’t just hurt me, he hurt and tore apart the lives of all the innocent ponies in this district. My mother always fought with me over such stupid little details. She was still my mother though and I would never wish anything bad on her. That silver tongued psychotic son of bitch put innocent ponies in this prison-turned-grave. “Rest in peace mom, I won’t ever let a pony hurt my family again,” I found myself saying softly. Revenge is said to be a dish best served cold, well, I disagree. Revenge is best served with warm blood.

A hoof found its way around my shoulder. I jumped in shock, taking a look at Chest Nut. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he whispered. Sheriff took the cigar out of his mouth blowing smoke.

“So am I,” I said softly.

When I left District Twelve, I was practically, if not, a foal because of the way I acted, when the wall was blown down a piece of me went with it. I’m not the same pony I was when I left with Silver Shoe. After having the old part of my life torn down to be left in ruins, I feel like a stallion. No longer a foal. “Rusty Horseshoe,” I heard the priest call out. I looked over at the crowd and saw a mare dressed in a tan suit jacket with large black buttons wiping tears from her eyes. She got up, walking away the second Rusty’s name was called.

I shrugged Chest Nut’s hoof off. I spared them one last look. “Thanks for helping me out guys, it means a lot. Really. Take from this what you will, but if I ever get into trouble I’ll come looking for you.” Sheriff gave me a hoof shake saying that they would be there for me anytime along with advising me to take care of myself. Just before I started walking, Chest Nut mentioned we were friends now. I couldn’t help but smile at that.

My hooves carried me out the rows of chairs straight towards the mare shaking her short cut mane. Whoever she was, she looked fantastic. I mean, I try to stay level headed around mares, but geez this mare was something. Slowly approaching her, I spoke up, “Who’d you lose in the raid?” I asked her full of curiosity.

Her eyes looked up from the ground and she tried giving me a half smile. It didn’t work. We both knew a pony in our lives had been taken with no way of doing anything about it. I introduced myself. “Summer Breeze,” the mare cooed warmly while shaking my hoof. We kept walking down the street. “I’m Rusty Horseshoe’s ex-marefriend.” My jaw dropped slowly. Without even thinking I looked down at her suit jacket’s collar noticing something shining on it. Attached to her collar was a shiny badge.

Oh I knew who this was now. Old Runner wasn’t a gambling stallion, the new one is and I’d put every last bit down on the chance that this was that mare. Crazy thing is I run into a lot of strange or amazing ponies. Not once had I ever given this mare a thought. “Let me guess, jumped out the second story on you?” We both cracked up at that.

“Well, he did say he wasn’t the romantic type,” she mused to me. Because jumping out of hotel is the best way to strengthen any relationship! “And let me guess, you’re one of his so called friends.” Summer eyed me carefully making me feel a bit uncomfortable.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Since Bolt Action brought down that wall I have been feeling all kinds of relief. It’s like all of my stress, anxiety and all around bitch-ass mood just went poof. “You could say that, I just had his number in case shit hit the fan,” and it did. Several times over. Said shit even killed a stallion or two. “If you don’t mind me asking, what the hell happened between you two?”

There was a pause.

Summer Breeze chuckled unenthusiastically. Without any warning she just stopped as if some thought had punched her in the face. My light trot came to a halt so I could meet her gaze. “I was on the verge of discovering the identity of a stallion that robbed a bank a few days prior to meeting up with him in Manehattan,” she said softly while beginning to trot again. I followed her and hummed. “The night we met up I told him about it, he said he was going to have a quick shower and I never saw him again,” her tone turned sour. I gave her a pat on the back thinking about how much I wouldn’t change for a mare.

I mean. If I did change. And that’s a big if. It would have to be for a very special mare.

“You know, Runner the sad thing is if he had just been honest with me, I would have quit my job for him. I loved him that much and would have married him without hesitation.” I took a quick glance into her eyes, what I saw was hurt, pain, and betrayal.

We arrived at my house and I leaned against the only remaining portion of the stone wall surrounding my mother’s former flowerbed. Summer Breeze was going through a lot of different memories while we stood around just taking in the sight of the former District population getting acquainted with their new environment. Part of me wanted to see how far I could get with a mare, telling her it was my team that helped save the day, but another part of me said that Not Important would not like that since her team saved my flank. “Is there any advice you could give me about getting a mares attention,” I asked trying to sound nonchalant.

I will admit this, Rusty had one beautiful mare. In all honesty I’m a little sad things didn’t work out between them. “Just be honest with her” she paused, “that’s all I ever wanted and I never got it.” For whatever reason she looked like she wasn’t heartbroken anymore. Focused. She looked focused. “If that doesn’t work then pour yourself into your work. That’s what I did,” she cooed. I turned my attention back to her badge noticing it was highly customized as far as badges went.

That’s when it hit me. Rusty never had a mare with him.

“Hey, before you go, you should know Rusty wanted to marry you,” I found myself saying calmingly. Summer looked at me with a smile on her face. Her head turned back to the gravesite. And that put something to rest, something that from the sound of our conversation had never been settled between Rusty Horseshoe and Summer Breeze. “See you around Summer,” I said stretching out my hoof.

We shook hooves, “Runner a little advice. Don’t get mixed up in crime. I keep my eye on all of Rusty’s friends,” she winked at me before walking away. I felt uncomfortable again. Very, very, uncomfortable.

OOOOH, look my Mustang!

I popped open my garage practically letting the metal shutters come falling down. One of the shutters collapsed swinging side to side. Good thing I have a place to go now. Actually, now that I think about it looks like I have nothing tying me down to this place anymore aside from … revenge. Just get these schematics to Discord. Let him deal with this and everything will be fine.

Telekinetically floating over a wagon, I carefully examined it noting it would make the trip back to Ponyville without the use of a glider. Freaking. Bolt. Action. Tears up Candle Light’s glider and leaves me near stranded. The nerve of some ponies. Positioning the wagon in front of my garage I turn faced the Mustang only to feel my heart beat slower. With the right light shining on it I could see everything that had been done to it. The blocks that had formally been rusted over had been replaced with new metal, which was something I hadn’t done.

My curiosity led me to the pedals, I put my hoof down on them, slowly pushing them without any resistance. Taking a look at the tech inside there wasn’t much done to it, but it was cleaned off to look more like a vintage glider. The once crappy glider that I had been working on was now seventy five percent finished without me having done anything since it was twenty five percent done. I felt around for stuff in the glove box and found a note.

Runner, I know this isn’t the first time we have fought over what was best for you. You’ve just grown up so much in front of me that I wanted to hold on just a little longer. The night you left something broke in me and every day you were gone I was in here working on this glider for you. I know it can’t fix the countless times we fought over such stupid details, but I hope it gets you where you’re going. Proud of you, always. Love you no matter what.

I re-read that note over and over again. This told me a lot about my old self. The pony that was running around pulling jobs with Silver Shoe was a damn foal who disrespected his, what was then, remaining blood related family. My hooves put the note back inside of the glove box. I slowly turned my head to the open door leading to the living room.

Trotting inside I looked around at the devastation we caused with the Reapers. I smiled. Moving into the kitchen I found the picture of my parents and me. That was one hell of a fond memory, I wasn’t about to let it go. I took the picture down and set it on the counter next to a double barrel shotgun. There was another note. A little cliché now that I think about it.

Runner, by the time you read this message Sheriff should have already told you I left. Listen, I have a lot of thinking to do, but that doesn’t mean you won’t see me again. You and I are friends after the things we did. We are like thunder and lightning when we team up and even I know that Daring Doo never turned down a good partner when she absolutely needed one. Also, I saw what went down in the front yard. I hope this helps you give what’s coming to Bolt Action. You give what he gave; I know he can’t run and he can’t hide from you. Forever a reliable friend, Daring Adventure.

Thank you, Daring. I may have to call on you one more time if I go through with what I’m thinking is a better plan now. Slowly taking in a breath, I lit up my horn, levitating up both the picture and shotgun. A bottle of dull tasting beer floated out of the fridge. The last one my mom had in the house. I popped the cap off and chugged the whole thing. Its dull bland taste slid down my throat like sewage water in a pipe, but it was still somehow the best drink I had ever had in this place.

*** ***

The hours I spent walking felt like they had been dragging on like waiting for chunky milk to fall out of a carton. After being patient with only a few stops to grab some water, I had made it to Ponyville. My eyes lit up when I passed Sweet Apple Acres, which I knew right then that this would be my new glider testing spot. Best spot to drag race, no connecting roads and it’s roughly a quarter mile from the sign to the first street in Ponyville, using the barn as a startling line.

My hooves clip clopped along the pavement while I passed Sugar Cube Corner with my Mustang inside the wagon being towed behind me. I don’t have the money to fix it. I do have the money to buy a working glider though. That settles it. My ass needs to get itself to some street races so I can earn cash to fix this beast. I added that to my to-do list.

That being said I need to have a little talk with a stallion.

My eyes drifted over to the corner house with an open garage. Even from where I was standing that sunset orange Supra was sticking out like a sore hoof. From here it looked even more beautiful than Daring … I can’t believe that, but yet there it is, sitting in front of me only partly sticking out. I traveled over to it keeping my eyes locked on its sleek front bumper. Parking my wagon near the owner’s front lawn, I unstrapped myself before trotting up the driveway.

I knocked my hoof against one of the large tool boxes near the garage door. No pony answered. Once again, I gave it a knock. The room remained silent. There was an open sliding door to the kitchen so I gave out a low whistle. Nonchalantly looking around I took a few steps inside and slid underneath the Supra. My back went straight into the cushioned groove and I fell in love. Head over hooves in love with the way it felt. “Nnnnnverrr.” Moving my head side to side I pictured racing through the fresh mountain air near Canterlot. I jerked to the right, avoiding a wagon. Another racer pulls up to me giving me the eye as we start dragging down several miles of beautifully paved road. “Uuuuuuert. Nnnnnnere. Verruuuuuu.” My back hoof hit the gas pedal down.

“What are you doing?”

My heart exploded into a fire work display of butterflies racing to have a heart attack. I turned to ice praying that wasn’t who I thought it was. Please don’t let it be the owner, please don’t let it be the owner, please don’t let it be the owner. “I was just, ugh … you know fixing up this ride here. I mean … did you see how fast I was going on that off ramp? I have to fly this glider!” The owner just stared at me blankly. Static behind him caught my attention. It was a walkie-talkie.

“Officer O’Conner, we’ve got a report of a hijacking near Ponyville. Please be on the lookout.”

I felt encased in a frozen tundra. This was a cop. Every fiber of my being was screaming to just bolt for it, never look back and say ‘I don’t have any donuts pig.’ O’Conner hit a button on his device. “This is Officer O’Conner, I’ll be on the lookout, over.” He turned the volume down while putting his ocean blue eyes back on me.

Where were we again? Oh, right. The glider fantasy. “Were you just making glider noises,” he asked. My face started blushing, burning.

“Ah, no. Like I said you need to fly this glider!” I lost all confidence in my story while sliding out from underneath the glider. O’Conner chuckled with a nod.

I cleared my throat and pretended to ignore what just happened. Nothing happened. I was fixing his glider I swear on … Daring’s life. Okay, I was making glider noises. “Child at heart,” he questioned me with a laugh. I nodded with a sheepish smile. At some point every stallion realizes they’re still a foal when they’re building gliders. For the glider enthusiast it’s living a dream come true.

We shared a bit of silence before I finally broke it with a subtle change in conversation. “So, you think about the price for that glider yet … O’Conner,” I said while offering him a hoof.

His attention went to the picture of the Eclipse hanging on the wall. It was still beautiful. If that glider was a mare she would be mine. Speaking of mares, I should never say that in front of … yeah. “Yeah, I’m thinking three bags.”

I nodded slowly. That would take away half of what I have right now which means I’d still have more than enough to buy some parts for it.

“Sounds like a fair deal to me, oh I’m Runner by the way,” I said while O’Conner shook hooves with me.

Leaning against the Supra’s spoiler, O’Conner hummed with his eyes locked on something outside. There was a slight grin tugging at his muzzle, but he was fighting to keep it hidden. “Is that yours?” I gave him an overly confident smile of my own. I didn’t answer him though. “You’re gonna make me walk over there and find out?” I still didn’t answer. “You’re brave, Runner,” he spoke with a chuckle.

We trotted away from the Supra over to my stainless steel Mustang. If it wasn’t for some dust covering it I could have sworn it was going to shine like a whistle. O’Conner jumped up on the wagon, popping open the dusty hood. “It has an Applejack V8 with about five hundred horsepower.” I took a look inside letting out a low whistle when he actually said it out loud. It sounded powerful. I love powerful gliders. Although I’m starting to think I’m more of a tuner stallion.

O’Conner nodded with an interested look on his face. “Use the Eclipse enough times and you’ll make enough money to get this going. You do any racing?” I gave him an ‘it’s-complicated’ look. His response was too chuckle at me.

If you call galloping around a small track the size of a miniature donut racing, then yes. “Just some short drags here and there, nothing big. I’d like to get back into the racing scene with this though.” My hoof tapped the metal hood several times while I shot a beaming confident smile his way. Taking another good look at the Mustang, O’Conner started to do some thinking. He looked at his glider then at me.

With a slight pause, he went back over something. “Okay, new deal. It’ll be three bags and I’ll help you put in some wrench time.” I was taken aback. His eyes told me he was being serious. His words left me utterly speechless. Here I had a team of fliers back at home ready to help me out and here this Pegasi-import-loving-stallion is offering me another perspective into the world of customization.

I will always be amazed by how kind some ponies can be. There was no bullshit with this stallion. Everything about him just seemed genuine. “Yeah, deal!” I shook his hoof before strapping myself back to the wagon. “I’ll swing by in a few days to pick it up?” O’Conner gave me a wave before returning to his garage. I envy the work he gets to do on that Supra. Don’t be jealous Runner, appreciate the ride and flyer. You’ve got to give respect to earn respect.

Just as I started to back up a loud whistle caught my attention making my ear twitch. O’Conner galloped back over to me, “Hey, actually just swing by in an hour. I’ll have it ready then.” Again, I was taken aback. I gave him a nod then backed out and galloped off to my home.

*** ***

At long last my eyes rested on home. It might need a new coat of paint, some updating and all around good grooming that comes with owning a house, but it’s still home. I savored each step I took backing up towards the garage. In no time flat I was out of my harness looking out at my home. Ponyville. There’s just something about this place that makes me feel good. Even if I do have some upsetting news.

Carefully walking up the stairs I noticed the hoof rail was loose, probably due to Glider smacking me into it with that mean swing of hers. Using my muzzle to nudge the door open I slowly walked in looking around. “Hello, any pony home?” I called out to no pony in particular. No response. With a slight groan I naturally assumed that every pony was out doing some delivery.

Guess that means I’m on my own for now. Taking a seat at the table I peeked outside seeing the clouds beginning to darken even more than usual. Hoof steps caught my attention. Standing in the doorframe holding a Pegasus Breed in one hoof was a large muscular tan coated pony wearing a necklace of Princess Celestia chasing Princess Luna around in a circle. I have to reiterate how big this stallion was, I mean I could stand on my hoof tips suck in a deep breath, hold it and still be almost half his size. Just one look at his muscles and bald head made me visualize him giving one good flex to pop me like a tube of toothpaste! Did I mention he was bald?

This hulking stallion kept staring at me with his dark brown eyes. Shifting my eyes around the room I felt a little out of place not having any friends or family around. The stallion took a drink not once breaking eye contact with me. His voice was deep mixed together with a strong tone, “That glider was worth seven bags of bits.” I looked at him in confusion. Behind his hulking exterior was a small pony with a long brown mane. She was familiar.

Candle Light shoved her way around the stallion before taking a seat at the table. “Runner, I’d like you to meet my brother, Diesel Fuel.” My eyes went to Candle Light for a moment, but then returned to the stallion staring at me. Holy shit. “Are you okay?” It didn’t take her long to see something was troubling me. There was another conversation I had to have with Glider that wasn’t going to be much fun at all. This one, however, wasn’t as hard to bring up. I responded to her with a nod not looking away from Diesel Fuel’s gaze.

Something about him just screamed protection. He took a hoof step over to the table, sitting down right in front of me. “That yours?” I looked out the window noticing my Mustang had been left where ponies could see it. With my entire body on edge around him, I just nodded. “You planning on using that to pay for my sisters Integra?” My eyes squeezed shut at the realization that I would indeed have to pay that back.

“You know what, how about you send the bill to Bolt Action,” I teased at him immediately regretting it. Candle Light chuckled at that but still had a worried look on her face. There was an awkward silence.

Diesel Fuel grunted, which I assumed was a laugh, and took another drink. “Glider, what have you been doing with this foal?” That … was reasonable actually. I shook his hoof in agreement. It’s going to take some time getting used to being around this guy. Shit, almost get the feeling he’s trying to figure me out. Wait, wait. Did he just call me a foal? Oh for the love of Celestia please don’t tell me I’m a freaking child to them.

Busting open the backdoor, Glider gave a sarcastic laugh while managing to keep a solid straight face at him. “That’s real funny, and this ain’t no foal, believe me he’s been through some stuff. He’s one of us.” I felt a little embarrassed at hearing that. After all the stuff I went through I didn’t feel like I had earned a reputation. From the way she was talking she seemed to be keeping track of all the places I was getting into gunfights in. If my performance in the Frozen North was anything to go off of then she was right to keep an eye on how well my skills were developing.

Diesel Fuel hummed drinking from his Pegasus Breed. That hum didn’t sound very convinced. In fact if I had to guess he was the leader of the group. The more I thought about it, Vin didn’t seem like he was leader material either. Don’t get me wrong he’s a good guy, I would easily help him out again, but the way he acted during our first meeting seemed to be more of a second in command kind of guy. I should know that the best because I’m no leader. Sitting here in front of me, Diesel Fuel, gave off a sense of protection that I never felt before. Like if I was to go into a gunfight right now with this stallion backing me up, I would have no problem feeling I was in good hoofs. “Come on Runner,” Glider nudged me. “We’ve got things to discuss and gliders to find.”

Speaking of which. The clock was telling me it was time to go get my new glider. “Actually, that sounds perfect. I’ve got a guy bringing me some stuff.” Diesel Fuel looked surprised. “Yeah, I have a guy.” Glider burst out laughing at our reactions to one another. The leader of this team meeting a wannabe renegade that is letting his mouth run more than it should. I started chuckling at that.

“Let’s go before you make me bust a gut,” she said between laughs, pulling me out the door.

*** ***

That little stunt kept her laughing for several more blocks. It got to the point where she was having trouble breathing. Eventually she put a hoof on a wall to get the last of her laughing fit out of the way. The clouds above us began to looking increasingly meaner. “You made an impression on Diesel Fuel, that’s for use, ugh, I really hope he likes you. He usually doesn’t like any pony.” My smile turned right into a worried frown.

Once she turned her attention to me Glider noticed it and sighed. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Her wing pulled me close to her. It felt nice having an older sister to look up to. Her body was warm.

“Hey,” I managed to stutter out. Her eyes went from the open road to my eyes. “I’ve got some bad news you might want to sit down for.” That didn’t sit well with her. No pun intended. Glider sat on her haunches without a clue in the world. I tried to open my mouth, but I couldn’t. It was weird now. I mean really weird. So far I told her that Silver Shoe died, but now I have to tell her about her deceased parents. I’m the bearer of bad news for her. Why does that make me feel terrible?

We sat in silence for several minutes listening to the sound of thunder roll by. Even when a loud clap rolled by neither one of us jumped having become accustomed to it. “Glider, your parents are dead.” I managed to look into her eyes, but what I saw wasn’t Glider. Her body was there, but it’s like her consciousness had fallen back into a deep abyss trying to comprehend this new information. Another few minutes rolled by. “Your father told me to tell you this. You’re his devil foal and they love you no matter what choices you’ve made.” Something about that sentence snapped her back to me. She blinked.

“I’m not going to feel bad about it,” she said softly. “I refuse to let that place hurt me.” It was then that I could see a bit of Silver Shoe in her eyes. Or rather, I could see where Silver Shoe’s attitude came from. I put my hoof around her.

No pony else here understood what I was going through. Not Candle Light. Not any pony in this entire town. The only pony here that understood my feelings about that place was sitting here next to me. “My only regret, Runner, is that I turned my back on Silver Shoe. If I had just … stayed a little longer maybe all three of us could have escaped.” No more ‘ifs.’ Sick and tired of hearing myself say that. I’m sick and tired of that word period.

I shook my head not accepting any of what she was saying. “I don’t know about you, but all this touchy feely crap is a little overrated.” Glider chuckled. I looked at her with eyes that said we were done dwelling on the past. This place was our future. No, correction. This family is our future. “Am I really a part of this family,” I asked with worry.

Glider’s blank expression turned into a confident grin. Her hoof ruffled my mane while she put me in a headlock. My everything was thrown around side to side. “You’re damn right you’re a part of this family! And so help me if you try to run off I will personally drag you back!” We toppled over into a puddle forming in the rain. It was then we realized it was actually raining. For whatever reason, we just didn’t care about getting wet. “Before we get out of here you want to tell me anything else?”

Everything felt like it came to a pause. There was something still bothering me. Deep inside. “Actually, I know who killed your parents. It’s the same guy that put me and Silver Shoe through a bit of crap before I ran into you.” Glider shook her head. We both knew what I was thinking. It was stupid. “I want revenge, but I have a connection that gave me the name of someone that might be able to put that person in his place without me having to do anything more than give up some schematics.” Glider nodded. Of course she didn’t out right know what I meant by that, but she could see that what I had in mind was better than getting gritty revenge against a pony.

Daring Adventure had the right idea, but I won’t let it come to violence unless it’s my last resort. I want it to come to that though. “Are you thinking about a mare?” Glider shoved me a little then splashed water on my face. How did she? I don’t even know how she can do that. I rolled over and stood up saying we had something to pick up. For some reason I get the feeling Glider is not going to let that go. And she would be giving me a look that makes me think we’re going to have a long talk about who that mare is.

I galloped off forcing Glider to chase after me like a mother chasing her foal. One quick turn, then O’Conner’s house came into view. Glider caught up to me just as I jumped over his fence to the front yard. She slid right by me then took flight making sure to land right in front of me. “I win.”

“Bull shit, I win,” I shot back.

There was a huge smile on Glider’s face while I just shrugged it off. My horn lit up using a bit of force to push the doorbell down. It took me a minute to notice the garage was open. Once I did my curiosity drew me over to the Supra. Some trashcans near the curb fell over. I took a look noticing Glider was keeping a very noticeable distance away. “Hey, what’s the deal?” I whistled at her. She shook her head and flew off. “What the hell is her problem?”

A door slammed shut behind me. “What’s goin’ on?” I turned around shaking O’Conner’s hoof. Giving him a shrug I nudged my head at the glider, getting right to business. “Oh, right. Come on.”

I was taken through a small yet cozy home straight to the backyard where a flatbed wagon awaited me. Sitting on top of the long platform was a dusted bullet-hole filled wing span leaning against a frame with several busted gauges.

What? WHY? Who in this town would do that to this? I need a minute here.

By the time I took a look at the glider the rain had lightened up to the point I couldn’t even notice the drops. It was surprising to me that I could even notice the sprinkles with the mess lying in front of me. “What’d you get for me,” I asked rhetorically. O’Conner chuckled leaning a hoof against the door frame.

“That’s your glider,” he said brimming full of confidence.

This had to be a joke. There’s some hidden cameras around here aren’t there. My eyes jerked around looking for some pony to jump out on some reality TV show trying to punk me. “My glider?” I spoke rather flatly than I meant it to be. “O’Conner, I’m taking this to a garage not a junkyard. Give me something good, man.” The mental image of pulling this up to Diesel Fuel went through my head. Somehow I couldn’t picture him laughing his ass off. Not going to lie that’s actually a good thing.

O’Conner gave me a cheeky smile pointing at the hood. “Pop the hood.”

Pop the hood?

“Yeah, I said pop the hood.”

We popped the hood!

The hood snapped off from some rust leaving the entire engine exposed. The engine is was and always will be beautiful no matter how trashed it might look. Thank Luna it was actually in great condition! “A Rainbow Dash engine with twin turbo. No shit,” I shouted out in excitement. Embedded on the block in gold lettering was the engines name. “Yes, this will decimate all if I put a bit of gems in and if I have to, overnight parts from the Griffon Kingdom.” My head dove down inside like a colt jumping into a pool. Everything became transparent then replaced by the hundreds of lines that made the engine look like it was drawn schematically.

I can’t believe my eyes. This engine is nearly perfect. Maybe swap out a couple of parts or grease them up, should run as smooth as the silky insides of my saddle bags. “I retract my previous statement.” This could win me some money if I get the rest of it rolling. Sadly, it will still take a few bits to fix up the interior, but should be worth it if I get this running well.

Telekinetically setting three bags of bits down on his kitchen table I started strapping myself to the flatbed. Out of the corner of my eye I caught Glider keeping a very close eye on me. From the looks of it O’Conner hadn’t noticed. “I’ll help with the wrench time if you want.” Dually noted. I reached out and shook his hoof.

Pulling away from the house I nudged the gate open to the road watching O’Conner step back inside his house. I put my attention back to the road while a loud thud rattled from the flatbed. “So what the hell was that all about,” I asked Glider. I didn’t need a rear view mirror to tell me she was there. Any pony could tell she was going well out of her way to stay away from this specific pony.

“Long story, I’ll tell you later,” she spat back coldly.

In all honesty I’ve been through a whole shit storm of ponies not telling me things. My hooves slammed down on the dirt forcing the flatbed to halt behind a stop sign. Sweet Apple Acres was to the left. Past that was the Everfree Forrest. I’d say it was a large twenty mile hike after that. “Humor me, please, or I’m about to take us both on a twenty mile hike back to our childhood.”

With a very loud reluctant groan Glider rolled her head around mulling things over. Rain started to pelt us a bit harder which I believed was moving her decision along a little bit more. Holding her wings out over us like an umbrella, Glider finally let out a very low sigh. “Long story short, O’Conner came into our home, slept with Candle Light and turned out to be an undercover cop trying to bust Diesel Fuel’s team.” I hummed in response. And he couldn’t put you guys together with him? Probably didn’t have the evidence to do that. “Candle Light’s still sensitive about it so don’t mention him in front of her, or Diesel Fuel.” From the way she was staring at me I got the feeling he was like a brother to them. My jaw dropped. Glider gave me a pat on the shoulder knowing full well I had put some important threads together.

“Take us by the market café, I’ve got something to show you,” her voice was positive.

*** ***

Shutters were flung open revealing a plethora of space to work on gliders. In the very back of the market café were several garages built solely for rebuilding, tuning, perfecting and doing just about everything glider related. It was Diesel Fuel’s hotrod heaven. Backing the flatbed into one of the garages, I carefully unloaded it with my magic having Glider put it down with enough space to work around it.

Once I had the flatbed out of the way I took another look at the Eclipse. This was worth the money I spent and more. In fact I’d be willing to add a wet nitrous system once I got the bits for it. Slowly getting over my initial awestruck I began looking over the garage. On the other end was a large monster being covered up by a tarp, the shape of which made it impossible to identify, but the sheer size of the center bulge made me consider it to be an overly large engine. This was a garage after all. What else would you keep in one?

It didn’t take long for Glider to reject telling me what was under there. Nothing would make her budge in that conversation. “Listen, Runner, there are somethings that I can’t tell you. Believe me I want to, but that doesn’t belong to me.” I gave her an understanding nod. After all I just became part of this family, I’ve got all the time in the world to get to know everyone so I might as well take my time. “Listen, I know Diesel Fuel seems a little tough with you. He usually doesn’t like many ponies so just give him time.” She gave me a smile while turning back to the Eclipse. Her hoof went inside of the refrigerator and threw a can at me.

I caught it looking straight at the label. FULL THROTTLE: NOS. An energy drink? I looked up at Glider. “You’re going to need that to keep up with our pace.” She chuckled while I stashed it in my saddle bags.

*** ***

Hip hop music filled the Diesel Fuel household that night. Glider folded her fore hooves together leaning on the door frame. Vin was getting upset over a race on the TV while Lucky tossed him a Pegasus Breed. Diesel Fuel snuck in through the back staring right at them. “So what mares are we inviting?”

Glider looked at me taken back by the statement. I shrugged making sure to note I already had a mare off gallivanting with her thoughts.

Lucky Clover started mentioning a number of mares around town he had on speed dial. That raised a few questions to my head, like why he had a phone if he was a criminal. Another question for another day, maybe. Probably not. In all honesty I’m too tired to care. Glider bumped her way in between the stallions, “You need to shut the F,” her hoof jabbed Lucky Clover back warningly. Her head snapped back to Diesel Fuel. “You look a little tired, why don’t you go upstairs and give me a massage?” Without much of a second thought, the hulking stallion started walking up the stairs with Glider.

I plopped down on the recliner closing my eyes. Diesel Fuel called out to me. My eyes opened. “You know you owe my sister a ten second glider.”

“Yeah, I’ll get right on that,” I said with a half-smile. Glider gave me a chuckle before disappearing up stairs. My head started slipping out of consciousness. I zoned back in noticing it was near midnight. This was after all the gunfights, slow motion reloads and everything else. Shit, I’d had a packed day.