Chapter 6

Junction Town

I first could make out the feminine form of what appeared to be a Griffon among the group that approached us from the gates. My eyes scanned her, examining her very closely as assessing any potential threat that might be had towards the others. She stood, heavily armored, and higher in stature among her companions. Middle aged, I could tell, and with an easily noticeable scar running across her face. None of that mattered though, as I finished my assessment and concluded she was no threat to any of us. "Overmare." I said, "We can holster our weapons for now."

Ginger shot me a confused look, although she quickly nodded as she knew just how horribly we were outgunned. Putting her pistol away, I watched her look the group over as they neared. Her expression grew stern, and calm, as she stepped forth and waited with White beside her.

"Now don't move an inch, or we'll use force." The Griffon said, approaching with an equally stern look. She paused before White and Ginger, and gave them both an intense gaze before looking myself and Serenity over. "Saved by the Stable Dwellers again, it seems."

There was a sigh, perhaps in annoyance, to which Ginger answered, "Well, we couldn't very well just let those filthy Raiders keep harassing the town, could we?"

There was a hint of a smile, which made things instantly seem less tense as the Griffon nodded faintly. "Agreed I suppose." She paused but a moment, "My name is Gawd Grimfeathers."

She raised a talon to shake, of which first Ginger and then White took earnestly. "I'm Ginger. Ginger White. This is my husband, Harkness White."

"And who are the others there, that helped save my town?" She asked, glancing to us.

"I'm Serenity Shieldmaiden, ma'am." The Maintenance Mare replied aptly, still leaning against my side before looking to me. "This is my...friend...Violet Shadow."

I gave Gawd a faint, almost seductive smile as I felt my normal programming being restored. Her eyes I could tell, reflected a very buried hint of lust in them as she shook her head and focused back on Ginger.

"I heard you are the Overmare of your Stable, 116 is it?" She asked, "What brings the four of you out here exactly? Not that I'm not grateful you arrived when you did, but..."

That in itself was a lie, which I didn't need my sensors to tell me about as Ginger answered calmly, "My Stable was attacked by a group of Steel Rangers, and the Security forces we had were unable to repel them."

"I had to get the Overmare and all those I could away from danger." I said suddenly, "So I used whatever methods at our disposal to escape."

The three clearly remembered how coldly I had disposed of the two Rangers guarding the door, and now at the brutality of how I dealt with the Raiders as Gawd smiled a little more. "You must have some serious combat skills, then. To take on Steel Rangers when your Security couldn't, and then these bands of Raiders."

I didn't feel proud of the things I had in fact done, but my matrix understood they'd been the best calls at the time to carry out my objectives as I nodded faintly. "You all seem alright, and I owe you for what you've done for us here." She griped the last bit, as though regretting needing us before she turned and rejoined her group armed ponies and Griffons. "Might as well come on in. It's the least I can do." Her voice echoed slightly as they entered the gates, "Oh yeah, welcome to Junction Town."

We quickly followed behind Gawd, listening to the massive gates close behind us on creaking mechanisms as we entered the town we'd come to for safety. The place seemed fairly lively, beyond what seemed like soldiers keeping order on the streets there were many groups of ponies and griffons alike. Even though I'd never been alive during the times before the war, I just felt as if the place were like those places. It was apparent my friend and masters were thinking the same, as Gawd dismissed her soldiers back to the walls on watch. Buildings were of decent size; like made as well out of the remaining boxcars that were gathered up. A few shops stood around these areas, one of which piqued my curiosity a bit as we passed it.

Serenity took notice, of which she smiled slightly and bumped my flank slightly to get my attention before whispering in my ear, "We'll go there later, if you like."

I couldn't help a smile in return, as I whispered back, "I think I know just how to thank you later then."

The blush she had was worth it, and I was truthful in what I said as we stopped with Gawd still ahead of us. "This is my house. For helping us, you are welcome here as long as you like." She wasn't smiling now, but still had a bit of a grouch in her look as though knowing this still wasn't enough to repay the debt for saving her town.

"Thank you, Gawd." White said, "But this really isn't necessary."

"Well, I think it is." She answered back, "You all don't exactly have homes here, and we don't have much space at the moment for many others."

"We're very grateful, Gawd." I responded, "but perhaps you should show us around your home before settle in any for the day."

She didn't say a word in response, and instead approached and entered her house before gesturing us to follow suit. Entering behind her, I wasn't surprised in how clean and neat things were. The room we entered was spartan, with only the necessities in terms of furniture to decorate it. A few rooms cut from this one, into other train cars, and showed several bedrooms with one in particular having bunk beds.

"Not like home, but a great place to bunk down nonetheless." Serenity said, admiring the simplicity of the place as well as the electrical systems that powered the lighting and other appliances in the house.

"I trust you can figure your rooms in the back." Gawd said, "I have to go and oversee the repairs to the wall and the treatment of my soldiers, as well as my two kids running about. If you don't mind, I'll take my leave."

"Go ahead, we'll be alright I think." White answered, hearing only the door reply in sound as it opened and shut.

I couldn't help but smile as I took in the safety of this place, although it quickly vanished as White grunted and sat on a small couch. Ginger went to him, checking his injury and seeing that it was bleeding again. She changed the bandaging, tightening it as best as she could to prevent any further blood loss as she kissed his cheek. "I'll be alright love. I just need some rest is all." He tiredly replied, making her smile and shake her head at him.

"Let's go lay down together then love, " She said, "Serenity, Violet. I'll see you in a little while."

Helping him up, I watched the two disappear around the corner and into the back of the house. I could hear them settling together on the bed, and soft whispering that I couldn't quite make out as well as loving kisses shared. I didn't worry about them, though, as I turned to face Serenity and saw a faint hunger reflected in her eyes.

Now that we had privacy, I could tell she was desiring to alleviate the tension of all that had happened. I couldn't help a lustful grin, as I approached her and gently pushed her back onto the couch that previously held White. She settled onto it, locking lips with me in an intense, passionate duel as I wrapped my hooves around her. She moaned softly into the kiss, pulling me close until I settled on top of her. Drawing away slowly, I pushed her down so she laid against the back of the couch and whispered softly in her ear, "Sorry...But not yet lovely Serenity."

Licking her cheek, I heard her groan in disappointment before she claimed my lips for a final time and smiled somewhat lustily. "Fine," She whispered, "But after we rest and visit that shop I want you all to myself."

"That's a date." I replied softly, resting my body against her chest and snuggling under her chin. She sighed, blissful as I listened to her heart beat and watched her eyes close. My own eyes drooped soon after, and my body's internal battery reserves began to recharge as I settled into a semi-conscious state with my hooves wrapped around my close friend in a loving embrace.

Author's Note

Hello once again audience, this is author Derpyness Maximus here. I'm just checking in with you all to see how you feel about both chapter six and the story thus far. Did you enjoy it? Did you dislike it? Are you somewhat in the middle? Either way, would you kindly leave me a comment or even P.M. me about your thoughts if you'd like; and remember to thumbs up or down the story. Also, I'd be interested to hear from those who do dislike the story especially, more so for their reasons of dislike and to see if I can change to become better at what I do.

As always, I give thanks to my unnamed proofreader friend whom catches most of my errors before publishing.

This is author Derpyness Maximus, signing off for now.