The cold wind howled through the snow-covered mountains as the caravan’s tents flapped hard, held from being blown away by their sturdy steel stakes. The triceratops huddled close together for warmth, shaking their harnesses now and then.
The minotaurs chatted with one another as they stood shivering in front of a huge fire, pulling their cloaks tighter and sipping their steamy beverages, war hammers and battle axes in their respective places. One tent flap opened and a black stallion with a blue mane/tail and clad in a winter cloak, thick pants, and snow boots stepped out into the bitter chill, getting some brisk glances from the group.
The stallion huffed and stuffed his hands under his armpits before making his way past the minotaurs to a large full-wood wagon with small barred openings at the top and a heavy locked door at the front. Two minotaurs stationed to guard nodded at him as he made his way up the small platform steps.
“Come to check the goods or play with them?”
The first minotaur clad in heavy plate armor and wielding a war hammer said in a nervous joking tone. The stallion flashed a look that made both minotaur’s blood run cold above the snowy wind.
“Mind your damn place if you want that pay!”
“Uh, um, y-yes sir!”
The minotaurs stuttered and stood back at attention as the stallion produced a ring of keys and slid one into the heavy lock, turning it. The hunk of metal clacked and opened with a pop, the stallion swinging the large door open and entering the wagon, slamming it shut behind. The guards breathed in relief and visibly relaxed, muttering to themselves,
“By Faust’s tit I swear that prick is annoying!”
“Agreed, but hey, we're bound by contract so what can we do about it.”
“Damn he's probably in there having the goodies when we get the cold. I swear first thing I'm doing when we reach Canterlot is going to the best brothel in town!”
“Enough swearing. Just do your job.”
The duo sat on their stools and leaned back against the wagon, watching the blizzard calm down, allowing the snow to gently float from the sky.
~~~~~~~
You followed the black stallion with the scope atop your Locus sniper rifle. You watched with difficulty through the blizzard as he made his way up to the largest wagon and made his way in. The wind suddenly died down to small breezes and you let out a satisfied breath.
“Finally…”
You whispered as you shifted in your prone position on a rocky overhang of a cliff 100 meters away and 36 meters above the caravan. The Locus’s bipod prevented the rifle from sliding while you scanned the camp once again.
“Let's see, 4… 6… 12… 12.”
You glanced at the transparent clip of your extended fast mag, the amount at a full 15.
‘Twelve minotaurs. Shouldn't be a problem’
You adjust your position once again and lock in on a solo minotaur on the outskirts of camp. Your cross-hair centered on his head and you exhale slowly . . . .
~~~~~~~
Maus left the laughing group of minotaurs to clear his head and calm his senses. He walked until he was outside the camp. He stood and stared at the great mountains and thought to himself…
‘Forgive me Lilly, I had to… There was no other way...’
He reached into his pocket and fished out a locket. Flicking it open his eyes welled with tears as the photograph of a female minotaur in an armchair with a small male minotaur sitting on her lap and the words, “Come home soon daddy!” scribbled in the corner greeted him from under the glass.
‘Oh Faust I miss them so much… I promise I'll find you and will buy you back! I'm coming soon! Then we'll play in the park just like we use-’
~~~~~~~
“Nothing personal bud.”
You chambered another bullet as the now headless minotaur lay on the ground.
‘Twelve minus one… eleven to go… Thank God I bought this suppressor’
You move the scope to the group.
‘Damn. No singles.’
Another shift and the two guards at the wagon came into your aim.
‘Now if only he'd sit up, it'll be a one shot double kill…’
~~~~~~~
“Hey Iron Will, can I ask you something?”
Iron put his hammer down and reached into his satchel, taking out a box of cigars.
“Go for it. Want one?”
“Uh, sure. Thanks. So listen, why'd you get this job? I know you're from the Highlands and your kind despise this sort of thing. You face exile if you're caught.”
Iron sighed as he lit two cigars with a match and passed one to his partner, resting his elbows on his knees. They both took a drag from their cigars before he answered,
“Because I am already in exile. I was banished for stealing food. My mare threw me out after I lost my job and hooked up with a rich dragon. I was starving so I took to theft from the market stalls. One day I was caught. I would've lost a hand if it weren't for my relation to the constable. After a counsel I was thrown out, again. Out in the Wastelands Bane found me and gave me an offer I couldn't turn down in my pitiful state. Be in his service and get three meals plus a bed. I plan to leave after this trip though because buck this business!”
His partner nodded and patted his shoulder. Both sat in smoking silence for a moment before he spoke,
“Y’know, I was planning on doing the same. Why don't we head off together and become sailors? I hear it's full of righteous adventure.”
Iron Will took his last drag and tossed the butt. He brought his hands together and placed his head on them in thought.
“Heh, I'm in.”
His partner smiled and extended his hand.
“Hey, put it here stallion! My names Fury by the way.”
Rager sat up and took his hand in a firm shake.
“Pleasure to meet ya, Fury.”
~~~~~~~
The shell bounced on the rock as you chambered another round.
“Double kill.”
Bringing the rifle to the group you lay in silence pondering what to do.
‘Wait? Fat chance. Go all out? Might raise the alarm, may have escapees. Oh the hell with it.’
You wiped the frost out of your eye and rolled your shoulders and neck. Shifting, you prepared yourself…
“Let's get it on…”
~~~~~~~
Shadow Bane, also known as the Slaver, shut the heavy door behind himself and took a few steps into the poorly lit wagon. With a flash of his horn and a snap of the fingers, candles sprang to life, revealing six nude chained and gagged mares and diamond dogs. The bound females shot out of their troubled dreams and rattled in their cuffs, wide eyed and pressing themselves against the walls, trying to get as far as they could from their captor. Bane grinned and let out a cruel chuckle.
“That's right, squirm for me. Now, who do I buck today . . . Hmmm….”
He stalked his way around the room, arms behind his back, each step causing the girls to flinch.
‘Let's see, bucked her, nailed her, rammed her…’
He stopped at a canine with brown fur and shoulder length red hair with black highlights. The girl refused to look up, clenching her fists tightly, not a breath escaping her.
“I see you've learned your lesson, bitch.”
He remembered the time she tried to fight him, teeth bared with murder in her eyes. Too bad she never noticed the shock collar. Boy did he buck her good that day. All her holes were probably still sore today.
“Ready for another lesson, bitch?”
The girl couldn't hold her sobs back anymore and shook her head as hard as she could, trying desperately to erase those horrid memories. The other girls began to silently cry as well, all hope of escape long dead.
Yes, this was the power he loved! The look of defeat in his prey's eyes, the look of a broken will and total submission! And now the fun part.
“I have an idea, let's see who can fit the largest thing in their flank!”
Their muffled pleads for mercy was music to his ears. He stood in the center with outstretched arms, throwing his head back in laughter.
“Yes! Plead your master! Beg my pets BEG!”
A sudden frantic pounding on the door broke his rant and he stared at the door in fury. Who dared disturb him!? The knocking continued without stopping.
‘What if a yeti attacked?’
This thought pushed him into concern as those bastards weren't beasts to take lightly.
‘What if it's the Royal Guard!?’
The new thought made his heart race as he hurried to the door and threw it open, rushing out only to have his feet catch on something and trip.
‘What the Tartarus!?’
He froze when he saw the two guards sprawled across the floor, their heads having huge gaping holes, with some of the skull actually missing. Shock forced him to lock up as he stared at the corpses.
‘W-w-what t-the…’
He finally came to his senses and stumbled to his feet and off the platform. What he saw next froze him in place, unable to move, unable to scream.
Blood. Bodies. Chunks of flesh everywhere. The entire caravan lay all over the place. Some were missing heads while others missing entire chunks of their torsos or limbs, some having massive holes through their bodies. So many questions flew through his head.
‘Who!? What!? When?! HOW!?!’
A sharp whistle from behind made him cry out and fell forward, spinning around to see…
‘Nothing!?!?!’
The fear reached maximum levels as he got up and floored it across the bloody snow away from the whistle.
‘Gotta go! Gotta get out! Gotta-’ “OOF!”
He slammed into an invisible object and collapsed backward, looking up at nothing in terror.
~~~~~~~
You stared at the trembling mess at your feet and decided you had enough. You pressed a button on your left gauntlet and took a cross armed stance. The stallion sat petrified as your solid black suit decloaked. You stood in silence for about 15 seconds before your patience ran out.
“Sup. Name’s Spectre One and nothing personal. Apparently you've done some shit and people want you and your posse dead so they hired me to kill your ass, so I hope you'll understand, one renegade to another, if not, tough.”
After your introduction you unholster your MR6 and cock it. This unpaused the stallion and he began to crawl backwards and stutter,
“W-wait! I-I’ll p-pay you 4x w-what you're g-getting! Iswear!”
You calmly followed him, spinning the pistol on your index finger,
“You're not getting it, I'm getting your shit ON TOP of whatever I'm making already. Bonus loot my man. Plus I have this policy where I don't take bribes from shitlords.”
You interrupted his rant and stood in place. Now would be a good time to finish the job. You lift the gun and point it at his forehead,
“Say goodnight.”
A blast of energy hit you from the back and sent you flying over the stallion into a tent, collapsing it. You hit some beds, and boxes, dropping the gun as the fabric slid around you.
‘What the devil?’
Dazed, you unfurl the fabric around yourself and stand up, turning to the stallion. You see him sprinting around a corner on the other side of the camp.
‘Damn bastard used a mirror blast!’
You hated those, the only thing you couldn't see coming as the horn didn't need charging up. But that's alright. Making your way out of the mess you sprint in his direction and jump...
~~~~~~~
‘Gotta go fest!’
Bane thought as he approached the harnessed triceratops. Just as he was about to reach them however, you came crashing onto his back, using him as a toboggan as you both slid across the icy snow.
“Thrusters baby!”
Once you stopped you turned him over, his muzzle scraped and bleeding.
“Game over.”
You bring your left arm up and clenched your fist, the light blue Ripper popping out with a hum. Bane looked at it and the look of defeat washed over his face. He smiled a defeated smile and looked at your eye-less helmet,
“You'll regret this. Mark my words assassin.”
You adjust your position and correct him,
“Mercenary, and killing bastards like you is a remorseless career.”
You plunge the twin blade right through his eyes, his body convulses and blood gushes out before going limp. You stand up and retract the Ripper, the calm howling wind replacing its whur of energy. Reaching down you tugged off his medallion, tucking it into a belt pouch.
Making your way back you climb over the downed tent and retrieve the pistol, reholstering it.
‘Now let's see what they were hauling’
You enter the wagon and engaged the night vision.
‘....kinky’
~~~~~~~
You spent the next hour looting the caravan, slicing through locks with the Ripper. All you found was some food/water, some clothes, and a small chest of bits. Jackpot.
‘This adds a 1,000 on top of the 2k. Not a bad haul I'll say.’
You approached the wagon where the now unbound and clothed girls waited for your scavenge to be completed. You jump into the driver's seat and shout through the small window,
“Ready for home girls?”
Their grateful ‘yes’s’ and ‘thank yous!’ was all you needed to flick the reins. The triceratops grunted as they began to pull the wagon away from the camp you set ablaze. You traveled the whole day and reached the mountains end and entered a pine forest just as nightfall set in. Pulling on the reins the wagon halted and you hopped off, calling out,
“We sleep here tonight. Feel free to stretch your legs and get fresh air.”
The girls slowly made their way out and huddled by the wagon and watched as you prepared a fire. Once that was done you prepared a crude meal over the flames and sat by yourself as the malnourished girls devoured it without a care for manners. You couldn't help but smile under your helmet. One unicorn mare nervously eyed you before mustering the courage to ask you in a suspiciously French accent,
“Um, y-you are not having any?”
Looking her over you admire her white fur, long luscious pink mane and elegant muzzle.
‘She pretty’
“No I'm good. I'm trained to go 4 days without a meal.”
The mare went back to picking her food before looking at you again,
“Um, can we have your name? We would like to know our rescuer’s name.”
The other girls nodded and murmured in agreement, awaiting your response.
“It's Spectre One. I'm a merc hired by the Royal Guard to track and eliminate those traffickers and retrieve any captives.”
They smiled and thanked you again. A gray furred diamond dog spoke up,
“Can we see your face?”
You shook your head and their faces dropped a little,
“Sorry girls, privacy and security, blah blah blah.”
You spent the next hour getting to know the girls better. You learned that the diamond dogs were kidnapped from their village while they were out berry picking. The mares however were each from a different settlement. One was kidnapped while on the road to Ponyville, another was traded to pay off a debt by her “coltfriend” but the third, Fleur de Lis, with the pink mane, was a slave from childhood as she was sold by her parents in Prance (explains the accent) and was raised as a personal servant for her master before being traded to another one in Canterlot and was being transported there until you intervened.
“Well soon you'll be back in your homes with your loved ones again. Tomorrow noon we should reach Ponyville, the Guard there will escort you to your homes.”
After several idle hours the girls were yawning and leaning on each other with drowsiness.
“It's getting late. Get your rest, we leave at dawn.”
They shuffled sleepily into the wagon, all except Fleur.
“Where will you be sleeping m- Spectre?”
She asked while you poked the dying fire with a stick.
“I'll just chill out here. Wouldn't want to let such a beautiful starry night go to waste by sleeping inside.”
She stared at you for some time before leaving after a “good night.” You brought your sniper from your back and across your lap, leaning back against the wagon. You watched the dying flames reach to the sky in feeble licks. You use your right leg to push another stump into the pit, sending ash and smoke into the breeze. In the silence you look up at the million star sky and lose yourself in thought.
~~~~~~~
It was your final mission back on Earth codenamed Nu3etown. Your squad was told to fend off the Black Ops at all costs until a Mothership would extract you. The carnage was terrible. You kept racking in kills by the double. They kept coming and coming, you actually began to fatigue. Finally the ship arrived and you made your way on board, the sole survivor. As you were evacuating the ship suddenly blew to shreds as to your horror a nuke went off. The surprise you felt when you awoke in this land was beyond legal levels. Long story short your gear came with you and you managed to get yourself a job as a hired gun after the initial shock of discovering the locals were anthro animals wore off. You get your bullets custom made by a private crafter in Ponyville and live in secret at a shady tavern in Canterlot. Now and then you’d get a job to hunt down criminals or private targets, dead or alive. Your service wasn't cheap and neither was your work’s quality. Soon bigger bodies sought you to catch bigger fish and as of now you were under Royal Guard employment hunting illegal sex-slave traders.
~~~~~~~
A sudden twig snapping pulled you from your memory trip and you instantly aimed your gun at…
“Fleur? Everything alright?”
The mare stood wrapped in a blanket looking at you. She nodded saying,
“Sorry, I just had a nightmare. C-...”
She was about to ask you something but stopped suddenly and looked down. You cocked an eyebrow and lowered the Locus,
“What'd you want? You were gonna ask something.”
She takes a deep breath and looks at where she thinks your eyes are,
“Can I sleep with you?”
“...”
You were caught off guard by that request.
“I-I uh, I guess.”
You sit back down and she hurries over to your side, lying down right next to you and resting her head on your leg. You stare at her as she snuggles in.
“Thank you…”
“Goodnight Fleur de Lis.”
“Good night….”
She says in a barely audible voice. Within minutes her breathing is regular and her soft breaths combine with the chirping of crickets. Without thinking you reach up and began gently stroking her head and she sighed in a blissful breath, a hint of of a smile creeping on her lips.
~~~~~~
Two days later…
You were in your second story room at the Dover Demon tavern in the sketchy part of the great city of Canterlot cleaning your MR6 and smoking a cigar. Your wristwatch beeped, announcing another hour. Checking it you read,
“6:00 pm. Blood Wing was gonna meet me with something important.”
You liked talking to yourself sometimes. You finished the pistol and geared up.
‘Ripper? Check. Armor? Check. Pistol, check, we good to go.’
You top off your outfit with a half face mask and cloak. Flipping the hood up you make your way out the room and down the stairs into the tavern bar and dining room.
Shady characters sat in various places either talking, smoking, drinking, eating, or hitting on the barmaids who rolled their eyes. You paid no one any attention and walked out into the dark street lit by lamps. Inhaling the cool night air you made your way down a memorized route to an unlit alley. Your footsteps echoed as you'd splash into an occasional puddle. Reaching a certain interception you stop and listen.
“You really need to work on your stealth if you're ever going to try to catch me off guard.”
You say out loud to emptiness. An annoyed feminine ‘awww’ comes from behind you as you turn around to see a bat pony with a long jet black emo styled mane dressed tight emo leather and heels steps into the dim moonlight.
“And here I was thinkin’ I coulda gotcha this time! How ya been stud?”
You fist bump her and answer,
“Not too shabby. So what's the deal?”
She faked a pained expression and whines,
“Aw you won't ask me how I is? I thought we was somethin.’”
You rolled your eyes,
“We was a drunk night bang. You know I'm busy so what was it?”
Blood Wing sticks her hands into her vest pockets and begins,
“So remember that prick ya wasted in the Overpass?”
You didn't answer.
“Well anyways this prick was attached to a very nasty cactus. And this cactus don't like it when his best prick gets clipped.”
You furrowed your eyebrows,
“What exactly are you saying, Blood?”
She shifts her weight to another leg and continues,
“I is sayin’ ya gots a big bad brother lookin’ for ya. And guess who that is? Fancy Pants himself.”
“Damn….”
Fancy Pants was a noble long rumored to be associated with the Red Fists, a band of ruthless cutthroats who did all sorts of unholy things for the love of bits. The Royal Guard do all they can to end them but fail horribly with terrible costs. Captured guards are rarely found recognizable corpses. Stallions are tortured and fed alive to insect hives amongst other brutal deaths. Mares are raped and turned into sex slaves and sold worldwide. The reason Fans walked was lack of evidence and social status. Anyone who dared come out as a witness would quickly change their mind and refused to testify.
“I think I'll be alright. You've seen my work, it speaks for itself. And besides, no one but you and Sparks knows where I live.”
She clicked her tongue and scrunched up her face,
“Thing is, Sparks is a rat. Fancy sent word of a handsome reward for your info and Sparks caved in. Last I heard Fancy sent changelings after ya.”
‘You'll regret this. Mark my words assassin.’
“Bastard! … thanks Wing. I'll have to disappear from here asap. Tell the boys I said what up.”
You start to speed walk past her when she grabs you and pulls you against her, making sure her breasts bulge against your chest.
“A good bye kiss is in order.”
She pulls down your mask and locks lips with you, her raspberry tongue wrestles yours for a while before you pull away.
“See ya around Blood Wing.”
You leave her alone and exit the alley while she stands there in her thoughts,
“He called me Bloodwing…”
A smile bloomed on her face as she turned and disappeared into the night.
~~~~~~~
You entered the Dover Demon and was about to hurry up the stair when the bartender calls out,
"Hey Spectre! Ya got a guest here to see ya.”
You stopped dead in your tracks,
“Who?”
“No idea. Says she's yours. She's in your roomright now.”
You run up the stairs and stop outside your room, pulling out your pistol and throwing the door open. Inside on your bed, facing the window dressed in a red blouse and black skirt you see…
“Fleur? Is that you!?”
Fleur de Lis turns her head and her eyes light up the moment they see you. In an instant she's on her knees in front of you with your left hand in both her hands,
“Welcome home master!”
“...”
“I finally found you! I've searched everywhere and now, I'm finally with you! Oh master I'm so happy to see you again!”
As you stand there dumbstruck she kisses your hand and rubs her cheek on it. Finally you pull yourself together and speak,
“F-Fleur what are you… how… why… you know what, get inside let's go.”
You usher her into the room and lock the door behind. She stands there with a wholehearted smile on her face and a shine in her eyes. You pull her to the bed and sit her on it. Without a word you grabbed her breasts and squeezed. Her face reddened and she brought her hands up as a pleasured moan escaped her mouth.
‘Good, if she were a changeling she woulda changed under that sudden stimulation’
You sit back in a chair and notice for the first time a black leather collar with your suit’s shoulder decal around her neck.
“Now, tell me what you're doing here and why.”
She smiles and bows her head before answering,
“Yes master. When we arrived at Ponyville you left before I could declare myself to you. I desperately begged the Guards to bring me to you. At first they refused but after finding out that I have nowhere to go, no family, no home, they brought me to Canterlot. Once here they gave me to one one of your contacts who brought me here.”
You processed this information. So here was a mare with nothing in life but you as her “master.” Next you had a noble on your ass.
‘This is like a cliche anime or some shit.’
You gather your thoughts and come to a decision,
“Fine you can be with me, but we're leaving now so don't get comfortable.”
You throw off your cloak and begin packing all your gear. You hear her gasp and look over to see her stare in admiration at your exotic human features.
‘She'll get over it.’
You finish gearing up and finish off by sliding on the helmet, locking it in place.
“Alright we're walking out right now. I'll turn invisible and will lead you by the hand, understood?”
She nods and takes your hand and you both exit the room. Halfway down the stairs you suddenly halt as you heard a male's voice say,
“So he's upstairs in room 36? Thanks for your cooperation. You! Go outside and cover the window. You, follow me.”
‘Too late.’
Before they could get to the stairs you silently rushed back into your room, locking the door silently.
“Alright, get in the closet and don't come out until I say so, understood?”
Fleur de Lis nodded again and with a , “Yes master!” was out out of sight.
‘Ok, bring it fuckers…’
You took out the MR6 and popped out the Ripper just as the door handle began to jiggle as a key was inserted. You steadied your breathing and hit the cloak button just just as the door began to silently open…
“Showtime….”
