Bonds between worlds

Chapters

in case of crash
First date?
Rodeo
Three Days from Home
My job as a monster hunting/apple farming/dad
Unbridled Rage
Epilogue
New employer, same old job

in case of crash

Bonds Between Worlds

By Foxgear

Previously in Nico's life...

It was raining, but he didn’t care as he stumbled through the mud running as fast as he could after his target. His body felt strange, no it was strange, it was different from before. His claws were gone and he walked on two legs, it was a completely foreign feeling.

“MADHOOF!” He yelled into the storm, his voice drowned out by the roaring thunder overhead. Ahead of him the strange creature that is his target turned back and then started running away again.

Nico stood up on two wobbly legs, catching hold of tree truck for balance. Snorting angrily he sprinted again, stumbling over roots and rocks, but he persisted. Up ahead Madhoof came to a stop, a raging river flowed ahead of the mad scientist, the width of the river too wide to jump. The doctor hesitated, but Nico did not and tackled the mad doctor into the raging waters. They fought, each one trying to drown the other.

Grabbing hold of the scientist’s neck with his new appendages Nico tried to squeeze the life out of Madhoof, who randomly grabbed at his face in a poor attempt to escape his grasp. Madhoof’s eyes rolled back into his head and Nico was about to finish the job when they collided into a rock in the middle of the river.

The impact broke some ribs causing Nico to release his grip. He went one way, hitting a sand bank that leads to the shore, while Madhoof was carried further down river, his body disappearing within seconds.

Nico crawled to shore, pain racking his body as he made it to the base of a big apple tree. His vision was fading fast, and he could hear the sound of footsteps in the mud. Another creature, female, kneed in front of him. Her face was… familiar.

“Oh God are you alright?” She asked as his breaths became more ragged. “Momma! Momma! Come quick! This fella’s hurt!”

There was a flash of green and white as an older woman peered around the tree truck and gasped.

“What in the Sam hell is he doing out here?” She asked kneeling down for a better look, she frowned noticing his injuries. “I’ll go fetch Pa and one of the farmhands; you stay here and look after him Applejane!” The old woman yelled running off.

“I will,” Applejane replied, lightning flashed behind her lighting up her features enough for Nico to see her clearly. He didn’t know why, but she reminded him of Applejack.

“What’s your name?” She asked him. More than likely to keep him awake, so he answered knowing it was important he stayed awake.

“Nico, Nico Vega, Patroller 088.” She blinked, probably confused by what he said, her expression made him chuckle, which hurt to do.

“Well, I’m Applejane Apple, and don’t you worry Vega, I’m gonna take care you.”

Nico chuckled again, earning an irritated look from his savior. “What’s so funny?” She demanded, “And stop laughing your ribs are broken!”

“Sorry,” he said his vision fading fast, sweet Luna he was tired! “No pony calls me Vega, just Nico…”

Applejane looked at the man against the tree strangely as her Pa and Ma arrived with some ranch hands. She stared at the strange man; her brow frowned with confusion and curiosity.

“Did he say pony?” she wondered following after them.

Currently...

“Ah don’t like it! He’s just some stranger, what do we need to be going wastin’ our time on him for! We got enough trouble on our own, we don’t need some strangers' problem’s too!”

“Ah would agree, CrabApple, but he’s was injured and soaking wet. We couldn’t just leave him out there to die, that would have been even more trouble!”

From the other end of the table, someone slammed their fist down, causing all conversation to go silent. “Crab, Washington, our guest is still sleepin’. Crab it is not the Apple’s way’s to turn away those in need of help.”

“Yes, Granny Smith,” both Crab and Washington Apple replied retaking their seats.

Since bringing in the stranger the entire Apple clan has been in an uproar. Things were hard right now and the stranger needed medicine. Something that cost money, money the Apple’s didn’t have, but they still put up for the stranger. Some were less agreeable than most about the good deed.

Keeping quiet at the end of the table and trying to make herself as small as possible was eighteen years old, Applejane, the one who found the stranger. She sat in her muddy clothes, hoping her Uncle Crab wouldn’t look her way. She had only wanted to help, like her family always taught her to do. She didn’t mean for it to be so much trouble. It proved to be useless as Crab’s glare turned towards her. Making her sink into her chair as Crab rose back up again to yell despite Granny’s warning.

However a gentle, yet firm hand grabbed Applejane’s shoulder and Crab quickly sat back down, there was only one person that could do that. Craning her neck upwards Applejane met the twinkling eyes of her dear old grandfather and her mother Granny’s father, Bailey Apple, the current head of the Apple Clan.

“Crabby, mind your sister’s words, they are correct. It is not our way to abandon strangers.” Bailey smiled as he held up a beaded necklace with dog tags dangling from it. “Especially when that stranger is a soldier.” He dropped the dog tags into Applejane’s palm. “Why don’t you go see if our guest has woken up from all the noise yet, and give him these back while you’re at it.”

“Yes, sir,” Applejane quickly replied practically running out of the room.

Bailey took Applejane’s seat, well aware of the stares he was getting from his son and daughter Granny and Crab, and his son in law Washington. He didn’t reply, instead sipped his coffee and waited for them to speak their minds. As always Crab was the first to speak.

“What are you playing at old man? Got plans for the stranger and little AJ?” Crab sneered. “You saw what the guy’s chest looked like. Looked like someone tried to rip him open! He’s dangerous.”

Granny and Washington kept their tongues but shared Crab’s thoughts as they looked at Bailey, who was drinking from his mug again. When he finished he set his cup down and simply said, “So was I at his age. I saw his eyes; he had the same eyes I had when I came back from overseas. Hard and determined, I think you’ll find he’ll be a blessing rather than a curse.”

“And if you’re wrong?” said Granny jumping out of her chair. “This is my daughter you’re apparently trying to set up after all.”

Bailey chuckled, “You give me too much credit. I’m not trying to set up anything; I’m just letting the dice roll. That’s all. Where they land is any body’s guess, but I’m betting on this will be a good thing, trust me.”

Granny sank back into her, mumbling, “I do trust you, not him.” If Bailey heard her, he didn’t show it. In the end, it didn’t matter what they thought. This may be her home, but it was her father’s farm. He was the only reason she or rather any of them had a home. She just hoped he wasn’t going sick in the head.

Once the mummers died down Applejane moved away from the top of the stairs as quietly as she could. A silly childish habit of hers, eavesdropping on the
grownups, her mother would probably scold her telling it’s not something an eighteen-year-old lady should be doing, but she couldn’t help it. She was soon to graduate high school and would be sent off to college to learn more modern Agriculture methods. Something she wanted to do, but there had been some pushing from her mother and father. Uncle Crab wasn’t happy about it, though, thinking it was a waste of money, he got a whack from grandfather’s cane for saying that.

Speaking of her grandfather, she wondered what he was thinking about the stranger. Jiggling the dog tags in her hand she read the name inscribed on it, reading NP 088, Nico Vega. She assumed the number was his identification number, though it seemed a little short, he must be part of a special branch or something. She also didn’t recognize the name, but maybe grandpa did, that might be why he was being so nice to Mr. Vega she reasoned before another questioned presented itself in her head.

(How old is he?) She wondered as she opened the door. She had only gotten a glimpse of his mud covered his face, but he didn’t seem that old… Applejane’s thoughts came to a quick stop as she stared at Nico Vega, awake and standing naked in front of her.

“Uhm… hi…”

Never being in such a situation Applejane did the only thing her brain could think to do, she screamed!

He was warm, toasty warm, he was wrapped up in something, probably a blanket. Did somepony find him? Was he back on the Moon Cutter? No, it was too quiet. There was no roaring of the engine or the stomping of the ponies marching through the halls.

Getting nowhere just lying here. Nico rolled falling with a muffled ‘thump’ to the floor, the blankets cocooned around his body cushioning his fall. However, that didn’t stop the pain flaring through his body. Nico quickly untangled himself, cursing through his teeth as he held his sides, it felt like he broke some ribs!

Taking deep calming breaths Nico supported himself against the wall, waiting for the pain to go away. Once it finally it did and his vision cleared he was amazed to see that the floor was much further away from usual. He was not a tall pony, often called the runt of the litter by his fellow patrollers, but his height wasn’t the only thing that was strange. His claws were dull and spongy, and his hind legs… well, they were weird, he had toes!

Spotting a mirror in the room, he hobbled over to it and looked at his reflection, he had no idea what he was, but it was him he guessed. His muzzle was extremely short and his face was much more angular, and his gentiles… well, they were different.

The door to the room opened and the girl he vaguely remembered seeing before blacking out stood horrified in the doorway, pointing a finger at his nether region and stuttering. He looked at her and his reflection, he was naked, with only white bandages around his ribs as cover and she was fully clothed. Whatever these creatures were they seemed to prefer clothes, makes sense, they didn’t seem to have a lot of hair for warmth.

“Hi,” he greeted. Her mouth opened to screamed and he quickly crossed the room, slapping his hand over her mouth. Hissing as his ribs flared in pain. Her eyes widened with fear and he quickly backed off. “Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you or stand naked in front of you, but I just woke up this way. Would you perhaps happen to have some clothes for me?”

The girl gulped, clearing trying to keep her composure as her cheeks turned bright red. Her eyes seemed to travel down a lot, he wondered if it was mating seasons for these creatures. Well maybe not, he wasn’t feeling frisky; maybe she had to be naked too? He didn’t know, also this wasn’t the time to figure out mating habits. He needed clothes (He was starting to feel cold) and he needed to figure out what he was and where he was.

“Sure, I’ll be right back,” The girl said absentmindedly, her eyes still lingering, he just stood there and waited for her to get the clothes. Eventually, she did turn away, running down the hall with her hands over her face. She entered one of the other rooms and after several minutes came back with a bundle of clothes. She dropped them on the floor when she returned, looking surprised for some reason. “Aren’t you gonna cover up? You’re in front of a lady!” She whispered harshly.

“Oh… sorry,” replied Nico bending down to pick up the clothes. There sure were a lot, shirts, pants, and… something else… undergarments? Did they wear those under all these layers too? These creatures must have no tolerance for the cold at all. “Well… I’ll just put these on.”

“What are you doing?” The girl asked with alarm.

Nico gave her a deadpanned look, “I’m putting on clothes like you asked me to, what’s wrong now?”

“Why are you doing it in front of me?” She nearly screamed.

Nico blinked, “Is that not proper?”

Now it was Applejane’s turn to blink, in fact, her eye was twitching, “NO!”

“Applejane, is everything alright up there?” Granny Smith called from downstairs.

“Everything is fine mom!” Applejane pushed Nico deeper into the room and grabbed the door handle. “Just get dressed!” She hissed slamming the door. Once the door closed she slides down to the floor with her back against the door. She couldn’t believe what she just saw; she just saw her first naked male in her life! Her face turned completely red and she swore steam was coming out her ears. Celestia and Luna were going to tease her forever once they found out, and they would, she couldn’t lie to save her life when those two tagged team her!

The door behind her opened and she fell on her back looking up a now fully clothed Nico, wearing her dad’s old clothes, he knelt down and offered a hand, “Here, I’m Nico Vega by the way.”

“I know, your dog tags said so, I’m Applejane Apple.” She held up his tags, which he took, but looked confused by them for some reason, Nico was a very strange man she reasoned.

(They really do look similar, she and Commander Applejack, even have similar names, but that might just be the Apple’s in general.)

“Nice to meet you Applejane, now if you could kindly tell me what I am, I would very much appreciate it.”

“Uh, thanks… and what now? Did you hit your head? You’re a human or as far as I know. You were in pretty bad shape, not many survive falling into a river on a cold rainy night and get their ribs bashed to pieces. You’re one tough guy, Nico.”

“Seems so…” he wondered what he should do. He clearly wasn’t in Equestria or in anyplace anypony would know him or be able to help him. He was on his own. “Sorry to bother you… folks,” calling them ponies would be silly, “but I’ll just get myself out of your hair.”

Before he could walk to two feet Applejane’s arm blocked his path, “Hold it right there mister! We spent a lot of medicine on you and on top of that you’re still hurt! You’re not going anywhere!”

Nico sighed, great he was indebted, and he didn’t have any bits to pay them back. “I don’t have money. Who can I talk to about repaying you? I can work off my debt if that’s what it takes.”

“Hold your horses, first get better, then we can talk about repayment, but I guess if you’re fixing to square away from your debt. Talk to Grandpa Bailey downstairs, he’s old guy with a cane.”

“Thanks,” Nico steadied himself against the wall and made for the stairs, again Applejane got in his way.

“I told you to rest!”

He growled and forcibly, yet gently, moved her out of the way, “I got more important things to do than lie on my flank.” He took a step down and hissed, his rib cage burning with pain that felt like a thousand electric shocks to his nerves.

“See you’re not fit to walk!”

“Shut up! I’m fine! Commanders Sixes didn’t quit when he got hurt, neither will I!” More spasms shook throughout his body, making him cough up blood on the wall. His knees gave out and he sunk to ground sitting on the steps breathing hard.

“Having trouble up there Applejane?” Granny inquired from the base of the stairs.

“This guy is as stubborn as grandpa! Can some of yawl help me get his back in bed?” From below Bailey’s boisterous chuckles could be heard, making Applejane and Granny roll their eyes.

“Ha, I knew I like this young man!” Bailey said slapping his knee. He appeared at the bottom of the stairs and grabbed Nico by the collar, hoisting him up a powerful withered hand. “Now, don’t be causing the lady folk to fuss, young man, though they are rather cute when they get flustered. I used to tease the nurse at boot camp all the time in my youth too.”

“That nurse was grandma,” Applejane said humorlessly, her grandpa might actually be trying to set her up with this mule!

“Aye she was, and now you’re his nurse. As for repayment, we’re a bit short this year for the field work, and you look like you’re in need of lodging and a job soldier, so how about you work for us? Your wounds should be healed by spring when we need ya, but there’s still plenty of work to before then and after. We’ll give you food and board, but no pay till you work off that medicine. How does that sound?”

Nico look at the lively old man and did the only thing that seemed right, he nodded, and that’s how he started working at Sweet Apple Acres.

Author's Note

I've been playing with this story for awhile, but never quite put it to pen because OC focused stories don't usually get the time of day, but I've decided to go forward with it because of reasons. The story is rated M, not sure if there will be sex in it, but there will be adult jokes and situations. It's not going to be long, only about six chapters, or so and the rest of the chapters will probably longer and each one will be at a different point in Nico and Applejane's life.

Story begins in late 80's

Hope you all enjoy!

First date?

Bonds between worlds ch 3

By Foxgear

(June 3th, 1988, Nico’s log

Roughly a month has passed since the timber wolf attack and Mr. Bailey hired me to be the guardian of his residence. The task has been easy thus far as no further attacks have happened. My newly awakened magic abilities I gained from devouring the magical core of the timber wolves have left me with many gifts, one being able to see and sense the presence of magic. Throughout the farm are several pockets of magic, my guess is that they are either old portal sites or ones yet to open. Strangely almost all of these sites are in the west orchard near where I was reported to have been found upon my arrival. I have investigated the location, but have turned up nothing so far.

In other recent events, Miss Applejane has graduated from her high school, her ceremony for this achievement is to take place sometime this week, followed by a party at the farm. I was invited to attend both gatherings, but have declined. There is much about my new magic I don’t understand and I cannot afford to slack in my training.

End of Log)

Nico stood in the middle of a clearing not far from his shack. Set up on wood posts several yards away were a line of rotten red apples. In his hand, the revolver bailey had given him. Slowly he cocked the hammer back his sights trained on the rotten apple. Gently he squeezed the trigger making sure to pull his finger straight back as to not jerk the gun off target.

BANG!

Smoke rose up from the barrel as the apple exploded. He worked the hammer again rotating the cylinder for another shot. He took aim and squeezed his finger back.

“WHAHOO!”

Nico’s finger jerked. The gun cocked to the side as it fired, missing the apple completely. He took a deep breath and holstered his gun. Someone was nearby.

A ‘Yeehaw’ followed by two splashes came from the direction of the pond. Meaning there were at least two to three someone’s out by the pond. Not really much of his concern, but it would be dangerous to continuing practicing. There could be more people around and he didn’t want them stumbling into his makeshift firing range. It didn’t seem like something someone smart would do, but as Bailey has been telling him some people just weren’t that smart sometimes.

Making his way to the pond Nico stuck to the shadows of the trees making his way to the edge of the tree line. Perhaps he was being over cautious but he should find out who was here first and then address how to handle the situation.

Looking towards the pond he saw Applejane in a red bikini with two others, both female. One was taller with white skin and multicolored hair wearing a yellow V swimsuit, the second was shorter, about as tall as Applejane with darker blue skin and blue hair and wearing a white swimsuit with a black crescent moon design.

Nico held himself steady not believing what he was seeing. It couldn’t be them! He was just seeing things!

Applejane waved from the water and yelled, “Celestia, Luna, take a picture of this!” She climbed onto the bank and swings off the rope hanging from an overhanging tree and jumped back into the water with a big splash.

“Got it,” Celestia yelled waving the camera.

“Awesome, these are going to look great!” Applejane said excitedly as she exited the pond. The three girls sat down on their towels to enjoy a quick drink of juice.

“Who’s that?” Luna said pointing towards the trees. Applejane and Celestia looked at the direction of her finger but didn’t see anyone.

“Who are we looking for?” Celestia asked straining her eyes, but still getting nothing.

Applejane squints her eyes, spotting the brim of a hat sticking out from behind a tree. The gunfire from earlier stopped and there was only one person that would be out here this far. “Must be Nico, he might have heard us shouting while he was shooting and come to see what was up.”

Celestia smiled, looking intrigued, “Nico, as in the same Nico you’ve been blabbering about these past few weeks?”

The farm girl’s cheeks turned red, “I haven’t been blabbering about no one. He just comes up a lot these days is all? Besides yawl the ones that always ask about him. Right, Luna? Uh… Luna?” Applejane looked around for her blue skinned friend and saw her jogging towards Nico’s position. “Hey, Luna what are you doing?”

“I’m going to ask him to come over!” She yelled back.

“Wait don’t…” Applejane’s words died as Luna reached Nico’s position cursing under her breath as she looked up at Celestia Cheshire grin smile.

“Hey, if she hadn’t done it, I would have. You knew you couldn’t keep your boyfriend hidden from us, Janie.”

Applejane grabbed her hair in frustration, “He’s not my boyfriend! You just keep calling him that! Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true!”

Celestia shrugged, “Sure fine, whatever you say, but if that’s true why are you blushing?”

“I AM NOT BLUSHING!”

“Settle down,” Celestia chuckled holding her hands up in defense. “How about we just ask him then? Looks like Luna’s convinced him to come over.”

“What? Really?” Why was she surprised by that? Quickly Applejane glanced at Luna practically dragging Nico by the arm towards them. Nico looked… stiff… not in the sexual innuendo way, but in a… well, she didn’t know for sure. The best thing she could relate to it was when her mom told her to do something she didn’t want to but did it anyway.

“This guy is a lot shyer than you let on AJ. I practically had to drag him here!” Luna said with laughter as she pulled Nico along. She sat down on her towel, Nico remained standing. “Come on sit down.”

Nico’s muscles tightened, he seemed to be fighting back against something, but none of the girls could tell what. His right arm twitched and moved up. He quickly slapped it down and seemed to be biting his tongue. Frankly, it was weird and concerning at the same time.

“Nico… are you ok?” Applejane asked out of concern. She’s never seen him act like this around anybody. “Are you feeling sick?” He didn’t reply his eyes still focused on Luna.

“Is that an order?”

The three girls looked amongst themselves feeling confused.

Applejane followed Nico’s glaze which remained fixed on Luna, “What was that?” She demanded. She looked to Celestia who shrugged, equally confused. Nico’s arm moved again and he forcibly held it down as his lips twitched. Was he trying to salute?

“Is that an order Prin- ma’am, to sit down, is that an order?” Nico gritted out. His feet were at pressed firmly together his body was stiff and rigged like a soldier at attention. He couldn’t help it, it was instinct. He knew this Luna was not the princess he served under, but his body didn’t seem to know that. She was Luna; she looked like what Luna would look like in this world and for all intense and purposes he was under her command as far as his instincts were concerned.

(But I work under Bailey now. Would that not mean I am not under Luna’s service anymore?) He tried to reason, but his body still didn’t want to give in, not till it was ordered to.

Luna looked to her friend and sister for help. No one’s ever asked her to order them around before. “Um… I guess…” Immediately Nico sat down in the grass, his entire body relaxing.

“Thank you, sorry if I freaked you out, you… you remind me of my old superior, sort of like a doppelganger almost. My body and mind weren’t really getting along. My mind knew the truth, but my body…well; let’s just move on from this awkward exchange. I’m Nico Vega and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nico extended his hand to which Luna gingerly took and shook.

“Luna and this is my big sister Celestia,” Celestia waved and took a gulp of juice.

Nico waved back, “Nice to meet you two. Have you been friends with Applejane for a long time?”

“Since about Elementary,” Celestia answered giving Nico a half eye closed glance as she leaned back further to finish off her drink. He wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be some enticing act as her chest became more pronounced or if it was by accident, either way, he ignored it and moved on.

“So you’ve known each other since childhood?” Luna and Celestia nodded as they shared a glance at Applejane, further confusing Nico. He hadn’t really understood mares back home, so understanding human females is even further beyond him. “I find that funny since Applejane has not mentioned you before, at least by name I think. Or have you?” He looked Applejane for an answer.

“What does that matter, I only see ya when you’re working so it’s never come up.”

Nico hummed nodding while doing so, “I suppose you have a point. It’s been nice meeting you two… but I think I’ll be going now.”

“Wait!” Both Celestia and Luna shouted at once, surprising both Nico and Applejane, the two shared a look as the sisters composed themselves.

Celestia cleared her throat ignoring the twos looks, “What we mean is, we as in my sister and I, were wondering if you would perhaps like to join us for a movie in town tonight. We will be attending with our boyfriends so Luna and I thought you could accompany Applejane so she wouldn’t feel like… I guess in this case the fifth wheel.”

“Celestia!”

“What? It’s true!”

Applejane grumbled and blushed, “Well you didn’t need to tell him that!” She whispered harshly. “Please just ignore them Nico, their just teasing me. Uh… Nico, what are you looking so confused about?” That frowned brow in thought was really causing her some concern. Was he actually planning on taking her? Why did that make her heart rate pick up?

“What’s a movie?”

Celestia and Luna looked in shock from Applejane to Nico, completely flabbergasted.

“That hitches it, he’s coming with us,” Celestia stated.

Luna chimed with “And that’s an order!”

Was he on a date? Nico didn’t know. Also, he wasn’t sure what a date was. Was it like courting? There were similarities for sure, but the wisdom of experience dictated he best not act like he would as a pony. So no staring at Applejane’s tail waiting to see if she would raise it, mainly because she didn’t have one.

She was wearing a skirt.

Now, this was a first for Nico, not because he’s never seen a skirt before, but because this was the first time he’s seen Applejane wear one and an explicitly short one too. The farm girl walked quietly beside him, her white and green blouse very form fitting with her arms pulled behind her back resulting in her chest being puffed out more than usual.

Ahead of them were Luna and Celestia, both in skirts and blouses. Their color scheme was partly baffling to him, Celestia wore black, while Luna wore white, maybe he was just injecting his view of the princesses onto the sisters, but it just seemed strange to him.

As for the twos dates, seems he’s been doped as they didn’t have any. Seems they made the whole thing up to get him to come with Applejane. A fact she seemed silently miffed about, hence her silence. For him it just made him smirk, it seemed like something the princesses would do. Granted it would have been a clever military maneuver in Equestria rather than a simple trick to get him to leave the farm, but it was still a well thought out plan that even escaped Applejane’s notice.

As they say, if you want to trick your enemies, you much first trick your friends. On that note, he was probably playing the biggest trick of them all.

On to more interesting things, firstly the town, this would mark his first visit to the town of this world. Hard to believe he’s spent so much time just on the farm, but between his ribs healing and work, it was no surprise really hasn’t had time to explore. That and he didn’t he wouldn’t know where to go, it’s not like he had much money. About five hundred dollars is all he’s acquired to date with his employment under the Apples and most of that come from when Bailey hired him to protect the farm.

Now Applejane and her friends called it a town, but to him, it would be more keen to a small city. It was no Canterlot, well it was called Canterlot, but it wasn’t his Canterlot as none of the buildings really reached for the sky, with three to four floors being the highest, but the sheer size and radius of the city made it so much more than a mere town, which usually had only one to two roads leading in and out. It was for sure too big to call a village for that much he was sure.

The buildings were equally interesting. The shops along Main Street where they were currently walking was made of stout, sturdy brick with a fair number of windows. Many of the houses were made of wood frame houses, not sod or hay, in fact from what little history he was able to learn of this world sod houses have long since been rendered obsolete, in this country at least.

“We’re here!” Luna exclaimed excitedly as they come to building with bright flashing lights and on a big white sign displayed ‘lethal weapon 2, show time 7:00’.

“Ugh, you want to see this,” Groaned Applejane.

“The first one was great!” Luna defended, while Applejane rolled her eyes.

“It was ok, but tell me how Nico’s supposed to get the story if he hasn’t seen the first one? Where’s the fun in that?”

“She does have a point Luna,” Celestia said stepping between the two. “Perhaps we should watch something else.”

Luna’s eyes began to swell, “But I’ve waited so long for it to come out! And I won’t have enough money until next weekend and by then it will be gone!”

“How about I simply go see a different show?” Nico suggested looking up at the display board for something else. “This… Tango and Cash… seems interesting enough.”

Luna crossed her arms and huffed, “Fine, but Applejane has to go with you!”

Nico just raised a brow while Applejane looked a gasped. Before she could even speak Celestia and Luna dragged her away and spoke to her in hush tones. She replied back, looking flustered and red faced. Their conversation came to an end with Applejane walking back to him and taking his hand.

“Come on, let’s go in,” She said pulling him into the theater. He divisively decided to just go with the flow of things. They bought their tickets, some pop, and popcorn and they were seated in the cool theater as the machine above shined a light onto the giant white screen at the front of the room.

The whole thing astounded Nico as pictures began to appear on the screen and not only that, but they moved.

“It’s like a prerecorded play.”

Applejane shushed him as and he kept his eyes focused ahead, this world was truly filled with amazing things.

The movie lets out, Nico and Applejane walked out… not holding hands much to Celestia’s and Luna’s dismay. That was a lot of careful planning down the drain. None the less they better strike up some conversation.

“How was your movie?” Luna asked almost right away.

“It was a fine action flick, probably similar to lethal weapon really, had a few good comedic moments,” was Applejane’s review.

“And you? How was your first movie, Nico?” Luna asked earnestly, maybe a bit too earnestly if Applejane’s glare was anything to go by, not that the blue toned girl seemed to be paying attention.

“I suppose it was a different sort of play. I don’t have much to compare it too, didn’t have much time for such things when I was… stationed overseas.” Stationed overseas was the go to cover story as per Bailey’s suggestion, it covered a wide variety of questions that he did not have answers to. “Had a lot more action than what I’ve seen in a play before. Most plays don’t have such things till the climax and even then they are nothing compared to the scenes portrayed.”

The three girls looked between themselves. Wondering where in the world you would see a play this day and age, besides Broadway or some elementary or high school thing.

“So Nico,” Celestia spoke up trying to keep the conversation going, “Where did you live before? Applejane has informed us of your memory issues, but what were you doing for the past two years?”

Shit, he didn't have an answer for that.

“Well… um, I was…” As he struggled to answer a man flew through the brushes and landed on the sidewalk. A godsend of a distraction if there was ever one. The man was muscular and probably a good five inches taller than Nico. He wore black boots, black jeans, and a black leather jacket with flames running of the sleeves, but that wasn’t what held Nico’s attention, it was the man’s hair, hair that was a bright and fiery red that was only a shade darker than the man’s red brick skin.

He kind of looked like Commander Fierce Fury.

More men showed up, a total of five walking out of the park, each wearing the same white clothes with a purple sweater vest with an emblem on the left breast, the emblem was that of a purple lightning bolt with wings.

“I think those guys are from Crystal College,” one of the girls whispered behind him. He didn’t dare turn and see who, his attention held by the six men in front of him. There was blood on the Fury look a likes face and clothes and also on the five others. There was blood on their knuckles and sleeves and one was sporting a bloody nose. Seems they were fighting.

It wasn’t a very fair fight though.

“Aw look, some more country bumpkins,” one of the men sneered; he was rather slim man with light brown skin and black hair.

“Now, now Filthy, at least the ladies are fine looking. For being country bumpkins that is.” The man next to the first said with a stuck up tone, he was purple with white hair in a flamboyant style and he also wore shades.

“Probably just some whores, the guy must have paid out the nose for three of them!” The third man over joked, the other two mindlessly laughing.

The purple man stepped ahead from the group, stack of bills in his hands, “Yes, yes, you’ve had your fun Hoops, now if you ignorant folks would jest step aside we’ll be taking our friend Ferocious here and teaching him a lesson over yonder. I’m sure this will be enough to keep your silence?”

“Why waste money on these bumpkins, Hoity” Filthy Rich snorted angrily.

Hoity tossed the bills to Nico’s feet as he leaned down grabbing Ferocious by the collar of his shirt, “Now, now Rich, it’s only a little insurance, to ensure the peons know their place. After all, they wouldn’t want to be convicted of robbery if they were to...”

He never got to finish his sentence as Nico’s booted foot came crashing into the flamboyant man’s teeth. Everyone stared god smacked as they watched Hoity’s blood and teeth fly through the as if in slow motion. The purple man hit the side of the sidewalk out cold.

“Stay back,” Nico warned the girls as he grabbed hold of Hoop’s wrists as the burly man tried to take a swing at him. He ducked and tossed the big man face first onto the pavement and punched at Dumb-bell and Score who tackled him to the ground. They landed a few good hits as he tried to throw them off. He managed to throw one off, but Rich come running in with his leg back for a kick.

Ferocious sprang up and grabbed Rich by the leg tripping him. The angry red man rose with shining yellow eyes his leg raised high he stomped his foot on the Filthy's face.

“Goddamn college mother fuckers, fucking JUMP ME! Huh! You think you’re better than me! FUCKING come to my town and think your tough shit! I’ll fucking show you fuckers!” He screamed stomping on Rich’s wrist, there was a distinct sickening crack as the wrist broke. Ferocious then turned his attention to Dumb-bell and Score.

He grabbed Score by the hair and hauled the slightly obese man off. The fat college boy whimpered as Ferocious hauled him over to a street lamp and smashed his face repeatedly against the hard metal pole. He finally let him go, Score’s face sliding down the pole in a bloody mess.

Ferocious extended a hand which Nico took and together they glared at the last man standing, Dumb-bell. The stocky college boy quivered, backing slowly way as Nico and Ferocious stalked closer. Ferocious reached into his pocket pulling something from it, there was a flash and the sound of something clicking, Ferocious was holding a switchblade knife.

“I’m going to gut you like a fucking piglet and put you up for butcher with the rest of your friends.”

Nico eyed his ally warily, he was going a bit far, which with him probably being this world’s Fierce Fury was to par.

Dumb-bell let out a scream of pure terror, reaching into his own pocket he produced a pocket knife, which put both of them on edge, but it was what he did next that had Nico boiling over the edge. Dumb-bell ran, knocking Celestia and Luna to the ground, but taking Applejane hostage. The farm girl struggled, almost breaking free but stopped when the tip of the knife was pressed against her neck.

“You-u-u leave me be now, I’ll let her go when I’m safely away from you monsters!”

“No,” Nico said harshly, wisps of magic rising off his body. He glared at Dumb-bell reaching his hand back to his waist. “You’re going to let her go, right now.”

Dumb-bell’s hand began to shake, up above storm clouds suddenly gathered, so fast that it wasn’t natural. Lightning flashed in the sky spooking the already terrified college boy.

He closed his eyes for only a brief second. A second was all it took. His hostage was ripped from his grasp and he was forced to the ground, a long hard metal object was forced down his throat. He opened his eyes, scared beyond scared, Nico’s cold blues eyes looking wild and crazed has he held his gun down Dumb-bell’s throat.

Click, click, click, click was the sound the hammer made as Nico pulled it back. The sound of a colt single action beginning cocked to fire. Just a hairpin squeeze of the trigger would send the .45 caliber round through Dumb-bell’s throat and kill him.

He began to cry, “Please don’t kill me! Please don’t kill me! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Mommy! Mommy!” Dumb-bell screamed his teeth hitting against the barrel of the gun.

“Nico,” A gentle voice said, followed by an equally gentle hand touching his shoulder. Blond hair fell into Nico’s vision as a warm body wrapped around him. “It’s ok; I’m fine it’s over. Take the gun out of his mouth.”

It was Applejane’s voice, sweet like honey and soothing like fresh cool water. Nico breathed in slowly through his nose. The storm subsided in the sky and inside him. His vision widened. He saw the gun. His hand wrapped firmly around the handle, his finger barely touching the trigger. On top of his hand was Applejane’s, soft and warm. He pulled down on the hammer and eased the trigger forward, decocking the gun.

“Your right, your right,” he said calmly as he could. He was having a real hard time being calm right now. He took the gun out of Dumb-bell’s mouth, the college boy fainting out of relief. He swiped the salvia off on Dumb-bell’s sweater and stood up and holstered the gun behind his back.

He turned around to face the others and received several gasps.

“Oh my god you got stabbed!” Luna pointed and shouted.

Applejane immediately began patting him down looking for the wound, fully prepared to get her hands bloody, only there was no blood. She looked confused as she unzipped Nico’s jacket and moved the flap with the knife sticking in it aside. The knife didn’t make it through the jacket. Removing the knife revealed a shiny chain link sewn underneath the cloth of the coat.

“Is that… chain mail?” Applejane sighed in relief that Nico wasn’t hurt, but then, “Wait is that why this thing is so heavy! This thing broke the damn washer machine you know! Also, why is your coat made of chain mail?”

(I guess I know where my armor went.)

“Um… let’s talk about that later. We best be getting out of here.” Nico said, bringing everyone back to the reality that they were standing on the sidewalk surrounded by unconscious bloody bodies.

They all began running for the truck.

“Why did you come with us?” Applejane screamed at Ferocious as they all piled into the truck, only realize they brought along a straggler.

From the back of the truck bed, Ferocious just shrugged, “Seemed like a good idea. Really like the cut of your body friend here lass and your friends are rather fine too. All respectable praise of course ladies,” he smiled and winked at the sisters. Celestia didn’t seem too flattered, but Luna… Luna was blushing slightly.

Applejane just huffed and started the truck, “Whatever, we’ll drop you off somewhere outside of town, but that’s it. I don’t want you to know where we live.”

“Fine by me boss lady, I’m Ferocious, no last name, what’s your name buddy?” Ferocious asked extending his hand to Nico, who was also in the back of the truck.

“Nico Vega.”

“Nico Vega huh, has a nice ring to it,” Ferocious said smiling as the truck pulled out of the parking lot. “Listen you saved my ass tonight Nico if you ever need a hand just find me and I’ll help you out. I have a few friends that would be willing to join in.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Nico replied smiling, they rode in silence for the remainder of the trip, Ferocious jumping off the back and onto the side of the road. He shook Nico’s hand one last time and spotted the patch on Nico’s shoulder.

“Nice patch, where’d you get it?”

“Come with the coat.”

Ferocious cracked a smile, “My dad said the same thing. He had a patch like that too.”

That made Nico pause, “What was his number?”

The truck began to pull away and Nico scrambled to the back as Ferocious waved and yelled his goodbyes. Nico strained his ears, barely catching the numbers Ferocious was saying.

The numbers were 0756.

Luna and Celestia were dropped off at home and he and Applejane returned to the farm. They didn’t speak for the entire trip. His mind to focus on the numbers Ferocious had told him. He tried and tried, but he couldn’t recall a patroller with that number. Could it be a new patroller? One he didn’t know? That was possible. They were rescuing a good number of ponies from Madhoof’s lab just before he wound up in this world.

Maybe it could be a patroller he knew. After they started taking names it was hard to remember what everyponies number was.

He sighed, he was tired. Too tired to be thinking of numbers or anything, he just wanted to sleep.

“We’re here,” Applejane announced as she turned off the truck. He looked up, surprised to see they were parked in front of his shack.

“Why aren’t we in the yard?”

“I didn’t want you to walk. There’s an old road that runs back here. You probably would have noticed the extra bumps if you weren’t so focused on whatever it is your thinking about.”

Applejane’s grip was tight on the steering wheel; her hands were shaking, and were those tears? Why was she crying?

“What’s the matter? The attack finally getting to you,” He asked. It was understandable she would be upset. She did have a knife to her throat. Honestly, he was surprised she lasted this long.

Applejane angrily wiped away her tears, but more fell, she looked straight at him. Her look was strange; it wasn’t how she normally looked at him. There was a hint of something, a hint of fear?

“What are you afraid of? Is it that guy that grabbed you?” Applejane shook her head, sending tears flying as she whipped her head back and forth. She was trying really hard to keep her body under control, but she was close to breaking.

“No, well, it was scary, but…”

Nico raised a brow, “But?”

“What really scared me was you!” She yelled no longer trying to hold back her tears. “I’ve seen fist fights; I’m no stranger to blood, but the way you went after that guy. Your eyes were so cold; you were going to kill him, weren’t you. You were going to kill him and it wouldn’t have bothered you a bit would it?”

“Applejane…”

“Tell me the truth!”

He sighed, “Yes, I would have killed him.”

“How can you just say that so casually?”

Nico closed his eyes, he was a soldier, he was dragon pony, he’s killed monsters, and he’s killed other ponies, killing humans… it was just another thing on the list of things he’s killed. This was different. He wouldn’t have killed that kid because he was ordered to or anything like that. It was the same feeling he had when he was drowning Madhoof in the river. The boiling hatred and anger, he had wanted to kill that kid the same way.

He looked Applejane squarely in the eyes and touched her cheeks with his hand and wiped away her tears with his thumb, “Because he threatened you.”

Applejane gasped and he got out of the truck and all but ran for his shack, it had started to rain, but he didn’t mind. He just needed to get away from her. His chest… his chest felt like it was going to burst.

The door flew open and he stomped inside like an angry beast. Applejane was afraid of him and that tore his heart apart. He slammed his fists against the wall fighting back a scream. Now he really wanted to kill that kid. At least then her fear would make sense. He saved her life! What more was there!

He heard the sound of footsteps and he turned around catching the faintest glimpse of Applejane before she threw herself at him. Their lips crashed and he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight as she did the same.

When they finally pulled back, both of them breathless she whispered, “Thank you.”

Author's Note

Fun facts
Tango and Cash and Lethal weapon were both released in 1989, which is what I thought the date in Nico's log was, but it wasn't, it's 1988.

Colt revolvers are known to make four clicks when the hammer is cocked, which is how you tell it was made by colt and not a European reproduction or so some gun lovers say.

Rodeo

Bond’s between worlds ch 4

By Foxgear

(July 4th, 1988 Nico’s log

A month and a day have passed, which is oddly specific really, my relationship with Ms. Applejane has… changed, significantly. I think after saving her I have unintentionally gained her affections. Many a morning I have found her curled up on my side after a late night visit. I’m not sure her parents know of our relationship as I have not informed them of it and neither has she from what I can tell. Mr. Bailey might know. I see him give me a knowing grin when he sees us together.

Lately, Applejane has been preparing for the local rodeo held in the city this weekend. The Fourth of July rodeo is what it’s called and it is a very big deal to all the folks on the farm and in town and the entire country from what I hear around the yard.

Applejane has seen it fit to bring me along to the rodeo, as a helper officially, but that’s not the main reason I will be attending.

I think Luna will be there, Applejane said she invited both Luna and Celestia, but Celestia had somewhere else to be. Luna said she was bringing a special friend. Applejane seems worried about that for some reason.

As of yet, there have not been any monster attacks, but there’s something in the air, I can feel it. There’s magic in the wind and it makes me worried about what is to come.

Till then I will try to enjoy my first rodeo, for Applejane’s sake.

End of log)

The doors of the Chevy truck slammed shut as they all climbed out into the rodeo stables. The air was electric with competition and there were cowboy hats and boots as far as the eye could see. Nico touched the brim of his new hat, a gift from Applejane; she said he would need it if he didn’t want to feel out of place. She was right. He would have felt out of place in anything else.

“Let’s get Abi out and ready to go,” Applejane shouted over the noise of the arena as she led the mare out of the trailer. Abi was the mare stationed next to Booster, the stallion Nico helped tamed. Booster has been asking if he could be set with Abi when the mating season rolled around. Nico pitched the idea to Applejane and she seemed ok with it.

They walked Abi to her stable while Bailey went to park the truck and trailer. Nico carrying Applejane’s saddle and other gear.

“Applejane, Nico, over here!” Someone yelled over the crowd. They both looked through the throng of people to see Luna waving excitedly. Applejane grumbled and sighed while blushing at Luna’s outfit, which was drawing a lot of attention from everybody, male or female, though defiantly more male. Luna wore white cowgirl boots, a short white skirt, a white vest, white hat, everything was white.

Under her breath Nico heard Applejane say, “Celestia isn’t here, why is she wearing that ridiculous outfit?”

Luna and Celestia had a theme of wearing clothes that contrasted their skin tones, Celestia mostly wore black, while Luna wore white. Applejane didn’t mind their little theme, but Luna’s clothes… just stuck out too much, especially with that short skirt.

“Hi Luna,” Applejane said as Nico set the saddle and gear down to open the gate to the stall. “You’re looking… good.”

“I guess I went a little overboard,” Luna replied embarrassed, pressing down the hem of her skirt. It was clearly new, as was the rest of her outfit.

“Why are you so dolled up? A pair of jeans and a button up would have been fine or some short shorts if you thought it was too hot. Also white stains easily and this a rodeo… so what’s the occasion? Does this have to do with your special friend you invited?”

Luna’s face was completely red as she pulled at the edge of her skirt, “You could say that. You remember when…”

“Hey AJ!” A frilly blur came fly by and tackled Applejane or at least tried too. The farm girl was able to hoist her would be attacker up with a small amount of effort. When AJ set the person aside two things were clear, one the person was female and two she was rather clingy.

“Cherry Jubilee! I told you not to do that! You almost made me pull on Abi’s reigns!” AJ huffed angrily at the red haired girl. Cherry gave her a buttery lipped pout as she folded her hands between her skirts and leaned forward, showing off her assets, “Oh I’m sorry Janie, I was just so certain you’d catch me, please forgive me?”

“You know that don’t work on me,” AJ frowned at the redhead. Cherry Jubilee was her neighbor/classmate/rival when it came to selling their wares. Her family sold Apple’s, Cherry’s family sold cherries; it was a friendly rivalry, but a rivalry none the less.

Her temper waning Applejane noticed Cherry wasn’t wearing her riding clothes; instead, she wore an old western style blue dress with white frills and a small hat. The whole ensemble looked straight out of little house on the prairie.

“Are you not competing this year,” Applejane questioned, “Also you trying to look like Ann Oakley or something?”

Cherry smirked and twirled to show off her dress, “I’ll have you know that I am competing this year and I will win looking like a proper western lady. This dress also doesn’t do badly for our cherry pastry sells either. The boys just can’t seem to get enough of me.”

(That’s because you have a window right over your chest!) Applejane grumbled inside, stealing glances at Nico, who wasn’t seemingly overly interested in Cherry. (I don’t get why I’m so relieved, but I am.) Her relationship was a bit strange with Nico, she couldn’t really say they were dating or maybe they were, they have seen each naked and slept in the same bed… but they only went on one date technically… ugh, she really didn’t want to think about it right now.

“Is this your new ranch hand I’ve heard so much about?” Cherry said turning her attention onto Nico. She stood on her toes, barely reaching his chin, and stared into Nico’s eyes. “Hmm… not overly handsome, but more handsome than most of our farm hands, Mr. Bailey talks about you a lot when he’s at the café for breakfast with my dad. I must say there is something… different about you.”

Nico stepped away from her, uncertain how to reply, “Um… thanks… Ms. Jubilee.”

“Oh, you can call me Cherry or Jubilee or Jubi or June or even Cherry pie if you want.” She said excitedly leaning closer to Nico.

(I want her to ring her neck so bad right now!) Applejane mentally raged as she got between Nico and Cherry.

“Alright that’s enough, Nico and I have to get Abi ready to go, I’ll see you in the arena Cherry. Nico, Luna, let’s go!”

Luna quickly grabbed AJ by the arm, “Wait! My… um, guest isn’t here yet! This is where I told we’d meet!”

“I’m right here Lunie,” A low voice drawled, a familiar voice that had Applejane and Nico staring wide-eyed as Ferocious of all people stood before them with his hands in his pocket, his leather coat tucked under his arm, and a cigarette in his mouth. He gave the two of them a halfhearted wave as he wrapped his arm around Luna’s shoulders. “Long time no see you two, how have you been?”

Applejane’s jaw was hanging wide open as she looked at Luna’s burning face and Ferocious’s crooked grin. “Oh god, you cannot be serious! Are you going out with this guy? Does Celestia know?”

Luna huddled closer to Ferocious trying to hide behind the tall man like a child being scolded by their parents. “Not exactly… what I mean is yes were dating, but no Celestia doesn’t know… can you not tell her either? I kind of want to do that myself.”

“When will that be?” AJ asked crossing her arms, making Luna squirm under her daunting stare.

“Soon… sometime… before August maybe…”

“Right… you do remember how we met this guy right?” She looked to Ferocious. “No offense, but you look like trouble, I also didn’t really like having a knife at my throat and then watch a gun being shoved down someone’s throat very much.”

“In my defense, your boyfriend there pulled the gun,” Ferocious retorted. Much to AJ’s charging.

“Nico’s not… I mean we… ugh! Just go take your seats! I got a horse to get ready!” Applejane took Abi’s reigns and headed for the stall.

After the gate closed, Nico, Luna, Ferocious, and Cherry looked at one another awkwardly. Cherry coughed and quietly excused herself, as she also needed to prepare for the rodeo. Nico picked up Applejane’s saddle and gear and walked to the pen.

“I’ll meet up with you guys after I help Applejane get set up.”

Luna nodded, “Ok, we’re in the first row in the middle on the west side. Come on Feri, let’s get some snacks!”

Nico waved as the two walked off, opening the gate to the stable and found Applejane brushing Abi’s mane with a burning red face. Wordlessly he went to work setting the blanket and then the saddle on Abi’s back, they never said a word to each other the entire time. Maybe they didn’t need to either. Giving the strap one last good tug Nico locked the saddle in place and double-checked everything. Satisfied he began to walk to the gate when Applejane called out to him.

“Thanks… I mean thanks for coming along and helping, it means a lot to me.” She pecked him on the cheek and went back to combing Abi’s mane, Nico found the scene oddly beautiful.

“Happy to help AJ, good luck out there,” Abi whinnied and he smiled, rolling his eyes, and patted her neck, “Good luck to you too Abi.”

Nico made his way to the stands passing by the bullpen, he caught a flash of white next to one of the bullpens. A brown haired man stood by the pen, the bull raging inside. Nico’s eyes narrowed on the man’s back, something didn’t feel right about him. He fought through the crowd, rushing towards the man but two cowboys grabbed him.

“Whoa boy, you can’t be back here unless your staff and you buddy are no rodeo clown,” A towering giant of a man chuckled as he pushed Nico out of the area. Nico leaned around the man trying to spot the man in white, but he was already gone.

“Who was that guy?”

The big man frowned as he looked back at the bullpen, seeing no one, “What man?”

“The man in the white coat,” Nico said impatiently to the big man, who was looking both amused and annoyed as he gave Nico a good shove. The equestrian staggered back, barely catching himself from falling over. He stared determinedly at the giant blocking his path.

“Look, buddy, it was probably one of the lab techs from the college studying the bulls, so there’s nothing to worry about. Now move along before I make you move along.”

Must have been his mind playing tricks on him he figured backing away from the big man, Nico resumed his walk to the stands. His mind plagued by the image of the man in the white coat. He didn’t know why it bothered him so much, but then again he didn’t have much love for the ponies in white coats, why should he have any more for men in white coats?

For a moment his mind wandered back to the night he arrived on earth, the night he drowned Madhoof in the river. He was certain he’d kill the mad doctor. After all, he only survived because he was found by the Apples. The first thing he did was he was able to walk was check the river and ask around to see if anyone saw anyone matching Madhoof’s discerption. No one saw him and there have been no rumors. Madhoof by all accounts was probably dead, but… Nico still had doubts sometimes. Madhoof wasn’t a foolish pony after all.

“Hey, Nico! Over here,” Luna shouted from her seat. Apparently, he was so lost in thought he didn’t even realize he was in the stands. Luna’s waving became frantic, so he doubled timed it over to her, spilling over one bag of popcorn and two sodas along the way. She sheepishly waved to his victims as he took a seat next to her and Ferocious.

“You maybe didn’t have come that quickly,” Luna said meekly as the people who had their snacks overturned continued to glare, “They haven’t even started the national anthem yet.”

Music began to play over the speakers and everyone began standing, removing their hats and placing their hands over their chests. Some people Nico noted stood differently with their arms flooded behind their backs, many of them wore caps or patches with the words veteran written on them, leaving him uncertain what to do as he wasn’t a veteran of this nation, but people thought he was.

(I suppose I should just stand normally, in a crowd of this size no one will know the difference.) He removed his hat and placed his hand on his chest as the announcer spoke through the speakers.

“Good evening and welcome to the twentieth annual Canterlot fourth of July rodeo! I remind all to stand if they are able and to remove their hats well the colors are flown. Here singing tonight’s anthem DUSTY TRAILS!”

A man on a horse began to parade around with a large red white and blue flag with stars and stripes as a man in a white cowboy hat took the stage. The man in white removed his hat and began to sing.

The song was somber, the lyrics depicted a crystal-clear vision of the songwriter's vision, which was further capitalized on as fireworks lit up the evening sky. Next time Nico ran into Bailey he would defiantly ask the origins of the song.

With the song now over people returned to their seats and the staff began quickly setting up barrels and other obstacles as the singer from earlier sang a different song to keep the crowd entertained. It didn’t take the crew long to finish and as the song finished the announcer came back on the speakers.

“Thank you, cowboys and cowgirls, for your patience. Let’s give a big Canterlot welcome to this year’s competitors for the barrel races! Please give a hand for these younglings as they put their horse riding skills to the test! First up in alphabetical order is last year’s runner-up! Applejane Abigail Apple!”

“Applejane’s first huh,” Nico mumbled as he watched Applejane trotted around on Abi, smiling and waving to the crowd.

Luna playfully jabbed him in the side, “Well duh! Her initials are AAA! You can’t get any more first than that when going alphabetical order. It does make it harder for her though since she sets the base score for everyone else, it gives everyone behind her a chance to do better.”

“She got runner-up last year, so she just has to beat the winner from last year, right?” Ferocious said looking mildly interested in Applejane’s routine. He wasn’t much of a rodeo-goer, but he could applicate the obvious skill Applejane was displaying.

“Yeah, but Cherry was the champion last year and she and her horse May are really good!”

Nico ignored Ferocious’s and Luna’s banter and kept his eyes on Applejane and Abi. The two were running hard into the final stretch towards the high jump and Abi was tiring out. Applejane had pushed Abi too hard too early to shorten her time, but if she screwed up the jump she would be docked points. His fingers twitched, sparkling with magic as he debated on helping or not. A little jolt of energy was all Abi would need to clear the jump but… it would be cheating if he did that. Applejane wouldn’t want that, it would make her hard work worthless.

So… maybe he could do something else.

Standing up Nico took a deep, deep breath! His chest puffed out and filled to the max with air! Sucking in one last breath he let loose a loud deep roaring whinny! It was so loud that it rose over the noise of the crowd bringing the whole stadium to silence for a moment and then he sat down before anyone was the wiser. While many stood, staggered and confused he sat smugly as his whiny had the desired effected on Abi. The mare was running mad scared and she cleared the last hurdle with an inch to spare.

He chuckled in amusement as Abi continued to run, Applejane doing her best to ease her down to a trot, which Abi finally did after realizing there wasn’t anything chasing after her. The two came flying by, Applejane screaming, “Did ya all see that!” As she passed them. They waved and cheered as she returned to the starting position allowing the next contestant to go.

“Whooh! Go AJ!” Luna cheered excitedly. “I’d like to see Cherry beat that time! Did you see how fast Abi was going there at the end? That was amazing!”

“That it was,” Nico nodded in agreement, he looked to see Ferocious’s reaction, but the redhead’s yellow eyes weren’t aimed at the arena but at him. Ferocious looked… puzzled… maybe he saw what he did? Tipping his hat down Nico paid Ferocious no mind, it’s not like they could talk in the roaring crowd anyway. It would be a good idea to avoid doing anything with magic for a bit.

They sat through the rest of the competitors, each one trying their best to match Applejane’s score, but everyone falling short. Applejane’s win seemed assured until Cherry Jubilee trotted into the arena, the crowd went wild as she waved and blew kisses.

Cherry stood position at the start line and when the starting gun was fired she was off like a rocket! She and May were perfectly in sync as they weaved between barrels and cleared the low jumps with ease. It was clear she was pushing hard to beat Applejane’s score and it was becoming clear that she put herself in the same predicament Applejane did in the final stretch. May began to stagger halfway down the last lane, Cherry urging her faster, but the horse didn’t have it in her, she jumped, the edge of her back hoof tapped the bar. Cherry came to a stop staring at the scoreboard as the final scores were tallied and she came up second.

Gracefully she bowed from her saddle and Applejane rode up to meet her and extended her hand. The two girls shook and Applejane was called up to receive her medal.

“And this year’s winner is Miss Applejane Apple! Please, everyone, give her a big hand and to our other competitors! Now everyone please wait as we make room for our final and main event, bull riding!”

The crowd went wild and staffers quickly began throwing the barrels and obstacles onto a trailer to make room for the bull ride. While they were doing that Applejane trotted over to Nico and company with a big smile on her face and a gold medal in her hand.

“I won! Can you believe it!” She laughed trotted in circles. Nico smiled back, happy that she was happy. He was gonna have to keep his help a secret, not that she would believe him even if he did.

As the staff crew exited the arena Applejane followed suit after performing one last victory lap and was on her way to the gate when something unexpected happened. A loud bellowing moan came from the darkened entryway making Applejane call Abi to a halt. Her hands tight on the reins as she warily backed away from the gate. The crowd fell into a hushed murmur, wondering what was going on.

A bull, a big white Texas longhorn bull, came charging out of the entry way. The cowboy guarding the gate quickly leap out of the way as the bull blew through the gates and broke into the arena. It snorted angrily looking around, it’s gaze landed on Applejane and Abi, it kicked up dirt and went charging at them! Applejane spurred Abi ahead to get away, but the mare was tired from the competition and the bull was full of energy. The bull ran up close and swiped with its horn, catching Abi’s back leg! Abi fell and so did Applejane trapped beneath her horse.

Luna gasped and screamed, “APPLEJANE!” As the rodeo clowned tried to go and help the trapped girl. The bull snorted and sneered, but it didn’t go after the clowns, but instead turned keeping its attention on the trapped farm girl. Luna turned in a panic, “Nico what are… Nico? Where is he?” Ferocious stood and turned Luna back towards the arena where Nico already cleared the side and was jumping into the arena.

Applejane flinched as the bull snorted close to her face, it moaned in disgust as if the smell of her bothered it and it waved it's horned wildly around, knocking her hat after her head! She whimpered and hugged Abi’s neck tight, trying to keep her head down as possible. She’s seen what those horns do bull riders! She did not want to suffer the same fate as them!

The bull bellowed, she closed her eyes and buried her face in Abi’s neck, the bull’s hoof stomped on her hair, which had fallen loose from her braid. She felt the bull’s hoof raise up and she tried to get out from under Abi but the horse’s weight had her pinned!

“Come on, girl, get up! Get up please!” Applejane screamed patting Abi’s neck. The horse lets out a weak whiny and she tried to stand. Applejane’s leg gained a little room to move, but Abi fell back to the ground before she could free herself. Peering up Applejane stared into the raging eyes of the bull as it raised its massive hoof for another strike. She quivered fearfully and hugged Abi because there was nothing else she could do, she couldn’t get away! In the background, she heard the screams of her friends and the staffers running to try and help her, but none of them would get to her in time. She closed her eyes and waited…

…

A moment passed and then another and then a full three more seconds of nothing. No pain or anything. Maybe she died? Did the bull crush her skull and that was the end of it? She wiggled, the weight of Abi still pressed firmly against her leg, so she wasn’t dead, that was a relief. Opening her eyes, she looked up to see what stopped the bull and much to her shock and surprise Nico stood over her, his hands firmly gripped on the bull’s horns as he held the massive monster back! The bull kicked and bellowed, but Nico did not budge. He snarled right back at the bull, a primal snarl that didn’t sound remotely human or like anything Applejane had ever heard before.

Something wet touched her cheek, she wiped it absently mindedly with her finger, not totally sure what she was seeing was real. After all what man could hold back a one-ton bull? The wetness was saliva, Nico’s saliva, she could see it falling from his mouth. It was kind of gross, but then she took a closer look at her savior and realized that holding the bull back was not an easy feat. His muscles were bulging to the limit and she could see the vein in his arms, head, hands, anywhere there was skin. As amazing as Nico’s strength was it wasn’t going to last. He looked at her with glowing blue eyes and a tight jaw.

“GET HER OUT OF HERE!” He screamed straining against the bull, his boots skidding in the dirt as the bull began to gain the upper hand. Applejane struggled to pull herself from under Abi, but she couldn’t gain any leverage on the mare in her position. From behind them, dirt crunched as Ferocious jumped into the arena. He ran up to Applejane, hooking his arms under her armpits and lifted and pulled as two rodeo clowns rolled Abi off her leg.

She was free!

“We have to get out of here!” Ferocious yelled carrying over to the side of the arena, where to staffers quickly pulled her over the side gates, Ferocious and the two clowns climbed up after her, leaving Nico alone with the bull.

“What about Nico!” She demanded as paramedics rushed to her. She climbed towards the side, but Ferocious grabbed her and roughly dragged her back.

“I think he has this under control,” He said as they sat back and watched as Nico began maneuvering the bull away from Abi by twisting its horns. Nico continued to slide in the loose dirt and the bull pushed his advantage. Pushing Nico across the arena. The bull slammed him into the side making Nico lose his grip on the horns. The bull whipped its head catching Nico in the side and ripping his armored coat sending broken links of chain mail into the air.

Applejane held her hands to her mouth and screamed, “NICO!”

The bull lowered its head and charged, Nico standing his ground as it did, he lowered his stance and started running at the Bull much to the surprise of everyone. You did not charge a charging bull, it was hands down the stupidest thing you could do. The bull and Nico were nearly about to hit when Nico did the unexpected, he didn’t jump to the side like everyone else would have done, no, he jumped up stepping on the bull’s head and running up its body, then fell onto it’s back and slipped his hand into the rope wrapped around its neck and began to ride the mad bull like any foolhardy bull rider!

The only words Applejane could utter to describe what she just saw were, “holy shit!”

(Get off me! Get of me you damn bastard! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all you two legs!) The bull screamed as it tried it’s hardest to buck Nico of its back. A feat that was proving very difficult as Nico used magic to max out his strength to beyond human, his grip was flattering anytime soon. Giving him plenty of time to figure out what the hell was going on. Starting with the fact he could understand the bull. Not only that but he could see wisps of inky purple/black magic seeping out of the bull’s skin, someone or something had infected it.

Gathering a sphere of blue magic in his free hand Nico slapped the bull’s shoulder, sending a zap of lightning into its body. The bull bellowed and buckled madly as it tried even harder to throw him off. His attack did have the desired effect as part of the bull’s body was clear of the infection.

“Sorry about this!” Gathering a bigger charge Nico slapped the Bull again and this time the bull’s legs gave out as it fell twitching to the ground, spazzing erratically as the electric shocks worked through its body. The bull’s chest heaved heavily as its eyes were wide open with fear.

Then it stopped moving.

Carefully Nico knelt next to the bull pressing his hand on top of its heart as it gave a final beat. He gave it too much of shock and sent it into cardiac arrest, a heart attack. The purple ink fell off the bull’s body and sunk into the ground. Nico clawed at it, his finger brushing the gunk, it felt tainted, like poisoned swamp water. He stood up searching the crowd for a similar energy, he spotted something that matched in the stands near where the bull had broken in.

A man in a white coat flashed into his view, but when he looked back, he was gone.

“Good show young man! Good show! I have never seen a bull ride quite like that in my entire life! If the clock had been running you just might have won gold!” A burly bearded man in a white suit and hat said, he kind of looked like the guy on the ad for that chicken restaurant he and Applejane stopped to eat at. The man took his hand and shook it with great strength, pulling Nico close, “Just go along with what I’m about to say, now what’s your name?”

“Nico Vega.”

“I’m Colonel, play along now.” Colonel whipped around to face the crowd, a big jolly smile on his face. “What a show ladies and gentlemen, what a show! Please give a hand for the talented bull riding talents of Nico Vega! Have you have seen such a feat of strength and skill displayed by a tumbleweed size of a man? Now that the preview is over, we’ll get right on with the bull riding here in just a moment! Please be patient. Old Blanco here is a little tuckered out.”

The crowd looked uncertain how to respond, but a wave of laughter and cheers erupted. Staffers quickly drove out in a truck and trailer and used a hoist to get the dead bull into the trailer, the men on the side moved the bull’s legs, trying to give the impression it was still alive. In the stands, Bailey herded Applejane and the others away, he looked at Nico and pointed up to the big glass box up in the stands.

“Come on kid,” Colonel said wrapping his arm around Nico’s shoulders, “We got to get this worked out. Don’t look so depressed either, smile for the crowd. They came to escape troubles and have a good time, we don’t want them to worry now do we?”

Uncomfortably Nico smiled and waved, none of what was happening was sitting well with him. From the look in Colonel’s eyes, he wasn’t happy about it either, but he still smiled widely.

Colonel led Nico up to the observation box where Bailey was waiting for them with Applejane, Luna, and Ferocious. A medic attended to Applejane while Bailey leaned against the wall looking upset. When they entered, Bailey walked over to the Colonel and glared down at the man, towering over him.

“You call my granddaughter almost dying a show Colonel?” Bailey spat grabbing the man in white by the collar, two staffers went to intervene but the Colonel held up a hand and stared down Bailey.

“I know old friend, but I didn’t want to drag the rodeo into a public debacle, I assure you I have no idea how old Blanco got out or why he was so crazed! He’s a rodeo bull sure, but he broke through his gate, the gate after that, and the gate after that! He was like a bulldozer without a rider there was just no stopping him! I was getting the gun ready when this young man jumped and… well, you saw him! I’m just trying to protect my people Bailey, you’d do the same.”

“I DON’T LIE!” Bailey lifted Colonel off the floor, the staffers began to move, but a hard glare from Bailey made them freeze in their tracks. Bailey was old, but he was a big solidly built man and it was clear he still processed a great amount of strength.

“Grandpa!” shouted Applejane suddenly, Bailey dropped Colonel looking ashamed as he kept his face turned from his granddaughter. However, anger seemed to run in the family as Applejane grabbed Colonel by the collar. “Ah don’t care about me, Ah’m fine, but what about mah horse!” She demanded her accent coming on thick with her rage.

“She’s fine!” Colonel shouted. “I have my best vets working on her, no charge, of course. she’ll live but I can’t say for certain if she’ll be able to compete like she used to, but she’ll still be a good breeder at the very least.” Applejane let him go and stepped back. “I want to see her.”

Colonel nodded, “Of course, my people will take you to her.” Applejane followed the man with Luna running after them. Colonel sighed as he pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it. Taking a few calming puffs he sat down and looked at Bailey with sadness in his eyes. “You know I would never want this to happen, Bailey. I admit I love profits, I may embellish things now and then, but I would never, ever, want harm to come to any of my people or the competitors or any in the crowds. Old Blanco put a few riders in the ground, I knew that when I bought him, but for the five years I’ve owned him I made sure he didn’t get one foolhardy cowboy, not one! He was wild in the arena, but he was docile outside. I…I…do not know why he went wild, but you need to understand, I did NOT set this up! I am NOT my father! He ran a crooked show, but I do NOT!”

Bailey took a deep breath, his shoulders stooping as he sat in the chair across from Colonel. “I know,” He said, “I know. You wouldn’t do this. You’re not your old man.” He looked at his hands and closed them. “I try my best not to be mine. Nico take your greaser friend and go check on Applejane and I don’t know… go take her town or something, anything to take her mind off Abi. I’ll get things settled here. Just go… be young, but keep her safe. Not that you need me telling you that, you seem to be doing a pretty good job of it.” He said with a knowing wink.

At the stable they found Applejane and Luna tending to Abi, the mare’s leg was wrapped in a cast, Applejane stood brushing Abi’s mane whispering assurances in her ear.

Luna saw them approach. She came running down the alleyway wrapping Nico in a tight hug! “Oh, thank you, thank you, for saving AJ! You too Ferocious!” She chimed giving the red head a quick peck on the lips. “Come on, let’s go see AJ! She’s just over here.”

The three peered into the stable stall Applejane flashed them a soft smile and waved, before resuming her brushing. The weight of the attack finally hitting her as she mindlessly went about her task.

A nudge from behind sent Nico forward into the stable, his boots crunching the straw that lay on the floor. Gently he took Applejane’s hand and took her brush. “I think her mane is straight enough, let’s get you out of here. Bailey said he’ll watch after her.”

“Yeah, we were going to hang out after the rodeo remember?” Luna said cheerfully, her smile dipping after a few seconds. “I meant if you still want to…”

“We can go to my family’s restaurant, get some food, relax, even dance a bit if you want.” Ferocious chimed in. “It’ll be fun, and it’ll get your mind off things.”

Applejane touched Abi’s neck, there wasn’t much else she could do for Abi, nothing that would help her. But she still didn’t want to leave her. She reached for her brush, but Nico held it over her making her jump for it while he whispered into Abi’s ear. The mare whinnied, nodding along with whatever Nico was saying to her, and suddenly nudged Applejane out of the stable.

“What’s gotten into you girl?” She demanded as she tried to fight her way back in, but Abi was having none of it butted her head against Applejane’s chest, keeping her out, the mare snorted and stomped a hoof against the ground. Not giving any ground as Applejane tried to force her way into the stall.

“She says she fine and that you should go,” Nico said, gently pulling Applejane away from the stall door. Abi snorted and nodded in agreement, leaving Applejane flustered. It’s not every day your boyfriend and horse conspire against you.

“Alright, I’ll go,” Applejane said conceding defeat, at the same time as her stomach let out a loud growl. She turned red has she held her hand against her stomach. “I guess I’m a little hungry anyway.”

Everyone shared a laugh at her expense, even Abi, who let out a happy whinny as they walked away.

As they walked Applejane wrapped herself around Nico’s arm and laid her head against his shoulder. This would the second time he's saved her, hopefully, it didn’t become a habit, but she found comfort in the fact he had been there.

“Thank you for saving me, and Abi.”

Nico smiled as he leaned his head against hers, “Anytime AJ, anytime.”

Ferocious’s family restaurant was so much a restaurant as per say a bar… on top of that, it was a biker bar. Motorcycles lined the outside, men and women were dressed head to toe in leather and there differently at least one if not more, clearly identifiable biker gangs present. Making it a very awkward meal as the underage Applejane huddled close to Nico. Glaring at her friend who was obviously not upset by their surroundings, meaning she’s been here before.

“So… Ferocious… when were you going to bring up that fact your mother ran a biker bar?” Applejane asked with clearly restrained worry and fear, with a little anger mixed in. At least the food was good and at half price since Ferocious was the owner’s son. “Oh, also that you were twenty-one? And Luna why did you not feel the need to tell me these things beforehand!”

Luna shrugged, “I didn’t think it was a big deal. I mean how old is Nico?”

“That’s not relevant to this! Nico is not part of a biker gang!” She hissed softly.

“Biker club,” Corrected Ferocious, earning a glare from the farm girl. “Look there is a difference.”

“Oh really? Please explain to me the difference between a club and a gang, because I am clearly not seeing it. And please be very precise because I am fairly certain that guy over by the jukebox is a Hell’s Angel.”

Ferocious opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it, his brow frowned in thought. What was the difference between a club and gang again… he remembered some guy in a green bandana explained it to him once. One of the Boozefighters if he remembered right.

“Ah… let me get back to you on that.” Music began to play and couples and those looking to score some arm candy flirted with the women standing on the side. Ferocious grabbed Luna’s hand and quickly dragged her off towards the floor. “Let’s go dance for a bit Lunie!”

Applejane sighed resting her cheeks on her hands, “He ran away. Question dodging bastard.” She looked at Nico. “I don’t suppose you want to dance?”

He chuckled as he stood up and offered his hand, “I can’t say I know how, but I’ll muddle through it with you.”

She smiled as Nico lead her out to the dance floor. The music was a fast paced rock song, one her mother would say she’d go to hell for listening too, but the rhythm was right for a simple two step dance. She took the lead showing Nico the steps at first. By the time of the second song he got the hang of things and took the lead from her, spinning her around and doing more advanced moves that some of the more experienced dancers were doing.

The music played on and Applejane’s laughter filled the room as Nico twirled and spun her around. He dipped her low at the end of the song and they remained frozen in place. Her chest was heaving up and down at a mile minute as sweat dripped from both of their bodies, making her wonder just how long they’ve been dancing. Her thoughts came to a sudden stop as she felt Nico’s lips on hers, the entire bar let out a wild cat call, giving rise to the fact that she and Nico were the only ones left on the dance floor. Her face was flushed from being a public spectacle, but she leaned in or leaned up? Into Nico’s kiss, wrapping her hands around his neck. The bar let out another ‘WHOOP!”
And he finally let her up.

Still flustered Applejane waved to the crowd of hollering bikers feeling strangely at home with the leather-clad crowd. From the bar, Luna smirked as she raised a glass of what Applejane hoped was soda or water.

“Let’s go sit down,” She said pulling Nico towards the bar. People continued to wave and comment on their dancing and their big finish. One gray-haired biker couple stopped them and drunkenly told them they reminded them of themselves when they were young and all that. The gentlemen drunkenly told Nico he better treat her right. To which Nico saluted to the man and the man saluted back.

As she fought through the crowd Applejane couldn’t help but realize that this was probably the first romantic thing she and Nico did together. Their first ‘date’ was when she started to really feel something for the strange farmhand. At first, she thought it was just the fact he saved her from getting her throat slit, to which she rewarded with a kiss and much more…

Admittedly she had been a wreck of emotions that night and when she woke up that morning in Nico’s bed out in the middle of the woods she didn’t know what to think. Her mother had been very strict about wanting her to wait for marriage, which was impossible now, but she hadn’t felt shame… ok, she had felt a little. The guilt had really nagged at her as she snuck back to the house that morning. To make matters worse she had left Nico asleep in bed and to add on top of that Grandpa Bailey had met her at the door.

He teased her. Mercilessly about her unleveled hair, ruffled clothes, and the stink. She had wanted nothing more than to crawl under her sheets and never come out. When he finally stopped, he stood in front of the door with his arms crossed and his face stern demanding to know who it was she fooled around with. When she told him, Nico, he smiled and said, “At least you had a better first pick then your mother.”

To which her ears burned like the sun as her Grandpa’s smirk returned. She begged him to keep it secret from her mom, and he agreed to do so if she got back to Nico’s before he wakes up. She was running the moment the words left his mouth, she hadn’t even noticed the bag of muffins he had slipped into her hands until she got back to Nico’s shack. Nico had just been getting up when she barged in with an arm full of muffins. He looked at her with surprise and confusion. She finally noticing the muffins, held them up and smiled.

That had been their first breakfast together and perhaps when their relationship started as they’ve been all but living together when she comes home from school.

Taking the bar stools next to Ferocious and Luna, Applejane and Nico found their drinks waiting for them. Applejane was given a nonalcoholic cider, ironically made by her family, while Nico was given an apple whiskey, also made by her family.

“I didn’t know we sent out cider orders this far,” Applejane commented as she sipped her cider, it wasn’t quite as good when it was fresh, but it was still good.

“Mom is a huge fan of the stuff. She always buys a keg just to have around, says it’s how she and dad met.”

Grandpa Bailey had always said their cider was special. Though being a love potion was probably not it, would make good advertising though for valentine’s day. “How’s your drink, Nico?” She asked, having a really good time compared to when the first arrived. Her smile was bright and happy when she turned to her boyfriend, but it faded as she caught him staring ahead like a deer in head lights.

Worriedly she followed his gaze, thinking same other girl caught his eye, a foolish petty thought as there was only a newly arrived group of patrons on the non-biker side of the bar. A funny little feature of the buildings layout, one side for bikers, the other side for everyone else. Turning back to Nico Applejane saw his face contort into rage his grip tightening on his glass, cracking it.

“Nico… are you ok?”

He got up suddenly looking agitated as he threw some bills on the bar counter, “I’ll be right back.” Nico stormed off following the group that just left. Applejane looked worriedly to Ferocious, who also looking angry.

“You two stay here,” Ferocious said getting up and waving to a group of guys playing pool. One of them come over, “Keep an eye on them, Stryker, don’t let anyone you don’t know near them.” Ferocious then stormed up the stairs, leaving Applejane and Luna looking beside themselves as they glanced at their ‘protector’.

“What’s happening?” Applejane demanded.

Stryker took a drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke away from the ladies, and grimly said, “Best you don’t know.”

Nico followed the group of men in white down the dreary alleyway, garbage and other trash marred the narrow passage that leads to a small square courtyard between the bar and the building next to it. His blood was boiling as he stared at the backs of the men’s coats, he had seen him, only a brief flash, but he had seen Madhoof! He was sure of it!

On top of that, he also felt the same sickly presence from the strange magic he found at the rodeo. Could that have been Madhoof’s doing? Could he have organized that attack on Applejane?

As he approached the open square Nico stopped short from entering, taking deep calming breaths. He couldn’t rush in. If this was Madhoof, then this could be a trap. The others with him could be other equestrians or followers he found in this world. Either way, the situation was not in his favor.

(Besides that, what if I’m wrong? What if it’s just a look alike? I only saw Madhoof’s human face between strikes of lightning and on top of that this world has their own version of Equestrians. This could be the human Madhoof.)

Nico stood with his fist clenched tight. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like this at all. There were too many ifs and what’s, but on the other hand, could he risk not finding out if this was the Madhoof that come through with him? The answer was no, he couldn’t, he wouldn’t. Madhoof was bad news in any world.

He stepped into the square. No one was in sight, a chill ran up his spine, something was differently wrong here. From the shadows, three men emerged their faces partially hidden in the darkness. None of them were Madhoof though.

“Who are you,” Nico demanded as the three men stalked closer. They smelt sick like they were diseased. The same inky purple energy from the rodeo dripped off them. One began to twitch violently, becoming engulfed in purple energy the man’s body expanded and grew becoming more beast like as two giant horns grew out of his head. His friends also changed and Nico found himself trapped between three Minotaurs!

“Shit…” Nico fully transformed, glowing ears, scales, and claws just in time to catch the attacking Minotaurs fist! He grunted and threw the massive hand out of the way and then jumped out of the way of the second incoming fist, but the third caught him and sent him flying against the alley wall. Quickly jumping to his feet Nico let loose a stream of lightning from his mouth hitting the center minotaur, but the other two kept coming! Ceasing his attack, Nico charged ahead and punched one the closest bull man in the stomach! The minotaur didn’t so much as slow down as it continued to plow onwards, slamming Nico against the wall.

The sound of bones cracking echoed in the air.

“Dammit, those just healed up too,” Nico grimaced holding his ribs. The pain was so great he couldn’t even move, but he had too! The three Minotaurs were gathering around him. They were going to kill him!

The three bulls raised their massive fists above their heads, preparing to let down a lethal rain of fists. Nico focused everything he had into his scales, hoping somehow, he’d survive, but he highly doubted it.

Closing his eyes in acceptance of his fate Nico wait for the end, only for it to never come. The sound of metal ringing sung in the air and when he looked up he saw Ferocious of all people standing over him, but that wasn’t what caught Nico’s attention. Nor was it the claymore Ferocious wielded or the patroller's coat with 0756 stitched on it, no, it was the pony ears on top the redhead’s head that held Nico’s attention.

“Surprised?” Ferocious grinned as he forced the Minotaurs back, flames exploding from his blade as he swung it around. “I thought you and I might be the same, you can do the same crazy shit I can, like grow fucking pony ears.” He turned flashing Nico a smile. “I got this, think of it as a thank you for when you saved me.”

Crouching low Ferocious raised his blade igniting it with fire, the Minotaurs looked questionably at one another before deciding to charge all at once! Smiling like a mad man Ferocious lurched forward bringing his sword around, the thousand-degree hot steel cleaved thought the muscular Minotaurs like butter, filling the alley with the smell of cooked beef. The three bulls fell to the ground in a blaze of fire, their bodies consumed by the flame in a matter of seconds.

Sheathing his sword Ferocious helped Nico to his feet, “Come on, let get you somewhere to rest.”

Nico’s vision began to flutter to black as the pain of moving was proving too much, weakly he uttered out, “Who are you?” To Ferocious before slipping into sub consciousness.

“Your friend,” Ferocious smiled as he brought his friend through the back door and climbed the stairs to the second floor to his mother’s office. He laid Nico down on the old mattress his mother kept there for when she didn’t want to drive home after closing the bar. There was also a cabinet with medicine inside. Why his mom had morphine was a mystery to him, but he gave Nico a small dose to deal with the pain. Satisfied with his work Ferocious then looked to his other, less simple task.

“Now… how to explain Nico all beat up to Luna and Applejane and how to explain the three oversized piles of ashes out back to mom.”

Nico awoke, stiff (Not in that way) and in moderate pain. Moderate because anything was better than the feeling of possibility having his ribs cracked again. Which now that he thought about it, he didn’t really feel any pain in his ribs. Strange.

Fully awake Nico looked at his surroundings. He was in some sort of room, there was the bed he lay on, a desk and chair, lots of pictures, and the sword Ferocious had used and the coat beside it. Wanting a closer look, he sat up, feeling only a small ache from his injuries, someone must have given him some medicine or something. Hopefully, it was some sort of healing potion and not just a painkiller, he really didn’t want to relive healing ribs so soon.

Swinging his legs off the bed Nico finally noticed the soft grip around his hand. Turning his whole head, as his left eye was swollen shut, he saw Applejane sleeping in a chair next to the bed. Her hands tightly woven with his. She must have sat by his side all night… which meant it was morning… her parents were going to be pissed! Bailey probably wouldn’t be able to help them out of this one.

Since there was nothing he could do about that, he returned his focus to the sword and coat, presuming the ones that belonged to patroller 0756, Ferocious’s father. Carefully and gently he freed his hand and limped over to the wall where they hung.

The coat was much like his except it was a long coat, not a jacket, but it had chainmail hidden beneath all throughout making it almost a complete suit of armor. The sword was also very interesting, upon the blade were Equestrian symbols.

“Firebird,” Nico read aloud. That was the name of the sword. He’d have to ask Ferocious about his father maybe… Nico paused suddenly catching a glimpse of a photograph out of the corner of his eye.

The photograph was black and white and old, in the picture stood two men. The man on the right was most likely Patroller 0756. He was a tall man with wild feather-like hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, but it was the man next to him the really caught Nico’s attention. The man was young and wearing a military uniform.

With shaky hands Nico took the photo off the wall and turned it over, on the back written in faded black ink were the names, Bailey Apple and Lon.

(Maybe it’s not Ferocious I need to be talking too…) A slender hand suddenly swiped the photo from his grip. He turned and come face to face with a middle-aged woman with white silvery skin and platinum pink hair. The woman eyed him with steely eyes, that darted back and forth between him and Applejane, she looked… unhappy.

“So… your Nico Vega.” She said, a smile creeping onto her lips. “My son speaks highly of you, seems you’re his new best friend. Thanks for helping him by the way, it’s honor to finally met the hero of Rainbow Factory. I’m Swan, but I used to go by Patroller 0350.” She suddenly embraced him. “Thanks for helping to get me and Lon out of there and all the others too. There are a lot of ponies that would love to meet you.”

Nico stood frozen in her embrace, completely baffled by her words. Him? Legendary? What was going on? “What… what are you talking about? You're from Equestria too?”

Swan looked over to Applejane, then pointed to the balcony door, “I think we should talk in private. She might think were crazy if she wakes up hearing us talking about magic talking ponies.”

“Right…” Nico agreed following Swan out into the cool morning.

She lit a cigarette, took a deep drag and exhaled, “So… how long have you been in this world?”

It wasn’t the first question he’d ask, but it was a logical one he guessed counting on his fingers, “A few mouths, I arrived in the month they call March. How long have you been here?”

Swan chuckled and smiled, “Thirty-eight years, we fell through a teleport in Equestria and landed in Korea. That’s where we met Bailey in case you were wondering, he seems to have a habit of picking up strays from Equestria. He managed to smuggle us here to his home country and we’ve been living here ever since. Ironic that you disappeared first and ended here now, we disappear after you and end up in an earlier time in this world. Magic is just kind of stupid like that.”

“Thirty-eight years and you never found a way home?”

Swan looked at him and sighed, “Look, Nico, it’s not that Lon and I didn’t try. We did. For many years try to find a way home, but our lives… took a different direction. Seventeen years of searching got us nothing but crushed hopes and no life. So, we decided to start living a little, a few months later we had Ferocious and we just kind of just lived our lives.” Sadness glimmered in her eyes as she snuffed out her cigarette. “Lon’s life was cut short though, that made things hard, I think Ferocious was around eight or ten, maybe he was a little older, it’s all kind of blurred together now.”

“What happened to him? Patroller 0756… I mean Lon,” Nico asked. “I know Timber Wolves attacked him, but…” Swan’s humorless laughter caught him by surprise as she leaned over the balcony staring down at the blackened spots of the Minotaurs in the courtyard.

“Timber Wolves, it wasn’t just Timberwolves, it was chimera’s, cyclops, golems, a literal mini army of monsters showed up suddenly all at once! And Lon fought them off himself… well, I guess Bailey tried to help, but humans can only do so much in the face of such creatures. I’m sure the old man still blames himself, it was his farm they showed up on.” Swan took a breath, reining in her emotions. “Look, you probably have questions about what happened after you disappeared and I’ll answer them. But on a different day. Right now my only advice to you is when that girl in there wakes up, you take her home and you stay with her. Don’t go looking for a way home that isn’t waiting for you. I know Commander Sixes would love to see you again, Commander Fury too, but I don’t even know if they're still alive.”

Nico gripped the rail of the balcony, staring down into the courtyard with Swan. She was from after he fell through the portal, she was essentially from the future, yet she arrived in this world before he did or the portal was different. Regardless he had to know, “How many years had passed since the battle of Rainbow Factory? Before you come to this world.”

Swan closed her eyes leaning her back to look up at the sky, recalling memories long buried, “It had been five… maybe six years after you vanished.”

“I see… thank you, and sorry for your loss.” Nico said walking away.

Swan sighed as she took out another cigarette and looked up into the fading night sky, “I’m sorry for yours too.”

Nico stood over Applejane who was beginning to rose from her slumber. She looked at him with wide bright green eyes that reflected his sadness.

“What’s wrong?” She mumbled sleepily, rubbing her eyes.

“Nothing,” He lied taking her hand and helping her up. “I just want to go home.”

Author's Note

Late chapter set in 1988

Three Days from Home

Bonds Between Worlds Ch 5

By Foxgear

(August 23, 1992, Nico’s Log

Two or maybe it’s been three years now since I arrived in this world called earth. I have not found a way home to my native Equestria yet, and from the words of Swan, another Patroller from beyond my time, there may not be a way home. None the less I have not given up the search, while also keeping my promise to Bailey Apple to guard his farm from the monsters that appear from Equestria by some unknown means.

I have asked Bailey of his history of Swan and her late husband Lon, he only described his interaction with them as just him helping his fellow man. He has not dropped any hints regarding how much he really knows about them. I’ve decided to let the matter drop as it doesn’t seem to further my goal of getting home.

Well speaking of Swan, I must talk about my friendship with her son, Ferocious. He and I have become a sort of biker brothers, as he had aided in my instruction and acquiring of a motorbike. It’s a breath-taking experience, it’s almost like galloping on a horse, only much faster. Applejane’s mother doesn’t seem to like it, especially after seeing her daughter on the back with me, clinging to my waist.

That has been the biggest adjustment, dating Applejane. I find our time enjoyable and I have noticed the more time I spend with her; the less I feel the need to look for a way home.

On another darker note, monster attacks have been on the rise lately. More and more timber wolves roam the forest than ever and I keep finding tracks of something much more dangerous wondering the woods, but I am unable to find it. I worry about what manner of monster it might be and where it will strike next.

There have also been huge spikes of magic recently. They spread out like a wave over the land and it assaults my senses, blinding me of its origins. I wonder what it could be?

End of log)

Nico ran full speed through the southeast orchard, gun in one hand and a knife in the other, ahead of him ran his prey. A chimera. He fired five rounds into the chimera, blowing the snake and goat head into piles of gore. The back legs gave out without the goat head to control them and he jumped onto its back hacking away with his knife at the lion’s throat. The lion head gave a meek roar as it toppled over on its side, dead.

Wiping his brow Nico stood over his kill with satisfaction. He’s been chasing the three-headed bastard for a few days now, the beast only coming out at night. The chimera has been picking off the neighbor’s livestock and using the Apple’s vast orchard as its home base. It wisely it left the Apple livestock alone to not draw attention to itself.

It had been a strangely effective plan Nico had to admit. He had been looking everywhere but the Apple’s for the monster’s den, only finding the small cave by accident just today after discovering some scattered bones and Bailey’s off handed comment about small caves scattered around the orchard.

The caves were more like large dens, then actual caves, but they were large enough for cougars, coyotes and even a small chimera to squeeze into for shelter.

“I hope you don’t have a momma roaming around here, she might be a bit cross with me after this,” Nico chuckled as he looked the chimera over. It certainly was smaller than most chimera he’s fought, it was barely bigger than a full-grown horse. “At least you’ll be easy to bury. You just stay here while I go get a shovel.”

His eyes shining bright with magic Nico walked through the tangled orchard with ease through the late hours of the night. He gave a loud yawn looking up at the moon that hung low in the night sky. It was nearly morning; chore time would be starting soon. Breaking into a light jog Nico ran for the tool shed, hoping he could grab what he needed before the other farmhands showed up for work.

But his hopes were dashed, not by a farmhand, but by the lights on in the farmhouse. He cringed, remembering he had fired his gun. Of course, everybody would have heard the noise. Slowly walked out of the trees. Not wanting to accidentally get shot by one of the Apple men, who were probably still half asleep.

In the shadow of the porch light something moved, he stopped where he stood and held up his hands, “Mr. Bailey, is that you?” Nico called out. The shadow moved, they defiantly had a rifle in their hands. The person stepped out into the light and much to his surprise it was not Bailey, but Washington Apple, Applejane’s father.

“Nico?” Washington said looking perplexed. “What are you doing out here? Do you know what all the gunfire was?”

“Yeah, that was me. That cougar that’s been harassing the neighbors came by my place. Probably was attracted by the scraps I threw out for the coons, it woke me up and I chased after it and hunted it down."

Washington looked at him with disbelief, “You went hunting a cougar, a cougar, at night, by yourself? Are you insane? It could have killed you!”

Well, he wasn’t wrong, Nico mused as he shrugged off Washington’s concerns. He began walking for the tool shed, not wanting to carry on his conversation with Washington as that could lead to holes in his story being discovered. Also, he needed to bury the chimera before someone stumbled across it by accident.

However, his fate was sealed as he walked into the yard light, and judging by the gasps coming from the porch he’s probably really stepped into this time. Nico turned around to the horrified faces of Applejane and Granny Smith, who came out see what was going on, just in time to see his heavily blood stained clothes.

There was no talking his way out this one. As Applejane was already running towards him.

“Oh, my god, Nico are you ok? What happened to you?” She said concerned as she started frantically looking for any wounds.

Gently he took hold of her arms and held her back. He wasn’t injured so there was no need for her to get full of blood. “I’m fine AJ, it’s just cougar blood.”

“How’d you get full of blood if you shot it?” Washington asked, “It didn’t get the jump on you, did it?”

That. That right there was the reason he didn’t want stick around for conversation. Too many opportunities to poke holes in his lies. The Apple’s weren’t stupid people after all.

“Maybe,” Nico cringed, already imagining the earful he was about to get. Hopefully, he could downplay things. “Look, I was chasing the cougar, it got up in a tree and jumped down on me. I shot it, it died, I got covered in blood. Nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, yes there is!” Applejane said firmly as she began dragging him towards the house. “You’re coming with me, you’re going to get cleaned up and then I’m gonna check you for wounds and that’s that! After that, we’ll have breakfast.”

Applejane marched into the house with him and tow looking to Granny and Washington for help, but the two adults just snickered as his girlfriend dragged him towards the showers.

“You get cleaned up there Nico, but that’s all you two better be doing!” Granny called after them, which had Applejane’s ears burning redder than red peppers. He watched as his girlfriend ground her teeth in frustration while biting her lip as to not smart off to her mother. He found her expression rather enduring.

Ruffing her hair Nico placed a kiss atop Applejane’s forehead and went on ahead to the shower, leaving her fuming even more for messing up her hair.

A quick shower, with lots of scrubbing later, Nico emerged from the bathroom clad in a towel and did full body spin for Applejane’s inspection. As he had told her, he wasn’t wounded.

“Told ya.”

“Yeah, yeah, I can see.” Applejane retorted to his smartass comment. She held out a pile of clean clothes and stormed off into the bathroom. Leaving Nico a bit confused.

(Maybe, I teased her too much. It was a lot of blood.) He mused not thinking much of her strange behavior. (After I bury that chimera I’ll get her a treat from town. That’ll cheer her up.)

Quickly donning his clothes Nico left for the tool shed. Only to stop midway when he heard Booster give out a whinny. He changed course for the barn.

“We’re hungry! Give me some oats!” The stallion whined, whipping the entire stable into a frenzy. Now all the horses were demanding their morning feed. Looking at his watch Nico was surprised to see it was already six, thirty minutes’ past when he was supposed to feed the horses. He’d just have to bury the chimera after chores, hopefully, nobody stumbles across it till then.

Grabbing a five-gallon bucket and a shovel Nico filled the bucket with oats and began walking stall to stall, dumping a little in each horse’s feeder. He made sure to do Booster last for being rowdy.

“Sorry for his behavior,” Abi, Applejane’s horse, said as he dished out her oats. Three years after the incident at the rodeo Abi was still around, she no longer competed, but she made a good nag horse, and her foal was looking to be a good rodeo horse too. “Thank you, how’s Rocket doing? Is he behaving?”

“He’s like his father,” Nico joked as he dished out Booster’s oats. The big stallion snorted, standing up straight and looking proud. “He’s a good runner, he’s from good stock.”

“He’s also wild. He keeps this up, he’ll be glided.” Nico said giving Booster a look of compassion as the stallion grimaced, as a fellow equine he didn’t like the idea of gliding horses. He managed to convince the Apple’s not to do it if the stallions kept control of themselves. Rocket may end up being the first stallion gilded in two years.

Booster sighed, he didn’t want his offspring glided, “Bring Rocket in and I’ll talk to him.”

“Will do, buddy.” Nico smiled, earning a happy whinny from both stallion and mare. The chores were done. Nico was about to leave when a thought crossed his mind. “Hey Abi, has something been bothering Applejane lately?”

When she was feeling down or depressed. Applejane would come into the barn and spill all her troubles on Abi. Who would then tell him, so he could make her happy again. He couldn’t place it, but something seemed to be bothering Applejane lately and she refused to give him any hints as to what it might be. Like she was expecting him to know what it was that was bothering her.

“She has seemed worried about something, can’t say what, she just holds my head and mutters soft words,” Abi replied. Seems he’ll have to get her two of her favorite treats later.

“Thanks, guys, I’ll see you later.”

Going to the tool shed Nico finally got his shovel and went to bury the chimera.

Sugar Cube Corner was the town bakery, also the only bakery. The owners were a young couple Mr. and Mrs. Cake, who have recently married. The young blue skin woman was busy laying out another batch of fresh baked goods for the ten o’clock rush since the early birds had come and gone already. She looked up as the bell above the door rang, meaning a customer walked in.

“How may I help you…” Her usual cheery greeting faltered as a hunched hooded figure stood in the doorway. Mrs. Cake nervously looked over her potential customer/possible robber as they stumbled to the counter. From the two mounds on the person’s torso, the baker could identify the hooded person as female. “Hello… do you know what you want?”

The purple sweater-clad girl pointed to the tray of fresh goodies and in a raspy weak voice said, “One dozen, I don’t care what you pick.”

“Oh. Ok.” Quickly she picked out a bunch of sprinkled long Johns and placed them in a takeout box. “That will be six-fifty.” The sweater-clad girl reached into her pocket, making Mrs. Cake nervous, the girl seemed to roll her eyes under her hood and dropped a five and one dollar bill on the counter. She dug around in her pockets, clearly expecting to find the remaining fifty cents, but instead found a hole in her pocket. Big enough for two quarters to slip out of. The girl cursed. Then two coins fell on the top of the dollar’s bills.

Both the girl and Mrs. Cake were surprised to see Nico standing behind the girl. The girl looked suspiciously at him. Then took her box of goodies and left without even saying thank you.

“That was very kind of you, Nico, though I could have just given them to her. Fifty cents is not going to break the bank. We sell more than enough coffee to cover it.”

He waved her off, “It’s fine, I had some change burning a hole in my pocket. Now you have any honeymooners? Applejane’s feeling a bit sour.”

“Oh! I just made a fresh batch! Here you are.” Mrs. Cake retrieved two round donuts with chocolate icing and a huge mountain of vanilla cream and sprinkles on top. Very carefully she placed the two donuts in a plastic bag so they wouldn’t get shushed. “That will be two dollars.”

Nico threw the bills on the counter and left the store with his purchase in hand. Behind him, Mrs. Cake shook her head.

“Three years and he still hasn’t proposed. No wonder Applejane is frustrated. Then again…” Mrs. Cake looked to her husband Mr. Cake, who smiled goofily from inside the kitchen. “I can relate to love dumb men.” It took her husband two years, six months and twelve days to propose. Hopefully, Nico doesn’t make Applejane wait much longer.

Outside Nico placed the bag of goodies on the seat of his truck. He was about to climb in and go home when he caught the girl in the purple sweater in the corner of his eye. She was huddled in the alley, stuffing down her purchase with another girl in a green sweater. We’re they homeless? He wondered.

“Hey mister,” A devious sweet voice said. The purple sweater girl was suddenly behind him, startling Nico as he tried to get some space between them, but his back hit the truck and she kept getting closer. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

A dull pain flared in his abdomen. A knife was in the purple sweater girls hand, the blade caught in the chainmail sewn into his jacket. The girl looked surprised as she tried to pull the knife free, but he grabbed her wrist with crushing force. The girl hissed in pain, dropping the knife. He ripped the hood off her head, an impossible amount of orange fluffy hair popping out.

“Do you have a freaking pocket dimension in there or something? Also, this is a shitty way to thank someone.” He pushed her away, stomping on the knife with his boot in case she tried to reach for it. “I’d suggest you get out of here girly-(BANG!)”

A shot rang out. Nico clutched his chest, red blood spilling between his fingers like rain off a roof. Up top on one of the buildings the glare of a scope shined, the girl in the green sweater stood posed with her rifle barrel smoking.

As Nico fell back against the door of his truck looking around the area, there was no one else around, no panic of the gunfire, nothing. All was silent. Between gaps of blackness, he saw a green mist encompass the street and the soft haunting lull of alone singing voice.

(See nothing, hear nothing, see nothing, hear nothing,) Is what the voice chanted, two more voice joined, the power of the spell increasing as the mist encompassed the grinning girl before him.

“It’s nothing personal, Nico Vega, you’ve just been causing too much trouble for our boss.” The girl said. Her voice coming from all around him.

Nico pulled his pistol and pointed it at the girl’s last known position, “Neither is this!”

He fired once at the where the purple sweater had been and then once where the green sweater girl had been. No sounds of pain come from the position of the purple girl, but a cry of pain did from the green girl. The green mist cleared partially, revealing the green sweater girl clutching her shoulder on the roof. Her hood had fallen back to reveal her pink face and purple hair.

“Aria!” A voice screamed from the mist. Nico turned his gun towards the source and fired. No cry of pain come from it.

“Slippery, that one,” He muttered under his breath as he staggered away from the truck. He closed his eyes, listening for the third girl. He heard her voice floating in the wind, he pointed northeast, one building away from the pink sniper.

“Sonata! He knows where you’re at!” Nico’s shot rang out and the singing stopped. “Sonata! Sonata!” The green mist cleared, revealing a blue skinned girl on the ground, clutching her stomach and crying. Running across the open street the orange haired girl knelt next to her fallen comrade, whispering soft assurances to her. “You bastard! I’ll make you pay for hurting my sisters!”

Nico grimly raised his gun a third time, the pistol shaking in his grip from the loss of blood, “You should have thought twice before attacking me then.” Cocking the hammer back Nico took aim. A shot rang out but wasn’t his own. He fell to one knee, his pistol falling from his grasp as he put pressure on the bullet wound on his leg. Up above the pink sniper lay across the edge of the roof with her rifle smoking once again. She rolled onto her back panting hard as she pressed her hand against the wound.

“Adagio! Take him out!”

“I got it!” Adagio snarled angrily back. Rising to her feet, the yellow skinned girl pulled at the collar of her sweater to reveal a choker with a big ruby attached to it. The green mist gathered and flowed into the necklace. Suddenly the girl changed.

Webbing grew between her fingers, her fangs enlarged, her eyes turned red, thin see through fins grew on her arms and finally, a pair of pony ears appeared atop her head.

Nico gasped, “You’re Equestrians!”

But his fellow pony didn’t seem to want to sit and chat about her magic or how she and her sisters come to this world. Thus, he transformed too, which seemed to surprise her as she hesitated in her charge for a second. Fighting through the pain Nico batted her strike aside and reached with his right hand. Grabbing hold of Adagio’s throat. Her arm’s flailed in the air trying to claw through his arm as he squeezed her neck.

A shot rang out and Nico’s released Adagio, his right arm falling uselessly to his side. The pink one got him again! Diving for cover Nico hobbled to the nearby alley as the pink sniper let loose another shot. Thankfully this one missed. On the other side of the alley, he looked back to see the yellow girl missing. She must have gone to check on her friends. Taking his chance Nico continued to hobble, staying close to the building to avoid any further sniper fire. The further he went, the more the green mist dissipated. Meaning he was almost of their casting range.

Crossing the street, Nico found himself outside Canterlot High, the green mist fading entirely. He sighed in relief as he leaned against the horse statue in front. He took a moment to look himself over. Finding that his wounds had closed since transforming, which was nice, but he was still low on blood and the pain was making it hard to focus.

A huge surge of magic flared up. The same magical force he’s been sensing for the last few days and it was right behind him. On stumbling feet, Nico stood before the mirror located at the base of the horse statue. The flow of magic was massive. It was more powerful than anything he’s ever felt before.

He placed his hand on the mirrored surface and it passed through the surface. His hand comforted, twisting into a different shape, he quickly pulled it back through the mirror. Staring in awe at the mysterious magic.

“What the hell…(SLICK!)” All the air left his lungs as he felt the sharp searing pain of knife pierce his body, right through one of his bullet wounds on top of that. He stumbled forward into the mirror, twisting his body to look at his attacker, Adagio, smiling and waving as he disappeared into a spiral of colors.

Applejane made the rounds around the horse barn, bucket in tow, as she tossed a scoop of oats into each horses’ feeder. Nico was supposed to do this job today, but no one had seen her lover since he left to go to town this morning. It was now eight o’clock at night.

She hadn’t thought much of it at first. It wasn’t usual for Nico to disappear, usually, at her grandfather’s request, he would disappear on an errand and sometimes not be back until late morning. It was a rather suspicious setup, one that everyone on the farm ignored because it was her grandpa’s business and he signed everyone’s checks, so no one was ready to stand up to him. Except for Uncle Crabapple. He had longed vented his frustration with Nico’s bizarre activity, but that was just one thing on Uncle Crab’s list of issues with grandpa.

Yet tonight, she had a different feeling about Nico disappearance. The slight bulge under her shirt and the discarded pink stick from this morning making her paranoid. Applejane gave Abi her oats, stroking the mare’s mane as she chewed away.

“He wouldn’t run off. Not Nico, he’s… probably just running late. I bet he went straight home after finishing grandpa’s job today. He’s usually pretty worn out and he didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.” She continued to blab to her equine friend, her worry still firmly in place in her guts. Usually talking to Abi relieved them. “I’m sure he’s there.” She muttered softly, her hand stopped brushing, causing Abi to look up with worry. “You’re a mother Abi. Do you think I would make a good mother? I hope so, but… I’m scared... excited, but scared… I really wish I would have told Nico before he left, but… I don’t know how’ll he’ll react.”

Nico wasn’t normal. His lack of memories handicapped him in a lot of ways when it came to social norms and traditions. Thinking about it, it was probably why he hasn’t proposed to her, despite her yearning for him too. With the child growing inside her, time was kind of the essence. Fear of her mother’s scorn for having a child out of wedlock and she didn’t want to force Nico into marrying her. She did not want a shotgun wedding! And her family would host one if they felt they needed to.

“I’ll just go check on him.” She said giving Abi a false smile as she walked away.

Abi looked over to Booster, who looked back blinking.

“What?” He asked.

“You know what.”

“He said he would be back.”

“Booster!”

“I’m locked in here, what do you want me to do mare?”

Abi glared, “You and I both know you can kick down that door. So, help me if Applejane cries because of this there will be no mating next season!”

“Alright, alright, if he’s not back in the morning I’ll go look for him. Good enough?”

“Acceptable,” Abi said bedding down in her straw for the night. Booster simply shook his head and bedded down too, mare’s so demanding.

Unaware of the charlotte’s web level of animal concluding Applejane made her way through the dark orchard towards Nico’s shack. A cold wind made her hug herself for warmth. A bad omen. If there ever was one, but she continued, muttering a soft chant of, “He’s there, he’s there.” Out of hope and to keep her mind off the creepy trees. Even in the half-light of the evening, the orchard at night was creepy. She cursed herself for not having the foresight to bring a flashlight. Hopefully, there was one at Nico’s because she was not wondering around here after dark. Then again if he was there, she might just stay the night.

Ahead Nico’s shack came into view, the final rays of lights disappearing behind the trees, leaving her near pitch blackness. There were no light’s on in the shack.

“He must be sleeping, yeah, that’s it.” She whispered to herself as she walked up to the small abode. She felt a shiver run down her spine. Looking behind her she swore she saw a flash of glowing yellow eyes, but they disappeared. Probably just a trick of the mind. None the less she hurried into the shack, slamming the door behind her and slamming the lock closed. Her heart racing a mile a minute as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She’s been out here more than a hundred times, why was it so fricken creepy this time?

Once Applejane finished catching her breath she flicked on the lights. The first thing she noticed, no boots, Nico wasn’t home. Not only that his bed was still unmade, meaning he hasn’t been here since he left. He never came home today.

A cold fear gripped her, did he notice her bump? Is that why he’s gone? Did he run off?

She shook her head, forcing the thoughts away, if none of her family, including her mother, noticed, then there was not a chance in hell Nico noticed. At worse he would have thought she was getting fat, she would have slapped him, but he probably wouldn’t have concluded she was pregnant. At least she hoped, but she really wanted to talk to him about it now.

“Where are you?” She asked loud. Grabbing the flashlight on the counter Applejane reached for the door hinge but stopped when a long haunting howl echoed through the trees. Followed by a chorus of howls. The howls of wolves. She let go of the lock, keeping it firmly in place as she heard claws scratching against the side of the shack. Backing away from the door she pulled a rifle from Nico’s gun cabinet, shut off the lights and laid down in his bed. She laid the rifle against the wall as she pulled the covers over her head.

The wolves scratched at the walls till sleep finally took her and she laid her tear streaked face into Nico’s pillow.

“Nico… where are you?”

Nico had no idea where he was. Only that he was in a cage, scratch that, he was in a prison cell. He rolled, struggling against the chains around his legs, he tried to stand up. But his feet slipped on the stone floor. He didn’t have toes anymore. That was strange.

Tapping his feet against the floor they made a ‘clop, clop’ noise. Hooves. He had hooves again!

“Holy shit I’m a pony again!” He yelled or he would have if not for the muzzle around his muzzle. Still, he joyfully hopped to his feet, smiling like a fool as he looked at his hooves. His smile widened as his front hooves morphed into claws. He reached for the muzzle to remove it, but the sound of hooves made him hide his claws. He wanted to see who his captors were.

Four ponies, all stallions, all of them unicorns, in gold plated armor marched into the dingy dungeon. Three stallions stepped back as the pony he assumed was their leader stepped out from the pack, a sneer present on his face as he looked Nico over. From the red cap that hung off his shoulder, Nico identified him the captain of the royal guard.

“So, this is the bat pony you found lying about?” The stallion said with an upper crust accent. He was a noble for sure.

“Indeed, lord Grayblood. We knew you would want to deal with this personally. Especially with the Princess gone. His armor is strange, foreign made it seems, he could be a spy or one of those night devils that worships the mare in the moon!”

“Indeed, either way, the result is the same, spy or night devil.” Grayblood made an about face, heading for the stairs. “Take care of him like the rest. There is no place for his filthy breed in this country or even in the entire world. I will ensure no news of this makes it to the princess. Her kindness blinds her to this filth’s evil.”

“At once milord!” The three stallions saluted. Brimming with pride. Lord Grayblood had only the best for the princess, even if the princess didn’t know it. They were sure he would be king one day and they were happy to serve their ‘future’ king.

“Now bat pony it’s time for…” Snitch’s words died in his throat as the muzzle clamping the bat pony fell to the floor. Not only that the bat pony had claws, fangs, a lot of fangs!

Nico stretched his entire body, getting used to his pony shape once gain. The muscle he gained from working on the Apple’s farm seemed to have carried over to his new/old body. He was also a little taller, much closer to normal pony height than before.

“Sorry boys,” He said working his jaw. “But you made one critical mistake. While my kind do look a lot like bat ponies, there are a few differences between them and Rinin like me.”

The three stallions staggered backward as Nico approached the bars of the cell, blue magic pulsing violently under his scaly fur. “Rinin? What is that?” One of them asked trembling.

“You haven’t heard? What kind of backwater kingdom is this? Well, I’ll give you the short of it. A rinin is a dragon pony, we have claws and sharp teeth, as you have already seen. But we also have that one little thing dragons are especially known for. I hope you like lightning!” Nico inhaled, puffing up his chest and let loose a stream of blue lightning, melting the steel bar and frying the three guards. “Time find out what the hell is going on.”

Flying up the stairs Nico instantly ran into Lord Grayblood. The two exchanged looks, Grayblood one of disgust and surprise and Nico one of anger.

Grayblood yelled, “Intruder!” Summoning a horde of gold clad unicorns. Without so much as a warning, they opened fire, magical blasts pelting Nico from bother sides. What didn’t hit his armor sizzled and burned against his skin, but that was it. The attacks were quite weak.

Spotting a window Nico jumped and took flight. It was strange to fly again after so long, his wings not quite syncing up with his brain, leaving him an easy target as more unicorns poured onto the battlements and fired at him. He hissed as the spells sizzled against his fur, smoldering against his flesh. Taking a deep breath, he let loose some lightning, the electric blue arcs hit the gold-plated ponies and traveled between the entire group taking out twenty of them. Their companions quickly ducked for cover.

Lord Grayblood peered around pillar from where he hid, spotting a flock of black-clad ponies in the sky he smirked as he looked to the intruder fail about, “Commander Easy Glider! Provide us some assistance please!”

The Pegasus looked down at the battle through his dark shades, the unicorns of the royal guard were laying down a wide area of magical flack as they did battle with what looked like a bat pony spitting lightning at them. Another group of unicorns fell to the ground, compulsive shocks racing through their bodies.

“Come lads! Let’s show this fledging what real flying is! Wonderbolts! To battle! Thunderstorm maneuver!” The team of pegasi dived, black clouds forming around them as yellow lightning danced between them. The strange enemy looked straight up at them with silted eyes, inhaled deeply, and then let loose a stream of blue lightning! “Clipper look out!”

The red pegasus didn’t stand a chance. Easy Glider watch with horror as Clipper fell to the ground, burned beyond belief. Pegasus were supposed to be resistant against lightning, not outright immune, but they shouldn’t be taking down by one lightning strike! Unless… that wasn’t lightning that pony was shooting.

Easy Glider looked closer at the mysterious pony with his sharp eyes, seeing the scales, claws, and fangs from over fifty yards away. It looked like a bat pony, but that was no thestral. It was more like a miniature dragon with hooves. A dragon pony. Something that he thought was only a myth!

“Sharps, get Clipper, the rest of you with me!” Easy Glider barked pressing the attack. Even if it was a dragon pony, it was four to one and they were the Wonderbolts! The best combat flyers in all Equestria! They would not lose!

The power of their storm grew and as one they shot towards the Rinin In the shape of giant arrow made of lightning! Much to their surprise, their target flew away! They rocketed past. Completely missing and destroying a random building.

“You fools! Hurry up and get after him!” Grayblood screamed as Nico rapidly disappeared into the skyline. The four Wonderbolts got up from the rubble and gave chase, as dozens of pegasus from the royal guard joined them, while earth and unicorn ponies followed from the ground.

Nico glanced back at his pursuers while taking in the landscape. It had been hard to tell up close, but now that he’s seeing it from a distance. He realized the city he was just in was Canterlot! Glancing around he saw other familiar sights and villages and some not so familiar. None the less he was home! He was in Equestria! If that was the case, why had he been locked up? Where were the princesses?

Or maybe a better question was when was this? Swan said she and Lon disappeared six years after he did, how much time had passed since then?

Coming to a stop Nico turned and faced the four ponies leading his pursuers. All the flyers came to a grinding stop, none of them willing to charge him head on. The leader of the group that attacked him stepped up or rather flew up to him, keeping about twenty-five yards between them.

“What’s your name and rank?” Nico asked, surprising the stallion.

“Commander Easy Glider of the Wonderbolts, of her majesties royal forces. Who are you? Or rather what are you?”

Seems he’d have to give some answers to get some answers. Not a problem if would end this chase. “Night Patroller 088, Nico Vega of the Shadowbolts, of Princess Luna’s Night Patrol, no officer rank. I’d like to talk to Princess Luna, she’ll clear things up.”

Easy Glider’s brow furrowed in confusion, “Princess Luna… never heard of her.”

“What! That’s… that’s impossible! She’s Celestia’s sister! How could you have not heard of her? She’s the one that raises the moon for crying out loud!”

“Princess Celestia raising the sun and the moon. Look I don’t know what your game is here, but if you think you playing the crazy card after everything you did, then you…”

“You listen to me!” Nico interrupted, confusion and anger coursing through his body. “I have no idea how I got here, only that I woke up in a cell and some unicorn douchebag comes and wants to kill me because he thinks I’m a bat pony! I escape and then I’m attacked, and then you attack me! If you intend to kill then prepared to be killed! If some pony is to blame, blame that bastard Grayblood!”

“Grayblood…”

“Commander out of the way!” The other three Wonderbolts came barreling past him, tackling Nico and dragging him to the ground. “Wait, no!” Easy screamed, but it was too late the four disappeared into the trees. Not a few seconds later he heard the screams of his teammates, followed by a heart-chilling roar. He knew what he had to do.

“Commander Easy Glider where are you going?” One of the pegasus commanders asked as Easy Glider flew past.

“I must get the princess!”

The others simply blinked at the pegasus disappeared into the distance. Looking down into the forest, blasts of lightning and fire erupted from the canopy, followed by the screams of terror of their friends.

“I’m starting to think he had the right idea.” The pegasus commander said to another. The other agreed.

“Fools! Get down here! NOW!” Grayblood screamed as the ground forces swarmed the forest. They gulped and flew down into the trees.

Nico moved fast, jumping from tree trunk to tree trunk with blinding speed. His moon phase armor changing from pale white to the colors of the forest to help him blend in. It was amazing that function still worked! He wondered if he could get to work back home?

Back home… he was home, yet it didn’t feel like it.

Brutally he smashed a pony’s skull against a tree, jumping to the next and smashing another pony into the trunk with a sickening ‘crack!’ the gold clad ponies were endless and his nerves were being pushed with each squad he came across. The dragon inside him was rising to the surface, greedy for battle. He never had a problem controlling that side of him before, but he never had to live without it for three years either. Regaining control was difficult and not a priority when he was surrounded by enemies!

“LEAVE! (SMASH!) ME! (CRACK!) ALONE! (SLICK!)” He screamed plunging his claws into the last remaining pony. He was covered in blood. His whole body screamed at him to stop as the wounds inflicted by the mysterious girls that got him into this mess bled and the burns from the unicorns’ spells blistered in the misty air. He found a pond. In the water’s reflection, a demonic reflection of himself stared back at him.

He dipped his muzzle in the water, tasting a cool sip of water, the only peace he’s known since waking up. That was quickly shattered by an arrow piercing his side.

“SON OF BITCH!” Nico whirled around, firing a blast of lightning to focused it shot through the tree his attacker was hiding behind and then through the pony, leaving a gaping hole the size of his hoof in the pony’s barrel. The pony’s friend fled.

Warily Nico slowly walked through the dense forest. Hot steam rising off his body from overusing his magic breath. He swayed in his steps, bumping against trees, tripping over vines and roots. Each one more thing that fueled his anger.

The trees cleared away and he walked out to a familiar ravine. An old worn bridge swung in the wind, worn by weather and time. His eyes followed the bridge to the ruined castle on the other side. Luna’s castle. His home.

In a daze, he followed the overgrown trail, crossed the bridge, and fell to his rear. Staring at the old worn stone. Signs of battle were everywhere. Rusted armor lay abandoned. A huge hole filled the roof. He continued onward, past the old rotten training grounds, the withered garden the Princess used to tend to with great care, to the cemetery where they laid the fallen their tombstones broken and destroyed.

Inside was even worse. The halls were cold and empty. The banners nothing but tattered pieces of cloth. He took it all in silence. Descending to the lower levels, where the forces once blazed with life and fire were long abandoned, the armory was raided clean, the storage house fill of rotten food. Finally, the memorial wall, where the names of the fallen were carved in stone. The tears were already falling before he even read the names.

“Emerald Cutter, Overheat, Applejack, Allure, Rawhide, Tough hide…” And on and on he read each name. Some were missing. But that probably just meant no pony was around to write down their names. “Why…” He croaked. “Why did this happen? What the point of coming back if no pony is here!”

Nico slouched against the wall. Opening crying. He was tired, injured, alone and he just wants to go home. Home to where Applejane and the others were. A home that was warm and welcoming. A home where the ones he loved were still alive.

Behind him the soft clicks of booted hooves echoed, he did not bother to turn around, too tired to care and too tired to fight. He braced himself for horn through the chest or perhaps a spell. What he did not expect was a warm wing to warp around him. Like the hug of a mother, not that he knew what that felt like, but this was probably close enough.

Nico’s head turned up, dirty with blood and grime to the pure clean white coat of Princess Celestia herself, who was hugging him and crying?

“Princess…”

The princess smiled, laughing a lonely laugh as she nuzzled his face, not caring about getting blood and dirt on her clean white coat. “It’s you,” she cried. “It’s really you Nico! You’ve come back!”

Nico fell into the Princess’s embrace. The warmth of her body lulling him to sleep. He was so tired. So very tired.

“Princess get back he’s a monster!”

“He’s killed dozens of our comrades! He’s a heartless killing machine!”

Celestia sighed, protectively wrapping her wing around Nico. He was badly injured. He would need medical treatment and fast. However, it seems she needs to set the record straight with her guards. Not that they were hers. They were EUP ponies. Brave, if not misguided ponies that swore to protect her after she sealed her sister in the moon. They were funded and supplied by the council of nobles, but they were not her royal guard. They did have their uses; hence why they were still around.

“This pony is my friend,” She announced loudly and boldly as Easy Glider landed beside her. He looked uncertain of the situation, but chose to stand with her, she would remember that after this was cleared up. “Not only that but I own him a great boon. One that I am repaying now, if any of you still wish to him harm, for any reason, then it is me you will be facing!” To further illustrate her point Celestia called upon her own armor and weapons, giant twin axes floating in her magic grip.

A deep disturbing chuckle broke the silence, Lord Grayblood swaggered through the crowd of gold clad stallions, confidently standing before her. The princess’s eye narrowed, wondering what his game was.

“My dear soldiers, it seems that foul beast has cast some spell upon our beloved Princess! Join with me to help lift this curse placed upon her! By killing that night devil!” Grayblood gave a battle cry and a group of unicorns bearing his mark charged Celestia. He stood back, fully expecting them to be able to subdue the Princess. Believing her power to be all fluff. She was merely a unicorn with wings is what he believed. Once his guards overwhelmed her he would rush in and cast a charm spell of his own, finally winning her to his side. His plans would be-

The screams of his soldier echoed off the carven walls as Celestia’s axes tore through them like a tornado, their blood splashing onto his face. Celestia rose to her full height, her heavy stomps crushing bones beneath every step as she marched towards him and looked down at him like a goddess of war, rather than the kind-hearted princess he, no they, assumed her to be.

“Easy Glider informed me that you captured Nico and sentenced him to death. Tell me Grayblood, why did you go behind my back? Had you not this would not have happened. No ponies would have to have died today, not by Nico’s hoof nor mine, yet they did and it’s all because of you.”

“My princess, I…”

“Don’t speak, listen,” Celestia said sharply, clamping his mouth shut with her magic. She looked out over the gathered ponies. “All of you listen! I am centuries old. I’ve walked the earth long before you were a sperm cell in your grandfather’s, grandfather’s loins, and I am no fool, Grayblood. I’ve long suspected your crimes. Ever since you were appointed the leader of the EUP, bat pony disappearances have been on the rise. You covered your tracks well, but today, your crimes come to an end!”

Grayblood’s head rolled along the ground. Severed by her ax, Celestia not even giving it the time of day as she trotted out of the cavern with Nico tucked safely under her wing. The EUP ponies shivered and gulped as the uniform stomping of Celestia’s true royal guard emerged from the darkness. White earth pony stallions, clad in black armor descended upon them. The Wonderbolts followed suit, with Easy Glider taking up the lead.

One by one the EUP ponies sorted themselves out, till only those with Grayblood’s personal mark remained. Huddled together in a shivering mess that stank of fear and urine.

Easy Glider snorted angrily, thinking of the friends he lost this day, they didn’t need to die today. But they had and it was their fault!

“GET THEM!”

He was on something soft and warm, probably the softest thing he’s even been on. It felt like a bed. It was comfortable like it was made of cat hair or something, probably wasn’t but that’s the closest thing he could think of. The blanket was a little weird though like it was made of feathers or something, a strange material choice for a blanket. He rolled and tugged on the blanket, trying to roll into a cocoon to wrap himself in the warmth. However, the blanket made an “Ulf!” sound, followed by a heavy mass falling on top of him.

Nico was starting to think he wasn’t grabbing a blanket.

Opening an eye. He discovered his blanket defiantly wasn’t grabbing a blanket, but Celestia’s wing! He was in the Princess’s bed! And she was sleeping right beside him! He squirmed and panicked trying to get out of the bed as his memories came flooding back! He was being chased. He didn’t have time to be lying here!

“Shush, calm yourself, Nico, it’s ok. You’re fine. You’re safe.” She said softly like a mother to her child. His struggled ceased, not of his own volition, but because of the Princess’s magic. “Easy now Nico, it took several hours to get you healed up, if you move too much you’ll reopen your wounds.” She said gently as she rose off the bed. Smiling down at him. He stared back her, eye wide and filled with questions.

“What happened?”

“I had a usurper in my mist, a lesser noble that had forgotten my true…”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it!” Nico harshly, his breathing picking up. He struggled to speak as his throat became choked up as he recounted the names on the wall. “What happened to my friends? Princess Luna, Commander Sixes, Commander Fury, Applejack… what happened to them? What happened to my home? How long… how long have I been gone?”

Celestia looked sadly at him, her own mask cracking as she hung her head, “Five hundred years. It’s been five hundred years, Nico. I’m sorry.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“Nico, I don’t thing now…”

“Tell me! Please…”

She hung her head in defeat, “Very well, it all started two years after you disappeared, at the end of the second griffon war…” Celestia told the story of Luna becoming Nightmare Moon, how she was forced to seal her in the moon and how the Night Patrol her sister had worked so hard to make slowly dissolved, its members scattering to the ends of the earth, with only a few choosing to remain and continue to fight under her leadership and how after ten years they too left her.

“Sixes and some others wanted to try and see my sister again and they devised a plan behind my back to do so. I do not know if they were successful. Only Applejack knew for sure, but she would not tell me. I had lost their faith as I fear I have lost yours. When I first saw you. I hoped you would stay, perhaps stand by my side as you did so long ago, perhaps become Captain of the Royal guard. For the service, you did for me and my sister I would gladly give you all my treasures, even this castle, for you to stay and stand by my side once again.” Celestia’s ears flattened as she looked into Nico’s silted blue eyes. “But I see now, I have nothing I could offer you that could make you stay.”

Nico sat up, looking Celestia straight in the eyes, his face haggard, “I want to go home. To the home I made in the other world. To where my family is.”

A tear slid down her cheek as she smiled at the small rinin, “I can help you with that. Come with me.”

Celestia picked Nico up with her magic, pulling him along towards the room with the mirror that connected worlds. As she entered the hall both alicorn and rinin were in for a surprise as brown blur came rocketing past them! Followed by a horde of guards.

“Halt intruder!” The guards yelled as the brown stallion they were chasing slid on the tiled floors and came charging back. Plowing through the guards like a bowling ball, they were the pins.

Celestia rolled her eyes and captured the stallion with her magic. He was generic looking compared to the colorful ponies she was used to seeing every day. Brown mane and a brown coat with something that looked like a firework for a mark. She was about to ask who he was when spoke, not to her, but to Nico.

“Oh boy! Is that you Nico? You really are a pony! Oh, hay I can talk! I mean you and I could always talk, but I can talk like you and Miss Applejane now! This world is amazing!”

Nico looked blankly at the much more… compact… version of his long time equine friend, “Booster? Is that you? How did you get here?”

“Indeed, I am! I broke out and got old Red to track ya here, Abi all worried about Applejane, since you gone disappeared about two days ago.”

“Two days!”

“Yes, sir re bob! Poor little Miss Applejane’s been balling her eyes out at night to Abi, and Abi’s been scolding me, saying they’d be no matin’ if I didn’t find ya!”

Celestia chuckled as she set Booster down, “I see you really are missed. I’m glad.” Discreetly she did quick mind probe on Booster, reading his thoughts and most recent memories. She saw the girl he was talking about. Applejane, she looked a lot like Applejack, not only that she was with foal! Nico was going to be a father. She’d let that be a surprise for him later.

“If you two colts would give me a moment. I remembered I have a parting gift I want to give you Nico. Would you mind holding him for second Booster?” She said leaning Nico against Booster. The two stallions looked awkwardly between each other as Celestia returned to her room. After a full minute of rifling sounds, she returned with a saddlebag and placed it on Booster. “Come, we have little time left if we are to get you home. The portal only opens for three days every thirty moons.”

With no further delays, Celestia took them to the mirror.

“Take care of yourself, Nico, though I’m sure you’ve been doing that just fine before. Also, don’t open those bag till you see your marefriend, I left something in there for her.” Celestia smiled fondly at him, embracing Nico one last time. Indulging in the warm of another. She could not remember the last time she’s hugged some pony like this. Not in a long while, not with emotion and feeling behind the action. “Goodbye, Nico.”

“Goodbye Princess, it was an honor serving you.” Nico saluted as Booster carried him through the portal.

Nico and Booster emerged on the other side of the portal with Nico riding in Booster’s saddle. The scene probably would have been epic if not for the fact they were in front of school and Nico was looking like death warmed over. On the ground, the Apple’s dog, old Red, yawned looking at them bored.

“Nothing against you Booster, but I think I’ll take my truck back. I want to get to Applejane as soon as possible.”

“I would agree with you,” Booster said, “But they towed your truck. Crab brought it back the morning I escaped.”

Nico cursed, it was about an hour’s ride to the farm and he probably was not in any condition to ride. Looking around Nico thought of asking for a ride, but the street lamps were on and from the position of the moon, he’d say it was about midnight on a Sunday if he counted the days right. Nobody was going to be out.

“Let’s ride Booster!” Nico spurred the brown mustang into a steady trot.

(I’m coming, Applejane, I’ll be home soon!)

They arrived in the farmyard about an hour later. Booster panting harshly from the long ride as he trotted in on sore hooves. Nico wasn’t doing much better. He swayed in the saddle, his wounds reopening from the bumpy ride. Blood caked his face, hands, just about everywhere probably. His vision blurred fading in and out. A tree branch knocking off his hat.

“Where are you taking me Booster? The house is that way?” Nico pointed almost drunkenly, but it was probably blood loss. The big stallion snorted, pointing towards the light up ahead, the light was coming from his shack!”

Slowly the duo rode up. The light from inside revealed the scratch marks made by Timberwolves. Without Nico around seems they got a little bolder. Easing out of the saddle Nico caught a whiff of Applejane’s scent. Filled with fear and worry. He also smelt her tears. She’s been crying. A lot.

Reaching into the saddle bag Nico felt the jingling of gold coins from within, but that wasn’t the only thing. There was a box with a note attached to it. He pulled it out and opened the box, inside was a silver ring with an orange diamond, the note was from Celestia.

(I think you are long past due, give this to her and live a happy life,

Signed, Celestia)

Ring in hand Nico walked to the door and knocked. The latch opened and Applejane peered out like a frightened rabbit, only to throw the door open wide once she saw him. He was bloody, covered head to toe in wounds, but she still hugged him. Squeezing him for dear life. It was a sweet scene, but also a very painful one as Nico’s legs gave out, taking Applejane down with him. She kissed him and he kissed her back.

“I thought you were gone! And what the hell happened to you? You look like hell!”

“I just got a little lost on the way home,” He smiled placing the ring on her finger, she gasped looking at him with tears in her eyes. Nico fell against Applejane, resting his head on her shoulder. He was so sleepy. “I’m kind of tried… can we wait till morning to talk about the wedding?”

Applejane snorted as she pulled him inside and shut the door, “Yeah, I can wait till morning. I’m just glad your home.”

“So am I.”

Author's Note

Boon means favor

Getting down to the wire, only one may two more chapters left. I'm hoping to get this wrapped up soon.

My job as a monster hunting/apple farming/dad

Bond’s between worlds ch 6

By Foxgear

Nico’s and Applejane’s age, 36, Mac’s age 12, Applejack age 10, Applebloom age 5

(Nico’s Log, June 21, 2005)

It’s been awhile since I reported in. A lot happened over the years. Firstly, I got married, in like 1992. My first child, Big Macintosh was born in 1993, and sweet Luna I was not ready for that. I never spent a lot of times with the foals back home, so I was a bit underprepared for a child. Luckily my sweet Applejane was there with me. She knew what she was doing. So much so that we had another child in 1995, a girl this time, Applejane named her Applejack.

The name threw me for a loop. I have a hard time warping my head around my daughter sharing the same name as one of my Commanders back home. It’s kind of weird.

Anyway, life got a little more chaotic with those two little tykes around. Days were long and exhausting and so were the nights. I still hunted monsters when I could, but I’ve had to enlist some help from my friend, and the best man at my wedding, Ferocious. He and his friend Stryker Six have been taking on my duties a lot recently. I’m a little worried that it’s hurting Ferocious’s relationship with Luna.

In 1999 Bailey and Granny Smith and Washington moved out of the farmhouse, letting me and Applejane move in and take over the farm. The two moved to a smaller farm closer to town. Granny caring for her father as his health had been in decline. Uncle Crab Apple moved away after getting hitched to an orange farming gal a year earlier.

A year later Applejane and I had our third child, another girl, Applebloom. She is an adorable little thing. I cherish every day I spent with my three little ones.

I hope they never end.

End of Nico’s log)

Nico stared at the newspaper, his eye fixated on the headline. Another missing person, a young girl, about sixteen years old by the name of Frost has been reported missing by her school and the foster home where she stayed. This would mark the sixth foster child to disappear in the past two months. The previous two had been named Terra and Vines. They disappeared last month.

A plate of eggs and bacon floated in front of his face, his wife leaned in and kissed his cheek as she set his breakfast and a cup of coffee down on the table. Her smile bright and warm. A severe contrast to his scowl and frown.

“What’s eating you up, Honey?” Applejane asked craning her neck to get a glimpse of the paper. Her smile dampening when she saw the headline. “Oh, another poor child missing again. It’s scary how often this happens.”

“Yeah,” He agreed gruffly as his eyes fell on his three children laughing carelessly as they played with their pancakes. His fingers tightened, nearly ripping the paper as he thought of someone taking his children. His blood boiled at the mere thought of it, he could feel his fangs aching his gums, growing with his anger. His magic got hard to control when he was angry. Taking a deep breath, he calmed down, his magic settling and his fangs returned to their normal size.

“Daddy! Look at the funny face!” Applejack squealed in delight as she held up her pancake cut up in a smiley face. He smiled at her as he refolded the paper, tossing the depressing news aside for now. It was summer and his kids were on summer break from school. He didn’t need to sour their day with adult things like this. Let the world be all rainbows and smiling pancakes because some day it wouldn’t be.

“That’s nice AJ, now eat your food. We got a lot of work to do today.”

“Is Uncle Feri coming over today?” She asked as she struck her fork with her pancake, taking the whole thing at once and tried to eat it off the fork. Of course, it was a mess in progress. The syrup was already running down her chin.

Feri was Applejack’s name for Ferocious. She many got it from Luna, who was always calling him that. Now that he thought about it, Applejack probably didn’t know Ferocious’s full name or if she did, couldn’t say it properly. That drawl she got from her mother had her taking speech lessons. Not that they were helping.

“We’ll see. Depends if he gets his own stuff done first.”

“Aww,” Applejack saw slouching on the table. “I was hoping he’d give me a ride on his bike again.”

From the kitchen sink, the sound of plates being dropped into the water caught everyone’s attention as Applejane stood with her back stiff. She turned around her eyes small and vicious looking.

“Ferocious gave you a ride on what?”

“His bike! The one like daddy’s that goes vroom, vroom!” Applejack said reeving her hands. It really didn’t help the twitch in his wife’s eye as her gaze fell on him.

“Nico…”

“Well would you look at that Big Mac, it’s time for chores. Can’t keep the horses and cattle waiting, can we?” Nico said as he hurriedly slipped on his boots under his wife’s intense frown. He looked over to Mac, who was struggling to pull on his own smaller and in his wife’s words, adorable, boots. Whatever they were called, they were keeping him tethered, so nuisance was his name for them.

“Oh, come on Janie, we let the kids ride horses by themselves. They’re just as safe on a bike.”

“I trust Abi and Booster, I don’t trust that machine.”

“You didn’t seem to mind riding last week.” Nico countered, to which Applejane’s lips curled as she huffed and turned away. He just landed himself in the doghouse with that one. Luckily, he knew how to get out that. “Kids, go outside and play, Macintosh go wait by the truck. I’ll be a few minutes.”

The kids scurried out of the house, leaving the two adults alone. Calmly Nico set his hands on Applejane’s shoulders and began to rub them. “If you really don’t like Ferocious giving them rides, I won’t let them ride. Does that sound good?”

Applejane turned around, breaking free of the massage, she glared at him, pouting, “As long as you guys don’t ride around too fast, no faster than a horse. Got it?”

“That’s all we do anyway,” He smiled placing a kiss on her forehead, “I gotta go, I’ll see you at dinner.”

Striding out the door Nico climbed in the pickup and drove off with Big Mac in tow.

After checking on the cattle pastured out between the Apple’s and Cherry’s land. The cattle were a side project to earn some more cash in the winter months. Nico decided to go to town to pick up a few things.

Walking down main street Nico watched Mac shyly trail beside him. A grin spread on his face as he watched his son’s eyes dart towards Cake’s bakery, Sugar cube Corner. Checking the time Nico concluded dinner was far enough away that a little treat wouldn’t spoil it.

“Don’t tell your mother now, but you also have to pick out some treats for your sisters.” He said firmly, getting an excited nod from Mac. His son didn’t talk much. It was just the way he was.

Walking into the bakery Nico watched as Mac’s eyes lit up at the sight of all the delicious treats. He let the young boy loose with a five-dollar bill, knowing he would behave himself, while he got himself some coffee. The usual old folks already had their spots for the morning. Bailey being one of them.

“Mr. Bailey,” Nico said respectfully as he sat down.

The wizened old man gave him a soft grunt, “Nearly twelve years after marrying my daughter and you still won’t call me father. What a card my son in law is, right fella’s?” Bailey jested, earning a chorus of chuckles from the gathered elderly. Mac joined them at the table, in his hands was a honeymooner, Applejane’s favorite treat and Mac’s. The young boy looked embarrassingly away from the older folks for his choice of treat.

The preferred choice for the elderly group was a plain glaze or turnover, Apple turnover if you were Bailey.

Ruffling his son’s hair Nico pushed Bailey’s mug aside to reveal a honeymooner hidden behind it.

“So, that’s where they get it from.” Nico joked, earning a laugh from the other old folks at Bailey’s expense. Bailey just huffed and sipped his coffee.

“What? An old man can’t try something new anymore?” Bailey grumbled snarking down the crème covered treat in record time, followed by a long gulp of coffee. “Are you drinking coffee yet young man?” Bailey said gesturing towards Mac, who shyly leaned closer to his father.

“Not yet, Grandpa Bailey, Mama say’s I’m too young.”

“Bah, I had you Mama drinking by the cup when she was ten! Get a good cup of mud in ya and you’ll have hair on your chest and a pair of stones so large you won’t be able to swim straight! A little whiskey added will kick the shyness right out of ya too!” Bailey bellowed loudly with a booming laugh.

Nico shook his head as he let his father in law ramble on. This was a common occurrence. It might as well be routine now. Midway through Bailey’s retelling of his adventures with the ever-famous Colonel Hunter Gathers. Nico checked his watch, reading ten thirty, Nico figured he and Mac best be going.

“We’ll have to finish another time. Mac and I have some other errands to run this morning.” Nico got up, drowning the last of his coffee and slamming the mug on the table. “See ya around Bailey, don’t be afraid to come visit sometime.”

“Same to you son, it’s not going to kill you to visit either.”

Nico smiled and nodded, “Noted.”

--break

“One drive chain, a new muffler, crankshaft, and one front and back tire. That’ll be eight hundred fifty-eight dollars and thirty-nine cents, Mr. Vega.” The store clerk of the Harley Davidson store said ringing up the bill.

A while ago Nico bought an old motorcycle from one of Ferocious’s associates. It was meant to be a side project he and Mac could work on together. Now it was turning into a money pit. Thank god Applejane don’t know about it. The bike as of now was over a three-thousand-dollar project in parts alone.

“Thanks, Drive Train, have a good day,” Nico said lumping the smaller items into Mac’s arms while taking the heavier parts himself. “We’ll drive around back for the tires.”

“Of course, thank you for your business, Mr. Vega.” The clerk waved as they exited the store.

Packing up the tires Nico checked his watch for what must be the tenth time this morning. It was eleven now, they should really be on their way home, but there was one more stop that had to be made. Climbing into the truck Nico made his way to a certain bar across town.

“You just stay in the cab Mac, I’ll only be a few minutes,” Nico told his son while rolling down the windows. “Don’t talk to strangers and all that stuff. Honk the horn if there’s trouble.” Mac nodded absent mindedly, too busy playing with his transformer toy. Nico let out a sigh as he shut the door and walked to the front of the bar. A group of rough looking bikers hung around the entrance smoking.

“Anyone you don’t know goes near that truck, break their legs,” he told the group. The big man in the center saluted as Nico walked inside.

Swan’s bar, Swan being Ferocious’s mother, hasn’t changed much since the first time he walked into it over twelve years ago. It was probably violating some sort of health or building code, but good luck trying to get anyone from city hall to come to this place. The bar also acted as the VFW for the town, so there was a lot of looking the other way done by the elected officials in the name of keeping their positions.

Walking to the Biker club side of the bar Nico was greeted by many familiar faces he’s come to recognize over the years. Like that one long bearded guy he was sure lived in the booth he was sitting in, Lazy Dan, the president of the club Del Moore Rio, and Stryker Six who was manning the bar today.

“Ferocious here?” He asked the blue haired man.

Stryker looked at him with tired eyes and pointed an ashen finger to the stairs, “Boss is in the same place he always is at this hour. Have fun waking his lazy ass up.” Nico tipped his hat and climbed the stairs.

About three years ago Ferocious gained ownership of the bar after the passing of his mother, Swan, it had been Nico’s first human funeral of someone he knew. Her passing had been peaceful. She died in her sleep after locking up the bar one night. A bottle of jack on the desk and a cigarette in her hand. Her lighter on the floor. So at least she didn’t burn the bar down at the end. That probably would have made her mad, if not for the dying first part. At least she was with Lon. Where ever ponies from Equestria end up in this world.

(That’s a good question. Do we go to this world’s version of the great beyond or our own, or is there just one big universal place we all go? Also, what form do you take? Will they be ponies or humans?)

Too confusing to think about right now, also he was at the top of the stairs.

“Hey Feri, you up yet?” He knocked loudly, receiving no answer. Rather than trying fruitlessly again Nico entered the office. And immediately wished he didn’t. Ferocious wasn’t alone up here. Curled up beside the red skinned man was the very contrasting blue and naked form of Luna, Ferocious’s girlfriend and one of Applejane’s best friends.

The thin white sheets laying over the couple did little to hide their bare bodies, so Nico back stepped out of the room. Each creek and crack sounding like thunder to his ears. A low groan escaped from Luna’s lips as the couple rustled beneath the blankets. Her eyelids fluttering open to reveal her teal eyes.

She stared at him and then looked herself. Her eyes shot open and she let out a terribly loud eek! Jumping over Ferocious’s muscled form, flashing her bare bottom to Nico as she crawled behind her boyfriend for cover.

Ferocious rolled over, his eyes half open and disinterested. “Hey, bud.” Was all he said before seemingly falling back to sleep. Nico waited a moment knowing what was going to happen and as sure as he could set his watch Ferocious’s eyes snapped open in surprise.

“Nico!”

“Now you wake up! What do I need to do? Shoot a gun? Have you ever heard of this neat little thing called an alarm clock?”

“Har, har, very funny Nico,” Ferocious groaned rising up in bed. His blankets hiding his shame or pride depending on who you asked. “And yes, I do have an alarm clock it’s right over… there…” The alarm clock lay thrown across the room in a million pieces. “Well, I guess that’s what that ringing was this morning. What time is it?”

“11:30 am,” Nico replied, showing his watch.

Ferocious let out a string of curses, “Shit, sorry man, get out of here for a minute and let me and Lunie get dressed. I’ll be right with you. Tell Stryker to get some steaks on the grill for me. I’m fucking hungry. (SLAP!) Ouch! What’s that for woman?”

“Don’t cuss so much!” Luna scolded. “I’ve picked enough bad habits from you already! I don’t need to start cussing in front of my students because of you!”

“I don’t see how this involves me.” Ferocious retorted earning another slap. “Better make that five minutes, Nico. There might be some angry morning sex to go with that steak.”

“Urgh! I don’t know why I love you sometimes!” Luna screamed in frustration as she gave Ferocious another slap.

Ferocious merely laughed at the hit, “Well, I know why I love you and I don’t even have a degree in anything. Told you college would rot your brain.”

“The only thing rotting my brain is the bottles of Jack and James!”

Nico wisely decided to sit out their little squabble and left the room. He might as well call Applejane and tell her they were going to miss dinner. She was not going to be happy when he got home. Sitting at the bar he ordered Ferocious’s steak and a hamburger for himself. He then went to the door and called for Mac to come to inside.

“Order whatever you want, looks like we’ll be eating here today,” Nico told him marching towards the pay phone in the corner. “Stryker, got some change?”

Stryker threw a hand full of quarters at him, the blue haired biker’s face scrunched up as Nico inserted the coins into the phone, “Don’t you have a cell phone yet? Swear you and the Boss are still living in the nineties.”

“The nineties were only five years ago. Nothings really changed.” Nico countered, to which Stryker sighed and walked away.

“Whatever, don’t come to me next time you need your computer fixed.”

Ignoring him Nico dialed in the number for home. Explaining to Applejane that he and Mac would be eating at Ferocious’s. She wasn’t happy. Understandable as she went through the trouble of making them dinner. Course she always made too much anyway. It just meant more leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

“You two going to be home before supper?” Applejane asked on the other end of the line.

“We should be. I didn’t mean to miss dinner, but I have some things I need to talk to Ferocious about and well you know Ferocious.”

“He was still asleep when you found him?”

“And Luna,” He added with a chuckle.

“I bet she wasn’t happy about that,” Applejane said with controlled laughter. “Almost wish you would have gotten a picture. Then I could show to Celestia and I could really see a show. Tia scolds Luna like my mother did me, it’s not fun being on the end of her scorn, but it’s fun to watch.”

“I bet Hun. I’ll see ya at supper, sorry again.” He hung up the phone and took his seat at the bar next to Mac. Their orders come a few minutes later with Ferocious coming down in time for his. Luna also joined them briefly but quickly ran back upstairs when she saw Mac sitting with them. She hadn’t been wearing the most children friendly clothes, namely short shorts and a cut up Tee shirt that barely reached past her breasts. She returned a few minutes later wearing jeans and a black tank top that was obviously Ferocious’s.

“Hi, Auntie Luna!” Mac said excitedly waving to the high school teacher. Both Luna and her sister Celestia went to college for education and taught at their old high school, Canterlot High, the town rumor was both sisters were going for the Principle and Vice Principle positions. They would be the youngest in the history of Canterlot if they got the jobs.

Which made Luna’s dating Ferocious, a biker bar owner, a very career hazardous relationship.

“Hi, Big Mac, enjoying your summer vacation?” The young apple boy nodded vigorously with the brightest smile that only a child could make. “That’s good. I hope you're excited for next year. Are you ready for the seventh grade?”

“You bet! That means you’ll be my teacher, right?”

“Principle, hopefully. But I’ll still sub-teach when needed and I am the school consular, so if you ever need to talk just come by for visit. My door is always open.”

“In more ways than one!” Ferocious laughed jovially. Earning a confused look from Mac and a death glare from Luna.

Nico wisely kept to his food and didn’t join in his friend’s banter, even as Ferocious reached out for a fist bump. “Little early for whiskey isn’t Feri?” He said was Ferocious poured another glass and then just drank from the bottle. Nico gave a cutting gesture to Stryker and he swapped the whiskey with a bottle of non-alcoholic cider while Feri was still laughing.

“Luna, why don’t you take Mac to the park. I have some things I need to talk to Feri about. Business stuff and all that, boring adult stuff and the like. Not much fun for a kid. Here’s some money in case the ice cream vendor comes around.”

“I don’t even get a please?” Luna said snidely as she took the cash and Mac’s hand. “Come on Mackie, there’s a good park only two blocks away. We’ll leave the hard working men to their business. Try not to drink till morning again after your meeting.”

“She’s got a hot tongue on her,” Stryker whistled after Luna was out of ear shot. “I’ll clean this up and meet you and the boss upstairs, Nico. Everything should be laid out on the desk.”

Nico tipped his hat, “Thanks, Stryker, sorry for the trouble.”

The bartender biker snorted, “You, trouble? Nah, just fucking fairy tale monster bullshit with you. Ah, good to swear again, thanks for sending the Miss of with the kid. Boss likes to keep things clean when she’s around. I’ll be up in five to tell you what we found out this week. I think you’ll be interested.”

“Oh yeah?”

Ferocious leaned in, grabbing Nico’s shoulder, “Oh yeah buddy, you won’t believe what we found.”

Upstairs Nico sat on the other side of Ferocious’s desk as the bar owner shifted through a stack of files. Stryker entered the room and locked the door behind him. The two proceeded to whisper back and forth, peeking Nico’s interest as they sorted through a bunch of photos.

“What’s so interesting?” Nico asked as Ferocious snapped the folder closed and handed it to him. Opening it up Nico was surprised to see three very familiar faces. He’d never forget that orange puff of hair.

“Our boys spotted them in town this last week. Multiple times. They have a daily pattern. Blue girl here goes to the bakery on the south side of town every morning for an order of rolls. Pinkie here is visits the gun and auto shop frequently. Orange practically lives at the spa. If you look at the earlier photos they arrived in town in near rags, the next picture is a week later. Their cleaned up with new clothes and spending more money than anyone in town could make in a month. Funny thing is nobody remembers them. We even asked the baker right after Blue left and the owner had no idea what we were talking about. I didn’t believe it when you first told us about them, but you're right, they’re using magic. I gotta say, they sure are prettier than the last monster.”

“They’re sirens, they’re meant to be pretty,” Nico said flipping through the notes. Mildly interested in what was written down. “Might be why they haven’t aged. It’s been twelve years since I last saw them and they still look like high schoolers.”

“That’s going to make it awkward to get rid of them,” Stryker noted, receiving looks from Nico and Ferocious. “What? All I’m saying it’s going to be a little harder to burn something human looking to ash. Last time the monster was ugly as a pig’s ass.”

“Stryker’s got a point, Nico. Killing monsters has been easy, fun even, but these girls just look a little too human to get into it.”

Stryker and Ferocious have been helping him fight monsters for several years now. Stryker already knowing because of Ferocious showing him his transformation. They’ve done good work and taken care of many troublesome beasts. These sirens would probably the most dangerous ones they’ve met yet. He knew that first hand. But he knew what his friends were saying. The sirens did look a lot like normal girls. They looked about the same age as the girls that were reported missing in the paper. Few years his little Applejack would be that age too.

It made him a little uneasily about the would deal.

“I’m more interested in their boss. If we can get by with just capturing them and getting them to spill what they know, I’ll see about sealing their powers or something. They could end up being very useful.” Nico stroked his morning stubble in thought. The more he thought about it, the more reasons he found to keep them alive. “Do you have a location?”

Ferocious smiled, “Wouldn’t be bothering you with this crap if we didn’t, would we? They’re here.” He pointed to the old industrial part of town. The factories have been shut down since the mid-nineties, but the buildings remained. Some richer folks have been buying the property and remaking them into homes and businesses. Some folks over in New Orleans have been doing the same thing Nico read somewhere once.

“We couldn’t find out the owner of the property, only that someone bought it and has been spilling money into it like no tomorrow. The place uses a lot of electricity too.” Stryker stated, pulling out the building plans. “We have two main entrances a few sides entrances for entry. I think this alleyway will be best. How do you want to handle this Nico?”

“We’ll go tonight, meet at the building at eleven, scope it out and breach inside before midnight. I’m assuming they’ll have the place enchanted to turn away outsiders. We’ll use this to our advantage and go in loud and proud, all guns blazing as they say.”

“Sounds like a plan, see you tonight Nico, it’s going to be a party!” Ferocious exclaimed.

(It’s certainly going to be something) Nico monologues, getting up to get Mac.

Nico sat in his lazy boy watching the evening news. The volume kept quiet as not to disturb his wife and kids. Checking the clock, he saw it has been one hour since everyone went to bed. He hated doing this. He hated faking not being able to sleep some nights so it was easier to get out of the house. He hated lying to his wife. Most of all he hated leaving his kids unprotected.

Quietly he got out of the recliner and made his way to the door, carrying his boots in his hands. His gear was at the shack in the west orchard, he’d gear up there and then go meet up with Ferocious and Stryker.

However, as he went for the door he heard the faintest sound of muffled footsteps. Setting his boots in the shadows by the door he walked towards the stairs just in time for Applejack to finish coming down the stairs. She was sniffing. Clutching dearly to the handmade blanket Granny Smith had made for her when she was born.

“Daddy? Is that you?” Applejack sniffed in the dim light of the TV.

“It’s me baby girl, what’s wrong?” He asked picking her up. She tucked her head in the nook of his neck, her little arms hugging tightly around his shoulders.

“I had a nightmare. I dreamed bad monsters were going to take you and mommy away! They were big and scary! Like in the books!”

Applejane read the children fairy tale books before setting them down to bed. Most of them were the general fairy tale stuff, but a few were also Apple family fables. One hundred percent true stories, straight from the barely sane, Goldie Delicious’s mouth. Some of the stories were very graphic too. Like the tell of Billy Gruff Apple fighting a troll over a bridge toll or something like that.

“It’s alright sweetie, you don’t need to worry about any no monsters getting daddy.” He told her as he brought Applejack back upstairs.

“Why is that?” She asked with curious green eyes as he tucked her under the blankets.

Nico kissed her forehead and said, “Because your daddy is so scary, he scares the monsters away!” He said with a bit dramatic flair. Applejack giggled as he raked his fingers over her belly, her usual bright smile returning. “You get back to bed. I’ll go take care of any monsters that might be around, ok?”

“Ok, I think there’s one under the bed.” Applejack muttered as she fell back asleep.

Nico sat there for a moment to watch her sleep, fondly brushing her wild blond hair from her eyes. A smile gracing his lips. It turned into a deep snarl as he got on his knees, reached under his daughter’s bed and pulled a black cloud from under it! The cloud screamed mutely in his pulsing blue grasp, his eyes sparkling with rage as he squeezed the cloud tighter.

It was a Nightmare. A monster that feeds on children’s nightmares. They don’t start them, but they make them worse. Sometimes they’ve been known to cause their victims to fall ill from the constant nightmares they inflict on them.

The nightmare still squirming in his grasp Nico hurried downstairs as quietly as he could, slipped on his boots and carried the screaming cloud into the orchard. There he let loose his fury! Letting his magic flare, revealing his draconic teeth and eyes to the nightmare.

“If I catch your kind around here again, I’ll hunt you down and exterminate you! I’ll leave you to boil in the sun!” Nico yelled at the trembling cloud. A Nightmare could only be truly killed by sunlight, but he found a little something that works too. Holding up a LED flashlight he flipped it on, the bright blue light roasting the cloud’s body away in an instant. “I want an answer! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

The Nightmare Cloud nodded vigorously.

“Good, find your friends and spread the word. If I find another one of you in my house. You all die! Got it!” He released the cloud and it flew away as fast as it could. Normally he would have captured it and thrown in the sun in the morning, but he didn’t have time for that. Besides. This way might be more effective. A bandage over a long-term problem.

Nico checked his watch, “Ten twenty, better hurry.”

“You’re late,” Ferocious deadpanned when Nico arrived on the scene.

“I know, had to put the kids to bed. Nightmares you know?” Nico retorted humorously as he crouched beside Ferocious and Stryker. Just across the street lay the sirens lair. “You check out the place yet?”

“What else would we do for twenty minutes and you were right. There is an enchantment over the building. Made my ears tingle, while Stryker here didn’t feel anything.”

“Sorry for not being a magical pony or the baby child of magical ponies. I’m such a guy with guns.” Stryker retorted pulling two colt .45’s from under his coat. “So, we still going in blazing?”

Nico drew his own pistol, while Ferocious eagerly drew his claymore, “Yeah. They’ll know where here the moment we break the barrier, so take them out quickly. Ready? On three. One. Two. Three!”

The three sprinted across the street. The barrier sending a tingle down their spines as they charged their way through the front door. Inside the building, the main room was large open floor design with a pool in the middle. The sirens, in swimsuits, looked shocked at their arrival as they floated in the water.

Now one would assume this meant they had the advantage. Really humans were pathetic in the water, but these girls weren’t human. They were sirens. The sirens transformed, gaining transparent fins on their arms and legs and pony ears on their head. The red gems hanging from their neck glowed sucking in green mist from outside. Their magic increasing.

“Take them quick!” Nico yelled firing his entire clip at the girls, who summoned a wall of water to block the shots. Stryker ran left firing both pistols, the pink siren tracking his movements and firing a pressurized stream of water at him, cutting the floor like a hot knife through butter. Ferocious… was charging right at them with his claymore a blaze.

“Alright! Let’s have some fun!” The red biker yelled plunging his flaming blade into the water. An explosion resulted in the mixing of the two polarized elements. Sending Ferocious and the sirens flying! The three sirens landing apart from each other.

“Aria, Sonata, regroup!” Their puffy orange haired leader commanded. The two ran toward their leader, but Stryker’s barrage of bullets had them doing heel turns and ducking for cover.

Nico smirked, realizing their weakness, “Kept them apart! They can’t use instant magic like before separately! Divide and conquer!”

“He figured it out Adagio!” The blue one cried behind her cover. She peeked out, letting loose a high-pitched scream when she spotted Nico. “Ah, he’s still alive!”

“I can see that Sonata!” Adagio grounded out through clenched teeth. “Scatter! Meet up you know where!”

Sonata and Aria nodded, “Got it!” And ran off through the nearby doors.

“Stryker, Feri, go after them!” Nico ordered stepping out from cover. “I’ll take care of the puffy orange.” The two nodded and ran after the fleeing sirens. Leaving the two leaders to square off.

“So, you think you can take me?” Adagio said coyly, pulling water from the pool to surround her like a shield. Nico only grinned as he transformed, his wicked grin revealing his sharp draconic teeth while his tail swooshed excitedly behind him. Adagio’s eyes shrank in fear as she stared at the lightning dancing between his fingers.

“I’ve learned some new tricks since last time.” Adagio grimaced as Nico clenched his fist. “This time will be different.”

Sonata clamped her hands over her mouth. Her chest heaving heavily as the heavy booted footsteps of her pursuer thundered through the storage room. She pressed herself against a wooden crate. Her eyes darting fearfully towards the thundering footsteps. The tall blue haired man, Stryker is what Nico called him, passed by her. His pistols glinting in the moonlight. He didn’t have magic, but he terrified her. She bit her finger to keep from screaming out, the pain of her wound nearly unbearable.

She’s been shot. It hurt. It hurt a lot!

“Come out girly, I know you’re here, and I know your hurt. I don’t miss often. Good job erasing the blood trail. I wouldn’t have expected anyone to flood the entire room like that. Why don’t you give up and I’ll see about patching you up? Be as shame for you to lose a kidney or something.”

Sonata slumped down into the water. Rogue splinters scrapping her back as she did and the blood from her wound pooled around her. Biting her right middle finger, she moved her left hand over the wound. The pain made her bite her finger to muffle the scream.

(It’s only a matter of time,) Sonata thought dizzy as her vision blurred looking at the stream of her blood mixing with the water and floating out into the open. (It won’t take him long to find me.)

She fell against the crate with a thud. Her eyes fluttering in and out of consciousness as Stryker kneeled before her little hideaway.

“Shit, this is bad. Don’t worry girly, I’ll take care of you.” He said lifting her out from between the crates. Sonata’s limbs hanging limply in his arms. “Jeez, after what Nico said I didn’t think these girls would be so fragile.”

He had hit her in the side, close to her kidney, hopefully not too close. Good thing he hadn’t loaded hollow points tonight, otherwise they’d be no saving her. Walking outside Stryker tied her hands and pressed his hand against the wound with the bandana he kept in his pocket. With his other hand, he whipped out his cellphone.

“Nurse Nyx, we have a patient for you. Of the record, of course. Yes, yes, we’ll pay you. Come to this address…”

“Get back here!”

“Not a chance dumbass!” Aria retorted, firing a barrage of water arrows at Ferocious. The fiery man swung his sword, turning the water to steam. Gritting her teeth Aria scowled at her opponent as the claymore he wielded relit again. The damn sword was so annoying! Not only that it was making it so hot in here it was evaporating the water!

“Come on Raspberry! Let’s do this!” Ferocious taunted.

Aria growled as she formed a trident of water, a measly weapon, but it would do for now. “Come get it fire boy!”

“Gladly, I’ll make you pay for hurting my friend!” The cheery demur Ferocious had been putting up vanished in an instant, replaced with burning hot rage. The fire he made seemed to grow hotter too as Aria’s trident boiled in her hand, making her dispel the liquid weapon. The wooden crates caught fire as Ferocious swung his sword wildly, vaporizing the water and increasing the humidly. Aria gathered the moisture in the air and used it to form a whip of water and cracked it at Ferocious.

Again, the water weapon evaporated before it could even touch him.

(Great, he’s berserker type too,) Aria mused as she skillfully dodged Ferocious’s strikes. He clearly didn’t have any formal training. Good for her. But the heat he was putting out made it impossible to get near him. The very air was burning her throat and she was wearing a skimpy swimsuit for protection with her water supply disappearing by the second.

A heavy burning hand grabbed her shoulder, she shouldn’t have been spacing off! Who was she? Sonata?

Ferocious towered over her like he was Spartacus or something as monstrous and she had met Dracula! Also, she and her sisters might have been the inspiration for his three wives. Also, not the most important thing to be thinking about right now! Since there was a burning hot tip of steel pointing at her throat!

“I’d suggest you give up or I might slit your throat by accident.”

Aria raises her hands, Ferocious binding them tightly with a zip tie. “You’re not every good, good guys, you know? Threatening helpless maidens while their swimming? The scandal!”

“Keep up the sass, if you want, but we never said were good guys. Come on, let’s go. I’m sure my friends have yours rounded up by now.”

The building shook, thunder cracking from the main room causing the lights to burn out. Ferocious lit his blade for a light. Aria smirking in the orange glow.

“What was that you were staying?”

“Shut up.”

Lightning, this guy just had to have lightning! Were Adagio’s thoughts as she skidded across the slippery tiled floor. Electric shocks burst from the floor, arcing from puddle to puddle, also her hair was standing on end! That sucked! It will take forever to comb it down!

On top of that, there was the whole water conducting electricity thing. Elemental weaknesses were a bitch when you didn’t have the advantage. And right now, she didn’t have it.

Ducking behind the fake palm tree Adagio felt the tingle of static shocks pull at the hairs on her arms as lightning struck the fake tree. The insist chirp of lightning telling her predator was closing in on her.

She had no hope of defeating lighting with water and without the other two, her voice wouldn’t sway him under her spell. There was only one thing to do. Her boss wouldn’t like it, but what choice did she have? Also, screw her boss. It’s his fault she’s in this mess!

Making a break for it Adagio leaned down and slid across the slippery surface, using water to propel herself faster. Nico stood by the fake palm tree, gun in one hand and lightning in the other. He raised the gun as she hit the hidden switch on the wall. The wall turned and she disappeared behind it.

On the other side, Adagio panted for breath. Surprised that she had made it. The building’s dirty little secret. A secret lab. She stepped away from the secret door. The steel turning red. The sound of electricity buzzing telling her she didn’t have much time before Nico cut his way through.

The lab was moderate size. A lot of bloodied tools lay scattered about, along with notes, computers, test tubes, and much more. But what held Adagio’s attention where the two cages and what sat inside. Her master’s most recent pets. Both were female. He had a strange obsession with wanting females. Something about them being better stock for magic since they create life or something.

Whatever the reason. She didn’t care. As long his bloody hands stayed off her and her sisters, she’d bring him all the orphan girls he wanted.

“Get up girls, time to earn your keep!” She shouted opening the cages. The two staggered out of their cells, their eyes glassy and dead. Their spirits were broken long ago and their bodies… well, they wouldn’t be welcome in public anymore. Not with those looks.

The girl on the left, Subject four as she was branded. She was a tall girl with dull green hair and once had soft burnt wood colored skin. Now that skin was hard and covered in patches of stone. The stone forming a permanent armor on her body.

Next to her was the girl Adagio had snagged before their latest catch. Was Subject five. She had originally had blue hair and pink skin. Now. Now she was green. Green hair, light green skin, and green thorny vines growing out her wrists and ankles. A patch of vines covered up the girl’s modesty. Not that she had the mind to care.

“There’s an intruder. Go kill him and then his friends.” Adagio ordered. The two girls looked blankly at her before gaining a vicious look in their eyes. Snarling like animals. They rushed the door the moment it Nico finished cutting through it.

Nico looked surprised. The girls pouncing on him like a lion on a zebra. Adagio watched with glee as the subject four stabbed him with their sharpened rock nails, while subject five use her vines to ensnare him. Both tore through Nico’s armored coat, his blood flying in the air!

“That’s it! Get him! Kill him!” Adagio laughed.

Nico couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Two mostly naked girls came running at him like wild animals and tackled him! Dark magic oozed off their skin like they’ve been swimming it for weeks and maybe they have been, given how mad they looked. But that’s not what through him off his game. What shell-shocked him.

Was their faces.

He knew their faces. The same faces he’s seen for the past few weeks in the paper. They were two of the missing girls, Terra, and Vines. Except they weren’t human. They were twisted and changed both mentally and physically beyond repair. As the chainmail beneath his coat flew in the air Nico knew what he had to do.

“Dammit… fucking dammit!” Nico screamed in rage. He pulled his arm holding his pistol free and thrust into vine’s unprotected belly and unloaded the clip. The full metal jacket rounds blowing through her plant like body and leaving a fist-sized hole in her belly. The girl looked shocked as she fell back on her knees staring at the green blood that poured out her. Her eyes clear.

“What…what’s going on?” She asked with tears falling down her face. Her hands trembling as she held them over the hole in her belly. “Why am I green… why are these growing out my arms...why…do…I feel…so…sleepy…” Her eyes fluttered shut and she fell over dead.

Terra stopped her assault and poked at Vine’s lifeless body. Nico had read in the newspaper the two had been friends. He sighed, ejecting the spent clip and replacing it with a fresh one. Kneeling beside Terra, the stone girl looked up with tear filled eyes too. Her amber eyes stared at him and she pressed her head against the barrel of his pistol.

“Sorry, this isn’t going to be painless…” He fired, the first round cracking her stone skin, she screamed but did not fight back, he fired again, cracking the skin further. And he fired, and fired and fired! Slowly blowing a hole through to her skull. “Sorry.” He said firing the last round. Finally ending her life.

Dropping his gun Nico turned his eyes to Adagio. The orange siren gulped and backed further into the lab. Nico was on her in an instant! His eyes filled with rage as he grabbed her by her scrawny neck! His anger was so great that he was snarling, completely unable to form words as he squeezed the life from the siren. Her hands flailed, clawing at his arms, but he paid the uselessly flailing little mind.

“Nico,” Stryker said walking through the broken wall. Gun aimed at Nico’s head. “Let’s her go, it’s over.” Nico snarled, but let Adagio fall to the ground. She coughed hard, sucking in air. Stryker quickly tied her hands and duck taping her mouth. “Nyx is waiting outside. I’ll take her there with the other two. I’ll get a place to lock them up, set up later. For now, we’ll hold them at my place.”

“Sounds good,” Nico said, his transformation dissipating. “I’ll catch up. I’m going to look around this place quick. It seems… familiar.”

“Whatever, just don’t take you long. It’s about one in the morning, your family will be missing you soon.” Stryker leads Adagio away, pausing by the two bodies. “What are we going to do with them?”

“I’ll think of something,” Nico replied sorrowfully. “For now, wrap them up in some blankets.”

“Ok, boss.”

Alone Nico looked around the hidden lab. On the desk, he found notes documenting Terra and Vines extermination. Pictures showed every stage of it, from the beginning to the end. They weren’t pretty to look at. Every picture had the two young girls looking more and more terrified, till their minds were finally broken. His stomach twisted in rage at the sight of the pictures, but that wasn’t the end.

In the corner of some of the pictures, he could make out markings. Runes or script that he’s defiantly seen before. Walking deeper into the lab Nico found the magical sight where the girls had been changed into monsters. A faded chalk circle remained on the floor.

An alchemist circle.

Not just any circle either. He knew this pattern. In fact, it was the only pattern he knew. It was the same circle Doctor Hoofenstien and Doctor Madhoof used to make dragon ponies like him in Equestria.

There was only one person, no, only one pony in this world that could make this. Madhoof was alive and still up to his mad experiments. Somehow Nico wasn’t surprised. On the night, he was attacked outside Ferocious’s bar he had thought he’d seen Madhoof. He had played off as his imagination. When the orphans started disappearing, he hadn’t wanted to believe the mad scientist could still be alive, but deep down maybe he knew it was him. He just hadn’t wanted to accept it.

Nico clenched his fist. Cursing himself. It was his fault this happened to those girls. Because of his inaction, they were going to suffer.

“No more, I’m going to make this right. No matter what it takes.” He growled as he exited the lab.

Author's Note

It is hard to crunch the numbers to make the timeline make some sense. But I suppose that's what you get when you start winging multiple stories together.

Also somehow this story always gets the longest chapters some how.

One more chapter to the end of this little adventure.

Unbridled Rage

Bonds between worlds chapter ch 7

By Foxgear

Nico’s and Applejane’s age, 38, Mac’s age 14, Applejack age 12, Applebloom age 7

(Nico’s log May 15, 2007

Two years have passed since I discovered Madhoof was still alive. For those two years, we have been engaged in a constant battle of cat and mouse. I enlisted the help of the three Sirens that had once served unknowingly under Madhoof. I say unknowingly because they didn’t know their boss’s name. Only that he gave them food and shelter and a source of magic to feed off. They didn’t ask any more of their employer beyond what their next job was. In exchange for the information, I let them leave town alive.

With their inside knowledge, Ferocious, Stryker Six, and I have Madhoof on the run. Without the sirens to play bodyguard he had to start sending his half-baked experiments after us. None of them returned to him.

We have destroyed a total of twelve of his various labs and the number of disappearing orphans have dropped. We were getting close to his home base, which is why he’s being more cautious. Still, it’s only a matter of time till I find him.

On a lighter note, I have come across another Equestrian by the name of Sunset Shimmer. A letter was delivered to me foretelling her arrival. The letter bore the mark of Dusk. A unicorn pony that had been with my team when I was sent through the portal all those years ago. I wonder how she sent it? Is she here? If so why hasn’t she contacted me till now?

The whole ordeal was rather strange, but it was only right to help a fellow equestrian. Even if they have a huge chip on their shoulder. I’ve documented her as a cousin of the Apple Clan and set her up in the south shack, I hope she and my daughter can get along. They look about the same age and will be attending school together.

End of Nico’s log)

The sound of cranking and clanking echoed through the air as Nico sat on the floor of his shop, his arms and hands covered with oil and grease as he tinkers with Bailey’s old John Deere tracker. He calls Mac to bring him a different size wrench. Cursing as his oily hands slip, becoming pinched between the wrench and motor housing. Mac hands him the wrench and he slips it on the bolt head, pushing with all his strength to turn the rusted bolt. The head of the bolt breaks. Nico letting out a string of curses as he throws the wrench to the ground.

“Son of an Irish whore! Fuck, fuck, FUCK!” He seethes staring at the broken bolt head. It was stuck in the housing. Completely flush with the motor head. He’d have to weld another bolt to it and hopefully turn it out, but the chances were slim. The old John Deere might be finished.

Spotting Mac trembling beside him. Nico took a deep calming breath and smiles at his son. “Let’s take a break.” He suggests walking over to the fridge and pulling out two cans of root beer. Handing one to Mac as he pops the tab on his own. They sat down on the stools located in the shop and sip their beverages in silence.

They sat there for ten minutes never saying a word. Mac too nervous to speak and Nico to ashamed. He didn’t like getting angry over such small things, but his frustration over not capturing Madhoof was beginning to seep into his family life and his family was paying the price for it. He didn’t know how much longer he could go on like this.

A black Mustang drives into the yard, it was Luna’s car, Nico looks at his watch reading two o’clock. Applejack was supposed to be doing a bake sale or something. She didn’t look happy as she climbs out of the passenger seat of Luna’s car. Two boxes of baked goods in her arms. Applejack storms pass the shop door, spitting out a string of hushed curses as she stomps up the porch.

“Hey! Keep it down! Your mother’s trying to sleep in there!” Nico yells, lingering anger bringing an undeserved harshness to his voice. Applejack’s shoulder slump as she continues quietly into the house.

Luna walks over looking exhausted, taking a soda for herself from the fridge. “I’m guessing you’re not having a good day either, Nico?”

Nico glares at the tractor, “Not really. Mac why don’t you go off and play until chore time.” The young teen quietly walks off. Probably heading for his ‘secret’ fort he built out in the orchard. “So,” Nico began taking another gulp of his drink, “What crawled up Applejack’s crawl? Bake sale didn’t go well?”

“It could have been better,” Luna sighs, “She had apparently told everyone the school softball team would be coming in support and to play a mock game, but they never showed up. She’s been seething about her friend Rainbow Dash lying to her the entire ride home.”

“Rainbow Dash lying? Can’t really picture that. That girl is far too proud to go back on her word. Probably a misunderstanding. I’m sure they’ll work things out soon.” He chuckles wishing his problems could be so simply fixed.

“So, how’s Applejane doing? I heard she wasn’t feeling well.”

Nico ran his hand through his hair, “I don’t know. She’s been so weak and tired lately, but the doctors can’t seem to find anything wrong with her. Nothing shows up on the tests, but her body doesn’t seem to be getting any nutrients, but she’s eating and drinking fine. It might just be a strange bug she caught. If you want to go say hi I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

“No, I’ll wait till she’s better. I gotta go meet with Ferocious soon anyway.” Luna says checking her own watch.

Nico waves, yelling, “Alright, we’ll see you around. Oh, congrats on getting the vice Principle position. Put my tax dollars to good use, will you?” Luna merely rolls her eyes as she walks back to her car and drives away.

Returning to the tractor Nico begins trying to figure out how to get the broken bolt out of the head cap. Firing up the welder he tacks another bolt on top of the broken one, waits of the weld tacks to cool before trying to turn the bolt out. Slowly he works the bolt out, breaking the flimsy tacks several times before finally getting the old rusty bolt out. Deciding he’d done with this project for today he goes off to do chores. While tossing a bale of hay down from the loft, who else should he find playing in the loft then his youngest daughter, Applebloom.

“Hi, daddy!” She cries popping out from between the square bales, covered head to toe in hay. His daughters were defiantly tomboys, though Bailey just said they were actual country girls.

“Hey baby Bloom, what have I told you about playing up here yourself?”

“To tell someone first!” She exclaimed tossing up a cloud of hay dust. Causing Nico to sneeze.

“Right, but you can’t be running around here when daddy’s working with the pitch fork, so down you go.” He replies lowering her down to the ground level of the barn. “Run off and play in the sand box or something.”

“Ok!”

Smiling Nico resumes his chores.

After the cows and horses were fed and some apples picked. Nico staggers to the house, the sun barely shining over the tree tops. He was a little late. Inside the house, he found a plate of mash potatoes and meat in plastic wrap in the fridge. He heats the meal in the microwave, taking the time to wash his hands and face before eating.

Taking the first bite Nico frowned at the taste. Not that it was bad but different. Another bite confirmed his suspicions, Applejack had made the potatoes. Finishing the semi hot meal quickly Nico strolls over to his and Applejane’s bedroom. Quietly he tips toes over to her sleeping form and rolls her over.

Applejane’s face was pale, her eyes were sunken, her skin cold and clammy. She almost looks dead. The faint pulse of her heart is the only indication she was alive. It pains him to see her like this, a far cry of the warm caring woman he loves. It hurt the kids even more. They pretend not to notice, but they knew something was wrong with their mother.

“Nico…?” Applejane crocked softly, opening her eyes. Her usually bright green eyes were dull and unfocused.

“Sorry, did I wake you?” She shook her head or tries to. Barely moving her head an inch side to side. “Do you need something? Some food or water?” Again, she shook her head. “Alright. I’m going to go shower. You go back to sleep. We’ll see about getting you in to see a doctor tomorrow.”

“Ok…” She whispered weakly, her eyes falling shut. Nico stood there watching her sleep and listening to her shallow wheezing breaths. Whatever was affecting her was getting worse.

Stepping out of the room Nico went and showers, choosing to sleep on the sofa as to not disturbed Applejane again. Hopefully, this next doctor’s trip will finally shed some light on what’s going on.

The morning came fast. The kids were scrambling about looking for their notebooks and backpacks. Nico berating them for not simply putting them in their rooms instead of tossing them where ever. After passing out a meager breakfast of toast and juice. Nico had the three kids in the truck and down the driveway just in time to meet the bus.

“You three have a good day,” He told them as they climb out of the truck.

Pulling back into the yard Nico went about the morning chores. His mind on auto pilot as he threw out the buckets of feed and bales of hay. He wanted to get Applejane to the hospital as soon as possible, so much so that he was jogging to the house the moment chores were done. His hand barely touched the door handle when a sudden crash comes from inside.

He ran inside towards the source of the noise. In the kitchen, he found Applejane in her night gown on the floor coughing up a lung. A smashed plate lay beside her, but he paid it no mind as he knelt beside her. She continued to cough, and cough, and cough till she hacked up blood in her hand. Applejane stared fearfully at him before collapsing in his arms.

“APPLEJANE!” Nico scoops his wife into his arms running for the truck. Starting it and tearing down the road as he whipped out his cell phone.

“Canterlot General, Nyx speaking…”

“Nyx! Get the emergency room ready! I’m bringing Applejane in! She coughed up and blood and collapsed! You better be ready when I get there or so help me God! I will end you, Changeling!” He hung up on her before she could reply.

Quickly dialing Ferocious’s number. “Feri, I need you to go to the kid’s school and tell Luna Applejane’s in the emergency room. Do I want the kids to come?” Nico looked over to Applejane, he didn’t want the kids to see her like this, but… “Yes, have Luna talk to them first before bringing them. I’ll try to keep you guys updated.”

Nico arrived at the hospital. Nurse Nyx or full name Nyxia was waiting with a stretcher at the door. He laid Applejane on it, running by her side the entire way to the emergency room, Nyxia blocked him from entering the room.

“Sorry, you’ll have to wait here, Nico. Please just try to keep calm.” The Changeling Nurse urged, noticing no one bothered to remove Nico of his pistol. “You might also want to leave that in your truck.” She adds tugging his jacket down to cover the firearm better. “We’ll take care of her, I promise. Now go cool off. Doctor Blue Shield will want to know what to ask you some questions after they finish looking Applejane over.”

He stood in silence, processing her words and then simply walking away. Disposing of his gun in the glove box he quickly returns to the hall outside the emergency room. Waiting for what seems like hours. Taking only short breaks to walk around or grab a drink from a vending machine.

Nearly three hours later Luna and the kids show up.

“Daddy, what’s wrong with mommy?” Applebloom asks as she climbed on to his lap. Mac and Applejack standing near looking uncomfortable and worried. He didn’t have much to reassure them with though.

“I don’t know baby boom, but the Doctors are doing everything they can for mommy. We just have to wait.” Nico told them. The kids sat with him. Applebloom clutching to his side as Mac and Applejack sat in silence. Luna sat across from him, offering encouraging smiles every now and then, but they grew fainter with each passing hour.

At seven Ferocious joined them. The red-haired biker distracted Mac and Applejack with one of his wild and reckless stories. Getting a few chuckles out of the kids.

At eight, Nyxia called for him to enter the emergency room.

“Watch over the kids, I’ll be back.” Nico got up and follows the changeling nurse, who led him to a glass window. On the side rested Applejane, looking even weaker than before. “How’s she doing?”

Nyxia sighs and looks away, “The doctors found a toxin never they never seen before in her blood. They couldn’t detect it before because there was so little at the time they couldn’t isolate it, but know her blood is almost overflowing with it. It’s nothing no human has ever seen before.”

“What about a pony?”

“Tatzlwurm or lindwyrm to ponies not from Equestria. I’ve seen its work before.”

“Can an antidote be made?” Nico asks touching the glass. Nyx doesn’t respond right away. “Nyx?”

“In time, the doctors could take her blood and make an antidote, but without knowing the Earth equivalent of the ingredients it would take years to make. I doubt there are many manticores and Celestia Sun Flowers you know.” Nyxia took a breath and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m sorry Nico, we can’t save her.”

The whole world went mute for Nico as he stares at his dying wife. He turns away and begins to walk and then he began to run! He ran through the halls, past the nurses and doctors, pass his family and friends. He ran for the truck. His foot stomping the pedal to the floor as he drove for the school. He ran for the statue in front of it, the portal back home. He stares at his tear streaked face in the mirror as the rain began to fall as he pounds at the surface with his fist.

“Open up! Let me come home! I need to save her! I need to save Applejane, PLEASE! CELESTIA! LUNA! PLEASE LET ME THROUGH!” He cried in anguish falling to his knees. It would be another three years before the portal was set to open again. Nico knew that and had come anyway. Hoping for some miracle to happen. For Celestia, to will the portal open be standing there with everything he needed by her hooves.

That wasn’t going to happen. It would never happen. It was beyond fantasy, beyond even the furthest scope of reality, but he wished for it to happen. No matter how he wished though, the portal never opened.

Nico walks away and returns to the hospital soaking wet. He takes Applebloom by the hand, motions for Mac and Applejack to follow as he leads them into the emergency room.

“Let’s go see mom,” He says to them. Keeping the fact that it would be the last time to himself.

The funeral was a week later. Everything was happening so fast. So fast he couldn’t keep up. The entire Apple Clan was coming to it, on top of every person that ever met Applejane. Nico had no idea what to do, no idea what flowers he was supposed to have, the casket and stuff like that. Stuff he and Applejane never even thought about.

It pissed him off beyond measure. All the questions the funeral director was asking. How in the hell could he answer them when he couldn’t even explain to his youngest why her mother was inside of a cold metal box! How fuck could he know where he wanted to bury the love of his life!

Seething Nico grabs a bottle of ale from the fridge and took a quick swig before putting it back. He’s been reaching for the bottle a lot more this past week. A lot more. He couldn’t today. Not when they were burying Applejane today.

“Kids! It’s time!” He yells standing by the door. None of them came. Reluctantly he stomps up the stairs to their rooms. Applebloom lay on her bed crying into her pillow with Applejack beside her trying to counsel her and failing miserably. Her own face red from crying.

Moving down the hall he arrived at Mac’s room. The young boy sat silently on his bed staring at the championship belt buckle on his desk. Mac had won the buckle in a rodeo Applejane had helped train him for only a few months ago. Beside the buckle was a picture of the two after the rodeo.

Nico sat beside his son, putting his arm over Mac’s shoulder. “It’s time to go, son.”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I know you don’t, I don’t want to either, but I know I have to go. I have to go because I’ll regret not going.” Nico said.

“Why?” Mac asked turning to look at him. “What’s the point? Mom is… mom is already gone…”

Nico ruffs Mac’s hair and stood him up, “To pay our final respects to her as a family and to remember why we loved her. I know right now you feel overwhelmed with pain and sorrow and you're right too, but those feelings will fade with time. What won’t fade is your love for your mother. Even if you forget the sound of her voice and she was like, you will always carry your love for her.” Nico embraces Mac, the young boy hanging tightly to his waist. When they broke apart Mac looked at him with red tear stained eyes.

“You’ve done this before dad?”

His kids didn’t know his past, only because he didn’t speak of it. Hell, even Applejane never knew he was a pony from another world. It made it hard sometimes when they asked questions about it.

“I’ve buried a few friends before. This is different from that, but the feelings are the same.” He led Mac out into the hall. Applejack stood with Applebloom asleep in her arms. He should have sat them all down and spoken to them. Too late for that now, but there would be plenty of time later. He takes Applebloom from her sister’s grasp and leads the way down stairs.

Together they left for the funeral.

At the service, a variety of people spoke, telling stories of Applejane, Bailey was the first to speak, talking about how he and Applejane would pick apples together in her youth. Granny Smith following by saying how proud she was of her daughter and the children she raised. Many more people spoke until it was Nico’s turn. He took the stand beside his wife’s coffin looking out past the crowd to the rolling hills spread out before him. He imaged this was the spot Applejane would have wanted to be buried on.

“I met Applejane on a cold rainy night with a shattered rib cage and nothing to my name. Whether by chance or by fate she found me I will never know, but she brought purpose to my life. Through her, I found friends in a place where I had none. Friends that have been a great help in this difficult time. Lastly, she gave me a family and blessed me with three wonderful children.” Nico stutters, his hands trembling with every spoken word. He bit back the tears, his fist tightening as he looks at the gathered people. “Where I come from, a place far from here, we have a tradition when we bury our loved ones. We sing a final song for them. I would like to embrace that tradition now, please feel free to join me.”

The song comes to an end, the crowd falling silent as the Applejane’s casket is lowered into the earth. People begin to file out to their cars. Nico stood with his family by the grave, till only they remained.

“Come on kids, it’s time to go home.”

Back home Nico put the kids to bed, usually, Applejane would be the one to do it, not that he never did it before. It’s just… different. Applebloom didn’t want her usual story, Applejack didn’t want to talk, and Mac… well, he would talk when he wanted to.

“Good night guys,” He said from the hallway. Shutting off the lights Nico went down stairs. Stopping by his and Applejane’s room, which now just his room. Looking inside he saw their empty bed, wordlessly shutting the door and made for his recliner. Where he’s been sleeping this past week since Applejane died.

Falling back into the chair Nico pulls the blanket laying on the floor over himself and turns on the TV. Mindlessly he sips his beer while watching the local news. Nico was about to nod off when something heavy crawled onto his lap. A tuft of red hair fills his vision as Applebloom nuzzles against him.

“What’s wrong Baby Boom?”

“I had a nightmare.”

Nico brushes his finger through her hair, “I see, you can lay with daddy for a bit.”

They laid there for a bit in the dull blue light of the TV. Eventually, Nico wasn’t sure when Applebloom fell asleep again and he took her back to her room. After laying his youngest back in her best he found his middle child in the hall.

Applejack stood in her oversized T-shirt in the blue glow of the nightlight in the hall. The nightlight was there to help the kids get down stairs to the bathroom. However, he didn’t think she was up for the bathroom.

“What is it AJ?” He said tiredly. She fidgets with her hands, looking uncertain about what to say. “Speak AJ or go back to bed.”

“Are…” She began, tears and hiccups impeding her speech. “Are we going to be ok, dad?”

Guess it wasn’t just Applebloom having nightmares. Nico hugs Applejack and leads her back to her room. “I don’t know.” He answers honestly as he tucks her back into bed. “Someday things will be normal, different, but normal. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

“You’re not going to remarry, are you?”

(Where the fuck is this coming from?) Nico recoiled, completely blindsided by the question. “Can’t say, too busy to think about stuff like that.” He said with a shallow smile, trying to lighten the mood. It didn’t work.

“So, your replacing mom?” She asked tearfully.

“No,” He answers quickly and firmly. “Look, your stressed and confused, but rest assured I’m not going to start looking for another wife now or ever. No one could replace your mom.”

“Ok,” Applejack yawned snuggling down into her blanket. “But I guess I wouldn’t mind Cherry or Auntie Celestia if you ever did.”

(Ok… going just assume that’s sleep talk.)

Warily Nico returns down stairs, looking between the recliner and the bedroom. Turning off the TV he steps into the bedroom. For the first time in a week, he laid in his own bed, the first time since Applejane died. He reaches over to where Applejane usually laid, once warm and inviting, now a cold reminder of what was missing in his life.

“Sorry AJ, there’s no replacing her,” He said to the ceiling as he fell asleep.

The morning came quickly for Nico or should have but his clock read ten AM. Hours past when he should have been up doing chores. Did he forget to set his alarm? Turning the clock around Nico found it unplugged, did he accidentally pull the cord out last night? No that can’t be it. The cord was behind the night stand.

“Whatever,” Nico said groggily getting out of bed. The cows, sows, and horses will be bellowing up a storm by now. He better feed them. Nico rolls out of bed, pulling on a T-shirt and jeans and pulling his boots on at the door. On the porch, he looks out towards the barn to find Mac and Applejack out doing his chores and failing at it.

Mac stood up to his knees in cow manure, the feed buckets tipped over with crushed corn lying spoiled in the slop. Applejack was in the same situation with a broken hay bale. Fresh alfalfa sticking out of her hair as she tries to shoo the cows away, desperately trying to get the bale of hay to the feed bunk.

(What the hell.) Nico stepped off the porch towards the barn. Slipping his rubbers over his boots he jumps over the fence. “ERRYUP! GET ALONG BOSSIES!” He shouts with a booming voice, spooking the cows away. Grabbing the pails from Mac, Nico tosses what feed was left into the bunks, pulling Mac out of his boots and dropping him off the other side of the fence in his socks. Next, he picks up the entire bale of hay and threw it into the bunk.

Grabbing Applejack by her shoulders he hoists her up out of her boots too and set her beside Mac. Going back for their boots he tosses them over the fence, grumbling, “Go wash those up.” Slogging through the muck Nico went about finishing the chores.

“So,” Nico said after finishing the chores and staring down his two oldest. “You two unplugged my alarm?” They nod yes. “Alright, why did you do that?”

“We just wanted to do ‘em,” Mac said boldly, pushing Applejack behind his back. “It was my idea too.”

“Uh ah, I’m sure. Look, I appreciate the thought, but you two already have your assigned chores, when you’re a little older and stronger you’ll be ready for my chores. Now run along and get cleaned up.” Nico shoos them off making for the house. He hasn’t seen Applebloom yet, better go check her room.

Opening the front door Nico notices a colorful bouquet of flowers laying on the porch. He hadn’t notice them before, he wonders who they’re from. Picking up the bouquet Nico turns it over, looking for the card to see who it was from.

His blood ran cold when saw the signature. “Doctor M. D. Hoof…” Nico snarls as his hands crush the bouquet, the note falls off and clatters to the ground. Reading.

(Dear 088,

Sorry, to hear about your mate. Lindwyrm venom is so dangerous as I’m sure you know. Pity, I had only meant to send you a warning, but it seems I might have overestimated the dosage I slipped your mate while she tended to your Apple stand. How tragic.

It would be a shame for anyone else you love to fall ill.

Regards, Your creator

Dr. Madhoof

P.S. You have very lovely children. I’ll keep an eye on their progress.

Crumbling the flowers Nico seethes with rage, sparks of magic arcing off his body. Every light bulb on the farm flickers as storms clouds rumble overhead. The thunder cracks with such intensity it was like a cannon being fired.

The hurried footsteps of Mac and Applejack running for shelter brought Nico back from the brink. He clamps down on his magic bringing a quick end to the flickering lights, but the storm was here to stay as it continue to rumble overhead.

“That storm came in really fast. Should we be worried about it dad?” Mac asks looking up at the sky.

“I don’t think so,” Nico replies with as much control as he could manage. Staying where he stood, too focused on keeping his cool to do anything else. His eyes flicking over to the right, where Applejack stood staring at his hands and the crumbled flowers. Getting a clear view of his snarl.

“Who are those flowers from dad?” Applejack asked warily. “You… um… don’t look happy about them.

“No one you need to concern yourself off. Be off, the both of you. I… I need to take care of some things today. I’m gonna call Feri to come watch you.” Nico storms into the house, quickly dialing the bar’s number. Telling Feri to come out to the farm and to bring Luna if she was available. The kids might appreciate having her around. After that, he went out to his old shack.

The shack that had once been his home was now more a man cave but really acts as his own private office for his monster hunts. Inside were maps, newspaper clipping, and other miscellaneous things. There was even an old motorcycle he had bought a while ago. He and Mac were fixing as sort of father/son project.

Flipping on the lamp by the desk Nico pours over the maps that mark where they found Madhoof’s hidden labs, next there was a map with all the missing person locations. A lot of the missing persons coincided with the labs, as did many of the orphanages. Despite all this, they have been unable to find Madhoof’s main lab. The one he was most likely hiding in now.

He was missing a piece of the puzzle. But what?

Taking a marking Nico drew lines between the labs. The labs were located throughout various parts of the major parts of the city, where the colleges and stuff where. Some were clustered together, some were spread out, but none of them really connected to anywhere or made any patterns. It made since Madhoof wouldn’t set his labs up in a way that would lead to his real one. He wasn’t freaking TV villain.

So where…

Hours passed and Nico found himself no further than before. Looking at the big map on the wall Nico began to put red pins on the locations the orphans were disappearing and then green where the labs were located. There were certain parts of the city where there were no labs or disappearances that matched the profile of Madhoof’s victims. Females, from the ages sixteen to nineteen, all orphans. There were a few males taken too but at a vastly lower rate. He wondered why that was.

Looking at the blank portion of the map Nico found Crystal College to be right in the heart of it. Crystal College, why did that seem important? Where the missing orphans students there? No, no, Crystal College was an upper-class college, very expensive. No orphan could afford to attend it… unless they were given a scholarship or grant too!

“Holy fuck,” he cursed grabbing a handful of the newspaper clippings. Booting the laptop on the desk Nico googles some of the missing student’s names. Sure enough, some, if not all, had received a grant to go to Crystal College prior to disappearing!

Madhoof and missing orphans go hand and hand, this way he could pick and choose which ones he wants and up duct them! Nobody would care they were gone anyway. Most would probably assume they dropped out and took the money and ran. It was the perfect cover and all Madhoof had to do was not get his name in the paper. Which was easy for college professors if they don’t do anything stupid to gain attention.

“I found you bastard, I finally fucking found you! Walking over to the cabinet Nico retrieves his patroller’s coat and a short 12gauge shotgun loaded with buck shot. He was going to blow that bastard away piece by piece!

Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadence as known by her friends, was a student teacher at Crystal College. She was bright, cheery, and happy to help others at the drop of a hat. She had a boyfriend, Shining Armor, who she deeply loves and was hopefully going to propose to her someday. Overall, she would say life was a happy one.

However, starting a little over two years ago, back when she and her just on the verge of graduating from high school. They had graduated early via a special program for advanced students but had been called back to par take in the friendship games. Where Shining was handily defeated by a boy about two years younger than him. But that was beside the point. Two years ago, her friends started to disappear.

Now normally the disappearance of kids was a big deal, but when those kids were orphans, it seemed like they were brushed aside quicker than most. Who cared about a missing person that wasn’t missed? She did. Because they weren’t just classmates or friends, they were family to her. Her fellow orphans.

Yes, she valedictorian of Crystal Prep was an orphan. A fact that she didn’t hide, but also didn’t advise either. It probably had to do with her name. It was too fancy to belong to someone who was an orphan was the consensus. She didn’t blame people for thinking that, Mi Amore Cadenza, was a fancier name than most.

Back on to the subject. Her friends had started to disappear. Just up and vanishing. Many thought they just dropped out of school or college and ran away. After all, some of the orphanages weren’t in the best neighborhoods and the caretakers couldn’t keep track of well… anyone. If you were a teen you were expected to take care of yourself. If the cops didn’t have to bring you back, you didn’t get the ruler.

Again, she couldn’t blame people for assuming this. People had their own problems and lives and really what were they going to do? Go out and look for a missing kid in a city of one million people after work? Probably not.

For a while, even she too kept a blind eye to what was going on. She knew some of the girls missing, but she couldn’t say she really knew them well.

Then Kerosene disappeared.

Kerosene was a friend. A real friend. A friend she grew up in the same orphanage with, they shared a room for most of their lives! They were even roommates to this day! They both won grants to attend Crystal College, she went for teaching, while Kerosene went for Arson investigator. Ironic given her name… and hobby, but only old trash cans!

She just couldn’t believe Kerosene would just walk away after working so hard. Hell, she couldn’t believe she would just leave without even saying goodbye to her! It had to be something else. Which is why she was going through the school records. She has already deduced that a lot of the missing girls had won grants to attend Crystal College. They went missing in different places, but there was still that connection. Some never made it to their first day, others disappeared after a few months, but none had made it past their first year.

She and Kerosene had been about to reach their second year when she disappeared.

Trying to find something, anything, to connect them all was hard. Cadence first hunch was maybe one of the teachers was involved somehow. Like they were part of sex trafficking ring or organ sellers. Not a pleasant thought, but when most of the victims were female the mind tends to travel that way. Though there were few boys here and there too. Hence the organ sellers angle. All the missing people went into different fields of study after being accepted, so there wasn’t much to connect them other than gender and the fact they were orphans.

However, there was one name she did see come up a lot. Professor M. D. Hoof, the chemistry professor. The current teacher she was assigned to observe this week!

A sudden chill ran up her spine. What if it was him? What if she was next?

Checking her watch, she found it was nearly ten at night! Professor Hoof said he was going to be staying late tonight too.

“Maybe I should go home. Shining is probably worried.” Cadence began to gather up the files she pulled when someone knocks at the door. The hair on the back of her neck rose as she stares at the silhouette outside the door. “W-who is it?”

“Ah, you still here Cadenza. I had thought you’d gone home by now.” Professor Hoof said from the other side. He sounds… pleased. It was creepy.

“Um, yes! I was just leaving. Just have to put away some files is all.” She said quickly, picking up the pace, not even caring if the files were going in the right order. Whether her hunch was right or wrong she did not want to be alone with him!

The door opens.

“Oh, allow me to help you then,” The Professor said coming inside. The professor was a tall stocky man, with peach tone skin and brown hair. He looks odd in a world where people had skin and hair tones ranging from pink and green and everything between.

“No, no I’m fine. You can go home. You’ve worked so hard today already.” Cadence said hurriedly, but he caught her hand and took one the files.

“Oh, you don’t know the half of it, but you’ll understand when you start teaching.” Professor Hoof opened the file, giving Cadence a slanted look. “Quite the late-night research, planning to switch your major to criminal investigation?”

“Umm… my boyfriend is planning to. I thought I would… um… I-I should really be getting home. He’s probably worried! He’s probably in the parking lot now!” Cadence all put threw the last of the files into the cabinet and made for the door. Professor Hoof grabbing her by the arm and tossing her against the desk! Pinning her down with his body. She went rigged when she felt his arousal poke her thigh. He was getting excited from this!

However, his face said differently as it was twisted into an angry snarl. “You’re working for him aren’t you, you pink bitch! I figured once I taught those siren wenches a lesson, 088’s progress in throating me would diminish! But I see now those filthy siren sluts left a little spy behind! Well, I’ll be sure to package you up nice for your master!”

“What the fu-kagh,” Cadence didn’t get to finish as Professor Hoof grabs her by the throat and began to squeeze! She struggles frantically! Her breath quickening as her vision began to bleed to black!

(He’s going to kill me! He’s really going to kill me!)

Madhoof pulls Cadence’s head back by the pony tail and smashes her head against the table! Her struggles cease as he let her body drop to the floor. A low groan lets him know she was still alive.

“Don’t worry my little princess, I have much more planned for you, so much more, that you’ll wish I’ll have killed you here.” Madhoof chuckles while stroking her cheek.

Cadence groans as her vision flickered. She heard the door opening and someone walking in.

“CADENCE!”

It was Shining, what was he doing? She wonders. There was the sound of struggle and then things got quiet. What was happening? She was being picked up. Her head bobbing against the professors back. She saw Shining hanging beside her. The floor began to move, they went down a stair well, an old stair well. The one leads down into the school’s old basement. They go through a door, one with a lot of locks from what she could hear. The professor closes it behind them. They go further inside. There are more doors.

Through the doors, Cadence saw things that made her stomach ill. She saw monstrous creatures like those from the Greek legends, Minotaurs, Centaurs, lizard like men all with a woman screaming in blood-curdling terror as the sound of flesh smacking echoed off the walls. She looks away, unable meet the enslaved women’s glossy eyes. Their minds and bodies broken beyond repair.

She recognizes some of the faces. They were some of the missing girls!

They enter another door at the end of the hall. All the moans and groans and slapping of flesh were instantly muted once they enter the room. The room smelt sterile, like a hospital, but blood stains mar the floor and walls. Countless test tubes and beakers with strange liquid were everywhere. As if they had just entered Dr. Frankenstein’s lar. Maybe they did.

Shining disappears from Cadence’s blurry view, followed by metallic clicking. The professor begins to walk again and hoists her over his shoulder and lays her on a cold metal table. Leather straps are attached to her limbs.

“First, let’s get that concussion taken care of,” Madhoof says sticking something into her neck. It was a needle! Something was coming out of it! Her body felt so hot, but her vision clears and she becomes fully aware of her surroundings again. Cadence whips her head frantically around, her chest heaving as the panic began to settle in. Her only source of comfort was Shining Armor strapped to the table across from her. Which really much of a comfort, but at least he had tried to save her.

“What did you do to me?” Cadence demands, feeling one hundred percent again. Madhoof stood with his back to her, hunched over a small metal table.

“Nothing yet, I just injected you with a bit of healing elixir, very standard stuff where I’m from. Mundane even, but to you, I bet it seems like magic.” He said with a sly grin. Holding up a pair of metal scissors Madhoof leers over her, placing the cold cutting tool against her skin, making her shiver.

“What are you doing?”

“Preparing you, my new test subject.” In one fell swoop he cuts Cadence’s shirt and bra, quickly following was her skirt and then her underwear. Madhoof’s face remaining cold and emotionless throughout it all, as if not even caring about the exposed girl before him. “Now what to do, what to do. I’ve tried earth elements, water, and recently fire. All too mundane for a rare catch like yourself. Yes, yes what to do?”

“What are you talking about?” Cadence demands again for answers. “What have you been doing to my friends! What did you do to Kerosene!”

“Kerosene? Oh, the foul mouthed one, well no so foul now. Though she has still yet to know her place, she’s getting there. What to see?” Madhoof walks away from her. Returning moments later with another metal table. On it was Kerosene, the yellow haired and red skin girl was completely naked too, her eyes tear stained as Madhoof held up a red/orange syringe.

“Please, no more, no more, please! I can’t take it!”

“Oh hush,” Madhoof said stabbing the syringe into her breast. Kerosene began to wail tears of liquid flame! Her entire body turning to flame! Cadence screams for her friend, while Madhoof stood back looking bored. “I wonder if this will finally have the right effect. A whole mouth doing this and I still haven’t gotten it right. Poor workmanship on my part really.”

“You, sick fuck! What are you doing to her!”

Madhoof smiled a sickening pleased smile, “I’m making her better. My previous test subjected failed to kill my enemy, so I must make more. Unfortunately, it will be awhile till my long-term projects are ready. Thus, I must resort to this primitive way of doing things.”

“Long term projects…” Cadence thought back to the monster and women in the hall. “You are a fucking monster! You can’t treat people like livestock! You can’t even be called human!”

Madhoof just laughs, “Not human? That’s fine by me. I’m not even from this world. But I must confess it is your species that gave me the idea of selective breeding. The advancement of your sciences is truly amazing. Ah, here we are! I have the perfect serum combination for you!” The professor held up two syringes, one black, one white.

“What… what are those?” Cadence struggled against her bonds, but she was unable to break free as Madhoof positioned the needles over her chest.

“Light and dark, I’ve tried this on several others, but they couldn’t handle it, I hope you’re as special as I hope you are Princess.”

The needles drew closer, the ends pressing against her skin, in the background Shining was awake and screaming her name. Accompanying the wails of kerosene as she continues to burn. Was this it? Was this end of her life? Her freedom? Was she doomed to be this man’s puppet? What of Shining? What would he do to him? What would happen to Twilight, Shining’s little sister? What lie would she be told of their sudden disappearance?

The plungers of the syringes began to lower, their strange contents entering the needle when…BANG!

“What was that?” Madhoof said pulling the needles away from her skin. Cadence breathes a brief sigh of relief,
wondering what was going on out there. There were screams coming from the hall followed by BANG! BANG! BANG!

Someone pounds on the door, one of the creatures from the hall, “Master! Master! Please! Please save me! He’s a monster! He’s a (BANG!)” The creature’s voice fell silent as blood seeped under the door frame.

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then, BANG! The latch of the door shook as pebbles of cement fell off the stone door. Another BANG! Followed and glowing blue hand came smashing through the cement, grabbing the latch and unlocking the door.

The door swung open revealing a towering, growling man, covered in blood and carrying a shotgun. Lightning arcs off the man’s body, a long leathery tail swooshing behind him.

Cadence couldn’t tell if he was here to save them or kill them. But that didn’t matter as the mystery man took one look at the professor and grew even angrier.

“MAAAADHOOFFFFF!”

The man charges becoming more monstrous as devil like wings emerges from his back, Madhoof ran to meet him. The mad doctor’s body growing with huge muscles and ears appearing on top of his head.

They began to fight!

--break

This was it. This was fucking it! He’s finally found him! The bastard doctor that made him. The one he chased between worlds, the one that’s been fucking up his life, the one that killed APPLEJANE! He fucking found him! Were Nico’s thoughts as he delivers a powerful right hook to Madhoof’s face. The mad doctor didn’t go down, barely even flinching at the punch. He forgot Madhoof was an earth pony, their toughness, and strength carrying over to this world too.

“088!” Madhoof screams throwing fiery of jabs at him. The punches hurt as much as he thought they would. Nico’s armor scales barely doing anything to reduce their power.

“THE NAMES NICO VEGA! I AM NOT YOUR PET ANYMORE!” Nico screams back, digging his claws deep into Madhoof’s chest, gouging out a handful of flesh! Plunging his fist into the mad scientist’s chest, Nico fought through his ribs, trying to dig out Madhoof’s heart! “YOU TOOK WHAT I LOVE MOST! NOW IT’S MY TURN!”

Madhoof grabs Nico’s arm and tosses the smaller man into the wall. One hand pressed against the wound, while the other dug around a nearby table for a healing elixir. He picked up a green syringe

Recovering quickly Nico charges, tackling Madhoof and sending both barreling through the lab. Beakers and vials fell to the floor, shattering, the contents igniting as the two enemies continue to struggle. After tipping over a table Nico gains the upper hand pinning Madhoof under his knees as he ground pounds the scientist’s face into the floor.

“You killed her! (Punch!) You killed my wife you bastard! (Punch! Crack!) You took her from me! You took her from my children! You fucking (Punck! Crunch!) Piece of (Punch! Crack!) pony shit! I should have pulled you to shore that night and bashed your skull against a rock till it was nothing but mush! The only fucking time I’m grateful that you created me is right now! SO, I FUCKING KILL YOU MYSELF!”

Madhoof’s face was a bloody mess, his lip was busted, his right eye was swollen, while his left hung against his cheek. Blood and vomit rose in his throat, spilling out between his battered lips. There was no doubt, he was going to die. But he didn’t have to die alone.

Raising his arm with the syringe, he threw one last punch, stabbing Nico in the chest and injecting the green serum into the blue rinin. Nico staggers off him, hissing through his teeth as green mist rose of his flesh.

“What did you do?”

Madhoof splutters out a fountain of blood from his lips as he laughs. Nico’s response was to stomp on his leg, breaking it. He was going to do more, but the cries of the two kids on the table caught his attention.

“Save us! Save us please!” The pink girl cried as the fire grew hotter, engulfing half the room already. It wouldn’t be much longer till the whole place went up and then none of them would be getting out of here.

Going to his discarded shotgun, Nico loads the last rounds he has and took aim. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Four shots ring out as he severs Madhoof’s arms and legs, the mad scientist let out a cry of unyielding screams. Nico grabs him by the hair and drags him closer to the flames.

“Enjoy your trip to Tartarus,” He spat as Madhoof’s head became engulfed in the fire. With his claws, Nico quickly cut the bounds on the pink girl. Throwing her over his shoulder he cut the boy free and did the same, breaking off into a sprint to the outer hall. Where the fire had already begun to spread, feeding off the fat and flesh of Madhoof’s slain experiments. “Hang on, and close your eyes.” He told the two, quickly running through the gore, the blood of his slain enemies splashing onto his pant leg. He had left none alive, none. It was mercy. None of the test subjects would have been able to regain their sanity again anyway.

Carrying the two out the basement, smoke already filling the hall, Nico did the only reasonable thing. He broke the window. It was the first floor, so it was no big deal. Getting his two recuse victims pass the broken glass, he finally set them down on the sidewalk by his truck.

“Here, it’s not much but’s it’s better than nothing,” Nico said handing Cadence a jacket that fell past her thighs, so it covered the important parts as least.

“Thanks,” Cadence replied, looking jittery. No surprise there. She looks him up and down, clearly freaked out. He was covered in blood from head to tow. “You look normal now… what… who are you?”

Nico didn’t reply, instead chose to get into his truck. Madhoof had put a barrier around the school, hence why emergency services haven’t arrived yet. Give it a few more minutes and this place would have cops, and firefighter’s up the wazoo. They could take care of the clearly traumatized kids, or young adults, whatever they were kids to him.

“Doesn’t matter,” Nico replies, putting on his seat belt. That stab wound from Madhoof was burning and green bubbles were boiling around the wound. That probably wasn’t good. “Madhoof is dead, your live, there does need to need to be any more than. Cops will be here soon, stay here, tell them he kidnaped you and he was going to rape/murder there are plenty of bodies to clear that story. You never saw me and everything that doesn’t make sense stays in your head. Doctors will just assume you seeing monsters is due to trauma anyway.”

“You’ve done this before,” Cadence said matter of fact. Her face glistening with tears in the lamp light. Nico’s hands tighten around the steering wheel. He should really do more for these kids, but what could he do to really help them?

He simply replied, “Yes.”

“Kerosene, my friend who was on fire before the fire started, was there no way to save her? Was there no way to save any of them?”

“That’s beyond my ability to answer. I’m just a soldier, nothing more. As for you two, it’s up to you to decide how to move on from here.” Nico starts the pickup and pulls away, leaving the two kids to fend for themselves. He hated this part of the job. The shattered innocents of those he leaves in his wake
.

As Nico drove towards home he thought of Applejane and wondered what she would think of all this. Would she be happy that he avenged her? He laughs humorlessly. She probably wouldn’t. She’d be much angrier about him leaving the kids so suddenly. He had plenty of time to make it up to them at least.

The wound in his chest burns and frizzles, his skin contracting painfully like he was being stabbed all over again. He pulls the truck over to the side of the road, dry heaving badly when he removes his hand from his mouth specs of blood marred on his palm.

Nico stares at the palm for a little while before continuing home. He had kids to look after. For however long he had left.

Author's Note

Next time the Epilogue

Epilogue

Bonds Between Worlds Epilogue
By Foxgear

(Nico’s final log

There’s not much to say. I’ve hung up my coat and gun and made the necessary arrangements. All that’s left is to enjoy the time left to me.
End of Nico’s log)

Nico laughs as he pulls at the reins of Booster. Riding beside him atop Abi was Applebloom, this would be her third time on top of the horse and she was getting the hang of her. He took the lead. Trusting Abi not to buck or run wild with the little red head. Taking it slowly he leads Applebloom to the river that ran at the very north-western edge of their land. The same river he had fallen into the first day he came to this world.

It brought a smile to his face. He still wished he could have finished Madhoof of that night, but things were as they were. He couldn’t change them.

“You’ve been smiling a lot lately daddy,” Applebloom chimed riding up beside him. “It’s nice.”

“I’m just happy to see you smiling, Baby Boom.”

Only five days have passed since he put an end to Madhoof. Crystal College was in an uproar as the authorities uncovered all Madhoof’s dirty secrets. In the meantime, he’s been putting on a constant smile for his kids. Spending every waking minute of every day with them.

It’s been a struggle. Madhoof’s last attack had been poisonous. The same kind of poison that he infected Applejane with. He went and had Nyx test him. The poison was eating away at his body at much faster rate. He could die any day, maybe even today for all he knew. Only through his magic was he still able to move, without it, he wouldn’t even be able to move.

They rode a little further following the river. Like Nico predicted they come across a certain tree. Pulling Booster to a stop Nico points to the tree. “That’s where I met your mother.” He said nostalgically.

“Wow! Really?” Applebloom said excitedly.

Dismounting Booster Nico walks over and places his hand on the tree, remembering the night Applejane found him. “Yep, right here. I was sitting right here… when… she……. found…me…”

“Dad!” Applebloom quickly dismounts Abi, running to Nico’s side as he lay on his side coughing up a fit! She fidgets uncertain what to do to help him as he coughs up blood! “Dad! DAD! What’s wrong? What do I do?” She cries shaking him by the shoulder. “Dad!”

“You should go get help. I’ll stay here with him.” A female voice said suddenly. Applebloom turns her tear stricken face toward the mysterious voice but found no one there. Scared and worried for her dad she jumps on Abi and takes off for the farm yard.

Booster nudges Nico with his head, helping his friend to sit up right. Nico pats the stallion on the head, his breathing labored.

“Do you know who that was, boy?” Nico asked the stallion. Booster whips head around, saying he didn’t know. Causing Nico to chuckle. “I thought it was Applejane for a second, but… I must be hearing things… god… I feel so tired. I think… I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up when the kids get here will you?”

Nico closes his eyes, catching the outline of a feminine figure in the distant. He wondered who it is.

Ten minutes later Applebloom arrives with her older brother and sister, Big Mac and Applejack. They found Nico still sitting against the tree. Booster nudging his body, trying to wake him up. Except he wouldn’t wake up.

Nico Vega Apple, died on May 20th, 2007, sitting against the same tree where he met the love of his life.

(Ferocious and Luna’s Epilogue)

Three individuals, Granny Smith, Ferocious, and Luna all sat together before the desk of Barrister Mclawburg, attorney. In attendance besides Mr. Mclawburg, was Ms. Caretaker from child services. A day has passed since Nico Vega, son in law to Granny Smith and friend to Ferocious and Luna had passed away. While the undertaker tends to his body, the matter of who was to care for three children left behind was to be hashed out between the three.

Granny Smith held claim over them as she was the mother of their mother and was eligible by law to take custody of her own grandkids. On that same token, Ferocious and Luna were the three children’s’ godparents. Selected by both Nico and Applejane.

The matter now was to decide who was best for the children?

Luna and Ferocious, while a couple was unmarried and still living separately. Being the vice principal of the children’s school had many plus and minus and it gives Luna an edge in the parental department. Ferocious muddied the waters. While those who knew him, knew he was a kind and responsible individual (Most of the time) He did run a biker club bar, currently, the leader of said biker club and has a less than flattering past.

Overall any positive brought by Luna was negated by Ferocious. The fact they weren’t married yet was also concerning as no one could be sure of the stability of their relationship with having to suddenly care for three kids that have not lost one, both of their parents in the span of two weeks.

On the case of Granny Smith, she was an experienced caregiver, with a stable income and home life and was a blood relative. The cons were her age, pushing into the high sixties, though she remains healthy. It would be problematic if she were to fall ill, once again thrusting the kids into the same situation they found themselves in now.

The debate was on.

“In my opinion.” Mclawburg began, fiddling with his glasses as he looked over the twos files. “I do not see any major issue with either of you taking charge of the Apple children. To you Mr. Ferocious and Miss Luna, I would say that since you volunteered for the responsibility in an event such as this. I would assume you’d be prepared to take on the burden. On the plus, you are both employed and make enough to be considered finically stable. However, while not required by law. I certainly would rather have you too married, but that is my personal bias. What say, you Ms. Caretaker?”

The porkily blue woman clicked her tongue in dismay, “While I usually wouldn’t have a problem with someone of Miss Luna’s cardinals. I find I cannot support her and Mr. Ferocious given his past misgivings and… seedy business. Also, I cannot find conscience in a teacher who would choose such a man as a life partner. It shows a lack of sound judgment in my mind, at least on paper.”

“Now hold on just gum flapping minute!” Granny commanded gaining the attention of the entire room. “While I do believe I would be more suited to care for mah own kin, it is not because I think these two young lovers are unqualified! If I were to die right this second, I would die happy knowing these two, these two chosen by mah own flesh and blood and the man that won her heart, would be more than qualified to look after my grandkids.”

Granny turns to look the young couple in the square in the eye, her features softened as she spoke to them. “That said, I don’t want you to have that burden. The kids are well behaved enough most of the time, but times will be tough too. And well I know you two could handle it, it wouldn’t be easy. I want you two to have your own life, your own kids. I’ll admit I’m old and a little worn, but I have some spirit left in me. Let me carry this one last burden.” A tear rolled down the elderly woman’s face. “I see so much of them in the kids… please. For however long it maybe. Let me take care of mah family.”

Ferocious and Luna looked between each other. They had talked about this a little bit the night before. Fully intending to take the burden from Granny and live up to the promise they made to their friends. Yet…

Luna’s closed her fist, visibly shaking. It felt like such a betrayal. Like she was giving up before even trying. But the doubt, the doubt that she, no, they may not be the best choice weighed heavily on her. Her shoulder’s slump as she grabs Ferocious’s hand tightly.

“We’ll let Granny take custody.”

(Big Mac’s Epilogue)

The following day, the funeral of Nico Vega. Once again, the friends and family of the Apple clan gather. The crowd, while big, wasn’t as large as it had been before. Many of the Apples while having met Nico didn’t really know him, but many still come out of respect for their family. Nico’s friends were few. There were Ferocious, Stryker Six, Luna, and Celestia, but not much else. A few of the bikers from the bar attended too, but they didn’t know him well enough to really speak about him. There were two surprise guests, two students from Crystal College, Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. Nobody knew why they were there.

Mac sat in the front row, Applejack and Applebloom on one side and Granny Smith and Great Grandpa Bailey on one side. He faces towards the head of the hot church. His father lying peacefully in his casket in the same spot his mother had been not two weeks ago. His silver hair combed and his hands folded over each other. It looked like he was sleeping.

“We will now have words of the departed,” The Pastor announced. Mac watched Bailey raise and stride up to the podium in the sanctuary. The old Patriarch of the Apple Clan looking worn and defeated as he took the stand.

“I buried my granddaughter not two weeks ago. Now I’m burying her husband. A man I loved like a second son. I saw much of myself in Nico, determination, drive, and overall strict sense of duty. I didn’t know his past. Only that he was a man I could trust to my only granddaughter too. Even after her passing. I still believed that. He stood firm and didn’t break. I know not what strange disease took him and Applejane from this world. Only that he never let his pain show. He was and truly is a man among men.” Bailey steps away from the stand, hobbling back to his seat with his cane. Mac spotting the tiniest of glistening around his wrinkled eyes that showed the true depth of the old man’s sadness.

Next to take the stand was Ferocious. Looking uncomfortable in his suit as he took the stand.

“I’m not good at these things. Mainly because I never had to do one of these before.” He visibly sighs, his body shaking with emotions he kept tightly gripped. “I lost my dad when I was young. I was probably only seventeen. I know that doesn’t sound relevant, but there’s a connection just be patient. I met Nico when I was twenty-one. I had been jumped by some ass… not so friendly folks and I ran into Nico and Applejane, as well as Luna and her sister Celestia. Nico helped me out. A stranger in a leather jacket and looked like trouble with a capital T. But he helped me anyway. Later I noticed he wore the patch as my dad. I never did find out what it meant, but I like to think Dad sent Nico my way to straighten out my life. Nico… Nico was like an older brother. And I’m going to miss him very much.”

Ferocious returns to his seat beside Luna, who wraps her arm around him.

“Are there any others who would like to speak?” The Pastor asked. No one stood up, thus he began to lower the casket lid. “Will the casket bearers please come forward.”

Mac rose, along with Bailey, Ferocious, Stryker Six, and Great Uncle Crab Apple. Usually, the numbers of casket bears would be six, but Dad didn’t have that many friends and Grandpa Washington, Granny Smith’s husband, passed away three years ago.

The five men lift the casket. Mac lifting with all the strength his fourteen-year-old body could muster. Bailey and Ferocious took the front, while Crab and Striker carry the back with him in the middle. The walk was slow and arduous. The big double doors of the church opened wide for them as they carried his father to the hearse. They set the casket on the rails of the black car and slowly push the casket inside.

“You can ride with me Mac,” Bailey said leading Mac by the shoulder to his pickup. Granny Smith took the girls to her car and they all follow the hearse out to the cemetery.

During the trip Mac notices Bailey glancing his way a lot. As if the old man wants to tell him something, but was struggling on whether to speak or not. Keeping silent Mac waits for Bailey to make up his mind for the whole duration of the trip. The old man never spoke until they come to a stop at the cemetery.

“Be strong Mac, be strong like your father. You need to look out for your sisters.” Bailey said suddenly. Grabbing his cane Bailey steps out of the truck and stood tall. “Shed no tears, at least not where people can see you.”

Mac nods and follows the old man to the grave site.

Everyone gathered around, words were spoken and Mac and his sisters were given a front row seat to watch their father be lowered into the ground next to the freshly made hole. Their mother laying only a few inches away. The dirt covering her grave still loose and barely covered with fledging strains of green grass.

Eventually, the crowd began to disperse. Slowly person by person the crowd shrank to where only the apples and Nico’s closest friends remain. The more distant apple relatives began to wander away, until only Ferocious, Luna and Celestia, Bailey, Granny Smith and the three apple siblings remain.

“It’s time to go home,” Granny said pulling at Applejack and Applejane’s hands. “Mac, come on, it’s time to go.”

“I want to stay a little longer,” Mac replied firmly. Granny looks to her father for help, but the old man shakes his head.

“Give him time Granny.”

“And how is he going to get home? It’s getting dark and you’re not allowed to drive after dark anymore and I have many things to attend too.”

“I’ll stay with him,” Ferocious interrupted before the two’s argument could heat up. “Luna can ride home with Celestia. I’ll take Mac home when he’s ready.”

The two elders relent and shuffle off to their vehicles. Luna and Celestia gave Mac their good byes and too walked away. Leaving the boy and biker alone on the hill looking over the town.

“I’ll be over there when you’re ready.” Ferocious told him walking away.

Mac stood before the tombstone his parents share. His gaze fixed on their names. With no one else around his body began to shake. He struggled hard, fighting back the tears that come anyway. With a mournful wail, he fell to his knees and cries, his hands clenching the dirt of his parents’ graves.

“Hey, it’s going to be ok,” A feminine voice said while patting Mac on the back. The young boy looks with a tear struck face at the young black haired and tawny skinned woman sitting beside him. He quickly wipes his face with his sleeve, trying to hide his tears.

“Who are you?” Mac asked, his voice cracking from crying. He’s never seen this woman anywhere around town before, but she wore the same blue jacket as his dad. It even at the same unicorn skull and wings patches on the shoulder, though instead of a number, she had the symbol for infinity below it.

“Just a friend of Nico’s coming to say goodbye, I guess I’m a little late though. That’s ok, I was never a crowd kind of pon- um… person. I like things quiet is all. Kind of like now.” The woman gave Mac a wide bright smile, her black eyes shining with a hint of silver as she pressed her lips to his forehead. “You’re going to be ok. Things may seem very dark now, but I see a very bright future for you. But it’s up to you to make it happen.”

As the woman stood up and began to walk away, Mac scrambles to his feet, his cheek still flush from crying and her kiss as he shouts after her, “Wait, you never said your name!”

The woman turns, still smiling brightly as she replies, “My name is Dusk!” And like a flicker in the wind, she disappears in a flash of silver as the sun descends below the horizon. Mac blinks, rubbing his eyes. Wondering if he had been imagining things, but when he touched his forehead he still felt the warmth of her lips. So, she must have been real? Right?

“Mac!” Ferocious yelled as he ran towards him. The red biker was looking flustered as he looks around frantically with his fist clench tight as if expecting a fight. Once he saw there was no one around Ferocious turned his attention to Mac. “Are you alright? Was someone here? I thought I sensed magi… I mean I thought I heard someone else here.”

“Yeah,” Mac replied promptly. “A woman with black hair and eyes, she said she was dad’s friend. She walked off that way and disappeared.” Ferocious follows Mac’s finger towards the horizon. His brow frown in worry.

“Well, let’s take her at her word for now. But you should really be more warily of strangers Mac. Now, are you ready to go?”

Mac nods, walking side beside with Ferocious towards the car. “Uncle Feri?”

“Yeah, Mac?”

“Are mom and dad together in heaven?”

Feri turns to the young boy, not entirely sure how to reply. He wasn’t a big church goer, but he possessed magic, so there was obviously more to the world than science could explain. In the end, he simply said, “I like to think so.”

Mac looked a little disappointed by the answer, but smiled anyway, “I think so too.”

Darkness, a long stairway, and a bright light at the top. That’s what Nico Vega found when he closed his eyes for the last time on earth. Also, he no longer walked on two legs, but four. He was a dragon pony again it seems. Trudging up the long stairway, dark thunderous clouds surrounding him on all sides, he saw phases of his life pass by in a jumbled mess that seem to have no rhythm or reason to them.

The imagines became to focus. Suddenly all he could see where the faces of Dr. Madhoof and his accomplice Dr. Hoofenstien. He reckons the memory was when they made him. Sacrificing who knows how many foals into one being.

The clouds lighten and the memories of his time with Princess Luna and Night Patrol begin. Starting with him waking up in a cave with the others and their struggle to survive. He smiles as he witnesses his first meeting with Princess Luna. Not so much a meeting as more of him watching in awe as she declares she would find them a home and a purpose.

Next came his training and the days he spent out hunting the monsters of Equestria with his dragon pony brethren. The simple days when things were black and white. The clouds darkened, turning pitch black. Then came the Crystal war and the fall of the Crystal Empire. It had been the first time he lost friends.

Tears fell down his face as the scenes of the funeral played out before him. He knew what was coming next. The battle of Rainbow Factory. He saw himself sneaking into Madhoof and Hoofenstien’s base. Saw the ponies he killed in cold blood. But he also saw his acts of heroism, of when he brought down the shields protecting the factory and allowing Luna and Celestia to invade. He saw the teleport room and him tackling Madhoof and falling to Earth and them fighting in the river.

The clouds lighten and began to disperse, letting the sun shine through.

Then Nico saw her. He saw Applejane for the first time again and his heart was filled with warmth as he watched their younger years. Kicking himself for realizing how blind he had been to her charms. He saw their first date. Meeting Ferocious. The birth of their kids. He was filled with so much joy and happiness he couldn’t think of anything to describe the warmth in his heart.

Then came Applejane’s death. The sky darkened again as he watched her suffer again. Slowly and painfully. Him feeling helpless as she died right before his eyes. The clouds turned red and red lightning flashed as he watched himself tare through Madhoof’s minions, innocent or not. He watched as he mutilated the mad scientist and left him to burn.

Nico watched the last week of his life play out. He did his best to put up a front for his kids, but the guilt of knowing he didn’t have long with them haunted him. He fell to his knees. What had he done? Really what had he done? He left his kids to fend for themselves with no mother or father!

“I’m a fool, no, I’m worse than a fool. I’m a stupid bastard that couldn’t see what was important to him when it counted!” His heart was aching as he climbs to the last of the stairs, before him where to gates. One lead to a pasture with other ponies and the other led to white light. “What is this?”

“Most beings only have one after life.” A voice said. Nico swirling around looking for the source, only to come right back in front of him was a tawny Alicorn mare with black hair and eyes stood before him. “Since you lived in two worlds you get to choose which one you go to. Though I have a feeling I already know which one you’re going to pick.”

“The one with Applejane of course,” Nico answered firmly, beginning towards the white light. The mysterious Alicorn calling out to him before he could enter.

“Are you sure? Once you enter you cannot leave. You will never see your friends from Equestria, even when they die.”

That made him give pause. But only for a moment. “I’ll remember them in my heart, always, but I have a new family.”

The tawny Alicorn bows her head, looking sad, “I see. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I just wanted to say, thank you.” She smiles. “It was nice to see you again Nico.” She vanishes in a flash of silver.

“Nice to see you too, Dusk,” Nico says with a smile as he enters the white light. He expected to become human, but he remained an Equine and Applejane stood before him looking amused.

“Well. That didn’t take you long.” She said ruffling his mane. “So… when were you going to tell me you were a horse?”

Whatever cosmic entity ruled this realm decided to have mercy on him because Nico was back on two legs and human again. Giving him at least the height advantage as he stared down his wife. “Well… you see… I was going to as soon I could figure out a way to tell you without sounding insane.” He said while scratching his cheek nervously.

“So, till we died then?”

“I guess so.”

Applejane shrugged as she wraps her arms around Nico’s neck, “I guess I would have done the same.” They kiss. It may have only been two weeks, but to them, it had been an eternity since they last touched each other. Before things could get any further Nico broke away looking ashamed.

“I don’t deserve to be here. I was reckless and now the kids don’t have either of us.”

“Not that I don’t agree with the latter, but I got to see what you did. A talking unicorn with wings showed me your life, which was not the first thing I thought I would see in heaven by the way. Gotta say, I’m mad about you dying only two weeks after me, but after seeing some of the things you did, aka, all the killings. I’m just happy you're even here and not in hell.”

“Must have just skirted by then,” Nico joked, but the mood remained sober. He held Applejane closer, embracing her tightly. “Sorry, I wasn’t a better husband and father. I should have been more careful. I should have…”

“It’s ok,” Applejane interrupted stepping out of his embrace. With a wave of her hand, she opened a hole in the floor of heaven. The couple was treated to an image of their kids running to get ready for school with Granny Smith urging them faster. “At least we can watch over them together now.”

Nico fell beside Applejane, wrapping his arm around her as they watched their kids continue to live on. Knowing someday, hopefully not too soon, they would all be together again.

Author's Note

Well finally done. Quite the ride. This story may never get the views as some others, but I'm still glad I wrote it.

There were a few hiccups here and there. Like me forgetting I was writing a short story and accidently setting up a much longer story then intended. Thus probably rushing the whole thing a bit.

Still I like Nico's character and I'm glad I got him is own story. Dusk was going to be more relevant in earlier drafts. I actually have a story made up for her, but haven't actually gone to writing it as the OC Alicorn hate kind makes me feel it won't catch traction. And I'm swamped as it is. But let me know if you guys ever want to hear a story about the Alicorn of Time, because I have the draft.

Also I really like Bailey's character. I'm a bit sad as things went along he kind became less relevant. Again setting up a much longer story then planned. Also wish I could have given Crab Apple more flushing out, but I'll defiantly be using both characters again in other stories.

For those you are interested, Ferocious and Stryker Six's story continue in This story

Well I think that's all, props to those of you read all that. That is dedication.

New employer, same old job

Bonds Between Worlds ch 2

(May 5th, 1988, Nico’s Log

Today marks the second month since my arrival in this world simply called Earth. My injuries upon my arrival from my home Equestria have healed, my previously thought broken ribs turning out to be merely bruised, but still very painful and slow to recover. I’ve begun to repay my debts to my employers, the Apple Family of Earth. My first job is to inspect the many apple trees on the farm for disease and apply the proper cure so that in the summer the produce is healthy.

So far the Apples have not questioned my origins, though Mr. Crab Apple remains hostile for reasons unknown. Mr. Bailey Apple, the owner of the farm, seems to think I am one of this world’s soldiers, recently returned from a current conflict. He himself a former soldier of an event dubbed the Korean War, seems he also participated in another conflict not long before, called World War 2. There are many who revere him for his service and I feel shame for not setting the record straight about my status. On the one hand, I am a soldier, but I am not a soldier of this nation’s army. However my feels are all but mute at this point, as this is a problem I should have squared away right away, but until recently I did not know what my assumed status meant to the people of this world. I fear revealing the truth may not be in my best interest, though it weighs heavy on my conscious to keep silent.

Moving on to other matters, I have begun to grasp this world’s vocabulary. Mare and Stallions, are woman and man and ponies are people and hands are the best evolution nature ever made. As my knowledge of this world grows it makes my heart long for home, though. Magic seems nonexistent in this world as such I have no means of figuring out a way home, my only consultation is Madhoof is dead.

(End of Log)

Nico held the hand sprayer in his hands while pointing the wand at the tree. He walked around the tree spraying the entire base of the tree. Seems some disease was making its way through this breed of tree and it was his job to put a stop to it.

He started his work early in the morning, when the sun barely showed over the horizon, it was now half past noon and he had already eaten his prepared lunch. He was far away from the farmyard; basically, he was in the middle of nowhere. He could easily hop up in a tree and nap for an hour and no one would be the wiser. Not that he would, he could imagine the scolding Commander Sixes would give him if he did, the only pony worse would be Commander Fury, he was always to calm and then boom! He was mad as hell.

On the other hand, Luna was probably the worse one to be scolded by, not that she was harsh, just the opposite. She made you feel bad because she made you know you disappointed her and no pony in Night Patrol would ever want to disappoint their Princess.

Working his way along the trees Nico heard the sound of water splashing. There was a pond just over yonder, probably just a fish or some animal, none the less it was next on his map of trees to work, so he headed that way. Walking out into the clearing he took a moment to appreciate the view.

A speck of red by the shore caught his attention and he walked closer for a better look. The red turned out to be a flannel shirt with a pair of jeans folded beneath it. Setting his sprayer down he picked up the clothes, a white pair of panties and bra fell from between the shirt and pants. Hastily he set them back down and stepped away. Someone was here, naked, and they were female.

This world was very strict when it came to clothes and when or where a man or woman could be without them. He didn’t know if this was the entire world or just the Apples, but he was living with the Apples so their rules mattered more than the worlds. He did wonder why Applejane didn’t out him during their first… no second meeting, but she was probably too embarrassed to say anything and it only happened once… and Applejane just popped out of the water.

She looked at him like deer in headlights, clearly surprised by his presence and he just looked at her with mild interest and her naked chest she seemed to be in too great of shock to cover. Humans were certainly different then ponies was his conclusion after looking at what he assumed were her teats.

Applejane shrieked, covered her chest and sank down to her neck in the water. Another thing about humans, they were rather shy about their bodies.

“What are you doing here?” She demanded from her position in the water, her face redder than a red apple.

“I’m working, what are you doing?” Applejane didn’t seem to like his reply as she humphed and turned her away. He shrugged it off, walking closer to the pond and kneeling at the water’s edge. He poked the surface with his finger sending ripples throughout the entire pond. “Water’s cold, is it that hot today?”

The temperature was around sixty-five, not really skinny dipping weather, but what did he know. “You’re pretty tough for a creature without fur to swim in this.”

“I was about to get out before you came,” growled Applejane, seems he made her angry. She was gone to school most of the day so Nico didn’t really see her often, except at supper, so he hasn’t really gotten to know her as well as the other Apples.

“Well get out then, I’m not stopping you.”

“Not with you around! I told you before… never mind, if you’re just gonna be a perv, then I’m just gonna sit here and freeze and when I catch a cold it’ll be your fault.”

Nico rolled his eyes, “I’m not perverted I just don’t care. From what I am able to gather you are considered attractive, why have you ashamed your body? Also, I recall you seeing me naked before, I don’t see how this is any different.”

Applejane’s jaw dropped, “This is different! This is very different! We were at the house, my family was downstairs, here were out in the middle of nowhere! You could…”

“I could what?”

If was possible Applejane seemed became even redder as she poked her fingers together and she averted her gaze, “You could… well… you know… you and me on the grass and all that…”

Mating, she was talking about mating, again he wasn’t really feeling a heat coming on like back home, but that might not be a valid comparison anymore now that he thought about it. Still, it was interesting at least. He usually wasn’t much for studying, mainly because he never had time back home in Equestria, too many monsters to fight to study, but he didn’t have a choice in his current situation, maybe he could finally get her to come clean about human mating habits.

“Are you saying you want to mate with me?” He asked her frankly. Sometimes that was just the best way to go, though judging her shock and horror filled eyes, a little tact might have been better.

“I… um…a…I mean I just turned nineteen this year so legally I could without needing my folk’s permission, but I was… I was… um maybe waiting for marriage like my ma did, but I… I don’t know…” Applejane’s brow creased into a frown. “This may sound like a strange question, but how old are you again?

Nico chuckled, “No idea, as far as my memories go back I’m probably only two. Look, why don’t we finish this on dry land and you fully clothed and not freezing your flank off. I’ll even turn around if it helps.”

He did just that and the sound of water splashing, followed by footsteps came from behind. The sound of clothing ruffling indicated Applejane was dressing. He waited a full minute and a half before turning around. She stood with her hair still wet and her parts of her clothes damp from where she failed to dry. She was looking embarrassed and strangely… cute if there was a word to describe what he was seeing properly. She wore her buttons down, revealing more of her cleavage than normal. She crossed her arms over her chest when she noticed his stare.

“They’ll dry faster is all,” she huffed.

“If you say so,” he chuckled leaning back against a tree. Applejane sat against the tree across from him and stared at him for several minutes. He waited for her to ask the first question.

“So according to you… your two?”

“Maybe not physically or mentally, but yes, I only have two years of memories, everything else is blank.”

“Is that why you talk to so strange? You’ve been doing it less and less, but when we first found you, you acted like you didn’t know what hands or certain words and tools were.”

(Golden goose of an accuse, I’ll have to remember that next time I screw up my language.)

“Perhaps, can’t say for sure,” Nico replied, now it was his turn. “So why were you out swimming? It isn’t that hot.”

Applejane poked the ground with a blush across her cheeks; she was going turn red permanently at this rate. “I was… I was just living out a fantasy. I have these two friends, their sisters, they always talk about how they do these crazy things like go skinny dipping and I… I guess I wanted to try it. I didn’t think I would get spotted on my first try, please don’t tell my folks.”

“Can’t see how that would benefit me, so I guess I won’t, but I’m really not seeing what the big deal is. You went swimming naked, is that so strange?”

“Usually you wear a swimsuit when you swim; it covers your privates, so you can swim publicly. You know what I’m wearing in that picture on the wall when I won my school swim rally? There’s also this one of me and friends at the beach and I’m wearing a bikini.”

Nico blinked picturing the imagines in his head, he’s seen both. The swim competition one had Applejane wearing a leotard like thing that was skintight and the second one he saw when he accidently picked off the ground one day. The second one looked like she was wearing only underwear, yet it was proper to been in public? Why?

He shook his head, “I don’t understand your customs. You cover your bodies out of shame and a need for warmth, and it’s improper for me to see you in only your underwear, yet if you wear this… bikini, which seems to have the same shape as underwear, it's ok?”

“Well...” Applejane frowned, “Huh, I never thought of it like that…”

The shadows moved and Nico looked up towards the sun and back down, judging that they’ve been talking for almost an hour. He better get back to work.

“Good talk Miss Applejane, we’ll have to do it again sometime. Made when you’re not skinny dipping.” He chuckled just to tease her one more time.

Blushing Applejane hugged her knees and rested her head on her knees and sighed, “Yeah, we’ll have to do this again.”

Finishing his work Nico made his way to the water hydrant and cleaned his sprayer. As he rinsed the sprayer with water he heard a commotion over by the barn. The sprayer cleaned well enough he left it where it laid and walked over to investigate. He heard the voices of Crab Apple and Washington from around back by the corral and headed towards them. When the two came into view he spotted another farm hand on the back of a horse, getting sent on the ride of his life as the stallion bucked for all it was worth.

“Come on! Get that stallion under control!” Demanded Crab Apple angrily as the farmhand was bucked off the horse, it would be the third on to be today. “Damn
Peaches selling us this god forsaken horse. I told Pa that price was too good!”

“Calm yourself Crab, we’ll get him broke, it’s just going to take some time.”

“Time is something we don’t got. We need a horse to ride, and we got an eight hundred dollar pain in the ass!

As the two argued about the horse, Nico stood aside and looked the creature over. He supposed he should feel a sort of kinship with the horse as they were both equines and he could understand not wanting to be ridden. Back in Equestria, it was an insult to just get on some pony’s back without permission. The horse whinnied and Nico frowned, the sound familiar, almost like he could understand it. He’s seen an earth horse from afar for a while now, but this the first time he really got close like this. Determined to find out if he could really understand the horse, he climbed the fence and hopped in the pen.

“Hey, Nico get back! That thing could kill you!” Washington warned.

Nico waved him off, “It’s alright. I’m just going to talk to him.”

Washington and Crab shared a look, what did he mean talk?

The horse warily eyed Nico as he approached, whinnying a warning, (Stay back human! I will not be ridden!)

“That’s fine by me; I don’t like people riding on my back either.”

The horse looked at him in surprise, (You… you can understand me?)

“I guess I can, I was a pony myself, but I’m genuinely surprised that I can still talk equine.” Nico glanced towards the fence, he was talking softly so Washington and Crab wouldn’t hear him, and if they could they would hear the whinnies coming out of his mouth. “Listen, I know you don’t like it, but these folk really need to be able to ride you. Think you could settle down and behave for them?”

(Why should I? The last humans that owned me didn’t treat me with respect!)

“Sorry to hear that, but I promise these humans won’t and if they do you tell me and I’ll make your case.” Nico placed his hand on the horse’s neck and rubbed it, “How about we start with a proper introduction. I’m Nico Vega, what’s your name?”

The horse leaned into his hand, “I’m Booster.”

“Nice to meet you Booster, welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, now what can I do to get you to behave? Some extra oats at night maybe?”

Booster snorted, (That would be agreeable, but…)

“But…”

(There is this mare in the next stall over, the human mare, the young one with the long hair and dots on her face, she always give that mare a hug around the face. The mare is always spouting about how soft her… um… I’m not sure what they're called, but they are below her face. She says their softer then straw. Anyways, I want to see if this is true, for that and the extra oats, I will let them ride me.)

Looking back to fence Nico noticed a crowd as gathered and in that crowd as Applejane. He waved her over and she gave him a confused look as she pointed to herself. He nodded and urged her over and she broke from the crowd and crawled over the fence.

“What is it?” She whispered still embarrassed about earlier.

“Hug Booster here for me,” Nico said pulling the reins so the horse’s face was right in front of her.

“What? Why?”

“He says he’ll behave if you hug him like you do for the mare next to him, also for extra oats.”

Applejane scoffed, “What are you some kind of horse whisperer? This guy has been causing us trouble for weeks!”

“If you do this I promise he’ll be as gentle as nag for now on.”

She puffed her cheeks, but opened her arms wide and wrapped them around Booster’s neck and laid his muzzle on her chest. He trotted happily and whinnied as she let go, trotting around them.

(She was right, they are softer then straw! Alright, I will I let you and her ride me, but no one else!) He raised a front leg and pointed at Nico and Applejane and then stomped the ground and made another circle around them before presenting himself to the two of them.

“He says he’ll let you and me ride him, but that’s it.”

“You can’t be serious,” scoffed Applejane as Nico climbed into the saddle, which was the weirdest feeling he’s ever experienced yet in this world, riding atop his own breed, that and ponies of this world sure were tall.

“See?” Said Nico, as he took Booster around the pen, the stallion trotting calmly and not making any attempts to buck him off, he rode back to Applejane and hopped down presenting her with the reins as the crowd clapped and cheered. “Wanna give him a try?”

Applejane took the reins but didn’t get on, “Some other day, it’s almost suppertime. For us and them.”

“Don’t forget to give him extra oats! That’s was his second condition to let us ride him!”

“I got it, I got it,” She said dismissively.

As Applejane disappeared into the barn a set of hurried footsteps ran up behind Nico. He turned around to Washington who grabbed his hand and shook it.

“While I’ll be, you got that horse tamed faster than anybody I’d ever seen before! How’d you do it?”

Nico grinned, “You just got to know the language.”

Washington blinked and then laughed, “If you say so, we’ll have to make you our official horse breaker after this. Come on to the house, Granny’s got supper cooking for us. You deserve a good meal after that.”

“Was that really such a big deal?” He asked as they walked towards the fence. Crab Apple grunted, looking his usual self, but with a smile playing on his lips.

“Pa bought that horse from the Peaches, it was too wild for them and I said it was too wild for us too, but he did it anyway. He said he was sure someone here was tough enough to break it in. Though you were the last one I would’ve bet on. My loss I guess.”

“You bet on me Mr. Washington?” The taller man shook his head and pointed up towards the hill were Bailey Apple stood smoking a pipe.

“I didn’t, he did,” Washington said slapping Nico on the back, “I think the old man was right about you. Now come on, I’m starved.”

At the house, the Apple’s dining table was completely full with the entire Apple family, plus Nico there, who was feeling a bit out of place among the family as he awkwardly sat across from Applejane with Bailey just beside him at the head of the table. On his plate was bovine, aka cow, he found out humans were omnivores, meaning they eat pretty much everything, including meat. He stared at the roasted cow and mashed potatoes covered in gravy and placed atop a slice of bread, roast beef commercials is what they were called. He’s mostly been eating by himself, so he’s stuck to the normal pony diet of vegetables and fruits and grains, this would be his first attempt to eat meat.

“Don’t be so nervous Nico, dig in!” Bailey encouraged him as the elderly man dug into his own food with gusto, bits of juicy dripping from his mouth as he devoured the meat.

“Grandpa you’re so messy!” Cried Applejane as she passed the old man a napkin, he just chuckled as he wiped his mouth.

“When you live through the thirties and forties, you don’t have time for table manners.”

“It’s almost the nineties; you had over fifty years to develop table manners.”

“Your grandmother said the same thing when it was the sixties.” Bailey teased flicking a speck of potatoes onto Applejane’s shirt; she gasped and quickly wiped it off, giving her grandfather a glare that could kill which only made him laugh harder.

While they were being a distraction Nico dug out the potatoes around the meat and ate them. Really he was only buying time. He would have to eat the meat; it would rude and a waste of food not too.

“So,” said Bailey finally stopping his teasing. “I heard you got Booster to settle down Nico, nice work. I made fifty bucks off Crab and Washington here thanks to you.”

“Congrats sir, glad I was of assistance,” replied Nico as he stared at his plate with only the meat left. Where was their dog at? He’s seen Applejane feed the dog the scraps before; maybe he could sneak his portion of roast to it.

“So how’d you get so good with horses Nico? It was almost like you could understand it,” said Washington, “I couldn’t really tell from the fence, but it looked like you were talking to it like you would a person.”

Nico laughed humorlessly, “Oh, I’ve been around them almost my whole life, so I guess I have a knack for them.”

“So you were with horses for two years?” Applejane said suddenly drawing stares. Whether this was on purpose or accident didn’t matter, he was about to be in some hot water.

“Two years, what are you talking about Applejane?” Asked Granny Looking confused with the others. Applejane seemed to realize what she did and looked to Nico wondering what to do. He didn’t tell her to keep his only two years old a secret, but it was still a personal thing that she probably shouldn’t have brought up.

“Well um… I asked Nico how old he was and he said he was only two because he only remembers two years of his life.” She mouthed a ‘sorry’ to him as all eyes went from her to Nico.

“You have amnesia?” Granny gasped with sympathy in her voice.

“Does explain some of your kooky speech,” mumbled Crab Apple.

“It’s not a big deal,” Nico said quickly before anyone else could speak. Mindlessly he picked at his plate with his fork and speared some of the meat and raised it to his lips and ate it. His body froze as the juicy meat went down his throat for the first time as his eyes widened. It was delicious.

Immediately Nico dug in savagely, attacking the meat like a hungry wolf, which earned a chuckle from Bailey as he scooped more meat and potatoes onto Nico’s plate.

“I was wondering why such a young man was avoiding Granny’s roast, I guess you haven’t eaten meat in your two years.” Nico nodded mindlessly as he continued to stuff his face. “I glad; I was worried you might have been one of those vegan types.”

“Dad!”

“What?”

“You know what!”

“If you’re talking about that hippy you dated before Washington, Butterhoof…”

“Tenderhoof!”

“Whatever, I’m not apologizing!” Bailey stated firmly as he scooped the rest of the meat and potatoes onto Nico’s plate. “See this young man get it.”

Granny just crossed her arms, lamenting her small fling with Tenderhoof before she met Washington. She had mainly gone out with the blonde hippy as a way get back to her dad during her rebel phase, something he never let die, even twenty years later.

Bailey smiled as he remembered fondly the memory of breaking Tenderhoof’s arm, the first and last time the skinny hippie tried to get in bed with his daughter. He didn’t get far. Call him old fashioned, call him overbearing, which he was, but he had standards for his son in laws. Thankfully Granny found Washington after that.

“As fun as this has been, we do have some more serious matters at hand pa,” said Crab as he picked his empty plate on the counter and began filling the sink with soap and water.

Bailey turned serious, “More wolf attacks right?”

“Yeah, a neighbor was complaining about a calf being torn apart at the café today. Funny thing is there was a lot of meat left behind. Kind of like last time. You remember?”

Bailey’s fist tightened, “Yeah, I remember.”

“What happened last time,” asked Nico finally recovering from his food high. Bailey’s eyes drifted to Applejane, something that only Nico noticed before they snapped back and the old man’s usual smile returned.

“Nothing you need to worry about. Come on, let’s get the dishes cleaned.”

Everyone helped with dishes after supper, as long as it wasn't harvested, then it was up to Granny, but for now it was a family effort, which made the task get done quickly. Once it was done Crab and Washington went into the living room and turned on the baseball game. TV was another fascinating thing to Nico, it was the closest thing to magic he’s seen in this world so far. Still, this world's sports didn’t interest him, so as the family settled down for the game, he snuck out. He only got as far as the porch when Bailey called out to him.

“Here,” he said tossing Nico two objects that he’s seen Washington and Crab carry occasionally, guns. A pistol and what looked like a shortened rifle. “Wolves around here are dangerous, that colt and mare’s leg are both .45 caliber and should spook or kill anything you find out that way. The wolves like to roam around your shack in the west orchard. I assume you know how to use them?”

Nico checked the chambers like he’s seen Washington do when he shoots, both weapons were loaded, Bailey also handed him a holster and belt of bullets. “Thanks.”

“You just be careful, wolves around here… they aren’t afraid to attack humans.” With that Bailey went back inside.

Holstering the guns to his hip Nico walked for his shack, the sun setting fast in the west. A chill in his spine told him he would want to back before sundown. Hopping on the path to the shack he walked at a quick jog, eating up distance as fast as he could. He was maybe three-quarters of the way back when he came to the clearing just a quarter mile from the shack. He stopped in the middle of the clearing, feeling a presence from the tree line.

Bright yellow eyes lined the darkness of the trees, his hand reached for the butt of the pistol, he didn’t know how to shoot, but a weapon was a weapon if nothing else he could use it as a club.

The sun vanished below the trees, covering the clearing in shadows. The eyes moved closers, a symphony of growls played through the trees as familiar stone clawed paws stepped out of the tree line.

“Timber Wolves never thought I’d see monsters like you again,” Nico said with a wicked grin on his face. He was probably screwed, his body not fit to fight such monsters barehanded unlike his pony form, but at the same time, he was excited. Timber Wolves were creatures of magic, and that meant magic existed in this world, and if there was magic, then there was a way home! “Well come on!”

The wolves answered his challenge by charging at him, he pointed the pistol and fired, the noise loud and deafening. The bullet whizzed past the wolf he aimed at, so he bashed the butt of the gun into its head as it jumped. The wolf broke into splinters and he jammed his arm into another mouth and fired, this time he didn’t miss. The wolf exploded in a shower of green glowing wood. A sphere of magic floated in midair, calling the sticks and stones back together. Nico jammed his arm into the reforming timber wolf and pulled the magic core violently of the half-formed chest. The wolves backed warily away as he held the core in his hand. He looked at them and then the core, and then raised it to his mouth and bit into it, devouring the green sphere.

His body shook as electric shocks ran throughout his body, green mist rising off his skin almost like he was being cooked alive. The timber wolves seemed to regain their courage and approached again, thinking him weak. He looked at them with green magic flowing out from his eyes. Madly he dashed at a wolf and jammed his arm into the wolf’s body and ripped out the core and ate it like the one before. More mist rose, but it was no longer green, but blue, he turned panting harshly as he raises his clawed hands, blue scales traveling up to his shoulders. His ears twitched, they were in a different place, a familiar place. They were on top of his head.

“You're mine,” he said letting loose a roaring whinny. He charged at the pack of timber wolves, eager to devour their cores, they charged back out of instinct to survive and prove they were the bigger predator.

They weren’t.

“Nico! Nico are you here?” Applejane called, shotgun tucked in her arms. They heard the gunshots earlier and then the howls. Everyone was out searching the west orchard for Nico, fearing he’s been attacked by wolves and was possibly hurt. Shining her flashlight Applejane spotted a trail of blood on the ground. “Grandpa! Grandpa, I found blood!”

Bailey emerged from the trees and knelt down next to the blood, it was nearly dry, it’s probably been here for about thirty minutes. The trail headed straight for the shack. He assumed Nico was alive and probably ok. He would have come to the house if he was seriously injured.

“Go back to the yard and ring the bell, I’ll go check on Nico and make sure he’s ok, but it looks like he made it back to the shack. No need for everyone to be wondering around at night with guns if we don’t need to be.”

Applejane nodded, looking a little green at the sight of blood, there was a lot of it, “Ok. I’ll go tell the others.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Bailey rose and walked to the shack along the way he found broken bits of wolf shaped trees and limbs and empty bullet shells. Walking up the door he knocked, receiving a husky, ‘come in’. Inside Nico sat on a stool, his arms covered in bite marks and blood, there were several slash marks across his chest seeping blood.

“You have some… strange wolves around here.” Said Nico, wanting to keep the fact the wolves were actually timber wolves from Equestria, but he had a feeling Bailey already knew that. He would wait for the old man to play his hand.

“You could say that,” Bailey said pulling up the other stool. “Here let me help you bandage up.”

The two men sat in silence while Bailey carefully wrapped Nico’s wounds. Neither one spoke till every wound was looked after and treated. Then they sat apart and stared at each other, waiting for the other to cave first.

“You don’t seem shaken up.”

“I’ve seen wolves before,” answered Nico, earning a raised eyebrow from Bailey.

“Really,” he chuckled, “You’ve seen monsters before then?” Nico just stared at him, but his expression gave away the answer. “I suppose you want to know what’s going huh?”

“I am curious I guess.”

Bailey snorted, “Very stoic of you, I like that, I’m ashamed to admit it, but even I wasn’t that blank face when I first saw them sixty years ago. Funny, I come back from overseas, my beautiful wife in tow and I find there are monsters in my own backyard. I’ve been fighting those things off and on, they seem to come and go in waves, but they always come back. The last time they came was ten years ago, they… they got my wife then. She was out late picking apples one evening with Applejane. What they did to her… well… she protected Applejane in the end.” Bailey’s fist tightened. “It made me realize I couldn’t leave my farm to my children, but I was old then and even older now.”

“You needed a replacement, someone who wasn’t family.”

Bailey looked ashamed as he sighed, “Yes, Crab is looking at his own place after I told him I wouldn’t sell to him and I’ve been looking for a place for Granny and Washington to go to, but times have been tough. I had considered showing Washington and having him take my place, but he’s too… soft is the best word for it. He’s a hard worker and a tough man, but he’s not a fighter, not like me and not like you. I knew the moment I saw your jacket you were the one.”

Nico frowned in confusion, “My jacket?”

Fishing into his satchel bag Bailey pulled out a midnight blue jacket with a yellow patch emblazoned on the shoulder with a unicorn skull and wings. The number 088 stitched below it.

“This coat… I’ve seen it before. A long time ago I found a young man with a similar coat dead in the orchard, an incredible number of wolves were dead around him. I don’t know who he was or where he came from, but I gave him a proper burial.”

“What were his numbers?” Nico asked anxiously.

“I… I don’t remember, sorry. Was he a friend?”

Nico stared at the emblem on the jacket; it was the same as the Night Patroller emblem back home. Did another Patroller fall through? Were Madhoof’s teleports the cause of this?

“He was a brother,” Nico answered remorsefully.

“I see, sorry for your loss.”

Nico let out a deep sigh, tired from the battle with the wolves and emotionally drained. He discovered magic in this world and found out another like him had arrived but was already dead. He really just wanted to go to sleep.

“I don’t have the right to ask this of you, but I want you to stick around and protect my family. Let me rephrase that, I want to hire you to protect my family.” Bailey produced a stack of bills from his satchel. “Paying you money to fight monsters doesn’t seem fair to me, but it’s all I can offer you besides a home here. To be honest, if you and Applejane ever hit it off, I wouldn’t mind, can’t speak for Washington and Granny, but you’re a strong dependable young man. Applejane has the mind to inherit this farm and she’ll need a guardian to watch over her.”

Nico took the bills. This was the first time he’s ever been paid for fighting. Nothing against Princess Luna who didn’t pay them. She provided them with food and shelter and a purpose and that had been enough for them. In this world, he would need to be more independent and with that the need for money. Still, he didn’t this much.

Cutting the stack in half Nico handed half back to Bailey, “I don’t need that much for something I did for free before. I don’t know about this business you want to happen between Applejane and me, but I’ll protect your family. I promise you I will, even after you’re gone.”

Bailey chuckled as he rose to his feet, “Well, I don’t plan on dying that soon.” He smiled down at Nico and offered his hand to the young man and pulled him to his feet and helped him to the bed. “You rest up now; I need my soldier in good health. Don’t worry about your shift tomorrow either. I’ll get one of the other hands to take your place for the day.”

The door closed leaving Nico in darkness. Slowly he raised his hand over his blanket and spread his fingers as a blue light engulfed them, changing them into claws. It wasn’t much, but it gave him hope that someday he might find a way home. In the meantime, he had some patrolling to do.

Author's Note

I really like writing Bailey, he was a created on the spot character, but he just kind of writes himself.