"This is humiliating."

The green earth pony buck was complaining on my back, head against my shoulder-blades as he laid as still as he could. Turns out that Slingshot, the buck on my back, had an infected wound on his hind-leg. And none of us were sure if we should use a healing potion on such an old, festering wound. So, instead, I had to carry him. Thankfully he was a rather light fellow, even while munching on a fresh carrot to gain some weight back.

"You're free to walk back if you want." I retorted, feeling a small smile on my face. I had missed talking with other ponies - even slight bickering was refreshing. Slingshot huffed in response, blowing raspberry at me before returning to his carrot. One of the freed ponies offered an apple scavenged by the ghoul - who was the much hyped Wanderlust as I had come to learn - from the slavers. I couldn't help but grin a bit before biting down, looking then behind myself to make sure the tail end was alright. Wanderlust was keeping the tail, making sure no one would be chasing us - or if there was someone chasing us, they'd have a nasty greeting from the two rifles strapped into that battle-saddle.

I turned my head back to the front, seeing the walls of Barn Sour already. I was pretty darn grateful for this, these ponies seriously needed some medical help, rest, and I was certain the ponies of Barn Sour would also be happy to be united with their loved one-

And that was when the world turned to shit, with the sound of two rifles blasting from behind. Where I had just seen Wanderlust.

Without thinking about it too much, I bucked, sideways, dropping Slingshot off my back. The stallion let out a yelp, and then a groan of pain - but before he could start complaining, I barked an order.

"Take him in, now!"

I saw from the corner of my eye how two ponies snatched his arms, and started to drag him across the ground towards the town’s gates. Poor fellow was flailing with his hind legs in the air, screaming something about how undignifying this was. No time to think about that now - the rest of the captives dashed off towards the town as well, knowing full well to leave me and Wanderlust behind. Well, me, Wanderlust, Copper Gear and the silvery unicorn who had taken my sniper-rifle, and was now aiding Wanderlust in the efforts to snipe the pursuers.

I managed to duck behind a rock just in time, when I heard a bullet ping against it. Wanderlust, and the unicorn - Classic Song, I recalled - were behind another, occasionally peeking out to try and shoot the three ponies who were doing the same. This was going to be a drawn out fight, where I couldn't do anything unless the enemy got close. Gear seemed to have same problem - she was bouncing on her spot, nearly dancing, with gritted teeth. Apparently being pinned down like this by sniper-fire was not okay. Finally, she crouched a bit, standing on her hind legs while holding the bat, eyes glaring at me.

"Throw me!"

I only could give my most eloquent, well-spoken answer to that. "Uh... What?"

"DID I STUTTER MOTHERFUCKER?!"

She was pointing her bat right at my nose. No. Not pointing. Pushing the cold metal against my muzzle, to the point where I could feel my lips pull back a bit. I looked down at the bat, then at the mare, and then sighed, sitting down and placing my left fore hoof in a position that would let me throw her in a similar fashion to a shot putter.

She quickly climbed on, settling down as well as she could. I balanced myself as well, pulling my hoof back even more, and then put all my strength to it - and suddenly, there was a red-brown missile in the air. Everyone stopped firing at that moment, staring at the flying earth pony who was screaming her lungs out in rage and glee. "DEATH FROM ABOVE!"

I was suddenly very glad that mare was on my side. I could only imagine what was going on in those slavers’ minds, as the mare composed of only rage and the need to bash some skulls in descended upon them. There was a few seconds when they didn't even fire, most likely because of how stunned they were - and then there was a nasty crack. A second. One gun shot, but that's about it - I could see the gun flying in the air, and the tip of the bat. The second time I saw the bat’s end, it was colored in dark crimson, and that was about the time I just sat down to look at Classic Song in slight horror. The unicorn looked back at me, shrugging a bit.

"Hey Gear! Make sure to take all the ammo they got!" Classic shouted at the mare after the repeated thuds and cracks from Gear’s bat finally died down. When she did walk back... well let's just say I was glad for her to have that red brown coat, if I squinted I could almost pretend she had just taken a dip in a puddle of water or something.

Everypony had gotten back to the town safely - even Slingshot, even though I was certain there had been quite few complaints on the way back in. I'd have to go check on him later, just in case. Apologize for tossing him off my back like that. But first, I had other things to deal with - like the little foal who was darting around and below me, giggling out loudly. I had to carefully lift each one of my legs to see where the little one had went, before I finally managed to snatch them by the hood to give some well deserved mane-ruffles. Kid was giggling at that, before hugging my right front-hoof, just hanging there as I walked forward carefully. I had to get my rifle back too, but that didn't mean I wasn't allowed to play with my little companion on the way towards the trio of ponies.

Classic Song and Copper Gear were now both smothered with tight hugs from a very, very happy blue pony, who was sniffling happily at the sight of the two. Gear didn't seem too happy, while Classic was just patting the ponys head in comforting gesture. Steel apparently was a very sensitive pony... Didn't match his earlier attitude or name, but to each their own. He was blabbing about how worried he had been, which was probably the only reason why Gear hadn't smashed his face right back in for this.

Speaking of the trio, one of them still had something of mine. Slowly, I approached, scooping the kiddo with one hoof for friendly rough-housing. The foal squeaked happily, dangling there with their legs kicking up in the air as I hobbled closer to the trio. Classic was first to notice me, and almost on instinct hugged my rifle against his chest, trying to make something akin to puppydog eyes. Which got me to snort.

"Sorry partner, I did say I want the rifle back." I chuckled, placing the little unicorn down. Now it was adult talk time - and the sniper did not like what I was saying. He huffed, pouting slightly before his eyes landed on my little companion - and then pointed at the little foal.

"I'll teach your kid a shield spell for the rifle!"

I couldn't help but look down at the dark unicorn between my front hooves, then back at Classic, then back down. I was no unicorn, so I didn't know much about unicorn magic. From my dumbfounded expression, Classic Song rolled his eyes slightly.

"Unicorns can learn any spell with a bit of practice. Mastering it takes time and effort, but learning is easy. And I can teach the basics of a shield spell to your foal, for this beauty of a rifle."

Now, I didn't know if that was good deal caps wise. Good thing for Classic I was more interested in my little companion’s safety, and not the caps. I looked down again, giving bit of a grin for squirt - who's freckled face was grinning back, bright and excited. That was all the answer I needed, and I nodded to the silvery buck.

"We'll be in town for at least a day or two more, if ye can teach the kid the spell, the rifle's yours."

I rose up, nudging the foal towards Classic. I had somewhere to be real quick, and I trusted Classic not to try anything funny with my tiny companion. They didn't argue, just bounced around full of energy. With a small smile, I turned around and started to head towards the bar - I'd have to have a chat with Grandpa Bucket, and Sparkles would be the best way to find him-

"Now, how about we make your dad proud?"

And that's when I could feel heat in my ears. I wasn't- The kid wasn't- I didn't look that old!

Trotting to the other side of the town, I looked around as some of the captured ponies were reconnecting with their loved ones, or were already picking up on where they left off. Such as helping on building defenses in case something would happen. Which it might. Smart ponies. Looking around, I finally noticed the amethyst mare who was levitating Sparkle Cola Rad to Wanderlust - who still was wearing his battle-saddle and, well, everything that covered his skin. That seemed a bit weird to me, but who was I to judge someone’s fashion style considering what I was wearing...

"Sparkles! I need to find Grandpa, know where he is?" I partially shouted, before disclosing the distance. The mare looked at me with big bright smile, nodding a bit at my question before pointing the way down the street.

"Three shacks down from here, his wife has a small garden in the front yard. Can't miss it."

I was about to thank her, when Wanderlust suddenly lifted his hoof a bit, getting my attention right away.

"Thirty three." - he said, slowly. My expression must've shown my confusion, because he lowered his hoof back down, giving me what I assumed a firm look.

"There were thirty three ponies here who I owed my lives to. I was determined on paying that debt when the slavers attacked - but instead of repaying, I got trapped as well. Thirty three lives that I promised to save, and I failed. Instead, you did what I couldn't - so, in my opinion... I should save you thirty three times, to set the record."

My jaw dropped down, not sure if I could actually follow the logic. I looked back at Sparkles, who just snorted a bit at my expression. "Wanderlust is like that. He believed he owed this town when we healed him back to health. Since you saved us, he wants to repay you for doing his job." she then explained, waving her hoof around in the air. I arched a brow, before looking back at Wanderlust.

"What would happen if I'd say no?"

"I'd follow you from a distance."

I sighed a bit and sat down, shaking my head. Honestly speaking, I wouldn't mind another companion. Someone to follow and make sure the little foal who was running around my feet would be safe. On the other hoof, I really didn't want to be responsible for another life right now, not with me on the constant move for now. So, I took a deep breath, and thought of a way for me not to decide on this.

"I'll have to ask the kid first. Get their opinion." - I stated, before standing up again. "Kid's practicing some shield spells right now, so give it an hour or two. But for now, I gotta go talk with Grandpa Bucket."

"Heave ho!"

I pulled a piece of rubble behind me, as per instructed. I had been strapped into a harness to pull piles of scrap and pieces of fallen walls to designated places, which was then quickly turned into materials for reinforcements. Holes in the main wall were quickly patched, and the two guard towers were quickly made much sturdier. Now we were focusing on the gate, as it was the most likely place to be attacked.

"I think that was the last piece laying around." I told the old buck who was sitting near the two workers, one of which came to remove my harness telling me to take a break. Honestly I couldn't disagree with the idea, getting something to drink and catching my breath. So, I walked over to where Grandpa Bucket was sitting, and took the offered water, sighing happily when I felt the somewhat cool liquid go down my throat. The older stallion patted the empty space next to him, signaling for me to sit there.

"Fixin’s goin' fine," he started out, looking at the younger ones work. "Ye sure them slavers are goin' to try an' invade?"

I chuckled dryly, with no mirth what so ever. Bucket caught it, giving me a look - which caused me to quickly nod at him. "Positive. Once their buddies come and see what happened at that camp, they'll try and take revenge. Their kind usually don't learn easy." Grandpa didn't look too happy about those news, which was understandable. I laid down properly, allowing my legs just enjoy the feeling of not having to support any weight whatsoever. I'd get back into work soon enough, but there was no point of working to the bone right now.

"We ain't exactly fighters, most of us at least. So I appreciate all the help ye givin'. Ye an' lil hayseed - he spent whole day while ye were out fixin' my wife’s garden."

I felt the corners of my mouth twitch at that, and I tried my darnest not to smile too much. "Just doing what any decent pony should. I just wish the slavers are smart enough not to get too aggressive, and leave this town alone after getting some resistance here."

Grandpa was about to say something, when a young buck that was standing in one of the guard towers suddenly yelled down at us. The pinkish stallion was waving his hoof at us, looking panicked, and uttered one word that got me up and running towards the guardtower.

"Slavers!"

I started to climb up the ladder, partially hopping to get all the way up, peering over the protective wall at what was going on. In the distance, I could see a group of ponies. Five, six... ten. Ten ponies, and at least two griffons. With some crates, and weapons. The details however blurred away, as I saw a unicorn trotting closer. Green mane slicked back, glasses, robes that covered the rest of his grayish coat. But what really got my attention was the yellow and black robes, and the insignia at the front. An insignia of an open, black skeletal maw with long saber-fangs, roaring into a yellow star. I knew that mark. The mark of the Rawmaw.

I was so focused on staring, that I heard nothing. Nothing but muffled voices and a quiet tinny whistle. My heart started to pound, thundering in my ears - ear, one ear, singular - and only hearing Grandpa Bucket shout something at the envoy. It snapped me out of my stupor, and I tuned in to the conversation.

"Ye gotta be few cigars short of carton if ye think those are the terms we gonna agree with!"

I looked down at the old buck, then back at the unicorn who merely smirked, flicking some dirt off his robes. "Now now old man. No need for insults. These aren't terms, these are facts. Either you surrender and live under servitude, or we'll take over the town and... dispose of anyone who opposes us." - the unicorn spoke in slick voice, while inspecting his hoof, before looking back up at us with a smile that was almost kind - if it had reached his eyes. "You have three hours to cho-"

I slammed both of my hooves to the railing, standing up on my hindquarters. This took the attention of the guard, Bucket, and the envoy - who for his credit didn't flinch. Just blinked in confusion, as I pulled in deep breath, trying really hard not to shout in anger. Which I may have failed at.

"Only way any of Rawmaw’s hooflickers will get even a hair of a pony from this town is over my cold dead body!"

I am not sure what shocked the unicorn more - the fact that I knew who he worked for, or me daring to challenge him. The unicorn’s mouth hung open for a second, before he scoffed at me, wrinkling his muzzle.

"And who, dare I ask, are you?"

Oh if I had known what was going to happen from this encounter, I would've... well, added quite a few additives that would've made old Mama Pot clean my mouth with soap, to be fair. I flicked my head back, flinging my mane out of my face, before turning my head to show the scar. The scar that was running down from my ear, and over my brow as two long strokes. I didn't need to see it, to know what it looked like. I didn't break eye-contact with the envoy, even when he started to realize who I was when I started to talk.

"The one who got away from your little camp at Chipped Claw."

I couldn't help but to smirk a bit, as his eyes turned wider. I let my mane back down, smirking down on the envoy. Sure, he didn't know exactly who I was. But scars clearly made by talons - like that of a griffon - and knowing the location of one of their slave camps was enough for the unicorn to realize he was talking to an escaped slave.

"Do tell Sheerclaw that Jackpot says hi."

The envoy suddenly pointed at me, looking at the Grandpa Bucket. "New deal! You give me that pony, and we'll leave this town alone! You have five hours to consider!" - I don't know if I should've been flattered or not. Before I could decide however, he turned on his heels and started to gallop back to the camp - leaving me utterly confused. Well. This was going to be interesting.

Author's Note

Footnote, level up. New perk added - Heave Ho! Your thrown weapons range and accuracy has increased by 30%