Hannah sat quietly inside the Mug Shot Saloon. She was buried inside of the tent that was Jared’s old jacket. Sitting at a table alone, she sipped her drink. She’d had one too many about four glasses ago, but she couldn’t stop. She couldn’t forget that man. He’d always felt so passionately, cared so deep, and she’d only ever acknowledged it as clingy. She thought about how it was clear she'd hurt him.

As time wore on, as she watched others hurt him, she found him becoming more and more damaged. More unstable. He held himself together even when life got stressful, but he was hanging on by a thread. Her insides turned around themselves in anxiety as she thought about what she’d done to him. She'd only made his state worse. She knew in the year after his one relationship had ended tragically, he’d suggested going out several times.

She’d always claimed to be busy, instead of just telling him she didn't want to.

The bar was dim, it was evening now. She didn’t necessarily wish she had him back...

But she at least wanted to hold him one last time, that she could treat him better. That maybe, just maybe she could help him move past his hurt, to let go. That she could be a good friend.

Aw hell, of course she wanted him back. She’d never once hinted at it, so she knew he’d moved on. He was even engaged before he died.

Surely he didn’t care about her anymore, after all she’d done to show his existence little meaning...

She took another drink as she knew she’d never get the chance to ask. Sometimes you don't get second chances. Sometimes it hurts, but you're exactly where you need to be.

A rather attractive man sauntered towards the table, sitting down across from her. He was dressed up in a sharp red plaid and light blue jeans. He was dressed a lot like Jared used to, except this man had longer hair.. Blonde hair..

“This seat taken?” He asked.

“Take it, I was just leaving.” She stood, stumbling out towards the front door.

She wanted to tell him... She wanted someone to know.. She stepped out the door.

————————

"Mr. Johannisson.." The Psychiatrist addressed Clay. Clay had brought Jared in, it was July of 2021. Miranda had been killed that spring. Jared had lost a lot of weight. He wasn't doing good mentally, or physically since then. "I appreciate you bringing him in to speak with me.."

"He won't do medication.." Clay said. "He was always a little strange, I guess he's really ADD or something but.. This is just.. Different.. He's constantly depressed.. He can't move on.. I don't know how to help."

"He's heartbroken... He needs time, I'm confident if he keeps coming in we can work through things.." The psychiatrist spoke. "But about him being in future relationships, or high stress situations.. Moving to new places.. These things could push him over the edge, make him act irrationally. He may feel in control and be absolutely spiraling."

"I'll do my best to keep an eye on him." Clay replied.

Twilight awoke from her rest, having heard a strange noise. She slowly sat up, listening in the dark. After a few moments, she laid her head down again. Her eyes had just closed when the noise sounded again. A knock on the oak front door. She slowly rolled out of bed and clicked on the light beside her bed. Looking at her wind-up alarm clock, it was 3 in the morning. Twilight slowly made her way downstairs as the firm, yet calm knock sounded for a third time. She cracked open the door, staring into the faces of two royal guards.

"Hello..?" Twilight asked.

"Ma'am. Urgent news from the princess. Another human has been found off the coast of Vanhoover. Nearly frozen to death, washed up in one of the log jams of the Northumbria Log Driving camp. Our sources say the human is stable and will be moved to Canterlot by train, scheduled to arrive in a few hours. Princess Luna has requested that the elements as well as the human known as "Wright" be brought to the palace.

She rubbed her eyes with her forelegs, suddenly wide awake.

"Will she send to collect us, do we take the train?" She asked, in a worrisome tone.

"The princesses have reserved seats aboard the royal coach, it will be coupled to the Ponyville express and be waiting for you at 9:30." The second guard replied.

"Thank you." Twilight spoke softly. They bowed and turned to leave. She slowly closed the door, then abruptly sprinted to her bedroom. "Spike, wake up!"

His snores continued. She zipped to his side, shaking the wooden bed he slept in. He jolted awake.

"Twilight..? It's.. 3:12, what is it?" He groaned, looking at the clock before slamming his eyes shut again.

"We need to go to Canterlot today with Jared, they found another human. Alive." Twilight explained ecstatically as she rushed about, packing a small suitcase with writing equipment and an empty journal.

"When do we leave." He groaned, rolling over.

"We need to be at the station at 9:30." She replied. He let out a noise of defeat as he put his pillow over his head.

"Goodnight."

Jared awoke to a pounding on the door. His jumped to consciousness, startled. It was still dark outside. He slowly got to his feet and fumbled in the darkness for his 1911. He held the .45 in his left hand as he walked to the door. He unlocked it and pressed the barrel of the handgun to the door, opening it with his right hand. A pony stood outside, he couldn't see who.

"Can I help you?" He asked groggily.

"Jared, I have news." It was Twilight. He flipped on the light at her voice and sighed.

"You scared the shit out of me." He threw his handgun on the desk, walking around as she let herself in.

"Sorry, they found another human, alive."

He was walking towards the bathroom, then stopped in his tracks. He whirled around to look at her, confused.

"Fucking what?"

"The princesses have a train waiting for us at 9:30." She replied. "It'll be about 12 before we get there, it takes a while for the train to climb the mountain." Twilight informed him.

"Is there a carriage path, like for stagecoaches?" He asked.

"Well.. Yes, but there aren't any stagecoaches in Ponyville, and it's dangerous.. There's many wild animals along it.."

"How long is it?"

"It's about 30 miles... Can't miss it, it follows the tracks at the base of the mountain." She replied.

"What time is it?" He rushed to get dressed, he was in his boxers. He slipped on socks, pants, then a shirt. He rushed to the bathroom to wash out his greasy hair using the hand soap.

"It's about 5:30, the sun will be coming up any moment." Twilight called from the other room. Jared rubbed his now wet hair with a towel, attempting to dry it as he rushed back into the office. He dug through his things and fished out a ball cap. Black face and brim with a white mesh back and white lettering, it read "ALASKA EST. 1959." He threw the hat on, quickly hopping as he pulled his boots on, rolling his jeans down over them. He snatched his pistol off the desk and tucked it in the back waistband of his jeans, fastening his black leather belt. He pulled on a red and black plaid flannel shirt as he grabbed his shotgun as well.

"Where are you going, we still have a few hours?" Twilight asked, dropping an ear quizzically.

"Canterlot." He replied hastily, dashing out the front door. She slowly followed him out, shutting the door and switching off the lights with her magic. Jared sprinted to his truck, still somewhat limping on his bum leg. He opened the door and threw his shotgun onto the bench seat as he climbed in. He pumped the gas twice, turned the key still in the ignition. The truck started right up with a roar, he quickly put it into gear and tore off across the grass. He was headed vaguely towards Canterlot, trying to intercept the train tracks before they hit the mountain. Eventually he spotted the giant iron scar in the earth, and followed it closely into the hills. Slowly his rate and hopping the rails, he crossed the tracks to dive onto the old carriage path.

The truck tore down the bumpy, yet clear dirt road for some time, after about half an hour of off-roading and climbing the steep grade, the path merged with the railroad tracks once more. As the golden morning sun was rising, he reached the city gates. The city was nearly empty, merely a few ponies headed to their places of work. Jared took his foot off the gas, slowing and downshifting as he cleared the gates. Guards quickly rushed to meet the truck, he stopped. Putting the truck in neutral and rolling down a window, he set the parking brake and hopped up, sitting in the windowsill.

"I was summoned, I'm going to the princesses, get out of my way cuz I'm coming through." He called. They lowered their weapons, aiming the spears at him defensively.

"Wright!" One called. "If you do not tame your beast, we will be forced to attack!"

"It is tamed, get the fuck out of the way!" Jared yelled as he slid back into the window. He popped the brake, dropped it into 2nd gear, and took off towards the guards. They parted around him like water and he shifted into 3rd, idling along at 30 miles per hour. He followed the narrow cobblestone paths to the palace's steps and stomped the brakes, screeching to a halt. He shut the truck off in gear, grabbed his shotgun, and hopped out as the truck's two antennas whipped back and forth gently. He rushed up the steps, slinging the shotgun over his shoulder. He burst through the doors to successfully startle two servants watering plants.

"Princess." He stated. One pointed a hoof down a hallway, then made a gesture as if to say "On the left."

Jared sprinted down the hallway, dodging between three or four servants on his trek. His motorcycle boots slipped and skidded on the polished marble floors as he rounded the corner. He slid, catching himself on his hands. He never lost momentum as he continued down the hall. At the end were two large oak doors, he burst through them unannounced to find a dining room with a long table. Luna was paused with a smile, mid-sentence, talking to Celestia. Two cups of coffee sat steaming on the table before them. They looked at him speechless as he panted.

"Jared! You weren't due for hours!" Luna exclaimed.

He knelt, putting his hands on his knees as he panted. The shotgun slung on his shoulder swung loose on his now bent arm, smacking him in the face. He re-adjusted it and stood full height, smiling broadly as he attempted to catch his breath.

"Where." He panted out, stepping towards them with a limp, having aggravated his leg. "Who is it? How are they?"

Guards burst in behind him, rushing to take him into custody.

"Sentry! What is the meaning of this?" Celestia asked in a booming voice. The guards hesitated. "He is our guest!"

"Princess, he brought a growling beast through Canterlot, endangering dozens!" The guard argued.

"Bitch those streets were empty." His panting eased. "And it's a machine I was in full control of."

"Vigilant Sentry, thank you for your concern. Please post a guard of his carriage to ensure nopony damages it." Luna stepped in. "Dismissed."

The guards hesitated, before turning to leave.

"It is a female, Jared. She is stable, her train arrived about 40 minutes ago. She's expecting visitors far later in the day, please, eat something?"

He looked across the packed table, various breakfast dishes were laid out, as well as unclaimed china.

"Thank you, thank you very much." He smiled as he took a plate, piling what appeared to be grits, toast, eggs, and an apple onto it. The first real meal since he'd been here, he devoured it in an instant. Wiping his mouth with a napkin, he set the silverware and folded napkin on the plate. "What do I do with these?"

"The servants will take care of them." Celestia spoke gently. "Jared, I must warn you.."

"What's that?" He paused, raising an eyebrow.

"She asked about you.."

"Okay?"

"Before we told her you were here."

Author's Note

First chapter in a long time, it's not great, but now that I've re-written myself out of the hole I was in I think we can make some progress!