The Lonely Mercenary

AN---Hey guys….sorry for the long wait. I’ve been getting up at 5, going to work, coming home to eat, shower and go to sleep for the next morning. I tried to write on the bus to and from work but, I always get motion sickness after like 5 minutes of looking at a screen… Buuuuut since I don’t work anymore, I should have a lot more time to write if I keep my mind to it. So here’s the latest work that I have produced. I hope you enjoy.

“AAAAHHHHHGGGGG!!!!!!” My screams got louder and louder as more images flooded my vision. Images of war, slavery, death, and blood. I rolled around in my huge bed, just about crushing my head from the pain. Ponies raced through looking at me like I knew them. Some more than others.

The same five ponies kept flashing one after another. Four of them were Pegasus, the last was an Earth pony. They all varied in color. The Earth pony was Jet Black, with Fire Red mane. The two Pegasus that showed to be mares were both green, sisters I guessed. One Mint green with an Orange mane, the other a Dark Leaf green with Neon yellow and orange mane.

The other two stood out more then the others, a White stallion Pegasus with a Silver mane, decorated with Tribal tattoos. His cutie mark a Skull and cross bones. The other, well, he was a Pegasus with Bat wings. They pride themselves on their self-given nickname. The Demon Pegasus. He had a lighter Gray coat than I did, and a Jet Black mane with a Grayish Blue streak. His body was littered with scars.

Visions of them fighting by my side, fighting ME, images of them still, lifeless, on the verge of death…My visions were cut short thanks to the pain of me hitting the floor.

I laid there as still as possible. The flashes were over but, my head pounded with pain every time I tried to move. “Fuck….” I managed to say weakly. “What the fuck was that?” Only more questions raised from the new faces and scenes I saw.
I laid there for what seemed like forever. But it was only 3:48 compared to the alarm clock on the desk behind me. I slowly got up and stumbled to the desk by the door. I leaned into it causing a shift of the contents it held. I paused and hit the desk again.
‘Bits? The princess left me bits?’ I opened the top drawer, bits that were once neatly stacked, laid scattered throughout. It didn’t look like much though. I grabbed what I could and picked up the saddlebag that was in the corner.

“Jeez, she got me everything I ever wanted!” I said to myself sarcastically. I put the bag on and carefully made my way down the stairs. I looked around and sighed, I had such a big house, and nopony to share it with. ’Wait what? I don’t know who I am and I’m getting depressed about being alone instead of not knowing myself?!’

I found myself growing angrier by the second. I started to shake, I growled at the darkness. “FUCK!!” *SMASH* My hoof smashed through the coffee table in front of the couch. But it wasn’t enough, I continued smashing it until it was nothing more than splinters spread across the floor.

I was breathing heavily, I fell back with my head hung low. I felt calmer at least. “Better clean this up…” I said with a sad smile.

The club was booming, music blasted through the air, ponies were dancing, and everypony was having a great night. All but one unicorn. Vinyl sat at the bar taking her break as another Dj played for the crowed. She let out a heavy sigh, taking another shot of whatever the bartender served her.

“You alright Scratch?” He asked his only customer at his bar counter. She looked up at him, she had different glasses on then normal, but he could still see how, uneasy, she was. “I don’t know Mix…I mean, well…ugh!” She threw her head down on the counter making a loud thump. Mix looked at her with confusion.

“Somethin’ on your mind V? Or more, somepony?” He asked like he already knew. Vinyl’s hoof went up, gesturing for another shot. Mix shook his head and poured another round for her. Her head shot up after he placed it in front of her.
“Y-yeah…how do you always know what’s wrong?!” She more demanded then asked. He gave a small chuckle. “It comes with the job Scratch.” He grabbed a cloth and began cleaning the counter. “Now, Stallion, or Mare?” She nervously played with her drink.

“…Stallion…” Mix barely picked up what she said. “Well, what’s his name? And where did ya meet him?” Vinyl took her shot, slamming the glass down. “I met him, well, found him in the Everfree. He was pretty banged up. His name is…Black Foxx..” She was cut off by the sound of glass shattering on the floor.

She looked over at Mix who had a look of fear about him. “What? You alright Mix?” She looked around like there was something going on behind her. Mix gulped and put a shaky hoof on the counter. “B-b-black…F-foxx? THE Black Foxx?” His look of horror grew. Vinyl was no doubt confused. “Um, yeah. I guess, you heard of him?” He put his hooves over his face calming himself. “I’ve heard stories of him….”

Vinyl perked up “Really?! Could you talk to him? He cant remember who he was. He didn’t even know his name when I first talked to him and…” Mix cut her off “Absolutely not! I’m not going anywhere near that pony! If half of what I’ve heard is true…you’d be better off forgetting about him.” He shouted and grabbed something from beneath the counter and ran to the back room.

“Sip! Take over, I’m leaving early, and taking a vacation!” He turned around to Vinyl. “And as long as he’s here, I most certainly wont come back! He’s trouble, and death follows his shadow.” He said with fear as he ran out. ’What? Death, shadow, trouble?’ She let out a loud sigh and got up. “Best go home myself. Hey Sip, I’m out too. See you Monday!”

I walked up the road trying to clear my head of what happened in the house. Since there was nothing open in the market, seeing it was 4 in the morning, I made my way to the Entertainment district. If you could even say this small town had. It wasn’t cold, but the wind made it a little chilly. All I had to keep warm was the beanie on top of my head.

I ended up stopping at Vinyl and Octavia’s place. I sat there for awhile looking at the windows for any sort of life inside. ’Guess they’re both asleep.’ I smirked as I got up and walk farther down the road. It took awhile but I got to E district, as it was called by the few locals I passed. The neon signs glowed brightly all around.

I walked down the well lit road, I stopped at what seemed to be a night club. “Pon3 house.” I said aloud to myself. “Why not.” I shrugged. I approached the door only to find it swing open almost hitting me. I jumped back at the assaulting door, “Aaahhh!” The pony screamed, almost falling back. I looked at the mare and tilted my head. “Vinyl?”
She shook her head in surprise. “Foxx?” We stared at each other for a few seconds. “What are you doing up this early?” She asked me. A little nervous for an unknown reason. “I…couldn’t sleep. Why are you up this early?” I asked back. She walked up to me and threw her foreleg around me. She waved her hoof through the air as she read the name, “Pon3 House! Its my club! I just got off of work.” Her voice was mildly slurred. I noticed how tipsy she was, “On your way home then?” I asked, concern in my voice.

“Not unless you want to get some drinks!?” I looked at her raising a brow. “Alright, guess that’s cool. Where to?” She smiled and walked down the road, I followed close behind to make sure she didn’t fall and hurt herself. “Here we are!”

I looked up to see a “hole in the wall” bar. “Its my favorite place to get some drinks and just chill, you know?” She sounded more drunk now. “I guess.” I said while taking the lead and walking into the bar. “Welcome to Green Lucks Pub! Have a seat, I’ll be right with ya’!” I looked over to the Green pony who yelled at us. ’Pub, not bar. My bad Pops.’ I told myself before following Vinyl to a corner table. We sat down, Vinyl had a smile on her face. But was looking off into nowhere.

The green stallion walked over and asked for our order. “What would ye’ like lad?” He had a strong Irish Pony accent. “Um, do you have AppleJack Brandy?” He scribbled down on his notepad. “We do indeed lad! ‘Tis one of our specials! And for the Lass?” He turned his head to Vinyl. “Uhhhhh…..Hard Ciders fine. Already had some drinks at my club…” She chuckled. The stallion smiled. “Alright, one AppleJack and Hard Cider comin’ up.” He trotted away.

I looked back at Vinyl, She took off her new glasses with a flash of her horn. Those deep red eyes. The eyes that saved my life. Yet, I felt so scared looking into them. But at the same time, calm. It was confusing. I guess I was staring for a while, because she looked at me weirdly. “Um dude, you alright” Your staring pretty hard.” I shook my head, “Huh…Wha…Oh, sorry.” I rubbed my eyes. “It’s the eyes huh?” She said lowly. “Ponies are usually scared of them…” She went to put her glasses back on. She looked sad. “No! Wait!” I grabbed her hoof before she could lift the glasses off the table. She looked back at my shocked at my response.

‘Oh shit…’ I let go, and looked away, my face redder then her eyes. “I mean, there scary sure, but….their beautiful as well. I…I like them…” It was her turn to blush. She quickly looked away to hide the redness. ’Smooth mate….’ I thought to myself. But, she had a smile on her face, she looked back at me brushing her not-so-gelled hair out of her face. “Th-thank you.” I smiled back. Before I had a chance to respond, the Green pony came back with our drinks. “Sorry for the wait folks, counter got a wee bit busy. If you need anything else just give me, Green Luck, a shout. Enjoy yerselves!” He trotted back to the front of the pub.

I grabbed my drink and took in a deep whiff of the drinks aroma. ’Mmmmm….’ I closed my eyes and took a drink. For some reason I knew it was the best I’ve ever hade. “This is good. Glad you took me here.” I raised my drink, clinked it together with Vinyl’s mug of Cider. “Your welcome. Oh, and by the way, this is your treat!” She chugged her drink and called to Green Luck for another round. I just smiled and shook my head.

We staggered out of the pub a few hours later, both drunk off our asses. We had to hold onto each other as to not fall on our faces. We laughed at all the jocks and stories we shared while drinking. I ended up spending all my bits, and then some. “Haha…oh my god…I cant believe you actually remembered somethin about yer pashed.” Vinyl slurred out. I laughed along with her. “I know, its like drinkin wif you helped me membah a bit. To…to bad it wasn’t anything important. Jus some pony I used to…hang out with a lot.” She stopped and put both hooves on my shoulders spinning me around to face her. “But it is important!” She yelled. “If we find the pony, we…we could get more answers!” She swayed and stumbled a bit before a caught her.

“We…should…head home..” I said trying to stay upright balancing both of us. All she did was nod in agreement. We started our long walk home, it was filled with laughter and slurred, incomprehensible sentences. We got onto our street and Vinyl posed a good question.

“If you cant walk alone. How…are you gonna get home?” We stopped and I looked at her with a puzzled face. “I…don’t know. You could help me home I guess.” She started to nod but then shook her head. “But how will I get back? I cant walk without you either!” We fell back, sitting on the road. “I don’t know….How, how about….no…that wont work too….” Vinyl turned my head to look at her, “You could always stay at my place! That way none of us has to walk alone!” My eyes widened like a filly getting their cutie mark. “Sounds great! Lets go….”

I almost fell back, but was caught by Vinyl. We helped each other up and proceeded to her home. After many falls from the both of us, we made it to the door. Vinyl unlocked it with her magic and pushed open the door. “Tavi…Tavi you awake?” She said with a yelling whisper. “Ok, shhhh…Tavi’s sleeping still.” I nodded and walked in holding the walls for support. I found my way to the couch and collapsed on it. “Night Vinyl…” My words were muffled but she understood. “Night Foxx…” She said, making her way to her room.

And just like that, I was out. I don’t even remember if I had a dream. The only thing I knew was, it was bright and everything was extremely loud when I was rudely awoken.

“What in Tartarus are you doing in our house!?” A angry yell came from the mare who shared the house with Vinyl. I awoke with a start, and quickly grabbed my head in pain. “AAAAAHHHHHGGGGGG!!!!!” I fell off the couch and hit the floor rather hard. “Ooooouuuuuuuccccccchhhhhhhh…….” I dragged out a heavy breath. She stood there, annoyed at my trespass. “I’ll ask again. What. Are. You. Doing. Here!?” I grabbed my head harder, pulling myself into a ball.

“No sleep….walk…..Vinyl….drinks….couldn’t walk….she offered…I crashed…now please….quiet….” I managed to say in between gasps for air that the pain made me forget to take.

She sighed heavily, placing a hoof on her face. She turned around and went to the kitchen. I couldn’t move, so I tried to fall back asleep on the floor. But the pain was to much. She returned and put some medicine and a glass of water down by me. “Here.” She had a smile on her face. “This should help that headache of yours. Why don’t you go lay down in my bed for now. I’ll get you both up in a few hours.” I didn’t have to say anything. I took the meds and drank the whole glass of water. She helped me up and practically carried me to her room.

She put me in her bed and let out a quiet laugh. “Now get some rest, I’ve got a lovely tour of town for you later on.” She smiled and walked out. Sleep took me soon after.

“Black Foxx” A strange voice echoed my dream. “I’ll see you soon, brother.”