The Lonely Mercenary

“Hey Foxx…” The black Earth pony whispered. I turned around to look at him. He was standing by the fire, his Katana in his hooves. It hung over the fire. “Fire…what the hell are you doing?” I asked, aggravated at my lack of sleep. His eyes were narrow, he stood in silence as his blade burned. “Just cleaning my blade. You clean yours?”

I looked at him. ‘What kind of question is that?’ Deciding that I wouldn’t get any sleep, I got up and joined him at the fire. “Yeah, of course I did. Cant sleep?” I looked at him. He still stared at the flames. “Yeah, just thinking.” He finally looked at me. His eyed were red, like he was crying.

“You alright bro?” I asked concerned. He never cried, at least not where someone could see him. ”You have a special somepony waitin’ for you after this?” He asked. “You know I don’t. Is this about Aly?” I placed a hoof on my face, shaking my head. He took his Katana out of the fire and inspected it.

“The thing is, when you got a special somepony, your supposed to look forward to seeing them after a job. But with her, I never want to return home. You know what its like to have sex with a Mare that’s obsessed with you?” He put his Katana back in its sheath. “Again, you know I don’t….”

I turned around, walked to my makeshift bed. “Yeah…why’d you do it?” I laid down. “What? Swear to never have another relationship? I made her a promise…” He walked over and sat next to me. “You ever get that kiss before she…you know…” I rolled over so he couldn’t see my tears.

“No….”

I opened my eyes. The purple glow of the sun hitting the curtain lit the room nicely. The pillow I laid on was wet from my tears. I sat up and dried my face, I looked around the room. It was simple, a closet, dresser, bed, night stand, and a lamp. There looked to be an instrument in the corner by the door. I got up and walked to the door.

Pain shoot through my head once more. “Arg…” An image of a dark red Mare raced through my mind. Memories flooded my head. I clutched my head trying to process every bit of information. I stood there for what felt like hours, once I regained my senses I opened the door and went to find some paper.

I walked through the house, Octavia was nowhere to be found. “Octavia?” I yelled. The only answer I got in return was the soft snoring that came from downstairs. I assumed it had to be Vinyl. I doubt that Octavia would snore, she seemed to proper. I found some paper and a quill.

Hey girls,
Sorry I left without saying anything to you in person.
But I just have to go and get some air.
I’ll be back later.
I guess that I’ll take care of that tour myself, sorry Octavia.
I remembered a name, Blood River.
Black Foxx

I left the note and left the house. It was only 9:17. Still pretty early for a lot of ponies to be up. I picked a direction and started walking.

Octavia trotted down the road as fast as she could. She ran up her steps and paused at the door to find her key that somehow hid in her saddle bag. She quickly found it and slipped it in the hole. She busted through the door and quietly shut it behind her. She was soaked. “I thought today was supposed to be clear skies…” She said with an angry tone. “Guess the weather ponies had a surprise storm in store for us.”

She looked around for anything to dry off with. She spotted her scarf and grabbed it, quickly drying off as best she could. “Better throw you in the wash.” She made her was to the laundry room and tossed her scarf in the basket. She heard Vinyl snoring away downstairs and smiled.

Octavia walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. She pulled out some food and made herself lunch. Nothing big, just a sandwich and a drink. She finished and went over to the sink to dispose of her dirty dishes.

She paused as she spotted a note on the counter. She picked it up and read it. She smiled at the note Foxx left for them. “I hope your somewhere dry.” She said aloud to nopony. She gasped in realization. ’Maybe I can have a day with Vinyl!’ She turned around to see her Unicorn Marefriend coming up the stairs.

Vinyl looked at her and smiled. “Morning Tavi…” She made her way to the kitchen. “Morning.” Octavia replied. “Foxx already left. Though, I hope he’s somewhere safe. Its raining pretty bad outside.” She said getting nervous. Vinyl nodded and went to the couch. She picked up the seat cushion that was still on the ground from when Foxx fell. Octavia started to walk over to her. She almost tripped a few times. ’Why am I so nervous? I can do this…Cant I?’ She bit her lip.

Vinyl was sitting there, rubbing her head from her early morning drinking. Octavia sat by her and waited. She was nervous about what to say to her Marefriend. “You alright Tavi?” Vinyl asked looking up at her. She straightened up at her question. “Y..yeah…I, I just wanted to ask if you wanted to spend the day together?” She said quickly in her nervous laced voice. Vinyl’s face went from puzzled to a devious smile. “Why? Trying to confess your undying love for me?” She teased. Octavia gave a nervous chuckle. “Hehe.. Y..y..yeah…” Her face was as red as Vinyl’s eyes.

She tried to look away to hide her ever bright red face. But Vinyl saw it, her tone got serious for some reason. “You ok Tavi?” She asked concerned. She sat there looking away, ’Come on Octavia! You can do this!’ She yelled at herself. She turned around and looked Vinyl straight in the eyes. “Vinyl I…” She couldn’t speak, as much as she tried, it just wouldn’t leave her mouth. So, she did the next best thing. She launched forward, wrapping her arms around Vinyl. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips to hers.

Vinyl’s eyes were wide from shock. But she soon found herself closing her eyes and returning the kiss. Octavia broke away and looked into her eyes. “Vinyl, I…I love you…” She couldn’t believe what she just heard. Vinyl’s heart began to race as she stared into Octavia’s eyes.

“I love you too Octavia…” She said as they both pressed their lips together into a more passionate kiss. Their mouths opened slightly allowing their tongues to enter and dance with one another. The kiss grew more passionate and aggressive as Octavia pushed Vinyl on her back and got on top of her. Their hooves started to explore each others bodies. They broke the kiss for the much needed air they both needed.

Octavia got up and slowly walked to the hallway. She turned her head. “I think we should continue this somewhere more comfortable, don’t you?” She said with a seductive voice. She turned around and started to walk to her room. She waved her tail to expose herself to her Unicorn partner. Vinyl’s eyes widened as she processed the invitation. She scrambled to get up and trotted to Octavia’s room.

Two Stallions sat at the counter of a pub. The Unicorn handed a drink to the Earth pony. “Here, you need one of these.” The Earth pony took it and took a big drink. He looked at his friend, “Thanks for saving my flank OP… For a second, I thought I was gonna see Foxx sooner then I’d like.” The Unicorn finished his drink in one go. “Think nothing of it maaannn. I’m just glad I got there when I did. That Dragon was on some kind of dust or shit. He was one tuff bastard to kill.”

He raised his hoof and ordered a shot of Applejack Brandy. When it came he quickly tossed it back and stood up. “Hey, I gotta flash bro. But when you find that bastard who’s responsible for Foxx’s death. Let me know. I’ll be happy to throw in a few punches with ya’.” The Earth pony nodded as the Unicorn walked out. His eyes began to water as he thought about Foxx. ’Why’d you have to die now bro? ’ He looked up and yelled to the barkeep. “Hey Green Luck! Two shots of Applejack, yeah?” The Green Stallion looked his way and smiled. “Sure ting lad!” He waited patiently for his shots to come to him.

“Here ya’ go mate.” Luck said as he turned back to the other customers. The Earth pony slid one of the shots to the empty seat to his right. He reach in his saddle bag and pulled out a picture of Foxx. He placed it down by the shot. He picked up his, “Well mate, to you, and all those waiting for me on the other side. To the fallen!” He yelled. “May they rest in peace…” His finished quietly. Green Luck walked over and picked up his empty shot. He caught a glance of the picture next to him. “You know, could of sworn you were mournin the loss of a friend. But, I saw this lad just this morning.” The Earth pony shot his head up to look at Green Luck. “What?!?! What do you mean?! He’s been dead for a week now!” He was pissed. Green Luck lilted his head confused. “I never forget a face, let me look at the picture. Maybe my age is catchin up ta me.” He slid the picture to him. Luck grabbed it and analyzed it carefully. “No, no it definitely was him. Black cropped mane with a green strip in it. Same hat to boot! Though, he had some more scares, fresh ones at that.” He put the picture down. The Earth ponies eyes grew wide. “You mean he’s alive?! Was he with anyone? He say anything?” He asked in rapid succession.
Green chuckled. “Easy lad. He came in around 4:30 this morning with a Mare. From what I saw, they were pretty close. Didn’t say anything to me besides his order though.”

The Earth pony put on a look of confusion. ’Foxx was never one to get close to a pony. Let alone a Mare.’ He cleared his throat. “Can you tell me who he was with? Id like to see him as soon as possible.”

Green Luck smiled. “Of course lad. He was with Vinyl Scratch, see lives on the corner or 6th and Mane.” He smiled, “Thanks Green Luck, I owe you one! See ya’!” At that, he got up, took the last shot of Applejack and grabbed his picture.

‘Where in Tartarus am I going?’ I’ve been walking for most of the day. I was completely soaked thanks to the storm that started when I reached the Everfree Forest. I’ve been following my instincts and trusting them to take me to the right destination for a while now. The whole time all I could think about was that Red Mare that plagued my mind. Who was she? Was she someone special to me? Questions like these ran through my head as I walked through to forest. I looked up at the tree tops, big rain drops fell to my face as I looked for answers. Where ever I was going, my body seemed to know where It was. Turning on its own, jumping over ledges to cliffs I didn’t even see.

But then I suddenly saw something. ’A Mare?’ I looked harder, it wasn’t just any Mare, it was the Red Mare from my memory. “Wait!” I shouted. But she just took off running behind a bolder. I trotted up and turned on the path she took. I saw a glimpse of her flank as it turned another corner. ’Shit’ I ran faster and fallowed her path.

I came to a open area. In front of me was a cliff side waterfall, it was beautiful. I walked forward and came upon a grave marker just off the waters edge. I looked at it and read the words aloud.

“Here lies the Unicorn Mercenary Blood River. Her sacrifice saved the lives of many Brothers and Sisters. May she forever rest in peace.” The rest gave her information, ’Blood River, Blood type: B-, SN:3699DA, 1st Special Task Group.’
I felt a tear run down my face. Images flashed in front of my eyes. But this time, they didn’t hurt, at least not physically.

I was on the ground, clutching my side that was sliced open by the Diamond Dog I was fighting. It raised his blade and let out a screech. A blade pierced through its chest and it fell. A Red Mare stood behind it smiling.

I laid in a hospital bed, the Red Mare beside me. “Thanks for saving me, I’m Black Foxx.” She smiled at me, “I’m Blood River, its nice to meet you.”

“Alright from now on, the 1st STG will have a buddy system, choose a partner. They’ll be with you for as long as you live.” A Unicorn said. “Hey Foxx, want to partner up?” Blood River asked. I smiled.

We fought armies of Manticore and dragons. Being victorious without a scratch.

We defeated General Featherweight at Grifton together, stopping a global war.

We got in and out of Canterlot, stealing Celestia’s crown without notice.

Explored vast areas beyond the known territories of Equestria. Bringing back riches of unknown lands.

I stood above her protecting her as she struggled to pull out the many arrows that stuck out of her body. Her screams made me angry and drove me to slaughter all who came near her. After the battle I removed the arrows and applied first aid. “Your gonna be alright River. Just relax.” Her breathing was erratic, “I’ve lost to much blood, I cant…I cant go on Foxx just…” I interrupted her, “Don’t talk like that! Your tougher than this, you can pull through!” She closed her eyes and took control of her breathing. “I love you River! And I’m not gonna lose you here!”

We were older, we went into Canterlot again and stole the crown a second time. This time just for fun.

We were cuddled up by a fire enjoying the down time we got after a mission. “Hey Foxx?” I had my eyes closed. “Hmmm?” She shifted to look at me. “Don’t ever leave me…please?” I opened my eyes. “I would never leave you. You’re the only one I want, and I’ll never have another relationship with another pony.” A tear formed in her eye. “Promise?” I smiled, “Promise.”

We protected a Government official from harm in neighboring countries.

We were in a terrible battle. Dead ponies and dragons littered the ground. “We’re falling back! All forces pull back! Pull back!!” I grabbed River and started running back with the others. Dragons strafed, burning ponies as they fled. River let go of my hoof. “River!?” She turned around and put up a huge shield. “Go! I cant hold them forever!” I ran to her side. “River, I wont leave you!” She threw me to the side with her magic. “OP take him! Get everyone out of here!” A Unicorn came up and grabbed me and pulled me back. “NO! River! Let me go! River!” I yelled and yelled. She turned her head. “I love you….”

I came back to reality. Tears were flowing freely down my face. “River….” I couldn’t hold back anymore. I let out a loud cry, something that was pent up for what seemed like years. I cried hard in front of the grave marker of my once special somepony.

Moments past faster then they should have. It felt like time was rushing my mourning over her. It was getting dark, I calmed down enough to where I could talk. “River…I’m sorry…Why? Why did you have to die?” I stared at the stone. "I love you so much...Still now, even know your gone...I still love you more then anypony else..."

"AAAARRRRRGGGGG!!!!!" My head felt like it was splitting. The pain was by far the worst I ever had in the past week. Memories of who I once was flooded my mind. I clutched my head as hard as I could trying to make the pain stop. Names, faces, locations, jobs, conversations. Everything came back to me. The pain subsided after a bit and I looked at the stone.
"Thanks River. Because of you I remembered..." I smiled down at the grave by my hooves.

My tears ran out by now. I shook violently from the raw emotion that flooded my body. I laid down next to the grave, I moved my head over it. I slowly brought my head down and gave a gentle kiss to the stone.

“I never did get my kiss…” I smiled softly, closing my eyes.