The Bear, The Bull, And The Pony

More hours pass and the moon is now setting down in the west and the sun is peeking over in the east. Six is still walking down the path wondering just how long this road is. Looking around for a high hill Six steps off to find a better vantage point to see where the path might lead to. Finding one, Six carefully climbs his way up and pulls out a pair of binoculars at the top. That’s when he finds something interesting in the distance.

Around seven klicks out north-ish Six sees a break in the mountain range, and the path leads right through it.

It’s a way out!

Six silently cheers for the fact that he now won’t have to try and scale the mountains. Climbing back down Six gets back on the path and speeding up his walk pushes onto the last leg of his journey.

'Shouldn't take more than an hour to get there.' Six thought to himself.

Around an hour and a half later Six made it. The sun was now just above the horizon and the moon had gone away. Ready to finally get out of the badlands and back to whatever sort of civilization he found on the other side, Six kept on.

But unbeknownst to Six he was no longer alone is these deserted lands. As just before the crack in the mountains was a small group of eight bandit ponies.

They called themselves 'The Vipers' and they made a living ambushing unsuspecting ponies either by hiding in the rocks or luring them into a trap. They would then steal whatever valuables they could find along with any food or water they happened to have. After that they would send the unfortunate ponies on their way, either back the way they came or to brave the badlands.

Around half an hour ago one of their scouts spotted Six in the distance. Alerting the rest of the gang they quickly got into action. Assuming that it was just Six by himself they decided to go with the lure and ambush plan. One of the gang members dressed up as a normal traveler and waited by the side of the path while the others hid themselves amongst the environment.

Their plan was to use the disguised bandit to lure in Six with the excuse that their wagon tipped over behind a big rock face and they needed help getting it back up. Then when Six was in position the rest would jump out and demand him of his valuables and supplies.

They were confident in themselves as this plan almost always worked, and they haven’t had a failed ambush before. Most ponies gave in to their demands after realizing that they were outnumbered and that it was better to just turn around and leave.

But Six was no pony, he was a courier, and he has survived much much worse than a small gaggle of wannabe bandits.

They had no idea what was coming to them.

Meanwhile, Six was elated, he was gonna get out of this damn desert. After a whole day of walking he was out. He thought of what he was going to do to get the transportalponder to send him back. His best guess was to get to the highest place he could to hopefully get a signal from one of Big M.T.’s satellites.

It was also then that he realized that he would still have to scale a mountain to do that.

“God damnit.” he mumbled.

He was right next to the crack now, could even see through it and saw what looked like a grassy plain on the other side. He was going to just rush through but on his way he noticed what looked like a dressed up dog sitting on the side of the path.

'That’s weird. Who left their dog here?’ Six thought to himself.

'Oh it’s looking at me now. Hey there fell..WHAT THE FUCK!? It waved back!' Six was confused as all hell. What was this thing? He thought it was just an odd dog but it just waved back at him after he waved at it.
'What is that thing?' Six said to himself.

Slowly walking to whatever it is Six was able to get a better look at it.

'Ok. So, definitely not a dog. More like a..pony? But its eyes are way too big, and its body is all out of proportion.' Six squinted his eyes,
'And it shouldn't have been able to wave back like that if it was a pony. And why is it wearing a hat and a bandolier? WHERE THE FUCK AM I?'

It now occurs to Six that he might not be on Earth anymore, or if he was this is the weirdest place to ever exist on that forsaken rock.

“Hey there stranger. How are you?” the disguised bandit called out to Six.

'HOLY SHIT IT TALKED!!' Six’s mind was in overdrive now with a million different question of just what the fuck this thing is.

He continued walking forward until he was around 10 feet away from the creature. Stopping and just staring at it. The pony is question, feeling slightly nervous at the honestly imposing figure that their newest victim sprouted. It was tall and covered head to hoof in some kind of armor? Clothing? They couldn't tell. Its face, or what the pony assumed to be its face, was like a featureless mask with large glowing red eyes . A black stetson on its head, and a bunch of what might be weapons strapped all over its body.

'No wait. Definitely weapons, that is for sure a knife right there, and what is that long thing with all the teeth on its belt? Celestia, it's huge!?' the pony was starting to panic slightly,
'Razor didn’t say anything about it having weapons!' the pony paused, taking a few mental deep breaths,
'Whatever. This is fine. Just stick to the plan, Weasel, you got this.'

“You uh..alright there stranger?” Weasel asked Six.

“...” Six still stood there silently.

“Uhh..ok..um well I just happened to notice you passing by and thought that you might be able to help me out. You see my uhh..wagon got tipped over there by those rocks and I..um..ain’t strong enough to lift it up myself. Could you lend a hoof, stranger?” Weasel smiled, was proud of himself, he managed to say the entire thing perfectly,
'Heck yea, go me!'

“...”

“…”

“…sure” was all Six said.

Weasel flinched slightly as he heard Six speak. His voice was kinda scary, deep, gravely, and kinda scratchy. It reminded Weasel of some of the older outlaws he met. They definitely were a scary bunch. And those red eyes of the stranger piercing into him, never blinking or feeling less intense.
'Let’s just move this along as fast as possible. The faster we do this and this thing leaves the better.' Weasel thought.

“Oh thank Celestia, Thank you stranger. Alright follow me, it's just this way.”

Six’s mind was in turmoil, he had so many questions. What is this thing? How can it speak? Why does it look so much like a pony? Is this what left all those tracks out on the path? Were horses still extinct!? That last one lingering longer than the others, leaving behind a feeling of disappointment and shattering dreams in its wake.

Stifling a sigh, he followed the pony thing to help it fix its wagon. Something he never thought he would do. But it was only after a few steps that he felt his pipboy activate. Looking down at it, it alerted him that there were seven other unknown beings hidden in the area in front of him.

Labeling each one as hostile, including the one right next to him.

'Ohhh…So that’s what this is. Man should have seen that earlier. I blame the insanity of all this. Ok, let’s play along for now. I can judge them after.'

Six immediately snuffed out any remaining questions and distractions. This was a fight now, this was survival, he had to be focused.

Looking to his right he studies the pony next to him, looking for any signs of weapons.
'Ah. There it is.' Six found the small shiv-like blade tucked behind its bandolier.
'Shouldn't be a problem. Doesn't even look sharp or long enough to puncture my gear. But it never hurts to be careful.'

Shifting his focus to his surroundings Six looked for any spots that could be used for an ambush. A few moments later he saw a slight shift behind a pair of boulders to his left.
'Somethin’s there.' He continued looking. Then up to his right he saw another shift. 'And there.'

By the time he and the pony made it inside of an open clearing surrounded by rocks, Six was able to locate the other seven unknown individuals, all hidden around the scenery. One behind a pair of boulders, another up to his right behind some rocks, Two more behind him up above hidden in a small crevice, One in some bushes, Another one in some other bushes, and the final one right in front of him behind a mound of stones.

Six watched as the one guiding him started to slow down until he was tailing behind Six. Stopping in the middle of the only exit from this small clearing. Everywhere else being surrounded by a wall of rock.

'They did their homework at least.' Six had to admit that this was the perfect place for an ambush. Only one exit, high walls, plenty of hiding spaces, and the ability to get the high ground. It was good.
'Just how many have they taken here?' Six questioned, 'How many have they robbed, killed, beaten?', 'I guess it’s time to find out.'

Behind him Weasel slipped his knife out. Holding it in his mouth and crouching down, taking a ‘ready to pounce’ stance.

“Ahright Stran..” he started his voice slightly muffled from the knife, before Six cut him off.

“Cut the shit. I know about the others already. And that shiv you’ve got.” Six said, his voice monotone but with a hint of anger behind it. His back still turned to Weasel.

“..what?” was all Weasel could say.

“One of you is over there behind the boulders.” Six said, pointing to them. A small squeak coming from behind them.

“Another is up there behind the rocks.” He said ponting again, a pony head popping out with a surprised expression on her face.

“You two are behind me up there.” Six didn’t point this time, but he did hear a voice whisper,
“How did it know?!”, and another “I don’t know!?” whisper back.

“The two in the bushes there and there.” Six nodding to each one, with both bushes rusting as two more ponies popped out.

“And you're down right there behind the pile of stones.” Six fixed his gaze at the rocks. Then another pony thing stood up and walked out from behind them, with a confused and angry expression on his face.

“How did you do that!?” it said angrily but undercut with some slight fear. This was the first time anypony was able to perfectly point out where each of them were hiding. And it did it all somehow before even reaching the ambush spot.

“I do have to admit y'all this is a pretty good spot for an ambush. Very well done.” Six said ignoring the things question.
“So…how many?” he asked.

The pony from the rocks squinted his eyes at the tall red eyed stranger.

“Everypony. Out. Now.” it shouted.

Then all seven other ponies quickly sprung out of their hiding spots and took position. Six of them quickly surrounded Six on all sides with their weapons drawn. While one of them stayed perched up above on the rocks a bow and arrow drawn, ready to fire.

“What do you mean ‘how many’? And anyway that doesn't matter, we’ll be the ones asking the questions.” The pony said, “We are the Vipers, the best gang of bandits this side of the badlands. And I'm their leader Cole Greed. So..”,
Cole reaches to his side and pulls out a large machete like weapon,
“Are we doing this the easy way? Or the hard way?” Cole snarled, gripping his large blade between his teeth.

Six couldn't help it this time and let out a large sigh. He turned his neck to look at the if he had to admit pretty adorable pony things. They looked so cute trying so hard to look intimidating.

They reminded him of a pack of dogs encircling their prey. But instead of the usual gnarly and rabid look of the wasteland mutts, Six was surrounded by adorable multicolored ponies.

'Wait, does that one have a horn on its head?' He thought to himself, looking closer he confirmed that yes, that was in fact a horn. 'Is that a fucking Unicorn?'
Then his gaze landed on another pony, 'Holy shit! Those are damn wings! A Fuckin pegasus!',
'Where the hell am I? What kind of fucked up children fantasy realm did I end up in?'

“HEY! Are you deaf or something? I asked you a question. Easy way? Or the hard way? Choose.” Cole shouted at Six.

Six, still ignoring the loud pony in front of him, turned his head to the pony up in the rocks holding the bow. Staring at him for a moment before saying,
“You better make that shot count pony. Because you won’t get another.” he said it less as a threat and more as a guarantee. The pony with the bow flinching at Six’s words, his arrow shaking slightly.

“One. Last. Chance. Creature” Cole spat at Six, “Easy. Or. Hard?” fixing a glare onto Six.

Six finally turned his attention to the pony named Cole Greed. 'What kind of name is that?' he questioned.
'Whatever that doesn't matter right now'.

“What's the easy way?” Six said.

“Easy way is you give up any valuables, bits, or supplies you got on you. And we don’t hurt you. Then you go on your merry way.” Cole replied with a smug smile.

“Mhmm…Ok and what is the hard way?” Six asked.

“Hard way is we beat you down so hard you won’t remember last week. Then we take everything and leave you with nothing.” Cole said, laughing a little at the end. A small band of chuckles coming from the rest of the gang.

“Mhmm..” was all Six replied with, Then reaching behind him he grabbed onto the oh so familiar handle of Old Glory. It was the flag pole staff that Ulysees used against Six in their small fight before he was able to be convinced to give the new factions of the Mojave a chance. Then given to Six as a parting gift from Ulysses when he left the divide to go back to the Mojave.

Its handle is made from maple, smoothed and varnished to give it a glossy pristine look. And on the end was a golden eagle statue with its wings proudly lifted into the air. Standing a little over six feet tall just above Six’s own height, it made for an excellent weapon. Six understood why Ulysees had used it throughout his life, it was solid and in the right hands hit like a truck.

Pulling out Old Glory to its full length Six gripped it in his hand, readying himself to swing at the first pony daring enough to get close to him.

“You know..” Six started, taking a step forward,

“Quoting a dear friend of mine ‘I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously it is a chore like any other’ and right now I think it’s time to pass my judgment.” he took another step,

“I don’t know what god you ponies might believe in. I hope it’s a kind one. I know mine is.” another step,

“And I know he’ll forgive you for your sins. I won’t. That’s not my job. That’s his.” another.

“My job is to arrange the meeting.”

Six was now only a few feet away from Cole who still kept his glare but was now visibly frightened.

Ponies don’t normally fight back, and even when they do it’s never felt quite like this. Maybe it was its voice or its tall figure. But something about it was menacing, terrifying. Everything in Cole's mind tells him to flee, but he can’t. There’s no way out.

Six raises Old Glory in his hand about to strike and that’s when he hears it. The sound of a bow string snapping and an arrow being released. Activating V.A.T.S. Time slows to a crawl, Six turns his head to where the pony with the bow was and see’s the arrow flying slowly through the air. Grabbing Chance's Knife from its holster on his shoulder he locks onto the pony's head. Twisting the knife to grab its tip Six pulls his arm back and throws it.

Deactivating V.A.T.S. time resumes and both the knife and arrow soar through the air past each other. The arrow strikes the top of Six’s helmet, the head bending and curling in on itself as it makes contact, and the arrow body bending before shattering from the force. Leaving a small dent where it had hit.

The knife that Six threw also hit true. Spinning through the air straight at the pony’s face. Embedding itself with a ‘Shulk’ sound into the pony’s forehead just above the left eye. The pony immediately crumpled as the bow dropped to the floor. It’s body falling over the rocks and then to the ground below. Landing with a ‘Crunch’ in a tangled mess of dead limbs.

“I told you to make it count.” Six bowed his head to the dead pony, “Rest well, and may god have mercy on your soul.” he said quietly. Then lifting his head to the rest of the ponies he saw a mix of horrified, disgusted, frightened, and heartbroken faces.

“Wha…wh..WHAT DID YOU DO!!” the pony with the wings shouted out. Dropping her weapon and rushing over to the side of the dead pony. Grabbing its shoulders and turning it over, she placed her head on its barrel. Listening for a moment before her face turned even more horrified and grief-stricken.

“YOU..YOU KILLED HIM!!” She screamed at Six. The ponies around him took a few steps back, all except for Cole who instead of looking frightened or sad he looked angry, very angry.

“You…BUCKING BASTARD” he shouted out as he jumped at Six. Intent on using his machete to hack him apart. He no longer cared about just robbing this monster, he wanted revenge, revenge for killing Razor, revenge for killing one of his own. So he lunged at Six ready to slash his chest open.

‘SNAP!!’ was all the other ponies heard as they saw their fearless leader be launched into the rock wall that surrounded them. ‘Crack!’ the sound coming from Cole as he hit the wall. A trail of blood smearing across it as his body slid down to the floor. Still where he was when he killed Razor, Six stood, Old Glory outstretched in front of him frozen in midair where he had connected the tip with Cole’s ribs.

“Make no mistake, little ponies. You will not leave here alive.” Six said, turning around to face the rest of the gang. Then walking towards them raising Old Glory again.

From his left he heard the she pegasus scream out and launch herself at him. Activating V.A.T.S again time slowed, Six locked on to her chest, then to the body of another pony, and another. Taking a breath, Six deactivates V.A.T.S and allows his body to move on its own.

Time resumes again and like a flash Six strikes, Old Glory sinking itself into the chest of the pegasus. Then just as fast Six rips it out and rushes to his next target, taking a couple steps he swings again and another sickening ‘Crunch!’ is heard as the pony’s body tumbles across the ground. Behind him he hears the flopping and rolling sounds of the pegasus’s body also hitting the floor. Finally, he turns to the last pony and like before with a couple steps, a swing, and a ‘Snap!’, another pony is sent to God.

Six breaths out and faces the last three ponies. The one who took him here, the unicorn, and another pony. Switching hands with Old Glory, placing it in his left now. Six rest his right on the handle of Reckoning the modified and special Ripper he got from a vendor.

“To quote my friend again ‘I am the right hand of the lord, and the instrument of his vengeance’.” Six draws out Reckoning and switches it on. The sound of its engine and chain clattering and clinking fills the air.

“Now.." Six lifts the blade up, pointing it at the ponies. "Repent.” he says as he pulls the throttle, the chain roaring to life ready to shred anything it touches. Then lunges at the nearest pony.

Reckoning finding a home in the side of the unfortunate unknown pony. They scream in pain as Reckoning rips through them, their legs flailing but failing to find any ground. Then a quick upward motion Reckoning cuts through the rest of the pony leaving behind two twitching halves.

This is when Six feels something strange. It feels like a massive amount of heat, almost as if there was an open flame right next to him. Looking up he sees something that leaves him almost speechless.

"Is that a fucking fireball?" he says, in total shock.

Above the Unicorn's horn was an actual fucking fireball about the size of the ponies head (or about the size of a basketball). Six stared in awe at the very obvious use of some kind of magic. Then with a swing of its head the fireball launched from atop its horn and headed right for Six.

A Six who was still reeling from seeing the use of actual magic. Not any of that sleight of hand crap but honest to God magic. Like the ones in all those fantasy books.

The fireball flew closer and closer. And it was only when it was a few inches away from Six that he snapped out of his daze and activated V.A.T.S.. The slowed time gave him a moment to plan for what to do now.

It was too close for him to just dodge and the Unicorn who threw it was too far away for V.A.T.S. to lock on to.

Deciding to go with the only option left, Six lifted up his arms in front of his face and braced for impact. V.A.T.S. deactivated and the fireball crashed into Six, a wave of flames and imense heat spreading over his body.

Then in an instant both the flames and the heat dissipated and disappeared. Leaving behind a slightly smoking and soot covered Six.

The force of the fireball Six likened to getting gut punched by a raider. Definitely had some force behind it but with the combination of Six’s own endurance and the strength of his gear it was nothing.

“Impressive, pony” Six complimented the Unicorn.

“Very, Very cool. I’ve never seen magic like that before.” He lowered his still smoking arms and began walking to the Unicorn.

“But I'm afraid I can’t have you do that again.” he said before sprinting at the Unicorn and embedding Reckoning into its skull. It had tried to cast another fireball but it was too late. And now had a chainsaw sticking out of its head instead of a horn.

Ripping it out and leaving the pony to collapse onto the ground, Six turns to the last pony, the one who brought him here in the first place. He saw a look of absolute horror and fear on its face. It was shaking as it tried to back away, its knees buckling causing it to trip and fall. Then in a frantic effort to get away it started crawling towards the exit.

'Why..why is this happening!?' Weasel shouted in his mind.
'It was going so well. Then somehow it found each and everyone of them.',
'Then it went on about how killing them was a chore and next Razor was dead!',
'Now everypony is dead! Razor, Cole, Dixie, Dudley, everpony, dead.' Tears started falling from Weasel's face.
'I don’t want to die!'

Six looked at the crying and crawling pony with a disappointed expression. Sighing again he walked over to the pony and placed a boot on its back. The pony struggled and cried out from underneath him. Six could only shake his head. Flipping Reckoning around Six held it above the pony’s head.

“Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. Judges 10:14” he recites, remembering that paticular line from the bible Joshua gave him.

“Goodbye little pony. I hope to see you again someday.” Six then stabbed down and with a cry the pony beneath him went limp.

“Good, that’s all taken care of now.” Six cleaned off Reckoning, picking out the pieces of flesh and bone from the chain and getting as much blood off as he could before putting it back on his belt.

Then walking over to the first pony he killed, Razor, he yanks out Chance's Knife from his head. He’s about to holster it and start leaving but remembers something. These are bandits, that means there might have been a bounty on their heads, or at least on their leader Cole’s.

So walking to Cole’s body over by the wall Six positions Chance's knife to his throat and starts cutting. A few moments later fully decapitating the once gang leader. Six then places it on a nearby bush to let it drain while he loots the rest of the bodies.

Not even bothering with taking their shitty dull weapons, Six moves on to their valuables. Finding in each a small bag of golden coins.

“Must be the local currency or somethin.” he thought to himself, collecting a total of 273 of these coins from all eight bodies.

Continuing to search, Six fails to find anything else worth taking, other than some more water, and what he guesses are dried out fruits .

Done with his repurposing of possessions Six goes back to Cole’s head which looks to be nicely drained out now. Wrapping it in some of the ponies clothing he stows it away in his pack. Thinking that there might be a sheriff's office or something of the sort in a town nearby that might reward him for taking care of this gang.

With one last look at the dead ponies Six is about to leave but stops himself. He shouldn't leave them like this, out in the open. So grabbing a shovel from his pack Six digs eight graves laying each member inside.

By the time he’s done the sun is now beginning to set. Hanging out in the western part of the sky. Now finally ready to leave he says a quick prayer and heads through the crack in the mountains. Ready to get out of the badlands and explore this new world he has found himself in.