The Bear, The Bull, And The Pony

Six felt something he hasn't felt in a long long time, clean fresh air. After making his way through the crack and reaching the grassy plain on the other side the cool air hit him like a punch to the face. It’s been over 210 years since he last felt true fresh air, ever since the bombs the air has always been dirty, warm, and irradiated.

Then Six did something he’s done only a couple times before, he took off his helmet outside. He almost never did this as that would be a very much unnecessary risk when traveling in the wastes. Never know when a bullet might just find its way into your skull when you're not paying attention. But right now, Six didn't care, he was willing to risk it even for a moment just to feel the cool air on his face.

Removing the Elite Riot Gear helmet, holding it at his side, Six took a deep breath. It was incredible, fresh, and cold. For the first time in a long while Six felt calm and safe, and had the urge to take something he’s not had in a while, a break. Looking to his left, he notices a large forest with tall trees. A perfect place to take a small rest.

Walking over Six admires the vast amount of lush and green vegetation that surrounds him. Even though there was some grass and trees back in the commonwealth they were never like this, never this healthy. Then reaching a tall thick tree right on the outskirts of the forest Six sits down and leans back against it. The grass is soft underneath him, creating a perfect cushion for the weary courier.

Unhooking his packs and placing it at his side, he reaches through it and pulls out three things. The first is a packet of smokes that he got from Rose, the next was a random zippo-lighter that he found, and the third was the King James Bible that Joshua gave him after the events in Zion.

Six doesn’t know when he started to actually read the scripture, let alone remember and quote some of its content. But ever since meeting Joshua and learning of his story, Six has found himself leaning more and more into the Christianity that he practiced. Six would have never called himself a religious man before, but now he could confidently say that he was a follower of sorts.

Definitely not on the same level of Joshua or Daniel but as someone who believes. It also helped that the Bible was an entertaining and insightful read whenever he was bored. Maybe not everything in it was, there were some parts that were incredibly weird or downright hilarious, but it did have some nice lessons and unique views on different things.

Placing the book in his lap, grabbing a cigarette, placing it in his mouth, lighting it, and taking a drag, Six relaxed. Shifting his eyes to the view in front of him, watching the grass dance as the wind blew. He confirmed what he was already thinking after meeting the pony things back in the badlands. He was not on Earth anymore. He was somewhere far far from home.

‘God, what am I gonna do?’ Six thought to himself.

‘I’m in a place I know nothing about, surrounded by countless unknown threats.’ he takes another drag, smoke blowing out from his mouth.

‘I guess the first thing I gotta do is find more information. Given where those gang ponies were holed up there should be a town or something not too far out from here.’ He takes one last drag, then crushes up the butt and lights it, letting it burn away into ash.

‘Let’s try finding that first.’ Six opens the book and starts reading, content to spend a couple more hours just resting here in the shade.

Three hours pass and Six is ready to go. His pack is rehooked with everything back inside, his weapons are cleaned and ready to use, his gear brushed of any dirt or dust, and his helmet once again sits atop his head. Walking back onto the path he continues his journey north.

Another three hours pass and Six is still walking. In his head he’s making a plan on what to do after he gets some information on this unknown land.

‘First I need a map, I can’t rely on just luck to guide me around. Next I need to find a place that I can use to fix that piece of shit so I can get home. After that I don’t know, maybe i’ll explore for a while, I mean this place has fucking magic and mythical creatures, that sounds like a God damn awsome time.’

Then something up ahead breaks him from his thoughts.

‘Is that a roof?’

Six walks up a nearby hill and lays down. Reaching behind him he grabs a pair of binoculars attached to his belt. Looking through them, Six finds a bunch of buildings in the distance.

‘There it is. Found it.’ He continues to survey the town.

‘Oh hey, more of those pony things. Man there are a lot of them. Are they the dominant species of this world or something? I’ve yet to see anything other than these neon colored equines.’

Putting his binoculars back Six stands back up and walks toward the town. Reaching the edge Six is able to see just how odd everything is. The buildings are small, only reaching a height of around eight feet tall. Even the larger two story ones reach a height of 10-13 feet tall. Six felt like an adult on a kids playset.

‘I guess this makes sense though. The ponies I met before only reached up to my thighs.’ Six thought back to the Viper gang he met back in the badlands. They were all the size of a large dog, even dogmeat or Rex would only come up to their knees.

Now walking in the middle of town Six watches the ponies around him. They're all giving him odd looks and steering clear of his path.

‘A real skittish bunch aren't they.’ Six laments as the ponies give him a wide berth.

‘Now where would a guy like me find out more about this world.’ He looks at buildings that surround him, his gaze settling on one with a sign that has a picture of a filled mug on it.

“Bingo” Six says aloud, walking into the bar. He has to crouch down a bit to get through the door, and inside his head brushes against the ceiling.

The entire bar freezes as he enters with all eyes on the tall, strange, red eyed creature. Six walks over to the counter, the sound of his boots knocking against the floor travels throughout the silent bar. Pulling out one of the stools he’s about to sit down until seeing the size of the seat, it’s tiny. It would be like trying to fit on a child size chair.

‘Fuck that. Alright guess we’re standing’ six pushes the stool back under the bar and leans against the counter, looking at the selection of drinks displayed on the shelf behind it.

The rest of the bar watched with weary and questioning eyes before slowly going back to what they were doing, their voices hushed and their ears on a swivel.

The pony behind the counter snapping out of his fear carefully makes his way over to Six. Stopping in front of him, he has to crane his neck just to see his face.

“what..What can I get for you today..uhm..sir? He asks, his voice stuttering and frightened.

“hmmm…Do y'all have any Whisky by chance? Or any kind of beer?” Six asks the pony, his eyes still looking over the wall of drinks.

“Umm..no…no sir I…I don’t think we do…what's Whisky? The pony nervously answers back.

Six sighs, “Yea I figured. Couldn't find shit on those shelves. Ok, look just get me whatever good, alright.”

The pony quickly nods and starts running around behind the bar. Grabbing bottle after bottle, shaking them all up, and pouring it out. The end concoction being a deep red drink that smelled like cherries and mint. He then shakily grabs the glass and places it down in front of Six who stares at it questionaly.

Grabbing it and holding it up to his face Six stares at the crimson liquid. Swishing it around a few times before lowering it. Then with his other hand he presses a button by the back of his chin. With a ‘clink’ the mask part of Six’s helmet detaches. Grabbing it and holding it up just far enough to allow the glass to fit, Six tilts his head up and downs the drink in one go. Then quickly reaches his mask back to the rest of the helmet.

“Hm..you’re right. That was pretty good.” Six compliments the bartender pony. The drink tasted like a cherry soda and if Six guessed probably had the same alcohol percentage too.

“Oh um..thank you..uh..sir.” The still nervous pony replies.

“Jesus calm down kid, I ain’t lookin for any trouble here. Just a drink and some conversation.” Six says while grabbing his pack and searching through it.

“Hey grab me a glass will ya.” he waves his hand at a stack of clean glasses in the corner, “actually make that two.”

The pony hastily grabs two glasses and puts them in front of Six. He watches intently as the stranger roots through its saddlebag, wondering what it’s going to do with two empty glasses.

“Aha there it is!” Six pulls out a large orange glass bottle filled with a darker orange liquid, its label too worn to read.

“Now let’s have a real drink.” He says as he pries the cork off and pours two shots of the mysterious liquid. Grabbing one, Six slides the other in front of the bartender pony, who stares at the glass with wide eyes.

Looking at the glass, then back at Six, then back at the glass, then back at Six.

“Is..is this for me?” He asks.

“What do you think? Anyone else here I’m offering it to?” Six pushes the glass a little further toward the pony.

“No..there is nopony else. Um thanks” He reaches out a hoof and grabs the glass, holding it in front of himself and watching the liquid ripple. Then moving it in front of his muzzle and giving it a sniff, his face changing to light surprise.

“It smells like…vanilla and biscuits? And..,” he sniffs the liquid again, “Burnt wood? What…what is this?” He asks, curiosity and concern in his voice.

“How the fuck did you do that?” Six asks, his focus on the glass in the pony’s hoof.

“Do..Do what!?” The pony quickly replies, looking around themselves for any sign of something they might have done.

“Grab the glass. How the hell did you do that? You ain’t even got fingers. Or one of them horn things like that guy over there.” Six points to a dark purple pony wearing a cloak sitting at a table in the back.

“OH…that..um..I…I don’t really know. I just..uh..grab it..like this.” The pony places their glass back down and then picks it back up.

“Huh..the more I learn about this place the less it makes sense.” Six shakes his head. “Whatever, forget I asked. Cmon, let's have that drink.” he raises his glass.

“Are you..are you sure? Is this safe?” He looks at the shot again, “And I’m..i’m not really supposed to drink on the job”

Six sighs, “What’s your name kid?” he asks

“It’s..uh..Cider sir…Apple Cider” The pony stammers out.

“Look Cider, I can promise you that that drink is safe. And who cares about one tiny shot. Now lift up your glass and let’s drink.” Six reassures the pony.

Apple Cider is silent for a moment, thinking if he can really trust this stranger.

‘Well he hasn’t been rude or mean. Or anything really untrustworthy. And he is offering me something of his own. I think it’s ok.’

“Ok..Ok, thanks stranger” They lift their glass as well.

“There we go! Now, cheers to new friends” Six says.

“To..new friends.” The pony smiles.