Breathtaking

But we buried him there on the lone prairie
Where the rattlesnakes hiss and the wind blows free
In a shallow grave, no one to grieve
'Neath the western sky on the lone prairie.

"WELL?!" Dash looked at me, hooves folded across her chest. "Don't you have anything to say?" I looked at her for a minute before I shrugged and answered.

"Welcome to Broadhoof?" She looked at me in disgust. "I don't know, Dash. What do you want me to say?"

"How about 'I'm sorry'? How about explaining why you just took off? You scared everypony half to death just leaving like that... What, you couldn't even say goodbye?" I shook my head and tried walking around her to go into the bar.

"Dash, I'm not in any kind of mood for this, so-" She grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me back to face her.

"So that's it then? You're gonna just ditch us and hook up with this nag?" Dusk looked like she was about to throw down.

"Who are YOU callin' a nag, you-" I had to end it fast.

"ENOUGH! Dusk, go inside. I'll talk to you later." She glowered at the both of us before she turned and stomped off. I turned to the angry pegasus mare waiting for an answer. "Look, Dash-"

"You thought you could just leave all of that money and everything would be fine? Are you serious? You don't do things like that to friends. ESPECIALLY my friends! What would Rarity think of you, now?" I shrugged.

"Probably say something like 'That's very becoming of you, John." Dash landed and stomped her hoof angrily into the dirt.

"What's the matter with you? You LOVE that mare! Now, you can just drop her like she's nothing?" A tear started to well up in my eye before I knew what was happening.

"She's everything, Dash. But I can't drag her down and I damn sure can't compete with that Silver."

She looked at me quizzically for a moment before shaking her head. "Look, whatever the reason, you need to come home. Everypony's worried about you." I shook my head.

"I really can't. Not yet. I just... I've gotta work some shit out. What are you doin' here anyway?"

"I came to make sure you were okay, ya stubborn mule!" she said angrily. I laughed aloud.

"Well, come on in and have a drink. My mood might take a little upswing." I finally got out and around her and pushed my way through the doors.

This saloon was just like any other I'd been inside.

Random tables.

Drunks and card players.

Bar.

I noticed the card players a lot more, mostly because... Well, cards. A unicorn sat at the table shuffling the deck with his magic while the rest waited patiently for their hands to be dealt. I wouldn't have thought they could do it without fingers, but it seems anything is possible because one by one, they picked up the cards and studied them intently. Bits were thrown on the table and the game began.

"You ever played that, Dash?" She scowled at me and walked past towards the bar. "Yeah, I think I'll settle for a drink, too." The bartender was cleaning glasses and serving beers right and left when Dash and I leaned up to the bar.

"Two shots of whiskey, boss." Wordlessly, the stallion poured a couple of drinks and walked off. I took the shot with a smile before looking at Dash.

"Look, I know you're mad and I know I kinda screwed up. The thing is... Shit, I don't know. I just need some time, I guess is all." She shook her head.

"I don't get it," she said finally.

"Me either, but I don't get half of the bullshit I do anyways." She scoffed and shook her head slowly at that.

"You're just a stubborn mule."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've heard that. So here's the question I have: How did you find me?" She threw back the whiskey and laughed in my face.

"You're talking to the fastest flier in all of Equestria! You only had a three-day lead on me. I made it to Appleoosa the day after you left it and slept there. Caught up to you just now. No sweat." I nodded in approval.

"Not bad, Miss Dash. Not bad at all." I waved down the bartender again and got two more shots and a couple of beers.

"Look John, I don't know what's wrong, but I'm still trying to-"

"I really don't wanna talk about it, Dash." She was quiet for a minute before she slammed a hoof down on the bar and looked at me angrily.

"No offense, but you need us. I don't know if I could drag you all the way back, but I will if I have to. Until I have to, I'm stickin' with ya." I frowned and studied her face.

"Are... Are you serious? What about your job?"

"Took time off. It's not like they need me anyways. They have other weather ponies." I took another drink and lit a cigarette.

"What about the others?"

"Unlike YOU, I told them I was gonna come and get you. They know I'll be back." I stopped and thought for a moment.

"Well, I guess we could use you anyways. We've got plenty of gear to haul." She choked on a little beer.

"I am NOT working for your new fling."

"Good. Because there isn't a new fling. So you're not gonna work for no one." She looked at me like I was stupid.

"I just SAW you walking in with her!"

"So? I walked in here with you didn't I? Last I checked we weren't goin' for a roll in the hay." She drained the rest of her beer.

"Speaking of, what's your deal with Rarity, then? You LOVE that mare. Are you just crazy or something?"

"Dash, she's with someone else!"

"Yeah, after you left."

"What? You know, doesn't matter anymore. It's not like I can compete with that. Fuckin' rich, high society stallion. Way out of my league." Dash shook her head slowly.

"Dude, that Silver guy is TRASH. He's a total jerk. What you need to do is go back there, kick his flank, and get your mare back."

"I DID kick his ass! I laid him out in one punch!" Dash laughed.

"You did not! No way!"

"What, Rarity didn't tell you? That was the last thing I did before I left Ponyville."

"Sweet Celestia, that's good to hear," she said with a grin. "You've got more backbone than I give you credit for."

"Yeah yeah."

"You're still a chump, though," she added.

"Yeah... Yeah, I know."

"Where are you even going anyways? Just this and then back, right?" I looked at her and frowned.

"Uhh, actually I was planning a brief stay in Las Pegasus." She didn't look thrilled.

"Damn. Do you know what you're getting into? I mean, Ponyville is nice and all, but that's not the gold standard for the rest of Equestria." I was puzzled.

"What are you talkin' about?" She looked at me like I was crazy.

"Come on, you can't be that naive. What, you thought this place was only sunshine and rainbows?"

"Well, I mean-"

"No, John. You've seen Ponyville, you've seen Appleoosa, and you've seen part of Canterlot. Las Pegasus is a whole other ballgame." I shrugged at her explanation.

"Look Dash, you come and stick with me and you've got nothin' to worry about."

"You're still gonna do it? C'mon John, let's just go home."

"I already told you, I'm staying on the trail."

"But John-"

"You tellin' me that you're chicken, Dash?" I laughed and reached for my beer, but she already grabbed it and drained it before I could say a word. She lightly tapped me on the side of the head with her hoof.

"Nobody calls me a chicken, John!" Hah, that was easy.

"You wanna hit the poker table?" I asked her. She shook her head.

"Not for me, but I'll watch you."

We walked over and sat down. The dealer looked at me with a frown.

"What's it take to buy in?" I asked.

"50 bit buy-in. You know the rules?" I looked at Dash and smiled.

"I'm gonna guess that you deal me two, five community cards, two blinds, four rounds of bidding, winner takes the pot?" The unicorn smiled.

"So you've played before?" I looked at Dash again with a sly grin.

"Once or twice."

I stumbled back to the wagon with Rainbow in tow three hours, eight beers, and six shots of whiskey later with a little more money in my pocket.

"Goddamn it, Dash! I was so close to gettin' that guy! Why wouldn't ya let me stay and kick his ass!" She shook her head and leaned on me for support.

"Because you *hic* mule, you were about to lose EVERYTHING!"

"I was six hundred bits up! That bastard was cheating. I'm gonna go back there and-" I started to turn, but she stopped me.

"Don't do it John, go sleep it off." I turned back around to head towards the barn.

"Yeah, you're right. I'd probably kill him anyways." Dash laughed at that.

"Are you kidding? I would have had to save your flank. That guy was gigantonormous!"

"Pfft. I still think I coulda taken him."

We made it to the barn without further incident and found a comfortable pile of hay to crash into. Flopping down and staring at the ceiling, I let myself relax while the room tilted from side to side.

"John," Dash said as she lay down next to me. "When we get to Las Pegasus, its gonna be different. If you think its going to be anything like Ponyville, you're dead wrong." I sighed wearily and lit a cigarette.

"Dash, I'm gonna tell you somethin' that I haven't really mentioned to anyone else. Equestria... It's a lot like where I'm from." She turned towards me and frowned.

"What do you mean?" I shook my head.

"You ever heard of Saddle Arabia?" She nodded. "Where I'm from, it's Saudi Arabia. You know Manehattan?" She nodded again. "It's Manhattan back home. Philadelphia, Spain, Germany... Just a few places back home that sound a lot like the places here. If I'm right, and I've got a good feelin' I am... Las Pegasus is goin' to be an awful lot like Las Vegas." She was silent for a moment, so I continued.

"I've never been to Las Pegasus, but I can tell you that it's probably an oasis in the middle of the desert. Neon lights, casinos, huge hotels, and tourists galore. Las Vegas was the same way. Long time ago, it was run by organized crime syndicates makin' a fortune on people and their desire to strike it rich on the gambling tables and games they offered.

"After a while, the government cracked down on 'em, but they still run a few things behind the scenes. Not on the same scale, but Vegas is still this shinin' light in the desert night... pullin' people in and beggin' them to spend their money. Drugs, crime, just about any vice that you can think of. Still dangerous to people that blunder into it, but folks for the most part make it out unscathed, if just a little lighter in the billfold. You know... just a few hundred bucks shorter than when they came in.

"What I'm tryin' to say is yeah. I've seen Ponyville, Canterlot, Appleoosa. Yeah, I thought this place was different than home, but I know it's not so different now and with that knowledge, I'm still not scared of what it could be."

She was quiet for a minute. Probably still trying to wrap her mind around what I had just revealed to her. Finally, she spoke up.

"John... That's pretty intense."

"Yep."

"So... is there anywhere like Ponyville?" I laughed and took another drag on my cigarette.

"Ponyville is just like any other small hamlet. Everyone knows everyone, not a whole helluva lot as far as crime. Relatively isolated, but not too out of touch. About like a small farming community like you'd find in Iowa or Nebraska I would think."

"Have you been everywhere in your world?" She asked incredulously. I just chuckled.

"Nah, I did quite a lot of traveling, but didn't ever go everywhere."

"Was that like when you were going to war and stuff?" I nodded.

"Yeah, that was the big reason. Spent time in Germany, England, the middle east... Went to a bunch of places I'm not really supposed to talk about like Central America and Korea. Other than that, I was just a mobile person. Moved a lot when I was little and it just kinda stuck with me." She looked interested.

"Was it always as dangerous as you make it sound?"

"You know, because of my lifestyle it was dangerous. No place is really as bad as it sounds. Granted, I've been in some of the most dangerous places in the world, but there are plenty of places out there that were just fine. That being said, 'civilized' countries were always arguing about war or such. I guess in that respect it could be that bad, but it really just depends on where you are. Kinda like here." She frowned.

"You always made it sound like death was behind every corner." Nodding slowly, I continued.

"Well, in some places it was. Hell, in some of the safer places things happened that were just horrible. Like there was this huge race held every year. People came from around the world to participate in this marathon. Twenty six miles of running through a big city. Well, one year a couple of bombs were set up near the finish line. A few people died and hundreds were hurt pretty bad. A lot of people didn't know if they could be safe anywhere. There were shootings in schools with dozens of people killed. Some of them were just little kids."

"That's... that's horrible," she finally said.

"Yeah. Of course, for the longest time, my job was to keep things like that from happening."

"So you were one of the good guys?"

"I certainly hope so."

"I think you're one of the good guys, John." I smiled and gave her a hug.

"I do try."

The morning came too early. Dusk was moving around the wagon checking packs and loading the new cargo before the rest of the crew was even stirring. I rolled off the haystack and stumbled to my feet before walking over to her. Dash was still snoozing comfortably where I left her. I swear, that girl could sleep through an earthquake. Dusk saw me coming and looked away quickly.

"So... Is that her?" I had to think for a second to understand what she was talking about.

"No. No, she's just a friend."

"Oh."

"There anything that needs to be done?"

"Nope. We leave here in an hour or so. The diner down the street is open if you wanna get something to eat really quick before we leave."

"Okay. Would you like anything?" She looked at me drowsy and frazzled.

"Coffee, please?" I smiled.

"Sure thing, hun. I'll be back in a bit." She smiled and went back to work while I went to try and wake up sleeping beauty.

"Dash? Dash!" I nudged her a little on the shoulder. "Dash, let's get some breakfast." She stirred and yawned loudly before grumbling.

"Where?"

"Small-town diner 'cross town. C'mon, I'm buyin'." She picked herself up long enough to yawn again and groan.

"What time is it?"

"Bout an hour 'till sunrise. C'mon, we gotta get some food or we'll be dying before lunch."

Walking out into the early morning darkness, we looked up and down the street to find the place. Slowly, we made our way down the road and found it: The Copper Kettle. We staggered inside wordlessly and made our way to the seats in front of the counter as a pretty mare walked up with a tired smile.

"What can I get you two?" Dash waved noncommittally to me and let her head hit the counter. I took that as a sign to order for her.

"I'd like three scrambled eggs, couple pieces of toast, and some biscuits and gravy. She'll want the eggs and toast only."

"You want anything to drink?"

"A glass of orange juice and a glass of milk for the both of us, please." She finished writing quickly and smiled.

"We'll get right on that, sweetie." She hustled off to get everything started and I leaned against the counter.

"Ready for the day yet, Rainbow?"

"No."

"Me neither. Let's hurry up and get that way, huh?" She groaned again. "You're gonna want to talk to Dusk about setting you up with a pack to carry. The wagons took on a little more supplies, so there's plenty there." Another groan.

A few minutes later, the waitress came by to give us our food and drink. When we finished, it was almost time to head back out so I flagged down the mare.

"Could I get a couple cups of coffee to go and the ticket, please?"

"Sure, darlin'."

I paid the lady and grabbed the coffee on my way out of the door just as the sun was about to peek over the horizon. The wagons were already pulled out into the street and the crews were distributing the weight and pulling their harnesses on.

"Hey Dusk." I waved at her as I walked up. "Here's your coffee. Dash is gonna join us until Las Pegasus and she's willin' to carry. Got a pack for her?" Dusk looked surprised.

"Sure thing. Couple of unclaimed packs for y'all right over there." I nodded and walked away. "Hey John!" Dusk called after me. "This is the last leg of the trip so we'll be stopping early and leaving early tomorrow. Just a heads up."

"You got it, boss."

Cookie waved at me from the top of her wagon as I pulled my pack on and helped Dash situate hers.

"Mr. Marshall! You gonna keep me company on the trip again?"

"Yes ma'am! In fact, I'd like you to meet this young mare right here. Cookie, this is a friend of mine, Rainbow Dash. Dash, this is Cookie. She's makin' dinner for us tonight." Dash yawned and waved slowly.

"Nice t'meet ya." I laughed.

"She's not really a morning person."

"Well, some folks just have a harder time wakin' up than others. He he he! Hang in there Miss Dash!" Cookie said as she grinned at the barely awake pegasus.

Dusk called out the order to move and we started off with the sun at our backs. Cookie looked back to Rainbow and gave her a little encouragement.

"I hope you enjoy yourself on our little trip. Mr. Marshall sure does seem to really like it out here." Rainbow shook her head and looked at the countryside.

"He's just crazy. Pay him no mind."

We stopped before sundown to get ourselves ready for the early morning. Dusk explained that basically, we needed to get to Las Pegasus during the day to change loads and head back for Appleoosa. Cookie was already slaving over a pot of beans and warming the biscuits over the fire. I found a comfy looking spot in the ground and waited patiently with Dash and Dusk who, surprisingly, were getting along just fine. I quietly contemplated life to myself over a cigarette and a little whiskey when Cookie walked over slowly with a plate for each of us. She was looking a little ragged, something I would never think could happen.

"Keepin' you busy over there, ma'am?"

"Oh... You have no idea Mr. Marshall. Those foals eat like they ain't never seen food before. I don't know if I can keep up with you youngsters much more."

"Hang in there, ma'am. And let me know if there's anything I can do to help, okay?" She walked off and I heard Dash and Dusk talking about the trip and what was to come.

"What are y'all plannin' on doin' in the big city?" Dash rolled her eyes and looked at me.

"I'll be keeping an eye on this stubborn mule and hopefully making it out of there without incident. I keep hoping he's just gonna up and decide to come home." Dusk looked at her expectantly.

"Somepony waitin' for y'all?" Dash nodded.

"Friends. And a special one for him." I shook my head.

"Dash, I'm tellin' you. She's not waitin' for me. That Silver guy is a-" Dash cut me off and looked at Dusk.

"A complete and total jackass. He's got nothing on John."

"What's she like?" Dusk asked her with a sly smile. Dash just rolled her eyes again.

"Oh, she's something else. How she ever fell for this guy is beyond me. She's a big clothing designer. All about class, culture and glamor. The kind of pony that would and HAS called ponies like us 'uncouth'." Dusk laughed loudly.

"John, I never would have taken you for the type that would go for a mare like that!" I shrugged.

"I don't have a type. Confident, beautiful, and talented. That's all I really need." Rainbow laughed again.

"That's ANY of us, John!" She then thought for a moment. "Except for maybe Fluttershy... Not really all that confident. Hey, what's wrong with me?" she said, putting on a mock scowl. I squinted at her and frowned.

"You know, the back of my head hurt for a week, right?" She blushed.

"I didn't know you then! I still thought you were some kind of dangerous thing that was gonna hurt somepony!"

"Yeah... Uh huh." She cuffed me lightly on the shoulder.

"Whatever." She smiled and looked at Dusk. "Truth is, John here couldn't even really see himself in love with a pony for the longest time. Thought it was 'unnatural' or something. Way to make us feel like some kind of animal, right?" The girls laughed as I shook my head.

"I'm gonna get some sleep. Y'all are too much."

I watched the fire slowly die as I lay on the rocky soil. My eyelids started to droop to the sounds of crickets and popping coals when I heard a loud clattering of pots and pans behind one of the wagons. A few moments later, a mare screamed. I bolted upright and ran to see what the commotion was about.

Behind the wagon, a shape laid on the ground in the darkness and a few ponies stood around it silently. I rushed forward and felt a hoof touch my shoulder. Brushing it off quickly and pushing towards the shape, my eyes adjusted to the darkness and the flickering firelight and I could finally see the old mare's face pinched in agony.

"Someone! Anyone! I think she's havin' a heart attack!" I put my hand on Cookie's shoulder. "Someone help me!" Her chest froze and she stopped breathing.

I rolled the elderly mare onto her back to start chest compressions, but I knew deep down it was too late. I put my hands on her chest and started pushing. John, have you ever done something like this on a pony? How do you know you're even doing it right? I don't, but I have to try. She's gone, John. After another minute of pushing, I felt a tug on my shirtsleeve. Rainbow was trying to get me to come away. She's gone, John.

"She's gone, John... It's okay." I hung my head and stood up, breathing heavily. Dusk leaned against my side and I put my arm around her.

"I'm sorry."

Nobody got much sleep that night. The morning started a lot earlier than we planned. Dusk explained to the rest of the crew that Cookie would haunt them forever if we buried her in Las Pegasus, but we wouldn't be able to keep her all the way to Appleoosa. A few stallions and myself started digging and didn't stop until a little before sunrise. Cookie was wrapped in a clean white shroud and her favorite blanket. I took a couple spare boards from a wagon and made a makeshift cross to mark where she was. Dusk thanked me and stood over the grave as we lowered Cookie down to her final resting place.

"We'll bring a real tombstone out on the next trip. It's the least we can do for her." I nodded. "She really liked it out here on the trail. I think she would have hated to see the day when she couldn't do it anymore." I nodded again.

"Does anyone have anything they wanna say?" I asked the small gathering. When nobody answered, I started to fill the grave with shovelful after shovelful of dirt, humming an old sad folk song to myself while I slowly worked. Dash's ears perked up and she cocked her head to one side.

"Does that have any words to it?" I nodded.

"Yeah, but I don't sing." Dusk looked at me and smiled.

"Sing it for her. She wouldn't mind." I sighed and cleared my throat, singing as best as I could while tossing the dirt.

Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie

These words came low and mournfully

From the pallid lips of a youth who lay

On the bloody ground at the close of day.

Oh, bury me not and his voice failed there

But we took no heed to his dying prayer

In a narrow grave just six by three

We buried him there on the lone prairie.

Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie

Where the coyotes howl and the wind blows free

Where there's not a soul that will care for me

Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie.

I heard a sniff from one of the mares and stopped. The last handful of dirt lay on the ground next to my feet. I picked it up and held it over the small mound of dirt in front of me.

"You were a lovely mare, Cookie. May the wind always be at your back and the sun always on your face. May you be in heaven long before the Devil knows you're dead."

Wordlessly, ponies started to filter away from the small grave. I shouldered the shovel and started back towards the wagon. With a rueful smile, I shook my head.

"Next stop, Las Pegasus."