“Anyway Spike, we need you to go down to Dodge Junction to get Applejack. She's being stubborn again and won't tell us why she hasn't come back yet.” Twilight said. Spike sat on the library floor, writing this off as another one of her lectures. “Are you listening to me Spike? Go to Dodge Junction and retrieve Applejack!” Her increased volume caught his attention.
Spike had grown in the past few years. He was now slightly taller than the average pony, and his tail hung low, just barely dragging against the ground when he walked. His wings still hadn't sprouted, and he hoped the word to follow would be 'yet'. His scales and underbelly retained their shades of purple and green, and the spines that ran from his head to his tail had sharpened a bit. Spike never quite understood the physics of his spines. They were sometimes hard enough to stick directly into a tree, but were sometimes soft enough to be blown over in the wind. He sat on the floor, ignoring Twilight as he pondered this strange phenomenon.
“SPIKE!” Twilight yelled. Spike jumped up in shock and focused his attention on Twilight. “Have you been listening to a single word I've said!?”
“You need me to go to Dodge Junction and get AJ.” He recalled, a slight tone of annoyance on his breath.
“Right. All of us here are just too busy to head down right now due to the work load the princess has dropped on us. Who would've thought that Fluttershy would get into trouble with the law...” Twilight trailed off.
This wasn't the first time Applejack had gone to Dodge Junction and not returned on time. The first occurrence happened when she had left for a rodeo and threatened to not return secretly due to her losses. The second time was due to some family matters she had to attend to. Apparently her uncle had gotten into some legal troubles and she had to appeal his case before a court. This time, though, the reason was unknown. She hadn't contacted Ponyville since she'd left, and she was set to return a week ago.
Spike made his way to the train station. Due to his new found size, he no longer needed to be accompanied by Twilight if he went outside of Ponyville. He rather enjoyed this new sense of responsibility. As he boarded the train he couldn't help but drift off in wonder about his spines again. He moved a claw up and poked one of hem.
“Ouch.” He said quietly. He hadn't expected it to hurt. He drifted off in thought once more as he looked out the window. The world around him seemed to roll by and change as the train pushed onward. Green fields of grass and flowers changed to patches of dust and cacti as the train neared the Junction. Spike watched as the western-looking town came into view and seemed to speed toward the train. The train quickly reached the station and Spike disembarked.
The first thing he did was approach a pale looking unicorn. He was wearing a top hat, and was rushing toward a building. Spike stopped him.
“Excuse me. Have you seen anypony named Applejack around here? She's kinda orange and wears a hat. Speaks in an unmistakable accent.” Spike said, recalling Applejack's appearance and mannerisms.
“No! I Haven't! Now get out of the way!” The Unicorn was frantic as he pushed past Spike and ran into the building behind him. Spike looked confusedly at the structure before shaking his head and turning to enter the town. When he turned around however, he found that it was completely and entirely empty.
“Uh... Hello?” Spike called into the town. He had seen Ponyville when everypony was shut inside of their homes, but it was different here. Here it just seemed... too empty.
“What in tarnation?” Spike heard a familiar voice call out from within a nearby building. “Spike! Get in here!” The door opened and Applejack motioned to call Spike inside. She looked scared and frantic. Spike entered the building, rather concerned.
As Spike looked around the inside of the building, he saw numerous ponies, each of them looking scared out of their minds, huddling together as if these were their last moments.
“Hey AJ... What's going on outside?” Spike asked, now concerned.
“Be quiet. Ya don' want him to hear ya.” Applejack said in a hushed tone.
“Who's 'him'?” He asked. He had never seen Applejack so scared before. Usually she was strong and brave, even in the face of sheer danger. It was one of her traits that Spike always looked up to, but now it seemed hidden away.
“Billy the Foal.” She said, her face turning pale at the name.
“Billy the Foal?” Spike repeated. Applejack nodded sorrowfully and looked to the window. Outside was a lone reddish unicorn stallion with a dark brown mane and tail. He was wearing a lopsided top hat and a tan vest. He had holsters on either side of his vest, each holding a six-shot revolver. He drew one out with his magic and fired three shots into the air.
BANG
BANG
BANG
Spike's ears began to ring. He had never heard something so loud so close before. Suddenly, the unicorn outside began to speak.
“I know y'all are hidin'. Why don' ya come on out an' play?” He said in a maliciously playful tone. He looked to one of the buildings and saw an earth pony looking on in terror. “You!” He pointed the gun at the pony. “Come out here or I'll torch that entire building!”
The earth pony held a look of pure terror on his face. He stepped through the door out into the dusty street. He was visibly shaking as he approached the unicorn. The unicorn raised his revolver and spun it around right in front of the horrified pony's face. Suddenly he stopped spinning it.
BANG
The earth pony dropped to the ground, his eyes wide open. Spike looked on in horror. He had no idea what had happened. A pool of crimson liquid began to form around the downed pony. He was dead.
Spike shuddered at the realization, and decided to act. He stood and began walking toward the door. Applejack grabbed his leg.
“Spike! If you go out there he'll kill you just like he did that pony. You can't face him!” Applejack pleaded, tears forming in her eyes.
“He can't be allowed to get away with that AJ.” Spike said. He broke from her grasp and exited the building. The sun beamed down onto him as the doors creaked, drawing the unicorns attention. Spike saw the unicorn gulp nervously at the sight of a dragon.
“Well well... Look at what the junction gives me this time! A dragon.” The unicorn holstered his revolver and stared intently at Spike, a small smirk on his face.
“Why did you kill that pony?” Spike asked, his face rife with anger and intimidation.
“He was jus' collateral. This town needs to know who it's boss is, an' that's me.” The outlaw grinned maliciously, bearing his teeth. Spike retained his angry facial expression as he stared down the outlaw. Spike bared his teeth and pushed some smoke out of his nostrils with a menacing growl. The outlaw closed his mouth and smirked. “Hmm... I'll be back tomorrow, an' if yer still here, I'll shoot you where ya stand.” The outlaw drew a pistol and placed it directly next to Spike's ear. He fired off a round before holstering the gun and walking away.
Spike dropped to his knees grasping the sides of his head.
Once the outlaw had departed, Spike let out a deep sigh of relief and began sweating bullets. Applejack was the first to emerge from the buildings. She ran up and hugged him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Spike! That was amazing, but it was also th' stupidest thing ya ever done!” Applejack said. She hugged him tightly, happy that he was still alive. “Nopony's ever stood up to Billy the Foal like that before and lived.” She said.
“Yeah... I think I scared him...” Spike said. He was a bit disoriented from the encounter.
“Ya sure did, now come on, we gotta' get ya outta this town!” Applejack began to push Spike toward the train depot.
“I'm not going anywhere without you!” Spike said, anchoring his feet.
“An' I ain’t goin' anywhere, period!” Applejack said, pushing harder.
“Then neither am I.” Spike turned and walked back into the town. Applejack followed him.
“Please Spike, ya heard what Billy said! If yer still here tomorrow he'll kill ya!” She pleaded. She looked toward the puddle of blood in the middle of the dusty dirt road. The body had been taken away, but the blood remained. The smell of the blood seemed to haunt Applejack as she spoke.
“AJ, he committed murder right in front of everypony. He can't be allowed to get away with that!” Spike argued.
“Listen, Spike. I can't bear to see ya get killed because of yer stubbornness! Jus' get outta here before he comes back tomorrow! Please!” Applejack's eyes began to glaze over with tears once more. She stared into Spike's eyes desperately.
“If I go, you have to come with me.” Spike said. “I can't leave you alone here with a murderer.”
“I said I ain't goin' anywhere. I have to stay here with my family while they ask for help from the sheriff of Appleoosa.” Applejack said.
“Then I'm staying too.” Spike said, crossing his arms. Applejack knew that she wasn't going to be able to get him to leave, so she buckled.
“Fine! But when he come's 'round tomorrow, keep yerself hidden!” AJ said. She walked over to the building they were hiding in previously. As he had time to examine it, Spike identified it as the Dodge Junction sheriff's office.
When Spike walked in he was greeted warmly by the sheriff himself.
“There he is! The dragon who's going to save us from Billy's tyrannical rule!” The sheriff shook Spike's claw vigorously, smiling widely. Spike just looked confused.
“He ain't here to save us, uncle. He's gonna help us get the sheriff of Appleoosa.” Applejack explained.
“No, no. Those claws of yours would be absolutely perfect for holding a revolver! I bet you could outgun even Billy the Foal!” The sheriff said. Spike held his confused look as Applejack tried to explain otherwise.
“Listen uncle, Spike is gonna help us get aid from Appleoosa like we need to be doin'!” Applejack said, her patience running thin. The sheriff sighed.
“Fine, fine. Can I just try one thing first?” He asked. He removed a holster belt from a hook on the wall and gave it to Spike. Spike put on the belt and was handed a revolver. Spike turned pale as he took the revolver from the sheriff. He placed the revolver in the holster and looked confusedly at the sheriff.
“What're ya doin', uncle?” Applejack asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“Alright Spike, now I want you to take that revolver out of the holster as quickly as you can and fire a shot into that wall.” The sheriff pointed toward a blank wall that had been riddled with bullets.
Spike moved his claw over the the gun. Before AJ could object, Spike had unholstered the revolver from it's sheath and fired off a shot into the wall. He re-holstered the revolver and looked at AJ and the sheriff. Applejack's mouth was hanging open in shock and the sheriff was just smiling widely.
“Told you he could shoot fast.” The sheriff said, looking toward Applejack. She caught herself and closed her mouth.
“Sure, uncle, but Spike ain't the kind ta shoot somepony!” Applejack argued.
“Listen Jackie... It's not about morals anymore... Now it's about our safety as a town. As long as that outlaw is still breathing, we're in danger.” The sheriff closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “And Spike here is the only one of us fast enough on the draw to take him down.”
Spike watched on silently as the sheriff tried to explain to Applejack why this was the only option.
“I ain't lettin' you turn Spike into a killer!” Applejack said, her voice raising in intensity.
“He wouldn't be a killer, Jackie. He'd be a hero!” The sheriff said. “You and I both know that help from Appleoosa isn't coming. Our only choice now is to stand and fight!” Applejack closed her eyes.
“It's up to you, Spike. If you don't wanna do this, that's fine.” She said, finally giving up.
“If there's no other alternative, then I'll step up.” Spike said looking into Applejack's eyes.
“Then it's settled. You'll face off against Billy the Foal tomorrow, and with any luck, you'll end his reign over this town!” The sheriff shook Spike's claw furiously again as Applejack looked on disappointingly. “Now you'd better get some sleep. You got a big day tomorrow after all!”
The sheriff recommended that Spike stay with Applejack overnight. She agreed and led Spike to the hotel she'd been staying in.
“Listen AJ... I know this might not be the right thing for me to do-” Spike was cut off.
“No, it ain't!” Applejack huffed. “But... It's really the only thing to do at this point...” Applejack laid down to sleep in her bed, and Spike laid on the floor. He had been sleeping on the floor at the library, having grown too big for his original bed. He really didn't mind the cold floor. He found it to be somewhat inviting in fact.
Spike and Applejack tried to sleep that night, but both of them were worried about tomorrow.
The following morning, Spike and Applejack made their way to the sheriff's office post haste. Spike retrieved the belt and gun from the wall and put them on. As he picked up the gun, a familiar shudder ran down his spine.
As he looked to the window, he saw that once again the dirt road was empty. From the east a familiar outlaw entered the baron town. The sun beamed from behind him and cast a menacing shadow to his front.
“I know yer still here, dragon boy!” The outlaw said, his voice echoing through the empty streets. “Why don't ya come on out and face me!?”
Spike emerged from the sheriff's office, causing the door to sound with a haunting creak. Spike didn't say anything as he approached the outlaw. A tumbleweed seemed to set the scene as it rolled by between the them. Once he reached his front, Spike stood with his right hip forward, drawing attention to his revolver.
“Ya got yerself a gun...” The outlaw smirked, “But can ya use it?”
“Better than you.” Spike said, his face unchanging.
“Ya really wanna do this right now?” The outlaw asked menacingly.
“Back to back. Five paces.” Spike said. He had seen shootouts in numerous movies before, but being part of one was an entirely different story. In the movies the good guy always wins, but here, there was a chance that Spike wasn't going to walk away alive. This thought churned in Spike's head, causing a bead of sweat to trickle down his head.
“You best be ready, dragon boy.” The outlaw hissed. The two turned their backs to one another. They began walking.
Time seemed to slow as Spike walked onward. The dusty air tickled his nostrils as a bead of sweat ran down his neck. All to soon, however, it was time.
-One step.
-Two steps
-Three steps
-Four steps
-Five steps
BANG-BANG
The loud discharge of the guns was followed by the sounds of a bullet penetrating flesh, and a loud crack. Each followed by loud screams of pain. Spike dropped to his knees. His eyes closed tight and filling with tears of pain. He opened one of his eyes just slightly, and saw shards of something resting at the hooves of the outlaw. He looked up and saw the outlaw's horn atop his head shattered.
Spike gripped tightly at his right arm. He dropped the gun to the ground and stared at his arm. Blood began to flow from between his claws as he dug into his arm, trying to force back the pain he was feeling.
“Why you... You yellow bellied piece a... AHHH!” The outlaw tried to speak, but each time he opened his mouth, screams of pain erupted from his throat. The outlaw struggled to re-holster his gun, but failed. He left it in the dust as he ran away, groaning in pain.
Spike watched as the outlaw ran. He gripped his arm tightly, turning his attention to his wound. The outlaw had landed a shot into Spike's right arm. The open wound was flowing with blood. The pain caused Spike to feel faint before he finally passed out.
Spike awoke the following morning in a hospital in Dodge Junction. Applejack was sitting next to him. She looked scared. Spike's arm was wrapped in gauze bandages which had a slight red tint to them over his wound. Still a bit delirious, Spike spoke up.
“Applejack?” Spike asked.
“Oh Spike! Yer awake!” She said, a smile rushing to her face. “I was so worried!” A nurse entered the room. She looked a lot like Nurse Redheart back in Ponyville, but her mane was red instead of pink. Her name tag, accordingly, read Nurse Pinkheart.
“He was only shot in the arm. It'd take a lot more than that to stop a dragon of his size.” The nurse said. “How are you feeling, Spike?”
“My arm still hurts, but other than that I'm fine.” He answered.
“We're just lucky that your arm only hurts. That bullet had the potential to go straight through your bone, but luckily your scales slowed it enough to cause it to stop upon contacting your bone.” The nurse recalled.
“I'm just really glad yer alright, Spike.” Applejack said. She reached over and took his left claw in her hooves. A single tear of joy rolled down her cheek as Spike smiled at her.
“What happened to Billy?” Spike asked.
“You broke his horn.” The nurse recalled. “He won't be able to use his magic as effectively anymore, but he's still alive.”
“What do you mean about his magic?” Spike inquired.
“When a unicorn uses their magic to pick something up, they need to focus all of their energy into the entirety of their horn. If part of the horn is missing, they'll still be able to use magic, but it'll be less accurate and more clumsy.” The nurse said.
“So if I face him again...” Spike started.
“You'd win, easily.” The nurse said. “He wouldn't be able to draw his weapon fast enough, and even if he did, he'd probably miss anyway. But there is one hindrance on you now too.”
“What do you mean?” Spike asked.
“You both severely hindered the others ability to shoot. You broke his horn, but he damaged your arm. You'll find it hard to draw or even aim a weapon with your arm like this.” The nurse said. “I'd advise you to not face him again until your arm is healed up completely.”
“How long would that take?” Applejack asked.
“About three weeks, I'd say.” The nurse said.
“But Billy the Foal is probably going to be back tomorrow!” Spike interrupted.
“I know. Listen, it wouldn't be a smart idea to face him while your arm is damaged like this, but if you choose to, I'm not going to stop you.” The nurse told them.
Spike nodded intently before looking toward Applejack.. Her smile had faded, and she seemed lost in thought.
“Well, you're free to go anytime you want.” The nurse said.
“Come on, AJ. I need to rest.” Spike said. He stood up from the hospital bed and started toward the door.
“You were just in a bed...” Applejack said.
“Yeah, but the floor of the hotel room is really comfortable.” Spike called out as he made his way toward the hotel.
As he walked down the street, Spike was greeted warmly by numerous Dodge Junction citizens, thankful for what he did. The town seemed less somber and desolate now, but Spike knew that it would soon change, when Billy the Foal showed his face again.
As Spike slept on the floor of the hotel room, he was awoken by some rustling on Applejack's bed next to him. He heard a loud thwack, followed by the sound of something being stuffed into a bag. Spike stood up and looked onto the bed to see that Applejack was gone. He was about to call her name, but before he could-
THWACK
Spike fell unconscious from being hit on the head with something. When he woke up, he was hanging upside down over a large pit of spikes. He looked around frantically, finally coming to, and saw Applejack still unconscious hanging upside down next to him.
“Applejack!” He yelled, forcing her awake.
“Huh, wha- AHH!” She exclaimed, quickly realizing her predicament. “What happened?!”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Spike said. “This has to be the work of Billy!” As Spike looked around, he saw that they were suspended from a singular rope that was staked into the ground. The rope was tied to two other sets of rope that in turn held Spike and AJ. The rope was hung over the top of a wooden structure, which held them directly above the pit of spikes. Spike saw Applejack's hat off to the side, but quickly noticed that the single rope holding them was wearing thin.
“Uh oh...” Applejack said, noticing it as well.
Realizing that their time was nearing it's end, the two looked into one another's eyes.
“Listen, AJ... This might be the last time we talk to one another... The last time we talk at all even...” Spike said.
“Yeah... Spike... I just...” Applejack's words trailed off.
“Applejack... I've always looked up to you. I only faced Billy when I did because I knew it's what you'd do if you could.” Spike said.
“I know, Spike. You and I have always been close friends, and I've always liked that.” She said.
“Me too, AJ.” Spike smiled as he looked at Applejack. She smiled back. The two hung there staring into one another's eyes as they waited for their doom.
SNAP
The rope gave out and the two of them began hurdling toward the pit. Spike and Applejack closed their eyes tight as they fell. Suddenly, they felt themselves land on the ground.
Spike peeked an eye open only to see the pit in front of him. Applejack was to his side, her eyes still shut tight.
“Applejack.” Spike said, getting her attention. Here eyes opened slowly.
“Wha-” She was in shock.
“Oh boy am I glad I got here when I did!” A strange voice called out. Spike and Applejack looked around. “Back here.” The two looked behind themselves and saw, standing there, a pale unicorn mare with a red cowboy hat. She had a look of relief about her.
“What happened?” Applejack asked.
“Billy the Foal kidnapped you two from your hotel room last night. I followed him in secrecy until I saw him take you into this cave.” She recalled. “I lost his trail once he entered, but I found you two here just as that rope broke, so I teleported you off to the side.”
“Thanks.” Spike said, unsure of how to accurately thank somepony for saving his life. He looked toward Applejack, who had retrieved her hat.
“Yeah, thank ya kindly.” She said.
“Don't worry about it. Name's Thyme, by the way. Thyme Saver.” Thyme said.
“I'm Spike, and this is Applejack.” Spike said, introducing them.
“Oh trust me, I know you two. Everypony knows about Spike the ranger and his assistant, Applejack!” Thyme said, smiling widely.
“We're already nicknamed?” Spike asked.
“Of course!” Thyme said.
“Right, well, we'd better be getting' back ta th' town.” Applejack said.
“I was wondering... If you're not too attached to that hat... could I have it?” Thyme asked. “It's just such a perfect piece and I'd love to have it for my collection.”
“If all this goes well, I'll give ya the hat, OK?” Applejack said, smirking at Thyme.
Thyme led Spike and AJ out of the cave and back to Dodge Junction. It was early. The sun was rising, and the town was empty.
“Spike...” Applejack spoke up, “This'll probably be yer last chance to beat Billy...”
“I know.” Spike said. “I'm ready for him. He's not killing anypony else. I swear it.” Spike didn't break eye contact with the distant town the entire time he spoke. He was on a mission, and he was going to see it through, no matter the cost.
Billy the Foal was entering from the east, as Spike, AJ, and Thyme entered from the west. The sun aided the outlaw by granting him his menacing shadow once more. Spike motioned for AJ and Thyme to go and wait near the sheriff's office. Before they went, Applejack turned to Spike.
“Here. Take this.” Applejack removed her hat from her head an handed it to Spike. He took it from her thankfully and placed it atop his head. His spines folded over as the hat pushed them down. He still didn't understand that.
Applejack and Thyme waited on the front porch of the building, and were joined by the sheriff.
Spike and Billy walked forward and met in the center of the town.
“You came back.” Spike said.
“Didn't think you'd be here to greet me.” Billy said. Any hint of playfulness was gone from his voice, and all that remained was spite.
“I had some help.” Spike looked toward Thyme, who just smiled at him.
“Back to back. Five paces.” Billy commanded.
“I'm unarmed.” Spike pointed out. The sheriff tossed Spike a belt and revolver. He put them on and nodded to the sheriff.
“Before we start... I'm not sure your mad enough to fight me.” The outlaw said. He drew his gun and fired toward a hanging sign. The bullet ricocheted off of the sign and made a sickly whistling noise, followed by a p'tang and another whistle. It was followed by the all too familiar sound of the bullet puncturing flesh, and a scream of pain.
Spike looked toward the sheriff's office and saw Thyme being held by the sheriff. Her pale coat had been stained a crimson red and her eyes were opened wide. She began breathing heavily. The bullet had punctured her chest and she was bleeding out fast. Two ponies emerged from the sheriff's office and carried her to the hospital quickly. Her blood remained on the front porch and stained the wood.
Spike turned his gaze toward the outlaw and growled viciously, green flames shooting from his nose as he stared him down.
Not even the tumbleweeds graced them this time. It felt like Spike and Billy were the only two beings on the planet at that moment.
Spike approached the outlaw and turned his back. Billy did the same. They began walking. The familiar dusty air tickled Spike's nostrils once more. He didn't sweat this time. He didn't feel fear. Only anger toward his opponent.
-One step
-Two steps
-Three steps
-Four steps
-Five steps
BANG
Only one shot rang out this time. Spike looked at the ground in front of him and saw a large cloud of dust at his feet. Billy had missed his shot and hit the ground in front of Spike. Spike was unable to move his arm due to his injury, and didn't even get a shot off. The recoil had caused Billy's now weak magic to lose control of the gun, sending it flying backwards. He quickly retrieved the gun and aimed it right at Spike's head.
Spike closed his eyes and bowed his head. He lost.
BANG
Spike held his eyes shut. He didn't feel anything. He opened his eyes and checked himself. No wound. He looked toward Billy the Foal. Billy had a look about him that Spike had never seen before. He looked scared. Billy reached back with a hoof and touched the back of his neck. When he brought the hoof back, it was stained red with his blood. He and Spike looked toward the sheriff's office and saw Applejack holding a revolver in her mouth. She had shot Billy the Foal in the back of the neck.
Billy's eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground. A puddle of blood began to form around him as he lay on the ground.
Applejack ran over to Spike, dropping the gun from her mouth. Without saying a word, Applejack hugged Spike tightly. Tighter than ever. Spike hugged her back and the two of them just stood in the middle of the town, happy to be alive.
Without them noticing, the outlaw began to squirm on the ground. He raised his gun one last time and fired off his final round. Upon hearing the shot, Spike forced his arm to the holster and drew his gun. He fired one shot directly between Billy the Foal's eyes. His head began to gush with blood as he went limp on the ground.
Spike looked back toward Applejack. She was grasping her neck tightly with her hooves. Spike looked on confusedly, but quickly snapped into reality when the all too familiar crimson liquid began to flow from beneath her hooves. She fell limp, but Spike caught her.
“Somepony help! She's been shot!” Spike looked on in horror as two ponies from the hospital carried Applejack away. He could do nothing but fall to his knees cry as he sat among the corpse of the pony he had just killed.
At the funeral, the pastor's words and the music played were so perfect, that for a moment, nopony was sad. Spike stood amongst the other ponies, his eyes bloodshot from the tears he had shed. He was holding the hat in his claws. The weather seemed to alter to fit the somber tone. It was dark and cloudy, and the smell of rain was in the air. As they lowered the casket into the ground, Spike approached the grave.
“She'd want this...” He said, a single tear welling in his eye as he tossed Applejack's hat into the grave. It landed perfectly atop the casket. As the graveyard workers began shoveling dirt onto the grave, Spike walked away, tears streaming down his face once more. He made his way to the train station and boarded the first train to Ponyville.
Spike sat in a seat and looked out the window.
“Ticket please.” The train worker prompted Spike. Without taking his eyes off of the window, Spike handed the pony his ticket.
“Thank you.” The ticket pony moved onto the next seat. “Ticket please.” Spike still looked out the window.
“Thank you.” He heard the pony say as he continued his rounds. Spike spoke.
“I wish I could have saved her.” He said.
“I know... I know...” The mare behind him said.
“I gave the hat to her. She would have wanted it.” Spike said.
“I would've done th' same thing.” She said, moving her orange hoof to his claw. Spike gripped her hoof and closed his eyes, squeezing out the last of his tears.
“I know, AJ.” Spike replied. “I know.”
Author's Note
Yeah... I probably could've/should've divided this up into chapters, but oh well. Oh, and hey, second uploaded story! As stated, this story was inspired by Writer's 'Blue Steel Railway'. I encourage any of you reading this to go and read that, trust me, it's good. Really good. As is common, Comments/concerns are always appreciated. Threats against my life or the life of anyone else are not appreciated. Thanks for reading!