Brothers In Blood

     ACT II

     CHAPTER IV: INTERVENTION

     “I thought you guys were dead.” Clay punched you and Ben in the chest, chuckling to himself. You know he’s trying not to cry, his manliness not allowing it. Ben joined in on his laughter, ignoring the group of ponies around you. Twilight and Rarity seem to be breathing heavily. Heh, they think that’s hard, try stopping him with your bare hands. Applejack had a bloody nose, Spike tossing her a tissue box. A yellow Pegasus held up a cyan pony. Sheesh, Clay did a number on her. Her face was covered in blood, her mane was way passed messed up. Good thing Twilight stopped him. Although, even through all that, the rainbow Pegasus still gave him the death glare.

     “By the way Twilight this is our not-so-dead brother Clayton.” Ben put a hand on his shoulder. “Clay, this is-“

     “Twilight Sparkle. So you’re the brains behind this group.” Clayton grunted, staring at the rainbowed Pegasus. “You seem to be the only one that can control this bitch.” Twilight and Rarity went stiff. Apparently ponies don’t swear here.

     “Oh boy here we go...” Ben groaned. “For once can you stop being so aggressive? I know we’re brothers but still…” Clay breathed in and sighed.

     “Fine. As long as Twilight gives me answers.” He glanced over to Twilight, ignoring the rainbowed Pegasus’ death glare. “And I need them now.” Twilight cleared her throat and smiled, Clayton’s intimidating working tenfold.

     “W-Well my name is Twilight Sparkle. You’ve already met Rainbow Dash…In an unpleasant way. Fluttershy you’ve also met I presume. That only leaves Rarity and Applejack.”

     “Uhh Howdy.” Applejack barely managed, holding the tissue over her nose. Clay only grunted. Rarity didn’t respond, only looking at his arms. Clay didn’t even glace over at her, good thing too. He hates snooty people.

      “So correct me if I’m wrong; we have Fluttershy, Purplesmart, Rainbow Cunt,” Rainbow spat blood at his boot. “Dizzy’s long lost cousin and a marshmallow.” Rarity’s eyes went big, coughing to herself.

     “I beg your pardon darling,” Clay groaned. Oh boy here we go. “But I am no marshmallow.” Clayton chuckled, pretending to hold a tea cup. He even has the pinkie pointing upwards.

     “Oh I’m so sorry darling.” Clayton mocked. “Maybe I can make it up to you over some tea and crumpets.” Fluttershy hid her face under her mane. But you saw that grin. You may be new to the COG but you got eagle eyes.

     “Well I never!” she exclaimed, visibly being flustered. “I do not act like that! Right Twilight!” twilight was trying to suppress a giggle. Applejack didn’t care, dying on the floor in laughter.

     “You got it spot on partner!” Applejack chuckled. Fluttershy’s shouldered shook slightly, still hiding her face. Rainbow… Still store daggers at Clayton. Sheesh, get your panties out of a knot.

     “Anyways,” Twilight sighed, wiping a tear from her eyes. The little purple dinosaur ran to Twilights side, a quill and paper in hand- err claw.  “I’ve been meaning to ask you two, or now three, how you came into Ponyville. You said you’re not from here.”

     “Well me and Ben woke up in the forest on the outskirts.” You grunted, holding your bandaged hand. “I accidently cut my finger trying to get my Lancer-“

     “Actually he got bit by a bunny.” He glanced over to you. Damn it Ben. “His genius idea was to chase down set ‘deadly bunny of the night’ and kill it.” Fluttershy gasped, looking at you with her- oh god those eyes…

     “Why would you want to hurt Angel?” she whimpered. Ok play it cool.

     “Because it bit me!” you yelled, pointing at your mildly severed finger. Fluttershy winced.

     “M- Maybe you scared him,” Futtershy peeped. Geez speak up lady. “Y-You are kind of scary…”

     “He was petting the annoyed bunny and it bit him.” Ben chuckled. Not helping Ben.

     “Suck it up Tony,” Clay grunted, pinching the bridge of his helmet. “It’s just an animal bite.” These people don’t get it!

     “What part of ‘demon spawned rabbit ‘do you not under-“

     “Want me to kiss it better?” Clay growled, looking directly at you. You went back to leaning on the wall, Clay chuckling to himself. He leaned back on the semi broken wall, crossing his arms.

     “And what about you Clayton?” Twilight asked, her smile returning to her face. “Did Fluttershy find you in the Everfree Forest?” Clay grunted, clearing his throat.

     “I found her.” He corrected. Twilight turned to Fluttershy for confirmation, getting a nod in response. “Woke up in this Forest, kinda shaken from a fucked up dream.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

     “As I went trekking I got ambushed by this asshole who thought he was tough. It was dark but that doesn’t stop me. The thing tried to hit me with its tail but I chopped it right in half, served the damn thing right.”

     “You must’ve got attacked by a Manticore, one of the beasts in the Everfree Forest.” Twilight tapped her chin, her eyes squinting at Clay. “And how did you chop off the animal’s tail?” You just did not doubt Clay’s word. Clay noticed this and held up his hand.

     “Please leave all questions to the end of the lesson.” He cleared his throat. “Anyways after that asshole tried to kill me, I heard a cry for help. I found a clearing and saw a pack of wooden dogs, probably 10 of them. I got surrounded, but slaughtered them with ease. It was like chopping down trees for firewood.  Seriously it’s not that dangerous in that forest.”

     “How did you-“ Clay covered her mouth, wagging his finger at her. Twilight furrowed her brow, getting a mild chuckle from Clay. Removing his mouth, he continued. Apparently the ‘Manticore’ came back for blood. It charged him into a rock but, like Clay always is, he didn’t give a fuck. He chopped off its left wing and then blew its brains out. Assist +25 to Fluttershy.

     “-Then I went to Fluttershy’s house and she gave me first aid. And the rest…” He glanced at the calmed down Rainbow Dash. “…you already know. Any-ughh… any questions?” Twilight had her hoof up in the air like a Torque Bow shot. Fluttershy shivered, remembering the events. Applejack stood amazed at the power Clay has. You should see him in the gym.

     “Jeez Clay you didn’t have to make our story sound like crap…” you groaned, getting a chuckle from Ben.

     “Yeah well next time, don’t get hunted down by a completely harmless animal.” He pointed at the ecstatic Twilight, face palming into his helmet. “Yes Purplesmart?”

     “Well first off I’m lavender.” Isn’t that the same thing? “And secondly, how did you kill all those Timberwolves and that Manticore?” Clay chuckled. It was a stupid question. He walked over to the table in the center of the library, beckoning everyone to follow.

     “Try not to have a nerdgasm Twilight.” Ben chuckled. Clay placed his still bloody Lancer, getting winces from everyone except you and Ben. You placed down your Torque Bow, Ben following with his Longshot. Clay chuckled and put down his Gnasher and his sawed off. You put down your Snub pistol and Clay with his Boltok. The faces of all the ponies made you all laugh. Twilight took the booklet from the dinosaur, trying to draw out all the weapons. Applejack had her eyes on the Gnasher. Westerners. Rarity looked at the Longshot, intrigued. Rainbow had her eyes on the Sawed-off, her eyes moving as she read the engraved message on the barrel.

     “Alright Twilight, you first.” Clay chuckled. After five minutes from asking the question she finally responded.

     “What’s that one?” she asked, pointing at the Bloodied Lancer. Clay grabbed the one on your back, noticing the wincing faces of the blood.

     “This, my multi-coloured friends, and Rainbow,” Rainbow Dash snorted. “Is the Mark Two Lancer Assault Rifle. Or as I call it, the best combination of melee and ranged. Excluding the Mark One.” He really wanted a Retro Lancer, as the COG calls it. He pointed at the chainsaw part, pushing the chain slightly.

     “The melee part is here. Where we’re from we call it a chainsaw. Now what you-“

     “That doesn’t look like it could do that much damage.” Twilight protested, touching the blades. “they may be sharp but a single blade would be better.” Clay was about to say something but growled. He revved up the chainsaw, its sound causing everyone to huddle together. Except for Rainbow Dash. He looked at the door and chuckled.

     “How expensive are doors?” Clay called. Twilight went to say something but Clay just walked over to it. He started chopping through the door, sawdust and splinters flying everywhere. With a clean cut, the top half of the door fell over, hitting the ground with a thud. He turned off the chainsaw, laughing at the reaction of the ponies. Fluttershy looked like she’s seen a ghost. Rarity fainted. Only rainbow and Applejack seemed way passed amazed about this. And Twilight-

     “Pffthahahaha!” you and Ben fell to the ground, dying from laughter. Twilight was a mixture of rage, amazement, and horror. Ponies outside gazed at Clay, his laughed heard all across the town. After that laughing run, you and Ben introduced the other weapons, chuckling at the argument that would transpire with Twilight and Clay. Applejack REALLY wants that shotgun.

     “I’ll pay you 1000 bits for that.” She said, making Clay instantly say no.

     “What’s that writing on the Sawed-Off thingy?” This made you and Ben sigh, Clay giving Rainbow a glare through his helmet.

     “None of your damn business…” Clay grumbled. The room went silent, Rainbow going to ask a question but Applejack covered her mouth.

     “Anyways!” Twilight coughed, breaking the silence. “What are you guys? I’ve never seen you here before… And what’s with the armor?” this mare is going to drive us all crazy…

     After an hour of explaining what Sera was, what we were and the war, she wrote a letter to this ‘princess’ and rolled it up-

     Just so then the purple dinosaur can incinerate it.

     “Whoa I never knew dinosaurs could breathe fire!” you gasped, getting a closer look at the little lizard.

     “Spike isn’t a dinosaur silly willy!” a familiar voice. “He’s a- OHMIGOSH WHO’S THAT!” Pinkie broke every law and attached herself to Clay’s helmet.

     “Himynameispinkiepieandyoumustbeanotherhumanand-“

     “Get the fuck off my helmet or I will end you right here.” Clay growled, causing pinkie to bounce off his helmet and gracefully to the ground. She bowed slightly, claps from hooves from the six ponies.

     “I say an 8.5” Ben chuckled, causing everyone to laugh.

     “Oh no! Now I have to change the banners from ‘Welcome to Ponyville Anthony and Benjamin’ to ‘Welcome to Ponyville Anthony, Benjamin and Clayton’!” Whoa what?

     “How did you know my name…?” Clay growled, covering his Sawed Off as Rainbow kept looking at it. That sounded wrong… Damn it brain.

          “Silly! Twilight told me!” Pinkie smiled. Twilight looked lost. “Besides, I know all arrivals. By the way applejack I’m using your barn for the party.” Before Applejack could protest, Pinkie was off, a line of fire leading halfway down Ponyville.

     “I’ll be right back y’all.” Applejack jumped through the hole in the library, Twilight grumbling to herself. “DAMN IT PINKIE GET BACK HERE!”

     “I must go too.” Rarity smiled, walking over the hole. “I have to pick up sweetie Bell from school. Nice meeting you three.” You and Ben waved, Clay just nodding. That just left you, Ben, clay, twilight, Rainbow and Flutters-

     “Oh.. umm I have to go too.” She said softly, looking at Clay the whole time. “I gotta check If umm angel came back… thank you for saving me Clayton.” Clay walked up to her, crouching down to her level. He stroked her hair, scratching behind her ears. She perked up, a small blush forming on her face. Is this love I see?

     “Anytime Flutters.” Fluttershy’s blush intensified at the nickname. “Stay out of trouble you hear?” Fluttershy nodded furiously, causing Clay to chuckle. She started to away, her wings stiff as wood. That’s new…

     “O-Oh and don’t forget to stop by!” she stammered. “N-Not that way! So I could umm… check your w-wound!” she ran away, a puff of smoke highlighting where she was before.

     “You really love rustling peoples jimmies don’t you Clay.” Ben chuckled.

     “I still remembered when it backfired…” you mumbled. “You had a stalker on your hands for a long time. What was her name… It started with an A and-“

     “Shut it Tony.” Clay spat, slapping your helmet. “If it wasn’t for Fenix I would’ve been raped.” This caused everyone to chuckle. And by everyone I mean the three of you, Rainbow and Twilight. Purple dragon-dinosaur-Barney rip-off went with Rarity, hearts in his eyes. So many questions…

     “Don’t worry Clay,” Twilight sighed, her shoulders shaking. “Fluttershy would never do such a thing.

     But that’s what you thought.