A Friend In Need

A Friend In Need

"The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as an individual. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.”

-Pearl S. Buck

Pre-Read by Shadowflash

Edited by 59caddyel

Welcome to Appleloosa!

***

The noise of trains leaving and arriving overshadowed the constant chatter throughout the station. Many ponies were bustling about the area, minding their own business as a small bell rang.  A tall Pegasus pulled his hoof away from the noisemaker, sitting idly upon his haunches while he waited for the Earth stallion from behind the desk to answer him.

“Welcome mister--” the teller started to say, immediately being hushed by the Pegasus.

“Don’t say my name... I don’t quite enjoy hearing it.” the stallion looked to him with a stern expression.

I swear if I have to hear that Celestia forsaken title once more... I’m going to rip somepony’s still-beating heart out. An angry look fell upon the white Pegasus’ face, one filled with hateful memories and pain from his past.

The teller turned around to examine the passport that the pale stallion had placed on the counter, glancing towards the cloud symbol on the front cover. "Ah, from Cloudsdale I see. What is your business here in Appleloosa, if you don't mind me asking?"

        "I'm here to work for Madame Ziti as an apple bucker." the Pegasus said reluctantly, looking towards the stallion’s hooves with an exhausted expression. Circles under his eyes indicated the recent hell he had spent the previous seven months in, responsible for his current demeanor.

The teller squinted at him. "Sure ya shouldn't be working for the Cloudsdale weather factory?"

Old age must have blinded the fool, that or he’s just continuing to test my patience. The white stallion sighed, lifting his head to the teller. The Pegasus glared directly into his eyes, spreading his his scarred wings slightly - riddled with dark streaks caused from the intense trauma they had gone through - a look of irritation upon his face.

"Used to, but it's kind of hard to fly when your wings have been broken in every place imaginable."

“I didn't mean to upset you...” the teller scoffed, “I didn’t notice your injury there, son, in fact I was just surprised to see you since we hardly see any Pegasi around here.”

Shaking his head, the teller opened the passport. Using an iron stamp to approve the certificate, the stallion turned to grab the remaining slips he needed to finalize the document. He brought the small pair of glasses that hung around his neck up to his eyes to examine the slips closely.

"Any way a stallion can get directions around here?" asked the Pegasus, glancing around the small room for any sign of a map.

Really, just really? No maps or charts in sight. For such a renowned settlement they sure are ignorant to the basics of tourism. The white stallion chuckled sarcastically to himself, and the teller briefly glanced with a look of playful confusion as he closed the passport booklet.

        "You could try a shot at one of the townsfolk, but your gonna have to use a gentler tone lest ya want to start something." said the Earth stallion with care, raising his head to the Pegasus with a look of concern.

Yeah ok, like I’m just supposed to roll over and act all kosher to everypony I meet. That’s surely gotten me to where I want to be. The white stallion rolled his eyes at the thought.

        "Well, best of luck to ya, mister--" the Earth stallion started to say, the Pegasus' eyes grew wide -anger filling every corner- throwing himself at the framed box office.

"I told you to not use my name!" the stallion growled, making the teller stumble backwards with a look of surprise on his face.

Why... are others so oblivious to simple requests? The Pegasus continued to grab at the box office frame with his hooves; his eyes filled with fury as he panted.

The Earth stallion hastily passed the small book over the tabletop, turning his attention away from the Pegasus who picked it up with his hooves and placed it in a saddle bag upon his back. Turning towards the swinging doors, he ensured that the pendant on his front right limb was fastened.

***

Looking around the large town, the Pegasus slowed his stride - a vendor crossed the cripple’s path.

“Get your daily news right here folks, everything you need is here in the Tumbleweed Chronicles!” shouted the brown colt with a heavy Bronx accent, his cart blocking the Pegasus’ path.

The stallion pushed the cart off to the side, startling the vendor as papers were knocked into the breeze.

“Watch it, pal.” the seller said angrily, scurrying to get them all as they were blown across the dirt road.

Shouldn’t havewalked out in front of me then. Is it really so hard to look out for others nowadays? The Pegasus continuing on his path, bobbing in between others -a few bumping into him obnoxiously- as he made his way through the small crowds that had gathered around certain stores.

“I swear... it wasn’t me!” shouted a voice, a stallion being thrown out of a nearby bar.

The Pegasus turned to watch the site, a smirk upon his face Salty Spitoon, eh, why do bars always have to have the weirdest names? A half empty beer stein struck him in the middle of his back, sending him to his knees as he let out a pained whinny.

"We don't want yer kind around here, so you can just turn around and beat it!" shouted a voice from the bar. Everyone stopped as a large earth stallion in bandit’s clothing stepped from the crowd.

Looks like some smug motherfucker’s either going to get it, or he’s going to grant my wish after all. The Pegasus slowly shook the pain from his back, his eyes focused on the large muscle bound bandit that now stood in his path; he was smoking a cigar within his menacing grin, the stallion had a deep blue coat which complemented his baby blue mane .

"Well, well, well, look what we have here, fellas. A cripple! And not just any cripple, a crippled Pegasus." said the Earth stallion in a playful yet menacing manner, looking at the closed locket hanging from the pale stallion's front right hoof.

"I don’t want any trouble, at least not with your parents when I’m done wiping this dirt road with you," the injured stallion said with a grin, slowly standing back up as two more bandits made their way towards their leader.

"Really, now, I think whatever you ate on your journey has swelled your ego. Now what's your name, cripple?" asked the bandit, chuckling while he turned to the two stallions on his sides. Both of them joined in as well.

"It’s none of your business and if you don't get outta my way I'm going to shove your hooves down your fucking throats faster than I can fuck your mother!" shouted the Pegasus as he bared his teeth, still trying to shake the pain from his body.

"Woah there, looks like somepony has cojones... boys, you know what to do," the leader instructed, still grinning evilly.

Everything grew quiet as the townspeople gasped, two of the bandits slowly approaching the Pegasus as a loud whinny echoed through the town bringing everything to a halt.

"Enough!” a stallion’s voice shouted. The once-fearless bandits instantly were as still as the grave.

“Bullet, you and your boys leave him alone or you're going to be spending the next week in lockup!"

The Pegasus turned to look at the figure, using his hoof to cover his eyes from the brightness. As he approached, the sunlight beaming down upon his blonde coat sent off a glare that was near blinding; all the Pegasus could make out was a shadowy silhouette of the stallion’s body. Oh great, who the hell is this joker?

The leader of the gang spit out his cigar, "Braeburn... do you really think someone has your back assisting this pathetic fool?"

"Why yes, indeed I do. I think you're forgetting who's the new sheriff around these parts." the yellow stallion said as three deputies made their way behind him and glared at the group of bandits. Everything grew quiet as a breeze picked up through the little town, the sounds of birds echoing from the distance.

Bullet grinded his teeth, looking towards the Pegasus with rage burning in his eyes. He leaned closer to the cripple as he spoke. "I have my eye on you, I promise the next time we cross paths you won't be so fortunate."

        The Bandits slowly trotted away as the town started moving about once more, the deputies returning to the sheriff’s office. The blonde stallion quickly bolted towards the Pegasus, trotting beside him. A heartwarming smile was upon his face as he turned to speak with the newcomer.

"Sorry bout them. He’s never been one to enjoy the company of Pegasi, bad experience and all as a kid but don't let him make a bad impression on ya," said the yellow stallion excitedly as the Pegasus continued trotting forwards without even flinching a neck muscle to look at him.

Maybe if I don’t look at him, he’ll go away.

"I greatly appreciate the help, but I'm running rather late," said the Pegasus in a gruff tone, lowering his head as he looked at the ground.

"Late for what? Maybe I can take you to where you need to go," insisted the Blonde stallion ecstatically, a smile upon his face as he continued to burn holes into the irritated Pegasus.

Both of them stopped as the Pegasus finally turned to look at him, his deep brown eyes staring right into the yellow stallion's. "Look, I don't need your pity and I surely don't need your assistance. Just tell me where to go and I'm sure I can find my way."

Those eyes... why did I have to stare into those eyes. Please, I beg of you, Celestia, stop him from talking to me. The cripple now rolling his eyes, pushing a few ponies out of the way in order to make it harder for the blonde stallion to follow him.

“Watch it, jackoff!”

“Woah there!”

“You looking for trouble, punk?!” the many voices said as he weaved their way through the crowd.

There we go, peace and quiet. A smile grew on the stallion’s face.

        "No, I insist that I lead the way." the yellow stallion said with a chuckle, catching up with the Pegasus who slapped a hoof to his forehead.

Closing his eyes, he pulled his hoof down his face. "Fine... since  you're obviously not going to leave me alone, Mr-...?"

"Braeburn, of the Apple family. I helped build this here town a few years ago. Now what is your name, my compadre?" Braeburn questioned, the Pegasus ran his hoof through his long black mane as he pondered the thought.

My name, so many bad memories associated with that thing. Why did ‘he’ have to make it such a burden to bear... beautiful name my ass.

"I don't have a name." he said after a brief moment, turning his attention back towards the the edge of the city. He started trotting forward again, eager to move on.

Smooth move, like he’s really going to fall for that.

"You're pulling my hooves... I know, I'll just call you Catcher, since you seem to be catching everypony’s attention today." Braeburn walked alongside the cripple as he chuckled; the Pegasus only rolled his eyes.

Just why, he’s-... No, don’t suspect that, you idiot. The cripple shook his right hoof as he raised it, shaking pain from the limb before placing it back on the ground.

"Whatever floats your boat, you goof." Catcher said irritably, turning his gaze towards the pendant.

"So where exactly are you headed? I'm not a mind reader you know!" The yellow stallion walking ahead of Catcher, turning back to look at the Pegasus with great curiosity.

"Madame Ziti's farm, I'm going to work for her as an apple bucker."  Catcher said sternly, still staring at the strange pendant as he and Braeburn continued to trot forwards.

Cuethe big question in...

3

2

1

"A Pegasus as an apple bucker... why is that exactly?" Braeburn asked, turning his attention to Catcher's scarred wings.

"A tree jumped out and bit me when I was on weather duty one day,” Catcher explained in a sarcastic tone. “They told me I was lucky to have survived. It's hard to find work when both your wings and a leg are broken in critical areas, but unfortunately I need one to pay off my debt."

Braeburn's expression turning to one of concern as he noticed a limp in the Pegasus’s stride. A question formed in his mind.

        The two stopped at a pathway where many carriages were passing through, Braeburn turning towards Catcher, unsure of how to ask the thought that bore at the back of his mind. He took a deep breath before he gathered the courage.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I don't mean to intrude anymore, friend, but how are you going to buck?” Braeburn inquired. “You need to use your front legs as much as your back legs just to support yourself." The Pegasus slowly turned to him with a glare.

"Are you saying that I can't handle myself? Because I can assure you that I am quite capable of handling the job." Catcher said, his anger quickly fading as Braeburn looked to him with a frown of apology.

"Well, I'm always here in town if you ever need anything... anything at all." Braeburn said with burst of laughter, trying to lighten the mood.

My Celestia, his personality... the eyes and the personality. Can I at least wallow in this sick joke I call a life without suffering any more? Catcher let out a small ironic chuckle, turning to the sky as if he were pleading to some higher power.

"You are one odd bastard, you know that, right?" asked Catcher rhetorically, shaking his head with a grin as he closed his eyes.

Braeburn chuckled as he started to lead the way, the two quickly reaching the edge of the small desert town. The environment seemed to rapidly change as they went from stepping on dry dirt to lush green grass within moments.

***

The sun beat down on them as a breeze picked up, blowing through the many apple trees on the orchard. There were a few oasis-like ponds scattered through the area along the way towards the large barn-like structure.

Fencing soon came into view as a bunch of stallions could be seen bucking the many trees around the area, some turning to look at the two as they traveled up the road.

"Well here we are, I hope you find yourself comfortable. In fact..." Braeburn started to say as Catcher cut him off, using one of his hooves to cover the excited stallion's mouth.

"Look, thank you once again. You've been a tremendous help, but I think I can handle the rest from here." The Pegasus sat on his haunches. Braeburn placed a hoof on his shoulder, causing him to lean away from the yellow stallion. "Woah, sorry if I was being a bit friendly. I'm here strictly on business terms, no friendships for me." Catcher stood up to greet a Unicorn that was trotting up to meet them, using her magic to open the gate as she approached.

That’s a good boy, just let him down gently. You don’t want to go through the same pain you did last time, would you? The Pegasus shook the thought from his mind. The mare smiled as she glanced towards the energetic stallion.

"Braeburn! Who's your friend here?” the Unicorn mare asked, stroking her purple mane.  “Another come to assist old Miss Ziti?"

"I'm here as per our business arrangement,” Catcher butted in, cutting off Braeburn as he stared into her deep blue eyes with an exhausted look. “I'm to work off my medical bills from Cloudsdale Memorial."

"Better keep an eye on him, Miss Ziti. Bullet was standing him down earlier when I found him and I'm sure he'll be back for more trouble. The yellow stallion turned around, tilting his hat as he walked away from the two. Ziti frowned a little as she led Catcher down the hall towards his accommodations .

        "So you met our ecstatic new sheriff, haven’t ya mister-...?" Ziti asked humbly, leading him towards a small dormitory.She used her magic to manipulate a comb into stroking her mane in between strides.

My name... the one ‘he’ used to call me. No never again, I don’t want to remember. Stop thinking about him dammit. That stallion, what did call me again? Catcher, the cold... why is it fading? The Pegasus slowed his pace, his expression briefly changed to a lighthearted one.

"Catcher,” he declared, feeling some of the weight of his past slide mercifully off his shoulders, “and yes, he’s definitely a character." Ziti turned to scold him, but, noticing his scars and limp, she quickly changed her mind and turned back around.

"Catcher, hmm, well anyways he's a caring soul and if he cares about you then you're obviously important to him. Maybe you should try talking to him later; he’s very easy to get along with." Ziti using her magic to open the door , both of them stopping in the room's entrance.

 Catcher entered the small room as he glanced around, a shaft of light flowing in from the window that sat across from his bed. Simple, yet somehow homely.

"Eh, I'm not really the best friend to be had, besides I’ve spent some enough time around types like him. I don’t seem to have it in me to return the kind gestures." Catcher said, examining the mahogany ceiling.

Especially if my sense are correct, there’s no way I’m going to possibly throw myself back into the line of fire. The stallion continued to look absently at the woodwork, which glistened with sunlight that flowed into the room.

Madame Ziti  briefly smirked at him, as if she were hinting at something, before switching to an authoritative tone.

"Today you can rest, but tomorrow you start work. Dinner will be ready soon, and I expect you to be there, cleaned and ready." Ziti turned from the room as she entered back into the bowels of the structure.

"Great..." Catcher replied as he stopped examining the room, hoofing his forehead as he closed his eyes.

***

Catcher tossed and turned in the sheets as tears poured down his face, his body covered in sweat. The moon was the only thing illuminating the dark room, which was quiet and calm aside from the occasional scream.

Moments passed before the Pegasus opened his eyes, screaming once again in agony as he frantically searched around for an object on his nightstand. Quickly grabbing the locket that sat on the small table, he covered back up as he sat in the fetal position fixated on the small pendant.

"Please, just make the cold emptiness go away," cried the stallion aloud, panting as he looked around the room with wide eyes. Catcher pulled himself tighter as his ears lowered, his eyes glazed with tears which glistened from the moonlight.

"Why did I have to survive that fall...?" the stallion asked himself in a brief moment of silence, continuing to pant as he closed his eyes while crying himself back into a slumber.

***

Light poured through the windows of a large hall filled with many of the orchard’s workers, all of them eating bowls of barley. The  Pegasus walked into the hall, looking towards -his seat labeled ‘Catcher’ - shaking his head in a comical fashion.

"Ah so this is how it's going to be, just like school all over again," Catcher mumbled to himself, slowly walking over towards his assigned seat. Upon sitting down, the stallions on his sides turned to him, still munching on their food. The Pegasus turned his head to both sides, lowering his head as he closed his eyes.

Celestia help me, do I look like a mare in heat? Is that why I can’t seem to just get an ounce of peace around this place? The stallion raised his head, looking up to the ceiling in a sarcastic manner.

"I know I must be such a sight for you guys, being a cripple and all, but if you're going to admire this immaculate sight you may just want to take a picture."

"Heard you screaming like a little bitch the other night. Who’s the pitcher... Catcher?" said one of the workers, making himself and the other stallion to laugh. Catcher looked to both of them, closing his eyes again as he let out a sigh.

They can’t possibly know, can they? The Pegasus  exhaled, using his hooves to turn his torso towards one on the right.

"I take it that's the rumor that's floating around? Well, I can assure you that the only thing I love is the pain I'm going to rain down on both your asses if you say one more word about it," explained the Pegasus, leaning down to eat his barley.

"You hear that, he's going to rain pain down... on our asses," said the other worker to his right, again making both of the Earth stallions laugh. The  Pegasus  laughed with them as a look of anger grew on his face, causing the stallion across from them to take a gulp.

I swear to Celestia, one more fucking gay comment. Catcher stopped abruptly, a nasty grin upon his face -spread from side to side- as fire flowed through his eyes.

"Ugh guys, I think we should all just be quiet. We all are working here as a team remember." said a concerned worker from the other side of the table, the other two turning to him with a glare.

"What is he gonna do, beat us to death with his limp or 'molest' us in our sleep?" said one of the workers rhetorically, both of them laughing hysterically. The irritated Pegasus caught them by surprise, using his hooves to slam both of their heads into their bowls.

That’s it, fucking game time!

Barley and shattered glass flew along the table, both the worker stallions were knocked out but otherwise unharmed. Everyone turned to the Pegasus as he took one last gulp of his meal before getting up to leave the area.

        "Hey, where do you think you're going?" questioned one of the workers, stopping Catcher as he limped towards the door.

The angry stallion grinded his teeth, "I was going to start on my work, but if you want to dance I can pencil you in right now."

"Let him pass!" shouted Madame Ziti, a look of anger on her face as she stared at the sight before her. Catcher turned to look at her, his expression changing back to its sullen state as he started to limp towards the entryway.

"As for you, you're going to drag those other two and yourself to my office after meal and were going to have a little discussion!" exclaimed the angry mare.

Catcher continued to walk through the doorway, limping towards the orchard as he passed through the compound.