Old Frontier: Pony Style

“But how?” Twilight asked.

“No time for explanation, I must tend to the wounded. Everypony,” he now talked to the group “Please take me to all of the wounded.” Dr.Stitches then conjured up his medical bag and let the ponies guide him through the town. Twilight was about to follow them when Morningstar tapped her shoulder.

“Help me with this, will you?” he was pointing to the unconscious Wilson. “I want to have a chat with him.” He stared distastefully at Wilson.

“O.K.” she and the sheriff lifted the knocked out pony onto their backs and headed to the sheriff’s office.

“Be careful Twilight, Morningstar.” Fluttershy called to the two as they closed the door. The office was pretty spacious. The sheriff’s desk was against the right wall which also had a gun rack which was currently empty by the ponies who rushed in here to grab the guns and fight the bandits. The left wall was packed with 3 steel cells.

“Drop him to the floor for a second.” Morningstar said and she slammed him to the floor. He went to his desk and grabbed his chair and some rope. He set the chair in the middle of the room.

“Place our guest on the chair.” Morningstar casually asked Twilight. After Wilson was set on the chair, the sheriff used the rope and tied him, nice and tight. He went to his desk again and returned with a bucket of water, which he preceded to throw at Wilson’s face. The bandit woke up with a gasp. He stared at the two ponies and said sarcastically “How nice to see you two again.”

“Wilson Beckon” Morningstar said as he set down the bucket. “We are going to ask you a couple of questions.”

Wilson laughed and said, “O.K, my likes include money and long walks in the moonlight. My dislikes are nosy sheriffs and purple mares.”

“You think this is a joke?” Morningstar snarled.

“Yes, very much yes. Do either of you know how many times I’ve been interrogated? Let’s just say I know all of the tricks in the book.”

“Then you must know this trick.” Morningstar said as he punched Wilson. Wilson spit some blood and chuckled. “Number 11; punching the face, and may I add, nice right hook.”

Morningstar ignored the comment and said. “You said that somepony employed you, I want to know who that pony is and what does he or she want.”

“I don’t know what he wants. All I know he paid a pretty bit for this mission. Guess he was rich since he is from Coltifornia.”

Twilight, upon hearing this, lifted Wilson by the scuff of his suit. “What was his name?” She shook him. “Tell me his name!” The only response she got was him spitting in her eye. Twilight recoiled in disgust and cleaned her eye.

“Did you really think I would give any information to the likes of you?”

“Now that wasn’t nice.” The sheriff said and he turned to Twilight, “Can I borrow that revolver of yours?” She nodded and gave him Wilson’s revolver. Morningstar held it and flicked the revolver to the left and the cylinder slid out.

“Fancy.” He said as he emptied 3 of the chambers so only 3 bullets remained. He walked toward Wilson. “O.K Wilson, we’re going to play a game called ‘answer the questions or get a bullet to the head.” He spun the cylinder and held the revolver to Wilson’s head.

“Um, sheriff, I hate him as much as the next guy but he would be useless if you shot him.”

Wilson merely chuckled. “Very dramatic sheriff, but this is Number 6; threaten with bullet through head. I know you won’t shoot.”

“Try me.” Morningstar said in a deadly tone. Wilson simply looked at Morningstar. “Just save the needless banter because we all know you won’t-” he was cut off by the sound and of Morningstar pulling the trigger and the sound of a click. Even though the chamber was empty, Wilson jumped so violently that he and the chair he was tied to fell to the floor.

“What the buck!” Wilson tried to say angrily, but it came out in a frightened squeak. “What the buck!”

“Looks like you got lucky.” Morningstar said in a calm voice. “Let’s see if you get lucky again.” He spun the cylinder again and pointed the gun at Wilson; his eyes were filled with terror.

“Wait sheriff,” Twilight started but Wilson beat her to it. “O.K I’ll talk!” he cried out.

“Good boy, now kindly answer Ms. Sparkles’ question.”

Wilson looked up to Twilight and said, “I don’t know the guy’s name. I met him once when we made the deal. He was a Pegasus, had red coat, a green mane, and a very nasty scar over his left eye. That’s all I know, I swear!”

“Thanks for the info.” Morningstar proceeded to drag Wilson to one of the cells and threw him in. “Get some rest because tomorrow, you’ll be going on a long trip.”

He turned to Twilight, “Well, that was fun.”

“Wasn’t that over doing it? You’re just lucky that the chamber was empty.” Morningstar barked a laugh, “Luck had nothing to do with it, watch.” Morningstar spun the cylinder again and pointed the revolver to his head. Twilight gasped, but there was just a click sound. “See? I’ve been using revolvers since I was just a colt. Speaking of revolvers,” he shook the gun “mind if I keep it. It’s a really nice piece.”

“Sure, and I doubt Wilson will need it where he’s going.” The two chuckled as they stepped outside, where the atmosphere went from cheerful to mournful. Twilight saw that all the ponies were near the well, tending to the wounded. She and Morningstar trotted to the group. She spotted Dr.Stitches and went toward him. His hooves were moving very fast as he tended to a stallion who was shot in the gut.

“Is everyone alright?” Twilight said, not really wanting to know the answer. Dr.Stitches didn’t respond until he finished sewing the pony back up. “Lay down,” he said gently, “you’ll be fine.”

He turned toward Twilight and she braced herself for the answer.

“Everypony is alive. There were no casualties.” Twilight was both relieved and dumbfounded. “Then, why is no one celebrating?” Dr.Stitches only looked toward the barn and Twilight heard the dry sobs of somepony and with a gut-wrenching feeling, she knew who it was.

“Oh no.” She immediately rushed to the barn.

“Twilight wait,” Dr.Stitches started, but Twilight ignored him.

Twilight went into the barn, but there were only injured animals in there. She stepped out and went to the side of the barn that was obscured from the barn. She saw Fluttershy lying on the floor, crying, and Jamie the Manticore on her left side, moaning softly. Twilight went toward her and saw what had made Fluttershy so distraught. A lot of the animals that fought lay slain in front of them. This scene made Twilight feel terrible and no matter what, she could only vaguely think of how heartbroken Fluttershy was. Twilight walked toward Fluttershy and kneeled beside her. Fluttershy only realized Twilight was there when she placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. Fluttershy turned her head toward Twilight, and then wrapped her arms around her and sobbed over her shoulder.

“It’s O.K.” Twilight said soothingly. “Just let it all out.” Fluttershy was not holding back her tears and she kept saying, “My friends, oh Twilight, my friends.” After a while, she slowly began to stop crying and say, “Can… can you help me bury them?” she croaked.

“Of course I’ll help.”

“Thank you; there are some shovels… in the barn.” Twilight went into the barn and took two shovels. As she got out, the whole town was staring at her. She just stared back and went to help Fluttershy. As the two worked, some of the other ponies came with shovels of their own. Soon the whole town, injured and non-injured, were helping. Finally, all of the animals were buried and all the ponies closed their eyes and gave a silent prayer. Everypony now went back to their homes. Twilight helped Fluttershy by getting her home, making some strong tea, and putting her to bed upstairs. As Twilight made her way to her room, she saw some of the injured animals were not in their rooms; no doubt they fought the bandits too. Twilight got into bed and slowly drifted to sleep.

The next morning, Twilight, with all of her belongings, was at the edge of town, getting ready to hit the road. She was going to go by carriage this time, remembering her lesson the first time, and it was free of charge. The whole town came to say goodbye, except for Fluttershy who was no doubt still in mourning. She refilled her canteen with water from the well, got some great food from Mr. and Mrs. Stock, some extra ammunition from the sheriff, and bandages from Dr.Stitches.

“Don’t use them all at once.” Dr.Stitches said, back to his old, bony, weak-looking self.

“Mind telling me how you can go from old to young?” Twilight inquired.

“What? I’m sorry but I’m an old pony who is bad in the ear.”

“Tell me how you performed amazing magic!” Twilight shouted in his ear. Dr.Stitches was silent before saying, “What?” Everypony laughed and so did Twilight. She turned to the carriage and opened the door. She was about to enter when somepony yelled, “WAIT!” Everypony turned their heads and saw Fluttershy running toward them. Fluttershy was wearing and orange duster, had her saddlebags, and had a long package strapped to her back. She stopped right in front of Twilight. Twilight let her catch her breath before saying, “What’s wrong?”

Fluttershy stared into Twilight’s eyes and said, “Take me with you.” Twilight’s and everypony’s expression was that of surprise. “Why?” Twilight said.

“Because I need to grow stronger. I couldn’t protect my animal friends from the bandits and relied on you to protect Jamie. I want to be as much of a hero as you.”

“I’m not a hero.” Twilight said quickly, hoping somepony will help her. Morningstar stepped in and Twilight gave him a grateful smile. “I think you should take Fluttershy with you.” That grateful smile turned into a frown and glare. Morningstar ignored this and continued. “If Fluttershy went with you, she could see the world and learn so much, which she couldn’t do if she stayed here.”

“But I’m going on a dangerous journey.” Twilight said, trying to make them reconsider.

“Then you better hope you’re a good teacher.” Fluttershy said with a surprisingly sly smile and entered the carriage. Twilight simply sighed and smiled a little, accepting her knew companion. She turned to the ponies and said, “I promise I’ll take care of her.” They all smiled as Twilight entered the carriage. The stallions in front of the carriage began to pull and Twilight and Fluttershy looked out the window to wave at the people of WellSpring. They all shouted words of encouragement to the two mares on their journey and nopony could have guessed that this was the catalyst of a huge chain reaction.