Chapters The Brotherhood of Anarchy
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
At 5:13 am on December 8, 2013 The New Lunar Republic gave the order for a team of assassins to kill princess Celestia. They would have completed this goal if it were not for Shining Armor giving his life in the line of duty.
At 3:12 pm on December 22, 2013 Celestia and Luna agreed to meet and discuss the unprovoked attack. It was here that Luna gave her sister an ultimatum: complete control of Equestria, or death. Celestia refused Luna's demands and ordered her sister be arrested for the threat.
At 2:48 am on December 25, 2013 the bodies of the guards escorting Luna to prison were found. Celestia was given no other choice, so she gave the order to lay siege on Luna's recently built castle in the Everfree Forest. Thus starting the Lunar wars.
So far I had managed to stay out of the war, because I hated both sides. The Lunar Republic had turned out to be nothing more than greedy politicians who only cared about power. On the other hand, the Solar Empire had become more and more like a tyrannical dictatorship that treated the citizens horribly. After five years of war neither side was actually winning. There had been battles. LOTS of battles, but they would just go back and forth. Celestia would take Ponyville, then Luna's guards would march in and take it over. A few days later more Solar guards would come and retake Ponyville in an endless circle of battles.
I slowly began to stand up gripping a nearby wall for support. When I had fully risen I limped through the trash pile I was living in, and hobbled into Ponyville's town square. 'Another town meeting' I thought angrily as I saw Ponyville's military leader giving another useless speech.
"... It is every man and woman's duty to serve in the army. You are all lucky you live in these trying times in which you can so easily pledge your loyalty to princess Celestia."
I clenched my fists angrily. 'Why are they even here?' I thought. 'They've already taken everyone able to serve!' As I hobbled toward the small crowd listening to the speech, a guard stopped me and shoved me to the cobblestone streets.
"Looks like I'm going to get a little fun here." He said in a thick Manehattan accent while pulling out his gun. "You better be ready to dance, boy."
I tried to pull myself to my feet, but I slipped on a puddle of blood and fell back down. I heard the guard laugh at my fall and it ticked me off. 'How dare he do this to ME!' I screamed in my head while I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug into my flesh. I looked up at the guard and realized he had the barrel pointed at my head.
"It's pitiful really." Was the last thing he said before he pulled the trigger. "You're lucky. Gun jammed."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin rusty knife. The next thing I knew I had sent a powerful kick into the guard's legs and he was falling to the ground. He let out a shocked grunt as he hit the ground beside me, dropping his knife. I reached out my hand and grabbed the knife's handle. 'This is my chance to end his oppression!' As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I acted by plunging the knife into the guard's back. He let out a painful gasp as he reached out his hands to try and pull the knife out. 'I have to finish him.' I pulled the knife out of his back before quickly plunging it back inside. I knew the guard was still alive so I did it again. Again. Again. Again.
I sat there stabbing the guard for several minutes before a more guards came running towards me. I sighed knowing that I would never be able to escape them alive.
"Take me in guards." I said while standing up shakily. "Go ahead and do what you will with me."
'At least I won't live long enough to see the world destroyed before the war is over.' I thought as I sat in the back of the armored truck leading me to my death.
For the first time I looked up at my escorting truck. It was a poorly lit metal room with a guard sitting opposite me and two prisoners sitting on either side of me. The guard I guessed was about eighteen years old and he looked terrified. In his hands he held a shotgun which rattled back and forth from his shaky hands. As I fell back into my seat, ready to die, I prayed a little prayer to Luna and closed my eyes.
"Hey, man. Don't give up yet." The prisoner to my right whispered to me. "I heard about what you did to that guard. The Lunar Republic could use guys like you."
"St-stop talking!" The guard yelled pointing his gun at us in a terrified manor.
"Name's Black Shadow. How about you?" The prisoner asked me once the guard had lowered the gun.
"My name is none of your concern." I responded hastily before closing my eyes. "And I have no interest in joining the Lunar Republic."
"Fine then. When my pals come I guess'll tell 'em to kill you." Black said turning away from me.
"IF your friends come to rescue you." I muttered as the car came to a stop.
"Wh-what's going on?" The guard asked standing up. Suddenly the truck's doors swung open and two men in Lunar Republic guard uniforms jumped in. Before the Solar guard could turn to face the new threat he was dead. Shot in the back. One of the Lunar guards walked over to Black Shadow and unlocked the cuffs.
"This is your last chance." Black said staring at me with dark brown eyes.
"I will consider it." I said while holding out my hands in a gesture for them to unlock me.
Black nodded to his friends and they helped me out of my chains. Black grabbed the shotgun from the dead guard an shot the prisoner to my left. 'Why would he ask me twice, but not this other guy?' The thought crossed my mind as I jumped out of the armored vehicle.
I was in the Everfree Forest. Roughly six miles from the capital of the Lunar Republic. 'Who would've guessed a swamp could be so beautiful.' I thought as I took a deep breath.
"So. Black decided to bring you along, eh?" One of the guards said walking towards me. He was a tall dark haired man with a long nose and bright blue eyes.
"That's right." I began as I took a step towards the guard. "Although I'm not entirely sure I want to join the Lunar Republic."
"Alright then. My name's Dark Night." The guard said sticking out his hand to me.
I smiled and shook his hand, but I didn't give him my name back. 'I don't yet trust these guards with the knowledge of my name.' In Equestria names mean a lot. Names hold a great deal of power and anyone who knows your name can find out everything about you.
The second guard, a gray haired man wearing a traditional Lunar guard's uniform, stepped forward and shook my hand. "Silver Shield."
I shook Silver's hand and nodded. "So now what?" I asked anxious to get away from my prison transport.
Silver pointed a finger into the forest. "Well WE are going to Lunar castle. Come with us or not it's your choice."
I stared at them. "If you would just let me go then why kill the other prisoner?"
"He was a pedo." Black said while lighting up a cigarette.
"Those things'll kill you." I said to Black as he took a exhaled a puff of gray smoke.
"So will war."
Silver nodded to the Lunar soldiers and began walking in the direction he'd been pointing earlier. 'Well I might as well go with them to check it out.' I thought as I began walking after the guards. 'At the least, they might have a doctor I can see about my leg.'
"Decided to come after all?" Dark said smiling as he punched my arm.
I shrugged. "Figured you had a doctor. Right now I could use one."
Dark looked down at my leg and a shocked expression flashed across his face. "Buck."
Before I could respond a loud howl rang throughout the forest. "Timber Wolves!" After hearing Silver's warning we all ran into different trees and began to climb silently. I didn't stop climbing until I reached the top and there was no more tree left for me to climb. I sighed in relief and looked to see if the guards had made it.
First I saw Silver, up in a tree much higher than me, surveying the land below for Timber Wolves. I looked around for the other two guards and saw Black in a nearby branch of his own tree. 'But where's Dark?' After what seemed like hours I spotted him, on the ground.
"Dark! What are you doing?" I called softly down to him.
The only reply I got was a stern look from Silver, and a howl from the Timber Wolf.
"DARK!" I yelled at the unmoving shape down below.
"AROOOOOOOO!" Came the howl of the Timber Wolves. They were almost here.
"Dark, get your plot up here!" Black yelled to the non-responsive guard down below.
It was too late. Three wolves, entirely made of wood, approached Dark's body. At first they just circled him, as if they were waiting for him to try and fight back. The largest of the wolves struck first, running up to Dark, sinking its long wooden fangs into his skin, and biting off his flesh. After the wolves were sure Dark was dead the ran up to him and began devouring his flesh.
I glared down at the wolves angrily. 'How DARE these worthless animals kill one of MY friends.' Before I knew what I was doing I was halfway out of the tree, ready for revenge. When I had reached the bottom the smallest of the Timber Wolves ran up to me snapping its fangs pitifully in an attempt to frighten me away.
Looking around I quickly spied a nearby rock and I lunged for it with an outstretched hand. Clasping the rock in my hand I pulled it high above my head and smashed the Timber Wolves head cracking the loose branches and leaves apart. As the wolf's body fell apart I smiled. 'It DESERVED to die.' I ran to the next Timber Wolf, the one that killed Dark, and I smashed my rock against its head. The third wolf, upon seeing its pack-mates killed, ran off into the woods howling in fear.
I ran over to Dark's body and checked his pulse. 'Nothing. Not really much of a surprise.' I picked up his gun and smiled. 'With this I can kill those things MUCH easier.'
Silver bent over next to me and snatched Dark's dog tags. "Come on. Let's get back to the castle."
"Then keep still for Luna's sake!" Doctor Cross snapped back at me.
I sighed and let the doctor do his work.
The whole Lunar Castle had disappointed me. The castle I was in was only half the size of the one in Canterlot, AND they hadn't finished building it! Then, there was the fact that I'm not part of the Lunar Guard, so the only places I had "clearance" to were the medical center and barracks.
"That should be good, but I would avoid battle for a few weeks. Maybe a month." Doctor Cross said standing up.
"That'll be easy since I'm not a soldier." I said while examining the bandages on my leg.
"If you're not a soldier... then why the buck did I just waste medical supplies on you?!?" The gray-haired doctor sneered at me.
"Because I might-"
"Get out." He cut me off pointing to the door with a wrinkled, old finger.
I nodded and walked into a poorly lit hallway. As I began walking through the unfamiliar hallways I passed a group of guards, all of them with injuries. After asking for directions to the exit, I was escorted out. Waving good bye to the guards, I walked out of the castle.
As soon as I took a step out of the castle I saw them. Hundreds of them, maybe even thousands! They were men, but not the kind of men I wanted to see right now. They were all wearing Solar Empire armor, and all of them had weapons in hand. Ready for war.
Seeing the armies I panicked and ran back inside. 'Oh buck! They're gonna mistake me for a Lunar guard and kill me!' I took off running down the hallway until my bad leg gave weight beneath me and I collapsed.
"HELP! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" I shouted while trying to stand up. "HELP!"
Soon enough a group of guards had appeared, weapons ready for war. As I limped past the guards, I ran into Black Shadow, both of us falling to the floor.
"For Luna's sake!" Black stood back up and offered me a hand.
I smiled and let him help me up. "Is there any way for me to get out?"
Black handed me the gun I had taken from Dark earlier. "You're just gonna have to fight your way out."
I sighed and looked down at the gun. Finally, I was taking a side. But which one should I chose? The horrible tyrant, Celestia? Or maybe the boring, predictable Luna? I sighed once more and looked up. I know what had to be done.
I gave a quick prayer to Luna, and took formation with the Lunar guards.
"Death to the Solar Empire!"
Author's Note
So you probably noticed that I didn't give the narrator's name or a description of him in that chapter. That's because I want YOU as an audience to decide his name and description. So if you have any ideas or suggestions I'd be happy to hear them commented below.
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
"ATTACK!"
As soon as the order was given the guards moved, like a rushing river, to the door. Black tapped on my shoulder, while making a hand motion for me to follow him. I nodded, and Black opened the door.
Outside was HORRIBLE. The battle had only started seconds before, yet dozens of bodies littered the ground. Solar guards were taking cover behind trees, only coming out to kill. The Lunar guards were being massacred.
Black ran out in front of me and jumped behind an overturned table. Sighing, I followed. Once I arrived at the table, Black leaned in and said something I couldn't hear. Before I could respond he stood up and fired two shots before returning to safety. 'Go on stupid. Shoot someone.' It isn't really a good sign when your brain starts calling you stupid, so I stood up and looked around.
Dozens of Celestia's soldiers were hiding behind trees, popping out like gophers whenever it was convenient. Soon I had set my sights on a soldier, and I was aiming my gun at him. 'I guess I just pull the trigger. Then he dies. Simple as that.' Taking a deep breath, I fired.
Just before I ducked down, I watched as the man's head jerked back, and his body fell to the floor. I looked over at Black, who was smiling and giving me a thumb's up. 'See? Simple as pulling a trigger.' I hated when my brain talked to me like I was a different person.
After reloading my gun I stood up again, ready to kill. As I looked around for a new target, something small and metal rolled in front of me. I looked down at it and saw the beeping red light. 'Buck.' Was the last thing I thought before the explosion nocked me off my feet, crashing to the ground. Darkness began to flood my vision, and I lost consciousness.
"FALL BACK! INTO THE WOODS!"
I jerked my head up thinking it was an order for me, but it was the Solar guards that were retreating. I smiled knowing I had survived my first battle. First. The word stuck out at me, making me happier. Did I want MORE battles? Yeah, I did.
"Black, I'm joining the Republic." I said looking over at my new friend.
"Is that so? Well then, I guess'll ask Silver if you can join the Brotherhood of Anarchy." He said with a smile.
I looked at him with confusion. "What's this Brotherhood of Anarchy thing?"
"Basically, the awesomest Lunar guards ever. We do the things no one else can." He pulled out his empty gun clip and threw it to the ground.
"Why is it called-"
Black cut me off. "They call us the Brotherhood of Anarchy, because we do whatever we want. Even if it means breaking the rules in the process."
I nodded my head, impressed. 'If you get stuck with them, you'll be screwed.' My brain had a point. These missions sounded like they were WAY more than I could handle, and yet I felt like I was good enough to do it.
"Meet me in the barracks in an hour, so you can meet the team." Without waiting for me to respond, he stood up and left.
Standing up, I looked around the battlefield once more. The battle had been short, but the death toll was immense. Already the paramedics, including the grumpy Doctor Cross, were out here checking the bodies for pulses.
Seeing the doctors work I remembered the man I killed, so I walked over to his body. 'You killed him. Why not search his pockets for loot?' My brain made sense, as brain's often do, so I began searching the dead man's corpse.
All I found was a piece of gum, a wallet, and a letter. While chewing the gum, I opened the wallet to find it was empty. After throwing the wallet on the corpse I opened the letter and read this:
Dearest Daisy,
-Light
A tear rolled down my cheek as I read the letter. I had killed not a soldier, but a husband and a father. I put the letter in my pocket, and walked into the building.
Eight guards stood around a table discussing war plans when I walked in, immediately they looked up, and I heard one or two sighs. I hesitated, did I REALLY want to join the Lunar Republic? I didn't care about them politically. I really just wanted to join cause of my lust for battle. 'Go ahead and join 'em. When you get tired of battle you can quit. Simple as that.' Nodding in agreement I walked up to Black.
"Hey, no name! This," he waved his hand at the guards. "Is the Brotherhood of Anarchy."
The first of the anarchists stepped forward and shook my hand. He was skinny, like me, but looked like he had muscles under his armor. "Name's West Snipes."
He stepped back and two more soldiers took his place. They were both large, muscular guys with ugly goatees. "Dawn and Dusk Star." They said in unison, which really creeped me out.
Two slender hands went between the brothers and shoved them apart, revealing the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She had dark black hair which perfectly matched with the rest of her face, causing my heart to beat faster than I thought possible. "Red Velvet, but call me Velvet. Not Red."
The next man was much taller than me, and had short brown hair, the same as mine. "Blue Wave."
The only one left was a man bulging in muscles named "Big Mac." He had dark red hair and seemed like the kind of person who would be rather shy. I liked shy people, they never tried to stop me from achieving my ambitions.
Silver Shield, the eighth man in the group, gave me a tiny nod before speaking. "As all of you may be aware, a member of the group has died. Dark Night. So now it is our duty to find him a suitable replacement." He turned towards me. "What's your name, son?"
"My name? It's..." I guess I'd have to give them my name eventually. "My name is Hope. Ray Hope." Once the words were out of my lips, I smiled.
"Well, Ray. Welcome to the brotherhood." Silver nodded to me, smiling. I smiled too.
"Now hold on, just a minute." It was Blue Wave. "We were in the army for a long time before we were good enough to join the brotherhood, yet you let this untrained, INJURED civilian join."
Silver nodded as if considering his options before he responded. "I know. Which is why, before he will be allowed to battle, he must go through three months of training. THEN, he can join us."
This seemed to satisfy Blue, as he backed off, but it didn't satisfy me. 'Three months! The war will be over by then.' My brain had a point, yet I didn't want to argue. If it would take me three months to join the Brotherhood of Anarchy, so be it.
As the soldiers began to disperse Velvet walked up to me, and tapped my shoulder. "It'll be good to have someone new on the team. I've grown rather bored of the men I have." She smiled, and walked away.
Good, Luna she was hot. When she talked it sounded as if angels were singing. I smiled and looked down at my shoulder. I made it a vow to never wash it again.
"Looks like Velvet likes you." Black's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Here, let me show you to your room."
I nodded and followed him as he led the way down the unformilliar halls. Working for the Lunar Republic was gonna be great.
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
'This is it.' I thought happily as I aimed my gun at the guards below.
It had been three months since I joined the Brotherhood. Three mother bucking months of hard, physical training. It had been a nightmare. Although, in the three months I'd been training I got close to Velvet.
Shaking my head to focus on the mission at hand, I looked through my sniper rifle's scope, and saw my target.
His name is General Red. He's Celestia's most valuable general, and EXTREMELY hard to kill. If he were to die it would change the tide of war in the Republic's favor. And it was the Brotherhood that decided to end him.
The radio in my pocket began screeching. "Ray! Ray, has the falcon been spotted?"
I sighed. "Yes, Blue. I have the General in my sights."
"Dammit, Ray! Why can't you just play along?" The radio beeped again. "Cage that bird!"
"Umm, what?" Most of what Blue said was stupid stuff like this, and it always confused me.
"Cage the bird. Didn't you pay attention to the mission briefing?"
I sighed. "No, Blue. I wasn't paying attention."
"Too busy starin' at Velvet, I bet." Blue's voice came through the radio.
"Maybe, but it's none of your business. Just tell me what caged birds means."
"You're no fun at all, Ray. Know that? 'Cage the bird' means you gotta shoot the General."
Pointing my gun at the general, I laugh. 'Almost TOO easy.' My brain laughed with me. Which, I have to say, is really creepy.
I pull the trigger.
But, to my dismay, the bullet hits him in the shoulder. Knowing he's under attack, he gets up and runs into the building.
"You've got to be bucking kidding me." I hear West's voice from the radio.
"He, uh, got away...?" I add a nervous laugh to the end.
"What's going on, West?" It's Silver talking.
"Ray only hit the General's arm. He just ran by me a moment ago."
I heard Silver sigh. "New plan. Everyone inside the building, West, Dawn, Dusk, get out. NOW! Once you get outside, meet me in the van two clicks east from the building."
I nod to the new order, knowing Silver can't see me. I grab my sniper's case and click it open, looking at the familiar holes my sniper easily fits into. After putting the gun away, I get up and run towards the van.
I decide to check in, so I grab the radio and call Silver. "Sorry I missed the target back there. I'm almost at your location, just checking in now."
No response.
As I near the van, I hear gunshots, so I pull my gun, a .44 magnum, out and get ready for a confrontation.
Three men in Solar uniforms are standing outside of the van, guns raised. I hear a shot, and one of them falls to the ground. Silver Shield jumps out of the van, and shoots another one of the guards. He fires his gun at the third guard, but nothing comes out. He quickly shoves a new clip into his gun, but it's too late. A bullet rips through Silver's chest, and he falls to the ground.
"NO!" I scream, and I fire three times at the man who shot Silver.
A moan comes from his lips, and he falls to the ground. His eyes already glazed over with death.
I run to Silver's side, tears penetrating my eyes. "Silver? Are you alright?"
Silver's lips bend up in a smile, but it quickly fades. "The general... is on his way... to Ponyville. End him."
I nod to my captain, vision blurry from tears. "I'm so sorry!"
No response.
I wipe the tears from my eyes, and look down at my dead captain. 'Holy buck, he's dead...' My brain tries to sound sad, but it just sounds mocking to me.
"Silver...?" The shocked voice of Black Shadow sounds from behind me.
"He's dead." I sob.
Black gives a sad sigh, and sits next to me. Putting an arm over my shoulder he says, "I'm sorry. I know the two of you were close."
I cry loudly, sinking my face into Black's shoulder. "He was my bucking mentor... and I couldn't save him."
Black lifts my head and looks deep into my eyes. Tears beginning to form in his. "Listen here, Ray. Don't you dare go blaming this on yourself. I'm positive you did everything you could to save him."
"General Red's going to Ponyville."
"How do you-"
I cut him off. "It was the last thing he said."
"Well then," Black stood up. "I guess we're going to Ponyville."
West had decide to drive, and he cruised along the road nicely. Our only problem was that we really weren't sure where Ponyville was. We had a general idea, but we could be miles off, and not know it.
Velvet put her arm around my shoulder, and smiled at me. "It'll be alright, Ray. We'll get through this."
Smiling, I hug Velvet. "You've been a great friend." After saying the words I immediately regretted them. I had just friend-zoned Velvet.
"So, I heard a rumor Celestia was gonna start inviting Changelings to the Solar Empire." She quickly changed the topic, trying to hide her disappointment.
"Seriously? That could end us..." I look over at her beautiful black hair, and I'm overwhelmed with love. "I wasn't trying to friend-zone you." I add.
"Friend-zone? As in your interested in me?" She smiles at me with that amazing, beautiful smile.
I try to hide my blush. "Well that's not what I meant. I was actually trying to say-"
An explosion cuts me off, and I realize the van is flying through the air. I'm lifted off my seat as the van tumbles, barely held down by my seatbelt. Looking around, I see Blue, who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, tumbling from ceiling to wall to floor. Then, as quickly as the shaking began, it stopped. Jerking us around in our seats.
"What. The. Buck!" Blue jumps, shakily, to his feet and pushes a dirty finger into West's face.
"Should've worn yer seatbelt." Dawn says laughing.
Shaking my head, I get out of my seat and turn to Velvet. "Are you alright? Did the crash hurt you?"
"Just shut up and get me outta here." She mumbles through clenched teeth.
Using my full body strength, which isn't much, I manage to pick up Velvet, and carry her outside. "There ya go." I set her down on the grass.
"Well hot damn! Didn't expect you to be THAT strong." Black says slapping my shoulder.
I smile faintly at him, but my mind is elsewhere. 'You need to find the man who set off that bomb, and kill him.' My brain was right. Whoever placed that bomb had endangered both me and my friends. I wasn't about to let that stand.
"Who do you think put that bomb there?" I ask no one in particular.
Blue responds with a yawn. "Prolly the Gunslinger. He controls most of this area."
"The who?"
"The Gunslinger. He dresses like one of them cowboys, and he does whatever he wants. He's a big problem to us since he works for Celestia."
"Maybe we should kill him?" I suggest hoping my friends will agree.
"Yeah! I could do with a good killin." Dawn says nodding
Dusk nods his agreement.
"Eeyup." Big Mac says, showing support for my decision.
West steps froward, shaking his head. "No. I'm afraid I can't allow that. We need to focus on the mission at hand, which is taking out General Red."
"What do you mean you can't allow that? You think you're in charge, because Silver's dead?" Velvet had stepped forward and she was staring directly into West's eyes.
"I-I..." West looks down at the ground.
"That's what I thought." Velvet, with a bright smile on her face, walks back to me and puts her arm through mine, gripping me tightly.
I smile.
"So, uh, who is in charge?" Dusk asks with a confused look.
"Maybe we should vote?" I offer my suggestion to the group.
"Yeah," Black nods. "Democracy."
After everyone had voted, and the polls were in the results were as follows:
West Snipes: 1 vote
"Wow. Never expected I'd be the next leader." Black smiles and looks over at me, as if to say 'better luck next time.'
West, looking very unhappy, stepped towards Black. "So, are you gonna have us waste our time going after the Gunslinger?"
Black put his hand to his chin, and thought for a moment. When he finished thinking he nodded. "I think... we're gonna go after the Gunslinger."
'Yes!' My brain was shouting happily inside my head. I just smiled at Black, knowing I would get my revenge.
"Great! Just one more detour to completing our ACTUAL mission."
Author's Note
Remember, kiddies. Always wear your seatbelt!
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
The Brotherhood of Anarchy
Finding the Gunslinger was quite a challenge. We had a basic idea of the area that he MIGHT be in, based on popular rumors. But that's all we knew, rumors. And rumors are not altogether, very trustworthy. So, basically, we had no idea where the Gunslinger could be. However, the most popular rumor was that he had a camp full of refugees a few miles east of Ponyville.
Naturally, we decided to check it out. And sure enough, his camp was there.
Twisting my fingers, as I often do when I'm nervous, I followed Black into the rocks near the camp. West, Blue, Big Mac, and Velvet were already waiting for us.
"You guys ready?" Black asked us in a hushed whisper, and we respond with a nod. "Then let's do this."
The Gunslinger's camp was very well guarded. It had a wooden tour on each corner of the camp with three guards in each. Between the towers were ten foot tall wooden fences. Inside there were three buildings and a bonfire. Two of the buildings were for housing, and the third was the armory. All in all, the camp had thirty troops, not including the Gunslinger.
It was gonna be VERY hard to breach.
Blue gave my shoulder a nudge, and gave a "what are you waiting for" face. I nodded in acknowledgement, and leapt over the rock I was using as cover. Looking up at the tour to make sure I wasn't being watched, I ran to the side of the fence, Blue right behind me.
After sliding my gun into my holster, I began to climb the tour's side. When I finally reached the top, I peered over the edge at the guards. One was sleeping, and the other two were playing chess. The perfect time to strike.
Lighting fast, I tore my .44 magnum out of it's holster, and pulled the trigger. It hit the guard in the side of the head, and a spray of blood and brain shot out of the wound. Thumbing back the hammer, I pointed the gun at the other guard. Also a direct hit, straight between the eyes.
As the man's body hit the floor, I jumped onto the tour's platform and ran to the STILL sleeping guard. I put the gun against his head, and I pulled the trigger.
Blue climbed onto the tour, out of breath, and put a sweaty hand on my shoulder. "Good work, Ray! You really out done yourself."
I pushed his hand away, and walked to the side of the tour facing the camp. Fishing around in my bag, I brought out two grenades. I quickly located the armory, pulled the grenade's pin, and tossed the explosive at it.
Total chaos * erupted.
When the building burst into flames, and most of the camp's weapons were destroyed, guards from all over left their posts to try and stop the overwhelming flame. The ones that didn't try to help stood in their spots, mouth's agape.
All part of the plan.
The fire had signaled the Star brothers, and the eastern wooden fence exploded with a BANG. Now it was Black's turn. He led the rest of the Brotherhood in, and the battle finally started.
Black took the first shots, pulling out his dual pistols, and shooting guards repeatedly. Velvet came in with her swords, ** and she cut men in half before they had time to react. Big Mac was the next to come in, shooting his personally chosen assault rifle at the guards, taking down dozens. The Star brothers came in next, and they LITERALLY punched and beat the guards to death. Crushing skulls, snapping necks, and ripping out spines is all part of the job for these seven foot tall three hundred pound men.
West came in last, setting up his sniper rifle, and taking point-blank shots at the soldiers. ***
It took a matter of minutes for all the soldiers to die. I counted all the bodies 23, 24, 25. On our scouting mission we had seen 30! 'Where the buck are the other five?' Me and my brain thought/said at the same time.
"Black!" I shouted to my captain. "There are five left somewhere!"
He looked up at me. "I know. Care to check the buildings with me?"
I nodded, and slid down the tour's ladder, landing on a dead body. Checking the armory's inside I found two charred bodies, making my stomach turn. They looked like human shaped hamburgers. It was pretty disgusting.
I gave a slight smile to Velvet, and ran to the closer building. Inside it had thirty rooms with a bed and dresser in each. I told this to Black, and he sent the Star brothers in to loot.
The rest of the soldiers had to be in the other building. Black knew this, so we both went in together.
The inside was a small gray room with a cellar door on the floor. It was locked with a six number combo, and hushed whispers could be heard from the other end.
"Now, how the hell do we get THIS open?" Black sighed after he examined the lock.
I gave a little smirk. "I got a grenade."
"I like the way you think, Ray."
We ran outside, tossed in the grenade, shut the door so we wouldn't die, and laughed at the sound of the explosion. After knowing it was safe, we went back inside, and examined the cellar. Still locked.
"Damn this things strong." Black grunted.
Before I could respond, a voice replied from behind me. "I can fix that." It was Blue.
"Go ahead and try." Black said waving his hand in an inviting gesture.
Blue pulled some tools, and a magazine out of his bag. "This'll be easy. It's a standard military lock. Anyone that calls themselves a lock-pick can get into this."
"What would be its level on Fallout?" I asked, curiously.
"Hard. Level 80, maybe. They don't tell you the lock's exact level."
"And what level would your lock-picking skill be?" I ask.
"96. I'm a bucking master."
Black sighed, and facepalmed.
"That should be it!" Blue said a moment after the lock made a clicking sound.
Black pushed him aside, and jumped into the cellar. "BUCK!"
"What's wrong?" I asked, gun in hand.
"Use the ladder." Black's grumbling voice replied.
"Wait here." I said to Blue, and climbed down the ladder to Black.
"How's the leg?" I ask with mock sympathy.
"Just leave me here." Black moaned. "I'll catch up."
I nodded, and began walking down the dusty hallway, searching for the famous Gunslinger.
Two men stood at the end of the hallway, guarding the Gunslinger's room. My hand became a flash, and I was thumbing back the magnum's hammer. I squeezed my trigger finger, pulled back the gun's hammer, and shot the other guard before he had got his rifle up.
My hand curled around the door's knob, and the door swung open revealing a guard sitting at a desk. He was crying. He knew he was gonna die. And sure enough, he did. I walked to his body and found a note. A note for me, from the Gunslinger.
Howdy soldier,
I swallowed hard, and spun around to see... the Gunslinger. He was a tall, tan skinned man with a bright white smile. He was wearing a big cowboy hat; tall, spurred boots; and a country style suit, and scarf. But the most important thing I noticed, in my opinion, was the gun in my face.
"Well howdy! I forgot ta welcome you ta New Appaloosa!" He put way to much emphasis on the last word, and he stepped up to his tiptoes too.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Appaloosa was destroyed. Luna ordered the bomb strike over a year ago. Why would you name this place after that piece of junk town?"
"IT WAS MA BUCKIN' HOME! Just like one ah Luna's guards ta be so insensitive." He sneered at me.
"You do know you're dangerously close to me? That's a bad move for an interrogation." I slapped the gun from his hand, and pulled up mine.
CLICK!
My face went pale as I looked down at my trusty gun. It was out of ammo.
"Well ah reckon ya just tried ta kill me." The Gunslinger shook his head violently, and picked up his gun.
"I-l" I stammered, trying to find the right words.
"Don worry 'bout it. Yer still gonna die." He laughed manically.
I took a deep breath. "Why am I still alive?"
"Good point. Ah assume ya've killed all ma pals. So yer gonna be ma ticket outta here. Oh course ah gotta tell ya ma life story first."
I licked my lips nervously. "Just kill me now, why don't you?"
He shook his head violently. "Na ah'll kill ya after ah'm safe. Ah'll spare ya ma life story if ya tell ma somethin' ya eva met ah man named Big Mac?"
"Yeah! He heres right now. He's in the same battalion as me. The Brotherhood of Anarchy."
"Dang! Ma cousins here. I can't believe it he's really her-" he was cut off by a bullet bursting his skull, spraying me with blood and gore.
"Looks like I came just in the nick of time." Black laughed from behind me.
"Yeah." I act like it was no big deal, but silently I'm screaming my thanks to him.
Black slaps my shoulder. "Ponyville, here we come."
Author's Note
How you liking the story so far? pretty good, right? of course it is. So, you may have noticed some random * within this chapter. As a matter of fact, they AREN'T random. They simply appear to be random since you do not know there meaning. Well, I'm going to explain that meaning to you, if you care to know. They exist for one purpose, to show you where an author's note should be read, or not. It makes no differences to me. Anyway, enjoy your reading!
*Or anarchy if prefer it.
