The Winning Pony and the Templar

Chapters

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twelve

Chapter One

One of the first buildings often set up by humans is the bar or saloon. A staple since well before their exodus from what is now Equestria, the bar is often a meeting place of both males and females. A safe haven to celebrate the day’s victories, or to mourn its bitter defeats. And the bartender is more than merely a drink mixer. They are respected counselors and sages, and held in high respect among the local populace.

-Excerpt from Outsider: a pony’s guide to humans

Cloudkicker paused outside the human establishment, a slight frown across her muzzle. Inside the laughter, shouts, and songs of the odd two legs inside echoed into the twilight, beckoning all inside. Well, all humans anyway. Outside of work and trade, in general, the two species never mixed. And while general feelings between the two peoples were friendly, the tales of humans savagery was still circulated. But the old story of the Rebellions wasn’t what was on the mares mind.

Ear flicking, Cloud rustled her wings at her side. A couple of days before, she’d overheard one of the mares at the towns local weather bureau gushing to her sister of her new human beau. Since then, the lavender coated pegasi had been closely observing the local humans, and had to admit… not bad. While, in all honesty, repulsed by minotaurs and diamond dogs, humans weren’t all that bad on the eyes. Pursing her lips into a duck face, Cloudkicker snorted. Problem was, all the local females were mated, and the single males she had seen were… while, not diamond dog ugly, but close enough.

Through careful eavesdropping, Cloudkicker had gathered that most, if not all, of the local male populace would gather after work at this nameless bar. Smirking, the pegasi walked up the wooden steps to the double doors. Time to inspect her prospects. As she lay a wing over a door handle, she paused. Taking a breath, she slowly pushed it down, and went inside.

The large center room of the saloon went silent. Before her, she could see about twenty five human males sitting or leaning on tables, games of chess or cards laid out. Clearing her throat of the odd acrid smoke from many of the rolled paper sticks the bipeds were holding, she gave a tentative smile. None smiled back. They just stared. Some with surprise, others with annoyance, most with merely a neutral expression. All of the sudden, they all turned back to their drinks and games, and the piano began playing again. Shaking her head, the pegasi gave a subtle panning of the room.

Most of the humans were tan, brown maned, though a few had a slightly lighter coloring of skin tone and dark golden hair. At the piano, a truly dark skinned, bald human played. Most weren’t bad looking, just nothing Ponyville’s local nympho would write home about. Her eyes traveled to the bar, and her right eyebrow quirked. Jackpot. Behind the bar, a lone human stood, wiping a glass. Fair skinned, his golden blonde mane was tied with a red silk ribbon into a ponytail as it trailed down his back. His green blue eyes looked up a moment from his wiping, and he gave the pegasi a slight nod and a smile. Thanking her fur for somewhat hiding the sudden flush she felt, the mare smiled back and walked up to the polished wood of the saloon.

He was even more gorgeous up close, but his otherwise flawless features were marred by a pale scare that ran horizontally down his face. All in all, not bad though. After making a tipping gesture to her muzzle with a hoof, she laid a pair of bits on the counter. The human nodded, and laying the shot glass down, he lifted a bottle from under the counter.

“Altaros whiskey, straight from the Territories.”

Melting internally at the soft tone of his voice, she gave a shrug of her wings and a nod. Opening the bottle, the bartender poured the amber liquid. Taking the glass in her hoof, she took it in one go. Chuckling, the human knelt slightly to put the bottle back.

Cloudkicker smacked her lips a couple of times, savoring the burn of the booze as it slide down her throat. Suddenly, it hit her like a boot to the mouth. Lurching forward, her eyes bugged as her head throbbed, and the liquor, along with the late lunch she had, threatened to make a encore all over the bars counter. Not wanting to ruin the spit shine, the blonde maned mare laid her head on the counter, moaning as she rubbed her forehead with a hoof. What the hay was that stuff? Hearing the guffaws behind her, she blushed furiously. She may not have any shame, but she still didn’t like others laughing at her.

As the human rose back, he said smoothly, “Did I forget to mention that this stuff should really be sipped? It has a boomerang affect.”

Covering her face with a hoof, she moaned, “Oh Celestia…. Look’s like I can’t show my pretty mug around here anymore…”

Leaning down again, the bartender mused, “Oh, now I can’t have that…” Lifting her hoof of her face, she watched as he brought the booze back up. Sticking his thumb and first finger to his lips, a shrill whistle stilled the din of voices and music. Cloudkicker winced and flattened her ears to her skull, hissing in pain, and gave the human a glare. Ignoring the angry look, the human waved at a table, saying, “Commandant, comrades! Good news!”

Smirking down at the mare, he continued, “The little lady here wants to buy you all a drink.”

Cloudkicker irked, her mouth working as he set out five glasses, and began pouring. Before she could protest, a shadow passed over her. Chill running up her spine, the mare slowly looked behind her, and gave a gasp. This human was enormous! In general, humans usually topped out around five-five, sometimes six feet. This leviathan was a damn near seven feet tall, and covered in enough muscle to rival even the local apple bucker Macintosh. Looking up at him, she put on her best soldier face. The human suddenly grinned, and saluted.

“Who’s like us?”

Whirling around on her rump, Cloudkicker jumped up. Smirking, she snapped a wing to her forehead, and yelled, “Damn few!”

Lowering the wing, she added with a wink, “And they’re all dead.”

Laughing, the human gave her a playful punch on the shoulder, making the mare take a lurching sidestep and gave out a grunt of pain. As the large human took the tray back to his table, she turned back to the bar, and sat down. Rubbing her shoulder, she winced.

“I thought you’d know that one. West Hoof, right?”

Cloudkicker irked, and looked up at the human wide eyed.

“Yeah… How…?”

Grinning, the human put the bottle back in its place.

“Your wings.”

Looking over her shoulder, she frowned.

“Huh?”

Standing back up, the bartender crossed his arms.

“Body language basically. Not only do your wings convey emotions, there’s an also subtle difference region to region. A Pegasus born a raised in Canterlot is different from a native born Cloudsdale pegasi. And military ponies, especially those born into clans, are particularly telling. Loose along the length, slightly tense in the shoulder joint. It’s kind of like an accent.”

The human quirked his right brow slightly.

“And of course, there are the not so subtle hints that all pegasi share.”

Cloudkicker flared out her wings in surprise as her jaw dropped. Giving a nod, the human said, “For example…”

Flattening her wings down again, the mare looked over her shoulder to the humans she’d been volunteered to buy booze for. They all had smirks, but the rest of the humans seemed oblivious. Groaning, she rubbed forehead again.

“Don’t worry ma’am. Only a few of us soldiers noticed.”

Scowling, Cloudkicker turned to the saddles at her side, but stopped when the bartender said, “No charge.”

Looking back, she frowned. Grinning, the human leaned forward, ruffling the top of her head.

“After such a entertaining display, how could I charge you?”

Rolling her eyes, and nudging the hand off her, she extended a hoof.

“I’m Cloudkicker.”

Taking the hoof in his hand, the human shook it.

“Garret.”

And with a smile and one last sipping draw of whiskey, the pegasi turned and left. At the door to her home, she face hoofed. All that humiliation and she’d forgotten to ask him to bang. Lowering her hoof, she gave a shrug with her wings. Oh well, she mused. She enjoyed the place and its patrons, and more than likely would go back. Plenty of opportunity to rut. Smirking, she hummed as she opened the door, her thoughts turning to the hidden box under her bed. No need, she thought, to go to bed with a case of blue wings. And with that, and a not so subtle twitch of her tail to the left, she walked through the door of her abode.

....................

Two days later

Cloudkicker bobbed her head up and down and tapped her hoof in time to the music as Garret strummed his tune. In the center of the room, he walked and sang as his fingers ran across the strings of his instrument, the polished wood shining in the light of the overhead beacons bathing him in their light. Around him, at their tables, males and female humans cheered and clapped.

Im’ a admodum probitas vir

Quod ego in optimum

Ego non faciunt te femina

Neque pecunia aut amare

Praefero mea equus

Ego ire in erat

In sidera et in luna

Ei scio ubi mihi sunt

He belted out loudly

Ay yi yi yi yi

Ay mea amore

Ay mea tenebris capillus amore

E mea cor

Walking to the bars counter, he winked at the only pony there, and she clapped her hooves together, cheering him. Climbing onto first the stool, then onto the bar, he sang

Ego sicut ludere cithara

Musica alo me companion

Quando ego cantare

Hic erat sic felix

Malim sicut ad capio my bib

Cervesia est melius

Sed ego etiam probaverunt vinum

Contigo eam dulcis tangere

Ay yi yi yi

Ay mi amore

Ay mea tenebris capillus amore

E mea cor

A cry of protest rang out. At the opposite end of the bar, a young woman struggled as a drunk and amorous young human accosted her. Frowning, Garret made his way across the counters length, still making the guitars chorus ring out as he drew close. Not stopping, he knelt, and whistled. The human male turned, and with a grimace, Garret smacked the man hard with the head of the instrument, breaking the drunks nose. As the man collapsed and bellowed, the woman gave him a good kick as other males drew close to drag him out. And not missing a stride, or a note of his guitar, Garret sang.

Ego sicut ludere cithara

Ego sicut ad cantare mi Carmen

Sed iam ego ire ad bellum

A gladius apud my latero

He jumped off the bar, and with a last prolonged note, sang

Ay yi yi yi yi

Ay mi amore

Ay mea tenebris capillus amore

E meeeeeaaaaaa corrrrrrrrr!

Bowing, he thanked his cheering audience as the stamped their hands and glasses against table. Cloudkicker smirked as he walked behind the bar, and put the instrument away.

“Show off.”

Rolling his eyes, he poured her drink. As her wing dipped into a satchel to pull out her bits, he said, “So, miss Kicker. Tell me about yourself.”

Laying the bits down, she shrugged, then picked up her drink.

“Not much to tell really. I’m just your average cloud wrangler, former military brat.”

Nodding, he poured a drink for a customer, and asked, “Yeah, West Hoof. So, how’d a fine military mare like yourself become a cloud pusher in a back water like this?”

Rubbing the back of her neck, Cloudkicker chuckled sheepishly.

“Not many options after I bailed out during the graduation ceremony.”

Grinning, Garret wiped a glass.

“Subtle.”

Cloudkicker paused as she lifted her glass, and gave a nod.

“Dear old ma and pa certainly thought so,”

As she took a sip, she regarded him over the edge of her glass. Laying it down, she tilted her head.

“How about you?”

Chuckling, Garret laid the glass down.

“Disgraced ex-templar. Commanding officer ordered me to kill a couple of recruits he accused of desertion. They didn’t

desert, they were just late for role call.”

The mare took another sip.

“And….?”

The human shrugged.

“I told to her too eat shit and die.”

Snorting with amusement, Cloudkicker laid her glass down again. Unscrewing the top of his bottle, he gave her another pull.

“Sooo… any special somepony in your life?”

Garret shrugged again as he placed the bottle back.

“ ‘Fraid not. Templar training didn’t leave much in the way of socializing.” Turning back, he winked.

“How bout you?”

Cloudkickers ears flattened slightly as she looked down at her drink.

“She… uh, she died, not too long ago.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Garret looked down, frowning at his feet.

“Sorry.”

The Pegasus shrugged her wings slightly.

“Its not your fault.”

Looking up, he asked , “What was her name?”

Smiling, she took another sip, and said softly, “Derpy Hooves.”

Sniffling, she wiped a tear from her cheek with a wing.

“I miss her, but whatever feelings I got pale compared to what her foals are going through.”

Leaning her head back, she took a picture from her saddle, and tapped a hoof on it when she lay it on the counter.

“That’s her, the wall eyed mare. The little gray unicorn is Dinky, the pink and lavender mare's Sparkler.”

Looking over the picture, he chuckled.

“Cute kids. Who’s the other two pegasi.”

“Alula, my little sister. The other ones Rainbow Dash, she’s their godmother.”

She sniffled again, and put the picture back into the saddlebags. Looking up, she gave a small smile.

“Hey Garret, I’m going to take off, ok?”

The bartender nodded. The room was dead silent as she walked out.

…………………………………..

Cloudkicker walked into the office of her place of work, head low, and wings drooping. Everyone watched helplessly as she made her way to the bosses office, even Blossomforth unable to offer any comfort. She’d get like this from time to time, and nothing anyone did could snap her out of it. All everyone could do was wait and worry.

Smiling weakly, she opened the door to Rainbows office. Rainbow gave a distracted nod, and said, “Hey, Cloud, sit down a sec. Close the door too.”

Frowning herself now, Cloudkicker nudged the door shut, and as she sat, said “Uh oh, I hear the bell tolling.”

Shaking her head, Rainbow dipped her head into the open drawer of her desk. Struggling a bit, she lifted it out, and it clunked as it was dropped down.

Seeing the look on the opposing mares face, she said, “I found this one my bed side table this morning. Bits. More specifically, one thousand, five hundred, and eight six bits.”

Cloudkicker gaped.

“What? But who…”

Rainbow shrugged.

“No idea. Just left the bits, and a note saying, “From those concerned.”

Cloudkickers eyes narrowed a slight frown on her muzzle.

“Garret….”

“Who?”

The blonde mare rolled her eyes.

“Don’t worry about it Rainbow. I think I know who gave that to you.”

Chapter Two

Cloudkicker lighted upon a cloud over Ponyville, scowling as she looked down. It made no sense. Another person, a different species no less, took it upon themselves to help the friends of a damn near complete stranger. Not only that, they did it anonymously, wanting no thanks or even simple recognition. It didn’t make any sense. Feeling somepony slide up next to her, she gave a sideways glance, and sighing, looked down again.

“Hey….”

Blossomforth smiled, nuzzling the lavender coated mares neck.

“Hey.”

Tilting her head, she asked softly, “Cloud, you ok?”

Sighing again, Cloudkicker rolled onto her back on the cloud, looking up at the blue sky in contemplation.

“You know about what Dash got this morning right?”

After receiving a nod, the mare continue, “I know for a fact who did it, and I just don’t know what to do about it…”

Puckering her muzzle, Blossomforth shrugged her wing in a questioning way.

“Do you need to do anything about it? Is this pony, or ponies, who did such a kind thing, trying to hurt Dash, Dink, and Spark?”

Crossing her hooves across her chest, Cloudkicker shook her head.

“Were the bits stolen?”

Another head shake.

Seeing her friend smirk, Cloudkicker scowled, and cut her off as she opened her muzzle to speak.

“And no, it’s not anypony I fucked or who fucked me.”

Blossomforth fell into in a fit of giggles at the cursing, and Cloudkicker rolled onto her belly again. Seeing her still morose look, the mares giggles tapered off, then stopped, Slowly her wing traced across Cloudkickers back, who tensed visibly, and growled, “Don’t…”

Instead of relenting, she drew the Pegasus to her, and the blonde maned mare snapped, “Damn it, stop it okay?”

“Its today isn’t? The anniversary…”

Cloudkicker pulled out from under the wing, and stood.

"I gotta go."

Blossomforth shook her head sadly as the mare flew off, but offered no protest. As much as she wanted otherwise, best to let CK deal with things her own way.

………………………………………………………

Thunk.

The now split log toppled to the dirt under the chopping block. Kneeling, Garret picked up one of the pieces and flipped it over his shoulder. For a moment it twirled in the air, then with a muffled thud, landed neatly in the wood pile. Picking up the other piece, he sent it to its fellows with the same nonchalant toss. Placing another log up on the block, he stood. Hefting the ax over his head, he brought it down. Thunk.

Cloudkicker snaked along the bars roof, and looked down. Thanking whatever kind a loving deity who set this up, she grinned like a lecherous old stallion as the shirtless human bent down to pick up the toss the pieces into their pile. Her grin faded though at the faded scars crisscrossing across the humans back.Garret paused, and lowered that ax. Suddenly he sneezed. Shaking his head, he lifted the ax once more. Thunk.

He bent down again, and after tossing a piece of wood, said, “Afternoon, Miss Cloud.”

Smirking, she fluttered down.

“Sorry there buddy. Just admiring the view.”

Standing again, Garret walked to the door of his establishment, taking his shirt off a conveniently placed wooden post.

“I thought some pretty thing was thinking of me.”

Chuckling, the mare followed.

“Pervert.”

Buttoning his shirt, he looked over his shoulder.

“Oh, oh! Yeah, that really hurts my feelings, being called a perv by the local hedonist.”

Grinning, she trotted up next to the human, giving a nudge in his side with her wing.

“I see my reputation proceeds me.”

Rolling his eyes, Garret chuckled.

“Wanna bang?”

The human rubbed his chin, looking at the ceiling in thought.

“Nah, maybe some other time.”

Pouting playfully, Cloudkicker groused, “Ahhh, that’s no fun. You have to at least let me repay you for what you did for Dash and the foals.”

Shrugging, Garret walked behind the bar.

“Its not a big deal…”

Cloudkicker sauntered up, an patted the human on the back. Curious, he turned around.

Looking up at him, no trace of a smile or any sort of attraction, she said plainly, “Garret. You did more for that mare and her foals then any other pony I’ve ever met. You’re a wonderful man.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he grimaced, and said, “You really wanna pay me back Cloud?”

Seeing the raised eyebrows and the sudden smirk, he amended, “No, not like that.”

Turning, he walked behind the bar.

“You wanna thank me, try keeping it to yourself.”

“Uh. Ok,,, I guess…” she took a seat in front of the counter, tilting her head.

“Can I ask why you wouldn’t want anypony to know?”

Shrugging his shoulders again, he said “Look, this Rainbow friend of yours needed help. I’ve been to her place, and it’s a wreck. Some of the boys are actually going over there today and fixing up the joint.” Turning from his work, he crossed his arms.

“But if anyone found out I was going out bits by the handful, there would be no end to it. Every day, there’d be someone at my door begging.”

Cloudkicker nodded.

“I guess that's true…” she looked at him.

“Yes?”

“Well…. Its just… Can I ask where you got those scars.”

Touching the mark on his face, he said, “This one is kinda personal. Do you mind if I just tell you about the ones on my back?”

Cloudkicker nodded.

“Well, as a parting gift for my insubordination, its tradition to send off disgraced with ten lashes.”

“With a whip?”

Garret nodded, and the Pegasus winced.

“Sweet Celestia…”

The human leaned against the counter.

“Its ok. In the past, they didn’t even give us something to bite down on while the carried out the whipping. And in any case, even if I had carried out the orders, I think I was gonna leave anyway and they still would have given me a whipping.”

“Why would you leave?”

“Again… sorry Cloud, that’s personal.”

Cloudkicker’s scowled.

“Your just no fun at all, you know that?”

Smirking, she ruffled her wings, and said in a sultry tone, “Nevertheless, the offer to share an evening with me still stands.”

Grinning, he pulled up a bottle of booze, and laid out a couple of shot glasses.

“So, can I ask you something?”

He poured a couple of drinks, and Cloudkicker nodded.

“Why are you interested in me? First night you walked in, your wings told me quite the interesting tale.”

Snorting, the pegasi took a pull.

“Well, and don’t go getting a swelled head, your not to bad looking for a human. Do you mind if I ask why you don’t want to bang? You did say I’m pretty.”

“I don’t trust you enough.” Seeing her somewhat confused look, he added, “Hey, you let someone that close, all they need is a shorter knife. And besides, we barely met, and I don’t sleep with someone I don’t care about.”

“So, you got rules too huh?”

After giving a snort of amusement, the human gaped.

“Your saying you do?”

Cloudkicker nodded.

“A few.”

“Like…” the human put the bottle away.

“Well, Rule one: no regrets. I don’t want to get up in the morning as somepony’s mistake. Number two: No complications. Like with Rainbow, I don’t go sleeping with her friends cause I don’t need the headache.”

Nodding towards the rows of liquor, she continued, “Rule three: No sex with anyone intoxicated or high.”

Waggling her eyebrows, she said, “The next ones more of a guideline then a rule, especially for such a beautiful critter like you. Rule four: No banging friends.”

“Rule five: no sex without protection. I don’t need an std or to be knocked up.”

Garret interrupted, “You do know that human and equine venereal diseases are non-transferable between species right.

And I’m quite sure you couldn’t be knocked up by us in any case.”

Cloudkicker gaped.

“Are you serious?”

The human nodded. A somewhat hazy looked covered the pegasi eyes.

“Wow… going through heat without a cooler, potions, or worrying about foals…”

“Cooler?”

Drawn out of her thoughts, she cleared her throat.

“Oh, its uh… its like this rubber dong that a mare straps on to help another while they’re in estrus. Its got this mouth pump thing which squirts salt water into us to simulate a males.”

Cloudkicker puckered her muzzle.

“I hate it. Heat banging supposed to be the best you can have, and that sort of thing just doesn’t feel right. Its good, just not great. Its more of chore in those few days then anything”

“Why not use a condom with a stallion? Or those potions?”

Cloudkicker shook her head.

“Potions don’t do shit when we’re in heat. And without the cumming, or simulation there of, it just makes it worse.”

The human grinned.

“Well, as a friend, just remember, if you ever need me, I’ll be behind you all the way.”

Cloudkicker fell into a fit of laughter. When it cleared, she wiped here eyes with a hoof.

“Good one. Anywho, where was I… ah, yes. Rule six: No lying to get sex. Or at least, no really big lies. Everypony does a little bit of harmless exaggeration, but there’s a line. I don’t cross it. Ever.”

“Rule seven: No romance or any of that shit. I may like you, hay, even love you, but I’m not into anything long term.”

The pony took another sip.

“Rule eight: No rutting with anyone who doesn’t get the former or proceeding rules. I don’t need anyone pining for me the rest of their lives. The next three are more wisdom then actual rules. Rule ten: no fucking while flying. You don’t have wings, so even if we do it, it’s a moot point. Rule eleven: no hanging around after the deed is done.”

“That might be a problem. Humans tend to cook when we’re visiting a persons house. Its kinda like an ice breaker for us. As for mating, I think its kinda an evolutionary leftover. Providing food for our mates and all that.”

Cloudkicker shrugged her wings.

“I don’t mind sharing a meal, morning after a good rut or not. I just don’t want anything more.”

“Fair enough. Whats the last rule.”

Cloudkicker looked down at her drink, eyes wide with horror as she shuddered.

“No diamond dogs. Ever again…”

The pegasi looked up and smiled.

“So, any thoughts?”

The human crossed his arms, and the look in his eyes made the smile drop off the mares face.

“You must be so alone.”

Cloudkicker gazed down, and looked at her reflection in her glass of booze. Alone…

“MIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS KKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEERRRRRR!”

The mare thumped against the bar’s counter as a unicorn filly bolted into the room, wrapping her hooves around her barrel. Looking down, she wheezed, “Dinky? What the hay!”

Looking up, the foal cried,

“MisskickerMisskickerthereshumansatthehouseandSparkchuckingdishesatemandIcantfingdashand….” The rest of her tirade was halted as Cloudkicker corked her mouth with a hoof, and gazed at her sternly.

“Ok, now, calmly…. Dink, what is wrong?”

Taking her hoof away, she interrupted as the foal opened her muzzle, “Stop. Take a deep breath…”

Dinky, tears in her eyes, drew in air.

“…Hold it…”

The filly puffed out her cheeks.

“… now let it out slowly.”

Dinky did as she was told.

“Now, whats wrong?”

Dancing in place in her anxiousness, she cried, “The house! Strange humans are there! Sparkler knocked one of them off the roof with a saucer, and sent me to come get you!”

The human behind her groaned, and at the same time, they respectively slapped their faces in exasperation.

……………………………………………………………………..

Sparkler frowned at the wincing male laying against her side.

“Quit being such a foal about this Cal,”

The young brown haired human scowled back as she dabbed the wound on his forehead.

“First you bean me when I’m trying to work on your roof, then you call me names.”

Looking forward again, he muttered, “Heartless nag….”

Horn flaring, Sparkler said evenly, “Did you say something dear?”

Eyes wide, he shook his head, and hissed as the cottonball dabbed his head again.

“Careful, damn it!”

Ears perking towards the chuckling overhead, Sparkler rolled her eyes.

“Oh buck me…”

Cloudkicker flew down, and grinned at the purple maned mare.

“Daaawwwww, your such a softy now Sparks.”

Groaning, Sparkler rubbed the spot under her horn as her mothers former lover wiped her eyes in mock emotion.

“Is this the little foal who was such a problem child? When did she grow into such a fine young mare….”

“Fuck off….”

Both pony’s jumped slightly, and looked in shock at the human. Sitting up, he glared at the Pegasus.

“Don’t you fucking dare make fun of Sparkler, you worthless unrepentant slut.”

He struggled up as Clouds mouth worked.

“She… she’s a wonderful pony! How dare you come down from wherever you were and tease her…”

Sparkler upper half lifted and she lay a hoof on his shoulder.

“Hey… Cal, its ok…”

“Its not ok!”

Ignoring her words, the human just glared at Cloudkicker. The Pegasus just looked back, then suddenly giggled.

“Oh, your just such an adorable little boy!”

Teeth bared, he started forward, and Cloud held her hoof up in surrender.

“Ok, ok, I’m backing down. “

As the Pegasus flew off, Cal sat back down. Feeling a hoof slap him upside his head, he turned and glared.

“Hey, what was that for?”

Rolling her eyes, Sparkler snorted, then muttered, “I had to fall for such an airhead….”

“Huh?”

Blushing under her fur, she gave the human another smack.

“I said you’re a bucking idiot!”

Chapter Three

Cloudkicker snarked as she landed in front of the humans bar. Injured, some little sprig of a monkey had leaped to the defense of her lover's foal, and probably would have taken a beating if the Pegasus hadn’t relented. Rolling her eyes, she walked in. Empty. The last few nights, the place was packed, but only Garret was there, the top of his head with an odd blue hat that only seemed to cover the back top of his head . On one corner of the bar, two candles burned, a piece of paper between them, and photo behind it. The human sat at a table, a book open.

Walking up, she chuckled.

“Nice beany.”

Looking up from his book, he said, in a trifle cold tone, “It’s a yarmulke, thank you very much. And I’d also thank you, Miss Kicker, to keep your usual peanut gallery to yourself.”

“Ok, ok. Sorry…” Cloudkicker scuffed her hoof to the ground, head ducking somewhat.

“No. I’m sorry.” Sighing, he went back to reading.

“So, where is everyone?”

“Dies e quies. Day of rest.” Nodding over to the candles, he said “It is also fade day.”

As he spoke, the sun began to set. At the words fade day, it finished its task. Cloudkicker opened her mouth, but a cold wind seemed to blow through the room. Somewhere behind, a voice whispered. She whirled around, and outside, could see three silhouettes at the double doors. And she could also sort of see right through them. Whimpering she skidded back.

“What… who are they?”

Garret smiled, and sat cross legged on the floor.

“Come, sit next to me.”

Trying to retain whatever dignity she had, Cloudkicker all but bolted to the humans side. Leaning against him, she gazed wide eyed as the silhouettes walked in. Smiling, Garret, ran his fingers through her mane.

“So, you can see them, huh? Most of your people refuse their mere existence.”

Somewhat comforted by the gesture, she still shivered as the figures walked towards the candle. As her head turned, she saw five more walking from the back way, and more walking down the stairs from the apartment to the bar floor. Scratching her with one hand, he went back to his book with the other.

“What are they? Ghosts?”

“I suppose that’s one term for them. Souls of my people, some lost, others visiting. So long as we don’t disturb them or try to leave, they should leave us alone. Shall we talk of other things?”

Cloudkicker nodded. Looking at the book, her eyes widened. In it, she saw a sketch of one of Equestria’s enemies.

“Why are you reading about Changelings?”

Garret looked up.

“Ah, you mean the skinwalkers? Such a pity so many have fallen in thrall with Chrysalis.”

The pegasi frowned.

“Thrall?”

The human nodded.

“Despite their appearance, and the rather interesting rumors of your people, the skinwalkers aren’t insects, and most certainly aren’t monsters.”

Seeing the furious look on the equines face, he said, “Tell me, why do you hate them so?”

Cloudkicker looked down.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

Garret shrugged, and continued, “Rumors aside, and whatever one of them did, can you really hate them for needing love to survive? Are they so wicked for just wanting to live?”

Cloudkicker scowled.

“They steal love damn it! They suck it out of pony’s with those damn fangs of theres when they can’t get it through deception.”

Garret shook his head.

“Another rumor. It is true though they use the forms of others to elicit feelings of fondness towards others. But they only

reason they do so is because they believe they cannot find it willingly.”

Garret looked down at his book.

“Our poor brothers and sisters. How we failed you…”

“What? What are you talking about?”

Garret looked up again, and shook his head sadly.

“Before your people, mine lived in peace with the skinwalkers. We loved and cherished them as children of Elohie, as we did our brothers and sisters the stygians. How my people failed them both. How they suffered for our cowardice.”

Cloudkicker snorted.

“Not enough, if you ask me.”

“Cloud…. They are who they are. Do you hate fire for burning? Should my people hate yours for what your ancestors did?”

The Pegasus spat, “Did you see what they did to Canterlot?”

“I saw what some skinwalkers did. Under the orders and false promises of a worthless upstart.”

Cloudkicker shook her head.

“Your impossible.”

Garret shrugged, and looked at the door.

“Welcome brothers and sisters. Please, enjoy your stay.”

Cloudkickers turmoil of emotions was stilled as the humans fingers went through her mane, and she watched as more shadows walked towards the candles. As they gathered, they whispered, and soon, other shadows came in from the night. Pony’s, a couple of gryphons. The human forms made room. The Pegasus suddenly gasped as the next shadow came through the door.

“Mommy….” She jumped up, and walked towards the shadow pony. The other shadows stood aside as she walked, and tears began to streak down her cheeks.

“It can’t be…. Mom, is that you?” she stopped short as she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she whimpered at the human.

“Garret, its her. Its my mother….” The human shook his head sadly.

“I… I know Cloud. But you can’t touch her yet. The spirits wanted to give you one last meeting before the Long Tomorrow, but please, stay behind me.”

Walking in front of Cloudkicker, the human folded his hands. Looking downwards, he closed his eyes, and began to pray.

Slowly, the other shadows began to walk to the corners of the bar, giving them space. The pony shadow began to solidify, and Cloudkicker began to see her mothers features. Cloudkicker was stunned into silence. Slowly though, the features faded again, and the pony turned and walked back into the nights gloom.

As the rest of the shadows left, Garret knelt down, and drew the mare to him. Clenching her eyes, she sobbed, “Thank you…. Thank you so much…”

………………………………………………

A few minutes later, and a somewhat happy pegasus left his place of work, Garret sat down in front of his bedroom desk mirror. His eyes narrowed as he looked at his reflection. Suddenly, his fist lashed out, smashing the reflective surface. He didn’t even feel the shards sinking into his knuckles, the years of body honing in the Templar working its magic of discipline.

His eyes glared tearily back at him as he looked down at the desk, an in the shards, he could still see the damning evidence of what he’d done looking back at him.

“Why? Why here, why now? Why that cold bitch? Why test me now, why?”

Tears streaked down his face as his shoulders shook, and he slammed his fist against the desk.

“Why? You have her mother, you took Kala. Why do you hate me so?”

He took his head in his hands, and wept.

Chapter Four

Two weeks later

Tornado stretched out his left wing, his body swaying slightly as the train he was on barreled towards Ponyville. Leaning in, he began to gently straighten and realign the tufts and secondary feathers. Making a grunt of approval, he slid his muzzle lower, and began to work over the primaries. Finding the culprit causing the irritating itch for the last couple of hours, he took it gently between his teeth. Hissing softly as it was pulled, his grumbles rolled into a soft murr at the now itch free warmth in the appendage. Giving a nod, he folded his wing, and glared at the other one pinned under gauze on his other side.

“Having fun sir?”

Jumping slightly, the Pegasus blushed under his fur, and spat out the feather still in his mouth. Turning his gaze towards Atticus, he cleared his throat.

“Don’t you ever knock soldier?”

Giving a salute, the human said, “Sorry sir.”

Rolling his eyes, Tornado gave an at ease, and glared again at his traitorous wing. A couple of days before he and an old barracks pal of his went on a flight. According to the medics, his various other bruises and bumps paled compared to what he’d done. Who the fuck ever got a second degree strain there wing muscle length wise during a simple race? Now grounded, the officer had never felt more helpless. Luckily, he had some r and r logged away to heal and not have to be humiliated by being shunted behind some desk, but still…

Looking back at Atticus, his eyes followed him as the human walked back into the cabin.

“I don’t know how you stand living without wings.”

Grinning, the guard sat, and folded his arms as he leaned back against the seat.

“I don’t know how you equines live without fingers.”

Nodding, the commander looked back at his wing with a scowl.

“Certainly make preening easier.”

Chuckling, Atticus stood, and sat next to Tornado. Brow furrowing, the pegasi said, “What are you…” then yelped slightly as the human began to gently remove the bandage.

“Relax sir. The doctor said a good rub would ease your pains and help your healing, and I know how to work with feathers.”

“But I…” he jumped slightly again, blush now threatening to burn into his cheeks as the wing was gently stretched out, and worked over. Wincing slightly at the rubs moved over a still healing muscle, his murr deepened as the fingers began to work over the feathers. Thanking years of discipline for giving him some control over his wings, and other parts of his anatomy that were known to go into similar states, he looked out the window.

Holding a coagulant sponge to a newly made hole in the equines wing, Atticus asked, “So, hows your vacation so far sir?”

Eyes half lidded in pleasure, the equine snapped his head, drawn somewhat from his musings.

“Hmm? Oh, my…. Ouch… r and r. I…. Ahhgggg” his eyelids fluttered slightly as the fingers slid over the primaries, exploring the plumage.

“It’s been….. unnggghhh… pretty good so far…” he jumped again slightly as another feather was pulled, and as the slight coolness of the coagulant stung, he cast a gaze at the human.

“You do know… preening’s kind of a private thing…”

The human frowned, giving a only slightly disparaging look at the stallion.

“I also know, sir, that its something your supposed to have another person do.”

Sighing, the equine looked down.

“I know. Celestia knows how many cramps I’ve gotten trying to do it on my own.”

The human looked over the wing, frown deepening.

“Probably why you strained your wing…” he pulled another feather, and this time Tornadokicker actually clenched his eyes and gritted his teeth in pain. Seeing pus mixed in the blood as it leaked from the wound, Atticus gasped.

“Sir! You’ve… “ reaching into the medical pouch, the human pulled out a pair of tweezers, some iodine, and a pair of rubber gloves.

Atticus pulled the gloves on over his hands

“This is gonna hurt…” Getting a nod, the human poured iodine over the instrument, and holding the pony still, gently edged the tweezers into the wound. Ignoring the gasps of pain, he slowly pulled out the ingrown feather under the recently pulled one. Holding the blood covered growth in his gaze a moment, he put it down onto the chair. Squeezing the slightly inflamed are, he began to drain the wound of its infection.

“Tornado…” The equine looked up, then down again.

“Sir, how long has it been since you’ve been properly looked at?” somewhat satisfied with the field medicine, he began to dab iodine over the area, then pressed another coagulant sponge over it. Pressing a bandage over, Atticus scowled as he went over the rest of the wing. The commander was a mess. From what he could see, near the shoulder and lower down where his teeth couldn’t reach where several misaligned pinions, and another four ingrown ones, two of which were also infected. Disgusted at the half assed work of the doctor, he began to work on the equine further.

“Sir…” he pulled out a feather, and began to dig out the broken one under it.

“How long?”

The equine whimpered, tears running down his muzzle.

“I… awhile…”

Shaking his head, Atticus lay the bloody pinion next to its brother, and squeezes the green white ooze out from the area.

Rubbing the wound with iodine again, he put another coagulant bandage over the wound.

“Don’t… tell Cloud…”

Rolling his eyes, the human began working on the last infected area.

“Sir…”

“Please…”

Sighing, the human nodded, and continued his field care. After draining the wound, pulling out the other two ingrown one, he straightened the rest of the feather.

“Thankfully, those ones don’t need pulling yet.”

Wrapping the wing back under a fresh bandage and immobilizing it so it wouldn’t damage further, Atticus stood, and walked to the other side.

“Lift…” wordless, Tornadokicker extended the wing.

“Sir, I won’t tell your daughter, but only if you get checked out while we’re in town. Ok?”

The Pegasus gave a nod, feeling somewhat light headed from the flush in his cheeks and the work on his wings.

……………………………..

Cloudkicker hummed softly as she meandered through the stalls. Since seeing her mother again, mixed with her usual mix of banging whoever would warm her bed, the mare had been feeling lighter then air. The day seemed brighter, the birds chirped more beautifully, and the rush of flying and fucking better then ever. Still hadn’t done anything with the architect of her happiness. In fact, since that night, Garret seemed oddly distant. The first couple of nights she went back, the bar was being looked over by a friend of his, who told her simply that Garret was indisposed.

Shrugging, Cloudkicker walked to the flower stall, giving a wink to the shops attendant.

“Hey there Rose. Sorta surprised to see you standing.”

Giving the pegasus a somewhat weary smile, the equine yawned.

“Haha… I think you mighta left bite marks honey…”

Giggling, Cloudkicker perused her selection. Picking out a few roses and a set of daffodils, she turned back to Rose, and waggled her eyebrows.

“I didn’t her any complaints last night sugar cube.”

Giving a derisive snort, Rose wrapped up the purchase, and gave a haughty look at the Pegasus.

“Kinda hard to complain when one has a ball gag stuffed in their muzzle…”

Passing a few bits to Rose with her wing, Cloudkicker rolled her eyes.

“Your idea, not mine. Im still surprised bit the damn thing in half…”

Scowling, the mare turned back to her work, giving Cloudkicker a good flick in the snout with her tail.

“Oh don’t be like that! Come on…. Acchhhhh!” Cloudkicker suddenly buckled under the weight of her father on top of her, her wings flared out in shock. Grinning, Tornadokicker shouted, “There she is!”

Looking over her shoulder, and flushing furiously at the impromptu giggling around her, mare bucked her father off her, and whirled around to glare at her attacker. Snickering like a mad man, Tornado nuzzled the top of her head.

“Hey kiddo.”

Ducking under the muzzle, Cloudkicker stammered, “Wha… dad, is that… you?”

Chuckling, the stallion took a couple steps back.

“That’s what your mother told me.”

Cloudkicker gaped slightly. One wing was wrapped up and pinned to his side, the other was covered in tan bandages. And though the dark skin under his eyes indicated lack of sleep, his eyes were the same paternal pools she’d known as a foal. But what really got her attention was his mane. Unlike the usual cropped style she’d seen for all her life, it was actual long. Like a mares.

“Dad… you look… What happened?”

Seeing her gaze at his mane, Tornadokicker chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yeah, been away for a bit, and didn’t get the chance to get it into regulation.”

Cloudkicker nodded, then looked at the human behind her father.

Seeing her gaze, he waved his hoof in a gesture.

“Cloud, this is Atticus, Atticus, Cloudkicker.”

Grinning, the mare asked, “Wanna bang?”

Tornadokicker face hoofed, a small grin still in place.

“Really kiddo, right in front of your dad….?”

Ignoring his c.o’s obvious discomfort, Atticus replied smoothly, “I refuse to answer the question on the grounds it would tend to incriminate me.”

Earning a pair of chuckles, the human followed silently behind as the walked, and caught up.Coming to the center of town, Cloudkicker waved to Garret as he walked back to his place of work.

“Hey! Over here, I want you too meet someone.”

The human smiled and walked over. Though she didn’t notice, both human and equine eyes flashed in recognition.

“Garret, this is my father, Tornadokicker. Dad, This is Garret.”

Smiling, the equine said warmly as he lifted a hoof, “A pleasure to meet you son.”

“Likewise sir.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Later that evening…..

Tornado walked into the now empty bar, and looked around, lips somewhat pursed.

“So…” the pony’s ears flicked to the sound of the voice, and he watched as Garret walked down the stairs.

“Kicker…. Have you come to kill me then? To take your payment in blood?”

Sighing, Tornado shook his head.

“Garret…. Look, I just wanted to say…. I’m sorry, for what Nimbus did. We never talked about it, but she always regretted what happened.”

Snorting, the human crossed his arms.

“If she felt any remorse, she would have gone like Swiftblade. Left the Guard and found some sort of repentance.”

Frowning, the equine raised his right eyebrow.

“Or she could have run and hid.”

“Do you want something, or are you just here to piss me off?”

The Pegasus gave a nod

“There are two things actually. My daughters… don’t know about what happened. Aside from me and Swift, no one does. Please, I beg you, don’t break my little foals heart.”

“Fine… anything else?”

The stallion walked forward, and tilted his head.

“Why? Seventeen of my clan are dead… the last ones were my wife and Swifty. Swiftblade left to study the humans, hay, even married one. Why spare Nimbus?”

The human smiled.

“You can thank little Alula for that, Kicker. I came upon your wife, and was about the finish off the last of the bastards, when this little things came barreling out. Its… hard… to kill another when you start seeing them as a person.”

“Those others you killed had families too.”

The human shook his head.

“I never saw them.”

Sighing, the stallion turned and walked out the bar, unable to respond.

A few hours later

Cloudkicker flew upside down through the air, her back to the ground, her gaze blearily looking up into the nights sky. This was it, she was going to die. She lived a good life, banged herself silly. She would walk into the embrace of mom, her grandparents, and all her elders in the well of souls. She lived a life of drink and good times, No regrets. Feeling herself beginning to descend, she knew it was going to hurt, and before the hit, she only had one thing to say.

“Oh, buck me up the….”

With a thud, she hit the ground, skidding for a moment in the dirt, stars flashing in her eyes at the feeling of her wings slapping the earth. Hissing in pain as her feathers dragged, and from what she could feel, a couple pulling, as she slipped, she tilted to the left. Corkscrewing in place a moment, she pushed hard on the ground with a wing, launching into the air. Turning onto her hooves, she planted them firmly down, halting her movement. Turning around, wings flared in aggression, she turned to face her attacker.

Wiping a hoof across her bottom lip, she spat. Twirling her tongue in her cheek a moment, her eyes widened. Holding up a hoof, she spat again, and glared at the molar in the center of said hoof. After tucking the dislodged tooth into a side pouch, she turned back to glare at Garret.

“You happy, you limp dicked fucker? You knocked my fucking tooth out!”

Rubbing his shoulder as he walked forward, the human turned his head left, then right. Satisfied with popping noises issued, he glared back at the equine.

“Hey, you started this! Attacking me in my room, knocking me down the stairs? Whats your problem?”

Slowly, they walked to the cleared area behind the bar, and began to circle. Wings tensing, Cloudkicker snarled, “You’ve been avoiding me for the past two weeks, and been acting like your best friend died.”

Cracking his knuckles, and glaring daggers back at the pony, he sneered.

“Yeah? So what? What do you care how I act anyway?”

Eyes flashing, she stamped her hoof into the ground.

“Because I’m your friend!”

Whinnying in fury, she charged. Yelling back, he charged. Sweeping her wing in a glancing blow, she smirked. The smirk faded into horror as he blocked the blow with a his lower arm, then a twirl of his wrist, pinned it between his upper arm and side of his chest. Raising his fist, he brought one blow, then another against the Pegasus. Ignoring the throbbing in her head, Cloudkicker dodged the third blow, then rearing her head back, her mane sweeping in the motion, she brought it back hard into the humans stomach. Grunting in pain from the hit to his solar plexus, Garret managed to dig his fingers into her mane, and dragged her down with him.

Yanking her fur loose, and leaving a fair bit of it in the clenched fist, she pinned the human with a hoof on each shoulder. Tears now streaming down her cheeks, she screamed, “You damned fool!”

Garret was, needless to say, shocked. He didn’t even know she could cry. Teeth bared and eyes clenched, she sobbed, “You bucking damn fool….”

Collapsing, she pressed her lips to his. Feeling the blood spill into his mouth, Garret’s eyes bugged. But that paled to what came next. Tongue…. There shouldn’t be tongue!

Bucking under her a moment, he lifted a hand, and put under her chin. Lifting her up, and her tongue gave his one parting wrap around before departing, he pushed her to the side. Off kilter, Cloudkicker yelped as she was knocked onto her back. Putting both palms over a wing, this time the human pinned the Pegasus. And glaring down at her, he shouted, “Hey! Did I say that was ok? Huh?”

Tucking her hooves to her chest, Cloudkicker sniffed miserably, and gave a shake of her head. Turning his head to the side, he spat out the equines blood, then let Cloudkicker up. For a moment, she just looked up at the sky, then rolling onto her belly, covered her head with her hooves. Spitting again, Garret wiped his mouth, and looked at the pegasi before him. Her wings were limp and spread out over the ground, a clear indication of her emotions if the tears weren’t a clue. Fuck, she attacked him, demanding answers no less, and practically forced herself on him, and now he was supposes to comfort her?

Well… it was my fault.. he mused. The appearance of one who was once an enemy had put him in a bad disposition, and for the last few weeks, the human had been morose. Closing himself off from friends, both human and equine, he’d just sat in his room the first couple of days. Didn’t eat, didn’t sleep, the memories of those days. And equines were social creatures, and he’d barely spoken to anyone. Sighing, he got off the ground, and walked to the Pegasus Kneeling down, he gently stroked her mane. Feeling her tense, then loosen under his fingers, he rolled his eyes.

“I’m sorry, CK.”

Her ears rose from their flattened positions, and turned slightly towards him. Her wings slowly began to tighten against her side, but she still wouldn’t lift her hooves. Smiling, he continued his strokes.

“I made you worry, didn’t I?”

The mare nodded under her hooves, and slowly lifted one leg to gaze tearily up at him.

“It’s just…. I don’t like to talk about it, ok? I’m sorry we had this fight, and I’m sorry I hurt you…. But please, I can’t talk about it, ok?”

Whimpering, the mare nodded, and lifted her hoof of her head. Sitting up on her haunches, she flicked a gaze to the human, then pouted.

“I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.” She giggled, and rubbed the back of her neck.

“The heat of the moment and taste of blood, you know…”

She looked back at him.

“Are we… cool then?”

The human nodded.

Nodding back, Cloudkicker stood. The human stood as well, and smiled down at the equine.

“Need an escort to the hospital?”

The equine tapped a hoof to her chin.

“Nah, I’m good. Besides, I wanna make a play towards that cutie Code Blue.”

Groaning, Garret face palmed.

Chapter Five

Leaning forward, Tornadokicker took a gently slurp of his morning coffee. Next to him, Atticus stood, his hands folded behind his back. Thirst now somewhat sated, he looked over his paper.

“Huh… Apparently, Princess Celestia doesn’t like tea… And many are calling for the removal of Prince Marcum…”

Atticus raised his eyebrows.

“I beg your pardon?”

Eyes still roaming over the ink, the Pegasus continued, “Apparently, in light of this recent development, many are feeling that the human is an undue influence on her majesty. This reporter also must remind the faithful readers of the horrid fight the Regents had, when he referred to our loving Celestia as a insufferable nag.”

Chuckling, Tornado turned the page.

“When asked to comment, the Prince replied, “Bloody fucking hell! Why the fuck can’t my wife have her own likes or dislikes?” This of course is in light of the loss of capital in the tea market as jobs are lost and pony’s concern of capital gains ignored.”

“I fail sir to see what is so funny…”

Giving a slight shrug of his wings, and wincing at the still sore feeling in them, Tornado took another sip of coffee.

“I don’t know what the big to do is, that’s all.”

“Agreed sir. But nevertheless, your kind are not readily accepting of major changes. Such things are… unsettling.”

Giving a nod of approval, the stallion said, “Quite right. A very clever insight from one who’s not an equine.”

“Thank you sir. Your praise is what makes it all worthwhile.”

Rolling his eyes, Tornado turned back to his paper, growling, “Smart ass.”

“I am also surprised you’re so glib about one insulting your goddess sir.”

Frowning slightly, the memories of his discussions with her majesty over his wifes demise still fresh, the stallion replied curtly, “I stopped think of her that way long ago son.”

He nosed the paper shut, and gave another chuckle.

“And in any case, all couples have their tiffs. I remember this incident as well, and those two made up almost immediately.”

The pegasi looked around the café they were in. Unlike the local pony establishments, which never appeared to know the phrase tone it down, the human was decidedly more rustic. Simply made wooden tables and chairs, plain coffee cups and glasses. Everything immaculately kept free of dust and grime by the owners. Pony’s, again in general, tended to avoid it. Mostly because of rumors, but also because of the humans diet. While pony’s did eat eggs, the appearance of steak and ham repulsed and deterred most equine patrons. Of course, since pegasi did eat fish from time to time, they didn’t have the same problem with it as their fellow unicorn and earth pony’s did, and had helped to keep the local business afloat.

Tornadokicker loved it. Nice and quiet, a soft song being sung on the radio on the counter. Though the couple of skulls on the shelf behind it were somewhat unsettling. Good coffee, which was worlds above the swill he’d been sucking down for weeks beforehand. Good company too, Atticus included. No pony trying not to stare, or turning the other way when he walked in. He remembered his commanding officer talking about it was a show of respect, he should enjoy it. But… despite the tireless rhetoric he endured over the years about family and tradition, the real reason he joined the guard was to help pony’s. And with his wife’s frigid attitude towards all things bedroom, at least until the latter years of their union, the uniform certainly didn’t hurt his carnal pursuits of mares and stallions alike.

He hated though, how everypony was so afraid of him. Over the years, as he rose through the ranks, more and more he found himself away from those he swore to protect. And as he was drawn away, he found himself more and more among the nobility and movers and shakers of Equestria. His wife, in her rare moments when she did speak, would often chastise him over his close-muzzled approach in these encounters. Or lectured him on his soft hearted approach to their only daughter.

“What did the doctor say?”

Drawn from his musings, the stallions nodded towards his saddlebags.

“Oh, you fuss like a mother hen. Look, its ok. He gave me some antibiotics.”

Taking his cup between his hooves, he took sip of his drink.

“Antibiotics for what?”

The human sitting at the next table let forth a litany of curses as the Pegasus spit take coated the back of his head and shirt in luke warm liquid. Wiping his muzzle with a hoof, and ignoring the angry yells of a disgruntled patron, the white coated stallion guiltily turned to the mare stand a few feet away.

“Oh, hey kiddo…”

Giving a nod and a smile to the human, Cloudkicker turned her gaze back to her father. Smile fading into a frown, she walked forward.

“For what dad?”

Chuckling, Tornadokicker rubbed the back of his head.

“Oh, you know, for uhh… Atticus here! He caught a little bug, you know, in the badlands?”

Not taking her gaze from her father, eyes narrowing, Cloudkicker walked forward. Tornadokicker leaned back slightly as she drew close, and their noses touched. Not breaking eye contact, the lavender mare said “Sick huh?”

Covering his mouth, the human let out the most disingenuous cough of all time.

Sighing, the mare turned away, shaking her head. As she walked, Tornadokicker shot a look that spoke volumes.

What was that?

Atticus tilted his eyes downward, and gave a quirk of his right brow.

It was all I could think of.

Grimacing, the stallion looked back his foal. Tilting his head, his grimace worsened.

“Hey, Cloud, you ok?”

Looking up, the mare smiled and nodded, then leaning her head down, took out a couple of bits. Seeing her fathers look, she spat the bits out, and frowned back.

“What?”

“Lieutenant?”

The human clicked his boots together.

“Sir.”

The stallion nodded towards his daughter. Eyes not leaving the target, the soldier moved in. Before his quarry could escape, he pinned her down, chin pressed against the table top. Leaning down, he gently prooceded to extend her wing as she yelled.

“Hey…. Hey,watch ittt…. Yah! What are unnnnnngggg….” Her eyelids fluttered as her wings were toyed with, but she yelped and jumped as he felt along the edges.

“Sir, her wing is swelling here.”

As he spoke, he slid his fingers along the length of the opposing, making the mare gasp, then yelp again as the he prodded the tender spot.

“And here.”

Face letting out no emotion, Atticus stood again, leaving the mare with eyes half lidded on pleasure on the table. Her

fathers snickering drew her out of her moment two seconds later.

“I also noticed something else sir.”

Smirking, the stallion looked up.

“Oh?"

“Excuse me one moment sir.”

Tornadokicker turned back to his table, and nodded towards his daughter.

“Really now, such a display in public.” The stallion made a tsking noise.

Blushing furiously, Cloudkicker pouted and tried to flatten her wings to her side again.

“That was mean. You could have just asked….”

Before the snickering elder could reply, Atticus returned, a bowl in hand.

“You are of course right, ma’am. That was terribly rude of me. In the Territories, when one wrongs another, we are expected to make restitution.”

Smiling pleasantly, he placed the bowl on the table. Looking down, Cloudkickers eyes widened in horror. No… not that… she’d sleep with a diamond before she’d face this horror…

“You like ice cream, Miss Kicker?”

Grinning sheepishly, Cloudkicker rubbed the back of her neck.

“Oh, no… I couldn’t.”

“Oh, but you must. To refuse amends when a peace offering is offered is an insult.”

Cloudkicker looked helplessly at her father, who grinned and shrugged his wings.

“You wouldn’t want to offend such a gracious gesture, would you kiddo?”

“I…. can’t. This is chocolate. I’ll get pimples.”

“Your covered in fur.”

“My parents never let me eat dessert before dinner …?”

“Oh no, I couldn’t deprive you of such a tasty treat.”

“Dad… I really….”

“Present spoons soldier,”

Setting her jaw, the mare took the bowl between her hooves. Lifting it to her mouth, she took a bite from the top half, then swallowed, and laying the bowl down made yum sounds. Atticus counted off in his head.

3…2…1

Cloudkicker teared up in an instant, and pressed her hoof to her cheek. As the cold confection slid into her muzzle, it touched the still setting tooth, sending the equine into fits of agony.

Tornado raised his eyebrows.

“What happened?”

“You’ll get mad…”

Seeing her fathers look, Cloudkicker sighed.

“It was Garret…”

For a moment, both Atticus and Tornado looked at the blonde bombshell, then her father went back to his paper with another shrug of his wings.

“Oh, ok.”

“What, is that it?”

The stallion looked up, and smiled.

“Well, it was obviously your fault my dear.”

The mare dropped her hoof, and didn’t even feel the fresh shot of pain as her jaw dropped.

“How can you say that?”

As they spoke, Atticus discretely went to stand before a window. Rolling his eyes, Tornadokicker went back to his paper.

“Look kiddo, we’ve been here before. Your old enough now not to get yourself in these scrapes, right?”

Pouting again, she nodded.

“Yes sir.”

“So, you wanna tell what happened?”

“Its just…. He’s a pretty good buddy of mine. But the last few weeks, he’s been acting weird. So, last night I just went to talk with him, and we got into a shouting match. This escalated into a full blown fight.”

Sighing, the stallion nosed his paper shut, and regarded his little foal. For a moment, he thought of telling her the truth, his mind flashing back for an instant…

Nimbus glided silently through the window of their home, and made dents in the cloud as she landed. Looking up, eyes brimming with tears behind the exposed part of her helmet, her eyes wandered over the photo’s of her graduation…. The day of her wedding…. Her little filly, cuddling next to her…

Her stomach gave a lurch. Walking forward, she gently took the picture of her foal from the wall, and holding between her teeth, walked towards the sofa. As she walked, she disarmored, letting the still warm armor fall to the white of the floor. Her husband watched, eyes wide. No soldier worth his salt would let their gear down like that. Nimbus undid the straps and buckles of her wingblades, and the weapons fell of his drooping wings as they dragged across the ground. photo,She sat down back against the sofa, and sitting up, held the photo in her hooves.

Tornadokicker walked into the room, his eyes hard.

“So, are you happy then? Is this what you wanted?”

Nimbus just looked down.

“Well, answer me soldier!”

The mare flinched, and made a sound that her stallion couldn’t recognize at first. Walking towards the couch, he said timidly, “Nim?”

She didn’t look up. Sitting down in front of her, he gently took the helm she still wore. She was crying. Gently, he wiped her cheek with a wing.

“Oh Nimbus…”

He couldn’t help… even after all these years, all the struggles… she was still so beautiful. Looking up at him, her mane beginning to show some of the gray fur of age, she whimpered.

“Celestia’s name…. What have I done…?”

Tornadokicker slowly wrapped his legs around his mare. Leaning her face to his chest, she sobbed, “What have WE done… I… I never wanted this…”

Slowly, the stallion stroked her mane.

“Dad?”

Tornado snapped up, and looked at his daughter.

“Huh?”

“Garret?”

Sighing, Tornado rubbed a hoof on his forehead.

“Look, Cloud, I know your worried, its just…”

Tornado lowered his hoof, and stared at Cloudkicker sternly.

“A person’s past is their business. If he doesn’t want to talk about it, then drop the matter. Clear?”

Sighing softly, Cloudkicker nodded.

“Yes sir.”

meanwhile, at the edge of the everfree

Dinky shivered like a leaf under Zecoras bed. Peaking out, she covered her mouth with both hooves to cover her breathing. That afternoon, she had been helping the zebra pick various roots and herbs Suddenly, as they were boiling the flora,

Zecora told the filly to hide under the bed. When she heard the hoof steps, she had shut her eyes as tightly.

“wewe! Kahaba!”

This time the herbalist spoke.

“Ah, hivyo wale umri mbwajike hatimaye alimtuma wewe.”

More hoofsteps echoed.

“kujisalimisha! The mapenzi ya the kabila ni kabisa.”

A hoof stomped near the bed, and Dinky jumped slightly.

“Kuma mamako’s!”

Screams echoed through, and Zecora screeched in agony. An odd thump sound, and Dink slowly opened her eyes. Oh Maker…. Her mentor lay bleeding, the end of a spear through her side and throat. Eyes widening as the blood began to draw close, she scooted back. The two weapons jiggled in their prey, the two different striped hooves pressed to the body. With a disgusting sound, the ends of the spears were pulled, and the body was dragged. Dinky whimpered.

The four sets of hooves stopped.

“Nini ilikuwa kwamba?”

Suddenly, a set of hooves belted back, and a sneering striped face poked under the bed. Slowly an unsettling leer crawled across the muzzle.

“Hey, ‘ittle un. Come to your uncle, eh?”

Dinky shook her head.

“Oh come on. If you nice to uncle, uncle be nice to you, eh?”

The other zebras snorted and chuckled.

“Pretty please?”

Dinky shoved herself into a corner.

“Come here little filly. You come with me, maybe be my sons new bride, eh?”

Grinning, the zebra reached under the bed towards the foal. Dinky screamed and clawed helplessly against the floor boards, and finally, her bladder let loose in her desperate attempt at escape. Suddenly, the chuckling was silenced as an odd whistling, then a meaty thunk echoed through the room.

The stallion let out an “Unnnkkughh….” As his eyes rolled into the back of his head. In the room, the remaining four hunters stood stunned. From the back of their leaders head, a tomahawk stood, the blade sunk deep across the skull, splitting the Mohawk of the stallion in the back of his head in half. The other four clutched their spears.

“Ndugu! No, si Ndugu!” a young voice called.

Another stallion yelled, “Ambao ni wewe?”

Dinky covered her head in her hooves, and standing at the doorway, she saw the dark leggings of a human, its feet covered in heavy boots. Slowly, the boots walked forward. And then the human spoke, its very words sending chills up Dinky’s spine.

“Yako avunaye.”

Screaming in a battle cry, three of the four charged. Sidestepping the zebras easily, the unicorn filly winced as the air whistled with drawn blades, and battle cries to shrieks of pain and shock. As the boots skidded across the floor, Dinkies eyes widened further. Hanging down from his hands were a short sword and another tomahawk, both dripping with blood. The other zebras suddenly collapsed, bodies gashed and indented from the weapon play. The other zebra closest to the bed whimpered, and Dinky winced as he dropped his spear.

“No! Please… I… I didn’t want too to be here! I didn’t kill Zecora, please!”

The human turned to him, and the zebra collapsed. Dinky slowly crawled out from under the bed, eyes away from the bodies, and just focused on the last zebra. He… he was so small. With a new feeling of horror present, Dinky realized he was just about the same age as she was.

“Please no! I… couldn’t stop them, please!”

Slowly the boots walked over the floor, and Dinky looked up to see her savior. His upper half was covered in a camo leather of browns and greens, and his head was covered with a hood. His face was covered in brown a green cloth, concealing his features. All she could see were his eyes.

“No…” A voice gurgled.

Dinky and the zebra foal gasped, and even the human turned to look down. Zecora lay in a pool of her blood, several cuts and a couple of deep wounds. Pressing a hoof to her neck, the zebra snarled, “So… this is all the hunters can do? Feh...”

Dinky screamed and rushed to the herbalist, and with a screech of his own, the stripped colt bolted. Reaching out, the human grabbed a handful of the black and white mane.

“Please! I… I DON’T WANT TO DIE! PLEASE!”

“Garret!”

Slowly, the human turned. Zecora lifted her head weakly, and shook it.

“As if I would do that. Just making sure he sticks around.”

The foal yelped as he was dropped onto his rump. Tucking his forelegs to his chest, the zebra sobbed.

“Chane!”

The foal jumped slightly, and slowly turned to Zecora. Tapping her hoof on the ground, Zecora huffed, “Come here boy.”

Whimpering, the foal stood, and walked over to the unicorn and zebra. Dinky’s eyes narrowed as he drew close, and she actually snarled at him, her horn shooting sparks. Chane whimpered, and lifted a foreleg up as though ready to bolt again.

“Dinky…” the striped mare cast a disparaging look at the filly.

The filly huffed, and gave the mare a nuzzle. Slowly, the zebra continued his trek. Coming up too Zecora, his hindquarters slumped, and he sniffed, then gave a choked sob.

“I’m…. I’m so sorry sister!”

Smiling softly, Zecora lifted her brothers chin.

“Oh Chane…. Why, why would you do this?”

Tears streaming down his cheeks, the foal screamed, “No Zecora! It was not I! Father… he said it was my duty!”

Rubbing his forelegs, he ducked his head again.

“But…. I couldn’t… I failed…”

Zecora eyes flashed. Raising her brother chin again with a hoof, she said firmly, “No Chane! I… I know now you would never hurt your family! You are not the weak one, Jelani is!”

The foal gasped, and knocked the hoof away.

“Sister! You dare disrespect father in such a way!”

Smiling, Zecora reached out in a flash, and drew the foal close.

“Oh Chane… my sweet Chane,,,”

For a moment, the foal struggled, then collapsed. Sniffling, Dinky crawled next to them and hugged them both as hard as she could.

Garret looked on, and for a moment, thought, “Through the gates of hel, I see the light of the long tomorrow…” and with that, turned, and walked out to get the local towns doctors.

Chapter Six

The doors to the hospital exploded in shards of glass and metal shrapnel. Inside, pony’s, doctors, and patients scatter as a yellow blur whizzed down the hall, her shrieks making all fur stand on end. Meanwhile, at the other end of the hospital, a brown coated and black maned earth pony in a security guard outfit, and an anvil as a cutie mark, glared furiously up at the human leaning against the wall.

“Sir, we told you before, you aren’t allowed to have that damn it!”

Eyes burning in his skull like blue fire, the human glared down at the equine, and said “You want my smokes? Better guards then you have tried…”

A red maned, white coated unicorn walked up, and tapped her hoof impatiently.

“All right Forge, whats wrong?”

“This bucking monkey is smoking!”

“Is that so?” the mare turned to the human, one brow raised. Suddenly, she smirked, and nodded to the clenched pouch in his hand.

“Mind if I bum one of them offa ya sonny?”

Nodding, Garret rolled up a tobacco leaf into some paper, then flicked it to the nurse. Catching it between her lips, she nodded thanks. Lighting the end of her horn, and then the cigarrete, she walked back to her desk. Snorting with disgust, the stallion stomped away

Garrets hair suddenly rustled as the yellow Pegasus blurred past him, to stamp her hoofs on the nurses desk.

“Zecora!”

The mare continued typing a moment, then looked, and said through the cigarrete, “Name?”

Fluttershy’s eye twitched as her wings flared out, and she screeched, “Zecora!”

Looking back down, the nurse said haughtily, “I’m sorry ma’am, but visiting hours are between…” suddenly, the mare found herself knocked off her seat and pinned to the wall. Baring her teeth fully, and tears streaking down her yellow cheeks, as her eyes blazed with hellfire and damnation, Fluttershy said in an entirely pleasant and kind tone, “Room number.”

Grinning back nervously, the mare said, “173.”

In a flash, the mare fell with a thump onto the tiles of the floor. Scowling, she stood, and walked back to her desk, muttering, “Damn, she’s a sweetie, but is that ninety-nine percent sweetie worth the one percent crazy?”

Cloudkicker briskly flew down the hall, rubbing her ribs with her hoof as she weakly called, “Come on Eepysqueak… they said… Acchhh!”

She glared behind to Garret, who clutched her tail, stopping her procession.

“Wait CK. Only Fluttershy can see her right now.”

Scowling, Cloudkicker floated down, and watched forlornly as a pink tail disappeared around a corner.Releasing her tail, Garret took a drag of his stick, then taking it between his fingers, took it out. Blowing the smoke out into the atmosphere, he cast a gaze down to look at the mare next to him.

“She’s special to you…”

Snorting, Cloudkicker cast a gaze over shoulder, and shot back, “Yeah? No shit.”

Putting out the smoldering stick, Garret then crossed his arms.

“How long you been after Fluttershy?”

Cloudkicker sighed, and sat down next to the human.

“We’ll, we first banged in Flight camp.”

“Huh, didn’t know you were a counselor.”

Cloudkicker scuffed a forehoof against the ground.

“I wasn’t… and neither was she.”

Garret jerked off the wall. Looking incredulously down at the blonde mane’d equine, he said “Excuse me?”

Cloudkicker chuckled weakly.

“Precocious little scamp ain’t I?”

The human shook his head.

“Did one of the counselors…”

The mare shook her head, and took a shaky breath.

“No, no, nothing like. One day, it just… sorta happened, you know?”

Leaning up off the wall, the human frowned down at Cloudkicker.

“No, I don’t know. Whatever possessed you too… I can’t even say it.”

Still looking down, Cloudkicker shrugged.

“Don’t give me that. Never mind whatever problems you got, ever think what that did to Fluttershy?”

The equine cast a slight gaze upward, then looking down, nodded.

“Everytime I see her.”

Snorting the human waved a hand in front of his face as though swatting a bug.

“Ahh, feel guilty? Well, shit, I guess that makes up for probably forcing yourself on someone else.”

“I didn’t force her Dash!”

Brows knitting together, Garrets gaze softened.

“Dash? Rainbow Dash? What does she have to do with this?”

Ears flicking back against her skull, Cloudkicker, and wrapped her wings slightly around her barrel.

“We…. She thought I raped Eepy, and came after me. I… we hurt each other . But… I messed up her…” the mare cleared her throat, “Well, her snatch… pretty bad. She can’t have foals because of me, and Eepy broke up with me the same day I went into the hospital.”

Sighing, Garret rubbed his arms as though he was cold. The room was perfectly warm.

“Oh Elohie Cloud… Where were the counselors? Any adults?”

Cloudkicker shrugged her wings, and gave a bitter smile.

“Probably doing what me and Eepysqueak were up too.”

“This isn’t a joke CK.”

The equine nodded. Uncrossing his arms, and rubbing the back of his neck, the human scowled.

“Damn it Cloud…”

The equine glared up at Garret.

“Haven’t you ever done something you regret?”

Garret winced, and looked down.

“Yeah… Yeah I have…”

Sighing, Garret sat down next to Cloudkicker on the floor.

“What a mess.”

Slowly, Cloudkicker leaned against Garret, and rested her head on his shoulder. The human felt slightly uncomfortable as she pushed a wing across his back, over his shoulder, and with a whimper, wing snugged him.

.......................................................................................

Fluttershy stroked the mane of her lover gently, leaning forward to nuzzle and nip the zebra affectionately. Thankfully, everything was bared to her since the doctors had removed the mare numerous gold rings, and sighing, the pink maned pegasi laid her head on the zebras chest.

“You’re her.”

Fluttershy yelped, and looked to her side, eyes wide. A young zebra sat next to her, eyes bloodshot. Still stroking Zecora’s mane, she looked at the foal, giving a soft smile.

“Oh dear, little one. Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

The zebra shook his head. Slowly, Fluttershy panned her eyes over his frame. He was simply far to thin, and it was almost ten at night. Tsking softly, Fluttershy whispered , “Oh come now. Time for all little foals to be in bed.”

The foal hmmphed, and stuck his nose in the air.

“Condescending wench. I am a proud warrior of the Zebra grasslands, and will be addressed as such.”

Fluttershy just smiled and nodded.

“Of course, forgive me.”

For a moment they just watched the mare before them sleep.

“Your Chane right?”

The foal closed his eyes a moment, then gave a nod.

“I am.”

His eyes shot open as he felt Fluttershy’s wing go around him and draw him to her side. Cheeks flushing, he looked up at her, and smiling, she leaned down to nuzzle his cheek.

“Well then, it’s very nice to meet you Chane. Welcome to Ponyville.”

The foal looked back down, squirming slightly in her embrace. Zebra’s were more often then not touch shy. From the time their weaned, both males and females are denied embraces or nuzzle, to harden them to the harshness of their lands. And even as adults, aside from mating in in the privacy of their huts or houses, it was generally frowned upon to show to much favor to your mate or offspring, the belief being that such a state would detract from the tribe overall. Mind racing, Chane ran through reason after why he nudge her off, or slap her for being so forward. But, after a moment, when his resolve weakened under the gentle warmth of the pegasi, he settled down with a sigh.

“Madam Fluttershy?”

“Yes Chane?”

He sighed, and wiped his nose with a hoof.

“You know who I came with, what they wanted me to do. I didn’t want too, but my sister disgraced us, and refused to return. So, why do you embrace me, this foal who should be your enemy.”

Fluttershy looked at him a moment. Smiling, she drew him to her neck, and rest her head on top of his head, flattening his Mohawk.

“Oh Chane. Tell me, why are you so fearful of me?”

“You… You corrupted my sister. You spend all your time in debauch and filth. You are an outsider, a heathen…”

Leaning back slightly, still smiling.

“I’m… different?”

Slowly, the foal nodded. Taking his hoof, she pressed it to his chest.

“Tell me little one, what do you feel?”

The foal looked down a moment.

“My… heart beat?”

The yellow mare nodded, and drew him against her again with a wing.

“What do you hear now?”

The foal shrugged against her. “Your heart beat. Why?”

Nuzzling the top of his head again, she said softly, “See?”

“See what?”

“There exactly the same.”

The foal looked down, brows knitted as he went through this. He looked up, and frowned somewhat as she continued to stroke his sisters mane. Rolling his eyes, he leaned against the yellow mare, and scrunched his muzzle. Looking back, and seeing the look, Fluttershy giggled.

“What’s wrong?”

“We might be the same, but I still think what you and my sister do is icky.”

Giggling, Fluttershy nuzzled the foal.

“Well, I think some of the comics colts read are icky. Just because we disagree, does that mean we can’t like each other?”

The foal shrugged.

“I guess we can come too amicable agreement.”

Tittering softly, Fluttershy wrapped her hooves and wings around the foal, and squeezed him tight. Cutest. Baby. Brother.

Ever!

Zecora chuckled as she watched the show.

“It is nice to see the two pony’s I love getting along so well.”

Chane yelped and squirmed.

“Release me heathen! You dare embrace me in front of my kin, unclean one!”

Giggling again, Fluttershy let the foal go, who jumped to his sisters side.

“Zecora, are you… ow” Sticking out his bottom lip, he rubbed the top of his head.

“Troublemaking little snapper!”

“How dare you strike the eldest born son… ouch!”

Snorting derisively, Zecora spat back and she raised her hoof again, “Even in our homelands, or whether I liked stallions or mares, little brother, I’d be whipping your worthless hide as much as I want.”

“Witch! Harlot! My vengeance… ow!”

“That is quite enough Zecora!”

Setting her jaw firmly and giving her mate a stern look, Fluttershy drew the colt to her chess.

“Now I know your brother and you aren’t happy with each other right now, but you will not treat him like that in front of me!”

Leaning down, she nuzzled the now sputtering foal in her embrace, and cooed, “Now don’t you worry. Your big sister Zecora is just cranky from having to heal up…”

Zecora sat up gaping.

“What? I’ve got a hole in my side and neck, and you take the side of the boy?”

Fluttershy gave a curt nod, and looked at the zebra expectantly, brows raised.

“What?”

“Apologize!”

Zecora crossed her forelegs, and made a duck face.

“I certainly will not.”

“No double ended marital aid for your missy!”

“Yeah, well…. Hey, Chane?”

Fluttershy looked to her side.

“Is he asleep.”

“I think he fainted….”

………………………………………………………

Cloudkicker groaned as she stretched out her legs in her sleep. Nuzzling into her pillow, she murred softly.

“Uh, yoohoo, Cloud…”

Grumbling now in annoyance, the pegasus wrapped her forelegs around her pillow.

“Ow, damn it! Let go!”

Five more minute mom… she thought. She was to cozy to even care… if she felt a tongue go across her cheek, blech! Launching off of the human to bounce a few feet away on her rump, she vigorously scrubbed her cheek.

“Damn it Garret, what the hay?”

Scowling, the human stood and stretched.

“You were spooning me!”

“I’ll have you know most males would think themselves damn lucky to being embraced by a fine specimen of mare like me."

“That’s cause most males don’t know you!”

Earning himself his first equine raspberry of the day, Garret sat down again.

“Look, just… sorry, ok? I’m not used to this sort of thing.” He patted the spot next to him.

Sticking her nose snootily in the air, Cloudkicker sat back on her haunches and crossed her forelegs.

“Maybe I don’t feel like cuddling some jerk? Maybe I….” suddenly, her words were cut off as lightning clapped outside, and thunder rolled, rattling the windows in there frames and temporarily dimming the lights. In the moments between darkness, Cloud leaped across the floor and dug in next to the human, eyes wide, ears flat against her skull. As the lightning cracked, she gave a small cry, and pressed her face to Garrets shoulder.

“Geez, Cloud… what is, some kind of….” He stopped as he stroked her mane, and felt her trembling.

“CK, you all right?”

The mare nodded, then cried out again when the storm continued outside.

“Good heavens! You spend all day with in the clouds! I would think this sort of thing would be your thing.”

Cloudkicker whimpered, and nuzzled the humans shoulder.

“Lightning doesn’t bother me… It’s thunder…”

“How come?”

Whimpering, the mare lay a wing over the humans chest.

“When… when I was a foal, my dad and uncle went and explored some caverns in northern equestrian. Problem was, we didn’t know that local weather team was running through, and we were flooded. I got knocked off my dad’s back, and was swept further down into the caves. It felt like hours, and the whole time, underwater or with my head sticking out, all I heard was that horrible thunder echoing through the cave. My dad dragged me out, and gave me cpr. Ever since, I can’t stand storms.”

Garret gave the mare a scratch behind the ear, and despite initial annoyance over being treated like fido, she began to feel better. Fear somewhat, she sat up slightly, looking curiously at the armor the human still wore.

“You fought three Zebrican hunters in that?”

Getting a nod, she shook her head.

“Your are either brave, or foolish.”

Grinning, the human replied, “I’m neither.”

Undoing the clasps on the green and brown leather armor, he lifted it slightly. Under it, he wore another shirt, but under the soft leather of the armor was mesh of chain mail.

Fascination with all things military in full effect, Cloudkicker tilted her head.

“That’s… not steel, or iron. What is that?”

“Kalresian. Light as a feather, five times stronger then pegasi steel. Of course, if a dragon were to chuck me onto a mountainside…”

“Sweet Celestia… that must have cost a mint…”

“Nope, my Commanding officer gave it to me when he retired. I got a plate one at home, but this ones lighter.”

And with that, the two settled into discussions of respective equipment

..........................

the Next morning

Dinky sat morosely on the bench, kicking her hind hooves over the dirt under her current seat. Since yesterday, doctors had been in to see her, asking how she felt, if she got enough sleep. Any nightmares. It didn’t make sense all the fuss everyone was making. Mr. Garret had walked in saved her and Zecora from those bad zebras. When she had said this, of course the nurse and doctor looked shocked, and asked how she felt about the bad stallions dying. She merely said, “They were bad guys.” Now she was under observation. Hay, it wasn’t like she’d never seen a dead pony before.

Hearing somepony’s hooves crunching the dirt pat through the hospitals private garden, she looked up a moment, then down again. Chane. Despite avoiding him when she could, she really didn’t hate the little zebra. Not only was he Zecora’s brother, but he tried to stop the bigger zebra’s from being so mean. Now, the grown-ups were trying to find a place for him, though both Fluttershy and Zecora said he could stay with them.

“Hello.”

“Uh, hi… Chane. Wanna sit down?”

The colt nodded, and said, “Yes, I would like that very much, thank you.”

That was another thing. He wasn’t any older then any other foal in town, why was he always talking like a grownup? Jumping onto the bench, Chane folded his legs under him, and looked at Dinky.

“Ms. Dinky, theres a matter I wish to discuss with you.”

There it was, that grown up talk. The little grey unicorn gave a nod.

“I want too…. Apologize. I’m so very sorry I couldn’t stop what happened, and am especially sorry over the behavior of that stallion.”

Dinky shrugged.

“Is okay. What did he mean though, I’d be a bride for his son? Im just a filly.”

Chane winced. Back in the home country, though the princesses had done much to eradicate such practices, a forced marriage was semi-rare occurrence. He remembered the scared, hollow look of the girls his father had married, and how quickly they’d disappeared. Shaking his head, he smiled.

“Its… complicated…”

Pouting, Dinky looked down to the dirt again.

“Miss Kicker and Sparks always tell me that. And mommy would do the same thing too.”

“Where is your mother Ms. Dinky?”

“She died.”

Chane winced, and looked down shamefully.

“I’m sorry.”

“Where’s your mommy.”

Shrugging his shoulder, Chane said “She’s dead.”

“I’m sorry.”

Chane drew invisible circles in the bench with his hoof. Really, one of the first conversations he’d had with someone his own age since he left home, and already he stuck his hoof in his mouth. Ears turning towards the trees, he looked up. Maybe… smiling, he said, “Ms. Dinky.”

The unicorn turned to the zebra. Looking up at the tree, Chane let out a sweet litany of notes. From the tree, a song sang back. Dinky’s eyes widened as a little blue bird flittered down, and gazed up at the two equines.

“Its… It’s a blue jay…”

Chane nodded, and whistled again. The bird took a couple steps forward.

“You can talk to them like Ms. Fluttershy.”

Chuckling, Chane shook his head.

“No, I don’t. In any case, birds don’t sing to be pretty or because they like it.”

“They don’t?”

“No. The sing to stake out territory. Basically, they’re yelling, “MY TREE, MY TREE.”

The avian let out a series of notes. Snorting, Chane leaped off the bench, and lowered his head to the ground.

“No, MY DINKY! MINE!”

The bird sang again. And again, Chane shook his head firmly.

“Nuh-uh, MY DINKY! Go get your own, MINE!”

Sticking its beak haughtily into the air, the bird relented. Nodding and smirking, Chane said, “Yeah, you’d better flap off! NEEEAAAGGGHHH” At the end, he stuck his tongue out for good measure.

Dinky giggled, and covered her face with her hooves.

“Oh Chane, your so silly!”

Chapter Seven

The next morning

Cloudkicker and Garret wandered through the market, the human decidedly the more disgruntled of the two. Holding the cloth sack in his hands, he raised his eyebrows.

“You mind telling me again how I ended carrying your shit?”

Cloudkicker shrugged her wings, perusing the apples in front of her.

“Mysterious powers of all females mixed with humans disposition for chivalrous acts?”

Tossing a few bits towards big Macintosh, Cloudkicker giggled.

“Ok, I got one. How do you know a humans been through your yard?”

Garret shrugged as a few apples were added to his load.

“Your dogs pregnant and all your trash cans are empty.”

“Charming. Ok, how do you know a Kickers lost their spear and wingblades?”

Rolling her eyes, the equine wandered to the next stall.

“We switch to the stick up our plots as a back up. Come on, that one goes back to the Rebellions.”

“Gotta respect the classics.”

The mare gave a nuzzle to Rose, and whispered something in her ear that made the mare blush and knock her away.

Giggling , Cloudkicker looked over her selections.

“Ok, how do you hide money from a human?”

“Uh, no idea.”

“You hide it under the soap dish.”

Snorting, the human followed the lavender furred mare to her next destination.

“All right then. What do ten Kickers say when they come up against a single human soldier?”

Cloudkicker hmm’d, tapping her chin with a hoof.

“I give up.”

“Correct.”

“Hey, what do you call a human who graduates from kindergarten at the age of fifteen?”

“I don’t know…”

“A genius.”

“Hey, what do you call a pony mixed with a flower? A blooming idiot!”

Cloudkicker shook her head, snorting with amusement.

“Ok wise guy. Whats two miles long and has an IQ of six?”

“I don’t know.”

Cloudkicker giggled.

“A Templar parade procession.”

The human smirked.

“Ok, why do Kicker’s encourage their foals to join them in exercises?”

“No idea.”

“So their soldiers can beat someone in hoof to hoof drills.”

…………………………………………………………………..

Chane walked mutely behind Fluttershy. Humming softly to herself, she looked up into the air as she considered the future of her newest charge.

“Oh, lets see. You’ll need some new notebooks, a saddle bag, new pens… hmm…”

Chane looked up, and tilted his head.

“For… what?”

Looking over her shoulder, she gave a encouraging smile.

“For school of course, silly.”

The zebras brows knitted together a moment, then he ahhed.

“Oh yes. The place where your offspring learn.”

The Pegasus gave a nod. Chane gave a derisive snort.

“I already know how to read and write. And I already speak your tongue. What more do I need?”

Fluttershy giggled, and shrugged her wings.

“Oh Chane. School is so much more then that! Theres preparation for festivals, playing with your friends, learning something new everyday…” the mare jumped and down excitedly in place a moment, and walked back to Chane to give him a nuzzle.

“Oh, your just going to have so much fun!”

Chane chuckled, still tensing slightly at the affections of the Pegasus.

“Did you like school, Ms Fluttershy.”

The yellow mare took a step back, her smile fading…

Clutzershy!

Hey look, it’s the failure…

Ms. Shy, would you please step in her and close the door… Yes, there is something you can so I won’t call your mother…

We’re sorry ma’am… the damage was too much… she’ll never be able to have foals…

Hey Eepysqueak… wanna try something new? No its ok, I promise its fun… trust me….

There was nothing we could do… Your mother…

Fluttershy jumped slightly from the nuzzle under her chin. Chane, blushing furiously from being so forward, looked at her, blue eyes wide with concern.

“Ms. Fluttershy… are you ok?”

The Pegasus smiled, and gave a nod. Turning around, she walked down the road too her cottage. Chane shook his head sadly. That same look as those mares his father married. His little heart heavy, he followed Fluttershy.

……………………………………………………………….

Cloudkicker slid the saddlebags off her back, and flopped on the couch with a groan. Garret sighed, and shaking his head, walked into the kitchen, and began to put the various products away.Smirking, the mare lifted her head to wink at him from her reclining spot.

“Its so nice to have a woman who knows their way around the house.”

“Oh, ha ha.”

Giggling, Cloudkicker sat up on her haunches, continuing to observe.

“Seriously though. You certainly know your way around the kitchen.”

The human shrugged.

“Was raised in orphanage. No mom to help. Had too relearn everything when my wife died.”

Cloudkicker jumped slightly.

“Oh Celestia…. Garret…”

The human turned his back too her, putting boxes away.

“She was… carrying my son at the time…”

The mare gasped, and looked down at her saddlebags.

“Oh geez… I’m so sorry Garret…”

She looked up again.

“How…?”

The human paused, then put the last box of of one bag in place.

“Bandit raid. First settlement got razed, I was out on patrol. We got ambushed, and I was the only survivor.”

“The village…”

“Everyone dead…”

Cloudkicker snarled, and lay down again.

“I hope you caught the bastards.”

Garrets eyes widened, and his hands shook.

Within the day court, Celestia looked over the bills and treaties, when a Pegasus burst through the door. Weeping, he prostrated himself before the princess.

“Princess, Princess, please! You must help me!”

As the guards moved forward to remove him, the diarch stilled them with a glance. Rising from her throne, she extended her

wings to their fullest.

“Leave us.”

Bowing, the various servants and guards quickly emptied the room. Smiling gently, the mare walked down the steps. The pegasi winced, and looked up, eyes wild. What was that? Something in the rafters… no, no. He was safe… he was ok.

“What is wrong my little pony?”

Tears streaming down his cheeks, he cried, “Milady, the clan… something is hunting us! Sixteen have already fallen, my comrades sit and do nothing! My family will not heed my words! I know I am next! Please…” He looked up, eyes wide with hope, then gaped in horror.

“Please…” Celestia repeated no smile graced his regents lips, her eyes were a cold fury.

“How many, my little pony, said please..,” the equines entire body locked, his eyes widening in horror. Suddenly, from far away, he registered some weight on his back, and as he collapsed his wings were pinned beneath two knees.

“My little pony…” He looked over his shoulder behind him, and saw a covered face, and piercing green blue eyes. His ears ached with the heaviness of his princesses next words.

“I am… very disappointed in you…”

The equine jerked as the curved throwing knife jabbed his throat, slicing through artery and muscle as it sunk inward. As the blade was drawn out, and his blood gushed out over the carpet, his last thought was…

“But… I did it for you…”

Garret frowned, and began to put the rest of the groceries away.

“Yeah, I did.”

Chapter Eight

Chane’s brow furrowed as stood on one hind leg, precariously balanced on a chair as he shelved a bag of flour. Pushing it into the shelf, he gave a nod of satisfaction. As he lowered the opposing leg, the chair began skidding slightly, putting the zebra off balance. Yelping in surprise, his forelegs scrambling for purchase as he began to fall backwards, he felt his perch beginning to fall back on it two back legs, and clenching his teeth for the impending ground, Chane fell back. The pain never came, only a slight grunt, and the feeling of something soft under him. As she was working, Fluttershy had seen her son, (the word still managing to send warm feelings in her heart), beginning to fall. Now, heart easing off its rapid pace, she lowered herself to let the zebra off her back.

Giving a slight exhale of relief, she turned to Chane, and smiled.

“Chane, I appreciate your help, but really…”

The foal shook his head vehemently.

“Ms Fluttershy…” the Pegasus winced internally. She didn’t expect him to call mom or anything like that, but it still hurt the distance he kept between him and her, “I simply cannot lay around your cottage like a lump. I must earn my keep as a guest in….” the rest of Chane’s words were stilled as the mare pressed a hoof to his lips, a slight frown in place.

“Chane…” the zebra jumped slightly. Fluttershy wasn’t angry, but her tone was firm, and altogether serious, commanding his respect and undivided attention. Eyes not leaving his, she continued, “First of all, you are not a guest here. This is your home. Do you understand?”

Chane nodded.

Nodding back, she took her hoof away, and continued in the same no-nonsense tone.

“Secondly, you shouldn’t be concerning yourself in grown pony problems. Zecora and I are the adults, you are the child. Clear?”

At her words, the zebra’s eyes flashed.

“I am not a child. I passed the trials of adulthood!”

The mare shook her head.

“Not here in Equestria you haven’t.”

Seeing his scowl, Flutteryshy sighed, then smiled.

“Ok, how about this? Just for the next few days, you just worry about school and settling in. And for today, after I finish putting everything away, you can help me with dinner.”

Scowl softening, Chane gave a slight nod, then with a sigh, turned and walked to the couch. Jumping onto it, he shifted until he was comfortable, and watched as the Pegasus bustled about. As he watched, he felt something jab him in the side. Turning slightly, he regarded the rabbit sitting next to him, beady little blacks looking up at him angrily. Shrugging, he went back to his thoughts. Now furious, Angel thumped his right hind leg against the zebras haunch.

Slowly, Chane looked back, then lowered his head to the rabbits level. Eyes narrowed, the zebra blew a gust of air out of his nostrils onto Angel. Tucking his forelegs to his chest, the rabbit leaned back slightly, giving a nervous smile. Chane just frowned, and after a moment, cocked a brow. And with that slight movement, Angel turned and jumped down off the couch. Cowering behind the table, he glared balefully up at his usurper.

……………………………………………….

Cloudkicker watched as Garret sliced off another strip of steak from his plate, then grimaced as he chewed, then swallowed the meat.

“I hope that’s not one of ours your chowing down on…”

The human shook his head.

“No, Territories oxen, not Equestrian cows or bulls.” Nodding towards the plate in front of the mare, he continued, “Enjoy your stir-fry?”

She thought it was delicious, but Cloudkicker wasn’t about to give Garret the satisfaction. Giving a shrug of her wings, she replied, “Not bad.”

Slicing off another piece of steak, Garret raised a brow.

“Oh good, I’m glad to hear that. Wasn’t too sure since that’s your third plate…” Garret grunted slightly as the mares wing shot out to cuff him upside the head. Drawing it back, and blushing somewhat at being zinged, Cloudkicker scowled.

“Hey, fuck you. Cloud wrangling eats up a lot of calories you bastard.”

Rubbing the spot on his head a moment, Garret grinned.

“Oh, your hard work definitely shows.”

Picking up his fork again, he brought the piece of steak up to his mouth, and as he did said, “You know, I’m impressed. Most equines can’t stand the sight, or smell, of meat, cooked or raw.”

Still happy from his compliment of her frame, damage control over his insult or not, Cloudkicker answered, “Well, pegasi do eat fish. And I’ve had gryphons in my life now and again. Definitely exposes one to things most equines never see.”

With that, the two returned to their meal. Finishing hers first, Cloudkicker licked her chops.

“Seriously, where did you learn to cook?”

The human shrugged, and took the plates to the sink.

“Again, had to relearn it all when my wife died. But even before I was married, I knew how to cook. I used to spend a lot of time out in the forest as a Templar. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve had too cook something on the fly out there.”

As he began to wash, Cloudkicker asked, “What was your wifes name?”

“Kala.”

Somewhat encouraged, Cloudkicker followed up her questions.

“Do you mind telling me what she was like?”

Stepping from the sink, Garret turned, and walked back to the couch.

“She was… confident. And kind. Stubborn as a mule, and loved the color blue.” Garret smiled as he sat down. “She was my best friend.”

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a photo. Looking over it, Cloudkicker’s jaw dropped.

“You were married to her?”

“Impressed?”

Cloudkicker nodded mutely.

“She’s… she was beautiful Garret…”the mare shot her hoof to her muzzle, eyes widened with shock. Before she could apologize, the human put the photo back into his pocket, and said simply, “Yeah, she was.”

As he sipped his drink, Cloudkicker waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“I bet she was a great lay too…”

Looking at the mare out of the corner of his eye, Garret laid the glass back on the table, and said warningly, “Cloud…”

Nudging his arm with a hoof, Cloudkicker forged ahead.

“Oh come on. Give me something? I’ll tell you one of mine.”

Garret rolled his eyes, and leaned back against the couch.

“You can’t compare one of your conquests with my wedding night.”

“Why? Cause a proper mare shouldn’t talk about these sort of things?”

The human looked at the pony evenly.

“No. Because I don’t think any of those people loved you.”

Cloudkicker winced, and rubbed her foreleg with a hoof, looking away from the human.

“That’s not… true…”

“It’s not?”

Looking back, the mare shook her head.

“Well, yeah! I know the difference between banging and lovemaking. Like with….” Cloudkicker paused, and gnawed her lip a moment.

“Like with Derpy.”

“What was she like?”

The mare giggled.

“She was a klutz. I remember the first words I ever heard from her were “I don’t know what went wrong!’ That was way back in flight camp, and it would be years before I saw her again. Third day in Ponyville, most pregnant mare I’ve ever seen saunters up, asking me to fuck her silly.”

Seeing the look on his face, she amended, “I didn’t of course! She was all hopped up on hormones, would have been no better then hopping in the sack with a drunk. A few month later, gave birth to the cutest filly in all of Equestria, and took in Sparks.”

Garret nodded.

“Oh yeah, Cal’s girl right?”

“You know the human?”

“Brother in law.”

Cloudkicker frowned.

“May I be direct Garret?”

“Proceed.”

“I love Sparkler like she was my own. She’s tough as all get out, but she’s got a soft heart under the shell. If Cal breaks her heart, I’ll break his legs.”

Chuckling, Garret nodded.

“Fair enough.I take it you two were pretty serious?”

“Nah. Like I said, I’m not in for the long term.”

“Huh?”

“Ok, look, I loved Derps more then anypony in the world. That’s why I couldn’t get serious with her, you know?”

Seeing the look in his eyes, Cloudkicker rubbed the end of her snout.

“Ok… lets see… I love the idea of marriage. When I was a filly, I used to love the idea of finding my special somepony, getting married, growing old… But, in the end, I couldn’t. It wouldn’t have been fair to Derpy, and wouldn’t have been right to say I was commited when I wasn’t.”

The mare wiped a tear from her eye with a wing.

“And then that… fucking tumor got her…”

“Cloudkicker….”

“Its ok… Me and her slept together one last time the day she died, so…”

Cloudkicker jumped slightly as the glass slid from Garret’s fingers, and he looked over at her.

“What?”

Bristling somewhat from his glare, she replied, “Hey, save your preaching! This ain’t no church.”

Leaning forward, Garret moaned.

“A mare was dying… cancer eating her, and you…”

“Hey! I made her last day special…”

The human snarled, “Don’t fucking kid yourself!”

Cloudkicker leaned away from Garret, eyes wide.

“Don’t kid yourself Cloudkicker… what you did, you did just for you…”

Chapter Nine

Silence ruled the living room of the mare. After his two bits, Garret merely pulled out a smoke, and settled into a stubborn silence, while Cloudkicker sat next to him, infuriated at the humans gall. For a few moments, she considered bucking the male out of her apartment and out of her life, but with a snort, she merely looked away from the human to the floor. Minutes passed, and her anger morphed into a sick sadness in the pit of her stomach. Wings going slightly limp in her misery, the pony became lost in her thoughts

Before tonight, Cloudkicker never talked about Derpy. At all. After her lovers death, a event that easily equaled, and may very well surpassed the death of her mother, the pegasi entered perhaps the darkest moment of her life. Despite her outward strutting, inside, Cloudkicker had basically shut down. And when Sparks and Dink’s needed her most, she had abandoned them. Rainbow Dash had gotten her shit together thankfully, and proved a superb parent. Not that I noticed though, Cloudkicker amended in her head. Her frown deepened as she remembered sitting on this same couch she was on now, a brown bottle of pills in hoof, wanting it all to end…

“Cloud…”

The mare jumped slightly, and wiped her cheek. Looking at the slightly damp fur of a foreleg, she realized she’d been crying.Tapping the end of his smoke into his now empty glass, Garret continued.

“I’m sorry I made you cry. I meant what I said, and still believe it, but… I shouldn’t have dug into you like that.”

Sniffing, Cloud wiped her snout.

“Its ok… but is it all right if I change the subject?”

“Fair enough…”

Sniffing again, Cloudkicker leaned back against the couch, flopping her head back as she crossed her forelegs across her chest. Puckering her muzzle, she considered her options. Slowly, her muzzle lost its scrunched up look, but her eyes narrowed.

“You know my dad’s in town right?”

“Yes…”

She looked over at the human, and putting out his smoke, Garret looked back.

“It’s just… he seems pretty chummy with that Atticus, you know?”

“Well, Tornado is his commander…”

The lavender coated mare shook her head.

“Its more than that… When my dad thought no one was looking, I saw him looking at Atticus with this weird expression.”

“What… you think he’s sweet on him or something?”

“Celestia’s sake, my dad? I don’t think he’s ever been really smitten with anyone, least of all another… male…” slowly a look of horrified comprehension came over Cloudkicker’s muzzle, and her misery was in an instant doubled. Groaning, she face hoofed.

“What?”

“A lot of my foalhood just made an awful lot of sense!”

……………………………………………………………

A recent staple of the human culture came about within the couple of months before the raid on the first settlement. Before the raid, numerous equine nobles and entreapaneurs endeavored to remove humanity entirely from Equestria, either through threats, financial undermining, political double talk, or legal meandering and chicanery. Mostly these efforts were ignored by both the humans and the Diarchy, however, some of the more tenacious and persistent equines were displayed in a black faux leather journal, which was passed out among almost all the human populace.

The bingo book.

Once labeled as a threat, and placed in the tome, equines often found themselves confronted with humans who two minutes ago speaking perfect Equestrian, suddenly reverting into the ancient human tongue, unable to understand anything the pony was saying. Of course, this behavior tended towards civilians. Currently active, or inactive or former members of the humans army treated the book with an almost reverence, once seeing the pony matching up, would lock their steely gaze upon them until they left their town, and even among the farmers and business owners, the pages were memorized, and the second one of that pictures was matched, word was sent to every soldier. These channels were doubled and tightened after the raid.

And that was why a young human male jogged into the café, and tugged on Atticus shirt. As the human knelt, the boy stood on tip toes, and cupped his hand over the adults ear. After a moment of quick whispers, Atticus’s features hardened somewhat, and as the child ran back out of the café, Atticus rose, and turned to a curious Tornadokicker.

“Sir, we have a problem.”

……………………………………………………………………………….

Captain Wind, or Aunt Wind as she was known to a certain local playmare, regarded the humans wandering about their work, or staring at her with arms crossed, an expression of what she wrongfully assumed was fear across their features. Savages, she thought. Creatures like this could never see reason, could only understand dominance or a whip across their backs. A whole village burned to the ground, and despite the Royalty and human republic making it look like a bandit raid, the message should have been clear that they were not welcome. Sadly, most of her comrades, good honest Celestia loving soldiers thank you very much, did not see the humans as worthy of their attention. And the very idea of such things being placed in Wind’s beloved Guard, serving as equals in it, was enough to make the mare want to rip out her own pinions in frustration.

Speaking of frustration… eyes burning with contempt, she regarded the stallion who trotted up to her, its pet human in tow.

“Tornado.”

The stallion nodded.

“Wind.”

Smiling sweetly, the mare said, “Traitor.”

Keeping his stoic guard face, the stallion retorted, “Bench.”

Outwardly still smiling, Wind instantly seethed inside. A bench, the slur similar, though worse then the humans cunt or whore, basically meant the female in question was easy, good for only breeding or as a bedroom toy. Sweet smile still in place, she replied cooly “I think you’ve been too long amongst the humans my dear.”

Closing his eyes, Tornado inhaled deeply, then at the exhale, opened his eyes again, gazing sternly at Wind.

“What do you want Captain?”

“Straight to the point as always. As I understand it, young Cloudy has become friends with a ex-templar named Garret. You and I both know who this man is, what he did, and why the clan is… concerned with this situation.”

At this, Tornado flicked an ear, and grimaced.

“I fail, captain, to see how any relationship my daughter has is any of the clans business.”

Shaking her head sadly, Wind tsked.

“Once again, Tornado, you let your feelings cloud your judgement. In any case, I have no feud with Cloudkicker, I’m just here to visit a friend in the hospital.”

Tornadokicker regarded Wind a moment, then spat, “Fine.”

He bared his teeth as he walked forward.

“Just so we’re clear though…” to her credit, Wind didn’t back down as the stallion walked up, and towered over the smaller equine. But she was forced to take a couple of steps back when a hoof pressed to her front and pushed her back, and Tornadokicker snarled, “Nobody messes with my foal. Get it?”

…………………………………………………………………

Wind trudged through the woods, head low, wings dragging. She wouldn’t weep, not there. Not in front of her fellow pony’s, and definitely not in front of the savages. Show no fear, no weakness. She snorted as her sergeants words echoed through her head. She might be a soldier, but her friend was dead, and all she wanted to do now was weep. Suddenly, she felt herself under someones shadow. Looking up, she gazed at the stone carving.

Eyes wide with all her malice and hate, Nightmare Moon glared down at the pegasi. Undaunted, Wind sat down in front of the testament to the princesses past, and tilted her head. It was hard to imagine that Luna she knew was at one time was that monster. Looking back down, Wind clenched her eyes shut. Her entire frame shook as her tears leaked out.

“Captain.”

Gasping, Wind leapt to her feet in a blur of movement. Whipping around, wings flared out in a combat pose, she looked towards the source of the voice. Her features tightened when she saw it was Tornado’s pet human. Snorting, she folded her wings to her side again, though her muzzle retained its angry expression.

“Is there something wrong…” she grimaced further, and spat out the next word as though its presence in her muzzle was disgusting, “…Lieutenant. “

“No ma’am. I was concerned though for your safety.”

Wind regarded Atticus a moment, then with a sigh, turned back to the statue. Regarding it a moment, she said, in a somewhat nicer tone then she did when she first turned, “I’m fine, Lieutenant. I apologize.”

The human walked up next to the mare, and though she tensed somewhat with his proximity, she made no efforts to stop him.

“For what, ma’am?”

“For… my behavior in town, and right now.” Seeing the human about to protest, she raised a forehoof to stop his words.

“I don’t apologize, or at least I haven’t for awhile. Just take it.”

Atticus nodded, and looked back to the statue. For a moment, the two stood in silence.

“Is there… something else Lieutenant.”

“Yes captain. Why? When I saw you before, you were glaring at everyone of my people as though they did something too you. And though at the time we hadn’t spoken, I was worried I had done something to offend you.”

The mare looked up at the human out of the corner a moment, then said, “My friend commited suicide today.”

Atticus looked down.

“I’m sorry. Sadly, that’s a more common thing in our line of work then it should be.”

Wind shook her head.

“She… she didn’t kill herself because of fatigue or ptsd, Lieutenant…” the pony’s shuddered, “She was raped…” seeing the human cover his mouth, she turned her head to look up at him again.

“By three of your people.”

The human looked away from the equines gaze, and whispered, “I’m… I’m so sorry ma’am. How… how could she... hurt herself though? Wasn’t she in the hospital?”

Snorting, Wind rose of her hindquarters, and dusted the leaves and debris with her tail.

“For all the good it did. Useless doctors and nurses…” she turned and began to walk away. “But they aren’t the ones I blame.” And with that, the pony left the human alone.

Chapter Ten

One week later...

Tornado tapped his hoof impatiently against the boards of the train stations floors, standing then sitting again as though there were a tack under his haunch. Tilting forward, he looked down the tracks, and seeing nothing in the distance, let out an annoyed snort before leaning back.

Sighing, Atticus removed the watch from his pocket, and studied it a moment.

“Calm down sir, it should arrive any time now.”

Scowling, Tornado turned his head to glare up at his subordinate, and opened his muzzle to put the human in his place. Suddenly, a blare of a horn in the distance stilled his wrath, and snapping his jaw and ears perked to their fullest, he hopped onto all fours. The train barreled down the tracks, and began to slow as it came around the bend. Grinning like a foal at Heartswarming, he waved eagerly at a figure in the window. As the train slowed, then stopped, the carriage doors flew open, and a squeal of excitement hurt all ears present as a white and lavender blur streaked out.

Tornadokicker acked as the streak collided with his neck, knocking up on his hindlegs a moment, but he maintained his balance to fall back on his forehooves. Still catching the breath knocked out of him, he laughed as he wrapped his forelegs around the giggling, squirming foal nuzzling his neck as she clutched him tightly around his neck.

“Daddy!”

Gently undoing her grip, Tornadokicker set Alula back down onto the platform. Staring down at her a moment, he felt his usual warm fuzzies in his heart whenever he saw one of his foals, and leaning forward, he nuzzled the top of her head, letting a paternal rumble. Giggling at the somewhat silly big cat sound her sire made from time to time, Alula leaned into the affection.

“Oh, its soooooooo good to see you daddy!”

Chuckling, the stallion leaned back, regarding the filly.

“By the diarchy child, you’re growing like a weed. What are you aunt and uncle feeding you?”

Giggling, Alula shrugged her wings, then made a scrunched muzzle look of annoyance.

“A lot of vegetables and milk… “

Snickering at his foals look, the stallion nuzzled her head again.

“It builds character my love.”

Rolling her eyes, Alula quipped, “I think I’ve got enough character thanks.”

Still smiling, though his eyes suddenly sad, Tornadokicker muttered, “Your mother would have been so proud…”

Seeing her tilt her head up then to the left, and the look in her eyes, Tornadokicker cleared his throat. Looking back to the train, he said cheerfully, “So, where’s Eli?”

Looking down again, Alula said softly, “Umm, still on the train. He’s grabbing my books and stuff..” casting her upwards and putting them into puppy mode, Alula asked, “Umm, dad? Is it okay if I go and see if Dink’s home? I haven’t seen her in awhile…”

Smile fading that his little foal didn’t want to spend her fathers last day in town with him, it lifted again as he remembered why Eli and Swiftblade were moving to this town with Alula in the first place. Nodding, he said, “Of course. I have to talk to your uncle anyway. Atticus here will take you, and I’ll pick you up later.”

Nodding excitedly, the filly walked up to the human, and ducked her head slightly in shyness.

“Umm, Its very nice to meet you sir.”

Nodding, the human replied warmly, “And it is my sincere please to meet you, Ms. Alula.” As he watched his daughter warm up slightly to the larger being before her, Tornadokicker chuckled softly. Turning his head back to the train, he regarded the human walking down the steps. Carrying a suitcase in one hand, the stallion knew that across the clenched hand was the word love tattooed across the knuckles, and briefly Tornado glimpsed hate tattooed across the opposing hand. Both sleeves of the humans white shirt were rolled up, revealing a skull on one arm, the other being bare. Atop the mans head was a blue yarmulke, the hair under it a black combed neatly into place. Both bottle green eyes regarded the equine warmly.

“Yo.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Eli and Tornado sat contentedly next to each other, watching as the parade of life passed them by, neither saying a word since they’d gotten there. Deciding to fill the void, the stallion asked, “How’s she been? Alula, I mean.”

Eli rubbed his chin a moment, then replied simply, “Not so good. She’s been happier since she heard she was moving here, but before… She just threw herself into school. And when she outdid students and teachers alike, she just closed herself off in her room with her books. It scared me.”

The stallion looked down.

“Sorry Eli. I’ve tried, you know?”

Smiling warmly, Eli clapped the stallion on the back.

“I do. And so does Alula. She such a fine young lady, and its been and honor you letting me and Swift take her in. And we all know what a beast the military can be on families. But just know, me and my wife will do all we can to make sure she’s happy and healthy, and has the best education we can give her.”

Chuckling, the stallion nudged Eli with a wing.

“I’d imagine Cheerillees not exactly thrilled with a homeschoolers in her territory.”

Rolling his eyes, the human replied curtly, “She insists on seeing our credentials, workbooks, and surprise inspections.”

………………………………………………………………………………

Tornado yawned as he walked to the front of Rainbow’s house, and as he raised his hoof to knock, it opened. Blinking at the sudden movement, he nodded at Sparkler, who made shush noise. Leaning forward, she whispered, “She’s asleep…”

The stallion tapped his hoof to his chin a moment, then smiling, whispered something back. Eyes wide, Sparkler asked, “You sure?”

Shrugging one wing with a sheepish grin, the other still in its wrappings, the stallion whispered back, “Pretty soon, she’ll be to big to want too anymore.”

Rolling her eyes, Sparkler walked back in, the equine behind her tiptoeing into the living. Suddenly, the unicorn’s horn lit up slightly, and covered the pegasi filly in its aura. Slowly lifting the pony and floating her through the air, she gently laid her across her father’s back. Smiling in her sleep, Alula nuzzled into her father’s mane, and sighed contentedly. After making sure she was on somewhat securely, Tornado gave a soft thank you, and then walked back to his daughter’s new home.

……………………………………………..

“Dad…?” Alula fluttered her eyes open, and smiled at her father as he laid her blanket over her. Squirming under the covers, she yawned, and smacked her lips.

“Will… will you be here when I get up?”

Shaking his head sadly, Tornado replied, “Sorry sugar cube. I gotta get up real early to catch my train to Canterlot.” He wiggled his bandaged wing slightly, eliciting a slight giggle. “Gotta get this fixed up.”

Leaning his head down, he made the same growling purr of contentment he did at the train station, and said “Good night. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

Giggling temporarily postponed on account of exhaustion, Alula gave a tired nuzzle in return.

“Bye dad. I love you.”

Chapter Eleven

Within Ponyville, the usually busy midafternoon venues and businesses fell into an unsettling silence, aside from the squeaking of shutters as frightened pony’s and humans gazed out of their hiding places. In the center of town, a lone mare wandered. A pegasi. Not an uncommon occurrence by any stretch of one’s imagination, but this one was different. Her coat was a dark grey, similar to that of storm clouds, her mane a light golden color. So similar in fact to the mares age, one’s first look would think her Derpy resurrected, but this mares frame also had a lithe muscle tone to it, suggesting she was a warrior. And unlike the warm, maternal warmth give off by the wall eyed female, this one had a distinctive edge to it. Like, if you so much as looked at her wrong, she’d take your head off.

But what was truly different, and solidified her position as not Ditzy Doo wasn’t her cutie mark, which in this mare’s case was crossed swords, but were her eyes. Her eyes were an icy blue, exhuming a cunning and intelligence many assumed their towns mail mare never had. Several human males, and three females, walked out into the middle of the street. As they drew closer, from their new angle, all could see that under her fur, scars could be seen, criss crossing a dashing across her frame. The mare’s eyes locked with theirs. She looked… beautifully sad. Quickly a creature of contempt became a creature of pity. Unsure what to do now, the humans looked at each other a moment, then back at the mare.

The lead male walked forward, and folded his hands behind his back.

“Swiftblade, former member of Clan Kicker, former member of the Royal Guard… what is your business here? We have much to spare, and shall gladly do so with you. But know this: this is our home.”

Slowly, the mare lips lifted into something that may have been a smile.

“Small world. It’s also mine.”

“It is.”

All heads turned towards the voice, and the human’s leader nodded.

“Is that so Eli?”

Nodding, the human walked towards the mare. The pony visibly relaxed, and her cool eyes warmed slightly. She still looked angry, but that was quickly becoming a matter of her feature structure rather than actual emotion.

“So, you can vouch for her?”

The human nodded.

“She’s my wife.” Coming up to her, he gently ran his fingers over her neck, and closing her eyes, leaned against him companionably. A murmur of surprise went through the humans, though not one of disgust or anger. Merely… surprise. The humans circled up, and after a few moments of hurried whispers, the leader went back, his face visible relaxed.

“In that case Eli, we can only offer our apologies. I hope your mate could forgive our actions.” All the humans looked at her expectantly. With a shrug and nod of assent, the humans dispersed, and a few began to filter from the homes to open stalls. All humans, no pony’s. Rolling her eyes, Swift muttered, “I think we might want to clear the streets. I don’t anyone’s going to sell shit with us standing here.”

…………………………………………………………………………….

Swiftblade moaned as she walked through the door of her new home and stretched cat style over the floor, and after the stretch regarded the trappings inside.

“Home sweet home…” smiling, Swift gave a nod, then looked around.

“Where’s Alula?”

“In here!”

Right brow raised, Swift walked through to door to the kitchen, and watched bemusedly as her niece waved at her, then went back to washing dishes.

“Uncle Eli’s got me busting my hump to earn my keep!”

Letting out a rare chuckle, the dark grey coated mare gave a nod.

“I can see that. Why not stop and come give me a hug?”

“Almost done… there.” Laying the towel in the sink, the filly hopped off the stand she was on to reach the sink, and cantered over. Wrapping her forelegs around the older pony’s neck, she nuzzled her aunt lovingly. Looking down, Swiftblade gave an obligatory once over her nieces wings. After a moments inspection, she leaned down, and taking a feather between her teeth, swiftly pulled a pinion, eliciting a yelp. Flopping back on her rump, Alula scrunched her muzzle, and glared at her aunt.

Frowning, Swiftblade shook her head.

“What did I tell you, little one? If you don’t take proper care of your feathers, you wouldn’t be able to fly right.”

“Well, sis was busy…” the filly objected feebly.

“What about your uncle Eli?”

“I tried…” the human in question said with a shrug. Both females looked at him, one curiously, the other glaring. “She said she didn’t want a male to do it.”

Raising her brows fully, she turned back to Alula, and said in a stern tone, “Is that right?”

Pouting, Alula shook her head again.

“Males never pull ‘em right. Rumble volunteered and…” both human and foal jumped as the mare stamped her hoof, and snarled, “Both of you. Living room. Now.”

“Alula, sit there…” gulping, the white coated quickly took her place at the center of the room.

“Eli, behind her…” just a quickly, the human sat cross legged on the floor. Now in their seats, they both looked at Swift expectantly.

Laying down, and folding her legs under her, Swiftblade gave another nod.

“Proceed.”

Alula looked over her shoulder, and Eli gave a shrug, before reaching down gently. The foal whimpered, and tried to draw away, but as she turned her head back, was met with her aunt’s gaze.

“Sit.”

She sat. Shaking his head, Eli reached forward again, and slowly ran his fingers over the diminiutive wings. Whimpering, Alula clenched her eyes, expecting the same debacle as her friends. But as his fingers worked, she slowly relaxed. Seeing this, Swift nodded and gave a chuckle.

“Not so bad huh?”

Alula opened her eyes, and gave a small nod.

“Got a loose one. On three?”

Again, the filly nodded eyes wide.

“Three!” with a sharp tug, he pulled the feather free, eliciting a yelp of pain and surprise. Pressing a coagulant sponge to the spot, Eli chuckled as he watched his niece relax again.

“That one really needed to go, huh? That itch must have been terrible…” Alula gave another small nod. A few minutes later, he patted her on her head.

“All done.” The filly opened her eyes again, and giving a sigh of contentment over the now itch free warmth of a fresh preening, she stretched them out. As she folded them back, Swift extended a wing across the floor and over to her. Alula looked at her, jaw dropped.

“Aunt Swift! I… I can’t!” Wincing slightly at her aunt’s growl, she sighed this time in resignation. Looking over the wings, she whimpered. Losing feathers, and of course preening them was a necessary part of life. But pulling a fresh one can really hurt, never mind what damage it could do. Gulping, she leaned her head down, and ran her teeth gently over the upper half of the wing. Feeling their strength with gentle nibbles and tugs of her tongue, she occasionally peeked up, then back down once she saw the impassive look on Swifts face. Feeling one looser than the others, she gently took it and gave a sharp yank. Giving a grunt, Swiftblade shut her eyes a moment.

“Next time, remember to warn before you pull, okay?”

Nodding mutely, Alula began to go back to work, but pausing, turned back to pick up a coagulant sponge.

“Good girl.”

Inwardly thrilled at the praise, Alula pressed the sponge down. After a few seconds, she tossed it to the side,

and then went back to her work. Nodding again, Swiftblade lifted her upper half up, and exposed the bottom half of her wing.

“Now this side.”

Slowly, Alula went about her task, quickly getting a feel for it. Spitting out the final coagulant sponge, she gave a nod.

“Done.”

Swiftblade looked at her wing, tilting it this way and that, inspecting her nieces work thoroughly. Turning back to the filly, who looked up expectantly, she gave a nod.

“See, was that so bad? We’re family, this is what we do.”

Alula nodded, and stretched her wings again, then winced.

“Ouch…”

“Yeah… once the good feelings leave, your wings will ache for a little while.”

“I know that. I’m not a baby! It’s just… my first time preening someone else.”

Smiling, the older mare gave Alula a nuzzle.

“Well, you did a very good job. Why not go take a nap and rest your wings?”

Nodding, the filly walked up the stairs. Once her door closed, Swiftblade collapsed. Covering her head with her hooves, she let out a whimper.

“That last feather wasn’t a old one!”

……………………………………………………………….

Garret frowned as he walked down the stairs, the green and purple maned mare standing in the middle of his bar eliciting a pause in his stride. Silently, he continued his trek, and coming to the bottom, folded his arms across his chest.

“Can I…” his brows knitted together slightly as the mare gave a small yelp, and whirled around, eyes wide. Smiling warmly, his tone softer, he continued, “ help you ma’am?”

The mare exhaled, pressing a hoof to her chest.

“Maybe after I restart my heart…”

Chuckling, Garret uncrossed his arms, and walked to the wooden bar.

“Your Blossomforth right?”

Somewhat calmed, she nodded.

“I am. How’d you know?”

Garret shrugged and taking a cloth out of his pocket, began to wipe down the bar.

“Cloud’s in here a lot. She talks about you and work a lot. Now, you surely didn’t come in here merely to chat I take it.”

Sighing, Blossomforth shook her head.

“No. Actually I was hoping she’d be here.”

Giggling at the expression on the humans face as he turned back, she snarked, “She talks about you so much, I figured by now the two of you were having a little sleep over.”

Ignoring the comment, Garret shook his head.

“Nope, I haven’t seen her in a couple of days.”

“Me neither. She didn’t see her dad off, and he just assumed it was because she was sad because he had to leave so soon.”

“Did she leave on vacation, or something like that?”

Blossomforth shook her head.

“She’d have told someone.”

Garret rubbed his chin. Walking away from the bar, he pointed a thumb at the doors.

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?”

“Her house.”

………………………………………………………………………

Blossomforth sighed as her fourth knock on the door elicited no response. Turning her head up towards the human, she shrugged her wings.

“See? I told you. I came here before.” She turned around fully, and began to walk away.

“Maybe she’s…” she winced as her words were drowned out by the sharp snap of splintered wood and the slam of door on wall. Whirling around, she gaped at the now broken door, and the human walking through it.

“What are you doing?” she hissed.

Ignoring her completely, Garret walked through the door. Gnawing her bottom lip worriedly a moment, Blossomforth followed. As they strode into the middle of the room, Blossomforth's eyes darted to and fro, looking for any signs of her friend. A low moan drew her eyes towards the bedroom. In a flash, Garret was at its frame, and he gasped, “Tears of Elohie…” and dashed into the room. Heart thumping at the sound of his tone, the mare rushed over, and finally seeing what was inside the room, held a hoof to her mouth in horror.

Cloudkicker lay on her side on her bed, fore and hind legs bound, the rest of her held down by ropes going over her and tied under the bed. Her ankles on both were cut and bleeding undoubtedly from the struggling the mare had done. Her eyes were closed, her breath shallow, but its sound still bringing some relief to Blossomforth. But that relief deflated again at the sight of her friend’s wings. The two appendages were drawn out painfully, and held out and together by two leather straps. From what she could see, who tufts of secondary and edge feathers had been pulled. Thankfully, whoever done it had spared the primaries, so Cloud could still fly, but the lavender wing was still covered with scabbed blood. A holed ball gag had apparently stifled any screeches as she had been tortured.

Garret kneeled onto the bed, and gently shook the mare. Cloudkicker shifted restlessly in her sleep, and her eyes fluttered, then flew open, full of panic. Holding her down, Garret shouted, “Hold it! It’s me, it’s me!”

Stilling her struggling, Cloudkicker gave a muffled plea, and Garret undid the clasp holding the gag in place. Drawing a few breaths, Cloud winced as she worked her jaw a moment, and began to shift again. Garret stilled her again.

“Don’t move yet, ok?” He looked over his shoulder, and snapped, “Blossomforth, go get someone from the hospital! I don’t care who, just someone.”

The mare nodded, then bolted from the room. Turning back, Garret stroked Cloudkicker’s mane and neck, repressing a shudder over the griminess of the sweat soaked fur. Laying her head back on her pillow, Cloudkicker scowled.

“Fucking Rose…”

The humans scowl easily matched the pony’s.

“She did this to you?”

Cloudkicker nodded, and smacked her lips.

“Can I get some water?”

“Wait a sec, okay? Let’s see what the doctor says.”

“Fucking cunt…” Cloudkicker snarled.

“How long have you been like this?”

The mare scrunched her muzzle, thinking.

“Uh, let’s see. The night before my sister was supposed to arrive. Shit, dad must be pissed I didn’t show up to greet Alula…”

“Never mind that, you’ve been like this nearly three days?”

“I’ve got a lot of endurance…” she winced, and worked her jaw again.

“Damn it… I think I might busted something in my muzzle…”

Garret shook his head.

“Why did she do this?”

Cloudkicker shook her head, and coughed.

“No idea… she just tied me up, said I’d like it. Once she had me, she just started pulling, giggling as she did. All she said when she was finished was that the guard would never look until the villagers complained about the stink.” She winced as she stretched her wings slightly.

“Could you undo the straps?”

Again, the human shook his head.

“Gotta wait ok?”

The mare sighed, and then whimpered.

“My heads killing me…”

“You’re dehydrated. Just stay with me, the doc will be here soon.”

Cloudkicker’s eyes flashed, and she ground her tooth in anger.

“That twat’s better run for the hills, cause the second I can, I’m gonna run her through.”

Garret chuckled, and patted her side.

“Get behind me, Blossomforth, your dad, little sister, and Rainbow when she finds out.”

At this, Clouds head lifted, and shook vehement, a slight whinny of dismay in her voice.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Why not? She’s your friend, she should know…”

The mare rolled her eyes, and laid her head back down.

“You and me… we’d just bruise her up a little…”

At this the human chuckled darkly.

“Well… maybe not a little…”

Not taking the bait, Cloudkicker continued as though he said nothing, “… but Dash… she’d kill her, flat out. And I’m not going to have a friend, especially an element, sitting in a cell because of something I did.”

Garret sighed and shook his head.

“Cloud, you could have died. How did you get yourself in this situation?”

Grimacing, the lavender pony looked down at her tied together forelegs.

“Underestimating the knot tying abilities of someone without magic or hands.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Garret was beginning to dislike hospitals. The smell of disinfectant and the knowledge that within its walls pony’s and other sentients, albeit neccesarily, suffered made his stomach turn. This feeling was intensified with the knowledge that his friend was one of those. His concerned for her was not lessened with the doctor telling aside from slight infection in her wings and ankles, she otherwise had no medical concerns.

Blossomforth stood up from her seat, eyes tearing up.

“Will… will she…”

Looking over, the brown coated unicorn smiled.

“Fly? Of course. I’ve rarely seen a constitution like hers in a Pegasus. Its almost human in terms of healing rate and endurance. I’d advise against flying though for a while. Without the secondary’s, it’s far too dangerous…”

“I know that! I’m not a feathering idiot!”

Both human and pony looked at the mare in shock.

“I… I never said you were ma’am…”

“Its okay doc.”

Gazing at the pegasi a moment, the unicorn cleared his throat.

“However, there are definite concerns over her mental state. I overheard her offering…” the stallions cheeks and ears darkened somewhat in a blush, “Certain… favors to the nurses and orderlies. I found no trauma… well, no trauma there, and she claims all her assailant did was tie her up and tear some feathers, but…”

He frowned as he was interrupted by sudden snickers. Garret managed to calm himself first, while Blossomforth could only cover her muzzle with a hoof to stifle the giggles.

“Your new here, ain’t you doc?”

.................................................................................................................

Cloudkicker scowled as she scooted up along the back of the hospital bed, shifting to try to coax some comfort from the cushions. Any pegasi who lived anywhere other than the clouds quite quickly got used to terrestrial sleeping arrangements, but this damn thing was like granite. Blowing a lock of hair out of her face, she looked up at the ceiling.

“I’m bored… bored, bored, bored…”

The mare yawned and looked out the window, then looked down at her hooves, and the bandages around them.

“I’m so bored…”

Turning her head to her wing, she began to count the feathers. Again. It seemed Rose had been more interested in pulling then actually doing any damage. Despite the still stinging wounds of helpless tufts and secondaries, Cloudkicker wasn’t all that worse for wear. Just very bored, and very pissed. Finishing her task, the mare looked back at the clock.

One minute had passed. Grimacing, Cloudkickers right eye twitched. Why didn’t they teach her that fancy standing shit her parents did in the Guard. A minute of this was enough to drive her nuts, Celestia knows how much hours of standing silently could do to a pony.

Looking back up at the ceiling, the lavender mare resumed the arduous killing the time.

“Rose, when I get my hooves on your freaky flank, I’m gonna buck you halfway across Equestria…”

“If your sister doesn’t kill you first.”

Cloud turned to the sound of the voice, and seeing the mare at the door, felt her heart skip for a moment. Swiftblade. When they were foals, the two being only a year apart, they played together all the time, her nickname at the time Swifty. As they grew, playing turned into long nights talking and sparring, and eventually going to west hoof together. When she ran out of the ceremony, abandoning the life her parents, and even Swift had wanted for her, Swiftblade stuck with her. She didn’t agree with her decision, but said she’d always be her friend.

That changed. About a year after the humans first arrived, Cloudkicker’s correspondence suddenly stopped, and concerned, she flew back home. No one said what happened, but when she went into Swifts room, all the mare did was stare blankly at the walls. Though she left right afterward, Cloudkicker later learned that Swift hadn’t said a single word for three months after her friends visit. When she heard she finally was starting to open up again, Cloudkicker took a sabbatical, and went to visit her again. At the time, Swift looked like the most broken and exhausted creature the lavender mare had ever seen.

They talked for about an hour, Cloud’s heart breaking. Though her old friend smiled, they were so phony it hurt just to watch. After that, Cloudkicker cut off all ties. Though they never slept together, Swiftblade was Cloud’s oldest and dearest friend. Fluttershy and Derpy were both her lovers once upon a time, the grey mare walking into her room was her first love. After she found out not only was she Alula’s godmother, but also her legal guardian should anything happen, Cloudkicker was… well, madder then a wet hen her parents didn’t trust her with her own sister. Two seconds later, after a internal evaluation of her life up to that point, she felt happy. Maybe she’d be able to patch things up. But now, with the mare in front of her, and she could say was Swifty looked… different.

In their time apart, Swiftblade had gotten back much of the muscle she’d lost while in the asylum. Though both her wings and coat gleamed with a careful preen and brushing, the fur couldn’t hide the numerous scars over her barrel and legs. Aside from the scarring, physically, Swifty was still the vibrant ten pound of sexy in a five pound bucket the Cloudkicker knew at West Hoof. But her eyes… all her time, from fillies playing in the park, to both of them squealing over their respectively owned cutie marks, to even the asylum when she’d last seen her, Swiftblade had always had the most gorgeous sky blue eyes Cloudkicker ever saw. It was part of her appeal, and many a night, when she didn’t have company, those eyes would dance in her imagination. But now…

The color hadn’t changed. They were still the same blue she loved, but now the coldness of ice rather then the warmth of the day’s sky. Though they warmed somewhat at the sight of her old friend, the orbs didn’t lose their entire chill. As she walked, Swiftblades gaze held steady with Clouds, though her face betrayed no emotion. Suddenly, Cloudkicker was reminded of when, in another hospital, in another time, the same mare walked into the other room, her eyes the same. That day, the day that Swiftblade had found out from Fluttershy what happened, she had walked in the same slow careful walk, the same held steady gaze, and it, in truth, terrified Cloud even years later. It rarely happened, unless she’d changed so much that she was a different mare now, but when it did, you didn’t want it to happen to you.

Swiftblade was pissed.

“So…” the mare said softly, making Cloudkicker’s blood chill in her veins. No one, not her mother, not even Fluttershy using full on Stare, had that affect on the lavender mare. In that simple word, it made her feel as she did when she felt Swifty’s wrath, how she was so disappointed, and how she when she was done being mad they might be able to be friends. In all their time together, aside from that one time when Cloudkicker was laid up, Swifty’s voice never went into this way with her. And now, as an adult mare who could do what she damned well please thank you very much…!

“… here you are.”

Cloudkicker winced. Nope, still scary. Smiling sheepishly, she said, “Uh, hey Swi…

Faster then her eye could follow, Swiftblade’s forehoof slammed into Cloudkickers jaw. For a moment, as the mare slumped to one side of the bed as stars danced in her eyes, Cloudkicker felt her heart break again. Swiftblade, if she didn’t already, hated her.

As she rose back, her shock slowly turning into rage, she glared at the mare, who pressed a hoof to her lips.

“Shut up.” Her words weren’t loud. In fact, they were spoken just above a whisper. But hearing their cold fury, Cloudkicker own rage was instantly iced.

Pulling her hoof away, Swiftblade continued.

“You bucking bitch. You never write never visit. My one true friend, and she abandons me.”

Cloudkicker looked down to the bedspread, ears flattening to her skull.

“I should be pissed about that, but I’m not.”

Ears perking, Cloudkicker looked back, and her hopeful smile dropped like a stone.

“I’m pissed because of Alula… Cloud, you’ve always been a good, though not always perfect, and definitely not appropriate or for that matter responsible, sister to Alula. She loves you.”

Shaking her head, Swiftblade sighed.

“Right now, your little sister is at our home, crying her eyes out cause she thinks your dying. Because you weren’t careful.”

Swiftblade stood up again, and walked to the door.

“It would break her heart if you did die. I know your not used to it, but please try to take others into consideration.”

Pausing at the door, she said, “Cloud, when I’m done being mad, I really hope we can be friends again.”

Chapter Thirteen

Outside the shop, Alula nudged her aunt’s side after catching a glimpse of somepony across the street.

“Aunt Swift, can I go play?”

Seeing Dinky walking by, the mare gave a nod and a smile.

“Go on. We’ll meet you at home.”

Alula nodded, and bolted. Coming a few feet behind the unicorn filly, she said, “Hey Dinks.”

Dinky twitched, as though drawn from her thoughts, and looked over her shoulder, a small smile across her muzzle.

“Alula! You came back…” she sniffed, rubbing a foreleg across her nose. Alula frowned, and walked up, laying a wing over the unicorns back,

“You okay?”

Dinky nodded slowly, but her halfhearted assertion was destroyed by her tear stain fur on her cheeks and her blood shot eyes. Shaking her head, Alula gently wiped the tears away with a wing.

“Let me guess… Diamond and Silver right?”

Dinky nodded mutely, and gave a small sob.

“Oh Dinky…”

“They… called my mom a slut… Said she deserved to die…”

Alula’s nostrils flared and she she snarled, “They what?”

“Called her a slut, you heard the little useless eater,” a fillies voice sneered. Both pony turned, one cowering, the other glaring as their nemesis drew close. Behind her, a gray filly in glasses and a pearl necklace followed, though was decidedly the more unsure of the two.

Rolling her eyes, Alula nuzzled the filly next to her.

“Don’t listen to them. Their just jealous because daddy can’t buy them a personality.”

Chucklingly coldly, the purple and white mane’d filly sneered, “Oh yeah, like I’m real jealous of the cast aways of a

retard and a murdering sow.”

Behind her, Silver Spoons stammered, “Diamond-d-d, we shouldn’t….”

Wings now fully flared in aggression, Alula screeched, “What did you say!”

“You heard me you worthless shit stain!”

Walking forward, her teeth fully bared, Alula snarled, “You take that back…”

“Make me.”

Screeching in fury, Alula charged. Suddenly, a black and white blur streaked out from a alleyway, colliding with the Pegasus. Rolling in the dirt a moment, Chane easily pinned the filly under him, and shouted, “Enough!”

Glaring up at her new opponent, Alula growled, “Get… off…”

Shaking his head, Chane snapped back, “You stupid mare! Enough damage has been done on their account!” The zebra gave a sharp tilt of his head to the right. Looking over, Alula whimpered. A few feet away, Dinky lay quivering on the ground, her head covered by her hooves. After a moment, Alula realized she was sobbing quietly. Chane let the filly up, and in a flash, Alula was at the unicorns. Leaning her head down, she nudged the miserable filly, whispering softly and encouragingly.

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes, and scoffed, “What a baby, right Silver? Come on, bump, bump, sugar…”

“No Diamond.”

The pink filly instantly stiiled, mouth open in shock, she managed a slight “What?”

Looking down at the ground, Silver set her jaw firmly.

“I’m done. You’ve gone to far this time…” Silver Spoon looked up again, and her eyes flashed behind the glasses in front of them

“Go home Diamond. Your no friend of mine.” Not waiting for a response, Silver Spoon took a sidestep, then walked towards the other foals. For a moment, Diamond stood stock still. But within a matter of moments, her entire body began to shake, and she hissed, “You…. You bench! You bucking filly fooler, you get back here this instant!”

Silver spoon said nothing, just walked forward. Eyes tearing up, Diamond Tiara’s teeth ground a moment, then she screeched, “I… I wont forget this! You’ll regret this someday!”

Silver Spoon stopped, and looking over her shoulder, replied coldly, “No more then I regret the days spent with you.”

Cheeks burning with her fury, but unable to even begin to respond to the sudden betrayal, Diamond huffed, and sticking her nose in the air, stomped off. Sighing in annoyance, Silver Spoon continued towards Dinky, only to be blocked by Chane, who being a few inches taller, looked curiously down at the grey filly. Locking her gaze with his, Silver simply said, “I just want to apologize.”

For a moment, the zebra merely looked at Silver, then with a deep inhale, then exhale out of his nostrils, he stood aside. Smiling sadly, the foal gave a small nod of thanks, and continued over to Dinky and Alula. At this point, the Pegasus was just laying next to the unicorn, gently rubbing her back. Looking up, her eyes hardened.

“What do you want?”

Ignoring Alula, Silver Spoon lay down in front of Dinky, and said softly, “Dinky… please look at me.”

The unicorn merely sniffled, and for a moment, seemed to want to make herself as small as possible, as though expecting another blow. Silver spoon sighed, and looked down.

“I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you. I know I can’t make up for it, but…. What Diamond said was completely out of line…. And I’m sorry I didn’t do more now, or in the past when she called you and your mom and sister all those names.”

Alula snorted derisively.

“What about me?”

Looking at the pegasi a moment, Silver gave a small smile.

“Your right of course, Alula. We both made fun of you too, and I shouldn’t have done, or allowed it too happened. I hope you can accept my apology.”

Alula glared at the filly a moment, then gave a curt nod.

“Do… do you mean it Silver?” dinky squeaked, raising a hoof off her head.

“I do.”

Dinky sniffed, then with a sob, jumped up, and wrapped her forelegs around Silvers neck, and with a sniffle of her own, Alula joined them, wrapping her wings around them both. Chane stood there grimacing, the distinct impression now firmly entrenched in his mind that for the rest of his days, mares would never make any sense to him.

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Cloudkicker snickered as she licked the remnants of her bite of chili cheese hay fries, and nodded across the table to her companion.

“You sure you don’t want anything there Garret?”

Rolling his eyes, the human pulled a whet stone and a vial of oil out his pocket.

“Uh, no thanks Cloud. I’m not too sure the owner wouldn’t spit in my drink.”

Pulling out his basilong, he twirled it open over his thumb a moment, then whistling, began to sharpen it. At the bar, a rather muscled mare with a short mane and pierced ears said, “Hey, the only reason we’d let a chauvinist pig like you in here at all is because Cloudkicker vouched for you.”

Garret paused in his sharpening, and looked over at the mare, and grinned.

“Hey, how many chauvinist pigs does it take to clean an outhouse?”

The mare scratched the top of her head with a hoof, and after a moment said “Well, I don’t know…”

“We don’t. That’s woman’s work.”

Scowling, the mare slapped a towel onto the counter, and grumbling, left the two snickering patrons.

……………………………………………………………………………

Cloudkicker shook her head as they walked from the bar, Garret at her side.

“Geez Gar, you just go around, making friends and influencing pony’s, don’t you?”

The human shrugged.

“Hey, you’re the one who brought us to a filly fooler bar.”

“AS A JOKE! I didn’t think you’d stick around. Never mind your, albeit amusing, personality, your gender alone was making the ladies uncomfortable.”

“Don’t know why. I happen to be a lesbian trapped in a mans body, which is pretty convenient when one thinks about it.”

At this, Cloudkicker paused in midstride, then shaking her head, followed Garret. Looking up at the sky, and seeing the stars beginning to come out, she said “Well, nights still young. Don’t you have to get to work?”

“Nope. Wifes anniversary.”

Cloudkicker winced.

“Sorry… I should go home…”

Chuckling, Garret patted the mare on the back of her neck.

“Nonsense! My Kala would simply be incensed if I were to turn away such pleasant company from my business. Come dear Cloud, join me!”

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Cloudkicker took a sip of booze as she watched her companion working the record player. Taking a record out from under the bar, he twirled it in his palm, saying, “This one was her favorite.”

Placing the record down, and after putting the needle in place, flipped a switch. From the speakers, a trombone let out a upbeat tone, followed by a saxophone, keeping. Stepping back, Garret nodded as the music continued. Twirling around across the floor, Garret grinned as he came to a stop, holding out his hand.

“Might I have this dance, Miss Kicker?”

The mare gaped, and shook her head. Grasping her foreleg firmly, Garret laughed as he dragged her up onto her hindlegs. Yelping in shock, then sputtering in indignation, the equine stumbled slightly, and still grinning, Garret placed one of her hooves on his shoulder. After wrapping a arm around her side and across her back, making the mare shiver slightly as it brushed against her wings, Garret gently held the other hoof up into the air slightly. Taking a couple of steps back, he twirled both of them around.

“Don’t worry, I’ll lead.”

Still stumbling slightly, Cloudkicker blushed, but took the human up on his challenge. Looking down at her, he grinned and swayed and stepped forwards and back, or from side to side, his partner quickly picking up the motions, and beginning to time her steps with his.

“See, your getting it.”

Grinnin back at him, at her standing height, the pony was still a few incher shorter then her human host. The instrumentals faded slightly, and a female humans voice sang

This can't be love, because I feel so well,

No sobs, no sorrows, no sighs.

This can't be love; I get no dizzy spells,

My head is not in the skies.

My heart does not stand still, just hear it beat.

This is too sweet to be love.

This can't be love, because I feel so well,

But still I love to look in your eyes.

At the interlude, Cloudkicker giggled.

“I think this might be the first time any pony’s danced to a human song.”

Garret laughed, twirling them around again.

“Is that right?”

The singers voice interrupted any response, and all the mare could do was nod.

My heart does not stand still, just hear it beat.

This is too sweet to be love.

This can't be love, because I feel so well,

At the word well, Garret dipped the mare, eliciting a squeal of laughter as one hindleg was lifted slightly in the air

But still I love to look in your eyes.

Still I love to look in your eyes.

Standing up again, Garret let Cloudkicker back onto all fours, or rather, three of her legs. Holding the left foreleg, he bowed slightly, and kissed the hoof gently, thanking his partner for a lovely evening.

Chapter Fourteen

The next morning….

Alula pawed the ground under her forehoof, and snorted in an ancient equine display of challenge. Wings half flared in the way her mother and father taught her, she lowered her head, glaring at her opponent. Taking a side stance, the human child across from her, wearing the grey robes of his art, and a red band with a black stripe on it around one upper forearm, grinned. Even though they were the same age (1), the human male still had the height advantage over the filly.

“Ready to dance?”

Eli frowned as he crossed his arms.

“Silence.”

Both human and pony gave a nod, but did not break each other’s gaze. Swiftblade sat on her haunch next to her husband, and stamped a hoof down.

“Begin.”

Rearing back Alula gave a diminutive whinney of challenge, and both adults winced. Faster then most would have thought possible for a creature on two legs, Alula’s challenger bolted across the ring, and coming near, ducked down, sweeping his leg against the hindlegs. For a moment, the white maned filly kiltered, but with a slight push of her small wings, pushed up and back a couple of feet, taking a much firmer four legged stance. Swiftblade shook her head, scowling.

“Alula! Quit thinking like a pony! Your opponent isn’t one!”

Letting out a battlecry she sometimes heard her mother and sister use , the filly charged. Still smirking, the human male took a few steps back, tilting his head this way, then that, dodging the wings as they shot out. Snarling, Alula made a sweeping blow to his head, but instead of ducking, her opponent grabbed it, and in a sort of jerked bow, brought his forehead crashing down on the fillies. Yelping in pain, Alula jerked her wing from his grip, and rubbing her now sore noggin, glared balefully at the male.

“Michael!” This time Eli barked, “Stow that fancy shit! A head-butt like that does more damage to you then your opponent! And forget gripping the wings (2)! A wingblade would slice your hand to ribbons if you pulled that in battle!”

Rolling his eyes, Micheal took another stance. Shaking off her blurred vision, Alula took hers, and after sizing each other up once more, both charged. Eli and Swiftblade watched, occasionally belting out orders as Cloudkicker walked up. Chuckling, she admired her sister’s match. Kicker or not, she certainly was getting a run for her bits by the young human who was working her over. Despite getting some good blows in, the young Pegasus was definitely on the defensive.

“OH ‘LULA!” The filly jerked, and gazed at her sister. Taking his opening, Micheal charged, and wrapping a hand around each wing joint, jerked Alula to the left. Yelping in fright, the filly’s breath was pushed out in a gush as she flipped onto her back. Hissing in pain, Alula’s wing s suddenly splayed out across the ground as she was pinned with a knee to her chest. Pinning a hoof to his leg with one hand, he raised the other one up into the air in a fist. Ears flattening against her skull, Alula now turned her glare to her sister. Unabashed, Cloudkicker shrugged her wings, and smirked

“Pay attention to what your doing.”

Fwap! In a flash, Eli was in front of Cloud, and open palmed slapped her. Glaring down, he snarled “Don’t you dare come into my training grounds and assume to lecture my students.”

That was it! The last few days, all anypony had done was lecture, talk down, or bucking knock her around, and Cloudkicker had had enough. Leaping to her hooves, she slapped him hard across the cheek with wing. Both adults glared at each other, then both spoke.

“Alula…”

“Micheal…”

Both pairs of eyes flashing, they glared at the foals, and at the same, once again spoke.

“Move.”

Smiling coldly, and with a sweep of his hand, Eli said “Ladies first.”

Snorting, Cloudkicker walked into the ring. Turning her wings this way, then, she began to work out the kinks in her wings and shoulders. Turning her head slightly left and right, and feeling the satisfying pop, she turned around, wings half flared in a fighting pose, but blanched slightly under her fur. As she was walking, Eli had removed his shirt, revealing the well toned frame of a practiced soldier. Across the slight six pack and well-muscled chest and arms, numerous scars criss crossed across his body, much like they did his mate. Unlike Swiftblade though, no fur impeded their sight, and gave the usually gentle looking human a now roguish appearance. Who the buck was this guy?

Sighing, Swiftblade shook her head as the foals to seats next to her. Extending a wing over both, eliciting a squirm from the touch shy human (3), she stamped a hoof on the ground.

“Begin.”

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Fifteen Minutes Later…..

Eli screamed as he was bucked backward into the outdoor cadenza of the local restaurant. Smashing the table under his back, he jumped back in an instant. As Cloudkicker dive bombed, an inch away, the humans fist arced from the right, sending the mare careening to the restaurant. With a sickening crunch, she smashed through the wall, putting a brand new, and unwanted, door where the wasn’t one before. Running in, Eli knocked aside broken tables and chairs, and Cloudkicker bucked him in the stomach once again, sending the human airborn once more. Scowling as he crashed into a human privy, he shouted, “Oh mate, your fucking gone!”

Standing up, he bowed down again, clutching the porcelain. With an almight lurch, and sending the bolts holding it down flying, he yanked the toilet up and off it place, and as water gushed, he chucked it at the mare. Ducking under the debris, and screeching in disgust as her fur was covered in bits of shit, Cloudkicker made to attack….

Splat!

Feeling something thump her in the side, the mare glared at the spot. A pie tin was slowly sliding off her, the remains of what appeared to be coconut taking its place among the muck and gore she had gotten in her fury.

Splat!

Head jolting up, eyes widening in recognition, she watched as her opponent slowly pulled the same type of pie tin of his chest, and faintly Cloudkicker could make out the seal of the Guard on the bottom of it. Cloudkickers vision blurred, and as she toppled onto the same side the pie her, her vision faded. And before she hit the ground, she passed out.

……………………………………………………………………………..

With a groan, Cloudkicker awoke. Blinking a few times to clear the fog from her mind, she looked around. Where was…. Bars. Iron bars. And judging from the straw bedding under her, she was undoubtedly in a cell. Curling her lips back slightly, she glared at the human in the cell next to hers, he was leaning against the door of his prison, arms crossed

“Oh good, you’re awake. I can finally leave.”

Swiftblade sat in front of their cells, laying across the floor, a book on the ground in front of her. A disapproving look in her eyes, she scolded, “You look surprised. Fighting in the streets like a pair of spoiled foals tends to put adults like you in places such as this.”

Both pony and human jerked slightly in response. As she rose, Swiftblade continued, “Fortunately, your both stuck in there for the night, and I am unable to get my hooves on you as I’d like…” though neither of them knew it, both felt a shiver run up their spines at the mares words, “So, for now, I bid you both a good evening.”

And with a swish of her tail, Swiftblade left the two alone. Sighing, Cloudkicker took a halfhearted munch of her current bed, looking up at the ceiling thoughtfully. Cloud beds might be nice, but there was still something to be said about sleeping in hay. Aside from its scratchiness, it was quite warm, and if you crushed it, or ate to much of it, you could always put new hay down. And for a time, the two were in silence, the only sound the shifting of the mare and the slight crunch as she ate. Suddenly, Eli snickered, then broke out laughing.

“Ha, I like you Cloud! That’s the first good row I’ve had in years!”

Cloudkicker deadpanned.

“You… you like to fight?”

Shaking his head, Eli snickered a moment, before sighing.

“Nay, milady. Through conflict, you and I have built a deeper understanding.” He reached through the bars, holding out his hand

“I’m Eli. Its nice to meet you.”

Chapter Fifteen

Wincing as he limped through the doorway of his home, Eli rubbed his side. Nothing broken, but that mare sure a fuck bruised the hel out of his ribs. A few days, maybe as long as a week, he’d be as right as rain, but until then, all Eli could do was be miserable. Walking into the living, he grinned at his mare, and said cheerfully, “Hey beautiful.”

Giving her mate a small smile, Swiftblade nodded at the human.

“Hey yourself. Enjoy your night in the clink?”

Chuckling, Eli gave a small shrug, then hissed in pain. Rubbing the sore spot behind his neck, he replied, “I’ve had better love.”

Groaning, he walked to the couch his wife sat on, and with a grunt of pain, sat. Nuzzling his neck, Swift asked softly, “So, whats the damage?”

“I’ll live. Its nothing compared to Cloudkicker though. Poor mare could barely move, that fellow Garret had to carry her home.”

Giving a slight giggle at the image of her friend slung over the barkeeps shoulders, Swiftblade shook her head. Sighing, her muzzle fixed into a somber look.

“So, what do you think?”

Leaning forward, with another small wince, Eli picked up a cup a coffee, and took a thoughtful sip. Swallowing, he looked up at the ceiling.

“She’s good, no doubt about that. It was a mock battle, and if I was serious, she’d be dead, but Cloudkicker has a lot of skill.”

Raising her brow at the tone in the humans voice, Swiftblade prompted, “But…”

Laying the cup back down, Eli said ,”But, I have concerns. Her promiscuity, along with her willingness to abandon her comrades at the academy and clan may be a problem.”

Eyes narrowing, Swiftblade shook her head.

“I fail to see how. The way things played out, she was smart to leave the clan. And while her… proclivities, may indicate a lack of loyalty in most, it doesn’t do so in her. Cloudkicker may be selfish, and certainly is hard to understand, but her intentions are good.”

Eli sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck.

“My love… she abandoned you. She, like the rest of those… other clan members, left you in that asylum to rot. Friend or no, and whatever she might bring to the table, her treatment of you, who she called a friend, is not something I can easily forgive.”

Rubbing her forehead with a hoof, Swiftblade sighed.

“I won’t deny… what she did hurt. But…” she gave a small humorless chuckle.

“… Clan Kicker isn’t exactly known for being the most accomadating to Cat. Eights.(1)”

Eli looked at the mare incredulously.

“But you still trust her?”

“I do. But… your right. For now, we’ll keep her in the dark. She’s already friends with an element, and whether she knew the situation or not, she’d guard Rainbow like a mother panther.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Blossomforth looked up from, her book, and brought a hoof to her muzzle to suppress the giggles threatening to burst forth. Cloudkicker lay slung over one shoulder of Garret, his arm wrapped up and around her barrel, holding her firmly in place. One wing hung limply down his arm, the other over his head, casting the small scowl he had in its shade. Kneeling, he let the mare slip off his shoulder, and with a small whimper, Cloudkicker take a couple of tentative steps sideways, then turning, grinned at the mare walking over to them. Sighing, the green and purple maned Pegasus nuzzled her sometimes lover.

“Sheesh hon, you’re a mess.”

Nuzzling Blossomforth back, Cloudkicker replaced her grin with batting eyes and a quivering lip.

“That’s not nice Blossom! Some thug beats your loving Cloudkicker near to death, and all you can do is make fun.”

Rolling her eyes, the white coated mare quipped, “And I might believe that, if I hadn’t seen you like this a dozen times before. In any case…” Blossomforth stood to the side, and with a bow of her head and a sweeping wing, indicated the door to Cloudkickers bathroom.

“Taking into consideration of the bruises you have no doubt accumulated, I took the liberty of drawing you a bath.”

Bouncing up and down slightly, Cloudkicker squeed , “With the special bath beads?”

“Of course!”

Still wincing slightly from her bruises, Cloudkicker gave the mare a kiss as she passed, and as their lips parted, she said “Oh, Blossom, your just to good to me.” As she walked forward, Blossomforths wing shot out to slap her soundly in the back of the head. Yelping in shock, Cloudkicker looked over her shoulder, and shrugging her wings, her green and purple mare said evenly, “That’s for making me worry.”

Pouting, Cloudkicker limped to the bathroom. Looking up at the human, Blossomforth gave a nod of thanks.

“I take it she made a scene for you.”

Rubbing his shoulder, Garret shook his head.

“Not really. She was surprisingly quiet, but halfway here, started telling everyone about how I was someone named Agog, and I was dragging her off to my cave.” Seeing the look on the mares face, and knowing she was blushing under her fur, Garret dropped his hand to his side with a groan.

“Oh jeez, what did she do?”

Rubbing the back of her neck, Blossomforth gave a slight giggle.

“Well, you see, before humans came here, your people were myths and legends.”

Crossing his arms, and with an impending sense of doom, Garret replied, “Okay….”

“Well, a couple years back, a popular series of cartoons were sold here featuring Agog the awful, the wildest, most bloodthirsty human of all.”

“Really? I’ve never really heard of it…”

“Well, it wasn’t meant for foals. And they never showed Agog stealing or pillaging, just taking mares to his cave, and umm…”

Garret held up one hand in a stop gesture.

“Okay, I get it, thank you.”

Still looking sheepish, Blossomforth gave a helpless shrug of her wings.

“Cloud will be Cloud you know.”

Rolling his eyes, Garret snorted.

“I’m starting to see that.”

Smiling, Blossomforth turned around, and began walking back to the couch. As the human followed she said, “But that’s what I love about her.”

Taking a seat next to the pegasi, Garret chuckled.

“So how long have you two known each other?”

“Oh, years now. But I didn’t love her really until…” she looked down at the floor, and gave a small sigh.

“Its not something I’m proud of, but… I never admitted I loved her until it was too late.”

“Hmm?”

Smiling, she looked back up.

“You’ll think I’m horrible, but I only admitted it to myself when she got with Derpy.”

“Oh…”

Blossomforth sighed, and leaned back into the couch.

“It was a really sore spot between us for awhile. The maddest she ever got at me was when I tried to kiss her a few days after that mare was dead.”

Seeing the look on the humans face, she looked down again, and rubbed a forehoof against leg.

“I… I didn’t mean it like that, you know? I just wanted her to be happy again…”

Sighing, Garret gently stroked the mares mane, and after a slight tensing from the initial contact, Blossomforth loosened after a few seconds of the movement. Giving a slight sniffle, she looked back up

“Its ok. Everyones got something their not proud of in their past.”

Rubbing her nose with a foreleg, the mare gave a smile. Giving her one last pat, Garret asked “Feel better?

Blossomforth gave a slight whimper and another nod, and Garret nodded back, and as he opened his mouth to speak, looked out the corner of his eye. Closing his mouth, he did a double take, and said, “Hey…”

Tilting her head, Blossomforth watched as the human rose, and walked over to a small table, a pair of candles and a piece of paper set in front of a pair of pictures set in black frames. As Garret walked over, the mare asked, “What? What is it?”

Looking down, Garret took a box of matches from his pocket, and lit the candles, saying “Memoria da morti, pugnae enim in habitabant.”

Blossomforth walked over.

“What does that mean?”

Smiling, Garret picked up the picture of Derpy, and gently wiped it off.

“Remember the dead. Fight for the living…” As he placed the photo back, Blossomforth said softly “She’s had this for a couple of weeks now. I didn’t know it was important.”

Garret picked up the other photo, this one of Cloudkickers late mother, Nimbus….

Garret(2) knelt down next to his tool box, fiddling around as he waited. Looking out the corner of his eye, he coldly regarded the mare walking behind him, the armor of her position as a Royal guard shining in the noon day sun. Her helm hanging from under her wing, her blonde mane shimmered slightly in the light, giving her an almost gentle looks. As she walked down the cobbled street, Garret slowly stood, and silently followed. At the end of the road, he twirled his basalong around his thumb, opening it, and grasping in tightly in hand, made towards his target..

“Mommy!”

Garret winced as the excited shriek echoed out, and in a flash, his blade was folded, and pushed back into his pocket. As the mare knelt her head down to give a nuzzle to the overexcited filly, the human walked back to his toolbox.

“Mommy, mommy! Guess what!”

Giving a rare smile, Nimbus tilted her head.

“What little one?”

Tilting her head, Alula dug into her saddlebags, and pulled out a picture. As her mother praised her, they walked away. As his target left, Garret looked up, and glared at himself in the slight reflection of the shop window.

“I’m sorry…” he whispered, “Kala, I just can’t…” and with that, he snapped the toolbox shut, and left the alley.

Placing the photo back, Garret smiled at the mare next to him.

“This is the memorial of my people.” Picking up the piece of paper, Garret’s eyes roamed over the page, then with a slight frown, he muttered, “Odd…”

“What?”

Holding the page, the human read, “Oh Elohie, great carpenter, maker of all. Though this one is wicked and petty, I come to beg for another. Though I am unworthy, I beg thee take these, my beloved ones, into your eternal embrace. Lead them into the long tomorrow, into the cool waters and vibrant woods of your paradise. Let them not be forsaken in the shadowlands, and take them to you, to the place where the traveler finds rest, the hungry never starve. Where the child never dies, and the lover never leaves. Though I have done much to forsake thy laws, take these, my beloved, and they shall be a companion to you, as they were to me.”

Blossomforth sniffed again.

“What is that?”

Sighing, Garret laid the page back down.

“In the old times, during the rebellion… You see, violence was forbidden for my faith back then. To strike a sentient life down… was the greatest sin. This prayer… it was given by warriors of my people, to beg god to forgive our trespasses against his laws. It was given in the hope that their children and loved ones would not suffer because they submitted to savagery.”

........................................................................................

With a slight jolt, Cloudkicker awoke from her snooze. As her body suddenly shifted in the lukewarm water, the sweet smelling bath sloshed out across the tiles. Cursing under her breath, the mare took a couple of towels laid out, and began the task of mopping up her mess. After taking a cautious step on the floor, and feeling she wasn’t going to skid across it, Cloudkicker tossed the wet towels into the hamper, and took another one. Putting the green cloth over her head, she vigorously began rubbing her mane dry, then laid the somewhat damp towel over her neck. Walking up to the mirror, she turned her head one way, then the other. Baring her teeth, she inspected the space between, then smacking her lips, gave herself a nod of satisfaction.

Humming to herself, the mare walked back into her homes living room, and looked around.

“Where’s Blossomforth?”

Garret looked up from the book he was reading.

“Had work tomorrow, needed to get some sleep.”

The lavender made a small ohh, and walked to the couch.

“What’s that you got there?”

Shrugging, Garret laid the book down.

“Some kids book about a Pegasus adventurer.”

Nodding, Cloudkicker took a seat

“Daring Do.”

“Your sister’s been by then?”

Rolling her eyes, Cloudkicker gave a derisive snort.

“Please. Like a genius like her would read trash like that. Probably Dash’s.”

“Genius huh?”

Cloudkicker gave an emphatic nod, and chirped, “Yep.”

“You love her huh?”

“Like she was my own.” Again, the mare gave a snort. “For all the trouble she gives me. Last time she came by, the little troll dyed my coat green.”

Garret chuckled.

“She sounds like a handful.”

“Oh, don’t get me started. Especially since she’s smarter then me, and knows it. Always talking down to her big sister with those big fancy words.”

“But…” Cloudkicker paused in her tirade, and Garret gave a shrug. “I bet she complains and whines about chores and vegetables, or comes to your when she’s upset. She may be smarter, but she’ll always need her big sister, you know?”

Cloudkicker gave a nod.

“Especially since mom…” the mare caught herself, and looked down at the cushions.

“Cloud.. can I ask….”

Smiling bitterly, Cloudkicker looked back up, and gave a shrug of her wings.

“How she died? Uh, a changling got her and took her place… We all thought she was a traitor, and I managed to find her, but…” suddenly, the equine gave a choked sob, and looked away again.

“I… the last time we talk… I argued with her…. The last words I spoke, she probably thought I hated her…” Clenching

her eyes shut, Cloudkicker shuddered as her body succumbed to emotions. Slowly, Garret wrapped his arms around the mare, and hugged her firmly. Whimpering, Cloudkicker sobbed into the males shoulder.

“And…. When we found that…. Thing… It deserved to die, it killed my mom….”

Lifting a hoof, she slapped it on the humans chest.

“So why? Why do I hate I had to kill it? Why does its eyes haunt me? Why can’t I be like my parents, or my clan? Shadowkicker is probably spinning in her grave over one of her own getting all teary over a enemy…”

“Oh Cloud…”

“Garret… have you…?”

“Taken lives? Yes… remember those zebras?”

Slowly, the mare pulled away, and taking a cloth from a pocket, the human began wiping the tears from her cheeks. Gulping, Cloudkicker asked, “What did you feel?”

Garret paused in his ministrations a moment, then after a few seconds, finished his drying as he said, “Nothing.”

Wiping her nose, Cloudkicker whimpered, “I wish I could be you…”

Taking her chin firmly in his palm, Garret lifted her gaze to his, and asked firmly, “Cloud… that changeling you killed. Did you set out that day, with the intent of killing it, or if your mother was a traitor, her?”

Slowly, Cloudkicker shook her head. Smiling, Garret released her jaw.

“Cloudkicker…. At one time, because of my desire for revenge, I hunted down and murdered five of those who killed my wife and village. Later on, the other ten attacked me one night, but I did not desire their deaths as I did their fellows.”

Shaking her head, Cloudkicker protested, “They deserved to die.”

“Deserved?” at his tone of voice, Cloudkicker blinked. “I dare say they did. Many that live deserve death, and some that died deserved life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be so quick to dole out judgement.”

Cloudkicker tilted her head, regarding the male in front of her a moment.

“You’re a wonderful man, Garret.”

The human winced, and felt his guts twist in guilt. Standing, he walked to the window.

“No, I’m not…” putting his hand against the frame, he whispered, “Cloud, I… I care deeply about you… To deeply to keep lying… But… what I’m going to say… I just don’t want you to hurt anymore…”

The mare hopped off the couch, and took a couple of steps forward.

“Garret…”

“Your clan…” she paused in her stride, and the human turned around, “Your clan were the ones who attacked. Your mother was the one who gave me this...” slowly, the human ran a finger across the scar on his face, “Fifteen dead… five by my desire, ten because I was given no choice…”

“That’s what she did…?”

Garret looked up again, and as he did, Cloudkicker fell back on her rump, eyes wide with horror.

“Oh Celestia… mom told me it was bad… But that…” she shook her head furiously.

“You knew…”

“Not what happened. A few days after they made Swifty her godmother, my mom came by…. She said she did something terrible, and that someone was coming after her…”

Fresh tears began streaming down her cheeks.

“By Luna’s beard… she… Oh by the diarchs, Garret…” her body began to tremble again, and the human walked over. Cloudkicker didn’t seem to notice, just stared at the same spot on the floor, eyes wide with horror.

“Swiftblade… she served under my mom…. The ptsd, the asylum….” Slowly, Garret knelt down, and lifted the mares chin again.

“You must despise me…” Cloudkicker whimpered. Slowly, the human leaned forward, and kissed her firmly on her muzzle. For a moment, the mare felt her heart skip, then closing her eyes, leaned into the kiss. There was no tongue, merely understanding. Slowly, Garret pulled back.

“Cloud… I could never hate you…”

The mare gazed into his eyes a moment, then pulled away.

“Please… Garret… leave for today. I need… time you know?”

Nodding, the human stood.

“I understand. See you in a few days then?”

“Yeah….”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

15 minutes later….

Cloudkicker beat her hoof firmly against the door of Swiftblades house. Eyes cold, she said as the door opened to reveal her friend, “We need to talk.”

Nodding, Swiftblade stood to the left, opening the door fully.

After pouring a couple cups of tea, which Cloudkicker left untouched, Swiftblade said “I imagine this isn’t a social call.”

“Garret told me everything. About mom, and you… what you did.”

Sighing, Swiftblade took a cup between her hooves, and after a bracing sip, said, “And…”

“Why?”

“The clan elders… were scared, and greedy. Fucking tribalists believed that humans were a threat to them, and wanted to scare them off…”

“But why you Swifty?”

“Your mother asked me… and when the mare you love asks for a favor, you don’t refuse…”

Cloudkicker started.

“Love… as in like a daughter…”

Swiftblade shook her head, and whispered, “As in me and her spent more then a few nights sharing the same bed…”

Rubbing her forehead, Cloudkicker scowled.

“But that doesn’t explain why.”

“I…. more then loved Nimbus, Cloud. I idolized her. She was the epitome of mare perfection, a beauty honed in the fires of war. If she had made a plan to attack Tarturus itself, I would have followed her into the pit…”

Swiftblade looked down.

“But that night… she dismissed me as her wingmate. I couldn’t be her, and just curled into a ball, clutching a dying human, screaming it wasn’t right. After that, I Just couldn’t cope…” seeing the look on her friends face, Swiftblade gave her a nuzzle, which while it made Cloudkicker stiffen, wasn’t rejected.

“Please Cloud… don’t hate her… What we did was wrong, but… she only did what she thought was right…”

Slowly, Cloudkicker pulled away. Sighing, she stood, and walked out the room, but before she left, said “I really hope we can be friends after I’m done being mad Swifty.”

……………………………………………………………………………..

Cloudkicker flew silently through the night air, and lowering herself onto the balcony, knocked on the door softly. Looking up from his desk, Garret walked over, and opened the doors, eyebrows slightly raised. Without a word, the mare walked in, and sat on the bed.

“Garret… sit down.”

The human obeyed. For a moment, the two regarded each other. Nuzzling his neck, Cloudkicker whispered, “Did you… mean what you said?”

Slowly, Garret ran his fingers over a folded wing, making the mare murr and the appendage to stiffen slightly.

“I did… and still do…”

Cloudkicker pulled away, and after a moment kissed Garret again. Leaning forward, the human gently pushed the pony onto her back on the bed, gently teasing the wing splayed across the bed. And, for at least that night and perhaps more, the two forgot their misery for a time, and only focused on each other.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Hours passed, and after gently licking the sweat of the humans neck (3), Cloudkicker smiled.

“Thanks…”

Smiling back, Garret turned slightly to run his fingers over the mares wings.

“Judging from you probably traumatizing the neighbors with your… appreciation…” at this, the mare blushed furiously, and stuck her tongue her tongue out at the human, “I’d imagine my romantic skills are up to par?”

Waggling her brows, Cloudkicker tilted her head up to take another lick at the human.

“Mmm, I might not even share you with Blossomforth…”

“Huh?”

Leaning back, Cloudkicker gave a small shrug of her wings.

“Well, she might be receptive to a male outside her species…”

“Wait, wait… your trying to set me up with your mate?”

“Well… yeah. Its less common in the clans of course, but mares often set up their studs with close friends and lovers. Don’t your females do that?”

At that moment, Garret looked horrified.

“Are you kidding? Kala would have flayed me alive for even thinking it!”

Rolling her eyes, Cloudkicker quipped, “That’s a rather charming cultural clue.”

Still stroking her side, Garret asked, “Why though? What with the gender gap evening out seven generations back, why would your females still keep up the practice?”

“A single stallion to a single mare? Where’s the fun in that?”

Sighing, Cloudkicker nuzzled the human.

“Hey, Garret? Look, your easily the greatest male friend I’ve got, and you certainly know how to please a mare… It’s just…”

“Yes Cloud. You can bang other ponies, and my feelings won’t change.”

“Oh, both you and that mare are just the sweetest things in Equestria!”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

The morning sun bathed the Canterlot hospital in its soft glow, and inside, Tornadokicker jerked awake. Gasping for breath, eyes wild, he stumbled from the bed he was on to fall to the floor. Wincing as he pulled cords, and then a IV from his arm, he jumped and whirled, glaring at the brown unicorn coming through the door. Flaring his wings out, he snarled in pain, and looking at the wing, he suddenly remembered his injury. Folding the wing back, he regarded the unicorn smiling at him.

“Are we awake?”

Cocking a brow, Tornado replied, “Are we a doctor?”

“Yes we are.” The physician walked in.

“The we’re awake. But extremely puzzled.” Sitting down on the floor, at the doctors instruction, he opened his mouth as a tongue depresser was put in. After checking his patients pulse and pupils, the doctor said, “Well, you’re very lucky. That wreck at the station killed quite few pony’s…”

“Wreck?”

The unicorn nodded sadly.

“I’d imagine the details are hazy. Aside from your bumps and bruises, you also suffered a mild concussion…”

Waving off the words with a hoof, the Pegasus said, “Never mind that. Wheres Addy?”

Seeing the brow quirk again, he amended, “Lieutenant Atticus.”

Seeing the doctor look down, the stallion said “Is he…”

Sadly, the brown unicorn shook his head.

“I… sir, its best for you just to rest for now…”

Pressing close, the pegasi said in his sternest tone, “Where is my second Doctor?”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Smirking as he marched through the door, Tornadokicker bellowed, “Whats this now? Lazing about bed all day? City life turning you soft son?”

Giving a soft smile back, the human struggled up, and the commanders smirk lessened. One of his seconds hospital gown sleeves was empty. The Lieutenant had lost his arm. Putting his smirk back in place, the pegasi strode in as though nothing happened.

“Oh, commander. I’m glad you came. I wanted to give you this.”

The human lay a clipboard on the bed next to him, and the stallion walked over. Looking it over, his smirks fell, and Tornado’s wings drooped.

“Resignation…”

Shaking his head, Atticus said softly, “I’m sorry sir… I couldn’t keep my promise.”

“Promise?”

Smiling bitterly, the human looked at his former superior.

“I told you, I was your right arm didn’t I? Well, I can’t do that without mine.”

Before the pegasi could offer a word of protest, a voice rang out, “Really, what sort of talk is this?”

Both males looked up at the doorway. Leaning on a cane, a middle aged fellow pulled a brown fedora off his head, and gave a half bow.

“I’m am Doctor Catheris. And I’m here to give your life back.” Standing aside, he let the brown unicorn doctor in, who was levitating a large case above his head. Laying it down on the bed, he gave his patient a nod.

“Open it.”

Reaching over, Atticus undid the latches, and his brow knitted together.

“A… metal arm?”

Scoffing, the human limped in, and gave Atticus a rough prod in the chest.

“A metal arm, feh! That is auto-mail boy!”

“Auto-mail?”

Nodding, Catheris took a seat, and took the arm out.

“Correct. With both human medicine and equine magic we attach wiring to your nerves. After recovery, rehab, and basic maintenance training, you’ll be back out there on the field in no time.”

Tornado looked over the arm.

“Will it work?”

The doctor nodded.

“I’ve already tested it on a child, and a adolescent.”

Scowling, Tornado barked, “So Atticus is just a guinea pig?”

“Yep.”

Nostrils flaring, the stallion opened his mouth to argue, but Atticus cut him off.

“I’ll do it.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Later that evening…

Cloudkicker sat sipping her drink as Garret took his place on stage. Slowly, he strummed out a tune, and after a moment, a violin accompanied the notes.

He sat there in his chair, his arms around his wife tight

You cannot blame the lady, the lady she is blind

She said its wrong to kill this man, even if he’s killed your child

Vengeance mine, said Elohie. Well, god’s one lucky guy.

Slowly, the mare turned, and regarded the human as he continued

Strike a blow for justice, hear the gavel fall.

Pray for the innocent, justice for all.

An eye for an eye, will leave the whole world blind

When on a road of vengeance, be sure to dig two graves

If I had the chance, in truth I’d have to say,

I’d cut that bastard down, with a smile on my face.

The violin thrummed as the guitar sang

Strike a blow for justice, hear the gavel fall

Pray for the innocent, Justice for all.

Don’t do as I do, a wiser man would say

And when your vengeance finished, in the grave you’ll lay

And when they throw us in them, I hope the lady finally see’s

Bears witness to the wrong and right, and knows which one I’ll be.

Strike a blow for justice, hear the gavel fall

Pray for the innocent, justice for all

Sighing, Cloudkicker turned back to her drink

“Amen.”

Chapter Sixteen

One week later….

Cloudkicker rolled her eyes as she walked across the bars floor to the doorway, the morning sun peeking in to the building through the open door.

“I told you Garret, I’m fine.” Looking over her shoulder, she scowled.

“You see? This is why I never bang anyone I’ve known awhile. I’m a big girl, love. Quit fussing over me like a mother hen.”

Smirking, the human leaned against the stairs banister, cup of coffee in hand.

“Ok, Ok, and I’m not fussing. I’m just worried. And I’d still be worried whether we slept together or not.”

Sighing heavily, the mare did a half turn, and smiled gently.

“Garret… look… What my mom did, it was horrible… but… she’s still my mom, you know?”

“I know that. It’s just…”

“Stop. Right. There.”

Walking over, Cloudkicker looked up at the human, and said, “You and I have have a lot in common, you know?” Looking down, the lavender mare scuffed her hoof across the boards.

“One of them is that the same mare was our target at one point.”

“Cloud…”

“The clan… wanted me to kill her. My own mother. And… and I would have done it too. I’m just not as strong as you, I guess,,,”

Slowly, Garret knelt down.

“You stopped because you decided too. I only did it cause my friends guilted me out of it…”

“They… did that to you?”

At the humans wavering tone, Cloudkicker looked up, and took a nervous step back. Every inch of her lovers face was covered in a cool fury, and he snarled, “How dare they!”

Jolting up, he shouted, “Curs! Maggots! A thousand years of disease upon their empty heads!”

“Garret!”

Ignoring the mare, Garret began to pace, raging, “Cowards and tribalists, the lot of them! They dare to send someone to kill their own mother! Unthinkable, wretches and boils on the ass of the world! May their children never call the mares, and may the stallions get gangrene of the dick!”

Well familiar with Blossomforths occasional bouts of going into a tailspin, Cloudkicker took decisive action. Leaping up onto her hindlegs, she pushed the human against the banister, and as he sputtered, she lifted herself up slightly with her hooves on his shoulders, and gave him a firm, and silencing kiss. As the human noises of protest fell into a shocked silence, Cloudkicker pulled away slightly, and her nose inches away from Garrets, said “Garret. Relax. Breath.”

Feeling his shoulders loosen somewhat under her forelegs, the mare smiled, and nuzzled the humans neck.

“It’s sweet you want to perform all manner of violence for the sake of little old me…” Dropping onto all fours , she began to walk out the door again.

“But… seriously. It’s ok.”

“Fine… but if any of them show up in Ponyville, I’ve got a beat first ask questions never policy.”

“Fair enough.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Giggling, Blossomforth nudged her companions side as they walked from the weather office, the two mares feathers and coats still slightly damp from the cloud detail.

“Well, I see someone had a good time last night.”

Turning fully to face her mare, Cloudkicker back on her haunches, took Blossomforths head between her front hooves, and said in the most somber tone she could, “Blossom… if you ever decide on to bed a male, I’ll lend you Garret.”

Eyes widening, the green and purple maned pony muttered, “That good huh?”

Quirking a brow, Cloudkicker leaned closer, and whispered something in her mates ear. At her words, Blossomforths jaw dropped.

“How many times?”

Giggling, Cloudkicker began walking again.

“Hey, that wasn’t in an hour, it was the course of the night.”

Shaking her head, Blossomforth followed.

“Still… I wouldn’t know, but I always heard once or twice, and they were out like a light…”

Blossomforth shifted her wings against her back, and gnawed her lip a moment, before stammering, “Um… how…”

Seeing the not so subtly blush, Cloudkicker tapped a hoof to her chin.

“Bigger and thicker than a gryphon, still smaller then a stallion. But really, that more a benefit then a liability.”

“How do you mean?”

Wincing, Cloudkicker responded, “Well, one of the reasons I always liked mares was, well… stallions are fun, but when they get overexcited, they have a bad habit of jamming it into your cervix.”

Blossomforth shuddered at the thought.

“Ouch, Cloud! Just…. Ouch..,”

“Yeah… a real mood killer, no doubt about it.”

Trotting backwards, Cloudkicker laid a wing across her mares back, and whispered, “Best of all… heat cycles, and even regular banging worry and cooler free. Humans and pony’s are completely biologically incompatible, so no need to worry about foals. (1)”

Giggling as the mare under her wing stammer and flushed furiously, she nuzzled Blossomforths cheek.

“Your so adorable!”

“Cloud… you’d really think he’d… I thought humans were monogamous…”

Still holding Blossomforth close, Cloudkicker pursed her lips, and looked up at the sky.

“Maybe. We kinda talked about it, and he seems ok with it if its you, but I don’t think he’s all that promiscuous… (2)” seeing the look on her mares muzzle, she grinned.

“I know right? Just when I thought all males were hardwired to do one thing, I get thrown a curve ball.”

Blossomforth giggled.

“Maybe he’s a freak.”

“Hey, if he only sleeps with you or me, I’m not complaining…” seeing a new shift in the look of the pony underwing, Cloudkicker stopped,

“Hey… whats up?”

“Well…. I appreciate the thought love… Its just…. I’ve never… you know… with a male before…” as she spoke, Blossomforth pawed the ground under a hoof in a nervous gesture.

“Well, Garrets a good place to start!” Chuckling at her lovers glare, she gave Blossomforth a wing snug.

“Chill out. Nothings set in stone, and I’m not even sure if Garrets really okay with that sort of arrangement in any case.”

Blossomforth huffed, and stuck her nose into the air.

“All your gushing about your silly human… what am I? Diced tomatoes?”

Snickering, Cloudkicker gave an enthusiastic smooch to the mares cheek, then said, “Oh, that’s real nice. I offer you a perfectly lovely male, and even cut back on my banging for your cute little flank, and all you do is bitch!”

Smirking, Blossomforth dropped her act, and nipped Cloudkicker neck in return.

“Fine. You’ve won me over with your sparkling personality. Shall we away to your house?”

Rolling her eyes, Cloudkicker snarked, “And you say I never quit.”

“I never stop only in regards to you love.”

Grinning, the two walked into a companionable, then Cloudkicker said thoughtfully, “You know, its kinda weird for mare who has shown no interest beforehand in males to suddenly become so interested in dick.”

“Maybe I wanna see what all the fuss is about…”

Shaking the mare with her wing, Cloudkicker said, “No low hanging fruit for you huh? Two of the sexiest Ponyville citizens at your disposal! You lucky filly you.”

“Brass ring, Cloud. Brass ring.”

As the lavender mare opened her mouth to respond, she suddenly sneezed. Scowling, she furiously rubbed her snout.

“Damn pollen….”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Three seconds later, the Royal Palace.

Slowly Aduros turned in his chair, saying “Oh…. My…. God….” He gazed disbelievingly at Luna, who sat at her desk, the paperwork they had both been working on forgotten in her confession.

“Whats are you all bent out of shape for, it was before we met…”

The human shook his head.

“I couldn’t care less that you slept with someone before me! It’s who that’s upsetting! Cloudkicker, really?”

“Hey, she’s kinda cute….”

“Love of Elohie, woman! You’re a princess, have some standards!”

“Hey leave me alone! Don’t you think I feel bad enough as it is?”

“No!”

Chapter Seventeen

Catheris limped down the hall of Canterlot general, giving a small nod and smile to patients and hospital staff as he went. Coming up to his patients room, he gave a tap with his cane to the door, and without waiting, walked in.

“Good morning Atticus. And how are we today?”

Slowly, the soldier rose, his upper body exposed. While the right was still the toned visage of a seasoned soldier, the lefts upper half was covered in its new prosthetic housing. Rubbing his now metal shoulder, Atticus hissed in pain.

“My left side feels like it’s about to explode…”

Nodding, Catheris said cheerfully, “Really? Good, good.”

Walking up to the bed, he laid his cane across, and leaning down, gently examined his work.

“The pain means the nerves are successfully reanimated.” Taking out a pen, Catheris prodded one of three holes set into the metal, and Atticus jumped, then glared at the doctor.

“Felt that huh?”

“Did you know I really hate doctors?”

Chuckling, the physician took a small screwdriver, and began testing the screws to see if they were properly set.

“Oh, don’t be such a grouch. Especially since I come with good news.”

“And that is…?”

“You’re stable enough to have the arm set, and we can begin rehabilitation and maintenance.”

“Today?”

“Right now, if you like.”

………………………………………………………………………………………..

A few minutes later, Catheris lined up the three prongs to their holes, and said “On three.”

Atticus nodded, and with his consent, the doctor said, “Three.”

A echoed ching went forth as the arm was firmly pushed in, and as it connected to its base, its owners eyes bulged, and he screamed.

“Oh fuck… damn it…”

Gently flexing the fingers, Catheris said pleasantly, “New pains?”

“Yeah…” Atticus gasped, then began to clench and open his eyes. “Now my side aches, and the back of my head feels ready to burst.”

“Ah, excellent. That means the graft was successful.”

“Now, Atticus, please lift your arm for me if you would.”

Wincing, the metal contstruct slowly raised, and then flexed.

“its kinda stiff….”

Nodding, Catheris began going over the rest of the arm, removing the top covering of the upper arm, and began adjusting wires and screws.

“Try it now.”

Atticus flexed again, and clenched and extended his new fingers.

“Much better. Thanks.”

Nodding, the doctor put the covering back on.

“It will take a little while for it to loosen up. And you need to oil every couple of weeks. We’ll cover the rest of the maintenance later. But first…” pulling a egg out his pocket, he laid into the patients metal palm.

“Now, Atticus, I’d like you to squeeze, but barely stop before crushing it…” both humans jumped slightly at the soft crack, and both watched as yellow ooze leaked to drip onto the floor.(1)

“Maybe a little more adjustment required….”

Seeing the look on his patients face, Catheris sighed.

“Be of cheer, brother. You are not the first to give limb in the service of our land.”

Atticus gave a humorless chuckle.

“Thought so. Soldiers life why you limp now?”

“Nah. I bashed my knee to shit a few years back, but not badly enough to need anything besides my faithful friend. As for my service, they paid for school, I served.”

“That why you do this? Design auto mail, fix people up?”

Catheris shook his head.

“Nope, my son went in with noble ideals, came back with a purple heart and minus both legs.”

“That’s why you do this?”

“Nope. Kid thought I was wasting my time, used to tell me he put years on never wasting energy tying his shoes.”

Atticus nodded, then hissing in pain, glared at the physician.

“Hey, easy.”

Snorting, Catheris quipped, “Be glad you’re an adult. Since your proportions aren’t shifting, you really only have to get the platform checked every year or so.”

Undoing the top half of the lower part of the prosthetic, Catheris continued, “As for why I do this… well, the unicorns offered. They’d provide the funds and magic, I provide the specs and knowledge. Human medicine only can take us so far, though at least in the Territories I got proper accomadations, without some whiny twerp noble breathing down my neck.”

Unable to decide if he was disgusted or still able to hold some respect for his engineer, Atticus wisely decided to cut his losses and keep his mouth shut.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Thanks to a mix of unicorn magic and his desire to get as far away from the hospital as he could, within a few days, Atticus had gotten a good grip on his new limb, and sitting at a table in Canterlot bar, was confronting a new pain. Namely, a very disgruntled Tornadokicker.

“Listen to this… ungrateful foal… Telling me how awful I was for keeping Nimbus’s past from her, and then says while she gets Alula, she doesn’t know why I lied to her.”

“Ah yes… your mate… I take Cloudkicker is pretty pissed at you then?”

Grimacing, the stallion looked over the letter.

“Worse. She’s… disappointed.”

At the word, both males winced. Grasping his glass with his new arm, and taking a small bit of pride is not shattering it, Atticus took a sip, then said, “If I may say so sir, you can hardly blame her for being upset.”

“I know… it just… hurts, you know? And after…” Tornadokicker took a breath, “After Nimbus died, I just couldn’t. I could barely get myself out of bed, Cloudkicker was just twisting herself inside with guilt, and Alula… she just shut down. “

“Is that why you sent with her godmother and her husband? Why you left the clan yourself?”

The stallion scoffed.

“Yeah, and I got all the threats and bullshit that comes with being a traitor.”

“You don’t think they’d… umm…”

“Make a move on my foals? Please. Never mind dealing with me, and several friends of mine on both sides of the law, little Alula is guarded by two of the toughest beings it’s ever been my pleasure to know.”

“And Cloudkicker?”

“Like they’d stand a chance. Tough as nails, just like her old sire.”

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Despite his former status as a Templar, in his personal life, Garret had only a few rules. After sleeping together again, both human and pony came to mutual understanding of the three day rule, which, though neither of them knew it, both always regretted breaking at one point in their respective lives. But now, it was the weekend. Bar wasn’t going to be opened till later, and Cloudkicker had the day off. With Blossomforth away visiting family and Dash busy with various errands, the mare found herself in Garrets company. No sex or anything intimate of that nature, just laying together on a blanket on Clouds roof, enjoying the warmth of the spring day.

Resting her head on the humans chest, a wing splayed across his stomach, Cloudkicker murred softly as she hovered between consciousness and sleep, the gently stroking fingers over her wing coaxing her towards the latter. Usually, outside of banging, the mare disliked having her wings being fiddled with, but at the moment, the motions were similar to preening, and quite relaxing. Though she lead a crazy life, and mostly loved every bit of it. But, just for today, all Cloudkicker wanted to do was lay next to a friend, occasionally flicking a fly from her side with her tail, and just for a little while, relax.

……………………………………………………………………………….........

A dark gray Pegasus paced the floor of his office, his tail swishing angrily behind him. Lips curling over his teeth, he glared at the parchment on his desk, the denial of his clan, his own family, written across. Fools! All the elders were fools! To think that his own clan, who he loved more then even his wife and children, could be so blind. Wrong, they said? Pah! Looking to his right, the stallion spat, the saliva whipping out to splat onto the blue carpet underhoof, where it quickly sank in. Fools and weaklings! Shadowkicker herself would be ashamed to see her own brought so low as to even consider alliances with the two legs. Appeasers and apologists like Tornado,,,

At the thought of the stallion, the pegasi paused. Looking down, the stallions ear flicked as his tail stilled. Minutes passed, and suddenly, the pony looked up. Feeling his fur beginning to stand on end, he looked to a large cabinet. Behind it door, an odd buzzing seemed to emanate. Walking to the cabinet, the pegasi nudged it open, then pressed a panel in it. Silently, the back part of the furniture slid open, revealing a milky white piece of quartz.

Number three

Though no one was there, the stallion gave a nod.

Two… We have a problem. The clan refuses any further assistance, though they say they will in no way impede our work as long as our operations…

Don’t interfere with their continued existence as a clan, I know three. You know what this means?

I’m well aware of the implications two. A shame, there are still superb soldiers there. What a waste.

It won’t happen for some time, but the clan will be punished for this dereliction.

I know…

In regards to Nimbus’s foals….

Impossible at this point. Until the monkeys are pushed out, we won’t be able to get near them, and by then it would be unnecessary to involve them at all.

Three… Number one is aware of your… affection for Tornado and his offspring. One is… unsure as to where your loyalties lie.

One shouldn’t get his tail in a knot. I’d rather not see them hurt of course, but… this is bigger then them.

Noted.

Chapter Eighteen

Swiftblade sat silently watching over her charges, ice cold gaze offering no indication of the warm fuzzies she felt watching Alula laugh and play with the other young ones. Feeling no need to intervene over a disagreement between the zebra and whatever the name of the orange Pegasus was, the mare yawned widely.

“Long night?”

Ears flicking towards the voice, Swiftblade closed her mouth again, and closing her eyes, took a breath.

“Hello Cloudkicker.”

Smiling softly, the blonde maned pony jumped up onto the bench, and nuzzled her companion. Feeling her stiffen under her affection, Cloudkicker pulled away.

“Whats wrong?”

“I’m…. I’m sorry. Personal space.”

Ears flattening slightly to her skull, the lavender merely nodded, the looked at the minor kerfuffle being played out in the grass. Chuckling at the verbal fencing, Cloudkicker asked, “Shouldn’t you stop them?”

Feature still stoic, Swiftblade gave a noncommittal shrug.

“Only if it degrades into kicking and mane pulling.”

After a few moments, and with apologies and hoofbumps a-plenty, the foals returned to their game. Nodding sagely, Swiftblade said ,”See?”

Cloudkicker smiled fondly as she watched her sister bound across the grass, her numerous friend running hell bent for leather behind her.

“She looks good.”

Swiftblade nodded silently, not taking her gaze away from her assignment.

“She getting enough to eat? Sleeping enough?”

At this, the grey mare lips quirk up for a moment in what may have very well have been a smile, and in a slightly less chilled tone, she replied, “When she’s not sneaking out to try to break into the library, or hiding in the closet so I wont disturb her studies.”

“Studies huh?”

“She wants to help pony’s. Be an ambassador, or a doctor.”

At the words, the lavender mare right brow quirked slightly.

“Quite a far cry from her families calling.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Cloudkicker saw Swiftblade turn to her. Looking at her fully, and seeing the soft sad smile on the mares muzzle, she said, “What?”

“Is that such a bad thing?”

Looking forward again, Cloudkicker gave a slight shrug of her wings.

“I…. I don’t know. You really want her to play politician in some boardroom? Her smarts, she could easily make officer status by the time she’s twenty one or so. Hay, she might even make elder by thirty.”

Looking forward again, Swiftblade said “Your much too young to be sounding like Nimbus Cloudkicker.”

The lavender mare winced as though she was slapped.

“Low blow Swifty.”

For a moment, the two sat in silence, then looking to the side again, Cloudkicker mused, “So… you and mom huh?”

Swiftblades muzzle slid into the standard guard face, and in a polite tone she said “Yes?”

“She… I mean…” puckering her muzzle as though she’d bitten into rotten fruit, she shook her head.

“I just can’t see her like that.”

Swiftblade’s eyes shifted downwards a moment, and she replied in a dead tone, “She wasn’t… not really.”

“What?”

Speaking in the same monotone, the mare elaborated, “She enjoyed herself, but… she didn’t feel the same way I did. She loved the sex, but… at the end of the day, it was just an angle she was playing.”

Cloudkicker tilted her head.

“Huh?”

“The sex, dinners, sparring, spending time with me, making me her wing mare…. Right from the word go, she made it clear that most of that was for moral. She didn’t love me, and never would. But… at night, when she held me to her, nuzzling my neck…”

Seeing the uncomfortable look on the opposite mares face, Swiftblade cleared her throat.

“Well, in any case… though she certainly have too, she warmed my bed many a cold night, and I’ll be grateful for that.”

“She used you.”

“No, she didn’t. I was always aware of her intentions, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that beautiful mare.”

“But… if you loved her so much, why didn’t you…?”

“Go through with the raid?” Swiftblade looked down. “As I watched her… it was enchanting. Watching as she ordered our comrades, her steel gaze monitoring the operation. And in that instant, I know I could never be her. My heart was too soft.”

For a moment, Swiftblades jaw worked, then she said, “She dismissed me that night. The next evening, the nightmares started, and I shut down. I remember you visiting.” Shaking her head, the gray mare made a snort of anger.

“I was pathetic.”

Swiftblade stiffened at the sudden pressure on her neck, her wings flexing against her side at Cloudkickers sudden nuzzling of her neck. Turning her head, teeth bared, the mare hissed, “Hey I thought I…” her words stilled and her glare softened at the look on Cloudkickers face.

“Swifty… you could never be pathetic to me.”

For a moment, the scarred pony only gazed at one of her last true friends in all the world, and with a smile, returned the nuzzle.

“Thank you Cloud.”

Turning back to their post, both mares gaped. The sun had begun to sink, and Alula was waving bye to her friends. Turning around, she began cantering back to the adults. Still smiling, Swiftblade nudged her friend in the side with a wing.

“Go. Take Alula out for ice cream. Be with your sister.”

As Cloudkicker hopped off the bench, she turned her head back to give a smile.

“Hey Swifty… mom did love you. Maybe not as much as you did her, but I promise you… her actions towards you were because she wanted too.”

And with that last thought, the lavender mare cantered up to her blood, and nuzzled the foals head.

“Hey Lu.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Cloudkicker glanced down at the filly next to her. Despite her offering of anything her sister could want, the foal merely asked for a small vanilla. For the next half hour, the elder talked and joked, only getting half hearted smiles, if any reaction at all. Outside, Cloudkicker deemed it a lovely night for maybe a play, or bowling. Alula merely shook her head.

Cloudkicker gently nuzzled her sister at the front lawn of her aunt and uncles, and gave a half hearted smile.

“We’re here.”

Alula nodded, and began walking down the path. Grimacing, the mare reached out, and stopped the walk with a hoof.

“What’s wrong Lu?”

Slowly, she turned back to her sister, and said softly, “I know.”

“About?”

The little fillies eyes flashed as she whispered, “About mom and her friends and that village.”

Cloudkicker felt a sick sense of dread settle in her stomach, and gave a slight grin, reaching out again to pat her sister on the head.

“What are you talking about, you sil…” Cloudkicker winced in shock as her hoof was pushed away, and Alula looked up at her sister, breathing hard.

“Don’t patronize me damn it! I know about it all! Mommy went to that village…. And …. And she hurt people!”

Cloudkicker held the slapped hoof against her chest, as though ready to bolt, but could only manage a slight whimper.

“Lu… I… come on…”

Stamping her hoof, Alula shook her head.

“No! Don’t you dare try to defend that sow Cloud!”

Cloudkicker’s jaw dropped, then in a flash, snapped back into place. Stamping her hoof, she shouted “Now, see here little lady…!”

Tears streaming down her cheeks, Alula’s wings flared out in emotion as she cried, “Admit it! She was no better then that thing that got her!”

Cloudkickers hoof blurred to back slap her distraught sister, sending the foal slamming down into the ground. Eyes glittering dangerously in the light, wings flared out to their fullest, the mare snarled, “That’s enough, you ungrateful little….” Suddenly, something clicked. Cloudkicker gasped, covering her muzzle with the offending hoof, then walked forward to her now whimpering sister.

“Oh no… Lu… here, let me…” Cloudkicker jumped slightly as the filly screeched, “N o!”

“Lu! Stop this, I have too…”

Wriggling from the mares grip, Alula belted down the dirt path, screaming, “Shut up! I hate you Cloudkicker! All you do is hurt me, or dad, or your friends! I don’t want you as my sister no more!”

Tears streaked out as daggers of her sisters venom pierced her heart and twisted.

“Alula, wait, I….” the lavender mare winced as the door slammed. Cloudkicker shook her head.

“Goddess… Alula… what have I done?”

Turning sharply, the mare galloped off into the night to her home.

Chapter Nineteen

Alula cocooned herself into her covers during her sobbing. At first, her aunt and uncle had tried to leave her be, and when she had calmed down enough to talk, Swiftblade tried to talk to her. Alula loved her family, especially her godmother, and before she was lied to her sister, but Swiftblade wasn’t exactly the most emotional of mares. In fact, in the few minutes she had been there, she had unintentionally terrified the poor filly. Realizing her mistake, she said she was sorry, then left. Now, all the Pegasus could do was shiver and once in a while offer a small hiccup. Hearing the door open again, she clenched her eyes shut, hoping aunt Swift wasn’t still angry with her. Feeling the bed shift, she whimpered again, trying to curl further into a ball.

Feeling a hand across her back, she realized it was Eli.

“Hey, hey, come on now. What could be so bad, hmm?”

Alula just gave a choked sob. Smiling, Eli easily picked her up, covers and all, and drew him to his chest in a hug.

“Its ok…. Shh….”

Pressing her face to his chest, the filly sobbed, “Its not though! She lied to me, so did daddy! Aunt Swifty was there, but at least she never hurt anyone!”

Gently rocking her, all the human could do was offer what comfort he could. Both he and his wife weren’t mr. and mrs. Sensitivity, but her stint in the asylum had forced his mare to grow a rather hard shell. Under that shell was a loving heart, but really, he had no idea how she managed to get Alula into this state. Soon, Alula had quieted again, and wiped her nose on the humans shirt. Eye twitching with repressed disgust, Eli asked, “Feel better?”

“No… I just can’t cry anymore.”

Chuckling, Eli lifted her off, and gently set her down in front of him. Still clutching the covers around her, Alula had poked her head out one end, to gaze red eyed up at her uncle.

“Now, whats this then? Hmm?”

Looking down, Alula scowled.

“Mommy did bad things. She hurt people, took little humans mommies and daddies away, for no reason at all!” Rubbing her nose, she whimpered again.

“But… I just can’t hate her. It was wrong, but I still wish she was around. I love her, but I’m just so angry and sad too.”

Alula looked up, eyes tearing up again.

“Does that make me a weirdo?”

Smiling, and feeling as though he might get diabetes from the mere presence of the filly, Eli gently ruffled the top of her head.

“Of course not.”

Smiling back, Alula visibly relaxed.

“Now, how did your sister and dad lie to you.”

“They kept secrets. You shouldn’t do that…”

“Maybe they just wanted to protect you…”

The filly gave a little shrug.

“I guess….”

“You don’t really hate Cloudkicker, do you?”

Alula ponched out her bottom lip, considering. Eli sighed and nodded.

“Fair enough. Just… Alula, please… I know this better then anyone…”

The stench of Eli’s father filled the small apartment the two shared, permeating the air with the reek of cheap booze, piss, and sweat. Taking a swig from the bottle clenched in his fist, the fat drunk swayed a moment, then lowering the bottle looked around.

“E… Eliiiii… Where are you…” the adult sneered, “You fucking little pig…” suddenly the bottle was flung, smashing against the wall.

“Come out here, you little shit!”

In his state, he didn’t hear the footsteps.

“Where the fuck are you?”

Suddenly, Eli grabbed the back of the mans shirt, and pressed a foot to the back of his fathers knee. With a shout, the man feel down onto the one knee as it was forcefully buckled. As he was brought down, Eli dug his fingers into the mans hair, pulling his head back to look up at the human with now bulging eyes.

“Right behind you.” Eli responded softly, pressing a knife to the drunkards throat.

Eli smiled sadly, and gave his niece another hug.

“Anger… it has its place, and you have every right to feel like you do right now. But that feeling… it will gnaw at you. Do you understand?”

The filly nodded. Looking up, she gave a smile. Smiling back, Eli released her.

“That’s my girl.”

Yawning, Alula laid down as her uncle left the bed. Smile still in place, eyes of cold he fire, Eli asked softly, “Alula, I know your dad, sister, and Swift never told you. How did you find out?”

The filly gave a small shrug.

“Before I left home to live with you guys, Aunt Wind said it was sad that my family was keeping secrets. One day, Cloud came over, and Aunt Swift thought I wasn’t there…”

Eli tsked.

“Bad girl Alula. You shouldn’t eavesdrop.”

“Sorry.”

Still smiling, he patted her head once more.

“Its ok. Just don’t do it again, all right?”

“ ‘kay. Night Eli.”

Walking out the room, he paused, and said, “Night little wind.”

“Aunt Swift?”

Sighing, the mare left her spot at the doorway, and after the human left, walked in. Coming to the bed, she gave the filly a nuzzle.

“Yes?”

Lifting her head, Alula asked, “Can… you stay with for awhile?”

Wordlessly, the mare crawled into the bed. With a contented sigh, Alula cuddled into her side.

“Thank you.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Cloudkicker’s sobs had quieted in the last hour to a few sniffs and shivers, her usually properly done mane disheveled, her wings limply laid over her bed. Thumping her head against the wall behind her place of rest, she growled, “Stupid… stupid little cunt…”

“Who’s a stupid little cunt?”

Giving a small scream, the lavender mare jumped slightly, and turning her head, looked blearily at the foot of her bed. Scowling, she looked back to the wall.

“Oh fuck off Garret. I’m not in the mood.”

After a moment, she felt the bed shift, and glared at the human sitting on her bed.

“Wanna talk about it love?”

“No.”

Garret gave a shrug. Folding her wings to her sides, Cloudkicker laid her head back down on her pillow, and scowled.

“Your not leaving until I talk are you?”

“That’s right.”

Sighing, the mare shifted until she was sitting next to the human

“Ok, fine. If you really wanna know…”

The whole time, Garret remained silent through the story, and after the lavender pegasi had relayed her tale, he let out a low whistle.

“Geez Cloud. And sounds like your day was going pretty well till then.”

As the mare opened her mouth to respond, a sickening crunch of wood sounded through the house. As Garret jumped up, a pink and yellow bearer of a certain element stormed in, nostrils snorting and wings flared. Eyes locking with Cloudkicker, they seemed to spark. Smiling nervously, Cloudkicker stammered, “Uh, hey Eepy…”

Teeth bared, the Pegasus stamped her hoof, splintering the floor under it as she screeched, “You… Big… Meanie!”

Cloudkicker was a powerful mare. Bred and raised in the finest military family and clan, she had achieved superb scores in West Hoof, earning tied first seat in her graduating classes, the other perfect score being Swifty. She had faced mountain rocs, pegasi thugs, and changeling infiltrators. In fact, the only two fights she had come close to losing in her life as and adult were both draws with Garret and Eli respectively. She was a female without fear… most of the time.

At the moment, she was ready to piss herself.

Sliding back across the bed, she stammered, “No.. Now wait a second Eepy…”

Hooves stamping as she walked in, Fluttershy shrieked, “Don’t you Eepy me, you worthless whorse!”

Cloudkicker scrambled further, eyes tearing as she cried, “Fluttershy… I didn’t…!” expectedly, her rump came to the end of the bed, and with a shout, Cloudkicker fell off onto her back. In a flash, Fluttershy was on top of the bed, eyes glaring down at the source of her rage. Whimpering, the lavender mare tucked her legs to her chest. This vulnerable position only seemed to incense the element of kindness.

“You… how dare you! Bad enough you fucked up my foalhood, now your working on your sister?”

In a flash, Garret was on the other side of the bed. Eyes hard, he curled his fingers around Fluttershy’s neck, and easily lifted her into the air. Snarling, he squeezed slightly. Fluttershy just glared down.

“Garret!”

Looking over his shoulder, the human regarded the mare behind him. During the scuffle, she had gotten into a sitting position, and was shaking her head.

“Its ok… put her down…”

Releasing his grip, he turned as Fluttershy flopped to the the bed. Kneeling down, he gently stroked Cloudkickers mane. On the bed, Fluttershy gasped, rubbing the sore spot on her neck, the Stare still threatening to burn the lavender mare on the spot. Wincing, Fluttershy wheezed, “She… you…”

“Eepy…”

Fluttershy scowled.

“What?”

“I… I know I fucked up… I’ll try to make up for it…”

Features somewhat softening, though still clearly pissed, the element gave a curt nod.

“Good…. Good.”

Without another word, she walked to the bedroom door, then paused.

“I’m sorry too.”

“It’s ok Eepy…” the mare gave a smile, “I know you didn’t mean it.”

Nodding again, the pegasus left. Sighing, Cloudkicker leaned against the human. Still drawing his fingers down the blonde mane running down her neck, he said, “Cloud… It’s okay.”

“I know… I know.” Pressing her head under the humans chin, Cloudkicker nuzzled his neck.

“I gotta make it right Garret.”

“Yeah… Better wait till morning though. She’s probably asleep now.”

Suddenly, Cloudkicker snickered.

“Impressive. A full on Stare, and you didn’t even flinch.”

Smirking, Garret growled playfully.

“Hah! Some female giving me the stink eye? Bah! Learn your lesson kicker! Messin’ with me is like wearing a meat suit down wolf alley.”

Grinning now, Cloudkicker asked, “Is that right?”

Pulling away a bit, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“You can take it to the bank.”

Wrapping her hooves around his neck, Cloudkicker gave her most sultry smile.

“Well, maybe a strapping stud like yourself would stick around and…” she leaned up, giving him a swift kiss, then pulling away, waggled her eyebrows, “… Comfort a vulnerable mare? (1)”

Arching a brow in response, Garret quipped, “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

Cloudkicker gave a curt nod. Chuckling, the human leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in another kiss. Murring softly, her eyes closing slowly as Garret placed a hand on the back of her neck, holding her in place, she felt herself being placed onto her back again. Pulling away, Garret straddled over her, and winking, Cloudkicker growled, “And who said you could be on top…?”

Leaning down again, Garret gently licked and nipped at her neck, making the mare squirm and giggle.

“Think you could stop me…?”

Shivering, Cloudkicker stammered, “I totally could… If I wanted…”

She didn’t.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Sighing, Cloudkicker stopped outside Swifts house. Raising a hoof, determination in her eyes, she gulped, then lowered it. Smiling, Garret put a comforting hand on her neck.

“Its okay. Just say your sorry.”

Giving a nod, Cloudkicker looked up, and smiled gratefully.

“Thanks… for coming with me.” Looking back at the door, she knocked firmly.

“Come in.”

Pulling down the door handle, Cloudkicker walked into the coolness of the house, Garret in tow. Giving a nod to Swiftblade, she smiled uncertainly at the filly next to her.

“Hey Lu…”

Alula sniffed, and glared at the mare.

“Hello…”

Wincing at the coldness in her voice, Cloudkicker sighed. Stepping forward, she said, “Alula, I’m… I’m so sorry.”

The filly snorted and eye rolled. Flattening her eyes to her skull fully, Cloudkicker pointed her wings downward slightly. At this Alula paused.

“Alula-kai (2)…” both pegasi stared at the mare, stunned. Shaking her head, Cloudkicker walked before her sister, and hung her head.

“Oh little wind. I’ve wronged you, I know. A lie of omission is still a lie. And when you needed me most, I struck you, my own. Please… forgive me.”

Alula shook her head.

“Cloud… Listen to me. I forgive you… but…”

Cloudkicker looked up, eyes wide.

“When I was really little, I took some bits from dad, and he found out.”

Tilting her head, the lavender mare said, “Okay…”

“So, I’ll tell you what he told me. Cloudkicker, I love you, and I always will. But… my trust… that’s something you’ll have to earn back.”

Slumping slightly, she gave a nod.

“Ok…”

Alula nodded. Giving an uncertain smile, Cloudkicker said, “Is it too soon for a hug?”

Rolling her eyes, Alula jumped off the couch, and wrapped her forelegs around her sisters neck. As she was embraced, Cloudkicker looked around.

“Hey, wheres Eli?”

Swiftblade smiled.

“Oh, just away on business.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Captain Wind, or Aunt Wind to a certain pair of sisters, backed slowly into her office, eyes locked on the human in front of her. Knocking a cabinet down, Eli said, “You know… you’ve made three mistakes…”

Wind bolted to the right, then stopped. The double door of her veranda was blocked by a bookcase.

“The first one. Taking a ground office with only two exits.”

Whirling back, the mare bared her teeth.

“Your second… soundproofing your office…”

Leaping to the air, Wind charged. In a flash, she found herself tossed aside like a rag doll, and stars flashed in her eyes as she was slammed into the wall. Shaking her head, she winced, then felt herself pinned underfoot. Leaning down, Eli pressed her head against the wall with one hand, and wrapped the other around the wing joint. Eyes widening, Wind screamed, “Wait! No please…!”

Tilting his head, Eli regarded his clenched hand, and slowly began turning it. Thrashing uselessly under him, Wind screamed louder as the muscles began to ache as the bones grinded together. The human continued in the same pleasant, “Your last mistake was fucking with Alula’s head. Now…” he stopped. Wind wasn’t struggling anymore.

Looking at the mare, he grimaced. Eyes wide, the mare slumped under him, whimpering, “Please… don’t take them…” Feeling the grip loosen, Wind looked back, eyes unbelieving. Slowly, Eli pulled back. Reaching back to rub the sore joint gently, Wind looked at the human in shock.

"What.. what are you doing? Finish it... come on you fucking savage..." shakily, the blue coated mare stood.

"Savage huh? Am I the one who fucked with some kids head?"

Wind coughed, and shook her head.

"I... I didn't have a choice."

Slowly, Eli turned and looked at her.

"There is always a choice."

“I… I… I’m sorry… I didn't mean to...”

Snorting, Eli walked to the office door, and flung the cabinet aside.

“Save it.”

And with that, he left the pony.

Chapter Twelve

Cloudkicker jerked slightly from her idle doze, temporarily forgetting where she was. Looking around, in the semi-dark gloom, she began to recognize the walls. She was back in her house. Feeling something shift next to her, she looked back to her bed. Oh yeah, Blossomforth came over last night. Looking over her friend, a slight frown of annoyance in place, the mare considered waking her sometimes lover, but the look on Blossomforth’s muzzle quashed that sentiment.

Tilting her head, Cloudkicker gazed thoughtfully at her current bedmate. She didn’t love Blossom like she did Derpy, but… still, the green and lavender maned female was important to her. The night her mother died, the first time they slept together, afterwards… Blossomforth had cried. Of course, Cloudkicker had heard of this sort of thing happening when one lost their virginity, but seeing it was another matter. Later on, in a fit of an argument over something stupid, Blossomforth yelled she wished she’d given herself up to someone as worthless as Cloudkicker. She apologized profusely later, when she saw what her words had done, but still, the damage was done.

That night… was a mistake. Cloudkicker would never tell Blossom that, but she shouldn’t have slept with anyone that night, never mind a virgin. That night should have been special, should have been with somepony who loved her as much as she loved them. Instead, Blossomforth’s first time was with a emotional wreck. Laying her head back down, Cloudkicker rested her chin on the mare under her.

“Sorry…” she didn’t love Blossomforth, and never would. But… still, it was nice to have somepony who loved you regardless.

……………………………………………………………………….

What felt like a few moments later, Cloudkicker jerked awake again. Judging from the cheery light and the sweet songs of the birds outside, Ponyville’s local playmare cleverly surmised it must have been morning. Looking back down to the bed, she giggled. Laying on her back, forelegs tucked to her chest in a doglike look, Blossomforth slept. For such a cute and

demure mare, she snored loud enough to wake the dead. And drooled.

Sticking her tongue out in mock disgust, Cloudkicker nudged her with a hoof.

“Hey! Get up.”

Blossomforth’s right leg gave a twitch, but that aside, the mare gave no other indication she heard. Rolling her eyes, the lavender mare gave her another poke.

“Damn it, get up. I’ve already got wash these from your other fluid, I don’t need you slobbering on my pillow.”

Blossomforth groaned, and shifted in her sleep. Grinning mischeviously, Cloudkicker turned, and opening a drawer with her mouth, took out a air horn. Turning back, she pressed a hoof to the top… Blossomforth screeched as she leaped into the air about to feet above the bed, and after thumping back, rolled onto her stomach, wings flared out in shock. Cackling and ducking under the extended wing, Cloudkicker chirped cheerfully, “Morning!”

Folding her wings back and blushing furiously, Blossomforth hissed “What the buck Cloudki…mmmpphhh!” the rest of her tirade was blocked with a swift kiss. Moaning, the mare leaned into it, until her companion pulled away, still grinning.

“Sleep well?”

Blossomforth nodded, and stretched her wings out again, yawning.

“How about you? Wings give you much trouble?”

Shaking her head, Cloudkicker clambered out of the bed, and walked towards the bathroom. Stopping, she looked behind, and seeing her friends wings once again flat against her sides, got another idea.

“Care to join me in a shower?”

For a moment the two mares looked at each other, then…. Whumpf! Blossomforths wings shoot out again. Grinning eagerly, the green and purple mare bounced off the bed and followed Cloudkicker into the bathroom.

………………………………………………………………………..

Cloudkicker winced as she reflexively stretched her wings out in preparation for flight. Looking back, and remembering suddenly the last few days, she folded the traitorous appendages back with a grimace. Ears flicking towards the sound of flapping, she looked up again, and scowled out the polychromactic mare above her.

“Who snitched?”

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow Dash landed, and said muffledly through the sac cloth in her muzzle “I aim it or ‘its.”

Cocking a brow, Cloudkicker replied, “You came on my tits?”

Spitting out the sac, which clattered to the ground in a golden clink, Rainbow blushed furiously.

“No! I came with your bits!”

Nudging the sac forward, she continued, “Your pay for the next couple of weeks,”

Looking down at the bag, Cloudkicker sniffed, then looked back up, eyes tearing up.

“You trying to get rid of me boss?”

Smirking, Dash shook her head

“And you can stop the waterworks there honey. There not as effective as you think they are.”

Scowling, Cloudkicker flopped down on her belly, wings splaying out across the ground as she muttered darkly, “Buckin’ killjoy…”

Snickering, Rainbow patted the lavender mare on the head.

“I’m the boss, CK. I get paid the big bits to be a meanie.” Seeing the mutinous look in her second in commands eyes, the cyan mare sighed.

“Cloud, your no good to me right now. You’re a hard worker, and definitely one of my best, but right now…” in a uncharacteristic gesture, Rainbow nuzzled the top of Cloudkickers head, and continued in a softer then usual tone, “Just… take some time off. Just for today, go to lunch, the spa, go see a movie.” Grinning, she snarked, “Maybe go and pay a visit too that cutie Garret.”

Getting up, Cloudkicker chuckled.

“So you noticed too, huh?”

“Honey, I may be the definition of butch, but even I can tell he’s gorgeous.”

Snorting, Cloudkicker rolled her eyes.

“Well, if a mare muncher like you can call him that, that’s truly a testament to his genes.”

Smirking, Rainbow Dash followed the lavender mare as she walked into town.

“So… come on, spill! Perhaps the most elegable and handsome male in Ponyville, you gotta have a few tales…”

Cloudkicker shrugged.

“Nah, not really. We’re just friends.”

Rainbow gaped. Seeing the look out the corner of her eye, Cloudkicker sighed, and scuffed her hoof on the ground.

“Theres definite interest… It’s just…” she smiled, and looked up. “I don’t really want another warm body between the

sheets, you know? I don’t need a good rutting or something like that, I’m just happy he calls me his friend.”

Looking back at Rainbow, Cloudkicker frowned, brows knitting together in confusion.

“What? What’s with the look?”

Shaking her head, Dash replied, “Nothing… Just, enjoy your day off, ok?”

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Cloudkicker took the glass of water between her hooves, and sipping, cast her gaze skywards. Mood darkening, she lowered the glass, and muttered, “Oh, those bucking morons…”

“You noticed too, huh?”

Looking to her right, she nodded at Garret as he walked up.

“Yo.” As she sat down, she looked back up again, then with a amused smirk, looked back at the human across the table.

“So, tell me, Garret, what have you noticed that you think I’ve noticed?”

Looking up, the human drew invisible lines in the air as he spoke.

“Well first off, today was scheduled for a light shower to keep the park and fields green and to keep the air from getting too dry. Second, those cumulus clouds were placed at too high of an altitude; they’re getting caught in the trade winds, which means that the cloud pushers are spending too much time keeping them in the town limits and away from the Everfree instead of setting up the rainclouds. It also means that some clouds are being lost, which means the pegasi can’t recycle the water for rain. The height also means that unicorns and earth ponies aren’t getting the optimal amount of shade from the cloud coverage, which also means that the temperature is a bit higher than usual for this time of year.”

Cloudkickers jaw threatened to snap with its sudden drop.

“Careful CK… you keep making that face, its gonna stick like that.”

Cloudkicker snapped it shut, and continued her incredulous look.

“A ground pounder…. I mean, you keep track of that stuff?”

Garret shrugged, lacing his fingers in front of him on the table.

“All my people do. Its basic education for our children, and expected as an almost second hand knowledge among the adults. Anyone who doesn’t keep track is considered either lazy or an outright fool. Why, don’t unicorn’s or earth ponies keep track?”

Snorting, Cloudkicker took a bite of her daffodil sandwich, and after a moment of chewing, then swallowing, shook her head.

“Please, the only time they take any time out of their to notice is to complain.”

“How so?

Sighing, Cloudkicker laid her head on the table.

“I don’t want to complain…. But its just not fair. All we hear from them is how lazy and incompetent we are.” Raising her pitch to match the words running through her head, she relayed, “Oh, theres too much, we’re getting flooded! Oh theres to little, the flowers in the park are wilting!” Never mind the gripes we get during the dry season when Cloudsdale rations the water we get. And do we ever get a thank you? A “good job” for shade or keeping twisters and hurricanes from really beating the shit out of everyone? Hay, look at Everfree! Half my job is making sure the rogue storms that place cooks up don’t fry half the town.”

Garret smiled, and leaning forward, patted the equines foreleg.

“Well, if you haven’t heard it before, you’ll hear it now: thank you. We humans may not always say, but we do appreciate the hard work you do.” Leaning, back, he sighed.

“But…” at the word, Cloudkickers ears perked, “… And don’t get mad, but maybe…. Maybe you can’t blame the others for their actions. I’m not saying its right, but pegasi can get a little….”

Cloudkicker chuckled, “Pig headed? Stubborn? Hedonistic? Rowdy?”

Garret rolled his eyes.

“Well, pegasi are, in all honesty, no worse then my people in that regards.”

Grinning, Cloudkicker raised her head, and nodded sagely.

“Why do you think we let our yearlings and yours play together so much?”

Garret tilted his head.

“Huh?”

“Well, we can get a little rowdy, especially as foals. Humans are really the only ones who can keep up. Unicorns cheat with their magic, and earth pony’s take fights to personal.

“So… we’re just punching bags?”

“Eyup!”

........................................................................

Meanwhile across town, a small crowd had gathered outside of Bon Bons shop, watching the duel inside. Scowling at the human across from her, Bon Bon shook her head.

“Nonsense. Pure and simple.”

Crossing his arms, Eli said evenly, “All I am saying ma’am is that your statement there being no such thing as god is as

much a statement of faith as mine saying there is.”

Snorting, the white coated mare rolled her eyes.

“I suppose, good sir, you are familiar with the parable of the invisible gardener?”

“I am. A equine philosophy professor told it, then stated “The faith of humans died a thousand quilifications ago.”

The mare nodded.

“Exactly. Your Elohie, your so called god, is nothing but a fairy tale.”

“Like Nightmare Moon? Or perhaps Discord? And lets not forget that place that just popped up. You might of heard of it, it was in all the papers…”

Bon Bon stamped her hoof to the floor, and fumed, “Facts! All those place and beings are real!”

Again, Eli shook his head.

“But you didn’t know that until recently. Don’t you think its possible, even quite likely, the universe, and all the worlds in

it, are the product of not neccesarily a divine hand, but very well might be the product of Intellience of some sort?”

And again, Bon Bon scoffed.

` “Other worlds, meh! Now you good sir travel into the realm of fantasy!”

Not to be deterred, Eli continued firmly, “And lets not forget that my people, humans, for the longest time were relegated to be the boogey mare under your foals bed or in their closet. And yet, though many scoffed not a year ago over my peoples existence, now here we stand. Wouldn’t you say that the existence of Elohie be just as real?”

Bon shook her head vehemently

“Prove it!”

Eli shook his head.

“It can’t be proven.”

“Precisely! Anything that one cannot study, touch, feel, and taste, is nonsense!”

“Ah, in other words, not only is God ridiculous, the very concept of ones soul is ridiculous.”

Bon Bon nodded sagely.

“Now your getting it. Theres hope for you yet.”

“Hopelessness maybe…”

“Call it what you will….” The mare said with a dismissive shrug

“No madam, hopelessness is how it shall end if one chooses to believe as you do.”

The mare blinked, and chuckled.

“Choice? My dear sir, what I say is merely the cold cruel facts of life.”

Eli shook his head.

“Please, madam. You know it true that the nonexistence of god cannot be proven any more then god’s existence. Your statement of “there is no god!” is as much a statement of faith as my “there is a god!”.”

“Don’t be a foal! All I’ve said is a statement of fact!”

“That’s what you believe- there’s nothing to believe in. But atheism rests upon the belief that it is true- not actual proof. By your own definition, doesn’t that make it ridiculous?”

Bon Bon chuckled.

“An excellent point. Your belief in god and my atheism, as you call it, are more then likely based on emotional reactions. But in that case, because of lack of proof, it would be better to call yourself an agnostic?”

“But I already call myself that?”

“Oh?”

“I’m a believing agnostic. I wasn’t there in the beginning, I did not hear Elohie as he spoke. But as our script says when Elohie spoke to our people, “Now thou hast seen me, thou believes? Blessed are they who have not seen, but believe.”

Bon stamped her hoof again.

“Damn stubborn human, of all the ridiculous things said today, that one takes the bloody cake! Seeing is believing, everypony knows that!”

“I don’t.”

“Because you’re a fool. Look at the world, what other people know!”

“So, now the truth can merely be established by a vote?”

Bon Bon and the human spent a few moments looking at one another, then with a sigh, the mare turned back to her kitchen, and without another word, left the crowd behind. After the humans and pony’s filed out, the only ones left were Swiftblade, Alula, and a clapping Lyra.

“Well done!” the mint unicorn exclaimed.

“I beg your pardon?”

Grinning ear to ear, the unicorn walked past Eli, and said “Its been awhile since I’ve seen Bon have that much fun. Come back again, that was entertaining as hay!”

Turning back to his family, he shrugged at the look on his wifes muzzle.

` “What?