//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Spike's First Bounty // Story: My Little Wasteland // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// Mal told Spike that you never forget the first time you shoot another pony. And you definitely don’t forget your first kill. Spike had gone to Appleoosa, one of the few towns still standing after the disaster and war. Applejack’s cousin Braeburn had been made the sheriff of the town, and was in charge of giving information on bounties. “Sheriff Braeburn,” asked Spike. “That’d be me,” said Braeburn. Braeburn was a lot different from the last time Spike had seen him. He, like many ponies he knew in the past, was gruffer looking and someone who’d seen way too much killing. “Who are you?” asked Braeburn. “I guess I have changed a good deal,” said Spike, giving him a smile. Braeburn looked at Spike for a while, before finally realizing just who he was looking at. “Well ah’ll be damned,” exclaimed Braeburn. “Spike? Twilight Sparkle’s assistant?” “The very same,” said Spike. “What brings you to these parts?” asked Braeburn. “I heard you’re the best pony to come to when looking for bounties,” said Spike. “You want to be a bounty hunter?” asked Braeburn. “Do I not look tough enough?” asked Spike with a hint of sarcasm. “Well, ah’ll admit you certainly have grown,” said Braeburn. “And the duster and akubra are definitely a nice touch. I’m guessin Rarity made those fer you.” “You would be correct,” said Spike. “How’d you get that feature?” asked Braeburn, pointing to his own eye. “Tried to take in a bounty without any weapons or experience,” said Spike. “Don’t worry, I’m well trained now.” “Spose that helps,” said Braeburn. “Well on the wall here ah got several wanted posters, with a variety of criminals both big and small. You familiar with bounty laws?” “Not really, I admit,” said Spike. “Can you fill me in?” “No problem,” said Braeburn. “Lots of ponies get into this work without totally knowin what to do. It’s all simple really. As you can see by the posters, these offenders are wanted dead or alive. Don’t really matter to me how you bring em in, long as you have proof of who your bounty is. Best way to do that is by cutie mark, which we also provide on the profile. Anypony can claim they killed a high bounty, but if there aint no cutie mark, then it aint worth shit. So headshots aint no big deal. I suggest never using an incendiary device, could burn the flank and destroy the cutie mark. Also, never aim for the flank. Legs, stomach, neck, head, all fine of course, but you wanna keep that cutie mark in tact. Hope I don’t sound repetitive here, but plenty of ponies have made that mistake and gotten mighty pissed when ah refuse to give them their bounty. Ah make no exceptions, not even with kin.” “Guess that means you’ve seen Applejack,” said Spike. “Darn tootin,” said Braeburn. “Or Calamity Jack as most call her now. Suits her fine ah guess. Apple Boom and Big Gatlingtosh ah have to admit are also pretty badass soundin. Most bounty hunters and criminals get to be known by some nickname. If you live long enough, ah’m sure you’ll get one too.” “Here’s hoping,” said Spike, with a sly grin. “Ah suggest you start small,” said Braeburn. “Work yer way up in the ranks.” “Kinda need the big ones,” said Spike. “I’m not the only one needing food and safe keeping.” “Ah’m guessin you mean a certain purple unicorn,” said Braeburn. “That gonna be a problem,” asked Spike. “Aint none of mah business what you do with your bits,” said Braeburn. Breaburn gave Spike a list of various bounties, complete with a picture, cutie mark image, where they’re known to hang out, what they were charged with, and what they were worth. There were even lists of possible partners and what they were worth. “Good luck, Spike,” said Braeburn. “Yer gonna need it.” “I think I can handle it,” said a confident Spike. “I did get training from Magnum Mal Wesson.” Braeburn got a shocked, wide eyed look on his face once he heard that name. But he didn’t have time to say anything, as Spike had headed out already. Spike took a good, long look at his list, trying to figure out who to go after first. He saw two ponies in particular that grabbed his attention. They were the two colts who were teamed up with the colt that scarred him his first time trying to collect a bounty. He would’ve been killed had it not been for Mal. Slim Kickins and Dusty Hooves were what they were known by. They were currently teamed up with a unicorn by the name of Saddlebag Samson. Saddlebag was wanted for armed robbery, assault, and murder. He was worth a sizeable three thousand bits; Spike guessed the high bounty was due to his magic. Slim and Dusty were worth five hundred each. Four thousand bits wasn’t a bad way to start off your bounty hunting career. WANTED Saddlebag Samson Type: Unicorn Pony Crime(s): Armed Robbery, Assault, Murder Cutie Mark: Dark Brown Satchel Bounty: 3000 Bits WANTED Slim Kickins Type: Earth Pony Crime(s): Armed Robbery, Assault Cutie Mark: Two Sugar Dates Bounty: 500 Bits WANTED Dusty Hooves Type: Earth Pony Crime(s): Armed Robbery, Assault Cutie Mark: Tumbleweed Bounty: 500 Bits According to the information, Saddlebag was known to hang around the remains of Las Pegasus. While it wasn’t the lush city it was in the past, it was still a gambler’s dream. Spike arrived in Las Pegasus the day after receiving his information. He wandered about the city, looking for any information he could find. While just casually sitting in a bar, he spotted the trio walking out of the bar. He trailed them to an old shack a little outside of town. He kept a close eye on them, hoping they didn’t see him. Finally he went towards the front door, ready to jump in and hold them up. When suddenly a trip wire was snapped and Spike was suddenly hit with a blunt object. Spike woke up in a daze, tied to chair. His guns were taken from him, but he was still wearing his coat. He couldn’t believe they didn’t think to search the rest of him. He was then approached by Saddlebag. He was a stocky unicorn, probably in his 30s, sporting a black stetson, and a cigar in his mouth. He had a course black mane, and orange fur. “What have we here,” said Saddlebag. Some dragon thinkin he’s a bounty hunter?” “Ah think ah know this dragon,” said Slim, looking closer at Spike’s scar. “Hey yeah! Check it out, Dusty. It’s the asshole that got Argyle killed.” “Oh yeah,” said Dusty. “Your friend got himself killed,” said Spike. “He was given a warning.” “Shut the fuck up,” said Slim. “Gotta say, you’ve grown since we last saw yah. But yah didn’t seem to learn nothin from when we last saw yah.” “There’s more to this dragon than meets the eye, gentlemen,” said Saddlebag. “Isn’t this the same dragon who’s the assistant to the Cursed One?” “The very same, boss,” said Slim. “Her name is Twilight Sparkle,” barked Spike. Saddlebag used his magic to tighten the ropes on spike causing him to gasp for air a little. “You’re in no position to tell us what to call your unicorn bitch,” said Saddlebag. “Fuck you,” said Spike. Saddlebag motioned Dusty, who then kicked Spike in the gut with his hind legs. “May have pumped some iron since last time,” said Slim. “But he sure as shit aint learned no strategy.” Spike began to laugh a little. “What’s so damn funny,” said Slim. “Actually,” said Spike. “I’ve learned quite a few things since we last met.” Suddenly Spike’s ropes fell apart, revealing he had a large knife concealed in his coat sleeve. He then punched Dusty right in the jaw, knocking him out instantly. Slim pulled out a gun and started firing, causing Spike to dive behind a sofa. Spike heard him run out of ammo, and immediately fired, hitting Slim right in his front leg. Slim went down crying in pain. “Gotta say, I’m rather impressed,” said Saddlebag. “But those guns won’t do any good against a magic user.” Saddlebag zapped at the couch, causing it to vanish. But Spike immediately struck at him with what appeared to be a metal boomerang, striking him in the horn and cutting it off. The unicorn looked up in shock at the stub that was once his horn, leading spike to run up and knock him out. Spike tied them up and dragged them to the nearest sheriff’s office in Las Pegasus to collect his bounty. “Not bad for yer first outing,” said the sheriff of Las Pegasus. “Here’s yer four thousand bits.” “Thanks,” said Spike. “I will find you, and I will kill you,” said Saddlebag. “You haven’t heard the last of me!” “It’s gonna take a while for that horn to grow back,” said Spike. “I won’t wait up.” Spike left the Sheriff’s station to get supplies he needed for himself and Twilight. He knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d need to go after a new bounty. His bounty hunting days were just beginning.