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, and 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. Cloud 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… you’re 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, Cloud Kicker replaced her grin with batting eyes and a quivering lip.
“That’s not nice Blossom! Some thug beats your loving Cloud Kicker near to death, and all you can do is make fun.”
Rolling her eyes, Blossomforth 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 Cloud Kickers 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, Cloud Kicker squeed , “With the special bath beads?”
“Of course!”
Still wincing slightly from her bruises, Cloud Kicker gave the mare a kiss as she passed, and as their lips parted, she said “Oh, Blossom, you’re just too good to me.” As she walked forward, Blossomforths wing shot out to slap her soundly in the back of the head. Yelping in shock, Cloud Kicker looked over her shoulder, and shrugging her wings, the watermelon maned mare said evenly, “That’s for making me worry.”
Pouting, Cloud Kicker 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 comics were sold here featuring Agog the awful, the wildest, most bloodthirsty human of all.”
“Really? I’ve never really heard of it…”
“Well, since it wasn’t meant for foals, there weren’t that many sold. 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 pegasus, Garret chuckled.
“So how long have you two known each other?”
“Oh, for a time. But I didn’t love her really until…” she looked down at the floor, and gave a small sigh.
“It’s 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 a while. 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
“It’s ok. Everyone’s got something they’re 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, the enchantment of the steel still in place, her blonde mane shimmered slightly in the light, giving her an almost gentle look. 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, Cloud Kicker 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, and 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, Cloud Kicker took a seat
“Daring Do.”
“Your sister’s been by then?”
Rolling her eyes, Cloud Kicker gave a derisive snort.
“Please. Like a genius like her would read trash like that. Probably Dash’s.”
“Genius huh?”
Cloud Kicker gave an emphatic nod, and chirped, “Yep.”
“You love her huh?”
“Like she was my own daughter.” 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…” Cloud Kicker 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?”
Cloud Kicker gave a nod.
“Especially since mom…” the mare caught herself, and looked down at the cushions.
“Cloud.. can I ask….”
Smiling bitterly, Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker shuddered as her body succumbed to emotions. Slowly, Garret wrapped his arms around the mare, and hugged her firmly. Whimpering, Cloud Kicker 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? Shadow Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker shook her head. Smiling, Garret released her jaw.
“Cloud…. 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, Cloud Kicker protested, “They deserved to die.”
“Deserved?” at his tone of voice, Cloud Kicker 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 judgment.”
Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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. Cloud Kicker 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…” Cloud Kicker 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….
Cloud Kicker 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, the one placed in front of her Cloud Kicker 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…”
Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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 Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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.”
……………………………………………………………………………..
Cloud Kicker 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…”
Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker tilted her head up to take another lick at the human.
“Mmm, I might not even share you with Blossomforth…”
“Huh?”
Leaning back, Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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, Cloud Kicker 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.
“Then 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 pegasus 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 pegasus 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, Ponyville…
Cloud kicker 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, Cloud kicker turned back to her drink
“Amen.”