Lucky’s tavern was in a bit of a chaotic mood as Serenity and I descended the stairs. A few ponies were using old tools as they cut the cage apart and threw the pieces into small wagons and boxes. Larger ponies, including the guard at the door whom I guessed was Iron Gate, pulled, lifted and pushed the boxes out of the Tavern. A few ponies were talking to Lucky as he sat at a table nodding every now and then.

Despite the chaos my eyes caught sight of the pink filly sitting on the table. She was cocking her head looking at the stage with a red crayon in her teeth and a large piece of paper in front of her. I noticed Lucky's gaze flick to me for a second. He smiled and nudged Bubble Gums flank and when she looked to him he pointed to me.

When she looked to me everything came to a stop at her scream, “SPLIT!” everyone watched as she scrambled from the table sending the crayons and papers flying, which were caught in Lucky's soft magical glow. Serenity groaned in pain but manage to fold her wing up and I sat down and held my forelegs out just as Bubble leaped into my chest. I felt her shaking with sobs as she kept saying over and over, “you're ok!”

I hugged and gently stroked her mane, “yes sweetie… thanks to you… I'm fine.”

She sniffed and looked up at me with big wet eyes, “m… me? But I…”

I shook my head stopping her feeling a pain in my chest for seeing her this scared, “it was because of you that I was able to push myself and win… you Bubble Gum.”

Her face scrunched up and she let out a heart breaking sob and pushed her face into my chest, “I… I thought you… you were going to…” I started to rock her back and forth slowly as my, now that I realized was still quite stiff after being set back into place, injured leg held her tightly, my other hoof gently stroked her mane. I just held her until she finally managed to cry out all of her fear and heartache.

She leaned back rubbing her eyes dry and I tilted my head down smiling at her softly, “better?” She didn't look up but nodded, “that's my girl,” I said and gently set her down.

When her eyes were dry she looked up, “h… how are you feeling?”

I looked to Serenity who was waiting patiently behind her. She glanced at her too as she smiled down at her. Bubbles eyes glanced at her wings and her throat then back as I smiled softly and sighed, “a lot better now.”

Bubbles eyes went wide, “did… did you two kiss?!”

I felt my cheeks burn again and I glanced to Serenity whose face bright red. I gave the filly a smile, “yeah… we did… problem?” I cocked my eyebrow at the filly.

She grinned smiling brightly and shook her head, “nope!” She then looked back to the ponies working on the cage and shouted, “TOLD YOU HE WOULD KISS HER! NOW PAY UP!”

My eyes went wide and my ears flattened as I glanced at all of them as they all groaned and pulled small sacks of, what I assumed, caps and dropped them onto the table. Lucky just chuckled as he took half the sacks, “never bet on a filly,” he said to the last buck with a smirk.

The buck just grumbled until his eyes caught the sight of Serenity then his face busted into a bright grin. He ran a hoof through his mane and held out his chest as he approached her taking her hoof in his, “why hello gorgeous,” his tone trying to be smooth.

She however reacted far differently than anypony expected as she recoiled back her eyes wide with fear at the buck. She shrank down giving a terrified whimper than made me raised and before I could think and slammed my hoof hard into his chest making him stagger back gripping his chest.

I stood on my hooves my head low and something inside me growling with a deep hateful rage as I glared daggers at him, “leave… her… alone,” I said with a tone suggesting the promise of something that he would not be walking out of here if he didn't.

He looked up to me his own glare trying to beat mine, “why should you be the only one with a chance at getting her?” he took a step forward.

What happened next was a blur, and despite my sudden burst of rage at what he said my wings snapped open to block both Serenity and Bubble Gum who were behind me. Everypony who had a weapon was now wielding it… and they were all pointed at the stallion's head.

I saw Lucky's magical glow around a particularly beautiful rifle which was levitating in front of the stallion pointed between his eyes. I looked past him to the older buck leaning back with his hind hooves propped up on the table in front of him a warm smile on his face but his one eye was sharp as the blades on my armor, “I would highly recommend you leave the pretty mare alone Lad.”

The stallion swallowed hard sweat beading down his head and face, “why… why does he get her and no one else does? Why does she want him… he’s… he's just a pegasus.”

Lucky gave a chuckle, “well… there are a few reasons… first and foremost is it because it's her choice, second he risked his life to save her and finally,” he pulled his pipe out of his mouth letting out a breath of light gray smoke before giving the stallion a wicked grin, “I'd be willing to bet me Lucky Charm,” he nodded to the rifle, “that that pegasus there… doesn't even need us to stop you.” The stallion's eyes snap to mine and my eyes narrowed dangerously. Lucky stood up, “so do us all a favor would ya,” he moved in front of the stallion his eye locking onto his, “make like a tree… and get the fuck out of me Tavern.”

Slowly all of the weapons that ranged from a simple lead pipe to a double barreled shotgun similar to the one I was shot with but in far better condition moved away from him. He took a few steps back glaring, “I will get you…” with that he turned and walked out of the bar followed closely by Iron Gate who had a weapon I had yet to see or use… or to be used on me. I whispered softly a thank you to Luna and Celestia for the latter. It looked like a shotgun and a rifle had made a baby and it grew up into a long multi-shooting heavy shotgun of overwhelming joy.

I heard a soft sniffle and my attention snapped to Serenity who was shaking hugging herself as fresh tears rolled over her cheeks and fell to the floor with soft pats. Bubble Gum touched her leg softly as her ears folded back and the simple touch made her flinch like Bubble touched her with a heated knife.

Bubble recoiled feeling a little scared but Serenity closed her eyes, “I'm… I'm zorry zweetie… I... I just…” she stopped talking as I gently wrapped my hooves around her and pulled her into a hug. I thought it as a good sign as she relaxed in my embrace a little as she whimpered, “I thought… if I was with a pony I liked… I would be able to deal with my fearz…”

‘Her… fears?’ the pony in my head questioned.

I admit I wasn't the brightest pony that came from above the cloud curtain but I wasn't stupid either. I gently ran a hoof over her mane, “you were treated who knows how badly for Celestia knows how long by Lunas guess anything resembling a stallion.” she looked to me and I noticed something from under her mane that boiled my blood but I wanted to see it better before I acted so I smiled to her, “being scared of certain ponies is only natural.”

She leaned back up and using her wing, which I figured she did to get used to using them again, to wipe her eyes dry, “Thank you Split… I am zorry if it feelz like I uzed you to try and beat my fearz,” her eyes widened and she quickly clarified, “not… not that I'm zaying I still don't want to try and be with you it's juzt-”

My wing covering her mouth as I gave her a smile. Honestly I was not worried that she would just leave me because I wasn't the answer for her fear, but I was curious about something now. I cleared my throat, “why… if that stallion scared you do Lucky and I not?”

She looked to Lucky as he listened as he levitated his rifle with memorized ease back behind the bar as he listened. She sighs, “well… to be honezt for Lucky itz becauz… well… he remindz me of my father…” Lucky just gave her a smile and chuckled. She then looked to me lowering her head and peaking at me slightly, “you… it waz different…”

I felt my heart skip a beat when I looked into her eye, ‘how could she be this cute?’ I asked myself swallowing hard and feeling my face start to become warmer.

Lucky stepped forward a little, still seeming a bit unsure if he will make her cower, “what made him different?” he asked in that odd accent.

She looked to him then back to me and just smiled. I sat staring at her for several seconds before she spoke, “well… it'z hard to be zcared of zomepony when they rizk their life,” she grabbed her mane and stroked the end of it softly, “I admit I waz a bit nervouz…” She said looking away, “but… I guezz nurzing you back to health helped a lot too while you were unconsciouz…” She gave a tiny grin and I laughed a little.

Lucky moved up next to me smiling at her, “would you mind taking Bubble someplace so I can have a word with Split?”

Serenity nodded cocking a brow but lowering her head down to the filly and whispering something to her. The question had quite the effect on Bubble as she bounced up looking more excited than I had ever seen her, “a bath! Yes yes yes!” With that Serenity led the excited filly upstairs.

The rest of the ponies in the room started packing up and were heading to another set of stairs that I had not seen because of how crowded it was or just walking out giving Lucky small nods. Iron Gate was one of the ones that went upstairs telling me that he and his sister lived here which I admit made me smile.

There was still a lot of work needing to be done to take the rest of the cage down but the place, now that I could see it better, looked quite nice. The hardwood floor was only slightly worn and broken and still had most of its original color. The walls were a bone white with a bunch of prewar pictures all over the walls. One was the Sparkle Cola picture with the cute yellow pegasus on it. Another was one of a pink pony who was looking over the bar room with wide grin and equally wide smile.

I backed up feeling kind of guilty as her eyes seemed to be watching me no matter which way I turned my head, “I guess Pinkie is still watching me… forever…”

I turned to look at Lucky as he moved back to the bar. He lifted up a portion of the bar counter and let it slowly fall back down in place as he pulled out the bottle of amber brown liquid and poured 2 glasses. I licked my lips and trotted over and picked it up with a hoof and took a sip. I never was much of a drinker but I had to admit that I loved how it burned so good going down.

I looked to Lucky who was looking at me with a frown. What made me squirm was his blue eye staring at me. I could almost feel his stare looking into my heart and soul so I swallowed and looked back trying for my best stare, “w… what?”

He continued to silently judge me, I could feel sweat starting to bead on my head when he closed his eye with a sigh, “alright lad… I can normally figure out a pony by reading their expressions and actions,” he leveled his gaze to me his glass levitating to his lips and taking a sip. He then lowered his drink, “so… want to tell me why I got me a pegasus soldier who isn't a marked pegasus traitor, and who is walking around with the sweetest filly I have ever seen?”

I almost forgot about my glass as I stared at him dumbfounded, ‘how the hell did he…’ I stared at him then slowly looked behind the bar to my armor which was just sitting there. I frowned as 2 and 2 began to make pie, ‘he wasn't stupid and you are an idiot for thinking all ponies you meet would be.’

“Ok… I admit this story is going to be a little hard to swallow,” so I took a deep breath when a thought popped into my head. I focused on his eye and frowned, “before I continue… how much do you know about the Enclave?”

I smiled a little as he recoiled in surprise at the mention of Enclave. He swallowed hard looking very uneasy, “y… your Enclave?” he glanced at my armor over his shoulder then back, “that armor doesn't look like any Enclave armor that I have seen.”

I nodded, “that is because I'm special… I was being trained as a Wonderbolt,” upon seeing his confused expression I knew he didn't know about them so I knew a place to start. I pulled myself onto a stool and folded my hooves in front of me, “ok… Wonderbolts are the best of the best in the Enclave. Special tasks and…” I thought on that for a moment not really wanting to go more into that than special task. I cleared my throat, “and basically… they do everything from recon to high target assassination so special task is just that,” this seemed to make him uncomfortable and so I went into everything from my last training class to now.

By the time I was finished he had filled my glass twice and his… several more times. Bubble and Serenity came down for good night's, the latter improving my mood with a goodnight kiss, around the part where I just came down from the clouds. He was sitting on a stool behind the bar that I hadn't seen until he levitated it over and sat down. He was rubbing between his eyes with an expression of mixed disbelief and overwhelming relief. I sat sipping my drink feeling calm and my head was relaxed if a little buzzing. He seemed like he had been drinking this stuff since he was born and now it's just slightly burning water.

He finally took a deep breath and looked to me, “so… you felt like you were being used for something and after killing her mother you couldn't bring yourself to seeing her hurt so you sacrificed everything to save her. Then after saving a family and taking the blame, on your own might I add,” he said pointing his pipes mouth piece at me, “you started to think. After your run through the auto wagon shop of Flim and Flam’s you had wanted to help the filly more than just dumping her on somepony. Before you came here you saved a few ponies from being sold into slavery from an enchantress of sorts then when you got here you risked your life to save another mare of unknown origin from a horrible life leading us to now… all because… you A. can't go back home. B. You feel guilty and C… you actually love that little filly.”

I coughed making the burning liquid that I was drinking go up and out my nose. My eyes watered badly as I coughed to try and breath. Finally I looked at the old buck who was grinning at me with a small smile, “WHAT?!”

He just chuckled, “your reaction tells me all I need to know… I know you know that you do but,” he placed his elbows on the bar and gently tapped the tips of his hooves together and looked over them with an expression that I feel like a father would give their son on a big talk about something life changing, “why haven't you told her?”

I sat down and looked back to the stairs my ears folding back, ‘why haven't I told her?’ the tiny Split asked in my head. I really did care for the filly but…

“She… I think she deep down inside still hates me… and I am scared that if I did she would turn away and never look back,” I looked back to him feeling though as some kind of clamp was in my chest was squeezing hard against my heart and lungs.

He just continued to smile, “maybe… but there is no denying that filly cares for you,” he took a long drag from his pipe and as he breathed out the gray smoke curled from his mouth and nostrils, “there is a time for everything so be careful for when you mention it to her.” I nodded and he levitated the mostly empty bottle to his lips and drained it in one gulp before wiping his mouth with a hoof and shaking his lips. He gave me a soft gaze, “that room you were in is yours… you helped me get me bar back so consider this place your home or a place you can rest your head. He levitated out a pair of keys and gently set them in my hoof, “now… go get some rest… I have something for you to do for me if you're up for it,” he dropped to his hooves and then lifted a hoof to his shoulder and moved it around a bit. It popped softly and he glanced back, “oh… the room on your right is the bathroom…,” he chuckled, “enjoy.”

With that Lucky walked back to his room behind the bar and just before his door closed I heard a click and something shut down and the door leading outside locked with a much softer click.

I sat there for a few moments thinking about what I had told him and what he asked me staring at my reflection in the rest of the drink I held between my hooves. I looked like a mess now that I was looking at it, even with Serenity giving me a sponge bath of sorts. My ears snapped up at the thought of her and what happened since I woke up from the horribly one sided fight. I should not have won that and almost died to do so and as a result I got a marefriend. I looked up at the ceiling like somehow the alcohol gave me the ability to see her through the ceiling. I think I knew I was no where close to where we should or would be but I could not help but stare and smile.

Serenity was beautiful, kind and… an emotional wreck… I closed my eyes and looked back down at my drink. I wanted to help her and I want to earn the right to her affection and trust but I feel that may take some time. I drained my glass I mentally thought that it would be probably even longer before I got laid.

I then slammed my head hard into the equally hard bar counter, “DAMN IT SPLIT!” I half hissed and half shouted to myself. She was a slave for Celestia knows how long and was used for… my jaw clenched tightly and my body went tense, “she didn't deserve any of that,” I said to no pony, “If I find the fucking bastard who did that to her… I'd be sure to give them a new kind of flying lesson.”

It was then that I realized a couple things… first was somepony was awake and I was sure who it was because of the second thing, as she gently ran a hoof down my spine my wings sprang open sending one of the stools flying across the bar room.

I looked back to see Serenity smiling at me even though she was quite tired looking. Instantly all my anger subsided and my ears drooped, “I woke you… didn't I?”

She nodded and before I could speak she leaned forward and nuzzled under my chin. Her mane was still a little damp but was smooth and cool feeling against me. She spoke softly as I slid off my stool so she didn't have to strain to nuzzle, “yez… but not becauze of your talking or shouting,” she pulled back and placed a hoof on my cheek which I leaned into, “it's becauze you are ztill awake.”

I pulled my head up confused, “because I was awake?” I cocked my head as my buzzed brain tried to figure out what she meant. I was also willing to bet that me getting tired was another part of it so I just asked, “we… are not sleeping together yet… are we?”

“Not unless you wan…” She caught my look and swallowed lowering her head a little, “no… no we are not,” she pawed at the wood floor watching her hoof.

I must have looked quite annoyed at what she was going to say but seeing her like this I couldn't feel angry because I knew that going from slave to free was not as easy as flipping a switch. I reached a wing out and lifted her so she was looking at me and I gave her the best smile I could, “If winning that fight allowed me to win your heart… then allow me to win more than that in time,” I could see the tears building in her eye and I slowly moved my wing around and brushed it from her eye without even making her blink, “I know for you it is not easy to separate what you think will make me happy from what should make me happy, but I am not in a rush… you are the first mare that has made me feel anything like this so I don't want to mess it up.”

She smiled her eye looking at me with a warmness that made my knees weak. She looked to my my muzzle torn between listening to my advice and wanting to lean in for something. She looked back to my eyes, “do… we kizz now?”

I wanted to… sweet Celestia I wanted to taste that kiss right now, but I wanted something else more and with my hoof started to gently pushed her mane to the side, I want to se-”

She jerked her head back turning her head so all I could see from behind her mane was the tip of her muzzle sticking out, “pleaze… no… I… I'm hideouz,” she started to tremble and even in with several glasses of whatever alcohol that was and being tired I could see she was afraid. She gave a small whimper, “I… want you to continue to look at me like you do without…” She stopped and looked at me her eyes going wide.

I was just smiling at her and she turned her head to look directly at me and I put my hoof on her cheek under her eye looking at me, “there is nothing that change the way I look at you,” her eye went wide and to prove it I slid my hoof around to the back of her head and leaned forward as I pulled her into a soft passionate kiss. I held my eyes open slightly and watched as her eye slowly closed as our lips touched. After a couple seconds I leaned back making her lean in more until she had to stop and pull away. Her eye and body telling me she needed more even if it was just me holding her she needed it but I needed something to and lifted my other hoof again my smile still warm, “please… let me see.”

She swallowed and hung her head a little but did not turn her head away so I slowly moved my hoof under the side of her mane dangling over most of her face and began to slowly push it away. I was just starting to reveal her cheek when my heart sank and a monster inside of me roared in rage. I could see the tip of a pink scared slash mark that started on her cheek and knew this was bad. I felt her tremble and her eyes tightened as she waited for a rejection. I pushed her mane to the side of her face and could see the horrid scare was only the tip as it had several tips that went diagonally across her eye and over her eyelid. It didn't look so much as something slashing her eye as it did like something tried to hit her with something jagged and ripped most of the skin down and off. Some kind of healing magic must have saved her eyelid but that was it for it was still pink with scarring. When she opened her eye to look at my expression I wanted to cry as her left eye was a beautiful light pink in color with a slit like pupil. The other eye was glassed over with a dull gray color.

I swallowed and lifted my wing up on the right side of her face and she didn't even glance at it and as I lifted my other wing she quickly looked at it. Her right eye was blinded from the damage she received and now she was looking to me the hope in her eyes starting to fall. She didn't have anything and she thought she was losing me so I did what I needed to. I leaned forward and made her close her eyes and kissed her scarred eye softly.

I heard her voice catch in her throat as tears started to build in the corner of each eye, “but…”

“I'm sorry I was too late to protect you from this… but I promise I will never let anything like this happen again,” I could see the tears rolling down her cheeks so I kissed the tip of her nose and she slowly opened her eyes looking at me with eyes that made me want to hunt the bastard down now and beat him into a brightly colored smear. I was mad… no I was furious but I was going to be there for her as I smiled, “you don't need to hide anything from me… because,” she was sobbing softly as she looked at me, “because you are and always will be the most beautiful mare to me.”

It was not was she was expecting to hear but it was what she needed as the sobs turned to a heartbreaking wail. I pulled her close and she lifted her hooves to my side and held on desperately as she pushed her face into my chest crying that little bit that was always bottled up out. I knew there was going to be many more of these as I helped her and slowly opened her up to me but I was always going to be there.

She finally managed to stop crying and I wanted to get her up to sleep before I decided to try and sleep myself, “feeling better?” I asked looking down at the top of her head. She didn't answer and I leaned over a little, smiling more, “hey are…” I stopped as I saw that she had cried herself to sleep or had just felt safe enough to fall asleep against me. Either way I was now set with getting her upstairs without waking her and Celestia damn me if I did.

Picking her up and cradling her in my hooves was not the hard part. She was very light and tiny without being too short. The hard part was going up the stairs on my hind legs as the stairwell was a bit too small for my wing span. I however leaned against one side and used my wing on the other side to hold myself against the wall. It was a wobbly and slow climb but when I reached the top I had to let a breath out that I was holding the whole way.

On the upper landing I glanced to my right and took note of the sign that said bathing room, “public bath?” I guessed. Then my gaze slowly shifted to my left to the closed door. My door was straight ahead so what was this room?

I moved forward and opened the door to my room with a wing, i guess she must have kept it open a little since I just pushed it open with my wing. Once inside I noticed Bubble was curled up on the couch snoozing soundlessly which caused me to smile, and now that I had more room now I flapped my wings enough to get me across the room to one of the closed doors. Twisting my body and my head I turned the handle with my teeth and pushed it open. The room was quite nice and the bed was huge! It had a semi tarnished brass frame bed with a large only slightly used mattress. The blanket on it was red and rather silky looking. I awkwardly walked in and fluttered over to the bed and laid Serenity on it. I was amazed that the pillows were nice white and fluffy still as her head sunk into it. I dropped the blankets over her and gently kisses her forehead. I then had an idea and moving quickly and quietly, i soon had Bubble curled up next to Serenity.

Feeling much better about Serenity and Bubble sleeping soundlessly together I went back out onto the the upper landing of the stairs and looked at the other door. I tried the door handle and frowned as it was locked. I sat hard looking at the door thinking of how I was supposed to get in when I mentally bucked myself, “the keys,” with that I quickly made my way downstairs and grabbed the keys from the bar and back up to the door. I tried one key and figured it was my room key as it did not open the door. It would be kind of pointless to lock the room to the bath so the other key…

Click

I turned the handle and pushed open the door and recoiled back at the smell of chemicals and something horrid that made me bring my wings over my muzzle. When the door fully opened from the momentum of my slight push my eyes widened and ears drooped back, “dear Luna…” I slowly walked into the room.

There was a lamp in the far corner that was giving off a dim orange light over a single room with a bed in the center that made the one in my room seem like a cot. The bed was horribly stained and with the straps and chains on it made my skin crawl. A small cabinet on one side of the bed held many bottles of alcohol which many seemed to be empty and I was not sure why but I didn't want to touch any of it. The table next to the cabinet had all kinds of chems on it, all which seemed to be used, all scared over it and a few on the bed and the floor.

“Who… who are you?” came a voice near the bed.

I slowly moved around to see a young mare chained to the bed her white coat stained and bruised. She was sitting on the floor with her legs out to one side and leaning on her fore hooves as she tried to focus on me. She had blue eyes that had small pin prick pupils. Her matted mane was so dirty I could not tell if it was purple or brown. She smelled horribly and I felt a pit in my stomach, ‘was she here the whole time?’

“I'm Splitstream…” I said looking at the chain around her neck.

She swayed a little, “where is… King?” She said in a slight daze.

I frowned, “he’s-”

“Dead came a voice from behind me,” I jumped and spun around lowering my head to fight. I instantly relaxed when Lucky walked in with a tray of food and some water levitating beside him. He sighed, “was hoping to get her out of that chain and cleaned up before you found her… unfortunately… I don't think he had a key.”

“He?” I asked dumbly, it took me a second then the realization hit me like a huge green buck. I looked around suddenly, “this… this was…” My stomach felt like it wanted to fall out as I slowly looked back to the mare. The empty feeling in my stomach clenched and I wanted to bring the dead stallion back to life so I could rip him apart.

Lucky just chuckled as he walked by pushing a spoon of… something into my mouth, “I know that look… bringing him back will only leave you like last time.”

The taste of the mush was… exquisite… did I just use a big fancy word? Anyhow I pulled the spoon out and licked my lips, “what… what is it?”

He knelt down by the mare and using another spoon slowly scooped up the steaming gray stuff from a bowl and blowing onto it and then slowly fed her. He looked back, “just some oats with some canned apples mixed in.”

I was going to have to remember that but right now all of could do was look at the mare being fed by the kind old buck. My eyes lingered on his kind eyes as he watched her carefully and I tossed the spoon to him landing it onto the tray making him look back to me, “I'll be right back.”

I ran down to my armor and found what I needed and ran back up. He was helping her drink when I came back in holding a bobby pin in my lips and a screwdriver. His eyes went wide, “Lad… you need to be careful!”

With his magic he lowered the thick chain to show the beeping collar and I gritted my teeth, “I…”

He shook his head, “that's why I haven't even tried… she is fine but without someone who knows explosives… I will have to keep her here and just keep her happy and healthy.”

Fight a giant buck to win the freedom of a mare?… sure… battle a half dozen zombie like ponies from killing and eating a filly?… no problem… spit in the name of the Enclave and throw everything I worked for away?… I'd happily do all of it again for some more practice with explosives.

I threw my head down hard sending the tip of the screwdriver into the floor almost to the handle, “damn it!” he glanced down at the screwdriver then to me calmly. I looked down at it now really confused. Why was I angry that I could not get her out? It was not expected of me or even asked I just assumed I could help and when I couldn't I got mad. I sat looking at the screwdriver, “s… sorry… I… just.”

The screwdriver's handle glowed and pulled from the floor and slowly laid onto the floor against my hoof. Lucky just gave me a small rather sad smile, “for what it's worth… I know exactly how you feel.” He levitated up one of the empty containers from the table and the mare saw it and started to paw at it with a dreamy smile. I couldn't tell if she was easily entertained by it or was trying to grab at it as he looked at it, “all I could do was watch the horror that they did… I never had the ability to fight them off or anyone stupid enough to take them on,” he glanced up looking a bit guilty, “no offense.”

I cocked my head, “offense? What… me stupid? I couldn't let him do that to Serenity…”

“Why?” His question was simple and rather blunt but it rocked me back to reality. He must have seen my confusion so he asked again, “why help somepony you don't know?”

“I…” a twang of annoyance began to burn inside as I stood up, “what do you mean why? No pony should be sold to another pony to be worked or beaten or… or fucked to death!” I said my voice rising as I pointed a hoof at the mare who was now looking back at me swaying. I stomped a hoof, “how can you asked why?! It's wrong and… and…”

I looked to him as he smiled back, “I don't disagree Lad… I just wanted to hear why… I know now that you have a thing for saving ponies from the way you saved the other from that unicorn mare you told me about… I just want to know why it bugs you so.”

I sat down again and thought, ‘why did it upset me so much?’ I mean Bubble Gum said it was wrong but even I knew that… if I was in that situation I would probably take my chance with my head exploding with a bomb collar than be worked to death… if Bubble Gum was…

My eyes widened and my blood ran cold at the thought. My breath caught for a second and Lucky patted the mare's head as he raised to his hooves and walked over to me, “she may not be your filly… but you see it don't you… and to be honest it is a bigger problem than you might think with fillies and colts of all ages to be used in slavery. They are beaten and raped on a daily basis but no one even bats an eye… well… most don't…” he nudged me up and out of the room as the mare climbed onto the bed and curled up to sleep. I felt like I swallowed an ice cube as I watched her but I knew I couldn't do anything without endangering her. Lucky closed the door behind us and placed a hoof on my shoulder, “don't worry… I have a friend on his way to help her get it off… just please be patient and get some sleep. I have a task for you to do for me.”

He waited as I opened my door and stood there feeling a bit confused. I looked to him, “can I ask you something… what should have I done with Bubble Gum?”

He just chuckled, “Lad… if you don't know now… then you may never figure it out.” With that he headed down stairs.

I closed the door as my head spun from the alcohol… Serenity's reveal about her eye… the mare next door… and now what was really pushing me to save ponies from slavers, ‘don't forget Solar’s hello,’ the pony in my head reminded me as he mentally picked through the files.

“Shut up…” I groaned and slowly dragged my hooves to the couch and climbed into it. I rolled onto my back and looked to the ceiling at the dead ceiling fan over me and sighed, “ok… so let's be honest Split… Bubble was a good distraction and surviving this long and saving ponies was taking my mind off things but…” I stretched with a yawn, “why was Steel Wing so intent on having me silenced?”

I yawned and closed my eyes and my mind began to come up with simple reasons like maybe he hated me from something I did a long time ago, too complex things like not wanting me to get into the Wonderbolts because he did something wrong and that I would have to take him out because of said thing.

I sighed as my body started to relax and I rolled onto my side to get comfortable when I heard something from the bedroom that caused me to open and eye and look to the door. Bubble was standing in the doorway with the corner of a pillow in her mouth looking like she was about to fall back to sleep standing like that. She looked at me and started to move towards me stumbling slightly over the pillow as she moved to the side of the couch. She dropped the pillow and tried to climb onto the couch but her sleepy like stake she was having obvious issues as she placed her fore hooves on the couch and tried to lift her hind legs onto it but didn't quite have the energy to. I smiled at her and grabbed her with my hooves and pulled her up onto the couch where she instantly curled up and nuzzled under my chin laying her head on my leg. I sighed and using a wing lifted the pillow up and put it under my head before adjusting so that she was comfortable and so was I. She then grabbed my wing and pulled it over herself and sighed softly.

‘Splitstream… the pony blanket,’ the pony in my head said making me grin.

“Maybe…” I yawned before my eyelids became too much and I drifted off to sleep.

When I finally awoke there was a dull gray light pouring in from the cloudy window. I sat up stretching my fore hooves up and my right wing out with a groan, “ok… no more couches.” I rolled off the couch and leaned forward stretching my hind legs and my left wing giving another long groan. I was rested if a bit stiff from sleeping on the very old couch and truth be told… I kind of missed that trailer of pillows.

I licked the top of my mouth and winced at the bad taste and sandpaper feel of my tongue. I needed a drink and preferably not anything alcoholic, so I opened the door and made my way downstairs stopping briefly to peak into the room on my left. The mare was snoozing soundly on the bed with her head on her hooves.

When I reached the bottom Bubble was the first to run up to me happily, “morning Split!” She smiled up at me.

I leaned down and nuzzled the top of her head, “morning Bubble… how are you this morning?”

She bounced on her hooves, “Serenity made breakfast!” I looked up and watched as Serenity carried a tray of something that was steaming with a Sparkle Cola. I looked down at Bubble and she just smiled, “I ate already… it was good!”

I looked to see Lucky and Iron Gate looking at my armor making me frown. I trotted over to the bar, “what's up?”

Lucky looked up and grinned, “ahh… you're awake now are ya?” he nods to the armor, “it's seen better days so Iron Gate is giving it a once over for ya… he had to rig up your energy pistol to a trigger system so you don't have fancy decorations now.”

My eyes went wide, “you know power armor?”

Iron Gate turned and grinned, “i have taken many steel Rangers power armor apart and even got my hooves on a beam rifle or 2… consider it payment for freeing this place up,” he steps back and points a hoof to some of the damage from the back, “luckily this was defended against energy weapons so you didn't turn into a glowing piles of ash, but that being said you lost your scorpion tail… how?”

My mind reeled, “how do you know about Enclave armor?”

I felt a chill as he glanced down my side at my flank and his eyes narrowed as his eyes snapped back to mine, “it's… just a hunch,” my eyes narrowed as did his. I could feel the atmosphere beginning to tense around us as Bubble took a step back and Lucky looked between the 2 of us.

I spoke carefully, “you have seen it… haven't you?)

He turned to fully face me his legs spread apart, “why is a pegasus Enclave here if he doesn't have a brand?”

“Dashites…” I muttered making him flinch. I let a breath out and then sat down my eyes locked on his, “I had a friend of mine meet me yesterday who's job was to hunt me down and brand me and kill me… or kill me then brand me… He left me his supplies and inside was the brand and the stuff that they use to melt away cutiemarks.” Lucky took a staggering step back but I just stared at Iron, “I'm as much as as Dashite as anyone with a branded flank…, “I'm just smarter and faster so they didn't get a chance.”

He looked at my armor and something seemed to click inside him as he looked at the melted metal where my scorpion tail was hit, “you were being shot at when you ran? He relaxed a little but looked skeptical, “why?” I lifted and pointed my wing down at Bubble who looked up at my wing then to him. She saw his look and she moved under me peeking at him from behind my forelegs. He looked at me, “so she isn't your daughter?”

I felt Bubble Gum touch my leg as she tried to look up at me, and I caught Lucky's look as he looked down at her then to me. I didn't want to hurt her or scare her so I gave the best answer I could, “she is not blood related to me… that's all.”

“That's not the question I as-” he began but Lucky cut him off.

“Nor is it any of you business Iron… he obviously cares for the filly so that's all you need to know for now.” Iron gave a small snort but turned back to the armor as Lucky moved up to me, “sorry about that… he has a few… good friends.”

I looked to Lucky, “he knows a dashite?” I didn't mean to growl like that to the kind buck but my feelings to Dashites pushed out.

Lucky frowned, “you sound like Dashite should be something that needs to be squashed?”

His tone shocked me and I glared, “A Dashite is somepony who turned their back on the Enclave for their own selfish reasons! I was going to be branded for saving a fillies life! There is a big difference…”

Lucky just shook his head and I wanted to make him understand. I didn't turn my back on the Enclave I turned my back on Steel Wing who wanted me to murder an innocent filly. How was that the same but when he looked at me he looked… sad… my ears and wings drooped but my eyes glared at him.

He motioned us to walk over to the table where Serenity was waiting with the tray of food. I picked up Bubble Gum and half flew half walked on my hind legs over to the table. I set Bubble in the chair and looked at the similar oats that Lucky made last night and my stomach growled loudly. I hadn't eaten anything for some time and this was smelling like heaven. I glanced to the smiling Serenity who was watching and waiting for me to try it so I shrugged and leaned down and took a bite.

The slightly mushy oats were similar to the bite I got from Lucky but the flavor was different… better… the apple taste was still there but there was a sweeter taste. There was a slight crunch that was oddly familiar with an aroma that had my muzzle buried into the bowl eating every bite. Bubble took my Sparkle Cola taking a sip as I finished and licked the bowl clean then licked my muzzle equally clean.

I looked to Serenity, “you used…”

She nodded, “Bubble told me you liked that cereal so when Lucky taught me how to make the porridge and apples I had the idea to try and use crushed Caramel Apples Bombs.”

“She's quite the cook,” Lucky said with a chuckle. But then he looked serious, “Lad… Dashites… are not what you think… in fact I know a Dashite who helps caravans on a daily basis.”

That didn't make sense to me… according to higher ups Dashites were selfish pegasi who wanted more or just didn't agree with the Enclaves rule. I frowned not believing him, “that's not what I was lead to believe…”

He cocked an eyebrow, “how about you talk to one before you judge them?” I looked away not wanting to hear it… I was right and I knew it. He however changed the subject, “now… ever been inside a stable?”

I turned to look at him cocking my brow, “you mean those underground bunkers from before the war?” He nodded and I shook my head, “never thought they were still even a thing…”

He leaned back in the chair and Serenity lifted the tray from in front of me and moved it so she could lean on the table to look at him as well, “yes they are a thing… and not many are good places to be… but I need something out of a nearby one… a… water talisman.”

I frowned my ears going back, “ok… why haven't you gotten it?”

He took a long drag from his pipe then looked up and let the smoke swirl to the ceiling, “for the same reason I couldn't save anypony from King…”

I sigh and Bubble Gum whimpered, “If it's that bad… why ask Split?”

He smiled to her, “because little one… Split is the only one who I believe has a chance at it… and before you ask,” he says looking up to me, “many ponies come here dying of thirst… having that talisman would allow me to save ponies by giving them water without worrying for pay.”

“You… you… are willing to help ponies… for free?” I asked surprised.

“I had to watch many ponies like that mare upstairs be turned into prizes for that monster… and I could do nothing but sneak her food… then you showed up and gave me a chance to try something… I just… need a bit more help.”

I sat for several minutes as I thought about what it meant. I really didn't have a reason to mistrust Lucky but on the other wing this place was bad enough that he couldn't get to the talisman… but… I had to admit… I was curious.

I smiled, “I'll do it as long as Bubble can stay here while I'm gone.”

Bubble opened her mouth to argue but I put a wing over her muzzle and Lucky nodded, “I would rather her be here instead of going there anyhow… it's much too dangerous for her.”

“Split!” Bubble Gum whined making me look at her. She gave me the big eyes and her bottom lip trembled, “I don't want you to go without me… who will help keep an eye out for you?”

I bent down setting a hoof on her head, “Bubble… I don't want you getting hurt… if I can do this without worrying about you getting hurt I can do this faster and safer!”

“Pluz I will be going with him to help watch over him,” I swallowed hard and slowly turned back to see Serenity smiling at me, “no argumentz…”

“No?” I said rising and her smile didn't even flinch, “I have several… like-”

Lucky chuckled, “i think it would be a great idea.”

Why was everyone against me? I groaned as Serenity lowered down and nuzzled Bubble Gums cheeks softly, “would that make you feel better?”

Bubble smiles and gave a happy, “Mmhmmm!”

I face hoofed, “fine… no matter how I look at this I am losing this battle.”

Serenity lifted her head up to my ear and she whispered, “it will give uz zome time to talk more… and… get to know each other better,” the tone of the last part of her sentence made electricity shoot up my spine. She gave a small sniff, “however…” She walked in front of me, “zomepony needz a bath before we do anything,” she spun in place and her tail wrapped around my neck and that was all it took for me to follow blindly into hell.

Well after how I was lead here you'd think I would be enjoying a nice hot bath with an equally hot mare… however… I sat leaning back in the tub my ears back and only half of my muzzle to the top of my head was poking out of the warm water. My pip-buck was not clicking so this water must be coming from a talisman to be pure enough to soak in like this.

Serenity leaned over the lip of the rather large tub smiling sweetly, “oh what'z wrong Split?”

My eyes slowly moved to look at her as I glared. I felt like I was just used into being lead into a bath, even though she could have just asked, by using my deep attraction to her. I blew a few bubbles and turned my head and looked away my ears folding back.

“Split?” She moved around to the side I was facing her smile gone and looking a bit concerned, “what… what did I do?”

I lifted my head out of the water, “really? You are asking that?” Her ears pasted back instantly and she looked stunned but nodded. I put a hoof on the side of the tub, “you cant have not seen how much I like you and how much I… I want you… and you do that with your tail to get me into a bath?!” the snap of my words made her recoil back and I could see her shaking. I slumped into the tub, “just get out and I will finish up… make sure you are ready to go.”

She was sniffing now and I could see tears rolling from her eyes, “Split… I… I'm zorry…” but with that she covered her face with a wing and quickly trotted out the door.

I sighed feeling the water cooling down rather quickly, “damn it Serenity…”

It didn't take me long to finish washing and my coat was still damp and my mane was hanging down as I got downstairs. Serenity was being helped into a pair of saddlebags with Cedars help as Lucky was walking her through a specially custom built rifle. I say custom because the mouth grip and trigger were on the other side. She nodded as he talked until she caught my eye. Her eye went wide then turned away looking ashamed.

Bubble walked up next to me and hit my leg, “what did you do you idiot!”

I looked down into the rather upset eyes of Bubble Gum. I looked to Serenity whose ear was swiveled towards us and then I looked down, “let me ask you something Bubble… what would you do if I told you I had a special kind of Sparkle Cola on me and I was going to let you try some if you followed me upstairs. I then told you to take a bath and when you did I said only have a normal Sparkle Cola?”

Her face screwed up and her ears folded back, “I… would be upset that I was tricked… upset with you… why?”

“That is what happened… not exactly but same concept…” My eyes looked to Serenity who was now looking completely away and her ears were folded back. I snorted and moved to my armor and looked it over. Many of the scratches and holes were carefully patched and the broken beam pistol was, badly, repaired. With a tap of my pip-buck it hissed open and I stepped in adjusting my hooves when Cedar walked over. I looked to her, “don't have any armor for her?”

She shook her head, “nothing that would help…” She glanced back to Serenity who was waiting patiently by the door then back to me, “please… don't be mad at her… it was my fault.”

My ears twitched and I lifted my head enough to look at her, “what?”

She swallowed, “I… told her that to get a buck to do something she wants to gently use wrap her tail around someplace on the stallion… or mare if they like her enough… but with looks like hers it would be simple.”

My eyes narrowed at her and I wanted to shout and scream because what Serenity did was a bit hurtful, “She could have asked me to take a bath and I would have easily went and did so… but because of that…” I looked down focusing on making my boots fit, “I told her I didn't want to have sex with her until she was comfortable with the idea and it was her choice… then she does that…”

I glared at Cedar and despite her size and the weapon she had across her back she took a step back looking ashamed, “Split…”

I shook my head and walked by her, “don't help… I need to concentrate on getting the talisman safely.” I moved across the bar room towards the entrance stopping by Serenity who just hung her head looking away. I looked to her, “ready?”

She sniffed and nodded and despite how I felt I did feel guilty. I had a right to be annoyed at best but I was being downright foalish to her all because I couldn't get any. I put a hoof under her chin and lifted her face to me. Her eyes went wide and her ears sprung up, “Split!”

I kissed the tip of her muzzle, “let's go” she gave a tiny sad smile and nodded.

With a wave of my wing to Bubble, who waved back looking a little scared, we walked out into the wasteland. The last time I was out here it was quite dark and was still raining a bit, Now it was mid morning and I could see quite well. I could see the tall buildings off in the distance where Bubble and I came from to one side along the road and to the other it went further along and I could see some low mountains. The road looked ripped up like something tried to pull it apart and left small craters in it all along the road as far as I could see. There was a rather good intact metal wagon sitting in front of the Tavern missing only it's wheels. This particular model was pulled by a pony but had a small motor inside that so the pony didn't have to work as hard to pull.

I glanced back at the Tavern seeing an old long dead tree a slight distance from the door inside. I could see a small hill rising behind the tree with a broken swing set on top, other than that I could not see anything worth seeing. I glanced skyward but it was just it's silvery layer of clouds like any other place.

Serenity moved up next to me and asked in a timid voice, “where are we going?”

“Well… I hope…” I looked down at my pip-buck and smiled as a marker back in the direction Bubble and I came from. It was close by the garden and I tilted my pip-buck to show her, “we are heading that way.”

“Oh! That thing iz quite helpful huh?” She asked with some amusement.

“More than you realise sweet cheeks!” I smiled and started to walk.

She fell behind but I heard her mutter confused, “zweet cheekz?” She shook her confusion away and trotted up next to me looking at the ground as we walked. I knew what she wanted but I was going to let her start which didn't take very long. She looked at me, “Split… I… I'm really zorry.”

I nodded, “I know… and… I'm sorry for snapping at you,” I looked to her as she lowered her eyes to the road. Oh no missy… I was not about to let you pout like that! I wrapped my armored wing over her and pulled her close then kissed her on the cheek, “no pouting after we apologize.”

“Why… why are you making it zeem like thiz will be a normal thing?” She asked finally managing a smile.

I looked ahead and frowned, “let's be honest… we just met and you are still learning… as well as I.”

“Split?” I turned my head enough to glance down at her as she looked up at me curiously, “why… why did we inztantly become a couple?”

‘Yeah… why did we?’ the pony in my head asked with a frown. I thought about it for a second but that second turned into minutes and I could see her ears lowering the longer it took me to think.

I stopped when a sad kind of hurt was spreading to her eyes, “no! Listen to me!” She took a step back from me in surprise. I lifted her hoof and held it to my face making her blush as I sighed, “it's not me trying to think of why we are together… it's me trying to think of how I want to phrase it properly.”

She relaxed at that, “Split… tell me… I do not care how blunt it iz… I want to… no I need to know,” her tone comforted me and she moved forward and sat in front of me. Her other hoof lifted and took my other cheek and she leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. I felt a tingle from the little kiss through my body to the tips of my wings and I felt a smile spread across my face.

I knew how to tell her now so I took a deep breath and…

Blam!

The bullet hit the armored part of my wing and then the lump of metal fell to the road with a soft pink…

Instantly my wings shot up to protect Serenity as more bullets began to whizz past from the cover of a couple overturned wagons. I could see 4 shooters and a very familiar unicorn levitating a lever action revolver. His voice boomed as he cried out to me in a dramatic tone, “JUST THE CHEATING SON OF A BITCH I WAS HOPING TO SEE! I TOLD YOU BOYS THE MARE HE HAD WAS WORTH THE PAY… NOW KILL HIM AND HELP ME TAKE THE TAVERN AND SHE'S ALL YOURS!”

“Serenity! Stay…” I felt a movement near me and she pulled her rifle from her back and with a quick flap of her wings she went into the air. My jaw fell as she effortlessly leaned back and crossed her hind legs setting the barrel of the gun in the crook of her crossed legs and took aim. With a succession of 3 Bangs 3 of the firing ponies dropped and my heart leap, “Goddesses I love you!” I said in awe.

She looked down at me, “Split! Zic Em!” With that my head snapped to the attackers. The unicorn was looking at Serenity in baffled amazement.

I grinned as he slowly looked down at me and started to charge. He let out a scream that I was sure Serenity couldn't do and dropped the rifle turned and ran. The last buck looked back to see him running away then turned to see my hooves slamming into his face and drive his head into the asphalt with a cracking sound. Something in my stomach turned a little at the sound but I just laughed.

The unicorn, as I closed the distance rapidly, was very dirty and his mane looked like he hadn't seen a brush. He looked back and screamed again as I slammed into him sending him sprawling. He rolled onto his and tried to kick his way back babbling and crying. Serenity landed next to me and even I had to take a double look at her. Her normally kind soft eyes were staring daggers at the unicorn.

“Serenity?” I asked touching her shoulder slightly. She took a deep breath in and I could feel her shaking through my armor. I gripped her shoulders and shook her a little, “Serenity!”

Her eyes snapped to me and instantly became fearful, “Split! I… I…” She pushed her face under my chin and I held her gently stroking her mane.

The unicorn tried to stand up but I gave him a look that froze him in his place. After a few seconds Serenity finally calmed down enough for her to lean back. I looked into her eyes and kissed her between them before I stood and walked to the unicorn.

He squirmed back quickly, “s… stop! Leave… leave me alone!”

I snorted, “like that's going to happen…” I glanced back at Serenity and frowned, “sweetie… wait right here,” she cocked her head confused. OK she was cute with that look and I smiled, “I'm going to show him something,” she nodded and I grabbed the unicorn in a headlock and took off straight into the air.

He started to kick and as amazing as it sounds his screams became even more high pitched as we climbed higher and higher. I was not worried about poking up through the cloud curtain because it happens more than pegasi were willing to admit. The only time they cared if it was something bigger than a large buck with a skinny worthless piece of meat. When we popped up on the other side of the clouds he went silent and I smiled as the warm sun beat down onto me.

“Is… that?” he asked in a stunned awe.

“The sun?” I finished for him, “yes… and I want you to remember this…”

“Why?” he asked looking around at the light blue sky with its fluffy white clouds that stretched as far as the eye could see.

I wanted to just let him go and was not sure if I still was not going to. I looked around, “that feeling you have right now…” he glanced back at me and I glared at him with steel in my gaze, “that mare down there gives me this feeling everytime she smiles at me… but because of you…” I drop down below the clouds and stop just below the curtain, “you made her a bag of emotions that are like me letting you fly right now,” I felt him tense and I growled, “you start to fall… you flail around worthlessly… and you hope and pray that I come and save you…” I let go.

I watched as he fell screaming as he reached a hoof up to me. He had a long way to fall and scream and I felt a wicked emotion inside me laughing at him and thinking of what would happen to his body when he hit. Something however smacked that thought and I dove after him with blinding speed. The air around me crackled with electricity as I caught up to him and grabbed the back of his dirty suit stopping him.

He shook panting heavily as he looked down at the dots of the buildings below then he lifted his face to me wet with tears and red from the whipping wind. I just glared, “now… you know how she feels every time some asshole like you reminds her of what she used to be… and what I am willing to do to save her.”

“I… I'm sorry… I… I won't do it… it again,” he sobbed desperately.

I didn't know what to do at this point… on one hoof I could drop him and just let him die… it's more than what he deserved… on the other I could let him live and hope that he took my… uh… little talk… seriously.

He read something on my face because he whimpered in such a pitiful voice, “please… don't kill me…” I knew now that he was not worth killing and started to lower to the ground.

The bullet ripped through the back of his head coming from under his chin startling me and dropping the very now dead unicorn followed by a soft bang. The stallion who I slammed head first into the asphalt was holding the rifle in his jaws. He said something but I looked and watched Serenity spin around and splatter his head behind him on the wagon behind him.

Serenity looked up to me and I watched her for a long moment before looking down at my hooves as I lowered down to the ground. I had not wanted to kill him because he was not worth but that choice was not given to me this time because I had not killed another equally horrible pony. They both deserved to die, more so the unicorn who used ponies loves for entertainment and prizes. Even Serenity who I would rather have, like Bubble, have my wings pulled off in the most painful way possible than to see hurt, should have seen me kill him so he could not hurt anypony again.

So why… why was this effecting me so hard? I should be rather happy the scum was dead… I knew I should so when I landed I gave Serenity a smile, “where did you learn to shoot like that?”

She looked at me sadly and carefully slung the rifle over her back, “Split… what'z wrong?” I opened my mouth to lie and she shook her head, “don't lie to me… pleaze… what's wrong?”

I flinched feeling a bit guilty that I was going to lie to her and I didn't have to say anything for her to catch me. My wings slumped, “how did you know I was...?”

“Going to lie?” I nodded and she sighed and walked to me, “becauze you juzt told me…” I looked at her in disbelief. She just sighed hanging her head, “why would you lie to me after what happened to uz thiz morning?”

‘Ouch…’ I mentally cried now hanging my head.

I felt her hoof run through my mane and I looked back to her. She smiled, “zo… what'z wrong?”

I stood up and and she did likewise pulling up next to me closely as we continued on. I frowned looking down, “I don't know,” I lifted my head enough to glance at her, “I intended on letting the bastard live with the fear that if I found him doing anything like what he did to you or others again I was going to smash him into jam,” I glanced back at the dead buck that killed him, “but…”

“Why not end him?” She asked looking curious… not upset I noticed but curious.

I shrugged, “I told him what you meant to me and what I believe I mean to you. I wanted to see if he would be a better pony if given a chance.” I looked to her and caught the question and cut it off, “yes… maybe I was wrong but… I feel that not getting a fair choice would have been cruel…” I looked forward seeing the shack in the far distance, “I guess I feel that I was given a choice to let him live or to die and then the choice was ripped from me.”

She leaned close and nuzzled my neck, “pleaze don't let it bug you too much,” I looked at her and she pointed to the shack with a wing, “we need our headz to get in and out zafely.”

She was right so I shook my head and went back to my earlier question now that it was overwhelmingly curious, “now… where did you learn to shoot like that?”

She looked to me and then down a little sadly, “my… father,” my ears flattened instantly, “I was but a filly but… he zaid I had a gift with shooting… that was.. before I was sold into…”

I felt a sadness for her and a deep raging anger, “do you know who it was who sold you?” Celestia please.. don't let it be her father.

She nodded, “it waz… My brother…”

‘Well shit…’ the pony in my head thought with a face hoof. It then bucked something in my brain, ‘good job wishing it was not her father! Thank Celestia for small miracles!’

I swallowed, “why?” She looked to me and I clarified, “why would he do that?”

She shrugged slightly, “Luna only knowz… apparently marez from my village ztarted to come up mizzing for no reazon.”

Yup… now we had to go see her village and have a nice talk with her brother. I looked ahead, “I think we will schedule a trip to your village in the very near future to see if we can help out someway.”

Her eyes light up and she gasped raising a wing to cover her mouth slightly, “you… would take me to my village… and help uz! For what? Why?!”

I smiled as she leaned close her eye that I could see filled with hope, “could you do me a favor?” She cocked her head confused but my smile just widened, “could you give me that smile that you made when we decided to become a couple?”

Her eye wet wide but she smiled sweetly, “of courze… but why?”

I looked at her for a long moment feeling my heart slam in my chest at the smile. I then looked ahead, “that smile is why I want to do it.”

Now I am not a small buck, in fact as pegasi stallions go I am rather big. My armor also legs with taking hits and makes me a bit heavier despite it being made lighter with a magical core that allowed it to be even lighter. Despite all of that she tackled me over with ease her lips locked to mine with a kiss that had more tongue than I ever thought possible.

She gave a soft sweet moan into the kiss before pulling away, a loving smile on her face and her eyes filled with admiration, “Thank you Split.” she slowly moved off me and with some difficulty I got to my hooves as my wings were locked out stretched. She giggled pointing at me, “Oh my… that is a new look!”

“Huh?” I squeaked my whole body feeling like I could melt my armor. I lifted my wing and looked at the polished metal underside and my mane. It was sticking up like I just tried to make love to a spark battery. I glanced at my tail and it too was straight as a gun barrel, “what the!”

She giggled as she walked over and with a hoof started to brush my mane back down to its slicked spike back look and then worked my tail down the best she could, “I will have to remember this,” her tone and look sent a shiver down my spine and my knees shook… wait… my knees shook… I didn't know they did that!

“Let's,” voice squeaked again so I cleared my throat and tried again, “let's get going so we could get back.” we started walking again.

I looked to my compass and noticed the arrow was still pointed ahead as we passed the shack. She glanced around at the broken stone path curiously then to the shack, “what'z in there?” She pointed the the shack.

I looked at it cocking my head, “not much… a few old tools… a couple crates, broken radio… a bed… um… I cannot re-,” I blinked as she started to walk towards it, “where are you…” She opened the door and didn't say a word as she slowly glanced back over her shoulder. That look in her eye made something in my brain snap and I could smell something burning. She slowly walked into the shack her tail giving a couple small flicks telling me to follow. I stared at the open door hungrily, “she… she want to… to talk… to…” I stared for several long seconds before my wings snapped open, “TO HELL WITH IT!” My wings snapped to my side and I was at the door in second and I peeked inside. The last thing I saw was Serenity's hooves pull me in by my head, her lips pressed to mine in the dark shack and all remaining fuses blew in my head.