Sterling and the boys made their way back to the homestead for lunch. Sterling rubbed his shoulder, where Eclipse's talons had dug in deeply during their brief tussle, leaving noticeable scratches and abrasions.
"Jeez kid, don't you ever file those oversized toothpicks?" He cringed.
"Sure I do." Eclipse smirked. "So they stay nice and sharp."
"A little too sharp, if you ask me." Sterling glared.
"Or not sharp enough..." Eclipse said under his breath.
"Come on you two, be nice." Globe rolled his eyes.
"He started it." Sterling huffed.
"Real mature." Eclipse sneered.
"Real mature..." Sterling echoed in a mocking tone.
"I rest my case." Eclipse growled.
"I wish you would give it a rest." Sterling scowled.
"Seriously, guys." Globe groaned. "I don't wanna hear this all the way home."
Sterling and Eclipse reluctantly fell silent... though they still threw venomous glares at each other.
Before long, the homestead was in sight.
"It's good to be home." Globe smiled.
"And especially good that we went there by land." Huckleberry threw a look Eclipse's way.
"Oh, cry me a river." Eclipse rolled his eyes.
"Maybe I oughta hang back for a second." Sterling suggested. "I think that mother of yours might get the wrong idea if I come back at the same time as you boys."
"Can you blame her?" Eclipse snorted.
"Come on, Eek." Globe sighed. "Be nice."
"This is me being nice." Eclipse fibbed.
"It's a good idea, though." Huckleberry admitted. "Don't want mom and dad putting two and two together..."
"Okay then." Globe shrugged. "See you in a second, Sterling."
"Yes, you will." Sterling nodded.
The boys entered the homestead first.
"Mom, dad, we're home!" Eclipse announced.
"You're just in time, boys!" Cherry called from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready!"
"Of course they're on time." Big Red chuckled as the boys filed in, already sat at the table. "Like they'd ever miss yer cookin'."
As the boys took their seats, Cherry began serving them lunch, which was comprised of tumbleweed stew and oat crumbles.
"So, how was your trip into town, Globe?" Cherry asked.
"Oh... same old, same old." Globe shrugged.
"Funny." Big Red mused. "Fer 'same old, same old', ya sure seem ta like runnin' with it day after day."
"I just like walking through town." Globe defended.
Sterling, believing enough time had passed, entered the home himself.
"I'm back!" He smiled, as he walked through the door.
"In here, Sterling!" Big Red called.
Sterling followed the sound of Big Red's voice (and the smell of lunch) into the kitchen.
"Ah, looks like I'm just in time." He smirked. "Good thing, too. I'm starving."
As Sterling sat down, Cherry couldn't help but notice the scratch marks on his shoulders.
"What happened to you?" She frowned. "Those scratches..."
The boys froze in place, fearing the worst...
"I, er... tripped, and fell into a thornbush." Sterling lied. "You know, when I went out for that walk of mine. There was this rock sticking out of the ground I didn't notice, and bam! I was head over heels, and fell face-first into that bush."
"Must've bin that bush over on the east side." Big Red frowned.
"That's right!" Sterling nodded. "I was over on the east side earlier! Not going near that bush again, believe you me!"
The boys relaxed, believing the crisis was averted.
"I suppose I should get you some antiseptic for those cuts." Cherry mused. "Don't want them getting infected."
"That's mah gal." Big Red grinned. "Always lookin' out for the welfare of others."
"More like I don't like the idea of him getting sick, and having to stick around longer than he has to." Cherry snorted.
'The feeling is mutual, lady...' Sterling thought.
"Ah, yer such a kidder, darlin'." Big Red chuckled.
"Yeah, a regular comedienne." Sterling snorted.
"Either way, we can attend to those cuts after lunch." Cherry declared. "Better eat up before it gets cold, Sterling."
"Sure, sure." Sterling nodded. He started digging into his stew. He couldn’t help grimace internally by how good the stew tasted.
'She may be an distrustful mare and an overbearing mother, but she's a great cook.' He admitted grudgingly. 'I don't think my mother ever cooked a meal in her life. She always had the servants do all the work instead… if only that was only thing wrong with that mare...'
After lunch, Sterling grudgingly allowed Cherry to attend to his wounds.
"Yeow!" Sterling winged, as the antiseptic stung him.
"Oh, hush now, you big baby." Cherry scoffed as she rubbed the cotton swab deeper into the cut. "If sweet little Globe can take this kind of pain, then surely a grown stallion can too."
"Yeah, yeah..." Sterling scowled, not liking the implied insult. 'You'd be surprised by what I can take, lady...'
Sterling held in any cries of pain after that, determined to prove Cherry wrong.
"Okay." Cherry smiled, as she put away the antiseptic. "Just got to get some bandages on there, and you'll be good to go." She grabbed a roll of bandages, and started covering Sterling's wounds.
"That's not necessary-" Sterling started.
"Of course it is." Cherry countered. "Don't want dust getting in there, or some nasty bug..."
As Cherry wrapped the wounds, Sterling couldn't help but notice how gentle she was being. Clearly, being a caregiver came naturally to her.
'Another thing she's got on my mom.' He admitted grudgingly. 'She never gave me this much attention whenever I got hurt...'
"There, done." Cherry smiled, as she tied off the last bandage. "Try not to fall into any more thorn bushes. We can't afford extra bandages on top of paying you."
"Very funny." Sterling rolled his eyes… before pausing, "...Thanks, though."
"You're welcome." Cherry declared, her back to Sterling as she put away the antiseptic and bandages.
"Well, I guess I'd better be... off then." Sterling said awkwardly as he backed out of the room.
"Okay then." Cherry nodded, a small smile on her face. Once he reached the living room, Sterling sat down on the couch.
'Better watch it Sterling.' He berated himself. 'Don't get too friendly there. After all, you didn’t quite get on with your own mother...'
Shortly after, Sterling and the boys briefly crossed paths in the front hall.
"That was a close one back there, wasn't it?" Huckleberry whispered. "Nice story, Sterling."
"Eh, it was okay." Eclipse shrugged.
"Well, I wouldn't have even needed to come up with a story if you hadn't used those talons on me in the first place." Sterling glared at Eclipse as he rubbed his bandaged shoulders.
"Well, if you hadn't been acting so suspicious, I wouldn't have had to use them at all." Eclipse shot back.
"Come on, Eek." Globe sighed. "You know perfectly well why me and Sterling were leaving the homestead together."
"But I didn't earlier." Eclipse said suddenly. "This guy could have been doing anything to you."
"Please, give me a little credit." Sterling scowled. "I'm not some sicko, you know."
"Jury's still out on that one..." Eclipse muttered.
"Not to me." Globe said firmly. "I trust Sterling, so you should too."
"He's got a point there." Huckleberry admitted.
Eclipse simply scowled in annoyance, not liking that his brothers were on Sterling's side.
"Hey, what are y'all doin'?" Big Red asked, as he joined them.
"Oh, nothing." Sterling said quickly. "Just chatting about... this and that."
"That's nice." Big Red grinned. "Ah'm glad ta see you boys gettin' along with our guest so much."
"Thanks, dad." Globe smiled.
"He's not so bad, once you get to know him." Huckleberry smirked. "Right, Eek?" He nudged Eclipse, knowing full well his brother would have to go along with the circumstances.
"Yeah, sure." Eclipse hissed. "He's a real Prince."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Sterling grinned, enjoying Eclipse's barely-concealed annoyance. "But it's nice to know you think so highly of me, kid." He ruffled Eclipse's head feathers.
"See, Ah knew ya'd all like havin' Sterling around." Big Red chuckled. "Now, let's get goin'. We got the whole east orchard ta clear out today."
"You got it, dad." Eclipse threw a smirk Sterling's way. "I can't wait to get to work. Right, Sterling? Bet you're raring to get out here and buck cherry trees for the next few hours, huh?"
"Oh, yeah." Sterling cringed. "Sure. Can't wait..."
"Then let's get movin'." Big Red smirked. "An' Sterling, since yer so eager, you can start us off. How does that sound?"
"Great..." Sterling smiled falsely. As they headed out of the house, he hissed at Eclipse "What was that, kid?"
"Payback, pal." Eclipse sneered at Sterling. "Sweet, sweet payback..."
After a long afternoon of cherry bucking, the group returned to the homestead for dinner.
"I think I'm starting to get the hang of this." Sterling mused. "I only feel half as numb as I did yesterday."
"I told you you'd get used to it." Globe smiled.
"Ya did mighty fine today, Sterling." Big Red declared. "As a reward, Ah think Ah'll talk Cherry inta givin' ya a li'l extra fer dinner tonight."
"Thanks, Red." Sterling smiled. "Still, I always believed a job well done is its own reward... I'll take that extra food, though. I may not be as exhausted as I was yesterday, but I'm just as hungry!"
"'Course ya are." Big Red chuckled. "A workin' stallion always works up a big appetite. Yer a fella after mah own heart, Sterling."
"Please..." Eclipse rolled his eyes.
After a hearty dinner of turnip salad with cherry pie for dessert, the family once again settled in for the night.
'Look at me, getting into an actual routine.' Sterling though as he lay down on the couch. 'Been a while since I've done anything like that...'
The next morning, the routine seemed to continue, with Sterling enjoying breakfast with the family. However, Big Red joined him as he left the kitchen.
"Hey Sterling, how'd ya like ta come with me inta town today?" Big Red asked, wrapping his hoof around Sterling's still tender shoulders. "Ah could introduce ya ta some friends a' mine."
"Oh, you don't have to do that." Sterling said awkwardly. He was well aware of the need to keep a low profile, not wanting too many ponies to know his face. "I'm not planning on sticking around long, remember? There'd be no point in me playing the meet-and-greet game..."
"Sure there would." Big Red chuckled. "It'd help for when ya next drop by these parts."
"Yeah, sure..." Sterling tried to escape Big Red's grasp. "But who knows when that will be? Maybe I shouldn't bother..."
"'Course ya should." Big Red insisted. "It never hurts ta make new friends, believe you me. Besides, it's better than jest lazin' around here all mornin', ain't it?"
"Well, I guess..." Sterling mumbled, finding himself unable to come up with an excuse that could convince Big Red to drop the matter.
"Great." Big Red smiled. "Then let's go."
"Sure." Sterling nodded. "Sounds like fun..."
"Me an' Sterling are headin' out fer a while, darlin'." Big Red told Cherry.
"Okay" Cherry shrugged. "Just be back in time for lunch. And don't get up to too much trouble."
"Such a kidder." Big Red kissed her on the cheek. "Yet another reason why Ah love ya."
"Love you too." Cherry beamed.
Big Red and Sterling made their way into town.
"This remind ya of yer own home town?" Big Red asked.
"The sand, maybe." Sterling muttered.
"Sand? Big Red frowned.
"Yeah." Sterling sighed, realising he had said a little more than he meant to. "I grew up over in Cairode."
"That's a long way out, ain't it?" Big Red mused. "Donchya ever get homesick?"
"Nope." Sterling scoffed. "The farther I am, the better."
"Why's that?" Big Red frowned.
"No reason." Sterling said bluntly. "And I'd prefer not to talk about it."
"Okay then." Big Red shrugged. "But if ya ever wanna talk about it , Ah'd be happy ta listen."
"I'll keep that in mind." Sterling said flatly.
As they walked through town, they crossed paths with an orange-coated, pink-maned Earth Pony mare with blue eyes, and a Cutie Mark of half a peach.
"Morning, Red." The mare smiled.
"Mornin', Peach." Big Red grinned. "Sterling, this is Peach Cobbler. She owns the peach orchard over to the west. Peach, this is Sterling. He's staying with the fam fer a while."
"Taking in another stray, are you?" Peach chuckled. "Me, you and Cherry really are quite the charitable sort, aren't you?"
'Stray? Again?' Sterling thought indignantly. ’That word is starting to become one of my least favorites… just under the ‘c’ word.’
"Guilty as charged." Big Red smiled. "We see a soul in need, we jest gotta help 'em."
'Yeah, "we"...' Sterling frowned.
"That's very admirable." Peach smiled. "How lucky you were to run into them, Mr. Sterling."
"Yeah, I was." Sterling agreed.
"I'd love to stay and chat more, but I really must be heading back." Peach admitted. "Give Cherry my regards."
"Will do." Big Red nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Sterling." Peach smiled.
"And you, ma'am." Sterling said politely.
As Peach walked away, Big Red turned to Sterling.
"There, ya see?" He said smugly. "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Guess not." Sterling shrugged. "So, now we can head back, right?"
"Wrong." Big Red chuckled. "We're jest gettin' started."
'I was afraid of that...' Sterling thought.
"Come along, Sterling." Big Red urged.
'It continues...' Sterling groaned, as they kept walking through town.
"Ah wonder what Marshall an' his deputy's up to today." Big Red smiled as they neared the Sheriff's office. "You remember Marshall, right?"
"How could I forget?" Sterling snorted. "That guy really didn’t like me."
"Well, maybe ya'll be able to settle things today." Big Red declared. “Have ‘im get to know ya a li'l. Who knows, ya might hit it off this time.”
"Somehow, I doubt that." Sterling sneered.
"Don't underestimate Marshall." Big Red told him. "Ah've known 'im since we were kids. He may be a li'l stubborn an' hard-headed sometimes, but he's a real decent stallion once ya get ta know 'im."
"If you say so." Sterling rolled his eyes. 'You're a nice guy, Red. But you can be a little too naive for your own good...'
"Besides, ya haven't met his deputy Wrangler yet." Big Red declared. "Ya never know, ya might have better luck with him."
“Great…” Sterling murmured. ’While I’m at it, why not meet the entire police department?’ Then he grimaced. ’I just hope they hadn’t gotten word from Canterlot yet…’
As they walked into the Sheriff's office, Big Red called for his friend. As he did, Sterling glanced around, taking note that his face wasn’t among the wanted posters yet.
'That's a relief.' He thought. 'If my face was up there, I'd be done for right now...'
"Hey, Marshall!" He yelled. "Where ya at?"
"Back here!" Marshall's voice emanated through the open back door.
"Be right there!" Big Red called.
Big Red, followed reluctantly by Sterling walked outside, where a targeting range had been set up. Wooden circles painted with targets, along with mock-ups of criminals, were lined up against a fence.
"Howdy, Marshall." Big Red smiled. "Hope ya don't mind us droppin' in like this."
"We?" Marshall turned from loading his crossbow, and noticed Sterling's presence. "Oh, we."
"Hey." Sterling said unenthusiastically. "Miss me?"
"Why is he here?" Marshall asked Big Red.
"Ah figgered you two had kinda got off on the wrong hoof." Big Red announced. "Maybe a do-over would help straighten things out."
"I wouldn't count on that." Marshall scowled.
'My thoughts exactly.' Sterling grimaced in return.
Alongside Marshall was Wrangler, his deputy, a pinto Earth Pony stallion with a black mane, blue eyes, and a lasso Cutie Mark.
"So you're the guy who rubbed the sheriff the wrong way a couple of days ago?" Wrangler mused.
"That depends on who you ask." Sterling frowned. "Wrangler, right? I don’t know what the Sheriff said, but I’m not here to cause trouble."
“I dunno.” Wrangler crossed his hooves. “The Sheriff kinda has a knack for seeing through scumbags… and he’s usually right.”
"Now, now, let's jest cool it." Big Red stepped in. "Sure, Sterling an' Marshall got off on the wrong hoof. But it ain't nuthin' that can't be fixed. Sterling's a good guy. Trust me, Ah'm an excellent judge a' character."
"Sure you are..." Marshall said under his breath.
Lone Star, Marshall's father, was also there. He looked like an older version of his son, save for his gold-colored mane. For a long time, the two had been estranged from each other, but had recently started to reconcile. Lone's old age and time as mayor had clearly not impeded his marksponyship, as he had already taken down several targets of his own.
"Morning, Red." He smiled.
"Howdy, yer mayorship." Big Red grinned. "Sterling, this is Lone Starr, Marshall's Pa, an' the mayor of our fine town. Lone, this is Sterling. He's staying with my family fer a while."
"Uh... hey." Sterling said awkwardly, hoping Lone wasn't as distrusting as his son. "Nice to meet you, your honor."
"Greetings, Sterling." Lone smiled.
“You be careful, dad.” Marshall scowled. “This is the guy I have been telling you about earlier.”
“Oh, really?” Lone frowned, as he glanced at Sterling, “I don’t know, he doesn’t seem like the shady character you make him out to be.”
“Well, looks can be deceiving.” Marshall frowned.
"No kidding." Sterling smirked. "For instance, you look like a decent stallion. And yet..."
"Very funny." Marshall scowled. "See what I mean, dad? This one's trouble, mark my words."
"Whatever you say, son." Lone rolled his eyes.
"...So... what are you guys all doing out here?" Sterling asked.
"If you must know, we're doin' a li'l target practice." Marshall declared.
"That's right." Wrangler nodded. "We need to keep our skills sharp. Never know when some outlaw is going to come rolling into town."
"That's right, deputy." Marshall nodded, glaring at Sterling.
"And what brings you here, Lone?" Big Red asked.
"Oh, just spending time with my boy." Lone smiled. "Making up for all those rough times, know what I mean?"
"Ah'm glad you two are gettin' along again." Big Red smiled.
"Me too." Marshall grinned. "Would you like to join us?"
"Nah." Big Red shook his head. "Never bin much good with those things. Ah'm more of a hoof stallion mahself." He turned to Sterling. "How about you, Sterling? Ever fired a crossbow before?"
"Maybe once or twice." Sterling half-admitted.
"Then perhaps you should join us." Lone offered.
"Yeah... No thanks." Sterling declined. He didn't want to raise suspicion by showing off his skill with a crossbow. "I'm not exactly what you'd call a professional markspony."
"You could still give it a try." Lone offered. "Who knows? You might give some of us a run for our money."
"Oh, please." Marshall snorted. He fired his crossbow, hitting several targets dead-on, and hitting the rest extremely close to center. "Like some aimless drifter can match the skills of a professional lawstallion."
Sterling rankled at Marshall's tone.
“You know what?” Sterling seethed, “I’m in. Let me show you just how 'aimless' I really am."
"This oughta be good." Marshall handed Sterling a crossbow. "Deputy, set up the targets."
"Yes, sir." Wrangler obeyed.
As Wrangler set up the new targets, Sterling gave himself a mental pep talk as he took his place at the targeting spot.
'Better watch your step, Sterling.' He thought. 'You have to put that asshole in his place… but you can’t be too good. It’ll raise too much suspicions...'
"Go fer it, Sterling!" Big Red cheered.
Sterling squeezed the trigger. His first shot struck the outer ring of the bullseye.
"Heh, I knew it." Marshall snorted. "You couldn't hit a cactus coyote if it was chewing on one of your legs."
'Oh yeah?' Sterling scowled. 'Time to get serious...'
Determined to spite Marshall, Sterling fired off three shots in rapid succession, each one striking the bullseye.
"What the-?" Marshall gaped.
"My, my." Lone mused.
Despite his best attempts to hold back, Sterling could not help but continue to hit near perfect bullseyes. Marshall, Big Red, Lone, and everypony else gaped as target after target was hit dead on.
Soon, Sterling’s crossbow was empty, as Sterling gave it a little twirl.
"Whattaya think, Sheriff?" Sterling smirked smugly, as he placed the crossbow back in Marshall’s hoof. "'Aimless' enough for ya?"
"I... er..." Marshall gaped.
"Whoa." Wrangler said quietly.
"That wuz amazin', Sterling!" Big Red declared.
"It surely was." Lone agreed. "Are you sure you're not a professional markspony?"
"Eh, guess I'm just a natural." Sterling shrugged.
"More like a prodigy." Lone grinned, slapping Sterling on the back. "Even in my heyday, I was never that good. You truly have an uncanny talent, Sterling."
"Yes." Marshall scowled, displeased by the attention Sterling was getting from his father, and suspicious of Sterling's skill. "Uncanny..."
"Should I set the targets up for another round?" Wrangler asked.
"Sorry, but no." Big Red declared. "Me an' Sterling should be headin' back home if we wanna be there in time fer lunch."
"Some other time, maybe." Sterling threw a smirk Marshall's way. "Any time, really..."
Sterling relished the incensed look on Marshall's face as they departed. But inwardly, he admonished himself.
'Better not try that, again, Sterling.' He thought to himself as they walked back through the office. 'Marshall's an idiot, but I'll bet even he can put two and two together.' He smirked widely. 'Still, it was fun putting that loser lawstallion in his place...'
Big Red caught Sterling's smirk, and took it for something else.
"Glad Ah invited ya along, now?" He said smugly.
"I'll admit, it wasn't so bad." Sterling shrugged. "And it had its perks..."
"Ya should be proud." Big Red declared. "Ah ain't seen anypony who could outshoot Marshall. Didn't know ya had it in ya."
"It was probably just beginner's luck." Sterling shrugged. 'Heck, I 'm actually used to that...'
Many years ago...
Sterling followed Loveless and Jetstream into the training area.
"You're pretty tough, kid." Jetstream admitted. "Surviving for three months in the woods will do that to a stallion. But it doesn't teach you how to fight. Nuh-uh. You can only learn that by doing. And that's what you're going to do today."
"You don't say..." Sterling frowned.
"I do say." Jetstream smirked. "Over the next few weeks, I am going to mold you into a highly-tuned, well-oiled fighting machine. Will it be hard? Yes. Will you struggle? Yes. Will you cry? That's up to you, really."
"Don't let him intimidate you, Sterling." Loveless rolled his eyes. "He does this with all the recruits he trains."
"Oh, I'm not intimidated." Sterling grinned. "In fact, I'm kind of looking forward to this."
"You and me both, kid." Jetstream slammed his front hooves together.
The two stepped into the sparring ring.
"Okay, we'll start off nice and simple." Jetstream declared. "Give me your best shot, kid. The best punch you got."
"Ask, and ye shall receive." Sterling smirked.
Sterling threw a punch at Jetstream. Jetstream didn't even try to defend himself, taking the blow head on, his tilting from the force. He then tilted it back, completely unfazed.
"What the..." Sterling gaped.
"Not bad, kid." Jetstream rubbed his jaw. "You've got the drive for this. But your technique is lousy. We're gonna have to work on that."
Jetstream unleashed a punch of his own, knocking Sterling flat on his back.
"Ugh!" Sterling grunted, as he struggled to get to his hooves. "What the-?"
"You can take a hit pretty well, though." Jetstream grinned. "That's a good start."
"Think you broke my nose..." Sterling cringed, rubbing his bloody snout.
"In this line of work, a broken nose is the least of your worries." Loveless told him. "Trust me."
"When I'm through with you, you'll barely even notice something like that." Jetstream boasted. "Now, let's try this again. You try and hit again, only this time, I won't just stand there and take it."
"Oh, you're gonna take it alright..." Sterling growled.
Sterling charged over to Jetstream and swung at him. Jetstream quickly and effortlessly dodged the blow. Sterling tried again, but Jetstream dodged once more.
"Not so easy when your opponent won't stay still, huh?" Jetstream taunted him.
"You'll stay still alright... after I know you on your flank!" Sterling spat, swinging again.
"Try and stay calm, Sterling." Loveless advised. "Anger will cloud your judgment."
"No giving the kid pointers, Loveless." Jetstream frowned. "This is my class."
"Then get this, 'teach'!" Sterling swung again.
This time, Sterling's hoof just barely grazed Jetstream's chin.
“Hmph, you’re gettin’ the hang of it.” Jetstream smirked, his chin feeling a little sore from the graze… before he retaliated with a heavy slug across Sterling’s face.
“ACK!” Sterling cried, stumbling to the ground. He spit out a bit of blood and let out a groan.
“But you still have a long way to go before you’re top-class Forefathers material.” Jetstream sneered. "As it is, you're barely at the bottom rung when it comes to actual skill and combat ability..."
"Wanna bet?" Sterling growled.
Sterling charged Jetstream, but Jetstream flipped him onto his back, then pinned him to the floor, slamming his hoof against his chest.
"Give up, yet?" Jetstream smirked.
"Okay, okay!" Sterling cringed. "Just get offa me!"
"Sure." Jetstream obliged.
Sterling scrambled to his hooves, utterly humiliated.
"I think that'll do for today." Jetstream grinned.
"What?" Sterling growled. "No, let's go again."
"As much fun as it would be to knock you off your high horse again, I have more important things to do." Jetstream sneered. "But we can have another round tomorrow. That should be just enough time for you to regain your dignity..."
Jetstream smugly left the room. Loveless wheeled himself over to Sterling, and started tending to his wounds.
“Nice work, Sterling.” Loveless gave a sympathetic smile as he cleaned the blood off his lips.
"Whaddaya mean 'nice work'?" Sterling scowled, cringing from the soreness of his wounds. "I got my flank handed to me!"
“Well, if it’s any consolation, you didn’t cry.” Loveless shrugged. “And you were able to get off a graze on Jet’s chin. Not a whole lot of ponies that trained with Jetstream had such luck on their first try.”
“Yeah, as if that’s something to be proud of.” Sterling grumbled.
“Another thing to learn is to try and take the small victories.” Loveless frowned. “Jetstream wouldn’t be training you himself if he didn’t think you weren’t worth the effort.”
"Oh, really?" Sterling growled. "The smack talk suggests otherwise."
"That is an unfortunate element of Jetstream's training." Loveless frowned. "But as I tried to tell you before, you must learn to control your anger. Ignoring an opponent's insults is a vital part of being a warrior. So in a way, even those insults are a valuable part of the training."
"Yeah, right." Sterling snorted. "As valuable as getting my flank handed to me. I don't know if I can take this every day..."
"It does get easier with time, trust me." Loveless declared. "I assure you, it won't be long before you become an effective and capable combatant. You just have to grin and bear things for the time being, and it will all be worth it in the end. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, yeah..." Sterling growled.
"Wonderful." Loveless smiled. "I know you'll get the hang of this soon." But now, why don't you go to your quarters and rest?"
"Gladly." Sterling groaned, as he walked out of the room.
Sterling limped back to his quarters, downtrodden. Ward greeted him, first with a yip, then a tilt of the head in response to his owner's mood.
"You would not believe the day I've had, Ward." Sterling stroked his canine companion.
"Rroo?" Ward cocked his head.
"That nutjob Jetstream- You remember him, right? The guy who made me shoot you?" Sterling scowled. "He pretty much just humiliated me, and called it 'training'. Lousy psycho... I don't deserve that kind of shabby treatment, do I?"
Ward whined lightly, nuzzling his head against Sterling's hoof.
"Thanks, pal." Sterling smiled. "I knew I could count on you." His smile faded. "And you know what you can count on? That I'm gonna stick with this. I'm gonna get good. Good enough to wipe the smug grin off Jetstream's face, tooth tooth at a time!"
"Ruff!" Ward barked enthusiastically.
"You know it." Sterling grinned. "I'll show him just what kind of 'combat ability' I have. Just you wait and see..."
Over the next week, Sterling continued his training. Though Jetstream still managed to utterly crush him during their sparring matches, Sterling was slowly but surely landing more blows on his teacher.
In one session, Sterling deftly avoided one of Jetstream's blows, then responded with a powerful right cross.
"Ugh!" Jetstream stumbled back. "Okay, no more playing around..."
Jetstream redoubled his efforts, parrying and blocking Sterling's moves. He then unleashed a flurry of powerful that knocked Sterling to the floor.
"I think that'll do for today." Jetstream smirked.
"What was that? I can't hear you over the ringing in my ears?" Sterling joked sourly.
"Gotta give it to ya, kid." Jetstream admitted, as he rubbed the part of his face Sterling had landed his forceful punch upon. "This is actually gonna leave a bruise."
“Heh...thanks.” Sterling panted, as he got back up, groaning from the pain.
"Don't get too cocky, though." Jetstream declared. "You've still got a long way to go. A long way. Seriously, all my other trainees did way worse damage at this point."
'Killjoy...' Sterling thought. 'What does he want? I'm trying my best here...'
Sterling made his out of the room.
'At least my other trainer isn't such a slavedriver...' He thought.
In addition to combat training, Sterling also practiced his marksponyship, overseen by Loveless.
In one session, Sterling was faced with several moving targets. With keen eye and precision aim, Sterling scored bullseyes (or very close to it) on every target, always taking a moment to steady his crossbow and learn the routine of his targets.
"Impressive work, Sterling." Loveless declared, as he noted Sterling's accuracy. “I must say, you do know your way around a crossbow.”
"Yeah, I got a lot of a practice gettin' food for Ward." Sterling shrugged, as he worked to reload the crossbow. “Pretty good shot, aren't I?"
“A word of caution, boy.” Loveless frowned. “Animals don’t shoot back. In a pitched firefight, I doubt you'll find it quite so easy."
"Wanna bet?" Sterling grinned.
“This is not a joking matter.” Loveless urged. “In our line of work, you have to make every shot count.”
"Oh, I plan on it." Sterling smirked. "Just you wait and see."
A short while later, Sterling was on his way back to his quarters when another agent approached; an aqua Earth Pony stallion with a lavender mane.
"Agent Cross, you're needed in the briefing room." The agent declared.
"Now?" Sterling frowned. "I was just about to kick back."
"I'm afraid 'kicking back' will have to wait." The agent countered. "You have a duty to uphold."
"Okay, fine." Sterling sighed. "I'm going..."
Moments later, Sterling entered into the briefing room, where Jetstream, Loveless, and three male agents were waiting. One was a gray coated, white maned, green eyed Unicorn, another was a yellow Earth Pony with a light red made and blue eyes, and the other was a purple Pegasus with a black mane and orange eyes.
“Ah, right on time, Sterling.” Loveless smirked.
“On time for what?” Sterling asked.
"Your first mission." Jetstream declared.
"Whoa, really?" Sterling frowned. "Little early, isn't it? I'm still training."
"True." Loveless nodded. "But the Forefathers assign missions to agents as part of a quota system. And since you've been here for a few weeks you are now obligated to complete some."
"And what happens if I fail to complete this quota?" Sterling asked defiantly.
"Once or twice, nothing." Jetstream admitted. "But repeated infractions will result in serious penalties, up to and including expulsion."
"Okay then." Sterling shrugged.
"Now, before we get started, there are a few rules to abide by while on missions." Loveless declared. "For starters, you must remain as covert as possible. No drawing attention to yourselves, or indulging in interactions outside the parameters of the mission."
"Another, more important rule, is to never mention the Forefathers' name unless the mission requires it." Jetstream added. "This is a secret organization, after all."
"And of course, you must follow all orders to the letter." Loveless added. "No improvising, you hear?"
"Got it." Sterling nodded.
"Good. Now, these are the ponies you'll be working with on this mission." Loveless announced, turning to the stallions. "Introduce yourselves, fellows."
"Glass Shard, sir!" The Unicorn declared with a salute.
"Dirt Road!" The Earth Pony added.
"Storm Front!" The Pegasus finished.
“...Nice to meet you.” Sterling awkwardly declared. “The name’s Sterling.”
“Now that we got introductions out of the way, we can get down to business.” Jetstream huffed. “Your mission for today will take you to Manehattan borough of Bucklyn. The third street is an area of special interest to us."
"Meaning?" Sterling asked.
"Meaning that there is an abandoned subway station there which leads to a set of tunnels that go all the way under Manehattan." Loveless revealed. "It is of key strategic importance to our operations there."
“...Um, how exactly?” Sterling asked.
“I’m afraid that is on a need to know basis.” Loveless frowned, “All you ‘need to know’ is that we need to secure those tunnels.”
"Unfortunately, this gang of street punks has taken over the subway, and made it into their main hangout." Jetstream growled. "That’s where you all come in… to come in there and clear out the trash… figuratively… and literally.”
“Wait, you want us to waste ‘em?” Sterling frowned.
"That gonna be a problem, kid?" Jetstream scowled.
“Well, no… but isn’t that a little extreme?” Sterling cringed. “I mean, can’t you guys just reason with them?”
“Who do you think these guys are? The debate club?” Jetstream scoffed. “These Caralhos are vile scum of Equestria. The only thing they understand is chaos and anarchy.”
“If that is so, then why not get the cops involved?” Sterling questioned. “Save us the effort?”
“...Are you really trying to get out of this, boy?” Jetstream growled.
“No!” Sterling shook his head. “I just… I never actually killed another pony! I am not really sure about starting now if I don’t have to!”
"What are you, a coward?" Dirt Road snorted.
Sterling tensed up. He hated being called the "c" word. Loveless glared at Dirt Road, silencing the stallion's sniggering.
“Look, Sterling, I'm only letting this slide since this is your first mission and all, but when somepony give you an order, you don’t question it.” Jetstream glared fiercely at Sterling, making him uncomfortable.
“Easy, Jetstream.” Loveless wheeled in, as he turned to Sterling. “Sterling, if the cops were to get involved in this matter, they will most likely discover the tunnels we are looking for, and we will lose them for good.”
"I get that." Sterling sighed. "But you're talking about a slaughter..."
"An unfortunate act that serves the greater good." Loveless sighed.
"I dunno..." Sterling fretted. "I know it's my duty, but I don't want to just go around killing a bunch of ponies."
"I know it's far from your preferred first mission." Loveless nodded. "But Jetstream is right about these gang members being scum. They rob, they maim, they kill... There is absolutely nothing redeemable about them. Surely you've heard of ponies like that?"
"Yeah, I have..." Sterling scowled, remembering some similarly irredeemable ponies. "And nopony's going to mess those slimeballs anyway, right?"
"Indeed." Loveless added. "They are vile criminals. The world would be better off without them."
“Well, if you say so.” Sterling nodded, swayed by Loveless’ words. “Let’s do this.”
“You don’t even have to get up close and personal with these hefes.” Jetstream rolled his eyes as he handed Sterling a crossbow. “Not sure you've earned it, but keep that piece on you at all times, and you might just survive."
"Gee, thanks, teach." Sterling growled.
"Just consider yourself lucky you've got some of our more experienced agents coming along for the ride." Jetstream snorted. "As long as you hide behind them, and not step out of line, you should be fine."
"That's enough, Jetstream." Loveless frowned. "Good luck, Sterling."
"Thanks." Sterling smiled.
"Just follow our lead, rookie." Glass Shard declared.
"Yeah, this mission'll be a piece of cake." Storm Front grinned.
"Yeah..." Sterling said weakly.
The four of them made their way to the armory to prepare, donning their official mission outfits, and arming themselves. As they made their preparations, Sterling tried to make small talk.
"So... how many missions have you guys been on?" He asked.
"A lot." Dirt Road grunted.
"But don't think you'll get to say the same, kid." Storm Front sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sterling asked.
"Only that newbies don’t usually last long in this line of work." Glass Shard smirked. "It's a tough job. Little punks like you mostly end up getting eaten alive."
"We'll see about that." Sterling said boldly."
"Yes, we will." Storm Front smirked, while the other chuckled darkly.
The group quickly made their way to Manehattan, to the subway station in question. It was old, in shambles, but had fresh graffiti all over it. Dim lights flickered through the station, providing enough light for the four agents as they made their way through.
“Ugh, what a dump…” Sterling grimaced, “I don’t see why anypony would want to hole up here.”
"Just stay sharp, rookie." Dirt Road told Sterling firmly. "And keep your crossbow at the ready."
“Yeah, these thugs could be anywhere.” Glass Shard growled, glancing around.
“Well, I’m not seeing anypony.” Sterling looked around. “Maybe we hit the wrong tun-”
A sharp whistle suddenly filled the air, causing the group to freeze.
“...Or maybe not.” Sterling cringed.
“Who’s there?!” Storm Front barked.
"Show yourselves!" Glass Shard yelled.
A group of neon colored stallions, all wearing leather jackets and torn shirts, emerged from the shadows.
"Well, what have we here?" The leader, a red Unicorn stallion with a large, spiky blue mane sneered. "A bunch a'trespassers?”
"That's rich, coming from a bunch of squatters." Glass Shard shot back.
"Oh, snap." A green Pegasus stallion sneered. "They's disrespecting us."
"Kind of like how you're disrespecting proper grammar." Dirt Road retorted. "Not to mention our eyes, you bunch of fashion don'ts."
"Somepony's askin' for it..." An orange Earth Pony stallion scowled.
"Yes, they are." Storm Front retorted.
The gang members and the agents glared at each other, tensions high.
“Look, uh…” Sterling hesitated for a moment, as he stepped forth. “This doesn’t have to get ugly. We just want the tunnels here. If you could possibly move somewhere else…”
“Oh, so you want our turf?” The leader sneered. “Well, too bad! We were here first!”
"We're only gonna say this once." Storm Front declared. "Leave."
“Or what? Are you gonna make us?” The leader challenged, as he chuckled. “You got some stones, pal…”
"That makes one of us." Storm Front smirked.
"Now, get out, before things get ugly... or should I say, uglier." Glass Shard spat.
"You threatenin' us?" The blue stallion asked. "Do you know who we are?"
"Sure we do." Dirt Road nodded. "A bunch of brainless, no-account, filthy thugs."
"That wasn't smart." The leader growled, as his gang readied their weapons. "And you call us brainless..."
“This is your last chance!” Sterling frowned, not really liking where this was going. “Leave now, and we won’t hurt you!”
"I don't think so." The leader sneered. "You're the ones who are gonna be leavin'... in boxes!"
"Bring it on!" Glass Shard roared.
Both sides raised their weapons and engaged in battle. All save for Sterling, who was running for his life.
"Oh buck, oh buck, oh buck!" Sterling cried out in panic, ducking for cover behind a stone column. He tried to aid his comrades by firing from his vantage point, but fear was interfering with his aim. His shots all flew wild, not even coming close to their targets. "Oh, come on!" He screeched. "What is wrong with me?!"
"Missed me!" A neon orange stallion jeered... before a bolt struck him in the head.
"I didn't." Dirt Road smirked... before another gang member stabbed him in the chest. "Urk!"
As the gang member cackled triumphantly, Storm Front shot him in the chest, then took out two others before a blow from a crowbar knocked him down.
"Nighty-night." The crowbar's owner smirked, before throwing a dozen more hits.
"You'll pay for that, scum!" Glass Shard broke the stallion's neck.
"Kill 'im!" Two more gang members charged Glass Shard, but he took them out with more crossbow shots.
"Any more?" Glass Shard said cockily.
The gang leader tackled him.
"Right here!" He snarled, raising a hoof covered with a spiked boot...
After his failure at sniping, Sterling had kept his back to the column, his heart beating rapidly, his coat shimmering greatly with sweat. His hooves were quivering, the crossbow shaking in his grasp. He realized that things had just gotten unnervingly quiet.
“...Dirt Road?” Sterling meekly called out. “...Glass Shard? Storm Front? ...Where the hell is everypony?”
Sterling glanced out from behind his cover. The dark station seemed lifeless...
"Aha!" The gang leader suddenly jumped Sterling, knocking him to the ground.
"Ahh!" Sterling yelped. In his surprise, his crossbow was knocked aside, just within hoof’s reach.
“Game over, punk.” The leader smirked. "It’s just you an’ me… soon to be just me.”
“Gah…” Sterling groaned, as he rolled over to face the thug, frightened. “D-do you really have to do this? I g-got nothing against you. I-I barely even knew those other guys. I w-was just doing my job... besides, this is my first day!"
“Well, then you picked the wrong job, punk.” The leader sneered, as he jumped onto his hind legs. preparing to stomp on Sterling. “Now, die!”
Thinking quickly, Sterling kicked the gang leader in the stomach, knocking him on his back.
"Urgh!" The gang leader growled. "You dirty-"
Sterling scrambled to reach his crossbow, his terrified mind hoping that it would be enough to convince his foe to back off.
"Rarrrgh!" The leader charged at Sterling.
"Ahhh!" Stelring yelped.
Sterling grabbed the crossbow, and, closing his eyes, instinctively fired. The bolt embedded itself into the leader’s head.
"Aw... buck." The leader gurgled, as he collapsed.
Sterling opened his eyes and lowered his crossbow, stupefied by what had transpired, then let out a nervous laugh.
“...I did it…” Sterling panted, as he chuckled some more. “Mission accomplished… Did you see that, guys?” He glanced around, hoping to see some sign of his teammates. "Guys?"
As he surveyed the station, Sterling saw, to his horror, that his comrades were all dead.
"Oh no..." He whispered, unable to take his eyes off their corpses. "No, no, no..."
Even though he'd barely known them, Sterling felt a pang of sadness for his fallen brethren.
'I can't believe they're all dead.' He thought morosely. 'How are the others going to take this?'
It was a cold and lonely trip back to the Coils. With great sorrow, Sterling debriefed Loveless and Jetstream about what had happened.
"...So that's pretty much it." He finished. "Dirt Road, Glass Shard and Storm Front all died in the line of duty. They fought to the end, and gave their lives for the cause." He sniffed. "I'm so sorry..."
Jetstream and Loveless stood in place for a moment.
'Poor guys.' Sterling thought. 'They're paralyzed with grief...'
"Unfortunate." Loveless said flatly. "But I suppose it's a small price to pay."
"...What?" Sterling gaped.
"Yeah, no big deal." Jetstream shrugged. "Plenty more where they came from, anyway."
"You don't seem to be all that bothered by the fact that three stallions just died in the name of your cause." Sterling pointed out.
"Why would we?" Jetstream snorted. "This kind of thing happens all the time."
"It does?" Sterling frowned.
"Alas, yes." Loveless nodded. "Our work is rather dangerous at times. And not all of our agents make it back."
"'Not all'?" Jetstream snorted. "You wanna know the chances of our agents surviving for as long as me and Loveless have, kid?"
Sterling nodded quietly.
"One in four." Jetstream announced. "We're always losing agents. Usually those who just can't cut it..."
"I really hope you would have told me that sooner." Sterling groaned.
"It does seem a little morbid when you say it out loud." Loveless admitted.
"You should just pride that you survived, kid." Jetstream told Sterling. "Your first mission, and you didn't die. That's something to be proud of..."
Sterling stood in place, shocked by everything he had just learned.
'Great.' He thought. 'So there's a good chance I'll end up dead soon. Why did I ever think taking this job was a good idea? Another great life choice, Sterling...'