//------------------------------// // Closing Time Part2 // Story: 30 Days/ 30 Stories // by Fenton //------------------------------// “I’m Sturdy Core and yes, I’m an Apple. And no, we aren’t all farmers, but I was one.” Steel Grip nodded and waited for the stallion to continue his story. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem very eager to keep on. “And?” asked Steel Grip. “And what? I gave you my name.” “Well, that’s only a beginning, not an ending.” Sturdy Core raised an eyebrow. “Why do you care? You’re just a bounty hunter.” “I may be a bounty hunter, but I got standards,” said Steel, a fake shocked expression on his face. His prisoner burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the forest like a deep drum. While thunderous, his laugh sounded genuine. “Standards, like never catching innocent ponies?” he asked with a smile. “Are you implying that you’re innocent?” He better not. According to the sheriff, he had been caught red-hoofed. The stallion tensed up. “No, I didn’t say that.” For a moment, there was only the sound of the fire cracking, with Sturdy Core gazing at the fire and Steel Grip gazing at him. He had to feel Steel’s gaze because he was the first to speak. “Do you know who paid you for escorting me?” he asked. “Somepony called Castellana, if I recall correctly.” “You’re not from Manehattan, are you?” “No, I’m from Vanhoover.” The stallion sighed. “That’s why you couldn’t know.” “Know what?” “He is the son of the pony I killed.” Steel Grip almost gasped. He had said that like he was stating a fact, without any trace of emotion. “And I guess he is also the new boss of the local mafia, now his father is no more.” “Well,” said Steel Grip, clearing his throat. “I’m usually the one tracking my prey, and I must admit you are an exception. That’s why I wanted to learn more about you. This job sounded a bit too easy for the amount of bits offered.” “Then you aren’t as stupid as I thought you were.” “Thank you?” “You’re welcome.” Silence came back. A wolf howled in the distance. “So, what’s your story?” asked Steel Grip, poking at the fire with a branch. Sturdy Core grunted. “From an earth pony to another earth pony, you’re as annoying as a unicorn. Fine. What if I told you I brought justice to Equestria?” “By killing a pony? And here I thought I had heard everything. You brought more disharmony to this world.” “I brought harmony to myself. And I care for the world as much as he cared for me.” “Bad things happened to you?” “Not at first.”