//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Meet the Burnt Man // Story: Honest Hearts // by YuCheng Huang //------------------------------// When the trio was about to enter the Angel Cave, some weird noice filled the air. A Dead Horses tribal wearing a Yao Guai gauntlet came out of the cave, fist bumping the air. Tom walked toward the tribal and asked. "Who are you?" "Two-Bears-High-Fiving." the tribal replied and walked away. "What a wild wasteland, don't you think?" Tom asked the mares. "Eyup, that's strange." Applejack said. "I think that's a cute name." Fluttershy said. "I'll wait here. You three go talk to Joshua." Chalk said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The trio entered the cave, and was approached by a Dead Horses woman. "Hoi! Owslandr zookuh Joshua Graham?" the woman said. The trio was confused, not knowing what she was talking. "Umm, ah beg your pardon?" Applejack asked. "Show respect, owlslandr! Joshua Graham greatest war chief." the woman said with anger. The trio side-stepped away. "Okay, okay, don't worry. We will be respectful, we promise." Tom trying to calm her down. And the woman just staring at them and turned back to do what she was doing. "Jeez, is that how they treat their guest." Tom said. "This Joshua sure is a great man to these tribals." Fluttershy said. They trio went up, they soon entered a open space where there was a man, covering by bandage, inspecting a stack of pistols. It was no other than the Burnt Man himself. He didn't even bother stop inspecting his pistols and greeted them. "We should have given you a better welcome on your first visit to Zion, but from I hear, the White Legs beat us to it." Joshua said. "White Legs seem to be the only visitors we have this days, and I wouldn't have expected anyone from the Mojave," -Joshua looked at the mares - "and other world to come looking for us." - Joshua looked back to Tom - "I don't know if you were close to the other members of your groups, but you have my sympathy." "Thanks. By the way, my name is Tom, and these two are Applejack and Fluttershy." the two mares just waved at Joshua. "Nice to meet you three. You can call me Joshua." Joshua said. "How did you know about the ambush, Joshua?" Tom asked. "And knowing that we are from the other world?" Applejack asked. "The Dead Horses are capable scouts, nothing passes into or out of Zion without my hearing of it." Joshua replied. "And you're a courier, no less. Not the one I was expecting, but I suppose he wouldn't have come with a caravan." "What do you mean by that?" Tom asked. "Caesar would never openly admit openly," Joshua sighed. "but he knows I'm alive. I've killed enough frumentarii and assassins that have come looking. And one of them seems to be traveling as a courier." "Hmm, I think I heard about him before." Tom thought to himself. "Ah, yes. He cancelled his job to deliver the platinum chip to Mr.House. I wonder who that is." "I pray for the safety for all good kinds who come to Zion, but we can't expect god to do all the work." Joshua said. Upon hearing this. The mares were happy to know that Joshua Graham was really not a bad guy after all. "Tom, even though you made your way in, there's no easy way back." Joshua said. "Without a map, you'll die in the wilderness." "Where can I get the map?" Tom asked. "One of our missionaries, Daniel, can help you, but you've caught us at an... inconvenient time." Joshua said. "And what's that?" asked Tom. "We're under continued threat of the White Legs." Joshua said. "Don't worry Joshua, I'm in." Tom replied. "Me and Fluttershy will help ya as much as we can." - Applejack put her foreleg around Fluttershy's shoulder - "Isn't that right, Fluttershy." "I...I don't know, A...Applejack. I don't want to see anymore violence." Fluttershy whispered. "Well then. Joshua," - Applejack looked at Joshua - "we will help you as long as it doesn't include to many violence." Applejack said. "You're a good neighbor to us. We all go through periods of darkness. In such times, we can turn to the Lord, but it's good to have friend." Joshua said. The ponies were totally excited about this. They made another new friend in the new world. "So, what do you need us to do, Joshua?" Tom asked. "Daniel and I need Pre-war tools to help us navigate beyond Zion. Should we need to evacuate, these instruments will be vital to us." Joshua said. "That sounds quite easy and peaceful, like a scavenger hunt." Fluttershy said feeling relieved. "Why couldn't you just send the Dead Horses or the Sorrows to get them, though?" Tom asked Joshua. "Don't you remember, Tom?" Applejack asked. "Chalk said that the Pre-War building in the valley are taboo to them." "What about you and Daniel?" Tom asked again. "We need to watch over the two tribes. I am preparing the Dead Horses for war and Daniel is preparing the Sorrows for ... other things. If we could, why am I asking you to do it?" Joshua said, and it made the mares a little worried about the future events. "You got a point. Alright, we'll help you find the tools." Tom said. "Thank you, Follows-Chalk can help you find your way around the valley." Joshua said. "He's inexperienced, but he knows enough of our language to ignore the taboos about Pre-War buildings." "Before we go, ah think we need a little rest." Applejack said. Fluttershy nodded. "I agreed." Tom said and let out a long yawn. "We don't have much to provide, but make yourself at home." Joshua told them. "Thanks for being so kind to us, Joshua." Fluttershy said. Joshua just gave her a chuckle. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack, Fluttershy, Tom, Follows-Chalk and Joshua Graham sat around a campfire outside the Angel Cave, all of them were enjoying a good meal except Fluttershy because she saw the Dead Horses were cooking meat, and it made her not in a good mood to eat. Applejack took out her self-made apple desserts, "Here, have a taste." and handed them to her new friends. "Made from the best apples in Equestria." They all took a bite, and their eyes opened wide. "This is the best thing I have ever eaten!" Tom felt like being in a paradise. "You are a good cook, Applejack." Chalk said giving her a thumb up. "It tastes good, but it's a bit too sweet for me." Joshua said. Applejack blushed, and saw Tom swallowed a piece of apple pie. "Slow down, lover boy. Ya might choke there." "I say it's totally worth it." Tom said. Follows-Chalk noticed that Fluttershy was not eating. "Fluttershy, why not eat? It's delicious." "I know, but I'm not in the mood right now." Fluttershy said. "What's the matter, sugar cube?" Applejack asked. "I don't know you, but after saw the Dead Horses" - Fluttershy shivered for a bit - "cooked and ate the poor animals, I don't think I can handle that." "I understand, Fluttershy. But this how is they make a living, and you can't expect them to change." Applejack embraced the upset Fluttershy. "Actually, we can. But to me, life without eating meat is pure agony." Tom said with food in his mouth. Applejack stared at Tom. "You're not helping." "It's okay, Applejack." Fluttershy smiled. "I think I just need some time to adapt. Thank you." "A valuable lesson it is." Joshua said. "So, why are you two doing here in this world, in Zion?" "We're sent here by a magical map to solve a friendship problem." Applejack said. "And what kind of friendship problem you're talking about?" Joshua asked. "Ah assume is about the whole thing happening here." Applejack said. "That's still kinda vague." Joshua said taking out his scripture. "We'll see what we can do to help you." "Thank you, Joshua. We're appreciated." Applejack said. "Alright." - Tom stood up - "Tomorrow we find stuffs they want first, then we help you find the friendship problem." "Sound good." Applejack said. "Yeah." Fluttershy nodded. "Count me in also." Chalk said. The ponies were happy to hear that. "No, Chalk. After you take them to Daniel, you need to come back here." Joshua said. "But, why? I want to help them as much as I can." Chalk complained. "Because your people need you, Chalk. You need to protect them from the White Legs." Joshua said. Follows-Chalk was very disappointed. "I'm sorry, Applejack, Fluttershy." "It's okay, Chalk. We do want you to accompany us, but Joshua was right." Fluttershy comforted him. "These White Legs are big bad meanies, you have to protect your friends." Tom sat down again. "Why did the White Legs attacked my caravan anyway?" "They attacked everything that is not White Legs, especially caravans." - Joshua sounded more angrier - "The White Legs destroyed many tribes, including my home, because they want to join the Legion." "What's this Legion?" Applejack asked. "To be short, they are bunch of arrogant maniacs that worship a lunatic. They raid tribes or settlements, kidnapping women to become their breeding machines and slaves. Kill those who fight back, and force the surrendered to join their rank." Tom described it with disgust. Applejack was disgusted, and Fluttershy was spooked. "What a bunch of ...uh. And I thought White Legs were the worst." Applejack said. "Don't worry, I'll make sure the Legion has little to go home with." Tom said with pride. "Good, you're doing God's work, whether you believe it or not." Joshua said. Fluttershy remembered what Tom said about Joshua at the first time. "Mr. Joshua. It's is true that you were one of them?" Fluttershy asked. Joshua closed his scripture. "I don't really want to talk about it." he said. "Sorry, I don't mean t-" Fluttershy tried to apologize, but Joshua just walked away. The scene made Fluttershy heart broken. She thought she might lose a friend like this. "I...I really shouldn't have say that." she started crying. Applejack tried to comfort Fluttershy, but she was also worried when she recalled that Joshua used to be with the Legion. Did he really changed? Or he was just a wolf wearing a sheep's clothing. "Just give him some time, Fluttershy. He'll be fine." - Tom petted Fluttershy - "Find another time apologize to him, alright?" - Tom stood up, brush down the dust on his pants. "Now everyone go get some sleep, we might have a long walk tomorrow."