//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: A Hero's 'Tail' // by Garamond //------------------------------// I woke up with the sun, rubbing my eyes, stretching and yawning. I leapt out of my hammock, trotting down the ramp to the first floor, which doubled as a kitchen and living room. It was nicely furnished with a bar and cabinets all around. A circular table sat in an alcove just waiting to be used for some delicious meal. Cheerilee was already up and about cooking breakfast. “Good morning Ms. Cheerilee.” I said, taking a seat at the bar. “Hello, Quicksilver. What would you like for breakfast? Eggs, toast, fruit, anything you could want I have.” She took a quick look around, and then leaning against the table, she bucked the wall, blender falling from an open cabinet, landing perfectly on the marble countertop. “Oatmeal smoothies? They’re Grit’s favorite, mum’s the word, okay?” She whispered, winking at me. “Uhh, sure. Mum. Smoothies sound a million times better than the gruel at the lab, to be quite honest.” I replied as I watched her work. “Oh trust me, it’s a lot better than whatever they feed you anywhere, but don’t let Mrs. Cake hear me say that. Why, these smoothies have whetted the palettes of such distinct patrons as Octavia the Archcellist and Prince Blueblood.” She bragged, loading the food processor high with delicious looking grain. “Oh? Tell me about that. Sounds interesting. And how do you know my name?” I looked at her intently. Just then, Grit came rushing down the ramp, smacking into the wall. Righting his hat, he sat down in the breakfast nook. He shouted, “SMOOTHIES, Scootaloo! Get up! Cheerilee’s making her smoothies! C’mon, you orange poultry!" he waved a hoof, sitting at the table. "That little tangerine slacker, I’ll get her after I’ve had vittles.” I turned to him. “So, what’s on the agenda?” Grit sighed, shaking his mane. “As much as I’d like to visit with the ponyfolk, Bryant’s army is still out there, and I’m sure that Equestria is still losing to it.” Grit paused as Cheerilee brought us our smoothies. We thanked her, each drinking our creamy beverages. He took a second sip before continuing: “Obviously we’ll need to intercept Bryant’s forces before they reach their respective towns. Which means after breakfast you’ll need to do some reconnaissance.” “Oh, Grit. You need to know that inter-town commerce has been shut down for the time being. The mutants have been assaulting merchants and shipping caravans. That coupled with the masked army bearing down on our towns, we can’t spare any fighting ponies to protect the suppliers wagons,” Cheerilee interjected, sitting down at the table with her own confection. “Well then, I suppose we’ll need to do a critter round up. Can AJ be spared for that? Do you know? She and Foaler could go around with a cart or something and detain stray mutants.” Grit said, downing another shot from his cup. He frowned. “Oh, buck this whole sipping thing.” Slamming the oak tabletop’s edge, he flipped the entire glass into his mouth, letting the sweet liquid fall down his throat. I could see his tongue questing throughout the inside of the cup for more. Satisfied with his conquest, he spat the now empty glass onto the countertop some 10 feet away. Cheerilee looked at the now slobbery tumbler with distaste, moving it to the sink. “Seems your manners still leave much to be desired, brother.” I doubled over laughing, falling on the floor, writhing in giggles. I wiped my eyes and stood, heading towards the door. “Alright. I’ll take the map and go mark bogies. Cheerilee, I guess you’ll go talk to AJ and Foaler about rounding up the mutants. Grit; get the boys prepped to sortie. Also, see about a replacement for Foaler, since he’ll be indisposed.” Grit stared at me, eyes wide as dinner plates. “Since when did YOU become the leader?” I tossed a grin not unlike his and shot back, “I take after my dad. Now toss me the map.” Grit, his mind blank, complied aimlessly. “See ya in an hour. If I’m not back by them I’ve either lost track of time or been captured.” I saluted the two, diving headfirst out the door. As I took off I could hear Cheerilee say, eyebrows raised, “Dad, huh. Somethin’ you want to tell me, Gritzy?”