//------------------------------// // The Farm // Story: Devil's Regret // by All American //------------------------------// I drove for a few hours, pulling off of the main road and rolled on through the field towards a road that ran southbound and into Equestria. It seemed that the griffons were either getting smarter or paranoid with a wall like that. It seemed that with that wall placed there, our way into griffon territory was cut off. Not exactly like I wanted to go there anyway. Not unless I had a death wish. I drove through the field, avoiding the odd rock and tree as the battering ram’s supports squeaked with the terrain’s fluctuations. I looked over at Dallas as I pulled my sunglasses off of the rearview mirror and slipped them on. He was writing in a journal like he usually did. It kind of worried me that he was as cold as he was, after all, I am the killer in the group. Not hard to figure that one out. I could still see the restraint in his eyes when he did what was necessary. I swerved around a large boulder, the suspension leaning with my turn and showing the wear that the shocks had sustained over time. They were starting to get old. Heck, on a normal vehicle I would have had to change them six times over by now. Not like money was an issue though. The Dragunov rattled against the dashboard next to the steering wheel as I leaned back and steered with one hand. Not like there was much to avoid. It was just a matter of keeping my foot down until we hit the next road. I could hear the flag rattling off of the antenna as I flipped on the cruise control and pulled my water bottle out. I unscrewed the cap and took a familiar sip of piss warm water as the sun lowered just enough to warrant me to use the sun visor. I peered up at Atlanta through the open sunroof and noticed he was staring straight forward instead of sleeping like he normally was. “Catch something in the wind, doggy?” I called up at him as I set my canteen in the cupholder to my right. “Bite me.” He shot back “Nice to feel wind that isn’t drier than Canterlot music.” “Getting sentimental on me?” I asked, trying to keep up some conversation. “No more than you on a regular basis.” He said with a grin as he kept his eyes locked forward. “How about I tell another story?” I asked, bluffing more than I meant it. I could tell that these two had had enough of me talking for a lifetime. I had gone over almost everything I could think of in my life to pass the time with them. Everything from what I learned in high school to breaking into cars when I was fifteen. Even spent a little time in jail for that one. Let’s say my mother was less than pleased with the bill. That was one thing I didn’t really talk about. I never talked about my family. There never was much use in pouting about a father that walked out and a mother and sisters killed in a home invasion. They had asked but I expressed that it was private. These two more than likely knew more about me that Alex did. “How about fuck no?” Atlanta fired back as he turned his gaze down at me. “Look at you taking after Papa Laney?” I mocked at the use of a human curse. “Ok, fine. Buck off.” He corrected with a nod before looking away again. I shook my head and chuckled “And to think I used to be a general.” - I kept driving for another few hours before I pulled onto the southbound road and blazed down it. After a while, a small farm came into view. I looked over to Dallas and motioned to it with a flick of my head. He gave a nod as I slowed down and he checked the map. He traced the road for a while and noticed that this place wasn’t on there. Good, that meant it was secluded and might not even know I exist for that matter. Maybe we could even barter for something that resembled good water. I kept driving till I found a break in the gate and pulled in. The house sat on a plot with roughly four acres of fenced off land. It was a small, one story cottage style house with a reddish color paint covering its walls. I pulled up near the porch and shifted into park with an audible metal grind of the shifting metal gears. “Atlanta; stay with the Hummer.” I commanded as I grabbed the Dragunov from the backseat and slung it over my shoulder. Atlanta gave me a nod as I jumped out with the engine still running. The front yard of the farm house’s grass look like it had been beaten down to the point where it wouldn’t grow for a while, a sure sign of a lot of foot traffic. I adjusted my Stetson to keep the sun out of my eyes as well as wipe the dust off of my sunglasses before walking around the H2 and over to the porch. I stepped up the few small steps I could have just stepped over entirely and walked up to the front door. Dallas took a position behind me and watched behind me for any activity. The area seemed a little quiet for this time of year. I placed a few knocks on the door and waited After a few minutes, it was evident that no one was coming. I stepped back and examined the mailbox. Nothing was inside so either this place was vacant or it had been cleared out recently. Judging by porch furniture (that was all too small for me), I’d guess it was the first option. Not about to commit a home invasion, I stepped off of the porch and unslung my rifle. I shouldered it and peered down the scope, using the magnification to scan the fields for any signs of life. Within a few moments, I saw two large earth ponies on the far end of the right hand field. A barn sat behind them as they worked on tilling a field. It seemed that one was tethered to a plow and the other was pushing it. The one pulling it was larger than the other and had a purple coat that was darker than Twilight’s from what I remembered. It was more of a plum color with a matching mane to boot. The pony pushing the plow was rocking a green coat and black mane. Their marks were too faint to make out from this far away, even with the scope. I lowered the rifle and slung it over my shoulder. “Dallas.” I called out before hearing him trot over to me “Stay with Atlanta. Farmers are over in the fields.” I said as I pointed in the direction with my right hand “I’m gonna try and talk to ‘em.” “Got it.” Dallas said with no snide remark like Atlanta usually gave. I looked back over at the H2 and took into quick account its shape. Dust was encrusted in and around the wheel wells with a nice thick coat over the forward ram that stopped just below the headlights. The doors were all off and left the cab exposed but hastily made fencing covered the front and rear windshield. I took a moment to let it sink it what I’d need to do to it before thanking all the apocalypse movies I watched for giving me the idea for the ram and armor. Those reinforced windows saved my life more than once. I clenched my fists, cracking my knuckles in the process before walking towards the earth ponies’ locations. The fields reminded me of Fowler back in Ohio and of Applejack’s farm. Applejack could never hope to compete with the haul of the Fowler farms due to all of the heavy machinery. But what she lacked in quantity, she made up for in quality. Those apples could almost turn me into a vegetarian. Almost. I walked through the field before the ponies caught sight of me and stopped plowing. I gave a wave as I walked over with my other hand holding the strap to the Dragunov. The green pony slowly backed away as the other held his ground. “Hola, mi amigos!” I called out jovially as I kept walking towards them. The plum purple pony’s ears perked up, picking up on my tone and his aggressive stance slowly melted away. “Ugh… hello?” He asked as I walked over to him and stopped with about twenty feet between us. “It means ‘hello’.” I pointed out with a smile that I tried hard to keep up. “Ah, well, hello then stranger.” He said as he took a step forward towards me “What are you doing all the way out here?” “Stopping through. Running a carriage towards Zebra country.” I said, hiding my intention. “Never seen one of your kind.” The purple pony said as he wiped his brow with a hoof and used it to keep the sun out of his eyes. “I get that a lot.” I said as I crossed my arms “Just call me Ryan, alright?” “Sure thing.” He said as he unhooked himself from the cart and walked over to me, covering about ten feet before turning around to the green pony “You can come too…” The green pony shook her head, staying behind the cart. “Shy, eh?” I asked as I looked over at her. “Yeah… hardly ever even speaks.” He said before shrugging and closed the distance before offering a hoof to me “I’m Row Digger.” I wrapped my hand around his hoof and shook it twice “Ryan Laney.” “Mind if I ask where you are from?” Row asked as he retracted his hoof and set it back down on the ground. “Youngstown but all over really.” I said like he would know before chuckling “Don’t strain yourself, it is nowhere close.” “Alrighty then ‘yan.” He said, getting my name wrong. “Ryan.” I corrected. “Oh, sorry.” He said before walking around me in the direction of the house “Follow me, I’ll get you something to drink. Got anypony with you?” “Just two others.” I said as I followed behind him, still wondering why the equestrians were all so trusting “But they’re your kind.” “Alrighty.” He said as he trotted along, leaving the other pony behind with the plow “So what are you doing coming from Griffon territory?” “Well, you could say we don’t get along.” I said as I laughed in my own skull. “Sorry to hear that. Griffons always were a little cold.” He said before walking around the farm house and was greeted with the ram on the H2. Row jumped back, unsure of what it was. The engine was still idling on the truck, giving a steady rumble. Atlanta looked off of the roof, down at Row over the fog lights and gave a wave with a hoof. Row looked back at me “This… machine yours?” “Yeah. Just think of it as a carriage.” I said as I walked around him and leaned against the ram. “Alright, I don’t ask questions ‘cause I doubt I’d understand it anyway.” He said as he walked over and onto the porch. He turned around and looked towards Atlanta and Dallas “Hello. I’m Row Digger.” “Atlanta.” “Dallas.” “Those are some mighty strange names you all have.” Row said as he looked back at me “Where are you all from again?” “Canterlot.” Atlanta blurted out as he hopped down off of the Hummer. “Uh-huh.” Row said with suspicion as I snapped my fingers and the engine cut off. “Row?” I asked as he turned around to me and nodded “Can I ask for a place to hold up for the night and a place to store my carriage? Been a long time since I slept in a proper bed.” “I think I can help you out.” Row said with a nod “There is a place in the barn for your carriage and your friends can take my foals’ beds. Both are off in Canterlot for school. Only come home for the weekends and summers.” “Thanks.” I said with a small wave as I walked over to the Hummer and climbed in, starting it back up. Row walked over to the door and stepped inside as I started up the H2 and drove it towards the barn. The SUV rolled along in second gear before I stopped in front of the barn and pulled it inside. I let it run for a moment before parking it and shutting it off. I jumped out and walked back towards the open doors before noticing the green earth pony over at the entrance with her head poked around the corner, looking at me. I gave an awkward wave to her. “Can I help ya?” I asked as I held the rifle strap with one arm and smiled at her. She shook her head at me before ducking around the corner. I sighed before walking out of the door and closed it behind me. The green mare watched me from a distance as I started walking towards the house and stopped after a few steps. Something inside of me just growled and gnawed at me. I turned to her and knelt down. “Would you like to say hi, at least?” I asked as I rested my arm on my knee and looked at her through my aviators. The mare shook her head and kept about twenty paces from me no matter how slowly I tried to scoot over to her. I thought to myself before remembering a trick I used to gain a junkyard pit bull’s trust. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small candy I had been saving for a rainy day and held it in my hand, showing it. “Tell you what, you come over and say hi, you can have it.” I said with the nicest tone I could muster. She looked at the candy for a moment, obviously wanting it but shook her head. I sighed and let my head slump forward in defeat “Fuck, you’re difficult.” I stopped back up and walked over to a wheelbarrow that sat to my left and set the candy down on it before pointing it out to her and walked away. There Karma, I did my deed for the week. I sauntered over to the house and stepped onto the porch. Dallas and Atlanta sat on the porch swing as Atlanta used a hoof to push the swing lazily. Row stepped back outside with a tray balanced on his back. I seriously wondered how these ponies operated without wings, arms, or magic. The glasses were transparent with what looked like tea in them. I picked up a glass as he walked by. Dallas conjured a small fist with his rune that was based off of mine and Atlanta took his with a wing. Row set his tray down on a small table before taking a seat on a wicker chair. “What brings you to our farm here?” Row asked, justifiably curious. “Griffon road to the north was closed off. Have to take a southern route down through Canterlot and into Zebra territory.” I clarified as I sipped on the drink to see it was tea like I had predicted. “Seems like a long way to get around a checkpoint.” Row pointed out. “They have it set up on a mountain road.” I said with a shrug “Can’t fly so we had to find another way around.” “Yeah, this road doesn’t see a lot of traffic.” Row said as he looked out over it “Shame though. Foals liked meeting new ponies.” “I know what it is like to live in a ghost town.” I said as I thought back to Youngstown “My city up and stopped after the steel mills moved out.” “Sounds like a story.” Row said as he looked over at me “Care to tell it?” I thought about it for a moment before deciding he already knew enough “These two have already heard enough outta me. Maybe some other time.” Dallas and Atlanta nodded with me as Row looked over to them “So what do you do with Ryan here?” “We’re just ex-soldiers making a living off of our training.” Dallas said, coming out with a roundabout way to say he was a mercenary. “Ah, Royal Guard right?” Row asked as if he had a bit of pride in his voice. “Well, used to be anyway.” Atlanta added in. “Well, I didn’t know I had soldiers on the farm.” Row said as he perked up “I’m happy to have you.” “Well that was a change of tone.” I said to him as unslung my rifle and leaned it against the railing of the porch “Got a reason?” “Ah, sorry.” Row apologized “My wife died in the Guard. Was an accident.” “Is that why your, I assume she’s your daughter, so quiet?” I inquired. “Yep. Field Runner took it hard.” He said liked it was nothing “But it happened a long time ago. No use crying over it.” “Sorry to hear it. I know what it is like. Lost my best friend in combat.” I said as Row backed down at bit in his seat. “Well, anyway, we have supper around here at eight.” He said as he climbed out of the seat and stretched, obviously sore from working all day “We’ll see you off in the morning.” “Sounds good.” I said as I leaned back and watched him walk into the house. - After having dinner with Row and Field, Row showed Dallas and Atlanta upstairs to beds. I was told that there wasn’t anything quite my size but I was given a couple blankets and pillows to make a bed in the living room. I blew out a few oil lanterns before sitting down on the blankets I spread out. I set the pillows at the far end and set my rifle down within arm’s reach. The room was quiet except for some creaking coming from upstairs. I laid back on the blankets, my back straightening out from all the punishment it has encountered over the years. Last time I stayed indoors was when the Buffalo invited me to stay in a tent on their reservation. Even that was over nine months ago and I would exactly call living in the Hummer five stars. I sat back up and yanked my boots off, setting them next to the rifle and set my hat down next to them. I pulled my glasses off and set them on the hat before laying back down. I considered taking off my bandolier with my holsters but decided against it. I wanted to be farther away from Griffon territory before doing that. I laid back down and stared at the white ceiling for a while. I never really stopped like this often. I took the time to think about my family. This didn’t just mean my parents and sisters. This also meant Alex and… Dash. I never really thought about her anymore. It was almost too painful to do now. The last time I saw her was through a scope as she lunged at a griffon soldier. I couldn’t even remember what my last words to her. I honestly hoped she thought I was dead. It would be better than hoping I would come home every night. Maybe she found another? That was my personal hope. I hoped she’d do better. That simple. I thought over and over about her for a while before feeling something breathing on my feet. I took on a confused expression before sitting up and saw Field standing there, staring at me with eyes that were the same kind of light purple that Dash’s were. “Ugh… hi?” I asked as I looked at her “Finally decide to talk to me?” I wasn’t given a response. Field just stared at me like I was the most interesting thing to walk the Earth. “O…k…” I mumbled awkwardly before laying back down. I laid there for a moment, hoping she’d either speak or go away. I closed my eyes before feeling something press against my side. I craned my neck and saw that Field had curled up next to me. I could swear I just met this girl. She stared at me for a moment as I slowly set my head back down. Holy fuck, that stare was creepy. It reminded me or something you’d see in a damn horror movie. Nice to think my fight with the griffons would end with me being dismembered in the basement of some farm with a fucking butter knife or something. After a few minutes passed before I felt her set her head down on my stomach. That is when it hit me. Fuck you Karma. Seriously, fuck you. This was like Ulik all over again. Even all those years ago, that… moment clung to my soul like a bad smell. No matter how hard I tried to forget, it would still be there, lingering… waiting. Field couldn’t be more than fifteen if my understanding of equestrian biology was up to snuff. I wasn’t going to take this responsibility again. I couldn’t. I felt Field huff as she moved her head back and forth, trying to settle in. Seems like my choice was already made. These ponies don’t know how to take no for answer. I just hoped I could split in the morning. Cut the connection while it was fresh.