//------------------------------// // Ten - To Cross the Threshold // Story: Colt of the West // by DiveBomb //------------------------------// Daring Do was glad to not have the torches left alight for her this time, for more reasons than one. The darkness shrouded her battered form, and hid what felt like a small pool of blood under her cheek from view. She wouldn’t have been able to look at herself without falling apart, and thanked Celestia that Ahuitzotl hadn’t thought of such a thing. Before the lack of illumination had struck a small sense of lasting fear in her heart, but now she welcomed it as if it were home. At this point, it wasn’t just physical torture, but psychological as well. The fury that she felt was tearing at her insides like a cancer, spreading through her veins with no sign of stopping. Her stomach burned from hunger, but the mare knew that it would reject any sort of sustenance from the stress of the situation alone. The first round had been frightening, but this time it brought her to the brink of giving up. The most horrific part was that if Ahuitzotl had been in the room for another moment longer, she would have considered telling them everything she knew about Cunning the Colt’s diary. It had only been half an hour since he left the room, but she feared the next time he would come again. Her throat was dry as a bone, not having any sort of liquid since her arrival to Mesoequestria. She wondered if they would feed her, or simply let her die from dehydration or starvation. There were several things to fear in her situation, but the uncertainty was the most prominent and looming factor. “Hey.” Daring almost screamed, but her voice seemed to be lost. Her eyes flew open, wincing reflexively at the sudden light of the torches. She hadn’t even noticed them being lit, or the sounds of the doors or hoofsteps. The mare found herself on her uninjured side, her broken right wing and foreleg curled close to her body. Daring turned her half-lidded eyes up to find the cyan unicorn again, his expression torn as usual. The pegasus choked on her dry throat, almost instantly finding a glass of water levitating in front of her lips. If she lost the only shred of pride she had left, Daring would have wept in appreciation. She closed her eyes and allowed the unicorn to pour the contents of the glass into her mouth, gulping back every last drop. The stallion said nothing as she gasped for air once she was done, and simply floated the glass down to the floor. Daring kept her eyes away from her own body, but found that the warm puddle had come from her broken nose, which stung with every movement of her face. The blood had coated the fur on her cheek, but she didn’t care as she let her face fall back down to the wet stone. The simple task of lifting her head and neck had taken the wind from her lungs and she closed her eyes again, panting wearily. “I knew his claws were sharp, but those were pretty thick cables,” she heard the unicorn mutter. Daring checked her shoulders and forelegs, realizing that his statement had been true. Ahuitzotl must not have realized that he had freed her of the steel bonds, but it didn’t really matter. Even if she had the will to move anymore, her broken bones and sore muscles wouldn’t take her very far. In the end, she could only lay there, bloodied and broken on the stone floor once again. The unicorn poured another small vial of the unknown medicine down her throat, and immediately began healing her again. The powerful sedative was like a knockout punch to her dreary state. Daring faded in and out of consciousness as he worked, unaware of how much time had passed before feeling a dull prod against the side of her head. The pegasus groaned in a voice unlike her own, opening her eyes and sitting up with the assistance of her caretaker. Most of the pain was gone just like before, but she still felt exhausted beyond comprehension. “Are you alright?” said the unicorn, sounding as if he were trying his best to keep his tone measured and apathetic. Daring Do swallowed, finding her voice again. “What do you care…?” “It is my job to ensure your health once Ahuitzotl is done with you,” he stated simply. Daring only scoffed, unable to look him in the eye. “Then why have you left the lights on for me? Why give me a sedative that takes away the pain when you set my bones?” she asked, her voice cold and suspicious. The unicorn didn’t seem to have an answer for that, but he didn’t turn around to leave either. With a scowl, the pegasus looked up to him as she sat on her haunches, searching his yellow eyes for an answer. His gaze was unfocused on the floor between them, his face still torn between expressions. “How come you’re the only one besides me that doesn’t seem to want to be here?” At that, the cyan stallion shot his head back up, quirking his brow. “I am here because of what I was promised, and nothing more.” “And what was that?” “None of your business,” he replied, walking around to her side. Daring went to flinch, but almost fell over in her fatigue. “I’m just taking care of the gash under your right wing.” The pegasus frowned, looking him over with a calculating expression before lifting her wing, revealing the wound through her tattered shirt. The stallion ignited his horn again, floating over a damp washcloth with a spool of thread and a needle close behind. She raised a brow at the tools as he started to scrub the wound clean. “You can mend a bone in seconds but you have to stitch a flesh wound?” she asked. “My medical training wasn’t exactly of the traditional nature,” he replied, almost sounding annoyed. “There’s a lot under that mask you’ve made for yourself, isn’t there?” she prodded, her voice cracking as the needle poked through her skin. The unicorn didn’t seem to miss a beat, and continued working without answering the question. “Can I at least know your name? Not that it would make me hate you any less.” “I was not the one who decided to keep you here,” he said quickly, making Daring sense a need for him to provide closure for such an idea. “That doesn’t change the fact that you still work for Sure Shot,” said Daring, summoning her limited amount of bravery. “I told you, I’m here for one thing and that’s it.” “So you’re not after what Sure Shot is after?” she asked, feeling herself get closer to an answer. The unicorn passed the needle through her skin a few more times, this time with a little more force than necessary. The mare bit the corner of her lip, careful not to show any sign of pain. “If he gets what he wants, then I get what I want,” he said finally, giving her more information than he may have realized. “So no; you’re not after what he’s after. I didn’t think so,” Daring smirked, the answers she wanted now within her sight. “What are you smiling for?” he scoffed, halfway done sewing her skin back together. Instead of immediately answering, Daring took a peak at his flank, observing his mark for the first time. Upon first meeting of the unicorn, she expected to find something referencing a talent in the field of rifles. But after getting to know him only a bit longer, she realized that even this unicorn wouldn’t have any interest in such things. Against his light blue fur was a simple violet arcane circle, with two symmetrical starbursts in its center. With her knowledge of the arcane based mostly on its ancient practices, Daring could not immediately identify just what his special talent was. However, she could infer that his cutie mark had to do with one of the basic fundamentals of magic. However, she did have a vague guess as to what it was. “Teleportation?” she asked, focusing on the stallion’s eyes as she made her guess. His pupils twitched, looking as though they were about to shrink. “Well, that is the first time a non-unicorn guessed my talent,” he admitted, maintaining his neutral demeanor. “So, you think you know me now?” “A little more than you might think,” Daring started smugly. “Let me just start by saying that you really need to work on your poker face. You’re not exactly an actor. You come in here looking worried about a prisoner that you shouldn’t have a single feeling toward, treat me better than you should, and also save me the pain of healing my broken limbs. I don’t have to be a mind reader to see the compassion in your eyes when you come in here. Not to mention how much you wanted me to know that my imprisonment wasn’t your fault. Obviously you aren’t evil like Sure Shot or Ahuitzotl, but then again, you’re still here working for them. Sure Shot must have promised you something that only he can give you once he accomplishes his goal; that much you admitted yourself. It couldn’t be something as simple as money. No, you wouldn’t need a feared gang like Sure Shot’s to obtain that. Heck, you could even get that by yourself, being so talented in such a useful field of magic. So that just leaves me one last hole in your story to fill: what has he promised you?” “I don’t care how cunning you think you are, that’s still none of your business,” the unicorn countered once again, growing more and more flustered with every evasion. The pegasus ignored the pain caused by his rather hurried stitching, hoping that it would be worth the information. Daring Do looked back to his focused expression, finding yet another confirmation to her theory. His yellow eyes bore no signs of hate or malice, but of fear. Daring would never have thought any of Sure Shot’s followers to be easy to read. This unicorn, however, seemed to be tearing at the seams just to maintain the thin veil over his thoughts. “You’re running from something, aren’t you?” she said quietly, the idea dawning on her as she spoke. “Stop talking.” “Something you can’t hide from by normal means.” “Stop.” “And only an outlaw like Sure Shot can provide a safe haven for you,” she continued, empathy starting to lace her words. His next retort was unheard as realization washed over her mind. All the pieces came together with one simple thought. “If Sure Shot obtains what he’s looking for, then he will have the power to cease what you’re running from; the law.” With that, the unicorn immediately ceased his work, thrusting his face into hers. Daring kept her stance, looking him right back in the eye. “I told you to stop talking.” But Daring would not be intimidated so easily. “There’s fear in your eyes, but zero regret. You didn’t do whatever they think you did, right?” “Shut up!” he yelled, his horn sparking with light. Daring shoved her forehead against his, her eyes alight with courage. “You had nowhere else to turn when he found you; a unicorn with such a scarce talent, one that would prove useful enough for him to make you a deal!” “I will get the location of Cunning’s diary out of you right now if you don’t shut your mouth!” he yelled again, his voice cracking under the pressure as his horn displayed an unstable discharge of magic. Daring pushed her head forward again. “I’ve been taking a beating from a freaking demi-god; how much do you think a scared little colt like you is gonna do?!” The unicorn blinked at a single word in her exclamation, and the mare took the opening. Daring ignored the searing pain in her limbs and stood up on all fours, separating their foreheads but still showing her dominance in the exchange. “That’s right, you’re scared,” she repeated, her voice lowering in volume. “Scared of what he’ll do if you slip up in the smallest way; scared of him keeping his promise to make you a free pony. But that’s not it, is it? No, you’re scared of the world he might create with the power he’s searching for. What is freedom really worth if the world is torn in two?” This time, the stallion had no words for her, only another torn expression somewhere between anger and shock. Daring said no more, knowing that she had cornered her prey with the powers of inferring and deduction. She took a moment to silently pat herself on the back, considering her weakened state of body and mind. The mental exercise helped her maintain her sanity, while also taking another step toward a possible ally. With no other means of escape, the mare was left with only the unicorn. The blue stallion took a long breath, never breaking his gaze with her. He finally spoke with a calm tone, but not without an edge of anger. “It would be better than an undeserved jail cell.” Daring grinned inwardly, not wasting a second before replying. “I can help you.” “No, no you cannot,” he said simply, his horn lighting up once again as he floated the severed lengths of steel cable over to her. Daring didn’t resist or struggle in any way, simply allowing herself to be bound once again. If she was found untied by Ahuitzotl or Sure Shot, then her only way out would be compromised. “I have a lot of connections; I can make you a free stallion,” she said, her words growing desperate as the cables were mended and tied around her once again. The unicorn snorted, his eyes growing weary as he ended the spell. “It doesn’t matter. Even if you were Celestia herself, the charges placed against me will never be dropped by Equestrian law. This is my only chance at freedom, and I’m taking it.” Without another word, the cyan unicorn packed his medical bag and walked away, leaving Daring to watch in defeat. But as he approached the towering stone doors, he called back to her: “The pony that was with you when you came here… her whereabouts are unknown to us. Ahuitzotl trusted that the jungle would take her before she could wake. It was a foolish move.” Daring’s eyes widened with fear, but then she relaxed upon hearing his last sentence. The world seemed to lift off her shoulders just knowing that her friend and her godfather were alright. But then another pony came to her mind; one that she had a feeling Day Break would call first in such a situation. “And what do you know about Braeburn Apple?” The stallion stopped dead in his tracks before the doors, keeping his gaze in front of him. Daring started to panic as second after silent second ticked by. He let out a long sigh, barely heard across the enormous room. Daring went to reply, but couldn’t voice her question before the stallion exited the room. He knew something, and it wasn’t good. The black silhouette of the large island ahead grew in size as they made their approach. For the better part of an hour, Braeburn could only sit beside Artemis in the cockpit and stare at their destination with a scornful look. He felt his forehooves shake in apprehension, anxious to let loose on the ones that had brought Daring Do pain. He felt his sense of morality waning, but no longer felt scared of it. Instead, the riflepony embraced it, knowing full and well that he would need any extra edge to take on the monsters that stood in his path. If his tool was anger, then he planned to utilize every last ounce of it. In the back of his mind, Braeburn knew the reality of the situation. This very well could have been a suicide mission, for he knew didn’t know how many foes they were about to face. It certainly didn’t help that he wasn’t exactly experienced in the field of combat. The stallion had indeed been involved in his small share of gunfights, but evidently the number of events was miniscule compared to his father’s experience. In the long run, Braeburn was a hopeless colt with a cap gun against an army of cannoneers. But even still, the stallion knew no fear. He had a mission; a goal that he had no choice but to accomplish. Before he had been uncertain, but after what Day Break told him, there was no way he could hang his head in self-doubt any longer. The odds simply were not a factor, for only the mare he swore to save mattered to him. With her well-being put into question, Sure Shot had made this personal, and that burned in the earth pony’s soul more than anything else. “We’re getting closer,” announced Artemis. “We’ll be landing in about fifteen minutes.” Braeburn couldn’t have been more ready to hear those words. “Good, get us there as quick as ya’ can.” “Are you sure that you won’t be requiring my assistance?” asked the gray stallion, looking to Braeburn with a sense of needing in his tired eyes. “S’not that we don’t need ya’, Art,” Braeburn replied, repeating himself after only an hour of saying so. “Yes, I get it,” Artemis grimaced. “Without being able to help combat those ponies and Ahuitzotl, I’m a liability.” Braeburn folded his forelegs, keeping his gazed fixated on the moonlit island. “Ah wouldn’t wanna bring Daring back with her only family remaining dead. Plus, if we want this to work, we need ya’ to keep the turbines runnin’ in this thing.” “Uh-huh,” Artemis replied, his frustration almost palpable. “Just… promise me one thing, Braeburn.” Braeburn looked to the other stallion, his ears pricking up at the pilot’s sudden change of tone. Artemis’ entire demeanor had shifted abruptly, his words now holding a considerable amount of weight. “That mare is like the daughter I never had. You promise me that you’ll get her back in one piece.” Answering immediately would have made anypony think twice about his commitment to the mission ahead. So Braeburn sighed through his nostrils, letting down his emotional guard to give Artemis a reassuring nod, his expression level. “Ah promise.” The gray earth pony furrowed his brow, the only sign that he had trusted the beige stallion. Without another word, Artemis grabbed a hold of a large lever, shoving it forward with a grunt. The cabin lurched as the turbines engaged into full gear, the airship picking up a shocking amount of speed. As they accelerated, Braeburn felt himself being pulled into the co-pilot’s chair, his eyes now completely open and alert. He cast a worried glance over to the pilot, finding the gray stallion’s face etched with determination. “If Sure Shot is really there, I’d bet anything that he has lookouts posted. We need to give them as little reaction time as possible, right?” he asked, his volume rising to overcome the roaring of the engines. Braeburn felt an insane grin spread across his face, elated to see a more reckless side of Artemis just when they needed it. “Right.” “Get your father ready. We’ll be getting there a little early.” The riflepony nodded, summoning a surprising amount of effort to lift himself from the chair. Once he got to his hooves, he walked to the back of the cockpit and opened the door, finding Bullet Tyme and Day Break backed against the far wall from the sudden increase in acceleration. Braeburn entered the central cabin, closing the door behind him. “The hay is goin’ on up there?” Bullet exclaimed, adjusting his flat brimmed Stetson. “I think Arty got a little excited,” Day Break attempted to answer, spreading her hooves to maintain balance. “Yer darned right,” Braeburn replied, trotting over to throw his rifles over his back along with a satchel of .30-30 and .45 Colt ammunition. “Get yer things ready, Pa. We got a fight to start soon.” Bullet Tyme nodded without any sort of question or complaint, mirroring his son as he equipped himself with his own weapon and satchel of .45-90 rounds. “Can I get a run-through of the plan?” asked Day Break, standing awkwardly to the side as the two earth ponies adjusted the straps of their equipment. “I wanna make sure I got all of it.” “Ya’ show us the way that you remember, and then fly back to the ship. S’all ya’ need to worry ‘bout,” Braeburn explained once he was satisfied with how everything fit. However, the mare wasn’t too excited about her part in the plan. “Wh-What?!” she exclaimed, crestfallen. “You two told me that I could help!” “Right, yer showin’ us the way. Ah reckon that’s a mite helpful,” said Bullet. “Can’t rightly find a place quick enough without havin’ been there ourselves, ya’ know,” Braeburn agreed, his words hurried by his impatience. “But I can do more than that!” the pegasus objected, putting a hoof to the floor. “You two don’t seriously think that you don’t need help, do you?” Braeburn went to reply, but found that his father had the same concerns on his mind. Bullet Tyme finished what he was doing to stride over to the mare, his expression looming and grave. “Look, this is too dangerous to begin with. If we can only have those of us that are armed go, then that’s what we’re gonna do. We can’t be worryin’ ‘bout ya’ while we’re in there. Ah’m sorry, but that’s the safest way to do this.” “No, the safest way would be to let me come along!” she retorted, looking the middle-aged stallion right in the eye. “You need every hoof you can get right now, even if some aren’t holding a rifle!” Suddenly the cabin tilted forward, nearly throwing the three of them off balance. Braeburn looked out the windows to see a vast expanse of forest below them, the airship rapidly descending down toward the trees. He was nothing but shocked to witness just how quickly they were about to arrive, realizing that time was starting to become an important factor. Braeburn turned back to other two, finding that the drop had quelled their argument. He approached them with a huff, starting to accept Day Break’s tenacity. “Ya’ wanna go with us? Fine, just make sure ya’ follow every direction we give ya’ once we get there,” said Braeburn firmly, his tone unwavering despite the uneasy feeling in his stomach. His father quirked a brow at him, to which he replied: “Arguing ain’t gonna save Daring any quicker, and Ah reckon it’s better to have another set of hooves come along with us, not to mention she’s a pegasus. We might need her, Pa.” Day Break joined him to stare at the older stallion, who looked conflicted. But after the cabin leveled out and the roar of the turbines died down, he seemed to come to terms with the decision. Day Break nodded appreciatively before zooming over to the windows, spotting the tree line becoming parallel with the balloon above them. “Open the hatch and go!” came Artemis’ voice, muffled by the door between them. Braeburn froze for a moment, torn between offering him one last gesture of reassurance and simply leaving without another word. But as he watched Day Break and Bullet Tyme bolt for the bay door, he realized what the more prudent option was. He ran after them, crossing the threshold and instinctively closing the door behind him. The small room was pitch-black for a moment, until he heard the lever to the floor snap downward. The length of wood ahead of them cracked open, revealing the lunar-washed forest floor about ten yards below. The chains rattled as the ramp lowered itself, growing closer and closer to the ground. At that moment, Braeburn’s racing thoughts came to a screeching halt as he stood between the pegasus mare and his father. Something turned the dial in his mind a few notches backward, forcing him to take in every last detail of the moment. They were about to plunge into a forest full of unknown dangers, aside from what they knew already. His previously unwavering confidence started to crack, sending a dreadful chill down his spine. He knew what they had to do, but it couldn’t have been more terrifying than in that one moment. His body wanted to shake, but Braeburn summoned the courage to quell his bout of jitters. Despite the staggering amount of variables that waited for them in the rainforest, he had to stay strong; he had to save Daring Do. Finally the ramp was only a few hooves above the ground, and Day Break led the way off the ship. She spread her wings and bolted out of the bay, Braeburn and Bullet Tyme right behind her on the ground. The pegasus hovered above them, pushing the ramp closed before taking to the dark skies above. The earth ponies, however, took a moment to observe their new surroundings. Braeburn nearly gaped in awe at the foreign environment, the massive clearing around them perfectly visible under the full moon. The canopies above were shrouded in shadows, the rest of the area washed over with a tint of calm, light blue. Massive, jagged boulders lined the outer perimeter of the clearing, casting looming shadows across the soft dirt beneath their hooves. The sounds of hundreds of nocturnal animals filled the air, none of which Braeburn had ever heard before in his life. The air was warm and humid despite the late hour, making him feel uncomfortable. He was used to the dry desert, not the sticky jungle air. The two stallions took a few steps forward to clear the way for Artemis to land the airship, looking up to find the yellow mare hovering directly above them. “Trust me, sight-seeing around here is a very bad idea. Now let’s go!” Day Break flew off, heading toward a break in the perimeter of stones protruding from the ground. Braeburn and Bullet Tyme galloped after her, their eyes wide and their ears lifted. The pegasus landed between two enormous boulders, standing at the beginning of the only pathway leading out of the clearing. Once they approached her, the mare started down the trail at a quick but paced speed. Braeburn did what he could to keep himself focused, but found it difficult surrounded by such a new place. Never before had he seen so many trees, let alone the life they were teeming with. Even the trail itself was lined with the overgrowth of the forest. The three of them had to keep their eyes alert for vines and other forms of vegetation, careful not to trip over them. The path was only straight for short distances at a time, curving around boulders, large trees and bubbling brooks. After a few minutes of galloping, Braeburn couldn’t help but break his focus to cast his eyes around and take several glances at the scenery. But just as he looked away from the path, he felt his right forehoof stop moving forward, caught by something protruding from the ground. Braeburn felt his body fly forward for only a second before he caught himself, catching right back up next to his father. He must have made a noise of fright, for Day Break turned her head to look back at him with an agitated expression. “What did I just tell you?” she barked, a slight echo of her voice carrying out through the trees. “Lower yer darned voice, would ya’?” Bullet hissed, panting as he galloped behind her. “D’ya want us to be heard before we even get there?” Day Break winced. “Right. Come to think of it, it wouldn’t hurt to quiet a set of hooves,” she whispered back, spreading her wings to fly a few hooves over the ground. While the two stallions in the rear still had to gallop, Braeburn noticed that the lack of her hooves did in fact make a significant difference in the sound they were making. But ultimately, they were still making their fair share of noise. He just hoped that nopony would hear them before they wanted to be heard. “Brae, what’s up?” asked Day Break quietly, tearing his focus back to reality. Braeburn looked up to find the mare soaring up to his left, a look of concern in her eyes. “What? Oh, a lotta things. But don’t burden yerself with me. Let’s just-” “Yer thinkin’ ‘bout what yer gonna have to do, right?” said Bullet to his right, catching the younger stallion’s attention. “’Bout how ya’ won’t get away with just woundin’ these ponies.” Braeburn grunted, now faced with yet another worry he hadn’t considered until now. His father smirked smugly at his own perceptibility. “Yeah, Ah thought as much. Listen, these bandits don’t deserve any sort o’ mercy. If ya’ have to, kill ‘em. It’s just how it has to be.” “Yeah, Ah just wish it wasn’t,” Braeburn replied quietly. “Ah don’t wanna have to, but nopony is standin’ in my way tonight.” “That’s how ya’ need to see it,” Bullet nodded, leaping over an exposed root. “These ponies have a price on their heads, anyhow. The world won’t blame ya’.” But Ah will, thought Braeburn solemnly. With a determined grunt, he doubled his speed to keep up with Day Break, returning his focus to the winding path ahead. “Ah understand what we might have to do. And when we cross that bridge, Ah won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Sure Shot and Ahuitzotl started a war when they took Daring Do; a war that Ah intend to fight. Ah promised Artemis that Ah would get his goddaughter back, and nothin’ in this world is gonna stop me from keepin’ that promise. And when the time comes fer Sure Shot and Ah to shoot it out, Ah’ll make sure that he will take his last breath that day.” There was a silence among the three of them for a brief moment, until Bullet Tyme snickered next to Braeburn. “Well Braeburn, Ah sure do hope you can keep that promise.” “O’ course Ah will,” he retorted, looking back to the older stallion. “And when we get outta here, Ah expect to know everything about yer ability to shoot a bullet out o’ the air.” “Boy, Ah told you already-” “Everything,” Braeburn repeated, placing more emphasis on the word than before, accompanied by his stern expression. Bullet Tyme may have immediately shaken it off, but the beige earth pony could tell that his words had indeed stayed with his father. Bullet only galloped on, keeping his gaze forward and away from Braeburn. None of them spoke another word after that, merely keeping their steady pace as they galloped through the rainforest. Only twice did they allow themselves a short moment to stop and catch their breath. While it was still early in the morning, Braeburn preferred to be cloaked by the darkness. Without any of them knowing the layout of the temple, or even what it looked like, no articulated plans of attack could be made. Everything their intentions were made out of were based solely on assumption and educated guesses. It was risky, but it was their only shot. For all they knew, Daring could very well have been dead already. But Braeburn knew that she was a strong mare; one that was unwilling to simply give up despite the situation. For that, he had faith. After the better part of twenty minutes, the small group stopped dead in their tracks as Day Break backpedaled in the air. The earth stallions skidded to an abrupt halt, obeying the mare’s gesture to keep quiet. It appeared that she had seen something they hadn’t, for Day Break flew straight up into the air, crouching in the branch of a high tree. She covered her brow with a hoof, squinting her eyes ahead through the high canopies of the forest. For a moment, she merely searched until her eyes widened with a victorious grin across her face. The pegasus dismounted the branch and flew back down, landing next to Braeburn. “I think we found it,” she whispered. “What did ya’ see?” Braeburn whispered back, elated. Day Break pointed in the direction of whatever she spotted from the branch above, saying in a hushed voice: “There’s some sort of small ruin, almost like a stone hut in the trees about twenty yards down the trail. It looks really, really old, and it’s got two dumb-looking stallions guarding it with guns.” A small part of Braeburn wanted to pump his hoof into the air, but settled for an accomplished grin. Bullet Tyme, however, seemed to keep his relief in check. “Just two? That don’t sound right.” “In comparison to what, exactly?” Day Break asked, quirking a brow. “Look, who cares! There are only two grunts that don’t look like they know their flanks from their hooves! Easy, right?” “She’s right, Pa. Don’t complain when the orchards give you a good harvest fer the season,” said Braeburn, instilling an odd look from the mare next to him. “What?” “You really are a farmer, aren’t you?” she snickered, briefly placing a hoof over her mouth. Braeburn only rolled his eyes. “Well, Ah was. Anyhow, what d’ya wanna do ‘bout those two guardin’ the ruin?” “Uh, take them out, I would hope,” the pegasus replied with a touch of sarcasm. “How ‘bout this,” Bullet Tyme started before pointing to Day Break. “You stick out like an apple in a banana tree with those colors o’ yers. Fly over and catch their attention, and Braeburn will take ‘em down from there. His .45 Colt is the quietest gun here.” Day Break lowered her eyelids, her expression tired. “I’m gonna be hearing a lot more apple-related analogies in the future, aren’t I?” “Filly, are ya’ gonna help us or not?” Bullet Tyme hissed, making the mare flinch in response. He threw up a hoof toward the sky, to which Day Break obediently followed. She spread her wings and bolted into the treetops, followed by the two stallions on the ground below. “Why do we have to shoot ‘em?” asked Braeburn. “Can’t we just sneak up behind and-” “No, we can’t, it’s too risky,” Bullet replied, keeping his voice low. “Alright, fine. But is there any reason we need to distract them when we can just shoot ‘em?” Braeburn whispered, following his father off the trail and through a thicket of bushes and low-hanging branches. “If we have the opportunity to take some o’ these bandits down safely, then we take it. Ah don’t wanna take no chances we don’t have to,” Bullet answered, lowering his volume even more as they approached the area the pegasus had pointed to. Up above, Braeburn spotted Day Break flying over the tree line, keeping a slow pace for them to keep up with. They kept their eyes on the ground, stepping over thorns and other questionable looking plants. It only took a few minutes before Bullet held up a hoof to stop his son, looking out of the trees at what they were looking for. While Day Break’s description had indeed been vague, there wasn’t much more detail she could have gone into. At less than a story high, a small rectangular hut of stone stood in the exact center of a modest clearing. It looked to Braeburn like some sort of ancient tool shed, perhaps a bit larger. The ruin was covered in green vines and moss from the bottom to its almost triangular roof. Facing to Braeburn’s right was a small, open threshold, guarded by two rather plain-looking stallions. They both cradled a rifle in their left foreleg, their beady eyes wide and alert to compensate for the semi-darkness of the rainforest. This certainly had to be where Sure Shot was hiding, and where Ahuitzotl was keeping Daring Do. It seemed as if they had arrived at the edge of the clearing just in time, for the yellow pegasus burst out of the treetops with a mighty flap of her wings. For the briefest of moments, Braeburn felt a pang of worry for the mare, up until he saw her work. Day Break immediately caught the attention of the two guards with a loud whoohoo from above. She dove toward the ground, almost grazing the bandits before ascending back into the air. Just as the two guards did, Braeburn drew his new rifle, aligning the advanced iron sights to take aim at his foe. “Shoot to kill.” Braeburn froze, his entire body locking up for a moment as the words were processed in his head. He lowered the barrel of his rifle a few inches subconsciously, turning his head as slowly as possible toward his father. He gave Bullet Tyme a look of pure shock, his eyes wide and his brow furrowed. He couldn’t have just said that. “What… what did you just say?” “We don’t want these ones screamin’, do we? Anything that’s not a kill shot will make more noise than we need,” his father explained, although it was nothing the riflepony took solace from. “What d’ya even care, anyhow? Didn’t ya’ just say that this wouldn’t stop you?” The younger stallion went to reply, but spun his head around at the sound of a mare screaming in fright amongst firing of guns. He looked up to find Day Break frantically dodging a flurry of shots in the air, looking as if she were seconds away from being struck. Braeburn grit his teeth, hating the world for forcing him to do such a thing. The riflepony aligned the sights of his weapon once again, aiming for the closer bandit’s temple. “Don’t think about it, Braeburn,” his father whispered next to him. “Just do it.” Despite everything he had said before, nothing could have prepared Braeburn for what he was about to do at that moment. He ignored everything else in the world, and simply did what needed to be done. The riflepony exhaled, whispering two words that he meant with every fiber of his being: “Ah’m sorry.”