//------------------------------//
// Wild Card's Tale 
// Story: Apples Wild 
// by niftykoala 
//------------------------------//

	Wild Card explained how he and “some associates” had once taken something from the Canterlot Castle Vaults. They had assumed it was a book containing powerful written magic spells that would be worth quite a few bits to the right buyer.  It turned out to be a book with one powerful spell tied to the spirit of a Griffon who called himself The Weaver. The Weaver’s spirit had revived and the griffon had explained that a new stories must begin.

Big Macintosh continued to listen as he reached into his saddlebags and pulled out 2 corked bottles, He tossed one to Wild Card and pulled the stopper on his own and took a swig.

Wild Card did the same. “Apple cider. APPLE cider!?” Wild laughed again and put the bottle once more to his lips. “The Weaver disappeared deeper into the Badlands, and my gang and I have dealt with banshees, chupacabras, ghost mares.” Wild looked up at the moon. “I once even had my hat stolen by a pegasi masquerading as a wolf…or had it been the other way around?“

Big Macintosh asked, “What’s that have to do with Golden Bale?”

Wild looked thoughtfully at the bottle in his hooves. “Did you know that Zebras, Buffalo, and planes ponies have stories that pre-date most Equestrian history books?” He looked back at Big Macintosh. “Everypony's heard the legends of the Alicorn Amulet, and the Crystal Heart…But ask the buffalo and they’ll tell of other crystals, and other amulets that only Celestia and Luna’s parents may have been aware of. “He sighed. ”Amulets that when used with other spells and items, reverse curses.”

“I take it that Golden Bale is in ownership of one of these amulets.” Big Macintosh said unobtrusively.

“You’re pretty good at putting two and two together.” Wild Card smirked. “The thing is most pony’s don’t understand how the old magic works. The Zebra’s and Buffalo do, as do some of the planes Palominos .  The ponies of old only used amulets when they need it.  You don’t wear external magic all the time. Amulets are RAW Power … And that kind of power corrupts.  Golden Bale’s amulet is twisting his mind.”

“Why do you say that?” Big Macintosh took another pull from his cider bottle.

“Because he used it to take something from me. I had even paid Golden Bale to let me examine the thing. The magic and greed had warped him; he wanted to make me forget that I had paid him, so he could charge me again.” Wild Card looked deep into the embers of the fire. “Instead he took my parents… he stole all my memories of them.  Only thing I can remember now is a single store window. I can’t even remember their faces. I found out that if I can destroy it… maybe then…” Wild shook his head. “Tartarus’s Doors, why am I even telling you all this?” He glanced up at Big Macintosh and slid back quickly.

The red earth pony had Wild Card’s knives out.

“Well I guess that settles that…”Big Macintosh tossed the knives at Wild Card’s hooves.

“Settle’s what?” Wild Card slowly reached for the knives and looked at Big Macintosh suspiciously.

“You said we probably passed his place on the way here, right?” Big Macintosh slid on his yolk and began doing up his saddle bag. “We’re going to get that Amulet.”

“You’re not a criminal, you’re a farmer.” Wild card slowly began to slide his knives into place “This isn’t your fight.”

Anger flashed across Big Macintosh’s face for a moment. “No one should have their family taken from them.” His placid grin returned. He kicked Wild Card his weapon and empty bandoleer and smirked. “And in case you haven’t heard, I’m BIG RED, the most wanted outlaw in the Badlands and beyond.”