//------------------------------//
// 10 
// Story: Wayward Courier 
// by Speven Dillberg 
//------------------------------//

	What did we talk about? Well, for the most part, I just told her a few stories about the things I had done in the Mojave. I could tell she didn’t like anything about the Legion, so I told her about how I saved the Bitter Springs Refugee Camp and liberated Nelson. I didn’t go into complete detail, I didn’t think that’d be a good idea.
Anyway, I was about halfway through recounting... what was it again? Oh yeah, how I saved President Kimball, that was amazing. Tackled the Legion spy to the ground and caved his head in with a wrench. Do you have any idea how hard that is? Seriously, those things are brittle.





Celestia interrupted the Courier mid-sentence. “Forgive me, but I am needed elsewhere. Twilight Sparkle and her friends will be arriving soon.”
The Courier seemed disappointed that he was losing his audience, but shrugged. “Tell her I said hi,” he replied with a smile.
“Of course,” the alicorn answered, snorting lightly. “I’m sure she’s worried about you.”
The Courier let out a snort of his own. “Trust me, a kick to the head is nowhere near enough to keep me down.” He winced as he forced himself to stand. “I probably have a concussion or something, though,” he added.
“I am honestly surprised that you woke up as quickly as you did.” 
“You wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve fought,” he replied, meeting her eyes. “Believe me, your guards are nothing compared to them.”
“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” Celestia asked, amused by his words. “After all, you’ve only encountered two of them.”
“True,” he shrugged. “But I’ve taken down multiple Legion hit squads, most of them with better weapons than I have. Your guards should be a piece of cake,” he finished with a smirk.
“The Royal Guard is notoriously proud, Courier, Celestia warned. “I think they’d be glad to take up your challenge.”
“Let them,” he answered.
Celestia smiled, his confidence and good nature endearing him to her. “I think you should get medical attention, though.”
“I... I fully support that line of thinking,” he said as he collapsed back to the ground. “Great, now there are two of you,” he muttered.
“Oh dear,” the alabaster alicorn whispered, only now displaying concern. “I’ll get you a doctor immediately.”
“That’d... that’d be nice,” he slurred, using a hand to keep himself from falling over.
As Celestia disappeared, she failed to notice the human slump against the wall of his cell. She did notice what seemed to be singing. “Heartaches by the number, troubles by the score...”





So I was singing. Kept me awake, that’s all that mattered. Didn‘t want to fall into a coma or something, right?
I got that doctor quick. Believe it or not, the one they sent to me had a picture of a lightning bolt over a red cross on his flank. Turns out, those pictures pretty much tell them what they’re gonna be good at. I kept wondering what mine would look like. 
He didn’t have a horn, though he had wings, and he managed to hold all his stuff with his hooves. No I have no idea how that worked. They explained a lot of things to me as magic, so I guess that’ll do.
Turns out, secondary languages are a mandatory part of the Royal Guards’ training. Probably to deal with ambassadors and such. Anyway, turns out that De-Fib, yes that was his name, spoke near-perfect English. Got him to tell me a few things too. 





“Twilight Sparkle, thank you for coming,” the alicorn said as she saw the Element Bearers in the throne room.
“Of course, Princess,” the unicorn mare replied, doing her best to stop herself from rushing in for a hug.
“I’m guessing you are worried about your new friend’s condition.”
This elicited a grumble from Applejack that Twilight made a point of ignoring. “He did get bucked in the head,” she commented.
“You’ll be glad to know that he is awake and is receiving medical attention.”
“I cannot wait to meet him!” Rarity gushed. “I simply must design him something as a thank-you for saving Sweetie Belle.” 
“I still need to thank him for saving me in the Everfree.”
“And I need to throw him a ‘Welcome to Equestria’ party!”
Applejack scowled at her friends. “How can you be so trustin’ of this fella? He kills! Ah saw him do it!”
“We’ve been through this, Applejack!” Twilight responded angrily. “He acted in self-defence! And he saved your sister!”
“I have spoken to him, Applejack,” Celestia interrupted calmly, “and he is as well-adjusted as any of us.” Everypony present shot a glance at Pinkie Pie, who currently had a fifth hoof. Somehow. “Perhaps more,” she added hesitantly. There were still a small number things that confused the Princess of the Sun (though she would never admit it), and Pinkie Pie was among them. She returned her attention to the matter at hoof. “The world he is from is violent, incredibly so. Though his actions are far from pleasant, it is the only way he knows. His intentions are certainly noble, though.”
“Ah just can’t see what kinda noble intention can lead to killin’,” Applejack grumbled.
“From what he has told me, he has only ever acted in such a way against those who threaten the safety of those who can’t defend themselves or himself.”
“We told you he was a good alien!” Rainbow said very loudly to her friend. She had been especially disappointed by the way Applejack was acting. “Honestly, Applejack, I can’t understand what you have against him.”
They all turned around when they heard the door being opened. They turned to see the Courier standing there, his long coat swaying gently, sand slowly pouring out of it. On his head was a red beret, on his face was a cocky smile and in his eyes was a mischievous light. Behind him was a guard that looked far from happy. “You miss me?” he loudly asked the group. Rarity swooned and fainted. “Am I that sexy?” he asked as they all turned to look at the prone mare.





Author’s Notes:
Okay, I’ll be putting this on hold for a bit while I write some more of Parental Problems and Wargames. Kinda been neglecting them.
And the Mane Six have now all seen the Courier! Should be fun...