All Rainbow And No Colour

by Ribe_FireRain

Fear

Remedy's birthday, like last year, was taking place at one of the most expensive pubs in town - to be more specific, it was Remedy and Strike's favourite place to be on occasions such as birthdays. And this time, Strike and Remedy thought it would be a good idea to invite the band members around for a change. Usually, it would be just the two of them, but they haven't had many chances to catch up with them since their last performance just outside of Trottingham.

There was Beats, who's cutie mark was that of a fancy-looking red 'B' in front of an amplifier. What Strike couldn't get around was why he always wears those shades of his. He seemed to wear them as something that his identity depended on. Of course, being the most suave of the group, Remedy did have a bit of a crush on him, thankfully one thing Strike didn't know. Then there was Blaze. Unlike the rest of the band, Blaze was the last kind of pony anypony else would think of to be a famous guitarist in a band. And being a guitar player, him and Strike shared tips and hung out more, even taking time out of their schedules to practice playing them.

Equestria didn't have many bands, and Strike's band being in that number, was the most known out of the few. As they sat there, they gently sipped on Wild Pegasus Whiskey and Blue Sapphire, which was basically a fruity flavoured version of champagne, but still high in alcohol levels. The last time Strike or Remedy saw Blaze drink some, all he had was a half glass before he fell to the floor.

Remedy was cuddled up at Strike's side, his hoof around her as they took gentle sips of their own beverages. Not being much of a drinker, Remedy chose to drink juice or weak cider instead.

''So, you been busy lately, you two? We haven't heard from you both in forever.'' Strike said, looking into Blaze's crimson eyes. Blaze took a sip of the Blue Sapphire before responding.

''Nah, not really. T'aint been much going on around Appleloosa at the time, so the only thing that Ah've been doin' is playing guitar, and that's really all there is ta tell.'' He said, before taking yet another sip of the strong smelling, fruity drink. ''What about you, Strike? Anythin' been happening?''

Strike took a sip of his Wild Pegasus before smiling up at him. ''Well, to tell you the truth, yes. Things have been happening.'' He motioned to Remedy's left hoof around his shoulder and the two gasped at the sight of the hoof-engagement ring placed around it, the gem shining beautifully with the light in the room. ''We're engaged.''

Beats nearly fell from his seat at the sight of the ring. Blaze on the other hoof looked surprised, his eyes looking back and forth from the ring to Strike, then to Remedy, who was smiling sweetly.

''Strike...you're engaged?'' Blaze asked softly, sounding more like a whisper. ''Just...wow...I dunno what ta say...''

Beats sat back straight, raising his jet-black shades to stare at the ring, maing sure he wasn't just seeing things. ''Wow, Strike. You're engaged, huh?'' He smiled at them both. ''Well, congratulations from me. Hell, I never even thought that you'd ask!'' He smirked at him, Remedy blushing a soft pink.

''I'll admit it first, I never really thought I'd find anypony to love, but after this little gem came into my life,'' He kissed her cheek softly, causing her to giggle and blush, ''I knew that she was the one for me. Any stallion would be lucky to have a lady such as her, and I'm proud to be that stallion.'' Strike said as he kissed her on the lips, hugging her lightly.

''I'm glad to of met you too, Strike. Other stallions I met were just a pack of creeps.'' She nuzzled his neck lovingly, whispering, ''I love you.''

''I love you too, sweetheart.''

''Well, I'm happy for you, Strike. 'Bout time you moved on.'' Blaze said as he got up from his seat and raised his glass, ''To the happy couple.'' The others joined by raising there own glasses and clinking them together before drinking. The rest of the night at the pub resulted in most occupants of the pub noticing their presence and it just so happens that seeing as they won't see each other again, they decided to play for the crowd. It was just lucky enough that they happened to bring their instruments with them. Even Strike had his with him most of the time. Since Remedy was the secondary-singer of the band, in line with Strike, they were good to go. Setting up on the stage, they began playing.

After they finished playing, they said their goodbyes for the night and agreed to stay in touch. As for Strike, the Wild Pegasus was beginning to take its toll on him, and he began to shake a bit when he walked. Remedy just giggled at his current state. She wrapped a hoof around him and walked him towards the exit.

''Come on, drunky, we should get back to the suite, now.'' She smiled at him as she kissed him on the nose.

''I'm alright, Remedy. Just thankful one of us decided to stay sober and not drunk.'' He gently removed her foreleg from his neck and cuddled her, ''By the way, you were amazing. The crowd loves you. I love you, too.''

''Aww, I love you too, Strike.'' She blushed but still giggled at his drunkenness.

''Come on, we should get going. Preferably before that whiskey makes me pass out.''

*** *** ***

''It was nice seeing those two again.'' Remedy had said to Strike when they were back at their suite, cuddling on the sofa. Although Strike's drunk state made him feel dizzy, he was still sober enough to manage a conversation.

''Yeah, they haven't changed a bit. Well, maybe except for Beats. That guy never takes his shades off.'' He chuckled with Remedy.
He looked into her beautifully glistening eyes. ''Maybe we should see Blaze some point next year in Appleoosa? Be nice to see each other again after a while. Being in Manehatten, we barely see one another in our lives.''

''Yeah. I know what you mean, Strike.'' She hugged him softly, letting her soft fur rub against his cheek.

''Remedy?''

''Hmm?'' She murmured softly as she snuggled with his neck.

''I forgot to give you something. Here.'' He removed a cushion from the couch, pushing it aside. Laying behind the cushion was a silver-plated Silver-Baller pistol, polished to the point where it gleamed brightly with the light in the room, and on the side was 'Love's Blossom' carved carefully in a fancy style. For a second, Remedy's eyes went wide and she just eyed the work done on the gun. Even the grip was custom, neatly polished and ironed black leather.

''A gun?'' Remedy nearly whispered, ''Strikey, you know I don't like using them.''

''Relax, Remedy.'' Strike stroked her mane with a hoof. ''I know you don't. I had this gun specifically designed for your birthday and to commemorate our relationship. You don't have to use it, but you never know what'll happen in future. When I'm not there for you, you've gotta learn to protect yourself. And I know you know quite a few things about guns.'' He smirked at her, to which she blushed.

''Alright, Strike. For you. But I don't have any 45.auto rounds to go into this thing. Where did you even get a Silver-Baller?''

''Somewhere.'' He said quietly, ears drooping a bit.

''You alright?''

Strike didn't respond for a moment. He didn't even look her in the eye. Whatever was wrong had her concerned, and she didn't try to hide it. A single tear was visible to her eye as it made its way down his face.

''I'm just gonna go for a while...'' He said as he slowly got to his hooves and made for the door of the suite. Remedy just looked on with sad eyes as he walked off.

''Strike...?''

*** *** ***

Outside, the night was cold and nipped at Strike's body. For an evening of August, it was colder than Strike had anticipated. He was walking along the street just outside of the building his Suite was in, keeping his head down. There was only a few ponies out and about the streets of Manehatten at this point in time. The ones that were out who recognized him didn't bother him either. From his look, they just let him be. It had began to rain and Strike had been out for a couple hours. By now, Remedy was more than likely worried and he knew he should head back, but he didn't want to.

He noticed a small shop at the corner of the street and saw that it was smashed out front, police lines fluttering in the gentle wind. Back when he was living in Stockholm, he remembered doing something just like this. Doing robbery 'errands' for Whipper, the leader of the Elements of Crime. To say the least, it still haunted him. All those memories of being bad and doing terrible things still lingered in his mind, haunting him. He hadn't even told Remedy about it, and for not saying anything to her, all he felt was guilt. Even if he did tell her, it would possibly destroy her to know the truth. Make her hate him. Think he's sadistic and a monster.

He wouldn't blame her if she did.

''Strike...?'' A very familiar, female voice said from behind him. Slowly, he turned and met eyes with his beloved Remedy. Her eyes hard with concern and a saddened look plastered on her face. She was wearing her raincoat - a present from Strike - and even with it on, she still looked undeniably beautiful. He actually smiled a bit when he met her gaze, but she didn't return it. Her mane and tail were wet and matted down on her body. ''Strike, you've been out for hours! I was worried about you! Are you okay?''

Strike came up to her, muzzle to muzzle and kissed her on the lips before cuddling her.

''Strike! You're freezing!'' She exclaimed, braking away and looking into his eyes, her worry now at its maximum. ''You don't look too good.'' When she was about to take off her raincoat, Strike stopped her by holding up a hoof.

''No, keep it on, Remedy. You look cold enough.''

''But-''

He pressed his hoof to her lips.

''No 'buts'. Lets get out of the cold, sweetheart. We should get home.''

She nodded, cuddling up to him to try and generate warmth, but the cold weather didn't help much. Getting back to the suite, Remedy helped Strike down onto the couch. She sat next to him, her mane and tail still wet. Strike looked at her wetness for a second and went to go get a towel, and soon came back, drying her mane, taking care not too push too hard. Once he was done, she shook her head softly, letting her mane return to its former glamour. She smiled at him and he gave a small smile back.

Strike may of still been dripping wet and cold, but at this point, he didn't care. He didn't even flinch when Remedy placed a hoof around his heavily drenched shoulder.

''What's wrong, Strike?'' She asked him quietly, Strike looking down before exhaling.

What would she do if I told her? Leave me? Hit me? Berate me? I don't want to lie to her...I love her too much to do that...

''Remedy...you know I love you with all my heart, but after I tell you, you are probably going to want to kill me.'' He looked up at her, tears in his eyes. ''Remedy, I used to be in a gang, alright? You remember those stallions I introduced to you at the bar back at Stockholm before I moved here with you?'' To her slow nod, he continued, ''Well, Whipper, the one who is the leader and the rest of his closest friends are monsters. They murder, rape and rob others for fun. I used to be one of them. One of Whipper's 'errand boys'.''

''Wait, what? You? A gang member? What does that have to do with you? Did they do something to you?''

''Remedy...they forced me to do things I didn't want to do. I wish I can forget it, but I just can't. They want me dead because I'm with you. They call me a 'traitor' for leaving them after I met you. That means they probably want to kill you, too. I just don't want to see that happen to you, Remedy. You're everything to me.''

She leaned in and kissed him passionately on the lips.

''No one will kill me, Strike. We're in Manehatten, and they're in Stockholm. That's miles away! We'll both be safe here, Strike. Believe me.''

''I hope I do, Remedy. I really do. Losing you is the last thing I want.''

''Oh, and Strike? You should probably dry yourself off. You're dripping that much its like you're bleeding rain.'' She smiled up at him.

''Right. I'll see you in the morning, beautiful. Goodnight.''

''Goodnight, Strikey.'' Remedy said as she went towards the bedroom and closed the door. Now on his own, Strike sighed and went to grab his guitar, which was leaning against the wall in its bag. He unzipped it and brought it with him to the couch. He sat there with it in his lap for a moment and examined its figure. Always shiny and a sight for sore eyes. He plucked a string gently, the note echoing around the room before going silent. He smiled softly as he plucked the strings, eventually coming down to playing a song he played for Remedy on her twenty-first birthday.

Author's Note:

Remedy - No cutie mark - On DeviantART's Pony Creator:
2T2R000000FEEA00FFC49D00B01FEEA00UN1837002000000U1E5CB00FE84002S01E5CB00FE7B00

Hopefully that'll give you an idea of what she looks like. She is basically a pony based from LemonStone, whom it was originally meant to be, but after Remedy came along, this happened.

Strike, Beats and Blaze are yet to come.