My Little Fortress: Dawnpick

by Paaaad

120: Aftermath Part One

"I.. I was supposed to stay in the fight until it ended!.."

"But you were seriously hurt, Kat!"

"I could handle it!"

Flux looks to the cast on her wing. "They... They almost killed you!"

"I could've handled them.."

"What if..." He hangs his head, barely whispering. "...what if not..."

Kat sighs lightly.. then smiles "Do you not believe me Flux?"

"Of course... but... you're still a pony. A... a more skilled fighter might come along... or just get lucky... I worry when you go out to fight..."

"It's my duty to go out to fights Flux.. to make sure i keep everypony safe.. to make sure i keep you safe.."

"I know, but... I still worry! I wish my traps could work for everything, or we could just live in peace, or..." Flux looks incredibly sad, wishing ponies didn't have to die. "Why... why can't everypony just... get along..."

Kat sighs lightly then lay a little more onto her bed in the hospital. "Because we choose not to I guess..."

Flux sighs, then walks close to the bed to gently lay a hoof on Kat's. "I think... it's because everypony has something they're willing to fight for..." he says, looking at Kat as he does so, letting her know exactly who he'd fight for. Kat sighs happily and smiles, squeezing onto his hoof softly with hers as she lay on her bed like that.. "Mmhmm.."

"I... should I try to join the reserves?"

Kat shook her head "No.. You might have killed something with a dagger before Flux, but I don't want you out there.. even in the reserves.. you can protect ponies better by smelting steel and making traps.. so that ponies like me can fight easier and wouldn't die easily.."

"I... I can do both, I think? I just... I don't want to see you hurt if there's anything I could do to stop it, Kat."

"Then don't join the reserve Flux.. It'd hurt me more than any wounds anypony can give me to see you hurt." Flux glances at Kat's wing, obviously feeling the same about her. "But..." Kat gives him a reassuring smile "I'll be fine Flux.. I'm a tough pony."

Tears well at Flux' eyes as he looks into hers. "But... I... couldn't do anything..."

"You make the steel i wear, the bolts I shoot, the crossbow I use, and the traps that kept us safe Flux.."

"But not safe enough..."

"Well, I could've died without them Flux."

"You... almost died with them... There must be something else I could do?"

"well.. It kept me alive. That's what matters, right?" Tears slowly fall as Flux has trouble describing just how he feels. "I... I'm happy you're alive, my love, but... you're so hurt... what if... what if next time...?" He shuts his eyes, trying to hold back the tears and not think of what next time might hold. Kat squeezes onto his hoof a little more and pull him down closer as she pull herself up a bit as well to wrap her forelegs around him into a hug.. holding him tightly. "Next time.. they'll all have to go through your traps first."

Flux returns the embrace, gently nuzzling her and being grateful she's still there to nuzzle. *sniffle* "O...Ok, Kat... just... just come back safe... next time..."

Kat nuzzles lovingly at him then sighs happily, "I will.. I promise."