Striker was upset. The train ride had been both long and loud. When he finally managed to fall asleep he never really entered a fitful deep sleep, just a quick dozing off. Then when he fell into a moderately good sleep, he awoke he found out he missed his stop and had to wait an entire day for the next train. Unfortunately he had spent the rest of his bits and more booze and didn't have enough for the train ride, and ended up trotting to Ponyville on hoof. The trip that should have taken three days took six.

After two full days of trotting, he was pretty tired and sore. After a brief rest, and climbing a small fence, he found himself in a rather large apple orchid. He quickly got lost in the maze of appletrees and hills. The green grass and appletrees looked the same in all directions. The hills were all slightly rocky, some with more stone protruding from the earth then others, and covered with a fine layer of grass. The trees filled the orchard, all boomed with life and plump apples, some needing a day or two more, while some waited to be picked, ripe and ready to eat.

“Hey!” the voice of a mare filled the air. Shocking Striker he quickly took note of effective place to hide if he had to run.

“Hey! What the hey are you doing on my apple farm!” The voice said. Hey looked to the mare. She was orange with a blonde mane. Applejack the Element of Honesty

“Just passing through,” He replied quickly “Trying to get to Ponyville.”

Applejack studied him for a second. Then, not really sure what to think of him asked “What's your name partner?” her suspicion strong in her voice.

“Striker” He responded quickly, and she eyed him then gave a sigh.

“Lost? Mah barn aint too far away, c'mon you look tired.” She stated turning her back to him, then quickly turned back “Oh ahm Applejack by the way” extending a hoof. He reached out, and was shaken violently by Applejack, his head still shaking as she turned to trot away.

He smiled with relief, ponies who grow up in rural places like this are so much more trusting and inviting. He remembered the last time he was in a place like this, he was still a young colt, little places where everypony knows everypony, and ponies didn't lock their front doors. He reminisced of his adolescence, learning how to shoot a gun, archery, knife-fighting, advanced close-quarters-combat practice with his dad. Unfortunately a dark breeze blew across his mind, as he remembered why he learned those things, and that Luna had sent him here so he could use those skills. There was something in Ponyville, and he had to stop it, and he was already late.

“We got a little walk ahead of us, were kinda far out.” She spoke to him, assuming he would respond, but he didn't. She cleared her throat. “Ah hope you don't mind ah mean.”

“It's no problem, I've been walking for a while.” he responded

“How long? The nearest towns is nearly three days away on hoof.”

“Nearly three days.”

“Oh, well ughh Ponyville aint far, well this is part of Ponyville, but ah own the deed to the land. So it's legally mine.”

“You must be proud.”

“Ah sure am! All this land and everythin' on it belongs to the Apple family, and we got here through hard work and dedication!” She rubbed a hoof on her chest, obviously proud.

He just gave Applejack a smile, not responding vocally. For a brief moment he remembered his family, then stomped that thought out like it was fire. Instead he distracted himself by admiring how attractive Applejack was. Her body was well built, muscular, and strong. Her fur was matted and covered with dust and sweat. Her hooves were coated in dry mud. Her mane was greasy and full of fly away hairs. With all of this some folks would have found her gross or uncouth, Striker however liked that in mares, seeing that they are willing to work hard and get dirty when they needed to. He also admired how muscular her calves and thighs were.

“Where you from? You don't look like yer from around here, and you aint dressed like no city colt neither” her voice drawing his attention away from her flanks.

“Well my family moved a lot when I was a kid, didn't stay in one place very long.”

“Oh, well then where do call home then?”

He shrugged “Any bar with some half-decent whiskey” his comment brought a grin to his face. Applejack rolled her eyes but shot him a grin. More silence until she broke it again.

“Yer, an odd one fella. You don't talk much do ya?”

“Not really. Not unless I need to say something that needs to be said.”

“Oh so you aint shy, you just don't talk much.”

He replied with a nod.

“That reminds me of my brother. He don't say much unless he has to.”

“I'm more talkative when I'm in my element.”

“When's that then?”

“When I'm drunk.”

That got Applejack to give a short lave and a sigh. She looked back to him, and he showed her his flask, nearly empty now. He trotted with Applejack for a solid twenty minutes before reaching the barn. Applejack wasn't sure what to think of Striker. He acted weird. Brooding, yet kinda funny when he wants to be. It was Odd. She wanted to know more about him. Striker on the other hoof, already had an idea of what Applejack was like, and was forming a plan in his head.

He thought to himself, She's a farmer, so she's seems to be a honest, and hardworking mare, pony like that in a town like this... she'll have some friends in town, she stays connected. When we get to her home I'll rest my hooves for a bit, and ask a bit about town, then get into some local gossip. Ask if anyone has been acting weird and investigate, I need to make up for lost time with this case.

They both arrived at the small two story home. With a smile, Applejack showed him around, excluding the second floor due to both her siblings having fallen ill and Striker not wanting to disturb them, she was obviously proud of her home. She gave him details about how it was built, and how strong it was. Striker was impressed with the level of quality and craftsponyship in the building. He grinned as he realized that the house was built by ponies like him. Before he could enjoy that anymore however, Applejack said something that gripped his mind.

“Just take a bit to rest up, I'll show ya to town when yer ready. Its no trouble, I was gunna see mah friend Fluttershy anyhow, dang girl got spooked by nothing again.”

Spooked again, hot damn this might be over faster then expected! ”What spooked her?” He asked.

“Huh? Oh it wasn't anything, that girl coulda gottin' scared by her own shadow.”

“Are you sure it was nothing, has she been acting strangely at all?”

“Ah guess, Ah haven't seen her in nearly a weeks time, that's not like her.”

“Would it be OK if I joined your visit? She wouldn't mind would she?”

“Ah guess that'd be alright, but why the sudden interest?” She suspected something was up.

“What if she did see something? I'd be glad to lend a hoof.”

“Y'all don't know Fluttershy, she is scared by everythin', trust me, she's fine.” she deadpanned

“Well there's no problem in investigating, and I have nothing better to do.”

A grin popped to Applejack's face. “Lemme guess you think this Fluttershy is the same Fluttershy who was a supermodel not to long ago huh?”

He had honestly never heard of a super model named Fluttershy before, but it was a solid form of cover. He acted shocked to hear this, trying to look like she had guessed his plan.

“Oh, I had no idea, I mean could they be the same Fluttershy? What are the chances pfffffft, but umm if they are one in the same, helping her out and getting an autograph wouldn't be the worst outcome.”

Applejack rolled her eyes, then gave a laugh. “Alright, alright, I'll take ya to her, but she sensitive alright so don't go all crazy fan pony. Especially if she aint fellin' good, got that mister.”

“Oh I'm a huge fan of Fluttershy, I wouldn't dream of doing anything to make her, or her friends for that matter... uncomfortable.” he stated with a salute.

And with that he had accessed his closest lead. He sat on his haunches for a bit before washing his hooves and face in the kitchen sink. He was once again impressed with the home. The two left a little while later. She showed him the motel, general store, tailor, library, and other places around town. Striker spoke very little. Usually replying with a gesture to show he was paying attention. Applejack made sure he knew everything about the town he might need to know. Then due to the sun beginning to set, they rushed over to get to Fluttershy's cottage before it got dark.

There were minutes of day light when they arrived. But before he even entered his attention was grabbed by the sheer number of scratch and claw marks that were all over the small cottage. He took a closer look following the perimeter of the home, as Applejack knocked on the door. She didn't notice his behavior as Fluttershy usually answers the door right away, her odd behavior grasping her attention
“Fluttershy... sugar? It's me Applejack brought a friend who wanted to meet you.” She spoke muzzle close to the door.

Striker took note of the claw marks that covered the building. Four nails, and what appeared to be more like tooth marks. It looked like something had been trying to claw and bite its way into Fluttershy's home. At least I found my case, now to solve it. As Striker was compiling his thoughts Applejack tried the door and found it unlocked, it slid oped with a creaking sound. The home was dark, and she barely saw the young Fluttershy curled up on the floor, in the general center of the room. Applejack's eyes went wide, she ran to her friend, not noticing Striker sliding in a second later.

“Fluttershy are you OK girl, what happened?!” Her voice was full of worry and concern. Striker just took in the building, analyzing it.

Fluttershy stumbled back awake. “Ah... Applejack?” She looked exhausted like she hadn't sleep right in days. Her eye's had bags under them, and were pink. Her mane was wild and matted.

“What in the world happened to you girl!”

“I think... I think I fainted...” She replied in a daze

“What happened to ya?”

“I was scared... couldn't sleep, I guess I just passed out” She looked to Applejack with a small grin.

“That dog thing still got ya all riled up girl?”

Fluttershy only replied with a nod. Applejack's face showed how worried she was, she just cradled Fluttershy in her hooves. She had never seen a friend in such horrible condition before. She blamed herself, she should have visited Fluttershy sooner, just because she has a habit of getting scared of nothing doesn't make the fear any less real. Hugging, their minds elsewhere neither of the two mare noticed how Striker had begun barricading all the doors and windows of the house. That is until he pushed a shelf over blocking the back door, knocking over a vase that crashed to the floor gaining the mares attention.

The two mares were very confused. Fluttershy however was more confused about the handsome stallion in her home.

“What in the sam-hill do you think your doin?!” Applejack asked

“Saving us, there is something out there, and it wants us dead.” He in a tone of pure ice.

“Huh?” Applejack looked more angry then confused

Before anypony could speak the front door banged and rattled violently. Fluttershy's eyes widened “Its not just a dream...” She plunged herself into Applejack's chest, as the windows began to rattle uncontrollably, then the other doors. One by one each door and window began to viciously shake. The barricades danced as Fluttershy began to weep. Applejack held on to her as if both their lives depended on it, Striker took up a position near the two and slid a sawed-off double barrel out of his trench coat, cracked it open, and slid two rounds in. The dancing was joined by loud banging, then the roars of a wild animal filled with bloodlust. After a minute or two the air was filled with an echoing howl. Then the banging and thrashing finally stopped.

Immediately Striker dove down and grabbed Fluttershy's hooves with his own, getting her attention, her puffy and sleep deprived eyes stared into his.

“Fluttershy right?” he asked, her only reply was a hard swallow and a nod.

“Listen to me Fluttershy, I'm here to help, but I can't do that unless you help me and do everything that I ask.” He turned to Applejack “You too” he added.

Applejack glared and gritted her teeth. Fluttershy gave a near silent “...ok...”

“OK good, Fluttershy you need to tell me EXACTLY what you saw, you did see something right, not to long ago? After you saw it things started to get.... bad right? What did you see.” His voice was still Ice cold.

Applejack wanted to speak, but she was trying to get a grasp on what was happening, she did not understand anything, the more confused she got, the more she turned to rage.

Fluttershy was silent for a moment then replied softly again. “I... I umm don't know”

“Yes you do, now come on”

“You'll think I'm crazy...”

“Really? Try me? C'mon just tell me.” She once again remained silent.

"Striker, leave 'er alone, she doesn't want to talk to you!" Applejack barked. Striker ignored her.

“Fluttershy, if you don't tell me what you saw, we could all die tonight, we are all in horrible danger right now, and we all need your help, I can save us, but not unless you tell me what you saw.”

That got her. “I saw... just inside the Everfree, this... this big dog, it was black but not really... it was burnt black and had no skin on its muzzle.” her own words made the mare cringe.

“...Shhhit! Shit! Fuck!” He swore, “That's not good, but don't worry, no need to worry just yet, Fluttershy how long ago did you see this thing?”

“Umm...” she was not accustom to such harsh language “About six or five day's ago I think.”

“So.... like tonight is the seventh or sixth night?”

“Sixth... I think.”

“Okay, we should worry! Fluttershy please tell me you have some bay leaves!”

She pointed a hoof at a shelf and he quickly ran over to it, then spilled a jar of bay leaves onto the floor. All at once the barricades began to rustle and shake violently. He pulled out a box of matches and quickly began trying to light a match, the banging and growling outside hurt his ears, and getting the match to light was hard, but at last he got it. Jabbing it into the pile of bay leaves, a small fire soon burned. As soon as the first waft of bay leaf smoke filled the air, the pounding stopped instantly. He gave a sigh of relief.

“OK, were safe for now, but only for a little while...”

“Who are you, how did you kno-” Applejack began at a shout, but Striker cut her off

“I know, I can explain! Alright!” He took a deep breath. “Let me first explain that there are some bad things in Equestria.”

Author's Notes:

Split this chapter in two.
Next chapter be ready for the gore tag.
Oh there will be some clarification also.