Chapter 2: Training

With my gun in hand, Veronica pointed out that I was missing something, yet she wanted me to guess what it was for the sole enjoyment of my inexperienced confusion. I knew that because she flat out admitted the fact, all the while laughing.

Grinding my teeth at the laughs, I tried and failed to guess. No amount of bribing with caps, coercion, or diplomacy could sway her into revealing the mysterious thing I was missing. It was only when I tried to place the gun somewhere on myself, that I realized I was lacking the sheath to go along with it. Like a sword without the scabbard.

Quickly going back to the vendor, I asked her about buying one for my size of weapon. Lucky for me, she gave me a basic leather holster and belt for a measly five caps. While looking down when I was putting it on, I noticed the covering on my feet was still nothing more than tattered rags, so with Veronica’s help, we stopped a caravaneer passing through the 188 with another two-headed cow to see if they had any boots and socks my size.

While Veronica was searching through the various wares the traveling salespony - well salesman - had, I was having a staring contest with the two-headed cow.

The cow bore a blank expression, almost no intelligence shining out from the large black eyes on each head. “Hey,” I said in my most friendly manner to the cow, which blankly stared at me before mooing. No speech, just a moo.

With a heavy heart, I realized that cows here were just like animals back in Equestria. Simpleminded and instinctual.

“What?” Veronica asked, noticing the look I was giving the cow, “What, are you some kind of brahmin whisperer? Those things barely have half a brain between both of their heads. Dumb as rocks.”

“I guessed that,” I said mostly to myself, letting out a heavy disappointed sigh. They’re just average animals on this planet. I wondered if Fluttershy would still be able to talk with them, though.

“Now, come over here so you can try a few of these boots on,” Veronica said, waving me over with her large metallic fist.

Moving to the side of the large pack animal, I noticed that the female caravaneer had a selection of various sized boots to choose from. Most were clearly in bad shape or just homemade things made from pieces of melted together rubber tire and sackcloth. Browsing over the selection of about ten pairs of boots, I saw a pair of near flawless, jet black boots that seemed to scream ‘awesome’ to me. Inspecting it further, I set my foot beside one of the boots that was laying on the ground. It seemed to be a perfect fit.

“How much?” I asked as my grin grew at the leather clad caravaneer, who was wearing a white hat atop her head for shade.

“Thirty caps for the best pair of boots you ever had.”

My enthusiasm deflated like Pinkie’s hair. Crap, I had spent sixty eight on my 9mm pistol and ammo. As I searched for a cheaper pair, I almost didn’t notice Veronica buy the shoes, right before handing them off to me.

“Tha-Thanks,” I said, taking the pair of black beauties. I wasn’t expecting a near total stranger to buy me something that seemed so extravagant. That calendar has me using egghead words again, or it could just be Rarity.

“Think nothing of it,” Veronica replied with a smile, “You can't live your whole life being a selfish ass all the time.”

Okay, it seemed humans didn’t care that language like that could have been overheard by some foal, well kid. If anyone said that in Ponyville, they would get a mouthful of soap from an angry parent.

Throwing the thought of a mouthful of soap away in my mind’s imaginary garbage bin, I sat on the ground, struggling to slide my newfound feet into the boots. Thankfully, they fit with a little effort and felt like I still had room to grow. Even the wrappings on my feet acted as temporary socks - an item Rarity had the whole town wearing at one point.

I pulled the laces of the boot tight, tying a nice little bow with the strings. As I did this, I said to myself, “The rabbit goes around the tree, and into the hole.” It was a silly little foalhood chant to remember how to tie a bow, but it got the job done.

With my new pair of ‘dungarees’, as Applejack would put it, firmly secured, I turned to Veronica, “So, how about some lessons now?” I was still uneasy to train myself how to use something clearly designed to kill.

She nodded, pulling her brown robe’s hood over her head, “Let’s do this. I have a place all worked out and everything.”

<>~<>~<>

Okay, I honestly didn’t expect her to take me back to the dry lake bed. It was the same lake bed where Sue stopped the ant from slicing me in two. Saying I wasn’t worried about training was a straight-up bold-faced lie.

Looking around, all I saw was the tan-gold color of sand, leading up to brown rocky mountains, and off in the distance, there was a tall rectangular spire made from metal. The top of the tower, however, was in the shape of a disk, and there was a large, grey, concrete factory-looking building beside it.

Peeling my eyes away, I scanned even more of the lakebed, only seeing the tannish-red shells of giant ants too far off to have to worry about.

“So,” Veronica started, taking off her metal fist and procuring a boxy-shaped gun from seemingly nowhere, probably just tucked under her robe - I wasn’t dealing with Pinkie-level random powers again. “Do you know the basics?” She asked, sliding out the magazine of bullets and pulling a slide of the gun back.

“No, I don’t,” I answered honestly, “Never even heard of guns until yesterday. As I said, not from Earth.”

“Nothing like a gun at all? What world did you live in?” She questioned, raising an eyebrow as she replaced the magazine, letting the slide, slide forward with a metal crunch. She had performed the action without even a single glance at the gun, and while speaking.

“Actually,” I said with a wave of my hand, “we do have bows and cannons, but my training in the Wonderbolts didn’t cover archery or artillery. Those are separate branches of Equestrian military. I wonder how Pinkie even got ahold of her cannon? It’s still a mystery to, well... everyone.”

“Figures,” Veronica said chuckling, “guess I have to play teacher and cover the basics so Miss Alien Girl doesn't get her ass whipped in a fight.”

I crossed my arms and groaned in annoyance. Even with her chuckling at me, I was glad she didn’t seem to care about Pinkie. That avenue would be quite detrimental to my head.

<>~<>~<>

The lesson consisted of teaching me how to properly handle the ‘firearm’ as Veronica kept calling it. How to put on the safety switch, treat it like it’s always loaded, never point it at something you don't intend to shoot, the names of most of the parts, types of weapons like rifles along with ammo, and to not look down the barrel of anything.

That lead to a story of how one of her friends lost an eye to a laser pistol. That led us off track to a discussion on energy weapons - something I thought only aliens in my comic books were capable of through their eyes.

Finally, when we were back on track, she told me something I was expecting to hear.

“Now that you know a most of the basics, time for some live target practice. Don't worry, the ants here are harmless since we have range and they don't. Plus if any of the big ones come scurrying their butts our way, I can always use my pneumatic gauntlet to rip them a new one,” She said as she put her pistol away, only to re-armed herself with the gauntlet.

“Hey, Veronica?” I said slowly, trying to be nonchalant with handling the predicament I found myself in. I was learning how to kill things in case I needed it, not seeking out to kill something.

“What RD?” She replied quickly, once again removing her gauntlet and pulling her ‘10mm’ pistol from a hidden slit I finally spotted in her robe.

“It’s about target practice,” I began explaining in a way she would understand my point of view, “You see, My friends and I were no strangers to violence. Hell, we even fought an army of bug-like creatures called Changelings before. But killing is something we don't accept from the society were from, meaning…”

“You dont want to kill the ant’s,” She said cutting me off, “Sorry, but I have no idea how peaceful your world is, which we really need to talk about later, but in this world, it’s kill or be killed. These ants aren't the worst thing out there, you have Raiders, Ca…”

“Caesar’s Legion,” I cut her off, saying the words with enough venom to make a cocatrice lay an egg.

“Yeah, a group of slave-driving, dress-wearing men, who obviously ride each other as much as their women.” she said in a way that sounded like an attempt at a sarcastic joke.

My scowl shown I obviously didn't approve, and that I didn’t want to hear a  word about the evil villains.

“Sorry about that,” Veronica apologized with a sincere voice, her fave a small frown, “Grim humor is about the only thing not in short supply here,” She stated matter-of-factly, then adding sarcastically as her smile returned, “Well, that and junkies.”

Great, just great... drugs, murdering bands of rapists, things trying to kill me, a large ant coming our way.

Wait… what?

Spinning on the heel of my foot, I saw the large soldier ant that was in the corner of my vision, and it was getting closer. It’s red-tan shell shuffling towards us at an alarming pace as it’s soulless eyes were locked onto me. It was around eight meters out when I noticed it, but now it was more along the lines of six.

What happened next was odd to say the least, and was nearly a blur. Suddenly I was in fear for my life as I remembered the one that snuck up behind me, nearly killing me just yesterday.

On impulse, I used the only weapon I had, the gun. In a second, I was shooting at the large bug, and from the clogs of sand and clay bouncing around it, I was missing badly. Even though, I kept firing until the slide locked back, showing I was out of ammo.

Thats when, Veronica did something I had done in the past with a dragon. Meaning she ran right up and smashed its face with her gauntlet. The metal machine making a loud hydraulic hiss and pop, right before the ant crumpled to the ground dead with it’s head shattered. Okay, maybe not exactly what happened with the dragon.

All of it was over in the short span of a few seconds, the gun still held in my grasp. I hadn’t realized I started shaking, the rush from firing the gun for the first time, coupled with the fear of seeing something coming towards me with the intent to kill. It honestly left me breathless. It was dead, I was alive.

How this world works.

“You okay, Dasher?” Veronica asked me concerningly, “You look a little shaken.”

I would have facepalmed so hard if I wasn't keeping a shaky, yet tight grip on the brown faux wood handle. “That’s an understatement,” I muttered, trying to distract myself with comedy. It was so much more different when Sue was doing the shooting.

After I calmed down, I retrieved a full magazine from my satchel and reloaded, the empty one taking its place in my bag. The metal magazines were expensive, and Veronica told me to keep any empty magazines I find.

With a shaky voice, my whole body tingling with the aftershock of wearing off adrenalin, I asked “So... how did I do?”

“Not bad for a first-time shooter,” she told me, snickering a few times, obviously trying to keep a straight face, but already failing to hide her amusement, “But your accuracy could use some work.”

“Can you help me aim this the right way?” I asked, feeling embarrassed at needing assistance like a foal.

She took on her thinking face again, tapping her chin with the thumb on her left hand, “Maybe, maybe not,” she then waved the same hand, “Oh, why the hell not?”

Veronica set her gauntlet down, pulling her pistol out yet again. “Now, stand beside me and do what I do, and make sure not to get frustrated,” She instructed as she backed a few meters away from the ant.

Doing as she said, I realized what we were going to do, and it made me question her; we were going to use the dead ant for target practice. “Umm, Veronica, are you sure we couldn't use something else for practice, like a tin can or something?” I asked, trying to hint to her that I thought it was wrong.

“The thing’s dead, Rainbow,” she reminded, “You were trying to shoot it while it was still alive, now it doesn’t care.”

“I know that,” I replied, raising my voice in protest, “But I was defending myself. That’s different. Where I’m from, you just don't destroy a dead body, no matter what it is.”

“You say you want target practice, but you refuse to shoot because you’re afraid, aren't you?” she snapped back, pointing a finger at me, “Afraid that shooting some dead ant is going to turn you into some sort of monster. Well, listen here, this is the way of the wasteland, not where you're from.”

My mind was conflicted. Of course it was, this was going against all the morals in Equestria, things like murder and desecration are just wrong, but here, it’s a way of life. To survive, I would have to adapt to the ways of the Wasteland. Back in basic training for the Wonderbolts they taught us… to adapt... when faced with a challenge.

Sighing heavily, looking down in a bit of shame, I sent up a prayer for forgiveness from Fluttershy. Looking back up, I saw Veronica smiling. It wasn’t a smug smile at having won, but the kind a true friend would give another friend to cheer up from any type of funk.

“I guess it’s the only way,” I admitted, taking consolation in her reassuring smile as I drew my pistol from it’s holster. Taking a spot beside Veronica, I copied her stance as best I could from visual alone.

“No, no, not like that,” Veronica said, putting her pistol back in it’s hidden holster, “Keep aiming.” She then began to adjust my legs slightly into a more comfortable position, moving my arms a little lower, then getting right behind me, rubbing a little too close for comfort as she helped me aim down the weapons sight.

I was ready to fire right before she giggled, “You know, you look really good from this angle.”

Hearing those words made me yelp in surprise, dropping the gun. I turned to face her, eyes wide as Ghastly Gorge, “Wha-?” I stammered out.

“What? You look really good,” she repeated innocently, “Just thought I would mention that at the most inopportune time. You can't afford to be distracted in a fight.”

“But, but… you, female… me…” I continued stammering before I realized just what happened, “I’M NOT INTO MARES OR WOMEN OR WHATEVER!” I yelled at the top of my lungs, face burning redder than an Apple family apple.

“Darn it, and just when I thought I found me a hottie too,” she said, putting her hands on her hips, “You know, either your hair is very misleading, or that old pre-war book was lying when it said rainbows were a sign of homosexuality.”

“Completely natural hair color,” I said waving my hands and shaking my head, face still burning from knowing she was checking me out, “I’m one hundred and twenty percent straight.”

“What? No girlfriends at all in the past?” She egged on, “Not even a little kiss?”

Currently, my day was going quite well, buy a weapon for the intent of using it, nearly get killed by a giant ant - again - bring what's morally acceptable into question, then get hit on by another girl.

Time to get this total melarkey over with. “Nope,” I said definitely, “Never kissed another girl, never had any thought on it. But yeah, same sex couples are a common sight back in Equestria, the place I’m from, but as I said, I’m straight.”

“Well then,” Veronica said with a hint of disappointment, “Let’s just put this little incident behind us and see if you learned anything.”

I turned away and rolled my eyes. “Definitely learned you’re gay,” I muttered under my breath as I picked up the gun, surprisingly not feeling like Veronica’s eyes were locked onto my flank. Hopefully, she’s the type that can accept someone saying ‘no’, unlike some mares.

Being a Wonderbolt, plus an Element of Harmony, tends to attract some unwanted affection.

Dropping that line of thought, I retook the stance Veronica had shown me, aiming down the sight. With a quick inhale of breath, I held it in and fired. To my shock the bullet hit right between the ant’s eyes, reducing the already pulpy skull into even more mush. I felt my stomach roll at the wet sound the bullet impacting meat.

“Nice shot, hot-stuff,” Veronica teased, unknowing of my internal struggle to hold in whatever was left in my stomach. Still, despite the unease in my stomach, I went red from embarrassment.

 “But seriously,” Veronica continued, “you’re doing great!” She complimented with enthusiasm, sending a fist into the air.

I looked at the dead ant again, then beyond it. Two of the smaller ants were now scuttling our way, “Well… shit,” I cursed. I would have to defend myself again, and I knew Veronica was going to let me have the honors.

Letting out another cure, I knew I was in for so much soap if Applejack cought me. I had learned the hard way that she nor Granny Smith take too kindly to cursing in non-foalsafe language.

With my stupid sidetracked thoughts, I allowed the ants to get even closer. Their size was a joke compared to the one Veronica killed, and I held no fear. I knew Veronica was well aware of them, but waiting.

Quickly aiming down the sight, I regretfully added two kills to a list that would undoubtedly grow in this kill or be killed type of world.

Then it struck me, I took life away from something, I looked at the gun in my hand, a newfound respect for the weapon. “I… I killed them,” I said shakily, eyes not moving away from the device of death I controlled.

“Yes you did, RD, and they were going to kill you,” She said in the emotionless way of a teacher, “Now that training’s over, wanna grab some grub?” she asked, her voice taking on a cheery tone.

My stomach growled, telling me I hadn’t had a bite to eat in a while, which made me question something. “What do humans eat?” I asked, feeling the fang like teeth at the front of my mouth, knowing that the answer was…

“Meat, fruits, and two hundred year old preservatives in a box, a.k.a., Fancy Lads.”

Okay, the last one was a surprise, but since the whole ‘world killed itself’, I figured it was bound to happen.

 “Yeah... what kind of meat?” I asked curiously, “The only meat I had before was trout. Gilda had beaten me in a drinking game around oh, I believe it was my twentieth birthday, and I somehow convinced my mom and dad to leave the house. But anyway, I was smashed before the game started, and I made a bet that I would try fish if I lost, and I swear to this day, that I never had puked as much in my life as I did that night.” I began chuckling remembering the good times I once had with Gilda, the times before she became a total bitch and was actually awesome to hang with.

“Oh, so you're a vegetarian?” she laughed, “Figures you would end up in the middle of a desert where greens and fruit hate to grow.”

I groaned in frustration, then deadpanned when I realized what she said. Sooner or later, I realized with horror, I would have to eat meat or die of starvation.

“Dont worry,” She reassured me, “I’m just messing with you. We have corn farming all over, as well as many natural growing edible plants. If you have the caps, you can also buy almost any food from vendors. They make sure to keep well stocked in everything from meat to junk food,” she licked her lips and let out an ‘mmm’ sound.

“So, are we heading back to the 188?” I asked Veronica.

“Yes, but first,” She said, walking over to the soldier ant she killed, “Observe.” She procured a knife from the hidden pocket opposite of her holster, and sliced into the ant with a sickening squish, making an incision on the giant bug’s rear end. She then reached a hand in, ripping out a piece of organ with a violent pull.

“Ant meat along with some of it’s glands,” she explained, showing me the slimy pieces of organ that covered her hand in green blood, “Easy money if you decide to hunt the smaller ones with a baseball bat or any other inexpensive weapon that doesn't use ammo.” Reaching into her knife pocket, she replaced the still messy knife, then pulled out a sack to place the meat and organs into.

How did I manage to befriend a lesbian psychopath?

<>~<>~<>

The walk back was done in silence, I for once was observing the beauti- I mean, awesome sand dune’s and other things. Like the sky and rocks.

It also became apparent that humans don't control their weather like in Equestria, clouds moved on their own from wind like in the Everfree Forest and lands outside Equestria, and seemed miles up.

When we made it back to the 188, it was getting close to dark. At the same bar I sat at before, which was dimly lit by a single lightbulb, I took a seat while Veronica sold the bag of ant for thirty bottlecaps, ten for the meat, twenty for the glands.

After selling off the pieces she ordered a large plate of something called ‘broc flowers’ and ‘pinto beans’. They were pretty tasty too, and the water she bought was refreshing.

“So,” Veronica said, sitting beside me on a near identical stool, “You don't mind if I order meat do you?”

“Go ahead, it’s normal for humans,” Due to the sentences wording hinting I wasn’t human, the bartender, some guy in a baseball cap, started looking at me like I was going to sprout horns and burst into flames.

She looked at the bartender, giving him a goofy smile, “I’ll take a gecko steak, and a Nuka~Cola.” That quickly stopped him from staring at me.

The fried up cut of meat she received certainly wasn’t from any type of gecko I had seen before. It was easily the size of my new hand, and then some. She seemed to notice how I was eyeing it, and said caually, “I forgot to mention most animals here are bigger than they were two hundred years ago.” She then laughed darkly, “Just wait until we have the misfortune to come across what once was the Jackson’s Chameleon. Here’s a little note, there called Deathclaws now.”

Great… well, it seemed the right time to ask her where could I sleep.

I asked Veronica my question, and she quickly directed me to an old gray mobile home with bare mattresses inside. Sighing at not being able to sleep on something comfortable, I tried to see the bright-side that it wasn't the freezing desert ground.

<>~Somewhere around the same time~<>

A human female was waking up on a warm bed with red sheets and actual pillows. She gasped and sat straight up, not knowing how she got there.

She looked around in confusion, a splitting headache overtaking her.

When it passed, she studied the unfamiliar gray metal walls and lockers. Her eyes then fell upon a metal safe set into the wall near the bed. Drifting her gaze from the safe, she began to look at the shelves lined with batteries and other odds and ends on the wall.

Getting out of the bed, she began to stumble, her walk awkward and uneasy.

The woman couldn’t recall how she managed to get there, all she could remember was darkness and pain… so much… pain.

Another wave of headaches hit her as she clutched her head. The room suddenly spinning in her vision as she let out an agonized scream.

She collapsed with a heavy, solid thud against the cold, hard floor. Wincing from pain, she closed her eyes tight to keep from puking at the spinning world.

“Hel-help me…” the woman pleaded in a weak voice before accepting the blissful, painless rest of unconsciousness.