Author's Notes:

First off, I'd like to apologize to everyone who've been waiting for this chapter to come out. I lost almost 1500 words of work when my old laptop cooked itself in camp. Then I rewrote the chapter twice because it was complete garbage.

This is only half of what I had planned, but I feel as though I should just put this out as a simple reminder that I'm not dead, and neither is Jack.

Secondly, this chapter is probably chalk full of typos, mistakes, and contradictions. (My editor ran away) So, if you guys spot any mistakes that are embarrassingly glaring, feel free to let me know.

Oct 7, 2032

Staring at the empty journal entry, Jack found himself at a loss for what to put down. His eyes flicked over to his disorganised hovel, and the empty pill bottles that lay scattered around like cheap confetti. His lower jaw twitched as he thought; his eyes unfocused and his fingers moved about at their own volition. With a start, he shuddered, and everything seemed to refocus in a snap. Standing up with sudden purpose, Jack emptied out his rucksack and grabbed his limp exoskeleton by the metal D-ring. Pulling the construct over his body like a heavy trench jacket, Jack grit his teeth in anticipation.

The exoskeleton whirred quietly, it’s probes connecting with the plugs running across Jacks body. He winced at the pain of the skeletons anchors shooting into his body; pulling it in tight against his exposed flesh along the inset titanium anchor points buried within his muscle and bone. The sharp bite of agony vanished when the plug behind his head made contact with his brain. An insuppressible tremor ran through his body, causing his exoskeleton to clatter and flex in response. Setting his jaw tightly, Jack flexed and stretched; the skeleton mirrored every movement perfectly, working as an exact extension of his body. A quiet sigh escaped Jack as he sat back down on his cot; his exoskeleton clicking almost inaudibly.

Cocking his head to check the entrance to his home; Jack saved his empty journal update and locked his PDA. As he stood up, a slight breeze made it through the tarpaulin and sent a shiver through his body. Jack shook his head as he pulled on some of his warmer gear and started setting up for his night run. Checking the charge level on his night vision goggles; Jack’s features split with a slight grin. Maybe I should go pay Flitter a visit at her work instead of waiting. A quiet chuckle escaped him as he stuck his knife in it’s sheath. Yeah. That’d go over great. Might break her managers face while I’m there, and get some wings to go. Hah.

With an enthused laugh, Jack stood up and adjusted his nearly empty pack; his small smile remained on his face as he pulled his ad-hoc cloth balaclava over it. Silently slipping out into the night; The human was unaware that he was in fact being watched as he passed his boundary stakes, and moved towards the outskirts of Ponyville. Jacks legs propelled him across the distance between the forest and the town at a prodigious rate; an enthused cackle escaped the human as he ran as fast as he could bear. The wind ripped past him, tousling the stubbly ends of his hair and ripping tears from his eyes. He was quickly forced to cut his speed, and favour a slower approach, one that wouldn’t get him noticed. Little did he know, he had already been noticed.

__________________________________________________________________________

Flitter glanced up at the bulky wall mounted clock as the clunky steam cleaning machine ran through the most recent wave of dishes the mare had just sent through. Steam washed over Flitter, matting her fur and causing her mane to cling to her head like a damp mop. Brushing her damp mane out of her eyes, Flitter sighed quietly and rested against her work station. After a moment, Flitter stood straight, and poked her head out again. A small smile spread across her features as she looked up at the clock. Before she could get too preoccupied with anything, the machine behind Flitter ‘dinged’, forcing her to go to the other end and open it up. Steam poured out excessively, bathing the poor mare from head to chest as she pulled out the steaming hot rack of dishes. She winced as she put them away; her shift slowly ticking away in tandem with business hours. After what felt like eons, Flitter pulled off her apron and let it hang on its set hook. Turning to the cook, who was busy cleaning; she waved idly. “Bye Custer, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The cook offered the smallest of nods to the mare before going back to scrapping the flattop clean; obviously not caring as Flitter exited the restaurant through the back door. Once outside, Flitter reveled in the cool fall air, as it was a lovely far cry from the sweatshop that was the dish-pit of that wretched establishment. Subconsciously, Flitter realized that the new, heavy metal door hadn’t closed behind her. Just as she started turning to check it, somepony cleared their throat. Flitter glanced over her shoulder, only to find her manager standing at the door with a barely hidden leering smirk.

“Evening Flitter. Leaving us already?” He asked; his voice like slimy silk. To some unsuspecting mare, he would sound like quite the gentlestallion. Flitter knew he was anything but.

Nodding, Flitter turned her flank away from him as swiftly as she could. “Yep, just finished up my shift.” She tried to suppress the urge to fidget.

The stallion smiled. “Well, I have an offer for you Flitter.” Her ears pricked up slightly, and Flitter found herself nodding slowly. Gaze smiled at her again before continuing. “I was hoping that you would join me for some wine; once I lock up of course.” He propped up an award winning smirk.

Flitter failed to hide her cringe; thankfully it was quite dark out already, so Gaze hadn’t caught it. “I… I would love to, but I promised my friend that I’d meet him after I finished work.”

Gaze dropped the smile in favour of a displeased frown. “Oh? And what about your coltfriend? Goldie was it? Meeting somepony behind his back?”

But it’s perfectly fine so long as I’m meeting you. Flitter thought bitterly as her wings fidgeted. “No, Gaze. I’m just meeting a friend. And I really shouldn’t keep him waiting. He’s a little… Flighty.”

“Right.” Gaze looked over his shoulder, before looking at Flitter again. He cocked his head in such a way that Flitter knew what he was going to do before the words even started to leave his lips. “Listen Flitter, I know that you’re off shift, but I couldn’t help but notice that you forgot to mop the floors. Again.” Gaze set his jaw as he stared at her expectantly.

Fighting the urge to flip him off with both wings and take to the skies, Flitter grit her teeth before speaking. “We both know that I mopped the dish-pit. The front is Jewels job.”

“And Jewel has already left for the night. You however, have not.” He smiled again, but there was no charm in this one. “But, if you really don’t want to, I’m sure I can find somepony else who will clean dishes and mop the floors properly when told to.” He turned, and trotted back to his office.

Flitter had to bite her tongue to stop herself from screaming in frustration. She trotted back into the kitchen, and began filling up a mop bucket. slapping the mop against the grubby floors did little to abate her anger. With some small spots left completely untouched, Flitter managed to slip out the back door twenty minutes after her shift had ended. I’m soooo late… Jack might not even be there! The thought caused an uneasy stirring in Flitters stomach as she flew to the park.

Landing on the soft green grass some few minutes later, Flitter glanced around furtively. The park was almost completely blacked out, save for a few stray lampposts that followed the main trail. To her chagrin, the park was much more populated than she had hoped. Cloud Chasers boss was napping in a tree -Flitter hoped the prismatic mare was unconscious- and a couple ponies moved too and fro through the dark park. The knot in Flitters stomach tightened further as she moved towards an empty bench near a large collection of bushes. Just before she could reach said bench, she noticed Miss Oakenbaulm out, walking her human as usual. The old mare stopped by the bench, and waited patiently as her female human wandered about, sniffing lazily. She suddenly seemed to become incredibly interested in the collection of bushes, going as far to start pulling the withered old mare along so she could simply get better access at what was inside. Miss Oakenbaulm snapped quietly, and yarded on the leash. The human female yelped, and fell back in step with the old mare, only to stop and relieve herself on the bench Flitter was aiming for.

Sighing to herself, Flitter picked up her pace as soon as Oakenbaulm had moved on. As she approached, the bushes shook, and a tall human stood from them, gesturing rudely and wildly at the mare and human. Flitter giggled quietly as she watched Jack; waiting for him to come to his senses.

Shaking his head, Jack pulled his PDA from his clothing, and tapped at it as Flitter closed the distance. /What the flying fuck was that./ The voice asked, lacking much of the emotion Flitter assumed Jack would have prefered to use for that statement.

Flitter giggled again, her stress slowly dissipating. “What’s a flying f… Fudge?” She asked with a half cocked smirk as Jack pulled himself from the grabby bush branches.

/That, apparently./ He answered, adding in a huff of disbelief. /She was like a dog or something./ Jack made a face, before shaking his head. He beckoned for Flitter to follow along behind him.

“Jack, that was a normal human.” Flitter answered as she flapped her wings to catch up with the humans long strides. “Haven’t you seen one before? They all act like that. Well, kind of.” She looked up at him, smiling. Her smile faded slightly, seeing his dark expression and fidgeting fingers. He had a small weapon clutched in one of his hands; it was like the bigger ‘laser’ ray gun that he had shown her several days ago, but much more compact. Flitter frowned. “Why did you bring a ray gun with you?” Jack glanced over at her and scrunched up his face and starting to tap something, before a stallions voice caught them both off guard.

“Flitter! Hey, Flitter! Wait up!”

Barely managing to smother an exasperated groan; Flitter looked up at Jack. The human had tensed; just standing next to Jack as he coiled up like a spring caused the fur on Flitters neck to raise in an attempt to give her flight or flight instinct a kick. Swallowing, Flitter smiled weakly at Jack. “Act natural, and let me do the talking.” She said in a low voice as the pegasus stallion landed by them. Flitter forced a fake smile and moved forward to hug her colt-friend. “Goldie!” She exclaimed as she embraced the cheating stallion.

Goldie grinned happily as he embraced Flitter; one of his wings draping over her back as they broke off. “I’ve been looking all over for you! It’s almost like you’ve been avoiding me all week or something.” He smiled happily, before blowing a golden lock out of his eyes. Said eyes drifted to the rather imposing human standing next to Flitter. “What’s with the mean human?” He asked quizzically.

Maintaining her fake smile, Flitter found herself relieved seeing that Jack had slumped, and taken on a dazed look. If it weren’t for his unnatural bulk and the rather intricate clothes, he could have passed for an Equestrian human. “Who? Jack? I’m looking after him. For a friend.” She batted Goldies side rather roughly with a wing. “And I wasn’t avoiding you! I was just super busy with work and trying to work around Jack.”

“Is he safe?” The stallion asked as he moved a little closer, inspecting the so called ‘Jack’. “What a weird name for a human. Jack. It’s almost like half a name.” As Goldie reached out to touch Jack, the human turned his head and stared directly at Goldie with heated malevolence. Goldie immediately drew back, looking startled and worried. “Did you see that?”

Flitter sighed quietly. “He’s a pit human, my friend bought him from some griffons during her last trip north. Jack is actually very pleasant.” Flitter trotted over to his side and nuzzled the human. “He’s a big softyyyy. Aren’t you Jack? Yes you are!” Jack grumbled quietly in response, and scratched behind Flitters ears.

His worries somewhat abated, Goldie approached Flitter again. “If you say so Flitty.” He smiled at her, before rubbing her side. “Are you busy right now? Want to go somewhere?”

Flitter tore her attention from Jack to give Goldie a knowing look. “It’s almost eleven Goldie. Somewhere is closed. Are you just trying to ask me if I want to go home with you?” She smiled again, and almost meant it.

“No! No, well… Yes.” Goldie nodded in defeat. “I haven’t seen you in days; is it wrong to want to spend time with my lovely marefriend?” He smooched her cheek, before letting his eyes flit nervously to the almost impossibly tall human. Had Flitter said that he was a pit fighter? Goldie swallowed. Pit Fighters were killers, especially if they were still alive.

Running a hoof through her bangs, Flitter couldn’t help but sigh. “I really wish I could, but Jack needs to go for a run, and I need to clean up-” Flitter wracked her brain for a name she could get away with using that she wouldn’t be called on. “-Blossomforth’s. Since Mister Gaze has me working so late, I don’t get to do any of the house sitting that I’d promised to do for her while she’s out of town. Sorry Goldie.” She frowned sadly.

“Oh? How long would that all take? The walk I mean? Maybe we could-” The stallion smiled coyly. “-Maybe I could help you with the cleaning.” He nibbled Flitters ear, making her gasp quietly. “I would love to spend some time with you. Give anything in the whole wide world for a few minutes” The human shifted, his movements holding a strange feeling to them; it set Goldie on edge whenever he did so much as look at ‘Jack’.

Flitter could feel her blush burning brightly at her cheeks, and all forethoughts and plans went out the window. “O-oh.. W-well… Um…” She pawed the ground as her wings fluttered “I-I don’t really know how long Jack’s run will take, a-and-”

“And?” Goldie asked as he kissed the point where her jaw met her soft neck.

The only sound Flitter could make was a flustered squeak; her wings fidgeting uncomfortably against her sides. “W-well.. B-blossomforth d-didn’t…” She melted a little as Goldie nuzzles her again; he was making his cute little face again. Flitter couldn’t resist the cute little face. “I… I suppose I could-” Flitter stopped as Jack’s head snapped to the side, his eyes locked onto the treeline. His visible hand fidgeted oddly; tapping rhythmically at his side. Flitter bit her lip as she thought. I’m supposed to be angry with Goldie, not going on a date with him! OHHhh… He’s the nicest stallion I know though…. I-It might have just been a one time thing… yeah… Cloud Chaser must have… Wooed him… Because she’s pretty, and she ‘knows’ stallions…. But Jack… Flitter looked up at Jack, who seemed mildly distressed as his eyes roved the landscape. He didn’t do so much as glance back at the two. Flitter swallowed. “I-I suppose we could just bring him back to Blossomforths and get him in her yard…”

Goldie kissed Flitters jaw again as he smiled. “Sounds like a plan Flitty.” He motioned towards the entrance of the park, the one that led back to Ponyville. Flitter nodded dumbly, and followed beside Goldie. Just as they started moving, Flitter made a loud click with her tongue. Jack was pulled from his thoughts, and back into the moment. He started following beside Flitter and her colfriend, albeit with confusion as to what exactly they were doing. As they walked, Jack lightly swatted Flitters tail as it swished back and forth in front of him, before picking up the pace to be beside the mare. He looked down at her, waiting for her to look at him and give him an explanation.

Flitter felt a hot blush spread across her muzzle, and so she ignored whatever it was that had moved her tail, and focused on getting to the right house. The mare finally breathed a sigh of relief as they reached Blossomforth’s dark home. Flitter led Goldie and Jack around the side, and opened up the gate. She motioned for Jack to enter. He simply stared at her, then at the gate.

What the fuck is she doing… Maybe… I don’t fucking know. She better not be leaving me here. Jack frowned as Flitter motioned again, and the gold maned pegasus eyed him nervously. You want a piece of me boy? Jack suppressed the urge to snarl at Goldie.

“He doesn’t seem to follow directions very well, and-” Goldie stopped, and looked around the dark yard. “It doesn’t look like Blossomforth has a human house. Does he sleep on her porch or something?” Goldie clicked his tongue as he looked over Jack.

“Hmm? O-oh. Yeah, Blossomforth doesn’t have a house for him yet.” Flitter shuffled nervously, and gestured a little bit more aggressively for Jack to enter the yard. Jack frowned heavily, and finally complied. As he entered, he kept his eyes locked onto Flitters; silently asking ‘What are you doing?’

Flitter mouthed ‘I’m sorry’ and turned away. She started trotting away, with Goldie at her side and an incredulous Jack behind her. As the pair trotted just beyond the home and out onto the street, Goldie popped his question.

“Have you thought of renting him out while Blossomforth is out of town?”

________________________________________________________________

Jack was fuming mad.

To be truthful, Jack wasn’t just mad. There were many thoughts and emotions rattling around in his mind. Anger was simply the loudest as he trudged through the dark fields towards the forest. He growled angrily, and kicked a small rock with aggressive force. He didn’t watch as the stone sailed off and rang off a small cottage’s thatched roof.

That traitorous BITCH! He growled; his right arm vibrating in its socket. I was stood up for a BOOTY CALL! His arm bounced off his side, and he was finally forced to grasp his hand tightly to hold it still. A burning sensation coursed through his bicep and across his right shoulder. Jack grit his teeth, and did his best to ignore the sensation.

As he stomped along, something black and shapeless flitted across the edge of his vision. Jack stopped dead in his tracks, and drew his sabot pistol. He started scanning the area slowly, trying to spot whatever was hiding in the dark. The spot snapped past again, only closer. Jack tensed, feeling something cold and sharp dig into his shoulders. -jack-

The voice was feminine and keen-edged; sending a bolt of terror shooting up his spine and into his brain. He knew that voice, and yet, he didn’t. Whirling around, Jack fired wildly. -KRAKOOM- The super-heated steel spike hurtled out of the pistols muzzle; snapping through the air, and only the air. Breathing heavily, Jack backed up along the field; he paid no attention to the light coming to life in the cottage and in the village. The fingers of fear slid up his spine and laid down on his head and shoulders like a shawl. Jack coughed roughly as a course curse tried to force it’s way through whatever was blocking his speech. His feet maintained their heading; though, when he saw nothing but life awakening in the cottage, he turned tail and bolted along the trail. His enhanced limbs pumped to their fullest as adrenaline pumped through his veins, and the air rushed past his face. Jacks boots dug deep into the frozen earth, churning up tracks in his wake as he ran pell-mell into Whitetail Woods.

Barreling into his cave, Jack forced his ad-hoc wooden palisade against the entrance before bracing it with a large log. To ensure that it was in and solid, Jack slammed his shoulder into it, sending it deeper into the palisade and the earth; it sent a bolt of swiftly ignored pain in return. Stepping back and looking around feverishly, Jack found himself at a loss for what to do. He had to do something though. His eyes darted to his armour, and a crazed grin split across his features. He practically threw himself into it, setting the heavy metal coffin into its emergency state. The frontal plates and clamps slammed home and locked in place as his read-outs and HUD came online. A quick jerk of his head saw that his radar was completely empty, save for his own blue dot; it sat quietly and calmly in the center of the circle.

Now having his rifle propped against his shoulder, a rock wall at his back, and thick infantry armour draped over him, Jack found the niggling feeling of pain worming its way back into his skull; the fear slowly edging it’s way out in tandem. To keep his arm from jerking and shaking, he pinned it against a rocky outcrop. His rifle muzzle tracked across the blocked exit, waiting for a target that wouldn’t show. He checked his local map again and mentally cursed.

There was absolutely nothing.

Not a single thing.

What the fucking fuck was that!? He thought with worry, before slumping against the wall. I’m… I’m losing my mind… Oh, God help me… Jack pulled his helmet free, and switched the armour on to ‘safe’ mode. He rubbed the tweaked bridge of his nose roughly, but with enough caution to not crush it between his armoured fingers. Without further fretting, he reached over, and yanked a random bottle of alcohol from his stash. The top came off without any effort, and the muzzle of the bottle found itself turned upside down within moments. Jack chugged the hard alcohol, before pulling the bottle away from his lips to cough and hack. He bared his teeth in disgruntlement; the look swiftly turned into a hate filled sneer.

“RAAAAHHH!!!” Jack roared in frustration and hurled the bottle against his palisade, causing it to shatter into a million shining shards and to scatter across the earth and rock floor. He curled up against the wall, and rested his armoured arms across his raised knees. Six fraggin years out of the Corps…...Сукин сын… Sorry Mum. Jack rubbed his face and sighed quietly, before grabbing another bottle. He worked this one a little bit slower than the first. Semper-fucking-fi.

__________________________________________________________________

“Wake up! For God’s sake! You’re a mess Jack! Look at you!” Guy Kessle bellowed as Jack rubbed the remains of sleep from the corners of his eyes. Guy threw open the shades, and let the blazing prairie sun in.

“Fuck’s sake Dad!” Jack tried feebly to shield his eyes from the harsh glare of the sun. Everything was fuzzy. Everything hurt. His chest ached badly, and his thighs itched like mad where the metal met inflamed flesh. “Just give me a minute to wake up before you blow up on me!”

“It’s two in the afternoon!” Guy ground his teeth together, before lowering his voice. His worry became apparent immediately. “Jack, please. Just… Listen for a moment. I’m sorry I blew up on you. It just kills me to see you like this! You’re living like an animal! A drunk! You’re a Marine for God’s sake!” Guy placed his well worn hands on Jacks shoulders, causing the younger man to slump them in shame.

“Dad… I’m sorry… I just… I just can’t. I can’t do anything anymore… I can’t think straight when I’m on these… These FUCKING PILLS!” Jack grabbed the orange pharmacy container and whipped it across the room that he’d spent his childhood in. “Everything hurts! All the time! I can’t think, I can’t breath, I can’t feel my fucking legs!” Jack wailed in anger and frustration.

The dream-memory twisted, imperceivably to Jack. Somebody tried to open a very small door, in the very back of the dream, but found that they couldn’t.

“Jack.” Guy said with strength as he stood, his face altering ever so slightly. “You’re a filthy disgrace to the Corps. Look at you. Half a man with no legs.” The DI that had made Jack’s life hell in boot camp was snarling in his face, but only for a moment. It was replaced with another; this one far more painful. Jack recoiled at what was happening before him.

“It’s not working Jack. I left you for Paul.” Ellissa stared into Jacks wavering eyes with her steady emerald eyes. “I’m not sorry. You should have seen this coming. I mean come on! Look at you! You were never anything more than a passing fling!”

Jack roared in anger, taking a swing at his ex-fiance’s smug face. He wanted to see it shatter into a million pieces. The dream warped, shifting invisibly. The door bowed as great force was pressed against it from outside.

Ellissa laughed as Jack’s fist passed straight through her. She lashed out, and struck him across the chest; Jack suddenly felt himself flying through the air as all the air in his lungs left him. He hit the ground gracelessly, and swiftly found he couldn’t stand to meet the threat. Heat blasted sand surrounded him; blood and debris littered the area liberally. Jack blinked in shock, before shakily looking down at his legs, or where they should have been, in place of blackened bloody stumps..

He loosed a blood curdling scream just as the tiny door was blown off it’s hinges.

”ENOUGH!”