“So, how in the hay did we end up doing this? And why aren’t the others here?” Flash Sentry and two other ponies were sitting in a chariot - Braeburn was latched on to the railing, shivering like a foal, while Flash Sentry and Magic Barrier were discussing the mission; the sun was rapidly setting over the arid landscape below them, the shift in terrain showing that they were on the very fringe of Equestria’s territory.

“I told you, Flash,” Barrier sighed and rubbed his temples in exasperation. “Several of the buffalo tribes are uniting under Chief Stonehorn. The princess tried to open diplomatic talks, he shot her down and made some threats. We’re here to put the fear of the gods into him.”

“And we’re going to do that by acting like spirits…” Flash seemed a little skeptical.

“If you’d read the file, like I told you to, then you’d know that the buffalo are stupidly spiritual and just relatively stupid. We screw with them a bit, make it clear the ‘spirits’ would be very displeased should they prove hostile to Equestria, then leave. If that doesn’t work, we kill the buffalo that are most capable of uniting the tribes.”

“And the others aren’t here because…?” Flash trailed off,

“Because they’re doing the exact same thing to a tribe one-hundred miles south of us, now would you shut up?”

“So, Barrier, you’ve been to the Appleloosan desert before?” Octavia asked her zoned out companion, snapping him back to reality.

“Uh, yeah. Once a long time ago on a mission. Long before Appleloosa was even an idea.” The unicorn confirmed, leaning into the mare next to him a bit more; the cabin was dull and lifeless, composed of varying shades of grey. Apparently, the train to Appleloosa was pretty barebones.

“For what purpose?” The mare looked at him curiously, “As far as I know, Appleloosa is the only thing out here in the desert. Well, that and the unbearable heat. I’ve never really had any desire to be anything more than an Earth Pony, but that spell almost makes me wish I had a horn.”

Barrier chuckled as his horn glowed dimly in the cabin, casting a low-energy spell to cool the air in the cabin. “There were nomadic buffalo tribes that roamed the land. They were starting to unite under a single tribe, which was fairly unusual. When the princess approached the head of the tribe, he was…less than hospitable. We went in to make sure they wouldn’t make war on Equestria.”

“I see. At least now the buffalo are fairly peaceable.” Octavia mused.

“Yeah, I’m surprised that they were peaceful about it. Then again, the last confrontation was fought with pies, so maybe I shouldn’t be…” Barrier shook his head in uncertainty. On one hoof, he was glad that no lives were lost, on the other…who in the actual hay would fight a war with pies?

“Well, is it possible that there’s something you or your team did to make them this way?”

Barrier’s eyes widened slightly as a memory leapt unbidden to the forefront of his mind.

Flash Sentry stood carefully balanced on the top of the tent-like structure, speaking softly to Chief Stonehorn, who was inside the tent. Barrier was a short distance away, his horn thrumming faintly with energy as he cast a spell to morph Flash Sentry’s voice into something other-worldly. Braeburn was a short distance away, making sure no buffalo caught them.

“...and remember the pie…” Flash silently fluttered over to the group, the voice fading into nothing as the spell ended.

“What was that last bit you said, Flash?” Barrier whispered to the pegasus as the trio made their ways back towards their camp, nearly five miles away.

“Nothing to worry about boss. Nothing at all.” The pegasus smiled slyly.

Barrier remained silent for nearly two minutes. Octavia jumped slightly when Barrier suddenly spoke. “...dammit Flash…”

“Ugh, why can’t you use your spell again?” Octavia whined miserably.

“Too much air.” Barrier huffed out, rather hot himself. “The cabin was closed off and not tons of fresh air made it in or out.” The unicorn explained as the pair exited the train.

“Hey there!” A light-gold Earth Pony popped in front of them sideways, in a manner slightly reminiscent of Pinkie Pie - Barrier’s reaction then was the same as it was now - on pure instinct, he lashed out with his right hoof, slamming the stallion into the ground, eyes widening only moments later.

“Oh dammit all.” He sword under his breath, glad that nopony else had been on the train with them and that nopony else seemed to have been waiting at the train station.

“Barrier!” Octavia smacked him in the back of the head. “Stop punching ponies!” The mare hissed.

“He popped up out of nowhere, I couldn’t help it! It’s a reflex dammit!” The stallion argued, completely disregarding the stallion he had just laid out. “And besides, do the laws of physics not apply to Earth Ponies or something? If not, then I demand a reroll!”

Octavia reached over and cuffed the stallion once more on the back of the head.

“Oh, for the love of all things under the sun, just help me get him upright.” Octavia trotted over to the unconscious stallion and began to unceremoniously shake the stallion.

“How do you propose we wake him up? You’re the one who hit him.” The mare stared at him in clear annoyance.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Barrier hunched down over the unconscious pony. “Pears are by far, superior to apples.” No sooner than Barrier had spoke, Braeburns eyes shot open, a frown adorning his muzzle.

“You take that back!” He shot upright, frown widening, causing Octavia to snicker.

“Welcome back to the realm of the waking, Braeburn Apple.” Barrier spoke to the earth pony.

“Barrier…” Octavia warned from behind.

“Fine, fine. Sorry that I hit you in the face. You got a little too close a little too fast. Nasty reflex, that one. Oh, and pears aren’t better than apples.” Barrier added as almost an afterthought.

“Well, alrighty then.” Braeburn rubbed his jaw sorely, already feeling it swelling. “Welcome to Appleloosa, Mister Barrier, Miss Melody.” The pony tipped his hat to Octavia and held a hoof out, which Barrier shook.

“It seems you were expecting us. I assume Miss Applejack sent you a letter?” The mare asked, receiving a nod of affirmation.

“Applejack said ya had some questions to ask about mah ancestors.” Braeburn trotted towards the town in the distance.

“Yeah, about Braeburn Apple from twelve or so generations back. Mostly just trying to figure out what happened after his bit in the Nightmare War.”

Braeburn raised an eye in confusion, staring back at the pair. “Well, my pa could probably tell you a bit more about it. He takes care of our hist’ry. I can take ya’ll to meet him if you’d like.”

“That would excellent,” Barrier glanced over at Octavia, the mare clearly not enjoying the heat. “Before that however, could you direct us to where we could get something cold to drink? Not terribly accustomed to this heat, I’m afraid.”

“Well, sure. We’ll just stop by the saloon. I need ta’ pick up a payment anyways.” The trio departed the train-station into town, and headed towards the saloon. As the building came into sight, it became clear something was going on as a brown stallion with a darker-brown mane and a black handle-bar mustache came flying through one of the windows. “Sheriff!” Braeburn ran towards the stallion with wide eyes, helping him upright.

“What’s going on in there?” Barrier asked as he also helped lift Silverstar upright.

“Couple’a ponies from outta town said some unkind words and a couple of local ponies didn’t take kindly to it, from what I can gather. Hard to say, it was really bad by the time I got here.” The sheriff wobbled unsteadily. “I’ll just have to wait for ponies to calm down ‘fore I can do anything.” The sheriff sighed in resignation.

“Why? Isn’t there a guard post here for situations like this?” Barrier asked, receiving two negative shakes of the head.

“Damnit Shining…” Barrier muttered to himself as a slight grin worked it’s way onto his face. “Still, it’s been a long time since I had a good brawl…” He looked over at Octavia in askance, as was habit, only for the mare to facehoof and sigh.

“Barrier…” Her voice grew slightly threatening.

“Oh come on, I won’t get hurt. Besides, if that isn’t broke up soon, somepony could get hurt.” The stallion pointed out, causing the mare to frown at his logic.

“You can try to break up the fight. But no maiming anypony, Barrier, remember what separates you from the thugs in my father’s employ. And don’t get hurt. I don’t want you in blasted bandages again.” The mare’s eyes bore into him, causing the stallion to gulp.

“Yes ma’am.” The unicorn replied in a fairly somber voice; the pair had a fairly lengthy talk regarding the whole Canterlot fiasco shortly after it had happened. Octavia understood why he did what he did and was mostly fine with it, but for some reason she was worried he would end up as just another of her father’s thugs. Most of the worry seemed to have passed when he ended up employed under Vinyl Scratch rather than her father once more.

“Good, then go do the job you’re not supposed to do anymore.” The mare shoved him forward, causing Braeburn and the Sheriff to look at her in surprise.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Braeburn turned to Octavia, his frown returning in full force.

“Oh don’t worry, I’ve a feeling he’ll be just fine. Besides, it’ll do him some good to vent frustrations.” The mare waved off their concerns as she trotted a short distance away and took a seat in front of the general store, out of the blistering heat of the Appleloosan sun.

No sooner than he had entered the saloon did Barrier get noticed - before the doors had even closed, a chair caught him across the side, shattering and sending him stumbling sideways, struggling to get his feet underneath him. Glancing sideways, he watched his assailant - a grey earth pony with a black mane and tail - charging him with the remnants of the chair clutched in one hoof. A slightly bloody grin spanning his face, Barrier threw a hoof up, catching the pony’s hoof at the wrist and throwing hoof and chair away, taking satisfaction in the sudden surprise that crossed his opponent’s face. With no similar hesitation of his own, Barrier slammed his hoof into the underside of the stallion’s jaw, taking care not to strike too hard, all too familiar what that could do to a pony if seriously damaged. As expected, the pony went down like a sack of potatoes.

Spitting a mouthful of blood out, his grin persisted as he glanced at nearly a dozen ponies all brawling wildly. With an almost child-like glee, he threw himself into the fray.

“Sheriff, ain’t there somethin’ we can do? Ponies are gonna get hurt!”

“What can I do, Braeburn? I’m only one pony,” The sheriff began, “Sure, I can fight a pony or two, but I just ain’t got tha means to break a brawl like that up. Just gotta wait for them to tire em’selves out and then cleanup afterward.” A depressed sigh escaped the sheriff.

Biting his lower-lip, Braeburn began to trot towards the saloon. “I cain’t let Applejack’s friend get hurt!” Swallowing heavily, Braeburn began to pick up speed. As he approached the saloon doors, another pony came crashing through a window, similar to the sheriff nearly ten minutes prior.

Steeling himself, he shoved the saloon doors open and stepped inside - just in time to see Barrier ducking blows and back-peddling. Soon, his back was to a wall and one of the ponies reared around, aiming to buck him. In a single fluid movement, Braeburn watched as the unicorn ducked under the buck and lashed out with both fore-hooves, striking the inside of the stallions forehooves - less than a second after he struck, the stallion’s fore-hooves gave out from him and Barrier lunged forward as the pony crashed to the ground, wailing almost immediately about how he couldn’t feel his fore-legs. Paying the stallion no heed, Barrier turned his eyes back to the unicorn, suddenly far more interested. He would have expected the unicorn to use magic, but he seemed to be using nothing more than his hooves.

“Uh, heh…” The stallion that had been assaulting Barrier moments ago began to back up nervously, the unicorn giving a horrifying bloody-grin with his eyes narrowed in clear excitement. “I give up?” The stallion asked nervously.

“Well, that’s no fun.” Barrier commented, his smile softening as he spat out another mouthful of blood and turned to Braeburn. “Hey there, Braeburn. Gotta say, loving the town so far. Been forever since I had a good brawl.”

Braeburn stared at the stallion in mild disbelief as his mind processed the surroundings. All of the ponies were one of three things - they were worn out, groaning in pain, or complaining about how they couldn’t feel various limbs or at all.

“Oh, you should probably grab the bits payment while things are calmed down.” Barrier trotted past the earth-pony. “I’ll wait for you outside with Octavia.” Barrier waved a hoof idly as he left the stallion alone amongst nearly a dozen unconscious or injured ponies.

“I thought I said not to get injured! You’re bleeding everywhere!”

Author's Notes:

So, here's a second chapter today, courtesy of this guy.

No joke to accompany this A/N sadly as I am in fact, a lazy bum.

Thanks go out to the editors {Izanagi/Alticron} as always and have fun.