Author's Notes:

Rewrote this chapter several times.

God damn it.

Forgive me if there are a few mistakes here and there.

"Approaching Apple Loosa Station" an automated computer voice hummed through the static of the overhead speakers, informing the passengers of the train.

A collection of voices and casual chat began to flood the halls of the passenger cars, several ponies and griffons alike preparing to exit the train once it has reached it's stop.

Despite the gathering of voices exchanging conversation below, up above in the private cabins the chatter is almost rendered silent, only a soft muffled hum of idle voices managed to bleed through the walls of the personal abodes.

A simple eight by ten room complimented with a single bed, wooden panel wallpaper along with hardwood flooring added a rather authentic woodsman atmosphere. The calming scent of alpine candles filled the atmosphere, however, so did a powerful metallic copper odor.

Other residents within the upper car cabins had complained earlier of strange noises and a horrible odor emanating from the room. A staff member had been sent to go resolve the issue, but the stallion has yet to return from said room.

After pulling into Apple Loosa Station, security staff decided to go investigate the matter themselves, to solve this odor issue as well as the case of their missing staff member.

"What the hell is Steel doing? He already got chewed out for flirting with passengers" one security guard said, blowing a strand of her mane out of her face.

"I don't know, he hasn't had an incident in months after getting disciplined, why would he break his clean streak now?" the other security guard replied, adjusting his glasses after glancing over at his coworker.

"I swear to Luna if I find him fucking around again I'm gonna beat his ass" the mare security guard growled as they approached the cabin of suspect.

A fowl stench lingered around the door of the cabin, the odor was powerful enough to cause the two security guards to double take. There had been a few instances where a passenger had stunk up the entire area after an explosive case of number two, but this stench, it was something far worse.

"Fuck, what the hell is that smell?" the stallion security guard groaned, covering his muzzle in disgust.

"Get a sanitation crew up here, I have a bad feeling about this" the mare said as he dug through her vest until she found her skeleton key-card, swiping it in the lock before opening it.

There came a deafening silence, broken only by a shrill scream of horror...

Snow Drop stared blankly at the closed file she had just finished reading, a disturbed expression upon her visage. She took in a shaky breath, before exhaling in an attempt to calm her unsettled nerves. Closing her eyes, she removed her glasses and rested her face in her left hand.

"I have to notify the Princesses about this" she groaned, unsure of which she was more upset about: involving herself in something she felt she shouldn't, or the massive amount of paperwork that would follow.

Snow Drop drew in a more heavy breath this time, dragging her hand from her face and extending her index finger to her buzzer, connecting with her secretary.

"Miss Emerald, I need you to contact Pvt. Storm and inform her to retrieve Mr. Barnes for me. While you're at it, I need this Apple Loosa Station Incident report delivered directly to the princesses" Snow Drop spoke in a flat tone that could rival Walter's.

"Yes, Mrs. Drop" the secretary responded.

Snow Drop sighed, removing her finger from the buzzer and once more placing her hand on her face.

"Why did I have to stop drinking now?" Snow Drop groaned.

It had been twenty-four hours since Walter first graced Snow Drop's office with his presence, and twenty-four hours since he delivered a threat to locate his sister's whereabouts as quickly as possible, or else he would do something reckless. She had informed local law enforcement and had them keep an eye on Walter along with Pvt. Storm.

Although it was revealed later on that Walter's threat was empty, and merely a motivational bluff, Snow Drop did not cease to seek out as much information of Jessica Barnes' whereabouts as much as she possibly could. Her digging had lead her to... Interesting places.

Corporal Jessica [Raptor] Barnes, served ten years in the Imperial Guardsmen Special Forces before being dishonorably discharged along with Captain Franklin Barnes, has undergone both standard military training and special forces training before joining the Imperial Rangers after her promotion to Lance Corporal. That's about as much as she could dig up from her sources that isn't covered in black ink.

It appears that Corporal Barnes has had quite the impressive and successful military career along with her father, however mystery still shrouded as to why she was suddenly discharged along with her father. It is said that there was a scandal between Captain Barnes and members of the Crown, but nothing too specific had been released since the incident.

It appears dishonoring the Crown is explanation enough for the Empire's media.

It wasn't too long after Snow Drop finished going through what files she could get her hands on in regards of Jessica Barnes when a report from Apple Loosa came rushing in. There had been an incident in Apple Loosa and local law enforcement has done everything in its power to keep panic from spreading more than it had to. It wasn't until just recently that the HCA were able to retrieve a report on the incident to aid Snow Drop's personal investigation.

What she had come to learn disturbed her greatly.

By the time Jessica Barnes' train had reached Apple Loosa Station, said former Corporal of the IGSF had been reported to gone missing at an unknown time, however judging by the decay and odor that lingered from the corpses of mutilated griffon mercenaries, she had probably gone missing about three or so days before the train finally arrived at Apple Loosa Station.

Based on the report, Jessica Barnes had come under attack by the mercenaries in her cabin. After a few moments of struggle it seems she had miraculously overpowered the griffons and used their own weapons against them. Their throats had been torn from their esophagus and their entrails spilled before their knees. It isn't certain, but torture is suspected, most likely for information.

The corpses were discovered in the bathroom tub soaking in scalding hot water that had partially boiled the corpses in a broth of black moss. Jessica had gathered the majority of her belongings, stripping the cabin of whatever she may need to survive in the badlands before escaping out the window. It was most likely that whoever sent those mercenaries would be waiting at Apple Loosa to confirm if the job was completed or not.

The only thing Jessica left behind, was a pair of dog tags and a carving in the cabin's wood paneled walls that read 'Semper Familia', which translated from olden Equestrian tongue means 'Family Forever'. Upon finishing the report, Snow Drop knew that there was only one person who could make sense of all this.

But first, she must complete a mountain of paperwork that comes in tow with all the information she had dug up.

Two Days Later

Music boomed throughout the bar as collective voices of cheer laughed, sang along, and danced to the song that was being performed, although not professionally, quite well by a familiar large human drunkenly dancing upon the karaoke stage located near the center of the bar.

Walter hooted and laughed as he sang, accompanied by a few other drunken mares, including Gumdrop, who dirty danced along with a few other mares next to the large man as he shook his hips in a greatly exaggerated southern dance rhythm, mares and stallions from the crowd hollered and cheered Walter and his backup dancers on while Storm and many other members of the crowd recorded the scene before them on their respective smart phones.

"We don't care about the drinking, barely listen to the band, our hands they get to shaking when she gets the urge to dance!" Walter howled into the mic, doing his best cowboy accent as he sung while Gumdrop and the other mares on stage dirty danced with their rumps jiggling against his legs, often at times throwing his stance off balance, which only added to the hilarity.

Before the song could end, a strange mare from the crowd made her way on stage, pushing her way through Gumdrop and the other mares as she pushed Walter on a nearby stool, causing him to struggle from keeping his balance and continuing the song while the crisp orange-hued mare dressed in a flannel shirt, denim jeans, cowboy boots and a Stetson's hat grinds on his lap, causing the entire bar to roar in excitement.

By the end of the song, Walter had been booty bumped off of his stool, pressed against the wall behind him while the mare simply flashed her deep emerald eyes back at him and winked, stepping forward and removing her butt from his lap, adjusting her flannel shirt and tilting her Stetson's hat as she turned to greet him.

"Howdy" she greeted with a cocky grin.

Yes, hello? This is dog.

Walter stared at her in a drunken stupor for a few moments before she firmly patted him on the cheek to snap him to attention.

"Ya alright there, pardner?" she inquired, tilting her head with a smirk.

"Huh? Oh, yeah yeah, I'm good" Walter replied, scratching his beard.

"That was a mighty fine show you put on there" the mare said, her whisky breath brushing against his neck as she leaned in to speak into his ear.

"Thank you, I did my best" Walter replied with a goofy chuckle.

"How about we take that show to the next act back at my place?" she cooed, causing Walter's face to light up in awe and triumph.

His mental victory screech is interrupted however when Storm walked on stage and tapped Walter on the shoulder, holding out her phone to him.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Mrs. Drop is on the line and wants to speak to you urgently" Storm said, causing Walter to give her pleading eyes.

"Walter, it's about your sister" Storm added on, causing the man to freeze and his expression to fall into a more serious stare.

"I can see that now may not be the time for sexual antics, see you around pardner, maybe next time" the mare said as she leaned in and gave him a drunken kiss on the cheek before walking off stage.

Walter walked off stage as well with Storm following behind him, he made his way to the outside balcony where most of the bar's staff members would take their smoke breaks. Luckily nobody was taking a break at this time. Walter took a seat at a nearby bench, Storm leaned against the railing that looked out upon the late evening sights.

"This is Walter speaking" he spoke firmly, even in his drunken state he still seemed to pull together a sober act quite well when the time comes.

"Mr. Barnes, it's Snow Drop. I have recieved some information in regards of your sister that may interest you. I'd like to schedule a meeting with you as soon as possible When will you next be available?" Snow Drop inquired.

"Right the fuck now" Walter replied quickly.

"A-Ah, I see. Well then, inform Pvt. Storm to escort you to headquarters, I'll brief you when you arrive" Snow Drop explained before hanging up.

Walter sighed, shutting the phone off and handing it over to Storm, who took the device and tucked it into her pocket.

"Shall we get heading then?" Storm asked.

"Yes" Walter replied, standing from the bench and clenching his fists, making a straight b-line for the exit.

After dragging Gumdrop out of the bar, Storm managed to join Walter in her chariot, starting it up and driving back towards the HCA housing district. Once Gumdrop was tucked into bed and locked in the safety of her and Storm's room, Walter and his guardian bolted towards HCA headquarters.

After pulling into the lot, Walter exited the car and practically marched into the building at an alarmingly fast rate. Storm rushed to catch up with him, assuring on sight security that he wasn't here to cause trouble. After trudging through the main lobby and to the elevators, Storm and Walter made their way up to the third floor.

The elevator doors couldn't open fast enough, once there was a big enough gap Walter slid his massive bear paws through the opening and forced the doors open in an instant, causing the gears to creak and groan in protest.

"Try not to break anything" Storm muttered as she rushed alongside the anxious human.

Walter didn't respond, he kept his march firm and fast paced up until arriving at Snow Drop's office. He swung the door open, startling Snow Drop who nearly fell out of her seat, adjusting her glasses awkwardly as she stood up, smiling sheepishly at Walter and Storm.

"Please, come in, take a seat" Snow Drop said as she gestured to the chairs in front of her desk.

Walter pushed past the chairs, resting his hands on her desk before leaning in, narrowing his eyes.

"What do you have about Jessica?" Walter demanded.

"Walt, calm down" Storm said, placing her hand on his back.

Walter glanced back at her, giving her a quite stare before pulling away from Snow Drop's desk, slowly taking a seat in one of the chairs.

"Please, tell me what you found out" Walter corrected himself, this time in a much more calm tone of voice.

Snow Drop adjusted herself in her seat, clearing her throat once more before folding her hands over one another on her desk.

"It appears your sister was attacked," Snow Drop began, raising her hand to keep Walter from an out burst, "However, none of the blood found in her cabin can be matched to a human, all of it is griffon blood" Snow Drop continued, causing Walter to visibly relax into his chair.

"I knew she was too much of a tough bitch to worry about," Walter chuckled softly, rubbing his face. "So what exactly happened?"

"Well, two security staff members on the train recieved several complaints in regards of your sister's cabin for the past few days, first it was about a loud noise complaint followed by a foul stench that grew with intensity over time. A few hours before reaching Apple Loosa, two security staff went to investigate your sister's cabin, only to find it partially destroyed. They found the bodies of the griffons in the bathroom, mutilated and rotting. It appears that the attack had happened at least three days before reaching Apple Loosa, she must have fled to the badlands after scavenging as much as she could from the cabin for survival" Snow Drop explained.

"She also left behind these," Snow Drop said as she handed Walter a pair of dog tags and a picture of the carving.

Upon looking over the dog tags and the photo, Walter fell silent... Then broke out in hysterical laughter. This startled both Storm and Snow Drop, causing the two mares to cast disconcerted glances at one another before turning their attention back to the laughing human.

"That... Crazy bitch!" Walter laughed, wheezing as he fought to catch his breath.

"You've lost me" Snow Drop stated flatly.

"So, you see, my father had sent me and my sister here to Equestria to avoid the draft, however it seems that the Crown didn't take to kindly to that. They fucking sent mercenaries after my sister! Trained not only by elite Imperial Guardsmen, but also by my father! To top it all off, she sent them a 'fuck you' gift in the form of a little saying me and my family have" Walter chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes before letting out a calm sigh.

"Family forever, she's letting me know that she's okay and that I'll see her again" he grinned, crossing his arms.

"I knew I was being a fool for worrying too much about her, I mean the woman is way stronger than I am so what the hell would I be able to do?" he chuckled, before falling silent, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

"What is it?" Snow Drop asked.

"My only question is, why the hell did they attack my sister and not me? I avoided the draft too?" Walter mumbled, scratching his chin.

"Well, perhaps because your train was far too close to Canterlot for their liking?" Storm suggested.

"Maybe so, but I still just find it odd. Maybe it's because I'm a reject?" Walter mumbled, scratching his head.

"Either way, your sister seems to be doing well on her own. I will organize a search party of highly trained royal guardsmen to find your sister, and to fend off any of her pursuers along the way" Snow Drop says, offering a smile.

"Make sure to bring a fresh supply of body bags, if those idiots are stupid enough to try and charge into a fight dick-first against my sister, then there's going to be a whole lot of dead griffons left in her wake" Walter explained with a small grin.

"R-Right... Duly noted" Snow Drop replied with a nervous smile.

"Also, you might want to send special forces instead of regular guardsmen, you're dealing with griffons here. You said it yourself Snow Drop: Ponies are trained to subdue and capture... Griffons are trained to kill or be killed trying" Walter said with a grin, causing a cold tingle to shoot up both Storm and Snow Drop's spines.

"R-Right... On a side note, I've finally managed to organize a permanent homestead for you, however..." Snow Drop trailed off as she adjusted her glasses. "You'll be assigned roommates"

Walter tilted his head, glancing over at Storm then back at Snow Drop.

"Why?" Walter inquired.

"Well you are a qualified refugee, and it has been decided that it is best that you not live in solitude for it will not improve your current state. Having roommates will be good for your mental health as well as help you get more comfortable in the presence of ponies" Snow Drop explained, eliciting a goofy giggle from both Walter and Storm.

"What? What's so funny?" Snow Drop asked after a few moments of stifled laughter.

"You should've seen what we were doing before you called us" Storm said as Walter leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed victoriously.

"Walter is a natural stud" Storm giggled.

Still confused, Snow Drop is greeted with Storm's phone being shoved in her face, displaying a video of Walter dirty dancing with several mares while singing a lewd country song about butts. Snow Drop's face grew red upon seeing it all, and quickly yanked her eyes away from the screen.

"T-That is... I don't..." Snow Drop is at a loss of words, unsure of what to say about that.

"Well, we should probably get going now, it's pretty late" Storm spoke up.

"True that" Walter yawned as he shot up, stretching and popping his bones.

"Well, tomorrow Storm will introduce you to your new homestead. I've already emailed her directions" Snow Drop said as she waved the two off.

Soon after Storm and Walter left, Snow Drop's smile faded and she took a seat at her desk once more. Reaching into her drawer, she pulled out a ticket covered in blood. She stared at it with intensity, biting her lip before speaking.

"I don't understand... Why did Jessica switch tickets with Walter?" Snow Drop whispered to herself.