Chapter 5: The Good Pony

Trouble woke Black “Come on kid we got miles to go yet.” She rose from her prone position, that sleep seemed to do her a world of good her muscles felt regenerated but she was still going through the phases of when you wake groggy, foggy and an inability to brain.

She climbed out of Trouble’s Bedroll after which he hurriedly rolled it up and put it at the foot of his person.

She stretched vigorously trying to rouse her body when she caught Trouble gazing at her flank she awkwardly said “Is there a problem?”

He shook his head “Jus wonderin wah a pony has gotta do to get a teary eye as a fuckin cutie mark.” He seemed angry for some reason, she looked down at her own flank in remorse, the thing was a jinx it was an elegant blue eye with soft oval shaped tear drops falling from it.

“When I was growing up I got bullied terribly and it only got worse from name calling to beatings, to vicious name calling and vicious beatings, those ponies were my bane, it didn’t help I was the last blank flank in the slums, and one night like most others I cried myself to sleep and prayed for a way out, when I woke up there it was. This thing’s a curse it just got me bullied even more and that’s what you got to do to get a teary eye as a cutie mark. Be a fucking victim” She was welling up it hurt to talk about where she came from which was less than 30 miles away.

Trouble looked at the ground “Ah fuck it anyway.” He went over and hugged her tight “Those scum weren’t ponies they were vermin, your better than them awrigh? I’d pick you to watch my back, over all them other cunts any day. You’re out now and you got me to watch out for ya. Now come on with got miles to go.” He broke their embrace he made her feel much better she was never shown that any pony cared before they usually all kicked her while she was down. It wasn’t much but it was more than she usually got.

They we’re walking out of the canyon Dawn still dwelling on Trouble’s words finally broke her own pit of self pity and hoped to begin casual banter. “Say, how did you get a name like Trouble?”

Trouble laughed at this and said “Me ol’ mother used to tell me, ‘son where ever you go in this world you’ll be bringing trouble with you,’ it sorta just grew from that, while that and a couple other things.” He seemed happy to oblige her. Trouble was a talkative pony unlike her. She spent most of her life in silence anyway, she never had anything to say to anyone.

“What were these other things?” enjoying this conversation Trouble seemed like the type of pony who had a lot to say about a lot of things.

“Are you familiar with the definition of an expert?” he asked her back.

“Yeah a pony whose really good at something.” that sounded about right to her.

“An expert is a pony who knows an awful lot about very little” She found his way with words amusing to say the least.

“And according to me mother I was always great at causing trouble.” He laughed aloud

“She wasn’t a mare to be wrong about those sorta thins’ ya know.” Black felt herself smiling his mother sounded very affectionate towards her son.

He was deliberately avoided answering her question she asked what the other things were he gave her a definition of an expert. An inexplicably good deflection because she felt satisfied with his answer.

“You sound like you had a happy upbringing.” She said this with a tad of jealously coming through.

“It’s the one I woulda chose for meself. But no pony said it would be easy.” He was very reminiscent of it.

“So what’s your cutie mark?” she felt it appropriate to ask since she shared her story with him in a sense. But he found this amusing.

“Ha, Kid if I told you what my special talent was you’d either shoot me in the back or run scared. Or maybe you aren’t stupid enough to try either of those”

This only succeeded in casting a shadow of doubt over her companion Dawn didn’t like how he played all his cards close to his chest. There was an awkward silence for awhile.

“Hey Trouble somethings been nagging at me.”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

“On my way into the canyon this little floaty robot thing spoke to me.”

“You mean a spritebot? That was the radio for fuck’s sake.” He shook his head, he knew rightly well she was a novice in the ways of the waste.

“No, it told me to run, stopped to speak with me, there was a pony on it called himself Watcher,”

“Watcher eh? Maybe he was Red eye’s stand in.”

Dawn had no idea who Red Eye was but she went with the flow “No he told me you were in the area he told me about the outpost, shit he even told me to run from the raiders.” She was getting a little mad at Trouble for not believing her.

“He said I was in the canyon?” he took on a serious tone as if this were a kink in the road.

“Yeah, he said if I’m lucky Trouble will find me and Celestia behold” Dawn stopped short.

Trouble tensed why did this infuriate him so much?

“Yeah, yeah I saved your sorry flank buh’ how did he know I was there?”

“He didn’t say...” Trouble swore venomously under his breath.

Trouble spent the rest of the trip inside his train of thought, Dawn knew better than to disturb him she was a little disappointed that their conversation had to end though.

They came to an ending of the high canyon walls, a glorious viewpoint over the wastes, to their left a ramp down but they took in the view a few miles out was an outcropping along a wide and snaking river.

“See that down there kid? That’s Dead Water nice place, got some real eggheads down there too. See the river? They set up hydro electric turbines that power the town, hell they even have night lighting, as well as that those turbines purify the water and the water they do let through they use as waste disposal. It’s a completely self sufficient town, not bad eh?”

Black Dawn found herself mouthed out “Not bad” back to Trouble, she was bewildered by their ingenuity, there was river near her town not as big as the one near Dead Water but big enough, all they did with the river was dump buckets of shit in it, a water caravan came into town every month or so, they survived off that, what’s that old saying Spare the rod spoil the foal.

Trouble was still basking in the view “They say necessity is the mother of invention, that’s where guns and medicine come from, if there is no need for something don’t build it, simple as, if something does not have a function then it shouldn’t exist.”

“I didn’t think a pony with a name like Trouble would ever be a philosopher.” She joked.

“That’s not philosophy; philosophy is stuff like do I exist? What’s the meaning of life? I’m just stating the facts with the sense of the common pony, I’ll teach a little something on philosophy later.”

“I think I’d like that.” Dawn smiled at him she liked how forth coming he was with information.

Dawn faced the ramp and seen a little bobbing orb coming up it, she nudged Trouble with a hoof and pointed.

“I’ll show you he’s real!” Dawn galloped down to meet the Spritebot in foalish naivety and optimism. Trouble behind her rolled his eyes.

She grabbed it with both her hooves and cried “Watcher! I know your there! I need you!” the marching band music ceased and with an audible click a new voice started speaking “Hello, Black Dawn I’m glad to see you succeeded in saving those ponies.”

The Watcher really needed a different mic, his voice was way too cold, too monotonic for an asset out in this hell.

“I’m soo happy to have found you, listen Trouble wants to speak with you.”

“Yeah, I do.” Trouble appeared next to Dawn she wished he actually made noise when he moved.

“Well what would you like to talk to me about?” Watcher said politely, a little too politely.

Trouble rose onto his hind legs “My whereabouts are privileged information, how did you know I was in there.” he was shaking a hoof at the canyon.  

“I’m well informed.” Dawn shrank back he wasn’t too happy when she told him about Watcher knowing his whereabouts and him beating round the bush probably wouldn’t end well.

“Well, then who fucking informed you, I got the contract less than thirty hours ago.” He was getting mad...

“Black Dawn, there was one more thing I need to tell you, but I needed to make sure you weren’t just going to turn tail and run, out here you need something to hold on to a virtue find yours and don’t let it go, if you lose your virtu-‘” he was cut short by Trouble his eyes burning with anger.

“Fuck off! Tin Can!” he reached for his pistol belt with unbelievable speed, took out both pistols and blasted Watcher his revolvers roared and threw his hooves backwards the simultaneous shot obliterated the Watcher, the robot exploded and chunks of metal and fibre rolled down the ramp.

Dawn was lost for words but Trouble spoke first his face grim chest heaving.

“Fuck him...” he holstered his pistols and began to walk on all fours again preceding down the ramp his pace quickening  Dawn shadowed behind him

“You can’t just do that!” Dawn objected.

“Your right I can’t, but I did it anyway, my bad.” She had nothing, what could she possibly say to him to make him see the error of his ways? but he’s experienced in the ways of this cruel world he was probably innocent of any crime.

She thought about Watcher’s words, a Virtue what was her virtue? she needed another conversation with Watcher he’s probably fuming about what Trouble did though, but if he knew who Trouble was he should have known he was playing with fire.

It wasn’t until they were half way to Dead Water did Trouble speak again to Dawn.

“What did you say that thing was on your hooves? An exoskeleton?

“Yeah, marvellous piece of tech invented by the Coltic for the Coltic weirdly enough manufactured in Stalliongrad in the war times.”

Black wasn’t entirely sure who the Coltic were or where this Stalliongrad was either, but she continued their dialogue.

“How does it work?” She was confused by its mechanics, it acted as an extension of his being it conceded to his every whim.  

“Alot like your Pip-Buck actually.”

“What?” Dawn was confused how did her Pip-Buck work was it fuelled by happy thoughts? Dawn overestimated the capabilities of magic.

“Its quick thinking on the engineer’s part.” Now he was just beating around the bush.

“Yeah, yeah but how does it work, you know what keeps it running?” she was hoping to find a little more about this thing she strapped on her wrist and wanted to balance the benefits with the repercussions.

“To put it simply I keep my exoskeleton running feeds off my bodies energy, as for computer, it has a tank it recharges off of you and can be turned on if it’s been worn recently.”

“Is it safe to take it off?” Dawn asked nervously.

“That’s the lite model you have, you can take it off whenever you please,” Dawn exhaled in relief.

“But there’s a catch.” She fucking knew it.

“Those pins it uses as a jack for recharging run to the bone and bury themselves into you, if you want to take it off I’d suggest a bottle of whiskey and a shot Med-X first.”

She swallowed hard, what if she got an itch?

“Could be worse though.” She couldn’t tell if Trouble was being optimistic or actually was going somewhere with this.

“How?” she had to know if her situation could worsen and if so like she said How.

“Well me for example, you gotta hook up an exoskeleton to the central nervous system if it’s installed or removed incorrectly it could kill ya, or if your unlucky vegetablize ya and take my word for it you need a lot more than a bottle of whiskey to stop you from screaming when these fuckers make an entrance or an exit, the pins are four fucking inches long, constantly relaying information and have a hella lot of volts running through em. Exoskeletons maybe rare that’s because they were scarce due to the war there are plenty of them in the Coltic lands, hell they still make them. I have a mate in New Pegas with one as well. I swear that kid took the pain better than me, I’ll introduce you once we hit the strip.”

Well that was educational. Black wasn’t quite sure she knew what vegetablize meant but it sounded horrible if Trouble a pony who takes lives so his could continue rather die than suffer through it.

“How comes there are so few of them outside the Coltic lands?” at least she had a point of reference without coming across as ignorant or simple minded.

“There was a border between the zebra nations and the Coltic regions, Equestria on the other hand, Zebras had to take to the sea if they wanted to fight on a front, the zebra’s could drop megaspells on Equestria and all the other fronts there, but couldn’t on the Coltic fronts because of the proximity, besides a tonne of zebra’s live there, two of my colthood friends were zebras. And since all the Exoskeletons were issued or made there they sort of stayed.”

Black knew who zebras were there were old propaganda posters in her town, as far as she could tell they were a diabolical race determined to wipe pony kind off the face of Equestria to further themselves in an insatiable power lust.

He continued as to why there were little outside the Coltic lands “They were designed in Marefast the Coltic capital and manufactured in Stalliongrad they’re a stones throw away, they could easily get them to the Coltic fronts but not so much as the zebra ones, ya dig?”

“Yeah, I suppose I dig,” she wasn’t familiar with this slang.”How do you know so much about the war and all that other stuff you go on about?”

“Growing up.” He simply said as if it needed no further elaboration.

“That, really doesn’t answer the question.” Dawn was wishing she actually had social skills now.

“I’ll explain later, but first ya gotta know a few things about my clients, we treat them a respectful, professional manner, you do not make demands, you do not look bored and you do not speak unless spoken to.”

 Dawn was curious as to why he was so strict when it came to clients.

“Hey what’s with all the rules?” she figured he was just trying to boss her.

“Professionals have standards, high rollers look for me in these parts, unlike in the Coltic lands, or Germaney, you can only be casual there really. Mainly cuss they buy ya a drink afterwards not so much down here, so do as I do and follow the rules.”

Germaney? That’s a new one Dawn thought to herself.

It was about mid-day when they arrived at Dead Water it was a large town, most buildings were 2 storeys high.

 On each building there was wire connecting every  building to the next. Hanging on the wire was flood lights, all the buildings were made from wood and metal girders some looked quite beautiful once spruced up others looked run down.

The town split in two at the river there was a wide wooden bridge connecting the two and on the bridge was a market of sorts, stalls littered the sides selling from meat, vegetables to alcohol and munitions.

Trouble headed over to the large building on the end of the street next to the bridge. Tt was only 2 stories high but was built like a mansion. There were polished girders gleaming in the sun supporting the structure and laminated wood acting as the frame it was quite beautiful and on the second storey the windows had stained glass depicting a serene mare in the twilight of her life with a white coat and curled purple mane giving water to the poor and needy whose hooves where outstretched to her she even though being a glass mural she was beautiful.

Trouble and Black approached the door to the building the 2 sentries standing guard stopped them with a raised hoof and a barking of “Halt!”

“State your business.” They said in unison. They were well armed on either of their sides were two automatic rifles held together by a brace and a wire coming below their necks which Dawn guessed to be the firing mechanism.

 Dawn seen these before in the NCR some heavy troopers came into town she overheard some pony ask them about their twin rifles were held up by they called it a battle saddle.

“The Good pony and I have a business deal to conclude, my partner and I here require compensation for a contract.” Trouble was being very formal and well spoken.

The 2 sentries nodded at each other one opened the door with an old heavy rusted key and they proceeded inside.

The furnishings inside this place were incredible there were urns made with expert craftsmanship.

Paintings depicting acts of goodness ponies helping one another, acts of charity and selflessness adorned the walls there were book shelves everywhere and this was just the hallway.

Every shelf was filled to the brim with copious volumes ranging from equine history to anatomy it was quite impressive.

The sentry opened a door at the end of the hallway and inside there was an elderly unicorn stallion with a violet coat a greyed mane and a cracked horn, wearing a tuxedo enjoying a glass of  red wine and appeared to be enthralled in a book.

 Sitting in a lavish red leather armchair that was beautifully decorated.

The elderly unicorn  looked up and smiled, he had a horizontal scar going across his left eye leaving it pure white, the pupil was nowhere to be found.

The sentry spoke and beckoned them inside “Introducing, the Good pony.”

“Thank you Haleb, return to your duties I have no need of protection.” The sentry identified as Haleb nodded and closed the door gently behind him. The good pony beckoned for Black and Trouble to take the seats in front of his black polished wood desk, A grandfather clock ticking away in the background.

“Trouble it is my understanding only 6 of the 10 hostages made it out alive, how do you answer for this?” The Good pony’s voice was soft and gravelly it had understanding in it and kindness Black Dawn only heard him speak and she knew she would like him.

“It is to my deepest regret Good pony, they were no longer with us by the time I even arrived at the outpost.”

“And, how do you know this?” the Good pony was so sincere in his speaking voice Dawn was in a trance she could listen to this pony speak for hours.

“We took one alive, Good pony, he said there was only six left.” Where the Fuck did we come from? Before he even saved her he took one alive, maybe he was trying to big her up.

“I, see... I’m grateful for you saving the ponies of this town, but before you receive payment how many ponies died, at you and your partner’s hooves?”

“Approximately three times the estimated amount, Good pony, three dozen.” Black didn’t enjoy seeing Trouble acting like this it was out of his nature. Then again what does she know about his nature she only knew him for a day.

“That’s three dozen less stains wiped from the face of the wastes, good job here is your payment in full, and can I help you with anything else?” The Good pony reached underneath his desk and levitated out 4 small briefcases. Dawn’s eyes were drawn to his horn, a beam of light was visible to the long crack running down his horn after she was down gawking did she see the strain on his face, she felt sorry for the old stallion.

 He revealed the contents, inside the briefcase was lined with caps. 50 bags of caps to be precise. Dawn felt a tingling sensation go through her body and felt herself wetting her lips.

“50,000 thousand in bags of 250 in 4 briefcases as requested.” He closed the briefcase and slid all of them over to Trouble; Trouble accepted with a nod and planted the briefcases at the foot of his chair.

Trouble wasn’t done, what was he waiting for? Dawn was excited I mean 12,500! That’s serious money she was growing impatient. Her hoof began jittering fast against the floor.

“I have one more deal to strike with you Good Pony but we are not talking about materials, I need some information and for it, I’m prepared to return half of the payment with a few catches.”

“What sort of information do you require?” What The Fuck? HALF! He was willing to surrender half the money for some fucking information.  Dawn was pissed she nudged Trouble and looked at him with confused eyes.

“Don’t worry I’m paying for this with my share.” She let out a sigh of relief the Good pony shot a dirty look at her. His stare had gravity, his eyes were shrp stabbing into her being boring guilt. She suddenly felt ashamed, it was greed no other word for it.

Trouble turned to the Good pony and continued “The sensitive kind, I need some advice and a need to know a little more about you, your past don’t worry about gossip getting around, discretion is an important part of my career.”

The Good pony thought this over in reverent silence.

“I was warned that you were an odd pony when I got the recommendation about you mister Trouble.”  Dawn repeated his words in his head Mister Trouble? Coming from any other pony that would have just sounded stupid.

“Watch are the catches’ you spoke of?”

“My partner and I, Miss Black Dawn require accommodations for the night, we would be grateful if you could put us up in the hotel in town. And the second catch is you have to answer truthfully, think about this I implore you sir, think of all the good you could do with twenty five grand, I’ll end up putting it towards arms and munitions you could invest in medicine or education.” Trouble tried to make a humanitarian case, coming from him it was feeble.

The Good pony had another pause just scanning his book over in thought.

“I accept your terms...”

Trouble reached for two of the briefcases and handed them back over to the Good pony Dawn sneaked a briefcase from under Trouble.

“What would you like to know?”

The next while Dawn was only half paying attention her hoof rubbing off against the briefcase she was already spending it in her head, spend it on houses, boozes and whatever else came mind she wasn’t really a drinker but once she got that money she would be set for a good long while, she may as well take up a vice or two.

She was broke from her little daydream when Trouble nudged her he said “Go buy some armor I’ll meet you at the bridge, this advice is only between me and the Good pony.”

Dawn hurriedly got out of her chair and levitated her share into her saddlebags it felt so satisfying she felt gratitude, pride and a lot stronger as if she could left the weight of the world a few more inches off her shoulders.

When she was at the door a thought struck her she turned to Face the good pony and she curtsied.

 “Thank you, Good pony.” Trouble looked back and smirked the Good pony had a big grin on his face he nodded and said.

 “Enjoy, your earnings miss Black Dawn and please enjoy what this town has to offer.” She made the right choice showing her respect.

She left their company and walked down the hall the two were in hushed conversation. Dawn didn’t care. Fuck ponies, get paid she came into the town once more it was bustling every pony had somewhere to go and every 100 yards was a patrolling trooper.

She closed the door behind her and asked Haleb one of the Good pony’s guards “Hey Haleb right? Where can you buy some armor around here?” he seemed friendly enough. She imagined the Good pony’s staff had to be friendly policing a town.

“On the bridge, our left hand side about half way down you’ll see an old mare, she smokes like a chimney she sells the best armor in Dead Water.”

He was making all sorts of gestures with his hooves in an attempt to give directions, she got most of it.

She arrived at a Alabaster wrinkled old unicorn mare’s stall she was smoking a cigarette and not paying much attention to passer’s by. Most other vendors were calling out to the crowd assuring them the quality and competitive prices of their goods. She was laid back in a chair her hind hooves resting on her stall wearing cool sunglasses and above the Stall there was a plaque that Read “Alanza’s Life Savers.”

Black walked over to her stall and began speaking “Are you the mare that sells armor?”

“Whatta you think?” the mare replied a little patronising for a business pony.

“Well what do you recommend for me?” Dawn really sucked at social skills.

“I fucking recommend you say you’re actually buying something.” The hostility made Dawn feel timid.

“As a matter of fact I’ am.” Dawn said this hoping to get a bit of attention from the Mare.

“I got to warn you though this stuff isn’t cheap you got to put some caps down first.”

Dawn reached into her saddle bags with her magic and planted the briefcase firmly down unto the stall. The mare behind her stall tipped down her shades, Black felt oddly satisfied snatching her attention .

“Will this do?” she opened up the briefcase the mare’s took off her sound glasses her mouth hanging open she laughed to herself.

“Oh yeah that’ll do, follow me.” The mare quickly changed her attitude towards Black. Alanza climbed out of her chair and put a small “Busy” sign on her stall and began to trot across the bridge, she ushered Dawn to follow her.

“Shall we?” Alanza asked.

Dawn followed suit and the two crossed the bridge, when Alanza began small talk.

“Sorry about being rude, you have no idea how many idiots come over thinking they can get my stock for a measly hundred caps or so.”

“Where are we going?” she was still pissed at the mare.

“To my shop I don’t put my stock out on a stall!” she took pride in her work but this was suspicious.

She led Black into what appeared to be an old rundown building on the outside Dawn felt she made a mistake but inside.

 It was brightly lit, Sheets of plasticine and racks of Armor hung from the walls and shelves; pieces ranging from light leather to heavy duty lay scattered around. A gallery of armour.

“Welcome to Alanza’s Life Savers!” She said with pride.

“I’m Alanza owner and proprietor of this fine establishment, now how much you willing to spend to save your own life.” Now she was being friendly. Alanza lead Dawn into the middle of the room by the hoof excitedly.

“Eh, I don’t really know.” Dawn couldn’t tell if she would be scammed or not.

“Well what way do you tend to fight.” The mare was looking for a point of reference.

Dawn had only ever been in one of the kind of fights she was talking about and she spent half of that cowering in cover while Trouble did all the dirty work.

“Eh, I suppose Pistols and Sniper’s rifles.” She really didn’t know what to say to her so she shrugged after it.

“hmmm, your small your gonna need something light and strong.” She pounded her hooves together for emphasis.

“I’m going to need more information would you go in guns blazing or avoid them?” she was pretty terrible at both so she tried to play it safe.

“A sort of middle ground you know?” Alanza did know.

“I think I got the perfect piece for you.” She took great pleasure in her work and finding the perfect piece for her clients.

She grabbed Black by the hoof and led her over to an exotic piece, black hardened hide, with metal plates and bracing for ribs, chest and shoulders. A flexible collar and pouches scattered all over the chest and waist of it. Black liked it. Fierce and Practical.

 It had hoof pieces as well, knee pads. Hardened hide again with the metal covering the joint in the bone.

“How about that!” Alanza exclaimed like an excited school filly. “

I spent weeks on that y’know see that leather, hell hound hide though as rock light as a pillow cost a small fortune and that crystal fibre. Don’t get me started it, was woven from depleted magical energy crystals they’re unbelievably tough and it’s where you need it too all the soft spots, the danger zones, the hide offers flexibility the crystals offers protection, and style too. And I couldn’t help but notice your pistol’s holster,” she pointed at it jutting out of her saddlebags with disdain.

 “I’ll throw in a matching belt for free as an apology for my rudeness earlier.”

Black was started to like her now, she came across as rude on the bridge but she had reason to, she’s actually a little filly infatuated with her own work. Well this little filly was middle aged. But the armor seemed impressive it looked impressive the purple gleam of the metal the darkness of the hide.

“How much?”

“only five thousand!” Alanza said as if it were a small sum.

Black swallowed hard.

Black muttered under her breath it was steep...

“C-can I try it on first?” Dawn said nervously.

“Certainly I’ll help fit it.” Alanza helpfully chimed in.

The next few minutes were spent pulling and fastening and getting everything just right, tying laces pinning buttons and aggressive yanking.

But after much turmoil it was done. Alanza made what only can be described as a fan girl Squee Noise

 “It’s Perfect on you!” Alanza shouted drama in her voice. She ran into a back room while Dawn inspected herself it was surprisingly comfortable, fitted well, felt good too.

Alanza scooted back into the room with an elegant mirror.

“Well tell me what you think dear.”

Black liked what she seen it was the right blend of style with intimidation, Casual and serious and practical with aesthetics. “I love it!” she found herself saying, not just like

love.

Alanza smiled she wrapped the belt she promised Black around her waist and fastened it, Dawn felt a little aroused with the yanking and close proximity at this but that’s off topic. Dawn took out Amigo and slid him into the Holster on the belt it was perfect. The silver really stood out against the black leather.

“Now there is the little matter of my, ahem compensation.” Alanza enticingly said.

 Dawn was still admiring how damn good she looked in the mirror when Alanza brought it up.

“Oh, yeah.” She reached back into her saddle bags and took out the brief case and counted out her payment “Bags of 250 she assured her, Alanza wasn’t taking any chances, she merely hummed in agreement.

 Dawn stood there waiting for what felt like hours when Alanza was done counting the caps. Satisfied she looked at Dawn and said

“Come back anytime.” Dawn threw the considerably lighter briefcase back into her saddlebags and secured Bad News around her back with his sling.

  She was in her opinion fearsome. The Black armor with the dark purple armour plates matching her Jet Black coat and contrasting with her shaggy golden mane.

It was getting late now darkness was beginning to fall over the town she wandered back over  to the bridge and Trouble was waiting by a closed stall.

He smiled when he seen her and her new armor “Lookin well kid! Lookin well. Alanza’s handy work right?” she nodded, she was quite pleased with herself even if it did almost cut her earnings in half.

“C’mon let’s get something to eat.” And Trouble started off back towards the Good pony’s side of the river.

Dawn looked down at her Pip buck now for the first time since she entered Dead water it read.

Quest Complete: Trouble is a friend of mine.

Footnote : Level up.

New Perk: Foal at heart – unlocks many unique dialogue options with fillies and colts.