“A true friend helps a friend in need.”

Finally! Home sweet home. We trotted up to the gate of Pleasant Town. It is a small town. Meant really for trade. But this is the entire HQ for couriers around Equestria. A mare dressed in a combat duster and wearing a helmet trotted over.

“Welcome back, Sixteen.” She said with a smile. I nodded. She then looked up over to the stallion. She eyed him. “Who’s your friend here?” she asked. I shook my head.

“We aren’t friends. He is just somepony who helped me get home.” I turned to him. “Sorry err…”

“Brick.” He said. I blinked.

“Yes well, this is where we part ways.” I smiled, turned and trotted past the RCE guard.

“Wait!” he called. I stopped and looked back. Oh Celestia, I really don’t have time for this. He trotted over. “I would like to make a request with the Express.” I balked. Okay, calm down, Courier. It’s just a request. Nothing about being friends. Also, I guess you do kind of owe him for getting you out of that war. The RCE guard nodded.

“If you want to make business request or personal, go see Post Box at the Express.” She said.

“Sixteen!” a voice reverberated through our ears. I winced. Speaking of Post Box. I turned and gave a tired looking stallion my best grin. He certainly seemed like he usually does when he’s pissed. He had pale hide and a white mane that I’ve seen if groomed, would be in a cow lick fashion. He wore a black business suite. A tuft of mane fell over his eye.

“Hello, sir! Nice day isn’t it?” I said trying to maintain my smile. He glared at me.

“I want to know why you are three days late? Your last paper stated you were three hours late for delivery. And don’t even begin to say that you were captured!” he said.

“B-but, that is w-what exactly happened s-sir.” I stammered. That didn’t seem to brighten his mood. Oh boy, was I gonna get it.

“Let’s not make it like it was when you were sent to deliver that bomb.” My smile wavered and a stomped my hoof in protest.

“With all due respect sir, it wasn’t my fault! It also wasn’t my fault that I started a war that I eventually stopped from happening!” I felt my fore hoof itch. Oh crap, did I say something I wasn’t supposed to. His eyes were replaced with fire and he loomed over me.

“You mean to tell me that the bomb that you delivered that caused a war along Route 15 happen and you went out of your way to stop it!?” he roared. I shrinked a little. “You, young lady, almost cost me more money in damage than my heart could take! Do you realize the amount of stress I’m in!? And here I thought you were smarter than the rest. What happened to your “no sight-seeing” policy huh!?” I gulped.

“W-w-well… I… uhh…” Oh Karma, what have I done to deserve this? Before I could make words, Brick stood next to me. Post Box blinked and eased a little, but his frustration and stress was still evident.

“I’m sorry, sir. But Sixteen here couldn’t help it. It was forced onto her.” He said with that stoic expression. Post Box rubbed his face.

“What are you blabbering about, youngin?” he asked. Post Box only treats his customers with respect. Never the couriers…

“I’m saying that she came walking up from Little Tail Heights. She said that the only way to get back was through Route 15. She realized too late that the war between Bull Horn and Feather Tail were converging on the spot and got stuck in the crossfire.” He explained. I gaped at him. Post Box returned his gaze to me, still keeping that frustrated look.

“And pray tell, young lady, why were you in Little Tail Heights? We have business along that route.” I tried to figure the words out. Lyon’s image popped into my head and suddenly went ridged. Brick arched a brow and Post Box tapped his hoof, waiting for me to reply. I pulled my hood down. What was wrong with me? Why couldn’t I just say it? I had to. Lyon was Post Box’s prized courier. But what would he say? What would he think? I was worried that he was just going to insult him like that time when he vanished. And if I did tell him, he might take out his anger on me. He was already angry at me about it. I choked on my words. I was about to speak when Brick addressed Post Box.

“She got lost.” He said. Post Box arched a brow at him. But Brick maintained a calm demeanor and a stoic expression.

“How in the world could she get lost? Her delivery route was through Route 2 to end at Settlement. It was just a straight walk to there and back. How can she get lost?” Post Box asked with a suspicious look at the stallion.

“Raiders.” He said quickly as if it were true. I gaped at him. Why was a stranger sticking up for me? No pony has ever done that for me before. It was always me sticking up for others. I would be the punching bag, the tool, the dump-all-frustration out on mare. The only ponies who would really stick out for me are my siblings. But then again, we were very disgruntled still and we always devoted ourselves to our job and nothing else. Unless… Brick had some ulterior motive. I suddenly felt very murderous right then and there. No. I won’t be used again! I won’t allow it! If I was ever used like that again, I would kill with no remorse. I’ll make sure Brick doesn’t leave here intact at all. Brick continued on. “She told me that the raiders were being very active along the route and wanted to make a shortcut. She took a wrong turn and ended up in Little Tail Heights from Settlement.

There was some truth there. But how would he know? What is he planning? It can’t be good. If it involved my siblings there will be blood to pay! Post Box sighed and rubbed his temples.

“Well, as long as you delivered the package and came back safe, that’s all that matters. Your brother is starting to be my next prized pupil. Your sister isn’t very far behind either. Neither are you, Courier. But keep up your little detours and trouble making and I’ll have to cut your pay.” He turned and trotted away muttering something I couldn’t catch. I looked up at the stallion. He smiled at me and held out a hoof. I just looked at it and then back at him. I had to know now. Why would he do something like this?

“Why?” I whispered.

“Pardon?” Brick asked. I stood up now and adjusted my hood a little.

“Why did you do that? What is your problem?” I asked feeling my mane bristle. He rubbed the back of his head.

“Nothing. I just thought I figured to return the favor after you saved my hide from that fight.” He said. Even huh? Okay, I’ll play.

“Pfft. Please. I did it to save my own hide. You were just unlucky enough to be there.” I said with a wave of my hoof. I really needed a drink. He cocked his head slightly.

“Unlucky huh? I guess.” He said casually. I balked and stared him straight into his eyes.

“What? What do you mean!? What the hell were you even doing on Route 15 anyway!?” I rose my voice a little. A few other couriers heard the name and listened in. Fuck them though, I need to know what the hell Brick was planning. He just returned his look with that stoic expression. It was really pissing me off.

“I was like you. I came from Little Tail Heights and happened across the place. Then you came along and we both got the end of it.” He said. I wanted to hit him. No pony would do this to me without a reason. I know it. I’ve always known it. They just want to use me. Everypony did. I had to know now.

“What are you planning, huh? What’s your motive?” I asked feeling that murderous look going on. He just blinked at me calmly. My eye twitched. I noticed him narrow his eyes slightly.

“Nothing. I just wanted to return the favor is all. You helped me, I helped you. Simple as that.” He said. Okay, that’s it! I know a strong stallion such as him couldn’t be moved by little ol’ me. So, I got a little help from myself. Two of them to be exact. Together, they lifted the stallion up causing his eyes to widen in surprise. I twisted my body, locking my forehooves around one of his and heaved as hard as I could. He flew straight into a stack of crates with a crash. He looked up from the ground, buried in crates, staring blankly at me. I huffed.

“Don’t you ever fuck with me at all… you understand!?” I said coldly. I turned, my copies flanking me with a satisfied expression and we trotted off to leave the stallion in his stupor.

I sighed. I really, really, really, really needed a drink. I was inside the Express building’s foyer. It wasn’t too spacy, but there was enough to make it act like a central hub. Couriers left and right were chatting about their experience of the deliveries. I felt my stomach growl and groaned. It has been a really long day. I’m angry, cold, hungry and dying to get drunk. I headed for the dining area.

“Attack from above!!” a voice shouted. I stopped and looked up just in time to see something fall on top of me. I shook myself from the daze and noticed a few couriers looking at me funny, some snickering. I glanced over my shoulder to see a young gray colt with brown mane similar to mine. His duster was meant for the younger ponies. But when I saw those pair of red biker goggles. I smiled.

“Don’t think you won just yet!” I countered as I twisted my body under him and snatched him up in a hug. He laughed as I ruffled his mane.

“Okay, okay sis! Stop!” he said. He pulled away and helped me up. “Welcome home, Curry.” He beamed. I dusted myself off and smiled.

“Thanks Stall. But you really shouldn’t shout your attack like that. Then your enemy would know exactly what you are going to do.” I said. He pondered then.

“Well, you weren’t an enemy, so it doesn’t matter. I’m not good with all that sneaky stuff big sis does.” He kicked a piece of paper ball away and sighed. I put my leg around his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. He rubbed his foreleg.

“It’s Post Box. He’s just… so unbearable right now…” he said. Yeah, he always has been. Oh yeah! He’s even more now thanks to me. My younger brother looked up at me. “He’s expects a lot of things. I mean, I’m nothing like Lyon. I can never be like Lyon… For once, I would just like to do things my way.” He sighed. I stroked his mane.

“Well, Post Box is kinda on edge today. Even more so now because of me.” I said.

“Oh yeah!” he perked up. “I heard all about it. New Pegus was talking about it.” I groaned. As much as a voice New Pegus was, I felt like Stall praised the DJ a little too much. The gray unicorn brought up his PipBuck and played the radio. A courier seemed to notice and turn on the radio for all to hear in the room.

“Good evening, everypony. This is New Pegus. Time for some news since you all are such wonderful listeners.” There was the sound of shuffling papers. “First off, RCE officials have finally pushed back the stripes assault to take Route 2.” The room erupted into whoops and cheers.

“That’ll teach them stripes not to mess with us!” one courier mare shouted. When have we ever done anything to the stripes? New Pegus continued on.

“Now, you all heard me when I said that Route 15 was for no pony to go to. A big fight broke out along the road leading to a blood bath of explosions and some other bits. However, no innocent ponies were hurt thankfully. Well, I could say that, but one such pony went out of her way to calm the hornets’ nest. Bull Horn himself and Feather Tail’s griffin, Razor, were forced into a truce thanks to a certain courier just passing her way through.” I stiffened. Oh boy. “That’s right folks, you could say she literally left them with the decision with keeping the truce or end up wiping out both Bull Horn himself and Razor in the process. We have received word that they will honor the truce and the war was ended as fast as it started. I say, good on ya’ Courier Sixteen. You certainly showed that even in this terrible Wasteland, there is still hope for everyone to get along. This has been New Pegus signing off with some music by the beautiful Velvet Remedy.”

I suddenly felt a thousand eyes on me. I looked around the room with a feigned smile. I rubbed the back of my head and cleared my throat. “Oh, pardon me, but I… uhhh. Gotta use the little filly’s room! Come along Stall.” I said backing up to the door and motioning with my hoof. Stall looked at me with disgust.

“Eww, I don’t want to go with you.” He said. I locked his forehoof with mine and gave him my best smile I could.

“That is not an option.” I said as I yanked him along with me and dashed all the way into my room. Resident couriers had the luxury of their own private rooms when not working. I put Stall on my bed, closed the door and locked it, went to the window, closed the curtains and checked under my bed and around the room to see if anyone was listening.

“Uhh, sis? You alright?” Stall asked with an arched brow. Making sure we were clear, I turned on him.

“How did he know?” I asked. Stall blinked at me.

“Who?”

“New Pegus. How did he know what I did?” I asked pacing now. Stall rubbed the back of his head.

“Well, Feather Tail himself had requested an interview and told New Pegus the details he heard from Razor. I have to say sis, that was awesome how you just ended a war as soon as it started.” He said and beamed at me. I silenced him with a hiss.

“Why would they do that?” I asked. I started pacing again. “Why did he make it known? It wasn’t a big deal. All I did was defend myself and just so happened to have fate put into my hoof. I mean, honestly, I didn’t do anything major.” I was pacing more frantically now.

“Well, there was one thing he mentioned before you got here during the interview.” Stall said. “Feather Tail actually praised you.” I stopped and looked at him. “He said that they should have more ponies like you. He wanted to try for a truce for a long time. He agreed with Bull Horn to honor the truce. Now both sides are praising you. And to make sure your hospitality wasn’t wasted, they teamed and cleared Route 15 of raiders and made sure critters won’t go wander in. You pretty much opened up a trade route for caravans and finally reopened Route 15 on our route roster. We are finally back to delivering things down in Little Tail Heights and Pale City.” I balked.

“You mean I did all that and they did all that in the time it took me to get from halfway through Route 15 and then another days walk here?” I asked. Stall nodded.

“You did all that.” He said with a grin. “Man, I’m kind of jealous now. I wanted to do something big that would get my name out on the radio before any of you. Looks like you beat me to it.” I sighed and sat down on my rump, banging my head against the wall. “What’s wrong sis? Aren’t you happy?” I just wanted a drink. All I just wanted was a drink. Why couldn’t I get a drink?

I looked over to Stall and sighed again. “No, no. Of course I’m happy. It certainly is going to make Post Box happy knowing I cleared a route for trade and business.” Guess he must have not heard yet, otherwise he wouldn’t have blown his fuse like that. There was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Stall asked glancing at me.

“Who do you think? Why is the door locked?” a small voice came from the other side. Stall sighed.

“Great, here comes precious.” He said with a nicker. He unlocked the door and a small charcoal coated filly walked in. She was wearing her stable barding. Her innocent big pink eyes glanced at me, then at Stall, then back at me. She blew her pink and white mane’s bangs up from her eyes and made her way over to me. Stall closed and locked the door. She studied me with her eyes. I blinked at her.

“Umm… yes, Bell. How can I help you?” I said with a smile. She cocked her head and frowned.

“You promised.” She said. Eh?

“Huh? Promised what?” I asked blankly. We both winced when we noticed Bell’s eyes starting to well up.

“You… you don’t remember?” she said weakly. I rubbed the back of my head. I glanced at Stall behind her and he replied with a shrug. My baby sister suddenly changed from sad to stern. She then stood on her hind legs and smacked me across my head. I hissed in pain and rubbed where she hit me. That actually hurt. “Well, that’s just like you. You always forget.” She said as she fell back down on all fours. I was at a loss of words. What did I promise? She must have saw the look in my eye and sighed. “You promised to bring me something back from your trip.” She said. It suddenly came back. Before I left for Settlement, Bell stopped me on the way out and asked if I would bring her back anything. I promised that I would and walked off into the sunset.

“Oh… I did, didn’t I?” I said with a grin. Stall groaned as Bell once again stood on her hind legs and this time flicked my horn. I felt my eyes cross and rubbed my poor horn. “What was that one for?” I asked. She fell back down into a sitting position.

“And now I hear that you stopped a war.” She said. I stiffened. “What would Heart think? She was terribly upset that you could have gotten hurt or worse.” See? This is exactly the reason why I don’t want to stick around long. Bell looked at me with concern. “Don’t do anything stupid like that again. Please?” she asked. I looked at her smile. I scooped her up into a hug and nuzzled her mane.

“Don’t worry, sis. I didn’t plan on doing anything stupid at all. It was technically an unavoidable situation.” I said. Yeah right. I had a choice to run and never look back. But my instincts told me to do something at least. I was severely disappointed with the way I had caused it. Wait, what am I thinking? That’s precisely the reason I stopped it. I was being used. And I hate being used. I wanted to make it clear that I never wanted to be used. Never again… Realizing this, I sighed and banged my head against the wall again. “Damn, I can’t believe I did that…” I felt terrible. I had worried my siblings and out of it, I was suddenly the hero of Route 15. I made a mental note that if I ever get a chance to go to Las Pegasus and enter the news tower, I would give New Pegus a piece of my mind. There was another knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Stall asked. A gentle voice replied.

“Tis not the wind, but a dear friend.” The voice said. We all smiled. Only one pony would say something like that when walking in. Stall opened the door and in walked Heart, muffler and all. Stall quickly closed the door and locked it. Heart pulled down her muffler and smiled at all of us.

“Big sister!” Bell squeaked and ran into her arms for a hug. I smiled. It’s moments like these that made me feel at ease. It almost reminds me of that one day when we were all together. Just happy. Not a care in the world. Just chatting, making jokes, telling stories. I felt something wet trail down my cheek. Stall was the first to notice, then Heart, then Bell.

“Curry?” Stall asked. I crossed my hooves on my knees and brought them closer to my chest. I planted my head into my crossed hooves and started crying. I felt torn apart. I was angry. I was tired. I wanted a drink. That’s all I wanted. A normal day. Get drunk, eat, fall asleep, wake up, work, rinse and repeat. I sniffled and wiped my eyes but the tears kept falling. I felt Heart’s soft hooves wrap around my shoulders. Then, I felt Stall nuzzle my mane and finally Bell crawling into my hooves and hugged me. This day sucked. But in a way, I was happy too. I’ve done something good for the Express. Albeit minor, but something good. But, I also felt sad because he kept appearing in my head. Those once lively blue eyes, dead and glazed.

“I saw him…” I finally said after taking a few minutes to gather myself. They all glanced at each other with worried looks. They knew exactly who I was talking about. “He saved me from the Bullhorn Boys. I… I tried talking to him… but he wasn’t listening.” I sniffled some more. Heart stroked my mane.

“Well…” Stall said. “At least we know he’s still alive.” He said.

“He’s changed hasn’t he?” Bell asked looking up at me. I said nothing. Of course she would ask that. She is a smart filly. She nuzzled my chest and sighed sadly. “I miss him…” I stroked her mane and smiled between tears.

“We all do, Bell. We all do…” I said. I closed my eyes. With my siblings around me, I eased a bit. I felt calm.

“I have something else to escape from trouble.”

Shimmer’s words ran by my head a few times. I guess I did have something else to escape too. Even though rarely, I would try to take advantage of this. Whenever this moment I was in, I would take it. And live every moment in it. They were my paradise away from the bar. With them, I could escape form anything.

I found myself walking back across Route 15 again. This time, I don’t know the sole reason for doing so. All I knew in my head was that I had to reach the end. Behind me, I could hear sounds. Scary sounds. Inequien sounds. My speed picked up. Whatever was behind me, I didn’t want to turn around. That’s when I saw him. Lyon walking ahead of me so far away along the road. I picked up into a gallop and raced to him. But he was slowly getting farther and farther away. I suddenly felt slower, but I was still galloping. I had to reach the end. I had to get to him! I just had to! As I galloped slowly after my brother’s figure. A green faded sign was passing overhead. I looked up to see blood painted words:

I just ignored it and continued on. More signs passed me as I raced past them, all bearing the same message.

The inequien sound was starting to get closer. I closed my eyes and tried forcing the sounds away.

“No! I won’t let you take me!” I shouted. I opened my eyes and saw Lyon looking back at me. Father’s hat was covering his eyes, but I could see his grim expression. I tried to force myself to go faster. But, my speed was slowly faltering. I looked desperately at Lyon. His cold dead gaze looked at me.

“Turn back, Courier.” He said. I stopped. He was right there in front of me. He was just a hoof reach away. I reached out my hoof and shook my head.

“No! I don’t want to know what that thing is! I’m scared, Lyon!” I cried. He pulled his hat down farther over his face, his expression still grim.

“You won’t get anywhere unless you turn back, Courier.” The sounds were getting closer. Come on, Courier! He’s right there! Why isn’t he reaching his hoof out to mine? Come on, reach dammit reach! He suddenly turned his back on me and walked farther and farther away.

“Turn back, Courier.” He said as he vanished into the darkness. No, I couldn’t! I got this far, I won’t turn back now! Besides, there is a creature after me! I curled up and covered my ears, shaking uncontrollably as the sounds got closer and closer.

“Open your eyes, Courier.” A hiss said followed by more hissing repeating what the voice said.

“No…” I said weakly.

“Open your eyes, Courier.” The voices said then echoed with

“Turn back, Courier.” I shook more.

“Leave me alone…” I squeaked. Their hissing and echoes repeated those two sentences over and over and over.

“Leave me alone.” I said, raising my voice a bit. I willed myself to stand.

“Turn back, Courier.”

“Open your eyes, Courier.”

“Leave me alone!” I snapped. I had to. I had to open my eyes. I had to face the creature. The hissing continued as I opened my eyes to scream again. Nothing came out. I choked and fell to the floor, feeling it very hard to breath. Somepony was standing there. That had to be the creature. It’s the one causing the hissing. Causing the pain that’s being driven into me. I looked up and gapped as I saw a hooded pony staring down at me.

“Who are you!?” I demanded.

“Turn back, Courier.” The hooded pony said. “Otherwise, you won’t live to see another day.”

“Shut up! You don’t know me!” I screamed.

“But that is where you are wrong, Courier.” The figure threw the hood back and I gapped. No way. I was staring at myself. But instead of my gold eyes, they were replaced those same cold dead glazed eyes on my brother. Not only that, she was giving me the murderous look.

“No…” I whimpered.

“Open your eyes, Courier.” She said. I put my hooves to my ears, trying to block out the hissing and the echoing sentences that were repeated over and over.

“Shut up.” I whimpered.

“Turn back, Courier.” She said.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed.

I finally opened my eyes only to find myself gasping for breath and standing up. Bell and Stall were sitting on my bed with surprised looks. Heart had a hoof to her mouth, mimicking my sibling’s expressions. I blinked. Checking my PipBuck, it was in the middle of the afternoon. I almost slept for an entire day again! I suddenly felt sore all over. I yawned and stretched lazily.

“Good morning, everypony.” I said with a sheepish smile.

“Good morning? Dear sister, it is the middle of the afternoon. What you should say is ‘Good afternoon, everypony.’” Heart said with such elegance that I gave her a confused look. She perked up as if realizing something. “Err… also, a lady shouldn’t really scream as she wakes up. And possibly…” she looked over and I followed her look. There on the opposite wall with his face planted firmly against it was my boss.

“Oh shit.” I said.

Now I know I’ve said that I have gotten into some tough situation and was able to get out of every single one. Well, there was always that one situation that just beats the rest. And that situation was happening now. I was flushing profusely as my siblings stood on both sides of me. Post Box had band-aids on his head and on the bridge of his muzzle. He was leaning forward with his hooves propped firmly up to cover his muzzle. He had his eyes close and gave a deep sigh.

“Now, Sixteen.” He finally spoke making us all flinch. The only thing in the Wasteland that terrified me and my siblings was none other than our boss himself. He tapped his hooves together before continuing. “I know I was angry with you. And I admit, I was taking all my frustration out on you. For that, I apologize.” He said. I glanced up, looking to see if he genuinely meant it or was just saying it to excuse me for punting him with a good hoof plant to the face. “Also, I would like to commend you for your actions on Route 15.” He said. Here we go. “Your recklessness certainly opened back up more trade and business options. I say reckless because you put yourself in the very face of danger and was lucky enough to walk out of their unscathed.” Okay, not so bad. “However, I am very disappointed that you were so willing to put yourself in that very danger. Do you know what your mother would have said if she heard about this?” We stayed silent. Whenever he brought mom up, he was giving us all reminders as to one of the reasons we took our job seriously. Post Box sighed. “When I promised your father that if anything happens to him or Golden Road, that I would make sure you all were treated as if I was your own parent.” He sighed.

“And we can all agree that I am not. Nor say I am a good parent. But I do care what your father would think. He was a good stallion. One that devoted his time into taking care of his family. And I looked up to him as my idol. He was my one constant that kept me going. And when he made me take on this promise, I made sure to follow it till the very end.” We said nothing. Post Box was right. Him and dad used to be close friends. They would chat, make jokes, even tease the ladies when they were young. Then, when he met mom, He was the one thing that kept them both together. He, mom and Post Box stayed true to their friendship to the very end.

And when dad vanished and our mother went under suicide watch, Post Box was given the rights to be our guardian. He wasn’t always this moody. Sure, he was when he heard about what happened to mom and dad. But when brother left, he changed. And for years to come up to present day, he shaped himself into the very pony that sat before us. He gave us all concerned looks before sighing and leaning back.

“I’ll be honest.” He said. “When your brother left, I felt like I had failed your father. When Golden went under, that same feeling deepened. You must understand. Think about your parents when you do those things. If I lost you all, I would be the one going under suicide watch as well. Then, I would be tormented because your mother will be there waiting for me and will damn me to hell for ever having to lose her kids.” We exchanged concerned glances then focused back on him. He suddenly looked very tired. His mane was more tuft about than usual and we could clearly see gray starting to form. “Please… for my sake and your parents, don’t do things like that again.” He said. I slumped.

It was all my fault. I’ve done something good for the business but ended up making those closer to me worry. I didn’t want anypony to worry. I get it enough from Heart. But coming from dad’s closest and most trusted friend? That was a whole other kind of depression. We all nodded and Post Box relaxed a little.

“Good. Now then, business talk.” He said. We straightened up. “I hope you are ready, because all of you are going to be busy.” Bell beamed.

“Does that mean that I can finally go on deliveries out in the Wasteland?” she squeaked. Post Box shook his head, making Bell’s hopes of being a full-fledged courier go out the window.

“When you master marksman training, then we will tell you.” He said. Bell looked at Heart with a panicked look.

“B-but, I don’t like guns. They are… scary.” She shivered. Heart smiled and stroked her mane. Post Box nodded.

“Point made. Now, Heart.” Heart threw her left foreleg across her chest and nodded. “You are in for some real treats. You have multiple deliveries all addressed to Hoofington. Make sure you pack a good assortment of supplies. It’s going to be a long week for you.” Heart’s eyes twinkled and she smiled.

“Sir.” She said.

"Stall.” Post Box addressed. Stall stiffened and mimicked the salute Heart made. “Hope you’re ready. This is going to be your biggest delivery yet, so listen up. You are to deliver an assortment of memory orbs to Tenpony Tower. Pack well.” Stall beamed.

“Sir!” he said fiercely with determination.

“What about me?” Bell demanded waving both her hooves in the air. Post Box looked at her, as if trying to make up something. Knowing him, it might be just a delivery here in the town.

“Actually” he began. “There is something you can deliver, Bell. Something away from the town.” I balked, Stall’s jaw dropped and Heart blinked. Bell beamed.

“Really?” she squeaked. Post Box nodded.

“But I have to tell you, you are not to go off the road. If this shipment gets damaged in anyway, you are solely responsible and it will come out of your pay check.” He said. A little harsh, don’t cha think, boss? But Bell mimicked the same salute and puffed out her chest with pride.

“Sir!” she said. I couldn’t help but smile. Bell is finally going to be a courier, albeit with special and certain deliveries.

“Courier.” I straightened, readying myself for the task. This is what we do. We take this job seriously. For many reasons. But the next words that came out of his mouth made my whole entire life feel small. “You are going to be making a special delivery. It is, unfortunately, in uncharted territory.” And just like that, my jaw dropped along with my siblings.

“Y-you’re serious?” I asked with a nervous eye twitch. He returned my look with a calm arched brow.

“We just had a discussion and you are doubting me?” he countered. Good point. “Yes, uncharted territory. We have no idea what you will face on this road. So I ask that you be ready for anything, anything at all.” He said. I gave a small nod. “Once you are in uncharted territory, we will have no means of communicating with you and your PipBuck tag will be lost to us.” He leaned forward. “So please. Remember what we have discussed.” He said. I sighed and looked at my siblings. Of course they were going to worry. Of course they are going to fret. But we took on this job for many reasons. And we plan to take this job seriously till we can fulfill those reasons. With an amusing smile, I mimicked the salute.

“Sir.” I said.

Footnote: Level up!
Science (50)
Quest Perk Added: Lone Dreamer: Whenever you sleep, you always feel like waking up refreshed and feeling new again.

Author's Notes:

Before I continue with this I must give due credit. Thanks to The Dark Element for taking the time to make the cover art in SFM since I lack the abilities to make my own.

And also, thank you for giving this story a chance, despite the rocky start. I hope you will continue on down the road with Courier herself.