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Home On The Range Chapter Seven

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Roughing It

Many years ago...

The Cherry Cavalry were in trouble. While out on one of their adventures, they had discovered an abandoned mine cart, and decided to take it for a joyride around the mines not far from Dodge Junction. However, they were not aware that a part of a track was broken, and soon the cart flied off track. The cart ended up sailing right into town and crashing into the Sheriff's office. Now, all four of them were standing in the wrecked office. Marshall's father, Lone Starr had brought in their parents to discuss what happened.

Black and White's parents had passed away not so long ago, but they had an aunt (and guardian), Gray Scale (Their mother, White Dove's, older sister, who lived in Prance before coming down to Dodge Junction), who had been brought in. Alongside her was Big Red's father, Red Baron Barrel-Roll, an airship pilot and traveler extraordinaire. Normally, he was always off flying to Faust knows where, leaving Big Red and his mother, Scarlet, alone at home. It could be considered a miracle that Lone had caught him between flights. Finally, there was Cherry's father, Maraschino, the owner of the Cherry Hill Ranch.

Gray Scale was a white Pegasus with a gray mane and light blue eyes, with a beret Cutie Mark. Lone shared a lot in common with his son, save for a gold mane, which matched his Sheriff's star Cutie Mark. Red Baron looked like an adult Big Red, but with an aviator's cap and a brown scarf. His Cutie Mark was a propeller. Maraschino had his daughter's mane color, but a light green coat, brown eyes, and a cherry branch Cutie Mark.

"First off, I like to thank you all for coming down here. Especially you, Mr. Barrel-Roll." Lone said professionally. "I thought you'd be off flying off to Haygypt right now."

"Lucky fer you, mah airship's in the shop right now." Red Baron chuckled, using the same broad accent as his son.

"Now, what's this all about?" Maraschino asked.

"That." Lone glared, pointing to the big hole in the wall of his office, where ponies were extricating a mine cart. "That is what this is about. My son and your kids were off playing at that forsaken dung hole of a mine, and they found it funny to take a ride in a mine cart and came crashing into my office."

"Yikes." Red Baron inspected the damage, as he turned to Big Red. "Didn't feel like takin' the door, did ya, buddy?"

"It wuz an accident, pa!" Big Red protested.

"We were just trying to have some fun." Marshall added. "How were we to know it'd be so hard to control?"

"What do you have to say for yourselves?" Lone growled.

"Whoops." Black said lightheartedly, giving a shrug.

"Not funny, Black." White groaned.

"You'd better believe it's not funny!" Gray yelled. "I thought I raised you boys right. I took you in after your parents passed, and tried to show you right from wrong, and then you do this? You're breaking a poor old mare's heart..."

"Sorry, aunt Gray." Black lowered his head.

"We didn't mean any harm..." White sighed.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Marshall." Lone stared down his son. "I thought you, of all ponies, would be better than this."

"Sorry, dad." Marshall sighed.

"Don't be so hard on the kid, Lone." Red Baron smirked. "Ah thought it wuz pretty amazin'!"

"You did?" Big Red gaped.

"Me too." Maraschino chuckled. "I had no idea my little girl could be so adventurous!"

"Um, thanks, dad..." Cherry blushed.

"Are you serious?" Lone grunted. "I doubt we should be encouraging this kind of behavior."

"They're jest kids, Lone." Red Baron declared. "An' that's what kids do: Get inta all sorts a' crazy shenanigans."

"Baron's right." Maraschino agreed. "Need I remind you of the hijinks we used to get up when we were their age, Lone? That time we played around with those fireworks caused problems far worse than a mere hole in the wall."

"Well, that was a pretty crazy day..." Lone mused... before shaking his head and frowning. "But that's beside the point. Their escapades damaged my office. The least they could do is help fix it."

"Agreed." Gray nodded.

"Ah suppose it's only fair..." Red Baron shrugged. "Sorry, son."

"You too, Cherry." Maraschino added regretfully.

"That's that, then." Lone nodded. "You kids report back here tomorrow, bright and early."

The Cherry Cavalry groaned as one.

"Great, just great." Black sighed. "There goes our weekend."

"Coulda been worse." Big Red admitted.

"Red's right." Cherry agreed. "I'm just glad nopony was hurt."

"I'm just glad dad didn't really let me have it." Marshall gulped.

"In future, I think we should take our mine cart rides away from town." White declared. "All in favor?"

"Aye!" The others chanted.

"Motion carried." White smiled weakly.

The Present...

Big Red had hit upon a new idea to connect with the boys; A camping trip. To their collective chagrin, the trio had been dragged out across the plains, heading towards a small valley, perfect for lakeside camping.

"Come on, fellas!" Big Red urged. "Git those rears in gear!"

"Do you mind if I ask why we're going out onto the plains where we nearly died only days ago?" Eclipse asked.

"Call it an extended male bonding session." Big Red smiled. "Roughin' it in the wild works wonders fer bringin' folks together. And it never hurts ta get back ta nature."

"Wanna bet?" Eclipse snorted. He turned to Globe and Huckleberry. "Stay close to me, guys. I'll protect you."

"Like last time?" Huckleberry snarked. "We'd've been toast if Big Red hadn't showed up."

"I can keep you guys safe more than that old fat geezer." Eclipse growled. "I've been doing it up until now, haven't I?"

"He's got a point." Globe shrugged.

"Of course I do." Eclipse nodded. "So stick close."

"Whatever you say, mother hen." Huckleberry muttered, earning him a slap across the face from Eclipse's tail. "Ow!"

"C'mon boys, yer missin' all the fun!" Big Red called.

"I doubt that." Eclipse snorted.

The trio caught up to Big Red, just as he was using a knife to slice open a cactus, collecting the juice in a canteen.

"Cactus juice?" He offered.

"I'll pass." Huckleberry grimaced.

"I'll try some." Globe added, taking a sip. "Mmm, good."

"You'll put anything in that mouth of yours." Eclipse rolled his eyes, before turning to Big Red. "By the way, how'd you convince that jerk of a sheriff to let this trip happen?"

"Well, Ah kinda didn't..." Big Red shrugged.

"Going behind his back, huh?" Eclipse sneered. "He'll love that. Almost as much as he hates you."

"What Marshall don't know won't hurt 'im." Big Red shrugged. "Boy, things sure have changed between us lately."

"If he finds out, he'll probably make you do community service." Eclipse snickered.

Suddenly, there was a growling noise. A pack of cactus coyotes approached them.

"Don't. Move." Big Red whispered.

"What did I tell you?" Eclipse growled, baring his talons. "Stand back, fellas. I'll handle this."

"Whoa there, li'l dawgy." Big Red stepped in front of Eclipse. "Ah got this."

Big Red reached into his saddlebags, and pulled out an odd-looking (and smelling) plant. He threw it at the cactus coyotes' paws. The creatures whined and barked in revulsion, then turned tail and ran.

"Stink blossom." Big Red smirked. "Cactus coyotes can't stand 'em."

"That was awesome!" Huckleberry grinned.

"Incredible." Globe agreed.

"Big deal." Eclipse sneered. "I'd have sliced 'em up good."

"Violence ain't always the right way." Big Red admonished him. "Them cactus coyote are livin' things, jest followin' their instincts. They don't deserve to get sliced up like that."

"Oh, please." Eclipse huffed. "That's not how it works. It's like war. If you don't strike first, the enemy will see you as weak, and tear you to shreds."

"Hmm, that's some fill-oss-afee ya got there." Big Red mused.

"Hey, just cause I don't bother talkin' to you doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about anything." Eclipse gruffly said.

"But ya don't know everythin', kid." Big Red declared. "Them coyotes oughta be shown mercy. Now, timberwolves, that there's a species that deserve no mercy. The moment Ah see one, Ah'll chop it's head off."

"Why?" Globe asked.

"Let's just say mah hate for them rotten pieces of wood goes way back. Always terrorizin' the poor folks, having that dad gum re-jenny-rashun a-billa-tay, that rotten breath... But what really got me was them infernal beasts destroyin' one a' mah biggest crops a few years back." Big Red snarled. "Ah was bringin' it to Ponyville market, an' they attacked. Cost me a whole lotta money, they did. An' they don't even like cherries..."

"That's rough, big guy." Huckleberry said sympathetically.

"Aw, ferget it. Knowin' that Ah devised over a hundred ways ta end 'em helps me sleep at nights." Big Red shrugged. "Anywho, we're almost ta the valley. Let's get our campsite set up!"

"Yay." Eclipse deadpanned.

Once they reached the valley, Big Red wasted no time showing them how to put up a tent.

"There." He smiled as he finished. "Nuthin' to it."

It took a few tries for Globe and Huckleberry to put up their tent.

"I think this goes here..." Globe slotted two rods together. "And this bends that way..." The bent rod suddenly snapped back, hitting Huckleberry in the face.

"Ow." Huckleberry seethed.

"Sorry." Globe cringed.

Eclipse didn't even bother to participate. He walked over to the stream, eyeing the fish swimming there.

"Snack time." He smirked.

Eclipse thrust his talons into the water, trying to grab a fish, but kept failing.

"Slippery little..." He muttered.

"Need a li'l help?" Big Red walked over.

"What does a pony know about catching fish?" Eclipse snorted. "You're all vegetarians."

"True, but it don't mean Ah can't give it a shot." Big Red shrugged, plunging his hooves into the water.

Eclipse gave a scoff. "Well, go ahead, ain't like you can catch-" A fish landed at his talons, much to his surprise.

"There, dinner's served." Big Red smirked.

Eclipse glared at the stallion, as he simply kicked the fish back into the water. "I don't need your help. I can catch them on my own."

"Hey, Ah was jest tryin' to help." Big Red frowned. "Ain't nothin' wrong with admittin' ya need help with somethin'."

"Oh, wait, I think I misspoke." Eclipse spat. "It's not that I don't need your help... I don't want your help. I never need help. I don't rely on the help of others. Not since he let me down..."

"Beg pardon?" Big Red raised a brow.

"Nothing." Eclipse snapped, as he tried to catch a fish again, only to fail. "Why don't you go back an' check on the boys?"

"Okay, Ah'll go do that." Big Red sighed. "Ya sure ya don't need mah help?"

"No!" Eclipse growled, trying again to grab a fish. "I. Don't. Need. Your. Help!" He punctuated each word with another failed grab.

"Suit yerself." Big Red shook his head in defeat.

Big Red returned to the campsite, deciding to help Globe and Huckleberry with the tent. Eclipse let out a snarl of frustration as he splashed the water in defeat.

"Useless!" He cried out in anguish.

As night began to fall, Big Red set up a fire to keep them warm. Globe and Huckleberry watched in awe as he lit it by striking two rocks together. Eclipse was just brooding behind the two boys, having failed to catch a single fish since Big Red left.

"Whoa." Huckleberry gaped.

"Cool." Globe smiled.

"Show-off." Eclipse growled.

"Now, who's up fer roastin' marshmallows?" Big Red smiled.

"Me!" Globe held up his hoof.

"Had a feelin' ya'd say that." Big Red chuckled, producing a bag of mashmallows from his saddlebag.

Big Red handed out the marshmallows, and stick to spear them on. Eclipse refused at first, but his empty stomach insisted otherwise. Together, they roasted their marshmallows over the fire. As they enjoyed their food, owl hoots and cactus coyote howls rang out though the night.

"What was that?" Globe gulped.

"Relax, kiddo." Big Red chuckled. "Just the sounds a' nature."

"It's what's making those sounds that worries me." Huckleberry frowned.

"Don't worry." Big Red smiled. "Long as we got the fire, them critters won't come near us."

"I sure hope so." Globe quivered.

"Wanna see somethin' cool?" Big Red smiled. "Look up."

The trio looked up, a saw the multitude of stars in the clear night sky.

"Wow..." Globe gasped.

"Now that's a view." Huckleberry grinned.

The trio had slept outside at night a few times, but never thought to look up, too preoccupied about keeping warm.

"Best part a' camping under the stars? The stars." Big Red grinned. "Ah could look at those all night."

"A lot of sparkly dots." Eclipse scowled. "Big deal."

"More then ya think, kiddo." Big Red smiled. "Look at all them constellations. Most folks go their whole lives without noticin' the beauty over their heads. Poor suckers."

"Not us though, right?" Huckleberry grinned.

"Right." Big Red nodded.

"Best. View. Ever." Globe said through a mouthful of marshmallow.

After finishing their marshmallows, Big Red decreed that it was time for bed.

"Night, young 'uns." He whispered, as he entered his tent.

The trio huddled together in their own tent.

"You know, this trip wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it'd be." Huckleberry smiled.

"Yeah." Globe nodded. "It's been a little scary, but a lot of fun, too. What do you think, Eclipse?"

"Let's just get some sleep." Eclipse said petulantly, curling up on a sleeping bag.

Globe and Huckleberry shared a worried look, before going to sleep also.

The next morning, Big Red woke them up at the crack of dawn. After clearing everything up, they returned to the homestead. Cherry was there to greet them.

"How did it go?" She asked.

"Fine an' dandy." Big Red smiled.

"Hmph!" Eclipse snorted as he pushed past them.

"Mostly." Big Red shrugged. "How'd it go down here. No visits from you-know-who?"

"Not a one." Cherry smiled. "You boys must be famished. Time for breakfast."

"Aw, yeah!" Globe grinned.

After breakfast, Big Red saw that his book was vibrating. He opened it up, and was delighted to see Shine's handwriting.

"Hey, Red." It said. "How's it going?"

"Not too bad." Big Red wrote back. "How's the rebuildin' goin'?"

"As well as can be expected." Shine replied. "Black didn't leave as much a dent on the place as he did elsewhere."

"Well, Black was never one to cause destruction unless it was necessary." Big Red scribbled, letting out a small sigh.

"Yeah... how are you holding up?" Shine asked, concern etched into the words. "You knew Black a lot longer than I ever had..."

"Well..." Big Red trailed off. He considered telling Shine about him seeing what he believe was Black the other night, but opted against it. "Fine as Ah'll ever be... Wuzn't that big a deal, ya know. Ah hadn't seen him in years, anyway."

As Big Red wrote those words, a single tear dropped on the page.

"Yeah... I only wish I knew him more." Shine frowned, writing his lament. "It's like he was in my life one moment, and out of it the next."

"That wuz also one a' Black's quirks. Never stickin' around. All we can do is try and put the whole Crystal Sun shindig behind us..." Big Red sagely advised.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Shine wrote. "By the way, why the wide berth? I hadn't seen you 'round Canterlot in a good while."

"Sorry about that." Big Red wrote. "Got me a li'l somethin' ta take care of right now. Three li'l something's, actually."

"Care to elaborate?" Shine wrote.

"Not jest now, sorry." Big Red replied. "Maybe a li'l further down the line, if all goes well. Ah'll write ya soon. Say 'hi' ta Celestia, Mist and Miracle for me."

"Will do." Shine wrote. "We'll definitely be seeing each other at Mist's wedding."

Mist and Blue Blazes were getting married at Dodge Junction, with the ceremony not too far away.

"Yeah, can't wait." Big Red smiled, as he closed the book. But as soon as he did, he let out a sigh.

"If all goes well..." He whispered. "Here's hopin'..."

Not so many years ago...

Big Red was walking by the lake, when he saw an odd sight: Silver was sitting on the coast, looking utterly despondent.

"Silver?" Big Red asked.

"Oh." Silver looked up. "It's you, Big Red."

"What are ya doin' out here?" Big Red asked. "This has ta be the first time Ah seen ya apart from White, in both the physical and intimate sense."

Silver let out a heavy sigh, trying her best not to cry, but failing.

"White and I... had a fight." Silver sniffed.

"Say what?" Big Red gaped. "Whateva about?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Silver sighed. "I was dusting the fireplace when I accidentally knocked this box. I found this picture of him and this red stallion in it."

"Aw, boy." Big Red gulped, knowing full well whose picture Silver was talking about.

"I asked White who that stallion was." Silver continued. "He wouldn't answer, and then when I asked him what he was hiding, he totally lost it. Screamed at me to 'mind my own business' and 'get out'."

"Dammit, White…" Big Red cursed silently, as he then placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Ah'm sorry ya had to see that."

"I've never seen him act like that before." Silver sniffed. "He was like... a different stallion…" She then glanced at Big Red, "Just who was that stallion in the picture?"

"Well..." Big Red frowned, contemplating over whether to tell her about Black or not. "It's not in mah place to say... but... ya recall how White told you he had a brother?"

"Yes... White told me that he and him inherited the homestead. Funny thing is, I never saw..." Silver suddenly put the pieces together. "...Oh Faust... that stallion... it was..."

"Eeyup." Big Red nodded solemnly.

"But why did White react the way he did?" Silver whimpered.

"...Let's just say that Saddle Arabia hurt White a lot more than he let on." Big Red sighed. "Ya really have to ask him yerself."

"I don't know if that will happen." Silver sniffled. "I thought I had White pegged, and now... I just don't know what to do."

"Ah think Ah might know." Big Red declared. "Leave this ta me."

Big Red walked over to White's homestead and knocked on the door. White threw the door open, still in a sour mood.

"What?" He growled.

"Ah just saw Silver at the lake." Big Red declared. "She's in a purty sorry state, thanks ta you."

"She shouldn't have stuck her nose where it doesn't belong." White said harshly.

"Well, that may be true an' all, but fer cryin' out loud, the poor mare's cryin' her eyes out, thinkin' ya hate her." Big Red glared.

White's anger faltered at the thought of Silver crying, as he faced away from Red.

"She had no business looking at the picture." White muttered.

"Look, Ah know Black is a sore spot fer ya, but ya knew Silver woulda found out sooner or later anyhow, right?" Big Red frowned.

"Well, yes..." White admitted.

"Then why did ya blow up at her?" Big Red asked. "Ya really thought Silver was gonna think any less of ya for what yer brother did?"

"No..." White whispered. "But you don't understand..."

"Understand?" Big Red raised a brow. "Understand what?"

"Red, Black is gone because of me." White said shakily.

"White, I told ya before, what happened to him was not your-"

"STOP SAYING THAT!" White roared, getting up in Big Red's face. "You, Cherry, and Marshall keep tellin' me over and over that what happened to Black was not my fault!"

"Because it wasn't!" Big Red countered, losing his patience. "It wuz Black's own dang fault! He slaughtered innocents! He got one of his own squad killed! He tried ta overthrow Celestia, fer cryin out loud! Black was one a' mah best friends, jest like you are, but we both know what he became! Ya gotta quit buckin' defendin' him!"

"I was the one who carried out Black's order to kill those civilians!" White yelled. "I was the one who couldn't get over Rookie's death!" He held up his necklace to emphasize his point. "I was the only one who could turn Black in! I was the one who came before Celestia and turn Black in. I was the one who got Black branded as a traitor to the crown and sent to prison! I was the one who BUCKIN' KILLED HIM, FAUST DANG IT!"

As he said those words, beating his hooves into Red's chest, he would break down, sobbing horribly, as Red tried to sooth him with a hug..

"White... it's alright..." Big Red whispered, the sight of his friend breaking down right in front of him heart-wrenching. "You did what you had to."

"Ponies keep telling me that..." White whispered shakily. "They say I should feel proud for bringing down a monster... but every day, I feel nothing but pain... knowing I betrayed my only brother. He was all I had, Red, he was all I had..."

"Oh, White..." Big Red sighed, his eyes growing misty. "Nopony shoulda had to go through what ya've been through... Brothers ain't meant ta turn on each other like that."

"I just don't want to remember anymore... I don't want to remember why I'm now alone..." White silently sobbed.

"But yer not alone." Big Red pointed out. "Ya still have me. As well as Cherry and Marshall... and more importantly, ya have Silver."

"But I can't burden her with my problems." White lamented. "They've already hurt her..."

"Sho'nuff." Big Red admitted. "Which is exactly why ya gotta move on."

"...How can I, Red?" White sniffed. "How can I 'move on' from something like this?"

"Ah'm afraid I don't know, White..." Big Red declared. "But all Ah can say is that you just have to forgive yerself. If ya don't let go of the past, ya'll lose yer chance at a future."

White remained silent for a moment.

"Look, ya don't have to tell her everything right now, but don't let Black be the reason you lose somepony like Silver." Big Red urged. "Don't let his memory get in the way of yer happiness."

"...You're right, Red." White whispered, as he pulled away from Red. "I have to find Silver... Tell her I'm sorry..."

"Don't stand there tellin' me." Big Red give a small chuckle, as he point out the door. "Get out there!"

"Right." White nodded. "Thanks for talking some sense into me, Red."

"Anytime." Big Red grinned.

White rushed over to the lake, where Silver, while no longer crying, was moping.

"Silver?" He said quietly.

Silver perked up, turning to face White.

"White..." Silver murmured, not sure whether to be happy or upset to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Silver... I'm so sorry." White declared. "I should had never acted the way I did, especially to you."

"It's my fault, too." Silver sighed. "I shouldn't have pushed you to talk about it. I just couldn't help wondering who that stallion was."

"That stallion in the picture... he meant a lot to me." White admitted. "I'm not going to lie, a lot of bad stuff went down the past couple of months before I met you, and I'm still trying to come to terms with them. Nevertheless, I shouldn't had yelled at you. Perhaps, with time, I will be able to tell you why he's no longer around and what happened back in Saddle Arabia... but until then, I won't let the past get in the way of my future..." He took Silver's hooves into his own. "Our future... all I want to ask is... can you ever forgive me?"

"Oh, White..." Silver instantly hugged him. "Of course I will... just please, don't ever scare me like that again."

"I promise." White swore, as he kissed Silver gently, which the mare returned fervently.

The two laid there, nuzzling on the shore, as the setting sun bathed them in orange light. Unbeknownst to them, Big Red was watching from afar.

"Atta boy, White." Big Red smiled.
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