Chapter 6: A Walk to Remember

Things around Sandstone had been peaceful for the past few days. Ever since Delta's team had returned with Blackmane, Nails had been taking a break waiting for the torturers to break Blackmane and discover where Iron Foot was hiding. He hated this time because it would be the last time he would spend with his friends. He tried to make use of every moment of it but since only Rainbow Dash knew the ending, she was the only one to really jump at the occasions. He realized that as soon as they cracked Blackmane he would be on his way to wherever their enemy wanted them to go to. He realized that he had to try and hide his fate from Twilight and the others but fate had just made it so damn hard. Today he decided that if he didn't vent in some way he would let something loose so he decided to try some shooting with his gun. He set up various targets and started to shoot at them. At first, he was slow, taking aim and making sure his target was in the sights before pulling the trigger. But the longer he stayed out there shooting, the faster he began to shoot. He went faster and faster until he suddenly stopped in disbelief. He had just fired off all six of the shots in his chamber in 2.5 seconds. This was an extremely quick rate of fire for his double action revolver and he began to remember the first pony he ever killed with the gun.

The journey with Delta had been long and hard. It had taken them weeks, but they had finally found the griffon they were after. All those hours of training with Delta on gun use had come down to this very moment as his foe stood on the other end of the street. The world seemed to move in slow motion as Nails took in a deep breath while Delta was off to the side watching. The clock tower in the middle of the town struck noon, one bell… two… three… all the way to twelve. As soon as the twelfth bell faded the griffon and Nails drew their guns almost simultaneously. The gunshots echoed throughout the town before the griffon began to falter before collapsing to the ground.

"Nails?" said a voice from behind him. He turned around to see Whiskey and Rainbow Dash standing there. He looked at Rainbow Dash whose ears were drooping and instantly knew what had happened. Rainbow Dash had spilled the beans.

"How much do you know?"

"Everything." was all Whiskey said back.

"I'm so sorry Nails. I just couldn't stand to see you sad like you were. So I thought it would be ok if I told Whiskey."

"It's ok Rainbow, he deserves to know. Besides I was going to probably tell him anyway. Let's go for a walk."

The three ponies started to walk out of the city. When they had left the city gates Nails began the conversation.

"So, what do you think of it?"

"I must tell you the truth, I've had my fair share of experience with prophecies and I know what you're going through."

"You do realize how unlikely my survival is right?"

"I do. As strong as a fighter you are, Iron Foot was trained in this environment under harsher instruction. He could probably best you."

"Do you remember when we met Whiskey?"

"Of course I do, I was one of your targets. You found me and tried to kill me but your gun wouldn't fire properly and when you reached for a knife you didn't have any."

"The prophecy about you made all of those things happen."

"Wait! There was a prophecy about Whiskey? Just how many prophecies are there?"

"You would truly be surprised at the quantity of prophecies that exist. Most of them are trivial things such as when a peace treaty will be signed or maybe even a species going extinct. Few have implications such as mine or Whiskey's did, ours were special. The prophecy pertaining to him was about him coming into power over Forshan. Mine just so happens to be a little bit more grim."

"So, has a prophecy ever been broken? Could you still have a chance?"

"I believe that there was one instance where a prophecy was broken but I would prefer to not go down that path."

"Why not? If you could survive why not?"

"Because a prophecy is an extremely powerful piece of magic. So powerful that only dark magic can break its hold, but not just any dark magic. I believe you are aware that bonds that ponies form can be one of the strongest magics in the world."

"What do you mean?"

"You're an element of Harmony! Surely you have used your powers and seen that they don't work unless everyone if friendly."

"Well, ya. I guess you're right."

"Well, anyway. It requires very dark magic with power that only friendship could contain. It requires the willing sacrificing of a friend. That and that alone is what can stop a prophecy from coming true. I believe that the one instance when this happened was because an entire country was at risk to the hands of another. I would hate to sacrifice any of my friends, so instead I'm going to follow through with the prophecy and sacrifice myself."

"Oh, well, it was worth a shot to ask." said Rainbow Dash her ears drooping again.

Nails put his arm around her to comfort her. This was a tough time for both of them. They both knew what the future would probably be like and they both hated it.

"Nails, if I might ask, when do you think I should send someone in to kill Iron Foot. I realize that Equestria will be at peace forever, but I won't rest until that son of a bitch is dead. I don't want to risk sending someone in too early and I don't want to be too late."

"I would say a week is when he would be least expecting it. He would expect it right after I give myself up. If you wait a little longer he would lower his defenses and thus make it more likely to be killed." said Nails.

"Ok, I'll probably send in Delta and his team."

"I trust them to get the job done. Have you seen that sniper? He can almost shoot close to my skill at close range with that rifle of his. I expect a little more training and he could handle a pistol as well as me."

"You're really humbling yourself aren't you?" said Whiskey.

"Not really, I just know what to look for in a shooter. But to be honest, the only difference between me and him is that I have experience."

"Nails, I've known you for years and there are two traits that you have. You rarely compliment a rival, and you always have a plan. What's wrong?"

"Well, you're right; I don't compliment rivals, but who's to say I don't have a plan? A plan doesn't have to be liked. It just has to get the job done. Nopony likes this plan, but that doesn't matter because it's going to work."

"I'm sorry; I'm just scared of what will happen to Equestria without you."

"It will finally be a war free country. That is, if you don't mess that up."

"I'll try not to."

"Rainbow Dash? You've been really quiet this whole time. I would really feel better if you were to say something." said Nails

"I just don't know what to say Nails." responded Rainbow Dash.

"That's a good start, maybe we should talk about what you're going to do after you get that cast off."

"Well, I was planning on starting my own flight team, since the wonderbolts are dead, but... with you gone I don't think I could go through with it."

"Rainbow Dash, I want you to be happy when I'm gone. I don't want you to come to the end of your life and experience the same thoughts that anyone else might."

"What do you mean?"

"All the old clichés, I wish I had done that, why didn't I try out for that team, why didn't I try to be friendlier. I want you to be like a soldier."

"How? I can't join the army!"

"That's not what I meant. Do you know what the motto for the Black Stallions is?"

"No. I don't think so. Could you tell me?"

"Sure." replied Nails. "Most ponies live their life wondering if they've made a difference. We don't have that problem."

"I think I understand you know."

"Rainbow, I know that this will be one of the toughest times of your life, but you are the toughest pony I know. If anypony can pull through, I would pick you above any others. I don't want you to live the rest of your life crying. I want you to enjoy the time you get and not waste away. It's important that you follow through with your dream to fly higher and faster. I just want you to know that I will be with you every step of the way, even if you can't see me."

"Thanks Nails." said Rainbow Dash as she started to cry. She felt Nails claw as it wiped away her tears.

"We should probably get back to the town. Everypony is going to wonder where we went."

"Ok." said Rainbow Dash.

The trio of ponies walked through the desert back to Sandstone as they talked the whole way. Every now and then, Rainbow Dash would start to cry. Every time she did, Nails would stop and comfort her until she stopped. They finally reached the town when the sun had begun to set. They made their way to Whiskey's palace as the street began to die down and everything was quiet. This time it was Nails who stopped.

"Nails? What's wrong?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"Nothing." was his reply, "It's just that, I've never known peace. I've been at war my whole life. Sometimes, it's just good to be reminded what I'm fighting for. This peace, this serenity, this calm... I hope that you get to enjoy it for the rest of your life."

"I wish that you could too."

"Well, I'm just glad that I can know what it feels like to be cared about by some pony."

"Nails, there are tons of ponies who care about you, you just don't know it."

"I guess you're right. We should probably get back now. Rainbow Dash, I want you to remember the times we had together. No matter what, don't let me become just another statistic in a book."

"I won't."

The three ponies finally made it to the palace as the moon shone over the city. As soon as they walked in they were greeted by Delta who was alone in the main room.

"Nails, I've got news. It's Iron Foot, we know where he is."