FALLOUT EQUESTRIA: PINK ON BLACK

CHAPTER 1 - Not How I Imagined My End

"But I don't wanna go today......"

"Data, dear, you still need to go to school." The Filly on my back kept her grip easily enough. Wasn't like I was going too fast for her. Solidified shadows giving her a little more space to put her hooves didn't hurt either. "I know things have been changing a lot lately, but school's still important."

"No One cares about me there....." That tone again. Didn't need to see her face to know she was frowning.

"You know very well Wujeeta cares about you. Princess Celestia as well. Sure, you didn't become her full time pupil, but she saw enough in you to give you a chance at a bright future." We turned the corner, and her school came into sight. Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. As always her Enchantments teacher was out greeting the students as they got in.

"Yeah...."

"Hey...." Ok, it was bad today. So I stopped, letting her down so I could face her directly. Her little red face was washed with a downbeat aura. Her cream colored mane seemed a little washed out too. But I held her chin up, and looked in her green eyes. "I know....I know it's tough, since your mother's gone. She knew the risks joining up with the Ministry of Peace as a field medic. But she was doing what she felt was right, which as using her skills to save and protect lives. She's still watching over us from the Elysium Fields. She always will." Now the tears were starting. Nothing doing, I pull her into a hug. Time for my shoulder to get it's daily dose of salt I guess.

I may have come to terms with my wife's death, and getting transferred back to Canterlot full time didn't hurt. Meant I could be there for Data Chip and help her do the same. Still doesn't make it an easy process for a little filly to see her mother have to go away forever. Hurts even more when I had to fully explain to her why they had to bury mom. But that had been three weeks ago. Princess Celestia had fully understood, and got it to Princess Luna to give me relief from duty for another week more. Couldn't afford Data's education getting too far behind. Even so, Data was everything to me, so buck the world if they think her being late because she needed to cry over something worth crying about is a problem. I just held her close, let her get it out, and running a hoof down her mane. She'd get mad at me later for messing it up, but it helped her calm down now. Speaking of, she seemed to have done so.

Ok, moment of truth. I pulled her away to look at her again. "You gonna be ok Data?"

"...........yeah." A small smile, even with those puffy eyes and everything, makes it all worth it.

"That's my girl." Back on my back she went, and we were on our way again. Just a short final trek. and we met up with Professor Internal Charge.

"Ah, Eclipse Flare. Good to see you. And Data Chip as well. Good to have the brightest student in my class back again." Data hopped off my back. Standing next to me now. "You know Eclipse, Frost Mirriam still wants that word with you."

"Ha, she's been looking for that talk for years. Can I help it she underestimated my fire skill. Heard she still has bits of her old table melted on the floor." Ah memories. I remember that one landed me in detention for a straight month.

"For your information Eclipse, she does, and she still wants you to scrape them off.....by hoof." We both shared a laugh. Even Data fell into a small chuckle. What was she laughing at, she didn't even know half the story. Didn't take long for the laughter to calm down. "But anyway Eclipse, you have a good day. I'll let Data get back together with Wujeeta, and then off to class." Aww, didn't get to see the cute baby dragon today? Maybe later then, knowing Data, she'll want Wujeeta to stay with us tonight.

"Right. I've got a little more research to do." Another hoof to the Data's mane, ruffling it. "You be good now Data."

"Dad!" She pushed my hoof away, fussing with her mane to try to straighten it out again. Yep, she was mad. I had hell to answer for tonight then.

"Well, in that case, best of luck to you Eclipse." We made our goodbyes for the day, and I went on my way, though I could hear the excited yelp of the little dragon when she saw Data.

On the list, citizen records. 'Why citizen records?' The librarian's voice echoes through my mind, every time I stop by. Since even before the war started, My family's had a small mystery about it. Mostly surrounding the original of a family heirloom. A rather large emerald necklace, though the center was hollowed out and fitted with a ruby, and two amethysts carved into horns adorned the side, all set in gold. Only clue is our ancestor wasn't originally an Equestrian citizen, and had brought this from his homeland. Contacts made, records checked, it's tradition we research this story until we uncover the truth. Still, nothing.

That will wait for the time being. Groceries first. Last I checked Data ate all the chipotle spice corn chips. So gotta get those, let's see.....

***

Well thank the sun and stars that's done with. Still morning, got all the groceries put away at home. Plus that shower felt refreshing. Sitting down in front of the mirror, I pick up the comb, getting my blood orange colored mane straightened out again. Don't know why I'm thinking on it specifically, but it compliments my near black coat quite well. My cutie mark shows clearly without anything on. The sun, flaring out madly, hidden behind a black orb. A solar eclipse, yet still shining bright as ever. It fit my name well. I click back on my hoof blade, put on some basic clothes, snap my pipbuck in place, and give myself one final look in the mirror. Mane slightly ruffled, but still clean and straightened out. Coat's shining. Eyes still shining a rose pink. I give a small smile. "I'd fuck me." Now, to the library for some more searching. Making the trip shorter, I head out the back door and pass through a few alleys.

"Psst, buddy." My head turns to the sound, to follow my ears. There at the edge of another dark alley is a pony. Well, maybe one, but why skulk there. I narrowed my eyes.

"Just what do you want 'friend'?" I let my hoof blade slide out a bit from it's place as I lifted that leg, to let him know not to try anything. He either didn't care or didn't notice. He instead pulled away the coat he was wearing, revealing several different vials, jars, all matter of apparatuses, as well as a revolver. Ok, guess I could humor him.

"I got some good stuff here, you interested? Best quality money can buy, and some stuff you can't find elsewhere." He holds up one particular vial, purple in nature. "Something new a close friend came up with. Takes the right skill, a little buck, dash, and plain sugar, you got yourself a fine smoked crystal." Ok, hadn't heard that one, but yeah, not going for it. My mind's eye focuses around the area, poking at each shadow for a shift. I find it in a loose brick. The shadows around it swirl and shake a bit, before solidifying and launching the darn thing right at his head. Sucker didn't see it coming. All it takes is a little planning and bam.

But regardless, another guard walks by and sees the mess. Rapid Fire is his name. He also happens to be my neighbor.

"Another junkie, great, got enough to deal with today. Good job as always though Eclipse" He sighs, starting to drag the dealer away. There's more to it than that you idiot.

"Rapid, he had something new. Doesn't sound too popular yet, but some kind of mix of buck, dash and sugar. May wanna get that looked into as well. The little purple vials." Well, the nearest guard station's on the way to the library, might as well help. I grab the other end of the junkie and off we went. Not much to discuss, we'd probably hook up later and talk about things over a cider or two tonight. Guard station comes into view quick enough anyway, and he waves me off.

"Eclipse, you're still off duty. No need to help me this much. You get going....and best of luck finding new details." Sheesh, everyone's brushing me off. Ah doesn't matter.

"Yeah, thanks, and see you later. Same place?"

"You know it. I'm off duty tomorrow too, so no excuse not to go nuts."

I just shake my head. Rapid's always been a bit gung ho. "I'm not carrying you home you know."

"Yeah yeah, just get going." We both perk up when there's a small groan next to us.

"Ugh, my head......" Junkie was up. Within an instant Rapid had the cuffs on him. Junkie looks down, then over his shoulder, then back to us, a huge sheepish grin on his face. "Umm, I plead the fifth."

Both Rapid and myself look between ourselves, then to him. Both of us just aren't what to make of it. "What?"

".......nevermind...." He stands up, and Rapid leads him inside. Detour aside, I can get to my research. With the library just down the street, I head down. Not many going in today it seems, though as always as I step inside, there's Shush Talk, sitting and reading a book. Does she actually do her job? She's not even facing me.

"Back for more research Eclipse? You've been through the entire citizen records twice. Your father made it through 12 times. He couldn't find anything either." Oh right, she's heard me enough to recognize me by hoofsteps alone.

"Gotta keep trying."

"Whatever, just keep music to earpiece only." Not once turning around, still reading that book....Ugh, Fifty Shades of Hay. Time to move on. Slipping into the recesses of the archives, i pull out a few citizenry records, and pop in my earpiece. Swapping to WYNG, first thing I hear is the news.

"-Sources say. In other news. Word on the street says there's a couple ponies looking to make a new kind of sound. They're calling it rock. From what little I've heard of it, it's not likely to take off. Sounds like Discord music to me. And that's the news. I'm Sound Byte, and you're listening to W-Y-N-G. Now time for some music. Up next is a request from a long time listener. Love Me Cheerilee."

As the music starts, I flip open books, check computer records, type everything down as I can and transmit the data to my pipbuck. An entire diagram showing family tree, dating back eight hundred years. One thing always prevalent Dad found was that all of us either had dark grey to black, or red coats. Mane's change, but the coat stays. Call it a small oddity, but it was a quiet note to add to our small House Ember. Don't get me started on playing the role of politics.....Ok, I'm starting to ramble. Moving on. These books held nothing, slid back on their shelves. One of the shelves shifts a bit. Darn things need to be kept in place.

Before I move it back, I happen to notice a little bit of discolored wood. Possibly nothing, but curiosity got the better of me. I slid it a little further. Well, well, well, a trapdoor. I look left and right, nopony else, so I flip it open. No stairs or ladder, only a book. All that effort to hide a book, why? Pulling it out, I pop the book open, and cough as the dust kicks up from it. This book has gotta be ancient. Scanning it over, the date on the book....reads two years after the banishment of Nightmare Moon. The best part, it's a citizen record. A new lead, finally. With a slam, the book is on the table, and I pore over everything in.

It's only two hours later that I find something incredible. A pony by the name of Dark Cast. Refugee of the Crystal Empire shortly before its disappearance. Red coat, black mane and tail. Carrying only a few sets of clothes, a bag of bits, and a medallion. An emerald with a ruby and two amethysts supporting it, all set in gold! He's the link! Sure we have a few centuries after him to fill in, but he's the link point, he's The first of us as a citizen of Equestria. Kinda funny to know I have crystal pony ancestry. But the kicker. He was personally granted citizenship from Princess Celestia herself! We can put a close to this chapter of our family....but still, why did he get personal granted citizenship when there were so many other refugees that made it out of the Crystal Empire before it's disappearance? I had to see the Princess on this one!

I mark the page, snap the book shut, and head off on my way, book in tow. Shush actually turns to look at me, dusty tome in hoof.

"You actually find something new?" It's enough to even get her to put down her own book. A stamp on my card here, A few computer clicks there, she's already getting it checked out for me.

"Not just new, the answer. Ancestry from the Crystal Empire, possibly nobility from there! I need to see the Princess."

"That's...well, interesting. Better get going then, you're all set." I snap the book shut again and head off towards the castle. The discovery's got me giddy. I could be on the precipice of finding THE answer, Who we're truly descended from! I don't even really pay attention to my surroundings, or how long it takes me to get there. The castle comes into view, and grows in size as I get closer, until finally I'm at the castle gates. Two spears are blocking my way. Wait, why is that?

"Halt. No civilians are admitted to the castle without an appointment first. State your name and business." Rookies, from the looks of these two. Eh they're doing it right at least.

"Eclipse Flare. Fellow Royal Guard currently off duty, requesting an audience with Princess Celestia." I stand tall and proud. My hoof blade leg turned sideways some to show it's a squad leader rank. Book on my back. I looked nothing like my title. But it was enough, they pulled their spears away.

"Apologies Sir, go right ahead." The gates open, and the famed gardens fill my view. Not that amazing anymore, since I see it nearly any on duty day. But that wasn't important. What is important, find Princess Celestia. I need to find out more, surely she remembers that day, it was the day before the Crystal Empire disappeared. Several more patrolling guards pass by me, until I finally find the Court Steward.

"Quill Ink, good to see you, how you've been?" I step up to her, holding out a hoof. They take it in kind and we shake as old friends do. Oh the number of times I've seen this pony.

"Good, good, and yourself Eclipse? How's Data doing?"

"Alright for myself....Data's taking her mother passing a bit harder than I thought she would, but she's getting there. Only a matter of time. Anyway, I actually need to see Princess Celestia." I hold out the citizen records to her. "I found this book in a small compartment under a shelf at the library. The information, suffice to say, may very well be the key to finding out the origin of the family heirloom."

"Eclipse, you know very well that Princess Celestia no longer holds a court proper. You'll need to see Princess Luna, and there's not an open spot for two weeks." He flips open his own record book, prepared to set me up then. "Let's see, no wait, ten days from now, there's an opening at Eleven."

"Quill, it has to be Princess Celestia. She's mentioned directly, so only she can answer this."

"What is this only I can answer?"

To both our surprise, Princess Celestia herself turned the corner, flanked by three guards on duty. Both of us quickly bowed.

"You may rise. Now, Eclipse Flare. What is it you needed to see me directly about?" Rising to my hooves, I held out the book I had found in the library. For everything I knew, that look in her face stayed true, but anypony who's been around Princess Celestia for long can tell when there's a hint of some other emotion. Her eyes widened just a bit.

"It's this, particularly about a pony named Dark Cast. He's described having a medallion designed like the family heirloom. I'm certain he's an ancestor, but well, what I wanted to ask, is why you gave him Citizenship directly yourself. No others in here were listed as such."

A silence permeated through the room. Everypony waiting for a response from the Princess. She seemed lost in thought. Until finally. "Come with me. This is best spoken of in private." She turned and walked away. I followed. A private audience, not what I expected. Today was turning out awesome.

***

It didn't take long for us to reach our destination. What I expected was a basic meeting room. What I got instead was her private chambers. Sure I've been in once or twice in the past to deliver a message in my early days, but never have I been in here more than a minute or two. She closes the doors behind us.

"Please make yourself comfortable Eclipse. We have much to discuss." She sat down on a set of pillows, leaving me content on the carpet. Softest thing I've ever sat on, let me say. "First and foremost, I should tell you a bit about Dark Cast."

"Please. This will put an end to centuries of frustration for House Ember. Anything you could tell me Your Highness."

"Very well. Dark Cast was actually the reason many of those other crystal ponies made it out of the empire prior to it's disappearance. You are aware of the tyrannical reign that had many in slavery I'm certain." I nod. "Well, Dark Cast snapped the shackles of many, leading them away from the castle, and out into the harsh frozen wastes. He was of the mind it was better to die free than live a slave." He was leading them to potential death? "The crystal ponies that did follow him were of like mind. Believing that to die out in these wastes would be a spit in the face of the king. Luckily for them, I happened to see them on a surprisingly calm day weather wise."

So they survived due to good fortune. He was a rallying point for a rebellion, one that the Princesses helped spearhead. Though it took one thousand years for it to end. "Your Highness, If I may ask, what prompted you to declare his citizenship directly?"

"His efforts saved many lives from a thousand year curse. A chance for them to live life as they chose. It was the least I could do for him."

"Of course, just, it seems like there's more to it. Was he a commoner, nobility?" I leaned in closer.

Celestia sighed, something on her mind maybe. "He was a mere commoner by the standards. His real gift was shadow magic, much like yourself. Combine that with lockpicking skills, and he earned his freedom and that of many others. Make no mistake, he was an inspiration, but he never really did more than earn his family a status as a noble house once in Equestria."

So that's the story. Even so, I feel like I wanted to meet him. I wasn't the only shadow magic user in the family. It's really all I had I could call my own, manipulating the shadows around me to do my bidding. Wasn't the best, but I made do. "Thank you very much Your Highness." I stood and bowed. Moving to leave. She placed a hoof on me, wanting me to stop.

"There's more to Dark Cast's story than that. How he ended up a commoner. He was nobility prior to Sombra's rule. If you wish to wait and let me tell the tale more, I can." The clock struck three right then. I really wanted to, I wanted to sit down and hear it all, but Data was almost done at school. I needed to go get her.

"Perhaps another day Your Highness. I would like to hear more, but right now I have other family obligations I must attend to. Thank you very much for the information." She nods, and moves her hoof away. I walk to the door, and am bowled over as it's slammed open in my face.

"Your Highness, it's urgent. Cloudsdale has been attacked!" A messenger was standing in the open doorway. Panting a bit. Well, injury forgiven, that is important. Celestia's face seemed even more shocked than thought possible though.

"Attacked? How, have the zebras devised some way to fly?"

"N-no Your Highness....it, it was a megaspell. Cloudsdale is gone!"

No......no they wouldn't, they couldn't. They launched one, they destroyed one of our cities. Who knows what was left. I jump up and rush out. The horror, it didn't matter, I had things I had to do. Off duty or not, I was Royal Guard. My duty came now. Data would be safe, her teachers would get her somewhere. The stable perhaps. Panic is beginning to instill amongst everypony. Already I could smile again. My fellow guardsponies were stepping up too.

With a few shouts and a few motions, everypony starts moving along. I survey the area, looking for a point of weakness. It comes in the form of something flying out of the Window of one of the ministry hubs. The glass from that falls. Three ponies find their lives snuffed by the shards slicing them apart. I rush forward, intending to pull away the one out of the four....oh dear Celestia....another pony orphaned by this war. A young colt is laying there screaming. The ponies were apparently his parents. I snatch him up, hoofing him over to another guard who takes him off towards Stable 1.

Looking down upon the three dead in the street, I say a silent prayer, hoping their souls reach the Elysium Fields. More screaming and panic. It's gonna be commonplace. But looking up from the dead makes me realize just why the screaming is intensifying.

Ahead of me, towards the center of town, a mass of pink smog is beginning to fill in every nook and cranny. One of the others, a pegasus I barely know, flies into it without realizing. Two seconds later he's flying out, but it's clear it's done something to him. He's coughing, bad, and barely able to stay in the air. Toxic cloud. Not good....wait, no the school's in there! Data! I propel a few shadows around me into a shield, and charge. Immediately I regret it as it's clear it's even seeping into the ground. What little bits haze into my shield are sickening. But I can't stop here, I have to find Data. I need to get her out of here. Get her to the Stable. Stable Tec has got to have something that will stop this, fix it, whatever.

My mind is beginning to haze over. This stuff is strong, whatever it is. My limbs feel numb, and my control over the shadows begins to falter. Moments later the worst happens. They disperse, leaving me exposed completely to the toxic cloud. I take in one final breath of what fresh air was there for a moment and charge again. Through the smog I can see signs of lights, I recognize them, the school, I'm close! But even holding my breath, I'm feeling weaker and weaker. My flesh feels like it's crawling all over, my eyes burn, my nostrils too. Within a short distance of the school, my strength falters, and I can't hold my breath any longer, taking in a deep breath of the cloud, I feel it's effects tenfold. Immediately my body seizes up and I fall over. All I can do is crawl, crawl as best I can. It's not long before a new sensation takes hold, and I feel myself unable to move forward. I'm right in front of the gates.

'Dad, why do they have to put mom in the ground?'

I reach out a hoof, the darkness encroaching me, I can't give up now.

'Mother...mother is going to see grandpa in the Elysium Fields honey. Do you remember grandpa?'

My last bit of strength fails me, and my hoof falls to the ground....funny I remember straps being part of my hoof blade.....

'No...why is she going alone? When is she coming back, and why do they need to put mom in the ground for her to go?'

My gaze feels blank. The cloud doesn't even hurt anymore.....I just, just need to get to her, but as the darkness of the world falls upon me, I realize I can't make it. All I can think of is Data....Please be safe.....I'm sorry.

'She's....she's not coming back honey. She can't come back. She's already gone. We're just, honoring her. She came of the earth, so she returns to it. And her soul returns to the Fields, to be with family lost. We'll see her again.....I promise you we will. Just, not for a long time.....'

My eyes close. And I breath out my last. Garden, I'll be seeing you again sooner than I thought....

'But why does mommy have to leave?'

Forgive me...Data....

'Because a zebra she was tending to, out of care for all life, wasn't nice.....'

Level 2

Str: 5

Per: 8

End: 6

Chr: 5

Int: 7

Agl: 5

Lck: 4

Trait - pink abomination - your encounter with the pink cloud has changed you. You cannot remove anything you were equipped with at the time you were exposed, and deadly blows that are not dismemberment, disintegration, or destruction of your brain will leave you in a death like state for a short while. Upon revival, such wounds heal and you are restored. Many who see you will only see a monster, except other ghouls.

Trait - Wild Wasteland - freaky things happen out there, it's up to you to find them all. (please note, this is absolutely unnecessary as all the freaky shit you can handle and more will find you.)

Perk - Desperate Need - Your quick thinking can get you far, either a 10% increase to chance to succeed or 10% less likely to fail any speech or barter check. whichever is the greater of the two.

Author's Note

I do intend to finish my other story, but fits of inspiration are fickle, and this one was for something that's been wracking in my head for the last week, and I've been working on the storyboard for. I don't know how often I'll update this. I do intend to do so as much as possible.

also, completely forgot the level up. Or did I? Maybe I wanted to wait until I had the next chapter ready to go before adding it

EDIT: doing a few touch ups, doesn't change the story, so no major details altered. just a few spelling errors corrected.