Fallout Stalliongrad

(When your life suddenly becomes a living hell, should you really be surprised when you find yourself at its doorstep?)

We had been led to the gigantic cog like door that separated us from the unknown and were utterly terrified at that thought; reaching out to pull the lever on the console in front of her the over mare said these parting words.

"I know it was an accident but you still killed a pony; not just a pony but your uncle no less. The council wished to execute you, but I intervened on your part. There is no need to thank me for my actions in saving your life. Instead take these items with you and Short Fuse.. do take care of Tweedle Dumb. He may not be the biggest, strongest, or brightest but I can see how much he loves you...I wish you two the best and...that it..it hadn't happened at all; I’ll miss you two very much..now please take these I'm quite sure they will go to good use."

Handing her daughter her very own sidearm along with ammo I knew it was tearing them both up; I wanted so badly to tell Fuse to stay but I knew she would refuse; she was forever stubborn when she set her mind to something and this was no exception. Turning to me she tried to hide the tears and her horn lit up, *SNAP!* I suddenly looked to my right front leg and saw a pipbuck, Solaris model four thousand, along with five objects being placed in my bags. Immediately the inventory manager set to work labeling the new additions as *Mark-Five Fragmentation grenades.* Looking to the overmare I saw her wipe a few tears away and threw the lever.

*SCREEEEEEETCH, THUD, CLANK!* Now after two hundred years the door protested a bit but within two minutes and with a very loud cacophony of noise we were staring into a dark abyss. Turning to us one last time, the overmare hugged her daughter one final time.

"Y...you two be safe out there; and Firing Pin, do take care of my daughter...she is the only family I have left."

...

With those final words our lives forever changed. Turning to the abyss before us we took our first tentative steps into the unknown. As we stepped past the ever familiar feel of concrete and into the rocky soil we heard the hiss of steam along with the sound of our home forever close behind us. We sat hugging each other sobbing at what had just happened for what seemed like an hour before either of us moved an inch. Slowly and with a shit load of apprehension we made it to the end of the tunnel and peered out of the long blown out window of a basement window into what either of us could guess was hell itself. Reaching out to grab the handle of the door I slowly began to turn it. *thud!* Down went the near two century old door in a cloud of ash and debris.

"Well whatever works I guess; are you sure you aren't hiding your true strength from me?” Short Fuse asked with a slight chuckle. I couldn't help but give her a chuckle in response.

"O har dee har Fuse. What did you just think of that right now?" I asked; giving her a playful punch to the shoulder which she promptly returned.

...

Stepping over the door our slight laughter gave way to awestruck silence at what lay before us. The once beautiful city now resembled a veritable hellscape. Buildings that once stood proud were now little more than skeletons. Windows were blown out and their glass now shown like diamonds against the numerous littered streets. Knowing only a few functions of my new Pipbuck I switched on my E.F.S along with my auto map feature. Almost immediately it set to work aptly naming the place Old Stalliongrad. Looking to my mare friend who had more extensive knowledge of pip-bucks having had hers for two years longer, I could see she had done the same... and was drawing her weapon.... Wait, why was she doing...

*BLAM!*

"Great, not even a full hour out and we are being shot at; oh joy!" I thought as a second bullet impacted splintering the doorframe behind me.

"Short Fuse get behind cover!" I yelled to her as more rounds struck around us. Looking at my E.F.S I could see three red marks inching closer.

It however was too late; Short Fuse lay only a few feet away bleeding from a wound in her flank. Inching my way to her I levitated a pair of tweezers out of my bags and set to work removing the bullet; unaware of the hole in her neck. Feeling slight gasps emanating throughout her body I set to work digging out the bullet; then I saw it. Noticing that the bullet had passed clean through missing vital arteries I let out a sigh and helped her down a healing potion. Her breathing became more rhythmic and soon she looked me in the eye.

"I owe you one pin.” She said as she laid her head and passed out.

Loading my rifle I stood ready to take on the three attackers if they showed themselves. Looking again to my E.F.S I now saw three green ticks instead of red like earlier. From the rubble filled hallway came three ponies; at least I thought they were ponies, I couldn't tell with their tactical gear on. Looking to the obvious name-tape on the uniform I could vaguely make out a name; only it wasn't a name. Instead it simply read (Spezneighs).

"Are you two okay? How is the mare; we thought you were members of the Coltchevics raider klan."

"I`m fine thanks for asking; and she passed out after I gave her a healing potion, she should be fine"

"Well we’re Shadow squad of the Old Stalliongrad chapter of Spezneighs; we keep what remains of the city safe from the Coltchevics, a raider band that plagues this place, they raid trade caravans and their m.o is rape, torture, dismemberment and an all-around fucked up day. Say come to think about it, you two don't look like you would know any of this; in fact if I didn't know any better I'd say you just crawled out of that there stable. Well hell why don’t you follow us to our headquarters; your mare friend could use some rest, and I'm guessing, you could as well, am I right?"

...

"GREY PEGASUS VODKA IS AMAZING!" *ahem* sorry about that; I tend to get carried away and yell sometimes, please forgive me. We had made it to the Spezneighs headquarters after an hour long trot to the center of the city. Once there they took Short Fuse to the medical bay for some much needed rest; I on the other hoof was led to the small bar they had set up. Now being only sixteen I was not allowed to drink, so I was shocked when the bartender named Shotglass poured me a shot of Grey Pegasus vodka and said it was on the house. Taking the shot in my magic I downed it much too fast; let’s just say vodka burns coming out of your nose.

"Let me guess kid, first drink in your life?” I coughed and wheezed.

"Y..YE....yes!!” He just grinned at me and knocked back his third shot.

"Here try again; this time allow it to just flow, you’ll know you did it right by the warmth in your gut.” Taking the second shot; much slower this time I began to feel a warming sensation grow inside, and I liked it..ALOT! Setting my shot glass down I suddenly felt very lightheaded.

"Easy there comrade, here take a seat; light weights I swear.” As I took my seat he poured another shot for himself and just chuckled as he cleaned dishes. I wanted to tell him that giving a minor alcohol was against the rules; but all that came out was, and I quote.

"Y...yuo dooo rea..*hic*lize th..*burp*.....at giving boo....*hic*ze to a minor is illllegal right?” Sweet rotten potatoes I was pathetic back then.

Looking me square in the face he said in the most nonchalant tone. "Kid this is the wasteland; the only real law now is survival; you break that and you’re dead! Other than that you are going to do and see things out here that would warrant execution one thousand times over. Sad to say it kid but if you can't even take two shots of vodka, then how the fuck are you going to handle killing another living being?” That last sentence sent a wave of emotion through me and my story flowed free.

"Damn kid; If I'd of known I wouldn't have been so harsh on you..please accept my apology." Looking him in the eye I shook his hoof as he brought a bottle of something new out from under the bar.

"From my private stock; allow me to introduce you to my friend (poni-grigio) directly from old world Prance; aged nearly two hundred years, and absolutely divine. I like you kid, you remind me a lot of my trouble making youth; how would you like a job?"

"Y...you want to offer me..a job; but you don't even know me!" I said calming my spinning head and taking a slow sip of the aged fine wine. With a delightfully peachy aftertaste might I add. Of course on the other hoof both I and Short Fuse were new to this strange and almost alien world; and the Spezneighs did say we were welcome to stay. That settled it; shaking his hoof I asked him when I could start; he in return handed me a broom and told me I already had.

About three hours later Shotglass showed me a room in which both I and Short Fuse would stay..OK apartment; excuse me. It had a small kitchen and a small living room but not much else; I LOVED IT! *ahem* "again with the yelling, damn it Firing pin you're going to make people go deaf.” Anyways I liked the feeling of being in a place of my ow...er our own, slight correction. Almost as if she knew I was thinking about her she walked in with that slight sway in her step that always made me go weak in the knees. Letting out a slight giggle at us finally having our own place to..um.sleep...yeah; sleep that’s right, she looked at me.. And totally ruined my daydream.

"Not right now big; (emphasis on big just to mess with my poor mind might I add) boy; I think you have other things to deal with right now." Just then as if on cue; Shotglass told me the bar would be opening soon. "Fuck my miserable pathetic life!" A new and annoying little pony in my head said; quickly turning said mini me into a buckethead, I followed Shotglass and began my very first shift at The O.S.T or Old Stalliongrad Tavern. Almost as if on cue right after Shotglass turned on the little neon light that said, (OPEN); the tiny bar became crowded with ponies; most of whom wore sweatshirts with (Spezneighs O.S Chapter) emblazoned on their backs; still other ponies...and griffons.... "wings, talons, cat like body and beak; yup griffons." In fact if you could name a race it was more than likely there. There were even ponies..if you could call them that, that resembled those zombie ponies from old horror movies. Nudging Shotglass I asked him what those things were; a bit too loud might I add.

"EXCUSE ME YOU LITTLE RUNT; WHAT DID YOU SAY? I'M NOT SURE I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY!"

"Well you barely have ears." Is what I wanted to say before Shotglass intervened and explained to the ghoul that I had just come out of my stable.

"Sorry kid, but we ghouls are ponies; just...a bit different is all. No harm done, you didn't know. Allow me to buy you a drink; that is if it's okay with Shot glass"

"Blaze when is it ever not okay to drink in my fine establishment? Hell buy him twenty rounds for all I care; so long as I get my caps I am and will always be happy."

The gho...er Blaze then proceeded to buy me said drink as we chatted. He told me that before the world had gone to shit, he and his family were visiting Stalliongrad on vacation and that when all hell broke loose he and his family were caught out in the open; his parents had eventually turned Ferrell and he had to ki...rather put them out of their misery as he put it. Not long after he eventually became a scavenger throughout the wastes, looking for old pre war tech. It made him a wealthy pony but he ended up spending it all to help an old friend out of a pinch; not long after that he became a caravan guard for a few years. That is until they pulled into Old Stalliongrad, upon entering the city the Coltchevics attacked them killing all but him... relatively speaking; he said with a slight chuckle. Playing dead had saved his life and he was soon found by the Spezneighs who took him in as a hired mercenary.

"The pay isn't bad and I get to wonder the wastes looking for targets so all in all I can't complain.” He said motioning to another ghoul to join us.

"Firing Pin I`d like to introduce you to fellow merc and my current mare friend Sweet Shot, Sweet Shot Firing Pin." He said as the mare took the stool next to him. To be honest yeah the whole looking like a foalhood nightmare thing did creep me out, but after having a chat with Blaze I got used to the pony beside me and soon we were just...well friends I guess you could say.

"Excuse me big (again emphasis on big; curse her and her seductive ways) boy; is there room for another at this party?" I had gotten so involved in both my cleaning and chatting that I never noticed her enter the bar.

Giving her a kiss I suggested that we move to a table; Shotglass had told me before doing so that I was almost off work anyway...wait what time....dang it had already been four hours, my how time flies. He told me that due to my busy day I could enjoy the rest of my night with my new friends, he soon joined as well and we soon were for lack of better words...absolutely shit faced.

"A....A..and thi....*hic*s o..ne time..." Of Course Short Fuse was telling them about how I not only got my nickname, but also why i now was permanently named that; fun times were had by all of course.

Looking half at his watch and half at the two couples practically rutting at the table Shotglass mumbled to himself about the power of friendship, and also not so subtly said get a room you four; so...we did, ours. Now; normally any nights both I and short Fuse spent together in our stable we would simply go out to eat at the cafe or watch movies. If we ever did get intimate it was slow and enjoyable; that night however...let's just blame the alcohol and the fact that not even an hour into our new life I had almost lost her. In other words it was epic; of course we had to get used to two ghouls joining in, but..meh it didn't bother either of us.

...

"I both love, and hate booze!" My head hurt like hell as I rolled over trying to make the light less...er lighty, that`s a word right? When that didn't work I tried getting out of bed.....and proceeded to fall face first into the floor. "Fuck, my body hates me!” I thought to myself; to which the tiny mini me said “Dumb shit you have a hangover!"... and then started playing cymbals in my head. Okay so I was a pathetic mess and cymbals were being bashed together in my head; what else could possibly go....

*BLAM!*

Note to self, never ask that stupid question ever again....EVER! Hearing shouting coming from the street I looked out the window at the commotion. There in the street I got my first look at a raider; he was dead but still a raider. Forgetting my absolutely horrible condition I grabbed my rifle and ran downstairs only to be confronted with another raider wielding a small pistol in his mouth; not even wanting to waste a bullet I instinctively turned, reared, and turned his jaw and nose into....well a broken jaw and nose; (yes I had a witty metaphor but damn it I had been hungover and my new home was under attack; I`d like to see you come up with one smart-ass!) Moving on, the raider crashed to the floor with a thud and there was another *BLAM!* Looking to the floor I noticed a sizeable chunk of his head missing. Glancing to where I guessed the shot had come from I saw Shotglass holding a pump action shotgun and smoking a cigarette.

"Fuckin raiders; they do this from time to time, but never this bad. Normally they scatter when I pull this baby out, oh well that’s two less in the city thanks to your quick actions in bucking that one there. Good job kid, there may be hope for you yet; now if you wouldn't mind taking out the trash?” He said pointing a hoof both outside and at my feet. "Oh and feel free to keep whatever you find on them as a reward; that barding looks to be in decent shape, give it to Tinker in the supply office and I'm sure she can mend it good as new; just tell her I sent you.” Looking to said barding I had to admit that it was thicker than our plain stable jumpsuits and would offer better protection as well; so I started on removing it from the bodies.

...

Okay so list of useful items taken from the two raiders is as follows, a very beat to shit and almost unusable pistol, thirty eight caliber to be exact. A new pool cue for the pool table, a rusty knife (you know cause stabbing a pony isn't enough; and if they live through it they die of tetanus later anyway) two healing potians (and....in the trash those go) my and Short Fuses very own set of (spikey ratty and slightly undersized) raider armor, and the grand prize..... Drum-roll please.......two caps. You know after that I began to wonder why the Spezneighs hadn't already taken these buffoons down already; that was until I found their hidden stash of six grenades, something called flamer fuel and four of what looked like rockets next to a tubular device with two open ends and a trigger; later I was told it was an R.P.G launcher; (I retract that last thought). After playing let's see what useless crap we can take off the dead; (fun game by the way Id recommend it for any family to play.) I proceeded to......feel like shit again; (yay hangovers). After dry heaving for an hour (I didn't know it was a good idea to eat before drinking! I was sixteen at the time cut me some slack; gahhhh!) Anyway moving on. After attempting to vomit for an hour I finally was able to assess my new items and figure out that all the thirty eight revolver needed was a good cleaning along with the knife; it was the other items that intrigued me more though.

"Damn kid looks like you just hit the weapon jackpot; and in near perfect condition too, that is rare even for wasteland standards. You know, a weapon like that deserves a fitting name don't you think?” I heard Blaze say as he came down the stairs.

"A..a name; you have got to be kidding me right? I..I mean you don’t hone..."

"Nope he isn't joking kid; call it superstition if you like, but naming such rare and valuable weapons gives them...well...something special; I don't know how to explain it, but trust us on this” To be absolutely honest, I found that as being utterly ludicrous, until Blaze pulled out his most prized weapon, a very pristine hunting rifle he had named War Horse.

"Found her in the city of Vladihaystock and shes never failed me once; again call it superstition if you like, but trust me kid you won't regret it” Thinking on it a minuet a name suddenly came to me; (Stalliongrads Thunder.)

"I...I like it kid; very fitting.” Wait....was he crying? Looking to Shotglass I watched him actually drop his shot glass and wipe a tear from his eye as well.

"You do know the history of the name of this city don't you kid? Years back, even before the Great War; there was another great war; one that pitted not just Rusha, but the whole world against each other. It was during that war that this country was invaded by another country called Germaney, and it was in this very city that the Rushans put up one hell of a fight against the neighzies during the winter months. The streets became blood baths and it soon turned into a battle of snipers; Rusha managed to push the Neighzies back and eventually the war was won. The leader of this great country at the time was named Joseph Stallion and this city is named after him. The tears you see are genuine and heartfelt due to the name of your new weapon"

Looking first to Shotglass and then to Blaze I now saw something in their eyes; it almost looked like....hope maybe; with a glint of pride on the side. "Wait a second; they weren't thinking....FUCK! They were."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa guys I am not a hero; I only acted in self-defense and was protecti......" I caught on to what I was about to say and face-hooved; I knew for some reason that I would eventually be the one to wipe out the Coltchevics and a strange part of me wanted to; this city was slowly dying due to those raiders and to be honest, it was my new home after all. It would be nice to see the city thrive and flourish with trade caravans; and so mentally kicking that damn tiny pony in my head I resigned myself to the inevitable task at hoof, sat down at the bar and ordered a shot of Grey Pegasus.

...

"Are you out of your little pony mind! You'll end up doing something stupid and getting killed damn it! Even though we aren't in the stable my mother`s very last words to me were to keep you safe; and waltzing into a raider den is the complete opposite of safe you jackass!" She had a point so I sat there and took the verbal assault, every word of it. When she was done ranting I stood up, shrugged my shoulders and blandly said "Fuse when have I ever listened to reason? Not once in my life since we have known each other have I ever listened to reason have I! There is a reason for that; and that reason is you Fuse, you are my reasonable side. I tried telling you to stay behind, and you said that it would be dangerous and lonely. You were right on one thing, it is very dangerous; but I am not alone thanks to your logic and reasoning. I have never been a smart pony, but....but i don't need to be with you around....I..I guess what I'm trying to say is...is.. is that you complete me Short Fuse. If you think it's a bad idea than I won't do it...okay."

Taking her in my hooves I gave her a hug and kiss, she was still upset and her breathing told me so. Not wanting to spoil this I held her until I heard her mumble into my coat something I had heard a million times, but this time it finally sunk in just how much she truly loved me. A sudden realization takes hold of a guy when he suddenly realizes that he has found the love of his life; and that would be how to plan a wedding in a bleak, dreary, harsh, grey...okay, I’ll just say in the wasteland how is that? Over the period of a week since leaving our home, both I and Short Fuse had already made friends with all the Spezneighs ponies along with quite a few locals that frequented the tavern. Fuse`s talents with arcane tech ended up getting her work in the facility as the repair pony in charge of electronics; whereas I; when I wasn't cleaning up around the bar, or acting as security; was actually able to go on a few patrols into the city proper. Blaze and Sweet Shot would come into the bar regularly until they caught wind of trouble brewing in a little town outside the Simarein Forest and took off; I never saw them again.

Shotglass had the biggest, dumbest grin on his face when I told him about my planned proposal to Short Fuse. "You love her that much huh kid? Can't say I don't blame you; yes everything around us may be in ruin but hearing things like this....well it brings a hint of hope to us all doesn't it every pony?" Wait wha...... Looking around the bar I saw every member of Spezneighs had gathered around me. Center Mass was the first to speak seeing as it had been him who offered to take us in on that first day, and seeing as he was the stallion in charge.

"We all know how much you love her Pin; it was evident in the way you guarded her while she was passed out, you were willing to take on three well armed and armored ponies just to save the mare you loved. That is what gave me pause from just doing my duty and wishing you luck and leaving you both to die. We all have come to enjoy having you two around and would like to show just how much, so whatever the idea for the big moment we are all here to lend a hoof."

I literally had tears in my eyes; for the first time in my life I had true friends who were willing to help me in one of the biggest decisions of my life. Knocking back my third shot I laid out the plan. Step one of said plan would be going out on "routine patrol" and having me fake an injury and need to be taken to medical for treatment; seeing as Fuse`s office/work station was down the hall a few doors the commotion would have to be convincing enough to lure her to medical. Step two would be the nurses call on the whole compound to come and say their farewells to me, and finally would be Fuse rushing in tears flowing and just looking like a wreck; only to come in to me in my new suit and down on a knee with the whole compound there to witness it.

...

"See you later tonight at the bar Fuse, I`m goin out with the salvage team okay."

"Hhumhmm....have fun storming the castle...humh” Damn she was cute when she mumbled in her sleep. Kissing her forehead I whispered in her ear "I love you Short Fuse and I always will" Turning to leave the room I had an obvious bounce in my step as I met up with my "team" They knew of a place in the city that specialized in jewelry and were going to take me there, step one complete. "ATTENTION ALL MEDICAL STAFF, WE HAVE A SEVERE INJURY INCOMING; IT IS FIRING PIN-REPEAT FIRING PIN INCOMING, MASSIVE TRAUMA, TRIAGE TEAM TO MEET AT ENTRANCE!" Step two complete. Oh sweet potatoes did she look devastated as they rushed me past her office, I almost felt sorry for her-almost.

"LET ME IN DAMN IT! I...I need to see for myself....please...let me at least sa......"

"Hi ya Short Fuse looks like you've had a prank pulled on you. No..you havent, this was all a set up so that I could do this......... Short Fuse I know Im not the biggest, toughest, or smartest pony around... but to you it doesn't matter; you love me for me...and after almost losing you and our chat the other day..... I finally realized that you truly are the love of my life, a life I wish to spend entirely with you.......... Short Fuse...will you marry me"

"YE........YES!" *SLAP!* “but if you ever decide to pull something like that again, we are through!" She said with a slight chuckle.

"Well I guess the only thing to do now is celebrate! Drinks all around!" Center Mass said as we all made our way to the bar, Short Fuse for her part had a look of pure joy as she trotted beside me.

The tavern was closed to the public except for friends and co-workers and had been transformed into a party hub for the night; there were tables set up with fresh baked goods from our friends at the local bakery along with enough booze flowing to get the entire country of Rusha drunk. It also was transformed into a dance hall, where there were normally tables and chairs there was now dancing ponies; of course I and Short Fuse had the first dance.

"Hold on everypony, before you two dance I have a surprise for you” Letting his horn glow a moment there was the sound of static, then a voice.

"How are you doing on this fine evening in hell everypony? I hope good because this news update may just make you smile. It seems there actually is life in that stable in the city, unfortunately the ponies in there don`t look too kindly on accidents; well accidents that kill other ponies that is. How do I know such things you ask? Well let's just say a little bird told me. Anyway, it seems that if you fuck up bad enough in that stable they give you two options; execution, or banishment; kind of harsh if you ask me. Anyway it seems some pony apparently really fucked up in there and in return was cast into the wonderful home of death, radiation, mutation, and all around suck that is the Rushan wasteland, yay for you dumb ass. But this story isn't over; not by a long shot, no it seems this kid had someone watching over him and was taken in by none other than Center Mass and his chapter of Spezneighs, damn kid I could use some of your luck. Now for the bit of news that may just make you all look at your lives and actually be grateful for what you have. Wastelanders from Stalliongrad to Vladihaystock please join me in congratulating Firing Pin and Short Fuse on their engagement! Congrats you two and this is for you." There was a pop and then music began to play.

"We are inseparable you and I; I am your earth and you my sky, though storm clouds build I will not fear, for I know you forever will be here; though we may one day find ourselves apart, forever I will keep you in my heart, and when the day inevitably comes to say goodbye not a tear of sadness shall fall, instead it will be a tear remembering both you, and I."

"Wow.... I haven't pulled that one out in a while, that was a very rare Sweetie belle little known gem for the happy couple; I'm sure I speak for the whole wasteland when I say; I wish you many wonderful years together.”

...

(Footnote: Level up, new perk added; extreme allegiance. Your fiance, or any companion for that matter are fiercely loyal to you and gain an additional +20 to hit points taken when you drop below 50% health.

New Quest perk added: Home, home in the wasteland. Welcome to the Rushan wasteland and your new home; like it or not you now must survive here, and attempt to make a new life. Good luck idiot!

Special's:

Strength-10
Perception-3
endurance-8
Charisma-4
intelligence-2, yea your about as smart as a brick; thank the goddesses for your fiance
Agility-7
Luck-8, Your lucky to be alive at least.

Stats:

Barter-15
Guns-50
Explosives-20
Medicine-25
Repair-40
Stealth-15
Survival-25
Speech-15
Unarmed-25
Melee-20
Lock pick-15