Fallout Equestria: Seven Mistakes

The after shock shook the door to the hut. Blue smoke slithered from underneath. Those grenades shouldn't be carried by a bunch mercs. That kind of power to chem addicted fools is too great. However, it got the job done. I can't have them getting in my way...Maybe I could have...no, what's done is done. My beige coat was filthy with dirt. I wondered how long I've actually been out here searching for this orb. It started with at least seven of us, trying hopelessly to track down the origins of this orb. Ever since our informant told us about what that damned abomination was going to do with it...we had to act fast.

I continued towards Old Rider to find these merchants. This mission has lead me all over the waste. Watching friends die, doing regrettable things...That stallion, in the graveyard...

~~~

"Filthy bug..." I had gotten done killing a rad scorpion. It was the biggest I've seen yet. My gun was finally out of ammo from the ordeal. Its been several months but I finally found Rider, or at least the ruins of the older city. We had chased some clues down that told us that the orb was hidden in the grave of a legendary gun slinger. It was rumored that he had mastered any and all weapons. Lots of other stories surround this mythical pony. I didn't believe this curse, but it didn't matter if I did or not. What's important is that I get to that grave before some other pony gets to it. Not much further...

Smoke rose to my right, I wasn't alone out here, but I had no friends around. I was curious as to what it could be...I haven't the time for exploration. I came all this way to desecrate the resting place of a pony long gone. I just want this to be as quick as possible. There's nothing more disgusting than disrespect. I ventured further and further from the old town. The graveyard finally came into view.

"Finally, I can end this ridiculous journey...," I smiled as I walked forward, but the grave had been dug out. Nothing left at all. I jumped in and searched frantically for the orb, hoping that it was overlooked...no luck. No...no! I was so close! I was almost...My ears shot up. A noise behind me, I saw the handle of a gun. My magic whipped it around quickly.

"Hey-"

Seven shots before the pony could utter another word. He dropped...eyes wide in surprise. Guns, still holstered...

I could have sworn that he laughed before he passed. Eyes staring into mine. He was actually quite handsome for such a dirty stallion. If I had only...I'm so tired of making these damn mistakes. I couldn't make it through our mission without dooming everyone I've traveled with. Now this poor buck is dying in my hooves...because I was too jumpy...He lay there, shaking, his eyes closed slowly" For-forgive me...please, I'm sorry. I just, I was..." I was scared, I rarely feel that. Now, I felt like a murderer. I've killed many ponies, but this actual felt like murder. The one death in this forsaken place that makes me want to shed tears...I can't stop now, ponies will die no matter what I do. If I must burn Rider to the ground to find the orb...

I climbed up out of the grave, I floated the revolver over in my magic and placed it in my holster. A strange weapon...needed more ammo though. Rider should have some. I had a moment of silence for the stallion, I didn't even know his name. The grave was unmarked I guess this'd be perfect. I started putting dirt in the grave, but something was bothering me. I didn't finish and galloped away quickly. The town wasn't too far away, I reached a store, it sold weapons, ammo, and even a few potions and assorted aids. It seemed to be a general store, complete with useless trinkets. Snow globes...who would every waste their time on that...?

"Do you have ammo for this gun?" I floated over the revolver. The black stallion looked it over, with one eye I might add. The other eye, sorry, where the other eye would be was covered in scratch marks and scars. He had a large nose ring the reminded me of a bull I saw in slave camps. His ears were damaged, bitten, mane and tail were grey at the roots, black on top. He nodded and pulled out a few drawers from behind him. The rounds were strange...they had seven red stripes one them...

"That gun ya got there, I'd be carful. Thing is cursed..." he picked through the rounds," How many?"

"Twenty-eight for now...what do you mean cursed?"

"See that seven, it ain't no lucky number...belonged to some trashy hero wannabe. Made a deal with a devil pony. Bad energy with that gun. Never had any use for these rounds until you show'd up. Same size as some of the rifle rounds, just won't fit for some reason." He picked through the rounds quickly and scooted them over. I floated them into my pouch." Just be careful...any pony near that damn thing, it ends in tragedy. No such thing as a happy ending and such..." He smiled with crooked teeth.

"Thanks for that...how much?"

I paid for the rounds and headed out, should have gotten more potions. I saw the bar across the street. I trotted over to see if I could find out something. There had to be some little detail, some clue left behind that could tell me who dug up that damn grave...and I found that little clue...well, three dead feathered mercs...maybe...

"Hey! Any pony know who killed these griffins!" I got blank stares and some looks that were more...I don't even want to go there. Most ignored me, others tried to peek up my cloak. I asked again, or I tried to. The bartender stopped me.

"Hey, lady, please, no more yelling. The two ponies your looking for just ran off to the doctor. I'd recommend that you didn't disturb the doc though. He doesn't like being interrupted. I'm pretty sure your not trying to find 'em for conversation so...don't kill'em until they clean up this fucking mess."

"....I just need to talk to them..."

"Sure you do..." The bartender went back to serving drinks.

I eyed the griffins. Most of there body parts were spread across the tavern. I trotted over to their corpses and picked through there bags...its all broken and melted. I searched the more intact one, may have hid under this one, shot him right out the air...crazy ponies, this thing crushed them...there's no way that both of them walked away from an aerial strike from a trained mercenary. I grabbed a grenade from the merc. A blue band covered it, but it wasn't an emp. A red dot was on the band...what's a merc doing with this...Dammit, he sent them...

I trotted quickly to the doctors building. Half of it was collapsed but the entrance lead to the main part of the building. I thought of the warning I got from the bartender but I had no time left. If mercs were that close to those ponies with the orb...there could be any number of ponies and mercs alike looking for them or it. He would just have to understand. I entered the hospital and barged into the operating room.

"Who the hell are you!?" Get the hell out!"

"I need information..."

"Read a book, if there's any left in this backwards shit hole..."

"I need information on two ponies, came in from killing three mercs..."

The doctor looked at me with a scowl," Go fuck yourself scribe. I know what your going to do if I tell you. I know your type, your probably telling yourself that your not going to kill them but you will...so no, go somewhere else for you info..."

"I need to know! Now, you will tell me!"

The doctor's scowl deepened and he pulled a small pistol from his lab coat. My revolver was drawn almost by itself with my magic. I shot the pistol from his mouth then shot his ear. "Argh! You fucking...! Fine I'll tell you!"

"Good...were'd they go, whats there names?"

"Kellum...Kellum and Dizzy. Dizzys a ghoul, can't miss 'em..."

"A ghoul? He must be a Canterlot ghoul then. Maybe that explains them surviving that air attack. Tell me, tell me where they are!"

"What's your problem? Why should I, give me a good reason!"

I pressed the gun to his head," I'm done being nice doctor. Tell me and I won't leave this town without its healer...tell me, you must know."

"I guess I kinda gave that away huh? Just came up during some small talk with the ghoul...Not to far out from here. Just on the outskirts, they got a little hut...happy now?"

"Thank you doctor, you've saved more lives than you think after this..."

I left the doctor to treat himself. I hesitated to leave, our mission was to make sure we got rid of any pony who would even know of our existence, or what we were doing. It got to the point were the body count didn't weigh equally with the missions focus. It was unnecessary. We needed to get closer to the orb before silencing ponies...I had to get rid of them...they had it, but I need to rest. I need time. a few hours...

~~~

So many regrets but I must keep moving. I sighed, wiped my eyes and continued to the merchant's huts. I needed to find them before it was too late. As I walked through to Old Rider I noticed a pony following me. I ducked into a corner...I pulled the revolver from my holster...I jumped from the corner when I heard the hoof steps close in."Stop! Why are you following me!"

An electric blue mare, I haven't seen her in town, why is she..." Did you...?" The mares eyes watered up, here velvet eyes looked right through me. Her white mane was frizzy and a little stained with blood," Did you kill him? I saw him, in that grave, that cloak that was left behind...I saw you leave the doctors building...Followed you. Then you killed those two scavengers..."

"You...you knew him?" I was devastated, destroyed. I took some pony away from another..."I...I didn't know..."

"No, just stop it. You didn't even give mercy. You shot him seven times, seven! You could have shown some respect." The mare stepped closer," You took something good out of the waste, Something worth killing for..."

"J-just stop moving...please!"

"You better be ready, to fucking kill me!"

The mare pulled out a machine gun and started spraying, she closed the distance quickly. I slipped behind the wall. She bended the corner and put the gun to my neck. I had the revolver to her face." I don't want to do this..."

"Then i'll give you two options..." She pressed the gun to me deeper,"..one..two...three...," Her eyes, they looked so hurt. I started loosing myself. My magic faltered, her gun shook. I couldn't...I don't want to do this...,"...four...five...s-six..."

But I don't want to fucking die!

"...seven..."

~~~

I found the house, it was in Old Rider like Kellum and Dizzy told me. I was starting to regret this mission more and more. I lost all of my friends. I kill just about anything that startles me. And that mare, she had so many chances to kill me. She had so many chances. Why did she...why did she do that.

...There was a brahmin outside. She spotted me and started yelling something." Hey! Yeah you...!"

"Hey keep it down, Gauge'll get all pissy again."

"Oh whatever, he's a great pony and all but he's such a dick!"

"Amen to that, but calm down alright. This mare looks all depressed and stuff..."

I stared at the brahmin, they can talk..." Ummm, So there's merchants here right?"

"Yeah, well just one, that'd be Gauge. Inette is his bodyguard. He got too injured to fight the way he use to..."

"What happened to him..." I asked unsure if I wanted to know something so personal...No! I will not kill these ponies...

"Just a lot of different things I guess. He was tortured, abused, one time he told us he was in an explosion. I don't believe him on that but he swears its happened. He's been stabbed in the legs a couple of times. Gauge has just been through a lot of trauma, can't shoot as well or fight as good, but he's one tough bastard."

"Ok, thank you..."

"What are you doing!? Are you crazy, you can't just walk in!?"

I pushed the door open slightly," If they kill me, then its what I deserve..."I opened the door. "Don't Sho-"...before I could finish, pain erupted quickly in my head. I fell hard to the ground...nothing but blackness. The stallion walked up to me, I saw he's blurry face. Old hardened eyes seemed familiar. I staggered slowly to my hooves. "I said don't shoot..."

~~~

After talking to the two ponies, I was able to gain access to the orb. I was surprised that this transaction didn't end in blood shed. I felt great about the future. I trusted these ponies, I did something I shouldn't have, I dwelled into the orb while still in there presence. Maybe they'll see that as a sign of respect? I tapped my horn against the orb, The world around me faded around me...

~~~

My host was a stallion. He had a burning sensation in his chest. It was before the bombs, I could tell because the sky was simply beautiful. The sun seem to be setting over Equestria. The clouds were shades of blues and purples. My host seemed to admire this scene until a mare walked in, a zebra mare...

"Gonna miss that sky. So, we ready dear?"

"We have had some complications, I'm sure we'll sort it out before the time comes." The zebra sat in an office chair in front of the stallion. He sat down at his desk, straightened up his tie. I noticed he was wearing a black suit, the tie had a mixture of black and white stripes going parallel. One red stripe stood out the most. I could feel his mouth curl up, a smile. A warm feeling rustled through his body, the mare blushed." Dare...I appreciate what you've done for me..."

"But...," The stallions smile persisted, even though the news sounds rather on the bad side.

"...we can't be together Dare. My cover as a double agent is straining my loyalties with my own clan. I wish I could...I just can't Dare..."

The stallion chuckled," Oh please, cut the shit Talimane. You wanna call it quits, I'll believe when I see it. I see how you look at me. Don't think I don't notice that smile..."

The zebra frowned, she adjusted her suit and huffed," The combination for that vault, the one with your gift inside. I have them with me. But we can't discuss this in your office..."

"Oh? And why not dear, we've already said so much," I felt my lips, rather, my host lips widen into a thin grin. It felt as if his face was about to split wide open.

The zebra blushed furiously, she wasn't amused but a look in her eye told me that she wasn't completely upset with him either," I don't care what that pink pony knows...but this is something I won't leave to chance. No matter what happens, they will not be able to stop the reckoning. But this is for you eyes only, and whoever else seems appropriate..."

Dare leaned back in his chair," Ok...we'll reconvene at a later time and head to this vault..."

Talimane smiled, she rose from the chair and trotted over to him. Her eyes had an attractive, sultry look in them. I wasn't attracted to mares, but she was an exception. How could she like this monster? I know she was the enemy such a long time ago but...She leaned in to him. I could feel her breath hit my neck, I shivered. I didn't want to be in this position but I accepted it. The kiss wasn't too long...nor was it bad, just the fact that I was in some other ponies body made it hard to concentrate. I felt disoriented and a little startled when her tongue moved inside slowly. When she backed away, a knife, its point, rested on Dare's chest," I admire you Dare, I believe your a wonderful asset. I...I even think I love you. But if you betray me...if you..." Talimanes hoof started to shake.

"I risked everything for you. I gave up my old job, my family, I did this for you. Just trust me ok. I've gained the trust of a few strong standing ponies and I believe I'll be able to see this mission through. Then me and you can have an actual kiss that doesn't end like this..." Dare took the knife from the zebra, she looked me dead in his eyes. A scornful look on her face. Why did zebras always look so mad?

"Say it...say it or I'll rip you tongue out through your neck..."

Dare cleared his throat, I could feel that warm feeling burn in his chest. He was getting uncomfortable again. Heart burn? "I love you Talimane..."

They kissed again, she quickly withdrew from him and began walking through the front door," Now come, our meeting is a little sooner than expected..."

The memory actually skipped through them walking through the office and out to the streets. A sign told me it was Hoofington. The memory blurred and there walk to the vault was being revealed. I felt queasy, I wondered if that was him or me. Talimane and Dare were accompanied by two other ponies. One was a pegasus mare and the other was a earth pony stallion. They kept eyeing the zebra every now and again when they would check behind them. I've seen that look before, they weren't completely trusting of this mare, but they were ready to betray all that they knew for something...what was it though?

Dare groaned," Talimane...are you alright with this...?"

"No, but I'm doing this for you, so shut up. We're almost there..."

The vault didn't look complete but it was still protected by the code that needed to be inputted to the terminal. Taliman punched in the code. She told the three ponies the combination out loud.

"Zero, two, one, zero, four." She paused and pulled the leaver down," Thats the first step...Two, two, three zero." Talimane pulled the lever one more time," That was the second code...zero, six, one, zero, zero..." The leaver was pulled again. A cranking noise echoed through the landscape and gears churned and cranked. The door pulled back and rolled over into the side and the vault was open. Zebras held guns up to the ponies that stood outside. "Stand down! Now!" The zebras followed the order, reluctantly. My host's chest started to burn again, stress?

"I could have lived without the show of strength Talimane..." Dare clutched his chest, our chest.

"Sorry my love I..."

Talimane's eyes widened. She blushed. The pagasus giggled," Wow Dare, really? Your banging the zebra bitch. Guess that explains a lot."

"Cool it Slipstream. We're here for one thing, stop making wise cracks, this is serious..." The earth pony spoke, with a very deep voice. It boomed and rumbled. I wondered how these ponies could do this...? Was their cause not grand enough for them to resist the urge to betray it?

"Its fine Squash, yes I am banging the zebra bitch. If you know what's good for you Slipstream, you'll show her some respect. I wouldn't want to let her loose on you..." Dare cackled at the pegasus's frown. The pegasus mare turned to the zebra and apologized quickly. I didn't since any truth in it but Talimane and Dare didn't seem to notice or even care for that matter. The burning sensation came back, but this time it felt comforting. Whats wrong with this pony?

"You , come. We have your gift here. Its in the middle of this vault..." The Zebra appeared from the hall leading inward to the vault. He stared at Talimane, then at Dare. He didn't seem bothered by it. His eyes met with mine, I felt like he was trying to tear me out of him. Dare mumbled something and started making his way to the hall.

"And my friends here...?"

"They'll stay put for now. I trust you, even with my daughter, but that'll stop at that. You need to inform me when you bring guest."

"Sorry...of course..."

The zebra stallion was adorned in a red garb .Draping ends of the robe were tied to his legs with gold bands. His neck had gold bangles around them. Cold black eyes stared deep into Mine, and Dare's eyes. I was afraid of this zebra. I'm glad his dead. There was a scar under his eye, it looked cracked and dry.

"What happened there?" Dare turned his head to ask. They were walking down a long corridor. A large opening lead to some glowing sphere at the end of the hall.

"Sword turned against me in battle...Stabbed right through the eye. I was dead for some time, but a pony brought me back, my entire squad had been revived. Foolish pony...the second attempt was a bit messy, but I got more of us out this time, That time..." The zebra grunted," That burn in your chest..."

"What?"

"I can tell, when your face contorts a bit. Your eyebrows twitch, just at the corners...it must be some immense pain. How is t you hide it so well?"

"How did you...?" Dare paused, he dismissed his question and began again," Ok, yes, I have this...condition. I don't know what it is, had it since I was born. Couldn't cure it with magic, just lived with it."

"You've gotten close enough to my daughter, she knows when it affects you doesn't she? I was never really keen of working with ponies, but I took a chance. I was furious with her taking a liking to you. I gave that a chance as well. I must insist, why betray your country?"

Dare's face contorted. I was familiar with this feeling. He stopped before they got to the end of the hallway," I respect you, your daughter, but thats my business. I don't deem it important, won't change a damn thing if you know or not..."

The zebra looked surprised, after a while he smiled," Fine...I just thought I'd ask. Your right though. It's none of my business." Dare turned back to the hallways exit," Here it is, our gift to you. We will try and minimize the size, make it easier to transport. When we'er done we can hand it over to you and you'll be able to carry out your wishes. I'm sure what you plan to do with a megaspell is none of my business either..." The zebra smirked.

"I plan on making sure I get what I deserve in this life..." Dare's lips curled up wide again.

He started to laugh under his breath. The glow of the mega spell was alluring, I felt terrified but at the same time, captivated, intrigued. Such a powerful weapon should not be in the hands of such a reckless monster...

The memory faded away, the world I left came flashing back...

~~~

Dare, he wants this orb to remember that damned code. He must believe that the mega spell is still active. Whether it is or not, I cannot allow him to have this. It will not happen, I won't let it..."Its as I feared...thank you. I will see to it that your rewarded..."

"Just do what you have to Sweat Peas...Sorry about the bullet though." Gauge patted the bandage, very considerate of them.

"I deserve much worse...," much worse than a scratch from a bullet...I eyed Inette, I remembered the connection that the zebra shared with Dare. Even if there love was shady, I felt that Inette was holding something back from her campaion. Was it wrong to feel an obligation...?" And Inette...?"

Inette rasied her head, she looked in my direction, " Yes?"

"Tell him..."

"Excuse me!"

I wanted to say more but the look on Guage's face distracted me. I turned to the door, I focused...No...

We were followed...