Fallout Equestria: Seven Mistakes

Does it hurt? To breath, to walk? Does the pain make you wish you were dead? What's it like to be half dead? What kind of questions are those...?

Breathing was impossible sometimes but after a while I was finally able to stabilize myself. This suit helped with that. I didn't need it to keep me alive anymore, now, I just outfitted it with gear. Stealth protocols, self healing applications, ammo restoration, trauma indicators, new heads up display...all kinds of details. A nice even black sheen covers it, makes it intimidating. Red goggles, place for my horn to stick out, covered in a protective case. Six...six revolvers. Four strapped underside, two on my fore legs. Travel light, buy what I need wherever I end up. I've gotten use to making sure I use everything, to make it all count.

Does killing get easier? Do you regret anything? Why did you stop writing me? What will we do now that you've gotten the money? Why...why can't I get those questions out of my head?

I strapped on my gear, got all the ammo I would need. A few potions, med-x, the works. I wasn't sure were this job would lead me. No pony has ever requested me through secured radio channels. That's a first, very fancy. Red flag shot up in my mind though. I wasn't keen on running into high numbers of opposition, but I hate shady jobs just as much. I could put millions of ponies in the ground, but its that sneaky knife in the back that catches you off guard. I've been in that situation before, not gonna deal with it again. That's how I ended up with this suit. Not a complete loss, but once is enough. I don't know how many brushes with death I can take before this body finally shuts down.

I trusted you. I loved you. I still do. A job, its a job, you were just a way to get closer...How many times do I have to say it?

The warehouse was enormous. It stood out here in the waste. The only standing structure for miles. The radio frequency lead me here. I followed the waypoint on my heads up display. Wasn't entirely sure how it worked but it did. Now and again I would run into the occasionally wild life: rad scorpions, feral ghoul ponies, they showed up as red ticks on my display. Everything else was green. Nothing I couldn't handle, just a waste of ammo. The slick black revolver: Outsider, I took him out, black magic surrounding it. The ghouls came running, rad scorpions too. They split off to attack each other, but there was still a few coming right for me. I barley paid attention to aiming. I shot six times, everything dropped. Outsider was my second fastest revolver, black smoke rose from the barrel, nice red flash after every shot. Magic lubricant enhanced the standard ammunition and increased its firing speed. I turned back to the warehouse, it was a relic, almost in perfect condition besides the rust and the gaping hole in the ceiling.

~~~

The large warehouse doors rolled open, the buck I talked to earlier was rude but let me in after I showed him the radio broadcast. Why would they care who got the request or not? Any pony that got that frequency could follow up on it, they didn't have it relay a guest list, its first come first serve bases. But I'm sure they got a few ponies that answered the call by now. I stepped inside, there were several armed guards surrounding were I entered, some up top too. They all watched me as I walked straight ahead to what looked like a stage. There were mercs, bounty hunters of all types sitting in chairs in front of the stage. I sat next to a black mare, her mane was smoking, as if she were on fire recently. She looked at me with white glossy eyes. She started to rasp," Hehehe...nice suit..."

"Thanks."

"Ever thought how much it'd suck to suffocate in that?"

She couldn't see my face but I'm sure she sensed my eyebrow arch up. My second glance I noticed her horn," Transformation?"

"Yeah, don't see it often do ya? It hurt like a bitch but its worth it."

"Too permanent for me..."

"Didn't stop you from slipping that thing on, or did you find one that didn't mind the user being free?" I nodded my head," Reengineered I bet, that's smart. Not many ponies can do that..."

"Had to live in it before I could get this far...what made you want to use the magic your using?"

She chuckled, a deep growling kind of chuckle," Wanted to be a weapon so I didn't have to be good with one. Carry a pistol, only use it when I'm desperate though, I can gas a major city in twenty minutes...given enough time to prepare. I see your an expert with weapons though..."

I smirked, I was a little flattered for some reason. The fact that she would notice that." I carry a few revolvers...doesn't make me good..."

"Your a unicorn that can shoot with six different firearms, I'm sure all that levitating gets to ya. I'm pretty sure that takes skill in any case..." She smiled and looked forward at the stage. I was blushing, I'm glad she couldn't see that. "See those griffins, those three. There under watch more than the rest of us cause the can fly. Heard they slaughter a whole town once for being disrespected. That stallion in the black duster, got a machine gun tucked away somewhere, its got hundreds of barrels. How the hell does he hide it I wonder?" She chuckled in a raspy voice.

I stared at the mare, her eyes wandered in my direction," What's your point?"

She frowned, her milky eyes stared off into the crowd of bandit ponies," Urgh, trying to guess your gender...see what your all about. I've talked to most of these fuckers. So far, your one of the few that isn't really interested in the money...not completely anyway. So your either blood thirsty or your looking for something. I guess your identity is the thing your not giving up, would keep a suits mask that was that uncomfortable if there wasn't a reason...right?"

I chuckled. The mare smiled wide," Who I am is none of your business if that's what this is, but yes, there's something more than the money. I'm just searching for a pony. Maybe the next town will have them in it"

The smoky mare smiled once more and stared forward at the stage again, waiting for the event to begin. whatever it was...

We sat there for a few more minutes, and hour was approaching and the seats filled up as we waited. I felt uncomfortable with so many mercs. I spent most of my time looking through the crowds of ponies, they weren't to happy about being in such a cramped space either. I wanted this to be over with, quickly. A ghoul pony trotted across the stage, he stopped in the middle and smiled with sharp rotting teeth. I've never seen a ghoul like him before. He wore a suit vest, with a dress shirt. He's pants were dusty but he actually looked presentable for a ghoul.

"Names Carcus...." The smoky mare next to me rasped in a quiet tone." Yours?"

"You can call me Six..." Carcus smirked, we both turned and gave our attention to the ghoul.

"...Good evening, Mercs, Bounty Hunters, Treasure Hunters, all the other scum of the waste land, welcome. I know your probably wondering how true were those words on that broadcast, I can assure you that you'll be paid in full and then some. I have a small business of counterfeiting caps. We're a very lucrative operation. But enough of that, your here for a simple task right? Just want your instructions and then your off huh? Well, let me make this clear to all of ya! This package is special...if you damage it you die. If you sell we'll know, and you'll die. This clean water so to peak, in this sea of desires is not to be tasted by you. If you exploit this treasure I send you to find, you will regret it..." The ghoul looked over the crowd, I wasn't particularly feeling threatened, neither was any pony else. The ghoul sighed and continued," I'm not one for idle threats, but trust me, I don't like being betrayed. I will pay you all up front, when one of you or your group retrieves the artifact then I'll pay you the rest, maybe something extra for your troubles. Don't show up empty hoofed or I'll turn you inside out. And if your a unicorn, keep your horn away from it...if you get too curious, I'll know. Now, I'd suggest you all line up so I can get your names, pay you, and tell you were to start, we have a lot of waste to cover..."

We all got up from our chairs and attempted to line up. Lots of shady characters, lots of unfriendly ones.

"Six huh? Guess your too good to share your real name?"

I shook my head," Carcus is your real name then?"

"My real name was too soft, had to change it. Look the part, be the part." She looked over to me with her milky eyes," Is Six the name your life has changed into, why Six?"

I patted my guns," They each have a special name..."

"Oh, I see...You famous or something?"

"I'm good at what I do, better if I'm not well known. You?"

"Same here, people just think its some freak accident when a couple of wanted criminals die, smothered in toxic gas. Or an act of the goddesses, I'm flattered either way though," Carcus smiled, her black teeth and gums were glossy. Smoke seeped through the cracks slowly.

She was a fool to have such a drastic change on her body. But its effective...

The line moved forward, caps in tow, most of them took off quickly. I saw some looking at maps they were given, many were green...but there were some that I'd hope not to meet again. The competition for this artifact was more than I'd though it'd be...no turning back now. I reached the desk, the ghoul looked me over and smiled. The pony at the desk stared at me expectedly," My name is six..."

"Alright...eh, Six? You get to take a trip to Rider, small place, not to many have that one. Although, you will be looking out for ponies that look like this...Group of scribes. Not hard to miss at all..." The pony pushed over the caps and handed me the map.

"Remember unicorn...no curiosity, no tricks, you'll be rewarded for your troubles..." The ghoul glared at me, with a smile.

"Of course..." I turned and headed out the large door that was wide open.

~~~

"Hey...wait up Six!"

Carcus was trying to catch up, by the time she got to me she was coughing and wheezing. I stared at her for a while, unsure whether or not I should do something. "What is it?"

She spit, black gunk landed on the dried up ground," I got a place not too far from Rider. I was thinking we could..."

"No, I think you can hold your own but, I can't have you around me..."

"What!" Carcus snarled at me," Is it because of my body? Com on, don't be like all the other sensitive ponies out here..."I continued walking, I could hear the glossy eyed pony mumble under her breath.

"I've tried working with other ponies, it never worked out well...," I pulled out my revolver, Salt. The long barrled white gun was covered in white magic. It was able to shoot phosphorus rounds, overuse would ruin the gun so I just used my magic to add that extra burn. I aimed at Carcus," Go...or I'll burn your insides..."

Smoke quickly seeped through the cracks of her angered face. Contorted in a strange way she snorted at me, and growled," Think I'm scared of you? Don't be stupid, get that pole outta ya ass, and let me keep you company!"

"I don't need your company, I need you to take a hint, so back off!" I shot at the ground, it sizzled underneath her. She didn't flinch.

"Maybe your a mare...nah, you gotta be a buck, cant stand having a mare around you huh?"

"Fuck you..." I trotted of, she didn't follow. I looked back, I cursed myself in my head for that. She had that stupid grin on her face...I stormed off as quickly as a could. The wasteland winds picked up and dust and sand blew across its surface, covering my get away...

~~~

I've never seen anything like it. Out here, the waste get strange. Things can twist and warp, even your mind at times. It was a village, town? It was completely composed of the sand rock, sculpted in the shape of houses and barns. It was a small democracy formed here on the outskirts of the waste. I wasn't trying to stray so far from the path but my map was lost. I found clues though, dead scribes littered through out the waste. I had finally caught up to them but they aren't dense, they shook me as soon as they could. They left trails, of blood in one case...their mission has been unforgiving but they shouldn't be tracking such a dangerous artifact. The town wasn't to friendly to the rangers, locals opened up fire and took out one of the scribes as the ponies passed by. The unprovoked attack lead to a huge firefight and a magical blast that left a crater the size of three Brahmin. One of these scribes is incredibly powerful, although, this ,much power would have weakened them...probably used it as a diversion. Didn't bother taking the body, took the guns and ammo, provisions.

"Witch direction..." I asked the orange pony wrapped in bandages.

He pointed straight ahead," Wont take you long, if you followed 'em here...could be heading to Rider. Its a ways off but I'm sure you can handle it. Take care of those scum for us, all they do is take, never helped any of us."

I glared at him, but I nodded, not like he could see me through the mask. He smirked," Thank you...I'll sort them out..."

Following the clear instructions from the bandage pony, I found myself being surrounded by the old ruins of a city. A place that use to be, they were like skeletons of a great beast compared to the shacks and shanty towns I've seen. My eyes caught a sign on the remains of a building. It read: Old Rider Saloon. This couldn't be it, could it? My ears jerked, I heard a faint noise...a gunshot? I began to trot in that direction but something told me to hide, so I did. I felt ridiculous but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something coming my way. I waited...and waited...

~~~

"The time is far from today...it will not be long till the goddess embrace us all. I need you to be ready my child..."

"Father..."

A dream...? No, I'm asleep but ponies are talking nearby...I smelled something rotten, it was faint but I could tell that I had been in a dumpster. I hadn't noticed that before...The voices were close by, I could here some mad mumbling not too far off though. Was it...raiders, it must be dark out too, there was no light coming through the holes that had rotted its way through the lid of the dumpster. I could here the voices getting louder, they were right in front of me now...

"I'm not saying I'm not ready, I am afraid...What will the goddess tell me to do, will I murder innocence to justify her words, must I spill blood to support our cause?"

A long pause made the night seem quieter than ever," My dear offspring, you will be called to sin, and die for those very same sins, it is the only way to purify those who are filthy and disgusting in their putrid ways...We must make "hero's" of the filth, or destroy them in the process to accomplish our goals. We have no choice but to loose our way, so they can find their own..."

The daughter, I presumed, sniffled for a while before speaking," Yes father, I understand..."

"We will not see this world when its finally cleaned...but our hand in this will give others a chance...inspire..."

The voices from further away drew their attention. The father said something about getting the "raiders" under control. I knew that raiders were deranged, but are they mindless pets now? And what is a father and daughter doing with them, what does it mean...I'm not sure, but it has nothing to do with why I'm here. I waited for them to depart, and they did, I found myself walking the lonely waste in the dark...

The night wasn't unforgiving, I found some clues that helped me confirm the scribes presence, a dead scribe in a collapsed building. Shot three times, point blank. Betrayal? Ambush? I walked further and found the remains a few dead scorpions and rad roaches. This led me to believe there was only one scribe left, and they were low on ammo...and weapons... Of curse that all changed when I found another dead body. He was scruffy, shotguns were holstered, seven bullet wounds. No exits, the body was already showing signs of decomposing. But it couldn't have been that long...I was right behind this scribe...but how far behind m I now...?

It was a fitting resting place for the buck...I didn't bother to stay too much longer...

~~~

"Those three, you know why the were here!?" I yelled at the bartender, she was terrified.

"Look, I told you already they were gunned down by some crazy ponies, a ghoul and some idiot!

I was drawing too much attention...The ponies in the bar slowly reached for their guns, I could tell they were agitated by previous outburst. I let go of the bartender." Were these two hurt in the process?"

~~~

"Fuck you! I've had enough of this town, they can fix their own problems, and yours, ain't mine!" the doctors bandaged hoof swung at me, trying to shoo me out. I pulled "Smile" out the bright ivory handle was covered in yellow magic, orange stripes covered the gun and a flaming barrel aimed at the doctor..."Smile" was kind of a flame thrower. It pacified many ponies with loud mouths. The doctor glared at me with clenched teeth.

"You talked to a scribe didn't you? Told them what they wanted...those two are probably dead...just let me know where they are so I can find 'em..."

The doctor swallowed hard, he reached for a cigarette from his coat pocket, tapped it on the barrel of my revolver and took a puff...," Crappy little shack on the edge of rider...now please get the fuck away from me..."

"Thanks..." I holstered "Smile", as much as I wanted to melt his mouth, I wanted to catch this scribe even more. This towns gonna need him, maybe.

~~~

What a mess...the sun was rising and I'm still shooting in the dark. The ghoul, the treasure hunter, nothing but paste. The grenade was magical, it had to be...The tracks the scribe left were hard to see in the cracked earth. I wasn't sure how I could found 'em. Now what...?

Another gunshot...it was much closer now, it rang out louder than ever. I ran towards Old Rider. Of course, this scribe isn't done here, what I'm looking for is what the scribe is looking for, it's still here whatever it is! I raced through the ruble, dilapidated buildings, and randomly lain land mines. I pulled out "Seeker", a shiny silver revolver with a star as the sight. Grey magic enveloped it and I spread the bullets in the air to clear out any remaining mines. Reloading was difficult while on the run, but this was an emergency...

The body was just lain out, but she was already decomposing faster than normal...What is this, a new scribe weapon...? That's it, I don't have time for this, I have to kill this renegade before they unleash anymore of this dreadful new power...I cant take any chances...

I arrived, this had to be it, this is the only shack that looks inhabited. This brahmin is obviously domesticated...I cant have her spooking anyone inside. I'm going to end this once and for all...I pulled "Quiet" from my fore leg, her sleek purple shine, light weight frame, came slinging out of my holster with ease. The magic around it was almost invisible but a light purple was reflecting from its shiny surface. This special revolver was made specifically to be modified for this purpose. I aimed and dropped the brahmin. Her sound alone hitting the ground might have failed this mission...Withdrawing "Quiet" I pulled out "Widow", she was covered in intricate designs and stained with a red hoof print. My fastest gun was trained on the door, orange magic held it steady...I waited...nothing. I carefully trotted to the door and pressed my suited body against the door. My ears perked up against the wooden barrier, I heard a conversation...

"Just do what you have to Sweat-"

-This was my time... I disenchanted the revolvers and pulled them all out slowly, I took a few steps back and aimed in a horizontal formation across the shed. I need to make sure I wouldn't harm the artifact, magic would probably harm it more than bullets. I cocked the hammers back...

Look me in the eyes when you kill me!! No, no! Stop it, please shut up!

Blood pooled from under the door, I waited to gather myself before holstering my guns. I was exhausted, and tired of hearing my thoughts echo the past. I was also hoping that did the trick. It did. The two mares had just finished dying. The buck however had more drive. In the name of decency I put on through his head so I wouldn't have to witness his pitiful shuffle. The scibe was a mare, is a mare. She had a strange revolve with her, I wondered if that was the weapon she used against all the others? The artifact was lying in the blood between the two mares. I was surprised at what it was, just a damned memory orb. This is what they died for...this trail of death and loss was for a bunch of pre-war nonsense?!

~~~

...Fucking coward...

"Aw, so you've made it back? Interesting...the artifact?" The ghouls was drooling, or at least he would be if he could...can he? " I take it that the journey was taxing...maybe I could provide you with nourishment...company?"

He smiled at me crookedly, I cringed inwardly," I'm fine.."

"Of course you are," He raised his would be eyebrows," I'll get your caps, and much more, just sit tight while I get this thing, Authenticated..."

I felt a familiar chill down my spine, something told me to open fire on these bastards and run, run till I dropped dead...Instead I just turned on my radio and listened to it in the chairs facing the stage.

" Reports are coming in from a small town in the waste called Rider, or at least there were reports. A giant gas cloud devoured the entire town right before communications went silent. No telling what it could be, but the controlled detonation has most of our waste citizens claiming the attack to be a "bale fire ghost" or just the after affect of a failed bale fire bomb, finally going off. I'm hoping for the best, but if your anywhere over near lil 'ole Rider, keep your distance. The gas can burn your eyes and drop ya dead just being outside the town, trust me, I got first hand accounts...their dead now of course-"

I turned off the broadcast...Carcus...What the hell was she thinking?

"Six...was it?"

I looked up, the ghoul pony was behind me. I stood up and faced the well dressed monster," Yes, that's me..."

"I've had a few unicorns help me, pilfer around with this orb. Its been tampered with. You seem trust worthy, but I cant take chances with a jeopardized orb. My brain could fry, or worse..."

I was confused, I was never interested in the orb in anyway. I wiped some blood off of it, but that was for my convince. I saw the orb under his hoof," Wouldn't it 've fried those other ponies brains?"

"Their special, and that isn't important. Your going to tell me why your filthy horn was touching my orb!" The ghouls breath was intensified when he yelled, I could smell rancid flesh, and the remains of rotted gums as he approached me with more accusations." What did you do!? Who are you working for!?"

My magic flared up, instinctual. I noticed my defensive stance and gasped inwardly. I could feel his men aiming at me, guns at the ready. I wouldn't survive the run out of here...I had to think carefully..."I'm sorry, habit. Look, I have no clue who messed with your orb. All I want is my caps, scratch that, I just want to leave and keep to myself alright. The scribe I followed could have tampered with it but I wouldn't know. I'm just doing my job, nothing more, nothing less..."

The ghoul backed off and pondered the response. After a long drawn out silence he began to walk off. I never thought id sigh a sigh of relief, but this sure called- " Kill this fucker!"

All six revolvers whipped out at my sides, pure instinct. The seventh one felt....heavy...but I fired it with the rest as the pressure lay one. I raced to the closing door. My heads up display was telling me about injuries I couldn't even feel, adrenalin was my drug, besides all the med-x and potions being injected into me. I shot the guard closing the gate, "Salt' burned him, "Outsider" overkilled him. I was still tearing my way to the exit, killing off snipers, and even some bounty hunters who returned. Guess they thought it would be a good idea to fuck with me... I shot, I reloaded, I shot, and reloaded, I was in a trance, my body wasn't keeping up with my demands. I could feel my limits crush me like a building with a week foundation. I couldn't get out with the group from outside blocking the way, and the guards inside the hanger was an endless onslaught. I surrounded my self with my revolves, trying my best to inch toward to door. "Fuck this!" I holstered my guns and bolted for the door, my body withstood most of the hits but medication was running dry, like my ammo... I burst through the blockade and unleashed everything I had at them, backing up as I covered my escape. Bullets still flew past me, in me, I couldn't keep this up much longer. My legs wobbled, my goggles filled up with blood. I was far past my limit, I was in a trance that let me ignore a head wound... I finally created a perfect opportunity. They fell back to regroup, a fresh wave was ready to take me, I escaped into the mercy of the waste land...

~~~

"Shud up...dammit shu, staw, stop eh...leave me alone!" my revolvers...including my newest one...i'll call her "Lucky" she saved me, saved me from all of them..."Fucking die...just stop...just stop!" My guns dragged in the sand, different magic holding them, the aura around them wavering...so fucking...so tired..."JUST STOP CRYING! WHY ARE YOU CRYING...? I...we...we were nothing..." I'm...dying? Too much blood...how was I shot so much? What happened to me...? I can't...I can't stop thinking about her. I just want to have one thought to myself, just one...Please...please let me, let me...I'm so...I just want...

My heart beat slowly, I collapsed. My guns made the beautiful crescendo of master weaponry softly hitting the sand. I kissed the hot ocean of grain and smiled, I was at my end, a corrupt fool who can't let go of the past, stuck the knife in my back...and I let him. Or was it that bitch Carcus? She wouldn't let that one altercation go? What was I fighting for? What did I die for...? I'm such an idiot...She's already dead, yet I still search for her...

The sun started to fall from its throne, a figure appeared from the sands. His smile faded as he reached me, a somber stare let me wondering if I had seen him before, I blinked slowly, the wind becoming a cushioned noise, muffled by a fuzzy haze that filled my ears. The world faded around the figure, but his features and his voice rang out from the darkness...

"All is lost...let it all end."