Fallout Equestria: Darkstar

Fallout Equestria: Darkstar

By ValdimarGreen

Chapter 3: Friends

Starvation is not fun. How long has it been? Three days? Four? My stomach ached so much, that it was a constant struggle just to keep my body from curling up into a ball. And the funny thing was; it didn’t even make any sense! My stomach had nothing to do with nutrition, it was just a glorified ooze gland. So why does it hurt so much?! My joints sent out small twinges of pain as I moved sluggishly forward. And as if that wasn’t enough; the back of my head throbbed painfully, blurring the edges of my vision. Sleep had been very hard to come by these past few days, what with the relentless nightmares.

The zebras had planned on heading east after the bridge, to place called Hoofington. That was most likely where Zevah and Kizhaka where heading. Thinking that Zevah might be less than happy with me following, I had instead gone south, along the river.

By simply flying from rooftop to rooftop, leaving the city had been easy. With frequent breaks, I had even managed it without straining my wings too much. Still, they were quite delicate and could rip easily if put them under too much stress. With such wings, I would never come close to a pegasus in terms of speed, agility or endurance. Still, they had their uses, so whenever I could; I kept them safely folded beneath their wing-plates.

The landscape south of the city, had turned out to be a be a rocky desert, crisscrossed with treacherous canyons. Standing on a high outcropping I had taken the lay of the land. Mountains far in the east, curved north along the horizon, gaining more snow on their peaks the further north they went. All perfectly normal. What had not been perfectly normal, was the enormous towers that dotted landscape all around, reaching beyond the clouds. One of these towers in particular had given me the creeps, it was black a monstrosity that dominated the sky to the northeast. There has got to be rules against building something so big!

Important as it all seemed, it had told me nothing. That had changed, when I turned my gaze to the south. A single great mountain sat there on the horizon, a city growing out from its side. Canterlot, home of Princess Celestia, the one location my education had included, besides the Badlands. Hope had filled my chest at the sight. With the Badlands located southeast of Canterlot, I should be able to find my way home as long as I kept the mountain in sight.

Survival first Darkstar! You need a new source of nourishment before anything else. With this in mind I had kept to the river as it curved eastwards. At some point, traveling along it, DJpon3 had gone silent. This had been both scary and unnerving since the spirit had been my only companion for days. Changelings, being herd animals just like ponies, need to socialise regularly or there would be consequences.

That had been a few days ago. Now my body was screaming for food, my head was longing for sleep and my soul was yearning for companionship. It was all too much, I felt lightheaded and the world seemed vivid to my eyes.

“You don’t look too good” a rock said, in a deeper version of my own voice.

I blinked, feeling the gravel in my eyes, “Hello there, Mr rock.” I said, looking down at the small rock in my path.

“Hello yourself,” the rock replied.

I tilted my head to the side, and gave the rock a sheepish grin, “Am I going to die?”

“Eeyup,” came the answer.

“Don’t listen to the rock! He is telling lies!” a new lighter voice piped up. For some reason it also sounded almost like my own voice.

Surprised, I turned around and looked at the twig whom must have been the speaker, “...Mr twig?” I asked.

“Darkstar is going to be alright!” the twig declared, “He is following the river and everypony knows that ponies build their towns by the rivers. It’s only a matter of time before he finds one!”

My head swiveled back as the rock replied, “ What if its just another raider town? And even if it isn't, he doesn't have the strength to transform anymore so how would he get them to love him?”

The twig seemed to consider this for a moment, “He could tell a joke, everypony likes a good joke.”

“HA!” I shouted in triumph, pointing a hoof at the twig, “That’s it!”

The rock remained unmoved, “That is fucking stupid, it would nev---” I picked up the rock and tossed it away.

Turning back to the twig I said, “We need to think of a really good one.”

Then suddenly my ears perked up, I could hear something. It sounded like… talking? TALKING! I was on my hooves in an instant, my gaze scanning the surrounding terrain. After noting the direction of the sound, I grabbed ‘Mr twig’ and put him into one of my saddlebags. We would have to think of jokes later.

As I threaded my way around some huge rock formations towards the voice, I could start to distinguish the words.

“---No, to be the best we can possibly be? I’m telling you now, as your friend, as your leader, that we can. We must. And we WILL!”

I rounded a final boulder and came face to face with the speaker as he finished his sentence. He was a rather big parasprite completely encased in metal armor, even his wings appeared to be made from metal. I smiled, befriending an insect was as easy as breathing. “Hello, would you like to be friends?” I asked.

The parasprite said nothing.

Feeling a little bit panicky, I tried again,“I know its a bit sudden but, unless somepony loves me soon, I am going to die.”

The twig sticking out in my saddlebag spoke up, “I don’t think you can feed on the love from insects.”

I swiveled my head around to glare at the twig, “We don’t know that unless we try!”

“You don’t have to be so mean about it,” the twig said sulkily.

“Sorry, but I could really use some fucking positivity right about now.” I replied.

The twig was quiet for a moment, then it spoke excitedly, “Try telling a joke! Thats sure to break the ice.”

“Now you're thinking” I said with a grin, turning back to the parasprite.

It had not moved, it simply continued to bob in the air, observing me.

I took a step forward and cleared my throat, “Why are dragons so boring?”

The creature was silent for a long moment then there was a clicking sound from within the metal armor. Then the parasprite spoke in a slightly slurred metallic voice. “Why?”

“Because when you talk to them, it tends to DRAAAAAG ON!” I replied, before laughing uproariously.

The parasprite was silent for a long time, before finally speaking, “I don’t even know what to say to that one.”

“That you loved it?” I said with a wink. “I am Darkstar by the way,” I added, holding out a hoof. Realizing that the little creature didn’t have a hoof for me to shake, I hastily dropped it. “What’s yours?”

The parasprite seemed to consider me for a moment then said, “Call me Watcher.” The creature hesitated before adding, “And if you really want to make friends... there are some ponies on a boat upriver that could really use some help.” After finishing, Watcher let out a screeching and hissing sound, turned and promptly began fluttering away.

Recovering from the start the sound had given me, I stared after him, debating if I should follow him or head for the boat. Hunger won out and I trotted towards the river. Insects really are the best pals a guy can have.

I didn’t take me long to spot the boat Watcher had mentioned, it had been anchored in the center of the river, it was a moderately sized vessel and even had a small lifeboat. I squinted from my lookout, forcing myself to process the details, despite the pounding in my head.

The first thing I noted was the large cage in the center of the deck, filled with filthy and starved looking ponies. Dismissing them, my gaze moved away from the cage and on to the four ponies that made up the crew. A brown stallion with a sand colored mane who was hammering at a metal box in the back of the boat. A thin yellow mare who was missing an ear. She was leaning on the railing as she watched the first one work. The final two were obviously twins, both unicorns with the same grey coat, same black mane and same green eyes, only difference between them was their gender. They were currently engaged in a heated argument, both with flushed faces, and both holding a wide stance.

Brownie, One-Ear, Sister Gray and Brother Gray, where these the ponies that needed help? My gaze swept over the cage again noting the smaller forms of fillies and foals within, and I somehow doubted it.If anyone needed help, it was the ponies in the cage. Just you wait, I will save you and then... you are all going to love me! I stifled a giggle.

Now all I needed was a plan, A ground charge? No, wouldn’t work, I can’t swim… A skydive? Nah it would probably sink the ship… unless something or somepony could break my fall. I felt a wicked smile spread over my face.

‘Mr Twig’ spoke up in his high pitched Darkstar voice, “Wait a moment, none of those ponies are raiders, nor are they attacking you or the hive! We can’t just kill them.”

One of my eyelids twitched. But, then I smiled again. “Don’t worry I will give them a chance to surrender.”

Unfolding my wing seemed to take forever, my muscles working sluggishly. But, soon the deep buzzing filled the air and dust began rising up from the ground. I flew straight up at first, before heading east until the boat was right under me. Then letting go, I dove. I might not have had enough juice to transform but I did manage to squeeze out enough to wrap myself in the familiar green flames.

And down I plummeted, like a green comet, slamming into the top of the cage. The roof warped inward with a metallic screech, but the wide rectangular framework did manage to spread out the force of the impact enough to leave the boat unharmed. The caged ponies all shouted up in alarm before gaping up at me, they were not the only ones, the grey twins had stopped arguing and were staring at me.

“What the fuck was that?” Brownie shouted before he and One-Ear rushed out from behind the metal box, before stopping to stare as well.

One-Ear broke the silence, “What is that thing?”

“It kinda looks like a lobster…” Brother Gray said.

His comment earned him a scornful sneer from his sister, “Lobster? Are you fucking blind? Look at them wings and them eyes, somepony went and fucked a radroach.”

I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Ha! I think you pissed it off,” Brother Gray said.

His sister glared right back at me, and the assault rifle she had slung over her back, swung around in her magical grip to point at me. “I would like to see it try anything.”

I grinned at her, displaying my sharp teeth, then I taped the deformed metal cage.“This could have been your back. If I had wanted it, you would be bloody paste right now. And the name is Darkstar.”

They all took a step back at that. “Shit, it talks!” Brother Gray said.

Brownie produced a revolver and pointed it as me, his tongue on the trigger. One-Ear had a strange set of metal tubes tipped with crystals protruding from a metal box strapped to her side. Still, she pointed them at me as if they were designed to do something nasty.

I looked back at Sister Gray, who obviously was the leader, “I am here on a rescue mission with the spirit of DJPon3, so surrender now or prepare to fight.”

She sneered at me, “You gotta be kidding me! Have that asshole started inspiring monsters as well now?”

As I opened my mouth to reply, she pulled down the trigger of her weapon, “RA TA TA TA TA TA TA.”

I closed my eyes and felt the bullets smash into me before bouncing away. Two of the bullets however, found their way into one of my wings, ripping it apart. I ignored it, the wing would grow back, eventually. After what seemed like an eternity the magazine finally clicked empty. I heaved myself out of the depression in the cage and launched myself at Sister Gray.

We went down in a heap, my teeth found her neck. But, when I tried to bite through it I couldn't muster the necessary strength, I was just too starved. Still, my teeth punctured her skin making her bleed.

She started screaming, “GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF ME!”

Her brother came to her aid, slamming a sledgehammer into the side of my head. Ripping her loose from my grip. Not a very smart move since, my teeth ripped deep furrows in her flesh as I was flung away.

The brother, seeing his mortally wounded sister forgot all about me and instead scooped her up and ran towards the back of the boat. I shook my head and got shakily to my hooves, only to find a frowning One-Ear pointing her strange gun at me. There was a “BZZZING” sound and a green energy beam struck me in the chest.

Pain, like nothing I had ever imagined possible lashed into my chest. I fell to the deck, screaming and thrashing wildly as I tried to escape the pain.

In the far distance, as if in another world I could hear Brownie speak, “Shit, you got him good. I must admit, when he took all those bullets without even flinching, I was kinda worried.”

“Yeah,” One-Ear replied, “but old FireFly have never let me down. I think she blasted a hole right through that chestplate of his.“

The pain was fading somewhat, and I stopped thrashing in favour of just breathing heavily.

Brownie spoke again, “So are you gonna finish him off or what?”

“I suppose I should,” came One-Ears response, and I felt something press against me.

She is going to shoot me with that thing again! I am going to feel it again! No, NOT AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN! I lunged for her face, my maw closing around her muzzle, and with the force of blind desperation, my teeth broke through flesh and bone alike, resulting in half of her face being ripped off.

Now it was her turn to fall the deck screaming, as she clutched the ruins of her face. I stomped on her head, putting her out of her misery. Thats how you fucking do it! You don’t stand around and talk about it.

I turned to Brownie who had pulled out his useless revolver, while backing away. I didn’t have the strength to pursue him, so instead I grabbed One-Ears body and spun it around on the deck so FireFly was pointing towards him. His eyes went wide, as I bit down on the trigger, “BZZZING.” The green beam shot out once again and Brownie was turned to dust.

I heard a splash from the back of the boat. The twins had grabbed the lifeboat and were speeding away in it. The sister lay wrapped in bandages and unconscious, while her brother steered the little vessel away. He looked back only once, confirming that I was the last one standing. Then they disappeared out of sight.

I might have died right then, had it not been for the trickle of gratitude from the dozen or so prisoners. However, from the way they were eyeing me it was clear that they were also terrified. It didn't help when I starting coughing up green ooze, that I then used to stuff the hole in my chest.

Finding the key to the cage on One-Ears body, I unlocked it. “You are all free to go.” I said with a grin. The prisoners hurried out of the cage, careful not to get too close to me before jumping into the water and swimming ashore. They all looked back from time to time as if worried that I might change my mind.

I let out a grim little chuckle as the last one disappeared from sight. I was even hungrier than before this whole thing. I turned back to the cage and blinked, one small form remained inside. It turned out to be a small unicorn filly with a light red coat complemented by a deep red and yellow mane. Her lime green eyes grew wide as I entered the cage and approached her.

I tilted my head to the side, “Why are you still here?”

She stared up at me, then gulped before opening her mouth to speak. Nothing came out, and she promptly closed it again. Shaking slightly she instead pulled out a foreleg from under her rags. It was badly swollen.

I stared at it for a moment, and I felt anger rise in me, “They left you because you couldn't walk on your own?!”

She flinched back from the anger in my voice. “Yeah... but its dirty, so I am pretty much dead already.” she said, looking at the ground. “You know from infection and stuff.”

“Why not just clean it then?” I said gesturing to the river, “You have a perfectly fine river over there.”

She tilted her head to the side, some of the fear bleeding off her. Maybe for you, being whatever you are, but to us ponies, its poisonous.

I glanced at the river again, “Really… well I guess we will have to clean you the changeling way then.”

“The changeling way?” she said clearly not liking the sound of it.

In response I let my long blue tongue fall out.

She stared at it for a moment, “No way...”

She squeaked as I pulled her closer. Under the rags I found four more dirty gashes crisscrossing her back, as if somepony had whipped her with an intentionally filthy whip. Though, none of them were yet as bad as the one on her foreleg.

I coughed up more green slime and let it ooze down my tongue.

“Ewwwwwwww” she squealed.

I let my tongue wrap around her foreleg, forcing the slime into the wound. The little filly squeezed her eyes shut. I counted the seconds in my head, One, two three, four, five, my tongue tightened around the strip of half hardened green slime and pulled it loose. As it left the wound , so did all the grime and dirt, leaving the wound completely clean. Ignoring her squirming protests, I repeated the procedure with her other gashes.

“Your tongue is all cold and Ewwwww” she said with a grimace.

Not that she could fool me, her gratitude was great enough to ease my hunger somewhat. However, I was still starving. Gratitude will never be enough.

“I am Darkstar” I said with a grin, “What's your name?”

“I am Strawberry... and I already know your name, everypony heard it when you told the slavers,” she replied.

“Well Strawberry, would you like to be friends?” I asked.

Strawberry eyed me as if she couldn't decide if I was being serious “Just like that?”

“Sure, I could put you in a saddlebag, I don’t tend to carry much myself,” I glanced over at FireFly,“ I should be able to handle a some extra weight.” With those words I emptied one of my saddlebags before padding the bottom with one of the less filthy blankets. Then scooping her up, I gingerly dropped her into the saddlebag.

Her stomach made a little rumble, and she looked away sheepishly, “Sorry”

“Don’t be,” I replied, “I know what it’s like to be hungry.” Oh how I knew it.

She eyed me warily, “You hungry?”

“Not for pony flesh, if thats what you are thinking.” I replied.

She seemed to relax a bit and settled back into the saddlebag. “I think the slavers kept their food in the back, by the engine.”

The label read ‘Magical Fruit’ but inside there were just beans. Still, Strawberry ate three whole cans, before lying back with a contented grin on her face. Since I needed to resupply on ooze, I ate two as well.

We headed for the front of the boat again and Strawberry helped me equip FireFly, lashing it to my right side so it could work as a counterweight to Strawberry on my left. It was kinda cool actually, because now she could just lean over my back and reload it with a new spark battery, should I need it.

Since I couldn't swim or fly, we had to crash the boat into the riverbank to get back on dry land.

Strawberry looked up at me, “So… where to now?”

“Southeast,” I said as I pointed up the upriver.

Her mouth dropped open, “Fillydelphia?”

Fillydelphia... I kinda like the sound of that! Probably filled with fillies who would love to make some new and interesting friends.

Footnote: Level Up.

New Perk: A Black Horse - You are getting used to starvation, you are now 20% more effective in your energy use.