Fallout Equestria: The Ink, and The Cherry

Chapters

Prologue: Before The Cloud
Chapter 1: Flaming Bullet
Chapter 2: Guns...nuff said
Chapter 3: Backstories
Chapter 4: Kind Heart...not so much
Chapter 5: Bright Town

Prologue: Before The Cloud

"Is this on? Looks like it. If you are hearing this get as far away from this place....if you need more reason I suppose I'll tell you my story. My name is Ink Well, and it all started when a over excited mare bumped into me in the markets before the mega spells...."

I was trotting through the busy marketplace of Ponyville holding my books in my telekinetic grasp. My short green mane stuck to my forehead with sweat. It was a very...very hot day today. My black fur wasn't helping matters. I groaned at my color palette why couldn't I be a royal guard white of at least yellow like my father, but nope it had to be black like my moms. I was in my thoughts when somepony bumped into me from behind knocking me off balance, and sending me into the dirt. My levitation broke, and my books fell to the ground. "Oh I'm so so so sorry!" said a very eccentric voice. I pushed myself to my hooves, and spun around to see a light pink earth pony. Her mane was long, and stylish. Her mane was the color red with a few pink lines through it, her eyes the color of bubble gum. "I'm such a klutz!" she started gathering my books faster than I could make out, and then held them out to me in her hooves.

"Thank you....I guess." I replied resuming my magic grasp on my books, and lifting them in the air. She grinned, and started bouncing away. I turned to resume my walk, but she zipped in front of me.

"What's your name?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Ink Well"

"Profession"

"Author"

"Neat....have a mare friend?"

"Why is that if any relevance at all?" I asked.

"It isn't but do you?"

"No I do not."

"Okay....you going to Canterlot?" she asked last. I groaned a bit out of annoyance.

"Yes I'm going on the school trip to Canterlot....let me guess you want me to be your partner on the trip?" I raised an eyebrow before realizing she led me into a trap.

"Thank you for asking yes! She you in the train." she pranced away leaving me dumbfounded.

"She just played me.....clever girl." I said to myself followed by a chuckle I quickly stopped. I cleared my throat, and straightened my posture "I guess I'll be off." As I walked I was still having trouble wrapping my head around that mare I had just met I didn't even know her name! Everything happened so fast I didn't even catch her name! Of fucking course. I shook my head, and made my way back to my cozy little shithole hotel, were me and my dad lived.

I opened the door, and walked in. The room smelled of booze, vomit, and depressing thoughts. This was my home. A small apartment with one bathroom, a bed, and a couch you can guess which one I sleep on. I dropped my bags on the couch, and slowly lowered my stack of books besides me. I levitated a copy of 'Daring Do', and began to read. I had just opened the book when my father stumbled in drunk as a skunk....were did that frase come from anyway? My father was a white unicorn, with a bright red mane. His cutiemark was a broadsword. He used to be a soldier you know....until a sniper shot him in the leg, and thus impaired his movement so he was retired.

He didn't say anything he just stumbled to his bed murmuring about something, and passed out. Peace, and quiet was all I heard before I finished my book, and went to bed dreaming about tomorow. The following day my father was still passed out in his own filth so that was a plus I grabbed a box of cereal, and looked in the fridge for some milk....the milk was chunky so I just ate the cereal dry, and headed out to the door to the outside. I walked down the metal staircase outside my apartment to find a stallion flagging ponies down handing out boxes to them. I was courious so I walked over to him "Excuse me sir, but what are you passing out?" I looked at his outfit. It was a stable jumpsuit.

"Just handing out Pip-bucks to those who can't afford to get into the Stables they are very useful tools you know....want one?" asked the stallion grabbing one of his many boxes, and holding it out.

I thought for a second, and shrugged "I don't see why not." I took the box, and went on my way holding it in my magic. I opened the box, and floated out the slightly used Pip-buck 3000. It was a little beat up, but knowing Stable Tech. It wouldn't break on me any time soon. I clamped it on my left fore hoof, and watched the screen light up showing the image of the Stable Colt.

I lowered my leg, and kept on trotting my destination the train station for the school trip to Canterlot! I have been waiting for this trip for ages. It took a lot of saving, and hiding the money from my dad, but it was worth it. I guess that mare showing up out of the blue was a good thing I was in need of a partner, or else I wouldn't be aloud to go at all! She slammed into me before I even saw her. The same mare from yesterday again knocked me off of my hooves, and into the dirt......I was already getting tired of this. "Well" I spat out dirt "nice to see you too." I said looking up at the pink mare.

"Oops sorry Inkie!" she said pulling me to my hooves "I just don't look were I prance sometimes!" she was smiling sheepishly.

"It's fine no harm done....I don't believe I caught your name yesterday can you tell me it?" I asked brushing off some dust from my fur.

"Names Cherry Berry! I help out over at Sugar Cube Corner on weekends just so you know." she answered smiling all the way. I nodded, and turned my head to look at a street clock it was 12:05 PM the train leaves at 12:15 PM!

"Were going to be late!" I exclaimed grabbing her hoof.....was that a blush I saw on her face? And ran in the direction on the train station as fast as my hooves would carry me.

On the train

We luckily made it just before it left station thank Celestia for that! I was panting with exsertion my head rested against a window as the train chugged along towards Canterlot. "So what did you bring to pass the time?" asked my companion "I brought a Joy-boy." she then pulled out the hoof held gaming device. It was a dark green box with two buttons, and a d-pad on the front with two little bumps on either top edge! and a screen.

"I just brought some books." I answered levitating out an apple, and a blank book. By the end of the third hour of the train ride I had finished writing down half of a book. It was a story of a stallion who's long lost love had been kidnapped, and against all odds he found her and saved her. Call it cliche but I wrote it anyways. I looked up, and saw that my partner was still staring at the screen of her Joy-boy playing what looked like Super Mareio 3.

"Attention passengers" shouted the conductor from down the aisle "We will be arriving in Canterlot in two hours." he shut the door on his way back to were ever conductors go.

"So Inkie..."

"Don't call me that."

"What do you wanna do first when we get to Canterlot?" Cherry asked raising an eyebrow. I shrugged, and levitated the book I had been writing I was two pages away from finishing it, but I was out of ideas! I was considering asking her for assistance, but quickly sided against it How could she help anyway? I thought to myself. I levitated my quill, but before I could even put it into the inkwell the train shook violently. Everypony started freaking out, but I looked out the window.....I was terrified at what I saw. A large pink could enveloped Canterlot being held in only by a force field of sorts.

"What is that!" I yelled to my new ally. She didn't respond instead she just curled up on the seat holding a cupcake plushie, and cried. Not a moment after that a bright green explosion hit the tracks in front of the train my Pip-bucks Geiger counter started ticking indicating radiation. "Were being bombed!" I shouted before another blast impacted the ground beside the trains engine tossing it off the tracks, and down the mountain. As others held on to dear life (others fell, and broke through the glass of the windows) I was using my magic to hold me, and my blubbering comrade in the air. It was straining yes, but in had just enough energy for one last spell.

"Do you trust me!?" I shouted to Cherry. She nodded up and down quickly then returned to her sobbing.

"I just want my mommy!" she cried to herself over, and over again. Under normal circumstances I'd ask her to stop being a baby....but this was different the world was ending before our very eyes.

I lit my horn. I've only done this spell once before so I wasn't sure this would work, but heck it was better than dying. Just before the train hit the ground light surrounded us, and I felt myself liquefy as I turned to ink. Before I was entirely transformed I flung us at the empty pages of the book. Then everything went black.

Footnote

Level up!

Perk added- Strength in numbers: When you are a part of a group your strength increases by 2!

Chapter 1: Flaming Bullet

For 200 long years we lay dormant fused with those pages. No knowledge of the outside world. The horrors that go on every day. For 200 years the book rested un-tampered by time, or bale fire. 200 years we slept. 200 years we waited. In 200 years we awoke.

I opened my eyes slowly at first not sure what happened. Then the memories rushed back to me. I bolted to my hooves, and spun around to see the ruined carcass of the train I was riding all those years ago. "I'm alive.....IM ALIVE!" I cheered at the top of my lungs laughing absolutely high on life! I continued on with this until I noticed Cherry waking up "Cherry! Cherry were alive!" At this point I was bouncing up and down like an excied little colt on Hearthswarming Eve!

"Were are we?" she asked as she scanned the area around her hugging her plushie closer when she noticed the mass of skeletons in the surrounding area. We were in a small clearing at the bottom of Canterlot mountain not much was here but the skeletons, and us. "Inkie...I'm scared."

I ceased my whooping and hollering, and trotted over to my companion. I sat down next to her and placed a hoof back "Don't worry you'll be okay...let's get back to Ponyville let's see if anyone survived."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." a voice warned.

"Who's there?" I asked scanning the area seeing nothing. Then he showed himself. He was only a colt probably just 8 years old by the looks of it. He was a unicorn his horn pointing that out....wow I just made a pun. His fur was orange, and his mane was styled kinda like Vynl's except his mane was black, and red striped. "Why shouldn't I go to Ponyville?"

"Did you just crawl out of a Stable lad?" he asked shaking his head "Ponyville is raider territory bad business."

"What do you mean raider territory? I was there a few hours ago, and everything was normal." I snapped back.

He just chuckled slowly then bust out in full on laughter "You really have been under a rock your whole life!" he laughed some more "This is the wasteland bruh everything, and everypony is out to kill, rob, eat, and rape you in that order if your lucky."

He was starting to get on my nerves, but he had a point the world felt....different. More dirty, and depressing. Maybe he was right "Well then what do you expect us to do? I'm guessing were not even in our time anymore are we?" This earned a raised eyebrow.

"Your time? Are you a time traveler like in Captian Cosmos!" said the colt his eyes widening a grin appearing on his face.

"It's not really time travel I think it's more like suspended animation." I assumed his grin faltered, but then quickly reappeard.

"Doesn't matter I'm Flaming Bullet now we better move cause all that noise probably attracted ghouls." I then asked what a ghoul is and he just shook his head "They are ponies that were irradiated to hell, and didn't die. They look like corpses, but usually they are nice. Sometimes they are feral. Then you better run....or if you got the guns shoot them."

I was shocked (though not as much as Cherry who was now pressed up against the cliff face shaking) at how casualy this boy much younger than I talked about killing! I was just about to turn, and run taking Cherry (who I regret to say was probably the most sane pony I've met here so far) with me, when is saw one of these 'feral' ghouls. It was a horrid rotting creature it's eyes were blank with ravenous hunger, and even though it's wings had no feathers it took flight. "FUCK!" yelled Flaming Bullet using his magic to pull a revolver off a holster on the side of his barrel, and fired two shots into the creature. Each shot caused it to burst into flames I was instantly sick. After emptying the contents of my stomach more ghouls showed up. I counted twelve half were unicorns a few pegasi, and a single earth pony.

"RUN!" shouted Flaming Bullet taking off in the opposite direction of the ghouls. At this time I didn't give a fuck about him being a killer I ran after him levitating Cherry whom was frozen with fear muttering the word 'Mommy' over and over again. I was starting to think her mental state would kill her before the ghouls or Clestia knows what else is out here now.

"WHERE ARE WE GOING!" I shouted as we ran the ghouls gaining on us. Flaming bullet levitated his revolver pointing behind us and fired the remaining four rounds into the horde each one meeting it's mark, and making another flaming husk. If it wasn't for all the adrenaline I'd be throwing up again.

"Back to my place! I have a shack a few miles away!" he shouted over the noise of his gun, and the ghouls moaning. "Can you run that far?"

"By myself yes! I'm not so sure with me carrying Cherry though....she weighs more than she looks my magic is already straining!" I answered. I was sweating profusely, and my vision was blurring making it hard to avoid the random crap laying on the path. I nearly tripped multiple times. When I thought I wasn't going to make it I saw a shack on the country side it was made of wood boards, and metal sheets with a sturdy looking door. "Is that it!"

"Eeyup!" he yelled suddenly increasing in speed, and I did likewise. I was nearly running on empty when Flaming opened the door, and we rushed inside collapsing on the ground, I used what little magic I had left to shut and lock the door. "That....was close." Our new ally said in between breaths.

"You could say that...." I retorted panting while Cherry just rocked back, and fourth on the floor. I had enough I was going to close my eyes, and wake up on the train. In my time. Going on my field trip. So I closed my eyes, but those things didn't happen.

Footnote

Agility +1

Perk gained- Night of the not-so living dead- When being attacked by ghouls, or similar creatures agility maximizes.

Chapter 2: Guns...nuff said

I opened my eyes hoping to be back on the train, but to no avail. I was still in Flaming Bullets shack. I sighed, and rose to my hooves Cherry was fast asleep curled up holding her plushie for dear life. I took a look around the small one room shack. One bed where Flaming Bullet was sound asleep, a cabinet that was as you guessed locked, a fridge, a first aid box locked, and a battle saddle way to big for FB...Don't give him a nickname you'll grow attached to him, and you need to get as far away as possible! I kept telling myself that, but an hour later I hadn't taken anything, and I'd stayed sitting on the floor next to the door.

By my Pip-bucks logic it was twenty minuets later when my companions awoke. "Morning...looks like you didn't rob me so that's good." replied Flaming with a stretch "Who's hungry?" the colt asked. I raised my hoof as did Cherry "How does a can of Pea, and Beans sound?" I was fine with it so I accepted a can, but Cherry got a box of Fancy Pants Snack Cakes. I used to love those before those bombs hit. I levitated a can opener over, and quickly removed the lid. Using the discarded lid as a spoon I began to eat the 200 year old peas, and beans they were rather...weird, but apparently they were popular out in the wastes.

"So can you tell me a little about yourself?" I asked Flaming. He just shrugged, and took a sip of Sparkle Cola to wash down his Big Mac 'n' Cheese.

"Not much to tell. My brother was killed by raiders three years back, I never knew my parents, and I'm a damn good shot." he stated taking another bite out of his breakfast. "What can you tell me about you two? Aside from the other time thing."

I told him the summary of my life (excluding a few...personal things and the boring junk) about how my mother died when I was three, how my dad became an alcoholic shortly afterwards, some funny stories from my old school in Trottingham. My life was rather boring. "What about you Cherry? Care to join the bonding session?" I asked the pink, and white speckled mare.

"I...I don't really talk about my past much if that's okay with you..." she answered, and I pressed no further not wanting to push away the only pony I truly trusted.

After the meal was done I mostly just sat around trying to make small talk with my new companions while Flaming tinkered with a few guns out of boredom. When I got tired of what I had been doing I looked at my Pip-buck turning the knob to the radio I was surprised to see a station labeled 'DJ-Pon3' that was Vynls old title well it's good to know she was remembered at least. I clicked the edge of my right hoof against a button, and selected the radio station. "Hey there everypony this is DJ-Pon3, and I'm here to make a very special announcement. Apparently Somepony has riled up the ghouls in the area near Canterlot. These ghouls are feral mind you, and will eat you the first chance they got. Apparently a trio of ponies alerted them by what seemed to be accident. Hopefully they are still kicking cause I'd like to say hi." said the stallion on the radio "This is DJ-Pon3 saying goodbye...for now." As soon as his message ended some old song started playing I couldn't make out the name. I was a little shocked. This man wanted to congratulate them for nearly dying? At least he warned other ponies not to come here that was nice of him.

Still in my thoughts I didn't notice Flaming drop a pistol in front of me until he poked me with his hoof. I clicked the radio off. "Yes?" I asked.

"Grab that gun your gonna learn to shoot." Flaming said more of an order than an request. I was hesitant obviously, but I had to come to terms someday that this wasn't my Equestria. This was the Equestrian Wasteland now, and everything wanted to rob, kill, eat, and rape you in that order. I used my magic to levitate the gun. I knew guns very well this model was a Ironshod Bonecracker model 2.5. They only fired armor peircing rounds so that was a downside, but it would be delt with easily. "Go out back your friend is waiting for you." You know for a colt he seemed to be the adult of the group.

Outside was pretty bad. The clouds completely covered the sky blocking out the sun, and the ground was brown and cracked. Behind the house (shack) was a bunch of crates with empty Sunrise Saspirilla bottles lined up on them in a neat line. "Lemme guess target practice?" I asked Flaming nodded in reply, and I just levitated the gun in front of me. Cherry on the other hoof wasn't. She was sitting on a homemade stool off on the sidelines holding her plushie to her chest.

I will say it I sucked at aiming that pistol. I either missed, or hit one of the crates. I only managed to hit three bottles total. "Man you suck." Thanks for stating the obvious Flaming! "I would say it was hard for me at the start, but that'd be a lie." I mentally groaned and reloaded the special 10mm hoof-gun when I noticed a rifle of sorts propped up against one of the crates. Taking a closer look I discovered it was a 'Ironshod arms 5.56 assault rifle model 7' a bit basic, but I was willing to try.

"Mind if I shoot this a few times?" I asked. Flaming thought for a second then shrugged. Good enough for me. I lined up the sights on one of the bottles, breathed in, and fired. The shot sailed true, and the bottle erupted in a explosion of glass. "Ding ding ding we have a winner!"

Footnote

Perk gained- Soldier at heart- When using military hard ware (Assault rifles, mini guns, combat pistols, etc.) accuracy, and damage double.

Turns out the only reason he wanted to see how good we fought was so he could actually scavenge Ponyville. To bad he wasted so much time when we got there the raiders were already dead and Flaming found a revolver just sitting on the ground. "Well let's see what we can find." announced my young companion. Cherry was holding down the fort. Well shack while we were out even though she refused to pick up a gun.

We split up Flaming would check the northern side of town, and I got to check the south. My trip was rather boring to say the least up until I reached the school. Ghouls everywhere was all I could think as I looked inside the school house I went to every weekday before shit hit the fan. My anger boiled as I saw the fresh corpses inside of not only children, but a few ponies my age. Those ghouls had butchered them...and now I was going to kill them. I loaded my assault rifle, and prepared to buck down the door. I breathed in, and reared my hind hooves before lashing them out, and bucking the door open.

Any doubts about killing were erased when fighting these creatures they were insane, flesh hungry, murderers. They were like rabid animals, and rabid animals needed to be put down. My rifle spat an entire magazine of lead death into the horde. When I ran out I mearly levitated a new mag from my saddlebags and reloaded then continued my attack. In record time (well I just made my own record) I had cleared out the schoolhouse of ghouls, and was reloading my rifle when I heard the clopping of hooves behind me. I activated the Eyes Forward Sparkle (E.F.S for short) and checked if the noise was hostile. It's blip was green that meant it was safe.

"I don't want to hurt you...but I will if I have to!" said a female voice with a hint of a Manehattan accent. I slowly turned around to face my captor she looked a full two years younger than me, but far more experianced. Her fur was dark purple, and her mane, and eyes were a light turquoise. She was wearing a dark black battle saddle with a...assault rifle that put mine to shame. It was modified with an ACOG scope, a drum mag, a long barrel, and a laser sight. It's body was painted with an forest camoflouge design.

"Calm down" I asked "I'm not going to hurt you..." I was shut up by a bullet hitting the floor boards in between my two front legs. I gulped loudly.

"Yes you are all stallions are the same! They hurt you, take what they want, and leave...I'm not going to let you do that to me!" she yelled aiming the rifle at my heart. She was physically trembling I went to reach out with my hoof and comfort her, but when I did she just tensed up, and steadied her rifle again this time aimed at my forehead. Nervous sweat ran down my face stinging my eyes.

"Well most stallions around the wasteland might. I'm not from this wasteland or this time. I was put in suspended animation when the bombs dropped...I woke up a day ago." I told the mare. She raised an eyebrow no longer quite as angry she was actually curious.

"How do I know your not lieing?" she asked calmly as she slowly backed up until she was in the doorway.

"You don't, but I can assure you I'm telling the truth...Flaming can you please not shoot the lady in the doorway?" I asked seeing Flaming Bullet down the dirt path that connected to the schoolyard holding his unique .44 magnum in his levitation. The mare spun around and saw my ally holstering his gun. "See were all friends here..."

"My friends are dead." she said bitterly then I remembered the corpses behind me mangled, and bloodied by ghouls "Those rotten bastards got them..." she sighed, and then moved her muzzle away from the mouth trigger "Can you promise me that you, and no one else in your group will violate, harm, or kill me? If you can...I'll accompany you my friends are dead, and I'd rather not die too."

I made that promise, and I swore to Celestia that it would never be broken! "What's your name?"

"Redemption...Redemption 4 ex slave, and now survivor of the wastes." she answered, and with that we were off back to the shack. This family just got bigger, and bigger...

Footnote

Follower Perk Gained- Redemption- When you have negative karma you gain twice as much good karma from good tasks with Redemption in the party.

Chapter 3: Backstories

Five days had passed since we met Redemption. Those five days were pretty univentful we just trained, learned how to survive and maintain our gear, and I read The Wasteland Survival guide the part about the wastelands factions intrigued me. The only ones I bothered to read about were The Crusaders, The Reapers, The Steel Rangers, The Enclave,The Pecos, and the Talons. The Crusaders were a group of kids that worked together trying to survive only catch was if you had a cutiemark you weren't allowed in their little group. The Reapers were a brutal group of bandits that were insanely hard to kill from what the book said some could survive a shotgun blast point blank to the face. The Steel Rangers were the remnants of a group of the army before the war they mostly hoarded tech not much else. The Enclave were a bunch of power armor wearing pegasi that kept claiming to want to help the surface, but from what the book said that was a load of hogwash.

The Pecos didn't have much of a file other then being a rather decent slave driving group (don't know how slavers could be considered decent.) Lastly the Talon Company. They are a group of griffon only mercenaries that aren't afraid to get their claws dirty. They had big guns, big muscles, and no problem with helping slavers, bandits, and other fiendish groups so long as they had the caps (not sure who decided bottle caps should be currency but meh), and didn't stab them in the back.

"Hey Redemption what's your story?" I asked our new companion whom was cleaning her rifle Brain Splitter with a oiled rag. She glared at me which caused me to jump, but she sighed.

"Don't see why I should keep my past a secret anymore." she stated placing her rifle on the table then the purple earth pony began her story. "I was born to a slave mother, and a doctor that just so happened to work for said slave group. By the age of ten I was forced to work as a slave. I had hit puberty so they deemed me old enough for it...the slavers also though this meant I was fare game. Two failed attempts and two gelded stallions later they stopped trying." she chuckled a bit then returned to the story.

"When I reached 13 I was sick and tired of the slave life, and so I planned to escape...the slavers caught wind of my plan and so they got to me before I could put my plan into action" she was shaking now "They bound me, and held a rifle to my head so I wouldn't retaliate...they used me so many times..." tears were slowly running down her face now.

"You don't have to continue..." I told her.

"Yes I do...can't leave things like this bottled up now can you?" she wiped the tears from her face with her foreleg and continued "I forced myself to miscarriage...I wasn't going to let another filly or colt be born a slave and be forced to live that kind of life...so when I escaped with a few of my fellow slaves I killed those men who raped me...and when I was done..." she grinned "I cut their dicks off and shoved them down their dead throats." she grabbed a bottle of scotch and took a sip "I then found Brain Splitter on one of their corpses, and a battle saddle in the armory. With these tools I freed twelve slaves, and escaped...seems like those ghouls had other intentions...thanks for avenging them you didn't even know them, but you fought those monsters just because." she smiled an actual smile. Not a smirk, not a grin, a honest to Celestia smile! In the past few days she's been with us she had never smiled. Just the occasional smirk, or grin if we did something stupid.

"What was I supposed to do? Wait for those things to find another victim? No thank you." I responded "So what happened after that?"

"Well me and my group of slaves made it a mile from the slave camp. We were home free, but a fucking sniper shot my in the leg. I told my group to keep running and they did. I would've died if Minos hadn't found me." she sat there waiting. I rolled my eyes.

"Who's Minos..." I asked halfheartedly. I really hated it when ponies basically force me to ask questions.

"He was a Minotaur. He scooped me up, and reunited me with my friends. A day before my group got to Ponyville Minos was abducted by slavers. They were after me, but he got in the way..." she took another sip of scotch "If he's alive I don't know how I'll find him."

The moment she said that was the moment I started developing a plan to find, free, and recruit this Minos. Because I saw how his loss was tearing Redemption apart, and if there is one thing I hate more than feral ghouls...it's a sad friend.

Our little rag tag group of rookies had been traveling the road for only a day, and we had been attacked by radgators, blood wings (mutated vampire bats the size of Celestia), a single radroach, and a...giant bannana slug? We scavenged some things from random corpses, buildings, and crates we found along our journey. Were are we going? Manehattan. Why? To meet DJ-Pon3, and try and find out were Minos was being held.

Redemption was absolutely thrilled to hear my plan, and was willing to help at all costs. Cherry was also glad, but wouldn't assist if it involved fighting. Flaming was okay with it turns out he doesn't like killing he just does it to survive. As for me...I wasn't to keen on murder, but if what Redemption said these guys do is true...they forfeited the right to live...man am I already going full blown killer mode? Well since I wasn't killing my allies that's a no so I'm glad about that.

We continued on the road barely resting except to eat, or drink. I wasn't a very durable pony you see so this was kinda straining, but it had to be done. We were a full days travel from Tenpony Tower were DJ-Pon3 resided, and we weren't stopping till we got there. I had saved up 257 caps through out our scavenging sessions. I had twice that amount in scrap (my Pip-buck said so).

Just as we were on the verge of collapse my Pip-buck chirped as a message appeared it read 'Location Found Kind Hearts Road Side Hotel' "Well I think a little rest is in order..." I concluded my legs shaking from exhaustion. Nopony argued as I went and knocked on the main door. A bright green unicorn mare answered the door. Her mane was blood red, and her eyes were pink her cutiemark was a bleeding heart.

"Hyia I'm Kind Heart welcome to my hotel!"

Footnote

Level up!

Perk gained Intense training (1) +1 Endurance

Chapter 4: Kind Heart...not so much

Kind Heart was kind enough to let us stay at her motel free of charge. Which was good because the usual price for staying here was 500 caps. Heart showed me and Flaming to our rooms it was a simple one bed, a couch,and one bath apartment. That was when I recognized the place it was my old apartment! I must've had a sad look in my eyes because Flaming asked what was wrong "Oh nothing really...just some memories." was my answer it was a lie, but it was an answer non the less.

I layed my things down on the couch I slept on in those few weeks is lived in the Ponyville area, and just sat there for many an hour just thinking. When I grew bored of thinking I lied down, and closed my eyes entering the dream world.

In my dream I was back in Ponyville. Not the after the war Ponyville, but regular kind, happy Ponyville. I was sitting at a cafe table outside Sugar Cube corner enjoying a nice cupcake watching the sun set. Cherry walked up to me and said "Murderer..." I raised my eyebrow "Those ghouls were just trying to survive just as you are now, and YOU KILLED THEM!" she lunged at me and suddenly the town was in ruins with corpses littering the streets. Suddenly I wasn't holding a cupcake no I was now holding a assault rifle.

Cherry slammed into me knocking me off my seat, and onto the ground which was now stained with blood. I kept squirming trying to get up, but Cherry held me down. She reared her hoof...and nothing happened? Cherry's form was surrounded in a blue glow, and before I knew it she was ripped in two and flung in two different directions. I was trembling with fear until a gentle soothing voice said "No need to be scared any longer my little pony."

I got to my hooves shakily and faced my savior. What I saw I almost couldn't comprehend Princess Luna was standing before me "But you're dead..." was all I could say. The Wasteland Survival guide said that the two princesses were indeed dead having sacrificed themselves to keep the pink cloud (which I had found out was very corrosive and deadly) from spreading over Equestria.

"That I may be my little pony, but my spirit lives on protecting the dream relm as it always has since even before the war." answered the blue alicorn. She looked back to me and smiled "Now is time to wake young one, but do not fret I will protect you." and like that my eyes closed, and I blacked out.

When I opened my eyes I was met by Redemption shaking me "Wake up wake...oh your awake.".

"Yes I'm awake, but I must ask what's wrong?" I asked a little grumpy at the intrusion.

"Kind Heart is what's wrong! She tried to kill me!" she whispered/ yelled. She quickly ran to the other side of the room, and brought my bags to me "Get equipped were running!" she didn't need to tell me twice. I quickly put my saddle bags on, and levitated my assault rifle. Flaming was ready as well his .44 at the ready a look of determination on his face.

"Where's Cherry Berry?" I asked as we ran to the doors. She told me that she was already sometime down the road, and waiting at a buss stop for us. I nodded, and aimed my rifle I'm front of me as I continued my run. We rounded the corner the door was in sight we were home free! As if the wasteland wanted to prove it always wanted to fuck your shit up there was a loud bang, and the floor in front of us exploded. We skidded to a stop, and turned around to see Kind Heart wearing some combat armor, and a battle saddle with two large sniper rifle looking guns attached to the side...fuck those are anti-machine rifles!

"Well fuck me with a cannon those are anti-machine rifles!" stated Redemption aiming her rifle. Flaming, and I did likewise but we were horribly out armored, and armed. We were absolutely trembling.

"Were are you going?" she asked in her southern accent "Why ah was just about to make some Redemption steak with a side of Mutifruit!"

I clenched my teeth, and pulled the bolt on my rifle back, and lined up the sights on her forehead, and...BANG! I jumped as one of Kind Hearts rifles fired, and completely destroyed my rifle. I had grown very attached to that rifle, but those big guns were overriding my anger at the moment. I gulped loudly, and started to slowly back away "Ahm rather famished chasing you three around so how's bout this. I'll kill the small one, and the mare and then the black one and I can eat. I'm thinking Redemption dogs topped with sliced colt!" okay this canibalistic fuck was getting on my nerves a little.

"I don't even eat meat, but even if I did I wouldn't eat any you cooked you bitch!" I shouted back. Sure my comeback was cheesy, but it was a spur of the moment so I'd say I did rather well all things considered. This caused her to snarl, and reload her rifles. She aimed them at me...fuck. She placed her mouth on the battle saddles trigger, and went to bite down...the shot never came because Redemption beat her to it. A flurry if 5.56 rounds slammed into our attacker ripping holes in her armor in various places she even broke one of the rifles. Woohoo!

"Why you little cunt you broke mah favorite gun!" exclaimed...no that's putting it lightly more like yelled with a furious passion aiming the second gun ignoring the several dozen holes adorning her hide. I used my magic, and pried the other rifle off much to Kind Hearts dismay, and floated it over to me.

"Any last words bitch!" Flaming spat at the now unarmed mare. My new gun was pointed right in her direction, my magic gently caressed the trigger, but didn't pull it. While everything else about me was calm my mind, and physical form weren't. "Ink shoot her." I gawked at him.

"But she's unarmed! On another note I'm no killer!" I spat back "Were leaving, and were taking half of her supplies, and that's that!" Redemption looked angry for a moment, but just sighed.

"Fine" she shot Kind Heart in the leg causing the mare to yell out in pain as she fell to the floor holding her now wounded leg Redemption stuck her tounge out at the crippled mare, and I glared at her "What? I didn't kill her did I?" I just groaned in annoyance and started going around the apartment gathering up supplies, and ammo. I even found a new assault rifle! Yay! I even found a decent amount of 50mg rounds for the AMR (anti-machine rifle).

"Alright were headed out, and Kind Heart" she looked up at me eyes full of anger, pain, and misery "Change your life style, or I won't let you live like I did this time." I looked at my Pip-buck, and somehow (I have no clue how) it gave me Cherry's exact location. "Were headed out." I announced trotting out the door my gang right behind me. First step get Cherry, last step give DJ-Pon3 that visit he was asking for. I'd really like to talk to sompony who wast trying to eat me, shoot me, or otherwise harm me. If the DJ tried any of that...well I have a new gun.

We met up with Cherry about twenty minutes later, and continued our little journey. We only found out later that Redemption had been stabbed so we were forced strey away from our path. A quick look at my Pip-buck stated that there was a small town nearby hopefully there would be a doctor, or at least a guy with a couple of healing potions! If he didn't I was going to scream so hard...is that a pony?

Sure enough ahead of us was a group of ponies one had a duster the other was wearing a lab coat a doctor perhaps? "Hey!" I called trying to get their attention "My friend is hurt, and we are in need of assistance!"

The one in the lab coat stood up, and shouted back "Well stop yelling, and bring him/ her over here then!" judging by the voice she was a mare, and rather young too maybe 16? 15? Who knows. Redemption was drapped over my back half asleep from blood loss. I wasted no time getting over there. One thing that surprised me was that they were both pegasi! Also their lack of cutiemark which in its place was a brand of Rainbow Dashes cutiemark labeled them dashites. As for what a dashite is children I'll enlighten you. A dashite is a pegasus that has abandoned the Enclave in favor of trying to help those of us that live in the wasteland.

The doctor was a white pegasus mare with a light blue mane. The other one was a buck, and his fur was red except his hooves which were black, and his mane was purple. "Lay your friend down on my bedroll I'm going to get my supplies." so I put Redemption down on the ratty bedroll. The wound in her side was still bleeding though not as bad as before still bad! Not a minute later the pegasus mare returned "Give me some room please." she asked of us. I nodded, and took a few steps back.

"Is she going to be okay?" Cherry asked a bit concerned.

"Of course she is. I haven't lost a patient yet have I?" the mare reassured.

"You've actually lost quite a few." her companion retorted making Cherry worried.

"Don't listen to Darkened he's a dick. I'm Winter Rose, and this is my traveling hospital!"

Footnote

Level up!

Perk gained- Wasteland Knowledge- After reading the Wasteland Survival guide, and living in the wastes yourself your no longer some innocent stallion form the past. Your a wastelander. +15 to survival, and all combat skills. Also +1 intelligence.

Chapter 5: Bright Town

After Winter Rose worked her medical magic the rest of my group kinda just sat there. Occasionally starting conversations, but those didn't last long at all. Out of boredom I decided to check the condition of my new rifles. The assault rifle was in decent condition, but I'd need to fix it up before I went into combat anytime soon. The AMR on the other hoof was in pristine condition, and I had a decent amount of regular bullets for it. "Hey Flaming you got any spare assault rifle parts I can use?" I asked the colt.

"Can't say that I do. I have a weapon repair kit if that'll work." He answered levitating the metal case that I assumed was a weapon repair kit. I graciously took the box, and opened it pulling out tools, and parts that I could use, and got to work. I kept the best working parts (barrel, trigger, spring, and the bolt) and replaced the rest. It was difficult, and I'm not even sure I even completely fixed it (my Pip-buck confirmed that by saying it was at 67% durability), but I was proud of my work non the less. "So how was your fist taste of the seven kinds of fucked up that is the wasteland?"

My answer was pretty straight forward "I don't like it I'll tell you that. I just wish I could go back to before the bombs..., but that's kind of counter productive isn't it? I'd just get killed by the bombs, or go through this conversation again." Okay not that straight forward as I thought, but I was tired of being straight forward. I placed my rifle back in my bags, and trotted over to Cherry "Mind if I sit here?" I asked pointing to a section of dirt besides the mare.

"Sure nopony else is using it." was her answer, and so I sat down next to her. By this point she was the only pony in our little rag tag group who hasn't killed yet, and the two of us were the oldest in the group! I mean Flaming is just a kid yet he'd already killed his fare share. I already knew Redemption didn't have any qualms with killing, but she had a solid reason for that considering how she was raised, and where she was raised...didn't make it right just made it somewhat reasonable. As for Flaming...I had no idea about his past, and I vowed to figure it out!

"How are you holding up?" I asked her.

"I'm...okay not great, but I'm still here aren't I?" was her answer even though she put on a smile her eyes betrayed her. The wasteland was weighing down on her a lot, and she felt ready to just break down and cry at that moment. We sat there in silence for a hour, or two until Winter approached us a smile on her face.

"Good news your earth pony friend is going to pull through! That knife severed two arteries I'm surprised she survived even twenty minutes with that wound." she told us, and I let out a breath I hadn't known I had been holding.

"Thank Celestia...how much do we owe you?" asked Cherry rising to her hooves. I doubted we had enough to pay her, but she insisted we not pay her at all, and that it was her pleasure. I was a bit sceptical at her kindness.

"Lemme guess you think it's to good to be true?" I nodded "Don't worry I won't double cross you I'm a nice pony." she exclaimed with a smile. I raised an eyebrow, but for now I would belive her..., but I would be keeping my eyes on her. "Well then I guess I should properly introduce myself. I'm Winter Rose I'm a traveling doctor, but you already knew that. Darkened Spectrum over there is my body guard because I'm a very fragile mare, and I need protection. I hate conflict, but I'm good with a needle!"

Great another pacifist well at least she could patch us up if she would come along with us "Hey what do you think about traveling with us? Were bound to get shot at one point or another, and could really use the help!" asked Cherry before I could even open my mouth to ask her myself.

She thought about it for a moment, and shrugged "Sure why not it might be fun! Besides it's not so different from my job as a traveling doctor now." she grabbed her saddlebags, and put them on "Well your friend will be bedridden for at least two to three days. There's only so much healing potions can do in such short time."

Due to my limited medical knowledge I was going to take her word for it. "I wanted to ask. Do you know anything about that town over there?" Flaming asked pointing his hoof to the small settlement about a mile away from our encampment. It was mostly shacks, but a few were actually buildings surprisingly.

"Not much never been there." Winter Rose told us "I've heard it's a nice place, but this is slaver territory which is why I hired Darkened over there to guard me."

I took a look at the small town the slavers in the area didn't sit well with me. Any pony who sold ponies for money were just as bad as a monster in my book! As bad as they were...I don't think I could kill one. Raiders, and feral ghouls were insane, and needed to be put down...slavers were just trying to make a living. It was a living I wouldn't give a crap if they lost all their caps, but a living non the less. "Should we stop by?" I asked.

"I don't see why not. I exhausted my medical supplies fixing up your friend over there, and I need to restock." Winter answered.

"Might as well. I haven't had a decent nights rest in a while." Flaming also put on the table. Darkened just shrugged, and took a long swig from a whiskey bottle.

"Then it's settled were headed to the town when ever Redemption can be moved." I announced, and everypony (besides Darkemed who threw out another insult) got their gear ready. Turns out as long as Redemption doesn't strain herself to much it's safe to move her...as long as I carry her what am I a pack mule? Good thing she didn't weigh much.

In about seven minutes (yes I counted) we were ready, and were headed out. We were tired, slightly hungry, and needed propper bedding for Redemption, and I was not going to spend the night outside!

As soon as we came into the twenty to thirty foot range away from the gates a streak of crimson struck the dirt in front of my hooves causing me to jump back. "Who goes there!?" shouted a male voice through an megaphone.

"I'm Winter Rose of Winter Roses traveling clinic. My caravan, and I were hoping to stop here, and rest, and restock before heading out!" shouted our doctor. There was a very intense moment of silence, and then the gate opened.

"Better not make me regret my decision..." yelled the stallion again, and we entered the town.

The town was named Bright Town...that was an understatement. The buildings were built mostly like Flamings shack with the exception of massive spotlights, and a neon light in the shape of the words 'Bright Town Club' what was it with ponies, and naming things after the place they are in? It annoyed me...alot. As in 'If I see another Celestia damned building with Bright Town in the name I'm gonna strangle Somepony!' kind of annoyed.

Other than those few things it was a nice place no radiation, the beds were cheap (20 caps), the food was good, and the ponies were actually really nice. Especially this young little filly by the name of Daisy I met in the inn.

"Welcome to my daddy's inn mister!" said an energetic young filly as we entered the inn. She was an earth pony with a blood red mane, and eyes, and she didn't have a cutiemark yet. "I'm Golden Daisy, and I'm 5 years old!" she said with a smile that just screamed adorable. My heart melted...

"Hi I'm Ink Well, the pink one is Cherry Berry, the pegasus mare is Winter Rose, the pegasus stallion is Darkened, and the colt is Flaming Bullet. Our friend is at the medical area at the moment, but I think she'd like to meet you." I told her, and she smiled and nodded again. She was so fucking adorable! I just wanted to hug her she was so cute.

I was just about to ask about her day when a stallion at the counter called us over. We did as asked, and took a seat. "I would really appreciate it if you stopped talking to my daughter." he told us a hint of venom, and anxiety in his voice. I tensed up a bit all of my molecules screaming run, and or duck, but I remained still. "Now" he said calmly...I preferred the stallion when he was angry. His coat, was the same as Daisy's, but his mane and eyes were brown "What can I get you?"

Cherry apparently unaffected by the awkwardness that had transpired said "We'd like some rooms, and some canned pre-war food!"

"Which canned food did you want? Pea and beans, or canned peaches?"

"Surprise us!" was her answer. I just sat back, and looked around I saw Daisy talking with a few more filly's that had a look I couldn't explain in their eyes...it looked like they were in pain, and or sick who knew I sure as hell didn't. At another section of the inn, or I as I like to call it 'that bar with the weird stallion running it' was a small room with a pool table. I was going to visit that table sometime today!

"Your room is the first on the left." said the stallion pointed out a window behind him to the line of small shacks behind the pub. I nodded, and Cherry grabbed the small pile of Pea, and bean cans the stallion placed on the counter, and we stepped back out into the town.

We found our 'room', and placed our food, and random stuff down and rested for a bit before headed to the market. It was around 7:25 PM, and shops would be closing soon, and I wanted to sell most of our surplus ammo, and guns. "I'll be back by eight." I told my friends before taking off to find a shop that might be open,

Luck was in my favor a general store was open, and the shop owner was rather nice. She took all my junk, and I walked away 5000 caps richer. Who knew pilot lights would be worth so much here? As I walked back to our shack I came across a shop labeled 'Bright Town Labor Force HQ' "A job sounds nice." I told myself walking into the building...suddenly my perspective on this town changed as I saw the posters showing fillies, and colts with big red 'For Sale' tags on them. My rage bubbled as I saw a stallion walk out with a filly I recognized a collar around her neck. Daisy was just made a slave...I cocked my rifle, and blew the stallions brains out onto the wall.

Next I sprayed a five round burst into the mare at the counter. Is it too much to ask to find a place without slavery, or canabalistic bitches in it? When the deed was done I holstered my rifle, and approached Daisy whom was trying to force her collar off she stopped when she noticed me, and held her front legs out as if to protect herself. When the attack she suspected never happened she lowered her legs, and saw me grabbing some keys off the stallions corpse. "Come here so I can get that collar off." I told her shaking the keys in my magic grip.

She blinked registering what she just heard "But aren't stallions supposed to abduct fillies, and colts who don't have masters?" she told me confused.

"I've only been in the wastes a few weeks now, and while that might get me paid..." I began "Slavery, rape, and child abuse is were I draw the line." I slipped the key into the bomb collars back, and twisted releasing the collar, and causing it to the ground. She rubbed her neck, and looked up at me with a smile.

"Thanks mister...are you going to help free my friends too?" she asked with puppy dog eyes. I was going to help anywho, but her cute little face further strengthened my resolve. I nodded and that smile broke into a full on grin her eyes set into a look of determination. I passed her my old 10mm, and a few mags. She wielded the gun better than I had.

I grabbed the mares keys, and opened a door in the back of the room, and was greeted by the sight of fillies, and colts sitting in rusty old cages soiled with their own filth. Rotten fruit was sitting on plates inside the cages, and they poked at it obviously not hungry for rotten fruit.

I got to work freeing the children, and giving them some actual (although 200 years old, and preserved) food, and told them to wait for me there. They nodded one of the colts looked at me star struck. Daisy was talking to another group passing out some water when I heard the click of a weapons safety clicking off. I lit my horn, and swatted the gun from the pony behind me's own magic grip, and spun around.

I was facing the mare from the counter. I apparently missed anything vital due to her combat barding...I really needed armor. There was blood in her light blue fur, and purple mane. Then I realized she had another gun "Just fan tucking fastic!" I yelled to the heavens. The mare raised an eyebrow, and began to squeeze the trigger...then her head exploded. I turned, and saw Daisy my pistol in her mouth her tounge on the trigger.

"Boom heshot" she said through the guns handle as it was clamped between her teeth. She spat the gun out, and re said it "Boom headshot." she spat at the new corpse, and turned to face me "Can we go find my dad. I'd like to thank him for selling me to these creeps!" she said her voice full of venom. I of course nodded, and she picked up her gun "Well wat are weh waitn fer?" she said through her guns handle again. I grinned, and cocked my gun...that fuck was going to die!

Footnote Level up

Perks gained-

Child at heart- 20% more barter, and speech when talking to children. Also opens new dialogue options.

Sharp Reflexes- Your time in the wasteland has sharpened your reflexes, and reaction time. + 2 perception, and 2 agility