Fallout: Equestria- The Lone Rifleman

Determination.

Determination is what drives us to do what we want to do. In this wasteland you have to have the determination to survive even when everything seems to be going down the drain. But, don’t give up hope as it is determination that drives us to do the things we do. It is determination that keeps up going when we feel like we should just stay the way we are and gets us up in the morning after a long day of fighting. It is determination that helps you make sure that your family doesn’t get hurt even it costs you your life.
________________________________

I softly opened my eyes to the morning light fluttering in through the duster stained window. I laid there for a moment and breathed taking in the sounds of the house. I could hear sizzling food and hoofs going back and forth downstairs on the wooden floor. I looked at my Pip-boy to see that it was 10:26 AM. I was still sore from the day before and pain still made its dull presents known in a couple places around my body. I took a deep breath and sat up looking around the room again. The nightstand to my right and the weird locked cabinet in the corner. I pushed off the blanket planting my feet to the floor. Popped my back and neck before getting up. I was definitely feeling better then, the day before. Taking a deep breath I got up and walking to the end of the bed gabbing the remains of one of my favorite T-shirts. Slipping it on covering my fresh scars I walked towards the door. Just as I grabbed the door handle; I looked at the cabinet with a little curiosity. “Hmm.” I hummed just before I opened the door. I walked out to the deserted hallway then, the smell of cooking assaulted my nose; making my mouth starting to water.

Once I smelt the food, I was walking a little bit faster down the hallway. I went down the stairs to see that both Apple Pie and her sister were running back and forth through the hallway through the rooms. It made me smile reminding me when I was a kid; I made my way downstairs. Once, my feet hit the wood floor, I was assaulted by both of the fillies as they started to ask me questions. “How are you Parker?! Did you sleep well!?” Apple said joined by her sister.

“What are you!? Where do you come from!? Where did all of those scars come from!? Can we be friends?!?” She said in rapid succession almost like a question machinegun. They were spitting out the questions faster then, I couldn’t even speak to answer before a feminine voice flowed in from the dining room.

“Girls, give the buck a rest! Bring him in here, he must be starving!” The mother yelled from the dining table, the sounds of plates and silverware being placed. I was about to say something but, my stomach rumbled betraying me. Apple pie looked up at me with a smile and grabbed somehow with her hoof towing me into the dining room where some eggs, some corn, and mutant fruit sat on five plates. The mother looked at me with a still uneasy smile but, it better than last night. “Morning.” she said placing

I was staring at the food ignoring her for a moment before her voice snapped me out. “huh? What?” I said snapping my vision at her. She was pointing at her mouth indicating that I was drooling. “Sorry…” I said wiping the drool off my face with my hand. “I’m just really hungry but, good morning.”

She giggled a little. “It’s alright, I’m sure that you are more than hungry.” She levitated a seat backwards gesturing me to sit there. I complied walking to the seat and sitting down with both fillies sitting next to me on both ends. The mother had a plate of food in front of me consisting of eggs, corn, and the mutant fruit. I looked at her with a questioning look. She smiled. “Yes, you can eat now if you want.” the moment that she said that I went to town. I devoured the corn and eggs before I knew it and then, I was going for the fruit. I looked at it for a moment before taking a bite out of the fruit eating it like an apple.

It tasted like an orange. I ate the rest of it without realizing that Wood had sat down across from me with his wife sitting at his side along with both the fillies staring at me as I ate. When I finished I looked at them wiping my mouth with a napkin that was next to the now empty plate. I made a sheepish smile after I finished wiping off my mouth. “Sorry, I was a little hungry.” I said my stomach was now at least half way full.

The mother giggled making Wood ease up a little. “It’s aright dear. I would be too if I had the kind of day you did.” She said taking a bite of eggs.

Wood looked at me with a raised eyebrow. “Speaking of which. How did you survive the thousand foot drop off of the cliff? I mean you have to be very lucky that you even survive the fall let alone run away from ghouls afterwards.”

I looked at him after taking a drink of water. “Oh, yeah. I landed on top of the griffin that tackled me off the train.” I said casually taking another drink of water. Wood and his wife looked at me in disbelief.

“I’m sorry but, I didn’t catch your name?” Wood’s wife said drawing my attention to her.

“My name’s Parker Williams.” I said leaning back into the chair.

Wood’s wife smiled. “Well, nice to meet you Parker. My name’s is Honey Suckle.” She said pointing to her. “These are our fillies.” She said gesturing to Apple Pie first then, to her little sister. “I think you already met Apple Pie.” She said patting her daughter on the head. “The little one over there next to you that was blasting your ear away with questions at you is Lotus Spring. She is just filled with energy.” She said looking at the little bundle of energy that looks like she is about to explode. She then, looked at her husband pecking him on the cheek. “This is my husband Wooden Rabbit but, we just call him Wood.” He just grunted at the his name munching on his meal. “But, can you continue on your story about the griffin?”

I just shrugged and looked at everypony on the table. “Not much to tell. As I was getting up after killing a different one he tackled me sending us both over the cliff. A second later it started to claw away at me adding to the wounds that the first one inflicted on me while we were having a little fist fight.” I said letting them get a closer look at my arms revealing about a good dozen or so scars on each arm. “After about a few moments, I caught it’s claw threw the entire griffin to the side drawing my pistol. Fired twice into its side sending it out of control. I used the same claw to pull me closer butting the griffin making it lose more control in the air. That explains the big bump on my forehead.” I said pointing to the whelp on my forehead. They just stared at me a little in disbelief even Spring was sitting still; listening to my story. “Then, I climbed onto its back as we got closer to the ground and grabbed its wings using my knees I pulled away from its body making maximum velocity just before we hit the ground. It was only thanks that I had the griffin on the bottom is that I survived the initial fall. I tumbled away about fifteen or so yards away getting major injury reports from my Pip-boy. After about a moment or so I injected a Stimpak or what your world calls a Healing Potion. That’s how I survived the fall.” I said rubbing my head. “I lost my favorite hat on the way down though. It sucks my uncle gave me that hat on my fourteenth birthday” I said sighing and taking another drink of water.

Wood grinned when I said that. “Is it a black leather hat with the letters P, A, W?”

My face lit up when he said and I almost jumped over the table. “The letters scratched in with looks like a knife?” He nodded. I got the biggest grin on my face. “I don’t care it you are giving me automatic rifle and missile launcher. All I want is my hat. Where did you find it?” I said getting a laugh from the small family.

Wood was still grinning. “I found it on one of the fence posts near the road when I wad tending to the fences. If you want it, it’s in the living room on the hat rack. Just cross the hallway into the living room and it is immediately on your left.” When he was done speaking I got up and walked pretty fast to the living room but, when I was in the hallway I heard a knock on the door.

Wood was about to get up but, I waved him down. “I got it.” I said opening the door to a griffin in a suit and tie making both of us give each other a raised eyebrow. We stood there for a few silent moments. “What you want?” I asked breaking the silence. ;

The griffin shook his head and smiled. He was about my height and had perfect feathers; not a single one was out of place. His wings looked they have never seen combat; not a single feather was out of place. He gave me a bad feeling. “I’m here to talk to Wooden Rabbit he owes us some caps.” he said making me raise my eyebrow again.

“For what?”

He looked at me studying my body seeing if I was a threat. “Does it really matter?”

I glared at him. “Yes, that is all that matters.” I said stuffing my hands in my pockets.

We stood there in dead silence the sounds of hoofs hitting wooden floor and hushed whispers that I couldn‘t make out. After about a moment or two he spoke up. “May I come in?” He asked pushing me to the side and into the hallway. I glared at him again closing the door. Honey Suckle was putting up the plates with the help of Apple and Spring. He looked at Honey and cleared his throat. “Miss Suckle can I please get a drink of water please? I‘m quite parched.” She looked at him then, at me while I was glaring at the griffin.

“Yes Mr. Fig, just wait in the living room with my guest. I’m sure that you both can talk about something. My husband will be down with the payment in just a moment.” Suckle said putting away the dishes along with the kids.

He looked at me and smiled. “Yes, why don’t we go in the living room while we wait and talk.” He said going into the living room. I didn’t say anything and I went to the sofa while the griffin sat across from me in a easy chair. I sat down on the old sofa and the sounds of the springs straining against my weight filled the room; I was glaring at him entire time. He looked me over again noticing the scars up and down my arms then, my torn up shirt. “Must of gone into a big fight to get all of those scars on your arms; they look fresh. Please do tell how you got them.” He said sounding like a high society douchebag.

“Yeah, I got them in a fight with a couple griffins. I killed four others before that with a rifle.” I answered coldly, making look a little impressed. But, I saw him flinch in his eyes; he was afraid of me. Good.

“How did you survive? Even though you are about average height for a griffin in this part of the wasteland but, from the way you look you couldn’t be that strong.” he said in disbelief losing part of the high society bullshit.

I made a dark chuckle. “I think that was the same thought those griffins thought when they decided to tackle me but, look at them now. Probably being eaten by scavengers of all kinds just for thinking that. Same. Exact. Thought.” I said leaning back into the sofa with a dark grin. “One was from a couple of guns shots and another was from a thousand foot drop.” Mr. Fig had shocked written all over his face. “He had a real tough time flying when I was holding back on his wings. And landing on a metal wagon at forty miles per hour didn‘t help either.” I said making him quiet. He’s eyes were filled with fear now just from my little story. “I just want to tell you if you piss me off, I won’t be afraid of taking another.” I said making the griffin stretch out his collar in discomfort.

Suckle came in with the water in her aura handing it to Mr. Fig. “Here you go Mr. Fig.” she said her voice sounded…disgraced.

Mr. Fig took the water with his talons taking a drink. “Thank you Mrs. Suckle that will be all for now.” he said waving her off like a servant; making me grasp the couch cushion in anger but, his voice was a little shaky, that was the only reason I didn‘t rip the couch cushion. He looked at me with a smile. “You’re that human that DJ-PON3 was talking about on the radio for the last couple of days.” he said quickly changing subject.

I looked at him with a blank face. “Apparently.” I deadpanned just when Wood came into the living room with bag full of caps in his mouth.

He was looking ashamed and depressed when he came to a stop. “Here you go, Mr. Fig. Five hundred Caps” letting Mr. Fig grab the bag full of caps.

Mr. Fig got up holding the caps bag and opening it; grinning when he saw the amount inside, making me clench my fists again on the cushions nearly tearing the weak fabric. “Thank you, Mr. Rabbit. I will came back in one week for the other five hundred for the month.” When he said that he pushed it too far for me. I sprung up and superman punching him dropping him to the ground; letting the bag full of caps drop, scattering them across the floor.

“I fucking had it with you asshole.” I said grabbing his collar in my fist and began to drag him to the door. I kicked it open and threw him out onto the dirt and sand of the desert. He looked back at me, he had a black left eye and blood was coming out the side of his head. “Get the fuck out of here before I kick your ass again and make you my bitch.” I said while he got up and began to fly away. “The next time I see you here I‘m going to personally put my gun up your ass and empty the magazine and that’s a promise.” I yelled slamming the door closed. Once, I did a message came on my HUD. ‘Feather Company infamy gained!’ Ignoring it, I turned to see that Wood and Suckle were crying to each other on the sofa. I sighed and went to them. “He won’t bother you again.” I said taking my hat off the hat rack and placing it on top of my head.

Wood looked at me with sorrow mixed with anger. “You fucking idiot.” he said making me feel guilty about something.

“I was just trying to help.” I said sitting in the easy chair.

Suckle looked at me with tears in her eyes. “You doomed us all.” she said. They were just words but, it felt like a knife was going through my heart.

“What did I do?” I asked rubbing my forehead.

Wood patted Suckle on the back while she cried on his shoulder. He looked back at me. “We had to pay protection money or they would have killed us and sold our daughters into slavery; making them their play toys. Now, that you have thrown Mr. Fig out. He is going to come back with an army and kill us all!” he exclaimed making me feel like I was just hit in the face, stomach and balls with a super sledge.

I sat there for a moment thinking of what to do while, Wood and Suckle were trying to figure out what to do. “We could always pack up everything and leave.” Suckled suggested in the background of my thoughts.

“No, they would catch us by dusk. How about we pay them double and pay them the five hundred next week?” Wood replied.

“No, we can’t pay them that. That was all of the caps we have. I…I just don’t know what to do.” Suckle said sobbing again.

The entire time they were talking an idea popped into my head. “I’ve got an idea.” I said getting their attention.

“What? Just so you can fuck us over again? No thanks. You already caused enough trouble for us. I want you gone by tonight.” Wood replied before he turned away trying to comfort his wife.

I sighed getting up and making my way to them. I got on his eye level and I stared at him. “I’m going to fix this. But, both of you are going to have to trust me if we are all going to make it through this.” I said looking at both of them. “Do you trust me?” I asked. They looked at each other with uncertainty.

They looked at me and it was Wood that spoke. “Yes, because we don’t any others options. What are you going to do?”

I smiled. “You know that locked cabinet in my room?”

Wood raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I was never able to unlock it. What are you thinking?”

I thought about it for a moment. “If they are going to kill us then, we are going to make them pay for it first.” I said placed my hand on his shoulder.

Wood looked at Suckle and she sighed looking back up at her husband. “We are going to die anyways, why not die fighting?” She said ensuring Wood.

He looked at me with a grim and shallow smile. “What do you have in mind?” he asked.

“Do you have a crowbar or something of the nature?” Wood nodded making me get a big grin on my face. I tapped him on the cheek making him jerk back . “Good, meet me in my room in a couple minutes. It’s time to crack open that cabinet, bring my pistol also in case the crowbar doesn‘t work.” I said getting up and looking at the windows. “This is going to be a busy day.” I said walking towards the stairs.

********

I walked into my room to see that my duster was laying on top of my bed folded neatly along with my stuff was in a neat pile right next to it. My magazines were sitting in a pile all loaded up and ready including my 12.7mm mags. I raised an eyebrow at this walking towards my stuff. I saw the snow globe from Old Appleloosa. “Really, out of all my shit that I lost in the fall, the fucking snow globe survived?” I said to myself walking up to my stuff. When I got close enough I saw that my duster was repaired pretty good with some nice stitching work in the tears. I grabbed my duster to examine it more closely to see that even the armor underneath it was repaired somewhat. The leather was thicker in some places where the larger holes were repaired. “Who did this?” I said to myself feeling my now repaired duster.

“I did.” A voice coming from behind me scaring and making me jump. I turned around holding my chest to see Apple with Spring right behind her.

“Don’t do that. You almost gave me a heart attack and I don‘t need that.” I said taking a decompressing breath.

“I’m sorry…” She said looking down at the floor with the sad puppy eyes.

I sighed and walked to her. I knelt on the floor and patted her on the head. “It’s alright but, what did you do to my duster?” I asked.

She looked up at me with a big smile with an total . ‘Hook, line and sinker.’ I thought when she leapt towards the bed taking my duster into the air. I got up as she spread it out in the air. “I sewed the rips and tears of the duster along with the armor that is inside. It was really easy anyways just a simple needle, tread, and a little of scrap leather armor from the store room.” She said laying the duster back on the bed neatly next to my gear. She looked back at me with a shallow smile. “I know that you and daddy are going to fight the bad ponies. I help you as much as I could because I know that you mean well.” She said trotting off with her sister in tow, leaving me alone in the room.

I looked at the open door for a moment before I snapped my attention to the cabinet. I walked to it and starting to examine it. The lock on it was a little rusted but, in good shape. “This thing won’t go down with out a fight.” I said to myself looking at the wood around it. It was rotting a little making me smile.

“What did you say?” Wood came in with three items. My pistol, the crowbar and his double barrel shotgun.

“Nothing, I was inspecting the lock and the wood around it.” I said eyeing the shotgun that was in a saddle holster. The crowbar was hanging off and my pistol was stuffed into band of the

He followed my gaze and sighed. “This is in case you try to pull something if we open it.” He said with his muzzle taking out my pistol sending it to the floor then, kicked it to me. “We need to hurry they will be here by dusk but, the bright side it is going to be a full moon tonight so we can see them through the filtered moon light.

I bent over picking it up and racked the slide. I stuffed it behind me in my waistband. “Alright, this is going to require both of us if we want to open this thing.” I said going over to Wood where he handed me the crowbar. Then, with a running start I jammed the crowbars flat edge between the door and frame it was a tight fit. I tried to pull back all it did was drive the crowbar deeper and pop my back. I stepped away defeated. “Damn it.” I muttered in frustration. I looked down at Wood and he shrugged. “A little help would be appreciated.” I said looking at the now stuck crowbar.

Wood trotted to the crowbar before spinning round on his front hoofs and bucked the crowbar moving the wood a little but, it sent Wood flying across the room and face planting on the wooden floor. I was cracking up seeing him skid to a stop. “Ok, now it’s on.” He said quickly getting up and looked up at me. “A little help would be appreciated.” he said copying my tone.

I grinned and adjusted my hat. “Now…Don’t go stealing my lines.” I said before we both at once ran up to the crowbar and kicked it at the same time. The wood popped a little insuring us that we are making some progress.

We went at this for about an hour saying nothing but, grunts. We reeled back from the last assault on the door. The wood around the lock was about ready to give. I looked at Wood he was spread eagle on the floor tired. I was leaning on my knee with my feet sore and probably blistered. “Damn, that fucking thing is stubborn.” Wood breathed out.

“Tell…Me about it.” I said getting up and facing the almost knocked down door. The wood around the lock was cracked and some parts splintering. “We are close a couple more and I think we are good.” I said getting ready for one more kick. Wood got up and shook himself off. “You good?” I asked.

“Yeah, lets get this damn thing open.” He said getting ready once again. “Now!” he yelled sending us both running at the crowbar. I did a Spartan kick while Wood did another buck with the final combined force the wood around the lock gave splintering and the door snapped open letting the crowbar go and clanking on the floor. From the sudden lack of resistance, I face planted right in front of the cabinet while Wood stood on his four hoofs. I looked up at him as just stared at what is in the cabinet.

I got up and dusted myself off looking at him. “Yes, I would love a hand getting up. Thank you very much.” I turned around to see what Wood was staring at. “Damn.” was all I said looking at what I was seeing. There was at least seven rifles a mix of a couple lever actions, carbines, and assault rifles. Then, there was seven pistols in a mix of three semis and four revolvers in a little slot just above the rifles on the weapons section of the cabinet. I looked closer to see that there were about twenty different round bottles with pink liquid, around ten bottles of brownish liquid in the same kind of bottles, and a large first aid box underneath three different suits of combat armor. One of which looked like it was made for a griffin. One the bottom of it was a gas mask that looked like it could fit me. Then, right underneath the rifles was a section of ammo. There was four small ammo cans.

“Am I dreaming or all of those weapons and supplies there.” he said looking over the cabinet.

“No…No you are not.” I said grabbing the gas mask and taking off my hat. I threw my hat on the bed and placed the gas mask on. It fit perfectly. I looked down at Wood who was giving me weird look. “Are you my mommy?” I said void of emotion but, in a British accent.

“What?” Wood said in confusion.

I cracked up and took off the mask. “Nothing, just a joke.” I said clipping the mask onto my belt loops of my jean. I looked back at the amount of weapons and supplies. “Who ever owned all of this sure was prepared.” I said taking out an assault rifle and placed my check on the stock checking out the sights. It reminded me of the assault rifles back home just a little better stock. Instead of having the wooden butt stock it had a black adjustable stock like the old M4 series of assault rifles from the early 2000s. I took it and opened the bolt seeing that I was in almost perfect condition. “Damn…” I said setting the assault rifle on the floor while Wood took a crack at opening the first aid box that was next to the dozens of bottles. I took out a lever action rifle then, began to examine it. It had a large lever loop for hoofs. I shoved the loop down opening the chamber, revealing that it was loaded. I took out the round putting the rifle back in its respective spot. It was a .44 magnum round after a quick inspection.

The sound of a lock clicking open drew my attention to the first aid box that Wood had opened. It was filled with more of the bottles pink and brown, rolls upon rolls of bandages, and some syringes of Med-X. “Holy shit. That is a lot of meds.” He said closing the box with a couple of clicks. He looked up at me and nodded. “I think we just might have a chance.” He said after hook an assault rifle into his mouth and hooking it up to his saddle making him smile. He looked back up at me from the saddle. “Take whatever weapons and ammo you want, then, bring the meds downstairs and we‘ll split them. After that we will decide what to do next.” Wood said taking the box in to his mouth and turning around making his way out of the room leaving me along.

“I was waiting for you to say that.” I said taking the .44 magnum rifle into my hands and placing the .44 round into the magazine slot and pulling back on the lever chambering the round. I decocked the hammer placing the stock against my cheek. It had basic buckhorn sights but, it would do. I smiled and slung it across my back then, bent over to pick up the modified assault rifle. It had the basic sights and charging system as the ones back home except it had the modified stock and a rail just in front of the rear sight. I grinned and slung in over my shoulder. “Ok, lets see what pistols we have here.” I said to myself taking a semi-auto pistol. It was a .45 auto pistol, like everything else was in surprisingly good condition. It had a three dot sight and a seven round mag; one round smaller then, the 12.7mm but, still has a lot of knock down power. It was also the commander model so it had a four inch barrel and housing spring. Liking the pistol, I threw it onto my bed. The other pistols were two 10mm, one 5.56 revolver, a .357 single action army version, a blued .44 magnum with a four inch barrel, laser pistol and a hunting revolver. I looked at the pistols for a moment decided on what to take. “Fuck it.” I said taking the 5.56 revolver and the .44 magnum. I threw them on the bed next to the .45 auto. I squatted down to look at the ammo cans. I took out the middle one placing it on the floor. With a soft clank I hinged open the can to see that it was filled to the brim with ammo of different kinds. “Damn…When I die I’m going to hug the hell out of the thing that had all of this.” I said taking out eighty five rounds of .44 magnum rounds along with ten twenty round boxes of .45 auto. I took this to my bed and placed it next to every thing. I took off my rifles setting them on top of my duster. I looked back at the armor that seemingly that could fit me. Sighing I walked over to the cabinet that was half gutted now. Taking the fifteen pounds of protection off of the hanger. I slipped it over my shirt surprised that it actually fitted. It had the basic armored Kevlar along with ten rifle ammo pouches and five pistol on the front.

I took a deep breath getting used to armor weighting me down. I looked back up at the ammo section taking five mags for the .45 auto and placing them into the pistol pouches in the combat armor. I took five moon clips for the .44 magnum. I looked at my duster and hat calling out to me. Smiling a little I turned around walking to my duster putting it on. With my duster on I put on my gun belt and putting my 12.7 pistol inside the holster. I tucked my .44 magnum into the front of my pants underneath my shirt and combat armor; taking out the .357 moon clips and replacing them with the filled .44 moon clips in the little holders. I also decided to place the fifty-five rounds of .44 magnum into the ammo loops on the back of the gunbelt. I strapped my trail carbine on my back and placed my assault rifle on the bed.. I sat down on my bed and began one by one put the magazines into there respective places. After about five minutes I had all of my gear back into my duster. It was really starting to get heavy but, I could deal. I looked at my Pip-boy to see that I was carrying around forty pounds of gear no water or food. I looked on at the foot of the bed to see a satchel hanging off of the post underneath my hat. Shrugging I took off my and placed it right next to me. I took the satchel off then, placed the strap across my chest leading to my left side. I got up placing my hat back on my head then, went to the potions that were scattered everywhere inside the cabinet. I scooped up every single one of the potions and threw them into the bag with a clank.

I looked at the cabinet one more time before grabbing the other two heavy ammo cans and walking out of the room. I walked down the hallway and down the stairs to see that chaos was unfolding. The fillies were running around with hammers and tools to the living room and dining room. I stepped on the wooden floor getting the attention of everypony that was running around with boards of wood and nails. The window’s in the living room were partially boarded up. ‘This was going to be a like a siege but, I have a feeling it won‘t last that long.’ I thought walking my into the dinning room to see Wood and Suckle discussing something when they notice me coming in. “Did you get everything you need.” Wood asked.

“Yes, I got everything that WE need.” I said placing the heavy ammo cans on the table. “If we die then, we are going to take as many of those bastards down with us.” I said taking out the 5.56 pistol and sliding it to Suckle who took it with in her aura in confusion. “I’m not leaving you kind folks. I made this problem and I’m going to fix it.” I said putting my assault rifle on the table.

“But, why did you give me the pistol?” Suckle asked.

I sat down and sighed. “Just in case that me and Wood are overran and killed.” I said placing the potions on the table. Wood and Suckle looked at each other worriedly. “But, that you don’t have to worry about because we’ve got a lot of potions and medical supplies.” I said opening the satchel letting some of the potions roll out.

Wood looked at me. “What about our daughters? What would happen to them if all of us are killed?”

I looked at him and sighed. “Do you really want to know?” I asked not getting a response. We sat there for a moment as the fillies moved the supplies back and forth. I cleared my throat breaking the silence. “But, I won’t let that happen. There are still more guns and ammo upstairs with some combat armor. They should fit both of you.” I said getting up and slinging my assault rifle. I looked at them. “What time do you except that they should be here?” I asked.

“Around sun down but, that’s in about five hours. We don‘t have that much time.” Wood replied.

I chuckled lightly. “Then, we should get busy.”

********

For the next four and half we all ran across the house; nailing the boards into the windows with just enough room for our rifle barrels. We had the ammo spread out between me and Wood along with some for Suckle who was getting the kids up stairs and ready for the fight that was going to happen. On the porch outside we nailed wood boards and sheets of scrap metal to the back and front on both of the pieces of cover to make the maximum protection for both me and Wood. After digging around the cabinet Wood had taken one of the 10mm pistols along with the assault rifle that he had taken earlier. Suckle took the 5.56 pistol that I gave her earlier along with a hundred rounds of 5.56. I’m definitely going to hug the hell out of who ever had all of this gear after I die.

“Well, we got everything done with half an hour to spare. I told you that we were going to be busy” I said sitting down and leaning against the outside of the farm house behind my barricade. To my right was Wood doing the same behind his drinking some water.

“When this is done and over with I’m going to kick your ass then, hug you.” he said taking a breath.

I chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect nothing less but, just a word of warning I’m going to fight back.”

Wood chuckled in response. “I wouldn’t expected nothing less.”

I looked over and cleared my throat. “What did I say about stealing my lines?” I said getting a chuckle. “But, hey Wood can I get some of that water, please?” I asked. In response he threw the bottle over to me. With my right hand I caught it and took a good long drink quenching my thirst. I sighed in relief and slide the bottle back to him. “Thanks.”

“No problem. How much ammo do we have?”

“Well, I think that I’ve got five hundred rounds of 5.56 for myself and the same for you. We gave Suckle a hundred rounds for her pistol. I’ve got about three hundred rounds of .44 magnum for my carbine and revolver. You have a hundred rounds for your 10mm and two hundred rounds for the .357 revolver and rifle you have in reserve. For my .45 I have around seventy rounds. My 12.7mm pistol has the eighty rounds. Your hunting revolver has about fifty rounds of .45-.70. I think we are more then, ready.” I said adjusting my hat to the setting sunlight. I looked at the amount of ammo that is sitting in front of me in mags. My assault rifle was leaning against the wall to my right. My trail carbine was leaning sitting across my lap. My pistols are all around my body. My 12.7mm is in my holster on my gunbelt. The .45 is in a cross holster on the combat armor underneath my duster.

“What about meds?”

“According to your knowledge, we have thirty healing potions, ten regeneration potions and fifteen syringes of Med-X. We have slit the potions between us for fifteen healing and five regeneration. The Med-X is split between us and Suckle with your daughters. Five for each of us.”

“Good.” he said taking another drink of water. He then, took out a cigarette from a pack. He stuck it in his mouth and lit it with a match. He took a long drag and let out the smoke. He looked at me and offered me one. “Want one?”

“Sure.” I said getting up and taking the cig from the pack. With a lighter that I found in the corner of my room underneath my bed I lit it and let the smoke fill my lungs. “My mom would castrate me and my uncle would kick my ass if they saw me smoking.” I said letting the smoke out and returned to my little barricade. I slumped down to the ground against the wall on my left; we built the walls with the same amount of materials as with the main barricade to protect up from side fire. “Thanks.” I said taking the cig out letting out the smoke.

Wood took another drag before speaking again. “I never asked, how did you come to our little home that we loved to call the Equestrian Wasteland?”

I just shrugged. “I don’t know really. One moment I had a barrel to my forehead and the next I got blown up by a Chinese Nuke. When I woke up I had over 850 Rads in my along with a pounding headache in the middle of a field.” I said getting up and stretching. I spat out the cig when the ember was getting to close to my lips. I stomped it out with my boot and looked at the horizon. Dust was being kicked up because of something and it was giving me a bad feeling. Sweat was starting to form on my neck. “Wood. Hand me your hunting revolver I need to use the scope on it.” I asked looking down at him. He was staring at me in shocked before snapping out of his trance and tossing me his hunting revolver. I caught it placing the scope on the area of the dust storm. “Get ready!!” I exclaimed throwing him the gun back. I turned around grabbing my assault rifle and getting behind the barricade. Wood must of looked through the scope and saw the same thing. There were at least a hundred ponies and griffins all armed with rifles, pistols, SMGs, sledgehammers, lead pipes, etc.

“That’s a fucking army.” Wood said his voice filled with fear . “All of this for five hundred caps?”

I sighed and got up. “No, I think it because I made the little asshole cry and he just wants revenge. But, he isn’t going to get it.”

“How?!”

“Because…In the valley of shadow of death, I have no fear for that…I’m the toughest motherfucker in the valley.” I said kneeling behind the barricade resting the assault rifle’s forearm on the railing that makes up the top of the barricade; aiming my assault rifle to the dust cloud. “Don’t fire until you can see the darkness of their shadows!” We waited for what felt like hours before the bullets began to fly from the dust cloud. We didn’t fire until we could see the dark figures with our naked eyes. “NOW!!” I exclaimed firing; the recoil slammed into my shoulder as I fired in bursts knocking down ponies and couple of griffins who were on the ground. Still more and more came. I heard the automatic firing of Wood’s assault rifle. “Get some!!” I yelled firing again dropping a couple more figures and knocking up dirt. We fired and fired as they got closer. The barricades were doing their jobs by absorbing bullets. I reloaded my rifle and snapped by the handling chambering a round. They were about fifty yards away from the road now.

“Get some you bastards!!!” I heard Wood yell firing his rifle. “My dead mother can shoot better then you assholes!”

I just fired as they got closer then, their indicators started to appear on my HUD. “Finally!” I yelled going into VATS. Time slowed to a crawl and I took a mental breath. ‘Alright, lets see who is going to die first.’ I thought picking a mare who had a sniper rifle; I cued two shots on her. I switched to a griffin that had a assault rifle in its hands. I cued on the wings once, then I cued on three other ponies with axes and lead pipes. I let VATS go and letting my Pip-boy do its job. My assault rifle barked fifteen times. My one of my three round burst went wide on the sniper but, the second got her and dropping her. The third hit the griffin in the torso, leg and neck. Not necessarily accurate but, that did better then, I thought. The other two went wide just hitting other ponies in their legs. After that was done they were really close. They have past the road and are about a hundred yards away from us.

Me and Wood let our weapons rip tearing down pony after pony after griffin. But, now they had a good idea where we are. I ducked down and pressed my back against the barricade reloaded my rifle. “These fuckers aren‘t all that smart!” I yelled dropping the bolt before jumping out just to get a salvo of bullets into my chest knocking me down and knocking the wind out of me. I gasped for breath as pain roared in my chest..

Wood looked down at me as he reloaded. “Are you OK?!”

I got up and shook my head. “Been better!” I yelled getting back onto my feet and grabbing my assault rifle from where it fell. I quickly reloaded my rifle and jumped up firing on a couple of ponies that tried to rush us they dropped blood was all around them now. I adjusted my aim to see that they were now circling the house taking pot shots at us every chance they get. I got down on my stomach and wiggled to the edge of the barricade. I looked around to see a griffin charging Wood who was trying to clear a blockage. “Fuck that.” I said firing half my magazine into the griffins side dropping him.

“Thanks!” Wood exclaimed getting his rifle back in order and firing on the ponies that now surround the house. The bullets were starting to get closer and closer. I jumped up getting a bullet to my left shoulder and side.

“Fuck!” I yelled kneeling. I quickly jabbed a syringe of Med-X and the pain soon vaporized like the morning mist. I got up and fired until my rifle went dry. “Shit!” I yelled dropping down just before a volley of bullet could hit me. I reloaded my rifle to see that Wood was pressing against his side blood was streaming out of his combat armor. He quickly chugged down a healing potion the blood quickly stopped. “You ok!?” I asked crawling back up to the barricade.

“I’m good.” he yelled reloading again.

I jumped out to see that more raiders were coming. “Damn it! More are coming!” I yelled out firing again at the remaining initial forces dropping a couple of the ponies. I looked down at my ammo supply seeing that it had dwindled to half its original size. My ammo counter on my HUD said 14/384. I fired again until my mag went dry. I reloaded and pressed my back against the barricade with Wood on my left.

“I’m going to eat good tonight!!” a raider with a fire axe yelled out jumping right next to me and swung down with his axe.

“Shit!” I yelp jumping out of the way of the axe which slammed imbedded itself into the wood. I quickly pulled out the .45 auto and fired twice both times hitting the raider in the face making it a headless corpse. It fell backwards; the axe was still imbedded into the porch. Bullets started to graze me and my just freshly repaired duster. A bullet grazed my in the nose making me get up and behind my barricade. I looked over to see that Wood was reloaded his rifle again. I peered around my barricade to see bodies upon bodies of raiders littering the ground. The ones from the initial attack were now hiding behind rocks and any cover they can find. There was about twenty-seven raiders left. I was about the fire by the familiar sound of something hinging closed. “Missile launcher!!” I yelled diving away from the missile as it hit Wood’s barricade making it into shrapnel and splinters. I looked back at him to see that he was…dead. His lower half of his body was gone and his lower torso was covered in shrapnel and splinters. Blood was pouring out of him making a pool of blood and brass. I quickly got up my ears were ringing. I looked around the raiders were charging. Some reason I grabbed Wood by his collar and drug his body inside while firing on a couple of raiders with my assault rifle that tried to . When I was inside I locked the door just before the raiders could get in. I was about to drag Wood’s body into the living room but, I felt something pull on my pull on my leg. I looked down to see that Wood was still alive. I was horrified at that moment but, instead of freaking out I grabbed a syringe of Med-X and injected it into him before he could say anything. “There you go it should ease the pain.” I said looking at my half dead friend.

He looked like he was building the strength to say something. I was about to hush him but, something in the back of my mind held me back. “Give…Me…A…Gun.” he said painful breaths between each word conserving energy.

I quickly moved my duster grabbing my 12.7mm pistol. I handed him the butt of the pistol. “Here, give those bastards hell. I’m going upstairs to make sure your family is safe.” I said as he bit down on the pistol.

“Drrraggmmm mmmeee orrrver bbbbyyymm stairs.” he said through the pistol in his mouth. I smiled tiredly.

Without saying a word I dragged Wood to first step of the staircase. I lowered myself to his eye level. “I will protect your family with all my strength until I die. I promise you.” I said just getting a nod.

I turned around to the sounds of the door being knocked down with an axe. Wood looked at me. “Go.” he said perfectly with the pistol in his mouth. I nodded and ran up the stairs making a dash for the spare room. I knocked on the door.

“It’s me, Parker!” I yelled out and then, a second later gunfire began to ring out. “Open up!” I yelled out banging on the door. Then, it unlocked. I quickly opened it and closed it locking it in one fluid motion. I turned around to see that Suckle had the pistol pointed at me until she was sure that it was me. She lowered it and looked me blood was still dripping down my arm from my shoulder. She stared at me when she realized that more gunfire came from downstairs. Tears were starting to form on her eyes as she realized what was happening. “I’m sorry. We could only hold them off for so long but, I’m going to get you out of here!” I said pulling my .45 auto pistol and reloaded it. I holstered it and putting my assault rifle back into my hands. I unlocked the door and peered into the hallway. It was clear but, it wasn’t for long before several raiders came in looking around talking.

“I can’t believe that one pony with a pistol killed eight of us. I mean that is one tough son of a bitch.”

He was about to say more when the mare next to him glared at him; stopping him cold. “Shut the fuck up alright! I don’t give a shit about it. We still need to find the family and that human!” She yelled at him, making him jump back. She then, looked down the stairs. “Come on you assholes we don’t have all day! Mr. Fig wants us to meet him in the barn in fifteen minutes with the human and the family!”

I quickly and quietly pressed my back against wall. I looked at Suckle and the fillies. I gestured them to get down and they complied as I got out the grenade from Old Appleloosa. I peered through the door again to see that the raiders were arguing about something. I smiled retreating from the door. I pressed my back against the wall with my finger in the pin of the metal apple. I pulled the pin and released the spoon. “1...2...3.” I murmured before opening the door and rolling the grenade like a bowling ball.

They looked at it as it rolled in the middle of them. “Shit!” one of them yelled just before the grenade went off. I dove back into the room before it could send shrapnel my way. I looked at Suckle and the fillies making sure that they were alright. Once, I made sure I cracked open the door again to see if any of the raiders survived. They were all dead or real close that I didn’t consider them a threat. I walked down the hallway leading with my assault rifle. I looked downstairs seeing nothing on my HUD on the inside of the house. I looked back and forth as I made my way down the stairs.

When I got down stairs I saw that Wood was finally dead but, with eight raiders dead in front of him. The 12.7mm pistol was locked open from a empty magazine. I knelt down next him; his eyes were open blank and looking up at the ceiling but, I think that he saw paradise or at least something better then, this hellhole. I softly closed his eyes and sighed. “You did well brother, your family would be proud.” I said to myself getting up and turning around noticing that it was quiet, a little too quiet. With my rifle in the lead I walked outside only to get a butt stock to the side of the head; knocking me unconscious.

********

I snapped open my eyes to see that I was in a cow stable. I was on my left side without my duster and combat armor. I looked around to see that I was in the barn next to I tried to move my arms to get up only to discover that I was tied up with my hands in front of me with thin but, strong rope. ‘What am I? A courier?’ I thought trying to get up but, my left shoulder was bandaged for some reason that I couldn’t understand. I waited for a moment before the door of the stall opened revealing a raider with a huge grin on his face and levitating my assault rifle with its barrel pointing at me. “Get your ass up; it’s show time.” he said with enthusiasm kicking me in the stomach with his hoof. I grunted getting up just barely and looked at the raider how was holding me captive. “Come on! Get your ass moving!” he said turning the rifle and hitting me in the stomach with the butt stock. I grunted again dropping to one knee making me feel the butt of the .44 magnum that was in the front of my pants. After a brief moment I got up and looked him straight in the face.

“When I get out of this I’m going to kill you first.” I said bending over to face him, making him flinch from the sudden threat. I stood up straight and turned around to see a bonfire roaring in the front of the barn. It was at night maybe around I walked with the rifle pressing it’s barrel against my back. I walked around the bonfire to see Suckle, Apple, and Spring all tied up with tears in there eyes. Shock was all across my face. They have been through hell; all of them have been beaten to an inch of their lives. I nearly ran to them but, something hit me in the stomach making me fall on my knees.

“Nope, can’t have you rescuing anypony right now.” a familiar voice said to my side. I looked up to see Mr. Fig with a grin; which is kind of weird how he has a beak. He went around me studying me while I’m on me knees. I looked at him as he circled around and stopped in front of me. He bent down to face me at eye level. He had a black eye and bandages around his head making me chuckle. “What’s funny?” He asked sarcastically.

“You look like someone hit you with bad end of an ugly stick then, shoved it up your ass.” I said getting a fist to my jaw as a response. The taste of copper filled my mouth as I recovered from the punch and spat out the blood. “Worth it.” I said looking back up at the griffin.

The griffin wasn’t in usual suit and tie but, in a suit of combat armor made for a griffin. He looked at me while he shook off his fist. He looked a little pissed. “I don’t like when I have to do that but, that time I did.” He took out a pistol from a body holster and showed me it. It was my 12.7mm pistol that saved my life more then, a couple times. He rubbed my face with it and turned around to Suckle, Spring, and Apple. Then, it clicked.

“Don’t do it! Please, it is me that you have business with not them!! You are going to kill anybody; kill me!!” I begged him as he walked behind Suckle who was sobbing fiercely.

He looked at him pointing the pistol to the back of her head. “Oh, I will but, after I kill these nice ponies that trusted you so much.” He said putting his face right next to Suckle’s and pressing the side of the gun to her cheek. He looked at me with a wicked smile and licked his beak. I turned to Suckle to see that she was looking at me with fear and sorrow with tears in her eyes. “Just remember that this is your fault. You should’ve stay out their business.” Mr. Fig said getting up behind her standing up straight and firing into the back of her head splattering her brains across the ground being illuminated by the bonfire. I tried to turn away but, the raider behind me with his magic force me to watch the horror in front of me.

“Mommy!!” Apple and Spring screamed out crying as Mr. Fig came from behind Apple and pressed the barrel of the gun to her head. Apple looked at me with teary eyes. “Help u-” She couldn’t even finish when the pistol barked again killing her. Her expression was full of shocked fear and forever written on her face as she laid on the ground blood was pooling around her and Suckle.

“Please…Stop this!” I pleaded tears starting to form on my eyes. Spring looked at me with tears going down her cheeks.

Mr. Fig looked at me as he stepped behind Spring with another wicked smile. “Of course. I’m happy to accommodate…” he said looking at me while fired again killing Spring. She fell like her mother and sister. It made me feel sick and when I felt the bile; I let go of my breakfast right in front of me. I looked up just as Mr. Fig walked up to me with a wicked smile. I glared at him with a rage that I haven’t ever felt. I was gritting my teeth until he got close enough for me I could smell his breath. “Now, don’t you look like you about to kill somepony.” he said getting up and placing the pistol against me forehead. “You are not as fun as I thought you would be.” he said making me snap.

With my tied hand I grabbed his arm and pulled up making him jerk the trigger; the bullet from the pistol hit the raider with my assault rifle in the chest making me drop it. Then, before Mr. Fig could react, I pulled down on his arm and head butted him on his other eye making him lose balance then, tumbling to the ground; the pistol skid across the dusty plain. I moved to the side away from the fire just as a burst from an SMG from the raider on the other side of the fire roared hitting the dirt where I was sitting at. I did a roll and managed to pull out my .44 magnum out of my pants. I got up on one knee and went into VATS; making time slow to a crawl once again. There were three active targets; two raiders and Mr. Fig. I was really tempted to cue as many shots on that monster as possible but, I only had six shots and I had to make them count. I cued twice on the first raider that was coming out of the barn with an assault rifle and twice on the raider with the SMG across the fire. I had a sixty percent chance at hitting both of them. I took a mental breath and let VATS go. The machine did its job, taking control of my body firing twice on each target. On the raider that was running out of the Barn the first shot went wide but, the second shot hit him in the chest knocking him down and skidding to a stop. VATS quickly moved to the raider across the fire who decided to take this time to reload when I was firing on his friend. He was standing with his broadside to me. Idiot. I fired twice hitting him both times dropping him to the ground. I got up on both feet with my .44 magnum in my hands just barely with the rope eating away at my wrists.

I walked up to Mr. Fig who was getting up from apparently being knocked out. He held his head and half way to his feet but, he was knocked down again by my boot. He looked up at me with shock and fear. “They didn’t need to be kill them, you fucking monster!” I yelled kicking him in the stomach. “You didn’t need to take innocent lives!” I yelled again kicking him again cracking a few ribs. Mr. Fig grunted in pain. “Oh, does that hurt?” I asked with a fake concerned voice. “Let me help it!” I exclaimed kicking him in the face making more blood come out of his head. He yelled in agony holding his face. I then, took him by the collar raising him up to my eye level as I knelt down; pressing the barrel of the revolver to his head. He looked at me with his one good eye. “All you had to do was kill me and you would have been done with it but, you decided to get your fucking revenge by killing innocent ponies!” I yelled bitch slapping him with the barrel of the revolver, blood was spattered from his nose across his face.

He looked at me with more fear then, before but, he smiled. “It was all your fault.” was all he said before I dropped him firing twice into his head making him nothing but, mush on the ground; blood splattered across my face mixing with my tears. I was standing there alone with bodies all around me, blood is everywhere and flowing like a river across the thirsty wasteland. I stood there with my pistol in my hands before I dropped it onto the ground. My legs got weak and I slumped onto the ground on my knees then, began to sob like I haven’t sob since my parent’s deaths. The tears were flowing down my arms and onto the dirt.

After about a good five minutes I finally went dry and sighed. I looked at the bodies of Spring, Suckle, And Apple. I took Mr. Fig’s talons and used them to cut myself free of the binding rope. I got up taking my revolver with me and stuffing it into my pants. I looked at the house, then, the barn. I forced my legs to move toward the barn until I hit something on the ground. I looked down to see that it was my assault rifle. Without a thought picked it up and dusted it off slinging it over my shoulder. I moved back into the barn to see my duster, hat and combat armor hanging on a couple hooks. My trail carbine was leaning against the post where my gear was hanging. I walked up to it taking my gunbelt taking it off the hook. I sighed putting it around my waist and buckling it in. I took my .44 magnum out of my pants opening the cylinder and ejecting the moon clip. I pocketed the shells and moon clip then, reloaded. I holstered the revolver then, looking at my combat armor. It still had all of my ammo on it along with my .45 auto. I took it off the hook and slipped it on. Then, last but not least my duster. Taking it off placing it over my armor and gunbelt. To top it off I perched my hat on top of my head. I looked back at the bonfire that was still ablaze when I strapping the trail carbine to my back. I looked at my Pip-boy and switch to the ammo section. I had a hundred .44 magnum rounds, seventy .45 auto rounds, three hundred-sixty rounds of 5.56 and seventy-two rounds of 12.7mm. I switched to the info section and saw the time. 8:24 PM. Sighed and looked out of at the bodies of the ponies that treated me with nothing but, kindness and I got them killed. Mr. Fig was right it was all my fault but,… “I’m going to make this right.” I said walking towards the bodies.

After about thirty minutes I wrapped all four members of the small peaceful family in sheets from the beds soaking up the blood from their wounds. One by one I placed them next to each other on top of the fresh stocked bonfire that I had put out with some dirt. After I was done, I had went back to the porch grabbing Wood’s assault rifle took out the magazine then, returning to the bonfire. As a sign of respect I placed the assault rifle on top of the family before stepping back. I took out a torch that was ablaze from the barn. I stood there for a moment tears starting to roll down my cheeks. “May whatever gods…” I paused for my voice catching tears rolling down my cheeks streaming down my cheeks like a roaring river. “What ever gods that you in believe in give you all permission into paradise because I know, that you all deserve it. I wish that one day we shall meet again but, I know that I don’t deserve it. I’m here for a reason and I must continue on making up for my failure here. May you all rest in peace.” I said solemnly placing the torch in the bottom of the bonfire. It soon caught ablaze and I stood there taking out my assault rifle switching it to semi-auto. I fired five times pausing between each shot before taking the next one ceremonially. I reloaded the rifle and slung it over my right shoulder with my hand holding the sling. My satchel strap across my chest filled with food, water, medical supplies, ammo for my weapons, the gas mask, a pair of binoculars that I found on Mr. Fig and something called a Stealth-Buck. I was confused about it when I first got took it from Mr. Fig before slipping it onto my Pip-Boy’s attachment slot. My Pip-boy took it and it said . After I took it off and stuffed it back into the satchel before I started the ceremony. I stood there doing the American salute in honor of them and my family. ‘Rest in peace Mom and Dad. I shall see you again.’ I thought to myself turning around beginning to walk away into the darkness of night with the fire at my back. I stopped at the road looking once more back at the bonfire. “I shall not forget you and I shall not forgive me for that this, is all my fault.” I said adjusting my duster with the feeling of cold enveloping me as I made my way down the road going west towards New Appleloosa.

Chapter end.
Parker Williams: Level Up!
No Level perk!
………………
Surprise perk! Survivor’s guilt rank: 1- Due to you being the only survivor of the fight with Mr. Fig and watching him kill the family right in front of you. you’re going to have problems coping with the deaths of them making you more cautious when letting ponies trust you and more distant. When you are doing quests or favors for other people, ponies, etc. Especially, if you have to protect someone, you are going to gain extra +2 prescription and +1 Endurance but, you lose 1 Charisma while doing so. Just hope to god that you don’t earn the other two ranks of this perk.
_______________________________