"Barren, unforgiving, cruel, and wrought with psycho ponies, mutated abominations, then there's the taint. Yeah...wouldn't have it any other way."

Okay so here’s the plan. Lead a mob of undead horrors to a bunker and lock them inside. Easy right? I glanced at the Screechers that clambered to get inside the generator shed. There was well over twenty of the things. I swallowed the lump in my throat as I ducked back behind one of the many wilted oak trees that dotted the courtyard. You know I could just leave him in there. Then the rational part of my mind reminded me that I was a good two hundred years behind the times. Besides he’s proven useful, might even make a decent meat shield.

I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. I jumped out from behind the tree,” Hey!” The ghouls all turned to look at me in an almost comical fashion. I flashed a cocky grin,” Come to Mama!”

I darted off toward the bunker. A cacophony of screeches told me they’d token the bait. My lungs and legs started to burn as I neared the bunker but I ignored the discomfort. I pulled out the cardkey and clamped my jaws around it. I skidded to a stop inside the dusty bunker. It looked like a utility room. I whirled around just as the Screechers flooded into the room. I levitated the 9mm out and slammed my last clip home just as one broke free of the gaggle. Two shots rang out and struck home. It went down with a set of holes blasted into its chest. I fired a third shot at another that came rushing at me but a screeching twang reached my ears.

I stared in disbelief as the gun’s slide went flying behind me. I heard a thud and cast a glance behind me to find a Screecher with the slide buried a third of the way into its skull. Black ichor oozed from around the grey metal protrusion. I blinked, completely lost on how to react. Okay so that happened. Shit. That’s when I noticed the pack of flesh mongering horrors at my back. Right running now!

I snapped my wings open and flew over the ghouls to the doorway. My wings threatened to give but I willed them to stay straight. I was able to clear the doorway and I ripped the cardkey out of my mouth and slid it home. The metal door slid shut but not before a ghoul tried to slip a leg through. Bile rose in my throat as the limb was cut clean off and a sickening scream erupted form the ghoul’s throat. I shuddered and turned away from the scene. Then fatigue hit me like a freight train. I fell back on the grass, chest heaving from the exertion. Okay seriously if gyms still exist I am so starting up a membership. I eyed my gaudy yellow armor. And I am so gonna see if my stuff's still in the Moonbeam Hotel.

I stared up at the sky, oddly annoyed at the white sheet of clouds that covered it. Felt freaking unnatural. Suddenly static reached my ears from the radio on my armor.

“Hey,” Silver said,” You still alive?”

I wonder if he realizes if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be able to answer. I gave my ice blue eyes a roll and clicked the receiver,” Tired and a bit sore but yes.”

“Good. Coming to you then.”

I let my hoof fall back on the wilted grass and sighed. Man a couple of hours out a cryopod and I find myself two hundred years later with the world blown half to hell, in the company of a pony with wicked skin issues and staving off screeching zombies (calling them what they are don't like it; don't care) and homicidal silent robots. Never did find out why they went nuts. Besides that there was that freaky creature in the comms array. I rubbed my chin with a hoof. What was that thing and that…I stifled a shudder…that vision I had received? It still chilled me to the bone to think about it.

I pulled my pipbuck up. The question was though what to do with the audio file I'd 'acquired', I'm pretty sure anyone who cared about what was on it was died, including my employer, which still annoyed me to no end. I groaned and let my leg drop as I heard the sound of approaching hooves on the wilted grass.

"Thanks," Silverlux rasped with a grin. At least I'm pretty sure it was a grin.

"You are quite welcome," I pulled myself to my hooves then spotted a rusty tan cube held in his magic. Its surface was dotted with strange runes. “What is that?”

“This, I believe is the reason for the robots going haywire,” he turned it over and gave it a scrutinizing eye,” When I found it, it was emitting some sort of signal. Inside the room there were a few robots in generator shed when I arrived. I spotted the cube and how they were so fiercely guarding it and swiped it. I pushed this rune here,” he pointed to a large symbol on the cube’s top,” And the signal stopped and the robots just shut off.” He continued to examine it,” It was fascinating really.” He pushed the rune he had pointed out.” Here turn your pipbuck’s radio on, any frequency will do.”

May as well humor him. I rolled my eyes and turned the radio on. When I tried to get a frequency all I got was an eerie hum.

“Turn it up.”

I did just that and froze at what I heard, a cacophony of voices, low, sinister, and yet so familiar. I’d heard this before but where? My jaw clenched as a scowl slowly formed on my brow. And why did it piss me off so much?

“Umm Nightingale?”

I snapped up to look at Silverlux. The ghoul had a worried expression on his face.

“What!?” I snarled. He took a step back and a greenish silver glow wrapped around the handle of one of his magic pistols. He slowly pressed the rune on the cube and the offending sound was replaced by radio static. I blinked; the anger suddenly vanishing as I swayed slightly before slumping onto my flank. I was more exhausted than before. .

“What was that?” Silverlux inquired with a cautious tone. Wish I knew. I must have been that damn cube.

I looked up at the ghoul with an accusing glare,” You’re the one who brought that damn thing,” I looked down,” You tell me.”

“Your eyes changed,” he whispered,” A pony’s eyes don’t do that by natural means. Not like that.”

I looked at him like he was crazy. My eyes? There’s no way my eyes could have changed. “You were probably seeing things.” I stood up but immediately found myself stumbling forward. Silverlux rushed to my side to steady me. The second I felt his squishy flesh I pushed him away,” I’m fine!” He backed off and after a minute I was able to steady myself. I felt my wings twitch at my sides and my legs begged to give but miraculously I was able to stay standing. I snorted,” See I’m fi-“ Then everything went black.

oooOOOooo

I woke up screaming, my body drenched in cold sweat and tears forming in my eyes. I flung my covers off me and was met with a chilling air. I raggedly gulped air. I was back in my room, I was home. The moon illuminated the room with pale light, only making my fear stronger. There was the sound of hooves hitting the hard wooden floor before Xea burst into the room.

“Little one are you alright?!” Her long black, white mane was disheveled and a shawl haphazardly thrown around her shoulders. When she saw the state I was in she gasped and rushed to my side.

I felt strong hooves and warm arms wrap around me. I pressed my face into her warm chest and began sobbing loudly, my salty tears soaking her white fur. She began running a hoof through my messy black mane as she held me close,” Shh, little one I’m here. I’m here.”

“Th-there wa-was so m-much blood!” I choked out between sobs,” A-and a light. It hurt s-so mu-much! It…it…” I descended into incoherent sobs.

“Shh, my little one it was only a nightmare,” she cooed, tightening her embrace around me,” Only a nightmare.”

I looked up at her, tears still running like rivers down my cheeks. She looked down at me, her hazel eyes loving. They told me I was safe, that no horror that lurked in the back of my mind could touch me so long as she was here. I buried my muzzle into her tear-drenched chest as all feelings of fear ebbed away. I was safe. I wrapped my hooves around her.

“Will you stay with me,” I whimpered through her fur.

“Of course,” she whispered in a warm tone. We laid down, still in each other’s embrace. Xea started to hum a slow melody. As she did so I felt my eyes start to droop as I faded off to a blissful, dreamless sleep.

”I will be here for you always, my little one.”

oooOOOooo

I groaned groggily and sat up in a dusty, old mattress. Okay this fainting crap can’t be good for my brain. At least I’m not tied down this time. I rubbed my eyes and got a good look at my surroundings. I was in what looked like a foal’s room. Old toys scattered the floor and a poster of the Wonderbolts hung on the wall above the bed. To complete it all there was even a small Rainbow Dash plushy sitting on the nightstand. I spotted my saddle bag on the desk. I slid off the bed silently and grabbed my bag.

From down below I could make out music. I slowly opened the door, wincing as it creaked on its rusted hinges. I hate it when you try to be stealthy and every little sound is like a gunshot. I crept to the stair case and down the stairs. I spotted Silverlux with his back to me. He had a hoof wrapped around a Sparkle-Cola and was leaning back in an old chair. The ghoul was tapping his hoof to the song on the radio on the table.

“Just say I’m your mane squeeze”

“I've gotta stop this shakin’

"In my four poor knees”

”Please say I’m your maaaaane squeeeeeeeeze”

”Or just get packin’ Suger.”

“Good song," I said, "Though the mare singing it is different.”

“Gaah!” Silverlux yelped and fell backwards. His soda spilled all over his squishy skin. I giggled at the sight as he shot me an unamused glare.

“That was a cold Sparkle-Cola you just made me spill,” he grumbled as he stood up. He shook the soda from his body.

“Good to know they're still in business,” I said with a smirk.

He gave me a funny look,” They’re not.”

My smirk faded and I blinked,” What?”

“They’re not in business,” he said as-a-matter-of-factly,” You can find Sparkle-Cola in most vending machines around but they’re all from before the bombs fell.”

Okay so…Ewwwww! I took a step away from him and the cola bottle with its cutesy label of Fluttershy and some rabbits (Why always rabbits?!) under the logo. I gaped at him,” And you’re drinking it!?” He just nodded dumbly with a look that screamed ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

I shivered and stuck my tongue out,” Officially grossed out.”

“And that was Velvet Remedy with Mane Squeeze. You are all hoping for some good news I’m guessin’ especially after that bit of dark news about the Stable Dweller. Well you’re in luck children so listen up! This morning our broadcasting signal gained some major range. A reliable source tells me that it was someone that is aptly named Listener, catchy if I do say so myself, ventured into the ruins of Baltimarre and cleared away those static tunes for some real radio. That’s right children, Baltimare the one thing even raiders shiver at when hearing its name. Wouldn’t mind meeting this pony myself, hell I’d buy them a drink. So from all of us to you thanks for bringin’ the sweet, sweet words of this humble broadcaster’s voice to the silent ruins of Baltimare. That’s all I got today children. This is DJ Pon-3 bringing you the truth no matter how bad it hurts.”

Wait, isn’t DJ Pon-3 a mare. That sounded like a guy, and a hot one I might add. I turned to Silverlux who was mourning his fallen drink. Oh suck it up you big foal, its two hundred year old soda, which is bad for you in the first place.

“It was so young,” the deranged ghoul moaned as he cradled the bottle in his hooves.

I rolled my eyes and clicked the radio off,” Hey if you’re done being an idiot. Is DJ Pon-3 a ghoul too?” It would certainly explain the voice.

“Hell no,” he grumbled, still cradling the bottle,” He lives in Tenpony Tower, bigot capital of the world in my opinion. They don’t allow ghouls in their walls.” My eyes widened at that. Now that is just messed up. I mean yeah the skin issues were off-putting but still Silverlux seems alright...another heartbroken moan left his muzzle at the bottle...sorta. Silverlux snorted and continued,” As for DJ Pon-3 it’s a title that’s been passed down from broadcaster to broadcaster. Every forty years or so the voice changes a little, it’s always male though.”

Hmm I see. It would also seem that Watcher and this DJ are in league with each other…interesting. I gave my wings a flap,” So where are we?”

“An old house,” I gave him a ‘no really’ look and he continued,” We’re just outside the facility grounds. After you passed out, again, I dragged you here and figured it’ll be a while before you’d wake up so I raided the house, found a cold Sparkle-cola, some caps and a working radio, so I settled down for a spell.” He leveled a glare at me,” Of course then you show up out of nowhere, scare me half to life and spill my drink. Thanks for that by the way.”

I grinned,” You are again quite welcome.So what are the chances that a certain bag full of unmentionables would be at the Moonbeam Hotel after two hundred years?” It was a long shot but hey a filly can hope.

“I’m guessing you left them in the Hotel?” I nodded. He tapped his chin with a hoof,” I’d say your chances are decent. There haven’t been many ponies who wanted to scavenge in the city so many of the ruins are left untouched. After all the stories of this place even keep raiders at bay.”

Okay adding raiders to my long list of questions. “What kind of stories?” I asked, quirking an eyebrow at him.

His expression became one of dead seriousness,” Of things that lurk in the dark. Screams that come out of nowhere and phantoms of a malevolent sort dragging ponies into dark corners where they are never heard from again. It’s nice and quiet during the day if you avoid the Screechers but at night,” he shivered,” Unnatural things lurk between these cold dead streets.”

“Oooohhh~.” I smirked at the ghoul’s sour look.

“I’m serious,” he huffed.

“Well whatever ghostie we come across I’m sure we’ll handle it,” I started toward the door,” Now then to the Moonbeam Hotel.”

Silverlux gave me an incredulous look,” What makes you think I’m going with you. I need to head back to Stable 46 to show my findings and set up another expedition for the things we left behind.”

Okay so that’s the way it is. I pooched my lower lip and began The Look. “You would leave a poor, defenseless mare to fend for herself?”

“You are far from defenseless,” the ghoul deadpanned. Que eye glisten. His face twitched as he tried to keep his neutral façade. Finally he gave a frustrated groan,” Fine. I’ll go with you. It’s not too terribly out of the way.”

I perked up instantly,” I knew you’d see it my way.” I trotted happily out of the door with a grumbling Silverlux following close behind.

To say that Baltimare had changed was an understatement. The once very well cared for cobblestone streets were pot marked with small craters and sickly weeds sprouting from several cracks. Buildings were either completely demolished or in the beginning of crumbling. To top it all off some of the bigger craters had low levels of magical radiation surrounding them. Every time my pipbuck started to click I felt a crawling dread while Silverlux looked just peachy in the radiation. We traveled in silence due to Silverlux’s warning. Didn’t bother me as I needed time to think, particularly on that blasted cube the ghoul had found. I felt my fur bristle just thinking about it.

Questions buzzed through my head. Why was the cube put there? Why had it affected the robots so much? More importantly why did it piss me off so much when I heard those voices when the thing was on? I don’t remember coming across any weird cubes that made robots homicidal. I shook my head of the unanswered inquiries. I could ponder on them later. We came to the Hotel within an hour’s walk. The old inn looked none the worse for wear just older. Silverlux pulled one of his pistols out while I turned the tasers on high power. I gave him a nod and he carefully opened the old wooden door. It creaked open and he scanned the room. When he lowered his pistol slightly I took it as the all clear and walked into the sunlit room. Light poured in through the broken window panes and dust covered the floor and counters. The receptionist’s counter looked just the same as it’d really only been a day or two since I was here last.

Silverlux gave me a funny look as I rang the bell,” You do realize that no one will be coming right?”

I ignored the buck and eyed my E.F.S. After I was sure no one would come running I searched the receptionist’s desk. The keys to the hotel’s rooms were easy enough to find, even scored another small bag of bits. Okay seriously why the fuck does Silverlux laugh each and every time I grab some bits?!

I tossed the keys at the chuckling fool and gave an annoyed snort,” Search the rooms upstairs. I’ll search the ones down here. You’ll be looking for a brown duffle bag.”

“Yes ma’am,” he gave me a lazy salute with a damned cocky smirk. Even with his face looking like someone took a cheese grater to it I could make that damn smirk out plain as bucking day. I glared after hi m as he ascended the stares with another chuckle. Luna please keep me from snapping his neck. I trudged over to the door behind the receptionist’s desk. It was locked and someone had even managed to snap the damn key off in the lock. Fuck. I glanced up at the exposed hinges and felt a smirk crawl across my muzzle.

“More than one way to skin a cat,” I said and pulled out my screwdriver.

Two popped hinges later and the door fell down stirring up a cloud of dust. I went into a sneezing fit before it settled. Inside was what I could only tell were the owner’s living quarters. There was a small kitchenette in the back a set of bookshelves on either side of a small bed. The hard wood floor was covered in a beautifully quilted rug, though its colors were faded from two hundred years of dust buildup. I also spotted an old timey records desk and a really big safe with a turn dial beside it. It looked positively ancient. An almost manic grin broke on my muzzle as I rushed toward it.

Oh these things were only cracked by quick hooves and quicker ears. Oh man this set me back. I clopped my forehooves together in glee at the idea of popping one of these bad boys open. For sure gonna save the best for last. I glanced over to the desk. On its top was a large book with ‘Hotel Registry’ on its cover. I opened it and went to the date I arrived at the hotel. Sure enough I found the alias I had been using.

’Ms. Nightingale Aria.’
’Four day reservation in the Constantine suite paid full in advance.’
Note: Patron disappeared. Tried to use spare key to get inside room but the bloody thing snapped off in the keyhole. Gonna have to ask Ms. Screws to fix it.

Suddenly a sound like a gunshot or firecracker ripped the silence to shreds. I jumped back and looked up. The sound had origi9nated somewhere upstairs. I clicked the receiver with a little more force than necessary,” Silver the fuck was that?!”

Some static crackled before he replied,” Ran into a stubborn door so I had to use persuasive methods.” Silence. “Blew the thing open.”

Hold up he’s got explosives. “You mean to tell me you have bombs too?”

“That is indeed the case ma’am.” Oh dear sweet Celestia. I put a hoof to my chest to, in some futile way, calm my heart rate which was possibly breaking world records right now.

I gave my head a shake before bringing the radio to my mouth a final time,” Give a mare some warning next time. My heart nearly flew out of my throat.”

“Sorry.” Geez I’m gonna end up killing that senile old ghoul.

Let’s see he just entered the room. I hid my bag under the bed so I should have just enough time for a little safe cracking. I knelt in front of the ancient Lock an’ Dial safe and pressed my ear just beside the dial. Carefully turning the dial, I listened for faint, distinct clicks. After a few minutes my patience was rewarded with a dull *chunk* and the safe opened. Mama still got the skills. I opened the safe and beheld…letters!? Are you kidding me!? I want my fucking bits back! I growled low and grabbed the safe door with a hoof. They didn’t look worth my time and I was about to slam the safe shut in anger.

Curiosity.

Then again why would someone lock a few letters in a safe like this. I mean let’s face it Lock an’ Dail safes haven’t been in circulation in a long time but these things could take a pounding. I’m talking a grenade launcher could blast this safe open. Not only that but they were damned expensive. I rifled through the letters. Most were just love letters and the like but one in particular caught my attention. It looked no different than the others but was at the very bottom of the pile, even had a weird twin lock key inside the envelope.

’Ms. Poise,

I thank you for your cooperation again with this matter. As you well know things have not been going well. What with the Ministries of Image and Morale closing in on our little operation respectively. Soon though we and all our contacts will be able to rest easy. I have come under the unique position to find out the Ministry of Peace harbors a traitor, and a high ranking one at that. I have a thief to acquire proof sent out to your quaint little spot. She will go by the name Nightingale Aria. You will know her when she asks for a room with a view and you shall give her the Constance suite in turn. From there she will stay a grand total of four days.

When you are sure she has acquired the information needed and if you go through that pipbuck we gave her, and you will know what it is when you see it, then do be a dear and ‘take care’ of her for me. The following Sunday Zoot Suit will arrive to pick up the package. Be careful though old friend she has a level six capture protocol with the Ministry of Morale meaning she is highly dangerous. As well the key inside will allow you access to a safe house under the wine cellar in Dragontooth Tavern. I have it from good sources that Equestria is in for a surprise soon so I wish you good luck my old friend.

With Highest Regards,

P.S.

I brow furred into a sickened scowl and I shook as I read the letter. They were going to fucking off me! Whoever this P.S. is is gonna pay and if he's dead then someone will I don't give a flying feather who! “Those double-crossing bastards,” I growled through clenched teeth. I ripped the offending letter to shreds. On a whim I checked the letter’s return address on the envelope.

‘1385 E. Rose Lane, Manehatten Apt 17.’

I made a note of it in my pipbuck and pocketed the key before slamming the safe shut with a surprising amount of force. I seethed there for a moment before I heard approaching hooves. I donned a familiar mask and smiled as Silverlux trotted in with my duffle bag in magic. He set it down.

“Took some searching,” he rasped,” Found it under the bed.”

“Excellent,” I said as I opened the zipper,” Thanks.” I started to pull my armor off but stopped as I saw the ghoul still standing there. “You mind?” I asked with a fair amount of attitude as I indicated to the door. The last thing I needed was questions about my cutie mark. Silverlux rolled his eyes and obliged.

“Mares,” he mumbled before going through the doorway. I took to pulling what I needed out of my bag. Time for a wardrobe change, stage right.

“About time,” Silverlux groaned as I stepped into the hotel lobby,” I thought you had keeled over in there.” His annoyed glare turned to a surprised gape as he got a good look at me.

I had traded the gaudy yellow riot armor for a soft brown zebra scout’s barding that covered me head to hoof comfortably. I had my jet black mane pulled into a loose ponytail and I was able to salvage enough makeup to make myself at least presentable. Over half of my makeup was ruined by the passage of time. That was well over three hundred bits wasted!

I had to throw out what I couldn’t use. I kept the foreleg guards and even carved out a section of the pipbuck screen with a ceremonial dagger that rested in a small scabbard on my chest. The dagger had been a gift from Xea and wasn't really meant as a weapon but a symbol of my training being ended. The look was complete by a white longcoat with red trimming that covered my wings and saddlebags. I had decided to pin the black butterfly I had gotten from the Facility to the coat’s high collar. The canister launcher was slung snuggly to the saddlebags with a fresh canister loaded. I also put what little possessions were salvageable from my duffle bag into the maintenance saddlebags, including my makeup box, a few dresses and an old photo of me and Xea. My pipbuck’s inventory organizer had already kicked in as well.

“Like what you see?” I said flashing a sultry grin at the stallion. He sputtered slightly before replaying with a meek ‘you look alright.’ Heh two hundred years didn’t change the buck’s habit to stumble around a beautiful mare, a habit I had picked up on pretty early on.

“Here,” he handed me a small yellow box with a pink butterfly on the lid. Inside were five health potions, a few syringes of Med X and a clear liquid that were unmarked, a couple rolls of gauze, a small bottle of rubbing alcohol and finally surgical glue and tape. I pulled up one of the clear syringes with my telekinesis.

“What’s this?” I asked as I rolled it over to in my telekinesis.

“Adrenaline,” he pointed to the syringe,” Trust me in a pinch that stuff will help more than Dash, Buck, and any other chem out there put together.”

Huh I glanced at the buck then back at the syringe. After a moment I put it back and snapped the case shut. I placed it inside my saddlebags,” Thanks.”

“No problem,” he pulled his saddlebags up and that’s when I’d noticed he had that damn cube out. My fur bristled as he picked it up with a hoof. He eyed me cautiously,” You alright?”

I shook my head,” Yeah. Sorry about earlier with that little episode.”

“It’s alright,” he said with a shrug and put the cube in his saddlebags,” I know a guy that might be able to tell me more about it. So what are you going to do now?”

I hadn’t thought of that. Obviously I was going to go back to Manehatten and salvage what I could from my apartment, or give any squatters that decided to take up residency there. Not to mention the address from the letter was a definite local I wanted to visit. In all truth there wasn’t much rush though.

“You could join me,” Silverlux suggested, breaking me from my thoughts,” I’m headed back to Stable 46 and we could use a capable set of hooves like yours. What do you say?” He brought up a hoof.

I would be lying if I didn’t think it was tempting. After all things were way different now if this guy was any indication so I needed to learn all I could. I met his hoof with mine and returned his smile,” Sure why not.”

His smile widened to a grin,” Awesome.” We packed up, checked our respective weapons and set out into the silent ruins of Baltimare.

“Do these things ever fucking quit?!” I screamed over the din of screeches. Silverlux and I ran down a narrow alley way from a gaggle of screechers intent on making us a meal. We had been minding our own business when we spotted a whole group of them shuffling around on 52nd Street. One saw us, screamed and then the chase was on. You know what this sucks I want off this ride.

“Gotta respect their tenacity,” he grunted as he struggled to keep up. Tenacity my pert plothole. I spotted a lowered fire escape ladder and with a flap of my wings, launched myself toward it. I climbed up and offered a hoof to the ghoul.

“Hurry up and grab my hoof.”

He latched on and I pulled him up with a grunt. Celestia he was heavy. We looked down as the screechers started to climb on top of each other. Oh come on!

“Climb!” Silverlux said harshly as he started up the rickety metal stairs I followed after. Then once we were a good ways up the ghoul pulled a couple of flat metal disks with glowing green crystals in their centers. He pushed the crystals down and dropped both off the edge. What the fu- My line of thought was interrupted by a deafening explosion down below. The metal stair case groaned before the sound of metal rivets snapping entered my ringing ears. I was pulled bodily through a window by Silverluix as the stair case gave way.

I laid there in a daze. Okay that’s it next chance I get I’m burying this psycho. I sat up albeit with a little effort,” I told to warn me next time damn it!”

“Would you have rather they chew on your ankles as I explained it to you,” he grunted.

We both froze when we heard a clicking sound. We slowly looked up as red beady eyes glared down at us. Very big and very pissed bats with razor sharp; drool dripping fangs were hanging from the ceiling. Out of the fucking firepan and into the bloody fire. Out of my peripheral vision I spotted a door. I nudged Silverlux and motioned to the door ever so slightly. One of the bats screeched and the lot of them launched themselves at us.

I sparked the tasers on and slammed a S.A.T.S. guided strike into one’s torso. I dodged a pair of slashing claws and gave their owner a a few well-placed electric hoof strikes. It fell to the ground with a pained screech and I ended its pain with a swipe of my dagger. Silverlux fared as well as I as he unleashed precisioned shots of magic energy beams. His two hundred years of skill showed as he fired beam after beam, even managing to keep firing with one pistol as he reloaded the other, repeating the process when one fizzled out. What bats weren’t turned to ash were relieved of their ability to fly. I jumped to his side and kept one from getting a lucky claw strike in. I slammed an old fashioned buck into its torso, relishing the tell-tell feeling of bones giving under my back hooves. I slipped into S.A.T.S. and ended the lives of the bats that Silverlux had felled with the flash of my dagger.

One of the retched creatures landed on my back and I felt razor sharp dig into my back and wings. I winced from the hot pain as I bucked the fowl thing off. Luna’s plot these things stink. Hell it took all my focus not to throw up from its foul stench and the smell of these things burning by Silverlux’s magic pistols. I spotted an opening and broke to the door,” Come on!”

Silverlux flowed close behind as I barreled through the door. Normally I wouldn’t have the strength to break a door down but two hundred years of aging mixed with sure fucking panic were on my side. We broke into a hallway and wouldn’t you know it there were more of the damn bats.

“Fuck me!” I screeched as I dodged a set of razor sharp jaws. I slammed an electrified hoof into the damn thing’s chin and sent it tumbling. Damn I love these tasers! I whipped my dagger out and slashed its throat. Blood spewed from its trachea and onto my coat further turning the material red.

“The stairwell!” Silverlux shouted.

We galloped toward the stairs and luckily they were intact as we rushed down them. We came into a barroom with a mural of a massive purple dragon. A small part of my mind chuckled at the ironic situation. Five bits says this is the Dragontooth Tavern. Stools, tables and, chairs were upturned and in complete disarray. Oh crap more clicking. We both blanched as we looked up to see well over twenty more of the damn bats clinging to the ceiling and looked a particular mix of pissed and hungry. One break! One bucking break that’s all I fucking ask!

Silverlux spotted a door to the left of the bar and bolted inside with me close behind. I almost stumbled down the surprise set of stairs but we bolted through the massive oak door that led to the cellar. Once I was through the ghoul unicorn slammed the door shut and slid the metal bolts shut. A few resounded thuds could be heard through the thick door. We both plopped down on our flanks, panting.

“What the fuck were those things?” I said between pants.

“Bloodwings,” the ghoul said with more of a rasp than usual,” Luckily it was only a small pack.”

I couldn’t help but gape at him like he was crazy. That was a small pack!? Silverlux stood up and started looking around the cellar. Other than a few wine racks and big barrels the room was empty. Not to mention dusty. Starting to see a pattern here.

“Fuck there’s no way out of here,” Silverlux groaned, a scowl visible on his brow. I pulled my longcoat off and check the material. It had already repaired itself but I pulled out a pair off small circular mirrors. Angiling them I got a good look at my back. I sighed in relief that tat the damage was only a few small cuts. I pulled the med-kit out and took to dabbing the cuts with rubbing alcohol. I winced at the burning sensation but kept at the task. Good don’t want to get them infected. Once the med-kit was packed back up and my cuts were dealt with I stood up as well and pulled out the twin lock key.

“Look for a key hole with slots for a twin pronged key,” I said as I went to the back wall and began examining it.

“Where’d you get that?”

“At the hotel,” I said simply with a shrug.

Silverlux gave me a suspicious look before doing as I asked. I glanced up at the coat rack on the wall. No it can’t be that easy. I tested each hook until the one at the end gave way and the stone slab slid away revealing a grey steel door. Silverlux walked over as I put the key into the lock and twisted. I smirked as the door unlatched with a *thunk* and swung open. Darkness was all I could see in the room and I clicked the pipbuck’s lamp on, flooding the room with a bright green light.

It was sparse with a cot and small table and kitchenette. A mini bunker from the looks of it. We carefully walked inside, eyes searching. There were a set of trunks in the back next to another large steel door. I trotted over to the trunks and flung one open. I grinned widely at what I saw. It was lined with military grade rations and bottles of water. Oh hells yeah score. I started packing the rations and water away in my saddle bag.

“Hey Silverlux,” I said once I was sure I had half of the contents,” There’s some food and water here.”

“Who are you?” the ghoul said with an edge to his voice. I turned to look at him. He looked really creepy in the green glow of the pipbuck. His stance was cautious, ready to defend…or attack.

“Nightingale,” I said, feigning confusion. The stage is set Masquerade time for your part.

“No,” he shook his head and his eyes hardened,” That’s an alias. Take your style of fighting for example. You have an excellent amount of grace in your style; a grace I might add is seen in zebra martial artists. At first I took this as skills you might have picked up on the front lines and shrugged it off. Then I looked at your pipbuck to make sure your vitals were okay when you fainted earlier today. I stumbled across some interesting things. Then I catch you opening that safe like a pro and the signs, small and well hidden they are started to surface. Now I’ll ask again and this time I want the truth,” He took a step forward,” Who are you?”

I kept a neutral expression all through his little speech. So he was able to sneak up on me huh? I hadn’t taken into account he was that good. Kudos Masque for underestimating the ghoul. After all he had been part of Image for a reason. They don’t just hire any Joe off the street. I was more than a little pissed that he had looked through my pipbuck but I quickly put a cap on that anger. One wrong move and I could end up with a hole burned through my skull. I stay silent for a moment my cutie mark twitched as my mask was being forced off.

“Why should I tell you?” I asked. It was a valid question. “A rose by any other name is a rose.”

“Because I’ve been honest with you up to this point,” he growled and took another stepped forward. “ Now be honest with me.”

“You really want to know?” I quirked an eyebrow,” Cause trust me sometimes its best not to know a pony’s secrets.”

“How is your fucking name a secret?”

It is when it can get you killed. My eyes narrowed at the buck but his resolve never wavered. I sighed. Fine this fucker wants the truth, not like it really mattered anymore anyway. “Fine my name’s Masquerade. Happy?”

“Were you a spy?”

Oh for the love of…a spy?! Seriously that’s what he pulled from all that. I burst into laghter at the buck. His serious expression became confusion. I looked up at him after my laugh subsided and broke down again into giggles,” A spy seriously! Oh Celestisa that’s priceless. You honestly thought I was a spy?! Oh Luna’s sweet strap-on that’s hilarious.” When I was finally able to stand I smirked at the seriously confused ghoul,” Wow dude you are thick as they come. I’m a fucking thief dumbass.”

“You’re a criminal,” his eyes narrowed.

“Only if you get caught,” I said as-a-matter-of-factly,” And I never get caught.”

“I caught you,” the ghoul countered.

“Well two hundred years in a Cryo pod, two fainting sessions, and being chased by flesh hungry mutant ponies will throw a filly off her game,” I shrugged,” So I call a freebee on that.” My smirk disappeared, replaced by a deadly serious expression,” Won’t happen again.”

“So all those years ago,” he began,” Why were you in that Cryo pod, hell in that facility in the first place?”

I racked my brain for an answer but came up with nothing. It was futile anyway, jig was up and I’d been bested. I gave a defeated sigh,” Alright you want the whole truth here it is. I was sent to that Medical Center to find information for a very generous benefactor. It was easy. Get in, get out with a simple file. Didn’t really care that my employer wouldn’t reveal himself.”

“Fool,” Silverlux grunted through clenched teeth,” For all you know you could have been working for a zebra.” Oh goddesses a fucking zeolite. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and failed...horribly.

“He could have been the fucking Ceaser himself for all I care,” I scoffed with a level glare,” They payed me a hundred thousand bits just to listen to the proposal.” I gave a frustrated sigh,” Doesn’t really matter, fuckers were gonna off me when I had the info anyway.”

“That explains your anger when you read that one note form the safe,” Silverlux quried an eyebrow at me,” What kind of information did they want?”

“He suspected that M.o.P. was harboring a traitor,”

“That’s ridiculous,” the ghoul snorted. I chuckled mirthlessly, “I’m guessing you didn’t go through all my files did you?” A slow nod. Okay guy time for a news flash. “Well then would you like to know what I found? It will blow your mind.”

I didn’t wait for an answer as I played the recordings of Dr. Strand's confession. I watched with mild amusement as the ghoul’s face contorted from confusion to shock to anger in the green light. When the audio logs clicked off silence reigned. The ghoul across from me visibly shook. His face was down cast.

“So you mean to tell me Fluttershy,” he seethed,” the Ministry Head of Peace and the Element of Kindness. Is responsible for this mess. For all those balefire bombs,” He looked up at me with a look of pure, unadulterated rage,” For the death of my family.”

“It looks that way.”

“I see,” he looked back down. Suddenly Silverlux whirled on his hooves and unleashed enough radiated magical energy to roast a pony alive. “THAT FUCKING BITCH!!!”

My pipbuck went crazy as he blasted a crater into the wall. I jumped back with wide eyes. Holy shit how much magic power does this guy have?!

Silverlux stood there panting. "And she fucking helped,' he whispered much to my confusion. Wait did he know Strand? He looked at me over his shoulder. “So should I kill you?” Okay so now questions for the pissed off ghoul.

“Hey don’t shoot the messenger,” I crossed my hooves over my chest and masked my telekinetic glow as it wrapped around my dagger’s handle,” I was asked to grab that file and then they wanted to snuff me out. To be honest I’m just as pissed. When you make a contract you don’t backstab the pony doing the job.”

He started to sober up and started mumbling to himself,” Calm down Silver don’t go to that dark place.” He looked up at me,” Shit I’m sorry. You probably lost ponies to those bombs too huh?”

I didn’t meet his eyes for the briefest of moments but he caught my hesitation. His eyes softened even further. “Celestia you didn’t have any one did you?”

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” I said, breaking the line of questioning there,” Get the supplies out of that trunk,” I pointed to the food trunk,” I’ll get the other one.”

I tried the second trunk and found it locked. The ghoul wordlessly started putting rations and water in his bag, all the while casting a glance at me. I ignored it and worked on picking the lock. It popped open within a minute and revealed some survival gear. A folding tent, a few spark batteries and even a pair of hunting knives. I put the spark batteries in my saddlebags and replaced my taser’s already red spark batteries. I slid the sheathed hunting knives into a pocket in my longcoat. I slammed the trunk shut and went to the door. It unlocked lime the other one and opened out to a large tunnel. The sewer systems from the smell. I wrinkled my nose and started down the dark, dank tunnel. I never looked at Silverlux cause I knew all I would see in his eyes was pity.

Footnote: Speech-25
Unarmed-25
Level up!
New Perk added! Intense Training: +1 to your Luck.
Companion Perk added! Keeneye: When traveling with Silverlux you get a +5% chance to score a critical hit.

Author's Note

Phew had work around the clock to get this one out. Anyway fourth chapter so yay. Oh Mane Squeeze inspired by the actual song. By the Wasteland Wailers check them out its good stuff