Equestia Lost

by Shadows Reborn

Rating: mature
Tags: Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Original Character, Philomena, Adventure, Sex
Length: 22008

Two ponies meet by fate and with the help of a few friends along the way. They brave the perils of a barren waste land that was once equestria. Romance, Action, Adventure, plus danger around every corner.

Vexus was a hot headed mare with taste for danger and adventure. Treble Cleft was a tinkerer with incredible knack for machinery. Vexus is a treasure hunter for hire and will go to any length for the big prize. Treble scavenges the landscape for useful material for her designs. One day fate brings them together and the two form the most unlikely duo. But Equestria is not a forgiving place for any pony anymore. Love, action, adventure, and more peril then any pony can handle alone awaits them as the two face life in a barren waste land together. Join them on a epic journey through an exotic place. With a huge array of characters like the sharp witted Lapis Lazuli and the bizarre inventor Shimmer Dust. Maybe together they can make a difference. If Vexus' past does not come back to kill them first.

This story was Co- written by Lead_Colored_Sky

Published 2014-08-29 21:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-29 21:00:02 UTC

Chapter 1

Date line 9999 year of the celestial calendar, the every pony is looking forward to the next era. The world prepares itself for the technology of the Pegasus race. The Pegasus scientist prepares to bring another thousand years of futile soil and weather. Singular devices powered by the planets own natural magical energy or eather will guarantee a long and prosperous life span of the machine. With the approval Princess Celestia and Luna, the machine will be activated in the four major cloud cities across the globe. This is Big Scoop and I am sure the world would agree with me when I say the world is looking forward to the wondrous possibilities this new device will bring.

Date Line 10001 of the Celestial calendar, an equestria in disarray zebra’s in the eastern lands along with several tribes from the north displeased. Several believe the devices are the cause of several minor fluctuations in the weather. The royal sisters are calling a meeting with chief weather advisers in to find out if the device could in fact be the cause of these problems. “I assure all the ponies of equestria. The device is not the cause of these troubling conditions. There has been no proven link between the device and these anomalies. I would also like to assure every pony that the Pegasus weather factions have everything under control.” Is this a cause of the machine of just some strange anomaly? The answers might lay deeper still.

Date Line 10012 of the Celestial calendar, Equestria in rage the lands loosing much of its fertility. Storms threaten to clean what is left of our once proud land. The hooves point to the Pegasus further inspection of the machine might hold the key. The eather consumed by the machine is not being displaced. Unicorn scientist state that it could have drastic effects on the planet itself. With the approval of the royal family the Pegasus devices will be shut down tell further investigations could be done.

Date Line 10013 of the Celestial calendar, a threat of war conditions have yet to improve. Scientist and engineers are baffled. A gas from deep underground has begun to rise to the surface. In the Middle East many are sick and dying. Several aid and rescue groups have been dispatched to aid our neighbors. But greater threats still rise Griffons are out raged the tectonic shift has brought the destruction of many mountain dwellings. Forcing to the race to compile in their smaller cloud cities, claws point at the royal sisters… “Clearly you put too much faith in the Pegasus. Their grasp on the weather conditions has clearly diminished.” Much to the Pegasi disapproval the griffon senate will now share control of weather management. Hopefully the combined effort of the two races will bring about the answer to solve this horrific tragedy.

Date Line 10014 of the Celestial calendar, a world in pain, 10:14 a.m. Princess Luna was found dead in her bed chamber earlier today. Traces of cyanide found in her system. Some suspect suicide others say foul play. The pressures on the royal senate are brought to the boiling point. Floods wash away most of Manehatten. Fillydelphia is torn by earth quakes. Tornadoes continually plague Los Pegasus. Crops continually fail despite farmers best efforts. The release of poisonous gases into the air brings several nations to their knees as strains of sickness begin to arrive at our boarders. Celestia to distraught give any comment at this time.

Date Line 10014 of the Celestial calendar, the griffon senate along with representatives of each race gathers for a meeting with the royal senate. A new proposal was brought forth by the Pegasus. Dome shells will be constructed with acceptable living conditions for each race. This will sustain life tell the planet can once again sustain itself. Locations have been selected and construction will commence immediately.

Date Line 10015 of the Celestial calendar, a shock to us all the Pegasus continues the use of the device. The question on every pony’s minds is why? Thunder Hoof had this to say, “The device is regulating the weather it is the only thing that might by us time.” Unicorn scientist stuck in the state of agreement. “Equestria is dying the eather has only grown weaker. In less than five years under one tenth of Equestria will be inhabitable. Celestia decrees that the ponies of Equestria shell be transported to the domes. The magical barriers showed effective in sustaining life for over a thousand years. It might be equestria’s only hope.

Date Line 10020 of the Celestial calendar, heavy hearts the world watches on with heavy hearts. Only a quarter of necessary domes have been constructed three of which surround the cloud cities. With only enough room to fit one thousandth of the population. Families are divided as the weak and old have been divided from the young and strong. One last interview with Princess Celestia of Equestria came with saddening news. “My little ponies this is a truly sad time for us all but I ask that you stay strong. For in times of great darkness we prospered. Just wait the sun will shine on our proud land once more.” A personal interview with the princess revealed she will not be taking refuge in a dome. Claiming that it would be she would father remain so the next generation may take her place. “The domes are for the young and I am over a thousand years old. Plus I had already decided I will remain here. When I lay down to rest it will be here with my dear sister Lulu. I too will not be seek refuge my legacy has been written in each and every column. Even now as I write these last few words. I have no way of knowing if it will ever grace the eyes of any of my loyal readers. But if it does let it be told Big Scoop was with you until the end bringing you the facts one article at a time.

“Well sadly no one has much use for your writing anymore. But still you always seem to have just right amount of information.” Teeth clinch the edge of the faded looking paper. Then with a tug the column was ripped free. A Mare breathed a sigh as she walks over to a bulletin board and pins it up.” Her coat was an orange color her mane and tail black. A pair of goggles rested on her forehead. She makes her way back to a soft chair. Her hooves make a clacking sound against metal floors. She looks out the windows before her several levers to her left and right. A large wooden wheel set a couple foot from her seat. “Alright here we… go.” She extends a hoof to her left and with a slight grown she shoves all five levers forward. Each making a loud clanking sound as they move.

There came a loud hiss as the as the boilers below the cabin began to whistle. The steam powered piston hiss as all five boilers begins to heat up. The entire room engine room was filled loud roars not even the layer of steel between it and the cabin was enough to silence it completely. The pistons powering the large prop of the airship brought the ship to life. A small vessel only knows by the letters painted on its side DESTINY. The Mare turns the wheel four times to the right. Then places a hind hoof on it. She gives a slight yawn before reaching to her right grabbing an old fashion winded up clock. She winds it up and sets it on the chair arm. “Destiny make sure to wake me up when we arrive.”

Meanwhile

It was the beginning of a prosperous day, though not one of relaxation or play. Much work was always needed to be done if one wished to eat, though mornings were never really that cool out in the wastelands. A lone mare trudged her way through the shifting dust and sand. Despite it being a wasteland for as far as the eye can see there was always something to be found. Junk most would call it. But in the right hands with the right mind they became quite useful parts or tools. A single thick woven mask covered her face; a breathing hose ran from the snout to a simple container filled with charcoal. The only other apparel was a saddle bag, mostly filled with bits and bobs. Pieces of magnets iron or lead. Anything that had a use was snatched up. To her it was almost worth trudging around in the sun for a few hours before taking it back to the shop for processing. After one last circle made to comb the spot she was in brought up nothing and with that spread her wings and took flight, searching from a manageable height for anything more within the area, hoping to find perhaps at least one thing that would make her day so she could return for a brief rest.

A harsh ring of wind up clock woke the sleeping mare from her slumber. She groans as hoof slams down on top of it. She gives out a long yawn and stretches out, here eye slowly opens. Her jaw drops as her eyes instantly widened. “Oh shit.” Her fore hooves instantly grabs the wheel and spins it to the right. The whole room leans to the right the ship shifts just missing the mountain side by an inch. She scans the terrain through the windows. Her eyes narrow as they set on a large structure in the distance. “That’s it…” She set back in her chair with one swift motion she extends a fore hoof and moves all the levers back to an upright position. She stands up and moves to the console. She turns to knobs keeping a close eye on the gauges before her. “Alright let’s just set down nice and easy.” She returns to the wheel and begins stirring the drifting air ship toward the closes flat surface.  “Damn it this is going to be tight.” Suddenly she was jerk forward as the air ship came down on top of a mountain peak. She quickly recovers to her feet she rushes back the console she pulls two more levers. Causing two mettle beams outside the air ship piece the ground anchoring it in place. The Mare gave out a sigh of relief. She quickly goes about the cabin collecting her things in a saddle bag. A couple well organized newspaper clippings.  What looked to be a hand drawn map. A high tension cable and what looked to be a jar with an unusual lid. She moves to a locker on the far corner of the ship. She opens and begins to suit up. She applies bandages around her waist holding her nub like appendages to her side. She then dresses in a tactical Jacket and a two pairs of thick leather boots. The last thing the puts on was a rubber gas mask she adjust the straps so it fit tight. She then covers the rest of her head with the hood of her jacket. This did the job of protecting the back of her head while concealing her mane. She moves a satchel over her neck then a device which resembles a Griffon Arms 9mm she slid the weapon into a loop made on the coat. With a loud hiss the door to the air ship opens she stared down onto the ruin which was once the proud capital of Equestria. “Canterlot… Oh what treasures you must hold.”

Meanwhile

The mare continued to glide, changing direction every so often to catch a breeze and just glide with the wind. Through the small round glass lenses she kept her eye out for anything of possible gain as well as the skies. No need to collide with anything at this point. Especially as she got further away from her home. The sun was still making a slow ascent into the sky so she had plenty of time to spend out in the open, though this time it was the mountains she had yet to comb. So for this particular day she set aside time to check the cliffs for anything worth taking. Taking a deep slow breath through the filter she flapped her wings to pick up more speed, the mountain cliffs coming closer into view. Her gaze began to scan over the sun swept cliffs as she made sure to keep good altitude. Nothing good as of yet, her wings flapped once more as she caught a gentle breeze, her body beginning to bank around the peak of rock. She exhaled deeply, her breath suddenly cut short as she rounded the peak. A large object appeared before her. She began to flap her wings frantically to try and stop but to no avail. Her body collided into the side of the zeppelin, though the force was minimal compared to is she had not tried to slow her speed. Sliding down the side, her wings began to flap again before finally coming to rest on the piece of cliff. Her body shivered from the fright, another deep breath taken as she lay on her side, her mind wandering why such an object was this far into the mountains.

She turns back and pulls the door shut. She begins rotate level to the right there was a loud click as the signaling the ship was locked tight. She takes a step away from the ship. As something catches her eye through the glass lenses of her mask, “Oh damn it, you got to be kidding me… This is supposed to be a red zone.” She trots up next to the mare, “Hay what the hell are you doing here.” She took her lack of a response as a sign she couldn’t hear here. Possibly over the loud whistling sound…? “Oh fuck….” She turns around a large wall of dust was coming their way. It can only mean a storm was brewing and no doubt the dangers of contamination that it brings with it. She quickly rushes up next the mystery mare in question. “Hay I don’t know who you are but moving is a fucking good idea.” She pulls what looked to be a tray from her saddle bag. She tossed it as it hits the ground the ends extends forming what looked like a metal board she takes off in a gallop. She jumps and lands on it the momentum causes it to slide off the ledge. She hoots and haulers as she races the approaching storm to the city down below.

The mare finally shook herself from the faint shock and began to eye the large object before her. At a distance she had seen one, maybe two in her lifetime. The rest was in books and here sat before her was a wonder machine of lighter than air flight. She took in every detail. Every nut, bolt, Screw and cable; her attention finally was broken away at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. She felt a little embarrassed to have herself become wrapped up in such an object. She had no idea what kind of response to even give when the stranger took off down the mountain. Her head turned to catch sight of an approaching storm. One thing about foraging in the wastes was the unpredictable storms. She eyes it carefully before flapping her wings and dove off the cliff, letting herself glide at a controlled speed, nearly catching up with the strange pony from earlier. The wind began to pick up even more, her body leaning into the rushing torrent to gain speed. Slowly she began to overtake the other mare, searching for a cave, crevice or something to hide in until the storm passed through.

She looks ahead at this rate the storm will swallow them before they reached it. Her hoof slides to the metallic loop on her jacket. With a tug she frees the rifle. She stands on her hind hooves showing superior balance. A hoof searches the loops her tactic coat before finding harpoon attached to a long cable. The winds grew stronger in the center it would be like razors. “I have only one shot at this…” She shot a nearby ledge the harpoon bedding itself deep into the rock. She quickly turns right and slides right off the side of the mountain. The cord unravels before coming to a sudden stop. The cord draws tight as she swings from the pivotal point. She swung fast slamming into the Pegasus. Both of them punch a hole through molded and weather bricks. That was once the walls of Canterlot, she lets out a gasp as she hits the ground rolling straight into a broken land post causing it to topple over the a rifle landing next to the Pegasus. The remains of the nearby building worked as a shield blocking what wind the walls would not.

The wind was becoming more and more unpredictable. A bit more and it would be even riskier to even fly. Now the dirt and sand began to assail her form. The mast protected against the dirt and particles but it did not help to see in blinding situations. Still searching, looking for a spot before a blinding flash filled her vision from the impact, practically knocking the wind from her lungs. A second impact through weather and sun beaten bricks, then a third impact, the floor her body skids through the dirt and dust before rolling to a stop. She could feel the ache in her body now, her wings spread out as she managed to get her breath back, not even sure as to what had happened or where or what she was even in. In turn, she just lay there for the longest moment, gathering her wits. Her eye caught a glimmer of some of the junk she had picked up earlier that morning, the impact dislodging the items from her saddlebag.

The earth bound mare rises to her hooves her body ached from the rough entry. Her back popped several times as she slowly rose to her hooves. A sharp pain rushed through her side, her mind not daring to process the reason why? But suddenly it became irrelevant her eyes settle on the structure that was serving as their shield. She reaches into her saddle bag and pulls out a few newspaper clips. One was an article entitled home of the royal sisters. “Canterlot Castle… I made it now the rest hopefully will be easy.” She begins quickly search her person. “Where the fuck did it…” Her eyes come to rest on the Pegasus who landed several feet from her. With a groan she begins to wobble her way to her. She uses a hoof to roll her onto her back. “If you’re alive get up…” She steps over now her hooves straddling her she grasps her rifle and slides it back through the loops in her tactical jacket. She then turns and makes her way to the castle doors.

A loud pop, a simple groan and the wind was all she was hearing for the moment. She blinked a few moments longer the dizziness subsided. Before she could move she felt herself being rolled onto her back. She gave a faint gasp as she caught sight of the other mare through the glass lenses of the mask. She was going to fear for the worst when she merely grasped for something the moved on. With a little effort and through the ache she forced herself up on her hooves, her wings folding against her side as she began to scan her surroundings as if trying to get a grasp of where she was at as well as how long the storm would last. Minutes or hours they could last but when it came down to it was best to be home before darkness settled. She would stop every few paces to run a hoof against a stone pillar or two, trying to take in the architecture of the old forgotten place as she wandered about too an fro. For sure it was a place she had never been too and she would never have thought of finding such a place in the mountains.

The earth bound mare stops just short of the castle entrance the she took a deep breath as she places a hoof on the door. She gives it a slight push it creaks then gave a sudden crackling sound as the bolts on the door snap and the wooden door falls forward. She taps a device connect to the neck of her tactical jacket. There was a slight delay fallowed by a flash she continued into the castle. Stain glass windows took up most of the left and right walls. Each told a different story that depicted an event from the past. Well the ones that was not broken anyway. She taps the device again it gives off another flash as she continues on her tour. She would love to document every inch of the castle the pictures alone could be worth quite the sum. But she was a mare on a mission to make matters worse she was battling time as well.

The stone was holding up well against the storm but it did not stop flakes of stone to finally crumble from the walls and to the floors. It was a curious place indeed. And pretty much quiet other than the wind. She took in a deep breath through the filter then sighed as she continued on through her exploration of crumbling rock and pillars. She slowly began to move a bit faster, following the other mares trail and through a large doorway. Her eyes took the images on the wall, but what really captured her attention was the stained glass. It was something she was not used too. Something really alien to her, the glass practically hypnotizing to her as she took in the different colors, shapes, and images. She willed her body forward to get a closer look, her head shaking some strands of main from her vision “It‘s beautiful…” Was all she could mutter in a low, meek voice.

The earth bound mare stop short of a seat that looked liked it was once made of gold. But much of its luster was faded and tainted with a greenish color. The cloth cushion where some pony once set was rotted and worn. There was another flash as she continued onward. She remembered all the stories the castle the royal sisters. They were the focus of media for years. She makes her way to a corridor hinges remained and broken pieces of wood suggested there was once a door that stood there. She looked to the left and right the corridor was huge. Granted it was fitting for the royalty who once lived in it. She turns her attention to the tapestry which hung on the wall straight ahead. It was riddled with holes but she took a picture it must have been beautiful in its day, but her eyes narrowed the flash revealed a discoloration through one of the holes. She grips the edge of the fabric and with swift tug rips it away. Her eyes widened a blood mark insignia stained the brick. The place was marked in dried blood only meaning one thing. “Vamps…” The job just got a little more challenging and time a whole lot shorter. Several mutants seek refuge in places from the harsh environment. It would be her wonderful luck that her biggest payoff for the year would lead her right through one.

Multiple colors, the glass was like a rainbow really. Finally breaking her gaze, she began to peer around on the floor. There next to the wall were a few shards of the wonderful stained glass; a pane had been broken as time went on most likely. Taking a few steps over to the small pile, she let her hoof brush the glass around before she found just the right piece. The shard was about the size of an apple and it was just as vibrant a red as any fresh and juicy apple. She eyed it carefully, her breathing audible through her mask. Reaching to the shard, she took it up in her hooves and found an empty space in her saddle bag for her new treasure. A deep exhale of satisfaction followed before she broke away from the window and moved about the empty room, her hooves echoing over the stone as she looked to the walls, ceiling and floor. Her body came to a stop at what was once a majestic gold throne, her eyes checking over every inch, even as much as to walk to each side and even peer behind it. Even if the metal was tarnished and weathered she knew what the throne was made of, enough highly conductive metal here for any electronic part. Even magnetic devices would work better and therefore last much longer. The mare finally stopped her examination of the throne before leaving its presence to check over more of the area along the walls.

A cloud of dust filled a small room as a door slowly creeks open. The earth bound mare breathed a sigh of relief. A door finally holds up to the simple task. She proceeds to take the next step as she shifts her weight to her right fore hoof the stone gave way. There was a loud crash as the brick shatters on the floor of the chambers below sending small chunks everywhere. She swallows a lump as she slowly recovers to her hooves. She carefully chose each step as she made her way across the room. She carefully tiptoed around a fallen book shelf. Its contents was scattered across the room books lay all over the floor. In the corner of the room a single right desk still stood. She carefully made her way to it not wanting to fall back down into the throne room. An unwanted leg injury or neck injury would be a good way to fuck up some pony’s day. She stops in front he desk she motions a hoof to a square box connected to the left side of her vest it couldn’t have been more than three inches big. She taps it and it begins to glow with a faint light not enough to illuminate any kind of area but it would serve for reading something close by. She fishes the hand drawn map from her saddle bags and lays it on the table. She put a hoof on a small square located at the second level of the map. She them motions the hoof to the upper right corner to a spot simply marked royal chambers. She holds her right hoof under the light slender devices with an arrow came into view. The arrow was currently a making its way closer to the moon symbol. Not really good sign to tell the truth for night will be upon her soon.” She reaches in her satchel and pulls out a plastic cylinder shaped the device. She puts pressure on the two ends using her hooves causing it to bend in the center. There was a crack and the device began to glow she shakes for a moment then tosses onto the floor. She quickly stored the map and made her way back to the corridor. She looks back toward the steps she just came from. The idea of calling it off did flash through her mind but not with the funds this job promised. With a deep sigh she continues in the opposite direction.

The mare continued to walk along the walls. Some of the dust and debris had to come from the outside at least. None of the walls were made of some of the stone she came across here and there. Stopping, her hooves picked up a small chunk of stone, a purple streak ran down the center of the light grey colored stone. This too was added to her saddle bag for safe keeping. Her hooves continued to plod across the stone floor. The winds from the storm were still present, though had dropped in ferocity. Pretty soon it would come to an end. A sigh of relief was breathed knowing she would not have to stay overnight in a castle she knew nothing about or had never seen before. She finally came to a stop and small corridor within the wall. She strained her eyes to try and peer through the darkness. When nothing came to view she gave a simple shrug and continued her way along the wall, finally coming to a pillar, another deep breath taken, though with just a bit more effort than usual. A sign the filter was near the end of its life and would need to be replaced soon. She sat back on her haunches and took smaller breaths. She had a smaller spare filter but did not want to use it just yet or risk losing it, her ears twitching now and then as she continued to monitor the hum of the wind against the stone. To her ears it was like a song or words really.

A the faint glimmer of her small light guided her as she made her way up yet another flight of stairs. She came to a stop a large chunk of the stare case was missing. Along with huge chunk of the wall it would appear the upper levels of the castle was more dangerous than the lower. But what caught her eyes there was a large shadow and the orange hue of the light. Yes the sun will be setting soon but this was too soon. She suddenly felt completely stupid, the walls of Canterlot was almost ten stories high. The sun will soon be behind the walls and casting a shadow across the lower levels of the city. “Oh that is just fucking great…” She leaps over the few missing steps now more determined to find what she came for and get out. She made her way down the hall in a slightly faster pace. She didn’t like the thought but if the storm did not completely clear before night fall she will be force to chance it. The last thing any pony wants to be is trapped in the waste lands at night. This place, Luna be damned the creatures that lurk in the cool of night. They are the things that nightmares are made of.

Their came the sound of crunching of glass as something made its way through the throne room. The figure that mainly held to the shadows as it transcends across the room. It opens it jaws revealing several rolls of long sharp teeth. Its frame was slender and its coat was narrowed down a few patches. The skin was tight almost like leather. It moved up behind the setting Pegasus it’s eyes where a milky white but it nostrils flared as it continually sucked in the aroma in the air. Suddenly it let out an unholy drew squeal. With a tremendous burst of speed rushed forward.

The Pegasus continued to sit. The simple rest was welcome after being slammed into a hard wall then to the floor midflight. The ache was almost gone really, another deep breath taken, though held. The sound of crunching glass echoed over the winds. Her mind began to process. Nothing was falling, rather something or some pony was stepping upon the shards. Perhaps the stranger from earlier was back but the awful squeal blocked that notion from her mind. Her body turned to see the particularly hideous creature charging forward. Instead of taking the time to run she reached within her saddle bag and produced a square wooden box and set it upon the stone floor. The box had a large hole carved in the center. Within that was a multitude of magnets and cogs, a thin woven rope wrapped around the spindle upon the top. With one hoof upon the box, the mare wove a bit of the rope around her other hoof and gave a grunt as she pulled upon the rope. A loud metallic whir cut through the air as the magnets within the device began to spin. They began to pick up more and more speed; a dome began to form around her body, only extending out four feet from her and the box. The dome fully formed, created from electromagnetic static. She watched the creature intently as dust particles and bits of crumbling brick caused sparks to form all over the dome, the waves refusing access to the sand and stone, most being zapped to oblivion as she took in deep breaths within her mask hoping for the best. The device was created in theory after all. It would stop rocks, but it was intended to protect her from more. No better time to test it than now.

The creature cried out as it brushed against the electric barricade. Drool dripped from his maw it gave out a faint growl. Its twist and jerk every movement brought it into contact with the device. Its long tongue rolled out from between its teeth. The creature hisses as it withdraws its tongue. It let out another ungodly sound this one sounded slightly different it was an even higher pitch and at least three times as loud. It then went silent a minute passes by the creature remain silent the motionless. Suddenly the sound returns several times over. The creature renewed its struggle to get to the prey. Its kin was coming and by the sound of it they were plenty of them.

With a loud groan the door to another room collapses. The Earth bound mare struggled to contain her excitement. Finally she reached the room she was looking for. A large bed rested in the center of the room. A large dresser set against the wall with a vanity mirror that was big enough to view an entire pony. She moves to the bed and moves the thin cloth that severed as a vale. Her heads lowers and simply glares down at the sight before her. “Uh sorry to disturb you your majesty… Mind if I take picture… smile.” A flash aluminates a skeletal frame or what was left of it the bottom jaw was miss along with most of the ribs. Only one winged remained but the skull still maintained most of her shape. The long horn was cracked and chipped. She didn’t bother to disturb her remains. She was not so crude to soils someone’s resting place. She made her way to the other side of the bed then froze. There it was her goal a single bird cage rested near the bed. She quickly rushed up next to and removes it from the stand. But her excitement was quickly snuffed out. “What it’s empty…” Not a single speck of ash remained in the bottom of the cage. There was no sign of the creature anywhere, She places the cage back and quickly grabbed the news clippings from her bag. She skimmed them several articles mention the royal pet. Celestia’s to be précised Philomena. The Prized pet of the royal family said to be Celestia’s prized possession. “Then were the hell is it…?” Suddenly a loud squeal catches her attention. Her eyes widened for the unholy sound could only mean one thing. “Celestia damn it…”

The mare watched as the creature made contact with the static protective dome. The magnet began to slow its speed for a split second upon contact, though once the creature had withdrawn it began to speed back up. She swallowed hard as the creature continued to try to get through. Once it decided that it was of no avail, it gave another cry. Sitting, waiting for something, she watched intently as she worked her mind for a way to at least put distance between the creatures or even make an escape. More cries in numbers caught her attention; the creature renewed its attacks to get in. Swallowing a deep breath, she used a hoof to move a small copper lever on the side of the box. With a loud clunk, she had released an extra set of magnets into the fray, the device beginning to spin at a much faster rate. The dome did not increase in size but in density as she began to look through the distorted vision of the field for a quick way out. If she could get up high, flying was best bet. Or so she could come up with anyways.

The creature squealed as it began to renew its attack on the dome. There was a slight flash in the distance a bang echoed through the hall. Brain mater and blood splattered onto the Pegasus. The earth bound mare once again came into the view. Creature’s body flopped around like a fish out of water before finally coming to rest. She pointed at the Pegasus then pointed down the hall. She once again stood on her hind hooves and pressed her back against the wall. She began squeezing her way between the wall and electrical dome. The space was very slim but she manages to pull it off without any form of injuries. The sound of the cries grew louder. Common sense would dictate the masses where getting closer. The earth bound mare waved a hoof for her to fallow. Then took off down the corridor stopping at a room with a reinforced door, she groaned as she pushed against it there was a loud creak as it slowly opened.

The mare could only watch as the creature continued to attack. She took deep controlled breaths as she tried to keep calm, though her breath was cut short as the creatures head seemed to nearly explode. Her head tilted to one side as the second pony caught her attention. She watched her motion and then move, sliding between the wall the dome. The creature was dead, sure. But she was certain more were on their way. Taking one more deep breath within her mask, she used her hoof to press on one more lever. The outer magnets within the box had moved further away from the center coil. The spinning began to slow but it did not stop. This essentially cut off the power needed to create the dome. With a shove, the mare began to push the wooden box along the floor until they reached the newly opened door and with one good nudge, had knocked the device inside before following after it, her gaze moving about until it settled on the second mare.

The mare simply watched her through the glass lenses. She with a fore hoof she kicks away a tattered and faded rug. Underneath what looked to be a hidden door built into the floor. Naturally it wasn’t uncommon especially not toward the end of the era for manors and large dwellings to have hidden chambers. It was lucky that her employer had briefed her so well. She rises up and brings her fore hooves crashing down shattering it. There came a loud slam as the creatures stammer over each other in the much smaller hall. The earth bound mare wasted time as she jumped down tail first.

A hoof rises back out of the passage and snags her hind hoof with a quick tug. She dragged the Pegasus down there was a good ten feet leading into a open room. The earth bound mare groaned as she seals the bulkhead door. With a twist of a valve the door clicks several times. She then dropped back down to the ground. Her gaze fixated on the only other pony in the room.

The room appeared to be mostly empty. Her attention was brought back to the device once more. Just by the sound it could actually run out of momentum and stop completely. Most likely due to the face the core had been spinning at such a high rate of speed the heat could have caused some of the copper to heat and fuse. Another bug she will be asked to work out for sure. Her gaze wandered over as a crashing sound was heard and before her eyes was a simple door built into the floor. Most likely for emergency situations, she moved a bit closer to it before resetting the second switch. The device began to power up again, though it was lagging for sure. The group of creatures was upon them; her eyes caught sight of them as they barely missed the door and doubled back, all as a group trying to get in at the same time before making contact with the dome. Her body froze momentarily as her ears caught the sound of the machine straining, parts stuttering and straining and for sure the spindle locked up. The barrier was gone. She never felt her leg being grasped and pulled down into the opening but she remembered the short fall. The side of her body made contact with the hard surface. For the second time in one day she had the wind knocked from her lungs. She lay there motionless for what seemed to be an eternity before her body heaved, finally catching a breath through her near clogged charcoal filter. In hale and exhale in a controlled manner, her eyes adjusting to the gloom as she groaned, forcing her body to sit up.

She simply shook her head before rummaging through her saddle bags she pulls out the hand draw map along with the rest of her news clippings and four more glow sticks. Finally she pauses as she pulls out a long rectangular device. Attacked to it what looked to be a filtering device. It had one gauge and a single bulb. She flicks the switch the bulb begins to glow and the device begins to hum faintly she places a hoof over the filter to test the suction. She then taps the light on her vest once more the she held several clips up into the air so that the print was visible in the dim light. She had no idea where the target was. She was locked down her with nameless mare.” The bulb on the device begins to blink. The arrow on the gauge bobbed back in forth. But it remained within the green area marked within the gauge. The earth bound mare sighed as she raises a hoof to move back her hood revealing her black main the orange of her coat. She places a hoof under the mask then slowly removes it. She breathed a deep sigh. “It’s all right the air toxicity are levels are low it is safe to breath.” Her yellow eyes remained fixed on the Pegasus for a moment. She then turns and begins studying the map once more. “Where else could the damned bird be.”

The Pegasus finally righting herself brought her attention to the other mare as she began to rummage through her pack and produced a few odd devices. Her head cocked to one side, watching intently, even to the point where the other pony had removed her mask. She looked about the room one more time before rummaging through her own saddle bag. In moments she found what she was looking for. A rectangular metal box, It was only a few inches in length and much smaller in depth. Within moments a similar canister was removed from the canvas back strapped to the front of her. With a little effort, the hose that attached to her mask was removed from the canister and replaced onto the new one. Though it took a few extra moments to continue the process, her body shaking a bit from the sudden fall she had encountered. The new filter was replaced into the canvas pouch. Her ears began to flick lightly. A particular sound caught her attention. One that was all too familiar. Her head tilted lightly as she finally narrowed the sound down to the box like device the other mare had in her possession, her voice muffled and meek coming through her canvas mask “Your… device has a partially stripped gear. It will need to be replaced soon.” It was all she could say at the moment but she wasn’t going to lie about such a thing.

“Yeah well… I run with what I got. Technology is a great handy cap to have on your side but if that fails you have to go on gut instinct. So what are you a raider, a waist land nomad, or maybe a scavenger looking for a quick bit.” Her hooves rest on her rifle, If that be the case what is yours is yours and what’s mine is mine if you can respect that then we will be just dandy. There came a loud thump on the bulkhead the loud cries from the creatures could be heard as they fiercely pound on it. “That was quite a handy device you had back there in the hall. But when you want to prove a point nothing says fucking leave me alone like a good old fashion hole in the head.” She rose back to her hind hooves once more. It looked like the weapon used by the griffon armed forces however the trigger was replaced with a squeeze lever. Made since the trigger would not be effective for hooves, she pushed out on a small black box a small clip hit’s the ground. The she shuffles through the bags till coming across another. It was strange for a mare to support herself on her hind hooves so effortlessly. But this mare seemed to show now strain on her lower legs nor any sign of discomfort.

The mare merely watched in silence as the other took note of her words and began to speak herself. She sighed in her mask softly, her attention diverting to her own back as she rummaged around a bit more “I… apologize. It’s just; machinery is a passion for me.” Shaking her pack a bit, she succeeded in producing two cylindrical canisters. At first glance they looked like an old soup can with a short straw. Attached to the straw was a braided cord. Looking them over carefully, she gave a nod as if coming to terms with her own thoughts and rolled one of the canisters to the other pony. They weren’t exactly light either “It… is all I have one me. Just yank out the cord. You will hear a snap or a hissing sound. Then do what you wish but hold it or be around it.” She sucked in a deep breath through her mask “It… has the same maker as the ones who made your rifle.” She began to relax a bit on her haunches as she eyed her own canister, a hoof rolling it back and forth on the stone floor as the bustle of the creatures above them became more and more frequent.

She slides the rifle back into the loops which held it on her vest. She then lowered herself back down on all fours. “Oh really griffon weaponry can be a tricky thing are you sure it works proper…” She quickly reapplies her gas masks and adjust it to fit just so. She steps behind the Pegasus a she looks up at a hanging tapestry. More importantly one of the sides the fabric seemed to be waving. “But if this was a air tight room. How is it waving?” She moves a hoof behind it she could feel a small air current. She quickly grasps it a pulls it away. Sure enough it was small but defiantly there, a small crack barely big enough for a roach to fit through. She moves her hood back over her mane. She quickly pivots around arches her back raising her hid hoofs. She then bucked hard the vibration shook through the entire wall causing dust to shake free. Some of the wooden shelf though bare fell to the floor. She repeated the process again. This time there was a distinct cracking sound. She roars she strikes the wall again and again. After the fourth time the wall collapsed leading to a new even larger room. She gave off a sigh, “Well that was easy look I can be inventive to. I made a door,” She chuckles and steps through. Completely oblivious to the fact the loud pounding on the bulkhead went silent. She looks around her surroundings everything was covered in mold, webs, and dust. A large table stretched across the room shelves almost as high as the ceiling was stacked with books and scrolls of every verity.

The mare merely looked to the floor at the others comment. She had no reply and decided to keep quiet. She rolled the weapon a few more times before working it back into her pack. She pushed herself back onto her hooves as the other pony passed behind her and began to examine the wall. Her body did indeed ache a bit but as far as she can tell there was nothing broken. A loud noise not being caused by the creatures forced her to turn around. She watched as dust dislodged itself from the stone, coating everything. Within mere moments a hole was formed within the wall. A deep inhale and she followed through the hole. Her eyes caught sight of the multitude of scrolls and books left to rot and turn to dust. Her body stopped and stayed at the new entrance for a long moment before willing herself to step deeper into the room. Night would be upon them faster than she would like. She herself was not sure as to why she was still in this strange new structure “So… many books.” She muttered to herself as she took in every layout of the room and committing it to memory.

“Eeyup…” The earth bound moves along the table stopping when a small table came into view. On it was an old record player. She approached the device strange it looked like it was still in one piece. A sign that technology might out last them all. She looks to the right a box of old records lay next to the device. She reaches her hooves in and pulls out an old record. She flips a switch on the device much to her amazement it actually spun the record. She moves a hoof to the needle. She moved it over the record breaking it free of the webs that covered it. Their came a harsh sound over the speaker located at the corners of the room, followed by the sound of music. “All over the world she’s known as a girl. God is a girl where ever you are, can you believe this? Can you receive this?” She moved back to the long table rested on it was a book marked elements of harmony the reference guide.

The mare’s ears pricked up lightly as she caught the simple reply. She breathed deeply as she moved to a stack of books and began to look them over but her attention was changed to the other pony as she approached a table. She eyed the record player from a distance before turning back to the books. If she was lucky some pages for mechanics may be found. With that schematics could be written up to create a whole new device really. Even if it served no purpose she was satisfied with just being able to build a brand new machine. She sighed when the gears within the player began to spring to life and music began to play. Her ears lowered as a hoof moved a few books around as well as opening a few to find anything of interest “The sun… will be down soon.” She stated to herself rather than to any pony in particular. At this point if she needed to talk it was with herself. A few dusty pages were turned before she moved on to the next book and then the next, not really finding anything of particular interest.

The earth bound mare turns from the record and makes her way through the first row of shelves. She stopped to glance at a few titles or at least the ones that where legible. She motions a hoof toward one a slight flash catches her eye. She slowly moves her eyes upward. As she did her eyes widen, “there you are... Come on you beautiful burning wad of cash you.” The bird just stares at her before lifting its wing and pecks at the soft feathers underneath. “Oh come on Philomena can’t we do this the easy way?” The bird looks back down at her before spreading its wings with a single flap it takes flight. The mare gives a depressed sigh, “Of course silly me for asking.” There came a loud crash as three shelves broke one of the book cases. “Stupid bird get back here!” The phoenix flew over the Pegasus who seemed to be sifting through books. “LOOK OUT…” The earth bound mare struggles to stop but her hoofs found little traction on the stone floors. Their came another crash as she skid crashing into the Pegasus, the phoenix landing on a chandler it stared down at the two almost as though mocking them.

The mare continues to rummage through the various books and scrolls. Nothing could be seen of interest thus far. She gave a deep sigh through her mask as more dusty scrolls were unrolled and looked over then set aside. Her ears gave a light flick as the other mare began to speaking to something, though her attention was set on the books. As far as she could tell she was not involved. Another deep breath as another scroll was unrolled. Some schematics she could not decipher but it was something she was positive that could be built. Her ear twitched once more as she hear the other mare yell to her direction. Her head turned to see what was going on, the other pony seen through her glass lenses as she collided. Third time today the wind was knocked from her and more as the force brought them both into the shelves and piles of books. She felt a few of the books fall, battering her body a bit as she gave a groan from her mask. She shook her head a bit to fix her blurred vision “…What… happened…?”

She looked up, “I am having bird problems.” The Pheonix gave off a screech while flapping its wings. She growled through her mask, “Philomena you are worth two thousand times your weight in gems and bits now please come down.” She scavenges through her saddle bag and pulls out what looked to be a wire. “Hay look Philomena a worm…” The Pheonix simply starred at her like she was a moron. “Okay… plan B” She pulls out the rifle and quickly fires a stray round at the creature. The bird leaped from the chandler the round strikes the base causing it to fall, breaking through the center of the table. “Come on now Philomena these are expensive and hard to make.” She fires another round this time striking the bird’s wing. She gives a sigh as she rubs the back of her head, “Well I guess an injured Pheonix is worth a lot too.”

The mare let her vision clear a bit as she began to catch her breath. Her body shivered lightly as she listened to the other pony talking to some other creature within the room. It was the sudden gun shots that snapped her from her daze. Her back ached as she began to push herself from the books that had covered her body. A loud yet satisfying crack was heard as she exhaled deeply as she looked around a bit before settling on the other mare “Is… a simple bird really worth the trouble for just a few gems?” She sucked in a deep breath as she moved herself from the pile of books, shaking a bit of the dust from her fur. Her body stopped as the full realization sank in as to what she had said. “I… am sorry. Forget I said anything…”

“I am trying to forget… I am trying so very deeply.” She slowly put the rifle back in place. “If you should know this is not just a bird it is a Pheonix one of the few species that survived the effects of the big drop. However they are not adapted to being raised in captivity. So most of them only last a few weeks… Giving this one is extra special Philomena here is the toast of celestial era. She was raised by the head of the royal family. This one simple bird will keep my airship flying for years to come. The marked value one her is already over ten thousand bits. The right buyer will easily triple that.” She began to approach the fallen bird it flops around trying to take flight once more with an injured wing. “Now you should be a… lot… more….” She watches as the bird bursts into flames. “Damn it… This bird is really testing me today.” She gives off a sigh as she fishes out the strange jar from her saddle bags and the map. She quickly scopes up the ash in a hasty manner making sure not to miss any. She pours it all into the jar and applies a bizarre lid. This glowed with a strange aura for a split second. “They’re at least it will be easier to transport this way…” There came a sudden crash as the mutant slams through the wooden door. The creatures hiss as they stumble into the library. “Well that one way of saying library is closed.” She takes off running toward one of the stain glass windows. “This is going to hurt.” She grits her teeth and charges head first there was a loud shattering sound as she laid face down in the castle courtyard. She quickly recovers to her hoofs and rushes forward the thought of what would happen if she was caught gave her strength to muscle through the pain. The sun now setting in the east time was nearly up minutes if the most. She quickly made her way to the center of town the cries of the creatures still echoing behind. She had little time she needed to get them into direct sun light.

The mare shook her head a bit then sighed as she moved away from the books completely and shook a bit more of the dust from her coat as she peered around. Her ears twitched as the other pony began to explain her reasoning. She followed, though it was only bits and pieces of the conversation. Least to say at that point it had nothing to do with her and it was not going to get her out of the area any faster. Her gaze peered over to see the other mare scooping dirt from the floor into a weird looking jar. Shaking her head a bit, she began to move towards the table when the old wooden doors burst open, the splinters assailing the air as they began to pile through the archway to get to their quarry. Her eyes widened a bit, though the other mare had already made for the window and collided through it. She began to look in every direction before the realization set in that she could fly. With a little grunt, she began to flap her wings. Her body began to rise into the air, the creatures below her. She gave a faint shiver as she looked around, spotting the now shattered glass window. Sucking a deep breath she willed her body forward and through the window, back outside once more. She could see the sun was about gone from the sky, sinking lower and lower. The mare worked her wings to climb higher into the sky to make good distance from the ground.

The earth bound made her way through the streets of the once proud city. She skid to a stop as the city came to an end. Literally half the city seemed to have collapsed down the mountain side. This fucked up her map the gate would more and likely be in the rubble down at the bottom of the cliff. Like a cat cornered she draws her gun then turns to face her adversary. “Alright ugly pieces of shit… If you want dinner you’re going have to earn it.” She fires a round into the swarm striking the head of the pact straight between the eyes opening up a large whole in the head. She could see at least a dozen of them maybe more. But the fact that she only had four rounds left made it obvious she was not getting out of this one. With a sigh she drops her rifle and pulls out the contraption handed to her by the Pegasus mare. “Well kid I guess it doesn’t really matter at this point if it works or not. She takes the string with one hoof, “Fore all of equastria…” She tugs on the string.

Eyes scanning her surroundings, her gaze came to rest to the ground below. The way things were looking, they were getting worse as the creatures charged forward. Her eyes came to rest upon what their intended meal was at the edge of a cliff. She watched as she took in a deep breath, the other pony had taken out the canister given to her earlier the string pulled, she could actually hear the pop and hiss of the friction primer being activated. But something was off. The hiss was off in sound. Normally four to five seconds would pass before the explosion but this was another case. Large amounts of white smoke began to pour out of the canister. Actually the smoke had a faint yellow tint to it. Not smoke, a strong nose and throat burning tear gas. Shaking her head she cursed herself for not looking a bit closer to the faded label. Taking a deep breath, she pushed herself downwards. There was no reason for her action. Not like it would matter. Most likely it would all go wrong. She moved swiftly through the air as the puff of gas began to grow bigger, covering the area. Her eyes narrowed as she passed through the cloud, her hooves making contact with the other mare. Her fore legs grasped hold of the ponies pack and grasped as hard as she could, her wings began to flap harder as she tried her hardest to pull the other pony from the ground and into the air and off the cliff. She gave an audible grunt as she strained, but she knew that a failure now would result in their bodies being dashed into the rubble below.

The earth bound mare opens an eye nothing exploded, nothing was melting her skin. There was a slight hiss. A strange yellow smoke, the mask did its job of keeping her eyes and face safe. But there was a terrible burning sensation that seemed to be growing worse. In moments her coat felt like it was on fire. She began to tosses about, “What the fuck… This shit is hot!!!” Suddenly something grasps her from behind she could feel herself rising into the air. “What I am fling my wings are…” She turns her head upward noticing the Pegasus caring her into the air. “Oh…” She looks to her hoof, “Oh shit…” She drops the canister which she completely forgot she had held onto it. The creatures below began to retreat from the fog. Making their way from the streets, “That was a little closer than I thought.”

The mare continued to flap her wings, keeping control and pace so as to keep airborne. She gave a small grunt as her ears caught the others words. She took a deep breath as she worked to keep her grip “I… must have misread the faded label…” Her wings caught a good breeze, causing them to glide. This alone aided in the flight “I generally take two with me when I go out. It is a good thing… that was not the one I planned to use on myself if there was no escape.” She gave a faint grunt as their bodies turned back towards the mountains, the breeze let them gain a bit more speed. Her gaze peered around then back down as they passed over what was left of the castle. Her wings began to grow tired, nearly numb, moving though the mountain. The mares breathing began to grow more rapid as the airship approached. Her wings began o flap a bit harder to gain more control and slow themselves. The dusty ground approached. Within just inches from the ground, the Pegasus released the other pony, dropping her to the ground. Her wings ceased flapping as she collapsed to the ground, her hooves skidding against the rock and dirt before coming to a stop. Her body collapsed as she began to pant a bit, glad to be back on the ground and grateful for even just a moments worth of rest.

She walks up next the Pegasus pony and turns her head to the direction of the sun. It was nearly gone even the orange hue began to fade to its darker color. “Hay I am all for resting for days after today but this is not the time or place.” Kneeled down and put her maw under her chin the coached the tired Pegasus to her hooves. She then stepped beside her allow her to lean her weight against her. There was a slight hiss as the air tight seal on the ships door broke. She usher her inside before stepping in a closing the door. She turns the lever on the other side once again locking the door in place. She steps by the pegasus not really forcing her to move. It was a rather exhausting day even to her and she was used to this kind of thing. She moves to a single locker and begins stripping down. First the coat then she removed the wrappings around her side. When she did her nub like wings seemed to flutter had they any feathers she might have taken flight herself. “Oh what a day, what a day, but can’t say it wasn’t worth it.” She moves to the wall, “Looks like I am going to need to find that griffon dealer again and get a new rifle.” She turns the lever a small steel panel opens revealing a compartment it had two rather small coin pouches and a few small gem fragments. She carefully slid the jar into the compartment and locked it shut. “To think this was actually going to be a simple in and out job.” She removes her saddle bags and tosses them against the wall. She leans against her chair and stands up on her hind hooves and let’s herself fall backwards over the arm of the chair. Her head could be scene just an inch away from five levers. Her feet and tail dangle off the other end. “My coat still burns I think I need a shower.”

The Pegasus worked with little effort to get her breathing under control. Her breath caught suddenly as she felt the other pony beginning to move her upwards. She felt her body move to its feet. She did not resist being guided to the airship by the other mare. She took in a deep breath as they passed through the doors. As she entered and the other pony moved from her side and began to move about the cabin she sighed with a moments relief as she sat back on her haunches, her back leaning against the bulkhead as the other continued to move about, removing her articles of clothing and speaking as if to no one in particular. Closing her eyes, she sighed once more as she took the moment to rest before her flight back home “If… it is a rifle you want or just a weapon in general. I am more than happy… to give you one.” She spoke softly through her mask as she stretched her wings a bit, working the ache out of the joints “But…..I really should be getting back home. Lapis Lazuli is possibly worried already…” Her body heaved forward, now standing on all fours.

She motioned a hoof into the air, “There is no need to worry your little head about that… But you got a point about getting out of here. No doubt those creatures are nice and pissed. I would rather not give them a chance to taint my ship with their shit.” She moves a grate revealing a passage under the cabin. “So then kid where are you heading…?” She shouted up from the engine room below. She flips a couple switches the presses a single button of to the side. Their came a loud winding noise, she climbed back up the ladder not really bothering to put the grate back in place. She moves over to the console and began turning several nobs clockwise. The gauges arrows began to rise. She pulls a lever there was a sudden jerk before as the ship began to rise. “Alright get you home then time for pay day.” She jumps back into her chair. She extends a hoof to the right and pushes five levers forward. “There came a loud roar fallowed by a hiss. The pistons began to rise and fall quickly picking up speed supplying power to the large props of the zeppelin.

The mare sighs as she moved a bit, stretching once more as the other began to speak. Her eyes moved around a bit before making her way to a pot where she could view outside. She thought a moment as the stranger made her way below. The all familiar sound of machinery began to fill her ears as they twitched. She followed the sound of every gear, every piston, listening to their function and how worn or new they were. As the mare returned, she took in a soft breath through her mask and spoke over the sound of the device “Just…go due west from here for a few miles. Then turn a few degrees. Go North West. In time you will see two blue lights for the outside of my home. It…is really not all that far from here.” She sighed heavily as she stared outside of the window as the machine began to slowly move into the air.

The earth bound mare froze and slowly turned her head. “East then south while west, east… Whatever I will get you there.” She spins the wheel, “Alright wheel her we go turn, turn, turn, and where we land hell if I know.” She chuckled slightly at the joke. Before stopping the wheel, “Don’t worry kid I will get you home in as few pieces as possible.” She adjusted their heading properly. She reached out and flicked a switch an old looking jukebox lights up and began a soft tune. “Earth angel, earth angel will you be mine. My heart can be yours for all time…” She simply relax as she watches out into the twilight. Stars shined it had the looks of a beautiful night even considering the ragged barren land it look down upon. “So filly don’t think I ever caught your name, Call me Vexus it is what everyone else will call me, well anyone who is important enough to know.”

The mare looked out into the gathering darkness as they began to move out from the mountain. She sighed softly as music began to fill the cabin, her ears twitching a bit more before breaking her gaze from the window and moved to the center of the cabin “I… see. Vexus.” She took in a deep breath before speaking “My name is… Treble Clef.” She exhaled deeply as she sat upon the floor, her hoof reaching in her pack, rummaging around as it taking note off all she had what she possibly lost after being tossed around through the day. After a brief nod, she had removed the small piece of red stained glass and held it up before her eyes as she began to look it over in the light “Its has been… a rather busy day I suppose.”

“Yep… get some rest grab a bite to eat do it again… Basic day in my life filly,” she rises up and makes her way to large barrel next to bulkhead. She pulls out an apple then tossed it to her before pulling up another for herself. She flips a switch next to the panel several lights outside the zeppelin flickered on. She rotates the wheel counter clockwise, then takes a bite from the delicious red fruit. “You seem to take great interest in that glass. I take it you don’t go into forbidden cities to often do you?” She points to the clip board to the right, “There are several cities that are out of reach of the public. Well for a good reason I guess. But there is always more of an adventure if you simply dare to look.”

Treble Clef continued to peer at the glass for a few moments longer before catching a glimpse of an incoming apple. She let the apple land in front of her and roll to a stop. She sighed softly as she put the glass shard way as she eyed the apple a bit as she caught Vexus’ voice “Cities? No… I only need the metals. I refit them for use in machines. Melting, hammering, and welding. At times I find weapons caches while searching. I have amassed a collection since then of various weapons and clothing.” She sighed heavily as she stretched her wings once again “Being somewhat of a mechanic… is not quite as exciting as your life I do suppose.” Taking a deep breath, the mare slowly removed her canvas mask, her silver eyes peered about the cabins light. Small specks of red were caught in the luminous glow every so often. A small sigh and she took a small bite of the apple and began to chew slowly, her mask dangling below her maw.

“Huh well believe me filly that can sometimes be a blessing. I have been flank deep into trouble believe today it was about average.” She chuckles slightly, “Oh hay here I got something you might like to see.” She begins digging around in a large chest next to the locker. She pulls out a box it was rusted but the bits of paint that remained will dictate it was once blue or a possible off white. The lid only had one hinge holding it in place. She opens the box revealing a tatter cloth interior. On which rested five unique necklaces and a tiara. “Found these while digging through a library in a town called Ponyville. The whole place almost collapsed on top of me. But still you don’t see many building trees anymore.” She lifts one from the box they were simply necklaces. Gold some kind of a gem cut into a design most likely symbolizing something. “It is strange as a whole they are worthless no pony can identify them. Those gems might be worth something. But these things are fucking indestructible. I even broke two hammers and blew up a cutting torch trying to remove them.” She lifts one that seemed to have a pinkish colored gem shaped like that of a butterfly. “Want one, not sure what they a good for aside from looking flashy.”

The mare only gave a nod to the other pony’s musings of the day’s events. She sighed softly as she took another bite of the apple and continued to chew. Her eyes were drawn to the other as she mentioned seeing something. She watched as a box was fished out of a chest and listened to her explanation, her eyes could see the gems from the center of the cabin as she ate. Her mind began to turn a bit. She had never came across a precious metal or gem that could not be melted or crushed. Some gems took a lot more pressure to break at times “I… cannot tell what they would be either. Strange they will not break.” She mused as she continued to think a moment “Lapis Lazuli has this knack for magic and science. She might be able to come up with a theory as to why they will not give weight.” She gave a satisfying sigh as if glad to have been able to eat something for once today. After all, she never brought a lunch, not expecting to be out gather for as long as she had. Or trapped inside a castle and sand storm for that matter “I appreciate… the offer but… I don’t think I would look good in something so nice.”

“Hah to tell the truth I am not much into jewelry myself anything that has value is either for survival use or sold.” She closes the box, “Don’t be so hard on yourself little filly… I don’t really know why you keep you mask on… I can assure you the air is filtered in my airship.” She moves behind her and slides the object where it fit her neck just so. As if it was made just her size. “Besides eventually the glass might get broke, if these things can handle me wailing on them with a blunt object. I don’t think they are going to be breaking into time soon. Besides I shell admit they kind of go with anything.” She retrieves a small mirror from the chest and holds it up for the Pegasus to see. “It is kind of my thing when the job is done we split the find… It is more of a personal thing it is hard to split a bird. But at least this way I can say I sent you home with something kid.”

The Pegasus looked about the cabin as the other began to speak a bit more, her ears twitched at hearing of the air being clean within the ship. Indeed it was filtered, that much she could tell “Well… yes it is filtered. A lot of people refuse to believe… but even in the wastes there are spots where the air is clean too. It just takes a bit of time to find it. Kind of like where I live. No mask needed outside.” She sighed a bit. The theory so far was that most of the chemicals were discharging from the ground and making its way into the atmosphere. Places can be found where the chemicals don’t exist or had already released what was left and dried up. Her mind returned from her musings over this theory she had heard so many times before from Lapis Lazuli in time to feel the object being slid around her neck. Her body shuddered out of instinct. She was about to peer down to catch a glimpse when a mirror was set before her. Her gaze returned forward, now able to get a much better look “I… see. If anything I owe you for some of the help. I am… more than happy to show you my weapons selection if you want a new rifle or repairs to your engines, or an upgrade to your engines. It is all I am… capable of.” She sighed softly as her silver eyes continued to look into the mirror, her hooves moving to stuff her mask into the canvas bag with the filter. She had removed it for the moment, might as well put it away was the reasoning.

Vexus simply gave her a charming smile then turns to put back her unknown treasure. She then closes the lid on the chest and snaps the latches down sealing the lid. “Kid you don’t really owe me anything. In a world as it is it is good to know that there is some that still has a clear head. Not like in the dome cities. The ones who make the rules is whoever has the most wealth. There was a time long before you and I. The land was at piece united under the rule of royal family. Every pony had their rights and their responsibilities. Sure they had their share of problems even then but would have been nice to live in a time when no pony live off the suffering of some pony else. That is why it doesn’t matter how much I try or how many bits I have to my name. I am always going to be that filly that lives in a ship continually looking for something bigger and dumber to risk her life on.” She gives a depress sigh she stops short of a wine crate mark punch berry wine. She pulls out a bottle and returns to her comfortable chair. “I should know that life decided it didn’t want me and I knew I didn’t want it. After all not a lot of good can come from a broken Pegasus.” She pops the cork and fills a glass. Then sets the bottle aside, “Your welcome to a drink sometimes it is a good way to end a day. Drink enough it will help forget things just long enough to fall asleep.

The Pegasus removed her gaze from the mirror to watch as the other pony began to walk away and replace her treasure to its safe storage. She gave a heavy sigh as she removed her gaze and peered about the lit cabin for a moment as the other continued to speak her part. Her eyes caught sight of the mare as she retrieved a bottle from a nearby crate and sat back within the large seat and poured a glass “I figured I would offer. It… would be rude if I never did.” She took in a deep breath as she stood and moved a bit closer to the closest window and peered out into the darkness “You’re a Pegasus for sure then. I was wondering when I noticed your… nubs.” She stopped for a moment and began to think at her last words before shaking her head “I apologize… that was rude of me.” She sighed deeply, her eyes scanning for any faint blue light in the distance “I don’t really… drink. There is not much to forget. If my mind is heavy I tend to go and find something to build. Something to repair or read out of the library or just soak in the tub filled with hot water for an hour or so.” She blinked a bit as she then sat before the window staring into the darkness. There wasn’t a lot she could make out. If she could catch a glimpse of something it was due to the airships spotlights carrying over the landscape.

Vexus tilted her glass slightly peering down at her wine as the other Pegasus apologize about the comment involving her wings or lack thereof. “No need to apologize… I was born this way. I was born without feathers and though the bone structure grew I never grew any feathers. Don’t think yourself rude for your question they are quite a sight. True without them I will never be able to fly but trust me I don’t have any regret I find I function much differently than other ponies. I believe it was contributed to being born in lower quarters Bossa city.” She smirks as she rises one two hooves her body didn’t seem to wobble or give. She walked up behind her as she stared out at the window. It was a feat that was most bizarre. Ponies with good balance and stamina can support themselves on their hind hooves but none of them are capable of walking. The fact that the skeletal design should have made such a task next to impossible, yet she did much less she did it with any effort.

Treble Clef merely gave a nod as the other pony mentioned that there was no need for any apologies. She inhaled deeply as she watched; knowing that the countless miles of sand and dirt was passing beneath them. She let out her breath in a deep sigh, letting her mind take in Vexus’ story for the lack of her wings. Treble Clef was born with her wings and thought nothing different when it came to using them. As if it was quite natural to her. They proved useful in aiding her search capabilities when it came to looking for scrap metal or hills and mounds that could hold possible iron ore or even coal. Her ears twitched as she caught the sound of Vexus’ hooves upon the floor, but the sound was not right for a pony walking. Her mind brought back from her own musings, she caught the sudden gaze of the other pony behind her, though now standing on her rear hooves. Her mind finally put the puzzle together. Vexus had made her way over walking on just her hind legs alone and now stood behind Treble Clef with little effort. It was quite the sight but when it came to strangers she never knew what to think or expect from them. Her body gave a faint shudder as she watched Vexus’ reflection in the window.

“You know Treble I got this strange sensation. I like you I don’t normally say that to any pony but I think we can be friends if equastria doesn’t fall apart first. Maybe we can go on more adventures together I am sure. There is many places I can take you no telling what is left to find out their or how we will find it but it is half the fun… Huh.” She moves back to her chair a light in the distance comes into view. Unless some pony has dragged a generator out to the middle of know where there has to be a dwelling not too far ahead.” She rests a hoof on the wheel, suddenly an idea pops into her head. “How would you like to set her down?” She motions to the console on the left side of the cabin. “It isn’t super hard just watch the gauges and lower her slowly.” She stretches a hoof over to the levers and pushes them back up. The roar of the pistons began to slow to a stop. The ship was now set adrift, “It’s all up to you from here filly.” She leans back in her chair resting her hind hooves on the wheel. Normally she wouldn’t have even offered but something told her this Pegasus could do it. She trusted her instincts so far so why stop now.

The mare continued to watch for what seemed to be an eternity when Vexus began to speak. Treble Clef gave out a soft sigh as she took in every word. True, there could be plenty she could find in terms of scrap. But even if she did find it she would be nowhere near home in order to turn it into what she would need. Her mind toyed over the idea, her eyes gave off the look as if in deep thought before finally snapping back to reality in time to watch Vexus return to her seat and sit. The mare stood slowly from the window. Her eyes caught the glimpse of a faint blue lamp in the near distance. She inhaled deeply, knowing home was pretty close though her breath caught in her lungs as the other mare made mention of her setting the ship down. Her ears were suddenly filled with the sound of the machinery slowly winding to a complete stop, the ship now set adrift into the air. Treble swallowed hard as she approached the left side console “I… am not sure I could land such a thing. I have never been inside of an airship before let alone piloted one.” Her eyes watched the gauges. Her ears began to catch the sound of the inner springs. Thus far, she was relieved the gauges were in perfect working order at least. She listened a moment longer, her body and mind relaxing as she let the sound of all the machinery around her fill her ears, even the wind and creak of the ship. A deep inhale and her eyes snapped open as she moved quickly to the wheel. With a grunt, Treble was now standing, her fore hooves now on the wheel as she began to turn the wheel a bit to the left and held but for a few seconds before bringing it back center. She pulled back on the wheel a bit, not even bothering to look at the gauges. Each one had its own unique sound from their internal workings “Your… altitude meter… Is off maybe about four feet, maybe five if I have this right… in my head then I believe I can make the correct adjustment accordingly.” She spoke in a soft and sure manner as the ship was making its decent to the earth, her eyes using the blue colored lamp as a guide, knowing how far away the lamp from the house gave a good distance reading.

Vexus watched her not speaking not motioning to even give her a helping hoof. Some ponies would say it would be a fool’s idea to put so much confidence in some pony you just met. She watched and as the Pegasus seemed to grow comfortable with the ship a smile grew on her face. She shifted onto her side only becoming more relaxed. “You’re doing great… she is old but she still can do whatever you need her to.” She simply watched strange she got some strange satisfaction from watching the mare pilot the thing. Her eyes switches from the window to the gauges to the Pegasus. It takes some ponies just know how to fly an airship some practice and will never actually feel comfortable doing it. But over the years this zeppelin was her wings taking her as far as she wanted. Further then some ponies even dream of. She felt a slight jerk as the ship finally landed. To tell the truth she couldn’t have done it any better herself. She clapped her hooves together. “For some pony that never flew one before I think you did wonderfully.” She smiles as her she rises from her seat and makes her way to the bulk head. “Well filly I told you I would get you home.”

The mare flicked her ears, listening while the machine came closer and closer to the ground. She ran the math in her head combined with the gauges, compensating for the one that was off. Within moments that seemed like an eternity the ship had touched down softly into the sand just in front of the pole with the blue lamp. Treble let out a deep sigh as she moved back from the wheel and all four hooves as the other pony moved from her chair and spoke. She sighed again as she turned to walk towards the bulkhead “I apologize… I’m afraid I am not all that great at it.” Her head turned to peer out the window as a few more lanterns were lit, casting their soft glow across the sand. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Vexus “You are more than welcome to stay as a guest for the night. If not… it is understandable. But you have had a rough day so at least let me offer you the use of our tub for a hot bath…” Her gaze turned back to the door as she waited to exit the ship.

Vexus tilted her head slightly; “Well I am not really the type to enter some pony’s house without cause.” she looks back at the condition of her coat. She blushed slightly, “But I guess a hot bath would be a nice switch from buckets of cold water.” She rises onto the hind hooves using her fore hooves to turn the lever. There was a hiss as she pushed the bulkhead open. She grabs a lantern hanging on the wall next to the bulk head. Turned a small lever on it the device gave out a faint almost silent hiss. She tapped a button on the side suddenly the gasses in contraption ignited she adjusts it tell the flame gave off a simple soft glow. She places the lantern in her maw and lowers back down onto all fours. Walking like a circus freak is not exactly good way to walk about in public. It brings about odd glares and comments that would easily be considered rude and that would be putting it lightly. “Ready when you are Treble.” She said through clinched teeth.

Treble Clef watched the door for a moment as it opened. She gave a small nod at the other Vexus’ comment. Her gaze moved over, watching as she took up a lantern, lighting it and adjusting the flame until she got the glow she desired. The mare took another deep breath as she stepped out of the ship, her hooves touching sand once again. Indeed, no mask was needed here. The air was just as clean and breathable just the same as it was in the ship. Her body gave a shudder as she led the other pony from the ship and approached a decent sized house made of salvaged wood and bricks made from clay and sand. She stopped just shy of the door and turned to Vexus and gave a small nod before raising a hoof to push the wooded door open and walked through the threshold. The inside was well lit by coal oil lamps and candles. Various books were strewn over the area as well as various gears and cogs cluttering some of the tables. A large couch took up the middle of the room. Treble stopped into the center of the room as a light blue unicorn stepped out from behind a pile of books, her dark mane curled in ringlets but inches from the floor

“You know you are supposed to be back before the darkness. But, here you are safe and sound and that is what matters.” Treble sighed softly as she gave a nod

“I am… sorry. I ran into a spot of trouble while I was scanning. Vexus helped me get back home in one piece.” Treble motioned to the pony behind her, the blue unicorn giving a small sigh and a smile

“Well then, that is all good and fine. Best go and get the soot and sand washed from your mane and coat.” The mare gave a nod as she began to leave the main room

“I… shall have everything ready shortly Vexus.” With the last parting, the mare had disappeared into another room. The unicorn watched as Treble had left then turned her attention to the stranger

“I believe I must thank you for you helping her. You must be quite the pony if she is willing to speak more than a few words to a complete stranger. Let alone take off her mask in front of one.” She gave a small chuckle and she moved a bit closer into the light “Apologies. My name is Lapis Lazuli.”

Vexus watched to converse for a moment before placing the lantern on the floor. She turns the lever on it tell the flame inside snuffed itself out. Her ears twitched slightly as Treble addresses her. She nods to her as she walks away, and then turns her attention the unicorn as she introduces herself. She runs a hoof through her mane. “Oh yes… um everyone calls me Vexus, There is really no need to thank me. Your sister is very talented I might not have made through if not for her help. I sorry to have her out so late, she kind of got caught in the middle of my latest job.” She looks around then simply set in the floor. “Quite the shop you got out here. Good choice on the florescent light bright enough to see but the lighter shade will not attract dread worms either.” She began to blush slightly as her stomach rumbles. “Sorry apples only really goes so far you know…”

Lapis Lazuli merely tilted her head a bit as the other began to speak. Her gaze moved about the room before moving to the nearest candle to snuff it out. No need to waste any more than needed now that Treble had returned. She could not help but give a small chuckle at hearing the comment about being sisters “Oh, I see where you mistake. No, Treble Clef is not my sister really.” Her horn began to glow as a few books began to close and move from the tables and across the room to the various bookshelves. Once a good number of the books were put away and a table had been cleared, a wooden bowl passed before Vexus and sat upon the now clean table. The scent of potato soup began to fill the room as Lapis motioned for the guest to the table “I have been keeping the dinner warm. Feel free to eat your fill.” The unicorn moved to the couch and curled upon it, a hoof moving a few curled strands from her sight. Her golden eyes peered to the stranger “In all reality, I came across her in the slums as I was making my way to the wastes. At that time she was working for a blacksmith running errands just to make a living. I myself actually came from a well to do and prominent family in the domes. The upper crust I suppose. Guess you could say I got tired of it so I left the dome entirely and here I sit before you now.” She gave a soft sigh as more books began to move about the room and arrange themselves upon the cases “We make our living by supporting ourselves. I guess you can say we spend the days doing what we want and how we want without being told otherwise. Though, you said your latest job. If you do not mind, do explain what it is you do?”

Vexus gave a sincere smile as the smell of the soup caught her attention. “Much obliged…” She began lapping up the soup with her tongue then came to a sudden stop as the mare asked her question. “Well I am kind of a wonderer. You see I was kind of brought up in the slums myself. The one know as city thirteen Bossa... You may know it by the Bossa incident. Just my father and my mother was as the word goes piss pour. I wasn’t born yet but I heard story about the leak in the outer shell. I lost my father that day he went back in to help family who lost their child. Anyway the people caught in the leak had nowhere else to go luckily their plenty of rag jobs for worthless bottom trash like us. So my mother was transported to city three. That was where I was born, Got a job entertaining at gentle colts parties. That didn’t pay worth two bits and all she got was the pleasant title city whore.” She looks down at her soup once more. “I am sorry I think my answer is a bit more then you bartered for… When I came of age my birth defects seemed to put me in a state far worse than others. I couldn’t even pass off as a whore. I was the broken Pegasus a defect in society. No pony wanted to bed with that no pony wanted to work with that. There was no way I could help my mother. After she died I decided there was reason to live in the city. So I high jacked an airship it was a little shaky at first but eventually I learned how to work it on my travels. I seen places few ponies will ever see and even few will venture forth to see. I started off taking pictures of the cities outside, when I finally do return to the dome cities it nearly for supplies and to sell my pictures. One day I was approached by a stallion with more money than balls. He offered me a good sum to simply retrieve a rare gem from the city of los Pegasus. It was the first time I actually got paid to do something. Now I am kind of your treasure hunter, scavenger, explorer all wrapped up in a little pink bow. Now whenever I stop into a City I check in at the job office to see if anyone post any request. It is a tuff job the hours can be harsh at times. The pay always varies but I get to see the world and do things my way. That is the way I like it to be.” She blushes and chuckles slightly, “Sorry for the long story.” She looks back down at her soup. Her featherless nubs flap excitedly. She picks up the bowl with her fore hooves and tilts it back drinking down every last drop. She gasps for air as she lower the bowl. “Thanks for the meal… It was actually the best thing I tasted in a long while.”

Lapis closed her eyes as the guest began to tell what appeared to be her life story. Her ears would flick every so often. A simple nod to show she was actually listening. She took in a deep breath then sighed softly as the last of the books and scrolls were finally put away. Her eyes opened just as Vexus had finished off the last of her soup “No need to thank. You are very much welcome though.” She gave a faint smile as she sat up a bit on the couch “But really I must be thanking you most of all. You did go out of your way to bring Treble back. She is a rather shy one. It took quite a while before she would actually stand before me and speak instead of peering or hiding behind some object. But she is good with mechanics, too good at least.” She gave a small chuckle as she eyed a scroll on the floor before her “I usually draw up designs for what I need and leave it to her to make them. So far, they have all worked.”

As she finished, a door beside Vexus creaked open, Treble peered out for a moment “The bath is ready Vexus. It is… right this way.” The mare spoke softly before moving back behind the door and into the room.

Vexus recovers to her hooves and stretches slightly, “There is no need to think me. She’s a really sweet filly there are not too many honest and noble ponies left. I would feel like a real bitch if something was to happen to her. Besides she has a knack for flying an airship. I never thought anyone could control my zeppelin better than me. It was wonderful talking with you by the way.” She then turns and walks through the door she turns to Treble, “and thank you as well. You may not know it but you have a wonderful talent it will certainly take you far if you put toward a goal I have no doubt you will accomplish it.” With that said she turns and makes her way toward the tub.

Lapis cocked her head to one side as hearing of Treble piloting an airship. She sighed softly and gave a chuckle as she waved a hoof as another scroll was moved across the room and sat before her “I am certain I will talk with you again. Do enjoy your stay.” With that she let her attention go back to reading. Treble Clef stood near the tub, her hoof pressing against a lever until it gave a satisfying clunk. The hot water stopped flowing into the tub as her ears caught Vexus’ voice. Her ears twitched lightly as she quickly turned her attention to a coal oil lamp as she worked to light the wick “I… Really have no goals I suppose. And I am sure a talent such as mine is just simple I… suppose.” Within a few seconds the lamp was lit and the flame adjusted, once accomplished she turned to a small boiler near the tub and checked over what few gauges there was. “Feel free to call if you need…anything while you are in here.” A hoof reached up to tap the glass of a gauge, the needle moved ahead a few spaces. The mare gave a nod of satisfaction, but knew it would need repaired if it was getting stuck “I… shall leave you to your privacy if you wish…”

She turned to her, “Thank you but you have no need to worry you not bothering me. I spend most of my time on a ship. I guess it just feels nice to have some pony to talk to.” She gently set up in the tub her body placement was strange; supporting her all her weight vertically she set up. It was clear she must have had some kind of spinal abnormality. Either that or a high tolerance for remain in the most uncomfortable positions. She sighed as she leaned back, “Would you like to join it saves on hot water and baths can sometimes be more enjoyable with two.” She lightly stirred the water with her fore hoof giving the strange way she set she took up less than half of the tub.

The mare adjusted a few more gauges as Vexus began to speak before climbing into the tub. Her hoof rested upon one of the iron knobs and gave it a half turn. She stopped her actions when the mention of sharing the bath came to question. She turned a bit as she looked to Vexus and blinked accordingly as if to show her bewilderment “I… don’t…” She sighed heavily. Indeed it did save on water, but she was not sure what the reasoning behind it being enjoyable with two. She sighed once more. No real sense in arguing. She moved to the tub and carefully climbed into the hot water, taking care not to disturb Vexus. Her body began to relax a bit, the ache in her side from being tossed around all day began to feel much better as she ducked her head beneath the water. She held it there for a few moments before surfacing, her short mane now wet. The weight of the water causing it to straighten out a bit more as it covered one of her eyes, a heavy sigh of relief escaped.

Vexus eyes widened for a moment as a look of stunned surprise appeared on her face. “Wow… Can’t you believe you actually climbed in… Is it that easy to coach you into bed too…?” She began to snicker slightly. Then she burst into laughter, “Oh fuck I was just kidding… Damned it was worth it though.” She struggles to calm her laughter. “You know filly my mother used shampoo my mane for me. Uh… do you have shampoo she begins looking around. She stands up on her hind hooves looking around for anything that might resemble a shampoo bottle. Her wet coat clung to her tightly revealing the contours of her body. But also another anomaly her cutie mark it looked at first it seemed like she didn’t have one but now it was barely noticeable or at least what looked to be a cutie mark it looked as though it was faded. Most are vibrant and full of depth. Hers seemed as though it never fully formed.

Treble took in a deep breath as she tried to relax a bit. She exhaled suddenly as she caught the comment from Vexus about coaxing into bed. Her ears lowered a bit at the sudden amount of laughter that filled the room. She could feel a blush forming despite the hot water. The laughter had stopped, her ears catching words about shampoo. She sighed softly. She peered up in time to see Vexus standing out of the water. She stared for a few brief seconds before averting her gaze suddenly. The mare fumbled a bit as she moved about the tub as she reached for a glass container resting on a small shelf next to her. She grasped the jar with both hooves and presented it to Vexus “Um… here is what you are looking for… I suppose.” She took in a small breath as she tried to relax a bit more “It’s… something homemade. Lapis Lazuli knows science… so she makes soap and other things we need. It’s good for the coat and mane.” She spoke softly as if to distract herself a bit as her body sunk a bit lower into the tub, the water resting just below her neckline.

Vexus looks down at the moment before taking it with her hooves. “Oh she settles back in the tub before popping the cork.” Pour a small amount into her mane the using her for hooves she begins to work it into a lather. She begins working the lather into her coat as well. Tell her body was mostly covered in soapy foam. She begins to lean back completely submerging herself in the water she remained there for a few minutes before surfacing. She then rises this time she was closer her face only inches from Clef’s “Okay turn around…” she motion for her to turn her back to her. She then grabs the bottle once more, “I want to do your mane.”

Treble Clef felt the jar taken from her hooves. She gave a faint sigh of relief as she lowered her head into the water again for a split second and surfaced, her mane was obscuring her vision. Raising a hoof, she parted the mane from her view as Vexus had settled back into the water, covered in soap and moved but inches from her. Her eyes widened a bit from the sudden surprise, her ears lowered a bit as her breath was caught within her lungs for a split second. The mare only gave a simple nod, no argument as she slowly turned within the tub, her back turned to the guest as her gaze peered down at her reflection within the hot water “I… doubt there is much joy in playing with my mane.” She gave a half hearted smile as a faint chuckle to no one in particular, her hoof swirling around in the water a bit though she could still feel the faint blush.

She pours a fair amount of the shampoo into her hair. “Huh no surprise here beautiful ponies always have the most beautiful manes.” She gently runs her hooves through her mane. A hoof brushes the mane away from her eyes. She then began to run her hooves up and down her back. “You know you are really shy which strange enough only adds to your charm. You know a mare with your kind of talent and charm could make it far. If you just used it to your advantage, I bet there are dozens of stallions that would grind there hooves off working to support a mare like yourself.” She reaches a hoof below the water and pulls up her tail up. And begins to shampoo it as well, “If you just had the drive for it…”

Treble felt the shampoo being doused in her mane before Vexus’ hooves began to run through it. Her body gave a faint shudder as she listened to the other mare begin to speak. Her ears twitched as she caught the comment about being shy and her charm “I… doubt there is a charm to me. I have… never really taken an interest in stallions I suppose. My mind was always elsewhere, or working on something else.” The mare began to inhale but only gave out a small startled yelp at feeling her tail retrieved from the water “Usually no pony takes an interest in a pony without a cutie mark…” She sighed softly, her comment aimed at herself. Her flank pretty well blank, not even a blemish to even call a cutie mark “I’m not… good with strangers anyways. I… always thought to myself… that if some pony actually took an interest in me they would find me at some… point in time.” The mare closed her eyes a bit as she the soap soaked into her mane, the smell of the lavender was quite soothing in its own right.

Vexus taps her maw slightly, “Well when whoever they are better treat you good or I will hunt them down and cleave their tails off then use it as lure for a titan bass. No joke those things can get up to twelve yards long.” She chuckles slightly, “But seriously it is a vast world out there and it can be a little cold and lonely when there is no one who you can share it with.” Her tone seemed slightly saddened she spoke of the world like she had known its harshness first hoof. But how much she truly knows has yet to be seen. She lets go of her tail and lets it fall back into the water. “Okay already to rinse…” She leaned back once more taking a more relax position.

Treble sighed softly as her ears lowered a bit. She felt her tail being dropped, though her mind was far from trying to imagine such a large fish. She opened her eyes a bit to look back at the water “I doubt… the world can be any colder to me than it already has.” She inhaled deeply as she submerged her body beneath the water. She remained beneath the hot liquid for quite a few moments before surfacing. Her body shivered lightly as she turned to look at Vexus for a moment before turning back, her gaze peering at the other side of the room as her mind began to go into deep thought “After all… you are a much more… confident pony than myself. Getting any pony for yourself would be much more easier.” She sighed softly a bit as she moved a bit more of her body from beneath the water and let her forelegs hang off the edge of the tub as she leaned against its side “I must ask… though what your type of pony is. I mean those… you are interested in… I suppose.”

Vexus ears twitched slightly, “Well that is a difficult question to answer… Once thought I liked some pony. She turned her head now facing the wall. “She was another mare but things didn’t work out. She wanted to control me literally. The whole month I was with her she tried to keep me leashed. Even went as far as to put a shock collar on me.” She sighed then tapped the side of the tub with her hooves. “You said it would be easier for me get some pony. I truly wished that was the case I am a broken pony.” She rises from the water and set on the edge of the tub. Once again she was setting completely vertical. “Look at me… I have wings which can never give flight. My cutie mark I can’t even make out what it is… ever sense it first appear it was barely visible. It was once said that a cutie mark is a symbol of who you really are. It symbolizes the thing you are most talented at.” Tears began to form in her eyes a pained smile remained on her face. “No the world has no love for a pony like me… To tell you the truth the day I was born the doctors questioned rather or not I was a pony. I think my mother knew from that day my life was destined to full of hardships and dread. She would tell me that there was a world of possibilities just waiting for me and yet each time her eyes were saddened they told me a different story.” She wipes the tears away with a hoof, “I have to be confident in myself because no pony else is going to help me. I have to gun for everything I want because no pony is ever going to give anything to me. Huh… just to know what it would be like to have some pony who wants to be with you. Some pony that could look past what I am and just see the pony I could be, that Treble Clef. That is the type of pony for me; if some pony would give me that chance I would do anything for them.”

Treble twitched an ear as she began to listen to Vexus speak. As she listened her hoof began to swirl the water a bit. She stopped swirling the water as the sound of hooves was heard on the tub. Rather curious, she turned her gaze to the other mare as she continued. She caught a glimpse of the tears for a brief moment, her eyes moving to the floor before her and gave a soft sigh as a hoof moved a stray part of her main from her view “Well… You still have a cutie mark. Faint or vibrant in color it is what it is.” She couldn’t help but give a small chuckle as she continued to stare at the store “So unlike me… you have one. But see… that is why I said you have a better chance. You… go after what you want and desire. With that ability, you would have some pony in no time.” She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes for a few seconds “You have confidence… that’s why you will make it.” Exhaling deeply, the mare sunk below the water once more and surfaced in one quick motion and returned to the edge of the tub once again “A pony with the stamina and determination to walk on her hind hooves and sit the way you do. I can only imagine what you can accomplish, maybe a bigger airship perhaps.”

Vexus simply smirks, “You know if only the world thought the same way you do. Hell no telling what a wondrous place it could be.” She set back down into the water she tapped her maw. “But you know if that was the case I wouldn’t be here right now. So I guess it as it is for a reason. But you know what…” She slides closer to the mare and curls her hooves around her she pulls her into an embrace. And nuzzles her lightly, “You may not think much about it but I do owe you. That little canister you made maybe the only that kept me from being ripped a part by a group of vamps. Even still when most would have fled you came back for me. The fact of the matter is you’re still far braver then you give yourself credit for.” Vexus rested her head against hers. “If you need anything ever just let me know…”

Treble gave a small sigh as she leaned a bit more against the tub as her body relaxed a bit more, her mind processing Vexus’ words, though being who she was it seemed hard to believe. She began to take in a deep breath and stopped as she felt the other mares grasp hold of her body as she was pulled into an embrace. Her body seemed to go stiff for a brief moment then relax, though now she could feel herself flush as she felt the nuzzling , her ears flicking as she spoke once more. The mare could only sigh softly as her blush deepened “It… only seemed the right thing to do. I doubt… you owe me anything. If you… honestly did I would not know what to even ask for.” Treble gave a heavy sigh as she raised a hoof to rub at her eyes a bit “I don’t really have a… brave streak.” She took in a deep breath as she thought to herself for a moment “To be… honest since I moved out here, I did not meet very many ponies. You were the first I have met in quite a long while. I never thought that you would be… nice. Even though in the castle… it seemed that I annoyed you more than anything.”

Vexus chuckled slightly as she lets go of her and looks at with a slight blush. “Oh right the ruins… I am told I can be a hard pony to work with sometimes… No to tell the truth I was worried what would happen sense you fallowed me in. Pony I can truly say I am glad to have met.” She tapped her maw in thought. It was true she didn’t get along with many ponies. Her anomalies be a cause of a lot of discomfort around others. With the distant stares comments made behind her back. Anyone she got to know her soon shunned or turned against her. But she like the Pegasus she felt she was different than most. She wished with all her might she was right. “You know I think I am really tired and it is kind of late for flying if the offer to stay still stands I would much like to take you up on it.” She gave a warm smile in truth flying at night doesn’t bother her at all and she had slept while in flight numerous times. But this way she had time to get to know her better. Hopefully they can get to know each other.

Treble Clef felt Vexus release her body and began to speak. Her eyes peered down at the water at hearing her comment on being glad to meet Treble. She was at a temporary loss for words, not particularly sure as what should be said when Vexus cleared away the problem by asking if the offer to stay still stood. Treble gave a small nod at the question “Yes… the offer will always stand I am sure. My room has…the space.” She sighed softly as she stood within the tub taking a deep breath, had pulled herself out of the water and tub entirely “Lapis Lazuli usually has her bed in the library… at times she sleep on the couch so I hope the lack of spare rooms does not bother you.” She walked over to a small shelf in the corner of the bathing room and grasped a towel with her hooves and tossed it over herself, covering her from flank to head. As Treble awaited Vexus to follow suit, she peered around the room, the red specks were highlighted much more within her silver eyes due to the orange glow of the coal oil lamps. Shaking her head a bit, Treble made her way to the second door within the bathing room and pushed it open it with a hoof. The room was illuminated with a single candle, though it was rather small. Only big enough to fit two ponies inside. Lowering her head, she took a woven rope into her teeth and gave a good tug, a simple wooden door built into the floor revealed itself “My room… is down here. It is…. Modest but I did build it myself.”

She steps out of the tub behind Treble she fallows closely behind on fours. She took a towel and fallowed the Pegasus closely. She looked around after stepping into the small space. “Uh a tad small but I slept in tighter…” Her eyes widened as a hidden door was revealed. She turns to the Pegasus after hearing her comment on building the room herself. She raises an eyebrow, “You built your own room.” Suddenly a look of astonishment appeared on her face. “That is so… Awesome” She trotted in place for a moment before regain control of her excitement. She blushed slightly, “Sorry I am not really to inventive most things I use I buy… I figured you guessed that after seeing the condition of my equipment.”

Treble turned as Vexus spoke. She turned in time to see the mare trotting in place. She gave a faint smile as she turned her attention back to the stares “Well… I felt I wanted my own space and a space to keep my collections.” She gave a nod to Vexus as a sign to follow. Her hooves were audible on the stares. The room was of decent size. IT was made of sandstone bricks and various stones. A bed, just a bit larger than what was needed for one pony stood at the far end, a coal fired stove for head stood next to the bed. The coal oil lamps illuminated a book case filled with old and various books over weaponry and machinery. Along the walls hung rifles of various lengths, sizes, and calibers, the last wall had a small work bench, a few weapons adorned the surface, taken apart in pieces. Other curious items sat upon a few shelves and the wall where there was space. Weird looking helmets in various conditions. Gas masks of all kinds and even a saber or two “It…. Is not much but you are more than welcome here.” She gave a nod as she walked to the stove, a small pile of red coals sat within. Just enough to keep the room warm at night. A nod of satisfaction at the warmth brought Treble to turn towards the bed.

She looked about the room for a moment taking it all in. “Wow… I knew you were good at what you do but. You really take your talents seriously. I am impressed not many put so much time in effort into what they do.” She turns to see the Pegasus making her way to the bed. She began looking about for a place for her to sleep, the notion of sleeping on the floor not exactly foreign to her. She set on the floor as her gaze remains on the Pegasus. She simply smiled warmly watching the Pegasus a strange warm feeling seemed to be over taking her. She was confident it wasn’t coming from the stove.

Treble flicked an ear as Vexus began to speak. She sighed softly as she gripped a patchwork blanket with her teeth and pulled it back a bit “The first thing… I ever found was an old helmet and a few rusted bullets. After that… if I find a weapon I try to restore it to working order for my collection. I guess… I have become fond of antique firearms.” She heaved a sigh as the task with the bed was finished “The room should be okay… for the bed I mean. I don’t really toss in my sleep.” The mare gave the bed a light pat with her hoof as she moved to the nearest lamp and blew it out, then on to the next. Only a candle remained on the wall closest to the bed. Taking a deep breath, she climbed into the bed and sat up against the wall and breathed a sigh of relief. Her mane was about dry as well as most of her coat, so there was no reason to really keep the towel and this was slowly removed and set aside.

Vexus blushed slightly taking the comment about their being room in the bed as invitation. She finishes toweling her tail then makes her way to the bed. She rest her towel on top of Trebles before climbing into the bed next to her. The bed was not exactly queen sized but she had no problem getting comfortable. “Okay don’t worry I don’t snore.” She rests on her side her eyes looking into the other mares. “Hay Treble next time I go on some crazy risky exploration through who knows where. Well I would very much like it if you will come with me. We do make a very good team you and I. Plus I think it is just a little more fun having some pony around.” The last part of the sentence came out with a yawn.

Treble moved a bit to accommodate Vexus and to get comfortable as well. She gave one more sigh of relief as Vexus had settled into the bed. As she opened her eyes, she caught the other mares gaze. She blinked a moment. Her ears raised a bit as Vexus voiced her invitation about going with her next time. Her mind processed the thought a moment “It… would be interesting. But, what of my home and Lapis Lazuli, I… am grown enough to make my own decisions. But I don’t want to be mean and leave the one pony who took me in when I had lost my parents.” Her body shuddered lightly as she thought it over. All that she was capable of was a small sigh “I am sorry…I honestly would not mind it, even though I am not all that useful on an airship.” Her eyes peered down a moment, breaking the eye contact as the novel idea of the invitation still continuing to work on her mind.

“Please stop talking like that you’re plenty useful. Don’t worry Lapis is welcome to come along as well.” She gives off another faint yawn her eyes clearly growing heavy. “I promise to take care of you both… I won’t let anything happen to my friends.” She curls her fore hooves around her and drew closer. Her eyes never opened but a slight smile forms on her maw as they bodies came together. She nuzzles her neck slightly as she finds a spot of comfort. Her breaths slowed to a steady pace. She was like a little filly seeking comfort in others. “Treble you smell really nice…”

Treble brought her gaze to the mare as she spoke of both her and Lapis being able to come along. She inhaled deeply at the words. For the first in a long time did she ever hear the words friends from any other pony. Her thoughts were brought back to the present as Vexus had curled up against her and began to nuzzle. Her ears could hear the other mares breathing on a level most would not be able to, just the same with machinery. She was about to speak when the last comment stopped her short, she could feel her blush deepen. Only a small sigh escaped as she closed her own eyes “I… am glad some pony approves.” She whispered softly as her body began to relax more with her breathing. Though this would be the first time she had actually shared a bed with any pony other than Lapis Lazuli. Though, as quiet and shy her nature was, it was a rather nice feeling for once. This alone was enough to relax even her constantly working mind.