20 years later

Greybolt was going through his inventory when another customer came in. When he looked up he could see a familiar red armored pony walk in.

“Ah, Copperhead. What brings you to my gun shop today?” He asked, already knowing what his favorite customer’s answer was going to be.

Copperhead retracted her helmet and replied, “You know what I need. Do you have any ‘special’ equipment in stock?”

There was whispering that could be heard among the other customers who have been watching as the newcomer came in.

“Yeah, I have some in the back. Follow me,” Greybolt replied.

And the two entered into the back of the gun store and looked at the items of interest.

“Now these here seem to be some sort of grenades. Though I don’t know how you’re going to be able to use ‘em since they don’t have a pin in them.” Greybolt said, motioning to five seed-like devices on the table.

“That’s not a problem, I’ll take them. Also, I have made a friend. You can reveal yourself now.”

As Copperhead took the devices into her magic and insert them into an open slot, a red armored biped uncloaked to reveal itself.

Greybolt whistled, “Ah’m guessing this is your friend?” He asked, getting a better look at the stranger.

“Yeah, I came across him when that ship crash landed just at the edge of the city. You know, the one that crashed ten years ago.”

“And ya haven't told me 'bout him? Ah guess it helps when ya suddenly going against somethin’ that hasn’t been in the wasteland before. What were those freaky things ya took care of called?”

Copperhead sigh as the stranger answered, "They're called Faceless Ones. They were originally members of my crew, or rather, those that didn't have more than a year to settle into their bodies. My name's Captain Gardo Corvenski."

"Interesting. And ah guess you are now with her?" Greybolt asked.

"Yeah. And there may be a Faceless Nightmare roaming around this planet."

"Hmm, that doesn't sound good." Greybolt said as he went to another table with some sort of rifle on it.

“Now what’s this?” Copperhead asked Gardo.

“This is the Red Rock variant of the Colt M16A4, with red dot sight and compatible with the standard magazine as well as the Red Rock issued charged mags.” The former ship captain replied as he took the gun, "It should do, considering that I only have my blast pistol."

“Huh, that's actually pretty interesting. Anyway, that’s all that ah was able to get. But ah do have this one thing that ah have been trying to figure out how to turn on.” Greybolt said, pulling out what appeared to be some sort of robot.

"That's a sentry drone. They're pretty much assault bot that also serve as security." Gardon told him.

"I will activate the sentry drone." Eve announce.

“Wha… really, that’s what this thing is. Well… umm… ah guess ah should introduce you to someone,” Greybolt said, “Hey, Tim, get over here.”

A biped similar to Gardon walked up to the three with a blank expression on its face.

"Wha... where did you find him?" Gardo asked as he looked at the other soldier.

"He was just wandering around in front of mah store some time ago so ah decided to take him in,” Greybolt replied, "He was very helpful in retrieving some valuable items."

“I guess this guy had a run in with bad luck or something,” Copperhead commented.

"Looks to me that the one who resided in him was able to terminate himself but the necromatic energies from the bomb brought this body back." Gardon said.

Greybolt dismiss him and the ghoul nodded in response and he went about his business.

“As for what ah’ve been having him do, ah have him going around to get those special equipment that ya been looking for. Though ah can’t understand why ya would need this stuff. You've already taken a good amount of ammunition for those weapons of yours, and all of those explosives. What are ya planning.”

Copperhead turned to Gardo before replying, "We're planning on going over to Canterlot. There has been an active signature that we've been getting. And it’s pointing towards there.”

Greybolt stopped in his tracks and stared at the mare, “Are ya crazy! Don’t ya know what the pink cloud could do to ya?”

Copperhead replied, “I know that. But I’ve found out that this suit is immune to all kinds of radiation, thanks to the information that Eve and Gardo were able to provide for me. I’ve even snuck around at Fillydelphia’s crater and I’m still fine. I just need to make sure that my helmet is over my head before going into the radiation zone.”

“Hmm… ah guess then that my helper’s suit must’ve been damaged before he was reanimated. And you were able to sneak into Red Eye’s base, without being detected!?”

Gardo retracted his helmet to reveal his face as he responded, "Indeed she did. I didn't actually go in there. I was more of acting as a watchman. Mainly keeping an eye out in case if things were not going according to plan."

"Ah can see how ya were able to pull it off. Considering that ah just watched him uncloak in front of mah eyes," Greybolt said.

Just after he said that, the sentry drone activated. Springing up on its two robotic feet, the little robot looked around its surroundings until its gaze fell upon the two ponies, mostly towards Copperhead.

"The sentry drone is now active." Eve announced.

“I think I’ll leave it with you Greybolt. I don’t think it would be a good idea having it around when we go on our way.” Copperhead said to Greybolt.

“Alright, now how about that pay,” the stallion said, “Ya know ah’m not doing this for free.”

Copperhead gave him a bag filled with bottle caps.

“Here are fifty bottle caps for the rifle, and twenty five for the grenades.”

After looking through the bag, Greybolt placed the bag onto a table and nodded, “That should do. Though ah have to warn ya, there’s been some strange stuff happening lately.”

“I’ve heard. There supposedly a purple alien ship that had crashed somewhere outside of the city. I’ll be sure to be careful.” Copperhead said as the two left the back room and into the store. Gardo had already gotten his helmet on and cloaked himself before leaving the room

“Ah know ya will. That AI of yer’s and that soldier will certainly make sure of that,” Greybolt replied, “Also, looks like ya earned a name for yerself.”

“Yeah, ponies have been calling me the ‘Crimson Ranger.’ I like the name of though. With the way this suit looks, I would look like one of those steel rangers, except with far more advanced equipment and weapons.”

“Yeah, and not only that. Ya got on their good side by taking care of those ‘Faceless Ones’ ten years ago.”

“Well, I’m going to head off now.”

And with that the two said their goodbyes. Copperhead putting her helmet back on as she left.

Just as they left the store, Gardo uncloaked as there where no eyes watching them.

"Well, looks like we'll be going on our way."

"Yeah, let's go."

With that the two headed off in the direction of the castle.

Author's Note

I've noticed that I have gotten a lot of down-votes when I started this story. Now either something in the story didn't make sense to you or you're just trolling me, just remember that this is my first FoE fic. I wasn't really expecting it to get the kind of attention that I've gotten with my previous stories, but I'll keep it there anyway. Though I think it's mostly because of some of the characters, machines, and creatures that you guys have likely never heard of. And I'll keep this story up here as I get onto my other ones.

Edit: I've changed things up a bit. I've added another character to the story. This will also provide you a bit of a preview of what to expect when I write the story that happens in between when the main character met the dying soldier to when she prepared to go on her way to Canterlot with her new companion.