Lost in the Dustby makofreelancerChaptersBeginningsMoney for Nothing Workin' MareBeginningsWe all know how this began....Ponies waging war on Zebras....resources on the brink of exhaustion...The aftermath, we live it. Radiation, monsters, basically hell itself. All thanks to an issue nopony thought to solve...well, here's my story in all this... Beep.....beep....beep...The alarm in my room sounded off, stirring me from my sleep. 6:00 AM stable time. The start of my shift. "Ugh....too early...." I moaned as I rolled out of bed and onto the floor. My blue and white mane covering my face like a fuzzy veil. "No wanna work....." I forced myself up and over to my sink, splashing water across my face. My reflection smiling faintly back at me. "Hey sexy. Come here often ?" I chuckled at my own stupid joke and began getting my stable ten security barding on. Only the slightest twinge of stink coming home from it, meaning it was still clean. What? Oh like you never wore day old clothes before. Once it was on, and my baton in place, I headed down to the cafeteria for some good olé recycled food chips. See the sarcasm means...eh you get it. Not many ponies were up and about yet, which was both a blessing and a curse. I took my time eating, only seeing one other security pony. A short buck I never bothered to get to know. After the oh so filling meal (sarcasm again!) I started my usual patrol for the crime nopony even committed. I decided to stop by Emerald Breeze's room, the stable entertainer, but noticed her door was sealed. "Meh. Sure she's fine." I kept going on my merry way, eventually coming across a technician buck, my friend Metal Head. What was so odd about him, was that he was a pegasus. And seeing as how all them flyboys and gals holed up above the clouds, seeing one here was a bit odd. Anyways, he was struggling with a door that just wouldn't close. "Need some help Metal?" I was beside him now, head tilted. "Uhhh...yeah sure, Ice. Grab the red wires, and connect em." He was holding white ones. I reached out with my magic and did as instructed. The door hissed closed. "Yes! Thanks Ice!" "Anytime Metal. See ya." I turned and headed down the hall, going past Emerald's room. Normally she's up by now.... "Emerald?" Three knocks and no answer. "Hey Emerald. You okay?" -the door slid open. I couldn't see her. Now I was worried. I walked around a bit in the room, hoping I was just blind and couldn't see her. Then a note. It read "To anypony who sees, don't come after me. Please." That's when I saw her pipbuck. "Oh no...nononono!" I took the note and bolted right then, heading for the over mare's office. Metal happened to pass me "Oh hey Ice!" "No time gotta tell overmare bye!" I sped by him, leaving him confused. Once I got there, she was surprised. "Oh hello miss Shard. What's the issue?" "Emerald left....gotta find...phew! " she looked shocked and took a moment to react. "Well....that's...shocking. We have to find her." "Obviously. Sorry I'm just stressed. But we do have to find her. And fast" She nodded, and both of us started planning. After some time, and several failed ideas, we had come up with something. Now the overmare had called Metal to her office. "Mister Metal, I called you up here in order to discuss a plan of action. Our dear Emerald has left the stable. Your skill set is unique, and I believe it can aid Ice Shard in her mission. Will you please help her?" "Um....yeah, sure." His lip curled slightly in anger. "Great! You both have 24 hours to prepare. Good luck". After that we both stepped out. "Metal....you sure ya wanna help me?" "Yes." Just one word....something wasn't right. We both just headed our ways, me to the security station, him to his room. I got the sound of his door slamming just as I gathered up my gear. Enough food, ammo, and medical supplies to last a week. My 10mm pistol was strapped to my side, helmet down, and I met up with Metal, who still seemed....off. "Ready Metal...?" He just nodded. I sighed and activated the door controls. The grinding ceased eventually, and we slowly worked our way to the wooden door. The light was blinding once it hit us, causing us to take a few seconds to adjust. "Oh my Celestia...." Metal's words were barely a whisper. The landscape was blasted and ruined. "This is hell...." I was in pure shock...until my EFS lit up and a compass marker appeared. "C'mon, we got work to do." Metal nodded and we started walking. We saw a burned out storefront, so naturally that was our first destination. My EFS read clear, and we slipped in. "It's dark." Metal stated. "No shit dude." He chuckled at that. Sweet, a reaction! We started searching for any sign of Emerald and I activated my pipbuck's light to help our search. "Anything?" I kicked a can. "Nope. Unless you count dust and wrappers." My groan made him roll his eyes. We kept looking I stumbled across some bedrolls. Okay...someone did stay here. "Metal, wanna hole up here?" I was already folding them out. "Um su-" He was cut off by a large round piercing the wall just by his head. "Get down!" I got my pistol out just as two ponies...or what was just barely ponies, started breaking in. The first one caught a round between the eyes. "AHAHAHAHAHA! FRESH MEAT!" The first raider's buddy yelled at us. "Metal! Little help?!" He managed to grab a shovel and repeatedly beat the second psychopath. Another sniper round sailed by his ear. "I gotta end this!" I rush out, Metal right behind me. "Hey! You distract him, I'll slip in behind and drop em!" I nodded and bolted out, running zig zags to be a hard target. Little bit later, the sniper fell from his position in an old balcony adjacent to us. "Ice, I- oh no." I had taken a shot to the leg. My helmet was thrown a side by now. "I'm here Ice. Uhhh...." "Med-x....then tie it off....then healing potion." He nodded and did as instructed. "Easy up...c'mon...." with his help we slowly walked back into the store and laid down. First day out....already getting attacked....gonna be a long journey.... Author's Note Well guys hope ya like this. Please comment any suggestions or advice. Greatly appreciated! Money for Nothing Money for Nothing Morning rolled around, and the pain in my leg was what woke me. I nearly screamed as I rolled over, but kept it down to a loud grunt. "Ice....you...okay?" Metal groaned as he rubbed an eye. "Y-yeah..just my leg. I'll be good." I put on a tough girl smile. He bought it and stretched. Keep it up Ice. After all you are the tough one....anywho, once we were both awake, I rummaged through my saddle bags for some food. "Ugh....all I snagged were food chips." I shoved them back in with a huff. "It's either that or-" "SNACK CAKES!!!!" I pulled the box, still sealed, from behind the cashier's counter. "Sweet Celestia...." Metal whispered. I opened the box and took two out. "Bottoms up!" I shoved the whole thing in, sighing from the sweet flavor. "Holy fuck...." Metal's jaw dropped as soon as he bit down. I chuckled and stowed the rest. "Well..let's get going then. Got a mare to find!" I smiled widely and Metal just sighed. We both got our gear on and stepped out, having to go slower due to my leg. As we walked, we noticed some military chariots at what's left of a checkpoint. I started searching around and found a locked ammo box. "Meeeeeetal!" I whined for him to come over. "What? Locked box?" "Yes....." I backed away. Metal pulled out a bobby pin and screwdriver, getting to work. The lock clicked and he opened it. "Huh....what kind of bullets are these?" "Uhhhh....5.56. Assault rifle rounds." I took them just in case and then saw a tent. "Hello." I headed over to it and started searching. Jackpot! An assault rifle, somehow still in good condition, was laying on a table. Also a decent pistol was with it. I took it as well, thinking Metal might want an actual weapon. "Find anything?" The buck asked me, and I showed him my treasure. He eyed the pistol and I gave it up. "Wait...how you gonna use it?" He shrugged and put it in his mouth. Oh duh! Earth pony style. After that was settled and he had some ammo, we kept walking. After about ten minutes a huge walled in settlement, with what appeared to be the remains of a large shopping center as the main hub, loomed on the horizon. "Damn...." Metal had stopped and started staring at the behemoth. I didn't stop, wanting to explore. My stallion companion started following me soon, and we were stopped by two guard bucks with weapons strapped to each side, and camo combat barding on. "Hold it. Whatcha doin' in Finder Territory? " The biggest buck, brown with some white in his mane, asked. "Ummm.....Finders?" I tilted my head in confusion. "Dangit Flak, Them's stable ponies. Jus like that green mare that came through." "Green mare? Where'd she go?" Metal had stepped up as he asked that question. "Yeah. Came in, got some stuff an' left. Not sure where she headed though." The brown buck shrugged. "Damnit..." The second guard noticed my annoyance. "Sorry miss. Yer both welcome to come in, get some supplies. Gonna cost ya but not too bad." We both nodded and walked in as the gate opened. There was a large board in the center of several store fronts. I decided to check it out. "Let's see...oh it's for jobs!" "Could use some work. Lemme see....'secure technology' and 'clear nearby camp of bandits'. Easy enough." I nodded in agreement and took two nubs for each job. "I say we prepare first, then head out." He nodded and we checked our gear. Author's Note Hey guys! Hope this wasn't too random. As always drop a comment! Have a good day! Workin' MareNow we were ready. My rifle was loaded, Metal had his pistol repaired and we were heading out. A compass marker directed us south. "Okay let's review the job. Get to the camp, secure the tech, get paid." I held my head high at remembering all that. "Secure the BEAM RIFLE, Ice." I stuck my tongue out at him. The trip took us about thirty minutes, and I had Metal stay behind me as we edged into the camp. The camp was..... well devoid of anyone. I stopped and noticed neither red or blue on my EFS. Weird....I was expecting some resistance. "Metal...I don't like this." "Me neither. Let's just get in and-" a low moan, deep and guttural, cut him off. A tent flap parted and what was to me a zombie pony shuffled out, eyes white and faintly glowing. "The hell is that?!" Metal fired twice, pistol held by a wing. One round clipped the monstrosity's leg and the second missed. Another beast shuffled from another tent, then another. "Try aiming you fuck!" I fired three rounds at the closest one, it's head liquefied by the larger rounds. "I'm trying miss I've been trained for this shit!" His next shot dropped a zombie easily enough. But three more replaced the fallen. "Fuck this!" I unloaded a full mag, thinning out the hoard by half. Those who remained howled and rushed. The lead freak was too close so my baton cracked into its mushy brainpan, splattering my barding. Metal ducked and fired twice into another, dropping it. "Hey! I see the rifle!'" I darted off toward a bench, one abomination tackling me. "Get off me you freak!" Just as it went for a bite, a shovel head rammed through its neck, then severed the head completely. "Don't ever run off like that again." He looked pissed and....scared? Pissed I understand but scared? That isn't Metal. After that little display of ferocity, he scooped up the high - tech weapon. With that, we started heading back. "Bleh....I need a bath or something..." My face scrunched as the smell of the gore hit me. "No amount of bathing will ever get you clean now." Metal looked at me. "Don't say that!" He chuckled and I smeared some on him. "DAMNIT ICE!" His whole body convulsed and he barely held back his bile. I was on my back laughing. "It's not funny!" "You're right.... IT'S HILARIOUS!!" He started storming off and I followed him. All in all I'd say it was good day's work. Author's Note Hey-O! Sorry if it's a bit short I've been in and out of sleep a lot today. So yeah! Comment, like, do whatever!
BeginningsWe all know how this began....Ponies waging war on Zebras....resources on the brink of exhaustion...The aftermath, we live it. Radiation, monsters, basically hell itself. All thanks to an issue nopony thought to solve...well, here's my story in all this... Beep.....beep....beep...The alarm in my room sounded off, stirring me from my sleep. 6:00 AM stable time. The start of my shift. "Ugh....too early...." I moaned as I rolled out of bed and onto the floor. My blue and white mane covering my face like a fuzzy veil. "No wanna work....." I forced myself up and over to my sink, splashing water across my face. My reflection smiling faintly back at me. "Hey sexy. Come here often ?" I chuckled at my own stupid joke and began getting my stable ten security barding on. Only the slightest twinge of stink coming home from it, meaning it was still clean. What? Oh like you never wore day old clothes before. Once it was on, and my baton in place, I headed down to the cafeteria for some good olé recycled food chips. See the sarcasm means...eh you get it. Not many ponies were up and about yet, which was both a blessing and a curse. I took my time eating, only seeing one other security pony. A short buck I never bothered to get to know. After the oh so filling meal (sarcasm again!) I started my usual patrol for the crime nopony even committed. I decided to stop by Emerald Breeze's room, the stable entertainer, but noticed her door was sealed. "Meh. Sure she's fine." I kept going on my merry way, eventually coming across a technician buck, my friend Metal Head. What was so odd about him, was that he was a pegasus. And seeing as how all them flyboys and gals holed up above the clouds, seeing one here was a bit odd. Anyways, he was struggling with a door that just wouldn't close. "Need some help Metal?" I was beside him now, head tilted. "Uhhh...yeah sure, Ice. Grab the red wires, and connect em." He was holding white ones. I reached out with my magic and did as instructed. The door hissed closed. "Yes! Thanks Ice!" "Anytime Metal. See ya." I turned and headed down the hall, going past Emerald's room. Normally she's up by now.... "Emerald?" Three knocks and no answer. "Hey Emerald. You okay?" -the door slid open. I couldn't see her. Now I was worried. I walked around a bit in the room, hoping I was just blind and couldn't see her. Then a note. It read "To anypony who sees, don't come after me. Please." That's when I saw her pipbuck. "Oh no...nononono!" I took the note and bolted right then, heading for the over mare's office. Metal happened to pass me "Oh hey Ice!" "No time gotta tell overmare bye!" I sped by him, leaving him confused. Once I got there, she was surprised. "Oh hello miss Shard. What's the issue?" "Emerald left....gotta find...phew! " she looked shocked and took a moment to react. "Well....that's...shocking. We have to find her." "Obviously. Sorry I'm just stressed. But we do have to find her. And fast" She nodded, and both of us started planning. After some time, and several failed ideas, we had come up with something. Now the overmare had called Metal to her office. "Mister Metal, I called you up here in order to discuss a plan of action. Our dear Emerald has left the stable. Your skill set is unique, and I believe it can aid Ice Shard in her mission. Will you please help her?" "Um....yeah, sure." His lip curled slightly in anger. "Great! You both have 24 hours to prepare. Good luck". After that we both stepped out. "Metal....you sure ya wanna help me?" "Yes." Just one word....something wasn't right. We both just headed our ways, me to the security station, him to his room. I got the sound of his door slamming just as I gathered up my gear. Enough food, ammo, and medical supplies to last a week. My 10mm pistol was strapped to my side, helmet down, and I met up with Metal, who still seemed....off. "Ready Metal...?" He just nodded. I sighed and activated the door controls. The grinding ceased eventually, and we slowly worked our way to the wooden door. The light was blinding once it hit us, causing us to take a few seconds to adjust. "Oh my Celestia...." Metal's words were barely a whisper. The landscape was blasted and ruined. "This is hell...." I was in pure shock...until my EFS lit up and a compass marker appeared. "C'mon, we got work to do." Metal nodded and we started walking. We saw a burned out storefront, so naturally that was our first destination. My EFS read clear, and we slipped in. "It's dark." Metal stated. "No shit dude." He chuckled at that. Sweet, a reaction! We started searching for any sign of Emerald and I activated my pipbuck's light to help our search. "Anything?" I kicked a can. "Nope. Unless you count dust and wrappers." My groan made him roll his eyes. We kept looking I stumbled across some bedrolls. Okay...someone did stay here. "Metal, wanna hole up here?" I was already folding them out. "Um su-" He was cut off by a large round piercing the wall just by his head. "Get down!" I got my pistol out just as two ponies...or what was just barely ponies, started breaking in. The first one caught a round between the eyes. "AHAHAHAHAHA! FRESH MEAT!" The first raider's buddy yelled at us. "Metal! Little help?!" He managed to grab a shovel and repeatedly beat the second psychopath. Another sniper round sailed by his ear. "I gotta end this!" I rush out, Metal right behind me. "Hey! You distract him, I'll slip in behind and drop em!" I nodded and bolted out, running zig zags to be a hard target. Little bit later, the sniper fell from his position in an old balcony adjacent to us. "Ice, I- oh no." I had taken a shot to the leg. My helmet was thrown a side by now. "I'm here Ice. Uhhh...." "Med-x....then tie it off....then healing potion." He nodded and did as instructed. "Easy up...c'mon...." with his help we slowly walked back into the store and laid down. First day out....already getting attacked....gonna be a long journey.... Author's Note Well guys hope ya like this. Please comment any suggestions or advice. Greatly appreciated!
Money for Nothing Money for Nothing Morning rolled around, and the pain in my leg was what woke me. I nearly screamed as I rolled over, but kept it down to a loud grunt. "Ice....you...okay?" Metal groaned as he rubbed an eye. "Y-yeah..just my leg. I'll be good." I put on a tough girl smile. He bought it and stretched. Keep it up Ice. After all you are the tough one....anywho, once we were both awake, I rummaged through my saddle bags for some food. "Ugh....all I snagged were food chips." I shoved them back in with a huff. "It's either that or-" "SNACK CAKES!!!!" I pulled the box, still sealed, from behind the cashier's counter. "Sweet Celestia...." Metal whispered. I opened the box and took two out. "Bottoms up!" I shoved the whole thing in, sighing from the sweet flavor. "Holy fuck...." Metal's jaw dropped as soon as he bit down. I chuckled and stowed the rest. "Well..let's get going then. Got a mare to find!" I smiled widely and Metal just sighed. We both got our gear on and stepped out, having to go slower due to my leg. As we walked, we noticed some military chariots at what's left of a checkpoint. I started searching around and found a locked ammo box. "Meeeeeetal!" I whined for him to come over. "What? Locked box?" "Yes....." I backed away. Metal pulled out a bobby pin and screwdriver, getting to work. The lock clicked and he opened it. "Huh....what kind of bullets are these?" "Uhhhh....5.56. Assault rifle rounds." I took them just in case and then saw a tent. "Hello." I headed over to it and started searching. Jackpot! An assault rifle, somehow still in good condition, was laying on a table. Also a decent pistol was with it. I took it as well, thinking Metal might want an actual weapon. "Find anything?" The buck asked me, and I showed him my treasure. He eyed the pistol and I gave it up. "Wait...how you gonna use it?" He shrugged and put it in his mouth. Oh duh! Earth pony style. After that was settled and he had some ammo, we kept walking. After about ten minutes a huge walled in settlement, with what appeared to be the remains of a large shopping center as the main hub, loomed on the horizon. "Damn...." Metal had stopped and started staring at the behemoth. I didn't stop, wanting to explore. My stallion companion started following me soon, and we were stopped by two guard bucks with weapons strapped to each side, and camo combat barding on. "Hold it. Whatcha doin' in Finder Territory? " The biggest buck, brown with some white in his mane, asked. "Ummm.....Finders?" I tilted my head in confusion. "Dangit Flak, Them's stable ponies. Jus like that green mare that came through." "Green mare? Where'd she go?" Metal had stepped up as he asked that question. "Yeah. Came in, got some stuff an' left. Not sure where she headed though." The brown buck shrugged. "Damnit..." The second guard noticed my annoyance. "Sorry miss. Yer both welcome to come in, get some supplies. Gonna cost ya but not too bad." We both nodded and walked in as the gate opened. There was a large board in the center of several store fronts. I decided to check it out. "Let's see...oh it's for jobs!" "Could use some work. Lemme see....'secure technology' and 'clear nearby camp of bandits'. Easy enough." I nodded in agreement and took two nubs for each job. "I say we prepare first, then head out." He nodded and we checked our gear. Author's Note Hey guys! Hope this wasn't too random. As always drop a comment! Have a good day!
Workin' MareNow we were ready. My rifle was loaded, Metal had his pistol repaired and we were heading out. A compass marker directed us south. "Okay let's review the job. Get to the camp, secure the tech, get paid." I held my head high at remembering all that. "Secure the BEAM RIFLE, Ice." I stuck my tongue out at him. The trip took us about thirty minutes, and I had Metal stay behind me as we edged into the camp. The camp was..... well devoid of anyone. I stopped and noticed neither red or blue on my EFS. Weird....I was expecting some resistance. "Metal...I don't like this." "Me neither. Let's just get in and-" a low moan, deep and guttural, cut him off. A tent flap parted and what was to me a zombie pony shuffled out, eyes white and faintly glowing. "The hell is that?!" Metal fired twice, pistol held by a wing. One round clipped the monstrosity's leg and the second missed. Another beast shuffled from another tent, then another. "Try aiming you fuck!" I fired three rounds at the closest one, it's head liquefied by the larger rounds. "I'm trying miss I've been trained for this shit!" His next shot dropped a zombie easily enough. But three more replaced the fallen. "Fuck this!" I unloaded a full mag, thinning out the hoard by half. Those who remained howled and rushed. The lead freak was too close so my baton cracked into its mushy brainpan, splattering my barding. Metal ducked and fired twice into another, dropping it. "Hey! I see the rifle!'" I darted off toward a bench, one abomination tackling me. "Get off me you freak!" Just as it went for a bite, a shovel head rammed through its neck, then severed the head completely. "Don't ever run off like that again." He looked pissed and....scared? Pissed I understand but scared? That isn't Metal. After that little display of ferocity, he scooped up the high - tech weapon. With that, we started heading back. "Bleh....I need a bath or something..." My face scrunched as the smell of the gore hit me. "No amount of bathing will ever get you clean now." Metal looked at me. "Don't say that!" He chuckled and I smeared some on him. "DAMNIT ICE!" His whole body convulsed and he barely held back his bile. I was on my back laughing. "It's not funny!" "You're right.... IT'S HILARIOUS!!" He started storming off and I followed him. All in all I'd say it was good day's work. Author's Note Hey-O! Sorry if it's a bit short I've been in and out of sleep a lot today. So yeah! Comment, like, do whatever!
