Fallout Equestria: Duty

Fallout Equestria: Duty

Chapter 22

Parting ways

“This is not goodbye... It's just goodbye until next time.”

~O~Frostmane~O~

I was standing at Jerakals bed, Firestorm and my other friends waiting for me outside. She still hadn't woken up again, since she had been freed from the Sirens influence. The doctors were debating shutting off her life support. Her body was... in a bad state. She had scars all over, and the Order Ponies had pulled four of her teeth out while torturing her. According to her medical report, there was even a burn wound, that strongly resembled those left behind by Firestorm's old armor on her flank, but I didn't lift her blankets to check.

Even though she was not awake, her breathing was labored, and I could see that her body struggled to stay alive with every breath. Yesterday, I had talked with Gingerbread about her symptoms, after our debriefing on the Gear Turn situation. Her symptoms were... familiar to me, and I could only make an educated guess as to what they had done to her, but I was pretty sure that I was right.

Lifting my right foreleg to my friends muzzle, I removed the breathing mask they had put on her. If my hunch was right, I needed free access to her mouth after all. My armor formed and, like a snake that was being summoned out of it's basket by a street performer, a slim line of silver flowed up out of Jerakals parted lips. It flowed into my armor, like a drop of water that fell into a bucket.

“So they tried them on you after all...”, I whispered, stroking the mares head, as her breathing relaxed, and she began to take deeper breaths.

It had only been a hunch, but from everything Gingerbread had been able to tell me, I had deducted that his wife was suffering from Starmetal poisoning. Since the stuff was pretty rare in the first place, the only way she could have gotten it, was if the Order of Machina had tried to implant my Talismans into her body. Being part Alicorn made me immune against its poisonous effects, but normal Ponies would suffer a slow and painful death if any of it got into their bloodstream. The good news was, that I had extracted the small amount that had poisoned her body. The bad news however was, that I wasn't sure if I had been on time to prevent her death.

Everything indicated however, that she would be fine. Her heart-rate-monitor was already beeping rhythmically again, and even her brain waves seemed to have stabilized. I sighed a sigh of relief, as I deposited a letter on her nightstand and took my leave. My friends were already waiting for me, and we had to get moving as soon as possible...

~O~The day before~O~

“What do you mean, you're leaving? What about Gear Turn and the Order of Machina? Didn't you say you wanted to take them out?”, Gingerbread shouted at me, and I found out that ghouls indeed have saliva, for he sprayed a good amount of the sticky stuff onto my face during his tirade.

“I said that, yes. And I'm sticking to it. Firestorm and I will go and take her and those strange mares out. It's your job to help the Rangers in Las Pegasus and Baltimare, so they don't get overrun. Reinforce their positions wherever you can, but don't assault any of the Orders bases. You can do this, Ginger. I trust you.”, I replied, wiping the sticky substance off my face with a hoof.

“That's crazy, and you know it. Frostmane, your the best commander I've ever seen in action. If you were to take command of these troops, you'd have an army behind you that outnumbered the Order two to one! You could take them out with your military brilliance, instead of seeking vengeance in a one on one battle. Heck, you could still do that, once you found their main base of operations, and would have thousands of Ponies keeping these Order nuts off your back. So why do you insist on doing it this way? It doesn't make any sense to me?”, Gingerbread said, banging his hoof on his desk for emphasis.

“Because I have to. You are the commander here. You outrank me, and if you stepped down in my favor, your Ponies wouldn't follow me. It's you who has kept them safe for all these years. Would you have followed another commander into battle, had one shown up to replace me back then?”, I argued. It gave my comrade something to think about and, after about a minute, he shook his head.

“No, I wouldn't have. Maybe you're right... But still... Why leave? You would still be...”, he began, but I cut him off.

“And you would come to me for advice before each fight, right? If your Ponies saw that, it would undermine your authority. Besides, in the end I would have to take command anyway. You know that my patterns of command and strategy are sometimes hard to understand. No, believe me, my friend, this is the best course of action. If anything, Gear will anticipate that I stay here and command your forces. She won't be prepared for me sneaking up on her, since she thinks she has provoked me enough so I would throw all caution to the wind. And now, please tell me what you have found out about those mares.”, I said softly, obviously surprising the ghoul.

“Firestorm really does seem to do you some good...”, he mumbled to himself, before clearing his throat. “Right... The Sirens... According to what I have been able to find out, they've tried to take over Equestria in the past, but were stopped by Starswhril the bearded. The documents I found in Stable 60 hint that he tried to banish them to another dimension or something but the spell seems to have failed. In the end, they were imprisoned in crystals and buried where nopony would ever find them. Turns out they buried them near Old Ol'Neigh, and the mining operation there dug them up about a year before the end. Experiments were conducted on them, and some within the Ministry of Arcane Sciences believed that, if they could be brought under control, they could end the war in a day. Twilight Sparkle herself however, opposed that plan, and ordered their disposal. It isn't specified how they planned to “dispose” of them, but if it had been me, I would have simply put a bullet in their heads, and be done with it... Mhmm... right, I'm digressing. However, before the MAS could act, the Sirens were confiscated by the military, and Colonel Wicked Blade convinced Stable Tech to allow him to seal them up in Stable 60. Why they agreed to it isn't documented, but I suspect that a lot of bits have changed their owner that day. According to his notes, which I found next to the stasis pods these three must have laid in, he planned to use their powers to control the Zebras, should Equestrias defeat be close. The only problem with this plan was, that he never found a way to control the damn things.”, Gingerbread explained, while rifling through some of the files he had retrieved from the Stable on his Pipbuck.

“So there's a chance that Gear Turn is controlled?”, I asked, my eyes widening, but the Unicorn just shook his head.

“I don't think so. It's more likely that she struck some sort of deal with them. As for her Ponies though... I can't be sure, but many of the Rangers who disappeared, and later reappeared in the Order have reported that they've heard singing. In some cases they received a sound file on their Pipbucks, and listened to it. The effects weren't immediate, but that could have been because of the long stasis these three have been in. Other than that, I can't tell you much... other than lore and legends. There were quite a few of them recorded down there, but only very few hard facts.”

I nodded, understanding that he had done his best, as always. This however, made me think. If a great Unicorn Magi like Starswhirl was needed to get rid of these three, then I doubted I would be able to. But then again, the stallion had tried to banish them. All I had to do, was cave their heads in, and hope for the best. If they were immortal somehow, then I had a serious problem...

~O~Present Day~O~

I let my gaze wander over my apartment for what may very well have been the last time, as my friends gathered their things. We had acquired quite a lot of stuff while we had stayed in the city, and now everypony had to decide what to take, and what to leave. It brought a smile onto my face, since I knew that they could always return here. I had Gingerbread promise me to have Homages and Golden Sunshines profiles added to the database as my family members. As such, they would always have a place in the city, and Shut Up had been instructed to accept all three as inhabitants of this apartment. In short, even if I didn't come back from this mission, my companions would be well cared for, should they decide to return to Trottingham...

“So, are we ready to go?”, I asked, as Homage looked at my record collection longingly. Golden and her had, indeed, used it to not only annoy my direct neighbors, but about everypony in a mile radius. I could see that the filly wanted to take a few of them along with her, but they were just too big, and would be utterly useless while we were on the road.

“I think so...”, the little one finally said, trotting over to me with a sad expression on her face. I ruffled her mane a bit with my cybernetic hoof.

“Don't be sad. I promise you that, once we come back here, you can pick one of them and keep it, OK? Just now however, we just can't afford to take any of them with us.”, I cooed, and the filly seemed to cheer up a little at that. Looking up, I saw that Firestorm was watching the two of of fondly. She was doing that a lot recently...

“Who's going to drag the cart?”, Golden Sunshine interjected, before I could give my marefriend a second thought.

“Well, always the Pony who asks.”, I smirked, much to the mares obvious dislike. I kept her in suspense for a bit, before adding, “No, but seriously. Storm and I can't afford to strap ourselves down. If we run into any trouble, we two have to be able to move fast. You on the other hoof can throw up a shield to protect Homage and the cart.”

Golden Sunshine didn't look too happy about this arrangement, but she accepted my reasoning. I was right after all. The Alicron certainly was a force to be reckoned with, but Firestorm and I were our groups main fighters. If one of us had to unhook herself, before she could join a fight, it could mean a major disadvantage for us.

OooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“Attention!”, Gingerbread shouted towards a group of roughly two hundred Ponies, who he had assembled to give as a proper send off. I knew that he still hadn't given up hope of me changing my mind, but this was just too much, and so I trotted up to him. The red Unicorn ghoul saluted smartly at my approach, but I didn't return the gesture. Instead, I gave him a hug.

“Stay safe my friend.”, I whispered, simultaneously letting him know that I still cared about my former subordinates well being, and that I would not change my mind, no matter how many Ponies he assembled. After a moment, he returned the gesture.

“You too. See you on the other side, Frosty.”, he replied, before I broke the embrace, and the rest of our little group came up to say their goodbyes. Homage simply nodded at the stallion, while Golden Sunshine opted for a hoof-shake. Firestorm did the same I had done, embracing the rotting Pony.

None of us said it, as we left Trottingham behind, but we all knew that it was unlikely that we would ever come here again. The odds were stacked against us, and most of the responsibility would rest on Gingerbreads shoulders. He would have to keep the Steel Rangers from being overrun by their former brothers in arms, while also try to find out more about those “Sirens”.

Because of that, I decided to take one big detour. I could have left Homage behind in Trottingham, but that city was likely to become a target for the Order rather sooner than later. When it did, it was bound to turn into a warzone. No. I would bring her to the one place that I was sure wouldn't be on Gear Turns list of potential targets for a while. And since the stallion I had in mind to take care of her was using a Ministry of Awesome frequency to broadcast his messages, maybe I could make him agree to a trade. My Pipbuck held several dozens of access codes for different MoA servers, and the broadcasting stations attached to them. I was willing to give them to him, in exchange for a safe haven for the filly.

As for Homage, she didn't know about this yet. I had only told her that I had some business to take care of in Manehatten, and that it was of utmost importance that we went there first. Golden Sunshine and Firestorm, however, were in on my plan. Firestorm didn't like it, but understood my reasoning. If we really got into a fight with a large group of Order Rangers, Homage would only have become a potential target, and none of us wanted that. The Alicorn mare had remained strangely silent when I had told her...

OooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

“So... Any idea where we can find Gear Turn?”, Firestorm asked, as we rested in an abandoned department store, west of Baltimare. The shelves of the store itself were picked clean of anything valuable, but the structure was mostly intact and made for good cover.

“I've got no idea so far. There are several potential hiding places that come to mind, but then again, I don't know the wasteland very well yet. If it was me however, I'd go and hole up in an old military base, or a prison. I bet there are several that have survived the war, and are still sturdy enough to be used as a fort.”, I replied, looking over the map of the wasteland Gingerbread had provided for us before we left. As far as I could see, our way to Manehatten would bring us close to Shattered Hoof Re-educational. A prison for political prisoners, traitors and deserters. In short, everypony that tried to sabotage Equestrias war effort. Thinking for a moment, I pointed it out to Firestorm.

“Mhmm... Yes that could be, but I think we should give it a wide berth until we have... delivered our package.”, my marefriend said, throwing a glance over at Homage, who was sleeping soundly. I could only nod to that.

“I guess we should get some sleep as well. Golden said she was going to keep a watch, so we can sleep through.”

“She did? You know... that mare's been worrying me lately. For the last week, she's been out every night, and never told me where she was going.”, the jet black Pegasus mare next to me said thoughtfully.

“I noticed that as well. Should I go and check if she has run off somewhere again?”, I offered, hoping she would say no, since all I wanted at that moment, was a good nights sleep. For once, my wish was granted as Firestorm shook her head.

“No, it's OK. You get some rest. I'll go and check on her. Besides, if she has indeed snuck off, I might get a chance to see what she's actually doing while she's away.” she said, nuzzling me gently before standing up and trotting out of the room.

~O~Firestorm~O~

I had already flown five rounds around the department store, and there was no sign of the white Alicorn mare that was supposed to keep an eye on us. She didn't even show up on my EFS. Landing in front of the store again, I looked at the ground, looking at the hoof prints on the dusty ground. I could clearly make out the prints of our group, and two sets of prints coming out of the building again. One of them belonged to me, while the other had a much bigger stride, and obviously belonged to Golden Sunshine.

In the mess of our groups prints, it was a little difficult to follow Goldens, since she had went back the way we had come. Had she walked backwards, I wouldn't have been able to follow her at all. As it was however, I could see that she was not adept to the art of stealth. After about five minutes of following our groups prints, my helmet light illuminated a set of hoof-prints that led away from the main group. Those just had to belong to Golden Sunshine. Was I about to find out what our friend was doing each and every night?

Trotting up the small hill the hoof-prints led up, I couldn't believe my eye. My “friend” was there alright, but she was surrounded by about twenty of her own kind, bowing her head to one of them. It was a purple one, that looked down kindly at her white sister. Trying to withdraw silently, I suddenly bumped into something... something soft...

Looking over my shoulder, I saw a green Alicorn looking down at me with a stern expression on her face. My weapons crackled to life, even though I had no illusions about being able to take out all of them by myself. On the other hoof, my fight with them might at least cause enough of a ruckus to warn Frostmane.

“Stop!!”, came Golden Sunshines voice from behind me, and I whirled around again, looking the white mare in the eye.

“We trusted you Golden! You swore to us that you didn't have contact with them anymore! So why? Tell me that at least. Why?”, I snarled, flaring out my wings to be able to lift off at a moments notice.

“It's not as you might think Firestorm... I didn't betray you guys... Please, you have to believe me...”, she pleaded with me, taking a step towards me. A small crater appearing in front of her hoof stopped her in her tracks as one of my rifles discharged.

“Not.One.Step.Closer.”, I growled under my breath, my eye darting from the white mare I thought I knew, to the other Alicorns that were closing their circle around me now. There really wasn't a way out of here without a fight.

“Maybe I can clarify...”, said the purple one, stepping up to her white sister.

“And what, mind you, could you possibly say to make this right?”

“You can either let me explain this situation to you, and walk away unharmed, or you can fight us right now, and nopony will ever fight your corpse.”, she replied simply, motioning towards the other Alicorns, that stepped away a little. I ran a few scenarios through my head, but each one of them ended with me, bleeding on the ground... My rifles stayed trained on the two mares in front of me, but I nodded toward the purple one to indicate that I was willing to listen... for now.

“Our sister Golden Sunshine is a third generation Alicorn. We belong to the tenth generation. She was given two simple orders. Golden Sunshine was to protect the Unicorn known as Frostmane, and obey her. We are quite aware of your problems with a group known as “The Order of Machina”. Our dear mother feared that Golden Sunshine was not enough protection for your group, and sent us to ensure your safety. In fact, our sister has, as she has several times before now, tried to convince us to leave. According to her, you do not need our help. Seeing how outnumbered you are just now however, I have to disagree...”, the mare explained, and I exchanged a look with Golden Sunshine. Her eyes were pleading with me to believe what I had just heard. Having seen how the mare acted around us, I was inclined to do so, but there would still be harsh words later on. Always given, that I made it out of there alive, that was...

“I have to agree with Golden. We don't need your help. Yes, you might have ME cornered right here, but believe me when I say, that you would be hard pressed if Frostmane was here. She might not be able to kill all of you at once, but it would still be a hell of a fight. So, Miss ultimatum, now I'll give you one. Either you let Golden Sunshine and me go, or I'll show you just what my new armor is capable of.”, I snarled, extending the Hoof-Claws on the end of my armors leg supports.

OooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

We were trotting back towards the department store, leaving the group of Alicorns behind. Ever since we had left the group, Golden Sunshine hadn't said a single word, just trotting next to me and hanging her head. Finally, when the store was already in sight, I stopped, sighing. Before I could say something however, Golden broke the silence between us.

“I'm sorry. I really am. The only way they were able to find us at all, is me. The Goddess can find me, wherever I go. If you'd rather have me leave, I'd understand...”, she said, not meeting my eye. I sighed once more, opening my helmet.

“Did you know that Frosty had Gingerbread add you to her relatives list as her sister? That mare trusts you Golden, and what you did tonight would have broken her heart. She's been violated by her father when she was young, and betrayed by her commanding officer when she was older. Both events left her almost broken, and both have physically changed her. Her father damaged her enough, so she will never be able to have a foal of her own. The betrayal of her CO almost killed her, and she had to endure two full days and one night, being tortured by being cut to pieces. Only an experimental procedure, that was used on her without her consent, saved her life in the end.”, I said calmly, turning my gaze upwards. Silence reigned between us for a long moment, before Golden dared to speak again.

“Why.. why are you telling me this?”, she asked.

“Because, if you ever pull something like tonight again, I will end you. I love her, Golden, and if you ever hurt her, you will regret the day you were created. Do I make myself clear?”

Golden Sunshines eyes widened for a moment, before she nodded to indicate her understanding.

“And... why is your mother willing to go to such ends to keep us safe? It's time for you to finally come clean with us Golden Sunshine.”, I added, and the Alicorn looked away, obviously not knowing if she should share that information with me. In the end however, she gave in.

“In a sense, I really am Frostmanes sister, for the Pony who made me, is her biological mother. She has the wish to see her daughter again, and that is why, at the moment, Alicorns are fighting the Order of Machina all over the wasteland. Our numbers are dwindling, but the Goddess wants to protect Frostmane at any cost. I think she would even sacrifice Unity itself, if it meant keeping her safe...”, Golden Sunshine explained, much to my astonishment.

“You... She... Her mother created you? How? I mean... You told us how but...”, I stammered, trying to wrap my head around this information. I didn't know much about Frostmanes mother, only that she had left her family, to make her dream come true.

“Our mother will explain it to you when you meet her.”, the Alicorn replied simply, ending the conversation for the moment.

We walked back to our hiding spot in utter silence, and I sent Golden inside to rest. I would keep a watch over our little group for the rest of the night. There was a lot to think about after all...

Footnotes:

Frostmane

Maximum Level

Firestorm:

Maximum Level

Golden Sunshine:

New Trait:

Family: Feeling the connection with Frostmane grants you unique dialogue options her.

Homage:

No status changes