Fallout Equestria: Crystal Heart

Fallout Equestria: Crystal Heart

Chapter 2: Divide

" "That shy filly was livin' her dream in the shadows because she couldn't bring herself to come into the spotlight?"

"Eeyup."

Splendid Valley Canyon

Stable 87

4/08 of Winter, 143ALB  (After LightBringer)

Sparkwave continued his work while his sister slept. Though neither of them had talked about it for awhile. The pain of leaving their family to an uncertain fate was as fresh on their minds as it was 18 months ago.  I drifted off into thoughts of home, thoughts of family. Comforting, warm thoughts...

Camp Redstone had been a temporary settlement constructed during the first occupation of the Equestrian surface nearly 144 years ago.  At first it was used as a staging area to send more troops into battle. However Redstone was cut off from high command after The Lightbringer's embarrassing victory over the Enclave. The pegasi that were stranded there had to learn to adapt to a life of independence on the ground. Soon the temporary camp had become a permanent settlement, and in time the home I knew.

I realized what really did-in the enclave wasn't their defeat to the lightbringer, It was the destruction of the absolute order that whole generations had never been without. SparkWave's ancestors were lucky in that regard. They had adapted rather quickly and used their technology for progress rather then conflict. It didn't stop their leaders from trying. But for the most part life in Redstone was peaceful.

We had a family house in the middle of town. Two windows in the upper story with blast shields that could be closed at a moments notice. A gas oven that mom used to make fresh bread, and dad used to light his cigars. Crimson helped mom cook sometimes, it was one of the rare moments that they shared together. Most of the time Crimson was out in town with her own friends or patrolling the borders with the jarheads. I had many warm comfortable memories in that house. All of them seamed bittersweet  at the moment.

A sharp noise woke me from my thoughts. A long scraping sound, as if some giant  brute was dragging a  metal rod against concrete. I looked around to try and identify its source. After a few moments the sound stoped, and I was still none-the-wiser as to what it was. I striated the oversized glasses and tried once again to locate the source. Puzzled I opened the door to the hallway and took a peek outside. Nothing was there, just the dim light of the emergency power, and the low hum of the life support systems.

I turned back inside to my work. Maybe this Stable was starting to play tricks on me? I certainly felt a little more aware of what was happening around me now. A few keystrokes later and I had reactivated the command program for the food replicator. Perfect. Now crimson could rest easy. This place was a real commodity with its systems restored. The NCR had already striped any stable in their territory, and a few beyond. Intact stables were about as rare as living dragons, it was a miracle this place wasn't discovered sooner. But then again, who would come out to these forgotten badlands?

The way things were looking, I bet we could stay down here forever. Do I really want to do that? Life had not given med many choices or cared what I wanted most of the time. Being born an Earth Pony hadn't afforded me any favors. But staying down here was different, it was the logical decision. I couldn't turn to The Republic for help. The moment I said Enclave, or Stable I was likely to be interrogated and hung. I have to wonder though...if the only reason we are staying down here is because its safe and logical, then in a way I'm still not making my own decisions.

A question formed in my mind. A simple question.

'What do you want?'

I heard another sound. This time it was the proximity alarm near the front of the Stable. I checked to make sure this wasnt a mistake. These old systems could be set off by a crow pecking at the front door. I pulled up the video feed and nearly droped my tools. I slamed a shaking hoof on the stable intercom.

“Crimson! Alert! I need you up in the overseers office right now!” SparkWave shouted.

                                                                                                                   ***

"Vindicator Wing" I gawked.

“How do we know this is not a trap? A lure to nab us and force us to march north again?” Crimson asked.

Vindicator shook his head. For a moment his icy gaze softened.

“Your mother is alive. At least for the moment.”  Vindicator Wing said.  “There is so much we still don't know about the world. We went into the north blind. There were many deaths because of our ignorance. But I know better now. We can save all of them."

“The last time we talked dear uncle. You were forcing my brother and I to walk in chest-high snow at gunpoint!” Crimson shouted. "You expect us to believe anything you tell us? Did you expect us to just open the door and roll out the red carpet?"

“The guns were never for you! Crimson please listen to me, I tracked you across half the continent because I need your help. I've found more of our kin hiding in Haysead and they want to help. There are even whispers that HighCommand has a base in The north. We can reinforce our position, maybe move the civilians into the Crystal Mountains. How can you say no to that?"

“Hmm tempting offer, but you're forgetting I have a  working fucking Stable.” Crimson scoffed. She bit her lip. Containing the anger she felt inside for a moment with the soothing feeling of pain. “Not this time uncle. The Enclave is dead.”

He cringed a little at that.

“There are survivors. Many survivors.”

“Where are they then?”  I spoke up.

“Huddled down in some old prewar buildings. SkySentry and I discovered a town that appears to have been a training ground before the war.”

It could easily be a lie. But it was a lie I wanted to believe very badly. Life had not been easy for us. No home or family, no hope of going to the NCR either. If word got out that they were Enclave remnant, it was more than likely they would end up dead or conscripted into the army. Given those alternatives, I preferred to stay in the stable. Unless he was telling the truth...

“Crimson. You know I’m not lying. I wouldn't have come this far to spit into a camera if I didn't think it was important. We’re a family. And I need you and your brother.

“You broke up that family when you followed the Council's orders to relocate the entire remnant.” Crimson said through clenched teeth.

“I was just following orders.I tried to argue with the elders that a journey to the north would deplete our remaining resources. And possibly kill half the remnant. They agreed those were acceptable loses in the grand scheme of things.” Vindicator sighed and replaced his helmet. The armor began broadcasting his voice again. “I didn't come here to argue about the past. The Remnant is close to finding The Crystal Empire. And we need all the help we can get right now. The Republic is occupying the north, if they find it before we do... The Enclave will be dead."

"You shouldn't put all your hope on one outcome. Odds are against your plan. You could pull the survivors back. We could take them in the stable and forget about The Empire." I offered. "You could still be a hero to our people Vindicator. You just have to let go of this silly dream."

Vindicator paused for a few tense moments. "No. There is only one future for our people. We are the heirs of Equestria. I will not hide in some hole and ignore my duty."

Vindicator turned away and set off towards the mouth of the cave.

"If you change your minds. Either of you. We will be leaving from New Canterlot in two days. Look for us inside The Prancing Pony."

And just like that. There uncle had disappeared from their lives once more.

                                                                                                           ***

"Can you believe that asshole? Crimson said.

"Do you believe what he said about mom was true?"

"I dont know... Maybe" Crimson frowned. "Even if she is still alive, he is just using that as bait to do what he wants."

"Does it matter?" I asked.

"Does it... Does it matter? Of coarse it does. He is a master manipulator, even before all this shit. Besides, I thought we both understood in agreement that The Enclave is fucking evil and we shouldnt support it anymore."

"I'm not saying I support his vision for The Enclave Sister. If our family and friends are still alive out there we owe it to some of them to try and bring them back."

"Are you crazy? How would we even do that? Most of them stayed when they had a chance to leave, even mom."

"Mom didn't want to stay."

"Oh yeah, then why isn't she here!?" I noticed the steady trickle of tears running down my sister's face now. I was slightly taken back by my tough as nails sister getting so emotional, but I understood why. I felt like crying myself, but I just couldn't. Instead I took her in a hug that she accepted much more easily then the last one I had given her.

"Fuck, I'm sorry little brother. I just thought we put this all behind us."

"Shhh I know. I know." It was never finished. They could hide in stables and run from it all they liked. But the ugly truth was that they were a part of something bigger then themselves . Whatever I choose to do know would blacken my soul, no matter what choice I made.

                                                                                                             ***

Crimson Ember awoke the morning after Vindicator's surprise visit and dressed herself for another supply run. Cameras didnt show any rad storms, but I wore the protective gear just in case. SparkWave was acting strange, he had not gone to sleep since yesterday and only communicated with her over the comm to let her know he was busy. I chalked it up to one of his strange moods that he seemed to get in when he was thinking a lot. Maybe he would tell me what was bothering him. But I didn't need to be physic to realize what it was.

Vindicator had forced both of them to confront the possibility that the remnant was alive somewhere. I couldn't help but wish we could do something. But what was there to do? Travel hundreds of miles from New Canterlot to the north while fighting blizzards and exhaustion? Only to bring the survivors back the way they came and risk being captured once they reached NCR territory. Not a solid plan. Maybe SparkWave's plan could work. I was the one who mentioned letting more ponies into the Stable. Perhaps they could create a new home here. Silly childish thoughts. They barley survived the journey to the north the first time, and we hadn't even reached the Crystal Mountains before sparky and I jumped ship.

It was a beautiful day for once. Not a cloud in the sky, the sun was a pleasant heat. If I believed in Celestia I would have thanked her, instead I just enjoyed the warm the new day had brought. Vindicator Wing had mentioned finding more Remnant members in Haysead. I wanted to scout the area near the Forrest to make sure they had really left. With a powerful stroke of my wings I took off, gaining altitude with each successive flap. I watched the basin that held our new home grow tiny and far away as I flew east.

The Forrest came into sight a short half hour or so later.  I dived and flew just over the treeline scanning for any signs of black power armor. Of coarse I found none. The Forrest was a mess of ingrown trees and balefire swamps. The smell was incredible. luckily my air was filtered or I might have gagged. I found not sign of Vindicator wing or his followers. No surprise there. If there were any Enclave left in this region, they would not make themselves easy to find.

I perched on the tallest branch of the tallest tree I could find. The smell was stronger closer to the ground. And I could see the ambient green shine of the balfire swamps. I had heard about the Gardens of Equestria, but I had never seen its work. Most of the old folks had said that The Gardens were not all they were cracked up to be. While they did remove most most of the ambient radiation and taint in Equestria. It was near impossible to purge completely. As evidenced by the violent radiation storms that plagued this valley.

It was hard not to reflect on the past. To be Nostalgic was like a drug, and like a drug it was easy to become addicted to. I had said no to the past when I turned my back on the Enclave. And I knew many of my kin felt the same way. But they were afraid. And fear was the Enclaves most powerful weapon, and in its dying breaths it would tighten the hold it had over her family until they were victorious or all dead. I didn't know if they would ever find The Crystal Empire. For some reasons I hope they did, and for others, I hoped it was never found.

I sighed and removed the locket I always wore around my neck. An artifact from a lost time now. Inside a picture of her family. Mom, Dad, Sparky, even her older brother had showed up for it to be taken. I felt that uncomfortable weight pressing on me again. That tide of emotions that threatened to boil over swallow me whole. I sighed and closed the locket.

New Apploosa was still a few hours flight away. I wanted to get there before it got dark. Trade for whatever wonky part Sparky needs for the Stable and get back inside. Ha, I never thought I would be so eager to trade open skys for cramped hallways. Then I realized it wasn't the hallways I wanted to return to. It was my brother. The last family I had that hadn't been taken away. We would build a new life here. We could stay off the NCR's radar and start letting more ponies into the stable. It wouldn't be like before. But it would be something new, something real, something worth living for. I took off from my perch. The wind lifting beneath my wings, taking me higher and higher into the air. The past was set, but our future didn't have to be. It was in our own hooves, and nopony else's.

                                                                                                             ***

I arrived back at the Stable a few hours later then expected. It was ladies night at the bar in town and I couldn't resist. My spirits were much raised after the forth shot. Earth pony stallions had such tight butts. I would have loved to bring one of them home, but giving away the location of your super secret stable to strippers wasn't a good idea. Even drunk she knew that.

The memorial in the center of town had given her pause. A ghoulish pegasus was depicted blasting enclave troops from the sky. Under it text read

' This statue is for all those who gave their lives in defense of this town during the Enclave invasion. May they rest in peace, and their sacrifices help shape our future.'

I had wondered what had happened to that ghoul and asked around. Most of the townsfolk said she eventually went feral and was discreetly put out of her misery. A unicorn mare named Golden Belle offered a different opinion. She told Me that Ditzy's  soul continued to deliver supplies where they were needed most. I hoped wherever that ghoul was, she was happy. To see your world burn twice... The thought was unimaginable. I felt a little better in the knowledge that I would never experience that.

So with a belly swishing with rum and a sack of loot from the extensive list Sparkwave compiled for me, I returned home. I keyed the com and waited. Nopony answered. I keyed it again.

"Sparks, you in the shitter? Open the door its getting cold out here."

Once again there was no reply. But the stable door pulled back in its normal dramatic and very loud way. I clenched my teeth at that sound again. Fuck we really had to lube up that door, or something. I'd put that at the bottom of our list. I entered and made my way to the Overseers office looking for sparkwave. This time it seemed her brother had managed to restore full power to the lights and other systems. I could hear plumping in the walls and the flow of air through the ducts. It was a proper stable now.

I didn't find Sparkwave in the Overseers office. Only his terminal. It was flashing on and off again, with a holotape sticking out of its port. I moved until I was standing over the terminal and gave the holotape a firm push. The terminal beeped and flashed off. Then an image was displayed on its screen. The image of her brother, and his voice playing over the speakers.

"I know when you get this you will understand why I have left. Crimson I need to know that mom is alive. Everyday since we left I've thought about her. I know how good we have it here, and that is why I need you to stay. Hold the fort until I come back. That is all I ask. Hopefully when I come back I wont be alone, and we can finally turn this dusty old stable into a thriving settlement; free from Enclave or NCR or any faction. Please don't come after me. I know it will be hard by yourself, but lets be honest, you were always the strong one. I was only dragging you down. Even I don't come back, I want you to know I'm at peace with that. Vindicator and his men may be misguided, but they are not the evil enclave we've read about in stories. They want the same thing we want, they want a future for their family. I think given time I can convince The Elders that this quest is wasteful, and we can all come back home."

Crimson felt the tears begin to flow, but she barley processed it. The weight on her heart had returned stronger then ever as the message continued.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry you had to find out like this. I wanted to tell you, even ask you to come with me. But I was afraid you would ask me to stay. If you did, I would have. So I couldn't let you know. I need to do this. I need to know what happened and I need to try and fix this." Sparkwave dipped his head slightly so I couldn't see his eyes. "We did pretty good you and I. But this is bigger then our lives. Bye the time you reach this I'll be headed to New Canterlot to meet with Vindicator's men.  Dont try and leave the Stable. I had it programmed to open once then close for a few days. You'll be stuck there until then, and I'll be long gone."

"You bastard." Crimson whispered. "You devious prick."

"The food replicator and water is working, so you will be without want. I know it doesn't make up for what I've done. But I know you will be okay. I love you sister, take care while im gone." Sparkwave's image faded from the screen and with it Crimson let out the scream she had been withholding. It was a scream of pure sorrow and rage. One that carried down the hallways of the stable and filled the entire tomb. Crimson didn't know how long she had been screaming and crying, or how she ended up on the floor. She just remembered the scream that came after hers and the horrible scraping. The Echo, that was not an echo. The scream that sounded like an animal howling in agony. The scream that came from the bowls of the Stable.