Fallout: Equestria - Champions of the Wastes

You’ve pretty eyes, yes you do… Flesh and blood I want it too!

A caravan rolled across rocky hills, slowly making its way across the dangerous wastes. It was six wagons total, each being pulled by earth pony bucks with the exceptions of the armored wagon in the rear which was pulled by a pair of brahmin. Said brahmin were arguing amongst themselves as usual, much to everyone else’s chagrin.

“…not dumb, quit callin’ me that!” Said one head of the left brahmin to the other.

“You are too dumb ya idjit! Ya ain’t got no sophistication.” Retorted the other head with a smug grin.

“Sophi- what? Quit makin’ up words!”

“Ha see? Yer even dumber than ya look, an’ ya look like a rock!”

“We’re twins ya dingbat.” The left head deadpanned.

“Oh yeah? Then how comes momma always told me I was better lookin’ n’ you?”

…

“Yer makin’ that up.” Both heads turned to look at the silent brahmin beside them. “Oi! Lyle, Isle, which one of us ‘s better lookin’?”

“Shut up.” They replied in unison as they often did. The caravan rolled on in silence for several moments before a quiet filly spoke up.

“Well I think you’re both handsome.” She jumped from the armored wagon and sat on their back. The remark got a blush from one head, and a sheepish grin from the other.

“Wow Clockwork, you really mean it?”

“Sure do! In fact, I think you two may be the most handsome brahmin I’ve ever met.”

“Well gosh…” They continued on the trail, holding their heads a little higher than before.

I’ll wear your body, like a suit! So watch out now I’m on the loose…

The caravan slowly rolled through a rocky valley, the eerie silence hung in the air like an unwelcome guest. “Alright everypony keep your eyes open we’re n’ raider territory now.” An older buck said as he rode on the front wagon. He pulled out a coach gun and checked the breach to ensure it was loaded. He was about to pull out a rusty pair of binoculars when the ground beneath them started to shake.

“Hey pa what’s that?” Said the young buck pulling the wagon, his coat a mottled white and green.

Soon the tremor intensified, and a loud rumble was all that was heard before the lead wagon was obscured from view by a massive cloud of dust. The rest of the caravan stopped and all drew their weapons, watching the dust cloud hoping to see their fearless leader unscathed. Eventually the dust did clear, but what they saw was nothing short of horrifying. Dozens of large spikes stood jutting out of the ground, the destroyed wagon and both ponies lifted from the ground and brutally impaled.

The caravan ruptured into chaos immediately, the closer ponies trying to help those of the first wagon while others tried to form a defense against an unknown enemy. The ground tremored rhythmically as something huge approached, but all they could see were rocks and the mountain walls surrounding them. They formed a loose circle with the wagons, the armored wagon in the middle. From it several ponies were distributing varying heavy weapons while a griffon stood on the roof trying to spot any trouble.

There’s no hope for little ponies, Dunwich’s Horror’s got nothing on me!

The ground trembled below the armored wagon, and everyone panicked to get away. “Clockwork! Run!” Said one of the brahmin as he bucked the filly off and as far away from the wagon as he could. The griffon took to the air and not a moment too soon, the armored wagon erupted into another cloud of dust. The rhythmic stomping continued as the monster drew closer, still out of sight from the ponies defending their precious cargo.

The dust in the camp cleared to reveal the wagon was completely destroyed beyond use and the left brahmin violently impaled by multiple sharp spikes. The right brahmin wore a deep frown on both faces before it tried to start breaking off its harness. Finally the sounds of the creature’s monstrous steps ceased, and it sounded like it was right on top of them! One of the caravaners looked at his hooves only to see his shadow expanding rapidly, and that was the only warning before the massive beast landed in the middle of the camp.

It let out a massive scream and sent one of the wagons rolling across the canyon, three ponies with it. One of the closer ponies dared to shoot at it with his rusty shotgun, to which the monster didn’t take very kindly. It picked the pony up with one of its claw like arms and threw the poor mare into its mouth, devouring her whole. The ponies looked on in horror as the monster visibly grew in size. The surrounding ponies looked on in horror as the creature did the unthinkable: it spoke in a terrible, deep voice that commanded the attention of all that heard it

“Hehe, death is not the end for you… I’ve seen to it. For eternity? You. Are. Mine!” Two of the ponies raised their weapons to fire, but before they could the monster swung an arm at them. Clockwork watched in horror as massive spikes shot from his arm and left both ponies a tangled, bloody mess. She ran to a large rock and curled up under it, watching with tears as more and more ponies fell to the abomination.

Antediluvian tales of woe, trail behind wherever I go!

Another pony managed to get behind the creature, firing a missile straight into its back. But it barely seemed bothered, and with a flick of its tail it sent the pony flying into the rock wall. He didn’t get back up. The griffon flew strafing runs across the canyon, peppering the monster with rounds from his large rifle. But still it barely seemed to care as it let out another deafening scream, throwing the griffon into the opposite rock wall with a sickening crunch before he fell to the ground. Instead of walking across the valley to finish him off, it just stomped the ground at its feet and moments later more spikes erupted from the ground under the griffon ensuring his death.

The monster turned to the brahmin till struggling to get free from the wagon, and it approached with what could have been mistaken for a sick smile. Using its claw like arms it lifted the brahmin and wagon both, and though it struggled as hard as it could its fate was as sure as ever. It took the monster a mere three bites to consume the large brahmin. The caravan ponies had all been killed or run away at this point. All except Clockwork, the little filly who watched in silent terror from under a rock.

Give up now on your beliefs, your frail soul’s beyond reprieve!

She did not go unnoticed however, and soon the monster turned its attention to her with another “smile”. “Come child, I promise your death won’t hurt. What happens after your death, well that’s a different matter.” It laughed as it slowly approached, the filly too scared to move from her makeshift shelter. When it reached her it simply threw the boulder aside like it was a child’s plaything, picking her up and looking her in the eyes.

All she could see was hatred, nothing but the desire to cause pain and suffering for the fun of it. There was nothing but evil in this monster, and it wasn’t going to stop until the whole world burned. She closed her eyes and cried as she felt it’s arm start to pull her closer to its mouth. Closer to that unquenchable pit of hatred and death.

“Raaah!”

Suddenly she felt herself being carried by something a lot gentler than the monster’s claws. Opening her eyes, she was looking over the shoulder of a strange creature at the monster, a spear with a flag sticking out of its shoulder. Suddenly another strange creature jumped to the monster with a massive spear, stabbing it and pulling the flag out simultaneously before jumping away. Each of the wounds bled horrible black blood, the first signs of injury the monster showed.

Hear now well my proclamation, this is your life’s destination.

Finally she was set down a large distance away on a flat rock, and she got her first look at her saviors. They all walked on two legs like she’d seen hellhounds do, but these didn’t seem like they could ever walk on four legs. They all wore different armors, but all were exceptionally well made and decorated. The one that carried her wore massive blue armor and carried a sword as big as a pony. The one fighting the monster was wearing extravagant gold armor with a crown, he swung his spear fluidly as if it was an extension of his own body.

Another was kneeling on the rock next to her with calm, aged eyes. He wore much lighter and simpler armor than the other two, and his weapon was also some kind of spear. He looked at her with a gentle smile as he pet her mane. “Do not worry young one, we will put an end to that one’s horrible desires no matter the cost.” With that they all turned to look at the ensuing battle between the monster and the golden warrior.

“Cho’ Gath! Terror of the Void and destroyer of nations! Your time has come.” Jarvan IV said with a little more confidence than he felt as he watched the massive beast laugh and eye its surroundings.

“Heh, come princess Jarvan. I’ve been wondering what Demacian royalty tasted like. I do love the taste of your subjects, after all.” Jarvan let out another battle cry before he rushed to fight the monster, the battle quickly turning in the monster’s favor due to his massive size and strength advantage.

Surrender now, be eaten first. At least you’ll be spared from the worst!

Jarvan was thrown across the canyon, a flurry of spikes following after him. His armor and skill with the lance were able to block the spikes, but being brutally thrown around was taking its toll on the weathered soldier. He wanted to take a moment to catch his breath but a tremor beneath him forced him to move before more spikes erupted from the ground. He rolled to the right and narrowly dodged them, but he had to brace his spear in the ground to keep from being blown back by the scream Cho’ Gath let out.

Panting and quickly running out of breath, Jarvan was not liking where this fight was going. Even the filly could tell this was an unfair fight. “Why aren’t you helping him? He can’t fight that thing by himself!”

Again the calmest one of the three turned to face her as he stood up. “Because it is not our fight. Our prince suffered a terrible defeat, and ever since he has felt as though he has been shamed. And so he has sought out the strongest of opponents, the most dreaded monsters of the imagination to defeat in order to regain his lost honor. Of course should things get out of hand we will intervene, but not a moment sooner.”

Cho’ Gath laughed as he sent more and more spikes at Jarvan, forcing him to dodge and play mouse the whole fight. “Tell me Jarvan, what does it feel like to be helpless? To be a failure? To know you can’t save yourself, much less your own people? It must be infuriating,” he taunted as he turned to the small group watching from the rock. “That you can’t even save one.”

Terror’s my preferred vocation, your life’s slip brings me elation.

Clockwork felt the ground shake beneath her hooves, but there was nothing she could do. She was going to die here, and there was no way she could move fast enough to get away. She felt the cold armor of the soldier pick her up. She felt the wind whipping through her mane as he carried her faster than she’d ever run before. She heard the awful noise of the spikes ripping from the ground. And then she saw them… behind her! They made it!

But what about the soldier in the blue armor? She never even saw him move! As the dust cleared, so did the sickly smile on Cho’ Gath’s face. There the warrior stood surrounded by spikes, many of which grazed his armor and leaving deep scratches. And yet he seemed unfazed by the incident, still staring at the monster with a resolve unlike any other.

Whoever they are, I’m really glad they’re the good guys! Clockwork thought as she was set back down on another tall rock.

Jarvan let out a sound, quiet at first but rapidly building. It took Clockwork a moment to recognize the sound, but it was laughter. A heartfelt, truly mirthful laughter. Cho’ Gath looked at him with confusion at first, but it quickly turned to annoyance when the other soldiers joined in.

“And what is so funny about your impending death?”

Jarvan looked at him with a wide smile and a strong gaze. “You speak as if you know me or my people. But you see Cho’ Gath, you made a mistake when judging me. You made the mistake of assuming that my people need my protection. I’m not fighting you to protect them, and certainly not to protect myself. I’m going to kill you simply because you need to die!”

The old great race did fear my tread, so close your eyes you’ll soon be dead!

“FOR DEMACIA!” Jarvan leaped at the monstrosity with incredible speed, the brutal impact causing a small earthquake that made the surrounding ground to splinter up around them. The makeshift arena was filled with dusty air making it almost impossible to see, but Jarvan was practiced at this. Born with the skill needed to guide his lance straight and true. Each thrust hit its intended target, Cho’ Gath was soon bleeding profusely from countless wounds as he swung wildly around him.

“Enough!” He shouted as he let out another scream, clearing the dusty air and sending part of the ‘arena’ flying across the canyon. He also stomped the ground and dozens of spikes ruptured through the rocky soil around him, causing the filly to worry.

“Where is he? He’s okay right?” She looked at the tall soldier beside her, but he only returned her look with a knowing smile.

Cho’ Gath looked all around him, trying to spot the prince. But the one place he forgot to look… The one place the calm soldier directed Clockwork’s attention to… The one place the Terror of the Void finally remembered where he attacked from… was up. With a final cry Jarvan fell from the sky and stabbed his spear into Cho’ Gath’s skull, the monster giving a few reactionary thrashes and screams before it fell limp beneath him to the battle-torn ground.

He pulled his spear from the corpse panting and covered in wounds, but he won and that was good enough for him. The blue armored soldier walked over and cut one of the massive teeth from the Terror, putting it in a brown bag and slinging it over his shoulder for a trophy. After a few laughs they all returned to the rock the filly was laying on. She looked out over the remains of the caravan, the only ones that cared for her when her parents died. She was about to curl up into a ball and cry before the smiling soldier gently picked her up and sat her on top of his shoulders.

“We need to help them my lord. I know not how any of us got here, but it is our duty as Demacians to protect the innocent from injustice like this. And if the Terror of the Void is here, we have every reason to believe others are here as well.”

Jarvan stood still for a moment, thinking those words over. Eventually he smiled as he looked up at the filly. “A chance to destroy the evil within the League without those meddlesome summoners getting in the way? I’d never pass up on a chance like this.”