War. War never changes.
When Magical fire consumed Equestria, those who survived did so in great, underground Stables. When they opened, their inhabitants set out across the wastes of the old world to build new societies, establish villages, and form trade outposts.
As decades passed, what had been the Equestrian southern peninsula united beneath the flag of the New Celestial Republic, dedicated to honor the successful reign of Princess Celestia, and prepare for her return. As the Republic grew, so did its needs. Scouts spread from Dodge Junction, seeking territory and wealth, in the dry and merciless expanse of the San Palomino Desert. They returned with tales of a city seemingly untouched by the Balefire Bombs, Rune Scars*, and Megaspells that had scorched the rest of the world, and a great wall spanning the mouth of the Big Apple River.
The NCR mobilized its army and sent it east to occupy the Big Apple Dam, and restore it to working condition. But across the Big Apple, another society had risen. An army of corrupted slaves, led by an insane crystal pony, and driven by the icy hatred spawned from the Windigoes, the Crystalline Legion.
Five years have passed since the Republic has held onto the dam against the Legion's onslaught, but only just. The Legion did not retreat. It did not falter. Across the river, the Legion gathers strength. Campfires burn, and training drums beat.
Through it all, the New Cloud Strip has remained open for business under the control of it's mysterious overlord, Dr. Wing, and his army of rehabilitated tribals and police automatons.
I am a courier, hired by the Cloud Courier service to deliver a package to the New Cloud Strip. What would have been a simple delivery job has taken a turn. . . for the worse.
Chapter 1: Getting away with murder
"You got what you were after, so pay up." A voice said. My head swam, and i lolled my head around a little bit.
"You're cryin' in the rain, pally" a smooth voice replied.
I open my eyes and look around. 'Dammit, my hooves are tied.' I think. I struggle with my bindings for a second before looking up to my captors.
Two of them are wearing what I assume to be Palomino* armor. The third is dressed in a striped suit, probably from before the war.
"Guess who's wakin' up over here" the last stallion says.
The stallion in the suit takes a puff from his cigarette and drops it on the ground, snuffing it out as well. he's the only one that seems at ease.
"Time to cash out" the suited stallion says.
"Would you get it over with?" the first stallion says, a little nervous-looking.
"Maybe Palominos kill people without looking them in the face, but I ain't a fink, dig?" the suited stallion says.
The stallion reaches into his chest pocket and pulls out . . . my contract! The platinum chip! I was so focused on the chip that i barely heard what the bastard said to me next.
"You've made your last delivery kid." He puts the chip back into his pocket and pulls out a custom, engraved 9mm pistol, all silver except for the hoofgrip, which has an image of Celestia on it. "Sorry you got twisted up in this scene. . . From where you're sitting, it must seem like an 18-carat run of bad luck."
He effortlessly aims the pistol at my head.
"Truth is. . . the game was rigged from the start." He pulls the trigger, and I only recall darkness.