“I assume this is about something important? You're interrupting my research.”

“Sanctuary?! That’s where they’re hiding?!”

In my shock at the revelation, it took me a good few seconds to notice that everybody was staring at me in surprise, and realized that I should have probably not exclaimed the way I had.

Ough, Jackie doesn’t look happy, Pinkie’s apparition commented, pointing at the frowning griffin. I swear I could see a vein pulsing on the side of his head.

I could only imagine how the information that I apparently knew, where the tribe he couldn’t find was hiding, upset him. And I suppose that the fact that I revealed it so blatantly, before Black Widow and all those slavers, only added to his displeasure with me. Already I started to imagine what harsh, scolding words he’d have ready for me when next we would talk.

Still, I would take the burning anger in Jack’s gaze over the cold in Black Widow’s.

Although initially she turned to look at me with eyebrows raised in surprise like everybody, she had quickly recovered. She was staring at me with cold, studious intensity. It was clear that she was trying to work out what exactly I knew, how and why I hadn’t spoken about it before when everypony was on alert regarding the tribe for weeks now.

It unnerved me a little how calm she was while doing so.

This might not turn out too well, I commented, worried. Hopefully she’ll give me a chance to explain that I hadn’t concealed anything on purpose-

“Ya knew where they were hidin’ all this time?!”

I turned my head, surprised to notice that Apple Core had joined us. “Good morning sweetie,” I greeted her automatically.

My reply had seemed to annoy her even more. “Don’t ya change the subject,” she said with a scowl. Jabbing my chest with her hoof, she added “Why didn’tchya say anythin’?”

Gently pushing her leg away, I opened my mouth, already having prepared the beginning of an elaborate explanation, when then a voice spoke up, “Of course she knows about the Sanctuary.”

Upset at being cut off, I looked at Deliverance. The mysterious red zebra was the only one who hadn’t seemed shaken by my earlier exclamation. Rather, he had appeared as if mildly amused by it.

“Judging by the PipBuck on her leg I’m guessing she must have come from the Stable near it,” Deliverance continued, nodding at my leg. “I suspected that such a place had to have one nearby, though I’ll admit I hadn’t expected to run into a pony from it.”

Oooh, he’s good! Pinkie exclaimed.

Ignoring her, I offered the strange zebra a smile. “Why yes, sweetie, I am a descendant of ponies who were staying at Sanctuary before the Last Day. Though I must reiterate my puzzlement at your proclamation, that the tribe that has been eluding this fine community is currently occupying that place. You see, after leaving my Stable-”

“Fuckin’ Goddesses, ya really love the sound of yar voice,” Apple Core interrupted me, her face a perfect deadpan.

“Well, she does have a charming voice,” Deliverance spoke up before I could respond.

Turning to him, I opened my mouth, only to have a hoof pressed against it in a rather rude manner. “Shush,” Apple Core told me sternly, then turned her frown on Deliverance. “Don’t encourage her, ya weird... red zebra… person,” she said, after a brief hesitation; since she hadn’t joined us until after Black Widow specifically - thanks to me - addressed him as ‘mister’, I assumed she wasn’t certain of his gender. “She can go on and on before gettin’ t’ the point as it is.”

“I believe she was just about to do that when you interrupted her,” Deliverance pointed out, a little smirk adoring his muzzle. “‘Get to the point’, that is.”

Apple Core’s frown deepened. Taking her hoof off my muzzle, she opened hers…

“Well.”

… and then immediately shut it as Black Widow spoke up.

“As interesting - and amusing - as this exchange has been, I think we would better take it somewhere private,” the leader of slavers continued as that single ‘well’ had assured her undivided attention from everybody. Despite her words, she didn’t appear amused at all. “You are starting to make a scene, and those ponies do need to work for a living,” she added, nodding at the guards beside Deliverance, as well as a few other slavers who had come to check what the commotion was in the meantime. “Why don’t we move this somewhere private, where we can discuss the matter of this ‘Sanctuary’ place in peace?”

Deliverance nodded in agreement. “That’s all I came here for.”

“Wasn’t asking,” Black Widow told him plainly, her voice neutral, as if declaring something obvious. “Apple Core, Jack, Doctor, I’d like you to come too,” she added, her eyes briefly washing all over us as she turned around and began to head for her house, with Khan immediately starting to follow her. Black Widow paused and looked at her silent slave. “Oh, do make sure our guest finds his way,” she told him, nodding at the other zebra before looking away; at once, Khan turned around and trotted to Deliverance’s side, who eyed him with mild curiosity. “Pillory, you too,” Black Widow added, briefly glancing at the slaver, then, ignoring his unhappy whimper, she turned away.

Understanding very well that I had no choice but to obey - not that I wanted to disobey this order, I wanted to know what Deliverance knew about Sanctuary… and about him, too - I paused only to try and exchange looks with Jack and Apple Core. However, to my surprise, the griffin mercenary didn’t wait to follow after Black Widow, he was already half a step behind her. Apple Core, on the other hoof, briefly looked at me, but turned away and rushed after her leader the second I laid my eyes on her; did she just remember that she was upset with me?

Shrugging to myself, I also started to head to Black Widow’s quarters, mentally preparing for the unavoidable questions - bordering on accusations, probably - that I would have to answer.

*** *** ***

Once we’ve entered the former town hall of Appleloosa, Black Widow wasted no time and headed towards the room she had made into her office straight away. However, once she opened the door leading out of what I assumed had been the lobby, she paused by the entrance.

“Now, Mister Deliverance,” she began, addressing the red zebra that hung at the back of our little ‘convoy’, “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to wait a bit while I discuss this new development with my second in command, the mercenary specifically hired to deal with the issue in question and a medical doctor who apparently lived next door to where said issue lives,” the slaver leader said, her eyes slightly narrowing at me at that last remark.

I guess I at least know now that she is irritated about this, I summarized, doing my best to hide my discomfort.

Deliverance was either doing just the same, excellently or was really not bothered. The red zebra merely shrugged and turned towards the cleanest looking piece of furniture in the lobby. “It’s not a problem, I have time. It’s not my business that’s being affected by this tribe,” he remarked, his voice having no hint of spite or amusement.

Black Widow paused to glare coldly at Deliverance's back with unhidden contempt. “Pillory, stay and keep Mister Deliverance company,” she said after a heartbeat, her eyes still on the red zebra, then wordlessly turned around and walked through the door.

Myself, Jack, Apple Core and Khan of course quickly followed after her, walking deeper into the town hall until a few moments later we reached her office. Black Widow quickly walked around her desk and sat down behind it, motioning to Apple Core to close the door as Khan obediently moved a step beside her.

“Alright,” she said, massaging her temples as we all settled around her desk, “let's start with the easy one first. Doctor, what is this ‘Sanctuary’ place and why am I hearing about it only because of that red striped transgender poster colt?”

I had an answer ready, but I froze momentarily, baffled after hearing such an offensive remark regarding Deliverance. Even Fluttershy’s apparition appeared to stare at Black Widow with her mouth covered, while Pinkie’s apparition looked at her wide eyed and exclaimed: That’s rude!

Not to mention we don’t know if he considers himself a female, I replied, then amended: Or male. He didn’t object to being addressed as ‘mister’, but…

Realizing that I was wasting precious seconds that I could use to disperse Black Widow’s anger instead, I stopped that train of thought and focused. I regained my composure as the two disappeared, and quickly banished any ideas I might have had about correcting the dark mare.

After all, she was a leader of slavers; that remark - correct or not - probably took a very low position on the list of sins she had committed, anyway.

Clearing my throat, I answered Black Widow’s question, “Sanctuary was the name of a sanatorium that was primarily established to help ponies suffering because of the war, usually in the form of various ailments such as Wartime Stress Disorder or Combat Stress Reaction.” As I was met with confused stares, I sighed and added, “A sanatorium is a recreational and medical facility, I suppose you could say it’s a sort of spa resort except with medical services.”

Black Widow smashed her hoof against her desk. “I know what a fucking sanatorium is! You’re telling me there’s an entire resort within walking distance of this shithole?!”

Oh, that’s why they’re shocked…

“Not only that,” Jack interjected, moving a little to the side so he could look straight at me, “but I flew for like twenty miles in every direction of this place. I think I would have noticed the remains of a freaking resort that was big enough that the entire population of a Stable came from its guests without you being incredibly inbred!”

I began to roll my eyes, only to balk at Apple Core’s following comment, “That would explain a lot, actually.”

Regaining my composure, I narrowed my eyes at the slaver. “As I had already informed Jack on a different occasion, sweetie, none of my paternal and maternal ancestors were related to one another,” I told her coldly.

“Ya do know that most folk don’t ‘ave t’ state that repeatedly, right?”

“And regarding what you said, sweetie,” I said as I turned to Jack, ignoring Apple Core, “this is precisely why it hadn’t occurred to me that the tribe could be hiding there; I couldn’t spot any trace of Sanctuary. All I saw after leaving my Stable were remains of what looked to be a mining town. I mean, granted, I didn’t spend too much time there as I noticed smoke over the horizon and I was lured away by the prospect of reaching civilization, but I think I would spot the remains of a giant resort.”

The griffin’s irritation melted away somewhat as he started to ponder this issue. “Then it just proves that this ‘Sanctuary’ is no longer standing. Maybe it had completely fallen apart over the two centuries… no, that doesn’t make sense, if it was big enough to fill out a Stable then it wouldn’t fall apart on its own, and the closest megaspell denotation site is at Fillydelphia.”

“You said ‘a mining town’,” Black Widow spoke up, prepping her elbows against the desk and tapping her forehoofs thoughtfully before her muzzle. “Your Stable was built inside of a mine shaft in one out those steep rocky hills around the Wasteland?” I nodded, causing her to roll her eyes and glare in exasperation. “And I don’t suppose it occured to you to check above the entrance to that mine?”

“I believe I would have noticed any path upwards that could have been used by a crowd of ponies escaping into the Stable.”

Black Widow waved my reply away. “Doesn’t matter anyway. Jack would have spotted it from the air easily then. Not to mention how odd it would be to build a sanatorium atop of a mine… getting back to this topic, why exactly did they build it here!?” Black Widow asked with a frown, a slight shrill in her voice betraying how ludicrous she found this notion.

“As I said, the main purpose of Sanctuary was to help ponies suffering from mental ailments that were caused by the war. I would wager a guess that, as such, its location was chosen precisely because of how remote it was, as it was assumed that the Zebra Empire wouldn’t conduct a strike on such a far away and unimportant area.” Pausing briefly, I added with a slight scorn forming on my muzzle, “I suppose it was mostly to assure the guests that they were safe, though, as most likely ponies had thought that they they wouldn’t attack a strictly civilian target, but as history proved the Zebra Empire was clearly not above that.”

“Yes, we know,” Black Widow snorted, waving her hoof dismissively. “More importantly, can you explain why exactly Equestria bothered creating a sanatorium to cure ponies suffering from stuff like WSD when the Ministry of Peace was already doing a bang up job all over the country by just removing the sick ponies’ memories?”

A sudden reappearance of both apparitions of the Ministry Mares distracted me for a brief second, but I covered my surprise by glancing at Apple Core, who appeared to be confused by Black Widow’s question. Probably most ponies didn’t know exactly how the Ministry of Peace helped ponies suffering from WSD even back then, let alone two hundred years later.

The reactions from Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were more interesting.

The apparition of the Ministry of Peace's Mare looked at Black Widow with her mouth half open, as if taken aback, and brow furrowed as if offended, but at the same time her wings partially unfolded protectively, as if she was trying to hug herself. The apparition of the Ministry of Morale' Mare, on the other hoof, was clearly pouting.

That split second was, unfortunately, all that I could afford for observing them. Taking my attention off of them (and pretending to take it off from Apple Core), I turned back to Black Widow. “Sanctuary was built very late into the war, I think it was opened only a year or two before the Last Day. Coupled with some of the… comments in the memoirs of Stable Eight's first Chief of Medicine regarding Equestria’s mental health care, I assume they came to a conclusion that removing memories of ponies wasn’t, shall we say, healthy in the long term, and decided to use other methods to help ponies recover. Which is probably the reason why Memory Spells weren’t among the spellbooks stored now in Stable Eight’s library,” I couldn’t help but comment. Noticing that Black Widow was already starting to frown, I quickly continued, “More importantly, though, many of Sanctuary’s residents were either still part of the military or worked for the Ministries, and losing big parts of their memories would lead to unpleasant consequences.”

“Ah, that makes sense,” Black Widow snorted, then sighed. “So I’m guessing that mental ailments also affect a unicorn’s magic, which is why this Sanctuary had so many that Stable-Tec could make a Stable made entirely out of unicorns?”

“Well, yes of course, sweetie. Even if a unicorn remained able to function at work, her or his magical abilities could be greatly reduced.”

“So the Ministries opened this sanatorium ‘in order to help the citizens’, but in reality it was mostly used to fix their own workers and Equestria’s more valuable soldiers?” Black Widow summarized, uttering a chuckle. “I’ve got to admit, that’s pretty clever.”

Both apparitions frowned, and I found myself mirroring their expression. While Black Widow was technically right, I didn’t like what she was suggesting; that Sanctuary was created solely for the government's gain. “Ponies who worked for the Ministries and were part of the army were citizens of Equestria as well,” I pointed out, my voice cold with disapproval. “Many of Sanctuary’s residents were veterans, so they were ‘no longer valuable’ as you might say, there were a few from Canterlot’s aristocracy, and most of Stable Eight’s original residents were regular citizens, including my g-” I cut off, realizing that I just heard Jack snort very loudly, and as I turned to him I saw him shaking his head. “I’m sorry sweetie, is there something you found amusing?”

“No, it just… suddenly some things began to make sense,” the griffin replied, chuckling shortly. “Why you act like an aristocrat, or the nepotism-”

“This again?!” I interrupted him, feeling anger raise within me.

“Just admit it, after closing your Stable those nobles managed to get a few executive positions like Head of Security or Medicine and got to secure such positions for their relatives, right?” Jack asked, a rather smarmy smile on his beak. “You did mention that they pick their own successors for those after all.”

I looked at him coldly for a few seconds before replying, “For your information, sweetie, none of those nobles held any administrative position in Stable Eight, and it wasn’t until… four generations later that a descendant of one of them became the Headmare of Education,” I said, pausing only to recall how many generations apart from her ancestor the third Headmare was. “Whatever privileges the aristocracy might have enjoyed in pre-war Equestria had been abolished in Stable Eight during the reign of the First Overmare, so-”

“You guys also heard her use the word ‘reign’ just now, right?” Jack cut in, pointing at me with his talon as he looked from Black Widow to Apple Core.

Not interested in seeing their reaction, I advanced angrily at the griffin. “There was no nepotism in my Stable!” I declared, stomping my hooves angrily.

Jack snorted, not deterred at all. “Right, and the fact that your father had been the Chief of Medicine before you had nothing to do with you being the next one, huh?”

Now it was my turn to snort. “By the time I became the Chief of Medicine of Stable Eight my father had been dead for over a decade, so even as a pony of faith I fail to see how he could have influenced my succession.”

Finally my words had seemed to take him aback and possible break through this idiotic belief of his, but before either could continue our argument, a loud noise caught our attention. Turning towards its source, I saw that it had been Black Widow’s hoof stomping against her desk.

With her head propped against her other hoof, her eyes moved from me to Jack before she spoke, “As entertaining as a fight between an elitist and an anarchist would be to watch-”

“‘Elitist!?” I exclaimed, indignant, at the same time Jack repeated, “‘Anarchist!?”

“- I would rather remind you two that we have some important things to discuss,” Black Widow finished, ignoring us.

“Yeah,” Apple Core spoke up, smirking, “cut it off before ya either try t’ kill each other or start fuckin’.”

I turned my gaze at her, surprised by the remark, then immediately returned to my indignant stare except it was now directed at Apple Core. As she continued to smirk, I glanced at Black Widow (and in the process I noticed in the corner of my eye that Jack was also glaring at the slaver mare), expecting her to be annoyed with the slaver too, but she merely shrugged.

“I really don’t care, but she does have a point,” she said. “I would rather you do neither in my house, so stop it.”

“Humph!” I exclaimed, darting my muzzle upward and away from all of them. “As if I would ever lay with such a crude, uncouth brute.”

“Whatever,” Black Widow retorted. “If we can all get back to the subject; given this new information from our good doctor, I think we can all agree that as unlikely as it is that there is a resort close by or that nobody, not even a griffin mercenary, can find, it is almost certain that the ponies we’ve been searching for are hiding there.”

Jack uttered a groan. “Yeah, seems about right. And although I still don’t understand why I haven't seen anything even remotely resembling a resort, it does fit in with the fact that this tribe of yours couldn’t be found.”

“Exactly,” Black Widow agreed, looking at him thoughtfully. “Which was something our red-striped guest had expected, not to mention that he knew about our troubles at all; I can understand the news of our troubles spreading in New Appleloosa after I sent my little envoy to recruit extra help, but I doubt that it would have spread much further from that town in such a short time.”

“Oh, that; DJ Pon3 brought up that one of your slaver parties got attacked and killed in one of his announcements,” Jack replied dismissively, shrugging. “He probably heard that on the radio and figured it from there.”

I blinked in surprise, and wasn’t the only one. Then again, I recalled how DJ Pon3 knew about me arriving in New Appleloosa merely two days later, so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise that he knew about Butcher’s party being killed.

Black Widow’s surprise also quickly died down, although in her case it was replaced by cold anger. “And how did DJ Pon3 learn about it, perchance?”

“Don’t give me that look, I don’t discuss jobs from my clients - or about-to-be clients in this case - with other people,” Jack replied to her unasked question, not intimidated by her. “Besides, he brought it up on his station before I even got to Tenpony Tower; he referenced it a few times, too. I’m surprised you didn’t already know about it, actually.”

Black Widow snorted, then, without replying to Jack, glanced at me. “Care to do the honors, Doctor?”

I blinked, confused, then I realized what she meant as her eyes down to my PipBuck. “Oh, of course,” I said, raising my leg, turning on the radio and tuning in to DJ Pon3’s frequency.

Immediately, unintelligible static erupted in the room. I cringed at the noise, and turned it off after a few seconds.

“Red Eye has been trying to block DJ Pon3 out of his corner of the Wasteland ever since he popped out, and unfortunately this town is within said corner,” Black Widow explained. “Usually, it would last for only a day or two before he would be back on the air, but this time it’s been over two weeks.”

I nodded absentmindedly, recalling how surprised I had been on the train ride back from New Appleloosa as I tuned in for DJ Pon3’s frequency and very quickly it became replaced by this chatter. After Apple Core gave me the same explanation, I had hoped that whatever Red Eye was doing to block his signal would fail again in a day or so, but so far it hadn’t happened.

Jack uttered a curse. “Shame. I didn’t take you guys for fans of DJ Pon3,” he noted as I turned off my broadcaster, slightly raising eyebrows at Black Widow. “Considering some of the stuff he says about your ‘profession’ and this town.”

“There is no such thing as ‘bad publicity’,” Black Widow remarked dryly. Shrugging, she continued, “More importantly I like to know what happens in the Wasteland, helps to know if places are safe to send slavers in or if the zebras are following up their balefire strikes with an invasion after two hundred years. And speaking of,” she added, bringing her forehooves before her muzzle as she leaned closer, growing serious, “as somebody who lived in what remains of their country, what do you make of our guest?”

Despite being no doubt glad that the conversation had returned to practical matters (as I knew he had to be, after our numerous talks), Jack frowned as he sat down and crossed his forelegs over his chest. “Hard to say. Never expected to see an actual Proditor in the Equestrian Wasteland.”

“Proditor?” I repeated, confused. “Doesn’t that mean ‘traitor’?”

“Ye-” Jack began to nod, only to cut off mid-word and turn to me, narrowing his eyes at me in surprise. “Yes, exactly,” he resumed after a second, shaking his head.

“They were zebra defectors who joined the war on Equestria’s side,” Black Widow replied for him, impatient. Losing interest in Jack’s weird reaction, I listened attentively. “Hence the name. They had altered their stripe colors with talismans or potions. But seeing how that was two hundred years ago, I doubt he was part of that group,” Black Widow finished, looking at Jack expectantly.

“Well, you’re half-right,” the griffin replied. “Yes, the zebras that joined Equestria during the war were called Proditor, but that’s not all there is to them. Actually, this custom of changing their color to red is far older. Ugh, to make this relatively short,” he groaned, scratching the side of his beak, “before the war, Zebrinica was composed of thirteen different tribes. They still are I suppose, but when the war broke out the Empire centralized the power and as result the tribes lost some of the autonomy they had. Anyway, what’s important is that those thirteen tribes were all different from one another about as much as your unicorns and earth ponies were before you all united to create Equestria.”

My ears perked up. Thirteen tribes, all about as unique from one another as unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi had been?! In the time before Equestria those three tribes of ponies used to live in very different societies with different customs. Was that what Jack meant? Or was he referring to some deeper differences, like unicorns’ horns and pegasi’ wings? I never heard of a zebra with wings, but…

“What were-” I began, only to find Jack’s talons gripping my muzzle tightly.

“And this is why I want to keep this relatively short,” Jack explained pointedly to an annoyed Black Widow and an amused Apple Core. “Anyway, those tribes have all different origins in their mythology, live in different areas, and most importantly for the purposes of this conversation, have unique stripe patterns, different traditions, customs and roles in the Empire. Now, a Proditor is a zebra that ‘dissents’ from their tribe, and announces it to the whole world by ‘taking the red’.”

I should have recorded this. Maybe he’ll agree to tell me this in greater detail later on?

“That’s it?” Black Widow in turn asked. While I was fascinated by Jack’s explanation - even though I did find it extremely lacking in detail - she sounded bored. “A cultural statement?”

“It is a very big deal in their homeland,” Jack explained. “Depending on the tribe, Proditor often get death threats or even get killed. While I said it means that getting their stripes color changed to red means that they disagree with their tribe, to most zebras it means more along the lines of them saying ‘fuck you’ to the tribe.”

“Guess he does have balls,” Apple Core commented, snorting in amusement, then shrugged and added, “Or he’s an idiot.”

“So you think Deliverance came from zebra’s homelands?” Black Widow asked, ignoring her second’s remark. “Been a while since I’ve seen a globe, but I’m sure you can confirm for us that’s a long walk just to help slavers with their neighbors problem.”

Jack snorted, finally letting go of my muzzle. As I didn’t want to get it grabbed again, I decided to remain quiet and only listen as I massaged it. “Yeah, unless he would have lived right beside the coast and was able to somehow easily find a boat that would ferry him to Equestria - which I doubt on both accounts - a journey here would take months.”

“Not an easy trip to make, but him coming to Appleloosa specifically aside, he could have made this trip to avoid this persecution you’ve mentioned I suppose… though he seems to me more like a person with a purpose rather than a coward,” Black Widow remarked thoughtfully. Frowning, she asked, “Any chance he’s not from the zebra’s homelands? There are some zebras in Equestria,” she added, pointing at Khan beside her. “And Deliverance doesn’t strike me as a typical zebra’s name.”

“Well,” Jack began, scratching his beak and frowning, “it is a possibility I suppose, but unlikely. I don’t think that a zebra that descended from Equestria’s zebra citizens would know enough about their traditions to know about this custom, let alone know how to brew a potion or make a talisman that could change their color. As for the Remnants in Hoofington, based on what I’ve heard about that lot they would have sent a hit squad after any deserter. The only red-striped equine I’ve seen there was some crazy earth pony mare. And as for his name, I would hazard a guess that he made it up.”

“How come?”

“Because the only other zebra I know of that has a ponish word as a name now works as a prostitute in Blue Destiny,” Jack replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Well,” Apple Core spoke up, “he has an ass for that job. And a face.”

“Maybe it’s a translation of his real name?” I suggested, assuming that Jack wouldn’t silence me if I wouldn’t stray off topic. “He could have decided to introduce himself by a name ponies would understand the meaning of.”

“It would still be weird, regardless,” Jack countered, shrugging. “In any case, it is a strange name to call himself when arriving in a town of slavers.”

“I think the fact that everything about this zebra is strange has already been established,” Black Widow commented. “Anything else you could tell us about him?”

Jack hummed toughfully, scratching his beak. “Well… I’ve never had dealings with any zebra of this tribe, but based on his stripe pattern and those colorful accessories he’s wearing, I would say he’s a Sahaani.”

“Sahaani?” I immediately repeated. “Is that a name of one of the zebra tribes?”

For a second Jack appeared as if considering if he should grab my muzzle shut again - causing me to take a step back - but then he uttered a sigh and explained. “Yes. Except they are supposed to have long, sorta fluffy coats, as their land's permanently frozen, but I suppose he cut his down when he decided to travel to this borderline desert.”

“So, anything special about this tribe?” Black Widow asked.

The griffin shrugged. “Not really. They’re, well, artists. They think everything is beautiful and think the purpose of life is to create art to make the world a better place or some shit like that,” he explained as I listened in fascination; his somewhat disgusted expression suggested he didn’t think much of this tribe. “During the war they primarily served as architects and engineers.”

“Huh, interesting,” Black Widow remarked, frowning. “Do you think that could be how he knows how to find Sanctuary, that he found blueprints of it somewhere and thanks to his architect skills or whatever saw something that explains why you can’t find it?”

“I have no idea,” Jack retorted with a snort. “The fact that he is a Sahaani doesn’t necessarily means that he’s an architect. It would be more definitive if he had any markings or insignia of the White Legion on him, but I didn’t spot anything that would determine he belonged to any of the Legions.” Noticing confused stares he received from everypony - even I knew only what ‘Legions’ were, not anything about specific ones like this ‘White Legion’ - he added, “The Legions are basically big groups of raiders that Zebrinica’s armies had devolved into after the war, each with their own ‘thing’. The White Legion’s thing is that they build very good fortifications and are great engineers. The Bloodtalons have been employed by them a few times, as they aren’t that great fighters otherwise.”

“So he doesn’t have anything that would suggest he was part of any Legion?” Black Widow asked to be sure, then when Jack nodded she sighed. “Pity, would be nice to know for sure if he can fight and how he would fight… I don’t suppose you can make a guess as to why he would know about this Sanctuary?”

“Not a clue,” he replied. “Knowledge of Equestria’s top resorts isn’t something often talked over in the Zebra Empire. My best guess would be that he was scavenging some pre-war ruins and found out about it.”

“And what about you?” Black Widow asked, turning her eyes to me. “Any idea why a zebra would know about it? Those memoirs you’ve mentioned you read say anything about anypony having a pen-pal in the Zebra Empire or something?”

“I don’t recall anything of that sort,” I quickly replied, repressing the feeling of offense I felt at the suggestion that any of my Stable’s original inhabitants could have been so careless as to correspond with anybody in the Zebra Empire during the war. “Nothing comes to my mind other than Jack’s suggestion. Honestly speaking, I was under the impression that most people of the Wasteland weren’t even aware of Sanctuary. Deliverance is the first person I’ve heard mention it since… well, since I left my Stable, basically.”

That was close; I’ve almost mentioned Scope! Wouldn’t look good if I brought up that he and I talked about Sanctuary, however briefly, seeing how according to what Black Widow and Apple Core knew, he had died in the “accidental explosion” in Stable Eleven along with Burst and Blast.

The memory of that did give me pause, though. Scope was the only other person to bring up Sanctuary, knowing about it from his “organization”. Could Deliverance be somehow connected to it?

… No, he shouldn’t be. I already had confirmed with Cutter that Scope was part of the Steel Rangers, and it didn’t seem likely that a group descending from Equestria’s military would welcome a zebra, even if it was a Proditor. Not to mention that Black Widow would have no doubt had heard about him then.

Black Widow, who had lifted an eyebrow at my last sentence, shrugged and said, “Very well, let’s try a different approach: can anybody here figure out why he would come to tell us about Sanctuary?”

“Scavenge?” Jack immediately suggested. “If what the annoying Doctor said is true and there were indeed nobles staying there they could have had some valuables with them. That is assuming they hadn’t taken them into the Stable,” he added, shooting me an uncharacteristically smug look.

I didn’t bother dignifying it with a reply… though mostly because they had indeed brought some jewelry and trinkets.

“Or could be after some other stuff,” Jack continued, turning back to Black Widow and shrugging. “Maybe he’s after whatever is making this resort impossible to find?”

“Huh, interesting thought,” Black Widow hummed, nodding thoughtfully, then sighed. “Oh well, I suppose we won’t know for sure until we ask him. Apple Core,” she said, turning to the slaver mare, “could you please go get him?”

“Sure thing boss,” she replied, already turning towards the door.

“And don’t mention a word about what we talked about,” Black Widow added, causing her to stop. “We’ll compare what he has to say with what our good doctor had said regarding Sanctuary to check if he’s not trying to screw us.”

“Oh, Ah get ya, very clever,” Apple Core said, impressed, and walked through the door.

“Same goes for you, of course,” Black Widow stated, turning her eyes to me and Jack. Actually, mostly to me. “Since obviously we can consider you to be a trusted source of information, Doctor, we’ll be able to check if he’s telling the truth regarding Sanctuary.”

I had to agree with Apple Core; that was indeed a clever tactic. “He didn’t seem concerned when he realized I’m a descendant of Sanctuary’s residents,” I pointed out. “If he was planning to pretend that he knows about it, I would imagine that he would show some signs of nervousness.”

“True,” Black Widow agreed, shrugging. “But it could mean he’s that good at lying, or that he believes he could still fool us; after all, most ponies don’t read memoirs - or make memoirs, for that matter - and don’t know where their great-something-grandparents had lived two hundred years ago. And since you reminded me of your reaction to him bringing up Sanctuary, I’d ask you that you don’t repeat it; if he says anything that would catch your attention, keep quiet and tell us about it later. No point in letting him see how much we know. Now hush,” she said as the sound of returning hoofsteps reached our ears.

A few seconds later Apple Core entered the office, followed by Deliverance and Pillory. The red zebra briefly looked around the room, his brow furrowing slightly as if displeased with the decour, before focusing his gaze on Black Widow. “I assume you finished questioning your Stable friend about Sanctuary?” he asked innocently as he sat down on the floor, right before the desk.

Settling beside Apple Core (with Jack remaining alone on the opposite side of the zebra from us), I turned so that I could observe both him and Black Widow. Pillory, his gaze quickly turning away from me, shuffled to Jack’s side.

The leader of the slavers brushed off Deliverance’ comment with a smile. “Among some other things,” she said. “Now tell me, Mister Deliverance, now that we’re in a more comfortable and private surroundings; why is it that you came to us?”

“I believe I’ve already told you that outside, didn’t I?” he replied with a charming half-smile. “I came because I can help you with your recent problems.”

“Oh, I remember what you said. Could you elaborate, please?”

Deliverance waited a second before replying, his smile widening briefly. “But of course. I’ve already told you where the tribe that attacked your patrol is. I can provide you the exact location of Sanctuary, as well as the means of actually finding it.”

“The way you say it suggests that you don’t believe we can find it without your help,” Black Widow observed.

Deliverance shrugged. “That’s because you can’t. I assume you thought that with a griffin searching from the air you would be able to get their location eventually,” he said, turning his eyes to Jack. “After all, a resort would, shall we say, stand out.”

“Hold on, a resort?” Pillory spoke up, then immediately shut up as Black Widow glanced at him.

“Let alone one the size of Sanctuary,” Deliverance continued, ignoring the interruption. “But the truth is, your mercenary friend wouldn’t be able to notice it even if he had flown right over it; which in all likelihood he probably had.”

“What?” Jack asked, his voice and glare cold.

The calm anger in that single word made the red zebra pause and look at Jack again. “I mean you no offense, Bloodtalon,” he said, retaining his polite demeanor. Jack’s brow furrowed further when the red zebra revealed that he somehow knew who he was. “Truth is, any creature wouldn’t have been able to notice it, regardless of their skills and training.”

“And why is that?” Black Widow asked, still calm, but clearly on the verge of losing patience with the talkative zebra.

Deliverance again paused, turning his head back to Black Widow. Then he chuckled. “This lovely lady told you that the purpose of Sanctuary was to help ponies who’s mental health had suffered due to the war, correct?” he asked, his attention shifting to me.

Or more specifically, to my eyes. A thought occurred to me as his golden gaze locked with mine that perhaps he considered my albinism interesting in light of his own body’s similar coloring. I had to admit that our red and white appearances made quite a match.

His eyes lingered two heartbeats longer on me before he resumed, “I’m sure you will all agree that’s a commendable initiative Equestria had come up with. But you see, there were some concerns regarding this method of dealing with mental alignments. Namely, they believed that, since the war was the root of all of their residents' conditions, the fact that the war was still going on would prolong their treatments, and they had concerns about putting together so many ponies suffering because of said war under one roof.”

I frowned; where was he going with this? Admittedly, it was interesting to hear what the doctors had thought two hundred years ago about their concerns regarding the treatment of their patients, even if it was confusing; part of the reason why those ponies were suffering from WSD and other ailments was that the war was still going. Of course it was going to prolong their treatment! And what exactly would they do about it, anyway?

Black Widow’s eyes narrowed. “Are you about to say that they had done something along the lines of removing their memory of the war during their stay in Sanctuary?”

No, that couldn’t be it. That wouldn’t be different from what the Ministry of Peace had already been doing, I thought, causing Fluttershy’s apparition to wince and look away.

To my confusion - bordering on irritation - though, Deliverance smiled at that. “I suppose one could say ‘something along those lines’,” he replied, then reached to his saddle bags.

Immediately, Jack placed one paw on the holster of his pistol, and behind Black Widow Khan crouched down a little, as if reading to lunge at the other zebra. Deliverance, however, if he had noticed the small commotion, chose to ignore it, and pulled out… a holotape. He dropped it from his mouth unto his hoof and extended it to me.

“Would you kindly?” he asked pointedly as Jack and Khan relaxed.

I glanced at Black Widow, who nodded impatiently. Quickly reaching with my magic, I grabbed the holotape and levitated it over to me, connected it into my PipBuck and hit play.

“Um, hello.”

I felt my mouth open in surprise. I knew that voice. I knew it very well, in fact. It was the same voice I’ve been hearing in my head for the past few weeks now.

“Let me be the first to thank you for joining the Ministry of Peace’s staff at Sanctuary,” the Ministry Mare Fluttershy continued. The timid, pleasant-to-hear voice I was so used to sounded a bit odd on the holotape; clearly, recording a massage for somepony was easier for her than speaking to them directly. She sounded more confident and calm, as if she had rehearsed this speech; which was probably the case. “I’m terribly sorry that I cannot do it in person, but many duties in the Ministry require my attention as well. Because of that I pre-recorded this message with my personal thanks, as well as several pieces of information you will need in your new position. I suppose I should start with the Thought Filter Talisman.”

Thought… Filter Talisman? I tried to look at Fluttershy’s apparition, both she and Pinkie Pie had disappeared at some point, so I contented myself with exchanging glances with everybody else in the room. They appeared about as confused as myself, and they looked at me as if half-expecting I knew something about it… all but one. Black Widow continued to stare intently at the PipBuck at me foreleg, rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she listened, completely uninterested in what I might know about this “Thought Filter Talisman”.

Which was nothing. It was the first time I was hearing about it. I hadn’t seen any mention of such a thing in any of the memoirs I’ve read in Stable Eight. Admittedly though, most of the original dwellers hadn’t left many records of their lives, not even diaries, and this would be something known only to the Sanctuary’s staff, I would imagine.

Quickly, I focused back on the holotape. “Of course, this will be explained to you in greater detail - and far better than I would - on your orientation training when you arrive in Sanctuary by one of the ponies from the Ministry of Arcane Sciences maintaining the talisman. However, it will be important that you have some understanding of it first. The Thought Filter Talisman was created by the Ministry of Arcane Sciences on our request to help with the treatment of ponies in Sanctuary. We asked them for it because we wanted this to be a place that would make ponies feel safe and be able to relax in peace while getting the help they need. The Thought Filter Talisman allows us to do that. It makes everypony within Sanctuary, well, not think about the war.”

What?

“Everypony under the talisman’s effect retains all their memories and knows that it’s still going on, but thanks to this they are able to rest and enjoy their time in Sanctuary. With few exceptions, of course. For the purposes of their treatment, those ponies who require counseling will be given a talisman to wear for the duration of their session that negates the Thought Filter Talisman’s effect on them; the same one you received along with this holotape. As their mental health improves, they will be allowed to wear their talisman’s outside of their therapy sessions, allowing you and the rest of our staff to better monitor the effects of their treatment-”

“Alright, I think we’ve heard enough,” Black Widow spoke up, almost startling me. Somewhat reluctantly, I turned off the recording and ejected the holotape.

To my further annoyance, Deliverance extended his hoof to me again, expectantly. Judging by the amused smirk on his muzzle, he had guessed that I had hoped to listen to its entirety later. Unfortunately, I had no real argument against returning it to him immediately, so I levitated the holotape back to him.

“Wait, Ah still don’t get it,” Apple Core said, giving Black Widow a confused look. “What did any of that bullshit had anythin’ t’ do with-”

“That talisman made the residents of Sanctuary not think about the WAR, Apple Core,” Black Widow replied, rolling her eyes. “Depending on how exactly it works, it would be either difficult or easy to change it to make people not think about other things, like, say, Sanctuary itself. Which is clearly what our neighboring tribe has done upon installing themselves in its ruins.”

Changing the talisman to make everybody not think about Sanctuary… was that why I hadn’t thought about looking for the remains of the resort? Was the tribe already living there by that point? The slavers hadn’t found a trace of them until they attacked one of their patrols over about two weeks later, but it could be possible...

I was about to offer my thoughts on that to everybody else, but I was forstollen by Jack snort. “Cheating unicorn magic,” he commented, crossing his forelegs on his chest, clearly annoyed at the revelation. “So what, I’ve actually seen the damned place but because of that talisman I couldn’t think about it?” Jack asked Deliverance.

The red zebra smirked. “Well, assuming you did fly over it, that is. But yes, I would imagine that is the case,” he continued, ignoring the griffin’s scowl. “If this tribe has indeed modified the talisman to prevent anybody from thinking about Sanctuary, then you have no chance of finding it, even if you’d flown right into it.”

Cursing, Jack turned to me. “Would that even work?”

I frowned before answering, as this was something that I wondered about myself. “Well, to be honest, I am not quite sure myself. The apparent results speak for themselves, and admittedly the fact that they allowed patients to wear talismans nullifying something that would seem no different than erasing their memory-”

“I’m talking about changing the talisman to stop people from thinking about the Sanctuary, not their fucking therapy method,” Jack growled.

“Oh,” I exclaimed, then cleared my throat awkwardly. Of course that would be what he wanted to know, why didn’t I realize that? “Right, well, the answer to that would be: ‘yes of course’. In fact, I would imagine that it must have been a simple matter for this tribe to accomplish.”

“Really?” Jack asked, raising an eyebrow. “I could have sworn I’ve heard that modifying a talisman isn’t exactly easy.”

“What do you-” I began in confusion, only to realize that he was referring to my so far unsuccessful attempts at modifying the breathing oxygen talisman. Frowning, I bit back an annoyed retort, shook my head and began: “I’m not quite sure what are you talking about, sweetie, but you do realize that this isn’t a usual talisman, right?”

“No, but I have a feeling that you’re going to tell us,” Jack replied, rolling his eyes.

I opened my mouth, ready to continue, but then I remembered Black Widow’s warning about revealing too much in front of Deliverance. Quickly, I turned my attention to her, but to my relief she didn’t seem annoyed, quite the opposite. She was listening very attentively to me. Noticing my hesitation, Black Widow nodded, allowing me to continue.

“A normal talisman’s range of effect wouldn’t measure further than a few yards. Most talismans only affect the device they are in or a pony, griffin or zebra that wears them. Moreso, this Thought Filter Talisman clearly can remain active for a long period of time, seeing how the residents of Sanctuary were supposed to be constantly under its influence. Which means,” I summed up, realizing that I was receiving mostly blank or confused stares; only Deliverance was still smirking, and Black Widow had covered her muzzle with her hoof, making it difficult to read her emotions, “that this talisman is a spell framework for a megaspell.”

That did surprise Jack a bit, but he quickly recovered by groaning and covering his face with his paw. “Ponies, zebras, and your fucking megaspells…”

“Wait,” Apple Core spoke up, looking alarmed, “ya’re sayin’ that thing can fuckin’ explode?!”

Somehow, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Sweetie, you’re thinking of balefire bombs. They were many kinds of megaspells developed by Equestria, and most of them didn’t ‘explode’, or were even weaponized in any way, like this one.”

“The MoAS was probably planning on doing that, though,” Black Widow commented, surprising me. As I turned to her, she shrugged and added, “Seems to me like they were using Sanctuary as big testing grounds for whatever megaspell they’ve woven into that ‘Thought Filter Talisman’. Maybe if the Zebra Empire didn’t blow everything up a year or two after that sanatorium was built, Equestria would have used it on the battlefield to make zebras to not think about firing their guns. Or breathe.”

That was… an interesting theory. One that didn’t occur to me; I didn’t like the idea of the Ministries using Sanctuary, which was supposed to be a place of healing, as a testing ground…

Were my ancestors test subjects to them? That’s… hard to ima- Why are you looking at me like that? I asked as I realized that both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were deadpanning at me.

As they soon disappeared without answering me, just sharing a look, I shrugged it off and decided that, if I couldn’t argue with Black Widow’s theory, I could at least correct one aspect of it. “Sweetie, breathing is an involuntary, automatic process. That’s why we still breathe while asleep or unconscious. Even if this spell would be able to make somebody stop thinking about breathing, they would still do it.”

The leader of slavers merely shrugged with disinterest. “I’m sure they would find a way around such a little problem.”

“Fascinating,” Jack cut in, then, with a weird nonchalance, as if not caring about the answer, asked, “How exactly does it mean it would be easy to modify it, again?”

Regardless, I replied, “Normally, a talisman contains magic within its gemstone necessary to work. A talisman that is a spell framework requires magic from outside. Usually it would come from a unicorn, or well, multiple unicorns in this case. However, as I had mentioned, based on that holotape we can assume that it was required for this Thought Filter Talisman to be active all the time. In such a case, it is far more probable that the talisman is connected to some machinery, with the magic being provided by at least two spark generators. It is very likely that on said machinery there is a terminal monitoring the flow of magic, and quite possibly allows a measure of control of the spell, to change what ‘thought’ exactly would be filtered.”

“What an interesting deduction based on so little information,” Deliverance said, his smirk becoming more… alluring. “I can see that your brain matches your beautiful looks.”

Surprised at the praise, I chuckled warmly, “Thank you, sweetie, you’re too kind.”

“You can flirt with each other after this meeting is over,” Black Widow spoke up, annoyed, then turned to Deliverance. “Let’s get back to business. I assume that you have the talisman mentioned on the holotape that negates the effect of that Thought Filter Talisman?”

“It would be rather pointless for me to come here without it, wouldn’t it?” Deliverance replied with a question. When Black Widow raised an eyebrow in an indication that she wanted to hear more, he shrugged and continued, “Yes, I do possess said talisman, and I am prepared to give it to you, along with the exact location of Sanctuary, although I suspect thanks to your charming friend you already have a pretty good idea where it is located,” he added, with a brief glance at me.

“How exactly did you come about its location?” Black Widow asked him. “It strikes me as something hard to find, considering how probably nobody in the Wasteland had ever heard about Sanctuary.”

“Well, nothing is impossible to find if you know what you’re looking for, but I’d admit that I had a bit of luck regarding Sanctuary’s location. I stumbled upon a terminal detailing - among some other information related to the sanatorium - one of your Ministries buying the Supernatural Mountain from the Sunderlands.”

Sunderlands?!

From the brief glance Black Widow gave me I realized she must have noticed my reaction. Cursing myself, I relaxed my perked up ears, and thanked the Goddesses that at least this time I hadn’t exclaimed out loud Deliverance’s words.

The slaver leader’s attention shifted back to the red zebra, dismissing my reaction. “Sunderlands? Do you mean the Sunderland Mining Company?”

Sunderland Mining… what?!

“No, actually, I mean the House of Sunderland, a noble family,” Deliverance continued as I had turned my attention briefly to Black Widow in surprise. “The mountain was apparently their private property. I would assume they owned this mining company? I must admit there are some details of pre-war Equestria that still elude me.” As Black Widow waved his comment off with disinterest, he shrugged and continued, “In any case, it seems pretty obvious that Sanctuary is on the mountain. I had brought a pre-war map of the area, and I believe your beautiful friend can confirm whether her Stable is near the Supernatural Mountain.”

Deliverance’s compliment had barely registered with me. I was still too preoccupied processing the information about the Sunderlands apparently owning - or, well, previously owning I suppose - the mountain under which my Stable had been, as well as having a mining company named after them. However, when Black Widow gave me a meaningful stare while Deliverance walked over to her desk and laid down a map, I pushed those thoughts aside for the time being and trotted closer.

The red zebra flashed me another smile as I joined him; I half expected him to “accidentally” brush against my body, but he didn’t draw closer. Instead, he poked a spot on the map. I looked at the depiction of a mountain (Although it had an odd, flat top; was Supernatural Mountain a mesa? Well, that would make building a giant sanatorium on it a bit easier.) at the spot, with the words “Supernatural Mountain” above it. At the base of a mountain was a small symbol resembling a cave, with the words “Lost Unicorn’s Mine”; it must be where the entrance to Stable Eight was.

To be sure, though, I looked over to where Appleloosa was, then on my PipBuck I switched over to the map there. “Allow me a moment, sweetie,” I said out loud as the map of the surrounding area flashed before my eyes. I had the locations I visited marked on it; there was Appleloosa, New Appleloosa, Stable Eleven… and of course, Stable Eight. I tilted my head so that I could look at Deliverance’s map at the angle I had the map displayed on my E.F.S.

They appeared to match.

“Well?” Black Widow prompted.

I hesitated, considering my options. I didn’t want to reveal the location of my Stable. Even if the slavers had no chance to make it past its security, I was still exposing everypony I knew my whole life to danger. However minimal. Almost non-existent, really; Demon would definitely burn them all if they attacked the Stable, especially if he believed that they got the location out of me by force.

Pushing aside the feeling of guilt at the prospect of deceiving him like that on top of the risk I was exposing my Stable to, I knew I had to confirm Deliverance’s guess about the Supernatural Mountain. First because it could look suspicious if our only lead for the tribe’s location was false, second because Apple Core could confirm that they had found me not far from the mountain, third because lying to Black Widow could have dire consequences, and lastly because it could leave Deliverance in an unpleasant position. I might know next to nothing about him, but I wouldn’t want to create troubles for him; especially since I found him a rather interesting individual.

Also, if everything goes as planned, Appleloosa would no longer be a slaver town, so there went the prospect of danger to my Stable.

“It would appear that our exotic visitor is correct,” I replied. “Stable Eight seems to be located inside this mine, which would mean Sanctuary has to be above it; on the Supernatural Mountain.”

“Ya sure?” Apple Core asked, coming up beside me to look at the map. “None of ‘ose ruined railroads lead up that way. Wouldn’t that mine town or whatever need those?”

Black Widow leaned over to get a better look at the spot on the map. “The mine had probably run out before they built Appleloosa,” she said after a second, shrugging. “Probably why that mining town isn’t even on this map. In any case, we finally got their location.”

“So what exactly are you planning?” Jack spoke up. Nodding at Deliverance, he continued, “Even if he gives us that talisman that negates the Thought-whatever Talisman, it would still be only one.”

“You know, it’s rude to speak about somebody as if they’re not here,” Deliverance retorted; despite his offended words, his voice was amused. He turned to Black Widow. “And I am going to give you that talisman.”

The dark mare nodded, as if satisfied. “Good. And why, if I may ask?”

“Well, so that you can-”

“That’s not what I’m asking and you know that,” Black Widow interrupted him coldly. “What do you get out of this? So far, you hadn’t made a single demand of what you’d want in return.”

Deliverance uttered a giggle. “Oh, does it really matter to you? In one swoop, you’ll remove the threat to your operations, probably capture a lot of new ponies to sell, and, well… I don’t mean to insult this… charming little town, but once you deal with this tribe you will be able to move into a far more grandiose place than this.”

No.

Both Pinkie and Fluttershy looked at me in surprise as I continued to calmly stand before Black Widow’s desk, listening to Deliverance’s reply while fuming on the inside. Hearing his suggestion made me feel as if something inside of me broke.

Angel? Fluttershy spoke up, in her confusion forgetting apparently that she wasn’t speaking to me.

I am not letting slavers live in the place where my ancestors found help and peace, I replied. The place where the greatest pony in Stable Eight's history was born!

The mere thought made bile rise in my throat.

Pinkie Pie tilted her head. Isn’t that kinda hypocritical considering you’ve been living in their town about a month now, healing them and stuff?

Before I could correct her as to why that wasn’t hypocritical, Black Widow replied to Deliverance. We’ll talk about this later, I quickly told her.

“You’re right, and I am thankful to you for this opportunity,” she said, in a tone that held no gratitude in it. “But if I don’t know why you are helping us, I won’t know for sure if you aren’t trying to fuck with us in some way. I’m sure you can understand why that would make me… uncomfortable, don’t you?”

Deliverance remained motionless for several seconds, then finally uttered another giggle. “I can see your albino friend isn’t the only mare who’s intellect matches her beauty.”

“Your flattery is noted, but it’s not going to help you,” Black Widow retorted. “Now, please quit stalling before I start to get suspicious.”

“Of course,” the red zebra said with a chuckle, then sighed. “The short answer is: I’m attempting to get drastically rich. I’d assume you’d want a longer explanation,” he added with a shrug as everybody in the room frowned in confusion. “Sometime ago I had stumbled upon a rumor that during the war, the Last Caesar had decided to hide a piece of our Empire’s treasury in several secret locations, for safety. Whether he was concerned about a possibility of an Equestrian raid on Roam, a megaspell destroying it, pony sympathizers, a coup d’etat, or whatever, I do not know nor do I particularly care,” he said nonchalantly, raising his hoof before his face and examining its frog. “In any case, the location of each of those vaults were known only to a few trusted zebras, with no zebra knowing about more than one. Now, most of them had been apparently found and plundered not long after the war, some by the generals who knew where they were and used their contents to help establish their Legions; your mercenary can go into a greater detail regarding what those are,” Deliverance added with a nod and a smile at Jack, who didn’t return it. “Some were found by other zebras, one apparently by a dragon but I think everybody in Zebrinica would know such a story if it were true, and some were destroyed. However,” he said, raising his voice a little and looking Black Widow in the eyes, “the rumor states that one vault - the biggest one, at that - remains intact and undisturbed to this day.”

“Good for you,” Black Widow said, leaning against her propped foreleg. “And what exactly does it have with what we’ve been talking about?”

“I did say it was a long story,” Deliverance retorted, then quickly continued as the dark mare frowned, “I was able to discover one of the zebras who had known the location of the vault, as well as his fate. He had been a part of a botched operation during the war and supposedly had been taken captive. Since then I’ve been poking around here and there, and while I couldn’t find what exactly became of said zebra, I was able to find which Equestrian unit had encountered him during that operation. From there I learned that all but one had died during their service, and the last one had retired a few months before… well, the end of the war. Now,” he said, smirking, “imagine my confusion when I found out that after leaving the service he had been sent off to some giant, luxurious sanatorium in the middle of nowhere?”

So that was how he had learned about Sanctuary? I thought, both surprised and impressed. Following a trail across two continents to some vault filled with treasure… talk about a bizarre adventure.

Not to mention a lot of walking, Pinkie noted, glancing downward. Following her gaze in confusion, I quickly realized why she mentioned that; his hooves were in suspiciously good condition. I ain’t Rarity, but he almost looks like he got fresh out of an hour-long hooficure to me.

Well, that was a bit too much. Even from this angle and without actually staring I could see some definite abrasions on his hooves, however small. Still though, it didn’t change the fact that they were in better condition than most ponies’ here were, other than mine of course.

Maybe he just takes good care of them? Fluttershy suggested. Zebras do know some amazing potions and poultices.

I suppose you could be right, darling, I remarked, glancing briefly at his saddle bags and wondering what else he was caring inside of them, before returning my attention back to the conversation.

“Guess that explains how you knew about Sanctuary,” Black Widow remarked, echoing my thoughts. “So, you’re doing all of this just on the off chance that somewhere there you will find a clue where this vault is?”

“It is my only lead,” the red zebra replied, then corrected himself, “Well, not the only lead, but my other option would be to scour through Equestria’s military bases with who knows what defenses, hoping to find some record from the interrogation of one prisoner, which would be probably very encrypted. I think I would rather try looking through whatever remained after this pony veteran in Sanctuary first, on the ‘off-chance’, as you put it, that the zebra he defeated and possibly captured revealed something that would lead me to the vault. Although if I am to be honest I did stumble upon some clues in his house that he indeed had known something,” Deliverance added, shrugging. I was starting to get really curious; what could he have found? Terminal entries, military documents, a picture? “But yes, this is why I came to you, told you everything I learned about Sanctuary, and I’m offering you the talisman that will let you find it. All I want in return is that once you conquer this tribe you will allow me to pilfer through Sanctuary, or, more specifically, that veteran’s room to learn what I want.”

Black Widow nodded thoughtfully, all while keeping her eyes on Deliverance. “And why exactly did you come to us, instead of, I don’t know, directly to the Sanctuary?” she finally asked, raising an eyebrow. “If this is all you want, I wouldn’t think those ponies there would mind that you’d snoop around in a room a pony that has been dead for two hundred years.”

“Alas,” Deliverance sighed, “I do not know this tribe. I know nothing about them, aside from the fact that they attacked one of your patrols. For all I know, if I tried to approach them, they would kill me on sight. I don’t mean to sound racist, but ponies tend to… not react friendly to zebras,” he said, his brow raised in slight exasperation. “Which, to be fair, is understandable, and if this was my homeland it would be the other way around, obviously. But it does make it harder to start up a conversation. You, on the other hoof, are fairly known in the Wasteland,” he added, spreading his foreleg slowly. “Both the slavers of Appleloosa, and you yourself, Mrs Black Widow. You are a businessmare. I knew I could make a deal with you.”

I couldn’t fault his logic. Indeed, with slavers, one knew where he stood with. For all we knew about the tribe, they could be as bad as raiders.

The thought of raider-like ponies living in Sanctuary was even more infuriating than my earlier thought about slavers.

Black Widow smirked at Deliverance’s explanation. She waited a few seconds before speaking again, apparently considering something. “What’s the worth of this vault of yours’ contents?” she finally asked.

I couldn’t help but perk my ears in interest, and I wasn’t the only one. Apple Core and Pillory also stared at Deliverance expectantly, and Jack’s narrowed his eyes. Only Khan didn’t react to Black Widow’s question.

I expected the red zebra to be reluctant to reveal any information regarding the treasure’s worth, or at least be nervous after being so blatantly asked about it. However, he remained as calm as ever and merely shrugged. “Enough to set me for life, but not enough that it would be worth the trouble for you to get it back here. I can send you a jewel or two if you want,” he nodded, smirking.

Black Widow snorted in amusement. “Thank you for the offer, but that won’t be necessary. I was merely curious; I find transporting slaves through this part of the Wasteland troublesome enough, I wouldn’t even want to think about doing that with some zebra treasure from across the planet for all I know. You got yourself a deal, Mister Deliverance,” she declared more seriously. “You give us the talisman, and in return, once we deal with the tribe, you can look for the information about your vault to your heart content.”

“I’m pleased to hear that. I’m sure we’ll both find this agreement beneficial.”

“Oh, I’m sure we will. Now, the talisman?” Black Widow said, meaningfully.

Deliverance smiled, then the next second he grunted, as if trying to clear his throat. I was about to ask if he needed help as he brought up a hoof to his muzzle… only to stare dumbfounded as he spat out a talisman.

“Here you go,” the red zebra said, reaching towards Black Widow with his hoof. The leader of slavers stared at it with a similar expression to mine. “What?” Deliverance asked, sounding genuinely surprised. “I didn’t know if you were going to frisk me after I’d arrive.”

Black Widow finally let out a sigh and brought her hoof to her face. “Doctor, can you disinfect it or something?” she asked, rubbing her forehead.

“Oh, of course,” I quickly replied, grabbing the talisman with my magic. As I cast a spell to clean it off Deliverance’s saliva and gastric acid, I took a closer look at it. The talisman was an amethyst cut into an octangular, a little smaller than an eye. “Interesting,” I commented, my gaze tracing along the carved pattern, then I looked at Deliverance. “As are you. It’s not everyday you see somebody who can control their regurgitation with just muscle control.”

As Deliverance chuckled, Apple Core asked “Regur-what?”

“Vomiting,” Black Widow explained before I could, then looked at me. “The talisman, please?”

“What can I say,” the red zebra replied to me as I levitated the talisman over to Black Widow, “I found it a surprisingly useful ability at times.”

As she reached out with her magic, I released my spell. “Interesting,” she hummed, taking a closer look at the talisman, before setting it down at her desk. “Well then, I guess we should start formulating a plan,” she said, looking over to Jack. “Do you think-”

Grumble!

Everybody in the room looked around surprised at the strange sound, searching for its source. It took me a moment to realize that it was coming from me. My stomach, to be more precise.

“Oh my,” I exclaimed, feeling hot from embarrassment. And hungry. “Please forgive me for that borborygmus, everybody, I hadn’t had an opportunity today to eat breakfast.”

Apple Core snickered in amusement, while Black Widow rolled her eyes. “Ah yes, today’s morning was rather eventful. Seeing how we won’t need you right now, you can go to Salt Block and get something to eat.”

Surprised at the sudden dismissal, I hesitated a moment before asking, “Are you sure? I might be of use-”

I stopped as Black Widow raised her hoof. “Yes, I’m sure. Enjoy your meal,” she said firmly.

This time I got the message. I was apparently not needed. Trying to not feel insulted, I nodded and replied, “Thank you, sweetie,” and turned around for the door.

“So as I was about to say…” Black Widow started as I opened the door and walked through it, probably turning to Jack again.

Something brushed against me gently.

I glanced at my side, surprised, but saw nothing. What in Goddesses- Aite! Merciful Goddesses, in all the excitement of today I had forgotten about our invisible friend. Was she waiting outside the door this whole time?

Quickly realizing that staying in the half-open door looking around could either reveal Aite’s presence or annoy Black Widow, I resumed leaving, closing the door carefully behind me. Hopefully, the slaver leader would think of that two second long delay as just my curiosity and not pay it too much mind.

She must have not been around when we got here, I thought as I slowly trotted through Black Widow’s house. Otherwise she would have already been inside. Well, Black Widow, I’m sorry but it looks like I’ll know whatever you’ll be talking about in there, I added, smirking to myself.

You do know she can’t hear you, right? Pinkie asked, raising a single eyebrow.

Baffled, I stopped. O- ff course I do, darling, I was being… well, I was petty, nevermind, I added, rolling my eyes. Heading toward the exit again, I changed the subject: Regardless, it would seem that our plans will have to accelerate. Jack won’t be able to delay informing Black Widow that he found the tribe now.

Do you think this means he will want to go with his plan of capturing Black Widow? I mean, you hadn’t been able modify that oxygen talisman.

I frowned unhappily. It cannot be helped now. I had agreed that I will defer to Jack’s experience and do as he decides.

Wow, Pinkie exclaimed, her eyes widening. I expected you would try to convince him to still help you take over Appleloosa.

That was before I knew that the place where my ancestors came from was at risk of being taken over by slavers. I opened the door and left the house, looking around. Few of the slavers were milling about, with one or two glancing at my direction curiously, probably wanting to know what the mysterious guest wanted to talk about. I smiled at them and began trotting towards the Salt Block. If we try to take over Appleloosa without any means of dealing with Red Eye’s army retaliation because of the slaver business being disrupted, it would be for naught. Not to mention that my plan required convincing the tribe to help us, it would put them - and Sanctuary - at risk, too.

I clenched my teeth as another thought occured to me.

Maybe it’s already at risk? Even if we’d go with Jack’s plan, capture Black Widow, learn what we want to know, kill her and leave, it would still leave Deliverance. Would he go to Red Eye next to try and get to Sanctuary? And even if he wouldn’t, the next time Red Eye sends his emissaries here, they would learn about a red zebra revealing the tribe's location.

About the only image worse than this Red Eye being in Sanctuary was him getting his hooves on that Thought Filter Talisman. Goddesses know what somepony like him would use it for: make his slaves not think that they’re slaves? Something worse? I didn’t even want to consider it at the moment.

Why does Sanctuary matter to you this much? Fluttershy asked, appearing suddenly before me. You didn’t seem to mind living together with slavers, and yet the moment Deliverance suggested they could move from Appleloosa to Sanctuary you were… angry.

And why aren’t you angry? I countered, annoyed by the question. Wasn’t Sanctuary created thanks to you?

Pinkie Pie appeared right beside her. Don’t change the subject, she said, poking my muzzle with her forehoof while giving me a dirty look.

I sighed, and took my eyes off them before anypony on the street would start to wonder why I was making faces at thin air. My ancestors came from there, I reminded them, my eyes on the saloon as I drew closer. Most of them had been suffering because of the war. Lost their friends, families, and health. Thanks to Sanctuary, they got better. It was a place where in that bleak reality they could be happy. It was a place with a Stable underneath that allowed them to live when so many others hadn’t been so fortunate when the Last Day came. So many would meet their significant others, have foals, see them start their own families… all because of Sanctuary. I stopped, a few steps away from the Salt Block, and turned my head in the direction where my Stable, and, by extension, Sanctuary was, so many miles away. A smile crossed my muzzle. Sanctuary is an integral part of everypony from Stable Eight. My mother even told me one of her predecessors had considered declaring it a sacred place, I added, snorting in amusement at the recollection. A charming sentiment, but ultimately she had realized that we worship the Goddesses, not a place where we came from. If anything, Canterlot should have been considered a sacred place, but I digress. The point is, if I would let the likes of Black Widow lay claim to Sanctuary, I would be spitting on the memory of everypony who ever called Stable Eight their home. That will simply not do.

Both apparitions nodded as they listened to my answer. Both seemed happy with it. Especially Fluttershy; her eyes were almost glistering, and I realized she was on the verge of shedding tears of happiness, all because of what I told them how much myself and the entirety of Stable Eight owed to Sanctuary.

There is one more reason why Sanctuary matters to me, I added, emboldened by seeing Fluttershy’s reaction. Turning my gaze back towards the saloon, I resumed trotting. Black Widow can say all she wants about Equestria using it to get their more valuable to the war effort ponies back into working condition, or about it being used as a testing ground for some mind altering megaspell.

I had reached the saloon doors. Placing a hoof against the left one, I pushed it open.

To me, Sanctuary is a testament to Equestria’s love for its subjects and care for their well-being.

*** *** ***

About half an hour later I hummed in content after finishing my meal that consisted of banana puree; as this could be my last day in Appleloosa - or at the very least, the last day of the status quo that had been established so far - I had decided to treat myself to one of the more expansive dishes Frank Fellow had to offer in his saloon. From the vegetarian variety, that is; a few meat dishes were still more expansive (and supposedly tastier), but after learning about the brahmin’s sapience I had decided to put attempts at trying out meat cuisine on hold.

That, and I suspected my stomach would still be not able to hold such meals.

I wonder if they’re still discussing their plans? I thought idly to the two apparitions, sipping my Sparkle-Cola while glancing at the saloon doors. It has been a while already.

Why don’t you go and wait near Black Widow’s house if you wanna know? Pinkie asked, tilting her head.

Because it could look suspicious, I replied, shrugging. Everypony in Appleloosa knows I spend most of my time in my clinic, and when I don’t I’m usually at Salt Block. I don’t hang around the streets of the town. I suppose I could wait around Black Widow’s house under the pretense that I’d wanna talk with Deliverance - which I happen to do, regardless - but I’m not sure how Black Widow would react to that.

Wouldn’t she be too busy preparing an attack on Sanctuary to worry about you talking to him, though? Fluttershy asked, frowning.

I would think so, but… I hesitated, remembering how the conversation in her office had gone. Black Widow is smart and suspicious. She had always suspected that I had something to do with Cutter’s “death”; and by “suspected” I mean “was certain but had no proof and ignored it because it suited her”, of course. And on top of it all, darling, I didn’t like the way she looked at me a few times today… nor did I particularly care for the way she had dismissed me, I added as I gave out an offended snort.

Yeah, that was pretty mean, Pinkie Pie agreed.

In any case, I would prefer to not give her any more reason to distrust me. For now it would be best to just wait for Jack’s instructions, and I won’t receive any until after he and Aite are able to talk away from any prying eyes and ears, so I would assume that he would first need to leave the town. Now, assuming Black Widow would order Jack to fly to Sanctuary right away-

Um, Angel? Pinkie cut in. As I looked at her in surprise - and annoyance at being interrupted - I noticed that the apparition was pointing at the saloon door.

Apple Core just walked in.

Guess this means they had finished planning, I thought as she trotted towards the bar. I wondered about going over to join her, but before I could get up from my table Apple Core had looked around and spotted me. I smiled and waved, and in response she rolled her eyes. Hm, do you think she doesn’t want to talk about their plans, I worried, a little upset, or is this about last night?

As the apparitions exchanged a glance, probably not keen on discussing yesterday (more specifically, Fluttershy being not keen), the slaver mare began to head towards me, with a quick exchange with Frank Fellow over her shoulder, probably ordering something to eat.

“Were ya sittin’ ‘ere all this time waitin’ for me?” she snorted in greeting as she sat beside my table.

“Sweetie, how would I have known you’d come here after you’d finish making plans?” I countered with a question, raising an eyebrow. Pointing at my empty plate with the Sparkle-Cola bottle, I added, “I just finished my breakfast and was about to leave after finishing my drink. But since you’re here, sweetie-”

Apple Core groaned and raised her hoof to stop me mid-sentence. “Black Widow told Jack t’ fly and scout that place, we’ll be makin’ more precise plans after we get some intel on this tribe and just how big that Sanctuary is. ‘Sanctuary’,” she repeated, snorting, “a freakin’ resort for crazy ponies. Ah should ‘ave figured yar ancestors came from some place like that.”

“Excuse me, sweetie,” I spoke up, frowning at her, “but my ancestors and all the other residents of Sanctuary weren’t ‘crazy’. They were ponies who suffered from mental disorders and required help. And not very drastic ones like schizophrenia and other psychoses, ponies suffering from those would have been sent to psychiatric hospitals, so-”

“Yeah, whatever,” the slaver mare replied, cutting off my explanation. Ignoring my pout, she continued, “Anyway, the only reason why this took so long was because Black Widow wanted yar griffin originally t’ just steal that talisman, but he argued that his contract said he was s’pposed t’ just find the tribe for us, and ‘cause of some ‘professional code’ or whatever he called it he couldn’t agree t’ just change the contract, he had t’ finish the job, then they can make a new deal,” Apple Core finished, uttering an exasperated sigh.

I really should applaud Jack for negotiating with Black Widow in a way that he didn’t have to risk his professional integrity… wait, did she call him “my griffin”?!

“Sweetie, Jack isn’t “mine”, as you had phrased it,” I started, once again frowning at her.

Snorting, Apple Core winked at me mockingly. “Sure he ain’t. In any case, he left ‘bout five minutes ago, Ah was sent out to call off all the planned patrols - already did that - and Black Widow stayed t’ talk some more with that red zebra freak. Oh, and she wanted me t’ tell ya that she’ll come by yar clinic later today to pick up her cut of yar business, it’s been a month already.”

“Oh, so it has,” I exclaimed, taken by surprise.

I hadn’t even realized that the day I was supposed to pay Black Widow the ten percent of my income; or rather, the income I gained for my medical services. Our deal didn’t include mine and Apple Core’s little side business. I briefly worried if, in case Black Widow had learned about it, she would demand a ‘cut’ of that income as well, but I quickly dismissed that fear; I had more enough caps left over to pay her for that as well.

“I almost can’t believe it has been a month since I came here,” I mused, sipping my Sparkle-Cola. “Settling here, going to New Appleloosa, exploring that Stable and dealing with raiders… it was quite an eventful month.”

“Yeah, Ah would imagine, compared t’ cozy life in a Stable,” Apple Core added with a chuckle.

A month since I had been banished from my Stable…

As quickly as the thought appeared, I banished it. Between everything that has been happening today I had no time to dwell on that.

The two apparitions manifested again, and judging by their expressions they had a different opinion on this matter. Before they could start arguing about it, though, I turned to Apple Core. “Listen, sweetie, I wanted to talk to you about yesterday-”

Immediately, as I began to say something I had been mulling over in the early morning up until Deliverance had appeared and stirred up, well, everything, Apple Core frowned and rose from the table, ready to leave.

“I owe you an apology.”

Apple Core froze in mid-movement, then slowly returned to her earlier position. “‘Kay, Ah’m listenin’,” she said, sounding suspicious.

Fluttershy gave me a worried look, but I ignored her. Instead, I glanced around if any of the other patrons could eavesdrop, but fortunately Salt Block was nearly empty at this hour, and the table I had sat at was right in the corner of the saloon.

“You are in a difficult situation right now,” I began to explain. “I should have kept in mind that, regardless of what you decide to do, it cannot be an easy decision for you. The last thing I should have done was make it even more difficult for you by attempting to sway you towards doing something that would be more aligned with my own views. I am sorry for that, and I want to assure you that regardless of what you decide-”

I hesitated for a second. I wanted to say that I would be there to help her, as her doctor and a friend, but I knew that there was a very good chance that I would have to leave Appleloosa soon.

“- I won’t think any less of you,” I said, knowing that this, at the very least, was true.

Apple Core continued to stare at me with a frown, finally nodding slowly after a few seconds had passed. “Yeah,” she snorted, “well, thanks for that.”

Happy to that we mended our friendship, I smiled, causing the slaver mare to snort again and roll her eyes. Taking it as a display of her reluctance to dwell on the subject, I rose from the table. “I’m glad that we had this talk, sweetie. Now, if you’d excuse me, I think I should return to my clinic, make sure I counted the bottle caps I owe Black Widow correctly, and perhaps start stockpiling healing potions, considering there might be a battle in the near future.”

“Yeah, sounds about right,” Apple Core replied, almost absentmindedly. Figuring that she simply had a lot on her mind, I began to turn around. “Hey, wait a moment,” she suddenly added awkwardly, making me stop. I shot her a quizzical look. “Can Ah ask ya something?”

Surprise, I sat back at the table. “Of course, sweetie.”

I expected she’d ask me questions regarding pregnancy. Hoped, maybe. Wished? How long exactly did it last, what would be the “unpleasant side” of it…

“It’s clear what Ah wanna do ain’t somethin’ ya would do, right?” Apple Core started, her brow furrowed, clearly referring to abortion. As I opened my muzzle, she rolled her eyes and quickly corrected herself: “Thinkin’ ‘bout doin’. So… why did ya give me that pill?”

I hesitated, surprised to hear such a question. Was she doubting that the pill I gave her would work like I said it would? No, that couldn’t be it; if it was, Apple Core would have just asked plainly about it. She wasn’t exactly a subtle pony.

I looked down at the table, gathering thoughts. “Well,” I slowly replied, looking up, “the law of my Stable states that all abortions are legal on mare’s request, regardless of the reason. As a doctor, I’d have a duty to either help my patient conduct an abortion, or direct her to a doctor that would. Now, I do know that the Wasteland doesn’t operate on the same laws as my Stable, obviously, but I’m sure you can understand why I’d still want to follow the laws I had known all my life. Also, regardless of that, a worry that if I wouldn’t help you you would find a less skilled medical doctor that offer a method of abortion that would put your health in danger would be enough to make me help you,” I added.

Apple Core narrowed her eyes. “Ya know, no offense, but… considerin’ ya must have been banished from that place for some reason, Ah kinda doubt that ya’d follow a law that ya don’t exactly agree with.”

I blinked in surprise, stunned. Was Apple Core smarter than I gave her credit for? Or more observant at least… Shaking my head to recover from the shock before she could take it as an offense, I thought how best to reply.

“I suppose you have a point there,” I began, placing my forehooves in the table and tapping it slowly. “However, you are mistaken. While I dislike the… need for this law, so to speak, I do agree with it. You see…” I paused, recalling what helped me come to terms with one of the less pleasant aspects of being a doctor. “While the law of Stable Eight allows a mare to abort her pregnancy, a long time ago this was a highly disputed matter. Many ponies felt that this law should be limited to, say, cases where the pregnancy posed a threat to mare’s health, or there was a high chance of the foal having defects that would make it impossible for it to survive long after birth. And some, like the previous High Priestess of the Goddesses, had believed abortion should be banned entirely. As High Priestess, it was one of her duties to provide the citizens of Stable Eight with spiritual, emotional and moral support, and she, like many of her predescessors, considered abortion to be ammoral, and was very vocal about it. She had eventually retired from her position before she could gather enough support to press the Overmare to change the law, but she expected her successor to continue ‘the holy fight’, as she called it. Except she didn’t. She dropped the issue completely, and convinced those who had supported her predecessor to do so as well, putting an end to that long dispute.”

I smiled at Apple Core, ignoring completely the fact that she appeared to be getting bored listening to a history lesson about my Stable. I liked this part too much to care.

“That new High Priestess happened to be my mother.” That did cause Apple Core to regain her interest, if the widening eyes were of any indication. “At some point, after learning about this story, I asked her why. How could a mare that taught me about the sanctity and beauty of life could support such laws. It seemed… illogical. And so my mother answered me. She told me that indeed, to her personally abortion is unthinkable. However… pregnancy, giving birth, raising a foal… it all requires sacrifice from a mare. Even when there are no complications, though of course those sacrifices pail in comparison to those of a mother who decided to keep the foal despite genetic defects or risks to her health.”

My thought lingered a moment the words “genetic defects” before I moved on.

“My mother said that every mother is a hero, because they make those sacrifices. However, if a law banning abortion would have come to pass in Stable Eight, then they wouldn’t be heroes anymore. Because sacrifice is heroic only when done out of your own free will.

“Sacrifice done because of a law isn’t heroism. It’s a punishment, a sentence.”

*** *** ***

I returned to my clinic, satisfied with my talk with Apple Core. While I wouldn’t say that what I had told her made her lean towards keeping the foal, it did seem to at least repair our relationship. Also, I got the impression that she was still not completely certain that she wanted to abort it, which meant that there was yet a chance she would change her mind.

That left the problem of whether I would see that or not, but I couldn’t do anything about that until I heard from Aite what Jack's plan was. Perhaps I could maybe use Apple Core’s pregnancy to make him reconsider simply taking what we need from Black Widow and leaving? I would have to talk with Aite about it.

As it has been quite some time since Jack had left - at least, according to Apple Core - I half expected the bat pony to already be in my clinic waiting for me. And indeed, as I drew closer to my house, my E.F.S. showed me two green bars inside. Had Jack sneaked back along with Aite? I opened the door quickly, and spotted a dark mare inside, sitting on one of the empty beds and reading my Wasteland’s Survival Guide.

Except it was Black Widow.

“Oh, hello again, sweetie,” I exclaimed in surprise, closing the door behind me and walking in. The dark unicorn turned her eyes briefly towards me and nodded in response, before returning her attention to my book. Too surprised to find that irritating, I looked at the other green bar; it was Khan, sitting near the clinic counter, and staring blankly at the opposite wall. Walking past him, I turned to Black Widow again: “What are you- oh, that’s right,” I said, recalling part of my conversation at the saloon, “Apple Core had mentioned that you’d be coming by to pick up your part of my income. Forgive my surprise, sweetie, I’ve expected you later. Give me a moment and I’ll bring you your caps.”

“That’s fine,” Black Widow said, waving her hoof dismissively as I trotted past her, towards my room, her eyes still on my book; had she never read it? Well, Ditzy didn’t do business with slavers, so it was possible… “What’s so interesting about Sunderlands?”

I paused, surprised, and glanced back. “Beg your pardon, sweetie?”

Black Widow looked up from my book. “I noticed how your ears all perked up when Deliverance mentioned their name.”

“Oh, that,” I replied, recalling my reaction. “Among the original residents of Stable Eight was Written Sunderland, the younger son of Lord Sunderland. My reaction wasn’t due to the mention of the name, though; it was regarding them apparently once owning the very land above my Stable. I had been under the impression that they were a minor nobility family. I wasn’t aware of them owning any lands, and certainly didn’t know anything about the ‘Sunderland Mining Company’.”

“Well, I didn’t know that company shared a name with a noble family,” Black Widow countered, chuckling briefly. “But I find it surprising that you hadn’t read any of their memoirs or diaries; or that they hadn’t left any, alternatively.”

“Oh, they had,” I assured her, then sighed. “Unfortunately, instead of passing their documents to the library like most ponies had, they kept everything within their quarters. Quarters that were on the lower levels of the Stable, and were flooded about sixty years ago due to an accident when somepony was experimenting with magic. All their documents had been destroyed and they had never made digital copies.”

“What a shame,” Black Widow commented, then shrugged. “If you were curious,” she added, returning her attention to my book, “the Sunderland Mining Company was one of the biggest mining companies two hundred years ago. I think over half of the resources Equestria needed for the war effort - iron, lead, magical gemstones, you name it - came from them.”

“Really?” I exclaimed, surprised and impressed. “I had no idea. Where did you learn that?” I asked, curious. “I’ve seen some billboards advertising various companies when Apple Core and I joined Jack’s team on their job in Stable Eleven, but there was no mention of any mining companies.”

“No surprise there, most of Equestria’s mines - or working mines, I suppose, considering the one where your Stable is - were up north. As for where I learned about it; I read a book or two,” she added with a deadpan. Pointing with her hoof towards my room, afterwards, she said: “And speaking of resources?”

I took the hint and turned around. I pondered her words; while her information about this Sunderland Mining Company was very interesting - I made a mental note to add it into Stable Eight’s archives if I was ever allowed to return - I was more intrigued by what she had said about them being “up north”. Stalliongrad, where Scope came from, was “up north”. It was supposedly the “Steel Ranger’s city”. Was that where Black Widow came from then? Would explain how she knew about the Sunderland Mining Company then, would probably see their name on some billboards, see some newspapers lying around or something… an interesting clue to consider later.

In my room - after glancing at the bed to see if Aite was waiting there; if she was, she was staying invisible - I quickly opened the drawer where I kept my bottle caps. Fortunately, even after I spent so many back in New Appleloosa to buy ingredients to make chems, I still had more than enough to pay Black Widow. The strings of odd accidents that had been happening for some time had certainly helped with that. I’d even have enough to give Black Widow a cut from my little drug operation if she had found about it.

“Here you go,” I declared, placing a small bag of caps beside her on the bed, and levitated a clipboard over to her. As she finally laid down the Wasteland’s Survival Guide, took the caps and glanced over the clipboard, I added, “This is the list of all my patients over the last month and the amount of caps I had charged them. You can cross-reference it with their patient records if you want, though I would prefer you wouldn’t, doctor-patient confidentiality and all, I’m sure you understand sweetie.”

Black Widow shot me a deadpan from above the clipboard, but didn’t comment on that. She finished reading the list, then laid it down on the bed and jiggled the bag briefly before hiding it in some small inner pocket of her dress, apparently satisfied without counting the caps.

“Thank you. Now, there is another reason I came here,” she said, turning to look at me. I blinked in surprise as she continued, “I suppose I owe you an apology.”

And surprise turned into confusion. “An apology? Whatever for sweetie?”

Black Widow sighed. “For all the suggestions that you had something to do with Cutter’s death. I shouldn’t have made such accusations based on nothing more than just a suspicion.”

“Oh,” I exclaimed. Considering everything that had happened today, I hadn’t expected the subject of Cutter’s ‘death’ to be brought up. Or to hear her apologize. “Well-”

“Now I’m sure,” she said, clapping her forehooves.

S.T.A.T.S NOW! Pinkie shouted in my head almost instantly after that.

Having learned to trust the pink apparition’s observations, I activated S.A.T.S. without hesitation. And as my perception of time shifted, making the world appear to freeze, I realized what made Pinkie Pie cry in alarm.

Khan - his bar now red - had started to get up at Black Widow’s signal. Judging by his position, he was about to lunge in my direction.

What’s going on? I thought, my attention shifting from Khan to Black Widow. As Pinkie Pie opened her mouth, I added, She wants him to attack me, obviously, I meant why?

She was talking about being sure that you had something to do with Cutter’s death, the pink apparition pointed out. Do you think this is about that?

That doesn’t make sense! How could she be sure? The only people who know Cutter are Jack and Aite, Apple Core said Jack had already left and Aite… I hesitated; Aite was technically unaccounted for. Could something have happened to her? Maybe she was trapped in Black Widow’s office after Jack left and somehow she was found out? She was using the zebras’ invisibility cloak, maybe Deliverance knows how they work?

As soon as those scenarios played over in my head, I realized that it was still impossible. Aite followed after him; if something would have happened to her to prevent her from meeting up with him outside of Appleloosa, Jack would realize something was wrong and return. Besides, it should be about twenty minutes since Jack had left; even if Aite was captured, I doubt they would be able to make her reveal anything she knew so soon.

As Pinkie nodded thoughtfully, I wondered what else could have provoked this. I recalled the few times Black Widow had looked at me oddly during the conversation in her office; have I somehow betrayed myself?

I don’t think I let out anything that would make her be certain that I was responsible for Cutter’s “death”, I finally thought. And even if I would, why would she attack me over this? She should be glad that he’s gone.

Well, it could be that she doesn’t like the fact that you lied to her, Pinkie Pie pointed out. I mean, some ponies would just make a bunch of new friends and have a tea party with them instead, but I suppose others would resort to physical violence…

I stopped paying attention, contemplating her first sentence. She did have a point; if Black Widow realized that I lied to her and was capable of removing somepony from the town, I couldn’t be trusted, not with a prospect of a battle looming over the slavers.

Still… she admitted that before she had only suspicions about it. What changed?

Maybe nothing changed? Fluttershy unexpectedly spoke up. Glancing briefly at Pinkie, she added: It could be that she’s acting on that suspicion, but thinks that, if they are true, you will reveal yourself?

Oh, I exclaimed, impressed with the suggestion. Yes, I could see that. Black Widow strikes me as a pony who would determine somepony’s guilt before getting the evidence.

Still, kinda silly to do that to the town’s only medic, don’t you think? Pinkie asked, tilting her head in confusion.

I had to agree. Did Black Widow see me as big enough of a threat that she’d decide that she could risk losing the only medic she had?

Did she somehow figure out that Jack and I are working together? I wondered. That seemed unlikely, as both Jack and myself were very careful to not reveal that, avoiding each other and communicating almost only through Aite. I don’t think she had any proof of that… could she be that paranoid?

Is it really paranoia when she’s totally right? Pinkie asked, but I decided to ignore that question.

Thinking this over will do little to improve our current situation, darlings, I thought, trying to think how I could get out of this situation. I focused on Khan, the immediate threat. Judging by the distance between us… I should have more than enough time to cast my Anesthetic Spell on him. Thanks to your warning, darling, I added, turning to Pinkie. A second or two later, and that wouldn't be so certain.

Aww, shucks, it was nothing.

That would leave Black Widow… I mused. Could I immobilize her too? She had been a Steel Ranger, she knew how to fight. Even without her mind controlled bodyguard, she could still be a threat. Khan I could take out thanks to the element of surprise, but afterwards Black Widow could use the bed as a cover and counterattack. Did she have some firearm on her? That would complicate everything even more. And even if I could take her out as well… should I? I suppose if I could immobilize her, I could learn all Jack and I want to know… but I’m not sure if this would be the best course of action. Who knows when he would be back from Sanctuary, I don’t think I could keep the leader of the slavers hidden here without anypony noticing that she was missing for too long.

Maybe you don’t have to fight? Flutterhy suggested. You could talk her down, convince her that she’s being paranoid?

Or at the very least, stall time until Aite gets back here? Pinkie added helpfully.

I would nod if I could. That does seem like the best course of action… except for the fact that I am about to get attacked. Goddesses know if she means for Khan to kill me or render me unconscious. I think… I think it would be best if I would cast Anesthetic Spell on Khan first, then attempt to talk to Black Widow.

Yeah, sounds like the best option, Pinkie Pie agreed, with Fluttershy nodding.

Alright then, here it goes…

I used S.A.T.S. to line up an Anesthetic Spell at Khan. It showed only an eighty percent chance to hit him, but he would be running towards me, so by the time I would finish casting the spell the accuracy would increase.

Just to be sure though, I linked up a second one, in case the first one somehow missed.

Bracing myself, I released S.A.T.S.

Immediately, time returned to normal. I watched as Khan lounged forwards while at the same time I began to cast the spell. Everything was happening so fast now; the zebra grew closer and closer, and crossed half the distance between us when I finally fired the Anesthetic Spell.

Khan jumped to the right, avoiding it.

I would have stared wide eyes if I wasn’t already casting the next spell due to S.A.T.S. Khan however didn’t even slow down; all it took was two bounds to reach and collide with me, just as I fired the next spell. I had no idea where it landed, it happened too fast. All I could tell was that we rolled on the ground, with his foreleg holding my head, and when we stopped he was above me, pinning me down.

I tried to struggle against him, but I might as well have tried to push a wall. I don’t think he even had budged. Panicking, I focused my magic, trying to-

A weight pressed down on my horn.

Instinctively, I stopped casting a spell and tilted my head away, trying to get my horn out of harm’s way. I had limited options, though. Khan’s hoof soon was holding down my horn, and it’s end was pressed against the floor.

“I wouldn’t cast any spells if I were you,” the voice of Black Widow reached me. I couldn’t see her from the position I was forced into; was she still sitting on that bed? “Unless you want to know how much force it requires to break a unicorn’s horn, that is.”

Well, I already knew the force required to break a horn of an average unicorn, so I figured I’d comply with her suggestion.

The four clopping sounds accompanied the four hooves that from my vintage point I saw falling down unto the floor. I watched them move slowly as Black Widow stepped out from behind the bed, looking down at me with cold calm.

“You have good reflexes,” she commented. “You managed to activate your PipBuck’s Stable-Tec Arcane Targeting Spell when I sicked Khan on you, didn’t you? Quite impressive.”

“Why, thank you sweetie,” I replied courtly, a little off-put by her complimenting me right now.

I tried to struggle against Khan’s hold, but it was futile; he immoblized my head with his right forehoof holding my horn, with his left he held both of my forelegs, and his chest was on top of my left wither, pinning my torso to the floor. I could only move my hindlegs and tail basically, and those wouldn’t help me. Resigning myself to the uncomfortable position I was forced into, I stopped struggling.

To say that this was a rather unfortunate turn of events would be probably the biggest understatement I had ever said. Within mere seconds I found myself utterly at Black Widow’s mercy, unable to do anything. The slightest attempt at freeing myself and I would be risking my horn.

At least she hadn’t had Khan kill me, I thought, trying to remain calm. This would mean she either still needs me for something, or this is a mere “show of dominance”. Ugh, so uncivilized... Maybe I can still talk my way out of this?

“May I ask what does this situation pertain to?”

Black Widow smirked. At least I thought she did; it was a bit hard to tell when forced to look up at somebody from this angle. “As I said, now I am certain that you had arranged for Cutter to die. You see, before, I did suspect it, but… honestly, I didn’t think you had the nerve to have somepony killed,” she snorted, and shook her head in amusement. “You were, after all, just a Stable pony.”

I suppose I should be offended by her remark, but I found the thought about just how wrong her statement was, to be too amusing to care.

“But that changed today,” Black Widow continued, “when I noticed how Pillory seemed oddly skittish around you.”

Oh, Luna have mercy on me...

“At first I assumed it was because Khan was near him too, but I grew suspicious. After everybody else left, I asked him if something happened between you too… and he told me all about that threat you made.” Black Widow uttered a short giggle. “It was quite entertaining, actually. However, what I found really interesting just how scared Pillory was from just a threat. Do you know what he said? He said that for a second he felt as if was speaking to a vicious raider.”

… I might make good on that threat just for that comparison.

“Honestly, sweetie?” I snorted, baffled. “Because of one little threat I had made to somepony who had attempted to rape me, you’d think that I would be capable of murder? Or did he forget to mention that detail?”

“Oh, he did,” Black Widow waved her hoof dismissively. “But I wouldn’t have cared even if he did rape you, regardless of this current situation. But no, it wasn’t just that; it was also that tale about how you dealt with the raiders that cornered you and Apple Core at Stable Eleven. I had thought that you’ve made up most of that, but then we’ve brought those raiders in, and, well, I’m sure you remember how one reacted at the mere sight of you. Between that and Pillory, I realized that you are more than capable of having a pony murdered.”

“I would say that’s a bit of a leap in logic,” I countered.

Black Widow shrugged nonchalantly. “Perhaps.”

“In any case, is this belief of yours that I had arranged for Cutter’s death warranted this treatment? You just said that you wouldn’t care if Pillory had raped me, I didn’t know that you held Cutter in such higher esteem than me,” I pointed out, attempting to pout.

“You’re right,” Black Widow replied, much to my confusion. “If it was just about that, you would get away with just a warning to not try anything against me. But you already did.” I felt a cold shiver go travel along my spine. She took a few steps closer and leaned down to my face. “Did you think I’d remain in charge of this shithole for so long if I wasn’t able to spot those who’d conspire against me? Or did you just figure I’d miss that plot you and that griffin had cooked up?”

“Plot?” I exclaimed, shocked. Which I was, but that she had suspected it. I hoped she’d interpret that as shock at the suggestion. “With Jack? Do you really think I would conspire with such brute?”

“Definitely,” Black Widow replied, backing away. “You told Apple Core today that you’ve told Jack once before that you aren’t a product of incest; I’m curious as to when exactly you would have a time to delve into such subject. Considering practically all of your conversations took place with Apple Core present, supposedly, you’d think she’d have known that already. Not to mention by now half of Appleloosa would be telling jokes about your ancestors being related.”

“Slavers’ sense of humor aside,” I began, cursing at myself for that remark I’d made, “Jack had visited me on the day he arrived to pass to me a thank you from his late friends’ parent for giving them an eulogy, and had to stay in my clinic because of the storm.”

“Yes, I’ve heard, except he claimed you two didn’t talk much, only reminiscing about his friends,” Black Widow sighed. “I think starting a conversation about incest would have been innapropriate. Unless he lied about not talking with you for long, which is kind of suspicious, wouldn’t you say?”

I resisted the urge to try and struggle against Khan’s hold. I knew it wouldn’t result in much. “Honestly, sweetie? Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think that you might be suffering from paranoia.”

I half expected she would tell Khan to hurt me for that, but instead the dark mare burst with laughter. “Oh, I probably do. Paranoia had served me well this past couple of years.”

Okay, I’m starting to think she might indeed require mental help. How ironic that the topic of Sanctuary had come up today…

“Ah… but anyway,” Black Widow resumed, calming down, “this isn’t the only instance you lied to me. I really can’t believe you thought I would be fooled into thinking that Foxtrot would die such a random way like an accident within a Stable.”

“Foxtrot?” I repeated, confused. “Who’s that?”

“Oh, right, you said he claimed his name was ‘Scope’,” Black Widow snorted. “Well, it wasn’t.”

Scope. So she did know him. This could be an opportunity to gain some information from her after all.

“Scope? I don’t understand why he would give out a fake name? And- and how would you know that? You never met him.”

She snorted again. “Oh trust me, it was him. Your description fit him too well, and coupled with the fact that he was spying on a Bloodtalon… and on you, actually,” she added, smirking at me. “I guess they’ve finally learned their lesson after ignoring the last Stable Dweller and letting him roam free through the Wasteland.”

“They?” I repeated, inwardly growing excited, despite being held against the floor. “Who’s ‘they’? And who Scope, or Foxtrot really was?”

“Oh no no no, we’re not doing that,” Black Widow said, shaking her head and frowning down at me. “No, between you, Jack, and that red freak, there has been enough exposition thrown around my town today. What we’re doing here? I just wanted to inform you about… well, charges against you, basically. I figured I owed you that much for somehow getting Foxtrot killed for me; I would love to learn how exactly somepony like you had pulled it off, but we can discuss this later I suppose. Oh, and I wanted to learn how much you knew about him; apparently next to nothing, or else you wouldn’t have just asked about who he really was, so thanks for that. I’d assume you promised Jack that information out of me, so he could learn who was responsible for his friends’ deaths? And in return he would help you take over Appleloosa, or something along those lines?”

I stared at her, astonished. She… I hoped to get some information out of her, but instead she got some from me! Ooh, she was sneaky. Even if I did know something, I just confirmed to Black Widow that I didn’t know who Scope had really worked for. And apparently that was good enough for her. And not only that, she had basically figured out our goals!

I closed my agape mouth and swallowed. “Sweetie, this is ridiculous,” I tried. “You are making serious accusations based on some rather flimsy clues and parts of conversations.”

“So you’re going to deny everything, aren’t you Doctor?” Black Widow cut in, shaking her head with pretended sadness. “Well, your choice. But this is happening, regardless if you really had been conspiring against me or not. I no longer have a need for you.”

“Wha- I’m your only medic!” I exclaimed, exasperated.

“And we’re just about to take over a big, luxurious, highly advanced sanatorium resort,” Black Widow pointed out slowly. “Tell me, what are the odds that they had auto-docs there back in the day?”

Auto-docs… machines that could heal ponies and were very easy to operate. I didn’t need to think about the odds of Sanctuary having one of them. I knew they had at least a few.

“Judging by your expression, I would say pretty good.”

Luna cast me away! I needed to get a hold of myself.

“So… what does this mean, exactly?” I asked, managing to speak calmly somehow. “If I am no longer of use to you, are you going to have Khan kill me?”

I didn’t think she would… if she was planning to kill me, she would have done so already… I think.

Black Widow rolled her eyes. “Well, I suppose I misspoke earlier. I do have one more need for you.”

Thank the Goddesses!

“I’m not going to kill you. You’re going to be a very useful hostage to convince that sanctimonious boyfriend of yours to finally play along.”

“My boyfriend?” I repeated, my confusion overpowering fear. “We broke up eight years ago! And he’s still in Stable Eight, I don’t-”

“Merciful Goddesses, I was talking about the griffin,” Black Widow cut me off, deadpanning at me.

“Jack? Oh for- he’s not my boyfriend!” I exclaimed, so enraged by that assumption that I tried to struggle against Khan’s hold again.

Black Widow snorted, annoying me further. “Right, like I’m going to believe that one. Anyway, I’m sure he had mentioned he made a point to have it in our contract that he was supposed to just find the tribe for us? Well, now he won’t have much choice. I will tell him to steal that talisman Deliverance had told us about and help defeat this tribe, or else we’re going to start cutting you up or something.”

“You greatly overestimate the value Jack puts in my well being!” I retorted, not happy at all that my safety depended on his willingness to cooperate with Black Widow. “You are making a big mistake!”

“We’ll see,” Black Widow replied, shrugging.

Calm down, I told myself. I was beginning to panic, and that would not help. Jack will probably figure out a way to free me. And there’s still Aite! Black Widow doesn’t know about her. Keep her talking, she should be back soon!

“And what happens afterwards?” I asked, trying to struggle again; I knew it was pointless, but pretending to panic would lull her into a false sense of security. “If Jack would agree to help you, will you let me go?”

“Of course not, don’t be ridiculous,” Black Widow replied. “The griffin I’ll probably kill, his insistence on not helping us kill those tribals really got on my nerves. I was a little concerned about what it would say about me, killing a mercenary I hired, but fortunately he’s not a Talon, so I could just spread rumors that he tried to fuck with me - which he did, actually - and people, and more importantly, actual Talons, would accept that. And as for you… well,” she added, tilting her head and smiling maliciously, “I more or less promised Pillory to have his way with you as a reward for telling me about that little incident between you two.”

Definitely making good on that threat.

“And that gave me an idea;” Black Widow continued; “what better punishment for trying to fuck with the leader of slavers than letting all of the slavers fuck you?”

Oh, that was just sick reasoning.

“Will do wonders for bucks’ morale,” she added with a snort. “I think a few mares will join, too. I would have to work out the details of how that would work, if we’d just tie you in somewhere, have you on a leash. But really, that can wait. Now,” she said briskly, straightening up a little and pulling away, “I think I entertained myself enough. We can go now to a more secure location. Khan dear, break her horn.

“Wha- wait!” I pleaded, panicking. But even as I said it, I knew it was too late. I braced myself for pain…

… that never came? In fact, the weight on my horn had grown lighter. And I could hear Khan making strange gurgling sounds, and something warm spilled down on me…

I turned my head just in time to see Aite tilt her head, pulling out her blade out of Khan’s throat, a split second before the zebra collapsed on top of me.

Black Widow, who had by then started to head toward the door earlier, had heard the noise her bodyguard had made, and turned around. After what she had put me through it was great satisfaction to see the disbelief on her face.

Beside me, Aite jumped into the air, disappearing. With dying Khan on top of me, I instinctively reached with my magic to stop the bleeding. I almost lost control of the spell when Black Widow screeched and pulled out a magical energy pistol and started to shoot in our general direction, trying to hit the invisible bat pony. I struggled to carefully get out from under Khan, praying to the Goddesses that she wouldn’t hit us.

Fortunately, the dark mare stopped shooting soon. I glanced at her as I pushed Khan off me, ready to take cover. Black Widow was backing away, looking all around her, her weapon ready and her horn glowing brightly. Wait, was she-

A flash of light erupted around her as she disappeared.

“Fucking hell!” Aite exclaimed angrily, appearing beside the spot where Black Widow had been a fraction of a second ago; judging by her position, she had been planning to cut her hind legs’ tendons. “She can teleport?!”

“Apparently,” I offered, as shocked as her. “Where do you think she had gone off to?”

“Town square?” Aite spat, sheathing her blade and flying towards the door. “Cheating unicorn magic! I’m gonna get her before she raises an alarm, you stay here!” she said, putting on her hood and disappearing.

I stared at the opening and closing doors, releasing the air I had no idea I had been holding. Sitting down, I placed a hoof on my chest, trying to calm down. Everything had happened so quickly…

Quiet breathing beside me reminded me Khan was still alive. The blood loss had caused him to lose consciousness, but to be safe I cast Anesthetic Spell on him, then continued to heal his wound.

Whew, that was close, Pinkie Pie commented, both apparitions appearing beside me.

We’re not safe yet, I pointed out, glancing at the door. Aite was convinced Black Widow would raise an alarm. And if that happens…

I paused, thinking. If that happens, what then? Could we somehow defend ourselves against every slaver in Appleloosa? Just the two of us?

Just the two of us? I repeated in my thoughts, glancing down at Khan. Or more specifically, at the huge scar on the side of his head.

Angel? Fluttershy spoke up, sounding worried. What are you thinking about?

About doing something you’d probably rather not see, I assume, darling, I replied. Finishing healing the zebra’s wound, I pulled out the two statuettes from my pockets and placed them on the bed closest to the basement’s entrance.

I opened the door, and called out: “Janitor, sweetie? Can you give me a hoof here?”

*** *** ***

Knock knock knock!

I jumped, startled. Thank the Goddesses I wasn’t operating the ripper right now, I would have probably killed Pinchy!

Annoyed, I looked around for the source of the knocking, until I realized that there was only one pony knocking to get to my basement… and only two entrances.

Making sure my patient was stable, I hurried over to the hatch, and opened it. Aite immediately shot from under it, grabbing me. “C’mon, let’s go!”

“Au!” I slapped her forehooves and backed away. “I need to disinfect you first, hang on.”

“Disi- we don’t have time for-” Aite began, getting out of the secret exit, and paused, looking around. I took that opportunity to cast my Disinfection Spell on her.

The bat pony’s eyes focused on the unconscious Khan, who laid on the table, stopped at the blood and bloodied ripper beside him, then moved to the now open door of the cell where Pinchy laid, similarly unconscious and also free of its bounds, and with a portion of its carapace on its cephalothorax, just behind its eyes, removed, exposing its brain.

“What in fuck’s name…” Aite mumbled, stunned.

“Well, I figured we are in trouble, and could use some additional help,” I began, trotting around her to get back to my patient. “So, I removed this from Khan’s head.”

I grabbed the tiny talisman from the surgic table and levitated it over to Aite. Cutter had been right, it was so tiny, like a droplet of water. If it wasn’t for my magic, I probably would have a hard time finding it in Khan’s skull, even after learning the exact part of the brain where Cutter had placed it. And the pattern inscribed on the circularly cut amethyst required a microscope to see.

Aite looked at the talisman, then at the unconscious zebra, then at the radscorpion. “Whaaa-” she finally mumbled.

“I synchronised the talisman with my magic’s signature, I should be able to use it to control Pinchy once I insert it into its brain. Oh, but I’m not going to control it completely, like Black Widow had Khan; I’ll just use it to make it more friendly. Lowering its aggression should be enough..”

The bat pony shook her head. “How did you- When- I was gone for like- N-nevermind!” she finally shouted, flying to stand between me and the table. “Angel, listen! We need to hurry! Black Widow is gone!”

“Gone?” I repeated, confused. “What do you mean, gone?”

“I flew over the town, searching for her, and when I couldn’t find her, I flew to her house,” Aite explained quickly. “Only that shit Pillory was there, thankfully, so I killed him and searched her bedroom. I got there just in time to see her teleporting away again, without her dress and just some saddlebags. Oh, and of course she took all her caps from her safe, because fuck my luck,” Aite snorted, then shook her head. “Anyway, we need to act before the slavers realize what is happening.”

“Wait, slow down a bit,” I asked her, trying to process all of this new information. Black Widow was gone, instead of ordering the slavers to kill us she chose to run away… and Pillory was dead? Well, there went the plans to have him castrated for comparing me to a raider… Pushing the thought aside, I tried to focus. “Why would Black Widow just run away like that?” I asked, confused. “She could have sent everypony here to get us.”

“I don’t know, have you forgotten that display of her paranoia earlier? Maybe she got scared when she saw an invisible bat pony and thought there are more of us?”

That did sound reasonable… I would definitely be shocked if a stranger would appear out of nowhere while simultaneously slicing the throat of my bodyguard.

“Or could be that without her bodyguard puppet she wasn’t sure she would be safe,” Aite added, shrugging. “Anyway, that’s not important right now, we can talk this over once we meet up with Jack. Right now we have work to do.”

“What do you mean by work?” I asked, trotting around her to resume operation.

“The terminal in Black Widow’s bedroom,” Aite replied, frowning as I leaned over the radscorpion. “We need to check if there is anything important on it quickly. Do you have to do this now?” she hissed, as I readied the talisman.

“I would rather not leave Pinchy with its brain exposed,” I countered, lifting the talisman. “It won’t take long, and I assume we can use a radscorpion’s help.”

“Ugh, fine,” Aite groaned, giving up. Trotting back to the hatch, she added, “Just hurry.”

I lifted the tiny talisman with my magic, and carefully slid it through the hole I cut in the carapace. Now, to say that the arachnid’s brain was vastly different from a mammalian one was a huge understatement, but the exploratory surgery I had conducted on it a few days ago allowed me to familiarize myself with how it was constructed. Khan had the talisman inserted above his brain’s motor cortex; while I had no idea if that had any significance on its affect on him or did it not matter, I decided, since I didn’t intend to force Pinchy to obey me in similar fashion, to insert it above the upper lobe of the top ganglion, which - admittedly, I assumed - acted similarly to the frontal lobe. Casting a spell to secure it, I grabbed the piece of carapace I removed and carefully, still holding the talisman in place with my magic just to be safe, placed it back into its spot, then cast a Healing Spell, mending the radscorpion’s cephalothorax.

I took a step back, casting a Diagnosis Spell, then uttered a sigh of relief. Everything was alright. Now, the really interesting part…

Focusing and closing my eyes, I reached with my magic to the talisman. Of course, I had no idea exactly how it was supposed to work, I could only guess based on what Cutter had told me. And unfortunately, unlike him, the talisman did not react to my magic by making me experience flashes of Black Widow’s memories and thoughts which could have helped me; theorizing what could have been the cause of that accident would have to wait. For now-

A shudder went through me. I felt lines forming around me, enveloping me, then spreading. No, not lines; it felt more like synapses. I felt them build and spread, at first around each other but then mostly followed one direction, reaching far, while others went in ten different directions but much shorter ones, with flesh forming around them all. I felt the cold of the room as the dim light flashed before me-

With a cry, I cancelled the spell, breathing heavily. I sat down on the cold floor, staring at Pinchy. Everything had happened so fast, but for a moment I could swear I was... Was this how the talisman worked?

“Are you okay?” Aite called from beside the hatch, sounding impatient.

I shook myself. “Y-yes, I think so,” I said, breathing slowly to calm down. Perhaps attempting this experiment wasn’t the best idea, considering our predicament. Shaking my head, I decided to stop at that for now. “I don’t think I’ll be certain whether it works or not until Pinchy regains consciousness. We can go to Black Widow’s house now, it should be ready to be woken up by the time we get back,” I added, walking out of Pinchy’s cell and closing the door behind me. Turning to the Mister Handy robot, I asked, “Janitor, sweetie, please look after my patients, I will be right back.”

“What about the zebra?” Aite asked as the robot confirmed his orders. She glanced over Khan’s body. “You sure he won’t wake up anytime soon?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, darling, it will take at least another hour before he wakes up on his own,” I assured her, but after glancing at Khan I decided it’s better to be safe than sorry. I trotted over to my desk and pulled out a pair of hoofcuffs. “But just to be safe,” I added, putting them on Khan’s forehooves. “Janitor, sweetie, in the very unlikely case Khan here wakes up before we get back, please explain that this is just temporary… and if he acts aggressively, please put him under again,” I said, lifting a syringe with an anesthetic and passing it to the robot.

“Of course, Doctor Angel,” Janitor replied, grasping the syringe with the mechanical claws one of his limbs ended with.

Satisfied, I turned to Aite, only to see the bat pony already disappearing down the hatch. I hurried after her, turning my PipBuck’s light as I climbed down the ladder.

“Black Widow’s house is this way,” Aite said as I joined her, nodding further down the tunnel as she took a step forward, beckoning me to follow. To my slight surprise, despite her earlier urgency, she now walked with a casual speed. “So, are you alright?” she asked as I fell in step beside her. I shot her a confused look and she elaborated, “Khan didn’t have the time to hurt your horn before I stabbed his throat?”

“Oh. Yes darling, you were right on time.”

“Sorry for not doing anything earlier,” she said, turning her gaze forward. “I had hoped that if I let that drag on, Black Widow would say something useful. Unfortunately, about all we got from that was Scope’s real name,” Aite added, snorting.

Although her words didn’t sound like a reprimand, they felt so to me anyway. “I should have provoked her better.”

“You were on the floor, pinned down by your horn,” Aite pointed out, deadpanning at me. “I’m pretty sure that means you are excused from not getting intel from your enemy.”

I uttered a short chuckle hearing Aite reassure me. “Thank you darling. So you were in the clinic the whole time?” I asked as we trotted through the dark underground.

“Yeah, when I got back to town after confirming our plans with Jack, I noticed that bitch and her mind-controlled slave heading for your place,” she replied, shrugging. “Obviously, that looked suspicious, so I flew in discreetly when they opened the door.”

Not surprised to hear that she and Jack had left the town together to talk without anypony noticing, I asked, “May I ask what you and Jack had discussed?”

Aite snorted in amusement. “Well, how pissed he was that you hadn’t mentioned Sanctuary at all, for starters,” she said, immediately souring my mood. Ignoring the effect her words had, she continued, “Anyway, the plan was that I continue to stick to you while he goes to Sanctuary, checks out this tribe, he uses this tunnel to get back to your basement - we’ve checked out where it ends outside - and we’d go from there. But now that Black Widow flipped out, that plan goes out the window and we’re going with one of the emergency scenarios.”

“Emergency scenarios?”

“A bunch of back up plans Jack had prepared and made me remember, in case things go south while he’s away.” Aite replied, sighing. “Amazing how many of them start with you being dead.”

I paused mid-step, frowning at the bat pony. “Jack expected me to get murdered by the slavers?” I asked, feeling a little offended.

Aite stopped, her eyes travelling to the side as she pondered my question for a second. “Sure, let’s go with that. As I was saying,” she continued immediately while I stared at her agape, no longer feeling offended just a little, “now we’re dealing with the scenario ‘we can no longer get information out of Black Widow, learn what we can then skip town’. So, the plan is, we go in, you hack into the terminal, get anything useful, then we go back to your clinic, pack your bags, and leave Appleloosa before anypony here realizes that Black Widow is taking an awfully long time in your clinic.”

So it had come to this; I had to leave Appleloosa. Even though I had just been about to be used as a hostage by the town’s leader (and, if her plan would work, became the town’s… was there a word for a slave that everypony rapes?), I still felt a pang of disappointment. I had established a place for myself here, a position of no small power, and a laboratory where I could conduct my experiments in relative peace. (All on my own, too, so Jack could talk all he wants about nepotism, it would be nothing more than slander!) Did I really have to leave?

“Black Widow is gone,” I pointed out, trotting up to join Aite. “If we’d play our next move well-”

Aite turned her head back sharply. “Crazy, no offense, but Jack told me to leave you if you’d be stubborn about trying to take over the town. So you can either come with me to meet up with him and try to change his mind, or you can stay by yourself and try to survive long enough for us to get back for you, and that is assuming we would.”

Again, I found myself agape. “You would leave me here?” I asked in disbelief.

It heartened me a little that she sighed first before replying, “I promised Jack that I would go along with his stupid emergency scenarios, but considering both me and that jerk grew to like you, we would probably come back for you. I wouldn’t be able to guarantee that Jack wouldn’t outright knock you out and drag you from here then, though,” she added sternly as a smile began to form on my muzzle. “In fact, I could probably sooner guarantee the opposite. So for the love of the Goddesses, just do as he says and bitch to him about taking over the town, please?”

Well… perhaps if I talked with Jack face to face I could make him change his mind. And if we’d hurry, maybe we could get back before the slavers notice both myself and Black Widow were gone?

“Very well, darling, I will comply,” I said graciously, causing Aite to roll her eyes and resume walking down the tunnel. Joining her, I asked, “So how will we meet up with Jack? Will we just head for Sanctuary?”

“That’s the plan,” Aite confirmed; we just passed the spot where Pinchy had attacked us. “We figure that even if we’d get close enough for that talisman to affect us, it shouldn’t matter as long as we’re primarily concerned about Jack and not reaching the resort. And speaking of, how exactly did you not see any roads leading up to it from your Stable?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I’ve been wondering about that, too,” I admitted, frowning thoughtfully. “I do believe there hadn’t been any roads or passages leading up, and theorized if before the exit from the mine there had been elevator shafts that had collapsed over the two hundred years and I had mistook the rubble for the mine’s walls… Although, now that I've learned about this Thought Filter Talisman, I’ve begun to wonder if the tribe hadn’t already settled in the Sanctuary and activated it. I do not recall thinking about Sanctuary at all after leaving my Stable.”

“Yeah, Jack had thought about that too,” Aite said, frowning. “But wouldn’t it start to affect you before you left your Stable? We figured that unless they just activated it when you left, making that an amazing coincidence, you’d have realized that-”

“No, it wouldn’t affect me in my Stable,” I interrupted her, shaking my head. “The outer walls of Stable Eight had various spells cast on them on the orders of the First Overmare, making it impossible for magic to get in or out of the Stable.”

“Wait, really?” Aite asked, confused. “That’s a bit… over the top.”

“Perhaps,” I agreed carefully. “The reason why my ancestors had done so was to stop ponies from attempting to teleport outside. There had been many arguments about whether we should send some ponies out of the Stable to see what remained of Equestria or not, and the First Overmare…” I paused, feeling uncomfortable sharing this with somepony outside of the Stable. I cleared my throat and diplomatically said, “My grandmother used to say that the First Overmare had been a ‘troubled’ mare. Which my mentor, ever so eloquent, translated to: ‘she was nuts.” I gave Aite a sharp glare as the bat pony snorted with laughter. “I had suspected that her treatment in Sanctuary hadn’t been completed by the time of the Last Day, and now that I had learned about this Thought Filter Talisman… well, imagine suffering from Wartime Stress Disorder, not thinking about the war, and then suddenly you start to think about the war as the zebras detonated balefire bombs and fired balefire missiles all around your country. I think being a little paranoid can be excused in such a scenario, if that had indeed been the case.”

“If?” Aite questioned, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t know? Didn’t you say once that you had access to the medical records of everypony there? I’m a bit surprised you hadn’t peaked in.”

“The medical records of every previous Overmare, with the exception of the retired ones who were still alive, are restricted even to the Chief of Medicine, unless given permission by the current Overmare due to specific circumstances like researching a genetic disease for example,” I explained, sighing. “That law always irritated me. I couldn’t even read the medical records of my own grandmother because of it. I have no idea why it was created.”

Aite snorted. “Isn’t it obvious? To hide the fact that your first Overmare was crazy. Any chance you are related?”

Realizing that Aite had stopped while saying that, I whirled around to look at her sternly. “Sweetie, I don't appreciate such comments regarding the First Overmare of my Stable. My grandmother had always spoken very highly of her.”

The bat pony frowned, puzzled. “How would your grand- oh, who cares. Look,” she said, raising her hoof to tap something metallic next to her. I did a double take when I realized it was a ladder. “We’re below Black Widow’s house. I’ll go in first to make sure the coast is clear.”

With those words, Aite flapped her wings and rose into the air, disappearing from sight. Still upset about her comment, I started to climb after her; my E.F.S. didn’t show me any other bars near us, anyway.

As I crawled through the hatch Aite had left open, I was met with rather unpleasant sight: the basement of Black Widow’s house, while smaller than mine, had several cages inside of it, and the floor was covered in old dried up blood. Was this place used to keep slaves once?

A memory of Black Widow telling me how there were stories of her husband’s predecessor, Butcher, eating the slaves he couldn’t sell when he was in charge of Appleloosa, stirred in the back of my mind, unfortunately.

I hurried after Aite up the stairs.

Passing through the door and finally entering the part of the house that I was somewhat familiar with, I trotted carefully toward the stairs leading upstairs. Even if there was nopony here beside myself and Aite, there was always the possibility that somepony could walk in. I sneaked towards the edge of the corridor where I could see the front door, made sure my E.F.S. couldn’t pick up anypony, then hurried towards the stairs… only to pause when I noticed the bloodied corpse of Pillory at the bottom, his throat slashed open.

As I trotted over to look at it, disappointed, I heard a familiar voice from beside me, “Don’t tell me you feel sorry for the guy who tried to rape you a week ago,” Aite, standing on stairs’ guard rail, said, her eyebrow raised.

I scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous, darling. I merely regret that I lost the chance to make good on my threat.”

Aite shrugged and jumped down to the stairs, turning around and leading upwards. “You can still cut his dick off, you know.”

“What purpose would it serve to remove genitals from a corpse?” I asked as I began to follow after her.

“Um, the creation of the world’s creepiest dildo?” Aite retorted with a question, glancing over her withers and shrugging again. As I stared back, unsure how to respond to that, she rolled her eyes. “It’s a joke. Now come on, nopony’s here but you better start working on that terminal quick.”

I nodded and hurried after her, when a thought occurred to me. “Do you know what became of Deliverance?”

“Black Widow called one slaver to show him to their barracks and find him a place to sleep when Jack was leaving, haven’t seen him since.” Glancing back, she asked, “He’s really a dude?”

“Yes, you can tell if you look closely at his throat, jaw-” I started, only to shake my head. “Nevermind that. What do you think will happen to him after we leave?”

“I don’t particularly care, but I would assume either he makes another deal with whoever next runs this place, or will get blamed for Black Widow being dead thanks to good ol’ racism and then either gets killed or runs away.”

“Shouldn’t we take him with us? Or at the very least, warn him?” I asked, frowning.

“I believe I already said that we’re going with Jack’s emergency scenario to meet up with him first,” Aite replied, sighing. Before I could start making a case against abandoning the red zebra, she added, “And even if I decide to change the plan a bit, Deliverance most likely has at least one slaver keeping an eye on him. Warning him would be difficult and we are in a hurry,” she said, walking into a room with an open door.

Regrettably, I had to agree she had a point as I followed her. Maybe if I talked with Jack…

The train of thought halted in my head as I beheld Black Widow’s bedroom. It was easily the nicest room I had seen in the Wasteland so far. It had a carpet! And the windows had drapes! And there was a huge, heart shaped bed in the middle!

“I can’t help but wonder how she got this bed up in here,” Aite commented, pulling me from my musing. She pointed at the desk by the wall. “There’s the terminal, please try to hack it and see if there's anything interesting on it. I’m gonna check the room to see if I can find anything,” she added, already heading towards an opened wardrobe, where I could see an empty safe at the bottom.

Leaving her to that task, I hurried over to the terminal, turned it on, and obviously saw that it was indeed password protected. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to try and hack it. At first I did so with excitement; aside from the embarrassingly easy to hack terminal that unlocked the door to the clinic’s basement, this was the first time I had the opportunity to test out some the skills I had taught myself in Stable Eight to conceal my actions from security and the rest of the populace. I had considered myself quite good with terminals, and it had been a long time since I had any difficulty hacking into one.

Unfortunately, this time I wasn’t disappointed.

Black Widow had ensured her terminal had a very complicated password. Within less than a minute I was already rebooting it for the fifth time, trying to pick the correct password from the strand of code I tricked the terminal into showing. I shook my head, trying to focus; the noise Aite made as she threw everything not nailed to the ground around the room did not help.

Alright, I thought a few minutes later, then how about…

My eyes stopped on one particular word within the data strand. “Enslavement”. That seemed…

… to be the password, apparently. I snorted, disappointed with Black Widow.

“Got it,” I called out to Aite, who had been about to crawl under the bed.

“Oh, great!” she replied, quickly flying to me. “See anything interesting?”

I hummed instead of replying, looking over the various entries. There were a LOT of them. Most appeared to be related to her business; there was an entry called “shipment records”, “list of clients”, “prices’ categories”...

“I’m just going to download all of it to my PipBuck, darling,” I finally said, extending a cable from the device on my foreleg to the terminal and connecting it. “It will be better to look it all over when we’re safe.”

“Good thinking,” Aite agreed, then with a flap of her wings she did a backflip and landed on the bed, bouncing up from it. “Will it take long?”

“No, just a moment,” I replied, then looked over as the bat pony spread comfortably on the bed. Frowning, I tilted my head to look closer. “Doesn’t this bed seem awfully, well, used, for somepony whose spouse has been dead for years?”

“Yeah, it’s called non-marital sex I believe,” Aite snorted, then got up. “Damn, it’s more comfortable than my bed in Tenpony’s… think there is a chance I could take it with me? It was a joke,” she added quickly when I glanced at her in surprise. “Anyway, since I assume you hadn’t heard any gossip about her banging one of the slavers… do you think she used that mind control talisman to make Khan fuck her?”

The thought had began to occur to me, though Black Widow hadn’t struck me as a pony who would have a coitus with her bodyguard… then again, he was more of a slave than a bodyguard.

“I’m not sure, but it does seem to be the most possible explanation,” I admitted, disgusted.

“Wow that guy didn’t catch any break here,” Aite commented, snorting and shaking her head. “Anyway, you’re done?”

I glanced at the terminal and PipBuck. A few more seconds and… “Yes, all done darling,” I said, disconnecting my PipBuck. “We can leave.”

“Finally. Let’s hurry, I’d imagine you want to pack a ton of crap from your clinic before we leave,” she called out as she was already flying out of the bedroom.

I followed after her, trying to hurry. There was much I needed to take; I already began making a list. Fluttershy and Pinkie’s statuettes, of course, the healing potions and chems I hadn’t given Apple Core yet to sell...

Apple Core. If I couldn’t convince Jack, I would very likely not see her again for a long time. Should I leave a note?

And of course, I needed to decide what to do about Janitor, Pinchy, Khan, and my test subjects. I could have Janitor feed them, but there was enough food in the laboratory to last only for about a week. Should I release them? Well, either way I would have to first switch back their organs, otherwise none of them would live for very long…

“What do you think I should do about my test subjects?” I asked Aite as I climbed down the ladder.

“Slaver, slaver medic, and raider?” Aite asked, stopping in mid-air to turn around and look at me. “Hm, are you asking for a particular method of killing them or-”

“I can’t kill them, they’re my test subjects,” I protested, frowning, causing Aite to groan.

“You create the most ridiculous problems, you know that right, Crazy?” she asked, crossing her forelegs on her chest and flying backwards through the tunnel. “We can’t take them with us and I figure you don’t want to release them. About the only merciful course of action is to kill them. Now, normally mercy isn’t the word I throw around slavers and raiders, but considering what you put them through I figure they’ve suffered enough.”

I swished my tail in irritation. Aite had a point, killing them would technically be more merciful than letting them die due to their organs being rejected or starving to death. That is, if one didn’t happen to consider death an utterly unacceptable option.

As we reached the ladder leading to my laboratory, I was still calculating how quickly I could return everypony their organs. If Aite would agree to prepare my belongings for our escape by herself-

Whack!

The noise, followed by the sound of something heavy falling, startled me out of my ruminations. What was that?! I thought, alarmed, towards its source.

It came from above.

“Aite?” I called out, looking around.

She was nowhere to be seen. Was I so lost in thoughts that I missed her flying up the ladder? And… what was that...

I shook my head, looking at the bars on my E.T.S. There should be seven green bars in total. Three for my test subjects, one for Janitor, one for Khan, one for Pinchy, and one for Aite.

There were six, and one of them had become red.

What in the world had happened? Did the talisman not work properly and Pinchy broke free now that he was not tied up? I quickly climbed the ladder - as quietly as I could - and entered my laboratory, looking around for Aite in alarm. Before I found her, to my horror I spotted Janitor, lying on the floor, with a huge dent in his side. Aite was behind it, also on the floor. I hurried towards her-

Whack!

As the pain erupted in the back of my head, everything turned black.

Footnote: 50% to next level!

Author's Note

"Sorry it took a while, next chapter should come up much sooner." - last chapter's author's notes.

Anyway, thanks to TimePrincess, Zaleros, Sage Probo, guardianxela and Bazing for their great work on proofreading/editing^^ And special thanks to Kkat for creating Fallout: Equestria of course, to Somber for Project Horizons and Homelands, and to Heartshine for Speak, which are as canon as the original story here^^ Especially Somber, as the little lore regarding Zebra tribes, Legions, and Proditor was from his works.

Lastly, due to how controversial this matter is, I feel the need to add that I approached the subject of abortion so soon after the last chapter - where I went into great lengths to portray arguments of both sides in good light - because of the events happening in my country (link here).