Fallout Equestria - A Dreamer's Wake

Night falls as we continued our journey down the dusty road. Berry my side, slowly getting tired, as I kept alert for dangers. We didn't bump into much, luckily, just mostly Bloatsprites and a few ugly rat like creatures. My Pip-Buck said that they were Mole Rates! Well, they aren't very lovely and I really don't want to see more of them any time soon, that's for sure.

However, Berry finally stopped, sighing softly. "Look, Storm. I know you are nocturnal and all but I'm not. So think we can maybe find a safe place to make camp? Not out in the open, mind you. Don't want to attract the attention of raiders, slavers, or anything else for that matter." I looked over to my companion, nodding a little.

"Ye'h. I can agree with ya there. I'll take a look around and see if we can find shelter in any of those buildings." I said softly, curiously going about through the place. We were near some sort of ruins of an old, long abandoned town right now but most of the buildings seems to be caved in or worse. So I thought it might not be the best idea. However, the mayor looking building seems to be intact and we both decided to go right ahead in. I closed the doors behind us though, taking a look around to make sure there aren't any enemies around before continuing onward.

I gently cracked a door in the right corner, peaking into what seems to be a kitchen. There was a body of a pony, rotting and dead looking, on the floor. I blinked a moment, thinking about removing it but then it moved! I watched as it slowly got up onto it's legs, then gently moved it's head to face me, glaring at me with it's dead looking eyes. Then that noise, that screaming noise it made at me after seeing a meal. It was a feral ghoul for sure. Quickly, I readied my combat shotgun and once it dared to jump at it, I went into S.A.T.S. and blasted the thing's head clear off, sending the body backwards onto the oven. Berry took a peak in and quickly caught on. "Feral ghoul... There might be more Storm and with that loud noise, you might've just gotten their attention!" She spoke softly though clearly.

I nodded a little, smiling a bit. "Let them come. Less monsters in this world, I say!" She gulped a little and kept watching behind me now as I kept my ears opened, listening for sounds. She was correct for sure, I heard movements now. Quite a lot of it. Quickly, my head moved over to the other entrance to this kitchen, watching as a ghoul burst the door open, with two behind it. I grinned, making my stand and blasting the them away, their rotted bodies were destroyed easily by my shotgun, though my bullets are only limited. "Berry! Quick, I have an idea. Can you seal off any other possible entrances into this room? That way I can blast all of them away from one entrance!" Once I said that, my head went back toward the door as another ghoul was coming through the doorway, but before it could've taken a step inside, I blasted it away like the others.

Berry went to work fast though, closing the other door as well as the windows then begun boarding them up. She manage to get the table, and a few chairs, up against the other door, holding it closed, and using a combination of plates and other dishes to board up the window. They might be able to easily break through those windows but not smart enough to realize that they can. It wasn't long until they started banging on the door we've boarded up and more came through the other way, which I blasted them away as fast as they've come, grinning a little.

However, I was running low on ammo finally after about the 11th kill. "How many of these Luna damn things are there? It's like a whole..." Then I stopped. "Oh shit. The whole town must be here, literally." I said calmly, groaning a little.

"Yeah... So Storm, what's the plan? We gotta go! You know, find a hiding spot and wait for them to leave!" Berry explained as I nodded, good idea.

"C'mon! We'll go through the opened entrance, since I kinda killed a lot of them from that direction already!" I said softly, taking off through the door, with her following me. We moved into the next room, a dining room, then moved our way back into a hallway. Taking a look down one side, we saw some more ghouls. To the other side was a door. "Berry, open the door and tell me where it goes! I'll keep my eyes on the ghouls just in case they turn to us!" I said softly, keeping my eyes on them as I heard her moving over, opening the door.

"Basement... We might be able to hide down here." She said softly. Okay, good enough! I walked backwards, the ghouls not once did look our way, which I was happy about that, and we made our way down the steps, making sure the door was closed and locked behind us! The basement was a mess but it didn't have any ghouls in it, however there was a wooden door down here, behind a lot of the boxes that were thrown around. I shrugged and opened it myself, taking a look at the other side. It was dark, I notice that, so I turned on my Pip-Buck light for Berry so that we both can see, rather than just me.

Taking a few steps forward, I notice this section of the basement was more like a small cave, going down. I continued following it down all the way down to what looks like a giant wheel-like doors, with the number 27 on them. To my left was a control panel with a few switches. "By Celestia! It's a Stable!" I heard Berry said softly. Okay, that makes sense! Stable! Lovely! Maybe ponies are still alive in it? I've heard about Stable-Tec making these. Never figured out how many of them were made though.

"So... Think we can do a better job going in there then going up above with ghouls? Hey, maybe we can find loot that can help us and possible a place to sleep?" I said softly, looking over at her. She hesitated but sigh softly, nodding a bit.

"As much as I hate to say it but you might be correct. There's a chance that the Stable is just dead. No bad wild experiment or anything. Just dead and disabled." She said but then quickly added. "However, first sign of danger. We are out and we sleep just in the basement, okay?" I nodded a little to that. Sounds reasonable to me.

With the choice set, I went to the control panel, pulling the lever. Then watched as the large door moved away from us, making that loud noise, then spins softly to the side, revealing a surprisingly CLEAN Stable entrance, with a strange round bot floating there. It had three robotic arms expanding out from it, each one ending in a different tool. I recognized it myself actually, and sigh in happiness that it wasn't the combat version of the robot. Then it spoke up! "Greetings Civilians! Welcome to Stable 27! This Stable primary function was to keep the civilians of Hoofsvale alive in case of a megaspell disaster! However, you are 180 years, 162 days, 21 hours, and 14 minutes late to the scheduled time!" I blinked a little and started assuming the worse. What if the people of Hoofsvale never made it to this Stable and we are the first ponies to step inside?

I decided to smile and nod a little. "Why thank you for your welcome. However, I fear that we won't be staying for long. After all, we are just visiting the Stable. Is it alright if we rest here and leave later?" I asked softly, smiling a little.

"Negative. We are programmed to not allow anypony to leave until our Stable's radar sense that it is safe to go up above." The robot replied and I nodded a little. Saw it coming. At least we can rest here but won't be able to properly leave. Might have to take our some poor bots.

"Okay. Well. We need to come in anyways." I said softly, taking a few steps inside with Berry. Once we are in though, the door closed behind us slowly and I sigh.

"Splendid Master and Madam! Shall I now escort you to your room as well as provide you with your Stable 27 rule book and jumpsuits? I am also assuming that you are married together as well, as it seems you are together." We both blushed deeply at that but let the bot continued.

"Yes. That's it!" Berry said softly, winking a bit at me. I'm just going with the flow though I'm am so going to be investigating this place while she sleeps. Hopefully, the bots will be friendly until we are ready to leave.

"Splendid! Splendid! Right this way!" The bot turned around and led us through the Stable's hallways, taking us eventually to a room marked with the number one. The door opened into a nice small living room, with a kitchen and bathroom to our right, and a bedroom to our left. "Now that you are here, I'll be having one of our butlers send in your rule book and jumpsuits. Is there any questions?"

I smiled a little, turning around. "Yes. What is the resident count of this Stable?" I asked, wanting to confirm my theory.

"The current resident count is two now, Sir." The robot replied as I nod a little.

"When was the last time the resident count changed?" I asked, raising a brow.

"The resident count has always been zero, Sir, since the Stable's beginning. You two are our first Stable residents!" I nodded a little and sigh. Letting the robot go now that my theory has been confirmed. Berry gulped a little, looking over to me after realizing what I did.

"So... They never made it to the Stable. Why?" She asked, looking at me. I knew the question wasn't directed at me, but I did thought about it.

"Something must've happened all those years ago to prevent the ponies from reaching this Stable. My guess? Since the Stable is under the mayor's house and building, the mayor have done something to stop the ponies from reaching." I explained my little theory, looking over at her, smiling a little. "Now Berry, I think you should get some rest. You said you were tired way before we gotten into that ghoul mess up above. Right now would be a good to sleep while the robots are on our side." I added, smiling some more as she nodded a little, going into the bedroom of our little apartment in this Stable. Then the door opened as a robot came, putting down a booklet and two sets of jumpsuits before leaving the room, door closing behind it.

Alright then, first things first. Let's read this rulebook! Picking it up, I quickly opened it and started reading through the rules. Most of them are reasonable but when it started explaining the Stable's workings, it started getting interesting. Apparently, this Stable was primarily suppose to be worked by robots, ever the Overmare is a robot. They'll clean and maintain the Stable as well as help it's resident, supplying fresh food and water to them, made by the Stable's purifier and orchard. I see this as a good idea on paper, bad idea in practice. If the residents truly did made it into this Stable, things probably would've went bad. However, since they didn't, the robots were left with just keeping the place clean.

However, I was happy to read that I didn't need to wear my jumpsuit 24/7 while in the Stable. That's good since I didn't felt like changing outfits at all! Also, the robots won't bother ponies in their rooms. Again, good thing since that means Berry can sleep peacefully while I do my own investigation. So after getting some sort of idea of this place, I went ahead and put the booklet down then got up, walking out the door and curiously looking around. I'm in the apartment section of the Stable and wanted to, personally, check out the Overmare Office.

Silently, I walked down the hallway back to the stairway, moving my way up toward the public section of the Stable. There was a bar, a games room (darts, a pool table, that sort), and a few other places. Curiously though, I decided to go ahead and check out the bar. This will probably be my only time in my life that I'll be able to freely go to a bar and first time. Walking up to the counter and taking a seat, I gave the bartender robot a smile. "Ah, Greetings Sir! What may I get you today?" I smiled a little, thinking about it. Looking at the options above but a question did came to me.

"Firstly, how is your drinks made?" I asked curiously, wondering. The booklet never did mention how the drinks were made for this, just the water and food.

"Ah. That's pretty simple Sir! The finest fruits and veggies grown in the orchard under the sunlight ceiling lamps are picked out just for our beverages. We mixed them nicely with the other required ingredients and make a variety of drinks! Now Sir, any you are interested in?" He finished explaining as I smiled a little. I took a look at the list now, thinking about it for a moment then finally making a decision.

"Wine, please." I said softly. I knew wine was made from grapes and I kinda do have a liking for grapes so really did wanted to try some wine. I smiled as the robot pulled out a glass, setting it in front of me, and pour a glass of it. Softly, I drunk it and rather liked it quite a lot, smiling a little to myself. "Wow. This is actually really really good. Better than I expected! Pour me some more of this you fine robotic bartender!" I said out loud, happily. I felt a rather sudden rush of happiness from drinking this and damn it, I kinda wanted more.

Honestly, I have no idea how long I spent there! I kept drinking one glass after another, eventually my vision begun blurring and my head was spinning. Finally, the robot refused to give me anymore. "I'm sorry Sir, it seems you have drunk enough glasses of alcohol that you are allowed to have this week." I wasn't very happy.

"Luna fuck ya robotic assss... With her... *hic* longgggg Princessery horn! If... *hic* I want more, by Luna I should get more!" I blurred out from my lips, slamming my hoof onto the counter in front.

"Sir, I am now signaling security to bring you back to your room. I hope you have a fine day!" It softly replied, ignoring my drunken anger, which only caused me to slam harder onto the counter.

"Fuck your *hic* securita's laws mate! This shit is pretty dang fucking amazingly *hic* good!" I yelled out again but then felt myself being picked up by a rather much larger robot. Looking up, this one was obviously built to pick up ponies and take them away. "Oh... Hiya there!" I said happily to it now, my mood changing quickly then quickly I looked over to the bartender as I was carried. "I'll be...*hic* back!"

Next thing I knew, I was back in my room, screaming wildly at the flower pot. "You... Filthy *hic* plant! Think ya sooo reallll... I know ya fake, ya Mr. Faker fakerson! I know wha' a *hic* flower smells like, ya know? Can't fool me'h!" And then I kicked it off the table. My yelling must've woke up Berry cause she came out of her room pretty quickly, looking wide eye at me. I took one look at her and smiled. "Wellll... Hey there Mrs. Sexy *hic* Mare of mine..." I blurted out to her.

She blinked a few moments before finally asked. "Are you alright?" I nodded happily, gently stumbling a little walking by her, wrapping a forehoof around her.

"Oh my... *hic* I'm fantastic! I tried some of the... *hic* wine here in this Stable and it was the *hic* most delicious shit I've ever had mate! By Luna's shitting stars, I feel *hic* great and sooo want more!" I said softly, smiling greatly at her as she frowns a little. "Aww... Wha's wrong mate? *hic*"

"Well. You're drunk, that's what is wrong. You should maybe, I don't know, rest? I'll see if I can get another room because I really don't want to deal with you while you are like this." She said softly, looking down gently as I blinked a few times.

"Aww... C'mon mate! So wha'... I',m *hic* drunk! Not like I'll do somethin' ba-*hic* bad..." I said softly, hugging her closely, smiling as I rather enjoy her warmth, she was pushing me away a little though.

"It's just... I rather not okay. Leave it there?" I said softly, looking at me. Oh, I know what's going on and with my drunk mind, I'm not quitting until I get her to spray it!

"Oh oh oh... Did *hic* somethin' happened before? *hic* or do you just not like... Um... *hic* alcohol?" I said softly, not letting her go as she seem desperate to go.

"No... Just let me go, I'm not talking about it!" She said softly, trying to push me away but I still wouldn't give up.

"Awww.... But I *hic* really want to know about my *hic* amazin'.. Friend. I mean *hic* if there's somethin' *hic* bad, I should know. Right?" I started rubbing my head a little now and finally, she pushed me away, growling a little under her breathe.

"I'm sorry Storm but NO means NO. Now I'm going to see if I can use another room for the night, do NOT follow me!" She said, growling a little under her breathe as she walked over to the door, it opening. However, we were both surprised to see another pony on the other side, this one seems to be wearing some heavy duty grey armor, covering up his (her?) body. It was power armor, my guess, but I was too drunk to really notice.

She may be the one backing up, but I just gladly walked over to the new one. "Oh hey there Mr... Shiny pants *hic*. Must be such a strong pony to be wearing *hic* all that armor, strong and sexy... Mmm.. Am I rig't? *hic*" I said gently, rubbing a hoof against the pony's chest playfully. Berry knew that I was drunk and didn't bother much but she did have a worried look on it. However, the pony just looked at me as I looked back up at it. "Oh... Not much... Um.. Of a ta-*hic* talker?" I said happily, spreading my wings softly.

It was silence after a few moments then the pony, male, finally spoke up. "Yes." I nodded a little, smiling a bit but before I could say anything he added. "Do you live in this Stable?" I felt like I should answer this but then again, me being drunk might not be the best idea.

"Well... No. *Hic* but damn I so want! Have ya'z tried the shit they have at the bar *hic* here?" I said softly, smiling a little up the armored stallion, grinning a little.

"No and I would recommend not, especially after what we've read in the Overmare Office." We? Oh hey, he's speaking more words! I kinda just sat back though onto the chair now, my head starting to hurt. Berry decided to pick it up from there.

"What do you mean by that? It's just alcohol, right?" She asked as the armored stallion shook his head. "Oh. Something else?" He nodded a little.

"Food, water, and alcohol are made differently to cause an effect on the consumer's brain. It makes them want the strangest of things, especially the want to forever live in a Stable." Oh my. "It's suppose to also be really tasty to make work that much better. I've been sent here, with few of my brothers and sisters, to take control of this Stable and collect the technologies within. Wasn't expecting ponies to be in this Stable." Well that explains my love for this shit!

"Well... Then. *hic* So it tasted fucking wonderful for a... Um. *hic* um..." I blinked a few times then finally finished my sentence. "Reason! Ye'h!" I clapped my hooves in happiness after figuring it out on my own!

Berry ignored me there but frowns a little. "Well. I guess Storm here must've tried it and kept having more because of the taste of it. Explains why he is so drunk right now." She explains, the other pony nodded. I just sat there, looking up at the ceiling fan, moving round and round. "Well. Did it say how long the effect last if they have only some of it?" She finally asked curiously, hoping for a good answer.

"Only a day. They didn't need it any longer since ponies usually eat daily." Well duh! My head started hurting now from watching the fan so I looked at the flower on the floor again, blinking and growling a little at it.

"Thank you for finding that out for us and we'll happily stay out of your way. We only came here because the ghouls above kinda trapped us down here and we needed a place to rest." Berry explained as the other nodded, agreeing with it actually. "You don't sound pretty rude like the other Steel Rangers I've heard though, why is that?" She asked after a few seconds, I think she was curious.

"I don't necessary agree with the Steel Rangers, let's just leave it at that." He said softly as she nodded a little. My head still spinning.

"Oh... Heyyyy! Doubles!" I blurted out and chuckled softly but stopped. "Anyways-zeeessss. Kinda sounded like me'h almost *hic* man. Back before the.. Um shit. Megaspells! I never agreed with the *hic* ponies I worked for!" I said out loud, grinning a little. That really caught his attention, making walk a little more into the room, staring down at me.

"What is your name?" He asked me, simple as that.

"Um... Storm... Well. Midnight Storm was my name *hic* my parents gave me but.. *hic* I changed it to um. Shit, I know this!" I said softly, hitting my forehead a few times. "Storm Lightning Bolt! Ye'h!" I said out loud happily.

"What was your name in the field?" He rephrased his question. Oh that name! I growled a little at that question though and the moment he finished saying it, I flipped the table in anger onto the plant pot on the floor!

"NOOO SIRRR REEEE! I don't want to... Um *hic* speaksth or hearsth that name EVER again!" I yelled loudly, getting onto my hooves, then looking down at the table. "Oh. Hey. Who flipped the table?" I asked afterwards.

My question was ignored though, oh well. Maybe I'll never figure out that mystery? "Understood." Was all he said though to my reaction. Some odd reason, I think he understands why.

Berry spoke up after that though, something was on her mind. I can feel it. I hope it was me cause holy hay, she has a better flank than Luna! Or was that the alcohol thinking? "Well. I apologize for him being drunk and all Mr...?"  She started to say, waiting for him to finish. Oh yeah, we never got his name!

"Star Paladin Steelhooves." He finished for her, as I smiled softly.

"Well. Thanks Steelhooves for the information. I'll be going to another room and finish sleeping. You and the rest of you Steel Rangers will leave us alone, right?" She asked as he nodded to her question. I was just spinning my head around again, thinking for a moment. Then a thought came to my head!

"Oh! Mr. Star Paladin Sir!" I begun. "Mind if I *hic* ask for help?" I asked at first, he was looking at me. Just looking. Can't really tell what emotion he was having under that helmet though. "Um. You see Sir. Sometime *hic* soon, I not know when but *hic* I'm gonna be hunted down by these Enclave ponies and *hic* well. Was wondering, where do you Steel Rangers hide out at?" I finally asked, wanting to know this. Berry was worried a little about this though, I can see it on her face.

"What are you planning?" He asked deeply, and straightly. Like this whole time.

"Umm. They'll track me *hic* by... My... Pip-Buck! Ya know mate, the one in this fancy... Um. *hic* Suit of mine? So maybe hiding *hic* out in wit' ya ponies can provide some protection?" I smiled greatly at him, mumbling a little though.

"I see. Just be warned, you'll be shot if caught. Especially since you are wearing that suit. However, I know about the threat of the Enclave and us Steel Rangers had fights with them before. So I'll upload one location of ours to your Pip-Buck." He explained as I smiled, he took out a wire and connected it to my Pip-Buck from his suit, uploading a new location onto my map. Woohoo!

Berry looked surprised then quickly asked. "Sir, why are you doing this? I mean, you'll basically setting up your own faction to be attacked!" She said softly, curiously watching him.

"Like I said, I don't necessary agree with the Steel Rangers. Maybe a surprise attack from one of our most dangerous enemies will straighten them up." With that, he walked out of the room and away. I just laid down on the couch, sighing deeply. Berry looked at me, rolling her eyes and left as well, to the next room I'm assuming. My body just felt too wasted and wrong right now to move finally, so I closed my eyes. Softly falling into a deep sleep.

I had no dreams that night though, mostly due to my drunken state, so I basically woke up the next morning with a raging headache, rubbing my head softly. "Well. Not going to do that anymore!" I said softly, groaning a little then I heard her voice.

"Ye'h. That's what he said." I blinked a little, looking over to Berry as she sigh. "Sorry. I didn't want to say it last night while you were like that but the truth is. My father was an alcoholic addict. He have gotten drunk almost every night, and caused torment to both me and my mother in his drunk rampages." I frowned a little. That's a bugger. I just reminded her of her abusive father last night! I think that counts as abusive, at least. She smiled a little though, looking at me. "Just let me know when you drink though, okay?" I nodded a little, smiling but then groaned once again, rubbing my head. "It's gonna hurt for a while." She added as I sigh.

After a few moments though, I did finally got up onto my hooves. "I can't remember much last night honestly but hey, I am kinda happy to experience that. Never had alcohol before." I softly explained. "Always wanted to try specifically wine." She nodded a little but sigh afterwords. "Anyways, maybe we should get going? I do remember something about Steel Rangers being here!"

"Oh they left last night. They ravaged the place, destroyed the robots, and all. Got what they wanted." I nodded a little, smiling a bit. "Oh and they've killed all the ghouls so it's save to go now!" That's the news I was really hoping for!

"That's great to hear! I guess we should be going then!" I said happily, starting to walk out, with her behind me. Then she spoke up again.

"By the way, you told me I was a Mrs. Sexy Mare and then even mention Steelhooves as being strong and sexy. Care to explain?" She asked, as I blushed a little. Woops. Let that slip!

"Um. I'm kinda attracted to both stallions and mares. So not surprise I flirted with him and you." I softly answered, blushing deeper as I said it and we continued walking, heading out the Stable's door now. She nodded a little but sigh, looking away a bit as we walked up the stairs of the place. "One moment, I want to go into the mayor's personal bedroom and figure out what happened to the ponies here!" I said softly, heading up another set of stairs to, having an idea where the master bedroom be. I was correct, and found both a terminal and safe in the room.

I smiled a little and took a seat onto the chair in front of the terminal, pushing away the skeleton. Luckily, I was already signed in. I looked at the skeleton, and thought that she might've died while on the terminal. Going through the few log posts that weren't corrupted, I caught onto what has happened and put the pieces together, groaning a little as Berry looked at me curiously, raising a brow. "Basically, the mayor believed that they all deserved to die so she locked the doors. She kept going on in the last few posts about this crazy religion of hers about some sort of star creatures, not Luna mind you, and that it was time for the pony era to end." I explained softly, sighing a bit as Berry folded her ears.

"That's rather crazy of her to believe." She said, looking around the room as I clicked on the open safe button, smiling as I do so. Once it was open, I took a look into it and found a rather impressive looking 12.7mm pistol. It had a gilded trim in the wooden barrel of it, with the name 'The Jackson' on it. There was also 14 bullets for it. I took the Jackson pistol and bullets, adding them to my collection. Then I notice a small statuette of an orange blonde pony bucking, with the words 'Be Strong' on the base. I recognized her as Applejack, one of the Ministry Mares. There was also a note with it, which I decided to read it.

I know this isn't the real deal but we made it as close as possible to the real deal. Hope you enjoy it! We all know how much love her and her ministry!

~Love, ya Uncle!

I gotta say, it was a pretty good fake and honestly, I liked it a lot. Can't help but think about those words. Be Strong. I added it to my bag as well then got up and away from the safe. The rest was just papers and pre-war bits. Nothing majorly useful. I looked over to Berry and nodded my head. "Let's get going." I said softly and we headed out, leaving the town behind. Enclave hadn't contacted me yet and looking at the new location, it will be some time until we get there. It's all the way by Fillydelphia, way far down south.