Fallout Equestria - A Dreamer's Wake

They took to me straight to where their Elder was at. I stand there, in front of the stallion's round desk as he looked over me. He was rather old looking, showing off a grey coat with a brown mane. His eyes were of a crystal blow and he was wearing a set of bluish, and highly detailed, robes. I'm assuming they are unique to him so other ponies worn either red robes or the power armor that Steel Rangers are famous for using. The the circular room I was had a map of the area, Fillydelphia, and there are three doors into this room. One, behind me, was the entrance into this room and I'm assuming the other two leads into personal rooms.

There was two Steel Rangers standing at the door, as well as the four that escorted me is directly behind me. All six of them keeping their weapons pointed on me, watching carefully. I noted that the two guarding the doors are using a different set of weaponry, not the energy weapons that the other four are using. Taking a closer look, I noted that they were, indeed, Gauss Rifles. I've seen them being used before as one of the generals I worked under had a personal one. I know the damage that those things can do, worse than the energy weapons actually. Though I also know that they can only shoot one shot before reloading is required, a weakness for a powerful weapon.

I also noted that the Elder is using his own customized plasma pistol. The pistol glowing red, even, rather than it's usual color. I really do not want to see what that thing does to me for sure, I can only take a wild guess why it's red. Nopony said any words though, however the Elder was watching me as I inspect everything, smiling a little. After he notice I was done checking the place out, he finally broke the silence. "Well. I see you rather intrigued of our bunker here. You done inspecting now outlander or do you want to keep checking out our technologies?" He looked down at me with that question.

I smiled a little. "Your technology? Last I check, this technology belongs to the Ministry of Wartime Technology and Ministry of Arcane Science. You guys just looted it from the corpses of our nation." I softly explained, smirking a little up at him. "Except for that red plasma pistol of yours... That's rather new, though it still probably originally came from Ministry of Arcane Science, am I right?"

He raised a brow curiously upon hearing my response. "Yes. You are partial correct. This technology use to belong to those Ministries but now it is ours. For us to protect and keep away from wasteland savages, such as yourself." He explained, moving eyes around the room. "However, that nation from long ago is NOT ours. We, the Steel Rangers, are our own nation and you are but just one of the many wasteland ponies, who can't comprehend the powers, the dangers, of this old wartime technology." Then lean forward onto his desk, staring down at me. "And you Sir, are wearing wartime technology, I see. How did you even came across such an unique suit? It's not something we've seen before and we would love to take it from you, to test it and see what it was for." Oh, interested in my suit? I thought to myself.

"Well. The only way you'll get this suit if you stripped it off my dead body, that's for sure." I let out to him. "And when I said 'our', I didn't meant you and me. I meant me and them. Oh and I think I can easily comprehend our technology very well." I explained, grinning a little at the Elder.

"I can rearrange that, so mind what you say wastelander. The only reason why it hadn't happened yet is because I am quite curious how you know our location, as well how you came across that technology. I am now intrigued to listen why you mean 'our' like that. So please, go on and explain yourself." The Elder sat back onto his chair, raising his brow as awaited my explanation.

"Oh. I can do better than explain how I got this suit!" I proclaimed happily, grinning. "You see, I was born in the pre-war times and was a scout during the war. This suit is specifically designed and made for a bat pony, such as myself. It's primary focus is to help keep the wearer undetected during their scout missions, however it does provide some combat support, just in case the scout wearing it gets into combat as it has a built in battle saddle on the sides which, when not used, is folded into the armor. It also has a built in Pip-Buck to help the scout navigate, stay in contact with his commander, and keep track of the environment around him, and his enemies." I grinned, seeing the Elder now, curiously leaning forward. "However, I have no idea how many of these suits are made nor the name of it. I call it the Sneak Suit myself. The suit was primary made for bat ponies and due to my specie being rarer than the other races, and probably even rarer to see fighting in the war. Ye'h." I finished, grinning.

"Well then... That raises many questions like how are you even alive right now and how do you know that the suit was made for your kind?" He asked, smiling a little as he kept his eyes, and interest, on me.

"Simple. The suit never had a helmet, for one. Don't need one. Scouts of the other races needed a helmet to help them see in the dark, as well as needing thermal vision. Bat ponies, on the other hoof, have natural night eye. We can see in the dark just fine. We also have very accurate hearing, able to hear pitches that other ponies cannot. Allowing us to to a rather respectable guess of the location of a target. Though, honestly, the hearing varies from bat pony to bat pony and that was a major reason why the Pip-Buck was built it. Who needs great hearing or thermal vision if they have a Pip-Buck to pinpoint targets?" I grinned happily, explaining myself to this guy. Really though, I just want to get on their good side for now and if proving to them that I'm not a savage, like they think I am, is how I'm gonna do that, then so be it. "As for two, the wing holes are sized to a bat pony's wings, not to a pegasus' wings. Did ya know that we have slightly different wing sides? This suit will not fit well on a pegasus!" I smirked a little. It's barely a difference honestly but enough. "Lastly, the built in stealth cloak won't work on other ponies. It will only cloak the armor, not the wearer, if you aren't a bat pony. Before you ask, that's because the stealth cloak for this suit works differently from that of a Stealth Buck. This suit uses a stealth mode which connects to the dream world and basically hide itself, and the bat pony wearing it, in the dream world. However, not fully as it would destroy itself. So it leaves some atoms behind, which kinda cause a 'fade' of the armor and pony, kinda like a stealth buck does. Problem is, the pony wearing it must have connections already to the dream world and guess what? Bat ponies are the only ponies with that kind of connection, discounting Princess Luna." I grinned happily now, down explaining.

However, I wasn't done yet. "Now, as for why I'm alive right now? From what I've picked up about the wasteland in my travels, I was turned into a ghoul while I was unconscious for like almost 180 years." He raised a brow once again. "I recently woke up to some crazy pony who was performing experiments on my body. I successfully escaped from him and been traveling since." I left out the part that it was the Enclave, obviously. Don't want them to catch on.

"Well, this is interesting. However, if that story is to be true then why aren't you rotting? Also, I've never heard of a pony being in a coma for that long." Lovely, another question about my race. These ponies really need to read some books!

"Firstly, the experiments performed on me were resurrection ones. The pony was trying to see if he reverse ghoulification apparently. He succeeded with my skin and probably some other parts, but other parts of my body I feel are still 'not working', so to say. For example, I am still highly radiated, you can see that in my eyes." That caused some of the guards to back away from me. "I also don't need to eat or drink, which I've heard ghouls don't need to either. Which caused me to assume that I am surviving in a similar way that ghouls do. As for me being in a coma for so long, that's a bat pony thing. It's kinda one of the negatives of our inherent dream magic. When we go into a coma, it is usually permanent and fatal. Very very rare for a bat pony to wake up from a coma and this is usually because when we go into a coma, out soul gets lost in the dream world and we are forced to live through one dream after another, usually nightmares too." I put a hoof to my chin after thinking about it. "Actually, sometimes our souls are literally destroyed in the dream world and we die cause of that, rather than our physical body starving or something like that." Honestly, I can't believe I wasn't thinking about that originally. I knew about the coma thing of our specie and never thought that I was in a coma, just that I was unconscious.

The Elder nodded a little, laying back onto his chair once again. "You know, you are different from the other bat pony we have encountered." I raised a brow, after hearing that. This bat pony again? Same one I've heard about before? "And I'm glad you are. If what you are saying is true, then this is great news for us! We never had much information on your kind before so I'll go ahead and have a scribe add this to our database." Well then, I guess I just helped the Steel Rangers a bit. "And maybe you could be a great ally to the Steel Rangers, since you would be the only pony currently here that can use that suit. You did mention you were a scout during the war and we can have use of an experienced scout then. We spend too much of our time currently right now keeping an eye on the forces building in Fillydelphia, these forces do have access to some great technology. So they are a threat to us and our future." I nodded a little.

"Well. I'll be a scout for you then if ya can let my companion go and come with me. She is kinda my medic and a good friend to me." I softly smiled, nodding a little. Okay, this can be good. I can do some work, get on their good side, and have Berry back! This is going rather nicely.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. However, I will promise that we will keep her well fed and protected until we can do that. Now though, before we can continue though. You must tell me, how did you, and your companion, knew of our location?" I sigh a little upon hearing that.

"I'll answer this but you better tell me why Berry can't come with me..." I softly said through clenched teeth. "I was given the location of this place by one of your own after helping them with a Stable. Simple as that. He suggested maybe I can help ya out down here." I obviously lied but hey, he might believe it.

"Name of this pony?" He asked curiously.

"Star Paladin Steelhooves." I answered back, grinning. "Now tell me why!" I blurted out afterwards.

"Ah yes, though he isn't from our branch. I'll have somepony contact him and confirm this." The Elder replied, nodding a little. "Now, you want to know why? Because we want to have a leverage on you. If we let you both go, then we might never see you again. However, if we keep her here then you'll have to come back to get her. So, that is the deal. You do scout missions for us and then we'll let her go with you." He finished, glaring down at me. Leverage! Ofcourse, why am I not surprised?

After a moment, I nodded a little. At least I'm getting somewhere. "Well thank you then. I'll accept your offer! Now Mr. Elder, what are these missions?" I asked, raising a brow.

"That is Elder Whiplash to you! As for the missions..." He trailed off for a bit, taking a look through some papers now that he pulled out from his desk. "There is three locations we wish for you to check out to see if they have anything dangerous within their walls, as well as any technology. We want you to figure out the dangers and an answer to the technology. So we may send whatever we can to collect the technology at each location, if there is any. That is." I nodded a little. Simple enough. "The last thing, we want to you to go into Fillydelphia itself and see what the ponies are up to. Before we make any moves against them, we have to know how dangerous they are. With your stealth field, this should be easy for you and you won't be under any threat, like my ponies would." I sigh a little.

"Well, my suit is kinda out of juice so can you possibly supply any? Otherwise, I won't be able to do that last mission, if it is so dangerous to move in while visible." He nodded a little after I said that.

"Yes, we may do that. Now, what would you prefer we call you?" He asked now, getting up as he whispered something to one of the other Steel Rangers in the room.

"Storm, just call me Storm mate." I replied, watching as the Ranger left the room for a bit then returned with the batteries I needed for my suit. He went ahead and handed them to me. I took them and put them right in where they should go, grinning a little. Another Ranger came up and plugged into my Pip-Buck, I kinda let him as I was expecting them to upload locations onto my map.

"There. You have your batteries and locations. Now you may freely leave and do your job. Just remember, if you don't return in a good amount of time, we will assume you left us permanently." I nodded a little as he explain and before anypony else could say anything, I retreated out of the room and made my way out of the bunker. Once outside, I took a look at the map on my Pip-Buck and headed to my first destination.

The first place wasn't that far, and upon arriving to it, it seems to be a small factory of some sort. I took a walk around the place, noticing the ticking on my Pip-Buck. The place was filled with radiation! I also took notice of a hoofful of ghouls around the place, which is why I kept my distance. I was told to investigate, not fight anything. However, my ears perking upon hearing a soft voice. Blinking a little, I walked a little closer to the building curiously and now am able to hearing the voice much better. It's a softly mare voice singing, a really rather beautiful song as well. I also notice that the ghouls seem to be hearing it as well, as they started walking closer to the building curiously.

I started to smiling though, rather enjoying the singing and I felt myself walking over to the building, being completely ignored by the ghouls however. It seems that the music is charming them as well, however, they don't seem to be as curious as I am to check it out. I felt my legs continue moving my body up to the front door, my head gently pushing it open as I make my way inside. Looking around the place, I now notice that this place isn't really much of a factory but more of a radiation dump. It seems to be filled with a lot of radiation barrels, some being spilled across the floor of the place.

However, I head immediately was drawn to an open hatch and I felt myself moving toward it, then down the stairs down below. Upon coming down to the bottom spot, I felt myself stepping into water, the water splashed a bit across my chest. I wasn't bothered though and I continued ignoring the ticking of my Pip-Buck as my body kept on moving down the flooded hall now, my ears still focus on that mare's singing, now much much louder. I was able to take glances, noticing that there are doors and windows to my sides, each one seem to be a subject room with different labels. 1A, 2A, 3A, and so on. I'm starting to take a guess that radiation wasn't just dumped here, it was used here!

My legs kept moving down to the last door, and gently, my hoof went up to touch the button to the side, opening the door. As the door opens, I moved inside the room, my eyes fixed on the chair in the middle. Sitting in the chair was a mare but not of any specie I've seen before. She had an upper body of an earth pony, with her coat being a gentle green. Her lime green mane was swaying down and around her head, and her dark green serpent eyes has moved onto me, fixed on me as well. The singing has also stopped as she we check one another out. Her lower body though, wasn't a pony's tail and back legs. No. It was a long snake tail, one that has coiled itself around the bottom of the chair, and gently laying on top of what seems to be a heater, which is still working. Not too surprise, Stables are still working after all this time so why not other places too? Her tail had a yellow underbelly while green on top, with lime green patterns.

However, we both just stood there. Staring at one another for the longest time, it seem. I never seen a creature like this myself and never even heard of one. Is this what they were doing here? Experimenting on ponies and gene slicing them? Mixing in radiation as well? Then finally, she spoke up, after shaking her head. "Am I dreaming or is there actually another pony here?" I blinked a little.

"Um. No... Not dreaming! Um. What are you?" I said nervously, gulping a little. I was really nervous about this because well I don't know what to say of her. I guess this how the other three races felt when they saw us bat ponies?

Luckily for me, she seem to be friendly and after a moment, she did answer my question. "I'm a lamia. The only one that's manage to survive here..." She trailed off, her ears folding down as I frowned a little. So there were others like this here? Would explain the doors.

After a moment, I took a breathe and relaxed myself. "So. Were you the one singing?" I asked, getting a nod. "Your singing seem to calm the ghouls above, kept them from attacking, while forcing me to come down here, ya know about that right?" I got a little blush from that, which I couldn't help but chuckle from.

"It's part of our magical abilities. We are skilled in calming ponies and even hypnotizing them. I sing to myself a lot down here though cause it's very lonely. Those creatures, ghouls you said, don't seem to be effected by much. At most, it keeps them calm and from attacking me when I do attempt to go up." She explained, looking at me. I decided to walk closer up to her as she talk, I was really curiously about her right now.

"So. What happened here anyway? And how have you been living down here?" I asked her, my eyes trailing down to her tail which seems to be softly moving in the water a little. The water also felt pretty warm here, then again, the heater is right there.

She wasn't really happy about me asking, I can tell as she her ears folded down, a sign of sadness. "Me and the others lived happily a long time ago, away from this land. However, a group of ponies from this land invaded ours, kidnapped us and brought us here. We were afraid and we couldn't use our own abilities against them as they worn some sort of headgear that kept their eyes and ears shielded. They continued to keep said things on when around us." I frowned a bit about myself. So they were kidnapped from their homes and brought here. "Then they started performing experiments on us, mixing this green stuff as well as this rainbow liquid into us. It caused a great deal of pain and misery to many of us, killing. Others just became... Monsters. I? I don't know. After my experiment, which was the first one they deemed was success. I just felt different. I never felt tired or hungry ever since, and my scales glowed." I've noticed that last part.

"Hm. I think they've turned you into some sort of radiation version of yourself. Basically, you are kinda like me and the ghouls up above. Your body is alive cause of the radiation. For the record, that's the green stuff. I have no idea what the rainbow stuff you mentioned is or at least not yet." I explained softly, smiling a little as she nodded.

"Oh. Well thanks for telling me." She sigh peacefully, looking down at the ground. "I'm glad you are here honestly then, even though it was against your will and that you are a quad-pony, though different from the ones working here." I nodded a bit. However, I did got up.

"Well. I'm glad to help you out but I do have to get going. I only came here to investigate. However, on my way out, I'll take out the ghouls above. Hopefully then you can leave the place." I softly explained, grinning a little as I started to make my way out of the room. I don't know honestly but I'll take out the ghouls for her. If they are trapping her here, like I'm assuming, then it's the least I can.

However, leaving wasn't going to be easy as I heard a rushing of water and quickly, she moved in between me and the doorway! Sweet Luna's tail, she was faster and more agile than me! "Please don't go! You just got here and I want to talk more... Please?" She said, as I gulped a little.

"Um. I'm sorry but I do have to go. I'm kinda on a time limit here and a friend of mine is in danger, as well as I. Me being here will put you in danger too." I explained softly, and nervously, as I notice her tail moving around me in the water.

However, she leaned down to me, frowning a bit. "Please? I don't want to use it..." Use what? I thought to myself after hearing her saying that. But instead of questioning her, I just shook my head. I have to go after all and I'm hoping that she realize that. She sigh softly as I did so though. "I didn't want to do this." She said as I gulped a little. I think I was in trouble. I was expecting her tail to do something, like tie me up and crush me maybe; or her to sing again. However, her eyes just exploded into colorful spirals. Blue, yellow, green, etc. Quite many different colors, many beautiful and pretty colors. I couldn't help myself but to stare up into them.

I felt her right hoof gently holding my chin up as well as my head started feeling heavy, my thoughts also blurring a bit as I continued to stare up into the colors. "Just relax, you don't want to leave. You want to relax." I heard her voice say to me, and I couldn't help but agreed. Why did I need to leave? Relaxing sounds good. "Relax and enjoy my gentle embrace." She added as I felt her tail moving around my backlegs, and continued moving around my body. She was coiling around me and I liked every moment of it!

She kept moving her tail around me, pinning my forelegs and wings now as her tail crept closer to my neck. My mind was getting more blurry as it relaxed under the colorful rings, my eyes unable to move away from them completely. Unable to break the trance but I didn't want to. Once her tail finally finished, tightly yet gently coiling around my neck, I just gave away. Smiling happily at her as her coils held me there, in front of her. "I'm sorry but I just can't let you leave too soon." She said gently to me, hugging my head to her chest with her only legs. "Mmm. Just been so long since I have company, since I was able to hold somepony like this. I missed the feeling." She continue, even though my mind was unable to replied, and I think she notice. "Wake up."

Upon hearing her, I took it as a command apparently and the trance on my mind was removed. I blinked my eyes, still noticing I was in her hold. "Bloody hell?" Was the first two words I said to her. "I mean seriously, that wasn't really necessary!" However, I saw her upsetting face and I sigh a little. "But it felt nice honestly, really nice. I see why now what you meant about your race being good at relaxing ponies." She smiled, hugging me even more now with those legs of her. "But you do need to let me go. I am on a serious time limit." I said gently then went on to explain about my issue with Steel Rangers and Enclave.

After that, she did let me go. She also finally told me her name, which was Golden Swirls. Apparently before the experiments, she was more close to yellow coloring instead. She also let me know that she get me in her coils later on and I decided to also let her know the location of that shed I've found earlier. I knew that she'll need to spot I know about to hideout at, if we ever gonna see one another again. She was very nice and maybe I can help her more later?

Anyways, I went ahead upstairs and started taking out the ghouls. Lucky me, there really wasn't that many like in Hoofsvale but still plenty of them that I ran out of bullets with my only gun and had to cut the rest down. Once they were down, I let Golden know before leaving the place and heading to my second destination.

On my way to the second location, my Pip-buck was going off once again with somepony connecting to me. I gulped a bit upon hearing, praying to Luna in my mind that it wasn't the Enclave. However, it was a specific mare's voice once again. "Well hey there! Been some time since I've talked to you!" I rolled my eyes as I walk.

"Why did you lie to me about those raiders anyways?" I asked her, curious about that as I continue my walk, keeping my eyes on any possible wildlife or worse just in case.

"Awww! To test you baby, simple as that!" Baby? I raised my eyebrow. "I needed to know if you were the hero type or not before I make my move." Okay, now I'm intrigued.

"Make your move?" I asked curiously into the Pip-Buck as I heard giggle on the other end, however she never replied. The connection was lost shortly after. Well that was lovely! Now i have this mysterious mare who wants to 'make her move' on me, whatever she means by that. I growled a little, looking at the ground as I mumbled to myself about this situation.

"I think she's interested in you." I heard a familiar voice as I jumped. Turning around was a lovely Sprite-Bot. "Did I spook you? I apologize. Sometimes I do that." I nodded a little. "So, have you listened to my advice yet anyways? You seem to be alone..." I blinked a little and started explaining to him about what has happened to me since. I don't know why but I felt like he should know anyways. "I don't trust the Steel Rangers myself so I do approved of your plan. However, you shouldn't trust them to keep to their words, so best to make a back-up plan. Also, sorry about your father. I bet he was a great colt." I nodded a little. That was nice at least.

"Well. I got ya updated now Mr. Watcher. Anything else you gonna tell me about or not? I should probably get back to my job and ya know, save Berry and such." I explained to him, looking forward once again as I walk. However, that music started kicking in and I sigh. Well, that was fast but then the music stopped.

"Sorry about that, lost control for a moment." I nodded a little. Alrighty then. "I did have one last bit of advice I think you should know about. Have you found your virtue?" That's not really advice, just a question.

"Um. No?" I asked back to him, confused about this. I mean, I know about everypony having a virtue or virtues. I also remember about the story of the elements of harmony, six major virtues.

After thinking about it though, could he be hunting the elements of harmony? Is that why he is watching the wasteland? Trying to find ponies who fit the description? Just a wild guess, mostly a stupid one. "It's good to know your virtue. It helps you to move on, to fight, and to continue. Ponies who loses their virtue gets absorbed by the wasteland, either killed or worse; become part of the wasteland, like raiders." Okay, that makes sense actually. Raiders don't really have any virtue at all, from what I've seen. They just seem to be crazy, killing, raping ponies, nothing more. Still, what is mine? What virtue do I symbolize? I highly doubt it's any of the harmony ones! "I'll let you ponder on that and get back to your adventures. There's somepony else I should be checking up on anyways." I blinked a little upon hearing that and then the bot went off, playing it's retarded annoying music.

Thinking about my virtue did seem to speed up the time, as I finally made it to the second location on the map and almost shit myself once I checked it on my Pip-Buck. It's another Stable! This one is being hidden in a cave that is sticking right out of the ground. I took a look around the entrance though, but what caught my mind the most is the plant life. Actual plant life! Though it looks to be growing right out of the Stable. Curiously, I walked down the cave, stepping over the plants as I do so, to the front door, which is opened with a lot of roots and plants grown around it. My Pip-Buck did mention that this was Stable 42.

As I walked inside, the I took notice that the lights are barely working and that the metal walls of the Stable and many furniture are rusted greatly, with plant life growing out of the vents and many other areas. Okay, mental note here: something bad is going to happen. The residents of this Stable must've either left or were killed in here. I believe the latter more as I don't see how anypony, or anything, can stop ponies from getting into this Stable.

As I move through the first door, leading into a hallway. I took a simple look to my right, noticing a creature of some sort. It was just sticking out of some soil that seem to have broken out through the metal, allowing plants to grow there literally but around this creature. Curiously, I gotten close to it and the moment I was near, it came to life! Climbing onto it's hooves! The thing was covered in what seems to be moss and it had a lot of spikes on it's back, with a flower growing out from it's head. After taking a closer look, whatever it was, it use to be a pony! As fast as I could, I took my combat knife and stabbed the thing deep into it's neck, while it was still getting up. I ripped the neck over and wasn't long until the head went off, with green blood being sprayed over the walls and floor.

Okay! Mental note confirmed, this place is bad! If that thing use to be a pony, and is now plant-like. Fuck! I started nervously now looking at all the plants in the Stable, gulping a little! Okay, so I'm in a Stable filled with plants that seem to be able to turn ponies into plant like monsters, or so I'm assuming. Plan A sounds like best plan which is to run like hell. However, what would happen if these plants grow out in the wasteland and spread? That means I could go Plan B and find a way to set the place on fire, but I have no means to setting things on fire here! Plan C is to tell the Steel Rangers to blow up the place or something like that, but highly doubt they'll listen to me. So. Okay, Plan B! Let's find a way to set the place on fire then get the hell outta of the place!

How? Well. I started thinking about that for a moment and then came up with an idea. I should find the Stable's armory and might be able to fight some sort of explosive or maybe fuel! Sounds like a good idea. Also, ammo! So silently, I moved down through the halls, keeping my distance as best as I could from the plants, as I watch the signs of each room. Did found Medical, which I decided to go ahead and take some medical supplies from. However, there was a safe I couldn't open. I also found another plant pony, which I took down before it got the chance to fully wake up. Hopefully, I keep finding these one at a time and not in a group!

Few rooms down, I found the armory! Walking inside, I went directly to the lockers, checking each locker. Did found ammo for my pistol, which is good, but nothing else that's useful. I had one more locker left and sighing, I opened it up and smiled as I found a few actual C4 explosives and a detonator. I wasn't expecting that but yes! Putting them in my bags now, I grinned and walked out of the room, moving toward the stairs now at the end of the wall. I moved down the first set of stairs, then turn right toward the other set, I dodged as I saw a projectile of something coming at me. Taking a look, I saw a giant fly trap, it looked like, that was spitting at me! Quickly, I took out my gun and shot the thing down. Took a few bullets but it went down.

I continued my path from there, looking around the place. I took note that I can smell gas, which means there is a gas leak and hey! That's sounds perfect for my plan! My eyes trailing along the walls, and floors, as I tried to find the source. In the corner, there it was. The a pipeline which was broken and still leaking! Bingo! I went ahead and set up the C4 there, grinning as I do then I was about to leave before some more plant ponies came out. Quickly, I took out Jackson and shot them down as fast as I could, using up my ammo already.

Oh well, at least the bullets helped me with this! Hurrying, I moved my way back up the stairs, and toward the exit! I was almost out of the Stable's door before a plant's vine wrapped around my backleg, pulling me! Grunting, I quickly pulled out my combat knife, cutting the vine off as fast as I could as I've seen others moving about. I then made a break for it now but I wasn't fast enough before another vine got around my waist, as others moved in to tie me up more. However, before they could get my neck, I pulled out the detonator. I really wasn't planning to do this until I was safely out but if I'm gonna get killed by these plants anyways, they are coming down with me! I bit onto the button.

The whole place explored and rang my ears, the vines dropping me as the area started to burst in flames and explosions. I grinned a little, feeling a rush in my blood as I get up and ran for it! This is actually quite fun, risking my life like this and running out of an exploding Stable! Wow! I know I can get out though, oh so I do! Right about in time, I manage to get out of the Stable as the entrance room was set ablaze and the plants outside started dying as the source was burned away. Taking one last look at the Stable, I grinned, and then continued to my third destination. Steel Rangers are so gonna kill me for exploding a Stable!

The last destination was a break for me. It was another factory looking buildings but this time, it was overrun by Raiders. I have no bullets so there is no way I'm gonna be able to do much. I'm just gonna tell the Steel Rangers that they have equipment and hopefully, they'll send some out to take out the Raiders easily before Enclave gets here. Hopefully. That's my plan anyways.

So, turning around, I started heading out toward Fillydelphia, looking out at the place. I'm gonna have to fly with my stealth field on to get over there and from the distance, there seems to be quite some activity going on over there. I also noted some, not many though, griffons flying about, which my ears kinda went down upon seeing them. Don't want to bump into them as I get over there! Gently looking my wrist, I pushed down to the lovely button there and I heard that soft noise of the stealth field being activated.

Gently, I took to the sky, keeping my wings flapping low as I hovered myself into the city. Watching the ground below, then looking forward at the city's ruins. The giant factory isn't working and the buildings seem to be standing there, tired and rotting. The wall around the city though, that was rather new to me. So something is going on here, something interesting. Gently flying over the wall, I landed on top of it. Taking a look down at the ponies below, gulping a little.

There was quite a bit of ponies here, most wearing collars and clothes that seem to bondage them, like they are slaves. There was also plenty of raiders looking ponies, slavers I'm assuming myself, but their armor is different from what I've seen on either. I also gotten closer look at the griffons, noticing that they are wearing their own armor, using their own weapons. Griffons are, to my knowledge, mercenaries really. So if they are here, then somepony has either a lot of caps or a lot of influence to have them here. I gently moved around though, sticking to the wall as I observe the city, watching the ponies down below and taking notes.

I notice a stage though, hanging up between some buildings of the original city itself. I couldn't hear the pony on it from where I was, especially above all the noise down below, but I can tell he was talking to a griffon, I believe. He was a red stallion, earth pony, and the biggest thing that I've noticed about him though was his eye. He had, what looks like, a cybernetic eye. Did this earth pony made himself a cyber pony of some sort? I heard about an idea of doing that during the war but never thought it was possible. I also noted his Pip-Buck and I gulped a little, hopefully it can't 'see me'. I think it can as I saw his head turning toward where I was on the wall, staring directly at me it seem! I took a look below and then at him again and decided to screw it. I don't want to get into this mess!

I took flight and made my way out, getting away from the place! Steel Rangers were correct, something is going on here and I'm placing my bets that the red pony I just saw is behind it! I don't know why but I just have a feeling, a really bad feeling about him. As I was flying away, I turned off my stealth field, sighing as I was done with that now then my Pip-Buck went off again. Gulping a little, I tuned in. "Good, you still alive I see Storm." It was the Colonel's voice. "I'm going to be sending your Enclave orders in a moment, got it?" I rolled my eyes a little.

"Fuck you. I know now that you lying fuckers lied to me." I said back to him. "Oh and I cut off that horn you gave me. I hope you didn't have that in your plans! Actually, you probably don't have this in your plan either!" With that, I disconnected. Ye'h, Enclave will be up my flank now soon so better hurry up!

I succeeded at getting back to the Steel Ranger bunker, and I am now in the same room as before, staring at the Elder once again. I quickly went through everything though, knowing it won't be long. "Location One is filled with radiation and seem to have some interesting technologies. I also killed the ghouls living there. Location Two is destroyed, I apologize. Location Three is overrun by Raiders and I couldn't get a real look inside. However, Raiders won't be a problem for you ponies. As for Fillydelphia itself, yes. There are slavers and griffons there, and what seems to be a cybernetic pony. Now where is Berry?" I finished with my question as the Elder raises a brow but shrugged.

"Berry is alright. We did have our scribes remove her memories of us and two Steel Rangers are escorting her to New Appleloosa while she is under a sleep spell. We decided to keep to our word about that. That is, until, our scribes checked out the memories, so I'll be informing the two Steel Rangers escorting her after this." I gulped a little as I see him staring down at me, some of the Steel Rangers around me getting their weapons ready. "So tell me Storm, has the Enclave contacted you yet." It wasn't a question. He knew. Probably because of how fast I was talking and how fast I wanted to get her to safety. Well, I glad she is being escorted to safety. Hopefully he won't be able to contact the two escorting her!

Then, an explosion has happened, shaking the whole place. They are here. Growling, the Elder looked to the other Rangers. "Quickly, get out there and defend. I am not letting this bunker fall to the Enclave." Then he took a look at me. "I'll take care of this one." I gulped a bit. I know for sure I can't rush out the exit door, due to the Steel Rangers are already doing so to go defend and the Enclave are going to be out there! So Plan B, rush the other way. Quickly, I made a break for the door on the other side, as the Elder pulled out his pistol, taking his time to aim. I actually manage to dodge right it time, feeling the heat of the bullet rushing right past the tip of my ear. I took a look behind me, noticing that it didn't melt the steel it hit but rather went blazing for a moment before dying down, unable to catch the metal on fire. Oh shit, fire based energy weapon! That's why it's red!

I jumped through the doorway, hitting the button to close behind me then backed away, looking around the bedroom. Really nowhere to hide in here and the place was shaking, being hit by something. No idea what but it's probably not pretty. I stood up in front of the door though, grinning a bit as a crazy idea came to mind! The moment the door opened, I jumped right onto him, pushing all my weight onto as I knocked him down, causing his weapon to fall out of his grip, though before a bullet manage to hit along my shoulder, causing a slight burning pain.

However, I rolled forward after he fell onto the ground, laying the other side. I manage to get up and kicked his gun away before he gotten a chance to get to it and gotten a buck to the face from it. "Fine. I'll have more fun bucking the life outta you for what you've done!" Growling and backing up a bit, I gave him a glare.

"Then let's go mate!" I yelled at him, stretching out my wings in a combat stance as he smiled. I manage to dodge the next hit he threw but he got in the gut, and quickly pushed me down onto the ground, holding me down now. Honestly, I'm not good at all with hoof-to-hoof combat but wasn't going down this easy! I manage to raise both my backlegs and bucked him with them, pushing him off of me and used my wings to quickly get into the air, punching him with my own forelegs now.

I manage to get some hits in but he raised his own now, catching him in a lock, pulling me close and pushing me forward with his superior strength to the wall, holding me there. This time, he also made sure to keep my backlags from kicking. "Now to give back to you for the shit you brought to us!" He grinned, leaning forward to me as I took a breath. Well, it's a crazy idea but hey, must've well do it! As quickly as I can, I slammed my lips against his, actually kissing him, which completely caught him off guard, weakening his hold on me. Just as I hoped, I kicked him away and off of me, spitting at the ground.

"I bet you never had anypony to love ya whole life! You tasted awful!" I said out loud to me, grinning as he stand up, growling and rushed to me. I jumped out of the way right in time, letting slam into the wall, knocking himself unconscious from the impact. I grinned and chuckled a little at that, rather funny that he went for that. Turning around now, toward the door. I came face-to-face with the Captain from the Enclave.

"Greetings again Storm. I had to confirm that what you said was true and it is." I gulped a little, looking at the armored pegasus. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you personally. Just confirming. We'll just going to bury you in the rumble of this place and if you somehow survived, we'll just let Night Shot hunt you down. He's been aching for a hunt." I blinked a little, nodding a bit and shrugging.

"Okay then." Was all I said as I went for it but he quickly flew with me, catching me and holding me down.

"Nope. Not letting you go anywhere!" He said, grinning as he takes a rope, tying my wings down to my sides as he held me down. I really need to work out more. I continued to struggle to the best of my ability, even manage to give him a few punches but he manage to get me tied up, as I wiggled a bit. "There. Sad to see you have to make this choice, I would really love to be friends with you." He said as he walked off.

I sat there sighing peacefully to myself, looking at the unconscious Elder and myself. Oh a pity to me! I guess I'm gonna get buried alive now, and probably crushed to death. Sighing, I closed my eyes, listening to the explosions once again picking up, this time. More severe as the place started to go down, I heard the map fell onto the ground, shocking with electricity. I heard pieces of the roof falling onto the ground around, feeling some of the rumble hit. Then, the piece of the roof right above came down onto my head, sending me deep into an unconscious state. I sigh peacefully though, somehow seeing those colors from earlier again, remembering the bliss right before I went out fully. Kinda nice to feel that bliss. Was that a side effect after being exposed? Maybe. Maybe not. All I knew then, that bliss felt nice right before death... Or at least I thought that I was going to die.