Fallout Equestria: Sins Unforgiven

Chapter 6: Leaving

"Sunshine, Sunshine, Ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake." The Overmare jingle rang through out the stable around breakfast the next morning. Moments later, Sweet Rose's voice came through the speaker.

"Good morning Stable 6. This is your Overmare, Sweet Rose. As you know, we had a terrible tragedy that struck our stable. We have the names of those who perished. They will momentarily will be sent to your Pipbucks for you to look over. Many families were separated during that time and just know, if you don't see your loved one on that list, they might be on another floor. Security Staff is armed with all the names of everyone on each Floor. I must apologize for the disabled use of your locators. We had to turn them off to do our consensus. Over the next few days, this will be restored.

"I also want to let you know that our Head Security Pony, Riot Shield, as appointed a new Head to take his place while we find resources for our Stable. Your new Head Security Pony is Blue Shield. He has requested Smitten Break to be his Vice head. Any security issues or problems that may arise should be directed to them.

"I will announce shortly about the next Overmare, but first I want to announce normal announcements. Scoots and his sister, Loosie, will have their Cutiebrations on their normal day, Spring 78. Sweetie Song will have her's on Spring 80 and Flower Bloom will have hers on Spring 88. We have the wedding of Primrose and Blue Badge on Spring 90 and the next day, Summer 1, we have Nurse Care Heart and Doctor Heart String having their 19th wedding anniversary. Scoots and Loosie will have their birthday celebration on Summer 3. Now, let us take this moment to have a time of silence for all of the ponies that lost their lives in the tragic attack. Be in mind for any remaining family."

The room was silent as some of the mares cried silently for the loss. The silence lasted for a minute or two before Sweet Rose inhaled to mark the end of the silence.

"Now, as promised, I will announce who the new Overmare is.

"While I was trying to decide, this pony kept coming to mind. This pony has been loyal to the previous Overmare for as long as I can remember and this pony's son has done the same when the pony retired. This pony has agreed to come out of retirement to lead this stable in my stead. And I trust this pony will do as I would in certain situations. After all, I have known him my whole life. Fillies and Gentlecolts, I present your new Overstallion, Justice Shield!

"I know Mr. Shield will run this stable as I would. I trust him with my whole conscious that he will not disappoint me if I would return. Now, just because he is a stallion doesn't mean he can't be in this position. I have looked through all the history texts of this stable, and in the past, there have been a few Overstallions and the Stable still ran proper. I trust you will make Justice Shield feel welcome as the new Overstallion. His role is effective immediately following this announcement."

Sweet Rose got quiet for a moment.

"Stable 6, my friends and I promise to return to this stable. We must go on this journey to locate resources, be it a new place to live, or find resources to repair our door and reseal it properly. As I stated before, Floor One will be sealed off from anyone under Administration level. This is to prevent anypony trying to follow us. Stable 6, I, Overmare Sweet Rose, bid you all a farewell until my return. Please, live normal lives while we are gone. You all will be in our thoughts as we travel."

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake" The Overmare jungle faded out as the announcement ended.

**

Riot Shield was in the Floor Two cafeteria with the rest of his friends during the announcement. There have been a good amount of families that came up already to escape the overcrowding in the lower floors. Riot Shield was a proud son to hear his father was taking over the role of Overmare....well Overstallion. And it was actually his father who suggested Blue Shield, Riot's cousin, to take the position as Head Security Pony. Meadow Lark looked over to Riot and noticed him smiling. "Somepony is a proud pony." Meadow smiled.

"Of course, being the Overstallion is an honor for my father! After all, I think Sweet Rose made the wise choice of choosing him, not just because he is my father, but because he knows the most about what the Overmare does. I chose my cousin because I know he would do a great job in my position. Smitten Break was a bonus." Riot Shield couldn't help but continue to smile.

"Hasn't Smitten Break been on since the time of your father as Head?" Lightning Dash asked.

"If my memory serves me, I believe he was." Flutter Shy chimed in. Training with Seabee has toughened the shy mare some.

"Yes. Smitty has been on since my father's time. I used to call him Uncle Smitty. He should be close to retirement though. I'm surprised that he is choosing to stay on." Riot Shield said as the speaker livened up again.

"Attention Stable 6. This is your Overstallion, Justice Shield. I want to announce that at 10:00 this morning, there will be an official funeral for Overmare Chrysanthemum, Dust Shower, and young Flax Seed down on Floor 18. Overmare Sweet Rose has asked us to bury her family out of respect. I agree with her. The ceremony will be held over the screens in the Cafeterias as the floor can only hold 200 ponies. Sweet Rose and I have selected the 200 ponies that will be allowed on that floor. A message should be sent momentarily after the list of the perished ponies. Thank you."

"Seems like your father is adjusting into his role quite well." Jewel noted.

"Yep." Riot smiled and a uniform notice came on everypony's Pipbuck. It was the list of the deceased. Riot Shield sighed. He looked around and watched as his friends looked through the list. He didn't need to, he helped compose it. Flutter Shy started crying again when she read the name of her father and mother. Riot wrapped a hoof around her shoulder to comfort her. "They went fast. I know they did." Riot comforted Flutter. She only nodded. The five also received another notification. It was the funeral invite. They all knew they would have gotten one.

"Riot, why don't you go meet Sweet Rose and we will meet you down in the fields." Jewel said wrapping her hooves around Flutter in a hug. Riot nodded and floated his items in the proper bins before walking out. He took the stairs up to Floor One since the Elevators were now programmed to reroute anyone who presses "1" to stop at "2". He walked up to the door and punched his code in, let it scan his hoof before hooking up his Pipbuck. The red light turned green and he opened the door. As soon as the door was open it turned red and he made sure it closed behind him and latched. Riot walked to the Overstallion's office. There he hoped to find Sweet Rose.

**

"Thank you again Mr. Shield for coming out of your retirement to do this job. I hated to do that, but you were the only one I could trust to run the Stable like my mother and I would. I don't know how well communication is to our Pipbucks are from inside here, but, do try at least to get into contact if you ever need help." Sweet Rose was facing an older looking Riot. Justice Shield had a smile on his face.

"Anything to serve you Overmare Sweet Rose. Your mother was quite good to me and to my son. I would do anything to honor your mother." Justice smiled. "You look more like your father each day. Princey would have been proud of you." Sweet Rose smiled.

"That's right. You and my birth father were in the same class. Will you tell me about him when I come back some time? I don't remember him anymore." Sweet Rose said turning towards the door to walk out with Justice.

"You got it. Anything for my Best Stallion's kid." He ruffled her hair as the door slid open. Sweet Rose didn't notice that Riot was walking in as she was walking out. The two bumped and looked into each other's eyes.

"S-sorry." Sweet Rose apologized.

"No...it's my fault." Riot Shield blushed. Justice smiled. He knew about his son's crush on Sweet Rose. "I...uh...I came to see if you have eaten?"

"We were about to go eat. How about you?" Sweet Rose smiled.

"Um...no....I haven't." Riot lied.

"Why don't we all go get a bite. After all I am starving." Justice Shield smiled. Justice led his son and Sweet Rose down to the second floor cafeteria to get a bite to eat. It was pretty empty at this point as some families went to go prepare for the funeral of Overmare Chrysanthemum and the rest of the fallen. Justice grabbed three trays and floated them over to a table. "Alright, let's eat." Justice smiled. Riot gulped and took one bite right before his cousin, Blue Shield, walked in.

"Sorry. Riot, I need your help on something." Blue was blushing as Smitty, who had a cast on his left front hoof, was behind him.

"Yeah....no prob....gotta go." Riot sighed in relief and took off with Blue and Smitty.

"He so ate already." Sweet Rose giggled.

"mmhm." Justice smiled too.

***

Sweet Rose was sitting next to Justice Shield as Ms. Finish was talking about Flax Seed and how he had grown since he was starting to learn about being a Farm pony. Sweet Rose had a tear in her eye when Ms. Finish talked about some of her other students that had died that night. Jewel, who was sitting behind Sweet Rose, placed a hoof on her shoulder. A smiled appeared on her face for a moment before reverting back to a frown. Justice looked over to Sweet Rose as Ms. Finish finished her speech. "You don't have to do this." He whispered but Sweet Rose shook her head.

"No. My mother had faith in me, I am going to do her proud." Sweet Rose got up and walked next to the burial site, not looking at the pictures. She took a deep breath. This speech had no preparation, but she didn't need it. It came straight from the heart.

*

"Everypony knows that my mother was a respectable Overmare and did much to make sure her ponies were happy in their lives down here. But what everypony didn't know is how much of a great mother that my mother was. Sure, everypony knew she loved her children and did try and spend time with us, but what everypony didn't know is how many sacrifices she had made to go to a play when I was in one, or when Flax was in one. She always made time for us, even if that meant cancelling an important meeting with the Head Security Pony, or changing the date of a wedding because one of us got sick. But I had never seen her take personal days just for herself since the sudden death of my birth father, the stallion everypony knew as Princey. I may not remember him much anymore, but the toll it took on my mother is still fresh in my mind to this day. My mother, Overmare Chrysanthemum, wasn't known for taking sick days or personal days just for herself at this point, but my mother's devastation at Princey's death drove her to the bottom. I could tell how much my mother loved him. There was also one important thing that no pony except myself and the now Overstallion knew, my mother also miscarried that night. Yes, I was supposed to have a sibling from Princey, but she never told anypony about that pregnancy. Only Overstallion Justice and I knew about it, and later, Dust Shower. I saw my mother as a strong pony and those few weeks after his death, I saw her struggle to even make me breakfast. But never once did she turn to Cider or become suicidal. She was fighting for her ponies, even for me, to get over that loss.

"Fast forward a few years. It was after my Cutiebration celebration that my mother and I were down here walking the groves and fields that my mother met Dust Shower. Now at first, my mother wasn't really into Dusty, but I could tell that Dusty was bringing something out in my mother, her laughter. Ever since Princey died, my mother didn't really laugh. She faked nearly all of them, but Dusty brought out my mother's genuine laughter. Dusty came by once a week to visit my mom after about four weeks. It was nice to see my mom go out. I remember going over to Overstallion Justice's dwelling those nights. It wasn't until Fall 24, that I could tell that my mom was really interested in this stallion. Dusty had the chance over the course of that time to include me in some of those dates and I grew to like him too. It wasn't until I heard that Dusty and my mother were getting married that I knew I wanted him for a dad, as I had been without one longer than I had one. Dusty was the best father I could have asked for. He made my mother happy and made me happy. I didn't see real joy come back to our dwelling until I was 11.

"Flax Seed had been conceived and my mother had the smile I only remember her seeing before Princey's death. My family wasn't complete until he was born. I instantly loved him and helped out as much as I could with my little brother. Flax was really precious to me and I really protected him the best I could. I first felt like I had failed when I picked him up one day and he had a black eye. He told me it was nothing, but I pressed him on until he told me he was getting bullied. Partially was because of his name, but he wasn't colt standard in that class according to some of the foals. I knew I needed to tell my mother about it, but I was a young mare who wanted to protect my little brother. I took him to school the next day and asked Ms. Finish if I could help out that day. It couldn't have been more convenient as the mare that was supposed to help couldn't make it because her own foal was sick that day. I learned something about my little brother that day, it wasn't that he wasn't standing up to them, it was that he was getting over powered by the bully. Flax wasn't the strongest with his magic, but it didn't stop him from trying. And he was able to grow while I spent time there and he stopped getting bullied when I wasn't there.

"I will miss my family dearly. But I know that they are always with me. Even though I'm not active Overmare, I still want us to take this time to reflect on all that lost their lives a few nights ago. Even though this funeral is more focused on my family, I don't want it to just be about them. There were other ponies, even whole families, that lost their lives that night. Families that were torn apart. I even lost my grandmother that night. Why she isn't here being buried is a whole other matter, one I am not going to get into. But my mother and step-father met here, and it is fitting that they be buried here and become one with this stable. My brother is here because without this place, he wouldn't have been here. But just because these three are being physically buried here doesn't mean the others aren't here as well. With the approval of the Overstallion, there will be a memorial in this part of the field dedicated to those who had lost their lives that night. We will never forget the tragic event, but we can move forward and create a better life because of it. I, Overmare Sweet Rose, will return one day and we will be able to live without fear once more!" Sweet Rose put her hoof down as the ponies in the field started cheering, and she didn't doubt that the rest of the stable was too. "Thank you."

*

Sweet Rose made her way back to her seat as Overstallion Justice took his place. "There is nothing I can say that can top Sweet Rose's speech. I do however want to take this time as we say our good byes, not just to the deceased Overmare and her family, but to everyone who lost their lives that night. As Sweet Rose said, I have approved for a memorial to be risen for all who lost their lives." Justice walked back to his seat and picked up a crystal rose. He took it over and laid it in front of the picture of Sweet Rose's family. "Now while the ponies here take their time to place their roses, I ask that you all take your times and say good bye to your friends, family, and special friends that you might have lost on that night." And with that, with Sweet Rose leading, one by one, all who were in attendance placed their Crystal Rose in front of the picture.

***

After the funeral, a party went on like it normally would, minus Sweet Rose and her friends. As much as they wanted to stick around, they needed to put this stable behind them and leave before they couldn't bear to leave. Overstallion Justice left the party long enough to send them off. "Riot, you keep Sweet Rose and the other safe, you hear me?" Justice looked at his son like he was the Head Security Pony that he was.

"Yes sir. I promise to return these ponies to this Stable in one piece." Riot Shield saluted to his father before giving him a smile. Justice Shield cracked a smile back.

"Thank you once again Mr. Shield for taking over this position." Sweet Rose said. Justice gave a nod.

"Please remember to tell our families good bye and that we will miss them." Jewel said walking out of the Stable door.

"Don't forget to talk to Lucky about taking my place as Gym teacher." Lightning Dash flew out after giving a wave.

"Um....I hope that the plants don't miss me that much." Flutter Shy said. "Oh, um bye!" She trotted out of the door.

"I hope my little bro can live up to my Party standards. I know mine were epic!" Meadow Lark said more to himself as he followed Flutter Shy out.

"Sweet Rose, wait for me outside ok?" Riot Shield asked.

"But of course. Good by for now Mr. Shield. Bye Smitty, Blue Shield." She waved to the two Head Security Ponies who were on to close the door the best they could after the 6 left. Musica and her group had left after breakfast that morning, not sticking around for the funeral.

"Dad...I..." Riot started.

"Riot, my son. Sweet Rose is a beautiful mare. Don't let the chance pass by. One day, she might find a stallion more handsome and you might loose her. Hey, if you two return with my grandfoal, I am not going to complain." Justice laughed as his son blushed. "All jokes aside, learn all you can about protecting yourselves out there and return to us, in one piece or not. Just don't let anyone die on us, ok?"

"You got it dad." Riot did something to his father he hadn't done since he was just a colt. He wrapped a hoof around his father's neck in a hug. "Thanks. See you later?"

"You can count on it." Justice watched as his son walked through the opening. "Close the door." Justice ordered. He then watched as his son and his friends disappeared behind the closing door. "Sweet Princess Cadance, protect them on their journey."

**

Sweet Rose waited as promised and watched with Riot Shield as the door to their stable closed behind them. Sweet Rose, along with Riot, lit up their horns to provide light in the dark tunnel that was outside the stable. There, the whole group saw the outside of the stable door for the first time. It looked like a gear with a giant "6" in the center of it. It hit them all that they weren't going to get back in for a long while. The childhood memories that they had were behind that door. The home they knew wasn't going to be their home until they returned after who knows how long. But now, they have to look forward. "Everyone alright? Got everything that they wanted?" Sweet Rose asked. Everypony had on their saddle bags, Riot carrying both his own and the one that Sweet Rose gave him from the ruins of the Crystal Palace.

"Yeah." they all continued to walk until they reached the opening. They were able to now see that this opening wasn't the actual opening. There were stairs that continued up beyond the opening.

"Riot, think you can help me seal this hole to prevent anypony else from finding the stable?" Sweet Rose asked as they surfaced. Riot nodded and focused his mind on the ground beneath the opening and Sweet Rose did the same. The repair wasn't perfect but it would hold someone as heavy as one of those Applejack Rangers on it. Off in the distance, Sweet Rose spotted their temporary companions. Seabee was flying above the rest while the others watched. "Alright everypony, we have been preparing for this moment for the last day and a half, no turning back now."

"Darling, we wouldn't be here if you weren't here." Jewel said. "And we wouldn't dream of turning back now. We are all in this together and we will be together until the end." The others nodded in agreement.

"Then let's go!" Lightning Dash said flying towards Musica's group. When they arrived, Seabee and Lightning high hoofed and the others greeted their "shadows".

"Good t' see ya'll decided t' continue yer quest. Not 'lot of ponies do." Musica smiled. "Ya all sure ye want t' do this? It' dangerous out 'ere. Many uh pony loose there lives."

"Yes. We all agree that we must go on the journey. Be it to find resources to repair or resources to put up protection. Either way, we are all determined to finish this journey, together." Sweet Rose said with her head up high. Musica had a grin on her face.

"Righ' answer. Now we gotta teach ya'll one last thing. Scavengein'." Musica pointed to the Crystal Castle. "An' we startin' there."

**

Musica lead them all to the castle that was the center of town. Sweet Rose remembered this place. She was walking out of it when she met Musica's gang. Sweet Rose wasn't able to reach everywhere in the castle, but the familiar ding she heard when she came here last sounded on the rest of her friends' Pipbucks. "The Crystal Castle." Sweet Rose said, without looking at her own. "It says that it was the home of a Princess Cadance and a Prince Shining Armor. They were the rulers of this land before the Balefire attacks." Sweet Rose informed. She looked over to see her friends staring at her. "What? I came here before I found them." She pointed a hoof at Musica and her gang.

"What I don't get is how our Pipbucks are gaining this insight?" Riot Shield asked.

"Maybe all of our Pipbucks already had this programmed in them and the information is surfacing as we get to the location." Sweet Rose tried to make sense as they walked into one of the entrances. It was a different one than what Sweet Rose had walked in before, but everything looked the same as the other. "So what do you want us to learn here besides scavenging?"

"Well, you all are going to learn how to lock-pick, crack a terminal, scour through belongings and determine what is safe to eat and drink." Springtrap informed. "Now some of the locations we are going to take you don't have anything of any real value, but it is still a nice opportunity for you to learn what is valuable and what isn't. Each of us will partner back up with who we were partnered before with and we will spread out. There is a common area on the floor above, that is where we will start and end."

"We got ourselves enough food to share with you folks tonight as we won't get to determining what is safe and what isn't, but tomorrow morning we will resume what we are learning tonight." Racquet smiled.

"So in other words, we are learning skills we may not need?" Meadow Lark asked.

"Yes. But think if we didn't teach you and you came across a safe that could mean the difference between life and death." Steel Rain replied. He led the whole group up the stairs to the second floor. They came right into the common room. "Here is where we begin. Our team knows the starting locations. We meet back in 4 hours for lunch." Steel Rain motioned for Jewel to follow. She reluctantly followed.

"Good luck babe!" Meadow Lark called out before following Flashpoint down a hallway, opposite of Jewel and Steel Rain.

"Flutter, try and do your best." Lightning said as he and Musica, along with Seabee and Flutter went up a staircase. Flutter Shy only gave her nervous squeal in response.

"I guess we are heading up the stairs as well." Riot said as Racquet and Springtrap led them towards the same staircase.

"We both have a tough challenge for you two. Riot Shield, you are going to crack the terminal that is in the master bedroom. Swe-" Racquet started.

"Already did that. Got all the files on the terminal and scoured through the drawers closest to the terminal in the desk." Sweet Rose stated. Racquet looked stunned that her pupil was already a few steps ahead.

"No worries...there are other.....terminals.......right Springtrap???" Racquet was starting to worry.

"Of course. The room that was the eldest child of the Crystal Royals holds a terminal as well." Springtrap observed as the locations of all the active Pipbucks and Applejack rangers came up on his scanner.

"Ok. So you take Riot Shield there, and I will take Sweet Rose to the young Prince's room." Racquet said as they reached the top of the stairs. Sweet Rose expected to see her pegasi friends there, but they must have went up the set of stairs that Sweet Rose hadn't ventured up the last time.

"See you later Rosie." Riot said with his usual grin.

"Later Riot." Sweet Rose couldn't help but smile around him. Racquet led her to the room of the pegasus prince that she was in earlier. She didn't really search the room but now was the chance. "What am I looking for?"

"Anything that you think would prove useful in a situation. Could be clothes, it could be a weapon. Hell, it could be a toy. I have already ventured in this room while you all were having your little funeral this morning. I know what I would use. Find the same ones I did, and I might let you take an early break. Up to the challenge?" Racquet smiled.

"You are on."

Lightning Dash: The athletic stallion that just keeps going. Current Age: 23. Off and On with: Flutter Shy. Stable Position: Dweller. Stable Job: Gym Teacher/Pony Trainer. Hobby: Challenging Riot Shield to competitions, teaching the young foals, playing Pegasus basketball. What he looks like: Lightning Dash