Fallout Equestria Stories: Strike

Chapters

Chapter 1: Enter Apocalypse
Chapter 2: Isolation
Chapter 3: As the Dust Settles
Chapter 4: The Grave

Chapter 1: Enter Apocalypse

“I want your new role as bodyguard to take place effective immediately are we clear soldier.” The orange southern spoken mare commanded.

“Yes ma’am I’ll protect her with my life”

“Good Rarity would kill me if I let her sister die to some two bit assassin.” Applejack dug through her desk, pulling out a file and handed it over to me. “ These are your new credentials, congratulations you are now an employee of Stable-tec.”

I took the file, thanked her, and left. On the way back to my home I decided to take a look at the file to make sure all of the information was correct. The file read:

Strike

Pegasus

Titles include: Strike Silvertongue, Chaos Strike, and the Storm Bringer

Storm cloud grey coat, short messy yellow mane

Hmm doesn’t give my size, guess she like to hear of other ponies reaction to my size I’m just a little bit bigger than Big Macintosh, so basicly not normal pegasus size

Two years as a Royal Guard, one year soldier under the Ministry of Wartime Technology

Two adopted children a purple bat pony filly,named Nova Wind, and a blue unicorn colt, named Blue Blaze

While reading the files an old burning pain on my flank returned. I look back at my poor distorted cutie mark to see the weird symbol glowing again. My cutie mark was originally a simple shield with an upward pointing arrow (the arrow is a symbol of order) but now there is a red circle with eight outwardly pointing arrows surrounding it. Several years ago before i joined the Royal Guard I had enjoyed studying old chaos artifacts. These artifacts were remnants of an old civilization that used chaos magic similar to what Discord uses. I had stumbled upon an old temple in which they had performed rituals centuries ago. I, of course, I just had to go treasure hunting, couldn’t give up this opportunity. My searches came up short until I found a huge room with four pillars surrounding a pedestal with a single rounded bloodstone with weird markings in a language that were alien to me. Overjoyed that I finally found something I charged to get the stone not giving a second thought about what it did or if there were any traps. That was a big mistake. The moment my teeth touched the stones strange tendrils shot from it covering my body. I was stunned for a few second but once i regained composer I attempted to escaped the tendrils, to no avail. I thrash and jerked trying to escape the grasp of this creature. All I could see was darkness the thing covered me completely and I started to lose hope. I thought this was my end, but something started to turn inside of me a strange feeling they turned from a sick feeling into strength. I tried to flap my wings pulling myself out of the beast it held on but it couldn’t compete with my newfound strength and blasted out with speed I didn’t know i could physically achieve. I shot from the temple like a bullet, I had to get away from that Celestia damned hellhole. I had to move faster, faster than I’ve ever flown fear overtook my reason I knew i was safe but i kept flying faster and faster. Then suddenly from behind me I heard a loud boom and i looked back to see a huge shockwave that looked sorta like a sonic rainb… My eyes widen with shock and awe, “Did I just…” Slam!!! I should of look where I was going whatever I hit knocked me out and I woke on a hospital bed.

From what the doctor told me I was lucky to be alive and that I had slammed head first into one of the skyscrapers in Manehatten at high speeds and came out with only a fractured skull and a sprained neck. I got up to the burning pain in my flank to see the weird symbol circling my cutie mark. I explained to the doctor what happened and after several examinations the doctors found out that my body had been filled with strange stagnant chaos magic. They assured that it wasn’t doing any damage to me in any way

other than the occasional burning rump, but the magic had somehow increased the speed at which I fly exponentially. They told me I’d be fine but to tell them if anything else started happening.

Recollecting on old memories had distracted my thoughts and I collided with a white unicorn mare. She looked elegant but kinda stressed out like someone who is always trying to keep everything from crumbling down around here. “Applejack said she was sending me one of her best but she never told me you were such a clutz.”

I now realized who I had bumped into, one of my new bosses, Sweetie Belle.

“Mis...Miss Belle I’m terribly sorry, I guess this ain’t the greatest first impression.” Mentally kick myself for not paying attention and possible botching my chances of my new job.

“Don’t worry about it we’ve all had a lot on our minds recently due to the war and the threat of the megaspell.”

“Megaspell?” I’ve never heard of anything like that, it sounds intimidating I hope that, whatever it is, the zebras never get their hooves on it.

“We have a lot to explain but for now, Welcome to Stable-Tec!”

*** *** ***

Sometime has passed now since I started working at Stable-Tec. A while back I had convinced my bosses to let me make my own stables in my off time. I had wanted to test which class of citizens could survive in a Stable and outside after the megaspells, if it comes to that. I was authorized to create three stables with the help of the provided robot assistance. Strike’s Special Stable One, or the SSS-1, was high class being filled with a plethora of food, gardens with robots to maintain it, every instrument I could think of, exercise equipment, spas, an armory, and whatever else i could think of for high class pony.

My first project was in the finishing stage the only thing left was inspection from my bosses and if they approve I could start work on the SSS-2, Middle class. I was flying to Panamare City, the site of the SSS-1, I know my inspection was 12 hours away but i was so nervous I had to go to make sure everything was perfect.

Things have really start going to shit recently with the attempted assassination of Applejack, which hit close to home with one of my bosses, and it was clear the zebras were planning something big but nopony knew what. From what I gather overhearing a conversation while on guard duty the Mare of the Ministry of Arcane Science, Twilight Sparkle, was working on a projects which should push the odds in our favor but nopony has heard from her in quite some time. Worried about what might happen I sent my children to stay in Stable 74 for safety. After my inspection I’ll call them on this new Pipbuck 3000 my bosses gave me, it's quite a strange contraption but I’m sure I can find a way to improve its design after I finish with my stables.

I landed on a hill overlooking Panamare City taking in the sight of such a beautiful beachside city. Taking a deep breath I thought to myself. “It’ll all turn out well in the end, history shows it always does there is wartime and then there is peacetime. We just have to grit our teeth and fight until it’s time to enjoy the quiet tranquility of peace. War will end it always does because war, war never changes.”

Suddenly everything I saw was a blinding light, a loud crash explosion sound, like a thunderclap time 100 ripped its way into my ears. The pain was immense I felt drip from my ears only to realize it was my own blood. When my vision came back all I could see over Panamare City was a mushroom cloud.

“NO NO DAMMIT TO HELL NO!” I screamed tears pouring down my face, “THE ZEBRAS DID IT THEY ACTUALLY FUCKING DID IT THEY USE THE FUCKING MEGASPELLS!” I could tell that I was in range by how big the cloud looked. I quickly called Sweetie Belle with my pipbuck.

“Sweetie Belle get to a stable now!”

“ Strike what’s wrong!?!”

“No time get your damn flank to the stable now, the zebras did it they dropped the fucking megaspells.”

“What about you?”

“ Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine.” I knew I was lying.

“But…”

“No buts get to the stable, stay safe!” Then I cut the call, there was no time for arguments.

Sweet Celestia! I could see the spell coming full force toward me like fire overtaking a forest. Then it hit me. I should of been knocked out from the force of the explosion but no such luck no easy painless death would come my way. My mane burnt off, the skin burned and ripped of my body, my eyes felt like they were melting. The pain was unbearable it was as if Celestia banished me to the moon but missed and sent me into the sun. I begged for death or at the very least a loss in consciousness, but it would not happen. It was if some cruel weaver of fate wanted me to experience every second of the experience. I was now feeling the full force of Armageddon, the end of the world.

Chapter 2: Isolation

I should be dead.

It makes no sense that I still have air in my lungs, thick and toxic air, but nonetheless I’m still breathing. All I could see is thick layers of dust, blinding my path. I had to move, I needed shelter, and serious medical attention. FUCK! My whole body is pain inside and out.My mind raced but I knew there was no time for thought I had to find safety. This can’t be happening! I screamed inside my head. I should be able to find shelter in the SSS-1, I had put the extra quarantine gate so the overmare could send ponies out to the waste to check if it was safe without letting the other residents know. I should be able to enter into there I just have to mov… WHY THE FUCK CAN’T I MOVE! I looked down to see my hooves had melt to the ground. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK I can’t be stuck here I can’t waste the chance at life I’d been given stuck on this Celestia damned hill. I knew there was only one way to get out of this. I had to rip my hooves off.

I knew how bad this would hurt but it was the only thing I could think of at a time. My mind was too jumbled by the events that have transpired to give one simple coherent thought or plan. I spread my wings and tried my hardest to fly up, to no avail. I wasn’t making any progress. I forced myself to keep flying, yanking and pull my legs frantically. I just need to tap into that wing power i had use back at the temple. I flapped and flapped trying to go higher, but my strength wasn’t with me, I collapsed. Tears poured from my face as if they were rain and I was the cloud formed by the pegasus known as Despair.

“I’m sorry Applejack I have failed my job.” I said aloud to nopony in particular, “I’m sorry Sweetie Belle I failed to protect you. I’m sorry Nova and Blue looks like daddy’s not coming home.” Wait I had sent them to Stable 74 they should hopefully still be alive. Stable 74 is hundreds of miles away and they probably wouldn't let me in even if I could make it all the way there. I have to make it to SSS-1 I could use the communication terminals there to get up with Stable 74’s Overmare to see if they were safe. I have to make it there I have to know and no ground, pain, nor will even the reaper pony himself stop me.

I used this new motivation to full my will and force myself to fly higher and higher. I felt the bones that connect to my hooves violently pop out of joint. The pain of that added to the pain already present made me feel light headed and on the brink of collapsing again. No I had to go, I had to check on my children. If flapped hard rising more and more until I could feel the skin and meat of my legs ripping violently apart. More pain washed over me like an ocean wave of knives crashing into me, settling back down, and another wave forming again. Crying and screaming I pulled myself toward the cloud covered sky those damn cowards had closed up.

“ggg-aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” With one final hard pull the last of the remaining meat holding me to this earth ripped apart and I flew forward directly into a puddle. I layed there in the irradiated water breathing heavily, my vision had blurred by the tears that had been flowing from my eyes. I could barely move, my escape from the all consuming earth had drained all of my energy. I layed there for what felt like hours, I felt some strength return to me. I felt like I had taken a small shot of restoration potion, only getting enough to carry on. I had to move, the hardest part is over.

I lifted myself of the ground with my wings, I didn't even want to attempted to touch my hoof-less legs onto to the ground. I could fly too high enough to look over the city to make it easy to find my stable so I had to just push forward and hope to find the right way.

*** *** ***

After lots of searching and bumping into rumble, I finally found my stable. I had hide the secret quarantine entrance under a sewage cover behind the old Cold Shake's ice cream parlor. I knew I had to land if I was ever going to open the entrance. I mentally prepared myself for the pain and tensed up as I very slowly descended.

Okay just a few more inches then I’ll just have to grit my teeth and take the pain long enough to get inside. Closer. Closer. aaaaaaand… No pain? I don’t understand I’m standing on four hoof-less legs and the feel like I never lost the hooves to begin with. First thing I check when I get inside are my hooves, then I try to get a hold of Stable 74.

I forced the sewer cover open and climbed down to find the reinforced steel door. I touched the door and was greeted by a robotic eye.

“Access code required”

“Access code: Hidden Hermes”

“Access Granted”

I could hear the metallic turning of the gears as the door slowly creaks open. Cool clean air rushed out and rapped around me like a long lost friend. I stood there breathing in the heavenly blessing of air, but I knew the longer I stood there the more disgusting, dusty, irradiated air would flow in and make the quarantine take longer. I stepped into my sanctuary from the crumbling world around me.

*** *** ***

I hate the quarantine chamber, and having claustrophobia doesn't help. Its the size of an Auto-Doc, it hoses the pony inside down with several strange chemicals, it scrubs them with almost painfully hard brushes, and administers Rad-Aways. It just feels so wrong, but sadly it was necessary as to not contaminate the stable.

I was too worried to look at my legs until I make it to the medical clinic, I knew if I looked down what I see could put me into shock and it be best to have a medibot on standby. I made my way to the clinic and gave the bot the standby command. Now the moment of truth I walked up to a full body mirror to see what had become of me. As I gazed into the mirror I realized I was not prepared for what I saw. My hooves had grown back somehow but my skin was gone and the meat was barely holding on to many parts of my body. I couldn't hold it I threw up everything my stomach had to hold. I was horrid, a monstrosity, how could I call my children, I couldn't let them see me like this. What would I tell them ‘Don’t worry dad’s alive, a walking pile of flesh and pus, but still alive.’ What am I going to do about all of this, the medibots can’t remake skin. Then looking in the mirror I noticed something I notice I did have some skin left. It was the part of my skin that surrounded my cutie mark on both sides the skin stopped right around the weird chaos symbol that surrounded it. The old burning pain in my flank returned again and i heard a strange voice in a snake like whisper speak in my head.

“If you want to look the way you once did I can help you.”

“What? What is it tell me, tell me please.” I must of lost it I’m pleading to a voice in my head.

“It’s really simple just take one of the healing potions stored here. Then, take three drops of your blood and put it in the potion. Finally all you have to do is drink the potion and you’ll back to your old self.”

It sounded so simple, too simple, there had to be a catch, but at this point I didn’t care I wanted to be me again. So I did it, I search for the first potion I could find and placed it on the table.Then I ran grabbed the a scalpel and placed one of my fore hooves over the potion taking the scalpel in my teeth and cut a small slice no my leg. What happened next shocked me, where crimson red blood a dark tar color liquid dripped from my blood vessel. I couldn’t stop to ask why, no matter how much it disturbed me, I had to continue. After three drops went into the potion I gave the potion one last look and downed the potion. The warm feel from the potion turn to searing pain my body felt like it was on fire, the pain kept rising, adding to the pain I gained from the outside. It overwhelmed me my legs grew weak and collapse my consciousness was fading and I passed out.

*** *** ***

Hours pass and I finally awoke feeling as if I had just rose from the dead back from the dead. I turned to the mirror to see that I had turned back to my old self and it seemed the medibot had clothed me with a Stable SSS-1 Jumpsuit. I was elated, I jumped up and danced around, terribly mind you, but dancing nonetheless. After I calmed down from my jubilee, I decided it was well time to make the call to Stable 74 and check on my children. I couldn’t to see the smiles on there face and give them the piece of mind to know that daddy’s ok.

I walked down the empty hallways to get to the overmares office so that i could make the call. The only thing filling the halls were the sounds of the air conditioning and of the robots doing the individual jobs they were assigned. It was quite, lonely, and longing for life. I knew that I’d be here for a while but as long as I could call my kids, I would at least have someone i could talk to.

I found the logged on to the the computer terminal and attempted to call Stable 74 but there was no response. This worried me so I decided to see if I could call another Stable to see if the problem was with my stable or theirs. I tried to contact Stable 2 to see if I can get up with Sweetie Belle and see if she made it there safely. I called and...no answer. Maybe Stable 3...no answer, Stable 12...no, Stable 23… nothing. There's no avoiding it the problem was obvious my communication system was completely gone.

I was alone.

The cold clammy hands of despair washed over me. I was stuck here, by myself with nopony to keep me company other than the emotionless robots to keep me company. Neither the quarantine door nor the stable door will open for the next 50 years. I couldn’t let this break me, if they were still alive I could see them again in 50 years, we may be old and decrepit, but we’d still would be together. I just have to be patient and occupy myself.

Its a good thing I had brought my workshop here when the robots and I were building this stable. I would sometimes stay overnight, and I needed something to keep me busy.

"Welp, might as well take the good with the bad and finish some long-running projects."

*** *** ***

Strike’s Log: 5 years after the megaspell

I am on the testing stage of my longest running project, S-003β. Project S-003α was to create a helmet to allow a pegasus and/or earth pony to use telekinesis as if they were a unicorn. I’ve always hated using my mouth to pick things up or shoot a gun with, and I hate battle saddles, they’re like a walking cage, so I tried to fix my problem with arcane science. Using bottled magic and technology I was able to create the helmet, which I named The Helmet of the Unicorn, it look like an ancient gold pegasus centurion helmet with a robotic horn. Though wearing a helmet everywhere I goes was impractical, so I had to do something.

With the help of my assistant Project S-006, a purple hard light hologram a.i. which I name Andromeda, I was able to make S-003β an ejectable serum that would allow me to implement the helmets power into my own body.

I will also input this in before I go test the experiment.I finished Project S-001, my new pipbuck, named the PipbuckΩ which I had attached into my own foreleg. It’s will only die when I do and it’s virtually indestructible. I now have near complete mastery of 8 instruments, I guess not having much to do is the best motivation to learn new things.

Strike’s Log: 5 hours from the last

The experiment was a success for the most part. Now if I focus on lifting an object my wings will light up with a yellow lightning like pattern, then the object is surrounded in a yellow aura and it lifts. I’m not that good at it I can’t lift anything too heavy but I’m sure I’ll be able to lift more with practice.

*** *** ***

Strike’s Log: 25 years after the megaspell

Halfway there.

I am now putting the finishing touches on Project-009, Brontophobia, it’s a pistol sized weapon. This weapon converted the ammo from laser and plasma pistols into energy and fires it out as a bolt of lightning. It’s shape like a old-timey sci-fi laser pistol. Last year I had finished my other pistol last year, Arachnophobia, this pistol basically look like a spider sitting on a wide barreled pistol with four of its legs pointing forward. Each of the four legs fired a different type of ammo, the top left leg fire sniper bullets, the top right fired pistol bullets, the bottom right fires assault rifle bullets, the bottom left fires sub-machine gun bullets, and the main middle barrel fires shotgun bullets.

I should be prepare if anything tries to attack me when I go back outside. Now all I have left to do is finish learning how to play the rest of the instruments here, up next is the glockenspiel. I could also teach Andromeda other card and board games other than chess, since we are now equally when in skill it comes to ancient military tactics.

I’d also like to note that for some reason I haven’t seemed to be aging I still look as young as I was the day I entered the stable. The medibot says that besides the whole black blood thing, which I came to accept as normal for me, I was perfectly healthy. I guess no matter whether I have skin or not I’m still a monster on the inside.

*** *** ***

Strike’s Log: 1 day before I leave (A.K.A. 49 years and 364 days after the megaspell)

Tomorrow's the day I feel as giddy as a schoolfilly. I was able to finish most of my projects and I learn how to play all of the 45 instrument types that the stable had. Andromeda has prepared me a saddle bag full of food, water, radaway, rad-x, and healing potions on one side and ammo for my weapons in the other. My first order of business is to go to Stable 74 and see my children if they are still alive. I can’t wait to see their faces again. Andromeda will stay behind and look after the stable while I’m gone. I will take the secret entrance, I don’t want anypony finding and destroying this place. This will be my last data log, signing out Strike.

*** *** ***

“ Wake up, Mr. Strike it’s time.”

I awoke to see Andromeda standing in front of me with a plate of breakfast.

“Thank you, Andromeda.”

It took the plate with my telekinesis, which I had gotten moderately good at. Sadly the heaviest thing I could carry is a rocket launcher or a minigun, but other than that I can carry anything else with ease.

I finished eating put on my armored SSS-1 jumpsuit and headed to the secret quarantine door.

“Stay safe!” Andromeda called from behind me.

“Don’t worry I will.” I looked back at her. “Are you sure you be fine with staying here by yourself.”

“I’ll be fine. Just promise me you’ll come back to visit.”

“I promise and hey I may make some new friends that I could bring back to meet you.”

“I’d like that.”

“ See you then.”

We hugged one last time and I exited back out the steel door and up the sewage hole. I climbed out into the world, out into the Equestrian Wasteland.

Chapter 3: As the Dust Settles

As the sewage cover slid open I was able to get my first glimpse of Panamare City since the megaspell had dropped. What I saw filled my very soul with despair. The once beautiful city was now mere rubble, though some buildings still remained. The humongous beach-side hotels had crumbled, toppled, or had huge chunks missing from the side. The Wal-Mare I was behind was relatively intact, all of the doors and windows I could see where boarded up. Seeing the city in this condition hurt me, I used to come here as a young colt on vacations with family. I used to stay in some of the very hotels that now lay in shambles.

“Come on Strike man up you’ve prepared yourself for this you knew there would only be ruins.” I tried to reassure myself I’m fine, I knew what I was getting into, I knew what to expect.

T’chi...BANG!

“Gunshots I haven’t even been out here a few minutes and I already hear a bloody bullet filled exchange.” I slowly crept around the wall to see where the gunfire had come from without being spotted.

As I turned the corner I spotted about five ponies in blood covered spiked armor, two unicorns and three earth ponies. They all look completely terrified by whatever it was that they were fighting.

“What are they so scared of, they look pretty tough to me.”

Okay, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw next. As I was watching, one of the unicorns was suddenly stabbed through the stomach by a set of huge spikes. As I hear her screams of pain I very slowly look around the corner more to see where the spikes had come from. I expected some weird spiked club, but that would have to be a pretty big club to have spikes that massive. As I turn the corner I realize it wasn’t a weapon at all it was a claw to what looked like a horrid, bulky, armored diamond dog if it had taken all its stupid and annoying traits and traded them in for some terrifying and grotesque traits.

The ponies frantically shoot at the monstrosity to no avail. The bullets ricochet off of its armor-like skin, and the plasma shots the other unicorn was shooting merely seemed to tickle it.

The dog-creature-thing seemed to be enjoying itself as it lifted the still screaming mare into the air on its claws. It gave a disgusting grin as it gripped hard with his impaling claw, grabbing the mare’s bottom legs firmly. In one quick yank it pulled the poor mare in half, organs spilling out all over the ground. The devilish being slashed at one of the earth ponies using the dead unicorn as a weapon, cutting a deep slit right threw the stallion’s throat. The poor buck reached for his throat gasping for air, trying to get the blood to stop flowing, but this turned out to be a fruitless endeavor as he slowly choked to death on his own blood.

The hellspawn wasn’t finished yet. Dropping the unicorn corpse, it lunged at the mare and stallion earth ponies, catching one of the through the neck and severing the head of the other poor unfortunate soul.

The last remaining pony, a unicorn stallion, turned as quickly as it could and tried to hightail it away from the blood bath. Unfortunately for the little pony it was much faster as it sprinted towards him. The abomination reached out grabbing the crying screaming pony, dragging him back near the bodies of his now dead friends. The pony was screaming trying to get some traction with his hooves so that he can pull himself from the grip of the beast. The creature noticed this and with a grin put one foot down on the pony grabbing the buck’s two hind legs and forcefully removing them from his body. The thing acted like it was toying with him. The unicorn wasn’t giving up without a fight as he tried to crawl away while using his magic to lift an empty gun up to hit the demon in the face. The gun made contact with the creatures face busting open its eye.

Now the monster was pissed off. The creature swooped up the bloody unicorn in one of its big clawed paws. It pulled the tear and blood stained pony up until they were both eye level. The beast takes its free hand and wraps it around the unicorn’s horn tugging it multiple times until it finally ripped off to the sound of the unicorn’s ear piercing screams.

Then with a smug smile on its face, the monstrosity took the horn very slowly into the now hornless unicorn’s eye. I will never unhear the popping noise his eye made as the horn slowly pierced through. The unicorns screaming finally stopped as the beast gave one final thrust, sending the horn completely through the pony’s head. The body went limp in the horror’s claw. The demonic dog creature looked over its victims licking its lips in delight. The creature took the healthiest looking pony, wrapped its mouth around it crunching down on to its head crushing it in his mouth.

I hadn’t realized how absolutely petrified I had been. Bullets and plasma seemed to do nothing to this monster so I decided a stealthy retreat would be the best option. I very slowly crept backwards, away from the scene that had just unfolded. As I slowly backed away I didn’t check my footing and I slipped over a big rock, crashing onto the ground on my flank. I looked up to see if the beast saw me, as I looked I saw the thing starring directly at me.

“Oh SHIT!” I wasn’t going to wait for it to make the first move; I turned and burst into a gallop. This creature pursed behind me gaining with every passing second. I turned to see the creature almost on me.

“FUCK NO I’m not dying like, this I just have to do something.” I looked back to see how much more the creature needed to gain to be on me, and then I noticed something. “I am a fucking idiot.” With that thought I spread my wings and took to the sky. I guess I had been in that enclosed, cramped vault I had forgotten I could fly. Now safe, I took a sigh of relief, but that was short lived as bullets proceeded to shoot past my wing.

“Sweet burning ovaries of Celestia! The damn thing knows how to shoot a gun!”

Picking up the speed, I avoided the onslaught of bullets flying from the wild shots of the beast’s firearm. The loss of one of its eyes caused its shots to be more sporadic, allowing an easy painless escape.

The city didn’t look much different from the sky; rubble on top of rubble, completely devoid of life. I landed on top of one of one of the taller, still standing structures. From this safe height I scoped out the area in search of some form of hopefully friendly life. Looking over I spotted a pony shaped figure walking down the perimeter of the city. Hopefully this pony could give me directions to the closest living city in the area. I spread my wings and shot from the building with hope that this pony wasn’t hostile.

I swooped in; a few hoof steps ahead of the wandering pony and galloped towards him. He was a deep sky blue stallion with a dark brown, almost black, mane wearing and old black tattered cloak and a duel sniper rifle battle saddle.

“Excuse me sir could you please point me to the closest living town.” I tried to be as polite as possible hoping to not offend the stranger.

Tchic… BOOM! A bullet fired from one of his sniper rifles, whizzing by my ear barely missing.

“The first one’s a warning shot; the next one won’t miss.” I could tell that he meant business.

“Whoa there dead eye, I’m a friendly, no need for bullets.”

“Leave me be or the next round goes through your skull.”

“I’m just looking for direction for the nearest town and maybe some information to go along with it.” I hoped he didn’t take my invitation as an opportunity to open fire.

“Mexicolt City, 10 miles east of here; ask for a buck named Golden Gun. He should be able to help you with whatever you need.”

With that gave him my thanks and flew east toward the city. Before I got too far I turned back and saw his cutie mark, a single standing silver sniper round bullet.

*** *** ***

Fearing that if I fly over the city I may get shot down, I landed in front of the city gate. I was greeted by a bizarre pony shaped robot. It looked like a very bulky pony made of metal, but its face was just a weird looking screen.

“Welcome to Mexicolt City. Friendliest city around” The strangely southern spoken robot pony greeted me.

I said nothing I had become too busy staring at the scrap metal-wall surrounded city. The wall had a weird roundish curve to them, as if it was meant to be a dome but wasn’t finished. The robot continued to talk, assuming I was listening to him.

“Thirsty partner? Try Barrel Tapper’s. Coldest drinks in the Equestrian Wasteland.”

“I think I will.” Sounds like a better place than any to find somepony.

I approached what I assumed was the front gate and was greeted by a high pitch metallic screeching. Two massive slabs of metal spread apart to a small area with a moderate size gate. "That’s some security they got." I pushed through the gates to see a city that looked as if it was made of entirely scrap metal. House was hanging over other house by giant metal platforms. For a giant rustic mesh of dirt covered metal, it was quite breathtaking. The amount of work it must have taken to create this city must have been immense.

I made my way to the building with crudely written words on the door saying Barrel Tapper’s Bar. The inside looked kind of ratty, definitely what would have been called a slum back in the day. I sat at one of the bar stools and waited for the bar tender to serve me.

A grimy light orange unicorn came up to me saying the stereotypical bartender line: “Pick your poison.”

“I’m just lookin for somepony; if you tell me I’ll buy a drink.” I don’t have any money nor do I know what their currency is, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Information costs around here.”

“Okay fine, I’ll just take my business elsewhere.” I turned to walk out the door.

“Oh fine! I’ll tell ya what ya wanna know.”

“I’m glad you see things my way. I’m looking for a pony named Golden Gun, does it ring any bells.”

“Golden Gun is our sheriff; ya should be able to find him at the jail. Now what drink do ya want?”

I slid out of my chair and went toward the door. “Thanks for the information, but I don’t drink alcohol, it numbs the brain.” I stopped when I heard the sound of a gun caulking from behind me.

“Nopony tricks me out of my money either buy or die.” I turned to see him pointing a pistol at me.

“Is this how you treat all new visitors? Do you really want to have to clean up blood off your floors?” I tried to distract him with conversation as I thought of my next move.

“No, I just don’t take to kindly to bein treated like a fool. Now either you sit down or I’ll have to put this pistol to good use.”

“Or you could sit the pistol down and both of us can walk away unscathed.”

“And why the hell would I do that?”

“Look to your left.”

The buck turned to see my gun, Arachnophobia, staring him straight in the face. What he had not seen was me using my artificial telekinesis to sneak my gun next to him.

“Ho…How did you… you’re a pegasus how can you…” Shaking, he placed his pistol onto the table.

“So anyway thanks for the info and I hope we can do business again sometime.” I left the building with my gun and trotted over to the jailhouse.

I entered the building to see a palatinate blue colt with a gray and brown mane sleeping with his back hooves propped up on his desk. He seemed to be sporting a duster, a cowboy hat, a golden pistol cutie mark, and a handlebar mustache. "Is there some policy that all sheriffs must look the same?" I tapped the sleeping stallion with my forehoove shaking him from his slumber.

“Excuse me sir, I need some help, do you mind.”

“Not at all ma’boy, I’d be happy to help.”

“I just need to know the safest way to get to the outskirts of the Everfree Forest; from there I’ll be able to find where I need to go. I would usually just go straight there but after what I saw in Panamare, I’d rather take it safe.” Stable 74 was hidden underneath a huge log cabin in the woods bordering the Everfree.

“Dear Celestia boy! Why would you be there, the damn place is crawling with hellhounds. You’re lucky to be alive comin out of there.”

“The name hellhound is very accurate to what I saw there. Anyway back to the topic at hand, how do I get to Everfree safely?”

“Safety and Everfree don’t belong in the same sentence. But if you’re lookin for a safe trip there then you should head southeast, following the road to a town called a Canterbury. You should stay at a motel room; trust me you don’t want to be traveling overnight. The thundors are more active at night.”

“Thundors?”

“Ya know… huge, mutated twittermites that shoot electricity from there stingers. What have you livin under a rock for fifty years?”

“Most basically.”

“Anyway, after you sleep through the night just follow the northeast curved road. You’ll eventually end up in New Appleloosa and they should be able to help you from there.”

I knew if I was going to stay at a motel I’d need the money to do it.

“So is there any work you need done, I’m a little short on cash.”

“Well I did need help with ridding a nearby encampment of super mutant ponies that had been givin us trouble. But I’ve already sent out my best mercenary on the job. So I don’t have anything for you, sorry.”

"That must have been the pony I came across on the way here. If I’ve figured out the irony in the pony naming system and the similarity in their colors, I may be able to sway this conversation to how I want. Or look like an idiot, but there’s always a chance."

I looked back to the pony with an idea. “So you’d send your son out alone against an entire encampment of super mutants. That sounds rather dangerous and risky.”

“You’re smarter then you look boy. I guess the resemblance is undeniable; though not only did he get my looks, but he also has my skill with a gun. He’ll be fine.”

"Now I have him where I want him." “Your son, from how I saw him, seemed to be more of a sniper than a close quarter’s combat pony. If the mutants were to get close to him he wouldn’t stand a chance.”

He seemed to be sweating now and worried. "Got him." He looked down at his fore hooves and then back up to me.

“I’m afraid to say your right. I care for my son and I want to see him make it home. Maybe I do have a job for you; go help my son in West Panamare City and I’ll give you a 100 caps.”

I smirked, “I’ve got to be prepared for whatever my journey throws at me. So make it 250 caps and we have a deal.”

“You drive a hard bargain boy, but you’ve got yourself a deal.”

“Thank you sir.” I started for the door, but before I walked out the door I turn to him, smirk still in place, saying, “Oh and by the way I’m not just some young buck, who’s only seen a few years; I’m actually rather old.”

“You could have fooled me.”

And with that I left the jailhouse and took to the sky.

*** *** ***

Within a few minutes I arrived at the outskirts of West Panamare City. I scanned the area in search of the silent sniper pony. I finally spotted him hidden in a patch of tall dead grass and dead trees. I swopped down a little ways behind him so that he would not shoot me down. I tried to creep up to him so that I wouldn’t give away his position. As I was approaching, I did pay attention to where I was stepping.

Crack! I looked down to see that I had stepped onto a big stick cracking. "Fuck my clumsy ass!" I looked back up to see the barrel of a sniper pointed at my face.

“What did I tell you about leaving me alone?”

A pushed the sniper down slowly with my forehoove. “Well, Silver Bullet, if I recall it involved your bullet kissing the inside of my skull. This time, on the other hoof, I have orders from your father to come and assist you with your job.”

“How’d you figure out Golden Gun was my dad?”

“Really, Golden Gun and Silver Bullet, it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.”

“Alright then, if you’re here to help then what can you do to help?”

“Plenty, but first can you show me what were up against?”

He rolled his eyes, apparently annoyed by the question. “You’ve never seen super mutants before?” By the look on my face he knew the answer. “*sigh* Ok come over here quietly.” We walk over to the edge of the tall grass and he pointed toward what looked like an old school building. “Those are super mutants.”

I looked toward the building to see the huge creatures. They looked like normal ponies only giant, green, muscular, and covered in bruises and scars. Contrary to how they looked, they seemed to be rather intelligent. They carried battle saddles and wore make-shift armor.

“Can bullets hurt them?” I hoped these things weren’t going to be as tough as the hellhound.

“There about as thick skinned as the average pony so bullets do more than just hurt them.”

“Well that’s good to know just give me a minute to come up with a strategy.”

“Give me one good reason I should follow any plan you make.”

“Is the fact I got my cutie mark in military strategy a good enough reason?”

I heard him make a slight chuckle. “I’d say that’s a better reason than any.”

I looked over at our predicament to come up with some idea of what to do. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a group of boxes labeled: Warning Explosive. The box was guarded by one super mutant with a sniper quite a ways away from the others.

“I’ve got an idea.”

*** *** ***

I had just placed the last of the charged explosives on the unguarded side of the school. I had Silver Bullet take out the guard with his silenced sniper. He had told me of the more violent nature of these creatures, and that they'd be more likely to run at the area the attack is coming from than to flee from it. I rigged the last charge and quickly flew to cover. I looked and saw that Silver Bullet was in position to the far west of the soon-to-be battle zone. I held both of my guns up waiting for the oncoming carnage. Chaos starts in 3… 2… 1…

BOOM!!! The entire side of the building ruptured in a fiery explosion. Parts of the building collapsed and holes were blown into other parts. Then there was a pause of silence as if the entire world held its breath for a brief moment. The ground began to rumble as at least fifty super mutants flooded from around and out of the building. The mutants screamed there battle cry and charged toward me, some with machine guns firing and others charged with humongous hammers in their mouths. I had time before they got to me so I opened fire. Brontophobia shot a beam of electricity taking out a row of at least eight mutants while Arachnophobia fire machine gun rounds taking out several more.

Some of the faster mutants started getting a little too close only to be met by sniper rounds to the brain. Thirteen mutants dropped to the ground in seconds, one falling after the other. Some of the mutants looked around searching for the origin of the sniper shots making them easy targets for me. One of the hammer wielding mutants managed to get close enough to attack me. I barely dodge its attack, fired a shotgun round into its face, and took to the sky. The mutants continued their fire as I flew around firing rounds in some and disintegrating others.

Silver Bullet and I systematically took down each mutant like clockwork. After five more minutes of the firefight only three more mutants remained. I shot through two of the mutants then swung my guns around at the other. Before I could pull the trigger a sniper round pierced its way through the creature's head.

“Oh I'm sorry did I steal your last kill!” I heard Silver Bullet yell from his post.

“Not at all, I'm just glad my plan was successful.”

“Well we better head back to town and check in with my dad.”

I nodded in agreement and we started our way back.

*** *** ***

“Well ya'll got done quicker than I expected, good job.” The old sheriff had a gleam in his eye and pride on his face.

“I could have taken care of it myself, but the assistance made it get done much faster.” The young sniper smiled then turned to me. “Thank you, Strike.” And with that he left.

“Thank you for keepin my son safe, here’s the caps I promised you.” He pushed a bag full of caps over to me.

“Thank you, sir.” I took the bag and placed it into my saddle bag. “Oh and by the way, I don't think you need to worry about your son he seems to be able to hold his own.”

“Well I thank you for the compliment, but I’ll always worry about him. It’s all part of bein a parent, ya know.”

“Yah… I do.”

And with that I left and took to the sky following the road towards Canterbury.

*** *** ***

I didn’t have too much trouble getting to Canterbury, other than the occasional three to four thundors I had to deal with. I landed at a motel in the commons of Canterbury to see if there are any rooms for rent.

The inside of the motel office wasn’t anything special; just your average run-of-the-mill rundown motel office. A light green mare with a tied up cherry red mane stood behind the counter with a grin that reached ear to ear.

“Welcome to the Cloud 9 Motel, what may I assist you with today.”

“Umm… I was wondering if you had any rooms open.”

“Of course, and how long do you plan to be staying with us Mister…?”

“Strike, and I'll only be staying overnight ma'am. How much will that cost?”

“For one night only, 50 caps will be the amount.”

I handed her the money, then she turned around, grabbed a key off a wall of keys, and gave it to me.

“Thank you for choosing Cloud 9 Motel.”

I took the key and headed to the room it had written on it. The room didn't look like much; it was pretty much just a prime example of a two star motel. I really didn't care, I dropped my bags and lied down on the bed. I was asleep before my head made contact with the pillow.

*** *** ***

It was the dark of night when I was awoke by the noise of clattering hooves. It sounded as if there was someone in the room, but when I looked around I saw nopony. To be safe I got up to look into the other room, which was the restroom. I looked in and saw nopony; I assured myself it was just my imagination and decided to go back to bed. I turned back around only to be met with a sharp pain in my head and sudden unconsciousness. I was knocked out, not knowing who my attacker was or why it was that they attack.

Chapter 4: The Grave

As my consciousness faded my mind slipped into a dream. The dream was of a time during the middle of the war. I was approaching the elementary school my children attended. I was extremely excited to see them again, it had been almost over a year since I had last seen them. I had been honorably discharged from military service and my first order of business was to see my kids. With joy on my face and 3 purple heart medals on my uniform I entered the classroom.

“Nova! Blue! Guess who’s back to stay!”

I look around but the classroom was empty and decrepit. I saw wallpaper peeled back, broken splintered desks, and water stains everywhere. My heart sank until I heard a voice call out to me.

“Daddy?” Nova’s voice echoed.

“Where are you?!” Blue’s voice called out.

I looked all around but there was no sign off them. I followed the sound of their voices until i found a bizarre rounded window like that of the windows in a Stable. I peered into it and saw my children staring out.

I attempted to call back to them. “It’s alright daddy’s here now!” They seemed to be staring past me as if the couldn’t see me.

“Daddy where are you I’m so scared.” Nova cried as she curled up on the floor with tears pouring off her face. “Why did he have to leave us?”

Blue curled up next to his sister tears forming in his eyes. “I don’t know… I just don’t know.”

“Don’t cry I’m here, I’m here to protect you.” I banged against the glass with all my force, but no matter how hard I hit the glass wouldn’t even so much as crack beneath my hooves. “Let me in damn it! LET! ME! IN!” I hit the glass with my hooves until they bled but I didn’t care, I had to get in.

Then… I heard sirens blaring over the school’s speaker system. I looked out a window to my right to see the massive mushroom cloud forming outside. I turned to look back at my children still curled up on the floor inside the Stable-like room. I latched onto the window as the wall of balefire from outside ripped the school apart and engulfed me. I stared in at my children who were protected by their safe room. The force of the explosion began to make me lose my grip on the window. I winced in pain as my strength began to fade. I took one last look inside and said, “I love you both.” Then, the explosion ripped me from the window sending me flying through the air.

*** *** ***

I was awoken from my nightmare by a hard kick to the rib cage, and the cracking of a few bones. My eyes shot open to see a rugged pony with a spiked mane and a shotgun battle saddle glaring down at me.

“Get up and get your ass in line NOW!” The gruff pony barked at me.

I slowly got up, pain shooting from my now injured ribs. I looked and saw the pony walking over to another unconscious victim. In my confusion and anger I blurted out: “What the hell is going on!” The perpetrator to my pain stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. He began to walk towards me with a smug but irritated look on his face.

“Looks like the new one has some fight in him. Listen slave, you will do as we say or that little bomb collar on your neck will pop your head like a blood balloon.You got me.”

I looked down to see a collar with a red light and a chain attached to the poor unfortunate soul in front of me. I had also notice that they had taken all of my supplies, my clothes and my weapons. My mind began to race, trying to figure out how I ended up here, how I could possibly escape, and also the thought of HOLY FUCK THERE IS A BOMB ON MY NECK.

“I said do you got me!” He growled as he sent his hoof back into my ribs shattering what he had previously cracked. I grit my teeth as to not show pain, the last thing I want to show these cretins was weakness.

“Oh looks like we got ourselves a tough one here, I know the perfect buyers for a pony like you.”

As he reeled back to hit me again a young female unicorn in leather armor walked up and smacked him hard enough to knock him of his feet.

“Metal Head, you idiot, a broken pony won't be worth as many caps.” Then her glance fell upon me and a smirk formed across her face. “We need to milk this cow for all it’s worth. I mean it’s not everyday you capture a pegasus.” She then look over all the slaves that were lined up and back at the pony she called Metal Head. “I want you to wake up the rest of the slaves without injuring them. If I have to miss out on caps because you ‘accidently’ kill another one then you’re gonna get a cap, do you understand?”

Metal Head pulled himself off the ground with a hint of fear in his eyes and stammered, “Ye...yes, Madam Grimfeather.” He then proceeded to wake up the remaining slaves.

Grimfeather stood near the front of the line, which was about ten ponies in front of me, she look over the slaves as she made her address.

“Alright listen up! For those who haven’t figured it out yet, you are all slaves now. Do not even think of fighting back or running, those collars on your neck will blow if anyone of uses our detonators. And if you decide you want to complain or whatever the fuck you will yell or say, just remember this. The most useless part of a slave is it’s tongue, and we will rid you of it if we find it necessary. Now we are moving out so don’t fall behind or else.”

She then went into a metal carriage that had a chain attached from the back of it to the first pony in line. I looked around to see if I had any means of escape. I saw that there were four slavers on both sides of the line, two slavers pulling the carriage, and including Grimfeather in the carriage would make eleven of them and twenty of us slaves. I can’t fly away or I’d just be dragging them into the sky to make pretty fireworks for the slavers. My lockpicking skills aren’t good enough to get the collar off my neck without triggering it. I could try to take them out one at a time with my telekinesis, but if the slavers start dropping dead and my wings are glowing I’m sure they’ll be able to put two and two together. I guess I’ll have to ride this out until I can find an opening to escape.

*** *** ***

We’ve been walking for two weeks now, the only thing we’ve had to drink are irradiated puddles and or only food has been the leftovers from the mutated animals they killed and ate. We are ponies, herbivores, we shouldn’t be eating meat, but in a weird way I’ve started growing a craving for it. Another weird thing I’ve come to notice is that, somehow, the radioactive water feels like it’s helping me, giving me strength. I know that sounds weird but since I’ve started drinking it the pain of my broken ribs faded away. It’s either that or I’m slowly going insane, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I did.

Eventually I saw a huge city on the horizon, which by this point I hope is our destination. The pony in front of looked down at his hooves and muttered under his breath, “ Great, Sandy Spires, the city of raiders, I wish I would've just died in the wastes.” That shatter any thought of optimism I had in me.

*** *** ***

We eventually made it two the city and were approached by heavily armed guards. In the center of the guards there was an earth pony dressed as if he were a Caesar.

The Caesar pony walk toward the carriage and with a commanding voice stated, “Halt, state your business or my guards will open fire.”

Grimfeather step out of her carriage and bowed. “Hail Caesar.”

Huh well I’ll be damned he’s actually calling himself Caesar.

Caesar smiled at her as if he were happy to see her. “Ah, Madam Grimfeather, what a joy it is to see you again. Have you brought me any new workers or maybe some fighter for the Coliseum?”

They walked toward us as she pointed out, “ Yes sir and I’ve also got a little surprise for you but it’ll cost some extra caps.”

“Go ahead, tell me, I’m all ears.”

“Well we were able to procure a pegasus, and he’s a tough one too.”

“A pegasus, how queer, pegasus rarely ever leave their little cloud haven. How on earth did you find one.”

“He stumbled into our trap hotel, it was quite easy to get him after that.”

“How much will he cost me?”

“Ten thousand caps, no less.”

“I say we have ourselves a deal and I will also buy the rest of your slaves as well.”

“It’s always a pleasure doing buisness with you.”

“Likewise Madam.”

And with that the money was given and we were escorted into the city.

*** *** ***

We were eventually led to an open area surrounded by guards where we were judged for what job we’d get and were escorted to the place in which we would perform our task. Of course, due to the bragging of Grimfeather I was sent to the Coliseum to fight to the death with whoever they threw at me. I sat in a holding cell, now, thankfully, without the bomb collar. I search the area for any chance of escape, I hoped for a loose bar or a weakness in the wall or floor, but found no such luck. The floor and walls were concrete and the bars were well firm in place. There wasn’t anything useful in sight, the only thing outside my cell was a chair and the only thing inside was a tattered, stained bed, a toilet, and a sink. Seeing as I was thoroughly stuck in this cell I decided the best thing to do would be to sleep and rest my weary body. I lied down on the old bed and tried not to think of where the stains could have come from. I closed my eyes and drifted of into a deep sleep.

*** *** ***

As I lied there sleep my mind wandered into a dream. It seemed to be more of a memory than a dreams. A memory of a time during when I worked at Stable-Tec. I was having lunch at a breakfast diner in Manehatten with an old friend. Neuron Bones, also known as Dr.Bones, sat across from me at the table. He was a off-white unicorn with a greasy, greasy black mane. We were long-time friends but had quite the opposite ways of thinking, he was sort of like the yin to my yang, but none-the-less we were more like brothers than friends. We were having another nice philosophical debate as we usually did over waffles.

“... and that is the most screwed up part to me.” I concluded taking a bite of my waffle.

“I agree for the most part although...” a smirk crawled onto his face, “I’d love to see from your perspective, but I couldn’t possibly shove my head that far up my own ass.”

“Well…” I stated as is swallowed my chunk of waffle. “At least you’d be seeing shit clearly.”

Yep best of friends, the kind you can insult and they don’t get offended, they just think of a worse insult and fire it right back.

I continued the conversation, “So, how’s the baby mama?”

“She’s fine, the baby should be due in a few months.”

“Nice, nice. But there’s one thing I’ve never understood about you. You’re a stallion of science yet you sleep around like it’s going out of style.”

“Coming from the pony that can’t get a date.”

“You know I have too much to focus on right now than to worry about finding a special somepony.”

“And yet you adopted two little ones.”

“Look, when I saw them outside of the orphanage I couldn’t help but take them in. It was just something I felt like I had to do.”

“I know, I’m just trying to push your buttons. Now, on to more pressing matters.”

I looked at him quizzically, “And what would that be?”

“I need you to convince Sweetie Belle to put a good word in for me to Twilight Sparkle. It will make getting employed at the Ministry of Arcane Science so much easier.”

“Sure dude, what are friends for.”

We continued to talk about many things, and joked and reminisced over old times. After we finished our waffles and coffee we left the building hoof-bumped and began to walk our separate ways.

“Adios you sad sack of shit!” I yelled to him.

“See ya later you dumb flying fuck!” He called back

Friends… friends are a good thing to have.

*** *** ***

I was woken up by a huge splash of irradiated water to the face. I jumped to my hooves to see where it had came from and to no surprise it was an armored guard carrying a now empty bucket and an energy rifle.

“Alright get up slave, it’s your turn to fight.”

Begrudgingly I followed the guard down a narrow corridor into some form of pre-fight holding cell. Once I was in the new cell the guard walk out the iron bar door and locked it behind him.

“Alright there is armor and a weapon in the cell, take what you want and when the gates open be ready to fight.”

As he walked off I looked around for the pre-mentioned armor and a weapon, if I go down it won’t be without a fight. The armor I found was barely any armor at all, it was just a few metal pads held together by belt like leather straps. After looking at my PipbuckΩ, which they thankfully did not try to rip out of my leg, I was able to see that the armor was pretty close to breaking. Nonetheless I put it on anyway and began to look for the weapon.

I could find the weapon and thought to myself the they may had forgot to put one in until I looked up. Stuck in the ceiling was a swords comprised of what looked like scrap metal. My wings began to glow yellow as I wrapped my telekinesis around the sword and dislodged it. I sat the sword next to me and waited for the big metal gate to open.

I decided that I’m going to just tough it out and use the sword with my mouth and keep the telekinesis thing a secret to these raiders, I’d rather keep one ace up my sleeve. I waited until I heard a voice boom from outside the gate.

“Mares and Gentlecolts, are you ready to see blood?!” Loud cheers burst through the gate like a bomb. “Are you ready for a fight?!” More cheers bursted out. “Well we have a treat for you today our glorious leader, his majesty the Caesar of Raiders, was able to captured a pegasus and brought him here to fight!” The cheers grew louder and louder. “Without any more delay let the battle commence!”

The gates creaked open and I was able to see the colosseum I would be fighting in. As I walked out, sword in mouth, I could see that the area did look similar the the Great Pegasus Colosseum, if it were made by a group of hobos in a junk yard. In the crowds I could see all kinds of raiders, tall, short, stallions, mares, unicorn, earth pony, and even children of multiple ages. It sickened me to think that this is how these ponies entertain themselves by forcing others to kill each other. After most of the population of Equestria was killed in balefire, you’d think life would be a precious thing. Nevertheless, I have to find a way out of this and if it meant I had to fight I would fight, but if there was a quicker and less bloody way out I won’t hesitate to take it.

I could see they had several snipers posted around the highest points of the arena. Caesar sat in a viewing box guarded by three guards: one holding a laser rifle, two holding makeshift swords. If I try flying out of here I’ll be shot down in a second. I could try to take out their leader to cause mass hysteria and chaos, but the guards would take me out before I could get close. The only option now seems to be to fight.

I turned my attention to who my competitor is and I was shocked. I had thought they would send some large and strong fighter, but it was just a normal middle aged stallion. He was just an average looking light brown pony with black hair; he had scars on his back, which were obviously from wips. He carried a scrap metal sword in his mouth.

We approached each other, placed our swords down, and bowed to one another.

The stallion, under his breath, muttered, “I’m sorry I have to do this I have a wife and child I want to see again.”

His words were a spear through my heart. I knew how he felt trying to get back to his family. Thoughts raced through my head and I realized that I am merely chasing after the hope that my kids are still alive, while this buck has one waiting to see him. Not only that but a wife who probably loves him and would be torn apart to lose her love. I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t ruin his chance of happiness, I may not know him but nevertheless I couldn’t bring myself to fight him.

I lowered my head. “Make it quick, I won’t fight back.”

“Wha… What?” The brown pony seemed confused.

I looked him in the eyes, ”You said you wanted to see your wife and kid right.”

“Ri...Right.” He stumbling over his words.

“Then KILL ME! I’ve lived a full life, and I don’t have the right to ruin yours.” I looked back at the dirt and waited to watch as the last bit of life slip from my body. I heard the stallion’s hooves patter against the ground as he made his way toward his new victory. As I gaze toward what I am certain to be my new resting place I see the forehooves of my competitor in front of me tensing as he readied his attack. I can hear the wind break off the swords sharp blade as it made its way to it’s destination, my final destination. I close my eyes waiting to feel death’s cold touch wash over me. Then I hear a the sound of metal hitting dirt, I open my eyes to see the blade embedded into the ground next to me and a weeping stallion above me.

“I… I can’t. I’m not a killer… I’m… I’m not.” The poor pony choked out.

I looked at him and wrapped my foreleg around the back of his neck. “It's okay, that’s probably a good thing. Don’t worry, I don’t want to kill you either so you might just get to see your family after all.”

Suddenly the speaker system screeched to life to make way for Caesar’s enraged voice, “What the FUCK is this! I pay for high dollar for a fighting pegasus and got a FUCKING softy. Guards kill the insignificant cur and the waste of good caps!”

From behind I could hear the rapid gallop of hooves approaching. I spun around only to be met with a sharp blade making its way through my throat and out the back of my neck. I hit the ground with a thud, as my head rolled across the dirt. This is how it ends huh… weird I thought it would hurt more. I thought to myself as I waited for my for death to creep upon me. As a severed head I laid there and I realized my consciousness wasn’t fading. I looked around and saw one guard slice the head of my “competitor” with a sick smile across his face. I was furious I wanted to kill that guard, but how can I even feel anger I should be dying. My gaze moved over to see a second guard with my black blood brandishing his sword who was looking at his friend decapitate the poor stallion with a grin firmly sprawled across his face and something behind him. I could see what was behind him, but I didn’t want to believe it. My body stood straight up behind the guard and it almost looked like it was vibrating.

Suddenly from the stump of my body’s half of my neck, shot a black thick tendril through straight through the back of the guards head through his face and attached itself to the stump of neck on my head. The tendril yanked my head into the air, ripping the last remaining bit of the top of the guard’s skull apart and pulling my head back into place. It was as if my head was never cut off to begin with. Now I could once again feel my body and it felt powerful. It felt like pure energy was running through my blood and that old burning pain in my flank was back but it felt different, as if it were the source of the power. You didn’t think I’d let my vessel die, did you? The voice I was hearing was the same from the one I had heard when I first interred the vault. Hehehe, I’m not going to explain the whole thing to you but basically I saved your life and I am protecting you. Now isn’t there something you wanted to do about that guard.NOW KILL!!! I looked toward the remaining guard and saw the fear in his eyes. He reached for his gun attached to his armor and began firing upon me. I could feel the rage inside me burning hotter and hotter; I was angry, angrier than I’ve ever been. The rage fueled the power flowing in me and it felt as if the power was fueling the anger more and more as well. I lunged forward and rapped the guard with my forelegs and took to the sky. He stabbed and shot at me as I pulled him into the sky, each shot and stab hitting their mark. As my blood began to flow it hardened itself into razor sharp tendrils and stabbed holes into the guard. I don’t know which part killed him, but I didn't care I wanted every piece of him gone. I reach the cloud cover and dropped him, then I flew hoof first into the hole-punched guard’s face and laid a flurry of punches. Blood flew from his face with each punch as the tendrils began ripping his legs off with ease and pulling each part of him apart. I punched and punched as the tendrils destroyed every piece of him.

I landed on the ground in a shower of blood and meat. The lump of pony left on the ground was completely unrecognizable. I looked around at the sick audience who had fallen quiet. I wanted to kill them, I wanted to kill them all. I turned to look at Caesar and flew off toward his viewing box.

I started screaming, “CAESAR! YOU'RE NExt….” My body began to grow heavy and my consciousness fading. I looked down to see seven tranqs planted firmly in my body. I fell from the air losing consciousness before I even hit the ground.

*** *** ***

No dream graced my presence in my tranq induced slumber. I jolted up from my sleep to see that I was laying on the floor of a metal walled cell. I stood up and tried to fully recollect on how I ended up here. The memories rolled through my head like a photo reel, but the more I thought about it the less real it seemed. I looked down at my forehooves as if they were going to suddenly turn into claws, which is possible considering yesterday’s event.

Staring down at my hooves I ponder, “What am I… what have I become.” I checked my pipbuckΩ to see if It may have any information on what’s wrong with me. The pipbuck says I’m green across the board. “This thing must be busted there is no way I can be perfectly healthy and without any broken bones; I mean hell, lost my damn head. If I can make it back to my vault I can get Andromeda to run some more in depth examination of my blood.” My neck felt a bit sore and constricted but not from injury. I looked down and saw a new collar wrapped tightly around my neck. This collar seemed different than the last collar, but I couldn’t get a good enough look at it to see what has changed.

I heard the heavy metal door slide open and a several sets of hooves clatter their way into the cell. I look and see that my guests are several guards and Caesar himself with a satisfied grin. I can see that all the guards are holding regular guns and spears, no tranqs. If bullets have the same effects that they did yesterday then this was my best chance of escaped. I shot full speed at Caesar only to get a few centimeters in front of him before my body began to course with electricity causing me my joints to lock and my body to hit the ground twitching.

Caesar’s grin widened, “Since bullets have no effect on you, it’s great to see you can still be knocked out and paralyzed.” He turned off the electricity with a button on his wrist. “That was quite the show you gave us out there. You almost made me regret buying you, but damn that was quite the spectacle. You are going to make Sandy Spires the richest city in the waste. I can see it now ‘Sandy Spires Coliseum: Witness the partner of death itself The Grave’, you’ll be a bigger source of income than our raiding groups. Oh and just in case you think of trying anything funny I gave all of my guards each a remote for your shock collar.” And with that Caesar and his guards began to leave the cell.

My stomach began to growl,”Hey how are y’all going to have y’all’s main attraction if he dies of starvation.”

Caesar turned around and looked my in the eyes, still smug as ever, “ Oh yeah about that, if you want food at all you’re gonna have to eat what, or should I say who, you kill.”

I stared wide eyed at Caesar, I heard but he said but my mind refused to processes it. “You don’t mean…”

“Come on don’t be a baby, food is food, plus the audience loves it.” He chuckled as he began to exit the cell. “Oh and your next fight is in an hour, do not disappoint.”

I propped my back up against the wall, I needed to conserve energy, I was beginning to feel the effects of hunger. I can’t… but I have to. This wierd blood power, whatever it is, has allowed me to fight another day. If I want to see my kids again I’m going to have to do what I can to survive even if it means... cannibalism.

*** *** ***

I stepped out onto the Colosseum to an uproar of cheers and shouts for blood. Blood stains from the previous fight littered the ground. My new challenger approaches covered in bloody spiked armor, he had a psychotic look in his eye and a jagged smile on his face.

The speakers screeched on. “Raiders are you ready to for the most anticipated fight in the Colosseum's history. The reigning champion of the Coliseum, Ruin, will be facing the monster himself who took down two of Caesar’s guards with ease, The Grave!” The crowds cheered ferociously, shout for use to rip each other apart.”Fight!!!”

Ruin began walking toward me, throwing his sword to the ground. “I’m going to beat you within an inch of your life and then SKULL FUCKED YOU TO DEATH!!!”

Ruin charged me swinging hoof after hoof into my stomach, forcing me to cough up blood. The mark burned as the pain and my anger grew. I blocked his next punch and sent one back at his face. My hoof made contact with his jaw making him back away. He pulled a spike from his armor and jammed it in my side so hard that it propelled to the floor. Blood gushed from my side like a fountain. Ruin scooped up some of my blood in his hooves and drinks it. “Delicious. You will make a good feast.”

I stood back to my feet, pain rushing through me as I felt a small chuckle escape my lips. “You’re pretty stupid. I mean really didn't anyone tell how I killed those guards?” The mark burn and the blood flowing out of me formed and hardened into a tendril. The psychopath's eyes widen with fear as he attempted to bolt away only to be stopped by the tendril lifting him by his throat. “You’re disgusting. I understand that they make you eat your opponent as your only source of food, but to actually enjoy it is… horrid. I’m sorry to tell you... well not entirely... but the world will be much better if people like you can be dealt with.”

“I...I...argh…” Ruin tried to speak but nothing but incoherent garble came out of his mouth.

“I honestly feel sorry for you, not only because I pity your actions but also because you were dumb enough to drink my blood.”

“Cou…ah….argh”

“I know what you're thinking ‘What could be so bad about drinking his blood other than the fact that he would get mad’ right. Well you see that thing wrapped around your neck, as you saw it is my blood.You didn’t even take notice it was black, I mean I know it has a very slight crimson tint to it but it’s still so obviously black. No bell went off in your brain saying something is wrong. Oh well, I might as well get to the point my blood can harden and move which means…” Ruin let out a blood curdling scream as his body began convulsing. Parts of his body began to stretch as if something was trying to get out. Suddenly Ruin’s body erupted with black spikes and with a final scream Ruin fell silent. “...things like that can happen.” My blood exited his body, combined with the tendril, and retracted back into my body.

The crowd was in an uproar, they cheered “EAT HIM! EAT HIM! EAT HIM!” They disgusted me they enjoyed watching cannibalism. Not until the adrenaline from the fight wore off, did I feel the full force of my weakening body. I needed food, I needed to eat. I hated it, I hated it with every fiber of my being I hated it but I had to do it. I looked down at the corpse of Ruin bloodied and hole filled. With a deep breath I reached my head down baring my teeth onto a piece of moderately loose flesh and ripped it off the body. The bloody filled my mouth with head chew of the meat like juice from a fresh fruit. This was disgusting, the very thought of what I was doing made me want to vomit but I had to keep eating.

The audience's cheers were silenced by the sound of the speaker system’s piercing activation. Caesar’s voice came through the speakers screech, “Well raiders I think we have a winner here, The Grave!” The audience uproar rose again, clapping and cheering.

Two guards approached, with buttons for my collar at the ready. “Now just come quietly back to your cell and bring your food with you.” I knew there was no point of trying to fight them, if I tried anything they electrocute me until I either submitted or passed out. I looked down at the now partially eaten Ruin and grab his now visible spine with my teeth and began to drag it as I walked with the guards back to my cell.

When I got back to my cell I finished off my horrid meal. After I had finished I laid down onto the makeshift floor bed and tried to sleep. My mind wasn’t racing nor did I feel guilt from what I had done. All I felt before sleep overcame me, was an emptiness.