Chapter Five

New World Troubles

The new world was an overwhelming sight to take in, for all of us. Despite the possibility of the Steel Rangers coming to hunt us, we simply couldn't uproot ourselves from this present moment. This. This dark, unbroken, crumbling place was to be our future. A future, that I know is still uncertain as I too am enraptured by the mere gaze at this wasteland. Thankfully, Serenity finally snapped out of it. She came to my side, nudging me at first; and when that didn't work she slapped me. "Violet!" She nearly shouted, "Overmare! Mr. White! We have to get out of here before those Rangers come looking!"

The faint echo of pain I had felt brought me to reality, as I gently rubbed my cheek and nodded in response. White and Ginger understood immediately, knowing that at any moment we could be facing scores more of Rangers out for revenge for their comrades. "I remember my husband and I studied some tactical mappings the Security forces brought back on their pip-bucks from the initial scouting of this area."

"Yes indeed," White added softly, "It turned out we were near what they reported was a place called Junction Town."

"Was anypony alive there? Should we head to that place?" Serenity asked.

I personally was unsure if anypony could survive up here, being the conditions as they were from what I could see. However, Ginger's word quickly overrode such thoughts, "The Security forces investigated about three years ago...They said that it was a prospering settlement with plenty enough power coming from some old train engines they converted into generators."

Knowing of the prospects of such a safe haven; and that we could wait no longer around here, I spoke up, "I say we do it then." The three looked at me, "It's much better than staying here...Although I will differ to your command and wishes Overmare."

The Overmare pondered but a moment more before nodding in agreement, "Alright, we go."

As we set off, heading in the direction Ginger indicated was towards this 'Junction Town' White added softly, "I just hope this is worth it."

Thankfully, my sensors were detecting no signs of hostile life as we traveled. The road was lonesome, and I could tell the grief was setting in for the others of the loss of their world and lives. Their tears, though silent, prompted me to comfort them. Serenity was the worse of them, since she had nopony and had many friends in the Science Wing where the rangers were heading for. The least that I could do to help ease her pain, a loving nuzzle at her side, and a kiss on her cheek. Her tears were salty, but I gently licked them away as she glanced to me with the hint of an appreciative smile. "Thank you." She mouthed.

"Don't mention it." I answered silently.

White and Ginger it seemed, had consoled themselves together as I scanned over them before looking to the horizon. What I saw, forced us all to stop dead in our tracks. "The town is bigger than we thought." Ginger breathed.

"Yeah," Serenity added, seeing the immense walls made of old boxcars, "But it's also under attack."

Her words, I could tell, were true. Even from this distance, we could hear the gunfire and screams. It seemed like both sides were suffering, whoever they were. Bodies were dropping on the walls and before the ramparts outside. "Must be Raiders." Ginger said bitterly.

Feeling something within; akin perhaps to my programming to service and protect the Stable Dwellers that manufactured me, I started trotting towards the conflict ahead. I knew that I could help these ponies under attack, but Serenity stopped be with a hoof on my shoulder. "Are you sure you want to try and fight these Raiders?"

"Of course." I answered, "They stand between us and safety for you all...And that is what matters most to me is your safety."

Serenity still held to my shoulder, making me glance at her again to see a stubborn mirror looking back. I knew that she'd never have let me go again alone, and so I admitted defeat with a faint smile as I saw the same determination in Ginger and White's eyes. "Let's go get rid of that rabble around Junction Town."

Drawing a wrench from her tool belt, Serenity followed beside me as Ginger brought out a small Laser Pistol she'd kept at her waist. White, as I recalled, had previously been Security Chief and so had extensive un-hoofed training as he followed beside his wife. All of us knew we were heading for trouble as we neared the walls that were under attack.

Reaching the walls, and seeing the battle that would lay before us was far different than when we had been watching from afar. My sensors could pick up even the slightest smells, sounds, and sights; and the incredible stench of unwashed bodies and death made me want to recoil. There was so many dead already, their bodies stacked around and in fact shielding the other Raider ponies that were still fighting. Curses came from both sides as one sought an advantage over the other, and bullets met anypony who dared poke out from their cover. Despite this, I detected the faint words of a mare. She sounded as though she were still trying to plead for both sides to stop fighting.

As much as I desired such a peaceful solution, I simply knew it wasn't possible as I sighted the first group of Raiders that were pinned down. "We split up." I ordered, "Ginger, you and White need to handle the groups over to the west." Looking to Serenity, I gestured to the three closer groups, "We'll deal with them."

Serenity smiled somewhat, although through the cracks I could see she was conflicted about potentially killing another pony. She didn't let that get to her though, and as I saw White and Ginger making off for the west side we sprang to action. Moving swiftly, we landed just before the first of the Raider groups. One, who was covered in blood and draped in soiled clothes with a few bits of metal strapped on as a form of rickety armor turned to face us. "Now what in tha name O'..."

He didn't get any further, for Serenity smashed his jaw with her wrench and sent him over the cover. His body was peppered with bullets just as the rest faced us with guns drawn. Grizzled, crazy smiles adorning their features. I flashed a seductive smile of my own, making them hesitate for just a moment before flooring them with only a few powerful blows to pressure points. Waving to the wall gunners, they seemed to understand that we were taking the Raiders out and so stopped firing wherever we went unless we were kicking or forcing the Raiders out of their cover. The gunshots towards the west were lessening, and fire was shifting over to aid us now. I knew now that Ginger and White had finished them off as they joined us in the cover of a few concrete slabs.

White had a serious-looking wound on his shoulder, but he shrugged it off when he took notice of my concerned gaze. "I'll be alright Violet. We need to get rid of those last few over there."

With a hoof, he pointed to the ponies just a few dozen feet from us. They were taking cover within the ruins of some old storehouses, of which I could tell the weapons of the Junction Townies couldn't penetrate. These Raiders knew we were here as well, and they were well armed as a few score of rifle shots whizzed over our heads. "Violet, what do we do?" Ginger asked.

"Not what we do..." I echoed, "What I'll do."

Stepping out, I could feel every one of their weapons training on me. The instant they pulled the trigger, I was feeling the pings of their bullets bouncing off of me the whole way across to them. As I reached their position, they all drew knives and blades. I am unable to account for what I did next, for my memory banks did not record it until the point that I was standing alone. Blood slathered my fur, and pooled at my hooves as I stared blankly at the dismembered corpses that had been the Raiders. Serenity had joined my side, although she was a bit reluctant to touch me yet as I retracted my fur and allowed the blood to effortlessly glide off my sleek form. Ginger and White remained where they were, the former treating his shoulder wound and calling for help from the Junction Townies on the wall. "Oh please, I'm alright love...Really, I am..." He spluttered, getting a stern look in return from his wife.

Serenity finally laid a hoof on my shoulder as my fur returned to its previous state, clean and perfectly groomed. "Violet...What was...What was that?" She whispered softly, making me glance back at her oddly.

"I am programmed to protect you all...and Mr. White had suffered an injury...I could not endanger you any longer to these...fiendish wild-ponies." I answered quietly, knowing my actions perhaps had been a bit overkill but alas deemed necessary as she gently leaned on my side.

Her eyes were still showing the cracks in her psyche of how brutally they'd been murdered before glancing at the now open gates to Junction Town. "Well...Now we've got more trouble to deal with." Serenity murmured, nuzzling into my mane as I looked to the armored ponies approaching.

"More troubles..." I echoed softly.

Author's Note

Hello once again audience, this is author Derpyness Maximus here. I'm just checking in with you all to see how you feel about both chapter five and the story thus far. Did you enjoy it? Did you dislike it? Are you somewhat in the middle? Either way, would you kindly leave me a comment or even P.M. me about your thoughts if you'd like; and remember to thumbs up or down the story. Also, I'd be interested to hear from those who do dislike the story especially, more so for their reasons of dislike and to see if I can change to become better at what I do.

As always, I give thanks to my unnamed proofreader friend whom catches most of my errors before publishing.

This is author Derpyness Maximus, signing off for now.