Author's Note

Ya long chapter but their is a lot of New veritable now

Old Olney part 2: the whispering winds.

Mane 6 POV

As Leroy left to go and deal with the raiders twilight and the girls started to talk about what they were going to do.

"Twilight, what's our plan now?" Rainbow dash ask.a look of concern on her face.

"Why ask me I got you all into this mess. What's to say I won't get you all hurt or killed here?" Twilight said as she flopped down on the seat tears were starting to build up in her eyes."I-I mean l-let's f-face it I failed. I failed to stop him and I got you all trapped here with me. I'm no leader, I just read books, and I...I..." with that the dam broke and she started to cry. seeing one of them was so distraught they gathered in a group hug. After a few minutes she stopped.

"Now Now sugarcube it not yer fault we're here. we are yer friends, twi, we chose ta help and ah think ah speak fer all of us when ah say we wouldn't have it any other way." AJ said with a smile

At her words the others voiced their agreements. Right as they settled down a loud noise was heard from the dashboard of the truck. At the noise they all jumped and looked at the box just as Leroy's voice was heard."hello? Twilight can ya hear me?"

"Yes! Leroy we can What do you need? How are you doing that?" Twilight exclaimed.

"Twilight listen closely then there is a small box on the side, with button, grab it n hold tha button to talk. after yer finish let go so ya can hear me."

Doing as instructed twilight found the box and pressed the button saying"we can hear you. What is this? How does this work? And what did you need?" With that she let the button go.

"Well that there is a cb radio ah found some years back and fixed up for use. How it works is it transmits a signal on a frequency ah'm tuned to, so don't mess with any of the dials or yall throw it off. As for what I need ah've decided that yall need training and these raiders are useful for learnin on so ah what to test yall on ma rifle so come on up to tha overlook and we'll get started. O and when I got up here I found a box with yalls names on it." He said.

At his words they looked from one to the other mentality debating weather or not to go through with it. The first to speak up was applejack." Ah don't know 'bout yall but ah'm goin up there if these raider folk are bad news then they need to be stopped" she said as they got out."but ah don know if ah could take their lives it don seem right."

"I know AJ but if we are to survive here we have to learn to do it, as much as it pains me to say it." Twilight said.here ears were splayed back in nervousness.

"Well we are not going to learn how if we don't get up their."an impatient rainbow dash said. Even though she was debating it in her mind.

"I can see why we need the help even though it is completely barbaric, this world is dangerous best to learn now. lest we learn at a unfavorable time later on."rarity said.

"Can't we just ask them to leave those other people alone." Fluttershy pleaded.the thought of ending another's life scared her.

"I don't think they can be talked to fluttershy." Pinkie pie said."but maybe I can throw a party for us learning to blend in?"

"Pinkie why would you throw a party at a time like this?"rarity ask.

"To keep up our moral." Pinkie stated.

"Ok let's just get up their and get it over with."twilight said finally.

Leroy's POV 15 min earlier

Hmm what am ah gonna do with em? Can't just leave em to learn as ah did and I ain't Givin em ta Lyons he'll probably have em dissected." Well fuck. What do ah do never had this situation happen ta me before." He said after his long thought process.

As he got nearer to his sniping position he thought ah'll have to teach em what ah know,but when? Then it hit him now would be a good time to do so it helps them learn and gets rid of the raiders as well. Just as he topped the ridge he saw a flash of light and a box with a note that stated

Dear sir/ madam,

If you come across six ponies please make sure they get this box it will only open for them and is important I have written this, because after I send this ill more than likely be dead so this is my last parting bit of revenge against a tyrant, please help them.

Sincerely,

Discord

After reading the note he pulled out his radio and called the truck.after his conference with twilight he started setting up the rifle and a few other devices that helped with the job. The rifle in question was a rosewood bolt action fifty caliber with a twenty times scope and tripod on the front. On the side on the but stock was the engraving ' Moira '. To most who saw the behemoth of a rifle thought it was random but to those who knew him it was because of one of the first friends he had made, and co authored a book with, had passed away last year after she got cancer. "Hey Moira time ta put some more raiders down. O and I found some interestin folk last night you'd have loved to have meet em" as he finished he heard the tell tale sound of hoof steps meaning they got here.

"We are here as you as so when do we start?" Twilight as nervously.

"Soon but first take a look at that box it's addressed ta yall from a fella by tha name o discord? said it a parting act of revenge on someone?" Leroy said confused.

Twilight and the others gasped and looked at fluttershy who was on the ground crying.

"O shite did ah say somthin bad?"Leroy ask concerned for the yellow one. "Ah didn't mean to upset 'er. What's wrong?"

"Partner shy's been tryin ta reform discord and Ya jus told us he is dead." AJ said.

"Oh hell....ah'm sorry ah didn't know....... Shit." Leroy stammered.he hated to make innocent folk cry. It made him feel bad.

"Its ok darling you didn't know."rarity said patting fluttershy's back.

To everyone's surprise Leroy got up and walked over to the timid pegasus and held her tubing along her back whispering to her. After a few minutes of back and forth whispering fluttershy ask" do you mean it?"

"Ya it's happens to me too after we are done here ah'll take you to the spot.ok?" He returned to her.

After a few seconds she sniffed and looked at him nodding." O-ok" she said with a half smile. As she followed him to the box the others watched completely stunned and the usually meek pegasus's braveish attitude. Shaking themselves out of the stupor the joined the two at the box.

"Do you know what's in it Leroy?" Twilight ask Stumped.

"Narry a clue lass. Its yalls and the note said only yall can open it so ah left it alone." He said in a puzzled tone.

"Come on girls. Discord sent it to us as a last act. lets see what he sent us." Rainbow dash said in a somber tone.

As the six of them touched the box it faded around six crystals and a sleeping baby dragon.and three sleeping fillies. At the sight the six of them gasped and lifted the waking young ones from the ground laughing and crying. Leroy watched the whole thing silently smiling to see them happy then it occurred to him now I have three more and they might be hungry too as if some higher power was listening with a flash three duffel bags appeared with another note. The merriment ceased at the appearance and Leroy grabbed the note and read it aloud.

Dear twilight and company,

I managed to piss tirek off further by getting the supplies and spike and the fillies to you good luck and goodbye and to the one helping them thank you.

Please let fluttershy know that I'm sorry I messed up and that I hope that she and the others can forgive me. As for the fate of the others shining armor and princess cadence are captured as are your all's parents and/or families. tirek killed prince blueblood and several resilient guards. The rest of equis is barely holding his forces back.

I hope you all survive.

Sincerely,

Discord

At the end of the note Leroy looked up and said. "This discord fella must have been some kind of guy ta risk his life in one last ditch effort to help yall.and what are the crystals for?"

"Yes he was." Pinkie said. her hair had lost its poofieness and was now hanging flat to the sides of her head.she turned to twilight to see if she had any answers.

Twilight shrugged and said." I don't know they are but maybe they know Hey spike do you know what these are for?"

"Ya discord said he was able to symphony your magic from tirek into the crystals and said that all you have to do is break them one at a time to getting them back."

"Come on girls lets do it." She said gathering the other

"Well all ah can say is without having met him he has my respect fer his actions." He said.

About that time spike and the three fillies saw who was talking and jumped back in fear. At their movements Leroy stood up and raised his hands in a non threatening fashion saying."easy now. Ah ain't gonna hurt ya."

"How do we know that." Spike ask in fear.

"Ya what he said!" The three fillies said in unison. From behind twilight and the rest.

"Well fer one: Ah don't hurt children.

And two: ah've been helpin them. so why would ah?" Leroy ask.

"Spike,girls this is leroy. He is our friend and what he says is true. He won't hurt you." Twilight said in a soothing tone.

At her words the baby dragon and the little fillies came out in full view. One walked up to him and ask." do you mean it?" She was a white filly with light two toned purple and pink mane and tale.

At her question Leroy laughed and scooped her up in his arms. at his motion she squeaked and the others tensed until they saw he was just rubbing the back of her head. smiling he said. "does this answer your question?" His right eyebrow raised.

At that all fear drained from the others and the other two run around him laughing and smiling for the moment they forgot what they had came here to do until applejack ask. "Are we still going to use that stuff over there leroy?"

At that the serious air returned as ha put the little filly down his grim expression returned. "Yes applejack we are but I don't want them to have to watch so I need someone to take them over there so we can.fluttershy go ahead and break yours and could ya please watch over them and ah'll send someone over when it's your turn. ok?" He said.

After she broke hers and regained her magic she smiled and said

"Ok come along and we will go eat ok."as she gathered them and one of the duffel bags to a spot on the other side of the area.

"Cute kids I got spikes name but who are the other three?"

"Their names are sweetie belle, scootaloo, and applebloom.

Sweetie belle and applebloom are rarity and AJ's sisters respectively and scootaloo is rainbow dashes adoptive sister. She lost her family when she was a foal and is an orphan now." Twilight said with a sad look at scootaloo.

"It seemed the world has a way to take everything from us at a moment's notice huh?" He said with a sad tone.

After a few minutes he finally said" Ok let's get to it, get them smashed and listen closely because what ah am about to tell ya is highly important." At his words the crystals were smashed and the others were back to themselves with a grunt he continued"So this rifle is a custom fifty caliber anti armor sniper rifle-" he continued ejecting a round" this is a single round. this round has enough power behind it to easily remove a good, if not all of whatever it hits. we will be using these ta eliminate tha raiders, now don't worry yall these are powerful enough ta penetrate tha walls so if ya know where, but can't directly see em, put it through tha wall."

"How fast will it travel?" Twilight ask confused and a little intimidated.

"Well if ah remember correctly it will travel at about two ta three times tha speed of sound. why?"

"Just curious." She stammered looking a little queasy.

"Ok well since you ask the last question. You will watch first and shoot first after ah show Ya what ta do."he said with a reassuring smile.

"Ok."she squeaked

"Don't worry you'll be fine but it's best to remember this those raiders deserve it they have killed, raped and eaten other and will do so to your friends and loved ones."

At his last words she looked at the rifle and then to her friends and with a determined look said" Ok I'm ready.

As they walked over to the spot Leroy said" Twilight I know you don't like it but this is for the good of others."when they got down he showed her how to lay so it didn't hurt anything.

"I-I'll be ok" she said as she got to where it would be easier to watch.lifting the special binoculars to her face.

"Ok if at any point you what to take a break let me know, oh and forewarning it is silenced but it's still a little loud." He said with a half smile.

"Will they hear it?" Twilight ask concerned.

"Who the kids or the raiders? cause its naw to both. Tha kids ahr far enough away fer it ta be heard and raiders half tha time are blitzed out of their damn gourds ta hear."he said chuckling the whole time but stopped when he saw twilight's expression of relief.

"Ok so this is how we'll do it ah'll shoot and you pick tha target. Be clear on where they are. ok?" He stated looking at her.

"Ok" was all she said.

As twilight looked through the binoculars she could see just how evil raiders were. on the outside of the crumbling ruins were mutilated bodies of the innocent people they had caught. She could even see them torturing so poor person, for which she wanted to call as first targets but was cut off as Leroy knew what she was thinking."no it will alert them. start from the outskirts and work in and besides that person is talon company they are worse than raiders."

"How can they be worse than raider?" She ask.

"I'll tell you later when we get back to my place."he said in a neutral tone.

"Ok...uh left wall target is alone." She stammered.

Their was a brief moment of high pressure and a semi-loud noise and the rider's head and part of his shoulders was gone in a spout of blood. At the sight twilight turned away and puked.

After a few minutes of retching sounds she finally calmed down it was then Leroy said. " ah figured this might happen now Ya see what ah've been sayin."

"That was a horrible sight and you want me to do that to sompony?" She said.

"Its necessary and ah warned ya it's a might nasty sight. Tis why ah'm havin fluttershy go last so as ta take time with tha poor lass. Ok whenever yer ready just a bit o info when shooting a rife like this remember 'height by distance and measure tha wind speed 'n adjust to it there are marks in tha scope' ah'll call yer target take yer time while ah go an give this info ta yer friends. Ok? Oh beware tha kick its a bit of a bitch."he said as he watched her get situated and grab the rifle with her magic looking down the scope. With her set up he told her to let him know when she shot,with that he went tuned talk with the others.

"Ok yall gather 'round ah've got some information ta give ya. Not gonna lie what yall about ta do is not a pretty sight. I've done shot and as soon as twilight is done yall are gonna get the chance. Take your time on the shot and chooses wisely. Once yall have finished ah'll finish the rest. And ah'll set it so yall can watch me work."

How are you going to do that darling." Rarity ask

"Yea how you gonna do it?" Raibow dash ask with a smirk.

"Easy ah have a portable viewing screen and link fer ma cybernetic implants in ma head one that links ta ma eye that a way yall can watch, jus don let the kids see." He said but with that last piece it sounded like a plea and advice.

"Land sakes what cause yall ta get them implants there Leroy?" AppleJack ask.

"Injuries and ma job."he said in a tone that said 'don't push any further'.

At his words they all looked away.

"L-Leroy I'm ready to take the shot." Twilight called out.

"Ok twilight be right over."he yelled as he turned to the rest. "Ok yall follow me and yall will get your turns."

As they made their way over Leroy sat down next to twilight and put a hand on her back speaking calmly he said. "Ok twilight listen closely ah know yer scared it's obvious by tha way tha gun is shaking in your magic but ah'm here and so are yer friends. Yer doing this not only ta protect the other people at Dave town but now you have children to protect. Use that to remember it's for their future. Breath in, aim,and fire while exhaling it helps with tha aim."

"Ok" Twilight squeaked.

Doing as she was told twilight took in a few swap breaths and looked down the scope the raider that she been watching was now thirty feet from the rest and behind a large rock. Taking careful aim at him breathed in one more time narrowed in on his heart and fired.

The shot was dead on with a puff of red mist the raider was dead a large hole in the center of his chest.twilight. had done it. Whistling Leroy took the rifle and said."Ok twilight you got em go takeover for fluttershy and we'll be done soon."

Twilight just sat there shaking Leroy was concerned that she was sick so he turned to the others and said." Ah don't think yall need ta do this till ah can get y'all to a gun range. yall don't need ta learn how ah did. Sorry folks ah'll go finish them off. Yall jus keep her calm ah'll talk ta her when ah get back. Ok?"

All the others just looked at him and nodded.

Picking up the rifle he set to taking them down. His first hit a flamer wielding raider. Why do raiders always come back. they know they won't live long in this area, so why not go bother someone else?his second shot hit two who were chatting on patrol. Ah mean seriously how many does it take. Ten? Fifty? A hundred? ,a thousand!? It doesn't make sense even fer raiders. His third shot cut one in half and severed ones leg, he passed out from shock. At least we don't have the enclave to deal with any more. That makes my job easier. By his fourth shot he had killed all but one raider and he was looking around for who had killed all of his his buddies the last fully removed his head. At that Leroy sighed and took apart the rifle and stowed it back in the case it was in. A few minutes later, having made sure no trace of them having been there, he walked over to the others and ask."how is everyone doing?"

"Oh um twilight is a little sick right now sorry." Fluttershy said looking from twilight to him.

"What in tarnation happened ta her she looks as if she saw a ghost or somethin." Applejack said.

"That is normal fer someone who has made their first kill."Leroy said with a shrug.

"What?!"they exclaimed.

"Ya twilight took her first and it wasn't a pretty sight so it's to be expected ah'm immune ta the sight having lived this life fer so long." He said.

"Will she be alright?"rarity ask.

"Ya she will quicker with yall around.took me several days to get over mine.and that was before ah left tha vault."

"Really what was yours a mouse or something?"rainbow dash smirked.

"Not hardly it was a vault guard ah'd known ma entire life and was friends with. That is until ma dad left and they all wanted me dead. As ta how ah killed em, ah wrestled his gun from him and shot him in the chest. ah sit their fer ah don't know how long lookin at him die but it never left me fer the first several days by then ah'd grown accustomed ta the sight of dead bodies."he said his neutral expression never faltering.

"Are we finished yet?"pinkie ask.

"Yall are but ah have ta finish them all their are a few in tha buildings tha need ta be dealt with but it won't take me long best guess forty five minutes ta do it.

"Ok please hurry.if that is ok with you." Fluttershy said with a worried look at twilight who had fallen asleep curled up in a ball.

"Second thought let's get her home ma job really was ta open tha door fer the elimination squad."he said with a sad look to the sleeping alicorn. "Alright everyone we are leaving grab your stuff and lets go."

With that he gingerly pick twilight up and carries her along with a few bags.the others stare in amazement at him for they didn't think he was that compassionate.

With everything loaded up they set off to megaton city.