War

My eyes adjust to the light and then I'm able to see the outside world. I see the vast city from the hilltop. Well, what's left of the city that is. Hey at least there's green grass still. I equip ‘my’ new barding and put the nightstick and my 9mm in their respective slots and then I head out towards the city. Hoping that there will be an opportunity and excitement in my new life.

When I got a better view of the city I saw the abundance of skyscrapers with smaller 1-3 floor buildings on the outskirts then the residential districts and then I set out to the city’s closest residential district. While walking, I follow the lengthy street and head into a two story house and start searching for anything useful. Luckily this house was only semi-raided. I checked the garage and found some nails, screws, and duct tape. I place all these items in my saddle bags hoping that they will come in handy. I check the dining areas (dining room and kitchen) and find two cans of veggies. I search the rest of the house and find some medical tape, a screwdriver, and a few wires.

When I looked outside I saw it was getting late. So I went up to the bedroom and curled up on the sheet-less bed and slowly drifted to sleep.

I woke up cold and peckish. I rolled out of bed and and stretched. ‘Better get prepared for today's adventure!’ I thought. I headed out of the house and headed toward the inner part of the city. Unknowing of the incoming danger that lies ahead. While I was walking I hummed a happy tune in my head and saw something in the distance, smoke. Implying that there's people and people mean food, water, and security. I trotted happily toward the smoke.

When I got there I saw a makeshift border wall around a small grocery mart with a front gate that was as tall as the wall. I knocked on the door and said “Hello? Is anyone in here? All I want is water and I’ll be on my way.” I heard another voice on the other side replying with a rough voice. “Alright, I'll open the doors.” The doors slowly swung open and I entered the fort. The place looked barren with nopony in sight. I tried walking forward but I felt something metal press up on the back of my head. “Well, well, well, look at what we have here. A foolish mare with food and weapons. That's some useful things that you have there.” “Thank you, I guess.” I replied. “Do you know what's going to happen next, little filly.” He said and afterwards I heard a click. Wait, fort, sketchy pony, intimidating click.. Do I have a gun up to my head? “I guessing I won't get that water then.” “Yea.” “And that I'm probably going to die.” “Bingo.” Well, I'm dead, I'm so dead. Well I guess it's time to think of a plan. Should I run and hope that he misses or I could start a fight. Well, seeing that I can't outrun a bullet, I guess I have to fight, well let's do this.

“Do you really think I’ll submit to you so easily?” I reeled by back legs up and shot them out right into his torso knocking him back and I used my magic to fling the gun elsewhere and I bolted a safe distance facing him. “You little runt!” He spat and he unsheathed his knife and ran towards me trying to strike at me. I equipped my nightstick and tried blocking his attacks. I failed to block one of his jabs and he stabbed me right in the shoulder, jolting my body with pain and adrenaline. “Damn it!” I grunted, and I swung my nightstick hitting him clean in his front legs , sweeping his legs out from under him, knocking him down. But right before I could make another blow, he leaps up and swings. I foolishly try blocking with my foreleg and the knife cuts deep into my foreleg. I pant heavily in tremendous pain, but nows not the time to get distracted by pain.

‘At this rate, I’ll be turned into horse chops in no time. I guess I’ll have to end this early, but how… oh wait, I have a 9mm.’ I use my magic to whip out the pistol and fire wildly (since this is the first time for me using a gun.) I fire a total of five shots. One nicking his leg and the other hitting him straight in the torso. Blood slowly oozes down his coat. He grasps where the bullet hit and yells out in pain. All I do is stand there watching him bleed out, filling me with guilt and regret for leaving The Bunker. The outside had really lost its charm, and I wish I could come back. I see the stallion fall to his side and the life drain from his eyes. “I'm, a murderer. I don't care if it was in self defense. I'm a damn murderer!” I shouted “Medley get yourself together, you're stronger than this.” I looked around and saw nopony else. ‘Where is everypony?’ I thought ‘well where ever they are they’ll come back soon. But I need water first.’

I search the compound for any supplies, I first check near the campfire and tents. I found rotten carrots, but that's it. Well time to check inside the grocery mart. I enter and look around, everything looks torn to pieces, shelves flipped over and cash registers thrown about. I can see that there's no point in searching the main area so I head to the employees only room and look around. I find a hunting rifle with a strap on it on a table next to a safe that is slightly ajar. I open the safe and find a total of 27 bits, 7 rounds for the rifle, and a pocket radio.’ Well, it's mine now’, I thought and I take everything. Then I notice that I'm still bleeding, wow adrenaline really numbs pain. I get the medical tape out of my bags and wrap it around my foreleg and shoulder. Then I strap the rifle on my back and head out. I follow the road toward the middle of the city hoping to find friendly survivors.

It's been an hour, an hour of looking for other survivors. Nopony. Just absolutely nopony. I've already reached the inner city area, and I see an abundance of commercial buildings. Most completely trashed, and theirs barely anything left in the others. This was boring. I thought being a janitor was boring, but this, this is truly boring. Why can't this be more exciting like explosions, grouping up with others, anything but walking. My hooves are hurting like there's no tomorrow. Screw it, I'm just going to go scavenging and sit for a while. I head into the closest building and it a clothing shop. ‘Who wears clothes on a daily basis? I get dressing up for occasions but, regular clothes. This isn't Canterlot, this is just an unclassy city before and after the war.’ Anyways, I searched the clothing shop for supplies or at least a chair.

I found a chair, thank Celestia. It was actually in good condition. It had padding and doesn't wobble. I observed the shop from the chair. I saw clothing a-plenty, half of a cash register on the floor next to the register station, thing. But there was something that interested me, a staircase leading upstairs. I got up and started investigating upstairs. Upstairs was a disaster. Boarded up windows, trash everywhere and fabric thrown about. But there was one good thing, there's a ladder leading to the roof. But, for now, I'll stay here for a while. I gather and lie down all the thick fabric I can find in one rectangular pile and presto, a makeshift bed. It's shoddy work, but it’ll fix it later. I set down my bags on a sturdy cardboard box and climb the ladder to the roof.

The view from the roof gives me a better view of my surroundings. I scan the road and search for anypony. The streets still lay barren. I know somepony had to survive the bombs. I equip my hunting rifle and use its scope as a binocular, I see the distant glow of lights. Tomorrow I’ll head out and search that area, but for now I need to lie down and let my wounds heal. I returned to my makeshift bed, lied down, and closed my eyes.

After what feels like a minute of rest, I open my eyes. And it's dark. Why is it dark, it's only been a minute? I get back on my hooves and look out of the cracks of the sloppily boarded windows. It's night, and most importantly I'm thirsty as all hell. So I guess it's time to finally search where the lights are. I put back on my saddlebags and head downstairs and out to the street. I look back at the building and try to remember what it looks like, and I head out. But, I'm wondering something. What will I do while I'm out here. There's definitely no friendly ponies, only raiders from what I can see. But lights, lights mean it has to be an organized (or at least fortunate/lucky) settlement. So most likely not a raider camp, and if there's no raiders, then there are other ponies. Well, now that I think of it, it might be a trap. But now is not the time to speculate.

I’m about ¾ of the way there and I see two ponies with a wagon of goods heading the same way as I in what looks like metal barding, but there's no way to tell if they're friendly. So, I hesitantly approach them and say “Hello, I’m new to this area and I was wondering what is that place with lights?” The one not hauling the wagon turns her head and replies “Junk Town, and I first guessed you were from down town, but now lookin’ at you, you look new to the city, hay, even new to the war.” I was surprised that I wasn't greeted with a scowl or rude words. “Well, I'm from The Bunker. The-“ I got cut off “I know what The Bunker is, but, how did you get out? Even better, why did you get out?” She asked. “Well I got out through a broken wall in a maintenance tunnel, and I came out here out of curiosity and desire to have a new life. Everything was the same thing every day. Work, drink, sleep, repeat. But now that I'm out here, I regret my decision and wish I could go back.”

“Hm, I see why you regret your decision. I'd sell everything and myself to get in there. But for now, stick with me. I’ll help you get started out here.” She inspects my weapons and says “You're look prepared weapon wise, but don't look ready mentally. I can help with that.” Well that's concerning, but I guess I need it. Wait I forgot to introduce myself. “Oh, and I'm Medley by the way.” “The names Bit, as in the currency.” “Nice to meet you.” She nods and continues along the road with me toward ‘Junk Town’.

Inventory & equipment: Saddlebags, 9mm, 16 9mm rounds, nightstick, duct tape, wires, nails, screws, screwdriver, two cans of vegetables, and medical tape.

Health: Injured: Stab wounds in shoulder and right foreleg.