The Wastelands Sacrifice to be

Beauty…

The moon shown like a pure light upon Mech and I as we flew. The air was light with a gentle breeze swaying through it. The world was filled with a shine that I could only feel through the gusts under my wings. Everything just fell in place like the old days. That was until she was hit by lightning and fell from the sky like a rock.

I flew after her in a flash, trying to catch her as fast as I could go. She fell faster than I could fly as I saw her hit the ground. She crumbled into a pile of dust as a frame was left. I landed to see the frame. It had a photo of my parents, strong as ever. They held my sister under a wing as she squirmed to get out. I saw myself off to the side rolling my eyes.

Back then, she was a pest in my eyes. Always knocking over and breaking important parts that took me months to make. Each time, I grew to hate her more and more. That was until I went out for my first flight with my parents. The vision of that fateful day shown in the ashes of my sister’s corpse. We were attacked by a bunch of what we thought was raider ponies. They told me to fly home and I would be safe.

My father had his twin energy cannons on a battle saddle on his side as my mother had her machine gun battle saddle. I heard gun fire as I flew towards the stable. The guards were there with Silver Shine, a young colt at the time. Silver Shine warned the guards I was coming. They got me behind their hoof and had their rifles at the ready.

Watching the skies, my mother came towards me with my father in her hoof. He was hurt as blood poured from the stub that used to be his wings. Eyes opening in horror, there were creatures with holes in them. It’s eyes glowed as it held a pistol in its mouth. Bullets let loose as my parents fell from the sky. I cried out only to blotted out by the oncoming storm.

As the ashes fell, the memory faded away from my mind. I looked around and cried out in sorrow as the void of my dream made my cries echo around me. I wiped my tears away as I saw the moon, “Why aren’t you here? What is going on?... Damn me to Discord’s chaos induced hell! Why am I-“

A voice called from the distance as it seemed twisted with an edge of insanity to it, “Oh look! The crying pegasus monstrosity is upset over some ashes… Too bad. You should wake up already. The ponies you care for are hurt. An alicorn placed that trap on your mind. You have to fight it. Now!”

Fluttering into the sky, the world around me seemed to darken in shadows. I stared around me, “Hey! Why isn’t Luna reac-”

Luna’s voice cracked the shadows around me and put a hoof on my shoulder, “Its fine. Your okay. We won’t allow it to happen again. Together we can protect you mind. I’ll do so while you wake and then together while you sleep. Now go save them…”

The world blurred as I felt Luna’s magic wash over me like a barrier. She was going to do her damndest to save me if she could. I wondered on an important thought as I faded from the dream, ‘Is Luna going to disappear one day on me?’

I woke to Apple Miles firing his pistol in his teeth, firing at the changelings that came towards our hut. My heart raced as I stood and focused my mind on levitating my armor onto my flanks, including the energy cannon from Tiger Shade’s vault. I saw Silver Shine behind us unconscious with a bullet through his hind hoof. He wasn’t moving except for small breaths. I turned to Knight, my distant grandfather. He was firing away behind at the horde behind us.

I found my bearings and fired the twin cannons ahead of me as the small bursts exploded as parts of changelings flew. After several clips and honestly too many explosions from Knight as well as myself, there was a bloody puddle of changeling parts around us all. If this was the way the wastelands wanted to be, why did it grace us with the tools to find the others and save us so often…. Or was that Luna saving us from becoming puddles like this, I thought on this deeply until I saw the wound Silver Shine had sustained.

I lifted a wounded Silver Shine onto my back and flew into the air, “Let’s go.” I focused my magic on Knight as I cast a Feather Weight Spell, which frankly made my eyes hurt as the magic resonated within them, “He’s easier to carry. Miles let’s go before more of that lunatic’s army show up.”

Miles did as I asked and lifted Knight. He flew after me as I moved. I led the way as my Navigation shown over my eyes like a film or contacts. After a few hours, we landed outside of Ponyville by chance. I saw the decay of the town. Long dead raiders lay around us and all around the town as it was patrolled by Timber Wolves. My voice was quiet, “Nobody said these things survived the apocalypse…. Come on… I flew here thinking it was-“

Miles looked at me skeptical as he finished, “Safe… This was a raider town. Why would it be safe? I didn’t know you were flying here. We need a healer not some raider town that’s been slaughtered by these monsters. Lets-“

“Don’t go now… I can heal your friend since I know how. Your navigation led you here because I have a friend who made it appear. In truth it is safe as can be with the exception of little old me. Call me Azenoth,” a stallion stood above with stripes as he looked down from a balcony at us. He rushed down to open the door and smiled, “Come in. Nothing will harm you-“

Knight shook his head, “Cut the rhyming… Your not Zecora… I know you know how to speak normally.” He said with a hoof stamp as this behavior had irritated him in a way I had never known. He seemed on edge as if this pressed a button or maybe a memory since he mentioned the name. I’d have to ask later.

The zebra chuckled as he let us in. He let Silver Shine lay on a bed of hay as he observed the wound that had ripped through a wing and into his flank. The zebra bade us back as he examined the wound carefully. The looks he had were grim but he pulled out a dark green liquid he put on the wound as Silver Shine winced. He then wrapped the wing and the flank. He walked to me with a nod, “He’s fine. Not much damage for now but flying is-“ he saw Knight glare, “Out of the question.”

I looked between the two, “What do you two have a problem about? Knight I’ve never seen you like this before… And who is Zecora?” Asking all this now I realize was bad timing but I needed to know why Knight was so mad. His attitude towards this zebra was almost hate as my EFS picked up on him being hostile as it was tinging orange to red. I stood in between, “I know about the war okay… But he’s helping… Explain to me what’s going on Knight. Please….”

He stopped as his icon became a friend green once more. He moved back to stare out the shattered window with a thump of his rump hitting the shoddy wooden floor. He seemed as if out of it as he stared ahead, “Zecora was a friend and also a mentor. I learned much from her. I could honestly give you the book she gave me ages ago since it was locked in a safe vault in the old sister’s castle not far from here. Forcing it like that just… After hearing it after so long made me angry is all… And with the war and after what the other zebra’s did to Equestria… I can barely trust them.”

“I’m not an enemy. I chose to heal and not kill. These woodland animals protect me. Even the phoenix’s,” he watched Sapphire fly in and land on my rump as the zebra smiled and continued, “She’s blue… Your armor and natural magic must have changed her. She is beautiful though… Oh and let me reinforce that my name is Azenoth.”

Smiling to Azenoth I gave a small nod. His hair spiked in a Mohawk now that I could see up close. He was weak but looked like he had a large intellect to counter. His cutiemark was that of a mosaic bottle of medicine made from his stripes. He was overall not too shabby for a wasteland survivor when it came to looking like a normal pony. He also seemed to have an old set of magically enchanted… Curtains made into a full set of armor minus the tail cover and head piece that had magic scrawl engrained on it.

“Your armor is unique Azenoth… Where did you find it? I haven’t seen much magic but that seems out of my level to even d- Wait you know I have magic?!?” I spoke calmly at first until his previous words finally hit the part of my mind that rationalizes all that I hear. I understood one thing clearly, he knew I had magic somehow.

Azenoth laughed as he pointed a hoof at my face, “Your eyes glow the color of alicorn’s magic. Something I’ve only heard of in books here that survived the fall. If anything you might want to take Knight’s suggestion. The temple of the sister’s is a good idea for you… And leave the spell up while he’s in here, his weight may crack the floors…” He jested as we both gave a small laugh.

Knight spoke up with an idea in mind, “Take your… I mean take Miles to the temple. It hard to miss from the air. Go. I’ll wait here to watch Silver Shine’s condition and learn more about our friend here. Go ahead…”

Miles had stayed outside watching the timber wolves with an edge of concern. I snuck up on him as best I could in armor as I tapped his leather barding. He jumped a bit as he turned with a smile, “It isn’t nice to see your better but we need to clean off your armor. It’s a bit bloodied and messed up. It really messes up the beautiful blue hue to you.”

With a small laugh, I gave him a look of horror, “You do that, the power source may get upset…. I can’t just wash it off with a hose. I use a cloth. Besides I have a mission just for us. How would you feel going to the Two Sisters Castle? A trip just for us, Knight gave us his blessing.” I enthused when I said ‘Knight gave us his blessing.’

Miles gave a small chuckle as he looked out towards the forest, “We’re flying in right? I don’t like the idea of a romantic stroll through a deadly forest… Flying yes and mayb- Ouch!”

I kicked a metal hoof into his flank as his mind starting going elsewhere. With a chuckle I decided to point to the forest again, “That forest has a castle my grandfather locked a book away in to keep it safe. It was his idea to go so let’s go before he changes his mind. Catch me if you can.” I took off as I heard him call after me as he followed.

The flight was peaceful as I was smiling to Miles as he watched below us. I laughed at him, “Whose the scared-pony now? The forest is fine. Azenoth was right. The creatures here mean no harm at all.”

“The ponies of old used to call this place cursed but I’ll take your word for it, oh my knight. Look the castle is just ahead. Let’s get there and see what’s going on,” he said flying ahead, almost making me believe it was race of some sort.

The castle was grand as it was dead ahead in all it splendor. Well ruin really. It was nice to see something from the old structures living at least in a finite degree of survival. So as I flew over it, there was a hole in the roof that I flew through to land in. I saw the throne room ahead possibly as it was nice to finally see something like this. The old structure was good until it fell apart if I read the scrolls in my vault correctly.

With a sting in my heart, I remembered my vault as each pony flipped through my vision as if the hall was filled with them in a memory. The light blue visages of them were walking before me until it finally morphed and the zombies raised their heads to me. I jumped and put a metal hoof in front of my face, “Don’t come near me!”

From beside me, I felt a hoof touch me as I bucked at it. I heard a solid thump as the blue-layered visions fell away to see Miles on the ground in pain with a slash in his side from where I kicked. I knelt beside him, “Miles! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it! Hold on. I’ll fix it.” I got a bandage out to wrap it as I felt terrible that I hurt him.

His voice was cracked but filled with a sense of concern still even though I kicked him with a set of metal hooves, “Hey… Its okay… A hoof is the least I should expect for scaring you like that. I honestly didn’t think you could kick that hard?... It’s a cut, I’ll be fine.”

Once the wrap was done, he smiled and stood up with a wince. His own words echoed in me ‘It’s a cut,’ he says. I know these metals… The can do a lot of damage. I spoke up shaking my head, “Go back… I think you need to get checked out by Azenoth. You might be hurt internall-“

“Cryo stop! I’ll be okay… No one is getting me out of here and leaving such a fine mare alone. Lets go,” he bickered as he stood with my aided hoof. He smiled to me and nudged my neck, “Come on, firefly.” He walked ahead with a limp as he shook his head as if to fight off some pain.

My mind screamed to take him back myself but I know Knight would be upset and demand I talk to him about what happened. Frankly I didn’t understand myself what I did or how but I know I hurt Miles. With a second thought, wait did he call me ‘firefly’? When did he start that?

I ran ahead and tapped his flank, “Firefly? What was that about? You never called me by a nick-name before…”

“It suits you is all. Besides that means your only my Firefly… What I saw earlier was a swarm of small blue fireflies made by magic. That’s what I’m calling you now. Plus it’ll make Silver Shine mad,” he winked as he saw the large tapestries that had worn.

With a huff, I simply followed his gaze until I saw them too. In their hay day they must have been beautiful. I saw the stairs as I check my EFS to see for danger. None was present, just Miles and myself. I wonder honestly if that’s a good thing. We took up the large set of stairs to the top and went left. In no time at all, we saw a huge library.

Now worn with time and most of the books being ash, the library looked in ruins more so than I guess it had been back then. So honestly what was the point of all this. Some book I really wanted to read about zebra potions that my grandfather had hid here and why did he-

Miles cut me off, “So your gramps hid a book here? Why? I mean I know that certain reading materials were banned but still… Well it better be here or worth it for that matter. This place is creepy.”

Just as his words came out, something roared out among the halls that wasn’t on my EFS. It was menacingly and terrifying to hear as I jumped towards Miles. I heard his chuckled as he hugged me with his one hoof, “Nothing is getting you now or ever. I’ll be there for you from now on. No more you rescuing me.”

My soft laugh and smile came across my face. I leaned my head on his neck and nuzzled him, “Fine. Promise. No more. As long you let Azenoth look you over when we get back? Hows that for a counter?”

“Fine as long you stay by my side for the next few nights. Deal?” he said honestly with a grin.

I nodded my head as he spoke again, “Honestly you’ve been sleeping horribly. Magic surging and you mumble… You honestly have me scared. What is it you dream of?” He took a curious look at the burnt books, trying to find one that wasn’t burnt up.

With his notion in mind, I looked around for books as well as I spoke up with a sigh, “Luna… She talks to me when she sleeps. She claims she is but a spirit but I don’t buy it… I think she’s living up there using my dreams to contact me. She said when I earn my magic it will come and shows me things that were or might be… Like us dying, trying to find the elements of harmony… I realize now in that vision, your there, but so was Azenoth. He’s one of the one’s we need to come with us. My grandfather was there too.”

“I see. So that’s how it is. Well how about you tell her to give you a rest and let you sleep for once,” he joked as he looked for more as he stopped, “Hey this book… Could it be called ‘Potions and Medicines of the Jungle’?”

Bolting over without thought, I ran towards him until I felt the floor giveway. I flapped my wings as the floor fell below me. I focused my mind as the bottom of my hooves glowed with blue fire that blazed out to give me more lift. I flew over to land by Miles as the flames subsided, “These floors are weak. We should be careful or else that might happen to us….” I took the book as he looked down the hole.

The book was still in good condition somehow. I opened it to see plants I saw on the way here in the ingredients lists. One of them was a healing elixir, something we usually find in medical boxes. So now I can…. Well now Azenoth can make them. I spoke up, “Lets leave before we find anything else okay?”

“I hear yo- Hey! Let go of me!” he said until he cried out as vines held him in a way to keep him from the bit trigger of his pistol on his foreleg and were pulling his unwilling body down. Flying after him was all I could do until one of the vines hit me, throwing me back into a shelf as it collapsed on me. The world became a haze of grey as I could barely move. All I could cry out before passing out was his name as I lost sight of everything.