//-------------------------------------------------------// Fallout: Equestria - Dark Eyes -by SomeRetroGeek- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolouge //-------------------------------------------------------// Prolouge Equestria. A nation once of peace and prosperity, now a wasteland of lawless remains and death. Cities and towns wiped out, with the damaged remnants of the buildings only remaining surrounded by mutants and very few survivors. But from the ash and dust of one city, a self-proclaimed saviour emerged out of the shadows. This saviour began rebuilding the city, and crowned himself Emperor. News spread to other survivors, and they rushed to find this city. Many thought it would be a utopian landscape, while others believed it could be a sanctuary for all the survivors to live in peace out of the harsh conditions of The Wasteland. But as they discovered, The Emperor was hell bent on ruling the entire nation of what was Equestria, spreading his fascist ideas far and wide, desperate to build a world where he reigned supreme. Many attempted to escape his city, but it was no use. Everyone had been enslaved, either forced to work without rest, creating weapons and armour for The Emperor's army, or forced to become soldiers that would kill anyone who The Emperor thought as impure or dangerous to his plans. His city would live on in infamy, forever known as Dark Eyes. But out on The Inland Sea, hidden beneath a Desalinization Plant, was  Stable 62. An odd location for a survival shelter, but effective as no one had any idea where it was. Around the same time as The Emperor's rule in Dark Eyes, a small Pegasus fell from the clouds above and through the roof of the Plant. Hearing the crash above, a few survivors below ventured out above, worried and scared of what had fallen. However, when they saw the young Pegasus with a dark grey mane,  long red and orange hair that went to the right side of it's head, they were shocked and anxious. It had damaged it's wings from the fall, and clearly had not experienced flying before doing so. With a glance to each other and a subtle nod, the survivors took the young Pegasus with them, one carrying it on it's back. The stable opened, and the survivors entered with the Pegasus. The other survivors took a liking to the colt, and introduced himself as Lockdown. He was not sure why he had been given the name, and was not sure of what his cutie mark meant. When he asked if he could be taken back to the skies, the survivors firmly responded, 'No', as they could not go above the surface for more than five minutes, and they would likely not find his home in time, not to mention the fact that cloud cities would often breeze by because of the extreme winds in the area, and his home city had likely flown elsewhere. Because of this, he fell into feeling as though he was in a state of isolation as a security measure, as he was the only one not allowed to leave the stable when other survivors went to find food in the plant, as they had not been provided with nearly enough to feed everyone for ten years. Lockdown felt as though he himself, was in lockdown, and believed that was the only reason he existed was to always be isolated. And truth be told, he always was, even in the vault. He became depressed, and the images of his family faded away from his memory, until they completely vanished from his mind. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Beginning of A Journey //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 1: The Beginning of A Journey 'Oi!' Lockdown opened one eye. Then closed it. 'I said "Oi!", mate!' 'No, really?' Replied Lockdown sarcastically. 'Yeah really! Now listen 'ere! I gotta go up to the surface to get some food from the plant!' Said Cutting Edge, an earth pony with brute strength and arrogance with an attitude to boost. His long ginger mane caused him to twitch as it flung away from over his eyes and to the side of his head, and his red eyes began staring into Lockdown's soul. 'Good for you. What's that got to do with me then? Let me guess, you want me to keep an eye on that stupid minigun of yours.' Groaned Lockdown. 'Yeah, now see to it!' Called Cutting Edge, as he left. Ever since Lockdown arrived, there was one particular inhabitant of Stable 62 that he failed to impress, that being Cutting Edge. The two had become arch-rivals, and would always compete against each other for anything. 'Don't worry about him, kid.' Whispered Big Boss, the leader of the Stable. He was small with a white mane and a cutie mark resembling a map. 'He's just jealous.' Lockdown knew Cutting Edge was anything but jealous of him, in fact, it was the opposite way around. Cutting Edge would be the one to go up to the surface, whilst Lockdown was still left in isolation in the Stable. By this point, he had gotten used to it, and accepted that he wouldn't be allowed to go outside Stable 62 no matter what. Ignoring Cutting Edge's request, Lockdown chose to fall asleep again. However, whilst sleeping, his dream about being able to leave the Stable stopped, and all there was, besides total darkness, was an image. A family of Pegasus ponies, with the smallest looking identical to Lockdown when he was a colt. Different images began to appear in the darkness of the same ponies, and the last ones he saw before he awoke, was of the identical looking colt attempting to fly, but only to fall. Then, there was writing. 'WEST OF THE EQUESTRIAN WASTELAND IN A LARGE CITY. CAN YOU FIND IT?' Lockdown jerked up, his eyes opening instantly. Everyone looked at him, as he was gasping for breath. 'I saw them! My family! They're in the Equestrian Wasteland! What's that?' He asked, talking faster and more desperate. 'Slow down, kid.' Replied Big Boss. 'That was probably a dream, alright? Don't get your hopes up.' But the same images and writing were always there, in the darkness while he was sleeping. After two weeks, Lockdown had had enough. He didn't know why these images appeared, or what The Equestrian Wasteland was, but his instinct told him to risk going out to sea, in the hopes of finding his family. The next morning, Cutting Edge prepared to head out. As he entered the passcode to exit the Stable, the door opened, and without expectation and by complete surprise, Lockdown rushed out, up what felt like a mile long stairway, to the surface. The only thing there was the Plant, a single boat, and overgrown hedges and vines. Without a second thought, Lockdown pushed the boat into the water, grabbed the oars and began rowing his way out to sea. Cutting Edge, Big Boss and the other survivors ran up to the surface, but they weren't quick enough. 'Good riddance! That kid was obnoxious and bloody well arrogant! If 'e wants to head out to the Wasteland and get 'imself killed, he can go right ahead.' Grumbled Cutting Edge. 'He had a vision. The same one multiple times, every night for two weeks. It's best that he goes and does what he needs to.' Said Big Boss. 'I don't care if 'e 'ad some vision multiple times or if 'e has to go and do what 'e needs ta! He'll die an' it's his fault!' The small wooden boat shook and shuddered across the waves. Thankfully the ocean was calm. Lockdown was sound asleep until the boat hit something. He peered over the boat. Nothing. Only debris on fire surrounding a black, rocky beach. He ventured out of the boat and looked over the edge of the hill at the end of the beach. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, and nearly passed out. Skulls were cluttered all over the place and skeletons were broken up into a pile of bones. Blood had practically engraved into the sand. With a deep breath and regretting what he was about to do, Lockdown followed his instinct and walked over the hill, trying his best not to look at the destruction and loss of life surrounding him. He walked what seemed like an eternity before stopping and collapsing onto the ground. 'Water...' he gasped. Then, he heard a loud thud. Then another. He looked up, and saw three green mutated monsters the size of a Bugbear before him. Their yellow eyes pierced into his, staring down at him. All three had black tails and large yellow teeth that looked like they were ready to eat Lockdown in his entirety. Lockdown shut his eyes in horror, as one of the mutants picked him up. This was the end of a journey that seemed like the beginning had only just occurred. //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Dead Land //-------------------------------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Dead Land 'Get down!' Yelled a voice. Lockdown turned to his right, and saw a light yellow unicorn using his magic to lift up a gun. It opened fire and shot the mutants down. Lockdown fell to the ground, almost in tears. 'Sorry about that. Mutants have been roaming these parts searching for any living thing to eat.' Said the unicorn. 'Who are you?' Asked Lockdown, beginning to calm down. 'Name's Combine. Never seen a Pegasus around here.' He replied. 'You escape too?' Lockdown looked at him in confusion. 'Clearly a new one to The Wasteland. Rules are simple. Run, and don't die.' 'Right.' And helping Lockdown up, he and Combine set off into the sand dunes. 'So, what are you here for?' Asked Combine. 'I had visions about my family.' Replied Lockdown. 'All I saw in them were images of me and my family, and every time there was writing saying that they were in The Equestrian Wasteland. And by what you've called this place, I'm assuming this is it.' 'Dang right.' Combine looked to his left and saw something approaching in the distance. 'Crap, get in the sand dunes over there! Come on, hurry!' And without hesitation, the two did so. Looking over, they could see six unicorns wearing steel armour that covered their entire bodies. They carried guns on the sides of their armour, and in front of them was a sphere shaped scanner, analysing the tracks left by Lockdown and Combine. 'LEADER.' Said one. 'THE TRACKS END HERE. BOTH THE PEGASUS AND UNICORN SIGHTED BY THE HUNTER DROIDS HAVE GONE.' 'HUNT DOWN THE PEGASUS AND EXTERMINATE HIM. THE UNICORN MUST BE FOUND AND CAPTURED. HIS SKILLS WILL MAKE AN EXCELLENT ADITTION TO THE EMPEROR'S ARMY.' Ordered The Leader, who could be identified with the black steel covering the back of his helmet and ears. The other armoured unicorns set off, whilst The Leader remained. 'Okay, here's the plan.' Whispered Combine. 'I'll use this to immobilise his armour, and then we should be able to kill him.' He had in his hoof a small device with electric currents flowing through constantly. 'First off, how is this going to immobilise his armour?' 'Their armour is powered by it. An overload would cause the computer systems in the helmets to shut down, and then it would create a chain reaction that would deactivate it!' 'Right, but surely the bullets won't go through the steel.' 'Oh, shut up.' And without a second thought, Combine threw the device at The Leader, only for it to be annihilated in a barrage of gunfire. 'Lockdown, when I say run...' Began Combine. 'DON'T EVEN BOTHER! I'M WAY AHEAD OF YOU!' Yelled Lockdown, who was running faster than he had ever before. 'WAIT UP!' He shouted. 'EXTERMINATE THE PEGASUS! EXTERMINATE HIM AT ONCE!' Ordered The Leader over the communication system, and immediately saw his troops running after them, opening fire in the process. The two had been running for fifteen minutes before they began to slow down. Combine had been close to being shot dead, but managed to avoid the bullet at the last second. Looking up, he could see that Lockdown was looking at something. 'Down here, quick!' Lockdown called, and began walking down the mountain side, trying very hard not to fall. 'Wait, you're a Pegasus? Can't you fly?' Asked Combine. 'I crashed through a roof and injured both my wings. Stable 62 didn't have enough medical supplies to deal with that sort of thing, and because of that, I can't even move them, and I don't intend on trying.' Replied Lockdown. But before he could explain why, soldiers similar to the ones they had seen earlier jumped from underneath the rocks and opened fire on Lockdown. Combine screamed in fear, and tried to run, but the soldiers seized him. Trying to break free, he received a blow to the head from one of the soldiers' rifles, knocking him out instantly. Lockdown opened his eyes, and tried to stand, but he had received too many bullets to his legs, and collapsed to the ground as though he was a tree that had been cut down. All he could see was Combine being taken away and fading into the distance. He tried to move by dragging himself along, but he couldn't. Before he could close his eyes and face death, he heard a voice. 'Don't ya die on me!' Snapped Cutting Edge. 'I'll be honest.' Said Lockdown hesitantly. 'I have never been more pleased to see you.' 'Shut up, kid. I need to get those bullets out of you and cover up your wounds.' Said Trainer Speed, a female earth pony who specialised in medical training for Stable 62. 'So you can get the bullets out but you can't fix my wings. Isn't that just...' 'HALT THIS CONVERSATION IMMEDIATELY.' Demanded The Leader that Combine had attempted to immobilise. 'THE EMPEROR HAS INFORMED US THAT YOU WILL BE OF GREATER USE IN THE FACTORIES. YOU WILL MOVE AHEAD OF US AND FOLLOW MY DIRECTIONS, OR YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED.' 'But this Emperor wants us in the factories.' Sneered Big Boss. 'YOU ARE NOT UNICORNS. NONE OF YOU WILL BE OF ANY USE TO THE ARMY. AND YOU ARE NOT A NECESSITY TO PRODUCTION IN THE FACTORY. IF WE NEED TO, WE WILL KILL YOU. MOVE!' Wherever they were going, all Lockdown could hope for is that his family was nearby, safe, and unharmed. But with the way the soldiers were acting, he greatly feared they weren't.