Fallout Equestria: Ashes to Ashes

by Swordslinger

Rating: teen
Tags: Drama, Original Character, Braeburn, Science Fiction, Comedy, Adventure, Crossover, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Other
Length: 61130

In a world turned to ash and fire, a single creature awakens to a world he no longer knows.

Braeburn never thought things would end up as they did, ever since he was forced to join the army against his will, it's been nothing but a complete rut for him for the past two years. Still, it's not all bad, his service is about to end, and he could have his old job back in Ironshod industries. Just one last mission to take care of, and everything should go back to normal.

Sure, the war with the Zebras was taking a turn with for the scary, but it's not that bad, ponies still lived their lives as best they could even with the war going on. After all, it's not like the Zebras would blow themselves up with everypony else right?

Oh, how wrong he was....

With thanks to Prince Universa for pre-reading.

Cover art done by me.

Based off of Kkat's Fallout Equestria. Prior reading of said story is welcomed, but you don't need too to enjoy this one.

Published 2016-01-06 05:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-16 18:20:20 UTC

Prologue: It's all over but the crying

Author's Note

Prologue: It's all over but the crying

“Let me tell you something about these things called Pipbucks.” Holding up the aforementioned device on his hoof, a green unicorn with bright red hair grinned as, the lights overhead caused the green screen to gleam slightly, “What is a Pipbuck you ask? Simple, it’s a blend of unicorn magic and science. It allows the user to keep track their vitals, highlights what parts of you are damaged, and if you are carrying anything, it automatically sorts it into a few different categories based upon their type and usefulness. This particular model is known as a Pipbuck 3000-mark V, and unlike the others, it can be taken off at will, thanks to this latch.” Rotating his hoof, he showed the underside of the device, which, true to his word, had a latch on the underside, “I got this little baby thanks to a friend in Stable Co, these things aren’t even supposed to be available. But now, I've got the whole world in my hooves!”

He turned to his oh so captive audience, “So, what do you think?”

“We know Doc, this is the fifth time you’ve told us.” A sky blue Pegasus mare complained, her turquoise eyes closing as she yawned loudly. She wasn’t even looking at the unicorn, instead, she looking out the window of the train as the scenery rumbled on by, trying to ignore the itch her combat armor placed on her wings, her blue uniform emblazoned with her cutie mark, an infuriatingly adorable picture of a spiraling circle. The night sky was still hanging overhead, and the stars were still shining bright despite the rocky mountains blocking the light. Gazing to the stars, the Pegasus went on, “It was sort of interesting the first time, but you’ve been sort of skipping a few things here and there. Something about a map?”

The unicorn beamed, “Oh, that’s right! Thank you for reminding me, miss Gale. As I was saying, it can also show a map of any area in a one-hundred-mile radius, not only that but it can also-”

“You just had to remind him.” A well-built earth pony leaned over to the Pegasus with a small smile on his dark red features. A cutie mark with a flag sprayed outwards marked his flank, and the armor he wore, that they all wore, gave him a suitably heroic image.

“Just wanted to make sure he felt wanted sarge.” She responded easily.

“Why are we protecting this guy, again?” A voice called from a fair distance behind the two, “I thought we were being recalled back to Canterlot.”

Turning around, Gale rolled her eyes, “Admit it Screw, you like listening to this guy’s lectures more than any of us.”

A tan unicorn rolled his eyes in response, his horn alight with magic and a mechanical contraption floating nearby in amber light. It was currently halted mid assembly, bits and screws being frozen in midair, “Just saying.” He muttered.

“Saying doesn’t mean nothing, if it is just hot air.”

Bolted Screw, ever impatient, shot a glare at the owner of the voice. A mare in the back, striped by black, with a white coat overtaking a red mane, met his glare with an even stare. The tinkering pony growled, “What did you say, you filthy-”

“Bolted!” The older stallion snapped, “Simmer down.”

Grumbling, Bolted Screw sent one last glare at the mare in the back before slumping back down into his seat as best a pony could.

The unicorn opposite of Gale and the Sergeant glanced between them worriedly, “Is he, uh, normally like that, sir?”

“He’s just testy cause he didn’t get his beauty sleep, Big Bang.” The sergeant addressed, “And I’ve told you, my name’s Rightful Oath, not sir.”

“Oh, uh, what about him?” Pointing a hoof, Big Bang gestured to the one pony fast asleep on the rickety train, despite everything that had happened prior.

“Him? Ah, he don’t need beauty sleep.” Rightful Oath shook his head in bemusement, “He just likes it though.”

“Wasn’t he…”

“Yep, that’s him.”

“Oh, I didn’t think he’d-”

“He sabotaged some Ironshod factories, and got out of it by signing up for the army.” Gale spat, restrained disgust spilling over each word, “Where else you’d think he’d be?”

“Easy there Misty.” Rightful Oath said gently, “He pulls his weight, leave him be.”

“Hmfh.” Misty Gale grumbled about it, but nodded to her leader.

“Speaking of, Zecka.” The striped pony snapped to attention, “Could you wake him up?” Rightful Oath called over to the lonesome mare, “Gently, mind you.” He added.

“As you wish.” The striped pony nodded.

Trotting lightly over to where the sleeping pony lay, Zecka whispered into the sleeper’s ear, “Braeburn, time to wake up.”

“Zzzzktat?” Bright green eyes slowly drifting open from under a Stenson, the station yawned and stretched his hooves, “Arewethereyet?” He asked, his eyelids drooping up and down.

“Soon, we shall be.” Zecka said softly, taking a moment to look him over, she stiffed a laugh, “I must say, you sleep rather funny.”

“Ah do?” Braeburn asked, looking himself over in a sleep induced haze, “Well, strap me sideways, Ah reckon Ah do.”

Zecka laughed softly, “I beg to disagree.”

What position Braeburn was in, was in fact, fairly ridiculous. Forelegs sprayed out, body lying in such a way that it seemed like he should have enormous back pain, not to mention his neck sloped oddly on the seat of the train. After a short while to think of a proper response, Braeburn said: “Ain’t nothing wrong with how ah sleep Miss Zecka.”

“No, but there is something wrong with your sentences.” Extending a hoof, she smiled softly down at him. Returning it with his own wide smile, Braeburn took the offered hoof and righted himself upwards.

“Good to see your up, Private.” Rightful Oath smirked, “Have a nice dream?”

“Reckon ah did.” Braeburn admitted, adjusting his hat so it’d fit on top his head better, “Was dreaming about Little Strongheart.”

“Your marefriend?” Gale asked, checking her hooves.

“That’s the one.” Braeburn confirmed happily.

“Pervert.” Gale snorted.

A rush of red covering his face, Braeburn sputtered out excuses, “What in tarnation-Ah did not-”

“Relax.” Zecka placed a hoof on his shoulder, “She is just trying to get you riled up.”

Glancing at her, Braeburn grumbled something under his breath, but nodded. Sitting down in the seat correctly, and Zecka joining him, an amiable silence fell over the train. The only sounds were that of Bolted Screw tinkering with whatever he was working on, and the humming of the Pipbuck Big Bang was playing with, other than that, it was almost completely silent.

Braeburn, unable to sit still even for a moment, took out his standard issue .10 millimeter pistol off his battle saddle and began fiddling with it. Ejecting the clip and the loaded round with practiced ease, he calmly lifted the barrel off of the gun itself with hooves. Taking out a screwdriver from a pocket and shifting it around in his mouth, he began to take the gun apart with mechanical precision.

Observing his work, Zecka nodded in approval, “You know your firearm well.”

Braeburn grinned, “Thank you miss Zecka, Ah used to make these kinds of things back in Ironshod with cousin AJ, before that whole fiasco went down. Even had a helping hoof with some of the stronger ones as well.”

“Indeed.” Zecka said, “Though I couldn’t help but ponder what it was that drove you to do what you did.”

Braeburn frowned, “Well, the truth is miss Zecka, Ah actually didn’t-”

“Final stop for Vanhoover station. All passengers, be ready for departure.”

Looking up towards the ceiling, where the intercom buzzed, the assembled group of ponies looked at each other and started shuffling about. Braeburn began to hastily reassembled his gun, but a motion from Zecka told him to simply stuff it in his bag. Bolted Screw did the same with his contraption, and Rightful Oath with Misty Gale began to help Big Bang with his luggage.

“Yes, thank you. I couldn’t ask for better guards.” The unicorn said graciously as his bags were started to come down from the overhead compartment.

“Anything for a member of the Ministry of Magic.” Rightful Oath responded easily.

“Remind me to take you all to Solaris later, I think you all will be impressed with what I’ve made.” Big Bang shifted a look to Braeburn, who was helping Zecka gather some of the squad’s supplies, “But, uh, remind me not to let him in. I don’t think I can trust him with...it…”

Rightful Oath glared slightly, but nodded in understanding, “We’ll see, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t bring it up when he’s in earshot.”

“Who’s in earshot?” Braeburn asked, walking up to them with heavy bags saddled across his back.

“Er, nothing Braeburn.” Rightful said quickly, “Why don’t you and Gale check out the station when we arrive, no surprises, ya hear?”

With a quick salute, Braeburn took off with the Pegasus in tow. Trying to ignore the look Misty Gale was sending him as she trotted off behind Braeburn, Rightful Oath looked to his unloaded shotgun and sighed, “Princess Luna, I sure hope this war of ours ends soon.” He mumbled, “Getting kinda tired of foalsitting these kids…”

As the train pulled into the station at one o’clock in the morning, it was understandably empty. Save for the odd officer that was patrolling the station, it was clear. Meaning, when the loud locomotive rolled up to the station, only the birds were scattered when the train finally pulled to a stop.

Stepping out of the train car, Braeburn shivered and pulled his hat closer with his hoof, “Sheesh, it’s colder than the Salt Block’s basement at Hearth Warming Eve.” He muttered, looking around at the large concrete station in front of him. A large clock near the drop off ticking along slowly with each passing second.

“How do you…Nevermind.” Misty Gale shook her head as she came up from behind him, “And it’s to be expected, we are near the western sea after all, not to mention, it is you know, night? It’s supposed to be cold.”

“Yeah, but still.” Braeburn replied, “Don’t have to be so darn gosh cold.”

“Mh,” Gale shrugged, letting the conversation drop.

Thankfully though, the awkward silence ended before it began when the rest of the crew began to spill out of the truck behind them, Rightful Oath leading the way, “Alright, Bolt, go around and get the wagon, Gale, go skyward and scout around, but don’t get too far. Braeburn, Zecka, try to keep your head down around here.” He ordered, sparing a look at the two, “I know you mean well, but a half breed and a felon may draw unwanted attention.”

Braeburn and Zecka shared a look, but nodded silently, consenting to the plan, albeit with a few grumbles on Braeburn’s part. As Misty Gale took to the sky and Bolted Screw went beyond their field of vision, Braeburn and Zecka took up positions near Big Bang, who was currently shivering his tail off. Apparently, Braeburn wasn’t the only one having trouble with the cold.

“C-can we get somewhere-uh, not freezing?” Big Bang asked, “Isn’t there a hotel I’m s-supposed to be staying at?”

“The Grand Central.” Rightful Oath said, “It should be-”

“I-it’s that way.” Big Bang said, pointing to the north, “....Sorry, my Pipbuck just showed me the compass.”

“That thing seems mighty handy there mister,” Braeburn spoke up, looking at the Pipbuck on Big Bang’s leg, “Where can Ah get one of them?”

“Oh, well, um…” Big Bang took a breath, “You gotta sign up with Stable-Tec to get one, and agree to go one of those Stables too...I think there’s actually one not that far from here…”

“Stable-Tec?” Braeburn mused, “Ah remember when little Apple Bloom was just starting that whole thing. It was a little bit 'fter Big Mac’s funeral.”

“You know Ms. Bloom?” Big Bang asked.

“Ah reckon Ah used to.” Braeburn admitted, shrugging, “She ain’t never been the same since Big Mac died. Shoot, Ah ain’t.”

“Ah, yes, I’m sorry for what happened, by the way.” Big Bang said, “It’s a terrible thing to lose a family member, even more to those Zebras.” A stern glare from Braeburn made Big Bang look away, only to realize who was next to him. Looking at the half breed, the unicorn stammered, “Uh, no offense ma’am.”

To her credit, Zecka kept a straight face, “I do not care. I am not responsible for my father’s race.”

“Besides.” Braeburn smiled, “One day, this war’s gotta end. Then I can go back to sweet APPLE-SOOSA!”

The remaining three ponies just stopped to look at him in dead silence.

Blushing, Braeburn pulled down his hat and mumbled an apology.

“....Anyway, congrats Big Bang, you’ve just become the unofficial navigator.” Rightful Oath said cheerfully, “Group meetings are on Tuesdays at ten, bring your own drinks. It’s Braeburn’s turn to bring snacks.”

“Why is allus hafta to be me?” Braeburn grumbled.

“Because, dear Braeburn.” Zecka chided, “You bring the best apples.”

The group shared a small chuckle at Braeburn's expense, who merely rolled his eyes in return.

“Right then.” Rightful Oath stated, “Bolt will have gotten the wagon by now, let’s see if we can meet him half way huh?”

With a chorus of agreement, the four headed further into the station.

As they passed through a series of large doors, they were greeted with a smell all too familiar to them, the smell of sweat and tears. Contrary to the outside, there were a number of ponies inside the station, seeking shelter from the cold. Some of them were huddled up in blankets, others were sitting together in an effort to preserve heat. They're were a few awake, and trying to stay that way. A few were playing cards, taking notice of the new arrivals but paying them no mind.

A frown crossed Braeburn’s lips, “Gosh darn it, Ah knew the war was bad, but...are these all refugees?”

“The majority are, I suspect.” Zecka speculated, “Others may just be trying to start again, or may have just missed their train.”

“But if some of them are refugees, why come here? Don’t seem right is all…” Braeburn muttered.

“What would you expect?” Rightful Oath asked as they started to move through the station, “Most of the fighting is far down south, so it makes sense if some of the displaced ones decided to move up north.”

“Besides,” Big Bang chimed in, “Vanhoover is often seen as a hub of different cultures and change, so it makes sense ponies from elsewhere would want to settle in a place where everypony’s different.”

Braeburn was about to respond when something knocked into his shoulder, whirling around, he noticed that he had bumped into a mare wearing a heavy cloak over her body. “Ah, sorry ‘bout that miss.”

“Ah, there is no harm to be found, when there is no malice bound.”

Braeburn blinked, and the crew came to a collective stop.

“Er, what did you say ma’am?” Braeburn asked.

“I apologize if I had startled you so, with my way of speech.” Turning around to face him fully, Braeburn came face to face with a coat of both light and dark grey, “But you should know, I left my homeland long ago.” There was no mistaking it, no misidentifying it, the pony Braeburn had bumped into was no pony at all, but a Zebra. One that golden eyes and a golden ring around her left hoof, but there was something else startling about her, not her eyes or her coat, but her stomach. It was round, heavy.

Almost as if she was carrying a child, or had one too many sweets.

“Shouldn’t you be at Zebratown?” Rightful Oath asked, narrowing his eyes at the Zebra, “You’re a mighty long way from it.”

“Ah, I would be so, but the bits have laid me low.” The zebra replied, smiling softly despite the accusation lingering in his words. Her eyes drifted over to Zecka, who looked at her with curiosity unlike the others, “I must say, I was not expecting another of my kind, are the fates so blind?”

Zecka shook her head, “I am afraid you are wrong, I am not Pony, nor Zebra.”

The Zebra’s eyes widened, “Mbali Mtoto.” She spoke in a hushed whisper, taking a step back in fear.

Hanging her head low, Zecka didn’t respond.

But Braeburn did, “Now hold on there, Ah know that Zecka here ain’t exactly welcomed by you Zebra folk, but don’tcha think you’re being a little bit mean here? Ain’t like she can choose her parents after all.”

“I….” The Zebra lowered her head, “You are right, I let my prejudice guide my sight. I am sorry, if you were to have any worry, let me know.”

“No,” Zecka shook her head, “You shouldn’t be blamed for believing superstitions, they have a way of infecting a mind.”

“Er, I hate to interrupt, but we have to go.” Big Bang injected, to his side, Rightful Oath nodded in agreement.

“Right, let’s move out.”

“Kila La kheri.” The Zebra said, bowing to Zecka.

“Kila La kheri.” Zecka repeated, imitating the motion.

Waving goodbye to the foreigner, the group continued on their way.

Leaning over to Zecka as they walked, Braeburn had to ask; “So, uh, what did you two just say to each, if’n y’all don’t mind me asking much.”

Zecka shook her head in bemusement, “Merely a parting wishing good luck, nothing more.”

“I wasn’t expecting a Zebra this far north.” Big Bang commented, “I thought they were all segregated into Zebratown near the border.”

“Ah thought she said she needed bits to make the trip.” Braeburn said.

Rightful Oath shook his head, “The authorities should have shipped her out a while ago. Either she was lying, or...”

“She was carrying a child, mayhap she simply could not make the trip?” Zecka wondered.

“She should have been deported a long time ago.” Rightful retorted, “I’ll call it in later, when we get to the hotel.”

As they came to the other end of the station, they were greeted with the sight of a large metal wagon with red stripes and an open top. It was being held afloat by four steel gray wheels, all being pulled by Bolted Screw, who currently had a harness strapped to his back that connected to the passenger section. Next to him was another harness meant for another pony to help pull the wagon. It was a given, it was too heavy to be pulled by a single pony, even with one with great strength. No, scratch that, there was one pony who could've in Braeburn's opinion, but he was....He was....

Braeburn's thoughts were interrupted when a shadow flickered across his eye. Glancing up, he saw the dark blue underside of Misty Gale hover above them. With a slight motion signaling her to come down, Braeburn caught the eye roll she made and stepped to the side.

As Misty Gale swooped in next to them and landed next to Braeburn, she eyed the wagon with a disdainful eye, “It’s red.” She muttered as they approached.

“What’s wrong with red? Always thought it was a pretty color myself.” Braeburn asked as they climbed into the back of the wagon as Rightful Oath took up position alongside Bolted Screw. Strapping a harness over himself to help Bolted Screw pull the wagon to their destination.

“It’s gaudy.” Gale responded, “Blue’s much prettier.”

“I do detect a hint of narcissism in there?” Zecka said, rubbing her chin as they sat on the wagon’s hard seats.

“What? It’s the color of the sky! The sky means freedom!” Misty Gale exclaimed, throwing her hooves apart as if the action would prove her point, “And red’s blood, which is icky.”

“Mh, but I couldn’t help but notice that you enjoy looking at our leader’s dark red flank.” Zecka responded, savoring the rush of red upon the Pegasus' face and subsequent sputtering, Zecka leaned over to Braeburn and whispered, “That, my friend, is how you get payback.”

Tilting his head, Braeburn could only mutter “Well I’ll be…”

As they navigated their way to the hotel through the cold streets, Braeburn couldn’t help but notice the fact aside from the occasional glance at the road, their resident scientist escort was almost completely lost in thought, muttering something about names, and golden eyes. Braeburn was tempted to ask what he was going on about, but decided against it. It was rude to ask after all, besides, they had a long day ahead of them. He knew that this Big Bang fella was a part of some...weapons development system, or something. There weren’t a lot of details about it in the briefing, after all. Eh, wasn't really his problem anyway, soon enough his term would end, he could go back to his job in Ironshod like AJ promised and back to his cozy little office.

Well, he could ask Big Bang about the finer details later. As Misty Gale and Zecka chatted about something or other, Braeburn felt his mind wander back to Little Strongheart. What was she doing? Was she alright? He made sure Appleloosa would be a safe place before he left, but it had been a while since he’d been there, could he say it would still be the same as he left it? Well, Sheriff Silverstar could take care of her, he promised after all, and woe behold to anyone who would hurt the chief’s daughter.

Heh, now who was lost in thought?

As Braeburn mused about the fate of his hometown and its occupants, he didn’t notice when they came to a stop. It was only when he felt a gentle nudge on his shoulder did he see that they had pulled up to the hotel where they would be staying.

“Come on Braeburn, it is time to go.” Zecka said, gaining his attention.

“Huh? Oh, sorry bout that.” Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Braeburn smiled widely at Zecka to show everything was alright. Looking around, Braeburn saw they had parked in front of a large building with an old timey look to it, almost like they were standing in front of a cathedral to the sun.

“Hm.” Zecka hummed, “A bit for your thoughts?”

Braeburn just shrugged as they hopped off the wagon, each of them carrying their own luggage along with the extras. “Ah, just thinking bout Appleloosa again.”

“You mention it often.” Zecka noticed, “Mostly at the top of your lungs.”

“Ah do?” Braeburn tilted his head, “Aw shucks, ah hadn’t noticed.”

“Mh.” Zecka chuckled, “You are quite lucky that you are cute, if you were not, I’d imagine that doing so would be quite grating.”

“Ah shucks, thanks miss Zecka.” Braeburn grinned, “But I’m rightfully spoken for.”

Zecka grinned, “Mh, clueless as well, you must’ve been quite the heartbreaker”

“...Fraid you lost me there.” Braeburn admitted, tilting his head in confusion.

“Oh, nevermind.” Zecka chuckled, “Come, we must make sure our guest is comfortable.”

Despite feeling even more confused than before, Braeburn nevertheless followed Zecka’s lead and guarded Big Bang as Rightful Oath and Bolted Screw took the wagon into the parking lot. Being more of a “ponies pony” then the rest of the crew, Misty Gale was at the front desk, checking them in.

Needless to say, she wasn’t doing the best job of it.

“Now listen here buddy, I know for a fact this isn’t a five-star hotel, so why are you telling me the room, which was government issued by the way, is taken?” Misty hovered over the poor clerk, her body armor and furious glare causing the stallion to feel like he was on the receiving end of an artillery barrage.

“Uh, l-let me just check again….” He whimpered, opening up his desk’s terminal as he fiddled with the controls.

“You do that, buddy.” Misty Gale narrowed her eyes at the clerk, only turning around as Braeburn, Zecka and Big Bang approached.

“Is there a problem?” Zecka asked as they came close.

“Oh, just General Incompetence over there says the room we had was taken by somepony else.” Sending a glare over her shoulder for a moment, she looked back to her comrades, “It was either a filing error, or someone really doesn’t like us.”

“Oh, uh.” Big Bang brought a hoof to his mouth, “Is...my room taken too…?”

Misty Gale shook her head, “No, you’re fine Doc. It’s our room that’s been taken.” Spreading her hoof out to Braeburn and Zecka, making it clear who was indicating.

“Aw, ah was lookin’ forward to a little off time.” Braeburn muttered.

Misty Gale rolled her eyes, “You’ve had enough “off time” already Braeburn. You sleep more than a minotaur does.”

Raising an eyebrow, Braeburn turned to Zecka, “Do Minotaurs sleep a lot?”

Zecka could only shrug in response.

Thankfully though, the clerk called Misty Gale back over to the terminal, sparing the two the pondering of whether or not Minotaurs sleep in. Looking around, Braeburn had to admit, the lobby looked much better than the outside. It reminded him of those old streets in Canterlot he used to see way back when, stone work like the royal castle, fancy drapes over the windows, interspersed by the current trend of smoother metal benches and sleek looking pillars. Mister Handies levitating around, assisting whomever they could with their luggage. Some artwork was plastered about the walls, and of course, the ever present “recruitment posters” for the Equestrian army, Ministry of Morale’s “Pinkie is watching you FOREVER” and his personal favorite, the Ministry of Peace’s “War? Fear? Death? We must do better!”

“Do better.” Heh, what damning words. It was funny, how six mares could be turned into figureheads of war so easily. Or perhaps, it was the other way around?

Braeburn’s gaze shifted from poster to poster, until finally settling on the Ministry of Wartime Technology one, the gears and bisected sword marking it and making it stand out from the others. As he stared at it, Braeburn felt a tinge of regret as the mind brought up recent memories of events he rather put behind him.

“Ah wonder what you think of me now, AJ.” He muttered, so quietly that nopony else could hear him.

“Braeburn, are you alright?”

Well, Zecka wasn’t nopony.

Forcing a smile, he tilted his hat at the hybrid, “Ah, don’t worry bout me. Just drugging up some memories is all.”

Looking at the posters herself, Zecka nodded, “I can imagine.”

Turning his head to her, Braeburn opened his mouth to speak, but for the first time, no words came out. Thankfully though, two new arrivals caught his attention before any more conversation could be made.

“Look, all I’m saying is twenty bits for parking is overcharged, it should have been fifteen.” Bolted Screw complained to Rightful Oath, who merely rolled his eyes as they walked towards them.

“It’s just five bits more, what’s the problem?” Oath asked in return as they walked.

“Five bits that could’ve been used to get a drink, or pay for your kid’s college. That’s what.” Bolted Screw replied.

“I don’t have kids.” Rightful Oath said obliviously.

“....You need to get laid.”

Rolling his eyes, Rightful Oath nodded in greeting as they approached, “Everything in the clear?”

“The doc’s room is golden, Gale’s still working on ours though.” Braeburn explained.

“Mh, I see military personnel aren’t very respected here then.” Rightful Oath sighed, “I’d better go make sure Gale doesn’t rip out the clerk’s throat.” Resigning himself to his stalwart duty, the sergeant went over to his subordinate, who was currently making the clerk wish that he had taken his mother’s advice and become a teacher.

“You know,” Big Bang started, “Tall Tale is often heralded as a leading industrial city, I’d imagine you rugged military types would like it down there.”

His reply was a chorus of “eh’s” “maybe” and “There any good bars?”

Needless to say, the last one was from Braeburn. As Bolted Screw and Zecka turned to look at him, he grinned sheepishly, “What can I say? I’m a sucker for some good whiskey.”

“....Well, the convict isn’t wrong.” Bolted Screw said, turning to Big Bang, “Are there any good bars?”

“Uh, I think there’s one called Seven Heaven, but I don’t know if-”

“It’ll work.” Bolted Screw asserted, “I’m going to need some vodka after this.”

“Betcha I can drink ya under the table Screw.” Braeburn challenged.

“Oh, you think so?” The unicorn snorted, “Please, I’d like to see you try.”

“Boys, boys,” Zecka giggled, “You’re both very pretty, but you both know who would win that bet.”

Sharing a look, Braeburn and Bolted Screw nodded in sympathy. Taking off his hat, Braeburn lowered his head while Bolted Screw did the same. “You’re right miss Zecka.”

“It was silly of us to guess which one of us would win.” Bolted said somberly.

“After all, y’all know who the best drinker out of us all is.” Braeburn meet Zecka’s gaze, “I don’t rightly think we can beat an alcoholic like you.”

Zecka’s eyes widened, “What.”

“We didn’t want to say anything at first.” Bolted Screw “mumbled,” “We each have our own demons to face.”

“And I reckon some of us find it in a bottle.”

“Even so, we just want you to know,” Bolted Screw began.

“You’re picking up the tab.” Braeburn finished cheerfully.

“....No, buck this, buck you two.” Zecka groaned, “I do not have a drinking problem.”

“Who has a drinking problem?” Misty Gale’s voice cut in. Turning around to see the two, Rightful Oath clutching a hotel card in his mouth, with Gale by his side, who was raising an eyebrow.

Braeburn grinned, “Zecka. We were thinking of staging an intervention.”

Tilting her head, Misty Gale looked eager to contribute to the conversation, “An intervention? Will there be drinks?”

“Ah reckon so.” Braeburn confirmed.

Smiling as wide as her face would allow, Misty Gale clapped her hooves together in excitement, “Yay.”

“Heh, alright, that’s enough goofing around everypony.” Oath spoke up, “Let’s just get to our rooms for now, which reminds me.” Turning to the group, he gave them a stern look, “Our room will be a shared room, so no complaints about who gets to use the bathroom first in the morning, just wait your turn.” Finally, he turned to Braeburn, “And on that note, don’t take too long washing your mane.”

Stunned for a moment, Braeburn sputtered something out about not needing to wash anything, but it fell on deaf ears as the squad moved towards the elevators.

“What in Tartarus, cousin! Braeburn!”

“Traitor.”

“Zebra-humper.”

“Why?! Just, why?! What in Celestia’s name made you do this?!”

“Please Braeburn….Just, be safe.”

Emerald eyes shooting open, Braeburn threw himself upwards from his spot on the floor, heaving and covered in sweat.

“Good to see you’re up.”

Looking up, Braeburn saw Rightful Oath dressed in full combat gear, tilting his head, the squad leader pursed his lips, “Are you alright? You looked like you were having a nightmare.”

“Be safe.”

Braeburn shook his head in reply, “Don’t worry, I’m just fine and dandy.” Getting to his hooves, he looked around to see that the rest of the squad had either left, or was currently getting ready for the day. Checking a nearby clock, he discovered that it was a little after six o’clock in the morning. Not that bad, Braeburn was used to waking up at the crack of dawn, those Apple orchards didn’t buck themselves after all.

Throwing his body armor at him, Rightful Oath nodded, “Alright, get yourself together, we’ve got a long day ahead of us. Be ready to go in five.”

Nodding in agreement, Braeburn quickly, with months of practice, donned his armor in under a minute or two. Wasn’t like it was power armor or nothing, just a few zippers and adjusting the straps. Soon, he was a model example of an Equestrian soldier, if you add in a long mane of amber that is.

Fitting his saddlebags to his Battle Saddle, Braeburn adjusted his chest armor’s pistol holster. Snuggly putting the now repaired .10 millimeter pistol back in place, he sent a look at Rightful Oath to show he was fully ready.

“Right then.” Clearing his throat, Rightful Oath spoke out clearly, “Misfits, move out!”

Now, despite how that sounded, “moving out” consisted of mostly grabbing Big Bang from his room and dragging him to the elevator while he staggered about in a sleep induced haze. He was also apparently unable to function without coffee, so they had to make a stop at the local coffee stand, and so, that is the story of how Braeburn was forced to give up five bits for the addict.

Now on the road and heading west, this time they were using something called a “truck” made by some “flimy” or “flammy.” From what Braeburn had seen of these things, they were a mostly recent invention that were starting to make their way into the civilian market. A four wheeled vehicle like the the carts used in Applesosa's Applewood derby, expect bigger. Unlike the carts, the driver was accommodated by a side seat and two more behind them, along with a long "bed" in the back for storage.

Supposedly, the idea behind that was a “smaller, faster tank.” Trading armor for speed, the “truck" was designed to be a small troop carrier where a medic could offer medical services on the move, a heavy weapons platform, or a mobile command center. That said, they proved to be finicky at best. For one, they required a unicorn’s magic to work properly, as their magic was needed to start the engine, not to mention it was insanely loud. Though Braeburn had to admit, he liked the way it sounded when starting up, it just made too much noise to be effective when stealth was needed. That, and the exhaust pipe belching out smoke with each passing second which would give away its position. It was however, reasonably fast. While it certainly couldn’t match a Pegasus at full tilt, it saved everypony a lot of running.

That said though, not everypony was enjoying the ride.

“It’s slow.” Braeburn muttered, sitting in the backseat and crossing his hooves.

“And nosy.” Misty Gale added.

“It pollutes the environment.” Zecka growled.

“....Well, it’s comfy!” Big Bang suggested, weakly.

As soonas Big Bang said that, spring came out of Braeburn’s seat, hitting his rump and causing him to make a funny squeaking sound, “Agupk!”

“Heeeehhh…” Big Bang gulped, “I don’t suppose this car has a radio?”

“No.” Bolted Screw said curtly from the driver’s “seat.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” Big Bang said, “This here Pipbuck comes with one, let me just….”

“-nterlot being protected by a shield, Cloudsdale has suffered a direct hit by a Balefire bomb! I repeat, Cloudsdale is destroyed, oh, sweet Celestia…..”

“....Uh, that’s a messed radio station doc.” Braeburn observed, “Ya wanna try another one?”

“.....This is an official news station.” Big Bang replied.

“Manehattan has been hit! By the stars….Fillydelphia too.”

“Stop the vehicle.” Rightful Oath said flatly.

Slamming on the brakes and grinding the truck in the countryside, the squad all turned all turned to face Big Bang’s Pipbuck.

“They were right….They were so right. War….War never changes.”

“They’re joking...right? RIGHT?!” Bolted Screw looked from side to side, trying to find something that agreed with him, but the solemn faces around him told him different.

“We need to go back; some ponies are going to need our help!” Rightful Oath stated, somehow, someway, keeping his cool.

“....Does anyone else hear that?” Misty Gale asked looking upwards, towards the sky.

Slowly, one by one, the squad looked upwards.

“Hey, what’s that thing…” Braeburn muttered, looking at the mountains.

Turning, the squad saw a small, but fast travelling object sail through the sky, it overshot the mountains with ease, and headed right...towards….the city.

And missed.

Misty Gale breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh, thank-”

The very next thing Braeburn knew, his world became a mash of red and orange. His hearing was deafened, his body was assaulted by scorching winds, and his hat went flying. Regaining his senses, he looked to see his friends weren’t doing any better, and Bolted Screw with Big Bang were starting to hyperventilate. Looking towards the city, Braeburn saw something that scarred his soul for the rest of his days.

A mushroom cloud over the city of Vanhoover.

“W-We need to get to a Stable!” Big Bang shrieked, “We’ll be safe there!”

“What he said!” Bolted Screw agreed, slamming the truck into drive, “....Where is it?!”

“......That way!” Big Bang said, leaning over to the driver’s seat and showing his Pipbuck to Screw. Glancing at the device with frantic eyes, Bolted Screw, in a panicked rush, swerved the truck around, pushing his magic to its limit to make the truck go as fast as it could over dirt roads. The sky was a bloody red, and the horizon behind them was engulfed in flame.

As they picked up speed and headed towards the mountains, Braeburn felt his breath come in heavy and dry, was this really happening? Was it all a dream? Was it a nightmare? By Celestia, what was happening?!

“Rightful Oath!” Misty Gale screamed, panic in her eyes, “W-what do we do?”

“....Keep heading to the Stable.” The dark red leader muttered, “It’s all we can do.”

“....Why would they do this?” Zecka muttered, “Father...is this what you wanted?”

“We’re almost there!” Big Bang yelled, almost sounding happy despite himself, “We’ll be safe! We’ll be-”

“STOP THE CAR!” Braeburn screamed.

For the second time that day, the truck screeched to a grinding halt.

“Braeburn, what are you, insane?!” Bolted Screw yelled as Braeburn leaped out of the vehicle.

“Ah saw something!” He yelled back, checking a bush.

“We need to get to a Stable and you’re sightseeing?! What is wrong with you?!” Gale screamed.

“Just let me…” For once, his hunch was right. Throwing aside some branches, Braeburn saw an all too familiar sight.

The Zebra from the train station, and her leg was bleeding, badly. A gunshot wound, by the looks of it.

“You….” The Zebra said, weakly. No longer wearing that cloak, Braeburn saw her stomach, it was round. Too round to be simple obesity, she was well and truly pregnant.

Breathing heavily, Braeburn made a split second decision, and hoped it wouldn’t backfire on them.

He picked her up, and threw her on his back.

“Braeburn! We are leaving-Who is that?!” Bolted Screw demanded to know as Braeburn came back into full view.

“She needs our help!” Braeburn snapped, climbing into the back seat and assisted by Zecka, who immediately attended to the Zebra’s leg wound, “The world might be ending, but my conscience ain’t!”

“What was she...nevermind, drive!” Rightful Oath ordered. Bolted didn’t need to be told twice.

Taking off again, the squad plus two hurried to their probable salvation.

“Why would they do this….” The Zebra muttered as Zecka wrapped a bandage around her leg, “There’s nothing to be gained from such pointless destruction, nothing!”

“Hey, you’re not speaking in rhyme anymore…” Braeburn observed.

“The world is becoming ash, and you’re worried about how I speak?!” The Zebra snapped.

“Sorry Ma’am.” Braeburn muttered, “What’s your name?”

“......Zidatti.” The Zebra confessed, “My name is Zidatti.”

When they got to the Stable, it wasn’t what they were suspecting. Instead of a large door drilled into the eastern mountains like the symbol on Big Bang’s Pipbcuk, they were greeted with a crowd of ponies on a hill facing the northern forest, hidden under the shade of the cliff. A lift was being lined with ponies of all kinds, unicorns, pegasus, earth ponies, some of them were wearing armor with a blue jumpsuit underneath, others regular civilian clothing. The lift itself was large, connected to the back of the mountainside. Above it, was an open hatch in the mountain’s cliff, a large airlock which would prevent anything short of a direct hit from a missile getting in. Magic wires connecting the lift to the airlock and safety above, there were guards lining the sides, but two of them were dressed in steel gray power armor and armed with miniguns and rocket launchers.

Steel Rangers.

When the truck pulled up on the hill, it was naturally aimed at and was about to be riddled with bullets, but thankfully, that was prevented with Rightful Oath shouting out, “Military! Sergeant Rightful Oath and Misfit Squad!”

Raising his Sargent sun, the two Steel Rangers visibly relaxed. One of them, adorned with a series of tally marks on his helmet, “Good to see you Sergeant.” The Steel Ranger greeted, his voice coming through a robotic filter, “What are you doing here?”

“We came to assist with the evacuation.” Rightful Oath explained, “We also have a VIP that may be able to help with the Stable.”

“Who is this VIP?” The Steel Ranger asked.

“That would be me. Doctor Bang, I...I….” Tears were starting to well up in his eyes.

“Easy there Doc, have you signed on with Stable Tec?” The Steel Ranger asked.

“Huh...oh, yeah, yes!” He held up his Pipbuck, “See? Wouldn’t have one of these if I didn’t.”

You could almost see the Steel Ranger’s eyes boring into the scientist, but nodded, “Fine, doesn’t matter to me anyway, get these ponies inside the Stable, and-ZEBRA!”

As Braeburn climbed out of the truck, carrying Zidatti on his back, the two Steel Rangers aimed their heavy weapons at her, and by proximity, him.

“Now hold on there!” Braeburn yelled.

“Everypony just calm down!” Rightful Oath ordered.

“Why do you have a Zebra on your back you flithy-” A Steel Ranger began, but Misty Gale’s voice cut through the rest with ease.

“HEY, THE WORLD’S ENDING, CAN WE NOT ARGUE ABOUT THIS?!” The pegasus screamed at the top of her lungs, gaining everypony’s attention. As eyes lingered on her, some of them startled, others suspicious, she spoke up as best she could, despite the circumstances. “She’s pregnant, and about to have birth, I sincerely doubt she’s an infiltrator.” She stated calmly.

The leading Steel Ranger was still for a moment, but stepped back, “Ah, screw it. Get on the platform, NOW!”

As the ponies shuffled by, Braeburn and the Steel Ranger shared a look. He nodded, and the Ranger nodded back.

As they finally assembled onto the platform, the Steel Ranger nodded at the lift operator and made the signal to raise the lift upwards into the Stable. As the platform slowly rose, Misty Gale looked up.

“...Hey guys, it’s that sound again.” Looking around, she peered towards the northern forest.

Rightful Oath turned, too late,“Don’t lo-”

Once again, Braeburn’s world exploded.

What happened next, the farm pony didn’t know, he had turned and threw Zidatti off his back and shielded her with his body. His armor did nothing, his skin and fur feeling like they were on fucking fire. Misty Gale screamed and clutched her eyes as she toppled backwards. Rightful Oath, ever the hero, protected Zecka as best he could, and Big Bang cowered behind Bolted Screw.

As the lift closed behind them, and shielded them from nuclear fire, Braeburn dropped. Pain was his only sense, but he could make out a few things.

“Get these ponies to the medical center!” He heard somepony yell.

“My eyes, I can’t- I can’t….” Was that Gale? What happened….

“Hey, Zidatti, are you alright?”

“I’m fine...thank you Sir Bang…”

Well, at least the two of them were alright…

“Get this pony into stasis, now! He has third degree burns all over his back!” He felt himself being lifted up with magic.

“....Strongheart…..” Braeburn muttered one last time, and closed his eyes.

Experience points: 100/200.

Headwires

Braeburn frowned, just what was she getting all up in arms about? All he had said was, “It could practically punch through anything!”

The instant he said that, Applejack glared at him like he had just shot Apple Boom, then asked him if he wanted ponies killed. Oblivious, he told her that he had no idea what she was getting all uppity about, but that just made things even worse. Calling him something that can’t be repeated in polite company, the last thing he ever saw of his cousin in full health was the door slamming on him. It didn’t help that the ponies behind him had started whispering bout something. Nothing good, probably planning to steal his design or “improve it” somehow.

Varmints wouldn’t understand, it was supposed to be that way in the first place.

But...how would he talk to cousin AJ now? Braeburn didn’t want her mad at him, family was the only thing they had left, especially after….after….damnit...

A breath escaped from Braeburn’s lips, his eyes slowly fluttering open. What was going on? Why did everything hurt….It was also really hard to keep his eyes open, and sleep sounded so nice….He could sleep till the end of days….

“Braeburn!”

Jolting up, Braeburn’s body groaned in protest. His hooves felt like somepony had ran them over with a barn, and his back hooves….

Huh, he couldn’t feel his back hooves. Oh well, he was probably just numb still.

Looking around in a half awake daze, Braeburn saw he was in a medical center, lying on a surgery table with a blanket over his hindquarters. Oh, that’s right, he had gotten hurt, burns or something right? Yeah, after he had shielded that zebra, from the bomb…..

Wait, what bomb? What….What happened?

Clutching his head in his hooves, Braeburn tried to think through a growing headache. It was hard to think, hard to keep awake, but something was telling him not to fall back asleep, as if doing so was dooming himself to a terrible fate. Rubbing his scalp, Braeburn sighed and ran his fingers through his mane.

Wait, fingers?

Looking at his hooves, Braeburn’s blood ran cold. Sticking out or sticking in, he wasn’t sure which, were fingers. Three, large, almost clumsy looking things sticking out of the fringes of his hooves. No, not three, four. There was a fourth one, further apart than the others, thicker. A thumb, that’s what it was called. Minotaurs and Griffins had them.

Okay, so he had fingers now, what the hay.

“What happened to me?” Braeburn asked, but alas, he didn’t get an answer from the empty room. Looking at his fingers, the farm pony tried to make sense of what the buck was going on. Worse, he was starting to hyperventilate, he needed to calm down.

Boot camp’s lessons kicking in, Braeburn breathed in and out as best he could, trying to get his airway under control. Looking once again at the….fingers adorning his hooves, he pondered what the hay they were supposed to do. Could he wiggle them somehow?

Focusing, he stared at the fingers on his left hoof, “Alright then you, wiggle!”

They didn’t move, at all. He tried again.

Still nothing.

Frowning, Braeburn curled his fingers into a fist and slammed it against the table in frustration, creating a sizable dent against the cold metal.

“.....Wait….what?”

Looking at his closed...hoof, Braeburn watched in awe as the metal fingers slowly uncurled from the fist and extended outward. “Huh.” Trying once again, Braeburn grinned as the fingers worked to his will. Soon enough, he was making them dance.

“Hehe, alright, this ain’t so bad.” He chuckled, okay, so he had fingers now, that wasn’t so bad. It was a change, sure, but he could live with it. Wasn’t like his legs had gotten removed or something stupid like that.

Looking down at the blanket on him, Braeburn frowned, it was starting to come back to him now. There was a bomb...or something, and he had gotten injured protecting Zidatti, that was it. He recalled being moved into the medical center in something called a “Stable.”

Wait.

Bombs.

A whirlwind of thoughts chased through his brain, was Little Strongheart alright? Cousin AJ? Little Apple Bloom? What about his squad? Were they okay?

Oh, Celestia, please let them be okay.

He needed to move, figure out what happened, that much was clear. Braeburn gripped, heh, “gripped” the blanket and threw it off him.

Of course, he got another nasty surprise that day.

“W-what happened to my legs?!”

Starting at them, Braeburn felt sick. His back hooves had been replaced with….metal. Not all of them were, which was a relief, but it didn’t change the fact the bottom quarter of his legs were bucking metal and glowing green.

Fingers were one thing, but this was something else.

Screaming incoherently, Braeburn fell off the metal table in a panicked rush to get away. Scuttling towards the wall, Braeburn held himself, starting at the metal hooves like they were about to eat him. Eyes wide with pure terror, he screamed wordlessly.

“Oh? Is the patient up?”

There was a door, there was a bucking door and he hadn’t even noticed it. Sliding down with a metal ‘clank’

In floated in a Mister handy, a rusty bone saw on one of its arms and its single eye starting at Braeburn like he was a criminal.

“W-what….what….” Braeburn stammered.

“Hm, not good. Subject Minotaur appears to be delirious, may need to prescribe some additional treatment to counteract post skeletal refinement.“ The Mister Handy said in an obnoxiously cheerful tone.

“Ah’m fine!” Braeburn yelled, throwing his hooves….hands(?) out in front of him to shield himself, “Just...give me a second or two before’en you go chopping my limbs off.”

“I beg your pardon sir, but I already have.” The Handy scoffed.

“....What?”

“I was the one who performed your surgery and installed your new implants. A wondrous job, if I do say so myself.” The robot said proudly.

Braeburn’s mouth dropped, “Ya...did what to me?”

“Hm, would you like me to go over the full coverage of your surgery?” The Mister Handy asked, “I understand if you need some time to adjust to your new body.”

“Uh….That would be swell.” Braeburn gulped, “But, could ya keep it simple? Ah’m not really all that...uh, great at them doctor stuff.”

“Very well.” The robot chirped, “To begin with your hooves, they were badly damaged and had to be removed. Twice, in fact, if you count each leg.”

“Oh….” Here’s comes the throw up…

“But, thankfully, you were fitted with an all new design! Its official name is quite tedious, so let’s just call them “Minotaur's hooves.” You should have an increase in traction, as they are quite heavy, but they can give any zebra a right good buck now.” Mister Handy suggested helpfully. Looking at them, Braeburn swallowed. The...implants, if he was calling them that, didn’t resemble a hoof at all. It was a large cylinder, with pistons running up and down them. There three flaps, one on each side, presumably to help with balance.

“Uh….”

“Oh, and that green glow you’re seeing? Not to worry, that would be your earth pony magic at work. See, it’s wonderful, really. Your internal magic system, which would normally be reserved for farm work and what not, is now being used to power your implants.”

“Ah can’t feel ‘em…” Braeburn muttered, causing the Mister Handy to “roll” it’s eye.

“Of course not sir, they are metal.” If a robot could say something sarcastically, the Mister Handy just did it, “But on a more positive note, you should be able to move those flaps now. Give it a try.”

Looking at his….hooves, Braeburn willed the Celestia-send-it-to-the-moon things to move. Sure enough, they moved up and down.

“How….”

“Moving on, your hip and spine.”

What?

“Hm, sadly, those burns you had suffered injured you greatly, and in order to save your life, they had to perform spinal and hip surgery. You should feel something pressing against the back of your head, don’t you?” The Mister Handy asked.

Checking his back, Braeburn’s breath caught in his throat. There was a metal bar running along the back of his head and further down his spine, he had no idea how long it went. But he hoped it wasn’t that far. Checking his head again, he felt something prick at his hoof, something sharp. Rubbing the top of his head and brushing his mane aside, he felt two metal poles sticking out of his head that were running horizontally across his skull.

“Ah, good to see you’ve found your horns.” The Mister Handy said cheerfully.

“What…”

“Well, you are Subject Minotaur, it wouldn’t be complete without horns after all. Though, before you ask, yes, I understand that the horns should go on the side of your head rather than the top, and that they should be sticking upwards. But sadly, your skull would’ve been unable to support them properly, so I had to make do.”

“Subject Minotaur?” Braeburn repeated, “What in tarnation is that?”

“Oh, I’m glad you asked sir!” It chirped, “Subject Minotaur, along with Subject Dragon, Hydra, Chimera, and Breezies. The basic summary of the project is to give a pony, or zebra, whichever really, the traits of a different species. For instance, one Misty Gale was given the traits of a dragon. Wings, scales, claws. Couldn’t do anything about the fire breathing though hm. The Overseer was quite miffed about that.”

Braeburn stared in horror at the Mister Handy, they did what to Gale? They...gave her scales, claws, and wings? The buck was going on in this place? A torture dungeon or something? Something in Braeburn’s mind clicked, “....Wait a sec, ya said Misty Gale, ya mean my squad mate, right?”

“I am afraid I do not know sir. I am unfamiliar with pony relations.” The robot admitted.

“What in sweet Celestia’s name is this place…” Braeburn muttered.

“It is a Stable. Stable 100, if I recall.” Handy said, “It was supposed to be a joint project with Stable 98, but alas, something prevented us from establishing contact with them over in the Tall Tale region. A poor radio, perhaps? Food for thought at least.”

“Right….Ah reckon to get outta here.” Fingers, feet, horns, none of that mattered now...he had to get out of this madhouse, he could have a proper freak out later.

“Ah, excellent idea sir.” Handy said sir, “Some fresh, radioactive air will do wonders for your lungs. Shall I lead the way?”

“Thank you kindly….Say, what’s your name anyway?” Braeburn asked, trying to get up and on all fours but failing. When he tried to stand up, everything just felt off, like his bones just wouldn’t work with him, at first, Braeburn had chalked up it as him getting used to his new...limbs, but, it still felt off. His back hooves felt too heavy, and his fore hooves fingers were making it difficult to walk properly.

Eventually, he got it right, with his rump sticking into the air more than it should.

“Ah, I am called ZE-3, but you may simply call me Zekes.”

“Zekes?” Braeburn repeated, managing to make some progress out of the room, “Seems like an awfully inappropriate name for someone as….dignified as you.”

“Well, yes, the Overseer has a sense of humor, it seems.” Zekes” said, floating by the awkwardly trotting pony. They were now in the hallway outside of the medical center, and Braeburn didn’t like the way everything was all torn down. Panels off the walls were chipped and falling apart, the floor was dirty with grime. As they walked, Zeke’s single eye looked to Braeburn, as if it was measuring him for something, “By the by, why are you trying to walk like that? Minotaurs are bipedal.” Zekes said as if he was pointing out the obvious.

“....Come again?” Braeburn repeated.

“Oh, silly me, I forgot the most important part of your surgery.” Zekes said, admonishing himself for forgetting that one simple fact, “You sir, are now bipedal, just like a Minotaur.”

Braeburn stopped in his tracks, looking at his fingers, “Uh...What?”

“You are now capable of walking on two legs. Go on, give it a try.” Zeke’s prompted. Befuddled, Braeburn did as he was told and pushed himself upwards. Almost falling flat on his back but righting himself, Braeburn looked down at himself. His underside was now facing out, his stomach, rib cage, all of it. It should have been lower; he should not have been walking like this.

He was a freak, an abomination.

Tears started to form, he had no shame in crying, besides, in these circumstances, who could blame him?

“Are you alright sir?” Zekes asked, “I can understand if you need another moment.”

“Ah shouldn’t be walkin’ like this.” Braeburn whimpered, rubbing his eyes with his...arm, “Ah’m...Ah’m…”

“A pony, yes.” Zekes rolled its eye, “If you are worried about the changes, well, I can assure you, it is not as bad as you think it is. You are still alive are you not?”

Braeburn nodded, “But…”

“No “buts” sir, you are functioning, that alone provides you with enough reason to move forward does it not?” Zekes asked.

“....Ah….Ah…” The robot was right, Braeburn was changed, probably for the rest of his life. Nothing could change that, but he was alive.

Alive, and breathing.

That alone was enough.

Wiping his tears away, Braeburn nodded in thanks, “You’re right, thanks there Zekes, you’re alright for a robot.”

“No worries sir.” Zekes said, “Come on then, let’s continue shall we?”

Nodding, Braeburn took one step forward.

And promptly fell on his face.

“Ah, still working on balance then, I see.”

“Rotting totting robots…”

Walking, if you were to call stumbling and falling with every three steps as walking, Braeburn made his way to the cafeteria. So far, the only living thing in the entire building had been him and Zekes, worst yet, Braeburn couldn’t help but note this place was smaller than it should have been. They had passed by living accommodations, but so far, the only things Braeburn found were bodies.

When Braeburn passed by the first skeleton, he had asked Zekes, “What the buck is going on here?”

To which, he got the answer, “They died, of old age presumably. I was switched on no more than ten hours ago.”

It wasn’t good news, but it was news.

He had managed to find a knapsack in a locker, which he hung around his body. It was old, made of patchwork and was about to fall apart, but it worked, for the most part. He had found a message to somepony inside, but it was so worn and faded that he couldn’t make it out. The temptation to merely throw it away was strong but...For some reason, Braeburn couldn’t find it in him to toss it aside.

Strolling across the Cafeteria, Braeburn scouted out the kitchen for anything of value. So far, he found some Cram and Sparkle Cola. He had stored them both in his knapsack, but there was room for a little more. Scouting around a cabinet, Braeburn threw aside some bottle caps that were of no use to him. One thing Braeburn had to admit, fingers made grabbing things a lot easier, especially if they were in hard to reach places. Now if only he could feel things with them, it was like wearing a glove over his hoof.

His legs, or feet, however, were a different matter altogether. Walking with them was hard, his limbs felt heavy and sluggish, and made a loud ‘clink’ with each step. It certainly didn’t help that he fell with every third step, making him feel sloppy and uncoordinated. Zekes had said it would take a few days for him to get used to his cybernetics, which was no comfort.

As he searched for supplies, Braeburn’s search was stopped when he heard something “scurrying.”

Looking up from the cabinet, Braeburn was greeted with the sight of two unholy...roaches? “This just gets weirder and weirder.” He mumbled.

“Ah, Radroaches sir, if you care to be rid of them we can be on our way.” Zekes suggested.

“Why? If’n you don’t mind me asking.” Braeburn questioned.

“Because they are dangerous sir.” Zekes answered, a quiver to his voice, “Please hurry, I am not overly fond of them.”

Looking at the “Radroaches,” Braeburn shrugged. Using the various tables and shelves as support, Braeburn made his way over to the closet Radroach and lifted his leg. It made some kind of screeching sound at him, but was soon crushed under Braeburn’s foot with a sickening crunch. Moving over to the next one, Braeburn repeated the process with the same result. Looking at his foot, Braeburn cringed when he saw the underside of the metal. Icky, gross, glowing goo that was making his fur twitch.

“Ah, do be careful. I believe their blood is radioactive.” Zekes warned.

“What?” Braeburn turned his head, radioactive? Wasn’t that stuff in Sparkle-cola? Braeburn ran over what he knew of it in his head, which was not a lot frankly. He weren’t no unicorn, just a soldier.

“Yes, try not to let it onto your bare skin. A small amount is nothing to worry about, but too much will be quite deadly for you sir.” Zekes said, floating ahead of Braeburn and exiting the cafeteria. Frowning, Braeburn set off after it, stumbling as he did.

“Zekes, hold up.” Braeburn called after the Mister Handy, but to his irritation, it didn’t slow down at all, “Zekes! Wait a dagnab minute!”

Falling yet again, Braeburn’s muscles burned as he struggled to keep up the floating robot. His hind legs were heavy, and just lifting them made his knees sore. If he ever wanted to get used to the strain, then he’d have to put some work in with them. The temptation to go back on all fours was strong, but it would be no better than this, not with his fingers getting in the way and digging into his hoof. Besides, he was starting to get the hang of it.

Just as long as nopony asked him to do any flips, that is.

“Come along sir, adventure awaits and all that!” Zekes called from a different room. Growling something rude under his breath, Braeburn made himself stand up and hobble his way to Zekes.

When he crossed into the hallway, Braeburn caught a glimpse of Zeke’s magical engine float into another room. Using the walls as support, Braeburn made his way after the wayward robot. As he entered the next room, Braeburn was greeted with an odd sight, there was a single desk in the center of the room, on top of it was a terminal gathering dust. Behind it, there was a single bed with a larger than normal locker at the foot of it. On the bed however, were two intertwined skeletons lying next to each other in an embrace. Whoever they were, they at least died together.

“Hm, it seems this terminal still works. Sir, I imagine this will provide you with some answers to your current predicament.” Zekes said.

“Where are we?” Braeburn asked.

“The Overseer’s office.” Zekes answered, “Though, it seems the master has out for a while.”

Walking over to the terminal and booting it up, Braeburn spared a look at the skeletons, “Who's this Overseer you keep mentionin?”

“I’m afraid I’ve never met the pony myself. I don’t even know if it’s a stallion or a mare.” Zekes explained, looking at the terminal and seeing a frown cross Braeburn’s face, “Ah, password protected? Not to worry sir, I happen to know a trick or two.”

“Really?” Braeburn took a step back, letting the robot press down on a few keys with its only hoof like arm, “Ya know, for a robot who only got turned on a few hours ago, you sure do seem to know a’lot.” He noted, making sure to attempt to memorize the pattern Zekes used for whatever it was doing.

“Yes, well, the Overseer programmed me with a wide variety of skills.” Zekes chirped, looking at its only arm, “You know, I wasted my last good bone saw on you. I suppose you owe me a replacement!”

Raising an eyebrow, Braeburn was about to retort, but Zekes moved away from the terminal and allowed him to access it. Squinting at the screen, Braeburn rubbed his head, “What’cha gone did?”

“A bit of a hacking game, if you will sir.” Zekes answered, “Go on, try to guess the password.”

Looking at the mish mash of code and inputs, Braeburn shrugged. Running his fingers over the keys, Braeburn fiddled with the controls. Soon enough, he discovered how it worked and went to guess the password. Four little blips in the top left corner of the screen, his “guesses.” Moving over to one choice, “Redemption.” Braeburn hit enter.

“Incorrect password! Try again.” The monochrome green screen showed, and one little blip went out.

Scowling, Braeburn tried another, “Hope.”

No dice. Two more guesses.

“Belief.”

Still nothing!

Growling, Braeburn was tempted to put his hoof through the screen, but sighed. He had one last try, might as well make it count.

“Ah, sir, if I may, perhaps I should-” Ding! “Ah, never mind. What was the password, if may?”

Braeburn grinned, “Okey-doky-loki.” Zekes actually chuckled at that, turning back at the screen, Braeburn hit “enter” on the first entry log.

I can’t believe our good fortune, five additional work ponies, military nonetheless, have been added to our little Stable. Once we connect with Stable 98, we should be able to get up and running properly, and then we can put them to work. Even better, we have also gained another colleague, who will be of great help with the experiment, once we persuade him, that is. Big Bang, I believe he is called. There’s also, sadly, an unfortunate add-on to our group. A zebra mare. I have taken precautions, and she should be dealt with shortly. Interestingly, I have discovered she is to give birth soon. While I loathe the thought of letting another zebra into this world, I must say, I am curious the foal.

Braeburn frowned yet again, this “Overseer” didn’t seem like somepony you could share a drink with. Still, it seemed like Zidatti and Big Bang was okay. He was holding onto the faint hope they were still around, somewhere in this….den. Hopefully, the second entry would be better, and going by the date, this one was a few months later.

Damn and blast, those military ponies are still in stasis, and Big Bang refuses to work with us while the zebra is in labor. He seems to care for her a great deal, more so than he should. Blasted fool, does he not realize what’s at stake? I’m tempted to hold the zebra as leverage but...I shall not fall to their standards. Big Bang will join the Stable-Tec staff, the proper way.

In other news, we still have yet to establish contact with Stable 98, it is possible that the leylines were not able to connect properly with the bombs going off. But progress on the tunnel is going well.

Thank Celestia for small miracles.

“What’s this experiment he keeps mentionin’?” Braeburn asked.

“Ah, I do know the answer to that one, thankfully.” Zekes cleared its “throat,” “Ahem, each Stable was designed as a social experiment, this one included. Stables 100 and 98 were to serve as a joint project, to see how much they could “rely” on each other. 100 had the resources and supplies, 98 had the ponies.” The Mister Handy explained, “Basically, a trust exercise. Once the tunnel was completed, they could send either ponies or materials in an underground train that was only to be used every few months.”

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “Seems awful convoluted. Why not just make one Stable with both?”

“I believe they did.” Zekes said, “Though I do not know which.”

Braeburn shook his head, this was all just...nuts, “Who made these blasted things?”

Zekes shook its eye, “I do not know sir, I am sorry for that.”

Sparing a glance at Zekes, Braeburn sighed and shook his head, one last entry. This one was set the furthest apart from the others by a quarter of two years, causing Braeburn to frown. How long had he’d been out?

I can’t believe it, Blast Shield actually planned on letting them die. All to fill his twisted experiments objective, Stable 98 is gone, I know it. I saw the bomb hit the city, and while Vanhoover was spared, Tall Tale wasn’t. Even when I told him this, he attacked me. Thankfully though, a few ponies kept their sanity and helped me fend him off. Luna have mercy, I still don’t know how we’re alive, but I can make damn well sure the ponies that saved my son’s life will live. I’ve placed them all in suspended animation until they can be saved, I’ve set the automated systems to heal their wounds over the course of time. It will be slow, but they will live. Zidatti approved of the choice. Dear, sweet, Zidatti, how could I have ever lived without you? Zebra or not, you mean the world to me. Braeburn seems happy, ah, that’s what we called him by the way, after the pony that saved Zidatti’s life. We’re expecting another child too; I believe we’ll call this one Zecka if it’s a mare.

One last thing, I don’t know how much longer this Stable will hold out, it’s supplies can’t run forever. So I’m leaving this message for whomever finds it, if you need help, find my Pipbuck, I don’t need it anymore.

And if this is one of the ponies that saved my life, go south, Vanhoover should still be standing. You should be able to find out what happened to the rest of the world.

Best of luck.

Big Bang.

“.....Damn.”

“Sir?” Zekes asked.

“Nothing.” Braeburn shook his head.

“Sir? Are you alright? You are crying.”

“I am?” Braeburn rubbed his eyes, taking a second to look at the fur, he discovered it was in fact, quite wet, “Huh, well, ah’ll be.”

Sniffing, he moved towards the footlocker. The lock was old, but thankfully that didn’t matter in the end. Somepony had left it open. Gently lifting it, Braeburn felt a sad smile come to his muzzle.

Inside was a Pipbuck, the same one Big Bang wore once. Alongside it was a photo of Big Bang smiling with a Zebra, whom Braeburn assumed to Zidatti.

“Ya came a long way, huh?” Braeburn muttered, “Would’ve been a grand thing, to met ya while you were like this.”

Behind him, Zekes floated close, “Are you sad, sir?”

“Nah,” Braeburn wiped his eyes, “Just mighty proud.”

Looking at the Pipbuck resting on his left hoof, Braeburn shook it slightly to help ease the pressure on his arm. The thing was heavy, but it worked. Already it had some of the features Big Bang mentioned when they first met, and the compass, or Eyes Forward Sparkle System, showed a blip somehow in his field of vision. Not only that, but something called S.A.T.S showed up on the right side of his eyes. It was quite disorienting, but it wasn’t the strangest thing he had seen today.

Along with the Pipbuck, Braeburn had also discovered a Stable 100 jumpsuit and a .10 millimeter pistol, complete with holster. Being stark naked ever since he woke up, Braeburn had elected to don the jumpsuit, much to his dismay, it only covered the top half of his body. From the looks of it, he would need something to cover the lower bit if he wanted to keep walking around like he was. What were they called? Plants? Something like that.

Rigging the pistol holster to fit on his chest as they walked, Braeburn finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally reached the Stable door. It was a massive thing, being gouged into the wall and kept inside by magical locks.

“Ah, it’s so good to see this again.” Zekes said, “Ah, sir, if you redirect your attention here, you’ll find the control panel. Your Pipbuck should be able to operate it.”

Moving up to the aforementioned control panel, Braeburn flipped open a hatch that had a magic socket, presumably for the wire thing on his Pipbuck, “Ya’ve been here before, I take it?”

“Only once.” Zekes said, “Only once.”

Well, that was downright strange. “Something ya wanna tell me?” Braeburn asked, taking the large plug on the back of his Pipbuck, he inserted it into the socket on the console. Soon, a rush of code assaulted the screen, but it calmed down well enough for only remaining option to be: Open Door.

Needless to say, Braeburn selected it.

“Ah, nothing really sir. It’s just been five years since this door was opened.” Only five? That didn’t make any sense, he had to be at least forty years behind- ”And two hundred and two since you entered!”

“What?!” Braeburn turned at the robot, his face contorting in anger, “Why didn’tcha tell me this sooner!?”

“You didn’t ask.” Zekes said, oblivious to Braeburn’s anger. Braeburn was about to retort that he damn well did, but Zekes pointed behind him, “Oh, I’d take a few steps back if I were you, sir.”

Turning around, Braeburn saw the Stable door slowly lumber open, allowing a rush of cool air to envelop him. Pulling away from the console and disconnecting the wire by force, he stumbled back. Shielding his face with his arms, Braeburn felt the rush of air beat against his fur. Soon enough, he lowered his arms and saw the lift that would lower him down back to the outside world. The same lift that saved his life all those supposed years ago.

Funny, it seemed like only an hour had passed in his vision.

“Well, this is where we say goodbye sir.” Zekes said, “Stable Tec personal are not allowed to leave.”

Braeburn turned, raising an eyebrow, “But you’re letting me leave?”

Zekes chuckled, “You are not Stable Tec, I could not stop you if I wanted to.” Braeburn looked at Zekes, and Zekes looked back.

“Well, Ah think you’re right there Zekes.” Stepping through the door, Braeburn entered the lift, “This is goodbye.”

“I imagine sir. Good luck.” Zekes nodded, then snapped its eye at him, as if remembering something, “Oh, and if you need something to do, I do believe the last pony to leave was Misty Gale, perhaps you should find her. You military types “leave no Pony behind,” right?”

Braeburn blinked, “Where their others?”

Zekes nodded, “Yes indeed, the ponies by the name of Rightful Oath, Bolted Screw, Misty Gale, and Zecka have all left, you are the last one to leave.”

“Why didn’t they wake me then?” Braeburn asked, saddened slightly, “We didn’t always get along well, but shoot, Ah didn’t think ah was that bad….”

“I do not know about that either sir.” Zekes said, “I only know so much.”

“....Ah see, thanks Zekes.” Braeburn said, smiling despite himself, “Ah’ll come back for ya one day.”

“Of that sir, I have no doubt.” Zekes agreed.

Sharing a nod, Braeburn hit the lift button, and felt the machine lurch beneath him. Soon, he began to lower, descending down ever still with the sound of steam and gears rocking his eardrums. But through all that, Braeburn swore he heard Zekes say, “Please, be safe.”

“Looks like I gotta keep that promise to the two of you now…” Braeburn muttered.

As the lift lowered and the Stable disappeared back into the mountainside, Braeburn turned, peaks of light poking through the rocks and the metal. Sure enough, when the lift lowered enough, beams of sunlight assaulted his vision, causing Braeburn to wince and shield his eyes. As he felt the lift’s ride finally end, the farm pony forced his eyes open to adjust to the blinding sunlight.

And saw a devastated world.

“What...what happened?” He asked weakly, staring at the green horizon.

From his position on the hill, Braeburn could see it all. Trees were burnt to a crisp, their fragile remains looked like broken fingers grasping for life, the ground cracked and radiated, pluming the scenery with a disgusting shade of green. Where there once a scenic outlook, jagged ground and broken hills jutted the landscape. The very air felt sick and poisoned, just breathing it in hurt, his Pipbuck’s Geiger counter was ringing like crazy. Immediately, Braeburn understood. This wasn’t the world he once knew; it was a nightmare.

Braeburn looked up into the sky, at least it was blue and cloudless with the sun shining brightly, despite the hellish landscape below.

“Thank Celestia for small miracles.” Braeburn said to himself, looking around. There wasn’t a lot nearby, the lift station, presumably the one that sent him up before was still there, but the window was broken, and it looked rusted beyond repair. Skeletons too, but there wasn’t any Power Armor laying about. “Guessing they lived then.” He said hopefully. Braeburn liked Steel Rangers, Applejack was always so proud of her armor and the ponies who wore it. Not to mention that Coltfriend of hers.

Ah….Right, probably dead now. Don’t think about it.

Glancing behind him, Braeburn was greeted with a curious sight for the third time that day. The car was still there.

“Huh.” Walking over to it, Braeburn ran his hand along the front left wheel and inspected it. The wood was rotted, and it looked like it had been stripped for parts. All in all, not the best condition, and unless repairs were taken up, it was unusable, but...maybe...with the right parts….

Well, it was something to do, at least. Looking at his map, Braeburn noted the presence of a Scooter blip on it, it was actually pretty close. Looking at what it was called, Braeburn chuckled weakly at the name, Red Racer Garage. Flipping through the settings, Braeburn noted the presence of his Sparkle Cola, Cram, pistol, and the photo. Strangely, the photo was labeled “Remember.” Huh, how did it know that? Magic scanners or something? Anyway, setting a waypoint to the garage, Braeburn hoped that he could find somepony there. Give him some idea of what the hay was going on.

Looking at the Pipbuck screen, Braeburn eyed the radio tab and grinned, “Hey, what’s on the radio?” he asked no pony. Flicking to the radio, Braeburn smiled, there were two stations. Something called Unitas Radio, and the other station called Vanhoover Skyline.
Flicking to the first one, Braeburn was greeted with a surprisingly cheery tune,

“Oooooh well, I'm the type of guy who will never settle down. Where pretty mares are well, you know that I'm around.”

“I kiss 'em and I love 'em 'cause to me they're all the same. I hug 'em and I squeeze 'em they don't even know my name.”

“They call me the wanderer. Yeah, the wanderer. I roam around, around, around...”

With the song on his ears, and heavy implants on his hooves, Braeburn headed off to the south, towards the Red Racer Garage. Who knows? Maybe this world wouldn’t be so bad after all.

After all, what could go wrong?

Level up!

Perk gained: Applentium Skeleton.

Your skeleton has been infused with an indestructible metal, limbs now take 30% reduced damage. Eh, you didn’t NEED those hooves anyway.

Go Your Way

Standing on a ridge overlooking the Red Racer garage, Braeburn had an excellent view of the valley and the City of Vanhoover. He had walked for about an hour, if his Pipbuck’s time was correct, but during that time, he hadn’t seen a hair of life in between the Stable and his destination, just charred trees and malformed hills. Each step was heavy, and he was quickly growing tired of the “creaking” sound his metal hooves would make as they adjusted for his weight. Maybe one day he would get used to it, but for now, each leg of the journey was a trial. It didn’t help that after the initial shock had worn off, Braeburn was starting to feel the drowsiness that came from waking up after two hundred years, and his legs weren’t the only thing feeling heavy. He was lucky he was able to find the Red Racer Garage so soon, otherwise he might have risked finding a place to camp for the time being.

Looking down at the dirt path that would lead him to the garage, Braeburn jumped off the small ledge and started to head down towards the garage. As he came close, the worn down state of the garage served as reminder of just broken this nightmare was. Where there was once a proud, one story building that was painted red with a large garage where any manner of machinery could be made, there was now only a remnant of what it once was. Approaching the closed shutter door, Braeburn kneeled down and grabbed the bottom. Adjusting his grip slightly, Braeburn heaved, but the door resisted his pull and only rattled slightly.

Stepping back, Braeburn frowned, spit into his hooves, rubbed them together, and tired again. “Come on ya little…..Gah!” Throw back slightly, Braeburn winced and looked at his hooves. They blistered red and hurt like hell, blowing on them with his mouth, Braeburn attempted to suppress the pain with little success, “Okay, new plan, Let’s find another door.” He said to himself, trying very hard to ignore his hooves’ pain. Waltzing around to the side, Braeburn stopped abruptly when he noticed three red blips appearing on his compass. Not only that, but he could also some strange “scurrying” coming from nearby, if his encounter with the Radroach taught him anything, it was that if something was making a strange sound, it was probably dangerous.

Drawing his pistol and putting it into his mouth, Braeburn blinked in surprise as a crosshair suddenly appeared in his vision. What in tarnation is this thing? Braeburn thought, raising his arm to look at the Pipbuck, this had the unfortunate effect of distracting him for a few seconds, and so, when something decided to bite down on his right arm, right through his jumpsuit’s sleeve, he had only himself to blame.

Yelping in pain, Braeburn acted in panic, violently grabbing whatever the hell was trying to eat him. For the first time ever, Braeburn was glad he had fingers when he wrenched off the damn thing and held it in front of him for viewing. It squirmed in his grip, and hissed at him. It’s bucked teeth covered in Braeburn’s blood, it was a large, rodent like thing with short, sharp, stubbly claws. Braeburn’s heads up display listed it as a “Molerat.”

Braeburn knew what Mole rats were, had them back all the time in Appleloosa, but he certainly didn’t recall them looking like that.

As it squirmed in his grip, Braeburn cringed as it started to draw blood from his hoof. Squeezing on the mouth trigger of the .10 millimeter pistol, the Mole rat’s head lurched backwards when the lead bullet injected itself into the creature’s skull and came out the other side. Tossing the corpse aside, Braeburn turned to face the others.

Just in time to get a Mole rat leaping at his face.

In any other situation, it would’ve been actually quite funny. Braeburn made an expression between terror and like somepony had just stolen his favorite whiskey, but the panicked expression caused him to drop his pistol while the Mole rat’s fangs and mouth was extended like something out a comic book. During this, Braeburn backpedaled and fell due to not being used to his legs. The end result of all this was the Mole rat having an akin to expression of surprise as it missed it’s lunge and went sailing over Braeburn’s head, right into a conveniently placed steel pole face first with a satisfying THUNK.

When Braeburn landed, he scrambled for his pistol while the Mole rat stumbled around in a daze, it’s head bloodied from the impact. Thankfully for Braeburn, the pistol landed not that far away and soon he had it back into his hooves. There was little time to put it back into it’s proper firing place, so Braeburn opted to simply fire it from his fingered hooves. Holding it awkwardly with the clip facing the side, Braeburn squeezed the trigger, naturally, the shot went off it’s intended course, but it did score a lucky hit on the Mole rat’s back left leg, crippling it.

As it yelped in pain, Braeburn spent a moment to look around for the last one. He found it alright, it was chewing on his left hoof, which, again, was made entirely out of metal. As it munched on Braeburn’s “foot” with no apparent success, Braeburn almost casually leveled the pistol near it’s skull and pulled the trigger. Once again, Braeburn scored a clean headshot. As the Mole rat’s corpse bled freely from a gaping close range bullet wound, Braeburn twisted around to see the last one limping away. Leveling the gun at it, Braeburn frowned. Apparently, this thing also read his ammo supply, and so far, he had only ten shots left in the clip, and nothing left to reload. Better to let it be then, forcing himself up, Braeburn glanced at his wound and grimaced. He needed bandages, some alcohol to disinfect the wound, and probably some stitches, unless a health potion was nearby that is. But he wasn’t that lucky, if the current trend was anything to go by. Leaving the last Mole rat to fend for itself, Braeburn headed into the Red Racer Garage.

Needless to say, the inside looked little better than the outside. Scattered milk bottles, toppled magazine stands, and cracked tiles. There was a counter on the inside, presumably where customers would pay for any maintenance on their scooters. (Believe it or not, Scootaloo’s scooters were exceedingly complex and inventive, requiring the use of such facilities as this.) Still there should be something that Braeburn could use, this place looked like it hadn’t been used in a while. Going to the door that lead to the garage, Braeburn gently opened the metal door.

Which promptly fell off it’s rusty hinges and clattered to the ground, sending dust everywhere.

Coughing and waving the dust away, Braeburn looked around the garage. It was a small room with all sorts of working tools that a pony could use. A workbench lined with wrenches, hammers, pliers, and so on. There was also a pot suspended over a cooling fire, with a bed mat in the corner, lined to the brim with empty Sparkle-Cola bottles.

….Wait, what?

“Don’t move Bucko.”

Feeling the press of a barrel against the back of his head, Braeburn’s eyes widened. Raising his arms, he turned his head slightly.

“A-ah didn’t mean to intrude, was just looking for a place to stay is all ah was doing.” He said, somewhat calmly considering the circumstances, “Ah’ll just leave if ya let me.”

“Yeah right. Turn around Stable Dweller, and drop the pistol.” The voice was female, but...Stable Dweller?

Following her command, Braeburn did so. Setting the pistol down on the ground, Braeburn turned around to see whoever it was pointing a gun at him. Seeing his captor for the first time, Braeburn had to admit, he had been taken prisoner by a unicorn mare whose dark purple shade seemed a tad bit familiar. She was wearing a heavy brown cloak over her body, and speaking of, she seemed a bit taller than other unicorns. Magenta eyes boring into him with a mane of dark grey with a dark red streak overlapping them, her eyes flickered to Braeburn’s Pipbuck, Stable-Tec suit, fingers, then hooves, in that order. Risking a smile, Braeburn went for the diplomatic approach again, “Now, ah don’t rightly mean to upset ya miss but-”

The Unicorn cocked the shotgun.

“Ah’m thinkin it’d be right proper to let you speak.”

This seemed to be the right call, as she smirked triumphantly, “First things first. What Stable are you from?”

“Err, 100.”

“Good, what was it like?”

“....Fraid ah can’t answer that one Miss.” Braeburn admitted.

“Why not?” She pressed.

“Don’t remember a lot of it.”

“....Riiiigght. Moving on.” Rolling her eyes, she gestured to his hands and feet, “What’s up with Pricks and Kicks there?”

Braeburn looked at his fingers, “Still getting used to them myself Miss.”

“Oh, I’m sure. Three more questions before I blow your head off. Why are you standing like that? Where’d you get that Pipbuck? And does the name, “Lightbringer” mean anything to you?” The Unicorn pushed the shotgun against Braeburn’s chest.

“Mind if ah ask you a few things in return?” Braeburn smiled softly to show he meant no threat.

“We’ll see. Start.”

“Well,” Braeburn thought for a moment, “To tell you the truth, Ah don’t rightfully know about why ah have to stand like this. See, ah had a surgery in that there Stable, it’s where ah got these...things.” Braeburn wiggled his fingers and lifted his hooves to show his point, “That robot said that my hip and spine were injured pretty badly, and it made some...modifications to my skeleton. Don’t ask me how, but Zekes kept going on about how ah was “Subject Minotaur.” Hence why ah also got these.” Directing the unicorn’s attention to the top of his head with his finger, her eyes widened slightly as she spied the horns on the top of his head.

“What, did a kid operate on you? And whose Zekes?” The unicorn asked.

“The robot,....Ah mean the Mister Handy.” Braeburn answered, “Anyway, to answer your second question Miss, this here Pipbuck belonged to a friend of mine.”

“Looks a bit different from the ones I’ve seen.” The unicorn scrutinized it, “Bigger, and the knobs are on the righthoof side. Huh.”

“You’ve seen other Pipbucks?” Braeburn tilted his head, “Well shoot, ah reckon ya know more than ah do Miss. Afraid all ah know about this thing is that it’s called Mark five, or something.”

“Mark five? Huh.” Looking satisfied with the answer, the unicorn lowered her shotgun slightly, “Alright, last question. The Lightbringer, ring any bells?”

Braeburn shook his head, “It sounds like some kind of a song to me Miss. Something DJ-Pon3 might’ve played.”

“You know DJ-Pon3?” The Unicorn asked, then glared at him, “Then how you’ve not heard of the Des-I mean-Lightbringer?” She said quickly.

“Uh, ya talking about Vinyl Scratch right?” Braeburn guessed.

“Who the hell is Vinyl Scratch?” The unicorn snarled, leveling the shotgun back at his head, “Okay, stop shitting me, who the hell are you?”

“My name’s Braeburn Miss.” The stallion gulped, “And ah would be mighty grateful if you lowered that gun away.”

“Okay, Braeburn, here’s how it’s going to work.” The unicorn began, “I’m gonna count to ten, you’re gonna walk outta here, and if you’re not gone by the time I’m done. I’m gonna shoot you.”

Sweat was on Braeburn’s brow, “Well, ah reckon that’s not a bad deal.”

“And you have to leave that purse of yours too.”

“Oh come on!” She leveled the shotgun at him again, “Alright alright shoot. But before ya do, mind if ah ask you some questions now?”

“Alright.” The unicorn shrugged, “I get your stuff either way.”

“First things first, what’s your name?” Braeburn asked, causing the unicorn to stutter.

“W-what? That’s what you want to know?” She demanded, “Are you kicked in the head or something?”

Braeburn frowned, “Ah’ll have you know my mother had me raised good and proper. It’s mighty rude to ask something of somepony without knowing their name.”

“Your mother’s a nut then.” The Unicorn muttered, “Translucent.”

“That’s a pretty name there miss Translucent.” Braeburn grinned.

“Yeah yeah, anything else?” “Translucent” pressed.

“Just a few more things.” Braeburn assured her, “What happened to Celestia and Luna? Shouldn’t they have done something about those bombs dropping on us?”

Translucent snorted, “They’re dead. Common knowledge.” At Braeburn’s glare, she sputtered, “What?”

“Didn’t your mother teach ya not to lie?” He asked coldly, “There ain’t no way that Princess Celestia would let the Zebras get away with letting those bombs drop on my head.”

At this accusation, Translucent backpedaled slightly, “Hey now, I don’t know what rock you crawled out under, but I sure didn’t ask for the world to be in the sorry state it’s in! Wait, your head? The hell are you talking about?”

“Last question.” Braeburn glared, his voice steadily dropping in kindness, “Appleloosa, I reckon you’ve heard of it?”

“A little bit.” Translucent mumbled.

“Good, it’s safe right?”

“Safe?” The unicorn paused in thought, “Are you talking about New Appleloosa or the old one? Cause the old one’s been torn down to the ground…..Hey, are you alright?”

She was lying, she had to be. There was no other reason, Appleloosa wouldn’t...Celestia and Luna, there was no way….

“Strongheart….”

Translucent raised an eyebrow, “Hey, um, you look like you need to sit down, there’s a seat or two around here….”

“What….what happened to the world?” Braeburn asked, his shoulders slumping.

Pausing at his question, Translucent shrugged, “It ended, why? What, did you spend the last two hundred years asleep or something?” She asked, peering at him.

“Ah….Ah….” Tears were starting to well up in his eyes. A nightmare, he was trapped in a nightmare…

“Hey!” Translucent yelped as Braeburn stumbled passed her, brushing her aside with his Pipbuck covered arm. Falling over himself, he wandered out into the afternoon sun.

He needed out, he needed to wake up! This couldn’t be real. The mare had to be lying! There’s no way, they were immortal! They wouldn’t….they couldn’t…..

But…he thought the same about Big Mac….And look how that turned out…

So that meant….two hundred and two years…Oh Luna, Little Strongheart…..

Braeburn fell to his knees, and screamed.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Braeburn lay on the ground, taking in the sweet cool breeze of Appleloosa in the summer time. Next to him, Little Strongheart shifted to lean against his neck, nuzzling him. Next to them were spent bottles of cider, and a half eaten basket of lettuce sandwiches, making a note to finish them off later, Braeburn settled for just sitting quietly with his love on his side.

“Mh, you know, this can’t last forever.” Strongheart said suddenly, causing Braeburn to look at her.

“Don’t say that. This war with the zebras will be over before you know it.” He assured her, “Cousin Aj’s got some new ministry thing lined up that will help ponies all over Equestria. With her help, Princess Luna’s got this whole rotten thing under control.”

“So is that why you got a gun and are hiding it under the floorboards?” Strongheart asked, glaring at him slightly.

“Wel….Ah…” His cheeks burned with embarrassment and looked away shyly.

Kissing his cheek, Strongheart smiled at him, “Oh, relax Braebunny, you know I’m just teasing. I’m sure that we’ll be just fine, now come on, it’s time to go.”

Braeburn frowned, “Do we gotta? It feels like we just got here…”

Strongheart shook her head, standing up and walking past him, “I’m sorry sweetie but….It’s time for you to go.”

Braeburn frowned, “What are ya talking about, Little Strong-”

Before he knew even what happened, the ground around him shook, vibrated, and shattered. The feeling of warmth bearing down on him increased tenfold. No, a thousand fold, like the sun itself was directly on his head. Turning to Little Strongheart, he saw her backing away with wide fearful eyes. Raising his hoof to grasp her, Braeburn’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw four pieces of metal sticking out of him. Looking at his own hoof in shock, Braeburn stared numbly at Little Strongheart, who he now realized wasn’t backing away from some unseen force.

She was backing away from him.

“Strongheart, Ah-Ah don’t….”

Something behind him exploded, and when Braeburn turned to face it, his world became that of fire.

Slowly opening his eyes, Braeburn came back to the nightmare called reality.

His vision was groggy, but he could make a few things out well enough. Looking himself over, he discovered he was laying on a bed mat with a woolen cloth covering him, so far, he was staring at the ceiling of the garage while a fire flickered in the corner of his vision. The very next thing he noticed was the bandage wrapped around his bite wound. Lifting himself up slightly, Braeburn turned to see the unicorn called Translucent sitting next to a fire in the center of the garage, her back facing him. Making a coughing sound to get her attention, Translucent turned to him.

“Ah, you’re up.” She said, trotting over to him, still wearing that heavy cloak.

“What happened?” Braeburn asked.

“You passed out after screaming so much.” Translucent said, sitting her rump down next to him, “Mind telling me what exactly made you scream like that, Stable Dweller?”

“....Ah ain’t a stable dweller.” Braeburn sunk his head back into the mat, “Like ah said, ah don’t remember all that much of it.”

“How come?” Translucent asked.

“The last thing ah remember ‘fore passing out was the bombs dropping, the newscast going off….” Braeburn trailed off, letting Translucent connect the dots, “Then, the next thing ah know for sure, ah’m waking up on a table with….these.” To emphasize his point, Braeburn held up one of his hooves, moving his fingers back and forth. When Translucent opened her mouth, Braeburn cut her off, “And then, some robot called Zekes tells me it’s been two hundred and two years since ah came into the Stable.”

Translucent stared at him, to which Braeburn only replied with a tired look, “So, is it? Has it been two hundred years since those bombs fell?”

“....It has.” Translucent nodded briefly.

Braeburn sighed, “So, did they win?”

“Who?”

“The rotten Zebras.” Braeburn spat out. Zecka would’ve reprimanded him if she was here, but she wasn’t, it was only him. Him, and some Unicorn he didn’t know.

“....The thing about war is, nobody wins.” Translucent said, “I don’t know too much, but I heard that there was a retaliatory strike against them. Don’t know what it did though.”

“Hm, small things, at least.” Braeburn lifted up his Pipbuck to glance at the time. Noting with some reassurance it was still attached to his arm. Apparently she didn’t try to take it off him while he was sleeping. Flicking to the data tab, he spied the onboard clock, it was 8:00 PM, how long had he been out?

“If uh, you don’t me asking…” Translucent said, drawing his attention. There was a sheepish grin on her face, “What was it like? The old world?”

“Before or during the war?” Braeburn asked, causing the unicorn to raise an eyebrow, “Cause one’s a bit different from the other.”

“Uh, both I guess.” Translucent shrugged.

“‘Fore everything went to shit, it was...really nice. At least, seemed like it.” Braeburn said, making the motion of shrugging his shoulders, ah spent most of my days tending to Appleloosa’s apple orchards, course, that was after I finished school at Canterlot Academy.”

“YOU KNEW CANTERLOT?!” Translucent screamed in pure joy, almost flattening Braeburn with the sheer volume of her voice.

Staring at her with wide fearful eyes while she stared back with wide joyful ones, she grinned at him, “Uh, yeah, went to Canterlot Academy.” He gulped, wishing he could edge away from the unicorn. The sinking feeling he had just made a terrible mistake, the only thing he could was dig himself deeper, “All sorts of folks there….were there….”

“Right right, did you ever see the Princesses?” Translucent urged.

“Princess Celestia?” Braeburn asked, to which Translucent nodded, “Only once ah’m afraid. It was at….Big Macintosh funeral.”

Translucent blinked, “.....What?”

“Ah….Ah talked to her, she offered her condolences...Ah said a few things ah shouldn’t have...but ah apologized for it...Ah think…” Braeburn said, his voice hoarse.

“...Why were you at Big Mac’s funeral? I know a little bit about him due to all the memorials, but how do you….”

Braeburn shook his head, “He was my cousin. Same with AJ...Do you know how she....”

“Aj? You mean...Applejack? The Ministry Mare?” Translucent furrowed her brow, connecting the dots in her head.

“Yep, ah actually worked for her a bit before ah joined the service.” Braeburn grinned, there was one part of his past he did like talking about, “Designed a few rifles myself. Like that there shotgun ya’ve got.”

Looking over her shoulder, Translucent levitated the shotgun in a light blue aura and carried it over. Rotating it around, she checked the underside of the barrel as if looking for a designer brand. Now that he had a better look at it, Braeburn managed to identify the shotgun, it was a long barrel Ironshod pump action with a drum cartridge that housed the shells like a revolver. Designed to be used with a Battle Saddle, it was a tad bit heavier than most shotguns and slightly easier to reload, but came at the cost at being slower to fire and a lower ammo count. That said, he had made it for the cylinder could be ejected so a new one could be fitted quickly in a pinch. He had some fun times designing that gun, mostly cause whiskey was involved in the designing process.

“Hmm...I don’t see your name anywhere on it…” Translucent muttered.

“Do ya see any name on it?” Braeburn asked in return. Squinting at it for a moment, Translucent sighed and lowered it to the ground.

“Alright, fair enough…. Braeburn right?” She asked, to which he nodded, “Alright, look, I’ve got a deal for you. Seeing as how you owe me for patching up your wound and oh so graciously gave you a roof over your head.”

“Ah don’t like where this is going….”

“I say that puts you in my debt.” Translucent said as if he hadn’t spoken, “And I take it you’re the kind of pony who repays his debts, right?”

“....Ah reckon so?” Braeburn said, wondering if the door was still too easy to open. To his disappointment, it was put back up and propped up with a cabinet to prevent somepony from leaving or entering.

“Good. Good.” A perverse and evil smile crossed Translucent’s face, “So, from here on out, till I decide you’re free of my service, you are now my pack mule, map-pony, and bullet shield.”

“Ah….Ah don’t quite think that’s fair miss…” Translucent held up the shotgun again, she didn’t quite level it at him, but the action was implied. “But ya make a very persuasive argument miss, ah accept your proposal.”

“Good. By the way, you do know how to shoot a gun right? Not just make them?” Translucent asked.

Braeburn nodded, “Ah served miss, ah can shoot.”

“Good. By the way, it’s not Miss.” She eyed him, “If Translucent’s too long, just call me Lucent, or Lucy if you want.”

“Fair enough mi-Lucent.” Braeburn corrected himself, “But in return, ah want ya to tell me anything ya can about Equestria.”

“Sounds fair.” Lucent agreed, then turned back around towards the fire, “Now then, you hungry? Those Mole rats out front can make some good eating if you cook them right.”

Staring at her from the bed mat, Braeburn’s mouth hung open, “Yer eating meat?”

“Well, yeah.” Lucent shrugged nonchalantly, “There’s not a lot of veggies so I can’t be picky about what I have. Hell, I haven’t eaten your Cram or Sparkle Cola, speaking of which, can I have that?”

“Ah-”

“It’s just that, well, I sorta really like it, and I couldn’t help noticing you had one, but I thought it’d be rude to take it from you without asking but-” Holding up his hoof and sitting up in the same motion, Braeburn smiled at her.

“Ya can have it Lucy.” He said with an uneasy smile.

Clapping her hooves together, she let out a small, “Yay” then lifted up his knapsack from some corner of the room. Promptly lifting the aforementioned object out of the pouch, she popped the cap and began drinking the entire bottle in one go.

Chuckling at the sight, Braeburn shifted and pressed his back against the wall. Grateful for the refreshing cold brushing against his fun, Braeburn saw the fire Translucent had created was roasting the corpse of a skewered Mole rat. It was a morbid sight, but it held some semblance of normality. They always used to roast carrots over an open fire back in Appleloosa, so the sight was familiar, but the smell…

Ugh, there was no way Braeburn would get used to that.

As Translucent downed the Sparkle-Cola, Braeburn took the opportunity to get up and move around a bit. Wincing a bit as he felt some of his bones creak as he did, Braeburn spied the workbench in the room, staring at it for a moment, Braeburn smiled as an idea began to form. “Have ya used this thing, at all?” He asked, gesturing to the workbench.

As she finished off the last drops of Sparkle-Cola, mouth still firmly around the bottle, Translucent glanced at him and shook her head.

“Do ya mind if ah use it?”

Dropping the bottle from her mouth, Translucent shrugged, “Go ahead, it’s no hair off my back.”

With a gathering of appropriate materials and a few seconds passing, Braeburn was sitting on a scavenged stool at the workbench, his .10 millimeter pistol lying in front of him, surrounded by a variety of tools. The clip was sitting a few inches away, with all the bullets removed for safekeeping. A screwdriver as held in Braeburn’s fingers, and goggles were strapped over his eyes.

“What are you doing?” Translucent asked, peeking over his shoulder.

“Just testin’ something out.” Braeburn held up the pistol by the mouth grip, shifting it to it’s side, “See, ah noticed that if ah hold my pistol like this, ah can use it like a Griffon would.” Setting it down, Braeburn lifted up the screwdriver and started to undo the bolts.

“That’s cool, but….what are you doing?” Translucent asked again.

“Tryin’ to see if ah can make so ah can do the same with this.” Braeburn explained, “Ah noticed it was easier to move if ah held it in my hooves like those guns, and ah wanted to see if ah could modify the darn thing so ah could hold it like them.”

“Oh, I get it.” Translucent nodded, “That’s neat and everything, and I guess you could have one still in your mouth and one in your hooves. But aren’t they’re guns like that already? The ones Griffons use as their side-arms?”

“And the ones made to held in yer hooves.” Braeburn agreed, “Sides, this here is just an experiment.”

“Hm, well, I leave you to it then, madpony.” With nothing more to be said, Translucent went back to tending to the cooking Mole rat.

Setting himself back into his work, Braeburn started to undo his pistol’s outer workings with his screwdriver. It was hard, twisting the metal tool around in his hooves rather than his mouth, but that was part of the reason why he was doing this. Call it a hunch, but Braeburn got the feeling he should be good with his...fingers for the time being. And the best way to get better at anything was practice, long, hard, practice.

Needless to say, it wasn’t going well at first.

To Braeburn’s increasing frustration, he discovered that simply having fingers didn’t mean he was skilled at using them. More than once in the twilight hours did he drop or fumble a screw or gun part, he was tempted, oh so tempted, to go back to using his mouth to solve his problem. But something wouldn’t let him, maybe it was the frustration egging him on, or maybe he was just being stubborn.

“Or maybe it’s just the darn fact yer’re just being a loveable idiot again.”

Turning around to see who had spoken, Braeburn only saw Translucent munching on Mole rat.

“Didja say something Lucent?” Braeburn asked. Turning with a face currently stuck in mid chew, she shook her head at him and went back to eating.

Frowning and rubbing his head, he turned back to his project, and for some reason, it looked like somepony had decided to do that cha-cha on it. The bits were scattered about, making a mess of the table. Damnit, he knew what he was trying to do but...why was everything out of place?

The screw wasn’t where it should be, the spring was lying next to the bullets, the hammer was in the wrong spot.

Why? Who did this? Who threw his work out of place?

Who threw the world OuT of order? WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE?

The zebras, ALL of them, they were thE ones responsible, they doOMed the world. They killed everypony, they killed Li-

“That’s wrong honey, and you know it.”

He stopped.

Who said that?

Braeburn turned again, but it was the same as before, the only ponies in the room where him and Translucent, so who, or what, was speaking?

“You know Braeburn, sweetie, I always knew you were thickheaded, but you were never so vindictive. Do try to remember that every side has a story.”

He knew that voice….

“Miss Jubilee?” Braeburn asked, looking around the garage. Where was she? How did she…

“Braeburn? Are you alright? Who are you talking to?”

Snapping his attention to Translucent who was staring at him with a curious look, she tilted her head, “You were mumbling something under your breath and starting to freak out. Are you feeling okay?”

“Ah’m fine…” Braeburn muttered, getting off the stool and grabbing his shoulders, he began to pace around the room.

“....If you say so.” Translucent shrugged, then went back her dinner.

It would be a long time before Braeburn joined her.

The sun was hanging high in the sky, and for what it was worth, it’s warmth was appreciated, but the cold wind wasn’t helping at all.

As Braeburn crossed his arms and rubbed them, he shivered slightly, “Two hundred years and it’s still as cold as a salt block.” He said. They had set out early in the morning with Braeburn unable to make any meaningful modifications to his pistol, but he did spruce up the receiver slightly thanks to some parts laying about. They had been walking for about two miles, and the city was no closer, but in the distance they could see a settlement of some sort. Translucent was hesitant at first, but Braeburn had insisted. He had to admit, he had been expecting her to complain about the distance for some time, being a unicorn and all, but it seemed like she was the one setting the pace.

“You should’ve seen Equestria two years ago.” Translucent snorted, “Whole place was covered by a cloud layer by the Enclave.”

“What’s the Enclave?” Braeburn asked.

“Oh, just some Pegasi hold up in the clouds after the bombs dropped.” She shrugged, then paused in thought, “Though, I haven’t seen a tower since I’ve got here, could be Vanhoover didn’t have any cloud cover at all.”

“Yer saying a lot of words that don’t make any sense.” Braeburn groaned.

“I’ll tell you about it later.” Translucent said, “In the meantime, how far are we from-Do you hear that?”

Braeburn paused, and listened, there was a definite crack in the air. One that was all too familiar.

“Eeyup, gunfire.” Drawing his pistol, Braeburn put it into his hooves and started to run towards the sound of conflict.

“Hey, Braeburn! What are you doing?!” Translucent yelled after him, running as well.

“Somepony might need help!” He yelled back, glancing over his shoulder to see that the unicorn was keeping pace with him easy. It was only now did Braeburn realize just how slow he was. On all fours, he would’ve easily increased in speed, but now with his heavy metal hooves, he was moving a hell of alot slower than he should’ve. If Applejack saw him now, she’d probably tell him it would be a good idea not to compete in the Rodeo until he “lost some weight.”

“Listen! I know you’re’ new at this, but they could be raiders!” Translucent yelled at him, “You don’t know the Wasteland like I do! Just wait for two minutes, Braeburn!”

Braeburn, true to the Apple family, didn’t listen and only charged forward, despite Translucent warnings to the contrary, sayings things like how he was gonna get his limbs blown off or his head caved in.

They only sprinted for a short time before Braeburn came to a stop and came across a scene of carnage.

On a run-down street, populated by modern day homes with enough bullet holes to make cheese jealous and cracked windows, bodies were slumped all over, some shredded by bullets, others had their limbs torn off by force. The strangest thing though, was the sight of yellow blood lying on the ground. Walking over to the nearest one, Braeburn titled the head of a corpse with his metal hoof. Lifting it slightly, Braeburn was treated to the wonderful view of a missing eye socket and rotting insides. Almost throwing up his breakfast, which was a lucky find of Sugar Bombs, Braeburn stumbled away from the body.

Coming up behind him, Translucent panted slightly, but also breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh, looks like we just missed the party.” Walking over to corpse Braeburn was poking at, she shook her head, “Good, just ghouls. Feral ones too.”

“Ghouls?” Braeburn turned to her, his face still green.

“Basically ponies who absorbed too much magical radiation.” Translucent explained, “Some lose their minds and go feral, others keep their sanity. These,” She lifted a bleeding corpse slightly with her magic, “Are probably the latter. Hopefully.”

“What about that one there? He’s wearing armor.” Braeburn said, walking over to one corpse in particular.

Following his line of sight, Translucent spied the Ghoul Pony wearing a ragged and torn traveling coat with a ruined vest underneath with a yellow ribbon around the ear. Shotgun shells resting neatly in a shoulder pack, not to mention…

“Oh, sweet. Double Barrel. You want it?” Translucent said, walking over and levitating the shotgun for Braeburn to see.

Braeburn stared at her, “That’s lootin.”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “It’s called surviving.”

Frowning, Braeburn grudgingly took the gun. Ignoring the notification from his Pipbuck that he got a new weapon, he looked it over. It was a classic double barrel, that is, two twenty 28 inch barrels’ side by side. It was made to be used with a battle saddle primarily, and as of this moment, Braeburn was lacking one. Thankfully though, by sheer dumb luck, it was also the kind that could be held in your hooves, thanks to a large, curving trigger at the handle. One of those, “universal” guns that could be used by any species, ponies, griffons, etc. Looking at the corpse, Braeburn hefted the shotgun in both hooves, resting his fingers on the trigger and testing the weight of the firearm. Switching from two hooves to one, Braeburn adjusted his stance and lined it up with his eyes, spreading his arm out as he did.

“That’s a good look for you.” Translucent commented, “Might want to find something a bit smaller though, like a revolver or something.”

“Mh” Braeburn lowered the shotgun, noting that the ammo counter read both as empty, Braeburn reached down to the corpse and lifted the shells from the shoulder pack. Putting two into the firearm, Braeburn looked at the last one and frowned.

“Just take the whole damn thing.” Translucent groaned. Turning to her, Braeburn saw she was in the process of the other corpses for supplies. Braeburn found it revolting, but…they were better in the hooves of the living, he supposed.

Setting the shotgun down and rotating the corpse so it was laying on it’s back, Braeburn tried to ignore the yellow liquid that was seeping of the body. He took the coat off the body with little problem, though he had to shake it slightly to drop off the leftover body parts. Looking at the inside, Braeburn had to resist gagging at the sight of the yellow blood plastered against it, that...and other things as well.

“Aaaahh think ah’ll save it for later.” Braeburn muttered, taking the shoulder pack off the sleeve and attaching it to his jumpsuit.

“Save what….Ooohhh ew.” Translucent cringed, walking over to him, “Here, put it in my saddle-bag, I’ll clean it up later.” Levitating it up, the unicorn shoved it into a hidden compartment in her cloak. Disappearing somewhere in the heavy black cloth, Braeburn thought he saw something sticking out of it, but shrugged it off, “Anyway, managed to find some ammo for your pistol.” She held up a two clips for a .10 millimeter, which Braeburn took and pocketed in his knapsack, “Hope you don’t mind if I kept some shells for myself though, gotta keep this baby working.”

Braeburn shrugged, picking up his shotgun, he put the last remaining shell into his shoulder pack and looked around, “So, who do ya think caused this here massacre?”

Glancing at the site, Translucent shrugged, “Eh, my guess is that this guy ran into a pack of feral ghouls and killed him….is what I want to say.” She gestured to the walls, “But these holes are new, and look at this guy.” She gestured to the corpse Braeburn looted, “He was shot, not torn apart. My actual guess is that some ponies got into a fight with a few other ponies, and the sound of their battle drew a pack of ghouls, which lead to this.”

“Mh, ah reckon so.” Braeburn scanned the sight, then noticed a trail of blood leaking around a corner of a house, red blood. “There.” He said, raising his shotgun to level.

Quietly, well, as quietly as you can get with Braeburn’s hooves, approached the corner, weapon at the ready. Braeburn, with practiced ease, stopped a bit short of the corner itself, as he learned in basic training. Pressing himself against the wall, he slowly, slowly, started to edge around it carefully.

Translucent merrily walked right by him and rounded the corner without so much as a moment’s pause. As Braeburn gaped, the unicorn whistled in approvement, “Dibs.” She said cheerfully, hefting an assault rifle up in her magical glow and depositing it in her hidden saddle-bag. Soon enough, she started pocketing other types of ammo as well, including a couple of frag grenades.

After a few minutes of merry looting, she finally took notice of the fact Braeburn was staring at her, “You want any?” She asked, as if the loot was candy.

Braeburn groaned and lowered his shotgun. Walking around the corner, Braeburn was greeted with an odd sight of a recently deceased pony, only the strange thing was the fact this pony was well armed.

Very well armed.

Covered from tail to muzzle in a dark grey armor, a heavy cloth around the mouth, a polarized visor covering the eyes, and a dented helmet. The pony was sitting against the wall, a large pool of blood forming under it, the most peculiar however, was the symbol patched into the armor. A silver four pointed star surrounded by a circle with the words, Unitas; Victoria.
.
“Unity; Victory?” Braeburn muttered, raising an eyebrow.

“Wait, what?” Translucent asked, apparently utterly dumbfounded, “You know what that says?”

“Ah studied a bit of ancient languages back in Canterlot High.” Braeburn said, a fond smile on his face as he remembered times gone by, “Ah think it’s supposed to be an abridged version of Ubi concordia, ibi victoria. “When there is Unity, There is Victory.”

Translucent stared at him, causing Braeburn to bristle slightly, “Did ah say something strange?”

“You said something alright…” Translucent muttered, looking strangely downcast for a moment or two before looking around once again, “Anyway, this guy’s got some pretty good stuff. Not sure I can carry it all on my own though, want me to enchant your purse so you can carry some too?”

“Ya can do that for me?” Braeburn asked, looking at the ragged leather bag that rested at his side.

“I can, just need some time is all. It’s actually a pretty basic spell, once you learn how. All I need is some time and a durable enough bag….” She glanced at the knapsack, “On second thought though, you might need a better purse. That one looks like it’s falling apart.”

“It’s not a-” A crack of gunfire interrupted the two, drawing their attention away from the body and Braeburn’s purse towards the east, deeper into town.

“Huh, sounds like somepony’s still fighting.” Translucent noted, “Let me guess, you want to-”

By the time the unicorn turn around, Braeburn was already on the move, heading towards the sound of conflict.

“Of course.” Translucent rolled her eyes, “See one Stable Dweller, you’ve seen them all.”

Shaking her head, she trotted off after the bipedal pony.

Needless to say, the trek to the conflict was much shorter than the first one, and the two were lured to the inside of an old stone building in the center of town, the type that was made before the war and withstood the test of time, though, it appeared to be on the receiving end of a few gunshots.

The front door was broken off at the hinges, and inside there were the definite sounds of a conversation taking place. To add to that, three, no, four blips appeared on Braeburn’s compass, all of them green.

Entering the building and drawing his shotgun, Braeburn saw a curious scene.

There was a mare in a dirty room with a staircase leading upstairs nearby, office furniture scattered about, and a door leading to a basement in the rear end of the room. There was a ...ghoul, skin decaying, but alive. Or what constituted as alive for a Ghoul, and there were two others in the same fancy grey armor from before were flanking the mare.

And all three were pointing weapons at the Ghoul, who wore a yellow armband around his right hoof, the same color as the one from before, only, unlike the last one, this one was sporting a wound in his left shoulder and was laying against the wall with a barrel aimed by the mare in his decaying face.

“Any last words?” The Mare asked, leveling an oddly shaped revolver in her wing (Braeburn made a mental note to find out why she was holding it like that), at the downed pony. Looking at her, Braeburn noted that she was rather young, in her early twenties at least. She was an pegasus ashen body, steel mane, and bright piercing yellow eyes. She wore light armor over her body, hiding her cutie mark and midsection but allowing her wings to be free.

“ Why ya gotta say something so cliché kid?” The ghoul spouted out, his voice raspy and sounding like gravel, “What, couldn’t think of anything more original?”

The mare snorted, “Can’t go wrong with a classic.”

“Ya can, when it’s about shooting another pony.”

And just like that, all three were pointing their guns at Braeburn, who held his hooves up and kept his fingers wide, letting his shotgun fall to the ground.

“Who the hell are you?” The mare asked, looking him over, “And what the hell is that thing on your…..Luna’s shit, what are you?”

“Ah’m still working that one out myself miss.” Braeburn said cautiously, a disarming smile on his lips, “But ah can tell ya my name, if ya let me.”

“Cinquedea, that’s a Pipbuck.” One of the armored ponies muttered, his….hers, it’s voice indistinguishable by the cloth covering the mouth, “I think he’s from the Stable.”

“Hm…” “Cinquedea” thought for a moment, “Yeah, I getcha. Waste him anyway.”

Surprisingly, the one who spoke turned to the ashen mare, “Your father-”

“Isn’t here. Besides, he could’ve lifted that and the jumpsuit off a corpse.” Cinquedea glared, but sighed, “But, I see your point.” She leveled the pistol...at his knee, “We’ll bring him to the outpost when we’re done with Polka here.”

“Ah see you sort aren’t the reasonable type, ah take it.” Braeburn murmured to himself, then spoke up clearly, “Ah assume that y’all aren’t interested in talking things through like decent folk.”

“We are the decent folk.” Cinquedea spat, “And no, we’re really not.”

“Are ya sure?” Braeburn asked hopefully.

She cocked the revolver in response.

“Ah see.”

“Ha, don’t bother friend.” The ghoul coughed from the ground, “These Dippy scum aren’t gonna listen to a word an outsider says.”

“Ah sure that’s not true.” Braeburn said hopefully.

“No, it really is.” Cinquedea agreed, nodding, “Stable Dweller or not, you don’t have a lot of say in that.”

Braeburn rubbed the back of his head, not enjoying the metal bumps on his spine as he did so, “So...Ah take it violence is unavoidable then?”

“It can be, just so long as you sit still while we finish off the Polka here.” Cinquedea said, turning her attention back to the ghoul.

“Ah’m afraid ah can’t let ya do that miss.” Braeburn stepped forward, creating a heavy ‘thunk’ and causing dust to rattle from the ceiling.

Turning back to him, Cinquedea smirked, “Oh, and why not?”

“It’s against the law, if Ah remember correctly.”

Cinquedea and her two flunkies shared a look, then burst into laughter, even the ghoul seemed amused.

“HAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaaaaaa…..Oooohh, thanks for that, my sis says I don’t laugh enough.” Cinquedea wiped a tear from her eye with her wing.

“....Ah was serious.” Braeburn muttered. Okay, so apparently, laws were no longer a thing, something he should have picked up on earlier when Translucent started looting dead bodies.

“.....Wow, you are really out of date huh?” Cinquedea said, obvious bemusement in her voice.

“By two hundred and two years, ah hear.” Braeburn muttered.

“....Wait, what? Who are you?” Cinquedea asked.

“The name’s Braeburn miss.” The farm pony said, “And Ah-”

“Make for an excellent distraction.”

The one on Cinquedea side, the one who spoken up, suddenly had their head blown apart by a close range burst from a pistol from behind.

As the gore and blood flew, several things happened at once. Cinquedea leveled her pistol at Braeburn and tried to pull the trigger, but all she heard was a click. The surviving pony who was with Cinquedea aimed their rifle at the downed ghoul, a .45 revolver in his mouth, but a sudden shower of pellets from a shotgun collided into the shoulder from an evaluated angle. During this time, Braeburn ran forward and grappled with Cinquedea, who was closest to him. Snatching the revolver out of her grasp, Braeburn sent his metal hoof forward, and kicked her square in the chest. There was a sizable gasp of blood from her mouth, and she was sent flying towards the back of the room. The remaining grey armored pony, surviving the shotgun blast thanks to the armor it wore, stumbled back and covered the downed pegasus.

Grasping the revolver in his fingers as he dove to the side, using the staircase as cover from the spraying bullets, Braeburn’s heads up display showed five bullets left in the cylinder, alright not bad. Feeling a light tap on his head, he glanced up to see Translucent standing above him on the staircase, shotgun barrel smoking and aimed at the pair.

Peaking around the step he was hiding behind, he saw that the downed Cinquedea was currently hefted up on the surviving flunky’s back and was being carried to the basement under the staircase. Currently firing on the Ghoul, who had taken cover behind a large toppled desk, the pony shambled towards the door, somehow standing up despite the bleeding shoulder wound.

A quick observation of the revolver in his hooves proved to be a curious thing. It was of Griffon make, that is, long with a heavy barrel. But most importantly, a trigger, and a handle that was meant to be held with a palm, no wonder why Cinquedea had trouble holding this, it wasn’t meant to be held with wings or feathers, it was made for fingers.

And well, what Braeburn had came close.

Grasping it properly with his left hoof, Braeburn noted the six rounds in the cylinder thanks to his heads up display and shifted to lay flat on his belly on the staircase. Peeking around the wooden step, Braeburn saw the armored pony half way through the door. Taking aim with the revolver, Braeburn lined it up with the last exposed leg, but something stopped him from pulling the trigger. An all too familiar feeling, if he was being honest.

Hesitation.

The hesitation to end a pony’s life, it came every time he held a gun in his hooves and pointed it at a living being. It happened to him during the war, and it was happening to him now. Zebras, at least, had the distinction at least of looking different from ponies, but seeing the slumped over and pitiful looking mare over the pony’s back made Braeburn’s trigger finger freeze.

Needless to say, the other two ponies had no such objections.

Translucent levitated the shotgun over the railing, firing wildly, the distinctive and heavy boom of the firearm thundering through the air. Meanwhile, the Ghoul pony fired blindly over the toppled desk, hefting the barrel of the .45 over the ridge. Both of these were doing a great job of putting bullets out there, but sadly, neither was very good at aiming, and so, the grey armored pony and injured mare managed to get inside the doorway.

Hearing their uneasy hoof-falls from the steps of the staircase, Braeburn frowned as he stared at the wood. Funny, it didn’t seem very thick, if he fired through it then there was a real chance that….

Shit.

Grabbing Translucent by the leg, Braeburn threw himself and the unicorn off the steps of the staircase just in time to avoid being bifurcated by a sudden hail of bullets.

Falling towards the ground in a shower of splinters and landing with a painful thud, Braeburn shielded his eyes and took reflexive aim with his revolver, quickly making a few mental calculations, he fired a little bit to the right. The .44 bullet punctured the wooden steps with ease, and he was rewarded with a sudden cry of pain.

Needless to say, guilt was the next thing Braeburn felt, aside from the pain on his back and the unicorn hoof that was firmly lodged into the side of his skull.

Groaning, Translucent laid there on the ground for a moment, before suddenly whipping into a frenzy of movement. Standing upright, she glared at Braeburn, a red smear across her face, “Did you see anything?!”

Braeburn, despite his confusion, shook his head.

She glared at him, “Are you sure?”

“What in the high hells are ya talkin’ about?” Braeburn asked, standing up.

“Ugh, nevermind…” Translucent muttered. Walking over to the downed Ghoul, who had dropped his pistol and sat against the wall, she levitated her shotgun at him. The Ghoul, for his part, merely chuckled.

“You save a Stallion, then you execute him yourself. Gotta say, I don’t follow your line of thinking.”

“Just a prudent deterrent.” The unicorn replied, “And for the record, I don’t recall agreeing to save you.”

“Looks like it, apparently.” The Ghoul grinned, “So, should I thank you, sweet flanks, or your...Yeesh, that mare was right. You are a freak.”

Braeburn kept an eyebrow raised as he approached, gently placing a hoof on Translucent’s cloaked shoulder. Glancing at him, she lowered the shotgun with a huff.

“But hey.” The Ghoul said, “Any freak that makes me look normal is a friend in my book. So, stranger, beautiful.” He grinned at Translucent, who shuddered, “What makes you save my sorry behind?”

“Just didn’t seem right is all.” Braeburn said.

“Huh, what Radroach took a bite out of your skull?” The Ghoul asked, “Cause I think those horns of yours are laying a little too hard on your brain there friend.”

“Believe me, I’ve been wondering that myself.” Translucent snorted.

Rolling his eyes, Braeburn glanced at Translucent, “By the way, how did you get to the second story? Ah thought you were right behind me.”

“Oh.” Translucent shrugged, “Once I saw you were going in the front door like a dumbass, I circled around back and found a way to climb up through a broken wall, then I just levitated a few blocks to let me hop up.”

“Not that your little discussion is a joy to listen to, but uh...I don’t suppose you’d be willing to spare a health potion, wound ya?” The Ghoul, to punctuate his point, coughed out a blob of yellow blood from his mouth.

Braeburn’s Geiger counter made an audible clicking sound.

Braeburn took a few steps back while Translucent cringed. Sharing a look, the two of them shared a silent conversation for a few minutes before the unicorn sighed. Levitating a health potion out of her bag, she lifted it over to the Ghoul, who took it and greedily drank it down.

“Mighty thanks friends. Name’s Rail Spike. Yours?” The newly named Rail Spike asked, standing up.

“Braeburn.”

“Translucent.”

“Huh, think I would’ve heard of two freaks like you, where are you from?” Rail Spike asked.

“Around.” Translucent shrugged, “As for tall blond and pretty over there, he’s from a Stable, hence the jumpsuit and Pipbuck.”

“So, you're newcomers?” Rail Spike grinned when the two of them nodded, “Well, welcome to The Hoove, enjoy your stay.”

Level up!

Time to dust off those old designs in your horny head. You now have access to base and Rank 1 gun mods.

One Way Sign

“Aahhh that’s the stuff.” Rail Spike muttered as he dumped some radioactive water over his bare shoulder with a pan, the rotten skin glowing with radioactivity as he did so.

From a good distance away and sitting on a crumbling roadblock, Braeburn leaned over to Translucent, “What’s he doing that for?” He asked, ignoring the constant ticking of his Pipbuck.

“Ghouls can heal when subjected to radiation, more importantly though, they need it to survive.” She answered, then squinted her eyes towards the Ghoul, “Though, he looks a bit different from the ones I’ve seen.” She confessed. At Braeburn’s questioning look, she elaborated, “Usually they look downright rotting, with pieces of skin and coat flaking off. He just looks more like a burn victim.”

“Ah thought ya said that some go feral.” Braeburn said, “What did ya mean by that?”

“Just what I said.” Translucent shrugged, “Lose their minds, go nuts, act like a wild animal.”

“Then what’s keeping Rail Spike there from going...co-co?”

“My stunning good looks and my winning personality.” Rail Spike said, suddenly in their faces.

Jumping slightly in his seat, Braeburn had a bashful look while Translucent turned away and coughed.

Stuttering out a reply, “Ah’m mighty sorry, ah didn’t-”

Waving his hoof, Rail Spike rolled his eyes, “Ah, leave it alone kid. Trust me, I’m starting to wonder why I don’t go feral myself. Personally, I think it may have something to do with all the radiation around here.”

“Ah’ve been meaning to ask something if ya’ll don’t mind.” Braeburn began, “What in tarnation happened to the world? Ah keep hearing ya two talking about that there radiation, what in hell’s name is it? All ah know about is that it’s in some of that Sparkle-Cola for the taste.” Looking between the two, who looked at him weirdly, Braeburn shrugged, “Ah’m sorry, ah just...All ah saw was the bombs going off, I didn’t see any of that radiation.”

“You saw the bombs going off?” Rail Spike repeated, “You ain’t no Ghoul, so the hell are you talking about kid?”

“Let’s just this out of the way…” Translucent muttered, looking at Rail Spike, she nodded towards Braeburn, “Horns here is from the old world, apparently he was trapped in a Stable for the past two hundred years and only woke up yesterday. That answer your question? Good, moving on.” Before Rail Spike had a chance to protest or even reply, Translucent turned to Braeburn, “Anyway, to answer yours, when the bombs fell, they released magical radiation on the land when the warhead hit. It mutates, corrodes, and transforms whatever it touches. Rail Spike here was made a Ghoul who was exposed to too much radiation and didn’t have the good fortune to die.”

“I’m mighty happy to be alive Sweetie.” Rail Spike grinned, “After all, I got to meet you.”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “Charming. But moving on: The reason you didn’t see any radiation was that when the dust settled, was, because, well, you can’t. It’s invisible to the naked eye unless you have the right equipment for it, like that Pipbuck on your hoof. The fallout, if you will, covered all of Equestria, though a few fringe cities and areas made out it okayish.”

“Fallout…” Braeburn muttered, “Equestria? Can’t be….” Mumbling a few things to himself, he put his head in his hands and turned away from the two.

Raising an eyebrow, Rail Spike looked to Translucent, “Is your friend okay? He seems a little out of it.”

Translucent opened her mouth to reply, then closed it, opened it again, then closed it. Finally, she shrugged, “I dunno.”

“Riiiggghttt….Anyway, I appreciate you two saving my bacon and all, so how about I pay ya back by taking ya to the old homestead?” Rail Spike offered, “There’s enough beds for ya both, if you don’t mind some tight living quarters that is.”

“Got any food?” Translucent asked.

“Hope you don’t mind dining on veggies, all we got growing in the garden. Aside from the occasional odds and ends mind you.” Rail Spike said, “But let it never be said that Polka Face can’t offer a friend a place to stay.”

“That mare who shot called you Polka.” Translucent said, tilting her head, “What exactly did she mean by that?”

“Ah, ya see this little band I got?” Gesturing to his shoulder which still had the yellow ribbon around, Rail Spike grinned, “Shows that I am a member of Polka Face, one of the four gangs of the Coalition.”

“Coalition? Gonna have to explain that one.” Translucent urged.

“In a bit sweets, it’s a long story.” Turning around, the Ghoul pony motioned to follow him, “Come on, Nelson ain’t that far.”

“Right right. Braeburn?”

Braeburn turned, as if just noticing her presence, “Huh?”

“It’s time to go.” Jumping off the roadblock, Translucent grinned, “Come on, you can talk to yourself later, preferably when there’s a roof over our heads.”

“....If ya say so.” Braeburn muttered, hopping off his seat.

“By the way, are you sure you don’t want to hold onto your revolver?” The unicorn asked, “A .44’s pretty useful, and a gryphon one even more so.”

Shaking his head, Braeburn held his shotgun at the ready, “Don’t have a holster for it, besides, unless yer got ammo for it, it’s too valuable to waste.”

“Amazing how often you can’t use something that should be used…” Translucent mumbled, but saw his point.

Setting off, the three began a lonely trek through the outskirts of Vanhoover, the only sound being heard was from Braeburn’s heavy metal feet, and his Pipbuck’s radio, which was playing a somewhat somber song about a pony reminiscing about his long lost home.

And as it seemed, he wasn’t the only one.

“Don't know why I left the homestead, I really must confess….”

“I'm a weary exile, singing my song of loneliness…”

“The grass is the springiest, the bees are the stingiest. The birds are the wingiest, the bells are the ringiest…”

“Gotta say, “Translucent spoke up as they walked, “I haven’t heard that song before. It isn’t one of Sweetie Belle’s, who sung it?”

“Don’t rightly know,” Braeburn admitted, “Ah think it was popular a few years back...Ah mean, in the middle of the war.”

“Oh yeah, that reminds me.” Rail Spike spoke up, “Are you really from the old world? ‘Fore everything went to shit?”

“A living fossil, that’s him.” Translucent said, “Just a few extra parts added on.”

“I wasn’t gonna ask about them.” Rail Spike said quickly.

The unicorn rolled her eyes, “You were.”

“I was.” Rail Spike admitted.

“Well, truth be told ah’m still figuring this out for myself.” Braeburn admitted, holding his left hand up and examining his fingers, holding them to the sun, “Ah didn’t ask for any of this though, that’s for sure.”

Rolling her eyes, Translucent bumped into Braeburn good naturedly, “Oh, you have fingers now. You can hold shit.”

Chuckling, he nodded, “There’s that for sure, but ah still don’t know about these things on the top of my head though.” Looking at the two metal prongs running parallel above Braeburn head, Translucent tilted her head.

“Oh yeah, they don’t look like unicorn horns, can you cast magic through them?” She asked.

“Don’t rightly think so, that robot didn’t mention any magic, ah just think they’re supposed to be Minotaur horns.”

Glancing back at them from the lead, Rail Spike blinked in comprehension, “So that’s what they are, been bugging me for a bit.”

“They look more like ram horns then a Minotaur's though.” The unicorn pointed out, “After all, they’re supposed to be on the side of your head, not the top. Unless it’s a female one, that is.” Letting the information sink in for a minute, Translucent grinned slyly, “So, Braeburn, how’s it feel to be attractive to male Minotaurs now?”

Braeburn’s eye twitched, and he shuddered, feeling like she had just stabbed his soul with an ice pick.

“Heh, you two are a strange pair, known each other long?” Rail Spike asked.

“Nope.” Translucent chirped, “Just met him yesterday.”

“Huh, never would’ve guessed the way you two talk.” Rail Spike admitted. Looking over his shoulder at to Braeburn, he smiled real friendly-like, “So, from a Stable right? Which one?”

“It was rightly called Stable 100, but ah honestly don’t know much about it.” Raising his Pipbuck and checking the map, Braeburn nodded, “It’s actually not that far from here. Probably about ten miles off if this doohickey is right.”

“Hm, how far can that thing see?” Rail Spike asked.

Zooming out on the map, Braeburn shrugged, “Looks like...maybe everything in three hundred miles? Ah’m just guessing here.”

“Hm, interesting…” The Ghoul muttered, then went back to trotting along silently.

A little off put of their companion’s sudden silence, Braeburn turned to Translucent, “So...been anywhere interesting?” He asked.

Translucent shrugged in reply, “A few places, I think.”

“Like what?”

“Well…” The unicorn paused in thought, “I’ve been to the Ponyville ruins, Tenpony Tower, oh, and Junction R-7. I’d think you’d like it there.”

“What makes ya say that?” Braeburn asked.

“It’s...a bit more honest than New Appleloosa, they used to trade with slavers and I just don’t….Oh damn, I did it again.” Translucent cringed.

Stopping in his tracks, a heavy scowl was over Braeburn’s muzzle, “They. Traded. Slaves?”

By this time, Rail Spike had stopped in his steps as well and turned to face the now angry looking earth pony. Taking a step back, Translucent gulped and backpedaled, “They don’t anymore! Really! They’re much more honest now!”

“Ah did not make Appleloosa over from scratch just so that it could become a….Slave town!” Braeburn snarled with venom, particularly spitting out the words as he did.

Translucent cringed, “I didn’t-Wait, from scratch? The hell are you talking about?” She asked with a confused look on her face.

The anger washing away from him, Braeburn breathed and released a fist he didn’t even know he had made. Walking over to a nearby railing, he put his hands and leaned against it, putting his weight against the rusty metal and looked at the landscape around him, “Back during the war, Appleloosa started smuggling Zebra drugs which the Ministry of Morale took a blind eye. Was downright disgraceful in my eyes, so ah took a few like-minded individuals and made Appleloosa over again. My fiancé, Little Strongheart was one of them. Sides, Appleloosa was needing to expand anyway.”

Looking sheepish, Translucent hung her head, “Oh...I’m sorry, for what it’s worth. It’s better now though, if that’s any comfort.”

“Ah’d like to believe ya miss…” Braeburn said, a tired tone in his voice, “Honestly, ah can’t help but think this is all a dream...some nightmare ah can’t wake up from.”

Looking in between the two, Rail Spike shrugged, “Well, I don’t know much about slavers unless you’re talking about the Dragoons, but I can tell ya Nelson ain’t a bad place to stay if you’re looking for a place to settle down.”

The cloaked unicorn shrugged, “I’m more of a wanderer, but thanks. Braeburn?”

“....”

“Braeburn?”

His back facing them, Braeburn didn’t respond.

“...I think your friend’s a little out of it.” Rail Spike said, leaning over to Translucent.

Sighing, she nodded reluctantly, “Let’s...go, we can worry about his mental state later.”

“There’s something ah’m still having trouble figuring out.” Braeburn began as they walked southwards, they had made a little progress since their last impromptu stop, and during that time, Braeburn had been almost completely silent. Honestly, Translucent couldn't really blame him for taking a while to process everything about the fate of Equestria.

Hey, Translucent was a bitch, not a jackass.

“What’s up Burn?” She asked as they trotted.

“Ah thought ah saw the city blown up by a bomb.” Braeburn said, pointing to the still somewhat intact city of Vanhoover which loomed in the distance, “Ah mean, there was a large explosion, ah saw it going off.”

“You must’ve seen the one that hit Tall Tale.” Rail Spike injected, “See, from what I hear there were two bombs, one to the northwest that hit the coast, and one that hit to the south of Tall Tale. Tall Tale’s a hell hole now, but it took the brunt of the blast when the bomb hit.”

“Well, ah remember two bombs alright.” Braeburn said, rubbing his waist where a few burn scars mixed with a few surgical ones lay, “But why did they hit Vanhoover? Ah don’t recall it being a major military city during the war.”

“I don’t think the Zebras cared about that.” Translucent snorted, “But I saw a few old maps, Cloudsdale wasn’t that far away when the bombs hit, this place was in a convenient firing line. Wouldn’t surprise me if they just chucked bombs at the general area and didn’t care what they hit.”

“Hm….”

“You’re awfully well traveled Lucent.” Rail Spike noticed, “How in Celestia’s sweet flank did you get here in the first place?”

Raising an eyebrow, her face scrunched up in confusion, “Me? I just-”

“Who the hell is making all that racket?!”

Three heads darted towards the sound of the noise, towards a nearby two story house that was starting to come apart. It was an old voice, belonging to a mare of advanced age. Translucent was wary, taking out her shotgun and looking around, Braeburn froze in place with a stricken look, and Rail Spike?

Rail Spike just laughed.

“Ha! Old Betsy, that you?” He called out carefree.

“Rail Spike?”

There was a shifting of debris, and out on one of the two story windows was an old looking mare, hefting a crude looking rifle in her hooves. Her face was wrinkled and her coat grey with a syringe on her flank, not to mention her voice sounded even raspier than the ghoul’s. As she spied the three with silver eyes, a halfhearted smile came onto her face, “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes Spike. Who’s your friends?”

“This pretty mare here is called Translucent.” Rail Spike said, pointing with his hoof, “And the freakshow is called Braeburn. Saved my life, so show ‘em a little hospitality.”

“Hmm...Well, he’s certainly a show alright.” Old Betsy said, eyeing the apple stallion with a wandering eye.

Braeburn shuddered and Translucent cringed.

“Anywho, where’s Pepper? That crazy Ghoul owes me twenty caps.” Betsy asked.

Rail Spike shrugged, “I dunno, we got separated after we got ambushed by the Adepts.”

Sharing a look of apprehension, Braeburn coughed, “Uh, was this “Pepper” a Ghoul quite like you?”

Rail Spike raised an eyebrow, but nodded, “Yeah…”

“Did he have a band on his arm?” Translucent asked.

“He did…”

Translucent’s horn enveloped itself in magic, and out from her hidden saddle bag, came the coat they had scavenged earlier. Floating it over to Rail Spike, he scanned it over.

Looking over the coat, Rail Spike sighed, “Well, damn.”

“Ah’m sorry, for what it’s worth.” Braeburn said.

“Appreciate it.” Rail Spike muttered, “Pepper was a bit of a dick, but….ah, nevermind, let’s just get you settled in.”

“So, Pepper’s dead then?” Betsy asked from above.

“Looks like it.” Rail Spike affirmed.

“Damn,” Betsy cursed, “Well, come on in then, Nelson’s just around the corner.”

Nodding in agreement, Rail Spike motioned for them to follow him. Setting the coat back into her saddle bag, Translucent and Braeburn followed behind the ghoul.

As they started walking again and turned a corner, Braeburn tilted his head. In front of them was a walled off section of a suburban neighborhood, houses that withstood the test of time were being used as guard towers, if the ponies milling about in them were any indication that is. A few of the more observant ponies in the houses stopped whatever it was they were doing and turned to look at the newcomers. Their faces hard to see from the distance, but it was clear they were being regarded with suspicion.

“Ah, leave em be, folks here aren’t that bad if you get to know em.” Rail Spike said, apparently noticing the discomfort the two new arrivals were causing.

As they came close to the end of the block, they were soon joined the older mare from earlier as she came around the back of the building they were walking by. As she did, she winked at Braeburn flirtatiously.

“Hey there handsome.” She greeted, “Oh, and you too Spike.”

“Yeah yeah, try not to molest the kid while he’s here.” Rail Spike grumbled, not even pausing in his steps as they walked.

“....You know, I feel like I should make a joke about that, but yeah, that’s really creepy.” Translucent said, shuddering slightly at Betsy’s antics.

“How do ya think ah feel?” Braeburn muttered, “Ah’m the one she’s hitting on.”

“And the rest of Equestria thanks you for your sacrifice.” Translucent quipped, making a formal bow as she did.

Braeburn grinned despite himself.

As Rail Spike and Old Betsy chatted away about something as they trotted alongside the wall of Nelson, Braeburn felt what remained of his legs become sore with each passing second. This walking on two legs was hard, in fact, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to it. His back hooves were so…

Oh right, didn’t have those anymore.

Oh Celestia he didn’t have hooves anymore.

A feeling of revulsion grew in Braeburn stomach, and he suddenly felt the need to find a toilet to throw up in.

“Braeburn, are you alright? You just turned green.”

Translucent’s voice snapped him back to reality, but the feeling of queasiness still remained. “Ah, just, give me a minute…” He said quickly, shuffling away from the group and into a ruined building.

“Braeburn?” Translucent reached out to him with her hoof, but was stopped when a sickly green hoof grabbed her shoulder.

“Where’s he going?” Rail Spike demanded.

“I don’t-”

“HUURRRRRRRKKKKKK!”

Translucent cringed as the sound of Braeburn vomiting echoed throughout the block, “I think he’s just relieving some pent up stress.” She explained, “From what he told me, he’s sorta been high strung since yesterday and I don’t think he’s really let myself uh, deal with what’s going on.”

“Right, I think he just ate something that didn’t agree with him.” Rail Spike snarked.

Rolling her eyes, Translucent snorted, “Well, I told him that meat’s on the menu nowadays and he freaked out. So I think it’s safe to say he’s a picky eater.”

“Hmm...Your friend, Braeburn was it?” Old Betsy began, a twinkle in her eyes, “I don’t suppose he has a lover, does he?”

Translucent shrugged, “Well, he said he had a fiancé, but that should’ve been, like, two hundred years ago. So I think he’s single if that’s what you’re saying…”

“Oh really now….” The old mare drawled on, looking where Braeburn should be.

“.....How old are you, exactly?”

“Twenty-nine!” Betsy said happily.

“......What.”

Narrowing her eyes, Betsy glared at the younger unicorn, “Something you want to say?”

“Oh, um, nothing, it’s just…” Translucent’s mind raced to find some words, “You look really good for your age, is all.”

Smirking wryly, Betsy titled her head smugly, “Hm, I thought so.”

As Translucent breathed a sigh of relief, Braeburn came back into view, a little bit of puke on his muzzle.

“Sorry bout that, just felt sicker than a Buffalo in the middle of summer for a bit there.” Braeburn said as he rejoined the group.

“The hell are Buffalo?” Rail Spike asked, but was ignored.

“Um, Braeburn, you have a little…” Translucent made the motion of rubbing her mouth with her hoof. Copying her, Braeburn cringed as he felt the sticky goo end up on his arm. Rubbing it against his jumpsuit, he nodded ‘thanks’ at Translucent before turning back to Rail Spike, who raised a radiated eyebrow at him.

“You kid, are hella strange.” Then, the Ghoul grinned, “You’ll fit right in with Polka Face.”

“Okay, now this is the second time you brought it up.” Translucent noted, “I’d like an explanation now, if you wouldn’t mind.”

Rail Spike chuckled, “Ah, alright then, now that I got Old Betsy here, I suppose I could explain how things work around here.”

“Brace yourself kids, this one’s gonna take a while.” Betsy said.

As the four trotted on, Rail Spike took in a breath, “Well, for starters, that Coalition thing I mentioned? That’s just a fancy name made up to keep the four main gangs, tribes, whatever floats your pesagi, all affiliated. See, them gangs, there’s a lot of ‘em, but the main four, or big four, fantastic four, hot and dirty four, fours-”

“We get it.” Translucent groaned.

“Right right, anyway, there’s the Dragoons, Polka Face, Siren Song, and the Thunderhooves.”

“Thunderhooves?” Braeburn murmured, “Can’t be…”

“Starting simple, Polka Face is my gang, well, the one I’m belonging to, at any rate. We usually have a yellow cloth of some sort on us, that’s why I’m wearing this thing.” He guested to his yellow band, “Polka Face is probably the largest out of them all, but uh, we don’t have what one would call a “formal command structure.” We basically do whatever we want.”

“So you’re raiders then.” Translucent snorted.

“Can’t say that some of us aren’t, but us Nelson ponies are good folk, if’ you treat us right.” Rail replied, “The Dragoons on the other hand, well, let’s just say they’re overly fond of the color red. Far as I figure them, they live by, “Survival of the fittest,” whatever that means.”

“That means they think whoever’s strongest gets to live.” Betsy snorted, “Sounds like a lot of hogwash if you ask me, but they’re good fighters if nothing else.”

“Right, and then there’s Siren Song. Can’t say I know too much about them, but I hear they like the color blue, for some reason.” Rail Spike shook his head, “The last but not least, The Thunderhooves, suffice to say, I can’t say much about em.”

“Translucent raised an eyebrow, “Two secretive gangs huh?”

“Eh,” Rail shrugged, “This time, it ain’t because I don’t know much, it’s because there ain’t much to say. Those Thunderhooves like to keep to the north if you want to go looking for them. They mostly stick to green and whatnot, they’re a mostly peaceful folk, make their living hunting whatever irradiated game they can.”

“They’re eating meat too?” Braeburn asked.

Rail Spike looked at him, confused, “Yeah…What about it?”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “Remember, two-hundred-year old pony.”

“Oh, right. Forgot about that for a sec.” Rail Spike rubbed the back of his neck, “Anyway, that’s about it for the Coalition.” Just in time too, they had finally made it to Nelson’s main entrance, a large rolling gate that stood over them that was made out of metal and wood. It looked like a pretty shabby defense, if Braeburn was being honest, like all it would take to bring it down would be a half decent fire spell or a single frag grenade. To its credit though, there was a single guard tower made out of wood that sticked out of an old two story house. Poking a head of the window was a Stallion with a scar over his right eye, he looked half asleep, and didn’t even notice the four of them approach the gate.

“What about them ponies in armor?” Braeburn asked.

As soon as Braeburn said that, Rail Spike groaned and Betsy huffed, “Oh, those assholes.” The Ghoul said, “The Adeptus Unitas, our belligerent neighbors. They’re mostly just a well-armed group of jackass holed up pretty far southwest. I think they sit on a munitions factory or something.”

“I thought they found some kind of pre-war weapons cache.” Betsy added, “Could explain all their fancy toys.”

“Hm,” Translucent’s brow furrowed in thought, then turned to Braeburn, “Hey, Brae-to-the-B, you know what "Adeptus Unitas" means, right?”

Braeburn blinked, “Uh….Adeptus means “skilled,” if ah remember right, and...Unitas means united….Ah think.”

“Neeerrrrrdddd.” Translucent chided.

“Ah am not a n-”

“Moving on.” Rail Spike injected, rolling his eyes and knocking a hoof against the gate, he called out, “Hey! Duct, open up! It’s me and Betsy, got two newcomers here with us.”

A small peeking hole opened up through the gate’s left hand door, through it, a green eye spied the four and closed as quickly as it came. The sound of a latch being undone was heard, and the gate was slowly lumbered open. On the other side was a bright green, overalls wearing unicorn stallion with a roll of tape visible on his open flank, his mane was rugged and short, but his eyes were lively and full of cheer.

“Hey there Spike, Betsy.” He greeted, looking in between the two, “How’d the scavenging run go?”

“Well, as it turns out, the dips are trying to worm in our turf, so no.” Rail Spike said, “Pepper didn’t make it.”

“Ah, damn.” Duct said, “Anyway, who are these two?” He asked, directing his attention the newcomers.

“This here is Braeburn and Translucent, try to make em feel at home while they’re here.” Rail Spike turned to the aforementioned two, “This one here’s called Duct Tape, he’s our resident mechanic, so treat him nice.”

“How do ya do?” Braeburn greeted.

“Yes, hi.” Translucent drawled.

Duct Tape didn’t respond, instead, he was focused very, very intently on Braeburn, more accurately, he was focused on his metal bits. Braeburn shifted uncomfortably as Duct Tape looked him over, an awkward silence descended over the group, Translucent took to looking around, trying to desperately ignore whatever was going on as a bemused grin appeared on Betsy face, and Rail Spike just sighed.

“...Can ah help ya with something?” Braeburn finally asked.

“You’re beautiful…” Duct Tape said, mesmerized by the sight of the earth pony.

Braeburn’s eyes widened, “Err, what?” He asked, taking a step back. Undeterred, Duct Tape took a step forward.

“I said, you’re beautiful.” He repeated.

“....Ah-Ah need an adult!” Braeburn cried, flustered and very confused.

Duct Tape grinned, “I am an adult.”

Meanwhile, off to the side, Translucent had a very surprised, and very pleased grin on her face thanks to this sudden development.

“Tape, stop scaring the poor kid.” Rail Spike, “We lost one today, I don’t want to lose another.”.

“Aw,” Duct Tape pouted, “But I want to look him over!”

“No, no molesting the new guy. If you want to put him in bed, at least buy him a drink first.” Rubbing his head to relieve a growing headache, Rail Spike turned and muttered something under his breath and walked away.

Duct Tape frowned, but chuckled slightly as he did, “Ah, always fun to screw with him. Anyways, pleasure to meet ya, Braeburn, Translucent.” He nodded at the two of them, then walked away.

Finally, Betsy let out a hearty laugh she’d been holding in, “HAHAHAAHAHAHAHahahhaaaaa…..Ah, I needed that.” She smiled, then turned to Braeburn, whose eye was twitching in discomfort, “Don’t worry about Tape none, he doesn’t mean no harm, he just has a thing for fancy tech, and, well, look at you. You’re particularly a wet dream for him.”

“....Come again?” Braeburn asked.

“Oh, you know…” She leaned up against his chest, “He’ll have fun thinking about you.”

Leaving Braeburn with that mental scar, Betsy went after Rail Spike with a swing in her step.

Translucent held up a hoof to her mouth, clearly struggling not to laugh and failing miserably, “Well-snort- Braeburn, you’ve already go-hhaahaha-two admirerassshhaaaahhahhahahha!” Unable to hold it in any longer, Translucent fell to the ground in a fit of giggles and laughter, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” She pounded her hoof against the ground as she laughed, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to make fun of-No, wait, Braeburn, come back! I’m sorry! I won’t make fun of your attraction to stallions! No, wait, that came out wrong. Braeburn!”

“Look, I said I was sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you were gay. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, in fact, the Lightbringer was involved with another mare and she’s kinda been my inspiration. See? I’m not against you being gay Braeburn.”

Pinching the ridge of his eyes, Braeburn looked at Translucent and sighed, “Ah’m not gay.”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that.” Translucent said quickly.

“Ugggghhhh….” He groaned.

They were sitting at a table in Nelson’s local watering hole, which was, in fact, a literal watering hole. The two of them sat on chairs that seemed to barely held their weight, rust and grime covering the tabletop, it seemed that nopony in 202 years had bothered to clean them off. Around them, ponies of all sorts moved about, chatting about their own adventures in the Vanhoover pocket, or simply griping about whatever was going in their lives. Nearby was a small shack which had a working oven and bar being worked by a mare and, out of all things, a male Gryphon. It was titled, somewhat uncreatively, “The Watering Hole.” All in all, it served as a low tier restaurant, but Braeburn suspected it might as well have been their own little slice of heaven.

Speaking of which…

“Here you two are, one Sparkle Cola and Instamash for the good looking mare, and one serving of Pork ’n Beans for the gay Stable Dweller.” Rail Spike said, heft a tray of food on his back and approaching the two.

“Thank you kindly.” Translucent quipped, levitating the food off the tray and letting it rest on the table.

“Don’t mention it.” Rail Spike shrugged nonchalantly, “Consider it my “thank you for keeping me breathing” gift.”

“Ah still ain’t gay.” Braeburn huffed, crossing his arms.

“I know, just like ribbing ya.” Rail grinned.

Rolling his eyes but grinning slightly, Braeburn turned his attention to the food in front of him. Recoiling slightly in disgust, he pushed the can away with his metal finger.

“It’s not that bad Braeburn.” Translucent murmured, “Just give it a try.”

“I have a fork if you need it.” Rail Spike offered, the aforementioned utensil in his mouth.

Braeburn shook his head, “No, ah’ll...give it a try.” Gulping, he poked the can as if it was waiting for a chance to attack him, looking at Translucent, he gave her a nervous smile, “Gotta...get with the times, right?”

“Sure, the times, yeah.” Translucent agreed, “Now eat it already.”

“Uh…” Braeburn looked to Rail Spike, “How many Bits was this?”

“Bits?” Rail Spike’s brow scrunched in thought, “Oh, you mean those shiny coins? Yeah, those aren’t worth anything anymore. We use Caps now.”

“Caps?” Braeburn asked.

“You know, soda caps.” Rail said.

“....Yer serious.”

Rail Spike shrugged, “Hey, I don’t make the rules pal, I just extort them.”

“Speaking of Caps,” Translucent spoke up, “I’ve got an assault rifle to sell, know any place where I can get some caps for it?”

“Try Joe’s, just look for the big shack with a store out front.” Rail supplied, “He’s always looking for new things to buy.”

“Hm,” She turned to Braeburn, “I take it you want to keep your revolver, anything else you want to sell?”

Braeburn thought for a moment, “Nothing ah can think of.”

“You sure? Nothing at all?” Translucent asked again, her eyes flicking to his left hoof.

“Ah’m not giving up my Pipbuck.” He said sternly, glaring at the unicorn, “Ya’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead-”

“I wasn’t saying that!” Translucent held up her hooves, “I mean, doesn’t that thing have inventory on it? I thought you could check!”

Blinking, Braeburn remembered that his Pipbuck did have that particular function. Lowering his head, Braeburn looked at Translucent apologetically, “Sorry ‘bout that. Still a little testy ‘bout...every gosh darn thing.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She waved her hoof, “If you weren’t, y’know, you, I’d be a bit more worried if you did just bounce back right away from...whatever it is you went through.”

“Hm….Now that you two are all settled,” Rail Spike began, “I don’t suppose you two are looking for work?”

“Does it pay?” Translucent asked.

“That it does.”

“Then I’m looking.” She affirmed.

Rail Spike looked to Braeburn, raising an eyebrow.

“Ah suppose ah’m lookin’ too.” He shrugged.

Rail Spike smiled, “Good. Here at Nelson, we have to make do with what we have, more often than not scavenging whatever we can. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Sir Rail Spike, how? You have particularly everything you need here!”

“Sir?” Translucent snorted.

Ignoring her, Rail Spike continued on his trade, “Well, I’ll tell you sweet child, that we make what we can here, that being food, buildings, and other such things that don’t require fancy materials to work with. But, in order to supply such five star restaurants as this one,” He flashed a ghoulish smile to the waitress who was working the bar, who rolled her eyes and went back to work. Ignoring the fearsome scowl the Gryphon was sending him, Rail Spike continued, “We need to find places that can offer us the bare necessities.”

“So, basically, you want us to scout out place where you guys can loot it.” Translucent summed up.

“In a nutshell, yes.” Rail Spike agreed, “Fair warning, it may not go so well. You two saw what happened earlier today.”

The unicorn shrugged, “We saw.”

“Where do ya want to loot?” Braeburn asked.

“Just a market down the street.” Rail Spike said, “Used to be a shopping mall, if I’m reading the signs right, but now days it’s called “The Hey-Barrel. It’s about a mile south of here, but I have a map...”

As Rail Spike fished around in his bag, a Pipbuck animation of all things appeared in the corner of Braeburn’s vision as Rail Spike finished speaking, causing him to sputter in surprise, “What the?” Watching it, Braeburn spared a look at his Pipbuck in confusion, it was the image of a young, green looking colt dressed in a Stable suit was heading towards an abandoned building with a unicorn wearing a heavy cloak in tow.

“What’s up BB?” Translucent asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Just...getting used to this darn thing.” Braeburn said, holding up his arm, “It keeps showing this weird animation in front of my face.”

“Hm,” Translucent looked at the Pipbuck, pondering over what he said, “You really have a strange Pipbuck, you know that?”

“Looks like it.” Braeburn agreed.

“Anyway, that thing has a map it, right?” Rail Spike asked, to which Braeburn nodded, “Then I guess you two are all set.”

“Whoa, hold on, what about pay?” Translucent began, “We aren’t doing this for free.”

“I’m not surprised there miss.” Rail Spike admitted, “100 caps.”

Translucent’s eyes narrowed, “200.”

“150.”

“Deal.”

“Ah’m not interested in the caps, but ah am looking for a few ponies.” Braeburn spoke up, “My old squad mates, they were in the Stable with me. If ah help ya with this, can ya tell me where ah might be able to find em?”

Rail Spike shrugged, “Can’t say I’ll rightfully able to help you there, but I can give you a bit of information that might help.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a place, deep in Vanhoover, called the Tree Fort, home of the Everfree Masons.” Rail Spike said, “I don’t really go there myself, but there’s lots of traders and whatnot there, your friends might have gone there.”

“Everfree Masons?’ Braeburn rubbed his head, “Like the Everfree Forest that’s near Ponyville?”

“I think that place has become ever worse.” Translucent said.

“Ah find that hard to believe.” Braeburn remarked.

“Oh, no, it’s become a death trap.” Translucent argued, a dead serious tone to her voice, “Don’t ever go there. I’m not kidding.”

Slightly confused but understanding nonetheless, Braeburn stood up, “Well then, ah suppose we’d better get going, right Lucent?”

Standing up, Translucent nodded, “Of course-Wait.” She peered down at the table, “Braeburn, you didn’t eat your food.”

Braeburn smiled nervously, his eyes darting to the pork n’ beans, “Ah’m just not feeling very hungry, that’s all.”

Translucent looked at him for a few seconds, then snapped, “Eat the damn food already!”

“Ah….Ah….It’s Gryphon food!” Braeburn shrieked.

“The hell is wrong with Gryphon food?!”

“They’re mercenaries!”

“Some of them, yes! But newsflash, that’s kinda a common occupation nowadays!”

“Y….Yer an occupation!”

“What does that even….wait….Are you calling me a whore?!”

“Ah didn’t say that!”

“Were you thinking it?!”

“......No.”

“....Okay, you have five seconds to start running.” From out of her saddlebag, Translucent levitated her shotgun into firing position.

Taking a step back and raising his hooves in defense, Braeburn gulped, “Now Miss Lucent…”

“One thousand...two thousand…”

Seeing that talking was useless, Braeburn promptly turned tail and ran, his metallic feet clanging all the way as Translucent sprinted after him, screaming obscenities at him as she did.

Rail Spike, left all alone at the table, sighed, and rubbed his decaying head, “Young’ns these days…” Looking at the discarded food, Rail Spike shook his head and shrugged, “Oh well, more for me.” Picking open the can of beans, Rail Spike dug in.

“Ah said ah was sorry.”

“Sorry don’t mean squat. You are now my pack mule to the third power until I decide otherwise.”

“...Don’tcha mean to the second?”

“No.”

Braeburn rubbed his head on the spot where the bruise was starting to form in the shape of a hoof print, wincing as the pain flared up again, the farmer glared evenly at Translucent's turned back. That was the conversation they had shared after Translucent caught up to the feeling Braeburn and knocked him upside the head. She was currently bargaining over the sale of their assault rifle and other materials at this “Joe’s shack,” idly Braeburn wondered if he was related to that Donut Joe he kept hearing about way back when, but dismissed it as ludicrous.

If the yells of frustration were anything to go by, it wasn’t going well.

“182 caps! Are you kidding me?!”

“Hey, look honey, I don’t make the rules, I just sell em.”

With one last cry of frustration, Translucent slammed the door behind her as she walked out of the store, muttering various curses under her breath, she grunted at Braeburn, who was leaning against the wall, “Stupid asshole apparently doesn’t understand an Assault rifles are worth 300 caps, not 200.”

“What makes ya say that?” Braeburn asked.

“Usually something’s value is determined by it’s condition.” Translucent explained, floating the weapon into view, “This one’s holding up pretty well, even more than I’d thought it be.” Lowering her head in frustration, she sighed, “Stupid idiot, if only I had a Pip….” She glanced at the device on Braeburn’s arm.

Then face-hoofed.

“Oh, duh.” Braeburn opened his mouth to speak, but gunmetal shoved into face cut off his line of thought, “Here, hold this and look it up in your Pipbuck, tell me how much it’s worth.”

Braeburn blinked in confusion, but did as he was told. Grasping the firearm in his metal fingers, he hefted it, only to pause in thought, as something in his brain had clicked as he looked over the rifle. He wouldn’t be able to use this, he realized. It was made for a battle saddle, and the way he stood now, the way he walked around, unless he wanted to perform a one pony three-gun salute, he’d be firing straight upwards.

And unless he wanted to stick his rump into the air like before, he was stuck using pistols and other mouth weapons.

“Braeburn, you there?” Translucent voice dragged him back to reality, snapping awake, Braeburn glanced at his Pipbuck’s inventory.

“Yeah, sorry bout that…..What am ah’m looking for?” He asked.

“The status bar.”

“The what now?”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “That little green bar at the bottom.”

“Ah don’t see it.”

“Look, at you looking at the weapons?”

“Yep.”

“Are you on the assault rifle?”

“Eeyup.”

“Then you should see a small bar with part of it filled in, how much of it is?”

“There isn’t.”

“....Okay, lemme see.”

Lifting up his Pipbuck for Translucent, the unicorn squinted at the screen. Opening her mouth to speak, then shutting it, opening it again, before finally shutting it with a click, she could only say, “Huh.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s no….what.” Grabbing Braeburn’s arm in a magical grasp, she pulled the Pipbuck closer, and by proxy, Braeburn, closer so she could see the screen better, “Data, inventory, weapons, appeal, misc, junk, notes, quests, a wow, this thing really is different from the others.”

“Big Bang called this a mark five, does that help ya at all?” Braeburn asked, his voice strained from standing in a such a way that most acrobats would wince.

“Not even a little.” Releasing her magical grasp and ignoring Braeburn’s squeal of fright as he fell to the ground, she sighed, “Great, so the weapon value is lower here than in the Equestria Heartland, that means we won’t be able to make enough unless we sell in bulk, or we stumble across...I dunno, power armor….”

“Begging your pardon, but do ya mean like a Steel Ranger?” Braeburn asked from the ground.

“Or the Enclave.” Translucent shrugged, “Either one, really.”

“The Enclave?” Braeburn repeated, “Ah’m afraid ah don’t know what that is.”

“Oh, it’s...Hm.” Translucent rubbed her chin, “It’s kinda long story, come on, let’s go to the Hey Barrel, I’ll explain on the way.”

“Alrighty then.”

As they walked through the town of Nelson, Braeburn took the time to actually look at the town from the inside. It was actually a tad bit smaller then he thought it'd be, but it seemed to be a working settlement, all around he saw ponies hard at work, some of them were farming crops, others were scavenging water out of an old rusty pump, and some were doing what they could to repair the broken buildings, if they weren’t, then they were tearing them down for scrap, if it wasn’t for the wall all around them, Braeburn might have mistaken this place for a genuine farm.

If it wasn’t for the wall.

“Are things….is everywhere like this?” Braeburn asked.

“Maybe.” Translucent said, “It’s a bit different in the heartland, so I can’t tell you that much about this region.”

Braeburn glanced at her, “How come?”

“I’m new here too, remember?” Translucent said, “I had to get around the mountains, it was hard, but here I am.”

“Is that why you're wearing that cloak?”

“Sure.” Translucent shrugged.

“Anyway, about this here Enclave, what were ya talking about?” Braeburn asked.

“The Enclave, or Grand Pegasus Enclave, was, or is, not really sure which nowadays, is a faction composed entirely of pegasi.” Translucent answered, glancing upwards, she nodded towards the clouds, “They used to have a large cloud layer over all of Equestria, though, as I said before, I don’t think Vanhoover ever had one, I don’t know why though.”

Braeburn blinked, “Cloud layer? Ya mean they covered up the sky?”

“The pegasi needed farm-land and they could move clouds about, do the math.”

“But...couldn’t they have just asked some of the earth ponies to-”

“They couldn’t,” Translucent said sharply, “They forbid anypony from going to the surface. For better or worse, they were afraid of what was happening on the ground and didn’t want anypony going to or fro. Any Pegasi that were left on the ground were cut off and if they tried to simply fly up? Lightning bolt to the face. And, well, the unicorns and earth ponies weren’t in the best of shape. Long story short? Lots of shit happened.”

Braeburn was silent, digesting this new information with frown on his muzzle.

Pausing in thought, Translucent placed a hoof to her chin, “But, to be fair, I hear that it was mostly just the higher ups, most of the common folk weren’t even aware of what was happening.”

Sighing, Braeburn crossed his arms and walked away, “Is there one thing in this world that ain’t screwed up?” He mumbled.

Trailing behind him, Translucent sighed, “A few things, actually…” She said to herself.

The mood was hostile now as they headed towards the town’s exit. Nodding to Duct Tape in greeting as the approached, he trotted up to them with an easy smile on his face.

“Hey there, you two heading out so soon?” He asked.

“Rail Spike wants us to clean out some mall,” Braeburn said, “Ah don’t suppose ya’ve got any advice?”

Duct Tape grinned, “Don’t let any ferals get at your face, it’s too pretty.”

Rubbing his face to help ease the pain, Braeburn groaned, “Ah meant real advice.”

“No, really, don’t let a feral get at your face.” Tape said, looking a tad bit more serious this time, “Ghouls tend to leave infected wounds, not pretty.”

“If they’re anything like Zebras, ah can handle it.” Braeburn said, rolling his eyes.

“Don’t know much about Zebras, but you shouldn’t underestimate them.” Duct Tape warned, then his face shot up, as if remembering something, “Oh, speaking of, if you see a strange looking pony out there, could ya let him know that his parents are looking for him? Goes by the name of Glenn.”

Braeburn tilted his head, “Glenn? That short fer something?”

“Yep, but don’t worry, you’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em. He’s not the kind you can mistake.” Duct Tape said.

Sharing a look with Translucent, Braeburn nodded, “We’ll keep a look out.”

“Thanks you two, keep an eye out for any glints.” His horn glowing alight, the Nelson’s gate opened slowly, and the two wanderers stepped back out into the world.

As they walked southwards, Braeburn’s Pipbuck guiding the way, they settled into an amiable silence, Translucent’s heavy cloak blowing slightly in the wind as they walked down a lonely dirt road with only the sound of Braeburn’s radio broke the silence. The song being played was something Braeburn recognized as being one of Sweetie Bell’s, a somewhat lonely song about being only able to meet one loved one’s after many hardships and pain, despite all of that though, there was a current of hope throughout the song. But, as the song reached it’s finale, it ended on a somewhat sad note, with the singer calling out to their lover as if they were being pulled out of reach.

So, yeah, good travelling music.

“Uh, that was Sweetie Bell’s “Hope’s Sombra” Gotta say, I don’t really know what that was about so uh...here’s some news!”

Sharing a look with Translucent, the two of them stopped in their tracks to listen to this newscast, the broadcaster had a very light voice, so much so it was hard to tell if it was a mare or not, “I’ve got reports of an away Adept team gone missing, the commander’s younger sister, Cinquedea, was with them, if anypony sees them, be sure to give em a hoof. If, you know, you want to, that is.”

“Anyway, there’s been a...rumor? I guess, about that shockwave we felt two years back, and that bright circle we saw in the sky, some ponies think that it was Celestia herself coming back, I don’t think so. The only trade the Cup gets is from way across the coast with Las Pegasus, and that’s uh, months apart each time…..Oh yeah! The Dragoons are up to their old antics again, so if you’re a part of the Polka gang, keep an eye out, I don’t mean to be….mean, but those guys can be jerks, don’t wanna get skewered with a pole cue after all. This is Coloratra….Coloratura! Signing off with….Rocket 69!”

With a new song being played, Translucent made a bemused smile, “I guess every wasteland has a DJ.”

Braeburn frowned, a pang of guilt piercing his heart, “Cinquedea? Ah think that was the name of that pegasus mare we met.”

“The one who shot at us?” Translucent asked.

“Er-”

“The one that seemed to be prejudiced against Ghouls?”

“Now, to be fair-”

“The one, if I recall correctly, threatened to shoot you in the knees?”

Braeburn narrowed his eyes, “All right, ya made the point.”

“Good,” Translucent nodded, satisfied with her victory, “Now, about this Coloratura, does she...he, sound familiar?”

“Ah heard of the name Coloratura before,” Braeburn admitted, “Used to go by Countess Coloratura, if’s ah remember correctly, she was pretty dang popular ‘fore the war, then Sweetie Bell took over the spotlight awful quick.”

“She’s probably using the name as a hoof-me-down.” Translucent mused, “Another DJ back in the Heartland did the same.”

Braeburn raised an eyebrow as they started walking, “Which one?”

“DJ-PON3, from what I hear, she’s holed up in Tenpony Tower’s top floor.”

Crossing his arms, Braeburn tilted his head, “That’s Arcane Ministry's Manehattan building, right?”

“Yep, actually kinda nice, if you can get in.” Translucent nodded.

“What’cha mean?”

“Tenpony’s got some pretty strict entry and residence laws, mostly because of the raiders that live around there.” Translucent explained, “And the ghouls, those too.”

Braeburn thought about that, recycling what he knew about the tower in his head, he once heard Twilight mention, in passing, that they were designed with some kind of protective shields…..Actually, what happened to Twilight? And Applejack? What happened to the rest of the Ministry mares?

The quickly growing cynical part of him said they were dead, 200 years tended to do that to ponies.

Ah’m still alive. His brain pointed out.

That don’t mean a damn thing, sides, ya think Fluttershy could’ve survived the bombs? The cynic shot back.

She might have, ah survived ‘fter all.

We got lucky.

Ah got lucky.

Keep telling yourself that, boy.

Boy? Ah’m thirty-five!

Uh-huh.

Ah can’t believe ah’m arguing with myself...

You’re not.

What in tarnation are ya talking about?

Braeburn, do ya really think…. “That you’re alone in your head?”

Braeburn stopped in his tracks, that voice, it was way too damn close, it was particularly on his shoulder. Double checking his sides, cold sweat dripped down his brow, “What….” That voice, not again….” Silver-Star?”

“Braeburn? Are you alright? You’re staring off into space, again.”

Fixing his attention back to the mare with the purple shade, he blinked, as if remembering he had company, “Uh, yep.”

“You sure?”

“Ah’m fine.”

“If you say so.” With nothing more to say, Translucent trotted ahead, but as she did, Braeburn couldn’t help but think of just how familiar her coat color was….Where had he seen that shade of purple before?

Oh yeah, Twilight Sparkle, Translucent had the same shade as she did. Huh, what a coincidence….

Shoving the last cartridge into the double barrel, Braeburn barely saw the lunge towards his head by a feral ghoul, ducking out of the way and falling on his back due to a misstep into a grocery aisle, he brought up the shotgun to bare just in time as the ghoul made a flying lead for his head. Pulling the trigger just in time, Braeburn promptly received a gore shower of radioactive blood and guts.

“Burn! You okay?!” Translucent called over the roar of battle.

“Brafgh!” Braeburn responded smartly.

“I’ll take that as a yes!”

Wiping a bit of flesh off his face and sputtering out some vulgarities, Braeburn picked himself off the ground and looked around, his vision showing three more blips on the compass, “We got three more of those varmints!” He shouted out.

“Good to know!” Coming into his line of sight with a big grin on her face, Translucent held up the gryphon revolver in a magical hold, “Here, you might need this.”

Discarding the double barrel and accepting the revolver with an open hoof, Braeburn panicked when Translucent tossed the revolver to him. Flumbing to catch it with his metal fingers, he breathed a sigh of relief as it came to rest in his hooves, “Don’t do that!” He shouted.

“What? You caught it.” Translucent replied, grinning, “Come on! Let’s go find some more ghouls, this is like hunting!” As she trotted out of view, Braeburn rolled his eyes.

“Glad one of us is having fun.” He mumbled, taking a step forward, Braeburn found his progress halted when he felt something crawl up his coat. Glancing down at his leg, he saw a leather belt wrapped around his prosthetic. Leaning down and lifting his foot up, Braeburn held the belt in his hand, looking it over. Setting the revolver down on a nearby shelf, Braeburn tugged on it slightly, to which he found the belt restrained by a piece of pony meat. Trying to keep his food inside his stomach, Braeburn pulled harder, freeing the belt from the gore in a splatter of blood.

Needless to say, some of it landed on his face.

Shuddering, he wiped it off with a metal finger and re-examined the belt, judging by the length, it would fit around his waist comfortably. Why would a Ghoul have one on it was beyond Braeburn, but at this point, he didn’t care.

Fitting it around his sides, Braeburn took his .10 mm’s chest holster and began to jury rig it so would fit on his waist, rather than his chest. He didn’t know why he did, but it seemed...right, if that made any sense.

“Yo Brae-Brae, what’s the hold up?” Translucent’s voice called over, momentarily distracting Braeburn from his work.

“Ah’ll be there soon!” He called back. After a few minutes of scrambling to finish his work, Braeburn nodded in satisfaction as the holster nested snugly on his leg.

“There we go…” He said to himself, grabbing his revolver off the shelf and storing it in the freshly made holster. Placing the 10mm in his mouth, Braeburn headed to where Translucent’s voice came from, and headed into the Hay-barrel.

Level up!

Gunslinger, rank 1! Appleloosa will always be your home, non-automatic pistols now do 20% more damage!

See you around, Stable Dweller.

Chains

If there was one thing Braeburn was starting to learn about The Hoove, and, by proxy, what remained of Equestria, it was that it really didn’t skip out on the interior decor.

As Braeburn and Translucent walked along the marble pathway of the Heybarrel, they had been greeted with sights that made Braeburn want to throw up again. He saw spikes with ponies heads on them as they walked on the ground floor, some of them decaying, others still fresh. Slumped over skeletons were on the benches and chairs, some of them holding each other, others were strown about, either trying to reach loved ones, or trying to make it to safety. Wooden barricades were planted over some of the stores, a last ditch defense against the Balefire, or maybe just a place where ponies would be able to lay their heads without fear of death.

Judging by the numbers of bodies in them, it didn’t work out.

What was really disconcerting though was the way Translucent seemed to be completely okay with the sight of it all, she merely went about looting and stealing whatever she could, whenever she could. Nonplussed by the gore, she was casually tossing bodies out of the way if they were holding onto something good. She was finding a lot of useful stuff, but at the same time, it really unnerved Braeburn with the way she was going about this, as if this was nothing more than spring cleaning for her. They had stumbled upon a few of the ghouls they were supposed to clear out, but a few well-placed bullets later, they had bit the dust too. Along the way, with ammo at an all-time low, Braeburn had picked up a lead pipe, courtesy of some ghoul who had it impaled through the chest. It was somewhat strange to hold it in his hooves, grasping it with his metal fingers, but he was getting used to it, kinda.

Okay, not really, the shock of it all was still firmly rooted in his horned head.

Giving it a practice swing, Braeburn sighed as it came to a rest in his palm, the cold metal resting against the inside of his hooves provided no comfort.

“Something the matter?” Translucent asked, looking over her shoulder.

“Just….still trying to get used to these darn things.” Braeburn admitted.

Looking at his fingers, Translucent tilted her head, “Yeah, what’s it like? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Flexing his fingers, Braeburn cringed at the feeling as the metal touched his hoof, “It’s...hard to say. Ah can’t feel with ‘em, and ah have to look down to see what ah’m holding. Same with these...things.” Lifting his knee to show his metal foot, Braeburn made one of the flaps...well, flap.

“Do they hurt?”

Braeburn shook his head, “Nah, just...they’re rightfully heavy, is all.”

“Speaking of those things,” She gestured to the insides of Braeburn’s metal foot, “I’m thinking you should find something to cover up the insides, don’t want something falling in there and breaking something.”

Braeburn nodded in agreement, but raised an eyebrow, “Where do ya reckon we can find something like that?”

Translucent shrugged, “Eh, probably in one of these old stores, there’s bound to be something in one of them.”

“That sounds….nice.” Braeburn muttered.

“....You okay there Burn?” Translucent asked with a worried look on her face.

“.....No.”

“.........You wanna talk about it?”

“....No.”

The awkward silence that followed filled the empty mall, unsure of what to say, or if she should say anything at all, Translucent kept her mouth shut as they walked along the old, broken pathway. As they walked, Braeburn tried to ignore a certain feeling welling up in his gut. It was a mix of anger and sadness, hatred and fear. It had been growing in him ever since he left the Stable, gnawing at him, worming into the black matter of his brain, he had hoped that the feeling would simply go away, but, it was becoming increasing apparent that would not be the case.

He was hoping, in the back of his mind, that he was trapped in a nightmare, in some dream he couldn’t wake up from.

But the purple unicorn beside him bumped him on the shoulder, and the thought was dismissed.

“Burn, you there?” She asked.

“Ah’m here.” He said, then added under his breath, “Barely.”

“There’s an employee stairwell over there,” She gestured to a fragile looking door in the corner of the mall, “I figure we should see where it goes, gotta make sure we clear this place out for Spike and all.”

Giving it a moment’s thought, Braeburn nodded, “Alright, lead the way.”

As it turns out, the entrance Translucent had pointed out had lead them into the underground of the mall, down into the depths where a very distinct, and familiar smell lingered in the air.

Needless to say, it was shit, literally.

“Ewwww.” Translucent groaned, stepping around a pile of mush that seemed to be glowing and into a dark and musty corridor.

Holding up his Pipbuck and checking the map, “Ah think we wandered into the sewer system.” Fiddling with the dials, Braeburn squinted at the green screen, “Yep, says here: Heybarrel sewerage.”

“That explains the smell.” Translucent grumbled, peering into the darkness as she did, “Hey, that thing got a light on it?”

Spending a few minutes playing with the Pipbuck, Braeburn, after many trials and errors, finally managed to turn on the light function. As the environment around them became awashed in green, Translucent looked around the seemingly empty and long corridor, then nodded decisively, “Alright, we’ve seen it all, let’s go back.”

“...We just got here.” Braeburn pointed out.

“And we saw all we needed to see!” With a wave of her hoof, Translucent grinned, “Come on, let’s go back upstairs! There could be more ghouls on the second floor, and we gotta find some coverings for your legs! Can’t find those down here!”

“Just lemme look around some,” Braeburn said, “Ah think them Ghouls might be spawning from down here.”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “They’re feral ponies Burn, not magical constructs that just suddenly show up out of nowhere for a convenient enemy to fight. Besides, ever heard of the saying, “Curiosity killed the Brahmin.”

“What’s a-”

“Mutated cow.” Translucent said sharply, fidgeting in place, “Remind me to give you the full lecture later on the fauna of the Wasteland.”

“...Are ya afraid of the underground?” Braeburn asked.

“...Let’s just say I don’t like tight spaces very much.” Translucent muttered, “Listen, can we just go? I’d rather not be down here longer than I have to be.”

“Well, go on up if ya like, ah’m gonna stay down here for a bit and take a look around.” Lifting his arm up, Braeburn held the glowing Pipbuck up for Translucent to see. “Don’t worry bout me none, ah ain’t getting lost with this thing on my arm.”

Without waiting for a reply, Braeburn turned and started walking, he only made it a few steps before Translucent popped up beside him, grumbling something under her breath.

“Ah thought ya didn’t like tight spaces.” Braeburn said.

“I don’t.” Translucent muttered, “But I don’t like leaving my pack mule to wander about on it’s own, so I’m coming along.”

“Ya know, ah don’t think we ever properly agreed on me lunging around all yer stuff.” Braeburn pointed out.

“Oh, well….Shake on it?” Translucent suggested weakly, to her surprise, Braeburn just nodded

“Sounds good ta me.” Spitting into his hoof and holding it out, Braeburn looked at Translucent, clearly expecting her to take it.

Looking at it in confusion, Translucent tilted her head, “Errrmmm…..A spitshake, right?”

Braeburn grinned, “That’s right.”

“....For the Goddess.” Spitting into her own hoof, Translucent took Braeburn’s into her own and gave it a firm shake. Inwardly cringing at the feeling of slime on her coat, the unicorn forced a grin at Braeburn.

“And that right there’s an Appaloosa deal.” Braeburn said, a smile on his own face, “Second only to a Pinkie Promise in terms of seriousness.”

“What’s a Pinkie Promise?” Translucent asked.

“It’s something ya have to keep forever.”

In the deepest, darkest, reaches of their souls, places where both Braeburn and Translucent had never explored, or ever even knew of, they both heard one word being spoken to them, as clear as day and as loud as a bell: “Forever!”

“.....” The two of them were silent, an eerie feeling of dread creeping into their souls before Braeburn finally managed to speak up, “Didja hear that?”

Translucent nodded, cold drops of sweat going down her face, “...I did.”

“Oh, good.” Braeburn wiped the sweat off his brow, “Ah thought ah was hearing voices again.”

“....You’ve been hearing voices?” Translucent asked

“....Er, Ah….Ah don’t want to talk about it.” Turning around, Braeburn headed deeper into the labyrinth of tunnels and left Translucent behind him as he did.

“Trust is a two way street Braeburn…” The unicorn muttered, “Guess that’s something we both need to work on…”

As they traversed through the dark and smelly sewer system, it was becoming increasingly their search for any Ghouls was made all the more difficult by the fact Braeburn’s Pipbuck failed to supply a tracker this time, meaning they were more or less walking around blind. The only saving grace was the fact that every time they either went too far, or go through the wrong door, Braeburn would suddenly receive another blip on his radar, and they would start backtracking. The sad part was though, they seemed to be forced to stay in the general area, and that area was filled to the brim with more walking hazards then you could shake a stick at.

Ducking under one of the pipes, Braeburn was once again reminded of the horns located on his head were more of a hindrance than a boon as they clanged against a pair of low hanging pipes, throwing his head back as they did.

“When ah find the pony who put these rotten things on me…” Braeburn grumbled with a wince.

Rolling her eyes and lighting up the area with her horn, Translucent glanced around at the area they found themselves in, “Well, either we found either the world’s first underground arena, or we stumbled into a leftover movie set.”

Looking around, Braeburn had to admit, that thought wasn’t far off. The setting around them was like one of those old gladiator movies he heard about before the war fully kicked into high gear, the area was surprisingly large, large enough in fact, that it seemed to poke through the deteriorating ceiling and allow sunlight to bleed in. In the center of the room was a circular arena with various objects scattered about, broken beer bottles, empty oil barrels, and stands for sitting on. As he scanned the area, a thought struck him, turning to Translucent, Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “How do ya know what a movie is?”

Translucent snorted, “Please, I read.”

Before Braeburn could question her further, the sudden sound of shifting metal caught their attention, flicking her light off, Translucent motioned for Braeburn to follow her into the shadows in the corner of the room. Turning his own Pipbuck’s light, Braeburn joined her, quietly crouching behind some barrels. Well, as quietly as he could with his metal hooves creating a heavy “thump” with each step, ignoring the glare Translucent was sending his way, Braeburn watched as two ponies, a large earth pony with a yellow coat and a thin green unicorn, carried a large sack between. A sack which was kicking and screaming as best it could. The two ponies were dressed in red, or rather, as red as they could, odds and ends were strapped all over. Tires, pipes, pots and pans, whatever a pony could wear, they were wearing it.

“Raiders.” Translucent hissed under her breath, slowly bringing her shotgun up with her hoof.

“Hold on,” Braeburn whispered, “Don’tcha remember what Rail Spike said about those ponies that like red? Ah’m thinkin’ they might be those guys.”

Glancing at him, Translucent’s face scrunched up as she recalled that particular memory. Turning back to the two ponies who had made it to the center of the arena, Translucent shook her head and whispered back, “No, trust me, they’re raiders. See the BDSM gear?”

“How the bloody hell do ya know-” Braeburn’s sentence was cut off as Translucent shoved a hoof against his mouth and hissed.

“Shh!” Directing his attention back to the so called “raiders” at Translucent’s behest, Braeburn raised an eyebrow as the unicorn threw the sack out in front of them and undid the binding rope. From out of the sack emerged one of the stranger sights Braeburn had seen since waking up. There sat a bloody and injured pony, one eye swollen from a recent beating, the other eye tearing up from pain, one wing sprained and broken, the other tied to the side, claws clipped, and a lion’s tail sprayed out.

The “pony” sitting in the bag was a hybrid, the union of two races that produced a mixed result. Looking at the creature, Braeburn realized something. Back in Nelson, there was a Griffon and a pony that worked at the restaurant. The Griffon was protective of that pony when Rail Spike leered at her….were they?

…..Was he?

Whatever he was, the two red grabbed ponies didn’t seem to care, the unicorn levitated a baseball bat in front of him and held it up to the hybrid’s cheek. The top of the bat was covered in barbed wire, and it pricked against the flesh of the hybrid, causing a small amount of blood to be spilled.

“Now listen here,” The earth pony said, his voice a deep baritone and travelling well across the empty space, “It’s gonna work real simple like, me and the boys have got something planned for later, a bit of a get together. See, we got some new guys coming in, and well, we need to see if they’re up to snuff.”

“...W-why me?” The hybrid asked, his voice bloody, “I’m just a courier between our gangs, why are you kidnapping me?!”

The earth pony grinned, “See, the way I figure it, if you can wander ‘round the Hoove without getting yourself killed, you must be pretty strong and useful, so if you can survive these here tryouts, then you can join the Dragoons.”

“But I’m already apart of Polk-”

The earth pony cut him off with a disturbing “Shushush.” Almost...tenderly placing a hoof on the Hybrid’s muzzle, the earth pony smiled, “I know, but there’s no rule that you can’t be apart of two gangs.” To add to the Hybrid’s growing horror, the earth pony leaned in way too close, “Make that, my gangs...Soon enough, that is.” The earth pony added.

Braeburn frowned, those punks needed to be taught a lesson, and the lead pipe on his belt seemed fit for the job. He was about to go over there and pummel them into submission, but a hoof on his shoulder stopped him from delivering righteous justice.

“What are you doing?” Translucent hissed.

“Ah’m gonna do something.” Braeburn whispered back, “Don’t worry, Ah’ll leave ‘em breathing.”

To his confusement, Translucent just shook her head, “No, I mean, don’t be stupid, just shoot them with S.A.T.S.”

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “S.A.T.S?”

“You know,” Translucent waved her hoof, “Your Pipbuck’s targeting system.”

Braeburn stared blankly at her.

“.....Right, well, questions for later.” She mumbled, “Okay, there’s something I gotta know, are you willing to kill?”

Braeburn looked away, his face contorted with thought, but without a word, he hopped over the barrels and approached the two bullies, lead pipe in hand.

Alerted to his presence by the heavy footfalls, the two ponies and hybrid turned to Braeburn. A mix of horror and surprise were written on their faces as he approached.

“Evenin’” Braeburn greeted, resting the lead pipe against his shoulder in a casual manner.

“It’s midday.” The earth pony deadpanned.

“Ah, well, my bad.” Braeburn put on an uneasy smile, the same kind he wore when he first met Little Strongheart, “Ah don’t suppose ya’ll be willing to let that….uh...What’s your name son?” He asked, turning his attention to the injured child.

“G-glenn.” The pony-griffon stuttered.

Glenn? Where had he heard that name before…Wait….

“Oh, speaking of, if you see a strange looking pony out there, could ya let him know that his parents are looking for him? Goes by the name of Glenn.”

“Glenn? That short fer something?”

“Yep, but don’t worry, you’ll know ‘em when you see ‘em. He’s not the kind you can mistake.”

Braeburn blinked, coming out of the memory to find that the earth pony had moved up closer to him while he had been distracted.

“What the hell happened to you?” The earth pony asked, looking at his metal feet, “What, you lose a fight with a Hellhound?”

Braeburn stared blankly at the earth pony, trying to figure out what in Equestria a Hellhound was. Was it some kinda gang? Shaking his head to clear away the wayward thoughts, he gestured the kid, “Listen, ah’m hoping that you’ll be kind enough to hand that youngster over ta me.”

“Why?” The earth pony sneered, a disgusting and lewd look crossing his face, “You his “owner?”

Braeburn didn’t know what the hell the earth pony met by that, but judging by the face he was making, he didn’t want to know. “Fraid ah don’t know much of what yer talking about, but ah do know his family’s looking for ‘em, and ah’d rather see them returned safe and sound if’n ya’ll don’t mind.”

“You’re mighty brave, I’ll give you that.” The earth pony said, “So I’ll give you a chance, want to join the Dragoons? We’ll be undergoing new management sometime soon, but I assure you that we are one of the more premier factions of the Hoove.”

Dragoons, so these guys were the gang Rail Spike mentioned, what was it Betsy had said about them? “Survival of the fittest,” right? What did that mean? Survival of whoever could run the fastest or something? Lift the most? Farm the most apples?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Braeburn looked the yellow pony square in the eye, “Gonna have to refuse that one.” Braeburn said bluntly, “Seein’ as how ya foalnapped somepony.”

“I prefer to think of it as aggressive recruitment.” The earth pony replied.

“Regardless, ah’m going to have to go with “no.” Now will ya kindly hoof Glenn over?” Braeburn asked, silently shifting his grip on the lead pipe.

“Well, seeing as you refused my offer, I will refuse yours.” The earth pony rebutted.

“Now see…” Braeburn lifted the pipe off his shoulder, “Ah was hoping ya’d say that.”

Before the dumb pony could do anything, his face was introduced to the overhead swing of Braeburn’s lead pipe.

It was a very non-committal relationship, as when the yellow pony stumbled back, bleeding from a forehead wound, Braeburn shoved him aside and charged the thin unicorn, who, in a surprisingly movement of clarity, actually brought up the barbed wire bat to defend himself from Braeburn’s horizontal swing.

Keeping the bat steady in a magical aura, the unicorn knocked the lead pipe aside with deftness that defied his lanky appearance. Swirling the bat around like some kind of buzz saw, the green pony swung the bat at Braeburn’s head in a horizontal arc. Barely bringing the pipe up to defend himself in time, Braeburn winced as the metal pipe brushed against his head, the thin metal unable to completely halt the velocity of the bat’s swing as it flung out of his grasp. Pivoting back on reflex, Braeburn felt a weight on his waist shift around, and mentally chided himself for forgetting that he had two guns on him. Reaching for his revolver, Braeburn managed to bring it bear in front of him.

Just in time for it to be smacked away by the unicorn’s next swing.

“....Well that’s just downright unhelpful.” Braeburn said.

“Never bring a gun to a bat fight.” The unicorn grinned, then swung at Braeburn’s head.

Braeburn brought up his arm to defend himself, only to find the action unneeded. The green pony’s attention was soon diverted to the hybrid that was about to maul his face.

“This is for foalnapping me!” Glenn roared, and threw a punch. It was a weak attack, lacking any real power behind it thanks to the injuries he had accumulated, but it was enough. The thin unicorn stumbled back from the blow, his magical grasp on the bat fading and leaving him wide open.

Needless to say, the unicorn’s was soon full of stars when Braeburn’s curled metal fingers collided against his skull.

As the unicorn tumbled over on the ground and stayed that, Braeburn nodded to Glenn, “Thank ya kindly.”

“Yeah,” Glenn gulped, his breath coming in ragged waves, “no problem.”

Now that he had a better look at the Griffon-pony, Braeburn had to raise an eyebrow. If he were to compare Zecka and Glenn against each other, then he would say that Glenn was definitely the most visually distinct of the two. Due to their similar autonomy and appearance, a zebra-pony hybrid wouldn’t look that different from either of the two races, aside from being slightly taller than the average pony and having stripes covering your body.

Glenn on the other hoof, looked less like a pony per say, and not exactly like a griffon either. For one, he didn’t have a beak.

Actually, he looked more like somepony had decided to see what would happen if you just stuck a pony’s head on a griffin's body and made the entire thing fluffier than usual. So, what would that make him? A Hippogriff? A sphinx?

….Ponygriff?

Well, either way, Glenn was definitely quite young, probably no older than sixteen or seventeen. His mane was appropriately spiked as well, though looking at the faded yellow made Braeburn’s head hurt. His coat color...actually, make that colors, were of two different pigments. His head, aside from his mane, was a shade of brown, but the rest of his body from the neck down was a shade of dark teal. His one good blue eye was looking at Braeburn in a manner that reeked of pure exhaustion. In fact, he looked ready to fall over just from standing upright.

“Are ya alright?” Braeburn asked.

“I’m...fine….” Glenn said, gasping for breath and clutching his chest, “Who….are you?”

“Ah’m Braeburn and ah-”

“Are SO dead!”

Turning around at the sound of the voice, the earth pony who had taken the head wound managed to get to his hooves and pull out a small pistol from somewhere on his body. It was held in a shaky mouth, but pointed at them.

Growling at them with a lot of blood going down his muzzle and onto the floor, the yellow pony looked like a stiff breeze would knock him over. Despite this though, he somehow managed to keep himself up and aiming at the two.

“Stupmid...littlish…” The pony growled out, his voice muffled by the pistol and obviously suffering massive head trauma, “Ah’m gonna-”

His next words were cut off when the discharged of a shotgun echoed throughout the cavern, and a mess of bloody bits fell to the ground in a shower of blood as the earth pony’s head exploded.

“Gee Brae-Brae, what would you do without me?”

From out of the shadows, Translucent appeared, the barrel of her shotgun smoking as she trotted forward. Ejecting the shell, she greeted Glenn with an easy smile, “Ho there, name’s Translucent, I take you’re Glenn?”

“Y-yeaahhhuurrrgggh!”

Translucent winced as Glenn’s stomach decided to relive it’s contents all over Braeburn’s metal feet.

“...Ah don’t suppose ya know what a sponge is, right?” Braeburn asked hopefully.

Translucent just shook her head.

“....Great, let’s just get goin’.”

Rail Spike groaned for what seemed to be the fifth time that day. Nelson was always going to have problems, hell, he couldn’t remember a day in his undead life when he didn’t have some manner of shit to attend to. Some days it was food shortages, some days it was problems with the water purifier, some days it was just trying to keep old Betsy from raiding the drug stash.

Today?

Today he had to deal with just closing the damn gate.

“It’s stuck.” Was Duct Tape’s brilliant diagnosis.

Resisting the urge to beat the unicorn’s head into a bloody pulp, Rail Spike rubbed his head and waited for a response from the unicorn, who just stared back at the Ghoul.

“....Well?!” Rail snapped.

Duct Tape blinked, “Well what?”

“Why is it stuck?!”

“Because the gears are rusty and we need new ones.”

Trying his hardest to not strangle his flippant friend, Rail Spike slowly approached Duct Tape to choke the life out of his neck.

Hey, nopony said he was trying very hard.

His murder attempt was cut off when the signature heavy footfalls of one stallion out of time and his good looking friend appeared around the corner.

Translucent was lugging something behind her in a magical grasp, and Braeburn seemed to be equipped with a few new accessories, the most prominent of which was a right shoulder pad that was made out of leather.

“There you two are.” Rail Spike greeted, walking up to the Braeburn and Translucent as they approached the gates of Nelson. Stopping in front of them, Rail Spike spied the barbed baseball bat poking out behind Braeburn’s shoulder, with Translucent sporting a small pistol resting on her front left leg, “Good to see you made it back, it’s getting late. Did you take care of the ghouls like I asked?”

“About that...” Braeburn said.

Translucent shrugged, “We got a little side tracked.”

Stepping to the side to let Rail Spike see, the ghoulish pony was saw what Translucent was helping along. The limping sight of one hybrid named Glenn, his wings in a cast in bandages and an eye that was recently attended to.

“Shit son, what happened to you?” Rail asked, holding up a decaying hoof to Glenn’s cheek.

“...Dragoons…” Glenn mumbled, “Assholes jumped me.”

“Damn.” Rail Spike breathed, “What happened to them?”

“We knocked one and took his stuff.” Translucent said cheerfully, “We killed the other one and also took his stuff.”

“....Ya’re a regular kleptomaniac, ya know that?” Braeburn said dryly.

“I don’t know what that word means, and I don’t care!” Translucent cheered.

“You two are a regular comedy duo.” Rail Spike observed, feeling that headache increase with every word “Right, well, I take it you two didn’t clear out the ghouls then?”

“We got most of them.” Translucent said, glancing back from where they came, “But if you go there again, keep your guns ready.”

“Noted.” Turning around and looking at the gate, an idea began to worm it’s way into Rail Spike’s radioactive mind. It was a simple plan, but it was risky.

Well, not for him mind you, but for the two newcomers on the other hand…

“Listen, I’ve got another job for you.” Rail Spike said, looking over his shoulder at them, “The gate’s busted, we need another….What do we need Tape?” He asked, looking back at Duct Tape who was currently attending to the fence.

“A few new gears, mostly bevel ones” Duct Tape said, glancing at them, “Preferably non rusty ones by the way!” He added before going back to mending the wood with his magic.

“And why would we do this?” Translucent asked, raising an eyebrow, “In case you haven’t noticed, the sun’s setting, and I’d rather be indoors.”

“I’ll give ya a hundred caps.”

“Deal.”

Braeburn turned to look at her, his face caught in a war between amusement and horror, and it seemed amusement was winning the fight when Translucent fidgeted under his gaze.

“What?” She finally asked.

“Ya’re real fickle, ya know that?” Braeburn grinned.

“Yeah, well, shout it from the rooftops why don’t cha…” She mumbled.

“First chance ah get.” Braeburn reached up to tip his hat, but blinked when he felt nothing in between his hooves. Lowering his hand, Braeburn felt some heat rise to his cheeks before looking away in embarrassment.

Chuckling, Translucent walked by Braeburn, who quickly followed, “Heh, don’t worry, we’ll find you a hat while we’re out. Come on.”

“Ya know where we can find some?” Braeburn asked.

“No, but you do have a map on that Pipbuck of yours, we’ll find something easy.” Translucent said.

“Try the Thoroughbred estate.”

Stopping in their tracks with a confused look on their faces, the two of them stopped and looked to who had spoken.

Holding his one good claw up, Glenn pointed behind over the ridge line, “It’s an old settlement with chain fences everywhere, I’m sure there’ll be a few things there you could salvage.”

“Why hasn’t anypony looted it then?” Translucent asked.

“Because it’s been booby trapped.” Glenn said dryly, “Mines, tripwires, the works. But I know the place like the back of my talons, I can guide you through it.”

“Glenn,” Rail Spike spoke up, “You just got back, you sure you want to be heading out again?”

Glenn lowered his head, clearly lost in thought for a moment before looking directly at Translucent, “Fifty caps.”

Translucent narrowed her eyes, “Come again?”

“You want a guide? Pay me.” Glenn said bluntly, “Fifty.”

Her lips curving into a frown, Translucent glared, “Little runt, what makes you think-”

“Ya know the place?” Braeburn asked, suddenly cutting in.

Glenn nodded, “Yeah.”

“Alright, fifty it is then.” Braeburn glanced at Rail Spike, “Ah take those two at that restaurant are his parents?”

“You mean that pony and griffin? Yeah.” Rail Spike nodded, “Real nice folk, remind me to introduce ya later.”

“Tell ‘em that we found their son, but he’s gonna be out for a bit.” Braeburn said, “Don’t worry none, he’ll be back safe and sound.”

Rail Spike let out a low whinny that honestly sounded more like a beast’s growl then a pony’s, but he closed his eyes and let out a sigh, “Fine, but if he gets hurt again, it’s on you.”

“Ah ain’t expectin’ otherwise.” Placing his hands on his new belt, Braeburn let out a low sigh. He could almost feel Translucent trying to burn a hole in the back of his head with her eyes. Turning around, Braeburn could only give the unicorn a sheepish grin, but that did nothing to alleviate the hellish glare she was sending his way.

“His pay is coming out of your share.” She said bluntly.

“Alright.” Braeburn nodded.

Translucent looked at him for a few seconds, then groaned loudly, “Ugh, stop that.”

Braeburn blinked, “Stop what?”

“Stop that. You’re too polite!” Translucent complained, “Seriously, I’ve been pushing you around ever since I met you! I’ve only heard you swear, like, once! You’re a complete pushover!”

Braeburn titled his head, looking completely confused by her sudden outburst.

After several long seconds of staring, Translucent threw her hooves up in the air, “I give up….Let’s just go….” Walking away with a confused Braeburn in tow, Glenn raised an eyebrow in fasciation.

“Huh, they really are a comedy duo…” He muttered under his breath before hobbling to catch up with them.

As the three of them walked down the dirty and dusty roads, Braeburn felt something poke him on the back of the head. Placing his right hoof to the back of his head, Braeburn cringed as the cold metal of his “fingers” touched his dirty coat. Rubbing the back of his skull, he was once again reminded of the metal “spine” that lingered on him, possibly for the rest of his life. Would there be any way to undo what happened to him? Nightmare Moon came from the….moon, so surely it wouldn’t be impossible to return to normal, like a proud and proper pony.

Heh, “impossible.” If he wanted an example of what’s “impossible” then all he had to do was look at the world around him.

Moving his hoof back into view, Braeburn flexed the four digits to open and close. Open, and close.

Open, and close.

Open, and c-

“What are you doing?”

Looking to his left at the injured Glenn, Braeburn blinked once before shaking his head, “Just trying to get used to these damn things.”

Glenn pursed his lips, looking Braeburn over with his good eye, scrutinizing him. As he did, Braeburn felt a flare of irritation spike up as the hybrid examined him. He wasn’t some display for crying out loud! “If ya’re gonna look me over, at least do it when ah ain’t looking.” He said with more bite than he intended.

Braeburn immediately regretted his words when Glenn seemed to be taken aback by his harsh tone.

“Ah, shoot. Mighty sorry ‘bout that son.” Braeburn said, grumpily, “Ya didn’t deserve to have me bite at ‘cha like that.”

“Ah, no problem.” Glenn shrugged, then winced as he placed his talons to his shoulders.

Feeling a stab of pity at the action, Braeburn dug around in his knapsack and fished around for one of the healing potions Translucent had found.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Translucent spoke up, who was trotting a few feet ahead, “Don’t. Healing potions are better for immediate injures or otherwise major wounds. It’s better to just let his body heal naturally since he's all bandaged up.”

“So that’s why you didn’t give me any earlier….” Glenn grumbled.

A thought occurred to Braeburn, “That reminds me, do ya two think that Hydra could… ya know…” He held up one of his metal feet for emphasis.

Looking back at Braeburn, Translucent shook her head sadly, “Sorry but I wouldn’t recommend it. Since it just...regrows things, it’d probably just grow around whatever you’ve got in you and I can tell just by looking at you B, whatever’s in you wouldn’t mesh well with Hydra.”

“Right…” Braeburn felt his spirits fall as he examined his metal fingers yet again, “Heh, ya know, this reminds of this one mare ah dated back in high school. She was always going on about “hands” and something called “Humens.”

“High school?” Glenn asked, “What’s high….school?”

“Braeburn’s over 200, used to live in the pre-war world.” Translucent said, “Makes you wonder how many “dad jokes” he has saved up, huh?”

A wry grin appeared on Braeburn’s face, “Well, now that ya mention it…”

“Oh, dammit, should’ve kept my mouth shut.” Translucent groaned.

“Wanna know why Yaks have hairy coats? Fur protection.”

Translucent visibly winced, “Stop.”

“What did the pirate say on his 80th birthday? Aye matey!”

“Please stop.” Translucent begged.

“What did the ocean say to the shore? Nothin’, it just waved.”

“Whhhhhhhhyyyyyy?” Translucent looked to the heavens for salvation, and found none, “Why me? What did I do this deserve this pain?”

“What do ya call a fish with no eyes? A fshhh.”

“SOMEPONY PLEASE SAVE ME!” Translucent shirked, “Lightbringer! Take me now! Star Maiden, where are you?! Save me from these Celestia damned jokes!”

“What’s the scariest thing in geometry? A vicious circle!”

“ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!”

Unable to handle any more bad jokes, Translucent wheeled around and tackled Braeburn to the ground, trying to strangle the life out of him with her bare hooves. Braeburn, in turn, just laughed as she did.

Glenn rubbed his head as the two scrambled on the ground, “Yep, definitely a comedy duo.”

Walking past the two, taking care to avoid being caught up in their little scuffle, Glenn spied the top of a nearby hill and slowly made his way up it. His injuries doing him no favors as he progressed upwards. Slowly but surely he made his way up the hill, when he made it to the crest, his eyes, one of the few things given to him by his father, scanned the horizon. Thankfully, he didn’t have to look that far, the Thoroughbred Estate was right in front of him. Well, to call it an “Estate” was a lie, really. It was too far gone for any sort of title to be attached to it, but regardless, it was a three story building that for, the lack of a better term, was falling apart at the seams. As per the Hoove’s standard for decor, windows were boarded, the fence wall was rusty, and the walls, which Glenn imagined were once a healthy shade of green, were now a decaying gray. The wear and tear of the weather doing it’s number on this place, the pool….thing, was filled with radioactive water, and several of the outlying buildings were either about to or have caved in. The most damning thing though was the watch tower set up nearby. What was once a water tower had been turned into a sniper’s nest, the top pop was hollowed out, and a window overlooking the grassy front yard was all too easy to see. The strange thing was though, the sniper’s nest was pointing to the estate, not away from it like a proper guard post should be. As if whoever was up there had to keep watch on whoever was inside.

Shame too, the front yard of the building was prime farmland, completely free of stone and pavement that would prevent a harvest from being created. Nelson had some space, but not enough to actually grow food to maintain a surplus, especially after last winter.

Stupid Adepts….

“Oi Glenn, everything alright?”

Looking behind him, he saw Translucent finished attempting to murder Braeburn, and going by the rub hoof marks on his neck, she gave it a good try. As for the walking fossil himself, he appeared no worse for wear, aside from the horns and freaky metal bits, that is.

“Yeah, just scouting the land.” He replied.

“That the estate?” Braeburn asked.

Glenn nodded, “Yep, from what I can tell, it used to belong to some rich couple before the bombs fell.”

“Have you been here before?” Translucent asked.

“Once or twice, usually by flying by.” Glenn shrugged, then winced as pain shot up again, “I don’t suppose you would pass me one of those healing potions….”

“No.”

“Ah think these types of buildings used to be rented out to fancy rich colts and their marefriends.” Braeburn added, “Ah’ve seen a few of these things ‘fore the war started up. Never went inside any of ‘em myself cause ah never had enough.”

“Yeah, but once all those guns started selling, you made a few good mints huh?” Translucent

“If by that, ya mean bits, then not really.” Braeburn admitted, “The war tax was pretty heavy, hell, ah still haven’t paid off some of my student fees…”

“Oh...Well, at least you don’t have to worry about those anymore!” Translucent grinned weakly, “You know, since taxes don’t matter anymore.”

“Ah guess.” Braeburn smiled, a small, sad, wistful smile, “Ah guess a lot of don’t matter anymore….”

Setting down the hill, Braeburn walked away from the two. Glenn, raising an eyebrow, looked at Translucent, “What’s with him? One second he’s happy, the next...”

The unicorn merely sighed, “Hey, when you lose everything you’ve known and loved, you’re entitled to a few mood swings.”

“Hm, why are you sticking with him then?” Glenn asked bluntly.

“....Come again?”

Glenn rolled his eyes, “Why are you travelling with him? You his lover or something?”

Translucent knew that she had to catch up to Braeburn in order to prevent him from doing something stupid, and therefore, every second counted.

Despite that, she spent a few of them staring at the Ponygriff, trying to process what he had just suggested. When she did, she turned a shade of green, “Oh, oh hell no.” Shaking her head, her face was wrinkled with disgust, “Not in a million years. No offense to him and everything, but I’m really not interested in ponies who have more than one voices in their heads.”

Translucent had to hoof it to the kid, he barely seemed bothered by her reaction, if anything, he just looked bored. Whatever the case, Glenn just pressed on, “Ah, then why?”

“He’s my pack mule.” Translucent replied, “He carries all my stuff.”

“Yet he only has a single bag and a few pockets.” Glenn observed, “While you have…What, that cloak?”

“Enchanted bag.” Translucent shot back, “Real easy spell once you learn how.”

“I saw his hoof….hand, whatever, trying to find a health potion in it.” Glenn returned calmly, “I saw him touch the walls and bottom of the bag, not something an enchanted one would do.”

“Semantics.” Translucent said flatly, “Is there a point to this line of questioning?”

“Just curious, is all.” Glenn replied.

“Curiosity has it’s boundaries.” Translucent said, her voice low, “Didn’t your mother teach you it’s rude to pry?”

“Yes, but my father told me to do so anyway.” Glenn returned, “He’s not what I call, “subtle.”

“Neither are you, apparently.” Turning away from him, Translucent nodded towards the estate, “Come on, we’re paying you so it’s time to earn your keep.”

“Right.”

Going down the hill, it didn’t take very long for the two of them to catch up with the bipedal pony named Braeburn. In fact, he hadn’t made a lot of progress during Translucent’s and Glenn’s brief discussion, only making it past the rickety chain link fence.

“There ya two are, what kept cha?” Braeburn asked.

Translucent motioned to Glenn, “He’s a curious beaver.”

“What’s a beaver?” Glenn asked, but was ignored when Translucent just waved to the yard.

“Anyway, what’s up?” She asked.

“Well, ah tired going into the house...but…” Leaning down and picking up a small rock near his feet, Braeburn tossed it into the air, caught it casually, then chucked it into the yards.

Which then exploded, twice.

“What.” Translucent said, her voice completely deadpan, “What.”

“Mines.” Glenn said, “Huh, that’s new.”

“There weren’t any before?” Braeburn asked.

Scratching his head, Glenn just shrugged, “Yes….I think. I’ve never noticed because I was always flying.”

“And you didn’t mention this before?” Translucent snapped.

“Hey, I said it was booby trapped!” Glenn returned.

“And ya can’t use your wings to just fly across because of your injuries…” Braeburn crossed his arms, “Well, ah suppose we could go around….”

Glenn shook his head, “No dice, there’s no other entrance unless you can fly or jump really high. Or if you can teleport.” He added as an afterthought.

“Shoot.” Braeburn rubbed his head, “Well, we gotta get through anyway, any ideas?”

“Can’t we just disarm the mines?” Translucent asked, looking at Braeburn, “You served, right? Didn’t they teach you how to do that?”

Braeburn shook his head, “Ah, not really. Fancy contraptions were more of Screw’s thing.”

“Screw?” Translucent asked.

“Bolted Screw, one of my old squad mates.” Braeburn explained, “Kind of a jerk, but a good drinking buddy.”

Translucent tilted her head, “Huh, wait, squad mates? You had others?”

“Yep, Zecka, Rightful Oath, Misty Gale, and Bolted Screw.” Braeburn said, “Rightful Oath was the leader but-”

“Not that this isn’t entraining,” Glenn cut in, holding an open palm out, “But it’s starting to rain, we need to get indoors.”

“What?” Translucent raised her eyebrow, “How can you tell?”

Overhead, thunder rumbled.

“That’s how.” Glenn replied.

“Great.” The unicorn groaned, “I freaking hate the rain.”

“Just gives us more reason to move,” Braeburn said, “Now, Translucent, ah don’t suppose you could use your magic to ah, locate the mines?”

“Sorta.” Translucent gazed around the front yard, “I can find ‘em easy with a spell, but it’s not that reliable. It’s more or less just a metal detector spell I made so I could find stuff easier, but it’s wonky. Hell, one time I scanned a wrench two feet in front of me with it and it still wouldn’t work. I think it has about a 30/70 chance of finding a mine.”

“Could ya cast it?” Braeburn asked.

“Give me a sec…” Translucent’s horn pulsed with magic, and soon enough, a small wave of mana flew over the yard, setting various bits of metal alight in a silver glow, but it was sparse. Way too sparse and spread out, only a few things were highlighted in their immediate path, and some of it was the shrapnel from the mine Braeburn blew up earlier. But for some fortune, there was a mine the spell had located. One that was directly in their path and all too easy to see.

“Great.” Translucent groaned, “I could levitate the mine up, but that would set it off. I could also carry Glenn or myself across but...Yeah, you’re too heavy Braeburn.”

“Why not?” Glenn asked.

“Well, his implants add, like, thirty pounds each so-”

“No, I mean, why can’t you just lift up the mine without setting it off?”

“Oh, erm,” Translucent looked away shyly, “I can’t do...uh, delicate.”

Glenn looked confused, “Delicate?”

“When I cast something in telekinesis, I just sorta wrap my magic all over it.” She explained, “It would inadvertently set off the mine. A unicorn with greater telekinesis power than mine would be able to do so easily.”

Glenn tilted his head, “Okay, so why don’t you?”

“....Come again?” Translucent asked.

“Just set it off.” Glenn repeated, “Does it matter who hears it?”

“....I was sorta planning on stealing it, but okay.” Taking a step forward, Translucent’s horn was enveloped in a silver glow. As she did, the mine the scanning spell had located was slowly lifted into the air, it’s single light beeping as the magic surrounding it carried it into the air.

Which then exploded, twice.

“Why is it exploding twice in a row?” Glenn asked.

“Delayed fuse?” Translucent guessed.

“Alright, Lucent, why don’t ya carry Glenn over to the porch so he can tell us if it’s clear or not.” Braeburn said.

“On it.” Translucent turned to Glenn, and smiled a devilish smile.

“....Please be gentle.” He whimpered.

“No promises.”

Before Glenn had a chance to protest, he suddenly found himself be lifted into the air a foot off the ground without his consent. Letting out a squawk of surprise, Glenn threw his arm out, causing him to tumble head over tail in Translucent’s magical grasp.

Wincing as she struggled to maintain her concentration, Translucent glared at the hybrid, “Hey, stop moving around so much! It’s hard enough carrying a living….whatever you are, as is!”

“Well, stop doing such a bad job at it!” Glenn shot back.

“Somepony’s asking to be used as a-”

“Translucent.” Braeburn said calmly.

“Fine fine….” With an irritated groan, Translucent slowly carried the struggling hybrid over to the front porch, where she deposited him with a less than graceful thunk!

“Ya do know his injured, right?” Braeburn asked, leaning over to Translucent.

“Oh yeah.” She grinned.

“Ya’re real mean, ya know that?”

“Ooooooohhh yeah.”

“Hey!” Glenn called over, “You damn near dropped me on a trip wire!”

“Didja die?” Translucent called back.

“No!”

“Then what are you complaining about?”

Glenn looked positively pissed his face turned an interesting shade of red. In return, Translucent gave off the cheekiest of smiles before lifting herself up with magic and carrying herself over to the front porch.

Landing without even losing her stride, Translucent carried on as if nothing happened. Turning around to face Braeburn, the unicorn waved at him while simultaneously ignoring the glaring Glenn.

Two down, one to go.

Braeburn gulped, okay, this wasn’t so bad, he could do this. All he had to do was walk through a yard which was covered with mines, all of which were hidden by the tall grass.

Taking a step forward into the grass, Braeburn closed his eyes and waited. Damn these mechanical feet, he couldn’t feel the earth underneath him! Did he step on a mine? Was he safe?

“....Oh, forget it.”

He couldn’t stand it anymore, throwing caution to the radioactive wind, Braeburn sprinted through the grass as fast as his heavy legs could carry him.

Just a few feet more….

Throwing himself over the last of the grass, Braeburn felt like a pegasus, if only for a moment.

Then fell on his face, right next to Translucent.

“....You okay?” She asked.

“Ah think so….”

“Okay, good, cause Glenn got the door open when you were trying to be all dramatic.”

“Translucent?”

“Yeah?”

“Why couldn’t ya carry me over if ya could lift Glenn and yourself in a row?”

“Oh, I like seeing you squirm from time to time, gotta keep you feeling those emotions after all.”

“....Translucent?”

“Yeah?”

“Ah’m gonna kill ya.”

“Now, see, that’s rage. Rage is an important part of the healing process.”

Off to the side, Glenn rolled his eyes, “Should introduce ‘em to Grif, he’ll get a laugh out of them for sure…”

Shutting the door behind him, Braeburn couldn’t help but blink as he noticed something.

“It’s warm.”

“Well, it is indoors.” Translucent replied.

Well, she wasn’t wrong, for a given value of “indoors,” that is. They were standing on the ground floor of the Thoroughbred Estate, and it looked like somepony had decided to run about the place, knock everything over, wrote “DIE” on the walls with blood, and set up an inordinate number of traps as they did. Bear traps lined the floor, a trip wire was lined up on a staircase’s first step, and set up can chimes everywhere they possibly could.

Aside from that, however, the ground floor was fairly tight, the staircase was to the left hand side and an archway that lead to the only one real “living area” but had multiple rooms alongside the walls that would presumably lead off to the rest of the building. The interior decorating, aside from the blood and traps, was old pre-war wallpaper that was coming off that revealed the rotting wood underneath. A few vases were scattered about, most of them knocked over, but a few were still standing upright.

“Somepony needs a hobby.” Translucent muttered.

Braeburn didn’t bother to comment, his attention was turned to an old photo. Its image was blurred, but still clear enough; it was a picture of a happy colt with the biggest grin on his face as a shiny medal hung from his neck while his dad hugged him from behind, clearly very proud of him.

If this all never happened, if the war never began, would ah have the same chance as this stallion? Would ah ever have a family of my own?

Would Strongheart still be with me?

Oh, sweet Celestia...Strongheart….

“You okay?”

Turning around, Braeburn saw Translucent staring at him with worried eyes.

“Braeburn, you look ready to fall over.” She said, approaching him, “Do you need to sit down?”

“Ah’m fine.” Braeburn said, waving his hand.

“Braeburn, I’m serious, you look like you’re about to have a panic attack.” Translucent said, more firmly this time, “You need to sit down.”

“Ah’m fine.” Without waiting for her to respond, Braeburn gestured to the staircase, “Why don’t ya two go upstairs, salvage what you can. Ah’ll be down here, cleaning this place up.”

“Brae-” Translucent was cut off when a clawed hand grabbed her shoulder from behind. A wordless glance behind her showed Glenn, a stern but heavy expression on his face. Slumping her head down in defeat, Translucent sighed, “Fine, just...don’t do anything stupid, alright?”

“Hey, ah made a promise remember?” Braeburn said, forcing a smile to his face.

“Right right…” Groaning, Translucent cut the trip wire that blocked the stairs with her magic, caught the bag of grenades that fell from overhead in a magical grasp, and casually tossed them out a broken window into the minefield.

Which then exploded, twice.

“Come on…” Walking up the stairs with a startled Glenn in tow, Translucent gave him one last sad glance before disappearing over the wall.

Turning around and letting out the breath he had been holding, Braeburn turned to the assortment of traps, and sighed, “Alright, let’s get this thing started…”

Gently kicking the nearest bear trap with his foot, Braeburn winced as the thing sprung up and slammed shut.

“Right, gotta be careful then…” Going to each and every bear trap that impeded his path, he gently set each one off by picking up one of the discarded vases or other objects that happened to be laying around and placing it on the pressure plate. Though it struck Braeburn as odd that the traps would be set off so easily, he wasn’t complaining. As he progressed through the room, Braeburn kept his mind focused on the task at hoof, he didn’t want to think about anything else, frankly. He really didn’t want to think about….her.

Strongheart.

“Don’t think about it….Just don’t think about it….” He muttered to himself, placing a hand on his aching head and for once, being grateful for the cold metal adoring his hooves.

“But ya are hon, at least, your subconscious is.”

Annnnddd there went any positive feelings he had out the window. Closing his eyes, Braeburn counted in his head, One….two….three….fou-

“Sorry hon, I ain’t going that easy.”

Opening his eyes, Braeburn couldn’t help but groan as the mare with the pale yellow coat and crimson mane trotted up alongside him, completely ignoring the numerous traps scattered about as if they weren’t even there. Hell, for her, they probably weren’t.

He knew who it was, Celestia help him, Braeburn knew this mare.

Cherry Jubilee, former owner of Cherry Hill Ranch.

Turning around, Braeburn put his back to her, and tried to forget she was even there.

“Now Braeburn, why you gotta ignore me like that?” She said, no, no, it said. This wasn’t Cherry Jubilee, Braeburn just had to keep reminded himself of that, this was just some….freaky apparition!

“Because miss Jubilee died a long time ago….” Braeburn muttered under his breath.

“From the bombs? Or from something else hon?”

“.....Go away.” He muttered.

“Fine fine, seeing as how ya don’t want me none, but at least check out the basement.”

“The basement?” Braeburn turned, but sure enough, Cherry was gone, just him and his thoughts remained.

Well, he wasn’t alone in that regard. Still, what did she mean by the base-

Thump!

Braeburn blinked, where had that come from? It wasn’t from above, and there wasn’t any cursing so it couldn’t have been Translucent, so that left….

Searching for the source of the noise, his eyes scanned the floor for anything that could’ve lead to the basement. Soon enough, he found a trap door in the back corner of the living area, just under a cabinet stand with a picture frame on it. Lifting the stand out of the way, Braeburn opened the trap door, and stepped inside.

In stark contrast to the somewhat warm atmosphere of the ground floor, the basement was murky and moist. As he climbed down the wooden steps to the stone floor, each one creaking under the weight of his metal feet, Braeburn couldn’t help but shiver as he descended with each step.

Unlike the above, the basement consisted of one room only, but filled to the brim with all sorts of tinkering things. Gears of all shapes, wires, hell, even a few ammo boxes were strewn about, not to mention the various tools and half-finished appliances that littered the place. He made a mental note to have Translucent raid the place when she got the chance, but that wasn’t the strangest thing in the room. The strangest thing in the room was an ashen grey pegasus with a steel mane resting against a toolbox as a makeshift with a rag acting as a blanket, slowly roused by the approach of Braeburn, yellow eyes slowly fluttered opened, and the owner groaned.

He knew this mare….

“Oh great, it’s you. Ya here to ruin my day twice?” She said, her voice familiar. Where had Braeburn seen her before….

“We are the decent folk.” Cinquedea spat, “And no, we’re really not.”

“You’re that mare from before,” Braeburn realized, coming to the final step, “The one that threatened Rail Spike.”

Cinquedea rolled her eyes, “Ring ring, give the freak a prize…” Trying to rise from her so called “bed,” the pegasus forced herself to stand on shaking legs before they gave out from under her. Falling back down to earth, Cinquedea winced as she prepared to feel the cold metal of the toolbox break her jaw, but found none. Instead, Braeburn had caught her in his fingered hooves.

“Easy there,” He said, gently setting her down. Her armor from before was gone, revealing her body and her cutie mark. A short sword criss crossing a gun, not the most creative mark Braeburn had ever seen, but one that seemed to fit. However, that wasn’t the most alarming thing though, she was sweating and shaking all over. Placing a hoof to her forehead, Braeburn frowned, “Ya’ve got a fever, what happened to ya?”

Cinquedea let out a hollow laugh, “What happened to me? What happened to me? Damn idiot, you happened to me.” Glaring at Braeburn, she sneered, “You kicked me the chest hard enough for me to need medical attention, which we didn’t have, so my last friend had to go out and get supplies, but died in the process because he was too stubborn to save any healing potions for that gunshot wound he had. The wound I’m willing to bet you gave him with my own damn gun. You’re the reason why I’m down here, cold, feverish, and alone. But above all else, you got my friends killed you bastard!”

“....What?”

“You heard me.” Cinquedea spat, “I won’t repeat myself. Let me die in peace, you damn monster.”

Braeburn fell on his rear, a stricken look crossing his face, “What….”

“What, is that all you have to say? Just “what?” Do I need to spell it out for you?” She glared at him with all the hostility she could muster, she may as well have stabbed his heart with an ice cold dagger, “You’ve killed me, and my friends, I hope you’re happy.”

Something in Braeburn snapped, the hindering guilt being washed away by the hot feeling of wrath, tears began to fall down his face as he threw his arms out, “How could ah be happy?!” Braeburn roared, rising to his feet in rage, “Ever since ah woke up, it’s been nothing but one nightmare after another! Ah lost my family! My home! My own damn legs! Ah don’t even know if anypony ah know is still alive! Don’t ya get it?! Ah lost the ponies ah loved, and ah never got ta say goodbye to ‘em!”

“....Okay, what the hell are you talking about?” Cinquedea asked, taken aback by the sheer rage Braeburn projected.

The anger went away as soon as it came, and Braeburn fell back down to his knees, “Ah’m called Braeburn Apple, ah lived before the war started, used to work at Ironshod industries.” He said, his body suddenly feeling ten times heavier as he sank to the ground, “Ah remember the bombs dropping like it was yesterday. But for me, that ain’t no metaphor.”

“...Ah, well, shit.” Cinquedea cringed, “I’m….Shit….Sorry, I guess. How….”

“The last thing ah remember before being woken up in a stable was somepony putting me inta medical, and ah found out later that a pony ah used to know put me and a few of my friends into suspended animation to keep us safe.” Braeburn explained.

“And you lived before the bombs dropped? Like a pre-war ghoul?” Cinquedea asked.

“Ah guess.” Braeburn shrugged, “...Ah’m sorry ‘bout yer friends, ah didn’t mean for things to turn out that way.”

“It’s...not okay.” Cinquedea sighed, “I mean, I can understand why you tried to step in like you did, and you tried talking us down. I mean, from your perspective, it must’ve looked like a mugging or something. But to me, you’re the reason why two of my best friends are dead, I know it’s not your fault, personally, but…”

“Ah getcha….Celestia help me, ah getcha….” Braeburn murmured.

“So….Ironshod huh? You make any guns?”

Braeburn felt a grin slowly appear on his face, “A few.”

“Any good ones?”

“Ah drew up the blueprints for the anti-machine rifle.” Braeburn said, “Ya know those suits of power armor ya’d see in those posters?” Cinquedea nodded, “My cousin, Aj, made ‘em to protect ponies. Kinda like a shield, but then the Zebras made those high powered war machines to counter ‘em, and ah figured ponies on the field needed a sword too...so…”

“I get it, the power armor for defense, and you made the anti-machine rifle for offense.”

“Yeah, but ya see, Aj didn’t like the idea very much, she thought that they would be too easy to steal and use against her Steel Rangers. So ah figured ah should make ‘em difficult ta use correctly.” Braeburn explained, “Ya know, so not everypony could just pick one up and use ‘em. ‘Cept, ah guessed not everypony liked that idea, cause after a few months, ah found myself at the end of a frame job and ah had ta join the army to get out of jail. Can’t say ah liked it very much, but here ah am.”

“That...sucks, sorry to hear that.” Cinquedea said.

“The real irony is the fact ah was about done with my term.” Braeburn admitted, “Ah was...whatmacall it, three days away from retirement?” He grinned, hoping she would get the joke. But all he got in return was a confused look, “...Anyway, if the bombs hadn’t dropped on my head, ah think ah would’ve been back in my office in a day or two. Aj said ta me in a letter that she had saved it for me, and even left me something.”

“What was it?” Cinquedea said, “The something, I mean.”

“Probably Apple cider.” Braeburn shrugged, “Ah can’t think of anything else it would be.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“Nope.” Braeburn shook my head, “Said that ah would find out when ah got back, but….”

“....Well, maybe it’s still there.” Cinquedea suggested, “It’s only been two hundred and two years, there’s a chance.”

“....Maybe.” Braeburn closed his eyes, running a hand through his mane.

Silence lingered between the two, only filled with the sound of Cinquedea’s heavy breathing. Soon enough though, she started wincing and coughing. Clutching her chest on reflex, the ashen mare started wheezing in pain.

His hoof snapped to his bag on reflex, and much quicker than before, Braeburn pulled out a health potion and held it up to her mouth, “Here, drink.”

Cinquedea snatched the thing out of his hoof, popping it open with her wing, and downed the entire vial in one go. Letting out a sigh of relief, Cinquedea seemed to be breathing much, much easier now.

“Thanks…” She muttered.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it miss.” Braeburn shrugged.

“Don’t call me “miss,” I’m only 23.” Cinquedea replied.

“Alright, sorry.”

“....Do you still have my revolver?” She asked.

Blinking, Braeburn reached over to his side and pulled the black sidearm from its holster, “Yeah, right here.”

“Oh...Cool…” Her eyes dropping, Cinquedea yawned, “You can keep it...for now…but it’s....it’s a...a….looaaannnnn….”

Soon enough, the ashen mare was asleep, leaving Braeburn alone with his thoughts for the time being.

Wiping away some lingering tear drops, Braeburn stood back up and holstered his gun. He was about to leave, but then Cinquedea shivered.

Stopping in his tracks, Braeburn looked around the room, filled to the brim with tools and supplies. Soon enough, an idea came to his horned head.

After a few short minutes, Braeburn was heading up the steps again, carrying a few metal gears under one arm, and ammo boxes in the other. His bag was filled to the top with as much scrap it could carry, and a content smile was on his face as he turned back to the sleeping mare, “Good night, Cinquedea.”

He really hoped she would enjoy the heater he made for her.

Level up!

Iron hoof- You learned how to throw a half decent punch; unarmed attacks now do 20% more damage!

One day, you’ll make Captain Apple proud.

Eye of the storm.

Emerging from the cellar with supplies in hoof, Braeburn took a slow glance around the room before setting down them down at the cellar’s entrance. There were still a few wayward bear traps about, but they were mostly out of the way and not really worth the hassle of setting them off. As Braeburn mused on what to do, his thoughts turned back to the basement, the conversation he had with Cinquedea still playing in his ears. What would he do now? Leave her as is? Try to convince her to come with him if she got better? Or just pretend she wasn’t even there?

Hell, what would he tell Translucent?

Actually, where was Translucent? With all the noise she makes, Braeburn figured he’d hear either the “boom” of a shotgun going off or a string of cuss words echoing throughout the house. With neither of those two things happening, Braeburn figured that either everything was going perfectly well, or something very wrong had happened while he was away.

Heading towards the staircase, Braeburn couldn’t help but wince as what remained of his legs began to ache as he walked. As great as all this walking was doing for his calves, it really didn’t change the fact he didn’t have any….

Legs.

Yeah.

As he headed up the staircase, each step buckling under his weight, Braeburn did what he could to ignore the growing pain in his legs and push those thoughts away from his mind. That mostly meant doing a few odd brain games he made up to keep himself from growing bored from long days in the office.

Needless to say, they didn’t help very much.

Argggghhh….Ah am gettin’ way too old for this shit….He thought to himself as he made his way to the top of the staircase. Upon reaching the last step, Braeburn noted with some dismay that the second floor was mostly still littered with traps, though of different varieties then the bog standard bear traps that were laid upon the first.

Shotgun tripwires, cans hanged up by thin ropes that presumably acted as an alarm system, and even battering rams made out of metal blocks.

“How medieval…” Braeburn murmured to himself. Looking around for any signs of his two companions, his ears twitched. Voices were faintly ringing in his ears, and he couldn’t help but frown. Was he going to hear voices again? Hallucinate another pony he lost? Who was it going to be this time? Was Twilight Sparkle going to show up and lecture him on the proper maintenance of his feet? Oh, was Scootaloo going to appear, telling him to get back to the garage and fix that place up for her eventual comeback?

So, what was it going to be now?

“Look…….He’s going….”

“And I’m going to…..”

Hold on, that wasn’t in his head, that was...coming from above. The third floor, to be exact. Pivoting, Braeburn headed up the third staircase and climbed his way up.

“Quiet, here he comes.”

Okay, that one was definitely Translucent, so where was Glenn?

His answers came when he got the top of the staircase, a single door in a lonesome hallway greeted him, the door slightly ajar. Before he could make his way over there, it opened with a hoof pulling it aside, and Translucent poked her head out.

“Oh, hey Burn.” She smiled in a surprisingly friendly manner, which immediately set off a few warning bells in Braeburn’s head.

“Hey Lucent.” Braeburn greeted, trying not to let his suspicions show, “Didja find anything?”

“Oh, you know, the usual.” Translucent replied with a wave of her hoof, “Food stuff, ammo, a safe that needs to be cracked, a few bits and bobs, nothing really serious.”

“That’s it?” Braeburn asked.

“That’s it.” Translucent said.

“.....”

“....You don’t believe me at all, do you?”

Braeburn shook his head, “Nope.”

“Translucent, just let him in!” Glenn’s voice called over from inside the room.

Sighing, Translucent opened the door, and stepped aside. Entering the room with a raised eyebrow, Braeburn noted three things.

Glenn was currently trying to open a safe embedded in the wall, his back turned to them.

There was a Stable-Tec terminal located on a desk, which was still in working condition.

There was a Rainbow Dash statuette located right next said terminal.

“...Huh.” Braeburn blinked as he made his way over to the statuette. Picking it up in his hoof, Braeburn looked over the figure, the sky blue Pegasus mare looking as cocky as ever, wings outstretched and ready for takeoff. The words: Be Awesome inscribed in the base. As he held it, a strange feeling followed into him. His joints felt a little bit lighter, his muscles became less sore, every fiber of him became a little bit...better. In fact, he felt better. As if whatever happened to him before was a mere obstacle to overcome, a hurdle to jump over, a challenge to surpass. But for the first time in his life, Braeburn didn’t know whether or not he wanted to feel that way.

“I hear those things have some kind of magic power in them.” Translucent said next to him, piercing his thoughts like a drill, “You should keep it.”

“Yeah….Ah will.” Nodding, Braeburn stored the statuette in his bag.

“Did you know her?” Translucent asked.

In response, Braeburn shrugged, “Ah knew most of the mares pretty well, Ah reckon. Ah was the closest to Aj ‘cause she was my cousin and all, Miss Rarity always insisted that ah should get my mane a “trip to the spa,” whatever that means.”

“What’s a spa?” Translucent asked.

“It’s a place pony could….” Braeburn paused, then corrected himself, “Would go if they needed to relax.”

“Oh, what about the others?”

“Well, Miss Sparkle and Ah never really talked, she always had some project going on or something, she was a real workaholic. Pinkie Pie...Well, Ah honestly don’t know what was up with her, she never was right after she made those Party-Als.” Braeburn shuddered, “Ah remember the time she gave me one, ‘fore they were made into a household name.”

“How was it?”

“Don’t know, the next thing Ah knew, Ah was in Las Pegasus a week later, and Ah was married to a lamb.”

At this, Glenn stopped trying to pick the safe and turned to stare at Braeburn, an utterly confused and slightly amused look on his face.

“You got hitched.” He said a wry grin, “While drugged.”

Braeburn crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, “Well, how was Ah supposed to know what would happen?”

“So what about the lamb?” Translucent asked.

“About who now?”

“The lamb, what happened to her?” Translucent pressed.

Braeburn shrugged, “She was nice, but we both agreed it was better to see other ponies.”

“Heh...Wish I could’ve seen it.” Translucent rubbed her chin, “Betcha the food was delicious.”

“Eh,” Braeburn shrugged, “It was one of those “gallop through marriages”, no ceremony if that’s what ya were thinkin’.”

“Aww.” Translucent murmured, “The past sucks.”

Braeburn narrowed his eyes.

“Oh, er, present company excluded, of course.” Translucent said weakly, then let out a weak laugh, “...Ha ha haaa….Hey Glenn, how’s that safe coming along?” She asked, looking over to him..

“You dug yourself into this grave, dig yourself out.” Glenn responded curtly.

“Don’t leave me high and dry! This conversation is going to get really awkward!”

“It wasn’t already?”

Braeburn crossed his arms, “Translucent.”

Sighing, Translucent lowered her head in defeat, “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. The past doesn’t suck.”

Braeburn nodded, “Good, now, mind tellin’ me what ya’ll were arguing about?”

Translucent winced, and glanced over to Glenn. True to form, his back was turned to them, but it was obvious from his body language he was listening in.

“Well….yaa see, that terminal over there,” She nodded over to the aforementioned device, “ ….seems to have a log written by a pony called Bolted Screw, but I’m not sure if it’s the same one you remembe- and you’re on.”

Before Translucent had even finished her sentence, the second Braeburn heard the name, “Bolted Screw,” he was already at the terminal and immediately started shifting through the logs.

“Come on, come on…” Braeburn said to himself, flicking through the menus with fervor. Finally, he found them. Three logs; Shelter, Defense, and Moving Out. Shelter was listed first, but it was dated….Braeburn checked the date on his Pipbuck with an errant glance.

Ten years, that was the gap between the date on Braeburn’s Pipbuck and the one on the terminal. Braeburn frowned, ten years. But….

“Ah, nothing really sir. It’s just been five years since this door was opened.”

That’s what Zekes said, but he also said Gale was the last one to leave. So, Bolted Screw managed to escape before she did? Or…

“Arrgghh…Ah need to write this down…” Braeburn muttered to himself, there were too many pieces to put it together this early. If Braeburn himself was the last one out, then who was the first one out of the Stable? Rightful Oath, or Zecka?

Thoughts and ideas ran about in Braeburn's head like a buffalo stampede, none of them comforting, his head pounded like a ironshod's factory. Groaning, Braeburn rubbed his temple and clicked on Shelter.

Finally managed to get this terminal up and running after five days of running around this Celestia forsaken wasteland. This damn wires in my skull are not helping, but they do help with electronics, so there’s that. I figured I should take up a log while I stay here to get my head in order. I’m starting to hear voices….Tartarus, who wouldn’t? Not even Oath would be able to walk through this mess without nightmares. And if what I’m hearing is correct, then Princess Luna won’t be able to help soothe them either.

….I need to keep my head together, get the rest of the crew out. I don’t know who’s left in the Stable, but I found a paper note from Oath saying he’s going to Vanhoover, so that’s some comfort. I could really use his advice, colt’s always known what to do, has since magical kindergarten.

Be real nice if I had Big Bang’s Pipbuck, but it’s gone. Somepony stole it from it’s case.

Braeburn blinked, and looked down at his arm. There, true to form, was the large and bulky Pipbuck Big Bang had on all those years ago.

“What….”

“What’s up?” Translucent asked, peering over his shoulder at the screen.

“This don’t seem right, Screw said that mah Pipbuck was missing when he left, but it was in the Stable when Ah found it.” Braeburn said, rereading the entry over again.

“Maybe somepony put it back?” Translucent suggested.

“....Maybe.” Flicking to the next page, Braeburn kept reading.

Doesn’t really matter though, gotta get my head together, find a notebook or something, write this stuff down. I heard there was some kind of organization called “Everfree Masons.” Maybe that’s where Oath was headed, so that’s where I’ll throw my bits in...or caps.

(Who the hell uses bottle caps as money? Poor Ponies with nowhere to.….Oh, yeah. Okay, fair enough.)

Anyway, I’m going to be running a few tests on myself now. I found some info in the Stable, says I’m subject changeling or whatever. Don’t know much about it ‘cept I can now change my appearance, or something. The front yard of this place is pretty clear, I can use it as a bit of a practice ground while I work out the kinks. One hoof at a time and all that. After that, I’ll scrounge up some supplies and see if I can get whoever’s left in the Stable out. Gotta get them before they wind up like me. No pony deserves this, not Zecka, not Braeburn, not even the Zebras.

Okay, maybe a little...just a few pokes with a shock rod though, I’m not a monster.

Braeburn wanted to feel relieved, but felt nothing but confusion well up in him. Screw was Changeling? Then who was Hydra and….Breezie? Was Oath the Hydra, and was Zecka Breezie? Or the other way around? Well, he had a 50/50 chance of getting it right...or wrong, either one.

Still, all he was getting was more questions, and no answers.

But why Vanhoover? Why was everypony heading there? Was Big Bang’s note the cause? Or...something else?

“Land shakes...” Braeburn muttered, placing a hoof on his head.

“Whoa, language.” Translucent chided, holding her hoof up defensively.

Turning around to face her, Braeburn rolled his eyes while Translucent grinned devilishly, “Anything interesting?” She asked.

“Nuthin’ much.” Braeburn sighed, stepping back and rubbing his eyes, “Aside from the Pipbuck thing, Screw was Subject Changeling.”

Translucent tilted her head, “Changeling? Like the stories?”

“Ya heard of them?” Braeburn asked.

“Only bits and pieces.” She shrugged, “Something about shapeshifter vampires, right?”

“That about sums it up, from what Ah heard.” Braeburn agreed.

“Ever meet one?” Translucent asked.

“No, just some rumors is all.” Braeburn frowned, “Ah, cept that wedding fiasco a few years back….” Braeburn paused, then winced, “Ah mean, in the past, Ah heard there was some trouble with Princess Cadance’s wedding but....”

“Whoa, wait, what? Princess Cadance?” Translucent balked, “You mean that there’s another princess out there?”

Braeburn crossed his arms, clearly thinking the question over, “Well, sorta.” He shrugged, “She wasn’t really...ah, involved in the war effort like the other two were. So Ah guess that’s why ya haven’t really heard of her. See, she was sorta the Princess of Love.”

“Love.” Translucent repeated, deadpan.

“Yep, Ah trust ya can understand why there wouldn’t be a lot of info on her?”

“Because in wartime, there’s not a lot of “love” going around.” Translucent grumbled, “Yeah, I get it.”

“Question.” Glenn spoke up, “What do you mean by “Subject Changeling?”” He asked, making air quotes with his fingers.

“That’s a good question, you didn’t tell me a lot even back at the Red Racer.” Translucent added.

Looking in between the two, Braeburn could only shrug, “It’s a question Ah’d like answered myself. All Ah know is that Zekes, a handy-bot, did some kind of surgery on me while Ah was in the Stable that gave me...these.” He held up his metal feet and flexed his fingers for emphasis, “Called me Subject: Minotaur, Ah’m guessing that my friends went through a similar process.”

“Huh, and this….Screw,” Glenn waved his paw, “Was in the Stable too?”

“Yep.” Braeburn nodded.

Glenn opened a mouth to reply, but Translucent cut in, “Moving on, for real, how’s that lock coming?”

“It’s come.” With an easy flick of the wrist, the wall safe flew open, revealing a small revolver pistol, some old world money, and few other bits and bobs.

“Wow...what a rip off.” Translucent said, deadpan.

“It’s a run of the mill safe,” Glenn shrugged, “What did you expect?”

“....More weapons?” Translucent suggested, “More supplies, and you know, more stuff in general.”

“Well, not everything can be a find.” Glenn responded, “Sometimes you’ve just gotta roll with the punches.”

Translucent snorted, “If I had a cap for every time I heard that, I could buy Tenpony Tower.”

Glenn’s brow scrunched in confusion, “What’s a Tenpony?”

“It’s a big tower in the center of Manehattan. Basically it’s...” Translucent’s explanation faded into background noise as Braeburn went back to the terminal, hitting the next log on the list, he rubbed his eyes and started reading.

Well, as it turns out, transforming hurts. A lot.

A whole, whole, Luna-damned lot.

I was out for about four hours when I first tried doing the whole, “Changeling thing.” Didn’t work out quite the way I expected, but then again, nopony expects your neural synapses to overload and nearly fry your own brain. I am never trying that shit again; I don’t want to go into a coma (again) just because I overloaded my nerves.

Anyway, aside from my daily near death experience, I managed to find out more about the locals. Most of them are flighty, and more than once I’ve had to defend myself, my appearance is not helping in the matter. Still though, a few rags that make me look like a hobo, and suddenly ponies aren’t so likely to shoot me.

Instead, they’ll think for a bit, then shoot me.

But, there have been a few helpful ponies that have filled me in. Ever since the bombs fell, the ponies here have been scrambling for whatever resources they could get their hooves on, be it food, clean water, medicine, or whatever just makes their lives better. They, minority speaking, want to either, A) leave the surrounding area, or B) want to establish society here. Slight problems with both of those.

The area far north of Vanhoover is insanely dangerous, to the point of where I’d compare it to the Zebra jungles. Not to mention the radiation plaguing the lands, which is just making everything worse in general. To the south, well, there is a major shit-ton of….“Ghouls,” or some shit like that in Tall Tails. That city took the brunt of a Balefire blast, but in the process, it became a literal hell-zone. That said, a few of the places there are great for looting, and a few buildings were able to hold-up to the blast, so there are a few safe havens in Tall Tails.

East, the oceans. West, the mountains...which appear to missing their tops. Weird. Anyway, put it all together and you get a pocket region which can’t be left, or entered without some serious vehicle power, putting the whole “leaving” thing into question. But, staying really isn’t an option.

For one, I noticed that while Vanhoover is quite large, the fact is, if it does become a working society again, I’m willing to bet it’d become like those old medieval kingdoms before the Sisters. The city would become the “castle” and the outlying farm lands would become the “serfs.” Add in the fact that apparently there are a few working factories and you’ve got a case for a civil war.

So yeah, shit’s messed up, but that’s pretty much the standard for me.

Moving on to more personal matters, I managed to rig a few traps around the estate. Don’t want any looters or some shit like that stealing anything while I’m away. Found a few mines, got to pry one open and figure out to make it. Pretty easy, actually.

Add into that, a few grenade traps just for good measure. They always remind me of Braeburn’s cuite mark. I wonder sometimes if that pony’s special talent is actually making things blow up instead of apple farming like he claims. Be nice if he or Zecka were here right now...hell, I wouldn’t mind if anypony from my squad were here right now. It’d be nice to see a familiar face...even if it’s theirs.

Still, there is Oath, he’s still alive….I’ve got to find him.

No matter what.

“Does he have a crush on this “Oath” or something?”

Braeburn was snapped out of his reading with a jolt. Darting his head over his shoulder, Braeburn saw Translucent rear her head back in surprise, apparently dodging something.

“Hey! Be careful! I nearly got dinged in the head thanks to your horns!” The unicorn took a step back, rubbing the spot where she would have been hit, “Anyway, while you were reading, Glenn decided to make camp downstairs, and the rain’s starting to pick up. You wanna pack it in for the night?” She asked.

Braeburn frowned, glancing back at the terminal, “Well, Ah-”

“It’ll will be here in the morning. Now come on, it’s time for dinner.” Translucent said, grabbing Braeburn’s hoof and dragging him downstairs.

Setting up a small makeshift “fort” in the middle of the ground floor, which consisted mostly of just pushing traps aside and putting furniture in it’s place. Braeburn let out a relieved sigh as he sat down on a chair, resting his back against the soft, albeit torn, fabric. His bones ‘popping’ as he did, “Heeyoooo, feels like it’s been years since Ah’ve just...sat down.” He said, closing his eyes and leaning back.

Opening his eyes, he saw a can of beans being floated in front of him, spoon included, being held aloft in a silver glow.

Peeking out from behind the can, Translucent grinned, “Well, technically speaking, it has been.”

“Ah ain’t arguing that.” Braeburn agreed, taking the can offered into his hooves.

“Make sure you eat it this time, no skipping out like at lunch.” Translucent said, reaching into her own bag for her own dinner.

Braeburn’s stomach grumbled loudly in agreement.

“See? Translucent 1, Braeburn 0.” She snarked.

Rolling his eyes, Braeburn gripped the spoon and started to eat the sparse meal. As he chewed on the somewhat cooked beans, his eyes turned to Glenn, who was currently trying to get a fire going in a nearby fireplace. Looking at the hippogriff’s back, Braeburn couldn’t help but feel a stab of pity for his injuries. He was a kid, and already the poor guy had been tortured by a bunch of criminals. Was this the norm for the Wasteland? Or just Vanhoover? Though going by what Translucent said, he was willing to bet on the former.

How did it come to this? Was it the bombs? The ruttin’ Zebras? Or….were ponies destined to live like this? Like...savages?

What a nightmare….

“How’s the fire going?” Braeburn asked, if only to get his mind away from that train of thought.

“It’s going.” Glenn replied, stepping back as a fire flared to life. Crackling and whipping around, fueled by a pile of whatever burnable substances could be found in the house.

As the room lit up in an orange glow, Glenn shuffled back to his spot on the ground, a simple bed roll they found by tearing a faded and worn curtain off a window. Resting his head on a couch cushion, Glenn shifted to his uninjured side and winced as he did so.

“If ya don’t mind me asking Glenn,” Braeburn started, “How did a young guy like yourself get...ya know.”

“Captured.” Translucent supplied bluntly.

“Right,” Braeburn winced, “That.”

Glenn frowned, shifting his eyes away for a moment, then shrugged, “Eh, there’s always some jackass that want’s to press gang you into his uh...gang.”

“Does it happen often?” Braeburn asked.

“From time to time,” Glenn admitted, “You just learn to put up with it.”

“Says the guy who threw up when we saved him.” Translucent chided.

“...I had a bad breakfast.”

Translucent looked at him flatly, “Uh-huh.”

Braeburn narrowed his eyes, “Lucent.”

“Right right...Sorry.” She mumbled.

“....Are you two related, by any chance?” Glenn asked, looking at the two.

Translucent snorted, “Not even a little.”

“Ah doubt it, never had any kids ‘fore the war.” Braeburn said, “And during it didn’t seem like the right time.”

“What about Aj? Did she have any kids?” Translucent asked, going over to her own little cot on the ground, a can of instamash floating in a magical glow next to her head and a bit further away from the fire then Glenn was.

Braeburn frowned, and looked away, “Ah...Ah don’t…”

“Right, sensitive subject, moving on.” Moving back to Glenn, Translucent narrowed her eyes, “So, I take it you know a bit about Vanhoover?”

“Lived here all my life.” Glenn nodded.

Translucent smiled, “Right right...so do you know any good spots where a pony can just relax?”

“....Come again?”

She rolled her eyes, “You know, a place where a pony doesn’t have to worry about being shot at for a bit.”

“....Umm….” Glenn looked to Braeburn, who only shrugged in reply, “I don’t know about any place like that. Sorry.”

“Hm, it’s fine.” Shifting in her heavy cloak and resting her head on the cold ground, Translucent sighed.

Sharing a look with Braeburn, Glenn frowned, “So, uh, you gonna take that off?”

“.....Take what off?” Translucent asked, looking genuinely confused for a moment while she picked herself up.

“That cloak.” Glenn said.

Looking at the two, Translucent’s expression became one of eerie calm, “No.”

“But-”

“I said no.” She said, more firmly.

Glancing back at Braeburn, who shrugged, Glenn rolled his eyes and went to eat his own dinner.

Soon enough, the only noise remaining in the house was the dim crackling of the fireplace. Closing his eyes, Braeburn couldn’t help but ponder what to do about Cinquedea, the mare under the house. Should he let them know? Translucent might not care, but Glenn on the other hoof…

Actually, that was a topic worth pursuing.

“Hey Glenn.” Braeburn began, getting the young hybrid's attention, “So do ya know anything ‘bout these….Adeptus Unitias folk?”

As soon as Braeburn said that, he knew he made a mistake. Glenn’s expression darkened, so much so that even Translucent looked worried from his glare. Part pony he may be, Braeburn noted, but that kid had all the fury of a gryphon in his eyes.

“What about them?” Glenn growled out.

“Just...wanted to know a bit, that’s all.” Braeburn stammered. Sheesh, that plan went down faster than Rainbow Dash’s Ministry. He thought.

“They’re scum.” Glenn spat, “They do nothing but raid crops and kill ponies. They preach unity, but in reality they’re nothing but lying, no good, slimy pieces of-”

“Wooaah there,” Braeburn held his hooves up in a placating manner, “Just asking a question, didn’t mean to get ya all riled up.”

“......Sorry.” Glenn muttered, rolling on his back, “They’ve just done a lot of bad things to my friends and family. I’m not fond of them.”

“No kidding, you hate them almost as much Braeburn hate Zebras.” Translucent said.

“Zebras?” Glenn repeated.

“How does that-” Braeburn began, but Translucent held up a hoof to cut him off.

“Just an observation.” Translucent said, “But anyway, what do you know about them? Aside from your raging bloodlust, that is.”

Glenn bit his lip in thought, “I know they set up somewhere in south eastern Vanhoover, a school, I think. Someplace with a machine factory or somewhere like that, that’s where they make all their gear.”

“Wait.” Translucent blinked, “They make all their things? Like from the ground up?”

“I think so.” Glenn nodded, “Sometimes when I fly up high, I can see smoke coming from their base.”

“Huh.” Was all Translucent said.

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, “Is it that unique?”

“Kinda.” Translucent looked to the ground, “Back in the Equestrian Wasteland, there aren’t a lot of places where you can actually make something.” Lighting up her horn, four symbols appeared in the center of the room, one of which Braeburn immediately recognized, “The Steel Rangers,” A sword piercing through two wings, cogwheels on either side with an apple in the background. “The Enclave,” Clouds and wings, both pierced by gazing eyes. “Red Eye,” A single red eye with a creeping glow, “And finally, Unity.” An Alicorn, bowing her head gracefully.

Shutting off her horn, Translucent sighed, “These four factions are the only ones that could make something. Like, genuinely make something. The only ones with enough resources and ponypower to actually be able to manufacture things, and two of them are currently defunct.”

“Which ones?” Glenn asked.

A pang of fear shot through Braeburn’s heart.

“Unity and Red Eye.” Translucent said, “Both because their leaders got killed, and without their big bosses...well…”

And that fear was gone. Though he didn’t realize it himself, Braeburn slumped back in his chair and sighed in relief.

“They both fell apart.” Braeburn said, “What about the Steel Rangers? What happened to them?”

“Checking in on your cousin’s magnum opus huh?” Translucent grinned, then frowned solemnly, “Listen Burn, there’s no easy way to tell you this so let me get it over with.”

Braeburn found himself clenching the arms of his chair, cracking them.

“They’re fractured.”

Braeburn blinked, “Huh?”

Lighting up her horn again, three red apples appeared, and the Steel Ranger appeared again as well, but with a line between them.

“See, a Ranger called Steelhooves-”

“Steelhooves?” Braeburn blinked again, “Ya mean Applesnack?”

“Who?” Translucent tilted her head quizzically.

“Ah, no, nevermind. Thinkin’ ‘bout a different pony.” Braeburn said swiftly.

Raising an eyebrow but nevertheless pressing on, Translucent shifted her attention back to the projection, “Anyway, see, the Steel Rangers always used to horde tech and stuff like that. At first, it was because they didn’t want anything really dangerous getting into the wrong hooves, like a balefire bomb or a….I dunno, a cyborg that looks like a zebra, or something. But over time, their ideals corrupted and changed, sorta like what happens if you leave an apple out for too long. It gets all mushy and icky. Soon enough, they just began keeping all the really good stuff to themselves. Stuff that could help improve ponies lives, but Steelhooves, or Applesnack, whatever he’s called, eventually reminded them of their founder’s ideals. That they were supposed to protect ponies with technology, not abuse them.”

“So the group split, Applejack’s Rangers, and the Steel ones.” The Enclave symbol appeared again, this time larger than the other two, so much so they were pushed aside, “But, when the Enclave invaded, the two groups rallied back together to fight the Pegasi. But time will tell if they stay together or not.”

There was an audible snap of wood.

Darting her head back to Braeburn, Translucent actually took a step back in fear. Broken pieces of the chair’s arm rests in his hooves, cold fury taking over his expression, Braeburn looked like he wanted to rip a pony’s legs off and beat them to death with it.

“Ya mean to tell me...Applejack’s creation...what she nearly died for….was taken from her?”

Translucent gulped, “Uh, uh, I’m just abridging things here! Don’t worry, Steel Rangers are still some of the best ponies in the Wasteland! Ha..ha….haaaa…..”

Much to Translucent’s relief, Braeburn let the arm rests drop to the floor with a clatter. “Celestia…” He muttered, sinking back in his chair and rubbing his snout, “What kind of a nightmare did I wind up in?”

“Well...if it makes you feel any better, Celestia’s still around.” Translucent said, which instantly got Braeburn’s attention as he sat up, more alert than before, “But the thing is, she’s kinda...in a weather managing system, like, literally in it. She’s the one who’s managed the Equestrian Wasteland’s weather for the past 200 years.”

“....How?” Was all Braeburn could ask.

She lowered her head, “I don’t know, I’m sorry.”

In stark contrast to Braeburn’s downcast expression, Glenn’s was one of confusion, “She’s the one managing the weather? I thought it was all natural.”

“Has there ever been a cloud cover?” Translucent asked in return.

Glenn scrunched his brow, glancing out the window towards the grey sky where a rain shower was starting to pick up, blanketing the land under a grey cloud cover, “You mean when it rains?”

Translucent shook her head, “I mean all the time, a complete blanket of clouds.”

“Not really, only on rainy days.” Glenn replied.

“Huh, guess the weather here is natural. Freaky.” Translucent narrowed her eyes, clearly drifting into thought.

Glenn, having rising to a sitting position, just looked even more confused, “Why is it freaky?”

Translucent sighed, “I’m just used to things being one way or another, that’s all.”

Scratching his head, Glenn merely rolled his eyes and went back to laying down. Taking it as a cue that it was time to sleep, Translucent did the same, but motioned to Braeburn, “Hey, you wanna take first watch?”

Braeburn raised an eyebrow, his question going unsaid.

“You know, make sure we don’t get robbed when we’re asleep.” She explained, then slowly rose, as if realizing something, “Unless you want me to, cause I can totally-”

Braeburn held up his hoof, “Ah spent 200 years’ asleep girl, Ah think Ah can spend a few more hours up.”

“Oh, cool. Take my shotgun then,” Translucent yawned, falling back to her cot as her eyes drifted shut, “It will hellpp...Heelllpp..…..”

Soon enough, she was asleep, and Braeburn was alone with his thoughts.

Watching the fire wisp and whip, he let out a long sigh before grabbing one of the fallen armrests and casually tossed it into the fire. Where it crackled even fiercer thanks to the new fuel, the pops of the wood providing little ambience to the otherwise silent room.

Well, minus the rain pouring outside, that is.

For the first time since Braeburn woke up, he actually had some time to think, a chance to actually relax for a moment.

So...why was did it seem like it was the last thing Braeburn wanted to do? Was it simply because he didn’t want to think about things? Or because he was afraid of what his mind would torture him with?

He just needed to keep his mind, and his hooves, busy….Yeah, that was it.

Braeburn looked at the Pipbuck on his arm, and started to fiddle with it. Might as well, he had nothing else to do but…

Cinquedea.

Braeburn bolted upright, suddenly reminded of the ashen mare in the basement. Glenn was sleeping, or at the very least, close to it. Judging by his reaction earlier, there was no way he would let Cinquedea live, or at the very least, walk away.

If he wanted to get her out, then now would be the time.

But...should he tell Glenn? Translucent wouldn’t really care, at least, she would get over it quickly. But Glenn? The kid seemed to have a real hatred of anything related to Adepts, no way that would he understand.

Braeburn wasn’t a fool, he knew that if he helped Cinquedea out this time, he’d probably either wind up lying to Glenn at some point, or continue to withhold the information.

If Aj were here, she’d tell him to spill the beans.

But Aj wasn’t here, and Braeburn wasn’t the Element of Honesty.

“So….” He mumbled to himself, “What am Ah gonna do?”

Cinquedea was having a rough day, to say the least.

First, she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, literally.

Poke.

Second, one routine scouting turned into a major clusterbuck with three of her best friends lying in a gutter somewhere, and she nearly died twice today.

Poke.

Third, somepony kept poking her when she was trying to sleep! And there was this nice, warm feeling on her stomach too, so nice...all she wanted was to fall back into the lull of sleep. She didn’t want to worry about anything anymore…

Poke.

Forcing her eyes open to see whatever the hell was poking her, just so she could bite it’s head off. She had been expecting a rat or something. What she hadn’t expected, however, was the stallion with the golden coat and long hair kneeling over her like some kind of guardian.

Needless to say, it was a bit of a shock. Granted, it wasn’t the first she had today, but still.

Before she could get a word out, most likely asking what the hell he’s doing, Braeburn placed a mechanical finger to her snout, “Shhhh.” He said, then quickly looked around the basement, “Have ya got any supplies?”

The cold metal still placed against her mouth, Cinquedea could only raise an eyebrow at the stallion’s strange behavior, but regardless, she nodded.

“Good, now Ah need ya to be quiet.” He said in that thick accent, which, to be perfectly honest, Cinquedea found both quite charming, and completely annoying at the same time. It was a paradox, but eh, what are you gonna do?

Brushing away his finger with a wing, she looked at him skeptically, “Why?”

He pursed his lips, “A friend of mine would be a mite upset if he found out ya were sleeping right under him.”

“Him?” Cinquedea rose to her hooves, looking at the staircase, “You mean that ghoul?”

Much to her confusion, Braeburn shook his head, “No, different guy.”

“Ah.” She wasn’t all that surprised to hear that Braeburn had picked up a friend, aside from that weird unicorn, and she was even less surprised that it was a local for a hate on for her crew. Still…

“Alright,” She flapped her wings a few times, testing the muscles, they were sore...but useable, “So, you got a plan?”

“If ya can keep quiet, the front door’s your best way out.” Braeburn said.

“That’s it?” Cinquedea tilted her head, “Why don’t I just wait down here then? Why risk being seen at all?”

“Cause sooner or later, they’re gonna come down here.” Braeburn retorted, then sheeply scratched his head, “Translucent’s a bit of a kleptomaniac.”

“Translucent? Who’s….you know what? Nevermind.” Cinquedea rubbed her head, “Anyway, I see your point. Is it safe up there?”

“Them’s be sleepin’ right ‘bout.” Cinquedea’s mind screamed at the numerous grammatical mistakes in that sentence, but kept a calm smile on her face as he continued, “Ah’m supposed to be on watch so…”

“They won’t be surprised to hear you moving about.” She nodded, “Alright, let me grab my things first.”

Gathering up her supplies in a short time, Cinquedea and Braeburn were soon out of the basement and onto the ground floor.

With the fire long since out, the entire room was washed in dark blue, the only contrast was the small beams of moonlight that peeked through the woodwork. On the plus side, it made being unseen much easier for them, on the other hoof….

“Ow! Watch it!”

“Ah’m sorry!”

It also made bumping into each other easier as well.

Wincing and holding up her forehoof, Cinquedea kissed it while keeping pace next to Braeburn. Their brief exchange was sharp but quiet, and it didn’t seem like anypony had been aware of her little “escape attempt.” Glancing at the fireplace, Cinquedea raised a brow at the two ponies….scratch that, pony and a...inverted hippogriff sleeping on the ground.

“Your friends?” She whispered to him.

“Eyup.”

“Hm. Strange company you keep.”

Despite it being hard to see, Cinquedea had little trouble making out Braeburn’s eye roll in the dark.

Arriving at the front door and opening it gently, they were greeted by a blast of cold night wind washing over both of their faces. The air was damp and cold, a sign of the recent rain shower, but the sky was clear. The calmness of the night was a strange thing, everything seemed...peaceful, like all the troubles and problems plaguing the world was a thing of the past.
The stars shone on the night sky, and the full moon hanged overhead in full view. It’s pale light looming over the wasteland, painting the landscape in an almost serene light.

Looking up at the moon, Braeburn let out a wistful sigh, “Ya know...Ah, nevermind.”

“What?” Cinquedea asked, looking up at him.

“Ah, it’s just…” Braeburn gestured to the moon, “Would ya believe me if Ah told ya that there used to be a mare on the moon?”

She rolled her eyes, “I’d call bullshit.”

At that, Braeburn chuckled, “Well, it’s true. Though Ah reckon there ain’t no way to convince ya otherwise.”

“Riiigghht, and there’s magic mirror that transports ponies to an alternate dimension where everypony walks upright like you.” Bumping into him to show it was good natured ribbing, she smiled, “Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye.”

“Ah guess so.”

Flapping once, twice, then thrice, she took the air and hovered over him for a few good seconds. Spinning around to face him, Cinquedea rubbed the back of her head, “So...uh…”

“Yeah…”

“Be seeing you?” Cinquedea offered, too which Braeburn nodded.

“Heh, be seeing you.”

The two of them stared at each other for a short time, before Cinquedea sighed, “Oh, screw it.”

Before Braeburn could react, she darted close to him, and kissed him gently on the cheek.

Braeburn could only blink.

Cinquedea blushed.

“....Uh-”

“Gottagoseeya!” Before he even knew what happened, Cinquedea shot off into the dark night like a rocket.

“...What just happened?” He asked, rubbing the spot where she kissed him, completely dumbstruck.

“I’m telling you, I thought I heard something last night.”

“And I’m telling you, that was probably Braeburn moving about, you know heavy his legs are!”

That was the first thing Braeburn heard when had woken up from a thankfully dreamless sleep. As he had bothered to lumber himself out of bed, which was just what Translucent had slept on earlier, he asked her if she had made any coffee

To his complete and utter horror, all she said in reply was, “What’s Coffee?”

Truly, the Wasteland was all his nightmares incarnate.

So, there he was, staring at the terminal he hadn’t finished reading the night before, coffee-less and with one hell of a migraine. There were bags under his eyes, his horns seemed to be even heavier, and he had this damned taste in his mouth that would not go away. All he really wanted to do was crawl back into bed and pretend that all of this was just a bad dream, but Translucent had stored away her cot while she and Glenn prepared breakfast, leaving Braeburn with no choice but to read the final entry terminal Bolted Screw left.

It wasn’t exactly the thing he wanted to wake up too, but he had nothing else to do, “What’ja leave fer me Screw…” He muttered to himself, then hit the last log.

Wow, how long has it been since I wrote in this thing? It’s been a few months, but it feels like years. It’s easy to forget now, the days are just a blur. I’ve done a lot here, both in his house, and in Vanhoover. Hope those guys in City Hall will be alright, I did what I could but...I feel like….

No, I made my choice, better to just...watch from the sidelines.

Haven’t been able to make it into the Stable yet, the door’s too hard to reach without special equipment, and I don’t have enough explosives to make it into the mountain. That, and the fact I’d run the risk of blowing up my friends because I don’t know how the Stable is structured. Really, whoever decided to put a Stable inside a mountain is an idiot. Can’t lower the lift without a code, or a Pipbuck, both of which I lack. Can’t hack the console either, doesn’t have an interface for it, so, that leaves me nothing but a headache. Not giving up though, just gotta find another way in…that can’t be the only entrance. It’s too big, you’d need multiple ways in for construction crews so they actually build the damn thing. Maybe there’s a way in from underground, like a water reservoir or something. The above ground water is irritated, but any groundwater should be alright, I think. That could be a way in...The sewers under the Vanhoover countryside are like a maze, I think with a little bit of excavation, I could find a way in.

Just need to find a map or something, and a compass.

Luna, I wish I had a Pipbuck.

“If ya wanted one so much, why didn’t just ask me fer one?” Braeburn muttered, “Could’ve put in a word for ya with Apple Bloom….”

But that is neither here nor there, the other thing is though, I found her.

I found Zecka.

I don’t know how, or why, or what the hell is going on, but Zecka is holed up somewhere in the northwest, past all the radiation and monsters. She’s alive and that’s all I care about. At least, I think she is. Code Talker mentioned a strange looking Zebra came to him, and there’s only one “Zebra” up here that I know of.

Before he had even knew it himself, Braeburn had grabbed the terminal and reread the line.

Again.

Again.

Falling on his rear in a daze, Braeburn could only stare at the terminal, trying to process what he saw.

Zecka was alive, and Bolted Screw found her.

He knew that Zecka was alive, in the back of his mind at least. It was a simple process of elimination. He was the last one out, so that meant the others had gotten out too. But...that wasn’t the question Braeburn needed answered, the question was; “Is she still alive?”

The answer to that wasn’t in the terminal, even as Braeburn forced himself to read the rest of it. Just...hoo-ha about how Screw had to leave the home because he thought he was being watched or something.

The logs didn’t matter anymore.

But who was this….Code Talker? Was it a pony Screw knew? From the sound of it, this Code Talker was some pony who knew how to...Talk...Codes? Like computer codes? Binary? That would make conversations hard, it’d just be a lot of ones and zeroes. That said, Braeburn wouldn’t be surprised at this point. This world just seemed to get crazier and crazier...

Questions buzzed in Braeburn’s head as he made his way downstairs, the wooden planks creaking under his weight. What Braeburn expected to see was Translucent and Glenn to be all packed up and ready to go, instead, he got rather peculiar situation.

Translucent was sitting on Glenn, who currently had a defunct heater in his paws and was glaring at her with all the fury he could muster from under her rump.

“....Ah’m ‘fraid to ask.” Braeburn said, deadpan, “But Ah’m gonna anyways; what happened?”

“Well, little mister fussy brinches here-” Translucent gestured to Glenn, “Went down into the basement,” Braeburn’s heart spiked, “And found this little heater thing turned on.” Floating it in front of him in a silver glow, Braeburn fought back the urge to gulp as he recognized the heater made for Cinquedea.

“And?” He asked, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.

“Well, Glenn here thinks that somepony was in the basement last night, cause this thing looks recent.” Translucent explained, “I think that it’s just been left there for a while. I mean, it’s just a heater, big deal.”

Braeburn glanced at Glenn, “And yer sitting on him cause…”

“He makes a comfy seat.” Translucent quipped.

The only thing she got in reply was a blank stare

“Alright alright...Sorry.” Mumbling out apologies, Translucent slowly got off Glenn and huffed over to a stash of supplies, which included the supplies Braeburn had found in the basement, his knapsack sitting neatly on a presumably empty ammo can. Turning her head to him, Translucent held up the aforementioned bag in her magic, “Oh, by the way, managed to enchant this bag last night. Congrats, your purse is now bigger on the inside.”

“Right, thank ya kindly.” Braeburn said, then walked over to Glenn and offered his hand.

Brushing the offered appendage away, Glenn huffed his chest and got to this feet, “Chick’s stronger than she looks…” He muttered.

A thought occurred to Braeburn, it was a stab in the dark but...“The name “Code Talker” mean anything to ya?” He asked.

That got Glenn’s attention, “How do you know that name?”

Braeburn shrugged, “Was on Screw’s logs, ya know ‘em?”

Glenn frowned, “Yeah, but...he’s a slave.”

“....What?”

“A slave, you know. Forced servitude?”

“Uh….Glenn?” Translucent reappeared behind Braeburn, raising her hooves in an X gesture, “X-nay on the slave-ay.”

Glenn glanced at Translucent, “Wait, why?”

The only thing she did in reply was glare and shift her eyes to Braeburn. Confused, Glenn followed her gaze, and recoiled slightly.

“Every time, every time Ah start to think that this world ain’t so bad.” Braeburn all but spat out, his voice laced with pure revulsion, “Ah’m reminded that this place is just a shithole.”

Grabbing his knapsack from the pile and throwing it over his shoulder, Braeburn walked out the door without so much as a glance at Translucent or Glenn.

“...Guessing they didn’t have much slavery back then?” Glenn asked, glancing at Translucent.

“Well, I told him yesterday that his hometown became a slave pit, so I guess slaves kinda a bad subject for him.” Translucent rolled her eyes, “Of course he’s mad about slavery! I’m mad about slavery! Wanna know why? Cause it’s bad, dumbass!”

Huffing, Translucent gathered up the rest of supplies, dumped a load on Glenn, and walked out the door after Braeburn.

“Sheesh.” Glenn rolled his eyes, gathering up his stuff, “These ponies are so dramatic…”

The trip back to Nelson was a quiet one, aside from the radio being played on Braeburn’s Pipbuck.

“...Ponies on the expressway, with no features, with no faces. Ponies milling about me, trudging off to nameless places...”

“Do you know this song Braeburn?” Translucent asked, for only for the sake of conversation.

“Never really listened to this mopey dopey crap.” Braeburn replied, glancing at the radio to flick it off, but as he raised his finger, the song cut out abruptly as an androgynous voice familiar voice came in.

“This thing is on right? Oh, the little red light’s blinking...Oh, it is? Cool. Anyway, as it turns out, there’s a new rumor going about a pony walking on two legs with a 100 on his back, has a Pipbuck on his arm, or something. There’s also...uh, am I reading this right? A floating specter in a brown cloak with him….Er...Yeah. Don’t take that last one seriously.”

“....Floating specter?! Who does that little….” Translucent snapped, then paused suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked to Glenn, “Uh, Glenn, do you know what who Coloratura is?”

“Nope, I’ve never met him or her. Been around for a while though.” Glenn remarked, “Always plays the same songs over and over again.”

“Anyways, good news! The two I mentioned seem to be pretty good at killing ghouls, the Haybarrel is reportedly cleared of them, and is ripe for looting…..you’re all going over there now, aren’t you?”

“Huh, whoever it is, their kinda slow.” Translucent noted, which caused Braeburn to glance over in her direction.

“Slow? That happened yesterday, mighty fast if ya ask me.”

“It’s just…” Translucent paused to search for the words, “Back in the heartland, there’s this DJ that has a really good information system. Like, really good. Like, he knows about stuff as soon as it happens.”

“How does he do that?”

“Nopony knows.” Translucent shrugged, “Magic?”

“....Ah would find that bullpucky….but…”

Translucent tapped her horn with an audacious grin, “Yep, the unicorn doesn’t know how it works either, just roll with it.”

“Righhttt…” Rolling his eyes, Braeburn adjusted his knapsack’s strap slightly for comfort. Damn thing was starting to get prickly, it was a shame he simply couldn’t tie it to his waist like a normal pony, but as his current...situation didn’t allow that…

Well, there was a lot of things he couldn’t do.

Like having a decent cup of coffee, for one.

Since the trip to the Thoroughbred Estate was a short one, the trip back to Nelson was a simple one as well.

Well, it would have been, if not for the fact that as soon as Braeburn set one metal foot near Nelson’s wall did a bullet ring out and split the ground in front of him.

Three things happened at once, Translucent drew her shotgun, looking for the shooter, Glenn dove for cover, and a gruff voice rang out.

“Alright, stay right there you horned freak! I got you right in my sights!”

“Easy there mister!” Braeburn called back, holding up his hooves and extending his metal fingers in what he assumed to be a placating gesture, “We’re friends with Rail Spike!”

“Rail Spike? Wait...you’re…” Poking their head out, the shooter was...a griffon? The same one from the restaurant the day before, thick red hair, sharp eyes, and enough bulk on him to make lifting the hunting rifle in his claws all too easy.

Emerging from a piece of rubble, Glenn glanced up at the older creature, “Dad?” Glenn called out weakly.

“Dad?” Both Braeburn and Translucent exclaimed at the same time.

“Glenn? What in tarnation are you doing out there?!” He called back, “You were supposed to be back for supper yesterday!”

“Just getting some stuff for the gate, since it’s broke!”

The griffon rolled his eyes, “Uh-huh. And you two were at The Watering Hole yesterday, right?”

“That’d be us!” Translucent yelled up, putting away her shotgun as she did, “And you are?”

“Name’s Grendel.” The griffon said, slowly moving the rifle away.

“If ya don’t mind me asking,” Braeburn spoke up, “What’s the hostile reception? Weren’t like this last time.”

“Ah, that’s cause with the gate busted, we’re being extra cautious.” Grendel replied, “Anyway, get yourselves over to the front, I’ll let you all in.”

As Grendel disappeared from view, Braeburn turned to Translucent, “Ya got stuff for the gate right?”

To which, she nodded, “Oh yeah, got gears and parts for days.”

“Anything else?”

“Ammo, some cloth, (remind me to stitch you some leg covers later,) and a lot of junk we can sell off for supplies.” Translucent said, looking through her bags.

“Ya can sew?”

She snorted and gestured to her cloak, “Somepony has to keep this thing wearable.”

“If you two are done mingling,” Glenn spoke up, a slight edge to his voice, “We’d better get to the gate pronto.”

“Oh, relax Glenn. I’m sure that your dad’s a nice and upstanding fellow.” Translucent said.

“It’s not him I’m worried about…” He muttered in reply.

“Gone!” Whack! “For three days!” Whack! “Where were you?!”

“Mom! I just had to-”

“Don’t talk back to me! Do you have any idea how worried you made me?!”

“Mom, I swear, I-urk!”

“And now look! You’ve brought two….I’m sorry, who are you two? You were at the restaurant yesterday, right?”

Braeburn couldn’t help but grin at the scene in front of him. Leaning back on a pole with Translucent at his side, who was also fighting to hold back a laugh, Braeburn greeted her kindly, “Nice to meet ya ma’am. Name’s Braeburn, this here is Translucent.”

The mare, who seemed to be the one where Glenn got most of his color coordination from. A light shade of teal mixed with a faded yellow mane, just like Glenn. Hell, she even had his blue eyes, if that wasn’t a mark of heritage, then Braeburn didn’t know what did.

Smiling pleasantly at them, the mare bowed her head in thanks, “Well, I suppose I should thank you two for bringing my boy home safe. My name is-”

“Um,” Translucent wearily held a hoof, “Miss, I don’t mean to be...uh...rude, but I don’t think Glenn can breathe in that headlock.”

Looking down at her son, who was currently trapped in his mother’s hooves and turning an interesting shade of purple. Clicking her tongue, all she said was a light, “Oh.”

“Everything’s….going...dark…Is...that you...grandma?”

Rolling her eyes, Glenn’s mother released her son from the headlock. Breathing in large gulps of air, Glenn held his throat and sent Translucent a thankful look. Who merely gave him an unsure smile in reply.

Chuckling to himself, Braeburn crossed his arms and glanced over at the nearby front gate, which was currently being repaired under the strict supervision of Duct Tape and Rail Spike. From what he could tell, the repairs were going well, apparently having such a large amount of stuff being delivered to them meant that jury rigging a new gate system would be easy. Duct Tape certainly lived up to his name though, as pretty much everything began to be covered in tape.

“Hey Glenn,” Braeburn said, still looking at the gate, “When ya can breathe again, mind telling where ya think Code Talker is?”

“Code Talker?” Glenn repeated, still holding his neck, “Yeah, he’s at the Dragoon’s compound. Works as a food server there, I think.”

“So...like a waiter?” Braeburn asked.

“What’s a waiter?”

“Nevermind.”

Translucent raised an eyebrow to him, “So, that’s our next destination then?”

Braeburn turned to her, “Eeyup. Probably gonna be dangerous.”

“Neat.”

“Could get us killed.”

“As if.”

“....Ya know, ya don’t have to come with me if ya don’t want to.”

“Please,” She snorted, “Where you go, I go. We’re friends after all, right?”

A small feeling welled up in Braeburn’s chest. It was small, it was feeble, but it was there, and that made all the difference. “Ah thought Ah was yer pack mule.”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “You can be both.”

The two looked at each other, then shared a laugh.

Shifting forward and getting off the pole, Braeburn nodded to Glenn, who was startled by the sudden address, “Thanks for all yer help Glenn...Oh yeah, ‘fore Ah forget. Lucent, pay em.”

Translucent cringed, “Do we gotta?”

“Yes.” Braeburn replied, bluntly.

“Right right…” Reaching into her bags with her magic, Translucent pulled out a bundle of caps with her magic, “Let’s see...it was forty, right?

“Fifty.” Glenn said.

“Right...Fifty.” Sighing, Translucent added a few more to the pile, and held them in front of Glenn.

Reaching out with both paws, Glenn took the offered money. “Thanks.” He grumbled.

“Don’t mention it kiddo…” Translucent muttered.

“Right,” Braeburn nodded his head towards the gate, “Let’s get going Lucent.” Waving goodbye to Glenn and his mother, Braeburn and Translucent began to make their way to the gate.

“You know where you’re going, right?” Glenn called after them.

Holding up his Pipbuck in response, Braeburn glanced over his shoulder at Glenn and smiled kindly at him before turning away.

“...Now Glenn, I know that-” His mother began, but was cut off.

“Don’t you start.” Glenn said sharply, “Where’s dad?”

“Still on his shift. Now come on, let’s get these bandages changed.” Grabbing her son by the hoof, Glenn was slowly dragged away to his abode.

Braeburn and Translucent on the other hand, had made it to the gate of Nelson, where Rail Spike nodded in greeting as they approached.

“Hey there you two, going already?” He asked.

“Eeyup.” Braeburn nodded, “Gotta find a guy named Code Talker.”

“We should probably find Vanhoover first.” Translucent said, “We have a lot of junk, but not a lot of stuff you know what I’m saying.”

“Ya two should visit Bertha’s then.” Rail Spike interjected, “She’s a trader, she’ll probably have something for ya.”

“She nearby?” Translucent asked.

“Bertha lives in Vanhoover’s town hall, which is were a lot of other shops do business too.” Rail explained, “If you want guns and medicine, that’s where you want to be. Fair warning though, there’s another Polka gang that’s been causing a bit of trouble, so keep your heads down.” He glanced at Braeburn, “For some of us, that’s harder than others.”

“So we got a destination, a few pit stops, and it’s riddled with danger.” Translucent whistled as Braeburn rolled his eyes at the height joke, “This is turning out to be a regular adventure.”

“Ya have those often?” He asked.

Translucent grinned, “Only when it’s interesting.”

Experience Points: 925/1,251

Current S.P.E.C.I.A.L stats.

S: 5

P: 5

E: 7

C: 4

I: 5

A: 2(+)

L: 1

Arcadian Wastleand I

“Translucent, mind if Ah ask ya something?”

“I’m all ears, Burn.”

“How, exactly, did we wind up in this situation?”

“Well, first we-”

“Oi! Did I tell ya that you could talk?”

Translucent sighed, wishing she could rub her head as the sick looking pony waved a gun in her general direction. Not even ten minutes after leaving Nelson and they were being held up by some of the most pathetic Raiders she had ever seen. Seriously, they looked ready to fall over at any given moment, like a stiff breeze would be enough to kill them. Resisting the urge to snort, Translucent couldn’t help but quip; “Well, to be fair, you also didn’t say we couldn’t talk.”

“....I didn’t?”

Translucent rolled her eyes, “No.” then muttered under her breath, “Stupid raiders…”

“Well...ya can’t!” The Raider pony balked, his poorly maintained rifle being swung in Braeburn’s direction. His two flunkies, who looked marginally better than their leader, grinned greedily at Braeburn as the lead pony, who was dressed in rags, tired what Translucent assumed to be a seductive glance, “But your lovely looking mare friend can speak all she wants.”

Braeburn sighed, rolling his shoulders in his new jacket as he did, ”Ah’m a stallion, thank ya very much.”

“....Thank me what now?”

“...Quick question, how many fingers am Ah holding up?” He held up two on his left hand.

“Errr….one!” The raider glanced back at his friends for confirmation, who nodded, “Yeah, one!”

Braeburn glanced up at the sky, the gray, cloudy sky with pockets of sunlight beaming through. Celestia, He thought, if ya’re still up there...please tell me why ponies this dumb exist? Turning his attention back to the Raider, Braeburn lowered his arms slowly, “....Friend,” Braeburn spared a moment to force the vomit he felt at saying that word down his throat, “Ah think ya should sit down.”

“Why?”

“Cause ya happen to be sick.”

“....No I’m not.”

Braeburn glanced at Translucent, who sighed and rolled her hoof near her head, “Alright, Ah’ll bite. Why?”

“Cause I don’t feel sick!”

“....Can ya feel anything at all?”

“....N-no…”

Braeburn sighed and pointed in some random direction, “Go home, go get some medicine that ain’t stolen from other ponies, and think about your life for a change.”

“...But-”

“Ah said go!” Braeburn barked, which made the three stooges whimper and scurry off like a group of misbehaving children.

Sighing, he pressed a hand to his head, savoring the cool metal his fingers gave, but they did nothing for his growing headache.

“Hm. You’re really good at handling idiots.” Translucent chirped, “Something you picked up?”

“Let’s just say it’s something Ah got used to over the years.” Braeburn said.

“Anyway, how far away are we from Vanhoover?” She asked.

Looking at his Pipbuck, Braeburn played with a few of the knobs before answering her, “We’re about a day’s walk, according to this thing.”

“Well, guess that means we’ve got some time to kill.” Translucent said, starting to walk alongside Braeburn down a lane of houses, most of them were either burnt down or empty, but some were still in good standing. Knocking over a discarded can in her path, Translucent glanced at Braeburn, “So, got any good stories?”

At this, he frowned, “Ah…” A pregnant pause, “Don’t rightly think so. Didn’t really do much ‘fore all this. How ‘bout you?”

Translucent looked at him flatly, “Really? Braeburn the gunsmith, close cousin of Applejack, the Ministry Mare, doesn’t have any good stories?”

“Ah….” Braeburn stammered, and struggled to come up with a response, he sputtered out a few incoherent words, but soft giggling from Translucent made his anxiety die a little.

“Oh, relax, I’m just pulling your mechanical leg.” She laughed, “Anyway….Stories...well, how about the Lightbringer?”

“That one pony ya keep mentioning?” Braeburn asked.

“That’s the one.”

“Alright, shoot.”

“Well...let’s see here…” Taking a second to gather her thoughts, Translucent continued, “Well, first things first, The Lightbringer’s real name is actually Littlepip.” An image of a young mare entered Braeburn’s mind, a white pony with brown spots and a bright smile plagued him for a moment before Translucent’s voice pulled him back to reality, “She was a small mare from Stable 21. Unicorn, had a Pipbuck as her cutie mark, because apparently she was really good at fixing them, or something. Anyway, in Stable 21, I hear she was a bit of an outcast, a social pariah. Don’t know much about it, ‘cept their leader was a mare, but the one every really liked was another unicorn mare called Velvet Remedy.”

Annnd there it went. Forcing the image to the back of his mind, Braeburn glanced at her, “Who was she?”

“Remedy? Getting there. See, her Cutiemark is a song bird, so she’s really good at singing and whatnot, but she’s also a bit of a bleeding heart. Always wants to help ponies and refuses to use guns expect on robots or stuff like that. Back in the Stable, everypony really liked her singing, but one day, she up and decided to leave. Cause while her cutie mark was a song bird, it wasn’t a caged bird.”

Braeburn rose an eyebrow, “Ah take it she was a rebel?” He asked, a picture of a young mare with dark blue makeup and piercings filling his head.

“Not at all, see, she was trained as a nurse and really liked it. But when she got her Cutiemark, it was nothing but singing all day long...as far as I know.”

“Ain’t questioning ya.”

“Right, thank you.” Translucent paused to take a drink of Nuka Cola, “Anyway, Remedy wanted to leave her little hole in the ground, but couldn’t so long as she had a Pipbuck on her. So she went one Littlepip for help.”

“Right, then Ah take it the two of ‘em escaped together?”

“Eeehhh...Don’t know.” Translucent shrugged her shoulders, the motion almost invisible through her cloak, “All I know is through word of mouth.”

“Huh, so what happened next?”

“Along the way, they got separated I guess.” Translucent explained, “I think Remedy went to a raider camp, but Littlepip went to Ponyville.”

Ponyville….A frown crossed Braeburn’s face, “Is it safe to say that place is a hell hole too?”

“A little bit...But it’s better now.” Translucent offered weakly.

“Fer a given value of “better.” Braeburn shot back, a definite growl in his voice.

“....Anyway!” Translucent said loudly, “As it turns out, Littlepip was really good at sneaking around, and Ponyville had become a bit of a Slaver camp. Being the good pony she was, Littlepip decided to infiltrate and free some of the slaves. Most prominently among the captives? Derpy Hooves, now-”

“Whoa, hold on there. Derpy?” Coming to a sudden halt, Braeburn and Translucent looked at each other, “Ya don’t mean Ditzy Doo, do ya?”

“Depends,” Translucent scrunched her face in thought, “Does she have a weird eye and a blond mane?”

“Bubbles as a cutie mark?”

“That’s her.”

“Huh.” Was all Braeburn said.

“You know her?” Translucent asked.

“Used to use her to deliver anything special to Little Strongheart when Ah was away.” Braeburn said, looking to the sky, “Can’t believe she’s still alive…”

“Well, she’s a Ghoul, so that explains it.”

“....Hey Lucent...do ya think-”

Translucent held up a hoof to stop him, “I know what you’re thinking, and no. The chances of anypony you knew still being alive, ghoulified or not, are insanely low. Ditzy’s probably the only pony you know that’s from your time, so don’t get your hopes up about your Strongheart.”

Braeburn knew what she said was the truth, but still, it hurt to hear. Celestia, this entire thing was just...just so fu-

“Little atom bomb baby, little atom bomb. I want her in my wigwam, she’s just the way I want her to be! A million times hotter than T.N.TTtttt!”

“Oh, hey! I love this song!” Before Braeburn even knew what happened, Translucent had started singing along with the music. Stretching his hearing to it’s limit, Braeburn noticed the music was actually pretty close by, almost…

“Well, howdy there!”

Right behind them.

Turning around, Braeburn was greeted with what had to be the weirdest thing he had seen since he woke up. A large, brown two headed rib cage showing….cow smiled at them. Large trunks and suitcases were roped onto it’s back, and both heads were looking straight. At. Them.

At this moment, Braeburn swore to never get into a staring contest with this creature.

“Hi!” Translucent greeted, completely unaffected, “Nice to see a friendly Brahmin!”

“Brahmin?” Braeburn repeated, completely confused.

“What? Never seen one before?” The head on the left snorted. It’s….his voice was deep and reverberating, almost like a slab of marble falling on concrete.

“Oh, now Reggie, don’t be like that.” The righthanded head said, a feminine voice as silky as honey...if it had been dragged through a cheese grater, “Young’n might be from the city.”

“I doubt it, look at the way the fool stands Lexina.” Reggie snorted, “All up on his hind legs, got no shame, he does.”

“Oh, maybe it’s a new fad.” Lexina suggested, “Look at those fake legs of his! Why, I bet he doesn’t even remember his old legs!”

That was kinda true, Braeburn mused, he hadn’t even really noticed the fact all sense of touch and pain was gone from his legs. In fact, he barely felt any pain at all-Oh, no, wait. There it is. Great.

Braeburn winced as pain swelled up in his legs, his lower legs. What did they call this? It was like some kind of...phantom pain. His legs were gone, but it still felt like there were there. At least, that’s what his brain told him.

“Ah’d appreciated if ya stop making me out to be a circus show.” Braeburn mumbled.

“Yeah, the legs are kinda off topic.” Translucent said plainly, “Anyway, who are you two?”

One of the heads smiled sweetly at Translucent, “Well honey, I am Lexination Fields. My brother here is Reginald Fields, we’re sorta one Brahim trading company.”

“Oh cool. I’m Translucent, this here is Braeburn.”

Reggie’s eyes lit up, turning his head to look at Braeburn fully, “Like the gunsmith?”

Despite the male head’s previous rudeness, Braeburn couldn’t help but smile proudly, “That’d be me.”

Reggie stared at him for a second, then said in his deep voice, “Nah.”

Deflating like a balloon, Braeburn slumped his arms down and sighed, “Ah, come on...”

“Don’t take it personally son, ya just don’t have the same look as that Gunmaker.” Reggie said in what Braeburn assumed to be a comforting voice.

“How do you about Braeburn? The gunmaker, I mean.” Translucent asked, “I thought most of it would be labeled as Ironshod.

“Oh, we ship all kinds of guns up and down the coast.” Lexina said, “Rifles, pistols, shotguns, you name it. We’ve seen all kinds of guns, and each gunmaker always had a bit of a “touch” if ya know what I’m saying.”

“For instance, that Braeburn fella?” Reggie said, “Always designed guns that had a lot of power and accuracy, not a lot of ammo.”

Floating her own shotgun in front of her for inspection, Translucent spared Braeburn a look, who rolled his eyes in return, “Well, I can certainly see that.” She said.

“Hm,” Lexina’s eyes twinkled as she looked at the gun in front of her, “Hey now, that’s a rare find. You offering to trade?”

“Nope.” Translucent said.

“Darn.”

An idea struck Braeburn, and his hand floated over to the black revolver resting in it’s holster, “Hey now, Ah don’t suppose you two could tell me ‘bout this here thing?” Drawing it, Braeburn held it in booth hooves for them it see. As Lexina’s and Reggie’s eyes scanned the revolver, Reggie whistled lowly in amazement.

“Huh, that’s a one of a kind.” He said, scrutinizing the revolver “A break action six shot .44 with glow sights, looks like something’s going on with the barrel too. That an inscription?”

Glancing at the barrel, Braeburn squinted at the gun. Come to think of it, he hadn’t really looked it over much since he got it, always had something else going on. Now though…

The revolver, colored in black with an almost midnight sheen, was a hefty beast. An ebony grip emblazoned with golden lines, a trigger and finger guard worked into the grip, the spur hammer chipped, but ready. The barrel itself was closed, and along it was a faded inscription, just like Reggie had said.

The gunsmith in Braeburn was waking up, and he wanted to take this gun apart, piece by piece to find out what made it tick.

“Hey, um. Equestria to Braeburn? You okay in there?”

Blinking, Braeburn found himself back in the land of the almost living, “Huh, what?” He sputtered.

“You were kinda staring at your gun for a while now. You okay?” Translucent asked, looking at him worriedly.

“Yeah, yeah, Ah’m fine.” He said, putting the gun away and turning his attention back to the cow...err, Brahmin.

“That’s a Griffon weapon you got there, sweetie.” Lexina said, “Where’d ya get it?”

“You got me and my friends killed YOU BASTARD!”

“On the ground.” Braeburn said.

Translucent blinked, “Wait, didn’t you-”

“Ah said, on. The. ground.” Braeburn repeated sternly.

“Alright alright, jeez.” Translucent grumbled.

“It got a name?” Reggie asked.

Braeburn titled his head, “A name?”

“All the best weapons have names Sweetie!” Lexina said, “Ratslayer, Blackhawk, The Victory Rifle, Old Faithful.”

“Sexy.” Reggie added, “Luna’s Judgment's, Black and White, Vigilance, and-”

“Little Mac…” Braeburn breathed, “Ah’ll give it some thought.”

“Anyway, where you two going?” Lexina asked.

“Vanhoover.” Translucent said, “Me and Brae-Brae here and travelers so to speak.”

“Huh, what a coincidence, that’s where we’re going! Care to join us?” Lexina beamed, while Reggie grumbled something about hitch hikers.

“Always happy to have some company.” Translucent said, glancing over at Braeburn for his approval.

He shrugged, non-committal, “Whatever floats yer boat.”

Walking along with the music being played at full volume, Braeburn soon found himself engrossed in a conversation with Reggie about, what else? Guns, guns and nothing else. Their discussion went from basic pistol tuning all the way to calculating the proper angle on a grenade launcher. Braeburn had to admit, Reggie knew his guns, almost as well as Braeburn himself, and he made most of them.

“Alright, what about the rifling pressure on a FF-47? Ah heard that was a bit of problem if mud got in the barrel.” Braeburn said.

Reggie rolled his eyes, “Bah, that’s the beauty of those old Zebra guns, you can throw all the dirt in Equestria in them and they’ll still work as it had been made that day.”

“Unless the action get’s roughed up.” Braeburn pointed out, “Useless as a fashion mare in the mountains then.”

“And the Bloombergs suffered the same fault, what’s your point?” Reggie countered.

Braeburn smiled, “Not if ya put a bit of polish into the ramp. Works like a charm then.”

“Ah, the old one touch,” Reggie nodded, acknowledging Braeburn’s point.

“Nice to see you two are getting along.” Lexina chimed in, “And here I was afraid you two would be at each other’s throats the whole way.”

“I wasn’t worried.” Translucent said, walking on Lexina’s side, “Braeburn doesn’t have a lot of bad bones in his body.”

“Hm, what about you honey?” Lexina asked, turning her attention back to Translucent, “What kind of bones do you have?”

“My bones are steel and my blood is nuka cola!” Translucent quipped, “That’s me, Translucent with a T!”

“...You’ve been waiting to use that, haven’t you?” Lexina observed.

“....Maybe.”

“While we’re changing the subject, I don’t suppose you two know why a fully functional assualt rifle is only worth 200 caps instead of three?” Translucent asked.

“That’s the normal rate Hon.” Reggie said, “Unless you’ve got mods for it.”

“Why though?” Translucent pressed, taking out the aforementioned rifle out of her saddle bag with magic and making the skeleton firearm float in front of her, “This is a really good gun! In prime condition too!”

Lexina shrugged. Well, shrugged wasn’t really the right word, it was more like she lifted her shoulder up slightly, causing some of her cargo to rattle around. “Well ya see, Sweetie, is that gun you’ve got there is pretty common around here. See, I can tell even from here that rifle is pretty new. Probably made a few days ago, not a lot of demand for off the shelf guns that haven’t been tested. That, and well, guns are worth much here in the northern territories.”

Translucent blinked, “.....Come again?”

“Guns aren’t worth a lot up here. Farming’s where it’s at.” Reggie said curtly.

“.....Farming, like, tied and true farming. With fertile crops?”

“Yep.” Lexina nodded.

“....Oh….Oh….Oh sonofa….” Slamming her hoof against her head and dropping her rifle into the pavement, Translucent groaned, “Now I get it.”

“Translucent?” Braeburn asked, glancing at Reggie with concern.

“Guns are worth a lot back in the Equestrian Heartland, why? Because you can’t grow anything there. Mine? Sure, but you can’t farm.” She groaned, “The ground isn’t fertile, you can’t grow plants or get clean water out of the ground. So you have to get guns to scavenge just to survive. Here? All you need is a hoe and some seeds, you have a renewable income in a hunter gatherer environment. That’s why guns aren’t worth as much here, armor too.”

“....No, see, Ah knew that.” Braeburn said, “Just wanted to make sure ya were feeling alright?”

“Just fine, just another world view shattered.” Translucent grumbled, “So, how are you walking on two legs anyway?”

“Uh-”

WHAP!

The Brahmin blinked as Braeburn laid on the ground, dazed and confused from his sudden fall.

“Uh…” Reggie and Lexina glanced at Translucent, who rolled her eyes.

“I get snippy when mad, sue me.” She said.

“How did you...?”

“I figured that he didn’t really think about how he was walking, and I wanted to see what would happen if I brought it up.”

“Yer a drinkin' buddy, Lucent.” Braeburn growled from the ground.

“I try my best.” Translucent replied cheekily.

“...So!” Lexina said, sporting an awkward grin, “Why are you two going to Vanhoover? Trying to see the old city again?”

“Actually, we’re going to meet somepony called Bertha.” Translucent said as Braeburn picked himself up from the ground, “Gotta stock up so we can save somepony called Code Talker.”

“Code Talker…” Lexina glanced at her brother, “That name sound familiar to ya at all?”

“Don’t think so…” Reggie grumbled, “We talking about…”

“No, I think they mean…”

Descending into a whispered conversation between themselves and slowing to a stop, Reggie and Lexina paid no attention to the world around them. As Braeburn made his way his way to Translucent, she grinned at him. In return, Braeburn bobbed her on the head with a fist.

“Ow!” Translucent said, holding her head with a hoof, “What was that for?”

“Ya know why.” Braeburn said, rolling his eyes.

“Well, how was I supposed to know you couldn’t walk if you were thinking about it?”

“....”

“Ha, Translucent 2! Braeburn 0!”

“Where’d ya get the first one?”

“You know why.”

“....No, Ah really don-”

“Ahem,” Lexina cleared her throat, which honestly sounded like a beehive being thrown through an engine to Braeburn’s ears, “I don’t suppose you mean the Code Talker in the Dragoon base?”

“That’s the one.” Translucent nodded.

“Give it up.” Lexina said bluntly.

“Come again?” Translucent replied, narrowing her eyes.

“That place is a fortress,” Reggie said, “You two will never get in.”

“How come?” Braeburn asked.

“That place always has folks going in and out.” Lexina said, “Dragoons, Polkas with “business” there. All sorts of folks moving about makes it near impossible to smuggle somepony out without being seen. And you two stand out more than most.”

Braeburn blinked, “But-”

“Listen honey, think about it.” Lexina pressed, “Dragoons mighty value their “workers” and like to keep ‘em. If ya try to get Code out of there without some sort of miracle, you’ll just wind up dead.”

“You two been there?” Translucent asked.

“Once or twice.” Lexina confirmed, “We try to stay away from it though, mighty unfriendly folks if ya know what I mean.”

“Rail Spike mentioned them being about “Survival of the fittest,” Braeburn said, “What made him say that?”

“They got a new leader, name’s...uh, what was it again Reggie?” Lexina asked, turning to her twin.

“I think it was...hm,” Reggie pursed his lips in thought, “...Something that starts with G...”

“Gal?” Lexina suggested.

“Gao?” Translucent added.

“....Gat?” Braeburn asked weakly.

“Gaius! That was it.” Reggie exclaimed, “Guy’s a Minotaur, really likes to fight for fun. Set up some kind of arena in his main base where they hold games. Stuff like fights to the death, capture the flag, and seeing how long you can last against that beast.”

“Beast?” Translucent repeated, raising an eyebrow, “We talking like some kind of creature?”

“Something like that,” Reggie said, “Never saw the thing myself, but I hear that whatever it is, it’s where the Dragoon’s get their name from.”

“...So a dragon then.” Translucent said flatly, “Like a big dragon?”

“Don’t know.” Reggie replied.

“Size? Weight? Any markings?”

Rolling his eyes, Reggie snorted, “Don’t know, don’t know, and let me think...Oh yeah, don’t, know.”

“We ain’t never saw it Sweetie.” Lexina said placatingly, “We just do business with some of the vendors there.”

“Hmmmm...Well,” Translucent bit her tongue, “We need more info, maybe a guy on the inside, probably fall back route too…Braeburn? You’ve been quiet, any ideas?”

“Hm?” Blinking, Braeburn’s head suddenly snapped up, “Uh, sorry Lucent, was a bit busy thinking.”

“About the dragon?” Translucent asked, “I wouldn’t worry about it, I don’t think it’s a real one. Probably just a mole rat decked in scary armor.”

“No, that’s not...Hm…” Braeburn shook his head, “Just need to think about something for a bit.”

“Well...let me know with whatever comes up.” Translucent said, her voice wavering slightly before turning her attention back to the Brahmin, “Well, thanks anyway for the info.”

“Your welcome Sweetie.” Lexina said, “Anyway, our stop is coming up here, you wanna continue-OW!”

Reeling back suddenly and lifting her front hoof, Lexina sputtered a curse which consisted of some of the foulest language Braeburn had ever heard. It was also one of the strangest things he had ever saw, (though that list was filling up quickly) as Reggie just rolled his eyes noncommittally and moved on. It was surreal, to see one side of the body completely ignore what the other side was doing and drag it along.

Stepping to the side to let them pass, Braeburn and Translucent shared a look before the unicorn offered a wry grin, “Brahmins, am I right?”

Braeburn opened his mouth to respond, then closed it, opened it again, before finally shutting it with a click.

“Anyway, I remember Rail Spike mentioning another Polka gang around here, think we should stop there for a bit?” Translucent asked, her left eye twitching for some reason, “Though he did mention that they were kinda trouble...but I think he was….okay, what is that?!” She snapped, turning her attention to whatever was causing her to squint.

Following her lead, Braeburn blinked as he spied the offending object on the ground. Walking over and taking it into his hooves, he found it to be a pleasant surprise. It was a rifle, no doubt about that, but it wasn’t the kind you would attach to a battle saddle. For one, it looked like something that was supposed to be held in your hooves, not at the side like a normal gun for a pony. It had a clip long, and thin, enough to be cupped around with your hoof, an elongated barrel with a wooden foregrip, and a pull back receiver. The grip was long enough to be held comfortably, and the trigger was just as long. A leather sling over the gun made it easier to carry over your side or your shoulder. It was obvious, any creature would be capable of using this gun in their hooves, so long as they didn’t mind a missing stock.

“Hey, that another Griffin gun?” Translucent asked.

Braeburn shook his head, “Nah, this here is an Equestrian Hoof Rifle.” Placing the rifle into his grasp, Braeburn looked down the sights, “See, back during the war, Equestria’s soldiers needed to be able to shoot over their heads or around cover and whatnot. Battle Saddles couldn’t quite accommodate that, and firing over a sandbag with a mouth gun was downright too hard. Now see, the only ponies who could do shoot from behind cover would be unicorns with your magic, but earth ponies and pegasi would be out of luck.” Releasing the magazine from the gun, Braeburn inspected it. Hm… .45 ACP rounds? Was it an SMG?

“So,” he continued, putting the clip back and dismissing his thoughts, “Ironshod started to make guns like these, guns you’re supposed to hold in your hooves instead of your mouth.”

“Huh,” Translucent eyed the gun, “Yeah, I can see it, guess that makes a good choice aside that shotgun you have.”

A jolt ran through Braeburn, “Err…”

“....You dropped it didn’t you?”

“In the mall, yeah.”

“....Eh, shotguns are easy to come by.” Translucent shrugged, brushing the notion away, “Anyway, what you do want to do with this gun?”

“Well, we should give it back to Lexina and Reggie, it’s theirs after all.” Braeburn said, lowering the rifle.

“....” Translucent sighed and rubbed her head, “You know, if you had told me that two years ago, I would’ve said “Too bad, so sad.”

“What made ya change yer mind?” Braeburn asked.

“Like I said before,” Translucent grumbled, turning her head, “The Lightbringer’s been an inspiration to me. Anyway, we should probably catch...up?” Looking around on the empty and narrow street, devoid of life aside from the greenery, Reggie and Lexina were nowhere to be seen.

Braeburn looked at Translucent and shrugged, there were no blips in his vision, and no one was showing up on his radar, “Ah got nothing.”

“How did they do that?” Translucent wondered, “I mean, they’re not exactly the stealthiest creature around!”

“Well…” Braeburn began, a coy smile on his snout.

“Don’t you start.” Translucent snapped.

Chuckling to himself, Braeburn wiped his chin and slung the firearm over his shoulder, “Alright, come on.” He said, starting to walk, adjusting the rope slightly so it wouldn’t interfere with his barbed bat.

“We going after them?” Translucent asked, hopping after him.

“Yep, said they had a stop coming.” Braeburn said, “They should still be nearby.”

“They aren’t showing up on your Pipbuck?”

“Nope.”

“Hrm...well, any ideas?”

Braeburn looked around, then pointed upwards at a nearby three story house with a caved in ceiling, “There’s a good high point up from up there, if we get ta the roof, we should be able to see pretty much everythin’.”

“Sounds good to me.” Translucent nodded, “By the way, what’s on the radio?”

Perplexed but accommodating, Braeburn flicked to radio tab, and listened.

“So...Been hearing a bit more about that old dome to the north. Nothing but rumors...I think, but anyway, there’s been a bit of a rumor that there’s something going on up there. A few of the Thunderhooves coming into the city mention that they’ve seen something moving about up there.”

Climbing to the top of the roof, Braeburn let out a breath of pure exhaustion as he slowly dragged his plot onto the top of the building. Whoever or whatever designed his metal legs clearly forgot to factor vertical travel into the process, because hauling his metal legs up and over the roof was not easy for him. He swore, that before he meets his maker, Braeburn would-

“You know Burn, I bet right now you’re thinking of whoever made your legs and wondering why they made them so heavy and probably declaring vengeance on them. But has it ever occurred to you that maybe you’re out of shape?”

And Translucent’s commentary was not helping matters.

Looking down through the hole where he climbed up, Braeburn made sure Translucent got a full view of his eye roll as he extended a hand to her. Rolling her eyes in return, Translucent used her magic to stabilize the “staircase” they had made out of bookshelves and cabinets hop on up right past Braeburn. Who sighed and pulled his hand back as Translucent passed by him with a swagger.

Peering out over the edge, Braeburn and Translucent looked over the landscape. In front of them was an odd sight, on one end of the landscape, to the east, was a forest. A healthy, green forest that overtook dilapidated buildings with overgrowth, the very picture of a serene view. On the other, to the west and the sea, was an almost barren land of steep hills and cliffs, what else? Ruined houses and destroyed buildings. It was actually beginning to grow tiresome for Braeburn, at first, seeing all the houses devoid of life was depressing, but as he started to walk through them, they were quickly becoming-

Something was jabbing him in the arm, “Hey, hey Burn. What is that?” Translucent asked, prodding him with her hoof.

“What?” He replied.

“That.” She pointed to the forest, and Braeburn squinted his eyes, trying to find whatever she was pointing at.

“...Alright, Ah give. Ah don’t see anything.” He admitted after a minute of searching.

“That.” She pointed at the forest again.

“Translucent, what are ya looking at?” Braeburn demanded finally.

“That….thing. With the trees.” Translucent said.

Blinking, Braeburn tilted his head, “Ya mean the forest?”

“....THAT’S a forest?” Translucent balked, “But it’s all pretty and nice!”

“Well, actually, now that Ah think about it, Ah think it’s more of a “woods” then a forest but-”

“Nevermind that! That’s not a forest! A forest has a bunch of poisonous trees and has a lot of bugs trying to kill you! It should not be that peaceful looking!” Translucent yelled, her eyes wide and getting into Braeburn’s personal space.

On reflex, Braeburn held up his hoof to her forehead and pushed her back slightly, “Ah think ya didn’t get enough sleep last night ‘Lucent.”

Undeterred by the metal pushing her back, Translucent whirled around, apparently on the verge of hysterics, “That’s it! I’m going back to the Equestrian Wasteland! I can’t take this crazy place any longer!”

“Translucent.”

“Give me the green soil! The vicious raiders! The place where guns are worth for what they are! I don’t want to live in this Arcadian Wasteland!”

“Translucent!”

“What?!”

WHACK!

“Ya done?”

“....Yes.” Translucent rubbed her cheek, “Thanks for that.”

“Right,” Braeburn gently held the underside of his hoof, where his hoof had bopped Translucent like a hammer, “Now, where do ya think Lexina and Reggie went?”

“Probably to that place with all the yellow.” Translucent said, pointing over his shoulder.

Blinking, Braeburn followed her hoof and saw what she meant. About half a mile away was a high school with yellow tappings on the outside, even from this distance, Braeburn could make out the faintest images of movement on the roof.

“Hm, think that’s another Polka gang?” Translucent asked.

“Maybe…” Braeburn kneeled down on his hunches, pressing his hooves against each other as he looked over the building in thought.

“Hey, you’ve gotten better at balancing.” Translucent observed, “Yet you fell down earlier when I mentioned walking, how does-Oh shit!”

As soon as Translucent brought it up, Braeburn found himself tilting forward over the side of the building with no way to stop himself. He was only saved from a grisly death by Translucent wrapping him in her magic and pulling him back to the roof. “Okay, note to self: Stop mention bipedal motion!” Translucent exclaimed as Braeburn righted himself firmly on the rooftop.

“Gotta agree with ya on that one Lucent.” He said breathlessly, warily taking a few steps away from the edge of the roof and heading towards the hole from whence they came.

“Yeah so anyways...to take our minds off it, why do you think they’re called Polka Face anyway?” She asked, following Braeburn.

“Don’t know, but uh…Back during the war, there was this one party pony called Cheese Sandwich,” Braeburn paused for a moment to drop down to the floor below them. Landing with a heavy thud that sent tremors through the entire building, Braeburn looked up to Translucent looking down at him, the sunlight pouring in above him and surrounding him in a circle of light. The shadows around Translucent’s face her hard to see, but he could make out the expectant look on her face. He mused it would make a pretty picture, but this wasn’t the time for that. Stepping to the side, Braeburn allowed Translucent to jump down after him.

True to form, she landed with far more grace, and far less noise, “Go on.” Translucent said without missing a beat.

As they made their way through the house, Braeburn continued; “Well, he worked for Pinkie’s Ministry of Morale, but Ah heard he never approved of the war. Even wrote a few protests songs about it.”

“And...Polka Face was one of them?” Translucent guessed.

“Ah guess so. That was one of his songs ‘fore MoM shut him down.” Braeburn shrugged, “Shame too, Ah reckon he was a good pony. Was mostly a silly song, but it was full of life, ya could tell just by listenin’, and it was mighty strange too.”

“Yeah, sorry to hear that.” Translucent said. “...How was it? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“The song? It was nice, but Ah prefer the classics like-”

“No,” Translucent rolled her eyes, “I mean, what was it like during the war? I’ve read a few journals from that time, but….”

Braeburn chewed on his lips, mulling over her question. How should he answer? To her, Wartime Equestria must have been some far off age, only seeable through the haze of a broken world. but for him, it was no more than two days ago.

Celestia, where does he even start?

“Well...Like Ah said before, Prewar Equestria was a lot different then it was during the war. A lot of things got repurposed, things like…” Braeburn glanced up, now that they were out of the building, “Ah, the clouds.”

“Clouds?” Translucent tilted her head, then nodded, “Oh right, the Pesagi.”

“Yep, Pesagi were some of Equestria best fighters, on account of being able to fly and all. The Zebras had no real way of countering ‘em ‘cept for their robots. So some Pesagi liked to charge a few clouds with lightnin’ to fry ‘em. Worked for a bit, then Zebras learned to insulate their machines.” Braeburn went on, “It was things like that, Equestria would build something better and bigger, Zebras would find some counter fer it. Weren’t long ‘fore Equestria went into total war, and the Zebras did the same.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen a few of the pre war facilities...what’s with the lack of catwalks?” Translucent asked.

Braeburn shrugged, “Needed to cut down on costs. War ain’t cheap Lucent.”

“I figured as much.” Translucent said, “...Can I just say how weird this is?”

“What is?”

“This.” Translucent pointed at Braeburn and herself, “A 200 year old fossil and a run-away, what are the chances of us meeting?”

“Not much,” Braeburn mused, “But...Wait, run-away?” Braeburn repeated, tilting his head, “What’d ‘ja run from?”

Translucent blinked, “A runaway? What do you….Ah crap.” Cringing, Translucent just shook her head, “Uh, listen, could you forget that you heard that?”

Braeburn opened his mouth to refuse her, but he closed it and sighed. Looking at Translucent’s jittery and anxious body, it screamed that she didn’t want to talk about whatever was bugging her, and well, Braeburn wasn’t about to pry into other ponies’ past ‘less there was a reason for it.

“Ah hear ya, dropping it like a sack of rotten apples.” Braeburn agreed.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Translucent nodded at him, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” With a roll of his shoulders, they continued on in silence. Neither one of them seemed to be in a mood to talk, and despite feeling some lingering curiosity for Translucent’s past, Braeburn didn’t air his questions. If she wanted to tell him, she would tell him, simple as that.

‘Less was secretly an alicorn, or a changeling in disguise. But what were the chances of that? After all, Celestia and Luna were the only Alicorns in Equestr-

….Right. He had to stop doing that to himself.

Coming up to the school house with yellow marks, Braeburn and Translucent were greeted by the lazy sight of a single rust brown earth pony resting on a chair and leaning back, listening to a radio playing some tunes. He appeared to be asleep with a magazine over his head. Daintly reaching over and picking the magazine up, Braeburn spared a glance at the cover before turning his attention back to the sleeping earth pony.

Unlike the raiders Braeburn had encountered earlier, this guy looked healthy. Well, he looked like he had eaten in the past week, at least. True to Polka Face fashion, this guy wore a yellow bandana on his head, which kept a scruffy mane from interfering with his eyes.

Looking back at magazine in his hands, Braeburn raised an eyebrow at the cover, “Astoundingly Awesome Tales #1: My Liver and I (A Twisted love Tale).” It featured a mare, white coat color with a red and black mane, she holding a bottle of whiskey with a whole bunch of wires hooked up to her midsection. She appeared to be paused in thought, somehow looking somber despite the drink in her hooves. Putting the magazine away for later, Braeburn raised his hand to wake the sleeping pony.

“Don’t.”

Stopping mid-action, Braeburn turned to glance at Translucent.

“Let’s uh...head inside first.” Translucent said, looking about the area with care, “You know what they say about sleeping hell hounds.”

“...Ah thought that was hippos.”

“Same difference.”

“No, Ah don’t think…..” Braeburn paused, then shook his head, “Whatever, why don’t ya wanna wake him?”

“Just a feeling.” Translucent said.

“Translucent, Ah’m-”

“Braeburn.” Translucent said with far more force, “Please….just trust me on this.”

“....Alright.” Sighing, Braeburn removed his hand and turned, “Ah’ll follow yer lead on this one.”
“Thanks, you can go back to party leader after we’re done here.”

Though Braeburn wanted to know where on Equestria she gotten the term “Party Leader” from, he spared a nod to Translucent and followed her inside the schoolhouse.

Once inside, the first thing Braeburn took notice of was the cool air and dim lighting, appropriate for a stone work building. They were looking at a fairly large entrance hall, with a second floor balcony overlooking them, presumably for students to have a view to the outside world, if not for the long Ministry banners covering the walls and other kinds of propaganda strewn about damn near everywhere.

The second thing he noticed was the two flabbergasted Polka ponies looking at them in complete shock, food dripping out of their mouth. So naturally, in response to this, Braeburn did the only thing he could.

Raise his hand and say; “Hi.”

“Who are you?!” The first one yelled, reaching for his weapon as the other scrambled to wipe their chin.

“Wanderers, looking fer work.” Braeburn bluffed, glancing back at Translucent who nodded in agreement.

“Yep, saw your yellow paint outside, Polka right?” Translucent asked, catching the two ponies off guard.

“Y-yeah.” The one with the gun stammered, a male unicorn with a black and white tattoo, “You talked to Mud right?”

“The pony outside?” Braeburn asked, to which the unicorn nodded, “Seemed mighty sleepy, so we just let em rest.”

“Damn fool’s always sleeping.” The other one growled, a female earth pony a jagged scar over a closed eye, “He’s supposed to be the door-pony, how’s he supposed to do that if he’s always napping on the job?”

“It’s like he asking to be robbed.” Translucent added.

Nodding in agreement, Tattoo glanced at his companion then back at Braeburn, “Well, we don’t need any mercs...but…”

“How ‘bout an engineer?” Braeburn asked, which got their attention. Continuing with more confidence, Braeburn stepped forward, “Ah can fix or make just ‘bout anything, so long as ya got the caps for it.”

“We’ll uh...show ya to the boss.” “Tattoo” said, “Always happy to have a good fixer here.”

“Oh, by the way, before we forget,” Translucent spoke up, “We’re actually looking for a friend of ours. A Brahmin? Have you seen them?”

Tattoo and his friend, who Braeburn dubbed “Scarface” in his mind, shared a look, and the unicorn shrugged, “Well actually-”

“The boss’s is usually the one who does business with outsiders.” Scarface cut in, closing Tattoo’s snout with a well placed hoof, “I think he mentioned your friend earlier. A Brahmin with a lot of stuff, right?”

“That’d be them.” Braeburn nodded.

“Great!” Scarface grinned, “Come on then, the boss will definitely want to see you.”

As the two Polka ponies turned away from them, Braeburn glanced sideways when Translucent walked up to his side.

“Burn, I still got that feeling.” She whispered, “I really don’t like the look of those two.”

“Ya think they’re lying?” He asked.

“I think we’re walking into a trap.” She returned, “And...I’m hoping against hope here, but I think there’s a chance that Reggie and Lexina have been killed.”

Braeburn turned to her, stopping abruptly with horror written on his face, “What in Equestria makes ya say that?”

“They were carrying so many supplies it’s not even funny.” Translucent said, “Believe me, I know several raider gangs that dream of that kind of haul.”

“...Ya think they might have done that?”

“I wouldn’t put it past them.” Translucent muttered, “But for now, let’s just play along. See what we see and all that.”

Following Tattoo and Scarface through the school house, Braeburn had to admit, they actually had a pretty workable “home” there. Though many of the classrooms they passed had remained untouched by the occupants, many of them had bothered to set up sleeping rooms and the like in some of the cleaner rooms. But Braeburn’s heart bleed a little as they passed by a blackboard with a mathematical equation on it. The numbers were faded, and the dust hanged in the air, but still...Still, it was a just another reminder of what was lost.

Tearing his eyes away from the board, Braeburn spared Translucent a glance. She seemed calm, eerily calm. Her step was undeterred, her sight was straight ahead, and her demeanour wasn’t as bombastic as usual, in fact, everything about her body language wasn’t what he had come to expect from her. No wayward glances, no nervous shuffling, nothing. Was she right? Was this a trap?

….Well there was no point in fretting about it. The world already died, so what else could go wrong?

Apparently, a lot.

Braeburn held back the urge to vomit as he stared at the pig being roasted over a fire, it’s skin was a rich brown, and the ponies surrounding it were looking at it eagerly as it cooked. Their mouths watering as one pony began carving out pieces of flesh to eat with a knife.

“Hey Boss! How’s it cooking?” Scarface asked, trotting up to the one holding the knife in it’s mouth.

Spitting the knife out, much to the dismay of the gathered ponies, the “Boss” turned to her. He was a blue earth pony of medium size and build, dressed in leather with a yellow band on his left hoof, “Good, been roasting nicely.” His eyes flickered to Braeburn and Translucent, “And who are they?”

“Mercs, Boss.” Tattoo said, “Said they were looking for work, and the tall one said he’s an engineer.”

“Hm...A fixer huh?” The Boss mused. Glancing behind him, he barked, “Oi, Cleaver! Prepare lunch for the rest of the crew, and be sure to “save” a piece for our friends down below.”

“Got it boss.” One of the ponies said, Braeburn wasn’t sure which.

“So…” The Boss looked Braeburn over, his eyes resting on the Pipbuck for a moment before turning to Translucent, “Mercs huh? Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting to see any of ya when I woke up today. Why don’t you step into my office?”

“Why?” Translucent asked, “Can’t stay right here and talk?”

“Hm.” The Boss chuckled, “Let’s just say business and lunch don’t mix. My office?”

Braeburn and Translucent shared a look, and they nodded.

“Lead the way.” Translucent said.

“Good. Nice to meet some reasonable folk now and again.” The Boss said, starting to walk away with the duo in tow. Tattoo and Scarface staying behind to eat lunch, their talk fading into the background. As The Boss lead them through the School’s winding hallways, Braeburn couldn’t help but notice the box...thing on the pony’s side, it looked like a gun, but...Since when did guns need a battery pack? That would just be stupid.

“Nice pig you got, surprised it didn’t have two heads.” Translucent commented.

“Yeah, lucky find.” The Boss said, “Poor bloke was limping around outside, whining for help and all that jazz, so we decided to help ourselves. Had a helluva time digging that buckshot out it’s leg.”

“Ya killed him?” Braeburn balked.

“Yeah, what of it?” The Boss returned.

“....Nothing.” Braeburn finished, looking at Translucent as she sighed in relief, “Just gettin’ used to things, is all.”

“My friend here’s a big believer in the old ways of doing things. His momma brought him up right.” Translucent said with a roll of her eyes.

“Hm, if only we all were that lucky.” The Boss commented, “By the way, your names?”

“I’m Translucent, he’s Braeburn.” Translucent said, then added; “By the way, we’re actually looking for a friend of ours. A Brahnim carrying a lot of stuff, you seen ‘em?”

“Maybe.” The Boss replied, pausing to open a door which Braeburn recognized as the Principal's office. The door was half-torn off it’s hinges, so the pony in front of them had little trouble pushing it aside with his snout. Moving around a half caved in desk with a Terminal resting on it, The Boss took up a seat on a wooden chair behind the desk.

“Nice place.” Translucent observed, looking at the worn out walls and broken doctorates that lined them, “Really brings in the natural light.”

“Thank you.” Following her gaze, The Boss chuckled, “Hm, I tell ya, you think that the pony who worked here was smart?”

“This is the Principal's office.” Braeburn shrugged, “Ah bet he was.”

“Hm, and do you think, that me setting up here, makes me smart as well?” The Boss asked, shifting his gaze back to Braeburn and Translucent.

“Can’t rightly say so, seeing as how we just met ya and all.” Braeburn replied, crossing his arms.

“Hm, now see here. I know you’re a fixer, and that makes you pretty smart as well.” The Boss said, sitting down in his chair, “So, as two smart ponies, I think we can come to some sort of agreement.”

“We’re just looking for a Brahmin.” Braeburn repeated.

The Boss nodded, “I know, I know, but let’s say that on top of knowing where they might be, I’d have a job for you as well.”

Translucent snorted, “We’re just interested in-”

The heavy thunk of a leather pouch landing on the desk cut Translucent off.

“....In hearing about what this job of yours is.” She finished, staring at the pouch with wide eyes.

“Lucent…” Braeburn groaned.

Turning him aside, Translucent leaned over and whispered to him, “Look, it’s just a job, and we need the money.”

“But we need to find-”

“And this guy might know something.” Translucent insisted, “Don’t forget, you can never have too many friends in the Wasteland.”

Braeburn furrowed his brow, but sighed, “...We’ll turn the job down if it’s bad.”

“Right, ‘course.” Translucent agreed.

“You two done?” The Boss asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Translucent nodded, “What’s the job?”

“Basically, we have two...friends down in the basement, carry all kinds of gear. Don’t worry, not your Brahmin friend.” The Boss added, “Anyway, we hoping to figure out how their stuff work, which is something only a fixer can do.”

“Prisoners?” Translucent tilted her head as Braeburn frowned.

“Sorta.” The Boss shrugged, “See, those two tired sneaking in here for some stuff of our’s, can’t say what, as they never got far. Anyway, I’m hoping that either you two will either get them to spill the beans, or see if you can get something off their gear. Had a lot of fancy stuff on them, things kinda like your Pipbuck, actually.” The Boss finished, glancing at the heavy device on Braeburn’s arm.

Glancing at it, Braeburn frowned slightly, “Sorta like that thing on your waist?”

The Boss blinked before turning his attention to the device on his side, “Yeah, actually. Haven’t gotten the damn thing to work.” To prove his point, The Boss took it into his mouth and began fiddling with it.

Sure enough, even as the pony adjusted every knob and switch on the thing, the device didn’t operate at all. Braeburn crossed his arms and tilted his head, “Huh. Maybe it’s out of juice?”

“Maybe.” The Boss shrugged, putting the thing away, “Anyway, those two are downstairs, get them to talk and these caps will be all yours.”

“Sounds easy enough.” Translucent said.

“Hm.” Braeburn grunted before turning around with Translucent in tow.

Shutting the door behind them, which was more or less courtesy at this point, Braeburn and Translucent waited until they were out of The Boss’s hearing range before Braeburn whirled around and said, quite calmly: “Are ya out of ya flippin mind?!”

“Okay, I think it’s a little early to be dropping f-bombs.” Translucent said, holding up a hoof to placate Braeburn.

“Ya know what Ah mean.” Braeburn shot back, “Ah’ve got nothing against doing an honest day’s work, but Ah’m not about to hurt another pony just ‘cause some fool asked me to!”

“Neither am I.” Translucent replied, “Look, as much as I enjoy our positions being reversed, I’m not saying we actually go through with it. From the sound of things, whoever, or whatever’s downstairs, could be a really big help to us if they have advanced tech like that laser pistol.”

Braeburn stared at her blankly, confusement all over his face.

“....Oh right. Fossil.” Translucent faced hooved, “I’ll explain later. Right now, let’s just say it’s a fancy pistol. Anyway, I’m not saying we actually go along with it, just until we get the whole picture.”

Braeburn bit the inside of his lip, clearly considering Translucent’s argument.

“And besides,” Translucent finished, “It could actually some unlucky raiders. No skin off our backs.”

Braeburn let out a sigh, “Alright, we’ll see what these ponies are.”

Translucent did a mock salute, “Sir, yes sir.”

Chuckling, Braeburn rubbed his chin, “Ah never made it past private.”

“Aw,” Translucent poked him in the arm, “Sergeant Braeburn has a nice ring to it.”

Braeburn rubbed the spot where she poked him, chuckling with mirth.

“Anyway, where are we going?” Translucent asked, glancing at Braeburn’s pipbuck.

Braeburn narrowed his eyes, and turned to the left, “About seventy meters that way.”

Translucent glanced at him, “Huh, it tells you?”

“Only when we get close to the marker.” Braeburn shrugged.

“....That’s kinda dumb.”

Braeburn rolled his eyes and started walking, “It’s two hundred years old, give it a break.”

“I will when it does something cool.” Translucent replied, following him, “Like, if it can play movies, or something. I’d try to buy it off you then.”

“Ah’ll let you know if that comes up.”

Letting silence fall, Braeburn, with Translucent in tow, followed the marker on his radar through the school, occasionally passing by the odd polka pony as they did. The smell of BQ lingered in the air, much to Braeburn’s disgust. Eating meat...What a stupid idea. Ponies were herbivores damnit, that’s why their teeth with flat! Desperate times, sure, but still! It’s not that hard to farm apple trees! Why, if Braeburn’s weren’t legs cut off, then he’d be able to feed an entire city! All he needed was some apple seeds, water, and a bucket of-

“Burn, Burn!”

Translucent’s voice snapped Braeburn out of his thoughts, bringing him back to reality, “Wha?”

Feeling Translucent’s hoof on his shoulder, her sarcastic and familiar voice clear, “Burn, I’m sure that door is very sorry for whatever it did, you can stop trying to kill it with your eyes.”

Blinking, Braeburn took a step back to look around. They were standing in front of a wooden door towards the back of the school, at least, that’s what a quick glance at his Pipbuck told him. Strange, when did they…

“You were kinda lost in your thoughts there Burn.” Translucent said, “You do that from time to time.”

“Oh.” Braeburn felt a rush of heat come onto his face, “Sorry.”

“Hey, not to worry!” Translucent said, chipper, “I checked the map for you, we’re right where we need to be.”

Braeburn double checked the Pipbuck’s map. Huh, she was right, the marker blipped lazily in front him. How did he miss that?

Clicking his tongue, Braeburn tilted his head and shrugged, “Well...Alrighty then.”

Reaching for the door knob, Braeburn pulled the door back, and was greeted by a blast of cold, chilly air that engulfed his entire body. Even Translucent seemed taken aback by the rush of cold, her cloak fluttering slightly against the torrent of wind.

“Well…” She said dryly, “That was a whiplash.”

There was no light from the entrance, but Braeburn could make out the descending staircase in front of them. Flicking on his Pipbuck’s light, the stairs were blanketed in neon green, and with a final glance back at Translucent, he descended downwards into the black.

The only sound was the creaking of wood under their hooves. There was no water dripping, no rush of air against the wood, there was only the heavy hoof-falls of Braeburn and Translucent. For the lack of a better word, it was eerie. But more to the point, it was unsettling.

Though, to be perfectly honest, it was a feeling Braeburn was getting used to pretty quickly.

Finally arriving at the bottom of the staircase, Braeburn held up his Pipbuck, trying to get the light from the screen to extend as far as it could.

“Geez, would it kill them to get a heater down here, or something?” Translucent muttered, using her magic to pull her cloak closer.

“Haaa...these jerks wouldn’t know warmth if it bit them in the ass.”

Braeburn blinked, and turned to the sound of the voice.

The neon light followed, and washed over a pair of ponies huddled together in a cell. Both of them dressed in tight body suits, and one of them, the one who had spoken and facing them, she had a white, curvy mane...light blue coat…Raspberry eyes.... it was...was...

“Enclave.” Translucent hissed, eyes narrowing, “Of bloody course.”

“Hey there…Braeburn.” Flitter spoke.

Level up!

Commando-Your military training is coming back to you, Automatic weapons now do 20% more damage.