Fallout: Equestria - The Ranger of Seamane

“The scars of the past wound the land and the ponies in it long after they are covered over.”
-Unknown Wastelander

We left the heart of Fillymath and traveled through the connecting suburbs to Wayhill. I could imagine back in the day how ponies would likely have woken up in Fillymath and walked this same road to get to work in Wayhill. The area seemed like it would have been nice to live in too; here and there I could still see green spaces among the collapsed homes. However, the further we got towards the city the less green we saw and the fog hid less. Judging by the vast number of leveled or burnt-out buildings, Wayhill had likely gotten hit in the War.

An hour further in I started tasting the telltale sign of radiation poisoning as the flavor of blood suddenly filled my mouth.

“I really wish radiation detectors were cheaper,” I swore as I dug out some RadSafe. “Alright everyone it’s radioactive here, if you haven’t noticed by the taste in your mouth. We’ll take a pill and I’ll keep track of how long we’re out here. I hope like hell we can get checked sometime soon for our exposure levels though.”

“Should we find another way?” Riptide asked.

Winter spoke up. “No, this route likely has less raiders or other critters if it’s the only pocket of radiation around here. Nopony is going to bug us.”

“Oh, okay, that sounds good.” Riptide said. “How are we going to keep track of our radiation though?”

I grimaced at the question. “Well without a watch I can only take a best guess on how long we’re being exposed. As for how I can tell we’re being exposed, all I’ve got to work off of is the intensity of the taste blood in our mouths. If we start showing worse symptoms I’ll know the radiation is far thicker than I thought. Oh how nice it’s for a deadly invisible force to give us a hint when we tread on it’s turf.” I explained. “Keeping track of how long I’m tasting blood in my mouth as well as if anyone experiences worse symptoms I can get a range of our exposure and know when we have to call it quits. Suffice to say, it’s not ideal.”

“Lovely, it’s like running from an invisible predator nipping at our hooves.” Sil replied.

“Eh, pretty much.” I admitted.

We pushed onward, urgently looking for something with some height to climb. Unfortunately it took us longer than expected so our blind wandering put us firmly in the irradiated state and left us feeling all weakened by the time Winter spotted a mostly intact clock tower. While the tower itself was only about five storeys it was taller than the ruins around it. In addition, the melted metal outside gave me some hope that it would give some insulation from the radiation.

Together Winter and I pulled the door out of the way, its groaning hinges almost fused from what must’ve been the heat or light of balefire detonations. Scrambling inside, we finally got a reprieve from the taste of blood in our mouths, proving the assumption that the clock tower was able to shield us. Despite our exhaustion, we pushed the door close behind us and, a few light arcane blasts later I welded the door back to its frame. We breathed a collective sigh of relief and given the time of day it was probably best to rest.

“Drink this.” I said passing out bags of RadAway, first giving one to Riptide. “It’s going to taste like mango, even though it says orange flavor.”

“Okay?” Riptide answered, clearly confused.

“It’s RadAway. It’s meant to clear our system of built up radiation.” I explained. “Downside is it’s going to be a bit awkward in a few minutes given it… well, it goes through you real fast. Suffice to say, I’m glad we have a corner with some walls for privacy.”

Riptide went from confused to understanding to a mix of curious and horrified.

“Also never try Grape RadAway.” Ocean added as I passed out the rest of the bags. “I tried it once and I’ll spare you the details. Suffice to say, the radiation purge works but the flavoring does not. I don’t know what it was even close to.”

I understood that as embarrassing as it was to explain how RadAway worked at least I now knew the most polite way of saying you’d end up pissing rainbows, having had to explain it to a few dozen creatures by now. Plus one more pony knew not to try Grape Radaway; that stuff didn’t just taste bad, I ended up curled up for a few hours and was a mess thanks to it. It purged your system alright just not the way I believe the makers had intended.

We agreed against a fire or any lights, and with our numbers we could keep a constant watch going. Winter had scouted the top floor while we tried to liven up the temporary living space. The square floor plan of the tower left a bit to be desired and was an odd choice given the spiral staircase that went up to where the mechanisms for time keeping rested. Winter, for his part, spent a good while up there though we could easily see him through the mesh stairs. Given who he was I knew he was taking his time looking for paths to our destination.

The next morning arrived, almost too quickly for my tastes. As I regained consciousness I heard crows cawing in the distance. I also heard a few cracks of gunfire. So, this town still has some ponies still alive in it. I let out a soft sigh enjoying the warmth from Sil and Riptide. It was becoming a welcoming feeling to have the two against me every morning. There had been enough floor space in the entry room for tents and with what little strength we all had, had laid out two sleeping bags to lay on with another unzipped on top of us.

I had no desire to get up. It was cold beyond the tent, it was warm in here. We had been walking for more days than I was used to, not to mention waking up early day after day. I had no real qualms with cuddling close to an old friend and what was measuring up to be a new friend.

I felt something unexpected while I laid there contemplating things. I opened my eyes to Riptide kissing my neck. I looked at her to find she was still asleep. Well, this isn’t totally awkward at all. I rolled my eyes and cursed Luna for once more failing to keep dreams from spilling over into reality. With my curse of the dead princess done, I resigned myself to waking her up. It might have been a mistake but I didn’t want her to do anything in her sleep that she might regret.

Riptide’s eyes met mine as she woke up. Her face showed a sign of clear confusion. Then she kissed me. I froze as I was uncertain of what to do. I had made out with others before but this was clearly not right. It took a bit of time for me to come to my senses and gently use a hoof to push her back.

“Uh, you’re awake.” I informed Riptide.

Riptide closed her eyes and seemed to process her thoughts for a minute as her face turned beet red. I had assumed her face would turn purple given her blue coat but I think at this point she had surpassed normal blushing and achieved over blush.

“Um, your technique was pretty good for somepony I assume hasn’t had much experience.” I tried to offer in an attempt to defuse the situation.

Sil stirred next to us and looked over at the blushing mare. “What did you do, Moony?” She asked me.

“She was… having a nice dream while making out with my neck?” I explained hesitantly. “So I woke her up and she apparently didn’t understand she was awake and we…” I paused. “Made out for a hot minute.”

Sil turned my head to face hers. “You were going to leave me out?”

I felt taken aback at hearing that, my brain suddenly having issues processing the teasing despite it being fine before. I knew my cheeks were now ablaze as Sil started to hush herself with a hoof, giggling quietly at me. She then gave me a look as she calmed down and I felt the tips of my ears burning but before I could move to make a comment Sil silenced me with a hoof.

The minutes ticked by before I managed to get my mind rolling again.

Riptide seemed to be on the road to recovery from her embarrassment at least. I felt as if a door had hit me in the head when I finally figured out that Sil was doing this to get the attention off of Riptide. It was working but I didn’t enjoy being subjected to this teasing.

If this was to be the tent of embarrassment then so be it.

I kissed Silaha firmly on the lips. I was then surprised at how she really got into it. My heart started doing loops like they had when Riptide had made out with me. Shit, I think I just played myself.

When I broke the kiss Sil was blushing and giving me those eyes that made my heart flutter.

“Okay, that backfired.” I blushed.

“Oh it did, but I know you enjoyed it.” Sil smirked still in my forelegs. She leaned in and kissed me again. “And just so you know, so did I. To think, a pony is trying to steal my heart and it’s the mare who was like a sister to me.” She faked outrage looking away with a hoof to her forehead, holding it there for a moment before giggling. “Feeling anything more than just embarrassed?”

I just buried my face in her chest fluff trying not to die from embarrassment from having made out with my not-cousin.

“Well, Riptide, it looks like the heat is off of you.” Silaha said as she petted my mane. “And I can firmly say it looks like her heart has mended a fair bit since I tried teasing her like this.”

“Is… Is it really alright for us to be doing this?” Riptide asked. “I mean we are all adults but, I mean she’s practically bursting into flames.”

“Normally she’s able to roll with the kicks. My guess is...” Sil trailed off as the two pressed against me with a hug. “Honestly I’m just glad she’s not freaking out or crying.”

That hurt a little but she was right. At least it seemed like the heartache really only hit me with regards to Winter and Ocean, though really it was just Winter the more I thought about it. Now though I had just made out with two attractive mares who were now hugging me. This was not something I was used to. I had a few encounters years ago like this, but it was less teasing and more seeking out company. They had been cute gryphonesses too. Oh, and there goes my ability to stop blushing. Now I feel a dumb grin on my face.

“What you thinking about, Moony?” Sil asked, tapping my nose with her hooftip.

“Well, uh.” I felt my heart in my throat as I answered looking up from her chest. “Just some fond memories, that’s all. This reminded me of them and it all makes my head spin.”

I felt Riptide lean against me and I could sense the affection for me as she lay her head against my shoulder. “Was it spinning earlier?” She asked.

I squeaked, feeling like I was being swarmed and swallowed to try to calm down. Honesty is the best thing here. Even if it is embarrassing.

“It was.” I admitted.

“Then I think.” Riptide whispered. “We should get one big bed in Wayhill if they have a place for us.”

I locked up again, my thoughts racing. Was I even certain I would be okay with that given I was still defusing my own emotional minefield. Worse, I felt it was not the healthiest thing that she was forming an attachment to me so deeply and so quickly. It could be her replacing the hole in her heart that her family occupied with me. Maybe Sil too? That could work, in time; Sil and I had always been close but I barely know Riptide and Sil’s saying… wait Sil is saying…

I felt my brain break realizing the relationship structure that was forming around me. Oh no, Sil is serious. I’m actually somewhat entertained by this. I need to stop. Fuck. Abort, I can’t think about this right now.

“One big bed would be interesting.” Sil added.

Oh no, worst case confirmed, okay, freak out in three, two, on- my thought process was suddenly derailed by a kiss from both of them.

“I think we broke her.” Sil giggled at the look on my face.

I took a minute to recompose myself as the two giggled and tried to tease me even further. My mind had locked up too hard to process their continued comments.

“Okay, one room, one big bed. No guarantees, alright?” I stated firmly. “I don’t want anypony getting hurt and by that I mean emotionally speaking.”

“Wait.” Riptide paused. “Really?”

Sil stopped her giggling. “Finally.” Both Riptide and I looked at Sil. “What, you think just because we were raised together I wouldn’t have feelings for you?”

Just like that I felt my entire view of Sil and her interactions with me for the past decade get flipped on its head.

“Okay, can we stop with the breaking of my mind for a while so I can like, eat, have some tea. You know a bit more mental processing power to handle all this.” I sighed. “You are both lovely mares and I’m certain we are going to end up with a noise complaint at some point but how about we cool off for now and actually get where we need to be?”

I then shook my head before looking at Sil. “I think there needs to be some talking to sort out our feelings, for all three of us. Even if just for my own sake so I can figure out if I can even handle what you're proposing. No offense to either of you, I’m just not so certain about myself.”

“Of course.” They said together before Riptide nipped at my ear and Silaha kissed me again. They wanted to break my mind in two, I was certain of it! At least this wasn’t teasing anymore.

The two mares left the tent at the same time. I felt conflicted as they gave me a parting tease with coordinated flicks of their tails. Of course I had seen so many accidental flashes while in the shower room for the guard that it didn’t bother me. Plus unless a pony was going outside of the ship, they tended to not wear anything. So It happened, you got used to it.

It was always the context that mattered though and that just made me flop back down on the sleeping bags as I saw a bemused Winter and Ocean peeking in past the open flaps at me.

Of course they had been awake and heard it all. At least it hadn’t gone all the way, even if I still felt dirty somehow. At the same time I felt more confident about actually letting somepony back into my heart. Two at once though? Maybe it would work this time since I was the center and not the third wheel… I thought to myself.

I just hadn’t known Riptide for long and didn’t want her to get hurt throwing herself into a relationship as an emotional crutch. And Sil, well we grew up together so that was less of a quandary. It made my heart confused, and my mind even moreso. To think I just had to go on a trip across the territory to learn how to love again as well as get two pretty mares out of the deal.

Though one… one we were going to leave in Dockland. I was uncertain how that would work out for us. Maybe after sometime with her family she’d go back with us when the boats were running again. I’d have to get my own place then which meant I really would have to look at finding some kind of work once we got to Dockland.

“You just going to lay there all day, Moonlight?” Ocean asked.

“Thinking, processing.” I replied with a sigh. “Someone get my tea going.”

Once the tea was ready I took it to the top of the clocktower and took a seat behind one of the few remaining windows. There I got a clear view of what had been the city of Wayhill.

To the southwest was the hill that was the city’s namesake. Supposedly it was a distinctive hill back in the day that served as a waypoint for early settlers of Equestria. Now one half of it was covered in long dead, burnt trees and the other side facing away from Wayhill full of newly grown woods. To the east I could see a soft glow on the low clouds and buildings that bent away from what was certainly a balefire crater. I could even see details from here of how the metal structures had melted to the firestorm.

This was my first real taste of the devastation of the Last Day, our civilization’s end. Before, I had a loose understanding of the effects of the war but the devastation here was far greater than I had grasped. Seamane was a town that had fallen into disrepair over time due to a lack of industry to support the maintaining and repairing every building in town against the elements, raiders, and the first few years of wild weather. Out here things were of a different magnitude. It wasn’t just the slow decline of buildings as time wore them down. This was beyond that.

The closer to the crater I looked the more the world seemed to lose color, becoming a mix of greys, blacks, and green eventually. Closer to our location the faded pastels of paint, billboards, signs, still lingered and clung to their homes. Even now I could see a mist rising from what I could only assume was the heart of the crater of the blast. Maybe it was steam from the intense magical radiation, maybe it was from the falls. All I knew was I didn’t want to go in to find out.

The scene stuck with me. Unlike those brought up in Stables I knew some of the horrors of the wasteland but I had never gotten to see the devastation of the heartland firsthand, even from the worn copy of the Wasteland Guide I had traded for. Things back home and even here were tame compared to the devastation in places like Hoofington, Fillydelphia, and Manehatten.

This hadn’t been the biggest of cities and yet it had been hit. I shuddered thinking about how Canterlot must look, rubble at the bottom of a mountain. The Wasteland Guide had mentioned that the Canterlot ruins existed but the section on it was ruined. A bit ironic but given what every other section mentioned I could guess how thoroughly annihilated Canterlot was.

Not that I had a reason to go that far east. Instead though my thoughts turned to our final destination, Dockland.

Dockland would likely be hotter than Wayhill considering, from what I understood a trio of bombs had gone off there. One had hit the skyport of Dockland, one the naval base. The last one had fallen short and hit the hillside near the industrial sector. We would be passing through The Mill, the old regional capital. I knew at least one bomb had gone off both there and near the river. Memory reminded me of Dad and Majar’s adventures through the valley and I felt a creeping worry worm its way into my mind for the first time about clean sources of water. I would need to find somepony to teach me a radiation purge spell since it was my job to keep us as healthy as possible.

Winter had joined me at some point while I was lost in thought. I gave him a nod when I finally noticed him before spotting some kind of large fortification made of rubble. I pulled out my book of maps and found where we were relative to it. According to it the fortification was in or around an old university.

“You thinkin’ what I am?” Winter asked.

“How am I going to handle all this pussy I’m drowning in?” I replied jokingly.

He snorted and guffawed. “That would only be the case if somehow the four of you became my harem.”

I regarded him for a moment before responding. “Eh, better than the alternatives of other stallions out here.” I teased. In response he covered his chest theatrically in mock hurt. “Yes, yes, I know you’re going to say ‘you wound me’.”

I waved a hoof at him in mock dismissal as we smiled at one another before laughing. It was a good laugh that we both needed.

“Yeah, you got me.” He explained. “Everyone’s been wondering when Sil would make her move on you. She’s been itching to jump on you for years now.”.

“Fucking color me surprised.” I replied before taking another sip of tea. “Like, no really. Dense as a doorknob on her feelings for me.”

“I can’t blame you there.” He acknowledged, settling down beside me. “You two did grow up together after all. Probably just saw it as just having an affectionate sister, or you grew used to whatever feelings she had and didn’t think them to be anything special.”

“Probably.” I nodded.

“You alright?”

“Probably.”

“Probably.” He said mimicking me.

“Probably.” I said again wondering how long he would take it for. Surprisingly we went back and forth for a few minutes.

“So, no sudden panic attacks?” He asked as he broke our streak of probably’s.

I took a long drink of my tea before I gave him a reply. “Well, not the type where my heart feels like I got shot.”

He moved closer to me and gave me a hug. “Well, that’s a good sign.” I nodded as I leaned against him.

“Hey, Winter. You’ve been doing well holding it together.” I said, I looked at him. “Didn’t ask how well you handled me getting foalnapped by a giant bug.”

“Well.” I felt his muscles change as he tensed and then relaxed. “Not well. I couldn’t take the shot. Sil could but I was too worried about hurting you. And, well, now we both know why she was so set on saving you. Having hurt you before I was scared of doing it again, especially physically.”

I smiled and gave his cheek a nuzzle. “I can understand that. Thanks for worrying about me. Please tell me though, nopony tried to jump off the trail to save me. Right?”

“Uh, well. It was hard to resist going off the side to find you. We were debating what to do while Sil was calling out to you.” Winter said. “When you called back and gave us a way to proceed, well, I stopped worrying I had lost my best friend. Well, one of my best friends; Ocean and you are the top two.”

I smirked. “Hence why you wanted us in the same bed so you didn’t have to pick?”

His cheeks flushed and he looked away. “Maybe but this works for me too even if I can’t tell at times if it is just platonic between us or you’re going to push me over and--”

I put a hoof to his lips. “Hun…” I paused, looking down as I felt a pang of guilt at using that word. “Winter. There is still hurt in my heart but I understand you and Ocean just fit together better. I still love you.” I felt that pang of hurt twist further. “But those two do something to me. I think I might love them too.”

“So where does that leave us?” He asked.

“Don’t know. How we feel about one another might change with time. For now, keep watching each other’s tails?” I offered.

“Just the tail?” He teased.

I shoved him playfully. “Stop making me want to kiss you. You silly goof.”

“Never.” He beamed. I rolled my eyes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It didn’t hurt and he blushed. “Maybe someday.”

“Someday, maybe.” I agreed with a nod. “Now, plans?”

“Get you three your own room and get one on the other end of the building?”

I facehoofed. “No, not that part. Good plan though. No, I mean how are we getting to the campus?”

“Well.” He paused as he looked over the map. “Given it’s a bit hot out there we are going to want to go as quickly as possible. Having spent a while up here last night looking around I’m thinking about this course.” He traced out a path on the map. “It shouldn’t take long.”

“That looks good. Less time means less RadSafe to use up, and less Rads in us.” I snorted. “I don’t think any of us would look good bald.”

He snorted. “Yeah, only one head around here should be without hair.”

I choked and hit him on the shoulder. “For fucks sake. Stop thinking about your dick.”

“Eh, nah.” He snickered, looking proud at himself. “Just wish you would take the lead sometimes. Given the route I think you should take point, because of your reaction time. Having good eyes is great when dealing with fields but block by block? I think your fleet footedness takes the cake.”

“So you just want to stare at my ass?” I deadpanned.

“Sure! It is pretty nice.” He gave my rear a pat which made me blush. “But, I don’t think it’s mine to play with.”

I huffed. “Keep this up and maybe not.” I felt flustered without guilt. “Fuck, why is that not making me hurt.”

He looked at me confused. “You know how this is all going to end right?”

“Yeah, I’m going to have a harem.” I replied.

He snorted and then doubled over laughing. “Oh come on. It’s not like those feelings died for you two.” I added before I leaned on him, giving him my most seductive tone. “They really didn’t.”

This time it was his turn to blush. “Well, let’s keep doing some exposure therapy to get you comfortable with things again.” He said with a smirk.

“Yeah, not a bad idea. Kinda what I was doing anyways.” I looked down at him as we lay there. I rolled my eyes as his face turned crimson. “Yeah, even if I was ready for that, not in the ruins.”

“Sorry, you know how it is.” He apologized.

“Oh I do. Oh do I hun.” I said before I rolled off of him. “Let’s get you calmed down then rejoin the others.”

He nodded and we took a moment to focus more on the city around us than one another.

A few minutes later with our plan in place we rejoined the rest. I distributed some RadSafe for later and had Riptide take a bit more of the load as I was going to take point. Winter’s argument was sound and Ocean agreed with us on how my fleet footed nature would be better served by taking the point. Sil and Riptide were obviously not as happy about the arrangement until Winter pointed out they could watch my rear the entire time. That seemed to make them warm up to the idea.

We cautiously left the tower, leaving the door off to the side to allow anypony else to take shelter more readily. I shook my mane in disgust; once outside I began to taste blood in my mouth again despite taking a dose of RadSafe before we opened the door to leave. I would just have to make do with the taste until we got somewhere less hot. I had hoped we wouldn’t use up the limited supply of RadSafe but if this kept up we might have to really dig into it.

“Winter spotted some kind of compound to the northeast so that’s where we’re going.” I commented while keeping my eye on the crossroads just outside the doorway. “Going to be doing some zigzagging through the streets due to debris blocking a direct path.”

“Saw a few other places, but they looked abandoned and they’re closer to the crater.” Winter added.

“To the northeast then.” Ocean replied, as she set her saddlebags on her back. “How far out?”

“A few miles. We’ll be there in an hour, so long as we don’t have any reason to stop or back track.” Winter explained. “We should be fine, just gotta keep quiet so we don’t draw any unwanted attention.”

“I’m ready to go when everyone else is.” Riptide said taking her place on the other side of the doorframe.

We headed northwest which was easy enough considering the city was set up in a tidy grid, letting us take a zigzaggy route between the north and east streets. The campus was big enough a landmark that we could hardly miss it.

Unfortunately the best laid plans will always crumble at first contact with an opposing force. In this case it was a band of “toll seekers”, or what we generally call bandits. Scouting had given us the lay of the land but not patrol routes, unfortunately. With the heavy urban ruin and being a smidge distracted, we received a swift reminder of how different the cities were from our usual stomping grounds from the group of ponies suddenly trotting on out of an alley. We would need to move slower, quieter, and through alleyways in the future.

For now though we would need to deal with these ponies who were approaching us, their weapons trained on each of us. I shot a look at Winter who wasn’t in the mood to give me a reaction, instead he was simply waiting for the shooting to start, as was everyone.

Lovely, then again this isn’t our first ambush.

“This is a toll road, so pay up.” The lead stallion shouted at us as we drew closer. He had a ramshackle battlesaddle with shotguns. His companions didn’t have much better equipment. Random bits of debris strapped to them over some pre-war clothes. The five of them were well set up for filling the street with rounds.

“How much.” I asked. I doubted I had the money to pay but maybe I could barter with the chems I had on me. A few of them were a bit twitchy.

“You lot don’t look like traders, so thirty five caps or bits, in total.” The stallion said, I was surprised with how reasonable it was, then again, to survive you have to be reasonable.

“Fair, would you be willing to take some chems in place of money?” I asked as I slowly and visibly opened my saddlebag with my magic, reaching for a few of the chems I was less interested in. I hadn’t gotten any bits or caps back from Winter’s shopping spree and I also wanted us to have as much money on hoof when we finally reached some civilization.

“What ya got?” The stallion asked, dropping the trigger bridle from his mouth. A good sign.

“Dash, Mint-als, Buck.” I answered pulling out a few doses of each, keeping the Steady, Hydra, and Rage to myself.

“Ten caps.” The stallion offered. “And hand over three of those Dash inhalers, plus two of those bottles of Buck.”

“Happily,” I said, nodding and levitating the caps and surplus drugs over. “Caps and drugs.”

“Been a pleasure, alright, you’re clear to go.” The stallion said, his compatriots already more focused on the drugs than us.

“Well, that was reasonable.” I said to Riptide who had trotted up to join me. She gave me a confused look as if wondering why I didn’t just apply violence. “What? I don’t like the idea of killing unless I have to. Plus we also have a numbers disadvantage, they have a pony on the roof to the left, and they turned out to be pretty reasonable.”

“I just… That hadn’t ever crossed my mind.” Riptide said, perplexed.

“Ponies aren’t naturally hostile. So when you get a chance to just deal with them it’s great to just skip on past that. Really it is only the most desperate or psychotic who are dangerous.” I explained though my thoughts settled onto the Steel Rangers. “Or exceptionally greedy, but that's only after exhausting the other options of extortion, bribery, and good old trading.”

“Generally most living outside big towns are just a bit less mentally stable than those inside a wall.” I continued as we trotted along. “Not to say there can’t be psychos in towns of course.” I’ve had to put down a few in my time. Too little too late.

“So if they had come out shooting?” Riptide asked as we had moved a block away.

“If hostilities engage then it’s safeties off, keep shooting until they surrender, flee, or are expired,” Ocean explained matter-of-factly.

“Speaking of hostiles, Winter, why didn’t you warn me about them?” I asked my spotted compatriot.

“Didn’t see them when I was watching the city from the clocktower.” He offered. “They were probably camped in some building. What? Do you expect me to spot everything?”

“No, just looking for an explanation is all,” I replied. “Then again we’re not terribly used to urban environments are we?”

“Nope! Small town ruins, sand dunes, forest, swamp, and caves? Sure thing. Balefire blasted urban hellscapes? Not so much.” Ocean snorted. “I think we should all be thankful they weren’t hostile.”

“That’s fair. Let’s cut through some side alleys and stay more out of sight.” I offered.

“I guess that’s more prudent,” Riptide replied. “It isn’t like we have a magical ‘those ponies are mean’ and ‘those ponies are nice’ device to tell us to shoot first or not.”

“Eh, if I get a robot or three to rip apart I could probably rig something to at least tell us about actively hostile targets.” I shrugged. “I mean it’s either that or find a dead stable dweller with their pipbuck. Both work, though I still don’t trust a machine to fully tell me the intent of others.”

“You better let me help with that,” Sil interjected.

“Obviously. As if I could keep juicy tech away from you.” I smirked at Sil.

“I prefer the first option,” Riptide stated.

“As do I. Also, dead stable dwellers generally mean bad things. They’re… lucrative targets; good technology, food, water, better to trade with than kill. Most raiders know that.” I explained. “Better to capture and force out the stable’s location and ransom them back for supplies, or pretend to be nice ponies so they can set something up for better supplies. Being clever has a better payout than being strong.”

“Sounds like that’s your virtue then.” Riptide giggled.

“Maybe but I’ve never given virtues much thought.” I mused. “Being clever did keep Dad alive before he settled in Saint Clover with Mom so that’s probably something that rubbed off on me. Guess Mom’s traits rubbed off on my brother more.”

“I guess the right sibling captured me” Riptide snickered garnering an eyebrow raise from me as well as Sil.

“And by that, you mean what?” I prodded, curious to fish for Riptide’s intent. “What do you mean captured?”

“Well your brother is already taken, you aren’t. Also, I’m guessing he is more…” Riptide paused to find the right word. “Academic?”

“One, I didn’t know you were that... thirsty.” I snickered before explaining. “Anyways, he is just as good with a gun as I am but he’s more focused on running numbers. He’s in line to take over being the town’s accountant or quartermaster. He may be a desk jockey but both of us can take a raider down from three hundred meters with an iron sights on a rifle.”

“He’s also really good at mixing drinks,” Sil added, garnering a small glare from me. She grinned, slowing her pace to drop from the conversation.

“In that case, his main downside would be his lack of medical knowledge.” Riptide pondered as her gaze went from Sil to me. “Sil is very good at repairing things so I’m glad she’s here.”

When Sil joined I hadn’t thought of her skills and what they would add to our little adventuring party but Riptide was right.

“You’re right on that part, a lack of medical skills can quickly turn a scratch into a grave,” I stated as I checked the intersection ahead of us before deciding to take the north road instead of continuing west. “As for fixing things, yeah Sil is great at it. I’m good but she’s better.”

“I hope I can find a niche in our little group.” Riptide sighed. “I can’t put a hoof on anything I’m specifically good at.”

My eyes drifted to Riptide’s flank where no obvious cutiemark lay, just some darker fur in some kind of pattern. It reminded me of Winter’s snowfall-like coat, and those sock-like fur patterns he had.

Drawing my eyes back to our path again I spoke once more. “Well, I did pick up a book that teaches how to repair stuff with your magic.”

“That sounds rather useful.“ Riptide agreed. She then quirked her eyebrow and asked. “Wait, why is Sil out of the guard while you’re stuck as the guard’s repair pony?”

“Simple. She already did her time and is now working for my parents,” I said matter-of-factly as I studied an intersection for threats. “Meanwhile I have no foals, no partner, and my highest achievement is maintaining a library. That and studying under two of the different doctors we have as well as being adept at repairing things without magic.”

“So you’re too important to let go and have no place to be if you quit the guard?” Riptide asked.

“Yeah pretty much. It's also a good way to earn my keep. No having to justify sticking around if I’m part of the guard.” I laughed, then let out a groan. “Even with the library and the whole teaching thing gaining traction, I don’t think I had any legitimate reason not to get kicked out if I quit the guard.”

“How is teaching not a legitimate reason?” Riptide asked.

Sil, for all her good grace, answered for me. “Well, because generally it is left to parents to teach their kids. In addition, we also communally raise our foals. That way the loss of a parent isn’t as hard to recover from.”

“Wouldn’t that make a teacher that much more valuable as they’re another communal parent who has no foals of their own to take more attention away from the others?” Riptide asked in return.

“Yes, and that’s what folks up top were starting to realize. When you’re not close to something going on it is a bit hard to tell the actual details and interactions.” I sighed. “Plus being at the top generally means you raise your kids with the others at the top. There is a bit of nepotism going on back home.”

“And is that why you’re out here with me?” Riptide asked.

“Nah, it isn’t entirely the nepotism. Well, probably a smidge.” I answered with a shake of my mane. “Sil has her own quest to do and the rest of us interacted with you after you cast some spell on us. There are more than a few paranoid unicorn haters in Saint Clover.” I sighed. “It’s still amusing that they have fewer issues about Sil being a zebra just because they think her dad and her can’t do magic and are thus safe.”

Riptide dwelled on that for a minute as I picked our path further on. “Well, I’m sorry for screwing you over.” She said to both of us. “Well, except Sil given she wasn’t with you at the time.”

“Eh, it's fine. It’s not like that raider attack happened because of you.” I smiled at the strange pony.

Riptide returned the smile. “Thank you for the thought. I’ve been beating myself up thinking it was. Also thank you for talking to me.”

“Hey, not a problem. It helps to talk every now and again even if the subject isn’t easy to digest.” I paused checking the intersection and recounted the map before I started moving again.

“So… Any plans once we hit Dockland?” Riptide asked.

“I have no idea what’s in Dockland,” I explained. “I guess learn the lay of the land, sell whatever excess materials we have, and get some better armor and weapons.”

“And a spa trip! All this walking is fucking up our hooves.” Sil called to us. Apparently she was still listening in and her remark made all of us laugh.

“Okay, I can agree on the spa treatment. I’ll join you if something doesn’t come up.” Riptide said with a giggle, then sighed. “Hopefully my family doesn’t make me stick around too long when I get there.”

“Sounds like a plan and a simple one at that. Simple plans better handle rough waters after all.” I said with a wink. “Though it’s still a bit of a way to get there I had planned to reward ourselves. It helps get through the rough parts.”

“Mhm.” Riptide sounded off.

Her being willing to talk about sensitive things was a good sign, she was opening up and willing to engage in a two-way conversation. Even so, she was still rather odd to me. Personally, I was curious for more details about her and her family, something she had kept tight to her chest for good reasons. I just wanted to befriend her, a mare who lost everything deserves to have friends.

Ouch, yeah that stings a little given I feel like I lost almost everything. Thanks, brain.

As we continued trotting I started feeling much more relaxed. In a moment of introspection, I found the source: Riptide was humming again. A thought ran through my head at that. Musical magic was old, something not used much anymore. I didn’t think it was used much even around the Great War but apparently, it was potent. How curious that she uses it passively to relax herself and by proxy the rest of us as well. I’d wager everyone who could hear her right now was feeling its effects but with how quiet she was I didn’t think anypony but the two of us did. I was curious if she knew her humming’s effect upon others or if she knew it had magic running through it.

I decided against interrupting Riptide’s soothing melodic humming. Instead, I wordlessly continued to guide us to the university campus. I'd broach the subject of her music once we were not focused on survival and had some thick walls between us and ponies that would take advantage of us. As curious as I was, the effects were nice and I didn’t want to lose them to a suddenly self-conscious mare who may or may not know about her abilities.

We soon arrived at what seemed to be the perimeter wall for the campus. I had expected to see guards patrolling the rubble and instead some rough-looking ponies trotting in our direction. I held position at the edge of a building while I had the others wait back from the intersection in hardcover.

The ponies drew closer and I saw them dressed in what typically showed up on raider types. I mean who in their right mind wore tires with nails hammered through them? Regardless they quickly spotted me, which in all fairness was pretty easy because my blue mane stood out among the grey and red urban rubble. It didn’t take the group long to holler and fire some poorly aimed shots.

“Psychos.” I muttered before calling out to the others. “Hostiles ahead, spread out and I’ll lead them into the killbox.”

Everyone fell back while I fired wild shots around the corner, not even aiming as the rifle levitated before me. Then the familiar sight of a grenade, a metallic apple, bounced off the ground in front of me.

“Ah fuck…” I muttered before turning and giving the metallic apple-shaped explosive a good buck. “Buck your apples!” I called out around the corner. The grenade exploded scant seconds later, causing my ears to ring.

Okay, time to run!

I looked over my shoulder as I cantered down the broken street to see a pony poking their head around the corner of the building. I turned to look ahead and noted that I couldn’t see my friends, confident they were already lying in ambush.

Suddenly a bullet bit into my flank, making me stumble and then tumble.

“Nailed her!” A stallion cried out as I lay on my back, sore all over and bleeding from the bullet wound.

Note to self, bullet in the ass makes it really fucking hard to run.

The stallion came charging at me and I didn’t like that he wasn’t just shooting me dead given my low vantage point. The upside was he didn’t know about my companions. Looking to my left I saw Sil and Riptide waiting in an alley; they’d have a prime shot on the bastard as he came to claim his prize.

The other two ponies who shot first and were definitely not going to be asking questions later trotted around the corner as if they had all the time in the world. In their defence, they didn’t know I had four extra sets of hooves waiting to turn them into holely cheese.

The stallion skidded to a halt in front of me sending gravel bouncing off of me as I just lay there groaned. Playing the part of bait sucked but it had worked as the familiar chatter of Ocean and Winter’s guns opened up. To my annoyance the stallion who was initially very excited to see me didn’t have his head immediately turn into a blossom of gore.

“Oh fuck!” He shouted. Capitalizing on his distraction, I returned the favor by sending two knives through his neck with my magic.

One.

Bullets clattered around me, whizzing off of the pavement and brick buildings as I lay in the middle of a gunfight using a dead raider as a shield for my rear end. Thankfully we were far from home so I wasn’t about to get teased endlessly about this situation. Looking back over my shoulders I saw a bandolier of grenades on one of the hostiles. With a thought, the pins went flying as the pony ducked back around the street corner. The thump and blast wave a moment later told me all I needed to know.

Two.

The third pony came out around the street corner with a tube cradled in their forelegs. Hefting it up onto a shoulder they aimed and I realized it was a homemade rocket launcher.

The actual fuck? I swore internally, pondering how in Tartarus some brain rotten raider knew how to make ordinance like that.

Then he fell on his face and exploded.

Three?

Looking back to the alley where Sil and Riptide had been I noticed they were gone. Given what I could see of said alley they had snuck up behind the last raider and shot him. Then in his last moment of life he pulled the trigger and blew himself and his homemade launcher up. So much for looting that.

The upside was we only had one body to loot, after Winter gave me a teasing look at my situation. Being face down, ass up on the road with a raider’s dead face against my dock was not something he was going to let me forget about any time soon. Thankfully he just kicked the corpse off of me and checked the body for loot while I set to work digging out the bullet.

Having done so I then poured one of our few healing potions into the wound and stayed put. It was a bad idea to try to walk on a leg that had who knew how much of the muscle severed. Frankly, at this point, I wanted us to get a carriage so one of us being shot didn’t slow us down.

Riptide and Sil returned just as my flank regrew its missing flesh. Sil looked worried. Riptide looked distant.

Getting up we moved on, quietly and with Winter guiding us. I had my fill of taking point for the day. Even with the healing potion, I was favoring my right hind leg as I walked. Sil and Riptide were keeping me company though that was less for my emotional state and more so I didn’t get left behind. I really didn’t want that to happen considering that last encounter could have ended very poorly for me.

Fates worse than death and all that.

Thankfully it was a short walk to the front gate of the campus. Winter took a while observing the gate and guardhouse that made up the University’s entrance to make certain it wasn’t raiders running the place. Looking through my own binoculars, the ponies I could see were milling about seemed more orderly and less stained in bodily fluids, even if they were wearing parts of carriages for armor. A good sign but I was reminded that I still had no idea why raiders seemed to universally love stapling garbage to themselves for protection.

Though it might be due to them being so far gone mentally they only remembered they needed to wear something to protect themselves. To be fair, intimidation was probably the point of their outfits now that I thought about it. Who would want to fuck with someone wearing spikes?

After some discussion, we made the decision to approach the gates. The gate complex baffled me with the level of design put into it: two gates, a number of walkways above, and so many damn turrets. Beyond that the gates didn’t swing. They lifted so one could just drop them and run, sealing the entrance. Someone with a specialization in civil engineering had clearly built this.

Once past the first gate it closed behind us with a shudder and we waited to be let through the second one. I guess my injury and us not wearing the latest fashion created out of rusted metal and tires helped speed things along.

“Damn, and I thought we were over-prepared back home.” Winter whistled. “I want to talk to whoever built this.”

“You’re not the only one.” Sil added.

The second gate opened and we walked forward to be greeted by two earth ponies with light machine guns on battlesaddles and a unicorn with a clipboard.

“State your names and business in Wayhill.” The unicorn said with a rather bored tone.

“Trading, rest, information, roughly in that order,” Ocean explained.

“Not a caravan, so scavengers I assume?” He asked as he looked us over and saw no cart or brahman.

“Close enough, traveling from St. Clover to Dockland,” Winter informed the unicorn. “Couldn’t get a ship so we’re going by land.”

“Alright travelers, welcome to Wayhill. You can get a place to rest on the east side, just look for the old gymnasium.” The unicorn explained. “We have doctors and traders around there, given her limp I assume you’ll need both. Can I get your names?” He asked.

“Moonlight Grimoire,” Ocean said tapping my chest then pointed out the rest of our group. “That’s Riptide, she’s not feeling so well after a run in with raiders a bit ago. Silaha, Winterwatch and I’m Ocean Spray.”

“Do any of you need a cart for her?” He asked as he wrote down our names and, I assumed, descriptions. His eyes landed on Sil and lingered for longer than usual. “Zeb?”

“No need for a cart, she can walk.” Ocean quickly explained. “The other one is still fresh to the whole combat thing so she just needs a drink and some time.” She paused and looked at Sil, who returned the look. “Is she going to be a problem for you?”

“No, just been a while since any passed through here.” The unicorn replied, stowing his clipboard. “Given you’re travelers I’d suggest hitting up the scout’s office. We haven’t done much scouting in a while but they keep as up-to-date information on the region as we can offer there. As for the others, traders have alcohol and there’s a tavern by the gymnasium.”

His eyes looked over Sil though it was more curious now than anything else.

“Random question, is there free access to some tools for repairs and such?” Sil asked.

“In the trader commons, there is every tool a mechanic could ask for.” He politely said. “We find it makes for better commerce if everypony has access to repair their equipment for free if they have the skills.”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

“Enjoy your stay, keep your noses clean.” He said before he and his guards let us pass.

Sil and Riptide trotted with me to the Gymnasium while Winter and Ocean went to check in at the scout’s office. Thankfully the place had signposts and a big old stone map of the campus to give us directions.

While we walked, Sil continued to get looks as ponies probably saw a zebra for the first time. I was just happy the looks were curious and any conversations with other ponies indicated they were just happy to see new faces and interested to meet a zebra. We managed to get a room without issue, though the said room wasn’t what I had expected at first when we were told to go to the gym.

The gym had been deconstructed and rebuilt into three floors of hotel rooms without windows. All of the bathrooms were downstairs under the building in the old locker rooms. I couldn’t complain, it was only twenty caps for one bed for the three of us. We went up to our room and I sorted our stuff between essentials and sellables, leaving the former in Riptide’s saddlebags.

“Hey, Riptide? We’re going to go get my leg looked at and then see if we can pick up some equipment after.” I explained to Riptide. The mare just nodded quietly.

As we trotted out of the gym Sil asked. “Do you think it’s fine to leave her here?”

I shook my mane. “Kinda? She seems to need time to process what happened. I suspect she was the one who took the shot on the final raider?” Sil nodded in confirmation. “Yeah, she probably wasn’t expecting to see a pony turn into pink mist. That always sticks with you.”

“That’s fair, Alright let’s get your flank looked at,” Sil announced. “And while they look over your leg I’ll go shopping.”

“Thanks, Sil.”

Once at the clinic, she stopped me and gave me a bag of caps and a rather passionate kiss, one that I hadn’t expected.

“Hey, Moony?” She started. “Thanks for seeing me for more than my stripes.” She smiled before trotting off with a certain pep in her step and... yep, totally not going to keep looking at her backside.

Folks are more than their looks. They were also their personality, their abilities, their pasts. It didn’t help that Sil was nice on the eyes, plump and curvy... Wait, am I thinking about her like this? I am. Well crap, that’s fucking awkward. Hey Cadance? Are you trying to repay me for the heartache? Because I’m just getting an overdose of anxiety instead.