Fallout Equestria Times of Talons

Chapters

Chapter One: Therasus of Grief
Chapter Two: New Lands
Chapter Three: Lands Beyond
Chapter four: Past
Chapter five: Present

Chapter One: Therasus of Grief

Fallout Equestria
Times of Talons: Chapter 1
Therasus of Grief

War, war never changes. Ponies die, lands destroyed and it brings out the worst in us all, some given the chance after war, to make more for themselves, to rebuild. For those who are lost, time forgets. Some, however, have a harder time move on than others do. Everyone in this blasted world leave something behind for others to follow, the struggle for survival never ends.

The attack was at dawn. A mass sound from the main gate, one never before heard. The town was in a mass panic. I, as most, was asleep, with the explosion shaking our wooden walls. Before long sounds of rifle fire sounded by the wall surrounding our town. I had no idea what was happening, for there was no way anyone found us. I jumped out of bed and raced downstairs. Through the window, I saw most of our guards atop the wall, firing down. I couldn’t see what caused the blast we herd. My mother ran down the stairs with our pistol in place. Taking the strap, tightened around my side, I raced outside. From cubs, our parents taught us to go to the center market in any event like this. Meeting my friend Gron, the two of us saw it. When the attackers ran through, guards and invaders clashed with claw and bullets. The massive hole blown in the way gave a direct entrance to the village. Looking around most the town had gathered, only elder and young left behind. Our guards overrun, more attackers climbed through to us. Our citizens now had to join in the fight. It was a blur, killing those in front of us. Many of us were inexperienced fighters; most wouldn’t make it, but we could still hold our own. I remember nothing, until I saw it. Gron bent over, attackers pinning him down, pounded from behind, the look on his face, the fear in his eyes. The axe running through his neck as the attackers continued to abuse his body, the look of terror as his head came off, the blood, and all the blood.

I sat up; the sound of a roster in the distance sounded the approach of day. I can feel it, the sweat running down my head. With the everyday morning routine vastly approaching, I was required to get up. This isn’t a new thing, ever since the attack I’ve dealt with the same nightmare. Nevertheless, as with each morning I must continue on, my job wouldn’t allow it. After grabbing my morning snack, walking past my mother, Gwen, keeping her eyes focused on weaving a basket. Leaving home and heading to work a center structure where the mayor lives, around it are guard posts, armories and storage barns. All over the town are mixes of homes, homes with markets attached and markets on their own. Farms closest to the walls, the…wall, the thing told keeps out the world, it’s the thing our teachers and parents talk about, how it keeps us safe. As I walk down the streets, more of the emptiness takes shape as more buildings than ever are left empty.

“What the hell took you so long?” an all too familiar voice calls out. My boss, Grust, the old bastard with a sickly dry voice and the vulture like head watched me walk to his shop. It wasn’t much but the old butcher did well, everyone needs to eat. I got the job of skinning the kills, not even the job of hunting the things. “Well, yha gonna get your ass over here or make me walk my old ass over to yha?” he called back.

“No sir, I’m coming.” I called back. He never liked me, but in return, I never liked him. I walked past him and to my station where a large radhog is waiting for me. Beginning my work, I cut unto the hid, each motion causing chills. It just came off, no remorse, the blood, all the blood. In addition, the look in his eyes, the one I see every time I close mine.

“Hey Grust, we got one!” the voice snapping me back to reality. Koren, the lead hunter walked towards the butchers. The other two hunters holding the kill, along with large rifles strapped around their necks. A large radstag buck hanging from the stretcher.

“That’s a good one, set him over there.” Grust said, pointing a nasty, old talon to an empty table. As the pair walked over and sat the buck down, Grust turning back to Koren. “This’ll do?” he asked, handing over a claw full of bits. Koren took one in his talons, bit down on it with his beck and nodded once to Grust. As he took the rest of the bits Grust added “Now get the hell out me shop, I got customers.” walking back to his stand he continued taking an order.

Koren preceded to look my way before adding, “Think he can handle that?” causing the other two hunters to chuckle. Looking back to me he said aloud, “Wouldn’t want another fade out, now would we.” He had a look of pure smugness across his whole face, a look I so tried not to punch off.

“Wouldn’t want to upset the asshole even more, now would I?” I said to his face, a little softer than expected. He looked back to me with an even larger smug look. The other two hunters smirking back at me.

“That kill is worth far more than you’ve made all year, I’ll personally put you down if it’s messed up.” He added looking me in the eyes. “Now get back to your half ass job while the real griffons get back to work.” His smug looks making me grind.

“Don’t make me wipe that look of your face.” I said far louder than I wanted, Koren looking far more amused at what I said, smirking even harder.

“I’ve waited since grade school to kick your sorry ass, you wanna go bitch?” he added with little remorse. I was halfway over the table, carving knife in my claw and Koren in a ready stance. Suddenly a large clawed hand pushed me to the ground and a slab of radhog fat smacking into Koren’s face.

“The hell’s wrong with yha two!” Grust shouted, the anger in his voice almost making me stagger. Koren, clearing the hog fat from his face, looked to him with disdain marking his fetchers. “You three, get out. And you, you no good slum of a worker” he added, picking me up with his claws. “What do yha have to say for this?” looking around I can see every eye in the area where on the hunters and me, each one with a look of confusions.

“It just happened.” I said with a lower tone to my voice. He gave me a stern look, his mouth’s permanent frown even more highlighted as he looked down on me.

“You’re bein watched.” Was all he said before turning back to the small line by his stall? The eyes fading back to what they’re originally doing. As I picked my knife back up I continued to my workstation, continuing to carving the radhog.
Koren was an asshole, always was one and never anything else. In our community, everyone went to the same school. Koren was the biggest ass in my class. No one ever knew why, but I didn’t care. He was like this and I would treat him like this. Ironically, the more I think about it the more I wish I had fought him. He was someone who could use a good kick in the ass.

As time went on, I continued carving the radhog up, far, far too many thoughts crowding my mind. Finaly the bell in the town center sounded, causing more stores to close. I hang the radhog back on a meat hook in the back of the butcher stall. Washing my claws and knife off I began the walk home. After a short while, I come across the towns bar. I may be one for drinking, but I’ve been going here ever since the attack. Mother says it’s unhealthy. However, how could I help myself, I need a good, strong drink. Walking in I take a seat at the counter, the bartender recognizing me simply nodes and turns back to the shelves behind him. Slumping over I reach out and grab the beer bottle slid to me. If you didn’t know me, you’d think I was best friends with Gorin, the crusty bartender. Truth being I was just one of his more active customers. Taking a large swig from the bottle, I begin clearing my thoughts. The drink always helped me calm down after a day’s work.

Empty bottle sliding to the floor, I waved another claw to Gorin. The pile of almost 15 bottles at my feet was a clear sign to my state of mind. Gorin, with a hint of doubt, slid another to me. Quickly I took a large swig, exhaling after smacking the bottle down on the counter. Nudging the griffon next to me with my elbow I stated, “Yha no, Hup, what. I like this place. But I, Hup, I don’t like these people. But I like you, you get me.” In truth, the griffon next to me was depth, so he didn’t care too much for what I was doing. “You, Hup, you know what, I’ve been doing this thing called “thinking.” I know, but hold on. I don’t wanna be here anymore. Whaa, did I startle you, I’m sorry. But it’s true, Hup, I just, I just can’t stop thinking it. But I knew I could tell you, I’ve always liked youuuuu.” With that, I dropped the empty bottle to the floor, and smacked my face against the countertop. Jerking back up I almost climbed on the counter and said aloud, “Hey, bird guy, Hup, how, how bout another?” Gorin, relentless, still slid me another beer.

While the bar was one of the most common places in town, tonight it was rather dull. Only three griffons in the back tables and the only other griffon at the counter was my “friend.” The door opened. Koren walking in. turning to him, in my drunken state, I said, “But I, Hup, really don’t like himmm.” Koren, looking over to me, simply seemed amused.
“Great, when I’d hoped Grust had finally done away with yha.” Looking to me, he pointes a claw. “You done poisoning yourself, or do the rest of us get some?” he seemed interested in starting something. Had I not been drunk, I may have taken the opportunity to close his big mouth. However, in my current state of mind, I’d be glad not to pass out now, becoming Koren’s newest joke.

Sliding of the stool, beer bottle in hand, I look him in the eye, “I got half a, Hup, a bottle in my, my talon. A voice is telling me to hit yha with, Hup, with it. But I don’t wanna upset my, my friend over there.” Pointing a talon at my bar “friend” I struggled to stay on my feet, though it didn’t help I was reared up on my hind legs.

Without even warning, Koren pushed me over, now each eye was on us, even the depth griffon. Looking up to him, he simply said, “We aren’t on the job, so let’s end it.” I, in my state of mind, could have done a number of different options and this wasn’t one expected. Turning back around, the bottle in my hand was now airborne. The moment it was thrown, things where changed. The bottle smacked into Koren’s face. Hitting in his forehead, stumbling back, he looked at me and then pounced. The two of us rolled and tumbled, claws and talons swiping each other. Neither of us knew Gorin had left for help.

“Stop!” a guard shouted. It took four guard to stop us. Gorin had us both escorted out. Our town didn’t have much of a justice system, so instead we both had to deal with communal services along with having Gorin banning us from the bar for a while. My mother was rather surprised to see me, cut up and bloodied, brought home by two guards. After talking with them, I simply walked off to my room. My mother and I got along, but since the attack, we haven’t been talking much.
Climbing into bed, I look at my left arm; the largest claw mark from the fight is bleeding. Wrapping it in a towel, I lay back on my bed. I’d be suffering from a hangover the morning with no doubt another nightmare of the same event. Since then I’ve been depressed, far more than ever in my life. Each time I close my eyes, I see the event, moreover, I’m having the same nightmare each night. All I see is the event play over. I’m not one for grieving, but this is different.

Quiet in the night, I sat there for hours debating the event. The more and more, wondering if I should’ve gone with him. What would the town be without one more griffon, would they even care if I’d be gone? Would they just pile my body in the Mourge like the rest of the victims, would Grust just hire another griffon? As I sat there, contemplating, I realized I was crying. Should I just take it out? Without a second thought, I’d taken our pistol out. Looking at it, the thoughts continue to flow in. Would my life really matter now? If I were to go, would my mother really be the only one to care? With my thoughts coming in, I hadn’t noticed I’d angled the pistol towards me. The barrel aimed towards my head. Would I really do it? It was here I heard my door open. My mother, Gwen, walked in. seeing the gun in my hands; her expression didn’t even change.

“I thought you were in trouble.” She said, looking at me. I couldn’t say anything, just dropping the gun; I began to weep. My mother just held me. I could have stayed there for a lifetime, in her embrace, but I needed to open up.

“I can’t stay here.” Was all I could say? Looking at her, I could see she understood. “I need to leave, I just, I can’t be here anymore.”

“You want to find him, don’t you” was my mother’s response. Though she hadn’t said it, I knew what she meant. In truth, I had wondered, where'd the attackers come from. If I were to find them, I’d get my revenge. I hadn’t wanted to believe it, but I couldn’t deny it any longer. With just a nod to my head, my mother only smiled and walked off. I now knew what I needed to do.

Gathering our pistol and the medical supplies from my room, I packed my saddlebags full. Tightening the holster on my left leg, I begin walking downstairs to the kitchen. My mother looks to me with a bag of food. We didn’t need to say a thing. With a final hug, I watched her open my saddlebag and place the bag in. after filling my canteens I was ready.

The town’s security wouldn’t allow anyone near the main gate and our perimeter walls are guarded. Flying over would mound to me being shot at. The gate is my only option. The only trick would be getting past the guards, five griffons, each at their posts. Since the attack, the mayor isn’t planning a repeat. I’d need some way past them. The three at the base of the gate wouldn’t be much of an issue, but the two snipers would prove trickier. I wasn’t going to attack them; our towns’ suffered enough in these past few days. I needed something. The only thing I could think of was to rush past them. Just as I was hoping for an escape, I heard feet behind me. Ducking back, I looked to see another guard walking towards the gate.

For whatever reason, this guard had something important to say as two of the guards by the gate left with him. I wasn’t going to wait around and find out what was going on, I needed to leave. Now with only the one guard at the gate, I had my plan. The two snipers looked outward, and with only one guard at the base, I could sneak up. Creeping out, hugged the wall of the building. Once at the front of the building I’d need to sneak towards the wall, where I could reach the grounded guard. After stepping out, the guard was in perfect position. Reaching the wall, it all came down to the timing. Luck was with me as the guard passed out from my hold around his neck. Moving him aside, I grabbed the key from his side. I wasn’t prepared to steel his rifle; with it, I would be too large to sneak. Just as I opened the lock, the town’s sirens went off. Looking back, guards ran from the center of town. With the gate open, I ran as I’d never before. The guards must not have wanted to leave the town, as none fallowed me. Just as I reached a bend in the pathway, I heard the gate shut. I was out. Before I could continue, the sirens stopped.

With no hope of getting home, I had to leave. The snipers on the wall each raised their rifles, as “insurance” for me to leave. I’d never seen the outside of our town. Looking out over the horizon, I saw, nothing. The vast area around was fogged over, and it was night, no lights in the distance or sounds other than the wind. The only thing of note was that I was on a rather tall cliff. The climb down would have been rough, but the simple flight cut that time. The area below was out of the fog’s reach, and allowed me to see more of the area. Looking into the distance, I saw houses. The most I knew was this was the area of Griffonstone, and not Equestria. I didn’t know whom to find, if I’d find anyone, that is, with the houses being the only thing of note other than the hills and long dead trees around.

The walk was long and boring. Each step began to hurt as my exhaustion was taking full effect. I needed to sleep, however those houses where the only source of shelter out here. Reaching an old road, I followed its pathway into the town. Being cautious I crept in, several of the houses seemed in rough condition, most had collapsed. I saw one. It seemed, at least from the outside, intact. Walking towards it, the sounds of hooves on the other side of the house stopped me in my tracks. Every instinct I had told me to hide, and I wasn’t up for arguing. I wanted to open the door and wait for them, but the creak of the door gave me away. The sound of the group running towards me sent chills down my spine. Rushing in the house, I tried closing the door, only for it to fall off its hinges. The sound of deranged laughter came from outside.

“Oh, feeling scared, we’ll make it slow and painful” called one. Is this what the folk out here are like? With the psychotic laughter continuing, I spotted two moving along the right side of the building. It was then, however, I saw something flying into the house. Bouncing off the stairs behind me, a round shiny thing rolled to my feet. I had no idea what it was, but my gut said if they threw it at me, it was bad. Jumping over it, I landed in the living room to the right of me, a mix of running and furiously flapping my wings found me at the other side of the room. By then the little shiny ball had exploded. The blast sent me against the back wall where I gained several new cuts from debris flying. After coughing and hacking through the smoke, I walked into a bathroom. In it, a faded, yellow box with a butterfly hung on the wall. Opening it, I found a, potion. While the box had bandages in it, I swallowed the potion. The ponies outside must have thought I’d died to the explosion, but still took percussion. Slipping out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, I found a blue box with a bolt of rainbow lighting on it. Opening it, I found a variety of different pills and other items. Taking each one was the only idea I had.

The world had washed away and I saw red. Trying to contain my scream was difficult, but I still had the jump on the pony. As soon as he came through, I strangled him. Unlike the guard, I’d come back and kill him. He was a unicorn, an ugly yellow color with a shaved head. His tail cut short, the blue still showed itself. His gun, however, interested me more. Taking the combat shotgun, I began checking his pockets for extra ammo. As I did so, a small tin slid out. The tin had little candy-like items in it. In my state of mind, I ate the remaining three. With this, my sight of red had cleared more. The enhanced perception allowed me to hear the other two entering in. had I not been hyped out on drugs I may have been taken further aback by the fact I'd killed another. However, with my now smarter thinking I grabbed the array of knives from the counter. An advantage I had over these ponies was I was part cat. Silently climbing onto the counter I was in position. To draw them towards me I pulled out my pistol and shot the nocked out pony in the head. It worked, as one galloped towards the shot. The mare peaked her head around the corner, and appropriately met with a hail of knives. Only two hit, but it was enough to down her. By now the remaining two ran in. my knives hit one, but only staggered him. The other lined a shot. I jumped atop the fridge, my tail grazed by the shot. My sight of red kicked in as I leapt onto him. Talons digging into him I tried to hold him down. His rear hooves collided with my chest, sending me flying. I hit the wall outside the kitchen. However, I still had my heightened intelligence. The earth pony had dropped his pistol in my pounce and the pony I hit with the knives was only now recovering. Reaching around me, I pulled the combat shotgun out, and aimed above. With three blasts, the roof above gave out. The pony I tackled leaped out; the other crushed. The pony landed atop me, pinning me to the floor and sending my shotgun away. The earth pony, a dirty shade of green, pulled out a combat knife from his holster. I tried to bring my right arm to catch him but he was too fast. The knife plunged deep in that arm. If I wasn't seeing red from the pills, I’d have screamed in agony. Freeing my left arm from under me, a swung it at him, knocking him off me. Using my left arm, I was, rather poorly, able to fire my pistol at him, ending his attack. It was over.

Pulling the combat knife out I used the bandage to cover the wound. This pony had something else on him, Dash written along it. Taking it, everything slowed and calmed. I was able to see the carnage around me. Three visible bodies and one berried. I’d been outside maybe an hour and had already killed four individuals. Had I already lost it? Suddenly, and without warning, I’m taken aback by a massive wave of pain as time resumes, one I never felt before. I hadn’t known it, but something else wore off. Only picking up the combat shotgun, I stumbled out the door. Wandering into the wastes, I saw, lights, a distant town, most likely only noticeable because of the heightened perception. Without even reaching the town, I collapsed. The light was bright, so bright. The outlines of ponies aiming rifles at me were the last thing I saw. My eyes closed, leaving me out cold in the dirt.

Notice: Level Up

New Perk: Toughness Level One
Your stronger than you think, you now resist 5% of overall damage.

Author's Note

I could use any feedback on this chapter. I know I messed up with the story before but hope to give it a second chance.

Chapter Two: New Lands

Fallout Equestria
Times of Talons: Chapter 2
New Lands

Warmth, it surrounded me. My mind seeming to start up again but I was not awake. Was I in a coma? I could hear muffled voices but couldn’t see them, or for that matter, make out what they’re saying. A time for what seemed like hours passed by, but for all I knew it could have been minutes. Eventually I could see light, I was waking up. After the slightest bit of sight came back to me I saw a wooden wall next to me. I was on a bed, or what I think was a bed. To my right there was an old, stained sheet on a slider hanging from the ceiling. It was there to separate me from the other patients and the rest of the room. I could see the outline of three figures. One was a stallion, with some very puffy hair on his head, yet his tail was cut short. Next to him I could see the small frame of a mare. I’ve only seen ponies a few times and this one was smaller than all them. The other…a GRIFFON! A large griffon, a female based on the voice, was standing more in what I would think was the front door based on the light coming through. They’re talking, about me, and what to do with me. The stallion had an accent I’d never heard before. He lengthened and seemed to focus more on his vowels. Though when he talked he sounded confident. The mare talked softer, almost sounding afraid to speak up. The griffon, however, talked with power. She struck me like the heavy drinker. Believe me, we had lots of those back home. She also talked with a care free attitude.

“Yhall Shure he aint one of you?” the stallion asked, the first sentence I could actually here from them.

“No, and If he was, he doesn’t seem like the kind Gawd would hire into the trade.” She answered. My only thought being, “Who’s Gawd?”

“Well, I’ve never heard of a griffon roaming the wastes. I don’t recon he came from those damned castle ruins. Yhall should leave; I’ll talk to em and find out what we need.” The stallion stated, his assistant nodding in agreement.

“Buckellhorn, don’t let him spill what you don’t want him to. Keep that old mind locked. And after he comes too, get the mayor.” The griffon said, finally giving a name to the stallion. Buckellhorn, hmm, not the name I’d of given him. The griffon left the room, leaving us alone. It got strangely quiet. That was, until, the mare finally spoke up.

“I hate the talons.”

“You don’t gotta like them, there not here for your amusement.” He said, putting an end to her quick rant. Not a moment later the two looked over, seeing my silhouette in bed. I wondered if they could tell I was awake. They came towards me. I didn’t know what to do, but before I could do any of the options in my mind they moved the sheet to see me.

“Good mornin’. Hope yhall had a good night sleep.” Buckellhorn said. When he walked into view I could see he was a copper color unicorn and had a doctor’s coat over him. He had a puffy, black mane, spiked up to keep it out of his face. He looked at me, knowing I was confused.

“Interesting to see you up and awake so soon, you had some good injuries.” The little mare said. Her voice matched her sweet figure. I’ve seen griffon’s flirt with each other, it’s nothing to get that excited about. Most of our females didn’t have a figure worth flaunting. But mares had quite a figure. There features where nicely highlighted and I could see every curve in her body. She had a white coat with a blue mane and a grey stripe going through it. She had light purple eyes and was a unicorn. I also noticed a patch of cloth strapped onto her chest with a leather belt. That mark ponies have on their ass was a needle, my guess it was a stimpak. I didn’t know how to answer, or what to say. They hadn’t known where I came from, and that's fine by me.

“Now I know you’re confused, and I’m willin’ to answer your questions, as well as answer ours,” Buckellhorn said.

My first thought was “What happened?”, yet the first thing my mouth said before my mind could keep up was “What is this place?” He looked at me, then to the mare, then back to me.

“Welcome to Woodwork Trading Post” Buckellhorn said, “Yhall in the only pony settlement this far east on the Equestrian wasteland. Only other ponies yhall find out here are damn no good raiders that’ll kill yha soon as they see yha.”

“Yes, the raiders are the ones who did this to you, not the townsfolk. Don’t take your anger out on them. After all, these are the ponies who saved you.” The mare said. When she talked, my mind went partially blank. Her voice soothed me. And I must admit to myself, she was cute. I couldn’t deny myself that my nether regions where getting slightly warm.

“I know; I’d recognizes a raider from townsfolk any day. I was doing no more than searching through long abandoned homes when they attacked me. My guess, for the same reason I was. And no, I’m no raider.” I said, hoping that would clear any questions they would have of me.

“You wouldn’t happen to be from around here, would you?” She asked me.

“I can’t say.” I obviously wasn’t going to say where my home was, nothing good could come out of that. And if those raiders new of my town, how much faster would word spread in a trading post. At least raiders, the greedy bastards they were, would keep the secret only to keep the loot to themselves. I couldn’t say the same for a town I hadn’t known existed until a little while ago. Then again, I didn’t know how long it’d been since I passed out.

“Why can’t yha?” Buckellhorn asked.

“I don’t trust you; my home must stay a secret. It’s been since the day of its founding and I intend to keep it that way. Your town’s a trading post. How fast would word spread from here? A town, untouched for years, who wouldn’t want to take it for themselves?” I wanted to make it as clear as possible, hopping they wound understand. And to my surprise, the stallion nodded.

“I can respect a pony, or griffon for that matter, who would be so willin’ to keep the identity of their home safe. That’s a hard virtue to find now adays. Yhall have my respect…” I could tell that none of them knew my name. Granted, I don’t think they knew I was aware of his.

“Blacktuff” I said.

“Oh, Blacktuff, make since.” I could tell he pieced it together. “Anyway, yhall have my respect Blacktuff.”

“You’re an easy stallion to convince?” I said under my breath, not knowing how loud I’d been.

“It doesn’t take much to show a good pony from a bad one. I can hear that in yha voice. Yhall true to yha words and yha mean what you said. No raider, slaver, currier or mercenary could say that with yha tone of voice. Yhall sincere with what yha say. And for that, I respect yha.” He answered to my, now thinking back to it, rude yet slightly true comment.

“Can I ask who you trade with out here.” I asked more interested in finding out more around here without making it sound to obvious.

“This place west called the Radioactive Falls Trade Center. Any town within the east side of Equestria goes there to buy. Most come with more than they can carry. He said.
“They take from us and give us little in return. Others who get screwed over and can’t even pay to get back home get stuck working here. They do nothing but take and dump their trash on us,” said the little mare with a particular sour tone in her voice.

“They give us the business to stay around. The ponies sent to us keep us populated and the goods they do give us keep us paid enough to keep our medicine, food and ammo storage up to co.” Buckellhorn stated to the mares harsh words. “Yhall may not agree with everythin’, but in my opinion they do everything they can with the best intentions.” I could tell he wasn’t keen on ponies talking down to those he trusted. The way his words were spoken where sincere.

“Now if yhall excuse me, I’m needed elsewhere.” He stated, seeming out of the blue.

“Needed where?” I asked.

“I ought to tell the mayor yhall awake. He was interested in yha when you arrived. In fact, it was him who kept yha alive. Without his ok, the Talons would’d gun’d you down, leavin’ yha like Swiss cheese.” After saying that, he turned to the mare and finally put a name to the one who was making me feel all warm. “Blood Heart, I need yha ta stay here and watch over the fort. And please, answer any more questions Blacktuff may have.” He stated before walking out the door. Wow “Blood Heart,” I knew ponies had some ridiculous sounding names but really. With that, Blood Heart turned and looked at me. She could tell I had several more questions in need of answers, but before I could, she started.

“Before you continue, no, you cannot expect an answer to every question you may have. I’m not weak, I’ll keep secrets from outsiders if I must. Buckellhorn may “Respect” you, but I don’t trust a random griffon who passes out by my home. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t even be talking to you. But by the mayors orders I’m going to do what you say. And before the thought even enters your mind, no, I’m not going to do anything like that with you. You should know the last pony who tried something with one of our nurses was brought out on the street and beaten by the talons.”

Her tone had shifted very quickly after Buckellhorn had left. When he was in the room I could see she tried to keep a level head. When he left and she was alone with me, she wouldn’t hold back her anger, or whatever she thought it was at me. Never understood folk like that.

“I wasn’t…” she cut me off

“I could tell by the looks you gave me. Trust me, I’m no stranger to a horny male waking up to a young mare taking care of him. I’m not a fool.” She could see right through me. I could only imagine all the single stallions would be hitting on her. She would have been so used to stallions looking at her like that. I wanted to ask her so much, but most she’d either reject, laugh, question me, or give me a one sided answer.

“Could I ask about this town?” I asked, wondering how she’d take the question. In my mind she could take it fifty different ways with fifty different answers.

“As much as I don’t want to, I’m expected to. This town, as you were told, had established a trade wrought with the RF Trade Center. Well back before the war, there was a train track that lead from the Crystal Empire to a train station here. We built the town around the station. This town has a bar, orchard, school, apartments, mayor’s office, armory, and quite obviously a doctor’s office. We have more but those are the most important. We grow crops as well. They and the wood fetches the highest. They give us small amounts of caps, ammo, and medicine. As you herd before, they also send the unwanted or broke to us. In my opinion, they feed off us and dump their waist all over us. Most the ponies in this place worship them. They don’t even take the time to defend an area where a great deal of their resources come from. We’re getting picked off by raiders, flushed out by rad storms and hunted by Yau Bears.” It wouldn’t take a genius to tell she was VERY unhappy with the state of things. I hadn’t expected her to dislike this town that much.

“You don’t like this town?” I asked, even more nervous than my last question.

“I love this this town, but I cannot stand being here. This place is filled with great ponies and had great potential, if only the RF Trade Center wasn't chaining us up. The ponies here are being lead into false hope and it will be the death of us if something doesn’t change. Our town never needed extra security. We had our guards who’re armed enough to keep the Yau Bears at bay. The guards and amount present was normally enough to keep those foul, mutated bug bears at bay. With the sudden increase of raider attacks we’ve had to move our guards to the other side. Raiders couldn’t come from the north, not without being eaten by the Yau Bears. With that, though, our north guard was left bare. We’re being hammered by both sides and the RF Trade Center doesn’t give two shits. Within our first month of this year we lost six good guards. Back about a year ago we lost over half our guards when our largest raider attack occurred. At the same time a family group of Yau Bears attacked. That was when our mayor decided to hire the Talon Mercenaries. From then we’ve been expected to feed them in return for their services. Now we’re feeding extra, greedy, mouths. They even demanded we build a bar for the guards to drink. That’s why we have a tavern.

I could tell she meant every word of it, and wasn’t prepared to take any word back. I was actually happy she told me. I don’t know why but I wanted to help these ponies. I know how it can be to have your town attacked by an enemy you feel powerless against. I wanted to help them, yet I didn’t know how. Maybe I could kill off the raiders at their source. Doing that would cause them to keep the Yau Bears at bay again and maybe even remove these Talon mercenaries out of the picture. After all, I wasn’t going to be able to hunt a species all the way to extinction. I’m also not going to chase the RF Trade Center out of this town. If things could cool down around here, maybe she wouldn’t direct that anger to the RF Trade Center. At least removing the raiders, things would calm down and then fall back on the right path. I’m not one for nice deeds, but this was a place I could sympathize with. I’m glad she gave me somewhere to, at least, start my search.

I wondered, what she would do if given the chance to fix one thing. I wanted to ask, but again, didn’t know how she’d take it. She’s the kind who struck me where if it was a bad day, she’d kill you if you looked at her wrong. Finally I found the words I wanted. “If you were able to fix one problem here, which would you fix? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to answer.” The look in her eyes told me she really thought over what I just asked. I could also tell she contemplated even answering me, but then she spoke up.

“If you ask me, I’d want the RF Trade Center out; but they have the potential to do some real good. In my opinion, I’d send the talons after the raiders and put a stop to them. If I could get rid of them, it allow us to stop the damn Yau Bear attacks. The rad storms are out of our control, yet if I could I’d blow them all the way to Fillydelphia. I’d make the RF Trade Center right the wrongs that they did to us, making them start by paying us with what we deserve.”

Her answer was more than enough. She had the same idea I had in correcting this town. I made up my mind on what I was going to do. I just wanted to see what the mayor wanted. And with that, I heard Buckellhorn’s voice as he walked towards the door. A moment later, he walked in.

“Hey, Blacktuff, the mayors ready for yha.”

With that, I stood up and began walking outside. After exiting, I saw the dirt roads the town was built on. Around me where several homes, shops and crops. Each house was made of recycled wood, steel and other metal scraps. There were several piles of tires and old wooden planks. The mayor, who was a large build unicorn stallion, walked up to me. He had a coal colored coat and a solid black hat. He had an armored leather coat on, though it only covered to the start of his hind legs. I don’t get the point of an armored cloak that keeps half you unprotected. His golden eyes looked at me with confidence.

“Howdy.” He said in a similar, yet heavier voice of Buckellhorn. “I’m mayor charcoal, but yhall can just call me mayor. When I heard the gunfire from that shootin’ with the raider’s yha did. I wondered, who would be out there fightin’ them? I came to the wall and saw yha collapse there. I wanted to know just who this raider hunter was. So, tell me, where yha from?”

He asked me the question I didn’t want to tell. Only this time the mayor wanted me to tell. If I said no would he get angry? If I lied would he know? I had so many outcomes to the many different options I had. “Yha don’t need to answer, I know how that could be.” He said before I could think of an answer. I guess many ponies out here don’t like talking about where they came from.

“I was told you wanted me?” I asked. I knew he wouldn’t have kept me alive unless he wanted something.

“Strait to the point huh, I like that. The raiders aren’t keen on you, yet they don’t know who you are. I want to use that. Sneak into their raid camps and find out where they come from. After that, come get me. I’ll send em packing faster than a fly is to a body. We could use yha to end our attacks. Now I know your probably thinkin’, "This guy just saved me and’s now tryin’ to kill me." I’m not. I want you to save us and seeing how one griffon took out four raider’s yha got what it takes. We’ve been thinning them out so there can’t be that many left.”

I sat there thinking. He wanted me to actually put an end to the attacks on his town. Blood Heart was somepony who would enjoy this. All she complained about was the issues with the town not doing what it needed to in order to fight its battles. He wanted me because the raiders didn’t know me. “I’ll look into it, but I’m not so ready to jump back into combat. Now, don’t think I didn’t notice my stuff wasn’t with me when I woke up. Where’s my stuff.”

“Your stuffs fine, we put it in our safe house for safe keeping. Here’s the key to your storage locker, it’s the one in the far right corner.” The mayor said, I bet they looked through it just to see what I had "After yha done with the raiders, come get me, I may have another job for yha." He said walking back. As he turned around I finally took notice of a large grey earth pony stallion standing next to him. The stallion had a brown hat with a gold star, he also had a brown, leather coat on with the same star on it. He had a large revolver to his side. The sheriff, no less. I needed to wrap my head around this. First off, I pass out and am fixed by a town. Then they tell me of some "big" and "important" trade center I've never heard of. And finaly the mayor wants me to hunt down this raider camp. I still needed to find my attacker, yet my agendas getting bigger. I could ask around town but most likely they'll all direct me to their raider group and not mine.

"Yha need anythin’ else?" Buckellhorn asked.

"I do have some more questions, if you wouldn't mind." I asked, wanting some answers.

"Was Blood not cooperative? I told her to be nice but she can be just so" I cut him off.

"No, she answered my questions. She did have some hesitation but did answer. I had some questions about a raider group, a different raider group. They attacked my home; they had a red skull painted on their armor. They also used weapons unlike any I've seen raiders use. They killed lots us, one being my best friend. I'm out mainly for revenge for him but for everyone else in the town who perished." As much as I didn't want to, I needed to tell him more from where I came from. He needed to know as much as I could tell. He sat and thought for some time, scratching his puffy mane before he finally spoke up.

"Well, that’s oddly specific. But I think I can help yha. We see raiders movin’ around all the time, pick off as many as we can. I saw this one raider with a red patch on her helmet. I couldn't tell what it was but I'd guess it’s your red skull. She woulda’ jumped strait into that here sea if another raider with the same red mark on the body plate hadn't stop her. The two walked back up North out of view. Yha might wanna ask around and see if anyone saw. Seein’ raiders aint somethin’ new so many might not have bat an eye."

Well I had something. Two raiders from the group coming to the seaside, wanting to go across the water, and heading up north; did the world just point me into the right direction, after all, he saw a red patch. The raiders attacking here have purple and blue markings. That would be my biggest lead. "Thanks Buckellhorn, for all your help. I'm gonna ask around town."

"Hey, don't mention it kid. Its nice havin’ a new friendly face to talk to. And if you wanna’ talk around town, I'd say start with Two Bits. You can find her in the trade both. If there's something to know in town, she's the one to talk to. Well, I best be goin’. You take care now Tuff."

As I waved back, I started towards the safe house. At least here I can say there's somepony I could trust, and maybe call a friend. As I walked towards the safe house there was an earth pony guard with metal armor and an assault carbine watching. I just said my name and he nodded stepping out of my way. After walking in there were three options. The way in front of me had a large metal door with an identical looking guard, this one with a submachine gun though. To my left was an open room and to the right was a unicorn mare behind glass. She had a light yellow coat with a light green mane. Her deep blue eyes looked at me. I said my name and that my stuff was put in a locker. She spoke up in a sweet voice that would make candy jealous. "Oh, yes the griffon, you’re in the back row all the way down marked 46." She smiled so bright that the sun would be proud.

After walking down, Charcoal was wright and it wasn't a trick. Everything I had was there, even the drugs I had the misfortune of taking where there. After tightening the strap on my bags, setting back my knife and reattaching my pistol holster I headed for the door. Buckellhorn had said to talk to Two Bits, so I knew where to next. After looking about I could tell the trade post from the weapons, armor and supplies in the back. A pink earth pony mare with a bright yellow mane and purple eyes and a butt mark of two gold bits was sitting behind the counter chewing on a hay straw. When she saw me she waved me down. When I arrived she spoke with a raspy voice. "Hey, you're that griffon the talons dragged in from the dirt. I thought you were dead meat, but that doc said you were still kicken’. Well, now that you’re up, how bout some traden'?"

"First I have some questions for you." Her eyes shrunk and the smile went away as she wiggled the straw around her mouth. "My home was attacked by a raider camp, and no, it’s not the same group attacking you. These raiders bore a red skull on their armor and used rather high end weapons. Buckellhorn told me he saw two out by the sea's edge, know anything more."

She looked smirked and even smiled a little before saying in a lower voice. "Oh, I got the Intel on who you're lookin’ for but what you’re asking for is information and information has a price to pay. What's say, 100 caps and you get the Intel you need."

"I don't have the money, could I trade with you instead." I hoped she’d agree, and to my surprise, she nodded. I opened my bags and handed her the drugs I took. She looked at it and passed me 40 caps. I then pulled out the sawed off shotgun and the 10mm pistol the raiders who jumped me had. She took and handed back 70 more caps. After sifting through my bags she interrupted and pointed at the cigarette packs I also grabbed from the raiders. She said "Give me those and you'll get 20 caps and I'll through in all the ammo I got for your pistol there." I nodded and passed all seven packs. The caps where handed to me but she needed to reach under her desk for the ammo. She then asked me "What caliber?" I said 9mm and she just stared up at me. She just stated "That's a more common round, what’s say I give you half and call it even?"

After our little barter, I passed back 100 caps and asked what she knew. "Well, it’s no lie that Buckellhorn saw them raiders. Three other settlers saw em. Two where guards. I was asleep so didn't see em myself but the ones who did said they didn't have the usual raider look in their eye. The guards said they still looked sane and didn't shoot. One did jump in the sea and start swimming across. Her friend dragged her out, only to slap her. The two talked but no one herd them. They walked back up north too, only to stop about halfway to the castle and wait. After an hour the rest of their party arrived and they sailed on a raft back across the sea. My guess is they the ones who picked your home off." After hearing that I had no doubt who the two where. "Where'd they go, what’s across that sea?" I asked fiercely.

"Well, over there's Fillydelphia, but they don't have Red Eyes mark. There's also Manehatten and Baltimare, though I’m not so sure they came from there. Nothin’ good there either. If I was you, I'd go over sea and ask around Radioactive Falls Trade Center. Take the tracks to the other side and go through the west, can’t miss it. Town's there may have what you need."

With that, I knew what I was doing. Two Bits is telling me to go by the trade center to try and locate this raider group. First I needed to clear out these raiders here. "Thanks Two Bits, you've been a big help." I stated before starting to walk away.

"Eh, it’s what I do. Oh, and take this, it'll help." she said after throwing me a paper ball and going back to chewing on her straw. After picking up the ball and unfolding it I saw it was a map. This would be helpful after all. With this out of the way, tomorrow it’s time to take out the raider camp here.

After a bad night’s sleep, no thanks to the beer, old bed, cramped space and loud noises in the common house I walk out into the town. After heading to the dinner I saw they had wild boar on the menu, one of my favorites if done right. After a good time my plate came. Most ponies seem to eat veggies yet some helped themselves to meat. I never liked greens, always tasted off. After a good long while I headed to the mayor’s office. He stayed in the biggest building in the far end of town. Two guard ponies with the metal armor and hunting rifles stood guard. Both looked to me and moved out of the way. I'm sure the mayor told his guards to let me past. As I walked in, there were more guard ponies and talon members around tables with a Sparkle Cola machine and a jukebox. The bar to the left had a radio with a crazed looking green stallion attending it, behind the bar where the stairs to the mayor and sheriffs office's and next to the stairs was an armory. As I started climbing the stairs a hoof grabbed my shoulder and pulled me around. The sheriff with the same leather outfit and hat with stars stared me down. He talked in a low, dry voice. "What yha think yha doin?"

I answered with a nervous tone. "The mayor wanted me to take out those raiders bothering you, I was just going to speak with him about it."

He just stared me down without moving. He eventually said "I don't like you. Yha come in from the north, where those raiders and that fucking castle are all shot up and drugged out. The mayor may be trusting you, but I don't. Let me make this as crystal clear as possible. You make one mistake, take one step out of line, you do ANYTHING to raise suspicions and I will personally end you. You got me son?" With a hard swallow and a nod his brow grew larger. "I SAID, YOU GOT ME SON!" With that I answered with a loud "Yes!" He just looked at me a little longer, his eyes matching mine. He just nodded and steps away. From there I walk up the stairs, my tail between my legs. The mayor had a guard outside with a large weapon I've never seen. It looked like the barrel was burned. She just looked at me as I walked in. Charcoal just looked up at me from the papers on his desk. He had a large Yau Bear skull hanging behind him. He looked up at me with those golden eyes and said in his deep voice, "Take a seat." After sitting in one of the two chairs he put the papers down and looked me strait in the eyes before saying, "You're here about the raider job right?"

Looking at him, I nodded before saying, "What is it exactly you had in mind?" From the little smile he gave, it would either be dangerous or risky.

He leaned back before saying, "As I said before, the raiders don't know about you. You killed their raid party before any could tell the rest of them. That means the raiders left wouldn’t recognize you. These raiders seem a bit more civil than most. They most likely wouldn't shoot you up. Find their camp, gain entrance, get them on your good side, come back and we'll wipe them off the face of the earth. It's simple."

The first thing I wanted to ask was how sure he was but I asked, "Why haven't one of your own gone out to do this?"

He looked at me smug before saying. "If it wasn’t obvious, they've been to the town and they’ve seen the griffons here before. You're one they don't know. I want to use this. And for sending in my own bucks, it’s mainly the same reason. I haven't been able to find their camp, at least without that guard dyeing or goin’ missing. You have this advantage. If I was to find there camp, I'd have to wait for them to be unoccupied for the surprise attack needed, you starten’ to see where this goes?”

I nodded in agreement before adding, "Any clues on where I should start.”

He sat back up before saying, "You should start east of here, by the mountains. Whenever they retreat, they go off that way. I’d bet yha find em there." Now I knew what I was doing. I’ve been out about a day, yet I’m already playing the “good guy”. I wouldn’t call myself a hero; I’m not doing it to be kind. For me, I’m doing it because I know how it can be losing your own to an enemy your helpless about.

I hadn’t a plan, but I just thought I’d make it up on the fly. Leaving the town, bags and fresh supplies in claw, I headed east. The wastes weren’t much, nothing but long dead trees and old crumbled roads. Off in the distance, in the fog, the old town I found on my first night still stood. It wouldn’t be worth going back to search for anything. The distant wind howled through the mountain valleys, from across the sea, each gust stirring up the trees, caring the creek of wood through the region. Any small gust brought even the tiniest sounds to bear. It was the quietest it’s ever been in my life. In the fort, it was usually noisy, and Woodworks wasn’t much different. I must admit, I rather liked it.

Closing the door behind me, I stumbled behind a tipped table. The door’s lock was decent, but it wouldn’t hold up for long. The rumble of fast but heavy hooves sounded as they stampeded towards the door, each time ending in a crash both loosening the door and shaking the walls.

“Fuck, why in Celesties name was it still loaded?” I said to myself. Truth told, it may have been my fault, but still, who keeps a loaded gun in a case? I mean, I could always blame it on the dam thing being over two hundred years old and simply malfunctioning. The shot echoed through the hunting cabin and through the entire mountain pass. Apparently, ponies from before the war left loaded rifles in their lockers; the sound caught the attention of two nearby radhogs. I’ve only ever dealt with dead radhogs, so this was rather terrifying. The door shot off its hinges with the boar collapsing, with his sow running in behind him. I quickly took aim with the very rifle that got me into this predicament. A single shot placed in her neck downed the sow, the boar had gotten back up, and before I could open the bolt of the rifle, he was charging me. Quickly drawing my pistol, I took flight, just dodging him. He crashed through the table and hit the wall. Turning he was met with a hail of bullets from my pistol. I think it’s the lucky shot to his left eye that downed him. Landing in the room, I took note of what was around me. My only thought, fuck you Koren, killing animals is easy you cocky bastard.

I figured I could use it for later, so I quickly skinned and cut the best meat off the two. Had I been in a safe place, I could’ve gotten much more. Placing the wrapped meat in my bags, I fully searched the cabin, only for me to walk away with a few more shots to the hunting rifle and some bullets to a gun I haven’t seen yet. The only other thing worth noting where some old coins, they looked the ones on Two Bits ass. No bottle caps though, such a strange choice for currency. Clearing back to the pass I retraced my steps to the path I was originally taking. What, ok so I might have been curious, but I couldn’t resist.

“Is he one of em?”

“No, he doesn’t have that mercenary look to em.”

“What’s a pidgin like you doing over here?”

With my luck, I bounce into one of these raiders camps. It wasn’t much to impress, a simple trailer turned barracks with a small barrel fire and some minor sandbag and wood barriers. The only reason I could tell it was one of theirs was from the blue and purple markings. At that point, I still hadn’t a plan, but thinking back, maybe yelling, “Hello, I’m no threat, I only wish to talk to you” wasn’t the best idea. For some unknown reason Charcoal was right and they didn’t gun me down, they did still charge me with their guns aimed to me and continued asking questions.

Three of them, one mare and two stallions, each with crude armor and weapons, all looking down on me. They each smelled of death and fecal matter and looked like they rolled around in dust and dirt. The mare had a dark purple coat with her main spiked up into a Mohawk. The larger of the two stallions was a dirt brown with a completely messed main; the other was a light blue with more of their cut short mains and tails. Their armor was little more than leather straps and mettle bits strapped together with nails and rebar jutting through in an attempt to look more intimidating. Their weapons looked to fall apart if a single round fired. The only one with a decent conditioned weapon was the large stallion, who levitated a sledgehammer next to him. The mare had another hunting rifle and the smaller buck had a dinky looking pistol.

“Speak dam you!” shouted the large buck. His voice was surprisingly clear, unlike the raiders from last night.

“I’m from” think Blacktuff, think, “a-across the river, I mean sea. I came here seeking the gang I keep hearing about, the one bothering the Woodwork ponies.” I said. I didn’t convince myself. I don’t work the best under pressure, and having a .308 rifle aimed between your eyes doesn’t help. These raiders have to be a fool to believe me-

“You’re from overseas, why so interested in finding us?” the mare answered. Her voice too sounded surprisingly normal. Sure, she had a slight grind to her words, but she still didn’t sound much like the raiders who jumped me before. The smaller buck, however, I couldn’t say this to.

“We should gut him, hang him with the others.” He had a more crazed sound to him. He seemed like he’d snap if something happened just right.

“Well, I have a way into Woodworks; I know their looking for someone to take you down. Way I figure it; I could help your leader get the edge on them.” I still didn’t really convince myself. Thankfully, for me, they seemed to bite.

“Take him to the boss.” The large buck said. With this, the two backed off. The mare was to lead me to their base, the other two stayed behind. A short walk through the cliffs leads me to a small encampment. Four tents set up in a ring around a large fire. The horror struck me, bodies, fresh and old hung from the old power cables strung over the camp. Some strung to the wooden polls, hopefully dead when it happened. The entrance, laid out with spikes tipped in pony heads, gave way to the hell beyond. Wooden beams strung over the entry with skeletons dangling off. The tents painted and marked by the raiders. The metal rods holding them up tipped with bones and skulls. Separate polls hung cloth covers providing shade had further bodies hung to them. The massive burning pile let off the horrendous stench of death and decay. It was a living nightmare. I’d been outside about a day and have already experienced a living nightmare.

Following the mare around the fire pit we walked to the largest tent in the far back, where the “boss” lives, she stepped aside, forcefully opened the tent and motioned with her head for me to enter. Most the raiders in the camp looked surprised or curious about me. The ones in here seemed angry.

“Buckshot, he’s here.” Called a buck from next to me. Fallowing my eyes to the back of the tent, I saw him. Cages hung from the celling with old bodies in them. Smaller cages with fires in them provided lite to the tent. Skulls hung from them to finish off the look. The boss sat on a large, wooden seat. The chair, decorated with rebar bent to mimic skeletal wings outstretched from him, each tipped with a candle, stood strong and proud. Atop the chair a skull, one with barbed wire running through the eyes to clamp it to the seat. The pony sitting among the throne was a site to behold. While Charcoal represented the charismatic qualities a leader could possess, this buck was the exact opposite. He was a dark greyish color with a black main. He was a unicorn, no, his horn came from a unicorn’s skull he wore as a helmet, his armor having bones weaved into it. His eyes, a frightening shade of orange, stared straight back to me. The majority of his armor was made of fine mettle bits with the bones wrapped and worked into the armor.

“You are the one I’m to meet?” he called to me. His voice was deep yet powerful, each word echoing through my mind. I haven’t been one to feel afraid of others before, but after stepping into the open wastes, this all has changed. I stepped forward, stopping close enough to see him in all his strength.

“Yes, I have a way into Woodworks. They seem to trust me enough for me to find out anything you could need.” I answered, my hope was he bought into it too. He shifted positions, sitting strait up he rested his hooves into a thinking position.

“I’m interested.”

Taking a slight step back I repositioned myself and continued, “I could acquire information; I’ll prove to you they trust me. The ponies of Woodwork are looking for someone to infiltrate you and finaly kill you. I can get in there and find who this is, or learn their guard rotations, providing you attack windows.” The boss looked interested, then amused.

“Really, the town is searching for somepony to take me out and you happen to show up, giving me this information?” he asked. His tone wasn’t one in sarcasm, but one in curiosity. To me, he seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing there.

“Let me prove it. I’ll go to the town and gather information for you. Let me show you my intents.” I asked. He had seemed to ponder that. As I watched him, he finaly gave and looked me in the eyes, making me shift slightly.

“I’ll let you go, but do be warned, I want you back here with whatever you have. I will decide whether to enlist you, or wear you as a trophy pidgin. Now go.” He explained. In my head, I was rather relieved and released a breath I hadn’t known I held. Exiting the tent the mare who lead me here stopped me.

“The boss said to give this to you, it’ll grant you safe passage.” She said before leaving. Looking at it, she handed me an old world bit with a wire drilled through it. The bit was painted in the same colors as these raiders. Placing it around my neck, I began the walk home.

“Wait, wait, wait, and the basturds fell for it, all that crap, just how dumb are they?” Charcoal said. This wasn’t his first time laughing over these raiders rather questionable choices. “So, they’re hiding in the old hiking pass.”

“How would attacking it be?” I asked.

“Most likely suicide.” Golden Star, the sheriff who I’d finally learned the name of, answered. “Even an idiot would place snipers, or at the very least, rifleponies to watch the main climb.”

“Is there another way around?” I asked. Charcoal sat back, one hoof to his chin, thinking. He seemed to have an idea as he smiled and turned to me.

“You’re our ticket in. that scumbag wants to know what we’re planning. If he believed you so far, get him into a primer position to take him down. It’ll end this all and we won’t even need to attack.”

“Why, wouldn’t the others just attack you after he’s dead?” I asked. Golden Star stepped up
“Raiders build their gangs off power. Their hierarchy’s based simply around who’s strongest. Far too often removing the leader will cause the others to kill each other over dominance, they’ll take themselves out.”

Well, it could work. Sure, some would maybe form little groups but nothing like a unified gang. Questions still bugged me about this. I knew I could just bullshit something these townsponies where planning. Those idiots would believe it. There was just one thing, how the hell was I to get alone with Buckshot to kill him! Maybe I could catch him late that night or something. Whelp, like all my recent plans, I’d come up with it on the fly.

“Well, you in on this?” Charcoal spoke up, catching me off guard while in my thinking trance.

“I’ll get that basturd.”

The walk back to these raiders camp left me thinking, what was I going to do? I knew I couldn’t just kill them all, not only did I lack the ammo to do so, but also I still would think they’d take me down with their numbers. I only had about seven shots to my combat shotgun, about thirteen to the hunting rifle and maybe five full clips to the 9mm pistol and my combat knife. From what I saw, they had their own hunting rifles and combat shotguns. They did have, however, a rifle I hadn’t seen. It was shorter than the hunting rifle but with a far larger magazine and a receiver made out of metal with a stalk and for-grip made out of wood. I didn’t like the look of it, and didn’t want it used on me. Reaching the camp the sight still sent shivers down my spine.

“They’re planning a full scale attack tomorrow?” Buckshot replied.

“Yes, from what I saw the sheriff has a spy who’s found your camp. The towns readying its attack now, I’d be unwise to attack now and wait. Line the path up to the camp with as many raiders you can, it’ll be a kill zone.” Looking at that, Buckshot seemed surprised.

“Well, I must say, I’m impressed. I’ll give the order for those to begin arming themselves. Its growing late, stay the night and witness the slaughter of their pathetic attack.” He called aloud.

Nightfall grew and thus the ready ponies expecting a battle slept, only the night watch awake. I was in a tent with five others; they all stank of dirt and death. I get it’s hard to keep clean out here, but the Woodworks ponies didn’t smell this bad. I had to wait an unbearable amount of time before each pony in the tent was asleep. Using my cat-like agility, I was able to sneak by, into the main yard, and to Buckshot’s tent. Looking inside I saw both guards asleep, I’d be too easy, stepping inside I pulled my knife out, ready to kill.

A massive thump rattled the back of my head, next thing I knew I was having two raiders holding me to the floor. Their hooves holding my shoulders and back down, in the proses kicking my knife away. Fear should have been overtaking my body, but I believe I was in shock.

“I want to look at him, lift his head.”

The voice of Buckshot shook me, I finaly grasped the situation and the fear set in. The thought of ending up like the ponies out in the burn pile, or worse, have my skeleton mounted on a pole as a trophy. Am I to become another faceless, nameless corpse in the distant wasteland? The guards atop me tilt my head back, bringing me face to face with the overboss.

“Thought I’d believe you, thought I trusted you? You’re not so bright, now are you?” His voice sending chills down my spine. He was looking directly into my eyes, sweat began running down my face. I felt from his stair alone I’d crack into a sobbing mess. “Bring him out, gather the others, we move for the town.” Before I could react a large sack covered my head, the only thing I could see was the thin lining of the bag.

The sudden blinding light caused me to shrink back as the sack was removed from my head. My legs and arms tied together, I found myself kneeling in front of the whole raider camp; dozens of guns pointed in my direction. I feel the barrel of a gun to the side of my head, as if the dozens of other barrels aimed to me wasn’t reason enough to cooperate. Buckshot walked out of his tent, both his personal guards to his sides, stepping towards me, glancing my direction before turning to face his forces. In response, each raider lowered their guns.

“He’s the griffon who’s planned to stop us, the one working with those townsponies. I intend to end all this, once and for all, starting with him, then the town. After, we move further into the Equestrian wasteland, becoming the gang bigger than that of the Jackals.”

The sound of a pistol’s slide smacking closed made me jump, the feeling of the barrel pressing my feathers against my head. A loud bang echoed through the camp, and out into the wasteland. Was this it, had I died? Almost two days since I left and the second time, I thought I’d died. Opening my eyes the bullet hole in the skill helmet of Buckshot caused him to collapse. Each raider turned to the direction of the shot, seeing the raider sniper had been taken out by one of Woodworks guards. Without warning, other guards ran through the main entrance with Talon Mercs flying overhead. The camp was in chaos. A Talon landed in front of me, the same Talon that was talking to Buckellhorn and Blood Heart. She was a darker tan than most I’d seen, but her bird half was a nice shade of dark red with a comb of longer feathers over her right eye.

“You could use a claw.” She said, cutting the rope from my arms. Throwing me the knife, she turns to cover me. Reaching back, I cut the rope around my legs, and reach to grab a dropped assault rifle. Jumping in I begin taking out raiders. I quickly realized something, this wasn’t murder, but justice. After all the ponies they slaughtered to use just as trophies, the fact their leader wore a unicorn’s skull and bones as armor, they needed to be put down. “Blacktuff, here!” the griffon female from before shouted to me. Looking she tossed two more clips for the assault rifle.

The pain was real, the feeling of meat ripping apart as mussel and skin torn off. I collapsed into the dirt, dropping the assault rifle and clips. Looking to my right shoulder, a bullet hole, turning to the direction it came, Buckshot stood before me; his pistol in mouth. Walking up to me, he simply pointed the gun to me. I could see it, the bullet caught in his head. His skull helmet slowed it enough it saved him. Several shots tore into him, causing him to stager. When he looked back to me, for the first time I saw shock in his eyes, true unmistakable fear. His moment of stager gave me the opportunity to reach and grab the nearest pistol. With it aimed at him, a bullet sent right into his left eye. When he fell, I knew it was for good, but gloating would have to wait, as darkness fall as my eyelids became unbearably heavy.

A similar feeling came upon me as I awoke in Woodworks hospital. On the floor next to me, my bags with my weapons in toe.

“How many times you gonna be back here boy?” Buckellhorn’s voice called out, with him entering the room with me. He pointed to the bandage across my right shoulder. “Yhall took one hell of a hit, but want enough to stop yha.” He explained.
“Basturd got what was coming, he deserved a worse death.” I said, sitting up on the bed.

“Won’t argue with yha, he was a rabid mutt and needed to be put down.” Sitting up I could see the look of understanding in his eyes. Readjusting myself on the bed, I continued.

“How’d you know I was in trouble?”

“Well the mayor wondered if you’d mess up on your ‘sneak mission’ so he sent a guard to watch yha. Guard came back sayin’ you’d been spotted, mayor bout sent the whole guard force after yha.” I figured something like that, just why he didn’t tell me was beyond me. Sure would’ve saved me a heart attack.

"Now, there some ponies awaiting your presence.” He said, in a surprisingly calm voice. Standing up, I reattach my saddlebags and fallow him out the front door; opening it, the town gathered, cheering. Looking around I saw families, parents with children, young and old, and Buckshot wanted to destroy this. If this is what little good brings, a community with a fighting chance, it’s a goal I could work towards, a life worth living. Charcoal stepped forwards, Golden Star to his right. Out of respect, the townsponies quieted.

“Yha did us good, we’re forever thankful to yha. If there’s ever anything yha need, just let us know.” He said, his tone echoing the towns feelings and Golden Star, him and all the townsponies with hats removed them and bowed their head to me. “Now then, let’s celebrate!” he called out, the ponies all throwing their hats to the air with a simultaneous “Yee Haw!”

I wasn’t much for a partier, partly because I never went to them, but this was fun. Townsponies and Talon Mercs gathered in a, so called “shin dig.” I, however, mainly stayed at the bar. A beer bottle hit the counter next to me, the one in question, the female griffon from before.

“That was something, the way you were able to kill Buckshot, that is. I don’t think even I could do something like that under that amount of pressure.” She explained.

“I just, acted. I wasn’t thinking it was just instincts.” I responded, holding my head down.

“Grizza, that’s my name.” her response causing me to look up and at her. “I don’t believe you were ever told. I’m Grizza, Talon Company Mercenaries. We’re linked with a larger group led by Gawd somewhere out west, over the sea. Yha know you would make a pretty good Talon.”

“No, I’m not a mercenary, I couldn’t.” I responded. I had a job to do, and I needed to get back to it.

“I’ll still put in the good word, you ever need somethin done right, and you just call. She explained before sliding out her seat and back into the party after looking to me and tilting her hat. I simply had to admit, I may have been slightly turned on, and she was kinda cute after all.

“Tuff!” a familiar voice called to me. Looking I saw Charcoal and Golden Star waiving me down from a table. Walking to them, I saw an assortment of items, the standout, a large safe. “We finished cleaning out the items of note in their little camp. We figure these are the ones yha’d be most interested in.” looking about the table, I saw a few ammo boxes, meds and food items.

“What about the safe?” I responded, with Golden Star quick to respond.

“Found it under the overboss’s bed, whatever’s in it, it’s yours.” He tossed the key to me. Catching it, I opened the lock and the thick door swung open. Inside an assortment of different chems and ammo for both the shotgun and 9mm, the real prize was in a gun case. Opening it the most beautiful weapon I’d ever seen shined back to me, a pristine, perfectly preserved revolver. The gun had a mark of a robin mid-flight with golden inscriptions reading the name Tweety Bird, the under barrel read the caliber .357 magnum. A spark went off and I opened my saddlebags. The rounds I found back in the hunting cabin, alongside the .308 caliber, I hadn’t recognized. Taking them out the bottom of the rim read out .357 M, my guess, magnum. With great care I removed the revolver, almost ashamed someone like me and these raiders where who this beauty had fallen upon. Swinging the cylinder out I loaded eight rounds and snapped it shut.

“Well, that’s one heck of a gun. Somethin like that’ll keep yha safe.” Charcoal called with Golden Star giving a simple whistle at the sight of Tweety Bird.

“You ever seen a revolver like this?” I asked, quite curious about it.

“I believe Ironshod Firearms produced these for officers’ pre-war, calling them IF-38’s or somethin like that. This may’ve been a custom order by a police chief or somepony like that,” Charcoal, replied, “might be the only one, at least, like that.”
“Yhall want to be careful with it, .357 aint the most subtle of rounds and without anyway to suppress it yhall be heard for miles.” Golden Star replied. Looking down at the beautiful revolver in my hands, I flipped it around. The markings where only placed on the left side, even the caliber markings. Standing off the chair, I hold it out, looking down its iron sights.
“Why not test it out, don’t worry, I’ll have Two Bits set aside some ammo for yha.” Charcoal spoke up. Lifting Tweety Bird back up I aimed its sights at a distant tree stump, pulled the hammer back and set my claw on the trigger. The shot from this gun was powerful to say the least, causing my arms to fly back a bit. The sound echoed through the distant lands, bouncing back off the distant hills. The magnum cartridge would certainly do the job, and I began to wonder, would I be doing the law bringing this gun was meant for? Would I be the one to bring justice to the wasteland, and would this be the gun at my side? Gathering the supplies on the table, I turn to Charcoal.

“Where do I go now, I need to continue my search?” he looks to me, thoughts going through his mind. Turning in his chair, he points off to a distant train station and bridge.

“Yhall best be headin there, those tracks’ll lead yha strait to Radioactive Falls. If there’s anything you’ll need, they’ll be the ones to have it. I’d watch yourself, though. Far, far too many ponies there just itchin to rob yha.”

“Thank you.”

“Aw, kid, don’t mention it. Now best you get going, won’t find that murderer just sitting here.”

Reloading Tweety Bird and stepping off the chair, I walk past the party and out to the station. If I’d wanted, I could have a home here, a life of my own. No, I needed to do this; I HAD to. I’d never forgive myself, or forget it. I hadn’t really taken the time to comprehend that night again; I wouldn’t let myself fall into another pit of despair. If I did, I may not be able to snap out before doing something I’d regret. I needed to stay focused with the task at hand. As I approach the station I noticed something a bit odd, it’s mostly intact. The roof was still standing with the old ticket booth still there. The glass, boarded over and the wood dusty and chipped but other than that it didn’t seem like it belonged here. Why, why out of all things here THIS is what survived best? The wasteland hasn’t stopped surprising me. Looking at it I saw a pony waiting on one of the benches, the shape of a white coated mare; maybe a ghost? Great, was I going to be seeing ghosts out here too? Getting closer to the station, I made it out to be Blood Heart, great.

“I need to talk to you.” She called out to me. Spreading my wings and gliding up to the platform, I turn to face her. She carried a little saddlebag with a canteen around her side and a pistol holster to her left.

“Thought I’d be the last to hear this from you.”

“Buckellhorn’s put me up to it. Look, he thinks it be best if you had a medic looking after you and wanted me of all ponies to do so.” There were so many questions about what and why I froze, with a particular look to match. “Look, I don’t quite like you. Buckellhorn may be an open book and you may have won the mayors heart but I don’t trust you. You come from nowhere and now you’re every pony’s idol. I wanna see you for what you are, for my own eyes.”

“Could that change?”

“Opinions change.” She called back, a stern look to her face. She didn’t like this, but I wasn’t about to argue further about it. She was coming with me; I’d have to put up with it. I also wasn’t going to argue with having a medic with me.

“Now, where we going?” She asked.

“Radioactive Falls”

“WHAT!?”

Notice: Level Up

New Perk: Clever Pony
Instantly gain plus 10% overall experience anytime experience is earned.
New Quest Perk: King of the Bosses Level One: Killing a raider overboss grants an additional 5% damage to any raider of any type. Note: this perk only ranks up after killing another raider overboss.

Author's Note

So this is due for some time. I've finally got this out and hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Three: Lands Beyond

Fallout Equestria
Times of Talons: Chapter 3
Lands Beyond

The dark clouds from the distant sea rolled in, large greyish green ones mixed with the eternal cloud cover above. From childhood, I knew a storm, and a large one at that, approached from the north. The map Two Bits gave me showed a wind current in that direction. These must’ve been the radiation storms Blood Heart talked of. The clouds had lightning striking inside, each time causing the clouds to glow a sickly green color. Ever since leaving Woodworks she’s kept a good ponies length behind me, her head down the whole time. I didn’t know what to say, I wasn’t much for talk. I had literally one friend back in the fort, apart from my mother.

“Those radiation clouds?” looking back to her she looked in the direction of the storm. She seemed like she glance at a charging radhog boar as she froze in place.

“We need to pick up the pace!”

“I could carry you.” I explained. I figure that if I could fly while carrying a full sized radhog corpse, I could carry a pony.

“No, don’t touch me. We run there.” She answered with urgency. With a nod we began to pick up the pace, running down the track I looked back. Seeing the clouds a great distance we slow to a moderate trot. I knew she didn’t trust me, but enough to carry her out of danger.

“I could’ve carried you.” She stopped and looked to me.

“No, I don’t like ponies, or griffons for that matter, touching me.” I wasn’t really in the mood to argue it; I had a mission and a place to go. Then again, this would be a long walk.

“Could I ask why you hate me?” she looked to face me, still keeping pace with our trot.

“I didn’t say that, I said I don’t trust you. You’re one to talk; you wouldn’t say anything about where you came from.” Looking to her, I was quick to answer.

“No, I said I wouldn’t tell to keep it safe. My homes hit hard and we lost a fair bit. I wasn’t going to tell in a trading post, Celestia knows how fast word could’ve spread there.”

“Then why don’t you tell me now?” slowing slightly I look up to her.

“What if I said I didn’t fully trust you?” she seemed almost surprised by it.

“But you’re so annoyed I didn’t trust you, and now you say the same for me?”

“Look, I wasn’t too interested in helping your town. If I had my way, I’d have left after I could walk. I started thinking though; through the night, the more I thought of it the more and more similarities I saw in your town to my own. I wouldn’t be able to sleep had I left; I knew it wouldn’t be right. Now I can see that trust is a virtue earned out here, and helping others isn’t exactly something a common courtesy either. It’s just; I wasn’t going to lose that about me. You know, on my first night out here I killed three raiders. Now sure, they’re just raiders, but to me I saw ponies. And just, seeing what those raiders did, I couldn’t leave without helping. But with how you’ve been acting I couldn’t trust you knowing that.”

She seemed taken aback by it. Even without words, I knew she’d been surprised by my outburst. Our walk continued; the station appeared in the distance. As I looked I saw a large sign, one atop the station adorn with old, broken lights. “Welcome to Equestria” How many immigrants would really see this sign, but that thought was only halted by what I saw on the billboard. Trees and life, the paint faded and weathered but still visible, Equestria was once a place where nature and wildlife flourished; but no longer the case. Just the thought that all this could’ve ended just from a rivalry alone made my stomach turn.

“Wait, it’s a common spot for bandits to jump travelers.” Blood Heart said, pointing a hoof to the station. “Those Radioactive Falls bastards couldn’t even spare a guard to watch their own station. You’ll want to fly ahead to make sure.”
Looking to the station, I spread my wings and take flight, launching down under the bridge and gliding towards the station. Landing under I notice its empty and wave for Blood Heart. After reuniting, we walk past the ticket booth and down the stairs. We walked past several dead trees and an old parking lot before finding a main road. After walking out something hadn’t felt right, I felt as if some ponies watching us. My suspicions were answered as three ponies jumped out, surrounding us. These bandits weren’t much, little more than leather armor and the same, junk looking weapons most raiders seemed to use.

“Well, a little pony and her Talon body guard. He’ll look good on my wall.” Called the biggest one, a unicorn stallion, with a blue coat and a white and light silver mane; he wore the best armor of them all, a reinforced leather armor cloak with a simple cowboy’s hat. These ponies were different from the raiders, they looked normal, like your classic town thugs. Could I handle killing them if it came to it, could I be able to? Without warning a shot from behind me called out, caused the lead stallion to collapse with a large bullet hole torn into his skull. The other two seemed to step back with the sight of Blood Heart holding her pistol in a magic field. I had a plan, tackling one I rapped claws around his throat, the other tackled me. Well, I didn’t say it was a good plan.

“Get off em” called the buck around my own neck. He had a deeper voice to the lead stallion. Letting go of the mares throat I grabbed him by the mane and pulled him off, doing this, however gave the mare enough time to bring a hind leg up and kick me off. Staggering back a bit I turned to see the stallion charging, grabbing his head I slowed him to a stop and managed to knocked him aside. The mare wasn’t done just yet, as she jumped back and gave me another kick to the chest. Collapsing I spat out blood. The stallion’s second charge landed a hit to my right side. In the confusion of the fight, I hadn’t known Blood Heart fled the scene, bitch already left me for dead. With the ability to inhale air into my lounges becoming more a challenge I sat there, head held low. The two turned to the bridge and began walking to the station, looking for Blood Heart, even calling out “Little pony.” The stallion marched up the stairs and into the office, the mare looking into the ticket booth and bathrooms. The stallion had her; she hid in the offices, under a table. The two walked to her, but the mare stopped. As the stallion turned to her, he saw the rope forcibly wrapped around her neck. As she chocked and coughed, I leapt for the stallion, this time there wasn’t mercy. Combat knife in claw I plunge it deep into his skull. The mare, still coughing and gaging began a crawl out of the room. I tried to peruse but collapsed in a pool of sweat and blood.

For the third time in recent days, I awoke in a clinics bed. The feeling all the same, and a thought just the same entered my mind, why’d they have lights above the patients bed. Both this clinic and Woodworks had lights hung above their beds. As I awoke and covered my eyes, I felt a hoof hold me back slightly.

“You should take it easy; your body isn’t in the best of shape.” The voice of Blood Heart called to me. Looking to my right I saw her sitting next to me. “Are you feeling ok?”

“I’m fine, just, what happened?” her eyes softened as she looked to me.

“You passed out, had some minor internal bleeding and a cracked rib. I had to drag you here.”

“Where’s here?” as if to answer my question another unicorn mare walked in. this mare had a proper doctors coat, with tools and a pen in the pocket. She was a cream white with a red and pink mane. The mark ponies have on their ass was a red cross with a needle and tweezers on either side. I must admit, she had the most beautiful blue eyes.

“We had security call, saying they had a pidgin passed out in the driveway. I figured this pidgin could use some help. I’m doctor Red Cross, head surgeon of Radioactive Falls. Your friend here saved your life.” Looking to Blood Heart, she seemed to nod, but seemed uneasy.

“How long was I out?”

“About two days now, you were pretty banged up when you arrived.” Red Cross said. TWO DAYS! I couldn’t believe it, I was just in a fight with two ponies, and how the hell did they beat me that badly.

“We needed to perform surgery; you’ve bleed out without it.” Blood Heart said with Red Cross nodding.

“I’ll leave you to explain, I’ll be in the lobby if you need me. You get up when you’re ready.” Red Cross proceeded out the room leaving the two of us alone. The atmosphere was tense; neither of us knew what to say. I had questions I wanted answered, but I needed to know something first.

“Why didn’t you leave me, back when I passed out?” Blood Heart didn’t seem to look me in the eyes. She spoke softly, like when I first heard her voice in Woodworks.

“You saved me, I couldn’t just leave you. I had to do something.”

“I thought you didn’t trust me?”

“Trust isn’t the same as doing the right thing. I had to help you.”

“For all you know I could’ve been trying to keep myself safe.”

“No you weren’t, the way you jumped to help the town, you’re not selfish.”

I sat up more, looking down my right side and chest had several bandages wrapped around it. I slid off the bed and the two of us began out the door, with Blood Heart levitating our supplies behind us. Exiting the clinic, I found a rather large and busy settlement. Massive, sickly discolored rainbows flowed from the clouds above. The once beautiful rainbow falls now a shadow of its former self. We stood atop a massive, flat stone outcropping with taller mountains to the north of us. Almost every building in the town where still standing, with many smaller stalls built around. I saw all kinds of ponies and other creatures here. From what I guessed, I imagined a simple town built post-war, not a bustling community built out of a pre-war tourist site. I needed to admit it, but this was rather nice to see, ponies from across the wasteland gathering together to trade.

“We need to go there; it’s the head mare’s office. She’ll answer your questions and likely has information on your attacker.” Blood Heart said pointing to a shack atop a small hill, with some guards posted around it. The closest building to it my guess is the armory. Walking through the town, I saw so many things I never knew I wanted, and so many amazing guns around. This place was a small army just from the merchandise alone.

“Hey, you, griffon” called a stallion from behind me. Turning to face him, I saw a small store, with multiple firearms and crates of ammo set all around him. Looking at the arsenal made me all giddy. “I could hook you up with something better than that 9mm pistol there, for the right price. I’ll even give some magazines, free of charge.” The stores top sign read out “Top Shelf Firearms” with the picture of a badly drawn pony duel wielding assault rifles on either side of the text. Despite Blood Hearts clear disapproval, we began browsing the collection. Despite it all, I ended up with a 9mm submachine gun. The full-auto would take some getting used to. Leaving the stall, I had to fight not selling my hunting rifle for a better, military grade .308 sniper. The only reason I left it was that buying it would eat up our entire cap stash. Still, I did have the money to restock on ammo, giving Tweety Bird a nice pile of magnum rounds. Blood Heart even upgraded to a .45 pistol, selling the old 10mm she had.

Leaving Top Shelf I saw something, something quite eye catching. I was surprised to see even Blood Heart stop in shock of what stood among her. Three ponies, two mares and a stallion, but they stood out in the armor they wore. Most ponies out here seem to use makeshift armor, or old, pre-war suits. These ponies had polished, new looking, full head to hoof armor suits. Looking to Blood Heart, she answers without even looking to me.

“Steel Rangers.” After saying this, she turned to look at me. “I had no idea the Steel Rangers shopped here.”

“Who, who are they?”

“Well, they wield big guns, use power armor and precise military tactics and have a wealth of guns and ammo. They usually stick further south, but I never imagined they’d trade here.” The Steel Rangers, huh, surprisingly my only real thought was if they made a suit of that fancy power armor for griffons. The stallion in the group looked to me, causing the two mares to notice us. The stallion walked up, coming eye level to me, the armor made him slightly taller than a normal stallion.

“There something I could help you with kid?” he asked, his voice was like a storybooks prince charming.

“I, I just never seen a Steel Ranger Before.” I answered, nice Tuff, nice. He seemed to ponder that, with the two mares staying further behind him. He lifted a hoof up and removed his helmet, two air pipes unclipped from the back and the helmet slid off his head. I wasn’t gay, or even bisexual, but even I could admit he was handsome. He had a white coat with a five o’clock shadow, his eyes a nice shade of blue. His mane was long and blond, with it curled at the ends. I couldn’t see the mares but they just stood strong behind him. His power armor had two massive guns strapped to the sides. He was looking me in the eyes now.

“So, you’ve never seen one of us?” he asked. Blood heart stepped up.

“It’s a long story, but he hadn’t gotten out much.” The stallion turned to face her. He seemed to ponder what she said before looking back to me.

“Welcome to the outside, you’re a long ways away from paradise.” He said with a hint of smugness in his features. “I’m Greyhooves, Paladin Greyhooves of the Steel Rangers.” Pointing to the mare to his right, “that’s Cottonwood” and pointing to the left one, “that’s Herring.” He looked back to me. “We gather supplies for our contingent, that’s the Baltimare Contingent.”

“You don’t fight with others?” Blood Heart asked. He seemed confused by the question. Cottonwood stepped up, talking in a rather mellow voice.

“Permission to speak, sir?” Greyhooves gave a nod and she walked up to his side, Haring still stayed back. “Should we be telling them this? I mean some the elder may not want you to spill.”

“If I didn’t feel he should know, I wouldn’t say. He’d have learned of us sooner or later, wouldn’t you rather us be the first he meets?” he said, in the end he tilted his head and blinked a few times, pouting his lip out. Cottonwood backed up.

“Are there more of you here?” I asked, wondering why he was glad we ran into him first.

“Well, the Hoofington Contingent sent a few Knights and a Paladin here to act as repellant to raiders and thugs alike. In return Radioactive Falls offered to supply us in ammo and loose parts.” Hoofington, I herd of that city back in Woodworks, there were Rangers there too?

“Why’d you want to meet us before others did?” I asked, hoping to get some answer to who the other Rangers were.

“Most the Rangers out there care about one thing only, gaining only the important technologies. Most’ll kill you just because they want the fancy gadget on your back. I never liked the goal, but I must serve my elder.” These Rangers seem like a real piece of work. ”Where you two off to?”

“I need to speak with whoever runs this place.” Greyhooves nodded and pointed to the house Blood Heart called out earlier, saying something along the lines of it being the “Head Mare’s” home. Walking to the building, I passed two guards, each with combat armor and assault rifles. The guards wore a patch with a rainbow and a cloud on it, these would’ve been Radioactive Falls own militia, but I hadn’t seen the Hoofington Rangers Greyhooves spoke of. Weaving through the path, we came face-to-face with the Head Mare’s home.

“I’m telling yha, I got it under control, you don’t need to keep botherin me about it.” a voice from within the house called out, a female voice but one with strength behind it. Clear distain and annoyance was in her tone, and just in the atmosphere, alone I could feel a slight tension.

“Paladin, I’d get off your ass if it was done with three weeks ago, but we’re almost a month later and you’ve done dick-all.” Another female sounding voice called in the same direction, this voice had a much less feminine sound, but rather deeper and more rustled. “I need results, not plans, get out there and get me something I can use.”

“Mam, the pidgins here.” The stallion I hadn’t even seen to our left called out, this stopped the other talker from responding. A mare walked out, light red, but not quite pink, with a light blue, white and yellow mane wearing a tattered but still in good shape dress walked out. As she entered the room, our eyes meet and her rather bright purple eyes stared directly into mine. It wasn’t until movement behind her that I lost contact with her stare. Five other Steel Rangers, stood in a row behind her, each fully clad in armor and weapons still in toe.

“So, you made it through, had to say I’m quite impressed with your determination to live. I’m the Head Mare, though others call me Precision. Now your little girlfriend here wouldn’t tell me about you, so, might I ask who are you and were you off to?” Blood Heart gave Precision a look before turning away, I wondered.

“Before I ask, what was it you two were arguing about?”

“Business, plain and simple. There’s a gang not too far off and I have reason to believe their jumping folks before they enter. I asked Deep Blue here if she and her fancy dance party would look into it but I’ve yet to see results. I was simply reminding them of the benefits to the Rangers this place is to them, and that they need to keep its customers happy for or now deal.” Well that explained that, she had a way of speaking that told honesty, but somehow sounded exaggerated. “Now I must ask again, what you up to out here?”

“I need the where abouts of a raider gang, one with a Red Skull adorn their armor, more high end weapons and armor and a slight sane look to them. I need to find them.” She sat and pondered, by this point the Rangers pushed by us and left, Precision’s face seemed to light up as she looked to me.

“I may know the group you’re talking of, but I’ll need to double check and gather what I can. In the meantime, I have an offer to fix both our problems.” My eyes may have rolled, but I didn’t really know; out here, it seems ponies all have something needed done. “I can’t count on those oversized tin can’s to do anything, but you want something I have and I have a job needed done. Take your little girlfriend up the road west of here, find that damn gang, and finish them off. Now while you’re completing this task of mine I’ll gather whatever I have on that gang of yours. I’ll even give you a bonus and whatever you find on them basturds, it’s yours. Well bird boy, what you say?” pondering I thought maybe I could talk my way around getting the information now, or maybe even bribe her with the money I had left, but I wasn’t much of a sweat talker and couldn’t bribe an apple farmer for a single seed.

“Deal, I just need to know you’ll get your end done.” With her nod, we shook on it and I proceeded to walk towards the door with Precision walking into a back room. Blood Heart stayed surprisingly quiet throughout the meeting with the Head Mare. I was almost expecting her to have some kind of outburst.

“You’re going after that gang; we’ll be goin with you.” Called a familiar voice from the left upon exiting the home, looking over, Greyhooves and his twin entourage stood waiting, each fully clad in power armor except Greyhooves helmet. They each had their weapons attached this time, Cottonwood wore a multi-barreled rifle looking weapon on both sides while Herring had an assault rifle and a gun I couldn’t identify to her left. Greyhooves had the most impressive weapon, twin rifle barrels with a diameter so big I could probably fit most my hand in it, the rifle had a huge ammo can atop it with a shell ejection port behind. I had to admit, I was a bit jealous. I wanted to ask but only a mumble and vainly a “what” may have gotten out. “I could use with a little fun, plus these Rangers here don’t seem interested in the job.” The night to his right stepped forward and spoke.

“Permission to speak, sir” based on the unfamiliar voice, this was Herring. Greyhooves nodded and she spoke up again. “Sir, we had a mission, we need to get back.” Greyhooves only chuckled.

“What, we’re kicken ass for the goal of the Rangers. We could just say that group possibly had important tech. common little fish, you could use the fun.” He said, with his pout lip and multiple blinks in her direction. Herring just stood there, turning away.

“Only to not get in trouble with the elders.” From behind the three I saw a pony step out, she was, the mare who attacked me before! She walked out, almost ashamed to see me. I hadn’t noticed in the time of our clash but she had a nice pinkish coat with a white mane. Her light magenta eyes seemed intent not to look at me. The visible scar from the rope around her throat did cause me to ease up in my glare. She sounded almost afraid to speak, and in a tone different to the one, she had in our first meeting.

“I…I wanted to say s…sorry.” She eventually spoke up.

“For what, almost killing me?” I lashed out, causing her to step back. Blood Heart hadn’t taken her eyes off the mare.

“I needed to thank you, for…for freeing me from that basturd.” This had caught me off guard. “He made the two of us fallow him, had us attack who he said.”

“I’m not forgiving you, if that’s what you’re here for.” She hadn’t moved, but her eyes did meet mine.

“I wasn’t going to ask, I just wanted to repay you, and to thank you.” She finaly stood up more, her eyes still meeting mine. “These Rangers said you’re off to fight some gang, I’ll help you, we avoided that gang so I know where they’re located.” I looked to Greyhooves.

“How long has she been here, has she left?” he looked somewhat shocked by it.

“No, she’s only stayed in and around the market, never buying or even talking to merchants.” I gave him a questioning glare, looking back to the mare.

“If it’s a trap, you’ll be the first to go.” She shrunk back slightly. Starting to the door of the town, I pass by Greyhooves side, and speak into his ear. “Keep an eye on her, would yha.” He nodded; even he probably didn’t fully trust her. As Blood Heart and I walked towards the door, he fallowed next to the mare.

“I don’t believe we caught your name.” he said, with a certain tone to his voice. This guy was a real ladies man, wasn’t he.

“Oh, uh…Berry Juice, at least that’s what my mother named me.” She said, the stuttering back in her voice. As we reached the gate, Blood Heart pulled me over, talking as we walked.

“It wasn’t my idea to help her, Berry Juice I mean.” I looked over to her. “The Falls security found us and brought you and her to the clinic. She woke up before you, didn’t do much, just kept to herself.”

“You haven’t really been the same since the attack.” She stopped, causing Greyhooves and his Rangers to halter.

“I don’t want to talk about it, it’s nothing to worry about.” Her voice was softer, much more than usual, her almost sarcastic tone gone. I’d like to think she’s used to killing, being from out her. I’d done it before too, since I’d kept from thinking about it, almost accepting it as what needs to happen. I’d be rather surprised if she wasn’t used to or bothered by killing. Exiting Radioactive Falls’ main gate I stopped dead in my tracks, possibly causing a Ranger collision or two behind me.

“What the Fuck is that!?” I called, looking in the direction of two large beasts. The animal vaguely resembled that of a cow, just with much of its fur gone. The biggest thing to catch me off guard was the two heads, each with multiple misshapen horns. The fur patches reviled a once tan/brown coloration. The beast’s horribly swollen and inflated udder almost scraped against the ground. While I could see it on Blood Hearts face, I could just feel the Rangers glaring confused to me.

“Right, yha haven’t been out long” called Greyhooves from behind me. Clear sarcasm in his voice as most likely Cottonwood chuckled.

“Their Brahmin, used to be cattle.” Blood Heart spoke up. “Traders use em to haul their supplies around. Their on brake most likely.” Brahmin, what other unholy creatures did the wasteland hold, actually I’d rather not know.

“Cletus, this guy says he hasn’t been out long.” Oh god, what the fuck; the cow thing talked. One of the two heads lifted off the ground and began talking to the other. These damn things could talk, what else did this wasteland hold?

“Uh, hi, you can talk?” the Brahmin looked to me, the other head just continued eating hey scattered around the stall.

“Well, I can, Cletus here isn’t one for talking, neither are Betsy and Markus over there.” The other Brahmin continued eating before sitting down. Blood Heart walked up to me.

“Some Brahmin retains their ability to speak, but most don’t. It can get a little weird, trust me.” The Brahmin just smiled at me, walking away; there were too many questions to ask. We winded west, through a pass with large, old crystal pillars and spires around us. Old world tourist signs called this the Crystal Passage. Greyhooves explained how this is the safe way up here past Canterlot and Fillydelphia. The pass was in surprisingly good condition, with little to identify it as a wasteland place, apart from the constant cloud cover.

“Hold on,” called Berry Juice, “up ahead, that’s where these bandits hold out. I heard a clicking sound from behind me. Turning I saw the Rangers weapons ready.

“Let’s just rush em, catch em off guard.” He called, with Berry Juice putting a hoof in front of him.

“No, you’d be too big a target. Let someone draw them out, get them out in the open.” As she looked around a wave of nerve fell upon her. “It’ll be me, right?”

“What she want?”

“She only has a knife and water”

“Not much for a little mare”

These bandits practically raced out the moment she ran past their cave. Five ran out, but the three with guns talked as the other two carried their weapons in mouth. The three with guns were also unicorns, so their rifles levitated around them. Berry Juice had a rather nervous and uneased look, probably more afraid of us than the bandits doing something. The plan was to wait until the bandits had everything and turned back to their cave, but Greyhooves blew it after he saw one of the bucks place his hoof on Berry Juice’s rear. I remember hearing Cottonwood call out, “don’t” while Herring just stated, “Here we go again.”

The firefight started as soon as Greyhooves charged them, surprisingly not firing his main guns, probably afraid to hit Berry Juice as well. The firepower and immense sound took me by surprise. The sweat sounding Cottonwood stepped up, with a whirl from the guns motor, the barrels spun up. The immense firepower that shot out each of these massive guns shook me. The rotating barrels sent a wave of bullets, shredding two of the five bandits to bloody meat chunks. Herring opened fire on the bandit backing up, her assault rifle making quick work of the unicorn. Greyhooves was a force to be reckoned with. The pony, clad in armor moved as a griffon souring through the air, and with all the grace that comes with it. As he clashed hoof to the face of the buck getting down with Berry Juice he reared and kicked the other unicorn. Berry Juice shrunk back, the unicorn getting back up as Greyhooves pounded the bucks face to the ground. The unicorn lifted her hunting rifle to her, but the shot had caught her off guard as the unicorn collapsed into the dirt. Looking up, Berry Juice saw the barrel of Tweety Bird aimed where the unicorn was. Greyhooves turned to see the dead unicorn, calling out to me.

“She was mine!” as we regrouped, Herring spoke up.

“Most likely more inside; herd stuff moving around.” Greyhooves turned to see Berry Juice, looking her in the eyes.

“You ok?” she blushed, rather hard might I add.

“You...you risked the plan for me?” Greyhooves only soften his glare to her.

“I wouldn’t let em touch you like that.” That causing her to somehow blush harder and shrink back slightly. She turned to face me.

“You shot that mare, for me, none the less, why?” turning to face her, looking to Greyhooves and then back to her, I continued.

“Didn’t think he’d like it if I let them hurt you.” She lowered her head slightly. The other two Rangers had gathered the supplies the bandits had. Two hunting rifles, a double-barreled shotgun and two shovels sharpened into spears. Each had several rounds for the guns. Blood Heart crawled from the dried bush we hid behind, the firefight sent her hiding farther back. Looking to Cottonwood, “What kind of gun are those?” she looked down to her massive guns, than back to me.

“Good to know where your eyes are” her sweet voice responded, “Their twin miniguns. Named after the smaller 5mm caliber, rather the larger .50mg most others use.” Damn, miniguns where quite the weapon, I just wondered how many ponies out here had them. Greyhooves walked over to the pile.

“May have more of an armory, but may be more. Herring, up front.” With it, on command, Herring stepped up. “Breach and clear!” on que the unknown gun to her left fired with a strange thump. A round projectile flew in an arc, and into the cave. With a sudden, “Oh shit!” from in the cave, a boom sounded out. With a nod from Greyhooves, Cottonwood ran up, the barrels on her minigun spinning up again. We each climbed in, seeing the now blown-out cave. The corpse of two more bandits lay out across the sides. The cabinets in the room had stuff now flung across the cave. The seven beds in the corner had several ammo boxes piled up. As the Rangers scavenged around, I started for those. Two grenade boxes and four ammo boxes, the grenades were simple frags, not something I fully trusted myself using. The ammo cans opened, all but one. The three each had .308 and 12guage shells to go along with the weapons they used. The final ammo box was locked; I’d never done this before, and frankly didn’t know what to do. I tried using my talon to force it open, but all it did was bend my talon, sending pain up my arm. I may have shot it too, not in rage, completely to try to open it. It only dented the box in.

“Let me.” Berry Juice said, walking up with a key. “The buck had it.” taking the key the lock opened and the lid slid off. The bullets inside were huge, making even Berry Juice shrug back. Greyhooves walked over, taking the bullets and placing handing them off to Cottonwood. Looking to me, he shrugged.

“20mm, hard to find, gotta keep a stock for these two up.” He explained while shrugging his shoulders, making his massive guns shake. The three bullets weren’t the only thing, as there were several 5.56 cartridges in there, yet none of my guns used these. Clearing out we had little food and water that survived the grenade, guns around our sides and ammo split among us.

The walk back was calm, Berry Juice practically hung from Greyhooves neck, and her four limbs wrapped him in an embrace. Cottonwood and Herring took up the rear, luging some of the stash with them. Blood Heart walked just behind me, her head held slightly low. I hadn’t wanted to, but I cared, something bothered her. She didn’t like me, or at least, disapproved of me, but I wanted to help. I still didn’t think the killing was what’s getting to her; I was suspecting its the way of life out here. To be fair, I hadn’t even know how I’d gotten used to it. I still hoped for more places like Woodworks and Radioactive Falls, a place for ponies and creatures alike to gather and live together, but I hadn’t been bothered much by the wasteland’s many wonders. Growing up we’d occasionally sneak out, over the wall and out into the area around. Gron and I tended to get into quite a bit of trouble out there, that idiot and me always seemed to find something, but it never really affected me. Seeing Equestria and the many lives lost got to me, but being out here numbed me more to it, but I couldn’t imagine she’d be bothered by it.

“We’ll cut through here, get us in line with the main gate.” Greyhooves called from behind, pulling away from Berry Juices embrace. We winded down a pass south, the path would meet up with a main road leading to the falls. As we approached the base, Greyhooves called from behind. “Hold it, rad storm ahead.” Looking to the east, the direction of Radioactive Falls, a massive cloud hung low under the cloud cover moved in. as we hurried down the summit Greyhooves pointed out a small, run down shack.

“Stop, now?” I asked the Ranger, causing Cottonwood to speak up from the back.

“You’d rather not be out when a rad storm hits.”

“They don’t usually last long, wouldn’t hurt stopping a moment.” Greyhooves responded. Seeing the thundering, sickly greenish cloud approach, I knew we needed to wait it out. Piling in the place was full of a familiar creature, several radroaches walked about, scurrying across the floors and walls. Herring was about to stomp the creature, but I stopped her with an outstretched arm.

“Ever eaten roach soup?” the look on Berry Juice’s and even Blood Hearts face told me a no, and while I couldn’t see it, I could feel the Rangers disapproval at the idea. Turning to the nearest roach, I used my knife to cut its head off, repeating it to the others. Mixing the carved meat in a pot of boiling water, I mixed a bow of somehow still good noodles and some fresh carrots from the bandits cave. The smell eased Blood Hearts suspicions more, but Berry Juice still looked on in disapproval.

“Haven’t eaten meat before, huh?” Greyhooves asked; the other Rangers and he now removed their helmets. This was the first time I’d seen Cottonwood and Herring’s faces. Cottonwood was a light tan and a white mane complemented with golden orange eyes, Herring was a light blue with darker blue and white mane and green eyes. Greyhooves sat next to Berry Juice, the rest of us gathered around the fire pit. Berry Juice gave a slight gag sound to his question.

“I thought we were herbivores. Hadn’t eaten meat in my life.” She turned away, crossing her legs. Greyhooves leaned in, trying his puppy eyes again. The more he looked to her, the more her stance loosened before she finaly exhaled and turned to me. “I’ll try a little.”

“It smells surprisingly good.” Cottonwood said, looking to her she continued. “The Rangers are rather stocked; we rarely need to hunt off the land. Few of us have eaten meat, and fewer seem to willingly take it.”

“I was a butcher, working with meat was kinda my thing, picked up a few recipes from my mother in the process.” I said, causing all but Blood Heart to look to me.

“Never did say exactly where you came from kid.” Greyhooves asked, with cottonwood nodding aside him. As I inhaled, I sat up strait.

“It’s east, overseas in Griffonstone, old hidden fort in the mountains. We had farms, hunters, security and everything. A group of raiders attacked, killing many including my best friend. I’m out looking for these attackers.” This caused the others to stare in interest, but it’s Berry Juice who spoke up first.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t kno-“I cut her off.

“What, before you tried to kill us both!” the shout not only causing her to stagger but catch the Rangers off guard, after she collected herself she spoke up.

“I was doing what we needed to, not what I wanted to.” She called back, but Greyhooves stood up, staring me down.

“It’s in the past.” As I stood up to face him, Berry Juice jumped between us. As she pushed him away, she looked at me.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you, I just had to. When we jumped you, was it me who pulled you over, or was it that big basturd who did. Was it me who started the jump, or was I just in the back? He had us attack because he could kill either of us. We only attacked because we knew you’d attack us, and you did. You lunged for us after he was shot. I’m trying to repay you, I’m trying to help but you’re making it difficult.” Her little outburst having Greyhooves sit back down and the other Rangers to look on in shock, looking to her, I answered.

“I thought you were planning to attack, I’d been out only two days and saw a group attacking me, I had to do something.” She didn’t let go of her glare.

“And you did, your alive and so am I, at least I’m trying to move past It.” she backed off, sitting back down, next to Greyhooves. I stood still, head held low.

“I’m sorry.” My apology causing her to look to me. “I did what I thought I needed to, it’s over, it’s in the past. I’m sorry.” She looked to me, the Rangers and even Blood Heart watching as if a fight was about to happen. Berry Juice nodded and leaned to Greyhooves shoulder.

“I was born into the Rangers, we all were.” Greyhooves said, gesturing to the others. “Its how almost all Rangers start. You could get in, but a paladin needs to vogue for you, and then take you under his wing, other than that, only the elder can grant membership.”

“Would other species be allowed in, not that I’m-“he cut me off with a raise of his hoof.

“No, there’s never been another species to join the ranks, at least none to my own memory.” As I nodded, I looked to the other two rangers.

“How’d you all meet?” Cottonwood looked up, readjusting her stance as she responded.

“The elder asked for two knights to volunteer to join a paladin to scout distant areas for supplies. The two of us joined and we each met, been going around for about five years now.” That last part making Herring lean up, looking to her.

“Four years and two months, not almost five.” Cottonwood sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Close enough, plus traveling with this hot head makes it feel longer.” That statement getting a “hey” from Greyhooves only for Cottonwood to shrug and Herring to giggle slightly. There was something on my mind about them I needed to address.

“Herring, you don’t seem to talk much.” My comments making the stern Ranger tilt her head. Greyhooves spoke up.

“I said a Paladin could spot an outsider into the ranks, well I found Herring in an old home, scarred and skinny, hiding in a cupboard. She’d been an orphan a while, until a slaver group found her. She did much a mare of her age shouldn’t have. I found her after pushing into their camp, I took her with me, raised her like a Ranger. She joined me on every trip out since.” Wow, I knew the outside was tough and there were some sick ponies, but using a foal like that. Herring just held her head low during it, but all tears about it had been spent before, as she hadn’t cried. After a short moment, she spoke up.

“The Rangers brought something back to me, something I’d lost, strength. Power armor and big guns helped be feel in control again.” Cottonwood put a hoof on her shoulder and Greyhooves embraced her.

“I know how that is.” Berry Juice spoke up, “I’m sorry you had to deal with it at a young age.” I'd realized how important it was for Greyhooves to stop the bandits after the buck touched her hind end. I’d bet he wouldn’t stand for any of that. Cottonwood spoke up.

“What about you honey, where’d you come from.” She addressed Blood Heart, but she didn’t answer for a short while.

“Woodworks, a little trade town east.” The answer not sitting correctly with the Rangers as Greyhooves spoke up.

“That’s it.” she nodded and continued to look down. I intervened, speaking up and causing her to jump in surprise.

“There’s something wrong, you’ve been acting off since the attack and I want to know what.” Her eyes went wide, her heart pumping quickly. She actually began to tear up.

“I didn’t want to leave, I wanted to stay but that asshole doctor made me. I couldn’t have just ignored it, as the mayor would’ve gotten involved. I knew from the start coming out here would be bad for me but could I say anything, no.”

“Why though, why’d you have such a problem out here.” She breathed a little heavier, the tears run down her face, her cheeks and eyes reddened slightly. She whipped her eyes and continued.

“I was a little filly, not that old. Mother taught me everything about being a nurse. My father, asshole, worked a guard shift. On his watch he had a slaver group approach him, saying if he offered somepony in return, they’d leave, if not everypony would be either killed or enslaved. The idiot feared the worse and you know what he did? He arranged a meeting for my mother to be traded to them. I woke to see the deal go down. Running out I alerted the town and they stopped them, but not before they killed mom and ran off. I learned two things that day, ponies would do anything to avoid trouble and that even your loved ones could turn on you. I didn’t want to let anything like that happen, so I never let another pony get close to me.” I was surprised, no wonder her worldview was so different from others. I stepped closer to her, making her lean further back.

“It’s something you have to live with; I lost someone close to me. You cannot let it shape how you view your options. Two nights ago, before I left, I held this gun to my head and debated pulling the trigger. My mother stopped me because I still had a purpose, and that was to avenge my friend’s death. You cannot let this change your view; you’ll never live if you close everypony out.” She hadn’t looked away from me the whole time. Her eyes spoke to me, they showed the scared little filly the night she saw the slavers and her mother. I didn’t even feel her jump to embrace me in a hug, wrapping around me and crying into my left shoulder. I just stood there, and held her.

After a good long while, she backed off, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Looking at her, my face maybe slightly red, she responded with a quiet “thank you.” I just smiled back. The water in the soup began to boil over, telling me it’s done, sitting back down I grabbed the spoon and asked.

“Who’s hungry?”

The long night had ended, the morning light shone through the cracks in the walls. Warm, bright light bathed the room, telling us to arise. I arose to see the Rangers, at least Cottonwood and Herring awake. Greyhooves and Berry Juice sat together in their corner; me and Blood Heart slept by each other. The walk up to Radioactive Falls was filled with more talk and some laughs even. I’d like to say in my two days out here that I’d made more friends than my whole life in Fort Hallback; so much Berry Juice even kissed Greyhooves on his cheek once.

The arrival back saw us trade much of the weapons we’d gathered in the markets. Herring showed me how to combine the best parts of the three hunting rifles to make a higher quality one. Restocking on ammunition and finally getting a good stockpile of shots for Tweety Bird I moved to speaking with Precision. Entering I saw her eating an oat sandwich on the couch in the room.

“Here’s all I found, and it’s not too good. This gang, the Red Skulls, they’re some serious business. Tough and experienced they’re lead by an overboss who knows what he’s doing. You’ll need to get your walkin’ boots on, cause you’re off to Baltimare. Head through the rest of the Crystal Passage, avoid Canterlot and Ponyville like the plague, and cut through these mountains. There’s a boat here that takes travelers to Freehoof, from there it’ll be a short walk east, along the highways to the city. Now I don’t know where in Baltimare their located, that’s up to you.” Nodding I take the map she’s drawn out.

“Thanks, it’s more than I could’ve asked for.” She shrugged and handed me something, a gun case. Looking to her, she began.

“It was my husbands. After his passing, it’s sat around collecting dust. He used to sit atop the bell tower and take shots at anything he didn’t like approaching. I’d think he’d want you to have it, to kill those Red Skull basturds for what they’ve done.” Taking the key from her, I opened the case. The gun was huge, almost the length of me. The rounds inside the case were just as massive, smaller than Greyhooves’ 20mm but still bigger than any I’d had. The rifle had the name Fatal Blow scratched into the wooden stalk’s right side. Taking Fatal Blow out, I opened the bolt, three rounds could fit inside the gun. Looking at the rounds, the rim read out 13.9mm. The trigger was different, as it looked like one a griffon would make as no hooves could grab it.

“It’s a griffon made gun, Grover Anti-Material Rifle I believe was the model. Only a unicorn could use one without modifying the trigger guard.” Taking Fatal Blow, I thanked her one last time and left the building. Down, at the end of the path and by the main gate stood my small party, I’d need to meet up with them and discuss what we’re doing next. There stood one problem, or likely a problem, the Steel Rangers guarding this place. Greyhooves stood strong while Berry Juice, Cottonwood and Herring stood aside him. Blood Heart was just looking up to me, shaking her head. Rejoining them, she instantly pulled me aside.

“Remember that ‘personality’ Greyhooves said the Rangers had, well this Paladin’s got her ass in a knot complaining about him running off to assist us and openly bringing in an outsider. Basturd was wright, glad we met him first.” Looking back to them, I saw the Paladin pointing hooves and talking through that thick helmet of hers, Greyhooves just kept a cool head, but each answer by him caused her to fire up even more. Eventually, she and her Knights walked off, with our Rangers turning to face us.

“Sorry about that, got another ‘lecture’ about how the oath is everything and how it must be obeyed at all cost. She wouldn’t even listen to the fact I never really broke the oath’s rules.” After he finished, Cottonwood stepped in.

“So, what’s your plan now?” looking at her, a question rolled in.

“Our plan?” she looked back at me.

“Well, we can’t go off with you; we got a mission here and a time restraint to uphold.” Before she could continue, Greyhooves stepped up, cutting her off.

“We all agreed, we liked being with you. Truth is we need to part ways. Herd you’re off to Baltimare, good news is it’s where we’re located, so we’ll cross paths sooner or later.” After he finished, I looked to Berry Juice.

“What about her?”

“I’m sponsoring her. She’ll be brought in under my guidance as an initiate, after she’s proven I’ll grant her the rank of Knight. Only a Star Paladin or an Elder can further rank a soldier beyond Knight.” Berry Juice nodded besides him, looking among them one last time I held my hand out to him.

“Until next time.” Greyhooves cracked a smile, placed his helmet on and placed his hoof in my hand. Shaking we departed ways. The Rangers wandered off into the markets and stalls, we had a trip of our own out into the wastes.

Baltimare, here we come.

Notice: Level Up

New Perk: Door Number One
You must be one for quick trade; merchants now carry much more and have more available items for purchase.
Note: Some merchants may be unwilling to show their full inventory, this perk doesn’t affect them.

Chapter four: Past

Fallout Equestria
Times of Talons: Chapter 4
Past

We’ve all had them, mistakes they instantly regret. As Blood Heart used her magic to open the door ahead I flew holding her, once in we bared it with whatever we could. The pounding of hooves against the door shook us to our spine. The empty building echoed sounds throughout, sending waves of fear as we struggled to find a way out. The terrifying sound of further, distant hoofsteps sounding through the long empty halls only encouraged us to move quicker.

I had to admit, I hadn’t been one for good ideas. We’d left the Crystal Pass and now head south, around the Canterlot ruins and Ponyville. We’d walked for what felt like years but had only been two days until something in the distance had caught my attention. We’d only recently passed the ruins and Ponyville was only a little ways southeast of us. I knew the raiders of Ponyville may have infested some of these buildings but the allure or a Super-Duper Pony Mart took full attention. Despite having stocked up leaving Woodworks and now Radioactive Falls, we only had so much food and water, and Blood Heart had said these places often had first aid supplies. I hadn’t seen any raider decorations like those Woodworks used, so it seemed like a good bet, especially since the doors had been chained from the outside. This had a few red flags about it, as I expected in the time those raiders been there they’d have cleared a place like this out. There had to have been a reason this place was vacant. We knew it was dangerous but the supplies inside were too much to leave. As we entered, I found out why it’d been left alone.

“Ghouls!” was all Blood Heart shouted as they attacked. The monstrous looking abominations looked like ponies, but long dead. The flesh burned and ripped apart, their body skinny but still agile and capable of charging us down, and dodging several shots from Tweety Bird. The monsters had deep, soulless eyes, pale and white. The hideous, rotten teeth snarled and growled at us. We tried running but our shots awoke some in the parking lot and now the only way was to push through them, into the store.

We’d pushed through, the food still on the shelves was calling my attention, but the savage monsters chasing us still took full priority. As we passed down the halls, we tried toppling behind the counters, in hopes to hold the ghouls back. Drawing our weapons the call of Tweety Bird echoed through the store, while Blood Heart’s pistol provided better fire rate then the magnum. As we fought them back the click from Tweety Bird alerted me to an empty gun, turning to grab another handful of .357 I saw something. The old windows, blasted out centuries ago, where direct openings for further ghouls to enter. When I looked over three crawled through, with several others waiting behind them. Yelling out to Blood Heart she finally noticed when looking over to me, most likely confused as to not seeing me shooting this long. The two of us dove over the counter to our left, racing past the ghouls we needed another way out, while Blood Heart looked around, I held them back, but with more pouring through the walls time wasn’t with us. The bathrooms would likely be a trap, so the loading docks down the basement maybe our only choice left. Taking Fatal Blow of my side, the strong stalk smashed the lock off the door and we pulled in.

We’d passed a lot, offices and storerooms along the hallways. The filing cabinets and tables knocked around and rusted. The ghouls stampeded behind us, until we reached a back room. Blood Heart opened the door, with me flying us both in. barding the door we took up positions. The hallway turned to our left was the way we needed to go, as this empty room had no other ways out. The sounds around us echoed through the room, but something stood out. The sound of a sliding door behind us caused total attention. A section of what had thought to be metal slid into the ceiling with another ghoul standing behind it. I brought my gun to bear, but Blood Heart pushed the barrel down. Looking back to the ghoul, it stood out over any others. The eyes looking back to us where that of normal ponies, not that of a feral monster, his body retained the dried, wrinkles and open wounds. Then he opened his mouth, I fully expected him to roar out at us like others but he called to us.

“Come with me, now.” His voice dry and scratchy, like sandpaper across your ears, it seemed to hurt him speaking by the sound alone. Looking to him, Blood Heart had a look of confusion.

“Who are you?”

“No time now, you’ll have to trust me.” We looked to each other and realized we didn’t have many other options. We ran to the friendly ghoul and he shut the metal slab again. The room beyond was dark, cold and damp. The stairwell down lead to a small room, with several containers throughout the spaces and a mattress in a corner, Medic boxes, food containers and ammo boxes stacked atop one another. The walls showed old rust and chipped paint, water dripped from the ceiling and trickled into puddles across the floor. The, ah, ghoul, walked over to the mattress and pulled some bottled water out. Handing it over, Blood Heart and I just stood in disbelief.

“Who, what are you.” Blood Heart spoke up, her magic bringing her gun to bear; the ghoul simply stepped back and sat on his bed. Looking at him, he hadn’t shown a slight bit of fear towards us, even with a pistol pointed to his head right now.

“If I’d have wanted you dead, I’d just needed to leave this bunker closed off. I heard you in trouble up there and decided to help you. You really have no need to fear me. I’m Baby Blue, you could just call me BB, all my friends did.”

“Who are your friends?” I’d asked, wanting to know more about this buck.

“Ponies of old, ones from before the war; all long dead, I’ve been here since. Used to make my rounds here, didn’t have much to do as my friends where still on duty.” Looking to him, a new question arose.

“You were a soldier before?”

“Yha, me in a different life, served about halfway into the war, taking place in the Equestrian Guard. Me and my four other friends decided to join up. I’d taken a bullet to the right shoulder, got taken out of service. Got pretty lonely without them, but it was nice to be back to Ponyville. Walking through this store calmed me, put my mind at ease with all I’d experienced out in battle.”

“How’d you end up down here?” Blood Heart asked, now the look of interest crossed her features.

“It’s a long story, not a particular one you’d be interested in.” I looked at him, the battered old mind had been through so much, I was interested, and it was genuinely the first time I’d been.

“We wouldn’t ask if we didn’t care.” I’d stated, with Blood Heart nodding in agreement.

“See, back after I’d been relieved I’d been coming here. One particular day I’d entered the unfaithful day the world ended.” He had our complete and full attention. “I saw them, blinding lights hitting a pink shield over Canterlot, the radio signal starting to go static. I cannot remember how many I’d seen, but then the air sirens started and other megaspells began raining around. I, I saw their explosions in directions by cities, Fillydelphia, Baltimare, Manehatten all were wiped off the map. The store manager started moving us down to this open hatch, the one we’re in now. As we piled in, a noise unlike any I’d heard called out, by the time I’d look to the direction, a wave of heat hit us. I passed out, maybe a day. Waking up I stood in the burned out shell of this place, everypony I’d been with lay dead at my hooves. I spent days, weeks maybe hiding down here, just trying to cope with it. Any tears I had about them I’d shed then. I began to realize I’d become what’s now called a ghoul, I’ve lost all need to eat and drink, and radiation doesn’t hurt me anymore.”

Looking to him, I’d heard it, how it all went down and what’d happened, I couldn’t believe it. Sure, I’d only gotten it from one source, but an eyewitness isn’t something many could say now. I had to go through losing a friend; I couldn’t imagine dealing with the loss of everything around you and the very world itself. Looking to him, I only had one question left.

“What was it like, before the war, the world?” he looked to me, his eyes lit up with a smile across his face.

“Oh it was beautiful, we seemed to take it for granted them, and only now do I wish for what we’d lost. Trees with lush, green leaves and the feeling of grass among your hooves and body.” He actually stopped to whip a tear away. “I, miss that feeling; quite frankly, forgot the feeling all together.”

“What are you doing out here, still in this bunker?” Blood Heart had asked, she’d not only put the gun away some time ago, but also sat fully down on an old mat.

“I used to leave, scavenge for things or seek others who may’ve survived. Then folk moved into Ponyville, those raiders you came here to avoid. I hadn’t known who they’re and as I decided to find out almost had a bullet placed into my skull. Decided I could just stay here.”

“How’d you know we wanted to avoid the raiders?” The ghoul looked to Blood Heart, slightly amused.

"Well, most if not all travelers know the raiders held up in Ponyville, avoid it like the plague. I figure, you two saw them, looked to avoid em, saw this place and weighed the options. Am I right? I’ve heard it, the screams of travelers attacked by the ghouls. It’s always before I can get to them.”

I looked back and forth from our ghoul host and Blood Heart. He’s been a lifesaver, and a genuine source of knowledge from the past. I knew from stories the ponies and zebras did something with megaspells to destroy everything, but I just never really comprehended how many it affected. My place in this world kept me from thinking about it, and up until a few days ago, was still something I hadn’t thought of much. There was now one question left.

“How are we going to get out of here?” Blood Heart looked to me, then back to Baby Blue and nodded. He seemed to smile at that. This wasn’t going to be good.

My every thought became a reality as the door to the bunker slid open and the ghoul hoard looked to us. Baby Blue had said the ghouls are drawn to radiation, and so long as we gave off enough radiation we’d blend in. I was feeling sick, my insides turned and every motion made me want to throw up. Baby Blue had us bathe in irradiated water and placed irradiated blood packs on our backs. He warned the two of us it would begin effecting us in a negative way, so time was of the urgency. We made it back to the ground floor, much of the ghouls were down the lower levels now. Blood Heart seemed the worse of the two of us. She seemed unable to handle the radiation as much as I could. She barely made it up the stairs, and now wobbled at best and almost toppled over at worst. If things weren’t bad enough, it seemed the ghouls were becoming suspicious a towards Blood Hearts movements. As we reached the exit, I heard it, Blood Heart had finaly collapsed under the radiation poisoning. The ghouls started gathering around her, their monstrous screams and groans picking up. I didn’t think, I just did. Tweety Bird exited its holster, and blasted the heads off three ghouls. Baby Blue jumped in, punching and kicking the others away. He slid Blood Heart to me, and continued to fight them off. The last thing I heard from him was a cry to leave. Nocking the irradiated blood packs off I grabbed my unicorn companion and flew as quickly as I could. Reality hit me as my own radiation poisoning sent my crashing back to earth. I landed on my back, Blood Heart’s unconscious body laid atop me. Baby Blue had given us something to help after we left, RadAway. I opened my bags to try to find some, when the feeling of something cold against the back of my head stopped me. Quickly realizing I had a gun to me, I saw two other raiders climb out from Ponyville’s direction.

“Give us the bags,” the one behind me said. It was a mare’s voice, and by how clear she spoke, she was a unicorn. The other two stallions stood watching, one wore spiked hoof shoes and the other wielded a 10mm pistol in mouth. Due to the fog that had rolled in, I couldn’t really see their color or what they wore other than the spiked shoes guy had a helmet on. I couldn’t think straight, either the stress of the situation or the radiation poison but I could hardly see straight. The sound of plastic bending and cracking snapped me back to reality and caught the raiders off guard. Baby Blue had kicked spiked shoe guy in the face, bending his helmet and likely breaking his jaw. The other two raiders didn’t waste time, and filled him with holes. I realized what he did, he gave us time, and I would use it. Tweety Bird was still out of his holster, and I wiped it around and planted a .357 magnum round into the raider mare’s skull. By the time the buck turned to face me, the striking barrel between his eyes was all he saw, then the bang of the round echoed through the quiet fog.

Racing over, Baby Blue lay motionless, his chest no longer lifted. I had someone else who needed me, racing back to Blood Heart who still lay motionless. Sifting through the bags I about cried as I struggled to keep my hands steady, finally the RadAway revealed itself and was quickly given to Blood Heart. I stood there, waiting. I had something happen to me that hadn’t in a long while, a moment to stop and reflect on what happened. What had become of me? I left my home with little knowledge of the world beyond the cliff, and have now seen others die around me, and taken part in the killing of others. I still think of the mutilated bodies I saw throughout the raider’s campsite and how close I came to joining them. I found someone I feel like calling a friend when we’ve only known one another a short time and I’d nearly lost her. I didn’t think I could handle the loss of someone close again, and especially like this, cause radiation sucks. I couldn’t continue these thoughts, I knew if I did I could lose control, and it wasn’t something I rather wanted to remember. I couldn’t help it though, I sat in the dark, recollecting on past actions and events. If I had it my way, I’d curl up in the nearest dark corner and die. I knew I couldn’t, my conscious would never let me. Something caught my attention, leaving me to pause my internal argument. Blood Heart began moving, she opened her eyes and smiled.

“Thank You,” she said in a soft, worrying tone. I needed help, I needed Buckellhorn or someone, Blood Heart’s eyes closed, and her head fell back. I began to panic, but before I could do anything I heard commotion from the nearby town of Ponyville, I needed to get us out before others arrived.

“No, no, take it slow.” Blood Heart looked to me, slight confusion across her features. “How’s this for irony.”

“Where, where’re we?”

“We got away, and I managed to bring you back. We’ve been here a few hours at most.” She looked around, the old, crumbled walls of a pre-war home stood around her. I’d managed to carry her to the closest home, one outside an old farm and a good distance away from Ponyville. The home had a terminal but I wasn’t an experienced hacker, more than likely nothing on it, though.

“I managed to lower your radiation level, but I’m no doctor, you’ll have to be the judge on how I did.” She sat up slowly, looking around still.

“What ever happened to Baby Blue?” the name still hit me, lowering my head she caught on.

“He gave himself to save us”

She sat up, the effects of radiation poisoning still effecting us as even I was still slightly sick. I looked at the map given to us, finding our position we needed to cross somewhere once called the Ghastly Gorge, after it a home stretch to Baltimare. I didn’t know how long the track would be, but it needed to be done. Fallowing our sickness neither of us was in anyway hungry. Taking the long night to rest for the upcoming walk and the impending disasters it would bring,

The path we needed to pass was a valley, taking us around raider territory and meeting up with a railroad track that’ll take us down to a town called Farwood Bog. Looking on the map the town has a dock, so I’m hoping for a boat down the river, maybe just to make our life easier. The trips far, but it’s all I have to go off. Thinking to it, the raiders may’ve gone to this place called Salt Lick City, its south of Baltimare and along the seaside as well. We’ll have to find information when we get down there, but I do not like how many different places these raiders could be hiding. I didn’t care if I’d spend my life tracking them to the ends of the earth, I’d kill them all.

Loud bangs and thunderous explosions echoed throughout the skies. Another damn storm, we only just had one. The building had a roof, but two hundred years weren’t kind to it. Water leaked through the wooden beams and tapped against the floor below. Blood Hearts illness caused her to sleep like a rock, but I found it troublesome. I’ve taken precautions by leaving our empty food cans by the door. The windows already barred over with wood, suggesting someone else was here. The place was vacant of any basic living supplies like food or medicine so I’d doubt we’d have to worry about anyone coming home. Lightning struck, lighting the sky and surrounding lands. I noticed something, something I hadn’t before. Off, back north more, a city rose on the side of a mountain. Looking again, the flash of another lightning strike gave me the view I needed. A massive landmark, one build high above the ground and away from any of the threats, stood the tall and imposing city. The thing catching my attention the most wasn’t that it seemed intact or undamaged, but the sickly pink fog around it. The city overlooked the whole land, and that pink cloud hovered there like a virus. The map told it to be Canterlot, the old capitol of Equestria and the home of some ministry buildings. I didn’t know about any of this, but thinking on it, I didn’t want to go there. If the cities that pristine looking, there’s a reason no one’s gone there and I’d bet that cloud has something to do with it. I also didn’t need the distraction for I had business elsewhere.

Thunder continued long into the night, leaving sleep a distant hope. I instead spent the time to clean and maintain my weapons. I hadn’t the chance to test Fatal Blow yet and have kinda been itching to. Looking at the size round I knew it would pack a punch over anything else we had, but the rifle itself was huge. Looking to it, it was longer than I am standing on all fours. She was a heavy weapon indeed and a pain for my back to lug around. The weapon comes from griffon origins, so curiosity leaves me to wonder if my hometown has any in stock. I only ever saw basic rifles and nothing this size on any guards. The caliber, 13.9, the biggest we had. The internal magazine only fit three of the massive shells, combined with its over cumbersome size left it a poor choice facing anything in close spaces. As I cleaned her, I had thought I heard something, a faint sound from outside. I was a griffon, making me part cat and bird of prey, and leaving me amazing eyesight. Even without a scope, I could hit anything out there with the guns iron sights.

The tree skeletons around us wouldn’t provide much cover to anything planning to attack. The dead bushes moved about, not of the wind but from something else. The lightning lighting the place gave me the answer to what stalked us in the night, rabid wolves. A fight was brewing. My view slightly hindered by the rain, but little movements still caught attention. I hadn’t encountered rabid wolf packs yet, though hunting parties from the past talked of them occasionally ambushing others. What worried me most, I couldn’t tell how many there where. The pitter-patter or paws on wet dirt continued through for seemingly hours, finally, one-stepped into light. The wolf lost much of its fur, with faint patches around its body; old scars and cuts riddled its hid as well. The beast’s maw was a trap of jagged and broken teeth, its long canines still predominant in its stare. Fatal Blow lifted as the once beautiful canine, now a shadow of its former self stepped into optimal firing range. I hadn’t fired a weapon of this caliber before, and never felt its kick. The trigger pulled back, the faint sound of a click gave way to a concussive blast I’d never heard before. The shot rang through the building, and out into the distant land, echoing the call of the rifle for miles. My ears didn’t expect this, and neither was I, I fell backwards, smacking against the old floor. Blood Heart ran to me, franticly screaming and questioning, my hearing haltered; I could only hear a faint ringing. Eventually it passed and turned to face her.

“She’s got one hell of a voice, I tell you that.” Blood Heart just looked to me unamused.

“It scarred the shit out of me, what’s out there?” when she looked to the window, I saw a bit of shock. I got up to see what I imagined the dead body of the rabid wolf laying nearby, what I saw even shocked me. The body was there, but much of its upper half wasn’t. The shot had hit above its right shoulder, cutting through and into the dirt, leaving the dismembered corpse lying in a heap of blood and bone. The shot scarred the others off, as I hadn’t heard or seen them since I took the shot.

“A pack stalked us, I wanted to try out the new weapon, had I known.” She just looked to me, a slight smirk across her features.

“For names sake, it’s got a pretty good one.” I turned and lifted Fatal Blow off the floor, and opened the bolt. The empty shell ejected out, pinging against the floor and rolling to a stop. The closing of the bolt slid a new round home. Looking at the weapon I thought, I know somepony who could use with one of these rounds between the eyes. Quickly taking a round for the beast of a rifle out I used my knife and carved “Payback Bitch” in the shell. He’ll get what’s coming.

Notice: Level Up

New Perk: Gun Nut
Small guns now have increased damage and longer lasting durability, accuracy has also been increased.
Quest Perk: Ghoul for brains
Now resist 5% total damage from ghouls and have unique dialogue options with non-feral ghouls

Author's Note

A bit of a shorter chapter than previous ones. Enjoy :derpyderp1:

Chapter five: Present

Fallout Equestria
Times of Talons: Chapter 5
Present

Hours go by; time spent walking, and passing old ruined buildings. Our path winded us across a river towards a town connected to another river, one a boat would take us to Baltimare, I had hoped. Days were dark and cloudy, nothing but an eternal mist growing in the distance either. I could smell rain in the air and the cloud cover was particularly heavy. We’d passed a ruin town a few hours ago, scrounged for whatever we could but had to leave as seemingly dozens of large ants infested the place. Our trek would be over in an hour, two tops. I had hoped this town would have another market, our ammo supply was starting to dip and I never liked that thought. I hadn’t used the hunting rifle since leaving Griffonstone and hadn’t used the SMG yet, and was slightly intimidated by the full auto kick. Tweety Bird had a total of twelve shots, leaving me rather worried.

Approaching the town a shot ran off in the distance, a larger rifle caliber. The fog kept us from seeing what it may be. Unknown what it could be we decide to investigate. The sight before us was a surprise, three griffons, engaged in battle. A single griffon perched on the ground as a sniper, the other two fly about, their prey, a small pack of feral ghouls, savagely attacking. The griffon on the ground I believed to have a Grover Anti-Material Rifle, one in the air had a lever-action rifle while the other had a large gun, one I’d only hoped never pointed towards me. It was shoulder mounted and resembled a pipeline, with the upper, half removed and a round, green shaped Hoofball object in it. The lever-action and Grover griffon fired several times into the hoard, the other hovering, and waiting. As the two on the ground reloaded the idol griffon fired. The weapon’s green ball projectile shrieked through the air in an arch, before smashing into the ground. The blast was massive, a towering smoke cloud climbed into the air, with a ring of fire casting onto the ground. The heat even affected me at this range.

The hoard was whipped out, the other two griffons picking off any remaining. The one with the launcher moved a handle, opening either side of the launcher and placing another green ball into it. The trio began rummaging through the bodies, searching for anything useful. I noticed some picking single rounds and caps. I’d seen the armor before, black combat armor with a white bird’s claw on it, Talons. My previous encounter with Talons had ended well, with me believing all Talons were like this. Leaving the cover and walking out towards the trio, what I got was a surprise.

“Talon, where’s your armor?” are griffons really that rare out here that anyone is mistaken for a Talon member? I hadn’t been able to buy or find any armor or my size, so I had no idea where they’re finding these griffon armors.

“Was too damaged, nothing but unnecessary weight. Dropped it about a half mile back.” I hope my speech is good enough to get me through this.

“What company are you from?” Shit. Think, think, I couldn’t remember the Talon Company Grizza mentioned, Graw, Gawr, oh.

“Gawd’s Talons” the look across their faces told me everything. I had jumped on the griffon to the left, raising the lever-action rifle towards me. The lead griffon was taken aback be the attack, Blood Heart had taken a shot on his right leg, downing him. The griffon wielding the large launcher stepped back, likely trying for a shot but unable due to his allies being in the way. The griffon I wrestled to the ground had fired of a round by mistake, without opening the receiver he wouldn’t be able to fire again. I had my hands around the rifle, pushing him to the ground. He had rolled me to the side, the stock hitting me in the side of the head. Rolling to the ground, I managed to get Tweety Bird out of its holster. While the other griffon was lining a shot I fired three round in quick succession, the first missing, the other two hitting in the chest. The griffon collapsed to the ground, the one wielding the launcher dropped it for a 10mm pistol. He fired, hitting me in the left side. I staggered, but Blood Heart shot at him, distracting him. Focusing my aim, I put a single round into his head, downing him instantly. The lead griffon was on the ground, bleeding out from his leg, the round had hit an artery.

“What’s with the sudden turn?” I questioned.

“You Gawd basturd, serving Red Eye’s the best choice I made, leaving you sappy chickens.” The buck was staggering; he wasn’t keeping his eyes open anymore.

“Why are you here?”

“Meeting a company.”

After Blood Heart treated my bullet wound, I began for the equipment of the Talons. The lever-action rifle was one I debated taking, but I didn’t have much in the way of ammo. The assault rifle was in poor condition was would be worth selling, but the launcher was what interested me most. The sticker across the side rode “Fat Horse” with the logo of an old griffon weapons manufacturer. While I was tempted to take the armor, I felt it would slow me down too much.

The fog ahead became denser until sight was rather limited, leaving us feeling quite vulnerable. The fog wasn’t anything I’d seen before. Living on a mountain, we’d gotten fog before, but this seemed, almost unnatural. Dead trees sprouted around us, but mixed in were living trees, not green trees of the old world, but sickly, disfigured trees grown in the irradiated land of now. The farther along we went, the cloud cover was far thicker, causing us to collide into trees on several incidents. The fog cover suddenly began to lift, leaving us to see further than any time before. What we saw was the distant light of a town; we had strain from the initial path, but meeting up with it we saw the trees almost curve to avoid the path, creating a natural bend to the town. A massive sign hung from above the pass, carved from a century old wood plank. The name “Farwood Bog” etched into the plank and showed its age.

While we had been to two rather friendly towns, I wasn’t feeling safe here. This town had a rather depressing feeling. The bog was built upon with docks and hobbled together shacks. The original town, if there was one, had clearly been expanded throughout the years. Trees sprung up throughout the town as well, some incorporated into buildings. The ponies of the town were something else. Each town had its citizens care for themselves in some way or another, keeping themselves somewhat clean, these ponies looked to have rolled in a pile of all the filth in Equestria and washed off in the irradiated, slimy, muddied water from the bog. The smell here was rancid, flies swarmed around every pony, yet the ponies seemed off. They all seemed angered, as if our presence angered them. We crossed by several shacks with barrel fires and small crowds around for warmth. Reaching a market in the edge of town, along the bog shoreline, the market had many firearms of all kinds strung across the walls and shelves. The pony at the counter was a stiff, crusty buck chewing on a straw of hey, his hat tilted to obscure his face. I saw another pony in the back of the shop; one dressed in metal armor and wielded an assault rifle. The bodyguard had a thick brow and a heavy beard with a stogie in his mouth. Walking to the counter he sat up from his rocking chair and put a hoof on the counter.

“Ammo, scrap, scopes, guns, what yha need?” the buck spoke with a deeper, raspy voice, sounding like he hadn’t drank any water in a while. The buck hadn’t lifted his eyes to look at me, yet I still felt like he was staring me down.

“.357 and .45 auto, box of each.” The buck turned to under his counter and fished out two ammo boxes, each with old, faded designs on them, long rubbed off. Placing about a dozen caps on the counter he brushes them into a container and simply leans back into his chair, chewing on his straw.

Leaving I needed directions, and a boat guide. I figured we could find a mayor, or at least something, but I hadn’t seen any building that a mayor could live in. we had turned a corner; the sound of Blood Heard screaming caught my attention. Turning around a largely built buck stepped between us; the larger buck had large scars across his body, and spoke in a hardened voice.

“I’ll give yha a good fortune for this one, she looks like a seller.” He looked to me, a stiff look in his face and a gaze I couldn’t ignore. “Name the price, I’d pay anything for her.” I looked to him, and stood up straight, despite him being large for a pony, the height of a griffon still stood tall over him.

“Get lost.” I think he may have put up a fight, but I began to spread my wings and my hand gripped the handle of Tweety Bird. Before anything could happen a shout caught us all off guard, looking over a group of other griffons walked to us, each clad in the same black combat armor with a white bird claw in the left breastplate as the Talons before.

“Scum, get to your hole, leave the tourists alone.” The buck looked rather pissed, but I think even he knew he couldn’t win against several armed griffons. The lead griffon was a mix of a mountain lion and a hawk, giving his bird half a more reddish color. Looking over to us, the lead griffon addressed us. “Scum like that’ll get to you, you ought to…wait, you’re that griffon, from Woodworks.” Looking to Blood Heart and to the griffon, she spoke.

“You know him?”

“A griffon at woodworks, Grizza, told of this lone griffon seeking revenge for a killer. You’re that griffon, match the description.” I was surprised; I hadn’t expected others to actually ever recognize me. “I’m Ural, at your service.” He did a waving gesture and bowed his head. “I’ll keep the locals away, rest of you, scram. Now, what you here for?”

“Who’s company are you?” I didn’t understand these Talons

“Gruff’s Talon Company, Baltimare City, why?”

“We need to get to Baltimare, boat, anypony who’s willing to take us there.” Ural smiled and gestured us to fallow him. Ural had an impressive weapon, a large, heavy caliber machinegun wielded on either side of his battle saddle.

“Like em, their DSK-50’s, heavy caliber anti-air machineguns.” He had a certain smugness to him, he seemed rather proud of his position. “We’re rather well equipped her, none of the sorry sacks here could ever hope to own anything like these.” I spoke up, asking a question I had since arriving.

“Who’s in charge here?”

“Interesting question, none here, the freeloaders here are owned by a separate entity, a rather large raider group in Baltimare. The Jackals, as their called, killed the initial mayor and took ownership of the town, they hired us to police over the town, keep the scum from killin’ each other.”

“You do dealings with raiders.” I heard of the Jackals before, back in Woodworks, but the Talons doing deals with a raider group, I wasn’t sure.”

“I don’t particularly enjoy it, but orders are orders. Supposedly the Jackals aren’t as bad as other raider groups, they do trade with surrounding factions and even cities.”

“Wait, these raiders dealing in trade and building alliances rather than killing everyone?” Blood Heart spoke up, asking the question I was readying to.

“Their leader, don’t know his name or anything but he supposedly is there controlling the groups and actively trying to control them. Stories say the leader is this big, metal pony, others say an immortal god while others say a mutated dragon.” This guy was in the city I needed to get too as well. Fun times for me.

The ship before us was a surprise, one of old world manufacturing, but fully restored. The upper deck was flat with seating along the sides. The supper structure was covered with additional armor plating and outcroppings, barbed wire strung across the hull and a large fish’s skull strapped to the bow. A blue mark was painted across the bridge and a blue flag sporting a picture of the skull strung to a mast at the back. The ship was anchored to the dock, slowly rocking with the waves.

“Big Blue, the ship that sales the rivers of Equestria, her crew works with us to bring us here and they’ll take you there, the captain owes me.”

“Why’s that?”

“We caught a raid party boarding the ship and chased em off. Captain’s said he’ll pay it back.”

“Where’s this captain then.”

“Where any captain is, the bar.” I just thought, there’s a bar.

A rough, wild party was thrown in the bar, with two large earth ponies arm wrestling in the many surrounding, yelling and chanting. Two ponies stood in the back, over watching the match. The larger of the two bucks nocked the other’s arm down so fast he lost his balance and collapsed to the floor, causing quite the uproar from the standing audience. The winning buck stood proud, spinning around and taking a large swig from his ail glass, slamming it down to the table.
“That’s your guide.” Ural explained, pointing a talon to the victorious buck.

The buck had a blue hide, but seemed to be covered in filth. The buck had a thick, shaggy beard the same deep black color of his mane. His eyes a softer shade of green, yet his left eye covered with a patch sown to his face. He smoked a thick stogie and wore a tattered, black trench coat and a heavy revolver strapped to his side. Ural began walking towards the buck, shoving those in front of him aside, some even falling to the floor. We fallowed behind him, gaining everyponies gaze. The winning buck turned to face him, staring each down. Suddenly the two shouted and embraced each other, grabbed right arms and flexed their biceps. The mare in the corner rolled her eyes and the buck stood with his head down. Ural flagged us down.

“This grimy cuck’s Dusty Hide, he captains the Big Blue. This scum’ll get you where you need to.” The large buck looked to us, despite being a griffon and naturally standing taller than a pony, we stood at eyelevel. The buck gazed into my eyes, despite him having only one eye, I almost felt like his other was looking me down.

“This wee shits the one I’m to take on ma rust bucket?” he turned to Ural, “Slimy cock looks like a tossed aside thanksgiving dinner, ye think he deserves my transportation, huh.”

“This ‘wee shits’ got my approval, plus, you owed me.” The buck turned to face Ural.

“Didn’t ye cash that in last week, or it be the week before I got yha sorry ass out of the shit storm a month ago.” Ural shrugged back, scratching his neck.

“I tell yha how ye’ll get a ride, a classic drinkin’ game.” The buck waved down the bartender who simply nodded. A mare from the bar through a bottle, with Dusty Hide throwing it to me, looking over the label, “Apple Venom.” “Ye win, I’ll take yha.” Blood Heart stepped up, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“We can find another way; you don’t need to do this.”

“You know another way; I’d rather take the options handed to me. You’re on.”

The buck smiled walking over and sitting on the barstool, fallowing him I handed the bottle to the bartender, who poured and slit the shot glasses to us. We each took the shot, placing the bottle down.

“Griffons are good drinkers I here, hopefully ye’ll be a fun match, unlike these pansy basturds.” I smiled; I’d handled my drink plenty of times.

By this point the bartenders were getting tired, we had continued until close to thirty shots. While we each started having trouble simply staying upright, we still caught shot after shot, continuing our little game. I had the next slid to me, downing this one was tough, I tilted my head back, downing the shot, I didn’t so much as place the glass, more dropped it, picking my head up, I saw Dusty Hide, passed out on the floor. The crowd was cheering, but I couldn’t hold my head up and collapsed onto the counter, passing out, again.

Waking I was in a, a waterbed? The bed shook slightly, tilting side to tide, though I honestly couldn’t tell if it was just me. Blood Heart walked in.

“I’m kinda tired of you passing out on me.” My head pounded, everything hurt.

“I won?”

“Yha, passed out before you even drank the shot.” With her saying that, Ural had entered the room.

“Honestly thought you’d be at it with him all day, but the basturd says he’ll take you.” I tried sitting up, and failed, falling back down to the bed.

“Where, are we?”

“Your new home for the next few days, the Big Blue.” So I wasn’t hallucinating and was on a rocking boat. The medicine Blood Heart started giving me helped clear my headache, allowing me to think straight.

“How longs it been?”

“About three hours.” Blood Heart spoke up, a certain look of disapproval on her face, Ural nodding.

“I wanna meet our host.” Ural gestured to fallow, we walked out to the upper deck, barrels ropes and chains spread around. We entered the rear superstructure, a mess hall of sorts was built, with the same buck who watched from the corner sat at the table, eating something I was sure was a grilled rat. His coat was brown in color, his mane, a darker brown. He also had a rather impressive rifle slung around his back. He didn’t look at us, didn’t even address our entry, he simply ate his lunch. As we reached the stares, I started hearing muffled voices below deck. As we opened the bottom door into the room, we came to a sleeping quarters of sorts, with storage bins, cabinets and tool lockers lined the walls. Four beds lay out in the middle of the room. On one, I saw Dusty Hide, also suffering from the alcohol. Besides him stood the mare from the bar and a small unicorn stallion, I hadn’t seen yet. The mare was magenta with a light pink mane and blue eyes. She was actually quite cute. The small unicorn was a greyish blue, with a black mane, his eyes a yellowish brown. He wore a tool vest around his waist and had several other tools strung around him, everything from duct tape to an old dishcloth. The buck was drying sweat from Dust Hides forehead, the mare was the first to speak to us.

“He’s up, come here.” Ural had just shrugged, gesturing me forwards. Relentlessly I walked forwards. Rather surprising to me was when the mare flew up, hovering in front of me. The mare flapped her wings, leaving her inches from my face. I had thought that pegasi didn’t live on the ground anymore, myths all told of them leaving. This was a rather unexpected surprise. “What happened, captain hasn’t muttered a clear sentence, and he never shuts up. I’ll ask again, what you do?” she stared deep into my eyes, her blue eyes focusing intensely on my own. I took a deep breath.

“So a while ago I set out to find and kill this guy for revenge, but I needed to get to Baltimare to find him, so I’m told by this guy that he knew another guy who’ll be able to take me there but the captain said only if I won a drinking game, so he challenges me and drank till his big mouth couldn’t hold anymore.” I let in a breath and calmed myself. She still stared me down, I suddenly saw her squint back, and started laughing. Dusty Hide sat up, laughing uncontrollably. I looked to my two companions, who also stood shocked.

“Yha didn’t really think I was serious, did yha.” The pegasus said, whipping a tear from her eye. The unicorn stood there, shaking his head.

“I thought when you would pull one of your little ‘jokes’ you’d let me in on it. I’ve spent the last three hours trying to figure out what’s wrong.”

“Ah, but ye reaction made it all the bettah, pus, yha couldn’t lie your way out the jaws a firey beast.” Dusty Hide finaly saying something. “Now, yha one, so well take yha where ye need to go. I’m Captain Dusty Hide, this flyer be Spotter, that fella be Clockwork and the quiet basturd upstairs be Bullseye. Big Blue, at your service.” The three bowed their heads.

“So, a pegasus?” Blood Heart spoke up.

“Yha got a problem with it?” Spotter demanded.

“Now hold there, aint every day some land lover meets one of yha.” Dusty Hide spoke up. “Spotter here’s a natural born pegasus, somin’ with her family line or shit. Let’s us get to the dinner, talk things over.” We returned up the stairs, each taking a seat in the dinner, Bullseye still eating his rat lunch. Ural had taking a position behind me, not seated for our conversation. “Now, were we be takin’ you?”

“We need to get to Baltimare, it’s along the seaside so we’re hoping for a landing in the harbor.” The room fell quiet, each seemed uneasy. Finally, Dusty Hide spoke up.

“Well, see we’d love to, it’s just in there’s bad written around the waterways to yha destination.” Because of coarse there was.

“What kind of dangers, cause we need to get there.”

“Yha, somin’ about a revenge plotline, look, it aint the reason you wantin’ to go, it’s what’s along that path. See, harbors bad business, things that’d eat this boat for breakfast and want more, not only, but pirates patrol that there harbor, really just some supped-up raider gangs with boats. Ye also gonna wanna reframe from fallowin’ the highway in, rout 95 it was, heads travelers to their death, bad business that.”

“Isn’t there some other way, another road, a path, anything?” Blood Heart asked, mirroring my own thoughts. Dusty Hide sat, scratching at his beard, when Spotter spoke up.

“What of that town by the rivers bend?” with that, Dusty Hide seemed as a light switch went on in his head.

“Could work, this town, outside Baltimare, ye could stop there to gain access to the city.”

“But how’d I get to the city from there?”

“Not directly. What ye need to do is head southeast. Yell cross a mountain pass to Salt Lick City, meet with a place called Phobius City, built in a beached ship, can’t miss it. Tell em Ol’ Dusty sent yha, they’ll help yha.”

“Isn’t Salt Lick City out of the way?”

“A little, but be the only safe way to ye destination, if ye want me advice, there it is.” This could work, but one thing.

“How would I get to Baltimare from Salt Lick City? You had just said something about pirates”

“This old traffic tunnel, built for a subway between the cities, it’ll land yha just outside the city, past that bad mojo along 95. Ye’ll be able to enter there, tunnels guarded both ends by Talon Mercs.” I looked to Blood Heart; she seemed to ponder the journey ahead.

“This tunnel, it’s safe, right?”

“Yha, caravans use it all the time, reinforced concrete and steel, survived a megaspell after all.” We both looked to each under, deciding if I’d be the way to go.

“Alright, we have a deal.” Dust Hide smiled, holding a hoof out. Taking it, we shook and Spotter did a twirl in the air.

“Alright ye sorry abortion misses, let’s get this hunk-o-junk so sail worthy the lord Luna would be happy to ascend from above to take a trip!” the crew all stood up, readying things on the Big Blue. “We be leavin’ in an hour, anythin’ ye need, get it done.”

The ship became a coordinated mess, with things being tied down, moved to the lower deck and engine checks. The ponies in the town all carried on, not taken interest in the crews work. I hadn’t anything I needed done, I fallowed Clockwork down to the lower deck, to the same room as I awoke in. I now got a proper look at the room. A large mat covered the floor; several storage bins lined the back wall and four bunks on either side. There also stood a table and chairs in a corner and an old radio on a stool.

“You’ll stay here, though, you already been here.” The small unicorn turned to walk out the room, Blood Heart moved to place her things away in a container.

“Hey, wait” the buck turned back to face me. “You aren’t like the other crew, why’s that?” the unicorn stood, a little uneasy. He stood up straight, took a breath and exhaled, meeting my gaze.

“A few years ago the captain found me, I was working on this ship, I found it in an abandoned shed along the river. I faced problems with a raider group who wanted to steel the ship after I built it; I just wanted to use the ship to get away. He offered to take care of them and to my surprise, he kills them. He protected me; getting stuff, I needed and even taught me to shoot. We got the boat running and I personally asked if he would join me. He doesn’t like to remember, but back then, he called himself Big Blue. After that we roamed the river ways, gathering tales and stories, making friends too.”

“Is that how you met Spotter and Bullseye?”

“Yha, Bullseye was a fired mercenary we came across in a stop. Dusty offered to hire him, asking if he’d take the position as bodyguard, Bullseye joined then.”

“I’ve wondered, why’s that buck so quiet, cat got his tongue?”

“Actually, slavers do. He won’t tell, but sometime in his youth he was a slave, they cut his tongue out to keep him from talking. Hard to tell, but I think he’s happy working here, just doesn’t show it.”

“I didn’t know, I’m so-“he cut me off.

“Don’t, he doesn’t like others feeling sorry for him, I think he’s just so over it. Anyway, Spotter was an interesting one, we found her causing quite the commotion in a town, when we arrived she challenged Dusty to a drinking game, she lost, bad. She decided to join, to get him back for beating her.”

“I wasn’t expecting a pegasus, is she really natural born?”

“Yha, she said her father’s great something grandfather was a pegasus, so by luck, so is she.” Our little conversation was interrupted by Dusty shouting something about the engines, calling Clockwork’s attention. “It’s been nice”

“Blacktuff, the names Blacktuff.”

“Well, it’s been nice Blacktuff.”

As I settled into my space, dropping bags of and weapons, Ural had approached.

“Well, it’s time we part ways.” I stood up, facing him. “I have duties here, but you have a quest, so, get to It.” we each shook hands, saying our goodbyes. Blood Heart started talking to me; I laid down, embracing the new bed.

“We have quite the journey ahead.”

“Don’t have to tell me.”

“You still think of him, your friend, that is?” I sat there, quiet for a short while.

“Every now and again, I get these, memories of things we did, good memories. Reminds me why I’m really out here.” There was a short pause between us, Blood Heart speaking up again.

“I can’t remember her face, my mother, that is. I try, but I can’t even remember her voice. I need you to remember what he looks like, because forgetting can be harder on you than losing them.” There was a longer pause than before.
“I can remember this time as a kid, we each snuck into the village’s chicken coop, we wanted to steel a few eggs for his mom. We each end up taking about half a dozen eggs before he bumps into a stall, scarring the chickens and causing us to flee. We had a guard meet us outside the coop, he dragged us to our parents and we each had to spend the next weekend cleaning the coop. that was it, the last time we each got in trouble together.” We spent a short time in silence.

“It isn’t my name, you know” Blood Heart finally said.

“I kinda figured that, even for you ponies that’s a little ridiculous.”

“Yha, well it was a nickname after takin’ the bullet to the chest. After my mother passed I didn’t want to remember the name, but when I was born, my mother gave me the name Greypatch. I never let anyone call me that and the nickname just kinda stuck.”

“I like that name.”

Time passed and our river ride had started, we left Farwood Bog about an hour ago, the waters gentle rocking the Big Blue as I slept a well-deserved nap. Dusty Hide had warned we’d hit rougher waters in a few hours, so I needed as much sleep as I could get. I had never been in a boat before, but the gentle rocking was soothing, reminded me much of flying on a good day.

We passed old, wrecked docks and long abandoned town built along the river several times, sometimes single homes and others entire towns. Our journey took us by a factory, but I’d been warned not make noise, as something bad lurked in there. We reached the rapids and our ride became rough, Greypatch began feeling seasick and had to stay on the upper deck. I spent time cleaning and sorting our equipment and talking with the crew, Spotter even challenged me to a race; I won. The Big Blue rocked and tipped in some dangerous and unsettling ways. With every tilt, I myself found it harder to stay calm, expecting any second for the boat to tip on its side.

Midnight had passed, Dusty Hide had said by sunrise, or at least what would be sunrise, we’d reach our destination. The early morning fog creeped over the river, sounds of frogs, insects and other oddities sounded around us, the light from oil lanterns was all we had to go off. The gentle rocking had relatively stopped, leaving a calm, peaceful ride; Greypatch had fallen asleep below. I talked with Dusty Hide before, now we each sat calm, enjoying the morning air.

Quiet thuds ran against the boat, Dusty Hide suggested underwater rubble. We continued facing thuds, the boat’s hull tilting the same as in the rapids once. The water picked up, shaking and rocking the boat, sending me almost on the floor. Dusty Hide had a face of shock, but faded to sheer…excitement!

“Alright ye sleepin’ basturds, we got a guest we be waitin’ for!” the buck shouted, leaning over the railing. The superstructures door opened, Spotter dashing out, hovering in the air and Bullseye standing strong.

“What, what’s happening?” Greypatch said as she walked out from the lower deck. Dusty Hide pointed to her shouting about the waves and how he’d seen this before. I grabbed him, looking him in the eye.

“Drop the bullshit, what’s goin’ on?”

“We be entering the reach of the Leviathan” the…Leviathan, this could only end well. The ship was hit with such force it shifted directions slightly, I almost fell to the floor, releasing my hold on Dust Hide, the rest of us except Spotter losing our balance. Along the right of the ship, I saw a large sail from the water cross by, lower and dart its way in front of the Big Blue.

“He’s splitting for the rocks” Spotter called, looking over the shadow of the serpent.

“Disperse, ye know yha positions” Dusty Hide shouted, each member of the crew taking their positions around. Clockwork even manning a machinegun position at the front of the ship. Bullseye climbed up to a crow’s nest, taking aim with his large rifle. The captain took control of the wheel, shouting for us to get below deck. Greypatch, without hesitation moved below deck.

“No, I can help, I can fly” the crew needed help with this one, it’s a damn serpent, anypony would want help with that. Dust Hide nodded, but furthered his position on the wheel.

“What do ye see up there?”

“I lost it in the fog; I can’t see a damn thing.” Spotter shouted, squinting her eyes to try to see any sign of the Leviathan. Bullseye using his rifles scope looked throughout the waterways. Clockwork began to shout from the bow.

“Captain, movement in the water!” the crew looked ahead and the unmistakable sail from before showed itself, moving towards the Big Blue.

“Fire!” Dusty Hide shouted. The guns around the ship opened up on the beast, the machinegun tearing through the water, the sail not changing directions. Bullseye opened fire with his rifle, the large rounds making quite a splash in the water, still the sale charged unrelenting. “Brace!” the ship was smacked with the serpent, greatly tossing us to the side and tossing us off balance. The ship rocked to the right, smacking into the rock side, halting us slightly. The water trembled, a great weave rose as the serpent’s head erected from below the waves. The Leviathan’s head rose taller than the mast, its jaw opening, reveling rows or razor sharp teeth. The Leviathan let out a roar that of a hurricane that shook me to my core, the fins around its face extending out and the sale along its back raised up. Many old bullet wounds spread throughout his head and body, showing the previous battles the serpent must have faced.

“How the hell can we take it?”

“We got somethin’ it doesn’t, intelligence. Bullseye, ye know your cue, Spotter takes position, Clockwork keeps the heat. Blacktuff, I need yha ta try and keep him distracted.” Nodding I draw my SMG and begin unloading rounds into the beast, the rounds doing little more than scratching his scales. Clockwork began firing rounds into the beast’s side as well, Bullseye held his fire. I realized I needed more, racing down to the lower level I opened the gun locker by my bed, Greypatch hiding on her bunk.

“It’s gonna kill us, isn’t it?” she said in a shaken tone.

“We’ll kill it; captain seems to have encountered it before, looks to have a plan.”

“We’ll die, wont we.” Before I could respond a massive smacked into the wall of our room, the wood and metal bending, some water leaking in the room, the ship stopped rocking and I could hear Dusty Hide further shouting at the serpent. After righting myself, I reached into the locker and got my weapon, Fatal Blow. I took off, flying out the lower level and into the air meeting Spotter.

“We gotta keep him distracted; keep him from attacking the Big Blue. You any good with that?” she pointed to my rifle. I had only fired a single round from it and that was in a sitting position with the gun saddling the window frame, I couldn’t imagine how this would be firing while flying. I nodded a little slowly, sending a bit of a mixed message to Spotter. “Fallow my lead” she dove towards the ship, dodging the serpent and attacking it from behind, distracting it for a short while. Big Blue managed to unlogged itself from the rocks, continuing its trek forward. The serpent, distracted by Spotter, stayed put. I took aim, the sights of Fatal Blow lined to the serpent’s throat, a place I imagined a vulnerable spot. Checking the rifles round I chamber the first round and took a breath. My finger squeezed the trigger gently, in the confusion of the fight, I heard the faint sound of the firing pin springing free, but then the concussive blast from the round shook me, the blast nocking me off balance, almost dropping the rifle.

It did nothing. After I regained flight, the Leviathan showed now sign the massive round even punched through its skin. I tried again and again, each time the round seeming to do little than scratch the serpent’s scales.

“We can’t take this thing!” I shouted to Spotter, who flew back to me.

“Don’t worry, we’ve been planning for this, just keep him still.” She said, rather too confidently. I flew back to the big blue and replaced Fatal Blow with my hunting rifle as to save the ammo for Fatal Blow. While the large rounds of Fatal Blow did nothing to it, these hunting rounds would do much either, but I had far more of these. Shot after shot, nothing still.

“How’s he holdin’ turkey?” Dusty Hide called from the helm, a rather happy tone to his voice.

“He aint even effected!”

“Good, keep em there.” What he mean by that. The captain turned to say something to Bullseye, who still held his fire, when something unexpected happened. I felt as if the floor beneath me slid away, as I fell to the railing on the side of the bridge. The serpent turned, its massive tail smacking into the ship and almost sending it on her side. The rocking of the Big Blue even made me nauseous. I looked to where Dusty Hide was; he was gone. I saw no trace of him even being on deck. I looked around, nothing. Bullseye seemed to scan the water too, looking for his captain. Panicking I tried steering the Big Blue away from a rocky outcropping. The ship was having trouble staying upright, with the turns causing more leaning and unsteady sailing as before, though to be fair, I didn’t know what I was doing. I saw something from the corner of my eye, a rope hanging off the right of the ship; it seemed to have some weight on it. I ran to the railing with urgency, and saw that lucky basturd hanging on to the rope.

“Yha pathetic, overgrown sausage couldn’t even nock me off me own ship!” he shouted at Leviathan, though I doubt it could actually hear him. I smiled and pulled him up to the bridge.

“You lucky son-of-a-bitch you.”

“Wasn’t luck, just knowing ye own ship.” He smiled, taking his proper place behind the wheel and steered the Big Blue around, the bow headed towards the serpent. He kicked an armored box behind him and a flare shot out, soaring into the sky. This seemed to by the signal each was waiting for, as Bullseye, Spotter and Clockwork seemed ready. Spotter flew past the ship, turning around and landing on the deck. She grabbed something from a bow and took back off. Clockwork began throwing cherry bombs at the serpent, distracting it. When it dove to bite him, Spotter lifted him out of the way. Placing him on the deck, the serpent reared, roaring out. Spotter threw the box’s content into the beast’s mouth, dodging several attempts by it to eat her. As she flew away, it opened its mouth towards Bullseye, who fired a single shot. His rifle was loud, even compared to Fatal Blow, its external hammer striking down, sending sparks out, and a mass cloud of smoke exiting the gun. The rifle round collided with the box in the serpents mouth, without a delay the box reacted, exploding. The blast destroyed the serpents head, sending the limp, headless body tumbling down below the waves and creating one final rough wave for the Big Blue to deal with. Leviathan had been killed.

To call what fallowed after a party was an understatement. We danced and sang above deck, using fine wines and snacks the crew stowed away in the event they killed the beast. Greypatch, after some calming down, arose from the lower deck and joined us. The Big Blue was heavily damaged, the sides bashed from not only Leviathan but the rocks and other debris.

“We’ve been dealing with that basturd for almost ten years, and he’s dead!” shouted Spotter on several occasions. After our celebration we each rested, the Big Blue being temporarily docked. Our trip continued with our arrival into Freehoof sounded the end to our ride. Freehoof, according to Dusty Hide, was a place for all. The mayor built the town after he was denied entry into another city. He’s gone to build a community for himself. The town of Freehoof doesn’t seem to take sides or fight other factions, rather keeping to themselves. Our arrival to the docks saw the look of the town. Built off pre-war scrap the building and surrounding wall hobbled together with metal and junk. The town was centered on a large building, more than likely the mayor’s home. The town had a market to the left of the dock and near the main gate.

“We made it.” Dusty Hide called. The early morning air and breeze almost tricking you into thinking the world didn’t end.

“Thanks, for the ride and everything.” I said to the crew, who gathered around us.

“What’ll you do now?” Greypatch added.

“We’ll head back to base, got some repairing to do.” Clockwork called out. Dusty Hide walked up to us.

“Ye always got a friend in the waves, we’re with yha kid. Now go, find the basturd ye after and make him pay.” I smiled at that, he had a genuine look in his eye that told me he cared. Waving a goodbye one final time we parted ways, walking out to the dock and seeing the Big Blue readying to leave. The ponies here had an, uh, interesting look to them. Each looked as if they’d either try to kill me, rob me or some mix of the two. I decided we’d find a place to stay first before finding the mayor. After finding a bar, we rented a room and settled our things in.

“We’ll leave about two hours to look for a mayor, ok”

“Ok, but could we really not stay here long, don’t like the look of this place.”

“You think I don’t either. We need a way to know the area, know if the mayor knows anything. We’ll get out of here.” Greypatch laid down across her bed, more than likely enjoying a bed that wasn’t rocking. “We’ll be outta here soon enough.”

“If you don’t inevitably get roped into someone else’s problems.” She said a rather annoying hint of sarcasm to her voice.

“Come on, I know how it is feel helpless in a town, plus you wanted me to help out in Woodworks.”

“Still, you have a mission, what’s to say this place, or Phobius won’t have anything for you to do?”

“We’ll see; for now we need to stay focused.”

It was nice sleeping in a stationary bed again, though the gentle rocking of the Big Blue was relaxing in its own way. Thinking on what Greypatch had said I really began to wonder what I’d prioritized since coming out here. I had helped Woodworks not of a general need, but more because I knew how it was facing an enemy, you were powerless against. I had to help Radioactive Falls as per a deal but even still I could have probably bartered or talked my way around getting the information rather than helping. I had never thought of myself as someone who would do the “good” thing, more of just someone who would do the right thing. After my town was attacked, I feel as though I wouldn’t let that happen to any other if possible. I don’t care what that makes me, if only it means standing up for what I believe is right, and I could start by killing my killer.

After we awoke to the morning bustle of town, we each washed and took time gathering out stuff. I needed to find the mayor and I figure starting at the largest building in town would help. Turns out, I was wrong. The massive structure in the center of town wasn’t a town hall but rather a storage barn for scrap, food an all sorts of other things. Asking a guard, he directed me to a simple, two story building in the edge of the town center. I mistook the building for a mayor’s office as it just looked like a normal home. Each other town had always had the leader in the biggest structure. Entering the mayor’s office, we came to a front meeting room, chairs lined in roes with a podium in the far corner. Old world Equestrian flags hung on the wall behind the podium and two old paintings adorn the walls. Walking in further, I heard slight mumbling upstairs. Greypatch decided to stay put as I climbed to meet the mayor. Entering the room, I saw a pony I couldn’t expect to be a mayor. He was a ghoul, but his lime greenish coat still showed itself in small patches. His eyes bloodshot, leaving the original color unidentifiable. He wore an old world Equestrian military officer’s uniform, a nice looking suit colored red with a white undershirt and black tie. It had the Equestrian sun flag on the right shoulder and a three star pattern on both collars. His hat was a black officer’s hat with the same three stars across the front. In all the uniform was in some decay as it had holes, tares and patches sown to it, the hat had a rip to the right side.
“Wha, who’s that?” he said, in a similar scratchy tone to Baby Blue. He laid across an old couch, his table before him a host for many types of chems and alcohol, the floor covered in empty beer bottles.

“Mayor?”

“Yha, who the fuck are yha?”

“I’m Blacktuff, I need your help getting to Phobius City.” He sat up, rubbed his eyes and looked to me.

“Ho-le-shit, you’re that pidgin who arrived in the wee hours, aint yha? I wondered when I’d have yha entering my humble abode, not often a lone pidgin wanders into town. I’m Mayor Harpy, what can I do for yha.”

“How’d you know I arrived?”

“What you think I don’t know what the fuck happens in my town, what kind of mayor you take me for.”

“I just, whatever, I’m trying to get to Phobius City; any chance you know a safe rout?”

“Don’t know why you need to get there but your funeral, there’s a mountain pass dead east of here, you’ll see an old hiking trail to fallow. Take it to the other side and meet with the highway, rout 86. It’ll take yha to Salt Lick, but finding Phobius is your own job.”

“Thanks, I can work with this.” Leaving the office, I was surprised, I hadn’t needed to do something for this guy, pay him or anything. Was he drunk, high or some odd mix of the two? Either way we needed to find some hiking trail next. After walking down to the ground floor, I saw Greypatch next to somepony. Greypatch spoke up.

“Tuff, he’s got a job for you.”

Notice: Level Up

New Perk: Toughness Level Two
You’re quite strong, you know. Now resist 10% overall damage and gain 5% more health.