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.