Fallout Equestria Times of Talons

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.