ch8 Official Business

Chapter 8: Official Business
With my mind as jumbled as it was it didn’t surprise me when my dreams were jumbled and chaotic. They bounced at random from topic to topic much faster than I could keep up. It was somewhat surprising then when my dreamscape shifted and I found myself once again in the brightly lit throne room where I had dreamed about the goddesses.
The room was familiar to me but the pony waiting for me gave pause. For the first time since I had been there Princess Luna sat alone on the throne. Her mane was still flowing but much more slowly than normal and she looked exhausted. Still as I took a step forward she smiled tiredly at me and even chuckled a bit when I bowed “We welcome thee dear Snowy Flanks. It brings us happiness to see that thou art well and we would like to apologize for our raged demeanor.”
Nervously I glanced around the room “Thank you Princess but what’s wrong with you, where is your sister, and why are you… talking like that.”
Blushing profusely Princess Luna ran a hoof through her mane “We beg thine forgiveness but we… that is to say I cannot help it. We… I, am very weak and it has caused… me to slip into the old ways of speech. But worry not for me fair Snowy it is our sister that deserves thine concern.”
“I don’t understand princess, what’s happening to you and Princess Celestia? I don’t mean to push you but I just… I have so many questions.”
Seeing the goddess of the night’s legs shake violently as she stood sent a shiver down my spine but she did her best to reassure me “We understand thy curiosity little one. Though we…I am tired I’ll my best to answer them. First however th… you must try and be calm.”
I was determined do as she asked so after taking a moment to collect myself I asked the most pressing question I could think of “Princess you say something has you weak but what is it? Is that why your sister isn’t here?”
“We shall try our best to explain, we’re sure by now that thou have heard of the disaster at Ponyville. Well the one responsible has been gaining power for the last two hundred years and now he’s gotten so strong he has begun affecting us here.”
Something powerful enough was a pretty frightening concept but I still had many questions so I’d have to come back to that one “Does that mean that you’re still alive Princess? How is that even possible when the entire town is nothing but a crater?”
“Just because there is not but a crater there now dose that automatically mean that the town is destroyed?”
Were it any other pony who asked me I would have said no but judging by her mischievous smile I had a feeling she knew something I didn’t. Saying as much I watched the princess nod slightly and step shakily towards one of the massive windows.
Stepping over beside her I gazed out at the massive white walls of a castle and a small town on the edge of a massive forest, at my inquisitive look she the night goddess explained “This is but a projection obviously but this the town of Ponyville as we remember it. Before our disappearance we and the elements of harmony journeyed to the little village as the starting area for a quest that would hopefully bring an end to the fighting. However before we could even start our journey we were betrayed from within and in the fighting our adversary used great sorcery to trap us all in magical, space distorting, bubbles and fling them all across Equestria.”
*** *** ***
I don’t think my heart actually stopped but it felt like it did. Somewhere out in the wasteland the goddesses and the ministry mares were still alive, but before I could really celebrate a little pony in my head reminded me ‘But you don’t know where these bubble things are, how many there are, or even what they look like. Beside how were you planning to get them out, with the magic you don’t know?’
After explaining in detail where that pony should go to voice further statements I took a moment to look over Luna. She looked more tired every time I saw her but I still couldn’t help but feel safe and protected standing next to her. With a start I realized I had moved up beside her and hadn’t even realized it.
The dusky alicorn smiled warmly and nuzzled my blushing face gently. Before I could reply to the affection she answered my unasked questions as if reading my mind “We are sorry Snowy but We don’t know the locations of the distortion spheres but when the spell first took affect we… that is to say my sister and I used our own magic to observe the spell. Form that tiny glimpse we can tell th… you that there are eight of them, aside from that We cannot give thee any more information.”
Well that didn’t help matters any but I still had to try, I mean how often does a pony find out that two of the princesses and some of the greatest heroes of Equestria were still out there… somewhere.
Still if I was ever going to do anything about it I’d need more information “So Princess you said that you caught a glimpse of the spell? If that’s the case do you know what it is and how to break it?”
“Indeed We do our little pony; the spell was crafted by our own Ministry of Arcane Sciences for the Ministry of Peace. It was a spell for keeping ponies safe till they could be treated called crystalline slumber.”
Listening to the princess describe the effects of the spell and its use I was reminded once again how crazy magic really was. A spell that transmuted a pony’s body into nigh- indestructible crystal while also putting their mind into a dreamless sleep with the ability to turn them back to normal as soon as they reached a hospital seemed so farfetched that I wouldn’t have believed it if it wasn’t Luna saying it.
“So you’re saying that you, your sister, and the ministry mares are scattered all across Equestria trapped in bubbles and in a magical sleep thanks to that spell?”
“That is… more or less an accurate assumption yes.”
There was something off about her response but seeing how weak she was I decided not to press her about it. Regardless I now had a purpose; I was going to find all of the distortion spheres because if anything could help the wasteland it was the princesses and the elements of harmony. With that in mind I still had one question I need to ask “Ok Princess now that I know what the spell is how do I break it?”
Luna seemed lost in thought for a moment before replying “Well first thou would need to enter the distortion sphere which should is something thou may do by touching it with thy horn. As for the spell itself, there is a counter-spell though we doubt it will work, our adversary would have been foalish indeed not to have altered the spell against it. Do not despair however as there is another way, the one who trapped us was indeed powerful We don’t think they were strong enough to enact both spells at once on so large a scale. To that end We believe there must have been some kind of objects hidden in the town before we ever arrived designed to unleash the crystalline slumber upon activation, if thou canst find and destroy them thou could possibly break the spell.”
After telling me this Luna shuddered slightly before slumping to the floor and gazing at me sadly “We… I apologize Snowy buy my time here is up. I wish I could stay longer but… so very tired.”
My heart ached to see the princess like this so I quickly bade her farewell before closing my eyes and letting my dreams return to whisk me away into sleep.
*** *** ***
I awoke sometime later to the sound of a hoof tapping my door. Letting out a response in a language made of yawns and mumbling I was most of the way to the door before I realized my glamor wasn’t up. After fixing that problem I opened the portal to be greeted by cool smile of dusk as the earth-pony wished me good morning and asked me to follow him.
As he tuned on his hind leg and walked away I hurried to catch up with him. After checking to make sure I was behind him he slowed his pace slightly saying “I apologize for waking you so early and not giving you a chance at breakfast but the mayor is eager to see you and she isn’t a pony to keep waiting.”
The unease in my mind was almost palpable, I had no idea what this mayor wanted or even what kind of pony she way and I was just going walk into a meeting with her.
That being said I also got the feeling I didn’t have much choice in the matter. I was most likely only let in here because the mayor wanted something from me and I doubted my welcome would last long if I didn’t at least talk to her. Resining myself a bit I let Dusk lead me back through the lobby and into the elevator.
After pressing the button for the topmost floor Dusk turned to face me “Now meeting the mayor can be a little unnerving at times but she is very special to the community so treat her with respect.”
Reaching the top of the building we stepped out into a small waiting room with a few chairs and a desk and a large door across the room. Letting us inside after seeing Dusk the young secretary tried, and failed not to stare at me but I brushed it off as the pony beside me announced our arrival and I had to gape at the sight before me.
*** *** ***
When the black pony beside me announced our arrival I barely had time to take in the extremely opulent office before the high-backed leather chair spun around dramatically, the pony sitting in it bringing their hooves down on the desk in front of them with a thud, and I came face to face with the fourth ghoul I’d met in the wastes.
Her tan coat was much more intact than any ghoul I had seen though her pink mane was a little patchy. Staring down at us her cold azure eyes I had the feeling that she was a shrewd pony who only took calculated risks and was at that very moment deciding if I was worth it.
Apparently I passed the test since after a moment or two she pulled her hooves back into a more reserved posture and spoke with the confidence of somepony used to holding public office “Welcome to Green Meadows Miss Flanks I trust you slept well.”
I didn’t remember telling anypony my last name but decided not to bring it up just yet “Yes actually, the bed was very soft and Calla Lily was a great host. For the moment however I’d like to know why you called me in here Miss… um?”
“As the mayor of the town I would prefer to be addressed as such.”
Ok that answered that question. I got the feeling that I wasn’t going to get any information I didn’t absolutely need and while I didn’t like it there also wasn’t much choice “Very well Miss. Mayor now let’s get back to my first question if we could.”
The ghoul smiled slightly “A pony who doesn’t waste time getting down to business, I like that. Sine you asked there are several threats faceting this community, threats that must be dealt with, but also threats I don’t feel comfortable using my security force to stop.”
“And that’s where I come in right? You want me to deal with these problems for you.”
She chuckled softly “It’s good to see that you’re not a moron. Simply put you seem like somepony who can take care of a problem and you have ability’s that my guards do not. So yes I want you to work for me to deal with these threats, I’ll pay you well and also give you a place to stay at the inn.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to take the jobs, the last thing I needed was another big faction to worry about, but I also had no idea what to do next otherwise. Despite the fact that I knew that there was something she wasn’t telling me and that she made my skin crawl like no other I decided I’d see if the jobs were worth my while.
Apparently I had been thinking a bit too openly as she smiled when I reached a decision “The first task is short and simple, there are a group of raiders in an old rest area north of us. They had been living up in Fetlock but the Vanguard pushed them down here where they began harassing caravans when they went out to trade. As such I want them eliminated.”
“Well that sounds easy enough, what’s the catch?”
I saw a faint glimmer of something bordering on pride in her eyes as she replied “The catch as you say is the second job since in deals with the very reason the raiders were pushed south to begin with.”
Wait but she said that… oh buck me hard
As if reading my mind she continued “I’m sure you noticed the large hole in my glorious building. It was caused by a vanguard artillery cannon. In their infinite wisdom they decided that when they pushed south from Manehatten to cover their flanks they would destroy any raiders they displaced with heavy firepower. As you can see their extremely long of the mark, most of the shots landed away from the building but I’d rather not risk a second hit. I want those guns silenced and I don’t care how you do it.”
After that she waved us off with a dismissive hoof saying “After your done come back and we’ll discuss payment and the third task I have for you.”
*** *** ***
Walking back to my room at the inn my head was once again drowning in thoughts. The mayor had ostensibly given the job to me so the town wouldn’t be targeted in any retaliation. However given the fact that the Vanguard wouldn’t care if I was acting under her orders of not this all stank of her testing to see what I was capable of and if I could be bought.
Still it was bottle caps I could use and a place to stay while I came up with a better idea of what to do next other than look for my friends.
On that note I thought over the groups of ponies I had met since I left the stable. The Vanguard and I probably weren’t going to be buddying up anytime soon, that being said they obviously wanted me for something even if I didn’t know what it was.
Then there was the Enclave. One would think I’d be happy to learn there were more pegesi out here but really I was more angry than anything. It aggravated me that I knew even less about them than I did about the Vanguard but there wasn’t any way learn more unless I went back above the clouds which I wasn’t about to do after Windy’s warning. What I did know is that they were monitoring me and my movements, though again I hadn’t a clue as to how or why.
Frustrated by my lack of knowledge I tossed myself on the bed with an exasperated sigh, there had to be somepony I could ask about this kind of stuff but at the moment all I could think of was Solaris and at this point I trusted her about as far as I could throw her without magic.
I was so lost in thought I almost didn’t hear the knock at my door. Slipping wearily off my bed I trotted over and popped the door open, nearly colliding with the first welcome sight I had all day.
Glitter stood in the hallway with a sheepish smile and her hat in her hooves. Resisting the urge to hug her I put on the best face of cool indifference I could saying “Well well took you long enough to get here didn’t it?”
“I apologize Snowy, and I’m very sorry for running off like I did back at the farmhouse but I had to get the ghouls to safety you understand.”
Her response struck me as all kinds of wrong but I wasn’t about to say anything just yet. Instead I moved to the side and let her into the room. It was then that I noticed it, she had on her coat, and clothes, and even her hat but there was something crucial she was very obviously lacking.
Deciding once again not to use the direct approach I walked over to the miniature fridge I had in my room. I had seen devices like this in the stable though why one was here I hadn’t thought to ask. Pulling some food from it I sat down opposite her at the small table on the far wall “Ok that’s fine but what took you so long to find me in the first place?”
I caught sight of her fidgeting in her chair as she responded “Well I was really worried about making sure you were all right but when I decided to turn back the sky started to act very strange. It started to move, not like it was drifting but like somepony was actually pulling at the clouds. Of course at the time I didn’t know it was you so I was understandably scared.”
Ok I’ll admit that explanation did make a certain amount of sense, I myself wasn’t sure I could pull that stunt off till I did it. Still something was seriously off with her so I told her to continue, hoping to figure out the issue.
“So I waited for a day or two till everything calmed down then I went back to the farm house. When I got there and found that other alicorn I feared the worst but thankfully you were still all right.”
Nodding a bit I though back to her surprise appearance on how awkward the conversation with Zephyr must have been beforehoof “That part I remember but where did you go after you left?”
She looked more uncomfortable by the second “W-well after that I got my things together and led those ghouls up here to rest… and even found a room for myself. Then I just waited for you to get here so… so if you want to get technical y-you were the one who took your sweet time in getting here.”
I had heard enough, there was something incredibly fishy going on here and it was time to do something about it. Doping my line questioning to help put her at ease I waited till we finished our meal and she went to leave before going over to my gear like I was checking to see where ever thing was.
Hearing her place a hoof on the door leaver I quickly asked if she could lend me a hoof in trying to find something. I could almost taste the reluctance with which she agreed, as she stepped back towards me I made sure I was ready before saying “You know Glitter there’s one major problem with your story.”
I felt her draw up short “Um… r-really and what exactly would that be?”
“I’m the only non-earth-pony in Green Meadows.” With that I spun to face her catching sight of the panic in her eyes as, for the first time in weeks, my shotgun roared to life,
*** *** ***
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I fired two shells from my pump-action as fast as I could work it. But I’ll tell you one thing, I wasn’t expecting there to be a bright flash of green light and a hideous shriek.
By the time that the first pink and yellow striped hull of the beanbag shell had it the floor my friend had vanished and in her place lay a terrifying creature that looked like someone had taken a unicorn, fused it with a beetle then drilled holes in its legs.
The thing shudder, hissing in pain and anger, as it tried to shake out the cobwebs in in head. Realizing I didn’t have time I sprang on top of it nuzzling my shotgun barrel to its cheek. As it looked up, blue eyes wide with fear, I tried my best to place where I had seen it before. I knew it looked familiar but in my own panicked mind I was drawing a blank.
Suddenly I heard a rapid hammering on my door and a panicked voice shouting “Snowy! What in the bucking name of Tartarus is going on in there?!”
There may have been more but I didn’t hear it because as soon as I dropped my guard I got a solid hoof to the temple. Seeing stars I wasn’t anywhere near ready for its two back hooves to slam into my chest and send me crashing into the wall. The last thing I heard was a startled shout and a few more gunshots.
*** *** ***
I was more than a bit groggy and in a fair amount of pain when I came to. My head was throbbing and my breast felt like it was on fire but thankfully nothing felt broken.
Groaning slightly I was stunned for a moment as I felt a damp cloth press over one side of my forehead. Shifting my eyes to the left was confused to see Calla Lily sitting at my bedside wiping me with a rag. Smelling at my return to consciousness she pressed the cloth a bit more firmly over my left eye “Glad to see you’re awake finally, I was getting a bit worried. It’s also nice to know I’m not the only pony with a secret.”
What secret was she talking about? It took me a moment before I remember my shotgun… I had been using my shotgun, and to do that I needed magic, and to use magic I had to…
Confirming my worst fear I felt her nudge the spiral appendage above my head with a giggle. Seeming to sense my unease she patted my reassuringly on the leg while running the rag over my head again “Listen Snowy if your horn was a problem with me I would have already called the guards. I’ll admit I’m curious about where it came from and why I didn’t see it. But before we trade secrets why don’t you tell me what a changeling was doing in your room.”
As if turning on a light bulb it clicked, that thing had been a changeling. I had seen them in some of the books and things I’d read back in the stable though they were a lot more intimidating up close.
Just after that realization came a second, after that thing had knocked me across the room it had bolted out the door… right into the mare next to me. Tensing a little I looked her over but she seemed to be fine. Seemingly following my gaze she smiled a little saying “Don’t you worry about me none, he was more concerned about getting away than fighting me. Still think I managed to put a bullet in him though.”
To emphasize her point a beautiful long barreled revolver floated up next to her. But why was it floating? It couldn’t have been me, my aura was gold and I wasn’t using magic. Also why was a bit of her hair glowing “If I’m going to ask about your secrets it’s only fair I tell ya mine.” she said as she pulled her mane to the side.
As it turns out I was in point of fact the second non-earth-pony in town if her white horn was any indication. But something was wrong with it, it looked small and brittle “Um Lily what’s wrong with your horn?”
It took me a full three seconds to realize how incredibly tactless I had just been and I very nearly shoved a hoof in my mouth as though trying to take it back.
For her part the mare just giggle at my display before replying sadly “It looks like that because its stunted after growing back.”
Setting down the gun and rag the stunted unicorn peered intently at what I had to assume was an open wound on my head before whistling softly “Boy you sure it that wall hard, if it wasn’t for the fact that there was a changeling I’d consider making you pay for that giant horn-hole in the wall.”
Oddly that comment struck me as funny and I soon found myself laughing uncontrollably. Shortly after Lily joined in and we both sat there a while laughing like madponies. After finally managing to regain my composure I realized that you shouldn’t laugh with a bruised up chest. None the less was glad that the tension between us had gone.
Managing to settle down herself the white mare leaned back in her chair as though trying to think up the best start to her story.
“Well like I told you before, after training as best I could I left home in search of the raiders that hurt my town. They weren’t exactly hard to find and soon enough I had them all dead and accounted for. You would think that after that I would have just gone home right… well I didn’t.”
From the glint in her eyes I guessed that it wasn’t because she couldn’t.
Taking a second to adjust in her seat she continued “I got my cutiemark after helping to save my town but I didn’t understand what it meant till I got my revenge. After seeing all the ponies I’d helped when killing those raiders I realized my talent wasn’t just killing but bringing peace with my guns. So I travelled all over the wastes, from Stalliongrad all the way down to Hoofington, fighting raiders and slavers and other nefarious ponies and for a while it worked out great. Everywhere I went ponies got to live their lives without fear and I even managed to start a small group of ponies, called the Sentinels dedicated to stopping evil in the wastes like I was.”
From what I had seen of the wastes so far I could sense a huge but coming on in her story. Wanting to head it off at the pass I decided to inquire what went wrong first.
“I pissed off the wrong pony is what. When you do what I did you tend to make a lot of enemies, some smarter than others, and it was one of them that finally got the better of me. He had been the head of a group of slavers out at Appaloosa before we stopped him. All his men were dealt with but the mule was a crafty one and managed to escape, we should have gone after him but we were more worried about his former property so we didn’t… it was a decision that still haunts me.”
*** *** ***
While I listened to Lily explaining exactly how the stallion had gathered together anypony he could find slowly kill off all of her friends and eventually capture her it was hard to believe that there could be somepony full of that much hate. In my time outside the stable I’d met plenty of raiders and other ponies made of anger but something like that took a special brand of monster.
Trying her best to look casual she finished up her story “After he got his hooves on me… well you can guess what happened. When he finished he had taken my friends, my home, my horn and even my virginity, but my will proved a bit harder to surmount.”
“But how in Equestria did you escape!”
At this her smile turned frightening “The fool underestimated how much a pony can do if they needed to. I was determined to payback for my friends he’d had killed and there was no way I would let him win. So when he simply chained me to a wall by my hind leg I took my chances… pony teeth might not be as sharp as a dragon’s but they get the job done.”
My body went cold for a moment, it was almost impossible comprehend what she was saying but I could tell it was no lie. I couldn’t imagine having to do something like that.
Looking over I could see she was having a hard time continuing. Trying to keep her from breaking down decided to start my tale and seeing as she was honest with me, at least as far as I could tell, I decided not to hide anything.
By the time I finished I wasn’t the only one with big eyes. I didn’t think my story was anywhere near as exciting as hers but she seemed to disagree,
“So you’re telling me that you came out of your stable and within two weeks you turned into and alicorn and lost one of your legs? I have to say that you don’t waste any time do you?”
I had to admit my own story did sound more than a little incredulous but since I was there I knew it to be true “ I know it sound kind of crazy, especially my conversations with the princesses. I mean even I don’t know for sure if they even happened or if I was just dreaming.”
“Well I’ll admit it does sound a little hard to swallow but you in fact an alicorn and I’ve seen all kinds of strange things in my journey in the waists so who can say really.”
Having somepony tell me I wasn’t necessarily crazy felt real good. I wasn’t even sure why I opened up to her, maybe it was her prosthetic hoof, or the fact that she apparently had a secrete of her own, or maybe it was something else entirely… I didn’t know but I was incredibly glad I did.
Biting her lip a moment she looked me over “While it certainly was an interesting story it still doesn’t explain why a changeling was in here trying to pass off as a friend of yours.”
That part had me stumped I’ll admit. Up till that point I’d never even seen a changeling up close so when one beat me senseless in less than ten seconds I was… let’s just say eager to find out who they were and why they wanted me.
As I pulled myself from the bed it took a moment to orient myself. My chest still throbbed a bit though my head felt much better. Standing up I made to grab my gear and head out and was surprised when Lily stopped me saying “Don’t even bother trying to look for him that changeling could look like anypony so there’s no way you’d find them unless they wanted you to.”
“All right fine but what do you suggest I do then?”
While levitating her gun and rag out the door in front of her she turned back for a moment and advised me to go on like nothing was wrong while she looked into the matter. I was understandably hesitant to not try and find him, I didn’t like having to look over my shoulder all the time, but the truth was I had no clue how to even start searching for… stallion? I think she said it was male bit I wasn’t sure.
Deciding to follow her advice for now I loaded my gear back up, put my glamor back up, and headed to the elevator. Everypony in the lobby stared at me still but it appeared that word had spread that I was on a mission from the mayor as I was allowed to leave unmolested.
*** *** ***
I hadn’t realized just far north I had come. I was used to rocks and trees but here I could see homes and the massive city of Manehatten far in the distance.
Even though I was still a ways from the city I could clearly make out the sprawling suburb of Fetlock. Taking my first steps forward I started road toward the rest-stop where the raiders were supposed to be.
I could have just flown there but I didn’t want them to know I was coming, no point in getting shot if you don’t need to, so instead I chose to just hoof it.
It took more than two hours but the payoff was worth it. As I crawled up to the three buildings that made up the rest area none of the assembled raiders seemed to have any idea I was there. Now the only hitch in my plan is that were about twenty of them! I might have been able to handle half that number, if I was feeling a little generous with myself, but I had no idea how to deal with all of them.
My situation was only made worse by the fact that there wasn’t any cover between my hiding spot by the road and the building at the rest-stop.
The only solution I could come up with, besides running back to town with my tail between my legs, was trying to get on the roof of one of the buildings. From there I could start picking off raiders at will. My plan as formed up as it would ever be I dropped my spell, pulled out my rifle, and took to the air.
Flying hard to the nearest roof I almost took a bullet to the face and had to snap into a quick dive as the ponies below realized what was going on. Unfortunately my dive put me on a collision course with the roof and I landed a lot harder than I would have liked.
Still I was on the roof now I just had to figure out what to do next. Pulling myself up I could already hear the sounds of bullets pinging of the small wall the roof had, I pulled my rifle back from where it landed and peaked over the edge. Most of the raider-ponies were arrayed around me, either firing wildly at my position or running into the building itself, but some were rushing off in the opposite direction. Lifting up for a moment I opened up on the fleeing raiders, my rifle fire killed two and wounded a third before I was forced to duck back down.
Loading a fresh mag into my rifle I chanced a peek over the wall. Several raiders appeared to be going inside the building I was on. Quickly scanning the roof I realized my mistake, of the four roofs I could land on I had picked the one with a trap door leading down… buck me.
*** *** ***
The first raider to burst through the door ran face first into my shotgun. The buckshot tore through his face and he fell back with a strangled cry. I had plenty of shells but I didn’t know how may were going to be following him so I had to get of the roof.
Rushing over I jumped into the trap-door and collided into another raider. Thankfully my hooves connected first sending the stallion tumbling back with me right after. As I thudded to the bottom of the stairway leading up I scrambled for cover behind some shelves, taking a few rounds to the side for my trouble, in what appeared to be a small store. Bullets ricocheted all around me so I lifted my shotgun over the top and fired blind.
Four shells later I peeked out to the side and caught sight of two dead and dying raiders bleeding out on the floor. I advanced cautiously towards the fallen ponies when a tiny clatter alerted me to a presence behind me.
Whirling around I found myself facing a young filly and colt in patched armor and crude weapons. Seeing me turn they immediately dropped their guns in terror with the stallion saying “Please princess don’t hurt my sister!”
Before I could I even reply I heard a strange hissing sound and saw something flying towards the window of the store. Rushing towards the two ponies I threw my shield my around the three of us as the world exploded.
I still remembered when Glitter had used the first grenade I had seen but it was nothing compared to the rocket launcher the raiders had dug up from somewhere. Pulling myself to my hooves I looked out at the rubble that used to be a shop, there was a huge hole in the front and the counter and most of the shelves were smoking wrecks.
Outside I could see another ten or so ponies milling outside. Beside me I caught sight of the two other unicorns coming back their senses, my shield had held against the blast but they still seemed dazed. I realized I’d have to keep them out of harm’s way, raider or no they were unarmed and way too young to be out here, so I quickly pushed them to the floor and dropped my shield before making yet another foalish move and charging out of the building.
Up till that point I hadn’t engaged in too much hoof-to- hoof combat. Diving into the middle of the group I kicked out my metal hoof and heard the satisfying crack of it connecting with another pony’s jaw. Twisting over on my front hooves I brought both back legs down on the head of a second mare.
The other raiders took a second to react to my sudden presence among them before charging in to join the melee. All of my opponents were unicorns and it became more and more of a challenge to keep ahead of them. Finally realizing I was getting in over my head I spread my wings and leapt into the air before
Pain! I had felt pain many times but it was nothing compared to the agony flowing through my body as one of the remaining raiders saw my attempted escape and stopped it with jagged spear through my wing. Crashing back to the ground I flung my shield back up in a desperate attempt to keep them away from me even as they swarmed towards my bleeding form.
The spear weighed heavily on my wing and there was no way I could fly, my shield was already starting to flicker and I was exhausted. Pulling out my shotgun I prepared for a last stand so it was surprising to hear the thundering of charging hooves and shouting of other ponies.
At first I thought it was more raiders come to finish me off till I heard the telltale whir of miniguns and saw the gleaming grey power armor of the other reason I was sent out here.
Suddenly the air around my bubble was filled with lead, blood, and the screams of dying ponies. It was over in seconds as the vanguard troops fanned out in front of me.
Not about to drop my only protection I used what little magic I had left to shakily levitate every gun I could find on the corpses and point them in front of me. They hadn’t done the raiders any good but who knew I might have even been able to dent their armor before I was a smear on the ground.
As it turns out it wasn’t necessary as the pony at the center of the group took a step forward saying “Well he was right. You’re just as powerful, determined, and dense as Emerald said you’d be.”
Hearing my friends name made me lower the weapons back to the ground and in return all of the vanguard ponies eased out of their aggressive stances, with the commander going so far as to take his helmet off revealing a heavily scared grey head and shockingly bright orange mane “The names Paladin Sidewinder. How about you put that shield down missy and we talk like civilized folk. I swear on my life we won’t try anything funny, aside from maybe trying to get that hunk of wood and rusty metal out of your wing.”
“How do you know about me and Emerald and why in Celestia’s mane should I trust you?”
The older stallion sighed gruffly “Listen I don’t want to do this the hard way but your friends in trouble and if you want to help him you’re going to have to trust me.”
That got my attention. I wasn’t sure I was ready to believe him further but I decided it couldn’t hurt to hear what he had to say. Giving a few more moments to decided I finally let my shield drop “All right then I’ll listen to what you want to say.”
I could see he looked visibly relieved “Well all right then let’s get down to business.”
*** *** ***
Moving with my freshly bandaged wing was still awkward but still I couldn’t really complain too much seeing as the two young ponies I had met earlier were still unconscious in the room behind me.
I had come back in after the talk with Sidewinder to find them both conked out; they seemed unhurt if a bit under fed so I assumed the explosion just hit them harder than it hit me.
But as I lay there on the ratty mattress and tried my best not to pick at my injured wing my only thoughts were on me new goal. I was going to find a pony by the name of Nightshade or as I knew her Ruby Cross.

Footnote: level up
Skill notes
Unarmed now at 25

(Authors notes: Well here we go everypony sorry it to so long but this one was entirely my own fault. I got guildwars 2 when it came out and my productivity took a major hit after that.
That being said I should be more on time in to future though I won’t give an exact date so I don’t jinx it.
Anyway thanks for sticking with me and have a good time.)

Fallout Equestria © to Kkat
My Little Pony: Fim © to Hasbro
Snowy flanks and other oc’s © Me