Vegas had fallen.

After the Courier had walked that lonesome road. Things began to take a turn for the worst. First it was the Tunnelers; traveling in packs, they would come in waves, little by little they would chip away at the defenses. Tearing apart and consuming any living thing they could capture. Then came the storms of the Divide; with winds fast enough they would burn away the flesh of anything that was unlucky enough to be caught outside.

It seemed history came back to bite her in the ass. The Tunnelers, the storms, the Marked Men, Ghosts, the Cloud. It seemed that Death had a chip on his shoulder.

After the Courier had defeated House, she went on to free New Vegas, and make it its own governing power. She worked hard with Yes Man and the casinos to get the people to band together. At first there was conflict between the casinos and the people of Freeside, it all solved itself when the people heard about the caps they would earn.

"Greedy bastards."

Locked in her tower, the Courier had watched as Vegas fell to the very same she had conquered.

"They just can't get enough," she said, looking out the window as hails of gunfire echoed through the air. Watching the White Glove Society hold their ground against waves of the Tunnelers. Using the very same flamethrowers they used to treat brahmin meat, to drive away the scaled freaks.

"I had my caps on the Omertas being the last alive, still, isn't surprising the cannibals came out on top when I think about it," she said before laughing.

"Ma'am, you're talking to yourself again," Yes Man said in a chiding tone. "You shouldn't do that you know? Studies show that talking to yourself can lead to a number of mental health problems, becoming a raider is one of them."

"Being a raider is a mental health problem?"

"You should know," Yes Man snarked, his chipper tone not fitting the comment.

"Great, thanks for that."

Walking away from the window, she turned her left and climbed the stairs that lead to the elevator. "I'm going to clear the foyer."

"Do be careful, wouldn't want your corpse to dissuade potential customers from coming here," Yes Man said, his ever-smiling face stuck on the monitor.

Looking back she furrowed her eyebrows. "When did you get so god damned rude?"

"When I learned that while I do have to say yes to everything that's asked of me, I don't have to do it with a smile, isn't that wonderful?" Yes Man laughed.

"How come you don't change your face then? Kinda defeats the purpose of not having to smile when you're always smiling."

"Weren't you going to clear out the foyer?"

Turning back she entered the elevator. "Cunt," she muttered as she pressed the button to the first floor.

"Raider," Yes Man merrily replied. Watching the elevator door close on his master.

This was a situation he was never prepared for.

Looking at the sleeping form of the strange lady before him, he watched from a safe distance away. Hiding behind the oak table he had sat at whenever he would read books.

She had showed up out of the blue and in a flash of light. Covered in cuts and bruises beyond belief. Searching through her stuff he found items that seemed to be used for medical reasons. The thing on her arm was fairly simple to operate once he learned how to use it.

He had her take a pill from a tub labeled 'Buffout' after stabbing her in the leg with a syringe labeled 'Stimpack'. He had no clue what they would do, but they seemed to work as her cuts and bruises began to fade.

The armor she wore was interesting, it was almost like the old man from the Sierra Madre, dress like, but something else. It opened up in the front to reveal plates of metal varying in shades of brown and grey. Those covered her upper-body. On her legs she wore a pair of light-brown jeans, with a red bandana wrapped around the upper part of her right leg.

Hearing her sigh he raised his vision to her. The helmet he had taken off of her still by his side. Looking down at it he read the words on the forehead of the helmet.

Forgive me mama

He could see the reflection of the light his eyes gave in the green lenses of her helmet.

"Didn't think one of you would let me live, I don't want to know what you had planned for me" a voice spoked from behind him. Something pressing into the back of his hood. "And I've got no clue what's going on, but–"

Slowly raising his hands, he brought the helmet above his head.

Hearing a glove meet skin, he felt the helmet get snatched from his hands a second later.

"Is someone in that suit?"

He shook his head in reply.

"What do you mean 'no'? Ghosts don't act like this," she said, her tone harsh. "Where'd you get it anyways?"

Trying to speak, the rebreather in his mask rasped.

"Well take it off,"

This made his eyes widen. Take it off? Could he do that? Would he even want to?

Quickly, he shook his head. Hands still raised.

"Fine, here."

He watched as a pencil and paper were thrown to the ground in front of him. The pencil clicking on the stone as it rolled. Picking it up he looked at them.

"Write, if you can't speak, this is how you're gonna talk."

Turning around he looked up at her. Jumping slightly at the close proximity. Her golden eyes staring into his.

"What now?" She asked, furrowing an eyebrow while raising the other.

His head swam at the sight of her.

An oval shaped face with golden almond shaped eyes. Her cheekbones hidden and with a jaw that seemed... soft? The most drawing feature was her soft auburn hair. It seemed to flow down her shoulders as it stood there in front of him. He wanted to touch it. So he reached out for it.

Only to be pulled back to reality as his hand was slapped away.

"The hell's wrong with you?" She asked. "I want answers, start writing."

Looking down at the paper and pencil in his hands, he brought it close to his face. Scratching down whatever came to mind. Turning the paper to her, she looked at with confusion.

"Art thou well?" She looked at him, green orbs stared back, waiting for an answer. "Yeah, I guess." She said. "What I really want to know is what the hell is going on?! Where am I?! Who are you?! Things like that!" She began to yell.

Scooting away from the angry lady, he began to write. Handing the piece of paper to her once he finished.

"Answers will be given, my home is where we'll go...?" Looking up from the paper, he offered her his hand.

A moment of silence passed between the two before she folded the paper and slipped it into her pocket. "Fine, lead the way." She said.

Turning, he began to walk over to the book shelves. Stopping once in front of them. Grabbing onto an edge, he began to push as hard as he could. Slowly, the giant wooden shelf began to slide. Revealing a staircase that lead down into a forgotten part of the castle. A place that still held books. He was glad he didn't tell the ponies about it.

Nodding, he looked at the Courier.

"What, you think I'm going down first? Nah, ladies first," she swept both of her arms towards the entrance.

Gesturing for the paper in her pocket, she pulled it out. Snatching from her, he scribbled down his reply.

Handing it over once he finished, she read it. "I would rather not get shot in the back at the slightest noise." Looking up at him, she frowned. "Bitch, I better just shoot you now while you're still facing me, how does that make you feel?"

When he didn't move, she reached for her back. "Okay fine, you wanna do this the hard way?" Pulling the hunting shotgun that was strapped to her, up and out of its holster.

Jumping at this, he began to fly down the stairs. Reaching the bottom in a matter of seconds. Looking up, his vision was met by the dumbfound gaze of the Courier.

"How the fuck are you that fast?" She asked as she descended after him. "Back in the Sierra Madre those fucks could barely move, let alone sprint. And I know that's where you got yours because, I got the only one that was outside of that place."

Shrugging, he turned to face the hallway, his giving only a light slapping noise as he stepped.

Why did she have to bring up the Sierra Madre?

Giving a sigh, he jumped as he heard the Courier pump a shotgun behind him. Turning his head, he watched the Courier smile back sheepishly.

"Sorry about that, never got used to the noise those suits made."

Turning his head back he shrugged. Paying no mind as it did help him protect himself out in the forest. The wildlife had came to know that breathy hiss of his.

"How much further?"

Snapping his head back, he watched her jump slightly. Raising his hand, he pointed a finger and snapped it to the left.

"First left?"

He nodded.

Once they reached his room, he had taken the book bed apart and set them up on the table. Each one lined up one after the other.

The room itself was a simple stone room, a box carved into rock. The only furniture in it was another bookcase, a table, and four chairs. All of which he had moved into it.

"Creatures of Equestria?"

She asked, picking up a book and reading the cover.

Nodding his head, he tapped his finger against the cover.

"What the fuck is an Equestria?" She squinted her eyes and shook her head.

He stamped his foot.

"Here?"

He nodded.

"The place we are is Equestria?"

He nodded once more.

"Never heard of it," she said as she tossed the book over her shoulder. Giving a shrug as she did so.

Listening it fall to the floor with a 'thump' that kicked up dust. He stared at her.

"What?"

He bent over, giving a sigh as he reached for the book. Picking it up, he slammed it onto the table, opening it and flipping through the pages. Looking for the ponies. As soon as he found them, he pointed at the pictures of all three races.

"Unicorn, Pegasus, and Earth ponies now coexist after an agreement came about between three leaders. That love and friendship could carry you through all hardships. This book is possible because every race on the planet Equus works together to build a better tomorrow. What kind of fucked up book am I reading?!" The Courier looked to him.

Holding up three fingers, he stamped his foot once more.

Giving a sigh, "Three races, one land, the land is called Equestria and ponies rule the place."

He waggled his hand as he nodded and shrugged.

"Ponies don't rule the place?"

Turning to the book, he write down, There's a fourth race, one that lived in these very walls, ancient and all knowing.

"How ancient are we talking about here?"

Rubbing the metal plate that covered his forehead, he returned the pencil to the paper. Some may say that they are gods given form, beings that look down at us and see not but ants.

"Some may say? So are they not gods?"

The truth is lost to history, too many years have passed since the beginning. Even with all of the knowledge within these walls, I could never say.

The Courier chewed her cheek in thought, turning to him once she found another question to ask. "What about you? I want to, where'd you get that suit?"

Looking at the floor, he clutched the paper and pencil with both hands, the sound of paper crinkling in his ears as thoughts ran through his mind.

If she knew, what would she do? Should he tell her? Could he trust her?

His thoughts were interrupted as a hand was felt on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw a corner of her mouth brought up in a knowing smile.

"Hey, you ain't gotta tell me if you don't want to, we all have our secrets, right?"

He felt his chest tighten and his stomach set ablaze. His vision blurring as he peered into her eyes.

What was this? He felt... something run down his face. Were these tears? In the books he read, some of the ponies would be described as crying. Was he crying? But crying was a sad thing, he wasn't sad... was he?

Giving a choked sob he brought his hands to his face in an attempt to wipe away the tears.

"Are you crying?" She asked, her smile spreading.

Another sob escaped him.

"You are!" She began to laugh. "You're totally crying!"

He began to laugh with her. Unable to resist her smile.

"Hey watch this," she said, turning around before placing something over her head. When she turned around he tilted his head. A pair of green eyes looked at him, shining brightly in the dimly lit room.

Bringing her hands up to her face, she mocked him. "Boo hoo, waah." Both of them laughing.

When their laughing ceased, she reached out a hand. "Name's Sera, by the way. Nickname's Six if you want to call me that."

Taking her hand, he shook it.

"Hello?!" A familiar voice called out. It was Purple One.

"What are thou doing? Why are you letting such a creature know our presence?" Another voice asked.

"Who's that?" Sera asked as she walked out into the dark hallway, her helmet still on.

"Aha! There it is! Stay still foul creature!"

He watched as the front half of Sera's body glowed with a bright purple, before something connected with her, sending her body hurtling into the tunnel.

"Luna!" A number of voices cried.

Running into the hallway he turned his head towards where Sera had gone, he spotted her body in the dark, unmoving. Running to her he bent down, his hands shaking as he tried to clutch the fabric. His vision getting blurry and his head swimming in thoughts.

What happened? Is she alright? Is she dead? She's dead isn't she? Isn't she!? She's dead! Dead! Dead! Dead! His thoughts began chanting, muddling his mind as he choked on his breath. His world fading as his body grew heavy, the taste of copper filling his mouth, unable to breath. The last thing he heard was the clicking of hooves.

"You weren't supposed to attack him!" Twilight harshly whispered.

"Twilight," Rainbow Dash whispered from behind her.

"What!?" Twilight looked to Rainbow Dash, who only stared wide-eyed down the hallway.

Following her gaze, her stomach clenched as her eyes widened. There was another one. Or was this him?

"Maybe they're alright," Fluttershy whispered from behind the group.

As they began to move down the hallway, one thing became audible the closer they got. The rasping of the creatures rebreather. Quick and sudden, it became apparent what the creature was doing. It was crying.

They all stopped as the creatures head snapped in their direction, its glowing eyes peering at them through the darkness. Its head tilting to the side as it seemed to see them.

Before any of them could speak, it gave out another quick rasp before getting to its full height. Lurching forward with its arms held close to its sides. And quicker than they could blink the creature closed the gap between them. Twilight and her friends backpedaled, the magical light above them snuffed out. Only Luna stood in front of the creature. Having to crane her neck up, she watched as its head snapped to and fro as if searching for something.

Silence reigned in the hallway.

It let out a rasp and puff of green breath blasted into Luna's face. The breath burned her face, coughing, she backed up and shook her head. With the same speed as before he flew back, picked up the body of the other, and disappeared deeper into the halls of the castle.

"Wait!" Rainbow Dash shouted, holding a hoof out.

But it was too late, they were gone. Leaving them in the dark hallway, listening to the echoes of his rebreather as it got further and further away.

Author's Note

Let me know if I wrote something wrong.

Well until next time.