Fallout Equestria: EQUIS Rising

June 3rd, 2377 - 20:40 Hours

I sat staring at the pale redness of an apple that was grown from one of the stable’s personal gardens. The apples here were for the most part tasteless, maybe a hint of something was there, but still tasteless. I laid my head on the table and sighed. Being in a stable meant three things for certain: you were born in a stable, you died in a stable and there is nothing to do in a stable. Well, according to my counts, I had completed two of those. I used my magic to levitate the apple to my mouth and I took a bite. As I chewed I got up and began to walk out of the cafeteria. I saw one maintenance pony plastering a new sign on the wall. As I passed him I saw the poster said, “Elections Next Week!!! Valence Versus Trotten!!! All Ponies with Cutiemarks can Vote!!!” The sign was a red, white and blue audacity with more enthusiasm than we truly needed in the stable.

The maintenance pony finished the sign work and casually said,"Hello!" and followed it with a “Glacier Mane, when are you going to run for office?”

The question was asked quite often around election years and I did not really mind; however being asked 20 times in a setting can get annoying.

I smiled my best smile and said “Who knows? Maybe I’ll just be a write in.”

He laughed and gathered his things up “I don't know any pony in their right mind that would vote for them. Valence there wants to start back the Equis agenda and Trotten wants to eliminate any homosexual ponies in the stable!” We started walking down a corridor towards the atrium.

“I know I don't think either one is a good fit for democratic processes.” I said as the maintenance pony set his things down once more. He pulled out another poster and began to plaster it to the wall.

“Your family ran the stables good.” he said nonchalantly, another phrase that was common in the stable. “I tell you I'm not the only pony around this stable that thinks so, but it's time for the Glacier family to take back the power in the stable.” He grabbed a pasting brush with his mouth and began to paste the wall.

I turned, shrugged the comment off and said as we entered the atrium, “Who knows maybe one day.”

He turned to me and fixed me with a glance. “Glacier Mane, I’ve heard a lot of other ponies saying they want you running for office. I would not be surprised if you were thrown into the race last minute. Maybe you should consider the position.”

I wished him well and walked off, forgetting the conversation all together.

I walked my usual path through the atrium and to “744 Brews and Spirits”, the tap house that opened up near the security pony offices. As I walked in, I threw what remained of my apple in the trash chute. I sauntered up to the bar and slapped a hoof down. The bartender, a unicorn mare that had a shot glass on her flank, walked up and floating up a glass and placing it in front of me.

“What are we having tonight, Glacier?” She asked as she floated the apple bourbon over along with a pot of hot tea and two sugar cubes. “You are the only customer that gets this drink. I honestly don't even know what it tastes like”

She poured the hot tea into the glass about halfway and dropped the sugar cubes in. The cubes of sugar dissolved and she filled the rest of the glass with the bourbon. I reached out to grab the glass with my magic but she grabbed it first and took a large gulp out of it. She slammed it down and swallowed. Her eyes fixed mine

“Not bad, unique taste with a bite.” She said pouring me another one, “This one is on the house, since I drank some of yours.”

I used my magic to grab the first glass, drinking the rest and then reached for the second one. I noticed she had not taken a chaser, that was sexy but could she hold her liquor?

“Drink with me!” I said “Take the credits out of my account let's see how much liquor you can hold.” I laughed.

The bar was dead at this point which was unusual for a Friday. She walked around the bar and sat down next to me. I looked her over, she was a light yellow mare with golden hair that had streaks of pink highlighting. Her stable barding clung to her tightly she was absolutely gorgeous, and that was not the liquor talking, yet.

“I hope you know I am a Bar Pony, so I hope you have the credits to cover this.” She floated two shot glasses over they were filled with what looked like vodka."I plan on drinking you broke." I grabbed one and floated it to me. “Here is to us!” she said and we drained the glasses.

June 4th, 2377 - 10:13 Hours

I woke up in familiar surroundings. I was laying in my bed, a bottle of vodka next to my head. I floated it to my face and read the label “Stable 744 - Vodka. 805th run” I sat the bottle down and noted a dull throbbing behind my eyes.

“Looks like I'm wearing dark lenses today.” I said as I moved the covers.

As I did so I felt something. I looked over to see the Bar Mare. My eyes widened and then I noted the feel of sweat on my body. I had slept with her and I did not even know her name. She must of felt my eyes on her because she stirred awake. She looked around and her gaze caught mine, Oh fuck, she was even more gorgeous.

“Well hello Mane.” she said as she got up and steadied herself. “I'm so sore.” She yawned as she walked into the bathroom.

I walked in behind her and started the water in the shower. I climbed in and began to shower off the sweat of last night. I was alone for only a few seconds when she climbed into the shower with me. “Woah!” I said as I jumped away from her, not far mind you it was a shower. “I don't even know your name!” I exclaimed.

Obviously, she did not take me seriously “Glacier Mane, I know you keep to yourself but every pony knows every pony. I’m Serenade.” she spoke softly as she grabbed the soap and lathered it on.

Well that answered that question, but why was she in my shower, with me? “Hello Serenade.” I calmed myself down “I assume we fucked and didn't get into too much trouble.” I grabbed the soap from her and lathered myself up. She didn't say much just a nod and she stepped out of the shower. I hope I had not offended her. I finished my shower.

I walked out of the bathroom and found her sitting on my bed looking at some of my personal things. “So,” she began without looking at me “what does Mr.Glacier Mane do in the stable?” she said as I reached into a cabinet with my magic and pulled out a half empty bottle of bourbon.

“Well,” I sighed “nothing really, I am suppose to be a politic pony. The next in line for the Overstallion position in Stable 744.” I drank from the bottle and offered my new found friend a swig. She contemplated what I had said and she took a big swig. “Also I am an Alcoholic.” I finished the bottle.

“So your Stable Royalty with a drinking problem then huh?” she got up and walked towards the door of my bedroom.

I got up and put the bottle away and followed her into the great room of my quarters."Hey I do not have a drinking problem! I said as I sat down on a chair "If it was a problem I would be sitting at the bar right now, which by the way is not a terrible idea."

“Okay okay sure thing whatever you say. So tell me, where exactly do you fall into the whole stable royalty?” I sighed and walked up to her.

“It's a long story Serenade but the just of it is this: 300 and some years ago my my great great and so on grandfather was Glacier Rain Stable 744’s first Overstallion. Since then seven generations of my family have held that position.” I walked away and put my pip-buck on my foreleg. “Look don’t take this as me being too fast or anything. But are we like a couple or was this just a fuck and buck?”

She walked past me and kissed my cheek “I guess you will just have to find out huh?” She left and there I was, alone, in my great room.

My chair that I had chosen allowed me to rest the side of my head against the wall which eased the pain of last night in my head. My cheek burned where she had kissed me. I was still confused on what she meant, but it made me feel good actually. I turned my pip-buck’s radio on and tuned to the stable broadcast and listened to the announcements and same 14 songs that played on repeat all day.

June 4th, 2377 - 12:15 Hours

“Attention all residents of Stable 744, this is a news update coming live from the stables very own broadcast station… Where else would it be coming from? This is DJ Feedback with a special election news. A new pony has been officially added to the ballot. Stallion Glacier Mane has been officially added due to popularity amongst the stable ponies. Thats right ponies the choices are now Valence, Trotten, and Glacier Mane. As we all know Glacier Mane is the youngest member of the Glacier Family. Although he is a stable favorite we still have no idea what his views are or what platform he stands on. We do know that Valence runs on the platform of reestablishing Equis, and Trotten runs on the Bigotry platform, I’m sorry The Pure Stable Platform. Truly Glacier Mane is a wild card. More on this as the story develops. As a Reminder the Elections are on Wednesday June 8th in the Atrium. That is all for your Lunch time news, enjoy the rest of your day ponies and remember Hard Work Is Happy Work!”

My eyes widened, “Fuck Me!” I said as I walked into the kitchen. I had yet to leave my quarters and now I really did not want to. My pip-buck dinged with a notification, I looked down. It was a message telling me that now the broadcast station wanted an interview later today. “It shouldn’t be allowed to push a pony into the race this close to elections.” I breathed out. I ignored the message completely and grabbed bottle of bourbon I was not nearly drunk enough for this shit. I downed two shots before I got another notice this time it was my grandfather, Glacier Rain III, and he wanted to talk to me. Of course he did, his grandson was just thrown into a political race. I replied with a quick “OK, be there in five”

I walked, with my bourbon in a glass that floated next to me, to my grandfathers quarters. Thankfully the hall that I lived on along with my family was considered off limits to just any pony. So I wasn't stopped on my way to his door. I let myself in and found him at his table. He had a cigarette in his muzzle. His coat was a silver with a mane of greying blue hair. To be honest to look at him was almost to be looking at an aged version on myself, except he was not a unicorn.

“Hello grandfather.” I said as I approached him. I took a sip from my glass.

“Hello Mane.” he said “Politics finds you in your usual state I see, drunk.” he said glaring at my glass.

I sat it down on the table “Honestly Grandfather, I don't want to be Overstallion.” I walked away from him, floated a chair to the table he was sitting at and sat down in front of him.

“Too bad it's your bloodline. You have to be the next Overstallion.” He smoked his cigarette and blew smoke into the air.

“I said I don't want to be Overstallion!” This time I was firm, but it was to no avail. I grabbed my glass with my magic and went to take a sip, only to have my grandfather smack it out of the air with his hoof. The glass fell, clattering to the ground and finally shattering after it bounced.

“Celestia Damn It! Glacier Mane!” Do you not see that the Stable wants you to lead. Valence is a dumb shit who doesn't have any connection to politics just that he wants to be important and the same goes for Trotten. You can be a strong leader and you won't be alone I will help you be the best Overstallion possible!” I considered what he said, only after I considered licking the bourbon from the floor.

“I got a notification from the broadcast station they want an interview today” I said lifting my pip-buck to read the notification once more.

“Well schedule it now, you will run for Overstallion and you’ll win!” my grandfather exclaimed; obviously, he wanted this more than me.

“I don't know, grandfather, it's not what I want to do.” I still needed to consider this whole situation before making a decision.

“The hell you say!” my grandfather exploded. “What do you want to do Glacier Mane be a drunkard without power or a drunkard with all the power? For fuck sakes, you ignorant foal, Overstallions get the best booze. If that's not incentive enough to run, then I'll beat the idea into you myself. Now schedule your fucking interview, your ponies want to hear from you!”

I left my grandfather's convinced that I was going to run, just so he would shut up about it, well that and the free booze. I scheduled my interview for later that day. “Let's get this over with.” I said as I did so.The Broadcast Station responded almost immediately with a time. The words of my grandfather echoed in my head “…Your ponies want to hear from you!” I walked into my room and began to get ready. I needed a platform to stand on and I needed it quick.

June 4th, 2377 - 18:00 Hours

“Good evening to all the ponies of the best Stable, Stable 744. Its DJ Feedback here with your news. First things first. Food levels in the Stable are nominal and no need to worry about rationing. Same goes for water levels. The filter statuses are nominal and are working a peak performance. Let's see, hmmm, nothing else happening until the elections and speaking of elections I have with me the newest candidate, Mr. Glacier Mane, to discuss his political stances!”

I straightened myself in the chair. The microphone was positioned perfectly so that DJ Feedback and myself could speak comfortably.

“So Glacier Mane, welcome to the studio and thanks for taking the time to speak with me and the rest of the stable.” he said as he leaned back and let me acknowledge what he said. “Well, the first question I have to ask is what stance do you plan on running on? Considering the time of the elections is near it will have to be a good one to secure a win.”

He looked at me with anticipation and wonderment . “Well, as you know if I win the Overstallion position,” I fluffed my answer “I will be the eighth member of my family to hold that position. So It's a pretty big order to fill and, as many should know and perhaps remember, my family hasn't had a clear track record of where they fall when it comes to what policy they follow. So my family is a wildcard family, for instance my great great and so on Grandfather Glacier Rain was for the implementation of Equis. The next generation of my family to hold the office of Overstallion was Glacier Fire, he was the pony who stopped the implementation of Equis.” I took a breath and continued, “My grandfather Glacier Rain III, he focused on businesses in the Stable and brought to us the digital currency we all use. So when it comes to me and what my stance is I would have to say I want to run on the platform of implementing the Resident First Policy.”

DJ feedback looked at me with a dumb smile on his face, but he recovered. “That sounds great Glacier Mane, I assume it means the needs of the Residents are top priority?” He said as I nodded to let him know he was right. “Now not to be a downer but your opponents say that you cannot run the stable because you are an alcoholic. What do you have to say about that?"

I was taken back I clearly was not ready for this. I was in the race for only a few hours and trash was already being thrown at me. Thinking fast I retorted with, “Who doesn't like a drink now and then?”

I left the interview as fast as I could and wouldn’t you know it I had to push through crowds to get to the atrium. I was on my way to the tap house of course, but not to drink. I wanted to see Serenade and at least figure out what the hell was up with us. That would take some pressure off the fact I was blindly running a campaign. I turned the corner and was taken back when I saw Serenade waiting for me outside the tap house.

“Come on, let's go to your place.” She said as she pushed through the crowd. We walked as fast as we could to my quarters.

However, one mare was able to shout out, “Is she your mare friend Glacier Mane?”

Without missing a beat Serenade turned around and said, “Yes I am, so stop eye fucking him okay!” She turned back around and kept walking.

“Well, that answered that for me.” I said to her as we finally hit the private hall.

June 5th, 2377 - 01:20 Hours

“Look here honey, it'll be fine.” Serenade said as she unlocked the door to her quarters.

I sighed and kissed her goodnight and turned to walk away. It was quiet hours so I had to be as fast as I could without making a sound. I had made it back to the atrium when I noticed I had a follower. I could not make out who they were just that they were closing in fast. I made it to my door and noticed they followed me all the way to my door. Now they stood just five feet away.

“Um excuse me,” I said as I turned to meet them “What do you need?”

The pony like figure was dressed in what appeared to be black leather and spoke in a mechanical voice. “I am Delta 554 I am here to deliver a message from EQUIS.”

Now the pony had my attention. “A message from Equis?” I said confused.

The pony walked up to me unnaturally fast, “Drop out of the race and support Valence.”
Now I was really confused, however, putting two and two together I deduced that reestablishing EQUIS was a big deal to this pony. Look, I'm an alcoholic not an idiot.

“I'm not going to drop out of the race sorry.” I said assuring myself that this pony wasn't dangerous even if I was not 100% sure.

The pony held a blank stare, “Inadequate response, use of force authorized.” The pony grabbed me by the throat and pushed me into the wall. I could see that he was not a unicorn, so he couldn't use magic. I enveloped his hoof that he had on my throat with my magic only to feel like I was grasping nothing at all.

I couldn't move his hoof at all. He stared blankly at me and spoke, “Use of Force has been enacted. EQUIS will rise. Counter Magical retaliation.” He slammed me on the floor.

I was near blacking out, darkness seeped into my vision. I lifted my head up to try one last attempt to remove his hoof. When I did his other hoof met my horn and shattered it, slamming my head on the floor. The pain exploded in my head and darkness seeped into my vision even more. The pony leaned in “EQUIS is this stable’s purpose. Do not test us again. Message delivered, returning to homebase.” I blacked out, and drifted into a deep sleep.

I opened my eyes to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings. “Hello?” I said only to be met with silence. My surroundings looked like a book. Trees that were huge and snow, snow was everywhere. I could see what looked like a modest village in the distance. I did a quick turn around and saw a cave, it was lit with a few miner lamps. I felt like the cave was familiar, but I did not venture into the cave.

“Hello, Glacier Mane.” the voice made me jump.

I turned and saw a beautiful unicorn mare smiling at me. She was a light blue and had a stylized white mane with a pink stripe. “Oh dear, they broke your horn badly didn't they?” she said.

I reached up and touched my horn, well were it should have been, but it was gone. “Why did they do that to me? Who are you and where am I?" I spouted out the questions.

“Now I know you have questions but in due time, let me first say this my name is Star Charmer.” She smiled, walked over to me and draped her hoof over my shoulder. “And this is outside Stable 744 before the megaspells hit.” I was shocked it looked so beautiful but it couldn't be real. “No its not real Glacier Mane.” She said it like she was in head. “This is a memory, one of my memories. Now Glacier you have to wake up. You’re in the hall of the stable looking like a fucking idiot.” I shook my head and the scene around me started to fade except Star Charmer. She stayed next to me as it faded. “Listen to me, you need to win the election and open the stable. The ponies of Stable 744 need to have the choice to leave the stable and get away from EQUIS.” With that the scene around us was black as she left my side and started to walk into the abyss of darkness that now surrounded me. “Don’t worry Glacier Mane, we will talk again.” I woke up to find myself surrounded by Security ponies and Medical ponies. I was still in the hallway, just like she said and I looked like a fucking idiot.