Fallout: Equestria - Winding Rivers

Chapters

Prologue: Those Who Fail
Chapter 1: To Learn
Chapter 2: From the Past
Chapter 3: Are Doomed to Repeat It

Prologue: Those Who Fail

"Since when does Twilight Sparkle ever fail?"

oooOOOooo

“Ready, Twilight?” the host’s eyes opened to a large, white room. In the center sat a small metal chair, just as boring as its surroundings. A balcony ran the perimeter above, with doorways and a large, round window directly above.

The unicorn in the chair sighed, “I guess. Let’s try again.”

“Take 5!” shouted the host in her most obnoxious voice possible, making Twilight giggle slightly.

“Thanks, Sweetie Belle, I needed that,” a deep breath, and the Ministry Mare looked straight ahead and began her prepared speech.

“Welcome, fillies and gentlecolts, to your new home.

“Stable-Tech has worked hard, these last few years, preparing for the unthinkable,” she paused, her eyes glossing slightly, then continued, her voice catching a little at the first words, “If you are watching this, we have... lost the war… or worse… it doesn’t matter, I guess... but you are safe. This Stable was personally designed by yours truly, to protect ponykind and all of its knowledge.

“This is where you come in. You have been chosen for your desire to learn. Your skills at preservation. Your need for truth. Inside these tunnels, you will find copies of every book, recording, and memory orb I could get my hooves on. Every one is unedited and original,” her face darkened and she muttered something about Rarity, then regained her composure and continued, “your job is the safety and care of these documents.

“In addition, your foals will be taught through our patented Stable-Tech Educational Program, or S.T.E.P.: a series of memory orbs of myself, my friends, and many other experienced ponies, personally teaching subjects ranging from history, magic, modern technology, and more.

“Therefore, even if...”

There was a long silence, filled only with soft sobbing, before Sweetie Belle’s quiet voice asked, “Twilight? Do we need to try again?”

The purple pony shook her head slightly, “I can’t. No time. I have to get back to Maripony for a very important experiment. This has to be the last take.”

“Well,” the host said after another moment of silence, “that’s okay. I doubt anypony will even see this,” her voice had the feeling of forced cheer. They both knew the truth. ‘Unthinkable’ was merely a word, at this point. Still, she continued her pep-talk, “I’m sure before too long, we will be tearing this place apart, or turning it into a proper library! Or maybe a museum! Or both!”

Twilight smiled slightly, but it didn’t reach her tired, hopeless eyes, now wet with tears, “yeah, Sweetie. I’m sure we will. Soon, this will all be behind us.”

The memory blurred slightly as the host’s eyes grew wet, as well, “okay, let’s finish so you can get back to work. Sorry, to anypony who is watching this. Hopefully it’s just someone in a history class about the war.”

“Learning about how much we bucked up...” Twilight’s voice was barely noticeable, and there was another pause. She closed her eyes and put her hoof to her chest, taking a deep breath. She extended her leg as she let it out, then spoke again, “Where was I? Oh, right. S.T.E.P.

“Even if there are no living professionals in Equestria, you can rest assured your fillies and colts will get the best education ever.

“So, from everypony at Stable-Tech, the Ministries, the Princesses, my friends, and myself. From all of Equestria. Please keep our history and knowledge safe for future generations.

“Welcome to Stable 42.”

oooOOOooo

Chapter 1: To Learn

“Books! I read several on the subject.”

“Hello, students,” I strode into the classroom and looked over the new first years. Most looked nervous. No doubt, the older fillies and colts had told them stories of the first day of school. Sure, it made my job more difficult, but foals will be foals. Many of the stories were amusing, anyway. My favorite thus far was “the teacher will put you to sleep and steal your soul.”

Memory Lane: Soul Stealer. Had a nice ring to it.

“Welcome to your first day of school. I know you're all excited. You're all scared,” I suppressed a laugh as a few of the colts sat up straighter, trying to hide any fear, “but my job in this Stable is to teach and protect you. I've taught many of your brothers and sisters, even some of your parents. Most of them have turned out alright.” Those who didn't, weren't my fault. Mostly.

I moved to the large desk at the front of the room and rested my hoof on the machine sitting atop, “this, for those who don't know, is a Memory Recollector. It allows every one of you to watch a memory orb, even if you are an earth pony, like me. We will all be in the memory together, with me monitoring everything. If any of you have worries, I would just like to remind you,” I turned my flank to them and showed off my cutiemark – a milky white ball with a pale yellow starburst, “this is my special talent.”

By now, most of the students had calmed a little, “now, please put on the hats at each of your desks, and we will begin the introductory lesson.”

Little hooves picked up little metal hats and put them on little heads as the nervous looks reappeared. I walked around the room, making sure each foal had it strapped properly and all the wires leading back to the main machine were in working order. Without another word, I stood behind my desk and rested an orb labeled “TS Orient 1” into its little cradle on the machine. I set my own recollector on my head and closed my eyes. With a soft, magical hum, the other ponies in the room relaxed in their chairs, being drawn into the memory. I followed a moment later.

oooOOOooo

Darkness.

It was the students’ first time in a memory, so the memory introduced one sensation at a time. On my version, my Eyes Forward Sparkle showed the vitals of my students. I noted increased heart rates, but nothing unusual. I made mental and digital notes of each foal’s reactions as the memory progressed.

We were in a young earth pony filly sitting in a desk. A little strange, to the colts and unicorns, but better than alternatives. Fillies tended to react adversely to being in a colt.

The host’s hooves moved one at a time, slowly, getting the viewers used to the sensation of movement beyond their control. For a few more minutes, the memory consisted of this literal orientation.

“Hello, students,” a mare's soft voice quietly met the ears of the filly, “my name is Twilight Sparkle. Welcome to the Stable-Tech Education Program. You are currently viewing the memories of a filly your age, in order for consistent, accurate education through the ages. No matter the time or place, you will get proper education from experts to further all of ponykind and preserve our ways of life.”

The filly's eyes opened slowly, revealing a purple unicorn standing a few feet away in a plain, white room. The lighting was soft, pleasant on the eyes. Twilight smiled as she continued her speech, “I know being in a memory orb is often disorienting. I have done my fair share. Don’t worry about any reactions you may have, all are normal, and nothing can harm you while in a memory,” as she spoke, the host began walking around the room. She sped to a trot and then a gallop in a few laps around the room. I noted which students had physical reactions to this (surprisingly few, this year) and tagged them. Can’t have a young one walking around for real when in a memory.

“You have now become familiar with memory orbs. I hope the STEP program will serve you well, even in the event of an apocalypse. I look forward to teaching you in the next lesson.”

oooOOOooo

We all awoke and I looked out at the class. Most were calm, a few breathed heavily. Some of the unicorns and colts felt around to their returned parts and I smirked, “very good, everyone. That's all for today.

“I understand some of you had adverse reactions to the recollector. This is normal, and nothing to be ashamed of. You all did really well for your first time,” I noted the lack of any wet chairs. Thank Celestia, “you may go back to your quarters and recover from the experience. We will begin proper lessons with “Equestria History: The Founding of Equestria” with Miss Sparkle, tomorrow.”

Windigo. Fascinating creatures. I couldn't help but think how much they must have loved the war as I hung the life-sized cartoon figures from the walls for the next day's lesson. The students had left, and I had a few hours before I had to get to the next room for my second year class. I liked to decorate for lessons. It was relaxing, and a good distraction from the mundane of academia.

“How'd the first years do, Mem?” Straw Bale appeared in the doorway, “any wet themselves?”

I chuckled, “not this year, Straw. Thank Celestia.”

“Damn. I owe Gutter a round of drinks,” he grinned and watched me stretch on my hind legs to hang a plastic icicle from the ceiling with my mouth, “need any help?” he indicated his horn.

“Nah, this is the closest I get to exercise, and it's relaxing. Kind of like that 'yoga' stuff they did before the war.”

“Uh huh,” he nickered, “well, don't 'yoga' too hard. Wouldn't want you to pull something. I'm going to go check the kitchen and try out Bell Pepper's latest creation. See you at the canteen for drinks, tonight?”

“Sure, sure. Did I hear first rounds on you?”

“Only for Gutter Ball. Though, you might need one, so we'll see.”

A nod and he was gone, leaving me to hang decorations.

Windigo. Fed on disharmony and conflict. There was plenty of that a few centuries ago. Why weren't there any in the more recent history orbs? Twilight never mentioned them. Applejack never told how to fight them. Where had they gone in those thousand years? What of Discord? He would have loved the strife, as well. The Changeling Empire? Well, okay, that was understandable, they fed on love. Not much of that in war. I knew every story by heart, but it never quite added up. As if somepony had written recent history before ancient history.

I sighed and shrugged, looking over my work. I could chase this train of thought every day, but it never led anywhere useful. I had my orbs. I had my job. This Stable was built on education and preservation. If doubts crept in, Stable 42 would suffer. My speculation had to stay speculation. Right now, I had another class to prepare for.

The second years were more relaxed about the recollector, but far more rambunctious, in general. Five minutes into class, I had finally gotten them mostly herded into their seats.

“Welcome back, everypony. I hope you all had a good break from classes and are ready to jump right in. This year, we are starting with Wartime History and the Ministries. I have a very special treat for you, today, with Princess Celestia, herself, giving the first lesson,” I smiled as every eye widened. The Princesses had done a few of the orbs in the archive. I had no idea how they ever got time to do them, around their duties, but I had my theories. Mostly, they involved time travel.

No sooner had I uttered, “please put on your recollectors,” every student had eagerly done so. I smiled warmly and took my seat. “PC WT Hist” was placed into the unit, and we delved into the year’s lesson introduction.

oooOOOooo

Oh, how I always loved this part. The magnificence of the Princess, standing in the throne room of Canterlot Palace. Her colorful mane and tail billowing in a non-existent breeze. The soft, regal music playing in the background. The childrens’ heart monitors beeping in excitement. I wish I could get back the feeling of first seeing Celestia. I settled on vicariously enjoying my students’ reactions, every year.

“Good morning, my little ponies. Welcome to your first lesson on the Great War and the Ministries.

“Years ago, Equestria entered a great industrial expansion. This led to a need for fuel. Luckily for us, the zebras had plenty of coal, once our supplies depleted. We entered a trade agreement for gemstones. I gloss over this, as I know you have learned it in Pre-War Industrial History. If you were paying attention,” the Princess gave the most wonderful look I have ever seen. A perfect blend of compassion, expectation, and trust. I always felt sorry this lesson wasn’t sooner. Students always did better for a few weeks, after seeing that sunny, heartwarming smile.

“You also know of the conflict that arose about trade prices. This led to an increase in piracy in the zebra nations. It is still heavily debated how closely tied these pirates were to the Caesar, but, personally, I believe there was little relation.

“Regardless, a band of pirates kidnapped seventeen of our citizens, and the Wonderbolts flew to their rescue, at my command. Unfortunately, while all of those captured survived, four of the Wonderbolts did not,” Celestia paused, composing herself, before continuing, “furthermore, the mission ended up in zebra territory. Not only did this trespass increase tensions, despite my apologies, but increased Equestria’s suspicion of the Caesar’s involvement.

“After much debate amongst myself, my sister, and the nobles of Equestria, war was declared on the Zebra Empire. This decision was further reinforced after an infiltrator attacked Luna’s Academy in Littlehorn Valley,” another pause. This one longer. A few tears fell from Celestia’s face, and her voice shook almost imperceptibly when she spoke again, “it was then, I abdicated the throne. With the help of Director Goldenblood, my sister formed the Ministries with my student and her friends.

“The Ministry of Morale, headed by Pinkie Pie.

“The Ministry of Wartime Technology, with Applejack.

“Rarity’s Ministry of Image.

“Fluttershy’s Ministry of Peace.

“The Rainbow Dash Ministry of Awesome,” she rolled her eyes.

“And, of course, the Ministry of Arcane Science, or Ministry of Magic, led by my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

"Finally, there was the Office of Inter-Ministry Affairs, with Director Goldenblood managing relations between the six Ministries.

“Over the next few weeks, you will view memories of these events and others, to learn about and from them. Some stories will be from well-known ponies, others from those who have small parts in our story, and still others who few know exist, yet have played a large role. There will be some hard moments. Death. Suffering. Heartache. These are all parts of war.

“Please know, my little ponies, I am truly sorry. I never wanted any of this. We cannot change the past, however, we can only learn from it. Take these lessons to heart, so you never repeat the mistakes of your ancestors.

“And know I will do my best to always be here, keeping you all safe and sound.”

oooOOOooo

Four classes later and I slouched in a beanbag chair in the atrium, sipping a stiff drink and venting to Gutter and Straw, “I can't believe that filly. Tried to make a pass on me for good grades this year! First day, and she's already trying to bribe me. Usually we have at least one test before the bribes start.”

Gutter laughed, “not surprising, knowing her mother. Sunburst would lift her tail for any stallion who looks her way.”

“Pretty sure Sungleam has taken the innocence of every colt in her class,” I muttered, “Luna only knows who her filly's father would have been,” I smirked at the shock on their faces, “what, you didn't hear? She got pregnant over the break. Not sure there was a colt in this Stable who wasn't nervous. Only fifth year, and already pregnant. She didn't keep it, of course,” I shrugged, “I'll tell you one thing, starting the year with the 'sex education' orb is going to be fun,” that was one memory I would never forget. Judging by the looks on my friends faces, neither would they.

Straw gave me a grin, “at least those orbs shut down every bodily function, huh?

I rolled my eyes, “oh, Tartarus, yes. I would not want to clean that up,” I finished my drink and got up to get another, swaying a little, “though, it would be amusing, otherwise. You should see their faces when they come out of that little gem,” half way to the bar, I turned back, “oh, oh. Wait, hold that thought,” I got my drink and returned, “anyhoo, one year, I forgot to switch the orbs in time, from female to male. No smooth transition between memories. They all woke up. It was like pulling teeth to get them back in for the second half. The colts were traumatized from the filly orb, and the fillies were scared to get the colts' perspective. I almost had to get Anna in to use a sleep spell!”

My drinking buddies laughed and a calm silence fell a moment as we just drank.

“How's life in the kitchen?” Gutter asked after a moment.

Straw shrugged, “same ol’ same ol’. Bell made a new dish for tonight. She called it a 'chimicherry.' I suggested cherrychanga.”

I rubbed my chin, “chimicherry, cherrychanga, chimicherry, cherrychanga. What about chimicherrychanga?”

“That's a mouthful,” Gutter said, “call it what you want. I just want it to taste good. Last week's… what did you call it? The chupaqueso?” he shuddered, “it was just so. Cheesy.”

Straw sighed, “okay, so fried cheese wrapped in fried cheese may not have been the best idea.”

“Definitely,” I added, “I’m sure the maintenance crew wasn’t too happy about the toilet situation, either.”

“You try keeping the meals interesting three times a day. Your lessons come prepackaged, Memory, and each of us only sees them once,” (I added a “usually.”) “and Gutter, it's not like you have to constantly figure out new games to play.”

That made Gutter put his hoof to his chin in thought, and I shot a glance to Straw, “oh, no, Gutter Ball. Do not go down that road. Remember last time? When Rugby thought it would be a good idea to play baseball in here? I think every window and light in the atrium had to be replaced.”

He grinned, “what about archery, or competitive shooting?”

I facehoofed, “broken windows would be the least of our problems. Besides, we have no guns or even bows in here.”

He continued his thoughts, occasionally throwing out a new idea. We laughed and bantered until we were too drunk to talk. I stumbled my way to my quarters and flopped into bed. I'd be hung over in the morning, but it was nothing a Fixer and a shower wouldn't cure. Besides, running the recollector wasn't exactly brain surgery.

Oh. Right. Brain Surgery 101. That class was today for the seventh years. Well, okay, not technically Brain Surgery 101. Concepts of Neurolinguistics 101. Same basic idea. Brain Surgery was saved for the higher grades.

I staggered into the classroom after all my students. Bad start to the year, especially for teenagers. I heard the murmuring. I didn’t care.

“Uh. Hello, everypony. Welcome to another wonderful year of classes. I hope you all had a good break and are ready to get started on newro… neero…” I sighed and rubbed my temple, “yeah, sorry. Brain speech science.” Very bad start.

I sat at my desk and put the orb in the machine after triple checking the label, “This will be the first step in any learning involving memory magic, interactive AI, and brain surgery,” there we go. Half the class went wide-eyed. The tables were turned, “that’s right. You will learn brain surgery. Not today, not tomorrow, but you will learn it. You might even get a cutie mark in it. For now, however, we are simply learning about speech in the brain. As usual, put on your recollectors for the first lesson.”

Ouch. Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch. Going into a memory hung over is easy. It all fades away. Coming back, however, is the worst experience ever. The pain came back with a vengeance. Why did I never learn?

I took an aspirin and groaned, “well. Lesson over. On to your next classes. I’ve got ten minutes before my next one,” I need a nap. Maybe some Med-X. Yeah, that would work. I stumbled out of the room after my students. Put away the orb, get some painkillers, get to my next class. In ten minutes. Hungover. Why. Didn’t. I. Learn?

“Memory?” my pipbuck crackled, “Hey, Mem? You there?”

What now? I dropped my head and literally hit a button, “what? I’ve got the mother of all headaches and five minutes to get my next class ready.”

The Overmare’s voice was clear and recognizable now, “sorry, old man, but class is canceled, today. We’ve got something you need to see.”

Footnote: N/A

Chapter 2: From the Past

“What happened to you? The future must be awful.”

“Huh.”

A three foot by three foot panel had opened up in one of the maintenance halls. Inside sat what looked like a recollector combined with gold foil, connected to a pristine terminal.

“Yup,” Overmare Rand replied, “little Max found it between classes. Reported it straight to me.”

“I assume you called me since it’s a memory recollector?”

She nodded, “don’t worry, we have Anna right here to monitor your vitals, and fix you up if something breaks.”

We sat there a moment as I stared at the machine and they stared expectantly at me.

“Why are we talking so matter-of-fact about this? A strange panel opened in our Stable with a strange device and we’re just going to jump right in?”

“You are going to jump right in,” the Overmare replied.

Anna spoke up, “seriously, though. It is strange. Everything I’ve been taught tells me to wait until we have more information. We need to trace everything to find out why it’s here and what it will do to you. Yet, I want to run over and put that mesh on my head without a second thought. Like a jet addict with an inhaler.”

“You think it’s enchanted?” Rand asked after a moment.

“Want-it-need-it spell?” I replied, looking the machine over.

Anna nodded, “or a variant. A tuned down version, maybe.”

The Overmare snorted, “I can see Sparkle doing that. Doesn’t make me feel good about the situation. You still okay with this, Memory?”

I just sat on the floor and took the strange recollector into my hooves. As Anna said, it was a compulsion, “I really don’t like this,” my objections went unnoticed, even by myself, as I lowered the mesh onto my head.

oooOOOooo

Darkness was no stranger to me. Many memories began with closed eyes. This, however, was not simple darkness. This was nothingness. There were no sensations, no feelings. I had no body, no eyes, mouth, or ears. It was as if I was a disembodied soul, floating in the void of oblivion.

A few moments passed, before words appeared in my mind.

LOADING…

I would have sighed, if I could. Finally:

SUBJECT DETECTED.

CALIBRATING…

Oh, great. More waiting. Now I knew how my students felt when I passed out tests.

PIPBUCK DETECTED. LOADING DATA...

SUBJECT:

NAME: MEMORY LANE

GENDER: MALE

RACE: EARTH

S: 1

P: 5

E: 2

C: 3

I: 10

A: 2

L: 5

CALIBRATING APPEARANCE...

Then I could see. A stallion appeared before me, white as snow. His mane-style began to change, as if scrolling through options, before settling on one much like my own. It flowed through the colors, from blue up to red, before turning a burnt orange-brown.

I understood, now, as the coat became my off-white-grey one, and the physique of the body slimmed to my gaunt form. Finally, my cutiemark appeared on the flank. Most memories put the user inside the mind of another pony. This one was putting all of me in.

The brown eyes blinked a few times, then I was seeing from them. I lifted my leg, then the other. The area around me was just as empty, but here I was, in the computer.

DOWNLOADING MEMORIES...

Wait, what?

Images flooded around me, barraging me with events from my past. First day of class. Getting my cutiemark. My first kiss. Straw Bale bullying me as a kid. Us later becoming best friends. Last night’s drinking session. Sitting on the floor. Putting on a strange, gold mesh hat.

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE.

The world around me faded, and I was back in the Stable. Anna and Rand stood and removed the hat from my head.

“Well?” the Overmare asked.

“I...” my head tilted to the side as I thought, “it just took a copy of me. My body. My memories. Then I came back out.”

She sighed, “well, my drive to find out is gone, so that’s good. Don’t know what Twilight thought she would accomplish with this, but I’m done wondering. I’ll get a tech down here to pack this stuff away in the archive.”

Anna looked me over as the grumpy older mare trotted away to do paperwork or whatever it was she did all day, “everything seems good,” the nurse said, “heart rate normal, blood pressure high but not more than usual for you.”

“Yeah yeah. Blame Straw and Bell. They need to cut down on the salt.”

She nickered, “you need to cut down on the late night drinking sessions.”

I grumbled and cracked my neck, “I know. You try dealing with foals all day without drinking.”

There was a slight nuzzle on my cheek, making me blush, slightly, “I do deal with foals. Of all ages.”

Without another word, she trotted away, leaving me in the hallway with the computer. Rand might be fed up and not care about the old world, anymore, but I did. What had Twilight planned, with this hidden device? Maybe we were supposed to all download our minds? No, it would have opened sooner, for my parents, and their parents.

I put the recollector on top of the terminal and looked around. I couldn’t just leave it alone. A foal might try it. With a sigh, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Classes had already been canceled. I might as well take a nap.

A blaring alarm and flashing red lights woke me from a dreamless sleep. There wasn’t a drill planned, was there? I sprang to my feet, straining my ears to hear down the hall toward the better-traveled parts of the Stable. I could hear shouting and screaming.

The hall blurred past, turning into an atrium in chaos.

“What’s going on?” I shouted at nopony in particular.

My question was answered as four ponytron robots marched in from the entry room. Ministry of Morale logos emblazoned their flanks where cutie marks would be on real ponies. Without a word, they opened fire on my friends and family.

The ponies ducked and fell. They screamed and cried. I did the same, hiding behind a large support pillar. What was happening?

Was this my fault?

Maybe that computer had sent my information to the MoM. Had a memory it downloaded been incriminating to the Stable? That had to be it, the timing was too perfect. I didn’t know what, but something in my life had brought the full wrath of the government down on my home.

I stepped out from my hiding spot. If it was my fault, I would take the consequences, “it’s me you want!” The ponytrons stopped shooting and turned toward me. There was a tense moment of silence.

“Memory Lane,” one of them buzzed, “due to recently received files, you and this Stable have been deemed traitors. All seditious materials and ponies will be eliminated. How do you plea?”

Seditious? Oh, the unedited zebra texts. Right.

I sighed. They knew the truth. What could I do? I stood tall and looked them in the… face. They didn’t really have eyes. They barely had faces.

“Guilty,” I took a deep breath and a step forward. The ponies around me stared in wide-eyed horror as I stared down the mechanical abominations. None of them would do this. A century-and-a-half stuck in this place had left them disenfranchised and hopeless. Through courage or insanity, however, I still had hope, “I stand here by order of Twilight Sparkle,” my voice shook, but rose in volume, leveling out as my adrenaline overtook my fears, “we hold this Stable and all in it by order of the Ministry of Arcane Science. If you have a problem with that, you have a problem with the Ministry Mares. And I take offense to that.”

Oh Celestia, what was I doing?

Four pairs of guns leveled on me, and I closed my eyes, ready for the worst.

A hoof rested on my shoulder, and I looked back to see Anna, a grim but determined look on her face. On the my other side I noticed Straw Bale and Bell Pepper step up, as well. Soon, the whole Stable stood behind me, ready to do their duty to protect Equestria’s legacy.

“Keep our history and knowledge safe for future generations,” Twilight had said.

We intended to.

“Surrender,” the robot stated, emotionlessly, “and be destroyed.”

They opened fire, and we charged.

As my friends and family fought, I found myself face-to-face with the ponytron that had spoken. We stood as if in a stadium, the others in the room separated by an endless expanse. I knew this would be my death, but I had a duty. Most of the ponies born in Stable 42 felt they had no choice. They despised the job thrust upon them. But I knew I had a choice, now, more than ever.

I embraced it.

The Stable-Tech Arcane Targeting Spell saw little use in a Stable. It had been developed for military use, but Pipbucks were mass-produced, so they all got every feature. I knew just enough about SATS to be dangerous. Or so I hoped.

Time slowed to a crawl, not quite stopping, but giving me more than enough time to plan my attack. Ponytrons were machines. Like every machine, they could be hacked and reprogrammed. I just needed to get close enough. I grabbed a broken pipe from the floor and queued up an automatic attack. SATS took over and my muscles spasmed with small shocks from my Pipbuck, translating to a crude swing of my improvised weapon, toward the ponytron’s legs. Without the assistance, I knew I wouldn’t have hit, but Arcane Science was my friend, and the robot fell to the ground with a loud clang, giving me time to get behind it.

By the time I had a screwdriver out of my pocket and into my target’s neck, it had risen to its feet and turned toward me. I ducked the sweep of its guns and slipped back into SATS. My power bar was still less than a quarter full. Before exiting the magical time field, I took stock of my situation. Heavy metal pony inches from me. Shooting very large caliber bullets in a few seconds. I could try to sweep it again, without SATS, but I didn’t feel very confident in that. I certainly couldn’t hack it in time. Maybe disable it with a paradox? I doubted that would actually work, and would just make my last words really lame. I settled on my one option, as much as I didn’t like it.

Dropping out of SATS, I immediately jumped, clumsily wrapping my hooves around its neck and swinging awkwardly around toward its back. It took a moment for it to register what had happened, giving me time to jab my screwdriver into an access panel behind the head and pry it open. As soon as it had figured out what was going on, however, I was immediately bucked off to the ground.

A quick check showed SATS was charged. I could see the spinal wiring trunk clearly, just out of reach as the ponytron began to turn back toward me. I had one shot at this. The attack was queued and my improvised weapon jabbed through the air between us. The target was small, but I was still only a few feet from it. The pipe tore through the wiring, sending sparks into my face as the discharge blasted me backward, into the ground once more.

My enemy stood stock still a moment, smoking and whirring.

Beep.

Oh…

Beep.

Buck me...

Beep.

...with the Moon and Sun.

The robot self-destructed. Shrapnel tore through me and heat lashed at my mane and fur. I lay there, motionless, the battle raging around me as my friends fought the other three mechanical invaders. Every movement I made sent pain through my whole body. My Pipbuck warned of every conceivable medical issue.

SIMULATION COMPLETE.

oooOOOooo

My host walked down the mountains toward the desert, below. In the near distance, however, a ciff stood supporting a small military compound. Behind it, I could see the faint outline of Appleloosa on the horizon.

“Are we all set up?” the unmistakable voice of Twilight Sparkle came from my lips as she turned to glance at a young orange pegasus to her right.

“The subject is in stasis,” Scootaloo replied, “would you like to see, before we lock her away?”

Twilight cringed a bit at the phrasing, but nodded, “of course. I’m not saying I don’t trust you girls, obviously, I just… want to see her, again.”

The Crusader just nodded, silently, and they continued down the path, toward the barracks.

A few ponies milled around the base in uniform, but, this far south, on the border, the compound was more ceremonial, than anything. All the action was on the western front. Only minotaurs and cyclops gave problems, here.

They entered one of the warehouses and continued to the back. Nobody disturbed them or gave second glances. Everypony knew they were here on secret Ministry business, and asking was a good way to get in trouble.

Built into a stack of crates sat a hidden door. I didn’t notice it, at first, but Twilight tapped the box’s lock with her hoof and the front panel slid downward, revealing a dimly-lit flight of stairs. Down, they went. After a minute or two, they reached a small room at the bottom. All it contained was a computer, a medical ponytron, and a pony-sized, pill-shaped container.

“Everything okay, down here?” Scootaloo asked.

“Subject stable,” the robot replied, “Vitals are normal. Estimated maximum stasis period is five hundred years.”

Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes, “it had better not be that long. Even if things do go wrong, it should be about a century-and-a-half. But thank you,” she walked over and I felt the cold metal as she laid a hoof on the container, “don’t worry,” she muttered, “you will be fine. I’m leaving you in Scootaloo’s care. I know I promised your mother...” she shook her head, “I’m sorry. At least I can do this.”

The Ministry Mare turned and walked away, and the memory faded.

oooOOOooo

A feeling of deja-vu overtook me as I looked through the eyes of Sweetie Belle at Twilight Sparkle sitting in the Stable 42 atrium, but this wasn’t the introductory memory.

Twilight’s face was hard and emotionless as she spoke, her voice seeming to carry across the decades, even more so than a normal recording.

“Hello, resident of Stable 42. If you are seeing this, you have completed the test. With luck, it has only been about one-hundred-fifty years after the Stable has been locked. It’s now time for you to leave.

“While, depending on the state of Equestria when you view this, your friends and family may stay behind to continue their task of protecting our history, you must leave your home, no matter how bad it is, outside.

“Project Infinity is in your hooves, now. While I cannot tell you everything, you must find the subject of the previous memory, she will guide you.

“If you believe in such, you are fated to change Equestria. Like my friends and me before, you will do great things, and save many lives.

“Unlike us, I hope it stays that way.

“Good luck.”

oooOOOooo

Okay. I was waking up for real, this time. The head-splitting hangover I had otherwise forgotten made sure I knew that.

“Well?” Overmare Rand immediately asked in her testy tone.

“Ugh.”

Anna handed me a pill and I swallowed greedily, immediately feeling a bit of relief.

“It was...” I shook my head to clear it, “a test. It analyzed me, tricked me, tested me, then...”

“Did you pass?” Rand asked.

I nodded. My hesitation was apparent, and they both grew a touch worried.

“But…?” Anna guessed.

With a sigh, I sat up straight and put the hat on its terminal, “in passing the test, I seem to have been chosen for a task,” I phrased, carefully, “to go outside.”

Their eyes went wide, “you can’t be serious.”

“That’s what Twilight, herself, said. No matter what, I have to go. Just me, you can stay or not, it’s up to you.”

Silence.

“Who is she to tell you,” Rand said after a moment, “after all this time, with her dead and gone,” she was starting to get worked up, but I spoke up.

“It’s fine.”

“Fine? Fine?! Even if you are okay with leaving,” she was nearly shouting now, and my headache, though better, was really not appreciating it, “who will take your place? You are the best teacher we have! I won’t allow it!”

I held my head and groaned, “I don’t think it’s an incredibly pressing matter,” I lied, “let’s sit on it for a couple days, then talk it over. That calmed her, a bit, and she stalked off toward her office, probably to throw darts at the picture of Twilight she had in there.

Anna looked me right in the eyes, tears starting to well up, “you’re not going to wait,” she murmured, “I know that look. It’s your ‘I’m going to do something stupid’ look. Like when we sneaked to the maintenance levels in ninth year.”

I hung my head a bit, unable to match her gaze, “you know Twilight as well as any of us. Rand knows too, even if she gets angry and refuses to acknowledge it,” she lifted my chin in a hoof to see the few tears in my eyes, as well, “if the Minister of Magic has a plan, it needs to be done. There’s something bigger here. Bigger than you. Bigger than me. Bigger than the whole Stable. I truly believe she cared about protecting these memories, books, everything, but what I just saw...” I shook my head, slightly, “there’s something else. This Stable has another purpose. That purpose has been put on my shoulders.”

“Why yours?” she pleaded, quietly.

“I’m not sure. Chance? Fate? Either way, that test was meant to make sure I was able and willing to hold this weight. A large part of me wants to go back to class tomorrow like nothing ever happened. I know, though, I can’t. I can’t just sit back while something bigger flies by. I’ve seen everything there is to offer through the memories of others. Every day I live other ponies’ lives, then end the day sitting in a gray room with an empty bottle and emptier life. Now I can live it for real. The rush I felt during that test was like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. I want to feel it again and again. I want to make a difference, like the Ministry Mares, or the Marauders, or the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I want to uncover the mysteries that have bugged me my whole life.

“I can’t do any of that here, and now, I have another option.”

We sat there in silence, looking into each others eyes. A part of me wanted so desperately for her to beg me to let her go too, but I knew she wouldn’t. She was comfortable here, and felt the fulfillment I had never known. So, we just sat there, silently saying our goodbyes, neither able to say another word. Finally, she embraced me, and we both sat a long while and sobbed.

I stood there, staring at the huge steel door that sealed Stable 42 away from the world outside. It was quiet, as I stood there, alone. Nopony had seen me get up in middle of the night and slip down the halls. When they awoke, a note scrawled neatly on the chalk board of classroom 1 would tell them all where I went. Until then, I was a ghost. Neither here nor gone.

I stood at the controls, entering the passcode we all knew: Smarty Pants.

“Memory?”

Oh no. I turned slowly toward the hallway to see Overmare Rand looking sorrowfully up at me.

“Memory. You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, I do. We both know it. I’ll be back.”

She shook her head, “I can’t promise you that, and nor can you.”

For a moment, I stood there. I knew she was right. I might die. If I came home, they might not know to open the door.

I had my choice to make, one last time. In the simulation, it was life or death. Here, it wasn’t so immediate.

“I’m sorry, Random,” I turned my head back to the controls. Without another word, I slapped the button with my hoof.

A large arm swung down as the bolts holding the door slide to the side. Slowly, the gear-shaped door rolled to the side with a loud clang and hiss. The tunnel beyond beckoned me forward, and I obliged. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Overmare step up to the controls to close the door behind me, leaving me in the dark cave, outside.

A click of a button turned my Pipbuck’s lamp on, illuminating the passage with its eerie green glow.

“42” read the door behind me as it shut. In front was a wooden door, a few hundred feet forward. I took a deep breath and trotted toward it.

Footnote:

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[Finished - Exit the Stable]

Chapter 3: Are Doomed to Repeat It

“What makes you think you're so special?! Like the rules of common courtesy don't apply to you?! Why don't you pick on somepony your own size!”

It was dark. Honestly, that kind of surprised me, even though my Pipbuck said it was late night. After a century-and-a-half, I figured something would have slipped a cog, and our clocks would be wrong. I also got a bit of disappointment when I looked up at the sky. Instead of stars and Luna’s moon, all I could see were clouds, as far as the eye could see. A faint drizzle coated everything, including me, after just a few minutes.

As I stood on the cliff, midway up one of the Macintosh Hills (“hill” was a bit of an understatement, in my opinion), I was saddened at the view before me. Just that morning, I had had this exact view from a memory. Now, here I was, with the ruins of Appleloosa barely visible on the horizon, the scorched gray buildings blending in to the bleak, dreary surroundings. Closer, I could see the old military base, a few miles away, and the torn-up path down to it, rising back to the low plateau the base rested on.

With a sigh, I started down, picking carefully around rocks, concrete, and thin, thorny bushes. My laden saddle bags rocked heavily against my flank, and my Pipbuck cast a dim green light ahead of me. After a few minutes of walking, I decided to experiment as I went. A soft click, followed by static signaled my Pipbuck’s radio turning on. I flipped between stations, not really expecting to find anything in this barren waste.

“Heeelloooo, chiiildren! This is DJ PON3! Your voice in the Wasteland!”

I tripped and fell to my face. Another voice! There was somepony out there with a transmitter! Doing a radio show, no less! As my brain refocused, I took stock of what I had just heard. DJ PON3. That name sounded familiar, though I couldn’t place where. I’m sure it was a footnote in a lesson, or something. It would probably strike me in an hour or two, after the moment had passed.

“How are all my little ponies out there, this fine evening?” he laughed, half-heartedly, “well, fine by Wasteland standards, anyway. I’m doing just peachy, myself. There’s very little news, tonight, and you all know the saying: no news is good news!” he laughed again, “we do, however, have one small piece of news. It seems there is an unusually high amount of raider activity on the southern borders, south of Appleloosa, into northern Caledonia. My sources can’t say for sure what’s going on, but they seemed better armed and more organized, than usual. So if, for some strange reason, you find yourself down south, be careful. And now I grace you with an old Sweetie Belle classic.”

Well that was… strangely relevant. As the song started, I analyzed the situation. Raiders? I knew the word, of course, but couldn’t figure out the meaning in this context. Maybe the zebras were still attacking Equestrian cities, after all this time. I’d have to keep watch for that. Maybe I could find one of those towns to rest in for the night.

The faint glow an hour later was a welcome sight. Assuming it wasn’t a zebra camp, it had to be a town. My map was unhelpful in this regard, giving me no icons, save “Stable 42” behind me.

I approached cautiously, until I saw the ponies around the campfire, and no zebras. My EFS showed them all as green, non-hostile. I stepped into the clearing and waved, “hello, every-” I found four guns shoved into my face before I could finish.

“Well, well well, what do we have here?” a pure-red unicorn said with a smirk. Closer up, and in the glow of his red magic, I could see he wore thick armor that looked like hide, adorned in metal spikes. Now that I looked, they all wore similar get-ups. One by one, they changed to red on my EFS.

“He’s kinda skinny, but looks healthy enough,” a pony who looked like nothing but a silhouette said, “think that new guy up in Filly would like him?”

“Worth a shot,” red replied, “though, he might not make it that far. Small loss, I guess,” he pressed his face close to mine, “good Goddesses, he’s got all his teeth, even. Looks clean as a whistle, too.”

An earth pony with a gun in him mouth spat it out and started toward my saddle bags, “let’s see what he has here.”

I started to back away, but bumped into the fourth pony and felt his shotgun press against the back of my head, “where do you think you’re going, you’re ours, now,” he chuckled.

The scream made everyone freeze. My blood ran cold as ice. My attackers looked between each other, then to the outskirts of the camp. Another scream answered from the opposite side, then another from the north, much closer. A faint green glow appeared over a nearby hill, and the red unicorn actually relaxed, a bit.

“Just a radiation storm, you pussies,” he said, “must have been the wind howling through the canyons. Get him chained up and get to bed. I want to make Appleloosa tomorrow.”

I soon found myself with chains on my legs, binding me to a tent post at the edge of the camp. I watched as the dark sky started to glow a faint green. An occasional flash could be seen to the west, accompanied by a rumble of thunder and a click of my Pipbuck’s Geiger counter. Radiation storm. It was all I feared it would be, as a trickle of acid raid began to fall around me, burning my coat and forcing me to hunker as close to the tent as I could. Flashes of high-radiation discharges made the clicking increase, slowly tapering until another flew across the sky like an angry Windigo. The green tinge to the sky only made the whole ordeal more depressing. I found myself wondering if things could get worse.

Then came the screams, again. An unearthly scream, as if the storm itself were wailing from the pain it caused. The glow brightened to the north, and a new red marker appeared on my EFS. Then another. And another. From all sides. Half-a-dozen new hostiles were approaching the camp. Before long, I could see the northernmost one.

It was kind of hard not to, as it glowed brighter than the raging storm. It looked like a pony, but its flesh was exposed and wrinkled, its mouth hanging agape in an endless wail. The abomination charged down the hill, rousing my captors to groggily grab their guns and look around in confusion. Once they saw the newcomer, however, they balked.

“Ghouls!” I heard one shout, “everypony run! Leave the prisoner, we have to get out of here!” the four of them started south, only to be met with another two zombies, though not glowing, charging toward them. Another two pairs closed in from the east and west.

I struggled against my chains to no avail. Looking down, I couldn’t help but wonder if I could pick them, especially with all the commotion around. I dropped into SATS and queued up a- Oh. Right. They took my saddlebags. I looked around. My Pipbuck told me these zombies were “ghouls,” except for the glowing one, which was called, well, a “glowing one.” Original. My captors were listed as “slavers.” Go figure. Right now, the chains were my main concern. I couldn’t pick them. I couldn’t break them. It was like the simulation: not enough tools for the job. I had to think differently.

The tent. Of course. As was everything in this camp (except the chains, which were surprisingly well-maintained, go figure), the tent I was chained to was old and worn. The wooden post was no bigger around than my leg, and half-rotten. I wasn’t the strongest of stallions, but I gave it a few swift kicks, anyway. I was rewarded with a crack as my hooves, though still tied together, were at least free of the camp.

Only to be pounced by a ghoul. Thankfully, not the glowing one, but this one was bad enough, as its teeth snapped at my throat and I pushed it away. It was unusually strong, and my rad meter clicked faster than ever from its ambient radiation. I started SATS, again, queuing up an attack on its head. I felt my foreleg punch automatically. It didn’t do much, but send the creature reeling enough for me to crawl free. A quick look around showed the slavers fairing no better.

Red was blasting away at the glowing ghoul, his buckshot mostly melting before it reached the monster. Two ghouls were snacking on a fallen earth pony, and the other two ponies sprayed their bullets wildly at the remaining monsters. The fallen pony was about a hundred feet from me, and his crude rifle rested beside him. It seemed my only chance, so I crawled toward him. The ravenous ghouls took little notice of me, being too busy with their meal, until my hoof was rested on the gun. The soft “click” of my chains on the weapon made them both turn their heads and scream.

SATS opened again and a bullet flew, punching clean through the closest skull, as the other two charged from either side. I rolled clumsily to the side, my chains tangling and jingling. My spell matrix couldn’t charge fast enough as I scrambled backward. I smacked the snapping jaws away with the butt of the gun, barely keeping them off of me.

My back hit something and I turned to find the red unicorn’s body, the glowing ghoul looming over it and me. I swore loudly and blinked into my compressed time spell, again. What did I have to work with, this time? 50% SATS charge. This crude pipe rifle, a beat-up shotgun, and…

I did a double-take as my eyes swept over red’s body. In his front pocket was a rainbow-colored inhaler. I recognized it from my classes – Dash. I’d never done drugs, before. I knew what it did to a pony. I also knew what these ghouls would do to this pony. A small chance of dying was much better than being eaten by ghouls.

The inventory spell built into my Pipbuck snatched up the inhaler and I took a large puff. Real life felt like SATS and I felt…

AWESOME.

I could do this! 50% SATS charge was more than enough. Red’s shotgun replaced the pipe rifle in my mouth and a thunderous crack sent the green ghoul sprawling. I turned and returned to the piece of junk, sending a flurry of non-assisted bullets into the approaching attackers. Most missed, but enough hit to slow them.

Crawling to my feet, I hobbled backward, alternating between the two guns, reloading and firing, not stopping to let them get close enough. Around and around the camp we went. The tents made adequate cover from the mindless ponies, allowing me to keep distance from them. One by one, the ghouls fell, until all that was left was the glowing one, staring blankly at me from across the smoking remains of the campfire.

The acid rain and radiation were taking their toll on me, but only seemed to make this beast stronger. I panted and shook as the Dash wore off. Only two shotgun shells were left, two slugs. I had to make them count, but my legs felt weak, my eyelids heavy. “Mild Rad Poisoning” appeared in the corner of my EFS. Less than a day, and I was going to die.

I closed my eyes, ready to give up.

No.

I saw Anna’s tears as I told her I was leaving. The pain in Random’s face as she closed the Stable door. Twilight’s tears as she made a promise to a frozen mare. The words she spoke to me across time:

“You will do great things,”

I rose to my hooves.

“and save many lives.”

The shotgun rose.

“Project Infinity is in your hooves.”

I had a mission. A purpose. I couldn’t fail. The ghoul charged with a ghastly wail. Lightning and thunder crashed around us as I met it head-on. Two shotgun blasts rang through the camp as the barrels plunged into the monster’s open mouth. With a final, pitiful screech, it slumped. I followed suit.

As I lay there, the green began to fade, and the rain lessened to a faint, non-poisonous trickle. I sat up and watched as the faint orange glow of sunrise lit the gray clouds. Turning, I saw a faint rainbow to the west, and couldn’t help but smile. I was alive. Highly-irradiated, burned, and locked in chains, but alive.

Slowly, I rose back to my hooves and over to a tent. Somewhere in this camp were my saddlebags, and a few packs of radaway in them. I searched the whole camp, even after finding the tangy orange drinks, and came out a little ahead on supplies, even after healing my burns and poisoning. By early afternoon, I was on my way again.

Needless to say, I was much more careful as I approached the military base. It looked abandoned, but I had already encountered slavers and zombies, so paranoia felt justified. My mind went back to that memory. West warehouse, back corner. I looked around. Only a few buildings still stood. Luckily, the one I needed still looked strong and sturdy, so I trotted up and put all my weight into the large doors.

The inside looked exactly as it had in the memory. Crates stacked to the ceiling, marked with everything from “rations” to “ammunition.” I noted one stack marked “Danger – Starmetal” and took note to look again later. The place was abandoned, so why shouldn’t I have a poke around.

First came the mission. I found my way to the back of the gigantic building. The unmarked crate stood as it had for over a hundred years, and I touched the lock. A loud groan indicated it hadn’t opened in nearly as long, and I descended the stairs into darkness, the light from my Pipbuck the only illumination I had.

“Halt,” the medical ponytron stood before me, rusty, but functioning, “this is a restricted area. State your name and business.”

I hesitated, but answered after a moment, “Memory Lane… here by order of Twilight Sparkle?”

It just looked at me, “Memory Lane. Authorization not found. Please vacate these premises and report to the nearest Ministry of Morale agent for memory modification.”

“Wait,” I stammered, “I’m from Stable 42. Twilight told me to come down here!”

Its gaze swept over me again. There was a long, awkward pause, “Stable-Tech uniform identified. Stable 42 resident. Welcome. Subject is stable. Please Stand by for dehibernation procedures.”

I wasn’t entirely sure “dehibernation” was a word, but I did as I was told and waited as the pod at the back of the room began to glow brighter and hiss with steam. Minutes passed slowly as I sat. Eventually, the stasis chamber rotated up and I stepped forward. With one final hiss, the lid cracked open and I gazed inside.

A young unicorn mare lay curled up inside the padded container. Her coat was paler than mine, with a slight yellow tinge, and the two-tone violet mane and tail contrasted starkly. A blue web sat on her flank as a cutie mark, meaningless to me.

She opened her eyes and gasped for air. The ponytron stepped up beside me and spoke, “greetings, Starshatter. It has been one hundred fifty five years since induced hibernation.”

Her eyes grew wide, and she curled up tighter. Her horn glowed a pale blue. She looked around and seemed to calm. When she spoke, her voice was raw and harsh, “the world is gone, isn’t it?”

All I could do was nod.

She met my gaze and I saw the blue in her eyes seeming to dance with her magic, “we need to leave. They’re coming.”

Footnote: Level Up

New Perk Added: Egghead Rage - Fluttershy. Is. ANGRY! When your Health drops below 20%, time slows and you gain +20 Damage resistance and do 20% more damage while the effect lasts.