Fallout Equestria: Mountain Mystery.

The four of us walk under the afternoon sun as we walk back to the new Antler. I look back at the dying forest. I felt my heart sink from the fact I had to allow my adopted child to die. I took a deep breath as the others stopped and waited for me.

“I am sorry. I had to remove the memory Smoke Pipe. It was the only way to stop you from going on a killing spree to get our child out of there.”

I turn my head to look at the ghoul mare. I am starting to see why our love didn’t last. I do feel love for her still. Just I wish she would have been truthful to me. I can understand why she wasn’t truthful to me.

“Root, Blossom can you go ahead, please?”

Root and Blossom look at each other. They didn’t argue and went on ahead of us. I watch them leave to head back into the forest to get to the new town of the moose. I turn my head back to Bumble Bee. I didn’t want to lose my temper with her. I took a deep breath feeling my lungs fill and I empty my lungs with the air of my decaying lungs.

“Bumble you could have at least been truthful to me. I understand you think I would have gone crazy and harmed the ones doing this to our power adopted child. Just I would have never killed anyone. I just would have tried to make a deal to get him out.”

Bumble sighs looking away from me and sitting down on the dry ground. While it dies I watch while the field dies as well. I am hoping that the forest leading to the new city doesn’t die as well but as it stops I look back at the dead forest as the wind slowly blows a bunch of dead spores and dust fly all over.

“We know if he would have died this would have happened. We felt we could turn him into a weapon then he fused himself with the forest and look at this. With him dead that forest is now dead.”

While we sit there we watch animals like birds and many other creatures slowly walk and fly over us as they head to the living forest looking for a home and food. I felt bad that many lost their homes.

“Sometimes the world must heal on its own. That forest will heal but it will take time Bumble. The war changed ponies so much that a lot of them forgot what friendship was. Even you forgot what that was. You were so focused with the blue hats that you and they made weapons to fight the zebras but harmed the zebras of this loving land.”

Bumble leans into me. I didn’t know what to think after that. I felt my hate and anger for the mare drift away. It’s been so long since I felt her close to me. I remember it well and I wish I could have had her as my wife. I wish I could remember
“There are times I wish I never signed up for the Blue hats. I feel I had to protect this loving land. But look we killed most of this land. We even forced a poison into the soil thinking oh if the zebras win this land they would never be able to grow anything. Now look zebras are honored heavily in this land and are heavily protected because of the gardens.”

I nod lifting the orb into my magic staring at it. I wanted to put it to my horn to see what I would find in this memory orb. I sigh putting it back into my coat standing on my hooves helping Bumble on her hooves.

“We have to tell the leadership of Antler the truth. You do know this correct?”

Bumble sighs looking away.

“If we do are you sure they won’t try to harm me for being part of what happened to our adoptive son?’

I look back to the dead forest. The decay of the trees brought a smell of deadwood. It would take many years for the forest to grow back. It might never grow back and the damage will never be fixed again. Before we leave the entire sky rumbles and rain comes down from the sky drenching me and Bumble.

I took a deep breath into my decaying lungs. Blowing out air from my lungs. I feel stress in my decaying body. I don’t know why I haven’t felt this bad in years. I have a feeling it could be because of being near my former wife.

“Come let’s get back.”

She nods and the two of us walk away from the dead land. I turn my head to look back at the dead forest. I didn’t get a chance to bury our son. I am hoping through the decay of his body will feed the soil. Dragons’ blood and scales tend to be good for nature. Just it’s too much to hope.

When the two of us get to the gates of new Antler Root and Blossom are speaking to one of the leaders of Antler about what they say and happened.

“It turns out that the creature was never evil. It just couldn’t control what powers it had and then he was a dragon. It seems he was forced to become this way to fight the zebras. Of course, it backfired like almost everything for the war does.”

The moose turns her head to look at me and Bumble. When she sees Bumble her ears pin to the back of her head. I have a feeling that she knows Bumble from past stories about her. Then she looks at me a smile forms on her face.

“I thank you for what you did.. Just it seems it caused more problems than helped. Our old home and the land back there are now dead. From what Root told me at least for now since some strange magic went into the ground.”

Strange magic going into the ground. I look back at the forest I could see through the trees. I wonder what is going on over there. I turn back to the leader I could never get her name. Now that I am sure ponies helped the citizens of Antler they might be more respectful to them.

“The other leaders will want to speak with you Detective. The guards will give your three friends our best. I can’t promise it will be a quick talk. The other leaders aren’t exactly in a good mood after what they saw happen.”

I look at my friends who are surrounded by guards. Of course, they didn’t have weapons on them this time. Root looks at me with a very worried look in her eyes. I just give her a smile trying to be my way to say it’s okay. Bumble and the others are taken by the guards to a place for them to be.

“They will be fine. After you helped us we will be helping the ponies of our city. Just some rather have them all kicked out. Don’t make me agree with them Smoke Pipe so please come along and explain why to everything.”

I sigh and follow the moose through the city. I turn to see the ponies finally get the treatment from the sickness that has been spreading in the pony area of Antler. Just it’s amazing to me that a pony helps them and they finally help the ponies from being sick. I can’t say I blame them though these ponies to them have invaded their land for many years.

“I guess your kind finally had the heart and guts to do something.”

I knew those words would anger this female moose. She turns to me right on the spot. I have never seen such anger in anyone’s eyes before. I just stood there like really not caring what I just said. I have been around for so long now that I no longer give a shit about the feelings about creatures that tend to look down on others.

“I for one wanted to do something for years detective that is a harsh low blow but..”

She takes a deep breath and relaxes her anger.

“You aren’t wrong really. Many of my species and the deer don’t trust ponies because of the war. Of course, they allow zebras all over the place. They had a hoof in the war as well. But some feel ponies are the bigger of the sin.”

She is correct every creature that took part in the war is part of that sin. Even if the zebra took part in it and the ponies. Not all zebra and ponies are part of that sin. The idea that one race is the cause for every problem in the world is not how life works. Ponies didn’t start the war zebras did but the rich wanted more and more and more. It’s why this land broke off from the rest. I took a deep breath unsure what to think after all this.

“Look I am sorry for the words I said. You have to understand how it looks to me. I have helped your species for many years. I am always welcomed around here even though I am a pony. Just the stuff I see makes me think you don’t care about moving on from the past.”

The moose just stares down at me and she shook her head to try to keep herself from losing her temper again. I think I struck a few nerves just from my words. I walk into the meeting hall all the leaders are there. Of course, the one leading me sits in her spot.

“Smoke Pipe you have known all our grandmothers and grandfathers. For that, you’re always welcomed here. But this is a big matter to which most will not agree. I am sorry for what you have seen as of late when coming back here after so many years. For now, though there is something I wish to ask. What do you know of the creature that lived in old Antler?”

I don’t remember much about the creature that lived. I took off my coat and then my hat sitting in an old chair that I sat in before when I was asked to come to these meetings. I didn’t know how to start it.

“Well allow me to start this way. A lot of my memories have been removed from me. I have been finding random memory orbs that hold memories that I was forced to forget many years ago. Going through old Antler I learned that the creature was a former dragon that my former wife and I adopted many years ago.”

I shift a bit a little worried they might blame me for this. So I go on.

“My former wife and many other ponies. Even some citizens of Antler helped Dr. Slice and his wife. From what I was able to learn the ponies wanted to turn him into a weapon. But the citizens of Antler wanted him to be a creation to enforce the magic of the woods. Of course, I didn’t learn that but it felt that way. I am wondering if many knew that even before the war the forest was growing old and sick.”

One of the female deer. A doe that is pretty young for a leader. She looks like she just hit that age stood up from her chair.

“If that is true then what the moose and others of old said was right all along. That our interference with the magic of old Antler is the reason that it slowly decayed and died. It’s why we did a better job at taking care of the magic in new Antler.”

The other older leaders stare at the doe and she sits down slowly. I have a feeling the new minds are very heavily controlled by the older minds. It wouldn’t surprise me ponies kind of did the same thing back during the war.
“Now that this is all taken care of. I need a request from you. I am sure you don’t know what is going on outside our land. Just we have invaders from the outside. They went to Sher and they murdered one of the zebras.”

The moose stay silent to listen more to what I have to say. I could tell the deer wanted to speak but the moose tend to stare at the deer to keep them from speaking. The deer are more open to express their minds and the moose dislike when others express their minds out of turn.

“But that is not the worst of it. Since the Enclave really can’t fly here that well. But the thing is they want to take over this land. They don’t know the shortcuts and they don’t understand the best way to get to areas. Buffalo is in the middle and they’re coming to take it over. I came here to find a way to the base of the Blue hast and to get weapons. I found nothing at the moment and I got a few months before they come. So do you believe you could give us some troops and weapons to help fight them off?”

The moose and deer turn to look at each other. I shift in the old chair sighing. I know the moose normally don’t even help ponies. But we are all part of the same land. If we ever fail to protect each other we will fail to do so.

“Look I don’t expect you to just do this. I understand your species enjoy being away from others. But think about it. If we lose the battle at Buffalo they will spread out and find your home. You could do a lot to fight them. But they have heavier weapons than you and they might have more to take you on.”

The room went silent for a moment. I didn’t know what to say for a while I just felt I said my peace before I ask them about the blue hats bunker to find the weapon that I need to find and hopefully I need the rest of the orbs.

“Detective we will talk to the others. If they learned what is about to happen then we can get our army there. Thankfully you said it would be in a few months. Just getting through the other towns won’t be that easy for them. But I worry about the zebras and ponies they hurt along the way.”

I glance at the female moose nodding to her. I took a deep breath now it’s time for that question. I am sure they have seen the bunker or heard of it. I close my eyes and opening them everything turning black and white for some reason. Is this how it is in my head? I wonder if I do ask them about the bunker. I think it is a good idea to tell them.

“One last thing you have had records going back to many years. Have you ever seen a bunker in these mountains that the blue hats created years ago? We are searching for a weapon that could take on the Enclave.”

They look at each other and the female Moose is the one to speak again. She tends to be the one to speak the most maybe because she can answer this.
“There is a bunker in sheetrock hights. No one has ever been in it. We refuse to do anything with the blue hats. The fact they even were allowed to build tunnels in our town of Antler anger a lot of the older souls of this town. We kept them though just in case we ever got invaded by ponies or something worse.”

I got out of the chair and got my answer. I put on my coat and my hat. Pulling out my pipe to smoke it since I never had them get angry at me for doing so before.

“Do you have anyone that could get me and my friends there?”

The moose and deer look at each other.

“We do but after this is said and done. We will want to talk with your former wife. It may be best to take her Smoke Pipe but after this battle in your town is over. We will talk with her you have no issue with this?”

I shrug my shoulders.

“She took my memories from me. She helped turn our adopted son into a weapon that destroyed old Antler. I could care less what you do. I am sure sooner or later I will forgive her. But I can’t for now.”

They all nod and leave the meeting hall the one left here is the moose I talked with before we came here. I have a feeling that I know her she walks up to me. I look up to her and I see her eyes her gentle eyes.

“I want to thank you before you leave Smoke Pipe. I want to thank you for raising me like you did Diamond and the others.”

I tilt my head and finally remember. She is one of the little ones I adopted many years ago. I remember when the detective market was slow. I helped raised little ones that lost their parents either from war or radiation that caused problems in the mountains.

“Diamond would be happy to see you Choco. All of them will be a lot of them live still and they all will be at Buffalo. Now I need to find my friends and you will get us a ride you said. We will wait by the gates of Antler.”

Choco gives a quick nod.

“Wait by the gates Smoke Pipe. We will give you our strongest warrior and. Weapons for sheetrock is not safe anymore.”

I took a deep breath blowing the air out of my mouth great. Sheetrock mountains have never been safe at least back then it was full of deadly creatures and some ponies even wanted to live there I don’t remember why.

I walk to the gates smoking from my pipe.

“Detective the game is afoot.”

I turn my head a bit to look at Rolex it seems they let him out.

“So they let you out hmm?”

Rolex sighs and folds his decaying wings to his side. He shifts pulling a cigarette from his coat, Taking a match lighting the cig and takes a few deep drags blowing the smoke out of his mouth turning to look at me.

“Yes, they let me out just for me to go with you and your mares. They don’t trust me here so they want to make sure you keep an eye on me. To tell you the truth detective for now since our home is under attack the game is on hold.”

I took a few drags of the pipe while I walk beside the criminal of the past Rolex. I look at him as we always had the game of the chase. But for now, the chase shall be put on hold. At least he didn’t go too far and murdered anypony. He did do kidnappings but I remember he told me that he would never harm a foal.

“We are heading to Sheetrock mountain you sure you wish to come along Rolex?”

Rolex laughs.

“Oh come on detective adventure or staying in a cell? I would rather have an adventure than stay in a cell and watch while the Enclave tries to break through our home to take over it. If we could find a weapon to fight them then let’s do so.”

I nod as the two of us laugh and we get to the gates Root and Blossom are waiting. They still wore their old clothing and Rolex stares at them and then back at me. He chuckles softly shaking his head.

“So Detective you have them dressing like many used to back so long ago? I like it.”

It didn’t take too long for the cart pulled by a large armored moose. In the cart are many weapons and a Tommy gun that belonged to Rolex. He lefts it up and attached it to his side and I look at the side of the Tommy gun. ‘Gamble.’

“I am Rocky. I shall be going with you to the bunker. The others will be sending weapons and troops to Buffalo. Hopefully, you find what you need in this bunker.”

The four of us get into the large cart since it was going to be a two-day or so walk to get to Sheetrock mountain. From what I was told before we left no one has been to Sheetrock for at least the last 30 years.

Rolex sat beside Blossom and the two talk. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. But I could tell Rolex was trying to learn about the changes to the Enclave since we haven’t seen them in so long. Root lay down to sleep and I was to myself I open my coat pocket and bring out the memory orb.

I lift the memory orb to my horn and the world vanishes into a memory.

I don’t know what body I am in. I feel like I am in a mare’s body. I am looking in a mirror but I can’t see my face because of a gas mask. My host turns and I see BumbleBee and she hovers over a black orb.

“I need you to hide this in a place that nopony would ever find it.”

From how my host felt she was pretty confused.

“What would be the best place to hide it then?”

Bumble took a second to think.

“I know just the place. My husband is out on a case. Go to his office above the bar and you will find a jar full of his late mother’s ashes. Place it in there and he wouldn’t be the wiser.”

My host nodded and did what she could to get into my office. I could only watch as this was way before the war ended. That she went up to my office my home and when she got there she lifts the lid on the jar putting the orb in the jar and closing it up and she turns to the mirror taking it off.

I finally saw who it was. It was Mrs. Slice formerly known as Speedy. A mare that got married to Dr. Slice after I introduced them and this was the day I introduced them. Then many months after they rushed to marriage and then Dr. Slice left and I never saw Mrs. Slice again. All I have been told is she went to some desert looking for a cure and never returned.

Before the memory fully ended though she went downstairs and sat at the bar.

“Whiskey I am worried about my mission.”

Whiskey looks back at the mare the large stallion smiles.
“I understand this war has made monsters of many ponies. The only few that have stayed are the detective and maybe a few ponies but sooner or later we all become monsters. If this meeting with you and Dr. Slice goes well promise me something please leave the blue hats and never return to them.”

My host nods and the memory ends.

I wake up after the memory is over and beside me is another wagon with a female moose and in that one is Bumblebee she is not happy and I turn to her smiling weakly.

“We have a lot to talk about Bumble but when we get to the Sheetrock we will talk deal?”

She turns to look at me as our carts are close to each other since I notice the two moose a female and male are married and want to stick close to each other.

“Of course and… yeah they didn’t trust me so they sent Rockies wife and brought me to keep an eye on me. I am sorry for Smoke Pipe you won’t be happy with what you see in the bunker. I am sorry for what you do see.”

I look away sighing and shaking my head. It won’t be easy to forgive her. I might never love her again but I still remember or at least try to remember the love I had back before I lost those memories. I look back and start my pipe blowing out smoke as the night sings to us.