Fallout Equestria: Frozen Clock

Wheel Tread I write to you to let you know I can no longer use this group to help you find out more about Project StormWatch. I draw the line on these kind gentle four souls. They may have done some awful things from what the wasteland has done to them. But I will draw the line when it comes to this group. Signed Dunewalker.

Oh, deer Dunewalker. I think you don’t understand the deal you’re under. Because of me, your family hasn’t been treated as an outcast by your species. You will do what I ask or I will make sure when you return here you’re treated worse than your mother was. Now I know the info of Project Stormwatch is around in that city. I need to find the info on where they hid the old threats. Now be a good girl and do what you’re told. Signed By Wheel Tread. Forty years before Ruby Glide.

Shadow, Me, And Dunewalker spend the night in a tent. Yellow eyes and her pack stayed close to us since we are worried about raiders wanting to attack us with all the water we have with us. From the sounds of it, raiders are scared to death of creatures like them.

I watch Dunewalker while she sharpens her sword looking outside like she is ready to fight. She hasn’t stopped holding her sword and she has a strange sniper rifle on her back. I glare at it as I feel that the metal came from the place of the stars. Just from the look of the metal of it and how it has that strange power of the moon on it.

Dune glances at me as she notices I am looking at her sniper rifle and a gentle smile forms across her face. She pulls the sniper down from her back, setting it down beside me. I could still feel the anger from the stars on it.

“What is this made of?”

Dunewalker chuckles

“It’s made from space trash that fell from space a long time ago. The one that came before me took it and made this sniper rifle. So from how you’re looking at it your strange issue with the stars is making you have a problem with it am I correct?”

I quickly nod.

“Well, I don’t understand it myself. Every time I am near something the stars have touched I have a strange feeling towards it. I don’t get why I was told a long time ago by a seer it’s because of how we are connected to the stars. Our time with ponies has dulled our nature and made it harder for us to understand these things.”

I am very unsure if it’s true it could be because I mixed my blood with a pony. I haven’t felt like a normal zebra since I started living with ponies. It’s not always going to be easy for me to get over the feeling of betraying my kind. Closing my eyes tightly remembering my family disowning me because I fell in love with a pony.

“I wonder are you one of those zebras who broke off from their species and your senses are not as good as a zebra who stays with their kind would be? If this is true my kind can be the same way. It might have been harder for us if we didn’t have this damn genetic memory. Trust me you don’t want it.”

Closing my eyes again, yes I am one of those who broke off from my species over love. I look back and wonder if I would do it differently and try to get my family to accept my husband. Back then though ponies didn’t come off very kind to them. It took a while for my husband’s own family to even trust me. His father treated me as an enemy and I didn’t allow it to stop me from making a family with him.

“My family disowned me. I was then treated as an outcast after I gave it up for the love of my husband. His family didn’t even care about me either. I had to prove to them I was on the up and up and I wasn’t around to destroy their family. It took so many years and after the Black Hooves, I have no idea what happened to them. I know they never even defended me or even tried to find me afterward.”

Dunewalker pats my shoulder.

“Don’t worry you’re a strong mare. I may not respect your kind for what they did during the war. I know you don’t know much about what happened. The zebras and the ponies tried enslaving us and used us to fight for them. We turned on them and beat them both in submission and told them they’re welcome to stay in our land. But they would have to work together to try to find peace. Then the bombs fell one bomb fell in our land in an area called the salt flats. We have no idea why they attacked over there but it caused a lot of problems.”

I am concerned about why my kind tried to turn another race into slaves. I wonder if they felt with how high and mighty some of the zebras thought they were they felt they had the right of way of to do so.

“So ghoul what is your story?”

Shadow glances up at the camel shrugging her shoulders.

“Not much to tell former soldiers. When the bombs fell all I remember is dying and then waking up many days later like this. I did what I could to help those who became like me. I found my way here and learned about the old community that used to live in the area we are in now. A community of doctors and whatever else.”

She takes a deep breath. I am sure this is very hard for her to keep going on. Everyone she knew is dead. All those that she knew even while she lived like she is now are dead. I wouldn’t want to be able to live forever. I have a feeling though with these cybernetics taking over my body. I may be unlucky and live forever.

“ I was just told stories by one of the robots left there about what happened. They didn’t wish to talk much about it; they just stayed there till anypony else would take over. They recently shut down after being unable to repair them without having the parts. We kept them in a room just in case we found parts for them.”

A robot parts? I wonder if that locked-up area holds these parts. I am very unsure what is going to happen when we get back. But I am hoping they will let us at least go in there. If they do, I will convince the others to go in and maybe we can understand more about Maria.

“Shadow my request to you, do you think after all this we would finally be allowed in that building that the leaders told us is locked?”

Shadow glances at me.

“Oh, I am unsure if any pony has been in there for years after we lost some ponies to something inside there. I don’t know if you will be allowed in there. The leaders are very untrusting. I wish I could say otherwise.”

Closing my eyes disappointed.

“I see”

Opening my eyes looking down at Maria the poor creature is shut down and I can tell Deco is trying to repair whatever happened to the poor little one. I don’t know why I have become so attached to this little one.

“I just wish to understand what Maria is and what this Frozen clock is. I am worried Mara was built for something she has no power over. I am hoping I can at least give her a choice. If I can’t give her a choice my friends and I will protect her.”

Dunewallker stays silent. She looks outside the tent looking back at me.

“It’s silent out there. I am not used to it being so silent. The land I am from it’s always in battle. Even the weak try to fight each other while they die with parasites in their stomachs. It’s strange to me not seeing another trying to one-up another or steal something to survive. Maybe it just doesn't happen as much.”

Shadow laughs.

“It’s never silent here either. I think with the lizards outside protecting us and keeping the raiders at bay. I think for once in my ghoul life things are very silent. I am not used to it myself. I am used to battle and the world dying around me.”

I lay my head on my pillow trying to relax my mind. I have too many thoughts going through my head. My brain slowly turns off while I feel my eyes dim as my mind finally falls asleep. I don’t know what I will dream about but I am sure I will be dreaming.

_______

Dream.

I am in a world of darkness with a light above me. I am not sure why I am here but this is the court of the stars again but what comes to see me is a guardian of the stars. The large zebra stares at me, her eyes showing through the skull’s helm on her head. She has many scars and former wounds on her body.

“An outcast opened her mind to speak with me? From the look in your eyes Desert Rose you have no idea why you’re here?”

I shook my head. I shift on my hooves looking around the realm of darkness. I look up but I don’t see any stars looking back at me. I just saw the guardian of the stars. I don’t know the name of this guardian, no one knows them. But I have a feeling this guardian will be upset with me.

“I don’t know why it’s true. Why am I here at the court of stars?”

The mare smiles showing her teeth as they connect with the cow skulls she wears. She sits on her ass staring down at me.

“There is something you need to know. I am one of the only guardians awakened by the stars of peace. I have been waiting for one to come to my place of rest for years. All I know is I am in the heart of some old land. There is no legend, no stories of a hero coming to find me. I just know that someday a hero will come to me. A hero that is working with the stars. I know her name and she will be after you someday. Hear me, a close little friend.”

I try to listen closely but I feel I am waking I shake my head try to keep my brain in this dream.

“The one who caused the stars of good to vanish and leave will reveal themselves in 50 years. Most know him as the goat of the undead. But others know him as Grogar. Not just Grogar though many creatures of the past caused all this. Including the betrayer Zeb…I am sorry to break this to you miss Rose but you’re not meant to be a hero. I can’t see your future or what is going to happen to you.”

I shook my head. If she is a guardian she would never be able to tell me the story of a hero. Guardians can never tell the story of a hero. Someday I will learn what my future is. I am sure my future is to fight in this war. This war of robots and machines to protect Maria.

“I think I already know my future guardian. To protect the one known as Maria. It may not be the path of a zebra but it’s all I can think of in this new world.”

The guardian zebra chuckles softly, shaking her head.

“Then I was correct about you. You’re an outsider but you follow your path as a zebra would. A zebra with a strong heart and hooves of diamonds.”

I sigh a sigh of disappointment. I am an outsider. I doubt I will ever fully be accepted again by my kind. I don’t know or understand why this is going on. A guardian of the stars wishes to speak to me then calls me an outsider.

“You would think being called an outsider by another zebra that I would be used to it. I doubt I will ever be used to it.”

The guardian laughs, shaking her head.

“You should have thought of that little Rose before falling for a pony. I understand you fell in love with them. Your love was for them deep and full of life. I am sure many of those would get the idea of love. Just you got to remember to our kind mixing with a pony wasn’t only a bad to our kind but a problem it happened too much.”

My ears pin to the back of my head. She is correct that it happened far too much back then. Male zebras would go for pony mares and zebra mares fell for pony stallions. I don’t remember what the problem was. I think it was because our kind got tired of all the old ways. The guardian put her hoof on my head.

“I do know a way you could become one of us again. There is only one way I am sure you know what it is.”

I know the path of truth. I must go through many trials to prove I am still a zebra. The only way to do this is to find a seer and I am sure there might be one.

“Do you know if there are any seers?”

The guardian nods.

“In that community, you’re helping there is a zebra tribe they gave one of the buildings to. It’s a big building and they help protect it. Now they’re mostly outcasts but they have proved themselves. When you get to the community, look for the far-seer. Don’t say her name, walk up to her, bow your head and then say why you’re there.”

A deep sigh filled my lungs.

“I will talk with them. I doubt they want anything to do with me since I am an outsider who gave herself to a pony stallion.”

The guardian sighs.

“I can’t promise you anything Rose. Be careful on your way back. I can't tell you anything but there is a strange army after your friend. I know you took one of them and used part of your soul to take one of them down. It’s one of the reasons I am here now. Please don’t use any more of that type of magic. Now I think you should wake up and it's time for you to go.”

I stood on my hooves to head back to the light showing my mind is leaving the world of dreams.

“One last thing.”

I turn.

“What?!”

The mare gets as loud as she can.

“If you survive the battle ahead. Be prepared for what is going to happen to you in the future.”

I wanted to call back to ask what she meant by it. I couldn’t and the world of darkness turned to pure white as I am waking up.

_______

The waking world.

I open my eyes and I look around seeing I am being carried by Dunewalker and looking at the others behind me seeing we are missing some of the lizards.

“OH you’re awake we had to get going we spotted some robotic creatures coming towards us and we figured they were after you and that creature on your leg. So Yellow eyes sent some of her pack to take them on and she is with us and we have everything still we aren’t far from the community.”

I look up seeing Shadow is not far ahead of us but she is heavily armored now and ready to take on anything which comes towards us. I look at the sign we pass seeing we are very near the community. Shadow turns to us and she nods to Dunewalker. Dunewalker lifts her paw telling Yellow eyes and the others to stop.

“I will go on ahead and tell the guards we will have guests and tell them if any of them are shot on sight all the water and talismans will be taken by us. Meaning I will tell them Rose will destroy all the water and such to make sure they agree to it.”

Shadow trots off, I get off Dunewalkers back and we wait for Shadow to return. It took about an hour but Shadow returned.

“Alright, they have been told. I told them if anyone fires on Yellow eyes and her pack it won’t end well for the community.”

Shadow leads us to the gates and a large group of guards stood by the door waiting. They hold weapons ready to fire just in case Yellow Eyes and her pack attack. We go inside and Yellow Eyes and her pack bring everything in setting it down waiting to see what will happen

Golden Heart comes to look at the boxes then Yellow eyes they stare at each other a soft smile comes on the zebra’s face.

. “I see you’re still alive, old friend.”

Yellow eyes laugh.

“I never thought I would see your big ass again, Golden Heart.”

I stare at the two of them confused.

“You two know each other?”

Yellow eyes nod.

“I met her when she was a young mare and not as old as she is now. Golden Heart here is older than most zebras. Even though she doesn’t look at it. I never understood why and I doubt she will ever tell me. But thank you for your welcome Golden Heart.”

The old zebra nods.

“Yes now Rose, you helped us greatly. I will lead you to the home I will be giving you and your friends. You look like you need some rest. Then we can talk about letting you into that area you want to go into. But you may have to prove yourself first to the others of our species.”

I know I will have to prove myself to my kind. I take a deep breath and Golden Heart leads me through the community and right in the middle of a courtyard is an old building. It’s pretty big I look at the sign it saids research building.

Dunewlker followed behind me while I left Shadow to help Yellow eyes and the others with the water. Golden heart stands by the door looking back at me.

“We have no use for this building. There are beds here, places for weapons and food, and all that. We keep this place highly stocked just in case someone proves themselves to us. But your camel friend is not allowed in because of who she works for.”

Dunewalker stays silent. I look back at her, who is she working for?

“So you know I work for Wheel Tread?”

I have heard of the name before. I know nothing about them though. I am wondering if I should come to Dunewalkers defense. I look over at Golden heart and then back at Dunewalker thinking a moment I am worried she might get chased out.

“Ngizohlala ngimbhekile. Ngicela ungithembe Inhliziyo yeGolide”

Golden heart turns her head to look at me. She stands close to me to look into my eyes. Dunewalker doesn’t seem confused about what we are talking about I look up at Dunewalker I worry she understands what we are saying

“Sizolokhu simqaphe ngeso lokhozi uRose. Uma ekugwaza sizomnakekela.”

I think a bit before I talk again. I need to get my species to respect and trust me again. I want to get back into their good graces.

“Ngingathanda ukuhlangana nomuntu obona kude. Ngifuna ukwamukelwa ngabahlobo bami futhi.”

Golden heart is taken aback by my words. She tilts her head and she doesn’t say anything. She puts her hoof on my shoulder and a smile forms on her face nodding to me whispering in my ear.

“Get some rest, I will take you to meet her tomorrow.”

The mare opens the door for us. I go inside and when the door closes with me and Dunewalker inside the lights come on. Looking around I see many rooms and a place for me and the others to sleep. Looking through the area I see places to work on weapons and armor. I can work on what I got.

“Dunewalker, why don’t they trust you?”

I turn to her and she smirks.

“Let’s just say the one I work with is not a very popular pony. He has done some nasty things to the ponies and zebras of the wasteland. He is searching for a project called Project Stormwatch so he can continue it and mind control the old villains from the land known as Dreamvalley.”

Dream valley? I heard stories about the land of old ponies and magic. A land lost from the world would take a map of old to find it.

“I see why would he want this?”

Dunewalker sighs.

“I will tell you another time Rose. I am going to get some rest. I promise you I will tell you so please go rest.”

I sigh softly, shaking my head. I take the weapon and the armor I got putting it on the workbench sighing. I looked for a room for myself and I found a room full of zebra masks and everything else. I look at the others, it's like they’re made for us.

I go back to my room and close the door when I get in and take a deep breath to smell the air. I have no idea why it’s so good in this room. Laying on the bed to fall asleep I hear the door opening for the others but all I can do is fall asleep I will talk to the others later.