Who would have thought that summoning a giant spider from another plane of existence would make it a bit difficult to socialize with the ponies you just helped? At least they weren’t shooting me!

“Friends, I come in peace!” I announced to the stable ponies. Again, they didn’t seem to relax.

‘Good first impressions you have there.’ Ishwa teased.

‘Not like I could take out a pony in power armor with bare hooves!’ I countered.

‘Maybe they still think the zebras are at war with ponies? It seems their stable was sealed until now. Also, take that skull out of your face. It will help.’ She deadpanned.

Getting rid of my skull, I gave a weak smile and said, “The war is over!”

“What?” Asked one of the stable dwellers. That sure grabbed their interest.

“We both lost!”

Another pony, a strong looking mare took a step forth, “Why should we trust you? Striped demon!”

Here it goes again with the stripes… “Trust me, you must. If I were a demon, why would I have helped you, instead of letting you turn into pony crust?”

They were a bit confused by my rhyming but seemed to get its meaning.

“Maybe we should give him the benefit of the doubt, after all, he did just save us from our own Steel Rangers.” An older mare spoke, from the look of the other ponies. She must be their leader.

With her command, everypony lowered their guns, began collecting their stuff and went inside.

“Come with me, maybe you can tell us more about the end of the war.”

“What about the power armor?”

“We’ll come back to get it later if you don’t want it.”

*** *** ***

Inside the Stable, everything was so clean! I’ve never seen anything like that before. Every Stable dweller wore their pristine Stable 80 blue and yellow jumpsuit with pride. The Stable seemed big enough to be able to house up to two hundred ponies, although there were only up to sixty ponies in sight. The walls were filled with posters of a yellow pegasus with pink mane and tail, Along with some rather creative posters about zebras, and how evil and wicked we were. (Go figure.) “Ministry of Peace” logos were branding medical equipment and other supply crates.

While delving deeper within the stable, the air felt a bit heavier. Probably a product of two hundred years of recycling the same air. The “Overmare”, as I was told, led me into some sort of atrium, where the whole Stable was waiting for us.

Over a couple of hours, I tried to explain what happened to the world, or at least what I was told to me when I was young. During my speech, I learned that this particular stable was sealed much more sooner than the other stables, during the zebra invasion of Crescent Moon Canyon. (So here is where I am, the accursed site where Nightmare Moon school used to be… Wonderful!)

After the speech was over, I was invited for dinner and provided a bed to spend the night. The food was plain and simple rations, with only the most faded taste of apples. During dinner conversation, I learned that this stable had the task of researching the necromantic properties of the pink cloud and try to find a cure.

They asked me if I knew anything that could help them since my kind created the pink cloud. I said that most of its knowledge was lost after the bombs fell and that most shamans didn’t dare using necromancy, it was a cursed practice.

Dinner was finished and everypony was going to their quarters. They were more relaxed around me but still kept their distance as I went to my bed.

*** *** ***

Next morning I was woken by the clopping of hooves as ponies walked past my door to their appointed schedules. Days in the stable started really early. I was gathering my stuff when I heard someone knocking on my door.

“Come in, please,” I answered.

The Overmare walked in, looking as prim and proper as yesterday, despite the early hours.

“I see that you’re ready to go?” She questioned.

“Yes, I am.”

“I wanted to thank you again for helping us and ask forgiveness for any… rudeness my little ponies might have done to you.”

“They were good ponies.” I smiled.

“Good. Is there any other thing we can provide you as a reward for your actions?”

‘All your supplies and equipment should suffice.’ Said Ishwa, in a zebra war chief tribal outfit.

‘And how would we be able to carry that stuff?’ I asked rhetorically.

‘... Good point.’

I pondered for a moment, maybe they could supply me something helpful.

“Can I have healing potions?” I asked.

“Of course, anything else?”

“A tuft of fur.”

“... What?” The Overmare asked with a really confused expression.

“Tail or mane, fresh please,” I added.

She looked at me with an odd expression, like I was some kind of lunatic or pervert.

“I’ll… See what I can do.”

*** *** ***

Leaving the stable with my new stuff, I set course back to Farside City.

‘No wonder ponies avoid you, weirdo.’

‘Says the spirit that is made of eight different animals.’ I retorted.

‘Asshole…’ She was angry.

‘I love you too. Also, I do have plans for that fur, you’ll see.’

On the way back, I stopped at the weaver ant queen, to see if everything was ok. She was still under the effects of the punga fruit, excellent. I collected a head from one of the workers, as proof that my work was done and striped it to my saddlebag.

Reaching the city, I was stopped by the guards again, but this time when I showed the head of the ant, Steady Aim let me pass without much trouble.

I was lead to the security office, where I would claim my reward.

“Good work dealing with dose ants, here’s your payment,” Steady Aim said, handing me a pouch of caps.

“Is anything else troubling you?” I asked, dumping the caps in my saddlebag and returning the pouch.

“No, it’s all fine now, you can go back to your business.” She dismissed.

‘Lies.’ Ishwa stated. Looks like her new powers has settled in.

‘Yeah, for sure, thanks for the heads up.’

“Is there any crafting station nearby, without the price being too high?”

“You can find a basic crafting station near the market place. Turn right when you reach the market’s entrance.” Steady Aim said, without paying too much attention.

“Thanks, my friend.” The word friend got her attention.

“Good day.”

‘Lying again.’ Ishwa singsonged. She sure was loving her new powers.

Arriving at the crafting station, I got the fur I got from the stable, a pouch of small bones, two insect-like wing segments and a string made of plant fiber.

Ishwa seemed interested in the wing segments, poking and playing with them.

‘Careful, please. These changeling wings are delicate, and I only have these two.’

‘Changeling wings!? Where did you get those?’

‘It was my mother’s, I have no idea where she found those.’ I said as I was putting my skull mask on.

‘So, what you plan to do with all this?’

‘If everything works correctly, I should be able to create a fetish that will change my outside appearance to the fur’s original owner, and a Spirit of Whispers should be able to translate my rhyming to normal Equestria.’

‘Cool! Perfect disguise!’ Ishwa praised.

‘Well, not perfect. This fetish will not be able to change my cutie mark neither my eye color, so if anyone that knows me should be able to find me quite easily.’

‘Well, almost perfect then. Go on! I want to see you transforming!’ she grabbed a bowl of popcorn.

Finishing the necklace in about fifteen minutes, I was about to test it. ‘I just hope the fur didn’t belong to a mare…’

As I put the necklace on, green flames engulfed me. Burning away my original form painlessly and replacing it with one of a red mare with orange mane and tail.

‘Why do I even had hope?’ I whined with a much higher voice than my own.

‘Damn girl! You’re so hot!’ Ishwa teased, whistling at me.

‘Ancestors it feels so weird! I don’t have my…’ I screamed as I covered my behind with my tail. A huge blush making my coat impossibly redder.

Ishwa laughed so hard the whole town would be able to hear it, rolling on the ground.

‘Look at the bright side, since the fetish only alters your outside appearance, you won’t need to worry about hormones messing with your head.’ Ishwa said, still giggling. I wasn’t really sure if she was teasing or trying to cheer me up. If it was the latter, it didn’t work…

‘Please stop teasing me, it's embarrassing…’

‘Ok, ok. Sorry. What do you need to do know?’ Ishwa said, taking a deep breath and wiping away a tear from her left eyes.

‘I need to restock on chemical supplies, but it's against the law to sell here. I need to find out where I can buy it.’

‘Let's go then.’

Gathering my stuff, I felt a really uncomfortable cold breeze in my new area. I had to stop and readjust my hide armor to serve as some sort of skirt, inciting another whistle from Ishwa which made me blush even more!

I went to the marketplace, where a new trading caravan had just arrived. I approached the merchant and asked. “Excuse me? Do you know where I can buy chemical supplies?”

The merchant was an old looking brown unicorn, he eyed me for a bit before answering, “Ah, if you need chemical reagents or alchemical equipment, you should head to South Line Station, it’s the biggest chem market in the region.”

“Thank you.”

I was about to leave when Ishwa stopped me. ‘Wait, look at his wares, I think that’s a memory prism.’

Searching his wares, I was able to find it stripped to a little statuette of that yellow and pink pegasus from the stable.

“How much you want for that?” I pointed to the prism.

Looking for what I was referring to, he smiled at me and said, “Oh, a pretty gem, for a pretty lady like you. I’m afraid this is a bit hard to find, making it a bit expensive.”

‘Flirt with him to lower the price.’ Ishwa suggested.

‘NO! ARE YOU CRAZY!?’ My blush was so hard that my head was spinning. Ancestors above Ishwa wants to kill me out of embarrassment!

“How much would it cost for a “lady” like me?”

“Something around three hundred caps I suppose.”

“What do you say to one hundred caps and weaver ant silk?”

Pondering for a bit. “Hum… maybe you could sweeten the deal with something else?” His eyes averted to my flanks as he proposed.
Someone was going to die if things continue heading that way.

“Is eight acid glands sweet enough?” I asked, moving my flanks out of sight.

His expression hardened for a bit, realizing he was having nothing of it. “Hum… deal.”

Exchanging our goods, as I made contact with the pegasus statuette, I felt a surge of energy, like a greater spirit was nearby.

‘What was that?’ Ishwa felt it too, looking around frantically for it.

I inspected the statuette. “Be Pleasant” was written in its base. For some reason, I felt in peace while appreciating it.

‘I don’t know what that was, better stay alert.’ I answered.

Remembering that the merchant was still giving me that piercing, uncomfortable gaze, I got away as quick as I could. Not wanting to look at his face ever again.

*** *** ***

The road led to a rail line, following it would get me to the town in no time. As the time passed by, a floating robot hovered in the distance.

“Watcher!” I called. The sprite-bot sent some sparks, turned and went my way.

“Sorry but, do I know you?” Asked Watcher, with its metallic yet familiar voice.

“It’s me Zhau, I made this necklace to turn me into a pony so I could blend in.” I showed him the fetish.

“... And you turned into a mare…” He said with that tone that implied that he thought I'm a weirdo.

“That’s a little… misfortune I had with the transformation.” I explained, lowering my head.

“Well, that’s unfortunate. how’re you doing?”

“I’m doing fine, thanks. I made some friends at stable 80, it was attacked by the “Steel Rangers” but I helped to repel them.”

“That’s odd, the Steel Rangers tend to keep to themselves most of the time, something must have happened for them to take such action.”

I was staring at the sprite-bot, waiting for an explanation.

“Nevermind. So, now that you’re well equipped and made some friends, the only thing that’s left is to find your virtue.” He said as we resumed our walk.

“Virtue?”

“Yes, that’s the thing that keeps you sane in the wasteland. When you find the virtue that drives your actions.

‘That sounds dumb.’ Stated Ishwa.

“We zebras never had such sense. We simply assume the responsibility for our actions and try to do what feels right... Most of us at least.”

“Well, it might be true. Ponies that didn’t find their virtue tend to break under the harsh reality of the wastes. I assume you already encountered raiders?”

“I did find some crazy ponies that made a gore fest out of some unfortunate souls.”

“Those ponies lost themselves. They went crazy and now inflict pain and suffering on others. I hope you don’t end up as one of them.”

‘So heartwarming’

“I’ll try not to.”

“Well, my time is running out.”

“Wait, Watcher. Your voice sounds strangely familiar. You aren’t a pony, are you?”

Watcher was silent for a moment, then suddenly, there was static and the parade music came back as the sprite-bot hovered away.

‘Well, that as a nice reply.’

‘I’ll ask it again later.’

*** *** ***

Getting closer to town, a small line of ponies caught my attention. They looked like a small trading caravan, but without any wagons or that two headed cow ponies liked to use to carry their stuff, odd.

That’s when I noticed that the ponies were chained to each other and the four at the front were aiming their guns at me!

‘Nearest cover?’ I asked Ishwa who flew up high to search for it.

‘There isn’t one nearby…’

‘Well… fuck…’ Dropping my saddlebag and sitting on the ground, I announced, “I surrender!”

A dark gray unicorn approached me. He didn’t seem mad like the raiders, but he definitely had that evil aura around him.

“Would you look at that, such a cute and willing mare.” He said with a wicked smile gesturing to his partner to bind me. He shackled my forelegs together and chained it to the rest of the slaves.

And just like that, I was at the front of the line with the other slaved ponies, walking slowly away from the city. My saddlebag has been kept on at the back of the line, where an unfortunate pony was tasked to carry all the items the slavers had stolen.

Behind me, I noticed a familiar looking mare and filly. Looking closer, the filly had a broken zebra necklace dangling around her neck. They were the mother and daughter that bought at my store!

The filly had a limp to her walk. She had been shot in the back right leg, it only scraped the surface, but the little wimps and cries the filly gave each step indicated that it was very painful.

Her mother, who was behind her, was trying to mitigate her pain by slightly holding her flank with her hooves, lowering the impact her hooves had when touching the ground.

The two ponies who captured me were far ahead enough to be out of earshot. I leaned closer to the filly, gave her a soothing smile and said, “Hi sweetie, what a nice necklace you have.”

The filly looked at me with a bit of fear, considering the whole situation, I was surprised when she returned my smile and said, “Thanks, a nice zebra gave it to me. You have a pretty necklace too.”

I touched the gemstone in my necklace with my snout, feeling its warmth, then looked back to the filly. “Thanks. Tell me, are you afraid of spiders?”

“Nu-Uhm, my momma keeps me safe.” She said with pride, beaming a heart melting smile to her mother, who gave her a little kiss.

“Don’t worry dear, we’ll get out of here and take a look at your leg okay?” Her mom promised.

I looked at her and whispered, “Do you still have that healing potion you bought from me?”

“What are you talking about?” She looked confused.

“The potion you bought from the zebra.”

“How do you know that? Were you following us?” She asked suspiciously, getting closer to her filly.

“Not now, do you have it or not?” I pressed the matter.

“No, I gave it to her a while ago.”

“Listen, I'm going to create a distraction and break these chains. As soon as you have the chance, run for your weapons so we can take them out.”

“And how do you think you’ll be able to do that?” She questioned with a lot of doubt in her words.

“Simple, I’m a zebra witch doctor” I grinned.

‘Ishwa, let the show begin!’

‘My pleasure!’

Ishwa threw me my skull and the spider masks. Putting the skull on I shouted, “Spirit of lies, weave your web!” And threw the mask near the front guards.

The giant spider came out of the mask and began its assault. The four guards began firing at it, completely forgetting about their slaves.

‘Your dagger.’ Ishwa passed me.

Grabbing it with my mouth, I hit the connection between my chain and the rest of the slaves and proceeded to do the same to the rest of them.

“Grab your weapons, let us fight them!” I boomed.

Most of the slaves fled, but some of them did as I said and rushed to their guns. I escorted the mare and her filly to my saddlebag and said, “She should be safe hiding behind it.”

“Stay hidden sweetie, if anypony finds you, run.” Her mom instructed. Getting a nod as an answer, she grabbed her gun and advanced against the slavers.

The slavers were shooting the spider, who had killed one of them and trapped another one in its web. She was wounded, but the thing is, you can’t kill a spirit with normal weapons, it’ll only disappear until it’s healed and then come back later.

The blue mare started firing at the gray unicorn, who was too distracted to notice in time. The first shot ripped his horn out, making him drop his gun and scream in pain, while the second shot hit his torso and punctured his lungs.

That mare had an incredible aim. First disabling her target before going for the killing blow. The second slaver, a green earth pony mare, started shooting at us. I charged at her in a zigzag fashion, making it harder for her to hit me and bucked her in the chest, knocking her to the ground. With my dagger now on my tail, I subdued her.

The spider returned to its mask, leaving its two remaining victims trapped in her web. I was about to congratulate the blue mare when she shot both the slavers in the head. Killing them instantly.

“That wasn’t necessary, they were neutralized,” I said.

She pointed her battle saddle mounted sniper rifle at me, releasing the lever. “What the hell are you!? How do you know me? And how did you summoned that giant spider!?” She threatened. Holding the lever with her mouth again.

I sat down and removed my skull mask. “I’m a friend. I’m the zebra that sold you the potion, I’m only disguised as a pony. As for the spider, it’s a Spirit of Lies, shamans from my homeland have the ability to communicate and bargain with spirits such as these.”

To prove my point, I removed my changeling fetish, turning back to my original self.

“It’s the nice zebra from the market!” The filly cheered, waving at me.

That seemed to calm her mom. Who at least lowered her gun.

“I am Zhausikuitri.”

“What?” the mare asked.

“Zhau for short, It is a pleasure to meet you, we better take your daughter to the city, so that those wounds we can undo.” I offered.

“And why the hell should we let you travel with us?” the mare asked, in a defensive - aggressive tone.

“More dangers you can encounter, but your daughter won’t be able to run in that state. I can provide cover, until that leg your daughter recovers.”

She frowned, pondering her options. It seemed she liked to travel alone, but her daughter would be an easy target in her state.

Releasing a heavy sigh, she nodded her head and released the lever of her battle saddle.

“Ok, you can come with us. But I warn you, if you do anything to hurt my daughter, the next bullet is in your head.” She threatened.

Showing understanding, I strapped my saddlebag onto my back and put on my disguise. The green flames seemed to amaze the filly who came closer to inspect my changed body with wonder.

‘Damn, that mare is intense!’ Ishwa commented.

‘Nothing is scarier than a mother trying to protect its offsprings.’

‘Maybe it's true. Well, at least now I have other ponies to mess with until we arrive at the city!’ Ishwa said, pulling an evil curly mustache with her tip of her fingers.

Footnote: Level Up! (4)

Skills Raised:
Barter: 34
Speech: 32
Survival: 46

New perk:
Charismatic Presence : +10% to initial reaction of other ponies

New Curse:
Evil Witchcraft: You gain +20% bad karma whenever bad karma is gained

Author's Note

Chapter 3!

New members of the team! Ishwa will make sure to tell them who's boss

Also introducing The curse system! Due to his powers, Zhausikuitri gains a curse based on the perk gained every fourth level!

I hope you liked it!

Please let me know of anything you think I should improve in, so I can make better stories for your enjoyment!

bye!

-T.M.W.D.
Chapter edited by: EverfreePony