The next morning Rocketeer had gone through his stock and given me a leather shoulder holster for my revolver and quite the supply of ammo. He had also been pleasant enough to trade me a zebra rifle; a medium caliber rifle with long range enchantments. At least that’s what Hatter had explained.

Rocketeer had also supplied ample rounds and a back slung holster for it. He didn’t have any armor that could be fixed for a mare, so we agreed to go along with the ghoul at least to Shattered Hoof.

Checking my pipbuck I wanted to see how far it was. According to my pipbuck we were currently in some valley near the base of the Foal Mountain. Apparently we weren’t too far from a city called Fillydelphia, but it was to the east.

Shattered Hoof was most of a day’s trot from here. But between us and there was a little blip tagged Junction R-7. Curious.

It was late evening by the time we reached our destination. Hatter had taken the time to explain that it hadn’t been long ago that Shattered Hoof hadn’t been such a friendly place. In fact it hadn’t been long ago that this area had been plagued with slavers and raiders.

As we approached what had once been Shattered Hoof, Hatter explained that about ten years ago a griffin named Gawdyna Grimfeather had changed it’s name and formed what is now the New Canterlot Republic.

He flashed a wry grin, “In fact, I’m wearing modified N.C.R. armor myself.” He boasted rather proudly.

As we approached the gate of Shattered Hoof, I saw a radroach scurry out from under some brush and across Hatter’s path. An angry snort escaped his muzzle as he reared back and came down crushing the radroach. Shaking his head he wiped his armored hooves on the ground. “Crunchy little bastard.” was all he said in his gruff voice.

I stood staring at him for just a moment. His sudden outburst at the near harmless, yet completely disgusting, creature. “Alrighty then.” The ghoul zebra chimed as he trotted up beside me. I couldn’t help but snicker.

We were greeted at the gate by a well armored buck carrying a rather large rifle. “Welcome to Shattered Hoof of the New Canterlot Republic. Speak up and be recognized.” the large buck demanded.

I couldn’t help but step behind Hatter just a little. The bastard was huge compared to me. Trotting forward Rocketeer flashed a disturbing grin to the buck. “Oh, Rocky, it’s just you and Skippy, and a few friends.“ the buck commented giving me an appraising eye.

It wasn’t that he was bad looking, not that one could tell under his power armor. But dear lords did he ever smell worse than the wrong end of a brahmin.

“Yup, they’re with me.” Rocketeer chimed cheerfully as he pranced forward. The gate swung open with a fearsome screech. It felt as if it were going to make my ears bleed. ‘Geeze did they need to oil that thing!’

Hatter trotted forward, obviously having been here before. I mean why not, he had obviously been out here longer than I had. Probably even born out here. I just realized I hadn’t really taken the moment to ask more than his name.

Trotting into a nearby shop, Hatter dumped the contents of his saddle bags on the counter and began to barter over the items.

I took the moment to browse the items on the shelves. On the first row of shelves I found a bottle of glowing orange colored liquid with a label proudly proclaiming “Sparkle Cola Rad, it’ll put the pip in your buck!” 'Eww, that could so not be healthy. I mean, it was freaking glowing!'

I yelped being caught off-guard by the sound of Hatter’s armored hoof stomping on the floor angrily. “No way I’ll give you that rifle for so cheap! It’s never been fired.” I heard Hatter protest.

I quickly trotted up beside him. “What seems to be the problem?” I asked sweetly.

“This buck here claims this rifle ain’t never been fired. I don’t believe em.” The buck behind the counter complained.

I offered him a charmingly sweet smile. “Sir, I can assure, this gun has never been fired. It was in fact salvaged from the sealed stable in the Foal Mountain. He rescued me from invading raiders from there.” A slightly malicious smile spread over my muzzle. “Now, we can do this nice way, or I can take my current anger fit out on you.” I growled, slowly leaning closer and closer to the buck behind the counter, who yelped seeming near pissing himself.

“Okay, okay, call off your attack mare!” He cried whimpering. “I’ll give you a hundred and twenty caps or each of the five rifles. And sixty a piece for the pistols. That comes to eight hundred and eighty caps. And I’ll throw in some armored security barding for your mare friend. Just please don’t let her hurt me!” The sales buck winned sliding everything across the counter with a shaking hoof.

Hatter snickered at the fearful sales buck as I wrapped the caps and barding in my magic, I trotted out of the shop with a triumphant smile.

“Perky and vicious?” Hatter chimed with a half smile as he trotted up behind me. “Interesting indeed.” He mused moving beside me at a leisurely pace.

“Only when I need to be.” My response came in a sultry toned tease. As I floated the caps into Hatter’s pack, I looked over my own prize.

We made our way to a nearby inn where Hatter was able to book us a single room. Honestly I felt filthy. The foliage and plant life was slowly coming back, but there were still dangers roaming the wastes as I had quickly figured out.

The instant we got to our room, I found it in good condition with two twin beds, a small kitchen and best of all, a bathroom with a tub. Oh thank Luna for all that was wondrous in the wasteland, I could finally take a bath!

I didn’t waste any time wrapping my magic around my saddlebags and barding stripping them off, I disappeared into the bathroom. For a moment, I completely forgot Hatter existed.

I stopped looking myself in the mirror, I was a mess. My chest and right shoulder were wrapped in blood soaked bandages, not all of it mine either. A shiver of disgust wracked my body as I took in my disheveled appearance. My coat was plastered to my hide, my mane and tail matted with mud and gods knew what else.

I telekinetically turned on the water in the tub. I felt disgusted with myself. My strawberry blonde mane and tail were dark brown, as was my coat.

“I’m gonna go get us some supplies.” Hatter called to me as he left our room. I grinned as I splashed into the warm water, it felt splendid. Oh my gosh, I never knew how much I could miss something as simple as a bath.

After scrubbing myself clean, I used my magic to clean my barding before putting it back on.

Clean me, clean clothes, safe town. A loud growling rumble filled the air. That was when I realized it was near sundown and the last time I ate was much earlier before the sun had risen.

Checking my caps; I had several Hatter had given me from what he had sold to Rocketeer. I nodded exiting the suite Hatter had paid for and stopped the nearest pony I saw. Or, at least I thought it was a still living pony.

The buck turned out to be another ghoul. This one was an earth pony. His cutie mark on his left flank was missing as most of the skin and muscle beneath. His coat was stark white, or at one point had been where it still remained intact. His mane and tail a bright sickly green, streaked with vibrant purple.

“Excuse me, sir. Could you point me in the direction I can get a cold drink and something to eat?” I asked sweetly, a gentle and friendly smile resting on my muzzle.

He turned and grinned, “Yeah, sure. Clockwork Saloon. I can take ya there.” He smiled warming, though a little disturbing.

“That would be great! This is my first time in town.” I said sweetly.

He laughed brightly. “They call me Joker ‘round here.” He introduced himself in a friendly manner offering his hoof.

“Alice Rose.” I gave sweetly, taking his hoof. It was warm and squishy. It was honestly kind of revolting, but he was being so nice I couldn’t turn away a hoof shake.

“Well then Alice, let’s head to the Saloon.” He started trotting down the road, I followed quickly behind him. “So since this is yer first time in Shattered Hoof, where ya from Alice?” He asked innocently.

“Foal Mountain… At least that’s what my pipbuck said it was when I left home.” I answered the ghoul pony solemnly. I wasn’t exactly sure I should be telling anypony I was from a stable. Besides, it didn’t really feel right to be telling anypony about that massacre.

“So why’d ya leave home, if ya don’t mind me askin’.” He was just making conversation.

“Actually, I’m looking for my little sister. She was taken by some ponies. They killed our parents then shot me and left me to die.” I said quietly.

For the first time since leaving the stable two days ago I looked up at the sky. There were fluffy white clouds floating across a sea of bright brilliant blue. The sun was bright and inviting and warmed my flanks gently. Shivering, I walked back to Joker’s side, we were apparently there.

My ghoul escort had stopped in front of a wall that had been knocked in. There was a heavy canvas sheet with three interlocking gears and the words ‘Clockwork Saloon’ scrawled across it’s weather beaten surface.

“Here we are Miss Alice. I enjoyed your company, allow me to buy you a Sparkle Cola.” He offered sweetly as if I had been the the one to lead him here.

I wasn’t quite sure how to react.. “Uhh, sure?” I answered as more of a question than a confirmation. With a cheery bounce he held aside the canvas door with a bow.

He was quite the gentlecolt for being a living corpse. He trotted in behind me and up to the bar. “Two Sparkle Cola’s and whatever the mare will have to eat, if you don’t mind Sugar Lick.” He spoke to the pure black mare behind the bar as I trotted up.

“What’ll ya have to eat, little lady?” the mare apparently called Sugar Lick asked me as I took a seat.

“Just some oatmeal if you don’t mind.” I responded as the barmare slid two ice cold bottles of Sparkle Cola down. I caught one with my magic as Joker caught the other with his squishy hoof. I lifted the bottle to my mouth with my magic. It was cold against my lips as the mostly flat carrot soda hit my tongue. It was sweet and delicious.

I smiled at Joker as the barmare sat my oatmeal down in front of me. It smelled great. As I leaned down and began to eat my pipbuck flashed picking up a new radio station. I tuned in curiously and put in my ear bloom to listen.

“Good morning Wastelanders, it’s DJ Pon-3 here bringing you the news. First the weather. Looks like sunny skies with a light breeze, all that will carry over into the night.

Now wasteland explorers, I have some bad news. It would seem there was a still functioning stable up on the old Foal Mountain.

From what my sources tell me no pony made it out alive, save for a few fillies and colts the raiders took to sell. Our hearts go out to you kids. I hope somepony comes for you quick.”

I turned off the radio taking the earbloom out. The voice on the radio had been talking about my stable. I just lost my appetite and finished my Sparkle Cola and disposed of the bottle. I left fifteen caps on the bar in front of Joker and darted back to the suite.

I slammed the door to the suite shut as I threw myself on the bed and sobbed into the pillows.. Not even three days ago I had lost everything I ever knew.

I heard the door open and close as Hatter came in. “Hey Perky, what's got your perkiness?” He asked, his gruff voice unusually gentle.

Without thinking about it, I moved forward and wrapped my forehooves around his armored neck and cried into his leather duster. He stood still for a moment then gently wrapped an armor and leather clad foreleg around my shoulders and pulled me close as he sat down.

It was oddly comforting to hear him breathing. “Hey Perky, it’ll be okay. I promise we’ll get your sister back.” He said softly in almost a whisper.

“I had on my pipbuck radio. DJ Pon-3, he… was talking about my home.” I sobbed. The little freak out session had my brain broken and me shaking with sobs. “I lost my life, my family, my home. All because some Luna cursed bastard child took advantage of the Overmare’s naivety and slaughtered the entire stable! As if that’s not bad enough, they took the foals!” Hatter sat there in silence holding me and just letting me rage.

Everything happened so quickly it seemed the events of the last few days slammed into me, it felt as I had just ran right into a brick wall.

Finally the sobbing slowed to sniffles. “It’ll be okay Perky, I promise I’ll help ya get your sister back.” He said softly dropping his hoof.

“Thank you Hatter, you saved my life and now without owing me anything, you’re helping me again. I can never express my gratitude for your help.” I gushed my thanks to him. I’m beginning to see what kind of pony he really is.

I smiled lightly hugging him again. “Okay Perky, feels time is over. Rest up for the rest of the day, at sunrise we head towards old Ponyville. Heard from Applejack’s Rangers that a raider group headed that way about thirty-six hours ahead of us.” Hatter offered me a rather uncharacteristically warm smile. I stood up from Hatter’s embrace and headed for the bathroom.

Standing in front of the mirror I saw my face, it was puffy and swollen. My eyes were bright red and my cheeks stained with tears. I sniffed again before magically turning the sink on, I washed my face and sighed.

This was it. I would find my sister and we would find a place for us to call home. My face washed and clean, I felt a bit better. I inhaled deeply and let out a drawn out sigh. First I knew I needed sleep. So with a plan and clean face, I went to my bed.

I turned to my pipbuck and scrolled through it ‘til I found Piper’s recording. Laying down on my bed I covered myself, put in my earbloom and played the recording.

“Alice, I doubt you’ll ever get to hear this but I just had to say it at least once, ‘cause I lost my wife and filly already. They took my wife and murdered my filly. There was nothing I could do. I came here to the maintenance stall hoping to save at least you.”

There was a wet laugh from Piper’s voice. I knew he have been shot already.

“B-but what’s funny is you’re not even here. But I just want you to know, I was happy working here in the maintenance stall with you. I was a greedy buck. I was already married when we met. I always thought you were the brightest, most gorgeous mare in this stable, and I love…”

That was the end of the recording. Piper had died before he got a chance to finish what he wanted to say. Though he didn’t really need to, I knew pretty well what he wanted to say.

Letting out a soft whimper, I closed my eyes and focused hard on Hatter’s breathing. Soon enough, I myself had drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

Rebel: My favorite scene is when Alice 'bartered'. Was totally laughing as I was typing it in, and that was making it hard to do so!

Also, possible bad news: I may not be able to update for a good while for lack thereof having the physical content to type up. So bear with me folks, I'll post a blog when I do get it.

And as always, leave a like, comment, and let me know if I missed any typos and such. Have a good'un!