A Fallout Equestria Story

Chapters

The Last Dance
Welcome to the Equestrian Wasteland
It's All Downhill from Here

The Last Dance

Chapter 01

The Last Dance

Surrounded by a cold, dark wasteland spread out before me; I stood there silently, my eyes red, and wondering how it all came to this. The wind blew by softly. My entire life had changed overnight. Everything I knew was over, everyone I loved had gone, and I was alone now. I wanted nothing more than to cry out. Embrace the tears I was painfully holding back. Except I knew I had to be strong now.

Reluctantly I took a step forward. My hooves stepping out onto the dirt path unsteadily. It still hurt to move. Whether I liked it or not I had to adapt. This was my home now. The great Equestrian wasteland. How could I have ever prepared myself for the hell to come?

Twelve Hours Prior

“You want me to what?!” Melody looked at me as if I were crazy.

“Go…to…the…dance…with…me,” I spoke slowly and clearly this so that everyone could hear.

“What makes you think I want to go to the dance at all in the first place? It’s just a stupid gimmick they’re using to control traffic when the stable opens,” she retorted.

“So? Just go with me, if you feel like you’re not enjoying yourself, then you can just ditch and go home.”

“You’re being rather stubborn about this, Pastel.”

“I just wanna have some fun. Only it’s no fun being alone. That’s why I want you to join me.”

“Just ask that weirdo friend of yours to with you then.”

“I would, but he’s not the dancing type, and as fine as I am with kissing him… I’m not sure he’d appreciate it as much as you would.”

“What?!”

“Too forward? Not forward enough? I’m grasping at straws here, help me out.”

“You’re bold, Pastel. Perhaps a little too bold for your own good… fine! Whatever, I’ll go to the dumb dance with you, but you better make it worth my while. If it’s not fun… I’ll be leaving early and making sure everyone knows what a lousy date you are.”

“Deal! So, let’s say I pick you up at around ten tonight?”

“Not a minute later.”

With that said and done. Melody trotted off with the rest of her posse. She was always extremely popular because she could sing. I’m not just about holding a few decent notes. This girl had the vocals of an angel. Which went perfectly with her glistening sky blue coat and auburn mane.

“Pastel, holy shit! I can’t believe you just asked Melody out to the dance,” Bucky rushed over to me with a little too much enthusiasm.

“Yeah? Next thing you’ll be saying is you can’t believe she said yes,” I chuckled as I continued down the corridor, “which jumpsuit do you think I should wear tonight anyways? I’ve got like… three kinds.”

“Does it really matter which jumpsuit you wear? Every jumpsuit looks the same and they’re all the same color,” Bucky rolled his eyes at me, “it’s not like you could go home tonight and be all: “oh I feel like mixing it up a bit tonight, so I’m going wear blue instead of red!” Your options are kind of limited.”

“A blue jumpsuit? Don’t be ridiculous Bucky. You know full well that Stable-Tec Jumpsuits only come in red.”

“Yeah, so they say! My Nan thinks differently though, she says that once upon a time they were blue, but the first Overstallion of this stable didn’t like it.”

“So, what? He dyed then all red? Come on Bucky, you and your family have always been a bunch of conspiracy theorists, and I think that’s why everyone’s always so cautious around you.”

“It ain’t our fault if they refuse to accept the truth.”

“Mhmm, sure.”

“Backtracking a bit, did you say you were fine with kissing me? That you were going to take me to the dance and do so at the end of it?

“That was the plan, yes.”

“Dude…”

“Jealous I’m taking Melody instead, or perhaps you just want that kiss?”

“I think I’m good, but thanks anyways. Didn’t know your barn door swung both ways though.”

“It doesn’t, I took the barn door off.”

“That’s a unique way of putting it.”

“It means I’m open for creative input.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“This could all be yours, Bucky. All you gotta do is ask!”

“Uh-huh? Noted… this is my stop though, I’ll catch you later.”

“See you, Bucky.”

Bucky had been one of my best friends for ages. He didn’t have many others because of his family’s history for believing in insane theories, but they weren’t bad ponies. In fact, they were farmers, and helped to provide the stable with extra food in case the supplies began to run low before the Final Day. The new Overstallion thought it best to break out the farms early though. A sort of better safe than sorry precaution.

What they taught us was that the stable had been closed somewhere around 200 years ago, when Stable-Tec sealed families up in here, they told them that the stable doors wouldn’t open again for another 200 years. We were provided with enough food to last an additional ten years just in case. Plus, the farms as added insurance. We were also provided with all the space we’d need. Perhaps a little too much space though, since some parts of the stable still haven’t been used yet.

However, today is the Final Day, and everyone is waiting anxiously for the stable door to unlock itself at midnight tonight. Curious I checked my PipBuck. Flipping over to the Map tab. It was only about 1:54 PM now. Which seemed about right for the walk home. Though about now you’re probably wondering what a PipBuck is… allow me to explain.

A PipBuck is a device worn on a foreleg just above the hoof, a clever combination of Unicorn magic and Science, designed with a variety of features to assist the wearer with their various needs.

A few of these convenient features include: a constant evaluation of your physical health, it can also assist with applying health poultices and medicines; additionally, it keeps track of your inventory, and will even help you sort it all out; it can assist with repairing of an assortment of things; and finally, it can keep all kinds of notes (written, audio, or otherwise) and it’s got a killer map system! There’s also a built-in radio. Though there’s only one broadcast station within the stable and it’s not all that great. However, the PipBuck can essentially tune into, and decrypt just about any radio frequency. Which would be awesome if living in the stable didn’t render that feature useless.

***

It didn’t take me much longer to arrive home. When I walked in, I was the only one there, which wasn’t out of the ordinary. Most days my father worked late and my mother often enjoyed spending time with her friends after work. I simply went to my room for now. Taking off my Utility Jumpsuit and dropping into my laundry hamper. Then I began going through my dresser.

I took out my spare Utility Jumpsuit, a regular numbered jumpsuit, and a jumpsuit I modified myself to accommodate my artistic side. Bucky had said that there really wasn’t a difference between all the jumpsuits. I had to disagree, there were distinct differences between the jumpsuits, but I suppose only those who paid enough attention to detail would notice. Perhaps tonight would be a good night to show off my “artists jumpsuit.” It wasn’t very often I went out in public with it. Even when I did, I never went very far, so perhaps tonight would a good night to wear it.

With a confident nod, I put the other two jumpsuits away and slipped on my artists’ jumpsuit. It was then that I heard a knock at my door.

“Come in,” I called out, and my mother entered.

“Hey, sweetheart,” she smiled at me, “how was your day today?”

“It was alright,” I shrugged, “rather average actually. Some good came of it though. I asked Melody to the dance tonight and she said yes.”

“Did she now? That’s my little stallion,” my mother hugged me and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

“It was either her or Bucky, but she took the bait first, so I’m reeling this one in. Anyways… everyone seems really excited about the stable opening tonight. It’s the only thing anyone is really talking about. Emotions are all over the place too.”

“Bucky? That’s an interesting second choice. Not that I didn’t know you would also take a stallion if you could, but I imagined it’d probably be someone like Socket,” she looked at me curiously. “As for the stable opening? Yes, well… that’s to be expected, isn’t it? Some folks are excited to see what’s beyond and how the world has changed, others are terrified of what they might see out there, and the rest are indifferent. They wouldn’t be bothered if they were told they had to continue living in the stable.”

“Socket? His butt is cute but his personality is sort of giddy, so I’d rather Bucky,” I shrugged. “There are about 3-4 generations of ponies living down here and there’s only about one or two ponies left from the first generation. Even then they weren’t even born yet when they’re families entered the stable. Not even they know what life outside was like before the war. The only life most of us have ever known is the stable, knowing that the door opens tonight, and that tomorrow we’ll be returning to Equestria. It’s got everyone riled up in one way or another. I only wonder if we’re really ready for this?”

“Sometimes it’s not about being ready, when something new comes your way when you’re not prepared for it, the only thing you can do is adapt.”

“I suppose you’re right, mom. Is father coming home tonight?”

“Yes, he’ll be home before you leave for the dance. I’m certain he’ll want to hear about how you asked Melody to go with you too.”

“That’s another thing I think too many ponies will make a big deal out of.”

“Pastel, she’s only the most popular filly of your generation. How did you do it anyways?”

“I just walked up and asked.”

“That figures… you know, we’ve always said you were quite charismatic. You’d make a good Overstallion one day.”

“If stable-life continued, possibly, but I’m not really into politics.”

“Oh, give it time. You’re only sixteen right now. As you grow up your interests change.”

“Not that it matters much anymore. Given our current situation.”

“Well, maybe you’ll just end up becoming mayor of a new town instead?”

“Ever think you might be dreaming a little more than I am when it comes to my future? Just saying, I’d be content just painting fences or houses. Maybe even a mural.”

My mother leaned against the doorway and just smiled.

“Are you displeased with my priorities?”

“My son, the artist. What’s there to be displeased with? I’m your mother, I have to love you regardless of what you choose, even if I don’t like it.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m kidding!”

“Anyways, I need to get ready, so give me some time alone.”

“Righto, kiddo.”

With that my mother exited the room and shut the door behind her. I spent the next few hours reviewing dance steps and conversation options. Nothing could go wrong tonight because Melody would make sure I’d never forget it. Of course, I had full confidence in myself, so I wasn’t too worried.

***

Bucky showed up around 6:00. The poor guy was shaking! Apparently, he finally asked a mare to the dance, but he wasn’t very subtle about it. She still said yes. That’s something at least. It was a shame that our jumpsuits only came in red. Bucky’s jumpsuit did not compliment his slightly desaturated blue coat. Nor his very pale yellow mane. Perhaps that was just me being picky though. An artist’s inclination perhaps.

Mother invited him to stay for supper and until we left for the dance. It was sort of surprising how many of us were attending this dance at all. Most seemed to prefer spending the last night with their families. Which was understandable, I could see why they’d want to be with their families at time like this, but at the same time I think it’s a waste not to enjoy your last moments in the stable with your friends. We might not get to see one another again after we’ve all left.

Some ponies talked about traveling once they were out. I suppose the entire family isn’t required to go along, but I doubt anyone will want to part ways with their family so soon.

“Pastel,” Bucky spoke up suddenly as he watched me practice my dancing a bit more, “what do you plan to do once you’re free of the stable?”

“Don’t know,” I replied simply.

“You don’t know?” He reached out and grabbed me mid-step, “so what? Everything’s about to change and you’re just going to improvise?”

“Basically, I don’t see a point in planning ahead for something with so many uncertainties, since we’re traveling into the unknown… I think it’s just better to take things one step at a time. Instead of going with a plan that might be compromised the moment you set a hoof outside. Now unless you plan on dancing with me, move your hooves, or make a move. I’ll accept either actions.”

“You’re unbelievable,” Bucky took his hooves off me.

“If I’m being honest, it really wouldn’t matter to me if the stable was staying closed for another hundred years. I like my life here and I don’t plan on giving it all up tomorrow.”

“Wait, you want to stay?”

“For a little while longer, yes. Might even try to be one of the last to leave if that’s possible.”

“What for?”

“It’s just more my speed. I don’t like being rushed. Plus, there’s no real reason to leave, everyone else is making a big deal out of the door opening. I think it’s just silly. We have fresh food, clean water, plenty of space, and things to do. What more could you want?”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“Not sure why it wouldn’t. Anyways, what time is it? We should be leaving soon to pick up our dates.”

“Right, our dates… dude, I’m nervous as hell.”

“Don’t be so nervous, Bucky. I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

“What if she wants me to kiss her? Like how you plan on kissing Melody.”

“Kissing is easy.”

“Easy for you to say. I’ve never kissed anybody before.”

“Neither have I, doesn’t mean it isn’t easy. We could take a moment to practice if you’d like.”

“You’re not helping, and I can’t help but notice your enthusiasm.”

“You’ve got a very kissable looking mouth.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Sure.”

Our conversation was interrupted when my mother came into the room. “We’re passing 9:00,” she informed us, “come say goodbye to your father and be on your way. Don’t want to be late for your dance, do you?”

“I can’t even be fashionably late, or I won’t be attending at all,” I straightened my jumpsuit.

“Come on,” Bucky dragged me along.

We exited my room and re-entered the main room of the apartment. My father was sitting at the table reading a book. He looked up at Bucky and me when we approached the table.

“Ah, there’s my boy,” he smiled before looking at Bucky, “and Bucky. Both looking quite dashing tonight. Heard you were going to the dance. However, your mother wouldn’t tell me with whom, so am I to assume you’re taking Bucky?”

“What? N-no,” Bucky looked embarrassed for a second, “we’re just— “

“—I’m taking Melody to the dance,” I interrupted, “Bucky is just here to hangout before we go.”

“I see, so you’re taking Melody. Isn’t that Morning Songs’ daughter?” He asked curiously.

“Yes, I think so,” my mother answered.

“Always said you were surprisingly charismatic. This just proves it,” my father laughed a bit, “well don’t let me keep you. A girl can get quite fussy if her date is late.”

“He doesn’t take after you,” my mother rolled her eyes with a smile.

“I’ll see you after the dance,” I told them as Bucky and I walked out the door.

“Have fun,” mom told me before I closed the door behind us.

“Do you remember where your date lives? Wouldn’t want to not show up because you got lost,” I teased Bucky.

He glared at me for a moment. Clearly not as amused by my teasing as I was. “Of course I remember where she lives,” he insisted, “and she lives in the other direction. Which means I’ll see you at the dance.”

“Just try not to trip on your own hooves when you ask her to dance!”

With that I hurried off toward section C of the stable. That’s where Melody lived. It just happened to be on the furthest end too. Which is why I had to leave an hour early. Obviously, it didn’t take an hour to get there, but better safe than sorry. As I made my way through the stable I saw a few familiar faces. Mostly the younger kids on their way home from playing with friends.

As I approached section C I happened to overhear something from the security station. There seemed to be something major going on. Curious I approached the station. Making sure not to give myself away. Eavesdropping was sort of looked down upon.

“…can’t keep this quiet! We must let the residents know. They deserve to know.”

“We’re under strict orders to not say a damn word, corporal. You will obey your orders. Failing to do so is grounds for termination.”

“Like that matters now! In a matter of hours…”

“What about the children, sir? Should we cancel the festivities?”

“No, let them continue. This is their last night. We should let them make the most of it.”

I didn’t really understand what was going on, but I didn’t stick around to find out either, since I didn’t want to be late. There wasn’t anything I could think of that could be so dire that they’d consider stopping the various events happening tonight. It sure seemed serious though. Nothing I should be sticking my muzzle into, that’s for sure, so I’d trust stable security to handle it.

***

At around 9:50 I arrived at Melody’s home. Her mother answered the door and I introduced myself. I was let in for about five minutes. Then Melody came out of her room and insisted we be on our way immediately. I think she just didn’t want to be embarrassed by her mother. She didn’t seem all that excited to attend the dance with me tonight, but at least she was willing to give it a chance.

We made our way to atrium B where our dance was being held. Several others had already arrived. Including Bucky and his date. For the first little while we mingled and drank mocktails. They were kinda gross, nobody liked them, but at the same time we didn’t want to seem like wussies and order water. Curiously I checked my PipBuck. The yellow displayed glowed faintly in the darkened area we sat in. It was only about 10:45.

Finally, Melody expressed an interest in dancing. Nobody had stepped up to be the first couple to dance yet. She wasn’t keen on being the kicker, but at the same time she wasn’t willing to wait all night. Cheerfully I extended a hoof and was the first to ask “care to dance?”

“Bold as ever,” she huffed before taking my hoof, “make this night worth it.”

I led her to the dance floor and suddenly all eyes were on us. She seemed a bit anxious at first. Though all anxiety died away after only a few moments of dancing. Others followed our example and pooled to the dance floor. I happened to take notice of the fact that Bucky’s date had to be the one to drag him out of the corner. It was hard to suppress my laughter. Melody happened to notice my awkward smiling and held back a smile herself.

“Quit grinning like an idiot,” she said as she finally smiled too, “jeez you’re such a weirdo.”

“In a good way, right? A good kind of weirdo,” I asked.

“Maybe,” she replied.

We danced for a while together. Eventually the music selection was switched up and dance partners were whoever was closest after a spin. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was one of those nights you felt could go on forever. Once the music had changed its theme for the third time. Some of use decided to take a snack break.

There was a decent tray of muffins, cookies, a stable door themed cake, gelatin, and a chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits to dip. Beside that a sign that said “no double dipping.” Which was only polite, of course. I decided to check my PipBuck again. Midnight was only a half-hour away.

Within the last fifteen minutes. We were informed that there’d be one last slow dance before the event was officially over, however, we were welcome to stick around and continue for another couple of hours. Melody told me that I had to participate in the last slow dance. I had absolutely no objections to that.

Our last dance was graceful. It felt more real than our previous dances did. Probably because I knew that Melody was having now. More than she had been before. I felt as though we could dance the rest of the night away. Of course, as the dance finished, I realized I had to keep good with my promise. With that in mind I leaned forward and gave Melody a kiss. She seemed surprised at first, but she didn’t hit me, so that had to be a good sign.

When we broke away from one another she looked at me with peaked interest. “You’re surprisingly charismatic,” she told me, “has anyone ever told you that?”

“You’d be surprised,” I grinned.

We were interrupted by our PipBucks automatically tuning into the stable’s broadcasting station. It only usually did this when the Overstallion had an announcement to make. His voice filled the room as it poured out from everyone’s PipBucks.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, the promised time has come, and tonight the stable door opens. For the first time in two-hundred years. We’ll finally be able to set hoof outside again. To rejoin civilization within Equestria and rebuild it anew with our sister stables. With only sixty seconds remaining till midnight. I’m sure you’re all very excited. Rest assured that we’ll all get a chance to see what lies beyond. The green fields and the blue skies. All of our dreams come true.”

For some reason this all didn’t feel right to me. As the Overstallion talked about what our lives would be like outside the stable. I couldn’t help but feel overcome by uneasiness. Then the thirty-second count down began. My ears flickering slightly as the voices of my peers filled the room. Perhaps I was just as excited as they were?

I joined in on the count down.

“Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten…”

Just then I happened to notice my PipBuck was doing something. There was a progress bar filling up. Taking a second to check on it, the title read “Last Night Procedure,” and it wasn’t just showing up on my PipBuck. I could see it on all of ours.

“Five…”

What’s the “Last Night Procedure?”

“Four…”

Why did it need a loading bar?

“Three…”

How come it showed up on everyone’s PipBucks?

“Two…”

I looked around the room at all the excited faces of my friends.

“One…”

All the displays on our PipBucks suddenly turned red. The voice of the Overstallion sounded different now. It sounded as though he was holding back tears. “I really hope,” he said, “that you’ve made the most of this night.” There was a horrible pain in my left hoof now, right beneath my PipBuck, and it seemed to spread up my arm quickly. Everybody around me had started collapsing. I watched as some lay there writhing in pain.

The whites of their eyes turning black. Melody wasn’t moving anymore. She lied there lifelessly on the floor. One last time I looked around. Bucky, my lifelong friend, and one of the only few left upright. Using the table to support himself. He looked as if somebody was driving a knife through his heart. I felt as if somebody was driving a knife through my heart. Every beat sent a surge of pain throughout my entire body. Finally, Bucky dropped, and I slowly began making my way over to him.

Every step was more painful than the last. My entire body felt as though it had gained an unimaginable weight to it. On top of that, it was like I’d been set on fire, and my vision was fading fast. In the end, I only made it halfway before collapsing. Though I’d been the last to fall among my peers. I didn’t understand what was happening. Like everyone else I was scared, in unbelievable pain, and… dying.

I was dying. Some of them were already dead. With everything I had I fought to resist the end. All sounds around me had become muffled. My vision was nothing but a blur. When it seemed like I was about to give in, my PipBucks display went from red to green, and suddenly the pain was fading.

In a matter of moments my vision and hearing returned to me, but I felt numb. For a while I couldn’t seem to move. Across from me was Bucky. His PipBuck still red, eyes black, and body lifeless. Immediately I was forced to accepted the reality that my friend was dead. The only sounds within the atrium were my laboured breathing and the static from everyone’s PipBucks.

“H-hello?” I managed to speak finally. “Is anyone there? Anybody?!”

Cautiously I attempted to stand. My body still felt rather numb. Making any attempts to move around difficult. Still, I couldn’t just sit here, and expose myself further to this horrible scene. All four of my legs were wobbly as Tartarus. Taking steps proved challenging. It took me whole minutes just to get to the end of the atrium. When I opened the door, and looked out into the hall. There wasn’t really anyone there.

Slowly I began making my way down the hall. It didn’t take me long to discover another body like the ones in the atrium.

“How could this have happened? I don’t understand!”

Upon further investigation of a nearby stable-tec security station and the Overstallions office. Coming across numerous bodies of the other stable-dwellers along the way. I concluded that everyone must have been killed the moment the clock struck midnight. If that were truly the case, then why did my PipBuck turn green, and enable a second procedure? Why did it seem like I was the only one who received this second step? Could others have survived? And what of my parents?

With those thoughts in mind I began hobbling my way home. What I found was less than thrilling. My mother and father on the floor. Dead.

Finally, I let out a scream of horror, and fell back onto my rear. Tears welling up inside my eyes. “Everyone is really gone,” I cried, “aren’t they? What am I supposed to do? Why did this have to happen? I thought we were supposed to be freed from the stable! Was that all a lie?! Why is this happening?! Why?!”

For a while I mourned the passing of everyone I ever knew and loved. It was hard to process it all. This went from one of the best nights I’d ever had to the worst night I’d ever had. On top of it all, I’d almost died, but I was starting to wish I would have.

Eventually I was able to calm down. I was of course, still heartbroken, and weeping. At the very least I wasn’t screaming anymore. My parents PipBucks had caught my attention. They were green too. I began investigating the room.

On the table was a note left by my father. It read: “Pastel, on the off chance that we didn’t make it, and you did. There is something you should know. For a while now. The Overstallion and science team has been aware of the “Last Night Procedure.” A protocol where the stable doors would unlock exactly two hundred years after they’ve closed. However, there was a catch, and not a good one. If by chance the land above was not deemed livable. Last Night Procedure would spare all residents the horrors of a slow death by injecting everybody with a fast-acting poison. Allowing them to die while they were still happy. Many of us rebelled against this. For years now we’ve been studying the poison. Trying to find a way to counteract it. The antidote… it may not be enough to save your mother and me, but we’ve been preparing you for this day your whole life, and if you’ve survived. If you’re reading this now. We want you to know that we love you and we’re sorry this is happening to you. However, we want you to promise us that you’ll continue, that you’ll escape the stable and build a new life! The scanners may say the world isn’t fit to support life. That no longer matters. You cannot stay here within the stable. There’s nothing left for you here. Your only chance is out there. Promise us you’ll live on, promise you’ll survive, and move on to the future. You mean the world to use, Pastel. We love you… - Dad.”

That was it then… it was time for me to leave the stable. What other choice did I have? I could stay here anymore. This stable had become a city of the dead. For the last time, I entered my room, and grabbed anything I thought I’d need. As well as a few sentimental objects. Before leaving my home for the last time. I turned to my parents. “I… I promise,” I whispered to them, “and… I love you too.”

***

The walk to the stable door felt as though it took forever. Along the way I’d gathered supplies I believed might be necessary for survival and packed them into my saddlebags. (4 apples added, 6 carrots added, 2 potatoes added, 3 purified water added, stable jumpsuit added, stable utility jumpsuit added). I could only move so quickly because of the pain. It appeared the effects of the antidote had run its course. My numbness was being replaced by lingering aches and pains. All my joints felt as though they had rusted. The hallway leading to the stable door was littered with bodies of ponies who hoped to escape tonight. There really were no other survivors.

At the entrance was a control panel. Reluctantly I pulled down the lever to open the door. From above, a mechanical arm came to open the door, and loud metallic scraping noises followed as it pulled the door back. Rolling it to the side. Slowly I approached the opening and peered out.

Interacting with my PipBuck seemed to reset it. The display was yellow once again. Showing its regular functions and tabs. I activated the light function. Illuminating the tunnel before me. Strangely enough, it resembled a maintenance tunnel, and it didn’t go on for very long. After stepping outside the stable I sealed the door behind me. I never wanted anyone else to see what I saw tonight. Surprisingly enough, I could put a password lock on the door. This ensured that nobody else would ever be able to enter the stable again.

The password I set on the door was… “Bucky.”

Now my old friend could protect the stable for the rest of eternity. “Rest in peace, everyone. I’ll miss you. All of you…”

Taking a few steps back I watched as the stable sealed itself shut for the last time and turned to follow the tunnel to its exit. My heart aching more than my body. This was all more than I could bear. I couldn’t give up now though. At the end of the tunnel was a set of stairs and a door. Hobbling my way up the stairs, I pushed open the door, and took my first look at the outside world. There appeared to be only one light far above. It illuminated a few tall structures around me. Beyond that I couldn’t really see much.

Surrounded by a cold dark wasteland spread out before me. I stood there silently, my eyes red, and wondering how it all came to this. The wind blowing softly by. My entire life had changed overnight. Everything I knew was over, everyone I loved had gone, and I was alone now. I wanted nothing more than to cry out. Embrace the tears I was still painfully holding back. Except I knew I had to be strong now.

Reluctantly I took a step forward. My hooves stepping out onto the path unsteadily. It still hurt to move. Whether I liked it or not I had to adapt. This was my home now. The great Equestrian wasteland. How could I have ever prepared myself for the shit to come?

Footnote: Level up!
New Perk: Creative Input -- +5% damage to both sexes and unique dialog options with certain characters.

Welcome to the Equestrian Wasteland

Chapter 02

Welcome to the Equestrian Wasteland

Alien.

If I had to think of a word that described how I felt in the current situation. I think “alien” would best fit the description. Everything around me was so new and unfamiliar. The “maintenance” tunnel I climbed out of seemed to be in the middle of a park (map updated, Equestria News Radio frequency found, Enclave Radio frequency found). At least I was assuming it was a park, it didn’t very much look like one, but then again, I couldn’t exactly see a lot of it. Looking directly up wasn’t exactly comforting either.

There appeared to be an endless void above me. If this place had a ceiling, I doubt I’d ever see it. Then there was that giant orb up there too. Was that the only source of light for this place? It seemed a tad inconvenient since it didn’t exactly offer much light. Especially when the clouds and buildings got in the way.

“Hello? Is anybody out there?”

No answer.

I didn’t know what I was expecting to be honest. For all I knew I was the only pony left in the entire world. This dark, cold, and empty world… Maybe I should try to find a spot that wasn’t so empty?

The scenery here was bland.

“Right,” I sighed, “time to explore… I guess.”

With that I began to move forward. Away from the maintenance tunnel, from the stable I used to call home, and from everyone I’d ever known. There was no telling what awaited me out here, but I wasn’t going to figure it out by sitting there and mopping. As I reached the end of the “park-like” area it occurred to me that I didn’t exactly know where I was going. Curiously I checked my PipBuck.

Fillydelphia.

My map had automatically updated itself! Probably when I stepped out of the tunnel. Not only that, but I seemed to have been picking up some new radio broadcasts. Immediately I dropped to my rump and started investigating my PipBuck more thoroughly. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed anything else while I was feeling sorry for myself.

I discovered that my C.P.I (Compass Placement Interface) and S.T.A.T.S (Stable-Tec Assisted Targeting Spell) were working again thanks to the reboot earlier. C.P.I is used for indicating which direction you are heading, as well as enemies, nearby locations, and quest markers (it uses special global positioning spells to do all that); and S.T.A.T.S aids in fights by showing you the best place to nail somebody, but only for a moment or two!

I made sure to keep that in mind for later. For now, I was too curious about these broadcasts, so I tuned into the first one labeled “Equestria News Radio.” My ears shot up as my PipBuck began to play music. Not like the music from the stable either.

Stay strong, Equestria (Equestri-ahhhhh)
The promise of a future awaits you
I know it’s hard, Equestria (Equestri-ahhhhh)
But I also know we can make it through

Despite the tune, I found this song a bit too solemn. Something from “pre-war” Equestria I figured. Especially since I didn’t recognize the singer. Of course, it could have easily been sung by someone in this era, but then the lyrics wouldn’t make sense. At least to me it didn’t make sense. I decided to tune into the other frequency. A monologue of sorts was already in progress.

“--take into consideration. The wasteland is vast, raiders, slavers, and beasts of all sorts, scattered throughout it. Yet we persevere! Someday soon I know we can learn to readapt to the way things used to be. Let us bring back the things that made Equestria the shining jewel of this world. The Enclave will guide us all to the future of our past. This has been your President, Victory Day.”

“President? Victory Day? Does this mean other ponies are alive out here?”

For all I knew this broadcast was decades old, but I didn’t want to throw away every shred of hope I accumulated. I wanted to believe there were others out there. Being the last pony in existence would be… kinda sad.

The “Enclave Radio” begun to play some sort music of its own. Like something out of a marching band. It reminded me of the annual parade the stable hosted. My heart began to hurt a little, it was too early for “nostalgia,” so I turned off the radio. Getting up again I looked around.

It was still quite dark, but at least I had my PipBuck to provide some light. I pressed further on into the surrounding area. The structures around me seemed unbelievably tall. Even though they looked decrepit and a lot of them appeared to have been mostly destroyed.

“I wonder if ponies used to live in these. They don’t exactly look very sturdy, but then again they’re probably over two-hundred years old by now.”

The environment was eerie. All I could hear were the sounds of my own footsteps. Gravel and rubble shifting beneath my hooves as I carefully made my way through “Fillydelphia.” There were several unfamiliar objects scattered along the path. Upon closer inspection, I assumed that ponies used these as a mode of transportation, since they heavily resembled carriages. Curiously I poked through the open panel in the front. Perhaps this was what powered the machine? Though there wasn’t very much left of it, someone had obviously picked it clean of any useful parts, making it useless to anyone else.

It was likely that all the vehicles around me had been scavenged already. I wondered if that held true for all resources that might have been in this area. Was there no food here? Only then did it occur to me that I might starve to death out here once my short supply of rations ran out. There had to be a place where I could get food and water.

As I pondered these things, I almost failed to notice the sound of voices breaking the silence. My ears twitched as I began to register the noise. These voices sounded distant. I wasn’t close enough to discern what they were saying—or shouting. I don’t think I would have been able to hear them if they hadn’t been shouting and laughing. Although, I wasn’t sure I liked the sound of that laughter very much.

Still, I pushed forward and progressed to the source of all the noise, hoping to find other living, breathing ponies out here! Maybe they could tell me where there was civilization? Even a few lively shacks would be better than this big empty ghost town. As I approached their voices became clearer.

“…together like this! It’s like a great big happy… family reunion. Don’tcha think, Bones?”

“I sure do, Cross!”

Bones? Cross? What kind of names were those? I figured perhaps “new Equestrian” ponies were just named differently.

“Of course, families, ya know. They love and care for one another and support each other's interests. However, I don’t think you guys have been very supportive of my interests. First of which!”

It sounded as though there was a bit of a debate going on. One I hated to have to interrupted, but I was lost, and perhaps a little frightened being on my own. What I wouldn’t give to see some friendly faces. Turning around the corner of makeshift walls, I could see several ponies standing around a bonfire.

Oh, thank goodness. My heart felt more at ease finally. Knowing I wasn’t alone. As I went to step forward, the leader figure continued his speech.

“Is of course… shooting the fuck out of all you motherfuckas!”

Bang!

Whoa, never mind!

I played witness to gruesome scene. This leader figure had whipped out a gun and blasted one of the other ponies right in the face! The poor guys face had split open like a watermelon. Blood splattered everywhere while shattered piece of his skull and chunks of his brain littered the floor. Rearing back behind the makeshift wall I began to panic a little.

That one guy literally blew the others brains out!

Suddenly I felt my stomach lurching. Just what the hell was going on anymore? I couldn’t make heads or tails of anything I saw. Now I felt like I was about to vomit. The absolute last thing on my list of things to do. Despite myself, I cautiously peeked around the corner once more, and upon closer inspection I realized that two ponies were tied up and sitting in the middle of everyone else.

“Wooey! Wasn’t that a rush! Lez do it again!” The leader chanted.

I quickly looked away to avoid seeing what came next.

Bang!

Everyone in the camp screamed and cheered victoriously. These ponies weren’t friendly at all! They were a bunch of sickos who got some sort of twisted pleasure out of killing others! My stomach couldn’t take anymore of this, I wound up puking, but I knew it wasn’t safe to stay here. Quickly I ran off away from the camp in a panic. I was desperate for interaction with others, sure, but I wasn’t an idiot. These folks weren’t looking for friends.

In my panicked state, I ran off into some ruins. Everything in here looked as though it belonged to an old pre-war business establishment. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked for somewhere to hide. Hoping my laboured breathing and PipBuck wouldn’t give me away.

Suddenly, I realized... my PipBuck!

Hastily I turned off the glow. It hampered my vision, but at least it didn’t light me up like a beacon screaming “fresh meat!” For a while I sat there in the silence on the verge of sobbing. I hated the new world already. My heart ached, wishing I could go home to my family and friends, but I knew that wasn’t possible.

I could hear something through the darkness. Footsteps? They weren’t my own. Once again, I began to panic.

“Who’s there? What do you want?! No, just go away! I-I’m warning you, I’m armed, and dangerous!” Calling out to the darkness only made me feel more on edge. However, this time I received a response, though not a pleasant one.

“Should have stayed in your camp,” the voice called out before I was struck by a sharp pain in the side of my face. It knocked me for a loop and caused me to collapse off to the side. I was certain he’d just hit me with a blunt object. As though it wasn’t enough the first time, he struck me again in the face! “Take that… raider scum.”

My senses dulled as my consciousness faded. Before losing all self-awareness, I concluded that this would be my end. After all I’d been through tonight. The death that I narrowly escaped, the loss of everything I’d ever known and loved, and the horrors that awaited me out here in what was essentially a wasteland. I failed to keep my promise to my parents.

Before I finally blacked out. My psyche had shattered. Who was I now?

***

It was difficult to open my eyes. There was a sort of stinging from a bright light. On top of that my head ached from the previous beating it received. When my eyes finally adjusted to the new brightness, the view I had was… incredible. From what I could tell I was in quite the elevated location. Looking out over all Fillydelphia and beyond! The wasteland looked vast and empty for the most part, with a few areas that looked like settlements, or out of the way factories.

I was suddenly startled by a voice erupting from the side of the room. “Well, mornin’ Red!” There was a mare sitting next to me, she was close, uncomfortably so. As I looked at her she stared into my eyes. I didn’t exactly have any other choice than to stare back. Her eyes were a nice shade of blue.

“Uh, who’re you?” A good question to start off with. It was only then did I realize that I was tied to the chair I was sitting in.

“Yeah, ah reckon yer mighty confused bout now,” she chuckled, “no worries. We ain’t gonna hurt ya. We just ain’t sure if yer feeling the same way.”

I certainly wouldn’t have minded paying back the one from last night. Quickly I took a moment to examine my captor. Her coat was a sandy-yellow and her mane a sort of lemony yellow. She appeared to be wearing some leather armor or something. As well as wearing a country-style hat. Strapped to her side was a nice-looking revolver.

“Where’s my stuff?”

“Over there, we didn’ take anythin’ ah promise. It was temptin’ at first, but ah knew it wouldn’ve been right. We were surprised to find fresh food an clean water among yer things. Not somethin’ normally found in the wasteland, if ya catch mah drift. Proved you wasn’ a raider though. No way a filthy raider could get ther hooves on goods like these. You’ve certainly peaked mah interest, Red.”

“What even is your accent? Aint. Like. Nothin. I. Ever. Heard.”

“Nice impression, ah give it three outta five. Mah accent is southern, Red. Never heard a southerner speakin’ before?”

“Red… why do you keep calling me that?”

“Don’ exactly know yer name now, do ah? Only thing ah have to go off is yer red suit there. Don’ think ah’ve ever seen anythin’ like it either. Where ya from, stranger?”

“Hmm,” I paused to think for a moment, “’Red.’ It’s short, simple, and significant. Yes, Red will suffice.”

“Er, alright. Doesn’ answer mah question though,” the mare seemed puzzled.

“Yeah? Well, you still haven’t told me who you are!”

I wasn’t about to conform to all this questioning without knowing who my captives were or why they felt the need to question me at all.

“Okay, okay. Calm yerself, ah’ll tell ya. Mah name is Dust… an that gentlecolt loomin’ in the shadows over there, ya probly can’t see em, but he’s Shanty.”

“There aren’t more of you?”

“Nope, well there used to be, but they became a lil light headed recently.”

Finally, the stallion stepped into view and looked out over the surrounding area. He was larger than your average stallion, and a Unicorn like I was. Covered in a dark blue coat of fur with a short silver mane. Wearing leather armor like Dust’s and Carrying quite the impressive looking rifle around his back too. “In other words,” he said, “they had their brains blown out. A scene I believe you watched unfold last night.”

“Those were your friends?” I felt myself feeling a little sad for them, “well, I’m sorry to hear that… but wait, you’re the one who hit me!”

“Yeah, and I’ll do it again if you give me a reason.” This Shanty fellow certainly wasn’t a ‘people-person.’

“Don’t mind Shanty,” Dust insisted as she stepped forward and lightly pressed a damp cloth against the bridge of my nose, “he can be a bit of an ass sometimes.”

“Ow, ow. That stings,” clearly there had been more damage than I was originally aware of.

“Quit fussin’ already, you should just be glad he didn’ kill ya.”

“Uh-huh, so where are we exactly?”

It was time I started prying information from them. If there was anything I could learn about the new world, I was sure they could tell me, since they seemed knowledgeable enough.

“Good ol’ Fillydelphia,” she answered, “one of them pre-war cities that nobodies settled back into.”

“Besides the psychopaths at that camp you mean?”

‘Yeah, besides raiders, ghouls, an all manner of irradiated things.”

“Wait, ghouls and irradiated things?”

“That’s what ah said.”

“No, I mean I don’t understand what you’re talking about, please explain.”

“Don’ understand? How could ya not understand? It’s all sort of self-explanatory, isn’ it?”

“I get it now,” Shanty interrupted and stood in front of me, blocking the view of the city, “you’re a stable-dweller, of course! That explains the jumpsuit, the device on your left hoof, and the whole “fish out of water” look.”

“Ya think so?” Dust gave me a look over. It seemed she couldn’t tell as easily as he could.

“I know so, just take a proper look at him. He’s not wasteland material,” the stallion scoffed.

“He does look kinda frail.”

“Pathetically so…”

Right in front of me, nice. You’d think they would have had a little restraint because I was tied up right there, or perhaps that’s why they could speak so freely. I wanted these ropes off already.

“Still,” she continued, “ah think he’s a quick study. That’s a good trait to have out here.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Call it a hunch.”

I was getting a little impatient and decided to try and change the subject. “So, are you going to tell me about the ghouls and “other irradiated things,” or not?”

“Ghouls are… well, it’s sorta like this. Ther ponies who’ve been exposed to radiation that changed them. They resemble zombies, seein’ as how they try to eat ya alive, an look like walkin’ corpses.”

“That’s disturbing,” I commented.

“Yeah, smell ain’t too great either, but there are some ghouls that are okay. Ther regular ponies like you an I. They just look an smell like a two-century old death. Sometimes literally, some ghouls were alive before the war, an they can be kinda neat to chat with. Some of them anyways.”

“What makes these two different?”

“Well, one will always try to kill ya, an the other will only try to kill ya in certain situations.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Well, get used to it,” Shanty jabbed a hoof at me, “this is the wasteland, kid. If you came out of that stable expecting a thriving civilization and a big welcome home. You’re shit out of luck.”

“Look,” Dust sighed, “ah’m sure we could take ya back to Railway Junction with us. From there ah’m sure you could learn all ya need to about the wasteland. Might also be a good place to start yer new life. If what Shanty says is true, an you really are from a stable, then this is gonna be one heckova jump fer ya.”

These words weren’t exactly comforting, though I suspected that was the point. It appears Dust wanted to do her best to at least mentally prepare me for what was out there. Sure, it worried me, but I had to start adapting sooner or later. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to spend too much more time with Shanty.

***

I was finally able to grab a bite to eat and drink after they untied me. Dust told me that we had to wait for a clearer path out of the city. There was a noticeable gap in raider patrols that they weren’t aware of. When the time came, we begun to make our way through the gap, and out of Fillydelphia.

The journey back to Railway Junction wasn’t exactly a short one, even once we were clear of Fillydelphia. I decided to tune into Equestria News Radio for some music along the way. Dust was rather impressed by the fact that my PipBuck was also a portable radio, Shanty couldn’t be arsed, but I could tell he was still listening to the broadcast.

Another song was playing that I didn’t recognize. It was nothing like the last song I heard playing last night. This one didn’t have any words and sort of suited the scenery we trotted through. When the song came to an end I expect another to follow in its place, but instead, a rather charismatic voice came through.

“Good afternoon, Ponies of the Equestrian Wasteland! It is I, the one, the only, DJ-Pon-3. Live once again to bring you the news!

“We suffer a loss today as two great ponies from the Collective were apprehended by raiders and shot dead last night. Now children, I don’t want you losing hope or thinking that these ponies died for nothing. As we all know the Collective fights for the ponies of the wasteland. These two were no different. Their efforts will bring about better days for Railway Junction, they secured invaluable parts for a water purifier that the remaining two members of their team are bring home with them, and that’s not all. My sources tell me they found a poor lost soul along the way. One I believe is from the local stable! Good ol’ number five.

“This is the first stable-dweller we’ve seen in almost fifty years, isn’t that exciting? Hopefully our new friend receives a warm welcome from Railway Junction and the “welcome to the wasteland” starter package. Haha! Good luck, kid.

“Also… For those of you thinking you’ll be off to Stable 05 to try and get it. Don’t bother, the Stable door was sealed after the new kids’ departure. You can’t blast or force your way in either. That thing is like a meter thick and weighs at least thirteen tons.

“And that’s been your news for today! Unless I scrounge up something juicy later, I’ll let you know. For now, this has been DJ-Pon-3, woohoo! You’re listening to Equestria News Radio. We bring you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts.”

Once the voice faded out, music began playing again, but suddenly I was filled to the brim with so many questions.

“Who was that guy? What’s the Collective? How does he know about the events unfolding around here? More importantly, how did he know about me? I don’t understand this at all!”

“Whoa, slow down, Red. Yer gonna give yerself a stroke,” Dust chuckled a bit, “That was DJ-Pon-3 of Equestria News Radio. Sorta the voice of the wasteland, if ya will. If there’s ever anythin’ going down, he knows about it. Watches over us all through the ol’ EPS security towers. That’s where he’s stationed too, the EPS buildin’ in Canterlot, one heckova buildin’ built into the side of the mountain. One could almost call it a fortress. ‘Specially with the bucketheads around.”

“That just rises more questions,” I groaned.

“Ah’m sure it does… Can’t say ah got the answer to everythin’ you wanna ask, but ah’ll do my best. Anyways, the Collective is… well, it’s us. Shanty and I are part of the Collective. Used to be called the “Buckaneers,” back when it was just Earth ponies. Based on the ol’ war heroes or somethin’ like that. As more ponies joined up though, Buckaneers no longer made sense, since they were a “Earth pony exclusive” group. Which is why they changed the name of the group to the Collective.”

I did have a lot of questions, but I didn’t want to be asking questions all day, so I decided on only asking a few more.

“Okay, what’s EPS?”

“EPS stands fer Equestrian Protection Service. Kinda ironic if ya think about it, ah mean what could they protect when the megaspells dropped? Shit all.”

“Who are the bucketheads you’re referring to?”

“I can answer that one,” Shanty looked back at me as we walked, “They’re known as the Steel Crusaders. Bunch of pre-war technology hoarders who claim to be protecting ponies from themselves by making sure we don’t have access to the technology they’re gathering for themselves.”

“Shanty here used to be a Steel Crusader before he became a part of the Collective,” Dust explained.

“They call themselves an army, which I won’t argue with, but they aren’t protecting anyone but themselves. You’ll know a Steel Crusader the moment you see one, trust me on that.”

I nodded slowly. “So, how can you tell who’s part of the Collective?”

“Well, you can’t really. It’s not like we carry badges or something. A member of the Collective is defined by their actions. You go out and start helping ponies, even if you haven’t said so yourself, they’ll see you as part of the Collective. There have been some who go around gloating about being part of the Collective… usually because it tends to give you free drinks. Liars get sorted out pretty quickly though.”

“Members of the Collective are defined by their actions,” I parroted.

“Exactly! You can say you’re a part of it all you want, nobody's going to believe the shit you say unless you're doing things to back it up, and on the other hoof; you could go the whole time without speaking a single word and still get the full respect of a Collective agent.”

“So long as you're willing to go out of your way to help ponies.”

“I think you were right about this one, Dust. He is a quick learner.”

“Ah told ya so,” she shot him a smug grin.

Yeah, and Shanty wasn’t such a bad guy either. We got off on the wrong hoof, sure, but that was merely circumstance. To think I was in the presence of two very awesome ponies!

“Okay, one more question.”

Shanty gave a nod. “Shoot.”

“What is… the Enclave?”

Both sets of ears shot up as they looked at me a little surprised.

“The Enclave?” Dust repeated, “Now how do ya know bout them?”

“My PipBuck picks up the frequency they broadcast on, but what are they?”

“That’s… hard to say,” Shanty looked puzzled, “I don’t think anybody actually knows who the Enclave are. Their broadcast has been around for years. Playing the same damn music all the time from those creepy floating radio bots. Occasionally, the robot will also play a pre-recorded speech made by that “President Victory Day,” but nobody's ever actually seen them before. If we have I doubt we’ve realized it.”

“On the radio, they mentioned they were going to bring back the old Equestria, or something like that… they seemed pretty motivated. I thought it was a bit inspiring.”

“The Enclave, inspirin’? Not two words ah’d put in the same sentence,” Dust spat, “bunch of hoo-hah nobodies spoutin’ empty words.”

“At the very least they didn’t sound hostile. That’s something, right? It seems as though there are a lot of different organizations to familiarize myself with.”

Shanty seemed amused by what I’d said. He let out a chuckle and looked back at me once more. “Not even the half of it, still got folks like the Tenponies, the Initiative, and the Neighborhood. It’s a tough new world out here. Beyond having to watch out for other ponies, you’ll also have to learn to protect yourself from the Mutants and wild animals, but they’re easy enough to spot.”

“Ther still pretty deadly though,” Dust added, “giant spiders, wasps, flesh-eatin’ moles, death-dogs— “

“—please stop,” I begged her non-expressively.

“It’s no joke,” Shanty insisted, “once you’ve spent a month or two our here. Your nightmares will feel like vacations compared to the wasteland.”

It was hard to think about how excited some of the other stable-dwellers were about getting out. I didn’t want to imagine what might have happened to them if they had. This wasteland was starting to feel like it could put Tartarus to shame. For the rest of the walk I thought it best to remain silent. Anymore questions might escalate the fears growing within me.

***

It was evening by the time we arrived. The walls surrounding Railway Junction looked as if they could reach the ceiling of the atrium back in the stable. Armed guards watched our approach from the tops of the walls. We followed the railway tracks and approached a set of large metal doors that slid off to the sides to let us enter. My PipBuck had suddenly alerted me of the new location I'd "discovered" suddenly. Before we could even step through the doorway, somebody rushed over to greet us, but he looked kinda mournful.

“Dust, Shanty,” he called out, “I’m… I’m so sorry. Chipper… and Stardust.”

Shanty put a hoof up to stop the approaching pony. “Please, it’s okay. They wouldn’t want us to grieve over their deaths. I know for certain that they’d much rather us celebrate their victory.” Using his magic, Shanty pulled two electrical components from his saddlebag, and offered them to the other pony.

“Yes, yes of course. Thank you… and may they rest in peace.”

“We thank you for your support, Sheriff.”

“Absolutely, any time. Oh, and you must be the stable-dweller?”

Dust took the liberty of introducing me to the Sheriff. Well, the Sheriff, and everyone who happened to be standing around nearby. It appears quite the collection of ponies had gathered suddenly.

“Red, this is Sheriff Tumbleweed, the uh… Sheriff, an when the need arises, Mayor of Railway Junction. Sheriff, this is--, well I dunno his name, but we just call em Red.”

“Red works just fine,” I assured them, “and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” he said simply, “Now I suppose we should get down to business. We’ve got a water purifier to finish building.”

With all the excitement of a foals on their birthdays, the town followed the Sheriff to the other side of town, and watched eagerly as he installed the final components for the water purifier. I looked around for Dust and Shanty. I was sure that they’d want to savor the moment, but immediately took notice of their absence. Taking a quick look around I just barely caught them going into one of the buildings in the center of town. Curiously I decided to follow them and see what they were up to.

The building I entered didn’t look incredibly old. Suggesting that perhaps it was built during this era, along with the rest of the town, and that would explain how the town was only now getting a water purifier. This building was a saloon from what I could tell from my surroundings. Dust and Shanty were sitting at the bar.

“Welcome to the Drowning Cow, what can I get you?” The bartender eyed me down furiously. I would be lying if I were to say I hadn’t been at least a little intimidated at first.

Dust glanced back at me over her shoulder and smiled. “Get em one on me, Cow. He’s our new friend from Stable 05.”

“Stable-dweller? Thought their jumpsuits were blue.”

Blue? Where have I heard that before.

“Does it look blue to ya?”

“Nah, guess not. Here you go, friend, this one’s on the house. Because of this being the first place you see outside your hidey-hole… lucky you.”

I approached the bar and sat down between Dust and Shanty. Looking down into the mug that was pushed over to me, I couldn’t exactly identify the liquid inside by sight or smell, but refusing a free drink seemed rude. Wrapping the mug in my magical grip I lifted it to my lips and took a decent swig. The taste caught me off guard and I found myself choking on the beverage suddenly. Cow, Dust, and Shanty all laughed at me.

“What’s the matter? Never drank Whinny before?” Shanty felt the need to tease me too.

“Maybe he’s a lightweight,” Cow added.

I did my best to answer Shanty’s question while I coughed up my words. “N-no… can’t say I have. I’ve only recently turned eighteen!”

“Whinny Whiskey,” Dust sighed contently, “Yer gonna need time to get used to it, but eventually you’ll love it.”

It was then that I happened to notice that Shanty’s mug was filled with something else entirely. “Wait, what are you drinking? It doesn’t look anything like what I’m drinking.”

“That’s because it’s not the same drink,” he took another swing of his own beverage, “this is a good old fashioned beer.”

Think I’ll just get a water from now on… save myself hassle of nearly choking to death every time I’m thirsty. Not sure I’d ever get used to such a drink.

Once Shanty finished his beer, he smacked the mug down on the counter and dropped a bottle into the “tip jar,” and it was at that moment I realized… the tip jar was full of bottle caps.

“That’s an odd thing to collect as tips? Would have thought to see bits in there.”

“Bits? What’s that now?” Dust simply looked confused.

Shanty rolled his eyes. “He’s talking about the pre-war money, nobody uses bits anymore. Currency these days is all bottle caps. Which are in way more abundance than “bits” are.”

“I guess that’s fair,” I nodded in understanding.

“Anyways, come on.” Shanty got up from the bar and seemingly waited for me to start following him.

“Come on? Come where?”

“If you’re going to stick around here for any length of time, you should know your way around town. Familiarize yourself with the area. Get to know the ponies that live here. Also, you’re going to need a gun, some armor, and a means of earning caps.”

“If I were to have been told all this yesterday, I’d think you were crazy.”

“Well,” Dust finished off her drink, as well as mine, she got up from the bar too. “While you two are off doin’ that, I might as well get the next job done.”

“On your own?” Shanty didn’t seem too keen about that idea.

“Ah’ll be fine, Shanty. It’s only a trip to Dodge,” she insisted with a confident smile, “the delivery job. Easy peas fer a mare like me, y’know that.”

“It’s dangerous to go alone. Just wait for me to finish up here and I’ll go with you.”

“Alright, enough with the fuss. Ah’ll wait up fer ya.”

Shanty gave his partner a nod before gesturing for me to follow. I suppose it was a good idea to learn more about this town while I was here. If I wanted any chance of surviving in these wastelands, it was a good idea to take every opportunity I could to prepare myself for what was out there, or else it might be the end of me.

***

“A Thing Full of Things?” It was a weird name for a store, like whoever thought of it just didn’t feel like putting any effort into thinking of a proper name, so they just pulled something random from their ass.

“Yep, “for all your general needs,” it’s been Railway Junctions most successful business since they settled here,” Shanty explained to me.

“Since they settled? Talk about a quick setup.”

“Hm? Oh, no… this shop was here even before the town was created.”

What?! Who in their right mind would build a shop in the middle of nowhere? I mean, I guess I was about to find out, but it just seemed nonsensible to me.

Shanty stepped forward and pushed opened the door to ‘A Thing Full of Things,’ motioning with his head for me to go in first. This seemed a bit odd to me. It wasn’t exactly like Shanty to play the gentlecolt. He certainly wasn’t trying to impress me, in fact I was under the impression that he only had an eye for mares, but still I took his offer. Eyeing him suspiciously as I passed by.

“And who the fuck might you be?” A gruff voice from inside the shop sounded off as I stepped through the door.

I turned to look at the pony who’d been standing near the doorway when I entered, expecting somebody like Cow perhaps, but instead I was face to face with the scariest thing I’d ever seen in my life. This pony's face looked scarred and rotten. His eyes were lifeless, muzzle broken, and filled with a set of sharp plaque stained teeth.

“CELESTIA’S MERCY!!!”

I’d reared back and smashed into one of the shelves, several items falling onto my head which I tried to cover a little too late.

Shanty stepped into the building and broke into a fit of hysterical laughter. That bastard! He’d planned this the whole time. So, that was his angle for letting me through first. He just wanted to see me squirm. Dusty was right about him. What an asshole.

“Sorry, Rumble. I couldn’t resist,” he spoke to the thing that was standing in the corner.

The dead pony-looking creature had a perpetually confused look about him. Overall, he appeared as a colt in his middle-late teens, what was left of his mane was black and swept back, his coat looked rough, crusty, and filthy, and he also had wings. This “pony” was a Pegasus!

Simply looking up at Shanty before looking back over at me. “Somebody's gotta clean that up now and it isn’t gonna be me.” With that he trotted his way back behind a counter and stood there.

“No worries! We’ll clean the mess.”

You should be the one cleaning the mess… you’re the one who caused this after all.

The other stallion helped me up and began picking things up off the floor. Lifting the shelf back up and setting the various items back into it. There didn’t appear to be any specific order to where these things needed to be. After that we trotted over to the counter. Me, more cautiously than Shanty, but I had just gotten my wits scared out of me.

“Red, this is Rumble. In case you haven’t figured it out yet. Rumble is a ghoul. One of the pre-war ghouls to be exact! He’s also the unofficial founder of Railway Junction.”

The “unofficial founder” of this town? Shanty explained that because Rumble was technically here first, that makes him the founder, but that he’s not one for leadership. Letting Sheriff take the role of “Mayor” was an easy decision.

“I take it this isn’t a social call?” Rumble kept shifting his gaze between Shanty and me.

“Not this time, no.”

“Not ever you mean.”

“Red is new to the wasteland, I’m just familiarizing him with the town, and getting him set up with the essentials.”

“Let me guess… stable-dweller?”

“Nail on the head.”

“The fuck’s wrong with his jumpsuit?”

My jumpsuit? I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Even though this was the second comment about it.

“Forget about it… you got any pieces that might suit our new friend? Perhaps something to make him less vulnerable.”

“Sorry, we’re fresh outta BB guns and baby blankets.”

“Just show us the goods, Dust is waiting on me.”

Rumble rolled his eyes and walked around the counter. Between Shanty and me, it was then that I finally noticed the smell, and I could barely resist reacting to it. I also felt Rumble’s body brush up against mine for a moment. Strangely enough it wasn’t as squishy as I imagined it to be. It kinda felt stale, like clay after it dries, or bread left out too long.

He used a key to unlock the counter and opened it up like some sort of chest. Inside was a rather impressive collection of weaponry. Pistols, rifles, and a shotgun or two.

“Whoa…” It was all I could manage since I’d never seen so many weapons in one place before.

“I’ll buy you one this time, along with some bullets, but after this time you’ll be expected to take care of yourself.” Scanning through the guns rather quickly, Shanty picked out one of the pistols, and examined it.

“A 9mm? I suppose that’s a good one to start off with,” Rumble yawned between us. He seemed rather bored despite his endless look of confusion. Once again, I was “graced” by the sight of his horrifying teeth. I wondered if he’d sharpened them himself. “I’ll charge you fifty for it and throw in a case of ten. Anything additional will cost you extra.”

“Twenty extra should suffice for now.”

“Seventy, and I’ll even throw in a harness. Call it a favor for all you’ve done for me.”

“You’re too kind, Rumble.”

“Shut up and pay me.”

Once the exchange was made, Shanty sheathed the pistol in the harness, and offered it up to me. I was a little hesitant to accept it at first. Surprisingly I knew the rules of wielding a firearm. Not that many of them applied to the new Equestria.

“I’ve never even fired a gun before,” I admitted while I strapped the harness around me (9mm pistol added, 30 9mm bullets added).

“Yeah, I figured as much, but don’t worry about it. You’ll get a lot of opportunities to practice. This is the wasteland after all,” Shanty assured me.

“Yeah, I keep hearing that.”

Curiously I began to browse the other wares this store had to offer. Some of the things in here seemed out of place with the other items. On one shelf were a few books, next to a pair of sunglasses, a Stetson, a few boxes of crackers, and a baseball. The other side of the shop seemed to display various mannequins wearing armor. Finally, my eyes fell on the weapons again, and a curiosity struck me.

“How much are these usually?”

“Be more specific,” Rumble looked at me.

“I actually meant all of it,” I admitted bashfully.

“Oh, great… Okay… pistols normally go for 120 caps a piece, ammunition for pistols is two caps per bullet. Rifles can go anywhere from 2500 to 6000 caps depending on what kind of rifle it is. Shotguns can go from 200 to 500 depending on the type as well. SMG’s, though I rarely ever see them anymore, can range from 1000 to 2500.”

“Those prices are insane, not only that, but you didn’t charge Shanty anything near those prices!”

“Members of the collective get a 50% discount, residents get standard prices, and outsiders like yourself… get increased percentages.”

“Are there any ways to get discounts besides being a member of the Collective?”

“Oh yeah, you can turn ‘round, bend over, and hold still as I shove my foot-long up your shithole.”

Shanty let out a chuckle. Clearly my struggling amused him. A part of me considered offering my rear as a joke, but I was sort of worried this guy would take it seriously, and I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about learning what it’s like to be screwed by an almost-sort of-dead guy.

“So forward, at least ask me to dinner first,” I insisted.

That seemed to make laugh, if only for a second. “You couldn’t afford it anyways.”

Ouch… well, he wasn’t wrong I guess.

“Come on,” Shanty interrupted, “we still got a few more stops to go and I doubt Dust will appreciate me making her wait too long.”

“Alright, get out of here.” Rumble shoved me toward the exit after Shanty left the shop.

Once we left “A Thing Full of Things,” Shanty showed me around the rest of the farm. A trip that included a visit to the Clinic, the Hotel which served mostly as a residential building for the townsfolk, the restaurant where food could be purchased, a mane stylists surprisingly enough, the guardhouse, and finally the farm.

Eventually we found ourselves approaching the Drowning Cow once more.

“So, does Cow always look so fierce?” I asked suddenly.

Shanty grinned. “He looks mean, but Cow’s a softy. Likes to sing quite a bit too. Though, I advise you not to sit too close to him when he does.”

We made our way inside. Various ponies had accumulated within since we were last here. Perhaps getting in some last-minute drinks before they went to bed. It was getting rather late. Shanty took one look around the room and groaned.

“Cow! Where’s Dust? She was supposed to wait for me.”

“Where do you think? You didn’t believe she’d sit put, did you? That mare has the patience of a grenade. Doesn’t wait for anybody,” Cow laughed amusedly.

“Oh, I swear that mare drives me crazy sometimes. Guess I’m going out after her. You know your way around town now. It’s time you started making your own way, Red. Good luck!”

Shanty patted my shoulder before hurrying off to the West end of town. It was clear he didn’t approve of Dust running off to do a job on her own. The only question I had left was: now what?

The sun had gone down by this point and I didn’t exactly have anywhere to sleep. To think that Dust and Shanty were already going off on another adventure. They were way more used to this though. In the end, I decided to pick a spot in the dirt outside next to one of the buildings, which wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it’d have to do for tonight.

It was hard to put a pin in where my mind was at. So much had happened so quickly, I felt as though I should have been more affected by recent events, but all the emotional trauma had likely broken my psyche by this point. I was a lot calmer than I expected to be and before I knew it I’d fallen asleep.

It's All Downhill from Here

Chapter 03

It's All Downhill from Here

“Good morning, chiiill-dren! DJ-Pon-3 is back to you live with some news. So relax, enjoy your breakfasts, and get a load of this.

“The Collective strikes another victory off the list today as a Super Ghoul attack on the Lunar Cape. This battle wasn’t without casualties though. Luckily, no one died, but the area has been particularly dangerous recently. Consider that a warning to any ponies looking to drop by.

“Next on the list… looks like Railway Junction has finally got their water purifier! It took them awhile to piece it all together, they had a few setbacks along the way, but in the end they were successful. Good on you folks down at Railway Junction. Be sure to give a big thanks to the Collective for their efforts too.

“Now some of you were particularly interested in that stable-dweller I mentioned yesterday. DJ, did he make it to town alright? DJ, how’s he settling in? DJ, what’s he like? I’ll admit that I too am rather curious about this newcomer to the wasteland. The last time we were “blessed” by the presence of a stable-dweller, it was something like sixty years ago, and he only stuck around ten years before mysteriously vanishing from the grid. Seeing another one appear fifty years later? You’ve certainly caught our interest, kid.

“I’m happy to inform you all that this new kid made it to Railway Junction just fine. As for how he’s settling in? Well, I’m sure he’s got a lot of adapting to do, and a heck of a lot to learn about the world he just entered. Knowledge you can only truly gain from experience. I just hope he’s got what it takes to accumulate that experience. Guess we’ll see.

“Last, but not least, under no circumstances should you ever go near the Ghastly Gorge! I’m not sure how many times I’ve had to say this. I can’t stress it enough. There are beasts down there that no pony, griffon, or combination of the two can handle. They will eat you alive before you have the chance to shoot or scream.

“Thanks for listening my chiiill-dren, this has been your one and only DJ-Pon-3, live on Equestria News Radio! We bring you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts.”

***

A loud sigh erupted from me as I sat slumped over on a bench outside the Drowning Cow. There’d been no word on Dust or Shanty since they left Railway Junction. I managed to learn the details of their job, which was something at least, and that brought me some reassurance. They were to simply deliver a package to somebody in Dodge City and return to Railway Junction with signature of the recipient to collect their reward. It certainly sounded like an easy enough task. From what I gathered too, Dodge City wasn’t too far from Railway Junction, about the same distance away as Fillydelphia was.

I just wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing on my own. Shanty had said that I’d need to take care of myself from here on out, but that’s like taking a foal from administration, and throwing him into engineering without telling them how anything worked. Maybe I was learning how things worked bit by bit and slowly coming to understand how things worked out here. However, that didn’t explain what I was supposed to be doing, or what I could be doing.

At least in the stable I knew what I was supposed to be doing. Ponies always acted as though the maintenance department was the bottom of the barrel. Only morons and outcasts worked in maintenance. Outside of my usual artistic abilities though, I quite liked to tinker, and take things apart. Understanding how things work have always been one of my interests. You can imagine the surprise on everyone’s faces when I deliberately asked to be put in maintenance. They never were displeased with the work I did though.

Out here in the wasteland though, there was no maintenance department, or test that determined the sort of job you’d take on. I’m not even sure if cutie-marks were even still relevant to ponies. I figured I’d just have to start improvising. Maybe ask around about trivial tasks I could do. Anything to keep me busy and distracted.

Somehow, I found myself walking into “A Thing Full of Things,” and Rumble was already behind the counter eyeing me down as I entered.

“Uh, good morning?” I was sort of surprised to see him just standing there. At the very least I expected to come in and find him arranging things or something.

“What the fuck do you want now? I already know you don’t have any caps,” he still had that puzzled look about him. It might have just been the way his face was shaped after receiving all the blows that gave him his scars.

“I just had some questions… if that’s alright?”

“Oh great, here we go. I think I liked you better before you came around.”

That didn’t seem fair.

“Whatever though, ask your questions, or simply get out. If you don’t have a good reason to be standing here. You’re just wasting space in my store.”

“I’ll ask my questions quick! Okay, um, first one… could you tell me more about ghouls? I’ve gathered bits and pieces of information so far. When they were first described to me I had an idea of what they were, but then I met you and it wasn’t at all what I was expecting, and today on Equestria News Radio I heard DJ mention Super Ghouls. Which just leaves me a little confused. About ghouls in general.”

Rumble sighed and looked down slightly. “It’s not easy to explain. I can’t say every ghoul is different, however, we’re not all the same either. That’s all thanks to the megaspells. Each one of them was different in some way. Meaning the radiation they emitted after the big kaboom, was also different, and had different lingering effects.

“I was on a train headed for Canterlot when the first megaspell hit. Canterlot was obviously the first target, it was the capital of Equestria, and where two of the four Princesses lived. The train never made it to its destination and I’m certain I was the only survivor of the crash too. Still, I was too close to Canterlot by that time. From that moment on I was officially a ghoul. After soaking up that much radiation I should have been dead.

“I guess in some way I should be grateful, but there’s only so much you can be grateful for when you’ve been turned into a crusty corpse looking motherfucker. It’s not really a hit with the ladies either if you catch my drift.”

I felt as though I connected with Rumble on a deeper level for a moment. Sure, he was extremely old, and far more knowledgeable about past and present events than I was. At the same time, we shared a similar experience of losing everything we’d ever known and loved. Only his loss was on a much greater scale. “You’ve still got your charming personality, well, at least I think it’s charming. In its own way.” I assured him sincerely.

“Ponies don’t exactly go for charming personalities, it’s not exactly how things work.”

“That’s how I work… personalities are in fact the determining factor for me, not race or gender, or even age! You might not believe you’re attractive, but I do.”

“Beautiful on the inside, fantastic, but you can’t exactly go anywhere from there with a guy like me.”

“Sure I could,” I protested, “I mean… it might take some getting used to, but after a few dates, and--“

“--how about I just stop you there. It’s obvious that you’re still an idiot to the way of the wasteland. Which means I’ve gotta provide you with a prime example of why we wouldn’t work. Example number one… I’m essentially a walking corpse you fucking idiot. You wouldn’t kiss a corpse or let it fuck you in the ass, would you?”

I just felt guilty and didn’t know what to say.

“You’re an idiotic whacko. I should also mention that I’m straight. So, even if I wasn’t a ghoul, I wouldn’t have let it happen. Let’s just be friends instead,” Rumble insisted.

“You’d wanna be my friend? It seemed like you didn’t like me very much.”

“What? No, I’m like that with everybody.”

“Oh… alright, yeah! Friends then, I mean, if you want to be.”

“Sure, whatever. Now, let’s go back to our previous topic, you know… before you became disgustingly sappy, romantic, and kissy lips with me.”

“Yeah, okay… and this stays between us?”

“If you say so.”

“Great! Now, you were talking about the megaspells making different ghouls?”

“Yes, so, the Canterlot megaspell created a type of ghoul known as the Stale Ghoul. Basically me… only I’m one of the few who still have their wits about them. Most other ghouls you meet will be feral. Tend to hiss at you the moment they spot you. At that point though, depending on how many of them there are, you might be fucked.

“Manehatten was another place hit by a megaspell, sorta… they missed by a little bit. Still killed mostly everybody. Gave birth to the largest population of “regular ghouls” in Equestria, that’s for sure. The ghouls everyone refers to as “regular ghouls” are the fleshy ones. You’ll rarely find a civilized fleshy ghoul though. Other than that, there are Super Ghouls, which are just the Saddle Arabian bastards who were exposed to the radiation of their megaspells.”

“Why are Saddle Arabian ghouls called Super Ghouls?”

“Probably because they’re three times as big and not a single damn one of them is ever friendly. Ever. Shoot on sight material. Kill or be killed shit.”

“That sounds horrifying.”

“I’ve had to fight a few in my time. They’re fucking tough to kill sometimes. Like a Death-Dog, except you always see a Super Ghoul coming.”

“Any other types of ghouls?”

“A few… there are glowing ghouls. They’re highly irradiated and aren’t easy to kill. Luckily, they’re rare, and like the Super Ghoul. There are no friendly ones. As far as I know that’s it.”

“Ghouls, Feral Ghouls, Glowing Ghouls, Stale Ghouls, and Super Ghouls. That’s a lot of ghouls. Are there any Saddle Arabians alive today too?”

“If you mean living ones, I don’t know, maybe? None that I’ve seen.”

“What about the Collective? Do you know how many of them there are?”

“Nope, it’s never exactly consistent. They come and go regularly. Sometimes you’ll just have one pony who does a few good deeds within his abilities. Other times you’ll have ponies in over their heads but still kicking through, lease till they die. Sometimes ponies take the place of another Collective agent. Titles like “Eagle-Eye,” “Quick-Draw,” and “Gambit” have been around for a while. Having two or three generations.”

“Two or three generations? You mean when the originals died, somebody else took their place, and kept the name?”

“That’s right.”

“I’d say that was a lack of originality, but I suppose it’s also paying tribute to the originals. Carrying on their legacies.”

“You can look at it any way you want. Doesn’t make it any less stupid.”

“You think being part of the Collective is stupid?”

“Damn right it is, not that I’m grateful for their existence. The Collective has done a lot for me over the years. Even back when they were the Buckaneers. Doesn’t mean I don’t think putting your life on the line for others is stupid.”

“Would you do it for someone?”

“Maybe, depends on the pony I guess.”

“Then I guess it’s a good kind of stupid.”

“Whatever, anymore questions?”

“Hmm… There was something I wondered about earlier, but I wouldn’t know who to ask. Thinking about it now I realize you might be a good pony to ask.”

“Then fucking ask. Quit wasting time.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have any work, or know of anyone who might?”

“Work? You mean trivial tasks and bullshit, or Collective work?”

It was that moment my curiosity spiked. Was there Collective work available? What sort of things would need to be done? Would this be the work that Dust and Shanty would be looking for later? He did call it “Collective work,” so I assumed it had to be dangerous, and life-threatening. I couldn’t keep myself from inquiring about it though.

“What sort of Collective work do you have?”

“The minute you ask, it becomes your problem. I hope you realize that. Contracts aren’t expected to be completed. What with all the hazards that come with the “job” and whatnot. At the same time, when you address the people’s concerns, and do nothing about them. Ponies lose respect for you. So, if you really… truly… want to know about this job. You’d damn well better be prepared for what comes next.”

I could feel myself swallowing back some saliva. There was no way I could go through with this.

“Sure, hit me up with the details.”

Fuck.

Rumble nodded contently. “Alright, the raiders in Fillydelphia have started to become a problem. They’ve grown in numbers at an alarming rate. Soon they could pose a threat to the town. If this town goes under, my business is ruined, and I can’t have that, now can I? You take care of those raiders and you’ll get heck of a reward I’m sure.”

Quest Accepted: It’s All Downhill from Here

Rumble trotted over to the mannequins that displayed the armor in his shop. Carefully pulling off a leather chest piece and offering it to me. “Put this on.”

“What’s this for?”

“Protection… it won’t stop bullets, but it’ll definitely make beating or stabbing you to death a little more difficult. If only a little.”

“I don’t have any caps.”

“Consider this a down payment. It’s best to make sure you’re prepare before heading out. Do you know any spells?”

(Leather chest added)

“Spells?”

“You’re a fucking Unicorn, aren’t you? Please tell you aren’t so pathetic as to have no spells other than basic levitation.”

“Whoa, hey! My levitation is anything but “basic.” It’s actually quite advanced! During my time in the stable, I spent a lot of time expanding its capabilities, and by the time I’d finished I’d invented a new skill!”

“A new skill? Oh, do tell.”

“I call it the telekinetic field. It’s sort of like an invisible bubble that surrounds me, about two meters wide all the way around, and this field has special properties. For one… I could close my eyes and make my way through an obstacle course without once bumping into anything or falling into any holes.”

“Bullshit! How could you?”

“The field acts like an extension of myself. It allows me to feel my surroundings and discern items from the environment around. I used to hone this ability by closing my eyes, getting my friend to mix up my pastel crayons, and recognizing the colors from the notches I put in them. If the crayon had four notches, it was purple, if it had two, then it was green.”

“Eventually you broadened that ability by learning to recognize the objects around you.”

“Yep! It’s quite a handy trick if I do say so myself. It also makes it impossible for somebody to sneak up on me, however, it doesn’t exactly stop them from seeing me and simply shouting “found him!” It’s only useful for certain things.”

“Sure, but it ain’t enough to survive in the wasteland. You’ve gotta be more than a one-trick-pony. What other spells do you know?”

“I can create orbs of light that last for about an hour, tag various surfaces with a glowing mark, and I once fired a spell that paralyzed my teacher's leg… I’m certain I could replicate the spell.”

“Hmm, it’s not exactly an arsenal, but it’ll have to do for now.”

I nodded.

“Well alright, get going then.”

***

My ears dropped to the sound of the town gate closing behind me. I couldn’t believe I was attempting to do this. I’ve never even fired a gun before. Now I was expected to take out an entire settlement of raiders? Guess I was one of those “in over their heads” ponies that Rumble had talked about. Only time would tell now if I’d also be about to “kick though.”

The walk back to Fillydelphia was simple enough. All I had to do was follow the tracks. I listened to Equestria News Radio during the time I traveled. There didn’t seem to be any more news today though. Still, the music was nice, and it made the walk less nerve wracking. Made it seem less like I was heading to my death and more like a casual stroll beside the tracks. Can’t say I knew what these tracks were for though. It gave me something to think about as I followed them back to Fillydelphia.

Took me most of the day to get back to the city. By the time I arrived, it was late day, and the evening would be rolling around soon enough. For the life of me I couldn’t remember the pattern Dust and Shanty used to slip through raider patrols safely. Though I suppose I wasn’t to be sneaking through this time. To be on the safer side I decided to enter the city through the industrial part of it. After all, what reason would raiders have to be around a bunch of old factories?

I’ve never been so wrong before.

It had only been about ten minutes after I entered the city and already there were raiders everywhere! Such vile mannered ponies they were. You could tell they held no regard for their own safety, let alone the safety of others, but that also proved their lack of intelligence. Everything they did displayed a lack of intelligence honestly. I was beginning to understand why these idiots were so dangerous.

There weren’t many places I could go from where I was. I’d decided to take cover behind overturned carriage. Watching the raiders through from around the corners and through the windows. I knew there was no easy way of going about this. Coming up with a strategy to off these reckless morons wasn’t exactly in my area of expertise either.

“Hey! The fuck you think you're doing?!”

Oh shit, I was caught! Please don’t have a gun, please don’t have a gun, please don’t have a gun, please don’t have a—

HAH! No gun!

When I’d turned to face the raider, he was pulling out a combat knife, and I was sure he’d been planning to use it on me. Quickly I wrapped my magical grip around the pistol that Shanty had bought for me and pulled it out.

“Stay back! I have a gun,” I warned him.

Why did I warn him?

It didn’t matter regardless. Once the raider had a firm of the knife between his teeth, he made a dash for me, but he didn’t get very far before…

Pow!

I found myself dodging the corpse that flung itself at the side of the carriage. “Oh, that wasn’t so hard… and that’s not something a sane person should be saying. Fuck, fuck.” Gently I banged the grip of the gun against my head.

“What was that?!”

“It came from over there!”

“Let’s go check it out.”

Shit.

I looked around in a panic and darted for a nearby alley. Rushing my way through it before the raiders behind me could investigate the scene. Unfortunately for me, two more raiders appeared at the end of the alley before I was more than halfway through, and they were heading this way too.

Fucking shit.

My luck only got better though. Metaphorically of course, as I’d dived into the cellar of one of the buildings, and shut the door behind me… only to realize this room was filled with ghouls.

LUNA’S MIGHTIEST “FUCKING SHIT!”

The sounds of hissing erupted from all around me. Of course, they’d noticed me immediately, I lifted my gun and picked about four of them off before they gave chase, but my escape options were becoming very limited. I narrowly avoided the jaws of a few ghouls when I leapt over the railing and made a run for the only hallway out of the room. The door at the end of the hall was locked-- go figure- leaving me with only one choice. Desperately I swung my pistol around and pointed it down the hall.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!” I screamed in horror as I opened fired at the ghouls flooding the hall. The thought of being ripped apart by those savages while I was still alive was too much to bare. My eyes shut tight as I kept firing.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

Huh?

Click. Click.

I opened my eyes. My pistol was out of bullets. Cluttering the hall ahead of me were the ghouls who previously sought to eat me.

“Oh… okay.”

After I counted the bodies I realized I’d wasted more bullets than I needed to.

Minus the bullet used on the raider, there were twelve bullets left in the clip, but only nine ghouls. Three bullets that could have been used elsewhere. I decided to investigate this basement now that the immediate threat was out of the way. Somehow the raiders didn’t seem to hear my ruckus. Then again, maybe they did, and thought the ghouls had gotten to me? Did they even know there were ghouls in this room?

Upon inspecting the basement, I didn’t discover much. There was an old couch, an office desk, stack of chairs, and some cupboards.

My first instinct was to check the desk for whatever reason. Which held some form of justification after finding a stash of bottle caps inside (24 caps added). I felt pretty proud of myself for earning my first bit of money! Next, I checked the various cupboards for anything useful, and was a little surprised by what I found. This was untouched!

Four cupboards, three shelves a piece, and packed to the brim with pre-war goodies. A scavenger’s dream. One of the first items I claimed for myself was a jar of bobby pins. (14 bobby pins added). I wondered if I could use these to pick a lock? Somebody else must have had a similar thought because there was a screwdriver right next to the bobby pins. Yoink (screwdriver added)!

I also couldn’t help noticing that there were quite a lot of pill bottles in these cupboards. Perhaps this place was a pharmaceutical laboratory before the war? Either way, I took what I thought might come in handy later… which was all of it. Scoop! (2 BuckIt added, 4 Chimera added, 2 Speed added, 3 Mend added, 2 Mintels added, 2 Grape Mintels added, 2 Cherry Mintels added, 2 Orange Mintels added). Into my saddlebags they went. If my parents had ever seen me with this many drugs on hoof. They’d suspect I was a junkie.

Some of this I somehow didn’t see myself using. Although, I could see to selling some for a decent price?

The rest of what I found inside the cupboard was vitamin water. They came in three unique flavors! It’d be interesting to give those a try later too (Peach Vitamin Water added, Mango Vitamin Water added, Kiwi Vitamin Water added). By the time I’d finished examining the cupboards, they were empty. I figured it was time to give that locked door a look at. Keeping my pistol in a focused grip, I began tinkering with the lock on the door, and it didn’t seem all that difficult to be honest.

I suppose my days in the maintenance department are to thank for that. There had been a number of times when I had to fix a busted lock. Have some prior knowledge certainly proved beneficial.

Shlock.

The sound of the door unlocking was like music to my ears… until I opened it.

There had to be at least six raiders in the main area, two guarding the front entrance, and two on the upper level. My eyes were wide and I’d frozen in place out of shock. Only after a moment of processing the situation did it occur to me that I should step back and close the door. I didn’t do so quick enough though because one of the raiders had noticed me and alerted everyone else of my presence.

As quickly as I could I slammed the door shut and made a break for the room at the end of the hall. Trying not to trip over the corpses of the ghouls. With a graceful leap, I dived behind the couch. It finally dawned on me that I hadn’t reloaded my pistol yet. Hastily I began shoving bullets into the clip.

I could hear the raiders busting open the door and entering the hallway. With luck, I’d be able to pick a few of them off before they got to me, or maybe I could get out the back entrance?

Pow!

One of the raiders took a bullet in the leg. I watched as they collapsed into the pile of ghoul corpses.

Pow! Pow!

Managed to kill one of them with two shots. If I didn’t pick up the slack now I’d never see the light of day again. Dying in this basement was something I planned on keeping out of the agenda.

Two others were in the hallway now. Not including the one on the ground with a bullet in his leg. They opened fire at me. I could feel the bullets whiz by as I ducked back behind the couch. Their bullets made it through the couch no problem, except they were aiming for where I used to be, since they didn’t realize I’d shifted over after I’d ducked down.

Bang!

An extra-large whole was put through the couch. I let out a gasp. “Scandalous!” It had been such a nice couch too. Granted I probably should have been taking this situation more seriously, however, I felt that if I started thinking about it then I might begin to panic.

When I opened fire again my shots came at them from the side of the couch, at an angle they weren’t expecting, and it proved affected! Two more had bit the bullet. I finished off the one that was on the floor too. Caught him sneaking for a weapon… the bastard. With only six bullets remaining and five raiders left. I had to make every shot count.

The raiders appeared to have fallen back and taken up positions outside the door. They weren’t very quiet about their plans, so I overheard the whole thing. This of course presented the perfect opportunity for a counter-ambush! Well, sort of… it wasn’t exactly called a “counter-ambush,” I just called it that because I’d be countering their ambush. It sounded cool in my head, okay!

Cautiously I exited through the back door, into the alley again, and it didn’t seem like anybody was around. The raiders who had gone to investigate the shot earlier must have discovered the body I’d left. Though I could see it still lying there at the end of the alley. Knowing these sick fucks, they probably just shrugged it off, and looted the corpse.

Making my way around the front of the building. There were no raiders to be seen. Suddenly, I remembered something important, and checked my PipBuck. This entire time I’d forgotten about the new features that had become available upon exiting the stable. My C.P.I and S.T.A.T.S! With a swift motion, I tapped my horn against the display of my PipBuck, and the H.U.D activated. There they were… I could see their red blips inside the building. There were four of them that my PipBuck could detect, even though I knew there were five, the last must have been just out of range of the sensory spell.

Stealthily I approached the entranceway of the pharmaceutical lab. Peering inside ever-so carefully. There they were, all five of them, and they had no idea I was flanking them! I floated my pistol around and slipped into S.T.A.T.S. The closest raider to me was ironically the deadliest. He was equipped with a shotgun, attached to some sort of backpack, and the firing mechanism was a sort of squeeze trigger-- like that of a hose- that was held in place in front of their mouth.

Curious. Though I wasn’t waiting to find out how effective it was! I figured that I’d only need to target him once, since he was the closest, but the others may prove difficult. My goal was to get at least three of them with S.T.A.T.S.

My shots took them by surprise, they took me by surprise too because I’d managed to take out all three of my targets like I’d intended, and now there were only two left! With three bullets remaining. I could do this!

The last two raiders were on the upper level. Wasting no time, they turned to begin shooting at me, but I was filled with confidence now!

Pow! Pow! Pow!

Aaand the confidence was gone. I’d missed all three shots! At this distance, what was I thinking? Checking over my remaining ammunition. There were only four bullets remaining. If there was a good time to improvise, now would be it! I dashed for the corpses of the raiders on the main floor. Bravely dodging bullets as I made my way towa—

GAH, FUCK!

They shot me! The raider bastards managed to nail me with a bullet! Fuck it hurt so much… the pain had been so unexpected. One moment I was making a run for the rifle nearby and the next I was face-planting the floor. I held my side and screamed. This was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. It paralyzed me on the spot and made me sure of my imminent death.

The raiders on the second floor began making their way down, I could hear their cheering as they approached, and one of them kicked me while I grovelled.

“That’s what you get for messing with us you worthless piece of shit!”

“Yeah, haha! Take that!”

They seemed very keen on causing me as much pain as they could before killing me.

Boom! Boom!

This proved to be their downfall, as I’d managed to free the shotgun from the first raider I killed during my counter-ambush, and I used it to kill them both. Thank Celestia for telekinesis. I’ve never been so happy to be a Unicorn in my life.

***

Taking a shot of Mend really helped to easy the pain of the bullet wound. Though I feared that the bullet might still cause damage as long as it was lodged in my side. It had to come out one way or another. So, carefully I focused my magic on the wound, and used my telekinetic feeling to find the bullet.

There it was. This was going to hurt, but I knew I couldn’t just leave it in there. With a quick flick of my horn then bullet was ripped out via telekinesis. I had to bite a leather strap to suppress my screams. Attracting more raiders was the last thing I wanted to do right now. Especially since I had a whole new area to investigate.

The raiders in this lab seemed to have been making something before I’d arrived. This was a chem lab, so I could only assume it was chems they were making, but these didn’t look like anything I’d ever seen before. Vials of red liquid that glowed ever so slightly. They looked like I could slip them into some loops on my harness. That’s exactly what I did until I learned what they might be useful for (9 Stimpots added).

My harness could only hold seven, so I slipped the rest of them into my saddlebags, which were becoming quite heavy because of all the stuff I’d been hoarding.

Next, I checked out some crates piled beneath the stairs. When I opened the box, I was shocked to find it filled with bottlecaps! Filthy raiders had probably killed a lot of innocent ponies for these. Well, I couldn’t let them go to waste, now could I? (257 caps added)

One other box was filled with weapons. Looked like a lot of simple weapons. Things like pistols, old and beaten double barrel shotguns, a hunting rifle, and even a sub-machine gun that was in poor condition. I decided to take the hunting rifle (hunting rifle added).

“The town could really benefit from a lot of this stuff the raiders keep stockpiled here,” I pondered quietly to myself, “but I don’t exactly have a way to get it all back to them without making a bunch of trips back and forth. If only there was a way to transport it there.”

This was an issue I’d have to come back to another time. There unfortunately wasn’t a box of ammunition. It was safe to assume the raiders hoarded bullets for themselves. I need more bullets for the 9mm pistol though. Luckily, I was able to find a few extra bullets on the raiders I’d killed in the lab (8 9mm bullets added), and I didn’t waste any time reloading my gun. I also found some shotgun shells (4 shotguns shells added).

There wasn’t anything else worth checking out down here. So, I went upstairs to look at the room. It was a small room with not much in it. Just a couple of desks and terminals. One of the terminals was broken and the other just had a shipping manifest on it. Lame!

After I left the lab it seemed like I only had one other major spot to hit. The camp I saw the other night. Did I even remember where that was? Carefully I examined the area around me. There was one thing I recognized, the tower where I first met Dust and Shanty, and nearby… the camp! That’s right, I suddenly remembered that the camp was down the road from the tower, and above the camp was a crane. A crane which I could barely see from where I was.

Either way, that camp was their main base of operations, and its where their leader was! What was his name? Bones? No, that was his buddy… Cross? Yeah!

His name was Cross. He’s the jerk who killed the other two Collective members that came to the city with Dust and Shanty. A part of me felt bad for going after him without them. I could see them wanting revenge for their fallen comrades.

They were off on another mission though. One I imagined was far duller than this one. It was, after all, a simple delivery mission. I didn’t want to disappoint Rumble though. So off to kill the raiders I went!

***

It seemed the raiders had been able to figure out what I’d done at the lab while I made my way to the camp. Small bunches were rushing over there, none of which made it very far, since I shot them on sight. I was certainly getting good at shooting things. Another thing a sane person wouldn’t normally say.

I discovered something interesting along the way, I didn’t think it held any significance at first, but then my PipBuck updated with a new map marker. I couldn’t help but investigate. This new place was called the Fillydelphia Train Station. What was a train?

There looked to be a few raiders in the station. Nothing I couldn’t handle. Slipping into S.T.A.T.S, I took out two of the raiders with my 9mm, and when the third came zipping around the corner I blasted her with my shotgun. A part of me wondered why no other Unicorn wielding more than one weapon at a time. Were their telekinesis spells weaker than mine or had it just never occurred to them? Either way it felt good to have an advantage. Plus, using two guns at once made me feel like a badass.

My question about what a train was, was answered by the sight of a large metal vehicle that sat upon the tracks, and it looked as if the raiders had been modifying it. There were thick pieces of metal that appeared to be welded on as armor. Likely to protect the ones riding it. A thought had occurred to me at that moment. I could use this to bring in supplies to Railway Junction! Then I could sell the supplies and the train to the town for a quite a price.

With that decided, I went back to the lab, and gathered the boxes of things that I believed might be of used to the town. From weapons to spare parts of things. I loaded it all onto the train for later. At some point I knew I’d have to learn how to get this thing moving too. For now, I had some raiders to take care of, but I’d have to do so carefully if I wanted to be able to bring this stuff back to town.

***

The camp wasn’t far now, I could see it from my position, and its massive bonfire.

What interested me the most was the crane, or at least, what the crane was holding. There was a large storage container suspended 100 feet above the camp. Something that I figured could do a lot of damaged if utilized properly. In other words, I planned to drop the thing, and hope for the best. The only problem with that was the fact that the base of the crane was inside the camp.

I couldn’t risk an assault on the camp. There were far more raiders there than in the lab. Using the hunting rifle that I acquired at the lab, perhaps I could shoot out the cable holding the box up? It was worth a try. Though I’d require a good spot to shoot from. The structure beside the crane seemed like a good enough location. It resembled the other tall buildings around it, except this one looked as if it hadn’t been completed yet, and sadly never would be.

Quickly, I checked to see if there were actually any bullets in the rifle, and there was! Just one bullet. It would have to do.

The light of the moon tonight provided better visibility than it did the night I left the stable. Aiding me in my efforts to sneak into the construction zone unnoticed. As I entered the unfinished structure, I made sure to grab another weapon to add to my arsenal (combat knife added), in case I needed to make any silent take-downs. It was a good call because there seemed to be a few raiders on the upper floors.

I wasn’t as handy with the knife as I was with the guns. There were a few shots fired at me at one point and I was sure the camp below would be on hire alert. Every time I looked though, they seemed to have barely batted an eye, but I didn’t doubt they probably sent up scouts to see what the hell was going on up here. Which meant I had to be quick. After taking out the few raiders in my way I looted their corpses and continued up (7 9mm bullets added, 2 shotgun shells added, stale energy bar added).

Finally, I came to a halt on the 54th floor, and looked out at the container. I was level with the top of it now. From what I could tell it was being suspended by four cables attached to a single rectangular mechanism that connected to the cranes hook in the middle. It’d be a tricky shot to take it out. So, I decided to slip into S.T.A.T.S, and take careful am. My targeting spell assure me that I had at least a 50% chance of hitting my target. Everything was riding on this shot.

I held my breath, lined up the shot, and pulled the trigger. Sparks flew from the mechanism as the bullet collided with it. Nothing happened… for a few moments I was sure I’d failed, but then the sound of metal straining could be heard, and a loud crack was heard as the container had fallen suddenly. The container plummeted to the camp below at a quick pace. Nobody had time to get out of the way.

Crash!

When it hit the ground, it caused an insurmountable amount of damage to the camp before bouncing off toward the structure I was one, and crashing through the lower levels. The building jerked violently as the supports below were demolished. It suddenly occurred to me that this place was coming down!

“Oh shit! Oh no, oh please don’t,” I panicked a little, “this isn’t what I had in mind!”

The building began falling in the direction of the camp. If I hadn’t done enough damage to it already, I was about to do a lot more, but this time I was being caught in the crossfire. There was no way out of it either. My entire gut was screaming for an exit. All I could do now was… jump!

With a bit of a running start I threw myself from the falling structure toward the crane. Just barely catching it on my way down, which really kinda hurt, but at least I was alive. Not that I could begin celebrating yet. The buildings direction of impact was also toward the crane. I could only hold on for dear life as it effortlessly knocked the crane over too.

“BY LUNA’S STARS! I’M GOING TO DIE,” I cried as the crane crashed into and tore through a chunk of another building. Forcing the crane to a halt. The force of the collapsing building was enough to severely bend the tower of the crane, amazingly it didn’t completely snap in half, but it certainly wasn’t in working order anymore.

Below me I could see the remains of the camp. There really wasn’t much left of it now. One lone makeshift tower still stood. Upon it, a pony I recognized as Cross, the leader of this raider camp. Of course that asshole survived! That was just my luck. No, what was just my luck was that he survived, and was looking right at me.

“You! This is your fault! You’re the one who’s been stirring up shit for me and my boys, ya motherfucka! I’ll gut you!”

Immediately after shouting his part at me, Cross whipped out a new kind of rifle, new to me anyways. It had a high rate of fire and poor accuracy. Despite that, I was still clipped by a few bullets, but nothing fatal thankfully. I found myself scurrying along down the crane. My heart throbbing within my chest. This couldn’t be where I met my end! As if to spite me, one of the bullets got me in the rib cage, and cause me to fall from the crane in pain.

Before I had even hit the ground a lucky bullet also managed to run its way through my right fore-hoof. This threw off all sense of balance for me. I’d landed in the rubble rather ungracefully. My rump getting lodged in a gap that I couldn’t pull myself out of. Blood gushed from the wound on my hoof on both sides. At least the bullet had gone all the way through. It hurt like a bitch, however, it wouldn’t kill me. I couldn’t say the same about Cross though. My screaming had been a sign that he should advance on me now.

“Hello, little fuck!” The grin on his mug was enough to send shivers down my spine, “It’s such a shame it had to come to this. Looking around at all the destruction you’ve caused today. I’ve gotta say I really admire ya. You would have made a good underling if you hadn’t of decided to fuck with us instead!”

The barrel of his gun was forced into my mouth. My fear spiked immensely and I couldn’t get a grip on any of my weapons. I could feel my body shaking. Not to mention my vision was heavily obscured by tears. Was this really it? After all the deaths I’d managed to dodge today. If there was even a shred of hope, please, please give it to me now!

Hewwwthip!

Chunks had suddenly flown out the left side of Cross’ head. I wasn’t sure what had just happened exactly. Then, he collapsed onto me, and I found myself holding a corpse in my arms.

“Huh?” It took a moment to process. Looking down at his head. There appeared to be an entrance and exit wound. Likely made from a bullet.

I pushed Cross’ corpse off me. Someone had definitely shot him, that very same someone was coming this way, and I was afraid of whom it was at first. Until my PipBuck assured me that they weren’t a threat to me. A friendly blip appeared on the C.P.I. To my surprise, Shanty came hurrying over the rubble, and looked down at me rather unpleasantly.

“Of all the stupid irresponsible things! What the hell were you thinking? You could have died,” he shouted at me, “or worse!”

I’d never been so happy to receive a lecture in my life.

“You are the absolute dumbest fucking pony I’ve ever met, you know that?!”

“Shanty… you came,” I had a little trouble speaking over the pain.

“Obviously, I came,” he huffed, “when I heard you’d came to Fillydelphia on your own. I don’t think I’ve ever been angrier! I’ve already lost enough friends this week. I’m not losing you too!”

“I’m sorry, Shanty, I didn’t mean to worry you, but… look.”

“Look at what?”

“I did it.”

His ears perked up as he looked down at me. At that moment, he glanced around him at the remains of the raider camp, but I couldn’t tell if he was amazed or in shock. “I don’t even want to know how you accomplished this. Guess I do have to give you some credit though,” he sighed an glared down at me, “yeah. You did what you set out to do. Congratulations, moron. Now let’s go back to Railway Junction.”

“No, not yet! There’s something I need to do before we head back.”

“How about you start by not bleeding to death? Here,” he slipped out one of the red vials clipped to my harness. “Drink this.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s a Stimpot. Stimulation Potion. Made with a bit of magic and chemistry. It’ll heal you right up.”

“If that’s the case, I should probably take the bullet out of my chest first. Wouldn’t want to think about what it could do to me if I ‘healed’ with it still inside.”

I only took a moment or two to perform the same procedure I did back at the pharmaceutical lab. The bullet popping out of my chest painfully. Shanty was surprised by my ability to do that; however, he was also kind of concerned. After I drank up the Stimpot I felt a lot better. Invigorated even.

Shanty helped me out of the hole I was in and we proceeded to leave the obliterated remains of the raider camp. “So, what was this thing you had to do before going back to Railway Junction?”

“You’ll see,” I smiled, “and I think you’re going to like it.”

***

“What the hell? I don’t recall ever seeing this here,” Shanty admitted as he trotted around the train. “It’s packed to the brim with boxes of supplies that could support an entire town!”

“I know,” I grinned, “that’s why I plan on selling the entire thing to Railway Junction.”

“You what now?”

“You heard me… I’m going to sell the train and everything on it to Railway Junction.”

He paused to give it all another look over. “I’m not even sure the town could afford something like this. It’s a grand gift. That’s for sure, too bad there doesn’t seem to be much food or water on board, or this thing would be a blessing sent down from the Princesses themselves.”

“What’s this thing by the way?” I asked as I pulled out one of the items from the back.

“That… is a grenade launcher.”

“Sounds awesome!”

“Yeah, and dangerous!” There was a long pause as we stared at one another for a few moments. “Can I have it?”

“What? No… why?”

“Unlike you, I know how to use it, and do you even have any grenades for it?”

“No, but I feel as though this could see better use than in our hooves.”

“How could it see better use in somebody else’s hooves?”

“Well… think about how well protected the town of Railway Junction will be with a grenade launcher?”

“I… suppose you have a point there.”

With that I put the grenade launcher back where I found it. “We need to figure out how to get this thing moving,” I said aloud as I began poking around what I assumed was the control room. It was then that something had occurred to me. There was something I felt as though I needed to ask Shanty.

“Hey, uh… where’s Dust?”

He stopped on the spot and sudden grim look crawled across his face. “Dust is dead,” he said simply, and looked away from me.

Dead…?

“No… not Dust. That can’t be!”

“Yeah, well it is, so just… just,” he paused for a moment and sighed, “just listen in to Equestria News Radio. If anyone knows what happened to Dust. It’ll be DJ-Pon-3.”

“You don’t even know what happened?!”

“The place was a mess when I got there, alright? I didn’t catch up in time. Upon arrival, I found Dust dead, and a mound of corpses and ruin left in her wake. There was definitely a battle… but.”

“I’m sorry, Shanty. You two seemed like good friends.”

“There were originally four of us. We all joined the collective together, however, as it stands I’m the only one left now.”

“You’re not completely alone.”

“How do you figure?”

“Well, you’ve got me now, and that… has to count for something… right?”

Shanty stayed silent for a few moments before sighing and walking past me. “Let’s see if we can get this train moving,” he insisted as he examined the controls.

“I’ve spent all my life in a hole. Can’t say I know how to work anything up here.”

“Can’t say I know much about trains either, however, there should be instructions around here somewhere. Otherwise the raiders wouldn’t have bothered with it. If you hadn’t noticed they’re as dumb as rocks. So, with that in mind… aha!”

He pulled out a book from the shelf next to the driver's’ seat. Indeed, it was instructions on how to operate the train, and it wasn’t all that difficult to understand! At least for me anyways… Shanty couldn’t quite wrap his head around all of it. Once I believed I had a basic understanding of the mechanics. I sat in the driver's’ seat and began moving us forward.

Despite all the setbacks I had. I felt surprisingly pleased with myself. My first mission as a Collective agent and I went far beyond the prerequisites. Still, I couldn’t get Dusts’ death out of my mind, and I couldn’t imagine how much it probably upset Shanty. The best I could do for him right now was be with him. I tuned into Equestria News Radio and music began playing from my PipBuck. It couldn’t be too long until we’ve learned the truth about her death from the eyes everywhere DJ-Pon-3.

Footnote: Level up!
New Perk: Quick Study -- You gain an additional +10% experience whenever experience is earned.