Fallout Equestria
Wasteland

Chapter 1: The beginning

War. Oh how war caused so much pain, sadness, anger, hate, etc. What most ponies tend to forget is this little tid bit, war pushes innovation. The vaults, pipbucks, and more. You could argue that if war hadn’t come to Equestria then we’d have a flourishing land still for no megaspells would have been created. I beg to differ….

“BANG!”

The loud reverberation of a heavy rifle being fired behind me snapped me out of my reverie. Looking over my shoulder I watched soldiers on a gun range opening fire upon striped targets. Most were young little ponies. Some adults too. Looking back in front of me I watched and listened to the whirring, hammering, and rivet guns going off around and in front of me.

My name is Pyro….Actually that’s wrong, my real name is Atomic Flash. I’m a unicorn mare. I was born with a snow white coat, my mane and tail though are the colors of fire. My main reaches down to my shoulders with two braids on my left cheek. Another on my right. I have a topaz, and two ambers dangling from those braids. My tail has four braids but unlike my main is kept short. Standing out from my colors were my eyes. They were a violet color giving my horn the same color aura.

Right now I was wearing my Vault suite, with the big 212 on the back and a pair of small saddle bags on my waist. My horn glowed as I lifted and moved this IED in front of me. I had a choice now as I examined the bomb. With the timer ticking down from thirty seconds, twenty-nine, twenty-eight, twenty-seven, I snipped the red wire.

Then proceeded to duck as the room echoed with a false explosion, that made the adults dive for cover, and a earth pony to fall off the top of a tank, all followed by a deep groan, and shout from all present.

“PYRO!”

Yeah, I was a kind of a social pariah at times. Usually when I mess with anything….Explosive. My ma considered my little “gift” cute and encourage it. I think that was to drive dad nuts trying to stop my antics after I nearly blew up the Vault’s School. What? It was a chemistry class…and a accidental mix of fertilizer, sawdust, and nitroglycerin.

Yeah I know bad idea, still have that scar on my chest to. But that’s also how I got my cutie mark as well. A flower created from a explosion. Yeah explosions are great.

Life in Vault Two Twelve is strictly military. Staying at a constant readiness level, constant training, testosterone fueled competitions, but thankfully it’s not completely militaristic. Yes we do twelve hour days, but when off duty we’re allowed to pursue other tasks, or activities. But the rule of law for us of Two Twelve is this, toe the line, work together, reproduce and defend the last of the Equestrian Military and Equestria herself.

“Flare, you really need to stop tormenting everyone. You know EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) equipment should be used in the bunker. “ My Da, Rough Diamond scolded me.

He stood a head or two taller than me. A grey coat, but a white horn with a diamond spot around it’s base using the horn as a center piece. His mane was a pure snow white. But he had a military short cropped main and tail. On his flanks sat his cutie mark of a uncut diamond.

“Sorry dad, I was bored, and the bunker was in use. LT. Jolt was using it for training.” I explained.

My dad sighed,, before smirking and chuckling. Suddenly I’d find myself in his hooking fore hoof getting noogied. Acking I struggled before a flare of my horn and a pop I was three feet to his right hoofing my mane.

“Daaaad do you realize how long it took for me to fix up my hair?” I asked indignantly.

He just chuckled, “ten minutes.”

Snorting I rolled my eyes and lifted my head up pompously. It only served to make his laugh all the harder. Hooking my shoulders with a fore hoof, as he grinned down at me.

“Come on your mother is finishing up with dinner. And Aria should be graduating Aviator Combat.” He stated while leading me back home.

Yes I have a younger sister, Aria Streak. A pegasus. According to my parents which are both Unicorns, my grandad was a pegasus. In case you were wondering. Unlike me she a model soldier, and daughter. Despite that she was my partner in crime, and still is.

Leaving the hanger behind we traveled through the dour grey walls of Two Twelve. I looked around and gave a mental sigh. If it wasn’t for Aria, and my parents I’d have been driven mad by how dull the Vault was. As we walked we moved to the right to allow the MP (Military Police) ponies past. I had almost forgotten about my Pipbuck and took this moment to check the time. It was almost seventeen-hundred. Five-o clock for the civilians.

The big plus to us being a military vault we have a R&D (Research and Development) team living here as well. Thus we were constantly finding ways to upgrade our own equipment. My pipbuck is a result of 200 years of constant upgrading. It was slim, tough, and best of all had a hidden blade on it. Sadly we don’t have many resources. So it’s still a bulky bit of equipment no matter how much effort they put into trying to streamline it. As per all military issue pipbucks it was jet black with color controlled screens to aid in stealth actions at night.

Doing a quick flip through of my pip buck menus out of reflex looking for a specific Audio File. Upon finding said file I pulled out my custom addition to the pip buck on it’s left side under the screens, was a set of ear buds. Putting them on I played the Vault’s resident band’s latest work bobbing my head along to it. My Da rolled his eyes at me snickering. Unlike me he and Ma favored the more classical music in equestira’s history to the new stuff produced by the few civilian ponies in the Vault.

It wouldn’t be long before we arrived back in my family’s assigned quarters. Upon opening the door, I looked up only to have panic appear on my face. “I did it sis!!” then suddenly the world was spinning as a grey streak tackled me and slammed me into the railing.

“owowowow, “geez sis I’m happy for you But tackling me? Seriously?” I asked my younger sibling of three months a hoof rubbing the back of my head.

Aria giggled and beamed proudly her wings extended, her turquoise mane and tail standing out against her grey coat. With her ears having small tufts on the tips. Her mane fohawked up, short and spiked, with a short tail like mine. Unlike me her eyes matched her mane. On her flank her cutie mark of a streaking feather in the wind.

“I gradua-a-a-ated!” She stated in a sing song tone while beaming.

I couldn’t help but grin and hug her. “I knew you would Aria.” Breaking out of the hug I stood up following my prancing sister. With my Da grinning away like a jackal. Which earned him a kick to the shin from me. A muttered curse and a vow of revenge later we were inside our home.

“Welcome back loves dinner is on the table.” My Ma, Snow Blossom called from the kitchen bringing out some sparkling water from the fridge. “Okay Mom.” me and Aria called out to her.

Snow my mother unlike me and my sister was completely snow white from Mane to coat. The only thing that made her stand out was a black line down her back and flower like socks on her leg fur. And a vibrant icy blue eye color.

Still grinning I walked to the table passing the medal I got upon graduating the Equestrian Rangers School. Dad paused at it and my sister’s medal which sat next to mine. I only noticed when I looked over my shoulder at him for I heard his hoof beats pause.

He Wore a look only a proud father could wear. “My little girls, all grown up.” he stated proudly. “Hey we’re not dead yet.” I teased which prompted me to duck a hurled sparkling water bottle from my Mother.

“Don’t talk like that.” My mother stated grumpily. “it was just a joke Ma.” With a humph my mother gave me the stink eye after finishing that sentence. I knew better than to argue with her.

Snickering my dad ruffled my mane prompted a swat from my hoof to his head. Which only made his grin widen. “No touchy my Dew.” I growled in a mock threat.

We soon were sitting around the table enjoying a good meal. It was good times. Heck, not just good time, great times. My father was a high ranked official with the Vault’s hierarchy. He coordinated logistics of the vault, member he’s on the Vault’s council. Which at times forced him into all nighters. The council is the ruling body of the Vault. It used to be overseen by a Overmare, but after fifty years of one person dividing up the tasks and resources proved to much for the Overmare. So just before her death she set up a new ruling body headed by her descendant. This provided the next Overmare with a much needed clarity, and also made it easier for her to divide up all the tasks of the Overmare to high ranked officers and prominent civilians. Giving her the deciding vote on everything, but also people aid her in keeping the vault running. So 150 years later my Da sits on this council.

While my mother was a school teacher…the very one I blew to Luna’s moon as a filly. She happens to be the head of education in the vault. For all we knew here in Two Twelve this vault was the last of Equestria and her armed forces. No one ever left the vault as far as me and my sister knew. Then again that kind of information was considered extremely classified. Not that I’d wanna know.

As for me, well I am a Ranger.That’s group of elite scouts that will be sent out the moment we get the all clear from Vault tech. Which had yet to come. Like many others I believed that no one would ever send that message. I only Joined the rangers because they were the only group to offer demolitions training, magic and Combat training not just one or the other.

With a loud belch I flopped onto my back in the middle of the living room only to yelp at a pillow smacking me in the face. “Ew! Seriously did you need to burp like that?” Aria would be glaring at me from the couch as I snickered. “or course.”

Rolling her eyes Aria just sighed and would just flip through a old book. Me I just laid on my back counting the rivets in the ceiling. Celestia, I was bored. I hated days off. I only get a few every month or so. I still hated them. “Gaaaaah! So bored!” exited my muzzle making Aria groan.

“Bored huh? Then clean up the kitchen then Love.” Ma ordered, making me regret opening my big mouth.

Getting on my hooves I went into the kitchen and began using my hooves to start the hot water while my horn moved the pot pans, and plates out of the sink. As I put soap in the filling sink I heard my mother and father talking from his study. They had left the sink window open.

“Yeah we got another Council meeting tomorrow love.” I heard Rough Say to Snow. “I know dear I got the memo after school. What’s it about?”

I could hear rough shrugging, “No idea. Might have something to do about the water talismans. They’ve been breaking down lately. Or malfunctioning.”

That was news to me. Water talismans was how the Vault recycled our water, filtering out our waste, and other contaminants. If all of the talismans failed or broke we’d be dead within a month for lack of fresh clean water. I tried to focus on the dishes but seeing the water pushed the conversation to the for front of my mind. So I washed and listened.

“How could they be failing? We’ve maintained them well haven’t we?” Snow asked worriedly. Understandably so due to the severity of the situation.

Rough would sigh and shake his head, “We have, but it could also be the cause of tampering. But we won’t know until the meeting.” The mere mention of tampering made Snow stared at Rough bewildered. “Why?”

“I do not know love. There has been rising descent from some of the civilian populace about wanting out. Same with a small group within the military wanting a change in leadership.” Rough stated with unstated frustration.

Now that wasn’t good. I had heard rumors through the scuttlebutt (gossip or rumor mill) about upheaval from the civvies who wanted out. But now hearing that there was a movement for new leadership added to my growing worry. Military coos had a tendency to get very messy according to Equestrian history.

“trouble is brewing then…and we still need that all clear signal….or maybe we should just start going outside the vault.” Snow said looking to Rough who nodded in agreement. “I couldn’t agree more Snow, but that’s the issue. The Overmare will not approve of us leaving until that all clear order”

I had to admit, that both of them were right. If the vault was going to break down critically like this, and with two growing factions within a Vault comprised of a entire brigade of military personnel, civilian workers, and their families. The military personnel alone numbered close to twelve thousand ponies. While the civilian contractors, workers, teachers, etc, numbered at least four thousand. Finally the families of all these ponies numbering about one thousand. This brings us to a total of seventeen thousand ponies. That number grows every month. Sooner or later we were going to need to leave.

“I know, but Rough you know we’re already beyond max capacity. If we’re to survive another year we need to start enforcing population laws.” That made Rough blanch and nod solemnly.

“ouch.” I thought silently. Pretty much anyone like our family are not allowed to breed unless one child dies or another dies. Even then they have to win a lottery for the right to breed again. This was how the vault was to survive until the all clear. We had such a high population due to a plague that hit us seventy years back. I wasn’t born then, but during those seventy years more of our ponies died instead of breeding. But when the cure was made the population control laws were lifted to replenish our numbers. Until our current population.

Rough tapped a hoof on his oak table. “I know, but it’s hard to get the Overmare to listen to anything regarding the outside. I’ve been trying to get her to send out the Rangers. With no luck.” hearing dad say that surprised me.

I could practically sense Snow looking towards the kitchen as I finished the dishes. “I know Rough…I’m scared the moment she sends them out we’ll loose our little Atom.”

Dad would chuckle, “Atomic is more than a match for anything outside these walls. Damn girl would probably blow up half of Equestria to kill her target.” Even I had to suppress a giggle.

I then heard a thunk from Snow wapping Rough with her hoof, with a exasperated sigh. “you are terrible.” Dad was still laughing despite the hit.

With that I drained the sink and their conversation steered away the subjects they were discussing earlier. Seems like I found my next activity. Thus I went to Aria who was putting back the book she had finished reading. “Hey Aria.” I said prancing to her.

“What Pyro?” Aria asked eyeing me suspiciously. Rolling my eyes at the use of my nickname I continued, “Got a day off tomorrow? I do. And the perfect activity.” I whispered to her.

Aria’s eye brow raised but her look never changed, “you’re gonna spy on the council meeting again aren’t you?” Frowning at Aria’s correct guess I just nodded my left ear flicking.

“Are you nuts?! do you remember what happened last time?” Aria growled at me making sure Rough and Snow couldn’t hear us. “yeah I do….but this is different!”

“Uh huh sure it is….much like how you thought mixing the school bomb was a good idea?” She asked me.

Ouch….low blow.

“No, it’s not like then. I’ve got a perfect hiding spot set up. You’ll see.” I told her while Aria sighed rubbing her fore head.

She stared into my violet eyes her’s narrowed, “Okay, I’m coming. But if we get caught, I’ll flay you alive got it?”

“sir yes sir” I replied and thus ducked a swinging hoof snickering. “Atom you’re gonna be the death of me.” I heard behind me and just grinned back at Aria.

Happily I went to bed, after bidding my parents good night I flopped onto the bottom bunk. I heard Aria land in her bed after a flap of her wings. With a smile I slept easily, my dreams peaceful, and safe…

** ** **

The next morning I woke up the smell of cooking eggs, oh yum, it’s rare we get them. Same with pork, and what not. Yeah yeah herbivores and all that. But we don’t just have ponies here. Griffins and hippogriffs live in the vault too. Both of which are carnivores. So after two hundred years eats easy to learn how to tolerate some forms of meat. Aria prefers fish, while I love bacon. And usually what came with eggs is usually bacon and hash browns.

Five seconds flat is all it took me to get out of bed. My head hit the lump of Aria which spooked her causing her jump and fall off her bed with a thud. While I tripped over the lip of my bunk tying my self up in my fore hooves. All my parents heard was a dual “thunk” into the metal floor.

“Damn it to Celestia Atom!” I heard Aria shout at me. But I was already out the door and hovering behind my mother taking a deep breath of breakfast….Well I tried. With a clang I was driven off with a yelp head ringing lightly from the cold frying that had been used to drive me off.

“ow ow ow!” I grumbled while I heard suppressed snickers coming from Rough as he read today’s issue of The Bunker Times our vault’s local newspaper. Throwing a pillow at Rough I got myself a cup of coffee from the living room’s coffee maker. When not inspired to get up by bacon my second love is coffee.

Once I had a cup I drank it black, “hmmmm something is missing.” I muttered. Then I spotted the creamer and sugar cubes. Using my horn I poured in some creamer and a big scoop of sugar cubes. Stirring them in until I had it perfectly done I sipped the coffee again, “aah, perfect.”

Pleased with my cup of joe I sat down drinking from it again, “You just had to ruin a good cup of coffee.” Rough teased me making me snicker. “Blame mom she’s the one who introduced me to sugar and creamer.” I then felt Snow’s eyes on me I turned and grinned to my mother who Harrumphed and pretended to be offended, as she returned to the kitchen.

Aria walked out a few minutes later growling at me while I just enjoyed my coffee. I wasn’t blind though, I was already making a mental note to check my possessions she was left alone with for trap pranks.

“So girl’s what are you planning for today?” Rough asked us as I stretched and yawned, “I dunno spending some bits on a graduation gift for Aria.” I stated before sipping my coffee.

“Well if Atom is treating me to a special day I’ll go along.” Aria said playfully as I gave her a raised eye brow.

Rough just snickered and flipped a page with his horn,, “Atom, no explosives today…Got a letter from the Overmare. To many complaints about you nearly blowing the others up.” Ugh…they always go running to the Overmare after I “nearly” blow them up.

“oh come on. I was using a training tool yesterday. Geesh, people are sensitive.” I grumbled acking as a got a swat with a newspaper by Mom. “Do I need to list every ‘explosive’ incident?” Snow asked me. Ears folded and my eyes half lidded I sighed.

“Fiiiiiiine no explosives…..But doesn’t mean I can’t play with gun powder.” I said ducking another swat from that evil newspaper. “okay, okay no gunpowder either geesh.”

Aria snickered as she drank a glass of orange juice. It was hard not to enjoy my torment from my parents. They know I mean well, I’m just accident prone at times. But taking this cue from my mother swatting at me breakfast was done and slunk into the dining room to eat my breakfast.

“BAAAAARRRP. Ah that felt good.” I stated with a grin before I felt a crisp “smack” to the back of my head jolting my head forward. “You cover your damn mouth when you do that Atomic.” Aria scolded at me, while I made a playful mocking gesture as she spoke. With a growl she swung at me which I promptly ducked. But Aria swatted a poor mare’s chilled coffee and not only splashed it on her face but managed to shove the cup around the Mare’s mouth. Bulls Eye!

Snickering a trotted off while Aria chased after me cursing up a storm in my general direction. After a while we settled down and drank a cup of water.

“when’s the meeting.” Aria asked. “About a hour from now sis. Gotta wait for them to go inside.” I replied tossing my cup into the recycling bin, but Aria managed to make a swish with her cup earning her a glare from me.

As we waited, while playing a few games of chess, up until I saw the council members gathering and soon ushered inside by the Overmare. “go time.”

Aria perked up from the board having been pondering her next move for the last three minutes…Or was it five? Either way we had to scoot.

Once the door was shut behind the last council pony entering the Overmare’s council chambers. Slinking to a rather large air duct Aria looked around before kicking in the grate. I had already loosened it up years earlier. Slipping in before any MPs came around the corner the grate back into place with me and aria slinking through the ducts. We moved to the central duct over the council; table it’s self to get a good look at all the councilors.

A wood on wood ‘thwack thwack’ from a gavel in the hoof of the Overmare, “let this council meeting come to order.” She called to the others prompting the Idle gossip to cease.

The Overmare was a brandy colored earth pony with a golden blonde mane and tail. She had a gavel and a pen cutie mark, in the form of a X.

“If I may speak first my Overmare? I have a issue that needs this council’s attention ASAP.” The head Engineer, Iron Wrench spoke breaking the brief silence.

The Overmare Looked to him and nodded slowly and elegantly. “Go Ahead.”

“thank you My Overmare.” Wrench stated as he stood up making sure all eyes were on him. “I’m afraid the rumors of a water talisman failure is true. The magic Object didn’t run dry though….it was broken.” As he finished those words everyone’s eyes went wide.

“who’d sabotage one of the most important machines we use to survive on?” That question popped into my head, and I could see the same one appeared inside Aria’s as well. But the one who voiced it was none other than, Black Beak. The griffin community leader, and their Council Representative.

“I don’t know Black. But a water talisman doesn’t just shatter on it’s own.” Wrench stated.

But before he could continue up stood a scarlet pegasus mare, with a silver mane. Her body seemed to softly Shimmered and shifted like a gem. Blood Gem was the Military leader, which put her in charge of all combatants. Including Aria and me.

Gem waited for the Overmare to gesture to her with a hoof. “the chair recognizes General Gem.”

“Thank you my Overmare. As you are all well aware of the two rumored factions in our vault, it’s possible a revolt will happen soon.” Gem stated being honest.

Soon Dad stood up nodding to Gem who sat down to allow him to speak. “speak Rough Diamond.” the Overmare stated.

Bowing his head slightly Rough would look at the other councilors, “my Overmare, my fellow councilors. I believe it’s High time we left the Vault. As you know I’m in charge of all logistics and supplies through out the vault. Which brings up Iron Wrench’s point and Gem’s into mine as well.” Rough didn’t stand still he strode around the group.

“We don’t have many water talismans, nor do we have many repair talismans. They’ve been systematically destroyed one by one, We will run out. Unless we put an end to this sabotage. We have one of three choices.” Rough Diamond paused to look at his fellow councilors, and then at the Overmare making sure he was being understood and heard.

Seeing that they were following his words he continued, “ We let the people choose. That could lead to open rebellion if the two factions don’t get their way. The second choice, banish those belonging to those factions. In the long run we might be able to survive several more years, before the exiles return to kill us all. Or the best option. We open the vault and send out the rangers to explore the outside world and check to see if it’s safe for us. Then we rebuild.”

I had to admit, when dad explained things like that it made perfect sense to me. Looking to Aria she nodded in approval of his proposal. So I focused on the Overmare, before the Councilors of both the Research, and Magic divisions of the Vault stood up.

“I move to second the motion.” The unicorn of the Magic Division, with the R&D Councilor nodding in agreement.

I heard all of them say aye in agreement of Rough’s proposal, All Except the Overmare. Who sighed and stood up.

“No need to vote. We open the vault. Alert the Rangers, they’re moving out General.”

Oh shit….I needed to go. Cause thanks to pipbucks they’ll hear the echo of those order’s being given to me. “time to go” I whispered to Aria who nodded.

I couldn’t hear what was being said as I shifted and tried to leave the duct with out being noticed….Well I would have if it wasn’t for the duct supports breaking from the growing rust gained from condensation.

With a loud crashing bang I fell from my hidy hole and belly flopped on the table. Suddenly I was glare for once I wasn’t a Stallion, but that didn’t meant my genitals didn’t hurt like hell. If that wasn’t the frosting on the cake I had my sibling groaning on my back after she landed right on top of me. Some flier she was.

Groaning I sat up to my haunches, while pushing my sister off me only to come face to face with my Da. I could tell his was absolutely beyoooooond pissed! A vein or two were bulging out from his neck. His right eye was twitching in fury. The final clue, was that I swore I saw the flames of hell in his eyes. I was so boned.

Behind me I felt Ma’s eyes stabbing into my back despite their inability to leave her eye sockets. “Oh good, sames some breath having to hunt you down Atomic.” General Ruby suddenly stated.

Just like that I was dragged out by the ear, by the general yelping like a foal who just got caught with a hoof in the cookie jar. Sadly Aria wasn’t so lucky. She was getting chewed out worse than all the other times before.

“You just have to cause trouble don’t you?” Gem asked eyes narrowing at me speaking around my ear tip which was stuck in her mouth.

“I can’t help it, life gets boring so I gotta do something else I’ll go insane.” I complained to her before jabbing my hoof just behind her jaw just hard enough to force her mouth to open nothing more. A quick jump back and I was cleaning my ear with telekinetic magic.

Gem rubbed her jaw looking dejected about the jab but proud. “Gather your gear, meet in the great hall. Make sure you alert Aria to do the same…Figured you’d grab her for this mission.” With that the General flew off no doubt to alert the other Rangers.

When she was gone I felt my body start to shake and pure joy erupting from my chest when it sank it I was finally going onto a mission. “WAHOOOO! FUCK YES!” I shouted before looking about.

“Sorry.” I quickly said hobbling, as I hid my blushing face with a hoof before I just took off running.

~~** ** **~~

Bursting into my room after running through half the vault to burn off my excitement. With a hoof I threw my big duffle over my back, the strap hooking around my chest. I then hoisted my pistol still in it’s holster out of the locker in my closet.

I pulled out my pistol from the holster. I grinned at the Ironshode Firearms .44 single shot rib barreled pistol, it was given to all Rangers. Custom made and fitted to each ranger. Mine had a leather wrapped grip custom fitted for my mouth. With a black Oak under barrel grip. I named this guy Peacemaker. Silly name I know but I love it.

Holstering it again I put it in my right saddle bag. The rest of my gear was at Ranger HQ inside the great hall. Walking out I ran into Aria who smiled, “grab your gear…we’re finally heading out.” I said giddily.

Aria beamed but she gestured with her head, “that bad huh?” I asked and she just grinned apologetically.

So I walked out of the room setting my duffle down and faced my parents. Snow and Rough were pissed still that I eavesdropped on a council meeting again. But seeing my gear packed neatly away in the duffle they calmed down and just beamed.

I hugged Snow first and Rough joined in as they teared up with me. “Make us proud Firecracker.” I couldn’t help but giggle at the use of Da’s nickname he gave me.

“Sir yes sir.” I said saluting him and both of them saluted back. They beamed proudly as I grabbed my things. I gave them one last kiss on the cheek and I was out the door. I waited outside for Aria who hugged them as well and when the goodbyes were said and done, Aria and I were walking towards The Great Hall, also known as Ranger’s Hall.

It was the only wooden building within the metal tomb that was the vault. Our vault being the largest that had been ever constructed according to our history books. It was built to hide a literal army. When the vaults were first created the military sought to get a few of their own made by vault tech. Ours was the first of five, but the only one still active as far as we can tell.

Walking to the big double doors I shoved the door as side with some effort, before marching towards the other gathered rangers. Seemed like about twenty-five rangers had been summoned, along with their partners. Rangers always went with a partner. Be it another ranger, or some one who isn’t a part of the Rangers. Much like my sister. But she has a honorary status being my partner.

“that’s a lot of rangers” Aria whispered in my ear as we cantered along. “yeah this is a big deal sis. Of course they’re gonna send a lot of us.”

As we approached a big earth pony strode up with a stern look on his mug. “Atomic Flare…” he stated as I gave him the same glower, “Tiny Shoes….” I grumbled at him before he threw out his fore hooves and hugged me. “COME ERE! Been too long!” She cheered as I felt my back popping and other limbs as I tried to breath…Celestia have mercy to the pony he hit. “can’t….breath.”

“oh sorry.” he said letting me go making me flop as I took a massive breath. “good to see you two big guy…” I wheezed back.

Aria was snickering away as I stood up, giving her a glare as I upturned my Duffle in my designated area marked with my cutie mark. With the aid of one of the vault’s many pipbuck technicians briefly removed my pipbuck so I could remove my Vault uniform. I put on the vault uniform ponexe (ponified spandex) allowing me to start putting together My ranger armor. First to come together was my helmet. The tech took a book out of the Ministry of Wartime Technology’ s Steel Ranger power armor. With one key difference, No air pipes were needed. And the area in front of the muzzle had a oval indentation for a breath filter and voice amplifier/scrambler. The visor area was also different from the Steal ranger armor. Instead of two eye ports it was just one long eye port to give near full range of vision. Once the straps and my additions to the helmet was complete I set it down. My additions to the helmet was a direct link to my pipbuck for S.A.T.S. And a night vision setting for the visor.

Putting on my hoof boots and leg guards I grinned feeling the soft leather of on my legs. The black and brown leather felt amazing on my body. The next thing that came was the main piece of my armor barding. With a heavy metal plate set to my chest, back, and under chest. I felt thick leather covering my other extremities. It was light armor, but could take a couple shots before failing. Then came my favorite Piece. The leather drench coat. It had a symbol of the Ranger’s cutie mark. So mine was plastered on the back with the Ranger’s coat of arms on my shoulders. The coat split in two tails to allow mine to sit free while wearing the coat. I put on my helmet strapping it in with my horn’s magic. My helmet having a dent to allow my horn in, but thanks to some of the techs and geeks it Amps my magic up if I ever need my horn amplified. With a hoof press to the “jaw” of my helmet the bottom came loose allowing me to bite and hold objects. But this also shuts off my helmet’s gas mask, and voice amp.

I turned to look at my sibling to see Aria wearing similar armor to mine. But with two key differences. She didn’t have a ranger coat, and her armor was heavier than mine. She also had a multi-weapon battle saddle. Which holds up to nine weapons. Two pistol or similar light arms weapons. Two mid-ranged weapon slots. Then comes the long heavy fire weapons. With the final slot being extreme range weaponry. She was a walking armory. But like me she had this linked to her pipbuck and with it linked to her visor she’d be able to swap from one weapon to the next in a pinch. But like mine it was brown and black camouflage.

Soon we all were dressed did our Sargent Major walked out with the First Sargent. Both nodded to us, as the new recruits quickly started passing out weapons for us. My sister got to assault rifles, two IronShode M1 Porand. (M1-garand modernized) it was a single fire ten round .30mm caliber bullets. Aria’s final weapons were two standard .9mm Marerreta pistols, and a Magical Energy Musket. With my help we soon had her weapons stored away in her armor’s holsters. All except the musket, that was the only externally set weapon but was still attached to her battle saddle. She also was given as much ammo as she could carry for those weapons. The last weapons she was given were two foot and a half long combat daggers sheathed on her fore hooves.

As for me, I had a special selection of weapons. My first weapon was a modified IronShode sniper rifle carbine. The barrel and receiver were for .308 rounds, with a sturdy stock, and configured for hoof fire or mouth firing. Sliding that onto my left back weapon holster, before throwing over my coat hiding the x2-8 zoom scope. My next weapon was my .9mm maretta going into the holster under peacemaker. Next came my two shot combat shot gun. Then my mat black Assault carbine. Given the .308, .44, 5.56, and .9mm ammo needed for my weapons I was ready to roll, as I hooked my foot and a half long combat daggers where they belonged. One one on my left shoulder handle pointed down. The other on a fore hoof. As I finished up the other Rangers were finishing their load outs as well with a fest of weapons being checked and mags being locked into place.

When we finally finished a section of the Ranger’s Hall, the wall bearing the Ranger’s coat of arms behind the Sargents. The crossed Rifles in front of the split sun and moon sunk into it’s self and parted with the wall revealing the Vault’s exit. The two NCOs before us beamed at their Rangers proud of their former trainees.

“RANGERS! FAAALL IN!” Our First Sargent roared out forcing us into a standard Platoon square formation. Due to our names Aria and I were in the first rank.

“ATEE-CHUN! (Attention)” The first Sarge shouted out for the second time snapping us into attention with a loud clopping thud. Nodding to our Sargent major who took over from there.

“FORWAAAARD, MAAARCH!” Was shouted out by the Sargent Major.

Prompting us to march forward in formation to the threshold our hooves thudding and clopping on the wooden floor. “RANGEEERS HALT!” the sarge shouted and in unison we all thudded to a stop. I felt the eyes of the vault upon me thanks to the cameras.

There walking out in front of us General Gem in full military uniform eyed us all. She beamed as she strode down the line. Before turning around and standing three feet in front of us on the formation’s center line.

“Rangers, this is a represented moment in our vault’s history…in the history of Equestria! We have spent enough time in this Vault. We must branch out, we must start rebuilding! Gem spoke with power and certainty her eyes scanning her elite pony soldiers. I felt my chest bursting with pride and eagerness! “this is where you come in! You’ve all been given a area to scout and explore, your goal is to see how habitable our home is. Where ever that might be. May Celestia, and Luna bless your journeys.” She said before raising her self to salute us.

In unison we saluted back yelling, “SIR YES SIR!” Thunderously. Finishing the salute Gem grinned before giving us our orders. “Lock and Load.” Gem stated. With the sounds of hammers being pulled, baddle saddles kicked. Once we were armed and back at attention we waited to be sent out.

“For Luna!, for Celestia! FOR EQUESTRIA, MOVE OUT!”

Right as she finished her her command off we were. Thunderous hooves stormed forward the first door opening as we surged forward. Our coat tails bellowing behind us as we ran around the general and up the Vault’s entrance shaft we went the door shutting behind us the moment the last one passed through. As we ran forward all of us heard a loud thud outside like a major metal sheet had just moved, while our vault’s door was unsealed. The gear like door pulling towards us before it rolled to our right and out the door we went….

Footnote: Journey Start
level up
New perk: Move Out: 15% more accuracy in S.A.T.S while moving
Strength: 5
Perception: 5
Endurance: 5
Charisma: 2
Intelligence: 5
Agility: 5
Luck: 1
(out of 28 points)

Author's Note

Hello fellow wastelanders! I'm a decent fan of the fallout games and the fanfic written by Kkat and the FoE: Project Horizons writer somber. It's because of these two I decided to create this story.

So if any writers or fellow fans of the series read this, please send feedback, and I aim to improve with each and every chapter.

So please read enjoy, and stay vigilante, and safe.

~The Pony Sith Lord