Chapter 2: First Contact

with me and Aria ahead of the pack, we exited the Vault’s massive door only to see darkness. Almost pitch black darkness. “It must be night here on the surface.” I thought while I flared my horn to push a button on the side of my helmet and with the sound of a brief charge and a illuminating green haze on my visor signaling that my night vision activated. We started speeding up with the night vision activated, only for me to feel a crunch under my hooves which made me look down.

I almost fell and upchucked my breakfast. I was running on top of the remains of hundreds pony remains. The megaspells spared no one…no one at all. Getting a flashing light in my hud I got an alert on my pipbuck, so looking at the light opened the files I had just been given. I was chosen to head south out of the mountains. I was also given a first contact procedure to follow, my code name everything. The second alert was a map update for my pipbuck. Seems like for the next day or so at our current pace Aria and me would be with the other rangers till we left this dead end ravine.

With a quick glance over my left shoulder I looked back to see the other rangers were slowing to a canter. So I followed their lead. No need to rush, and kill myself with overexertion. The next thing I checked was if the air was breathable. Seeing it was I popped my helmet’s jaw once more and kept walking a faint green glow showing on my muzzle.

“So far not what I expected…” I heard Aria stated, “yeah same here…but don’t worry about it sis. Those bones are probably the worst the surface most likely has to offer.” I assured her with a grin.

We kept cantering for several more miles before I slowed to a walk with Aria. We were making good time towards the mouth of the ravine. We were nearing a area I marked for the group camp we were gonna need to take. If it was night up here we needed to acclimate our sleep cycles accordingly. So I pinged it for the others and got quick nods. The pegasai to the skies to scout the spot and secure it for us ground pounders. My sister being among them.

So a few hours later us ponies bound to run along by hoof arrived at the base camp. Walking into the camp I tossed back my barding’s hood and removed my helmet shaking my mane out as I did so.

“Atom over here.” I heard Aria and smiled as she saved a spot for me on the easterly side of the camp. Tossing off my ruck sack I pulled out my cot and sleeping bag and tossing them into our tent set up by Aria.

I Unloaded my weapons, all but my knives and pistols. But I did pull out my Maretta, to eject the mag, and catch the chambered round as I cocked the pistol forcing it to eject the bullet. Using my horn’s telekinetic grip to do so. Loading the round into the mag I tapped the back of the mag to line up the rounds before sliding the mag back in. Holstering the pistol again I went to the central fire after hanging up my coat.
“Where you going sis?” Aria asked me, “Aria I’m gonna party a little with the rest of the gang. Join us.”

Aria just rolled her eyes, “nah I’m fine over here.”

“Suite your self.” I warned her before trotting along happily. It could be years or I might never see these guys again, so I had to do it. Also I kinda made a promise to do so with these crazy bastards.

As I approached I heard boisterous laughter, and knew that some one had brought whiskey. So I approached silently and would tackle a Golden bronze earth pony and pinned him under me, “hey buckos where’s my whiskey!” I shouted grinning.

I got cheers, half drunk greetings, and the the stallion under me trying to throw me off him. Jumping off which forced him to swing a hoof at me instead, which allowed me to catch the hoof and fall back wards twisting myself in the air using my horn’s magic and threw the Stallion making him spin like a horizontal top and land in a heap in the muddy, snow slushed ground.

With more cheers I took a offered bottle of whiskey, and tossed it back. The stallion I threw to the ground stood up grinning and would high hoof me. Yeah we rangers were one big military family. The night would progress with the more food savvy ponies fixing all of us a big dinner. Which would end in ponies getting food smacking them in the face from the more drunk of the group.

Once the crazy shenanigans died down I relaxed and watched my comrades happy for this last moment, but then again…I was drunk off my ass. I was enjoying another swig of whiskey when the bottle exploded due to a shotgun going off. “damn it Griff stand still I almost got it!” came the southern gruff tones of Sarge. “Damn it Sarge I’m not here for target practice!” “Ah shut it Griff!” Still drunk and thankful I wasn’t filled with glass I peered down the broken bottle, confused to why it didn’t have any more liquor.

Shrugging I hurled it behind me unaware it just smacked a dancing pegasus part of a barber shop quartet KOing the lad. I bid the others goodnight as I staggered back to my tent. I didn’t bother with a sleeping bag not caring if the tent had a bottom or not as I passed out.

~~** ** **~~

“Get up you useless drunk!” I heard Aria shout before I felt nothing but cold. Shooting to my hooves as I was soaked from my head to my hooves with near freezing water I glared at Aria before groaning and rubbing my head. “Damn it sis…five more minutes.” I groaned hung over.

Sighing Aria just waggled my travel cup of coffee in my face, thanking her I took the cup in myhorn's magic and drank it down. Yeah good coffee was pure black coffee. Then used some of my provisions to make a non-alcoholic bloody marry. Once that was downed I sighed, in which time I had dried off thanks to the fire Aria made for me. After waking up a bit I noticed that most of the tents were down as the Rangers started splitting off from the base camp and would be heading out. Every last one that was currently here like me was packing up to leave.

“time to go Aria lemme help pack up.” I said after finishing my coffee eating a apple. While I put back out cots and sleeping bags. Letting Aria deal with the tent. Once the tent was packed away in Aria’s battle saddle I checked my rifles’ ammo making sure each one had a round chambered. I clicked the safeties off and slide them into their holsters along my back. Putting on my trench coat again and helmet my magic flicked up my barding’s hood. Looking to Aria who nodded and we galloped off. Sarge saw us as he and Griff packed up and both would fire a round in farewell to us. Followed by a string of curses from Griff, who was most likely nearly shot…again.

~~** ** **~~

Several hours later we slowed down from a gallop to a fast paced canter. We were nearing the mouth of this ravine. “So Atom what’s this about First Contact? This is the first I’m hearing about it.” Aria asked me prompting me to hit the ‘jaw’ release on my helmet. I had no need for the voice scrambler and amp yet.

“Well first contact means meeting any surface dwelling ponies. We have no idea if they’d accept ponies like us here.” I started to explain drinking some bottled water. “But during these first contact proceedings We use our code names. Atom for me a Avia for you. The brass have to know if we’re going to have peaceful relations with any neighbors we might get, or if we’ve gotta wage war upon them before we can settle.”

Aria nodded as I gave the briefest of run downs about first contact. Being the ranger I was familiar with the proticals associated with it. So I continued explaining, "Stage one, was gather any and all information about our surroundings, and cultures. Stage two, establish a presence in the habitual region. Stage three, determine friend or foe. Very straight forward in normal circumstances. But in this situation as we know nothing about the surface, Vault-tec was supposed to give us monthly updates on the surface. But the automated system seems to have broken down, or been destroyed." She nodded again as I finished up.

Either way we were flying blind. But maybe this was a blessing in disguise, for my secondary orders separate from my normal Ranger duties including looking for any valuable military equipment, machines of war, talismans, or anything. Even if I had to steal them. I did not like those orders, but orders were orders.

“Atom we’re here.” Aria called out suddenly which broke me out of my train of thought, and with a flick of a ear I filed away my orders and map to gaze out as we left the ever widening ravine.

Only to find ourselves on a massive cliff over looking a sickly looking terrain. “By Celestia...” I was nearly speechless.
“H-how could Equestria look this sickly? It’s been 200 years.” Aria stated to loudly and I had to wonder the same thing. Tapping another selector with a hoof on my helmet it would lower the tint in my visor making my eyes visible now.

It was at this point I looked up. I saw nothing but black cloud cover. “The sky Aria….The sky…It’s black…The sun is almost blotted out.”

When I mentioned the sky Aria gasped and hovered her mouth with a hoof. I felt the same way. I had hoped the land would be lush, green, revived after two centuries of recovery. I was so wrong. I turned my gaze back to the ground below us I saw the edges of the Crystal Empire, well at least the edges of it’s once magnificent gleaming cities. The fact that they were mostly intact like this gave me some hope. Looking to Aria I hugged her.

“We gotta move on…come on we gotta head right along that path.” I said pointing out the mountain path we had to follow. I lead the way tinting my visor again.

It wasn’t gonna be a easy trek. The ground was muddy, and slick due to the melting snow. If that wasn’t enough I had to be careful where I stepped, for if either me or Aria weren't paying attention we could step on a unsupported section of the path and fall to our death. Well mainly me. Hours of walking later I felt the sun setting behind us and I muttered a curse.

“Atom I know what you’re thinking, but we can’t camp tonight. Not until we find some form of shelter.” Aria called to me. I waved a hoof showing her I had heard.

I still didn’t like the idea of walking around at night.

A few hours of walking later we were over looking one of the empire's crystal cities. I didn't know which one it was nor was I looking to find out. I opened the visor of my helmet, while my horn’s telekinetic grip pulled out my binoculars. Putting it to my eyes I peered down at the city trying to see if there was any activity from our perch. We still had sun light at this point, for it was early in the evening. The long days and short nights hadn't started yet. So it couldn’t hurt. As i looked I spotted the shadow of what looked like a pony, it was gone before I could zero in on what was casting the shadow. So I got the bright idea to pull out my sniper. Laying down on the edge of our path I used my hooves to hold the rifle steady, as I got a closer look thanks to the variable zoom on my scope. Mouth on the trigger I lined up a shot. Thankfully there wasn’t much wind, and the shot was only about 230 yards away. Firing I blew apart a empty bottle, I didn’t even need S.A.T.S. But thanks to the angle of my shot it bounce off the road and shattered the glass of a bank window.

Even I could hear the alarm all the way up from where we were. That was when I saw them. Decaying flesh and uglier than anything I could have ever dreamed of. These walking dead ponies stormed the bank in droves while I came out from behind the scope horn turning the bolt action to eject the spent round. Catching it telekinetically I put the shell in a saddle bag. It could be useful to have casings. I knew a thing or two about making normal bullets. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I some how made a mistake.

Either way my curiosity was sated some what, so we continued on. With the sun settling down for the evening I looked for Luna’s moon, but couldn’t see it. So I sighed. I was really hoping to get a view of Luna’s moon. Walking for another few hours would bring us lower along the mountain side before the path cut inward and deeper into the mountains.

“so where are we headed exactly Atomic?” Aria asked trying to keep her mind from wandering to much or to stay awake, I couldn’t tell. I was tired myself.

So I flicked my right ear to bring up my instructions and the map of the area. “South…towards Los Maregelous, San Neighgo, and the surrounding areas.” I read as I walked making sure where I was stepping thanks to my night vision hud.

“Wow that’s a long ways off.” Aria said when she looked at the map. We figured it was outdated, but outdated or not it was a very long ways off.

I nodded, “yeah the other teams probably will finish before we do. Not that I’m complaining, but just means we’re gonna have to rough it.”

“I was afraid of that.” Aria stated with a sigh. “would be easier if we found a working sky cart, or at least brought one.”

“yeah I wouldn’t complain about that.” I agreed with a snicker. It was good to be with family.

Well the moment was good up until I spotted smoke and a small light off in the distance a few minutes later. “Avia are you seeing that?" I asked pointing to the smoke and light in the distance. “Yes I do. We heading there?” She asked.

Looking to her my helmet closed up and visor tinted again, "yes we are." I replied, after hearing my voice being filtered and altered by my helmet she nodded, our First Contact proticals were now in effect.

Our pace sped up to that of a fast canter. But I got a gut feeling that something was off and so took a peek through my binoculars at the growing ball of fire. What I saw….I’d never forget.

When I looked through my binoculars the first thing I saw was the bonfire. Nothing surprising there it was rather cold up here so I understood the need to stay warm. I saw fellow ponies dancing or what looked like dancing around the fire. At first I thought it was some form of ritual dance. Nothing wrong with that.

Then I saw a pair of earth ponies dragging out a kicking and screaming unicorn stallion. When a third joined them this unicorn mare using her telekinetic magic to grip a sharpened pole, “no don’t do it!” I heard myself whispering only to watch the two earth pony stallions shoving him onto the sharp point then it jammed forward…

I couldn’t tear my eyes away as the stallion was impaled in his ass. I was to far away to physically hear his screams, but my mind imagined I was able to and heard a false scream as I watched the bulge of the stake pushing up further forcing him to barf up blood. I even imagined the sadistic laughter of the ponies doing this to him. I felt sick…bile rose up my throat as the pony slowly started going silent before the final shove had the stake exiting his mouth, forcing the bile in my throat to shoot up like a rocket…

I threw off my helmet and hurled up my lunch and dinner, eyes wider than dinner platters or that’s what it felt like. I felt another heave and another, and another, I kept puking until I couldn’t puke anymore. All that hit were dry heaves now. My body wouldn’t stop shaking as my ears rang. What had happened was so sick I couldn’t wrap my mind around why those three got their jollies off on doing that to a fellow pony...

“ATOM! “ hearing my name I looked dazed to Aria, but I wasn’t seeing her.

“GET OFF YOUR ASS AND MOVE IT SOLDIER!” Was screamed in my face by my Drill Instructor. And I shot to my hooves only to get shoved down face first into the mud. I was suddenly back at basic training…my mind trying to tell me something.

“DO YOU WANT TO GET SHOT PRIVATE?! STAY! DOWN!” he roared at me again. Listening I crawled forward under barbed wire, but with gun fire suddenly going off over my head again caused me to freak.

Fresh from my explosive incident at the school it was understandable that any loud bang frightened me. So here I was cowering and crying. “MOVE IT SOLDIER!” Was shouted at me and I shook my head. A hoof blow to my side changed that.

Not wanting any more pain I crawled forward more afraid of the DI’s hoof than being shot. Seriously…I swear he fractured a rib. Once at the end I looked back seeing the others panicking and freaking out like me I was shocked…even the most gunghoe were being beaten for their cowardice.

And so I turned to My DI who stared sternly at me, “what Private?” He asked gruffly.

“have you killed anypony?” I asked. It was naive, but in my fragile state I had to ask it.

Giving me a serious glare before looking at the others as they crawled getting utterly filthy like me. “No, I haven’t….But if faced with a situation came up where I needed to…I will. Because of one simple rule. I don’t want to die…It’s my job to make sure you do just that, for what ever reason you feel is justified. Do not hesitate, for your enemy won’t.”

Then a blow to my vulnerable head jolted me out of my shock, and flash backing mind. And there stood Aria with the same horrified look on her face, and I was suddenly so happy to see her. So glad she was here, if she hadn’t been…That pony being impaled would’ve left me there in shock up until they found us…

That realization of becoming a victim, and being unable to fight back pissed me off something fierce. No pony should ever have to go through what I saw…I was ready to serve up hot leaded justice.

“I’m fine…I’m good….let’s kill those fuckers” I said voice going to a angry growl as I put my helmet and hood back on. As I did so, I silently thanked my DI. He might have been an ass…But he was right. You can’t hesitate, the moment you do, you, and your comrades will die.

“Rodger rodger.” I heard and she flew ahead taking to the skies. Her beam rifle locked and loaded.

While I galloped. Thanks to my sister spotting targets for me I saw my Eyes Forward Sparkle, or E.F.S for short showing red targets. So I slowed down and began to sneak towards the camp. Seeing a rock pile from a avalanche or rock slide, I hid behind it. Peeking around the corner I spotted three perimeter guards, one was watching my direction the other two were playing a card game. I almost dry heaved again. For they were using teeth and ears as chips.

I started pulling out Peacemaker, but when I thought about it stealth right now was the better option and instead I went with my knife. Putting away peacemaker. So I started out with a new spell I learned a while back. Peeking around the corner my horn lit up with it’s violet aura and placed a sigil not far from their table.

“Hey rat brain!” I whispered but they heard a loud shout in my tone of voice coming from the sigil.

Their reaction was instantaneous. They stood up knocking the table over and out came their weapons. The one that had been facing me was now looking away. Gotta love the ‘Throw Voice’ spell.

“the hell was that?” Said the black and red pony. “no idea but we found our fun!” the bigger green pony said. After he spoke the three of them grinned manically giving me a cold shiver down my spine. So casting another sigil further away I did it again.

“Oi piss stains, you ain’t catchin shit!” I growled in a deeper voice attracting another two of these Psyco ponies.

When they left to investigate the voices, the group had left one guard all alone to guard the mountain pass. So I pelted him with a stone. Over his growling I heard the loud cocking of a shot gun. He was a unicorn stallion, so I had to be careful. As he walked to the rock pile I drew out my Combat knife or dagger if you will. Taking the hilt of my bladed weapon into my curled right hoof I waited. Thankfully my armor muted my outline in the darkness, and he wasn’t used to night fighting….but I was.

The moment he cleared the rocks I struck. Like a ghost, my training, and muscle memory of said training moved my body. Covering his mouth, with a hoof, I pulled him back behind the rocks with me, startling him and making him drop his weapon right as my knife stabbed into his neck, before I dragged it acrossed his throat slitting it. I had cut deep, to the point his wind pipe was slashed. He would be dead in a few minutes unable to call for help. Dropping the body I moved his shot gun with my horn’s magic, to my hiding spot.

I took this moment to look at his gear as I tried to ignore his gurgling breaths as he slowly drowned in his own blood while he bled out. His spiked leather armor used sharpened bit of re-bar in his shin guards and back hooves. While he had what looked like blood painting his body and stylized cuts to his body. His mane was oddly done with a four pronged spiked Mohawk. When I finished looking over his things I met his eyes and all he did was grin at me as those eyes glazed over from his lose of blood. But with what light was left I could tell his brain fantasied sick thoughts about me. That earned him a buck over the edge which sent him plummeting to Celestia knows where.

I was soaked with his blood. Staring down where I kicked him out of sight I shivered. But I wasn’t sick to my stomach. I wasn’t feeling any remorse. It felt wrong that I felt like this. I was glad he was dead. But as I searched for why I felt this way I remembered what he and his comrades were doing…and I didn’t feel so wrong. In fact I got even madder for feeling pity for these sick fucks!

I crawled out from behind the rocks towards the knocked over table and bucked out the lamp they knocked to the ground. I didn't need a shadow giving me away. I took a deep breath calming my mind as I watched the group of psycho ponies strut about hunting for me. But as they converged on my throw voice sigil I channeled another spell into it canceling out that spell. Forcing the sigil to turn into a glowing orb which brought the group of four dump psychos closer to it.

“you think it’s valuable?” one of them asked taking his crowbar and swatted it….

KABOOM!

My combustion spell erupted with spectacular fireball and shock wave. The building ruins they had wandered into was decimated and reduced to flying rubble, with pieces of pony meat flying everywhere creating fleshy fire balls….Yeah, I miiiiight have over did it just a tad.

Hell I was almost blown away by it. Kinda was my first time using it with out restrictions...So considering the results, I’d say that was a good test run. But thanks to that explosion sneaking around was not a option anymore. Aria had gotten that hint thanks to my knack for explosions. Cause before I knew it, I heard the pa-tooom of her magical energy musket blasting out a psycho pegasus’ chest as he moved to find me. He dropped still grinning manically, but his were eyes dead and lifeless.

Pulling out Peacemaker and my nine mil maretta, using my horn’s telekinetic grip. Cocking the nine millimeter pistol, I fell into S.AT.S. I Saw two targets within my line of fire. Taking aim with the maretta I aimed three shots at a charging earth pony wielding what looked like a spiked bat, with a axe blade on top of it. I noticed I could get a fourth shot off and bit onto Peacemaker’s grip, releasing the pistol from my horn’s magic, before I took aim at a unicorn mare, who was aiming a pipe-rifle at Aria. She wore what looked like thick armor, unsure if my weapons could penetrate it. So I aimed for her throat.

When I released S.AT.S things happened almost to fast for me to follow. This was my first actual fight using it. So it was exhilarating at how efficient and smooth SATS made combat.

Three shots rang out from my maretta, the shots flew true and drilled into the mare’s chest tearing out three hole’s in her chest. One bullet hit her heart and another hit her lung. But one went flying out the back putting a hole in her spine. She dropped like a bad habit. Peacekeeper’s shot was at a much longer range than the Maretta’s. But it flew right into that Unicorn’s neck hitting the jugular arteries and her wind pipe. But with such a high powered round I didn’t see what would happen next. A pegasus was behind the unicorn using her as cover to take a shot at me. He managed to get a shot off with a rifle. Thank Luna’s lucky stars my helmet was angled just enough to bounce the round. The impact nearly knocked me off my hooves as he took Peacemaker’s still traveling round. The .44 bullet had ripped into that pegasus’ ear, making him scream in pain and come out of hiding. Only for a red beam to burn a hole through an eye dropping him. On top of the bleeding out unicorn. Aria had my back still.

Seeing no immediate threats spotted on my E.F.S for now I holstered the nine millimeter. Using telekinesis to flick open Peacemaker ejecting the spent .44 round casing as I slammed another into the chamber flicking it closed. Walking forward eyes scanning for more targets only to spot another red marker way to close for comfort! My only warning to this one’s presence didn’t come from my E.F.S it came from the tack and ting of metal on stone. Looking down I saw a apple grenade and dove for cover. If I could, I’d have shat a brick in that moment before the explosive ripped through the area.

I was sent flying by the shock wave, and landed in a heap….hard. Thank Celestia I had armor. But I was sure I still had a few pieces of shrapnel in my flesh. Sure I love explosives, but being next to them when they go off is never fun. My ears rang from the blast. During my short flight my helmet came off leaving me to bang my head as shrapnel cut me twice just above my left eye. I tried getting up only to shout in pain as a pony landed right on top of me, pinning me on my back.

“Got you bitch!” The stallion shouted as he tried to stab me with his big ass Bowie knife! “Atom!” I hear Aria shout at him panic in her voice as she shot at the other psychos trying to shoot her while she strafed them. I for one would’ve loved to help. But I had caught this stallion’s knife blade between my hooves. With my eyes wide as they could go, and my heart racing from how close I came to being stabbed. The pony on top of me cackled and grinned gleefully. I stared into his eyes seeing my own fear and how truly mad he was. My brain knew what to do so did my body, but fear held me back until I felt a desire to live and survive. I growled as I shimmied right and redirected the knife into the ground just left of my head, earning me a mean slash to the left side of my cheek. I had to release the knife to do this, but he didn’t want to stop, laughing manically around the knife he reared back to stab me again.

When my left hoof shot forward and cracked him under the chin. His eyes briefly went blank from the force of the blow, as his head snapped back. I could hear and feel his decaying teeth cracking from the blow. Jumping on this created opening I stabbed my right hoof right into his throat making his mouth drop open as he gagged and coughed from the throat chop. I caught his knife in my jaws just as I bucked him off at full strength. He landed with a ‘oomph’ further taking out the wind in his sails. Quickly getting back on my hooves I picked up Peacemaker in my telekinetic grip before executing that knife wielding psychopath with one .44 round.

Once more I reloaded the pistol before holstering it. Spitting out the blade I hurled it using my horn catching a unicorn mare in the calf with it. Ten points! That was one hell of a bulls eye!

As she fell on her face my horn brought out my Assault rifle. While I got behind a fallen building support. “YOU CUNT! I’mma rip you apart!” I heard that Psycho shout before I came out from behind cover hooves holding the rifle.

I was using the broken pillar to support me. Before firing a three round burst that chewed into her body. One hitting her right into her collar and shoulder bones, while the other two hit a lung. She dropped trying to breath. Collapsed lungs were terrible injuries. Sliding the rifle to the right at the final two Psychopaths rushing me I selected single fire with my horn and fired four or five rounds into the the closer of the two as Aria shot the second one in the flank before landing at top speed, for a combat landing. She slid on the ground in a combat stance looking for foes.

The one she strafed was still alive, but only just. Walking up to him I heard him wheezing at me manically, “gehehheheh, Gore Bash is gonna kill you two…or rape you, then kill you. I hope he impales you on spikes!” I felt my stomach turn at how he could enjoy such disgusting behavior.

Pulling out the maretta pistol with my horn’s telekinetic grip, I aimed it at his head. “Any last words?’ I asked him my voice cold and filled with hate as I glared down at him.

“yeah..*cough* Fu..”-Bang!- He never got to finish that last thought as my pistol’s shot rang out silencing him as the nine millimeter bullet blew out his brain. I was so zoned on killing him I didn’t even notice the blood spatter spraying it’s self on my armor, and the right side of my face. He didn’t deserve such a quick end, but I was pissed due to these ponies torturing other ponies. Holstering the maretta I looked to Aria who was checking on the damage to her armor.

“geez these guys did some major work on my armor.” She growled. It made me laugh bringing up my spirits some. Funny thing though..I felt no remorse over killing these psychopaths. Probably due to how sick these monster’s were to their own kind.

“yeah they were packing some pretty decent heat.” I agreed still using the voice amp. “Let’s sweep the area, be sure to strip the bodies for anything we could use. Might as well take what these asses don’t need anymore.” I added moving to the unicorn mare I bulls eyed. Tearing out the knife with magic I wiped it clean on her before taking it’s wielder’s sheath for it. I put it next to my left shoulder knife. Bowie knives were effective tools as well as weapons so I was keeping it. I Also took the guy’s grenades. He had three on his self. Oh I was loving life right now. I had explosives. After raiding his gear I picked up my helmet and hung it on the back of my neck, inside of the hood where it belongs.

I didn’t bother with their armor but I did pick up any other useful weapons and ammunition. A couple of pipe rifles, and pipe sub-machine guns. According to the pipbuck they were pretty worthless, and were shit compared to my current weapon load out. I had to question how the pipbuck knew something’s worth…especially the currency used. What the hell were caps? I’d only found that out when I saw a sack of at least 5 bottle caps on a dead psycho pony, these were bottle caps? How the hell…yeah not gonna question it…I had work to do.

Either way a couple of secondaries couldn’t hurt. The only weapon I found of any worth was the first pony I killed. His shot gun was a work of art. I was taking it. It used the same twelve gauge buck shot, my sawed off shotgun used.

“hey Atom get over here found a stash of stuff!” Aria shouted at me happily. “Alright Avia be there in a sec.” I called back once more pulling out my maretta pistol, and shot the all the corpses still in one piece. I had to be sure they were dead, and I felt better when I did so.

Walking into this store room Aria found I had to stop and look at the stock pile. It had been ransacked before us judging by the busted door. But the room had a lot of left over ammo, but also a good store of food.

“Geez you’d think these guys were prepping for a war….” I couldn’t help blurting out as I picked up some 7.62mm rounds. More nine millimeter rounds, 5.56mm, and some energy crystals. Then I saw a energy rifle, “ah hell it’s busted….” I grumbled before spotting another one this one was broke too.

“hey sis you took some weapons repair classes right?” I asked her, “yes I did Atom why...oh I see…yeah not good with energy weapons. Gonna need a gun smith for those two.” If I said I wasn’t peeved…I’d be lying cause I was.

Sighing I tucked away the rifles just in case. I moved to find anything else of value as Aria got the food and other junk that could be useful outta the store room. Moving a crossed the street I went to the second story of a broken down building and into the still intact bathroom. There I found a medicine and first aid cabinet. I opened the first aid cabinet taking all the health potions bandages and everything else. “Surprised no one ransacked that yet.” I muttered as I opened the medicine cabinet.

When I closed the first aid station and storing the rest of my things into my saddle bags I looked into the mirror to my right. I saw the state I was in. My left eye was closed due to the two shrapnel cuts above it. While the knife wound under my cheek dripped blood along my jaw due to the cut. I knew both wounds were gonna scar. I also saw other minor wounds from the grenade’s shrapnel. Yeah…I needed to take care of these wounds.

Until I had time to tend to my wounds I went back to scavenging, as I opened the medicine cabinet. Inside I found nothing of use except some old pain killers in pill form, when I heard a hoof hit the floor and the creak of some one trying to be stealthy as they put their weight on said hoof. Spinning around I emptied the maretta’s clip as I fired in the direction of the source.

“WHOA WHOA WHOA! FRIENDLIES OVER HERE! DON’T SHOOT!” I heard my target shout as I stared down at him. Seems like I barely missed him with all of those shots. To be fair I was firing blind....else I probably wouldn't have missed.

He was a late teenage colt sized stallion, with a cream colored coat with a golden mane, and tail. His mane was tied in a single pony tail braid down his neck. The mane fur on his head was parted with one lock pointing up at the ceiling. His tail fur had no special treatment except for vague green high lights. Same with his mane especially along his bangs. He had light leg armor with a red hooded coat. From what I could tell it looked like the Ministry of Wartime Technology on his chest. He was armored, but not like the psychos outside. I didn’t see a visible weapon.

He looked ready to crap himself while I felt my right eye twitching, probably because I donked the shots that should have hit him. I was also not happy at my face and female voice being known. First contact practically was out the window on those areas.

“You really shouldn’t be sneaking up on anypony.” I growled ejecting my maretta’s mag catching it with my horn’s magical grip before slamming a new one in place after I slide the slider forward. I didn’t need a loaded weapon right now, well…an extra one that is.

“yeah I know, but you did take out those raiders so thanks for saving us the trouble of having to deal with them.” The colt stated.

That peeked my interest, “Us? You have a partner?” I asked my tone neutral.

With that a big armored figure strode into view with heavy thudding footsteps. Out came my assault rifle in a telekinetic grip while I drew out Peacemaker with my mouth. Hostile spo….but I saw his green EFS tag and I relaxed.

“Brother….is it okay to come out?” Asked the rather oddly high pitched voice from such a big suite of Steel Ranger power armor. Well…I guess I almost shot yet another friendly….barely two days into this place and I already hate the surface….is that a record? Pleeeease let it be a record.

“it’s okay Al they know we’re friendly.” the small pony said to the armored one, while I put away my weapons. “Okay is there a freaking circus here behind you or is that it? As you can see I’m very trigger happy right now…” I growled before sighing, closing my right eye as my left was already closed due to the blood still leaking into it.

“Oh sorry ma’am, I’m Amber Lance, and this is my brother Emerald Storm. Ed and Al for short.” The big guy answered. “yep..just two brothers out and about.” The tiny one stated, but the dismissive way he said it made my right eye lid twitch. He was lying.

“Uh huh, pleasure to meet you big foot and short stop no get out…” I growled but the last thing I expected was my head snapping back from a metal lunch box smacking me in the head leaving a major bruise, and scrape.

The tiny pony was pissed at me, “don’t call me short…” ohhh I’m gonna love this.

“okay pipsqueak then…” I stated annoyed only to see his horn glowed green matching his eyes, “oh balls…” I thought and casted a quick spell of my own before…

A few seconds later I came flying out the other side of the two story building and bouncing a couple times upon hitting the ground, “uuuuugh damn it all…little tyke packs a punch…” I groaned.

But what he failed to see was the glowing orb I had used on these raiders? Yeah raiders…damn I got hit harder than I thought…

All I heard was, “Shiii!” then a explosion ripped through the building causing it to utterly fall apart due to the blast. No fire ball this time, just a boom.

“hah! Pay back pipsqueak!” I shouted before groaning as I felt something crackle, “gonna feel that in the morning…”

My guess was if that little punk was as good at spell craft as I thought he’d be fine. As would his Armored brother for…obvious reasons. But a good blast would knock them on their butts. I was also testing out how well I could throttle that spell….So far…Good results….Still over did it a tad.

“Atom you okay? I heard gunshots then saw that building explode!” Aria shouted as I came back into view. “yeah yeah, had a couple of guests….and one of them doesn’t like being call shor-whoa nelly!” I stated ducking a thrown piece of wood, but thanks to my sudden dodge Aria ate the board not me…..So I vacated the area and watched.

A few minutes later, both of our “guests” were holding their heads, Ed had quite a few lumps, unlike his armored brother. But having a wrench clanking away at your helm loudly would give anyone a headache.

Snickering I sat before the two cowering stallions I offered a hoof, “All right we got off on the wrong hoof clean slate?” I asked. To which Ed took it as I helped him up,, “yeah, clean slate.”

“Good cause who are these ass hats?” I asked him pointing to the corpses around us. I had heard what was said…but I wanted to double check that info.

Al perked up….if you call standing a little straighter perking up. “Those are Raiders. Ponies who go around killing, raping, stealing, doing anything they feel like to others. Most if not all are psychotic mass murderers by the age of five.”

Okay…raiders were kill on sight…good to know. Still didn’t sit well with me what these guys did for a living. Gave me chills thinking this was their chosen career.

“If you come by towns that have active bounties for any form of criminals, you’d make good caps by killing raiders like these…best to cut off ears or heads to claim that standing bounty.” Ed added to his brother’s earlier explanation. Even better info...logged away for later.

“okay raiders, shoot on sight got it.” Aria stated. “oh sorry names Avia pleasure.” She added.

Once more the pair gave Aria their names and I was tempted to call Ed short again. But I stayed silent. “okay you mentioned something about caps, is that the currency of equestria now?” I asked. Ooooh the looks I got..well look.

Ed was staring at me like I had been living under a rock for 200 years….he wouldn’t be wrong technically speaking.

“Caps are the only currency in the wasteland. Any bits you find are in such small supply it was easier to use Sparkle Cola bottle caps.” He explained as he rubbed his forehead.

“good to know.” I stated nodding along while I sat tapping a hoof to the ground when I felt a sudden sting to the left side of my face. Aria was cleaning off the blood with a one of our clean cloths. Then I felt a cleansing agent in both wounds making me flinch.

Once she bandaged my face up I locked my eyes on the two brothers. “Are raider attacks common in this area?” I asked looking at the roasted corpses in the flames then impaled ponies on stakes around the fire.

Looking behind me at the building Aria was in a few minutes ago I saw a mare impaled on a meat hook through the neck, and another impaled through the lower jaw. The last on was dangling by her groin with a spike stabbed through where her horn should have been.

“Yes raider attacks are fairly common, but not this deep into the mountains….” Al explained. “unless the raiders were chasing something or ordered this way.” Ed added.

Hearing that made me even more suspicious of them, “So you guys with the Ministry?”

Aria looked at me confused and so I looked to her hoof pointed to Ed before tapping my chest telling her to look on that part of him. She made a silent oh realizing why I asked.

Ed looked to his chest and chuckled, “no the Ministry of Wartime Technologies and arcaine sciences was disbanded years ago by it’s surviving members, thus forming the Steal Rangers based off of the military units employed two hundred years ago.”

“Me and brother are not fully fledged members yet, but we’re learning our vows. We were here scouting the region.” Al added making my eyes narrow.

“So the Steel Rangers….Do they exist to protect the innocent like they did two hundred years ago?”” I asked anger growing in my chest.

Ed gulped nervously, “we try to…but we protect pony kind by keeping dangerous technologies out of their hooves.” I nodded.

Closing my eyes I took a deep breath, “then where were the two of you when the raiders hit?”

Before I even finished that question Ed’s ears folded sweat beaded on his forehead and neck while his brother looked down at his hooves. Those reactions was all the proof I needed, until Ed answered.

“We were staying hidden…We were tired, and Al was running low on ammo. I didn’t have any weapons.” His voice was slow and steady but filled with pain and shame.

I stood back up and walked to them and got face to face with Ed. The right side of my face still covered in blood that was now hardening. He didn’t even look me in the eyes.

“So you both hid away, not even trying to lift a hoof to save these folks? You listened to their pleas for help, screams of pain, and their prayers and did nothing? You let them die to save your own hide?” I growled fiercely. Aria blanched at my tone. I mentally recoiled at how pissed I was at them.

Their silence spoke volumes, and gave me my answer. So I moved back towards Aria. I heard Ed exhale, and I spun blasting him with a magical energy beam fired from my horn. He shouted in pain as it the exploded on his chest sending him flying into a pile of rubble.

Al spun towards his brother, “Ed!” he shouted but as he spun towards me I hit him with a twofer. A combination of a magical energy blast with my combustion/explosion spell. He was blasted back and trying to stay on his feet. But as he recovered I had my maretta trained on the out cold Ed, with my horn’s telekinetic grip.

“stand down and drop all your ammo.” I growled.

“No.” Ed stated trying to stay strong.

All I did was pull the pistol’s slide back and telekinetically push the gun to Ed’s temple.

“okay okay! I’ll do it, don’t shoot Ed.” And just like that His armor spat out .25mm minigun rounds, launchable grenades, and finally his missiles. “put them in your saddle bags.” I ordered.

He did as he was told. And I removed the pistol from Ed’s head. Grabbing a rope offered to me by Aria I lassoed it around Ed’s neck and then Al’s. I knew it was pointless to tie up a power armored pony, but it was more to show who was in charge.

“You two are now my prisoners. I don’t care what laws I’m breaking, but I don’t trust cowards.” I growled to Al. Getting into his face I pointed a hoof to Aria, “you fail to follow my orders, Avia will have orders to put a round through your head…and she’s a better shot than me.”

He nodded and so I threw Ed upon his back. “Then you will lead us to the other side of these mountains. Towards Los Maregeles.” Nodding in agreement Al started walking in that direction.

Aria followed behind the armored Pony. I followed behind her trying to calm down.

“How could they just sit there and let it happen?” I thought to myself before I staggered.

My legs almost gave out on me as I stumbled into some bushes only to trip over a soft body face planting into hard stone. “DAMN IT!” I shouted.

That out burst got my party to stop as I stood up. Shaking my body I gestured I was fine. But in reality I was not fine. I had used up a lot of magic. One spell every fifteen to forty-five minutes would not have exhausted me as much as seven spells in a row like that. If I kept using spells rapid fire like that I could end up overloading my horn, or over exerting myself to the point where I collapse. Unicorns always have that risk when we do anything with our magic. Aria knew this and I could feel her eyes glaring at me for being careless.

But I wasn’t looking at her. I was looking at the dead unicorn I tripped over that was obviously shot to death during the raider attack. Kicking him over I saw a satchel, marked, “property of Sparkle Dawn.” biting on the flap I opened it and peered inside.

I found a few more healing potions, food, and a pair of books. I put the supplies in my saddle bags using my horn while I examined the books. The first one was ‘The Wasteland Survival Guide.’ With a smirk I stored it away before looking at the second book title read, ‘Concussion Magic.’ I practically grinned. I had a new spell to learn. Seeing nothing else for me I took the satchel it’s self and stored the books inside of it.

Catching up with the others we left the destroyed town, and the bodies to the scavengers.

Walking well into the night until we found a small cave. So Aria set up camp while I hog tied Ed at gun point. Thank Luna Aria found chains back in that store room. Once they were tied up so that any attempt to escape resulted in either a rope or Al’s chains would strangle Ed.

When the fire was flickering from what little wood we could bring from the town, I collapsed next to it. My magical exertion had caught up with me. I swore Ed could see how blurry eyed I was trying to tie them up.

Sitting next to me Aria leaned down and nosed me up into a sitting position. “You really shouldn’t have used so much magic.”

“I know Avia…but I had no choice.” I replied to her, taking a warm wet cloth. I began to rub out the caked on blood in my fur.

Aria looked to the two prisoners. “We shouldn’t have done what you did.” She scolded.

“I KNOW!” I snapped at her surprising her as I returned to cleaning.

“I lost control….They just sat there Avia…just sat there and let those Raiders slaughter ponies and did nothing!’ I growled angrily. “I should have put a bullet in both of them!”

“And what purpose would that have served Atom? We need allies, not enemies.” Aria said scoldingly. “I know Avia, I know!

Sighing I finished the grooming before wringing out the rag. “Okay if you want to make peace with them, go ahead.”

With that I took out a military ration pack and started eating ending the conversation. Aria nodded and walked towards the brothers.

“I’m sorry for my partner, but I understand her actions. Where we come from cowards are severely punished.” I heard Aria explain to the two of them.

“Oh that justifies blasting me the way she did then huh? And putting a gun to Ed’s head?!” Al asked angrily. Ed said nothing and glared at me. So I glared back but half heartedly as I sat slumped over.

“I know it’s no excuse, but Atom is from a military Family and was trained since she was a young Foal. Same with me. Cowards are either thrown out, shot, thrown in jail, or banished. We fought to avenge those dead ponies, and imagine our surprise finding two still living, only to find out that they could have stopped that massacre.” Aria stated to them.

Despite how angry they were at us, I could tell that they knew what they did was wrong. Al’s helmet opened showing the same coat as Ed’s, but with a amber mane. His face showed his pain.

“We wanted to, we really did…but you don’t understand. We took vows to never take a life…and Raiders fight to the death.” Al said and once more I was pissed.

“How naive are the two of you?” I growled at them. “I guess the Steel Rangers are full of no good cowards like the two of you huh?”

Al looked down in shame, “take that back! I am no coward!” Ed shouted at me insulted and pissed.

Aria looked at me pleadingly. But I ignored her and stood up shakily. Unsteadily I walked over to Ed. I could tell he was scared of me. Some part of me relished in his fear. I was too pissed to care. Once in hoof range I slapped his face as hard as I could. I fell over once I did before getting up and glaring at the shocked colt.

“only cowards vow to never kill.” I growled

Ed glared at me, “You have no idea what the wasteland is like! Good ponies who kill eventually become evil in the name of doing good! Or worse they die trying to do good!”

Just as he finished those words I ripped out my maretta and aimed it at Ed, “ATOM DON’T!” I heard Aria shout.

“DON’T HURT MY BORTHER!” Al shouted but none of them could stop me. Ed clenched his eyes shut and crunched up as I aimed at him.

-BANG!-

Smoke rolled off the barrel, as the shell casing tinged on the ground. Aria, and Al stared wide eyed at me. And Ed stared at the hole in the stone next to him from the nine mil. Ed exhaled staring bug eyed at the bullet hole. As Al closed his eyes and began muttered a prayer of thanks. I heard Aria drop to her haunches a hoof to her head.

I holstered the pistol and stared at Ed, “A vow to never kill won’t stop me from killing you. Only cowards take such vows.”

With that I walked away to lay down in the tent. As I did so I heard Aria speaking to them, “I’m sorry….But there is some truth to her words. But beliefs are beliefs.”

“Why is she so harsh?” Al asked and I folded my ears. I closed my eyes and shivered.

Aria sighed, “she’s harsh because when we were foals, we chose to join our home’s military branch.” She began and I could feel her looking at the tent, before starting to untie them.

“Like most recruits we had a hard time at first. But eventually we became soldiers. Atom, was our basic training unit’s top recruit. The best of us. She was the first of us to understand what it meant to be a soldier.” Aria said as shee worked.

“but why does she hate no killing vows? None of that explains that.” Ed stated.

Aria sighed and I could hear her armor shifting. I knew she was shaking her head by the sound. “I was getting to that. One mare in our platoon was very religious. A Celestianite. To be specific. Due to the tenants of her beliefs she couldn’t wield a gun. It frustrated Atom, but she understood. No guns, no killing. We didn’t know she was hiding behind beliefs that never said she couldn’t kill or wield a gun. So during a training simulation we were ambushed. During the chaos she ran. Our platoon was almost captured all but her. Atom kept shouting for our platoon mate to take out the guards, to help us escape. But she just hid. And we all were eventually shot.”

Ed and Al stayed silent. They were interested in the story. I hated remembering this part of my life.

“So when we wake up from those enchanted sleeper bullets, Atom intermediately chewed into that mare. I until today that was the only time I saw Atom that pissed. She was so pissed she blew up that mare’s bunk, and foot locker to punish her. The DI’s did nothing. She was doing her job as platoon leader. Atom did get punished for being overly aggressive, and the DIs left the mare alone. So that night the mare sneaks out with a smuggled gun and bullet. Atom saw, and followed. Both ended up on the roof. It didn’t take Atom long to realize what that mare was doing. So she tried talking the mare out of it. She failed. The mare kicked Atom down the stairs and blew out her own brains in front of Atom. She took the coward’s death breaking her vows to never kill. That mare…was Atom’s twin.” Aria finished just as the two brothers were freed.

“Wow…..” Ed said while Al seemed to be trying to grasp the concept. “By Luna that’s horrible.” Al managed to say.

“Mhm. Atom hated those types of vows since then. And then here you two are with those same vows, vows that drove her twin to suicide. So now you know why.” Aria finished as she moved to the tent and looked in on me. I faked to sleep so she wouldn’t worry. But she knew better.

“communicator is in my left saddle bag.” She said to me setting her bags on her side of the tent.

I nodded and let her leave. While I closed my eyes again and would truly try to rest. I only heard Aria say one last thing before passing out, “I got first watch.”

Snapping awake I looked around finding myself in a empty hall way, “wh-wha-what’s goin on?” I asked my self as I strode down the hall way.

Looking closer at the walls and the hall way I recognized this place, I was back home…back in Vault 212. “Hello?’ I called out and looked around only to gasp hearing a loud slamming sound only to hear it again and see the hall way growing dark as lights shut off.

Panicking I ran as fast as my hooves could carry me. I ran and ran until I saw a tail in front of me…looked like my own tail. So I chased after it. I followed this pony up a flight of stairs. “hey…stop we gotta stick together!” I shouted.

I kept chasing this elusive pony the lights turning off faster and faster. Dread started filling me up. I recognized this stair well, but darkness was closing in on me…I couldn’t stop. Reaching the top of the stairs I ran towards the door, barreling into it and breaking it open.

I skidded to a halt looking back and the door way was gone. I looked around feeling the air of the vault blowing through my mane. Turning I saw my self crying as I stared back at her.

My eyes widened and I charged trying to stop her. I watched as her eyes closed and her mouth open, “….no no no no no nonono not again!” I thought as I rushed forward my hoof steps feeling slow and sluggish and like I was running in place.

“Sorry Atomic…..bye.” She said and up came the pistol as she smiled at me sadly tears streaming down her face.
I watched the trigger pull, and the gun went off….

I screamed….

“CYNDER!” I shouted as I shot awake tears running down my face. Reality hit me again as I felt my mouth frown eyes water again as I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes. Swallowing those feelings I wiped my eyes as I looked around. Lighting up my horn I got out the boxy communications device.

The fire had died down and I saw that Aria was sleeping next to me. Guess it was my turn to stand watch. Carrying the device in my jaws I walked along careful not to make to much noise. I didn’t want to be followed. Near the cave mouth I set down my rifle telekinetically while setting down the Comm. Opening the box up, the vault-tech device turned on. Flipping a few switches as I telekinetically set the maretta on top of the machine.

When the spinning dish extended and pointed to the vault sending a signal used for long range communications during the war. I waited for some one to Pick up on the other end. I didn’t have to wait long when the screen flickered and fuzzed out a bit before the link solidified.

“Atomic Flare, first squad of alpha company in the two-twenty fifth Equestrian Ranger battalion. Reporting in.” I stated and saluted to who ever picked up the communication.

I smiled seeing my father Rough diamond’s face in front of mine as he got close to the screen on his side. “Good to see you again little Pyro.” He said making me chuckle.

“Good to see you too Pop.”I said before Rough looked away and moved out of the way.

For the Overmare and the general to stand before their side of the screen. Snapping off a salute to the general until I heard, “at ease” and saw the general salute back.

“Report Ranger Flare.” The over mare ordered and I nodded, “After breaking off from the group at base camp as per my orders and I’ve made it partially through the mountain pass towards the southern areas of equestria.”

They nodded along as I started my report but once I had my thoughts straight I started getting into greater detail, “Before reaching this pass me and my partner and sibling Aria spotted a seemingly abandoned town. I tested my rifle to be sure it was functioning right I shot a bottle which ended up flying into a window not far behind it. That’s when I first saw the creatures known to the surface dwelling ponies as Ghouls. Zombie like ponies reanimated from the radiation of the megaspells.”

That made both frown and I could have swore the overmare almost vomited at the idea of walking corpses. “But that was not all that I ran into. I reached what was a trade stop or trade hub in the mountains recently built up. But they were all murdered by other ponies. These ponies are known as Raiders. They kill because it’s fun, and take sadistic pleasure in it, and they seem to be cannibalistic.”

That caused the overmare to lose her dinner it seemed as she moved off screen but I could hear her vomiting chunks due to the mic picking it up. Ew….but understandable. “all teams should have shoot raiders on sight, for raiders will shoot first.” I added making the genral nod.

“I agree continue with your report ranger.” She said making me nod.

“I’ve also made contact with surface ponies. They are part of a organization known as the Steel Rangers. Apparently it’s a group of ponies that believes in keeping all pre war tech or any form of tech for it’s self and no one else. Inform the other squads to use their codenames and never show their pipbucks or reveal the location of the vault, or even discuss the vault in public. It’s known how fare the Steel Rangers reach is.” I continued explaining what I could about the steelhooves organization.

I raised a hoof to Alert the general to one more detail, "bits are useless as currency up here. The ponies of the surface use bottle caps as currency. And Equestria is known to them as merely the wasteland."

“Good to know thank you Atomic. We've gotten similar reports on the caps, and Ghouls. But the other teams haven't ran into raiders. They will be informed to shoot them upon spotting them.” The general said with a smile. “ But for now your report is concluded until next week. You have five minutes left you may speak with Rough.” the general added as she moved off the overmare still sick from what she heard.

With the general gone Rough smiled to me as he reappeared to my left, “Sounds nuts up there Kiddo.” he said and I sighed. “you have no idea.”

He chuckled, “just keep your wits about yah, You’re a tough mare, and tell Aria I said hi and I love her.” He stated making me smile and nod, “I will.” I told him.

“is there something else?” he asked me.

“yeah…I…I dreamed of….Cyn.” I stammered.

“Oh…Hun you know that wasn’t your fault…I know it wasn’t….” He said to me but I shook my head, “I know…that wasn’t it….I had nearly killed a pony today who had made the same vows as her dad….and I did it without any thought...or remorse….it scared me….and I guess it reminded me of Cyn.” I told him and he nodded.

“Listen Pyro, what happened with Cyn was not something you can control, right now you need to stop feeling guilty about it. Else it'll haunt you when don't want it to. Here is a standing order from your Pop. I lost one daughter already. I’m not losing three. You come back to me and your mother….no matter what it takes.” He stated in a stern tone.

Hearing him give me a order made me giggle but I saluted and nodded, “Sir yes sir. Love yah dad….We’ll come back. I promise.” I told him and with that he nodded putting a hoof to the screen.

“good night little pyro, see you in a week.” He said and I nodded, “see you in a week, hug mom for the two of us.” I replied and with that the machine turned off and pulled back into a box. Holstering the maretta and picking up the rifle with my horn’s magic I carried the box by the handle in my mouth as I returned to Aria and packed the box away.

Little did I know Ed was awake. I was too tired to notice those eyes of his staring into my back, as I lay down to sleep.

Footnote: Journey Start
level up
New perk: Boom Baby! 5% more damage with explosives and explosion spells.
new spell: Concussive Blast

Author's Note

another chapter after so long I do appologize. But I do hope those that have read it or will read it will enjoy.