Chapter 17

-- Friendship isn’t Easy--

How did things get so out of hoof? Sandpit was supposed to be a simple stop on the way to our main goal. Just get some rest and supplies and we would be gone the next morning. Instead, everything that could have gone wrong went terribly wrong.

It had been about several hours since we left Sandpit, giving us plenty of time and distance from the settlement. The sand slowly turned more to hard dirt as we made our way north. Rock formations and dead trees now made up the landscape, similar to when I left Stable 100. The cool night air began to nip at our coats as the night went on. We would have to make camp soon. None of us were fit to travel all night.

Moonlight got the worst out of it, her near encounter with the raping bastard Silver Platter left her extremely quiet. She hadn’t said a word since we left town. She simply walked with us as we made our way north.

Ratchet wasn’t much better, silent as the night that hung over us. Though I could feel his eyes boring into the back of my head as we walked. No doubt he was still in shock about what I did to Silver Platter. Looking back on it, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I had no regret for what I did. But then why did his disapproving eyes make a shiver go down my spine?

Then there was the newest member of our merry band. Saskia was also quiet, but I believe more so out of respect for our thoughts rather than anything else. I did not feel any resentment or disappointment from her. Then again, I hardly knew anything about her. Yet here she was, following us to another place where I would kill other ponies.

Suddenly a raindrop hits the top of my head, making me look to the sky. The clouds had gotten darker, and more rain soon followed. Scanning the area, I looked for any form of shelter. Seeing no ruined buildings or caves, I thought we would just have to tough it out. But as I continued my search, a large rock formation with a large alcove came into view. It appeared to be big enough to house us and keep us dry.

“Everyone, this way!” I yelled as I began sprinting.

I ran towards the shelter, turning to look over my shoulder, seeing all my companions running to keep up. Moonlight wasn’t flying, which worried me as that would have been easier for her. We made it to the alcove, with our coats only slightly wet.

We eventually dried off as much as we could and relaxed in our shelter. The rain was now pouring outside, like a curtain of water. It was soothing in a way, like the sky was trying to bring life back to the wasteland. If only the clouds would allow me just a glimpse of the Goddess’ Moon.

Silence filled the air, no pony speaking a word. It was nerve racking, the tension could be cut with a knife.

I decided to drown out this silence by turning on the radio on my pickbuck. I never used it back in the stable as we got no signal. But I had heard about some stations playing music. Perhaps that would lighten the mood.

As I turned on the radio, the sound of a familiar pony blared from the speakers.

Good Evening my lovelies, this is your voice in the darkness, Athena. I hope your day was somewhat pleasant, for this night is not one filled with happy news.

I have received a report from the town of Sandpit up north. And what a troubling one it is.

It seems that the Lotus Garden Brothel that was such a popular attraction in the little town was hiding a deep dark secret. The owner of the establishment, Silver Platter, son of Mayor Rich, had apparently had dealing with slavers. Now as shocking as that might be my beloved children, it gets much worse.

When Captain Slate was given evidence of wrongdoing, which he has asked me to keep confidential, he went to the second floor to investigate. And what he found made me lose my lunch when I read it. Several corpses of mares that had allegedly been given promotions were found hung up on meathooks like slabs of beef.

More information came from an anonymous source saying that Silver Platter also sold mares he deemed “fit” to an unknown client. Sickening I know.

Now you may ask, what happened to this horrible pony? Well children, that is also a dark topic.

Silver Platter was murdered, and not in a pleasant and quick way. His body was impaled on a flagpole, and later examination found multiple gunshot wounds, lacerations, stab wounds, and other injuries such a broken jaw. Now children, he was a detestable pony and deserved to die. But not like that.

As for who was responsible for this murder, my sources are clear, but I truly wish they weren’t. The one responsible, my children, was our own Badlands Guardian.

Yes you heard me right. Our new savior and hero. Who only days earlier had wiped out raiders and bloodwings.

My sources were not clear as to why our Guardian was involved. But this action has opened up some questions about our savior. Just who is he? Where did he come from? Why did he kill this pony in such a gruesome way?

The Wasteland is filled with violence and death, but if our heroes stoop to this level of torture, what type of example does that set for ourselves and our children?

Guardian, if you are listening, I do not agree with how you killed him, but you did rid the Wasteland of a terrible pony. But please, do not let it taint you. Do not let the Wasteland win.

As for Mayor Rich himself, he has escaped the town and headed south, to where we do not know. The town is currently in chaos as a result, with some ponies voicing their disdain towards the Guardian. Apparently he had also killed several of the town guards, and their families mourn in the ensuing chaos.

“Sigh” This night will be a long one my children. But that is all for now. This is Athena, signing off. May you sleep well tonight, despite this tragedy.

The broadcast ended and I turned off the radio. It’s funny. I hadn’t really approved of Athena labeling me as a savior back in Hydra Junction. But hearing the way she talked about me just now, just made my stomach turn.

Ratchet suddenly jumped up and shouted.

“That’s it! I can’t take it anymore!”

Turning to glare at me, I returned his gaze, keeping my expression calm. He had been holding this back since we left, and I wasn’t gonna stop him.

“What the fuck was that in town? When we left, I figured you’d kill him, but not like that!” Ratchet yelled.

“What does it matter how he died? He got what he deserved.” I said.

“What does it matter? Of course it matters! What you did is no different than what raiders do to prisoners!” Ratchet yelled.

That made me glare and stand out to meet him eye to eye.

“Don’t you dare compare me to raiders!” I yelled.

“You impaled him on a flagpole Shadow! And from what Athena said, you did a lot more than that!”

Ratchet did not back down from my threatening posture, as we both stood tall and stared each other down. I was larger than he was, and stronger. But that didn’t seem to worry him one bit.

“You saw the bodies! You saw what he did to Moonlight and Zaheera! He deserved to die! And let the maggots feed on what’s left!” I screamed at him.

He winced at that, “Are you serious? What good comes from torturing a pony like that? Sure, he was a bastard and he deserved to die. But making him suffer makes you no better than him!”

WIth that sentence, I saw red, and rushed him. Grabbing him by the shoulders and pinning him to the rock wall behind us. Holding him in my grasp as I glared at him.

“Don’t you ever compare me to that raping piece of shit! I did as I was trained to do! I killed a monster!” I screamed in his face.

“STOP IT!” A mare’s voice shrieked from behind me.

I turned to the voice, and saw Moonlight standing there, her eyes wet with tears. She was shaking, just like when we first met. She was afraid… of me.

I turned back to Ratchet as the heat of my anger began to fade. His eyes were wide with fear as I held him there. I slowly put him down, and backed up a few steps.

“Ratchet… I’m sorry.” I said quietly.

He didn’t answer, just looked away and walked over towards Saskia, who had been sitting down watching our little argument.

I then turned to Moonlight, offering a hoof, “Moonlight, I’m…”

I didn’t even get to finish my sentence before she flinched back from my hoof, looking away from me with tears in her eyes.

“Who are you?” I heard Ratchet ask from behind me.

Turning back to him, I saw he was looking at the ground.

“You said you were trained to kill monsters? And you are more combat experienced than any stable pony should be, especially right out of the stable. So just who are you Shadow?” He asked.

Another tense silence filled the air as no pony looked at me, other than Saskia, whose expression I couldn’t read.

I sighed, “I’m no one.”

“Bullshit. Why won’t you tell us? I know your stable was attacked, but what harm would it be to tell us?” Ratchet demanded.

“Ratchet I can’t. My people need to stay a secret.” I said, hoping he’d drop it.

He scoffed at that, “What, you some secret group of super soldiers that’s gonna take over the Wasteland or something?”

“Don’t be dramatic. We just want to be left alone.” I answered.

“I’m confused, if you’re people want to be left alone, why did they send you out here?” Saskia finally entered the conversation.

“Raiders came and stole something from my stable that could be potentially dangerous in the wrong hooves. My mission is to find them, recover what they stole and kill the traitor that helped them get in” I said.

“And just what did they steal?” Ratchet asked.

“That’s classified.” I said quickly.

“Horseapples! Shadow, if we’re gonna be traveling together, you need to trust us!” He countered.

“It’s not a matter of trust Ratchet! It’s about keeping my stable a secret, at all costs!” I shot back.

“But think about all the good you did in Hydra Junction! Saving the mares from raiders, clearing out Bloodwing caverns! You can do so much for the Wasteland! You can be a hero!” He said.

“I am not a hero!” I yelled, a bit louder.

He went quiet, as my anger seethed again.

“You’ve known me for less than a week and you think you understand me? I kill a bunch of raiders and big bat monsters, and you and Athena paint me as some kind of messiah?”

“You don’t know anything about me. What I’ve done. What I’ve been through. I’ve seen things that you couldn’t imagine in your darkest nightmares.”

The silence came again, Ratchet didn’t respond to my outburst. He just sat there, dumbfounded at my words. His mouth slightly opened like he wanted to say something.

“But… but you’re a good pony.” Moonlight said as she stepped closer to me.

I turned to look at her, my expression softening a little.

“You saved me, from the bloodwings back in the cavern. The ghouls in the relief center. And from that horrible stallion. You’re a good pony.” Moonlight said, her tearing flowing freely now.

“I am not a pony.” I said grimly.

Saskia chimed in, “Zony. What difference does it make?”

I turned to her, “You saw how Zaheera and Sasha were treated back in Sandpit. Even in my stable, I was shunned by ponies and zebras alike.”

“But your parents were a pony and a zebra, so that should show that both races can love each other and put aside their differences.” Saskia stated.

My ears burned with rage again. My eyes glowed as I stared daggers at her.

“My parents didn’t love each other! And my existence means nothing! Ponies and zebras have hated each other for centuries! Are you truly so naive that you believe one foal between the two will stop all the hate and distrust!?” I screamed.

Saskia flinched back, just a little.

I was breathing heavily as my rage burned. Seeing all their faces looking at me with mixes of fear, doubt, and pity, it was just too much.

So I did what I always did when things got too hard. I ran.

I ran through the rain, not caring how soaked my coat was getting. I thought I heard Moonlight calling after me, but I just couldn’t. I had said too much.

Several minutes of running left my fur soaked, and my mane matted over my eyes. I pushed it aside with a hoof and ended up tripping over something. Probably a rock.

I laid there, in the downpour, feeling pathetic. Thunder boomed from above, making me look up. Lightning struck across the sky, the flash illuminating the ever present cloud layer.

I started to choke up, my breath catching in my throat. I wasn’t crying, but it was as close as I could get.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me. Turning my head, I looked at the figure standing a ways behind me. It was hard to see through the rain and mist. I must have been imagining it, cause it was impossible.

I could swear, through the mist and rain, that the Goddess Luna was staring at me. Wings and a horn adorned her body, and that was about all I could see. But I just knew it had to be her. Her eyes were sad and pitiful. My Goddess, who my tribe had worshipped and adored for millenia, was looking at me through the rain.

I bowed my head, not feeling worthy to meet her gaze, “Am I being punished? Have I committed a sin in your name?”

She did not answer, only continued to look at me with her sad eyes. Those eyes hurt more than any wound I had ever received.

“Have I not been following the creed that you had given us? Protect the people, no need for gratitude or reward.” I asked.

Again, no answer. And as another bolt of lightning flashed overhead, she faded from sight.

I reached out with a hoof, “Wait please! My Goddess, please. I am lost.”

I laid there, tears flowing now as I cried. Even the Goddess had disapproved of my actions. I had failed her, and that pained my very being.

Another loud crack of thunder came from above, making me look up once again. But this time, something else streaked across the sky. It was small, but I could barely make out figures moving across the sky. These figures danced around, seeming to fly in circles.

Soon I could see green bolts flying across the sky, much smaller than the lightning I had seen before. I watched these figures dance around each other before one broke off from the others, seeming to disappear from sight. After about five minutes, only two figures were left.

They had gotten lower to the ground and I could swear I saw flapping, like a bird in flight. Another bolt of lightning struck sending both figures into a dive. I followed them as they landed not too far away.

Curiosity got the better of me and I ran to investigate. The rain had let up a little, but was still annoying to navigate through. I eventually climbed the last hill and looked down at the scene. Two figures, laying in the small valley below.

I cautiously made my way to them, making my way to the closest one. What I found looked like a pony, but clad in black metal armor. The tail looked more like a scorpion, and the helmet had bug-like eyes that were cracked. I didn’t bother to check for a pulse, as the crash had mangled its limbs and broken its neck.

Looking at the other figure, I moved to investigate. This one was still breathing, I could see their chest rising slightly. I moved to remove the helmet from the being, to help them breathe and check for injuries.

Behind the helmet was a pony, a mare from the facial features. She had a dark blue coat with a purple mane. Her mane was a little unkempt, tied in the back with a scruffy ponytail.

“Miss? Can you hear me?” I asked.

Her eyes slowly opened to look at me, just barely enough to see me. She didn’t say anything and her eyes shut again. I guessed she passed out. Seeing as she just fell from the sky, that seemed likely.

I looked at her, lying there. I couldn’t leave her here could I?

I looked up, feeling that presence again, and there she was. The Alicorn figure standing in the rain, her eyes still sad, but now had a glimmer of something else.

“Guardians help people. Right?” I asked.

She gave the slightest smile before vanishing again.

I picked up the mare, and placed her on my back. With one last glance to where The Goddess had stood, I ran back towards my friends.

The alcove came in sight, my breath was ragged as I carried the unconscious mare. As I drew closer, I could see a fire burning. Somepony must have braved the weather to find something burnable.

I burst through the rain and immediately my friends looked at me.

“Shadow! There you are!” Moonlight exclaimed as she made her way towards me.

“What were you thinking? Running off into a thunderstorm? You could have been hurt! You could catch a cold!” Moonlight continued as she drew closer.

“Moonlight, there’s no time! This pony needs help!” I said, levitating the mare on my back down to the ground.

Moonlight gasped and went back to get her saddlebags. She came to the pony, medical supplies out in a flash and looked to her.

“We need to get this armor off. I’ve never seen one like it.” She said.

“I have. It’s Enclave power armor.” Ratchet said, having come over to see the pony.

“Enclave?” I asked.

“The Grand Pegasus Enclave. From what I was told, the Pegasi abandoned the surface when the bombs dropped. They made the cloud layer and stayed up in the clouds. They usually don’t come down unless they start trouble. Where did you find this mare?” He asked.

“She fell from the sky. From what I could see, she was fighting some other pegasi. One fell with her but they were dead. She was still breathing and I couldn’t leave her out to die.” I said.

Ratchet looked unsure, but eventually went to get his tools, “Well, let’s get the armor off and see if Moonlight can help. A warning though, Enclave aren’t exactly friendly to us “dirt ponies” as they call us.”

“We’ll worry about that later. Now hurry!” Moonlight begged.

Ratchet sighed and went to remove the armor. After all of it was off, the mare was in full view. She had a build that told me she was an athlete, trim but with some muscle tone. Her cutiemark was a storm cloud with two lightning bolts crossing underneath the cloud. Fitting I suppose, considering I found her in a storm.

Moonlight immediately got to work, “I mean no offense boys, but could you give us some space? I can’t work with you lot hovering my shoulders.”

We nodded and gave her some space. Ratchet still wouldn't look at me, and moved back to sit with Saskia. The unicorn was looking out to the wastes, either watching the rain or looking for trouble. She didn’t seem phased by what just occurred.

I sat on my own, my mind going back to that vision I had. Did I truly see the Goddess Luna? Or was my mind playing tricks on me?

I needed a distraction, and the radio was out of the question. Not unless I wanted another reminder of my deeds in Sandpit.

Then I remembered something I got back at the EREC facility. I took a hoof in my saddlebag and fished out the memory orb. I had never used one, but from what I had read back in the stable, unicorns simply needed to establish a connection with magic.

So I lit up my horn and pressed it to the orb. My world faded to black as the memory took hold.

It was an odd feeling, being in a body that wasn’t mine. I knew it wasn’t mine cause I had no horn and a frame that was clearly a mare. I felt a coat around my new body, light and comfortable, possibly a lab coat.

When I passed by a mirror, I saw my host. A mare with a pink coat and a yellow mane done in a bun. A lab coat was indeed hugging her body, a clipboard with a list handing from her side. Her hazel eyes stared back at her reflection, and I felt my chest puff up in pride. My hoof went back to straighten some stray strands of hair in my mane.

“Doctor Gingko?” A mare’s voice asked from outside the room I was in.

The mare turned and opened the door, seeing a zebra mare with bandages around her right eye.

“Zoey, what’s wrong dear? Is your eye throbbing again?” I asked.

“Yes Doctor. Could I please have some more medicine?” Zoey asked.

“Of course dear. Now keep in mind, you won’t get anymore today. We can’t risk overdose. After this, I want you to go back to bed and rest. Can you do that for me dear?” I said, my voice gentle but stern.

“Yes Doctor Gingko.” Zoey said, smiling at me.

I reached into a pocket in my lab coat, pulling out a syringe of Med-X. I gently inject it into the mare’s shoulder, her face showing relief.

“Better?” I asked.

“Much better, thank you Doctor.” She answered, hugging me.

I hugged back and gave her a pat on the back. The mare then let go and walked back down the hallway. I followed and saw her go into her room. I continued down the hall and into the main lobby. My eyes then went wide at who I saw sitting in the waiting area.

A mare with a yellow coat and pink mane was sitting quietly. A cutiemark of three butterflies on her flank. A bit of gray was visible in her mane, but she still had this serene grace about her.

“Ministry Mare Fluttershy?” I asked when I got in earshot.

She immediately turned at my voice, a smile on her face as she approached.

“Hello, are you Doctor Gingko?” She asked me.

“Y...Yes I am. May I ask why you are here ma’am?” I asked, a little shocked that the Ministry mare of Peace was in my clinic.

“I wanted to see one of your facilities for myself. It’s wonderful what you are doing. I’ve seen some of your patients. Wonderful.” She answered.

“You came all the way out here to the Badlands, to see this facility? We have several in Equestria.” I asked.

She looked away for just a second, “Well, yes. I’ve seen them as well. They are lovely as well.”

I sighed, “Ministry Mare Fluttershy, as a doctor, I have the utmost respect for you. But I need to know why you are here. The truth.”

Her ears flattened behind her head and she sighed, “I came here in hopes to speak with one of the EREC doctors. In hopes that we can come to an agreement of cooperation.”

“The EREC has made it clear that we do not want to be part of any ministry.” I said.

“But why? My ministry was built to help all creatures in need. We can help so many if we work together.” She pleaded.

“I agree that you made your ministry to help everyone. But the other ministries have too much hate, and we just don’t trust them.” I said, my voice becoming saddened.

She hung her head, “You heard about the board meeting then?”

“You were hoping to find someone who had not heard about what occurred in Canterlot I’m guessing? Sorry, but word in this company travels fast. The things that were said cannot be forgotten or forgiven easily.” I said.

She sniffled, “No. I know my friends did wrong that day. I’ve tried so hard to make up for it. I even sent extra medical supplies to your research facility as a gesture of goodwill.”

“You did? That’s wonderful. We have been experiencing shortages lately.” I said.

“I just wanted to help. This war has tainted everything we were trying to do.” Fluttershy said, her eyes beginning to tear up.

“This war hurts us all Miss Fluttershy.” I said, offering her a tissue.

She took it and rubbed at her eyes. Thanking me for the tissue, she turned to leave.

“Miss Fluttershy?” I called out to her.

She turned and looked at me.

“Maybe I can talk to the directors and see if we can’t come up with some solution. I say again, I do admire you. You are an inspiration to doctors everywhere.” I said, my heart beating a little faster.

She smiled at me, “Thank you Doctor Gingko.”

She left out the door and into the sky wagon out front. I sighed and finished my rounds. Walking from room to room, changing bandages and checking on sleeping patients.

Making it back to my office, I sat down in front of my terminal, ready to send a letter to the Directors. Maybe we can open a volunteer program with the MOP.

Suddenly, an email appeared on my screen. I opened it, curious as to who it could be from. Surprisingly it was from Director Zia. Just the mare I had hoped to contact.

Dear Doctor Gingko,

I have received word that Ministry Mare Fluttershy was planning a trip to the Badlands. I have a feeling that she will be stopping by one of our facilities, most likely yours as it is the closest one to the Equestrian Border. I understand your admiration for the Ministry Mare Fluttershy, but under no circumstances can we allow any Ministry to get a hoofhold in our company.

If she shows up, please ask her politely to leave.

On another note, I will be sending a temporary replacement for you tomorrow morning. You are required to go to the Northern Medical Research Center. I require you to examine the supplies recently sent by the MOP. We must be sure they have not been sabotaged or laced with anything harmful to our patients.

The new security system has been installed. The code to get through the door is Silver Moon.
Thank you for all you have done for this company. You are truly a valued member of this family.

Director Zia.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. How could Director Zia accuse Fluttershy of tampering with our supplies. But I could see the concern, considering how other Ministries like the MOM and MOW could easily intercept the shipment.

Copying the new password, I got to packing my things.

And with that, the memory began to fade.

I woke up with a start, the feeling of returning to my actual body felt odd. It was like a dream, but also like a simulation. Not really so different from what I had gone through in trainin…

“Shadow, you finally out of that thing?” Ratchet said, making me jump.

I turned to see my friends all staring at me. Moonlight was still sitting next to the mare, while Ratchet and Saskia sat in the same spot they had been.

“How long was I in there? I asked.

“About an hour. You should be more cautious with those orbs. They tend to take longer than they appear. Never go into one without someone to watch over you.” Saskia said.

I nodded and walked over to Moonlight, “How is she?”

She sighed, “I’ve done all I can with what I have. Her wing is broken and she has a few broken ribs. I cannot risk a healing potion or they will not heal properly. If only I had proper medical equipment.”

Ratchet chimed in, “Sandpit won’t help us. And it’s too risky to try and get her back to Hydra Junction.”

I tried to think of a way to help, then I heard a ping from my pipbuck. Looking at the device, my map function showed a new marker. To the north of us, about a few hours away. I read “EREC Medical Research Facility.”

My eyes widened. The facility Doctor Gingko talked about. It would have just what we needed!

“I’ve got an idea!” I said excitedly.
Everyone looked to me, and I held up my pipbuck to show the map.

“Soon as the rain clears up, we’re moving out!” I shouted.

Footnote: No status change.

Author's Note

Hey guys, Hades here. Sorry once again for the lack of updates. Writers block sucks.

So Shadow had a rough day.