Chapter 20

-- Sins of the Past --

Waking up in pain is something I had experienced more in the week or so I had left the stable than I had ever experienced in my life. And I was not fond of it. My vision was blurry as I tried to open my eyes and regain consciousness. My head throbbed as did my everything.

But after a minute of trying, I managed to get a view of my surroundings. I was on the operating table that Moonlight had used for our pegasus patient. My body felt so heavy, but I managed to sit up. Just in time for the door leading to the hallway to open, revealing Doctor Gingko.

“Ah, awake at last.” Gingko said, walking towards me.

“Doctor, what happened?” I asked.

“You got quite the shock my friend.” Gingko chuckled.

I gave her a deadpanned look.

She laughed at my expression, “Oh come on Shadow. Did your little nap sap you of your sense of humor?”

I groaned, “How long was I out?”

“Two days. Honestly if you were an ordinary pony you’d have been out much longer. Or dead.” She replied.

I groaned again and fell back onto the table. I really needed to stop passing out for days at a time.

Then it hit me, a thought that made me jump back on and nearly made me fall off the table. I turned to Gingko.

“Where are my friends? What happened with Ratchet!?” I asked frantically.

She simply smiled and pushed me back down onto the table, “They are all fine. The honey worked, Ratchet has recovered.”

I sighed in relief, thank Luna he was alright.

“So where is everypony?” I asked.

“Moonlight is in my office reading, Saskia and Ratchet are in the hangar bay working on my surprise for you.” She answered.

“Surprise? What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Well if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?” Gingko chuckled.

I laughed a little at that, 200 years hadn’t taken her sense of humor it seemed.

“So did it work? Were we successful in destroying the plants?” I asked.

“Indeed we were. The bottom level is cleared of all plants, and the pollen along with it. Saskia cleared out all the ghouls yesterday. I destroyed the flashbee nests.” Gingko explained.

I shivered at the thought of the bees, visions of blue clouds of electric death chasing me still fresh in my memory.

Then another thought came to me, someone the doctor didn’t mention.

“What about that pegasus we brought in? Did the surgery go well?” I asked.

Gingko looked away for a moment before speaking, “Moonlight and I fixed her broken wing, the autodoc in the main operating room helped out a lot. But when we woke this morning, she was gone. My guess is she regained consciousness and ran off last night.”

That was odd, but I guess if I woke up in an abandoned building with a bunch of strangers around me, I would want to get out of there too. I could only hope she found her way back to her people. Ratchet said this Enclave couldn’t be trusted. Did the pegasi really abandon everyone? And why the cloud layer?

Shaking my head of these thoughts, I looked back to Gingko, “Thank you for all your help Doctor.”

As I started to get off the table, she stopped me once again, “Now hold on Shadow. You made me a promise, remember?”

I thought for a moment, and then it hit me, “Oh yes of course. You had questions about Stable 100.”

“Indeed I do. And from what your friends have told me, you have told them precious little about your home. So I doubt you will tell me much with them around. So, start talking.” Gingko said, sitting down beside the table.

“Alright, where should I start?” I asked.
She hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did they finish the Trial of the Stars?”

My eyes widened, “You know about that?”

“I was one of the researchers that helped modify the potions used in the trial. The original formula had ingredients that were not available to us anymore. Plants that had died out, etc. So we had to come up with replacements. The last draft we gave to the directors wasn’t perfect, but it was as close as we could get.” Gingko explained, her voice had a sense of regret to it.

Then she turned back to me, “And judging by your anatomy, plus what I’ve seen during your time here, I know you’ve undergone the trial.”

I nodded, “Yes. The trial was complete. Every ten years, ten foals were made to take the trial. That is the way it has been for 200 years.”

“I’m so sorry.” Gingko said.

“Did you know about the survival rate? The pain it forces onto the subject?” I asked, my voice slightly darker.

“...Yes. I wanted more time to find ways to improve it. But the directors forced me onto other projects and took all our research on the trial.” She said.

I sighed, “I don’t blame you Doctor. And though as children we find it cruel, we learn that we are chosen by the Goddess Luna to be her instruments, her warriors, her Guardians.”

“That is no excuse to murder children! Just to make super soldiers for a pointless war!” Gingko screamed, her voice cracking.

Her words stung me, more than I let show. The memory of the second worst day in my life came to me, and I tried so desperately to force it back into the dark reaches of my mind. I couldn’t relive that day.

I got up out of the bed, my legs shaking.

“Shadow?” Ginkgo said to me.

“No, it is not an excuse. But we had no choice. It was written into our society and that is how we have lived for 200 years. One day our Goddess would return to us and we will follow in her starlight to heal this broken world. That is the one belief that every Guardian holds onto. To hope that someday, our suffering is worth something.” I said.

“It’s been 200 years Shadow.” Gingko said.

“And we will wait 200 more if that is what it takes.” I answered.

Gingko was quiet for the longest time, but she eventually asked another question, “Did the Directors make it to the stable?”

“We only have records of Director Zia making it to the stable. Director Apollo isn’t in the original stable census. His daughter Kephiso is the one who came Overmare with Zia.” I said.

“What could have happened to him?” Gingko asked herself.

It was silent for a minute while Gingko was lost in her thoughts. I was curious about that myself. Director Apollo just disappeared, with no records showing what became of him.

“So Zia and little Keph became the leaders. She was so much like her father. And I take it their descendants are still in charge?” She asked.

“Indeed. The current Overmares are Cherry Cobbler and Zira.” I replied.

“Well I guess I should have expected. How is the population? I imagine there are plenty of zonies like you in there.” Gingko laughed.

I looked at her in disbelief, “What are you talking about? It’s forbidden for ponies and zebras to have children together.”

She then looked to me with an odd expression, “What? Why? Sure zonies can’t have children but that shouldn’t hurt the population that much.”

“Our founders made that law when the stable was sealed.” I said.

“Then what about you?” She asked.

“I was… an accident.” I lied.

“But what about the zonies from the tribe? Surely they got into the stable.” Gingko said.

“We don’t have any record of zonies in the stable.” I said.

She looked horrified, “They left them!? Like they left us!”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Not only did the directors leave Gingko and other EREC employees to die, they also left any zony of the tribe to die as well.

“I… don’t understand.” I said quietly.

“I don’t either. There were plenty of zonies working with EREC, most from the tribe. The directors always accepted zonies and protected them. How could they just leave them?” Gingko grumbled.

Once again, she was quiet for some time before she turned to me again.

“What about the rest of the stable? I can tell you had some kind of education. And what about the non-Guardian citizens?” She asked.

I perked up at that, “Oh we for sure had an education. My aunt was a teacher, and record keeper for the stable. We also have scientists for research, alchemists like my mother, cooks, healers, security, agriculture.”

“At least they weren’t lying about the diversity they promised. I only saw the science lab once, and it wasn’t even complete yet. Quite the cutting edge equipment.” Gingko smiled.

“And of course, state of the art training facilities and teachers.” I said.

“Yes, I remember the training hall. Did they get the dream simulators installed?” Gingko asked.

“Yes, yes they did. How did you ever come up with those things? The dreams were so real, I swear I could still feel the bruises after they let me out.” I said, shivering a little.

She laughed, “A mix of Princess Luna’s magic and science goes a long way.”

We both laughed for a moment before things got a little quiet. We stood there, not really knowing what to say.

But Gingko eventually spoke up, “Sound like a nice home, despite the questionable practices.”

“Yes. It’s nice to talk about it with someone.” I said.

Gingko looked down and sighed, “Well, that’s all the questions I had. Come, let’s find your friends.”

Before I could press her for more information, she left the room. I followed her down the hall, turning corner after corner until we came to an office. She opened the door to reveal a thestral mare sitting at a desk with her snout buried in a book.

I chuckled, “Found you a good book Moonlight?”

She immediately put the book down and before I could say anything more, she flew over and hit me on the head.

“Ow! What was that for?” I asked.

“I told you to be careful and you come back unconscious on Doctor Gingko’s back!” She yelled at me.

“I didn’t mean to. We had electric bees of death chasing us!” I yelled back.

She looked down, her ears flattened, “How many times do I have to patch you up before you stop biting off more than you can chew Shadow?”

I looked at her, and my ears dropped too. I moved to hug her and she accepted.

“I’m sorry Moonlight. I don’t mean to make you worry.” I said.

“I know you don’t. I only wish you would be more careful. You’re not invincible Shadow. And you don’t need to do everything alone.” She said.

“You’re right. I have good friends to help me out.” I said, pulling away from the hug.

She smiled at that.

“You two are adorable.” Gingko said.

We both blushed and moved away from each other.

I cleared my throat, “Right. So where is Ratchet and Saskia again?”

Moonlight perked up at this, “You haven’t told him yet?”

“I wanted to see his face when he saw it.” Gingko smirked.

I looked at them confused, “What are you girls talking about?”

“Oh just a little surprise. You’re gonna love it!” Moonlight said.

Both mares urged me down the hallway and to the other side of the facility. We went up the stairs to Level 1, but not the same section we explored. There were less rooms on this side of the research center, but those I could see had strange machines inside. We kept going and didn’t stop, Moonlight even pushing me forward when I got curious about the rooms.

Soon we were standing in front of a large door. The words “Hangar Bay” were displayed in bright white letters on the door. What a hangar bay was, I had no idea.

Moonlight went to the intercom on the wall, “Ratchet, is it ready yet?”

Ratchet’s voice came out of it, “Darn tootin’ it is! Has our sleeping striped beauty woken up yet?”

“Ha ha, very funny Ratchet.” I said.

“There he is! Come on in, and be prepared to see this marvel of machinery!” Ratchet said.

The door slowly started to open, revealing Ratchet and Saskia on the other side. And something large behind them, but it was covered under a tarp.

“Alright, what is going on? Come on guys.” I asked.

“First things first.” Ratchet said before walking up to me.

He then shook my hoof vigorously, “Thanks for saving my bacon there partner. The girls told me what you did. Risking life and death for little old me. Especially after the way I treated you the other day.”

He looked regretful and I stopped him there, “You don’t need to apologize Ratchet. I was out of line at Sandpit. I admit that.”

“You were. But I think we can leave that behind us.” Ratchet said, patting me on the shoulder.

“Now! Enough doom and bloom, check this out!” He said, running over to the tarp.

He and Saskia lifted the tarp and revealed to me what looked like a ship from my books. But it was outfitted with all kinds of metal and technology. It was sitting in some kind of dock, holding it above the ground, showing me the bottom of it. Four circular pod looking devices were spread along the bottom, two on each side.

The ship itself was a decent size, seeming to fit 5 ponies comfortably. A cabin was at the rear of the ship, like a small square room that held the helm of the ship. The sail was tucked in right now, but the mast stood proud in the center. The ship was made out of wood from the look of the hull, other than the metal devices that dotted across its side. On the rear of the ship was what looked like a booster from a skyship that pegasi would use. Of course, I’ve only seen pictures from our records.

“What in Luna’s name is this thing?” I asked.

“This is something given to us by the Ministry of Awesome. Partly as a thank you for helping them in a time of crisis back before everything went under. And also to try and bribe us to get a hoof in the company. Never happened, and this baby has been sitting in here ever since.” Gingko said.

“Lucky for us, this place kept her out of the elements and in pretty decent condition. She needed a little TLC, but I got her all nice and pretty again.” Ratchet said proudly.

He then started walking around it, “The good doc gave me the schematics and papers that came with this thing. She was a prototype made for ground troops to traverse the desert and other desolate environments. She uses wind to propel her most of the time, but she also comes equipped with a magical energy engine. It uses a lot of spark batteries, but can last up to 24 hours before running out of power.”

“It also uses magic levitation talismans to hover in the air. While it normally glides through sand and snow, it can be used to traverse any kind of surface.” Gingko said.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. I had no idea such a machine existed. This will make our journey much faster, and safer.” Moonlight said excitedly.

“I’ll say. And you’re just giving this incredible machine to us?” I asked the Doctor.

“You will have more use for it then I will. Consider it a thank you for helping me put my colleagues to rest.” Gingko said.

“Mommy!” Zoey yelled from behind us.

We turned to see her coming to a stop in front of Gingko.

“Is everything packed dear?” Gingko asked.

“Yes! Everything is ready to go.” Zoey saluted.

“Go? Where are you going?” I asked.

“We knew we can’t stay here any longer. But then Ratchet told us of a city of ghouls like us. Said they welcome all ghouls, and they would be glad for my knowledge and talents.” She said.

“A city of ghouls?” I asked, turning to Ratchet.

“Neighcropolis. It’s down in the Southern Badlands. In the Glowing Sands. Ghouls from all over head there to live out their lives. Ghouls make up around 90% of the population in that city.” Ratchet explained.

“But how are they gonna get there?” I asked.

Ratchet walked up to Gingko and Zoey, passing them a letter, “Take this to Hydra Junction to the east. Find a minotaur named Mercer and give him this. He’ll help you get in contact with the Sand Talons. And then the Talons will take you to the city.”
“Sand Talons? You mentioned them in Sandpit. What kind of ponies are they?” Moonlight asked.

“Oh they’re not ponies Moonlight. They’re a griffin mercenary group.” Saskia chimed in.

I kinda jumped a little, forgot she was here for a moment. She had been quiet for a while. Almost like she disappeared.

“Griffins? I saw some in Sandpit but I don’t know much about them.” Moonlight said.

“They’re tough, and can be a bit scary. But they always stick to the contract. They always keep their word. Especially the Sand Talons.” Ratchet said.

“They have a contract with Neighcropolis. They transport any ghoul that wants to get to the city and are paid per passenger.” Saskia said.

“So these griffins will take us south?” Gingko asked.

“Yes. When you find them, ask for Tala or Garuda. Tell them Ratchet is your friend and they won’t give you any trouble.” Ratchet said.

“You know Garuda?” Saskia asked.

Ratchet turned to her, “Sure do. Worked with the Talons on a few jobs. Fixed up some old weapons in their base too.”

“Who is this Garuda?” I asked.

“Garuda, Leader of the Sand Talons. Toughest bird you’ll ever meet. Don’t get on her bad side, trust me.” Ratchet chuckled.

“I’ve only met her once when I made it past Tantabus Pass. She was quite intimidating.” Saskia said.

“Anyway, you sure you’re gonna be ok making it to Hydra Junction?” Ratchet asked Gingko.

“I believe we will be fine. The map you gave us should suffice. And I have more than enough firepower to protect us.” Gingko said.

“Alrighty then. Let’s go get y’all’s cart down here and we can open up the hangar. We need to get a move on.” Ratchet said, moving towards the door.

I followed him, offering to help with the cart. Saskia also came to offer assistance while Moonlight stayed behind to pack our belongings into our new ship. It was difficult getting the cart around the corners of the hallway, but we managed to get it into the hangar bay. It was filled with food, water, books and other personal belongings. I wondered if these Sand Talons would let them take all this stuff with them to Neighcropolis.

“Hey Ratchet, what’s Neighcropolis like?” I asked as we pulled the cart up to the hangar bay door leading to the outside.

“Don’t know for sure. Never been down in the Southern Badlands. And normal ponies aren’t exactly as welcome there as ghouls are. I hear the city is heavily irradiated except for a dome in the center.” Ratchet said.

“I admit that even I have never been there. It is quite the dangerous journey through the Glowing Sands. Radiation and other dangers await those who dare to journey there.” Saskia said.

“Ok. Not going there, that’s for sure.” I said.

I had no business in a dangerous place like that, so why bother.

“But it’ll be great for the doc and Zoey.” Ratchet said, looking to the ghouls as they approached.

Gingko and Zoey both smiled at him, which was a little unsettling with them missing teeth, and what remained was rotted. Ratchet helped Gingko get hooked up to the cart while Saskia and I made our way to the ship. Standing on the deck was odd, I’ve never been on a ship before. The wood decking beneath my hooves was sturdy and strong. I went over to the helm, looking into the cabin. The wheel was in the center of the room, with all kinds of levers, buttons and other gadgets on each side of it. The view from the window behind the wheel was crystal clear.

“Impressive isn’t she?” Ratchet said, coming up from behind me.

“I never believed something like this would survive the war.” I said, still in awe.

“Yeah, this baby is probably worth more caps than I could ever hope to get in my lifetime. Not to mention all the spark batteries we’re gonna need to power this baby.” He said.

“How many do we need?” I asked.

“Ten batteries are needed for the engine. And like I said, it’ll last a while if we don't use the propulsion system. Without that, it can last for several days. Good thing wind power isn’t in short supply out here.” Ratchet said, chuckling near the end.

I let out a chuckle as well, though I did not want to get this ship caught in a sandstorm.

“Now, come check out the crew quarters downstairs.” Ratchet said.

He led me to a hatch near the center of the deck. I opened it with my magic and walked down into the bowels of the vessel. It wasn’t large, but it was big enough where I didn’t have to worry about hitting my head on the ceiling. Hammocks lined the walls, five in total. A door in the very back led to the engine room, where Ratchet showed me how things worked. A box of spark batteries lay in the corner, with the machine at the end of the room.

I was no mechanic, but it was an impressive sight. The machine whirled with energy, the ten spark batteries that were in use connected to various parts of the device. Several tools lay about the room, no doubt belonging to my earth pony friend.

“This is pretty cool Ratchet. You sure you can handle this thing?” I asked.

“Well it’s not my specialty, but I’ve been reading the manual. I look forward to the challenge.” He grinned.

I nodded and we went back to the main deck. I nearly bumped into Moonlight, who was coming down the hatch with more supplies. She smiled as she set them down and looked at us.

“This is so incredible Shadow. We won’t have to walk across the desert anymore. We’ll be at the base in no time at all.” She said.

“I agree. It’ll be nice not to worry about the sand and rocks under my hooves. How lucky are we?” I said.

“Pretty lucky I’d say. Now come on you two. Let’s go say goodbye to the doc.” Ratchet said, moving up the ladder to the main deck.

As we stepped out onto the top deck, we saw the door to the outside of the facility open up slowly. The sand blew in, making us shield our eyes for a moment. When the dust cleared, the bleak wasteland greeted us once again. Stepping off the ship, we soon found the doctor and her daughter packed up and ready to head out into the wastes.

“Doctor Gingko, thank you. For everything you’ve done for us.” I said to her.

“No, thank you children. For helping me cleanse this place, and putting my colleagues to rest.” She said.

“Please be safe. And do say hello to Mercer for us.” Moonlight said, offering them a smile.

“We shall dear. Keep studying and you will make a fine doctor.” She said, giving Moonlight the softest smile a ghoul could give.

Moonlight giggled in response.

“What about the facility Doctor Gingko? Are you going to just leave it open?” Saskia asked.

“No dear. I plan on sealing this place once your team leaves. I will reset the password and seal all entrances. This place will be a final resting place for my colleagues. And I do not want anyone getting their hands on our research.” Ginkgo said.

Saskia nodded.

“Well then. We should get moving. We have a long walk ahead of us. But If you don’t mind, we would love to watch you launch. I have not seen that beauty fly, and I would very much like to.” Ginkgo said.

“Me too! Me too!” Zoey cheered.

I nodded, “You heard the mare everyone. Let’s get flying!”

Everyone nodded and ran back to the ship. Ratchet immediately went for the helm, pressing buttons and pulling levers. The rest of us stayed on the upper deck, looking to the outside in anticipation. Soon, I could hear it. The whirling of the engines and the levitation talismans were the first sign of the ship coming to life.

Soon, the ship started to rise above the drydock that it had sat in for over two centuries. Then, it started to move forward, slowing towards the opening. Once we were outside in the wind, Ratchet opened up the sails, moving slowly away from the facility.

We got one last chance to wave goodbye to the pair of ghouls before the sails caught the wind, sending us sprawling to the deck as the ship suddenly accelerated. The speed was impressive, and after helping the girls to steady themselves again, we looked back to see the research facility shrink away in the distance.

We had been traveling with our new ship for a few hours. Getting used to being on a ship took some time, the occasional rocking and jerks caused by the changing of the winds were odd to me. Saskia took to it better than me and Moonlight. Nothing seemed to phase that mare. It made me think about how little I knew about her. She just joined us without a real reason, and had been a big help since then.

Moonlight spent most of her time below deck studying all the medical journals and books that Doctor Gingko had given her. I was happy to see her so cheerful after the last few days. Part of me was still upset about how I scared her after the flashbees. I had to make it up to her somehow.

As for myself, I spent time with Ratchet, learning the controls of our new vessel in case anything happened to Ratchet, or if he needed a break. He seemed to enjoy being at the helm. The many gauges and levers seemed like a lot to keep track of to me, but Ratchet claimed that he had some experience with pegasi vehicles. When I pressed about it, he went quiet and told me it was something he didn’t want to elaborate on.

Many of my friends had pasts shrouded in mystery. Then again, so did I as far as they were concerned. After talking to Doctor Gingko, maybe I should consider talking to them about my home. It would probably break this lingering tension from that fight we had several days ago.

And then, after a whole day of flying, Ratchet set the ship down on a cliff face. Hiding it behind a rock formation, I stepped down off the ship and moved slowly to the edge of the cliff. Peering down with my new binoculars, I saw what I had been searching for.

The raider base was as large as I had thought it would be. An old fortress rusted and ruined, with recent additions added on to the outside. Spiked walls, pony heads on pikes, and wagons moving in and out of the base. I could see raiders of all shapes and sizes moving in and out. Guard towers lined every corner of the base, housing at least two snipers at all times.

My friends walked up behind me, keeping their head low as they approached the edge.

“Is this the place Shadow?” Moonlight asked.

“Yes, this is it. Swift Saber is in there. And tonight, he will pay for his crimes. In blood.” I said darkly.

Footnote: No status change

New vehicle: MOA Prototype Airship.

Author's Note

Hey guys, Hades here.

Another chapter down. Bit shorter than the others, but it's a nice set up to something I'm sure all of you were waiting for. Next up, The Raider Base.

Will Shadow find Saber? Or something darker?