Fallout Equestria: The War for the Wasteland
By MuteBear
Chapter 2: The Wasteland

I felt consciousness return to my state of being. I opened my eyes and looked around. I found myself still in the Stable 29 infirmary. I tried to sit up, only to feel pain shoot through my chest. I laid back down groaning in pain.

"No no no, lay back down," I heard Karen's soft voice whisper.I looked up at her. She was levitating a canteen. "Here, drink up."

She helped me lift my head slightly to drink. As I drank I saw my trench coat and Chestplate were gone. My chest was covered in bloody bandages. I lifted my hoof to scratch my muzzle. I saw Velvet trot over to us. She came around to the other side. She had a bottle with a red liquid inside.

"What's... that," I asked.

"It's a healing potion."

"Oh." I took it into my magic and removed the cap. I chugged it down and instantly felt a pleasent sensation travel through my body. Where I felt it the most however, was my chest.

The effects started to make me drowsy. It's almost felt like I was tipsy. I closed my eyes. I relaxed my body, feeling as if I was on a nice fluffy white cloud. I stayed like this for a while before I was startled by a loud crash. I reopened my eyes to darkness. The infirmary had gone completely dark. I sat up in the bed. I noticed my chest was no longer covered up by bandages, but by my trench coat and armor again.

I got off the bed and turned my flashlight on. I looked around. Where did everypony go? I also checked for my weapons. My M416, 1911's, and double barrels were gone. I didn't even have any ammo on me.

A sense of dead entered me. Did my friends think I had died and left me here? No, that wouldn't make sense. Why would they leave me here? And bother to put my trench coat and armor back on. Where did the robots go? I know my friends wouldn't clean up all those grunts, and I know they wouldn't be able to lift the C-8. I trotted over to the infirmary entrance. I stood up on my hind legs and opened the door.

By now I knew something was very wrong. The hallway had changed the way to the left was blocked off. I walked down the hall to the right.

"Karen! Stiles! Helena! Anypony!" I got no responses whatsoever. I kept walking but I got confused when I came across a new door. This door wasn't here before. I opened the door to a brick wall, but on that wall were bloody hoofprints. Up the wall were at least 6 pairs of hoofprints. I stepped back.

I closed the door and kept walking down the hall.

"Hey!"

I heard a very clear whisper come from behind me. I turned around and put my hoofs up ready for a fight. There was nopony there. I looked for something on my pony I could use as a weapon. I found my combat knife and drew it. Yeah, they weren't my nova blades, but they can still kill.

I turned back around and kept on walking. I came to a dead end. I was very confused, there was no dead end here. I walked back in the opposite driection only to come to a door. I started contemplating whether I was losing it or not. I opened the door which lead me into a large room.

There was a single light shining down in the middle of the room. I walked under the light. No, this isn't real, what is going on?

"Yes it is!"

I heard another whisper. I turned around frantically trying to identify the source of the whisper.

"Who's there? Show yourself," I shouted holding my knife at the ready.

I heard a whisper, and another, and another. Those whispers eventually became voices, and those voices eventually became screams. The screams of agony echoed through my ears. Even when I covered my ears, I could still hear them. The screams got louder and louder. They were saying my name. What I've done. My sins.

It got too much for me, I could take it. I had to get out. I brought up my knife. I started to cut off my ears in order to make the screams stop, but they didn't. I brought the knife to my neck, and slice it open. I felt blood pour out of the wound.

I fell over feeling the last bit of life in me fade. I slowly closed my eyes feeling the blood make its way down the side of my head from where my ears used to be. I saw my ears lying on the floor. I looked pass them into the darkness. Ponies came out into the light. They were covered in blood and smiling with a painfully wide smile. They were little foals too. I closed my eyes hoping to finally end up in hell.

I shot up. I felt sweat pour down my face and muzzle. I was panting frantically. I looked around realizing I wasn't in that false stable anymore. I felt hooves wrap around my neck. I felt Karen's embrace as I still thought about what I had just experienced.

"What happened Reap," Karen asked gazing into my eyes.

"Nothing, just a bad dream, that's all."

"If you reacted like that, then it was something. Tell me."

"It was just about my dad again. I can't stop thinking about him."

She sighed. "Okay then. How do your wounds feel?"

I didn't feel any major pain, only slight. "They definitely feel a lot better now."

"That's good to hear." She smiled and placed her hooves on my cheeks.

I returned the smile and gave her a quick peck on her lips. I looked over her shoulder to only find Velvet and Helena in the infirmary. "Where are the others?"

"They went to see what else there is in this stable."

"What are they doing?"

"Helena's checking out the grunts while Velvet is helping me nurse you back to health."

"Isn't that Stiles's job?"

"Yeah, I thought so too."

I shrugged it off and atempted to get off the bed. Small amounts of pain surged through my chest, but nothing major. After getting up I heard my stomach growl. "Hey, could you give me a food bar Karen, please."

"Of course," she said reaching into one of her pouches and pulling out a small white package.

I took it in my magic and unwrapped it. I plopped one of the white bars into my mouth. The flavor was bland. It was soft and chewy. To be honest, it wasn't supposed to taste good. It was meant to satisfy my hunger. It gave me just enough calories to get through a few hours.

After finishing the bar I walked over to Helena ripping off one of the grunt's head. "Give me a sitrep Helena."

"Well, the others went off to see where you were while I stayed behind to see if anything is wrong with these bots."

"Is there anything wrong with them?"

"No, they haven't gone rogue, they were just following stable security orders. Just shoot anypony that isn't fron the stable."

"Well, that explains why they didn't care much to shoot their emperor." I started to think of my affilliation with the word 'rogue'.

Don't think about that now Reap. Don't think about them. Don't think of the innocent ponies and foals you slaughtered that day.

"Reaper! Wake up!"

I shook my head snapping myself out of the trance I was in. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Reaper, are you okay? You zoned out there. Are you crying?"

"No, I'm fine, I was thinking about the grunts."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm fine Helena."

She simply turned around and continued working on the grunts.

I walked back to Karen where my gear was. She was staring at her wrist computer. I picked up my gear and placed it on the table nearby. I decided to keep the bandages on until we reached Ten Pony. I put my trench coat and armor on. I took note of the fact that my armor already sealed itself back up. I put my belt on and grabbed my weapons.

I pulled out the mag on my M416 to see if there was any rounds left. The clip wasn't that spent, so I put it back in and cocked the gun. I flipped the safety on and put it on my back.

I leaned on the table and brought up my wrist computer. I checked to see if I had everything. I was good to go, so I turned it off.

I stared at the infirmary ceiling. I started thinking about myself. I wondered why my parents decided to name me Reaper of all names. I knew why my 'last name' was 66 because of the number on my horn I was born with, but what about Reaper? My dad's name was Matteo 144. Again the reason of the last name was because of the number he was born with on his horn. I guessed my parents just thought Reaper was a good name for a foal, but still, a weird-ass name.

I laughed at my own thought, and Karen seemed to notice. I she walked over and leaned on me. "What's so funny my Reaper?"

"Karen."

"Yes?"

"Do you think my name is stupid?"

She looked a bit confused. It brought another laugh out of me. "I knew you think it was stupid too."

"I never said it was stupid."

"Yeah right."

"It's not stupid. It's just... umm... unique."

"Unique?"

"Yeah unique."

"I wish I didn't have a number as a last name."

"Why? What's so bad about that?"

"It's weird. I know it's tradition and all to have a number as a last name, but still it's weird."

"If you'd paid attention in history class, then you would probably appreciate your last name more."

"Why again?"

"Your great great great great etc. Grandfather."

"Yeah, what about him?"

She sighed hoof-palming. "He was born with the very first knife horn and he couldn't talk."

"What? He couldn't talk? I don't remember that."

"Yeah, he was born with mutism."

"Yeah, isn't that why we're called the Mute Empire?"

"Again, if you'd pain attention in history class, you'd know this. Yes, he lead to the downfall of the Hottoman Empire. From there he started the Mute Empire, which you lead today."

"Yeah."

"Sometimes I wish you actually listen to me."

"What? I am listening to you."

"By staring at Velvet with that look?"

"What? No... I'm... I'm not staring at her," I said a blushed starting to appear on my cheeks. "I was just... uh..." Somehow I didn't even notice I was staring dead at Velvet's flank.

"What? Your cybernetic eyes lost connection to your brain and they started to wander?"

"No, it was..." I just covered my face with my hooves and turned away.

Karen laughed loudly enough to were Velvet and Helena turned to face us.

"Don't worry, it's nothing girls," Karen said patting my back.

They turned back around and continued doing whatever they were doing.

"I hate you. Did you know that?"

She chuckled. "Yeah, I love you too. You're so cute when you're caught staring."

"Ugh, I hate myself. What is it with me and staring. Am I just a pervert?"

She laughed at what I had to say. "No, you're not. You're just a grown... horny stallion, that's all."

My cheeks burn at a higher intensity. "Karen!"

She started laughing again. "Ohhh, you're so cuuute when you do that!"

I couldn't anymore with Karen. She's too much for my cheeks. I looked away from her. I looked up to see Velvet and Helena giggling at us... I guess they heard us.

It had been an hour since my reawakening. The others got back and greeted me with friendly manners, except Stiles of course, he teased me again.

They didn't find anything of interest, even when they went back you where I was looking. Apperently some of grunts were still down there.

I noticed that Calamity had a bandage around his right foreleg, it wasn't bloody, it was just their. Velvet was inspecting his leg.

"What happened to your leg," I asked pointing at the limb.

"One of those bots grabbed me," Calamity responded.

"What? Did it pick you up?"

"Yeah it did, it lifted me and pointed its gun at me."

"Yeah, the grunts, they tend to do that."

"It gripped mah leg really hard."

"Makes sense. They were designed for one purpose. To kill. They don't care about the will of pony. They just care if they're dead."

"Thankfully Stiles shut it down and helped out mah leg."

"At least he was doing his job elsewhere."

"What do ya mean?"

"Stiles is a field medic. He takes care of us when we're hurt. He's saved lives during his time. Some of our friends in New Romeo wouldn't be alive without him. I... probably wouldn't be alive without him."

Velvet just seemed to wander off to talk to Karen and Helena.

"How long have ya known each other for?"

"Ooooo... we go way back. We go back all the way to high school. I never left them since."

"Consider yourself lucky."

"Why would that be?"

"You're the first ponies we've been able to make friends with."

"Just by the day we've been here, I can tell friendly ponies are few and far between. By the way how long have you known the others?"

"Ah've known Littlepip for the longest, and that's only been a few weeks. Velvet and Steelhooves I met during the first time we went to Old Appleloosa."

"So, for not that long basically?"

"Pretty much yeah. Even though I haven't known her for long... I consider her my closest friend already."

"Wow. She must be really nice."

"She is, in fact ah would say she's the kindest pony I've ever met."

"That's good to hear."

"Ah've been wondering."

"Wondering about what?"

"Your weapons. Do you mind if I see your rifle?"

"Of course not." I reached on my back and grabbed my M416 and gave it to him.

He sat on his rump and took the gun into his hooves. I dropped to all fours, just in case if he wanted to ask me something.

"Who made this here rifle?"

"It's made by Hoofler and Koch. Located in Germaney. Now to think of it, you can also call it the HK416 too."

"Ah've never heard of them."

"It wouldn't surprise me. They've been making firearms for a long time, but I don't remember them importing their guns to Equestria."

"What's this thing on the side?"

"It's a laser sight."

"Oh, it doesn't look like one."

"Well maybe cause it's a new not before seen it the wasteland before model."

"Perhaps."

He handed me back my gun and I stuck it on my back. The magnet kept the gun there without it falling off.

"You know, we've been upgrading out tech for the past 200 years. Nothing we had back then looks the same today. Of course Equestria didn't get that chance."

"No, we didn't."

"It's... sad the way the old Equestria met its end."

"Ah just wished the Enclave actually did something to help the sufacer ponies of the wasteland, but they don't."

"Greedy S.O.B.'s."

"Ya can say that again."

I sat down and leaned back. "You know, I've always wondered why us ponies just make weapons. We make weapons to kill each other, and for really no reason."

"Ah've asked myself the same question before too Reaper."

"It's all pointless. We make them for no real reason but to end the lives of our fellow brethren. It doesn't matter the species or gender, in the end, we're all one."

"Ah know but..."

"We're all dead. Greed has caused the downfall of all of us."

Calamity had nothing to say. He just sat there and stared at me. "Ah would have to agree."

I realized what I said. "I'm sorry Calamity, I didn't mean to bring that out. It just kinda slipped out of me." I said it all without thinking about it.

"Ah understand. The train of thought can be carried away by the wasteland."

I chuckled a bit. "I'm starting to lose it already."

"No, ah've seen worse. A lot of ponies ah've met have done worse, like turn to a raider or slaver."

"What? The I.C. have recruited ponies here for slave work?"

"Uh, no, they've become slavers themselves. One of the bigger ones is a stallion named Redeye."

"Redeye?"

"Eyup. He has a whole empire of slavery. His base of operations is up in Fillydelphia."

"Of course. That will have to be dealt with."

"What do ya mean?"

"We're gonna end the slavery here."

"I don't see that happening any time soon."

"I highly doubt this Redeye has an equal millitary force to ours. Also they better hope we get to them before the I.C. do."

"Why would that be again?"

"Remember before at Steelhooves's shack. The fact they really don't care who they enslave and put to work."

"So, yer saying they're gonna turn slavers, into slaves?"

"Pretty much. They'll probably be sent to a gulag for work."

"What's a gulag?"

"It's like a labor camp, but worse. They send ponies there to make weapons of war for the I.C., like MBTs and other vehicles. The I.C. figured that they didn't need to waste food on the slaves. Can you guess what they did?"

"Ah wouldn't have the slightest clue."

"They take the dead slaves and turn them into food for the live slaves. They're cut up and turned into meals. It's sadistic."

"No, you're lying again, no pony has the capability to do that to other ponies."

"I'm sorry Calamity, but that's how the I.C. operate."

"Ah can't even imagine." Calamity had a semi shocked expression on his face. I hated telling ponies the cold-hearted truth of the I.C.

"I don't think anypony can."

"Ah didn't think I would hear about something worse outside of the wasteland."

"To be honest Calamity, I think our world is more dead than yours. Don't judge a book by its cover."

Calamity didn't respond.

I felt I needed to lighten up the situation a bit. I tried to think of something, but nothing came up.

"Hey Calamity, you know the saying 'If it looks stupid, but it works, then it's not stupid."

"No, ah can't say ah have."

"Well one time I was with Stiles and we were going down to the Silencer hanger. When we got there Cy was working on his ZTZ-99b. Which is a main battle tank. On his tank were multiple bullet holes in the two rear external fuel tanks. Instead of replacing them, he just covered up the holes with tape. To be honest it did work but it was stupid."

"If it looks stupid, but it works, then it ain't stupid," Calamity said chuckling a bit. "What kind of tanks do ya use, if you don't mind me asking."

"Oh, we use tons of tanks, both literally and figuratively. It all comes down to what the tanker wants to use but we use tanks like, and get ready. Tanks like: ZTZ-99b, ZTZ-98, T-90, T-72, T-55b, T-62, and the list goes on, but you get the idea."

"That there is a lot of tanks. How do ya make them all?"

"We use robots and machines. The reason we still use old tanks like the T-55 is beacuse they're cheap and easy to mass produce. The modern upgrates are cheap too. The original T-72 was known for poor side and rear armor. The modern upgrade adds interior armor."

"Must be a big tank."

"Actually it's not. The modern upgrades remove the need of extra crew. It's fully operation with a single pony. The gun is operated by an autoloader. A nova generator constantly produces fuel and ammunition for the MBT. The tank can run forever if kept under good maintenance. Without any crew inside (apart from the driver of course), we could pack it full of armor. The tank, on the outside, looks the same as the first model."

"And ah thought the zebras had the best tanks ever designed."

"Zebra tanks? Could you tell me more about them? If you know anything about them of course."

"Ah don't know a lot, but they're a few things ah know. Ah know they have two guns instead of one. Also durin' the wa-"

"During the war they were unstoppable," Steelhooves suddenly butted in. "Zebra tanks are known for their heavy armor and big guns."

"How big are the guns? What caliber are they?"

"I'm not sure but they were said to have dual 76 mm guns."

"76 mm, that's it?"

"That's one of the biggest tank guns there is," Steelhooves asked with a hint of confusion in his voice.

"The largest caliber of gun we use is a 130 mm gun." Calamity looked at Steelhooves, and then he looked at me. I don't know why, but I found Calamity's expression funny. I laughed a bit standing up.

"You ain't joking either huh," Calamity asked.

"Nope."

"Are you guys done yet," Stiles said poking his head in between me and Steelhooves.

"Yes Stiles, we're done."

We started getting everything together in order to leave the Stable. The walk towards the exit began. As we walked I took note of the fact that there were grunt bodies littering the floor. To me it seemed as if there were more grunts down there than I had thought.

I bumped into Littlepip trying to squeeze through a door. "Oh, sorry Littlepip. Mares first."

"Oh, thanks," she said quickly trotting through the doorway.

I walked up next to her only for her to turn her head away. "Hey Littlepip?"

"Umm... yes?"

"I would to say sorry."

"Sorry about what? I'm the one who should be saying sorry."

"I'm apologizing about the way Stiles was acting. He has a tendency of teasing me... and anypony like me. Ponies who are socially awkward, when it comes to certain topics, no offense."

"None taken. I felt like I have somepony now to relate to now."

I chuckled a bit. "Oh and by the way, what were you gonna say sorry for?"

"How I screwed up. I nearly got you killed."

I was taken aback a bit. "What? How did you nearly get me killed?"

"I turned the faucet on, and turned on those robots, and especially that big one."

I felt a pang of guilt enter me. I didn't want another pony to hurt themselves because of my actions, not again, not ever. "Littlepip, that wasn't your fault. Please don't beat yourself up for something you didn't do. It was my choice to jump on the C-8, not yours. It was a simple mistake on my part. At least you didn't get hurt. I've been fighting those things for years now. I know what they're capable of."

"But still, that thing nearly killed you."

"But it didn't. Look at the bright side of things Littlepip. That always helps me when something bad happens to me."

"How can you look at the bright sides of things?"

"You know, us ponies in the millitary tend to go through a lot. We see ponies we've known for a long time pass on. But of course we got a job to do, and we can't let the pass dwell on us. We try to do things to entertain ourselves in times like those." I told Littlepip this hoping to cheer her up, but she looked the same. She acted like me. Even though I tell her this, I myself can't forget about the past.

"I wish I could."

"You remind me of myself. I tried to do the right thing, but it didn't work. Has something happened to you in the past? Have you done something to other pony?"

"I have."

"I have too Littlepip, but I hope you haven't done the same as me." I started to think back. To that faithful day.

I killed them all. I killed them all in cold blood. I couldn't control myself. I didn't mean to. I... I... all those poor ponies. I took their friends and family away from them. I'm sorry.

I felt a tear run down my cheek.

"Reaper, are you okay?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I lied wiping the tear away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories."

"It's okay Littlepip." I sighed. "Sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind." I saw Littlepip's eyes widen, and then close again. I could swear see a tear start to form. I sighed. What did I trigger in her this time?

We made it outside. I took note that the sky had begun to brighten. The Black Clouds must have started to wear off.

My wrist computer picked up a Mute Empire beacon within Manehattan. Another one was picked up, but it was far more weaker than the first.

We started walking to where Littlepip said Tenpony was.

"Hey Littlpip," I said staring up at a building with light emanating from within.

"Yeah," She responded.

"Is that Tenpony right there," I said pointing up at the building.

"Yeah, it is."

The kept my eyes the the surrounding buildings. Their decrepit features gave off an eerie atmosphere. I felt like we were at risk of being ambushed at any second. I felt like we were being watched. I could swear I felt a pair of eyes burning the back of my neck.

"You feel that too Reaper," Catrine said looking up as well.

"Yeah," I responded.

"We are not alone. The eyes watching us are not pony."

"What are you getting at Catrine?"

"Sixty-six, we're being watched by your old friend."

"Old friend?"

"Yes."

"Catrine who are you talking about."

"Look. There," Catrine said point a hoof up into the sky.

I followed her hoof. I turned completely around. Atop of one of the buildings was the green phoenix I encountered before.

"Such a beatiful creature. Such glorious color. I've made a mask design out of one," Catrine said.

"Hey didn't you give me one for my birthday," Cy asked.

"Indeed I did. It took me a while to finish. I tried my best to match the color of your eyes, a nice purple to match."

"Thanks. By the way Catrine, how do you make those masks?"

"I carve them. I only use the finest woods available. My work is fine and precise. I use my knife mosty to carve, but on occasion I do use a hot knife to create my designs."

"Speaking of knife what knife do you use to carve?"

"My karambit of course."

"You use your karambit to carve?"

"Why not," Catrine said retrieving her karambit and spinning it around.

"Now I know the mask you gave me has pony blood on it... gross."

"Maybe I should have added a bone with that as well."

I chuckled still looking at the Phoenix. Finally it left its perch and flew off behind a building. I turned back to my friends to see us closing the distance to Tenpony.

I heard my radar give a beep. There was a single white dot on it. I was hoping this wasn't the Black Clouds messing with my radar. It was just around the corner.

"You got that too," Helena asked noticing me stop for a second.

"Yeah, I got one on mine too," Stiles said.

"Negative, I got nothing," Cy stated.

"I got nothing either. Could be an error." Karen said.

"What radar type are you using," Helena asked.

"Heartbeat," I responded.

"Switch to motion. See if you get anything."

I did as I was told and switched to motion tracker... nothing. Nothing appeared on my radar. I switched back and noticed the dot on my radar disappeared.

"Hey, I just lost the bogey on my radar," Stiles stated.

"Yeah, I don't have it on mine anymore either," I added. "Alright. Proceed woth caution."

We started down the street. I still had that everlasting feeling of being ambushed. I took point. Right as we were about to reach the corner I lifted my hoof. I heard my squad as well as our friends stop behind me and hold position.

I slowly peeked around the corner. My eyes went wide as I saw dead bodies littering the street ahead. I dropped my hoof and pointed it forward signaling to the ponies behind to move forward.

I started down the corpse filled street. I stopped at the first body I reached. I flipped the unmoving form of a unicorn stallion. I removed the crude armor covering his chest. I pressed my ear to his chest... nothing.

When the others turned the corner they immediately checked the other bodies. I felt guilt enter me knowing just a few seconds ago one of these ponies was still alive, but no longer. "Catrine, you have any idea who did this?"

"I think I have your answer." She held up a spent round. "This is a 7.62 x39 mm. The round of the AK-47."

"Wait... you're not saying... you're not saying this was done by I.C. troops are you?"

"Yes, it would appear so. I don't believe ponies from the equestria wasteland would have such a round, and an appropriate gun."

I took a look around. The signs did add up. Most of these ponies still had all their stuff. If I were to think, another raider or scavanger would have at least taken something. The armor did little to stop these rounds too. One of the ponies even had part of their head gone from a shot.

I had to consider the possibility of I.C. troops already on the surface. They could be just scouts looking for a place to set up, or to take for their own. Manehattan could be their first target for an I.C. occupation. My train of thought was interrupted by Cy calling out to us.

"Hey! I got something over here that proves Catrine's point!"

We head over to have a look for ourselves. What he was talking about was a mare sliced diagonally down her torso. The armor and everything was perfectly cut. Something that could only be done by a nova blade.

"You think they're still around," Stiles asked.

"No, I think they moved on. They rather stay undetected right now. The I.C. strike mostly when they already have a plan and an idea of what they're getting into," Helena answered.

"Bet the locals haven't left a good first impression. Looks like they got slaughtered."

"No shit. Hopefully the I.C. don't realize they're aren't any sorts of millitarized groups down here."

"Yeah if they did, they'll see that you ponies are here for the enslaving."

I was seriously starting to worry now. Like Helena said, hopefully the I.C. haven't yet realized these ponies stand no chance against them in an invasion.

"Hey! Uh... what in the heck is this thing," Calamity shouted.

I walked over to Calamity with the others following closely behind. I was wondering what Calamity tried to scavenge, but found out he had no idea what it was.

I walked around some building debris and what Calamity was poking came into view. My eyes went wide as I saw what he was messing with.

"NO NO! CALAMITY DON'T," I shouted as I sprinted towards him and tackling him. We fell to the ground as we heard the mine launch itself about 3ft into the air and detonate sending lethal shrapnel flying in all directions.

I groaned in pain feeling sharpnel bury itself into my back, wings, and most painfully... my flank. I roled off Calamity to look at the others. I was hoping my gas mask muted the sound enough so the others wouldn't notice I was hit.

"What was that," Velvet asked trotting over to check on Calamity.

"That was a S-mine, also known as a Bouncing Betty," Helena answered.

"Don't worry Velvet. Reaper got me out of trouble," Calamity stated.

"Don't mention it," I said still feeling the offending material in my wing shift. There's nothing like metal shrapnel to the ass in the morning.

"Uh... are you okay Reaper?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied trying to stand up only to feel the sharpnel move again. I groaned once more as I put my hoof on my back.

Everypony was staring at me with a "are you sure" face. I similed trying to show I was fine. Their expressions didn't change as I realized how stupid I was, I still had my gas mask on.

I took it off and showed them my simile. Nopony seemed to buy it. I sighed. "I'm fine. Seriously I've been through worse before. I can surely survive a simple bouncing betty."

"Speak of which, how did that thing shoot up into the air," Littlepip asked with mild confusion in her voice.

"S-mines or bouncing bettys have a small propellant that launches them into the air to detonate," Helena answered. "And it seems the IC left us some as a present." Helena walked over to another one.

Velvet somewhat panicked a little bit, but Helena reassured her everything was fine. She picked it up and examined it. The small disk shape mine with three small antannae sticking out the top gave two beeps. Helena tossed it a few feet away from herself and backed up. "Hmmm... they weren't on. Calamity must haved activated it himself."

Helena raised her Ump-45 and fired a round at the mine. The mine exploded on the ground causing little damage to the concrete.

"Alright, let's get a move on," I said putting my gas mask back on.

***

The trek to Tenpony continued, and man it wasn't pleasant. First of all, the shrapnel in my ass was still there. Secondly, my drug injection had worn off, so I start going through the symptoms of withdrawal. My head hurt, my legs felt weak and shaky, my vision got blurry, and I felt the urge vomit on more than one occasion.

I kept walking trying my best not to show I was in desprerate need of my drug. I hated this. I wished one injection would last more than a day. With modern medical advances we were able to make it so one injection lasts a lot longer than it use to, but apparently that just wasn't enough to satisfy my addiction.

One of my suicide attempts was when I injected myself seven times in order to overdose. All I did was plunge myself into a coma for two weeks.

I took a look at Tenpony again. It seemed as if we were still miles away from the building. My body wouldn't stop shaking, I couldn't take it anymore. I felt a liquid make its way up my throat. I quickly removed my gas mask and then unleashed a violent torrent of vomit on to the sidewalk.

Everypony stopped and turned in my direction. I held my stomach as I released another wave onto the sidewalk. I finally stopped vomiting feeling my throat burn from the acidic liquid.

I felt a pair of hoofs pat my back as I wiped my mouth. I turned to see how it was. As I expected, it was Karen, but she was holding something. In her hoof was a syringe.

I was a bit shocked, but I knew it took her little to no time to realize what was wrong with me. "Karen, I don't need on-"

"Just take it."

The tone of her voice... it hurt me. I didn't want to take it, but my body craved the drug. I reached for it. My hoof was shaking so bad. I picked it up, I proceeded to to stick it in my foreleg.

The shaking stopped, but everything remained. My legs felt better, I could see clearer now. I looked up at my friends. They all had a sad look. Velvet however was different. She kept switching between me and Littlepip.

I bent down and picked up my M416. I checked it for damage real quick as I'd previously dropped it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, so I stuck it on my back.

We resumed walking. I felt anxious despite having just injected myself. I felt like I needed another one.

I brought up my wrist computer and scrolled through the items I had. I found a few pills of Xanax on me. I was gonna just take one, but I changed my mind and deccided to take two.

I mustered up a good amount of saliva and stuck the two pills in my mouth and swallowed them. It was gonna take a while before they had an affect on me though.

***

The sound of gunfire startled me. I heard rounds fly from behind us. We turned to see more of the raider ponies.

We returned fire and dove for cover. My eyes grew wide as I saw a few of them catch fire seemingly out of nowhere. I turned to the right to see Littlepip levitating the carbine she hadn't used until now. I saw her fire another burst and reload. (She probably had incendiary rounds loaded).

I poked my M416 over and unloaded into some of the attacking raiders. The few burning corpses gave us a little bit more visibility to their locations (telling it was still pretty dark).

Karen fired a grenade from the underbarreled grenade launcher on her M4a1. She sent two raiders flying and another one blown to pieces.

The last raider burst into flames rolling onto the street yelling in pain.

"Well that sucks," Stiles looking at the burning raider.

"At least it wasn't a flametrooper that killed him. I rather die to incendiaries than a flamethrower anytime of the day," Cy commented.

"Incendiaries," Calamity said with a confused voice.

"Yeah, you know. Rounds that light you on fire," Stiles said reloading his Scar-H.

We checked that there where no more raiders. After confirming, we kept to the tower.

I saw that we were approaching a wall surrounding the tower.

"Littlepip is there anything we need to know before going in," I asked staring up at the wall.

"Yeah, first they're gonna take your ammo. Second they hate ghouls," She responded.

"Yeah, thanks for saying it in simplest way possible."

"There is no way in hell they're taking my ammo," Cy blurted out.

"Okay tough stallion. Then you are staying outside," Catrine said in a playful tone.

"I will then-"

"Well look who's back." I heard a mare's voice say. "The toaster repair pony is back. You know the drill, ammo in the slot and you're in. Wait... wait a minute. Who are they? They weren't with you before."

"No, they weren't. They're just more body guards I picked along the way back to Old Appleloosa," Velvet stated.

"Uhhh... is your body guard... okay? There seems to be a knife sticking out of his head."

Stiles suddenly bursted out into a fit of laughter. Karen and even Catrine joined in on the giggles. I hoof-palmed.

My cheeks flushed slightly as I removed my hood and gas mask.

"Yes, he is okay. It's just some of the radiation taking a toll on his horn."

"Horn? But he has wings?"

"Yes, he does, but... the wings aren't natural."

I hoof-palmed again.

We placed all our ammo into the slot. Every last grenade, flashbang, and bullet went into the slot. The mare promised it would be returned when we were to leave. Apparently rubber bullets were on sell within this establishment.

We saw the gate open to reveal the lobby right in the middle. The lobby had a chandelier hanging from the center.

The second we stepped hoof inside everypony stopped and stared at us. I felt like we were at New Appleloosa again. I thought I was getting the most looks. Their eyes aimed high. My horn was the center of attention.

"Classy joint," Stiles said with an impressed tone.

"Yeah, reminds me of the one time I spent a night in an Encore luxury hotel," Cy commented.

"I don't like the looks we're getting. Looks like we're about to get jumped," I whispered into Stiles's ear.

"No shit. I don't think you've noticed Reap, but we look a wee bit out of place, don't ya think," he asked.

"Yeah."

"I mean come on, look at us. We're wearing futuristic black gear to these ponies. I think it's best we try to fit in as best as we possibly can."

"Makes sense." I sighed

Only if I wasn't a dumbass.

***

Velvet had shown us to our rooms. She told us that they were already paid for and that she was gonna go talk to a pony she named 'Homage'. Just before she left we thanked her. She told us first thing tomorrow morning she would come and see us.

She had only gotten three rooms. One for Stiles and Helena. One for Cy and Catrine. And finally one for Karen and myself.

As we took our first steps into our room I was quite surprised to see how well done the room actually was.

"So this is Goldentail's Luxury Suites," Karen said.

"Hmm?"

"Velvet said that's what the suites were."

"Looks nice. Definitetly better than our rooms back on the Silencer."

"I agree, but it isn't better than our room back in New Romeo."

"Oh of course. This is a wasteland remember."

"Yeah. By the way Velvet invited us to diner tomorrow. She also invited me shopping."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"She told me they have decent food and dresses to buy."

I sighed. "Karen."

"Yes my love?'

"You know we're on a millitary op right?"

"You know they'll find out about this right?"

"Maybe but-"

"Just relax. You been going too hard on yourself."

"How can I relax when I keep taking dru-"

She sighed. "Here. Take off your gear."

I took off my chest plate and back plate. I took my gloves off, as well as my trench coat. The bandages from before were still there.

I think she didn't notice the new blood stains from my recent encounter with a S-mine. I felt her removed the bandages with her magic letting my chest breath.

"Turn around," She said softly.

I did so and felt her hooves begain to massage my back and wings. I moaned a bit feeling the pleasurable hooves move up and down and side to side.

I felt Karen unfurl my left wing with her magic. I felt minor pain shoot through my wing as the leftover small pieces of shrapnel still embeded in my wing shifted.

I blushed a bit feeling Karen use her mouth to go through my feathers. I cringed feeling more significant pain go through my wing. I turned around, giving Karen a stern look.

In her mouth were two of my black feathers. "What," She said with the feathers still in her mouth.

"That hurt, that's what. Do you even know how to preen wings?"

"No, but I thought I was doing it fine."

"Thank you, but I can preen myself just fine. Also preening isn't just pulling out random feathers."

"Doesn't matter. I was just trying to make you feeling better."

"By pulling out my feathers?"

"Whatever, just open your wing again."

I was hesitant, but in the end I unfurled my wing again. I blushed feeling her nibble on my wing.

I shook a bit as she made her way up my wing and onto my back. She left kisses up my back and neck. I was about to turn around to have our lips meet shen she started nibbling on my ear.

My cheeks grew hotter. I felt her grab my hoof and drag me more onto the bed. She pushed me onto my back. She straddled me; my cheeks now burning.

She leaned down, but stopped half way down. "Reap, are you tired?"

"Yeah Karen. I'm sorry if you wanted too, but can we save this for another day? I wanna take a nap... please?"

"Okay. To be honest... I'm tired too." She yawned. Karen proceeded to get off of me and lay next to me.

I felt my back start to rest itself from the lack of weight on my stomach. It took me little to no time to start dozing off. I felt the bed sheet cover up my body, but still leaving my head exposed. Karen must have just used her magic.

It wasn't too cold, but god this bed was so comfortable. I haven't slept on a bed like this for almost three months now. It felt gooooood.

***

When I reawoke I was greeted to my wrist computer going off due to a call. I reached over to the bedside stand to pick it up and shush its infernal beeping.

I tried to reach for it, but I just couldn't. I hoof-palmed realizing how stupid I was again. Using my magic I levitated the the device over to me. As I was bringing it over I thought about why the bedside stand was so far away from the actual bed.

I saw that the caller was none other than the Silencer, I answered.

"Hello," I said in a groggy voice.

"Sir. Good to hear your still alive. We tried calling several times before without a response. We were considering sending down a recue team to your signal."

"My apologies. I was resting at that moment."

"Understood. Sir would you like any supplies to be dispatched to your location?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Yes please. Would you send me a new load out. Oh and make sure you send it in a whisper drone."

I explained my new load out to the pony on the other side. I decided to switch to a SMG and do away with the trench coat I had. I was forced to choose between the Ppsh-41 and the M1927. I choose the M1927.

I told the pony on the other side to contact the other to see if they wanted to change their loadouts too. I told the pony also to put the ammo in a different crate with a seperate drone because it had to be left outside the tower. I told them to leave it outside in idle mode. Finally I told them not to send it until tomorrow in the morning.

After ending the the call I realized Karen was literally lying right next to me. I heard her wrist computer start to beep.

Why am I so stupid?

Karen started to stir. I saw her open her eyes to see what woke her. She sat up in the bed and levitated her wrist computer over. She answered the call.

***

After she finished she simply lied back down and didn't even acknowledge the fact that I was awake. Even after the caller told Karen I was the one who told them to call her.

I turned over to look out the window. The sun had gone down and the moon showed itself. I sighed and lied down as went back to sleep.

***

When I woke up I was greeted to the sound of the shower running. I sat up and stretched. I heard my back pop a few times.

"No nightmares for once," I said to myself. "Only when I sleep with Karen."

I got out of the bed and dropped to all fours. I trotted over to the bathroom door. I gave two knocks and waited for a response.

"Come in," I heard Karen from the other side.

I opened the door slowly. The mixture of steam and smell of shampoo filled my nostrils. The smell was pleasent, almost as if the it smelled of fresh flowers.

I was lost within my own universe as I heard Karen call out my name. I saw that she was poking her head around the shower curtain.

"Good morning my Reaper," She said with a grin.

"Good morning Karen," I said trotting over to the sink and mirror.

"Would you like to join me? I just got in."

I felt my cheeks heat up as I stared at myself in the mirror. I turned to look at her.

Still giving me that same grin I sighed and nodded (I smelled pretty bad anyway).

***

After we finished showering we got some of our stuff together. I was just gonna wear my undersuit as I didn't think I was going to use my armor right now.

"Are you gonna get anything today," Karen asked.

"What do you mean," I responded.

"I mean are you gonna buy anything from here? Like a tux or hat?"

I was flat out confused by Karen's statement. "Uh... Karen. I don't think I need a tux or a hat right now. Plus, I'm fine with my suit and hood."

She sighed. "Come on, Velvet offered to pay for our expenses and you're just not gonna get anything?"

"Karen, are you saying I should take advantage of her?"

She hoof palmed (hey I'm sorry I'm a dumbass). "No no no, I mean we should thank her first of all, and also because you never wear anything different."

"What? Yes I do!"

"No, you don't. You always wear nothing or a hoodie. You wore your ceremonial suit sometimes, but bearly ever your tux."

A part of me was starting to question why we were arguing about what I wore in a place like the Equestrian Wasteland.

***

Karen had done her hair. It took her like an hour, but she was finally finished. I had to admit it looked nice.

In the meantime I found myself staring out the window. The Equestria Wasteland looked so... I didn't know how to put it. Depressing? Awful? Poisioned? The world I thought the wasteland was just didn't come to me.

I felt genuine sympathy for all the ponies forced to survive in such a harsh environment. Raiders and radiation created creatures. It was all that we've seen, but I could tell that there are more horrors still waiting out there.

I started to now think of the future of this place. What could I do to turn Equus into a better place. First, I had to know what I was dealing with. I needed to head to visit every major city on Equus.

I couldn't just send in Shadow Company without any sort of knowledge of what they were getting into. I wasn't going to risk my troops for something stupid. I wouldn't make that mistake again.

Our next stop? I didn't know yet. Maybe Hoofington? Las Pegasus? The Zebra Homelands? Who knew? I sure as hell didn't.

I then realized another problem. A problem I shouldn't have forgotten. The I.C., what about them? They could fuck everypony in the ass if they wanted to. These ponies are ready for them. Hopefully they don't come. Hopefully they just stay in their ships and fuck off.

I turned to the bathroom door. She was looking herself in the mirror. She noticed me and smiled. I smiled back before turning back to stare out onto the poision soil below.

I wondered what new friends we'd meet here. We've already meet Littlepip and the others, who else remotely friendly lived here?

I felt two hooves on my shoulders. Karen stood on her hind legs above me. "Are you ready to go," She asked me in a soft tone.

"Been ready," I said standing up on all fours.

She dropped to all fours and grabbed my hoof. "Let's go then. We don't wanna keep Velvet waiting."

***

Once we were out of our room, I instantly felt uncomfortable. Everypony we passed by in the halls would give my horn a glare. I not sure if they were amazed, confused, or just flat out terrified if I was even a real pony.

We had gotten out into a large lobby type area. The walls were a pearl white, the read and yellow carpet had been freshly cleaned, the ceiling was a nice white gold color.

"So, this is were we're supposed to meet them," I asked.

"Yeah, she told me to meet in here, but I don- wait. There they are," Karen said pointing at them.

I spotted them and began trotting over. However something was off though. Joining them was another pony. It was a mare with a dark blue mane and steel grey coat similar to Littlepip's. She had hazel eyes and a body frame built similar to Littlepip's as well.

Karen waved to them. As we meet Karen happily greeted the new mare. I heard her introduce herself as Homage, the mare Velvet mentioned yesterday.

It was my turn to talk. I stood tall as she turned to me, but the second she did... her eyes went straight to my horn... goddammit.

"Oh my," I heard her ever so slightly whisper. Her eyes traced the rest of my body.

I was hoping she was staring at my strange cutie mark rather than my flank.

She flushed.

I'm gonna guess that option number two was correct. My flank was her target. I blushed a little bit and introduced myself.

She introduced herself to me. "I am not only known as Homage though."

"What do you mean?"

"I am also DJ Pon3."

I was confused now. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to know who DJ Pon3 was, but I was clearly showing that I didn't know.

"I'm the voice who always greets you on the Equestrian radio."

I simply nodded trying to act along.

"You haven't heard me yet? I already talked about you on the radio."

My eyes went wide. Had she given away our position on the radio to any I.C. troop listening. "Wait... what are you talking about?"

"I was talking about what you did in Ponyville. You helped that mare and killed all the raiders. I was just told that you were Sixty-Six."

"How did you hear about that?" I didn't even need to hear her answer when it hit me... Watcher. Did he tell her this? He was transmitting to this location to be honest. "Nevermind, don't answer that."

***

After a bit more talk we went to eat. The place we were eating at had only a few ponies inside.

After getting the menu I decided on a salad. I haven't had a good salad in a long time. After recieving the food I was a bit more than disappointed. It tasted awful, not to mention the stale tasting ranch that came with it too.

I wasn't about to complain though. I should have known it would taste bad. These ponies probably don't got the materials and ingredients to make great food. Hell, for all I know this salad came in a can.

After eating our food we followed Homage up to the next floor, and the next, and the next. It seemed as if we were headed up to the roof.

I just wished I had eaten something better though. For once I think I would have rather eaten a MRE.

Footnote: Promotion! Level 3 reached, Private Second Class.

New Perks: Double-tap, increased fire rate for every weaponed use.

New Cyber-Core Abilities: No new unlocks

Author's Note

Once again Fallout doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Khat. Oh and sorry for butchering your characters again. Thank you for bearing with me and the story. Once again school got in the way and I had to rush the chapter.