Fallout Equestria: A Pinch of Raider Influenceby Given ChanceChaptersIntro: Crash LandingChapter 1: A Raider IntroductionChapter 2: Jet! Not Dash! Psycho not Rage!Chapter 3: DisrespectChapter 4: Not A DoctorChapter 5: There Ain't No GodChapter 6: Fetish MagsIntro: Crash LandingLights and sounds blared loudly at me, while I tapped desperately on a control panel that was directly in front of me. My fingers typing away with lightning speed reflexes. Though I wasn't super special or anything to do something like that. It was all practice, and my soon to be demise that pumped me up to type so quick on the console. My heart hammered in my chest while my forehead pounded with anxiety. My head started to hurt from an intense pain my mind going into overdrive. I grit my teeth trying not to blink as it might have me lose some precious time that I had left. Sparks flew towards my face instinctively forcing me to slam my eyes closed for a couple of valuable seconds wasted that I had left. Having me curse under my breath. Quickly opening my eyes just to look up to see the ground coming up fast. Then a few seconds later a mountain came into view and I was about to crash into it! My ship not having a pilot stick but instead having me type commands on a console that was previously damaged touching this world's unnatural cloud cover. The Shipmaster warned me about coming too close to the surface but I just got curious. . . STUPID ME! And another thing; I wasn’t supposed to be down here in the first place. I was originally supposed to be in the maintenance wing fixing up old beat up bots. And staying in bed for an expedition accompanied with a shitload of scientists and researchers. . . but I kind of got carried away wanting to see the surface as soon as possible. I heard that this used to be our home world. Since humans abandoned it so long ago. I was just so curious examining this small ship. Fixing it with my mentor. . . but he went for a drink. . . and I sorta. . . took it for a ride, but thank god for simulation training! I almost pressed the self-destruct button twice on accident! Why didn’t they color code this thing!? Obviously, I didn't listen touching the cloud cover though. That kind of screwed me over, and now I was going to crash a ship like an idiot! I might have even effectively postponed the expedition! I’m so getting it back up there! All of us were looking forward to seeing “Home” and I probably. . . most likely screwed it up for everyone else. The ship started spinning in circles doing a number of barrel rolls making me feel sick all over this just wasn’t my day. I was about to crash into the mountain but had just enough time to slam a struggling hand into the console on accident hitting a random jumble of keys. As a feminine synthetic voice came on “Sorry but you are currently screwed, Traitor.” I groaned before my random commands made the ship change its trajectory slightly heading straight into a slope full of trees just barely missing the dirty green colored mountain. “Oh. Fuck.” The synthetic female voice said. As we crashed having me jolt in my seat. Lucky to have my seat belt straps on over my chest. That made an “X” holding me securely in my chair. I could hear the screeching sound of metal slide against the rocky ground as my ship decapitated trees that were in the way. My head whipped back against the cushion of my comfortable white chair. The inside of the ship rattle violently as compartments holding exploration gear started flying about spilling out. Some of the equipment even hitting me ruthlessly bruising me up badly. Just then the console in front of me exploded into a shower of sparks. Shrapnel rained down on me cutting into me. I cried out in pain just as the ship came to a halting stop. I panted my heart racing in my ears coughing for breath starting to breathe heavily trying my best to keep myself calm. I looked down at myself seeing my white jumpsuit soaking up in a red color. I raised an eyebrow confused on what it might’ve meant. “Well. . . yyyouuurerr. . . fuckkkkeeddd. . . ttt . . .” The synthetic voice spoke again garbled up. “T-t-trati-!” The power of the ship went out. The red emergency lights not coming on. “The backup generator must have been fried by Homes. . . clouds. . .” I said aloud wistfully trying to ignore the pain coming from my stomach. As my white jumpsuit was now drenched red. I looked away not used to feeling such a pain. Sure, I was used to the occasional cuts and electric jolts from working with service bots and maintaining the ship sometimes even a console or two or just some electronic gadget in my room but right now this… this was like nothing I had ever felt before. . . and it sucked. . . tremendously. I shook my head trying to distract myself from the pain as I looked out the cracked and nearly shattered the "viewing glass" of the ship. . . well. . . my fried paperweight now. I officially am screwed by the Captain. . . I wonder what they’re thinking about me right about now. . . ***Inside The Mothership*** Three human males were playing a game of holographic cards. While drinking cups of coffee. “So you taking the kid for an expedition to Home?” An old man with glasses asked as he stroked his snow-white beard. His face a pale white color from not being exposed to the sun. Though they made ways to get the vitamins they needed but he refused saying; that he wanted to do it the natural way. He enjoyed doing it like the old ways when humans would go outside and get some good old-fashioned sunlight. Until they had to leave Home and find a new planet to live on. The sun growing too large and hot for “Home” to sustain life anymore. But that was hundreds of thousands of years ago. Well, that’s what the history servers said anyway. Who really knew anyway? “Yeah, he was going with the chief scientist. Having been selected at random the poor sap… hope he doesn’t cause trouble for the science division. . . damn that boy. . . always touching what doesn’t belong to him. . .” “I know what you mean,” The snow white-bearded man agreed taking a sip of his coffee just then the emergency broadcast kicked off scaring all three of them half to death. Effectively forcing them to drop their coffee all over the table making the holocards malfunction having them switch off. They all groaned having they’re game ruined. “Attention! We have an unauthorized crew ship missing in hangar bay A7! Someone has stolen a ship!” The Captain blared in the coms system making all of them jump to their face. “Oh, no! THAT CRAZY KID IS AT IT AGAIN!” The man with the snow-white beard cried out as all of the men looked at each other. “I dun… fucked it up this time. . .” He dragged out looking down his friends looking towards him sympathetically. “No. . . we all did. . .” The one that hadn’t spoken at all finally spoke up patting his friend on the back reassuringly ***At The Bridge***. “Who would have the audacity to STEAL ONE OF OUR SHIPS!” The Captain screamed out at the officers on the bridge. They all flinched from his rage alone. The scream was just a bonus. One of the officers working on a control panel licked his lips nervously fiddling with his thumbs as he looked up at the Captain. The Captain wore a pure white uniform that you could distinguish from the rest as he wore a hat that looked like a Sea Captain hat but with space insignia minus the sea stuff While the officer in question had a light gray uniform being a bridge officer he also wore a matching gray cap. That was meant to help the captain and crew pilot the ship and be of assistance with transmission relays. “S-sir!” He stuttered out as the Captain’s head snapped towards him with his eyes bleeding out anger. That made the whole bridge go completely silent as everyone stops typing on their own consoles. The Captain’s lips twisted as he spat out. “What is it?” Only making the grey bridge officer flinch at the Captain’s tone. “W-well-” he quickly said trying to regain his composure as much as possible. “-He seems to be at it again sir. . .“ Gulping nervously assuming that the Captain will snap out at him to blow off some steam, but instead, he smiled nodding his head knowingly with a smug smile. “Is he now. . . well alright! It isn't that bad!” The Captain cheered folding his hands behind his back making his way back to the viewing window to look out to planet “Home” Seeing most of it covered in white cloud. A woman in the standard grey bridge officer uniform cocked her head to the side. Lost on where the Captain was going with this. “What do you mean Captain?” She asked curiously wanting him to fill in the gap of his thought process so that everyone on the bridge could totally understand what he meant. Continuing to gaze out of the view glass he said with a wide smile. “We now lost a rat on our ship. . .” Everyone nodded their heads knowingly starting to smile with him until he spoke again. “And I’m postponing all future expeditions to planet “Home”,” He said with an evil smile as everyone started to frown upon his statement all going back to working on their consoles. They all just wanted to know what their “Home” was now like. No one has ever set foot or explored planet “Home” before. But it seems that idiot got to be the first. . . only if the Shipmaster were here to see it... Author's Note Please tell me any mistakes you see so I could learn from them. That would be helpful. Because I can't seem to learn on my own. Chapter 1: A Raider IntroductionA portal opened made of a sickly green color. With swirls that seemed to spin for eternity. Then a bloodied white hoof stuck out through the portal. Then another and then another and then. . . another? But the next hoof was blue. Two ponies tumbled out of the portal. Rolling around across the dirt-covered field on a dark night. There was a cloud cover that acted as a skybox. Obscuring it's hidden art from all of its land inhabitants. Punching and beating each other to a pulp. Bleeding heavily from their wounds. After their final battle having one last raid before they were all going to go out by a balefire bomb. Her husband, child, old friends, even her one true enemy that she hated with all her heart... and she let them... all... “Fuck you, Boss!” The blue raider mare screamed out as she gripped the other mare with the white coat by the throat trying to strangle the life out of her. Her sicking grin growing wider as she saw the once radiating mare gagging horridly beneath her. Her eyes seemed to want to pop out her skull from how tight she was being choked. Before she could, however, the mare beneath her head-butted the raider. “That isn’t going to do anything Boss!” The Blue Raider mare laughed confident in her new kill. But before she could end it all slowly savoring her kill. Was sadly interrupted when she felt ansharppain in her side. She looked down to see a knife sticking out of her. With a white hoof seeming to hold the knife tightly twisting it. The mare beneath her confidently with a newly acquired sinister smile on her face. As she hiccuped for air as the blue raider got off her trying to get some distance from her now ‘enemy’ once 'leader'. Ponies could learn to use their hooves to grab objects with the help of magic. A once forgotten trick in the Wasteland. School and education can give anyone an advantage. You just got to follow through. “Fuck you!” The blue raider screamed in pain with tears in her eyes clouding her vision. This time with gritted teeth pulling out the knife from her side with her mouth licking the blood off the rusted blade. Then right after that spitting it out into the air catching the handle with her mouth with practiced ease. Radiant coughed hacking loudly as she uneasily got up shakily. Wiping some blood from her dried cracked lips dehydrated. As she stood up on all four ready for another assault remembering her Precious little one. Whipping her mane dramatically as she smiled confidently with her giving out posture. She then spread her wings out wide easily establishing dominance as a pegasus while her enemy sneered with hateful intent. My smile just seemed to grow. “You wish!” I laughed before swiftly pulling out a .32 pistol from under my wing that was previously hidden from sight and out of mind. Firing a single shot at the mare getting a bullseye. Getting the blue bitch right between the eyes. I then smiled satisfied with my work as I turned to see the portal fade into nothingness. My smile quickly faded remembering recent events. frowning as I began to loot the now blue dead body with a stone cold mask of nothingness. My heart aching in pain feeling a deep empty pit in my heart as tears started to fill to the brim. Wanting me to let them loose to fall free. To just let out all of my pain and grief once again. To have it all so close but yet so far. . . Then draconequus appeared loudly in a flash of bright blinding light smiling down at me with a toothy grin. Appearing on a throne sitting on it. It looked to be a green cloud that seemed to be leaking some kind of disgusting green ooze. “I promise you that it's not as bad as it looks.” I didn’t flinch when hearing him. Continuing to loot as if he didn't even exist in this hell. It only seemed to infuriate the Chaos God. “Are you even listening!?” Discord boomed now flapping his mitch matched wings lifting himself up into the air. As he expressed himself like a child having a tantrum. That brought a small smirk to the corners of my lips. But quickly hid it not wanting him to have any satisfaction. I didn't really know that to be true, but I wasn't going to take any chances. “No,” I said in a flat tone but in my mind laughing my ass off but hiding it deep within my mind. Finding a pocket full of caps. Opening the bag to inspect only to find 13 caps. shrugging at my new find treasure‘At least it’s something’. Discord appeared in front of me as a sack of money with a large golden dollar sign. “You like money don’t you!? Just pay attention and you might get some!” Discord explained almost desperately as two yellow eyes appeared on the brown money sack. His blood red irises, were natural of course. . . I think? Or unnaturally. . . you know him being a Chaos God and all. . ."You're so hard headed!" Discord growled. He was the whole reason why I was here in the Wasteland. I could either cuss him out or thank him. I really didn't like to be mad. But keeping a facade of anger has helped me survive. Hiding behind a mask. . . has kept me going for so long. . . it feels almost wrong. . . to be normal again. . . It's impossible. . . “I like money, drugs, drinks and a hella bitches,” I burst out sarcastically with a wide smile with a roll of my eyes. But inside I felt like I was dying. Hell, I wanted to just fall over and die right then and there. My body just didn't want to fall over and accept defeat. I tossed a couple of pony ears the once raider now dead pony had seemed to collect as trophies. Discord grumbled to himself. “Why do I even bother with this mare?” smiling I responded, “Because I’m hella good looking!” I said hoof pumping the air. As I gave him a light ass shake. Trying to be a tease trying really hard to bring a genuine smile to my face. While my heart felt heavy like a clump of heavy metal alloys mended together, the feeling was unbearable. Discord screamed in frustration into the air making lighting strike dramatically as it began to pour heavily. Water raining down on my nearly forcing me to the floor. “I’ve had it with YOU!” Discord boomed loudly making her mane blowback as if it was getting my mane blow dried. “I’ve had enough! You’re going to GET IT!” Discord shouted as his chest huffed and puffed out.'And blew my house down.' “Awe. . . have I been. . . a very. . . bad filly?” I teased fluttering my eyelashes at him. Which I was quite sure that he couldn't see through the heavy rainfall. But what I was sure of was Discord’s left eye twitching as his talon and lion paw seemed to shake in rage as he just popped out of existence making me cackle loudly, as I began to walk aimless shrouded in the dark night. The rain drenching me with water making my leather raider armor sag in the rain. ***** Walking for about. . . a long hard night. . . my hooves were killing me as they ache beneath me. “This just isn’t my day. . .” I grumbled as I had only been walking for about 15 minutes. I felt pretty much drained from the whole day I had today. I had lost pretty mucheverything! I had them all in my grasp!‘But I let them go. . .’I looked down at my leather armor which I was pretty sure was now going to be shrinking and getting really tight.‘Now I need to kill another fresh raider to get some new armor. . . great. . . just great. . .’ I walked until walking face first into something metallic, making me fall flat on my ass. Pressed a hoof to my nose seeing fresh blood trickle down my nose stung. “Fuck you too,” I muttered punching the metal wall with my hoof in frustration. I knew it wouldn't do anything, but I needed to vent out my frustration on something. I couldn’t see anything in this dark night the weird cloud cover that I've never seen before was obscuring my sight of the beautiful calming moon. Even with all of the rain masking me in complete darkness. The light from my pip-boy or pip-buck or ‘pip-fuck’ as I seemed to call it. Because it just didn’t seem to do shit. But light up the area around me and speed up my reflexes with V.A.T.S and sorting all my notes and belongings. hearing the loud pitter-patter of the raindrops striking the metallic door, gate or whatever it was. Was quite soothing, to say the least. Shivering on a cold night all alone. I smiled I was going to die... finally... the maybe soon. . . I would see my daughter. . . last. . . time. . . The rhythm of the raindrops hammering onto the metal was quite relaxing. I closed my eyes as a small drift of wind would brush against me making me shiver harder. "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" A young childish voice giggled out excitedly. Bringing a smile to my cold trembling lips. I sobbed as I heard another voice. "There is where my two princesses went!" A masculine voice laughed out making a cold smile start to grow wider. Feeling a strange warm embrace wash over. Giving me a calm relaxed feeling. Nuzzling the empty raining air in front of me. Tears began to stream down my face disguised as raindrops. I saved them... I didn't need to fight any longer. . . my mission for their safety. . . was accomplished. . . Suddenly a loud eerie metallic grinding noise was heard. Right in front of me. Ears twitched in alertness as both of my ears stuck high into the rainy air. The warm feeling instantly disappeared making me shiver as I began to realize how cold I really was. I was shaking violently. My eyes seemed to slowly open. It was getting harder and harder to see by the second. Then an ear-piercing loud metallic dragging noise that just seemed to make my ears submit falling flat against my head. Then a bright blinding white light that was so intense made me shut my eyes as I instinctively turned my head away. All the while I felt the light even piercing through my eyelids. The metal them came to a grinding halt making my brain and eyes and brain rattle in my skull. I felt so nauseous now. It reminded me of when I and my raider gang would crack open vaults to see what sorts of goodies and nicknacks they contained. “It’s a raider!” A stallion shouted as a bullet rang loudly whizzing by my cheek. “You missed you, idiot!” Another stallion shouted as another bullet smacked me right dab on the center of my chest. Making me take a step back as I grunted. Lucky that he hit the armor. I stood my ground slowly opening my eyes giving them a challenging stare. My blue eyes boring into their own. Out of all of them, I was the only one trembling as I stood having trouble keeping my eyes open. “Shit shoot her!” The first stallion shouted again. “What the hell did I ever do to you!?” I snapped aggressively at him standing up straighter. Trying to keep him talking as I slowly took a couple of tentative steps forward. Both of the stallions froze as more ‘guards’ came rushing to their aid. Aiming their rifles at me as I gave them a scowl in response. Being shot at for no reason was a dick move in my book. “Well now that I have an audience. . .” I said in a low irritated voice as my right ear twitched in annoyance. “What are you doing here Raider!?” An old stallion shouted at me obviously wanting an answer. I gave him a deadpanned expression. So I give him my response but that didn't mean I had to give one he'd like. “To get a nice drink. . . maybe some food. . ” I placed a hoof to my chin in mock thought. “And maybe rent a room to bunk down.” I then gave them all an innocent smile. The response I got was an eye roller for me. It was quite hard to resist but I resisted the power of the eye rolls. “And maybe some bitches. . what a dream come true!” I said as I sat on my tush clasping my two front hooves together tightly placing both hooves against the left side of my cheek, giving them a dreamy look. The reaction I got was what I expected. I heard an orchestra of gun hammers cocking back. I then gave them all a nervous look trying to look pathetic just so they could underestimate me. Looking like a weak amateur raider. . . In all honesty, I didn't even know if I was a raider anymore. Didn't I leave that all behind me? I just finished killing my crew. . . I finished saving. . . people. . . “Just shoot me!” I said dejectedly bowing my head dramatically. I could almost swear I could hear some violin playing in the background in a sad tune. As the rain seemed to back off softly till it was now only drizzling over my soaked form. I continued to shiver in the cold as a breeze began to brush against my body. ***** I slammed face first into a stone wall. My body was battered and bruised sporting a black left eye. I was lucky to have my wings in a surprisingly good condition, only to just be covered in mud and grime. "You damn raiders just never quit!" The old security buck shouted as he locked the metal barred door up.'He had a... uh... brown mane? Kinda hard to tell with the black eye and all. My vision was blurry being low in energy and tired, shivering violently. He also sported an aqua coat? And uhh.. .Blue? Yeah. . .blue! A blue security? Police? You know what! Fuck that old buck.' I got up standing on my noodle like feeling legs. Trembling as I stood, wobbling in place quickly surveying my surroundings. That's when I noticed that I wasn't alone in this cell. I smirked knowingly with my body aching "Well, hello there," I greeted with my go lucky tone that didn't seem to reach my eyes. What I saw were two griffons. Two female griffons to be exact. They both stood with their rear legs leaning back against the metal barred walls. That separated the cells even the door had the matching metal barred theme. Besides the stupid concrete wall, that old asshole buck threw me into. They both had their arms crossed against their chests as they watched me without making a sound. They disgusted me with their searching gaze trying to pierce through me. I wasn't scared at all, but I was embarrassed as fuck from having my face looked like it got smashed in. "What happened to you?" One of the griffons asked. She had a dark green coat with a yellow trim to her feathers. While the other one beside her was a dark brown color with a black face for some reason. It seemed to be some type of war paint. Or maybe it was a gang color? I smiled swaying slightly trying to look dizzy just to get their attention. Just to make myself look weaker. It wasn't hard to play them because right now I was running on fumes. I wanted to die. "I got persecuted for demonstrating my religion," I explained wholeheartedly if you would count being a raider a religion. Though I was only joking of course. She spoke again with a raised brow. "And just what religion was that?" She asked either with curiosity or she was just fishing for information. I knew better than to just give her information. I would have to fish for information as well. Just to level the playing field. I didn't want her having the upper hand in the mind games. "I can't tell you that. . . you must kno da weh," I joked bowing my head gracefully before falling over on my side. "I don't think I can take it anymore! It's always the same!" I cried loudly as the griffons quickly came to my aid. I just wanted my heart to quiet and stop beating, but it just continued to beat. I would often question myself late at night. When all the raiders were either asleep or on guard duty. I would sit down by my window, and just look up into the sky, admiring the beautiful moon. The only thing physically that I still had from my childhood. I would ask 'why was I still alive?' But I would get no answer besides the cool night air brushing against my window. I would open the window just to feel the wind brush against me. My heart telling me that I was still alive, but why? Why was it still beating? Why didn't it just break already from this painful heartache? The pain in my heart is unbearable it's been sixteen years and the pain still lingers... a never-ending pain that would have me clutching at my chest moments at a time. I missed them so, so much. . . "Hey, easy, easy," The griffon with the brown coat with a black face soothed. While I continued to tremble from the cold. My fur was still wet and heavy from the rain from earlier. My fight out there didn't last very long. It was a quick fight taking out three guards knocking them out. Well. . . I believe I did anyway. Smacking a pony across the face with a rifle would do that to them. Having pulled a rifle out of a unicorn guards levitation, swinging it like a club getting lucky hits on them. They tried to subdue me while I had the intent to kill. . . why didn't they just kill me? Maybe. . . it was because I deserved to be in pain. . . for everything that I have done. Burning down towns, slaughtering ponys, foals, destroying families. I deserved everything that was thrown at me. But it wasn't my fault. . . it was Discord's fault. . . he did this to me. . . TO THEM! The whole reason why I was here in pain was because of him. . . I only suffer. . . because of him. . . a never-ending feeling of pain. . . *POP!* In a bright pink flash of light making a popping sound just, as Discord appeared. My instincts making me scream at him. "You did this, didn't you!" I accused the God of Chaos. Who reeled back with a shocked expression on his face. My expression seething in anger jumping to my hooves, shaking horrendously before began to have a coughing fit. Snot began to leak heavily out my nose as it dribbled out. "Me!?" Discord cried out placing both hands over his heart as if to make himself innocent. "But that just can't be. . ." he exclaimed before a smile formed on his lips curling upwards getting right in my face. The two griffons backed away from me with widened eyes, as they stared at me have my tantrum that I was throwing at Discord. "You got those guards to throw me in this dump!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as my mind burned with fiery. My aching body now fueled by adrenaline. I stood up on all fours spreading my wings wide to make me look bigger against him on instinct alone. "You made it rain so I wouldn't be prepared for this! You. . . you planned this!" I accused punching a hoof to his chest to hammer my point home. "But Radiant, how can you really be so sure?" Discord said moving his eyebrows up and down as he threw his arms to the sides in a 'come at me bro' gesture. "You're the fucking God of Chaos! Get me out of here!" I only retaliated against him throwing myself at him. Only to go through him; slamming my muzzle into the metal barred wall that separated my cell from another that was currently empty. "You ruined my life!" I screamed as I began to cry on the floor curling up into a ball as I held my bleeding nose in my hooves. I was cold sad in pain constantly mentally and physically. The funny thing was that I wasn't really as evil as I used to be. Discord sighed loudly as he sat down beside me looking away "Listen I might not be your dad. . . so let me tell you. . . that I never ruined your life. . . you are always free to change the path your life will take." Discord expalined with a sad sigh while he began to mess with my mane. I only whimpered in response trying to continue fighting to get my thoughts off my family "But you brought me here. . ." I replied weakly wanting every fiber in my body to be against him. My rage slowly dying out. The two griffons looked at each other in confusion and shock as they saw their new cellmate screaming at the concrete wall even trying to beat it, hurting herself in the process. They stood stunned not knowing what to do, only seeing a psycho religious nut curled up crying on the floor. They were actually scared to approach her now believe it or not. Never touch a crazy when they're crying. That is like survival 101, you never know what a crazy nut job would do next. Discord groaned shaking his head not liking it when ponys got sentimental it was never his strong suit. "Got to go Mrs.Radiant, see you later," Discord said with a snap of his fingers with his eagle talons as he disappeared leaving me alone. The once proud raider wife and mother was now broken and alone. Being locked up just amplified my despair. After a couple minutes of pathetic crying later I slowly got up wiping my muzzle brushing the blood with a hoof smearing blood over my furred muzzle. I sniffled quietly as I quickly turned to the griffons. Making them flinch back against the wall in response. I then slowly opened my dry mouth. As my eyes were red and puffy from all of my crying. "Do you want to escape?" I asked them quietly. As they just stared blankly at me. My ears drooped pinning back against my head. Until I fixed them with a hateful glare. "Fine!" I snapped. "I don't need you anyway! I don't need anyone!" I snapped reaching a hoof into my dirty blonde mane. They both narrowed their eyes as I searched inside my mane. That was another thing wrong with me now. . . ever since I entered the Wasteland. . . I was now quick to anger. My mood would swing left to right, happy to sad at a moments notice. My cellmates and other prisoners in different cells could hear a loud rummaging sound as I searched. They could hear metal dinging and clinking together glass breaking and even a squeaky rubber sound. I then pulled out a shiny silver knife moments later. They both eyed the knife that I pulled out suspiciously before going wide-eyed seeing me wield a knife with my hoof. Their beaks opened wide in shock at what they were witnessing. A pony that could hold something with their hooves was unheard of! Or seen no less! But here this pony was doing the impossible! My nose twitched getting fired up by the second my blood boiling, as anger flashed through my eyes. Glaring harshly at the two griffons. I was quite the speciesist, racist against other species that weren't remotely pony. "Alright listen here and listen good. You're with me or without!" I stated pointing off the knife towards the both of them now standing on my hind legs. Trembling as I stood with a neutral gait. Trying to scare them so they would do my bidding. But instead, both griffons looked towards each other confidently nodding in unison as they stood up on their hind legs brandishing their sharp talons at me threatening me. "Have it your way," I growled. It probably looked weird to them how I was holding a knife with a fucked up face, especially my left black eye and with the side of a muddy coat. I looked like total shit right now, that's because I was alone. Raiders raid in packs or bands. They both quickly lunged towards me. Thinking fast I flapped my wings propelling me up into the air. Within the tight cell space, bumping my head like an idiot on the ceiling making my vision go fuzzy as I came back down accidentally stabbing the black painted faces griffon in the eye. Her eye juices squirted and leaking out as I rolled away disorientated as the other incoming griffon lashed out at me. Just bearly missing me. Her claws created deep claw marks on the concrete floor.'I didn't want any scars! Those things are hideous!' "You little whore!" The griffon screeched loudly making my ears hurt. Making me feel sick in the head as my mind seemed to swim. My ears pinned back against my head. That's how loud she was being. "So what if I am?" I retorted holding my head in both front hooves. As I groaned on the floor. She then got on top of me punching me in the face. Making me whimper in pain like a hurt puppy. 'I pissed off the damn catbird lady!' "You're DEAD!" She screeched again and so did the metal barred door. She lifted a sharp eagle talon to 'fuck up my face!' *Bang!* A loud bang made my head spin. I wasn't a fan of loud noises. . . it's like if loud noises were my weakness or something. 'Why are my ears so sensitive today?' I groaned as the griffon fell on top of me dead. I just laid on the floor with her on top of me as two security ponies rushed into the jail cell. A doctor in white scrubs with the red cross symbol on her right foreleg rushed into the cell as well. Coming over to me in a hurry. With a worried look on her face. I really couldn't tell with one eye swollen shut and my other eye just seemed to be unfocused with my vision blurry. I felt like I was playing one of those war video games. I rasped softly and pathetically with honesty coming from my weakened and forever damaged heart. "I want to go home. . ." I whimpered out quietly as the doctor mare seemed to have a look of sadness on her face. I really couldn't see all too well. Fighting all of those guards hooves only. Only for them to cheat and bring out the batons. I kept my wings at my side scared that they might actually break my wings. I didn't want to lose them too. I only had myself now. . . More white ponys came bringing a streture. I couldn't see much my vision complete shit right now. I might have rattled my noggin a bit too hard. 'I just want my family back is that too much to ask?' I wasn't so evil now. . . or dark. . . I remember when my life was truly a living hell. . . the only colors I could see was red and black... do you know what that's like? To feel no happiness at all? To be in pain constantly for years? But she saved me from that. . . I can see once again. . . She made me see... I didn't think it would be possible. . . to be brought back to the light. . . I didn't think it was possible. . . but I don't think I'm good either. . . but I lost it all again. . . so why wasn't everything so dark like it once used to be? ***** I slowly opened my eyes quickly getting blinded by the fluorescent lights. I waited a bit trying to grab my bearings before trying again. This time succeeded in seeing getting to look around my new setting; laying on my back on a pure white mattress with a matching white blanket. Laying on a soft plush white mattress beneath me was quite comfortable lulling me back to sleep. But I just barely managed to resist the urge to rest peacefully. . . I didn't want to be stuck in one place for long because if I did that I would have time to think; and if I had time to think it would only bring back only terrible memories. That I was only trying to bury deep down. No one likes to be sad. . . even a raider. . . am I still a raider? The bright fluorescent light above me burned my eyes forcing me to squint. Well, I think it was the ceiling anyway because that’s where most ponys put lights. . . because I remember once I was strapped down to a bed in a straitjacket. While the bed was attached to the wall. So it was like if I was standing on my hind legs leaning against the wall. But that was a long time ago. A big bright white light would blare in my face blinding me while continuously disorienting me. My eyes scanned the rest of the room from my position on the bed. Not being able to see quite much, but that was okay by me 'wait. . . I can see!’ I quickly sat up on the bed putting a hoof to my face touching the surface feeling the soft fur beneath my hooves. My left black eye was gone! And. . . I shivered no longer! I was freed from my near cold death. . . 'Curse you!' I mentally screamed my inner voice echoing within my mind distracting me for the moment. I really wanted to die. . . but yet. Here I was still kicking and screaming. . . it was so close. . . why am I too weak to just end it all on my own!? After a few minutes, I had enough waiting around and was going to do something about it. As I was just barely about to get up and hop out of bed to make a first move sneaking out of my or this hospital/medical room. . . I instantly noticed that both of my hind legs cuffed to the bed; by the ankles too! I snorted in irritation glaring hatefully at the old clean shining metal cuffs. I tried to pull my legs free hoping the bed was old or maybe the cuffs were weak enough to break apart setting me free in the process. But was very disappointed when it was the latter. I groaned loudly throwing my head back into the plush white pillow, trying to relax my nerves... Rolling around the bed anxiously, but was more like rocking side to side; waiting for no. Wanting. To be set free and explore this world. ‘Anywhere but here.’ I mentally whimpered just as I heard the door to the room open up. An uninvited guest walking into the room I froze up in the process expecting the unexpected. A nurse walked into the room sporting white scrubs. Looking over a brown clipboard that seemed to be rotting at the lower corners of her clipboard. After a few minutes of working something down, she finally noticed me staring at her in curiosity and in fear. The fear of the unknown was a powerful thing that I loved and hated at the same time. It could either make you or break you. I stalked her with a bit of malice but still, my tongue for the time being. The nurse gave me a kind smile as she walked over to my bed without caution at all which kind of surprised me catching me completely off guard; my face even showed my confusion. “Well, it seems you’ve finally awakened.” The nurse said with a nervous shift in her stance. 'Okay. . . so she did know what happened then. . .' I thought within my head while I examined her every move. “I’m always awake,” I replied quietly giving her a full view of my pearly white teeth. Something that was quite rare in the wasteland. And I wasn't quite lying about my statement about always being awake either. “Though I would have preferred to be put down, but on my own terms of course,” I chuckled at her reaction. Her eyes widened as the aura around her horn disappeared having her drop her clipboard in the process only prompting me to bust out laughing. rolling around on the bed again to face her as I fluttered my eyelashes towards her trying to either get lucky and influence her with my flirting or to embarrass her weakening her mental state of mind. “Set this little birdie-free, and I’ll be out of your mane in no time!” I said with a stupid smile on my face, tossed and turned on the bed. In very suggestive poses bringing a bright blush to the nurse's face. But her look quickly turned into one of a look of concern on her face, as she got closer to the bed putting her hooves on the bed railing looking down to me; observing me messing around. “Is everything alright!?” She said in alarm wondering if I was having a seizure or if I was 'special' with the extra chromosome. . . the whole package and what not. But being as violent I was, quickly snapping out at her wrapping my hooves roughly around her neck, pulling her into the bed with me. Starting to first to choke out the unicorn nurse. She gagged in my grasp choking out for breath. While I gave her a crazy wide-eyed look, my smile growing to unimaginable heights. Giving her my signature raider smile. The nurse's eyes shrank as she gazed into my glass like domes that once had so much emotion in horror. I managed to pin her arms by wrapping my wings around her. I was glad that they didn't bind my two bad girls. I wanted to kill her swiftly so that I could just run and never look back. Killing her would take her away from this cruel joyless world. . . that was full of pain and misery. Something that the world never seemed to do for me. But something popped into my head reminding me that I needed her alive for information. “Where are your rebel friends now!?” I reminisced jokingly from my childhood just as her horn began to quickly glow. Acting fast just before she could make a move I did the only thing that came to mind... well... no... that would be a total lie. I could have bitten off her ears and maybe her horn but I chose an alternative. Not wanting to be too brutal I slapped her making her lose her focus on her horn having her magic fizz out of existence. She then tried to activate her horn once again, however, I was quickly able to subdue her for the second time, by launching a quick jab to her throat. She coughed and gagged from an immense firey pain in her throat making her hiccup trying to regain her breathing. Planting a hoof on her forehead simply right below her horn. “Try anything and your pointy friend gets it,” I threatened not playing around. I had to harvest horns for power anyway. It was like an untold cheat code in the Wasteland. Haven't you heard that all of Equestria was made out of magic? The places, the plants, the rocks, the water, the creatures. . . the ponies. . . yes. . . you heard that right. Earth ponies had magic within them. Giving them their incredible strength and their special way with plants. Then there were the pegasi like me. . . but not like me at the same time. . . I wasn't a natural pegasus you could say. Anyway. . . back to the topic. Pegasi had magic that helped them fly with their tiny wings and had the magic to manipulate the weather and walk on clouds. Finally, there were the unicorns. The weakest in the bunch physically. . . but could channel magic through their horn to create sophisticated spells. I would hunt all of them. . . but mainly the unicorn's horn a pegasi's blood and an earth pony's muscle. They were like drugs to me. Getting all three made you almost godlike. Still weaker than Princess Luna of course. But it kept me young looking for this long. . . so why stop now? The nurse mare stared up at me in fear. As she trembled beneath me shying away from me. “I’ll tell you anything! Just don’t hurt me!” The nurse begged at my mercy making me smile with pride. Yeah, us ponys and all living beings were quite content on having all of our body parts together still intact. ‘Still haven’t lost my edge.’ I smiled coyly as I was about to open my mouth to speak when the door once again blew open. I didn't know what it was with me getting interrupted by my somepony. “Mom are you in here?” A teenage voice filled my ears making my head snap to the door with a death glare. The filly standing by the door eyes had instantly widened in shock her jaw dropping at the sight before her. Seeing two adult ponies in a bed together would scare any kid. Am I right? “YOU!!!” I boomed trying to mimic the cliche bad guy shout pointing a hoof at the teenage filly. The small unicorn was stunned but quickly recovered. Her face scrunched up cutely in anger as she roared, or squeaked actually, “Let go of my mother or I’ll tell everyone what you are doing!” She threatened me with a warning, a child's ruse I learned a long time ago. I just gave her a flat stare. “Sure you will sweetheart,” I said bitch slapping the nurse that was currently beneath me. Her head getting knocked to the side with her eyes seeming to roll around in her skull. While staring darkly at the filly before me smiling widely. “Say… would you like to be my new plaything? She seems to be out of it,” I explained tapping the nurse's cheek with a hoof the nurse groaned beneath me, in response appearing to be unconscious. I hit her too hard... total accident... I got lost in the moment and all that... I know you understand what I mean. One minute you're doing something and the next minute you fucked it up. “Please! I’ll do anything! Besides being your uh… plaything…” The unicorn filly said with a shudder her tone laced with disgust. I rolled my eyes. “But that takes all the fun out of it!” I complained unfurling my wings away from the mare on top of me. As I extend them wide. “Get me free of these stupid cuffs…” I whined jiggling the metal bracelet on my hind legs. “And uh…” I said waving a hoof for a few seconds up in the air before placing it back right under my chin in thought. Slowly gazing back down towards the unicorn filly. “We’ll work something out?” I said giving her a suspicious glare. Wanting to see if she would actually go with it or not. You could never trust anyone truly. I got married and learned it thehardway. The teenage unicorn filly sighed softly bowing her head in defeat submitting to me as she slowly made her way down to me walking over to my bed. Making my smile grow wider. ‘That’s it, that’s it… just a little closer.’ She then pulled out a set of keys from her tail. Tenderly and painfully slow. Freeing me from the cuffs, and from that blasted bed prison! I excitedly jumped out of the bed pouncing on top of her. “You’re mine now!” I exclaimed with glee holding the kid down. She squeaked in surprise as I nuzzled her cheek. Before leaning close to her whispering in her ear. “It’s all birdie now.” I chuckled darkly before rearing back licking my lips in satisfaction. “You will do… just fine…” I chuckled again rubbing my two front hooves together sinisterly. While she had an option to try something but she didn't. Being too frozen in fear to try anything at all. The scared pony questioned me. “What are you going to do with me?” She asked shakily trying to keep her composure calm and collected. I only giggled nuzzling her chest. “I’m going to taste the blood of a unicorn,” The filly hid her face with her hooves shivering scared. What kid wouldn't? Having an adult pony holding you down telling you that they were going to make you their 'plaything' you'd be crazy not to be scared. “Just do it,” She responded weakly making me smile wildly in satisfaction. Feeling my hind legs twitch in excitement. I was about to say something again before I was interrupted yet again, by‘those blasted guards!’It really annoyed me how I could just never have a moment to myself and a filly that I was about to rape. I lifted up the filly using her as a hostage using my hooves, of course, to hold her standing on my hind legs. “Take another step and this little shit gets it!” I threatened only bull shiting of course. I didn't want to spoil my newly acquired prize. “Put her down you monster!” A guard shouted angrily with his brow furrowed. “OH, I’m sorry! I just don’t feel like it!” I retorted sarcastically. As walked back until my back was against the window. The guards started barking at me to stop while I just ignored with a ‘fuck you’ expression. The old guard that I saw many times during my stay here. From the entrance to the prison cell, and now this room. He was really annoying the crap out of me. “You Raider bitch! Let her go!” I wanted to smash his old wise head to mush under my hooves. The filly whimpered in my arms scared. I kissed her cheek patting her head trying to soothe my little bitch with a hoof. “There there don’t cry… or I’ll melt your eyes into my pudding,” I threatened as was about to say something else I found witty until the ground shook from a loud explosion making me fall on my ass as I used the filly in my arms as a pony shield. “Thee fuck is going on now!?” I screamed in annoyance. Who wouldn’t? Being so close to escaping and all this shit happens. And what's up with all of these fucking interruptions!? Footnote: S-3 P-7 E-3 C-7 I-5 L-2 Trait: Dumb Blonde) You are sometimes quite dumb. But are good at talking to everyone around you. You sometimes have a "Dumb Blonde" moment. Trait: Broken pony) You are very emotionally unstable. Hide it with lame jokes. Trait: Raider Background) You know how raiders operate. Author's Note Have a problem with this chapter please tell me the problem. Thank you. Human in a couple of chapters. Chapter 2: Jet! Not Dash! Psycho not Rage!Author's Note Title of chapter refers to an argument by two raiders. Chapter 2: Jet! Not Dash! Psycho not Rage! Everypony in the medical room or hospital room as far as I could see what I would assume that this room was. We all fell on the floor landing on our rumps; the ground shaking violently. During the shaking, I screamed out “Thee fuck is going on!?” While I used the teenage unicorn filly as a pony shield. She was wearing a common torn up scavenger outfit that looked to be made out of rags. She would make a terrible meat shield. While I was naked only being covered by my white coat and blonde mane and tail. In all honesty, I felt very exposed. . . and naked. . . oh so very naked. That could be bad or good depending on your point of view. 'weirdos' Without really thinking about it I tossed the filly away off to the side then quickly throwing myself into the square shaped glass window. Smashing my way out which I instantly regretted. The glass cutting into my flesh and the hard hit to shatter the glass hurt like hell. I felt my head spin as I plummeted two storeys downward. Having been on the second floor? Or would that be the third floor? I was a raider with a low education so what the hay would I know? When I hit the ground I felt the wind knocked out of me “Oof!” I gasped desperately breathing like an excited seal for any stray air in the area. After a minute or two of routine recovery here in the Wasteland. Groaning and grumbling on the floor. My right side was flaring up with heated pain. It felt like I was constantly being burned by a constant burning fire connected to a heated metal rod. I was also pretty sure I had broken a rib or two. . . ‘possibly more?’ I felt a few tears began to leak from my eyes. I hadn't felt true physical pain like that in a long time. . . I felt weak, I felt hopeless. . . I writhed on the floor. Knowing I had to get up. I had to get out of here! I didn't have time to stay for my things. Because it was all replaceable. My weapons and my armor pretty much everything else that I had on me that was also confiscated. . . I still had my pip-fuck at least. My white and gold pip-buck. I didn’t want to risk getting locked up again! ‘This could possibly be my last chance. . . since that stupid Discord did this to me!’ I thought to myself angrily. I slammed my eyes closed rolling over to my right side making me yelp out loud. I'm pretty sure I rolled on top of some glass shards. . . 'This blows. . . small stallion dicks. . .' The glass pierced through my hide giving me a sensation of knives slowly sinking into my soft flesh giving me the feeling of the glass shards slowly making their way inside me. Like if small ants were burrowing into my skin. I bit my lip rolling onto all four. Doing a quick push up to stand on my noodle like legs. I wobbled shaking as I stood up. Beginning to walk forward looking around. I really didn’t have any sense of direction. Having been fucked up the whole time including jumping out of windows. It seemed to be an ordinary town. With merchant stands. . . okay, a whole bunch of merchant stands. . . This is probably where the trading is good and keeps the Wastelands economy flourishing greatly. I saw the ponys around town giving me weird funny looks, some were alarmed, others shocked. I really wanted to give them all a piece of my mind. I wanted to cut them up and slowly drain them of their blood while I hung them upside down. While I used all their children as my personal playthings. Then this town would know to never fuck with me! No one messes with me and gets away with it! Not even Discord! 'You little shit!' A mare in a ripped up cloak looked over at me. I could see her yellow sickly tooth missing that was her left front tooth. . . was. Judging by her appearance I could easily tell that she was a raider. Looking at her armor that was made of stitched together cutie marks. It was just exposed enough to see under her cloak. I just gave her a cheeky smile either trying to intimidate or threaten or impress even. In all honesty, I did it just for raider times sake. Even giving the populace a small wave. Being the idiot I was not paying attention to my surroundings. Just noticing that I finally was able to hear yelling of a high number of guards started to shout towards me. I didn’t care what they were shouting out to me. Because it was probably something along the lines of ‘Stop!’ ‘Freeze!’ ‘We’ll shoot!’ something cliche shit like that. Up ahead of me was a huge metal door a gate even; in front of me, I smiled as I limped as fast as I could towards the huge metal door/gate that I had previously knocked on the night before to get in. When I would have happily died with a smile on my face accepting death like an old friend. I was actually surprised that they even heard me with all the rain hitting the thick metal. But the rain had long stopped with the pure white cloud cover blocking the sun, but just enough filtered light to go through. I was actually confused by how that cloud cover got there. I had never seen anything like it. Even back home the kind of cloud cover was alien to me. Something I had never seen before minus today and tomorrow. Though yesterday it was night and nearly pitch black. With my confused expression, I looked back down to the metal door. Searching for a switch or a lever or a fucking magic button of TRUTH! That would set me free. But was disappointed and I felt kinda stupid walking towards the gate. Noticing that the walls beside the metal gate that were meant to border the town from the outside Wasteland keeping the outsiders and mutated creatures out. I remember when I once had a town. . . a home. . . a family. Seconds later I had noticed guards on the metal walls. Aiming their guns down towards me. Their weapons were either held on either a battle saddle or clenched tightly in their teeth. I didn’t even bother to look what they had. It was most likely standard weapons. My drive for survival was swimming wandering aimlessly. My raider brain just patting me on the back and saying softly “You’re fucked. . ." before leaving me all alone with my devices. I stood stiffly as a board in front of the guards looking up at them with my drive for survival waining drastically like a rollercoaster going down a slope. Behind the metal door/gate, I heard a thunderous reverberation of noise representing a hoard of thundering hooves with an earth-shaking pair of giant feet. Before a guard on a watch tower suddenly screamed. “She was just a distraction!” He said urgently before a rocket soared through the air. All the guards and the populace of merchants and wanderers stared in horror, as the wooden watchtower blew apart like a playset of Jenga. . . I smiled widely as I saw the towers remains shattering crumbling down in the process of the once strong watchtower. The wooden splinters rained down on me and a few others; that made me lose my smile how annoying it could be sometimes I was now going to have to wash my mane! That watchtower guard pony sure as hell didn’t survive the collapse of the sharp jagged wooden ends stook out of the pile of wood coated bright red. “He saw that coming!” I shouted before I burst out laughing at my own joke the reverse one of. ‘He didn’t see that coming’. But the ponys didn’t think it was funny as they gave up shouting at me, and just resorted to just firing at me. I eeped reacting quickly as my adrenaline spiked up. I jumped behind a merchant stand to use as cover. Bullets ripped through the wooden stand. Showering me with splinters of wood. That I so desperately hated. The pain in my seemed to have disappeared covered by all of the adrenaline. Suddenly I began to hear hollering and a gunfight breaking out near the front of the gate. Coming from the outside world. I was actually glad to whoever was helping me by distracting these pigs. I’m used to fighting in close quarters not out in the open. Even though I am a pegasus. I had an arsenal of weapons stored away but not at this moment. I didn’t want to waste any magic I had left over doing so would mean my demise. . . I was sort of like unicorn now. . . in a weird sorta way I could have a magical burnout. So why was I still even hanging onto the life I still had? I had lost my family. . . I had it so close! And it all slipped away. . . like sand in your hand slowly slipping out of your hand. . . Along the lines of ‘you’ll need this more than I do.’ Why did I give my magic away to her? I needed it more. . . and I spent it all to give her one last goodbye. . . would it really even have mattered? She hated my guts. . . she hated the very presence of me. . . she was brought up to hate me. . . my own. . . *BOOM!* a loud explosion brought me back to reality. Prompting me to quickly scoop up a random weapon. Being as unlucky enough as I was to get behind a food stand. Having a limited amount of magic and being a pegasus. I felt tired as shit right now quickly snatched a Fancy Buck snack cake. That landed right beside me. 'Thank the gods for their forgiveness!' I smiled widely until I noticed having a bullet hole in the snack which prompted my smile to instantly fall. 'The gods never forget. . .' I gulped with tears beginning to fill my vision my life could never be easy and simple. Bullets began to hit the food cart that I was using as cover. I poked my head out like an idiot; eyes going wide as I saw a guard standing there quickly ducking back down into cover. Just in time too as bullets flew by where my head had been seconds before. Thinking quick I blindly threw the snack cake hitting a stallion guard in the face with it. Landing it perfectly and totally on accident on his horn. Perfectly were the snack cake was previously punctured by a bullet. His horn impaled it like a sorta ring toss only widening the hole with his horn. The stallion angrily charged at the stand I was behind. My eyes widened as I picked up a Sparkle Cola. I hoisted at him like an Olympic gold medalist. He lowered his head dodging my projectile. Wasting a good soda pop as I did so. He aimed his horn at me as he jumped over the stand like a track star. Jumping to the side not wanting to get impaled by him. . . in anyway shape or form. I groaned as I landed on my bad side. Feeling my side flare up with pain. I cried out rolling over onto my good side bruising it in the process but was totally worth it. Propping my bad side up so I could survey the damage. What I saw made me groan out. But the groan only made the pain worse. I saw my side bleeding as the glass shards sank deeper into my hide. This wasn't good, not good at all. The stallion crashed into a building breaking his neck as he went full force against it. I didn’t know if he was dead or not but frankly I didn’t care. Getting up slowly but surely I began to limp away from the battle at the gate. Walking normally just hurt my injured side more. I looked over at the giant metal door. Only to see the town almost empty. The wall beside the metal gate, door. . . whatever you want to call it. The walls beside it were guards were on top of shooting down at my ‘distraction’. I began to limp the opposite direction not wanting to get caught in the mix-up. I only saw merchants packing up their stuff in a hurry. As I was walking something made of paper flew in my face. Smacking right dab in the middle of my face. I growled pulling it off my face stopping in my tracks as I examined the object. What I saw was a pegasus mare in a suggestive pose. I read the Huge Text on the front cover. “Wingboner,” I said innocently with wonderment in my eyes that seemed to inlarge sparkling in the purest joy in the world. I looked at the mare as my wings poofed out loudly as my cheeks turned bright red. I wanted to do so many things to that mare. . . Especially the way she was looking at from the magazine cover. She was on her side on a lush pink carpet. She had a yellow coat and an orange mane. She was on her side giving me a lustful look. I subconsciously licked my lips feeling a little wet actually. I wish mares in the Wasteland still looked as good as this mare on the cover and like me. . . though I used magic to keep me youthful looking. Then a loud bang snapped me back to reality. Making me feel nauseous. I don’t like loud noises. My ears pinned back as I turned my head around to see the huge metal gate. From where I entered and where the current battle was taking place from was blown straight off the ground flying through the air smashing a merchant in his stand while he was packing his goods smashed as well. The griffon merchant didn’t even see it coming. He became a smeared chicken nugget in an instant. What I saw almost made me pee. What stood was a large dragon the size of the metal door/gate to be exact. He wore a colorful leather jacket that seemed to be made out of the cutie marks of ponys. He blew fire at the ponies that were on the walls. Hearing them scream as they were engulfed in flames. Screaming in agony until they were later killed by raiders. Or were unlucky enough to continue burning. I slowly placed the Wingboner magazine into my mane for safe keeping because a girl makes her mane a high priority target. I think I just made a reason for me to keep on going. . . I needed to pleasure myself to this magazine's secrets then I could peacefully blow my brains out and climax multiple times to its luscious contents. I thought rather dumbly walking away from that fighting. Not looking back if I did I would surely get killed or raped. . . though. . . I wouldn’t mind getting raped by a good looking raider though. . . it isn't considered rape if you like it right?’ I thought in a dreamy tone as I felt my tail swish excitedly at the idea. I didn’t exactly have my raider barding so. . . I was pretty much a civilian wastelander to them. . . and if I was in another Raider gang, band, whatever. They would probably still kill me anyway just for fun. . . that’s what I would have done. . . uh. . . shit! I saw most of the raiders closing in slaughtering the merchants and guards as if they were nothing. Because the guards were lame and boring as fuck. 'Raiders rule!' That dragon they had was coming in handy. Breaking through the town's defenses as if it were his personal lego playset. I rushed into an almost empty alleyway desperately hopping into a dumpster that was filled with disgusting, smelly trash. “This is going to be a long day. . .” I groaned closing my eyes as the horrible garbage's rotting smell assaulted my twitching nose. I scrunched up my face within the darkness of the dumpster. Just then I felt movement in the dumpster hearing the garbage moving about. The garbage shifted around the enclosed area withing he dumpster scaring the shit out of me. “Oh, you too?” Said a light scratchy feminine voice. I went still as a frightened cat; minus the shocked scream they do. I gulped nervously licking my dry lips thirsty for a drink. “Who are you?” I asked shifting around in the dumpster. The other voice in the dumpster spoke up again. “The name’s Jagged Edge. . . yours?” The feminine voice known as Jagged Edge asked. I then felt a hoof touch my cheek then began to stroke my cheek. “R-Radiant Shine.” I squeaked While Jagged Edge laughed before going quiet when we both heard someone outside our dumpster. We both waited quietly until the two of us heard a primal growl from someone or something. Before we could think more into it or whoever, or whatever it was quickly ran away. “Say. . . aren’t you that feeble-minded raider that tried to take on the whole security of this town in a hoof fight?” Jagged edge laughed again. She struck a nerve. “HEY, I’m not feeble-minded!” I retorted wanting to strangle the shit out of her now. Beginning to shake in a fit of rage. Ever since I became a pony. . . well. . . I think being a mare has made me mentally weaker thinking on my emotions more than logic. My feelings seemed to always cloud my judgment and make me emotionally unstable. Being blonde and white didn't help my case. Being white trash and retarded just sucked, to say the least. Yeah, I don't feel like insulting myself right now. . . She patted my cheek letting out a brash laugh. ‘Her hoof was a bit. . . uh. . . jagged? Pun?’ I seemed to calm myself down or did she? The pun making myself laugh mentally. “I say we get out of here,” Jagged Edge said throwing both of the dumpster's lids wide open. The light blinding me harshly. My eyes having been adjusted to the darkness of the dumpster now exposed to the light. My eyes shrank into pinpricks slamming my eyes closed once again shaking my head as if the suns light was my poison even if the Wasteland's sunlight was dimmed by the cloud cover. Filtering out most of the light, so I had that going for me. Trying to shield my eyes from the invading light. “What scared of a little light?” Jagged Edge asked me teasingly having me hissed in response like a cave monster. I slowly opened my eyes with my arms above my eyes still protecting myself from the light. “I’m not scared of some stupid light!” I growled quickly recognizing her. She was that raider I had passed earlier in the market. Where all of the merchant stands were set up and not destroyed. She had a ripped cloak with her sickly yellow teeth missing one tooth that was the left front tooth. She reminded me of my band of raiders when I was once a leader. . . I stayed in the dumpster not wanting to get caught by the other raiders. I only held my head out. Poking out of the dumpster my head swiveling left to right in a quick succession. Looking back down to Jagged who stood in front of me with a cocky smile “I don’t look like a raider without my barding. . . besides just look at me. I look like eye candy,” I explained honestly I was too sexy looking and mentally retarded to be any good without someone to watch my back, and I wasn't going to attach myself to anypony. I didn't want to get hurt again. I had to hide everything I can from joking and acting dumb. . . but sometimes being a stupid blonde helps. . . Jagged Edge only seemed to laugh harder. “Sweetcheeks you look like eye candy either way! You got bucking wings!” She said throwing off her cloak. Exposing her stitched cutie mark barding. Obviously, they were trophies over her previous kills and was used to intimidate. She then opened her saddlebags pulling out separate pieces of metal plates that had leather straps stuck against the metal. 'Proably welded together?' “Whala Raider barding!” She said exaggerating her words like a magician about to put on a show. . . or that was the quick show that was quite lame. I gave her a deadpan stare. While I got out of the dumpster putting on the metal plates hastily. Strapping them on with the thick leather straps. The metal plates seemed to weigh me down drastically. Strength wasn’t really my strong suit. And adding it in with the broken ribs and the glass shards withing my skin wasn’t helping me at all. I winced having a pained expression on my face. I now wore spiked knee guards for all four legs that were all pointed forward. I also now wore heavy metal armor over my barrel covering my flanks, and shoulders and most importantly my chest. I looked like a metal Porcupine. I shouldn’t have been surprised when I didn’t get a helmet to complete the set. She just smiled toothily at me looking me over. But what really shocked me was actually how she managed to store away something so big with her. She reminded me of myself in my younger days. But she was clearly more ugly looking than me. Common courtesy from the Wasteland itself with its finest generosity. I rolled my eyes as Jagged and I together exited the alleyway seeing the raiders hooting and hollering starting to loot the town. Me and Jagged Edge looked over at each other knowingly as we began looting as well blending in with the rest of the raiders. But I exclusively stayed close to her. Because it made me feel comfortable sticking with her and safe; though you could never trust a raider. Even though we just met. I didn’t want to know anyone new anyway. I was getting a lot of weird suspicious looks from the other raiders. Probably because they weren’t familiar with me. And I hope it stays that way I didn't want to meet anypony else or any creature else. We looted until the sun went down, my body aching with my unattended wounds. Also sore from wearing the heavy metal armor. Some raiders stayed to watch over their new ‘territory’ including the huge raider dragon with his vest of pony cutie marks. While me and Jagged Edge made our way following the other raiders back to their ‘homebase. . . or uh. . . cave? No that’s not right a dungeon or a raider den?’ I stayed right beside Jagged Edge the whole time like my life depended on it. I was very exhausted wearing the heavy metal armor. Taking its toll on me. “So do we get to rest later or something?” I asked Jagged Edge in an exhausted whisper. She only smiled toothily at me making it odd always seeing her gap in her teeth. “Nope!” She chirped as she skipped by me leaving me behind. Her saddlebags bouncing up and down. I was about to say something when another raider mare got in my face. “Say, never seen you around here new blood,” She said with a suspicious look in her eyes. This earth pony mare had a jet black coat with a dark green mane. She even wore a barbed wire bow in her dark green mane. Her bright green eyes made me smile. ‘I would never admit it. . . but. . . I like raiders. . . they’re just as hu-pony. . . like the rest of us. we all are people we just show it differently.’ I only smiled brightly “I’m new!” I quickly explained sorta true nodding my head like an idiot blending in well with my idiot kind. Prompting her to only raise a brow just as she was about to ask another question. A raider stallion hopped up beside me laughing like a maniac. “Oh hO Ho! Looksey whatsey gotsey here!” he chimed as he continued to laugh with cray glee while he bounced around me drawing the rest of the raiders attention. My eyes just seemed to follow him cautiously my brain telling me he’s about to jump out at me and attack. I used all of my willpower to not lash out and kill the crazy bastard. Watched him cautiously my mind going red alert for the rest of our journey. When we finally made it to a building? about three miles away from that town we looted. A rough estimate because I wasn't exactly paying attention for how long we walked, but having my eyes locked on the crazy. We walked in front of a large army hanger that had the garage door thingie up or blown off. I could just barely make out a town getting in front of the gate just straight ahead. Meanwhile, I walked behind the rest of the raiders that seemed to be forming a line. Stayed in line tired and hurting like shit. I would slowly drift off then back into consciousness. I hung my head as I passed out while standing up in line. ***Third Person*** Radiant Shine fell face first into the plot of a bright red raider mare whose name was Strife. The Strife stood up straight as her eyes widened in shock from the sudden jolt of pleasure that passed through her body. She stiffly turned her head around to see Radiant having her muzzle rubbing against her 'you know what'. Strife moaned softly with reddening cheeks not complaining at all from the sudden pleasure that was spreading throughout her body. As she began to grind her rear into Radiant’s face. But they were quickly interrupted when they reached the gate. “Identification!” A raider in power armor called out. He had half of his face burnt. The skin ugly and unnerving to an outsider but is highly respectable in raider culture. Scars just prove how tough you are. Raiders have that mutual respect besides the low of the low raiders. Who have little to no respect for no one and are arrogant and annoying as hell. “Strife Identification!?” The stallion in power armor asked aggressively. “H-h-here sir-r-r!” Strife squeaked having been yelled at. She showed him some paper before walking in as he gave her a nod of approval. Radiant was jolted awake from the shout by the Raider in power armor. That raider was Strike Zero. ***End Of Third Person*** I was shaken away in surprise by a sudden outburst. I looked everywhere alarmed until a stallion in power yelled in my face. “YOU IDENTIFICATION!” He screamed again. My mind was spinning trying to process what he had just said. He quickly lost his patience his temper flaring as he roughly grabbed me by the throat with a claw hand on his right arm while his left had a flamethrower he seemed to be able to stand on two legs in power armor. “IDENTIFICATION!” He shouted again as he lifted me up in the air. Making a scene as all the raiders began to watch in joy as I was embarrassed more than anything. And the funny thing was. . . I felt right at home. . . except I wasn't the one in charge. Looking back I was spoiled by my now ex-husband. I was actually surprised that they were checking for identification this must be some high-end place or something. My eyes widening in shock. “I-I’m new!” I squeaked out wanting to get a free pass or something! As I hung clutched his claw trying to get him to release me. “Oh? Is that so?” He said pursing his lips giving me puppy dog eyes. I knew he was obviously mocking the new fish. And I was the fish. “Yes! Now please let me go your excellency!” I said out of respect of course. ‘My husband would never have let anyone lay a hoof on me. . . but he wasn’t here anymore. . . fucker. ’ He laughed in my face showing off his sharp white teeth. ‘He definitely sharpened those.’ “You all hear that!?” He hollered out loud as the raiders began to laugh with him. “We got a new piece of meat in our midst!” He looked me over licking his lips. “What do you think we should do with her?!” He cackled loudly as he hung me in front of the raiders. Me still being held by the throat. “We could initiate this one by letting her get around. . . orrrr. . . the PITT! He laughed loudly as so did the raiders. “Uh oh,” I muttered before gulping nervously. ***** The raider that I now knew as Strike Zero opened a giant pipe that had a manhole cover welded on as a makeshift door. All of the raiders cheered as he opened the manhole cover and tossed me in like a piece of garbage. “Oof!” I grunted loudly slamming into the ground again. . . My side still hurting from today’s events. The glass shards seeing to dig deeper into my hide. While my broken ribs poked at my insides uncomfortably. I was actually surprised that I didn't puncture a lung yet. I still had that feeling of fatigue I felt like just falling over and sleeping on the uncomfortable floor. But the adrenaline and fear of the unexpected kept me up. I slowly raised my head to see other ponies in the small enclosed room. The Walls were all metal. Bronze, either bronze or rust? The walls seemed to be covered with smaller pipes nailed to the sides of the big pipe I was in. Honestly, I didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to have a drink have something tasty to eat and a nice long nap. Then I would rule the Wasteland with an iron hoof. Until I laid my eyes on the rest of the raider newbies quickly getting distracted. “Hiya!” I said waving a hoof around. The other raiders while they were checking over their equipment. Strapping on armor, using drugs, even eating food. They all seemed to ignore me. I got up examining all of them. With my new found curiosity with nothing to do. There were about three earth ponies and one unicorn that was missing his horn. There was even a griffon. The damn eagle part lion creature that I despised a little bit more now. From my events in the prison cell. To tell you the truth I was pretty damn racist. Because I was mainly influenced by the experience I had with a certain race. First impressions are important of course. I hate dragons even though I was married to a dragon once. . . a foolish mistake on my part, but what do you expect from me? All three earth ponies were built like mini tanks. They weren’t as big as some stallions you might see. They were about the average size of mares. Except they had muscle while the unicorn with a broken horn was a twig in comparison. The Griffon had red feathers while he wore blue war paint on his face. I asked again hoping that this wasn’t what I thought it was. I didn’t want to be placed in a fighting arena. I was weak scrawny and already injured. I didn’t know if my body could take any more of this kind of abuse. “Excuse me? But can someone please explain what you all are preparing for?” I asked politely getting all of their attention 'finally' this time with my manner of speaking. Probably because they weren’t used to it, and might have found it unique? “We’re about to get initiated,” The griffon said brandishing a battle axe. The shiny metal sparkling light it reflected almost blinding me in the dark room. ‘I’m definitely killing you for that.’ What can I say? I like collecting things. “Initiated? Cool!” I chirped excitedly flapping my wings happily but on the inside, I was feeling the opposite. 'Shit!-shit!-Shit!' I mentally screamed. Now getting their complete attention. I was also starting to notice that there weren’t many pegasi in this part of the Wasteland. I seemed only to be finding Earth ponies, Unicorns, and. . . griffins, and dragons. . . well, a dragon. A huge one matter of factly. The one that ripped the gate off it's hinges at that merchant town. That I am now very happy got trashed after what they had done to me! Discriminating against me! Just because of my raider religion! One of the earth ponies got up walking over to me in the tight stuffed room. Sticking his hoof out towards me in a hoof shake. “Well, I’ll be,” He said with a smile. “Haven’t seen you pegasuses down here.” He chuckled as I rolled my eyes at him for not saying ‘pegasi’ but I couldn’t really blame him. I say stupid shit too. I shook his hoof giving him a fake smile, and let me tell you. . . my fake smile makes others around me feel awkward and in most cases it is unnerving. Like right about. . . now. Everyone was now looking at me weirdly already suspecting it was fake. As the smile never met my eyes. He opened his mouth about to say something when a loud voice coming from a speaker sounded off. All the raiders in the room quickly lined up. At the opposite side of the room, I came from. I nervously got behind a scared earth pony. But I didn’t show it on my face. I had to be tough, intimidating, a raider. I slowly closed my eyes. “THE FRESH LITTLE WADDERS WANT TO JOIN THE BIG KIDS!” A gravelly voiced stallion said over the speaker. “ARE YOU KIDS READY TO SEE THEM PUT TO THE TEST~!?” He screamed into the microphone. Laughing as all of the raiders screamed chanting a single word over and over again. “PITT, PITT, PITT, PITT, PITT!” They chanted while I thought it was adorable. Now I was just waiting for him to say 'Let's get ready to RUMMMBLLLEEEE!!!~' The stallion on the speaker boomed loudly “First up! We got the LITTLE BROKE HORN! Make some noise!~” He said as the manhole cover that led us to the arena opened up quickly slamming to the left side of the pipe. The loud bang noise vibrated towards me making me feel nauseous. ‘It was a drawback becoming a god’ I joked with myself saying something stupid trying to make myself happy in my state of depression. I said that same inside joke for years. I was always in pain joking to make myself happy. Knowing that no one else could. No one thought my jokes were funny. . . but the thing was. . . the jokes weren’t meant for them. . . they were meant for me. . . The unicorn with the broken horn quickly ran through wearing combat armor. Holding a 10mm pistol in his mouth. The crowd cheered outside. I was a little disappointed when the door closed in front of us. But otherwise, it had a small hatch that opened up so we could watch from the safety of our pipe like cage. It even had a glass protector scratched up and beat up that we were seeing through the small opening. We all crowded around the bubble glass protector. I was hoping it was that bulletproof glass you see in movies. Didn’t want the stupid glass to cut my beautiful face. “Give it up for the Broken Twig!” The announcer said on a whim. Having the crowd burst out into a fist of laughter. The unicorn started walking around the arena that reminded me of ‘No Man’s Land’ funnily enough. He seemed to be basking in the attention. Rearing on his two hind legs neighing like a true horse pony thing. Making me burst out laughing getting everyone in the room's attention of my presence yet again. “What he’s retarded!” I said dumbly with a smile as if it was obvious. Then the other pipe across from us opened up the manhole cover opening up with a mighty slam. A raider in leather armor came running out with a rusted looking machete. He didn’t even wait as he lashed out at the unicorn slicing off his leg with a clean cut. The unicorn screamed as the raider with machete laughed insanely as his yellow eyes told us all he was hooked on some drug. Presumably Psycho from such a powerful blow. “Give it up for the Rage addict!” The said enthusiastically giving them random titles. “He’s on Rage.” One of the earth ponies that I don’t care to explain said. He looked pretty generic with the other earth ponies. He had a white mane with a brown coat . I almost have mistaken him for an anime character. He's the one that I shook hooves with from seconds earlier. I just looked over at him like if he was crazy or he was talking in raider slang or something. “Rage?” I scoffed. “That name sounds ridiculous. It’s pronounced P-s-y-c-h-o.” I said like a complete snob. Completing the look by sticking my nose up in the air. He gave me the same miffed look I gave him. “Lady I don’t know what you’re on but everyone calls it Rage here,” He said cocking his head to the side. “Hey, are you new around here or something? Or do you just live a drug-free life or something?” He asked me curiously. I narrowed my eyes defensively. “That’s none of your business,” I growled making him flinch in surprise. Now scowling at him hatefully. His tail now tucked between his legs as I asserted my dominance among the lesser raider. I smiled in triumph as we looked out the bubbe shaped window to see the raider in leather armor holding the unicorn with the broken horn’s head in his mouth. Parading around the ‘Pitt’ he carried the head by the dead pony’s mane. The crowd cheered wildly. Happy to see someone dead. I was happy to say I smiled along with them. A true raider at heart. By how vile he treated the dead. The griffon in front of me just shook his head as he listened to us cheer as if this was the greatest sport in the world. Now I just needed some of his face paint and I would be cheering out loud 'goalllllllll!' The manhole cover opened again with its loud bang. Making me feel nauseous yet again the loud noise having me spasm in place for about a couple of seconds. Yeah, loud noises make me feel sick to my stomach. Meanwhile one of the earth ponies's from our pipe ran out with a combat shotgun on a weird saddle device he had. It reminded me of some of those stories I read about. I actually thought it was kinda ridiculous to wear. I thought of it as kinkier than anything else. He began firing the gun on his bag somehow but I could infer about what I read. And if it is true then he is biting down on something as a makeshift trigger? While I can use my hooves to hold a gun just fine. What was wrong with these ponies? Embracing raider culture to harshly. “He’s bringing out the shotty!” The announcer said enthusiastically. Making the audience cheer wanting to see some messy red pulp. The raider with the leather armor deflected the shotgun blasts with the machete surprisingly enough. “The force is strong in this one,” I muttered jokingly. Before the bottom of his jaw was blown up. letting out a pained squeal as the earth pony finished the job blowing the brains of the jawless raider. painting the arena with a new coat of red paint and brain matter. Seeing the debris of the raiders head made me feel relaxed. Telling myself that I’ve come home. That this was the only path I had, but that this path was strong and sturdy for me to walk down. Somehow I knew that things would be alright. I am a raider after all. We’ve all been put through the grinder and out. This was who we were meant to be. Then from the other side coming out of the opposing manhole came out a raider in power armor rushing out savagely lashing out at the earth pony with the battle saddle equipped with a shotgun. Stomping on the shotgun barrel with their metal hoof. Successfully bending the barrel in the process. But the earth pony triggered his gun making the shotgun misfire exploding the barrel making the shrapnel rip through his side. He screamed out only to have his head knocked clean off. Ending his pain instantly. But from what I knew was that you were still alive with your head decapitated. But died quickly after. His head soared up through the air up towards the stands up above were the raider audience spectated from. A small raider colt caught the head holding it up cheering. And so did the rest of the audience. The loud cheering was almost deafening. Another Earth pony from our side went out like a rinse and repeat the cycle. Making me feel sick again with the loud metal bang noise from the metal manhole cover. I probably had a concussion or something to make me feel this sick. The earth pony didn’t even stand a chance as the raider in power armor hulked up against his size. He only held a baseball bat clutched tightly in his jaw. Shaking in fear staring up at the pony in power armor. The armored pony raised a leg slowly making the earth pony lose his shit as he started running around the Pitt. Screaming wildly prompting the power armored pony to chase after him. The chase was short lived however jumping on top of the smaller raider. We all heard the sickening sound of snapping bones with the loud satisfying crunch. It sent shivers up pleasure down my spine. But cringed slightly in sympathy. That wasn’t very fun to feel. The earth pony was dead instantly or just paralyzed. but all in all, he was screwed for sure. The crowd laughed as they exchanged caps betting. I eyed the money wanting to get into the action of money making. The anime looking generic earth pony whistled as he got behind the griffon when his turn was clearly next. The griffon grunted grumbling some words under his breath before leaving. The manhole covering slamming against the side of the rusted metal pipe, and once again I felt sick. The red feathered griffon walked out with his shiny silver battle axe. I swore to loot it off him for collection purposes of course. He walked out swinging the battle axe threateningly to the pony in power armor. The announcer commented with a laugh “Watch out! We got a badass over here!” The crowd laughed with him. Me and the anime looking earth pony watched in awe. As the power armored pony seemed to be thinking it over on how to defeat its greatest threat yet. I was so entranced by this fight that I even forgot about the pain in my side for the time being. The double-headed battle axe was so shiny and pretty I wanted it so bad! I was practically wet from between my hind legs bouncing up and down as I watched. The anime looking earth pony was giving me a raised brow. Who I gratefully ignored. The griffon with his blue war paint over his face started to do some cool ass spin moves with his axe weapon while he used one talon. Inspiring me to try some spin moves with my own weapons some time. He then held his weapon with both talons ready for a fight. The pony in power armor straitened its back standing up straight. Then it began to crouch like a tiger about to pounce on its prey. But in this case, it was a predator vs predator. Then the metal beast jumped towards the griffon ferociously. But was heavily mistaken in thinking that it could win. The heavy metal got cut clean through slicing the side of the armor now sporting a large gash. The armor let out a shrieking cry as the metal was ripped up. Blood started to leak out of the armor. The griffon sidestepped and spun his weapon again next he jumped up just before he sent a downward strike hitting his mark. Lodging the axe into the pony in armor. The crowd booed wanting the griffon to get his ass kicked. They seemed to be as racist as me. The crowd mainly consisting of ponies. Then the door opened again sending out a unicorn mare who held a nail board in her magic. She was twitching uncontrollably as she took a hit of Jet. That was floating in her magic beside her. “She sure does love her Dash,” The anime looking earth pony said right beside me. 'Okay, enough of his made-up words!' “Hey, listen, buddy, I don’t know what shit you’re smoking but that’s Jet!” I snapped angrily with a look of irritation on my face. He just blinked blankly at me before he burst out laughing. “You’re a funny mare!” He chuckled holding his stomach falling over on his side. “Who even are you!? And so childish!” I growled getting the feeling that he was mocking me. He slowly recovered sitting up beside me as he hooked an arm over my shoulders. “The name’s Kalidas and drug selling is my game,” He chuckled. “That drug she was taking is Dash sweet pea.” He said laughing softly now recovering. From something I didn’t know he found funny. 'THAT DIDN'T EVEN RHYME!' We slowly turned back to the fight to see the raider mare. Holding her own against the griffon quickly dodging his precise strikes left and right. She then launched herself at him shoving the whole nail board through him and his metal armor like if it was nothing but paper. The griffon punched her off him while the wooden board was sticking out of him. 'The speed the unicorn used was impressive! She stuck a wooden board through fucking metal and a griffon! She knows how to cook up some birdie! That lady's and gentlecolts is the mare you want to make love too!' “Okay she’s probably on more than one drug,” Kalidas chuckled agreeing with him on that one. The griffon began to breath harder. His breaths coming out labored and heavy as the mare launched another assault on him. She slashed with the combat knife that was held in her magic savagely it was almost beautiful. Scratch that. . . 'it was beautiful! It made me so wet!' The griffon's movement became slow and rugged as he swung his axe at her using momentum trying to conserve what little energy he had left. She ducked under his swing before punching him with her hoof yet again. Except for this time she grabbed the board sticking out of him. She then yanked it out completely with her body and with the help of her magic. I couldn’t see the griffon’s face from this angle but I would assume it would have been one of great pain. The announcer then boomed in excitement. “Big Bird seems to be down for the count!” Then the hatch opened up me and Kalidas looked at each other. “It’s your turn budd-” I didn’t get to finish as I was thrust out into the arena landing on top my face. Which hurt a lot mind you. I slowly looked up to see everything standing up I span around in a complete circle in total awe to get a whole 360 view of the Pitt and the spectators. “Look at what we got here! We got a Pegi-Peg! Nice ass girl!” The announcer commented. “Survive this so I could tap that alright?!” 'I'm so killing you for mocking me!' I scowled turning around to face the drug consumed mare only to see her thrust a knife into my view. She missed my eye by about two centimeters judging by the lucky angle. I immediately rolled to the side. Which burned mind you. I still had shards of glass there with a few broken ribs. The metal armor pulled me towards the ground faster. The heavy metal good for speed when falling the momentum on my side. But the weight caused me to use more energy. I stood up on all four once again cautious as my opponent was a unicorn and not a mud pony. It was hard to keep her away from me being a slow big target while she was thin and nimble. She wasn’t wearing any armor though so I quickly devised a plan. It would get easier as our fight when on. . . in theory anyway. . . I began to strip out of my armor getting praise for ‘stripping’ more than anything, the horny raiders started getting more and more excited. “A fight with a striptease? I don’t know how it can get better than this!” The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers boomed as there was a loud fapping sound coming from the speakers. I rolled my eyes in annoyance I beginning to toss the metal pieces of armor at her. Aiming for her legs getting lucky enough to get her to stumble multiple times but she just wouldn't relent her onslaught of attacks. I was starting to get tired so I did the only thing I could do I charged at her spreading my wings wide as I launched myself at her, and she did the same. Both of us ready to kill. ‘I must live this fight I needed to survive. . . I need to survive. . . but why? Why didn't I just give up? I outlived my purpose. . . my job was complete. . . No. . . I had to fix this Wasteland!’ Her blade punctured my left shoulder I let out a cry of pain kneeing her with my spiked knee guard. I stabbed her hind legs knees with my metal spiked knee guards. Only getting when she reared up on her hind legs. While through the pain I raised both hooves up elbowing her neck with both elbows. Bruising it badly but not killing her. I was too weak to do that. I crashed down on top of her knocking the wind out of her. I laid her flat on her back beating the living shit out of her face. Hearing the crowd howling in approval. At the now one-sided fight. The mare went still under me as I lifted the mare’s head breathing heavily holding her head up in both hooves before I slammed the back of her head against the ground cracking her skull like an egg. The floor below her head was slowly painted red. Her blood leaking out of her cracked skull. I was breathed heavily when I heard the loud bang of metal as the other manhole opened again. I slowly turned around to see my next opponent. “Look it’s Robo Flame!” The announcer said as I saw a pony in power armor having two flamethrowers attached to the sides of his front hooves even sporting a battle saddle with two extra flamethrowers attached to his back. He had a backpack of fuel with a metal container. His power armor was Painted red with yellow and orange flames. He reared back onto his hind hooves before shooting fire into the air like Satan himself was here. I started to sweat from how hot it was starting to get in the arena. I didn’t have much in me. Right now I knew I would surely perish if I stayed still for any longer. I spread my wings wide as I took the air flying above the arena close by the other raiders. But I was stuck under the metal bars they had above the Pitt so no one could escape unless the one directing this said so. I was about 10ft up. I grabbed onto the bars above the Pitt. Looking down at him until he fired his flames up here after me. I easily dodged swooping down. Under the new layer of smoke making me landed on his back with a thud but slamming my face into his armor dazing me. Blood leaked out my now broken nose. The momentum having me fall off his back landing on the floor right beside him. The crowd booed at my poor performance. I stayed down feeling to beat up to get up. “COOK! COOK COOK!” The crowd began chanting. “It seems the crowd wants you to cook us some pegasi!” The announcer chuckled. I panted heavily exhausted. As I laid on my back looking up at the pony in the power armor. I had so happened to damage the two flamethrowers on his back having them bent at odd angles mostly facing downwards. The pony in power armor looked down at me. We seemed to stare at each other for a few seconds before he/her/it raised its metal hoof slamming it into my shoulder with a loud crunch. Causing me to scream out in pain. Tears began to fall free as I wasn't able to hold it back any longer. The pony then aimed the flamethrower down at my face. I could feel the heat coming off the metal tube just as it began to turn a hot yellow color. The crowd kept chanting. “COOK! COOK! COOK!” *SNAP* Chapter 3: DisrespectI don’t know why I didn't fear death. . . but then I did. It was like an on and off switch. Being enthusiastic about dying, but at the last second yielding remembering as if I had some unfinished business. Was I really scared? Or was it some outside force telling me to hang on for just a bit longer? Living in the Wasteland has always confused me. Maybe it was me just wanting to have it end all right here right now. I really didn’t have anything left to live for. . . Everything I ever wanted had just slipped right through my hooves almost like sand. I had my child again… but that child didn’t want me… I was a failure and that was that I suppose. Nothing could change how I had failed as a mother, and as a wife, and now here I was… my end. I closed my eyes feeling the hot burning flames wash over me like a veil that has been thrown over a dead person. Smiling. Wanting to greet death like an old friend… I read that in a book once. . . To her. . . ***Third Person POV*** The ponys hollered loudly seeing the flames consume Radiant in its brutal glory, but she did not scream in pain or bellow or cling to life. She accepted her fate not moving a muscle. While the raider in power armor continued to shower her with fire leaving only a silhouette to be seen until nothing was left. . . all that remained was ash. Making the raiders disappointed and confused on why that she didn't scream or writhe in pain. The flaming executioner looked up at the pony in the stands shrugging in the bulky power armor that was made of fire-resistant material. The pony's big metal shoulders moved up and down with his shrug. Flame Ball in the flaming painted power armor kicked the pile of ash with disrespect. For making him look stupid in front of everyone. He was well known for making his victims scream in agony. Courtesy of fire, but this one made him the victim smiling up at him and embarrassing him in front of the crowd. The image of her smile imprinted itself into his mind making him tremble in his power armor, but to the outside view, he looked perfectly still. Discord sat in the stands unnoticed as the raiders cheered as Kalidas came out wielding a gas mask with an air looking tank on his back that was oval in shape taking about the whole space on his back. He also had two pouches of some strange green liquid connected to his two hind legs. He pulled out a laser rifle with a roughed up looking battle saddle. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. . . “ Discord sighed sadly. Discord might have been powerful… but he was careless and reckless and right now it hurt. He couldn’t bring back the dead even in his weakened state. He couldn’t even bring back poor Fluttershy. . . he couldn't even save his hu-. . . friend. . . ***Third Person POV END*** “What is that Precious?” A pristine looking white coated mare asked her daughter. How others would consider her daughter to be a freak of nature. They were within a large luxurious bedroom with a terminal on a desk at the corner of the room that seemed to be a mini office. With manuals and video game holodisks scattered about. There was even a giant mirror that was in pristine condition. Not something so easily accessible in the Wasteland. The room even sported a closet filled to the brim with clothes all hung from hangers or stacked on the floor under the hang clothes. There were even clothes in a large cabinet that seemed to be filled to the brim with clothes. drawers hung open to the sheer amount of clothes stuffed into them. The baby giggled showing her mom a picture. It wasn’t just any old picture. It was the picture. Showing a crudely drawn sweating tired looking pegasus mare standing beside a dragon. Together holding a little baby demon looking monster. The mare in the picture was resting on a bed while her husband was standing up beside the bed with arms outstretched so the pegasus and the dragon could both hold the baby. . . The baby snuggling up with her mom more. “Mama mama!” The baby said enthusiastically showing her mother the picture proudly. The mare put a hoof to her mouth as her shiny gold mane fell into her field of view. looking down her mane obscured one-fourth of her vision. She brushed her locks of mane aside as she smiled nuzzling her baby as she sat down on the floor with her ‘precious’ baby. “Yes, that’s me.” She said with a smile. As she picked her daughter up laying her on her lap. “And that’s you baby-baby!” She mare repeated playfully while her baby responded with her own words. “Mama mama!” The baby giggled reaching up out towards her mother with her little claws. Just then a glass shattering sound went off *Glass Breaking*. The mare’s head whipped toward the direction where the sudden outburst of shattering glass came from. That mare hated loud noises and for a good reason too. “Mama! Mama!” Her baby spoke scared now beginning to cry scared. Seeing her mother with a fearful expression told her that danger was near. The mare slowly looked down at her daughter sad to see her daughter this way. Slowly smiling to cheer up her daughter “Don’t worry mommy will protect you…” She said giving her a sweet smile nuzzling her daughter comfortingly wrapping her soft feathery wings around her into a motherly embrace. *Thud* Everything began to become blurry. As things began to fade in and out of existence. The only thing left was the mother. She looked down only wanting to see her daughter's face in this scary situation. But was only more disturbed to see nothing at all but herself holding onto nothing at all. Her eyes slowly widened in shock as her mouth opened wide wanting to scream out in disbelief and horror, but nothing came out. She started to frantically search getting up quickly looking everywhere around her surrounding hoping to find her missing daughter. “Precious!” She screamed but no sound came out. Even the ambient noise became nonexistent starting to make her feel sick to her stomach. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. Even her own breathing it made her feel light headed. But still continued to look everywhere as the surroundings became shrouded in complete and total utter darkness. She began to cry collapsing onto the nonexistent floor longingly clinging to the thought that her daughter was still alright. In her never-ending search. She curled up into a ball. Slowly looking into her hooves empty hooves here eyes blurry as tears continued to stream down rivers down her muzzle. She too saw that she was begging to fade into the inky blackness. She seemed to give into the darkness laying limply. Whimpering in pain, heartbroken. She laid there accepting her fate disappearing completely out of view into the pitch black abyss of nothingness. . . ***** My vision swam in waves disorientated and wet. I choked on a sob as my everything hurt. Feeling a warm liquid against my side. While I laid on the floor. My shoulder burned with searing pain while the rest of my body proceeded to scream in total agony. I tried hard trying to focus my vision and slowly getting up on my shaky legs. Looking around my surroundings yet still blurry eyed. Everything was hard to focus on as I stumbled about. I could hear glass crunching under my hooves stepping on small shards of glass fell out from my body. Continuing to walk through what looked to be a long gray hallway swaying as I walked. I couldn’t see any of the details even if I wanted to. I leaned against the right side of the gray colored wall trying to keep myself up my vision would momentarily blink in and out. Making it really hard to see where I was going. Slowly making my way forward sliding my side against the wall leaving behind a long trail of blood on the wall. The clip-clopping of my hooves underneath me on the whitish marble floor. . . I think it was white. . . Blood slowly dribbled down my quivering lips sobbing quietly to myself in the empty dark quiet halls walking for minutes. . . no. . . hours. . . I seemed to hear the echo of all the sounds I was making all at once. Giving up on my endless walking trek pressing my wounded side against the wall till I slowly turned away from the wall right before sliding down against the wall until I was in a sitting position. Leaning my back against the wall. I looked up at the ceiling as everything began to unfocus like a camera. That was not saying much that I couldn’t see anything, to begin with. Had the ceiling ‘some sort of large gray? No… white? No… can’t be…’ I thought to myself as I began to then slowly look down feeling so, so tired. But when I looked down I was surprised to see a blurry white shiny yellow looking creature in front of me as it reached up to me. I couldn't tell what it was being so blind in my state. Wasn't I supposed to be dead? I tilted my head ever so slowly. As the small creature opened its mouth and closed its mouth talking. I couldn’t see it as my everything just looked so unclear. I couldn't even hear what it was saying. Then when the little creature was finished talking it hugged me… I teared up as I wrapped my wings around the friendly creature. I slowly closed my eyes as I blacked out. Darkness taking hold of me once again. Sad to say. . . I was almost used to it. . . ***** I gasped loudly sitting straight up. My eyes widened my head snapped right to left a couple of times in a quick succession. I was in a white padded room now. That reminded me of a crazy house or if you wanted to get technical an 'asylum'. I pushed down on the padding with my soft hoof not surprised when I felt how soft the padding was. In a crazy way, it was pretty comfortable. I then turned to the door that was padded as well with the same color of the room being white. “I swear all this white is going to make someone crazier,” I muttered to myself walking right over to the white padded door. Looking out of the small tiny little food slot. Then quickly finding a small handle beside the door. The handle was padded as well but was colored black. Looking through the small flood slot I saw outside. Seeing an empty dirty gray hallway with a straight line of red blood. 'Was that mine?' I even saw Radroaches scampering around the floor. Some even on the walls seeming to be mating. I cringed watching the disgusting sight before my eyes. “Fucking bugs…” I muttered before taking a couple of steps back closing the slot quietly. I couldn’t see much so I needed to get out of here first. I sat my “big” rump down on the soft plush padding. ‘Fuck it’ I threw myself back as I rolled around over the cushions enjoying the comfiness. lazily lounging around laying on my back sighing in contempt as I closed my eyes reaching a hoof into my blonde mane searching for something useful to use. Beginning to hum a soft tune to myself then after a few hums I began to sing softly to myself. "Go to sleep. . . go to sleep. . . my little baby~ go to sleep. . . my little baby," I sang with an angelic voice with all of the practice I’ve had with a small smile before I reached into my mane pulling out a severed unicorn horn. I had once severed it from one of my victims. My raiders were always tasked to bring me back unicorn horns for their magic. After I lost everything I felt like I had nothing left. . . So I gave myself a purpose wanting to restore order to the Wasteland… that is still my goal right now… there is ain't no one who would stop me here anymore… so I don’t have to hold back anymore. . . this would be my sacred deed. . . Getting up so now that I was sitting up straight. I placed the purple horn standing up vertically in front of me the cushion supporting it holding the horn up. I then reached back into my blonde mane with a hoof as I continued to sing. "Mommy, loves you. . . my little baby~. . ." I ended the song quietly closing my eyes. Fresh tears began to fall down my face yet again always being emotionally distressed. I felt my heart feel hollow and numb. The feeling was so unnerving feeling a quick flash of depression wash over me slumping forward in my sitting position my head hung in sadness. Making me shiver my voice hitched in my throat as I began to whimper out like a kicked puppy. The sound of jiggling of glass, metal, and even a rubber squeaking sound was heard coming from me as I searched within my mane. Only using the sense of touch. As my hoof skidded across a hardcover. I slowly I pulled out a large book that was in good condition; well as best as I could get it in. The cover withered by age. The title making me freeze as it had a picture of the three main ponies. The Earth Pony stood on the left while the Pegasus stood on the right, and lastly was the unicorn… that stood in the middle of the cover. They all had a somber look on their face as I stared down at them. A fire lighting up within my eyes. I stroked the cover with a hoof remembering everything. I wasn’t a mother… I was never a mother… I slowly opened the book looking over the edge of the book to peer down to the purple horn. I licked my lips seductively 'I need the magic right now… whatever it takes… whatever it takes…’ I flipped through the pages vigorously. Studying the old writing that littered the pages who were filled to the brim with my past experiments. Each page had at least a drawing or two sketched into them. Of diagrams and what not of the results of the test a subject a before and after if you will and of course prototypes of past inventions that I had quit. I wanted to enhance my strength like the earth pony, wanted magic like a unicorn, and wanted to be the best flyer I could be as a pegasus. . . I tore those dirt ponys limbs from limb to divulge into their magic's essence and biology secrets. Drew out their blood and even studied how their gametes. I didn't waste any data. The Pegasi I butchered for fun and sometimes even jealousy. Tearing their eyes out studying every inch of them and finding it fascinating when I would find a rare mutation in any of my subjects. Then there were the unicorns the most magical of all. I licked my lips as I reached the unicorn section in my book. I had sawed off horns and even forced my raiders to saw off horns of our enemies horns and give them to me. Telling them that I would have them rewarded greatly… and I did of course. But I never did truly give them the true reason not wanting them to know of my research and try to steal it from me. Though they always wanted to question me but held knowing that I would kill them if they asked. I made a fine many of examples of those who tried to ask me. I pulled out a contraption from my tail as placed the horn on it. Before going back to my book inspecting it closely. Then I looked over back to the horn setting it up on my contraption that looked more like a stand more than anything. As it had coils that would wrap around the grooves of the unicorn's horn. It wasn’t like my prototype which was fixed to one horn size. This model I had to move the coils manually but at least I would get magic instead of no magic at all. I only wanted magic to keep me alive and youthful as I’m like about forty-something. I think I'm around thirty-five, but I look like a damn eighteen-year-old. I didn’t want to die and I sure as hell didn’t want to look ugly as fuck. So I tested it on other ponies for that exact reason… though not long term as I killed them after… I would use the magic more so to heal myself then use it as a weapon. Only sometimes I would make an example to have my raiders tremble in fear beneath me. To keep them all in line when I took control of the band of raiders. The contraption started to buzz to life as it whirred quietly like a fan. Seeing the magic being drained out of the horn was quite the show. I smiled wiping my eyes clean. I did one final check on my journal before I stuffed it back into my mane. I rubbed my hooves together evilly as I held back the urge to cry out. ‘It’s alive!’ The magic then began to flow into my chest. When my contraption was done harvesting the magic from the horn. That was now turned into a charred husk I tapped the horn as it fell into a clump of dust. I giggled wrapping my contraption around with my tail like a snake. I whipped it into my tail. Into a pocket dimension. Which is why I was weak I used up most of my magic with pocket dimensions that severely weaken me. ‘Especially since I gave up years worths away to my-’ I stopped my train of thought as I violently shook my head. “Get your head back in the game Radiant!” I screamed out now hearing the hissing of aggravated Radroaches outside of my cell. I turned over back towards the door only to see a small Radroach crawl in through the slot on the door. Successfully pushing the slot open the nasty bugger! I cringed in anger as he invaded my room! Even if it was a crazy padded room! I screamed as I thrusted a hoof towards the small roach splattering its guts over the door. Painting the room and my hoof with its green goo. I then did a swift one-eighty as I bucked the door off its hinges using a small bit of magic that I absorbed from the horn that I harvested from its magic. trying to conserve as much as possible. If I would have used full power I would have kicked my legs clean through the padded door, and that wouldn’t have solved anything. But put me into a fit of embarrassment. The door skidded across the hall decapitating most of the Radroaches. I laughed like a maniac hopping around smashing the Radroaches with my hooves. Spraying me with their green goo blood. One flew up at me actually catching me completely off guard as it lashed out at my face. I flinched instinctively bitch slapping the bug out of my way on instinct. It soared through the air just before going head first into a pile of scrap metal impaling the little fuck. He continued to twitch like a mad bugger now. I quickly turned around ready for more only to see the ones with decapitated limbs twitching on the floor that were still very much alive. I smiled evilly as I slowly stalked over to them in triumph. I flipped my blonde mane striding up to them. “Not so tough now are you!?” I laughed kicking a roach into the wall hearing him go splat. It's insides smearing onto the wall. I turned over to another Radroach who kept twitching flailing its last leg around trying to get back on its stomach as it was laying on its back. I walked over to the roach before slowly pointing my face down towards the disgusting bug. Cocking my head to the side while I commented: “You should have stayed out of it kid…” I said growing a toothy grin. I kicked him sending the roach sliding across the dirty metal floor. Turning over to face the two other crippled Radroaches that were trying to crawl away but weren't getting very far. Having fewer legs; that would do that to you. After having some sadistic fun. I finally had some free time to look around noticing that I didn't have a clue where I was. Which was usually always the case… but it made my life interesting and I loved it. I swayed my hips exaggerating the movements walking over to the gray wall that had a straight line of blood. Cocking my head to the side examining the blood. The color of the blood was reddish-brown having dried. It must have been here for awhile. . . was it my blood? If so. . . how the buck did I get in here? I looked away from the blood shaking my head. It was a nice decoration I must admit. The blood and the dead roaches gave the plain grey hallway with white floor and ceiling some flavor. Empty things were boring. . . take a can for instance. . . it's just a can. . . but what if that can had food? money? Now it's better! Wait wouldn't that be contents? Does that count as decoration. . . ? 'buck you raider brain!?' My mind was glued on goal: looking for a way out. if these roaches are in here… then there must be an exit… maybe even a tiny hole? If possible. . . The skinny rectangular hallway seemed to annoy me as I looked through the other padded rooms opening the doors open to inspect inside. They were all unlockable from the outside only to see nothing in them. And they all seemed to be shiny white and clean which was odd. Untouched and untainted by the outside radiation was not something so common. I grumbled bored out of my mind. Storming off towards one of the two possible ‘exits'. both doors being at the opposite ends of each other in the grey gory single hallway. The doors looked to be heavily armored. But why? For who? Or for what? I don’t think a crazy nut job could even bother escaping from this crazy place. The door I was inspecting seemed to have an insignia. And seemed so familiar to me… the insignia seemed to consist of two crosses a red one and a silver one seeming to form a stop sign like shape. As if creating an umbrella in shape. The red cross seemed to be more prominent than the silver one. I shook my head feeling a sense of Déjà vu wash over me. I slid a hoof into my mane pulling out a kitchen knife. Pressing the blade against the sturdy metal door. Then with practiced ease, the knife began to glow with a baby-blue aura around the kitchen knife. Beginning to saw a hole through the thick metal door. My magic was baby-blue. . . kind of weak. . . my magic was supposed to be blue when normal. Purple when overcharged, and a faint baby-blue when I was nearly drained. After I was done sawing a circle through the door. I then pushed the thick metal circle out with a loud *bang* sound as it clinked metallically on the floor. My ears quickly slapped against my scalp going cross-eyed for a second cringing at the sudden loud noise. I shook with the metal vibration before I slowly grabbed my bearings. Shaking my head to relieve myself from the brief pain. Looking back at the now somewhat sizeable doggy door. I began to climb through. It looked like I was training for that game show ‘Hole in the Wall’. It was fairly easy wiggling through. About to make it completely through. until a problem popped up. I was ¾ through but my ass seemed to have been big enough to have me stuck. I slowly looked back with a glare. "A flat ass would have been nice!" I growled bitterly at my distracting natural gift. I hated having a big ass. My now ex-husband might have only liked me for it… but I hated the damn thing! It always seemed to cause me more trouble than good. Some girls would only dream of having something like mine. I wasn’t super big or HUGE orDAMN! However, I didn’t have a flat ass either. I grumbled trying to wiggle my way through but was stuck with the same result. I grumpily hung from my doggy sized door. I was fucking stupid. . . trying to conserve such little magic I had. When making this small ass door! No pun intended; thank you very much! I had one foreleg conquer the cold steel floor while the other was placed against my chin in thought. “I should have lubed up,” I said slowly nodding my head in agreement. Looking around for something useful that could possibly help me in my current situation. Having nothing better to do then ‘hang around’. Just then an idea went up in my head. If I could fit the front of my body then I should be able to still fit through… a crazy conspiracy theory started to form in my small raider brain. I sucked in a deep breath clenching my blank ‘flanks’ tightly quickly dragging myself through. I got on all four glaring at my rear. “You’re the definition of an ass!” I hissed angrily as my white coated rear just shined back at me as if unharmed. Though I really wished that I would have got a cutie mark through my rough life. But I was getting the impression that I would never get a mark. I envied all of the other ponies. It just wasn’t fair to have a cutie mark at such young ages. I was old and I still didn’t have my mark. Though my looks said otherwise. Now that I wasn't distracted by a fight with roaches and a door I had time to look myself over. Inspecting myself I seemed to have been cleaned. . . now that I think about it. I looked myself over to see that there wasn't a single red patch of blood and grime on me. I looked like I had come out of a plastic toy package in pristine condition. Getting back to the main topic. Looking left then right all I saw was two more metal doors closed with the same symbol or insignia whatever you want to call it. The one with the two crosses one red and silver making a stop sign like shape. I dramatically flipped my mane while I whined stomping my hooves like a child having a tantrum. I really didn’t know if I should go right or left. My head slowly rotates left… then right… I bit my lip as my ears flopped to the sides unsure what my next move should be. I felt torn apart sighing hanging my head low. The hallway was almost exactly the same. Minus the blood trail and the dead roaches and the extra doors that lead to padded rooms. This could very well be the choice between life and death… I slowly raised my head turning my head to face the door on the right. A look of determination obscured my features as I made my way to the door. grabbing the knife's hilt with my mouth trying to conserve as much magic as possible. Using my hooves for grabbing would only drain me further. This time having in mind to cut the door just a tad bit bigger so that I wouldn't have the same problem. On the inside, I was so very scared. ‘Would I even have enough magic to even make it out of here? Is there even an exit? Should I just give up? Is there a point to even attempting?’I quietly asked myself as I carved yet another circle into the metal door. The metallic scratching filled the hallway with such needed ambient noise. The metal shavings dropped down to the floor starting to pile up. Making the floor look messy when the floor previously appeared to be clean and untouched for years. Suddenly I began to zone out getting lost in my thoughts. While I continued to listen to the rhythm of the metal making an schlik sound. o0O0o I hugged a yellow coated earth pony close to me. Her once yellow mane drenched in blood. I cried hugging her for I don't know how long. Her body was bruised and bloodied having a black eye and a broken leg. Just then my room’s door flew open as a frantic blue unicorn came in rushing opening her mouth to speak. “Radiant I need your help finding-,” She quickly shut her mouth rushing over to me and the cold earth pony in my arms. She hugged her yellow dead sister as we cried together. My heartfelt tight and heavy as if being held down by a heavyweight wrapped in chains of titanium. I felt as if something was leaving my very being looking over at the crib seeing nothing. . . empty. I cried closing my eyes as the halls echoed with our cries of grief. I started to tremble slowly opening my eyes. “It was Viola,” I said growling out my voice cracking. The words seemed to broken coming out of my mouth. My eyes beginning to burn with hatred like never before. Selene looked up at me with the same burning hatred we shared against 'Viola'. “I’m going to kill that bitch!” Selene screamed through her tears as she held her dead sister close to her. I got up gradually making my way into my closet. Looking over my shoulder with tear filled eyes. “You will… and she shall pay…” I slowly turned back to my closet opening the two wide doors open. As I examined its contents. “For everything…” I said bitterly as a piece of paper fell down to my hooves. I looked down before rubbing my eyes trying to get the tears out of my eyes. I looked down. *BANG* o0O0o I was quickly joisted out of my thoughts as I heard a deafening bang coming from behind me. I gradually turned my head to see the metal door from across the hallway. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary besides making me jump as I clutched my fast fleeting beating heart. I taking quick calming breaths trying to keep myself calm. Until I heard another heavy bang against the door, this time the door bending it inwards. My heart skipped again as I quickly did a one-eighty starting to saw much quicker desperately trying to get through. The door was hit again and again with the same heavy metal screech the door looked about to cave in at any given moment. I squeaked beginning to saw even faster hauling ass while I did so. Completing the clean-cut circle. Without skipping a beat I quickly pushed the five inches of metal forward with the same deafening metal bang when the metal made contact with the floor. Just as the door behind me across the hallway was hit yet again, but this time; the door was ripped out of the wall now slightly slanted inward in my direction. Light from behind the opening began to shine through the small opening. I quickly jumped through the opening I made only to get stuck again because of my rump. I whined as my ears folded on top my head in embarrassment and carelessness. But was swiftly smacked back into alert when heard the door across the hallway explode inwards just before I heard a blood-curdling screech. Before I heard whatever the screech came from was stomping loudly and quickly in my direction. My face scrunched up in the ‘Oh Shit!’ expression once again clutched my flanks tightly as hard as I could rolling forward trying to gain some distance. ‘That hurt by the way!’ I saw the door dent holding up just barely. It was weaker now that I tore a hole in the middle of the door. Being less mass and all. I officially just weakened my barrier meaning I officially screwed myself over. I chuckled nervously looking around once again hearing the ‘beast’ like creature banging against the huge metal door. I frantically looked around the bright white room. That was really hurting my sensitive eyes by the way with all the white. The room seemed to be filled with x-rays of ponies. The bones seeming to be twisted in unnatural ways. I cringed frantically searching the room. Trying my best to ignore the disturbing x-rays as much as possible. I might have been a raider and seen shit like this first hoof. . . but that didn't mean I liked it. . . I only did like it. . . when I hurt the ones I hated the most. I found a medical box quickly cutting the lid open with the kitchen knife with my baby-blue aura around it. My aura began to flicker around the knife about to go out. Without hesitation, I lifted the open medical box over my head with both hooves squeezing the box tightly to grip it instead of using magic. Spilling the medical supplies into my mane. I just started to flat out ransack the place hoarding everything I could into my mane using the last of my magic to transport it into my pocket dimension. The only drawback is that if I ran out of magic. . . I wouldn't be able to open it. I looked in one of the two trash cans in the room and was greeted with candy wrappers. I frowned in disappointment meanwhile the door that was momentarily blocking the unknown creature went flying towards me. I quickly ducked squeaking in surprise with widening eyes being large as saucers. 'That’s what I get for not paying attention!' When I saw the monster my blood ran cold. What stood before me was nothing that I had ever seen before… it was unique and almost beautiful in its own disgusting way… in the doorless doorway was a hulking bulk of mutated flesh. A pony that stood on both hind legs successfully towered over me. I shrunk away as fear gripped my heart tightly in my chest. It quickly spotted me, sneering while long strands of saliva leaked out of the corners of its mouth. Its cheeks seemed to be torn as it was being held together by thin threads of flesh. It’s two front hooves seemed to be jagged and sharp even the hind hooves seemed to have been sharpened looking to be the creatures two weapons as well. Probably to trample over somepony. Both of its forearms being sharp right up to the elbow like pointy spear-like weapons. I would most likely get decapitated in one swing by that fucker! I was utterly disgusted with a slight trace of awe in my mind. The red meaty creature roared as it swung its sharp arms at me viciously in quick sharp motions. So I did the reasonable thing… I jumped between its legs quickly ducking between the largest sack I’ve ever seen. . . Didn't notice it before. . . but I did now! I stabbed it with my knife to say ‘fuck you’. I laughed as It screamed up into the ceiling. Quickly pulling the knife out of its ball sack. I ran through the now doorless frame as it savagely turned around to face me radiating death towards me. I ran out through the first door the monster broke through. The room I ran into was unexpected. It was filled with tubes of more of that creature. A greenish water seemed to wash over the creatures while bubbles of air would quickly bubble and rise to the surface. There was more than one! I resisted the urge to shriek as I saw them all around the room seeming to be asleep. But if one could wake up… I would really hate to see the rest of them awake! I then suddenly heard a heavy thumping coming from behind me. My eyes widened quickly flapped my wings like a frightened bird propelling me to the side out of the way. Crashing into a metal table which dazed me bouncing about. Seeing multiple images of the creature. Watching it crash into a tube with one of its own kin. My eyes rolled around inside my skull seeming to be confused on what to focus on. I blinked my eyes repeatedly trying to clear up my vision. Observing the two beasts tangled intertwined in cables and now wet with water. They both seemed to stare at each other for a brief second before they started to fight each other. Stabbing and clawing at each other trashing up the lab we were currently in. Rolled around the area like two cubs playing rough. I wanted to watch but shook my head trying to focus on my main goal. Which was to get the hell out of here. Looked for an exit was the only thing in my mind. Overhearing the two monsters still rolling around hearing more crashing noises of glass breaking with water splashing and electricity sparking. I soon found a door at the corner of the room smiling, as I tried the handle that had a keypad with a keycard reader that read ‘locked’ in red text quickly frowning. I tried the handle again. Only to find confirmation that the door was indeed locked. I gulped nervously as I tried to jiggle the door handle frantically this time. Just as a keycard fell two the floor right in front of me. I went cross-eyed as I picked it up trying it on the keycard reader. The text turned green as it now read ‘unlocked’ I smiled as the fight continued behind me. Not thinking twice about why the keycard magically fell right in front of me. I walked into the next room with a sigh of relief locking the door behind me with the keycard. “The convince is strong in this one,” I joked to myself letting out a light chuckle turning back around to survey the room only to see a trashed office filled to the brim with cubicles. Paper littered the floor all around. The cubicles looked to be in decent condition as I Inspected them each individually. Searching through the cubicles finding plenty of bottle caps as I would store them in my mane. Hoarding anything I could get my hooves on. I saw bullets holes engraved into the walls accompanied by some scorch marks. The floor had some patches of dried blood. But no bodies or bullet casings on the floor whatsoever. Which was odd, to say the least. Instead of their being metal grey walls like the other hallways and rooms. In here there was glass like windows that were a substitute for walls. Some of the glass walls and doors were shattered. I shrugged passing over the glass. Hearing the crunching beneath my hooves. Before I knew it. I had walked down to a dark T junction. The lights seemed to have burnt out. There was yet again right and left passageways. I sat down on my tush pressing both hooves against my temples rubbing them while I puffed my cheeks out right before screaming out in frustration with my mouth closed. I had to resist pulling pieces of my mane out. Because of the stress of choosing. There was always something bad! I just know it! After I took a couple of minutes to compose myself I went right again. Because in most cases… the right was the right way to go. I walked in front of the door pulling the knife out again holding it with my hoof. The knife felt heavy in my hooves. My magic was extremely waining now. I was about to start carving when the door slid upwards. What stood before me was an elevator. Weird that the door slip up but whatever. I smiled widely quickly scrambling into the plain silver elevator. I sighed in relief as I looked over to the left seeing a panel of a couple of buttons, clicking the button to close the elevator doors. I then leaned back against the elevator wall. Feeling a sense of peace wash over me, I felt safe. looking over to the right side that seemed to have only two buttons. I tilted my head in confusion clicking the button that had an arrow pointing upwards. While the other button was an arrow pointing downwards. Shaking off my curiosity I sat back down looking up at the screen that rested up above the silver metal door. Counting number that I had no clue where about. If there were only two buttons how could there be so many floors? I breathed quietly as I felt the elevator lift me up gently. I remembered when I was small and my parents would always take me to places on the weekends, and on breaks. I would constantly take it for granted. ‘I wonder how they’re doing now… I wonder if they’re happy… without me… are they still alive?’I wondered too myself as the elevator rose up smoothly. My parents and I would always go shopping or take me to theme parks and I would always complain “Why are you bringing me? I didn’t even want to come!”I would whine and sometimes even have a tantrum being a little kid. But as I got older I would say the same thing minus the tantrum of course. I would normally just have a look of disdain etched on my face. And they would tell me because they “wanted to spend time with me”. . . and I continued to push them away… and now they’re gone… I have nothing… I am nothing… but… I can make a difference… I can fix this Wasteland with a new order… It’s the least I could do… I had too… or else I would be… as I always say. . . useless. . . The silver metal door slid upwards as a bell dinged prompting a mare's voice to came on. “Ground Zero,” She spoke in a monotone voice. Slowly getting up from my sitting position to walk out. The room I entered was dark and quiet not wanting to be surprised by a sneak attack I activated the light from my ‘pip-fuck’ as I called it that because I just couldn’t seem to see shit in this darkness and because I despised it so much. The room was filled to the brim with metal box-shaped crates. I then again saw the same insignia with the two crosses again. I rolled my eyes in annoyance having the name on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn’t seem to say it or remember? But then I did at the same time? Weird. I walked around aimlessly for a couple of minutes until I came across a door. With a relieved smile I tried the handle to find it locked. It didn’t seem to have a keypad this time or a keycard reader so I did the only logical thing… ***Later*** A loud metallic clang slammed against the ground as I slipped right into the outside room only to find out that I was now in a pitch black stairwell. Well, it would have been if I didn’t have my lucky pip-fuck with me. I climbed up the stairs really wanting to get out of here. Lucky enough I only had to go up for a couple of seconds to find that there was a door. . . again. . . I sighed loudly just before throwing my head back letting out a scream of frustration. ***Much Later*** I slipped through the new hole in the door feeling my magic numb as I had pretty much wasted it cutting my way through all those blasted doors! But this time I had entered into a room that had. . . windows. . . I never thought I would be so happy to see a stupid window in my life. I smiled as the sun rays rained down on me. I ran up to the window closing my eyes as I bathed in the rays of golden light. I hummed to myself as my tail swished happily missing the sun's light. I didn’t know what it was but the sun just made me feel. . . well. . . better! It was like if God was looking down at me telling me everything was going to be alright. I was once the image of him. . . not like the rest of these ponys, dragons, griffons, or even mutants. This place wasn’t really my home at all. After taking a couple of minutes to soak up the light of hope. I made my way out to the only twin doors leading me to another corridor, but this time there were raiders standing guard. One on my right and left. Standing to the side of the doors like royal guards would have. I seemed to have sneaked in behind them somehow? They both jumped spooked by my sudden appearance I was just about to pull out my knife. Before they both blurted out. “Holy crap! You’re the mare that was set on fire!” The raider on the right blurted out as his friend on the left followed suit. “You didn’t scream either! And how the hell did you even get passed us!?” He said with his left eye twitching. I gave them both a blank stare soaking up the obvious information processing it like an Intel processor. Before smiling coyly. “Well I’m the raider leader where I come from,” I said with pride in my voice. Even though my raiders were most likely all dead. Me having killed them no. . . slaughtered them all. They both stared at me wide-eyed while I continued to nod my head in confirmation. “So you’re here to take over or what?” The raider on the right asked nervously shifting in place believing that I 'was' a raider leader. He was pretty much below my tier. Which was true I was a raider 'leader'. “Well, I’m Radiant Shine The Destroyer Of Dick,” I said dramatically with a serious face before rolling both of my eyes. Then doing an exaggerated mane toss. The two raider stallions looked over at each other confused by my ‘name’ and the sarcastic title. I pretty much mind fucked these uneducated idiots. “Where am I by the way?” I asked mentally chiding myself for messing around and not doing something useful like gathering information. Stupidity on my part I know. The one on the left was being more helpful as he answered me quickly. “Your at Rusted Chanel,” He said nodding his head vigorously with a twisted smile that brought a smile to my face. I just thought it was so cute. By how retarded he looked. While his friend or companion corrected him. “It’s Rusted Channel you,” He said shaking his head. “I’m Red Blood and that. . .” He pointed to the guard on the left. “That is Red Skillet because of his stupidity,” “He-heh you care!” Red Skillet on the left of me said with a raider like chuckle. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again ‘he didn’t even say it right. It should have been ‘heh-heh’ dumbass. . .’ “Alright I need raider barding stat!” I shouted wanting to get on with it, and get the hell out of here. Hopefully getting a bonus of raider followers too. We went down several narrow corridors passing some guards along the way. They seemed to stare in shock at me before going back to their angry raider expressions that looked laughable in my opinion. Probably wondering how I even got passed them or they saw me ‘burn in the PITT’ without screaming, and thought it was commendable? We then walked through what looked to be a town of raiders. They seemed to be going about their business. Some would chat others would fight each other for chems and other stupid reasons. We walked through the raider looking marketplace which had only the shit weapons on display while they had armored raiders watching the stores with heavy weapons for intimidation. While the poor amateur raider traders had everything good on sale. As they eyed everyone suspiciously with a twin double barrel out pointing at each and every potential customer. I was getting a lot of stares by raiders when we passed by. They would often narrow their eyes towards me while they brushed their weapons trying to threaten me. I shrugged them off seeing them as lesser raiders. I was the top dog where I came from. If I could survive a mutiny I could survive a couple of wild savages. Though I don’t consider any a savage strangely enough. Even if I do I don’t really believe it in my heart. A raider with a heart? Laughable! Some raider children would look at me oddly. I would wave a hoof at them with a kind smile which would scare them off. They would go wide-eyed and take off running. Looking all around I felt pretty much at home. I saw raiders arguing some even rutting in the streets. Which was always fun to research. . . We walked into a building that was made out of junkyard scrap metal plates. I walked in with Blood and Skillet. I didn’t bother to call them red because it felt repetitive. Walking into the store it had three rows of objects laid out in dirty looking glass casings that seemed to be bulletproof. Inside the casings were clothes neatly stacked nicely. My mare brain almost exploded looking at all of the clothes. I pressed my face against a casing that had black lightweight combat armor. The case said that it was enchanted to be waterproof and much stronger against bullets and flameproof. . . but that was probably a lie. . . it was more than likely resistant than actual ‘proof’. “Ahem,” I heard an elderly mare’s voice coming from behind me across the room. I Jolted straight up like a cat that just got scared minus the fact that I didn’t make a single sound. I did a quick spin to see a mare with a dark green mane and a grey coat. Her hair seemed to be prepped and taken care of. “See something you like?” She asked with a raised brow opening my mouth to say something only for her to beat me too it. “Ah know you do,” She said as she came from behind the counter slowly walking up beside me. Her movements were so fluid she practically placed me into a trance. I slowly turned back to the lightweight combat armor that was colored black. She tapped the casing lightly. “This hear is. . . well. . . it serves’ well. . . made it mahself,” The mare said with pride in her voice as she examined the armor alongside me. The two stallions that accompanied me looked at each other before smacking themselves on the head. “We were supposed to be guarding!” They then both quickly scrambled out the door. I didn’t care though. They meant nothing to me. “How much for this piece of art?” I asked trying to sway her in my favor so I could possibly get a discount on enchanted armor. She turned her head to face me as she smiled. “400 caps,” she said with a toothy already holding out a hoof expectantly. I frowned at that price. Sure I could buy it. . . but that was ‘A LOT!’ of caps that could be better used elsewhere. . . like watching strippers. “I’m sorry but I don’t have that kind of money,” I lied with a sad look on my face trying to manipulate her hoping she even had a heart. She still continued to smile before turning away from me starting to walk away from the casing heading on over back behind the counter. “Ahm so very sorry to hear that. What’re you even goin’ to do anyway’?” She asked placing her elbows on the counter as she rested her face on her hooves staring right over back at me. “To save the Wasteland. . . but not in the way most want me too,” I said not really thinking about it. I wasn’t going to bring what most would want. . . I would bring what must be done. She laughed behind the counter her smile continued to brighten. “And what’re you planning ta' do?” She asked as I stared down at the armor in deep thought. “Well, to tell you the truth. I don’t actually know,” I said honestly running a hoof through my mane. I really needed a bath. It has just been so long. . . even if I was relatively clean compared to everypony else. “Anything else you have that's cheaper and can protect?” I asked with a hopeful smile. “Ah’ve got plenty of Leather Armor if that’s what youre’ asken,” She said with a smile prompting to sigh in disappointment. Knowing that there was nothing special in this store. I bought a set of Leather Armor for around 27 caps. I was cheap and so was my armor but it would hopefully help me blend in. Before I left the store I checked myself out with a mirror staring deeply into the image within. Staring back at me was a raider. I pressed a hoof into the cracked glass. The dirty mirror just amplified this feeling of dread inside of me. I licked my dry lips as my double stared back at me with sad filled eyes. I sighed walking out of the old raider mare’s store. As I walked alone continuing to get stares from raiders all around me. I was genuinely surprised that there were only ponies and no other species. Actually, now that I look around their only seems to be earth ponies and unicorns walking about. Where were the pegasi? I looked around for about an hour bored until I heard a ruckus. No one else seemed to mind what was happening inside of a dark alleyway. Me being curious checked because I wasn’t scared of anything. . . or not at the moment anyway. . . I turned the light on my pip-fuck to see a little colt with a pitch black coat with a red mane and tail being held down. By a stallion who held a knife clenched tightly in his jaws. “Who, the hell turned on the lights!?” The stallion with a disgusting brown coat asked as he spits the knife out in surprise. His back was littered with scars. That left the gray damaged skin on his back. “Get off me!” The colt screamed spreading his wings wide. Taking me back by surprise not noticing before that he had wings at all. That’s how dark his coat was. The colt then latched his teeth onto the stallion’s forehoof. Sinking in his fangs into the stallion tender flesh. The stallion cried out; going to throw a punch to the colt, but only for me to grab his raised arm. The stallion looked back up at me with tears in his eyes. I did the only reasonable thing. I broke his arm. He let out a blood-curdling scream before I grabbed his mane with a hoof and bashed his face against a trash can repeatedly. Until his face was fucked beyond recognition. Panting letting go of the raider’s head his face slapping against the dirt filled floor that was now mixed with blood. I looked down at the little bat colt, and he looked back up at me. With a look of awe on his features. His little jaw hung in astonishment while his eyes grew gradually. While trickles of blood dribbled down his lower lip as time seemed to stand still. “A-are you-u an angel?” He stuttered while I slowly smiled towards him for the compliment. His eyes were slitted telling me what he was. Including his wings how different they were from mine. “Yes, yes I am,” I whispered as I sat down with the colt in the dark alleyway. Turning off the light from my pip-fuck. Sitting at the very back together. I lifted him up making him squeak in surprise placing him on my lap. I was about to say something else, but then I heard a cardboard box began moving. I was about to reach for my knife until to see two more small pairs of slitted eyes. I smiled ushering for them to come out with a hoof quietly. They hesitated because of me being a stranger and all. Then they looked to see me holding the bat colt unharmed. They both came out slowly still just as cautious both being young bat fillys. One seemed to be very young probably the age five while the other filly was probably eight, and the colt looked to be about nine. They all rested on my lap looking up at me. I continued to look down at them with a smile. Slowly closing my wings around them. “Sleep my little babies,” I said shutting them off from the outside world for just a night. It was the least I could do. . . I didn't have a heart. . . I just had to do it. . . ***** I didn’t know why I helped those three bat pups. But something just pulled at my heartstrings seeing them all huddled together. Maybe it was the colt in trouble. Or that all three of them seemed to be a family. Sadly I had to leave them to their own devices. I couldn’t support them here in the Wasteland. I didn’t have a base like last time or a home. I left that all behind me after I sacrificed almost all my magic for her. . . I left those three pups with some caps but not a whole lot. I was cheap that way, and because if they got mugged those mountains of caps would have been for nothing. Besides giving weaklings caps would make them a huge target. Walking through the streets of this raider like metropolis. I did the only sensible thing. Walking into a bar with a mighty slam. The saloon doors slamming against the walls. Feeling like an idiot right after. Getting the attention of the whole bar. The only reason why I did it was because I saw it happen in lots of movies when I was younger. I strode in like I owned the place trying to gauge reactions. I loved reactions, it was always fun not knowing what kind you would get next, but was also dangerous at the same time. Reactions were always a gamble. What I got were a bunch of stares watching me walk on over to the bar. Even a few whistles from a couple of stallions and even one mare at the back of the bar. Some were playing a game of cards as they watched me walk by. One pony even took the advantage of his buddy's distraction slipping a card from his sleeve into his hoof giving me a wink. I winked back making his face heat up. Not suspecting me to wink back. Some raiders were cleaning and sharpen their blades as they drank down their hard liquor. Because supposedly the 'weak' liquor was for pussies. But I drink the weak shit to enjoy it thanky you very much! I walked backward until I sat on the stool. Looking back at all the occupants with a smug smile plastered on my muzzle. I did a small spin on the rotating head of the stool to see the bartender cleaning a glass nonchalantly at my sudden appearance. The bartender was a jet black stallion with a white mustache and white mane. I had to snort as I held back my laughter going teary-eyed. “Anything you fancy?” He asked slowly looking up at me. Taking his gaze away from the glass he was currently cleaning “We got the finest beverages around that are freshly made,” he said with a hint of pride in his voice. ‘Alright if this stallion actually made his own liquor then I will give credit where it was due.’ “Well. . . I would like to buy some in a bottle actually,” I said wanting to store some away for later. “Oh? And will that be all?” He asked inquiring. I smacked my lips together thinking about it looking over the selection over the bar. Only seeing a select few tonics I remembered but no wine. Yup, I was a wine girl. I'm not tasteless or anything. But I was really dying for a beverage right about now. I looked back to the bartender. “I’m sorry, but do you have any wine in stock?” I asked with a kind smile. Taking the bartender aback by my attitude and mannerism. In all honesty, I was shaking scared on the inside. I usually. . . okay almost. . . always! I always had someone else do the talking for me. Even as a raider leader I always feared my own. Scared of get backstabbed like Caesar by even my closest friend. I didn’t trust anyone. I would always question myself why I was still holding onto my life. When I really had nothing left. . . The earth pony bartender looked under the bar searching for quite some time. Just as a pony sat beside me. Without looking I said, “So what’s your poison?” I asked wanting whoever it was to answer. Trying to give me the advantage of the conversation. So they would most likely to answer giving me power where the conversation would flow to next. “P-p-poison?” The stallion beside me stuttered. Making me roll my eyes at the uneducated fuck. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” I asked dryly resting my head on a hoof to look at the stallion beside me. He nodded his head vigorously. Making me sigh at his stupidity. So I decided to toy with him. “S.O space W.H.A.T.S space Y.O.U.R space P.O.I.S.O.N. Question Mark?” I asked sarcastically with a toothy smile. The stallion stared at me with a dumbfounded expression as his jaw hung at my bluntness. “N-n-no! T-that's not what I meant!” He stuttered out a few time making me burst out laughing. “So what’s your drink?” I asked again so he could understand as I was laughing lightly now. I waved my hoof at all the drinks behind the bar. Turning his attention to all the drinks. “O-oh,” He cleared his throat before speaking again. I examined the dumbass closely. He looked to be a pristine looking stallion. His coat and mane seemed to have been recently washed making me raise a brow at his appearance. His mane was slightly messy but still a bit glossy. He had a purple mane to be exact and tail with two stripes of orange running through it. He also had a green coat and he even had this large greenhorn. Well. . . you know what they say about large things. . . Making me want to laugh at the stupid combination of colors in my opinion anyway. His barding was a whole different story consisting of numerous bullets holes. That shit didn't look to have any protection left! Being a chewed up mess riddled with holes. “Well?” I asked with outstretched hooves as I sat up straight in my stool. “Oh. . . ! uhhh. . . that one,” he said with uncertainty pointing over at a low shelf. I looked over to what he was pointing with interest. Until I saw what it was. It was a bottle of ‘Sparkle Cola’. I tilted my head at the drinks name. 'Shouldn't it have been Nuka Cola?' ‘I’ve seen that before’ The lettering the wording I remember that. . . ‘but from where?’ I questioned myself. Just as the bartender slammed down the glass bottle of alcohol. “Sorry didn’t have any wine. . .” The bartender said with a sad sigh. Seeming to be sad not getting what I had asked for. Well, he should be sad! “That is fine,” I said with elegance once again catching him off guard. Expecting me to lash out at him and blame him. Which I did. “Thanks for the drink,” I said reaching into my barding and tossing out a small sack of 15 caps. “Keep the change,” I said with a wink. Looking back over to the stallion beside me with a smile. “Name little colt?” I asked with a toothy smile making him shy away from me in his stool. “Wish View,” He said rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. Letting out a nervous chuckle. “I’m RS,” I said using an acronym or an abbreviation; ‘weren’t they the same thing?’ He blinked several times muttering my ‘name’ under his breath. Saving it in his memory. “Don’t you mean ‘W-w-w-wish VIEW’!” I mocked him bursting out into a fit of laughter making him turn redder than a tomato with all my teasing. “T-that’s not f-fuun-n-n-nny! He stuttered out with an angry expression crossing over his features making me only laugh harder. We were starting to get all the attention back again. Or I was just starting to notice being watched? Or had I forgotten that we weren’t the only ones here. That’s what happens when you get too comfortable. I continued to mess with him just to make myself feel better. “S-s-s-sure is!” I mocked even exaggerated it by twitching my eyes in tune with my stuttering. I looked like a bloody broken record player by this point. He turned away from me asking the bartender for the Sparkle-Cola. It reminded me of the unicorn Twilight Sparkle but that was all. I had this nagging feeling on the back of my mind telling me. . . clawing, screaming what it was, but I just didn’t seem to remember what it was at the moment. “RS? What kind of name is that?” He asked confused as he popped the cap off the Sparkle-Cola. Leaving it on the counter. “It’s my name don’t question it,” I said with a kind smile telling a half-truth because technically it was my name. My eyes would occasionally glance at the bottle cap on the bar. “You going to keep that?” I asked him pointing towards it with a hoof without taking my eyes off the lonely bottle cap. “No, why?” He said with a confused look on his face. Without hesitation I just as I snatched the bottle cap up. “Thank you, kind sir,” I said inspecting the cap as if it was a diamond in my hoof. Before I pocketed into my mane like a slot machine. There was even a metal clinking sound effect. He gave me a weird look opening his mouth slowly. “Okay. . . ?” He said a bit weirded out by my speed. I didn’t want anyone taking it before I could. ‘First come, first served’ I thought quietly just before he began speaking again. “Do you know where I can find One-Eyed Lat?” He asked me with a slight tilt of his head hesitantly taking a sip of his drink. Levitating his Sparkle-Cola up to his thirsty lips. I then grabbed my bottle of liquor stuffing it into my mane. Getting a weirded out look from Wish View. “One-Eyed Lat?!” I burst out laughing at the stupid sounding name. “That’s not funny! He’s a well-known raider!” Wish view hissed in a low voice looking around at the other raiders in the bar. Who seemed to have taken interest in our conversation. I brushed my mane with a hoof. “He’s not well known if I never heard of him! You’re funny kid!” I said punching him on the shoulder. My hoof made a squeaky sound on impact. Making him look down at his shoulder in confusion. Starting to prod his own shoulder in confusion. “Anyway, why you looking for a well known raider? Shouldn’t you want to be putting distance between any raider? Unless you’re trying to become. . . the very best that no one ever was! Dun dun dun-nun!” I sang dumbly with a dopey smile. He looked back up to meet my happy go lucky facade. “He took something from me. . .” he trailed off lamely; pique my curiosity. “Oh? And what might that be?” I asked fluttering my eyelashes at him leaning towards him. Making him lean back in his stool away from me. Making his face turn crimson red. Then I leaned back closing my eyes with a smirk gracing my lips. “Oh, I know. . .” I slowly opened my eyes as my smirk grew into a wide smile. “He ran into your room and yelled “boonk gang!” and stole your anal virginity before running off!” I enthusiastically before I burst out laughing no one else in the bar seemed to share my enthusiasm and didn’t get my joke. "Screaming out 'A whole lotta raider shit'!" I made fun of Wish View. “Wha?” He said with mouth agape. “That didn’t happen!” He shouted embarrassed at my accusation and messed up imagination. I only closed my eyes raising my hooves up passively at his aggression shrugging him off. “Maybe it didn’t. . . maybe it did. . .” I said hearing him growl. Before slowly opening my eyes to look him in the eye and get serious. “And what did this guy take? Hmm. . .” I asked with a hard look in my eyes. Making the Wish View gulp nervously. “H-he t-t-took my p-pip-buck!” He blurted out as he looked down at mine. “Why does yours look weird?” He asked as he grabbed my foreleg that had mypip-fuckwithout my consent. “Hey!?” I blurted out slapping him with my free foreleg.“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!” I screamed grabbing him by the throat completely losing my shit. The whole bar went dead silent with the bartender hiding under the bar. I glared down at the Wish View. I took a quick scan around the quiet bar with my searching eyes. To see everypony watching me. I coughed into my hoof. “Yeah, don’t touch me or you’ll regret it. . .” I warned, calming myself down filled with embarrassment with my actions, but I didn’t show it. Hiding my emotions I was good at that. It was all apart of being charismatic only showing what you wanted to show. “S-sorry. . .” He said looking away ashamed. “Yours just looks different. . . your’s is slimmer. . .” He trailed off noticing my wings. My pip-boy or uh. . . Whatever you want to call it was a special gift. It was white just like my coat with a gold trimming to it to match my blonde mane and tail. It was slimmer for my pegasi uses and because I stayed fit. . . overly using the V.A.T.S. it began to use up my body mass as fuel. Only if I use it low on the energy, of course, you will have to wait for it to recharge. Only negative drawbacks if I force the use. But that’s what the magical horns were for. To counteract the drawbacks. To use the magic as a shield to help protect my body from the side effects. I gave him a deadpan stare. “No shit sherlock do I look fat to you?” I asked spreading my arms open wide. “N-n. . . no!” He said nervously as he began to apologize for some reason feeling like he offended me. ‘This guy’s an idiot’ I thought quietly to myself. He continued to apologize until I socked him out of his stool. My forehoof making a squeaking sound on impact. “Will you just shut the buck up already!?” I said annoyed. All that magic spent I was pretty weak right now. “And I would like your payment,” The bartender said behind the counter with an annoyed glare directed at Wish View. The bartender was obviously taking side with me since I had been kind to him. And he was right in that regard. I had no beef with the bartender besides his funny looking color scheme. ‘LOL’ Then Wish View did the only reasonable thing reaching into his barding. Everyone in the bar got uneasy as some of the raiders slowly reached for their guns. I just narrowed my eyes cautiously ready to use V.A.T.S at a moments notice. But what surprised me was what he pulled out. I doubled over laughing as I too fell out of my stool. The bartender raised a brow taking the pre-war money with him. The stupid idiot traded bits for a sparkle cola. “Is that all *breath* all *breath* you had!? No *breath* caps or what?” I laughed hard rolling around in laughter. I could almost swear I felt someone laughing with me. “I actually can’t believe he accepted your worthless coins! You should feel lucky!” I said slowly regaining my composure. Yeah… I sometimes laugh at things that aren’t even funny to others but it is to me. Being lonely would do that to you… I slowly got up. “Alright I’ll help yeah,” I chirped enthusiastically. “Really!?” He said enthusiastically a huge smile forming on his face. Before I began to walk away with a grumpy expression on my face not really caring. Walking towards the twin saloon doors. “Hey! I really need your help!” He blurted out. Then looking around the bar getting a bunch of unwanted stares. He gulped running up close until he was beside me. “I need my pip-buck back!” He told me in a harsh whisper following me out. “And why me?” I asked once we got outside. Turning to face him with an annoyed side glance. “What makes me so goddamn special huh?” I really just wanted to hear what he had to say. I just didn’t want him to know that. That how charisma works. . . well. . . that’s my strategy anyway. “Your the only one who can help me rescue my friends. . .” he trailed off lamely. My thoughts started to race quickly. 'I can help this idiot. Would it even be worth it? He needs me more than anything right now. He could be killed any moment. Should I even care? I can be a hero! Maybe. . . I could squeeze money out of him?. . . but then again he probably doesn’t even know that bottle caps are currency here. . .’ “Ummm hello?” He asked waving a hoof over my eyes. Making me shake my head exiting my deep thought process. “Well, do you know what bottle caps are?” I asked going to give him a quick pop quiz. With one question mind you. He blinked at me in confusion thinking my question was so random. He might have even been right. He gave me a confused expression slowly nodding his head. “Uh. . . yeah. . . they keep the carbon dioxide in the soda bottle? Or something along those lines,” He answered half-assed. “No bottle caps are money here. . . currency. . . in the Wasteland dumbass!” I said barring my teeth at him threateningly making him shy away from me. I was actually surprised that he even found me intimidating at all. I only said money and currency testing his vocabulary skills. I wanted to gauge his retardo levels. “If you want to live like a king. You need bottle caps,” I explained nodding my head in confirmation. With a cute straight face. I looked softer than intimidating which was bad. Curse you looks! “So. . . I gave you some of my money without even realizing that!?” He blurted out in shock. Before he started beating himself over it. Pacing right in front of me as he muttered insults to himself. Making me smile at his stupidity. ‘I could ransack him dry just knowing how weak minded he was.’ “So about your friends?” I asked giving him a cheeky grin as a motioned my right hoof about in a 'continue' gesture. Wish View quickly snapped out of his trance his mane whipping as he rushed over to me with widened eyes. “Yes! Yes! I almost forgot! I need your help. . . !” He then gave me a quick once-over. “You can fight right?” He now asked skeptical his eyes searching me quizzically. My mouth forming a thin line as my eyes bore into his very soul. “Say that again,” I dared him stomping a hoof in the ground. Making dirt fly into the air. He took the hint not to ask. Which surprised me yet again. This guy either feared mares or he was just a pussy. “Y-y-yup! You c-can definitely fight!” He squeaked like a little filly. It was fun scaring the shit out of stallions. “Now. . . what’s with this raider guy? Why did he take your friends and you pip-boy?” I asked getting a confused look. “What? Hit a nerve?” I asked as we began to walk side by side. “It’s. . . pronounced pip-buck not pip-boy. . .” He finished matter factly. Rolling my eyes in annoyance literally about to snap. . . matter of FACTLY! “So details mission!? Raider asshole!? Your friends!?” I snapped because about three seconds passed by without his saying shit. I swiftly turned to face him roughly shoving him into a wall of a store. Getting a lot of attention by the passersby's. “Do you want your friends to die with all of this bullshit stalling you’re doing!? Huh!? Well, answer me, boy!” I screamed in his face. Giving him a real hard slap using my magic to do so. I was far too weak to do that on my own accord. He gave me a fearful look quickly sputtering out. “I sort of kinda broke into his territory by accident! And he captured my friends but I got lucky and got away!” He squeaked slamming his eyes shut turning his head away from me. I eased up not wanting to break him this early and this easy. There would be no big reward doing that. I had to aim high to hit high. I slowly nodded my head. “Alright. . . so. . . what’s the reward?” I asked in a low calm voice. Slapping him was satisfying by blowing some steam off. “R-r-reward?” Wish View stuttered out making me sigh looking down at the dirt floor. “Nothing is free here in the Wasteland. Everything has a price,” I said slowly looking back at him to meet his gaze. “Uh. . . well. . . my friends have lots of. . . uh. . . caps. . .” He said rubbing his foreleg nervously. “And. . . well. . . my friend Scarlet has this cool pistol. . . maybe you could have it for saving them?” He asked nervously starting to sweat bullets fearing that I would refuse such a crude offer. My eyes practically grew sparkling like an excited filly. Hearing about a custom pistol. That could possibly be mine. And that I could add it to my collection that I had acquired over the years. Most I didn’t even use. Having no direction or anything better to do I. . . agreed. . . “That pistol is mine!” I said grabbing him by the shoulders. “Now where is this sonofabitch!?” I said with my best raider smile I could muster scaring the crap out of him when it came out naturally. He shakily pointed as I started trotting in the direction he pointed out. He quickly trotted beside me trying not to get left behind. I might have been a weak pegasus. But I was faster and more magically enhanced than the rest of the pony races. But it always came at a dark price. . . ***Hours Later*** I slowly raised my head up from behind a giant gray boulder. My eyes squinted with an intense gaze. My eyes shifted rapidly scanning the area like a hawk but in this case, a pegasus. Seeing the beautiful decoration that consisted of; rust filled metals covered with blood red colors decorating the surroundings. I smiled seeing a raider walking around a small fire pit. Talking to his raider friends as they laughed around socializing around the small fire pit. That was positioned right in front of the two double doors that led into a one-story building. It looked to be built quite cheaply made out of; gray concrete cinder blocks. There didn’t seem to be any patrols around here, and there also didn’t seem to be any snipers around here. Which made things hell of a lot easier. “Psst. . . what do you see?” Wish View whispered beside me anxiously. His green coat camouflage nicely with the color of the Wasteland’s dirt floor. . . I just wanted to beat his disgusting coat into the ground for not shutting the fuck up; making me lose my concentration. ‘He has evolved nicely. Or I could convert him into one of my raiders. They are all so annoying’ I ducked down out of exposure area behind the gray boulder turning back around to face him. “I see a stupid colt questioning my authority. Shut up or your friends die numbnuts,” I explained with an innocent smile that sent shivers down his spine. I could tell by the scared look in his eyes. He was so naive and fresh it made me question where he came from. It made me very curious just to know. “I don’t even need to be helping you. I can just kill you and your friends and those raiders and I 'can' take what I want, when I want,” I said swishing my tail behind me with half-lidded eyes. I was trying to get into his head. Cementing my terrifying presence into his weak naive mind. It was all a mind game. First impressions matter the most when you want to use them for your own personal gain. This was my time to implant the seeds of self-doubt into his mind. I was weakening his mental state of mind. This would all play a vital role for me later. Unless he is dead. . . Then all of my progress would have been for nothing. He stared at me with a terrified expression on his face. “S-s-sorry!” He stuttered out quietly in a whisper. Making me giggle at his reaction acting casual causing him feel more uncomfortable being so close to me. I pulled out a .32 pistol from my mane as the spinning wheel that held the bullets came out. I called it the ‘circle of life’; because when you insert a bullet inside. It was the birth of waiting fire and metal. Which now gave you the power to end a life. . . if that makes sense. . .well. . . I’m a raider so I might not be that smart. . . and I’m blonde. . . most things I say don’t make sense coming out of my mouth anyways. Wish View pulled out a standard 10mm pistol short for ‘10 millimeter’. He put a fresh mag into his gun as he cocked the slide back with his magic. Holding it steadily in front of him while he faced me. I knew he wouldn’t turn on me because he needed me more than I needed him, and he was a pussy. . . “Follow my lead. . . and don’t get in my way or you’ll die little Wish View. . .” I said with my cocky raider smile. He slowly nodded his head while I nodded enthusiastically back at him. Wish View continued to give me a nervous glance. Yeah, I wasn’t making things easy for him. I stood on my hind legs leaning back out of cover to the left; so that I could poke my head out of the rock cover. I didn’t scout the back so there could be more raiders waiting for us inside and back. But being as experienced as I was. . . I wasn’t scared, and I had my favorite gun in my hooves. . . ‘sarcasm at it’s finest people’. Oh, yeah did I forget to mention I can hold objects with my hooves? With the cost of magic; of, course but the strain wasn't high enough to strain myself out. It was like using the same equivalent to fly. ‘Like your mom!’ I chuckled to myself at my weak joke. Doing a quick reconnaissance of the layout before striking with a light assault. No strategy no nothing, just running straight into the fight. Just like a true Raider. Straight ahead of me was a wide open area. These raiders didn't even implement a standard chained fence. Not that it would have slowed me down anyway. Having wings and all. I got very close to them quickly. I was actually surprised that I didn’t get spotted by no-. *Bang!* My eyes widened as a bullet struck the ground beneath me. Spraying dirt onto my legs. Forcing me to roll behind another rock separating me away from Wish View who was traveling behind me. Just as I was looking back another shot was fired onto the boulder that I was now using as cover. The bullet struck right beside my face hitting the medium sized gray boulder right beside me. My face got peppered with small pieces of rock. . . 'would it even be called small rocks? Uh. . . debris? Pieces?’ My mind went into overdrive slamming my eyes shut doing a quick combat roll to the side throwing myself out of cover. My heart rate sped up slowly opening my eyes to see everything move in slow motion. Enhancing your body can be exciting and dangerous but I fixed 'most' of the bugs so I should be good. Quick to examine the area with the raiders spilling out and about like ants. Now you’re probably wondering why I just didn’t use V.A.T.S. Well, that’s because I liked to do things myself personally. I didn't like to hide behind a machine.If you want something done, you do it yourself. I would only rely on V.A.T.S if I was in desperate need of help, and out of energy and my magic. The only way I could hold a gun, with a finger guard and fire it was because; I used magic. Let me explain. . . I hunt unicorns for their horns. Then convert the energy into my being, after that, I grab hold of the object by wrapping an aura around the weapon almost similar to a unicorn. But you know me being a pegasus I don't have a horn to transmit magic, like a fucking Wi-Fi router. Except my aura is invisible to the naked eye, which makes me look ridiculous when I hold a gun oddly in my hooves. My eyes shifted between enemies. I have about five shots for this shitty thing, but against raiders, this low in IQ this should be a walk in the park. . . if there were any parks still around anyway. Directly in front of me were three raider stallions in the standard raider barding. The had scraps of metal and leather stuck welded together. It looked ridiculous in my opinion. They all smiled gleefully while I had an intense look of focus on my face. They each were equipped with metal clubs of sorts. One was once part of a stop sign. While another was just a shiny metal pipe. The last one had a golf club. They each held their own weapon tightly in their jaws. Off in the somewhat distance, there were two more raiders on the roof that seemed to have been mares, but I couldn’t tell with their faces being covered with some weird ass masks. Those two came out of nowhere! They were skinny and frail. They reminded me of slavers. . . I love those guys! Good for business and good for the soul. They both had hunting rifles aimed towards me with another bullet slowly moving its way towards me. I tilted my head to the side as the bullet whizzed past me. Missing me by inches. They weren’t going to take me down that easily. 'So they were the one firing at me' I thought quickly to myself. But what I did use my pip-fuck for was to listen to music. Since I was pretty much in intense focus mode; I used the V.A.T.S function to have the music in sync with me. So the music would sound like it was playing normally to me. But to others, it would be a quick garbled mess. So, yeah. . . pretty cool for me, but not for those who were around me. My pip-fuck was special in its own fucked up way. Having been specially made for me. . . I fired three quick shots sweeping my gun left to right. Hitting each of the three raider stallions that had metal clubs of sorts. Getting them all right between the eyes. Being trained by a dragon would do that to you. That training being; less than 5 minutes. but having a great teacher and being a good listener getting hooves on experience. though I would have to say the speed that everything was in was the major factor. I smiled when an earth pony raider mare pushed the buildings front doors open. Seeing the doors move in slow motion. Exiting the old cheap looking building where Wish View’s friends were being held. She had a pipe pistol held tightly in her mouth. Getting a quick once over examining her. She had a yellow messy mane and a bright orange coat that seen better days. Being matted with blood and gore she wore; armor that was made out of cutie mark trophies I could only presume. I didn't bother doing that because I was markless and usually covered my flanks in embarrassment. Because I didn't have a cutie mark. Her cutie mark was exposed that seemed to have been ripped to shreds then having been healed but was heavily scarred which made me shiver in disgust. Her cutie mark was barely recognizable I didn’t like scars. It made people look ugly. Showing people who saw your scars telling them you experienced something. All scars tell a story. I’m pretty sure I said that sounding lame. . . yeah, whatever! What do you expect from a raider? A damn history lesson!? Finally looking up at the two rifle raiders on the roof. Seeing two more bullets whizzing a little to close for my liking. I rolled to the side in what seemed to be normal speed while it would have looked incredibly fast for them. Being a pegasus had its perks. Being agile as fuck and now being magically enhanced. Yeah. . . I need to be put down before I take over the world. . . I do get power hungry sometimes. I fired two shots at the two ‘snipers’ though they had rifles. I still think it’s valid in this situation. They’re sharpshooters by the way. Either they were good at shooting or pointing their weapon at me. . . wait isn’t that the same thing? The two snipers drew back into cover hiding together as there wasn’t much cover on the roof beside a table that they were slowly flipping over. I rolled my eyes at their foolishness, but first I needed to kill this cutie mark hunter looking ass pony. I looked back down to face her she didn’t hesitate or bother to ask questions. She fired her automatic pipe pistol while it rattled violently in her mouth from the recoil. The hot pieces of metal flying towards me. I quickly spread my wings before propelling myself into the air. Everything went back to normal speed. I started to feel my head pounding; feeling as if somepony was putting both of their hooves on my forehead and was pushing all their weight down on me. “Stupid headache!” I cursed gaining altitude dodging the barrage of bullets from her shitty gun. I swooped and twirled in the air going higher to make it harder for them to shoot me out of the sky. The two snipers began to once again open fire on me. I could hear the whistles the bullets made as they passed by me missing by inches. I was about to swoop down and kamikaze them just when Wish View popped out of cover opening fire on the two snipers. Whoso foolishly, in turn, popped out of cover firing with their hunting rifles held in their magic back at him. But he got the attention of the cutie mark hunter pony. I didn’t care though. He didn’t have my prize. His friend Scarlet did, but having him alive would give me a higher chance of obtaining the weapon peacefully; but what was the fun in that? The two snipers took cover crouching low as they continued to fire at me getting behind cover. I growled having a bullet hit my side. Getting lucky that it hit the leather and that their guns were total dog shit. Not bullet notable to go through. It still hurt, but the now boiling anger made me let out a war cry at their stupidity for pissing me off. I rushed towards them in a dive bomb scaring them by how fast I was moving towards them. Thank you gravity. Screaming bloody murder with a deep hatred in my eyes. They couldn’t seem to focus their magic on their guns dropping their weapons in fear. Beginning to run towards the roof access door. This place was weird having been made out of concrete cinder blocks. . . They rushed towards the metal door trying to get inside I pulled out my empty pistol spearing it into one of them. It wasn’t sharp but the momentum was enough to help plunge the barrel into her back. She let out a pained scream as some of her flesh filled up the small barrel. Stupid science and volume. . . and stuff. . . She collapsed on the roof with me roughly on her back using her as a pillow to soften the blow. I twisted the barrel like one would do with a knife. Hearing her cry out as her flesh twisted by my actions. Making a sadistic grin form onto my muzzle. Her friend looked over at me with her weird mask thing. It looked like she was wearing a sock over her head that had two eye holes that were fitted with goggle lenses, and it even had little tufts of fur sticking straight up at the top. I gave her a perplexed look as my grin fell into a look of utter confusion then to slow realization. She tackled me aggressively like a Pokemon. We rolled on the roof that was made out of concrete that seemed to be weathered and cracked, by old age or just didn’t dry right in the sun. I wouldn’t know though, it was just a thought. She pinned me beneath her using all her weight. It was funny because we were both built like twigs. Now having my back against the crude concrete roof; which hurt by the way. She held my arms down and quickly pointed her head down going to spear me with her horn, but before she could. Thinking fast I lunged forward tilting my head at an angle dodging her horn incoming horn. Immediately using my face slapping her muzzle with mine as a temporary distraction. Giving me the opportunity to swiftly clamp my jaw onto her throat viciously growling like a savage dog. Sinking my flat teething into her mouth. Shaking my head violently tearing out her jugular. She fell off me clawing at her bleeding throat as she gargled choking on her own blood wanting to scream. Continuing to thrash helplessly on the roof. "That's what you get," I said with no sympathy for her. Now that she was down for the count I looked over the edge to see Wish View Holding his own with a now broken leg. The raider mare laughed tossing her now empty gun at him then made a wild charge towards him laughing crazily. Wish got hit by the pipe gun losing his concentration. The aura around his 10mm faded clattering to the ground briefly stunned. She tackled him to the ground using both of her forehooves to beat his face in. Acting quickly I picked up a hunting rifle that was currently unoccupied on the roof; standing up on both of my hindlegs aiming as fast as I could move holding it in my tender hooves. With a slight shake lining up the iron sights with some trouble pulling the trigger. . . but nothing came happened. . . My eyes widened looking down at the rifle in my hooves in horror starting to freeze. 'NO!' ***Flashback*** I was fiddling with my hunting rifle with shakey hooves. Hearing a girl scream for her life from within the cafeteria's kitchen. My rifle seemed to have been jammed with its old rusted parts. Blood must have also leaked into the cracked parts of the gun effectively jamming it. I picked the rifle off one of the dead raider’s that were lying around. Standing in the cafeteria of my home. That used to be an old world military academy. I could barely make out the two fighting in the kitchen having my tears blur my vision. She was being held down by a small dragon. He pulled out a knife raising it up high. I tried to cock the rifle to no avail. I let out a scream of horror as the knife plunged into filly's chest. The dragon slowly turned towards me. His sinister smile growing ever so slightly. His slitted yellow eyes fueled my grief that quickly transformed into burning hatred. ***End of Flashback*** I looked down at the trembling rifle in my hooves cocking the rifle. Prompting the jammed bullet to fly out. I didn’t know why I even bothered to save Wish View but this time I chose to use V.A.T.S. I used the freeze instead of the slow function. To conserve RAM on my pip-fuck to conserve its Action Points or AP. Though it only made my perception in this world drastically speed up making me go into maximum overdrive!Making it look like I was frozen in time and space itself. . . okay, I might be acting a little dramatic. I would have done it myself in slow motion but right now I was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures. I highlighted her barrel using my pip-fuck. Being the biggest and easiest target to hit getting 100% hit rate or whatever you called it. I couldn’t take any chances. Especially with a poorly maintained rifle. Having it be more technological then magic based. . . you could say mine was an out of date version. But antiques are better anyway! The shot hit true but failed the kill the mare. She only grunted turning her head back around to face me. “Is that all you got!?” She mocked smiling up at me. Even shaking her rear like a naive child. I answered her back by shooting again. Taking her ear off. She cried out pressing a hoof to where her ear used to be stunned by the sudden lack of her ear. While simultaneously trying to get out of the entanglement of hooves with Wish View. Now knowing that I wasn't messing around she started to panic. I cocked the rifle in my hooves pulling the trigger again only to get annoyed when I heard the oh, so persistent annoying click of a dry gun. The rifle was dry meaning ‘it was out of ammo’. I cursed under my breath angrily using V.A.T.S once again but this time I tossed the rifle towards her with a 46% chance. Taking my chance in my blind fit of rage. Succeeding in missing only to make me even madder. Wish View was on the floor motionless. My E.I. ‘Enemy Indicator’ said otherwise having a rectangular blue bar highlighted telling me that he was still alive and an ally. While the mare who I was going to kill him was a blood red rectangular bar; on my E.I. quickly scooping up the other raider’s hunting rifle on the roof. The raider that I speared with .32 revolver laid still with said pistol sticking out of her back. She was highlighted yellow. Because she was unconscious and was still an enemy, but not hostile enough. At Least that's what I believe it meant. Without skipping a beat I pumped my wings launching me into the air. Smiling down at the lesser raider. I was the top dog here. I knew I had won because I had the ‘high ground’ and everyone knows that having the high ground is GG for the ‘low grounders’; you could all ask Anakin Skywalker. I activated V.A.T.S seeing the mare trying to limp away towards the building, but I didn’t let her sniping her on both hind legs having her drop down onto her face. Just about to fire a third but was out of ammo. Smiling as an idea popped into my head choosing to do a melee attack. . . raider humiliation style. ***Flashback*** I glared at the dragon as he hopped over the counter till he was now standing only a few feet away from me. I took to air lucky that the cafeteria was quite spacey giving me enough room to fly above. Circling around him like a vulture. He was already dead in my eyes. He killed my friend and now he was going to pay for it. "Well are we going to fight or what?" He taunted me with an unnerving smile. Making my skin crawl. I had just lost my family a few weeks ago and now a few of my best friends. . . I only had one left. . . Selene was the only one I had left. . . I can't let anyone hurt her! I can't lose everything! I don't even care what happens to my raiders! I tossed my rifle at him that he easily dodged. I growled angrily at my failure to strike him. "Yeah, you really are weak!" He mocked me. "You know, for the new leader you're pretty pathetic!" He said with a dark chuckle. I didn't take to kindly to his words swooping into the kitchen just over the counter. "What? You're going to run now?" He asked smugly. "You should really just give u-" He didn't get to finish. When I rammed an icepick through his eye socket. Completely impaling his brain. I went so fast he didn't even see it coming. I could have even made Rainbow Dash proud. Though I could never in my life achieve a Sonic Rainboom. . . I panted heavily just as some of my raiders came into the cafeteria. "Boss are you alright!?" Limp Barrel asked loudly seeing a lot of dead raiders littering the cafeteria floor. . . "I'm good. . . We're going to kill them. . . all. . ." I said quietly looking down at the collapsed dragon that killed my friend. "Do you have their camps location?" I asked them without looking. Feeling a burning hatred deep in my heart. It felt like it was cracking like if my heart was made out of glass. It had a large crack and Selene was the glue holding it all together. "Yeah! They live about 12 kilometers south from here!" He said enthusiastically loading a few shells into his shotgun. "Prepare for an assault! We're killing them all boys!" I shouted with a crazy sadistic smile on my face turning to face my raiders. Hearing them laugh maniacally with me. 'You're all dead. . .' ***End of Flashback*** I pulled myself downward going heading head first downwards quickly gathering up momentum. Effectively ramming the rifle’s barrel just above her tail hole breaking her tailbone. Officially making her a second asshole. She screamed out in surprise her eyes widening straightening her back in surprise. I laughed like a mad lad above her. The challenging disrespectful raider was now on her stomach crying from the sheer pain. I leaned in close licking the length of her last and only intact ear. Giving her flank a hard slap “this is mine!” I growled grabbing her flank firmly making her whimper under me. I was dominating her showing who was boss. “Now. . .” I whispered dangerously in her ear. “Get the fuck. . . OUT OF MY FACE!” I screamed getting off of her giving her a kick in the ribs. Making her cough beginning to try crawling away towards the dangerous Wasteland. Wanting to test her own luck. Turning back over to Wish View walking over to him just about to help him out; when I felt a cold metal barrel press against the back of my head. “Don’t. you. fucking. move. BITCH,” I heard a gruff stallion’s voice behind me with a chorus of laughter behind said stallion. Wish View had passed out from either the pain or he was knocked the fuck out. Which was not good for me or him. “Then why are you still moving your lips?” I shot back calmly thinking on my heels. Using V.A.T.S ducking my head giving the gun that was being levitated in a red aura. I highlighted it with a golden aura getting a 99% chance of smacking it. And I was offended that I didn't get 100%! Giving the gun a quick back hoof. Slapping it out of the air. My eyes swiftly shifting right and lift in a quick succession looking over my new enemies or old enemies that just seemed to have exited from the cinder block building, and was now here to fight. My smile grew into an excited one ready for battle. Jabbing my hoof at the gruff speaking pony’s throat. Running out of AP ‘Action Points’ my pip-fuck called it. Again. . . 'I always spend these fuckING POINts so QUICK!' Time began to move in normal speed again because my pip-fuck ran out of RAM or something. Just as I was roughly bitch slapped making me stumble backwards falling flat on my ass. My hoof jab was ineffective it seemed. The stallion with an eye patch covering his left eye glared down at me picking up his previously dropped pistol to point right back to me. His 9mm aimed down towards me again. “You’re weak. . .” he taunted me with an unreadable mask his face devoid of any emotion. “Depends on point of view,” I shot back once again nursing my reddened cheek that had previously just got slapped. “Well. . . I’m done!” I said throwing myself down on the floor spreading my wings wide on the floor. Starting to make dirt angels on the ground. “Kill me or do whatever you want. I don’t care!” I said with a bored expression. ‘I’m still going to kill you, you stupid asshole.’ I thought dangerously towards him but otherwise didn't say it nor show it. I was going to assume that he was One-Eyed Lat because of the fucking eyepatch for Christ sake!. He had a yellow eye color with a dirty brown colored coat with a pink mane. He had a weird color scheme. . . just like most ponies in the Wasteland, I guess. . . His raiders seemed to get rowdy at my submission. It was all a ruse though; I didn’t give up. My dream was to make this Wasteland a home for us all. For us to live free once again. . . even if I never saw the day. When ponies weren’t corrupt, like how they are now. The race of ponies can be pure once again. I’m not really a pony, so I might not understand what peace truly feels like. And I probably never will. Death would only be more painful. “Can we have her boss?” An ugly stallion asked with drool leaking out of his open maw. As he excitedly bounced on his hooves. 'No thank you. I would rather get raped by some good looking guy. Thank you very much!' Then a mare spoke up “Maybe this birdie will taste good. . . pegasi are some exotic eating here in the Wasteland,” she said smacking her lips together in thought. Her eyes seemed to glaze over for a bit, as she began to what I would assume to be daydreaming. One-Eyed Lat was about to respond, about his decision on what to do to me. But those words never came when I saw a huge chunk of face exploding outwards. Smearing all over the hungry mare’s face. She smiled licking the blood from her lips. Losing her sanity in an instant now charging towards the sniper that was firing in our general direction. The loud booming made me roll behind cover. Using my previous gray rock for safety measures. ‘I can’t die here!’ I waited it out hearing them scream as they died. I clasped my hooves together tightly pursing my lips as I looked over into the Wasteland facing away from the carnage that laid waiting for me. Seeing the raider town off in the distance that held the PITT. A huge tumbleweed blew watching it blow by. Entranced in its movements while it rolled across the Wastelands floor. That’s when I noticed how quiet it was now. My face scrunched up. About to get up when I felt a cold metal barrel poke me on the side of the head. “Oh, for the love of GOD!” Footnote Traits: Lucky Antagonist - Luck seems to be on your side. But that doesn’t mean that it’s always good.: Crazed Scientist: You have a chance of losing yourself if you have too much magic intake. Chapter 4: Not A DoctorBeing tied up wasn’t fun in the slightest. It was always annoying to get “tied up” into these kinds of situations ‘ha ha!’ Some surviving raiders, and I were lined up neatly; side by side shoulder to shoulder. There were four of us Raiders facing a knocked out Wish View, a fire pit, and last but not fucking least two of our captors. Both were unicorns with matching dirt brown coats. They were stallions, each having a hunting rifle strapped to their backs. The duo sat behind the prone form that was Wish View, who had a bit of slobber leaking out of his mouth. The fire pit separated us raiders from the three “Civilized” pony folk. “This is complete B.S!” A fellow raider mare beside me growled at our captors aggressively. Shaking with uncontrollable rage, vibrating in her spot; unable to lash out against them. We all had our forelegs bound together by a thick rope, that would start chafing if I moved around. So I sat still staring straight ahead, with a stoic expression. I had to be patient, one rash move and I was as good as dead. The raider mare continued moving her lips, assaulting my ears with her banter. “You two are dead when I get free!” She cackled angrily towards our two captors. I was just glad her threats were directed towards me, that would have sucked if they were; she was annoying. Her threats were a bit empty and cliche for my taste. A subtle approach is an “almost” always good choice when getting out of a situation like this. “Keep talking and I’ll have your tongue, raider scum!” One of the “non-raider” stallions barked, using his horn to levitate his gun off of his back. Pointing the barrel right between her eyes. The Wasteland green colored mare went cross-eyed, examining the barrel. ‘If you threaten her tongue. . . why pull out the rifle? Shouldn’t it be a like. . . oh, I don’t know. . . a knife? Maybe some pliers?’ Before he could splatter her lovely brain matter, his calm rational friend spoke up. “Hey come on now,” He put a comforting hoof on his friend’s shoulder. “We don’t kill, somepony who isn’t armed. . . that would just be murder. . . and you don’t want to be a murder. Please, Subject this isn’t right.” He spoke in a soft level voice shaking his head. As if to challenge, the trigger-happy stallion, the Wasteland green colored mare beside me spoke up. “Ooohhh, I get it!” She chuckled humorlessly, looking straight into the blood boiling stallion’s eyes. I knew what she was trying to do. I knew what she was trying to do, she was trying to get inside his head. But the reason on “why” was unclear to me. Us “Raiders” aren’t all dumb, that is just merely a stereotype. “You two are gay lovers!” She cackled loudly; only to have a bullet shoot through her skull, blood leaking out of her new hole in her head. She fell backward with a thud. A puddle of blood began to form behind her head. My ears slammed back against my head, Leaving my right ear ringing. ‘Fucker gave me a concussion!’ Brain damage uses up more magic to heal, you know! ‘You Fucking TWAT!’ But then again, my mind was already fucked, to begin with. . . I’ve seen some shit. . . Subject, the now murder blinked with a look of shock washing over his features. “Subject, what have you done!?” His friend cried out in shock. His hunting rifle shook in place, before he lost all of his concentration having the gun fall, clattering loudly against the dirt. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly. “I-I-I,” Subject stuttered out. “Shit-shit-shit! I can’t believe I did that!” Subject blurted sounding scared for some reason, that I had no clue to as why. His friend put a hoof on his shoulder, but Subject slapped his hoof away. “Fuck off! I’m good!” He lied, we all knew he did. Because he wasn’t “good” in the slightest. His “good” friend looked generally concerned for him. They both began to argue saying, what I would consider cringe-worthy material. The two raiders and I tuned their boring moral conversation. Besides. . . who needs morals anymore? Am I right? After a while of sitting on my tush, I started to lean forward, zoning in and out of consciousness. Just like how I would in school. The good old days, staying up late playing video games. Not giving a shit about what I said, having little to no responsibility all. . . The good old time of my youth. . . being young and free to do whatever whenever I wanted too. . . “HOLY SHIT! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” I jumped in surprise, from the sudden outburst. Sitting straight up, I blinked my eyes trying to get the sleep out of my eyes. I quickly turned my head, left to right alarmed. Seeing how everyone was looking up, I looked up as well. Something had fallen through the mysterious cloud cover. It was late at night now. The only reason why we could see the object is that, the object was sparking with electricity. And the crazy part was that it was heading straight for a MOUNTAIN!!! Just as it was about to collide with the mountain. The object lit up for a brief moment, changing its trajectory. Just barely missing the dirt green colored mountain. The electrified object went down a slope full of trees, crashing down with a loud screech; when the unknown object skid on the ground until it came to a gradual stop. It was funny in a way. . . it kind of reminded me of me, getting my first taste of the Wasteland. ***16 Years Earlier*** Falling through the soft plush cloud cover "FUUUUCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!" I screamed loudly falling to my not so sudden demise. ***Memory Over*** My memory was fuzzy, and I wasn't even sure if most of that even happened. It just sort of. . . popped up in my head. "Subject, I say we search that fallen object! Maybe the darn Enclave dropped something valuable!" 'Life doesn't last long here in the Wasteland. . . one minute you're alive. . . and the next second you're dead.' ***** A raider to my left begins squirming, trying to get free to escape. I laughed at his futile struggle. He just didn’t know when to give up or had patients like me. "Hey!" the stallion named Subject barked, at the raider smacking him with the butt of his hunting rifle. Dazing the raider with a bit of blood flying from his mouth. ‘You’re one of us. . . killer. . .’ I thought snorting in laughter getting a dark harsh glare from Subject "You too stupid raider!" He snapped at me, but the raider he smacked growled at him menacingly. "We murders gotta stick together!" I chirped enthusiastically making Subject’s rifle start to shake in his levitation. He has morals like the, so-called "good guys" it makes me laugh! "Subject come on, bring the prisoners along, we shouldn't stay here for too long." Subject’s friend said urgently. “Besides we don’t know when the Enclave might send out a search party to reclaim their stuff.” He said rather urgently, it only made me smile more. I really wanted to see what cool loot that electrified rock disk thing must have! Our two captors worked together to change our binds that were holding our forelegs against our back tied, to now having our forelegs tied in front of us. So, now basically we had to hobble around. Not lucky enough be chained up by a slaver. Who at least gave us more mobility when chained with the con being the weight, that would be holding us, weak folks, down. Which wouldn’t have been good for me. Oh, and not to mention the explosive slave collars. The raider to my left growled at both, Subject and his friend. Like a feral dog not liking to get poked by a hunting rifle. They quickly ushered the three of us raiders, to the crash site. "Just put me down. This stinks." The new raider to my right said with a bored expression only to get yelled at. Leaving the dead wasteland green colored mare that Subject killed earlier behind, but not before giving her a parting gift. "Bye dead gal." I chirped slapping her dead flank with my tail. We walked to the closer to the crash site that took us about an hour long trek. It would have been faster for me if I would have flown, but I was currently tied up into my predicament, no pun intended. . . yeah, it was fucking intended. Seeing trees torn to shreds where the object had crashed. "What in the world is happening?" Subject's friend 'let's just call him Delta' Delta said in awe, seeing streaks of fire where the object had burned through. The streaks of fire kinda reminded me of “Back to the future”. The dead Wasteland trees that were now splinters of charred wood. With some still burning from the friction or something. I wasn’t a scientist with a real degree because my periodic table was not widely known. . . it was full of idiocy. I made it work mostly by trial and error to make my own. . . The reason being. . . that I couldn’t seem to learn much from my old teachings. So I started my own equations that I sort of remembered from my school days. . . that I didn’t really fully understand, scraping most of it. Then restarting from scratch finding out my own way to calculate, to calibrate my abilities. I was my own scientist, my own person, my own. . .GOD. . . I looked around excitedly seeing the destruction, eyes sparkling enthusiastically. 'Space Blaster here I come!' I mentally cheered. We could now all see the object, that was in fact not a rock. . . but a spaceship. . . well, it looked like one anyway. The back even had glowing lights like a mini DJ booth. It kind of also reminded me of- there was a loud hiss like sound. A bright blue light came from the object that crashed that looked like a- Delta turned into a pile of bright glowing blue goop. I stopped dropped and rolled behind a boulder. The other raider that seemed a bit normal dropped into a prone, but instead of hiding, he stayed out in the open. While we both hid, the feral one that acted like a dog with all his growling stood before Subject. Growling menacingly towards him getting low bearing his teeth, that were yellowed and dirty, some food was even stuck to his teeth! One bite from him and your wound would be severely infected. "What do you want!?" Subject screamed starting to hyperventilate seeing his friend die before his eyes. He seemed to snap grabbing the feral raider roughly by the neck with his magic, shoving the growling raider to the ground. Having his face slap the floor bruising his cheek. "I could kill you right here, right now!" Subject yelled kicking the dog like raider in the gut knocking his wind out. I looked up over my boulder that I was currently using as makeshift cover to see what was happening being curious as always. Though my curiosity always got me into rewarding and troublesome places. "Shit what kind of thing is that!?" the prone raider shouted seeing the spacecraft start to leak a strange thick yellow fluid. That what I would assume was its fuel source. With the disk-shaped object continued to shoot out flashes of blue light that had hit Delta. The blue light’s looked to be the engines misfiring busted horribly from the crash, I think. I watched with giant pupils having puppy dog eyes, huge in curiosity. The feral raider showed his sharp teeth making Subject scared. Subject took an involuntary step back. Only for the savage to jump up like a scary jumpscare mauling his face. Subject screamed dropping his hunting rifle to the floor with a metallic clatter, rolling around punching the raider fruitlessly trying to shake him off desperately crying out for help. Who wouldn’t? Finally, the strange disk shaped object stopped its light show, emitting a low steady hum. Then what sounded like music, that was being played by a violin. "I wonder if it's a spaceship!" I cheered thinking about the endless possibilities really wanting an alien gun to go with my gun collection. The spacecraft was like an addicting loot box. "It looks like Enclave to me!" the other raider shouted back, while us two raiders ignored the stallion getting attacked. He wronged us by tying us up and calling us “scum”, we were don’t get me wrong. . . but that was just disrespectful , especially from a hypocrite; such as himself. He killed that Wasteland green colored mare, who was, in fact, defenseless; in cold blood. Like if I and the other raider were having a casual debate "You know what. . . let's crack this nut!" I declared wanting to find a way inside. I was practically bouncing in excitement. "Let's see what's behind door number one!” I cheered, rushing out of cover to the strange craft of sorts quickly falling on my face. Forgetting that my front hooves were bound together tightly. Pain soared through my face as I did a small roll. Now on my back with my hooves sticking up into the air. I went cross-eyed, seeing the blood dripping out my muzzle. I grimaced in pain licking some of the blood with my tongue prodding my nose with it. While I was occupied licking up my own blood, Subject continued to scream having his face destroyed, by the feral raider. "Off, off! You savage freak!" the stallion squealed like a filly punching the raider who only sank his teeth deeper. Me and the other raider paid no mind, focused on our own devices. The more civilized raider started sawing his rope binds with a sharp rock, that he held tightly in his mouth moving his head in a sawing motion. I sat up with my still bleeding nose. "Fuck. . ." I groaned hobbling over to the supposed "alien spacecraft". But, only less enthusiastic this time. Now having my nose bleeding wasn’t very fun. . . Getting close enough to the U.F.O which was an acronym for “Unidentified.Flying.Object”. It was funny how cliche and stereotypical the ship looked being disk shaped and all. The only thing I got wrong when assuming an alien spacecraft or Enclave, was when I noticed the charred black ship was actually supposed to be “white”. From my view of the bottom, only the bottom and the sides were black. The top still had a bit of white left. Though it was dirty now, because of the rough landing it had just been in. After I was done inspecting the ship, I turned my head back with my eyes still glued to the “killer ship”. That killed one of our captors. I was quite grateful actually, as a matter of fact, it was as if someone was looking out for me. "Are you done fucking up his face sweety?" I called over my shoulder to the bloodthirsty raider. Not getting a response I turned fully to see a chunk of Subject’s face hanging out of the crazy raider’s mouth standing over the dead stallion. Who he skinned with his teeth. It was a very disturbing image that was going to take awhile to get out of my head. . . "Erm… okay then. . . do you mind eating my binds?" I asked politely looking down poking my muzzle against the binds that held my forelegs tightly together, trying to get him to get the hint. "Our chewing through them? You know. . . because rope might not taste so good." I continued with a sheepish smile, I really didn’t want to be eaten right now. "I seem to lack the proper necessities that you possess right now." I licked my nervous dry lips cautiously beginning to spread my wings, only too feel something tight holding my wings in place. Looking back, I saw my wings bound together with a rope as well. ‘I forgot it seems. . .’ Before anything could escalate between me and crazy raider. The more civilized raider interjected: "Just use a rock, you idiot." After his insulting comment, I scoffed loudly pissed off. I was disgusted at his disrespectfulness, more than the raider with a face hanging out of his mouth. Which was ironic. "Eell, ecuse m~e fer nut wanhing toousea stuhid rock!" He said with a rock in his mouth. I only growled at him which sounded stupid compared to the feral raider’s growl. I didn’t want a dirty rock in my mouth! You never know where it has been! I looked back over at the "savage" giving him pleading puppy dog eyes with my bottom lip quivering in a hopeless gesture. Having someone else do it would be easier than doing it myself, that was for certain. But the civilized asshole had to cut in. . . again. . . "Leafe her be’, to her do if herfelf. Wf shoulfv reafy be’ helfing her. Befidef, fhe'f nof frrm rur band of raiders." He said shaking his head spitting out the rock. "She's probably an Enclave scout." He spat in disgust glaring at my wings. "I don't think he understands anyway." I rolled my eyes at him talking to an idiot raider. Turning my head back to face the idiot raider in question, as if he could read my mind. The crazy raider pinned me against the charred ship growling in my face. With bits of saliva raining onto my face. His own binds were thrust in my face. Tilting my head in confusion I looked up at him then back at the binds. "You want me. . . to chew through it?" I asked him with a raised brow giving him a confused look. "Like biting. . . the rope?" I asked him for confirmation as he glared down at me, making me start to sweat bullets. The other raider just stood off the side, blinking at our exchange taking place. The savage raider stared deeply into my blue eyes. My mouth began to quiver in fear, my brain screaming at me to get chewing! I started to chew the binds in trepidation.I chewed on the binds like an eager mouse trying to escape a trap. Tearing through the binds at record time. Having the rope drop to the floor with a soft. *thud* The savage raider roared loudly upon being free, letting me go. Which scared the crap out of me. I was low on magic, and now this! But, I laughed mentally at how ridiculous it looked. Seeing the stallion roar like a lion. "Hey enough fooling around! And let's loot the two dead idiots and that weird saucer thingie!" The other raider called out to both of me and Savage. "Free me Mr.Savage please!" I begged the crazy raider only for him to take another lunge at me. I shut my eyes closed squeaking loudly, feeling my binds fall. I opened one eye looking down to see my binds clean cut through, as if someone used, some magic giant scissors to do so. I stared down in amazement at such swiftness. . . such power. . . ‘I wish I was that strong.’ Doing this kind of damage without any magic at all. . . "Thank you kindly!" I cheered patting him on the head, like if he was my dog. After that, all of us moved over to examine the strange liquid, that the crashed craft was currently leaking. Being a Scientist!: without a degree. . . I pulled out some test vials and test tubes out from my mane like a magician. Carefully collecting the strange glowing yellow liquid. That didn’t irradiate me in the slightest surprisingly enough. I was going to study it later when I had some time to rest. Without having impending doom looming over my head. I started knocking on the metal wall urgently calling out loudly, "Is anyone fucking home!?" Pressing my ear against the metal wall hearing nothing in response. "Huh, maybe their dea-" I was caught completely off guard when I was lifted up squawking like a surprised bird flapping my wings in a panicked frenzy. The door made an audible hiss whilefresh airexited the strange craft. Making me and the other raiders crazy, trying to desperately suck in such pure air that was quickly tainted by the Wasteland’s own air. Making us all frown in disappointment. I lowered my head down below the hatch, that I was standing upon. Perched on top the like if it was a bird post. Standing upon the lifted hatch of the ship. I peeked down into the hatch, peering deeply into the eerie darkness, seeing nothing. Looking down at my pip-fuck checking my E.I. which was again. . . “Enemy. Indicator.” Seeing that there was one friendly rectangular blue bar inside the ship, or my E.I. might have been picking up something under or over the ship. This stupid thing didn’t distinguish between floors. Making me cautious whenever seeing a any bar on my E.I. "We’ve got ourselves a Frenchy!" Joking for my own happiness because clearly no one got it. I hated it when that happened. It just made things awkward in public, but with raiders, it was like talking to your huge crazy family. You hate your brothers and sisters for something so trivial. . . but after a while of being split apart. You gradually come back together as a family. Maybe even laughing over it, as something silly. But no matter what you will always love them. They can hurt you, just like how you can hurt them. "What?" The mostly civil raider stallion gawked at me confused. I did an awkward dip forward, falling off the hatch doing a complete circle vertical 360 flip. Successfully landing on all four hooves with a dumbfounded expression on my face. Shaking my head from my stupor, I did a slow 180. Peering into the darkness of the alien spacecraft, with the civilized raider right beside me "So. . . what do we got?" I asked him with a tilt of my head. "A dog, a dumb blonde, and a stallion with 2 hunting rifles," he listed off with a straight face. "I could also go on, and on about how much you’re lacking," I snapped smacking his face with my tail, leaving a red mark on his cheek. He rubbed his abused cheek, while I went down into the hatch before he could retort. Or, hit me back. The inside was completely dark, well it would have been if I didn’t use my pip-fucks light, to see the interior of the small ship. The only room is. . . uh. . . I really don’t watch Si-Fi movies to know. . . you know because of the war pretty much fucked everything up. The sparking control panels lit up small parts of the ship. Lines of circuitry hung in front of the master control panel that was damaged during the crash. Well, that's what I assumed anyway. Seeing about five chairs in total. Two chairs facing the left wall with smaller control panels, and two chairs facing the right wall that had control panels as well. Except that one glass screen was still intact. And last there was what I would think would be the pilot’s seat, that was situated right in front of a giant windshield. Or would it be a space shield? The master control panel that was situated in front of the pilot’s chair or captain, was now a smoldering wreckage. "Interesting. . ." Out of nowhere 'like most of my life', I mused quietly to myself. Getting grabbed in a choke hold gaging in surprise, my eyes widening prompting me to buck wildly. The feeling of soft fingers wrapping around my throat sent shivers down my spine. Prompting me to flap my wings recklessly like a surprised bird, slapping my attacker with my wings who reluctantly let me go. Flying up once set free, only to slam my head into the ceiling knocking myself on the head. Making a wailing cry, like an old world war II plane that was going down. Crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. Groaning while I stayed down dazed, feeling warm liquid drip down my forehead. My vision was blurry disorientated from the bump to the head and my nasty fall. The savage raider carried me by the scruff with his mouth, tossing me out roughly. I rolled around like a rag doll. "What the fuck are you things!?" Someone that I couldn’t currently see cried out, firing out the hatch as the civilized raider dove out the way. But not fast enough, having his tail turned into a blue pile of goop. "My tail!" The raider exclaimed holding a hunting rifle oddly in his mouth firing back into the ship hearing a startled yelp in pain. Another blue concentrated haze of blue energy was sent flying through the air in his direction. Hitting him successfully on the face, turning him into a neat blue pile of goop. I looked around not really all there, still very much dazed, "Wha? What's happening?" I asked as little yellow birds appeared above my head circling around, as my eyes rolled around having trouble focusing on the trouble at hoof. "You little monsters can speak as well!?" The owner of the ship cried out from within. The crazy psychotic raider growled charging into the ship, letting out a feral cry for blood. "Hey get off! I heard from inside the ship, shaking my head stood back up on all four. I guess that was the killer pilot, who has killed one our captors and one of us murdering raiders. "I'm sorry alright!" He shouted while I heard the feral raider gagging being choked out. "Truce? Do you even know what that means!? Because, truce!" Shaking my head, now being able to see clearly. "What the buck? Doggie stop! It's a friend!" I called out to the savage pony not really knowing his name. Not taking a second thought I tackled the savage, hugging him tightly burying my face into his neck. Just in case he tried biting my face off. The bipedal humanoid figure cried out in pain, rolling on the floor touching it’s bloodied face. "Doggie are we good!? I'm sorry if I hurt you! But we can't bite everyone! Even if he killed most of us!" I spoke sternly as if scolding a child, nuzzling him trying to defuse any anger, if he had any. "Are you mad Face Eater?" I asked cautiously with a hint of nervousness in my voice. The bipedal creature stood on two legs. Slowly retrieved his gun pointing it towards the both of us while he sat on his ass leaning back against a white wall. He wore a white jumpsuit that was caked with red. So much, in fact, I might have mistaken it for Kool-Aid. He had the palest skin I had ever seen, having a clean-cut mane. But I knew for certain that it was hair, he wasn’t a pony after all. "Doggie?" he said dropping his gun at his side with a metallic clatter, his hand spasming at his side. "Why is Home still inhabited? I. . . I just can’t believe I’m actually here. . .” He spoke in heavy labored breaths, with his chest rising up and down wheezing softly. Taking me surprise how I didn’t notice it sooner. "This place really shouldn't be here any longer on the map." He spoke with a weak smile. I was only guessing that it was a “HE” because of the deep voice. . . well deep as in you know. . . amalesounding voice. "What the hell are you even doing here!? All life should be have been wiped out by now.” He stated pulling out a three-inch needle, from a white square box beside him. Stabbing himself in the leg with it, gritting his clean white teeth. Judging by his dental work, this boy was an omnivore. With his canine teeth and the flat once in the back, that I had observed when he relaxed opening his mouth back up, Gulping in heavy amounts of air. “Now. . . I think. . .” The human began relaxing with his back still pressed against the wall. We all sat in his ship awkwardly, while he let out a nasty cough. Some blood leaking out the corners of his mouth, with his face littered with bite marks that came from my “acquaintance”. Looking down to his stomach I could see his once white jumpsuit was soaked with blood. “What never seen blood before?” The bleeding bipedal creature asked me curiously. This was definitely not the first time I saw blood, as a matter of fact. “No, no, I’ve seen blood,” I said pointing over to the savage raider who was sitting beside me, who had a great amount of blood dripping off his cracked lips. The crazy just gave the bloodied figure a hostile glare. “It’s just that. . . I haven’t seen a human before. . . it's just tha-.” I was cut off when he cut in. Seeming to have found strength out of nowhere, he waved his hands frantically in front of himself. “Now just wait a minute! How do you know about humans!?” He blurted out now on his feet surprising me, prompting me to take a cautious move; now standing as well. The psycho raider beside me started growling back the creature, that I knew was human for sure. I raised a hoof at the human, waggling it in front of him. “Hey, I’m the one asking the questions here!” I shot aggressively at him shutting him up, even seeing him lose his strength at my hostile tone. He fell back down to the floor, landing on his ass; sitting down. Groaning in pain placing both hands on his stomach. Trying to nurse his open wound, that was mighty big, mind you. “And you look. . . FUCKED!” loudly blurting out with a wide smile that could even rival Pinkie Pie’s own smile, giggling like an idiot. “Human’s might not be naive, but we’re just as stupid!” Joking hoping that he would get it, but I just got a flabbergasted look from him. “Oh. . . right. . . anyways!” Chuckling trying to steer the conversation in a whole new direction. I plopped back down, sitting down on the metal floor. “I’m,” I pressed a hoof against my chest that swelled up with pride. “Radiant Shine!” I sat up straighter throwing my wings open, to show them in all their feathery white glory. Looking to be dirtied by the Wasteland. “The Pegasus “GOD” of all raiders!” I screamed out forcing both “savage” the raider and the human to cover their ears. (Let’s just call the crazy pony “Savage”) Savage whimpered like a dog, while the human gritted his teeth. They both worn pained expressions, only boosting my raider ego. I was in charge of this situation. “Was that really necessary!?” The human growled at me, but not as primal as Savage. After a minute of picking at his ear with a finger, he introduced himself, “I’m, Apollo the. . .” he paused. “The human. . . uh. . .” He stopped thinking rubbing his head his labored breathing going back to normal. “Engineer, because I fix stuff.” He said plainly making me “humph” in annoyance. I really wanted to learn more about my alien brethren, my eyes were as practically big as saucers. “S-s-so d-do you-u have any spare space blasters!?” I asked him getting in his face like a kid at a candy store. “Because I really want one!” I gushed plopping my rump down vibrating in front of him, it was hard to contain my excitement. The human gave me a stupefied look, he then grimaced uncomfortably saying: “Look I’d be more than happy to answer some questions, but currently. . . I. . . seem. . . to be dying. . .” He dragged his words, starting to slur. That snapped me out of my collecting induced mind. My face now turned into one of urgency, quickly checking the white square shaped box beside him. The lid was already broken off, rummaging through it was a piece of cake; or so I thought. Searching for anything that looked familiar, let’s be honest I’m not a doctor. All I know is to put pressure on a wound, and that should stop the bleeding kind of thing. For fuck's sake! I wasn’t even a *real* scientist! I was just a raider with a naive imaginative dream. There were needles in plastic baggies varying in sizes and names. Something caught my attention that I genuinely surprised to see, it was biofoam, but if you want to get technical its biomedical foam. Now you’re probably wondering how I “knew” what it was. Well, the writing was exactly the same as pony writing. This foam could save him for now until I got him a proper doctor. ‘Si-Fi, movies do save lives!’ Now only, assuming this was what I thought it was. . .’ how knows maybe biofoam meant cell destruction or something Aforementioned biofoam was stored in an oval-shaped air compressed metal canister, placing it on his lap. Thinking fast I reaching into my mane, digging around until feeling a handle that belonged to a kitchen knife. Pulling it out, getting to work cutting open his shirt. Currently, I did not have any scissors like some doctors, so this was the best I could do at the moment. ‘Now to examine the wound. . .’ biting my lip while I accessed the damage, it didn’t look too good. He had a large piece of metal sticking out of him, and if me and Savage were to pull it out. He would surely die. To keep him alive a bit longer, I injected the small nozzle against his disgusting wound. Pulling of the stainless steel ring pin, so that I could squeeze the trigger with my mouth. The canister looked like a miniature fire extinguisher, minus the red look. Replaced with its natural metallic color. His wound was so big in fact; that I had to use two biofoam canisters. Having him stabilized I looted the rest of the ship. Finding a couple of unscathed large backpacks, that glowed blue like a Bluetooth speaker. So I took a couple, looking like a couple of mattresses were stacked on top my back. Surprisingly enough the bags didn’t seem to weigh a thing. But, what really made me wet. . . was when I found his alien guns. . . I squeed with sparkling eyes snatching them up happily shoving them into my “new” bags, and a few in my mane. Loot hoarding everything from his ship, I didn’t want to come back here. Just as I was reaching for a bag of food with my mouth, in its strange white packaging; a feminine monotone voice spoke. “NO! T-t-this. Can’t. Happen-n-n-n-n!” She sounded like a broken record player. I turned to see a waveform moving in sync with the voice. “He’s s-s-su-uu- posed to die!” The computer growled angrily. I only blinked looking facing the small screen, trotting closer to get a better look. “Are you talking about the human?” I asked meekly not suspecting a voice to be speaking. Savage stood beside me growling at the small screen. The voice turned hostile towards me making me smile giddily. “YOU. FOOL. HE-E-E. . . T-T-TRADER!” I burst out laughing at its blunder saying “trader” instead of “traitor”. “I will kill you!” The voice screamed, the waveform waving crazily in scribbles. Smiling dumbly I pulled out a cord from my pip-buck, that I just loved to call it pip-fuck. “WHAT ARE YOU. NO!” The voice turned into hysterical screaming. My pip-fuck bleeped, looking down to the screen I read the text that now appeared: Download Complete. I smirked pulling the cord from out of the computer. Savage tilted his head confused, just like a dog when they didn’t understand something. Petting his head I giggled, “We have a new friend! Now carry that guy.” I said pointing a hoof towards the human who had his back against the wall unconscious. Chapter 5: There Ain't No GodMe and Savage laid down prone, behind a rusted sky carriage on the side of; the almost empty road. The human laid behind us dirtied, having been dragged by the legs. Which Savage held in his mouth. I looked down to my pip-fuck seeing; three green rectangular bars coming within range of my E.I. (enemy indicator) Again I had to physically look down to see it. Didn’t have the magical one, only having the technologically based one. ‘Who are they?’ I asked myself mentally, just then I heard the sound of a bell ringing loudly. My ears perked up with interest. Poking my head slightly out of cover to get a better look. What I saw was a traveling merchant, a brahmin, and a mercenary in porcupine metal armor. Smiling I got up making my way towards the merchant, only to have dirt spray in my face when something small struck the ground directly in front of my hooves. Prompting me to stop immediately in my tracks. “You, stay exactly where you are!” The pony in heavy metal armor shouted aggressively towards me. I like to call that armor “porcupine armor” because of the metal spikes and how it covers the whole body making it hard to move, for me anyway. Okay, now I felt like a complete idiot, 'getting stopped by a bucking mercenary! Seriously!?’ I mentally screamed embarrassed. Slowly clearing my throat I began to speak: “Now is that how you really treat your customers?” I asked innocently, putting on a helpless facade. But the mercenary didn’t back down narrowing his eyes at me, while his horn glowed levitating a caravan shotgun leveled in front of himself; pointing it in my direction. I gave the mercenary a smoldering look, “Well hello there.” I said turning my eyes over to the stallion beside him, which was the merchant. Who wore a straw hat with a piece of tobacco sticking out of his mouth. Wearing a roving trader outfit, with small bits of supplies attached to his clothes that hung loosely. Smiling sheepishly the merchant spoke embarrassed: " Good afternoon to you, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. . ." Turning his head to face his mercenary bodyguard glaring heatedly towards him. "Can you please stop scaring away my customers?" The merchant growled under his breath while the metal porcupine just shrugged his shoulder in response. Turning back to face me the merchant let out a nervous laugh, "Sorry about my friend here. . . he can't tell the difference between a pretty mare such as yourself." He flirted dumbly blushing his cheeks turning to a light shade of pink, his gaze lowered to meet the cracked concrete road. "And a raider. . ." He finished off lamely. I giggled at his "blindness" I was still very much a raider. "Now that's quite alright, it happens quite. . ." I paused thoughtfully remembering all the times I had been attacked, always being called out for being a raider. They weren't wrong of course, but it was always rather unpleasant. So, I continued my nonchalant tone: "often." In truth trouble always came to greet me, that just so happens when you make a deal with the devil. . . once you sell your soul, there is no going back. I was as empty as a metal tin can on the side of the road. I've had already disrespected God for selling my soul, I was too far off for salvation; I couldn't be saved. . . What I've done is unforgivable. It was like getting an unreplaceable gift, only to spit on the givers face. But in this case, I spit on *GODS* face. If I was thinking about God, did that make me religious? No. . . no. . . I just liked to see things from all angles. This way of thinking kept life interesting that way. "Ahem," the merchant cleared his throat politely effectively snapping me out of my thoughts. Extending his hoof out of me as he continued: "I'm Peddler and this is-" He pointed towards the pony that looked like he was cosplaying for a metal porcupine of sorts, but before he could finish speaking; said porcupine cut in. "Ironshod." The mercenary said simply shutting up right after introducing himself as such. Nodding his head the merchant continued. Instead of shaking his hoof formerly, I hoof bumped his instead. With an exasperated expression, the merchant nodded his head with a confused crooked smile. "Uh. . . yeah. . . anyways. . . you wanted to trade right?" Peddler asked cheekily quickly accepting my greeting. Silently I blinked dumbfounded at his reaction. Turning my head back to look over my shoulder to see the bags on my back. They weighted absolutely nothing! I couldn't even feel them on my back, kinda forgot about my luggage to be honest. Nodding I gave Peddler the go-ahead, trading my leather barding and my now dead captors belongings, and some scrap electronics from the alien spacecraft, also I didn't have the heart to sell the alien weapons. I did all that while Peddler traded me medical supplies; mainly for wounded Apollo. Which were mainly blue colored potions. When asked Peddler assured me that they would work to help heal wounds, but does not move tissue or broken bones into proper place and sadly doesn't restore lost limbs. This was the first time I'd ever seen a real potion before. Which intrigued me. When we were done concluding business, but Peddler didn't want to depart just yet. "So where are you headed. . . ?" He asked bursting out with a cringy nervous laugh. "SORRY FOR ASKING! B-but WHY did you sell you armor?" He asked being a nosy pony. To tell you the truth, I only sold my quote on quote "armor" was to not look like a raider. Besides. . . it was a piece of shit anyway. . . Shyly looking down changing my approach to one of innocents. "I was actually hoping you would let me, and my friends tag along with you," I began drawing imaginary circles on the cracked road. He was about to answer blushing darkly, but he was to cut off by Ironshod, but. . . *mental laugh* I beat him to the punch. "If. . ." bowing my head down low I continued slowly turning away. "If you don't want to. . . I understand." I finished in a hushed whisper, being dramatic as I possibly could. Lifting a hoof about to begin walking away. Then the cliche happened. . . "Wait!" Peddler called out to me, and so I responded as such. Having my hoof still raised, looking over my shoulder towards him with a surprised look. In heart, I was just baiting the naive stallion. "Y-you can come!" He blurted out with his cheeks burning crimson red later amending: "And your friends can come as well!" Shyly nodding my head innocently as a small smile slowly formed on my muzzle. "Thank you, Peddler! I'll go get my friends!" I chimed enthusiastically instantly losing my shy innocent tone running off back towards my two companions. [Apollo POV] Breathing. . . all I could hear and feel, was myself breathing. Opening my eyes all I could see was. . . well, the only description I could come up with was a light blue sky above me. There was a very bright light up in the sky that was, so bright in fact that it was blinding me. Now looking down to avert my eyes from the painful lights. Only to see my feet seeing how I was standing on a murky purple plane like water, standing directly above a pitch black circle. The light above kinda reminded me of the sun, but the darkness below just raised a whole 'nother question. Especially the emptiness of the ambient noise, it was calming yet unnerving at the same time. I didn't know how to describe it. This was a lot to take in, especially after crash landing on planet "home". Also wasn't I supposed to be bleeding?" Looking down to examen my fresh wound, but was instead surprised to find my casual jumpsuit unscathed in all its white glory. Even touching my stomach pushing it in with the soft palm of my hand. Making sure that all of my guts stayed inside. Looking around again I wonder: 'Shouldn't there have been two furry life forms?' While I was deep in thought, I got the feeling of something or someone watching me. Slowly creeping into the back of my mind making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Mindfully observing my surroundings trying to look interested to not draw any unwanted attention. I didn't want my "observer" to know that I was being watched I had to play dumb. If I was being watched anyway. . . there was a small chance that I was just being paranoid, but I wasn't going to take that chance. The human primal mind was probably acting up again, 'stupid primal mind, there aren't any predators here to eat me. I'm on top of the food chain now.' During my mental musing, all the ambient sound had stopped abruptly, like if a knife had cut through it. The background noise was all but replaced with the sound pitch ringing sound. The sound was so annoying and unsettling at the same time that I had to cover my ears with the palms of my hands. Trying to block out the noise or at least muffle the god awful thing. Though my attempts were all in vain. In my failure, I started to take notice that the light above was substantially dimming drastically. Looking up to confirm that the sun was indeed dimming in brightness, it looked to be moving farther away now that I think about it. Gasping in wonder "What the. . ." I stated in shock still playing dumb but was actually genuinely curious about my current situation. Until I felt a cold hand grab a hold onto my shoulder. Eyes widening in shock jolting awake. Now that I had awoken, I could now see the white-coated blonde pony from before. Strangely enough, her hoof was cool to the touch. She wore a calm relived expression that looked pretty genuine to me. [Radiant Shine's POV] 'Yes, he's alive!' In my head I was jumping up and down skipping around in joy. 'Now to steal all his secrets! This is just going to be so fun! Then I can waste this loser!' [Apollo POV] "Radiant Shine, was it?" I asked the winged pony for clarification. Checking my facts so, that said facts could stay true; keeping their credibility. My facts were going to be my biggest asset here because I'm pretty sure I'm not welcome back up. The blonde pony known as Radiant Shine nodded her head meekly. Accompanied by a small cute smile that set me at ease. Then again she could be a monster trying to eat me. 'What was she again? A pega. . . peazeus? No, that can't be right. . . a pegasus. . . yeah, that's it! A pegasus!' "You're a pegasus right?" Asking is what I do knowledge is power after all. Radiant nodded her head giggling lightly confirming my question. "Why do you ask?" She questioned me back, acting all coy playing with her mane. Okay, right now red lights were flashing everywhere in my mind right now. 'Did this pony think I was hitting on her? Oh, boy.' My brain started to go into panic mode hurridly checking out my new surroundings. Discovering that I was in a tightly compact room, that currently consisted of me, Radiant Shine, and Savage. Yeah, Savage just sat at the corner of the room glaring at me sternly. There wasn't a single way out of this room beside the wooden door that he was currently guarding. The wood weirdly enough excited me to see. Never did I ever see wood in person before, it was always usually only seen in holographic projection. Actually, now that I notice it. . . the floorboards are wood as well! [Radiant Shine POV] 'Huh. . . my seduction isn't working. . . probably came on too weak.' So I just nuzzled the silent human, 'I need to up my game if I want more information on Apollo here!' After I was done mentally battle crying, I climbed up onto the bed plopping my rump right on his lap. Sending a jolt of pleasure up my spine 'Yup that's the stuff.' I sighed feeling a slight bulge beneath me in just the right spot. Seeing Apollo's face change into a panicking red tomato was hilarious, and well worth it. So, I continued to go further placing both forehooves ontop his flat chest, Giving him a sultry look as I gazed down into his hazel colored eyes. Swishing my tail side to side behind me, leaning in so close to his face, that our faces were practically an inch apart. "R-R-Radiant! What d-do you think you're doing!?" Apollo sputtered out in shock. "God help me!" screaming defensively flicking me off him like if I was an annoying radroach. Crashing through the wall that had me tear through like paper. But, that's how it looked. In my point of view, it hurt like hell. After breaking through the wall. I had left an outline that was my character, I came crashing down onto a table with a crunch. Spilling liquor and cards all over myself. Now only hoping that I wasn't the one that had made the crunching sound. Opening my eyes I saw a large gruff looking stallion standing above me, glaring down towards me. Shaking with rage, steam was practically shooting out of his ears. Laying on my back I smiled sheepishly up at the stallion above me. "You're dead, little shit!" The stallion growled with a deep scratchy voice. My face turned into one of confusion. 'Wait did the human just say God?' The word "God" echoing through my head. My mind went into an intense firey fury. Prompting me to jump up onto my hooves at such unrealistic speeds. Scaring the gruff stallion, by grabbing him by the throat; with my soft hooves roughly. The irony. Effectively taking him by surprise I sneered in his face, "Stay out of this bub." Suddenly, a cold wind blew through the bar like death himself, had come to visit. The twin double tavern doors blew open banging against the interior walls. My cold tone froze the stallion in place, stopping his hot temper in its tracks. Letting him go my head snapped over were I had made my unexpected dramatic entrance. Seeing Apollo standing looking through the destroyed wall. That currently had my character imprint, something you normally saw in cartoons. He looked spooked even Savage was looking towards me oddly sporting a raised brow. "Did you say, God!?" I screamed silencing the whole bar. [Apollo POV] I had officially fucked up, and now my anxiety was rising at an alarming rate. I just had to throw that damn mare through a wall! Now she was calling me out, for saying "God" especially in front of all the other alien life forms. The scariest part was her eyes. . . those eyes. . . looking straight into her eyes just felt so wrong. I really don't know how to explain it. It just felt so. . . unnatural. . . that's the only way I could possibly explain it. Meaning that it was the only thing that came to mind right now. That's all I'm going to say, especially by the way she got up grabbing that stallion by the throat was freaky. Now that it was my time to respond I opened my mouth saying in a low shaky voice: "Uh. . . maybe. . ." 'Oh fuck you mouth.' Instead of getting upset over my answer, like how I had expected. She had a sinister smile grow onto her features instead. "Oh is that right?" Radiant slowly turned away from me completely, making her way through the entire bar. Heading for the small wooden stage, at the opposite wall of the newly acquired hole in the wall. All the occupants of the bar watched her go, eyeing the pegasus mare intently. Even the band on the stage watched her stroll towards them. [3rd Person POV] With a light flap of her wings, Radiant got up onto the stage beside the awestruck band. While that was all happening Apollo the human, and Savage the pony exited their room. Making their way into the bar area both curiously wondering what Radiant would do next. That mare was a wild card, they both didn't know much about her to go off by. The band of three on the stage watched her intently. One was holding a guitar, another was standing behind a microphone, and the last one was a unicorn holding her trumpet in her magic. Radiant smiled at the pony with the guitar kissing him forcibly on the lips. Standing up onto her hind legs leaning into a stool the pony was sitting on for support. The bright yellow earth pony stallion fell out his stool with a stupid smile on his face. Quickly snatching up the falling guitar with lightning-fast reflexes, grabbing it before it could even touch the ground. Now sitting on the stool with her newly acquired guitar, she began to start tuning the guitar. Which had its strings disheveled jutting out messily at the end of the headstock. While she did so she asked a question pointing a hoof directly towards Apollo. "Who's your god, human?" She asked him strumming random notes on the guitar still tuning the guitar. Everyone turned their head to now face Apollo, most stared in shock and most were in awe. All hostility seemed to just seep out of every individual making every neural and non-hostile towards anyone present. Which was an oddity here in the Wasteland. The thought of having a bar full of wastelanders that weren't offended at every little thing was driving Savage mad. In his own right, he was still very sane. His instincts were going all over the place, trying his hardest to shut out the voices in his head. So, he just fell on his face laying down on the floor not paying anyone mind anymore. Apollo looked around the room embarrassed to see everyone watching him intently. "Well. . . my god's name is. . . well. . . God. . ." The human stated sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. Everyone in the bar burst out into a choir of laughter. The noise that they were creating was so high in fact, that he had to cover his ears from bursting. To silence them all Radiant Shine held up a dirtied white hoof, shutting everyone in the bar up. Why did they listen to her? And if so where was this power coming from? Curiously Radiant then asked: "What does your 'God' do?" She asked mockingly with a sicking smile that just felt wrong looking at it. Her pure white teeth beamed adding a pure color to the entire dirty bar. "And who is he? Hmm. . . ?" She was mocking Apollo for bringing up his 'God', but why? Looking down the human whose name was Apollo opened and closed his mouth. Unsure how to proceed he decided to say what he knew off the top of his head. "God. . . let's see. . . he's a being that loves all living beings. . ." In truth Apollo didn't know much himself, he was never one for ancient religion. It was all outdated and who knows who could have changed its words, and meanings, altering and corrupting the 'Bible' over time. He certainly didn't want to read a book full of lies, and even now the book was now considered to be a work of nonsense fiction. Continuing to watch him like hungry hawks, making the human feel more, and more out of place. The uncomfortable feeling that crept up in the back of his mind was unbearable now. "And. . . he never sins. . . ever-" Growling angrily Radiant started stomping her legs on stage. Her posture was now seething in anger, "Don't tell me none of that, BULL. SHIT!" She snapped loudly now getting the attention of all the patrons, something that she wanted or had to do. . . forced to do. . . "GOD!? HA!!! THAT 'GOD' IS NOTHING BUT A LIAR AND A DECEIVER! HE'S A TRYANT YOU HEAR!" She screamed loudly that even the whole town could hear her. Apollo was taken aback not expecting an outburst like this. The patrons watched like mindless drones with blank emotionless expressions. "SUPPOSEDLY THE ONLY WAY TO GO THAT ACURSED HEAVEN! IS TO WORSHIP HIM!!! AND IF YOU don't. . ." She muttered quietly more to herself than anyone else. "HE WON'T GIVE A DAMN ONCE HE SENDS YOU TO HELL!" Radiant ranted huffing and puffing looking like she was hyperventilating, but she still pressed on. Sounding to be out of breath: "If. . . *wheeze* that's. . . *wheeze* not a tyrant. . . *wheeze* then I don't know what is. . ." Finally finishing Apollo was astonished if not a bit tad confused. 'Where they talking about the same "God"? Many things seemed to connect the same. . . how did she know about heaven and hell? Were they talking about the same God?' If so. . . that was a scary thought. One thing was for sure. . . this mare was insane. "Th-hat. . . just can't possibly be true. He doesn't want anyone of us to go to hell, he loves us al-" Holding up a dirty hoof the dirty wasteland pony shut Apollo up, without saying a word. Apollo tried to rebel in God's name because he knew God would not defend himself against this mare's verbal abuse. Desperately trying to open his mouth, but remained closed. Like if his lips were glued together. Scoffing to the side Radiant held the guitar close to her dirty grime decorated barrel, about to perform. Now taking on a rather odd calm demeanor she addressed the whole crowd, which was everyone who was currently inside the bar: "Welcome friends, are you ready to bask in the glory that is the all mighty God? Because I know I am, so let's hear a little song shall we?" She first started with a catchy tune. The whole bar was practically rocking with the beat. Apollo found the alien culture odd. Heel even he was moving with the beat, but he felt two icy cold hands taking hold of him by his shoulders. Looking back over his shoulder surprised to find no one taking hold of him. But, the presence of something having a firm hold of him was still very present. Moving him like a puppet in beat with the tune Radiant was playing. Everyone light bulb in the whole bar shut off, shrouding everpony and one human in complete darkness. Until a spotlight switched on showering Radiant with light. Her dirty white coat was now cleaned? And was reflecting the lights, light back at the patrons. Her blonde mane and coat were spotless of any dirt whatsoever. How did she get clean so fast? She was "radiating" with light. Continuing to strum the guitar she opened her mouth beginning to sing: "Some songs are happy~ And some songs are sad~ Some songs are really well rehearsed. And other songs are bad~" She then got up off the stool standing on her both hind legs, which was an odd sight to see a pony do. Pacing in front of the stage singing to the crowd. "And some songs are angry~ And some songs are sweet~ Some songs are made to help you wake up in the morning~ Well here's a little song to help you go back to sleep. . ." She then began to strum her guitar that was quietly getting louder and deeper in sound. "There isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heaven's just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong." The ponies got out of their seats now al turning on him shoving him over to the stage area. Stumbling, tripping over his feet he made it to the stage seeing Radiant play up close. "And then I close my eyes and just remember this song." Standing at the center of the stage she looked down towards Apollo, springing out her wings wide open making him feel small. "I said there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heaven is just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares. And in the end, we're living all alone. . ." Apollo felt a wave of sadness and grief wash over him, as well as the rest of the patrons. The music Radiant was creating was fueling negative emotions. Her strumming slowed in tempo continuing her song: "If I could live forever~ I'd do it if I could. . ." Walking backward similar to how a human would do it. The way she did it just looked so. . . unnatural. . . "Leave it all behind everything that I've done. It's just as bad as if it's never begun. And if I was a believer~ And lord knows that I've tried." Hanging her head solemnly staring down. . . down. . . down. . . "I could go to heaven on the day that I die. And I can be at peace when I close my eyes~" She slowed down her strumming but then for her chorus she started to pick the beat back up. "But-" She jumped onto a table that was closest to the stage landing on the table with her two hind legs. While she held the guitar in both forehooves using magic to manipulate the object making it easier to manage. But this magic wasn't her's. . . She danced on the table top still performing: "-there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead. And heavens just uh fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong." But then I close my eyes and just remember this song~" Radiant hopped around each table top spilling alcohol, cards, caps, and even ammunition. The crowd crazily enough started to sing along with her driving Apollo mad. Hell even he began to sing along, but he felt like someone was forcing him too. He tried to lift his hand to cover his mouth he didn't want to disrespect God, but the cold presence was still using him for whatever reason that was unknown to him. Wishing that he would have stayed up aboard the ship tinkering around instead of this torture. "I said there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares~" The shining Pegasus stood ontop a table on her hind legs with her wings outstretched. "And in the end, we're living all alone." Retracting her wings back to her sides, she turned away from the whole crowd. Then all the lights shut off shrowding them all again in complete utter darkness. The spotlights snapped on illuminating Radiant on the stage again, taking everyone by surprise. "Love. Don't. Matter. Cause you die in the end." In between every pause, a light above a table would turn on and off. As Radiant would appear on a new table whenever the light was on, being right under its shining light. It was all in sync with her and the music. "And, money don't matter because you die in the end. And life doesn't matter because you die in the end." She flapped her wings taking flight in the bar, just as all the lights snapped back on. "It's really never over, no it's really never over~" The whole crowd sang along with her. How couldn't they when it was so catchy? "There isn't any God, and when you die you're just dead~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed. Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong. And then I close my eyes and just remember this song. I said there isn't any God and when yeah die you're just dead ~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares~" Now landing on the bar top she laid on her side still playing the guitar. "And in the end, we're living all alone. . ." Finishing her song she let the last note drift off into the air. "Sweet dreams everpony." Just as she said that everypony collapsed unconscious even the bartender did slamming down a glass of wine right before falling on her face as well. The only ones that were unaffected were the trio. Radiant, Apollo, and Savage. Though Savage was banging his head against the wooden floorboards repeatedly. [Radiant Shine POV] Taking a slow dramatic sip from my wine glass, Apollo asks shakily: "What. . . what t-that all about?" In truth who knew? An odd sight indeed even for the Wasteland. What was all that singing and dancing anyway? "I-I-I haven't s-seen anything like that in my life!" Rolling my eyes clearly presenting my annoyance, stretching my neck from right to left. Having my joints create a popping sound releasing the liquid bubbles into gas. . . okay, okay I won't get all sciencey. . . It was very~ satisfying, and some ponys say it can be bad for your health! The nerve some ponys! "Hmm. . . oh me neither." Yawning uncaringly I took another sip from my glass, tossing my mane dramatically fixing it. Now my mane looked clean, and perfect after my performance. The magic of music, or whatever the hell it was called. [Third Person POV] It just clawed at the back of Apollo's mind to no end. How could she look so clean when she was covered with filth earlier? Even when he woke up and she was on top of him, she looked dirty, even after Apollo threw her through a wall! This mare just didn't seem to make any sense. Or maybe these "aliens" were beyond his human comprehension. [Radiant Shine POV] 'I can't believe that happened again. . . need to keep my composure in check. Stupid, stupid, stupid.' Starting to mentally beat myself up for losing control of myself to the music. It wasn't uncommon for me to blame myself, it was quite common. Always blaming yours truly for the dumb, of the dumb, mistakes. 'The ambient magic in the air was enough to control everypony else in "this" bar. Stupid Equestrian ambient song magic; in truth, even I didn't know what it was called exactly, or what it did completely. But what I did know was that before the war; it was a common occurrence. When all peop-creatures. . . would come together and sing as the magic in the air got ahold of them. In the end as far as I know; when the song they all sang and danced to end. They would soon forget that the event even took place. Except for me. . . I. . . I remembered what happened as clear as day. Though every time I would absorb ambient magic int the air, like most natural magical creatures. My brain would go batshit crazy! Like if I was a druggie high on magic. Which actually made sense thinking about it. My mind, body, and magic are only fit for a pegasus. Not a unicorn, or even an earth pony. The different natures in magic were overworking my body. I was using magic like a stimulating drug. Now that I think about it. . . if I were to stop using unicorn magic. My flow of magic might cease altogether. Then I wouldn't be able to use magic to fly. Worse case scenario, I die. And. . . if I were to stop drinking earth pony blood, I would suffer the withdrawal symptoms of fatigue. Possibly even cramps if I wasn't careful. *Shiver* Even though I could still live without the delicious earth pony blood. . . it would be tough to resist the urge to drink the earth ponys nutritious blood! In fact, THE BLOOD WAS EVEN MORE NUTRITIOUS THAN A STALLION'S NUT! You know, I'm something of a scientist myself. Besides the blood of one of those worthless dirt ponys makes you youthful, and stronger too! You hardly register the negative side effects! Life is so. . . much better with magic. I could say that for a fact. Besides, *phft* who needs a family? One of the major flaws when using the ambient magic in the air was, that every time I used it. My oldest of memories would begin to fade out of existence. I'm not quite sure on what would happen if someone activated the music like I had done; and if I were to get caught in the magic? Soon I would have to test that theory out when I got the chance. Besides who knew if someone else sang, then by the end of the song, would I have my memory wiped out by ponys in black suits? This phenomenon has driven me nearly mad in the past, but I soon came to accept my fate. Maybe this phenomenon was caused by the magical nature being confused? The ambient magic in the air was song magic? Or maybe the music was confusing me for an alicorn? That was very possible. . . possibility. But, in the end, would it even matter? That was a question I had asked myself a lot, so much in fact; that it got old quick. And don't get me started on my memories. Now that was a travesty! In more ways than one, I'm actually kind of grateful for my smudged memories. I never liked to reflect on my past actions, I would just jump from place to place, adventure to adventure. Because whenever I would sit down and lay back; to reflect on my childhood and past actions. Everything would come back as a blur. . . but the suffering. . . the suffering lingered. . . it felt like if you were stabbed but you weren't at the same time. I could feel the phantom pains that weren't real. . . or were once real. Not being able to pinpoint the pain at all. It wasn't fun to deal with something you couldn't see. My memories would all come back with missing chunks of conversations, details, shapes, faces. . . even my childhood was black and white. I couldn't remember a damn thing from way back then. But, what I did remember was how I got my name. Even my learning my skills was quite the blurry ride. Keywords would bring clouded memories flooding back in. The only thing I remembered was that dragon, or thee dragons. I wasn't very fond of that species of creatures. One dragon taught me how to shoot a gun with my hooves, but that was without magic. I hate dragons. Was that seventeen years ago? I'm not quite sure, to be honest. . . if I am honest anyway. Though I highly doubt that I am. Who. . . who am I? Who was I? To you? [Apollo POV] That crazy mare was staring straight down at the floor, whatever she was thinking about; was probably too far away for me to grasp. One thing was certain. I'm definitely not going to be bringing up "God" anytime soon. . . it hurts because I want to see if we are talking about the same one! She seemed so confident that we were! Though. . . it could have been a HUGE misunderstanding. This mare was so scary when she was fired up! Especially because of what I did. . .throwing her through a wall. That probably wasn't one of the best decisions I've made before. Hell, I would be mad too if someone threw me through a wall as well. Taking a seat on a stool right beside the mare Radiant, that was currently resting on the counter. She made music like us humans. Then she shouldn't be that bad, right? Okay, her lyrics and her tone did beat on the religion I know, but who am I to step on, her opinion? I'm a pretty fair guy. Everyone is equal in my book. "Who. . . who am I? Who was I. . . ? To you?" Radiant spoke in a soft quiet voice that was barely above a whisper. She whispered so low in fact that I had thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Looking at her, I could only see her stone cold emotionless expression. The questions were so sudden and out of the blue, that I hardly had enough time to prepare myself. Sputtering out nonsense. A few seconds later abruptly stopping, then clearing my throat, succeeding in scaring the life out of Radiant. Savage rushed over to Radiant's aid hopping onto the counter standing above her protectively. Barking towards me with a piercing gaze! His eyes full of malice and unforgiveness. I just couldn't do anything right. Savage was like her personal guard dog of sorts. He was always watching out for her. Even chewing my face earlier. . . 'I still don't forgive you for that!' [Radiant Shine POV] Breathing heavily I instinctively dove behind the bar countertop, to use as cover. The only noise to be heard was a feral dog barking. My head began the swim from the loud sounds. My good pony hearing would heal with the use of magic. Making my ears healthy able to pick up the smallest of sounds. The only downside was that my ears were always. . . to good! Making my twin ears very sensitive to noises. "Shut up, you stupid mutt!" I screamed out at the top of my lungs with my hooves pressed down tightly against my ears. Desperately trying to block the sound out. Just so suddenly the loud obnoxious barking ceased. Regaining my composure I removed my hooves from my head and looked up. Standing up on the countertop was Savage and Apollo the human was sitting stunned on a stool. Seeing that I was okay, Savage gave me his signature glare that must have been copyrighted. I had never seen a glare exactly like his before. Then again. . . my memory wasn't something that was reliable anyways. Instinctively backing down from the menacing Savage, I pinned my ears back against my head. I didn't want my face to be torn off, that wouldn't be any fun at all! And don't get me started on how painful it would be. So I did the next best thing; giving him a barrage of apologies. Hoping that he wasn't insane enough to not understand. After the one-hundredth one, I got a hard smack to the face and a grunt from Savage in response. 'He. . . h-he. . . he smacked me. . ." I really couldn't have believed it. Shouldn't I have seen it coming? Did I actually trust this degenerate? We bearly even knew each other for more than a day or two at most. Why am I so stupid? My face hurt a lot. The force was enough to knock me off my hooves! Laying on my side on the rotten wooden floor. Several tears leaked from my eyes. Not wanting to show my fresh tears to my newly acquired aquatints, I hid my face with my hooves. I didn't like how I acted so weak and pathetic. . . but what could I do? I'm completely drained. I'm nothing special without magic. With it. . . I'm ruler. . . without it, I'm. . . nothing. . . I was never anything special. No one ever cared for me. Everyone I had ever loved, has since turned there back on me. Love. . . love is a lie. So why should I care about anypony else? It's not like it would matter in the end. In this world cursed with conflict. There will never get happiness. Not like I cared. . . Bringing pain on others gives me a current satisfaction that only lasts for merely a moment at most. A moment of solitude for me. A moment of confusion. A moment of peace. . . Moving is always better than staying in one place. Getting comfortable with a place is bad. Growing that attached would only hurt you when you'd soon have to leave it. So, move from place to place as fast as you can. No time to think, to time for rest, no time for friends, no time for breath. Sticking to my ideology stuttering out: "C-come on! W-w-we got t-t-to get out of here," I hopped up onto the counter that while Apollo stood up to get going towering over me and the bar. While I continued to hide my face in the crook of my foreleg. Rubbing my tears into the crook as I did so. I didn't like to be weak, I'd be calling myself a god. . . but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I know better now. . . even though I continued to spew this nonsense upon others. A foal's fantasies, nothing more. Soon my band of misfit raiders (a human and crazy pony) maid it outside, exiting the bar behind us. What Apollo and Savage puzzled them both greatly. But then again Savage is an idiot, and most likely didn't understand jack shit anyway. It probably shouldn't have come out as a shock to see the whole town doing its daily business as per usual. Apollo presumably expected the town to be unconscious as well, just like the rest of the occupants of the bar. We were in the town named. . . drum roll, please. . . ! Hoofenburg! Like boi! What kind of name was that!? One of the cringest names I've ever heard before. Though alarm bells in my head were ringing telling me that this place's name was familiar in my data banks/brain. Well, that's what I thought this town was called anyway. And supposedly this place used to be a city before the annihilation, though what the hell do I know? That merchant told me some history that I mostly tuned out, however, I was smart enough to retain some precious information. Supposedly the "Steel Ranger" roamed around these parts. They were the ponies who hoarded technology for themselves. Wearing the pre-war power armor. These "Steel Rangers" actually reminded me of the "Brotherhood of Steel", yet sometimes I would insult them calling them the "Brotherhooves of Steal"! GET IT!? BECAUSE WE'RE PONIES!? AND THEY STEAL TECHNOLOGY FROM OTHERS! Anyways~ They bullied the populace threatening to destroy Hoofenburg; if the citizens did not comply to hand over the two Gatling Lasers the town militia held in the armory. Dick move the "Steel Rangers" part, I know. Then there was a radical group called the "Aura Gangers" who were also bullies but used spells to fight. Where were all these silly names coming from? Who bucking knows. . . these ponies or so I heard. Used magic spells if they were unicorns, however, if they were of a different race of the pony tribes. They would use potions that they would either drink or throw at their enemies. These ponies kinda sounded like me. . . maybe I could rule after all. . . ? The broke out of a bunker under one of some "Ministry of Arcane Magic" building. The first time I heard "Ministry" I swear I thought of "Mistress" I was horny at the time. Yeah so that arcane magic ministry building or whatever, was some sort of building loaded with raw elements. Especially magical ones. That was a place I definitely wanted to go! I must know all the magics! Then there was the "Grand Pegasus Enclave" that I heard about over the radio. That me and that merchant guy who's name I've already forgotten listened too. Spewing out propaganda that just made my chest swell with pride. President Snow Mare's words gave me an unnatural moral boost. The only quote that made me feel light hearted was when she would end her speech saying. "Reflect on all that I've had said Equestria~ And Equestria shall live again." Her voice was just laced with charisma. My charisma compared to hers, I was a complete joke. But the thought of having a whole group of pegasus just like me. . . it just. . . I don't know. . . it just made me feel special. That I wasn't alone. . . So far in the Wasteland, the most common wastelanders were dirt ponys, unicorns, griffons, and dragons. Every other specious seen was a rare sight. I felt extremely lonely when I don't see at least another pegasus around. My moral falls and loneliness just consumes my thoughts. My group got a lot of attention, from curious stares and glances to ponys pointing in our general direction. Most of the attention was directed to Apollo. Then it went to Savage who growled at the foals who got to close scaring the children away back to their parents. . . if they still had any, anyway. Then lastly their attention was directed towards me. My pegasus nature and my dashing good looks. Subconsciously playing with my well-kept mane. It could also be said because I looked practically 100% clean. These ponies were very interested in my alien-human companion. 'But I found him first so buck off!' Apollo was amazed by the attention even starting to sweat bullets. The precipitation growing ever so clearer on his forehead. He was scared shitless! I'm pretty sure we all have that one moment in our life, were we just freeze up and become motionless. But to help uh "brother out", I grabbed Apollo by the hand leading him through the busy streets of Hoofenburg. His hand was in my mouth mind you. After gaining a fair bit of distance from the bar I lead Apollo into a random brick building. Hopping through the door with great force with Savage diving in from behind, crashing into a shelf of foal squeaky toys. Then the metallic door slammed closed, making my ears ringing with such intensity I just buried my face into the floor. Why did my magic always fix my stupid hearing? Oh, right. . . so no pony could ever sneak up on me. . . what a load of horse apples! Apollo leaned back into an empty wall that wasn't occupied by any merchandise. He then slid down the wall getting into a sitting position. Covering his red face with his hands muttering to himself: "Why didn't I have just stayed put?" Savage and I watched him with varying expressions. I wore a curious expression wondering what he would say next, inching ever so closer. While Savage in the other han-er. . . hoof, was surrounded by squeaky toys he even had one stuffed in his mouth. Crashing it with his jaws eliciting a squeaking sound every time he bit down. Maybe he was just retarded? And if I heard your feelings. You can just pretend I called Savage "Special, or not mentally there, or a disabled zombie, the lost chromosome DNA bender. Then that moment when you realize your jokes aren't even funny at all. But sadly Apollo did not continue losing interest, I got up now exploring my new surroundings. Giving Apollo and Savage their "needed" alone time. While I examined my surroundings I began to take notice that I was in fact; inside a store and not someponys house. There were times where I would randomly walk into other ponys homes by accident. . . but that didn't stop me from looting the damn place. This store was surprisingly empty, there was no sign of anyone besdies my two acquaintances. Being the mare I "was" I browsed through the section of the store that had all the clothes and armor, the thing that smart people would call "apparel". All of the armors were folded up into squares neatly, all stored in a wardrobe. While all the regular clothes like business suits, dresses, kinky lingerie, most were hanging onto hangers. Only some and very few were also folded into squares. Sliding the hangers to the side curious on what the next unique fashion design I would find, even if it was total Savage shit. Except for this time I got the luxury of getting spooked by a mare, "Hallo Dame." I screamed in fright jumping back like a frightened kitten. My coat and tail were sticking straight up into the air. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" My skin was littered with goosebumps. Confused the mare that scared me tried again, "Hello lady?" The mare tilted her head confused by my outburst. "Dit I say it wrong? I'm sorry if I be mean. . . not my intention! Honesht!" Her ears pinned back with regret, her face now showing shame. Heavily breathing with eyes wide open, "D-d-don't do t-that-t!" I sputtered out still pretty shaken up by her sudden jump scare. As if on cue Savage came rushing to my aid. Yeah, I didn't like him very much that he smacked me earlier. I was going to get that fucker back for THAT!!! Savage was growling aggressively at the unicorn mare that stood before us. Though he did look less aggressive with a bright colored squeaky toy in his mouth. She had a white coat just like me, and a blond mane and tail, also very much like me! The only difference being that I was a pegasus and she was a unicorn. This bitch was stealing my flair! And she also looked about to burst out crying? "I'm so sorry! Forgifeness!-" The blond unicorn bowed her head regretfully. "-Forgifeness!" Squeaking out the last part, now falling to her knees she wailed loudly. Her tears were rolling down both her cheeks like mini rivers. So loud and annoying, she forced me to pin my own ears back and cover them with both of my forehooves. Savage's eyes went wild whilst he too howled in pain grabbing the sides of his head rolling around on the floor. Apollo just stayed put in his position on the floor, watching the random scene unfold before his very eyes. "Okay-okay! We get it! It's alright whatever crybab-!" The unicorn then threw herself at me clinging onto me tighter than a Boa constrictor. "Zank you, for forgifeness!" The mare squealed hugging me tightly squeezing all the air out my lungs. "Von't let zat happen again, honesht!" She spoke with an accent. Unable to respond verbally, Having my lungs recently deprived of air, I just nodded my head quite urgently. "Goot!" She squealed enthusiastically letting me go smiling with a not so wasteland look too her teeth. Noticing that this in my desperate attempts to breathe. Keeping the information to myself. Breathing heavily I let out a weak: "Uh-huh." Didn't like to be strangled very much, wasn't into none of that kinky shit. "Again. . . d-don't mention it. . ." I spoke softly in a submissive tone. 'That should keep her away for awhile.' If I were to fight in this situation, the odds would not be in my favor. In a sense, I needed to "feed" you know like "fuel". Not like that monkey and that stupid mutt would care anyway. Here in the Wasteland, we are all here for ourselves, that is just the cold all knowing truth. Love is just an illusion, everyone tends to backstab you in the end. And one last thing I should add. . . there is no such thing as forgiveness. Smiling innocently the unicorn waved a hoof around nonchalantly in my face, "Gotcha no hugs again! Anyways back to zee main topik. . . voult you like to buy somesink?" She asked now wearing a serious expression on her face. "I might hafe somesink you are looking for." A strong confident smile then graced her muzzle. Grateful for the sudden change of topic I played along, "I highly doubt you have something I personally want." Scoffing flicking my mane dramatically. Now trying to establish my dominance over the other mare. Though sometimes it made me come off as a drama queen. The unicorn didn't waver in the slightest, still holding up strong. "Are you sure about zat? Hov coult you knov, ven you nefer exploret zis schop before?" The unicorn countered my argument. At the moment I didn't care in losing this irrelevant argument. Sighing in defeat, "Alright. . . I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." Agreeing was always better than arguing. Because when you have to argue, you'd have to bring up a valid point while backing up said point at the same time. Her color scheme bothered me. . . I couldn't get it out of my head. . . was I jealous? Most likely. "Zat is excellent nevs! So! Vat voult you like to get firsht?" She asked me excitedly, filling my head with disdain. "Anythink you lookink for in partikular?" She asked hopping up and down. I shooed Savage away with a scowl of my own. I whispered for this store mare to follow me to the back of the store. Once we got a fair bit of distance from my two other companions. I whispered. "D-do you got any. . . you know. . . mags around?" We were so close that only she could have heard my question. "Oh, you mean zese?!" She declared rather loudly pulling out a variety of magazines that held bullets made for guns. "I got a variety-!" I shook my head wanting not fall over and die. "No, you idiot!" I shouted down at the unicorn mare, her ears pinned back wearing a sheepish smile. Teleporting the weapon magazines back she asked confused: "Zen vat do you mean?" Unsure and now scared of me. I was dominating this little shit! I leaned closer whispering into her ear. "A PORN magazine~" I whispered in a sing-song voice. The unicorn's cheeks burned bright red nodding her head rather quickly. Running off instead of teleporting the "magazines" in question. Smirking in triumph. I looked over the main counter to see the more expensive merchandise. Seeing multiple small generators varying in sizes. Even 5 rounds of .308 sniper rounds standing straight up were on display. It made my mouth water. Everyone likes sniper rifles, and marksman or marksponys were well respected for their accuracy. But what really made me wet was the one lonely round that was even bigger than the .308 round. It was the .50 MG round. . . that single bullet could tear through power armor like cheese paper. The unicorn mare came back over to me blushing brightly, when she placed a bag down in front of me. Taking a few embarrassed steps back right after. Opening the bag suspiciously eyeing the bag and the unicorn at the same time. However, my thoughts were put to ease once I could see the contents of the bag. A large smile spread across my lips. *Later* A bag of bottle caps spilled onto the counter that had a blushing unicorn taking the bottle caps. Chapter 6: Fetish MagsSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Intro: Crash LandingLights and sounds blared loudly at me, while I tapped desperately on a control panel that was directly in front of me. My fingers typing away with lightning speed reflexes. Though I wasn't super special or anything to do something like that. It was all practice, and my soon to be demise that pumped me up to type so quick on the console. My heart hammered in my chest while my forehead pounded with anxiety. My head started to hurt from an intense pain my mind going into overdrive. I grit my teeth trying not to blink as it might have me lose some precious time that I had left. Sparks flew towards my face instinctively forcing me to slam my eyes closed for a couple of valuable seconds wasted that I had left. Having me curse under my breath. Quickly opening my eyes just to look up to see the ground coming up fast. Then a few seconds later a mountain came into view and I was about to crash into it! My ship not having a pilot stick but instead having me type commands on a console that was previously damaged touching this world's unnatural cloud cover. The Shipmaster warned me about coming too close to the surface but I just got curious. . . STUPID ME! And another thing; I wasn’t supposed to be down here in the first place. I was originally supposed to be in the maintenance wing fixing up old beat up bots. And staying in bed for an expedition accompanied with a shitload of scientists and researchers. . . but I kind of got carried away wanting to see the surface as soon as possible. I heard that this used to be our home world. Since humans abandoned it so long ago. I was just so curious examining this small ship. Fixing it with my mentor. . . but he went for a drink. . . and I sorta. . . took it for a ride, but thank god for simulation training! I almost pressed the self-destruct button twice on accident! Why didn’t they color code this thing!? Obviously, I didn't listen touching the cloud cover though. That kind of screwed me over, and now I was going to crash a ship like an idiot! I might have even effectively postponed the expedition! I’m so getting it back up there! All of us were looking forward to seeing “Home” and I probably. . . most likely screwed it up for everyone else. The ship started spinning in circles doing a number of barrel rolls making me feel sick all over this just wasn’t my day. I was about to crash into the mountain but had just enough time to slam a struggling hand into the console on accident hitting a random jumble of keys. As a feminine synthetic voice came on “Sorry but you are currently screwed, Traitor.” I groaned before my random commands made the ship change its trajectory slightly heading straight into a slope full of trees just barely missing the dirty green colored mountain. “Oh. Fuck.” The synthetic female voice said. As we crashed having me jolt in my seat. Lucky to have my seat belt straps on over my chest. That made an “X” holding me securely in my chair. I could hear the screeching sound of metal slide against the rocky ground as my ship decapitated trees that were in the way. My head whipped back against the cushion of my comfortable white chair. The inside of the ship rattle violently as compartments holding exploration gear started flying about spilling out. Some of the equipment even hitting me ruthlessly bruising me up badly. Just then the console in front of me exploded into a shower of sparks. Shrapnel rained down on me cutting into me. I cried out in pain just as the ship came to a halting stop. I panted my heart racing in my ears coughing for breath starting to breathe heavily trying my best to keep myself calm. I looked down at myself seeing my white jumpsuit soaking up in a red color. I raised an eyebrow confused on what it might’ve meant. “Well. . . yyyouuurerr. . . fuckkkkeeddd. . . ttt . . .” The synthetic voice spoke again garbled up. “T-t-trati-!” The power of the ship went out. The red emergency lights not coming on. “The backup generator must have been fried by Homes. . . clouds. . .” I said aloud wistfully trying to ignore the pain coming from my stomach. As my white jumpsuit was now drenched red. I looked away not used to feeling such a pain. Sure, I was used to the occasional cuts and electric jolts from working with service bots and maintaining the ship sometimes even a console or two or just some electronic gadget in my room but right now this… this was like nothing I had ever felt before. . . and it sucked. . . tremendously. I shook my head trying to distract myself from the pain as I looked out the cracked and nearly shattered the "viewing glass" of the ship. . . well. . . my fried paperweight now. I officially am screwed by the Captain. . . I wonder what they’re thinking about me right about now. . . ***Inside The Mothership*** Three human males were playing a game of holographic cards. While drinking cups of coffee. “So you taking the kid for an expedition to Home?” An old man with glasses asked as he stroked his snow-white beard. His face a pale white color from not being exposed to the sun. Though they made ways to get the vitamins they needed but he refused saying; that he wanted to do it the natural way. He enjoyed doing it like the old ways when humans would go outside and get some good old-fashioned sunlight. Until they had to leave Home and find a new planet to live on. The sun growing too large and hot for “Home” to sustain life anymore. But that was hundreds of thousands of years ago. Well, that’s what the history servers said anyway. Who really knew anyway? “Yeah, he was going with the chief scientist. Having been selected at random the poor sap… hope he doesn’t cause trouble for the science division. . . damn that boy. . . always touching what doesn’t belong to him. . .” “I know what you mean,” The snow white-bearded man agreed taking a sip of his coffee just then the emergency broadcast kicked off scaring all three of them half to death. Effectively forcing them to drop their coffee all over the table making the holocards malfunction having them switch off. They all groaned having they’re game ruined. “Attention! We have an unauthorized crew ship missing in hangar bay A7! Someone has stolen a ship!” The Captain blared in the coms system making all of them jump to their face. “Oh, no! THAT CRAZY KID IS AT IT AGAIN!” The man with the snow-white beard cried out as all of the men looked at each other. “I dun… fucked it up this time. . .” He dragged out looking down his friends looking towards him sympathetically. “No. . . we all did. . .” The one that hadn’t spoken at all finally spoke up patting his friend on the back reassuringly ***At The Bridge***. “Who would have the audacity to STEAL ONE OF OUR SHIPS!” The Captain screamed out at the officers on the bridge. They all flinched from his rage alone. The scream was just a bonus. One of the officers working on a control panel licked his lips nervously fiddling with his thumbs as he looked up at the Captain. The Captain wore a pure white uniform that you could distinguish from the rest as he wore a hat that looked like a Sea Captain hat but with space insignia minus the sea stuff While the officer in question had a light gray uniform being a bridge officer he also wore a matching gray cap. That was meant to help the captain and crew pilot the ship and be of assistance with transmission relays. “S-sir!” He stuttered out as the Captain’s head snapped towards him with his eyes bleeding out anger. That made the whole bridge go completely silent as everyone stops typing on their own consoles. The Captain’s lips twisted as he spat out. “What is it?” Only making the grey bridge officer flinch at the Captain’s tone. “W-well-” he quickly said trying to regain his composure as much as possible. “-He seems to be at it again sir. . .“ Gulping nervously assuming that the Captain will snap out at him to blow off some steam, but instead, he smiled nodding his head knowingly with a smug smile. “Is he now. . . well alright! It isn't that bad!” The Captain cheered folding his hands behind his back making his way back to the viewing window to look out to planet “Home” Seeing most of it covered in white cloud. A woman in the standard grey bridge officer uniform cocked her head to the side. Lost on where the Captain was going with this. “What do you mean Captain?” She asked curiously wanting him to fill in the gap of his thought process so that everyone on the bridge could totally understand what he meant. Continuing to gaze out of the view glass he said with a wide smile. “We now lost a rat on our ship. . .” Everyone nodded their heads knowingly starting to smile with him until he spoke again. “And I’m postponing all future expeditions to planet “Home”,” He said with an evil smile as everyone started to frown upon his statement all going back to working on their consoles. They all just wanted to know what their “Home” was now like. No one has ever set foot or explored planet “Home” before. But it seems that idiot got to be the first. . . only if the Shipmaster were here to see it... Author's Note Please tell me any mistakes you see so I could learn from them. That would be helpful. Because I can't seem to learn on my own.
Chapter 1: A Raider IntroductionA portal opened made of a sickly green color. With swirls that seemed to spin for eternity. Then a bloodied white hoof stuck out through the portal. Then another and then another and then. . . another? But the next hoof was blue. Two ponies tumbled out of the portal. Rolling around across the dirt-covered field on a dark night. There was a cloud cover that acted as a skybox. Obscuring it's hidden art from all of its land inhabitants. Punching and beating each other to a pulp. Bleeding heavily from their wounds. After their final battle having one last raid before they were all going to go out by a balefire bomb. Her husband, child, old friends, even her one true enemy that she hated with all her heart... and she let them... all... “Fuck you, Boss!” The blue raider mare screamed out as she gripped the other mare with the white coat by the throat trying to strangle the life out of her. Her sicking grin growing wider as she saw the once radiating mare gagging horridly beneath her. Her eyes seemed to want to pop out her skull from how tight she was being choked. Before she could, however, the mare beneath her head-butted the raider. “That isn’t going to do anything Boss!” The Blue Raider mare laughed confident in her new kill. But before she could end it all slowly savoring her kill. Was sadly interrupted when she felt ansharppain in her side. She looked down to see a knife sticking out of her. With a white hoof seeming to hold the knife tightly twisting it. The mare beneath her confidently with a newly acquired sinister smile on her face. As she hiccuped for air as the blue raider got off her trying to get some distance from her now ‘enemy’ once 'leader'. Ponies could learn to use their hooves to grab objects with the help of magic. A once forgotten trick in the Wasteland. School and education can give anyone an advantage. You just got to follow through. “Fuck you!” The blue raider screamed in pain with tears in her eyes clouding her vision. This time with gritted teeth pulling out the knife from her side with her mouth licking the blood off the rusted blade. Then right after that spitting it out into the air catching the handle with her mouth with practiced ease. Radiant coughed hacking loudly as she uneasily got up shakily. Wiping some blood from her dried cracked lips dehydrated. As she stood up on all four ready for another assault remembering her Precious little one. Whipping her mane dramatically as she smiled confidently with her giving out posture. She then spread her wings out wide easily establishing dominance as a pegasus while her enemy sneered with hateful intent. My smile just seemed to grow. “You wish!” I laughed before swiftly pulling out a .32 pistol from under my wing that was previously hidden from sight and out of mind. Firing a single shot at the mare getting a bullseye. Getting the blue bitch right between the eyes. I then smiled satisfied with my work as I turned to see the portal fade into nothingness. My smile quickly faded remembering recent events. frowning as I began to loot the now blue dead body with a stone cold mask of nothingness. My heart aching in pain feeling a deep empty pit in my heart as tears started to fill to the brim. Wanting me to let them loose to fall free. To just let out all of my pain and grief once again. To have it all so close but yet so far. . . Then draconequus appeared loudly in a flash of bright blinding light smiling down at me with a toothy grin. Appearing on a throne sitting on it. It looked to be a green cloud that seemed to be leaking some kind of disgusting green ooze. “I promise you that it's not as bad as it looks.” I didn’t flinch when hearing him. Continuing to loot as if he didn't even exist in this hell. It only seemed to infuriate the Chaos God. “Are you even listening!?” Discord boomed now flapping his mitch matched wings lifting himself up into the air. As he expressed himself like a child having a tantrum. That brought a small smirk to the corners of my lips. But quickly hid it not wanting him to have any satisfaction. I didn't really know that to be true, but I wasn't going to take any chances. “No,” I said in a flat tone but in my mind laughing my ass off but hiding it deep within my mind. Finding a pocket full of caps. Opening the bag to inspect only to find 13 caps. shrugging at my new find treasure‘At least it’s something’. Discord appeared in front of me as a sack of money with a large golden dollar sign. “You like money don’t you!? Just pay attention and you might get some!” Discord explained almost desperately as two yellow eyes appeared on the brown money sack. His blood red irises, were natural of course. . . I think? Or unnaturally. . . you know him being a Chaos God and all. . ."You're so hard headed!" Discord growled. He was the whole reason why I was here in the Wasteland. I could either cuss him out or thank him. I really didn't like to be mad. But keeping a facade of anger has helped me survive. Hiding behind a mask. . . has kept me going for so long. . . it feels almost wrong. . . to be normal again. . . It's impossible. . . “I like money, drugs, drinks and a hella bitches,” I burst out sarcastically with a wide smile with a roll of my eyes. But inside I felt like I was dying. Hell, I wanted to just fall over and die right then and there. My body just didn't want to fall over and accept defeat. I tossed a couple of pony ears the once raider now dead pony had seemed to collect as trophies. Discord grumbled to himself. “Why do I even bother with this mare?” smiling I responded, “Because I’m hella good looking!” I said hoof pumping the air. As I gave him a light ass shake. Trying to be a tease trying really hard to bring a genuine smile to my face. While my heart felt heavy like a clump of heavy metal alloys mended together, the feeling was unbearable. Discord screamed in frustration into the air making lighting strike dramatically as it began to pour heavily. Water raining down on my nearly forcing me to the floor. “I’ve had it with YOU!” Discord boomed loudly making her mane blowback as if it was getting my mane blow dried. “I’ve had enough! You’re going to GET IT!” Discord shouted as his chest huffed and puffed out.'And blew my house down.' “Awe. . . have I been. . . a very. . . bad filly?” I teased fluttering my eyelashes at him. Which I was quite sure that he couldn't see through the heavy rainfall. But what I was sure of was Discord’s left eye twitching as his talon and lion paw seemed to shake in rage as he just popped out of existence making me cackle loudly, as I began to walk aimless shrouded in the dark night. The rain drenching me with water making my leather raider armor sag in the rain. ***** Walking for about. . . a long hard night. . . my hooves were killing me as they ache beneath me. “This just isn’t my day. . .” I grumbled as I had only been walking for about 15 minutes. I felt pretty much drained from the whole day I had today. I had lost pretty mucheverything! I had them all in my grasp!‘But I let them go. . .’I looked down at my leather armor which I was pretty sure was now going to be shrinking and getting really tight.‘Now I need to kill another fresh raider to get some new armor. . . great. . . just great. . .’ I walked until walking face first into something metallic, making me fall flat on my ass. Pressed a hoof to my nose seeing fresh blood trickle down my nose stung. “Fuck you too,” I muttered punching the metal wall with my hoof in frustration. I knew it wouldn't do anything, but I needed to vent out my frustration on something. I couldn’t see anything in this dark night the weird cloud cover that I've never seen before was obscuring my sight of the beautiful calming moon. Even with all of the rain masking me in complete darkness. The light from my pip-boy or pip-buck or ‘pip-fuck’ as I seemed to call it. Because it just didn’t seem to do shit. But light up the area around me and speed up my reflexes with V.A.T.S and sorting all my notes and belongings. hearing the loud pitter-patter of the raindrops striking the metallic door, gate or whatever it was. Was quite soothing, to say the least. Shivering on a cold night all alone. I smiled I was going to die... finally... the maybe soon. . . I would see my daughter. . . last. . . time. . . The rhythm of the raindrops hammering onto the metal was quite relaxing. I closed my eyes as a small drift of wind would brush against me making me shiver harder. "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" A young childish voice giggled out excitedly. Bringing a smile to my cold trembling lips. I sobbed as I heard another voice. "There is where my two princesses went!" A masculine voice laughed out making a cold smile start to grow wider. Feeling a strange warm embrace wash over. Giving me a calm relaxed feeling. Nuzzling the empty raining air in front of me. Tears began to stream down my face disguised as raindrops. I saved them... I didn't need to fight any longer. . . my mission for their safety. . . was accomplished. . . Suddenly a loud eerie metallic grinding noise was heard. Right in front of me. Ears twitched in alertness as both of my ears stuck high into the rainy air. The warm feeling instantly disappeared making me shiver as I began to realize how cold I really was. I was shaking violently. My eyes seemed to slowly open. It was getting harder and harder to see by the second. Then an ear-piercing loud metallic dragging noise that just seemed to make my ears submit falling flat against my head. Then a bright blinding white light that was so intense made me shut my eyes as I instinctively turned my head away. All the while I felt the light even piercing through my eyelids. The metal them came to a grinding halt making my brain and eyes and brain rattle in my skull. I felt so nauseous now. It reminded me of when I and my raider gang would crack open vaults to see what sorts of goodies and nicknacks they contained. “It’s a raider!” A stallion shouted as a bullet rang loudly whizzing by my cheek. “You missed you, idiot!” Another stallion shouted as another bullet smacked me right dab on the center of my chest. Making me take a step back as I grunted. Lucky that he hit the armor. I stood my ground slowly opening my eyes giving them a challenging stare. My blue eyes boring into their own. Out of all of them, I was the only one trembling as I stood having trouble keeping my eyes open. “Shit shoot her!” The first stallion shouted again. “What the hell did I ever do to you!?” I snapped aggressively at him standing up straighter. Trying to keep him talking as I slowly took a couple of tentative steps forward. Both of the stallions froze as more ‘guards’ came rushing to their aid. Aiming their rifles at me as I gave them a scowl in response. Being shot at for no reason was a dick move in my book. “Well now that I have an audience. . .” I said in a low irritated voice as my right ear twitched in annoyance. “What are you doing here Raider!?” An old stallion shouted at me obviously wanting an answer. I gave him a deadpanned expression. So I give him my response but that didn't mean I had to give one he'd like. “To get a nice drink. . . maybe some food. . ” I placed a hoof to my chin in mock thought. “And maybe rent a room to bunk down.” I then gave them all an innocent smile. The response I got was an eye roller for me. It was quite hard to resist but I resisted the power of the eye rolls. “And maybe some bitches. . what a dream come true!” I said as I sat on my tush clasping my two front hooves together tightly placing both hooves against the left side of my cheek, giving them a dreamy look. The reaction I got was what I expected. I heard an orchestra of gun hammers cocking back. I then gave them all a nervous look trying to look pathetic just so they could underestimate me. Looking like a weak amateur raider. . . In all honesty, I didn't even know if I was a raider anymore. Didn't I leave that all behind me? I just finished killing my crew. . . I finished saving. . . people. . . “Just shoot me!” I said dejectedly bowing my head dramatically. I could almost swear I could hear some violin playing in the background in a sad tune. As the rain seemed to back off softly till it was now only drizzling over my soaked form. I continued to shiver in the cold as a breeze began to brush against my body. ***** I slammed face first into a stone wall. My body was battered and bruised sporting a black left eye. I was lucky to have my wings in a surprisingly good condition, only to just be covered in mud and grime. "You damn raiders just never quit!" The old security buck shouted as he locked the metal barred door up.'He had a... uh... brown mane? Kinda hard to tell with the black eye and all. My vision was blurry being low in energy and tired, shivering violently. He also sported an aqua coat? And uhh.. .Blue? Yeah. . .blue! A blue security? Police? You know what! Fuck that old buck.' I got up standing on my noodle like feeling legs. Trembling as I stood, wobbling in place quickly surveying my surroundings. That's when I noticed that I wasn't alone in this cell. I smirked knowingly with my body aching "Well, hello there," I greeted with my go lucky tone that didn't seem to reach my eyes. What I saw were two griffons. Two female griffons to be exact. They both stood with their rear legs leaning back against the metal barred walls. That separated the cells even the door had the matching metal barred theme. Besides the stupid concrete wall, that old asshole buck threw me into. They both had their arms crossed against their chests as they watched me without making a sound. They disgusted me with their searching gaze trying to pierce through me. I wasn't scared at all, but I was embarrassed as fuck from having my face looked like it got smashed in. "What happened to you?" One of the griffons asked. She had a dark green coat with a yellow trim to her feathers. While the other one beside her was a dark brown color with a black face for some reason. It seemed to be some type of war paint. Or maybe it was a gang color? I smiled swaying slightly trying to look dizzy just to get their attention. Just to make myself look weaker. It wasn't hard to play them because right now I was running on fumes. I wanted to die. "I got persecuted for demonstrating my religion," I explained wholeheartedly if you would count being a raider a religion. Though I was only joking of course. She spoke again with a raised brow. "And just what religion was that?" She asked either with curiosity or she was just fishing for information. I knew better than to just give her information. I would have to fish for information as well. Just to level the playing field. I didn't want her having the upper hand in the mind games. "I can't tell you that. . . you must kno da weh," I joked bowing my head gracefully before falling over on my side. "I don't think I can take it anymore! It's always the same!" I cried loudly as the griffons quickly came to my aid. I just wanted my heart to quiet and stop beating, but it just continued to beat. I would often question myself late at night. When all the raiders were either asleep or on guard duty. I would sit down by my window, and just look up into the sky, admiring the beautiful moon. The only thing physically that I still had from my childhood. I would ask 'why was I still alive?' But I would get no answer besides the cool night air brushing against my window. I would open the window just to feel the wind brush against me. My heart telling me that I was still alive, but why? Why was it still beating? Why didn't it just break already from this painful heartache? The pain in my heart is unbearable it's been sixteen years and the pain still lingers... a never-ending pain that would have me clutching at my chest moments at a time. I missed them so, so much. . . "Hey, easy, easy," The griffon with the brown coat with a black face soothed. While I continued to tremble from the cold. My fur was still wet and heavy from the rain from earlier. My fight out there didn't last very long. It was a quick fight taking out three guards knocking them out. Well. . . I believe I did anyway. Smacking a pony across the face with a rifle would do that to them. Having pulled a rifle out of a unicorn guards levitation, swinging it like a club getting lucky hits on them. They tried to subdue me while I had the intent to kill. . . why didn't they just kill me? Maybe. . . it was because I deserved to be in pain. . . for everything that I have done. Burning down towns, slaughtering ponys, foals, destroying families. I deserved everything that was thrown at me. But it wasn't my fault. . . it was Discord's fault. . . he did this to me. . . TO THEM! The whole reason why I was here in pain was because of him. . . I only suffer. . . because of him. . . a never-ending feeling of pain. . . *POP!* In a bright pink flash of light making a popping sound just, as Discord appeared. My instincts making me scream at him. "You did this, didn't you!" I accused the God of Chaos. Who reeled back with a shocked expression on his face. My expression seething in anger jumping to my hooves, shaking horrendously before began to have a coughing fit. Snot began to leak heavily out my nose as it dribbled out. "Me!?" Discord cried out placing both hands over his heart as if to make himself innocent. "But that just can't be. . ." he exclaimed before a smile formed on his lips curling upwards getting right in my face. The two griffons backed away from me with widened eyes, as they stared at me have my tantrum that I was throwing at Discord. "You got those guards to throw me in this dump!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as my mind burned with fiery. My aching body now fueled by adrenaline. I stood up on all fours spreading my wings wide to make me look bigger against him on instinct alone. "You made it rain so I wouldn't be prepared for this! You. . . you planned this!" I accused punching a hoof to his chest to hammer my point home. "But Radiant, how can you really be so sure?" Discord said moving his eyebrows up and down as he threw his arms to the sides in a 'come at me bro' gesture. "You're the fucking God of Chaos! Get me out of here!" I only retaliated against him throwing myself at him. Only to go through him; slamming my muzzle into the metal barred wall that separated my cell from another that was currently empty. "You ruined my life!" I screamed as I began to cry on the floor curling up into a ball as I held my bleeding nose in my hooves. I was cold sad in pain constantly mentally and physically. The funny thing was that I wasn't really as evil as I used to be. Discord sighed loudly as he sat down beside me looking away "Listen I might not be your dad. . . so let me tell you. . . that I never ruined your life. . . you are always free to change the path your life will take." Discord expalined with a sad sigh while he began to mess with my mane. I only whimpered in response trying to continue fighting to get my thoughts off my family "But you brought me here. . ." I replied weakly wanting every fiber in my body to be against him. My rage slowly dying out. The two griffons looked at each other in confusion and shock as they saw their new cellmate screaming at the concrete wall even trying to beat it, hurting herself in the process. They stood stunned not knowing what to do, only seeing a psycho religious nut curled up crying on the floor. They were actually scared to approach her now believe it or not. Never touch a crazy when they're crying. That is like survival 101, you never know what a crazy nut job would do next. Discord groaned shaking his head not liking it when ponys got sentimental it was never his strong suit. "Got to go Mrs.Radiant, see you later," Discord said with a snap of his fingers with his eagle talons as he disappeared leaving me alone. The once proud raider wife and mother was now broken and alone. Being locked up just amplified my despair. After a couple minutes of pathetic crying later I slowly got up wiping my muzzle brushing the blood with a hoof smearing blood over my furred muzzle. I sniffled quietly as I quickly turned to the griffons. Making them flinch back against the wall in response. I then slowly opened my dry mouth. As my eyes were red and puffy from all of my crying. "Do you want to escape?" I asked them quietly. As they just stared blankly at me. My ears drooped pinning back against my head. Until I fixed them with a hateful glare. "Fine!" I snapped. "I don't need you anyway! I don't need anyone!" I snapped reaching a hoof into my dirty blonde mane. They both narrowed their eyes as I searched inside my mane. That was another thing wrong with me now. . . ever since I entered the Wasteland. . . I was now quick to anger. My mood would swing left to right, happy to sad at a moments notice. My cellmates and other prisoners in different cells could hear a loud rummaging sound as I searched. They could hear metal dinging and clinking together glass breaking and even a squeaky rubber sound. I then pulled out a shiny silver knife moments later. They both eyed the knife that I pulled out suspiciously before going wide-eyed seeing me wield a knife with my hoof. Their beaks opened wide in shock at what they were witnessing. A pony that could hold something with their hooves was unheard of! Or seen no less! But here this pony was doing the impossible! My nose twitched getting fired up by the second my blood boiling, as anger flashed through my eyes. Glaring harshly at the two griffons. I was quite the speciesist, racist against other species that weren't remotely pony. "Alright listen here and listen good. You're with me or without!" I stated pointing off the knife towards the both of them now standing on my hind legs. Trembling as I stood with a neutral gait. Trying to scare them so they would do my bidding. But instead, both griffons looked towards each other confidently nodding in unison as they stood up on their hind legs brandishing their sharp talons at me threatening me. "Have it your way," I growled. It probably looked weird to them how I was holding a knife with a fucked up face, especially my left black eye and with the side of a muddy coat. I looked like total shit right now, that's because I was alone. Raiders raid in packs or bands. They both quickly lunged towards me. Thinking fast I flapped my wings propelling me up into the air. Within the tight cell space, bumping my head like an idiot on the ceiling making my vision go fuzzy as I came back down accidentally stabbing the black painted faces griffon in the eye. Her eye juices squirted and leaking out as I rolled away disorientated as the other incoming griffon lashed out at me. Just bearly missing me. Her claws created deep claw marks on the concrete floor.'I didn't want any scars! Those things are hideous!' "You little whore!" The griffon screeched loudly making my ears hurt. Making me feel sick in the head as my mind seemed to swim. My ears pinned back against my head. That's how loud she was being. "So what if I am?" I retorted holding my head in both front hooves. As I groaned on the floor. She then got on top of me punching me in the face. Making me whimper in pain like a hurt puppy. 'I pissed off the damn catbird lady!' "You're DEAD!" She screeched again and so did the metal barred door. She lifted a sharp eagle talon to 'fuck up my face!' *Bang!* A loud bang made my head spin. I wasn't a fan of loud noises. . . it's like if loud noises were my weakness or something. 'Why are my ears so sensitive today?' I groaned as the griffon fell on top of me dead. I just laid on the floor with her on top of me as two security ponies rushed into the jail cell. A doctor in white scrubs with the red cross symbol on her right foreleg rushed into the cell as well. Coming over to me in a hurry. With a worried look on her face. I really couldn't tell with one eye swollen shut and my other eye just seemed to be unfocused with my vision blurry. I felt like I was playing one of those war video games. I rasped softly and pathetically with honesty coming from my weakened and forever damaged heart. "I want to go home. . ." I whimpered out quietly as the doctor mare seemed to have a look of sadness on her face. I really couldn't see all too well. Fighting all of those guards hooves only. Only for them to cheat and bring out the batons. I kept my wings at my side scared that they might actually break my wings. I didn't want to lose them too. I only had myself now. . . More white ponys came bringing a streture. I couldn't see much my vision complete shit right now. I might have rattled my noggin a bit too hard. 'I just want my family back is that too much to ask?' I wasn't so evil now. . . or dark. . . I remember when my life was truly a living hell. . . the only colors I could see was red and black... do you know what that's like? To feel no happiness at all? To be in pain constantly for years? But she saved me from that. . . I can see once again. . . She made me see... I didn't think it would be possible. . . to be brought back to the light. . . I didn't think it was possible. . . but I don't think I'm good either. . . but I lost it all again. . . so why wasn't everything so dark like it once used to be? ***** I slowly opened my eyes quickly getting blinded by the fluorescent lights. I waited a bit trying to grab my bearings before trying again. This time succeeded in seeing getting to look around my new setting; laying on my back on a pure white mattress with a matching white blanket. Laying on a soft plush white mattress beneath me was quite comfortable lulling me back to sleep. But I just barely managed to resist the urge to rest peacefully. . . I didn't want to be stuck in one place for long because if I did that I would have time to think; and if I had time to think it would only bring back only terrible memories. That I was only trying to bury deep down. No one likes to be sad. . . even a raider. . . am I still a raider? The bright fluorescent light above me burned my eyes forcing me to squint. Well, I think it was the ceiling anyway because that’s where most ponys put lights. . . because I remember once I was strapped down to a bed in a straitjacket. While the bed was attached to the wall. So it was like if I was standing on my hind legs leaning against the wall. But that was a long time ago. A big bright white light would blare in my face blinding me while continuously disorienting me. My eyes scanned the rest of the room from my position on the bed. Not being able to see quite much, but that was okay by me 'wait. . . I can see!’ I quickly sat up on the bed putting a hoof to my face touching the surface feeling the soft fur beneath my hooves. My left black eye was gone! And. . . I shivered no longer! I was freed from my near cold death. . . 'Curse you!' I mentally screamed my inner voice echoing within my mind distracting me for the moment. I really wanted to die. . . but yet. Here I was still kicking and screaming. . . it was so close. . . why am I too weak to just end it all on my own!? After a few minutes, I had enough waiting around and was going to do something about it. As I was just barely about to get up and hop out of bed to make a first move sneaking out of my or this hospital/medical room. . . I instantly noticed that both of my hind legs cuffed to the bed; by the ankles too! I snorted in irritation glaring hatefully at the old clean shining metal cuffs. I tried to pull my legs free hoping the bed was old or maybe the cuffs were weak enough to break apart setting me free in the process. But was very disappointed when it was the latter. I groaned loudly throwing my head back into the plush white pillow, trying to relax my nerves... Rolling around the bed anxiously, but was more like rocking side to side; waiting for no. Wanting. To be set free and explore this world. ‘Anywhere but here.’ I mentally whimpered just as I heard the door to the room open up. An uninvited guest walking into the room I froze up in the process expecting the unexpected. A nurse walked into the room sporting white scrubs. Looking over a brown clipboard that seemed to be rotting at the lower corners of her clipboard. After a few minutes of working something down, she finally noticed me staring at her in curiosity and in fear. The fear of the unknown was a powerful thing that I loved and hated at the same time. It could either make you or break you. I stalked her with a bit of malice but still, my tongue for the time being. The nurse gave me a kind smile as she walked over to my bed without caution at all which kind of surprised me catching me completely off guard; my face even showed my confusion. “Well, it seems you’ve finally awakened.” The nurse said with a nervous shift in her stance. 'Okay. . . so she did know what happened then. . .' I thought within my head while I examined her every move. “I’m always awake,” I replied quietly giving her a full view of my pearly white teeth. Something that was quite rare in the wasteland. And I wasn't quite lying about my statement about always being awake either. “Though I would have preferred to be put down, but on my own terms of course,” I chuckled at her reaction. Her eyes widened as the aura around her horn disappeared having her drop her clipboard in the process only prompting me to bust out laughing. rolling around on the bed again to face her as I fluttered my eyelashes towards her trying to either get lucky and influence her with my flirting or to embarrass her weakening her mental state of mind. “Set this little birdie-free, and I’ll be out of your mane in no time!” I said with a stupid smile on my face, tossed and turned on the bed. In very suggestive poses bringing a bright blush to the nurse's face. But her look quickly turned into one of a look of concern on her face, as she got closer to the bed putting her hooves on the bed railing looking down to me; observing me messing around. “Is everything alright!?” She said in alarm wondering if I was having a seizure or if I was 'special' with the extra chromosome. . . the whole package and what not. But being as violent I was, quickly snapping out at her wrapping my hooves roughly around her neck, pulling her into the bed with me. Starting to first to choke out the unicorn nurse. She gagged in my grasp choking out for breath. While I gave her a crazy wide-eyed look, my smile growing to unimaginable heights. Giving her my signature raider smile. The nurse's eyes shrank as she gazed into my glass like domes that once had so much emotion in horror. I managed to pin her arms by wrapping my wings around her. I was glad that they didn't bind my two bad girls. I wanted to kill her swiftly so that I could just run and never look back. Killing her would take her away from this cruel joyless world. . . that was full of pain and misery. Something that the world never seemed to do for me. But something popped into my head reminding me that I needed her alive for information. “Where are your rebel friends now!?” I reminisced jokingly from my childhood just as her horn began to quickly glow. Acting fast just before she could make a move I did the only thing that came to mind... well... no... that would be a total lie. I could have bitten off her ears and maybe her horn but I chose an alternative. Not wanting to be too brutal I slapped her making her lose her focus on her horn having her magic fizz out of existence. She then tried to activate her horn once again, however, I was quickly able to subdue her for the second time, by launching a quick jab to her throat. She coughed and gagged from an immense firey pain in her throat making her hiccup trying to regain her breathing. Planting a hoof on her forehead simply right below her horn. “Try anything and your pointy friend gets it,” I threatened not playing around. I had to harvest horns for power anyway. It was like an untold cheat code in the Wasteland. Haven't you heard that all of Equestria was made out of magic? The places, the plants, the rocks, the water, the creatures. . . the ponies. . . yes. . . you heard that right. Earth ponies had magic within them. Giving them their incredible strength and their special way with plants. Then there were the pegasi like me. . . but not like me at the same time. . . I wasn't a natural pegasus you could say. Anyway. . . back to the topic. Pegasi had magic that helped them fly with their tiny wings and had the magic to manipulate the weather and walk on clouds. Finally, there were the unicorns. The weakest in the bunch physically. . . but could channel magic through their horn to create sophisticated spells. I would hunt all of them. . . but mainly the unicorn's horn a pegasi's blood and an earth pony's muscle. They were like drugs to me. Getting all three made you almost godlike. Still weaker than Princess Luna of course. But it kept me young looking for this long. . . so why stop now? The nurse mare stared up at me in fear. As she trembled beneath me shying away from me. “I’ll tell you anything! Just don’t hurt me!” The nurse begged at my mercy making me smile with pride. Yeah, us ponys and all living beings were quite content on having all of our body parts together still intact. ‘Still haven’t lost my edge.’ I smiled coyly as I was about to open my mouth to speak when the door once again blew open. I didn't know what it was with me getting interrupted by my somepony. “Mom are you in here?” A teenage voice filled my ears making my head snap to the door with a death glare. The filly standing by the door eyes had instantly widened in shock her jaw dropping at the sight before her. Seeing two adult ponies in a bed together would scare any kid. Am I right? “YOU!!!” I boomed trying to mimic the cliche bad guy shout pointing a hoof at the teenage filly. The small unicorn was stunned but quickly recovered. Her face scrunched up cutely in anger as she roared, or squeaked actually, “Let go of my mother or I’ll tell everyone what you are doing!” She threatened me with a warning, a child's ruse I learned a long time ago. I just gave her a flat stare. “Sure you will sweetheart,” I said bitch slapping the nurse that was currently beneath me. Her head getting knocked to the side with her eyes seeming to roll around in her skull. While staring darkly at the filly before me smiling widely. “Say… would you like to be my new plaything? She seems to be out of it,” I explained tapping the nurse's cheek with a hoof the nurse groaned beneath me, in response appearing to be unconscious. I hit her too hard... total accident... I got lost in the moment and all that... I know you understand what I mean. One minute you're doing something and the next minute you fucked it up. “Please! I’ll do anything! Besides being your uh… plaything…” The unicorn filly said with a shudder her tone laced with disgust. I rolled my eyes. “But that takes all the fun out of it!” I complained unfurling my wings away from the mare on top of me. As I extend them wide. “Get me free of these stupid cuffs…” I whined jiggling the metal bracelet on my hind legs. “And uh…” I said waving a hoof for a few seconds up in the air before placing it back right under my chin in thought. Slowly gazing back down towards the unicorn filly. “We’ll work something out?” I said giving her a suspicious glare. Wanting to see if she would actually go with it or not. You could never trust anyone truly. I got married and learned it thehardway. The teenage unicorn filly sighed softly bowing her head in defeat submitting to me as she slowly made her way down to me walking over to my bed. Making my smile grow wider. ‘That’s it, that’s it… just a little closer.’ She then pulled out a set of keys from her tail. Tenderly and painfully slow. Freeing me from the cuffs, and from that blasted bed prison! I excitedly jumped out of the bed pouncing on top of her. “You’re mine now!” I exclaimed with glee holding the kid down. She squeaked in surprise as I nuzzled her cheek. Before leaning close to her whispering in her ear. “It’s all birdie now.” I chuckled darkly before rearing back licking my lips in satisfaction. “You will do… just fine…” I chuckled again rubbing my two front hooves together sinisterly. While she had an option to try something but she didn't. Being too frozen in fear to try anything at all. The scared pony questioned me. “What are you going to do with me?” She asked shakily trying to keep her composure calm and collected. I only giggled nuzzling her chest. “I’m going to taste the blood of a unicorn,” The filly hid her face with her hooves shivering scared. What kid wouldn't? Having an adult pony holding you down telling you that they were going to make you their 'plaything' you'd be crazy not to be scared. “Just do it,” She responded weakly making me smile wildly in satisfaction. Feeling my hind legs twitch in excitement. I was about to say something again before I was interrupted yet again, by‘those blasted guards!’It really annoyed me how I could just never have a moment to myself and a filly that I was about to rape. I lifted up the filly using her as a hostage using my hooves, of course, to hold her standing on my hind legs. “Take another step and this little shit gets it!” I threatened only bull shiting of course. I didn't want to spoil my newly acquired prize. “Put her down you monster!” A guard shouted angrily with his brow furrowed. “OH, I’m sorry! I just don’t feel like it!” I retorted sarcastically. As walked back until my back was against the window. The guards started barking at me to stop while I just ignored with a ‘fuck you’ expression. The old guard that I saw many times during my stay here. From the entrance to the prison cell, and now this room. He was really annoying the crap out of me. “You Raider bitch! Let her go!” I wanted to smash his old wise head to mush under my hooves. The filly whimpered in my arms scared. I kissed her cheek patting her head trying to soothe my little bitch with a hoof. “There there don’t cry… or I’ll melt your eyes into my pudding,” I threatened as was about to say something else I found witty until the ground shook from a loud explosion making me fall on my ass as I used the filly in my arms as a pony shield. “Thee fuck is going on now!?” I screamed in annoyance. Who wouldn’t? Being so close to escaping and all this shit happens. And what's up with all of these fucking interruptions!? Footnote: S-3 P-7 E-3 C-7 I-5 L-2 Trait: Dumb Blonde) You are sometimes quite dumb. But are good at talking to everyone around you. You sometimes have a "Dumb Blonde" moment. Trait: Broken pony) You are very emotionally unstable. Hide it with lame jokes. Trait: Raider Background) You know how raiders operate. Author's Note Have a problem with this chapter please tell me the problem. Thank you. Human in a couple of chapters.
Chapter 2: Jet! Not Dash! Psycho not Rage!Author's Note Title of chapter refers to an argument by two raiders. Chapter 2: Jet! Not Dash! Psycho not Rage! Everypony in the medical room or hospital room as far as I could see what I would assume that this room was. We all fell on the floor landing on our rumps; the ground shaking violently. During the shaking, I screamed out “Thee fuck is going on!?” While I used the teenage unicorn filly as a pony shield. She was wearing a common torn up scavenger outfit that looked to be made out of rags. She would make a terrible meat shield. While I was naked only being covered by my white coat and blonde mane and tail. In all honesty, I felt very exposed. . . and naked. . . oh so very naked. That could be bad or good depending on your point of view. 'weirdos' Without really thinking about it I tossed the filly away off to the side then quickly throwing myself into the square shaped glass window. Smashing my way out which I instantly regretted. The glass cutting into my flesh and the hard hit to shatter the glass hurt like hell. I felt my head spin as I plummeted two storeys downward. Having been on the second floor? Or would that be the third floor? I was a raider with a low education so what the hay would I know? When I hit the ground I felt the wind knocked out of me “Oof!” I gasped desperately breathing like an excited seal for any stray air in the area. After a minute or two of routine recovery here in the Wasteland. Groaning and grumbling on the floor. My right side was flaring up with heated pain. It felt like I was constantly being burned by a constant burning fire connected to a heated metal rod. I was also pretty sure I had broken a rib or two. . . ‘possibly more?’ I felt a few tears began to leak from my eyes. I hadn't felt true physical pain like that in a long time. . . I felt weak, I felt hopeless. . . I writhed on the floor. Knowing I had to get up. I had to get out of here! I didn't have time to stay for my things. Because it was all replaceable. My weapons and my armor pretty much everything else that I had on me that was also confiscated. . . I still had my pip-fuck at least. My white and gold pip-buck. I didn’t want to risk getting locked up again! ‘This could possibly be my last chance. . . since that stupid Discord did this to me!’ I thought to myself angrily. I slammed my eyes closed rolling over to my right side making me yelp out loud. I'm pretty sure I rolled on top of some glass shards. . . 'This blows. . . small stallion dicks. . .' The glass pierced through my hide giving me a sensation of knives slowly sinking into my soft flesh giving me the feeling of the glass shards slowly making their way inside me. Like if small ants were burrowing into my skin. I bit my lip rolling onto all four. Doing a quick push up to stand on my noodle like legs. I wobbled shaking as I stood up. Beginning to walk forward looking around. I really didn’t have any sense of direction. Having been fucked up the whole time including jumping out of windows. It seemed to be an ordinary town. With merchant stands. . . okay, a whole bunch of merchant stands. . . This is probably where the trading is good and keeps the Wastelands economy flourishing greatly. I saw the ponys around town giving me weird funny looks, some were alarmed, others shocked. I really wanted to give them all a piece of my mind. I wanted to cut them up and slowly drain them of their blood while I hung them upside down. While I used all their children as my personal playthings. Then this town would know to never fuck with me! No one messes with me and gets away with it! Not even Discord! 'You little shit!' A mare in a ripped up cloak looked over at me. I could see her yellow sickly tooth missing that was her left front tooth. . . was. Judging by her appearance I could easily tell that she was a raider. Looking at her armor that was made of stitched together cutie marks. It was just exposed enough to see under her cloak. I just gave her a cheeky smile either trying to intimidate or threaten or impress even. In all honesty, I did it just for raider times sake. Even giving the populace a small wave. Being the idiot I was not paying attention to my surroundings. Just noticing that I finally was able to hear yelling of a high number of guards started to shout towards me. I didn’t care what they were shouting out to me. Because it was probably something along the lines of ‘Stop!’ ‘Freeze!’ ‘We’ll shoot!’ something cliche shit like that. Up ahead of me was a huge metal door a gate even; in front of me, I smiled as I limped as fast as I could towards the huge metal door/gate that I had previously knocked on the night before to get in. When I would have happily died with a smile on my face accepting death like an old friend. I was actually surprised that they even heard me with all the rain hitting the thick metal. But the rain had long stopped with the pure white cloud cover blocking the sun, but just enough filtered light to go through. I was actually confused by how that cloud cover got there. I had never seen anything like it. Even back home the kind of cloud cover was alien to me. Something I had never seen before minus today and tomorrow. Though yesterday it was night and nearly pitch black. With my confused expression, I looked back down to the metal door. Searching for a switch or a lever or a fucking magic button of TRUTH! That would set me free. But was disappointed and I felt kinda stupid walking towards the gate. Noticing that the walls beside the metal gate that were meant to border the town from the outside Wasteland keeping the outsiders and mutated creatures out. I remember when I once had a town. . . a home. . . a family. Seconds later I had noticed guards on the metal walls. Aiming their guns down towards me. Their weapons were either held on either a battle saddle or clenched tightly in their teeth. I didn’t even bother to look what they had. It was most likely standard weapons. My drive for survival was swimming wandering aimlessly. My raider brain just patting me on the back and saying softly “You’re fucked. . ." before leaving me all alone with my devices. I stood stiffly as a board in front of the guards looking up at them with my drive for survival waining drastically like a rollercoaster going down a slope. Behind the metal door/gate, I heard a thunderous reverberation of noise representing a hoard of thundering hooves with an earth-shaking pair of giant feet. Before a guard on a watch tower suddenly screamed. “She was just a distraction!” He said urgently before a rocket soared through the air. All the guards and the populace of merchants and wanderers stared in horror, as the wooden watchtower blew apart like a playset of Jenga. . . I smiled widely as I saw the towers remains shattering crumbling down in the process of the once strong watchtower. The wooden splinters rained down on me and a few others; that made me lose my smile how annoying it could be sometimes I was now going to have to wash my mane! That watchtower guard pony sure as hell didn’t survive the collapse of the sharp jagged wooden ends stook out of the pile of wood coated bright red. “He saw that coming!” I shouted before I burst out laughing at my own joke the reverse one of. ‘He didn’t see that coming’. But the ponys didn’t think it was funny as they gave up shouting at me, and just resorted to just firing at me. I eeped reacting quickly as my adrenaline spiked up. I jumped behind a merchant stand to use as cover. Bullets ripped through the wooden stand. Showering me with splinters of wood. That I so desperately hated. The pain in my seemed to have disappeared covered by all of the adrenaline. Suddenly I began to hear hollering and a gunfight breaking out near the front of the gate. Coming from the outside world. I was actually glad to whoever was helping me by distracting these pigs. I’m used to fighting in close quarters not out in the open. Even though I am a pegasus. I had an arsenal of weapons stored away but not at this moment. I didn’t want to waste any magic I had left over doing so would mean my demise. . . I was sort of like unicorn now. . . in a weird sorta way I could have a magical burnout. So why was I still even hanging onto the life I still had? I had lost my family. . . I had it so close! And it all slipped away. . . like sand in your hand slowly slipping out of your hand. . . Along the lines of ‘you’ll need this more than I do.’ Why did I give my magic away to her? I needed it more. . . and I spent it all to give her one last goodbye. . . would it really even have mattered? She hated my guts. . . she hated the very presence of me. . . she was brought up to hate me. . . my own. . . *BOOM!* a loud explosion brought me back to reality. Prompting me to quickly scoop up a random weapon. Being as unlucky enough as I was to get behind a food stand. Having a limited amount of magic and being a pegasus. I felt tired as shit right now quickly snatched a Fancy Buck snack cake. That landed right beside me. 'Thank the gods for their forgiveness!' I smiled widely until I noticed having a bullet hole in the snack which prompted my smile to instantly fall. 'The gods never forget. . .' I gulped with tears beginning to fill my vision my life could never be easy and simple. Bullets began to hit the food cart that I was using as cover. I poked my head out like an idiot; eyes going wide as I saw a guard standing there quickly ducking back down into cover. Just in time too as bullets flew by where my head had been seconds before. Thinking quick I blindly threw the snack cake hitting a stallion guard in the face with it. Landing it perfectly and totally on accident on his horn. Perfectly were the snack cake was previously punctured by a bullet. His horn impaled it like a sorta ring toss only widening the hole with his horn. The stallion angrily charged at the stand I was behind. My eyes widened as I picked up a Sparkle Cola. I hoisted at him like an Olympic gold medalist. He lowered his head dodging my projectile. Wasting a good soda pop as I did so. He aimed his horn at me as he jumped over the stand like a track star. Jumping to the side not wanting to get impaled by him. . . in anyway shape or form. I groaned as I landed on my bad side. Feeling my side flare up with pain. I cried out rolling over onto my good side bruising it in the process but was totally worth it. Propping my bad side up so I could survey the damage. What I saw made me groan out. But the groan only made the pain worse. I saw my side bleeding as the glass shards sank deeper into my hide. This wasn't good, not good at all. The stallion crashed into a building breaking his neck as he went full force against it. I didn’t know if he was dead or not but frankly I didn’t care. Getting up slowly but surely I began to limp away from the battle at the gate. Walking normally just hurt my injured side more. I looked over at the giant metal door. Only to see the town almost empty. The wall beside the metal gate, door. . . whatever you want to call it. The walls beside it were guards were on top of shooting down at my ‘distraction’. I began to limp the opposite direction not wanting to get caught in the mix-up. I only saw merchants packing up their stuff in a hurry. As I was walking something made of paper flew in my face. Smacking right dab in the middle of my face. I growled pulling it off my face stopping in my tracks as I examined the object. What I saw was a pegasus mare in a suggestive pose. I read the Huge Text on the front cover. “Wingboner,” I said innocently with wonderment in my eyes that seemed to inlarge sparkling in the purest joy in the world. I looked at the mare as my wings poofed out loudly as my cheeks turned bright red. I wanted to do so many things to that mare. . . Especially the way she was looking at from the magazine cover. She was on her side on a lush pink carpet. She had a yellow coat and an orange mane. She was on her side giving me a lustful look. I subconsciously licked my lips feeling a little wet actually. I wish mares in the Wasteland still looked as good as this mare on the cover and like me. . . though I used magic to keep me youthful looking. Then a loud bang snapped me back to reality. Making me feel nauseous. I don’t like loud noises. My ears pinned back as I turned my head around to see the huge metal gate. From where I entered and where the current battle was taking place from was blown straight off the ground flying through the air smashing a merchant in his stand while he was packing his goods smashed as well. The griffon merchant didn’t even see it coming. He became a smeared chicken nugget in an instant. What I saw almost made me pee. What stood was a large dragon the size of the metal door/gate to be exact. He wore a colorful leather jacket that seemed to be made out of the cutie marks of ponys. He blew fire at the ponies that were on the walls. Hearing them scream as they were engulfed in flames. Screaming in agony until they were later killed by raiders. Or were unlucky enough to continue burning. I slowly placed the Wingboner magazine into my mane for safe keeping because a girl makes her mane a high priority target. I think I just made a reason for me to keep on going. . . I needed to pleasure myself to this magazine's secrets then I could peacefully blow my brains out and climax multiple times to its luscious contents. I thought rather dumbly walking away from that fighting. Not looking back if I did I would surely get killed or raped. . . though. . . I wouldn’t mind getting raped by a good looking raider though. . . it isn't considered rape if you like it right?’ I thought in a dreamy tone as I felt my tail swish excitedly at the idea. I didn’t exactly have my raider barding so. . . I was pretty much a civilian wastelander to them. . . and if I was in another Raider gang, band, whatever. They would probably still kill me anyway just for fun. . . that’s what I would have done. . . uh. . . shit! I saw most of the raiders closing in slaughtering the merchants and guards as if they were nothing. Because the guards were lame and boring as fuck. 'Raiders rule!' That dragon they had was coming in handy. Breaking through the town's defenses as if it were his personal lego playset. I rushed into an almost empty alleyway desperately hopping into a dumpster that was filled with disgusting, smelly trash. “This is going to be a long day. . .” I groaned closing my eyes as the horrible garbage's rotting smell assaulted my twitching nose. I scrunched up my face within the darkness of the dumpster. Just then I felt movement in the dumpster hearing the garbage moving about. The garbage shifted around the enclosed area withing he dumpster scaring the shit out of me. “Oh, you too?” Said a light scratchy feminine voice. I went still as a frightened cat; minus the shocked scream they do. I gulped nervously licking my dry lips thirsty for a drink. “Who are you?” I asked shifting around in the dumpster. The other voice in the dumpster spoke up again. “The name’s Jagged Edge. . . yours?” The feminine voice known as Jagged Edge asked. I then felt a hoof touch my cheek then began to stroke my cheek. “R-Radiant Shine.” I squeaked While Jagged Edge laughed before going quiet when we both heard someone outside our dumpster. We both waited quietly until the two of us heard a primal growl from someone or something. Before we could think more into it or whoever, or whatever it was quickly ran away. “Say. . . aren’t you that feeble-minded raider that tried to take on the whole security of this town in a hoof fight?” Jagged edge laughed again. She struck a nerve. “HEY, I’m not feeble-minded!” I retorted wanting to strangle the shit out of her now. Beginning to shake in a fit of rage. Ever since I became a pony. . . well. . . I think being a mare has made me mentally weaker thinking on my emotions more than logic. My feelings seemed to always cloud my judgment and make me emotionally unstable. Being blonde and white didn't help my case. Being white trash and retarded just sucked, to say the least. Yeah, I don't feel like insulting myself right now. . . She patted my cheek letting out a brash laugh. ‘Her hoof was a bit. . . uh. . . jagged? Pun?’ I seemed to calm myself down or did she? The pun making myself laugh mentally. “I say we get out of here,” Jagged Edge said throwing both of the dumpster's lids wide open. The light blinding me harshly. My eyes having been adjusted to the darkness of the dumpster now exposed to the light. My eyes shrank into pinpricks slamming my eyes closed once again shaking my head as if the suns light was my poison even if the Wasteland's sunlight was dimmed by the cloud cover. Filtering out most of the light, so I had that going for me. Trying to shield my eyes from the invading light. “What scared of a little light?” Jagged Edge asked me teasingly having me hissed in response like a cave monster. I slowly opened my eyes with my arms above my eyes still protecting myself from the light. “I’m not scared of some stupid light!” I growled quickly recognizing her. She was that raider I had passed earlier in the market. Where all of the merchant stands were set up and not destroyed. She had a ripped cloak with her sickly yellow teeth missing one tooth that was the left front tooth. She reminded me of my band of raiders when I was once a leader. . . I stayed in the dumpster not wanting to get caught by the other raiders. I only held my head out. Poking out of the dumpster my head swiveling left to right in a quick succession. Looking back down to Jagged who stood in front of me with a cocky smile “I don’t look like a raider without my barding. . . besides just look at me. I look like eye candy,” I explained honestly I was too sexy looking and mentally retarded to be any good without someone to watch my back, and I wasn't going to attach myself to anypony. I didn't want to get hurt again. I had to hide everything I can from joking and acting dumb. . . but sometimes being a stupid blonde helps. . . Jagged Edge only seemed to laugh harder. “Sweetcheeks you look like eye candy either way! You got bucking wings!” She said throwing off her cloak. Exposing her stitched cutie mark barding. Obviously, they were trophies over her previous kills and was used to intimidate. She then opened her saddlebags pulling out separate pieces of metal plates that had leather straps stuck against the metal. 'Proably welded together?' “Whala Raider barding!” She said exaggerating her words like a magician about to put on a show. . . or that was the quick show that was quite lame. I gave her a deadpan stare. While I got out of the dumpster putting on the metal plates hastily. Strapping them on with the thick leather straps. The metal plates seemed to weigh me down drastically. Strength wasn’t really my strong suit. And adding it in with the broken ribs and the glass shards withing my skin wasn’t helping me at all. I winced having a pained expression on my face. I now wore spiked knee guards for all four legs that were all pointed forward. I also now wore heavy metal armor over my barrel covering my flanks, and shoulders and most importantly my chest. I looked like a metal Porcupine. I shouldn’t have been surprised when I didn’t get a helmet to complete the set. She just smiled toothily at me looking me over. But what really shocked me was actually how she managed to store away something so big with her. She reminded me of myself in my younger days. But she was clearly more ugly looking than me. Common courtesy from the Wasteland itself with its finest generosity. I rolled my eyes as Jagged and I together exited the alleyway seeing the raiders hooting and hollering starting to loot the town. Me and Jagged Edge looked over at each other knowingly as we began looting as well blending in with the rest of the raiders. But I exclusively stayed close to her. Because it made me feel comfortable sticking with her and safe; though you could never trust a raider. Even though we just met. I didn’t want to know anyone new anyway. I was getting a lot of weird suspicious looks from the other raiders. Probably because they weren’t familiar with me. And I hope it stays that way I didn't want to meet anypony else or any creature else. We looted until the sun went down, my body aching with my unattended wounds. Also sore from wearing the heavy metal armor. Some raiders stayed to watch over their new ‘territory’ including the huge raider dragon with his vest of pony cutie marks. While me and Jagged Edge made our way following the other raiders back to their ‘homebase. . . or uh. . . cave? No that’s not right a dungeon or a raider den?’ I stayed right beside Jagged Edge the whole time like my life depended on it. I was very exhausted wearing the heavy metal armor. Taking its toll on me. “So do we get to rest later or something?” I asked Jagged Edge in an exhausted whisper. She only smiled toothily at me making it odd always seeing her gap in her teeth. “Nope!” She chirped as she skipped by me leaving me behind. Her saddlebags bouncing up and down. I was about to say something when another raider mare got in my face. “Say, never seen you around here new blood,” She said with a suspicious look in her eyes. This earth pony mare had a jet black coat with a dark green mane. She even wore a barbed wire bow in her dark green mane. Her bright green eyes made me smile. ‘I would never admit it. . . but. . . I like raiders. . . they’re just as hu-pony. . . like the rest of us. we all are people we just show it differently.’ I only smiled brightly “I’m new!” I quickly explained sorta true nodding my head like an idiot blending in well with my idiot kind. Prompting her to only raise a brow just as she was about to ask another question. A raider stallion hopped up beside me laughing like a maniac. “Oh hO Ho! Looksey whatsey gotsey here!” he chimed as he continued to laugh with cray glee while he bounced around me drawing the rest of the raiders attention. My eyes just seemed to follow him cautiously my brain telling me he’s about to jump out at me and attack. I used all of my willpower to not lash out and kill the crazy bastard. Watched him cautiously my mind going red alert for the rest of our journey. When we finally made it to a building? about three miles away from that town we looted. A rough estimate because I wasn't exactly paying attention for how long we walked, but having my eyes locked on the crazy. We walked in front of a large army hanger that had the garage door thingie up or blown off. I could just barely make out a town getting in front of the gate just straight ahead. Meanwhile, I walked behind the rest of the raiders that seemed to be forming a line. Stayed in line tired and hurting like shit. I would slowly drift off then back into consciousness. I hung my head as I passed out while standing up in line. ***Third Person*** Radiant Shine fell face first into the plot of a bright red raider mare whose name was Strife. The Strife stood up straight as her eyes widened in shock from the sudden jolt of pleasure that passed through her body. She stiffly turned her head around to see Radiant having her muzzle rubbing against her 'you know what'. Strife moaned softly with reddening cheeks not complaining at all from the sudden pleasure that was spreading throughout her body. As she began to grind her rear into Radiant’s face. But they were quickly interrupted when they reached the gate. “Identification!” A raider in power armor called out. He had half of his face burnt. The skin ugly and unnerving to an outsider but is highly respectable in raider culture. Scars just prove how tough you are. Raiders have that mutual respect besides the low of the low raiders. Who have little to no respect for no one and are arrogant and annoying as hell. “Strife Identification!?” The stallion in power armor asked aggressively. “H-h-here sir-r-r!” Strife squeaked having been yelled at. She showed him some paper before walking in as he gave her a nod of approval. Radiant was jolted awake from the shout by the Raider in power armor. That raider was Strike Zero. ***End Of Third Person*** I was shaken away in surprise by a sudden outburst. I looked everywhere alarmed until a stallion in power yelled in my face. “YOU IDENTIFICATION!” He screamed again. My mind was spinning trying to process what he had just said. He quickly lost his patience his temper flaring as he roughly grabbed me by the throat with a claw hand on his right arm while his left had a flamethrower he seemed to be able to stand on two legs in power armor. “IDENTIFICATION!” He shouted again as he lifted me up in the air. Making a scene as all the raiders began to watch in joy as I was embarrassed more than anything. And the funny thing was. . . I felt right at home. . . except I wasn't the one in charge. Looking back I was spoiled by my now ex-husband. I was actually surprised that they were checking for identification this must be some high-end place or something. My eyes widening in shock. “I-I’m new!” I squeaked out wanting to get a free pass or something! As I hung clutched his claw trying to get him to release me. “Oh? Is that so?” He said pursing his lips giving me puppy dog eyes. I knew he was obviously mocking the new fish. And I was the fish. “Yes! Now please let me go your excellency!” I said out of respect of course. ‘My husband would never have let anyone lay a hoof on me. . . but he wasn’t here anymore. . . fucker. ’ He laughed in my face showing off his sharp white teeth. ‘He definitely sharpened those.’ “You all hear that!?” He hollered out loud as the raiders began to laugh with him. “We got a new piece of meat in our midst!” He looked me over licking his lips. “What do you think we should do with her?!” He cackled loudly as he hung me in front of the raiders. Me still being held by the throat. “We could initiate this one by letting her get around. . . orrrr. . . the PITT! He laughed loudly as so did the raiders. “Uh oh,” I muttered before gulping nervously. ***** The raider that I now knew as Strike Zero opened a giant pipe that had a manhole cover welded on as a makeshift door. All of the raiders cheered as he opened the manhole cover and tossed me in like a piece of garbage. “Oof!” I grunted loudly slamming into the ground again. . . My side still hurting from today’s events. The glass shards seeing to dig deeper into my hide. While my broken ribs poked at my insides uncomfortably. I was actually surprised that I didn't puncture a lung yet. I still had that feeling of fatigue I felt like just falling over and sleeping on the uncomfortable floor. But the adrenaline and fear of the unexpected kept me up. I slowly raised my head to see other ponies in the small enclosed room. The Walls were all metal. Bronze, either bronze or rust? The walls seemed to be covered with smaller pipes nailed to the sides of the big pipe I was in. Honestly, I didn’t give a shit. I just wanted to have a drink have something tasty to eat and a nice long nap. Then I would rule the Wasteland with an iron hoof. Until I laid my eyes on the rest of the raider newbies quickly getting distracted. “Hiya!” I said waving a hoof around. The other raiders while they were checking over their equipment. Strapping on armor, using drugs, even eating food. They all seemed to ignore me. I got up examining all of them. With my new found curiosity with nothing to do. There were about three earth ponies and one unicorn that was missing his horn. There was even a griffon. The damn eagle part lion creature that I despised a little bit more now. From my events in the prison cell. To tell you the truth I was pretty damn racist. Because I was mainly influenced by the experience I had with a certain race. First impressions are important of course. I hate dragons even though I was married to a dragon once. . . a foolish mistake on my part, but what do you expect from me? All three earth ponies were built like mini tanks. They weren’t as big as some stallions you might see. They were about the average size of mares. Except they had muscle while the unicorn with a broken horn was a twig in comparison. The Griffon had red feathers while he wore blue war paint on his face. I asked again hoping that this wasn’t what I thought it was. I didn’t want to be placed in a fighting arena. I was weak scrawny and already injured. I didn’t know if my body could take any more of this kind of abuse. “Excuse me? But can someone please explain what you all are preparing for?” I asked politely getting all of their attention 'finally' this time with my manner of speaking. Probably because they weren’t used to it, and might have found it unique? “We’re about to get initiated,” The griffon said brandishing a battle axe. The shiny metal sparkling light it reflected almost blinding me in the dark room. ‘I’m definitely killing you for that.’ What can I say? I like collecting things. “Initiated? Cool!” I chirped excitedly flapping my wings happily but on the inside, I was feeling the opposite. 'Shit!-shit!-Shit!' I mentally screamed. Now getting their complete attention. I was also starting to notice that there weren’t many pegasi in this part of the Wasteland. I seemed only to be finding Earth ponies, Unicorns, and. . . griffins, and dragons. . . well, a dragon. A huge one matter of factly. The one that ripped the gate off it's hinges at that merchant town. That I am now very happy got trashed after what they had done to me! Discriminating against me! Just because of my raider religion! One of the earth ponies got up walking over to me in the tight stuffed room. Sticking his hoof out towards me in a hoof shake. “Well, I’ll be,” He said with a smile. “Haven’t seen you pegasuses down here.” He chuckled as I rolled my eyes at him for not saying ‘pegasi’ but I couldn’t really blame him. I say stupid shit too. I shook his hoof giving him a fake smile, and let me tell you. . . my fake smile makes others around me feel awkward and in most cases it is unnerving. Like right about. . . now. Everyone was now looking at me weirdly already suspecting it was fake. As the smile never met my eyes. He opened his mouth about to say something when a loud voice coming from a speaker sounded off. All the raiders in the room quickly lined up. At the opposite side of the room, I came from. I nervously got behind a scared earth pony. But I didn’t show it on my face. I had to be tough, intimidating, a raider. I slowly closed my eyes. “THE FRESH LITTLE WADDERS WANT TO JOIN THE BIG KIDS!” A gravelly voiced stallion said over the speaker. “ARE YOU KIDS READY TO SEE THEM PUT TO THE TEST~!?” He screamed into the microphone. Laughing as all of the raiders screamed chanting a single word over and over again. “PITT, PITT, PITT, PITT, PITT!” They chanted while I thought it was adorable. Now I was just waiting for him to say 'Let's get ready to RUMMMBLLLEEEE!!!~' The stallion on the speaker boomed loudly “First up! We got the LITTLE BROKE HORN! Make some noise!~” He said as the manhole cover that led us to the arena opened up quickly slamming to the left side of the pipe. The loud bang noise vibrated towards me making me feel nauseous. ‘It was a drawback becoming a god’ I joked with myself saying something stupid trying to make myself happy in my state of depression. I said that same inside joke for years. I was always in pain joking to make myself happy. Knowing that no one else could. No one thought my jokes were funny. . . but the thing was. . . the jokes weren’t meant for them. . . they were meant for me. . . The unicorn with the broken horn quickly ran through wearing combat armor. Holding a 10mm pistol in his mouth. The crowd cheered outside. I was a little disappointed when the door closed in front of us. But otherwise, it had a small hatch that opened up so we could watch from the safety of our pipe like cage. It even had a glass protector scratched up and beat up that we were seeing through the small opening. We all crowded around the bubble glass protector. I was hoping it was that bulletproof glass you see in movies. Didn’t want the stupid glass to cut my beautiful face. “Give it up for the Broken Twig!” The announcer said on a whim. Having the crowd burst out into a fist of laughter. The unicorn started walking around the arena that reminded me of ‘No Man’s Land’ funnily enough. He seemed to be basking in the attention. Rearing on his two hind legs neighing like a true horse pony thing. Making me burst out laughing getting everyone in the room's attention of my presence yet again. “What he’s retarded!” I said dumbly with a smile as if it was obvious. Then the other pipe across from us opened up the manhole cover opening up with a mighty slam. A raider in leather armor came running out with a rusted looking machete. He didn’t even wait as he lashed out at the unicorn slicing off his leg with a clean cut. The unicorn screamed as the raider with machete laughed insanely as his yellow eyes told us all he was hooked on some drug. Presumably Psycho from such a powerful blow. “Give it up for the Rage addict!” The said enthusiastically giving them random titles. “He’s on Rage.” One of the earth ponies that I don’t care to explain said. He looked pretty generic with the other earth ponies. He had a white mane with a brown coat . I almost have mistaken him for an anime character. He's the one that I shook hooves with from seconds earlier. I just looked over at him like if he was crazy or he was talking in raider slang or something. “Rage?” I scoffed. “That name sounds ridiculous. It’s pronounced P-s-y-c-h-o.” I said like a complete snob. Completing the look by sticking my nose up in the air. He gave me the same miffed look I gave him. “Lady I don’t know what you’re on but everyone calls it Rage here,” He said cocking his head to the side. “Hey, are you new around here or something? Or do you just live a drug-free life or something?” He asked me curiously. I narrowed my eyes defensively. “That’s none of your business,” I growled making him flinch in surprise. Now scowling at him hatefully. His tail now tucked between his legs as I asserted my dominance among the lesser raider. I smiled in triumph as we looked out the bubbe shaped window to see the raider in leather armor holding the unicorn with the broken horn’s head in his mouth. Parading around the ‘Pitt’ he carried the head by the dead pony’s mane. The crowd cheered wildly. Happy to see someone dead. I was happy to say I smiled along with them. A true raider at heart. By how vile he treated the dead. The griffon in front of me just shook his head as he listened to us cheer as if this was the greatest sport in the world. Now I just needed some of his face paint and I would be cheering out loud 'goalllllllll!' The manhole cover opened again with its loud bang. Making me feel nauseous yet again the loud noise having me spasm in place for about a couple of seconds. Yeah, loud noises make me feel sick to my stomach. Meanwhile one of the earth ponies's from our pipe ran out with a combat shotgun on a weird saddle device he had. It reminded me of some of those stories I read about. I actually thought it was kinda ridiculous to wear. I thought of it as kinkier than anything else. He began firing the gun on his bag somehow but I could infer about what I read. And if it is true then he is biting down on something as a makeshift trigger? While I can use my hooves to hold a gun just fine. What was wrong with these ponies? Embracing raider culture to harshly. “He’s bringing out the shotty!” The announcer said enthusiastically. Making the audience cheer wanting to see some messy red pulp. The raider with the leather armor deflected the shotgun blasts with the machete surprisingly enough. “The force is strong in this one,” I muttered jokingly. Before the bottom of his jaw was blown up. letting out a pained squeal as the earth pony finished the job blowing the brains of the jawless raider. painting the arena with a new coat of red paint and brain matter. Seeing the debris of the raiders head made me feel relaxed. Telling myself that I’ve come home. That this was the only path I had, but that this path was strong and sturdy for me to walk down. Somehow I knew that things would be alright. I am a raider after all. We’ve all been put through the grinder and out. This was who we were meant to be. Then from the other side coming out of the opposing manhole came out a raider in power armor rushing out savagely lashing out at the earth pony with the battle saddle equipped with a shotgun. Stomping on the shotgun barrel with their metal hoof. Successfully bending the barrel in the process. But the earth pony triggered his gun making the shotgun misfire exploding the barrel making the shrapnel rip through his side. He screamed out only to have his head knocked clean off. Ending his pain instantly. But from what I knew was that you were still alive with your head decapitated. But died quickly after. His head soared up through the air up towards the stands up above were the raider audience spectated from. A small raider colt caught the head holding it up cheering. And so did the rest of the audience. The loud cheering was almost deafening. Another Earth pony from our side went out like a rinse and repeat the cycle. Making me feel sick again with the loud metal bang noise from the metal manhole cover. I probably had a concussion or something to make me feel this sick. The earth pony didn’t even stand a chance as the raider in power armor hulked up against his size. He only held a baseball bat clutched tightly in his jaw. Shaking in fear staring up at the pony in power armor. The armored pony raised a leg slowly making the earth pony lose his shit as he started running around the Pitt. Screaming wildly prompting the power armored pony to chase after him. The chase was short lived however jumping on top of the smaller raider. We all heard the sickening sound of snapping bones with the loud satisfying crunch. It sent shivers up pleasure down my spine. But cringed slightly in sympathy. That wasn’t very fun to feel. The earth pony was dead instantly or just paralyzed. but all in all, he was screwed for sure. The crowd laughed as they exchanged caps betting. I eyed the money wanting to get into the action of money making. The anime looking generic earth pony whistled as he got behind the griffon when his turn was clearly next. The griffon grunted grumbling some words under his breath before leaving. The manhole covering slamming against the side of the rusted metal pipe, and once again I felt sick. The red feathered griffon walked out with his shiny silver battle axe. I swore to loot it off him for collection purposes of course. He walked out swinging the battle axe threateningly to the pony in power armor. The announcer commented with a laugh “Watch out! We got a badass over here!” The crowd laughed with him. Me and the anime looking earth pony watched in awe. As the power armored pony seemed to be thinking it over on how to defeat its greatest threat yet. I was so entranced by this fight that I even forgot about the pain in my side for the time being. The double-headed battle axe was so shiny and pretty I wanted it so bad! I was practically wet from between my hind legs bouncing up and down as I watched. The anime looking earth pony was giving me a raised brow. Who I gratefully ignored. The griffon with his blue war paint over his face started to do some cool ass spin moves with his axe weapon while he used one talon. Inspiring me to try some spin moves with my own weapons some time. He then held his weapon with both talons ready for a fight. The pony in power armor straitened its back standing up straight. Then it began to crouch like a tiger about to pounce on its prey. But in this case, it was a predator vs predator. Then the metal beast jumped towards the griffon ferociously. But was heavily mistaken in thinking that it could win. The heavy metal got cut clean through slicing the side of the armor now sporting a large gash. The armor let out a shrieking cry as the metal was ripped up. Blood started to leak out of the armor. The griffon sidestepped and spun his weapon again next he jumped up just before he sent a downward strike hitting his mark. Lodging the axe into the pony in armor. The crowd booed wanting the griffon to get his ass kicked. They seemed to be as racist as me. The crowd mainly consisting of ponies. Then the door opened again sending out a unicorn mare who held a nail board in her magic. She was twitching uncontrollably as she took a hit of Jet. That was floating in her magic beside her. “She sure does love her Dash,” The anime looking earth pony said right beside me. 'Okay, enough of his made-up words!' “Hey, listen, buddy, I don’t know what shit you’re smoking but that’s Jet!” I snapped angrily with a look of irritation on my face. He just blinked blankly at me before he burst out laughing. “You’re a funny mare!” He chuckled holding his stomach falling over on his side. “Who even are you!? And so childish!” I growled getting the feeling that he was mocking me. He slowly recovered sitting up beside me as he hooked an arm over my shoulders. “The name’s Kalidas and drug selling is my game,” He chuckled. “That drug she was taking is Dash sweet pea.” He said laughing softly now recovering. From something I didn’t know he found funny. 'THAT DIDN'T EVEN RHYME!' We slowly turned back to the fight to see the raider mare. Holding her own against the griffon quickly dodging his precise strikes left and right. She then launched herself at him shoving the whole nail board through him and his metal armor like if it was nothing but paper. The griffon punched her off him while the wooden board was sticking out of him. 'The speed the unicorn used was impressive! She stuck a wooden board through fucking metal and a griffon! She knows how to cook up some birdie! That lady's and gentlecolts is the mare you want to make love too!' “Okay she’s probably on more than one drug,” Kalidas chuckled agreeing with him on that one. The griffon began to breath harder. His breaths coming out labored and heavy as the mare launched another assault on him. She slashed with the combat knife that was held in her magic savagely it was almost beautiful. Scratch that. . . 'it was beautiful! It made me so wet!' The griffon's movement became slow and rugged as he swung his axe at her using momentum trying to conserve what little energy he had left. She ducked under his swing before punching him with her hoof yet again. Except for this time she grabbed the board sticking out of him. She then yanked it out completely with her body and with the help of her magic. I couldn’t see the griffon’s face from this angle but I would assume it would have been one of great pain. The announcer then boomed in excitement. “Big Bird seems to be down for the count!” Then the hatch opened up me and Kalidas looked at each other. “It’s your turn budd-” I didn’t get to finish as I was thrust out into the arena landing on top my face. Which hurt a lot mind you. I slowly looked up to see everything standing up I span around in a complete circle in total awe to get a whole 360 view of the Pitt and the spectators. “Look at what we got here! We got a Pegi-Peg! Nice ass girl!” The announcer commented. “Survive this so I could tap that alright?!” 'I'm so killing you for mocking me!' I scowled turning around to face the drug consumed mare only to see her thrust a knife into my view. She missed my eye by about two centimeters judging by the lucky angle. I immediately rolled to the side. Which burned mind you. I still had shards of glass there with a few broken ribs. The metal armor pulled me towards the ground faster. The heavy metal good for speed when falling the momentum on my side. But the weight caused me to use more energy. I stood up on all four once again cautious as my opponent was a unicorn and not a mud pony. It was hard to keep her away from me being a slow big target while she was thin and nimble. She wasn’t wearing any armor though so I quickly devised a plan. It would get easier as our fight when on. . . in theory anyway. . . I began to strip out of my armor getting praise for ‘stripping’ more than anything, the horny raiders started getting more and more excited. “A fight with a striptease? I don’t know how it can get better than this!” The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers boomed as there was a loud fapping sound coming from the speakers. I rolled my eyes in annoyance I beginning to toss the metal pieces of armor at her. Aiming for her legs getting lucky enough to get her to stumble multiple times but she just wouldn't relent her onslaught of attacks. I was starting to get tired so I did the only thing I could do I charged at her spreading my wings wide as I launched myself at her, and she did the same. Both of us ready to kill. ‘I must live this fight I needed to survive. . . I need to survive. . . but why? Why didn't I just give up? I outlived my purpose. . . my job was complete. . . No. . . I had to fix this Wasteland!’ Her blade punctured my left shoulder I let out a cry of pain kneeing her with my spiked knee guard. I stabbed her hind legs knees with my metal spiked knee guards. Only getting when she reared up on her hind legs. While through the pain I raised both hooves up elbowing her neck with both elbows. Bruising it badly but not killing her. I was too weak to do that. I crashed down on top of her knocking the wind out of her. I laid her flat on her back beating the living shit out of her face. Hearing the crowd howling in approval. At the now one-sided fight. The mare went still under me as I lifted the mare’s head breathing heavily holding her head up in both hooves before I slammed the back of her head against the ground cracking her skull like an egg. The floor below her head was slowly painted red. Her blood leaking out of her cracked skull. I was breathed heavily when I heard the loud bang of metal as the other manhole opened again. I slowly turned around to see my next opponent. “Look it’s Robo Flame!” The announcer said as I saw a pony in power armor having two flamethrowers attached to the sides of his front hooves even sporting a battle saddle with two extra flamethrowers attached to his back. He had a backpack of fuel with a metal container. His power armor was Painted red with yellow and orange flames. He reared back onto his hind hooves before shooting fire into the air like Satan himself was here. I started to sweat from how hot it was starting to get in the arena. I didn’t have much in me. Right now I knew I would surely perish if I stayed still for any longer. I spread my wings wide as I took the air flying above the arena close by the other raiders. But I was stuck under the metal bars they had above the Pitt so no one could escape unless the one directing this said so. I was about 10ft up. I grabbed onto the bars above the Pitt. Looking down at him until he fired his flames up here after me. I easily dodged swooping down. Under the new layer of smoke making me landed on his back with a thud but slamming my face into his armor dazing me. Blood leaked out my now broken nose. The momentum having me fall off his back landing on the floor right beside him. The crowd booed at my poor performance. I stayed down feeling to beat up to get up. “COOK! COOK COOK!” The crowd began chanting. “It seems the crowd wants you to cook us some pegasi!” The announcer chuckled. I panted heavily exhausted. As I laid on my back looking up at the pony in the power armor. I had so happened to damage the two flamethrowers on his back having them bent at odd angles mostly facing downwards. The pony in power armor looked down at me. We seemed to stare at each other for a few seconds before he/her/it raised its metal hoof slamming it into my shoulder with a loud crunch. Causing me to scream out in pain. Tears began to fall free as I wasn't able to hold it back any longer. The pony then aimed the flamethrower down at my face. I could feel the heat coming off the metal tube just as it began to turn a hot yellow color. The crowd kept chanting. “COOK! COOK! COOK!” *SNAP*
Chapter 3: DisrespectI don’t know why I didn't fear death. . . but then I did. It was like an on and off switch. Being enthusiastic about dying, but at the last second yielding remembering as if I had some unfinished business. Was I really scared? Or was it some outside force telling me to hang on for just a bit longer? Living in the Wasteland has always confused me. Maybe it was me just wanting to have it end all right here right now. I really didn’t have anything left to live for. . . Everything I ever wanted had just slipped right through my hooves almost like sand. I had my child again… but that child didn’t want me… I was a failure and that was that I suppose. Nothing could change how I had failed as a mother, and as a wife, and now here I was… my end. I closed my eyes feeling the hot burning flames wash over me like a veil that has been thrown over a dead person. Smiling. Wanting to greet death like an old friend… I read that in a book once. . . To her. . . ***Third Person POV*** The ponys hollered loudly seeing the flames consume Radiant in its brutal glory, but she did not scream in pain or bellow or cling to life. She accepted her fate not moving a muscle. While the raider in power armor continued to shower her with fire leaving only a silhouette to be seen until nothing was left. . . all that remained was ash. Making the raiders disappointed and confused on why that she didn't scream or writhe in pain. The flaming executioner looked up at the pony in the stands shrugging in the bulky power armor that was made of fire-resistant material. The pony's big metal shoulders moved up and down with his shrug. Flame Ball in the flaming painted power armor kicked the pile of ash with disrespect. For making him look stupid in front of everyone. He was well known for making his victims scream in agony. Courtesy of fire, but this one made him the victim smiling up at him and embarrassing him in front of the crowd. The image of her smile imprinted itself into his mind making him tremble in his power armor, but to the outside view, he looked perfectly still. Discord sat in the stands unnoticed as the raiders cheered as Kalidas came out wielding a gas mask with an air looking tank on his back that was oval in shape taking about the whole space on his back. He also had two pouches of some strange green liquid connected to his two hind legs. He pulled out a laser rifle with a roughed up looking battle saddle. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. . . “ Discord sighed sadly. Discord might have been powerful… but he was careless and reckless and right now it hurt. He couldn’t bring back the dead even in his weakened state. He couldn’t even bring back poor Fluttershy. . . he couldn't even save his hu-. . . friend. . . ***Third Person POV END*** “What is that Precious?” A pristine looking white coated mare asked her daughter. How others would consider her daughter to be a freak of nature. They were within a large luxurious bedroom with a terminal on a desk at the corner of the room that seemed to be a mini office. With manuals and video game holodisks scattered about. There was even a giant mirror that was in pristine condition. Not something so easily accessible in the Wasteland. The room even sported a closet filled to the brim with clothes all hung from hangers or stacked on the floor under the hang clothes. There were even clothes in a large cabinet that seemed to be filled to the brim with clothes. drawers hung open to the sheer amount of clothes stuffed into them. The baby giggled showing her mom a picture. It wasn’t just any old picture. It was the picture. Showing a crudely drawn sweating tired looking pegasus mare standing beside a dragon. Together holding a little baby demon looking monster. The mare in the picture was resting on a bed while her husband was standing up beside the bed with arms outstretched so the pegasus and the dragon could both hold the baby. . . The baby snuggling up with her mom more. “Mama mama!” The baby said enthusiastically showing her mother the picture proudly. The mare put a hoof to her mouth as her shiny gold mane fell into her field of view. looking down her mane obscured one-fourth of her vision. She brushed her locks of mane aside as she smiled nuzzling her baby as she sat down on the floor with her ‘precious’ baby. “Yes, that’s me.” She said with a smile. As she picked her daughter up laying her on her lap. “And that’s you baby-baby!” She mare repeated playfully while her baby responded with her own words. “Mama mama!” The baby giggled reaching up out towards her mother with her little claws. Just then a glass shattering sound went off *Glass Breaking*. The mare’s head whipped toward the direction where the sudden outburst of shattering glass came from. That mare hated loud noises and for a good reason too. “Mama! Mama!” Her baby spoke scared now beginning to cry scared. Seeing her mother with a fearful expression told her that danger was near. The mare slowly looked down at her daughter sad to see her daughter this way. Slowly smiling to cheer up her daughter “Don’t worry mommy will protect you…” She said giving her a sweet smile nuzzling her daughter comfortingly wrapping her soft feathery wings around her into a motherly embrace. *Thud* Everything began to become blurry. As things began to fade in and out of existence. The only thing left was the mother. She looked down only wanting to see her daughter's face in this scary situation. But was only more disturbed to see nothing at all but herself holding onto nothing at all. Her eyes slowly widened in shock as her mouth opened wide wanting to scream out in disbelief and horror, but nothing came out. She started to frantically search getting up quickly looking everywhere around her surrounding hoping to find her missing daughter. “Precious!” She screamed but no sound came out. Even the ambient noise became nonexistent starting to make her feel sick to her stomach. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. Even her own breathing it made her feel light headed. But still continued to look everywhere as the surroundings became shrouded in complete and total utter darkness. She began to cry collapsing onto the nonexistent floor longingly clinging to the thought that her daughter was still alright. In her never-ending search. She curled up into a ball. Slowly looking into her hooves empty hooves here eyes blurry as tears continued to stream down rivers down her muzzle. She too saw that she was begging to fade into the inky blackness. She seemed to give into the darkness laying limply. Whimpering in pain, heartbroken. She laid there accepting her fate disappearing completely out of view into the pitch black abyss of nothingness. . . ***** My vision swam in waves disorientated and wet. I choked on a sob as my everything hurt. Feeling a warm liquid against my side. While I laid on the floor. My shoulder burned with searing pain while the rest of my body proceeded to scream in total agony. I tried hard trying to focus my vision and slowly getting up on my shaky legs. Looking around my surroundings yet still blurry eyed. Everything was hard to focus on as I stumbled about. I could hear glass crunching under my hooves stepping on small shards of glass fell out from my body. Continuing to walk through what looked to be a long gray hallway swaying as I walked. I couldn’t see any of the details even if I wanted to. I leaned against the right side of the gray colored wall trying to keep myself up my vision would momentarily blink in and out. Making it really hard to see where I was going. Slowly making my way forward sliding my side against the wall leaving behind a long trail of blood on the wall. The clip-clopping of my hooves underneath me on the whitish marble floor. . . I think it was white. . . Blood slowly dribbled down my quivering lips sobbing quietly to myself in the empty dark quiet halls walking for minutes. . . no. . . hours. . . I seemed to hear the echo of all the sounds I was making all at once. Giving up on my endless walking trek pressing my wounded side against the wall till I slowly turned away from the wall right before sliding down against the wall until I was in a sitting position. Leaning my back against the wall. I looked up at the ceiling as everything began to unfocus like a camera. That was not saying much that I couldn’t see anything, to begin with. Had the ceiling ‘some sort of large gray? No… white? No… can’t be…’ I thought to myself as I began to then slowly look down feeling so, so tired. But when I looked down I was surprised to see a blurry white shiny yellow looking creature in front of me as it reached up to me. I couldn't tell what it was being so blind in my state. Wasn't I supposed to be dead? I tilted my head ever so slowly. As the small creature opened its mouth and closed its mouth talking. I couldn’t see it as my everything just looked so unclear. I couldn't even hear what it was saying. Then when the little creature was finished talking it hugged me… I teared up as I wrapped my wings around the friendly creature. I slowly closed my eyes as I blacked out. Darkness taking hold of me once again. Sad to say. . . I was almost used to it. . . ***** I gasped loudly sitting straight up. My eyes widened my head snapped right to left a couple of times in a quick succession. I was in a white padded room now. That reminded me of a crazy house or if you wanted to get technical an 'asylum'. I pushed down on the padding with my soft hoof not surprised when I felt how soft the padding was. In a crazy way, it was pretty comfortable. I then turned to the door that was padded as well with the same color of the room being white. “I swear all this white is going to make someone crazier,” I muttered to myself walking right over to the white padded door. Looking out of the small tiny little food slot. Then quickly finding a small handle beside the door. The handle was padded as well but was colored black. Looking through the small flood slot I saw outside. Seeing an empty dirty gray hallway with a straight line of red blood. 'Was that mine?' I even saw Radroaches scampering around the floor. Some even on the walls seeming to be mating. I cringed watching the disgusting sight before my eyes. “Fucking bugs…” I muttered before taking a couple of steps back closing the slot quietly. I couldn’t see much so I needed to get out of here first. I sat my “big” rump down on the soft plush padding. ‘Fuck it’ I threw myself back as I rolled around over the cushions enjoying the comfiness. lazily lounging around laying on my back sighing in contempt as I closed my eyes reaching a hoof into my blonde mane searching for something useful to use. Beginning to hum a soft tune to myself then after a few hums I began to sing softly to myself. "Go to sleep. . . go to sleep. . . my little baby~ go to sleep. . . my little baby," I sang with an angelic voice with all of the practice I’ve had with a small smile before I reached into my mane pulling out a severed unicorn horn. I had once severed it from one of my victims. My raiders were always tasked to bring me back unicorn horns for their magic. After I lost everything I felt like I had nothing left. . . So I gave myself a purpose wanting to restore order to the Wasteland… that is still my goal right now… there is ain't no one who would stop me here anymore… so I don’t have to hold back anymore. . . this would be my sacred deed. . . Getting up so now that I was sitting up straight. I placed the purple horn standing up vertically in front of me the cushion supporting it holding the horn up. I then reached back into my blonde mane with a hoof as I continued to sing. "Mommy, loves you. . . my little baby~. . ." I ended the song quietly closing my eyes. Fresh tears began to fall down my face yet again always being emotionally distressed. I felt my heart feel hollow and numb. The feeling was so unnerving feeling a quick flash of depression wash over me slumping forward in my sitting position my head hung in sadness. Making me shiver my voice hitched in my throat as I began to whimper out like a kicked puppy. The sound of jiggling of glass, metal, and even a rubber squeaking sound was heard coming from me as I searched within my mane. Only using the sense of touch. As my hoof skidded across a hardcover. I slowly I pulled out a large book that was in good condition; well as best as I could get it in. The cover withered by age. The title making me freeze as it had a picture of the three main ponies. The Earth Pony stood on the left while the Pegasus stood on the right, and lastly was the unicorn… that stood in the middle of the cover. They all had a somber look on their face as I stared down at them. A fire lighting up within my eyes. I stroked the cover with a hoof remembering everything. I wasn’t a mother… I was never a mother… I slowly opened the book looking over the edge of the book to peer down to the purple horn. I licked my lips seductively 'I need the magic right now… whatever it takes… whatever it takes…’ I flipped through the pages vigorously. Studying the old writing that littered the pages who were filled to the brim with my past experiments. Each page had at least a drawing or two sketched into them. Of diagrams and what not of the results of the test a subject a before and after if you will and of course prototypes of past inventions that I had quit. I wanted to enhance my strength like the earth pony, wanted magic like a unicorn, and wanted to be the best flyer I could be as a pegasus. . . I tore those dirt ponys limbs from limb to divulge into their magic's essence and biology secrets. Drew out their blood and even studied how their gametes. I didn't waste any data. The Pegasi I butchered for fun and sometimes even jealousy. Tearing their eyes out studying every inch of them and finding it fascinating when I would find a rare mutation in any of my subjects. Then there were the unicorns the most magical of all. I licked my lips as I reached the unicorn section in my book. I had sawed off horns and even forced my raiders to saw off horns of our enemies horns and give them to me. Telling them that I would have them rewarded greatly… and I did of course. But I never did truly give them the true reason not wanting them to know of my research and try to steal it from me. Though they always wanted to question me but held knowing that I would kill them if they asked. I made a fine many of examples of those who tried to ask me. I pulled out a contraption from my tail as placed the horn on it. Before going back to my book inspecting it closely. Then I looked over back to the horn setting it up on my contraption that looked more like a stand more than anything. As it had coils that would wrap around the grooves of the unicorn's horn. It wasn’t like my prototype which was fixed to one horn size. This model I had to move the coils manually but at least I would get magic instead of no magic at all. I only wanted magic to keep me alive and youthful as I’m like about forty-something. I think I'm around thirty-five, but I look like a damn eighteen-year-old. I didn’t want to die and I sure as hell didn’t want to look ugly as fuck. So I tested it on other ponies for that exact reason… though not long term as I killed them after… I would use the magic more so to heal myself then use it as a weapon. Only sometimes I would make an example to have my raiders tremble in fear beneath me. To keep them all in line when I took control of the band of raiders. The contraption started to buzz to life as it whirred quietly like a fan. Seeing the magic being drained out of the horn was quite the show. I smiled wiping my eyes clean. I did one final check on my journal before I stuffed it back into my mane. I rubbed my hooves together evilly as I held back the urge to cry out. ‘It’s alive!’ The magic then began to flow into my chest. When my contraption was done harvesting the magic from the horn. That was now turned into a charred husk I tapped the horn as it fell into a clump of dust. I giggled wrapping my contraption around with my tail like a snake. I whipped it into my tail. Into a pocket dimension. Which is why I was weak I used up most of my magic with pocket dimensions that severely weaken me. ‘Especially since I gave up years worths away to my-’ I stopped my train of thought as I violently shook my head. “Get your head back in the game Radiant!” I screamed out now hearing the hissing of aggravated Radroaches outside of my cell. I turned over back towards the door only to see a small Radroach crawl in through the slot on the door. Successfully pushing the slot open the nasty bugger! I cringed in anger as he invaded my room! Even if it was a crazy padded room! I screamed as I thrusted a hoof towards the small roach splattering its guts over the door. Painting the room and my hoof with its green goo. I then did a swift one-eighty as I bucked the door off its hinges using a small bit of magic that I absorbed from the horn that I harvested from its magic. trying to conserve as much as possible. If I would have used full power I would have kicked my legs clean through the padded door, and that wouldn’t have solved anything. But put me into a fit of embarrassment. The door skidded across the hall decapitating most of the Radroaches. I laughed like a maniac hopping around smashing the Radroaches with my hooves. Spraying me with their green goo blood. One flew up at me actually catching me completely off guard as it lashed out at my face. I flinched instinctively bitch slapping the bug out of my way on instinct. It soared through the air just before going head first into a pile of scrap metal impaling the little fuck. He continued to twitch like a mad bugger now. I quickly turned around ready for more only to see the ones with decapitated limbs twitching on the floor that were still very much alive. I smiled evilly as I slowly stalked over to them in triumph. I flipped my blonde mane striding up to them. “Not so tough now are you!?” I laughed kicking a roach into the wall hearing him go splat. It's insides smearing onto the wall. I turned over to another Radroach who kept twitching flailing its last leg around trying to get back on its stomach as it was laying on its back. I walked over to the roach before slowly pointing my face down towards the disgusting bug. Cocking my head to the side while I commented: “You should have stayed out of it kid…” I said growing a toothy grin. I kicked him sending the roach sliding across the dirty metal floor. Turning over to face the two other crippled Radroaches that were trying to crawl away but weren't getting very far. Having fewer legs; that would do that to you. After having some sadistic fun. I finally had some free time to look around noticing that I didn't have a clue where I was. Which was usually always the case… but it made my life interesting and I loved it. I swayed my hips exaggerating the movements walking over to the gray wall that had a straight line of blood. Cocking my head to the side examining the blood. The color of the blood was reddish-brown having dried. It must have been here for awhile. . . was it my blood? If so. . . how the buck did I get in here? I looked away from the blood shaking my head. It was a nice decoration I must admit. The blood and the dead roaches gave the plain grey hallway with white floor and ceiling some flavor. Empty things were boring. . . take a can for instance. . . it's just a can. . . but what if that can had food? money? Now it's better! Wait wouldn't that be contents? Does that count as decoration. . . ? 'buck you raider brain!?' My mind was glued on goal: looking for a way out. if these roaches are in here… then there must be an exit… maybe even a tiny hole? If possible. . . The skinny rectangular hallway seemed to annoy me as I looked through the other padded rooms opening the doors open to inspect inside. They were all unlockable from the outside only to see nothing in them. And they all seemed to be shiny white and clean which was odd. Untouched and untainted by the outside radiation was not something so common. I grumbled bored out of my mind. Storming off towards one of the two possible ‘exits'. both doors being at the opposite ends of each other in the grey gory single hallway. The doors looked to be heavily armored. But why? For who? Or for what? I don’t think a crazy nut job could even bother escaping from this crazy place. The door I was inspecting seemed to have an insignia. And seemed so familiar to me… the insignia seemed to consist of two crosses a red one and a silver one seeming to form a stop sign like shape. As if creating an umbrella in shape. The red cross seemed to be more prominent than the silver one. I shook my head feeling a sense of Déjà vu wash over me. I slid a hoof into my mane pulling out a kitchen knife. Pressing the blade against the sturdy metal door. Then with practiced ease, the knife began to glow with a baby-blue aura around the kitchen knife. Beginning to saw a hole through the thick metal door. My magic was baby-blue. . . kind of weak. . . my magic was supposed to be blue when normal. Purple when overcharged, and a faint baby-blue when I was nearly drained. After I was done sawing a circle through the door. I then pushed the thick metal circle out with a loud *bang* sound as it clinked metallically on the floor. My ears quickly slapped against my scalp going cross-eyed for a second cringing at the sudden loud noise. I shook with the metal vibration before I slowly grabbed my bearings. Shaking my head to relieve myself from the brief pain. Looking back at the now somewhat sizeable doggy door. I began to climb through. It looked like I was training for that game show ‘Hole in the Wall’. It was fairly easy wiggling through. About to make it completely through. until a problem popped up. I was ¾ through but my ass seemed to have been big enough to have me stuck. I slowly looked back with a glare. "A flat ass would have been nice!" I growled bitterly at my distracting natural gift. I hated having a big ass. My now ex-husband might have only liked me for it… but I hated the damn thing! It always seemed to cause me more trouble than good. Some girls would only dream of having something like mine. I wasn’t super big or HUGE orDAMN! However, I didn’t have a flat ass either. I grumbled trying to wiggle my way through but was stuck with the same result. I grumpily hung from my doggy sized door. I was fucking stupid. . . trying to conserve such little magic I had. When making this small ass door! No pun intended; thank you very much! I had one foreleg conquer the cold steel floor while the other was placed against my chin in thought. “I should have lubed up,” I said slowly nodding my head in agreement. Looking around for something useful that could possibly help me in my current situation. Having nothing better to do then ‘hang around’. Just then an idea went up in my head. If I could fit the front of my body then I should be able to still fit through… a crazy conspiracy theory started to form in my small raider brain. I sucked in a deep breath clenching my blank ‘flanks’ tightly quickly dragging myself through. I got on all four glaring at my rear. “You’re the definition of an ass!” I hissed angrily as my white coated rear just shined back at me as if unharmed. Though I really wished that I would have got a cutie mark through my rough life. But I was getting the impression that I would never get a mark. I envied all of the other ponies. It just wasn’t fair to have a cutie mark at such young ages. I was old and I still didn’t have my mark. Though my looks said otherwise. Now that I wasn't distracted by a fight with roaches and a door I had time to look myself over. Inspecting myself I seemed to have been cleaned. . . now that I think about it. I looked myself over to see that there wasn't a single red patch of blood and grime on me. I looked like I had come out of a plastic toy package in pristine condition. Getting back to the main topic. Looking left then right all I saw was two more metal doors closed with the same symbol or insignia whatever you want to call it. The one with the two crosses one red and silver making a stop sign like shape. I dramatically flipped my mane while I whined stomping my hooves like a child having a tantrum. I really didn’t know if I should go right or left. My head slowly rotates left… then right… I bit my lip as my ears flopped to the sides unsure what my next move should be. I felt torn apart sighing hanging my head low. The hallway was almost exactly the same. Minus the blood trail and the dead roaches and the extra doors that lead to padded rooms. This could very well be the choice between life and death… I slowly raised my head turning my head to face the door on the right. A look of determination obscured my features as I made my way to the door. grabbing the knife's hilt with my mouth trying to conserve as much magic as possible. Using my hooves for grabbing would only drain me further. This time having in mind to cut the door just a tad bit bigger so that I wouldn't have the same problem. On the inside, I was so very scared. ‘Would I even have enough magic to even make it out of here? Is there even an exit? Should I just give up? Is there a point to even attempting?’I quietly asked myself as I carved yet another circle into the metal door. The metallic scratching filled the hallway with such needed ambient noise. The metal shavings dropped down to the floor starting to pile up. Making the floor look messy when the floor previously appeared to be clean and untouched for years. Suddenly I began to zone out getting lost in my thoughts. While I continued to listen to the rhythm of the metal making an schlik sound. o0O0o I hugged a yellow coated earth pony close to me. Her once yellow mane drenched in blood. I cried hugging her for I don't know how long. Her body was bruised and bloodied having a black eye and a broken leg. Just then my room’s door flew open as a frantic blue unicorn came in rushing opening her mouth to speak. “Radiant I need your help finding-,” She quickly shut her mouth rushing over to me and the cold earth pony in my arms. She hugged her yellow dead sister as we cried together. My heartfelt tight and heavy as if being held down by a heavyweight wrapped in chains of titanium. I felt as if something was leaving my very being looking over at the crib seeing nothing. . . empty. I cried closing my eyes as the halls echoed with our cries of grief. I started to tremble slowly opening my eyes. “It was Viola,” I said growling out my voice cracking. The words seemed to broken coming out of my mouth. My eyes beginning to burn with hatred like never before. Selene looked up at me with the same burning hatred we shared against 'Viola'. “I’m going to kill that bitch!” Selene screamed through her tears as she held her dead sister close to her. I got up gradually making my way into my closet. Looking over my shoulder with tear filled eyes. “You will… and she shall pay…” I slowly turned back to my closet opening the two wide doors open. As I examined its contents. “For everything…” I said bitterly as a piece of paper fell down to my hooves. I looked down before rubbing my eyes trying to get the tears out of my eyes. I looked down. *BANG* o0O0o I was quickly joisted out of my thoughts as I heard a deafening bang coming from behind me. I gradually turned my head to see the metal door from across the hallway. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary besides making me jump as I clutched my fast fleeting beating heart. I taking quick calming breaths trying to keep myself calm. Until I heard another heavy bang against the door, this time the door bending it inwards. My heart skipped again as I quickly did a one-eighty starting to saw much quicker desperately trying to get through. The door was hit again and again with the same heavy metal screech the door looked about to cave in at any given moment. I squeaked beginning to saw even faster hauling ass while I did so. Completing the clean-cut circle. Without skipping a beat I quickly pushed the five inches of metal forward with the same deafening metal bang when the metal made contact with the floor. Just as the door behind me across the hallway was hit yet again, but this time; the door was ripped out of the wall now slightly slanted inward in my direction. Light from behind the opening began to shine through the small opening. I quickly jumped through the opening I made only to get stuck again because of my rump. I whined as my ears folded on top my head in embarrassment and carelessness. But was swiftly smacked back into alert when heard the door across the hallway explode inwards just before I heard a blood-curdling screech. Before I heard whatever the screech came from was stomping loudly and quickly in my direction. My face scrunched up in the ‘Oh Shit!’ expression once again clutched my flanks tightly as hard as I could rolling forward trying to gain some distance. ‘That hurt by the way!’ I saw the door dent holding up just barely. It was weaker now that I tore a hole in the middle of the door. Being less mass and all. I officially just weakened my barrier meaning I officially screwed myself over. I chuckled nervously looking around once again hearing the ‘beast’ like creature banging against the huge metal door. I frantically looked around the bright white room. That was really hurting my sensitive eyes by the way with all the white. The room seemed to be filled with x-rays of ponies. The bones seeming to be twisted in unnatural ways. I cringed frantically searching the room. Trying my best to ignore the disturbing x-rays as much as possible. I might have been a raider and seen shit like this first hoof. . . but that didn't mean I liked it. . . I only did like it. . . when I hurt the ones I hated the most. I found a medical box quickly cutting the lid open with the kitchen knife with my baby-blue aura around it. My aura began to flicker around the knife about to go out. Without hesitation, I lifted the open medical box over my head with both hooves squeezing the box tightly to grip it instead of using magic. Spilling the medical supplies into my mane. I just started to flat out ransack the place hoarding everything I could into my mane using the last of my magic to transport it into my pocket dimension. The only drawback is that if I ran out of magic. . . I wouldn't be able to open it. I looked in one of the two trash cans in the room and was greeted with candy wrappers. I frowned in disappointment meanwhile the door that was momentarily blocking the unknown creature went flying towards me. I quickly ducked squeaking in surprise with widening eyes being large as saucers. 'That’s what I get for not paying attention!' When I saw the monster my blood ran cold. What stood before me was nothing that I had ever seen before… it was unique and almost beautiful in its own disgusting way… in the doorless doorway was a hulking bulk of mutated flesh. A pony that stood on both hind legs successfully towered over me. I shrunk away as fear gripped my heart tightly in my chest. It quickly spotted me, sneering while long strands of saliva leaked out of the corners of its mouth. Its cheeks seemed to be torn as it was being held together by thin threads of flesh. It’s two front hooves seemed to be jagged and sharp even the hind hooves seemed to have been sharpened looking to be the creatures two weapons as well. Probably to trample over somepony. Both of its forearms being sharp right up to the elbow like pointy spear-like weapons. I would most likely get decapitated in one swing by that fucker! I was utterly disgusted with a slight trace of awe in my mind. The red meaty creature roared as it swung its sharp arms at me viciously in quick sharp motions. So I did the reasonable thing… I jumped between its legs quickly ducking between the largest sack I’ve ever seen. . . Didn't notice it before. . . but I did now! I stabbed it with my knife to say ‘fuck you’. I laughed as It screamed up into the ceiling. Quickly pulling the knife out of its ball sack. I ran through the now doorless frame as it savagely turned around to face me radiating death towards me. I ran out through the first door the monster broke through. The room I ran into was unexpected. It was filled with tubes of more of that creature. A greenish water seemed to wash over the creatures while bubbles of air would quickly bubble and rise to the surface. There was more than one! I resisted the urge to shriek as I saw them all around the room seeming to be asleep. But if one could wake up… I would really hate to see the rest of them awake! I then suddenly heard a heavy thumping coming from behind me. My eyes widened quickly flapped my wings like a frightened bird propelling me to the side out of the way. Crashing into a metal table which dazed me bouncing about. Seeing multiple images of the creature. Watching it crash into a tube with one of its own kin. My eyes rolled around inside my skull seeming to be confused on what to focus on. I blinked my eyes repeatedly trying to clear up my vision. Observing the two beasts tangled intertwined in cables and now wet with water. They both seemed to stare at each other for a brief second before they started to fight each other. Stabbing and clawing at each other trashing up the lab we were currently in. Rolled around the area like two cubs playing rough. I wanted to watch but shook my head trying to focus on my main goal. Which was to get the hell out of here. Looked for an exit was the only thing in my mind. Overhearing the two monsters still rolling around hearing more crashing noises of glass breaking with water splashing and electricity sparking. I soon found a door at the corner of the room smiling, as I tried the handle that had a keypad with a keycard reader that read ‘locked’ in red text quickly frowning. I tried the handle again. Only to find confirmation that the door was indeed locked. I gulped nervously as I tried to jiggle the door handle frantically this time. Just as a keycard fell two the floor right in front of me. I went cross-eyed as I picked it up trying it on the keycard reader. The text turned green as it now read ‘unlocked’ I smiled as the fight continued behind me. Not thinking twice about why the keycard magically fell right in front of me. I walked into the next room with a sigh of relief locking the door behind me with the keycard. “The convince is strong in this one,” I joked to myself letting out a light chuckle turning back around to survey the room only to see a trashed office filled to the brim with cubicles. Paper littered the floor all around. The cubicles looked to be in decent condition as I Inspected them each individually. Searching through the cubicles finding plenty of bottle caps as I would store them in my mane. Hoarding anything I could get my hooves on. I saw bullets holes engraved into the walls accompanied by some scorch marks. The floor had some patches of dried blood. But no bodies or bullet casings on the floor whatsoever. Which was odd, to say the least. Instead of their being metal grey walls like the other hallways and rooms. In here there was glass like windows that were a substitute for walls. Some of the glass walls and doors were shattered. I shrugged passing over the glass. Hearing the crunching beneath my hooves. Before I knew it. I had walked down to a dark T junction. The lights seemed to have burnt out. There was yet again right and left passageways. I sat down on my tush pressing both hooves against my temples rubbing them while I puffed my cheeks out right before screaming out in frustration with my mouth closed. I had to resist pulling pieces of my mane out. Because of the stress of choosing. There was always something bad! I just know it! After I took a couple of minutes to compose myself I went right again. Because in most cases… the right was the right way to go. I walked in front of the door pulling the knife out again holding it with my hoof. The knife felt heavy in my hooves. My magic was extremely waining now. I was about to start carving when the door slid upwards. What stood before me was an elevator. Weird that the door slip up but whatever. I smiled widely quickly scrambling into the plain silver elevator. I sighed in relief as I looked over to the left seeing a panel of a couple of buttons, clicking the button to close the elevator doors. I then leaned back against the elevator wall. Feeling a sense of peace wash over me, I felt safe. looking over to the right side that seemed to have only two buttons. I tilted my head in confusion clicking the button that had an arrow pointing upwards. While the other button was an arrow pointing downwards. Shaking off my curiosity I sat back down looking up at the screen that rested up above the silver metal door. Counting number that I had no clue where about. If there were only two buttons how could there be so many floors? I breathed quietly as I felt the elevator lift me up gently. I remembered when I was small and my parents would always take me to places on the weekends, and on breaks. I would constantly take it for granted. ‘I wonder how they’re doing now… I wonder if they’re happy… without me… are they still alive?’I wondered too myself as the elevator rose up smoothly. My parents and I would always go shopping or take me to theme parks and I would always complain “Why are you bringing me? I didn’t even want to come!”I would whine and sometimes even have a tantrum being a little kid. But as I got older I would say the same thing minus the tantrum of course. I would normally just have a look of disdain etched on my face. And they would tell me because they “wanted to spend time with me”. . . and I continued to push them away… and now they’re gone… I have nothing… I am nothing… but… I can make a difference… I can fix this Wasteland with a new order… It’s the least I could do… I had too… or else I would be… as I always say. . . useless. . . The silver metal door slid upwards as a bell dinged prompting a mare's voice to came on. “Ground Zero,” She spoke in a monotone voice. Slowly getting up from my sitting position to walk out. The room I entered was dark and quiet not wanting to be surprised by a sneak attack I activated the light from my ‘pip-fuck’ as I called it that because I just couldn’t seem to see shit in this darkness and because I despised it so much. The room was filled to the brim with metal box-shaped crates. I then again saw the same insignia with the two crosses again. I rolled my eyes in annoyance having the name on the tip of my tongue but I just couldn’t seem to say it or remember? But then I did at the same time? Weird. I walked around aimlessly for a couple of minutes until I came across a door. With a relieved smile I tried the handle to find it locked. It didn’t seem to have a keypad this time or a keycard reader so I did the only logical thing… ***Later*** A loud metallic clang slammed against the ground as I slipped right into the outside room only to find out that I was now in a pitch black stairwell. Well, it would have been if I didn’t have my lucky pip-fuck with me. I climbed up the stairs really wanting to get out of here. Lucky enough I only had to go up for a couple of seconds to find that there was a door. . . again. . . I sighed loudly just before throwing my head back letting out a scream of frustration. ***Much Later*** I slipped through the new hole in the door feeling my magic numb as I had pretty much wasted it cutting my way through all those blasted doors! But this time I had entered into a room that had. . . windows. . . I never thought I would be so happy to see a stupid window in my life. I smiled as the sun rays rained down on me. I ran up to the window closing my eyes as I bathed in the rays of golden light. I hummed to myself as my tail swished happily missing the sun's light. I didn’t know what it was but the sun just made me feel. . . well. . . better! It was like if God was looking down at me telling me everything was going to be alright. I was once the image of him. . . not like the rest of these ponys, dragons, griffons, or even mutants. This place wasn’t really my home at all. After taking a couple of minutes to soak up the light of hope. I made my way out to the only twin doors leading me to another corridor, but this time there were raiders standing guard. One on my right and left. Standing to the side of the doors like royal guards would have. I seemed to have sneaked in behind them somehow? They both jumped spooked by my sudden appearance I was just about to pull out my knife. Before they both blurted out. “Holy crap! You’re the mare that was set on fire!” The raider on the right blurted out as his friend on the left followed suit. “You didn’t scream either! And how the hell did you even get passed us!?” He said with his left eye twitching. I gave them both a blank stare soaking up the obvious information processing it like an Intel processor. Before smiling coyly. “Well I’m the raider leader where I come from,” I said with pride in my voice. Even though my raiders were most likely all dead. Me having killed them no. . . slaughtered them all. They both stared at me wide-eyed while I continued to nod my head in confirmation. “So you’re here to take over or what?” The raider on the right asked nervously shifting in place believing that I 'was' a raider leader. He was pretty much below my tier. Which was true I was a raider 'leader'. “Well, I’m Radiant Shine The Destroyer Of Dick,” I said dramatically with a serious face before rolling both of my eyes. Then doing an exaggerated mane toss. The two raider stallions looked over at each other confused by my ‘name’ and the sarcastic title. I pretty much mind fucked these uneducated idiots. “Where am I by the way?” I asked mentally chiding myself for messing around and not doing something useful like gathering information. Stupidity on my part I know. The one on the left was being more helpful as he answered me quickly. “Your at Rusted Chanel,” He said nodding his head vigorously with a twisted smile that brought a smile to my face. I just thought it was so cute. By how retarded he looked. While his friend or companion corrected him. “It’s Rusted Channel you,” He said shaking his head. “I’m Red Blood and that. . .” He pointed to the guard on the left. “That is Red Skillet because of his stupidity,” “He-heh you care!” Red Skillet on the left of me said with a raider like chuckle. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes again ‘he didn’t even say it right. It should have been ‘heh-heh’ dumbass. . .’ “Alright I need raider barding stat!” I shouted wanting to get on with it, and get the hell out of here. Hopefully getting a bonus of raider followers too. We went down several narrow corridors passing some guards along the way. They seemed to stare in shock at me before going back to their angry raider expressions that looked laughable in my opinion. Probably wondering how I even got passed them or they saw me ‘burn in the PITT’ without screaming, and thought it was commendable? We then walked through what looked to be a town of raiders. They seemed to be going about their business. Some would chat others would fight each other for chems and other stupid reasons. We walked through the raider looking marketplace which had only the shit weapons on display while they had armored raiders watching the stores with heavy weapons for intimidation. While the poor amateur raider traders had everything good on sale. As they eyed everyone suspiciously with a twin double barrel out pointing at each and every potential customer. I was getting a lot of stares by raiders when we passed by. They would often narrow their eyes towards me while they brushed their weapons trying to threaten me. I shrugged them off seeing them as lesser raiders. I was the top dog where I came from. If I could survive a mutiny I could survive a couple of wild savages. Though I don’t consider any a savage strangely enough. Even if I do I don’t really believe it in my heart. A raider with a heart? Laughable! Some raider children would look at me oddly. I would wave a hoof at them with a kind smile which would scare them off. They would go wide-eyed and take off running. Looking all around I felt pretty much at home. I saw raiders arguing some even rutting in the streets. Which was always fun to research. . . We walked into a building that was made out of junkyard scrap metal plates. I walked in with Blood and Skillet. I didn’t bother to call them red because it felt repetitive. Walking into the store it had three rows of objects laid out in dirty looking glass casings that seemed to be bulletproof. Inside the casings were clothes neatly stacked nicely. My mare brain almost exploded looking at all of the clothes. I pressed my face against a casing that had black lightweight combat armor. The case said that it was enchanted to be waterproof and much stronger against bullets and flameproof. . . but that was probably a lie. . . it was more than likely resistant than actual ‘proof’. “Ahem,” I heard an elderly mare’s voice coming from behind me across the room. I Jolted straight up like a cat that just got scared minus the fact that I didn’t make a single sound. I did a quick spin to see a mare with a dark green mane and a grey coat. Her hair seemed to be prepped and taken care of. “See something you like?” She asked with a raised brow opening my mouth to say something only for her to beat me too it. “Ah know you do,” She said as she came from behind the counter slowly walking up beside me. Her movements were so fluid she practically placed me into a trance. I slowly turned back to the lightweight combat armor that was colored black. She tapped the casing lightly. “This hear is. . . well. . . it serves’ well. . . made it mahself,” The mare said with pride in her voice as she examined the armor alongside me. The two stallions that accompanied me looked at each other before smacking themselves on the head. “We were supposed to be guarding!” They then both quickly scrambled out the door. I didn’t care though. They meant nothing to me. “How much for this piece of art?” I asked trying to sway her in my favor so I could possibly get a discount on enchanted armor. She turned her head to face me as she smiled. “400 caps,” she said with a toothy already holding out a hoof expectantly. I frowned at that price. Sure I could buy it. . . but that was ‘A LOT!’ of caps that could be better used elsewhere. . . like watching strippers. “I’m sorry but I don’t have that kind of money,” I lied with a sad look on my face trying to manipulate her hoping she even had a heart. She still continued to smile before turning away from me starting to walk away from the casing heading on over back behind the counter. “Ahm so very sorry to hear that. What’re you even goin’ to do anyway’?” She asked placing her elbows on the counter as she rested her face on her hooves staring right over back at me. “To save the Wasteland. . . but not in the way most want me too,” I said not really thinking about it. I wasn’t going to bring what most would want. . . I would bring what must be done. She laughed behind the counter her smile continued to brighten. “And what’re you planning ta' do?” She asked as I stared down at the armor in deep thought. “Well, to tell you the truth. I don’t actually know,” I said honestly running a hoof through my mane. I really needed a bath. It has just been so long. . . even if I was relatively clean compared to everypony else. “Anything else you have that's cheaper and can protect?” I asked with a hopeful smile. “Ah’ve got plenty of Leather Armor if that’s what youre’ asken,” She said with a smile prompting to sigh in disappointment. Knowing that there was nothing special in this store. I bought a set of Leather Armor for around 27 caps. I was cheap and so was my armor but it would hopefully help me blend in. Before I left the store I checked myself out with a mirror staring deeply into the image within. Staring back at me was a raider. I pressed a hoof into the cracked glass. The dirty mirror just amplified this feeling of dread inside of me. I licked my dry lips as my double stared back at me with sad filled eyes. I sighed walking out of the old raider mare’s store. As I walked alone continuing to get stares from raiders all around me. I was genuinely surprised that there were only ponies and no other species. Actually, now that I look around their only seems to be earth ponies and unicorns walking about. Where were the pegasi? I looked around for about an hour bored until I heard a ruckus. No one else seemed to mind what was happening inside of a dark alleyway. Me being curious checked because I wasn’t scared of anything. . . or not at the moment anyway. . . I turned the light on my pip-fuck to see a little colt with a pitch black coat with a red mane and tail being held down. By a stallion who held a knife clenched tightly in his jaws. “Who, the hell turned on the lights!?” The stallion with a disgusting brown coat asked as he spits the knife out in surprise. His back was littered with scars. That left the gray damaged skin on his back. “Get off me!” The colt screamed spreading his wings wide. Taking me back by surprise not noticing before that he had wings at all. That’s how dark his coat was. The colt then latched his teeth onto the stallion’s forehoof. Sinking in his fangs into the stallion tender flesh. The stallion cried out; going to throw a punch to the colt, but only for me to grab his raised arm. The stallion looked back up at me with tears in his eyes. I did the only reasonable thing. I broke his arm. He let out a blood-curdling scream before I grabbed his mane with a hoof and bashed his face against a trash can repeatedly. Until his face was fucked beyond recognition. Panting letting go of the raider’s head his face slapping against the dirt filled floor that was now mixed with blood. I looked down at the little bat colt, and he looked back up at me. With a look of awe on his features. His little jaw hung in astonishment while his eyes grew gradually. While trickles of blood dribbled down his lower lip as time seemed to stand still. “A-are you-u an angel?” He stuttered while I slowly smiled towards him for the compliment. His eyes were slitted telling me what he was. Including his wings how different they were from mine. “Yes, yes I am,” I whispered as I sat down with the colt in the dark alleyway. Turning off the light from my pip-fuck. Sitting at the very back together. I lifted him up making him squeak in surprise placing him on my lap. I was about to say something else, but then I heard a cardboard box began moving. I was about to reach for my knife until to see two more small pairs of slitted eyes. I smiled ushering for them to come out with a hoof quietly. They hesitated because of me being a stranger and all. Then they looked to see me holding the bat colt unharmed. They both came out slowly still just as cautious both being young bat fillys. One seemed to be very young probably the age five while the other filly was probably eight, and the colt looked to be about nine. They all rested on my lap looking up at me. I continued to look down at them with a smile. Slowly closing my wings around them. “Sleep my little babies,” I said shutting them off from the outside world for just a night. It was the least I could do. . . I didn't have a heart. . . I just had to do it. . . ***** I didn’t know why I helped those three bat pups. But something just pulled at my heartstrings seeing them all huddled together. Maybe it was the colt in trouble. Or that all three of them seemed to be a family. Sadly I had to leave them to their own devices. I couldn’t support them here in the Wasteland. I didn’t have a base like last time or a home. I left that all behind me after I sacrificed almost all my magic for her. . . I left those three pups with some caps but not a whole lot. I was cheap that way, and because if they got mugged those mountains of caps would have been for nothing. Besides giving weaklings caps would make them a huge target. Walking through the streets of this raider like metropolis. I did the only sensible thing. Walking into a bar with a mighty slam. The saloon doors slamming against the walls. Feeling like an idiot right after. Getting the attention of the whole bar. The only reason why I did it was because I saw it happen in lots of movies when I was younger. I strode in like I owned the place trying to gauge reactions. I loved reactions, it was always fun not knowing what kind you would get next, but was also dangerous at the same time. Reactions were always a gamble. What I got were a bunch of stares watching me walk on over to the bar. Even a few whistles from a couple of stallions and even one mare at the back of the bar. Some were playing a game of cards as they watched me walk by. One pony even took the advantage of his buddy's distraction slipping a card from his sleeve into his hoof giving me a wink. I winked back making his face heat up. Not suspecting me to wink back. Some raiders were cleaning and sharpen their blades as they drank down their hard liquor. Because supposedly the 'weak' liquor was for pussies. But I drink the weak shit to enjoy it thanky you very much! I walked backward until I sat on the stool. Looking back at all the occupants with a smug smile plastered on my muzzle. I did a small spin on the rotating head of the stool to see the bartender cleaning a glass nonchalantly at my sudden appearance. The bartender was a jet black stallion with a white mustache and white mane. I had to snort as I held back my laughter going teary-eyed. “Anything you fancy?” He asked slowly looking up at me. Taking his gaze away from the glass he was currently cleaning “We got the finest beverages around that are freshly made,” he said with a hint of pride in his voice. ‘Alright if this stallion actually made his own liquor then I will give credit where it was due.’ “Well. . . I would like to buy some in a bottle actually,” I said wanting to store some away for later. “Oh? And will that be all?” He asked inquiring. I smacked my lips together thinking about it looking over the selection over the bar. Only seeing a select few tonics I remembered but no wine. Yup, I was a wine girl. I'm not tasteless or anything. But I was really dying for a beverage right about now. I looked back to the bartender. “I’m sorry, but do you have any wine in stock?” I asked with a kind smile. Taking the bartender aback by my attitude and mannerism. In all honesty, I was shaking scared on the inside. I usually. . . okay almost. . . always! I always had someone else do the talking for me. Even as a raider leader I always feared my own. Scared of get backstabbed like Caesar by even my closest friend. I didn’t trust anyone. I would always question myself why I was still holding onto my life. When I really had nothing left. . . The earth pony bartender looked under the bar searching for quite some time. Just as a pony sat beside me. Without looking I said, “So what’s your poison?” I asked wanting whoever it was to answer. Trying to give me the advantage of the conversation. So they would most likely to answer giving me power where the conversation would flow to next. “P-p-poison?” The stallion beside me stuttered. Making me roll my eyes at the uneducated fuck. “Do I have to spell it out for you?” I asked dryly resting my head on a hoof to look at the stallion beside me. He nodded his head vigorously. Making me sigh at his stupidity. So I decided to toy with him. “S.O space W.H.A.T.S space Y.O.U.R space P.O.I.S.O.N. Question Mark?” I asked sarcastically with a toothy smile. The stallion stared at me with a dumbfounded expression as his jaw hung at my bluntness. “N-n-no! T-that's not what I meant!” He stuttered out a few time making me burst out laughing. “So what’s your drink?” I asked again so he could understand as I was laughing lightly now. I waved my hoof at all the drinks behind the bar. Turning his attention to all the drinks. “O-oh,” He cleared his throat before speaking again. I examined the dumbass closely. He looked to be a pristine looking stallion. His coat and mane seemed to have been recently washed making me raise a brow at his appearance. His mane was slightly messy but still a bit glossy. He had a purple mane to be exact and tail with two stripes of orange running through it. He also had a green coat and he even had this large greenhorn. Well. . . you know what they say about large things. . . Making me want to laugh at the stupid combination of colors in my opinion anyway. His barding was a whole different story consisting of numerous bullets holes. That shit didn't look to have any protection left! Being a chewed up mess riddled with holes. “Well?” I asked with outstretched hooves as I sat up straight in my stool. “Oh. . . ! uhhh. . . that one,” he said with uncertainty pointing over at a low shelf. I looked over to what he was pointing with interest. Until I saw what it was. It was a bottle of ‘Sparkle Cola’. I tilted my head at the drinks name. 'Shouldn't it have been Nuka Cola?' ‘I’ve seen that before’ The lettering the wording I remember that. . . ‘but from where?’ I questioned myself. Just as the bartender slammed down the glass bottle of alcohol. “Sorry didn’t have any wine. . .” The bartender said with a sad sigh. Seeming to be sad not getting what I had asked for. Well, he should be sad! “That is fine,” I said with elegance once again catching him off guard. Expecting me to lash out at him and blame him. Which I did. “Thanks for the drink,” I said reaching into my barding and tossing out a small sack of 15 caps. “Keep the change,” I said with a wink. Looking back over to the stallion beside me with a smile. “Name little colt?” I asked with a toothy smile making him shy away from me in his stool. “Wish View,” He said rubbing the back of his head with a hoof. Letting out a nervous chuckle. “I’m RS,” I said using an acronym or an abbreviation; ‘weren’t they the same thing?’ He blinked several times muttering my ‘name’ under his breath. Saving it in his memory. “Don’t you mean ‘W-w-w-wish VIEW’!” I mocked him bursting out into a fit of laughter making him turn redder than a tomato with all my teasing. “T-that’s not f-fuun-n-n-nny! He stuttered out with an angry expression crossing over his features making me only laugh harder. We were starting to get all the attention back again. Or I was just starting to notice being watched? Or had I forgotten that we weren’t the only ones here. That’s what happens when you get too comfortable. I continued to mess with him just to make myself feel better. “S-s-s-sure is!” I mocked even exaggerated it by twitching my eyes in tune with my stuttering. I looked like a bloody broken record player by this point. He turned away from me asking the bartender for the Sparkle-Cola. It reminded me of the unicorn Twilight Sparkle but that was all. I had this nagging feeling on the back of my mind telling me. . . clawing, screaming what it was, but I just didn’t seem to remember what it was at the moment. “RS? What kind of name is that?” He asked confused as he popped the cap off the Sparkle-Cola. Leaving it on the counter. “It’s my name don’t question it,” I said with a kind smile telling a half-truth because technically it was my name. My eyes would occasionally glance at the bottle cap on the bar. “You going to keep that?” I asked him pointing towards it with a hoof without taking my eyes off the lonely bottle cap. “No, why?” He said with a confused look on his face. Without hesitation I just as I snatched the bottle cap up. “Thank you, kind sir,” I said inspecting the cap as if it was a diamond in my hoof. Before I pocketed into my mane like a slot machine. There was even a metal clinking sound effect. He gave me a weird look opening his mouth slowly. “Okay. . . ?” He said a bit weirded out by my speed. I didn’t want anyone taking it before I could. ‘First come, first served’ I thought quietly just before he began speaking again. “Do you know where I can find One-Eyed Lat?” He asked me with a slight tilt of his head hesitantly taking a sip of his drink. Levitating his Sparkle-Cola up to his thirsty lips. I then grabbed my bottle of liquor stuffing it into my mane. Getting a weirded out look from Wish View. “One-Eyed Lat?!” I burst out laughing at the stupid sounding name. “That’s not funny! He’s a well-known raider!” Wish view hissed in a low voice looking around at the other raiders in the bar. Who seemed to have taken interest in our conversation. I brushed my mane with a hoof. “He’s not well known if I never heard of him! You’re funny kid!” I said punching him on the shoulder. My hoof made a squeaky sound on impact. Making him look down at his shoulder in confusion. Starting to prod his own shoulder in confusion. “Anyway, why you looking for a well known raider? Shouldn’t you want to be putting distance between any raider? Unless you’re trying to become. . . the very best that no one ever was! Dun dun dun-nun!” I sang dumbly with a dopey smile. He looked back up to meet my happy go lucky facade. “He took something from me. . .” he trailed off lamely; pique my curiosity. “Oh? And what might that be?” I asked fluttering my eyelashes at him leaning towards him. Making him lean back in his stool away from me. Making his face turn crimson red. Then I leaned back closing my eyes with a smirk gracing my lips. “Oh, I know. . .” I slowly opened my eyes as my smirk grew into a wide smile. “He ran into your room and yelled “boonk gang!” and stole your anal virginity before running off!” I enthusiastically before I burst out laughing no one else in the bar seemed to share my enthusiasm and didn’t get my joke. "Screaming out 'A whole lotta raider shit'!" I made fun of Wish View. “Wha?” He said with mouth agape. “That didn’t happen!” He shouted embarrassed at my accusation and messed up imagination. I only closed my eyes raising my hooves up passively at his aggression shrugging him off. “Maybe it didn’t. . . maybe it did. . .” I said hearing him growl. Before slowly opening my eyes to look him in the eye and get serious. “And what did this guy take? Hmm. . .” I asked with a hard look in my eyes. Making the Wish View gulp nervously. “H-he t-t-took my p-pip-buck!” He blurted out as he looked down at mine. “Why does yours look weird?” He asked as he grabbed my foreleg that had mypip-fuckwithout my consent. “Hey!?” I blurted out slapping him with my free foreleg.“DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!” I screamed grabbing him by the throat completely losing my shit. The whole bar went dead silent with the bartender hiding under the bar. I glared down at the Wish View. I took a quick scan around the quiet bar with my searching eyes. To see everypony watching me. I coughed into my hoof. “Yeah, don’t touch me or you’ll regret it. . .” I warned, calming myself down filled with embarrassment with my actions, but I didn’t show it. Hiding my emotions I was good at that. It was all apart of being charismatic only showing what you wanted to show. “S-sorry. . .” He said looking away ashamed. “Yours just looks different. . . your’s is slimmer. . .” He trailed off noticing my wings. My pip-boy or uh. . . Whatever you want to call it was a special gift. It was white just like my coat with a gold trimming to it to match my blonde mane and tail. It was slimmer for my pegasi uses and because I stayed fit. . . overly using the V.A.T.S. it began to use up my body mass as fuel. Only if I use it low on the energy, of course, you will have to wait for it to recharge. Only negative drawbacks if I force the use. But that’s what the magical horns were for. To counteract the drawbacks. To use the magic as a shield to help protect my body from the side effects. I gave him a deadpan stare. “No shit sherlock do I look fat to you?” I asked spreading my arms open wide. “N-n. . . no!” He said nervously as he began to apologize for some reason feeling like he offended me. ‘This guy’s an idiot’ I thought quietly to myself. He continued to apologize until I socked him out of his stool. My forehoof making a squeaking sound on impact. “Will you just shut the buck up already!?” I said annoyed. All that magic spent I was pretty weak right now. “And I would like your payment,” The bartender said behind the counter with an annoyed glare directed at Wish View. The bartender was obviously taking side with me since I had been kind to him. And he was right in that regard. I had no beef with the bartender besides his funny looking color scheme. ‘LOL’ Then Wish View did the only reasonable thing reaching into his barding. Everyone in the bar got uneasy as some of the raiders slowly reached for their guns. I just narrowed my eyes cautiously ready to use V.A.T.S at a moments notice. But what surprised me was what he pulled out. I doubled over laughing as I too fell out of my stool. The bartender raised a brow taking the pre-war money with him. The stupid idiot traded bits for a sparkle cola. “Is that all *breath* all *breath* you had!? No *breath* caps or what?” I laughed hard rolling around in laughter. I could almost swear I felt someone laughing with me. “I actually can’t believe he accepted your worthless coins! You should feel lucky!” I said slowly regaining my composure. Yeah… I sometimes laugh at things that aren’t even funny to others but it is to me. Being lonely would do that to you… I slowly got up. “Alright I’ll help yeah,” I chirped enthusiastically. “Really!?” He said enthusiastically a huge smile forming on his face. Before I began to walk away with a grumpy expression on my face not really caring. Walking towards the twin saloon doors. “Hey! I really need your help!” He blurted out. Then looking around the bar getting a bunch of unwanted stares. He gulped running up close until he was beside me. “I need my pip-buck back!” He told me in a harsh whisper following me out. “And why me?” I asked once we got outside. Turning to face him with an annoyed side glance. “What makes me so goddamn special huh?” I really just wanted to hear what he had to say. I just didn’t want him to know that. That how charisma works. . . well. . . that’s my strategy anyway. “Your the only one who can help me rescue my friends. . .” he trailed off lamely. My thoughts started to race quickly. 'I can help this idiot. Would it even be worth it? He needs me more than anything right now. He could be killed any moment. Should I even care? I can be a hero! Maybe. . . I could squeeze money out of him?. . . but then again he probably doesn’t even know that bottle caps are currency here. . .’ “Ummm hello?” He asked waving a hoof over my eyes. Making me shake my head exiting my deep thought process. “Well, do you know what bottle caps are?” I asked going to give him a quick pop quiz. With one question mind you. He blinked at me in confusion thinking my question was so random. He might have even been right. He gave me a confused expression slowly nodding his head. “Uh. . . yeah. . . they keep the carbon dioxide in the soda bottle? Or something along those lines,” He answered half-assed. “No bottle caps are money here. . . currency. . . in the Wasteland dumbass!” I said barring my teeth at him threateningly making him shy away from me. I was actually surprised that he even found me intimidating at all. I only said money and currency testing his vocabulary skills. I wanted to gauge his retardo levels. “If you want to live like a king. You need bottle caps,” I explained nodding my head in confirmation. With a cute straight face. I looked softer than intimidating which was bad. Curse you looks! “So. . . I gave you some of my money without even realizing that!?” He blurted out in shock. Before he started beating himself over it. Pacing right in front of me as he muttered insults to himself. Making me smile at his stupidity. ‘I could ransack him dry just knowing how weak minded he was.’ “So about your friends?” I asked giving him a cheeky grin as a motioned my right hoof about in a 'continue' gesture. Wish View quickly snapped out of his trance his mane whipping as he rushed over to me with widened eyes. “Yes! Yes! I almost forgot! I need your help. . . !” He then gave me a quick once-over. “You can fight right?” He now asked skeptical his eyes searching me quizzically. My mouth forming a thin line as my eyes bore into his very soul. “Say that again,” I dared him stomping a hoof in the ground. Making dirt fly into the air. He took the hint not to ask. Which surprised me yet again. This guy either feared mares or he was just a pussy. “Y-y-yup! You c-can definitely fight!” He squeaked like a little filly. It was fun scaring the shit out of stallions. “Now. . . what’s with this raider guy? Why did he take your friends and you pip-boy?” I asked getting a confused look. “What? Hit a nerve?” I asked as we began to walk side by side. “It’s. . . pronounced pip-buck not pip-boy. . .” He finished matter factly. Rolling my eyes in annoyance literally about to snap. . . matter of FACTLY! “So details mission!? Raider asshole!? Your friends!?” I snapped because about three seconds passed by without his saying shit. I swiftly turned to face him roughly shoving him into a wall of a store. Getting a lot of attention by the passersby's. “Do you want your friends to die with all of this bullshit stalling you’re doing!? Huh!? Well, answer me, boy!” I screamed in his face. Giving him a real hard slap using my magic to do so. I was far too weak to do that on my own accord. He gave me a fearful look quickly sputtering out. “I sort of kinda broke into his territory by accident! And he captured my friends but I got lucky and got away!” He squeaked slamming his eyes shut turning his head away from me. I eased up not wanting to break him this early and this easy. There would be no big reward doing that. I had to aim high to hit high. I slowly nodded my head. “Alright. . . so. . . what’s the reward?” I asked in a low calm voice. Slapping him was satisfying by blowing some steam off. “R-r-reward?” Wish View stuttered out making me sigh looking down at the dirt floor. “Nothing is free here in the Wasteland. Everything has a price,” I said slowly looking back at him to meet his gaze. “Uh. . . well. . . my friends have lots of. . . uh. . . caps. . .” He said rubbing his foreleg nervously. “And. . . well. . . my friend Scarlet has this cool pistol. . . maybe you could have it for saving them?” He asked nervously starting to sweat bullets fearing that I would refuse such a crude offer. My eyes practically grew sparkling like an excited filly. Hearing about a custom pistol. That could possibly be mine. And that I could add it to my collection that I had acquired over the years. Most I didn’t even use. Having no direction or anything better to do I. . . agreed. . . “That pistol is mine!” I said grabbing him by the shoulders. “Now where is this sonofabitch!?” I said with my best raider smile I could muster scaring the crap out of him when it came out naturally. He shakily pointed as I started trotting in the direction he pointed out. He quickly trotted beside me trying not to get left behind. I might have been a weak pegasus. But I was faster and more magically enhanced than the rest of the pony races. But it always came at a dark price. . . ***Hours Later*** I slowly raised my head up from behind a giant gray boulder. My eyes squinted with an intense gaze. My eyes shifted rapidly scanning the area like a hawk but in this case, a pegasus. Seeing the beautiful decoration that consisted of; rust filled metals covered with blood red colors decorating the surroundings. I smiled seeing a raider walking around a small fire pit. Talking to his raider friends as they laughed around socializing around the small fire pit. That was positioned right in front of the two double doors that led into a one-story building. It looked to be built quite cheaply made out of; gray concrete cinder blocks. There didn’t seem to be any patrols around here, and there also didn’t seem to be any snipers around here. Which made things hell of a lot easier. “Psst. . . what do you see?” Wish View whispered beside me anxiously. His green coat camouflage nicely with the color of the Wasteland’s dirt floor. . . I just wanted to beat his disgusting coat into the ground for not shutting the fuck up; making me lose my concentration. ‘He has evolved nicely. Or I could convert him into one of my raiders. They are all so annoying’ I ducked down out of exposure area behind the gray boulder turning back around to face him. “I see a stupid colt questioning my authority. Shut up or your friends die numbnuts,” I explained with an innocent smile that sent shivers down his spine. I could tell by the scared look in his eyes. He was so naive and fresh it made me question where he came from. It made me very curious just to know. “I don’t even need to be helping you. I can just kill you and your friends and those raiders and I 'can' take what I want, when I want,” I said swishing my tail behind me with half-lidded eyes. I was trying to get into his head. Cementing my terrifying presence into his weak naive mind. It was all a mind game. First impressions matter the most when you want to use them for your own personal gain. This was my time to implant the seeds of self-doubt into his mind. I was weakening his mental state of mind. This would all play a vital role for me later. Unless he is dead. . . Then all of my progress would have been for nothing. He stared at me with a terrified expression on his face. “S-s-sorry!” He stuttered out quietly in a whisper. Making me giggle at his reaction acting casual causing him feel more uncomfortable being so close to me. I pulled out a .32 pistol from my mane as the spinning wheel that held the bullets came out. I called it the ‘circle of life’; because when you insert a bullet inside. It was the birth of waiting fire and metal. Which now gave you the power to end a life. . . if that makes sense. . .well. . . I’m a raider so I might not be that smart. . . and I’m blonde. . . most things I say don’t make sense coming out of my mouth anyways. Wish View pulled out a standard 10mm pistol short for ‘10 millimeter’. He put a fresh mag into his gun as he cocked the slide back with his magic. Holding it steadily in front of him while he faced me. I knew he wouldn’t turn on me because he needed me more than I needed him, and he was a pussy. . . “Follow my lead. . . and don’t get in my way or you’ll die little Wish View. . .” I said with my cocky raider smile. He slowly nodded his head while I nodded enthusiastically back at him. Wish View continued to give me a nervous glance. Yeah, I wasn’t making things easy for him. I stood on my hind legs leaning back out of cover to the left; so that I could poke my head out of the rock cover. I didn’t scout the back so there could be more raiders waiting for us inside and back. But being as experienced as I was. . . I wasn’t scared, and I had my favorite gun in my hooves. . . ‘sarcasm at it’s finest people’. Oh, yeah did I forget to mention I can hold objects with my hooves? With the cost of magic; of, course but the strain wasn't high enough to strain myself out. It was like using the same equivalent to fly. ‘Like your mom!’ I chuckled to myself at my weak joke. Doing a quick reconnaissance of the layout before striking with a light assault. No strategy no nothing, just running straight into the fight. Just like a true Raider. Straight ahead of me was a wide open area. These raiders didn't even implement a standard chained fence. Not that it would have slowed me down anyway. Having wings and all. I got very close to them quickly. I was actually surprised that I didn’t get spotted by no-. *Bang!* My eyes widened as a bullet struck the ground beneath me. Spraying dirt onto my legs. Forcing me to roll behind another rock separating me away from Wish View who was traveling behind me. Just as I was looking back another shot was fired onto the boulder that I was now using as cover. The bullet struck right beside my face hitting the medium sized gray boulder right beside me. My face got peppered with small pieces of rock. . . 'would it even be called small rocks? Uh. . . debris? Pieces?’ My mind went into overdrive slamming my eyes shut doing a quick combat roll to the side throwing myself out of cover. My heart rate sped up slowly opening my eyes to see everything move in slow motion. Enhancing your body can be exciting and dangerous but I fixed 'most' of the bugs so I should be good. Quick to examine the area with the raiders spilling out and about like ants. Now you’re probably wondering why I just didn’t use V.A.T.S. Well, that’s because I liked to do things myself personally. I didn't like to hide behind a machine.If you want something done, you do it yourself. I would only rely on V.A.T.S if I was in desperate need of help, and out of energy and my magic. The only way I could hold a gun, with a finger guard and fire it was because; I used magic. Let me explain. . . I hunt unicorns for their horns. Then convert the energy into my being, after that, I grab hold of the object by wrapping an aura around the weapon almost similar to a unicorn. But you know me being a pegasus I don't have a horn to transmit magic, like a fucking Wi-Fi router. Except my aura is invisible to the naked eye, which makes me look ridiculous when I hold a gun oddly in my hooves. My eyes shifted between enemies. I have about five shots for this shitty thing, but against raiders, this low in IQ this should be a walk in the park. . . if there were any parks still around anyway. Directly in front of me were three raider stallions in the standard raider barding. The had scraps of metal and leather stuck welded together. It looked ridiculous in my opinion. They all smiled gleefully while I had an intense look of focus on my face. They each were equipped with metal clubs of sorts. One was once part of a stop sign. While another was just a shiny metal pipe. The last one had a golf club. They each held their own weapon tightly in their jaws. Off in the somewhat distance, there were two more raiders on the roof that seemed to have been mares, but I couldn’t tell with their faces being covered with some weird ass masks. Those two came out of nowhere! They were skinny and frail. They reminded me of slavers. . . I love those guys! Good for business and good for the soul. They both had hunting rifles aimed towards me with another bullet slowly moving its way towards me. I tilted my head to the side as the bullet whizzed past me. Missing me by inches. They weren’t going to take me down that easily. 'So they were the one firing at me' I thought quickly to myself. But what I did use my pip-fuck for was to listen to music. Since I was pretty much in intense focus mode; I used the V.A.T.S function to have the music in sync with me. So the music would sound like it was playing normally to me. But to others, it would be a quick garbled mess. So, yeah. . . pretty cool for me, but not for those who were around me. My pip-fuck was special in its own fucked up way. Having been specially made for me. . . I fired three quick shots sweeping my gun left to right. Hitting each of the three raider stallions that had metal clubs of sorts. Getting them all right between the eyes. Being trained by a dragon would do that to you. That training being; less than 5 minutes. but having a great teacher and being a good listener getting hooves on experience. though I would have to say the speed that everything was in was the major factor. I smiled when an earth pony raider mare pushed the buildings front doors open. Seeing the doors move in slow motion. Exiting the old cheap looking building where Wish View’s friends were being held. She had a pipe pistol held tightly in her mouth. Getting a quick once over examining her. She had a yellow messy mane and a bright orange coat that seen better days. Being matted with blood and gore she wore; armor that was made out of cutie mark trophies I could only presume. I didn't bother doing that because I was markless and usually covered my flanks in embarrassment. Because I didn't have a cutie mark. Her cutie mark was exposed that seemed to have been ripped to shreds then having been healed but was heavily scarred which made me shiver in disgust. Her cutie mark was barely recognizable I didn’t like scars. It made people look ugly. Showing people who saw your scars telling them you experienced something. All scars tell a story. I’m pretty sure I said that sounding lame. . . yeah, whatever! What do you expect from a raider? A damn history lesson!? Finally looking up at the two rifle raiders on the roof. Seeing two more bullets whizzing a little to close for my liking. I rolled to the side in what seemed to be normal speed while it would have looked incredibly fast for them. Being a pegasus had its perks. Being agile as fuck and now being magically enhanced. Yeah. . . I need to be put down before I take over the world. . . I do get power hungry sometimes. I fired two shots at the two ‘snipers’ though they had rifles. I still think it’s valid in this situation. They’re sharpshooters by the way. Either they were good at shooting or pointing their weapon at me. . . wait isn’t that the same thing? The two snipers drew back into cover hiding together as there wasn’t much cover on the roof beside a table that they were slowly flipping over. I rolled my eyes at their foolishness, but first I needed to kill this cutie mark hunter looking ass pony. I looked back down to face her she didn’t hesitate or bother to ask questions. She fired her automatic pipe pistol while it rattled violently in her mouth from the recoil. The hot pieces of metal flying towards me. I quickly spread my wings before propelling myself into the air. Everything went back to normal speed. I started to feel my head pounding; feeling as if somepony was putting both of their hooves on my forehead and was pushing all their weight down on me. “Stupid headache!” I cursed gaining altitude dodging the barrage of bullets from her shitty gun. I swooped and twirled in the air going higher to make it harder for them to shoot me out of the sky. The two snipers began to once again open fire on me. I could hear the whistles the bullets made as they passed by me missing by inches. I was about to swoop down and kamikaze them just when Wish View popped out of cover opening fire on the two snipers. Whoso foolishly, in turn, popped out of cover firing with their hunting rifles held in their magic back at him. But he got the attention of the cutie mark hunter pony. I didn’t care though. He didn’t have my prize. His friend Scarlet did, but having him alive would give me a higher chance of obtaining the weapon peacefully; but what was the fun in that? The two snipers took cover crouching low as they continued to fire at me getting behind cover. I growled having a bullet hit my side. Getting lucky that it hit the leather and that their guns were total dog shit. Not bullet notable to go through. It still hurt, but the now boiling anger made me let out a war cry at their stupidity for pissing me off. I rushed towards them in a dive bomb scaring them by how fast I was moving towards them. Thank you gravity. Screaming bloody murder with a deep hatred in my eyes. They couldn’t seem to focus their magic on their guns dropping their weapons in fear. Beginning to run towards the roof access door. This place was weird having been made out of concrete cinder blocks. . . They rushed towards the metal door trying to get inside I pulled out my empty pistol spearing it into one of them. It wasn’t sharp but the momentum was enough to help plunge the barrel into her back. She let out a pained scream as some of her flesh filled up the small barrel. Stupid science and volume. . . and stuff. . . She collapsed on the roof with me roughly on her back using her as a pillow to soften the blow. I twisted the barrel like one would do with a knife. Hearing her cry out as her flesh twisted by my actions. Making a sadistic grin form onto my muzzle. Her friend looked over at me with her weird mask thing. It looked like she was wearing a sock over her head that had two eye holes that were fitted with goggle lenses, and it even had little tufts of fur sticking straight up at the top. I gave her a perplexed look as my grin fell into a look of utter confusion then to slow realization. She tackled me aggressively like a Pokemon. We rolled on the roof that was made out of concrete that seemed to be weathered and cracked, by old age or just didn’t dry right in the sun. I wouldn’t know though, it was just a thought. She pinned me beneath her using all her weight. It was funny because we were both built like twigs. Now having my back against the crude concrete roof; which hurt by the way. She held my arms down and quickly pointed her head down going to spear me with her horn, but before she could. Thinking fast I lunged forward tilting my head at an angle dodging her horn incoming horn. Immediately using my face slapping her muzzle with mine as a temporary distraction. Giving me the opportunity to swiftly clamp my jaw onto her throat viciously growling like a savage dog. Sinking my flat teething into her mouth. Shaking my head violently tearing out her jugular. She fell off me clawing at her bleeding throat as she gargled choking on her own blood wanting to scream. Continuing to thrash helplessly on the roof. "That's what you get," I said with no sympathy for her. Now that she was down for the count I looked over the edge to see Wish View Holding his own with a now broken leg. The raider mare laughed tossing her now empty gun at him then made a wild charge towards him laughing crazily. Wish got hit by the pipe gun losing his concentration. The aura around his 10mm faded clattering to the ground briefly stunned. She tackled him to the ground using both of her forehooves to beat his face in. Acting quickly I picked up a hunting rifle that was currently unoccupied on the roof; standing up on both of my hindlegs aiming as fast as I could move holding it in my tender hooves. With a slight shake lining up the iron sights with some trouble pulling the trigger. . . but nothing came happened. . . My eyes widened looking down at the rifle in my hooves in horror starting to freeze. 'NO!' ***Flashback*** I was fiddling with my hunting rifle with shakey hooves. Hearing a girl scream for her life from within the cafeteria's kitchen. My rifle seemed to have been jammed with its old rusted parts. Blood must have also leaked into the cracked parts of the gun effectively jamming it. I picked the rifle off one of the dead raider’s that were lying around. Standing in the cafeteria of my home. That used to be an old world military academy. I could barely make out the two fighting in the kitchen having my tears blur my vision. She was being held down by a small dragon. He pulled out a knife raising it up high. I tried to cock the rifle to no avail. I let out a scream of horror as the knife plunged into filly's chest. The dragon slowly turned towards me. His sinister smile growing ever so slightly. His slitted yellow eyes fueled my grief that quickly transformed into burning hatred. ***End of Flashback*** I looked down at the trembling rifle in my hooves cocking the rifle. Prompting the jammed bullet to fly out. I didn’t know why I even bothered to save Wish View but this time I chose to use V.A.T.S. I used the freeze instead of the slow function. To conserve RAM on my pip-fuck to conserve its Action Points or AP. Though it only made my perception in this world drastically speed up making me go into maximum overdrive!Making it look like I was frozen in time and space itself. . . okay, I might be acting a little dramatic. I would have done it myself in slow motion but right now I was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures. I highlighted her barrel using my pip-fuck. Being the biggest and easiest target to hit getting 100% hit rate or whatever you called it. I couldn’t take any chances. Especially with a poorly maintained rifle. Having it be more technological then magic based. . . you could say mine was an out of date version. But antiques are better anyway! The shot hit true but failed the kill the mare. She only grunted turning her head back around to face me. “Is that all you got!?” She mocked smiling up at me. Even shaking her rear like a naive child. I answered her back by shooting again. Taking her ear off. She cried out pressing a hoof to where her ear used to be stunned by the sudden lack of her ear. While simultaneously trying to get out of the entanglement of hooves with Wish View. Now knowing that I wasn't messing around she started to panic. I cocked the rifle in my hooves pulling the trigger again only to get annoyed when I heard the oh, so persistent annoying click of a dry gun. The rifle was dry meaning ‘it was out of ammo’. I cursed under my breath angrily using V.A.T.S once again but this time I tossed the rifle towards her with a 46% chance. Taking my chance in my blind fit of rage. Succeeding in missing only to make me even madder. Wish View was on the floor motionless. My E.I. ‘Enemy Indicator’ said otherwise having a rectangular blue bar highlighted telling me that he was still alive and an ally. While the mare who I was going to kill him was a blood red rectangular bar; on my E.I. quickly scooping up the other raider’s hunting rifle on the roof. The raider that I speared with .32 revolver laid still with said pistol sticking out of her back. She was highlighted yellow. Because she was unconscious and was still an enemy, but not hostile enough. At Least that's what I believe it meant. Without skipping a beat I pumped my wings launching me into the air. Smiling down at the lesser raider. I was the top dog here. I knew I had won because I had the ‘high ground’ and everyone knows that having the high ground is GG for the ‘low grounders’; you could all ask Anakin Skywalker. I activated V.A.T.S seeing the mare trying to limp away towards the building, but I didn’t let her sniping her on both hind legs having her drop down onto her face. Just about to fire a third but was out of ammo. Smiling as an idea popped into my head choosing to do a melee attack. . . raider humiliation style. ***Flashback*** I glared at the dragon as he hopped over the counter till he was now standing only a few feet away from me. I took to air lucky that the cafeteria was quite spacey giving me enough room to fly above. Circling around him like a vulture. He was already dead in my eyes. He killed my friend and now he was going to pay for it. "Well are we going to fight or what?" He taunted me with an unnerving smile. Making my skin crawl. I had just lost my family a few weeks ago and now a few of my best friends. . . I only had one left. . . Selene was the only one I had left. . . I can't let anyone hurt her! I can't lose everything! I don't even care what happens to my raiders! I tossed my rifle at him that he easily dodged. I growled angrily at my failure to strike him. "Yeah, you really are weak!" He mocked me. "You know, for the new leader you're pretty pathetic!" He said with a dark chuckle. I didn't take to kindly to his words swooping into the kitchen just over the counter. "What? You're going to run now?" He asked smugly. "You should really just give u-" He didn't get to finish. When I rammed an icepick through his eye socket. Completely impaling his brain. I went so fast he didn't even see it coming. I could have even made Rainbow Dash proud. Though I could never in my life achieve a Sonic Rainboom. . . I panted heavily just as some of my raiders came into the cafeteria. "Boss are you alright!?" Limp Barrel asked loudly seeing a lot of dead raiders littering the cafeteria floor. . . "I'm good. . . We're going to kill them. . . all. . ." I said quietly looking down at the collapsed dragon that killed my friend. "Do you have their camps location?" I asked them without looking. Feeling a burning hatred deep in my heart. It felt like it was cracking like if my heart was made out of glass. It had a large crack and Selene was the glue holding it all together. "Yeah! They live about 12 kilometers south from here!" He said enthusiastically loading a few shells into his shotgun. "Prepare for an assault! We're killing them all boys!" I shouted with a crazy sadistic smile on my face turning to face my raiders. Hearing them laugh maniacally with me. 'You're all dead. . .' ***End of Flashback*** I pulled myself downward going heading head first downwards quickly gathering up momentum. Effectively ramming the rifle’s barrel just above her tail hole breaking her tailbone. Officially making her a second asshole. She screamed out in surprise her eyes widening straightening her back in surprise. I laughed like a mad lad above her. The challenging disrespectful raider was now on her stomach crying from the sheer pain. I leaned in close licking the length of her last and only intact ear. Giving her flank a hard slap “this is mine!” I growled grabbing her flank firmly making her whimper under me. I was dominating her showing who was boss. “Now. . .” I whispered dangerously in her ear. “Get the fuck. . . OUT OF MY FACE!” I screamed getting off of her giving her a kick in the ribs. Making her cough beginning to try crawling away towards the dangerous Wasteland. Wanting to test her own luck. Turning back over to Wish View walking over to him just about to help him out; when I felt a cold metal barrel press against the back of my head. “Don’t. you. fucking. move. BITCH,” I heard a gruff stallion’s voice behind me with a chorus of laughter behind said stallion. Wish View had passed out from either the pain or he was knocked the fuck out. Which was not good for me or him. “Then why are you still moving your lips?” I shot back calmly thinking on my heels. Using V.A.T.S ducking my head giving the gun that was being levitated in a red aura. I highlighted it with a golden aura getting a 99% chance of smacking it. And I was offended that I didn't get 100%! Giving the gun a quick back hoof. Slapping it out of the air. My eyes swiftly shifting right and lift in a quick succession looking over my new enemies or old enemies that just seemed to have exited from the cinder block building, and was now here to fight. My smile grew into an excited one ready for battle. Jabbing my hoof at the gruff speaking pony’s throat. Running out of AP ‘Action Points’ my pip-fuck called it. Again. . . 'I always spend these fuckING POINts so QUICK!' Time began to move in normal speed again because my pip-fuck ran out of RAM or something. Just as I was roughly bitch slapped making me stumble backwards falling flat on my ass. My hoof jab was ineffective it seemed. The stallion with an eye patch covering his left eye glared down at me picking up his previously dropped pistol to point right back to me. His 9mm aimed down towards me again. “You’re weak. . .” he taunted me with an unreadable mask his face devoid of any emotion. “Depends on point of view,” I shot back once again nursing my reddened cheek that had previously just got slapped. “Well. . . I’m done!” I said throwing myself down on the floor spreading my wings wide on the floor. Starting to make dirt angels on the ground. “Kill me or do whatever you want. I don’t care!” I said with a bored expression. ‘I’m still going to kill you, you stupid asshole.’ I thought dangerously towards him but otherwise didn't say it nor show it. I was going to assume that he was One-Eyed Lat because of the fucking eyepatch for Christ sake!. He had a yellow eye color with a dirty brown colored coat with a pink mane. He had a weird color scheme. . . just like most ponies in the Wasteland, I guess. . . His raiders seemed to get rowdy at my submission. It was all a ruse though; I didn’t give up. My dream was to make this Wasteland a home for us all. For us to live free once again. . . even if I never saw the day. When ponies weren’t corrupt, like how they are now. The race of ponies can be pure once again. I’m not really a pony, so I might not understand what peace truly feels like. And I probably never will. Death would only be more painful. “Can we have her boss?” An ugly stallion asked with drool leaking out of his open maw. As he excitedly bounced on his hooves. 'No thank you. I would rather get raped by some good looking guy. Thank you very much!' Then a mare spoke up “Maybe this birdie will taste good. . . pegasi are some exotic eating here in the Wasteland,” she said smacking her lips together in thought. Her eyes seemed to glaze over for a bit, as she began to what I would assume to be daydreaming. One-Eyed Lat was about to respond, about his decision on what to do to me. But those words never came when I saw a huge chunk of face exploding outwards. Smearing all over the hungry mare’s face. She smiled licking the blood from her lips. Losing her sanity in an instant now charging towards the sniper that was firing in our general direction. The loud booming made me roll behind cover. Using my previous gray rock for safety measures. ‘I can’t die here!’ I waited it out hearing them scream as they died. I clasped my hooves together tightly pursing my lips as I looked over into the Wasteland facing away from the carnage that laid waiting for me. Seeing the raider town off in the distance that held the PITT. A huge tumbleweed blew watching it blow by. Entranced in its movements while it rolled across the Wastelands floor. That’s when I noticed how quiet it was now. My face scrunched up. About to get up when I felt a cold metal barrel poke me on the side of the head. “Oh, for the love of GOD!” Footnote Traits: Lucky Antagonist - Luck seems to be on your side. But that doesn’t mean that it’s always good.: Crazed Scientist: You have a chance of losing yourself if you have too much magic intake.
Chapter 4: Not A DoctorBeing tied up wasn’t fun in the slightest. It was always annoying to get “tied up” into these kinds of situations ‘ha ha!’ Some surviving raiders, and I were lined up neatly; side by side shoulder to shoulder. There were four of us Raiders facing a knocked out Wish View, a fire pit, and last but not fucking least two of our captors. Both were unicorns with matching dirt brown coats. They were stallions, each having a hunting rifle strapped to their backs. The duo sat behind the prone form that was Wish View, who had a bit of slobber leaking out of his mouth. The fire pit separated us raiders from the three “Civilized” pony folk. “This is complete B.S!” A fellow raider mare beside me growled at our captors aggressively. Shaking with uncontrollable rage, vibrating in her spot; unable to lash out against them. We all had our forelegs bound together by a thick rope, that would start chafing if I moved around. So I sat still staring straight ahead, with a stoic expression. I had to be patient, one rash move and I was as good as dead. The raider mare continued moving her lips, assaulting my ears with her banter. “You two are dead when I get free!” She cackled angrily towards our two captors. I was just glad her threats were directed towards me, that would have sucked if they were; she was annoying. Her threats were a bit empty and cliche for my taste. A subtle approach is an “almost” always good choice when getting out of a situation like this. “Keep talking and I’ll have your tongue, raider scum!” One of the “non-raider” stallions barked, using his horn to levitate his gun off of his back. Pointing the barrel right between her eyes. The Wasteland green colored mare went cross-eyed, examining the barrel. ‘If you threaten her tongue. . . why pull out the rifle? Shouldn’t it be a like. . . oh, I don’t know. . . a knife? Maybe some pliers?’ Before he could splatter her lovely brain matter, his calm rational friend spoke up. “Hey come on now,” He put a comforting hoof on his friend’s shoulder. “We don’t kill, somepony who isn’t armed. . . that would just be murder. . . and you don’t want to be a murder. Please, Subject this isn’t right.” He spoke in a soft level voice shaking his head. As if to challenge, the trigger-happy stallion, the Wasteland green colored mare beside me spoke up. “Ooohhh, I get it!” She chuckled humorlessly, looking straight into the blood boiling stallion’s eyes. I knew what she was trying to do. I knew what she was trying to do, she was trying to get inside his head. But the reason on “why” was unclear to me. Us “Raiders” aren’t all dumb, that is just merely a stereotype. “You two are gay lovers!” She cackled loudly; only to have a bullet shoot through her skull, blood leaking out of her new hole in her head. She fell backward with a thud. A puddle of blood began to form behind her head. My ears slammed back against my head, Leaving my right ear ringing. ‘Fucker gave me a concussion!’ Brain damage uses up more magic to heal, you know! ‘You Fucking TWAT!’ But then again, my mind was already fucked, to begin with. . . I’ve seen some shit. . . Subject, the now murder blinked with a look of shock washing over his features. “Subject, what have you done!?” His friend cried out in shock. His hunting rifle shook in place, before he lost all of his concentration having the gun fall, clattering loudly against the dirt. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly. “I-I-I,” Subject stuttered out. “Shit-shit-shit! I can’t believe I did that!” Subject blurted sounding scared for some reason, that I had no clue to as why. His friend put a hoof on his shoulder, but Subject slapped his hoof away. “Fuck off! I’m good!” He lied, we all knew he did. Because he wasn’t “good” in the slightest. His “good” friend looked generally concerned for him. They both began to argue saying, what I would consider cringe-worthy material. The two raiders and I tuned their boring moral conversation. Besides. . . who needs morals anymore? Am I right? After a while of sitting on my tush, I started to lean forward, zoning in and out of consciousness. Just like how I would in school. The good old days, staying up late playing video games. Not giving a shit about what I said, having little to no responsibility all. . . The good old time of my youth. . . being young and free to do whatever whenever I wanted too. . . “HOLY SHIT! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!” I jumped in surprise, from the sudden outburst. Sitting straight up, I blinked my eyes trying to get the sleep out of my eyes. I quickly turned my head, left to right alarmed. Seeing how everyone was looking up, I looked up as well. Something had fallen through the mysterious cloud cover. It was late at night now. The only reason why we could see the object is that, the object was sparking with electricity. And the crazy part was that it was heading straight for a MOUNTAIN!!! Just as it was about to collide with the mountain. The object lit up for a brief moment, changing its trajectory. Just barely missing the dirt green colored mountain. The electrified object went down a slope full of trees, crashing down with a loud screech; when the unknown object skid on the ground until it came to a gradual stop. It was funny in a way. . . it kind of reminded me of me, getting my first taste of the Wasteland. ***16 Years Earlier*** Falling through the soft plush cloud cover "FUUUUCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!" I screamed loudly falling to my not so sudden demise. ***Memory Over*** My memory was fuzzy, and I wasn't even sure if most of that even happened. It just sort of. . . popped up in my head. "Subject, I say we search that fallen object! Maybe the darn Enclave dropped something valuable!" 'Life doesn't last long here in the Wasteland. . . one minute you're alive. . . and the next second you're dead.' ***** A raider to my left begins squirming, trying to get free to escape. I laughed at his futile struggle. He just didn’t know when to give up or had patients like me. "Hey!" the stallion named Subject barked, at the raider smacking him with the butt of his hunting rifle. Dazing the raider with a bit of blood flying from his mouth. ‘You’re one of us. . . killer. . .’ I thought snorting in laughter getting a dark harsh glare from Subject "You too stupid raider!" He snapped at me, but the raider he smacked growled at him menacingly. "We murders gotta stick together!" I chirped enthusiastically making Subject’s rifle start to shake in his levitation. He has morals like the, so-called "good guys" it makes me laugh! "Subject come on, bring the prisoners along, we shouldn't stay here for too long." Subject’s friend said urgently. “Besides we don’t know when the Enclave might send out a search party to reclaim their stuff.” He said rather urgently, it only made me smile more. I really wanted to see what cool loot that electrified rock disk thing must have! Our two captors worked together to change our binds that were holding our forelegs against our back tied, to now having our forelegs tied in front of us. So, now basically we had to hobble around. Not lucky enough be chained up by a slaver. Who at least gave us more mobility when chained with the con being the weight, that would be holding us, weak folks, down. Which wouldn’t have been good for me. Oh, and not to mention the explosive slave collars. The raider to my left growled at both, Subject and his friend. Like a feral dog not liking to get poked by a hunting rifle. They quickly ushered the three of us raiders, to the crash site. "Just put me down. This stinks." The new raider to my right said with a bored expression only to get yelled at. Leaving the dead wasteland green colored mare that Subject killed earlier behind, but not before giving her a parting gift. "Bye dead gal." I chirped slapping her dead flank with my tail. We walked to the closer to the crash site that took us about an hour long trek. It would have been faster for me if I would have flown, but I was currently tied up into my predicament, no pun intended. . . yeah, it was fucking intended. Seeing trees torn to shreds where the object had crashed. "What in the world is happening?" Subject's friend 'let's just call him Delta' Delta said in awe, seeing streaks of fire where the object had burned through. The streaks of fire kinda reminded me of “Back to the future”. The dead Wasteland trees that were now splinters of charred wood. With some still burning from the friction or something. I wasn’t a scientist with a real degree because my periodic table was not widely known. . . it was full of idiocy. I made it work mostly by trial and error to make my own. . . The reason being. . . that I couldn’t seem to learn much from my old teachings. So I started my own equations that I sort of remembered from my school days. . . that I didn’t really fully understand, scraping most of it. Then restarting from scratch finding out my own way to calculate, to calibrate my abilities. I was my own scientist, my own person, my own. . .GOD. . . I looked around excitedly seeing the destruction, eyes sparkling enthusiastically. 'Space Blaster here I come!' I mentally cheered. We could now all see the object, that was in fact not a rock. . . but a spaceship. . . well, it looked like one anyway. The back even had glowing lights like a mini DJ booth. It kind of also reminded me of- there was a loud hiss like sound. A bright blue light came from the object that crashed that looked like a- Delta turned into a pile of bright glowing blue goop. I stopped dropped and rolled behind a boulder. The other raider that seemed a bit normal dropped into a prone, but instead of hiding, he stayed out in the open. While we both hid, the feral one that acted like a dog with all his growling stood before Subject. Growling menacingly towards him getting low bearing his teeth, that were yellowed and dirty, some food was even stuck to his teeth! One bite from him and your wound would be severely infected. "What do you want!?" Subject screamed starting to hyperventilate seeing his friend die before his eyes. He seemed to snap grabbing the feral raider roughly by the neck with his magic, shoving the growling raider to the ground. Having his face slap the floor bruising his cheek. "I could kill you right here, right now!" Subject yelled kicking the dog like raider in the gut knocking his wind out. I looked up over my boulder that I was currently using as makeshift cover to see what was happening being curious as always. Though my curiosity always got me into rewarding and troublesome places. "Shit what kind of thing is that!?" the prone raider shouted seeing the spacecraft start to leak a strange thick yellow fluid. That what I would assume was its fuel source. With the disk-shaped object continued to shoot out flashes of blue light that had hit Delta. The blue light’s looked to be the engines misfiring busted horribly from the crash, I think. I watched with giant pupils having puppy dog eyes, huge in curiosity. The feral raider showed his sharp teeth making Subject scared. Subject took an involuntary step back. Only for the savage to jump up like a scary jumpscare mauling his face. Subject screamed dropping his hunting rifle to the floor with a metallic clatter, rolling around punching the raider fruitlessly trying to shake him off desperately crying out for help. Who wouldn’t? Finally, the strange disk shaped object stopped its light show, emitting a low steady hum. Then what sounded like music, that was being played by a violin. "I wonder if it's a spaceship!" I cheered thinking about the endless possibilities really wanting an alien gun to go with my gun collection. The spacecraft was like an addicting loot box. "It looks like Enclave to me!" the other raider shouted back, while us two raiders ignored the stallion getting attacked. He wronged us by tying us up and calling us “scum”, we were don’t get me wrong. . . but that was just disrespectful , especially from a hypocrite; such as himself. He killed that Wasteland green colored mare, who was, in fact, defenseless; in cold blood. Like if I and the other raider were having a casual debate "You know what. . . let's crack this nut!" I declared wanting to find a way inside. I was practically bouncing in excitement. "Let's see what's behind door number one!” I cheered, rushing out of cover to the strange craft of sorts quickly falling on my face. Forgetting that my front hooves were bound together tightly. Pain soared through my face as I did a small roll. Now on my back with my hooves sticking up into the air. I went cross-eyed, seeing the blood dripping out my muzzle. I grimaced in pain licking some of the blood with my tongue prodding my nose with it. While I was occupied licking up my own blood, Subject continued to scream having his face destroyed, by the feral raider. "Off, off! You savage freak!" the stallion squealed like a filly punching the raider who only sank his teeth deeper. Me and the other raider paid no mind, focused on our own devices. The more civilized raider started sawing his rope binds with a sharp rock, that he held tightly in his mouth moving his head in a sawing motion. I sat up with my still bleeding nose. "Fuck. . ." I groaned hobbling over to the supposed "alien spacecraft". But, only less enthusiastic this time. Now having my nose bleeding wasn’t very fun. . . Getting close enough to the U.F.O which was an acronym for “Unidentified.Flying.Object”. It was funny how cliche and stereotypical the ship looked being disk shaped and all. The only thing I got wrong when assuming an alien spacecraft or Enclave, was when I noticed the charred black ship was actually supposed to be “white”. From my view of the bottom, only the bottom and the sides were black. The top still had a bit of white left. Though it was dirty now, because of the rough landing it had just been in. After I was done inspecting the ship, I turned my head back with my eyes still glued to the “killer ship”. That killed one of our captors. I was quite grateful actually, as a matter of fact, it was as if someone was looking out for me. "Are you done fucking up his face sweety?" I called over my shoulder to the bloodthirsty raider. Not getting a response I turned fully to see a chunk of Subject’s face hanging out of the crazy raider’s mouth standing over the dead stallion. Who he skinned with his teeth. It was a very disturbing image that was going to take awhile to get out of my head. . . "Erm… okay then. . . do you mind eating my binds?" I asked politely looking down poking my muzzle against the binds that held my forelegs tightly together, trying to get him to get the hint. "Our chewing through them? You know. . . because rope might not taste so good." I continued with a sheepish smile, I really didn’t want to be eaten right now. "I seem to lack the proper necessities that you possess right now." I licked my nervous dry lips cautiously beginning to spread my wings, only too feel something tight holding my wings in place. Looking back, I saw my wings bound together with a rope as well. ‘I forgot it seems. . .’ Before anything could escalate between me and crazy raider. The more civilized raider interjected: "Just use a rock, you idiot." After his insulting comment, I scoffed loudly pissed off. I was disgusted at his disrespectfulness, more than the raider with a face hanging out of his mouth. Which was ironic. "Eell, ecuse m~e fer nut wanhing toousea stuhid rock!" He said with a rock in his mouth. I only growled at him which sounded stupid compared to the feral raider’s growl. I didn’t want a dirty rock in my mouth! You never know where it has been! I looked back over at the "savage" giving him pleading puppy dog eyes with my bottom lip quivering in a hopeless gesture. Having someone else do it would be easier than doing it myself, that was for certain. But the civilized asshole had to cut in. . . again. . . "Leafe her be’, to her do if herfelf. Wf shoulfv reafy be’ helfing her. Befidef, fhe'f nof frrm rur band of raiders." He said shaking his head spitting out the rock. "She's probably an Enclave scout." He spat in disgust glaring at my wings. "I don't think he understands anyway." I rolled my eyes at him talking to an idiot raider. Turning my head back to face the idiot raider in question, as if he could read my mind. The crazy raider pinned me against the charred ship growling in my face. With bits of saliva raining onto my face. His own binds were thrust in my face. Tilting my head in confusion I looked up at him then back at the binds. "You want me. . . to chew through it?" I asked him with a raised brow giving him a confused look. "Like biting. . . the rope?" I asked him for confirmation as he glared down at me, making me start to sweat bullets. The other raider just stood off the side, blinking at our exchange taking place. The savage raider stared deeply into my blue eyes. My mouth began to quiver in fear, my brain screaming at me to get chewing! I started to chew the binds in trepidation.I chewed on the binds like an eager mouse trying to escape a trap. Tearing through the binds at record time. Having the rope drop to the floor with a soft. *thud* The savage raider roared loudly upon being free, letting me go. Which scared the crap out of me. I was low on magic, and now this! But, I laughed mentally at how ridiculous it looked. Seeing the stallion roar like a lion. "Hey enough fooling around! And let's loot the two dead idiots and that weird saucer thingie!" The other raider called out to both of me and Savage. "Free me Mr.Savage please!" I begged the crazy raider only for him to take another lunge at me. I shut my eyes closed squeaking loudly, feeling my binds fall. I opened one eye looking down to see my binds clean cut through, as if someone used, some magic giant scissors to do so. I stared down in amazement at such swiftness. . . such power. . . ‘I wish I was that strong.’ Doing this kind of damage without any magic at all. . . "Thank you kindly!" I cheered patting him on the head, like if he was my dog. After that, all of us moved over to examine the strange liquid, that the crashed craft was currently leaking. Being a Scientist!: without a degree. . . I pulled out some test vials and test tubes out from my mane like a magician. Carefully collecting the strange glowing yellow liquid. That didn’t irradiate me in the slightest surprisingly enough. I was going to study it later when I had some time to rest. Without having impending doom looming over my head. I started knocking on the metal wall urgently calling out loudly, "Is anyone fucking home!?" Pressing my ear against the metal wall hearing nothing in response. "Huh, maybe their dea-" I was caught completely off guard when I was lifted up squawking like a surprised bird flapping my wings in a panicked frenzy. The door made an audible hiss whilefresh airexited the strange craft. Making me and the other raiders crazy, trying to desperately suck in such pure air that was quickly tainted by the Wasteland’s own air. Making us all frown in disappointment. I lowered my head down below the hatch, that I was standing upon. Perched on top the like if it was a bird post. Standing upon the lifted hatch of the ship. I peeked down into the hatch, peering deeply into the eerie darkness, seeing nothing. Looking down at my pip-fuck checking my E.I. which was again. . . “Enemy. Indicator.” Seeing that there was one friendly rectangular blue bar inside the ship, or my E.I. might have been picking up something under or over the ship. This stupid thing didn’t distinguish between floors. Making me cautious whenever seeing a any bar on my E.I. "We’ve got ourselves a Frenchy!" Joking for my own happiness because clearly no one got it. I hated it when that happened. It just made things awkward in public, but with raiders, it was like talking to your huge crazy family. You hate your brothers and sisters for something so trivial. . . but after a while of being split apart. You gradually come back together as a family. Maybe even laughing over it, as something silly. But no matter what you will always love them. They can hurt you, just like how you can hurt them. "What?" The mostly civil raider stallion gawked at me confused. I did an awkward dip forward, falling off the hatch doing a complete circle vertical 360 flip. Successfully landing on all four hooves with a dumbfounded expression on my face. Shaking my head from my stupor, I did a slow 180. Peering into the darkness of the alien spacecraft, with the civilized raider right beside me "So. . . what do we got?" I asked him with a tilt of my head. "A dog, a dumb blonde, and a stallion with 2 hunting rifles," he listed off with a straight face. "I could also go on, and on about how much you’re lacking," I snapped smacking his face with my tail, leaving a red mark on his cheek. He rubbed his abused cheek, while I went down into the hatch before he could retort. Or, hit me back. The inside was completely dark, well it would have been if I didn’t use my pip-fucks light, to see the interior of the small ship. The only room is. . . uh. . . I really don’t watch Si-Fi movies to know. . . you know because of the war pretty much fucked everything up. The sparking control panels lit up small parts of the ship. Lines of circuitry hung in front of the master control panel that was damaged during the crash. Well, that's what I assumed anyway. Seeing about five chairs in total. Two chairs facing the left wall with smaller control panels, and two chairs facing the right wall that had control panels as well. Except that one glass screen was still intact. And last there was what I would think would be the pilot’s seat, that was situated right in front of a giant windshield. Or would it be a space shield? The master control panel that was situated in front of the pilot’s chair or captain, was now a smoldering wreckage. "Interesting. . ." Out of nowhere 'like most of my life', I mused quietly to myself. Getting grabbed in a choke hold gaging in surprise, my eyes widening prompting me to buck wildly. The feeling of soft fingers wrapping around my throat sent shivers down my spine. Prompting me to flap my wings recklessly like a surprised bird, slapping my attacker with my wings who reluctantly let me go. Flying up once set free, only to slam my head into the ceiling knocking myself on the head. Making a wailing cry, like an old world war II plane that was going down. Crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. Groaning while I stayed down dazed, feeling warm liquid drip down my forehead. My vision was blurry disorientated from the bump to the head and my nasty fall. The savage raider carried me by the scruff with his mouth, tossing me out roughly. I rolled around like a rag doll. "What the fuck are you things!?" Someone that I couldn’t currently see cried out, firing out the hatch as the civilized raider dove out the way. But not fast enough, having his tail turned into a blue pile of goop. "My tail!" The raider exclaimed holding a hunting rifle oddly in his mouth firing back into the ship hearing a startled yelp in pain. Another blue concentrated haze of blue energy was sent flying through the air in his direction. Hitting him successfully on the face, turning him into a neat blue pile of goop. I looked around not really all there, still very much dazed, "Wha? What's happening?" I asked as little yellow birds appeared above my head circling around, as my eyes rolled around having trouble focusing on the trouble at hoof. "You little monsters can speak as well!?" The owner of the ship cried out from within. The crazy psychotic raider growled charging into the ship, letting out a feral cry for blood. "Hey get off! I heard from inside the ship, shaking my head stood back up on all four. I guess that was the killer pilot, who has killed one our captors and one of us murdering raiders. "I'm sorry alright!" He shouted while I heard the feral raider gagging being choked out. "Truce? Do you even know what that means!? Because, truce!" Shaking my head, now being able to see clearly. "What the buck? Doggie stop! It's a friend!" I called out to the savage pony not really knowing his name. Not taking a second thought I tackled the savage, hugging him tightly burying my face into his neck. Just in case he tried biting my face off. The bipedal humanoid figure cried out in pain, rolling on the floor touching it’s bloodied face. "Doggie are we good!? I'm sorry if I hurt you! But we can't bite everyone! Even if he killed most of us!" I spoke sternly as if scolding a child, nuzzling him trying to defuse any anger, if he had any. "Are you mad Face Eater?" I asked cautiously with a hint of nervousness in my voice. The bipedal creature stood on two legs. Slowly retrieved his gun pointing it towards the both of us while he sat on his ass leaning back against a white wall. He wore a white jumpsuit that was caked with red. So much, in fact, I might have mistaken it for Kool-Aid. He had the palest skin I had ever seen, having a clean-cut mane. But I knew for certain that it was hair, he wasn’t a pony after all. "Doggie?" he said dropping his gun at his side with a metallic clatter, his hand spasming at his side. "Why is Home still inhabited? I. . . I just can’t believe I’m actually here. . .” He spoke in heavy labored breaths, with his chest rising up and down wheezing softly. Taking me surprise how I didn’t notice it sooner. "This place really shouldn't be here any longer on the map." He spoke with a weak smile. I was only guessing that it was a “HE” because of the deep voice. . . well deep as in you know. . . amalesounding voice. "What the hell are you even doing here!? All life should be have been wiped out by now.” He stated pulling out a three-inch needle, from a white square box beside him. Stabbing himself in the leg with it, gritting his clean white teeth. Judging by his dental work, this boy was an omnivore. With his canine teeth and the flat once in the back, that I had observed when he relaxed opening his mouth back up, Gulping in heavy amounts of air. “Now. . . I think. . .” The human began relaxing with his back still pressed against the wall. We all sat in his ship awkwardly, while he let out a nasty cough. Some blood leaking out the corners of his mouth, with his face littered with bite marks that came from my “acquaintance”. Looking down to his stomach I could see his once white jumpsuit was soaked with blood. “What never seen blood before?” The bleeding bipedal creature asked me curiously. This was definitely not the first time I saw blood, as a matter of fact. “No, no, I’ve seen blood,” I said pointing over to the savage raider who was sitting beside me, who had a great amount of blood dripping off his cracked lips. The crazy just gave the bloodied figure a hostile glare. “It’s just that. . . I haven’t seen a human before. . . it's just tha-.” I was cut off when he cut in. Seeming to have found strength out of nowhere, he waved his hands frantically in front of himself. “Now just wait a minute! How do you know about humans!?” He blurted out now on his feet surprising me, prompting me to take a cautious move; now standing as well. The psycho raider beside me started growling back the creature, that I knew was human for sure. I raised a hoof at the human, waggling it in front of him. “Hey, I’m the one asking the questions here!” I shot aggressively at him shutting him up, even seeing him lose his strength at my hostile tone. He fell back down to the floor, landing on his ass; sitting down. Groaning in pain placing both hands on his stomach. Trying to nurse his open wound, that was mighty big, mind you. “And you look. . . FUCKED!” loudly blurting out with a wide smile that could even rival Pinkie Pie’s own smile, giggling like an idiot. “Human’s might not be naive, but we’re just as stupid!” Joking hoping that he would get it, but I just got a flabbergasted look from him. “Oh. . . right. . . anyways!” Chuckling trying to steer the conversation in a whole new direction. I plopped back down, sitting down on the metal floor. “I’m,” I pressed a hoof against my chest that swelled up with pride. “Radiant Shine!” I sat up straighter throwing my wings open, to show them in all their feathery white glory. Looking to be dirtied by the Wasteland. “The Pegasus “GOD” of all raiders!” I screamed out forcing both “savage” the raider and the human to cover their ears. (Let’s just call the crazy pony “Savage”) Savage whimpered like a dog, while the human gritted his teeth. They both worn pained expressions, only boosting my raider ego. I was in charge of this situation. “Was that really necessary!?” The human growled at me, but not as primal as Savage. After a minute of picking at his ear with a finger, he introduced himself, “I’m, Apollo the. . .” he paused. “The human. . . uh. . .” He stopped thinking rubbing his head his labored breathing going back to normal. “Engineer, because I fix stuff.” He said plainly making me “humph” in annoyance. I really wanted to learn more about my alien brethren, my eyes were as practically big as saucers. “S-s-so d-do you-u have any spare space blasters!?” I asked him getting in his face like a kid at a candy store. “Because I really want one!” I gushed plopping my rump down vibrating in front of him, it was hard to contain my excitement. The human gave me a stupefied look, he then grimaced uncomfortably saying: “Look I’d be more than happy to answer some questions, but currently. . . I. . . seem. . . to be dying. . .” He dragged his words, starting to slur. That snapped me out of my collecting induced mind. My face now turned into one of urgency, quickly checking the white square shaped box beside him. The lid was already broken off, rummaging through it was a piece of cake; or so I thought. Searching for anything that looked familiar, let’s be honest I’m not a doctor. All I know is to put pressure on a wound, and that should stop the bleeding kind of thing. For fuck's sake! I wasn’t even a *real* scientist! I was just a raider with a naive imaginative dream. There were needles in plastic baggies varying in sizes and names. Something caught my attention that I genuinely surprised to see, it was biofoam, but if you want to get technical its biomedical foam. Now you’re probably wondering how I “knew” what it was. Well, the writing was exactly the same as pony writing. This foam could save him for now until I got him a proper doctor. ‘Si-Fi, movies do save lives!’ Now only, assuming this was what I thought it was. . .’ how knows maybe biofoam meant cell destruction or something Aforementioned biofoam was stored in an oval-shaped air compressed metal canister, placing it on his lap. Thinking fast I reaching into my mane, digging around until feeling a handle that belonged to a kitchen knife. Pulling it out, getting to work cutting open his shirt. Currently, I did not have any scissors like some doctors, so this was the best I could do at the moment. ‘Now to examine the wound. . .’ biting my lip while I accessed the damage, it didn’t look too good. He had a large piece of metal sticking out of him, and if me and Savage were to pull it out. He would surely die. To keep him alive a bit longer, I injected the small nozzle against his disgusting wound. Pulling of the stainless steel ring pin, so that I could squeeze the trigger with my mouth. The canister looked like a miniature fire extinguisher, minus the red look. Replaced with its natural metallic color. His wound was so big in fact; that I had to use two biofoam canisters. Having him stabilized I looted the rest of the ship. Finding a couple of unscathed large backpacks, that glowed blue like a Bluetooth speaker. So I took a couple, looking like a couple of mattresses were stacked on top my back. Surprisingly enough the bags didn’t seem to weigh a thing. But, what really made me wet. . . was when I found his alien guns. . . I squeed with sparkling eyes snatching them up happily shoving them into my “new” bags, and a few in my mane. Loot hoarding everything from his ship, I didn’t want to come back here. Just as I was reaching for a bag of food with my mouth, in its strange white packaging; a feminine monotone voice spoke. “NO! T-t-this. Can’t. Happen-n-n-n-n!” She sounded like a broken record player. I turned to see a waveform moving in sync with the voice. “He’s s-s-su-uu- posed to die!” The computer growled angrily. I only blinked looking facing the small screen, trotting closer to get a better look. “Are you talking about the human?” I asked meekly not suspecting a voice to be speaking. Savage stood beside me growling at the small screen. The voice turned hostile towards me making me smile giddily. “YOU. FOOL. HE-E-E. . . T-T-TRADER!” I burst out laughing at its blunder saying “trader” instead of “traitor”. “I will kill you!” The voice screamed, the waveform waving crazily in scribbles. Smiling dumbly I pulled out a cord from my pip-buck, that I just loved to call it pip-fuck. “WHAT ARE YOU. NO!” The voice turned into hysterical screaming. My pip-fuck bleeped, looking down to the screen I read the text that now appeared: Download Complete. I smirked pulling the cord from out of the computer. Savage tilted his head confused, just like a dog when they didn’t understand something. Petting his head I giggled, “We have a new friend! Now carry that guy.” I said pointing a hoof towards the human who had his back against the wall unconscious.
Chapter 5: There Ain't No GodMe and Savage laid down prone, behind a rusted sky carriage on the side of; the almost empty road. The human laid behind us dirtied, having been dragged by the legs. Which Savage held in his mouth. I looked down to my pip-fuck seeing; three green rectangular bars coming within range of my E.I. (enemy indicator) Again I had to physically look down to see it. Didn’t have the magical one, only having the technologically based one. ‘Who are they?’ I asked myself mentally, just then I heard the sound of a bell ringing loudly. My ears perked up with interest. Poking my head slightly out of cover to get a better look. What I saw was a traveling merchant, a brahmin, and a mercenary in porcupine metal armor. Smiling I got up making my way towards the merchant, only to have dirt spray in my face when something small struck the ground directly in front of my hooves. Prompting me to stop immediately in my tracks. “You, stay exactly where you are!” The pony in heavy metal armor shouted aggressively towards me. I like to call that armor “porcupine armor” because of the metal spikes and how it covers the whole body making it hard to move, for me anyway. Okay, now I felt like a complete idiot, 'getting stopped by a bucking mercenary! Seriously!?’ I mentally screamed embarrassed. Slowly clearing my throat I began to speak: “Now is that how you really treat your customers?” I asked innocently, putting on a helpless facade. But the mercenary didn’t back down narrowing his eyes at me, while his horn glowed levitating a caravan shotgun leveled in front of himself; pointing it in my direction. I gave the mercenary a smoldering look, “Well hello there.” I said turning my eyes over to the stallion beside him, which was the merchant. Who wore a straw hat with a piece of tobacco sticking out of his mouth. Wearing a roving trader outfit, with small bits of supplies attached to his clothes that hung loosely. Smiling sheepishly the merchant spoke embarrassed: " Good afternoon to you, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. . ." Turning his head to face his mercenary bodyguard glaring heatedly towards him. "Can you please stop scaring away my customers?" The merchant growled under his breath while the metal porcupine just shrugged his shoulder in response. Turning back to face me the merchant let out a nervous laugh, "Sorry about my friend here. . . he can't tell the difference between a pretty mare such as yourself." He flirted dumbly blushing his cheeks turning to a light shade of pink, his gaze lowered to meet the cracked concrete road. "And a raider. . ." He finished off lamely. I giggled at his "blindness" I was still very much a raider. "Now that's quite alright, it happens quite. . ." I paused thoughtfully remembering all the times I had been attacked, always being called out for being a raider. They weren't wrong of course, but it was always rather unpleasant. So, I continued my nonchalant tone: "often." In truth trouble always came to greet me, that just so happens when you make a deal with the devil. . . once you sell your soul, there is no going back. I was as empty as a metal tin can on the side of the road. I've had already disrespected God for selling my soul, I was too far off for salvation; I couldn't be saved. . . What I've done is unforgivable. It was like getting an unreplaceable gift, only to spit on the givers face. But in this case, I spit on *GODS* face. If I was thinking about God, did that make me religious? No. . . no. . . I just liked to see things from all angles. This way of thinking kept life interesting that way. "Ahem," the merchant cleared his throat politely effectively snapping me out of my thoughts. Extending his hoof out of me as he continued: "I'm Peddler and this is-" He pointed towards the pony that looked like he was cosplaying for a metal porcupine of sorts, but before he could finish speaking; said porcupine cut in. "Ironshod." The mercenary said simply shutting up right after introducing himself as such. Nodding his head the merchant continued. Instead of shaking his hoof formerly, I hoof bumped his instead. With an exasperated expression, the merchant nodded his head with a confused crooked smile. "Uh. . . yeah. . . anyways. . . you wanted to trade right?" Peddler asked cheekily quickly accepting my greeting. Silently I blinked dumbfounded at his reaction. Turning my head back to look over my shoulder to see the bags on my back. They weighted absolutely nothing! I couldn't even feel them on my back, kinda forgot about my luggage to be honest. Nodding I gave Peddler the go-ahead, trading my leather barding and my now dead captors belongings, and some scrap electronics from the alien spacecraft, also I didn't have the heart to sell the alien weapons. I did all that while Peddler traded me medical supplies; mainly for wounded Apollo. Which were mainly blue colored potions. When asked Peddler assured me that they would work to help heal wounds, but does not move tissue or broken bones into proper place and sadly doesn't restore lost limbs. This was the first time I'd ever seen a real potion before. Which intrigued me. When we were done concluding business, but Peddler didn't want to depart just yet. "So where are you headed. . . ?" He asked bursting out with a cringy nervous laugh. "SORRY FOR ASKING! B-but WHY did you sell you armor?" He asked being a nosy pony. To tell you the truth, I only sold my quote on quote "armor" was to not look like a raider. Besides. . . it was a piece of shit anyway. . . Shyly looking down changing my approach to one of innocents. "I was actually hoping you would let me, and my friends tag along with you," I began drawing imaginary circles on the cracked road. He was about to answer blushing darkly, but he was to cut off by Ironshod, but. . . *mental laugh* I beat him to the punch. "If. . ." bowing my head down low I continued slowly turning away. "If you don't want to. . . I understand." I finished in a hushed whisper, being dramatic as I possibly could. Lifting a hoof about to begin walking away. Then the cliche happened. . . "Wait!" Peddler called out to me, and so I responded as such. Having my hoof still raised, looking over my shoulder towards him with a surprised look. In heart, I was just baiting the naive stallion. "Y-you can come!" He blurted out with his cheeks burning crimson red later amending: "And your friends can come as well!" Shyly nodding my head innocently as a small smile slowly formed on my muzzle. "Thank you, Peddler! I'll go get my friends!" I chimed enthusiastically instantly losing my shy innocent tone running off back towards my two companions. [Apollo POV] Breathing. . . all I could hear and feel, was myself breathing. Opening my eyes all I could see was. . . well, the only description I could come up with was a light blue sky above me. There was a very bright light up in the sky that was, so bright in fact that it was blinding me. Now looking down to avert my eyes from the painful lights. Only to see my feet seeing how I was standing on a murky purple plane like water, standing directly above a pitch black circle. The light above kinda reminded me of the sun, but the darkness below just raised a whole 'nother question. Especially the emptiness of the ambient noise, it was calming yet unnerving at the same time. I didn't know how to describe it. This was a lot to take in, especially after crash landing on planet "home". Also wasn't I supposed to be bleeding?" Looking down to examen my fresh wound, but was instead surprised to find my casual jumpsuit unscathed in all its white glory. Even touching my stomach pushing it in with the soft palm of my hand. Making sure that all of my guts stayed inside. Looking around again I wonder: 'Shouldn't there have been two furry life forms?' While I was deep in thought, I got the feeling of something or someone watching me. Slowly creeping into the back of my mind making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Mindfully observing my surroundings trying to look interested to not draw any unwanted attention. I didn't want my "observer" to know that I was being watched I had to play dumb. If I was being watched anyway. . . there was a small chance that I was just being paranoid, but I wasn't going to take that chance. The human primal mind was probably acting up again, 'stupid primal mind, there aren't any predators here to eat me. I'm on top of the food chain now.' During my mental musing, all the ambient sound had stopped abruptly, like if a knife had cut through it. The background noise was all but replaced with the sound pitch ringing sound. The sound was so annoying and unsettling at the same time that I had to cover my ears with the palms of my hands. Trying to block out the noise or at least muffle the god awful thing. Though my attempts were all in vain. In my failure, I started to take notice that the light above was substantially dimming drastically. Looking up to confirm that the sun was indeed dimming in brightness, it looked to be moving farther away now that I think about it. Gasping in wonder "What the. . ." I stated in shock still playing dumb but was actually genuinely curious about my current situation. Until I felt a cold hand grab a hold onto my shoulder. Eyes widening in shock jolting awake. Now that I had awoken, I could now see the white-coated blonde pony from before. Strangely enough, her hoof was cool to the touch. She wore a calm relived expression that looked pretty genuine to me. [Radiant Shine's POV] 'Yes, he's alive!' In my head I was jumping up and down skipping around in joy. 'Now to steal all his secrets! This is just going to be so fun! Then I can waste this loser!' [Apollo POV] "Radiant Shine, was it?" I asked the winged pony for clarification. Checking my facts so, that said facts could stay true; keeping their credibility. My facts were going to be my biggest asset here because I'm pretty sure I'm not welcome back up. The blonde pony known as Radiant Shine nodded her head meekly. Accompanied by a small cute smile that set me at ease. Then again she could be a monster trying to eat me. 'What was she again? A pega. . . peazeus? No, that can't be right. . . a pegasus. . . yeah, that's it! A pegasus!' "You're a pegasus right?" Asking is what I do knowledge is power after all. Radiant nodded her head giggling lightly confirming my question. "Why do you ask?" She questioned me back, acting all coy playing with her mane. Okay, right now red lights were flashing everywhere in my mind right now. 'Did this pony think I was hitting on her? Oh, boy.' My brain started to go into panic mode hurridly checking out my new surroundings. Discovering that I was in a tightly compact room, that currently consisted of me, Radiant Shine, and Savage. Yeah, Savage just sat at the corner of the room glaring at me sternly. There wasn't a single way out of this room beside the wooden door that he was currently guarding. The wood weirdly enough excited me to see. Never did I ever see wood in person before, it was always usually only seen in holographic projection. Actually, now that I notice it. . . the floorboards are wood as well! [Radiant Shine POV] 'Huh. . . my seduction isn't working. . . probably came on too weak.' So I just nuzzled the silent human, 'I need to up my game if I want more information on Apollo here!' After I was done mentally battle crying, I climbed up onto the bed plopping my rump right on his lap. Sending a jolt of pleasure up my spine 'Yup that's the stuff.' I sighed feeling a slight bulge beneath me in just the right spot. Seeing Apollo's face change into a panicking red tomato was hilarious, and well worth it. So, I continued to go further placing both forehooves ontop his flat chest, Giving him a sultry look as I gazed down into his hazel colored eyes. Swishing my tail side to side behind me, leaning in so close to his face, that our faces were practically an inch apart. "R-R-Radiant! What d-do you think you're doing!?" Apollo sputtered out in shock. "God help me!" screaming defensively flicking me off him like if I was an annoying radroach. Crashing through the wall that had me tear through like paper. But, that's how it looked. In my point of view, it hurt like hell. After breaking through the wall. I had left an outline that was my character, I came crashing down onto a table with a crunch. Spilling liquor and cards all over myself. Now only hoping that I wasn't the one that had made the crunching sound. Opening my eyes I saw a large gruff looking stallion standing above me, glaring down towards me. Shaking with rage, steam was practically shooting out of his ears. Laying on my back I smiled sheepishly up at the stallion above me. "You're dead, little shit!" The stallion growled with a deep scratchy voice. My face turned into one of confusion. 'Wait did the human just say God?' The word "God" echoing through my head. My mind went into an intense firey fury. Prompting me to jump up onto my hooves at such unrealistic speeds. Scaring the gruff stallion, by grabbing him by the throat; with my soft hooves roughly. The irony. Effectively taking him by surprise I sneered in his face, "Stay out of this bub." Suddenly, a cold wind blew through the bar like death himself, had come to visit. The twin double tavern doors blew open banging against the interior walls. My cold tone froze the stallion in place, stopping his hot temper in its tracks. Letting him go my head snapped over were I had made my unexpected dramatic entrance. Seeing Apollo standing looking through the destroyed wall. That currently had my character imprint, something you normally saw in cartoons. He looked spooked even Savage was looking towards me oddly sporting a raised brow. "Did you say, God!?" I screamed silencing the whole bar. [Apollo POV] I had officially fucked up, and now my anxiety was rising at an alarming rate. I just had to throw that damn mare through a wall! Now she was calling me out, for saying "God" especially in front of all the other alien life forms. The scariest part was her eyes. . . those eyes. . . looking straight into her eyes just felt so wrong. I really don't know how to explain it. It just felt so. . . unnatural. . . that's the only way I could possibly explain it. Meaning that it was the only thing that came to mind right now. That's all I'm going to say, especially by the way she got up grabbing that stallion by the throat was freaky. Now that it was my time to respond I opened my mouth saying in a low shaky voice: "Uh. . . maybe. . ." 'Oh fuck you mouth.' Instead of getting upset over my answer, like how I had expected. She had a sinister smile grow onto her features instead. "Oh is that right?" Radiant slowly turned away from me completely, making her way through the entire bar. Heading for the small wooden stage, at the opposite wall of the newly acquired hole in the wall. All the occupants of the bar watched her go, eyeing the pegasus mare intently. Even the band on the stage watched her stroll towards them. [3rd Person POV] With a light flap of her wings, Radiant got up onto the stage beside the awestruck band. While that was all happening Apollo the human, and Savage the pony exited their room. Making their way into the bar area both curiously wondering what Radiant would do next. That mare was a wild card, they both didn't know much about her to go off by. The band of three on the stage watched her intently. One was holding a guitar, another was standing behind a microphone, and the last one was a unicorn holding her trumpet in her magic. Radiant smiled at the pony with the guitar kissing him forcibly on the lips. Standing up onto her hind legs leaning into a stool the pony was sitting on for support. The bright yellow earth pony stallion fell out his stool with a stupid smile on his face. Quickly snatching up the falling guitar with lightning-fast reflexes, grabbing it before it could even touch the ground. Now sitting on the stool with her newly acquired guitar, she began to start tuning the guitar. Which had its strings disheveled jutting out messily at the end of the headstock. While she did so she asked a question pointing a hoof directly towards Apollo. "Who's your god, human?" She asked him strumming random notes on the guitar still tuning the guitar. Everyone turned their head to now face Apollo, most stared in shock and most were in awe. All hostility seemed to just seep out of every individual making every neural and non-hostile towards anyone present. Which was an oddity here in the Wasteland. The thought of having a bar full of wastelanders that weren't offended at every little thing was driving Savage mad. In his own right, he was still very sane. His instincts were going all over the place, trying his hardest to shut out the voices in his head. So, he just fell on his face laying down on the floor not paying anyone mind anymore. Apollo looked around the room embarrassed to see everyone watching him intently. "Well. . . my god's name is. . . well. . . God. . ." The human stated sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. Everyone in the bar burst out into a choir of laughter. The noise that they were creating was so high in fact, that he had to cover his ears from bursting. To silence them all Radiant Shine held up a dirtied white hoof, shutting everyone in the bar up. Why did they listen to her? And if so where was this power coming from? Curiously Radiant then asked: "What does your 'God' do?" She asked mockingly with a sicking smile that just felt wrong looking at it. Her pure white teeth beamed adding a pure color to the entire dirty bar. "And who is he? Hmm. . . ?" She was mocking Apollo for bringing up his 'God', but why? Looking down the human whose name was Apollo opened and closed his mouth. Unsure how to proceed he decided to say what he knew off the top of his head. "God. . . let's see. . . he's a being that loves all living beings. . ." In truth Apollo didn't know much himself, he was never one for ancient religion. It was all outdated and who knows who could have changed its words, and meanings, altering and corrupting the 'Bible' over time. He certainly didn't want to read a book full of lies, and even now the book was now considered to be a work of nonsense fiction. Continuing to watch him like hungry hawks, making the human feel more, and more out of place. The uncomfortable feeling that crept up in the back of his mind was unbearable now. "And. . . he never sins. . . ever-" Growling angrily Radiant started stomping her legs on stage. Her posture was now seething in anger, "Don't tell me none of that, BULL. SHIT!" She snapped loudly now getting the attention of all the patrons, something that she wanted or had to do. . . forced to do. . . "GOD!? HA!!! THAT 'GOD' IS NOTHING BUT A LIAR AND A DECEIVER! HE'S A TRYANT YOU HEAR!" She screamed loudly that even the whole town could hear her. Apollo was taken aback not expecting an outburst like this. The patrons watched like mindless drones with blank emotionless expressions. "SUPPOSEDLY THE ONLY WAY TO GO THAT ACURSED HEAVEN! IS TO WORSHIP HIM!!! AND IF YOU don't. . ." She muttered quietly more to herself than anyone else. "HE WON'T GIVE A DAMN ONCE HE SENDS YOU TO HELL!" Radiant ranted huffing and puffing looking like she was hyperventilating, but she still pressed on. Sounding to be out of breath: "If. . . *wheeze* that's. . . *wheeze* not a tyrant. . . *wheeze* then I don't know what is. . ." Finally finishing Apollo was astonished if not a bit tad confused. 'Where they talking about the same "God"? Many things seemed to connect the same. . . how did she know about heaven and hell? Were they talking about the same God?' If so. . . that was a scary thought. One thing was for sure. . . this mare was insane. "Th-hat. . . just can't possibly be true. He doesn't want anyone of us to go to hell, he loves us al-" Holding up a dirty hoof the dirty wasteland pony shut Apollo up, without saying a word. Apollo tried to rebel in God's name because he knew God would not defend himself against this mare's verbal abuse. Desperately trying to open his mouth, but remained closed. Like if his lips were glued together. Scoffing to the side Radiant held the guitar close to her dirty grime decorated barrel, about to perform. Now taking on a rather odd calm demeanor she addressed the whole crowd, which was everyone who was currently inside the bar: "Welcome friends, are you ready to bask in the glory that is the all mighty God? Because I know I am, so let's hear a little song shall we?" She first started with a catchy tune. The whole bar was practically rocking with the beat. Apollo found the alien culture odd. Heel even he was moving with the beat, but he felt two icy cold hands taking hold of him by his shoulders. Looking back over his shoulder surprised to find no one taking hold of him. But, the presence of something having a firm hold of him was still very present. Moving him like a puppet in beat with the tune Radiant was playing. Everyone light bulb in the whole bar shut off, shrouding everpony and one human in complete darkness. Until a spotlight switched on showering Radiant with light. Her dirty white coat was now cleaned? And was reflecting the lights, light back at the patrons. Her blonde mane and coat were spotless of any dirt whatsoever. How did she get clean so fast? She was "radiating" with light. Continuing to strum the guitar she opened her mouth beginning to sing: "Some songs are happy~ And some songs are sad~ Some songs are really well rehearsed. And other songs are bad~" She then got up off the stool standing on her both hind legs, which was an odd sight to see a pony do. Pacing in front of the stage singing to the crowd. "And some songs are angry~ And some songs are sweet~ Some songs are made to help you wake up in the morning~ Well here's a little song to help you go back to sleep. . ." She then began to strum her guitar that was quietly getting louder and deeper in sound. "There isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heaven's just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong." The ponies got out of their seats now al turning on him shoving him over to the stage area. Stumbling, tripping over his feet he made it to the stage seeing Radiant play up close. "And then I close my eyes and just remember this song." Standing at the center of the stage she looked down towards Apollo, springing out her wings wide open making him feel small. "I said there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heaven is just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares. And in the end, we're living all alone. . ." Apollo felt a wave of sadness and grief wash over him, as well as the rest of the patrons. The music Radiant was creating was fueling negative emotions. Her strumming slowed in tempo continuing her song: "If I could live forever~ I'd do it if I could. . ." Walking backward similar to how a human would do it. The way she did it just looked so. . . unnatural. . . "Leave it all behind everything that I've done. It's just as bad as if it's never begun. And if I was a believer~ And lord knows that I've tried." Hanging her head solemnly staring down. . . down. . . down. . . "I could go to heaven on the day that I die. And I can be at peace when I close my eyes~" She slowed down her strumming but then for her chorus she started to pick the beat back up. "But-" She jumped onto a table that was closest to the stage landing on the table with her two hind legs. While she held the guitar in both forehooves using magic to manipulate the object making it easier to manage. But this magic wasn't her's. . . She danced on the table top still performing: "-there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead. And heavens just uh fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong." But then I close my eyes and just remember this song~" Radiant hopped around each table top spilling alcohol, cards, caps, and even ammunition. The crowd crazily enough started to sing along with her driving Apollo mad. Hell even he began to sing along, but he felt like someone was forcing him too. He tried to lift his hand to cover his mouth he didn't want to disrespect God, but the cold presence was still using him for whatever reason that was unknown to him. Wishing that he would have stayed up aboard the ship tinkering around instead of this torture. "I said there isn't any God and when you die you're just dead~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares~" The shining Pegasus stood ontop a table on her hind legs with her wings outstretched. "And in the end, we're living all alone." Retracting her wings back to her sides, she turned away from the whole crowd. Then all the lights shut off shrowding them all again in complete utter darkness. The spotlights snapped on illuminating Radiant on the stage again, taking everyone by surprise. "Love. Don't. Matter. Cause you die in the end." In between every pause, a light above a table would turn on and off. As Radiant would appear on a new table whenever the light was on, being right under its shining light. It was all in sync with her and the music. "And, money don't matter because you die in the end. And life doesn't matter because you die in the end." She flapped her wings taking flight in the bar, just as all the lights snapped back on. "It's really never over, no it's really never over~" The whole crowd sang along with her. How couldn't they when it was so catchy? "There isn't any God, and when you die you're just dead~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed. Sometimes I think about the chance that I'm wrong. And then I close my eyes and just remember this song. I said there isn't any God and when yeah die you're just dead ~ And heavens just a fairy tale to put yeah to bed~ There ain't nobody watching us because nobody cares~" Now landing on the bar top she laid on her side still playing the guitar. "And in the end, we're living all alone. . ." Finishing her song she let the last note drift off into the air. "Sweet dreams everpony." Just as she said that everypony collapsed unconscious even the bartender did slamming down a glass of wine right before falling on her face as well. The only ones that were unaffected were the trio. Radiant, Apollo, and Savage. Though Savage was banging his head against the wooden floorboards repeatedly. [Radiant Shine POV] Taking a slow dramatic sip from my wine glass, Apollo asks shakily: "What. . . what t-that all about?" In truth who knew? An odd sight indeed even for the Wasteland. What was all that singing and dancing anyway? "I-I-I haven't s-seen anything like that in my life!" Rolling my eyes clearly presenting my annoyance, stretching my neck from right to left. Having my joints create a popping sound releasing the liquid bubbles into gas. . . okay, okay I won't get all sciencey. . . It was very~ satisfying, and some ponys say it can be bad for your health! The nerve some ponys! "Hmm. . . oh me neither." Yawning uncaringly I took another sip from my glass, tossing my mane dramatically fixing it. Now my mane looked clean, and perfect after my performance. The magic of music, or whatever the hell it was called. [Third Person POV] It just clawed at the back of Apollo's mind to no end. How could she look so clean when she was covered with filth earlier? Even when he woke up and she was on top of him, she looked dirty, even after Apollo threw her through a wall! This mare just didn't seem to make any sense. Or maybe these "aliens" were beyond his human comprehension. [Radiant Shine POV] 'I can't believe that happened again. . . need to keep my composure in check. Stupid, stupid, stupid.' Starting to mentally beat myself up for losing control of myself to the music. It wasn't uncommon for me to blame myself, it was quite common. Always blaming yours truly for the dumb, of the dumb, mistakes. 'The ambient magic in the air was enough to control everypony else in "this" bar. Stupid Equestrian ambient song magic; in truth, even I didn't know what it was called exactly, or what it did completely. But what I did know was that before the war; it was a common occurrence. When all peop-creatures. . . would come together and sing as the magic in the air got ahold of them. In the end as far as I know; when the song they all sang and danced to end. They would soon forget that the event even took place. Except for me. . . I. . . I remembered what happened as clear as day. Though every time I would absorb ambient magic int the air, like most natural magical creatures. My brain would go batshit crazy! Like if I was a druggie high on magic. Which actually made sense thinking about it. My mind, body, and magic are only fit for a pegasus. Not a unicorn, or even an earth pony. The different natures in magic were overworking my body. I was using magic like a stimulating drug. Now that I think about it. . . if I were to stop using unicorn magic. My flow of magic might cease altogether. Then I wouldn't be able to use magic to fly. Worse case scenario, I die. And. . . if I were to stop drinking earth pony blood, I would suffer the withdrawal symptoms of fatigue. Possibly even cramps if I wasn't careful. *Shiver* Even though I could still live without the delicious earth pony blood. . . it would be tough to resist the urge to drink the earth ponys nutritious blood! In fact, THE BLOOD WAS EVEN MORE NUTRITIOUS THAN A STALLION'S NUT! You know, I'm something of a scientist myself. Besides the blood of one of those worthless dirt ponys makes you youthful, and stronger too! You hardly register the negative side effects! Life is so. . . much better with magic. I could say that for a fact. Besides, *phft* who needs a family? One of the major flaws when using the ambient magic in the air was, that every time I used it. My oldest of memories would begin to fade out of existence. I'm not quite sure on what would happen if someone activated the music like I had done; and if I were to get caught in the magic? Soon I would have to test that theory out when I got the chance. Besides who knew if someone else sang, then by the end of the song, would I have my memory wiped out by ponys in black suits? This phenomenon has driven me nearly mad in the past, but I soon came to accept my fate. Maybe this phenomenon was caused by the magical nature being confused? The ambient magic in the air was song magic? Or maybe the music was confusing me for an alicorn? That was very possible. . . possibility. But, in the end, would it even matter? That was a question I had asked myself a lot, so much in fact; that it got old quick. And don't get me started on my memories. Now that was a travesty! In more ways than one, I'm actually kind of grateful for my smudged memories. I never liked to reflect on my past actions, I would just jump from place to place, adventure to adventure. Because whenever I would sit down and lay back; to reflect on my childhood and past actions. Everything would come back as a blur. . . but the suffering. . . the suffering lingered. . . it felt like if you were stabbed but you weren't at the same time. I could feel the phantom pains that weren't real. . . or were once real. Not being able to pinpoint the pain at all. It wasn't fun to deal with something you couldn't see. My memories would all come back with missing chunks of conversations, details, shapes, faces. . . even my childhood was black and white. I couldn't remember a damn thing from way back then. But, what I did remember was how I got my name. Even my learning my skills was quite the blurry ride. Keywords would bring clouded memories flooding back in. The only thing I remembered was that dragon, or thee dragons. I wasn't very fond of that species of creatures. One dragon taught me how to shoot a gun with my hooves, but that was without magic. I hate dragons. Was that seventeen years ago? I'm not quite sure, to be honest. . . if I am honest anyway. Though I highly doubt that I am. Who. . . who am I? Who was I? To you? [Apollo POV] That crazy mare was staring straight down at the floor, whatever she was thinking about; was probably too far away for me to grasp. One thing was certain. I'm definitely not going to be bringing up "God" anytime soon. . . it hurts because I want to see if we are talking about the same one! She seemed so confident that we were! Though. . . it could have been a HUGE misunderstanding. This mare was so scary when she was fired up! Especially because of what I did. . .throwing her through a wall. That probably wasn't one of the best decisions I've made before. Hell, I would be mad too if someone threw me through a wall as well. Taking a seat on a stool right beside the mare Radiant, that was currently resting on the counter. She made music like us humans. Then she shouldn't be that bad, right? Okay, her lyrics and her tone did beat on the religion I know, but who am I to step on, her opinion? I'm a pretty fair guy. Everyone is equal in my book. "Who. . . who am I? Who was I. . . ? To you?" Radiant spoke in a soft quiet voice that was barely above a whisper. She whispered so low in fact that I had thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Looking at her, I could only see her stone cold emotionless expression. The questions were so sudden and out of the blue, that I hardly had enough time to prepare myself. Sputtering out nonsense. A few seconds later abruptly stopping, then clearing my throat, succeeding in scaring the life out of Radiant. Savage rushed over to Radiant's aid hopping onto the counter standing above her protectively. Barking towards me with a piercing gaze! His eyes full of malice and unforgiveness. I just couldn't do anything right. Savage was like her personal guard dog of sorts. He was always watching out for her. Even chewing my face earlier. . . 'I still don't forgive you for that!' [Radiant Shine POV] Breathing heavily I instinctively dove behind the bar countertop, to use as cover. The only noise to be heard was a feral dog barking. My head began the swim from the loud sounds. My good pony hearing would heal with the use of magic. Making my ears healthy able to pick up the smallest of sounds. The only downside was that my ears were always. . . to good! Making my twin ears very sensitive to noises. "Shut up, you stupid mutt!" I screamed out at the top of my lungs with my hooves pressed down tightly against my ears. Desperately trying to block the sound out. Just so suddenly the loud obnoxious barking ceased. Regaining my composure I removed my hooves from my head and looked up. Standing up on the countertop was Savage and Apollo the human was sitting stunned on a stool. Seeing that I was okay, Savage gave me his signature glare that must have been copyrighted. I had never seen a glare exactly like his before. Then again. . . my memory wasn't something that was reliable anyways. Instinctively backing down from the menacing Savage, I pinned my ears back against my head. I didn't want my face to be torn off, that wouldn't be any fun at all! And don't get me started on how painful it would be. So I did the next best thing; giving him a barrage of apologies. Hoping that he wasn't insane enough to not understand. After the one-hundredth one, I got a hard smack to the face and a grunt from Savage in response. 'He. . . h-he. . . he smacked me. . ." I really couldn't have believed it. Shouldn't I have seen it coming? Did I actually trust this degenerate? We bearly even knew each other for more than a day or two at most. Why am I so stupid? My face hurt a lot. The force was enough to knock me off my hooves! Laying on my side on the rotten wooden floor. Several tears leaked from my eyes. Not wanting to show my fresh tears to my newly acquired aquatints, I hid my face with my hooves. I didn't like how I acted so weak and pathetic. . . but what could I do? I'm completely drained. I'm nothing special without magic. With it. . . I'm ruler. . . without it, I'm. . . nothing. . . I was never anything special. No one ever cared for me. Everyone I had ever loved, has since turned there back on me. Love. . . love is a lie. So why should I care about anypony else? It's not like it would matter in the end. In this world cursed with conflict. There will never get happiness. Not like I cared. . . Bringing pain on others gives me a current satisfaction that only lasts for merely a moment at most. A moment of solitude for me. A moment of confusion. A moment of peace. . . Moving is always better than staying in one place. Getting comfortable with a place is bad. Growing that attached would only hurt you when you'd soon have to leave it. So, move from place to place as fast as you can. No time to think, to time for rest, no time for friends, no time for breath. Sticking to my ideology stuttering out: "C-come on! W-w-we got t-t-to get out of here," I hopped up onto the counter that while Apollo stood up to get going towering over me and the bar. While I continued to hide my face in the crook of my foreleg. Rubbing my tears into the crook as I did so. I didn't like to be weak, I'd be calling myself a god. . . but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I know better now. . . even though I continued to spew this nonsense upon others. A foal's fantasies, nothing more. Soon my band of misfit raiders (a human and crazy pony) maid it outside, exiting the bar behind us. What Apollo and Savage puzzled them both greatly. But then again Savage is an idiot, and most likely didn't understand jack shit anyway. It probably shouldn't have come out as a shock to see the whole town doing its daily business as per usual. Apollo presumably expected the town to be unconscious as well, just like the rest of the occupants of the bar. We were in the town named. . . drum roll, please. . . ! Hoofenburg! Like boi! What kind of name was that!? One of the cringest names I've ever heard before. Though alarm bells in my head were ringing telling me that this place's name was familiar in my data banks/brain. Well, that's what I thought this town was called anyway. And supposedly this place used to be a city before the annihilation, though what the hell do I know? That merchant told me some history that I mostly tuned out, however, I was smart enough to retain some precious information. Supposedly the "Steel Ranger" roamed around these parts. They were the ponies who hoarded technology for themselves. Wearing the pre-war power armor. These "Steel Rangers" actually reminded me of the "Brotherhood of Steel", yet sometimes I would insult them calling them the "Brotherhooves of Steal"! GET IT!? BECAUSE WE'RE PONIES!? AND THEY STEAL TECHNOLOGY FROM OTHERS! Anyways~ They bullied the populace threatening to destroy Hoofenburg; if the citizens did not comply to hand over the two Gatling Lasers the town militia held in the armory. Dick move the "Steel Rangers" part, I know. Then there was a radical group called the "Aura Gangers" who were also bullies but used spells to fight. Where were all these silly names coming from? Who bucking knows. . . these ponies or so I heard. Used magic spells if they were unicorns, however, if they were of a different race of the pony tribes. They would use potions that they would either drink or throw at their enemies. These ponies kinda sounded like me. . . maybe I could rule after all. . . ? The broke out of a bunker under one of some "Ministry of Arcane Magic" building. The first time I heard "Ministry" I swear I thought of "Mistress" I was horny at the time. Yeah so that arcane magic ministry building or whatever, was some sort of building loaded with raw elements. Especially magical ones. That was a place I definitely wanted to go! I must know all the magics! Then there was the "Grand Pegasus Enclave" that I heard about over the radio. That me and that merchant guy who's name I've already forgotten listened too. Spewing out propaganda that just made my chest swell with pride. President Snow Mare's words gave me an unnatural moral boost. The only quote that made me feel light hearted was when she would end her speech saying. "Reflect on all that I've had said Equestria~ And Equestria shall live again." Her voice was just laced with charisma. My charisma compared to hers, I was a complete joke. But the thought of having a whole group of pegasus just like me. . . it just. . . I don't know. . . it just made me feel special. That I wasn't alone. . . So far in the Wasteland, the most common wastelanders were dirt ponys, unicorns, griffons, and dragons. Every other specious seen was a rare sight. I felt extremely lonely when I don't see at least another pegasus around. My moral falls and loneliness just consumes my thoughts. My group got a lot of attention, from curious stares and glances to ponys pointing in our general direction. Most of the attention was directed to Apollo. Then it went to Savage who growled at the foals who got to close scaring the children away back to their parents. . . if they still had any, anyway. Then lastly their attention was directed towards me. My pegasus nature and my dashing good looks. Subconsciously playing with my well-kept mane. It could also be said because I looked practically 100% clean. These ponies were very interested in my alien-human companion. 'But I found him first so buck off!' Apollo was amazed by the attention even starting to sweat bullets. The precipitation growing ever so clearer on his forehead. He was scared shitless! I'm pretty sure we all have that one moment in our life, were we just freeze up and become motionless. But to help uh "brother out", I grabbed Apollo by the hand leading him through the busy streets of Hoofenburg. His hand was in my mouth mind you. After gaining a fair bit of distance from the bar I lead Apollo into a random brick building. Hopping through the door with great force with Savage diving in from behind, crashing into a shelf of foal squeaky toys. Then the metallic door slammed closed, making my ears ringing with such intensity I just buried my face into the floor. Why did my magic always fix my stupid hearing? Oh, right. . . so no pony could ever sneak up on me. . . what a load of horse apples! Apollo leaned back into an empty wall that wasn't occupied by any merchandise. He then slid down the wall getting into a sitting position. Covering his red face with his hands muttering to himself: "Why didn't I have just stayed put?" Savage and I watched him with varying expressions. I wore a curious expression wondering what he would say next, inching ever so closer. While Savage in the other han-er. . . hoof, was surrounded by squeaky toys he even had one stuffed in his mouth. Crashing it with his jaws eliciting a squeaking sound every time he bit down. Maybe he was just retarded? And if I heard your feelings. You can just pretend I called Savage "Special, or not mentally there, or a disabled zombie, the lost chromosome DNA bender. Then that moment when you realize your jokes aren't even funny at all. But sadly Apollo did not continue losing interest, I got up now exploring my new surroundings. Giving Apollo and Savage their "needed" alone time. While I examined my surroundings I began to take notice that I was in fact; inside a store and not someponys house. There were times where I would randomly walk into other ponys homes by accident. . . but that didn't stop me from looting the damn place. This store was surprisingly empty, there was no sign of anyone besdies my two acquaintances. Being the mare I "was" I browsed through the section of the store that had all the clothes and armor, the thing that smart people would call "apparel". All of the armors were folded up into squares neatly, all stored in a wardrobe. While all the regular clothes like business suits, dresses, kinky lingerie, most were hanging onto hangers. Only some and very few were also folded into squares. Sliding the hangers to the side curious on what the next unique fashion design I would find, even if it was total Savage shit. Except for this time I got the luxury of getting spooked by a mare, "Hallo Dame." I screamed in fright jumping back like a frightened kitten. My coat and tail were sticking straight up into the air. "WHAT THE FUCK!?" My skin was littered with goosebumps. Confused the mare that scared me tried again, "Hello lady?" The mare tilted her head confused by my outburst. "Dit I say it wrong? I'm sorry if I be mean. . . not my intention! Honesht!" Her ears pinned back with regret, her face now showing shame. Heavily breathing with eyes wide open, "D-d-don't do t-that-t!" I sputtered out still pretty shaken up by her sudden jump scare. As if on cue Savage came rushing to my aid. Yeah, I didn't like him very much that he smacked me earlier. I was going to get that fucker back for THAT!!! Savage was growling aggressively at the unicorn mare that stood before us. Though he did look less aggressive with a bright colored squeaky toy in his mouth. She had a white coat just like me, and a blond mane and tail, also very much like me! The only difference being that I was a pegasus and she was a unicorn. This bitch was stealing my flair! And she also looked about to burst out crying? "I'm so sorry! Forgifeness!-" The blond unicorn bowed her head regretfully. "-Forgifeness!" Squeaking out the last part, now falling to her knees she wailed loudly. Her tears were rolling down both her cheeks like mini rivers. So loud and annoying, she forced me to pin my own ears back and cover them with both of my forehooves. Savage's eyes went wild whilst he too howled in pain grabbing the sides of his head rolling around on the floor. Apollo just stayed put in his position on the floor, watching the random scene unfold before his very eyes. "Okay-okay! We get it! It's alright whatever crybab-!" The unicorn then threw herself at me clinging onto me tighter than a Boa constrictor. "Zank you, for forgifeness!" The mare squealed hugging me tightly squeezing all the air out my lungs. "Von't let zat happen again, honesht!" She spoke with an accent. Unable to respond verbally, Having my lungs recently deprived of air, I just nodded my head quite urgently. "Goot!" She squealed enthusiastically letting me go smiling with a not so wasteland look too her teeth. Noticing that this in my desperate attempts to breathe. Keeping the information to myself. Breathing heavily I let out a weak: "Uh-huh." Didn't like to be strangled very much, wasn't into none of that kinky shit. "Again. . . d-don't mention it. . ." I spoke softly in a submissive tone. 'That should keep her away for awhile.' If I were to fight in this situation, the odds would not be in my favor. In a sense, I needed to "feed" you know like "fuel". Not like that monkey and that stupid mutt would care anyway. Here in the Wasteland, we are all here for ourselves, that is just the cold all knowing truth. Love is just an illusion, everyone tends to backstab you in the end. And one last thing I should add. . . there is no such thing as forgiveness. Smiling innocently the unicorn waved a hoof around nonchalantly in my face, "Gotcha no hugs again! Anyways back to zee main topik. . . voult you like to buy somesink?" She asked now wearing a serious expression on her face. "I might hafe somesink you are looking for." A strong confident smile then graced her muzzle. Grateful for the sudden change of topic I played along, "I highly doubt you have something I personally want." Scoffing flicking my mane dramatically. Now trying to establish my dominance over the other mare. Though sometimes it made me come off as a drama queen. The unicorn didn't waver in the slightest, still holding up strong. "Are you sure about zat? Hov coult you knov, ven you nefer exploret zis schop before?" The unicorn countered my argument. At the moment I didn't care in losing this irrelevant argument. Sighing in defeat, "Alright. . . I'll give you the benefit of the doubt." Agreeing was always better than arguing. Because when you have to argue, you'd have to bring up a valid point while backing up said point at the same time. Her color scheme bothered me. . . I couldn't get it out of my head. . . was I jealous? Most likely. "Zat is excellent nevs! So! Vat voult you like to get firsht?" She asked me excitedly, filling my head with disdain. "Anythink you lookink for in partikular?" She asked hopping up and down. I shooed Savage away with a scowl of my own. I whispered for this store mare to follow me to the back of the store. Once we got a fair bit of distance from my two other companions. I whispered. "D-do you got any. . . you know. . . mags around?" We were so close that only she could have heard my question. "Oh, you mean zese?!" She declared rather loudly pulling out a variety of magazines that held bullets made for guns. "I got a variety-!" I shook my head wanting not fall over and die. "No, you idiot!" I shouted down at the unicorn mare, her ears pinned back wearing a sheepish smile. Teleporting the weapon magazines back she asked confused: "Zen vat do you mean?" Unsure and now scared of me. I was dominating this little shit! I leaned closer whispering into her ear. "A PORN magazine~" I whispered in a sing-song voice. The unicorn's cheeks burned bright red nodding her head rather quickly. Running off instead of teleporting the "magazines" in question. Smirking in triumph. I looked over the main counter to see the more expensive merchandise. Seeing multiple small generators varying in sizes. Even 5 rounds of .308 sniper rounds standing straight up were on display. It made my mouth water. Everyone likes sniper rifles, and marksman or marksponys were well respected for their accuracy. But what really made me wet was the one lonely round that was even bigger than the .308 round. It was the .50 MG round. . . that single bullet could tear through power armor like cheese paper. The unicorn mare came back over to me blushing brightly, when she placed a bag down in front of me. Taking a few embarrassed steps back right after. Opening the bag suspiciously eyeing the bag and the unicorn at the same time. However, my thoughts were put to ease once I could see the contents of the bag. A large smile spread across my lips. *Later* A bag of bottle caps spilled onto the counter that had a blushing unicorn taking the bottle caps.
Chapter 6: Fetish MagsSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.