Smooth jazz fills the dimly lit lounge as the neon sign that hangs above the bar hums hypnotic buzz. Cider jacks it said, an alcoholic apple cider. It's quite known for being popular among ponies. Under normal circumstances, it would have been the top choice of drink. Today isn't that day; nor is this the normal crowd that the lounge would entertain. Unlike the other times, this lounge is currently catering to one.

A solitary stallion sat at the bar, tapping his hoof to the music while levitating a glass of red wine. He considered himself very fortunate that he managed to book the lounge for tonight. For tonight was the night that he had been preparing for. One last night that he can enjoy. For him … and for her. He dug into waistcoat pocket, pulling out a silver pocket watch emblazon with apple outline with a sword through it. The Ministry of Wartime technology. A gift from his old employer.

She had asked him to return Equestria proper and she even offered him a place within one of those Stables. he considered it; But no, he would see this through to the end. He wonders if anypony is in there now, huddled together in the darkness, clinging to the faintest of hope they might survive. Might see Celestia’s radiant Sun once again. Is there any pony left in this city? Maybe it's just Scarlet Jewel and him.

A stray bullet hits the outside wall of the lounge; he was so absorbed in the atmosphere of the lounge that he forgot about them. Vermin. Cockroach. Completely unaware of the war between zebras and ponies; simply defiling his great creation as revenge for their long-deceased king. He leaped from his seat at the bar and move towards the uncovered window, looking out to a sea of skyscrapers. Banners displaying a symbol that once brew fear, now meaningless memento hangs from his once beautiful buildings as proof of their domination. Through it can't be considered domination if it was given. Let them ransack, let them pillage, let them murder the unfortunate lesser species that were too poor to pay for the Stables; because in the end none of it matters. In few moments the palette will be cleansed and the world starts anew.

Those thoughts immediately left his head as the buzz of elevator fills the room and It's doors rattle open revealing a crimson haired mare. Her coat white as snow and her eyes burn of scarlet. As soon she saw the unicorn stallion by the window, she trotted over to him. With a grin, the stallion set his drink down on a nearby table and wraps his hooves around the mare. She let out a content sigh as she nuzzles his chest. She eyed the window to the city, reflecting on its short-lived glory.

“it's shame.” She said in a whisper as the music change to something a bit more upbeat. A simile crawled across her muzzle. She steps away from the stallion and begins to sway with the music. For the moment he watches as her swaying becomes a dance. Resembling a flickering candle as she moved. The mare stops her dancing to flash a beckoning simile at the stallion.
“come on Red,” she said offering her hoof. He accepts it as they stood on their hind legs and began to methodically step in-rhythm.

they looked into each other's eyes as time falls still. For that moment nothing mattered.
Not taxes.
Not work.
No personal responsibilities.
No marauding vermin.
Not even the megaspell as it erupts in the center of the city.
Not the Technicolor mushroom cloud that formed in its wake.
No, it didn't matter to them because even if the world is consumed by balefire
They'll remain
If their body faded to ash
They'll remain
He made sure of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Far south from Equestria proper across the bleak desert lies the jewel of the sand, a city once known as Oasis. In height of the pony achievement, it was erected to show pony dominance in South. A resort city bustling with latest of arcane technology. That was before the war. Before the war of resources. Before the war between ponies and zebras, it was a spectacle but during the war, it was an escape. Ponies flocked there in droves to escape the cruel reality of war as their brother and sister fought and die to uphold their pony way of life. Inevitably the illusion ended when megaspells descended from the heavens and consumed the land in balefire. For the fortunate few they manage to survive in underground stables with the hopes that one day they can walk on the surface again and not repeat mistakes of their forefathers.
Be better than them.
be what ponies should be.
Unfortunately...

War. War never changes.

Rising from their underground shelter, they becoming upon a hellscape of own making. Limited supplies and resource forces the ponies abandoned their values in order to survive, while others desperately cling to it. Forming communities. Becoming bandits and raiders. Leading to some taking advantage of this cruel and lawless new world.

Klugetown is now the capital of a fledgling empire, the Maximus Dynasty with their God Emperor Maximus and his golden militia. He steadily takes control of the Badlands, enslaving all who won't bend the knee.

Those slaves that manage escaped Maximus raign fled across Litterbox Ridge into a country once known as Abyssinia, where they formed the Broken Chain. A slowly growing army to rival the golden militia. despite their noble goal of the ending Maximus parade of terror, they not above forcing others into their war.

As the two prepare for war; just underneath their hooves beneath the desert sand lies a dark secret waiting to be unearthed. And whoever uncovers it holds the fates of the Shifting Waste in their hooves.

And among a mass grave of iron lies you.
Unconscious and unaware within your iron casket.
Awaking to the hellish desert before you with branded “99” on your neck.

Author's Note

This is my first attempt at writing a fic so it will most likely be bad. any feedback will help.