Ties With The Past

Trotting down a sandy hill that was rather steep. The journey down was a glum one.

From the view high above I was able to spot a town off in the distance. And a familiar one at that. I had passed through here yesterday before entering the stable.

Once in a while a critter would jump out onto my path and would proceed to attack me, alongside the annoying heat that was irradiating from the sun. Despite the fact that in the sky, there was a humongous sheet of cloud that stretched out in the horizon for as far as the eye could see, reducing the suns intensity. Why was it so damn hot? And where all that fluff of cloud come from? Have the pegasi angels descended upon pony kind?

Whatever my main object right now was to get as far away as pony possible from the stable that was a genocidal death trap. Bucking monsters they are for doing this... I expected a lot more from the Equestrian military. Wait, did the nurse say old world Military? That belonged to Equestria? What the hay does that even mean? Old world? Is it supposed to be some ancient Equestrian Army of Darkness? With Skeletons and goblins and- wait, no. There were ponys in power armor that were "supposedly" hostile. They could have killed me... but... didn't...

Reaching the bottom of the sandy slope. The sun's heat was still unbearable. Every so often I would take a short break to stare up at the peaceful clouds up above. It soothed my conscious to remember the times I would stare up into the clouds, sometimes solo and other times with others.

*BOOM*

My ears swiveled towards the sudden outburst of sound. The explosion rattled the buildings coming from the town that was about 5-mile distance away.

*BOOM*

Another explosion went off.

Someone was fighting! And where there was fighting, there were weapons!

I galloped off to the supposed fight. Curious to see who was fighting, while also hoping to get front row seats of said fight.

*****

"Cover, cover!" A stallion in a dull steel gray T-45d suit of power armor shouted out to his subordinates ordering them to take cover, and so they did getting behind cover inside old world buildings. The loud rotors roared furiously as a vertibuck hovered above them, miniguns mounted at the sides spewing hot lead at rapid speeds. The hot metal casings rained down rhythmically clattering against the floor. The buildings crumbling from getting ripped apart from the barrage of metal chewing through the foundation of each building.

"Dead Grass! Hit that SON-OF-A-BITCH!" The stallion ordered an initiate to aim a missile launcher directly at the vertibuck, firing a missile. Only for the damn bird to evade the incoming projectile. The main gun on the vertibuck was located just below the cockpit being utilized by the pilot, who fired right back at initiate, the projectiles ripping the recruit to pieces. After attacking aircraft tried to make a quick getaway by flying away. "Bucking dang it!" The stallion in gray steel power armor screamed. His voice coming out synthetically through his helmet's voice modulator.

I watched from behind a rusted sky carriage, which was an aged withered taxi that pegasi used to pull through the sky to transport its passengers. Getting to places faster than the earth ponys and unicorns combined. Then again a unicorn could just teleport if they wanted too.

Panting lightly from the short jog to get a closer look, making sure to keep my head down. Didn't want to alert these ponys of my presence. They could all be hostile. . . after all. What was the shit that happened in that STABLE ANYWAY?! One thing is certain... There is no way I'm going back to that death trap.

Observing the steel-clad ponys from a safe distance, I was quick to observe that they were in power armor, and the ones that were wearing small metal armor that was lighter and not power armor, that much I could tell. And for some reason, there was a mare in red robes. Why would you bring that to a battlefield? I don't think I'll ever know... then again I'm kinda wearing clothes to a war zone or whatever this is.

There were about 5 ponys in power armor, 2 in metal armor, and only 1 wearing the red robes. An odd looking bunch. So that mare must be a civilian? Quite possible, but their fight wasn't over yet!

A green mist flew through the air striking one of the ponys in power armor on the shoulder. Crying out in pain as he fired back with his twin miniguns at his sides. His armor where his shoulder was struck by the green mist started to melt away from the projectile. Turning into a molten liquid paste that slid off his shoulder. One shot wasn't enough to destroy the shoulder piece completely though. I knew he would be alright with the self-repairing talisman. I will have to go into detail with power armor later.

Chaos broke loose as ponys in pitch black- "Wait a minute those are the ponys from the stable... what are they doing here?" I whispered to myself quietly surprised to see the familiar armor. Their helmets oddly reminded me of an owl. The whole suit of armor was pitch black in color, but their eyes that the helmet had, a goldish-orange tint to them. Both ponys were obviously pegasus because of their wings! Unless it enhanced the wearer to fly? Innovation I tell you, but I don't know for sure.

I could see five of the black power armored ponys who just seemed to emerge from the shadows of the broken down buildings from down the street. These power armored menace had a plasma rifle and a plasma pistol at their sides. So they weren't using magical weapons? Oh~ Yeah that's right if they used the magical plasma weapons the mist that was plasma would have been "pink", which is, in fact, a very, and I mean "VERY" hot gas. They took cover in buildings and debris. One died when a piano fell on a heavily armored birdie. Killing it instantly or so I think anyway.

The black power armored ponys were slightly outnumbered by the steel power armored ponys. But, that quickly changed when six airborne pegasi... WAS THAT POWER ARMOR? IT IS!!! Why so much?! I knew I should have expected something like this but... shit... who was funding this battle?!

The new airborne ponys in power armor wore lighter armor, I could tell since their forms weren't so bulky. The armor they wore aesthetically appeared to be more insectoid, with goggles covering the eyes and specially designed protection for the wings. Furthermore, they went deadlier even having wing blades! The air pegasi had sleeker armor in design while they're ground brethren had a heavy monstrous amount of thick plates. The steel gray ponys in classic power armor that I knew more about then that black owl and insect design. The ministries must be pumping out these new power armor designs left and right.

But why were ponys fighting each other? When they should be fighting the zebras? Did I wake to find myself in a civil war? Ponys fighting just like in Hearths Warming Eve? One side all pegasi and the other earth ponys? But there was a unicorn civilian with them, did the earth ponys unite with the unicorns to fight against the pegasi? Who were these two groups?

Anyhow, let's not forget the vicious blade on the end of the flying pegasus' tail, giving it a scorpion-like appearance. In my opinion, their armor looked ridiculous. Like, come on really?! A scorpion tail? You can do better than that! Now the airborne ones were using laser rifles on both their sides. Guess magical weapons were out of the question here... I like lead guns anyway!

The red lasers burned across the steel gray ponys who let out war cries, falling back into the destroyed buildings that looked about to collapse at about any given moment. "For the BROTHERHOOD!" One of the steel gray power armored pony's screamed out running towards the group of pegasi ground troops that were using a concrete statue of Princess Celestia as cover. He Got blasted profusely, seeing his armor turn to slag right before my eyes. The armor desperately trying to repair itself through the onslaught. And then...

*BOOM*

He blew himself up, causing a mushroom cloud to appear throwing back two of the pegasi ground troops, who had lost some limbs from the devastating attack. They were dead for sure. "MY ARM! MY BUCKING ARM!!!" or not. A mare screamed in agony, continuing to scream louder than a banshee crying her eyes out. Her comrades ignored her pushing on fighting.

The majority of the earth ponys rushed into an ice-cream parlor. That was right beside me, there was no back door because it was shortly blown off. "Shit they're trying to collapse the building on top us!" A mare shouted.

Looking up I saw the air units circling the building, quickly spotting me. They opened fire without hesitation. With no weapon at all, I joined the earth ponys in their building. Entering through the once back door, that was no more. Making sure to hide without them noticing that I was there at all. I hid in a cabinet that was below the sink. Unlucky for me... it was really dusty. But then I remembered how stupid I was. They had E.F.S. I just wanted to bash my head against a wall until I died. They would find me for sure!

"Paladin sir! We're outnumbered what do we do?!" A mare squeaked out, most likely the civilian.

"This is the end!" A stallion yelled panicking.

I heard a deep sigh before the stallion that was the leader of the bunch. I was assuming, who knows, he spoke at a leveled voice, "Alright, so this is how things are going to go! You all retreat through the back door! While I cover you!"

A mare objected, "Sorry sir we ain't leaving you here! Besides these birdies got us surrounded! There ain't no way-!"

I heard something strong smash concrete, "I'm in charge here! You follow my orders Knight Payday! Now go! All of you! I'll be right behind you!" He said running out through the front of the building. The only thing I could hear was the sound of a battle raging on. "COME AND GET SOME!!!" The leader screamed in a savage like voice. Something that I could immediately tell that he was definitely juiced on drugs.

The rest all ran out the back, firing at the flying pegasi. The fight in front was noisier than the retreating ponys. I wondered who had won and who had lost. I was more than certain that the earth ponys got crushed. They had fewer numbers than the pegasi.

I waited in my uncomfortable cramped space. Waiting out the inevitable aftermath. Even when everything went quiet, I stayed put. The fight went strongly for I don't know how long. Hearing the shots fired along with cries of pain.

After a while I began to start thinking of ways I was about to be killed, eyes feeling heavy in the darkness along with my coat and mane beginning to itch from the dust and ash beneath the cabinet.

Before I knew it, all was quiet. Not a single sound entered my ear.

The only thing I was able to hear through my ears was my quiet steady breathing. It almost sounded peaceful...

*Step* *Step* *Step*

Heavy steps were heard outside my safe heaven that was a cabinet.

My breathing hitched in my throat. Oh, Luna, this is it.

Starting to get louder, my heart beat in my chest faster and faster.

What the hell is going on?!

Getting even louder I burst out from the cabinet, with a mighty slam. The sound entering my ears cut out completely. My eyes slammed shut, too scared to open them. Afraid that, if I did open my eyes something would be there to jump out at me and... and... hurt me...

There was no sound at all, I couldn't even hear the sound of my breathing that was now erratic. It was as if my eardrums had burst and had gone deaf! And then...

"Fuck..." I couldn't hear my voice even when my lips moved but my voice went unheard. "You hear to kill me?" I muttered, or I think I did.

"Shh... You might wake the sleepy ponys up Rose," The familiar filly's voice rang through my ears like a whisper.

Opening my eyes once again, she was standing in front of me again. "W-why? H-how? A-a-again-n?" I stuttered out. Why was she always here! Was I on some sort of drug?! "What are you doing here?!" Taking notice that it was night time, but remembering that it was still midday when I had watched the fight with the power armored ponys. And it shouldn't have taken that long for them to have stopped fighting by now!

Eyes scanning my surroundings I was surprised to see everything fixed. Everything normal again, as if everything was sparkling new and clean. There were no scorch marks left behind from laser beams and melted slag from plasma weapons. Everything was as it should be...

"Remember, we're going to do everything together!" The filly whispered towards me with an enthusiastic smile that just seemed to glow, illuminating the dark kitchen, that I came to realize belonged to an Icecream Parlor. Blinking I looked down to see a backpack in front of me with tubs of ice cream scooped up and neatly set inside.

Then my mind clicked, we were stealing ice cream?

Gasping my eyes shot wide open, waking up with beads of sweat on my forehead. I had fallen asleep in waiting for the end... but the short power nap did nothing to renew my energy. All it accomplished was ensure me that I had a vivid imagination. So, I got straight to business. First checking my Eyes. Forward. Sparkle. for anybody in the vicinity. When I finally decided to go out. It was already night time. The atmosphere pitch black with that annoying dark cloud in the way!

I was hungry and thirsty for blood and guns! Oh and uh... water. Yes, water too, and tired. Being bored made me super tired, especially with that workout I did by all the walking I had done from the stable to here. Exiting the ice cream parlor, I was greeted by a war zone that had been abandon. They left their dead behind. Cool, more loot for me!

I got to work, saddened to get acquire crappy plasma rifle instead of a lead spitter. I preferred an accurate rifle, like an assault rifle! Now an assault rifle would have had better accuracy and ammo capacity and cooler!

While I was looting, I came to find most weapons of the plasma weapons turned to slag. You know melted mush of corroded of metal. I wasn't a scientist so I wouldn't know how to word that like an intellectual. Anyway, the power armor of the fallen black monsters were trashed... so I took the healing potions that I had managed to scavenge. While also snatching their disgusting MREs. These were shit, but the ones with SALT were bucking GOOD! I wasn't complaining! I was starving!

[Healing Potions X3]
[MREs X13]
[Plasma Rifle]

I carried it all expertly on my back, using the MREs as a mini fort to hold the healing potions, all with all the help of a little magic.

I needed a bag.

I trotted around the dead taking what I wanted and leaving behind what I didn't. Each suit of power armor seemed to have been destroyed as to not let us access their equipment. This disappointed me, yet at the same time informed me that these monstrous black armored ponys were competent. I didn't know where the shiny T-45 power armored ponys went.

Walking down the road whistling a happy tune beginning to notice the buildings around me, and how withered the structures were, and how dirty everything was with trash scattered over the streets. "What is happening here? Civil War right?" I asked myself unsure until a small voice spoke up.

"Help... me..." A deep synthetic voice begged quietly, causing me to freeze in my tracks.

"Who's there?" I asked cautiously readying my plasma rifle loading it quickly with a plasma cartridge. The gun hissed in approval ready to be fired. My expression hardened to one of caution, doing a quick 360 while looking down at my E.F.S. I found the corporate swiftly.

My expression immediately softening my curiosity getting the better of me, I found out that it was the Pegasus who got crushed by a piano... I face hoofed at the exact moment when I had spotted the pegasus. "Out of all the things that get you?"

"Help..." The pegasus moaned like an undead zombie.

Walking over to the pegasus in black power armor, I poked the "Owl" slaughter monster that killed those innocent ponys down in the stable. Looking helmet with the barrel of my gun. "How's it going birdie?" I asked cautiously around the now dubbed "Stable Killer" a name that just came to mind at this moment looking down at this monster... I should probably put this thing down... it would do us all good...

"Help..." the Stable Killer groaned, head shifting around from beneath the piano to get a better look at me.

Using my magic I lifted off the Stable Killer's helmet, "and why should I?" I asked her with a raised brow questioningly.

After unveiling the pony beneath I was questioning the injured pony to give me more time to think on what to do about their well being. Conflicted if I should put it down or not.

"Please... I don't. I don't want to die..." The Stable Killer rasped out weakly, begging me to help her out. Blood leaked out the corner of her mouth. Exposed to me now that the helmet was off, my gaze was greeted to the sight of a sandy coated mare who had a medium peach colored mane. The mare frowned at my question. Getting desperate the mare started to cry, using the last of her reserved energy, "PLease! You want my armor?! Y-you can hav-ve it! Anything you want! You name it!"

"Anythiiiiinnnnngggggg?" I asked with a smirk tilting my head while at the same time leaning my face in, showing off half of my face to her. Teasing the downed mare... I was BORED okay! Don't judge me! You know you would have done the same thing! Teasing a mare who had just finished mass murdering a stable and bleeding on the floor at my hooves and possibly dying. What do you want me to do?! I was stuck in a cabinet most of bucking day! It didn't help that I was itching like crazy. I just wanted to tear off my uniform and take a shower. Now that I think about it, I wouldn't mind rubbing my back against a tree like how a bear would... I think.

"Uh... can it be debatable?" The mare asked slowly, before bursting into a coughing fit, small splatters of blood flying out her mouth.

I put a hoof to my chin in thought. Taking a "mock" deep thinking pose. "hmm... how about NO?" I asked petting her mane with a smug smile, sort of taking a liking to how soft her mane was.

The downed mare only whimpered in response from my touch. "If I help you, you will be my servant!" I said almost immediately stomping a hoof on the ground making her flinch visibly. Causing myself to flinch as well, taken aback from my own wording. This just got kinky.

Shaking her head the power armored pegasus pony stuttered out, "N-no! There has to be a b-b-better way!" Rolling my eyes I just pressed the plasma rifle to her forehead. "No-no-no! Wait! I take it back! Sure! I'll be your servant! To repay my debt to you, I don't want to die!" The pegasus mare began bawling loudly.

Smiling in approval I used my magic to rip the piano into small pieces. So, that it would be easier to remove from the mare. "Sorry piano, but you're going to have to go. Your time has come, old friend," I say solemnly, ungracefully tossing the once masterpiece aside. "Alright now get up," I said with as much superiority as possible. Trying to make her uncomfortable as possible to keep her away from getting attached to me. Because that would be annoying by how clingy servants can get if you know what I mean.

Waiting a couple of seconds but nothing happened. I tapped a hoof impatiently, "Well?!"

"I-I I can't..." the mare said looking up at me with tear filled eyes. "I'm-i'm-i'm paralyzed!" She squeaked starting to cry all over again, but I wasn't going to have any of that ponyfeathers! So I pried her busted armor open like if she was an oversized soup can. When I had enough room I pulled her out, setting her on her hooves. With a majestic roll of my eyes, I removed a potion from my back forcing the purple liquid into her throat forcing her to 'swallow'. She didn't seem to mind suckling on the glass potion bottle like a small piglet.

"There now we go," I said starting to walk off at a brisk pace, after hearing nothing I turned around to see the mare staring at me in shock.

"I... I CAN WALK NOW!" The pegasus screamed running up beside me with a curious and excited smile, which was weird to see on a mass murderer. "Are you a GOD! Can you make miracles happen?! Can you walk on water?! Can you feed thousands of hungry ponys with five pieces of bread and two fishies?!"

I gave her a "what the fuck" look. Where did all that mumbo jumbo come from? Did she really think she was paralyzed? What an idiot. The pistons in her power armor were probably bent making it impossible for her to stand up using the suit's legs. I took a quick glance at the pegasuses form, taking into account how weak she looked for a 'soldier'. But, I'm not a scientist so who really knows?

This "servant" of a mare kept barraging me with questions. Rolling my eyes I checked my pip-buck for anything interesting.

[Enclave Radio]
[Sparkle-Cola Family Radio]
[Brotherhood Distress Signal]

I selected the: [Enclave Radio] choosing to go down the line. Patriotic music started to play loud and clear, my new servant bobbed her head up and down with the music like a brainwashed puppy.

"Hello my sweet Equestria and mother land. When I was a filly, growing up in Germaney, I had the best friend a little filly could ever hope for -- my dear old dog, Rosnight. Oh, the adventures we had! From Shady Fields to Hoofingburg we roamed,-" That actually hit close to home, the places this "President Snow Mare" had been. I remember how Ruby and I would both go on adventures together. When it was just the two of us fillys. "-carefree and courageous, irresponsible and completely inseparable. It was, for a little filly, the perfect existence... so let me ask you, Equestria: How many of your children can say the same? How many of these nations youth are truly happy, truly carefree? We both know the answer, don't we? None. Equestria's children live a terrifying, meaningless existence. There is no hope. No happiness.-" Both mine and my pegasus servant ears folded on top of our heads. Personally, I didn't like the thought of innocents getting fucked over because of government. Hell, I didn't like a lot of things... but that didn't necessarily mean I was evil. I had my likes and dislikes like every other pony.

Now President Snow Mare took on the tone of a challenger that was going up against problems now in days, "-That changes! Right here! Right now! From this moment onward, the children of these great nations are its highest priority! The Grand Pegasus Enclave will restore every Equine school, reinstate every youth program, and offer counseling and financial assistance to any family in need. We will match up the destitute, orphaned children of the Wasteland with qualified, eligible adults. We will rebuild the Equine family, as it was, as it was meant to be! The values of our past... shall be the foundation of our future... we got to part now you and I, but don't be sad Equestria and Equis. The Enclave is working tirelessly to rebuild these great nations, so you don't have too. Until we meet again, this is your President Snow Mare, signing off." But one thing was certain. The President of the Enclave was verycharismatic. I actually feel inspired, but I knew it was propaganda hogwash. Somethings just sounded too good to be true. The radio suddenly started blaring out patriotic marching band music. Startling me and my newly acquired companion. Making us both nearly jump out of our coats.

She was the one I had to watch out for. The one who would try and kill me in my sleep. I would have to watch my back and sleep with one eye open every night from now on. Because she had a debt to pay. To me, and to the ponys of the stable. She was going to pay.

Most of the information went over my head so I asked my "servant". "Hey, who is this President? And where did this Enclave come from?" I asked curiously. "And why were you fighting those T-45 power armored ponys?

My servant gave me a blank expression her jaw-dropping, "Eh..." speechless.

While we "chatted" my eyes cautiously scanned the buildings around us, which were in ruins... and this detail just seemed to keep hammering into the back of my mind. Which was to be expected here in these ruins. The glass in every window was bound to be shattered by now. On rare occasions, we would see a window that would be still intact. The signs that were on display were faded or missing some letters. Like how a "Bakery" was now spelled with the missing letters: "B-k-ry".

Shutting off the radio I checked right, left, and again right, Left. My head scanning the area shoving my servant named in front of me so that I would have an easier time keeping my eyes on her. She was a total stranger after all and could be hostile since I forced her into my service. Didn't want her trying to get away or pull a fast one on me. Or even making a foolish mistake just by even thinking about fighting me. Because there would be no fighting on her part... she would just be dead before she could even so much as breath.

"Sorry, I think we got off on the wrong hoof. Hi, I'm Peaches," The mare/Stable Killer stopped in her tracks extending a hoof out to me.

Which I smacked away at first seeing her curious expression fall into one of hurt. Thinking it over in a split second decision I picked up her hoof shaking it. "I'm Rose," I say with a flat expression, receiving a nervous expression.

"Thanks... well, there on the radio was our President. President Snow Mare, she's great!" She nodded her head enthusiastically. "She's the leader of the Enclave, which what I'm apart of," Peaches proclaimed proudly.

Alarm bells went rigging in my head. "Red alert! Enemy! Enclave killed civilians. Enclave bad!" My mind was trying to piece things together. "Kill Enclave!"

The main question that I was debating mentally was on "why was I saw my little sister in that ice cream parlor?" I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing. It was an odd dream to have at the moment. Waking up in a world I used to know that was now long gone in an instant... To all these ponys out here, it probably felt that all their life it has been this bad. But, to me, it felt like just yesterday everything used to be perfect...

I remember walking down this same street with my baby sister Ruby seeing the foals playing, some even getting into trouble, stores selling wares, ponys laughing, talking, loving, caring.

Now this place felt like a desolate wasteland. The only friend I had now was the sound of wind blowing in my ears, and this town was where Ruby and I grew up together. This wasn't "our" first town to grow up in any way. This was more of our second town.

"Things suck down here in the Wasteland," Peaches kicked a stray rock into a glass window creating a small hole in the window.

"Wasteland?"

"Yeah, you know," she shrugged. "Everything down here," the Enclave Pegasus waved a hoof around.

"I'm sorry, but everything down here? Help me out here, I don't know what you're talking about," I really wanted to know what she was talking about to grasp the understanding on "why" everything was the way it was in 1 day.

Tilting her head Peaches gave me a curious look herself, "You don't know?"

"Why were you ponys fighting anyway?" I asked Peaches trying to distract myself away from my old memories. It was bad enough the stay focused, so there was no time for reminiscing.

Though I was kinda curious about what and why ponys were fighting over.

Peaches stayed quiet for a minute, but smacking her on back of the head with my plasma rifle convinced her rather quickly. Sheepishly smiling towards my scowl she answered my million-bit question: "I... uh... we!" She corrected. "Okay... let me start from the beginning. I'm from the Grand Pegasus Enclave, or for short the Enclave." A prideful smile graced her lips.

"Uh-huh," I responded nodding my head to signal that I was following along and that she should continue.

"So, me and my team were trying to wipe out that disgusting "Brotherhood" off the face of the planet," Peaches explained rather abruptly. "But we were having a hard time! They just run! And run, and run! It's like there is no end to it!" Peaches explained whilst her words were laced with venom.

Curious I asked her a question on what the grudge she had with this "Brotherhood". "Why do you hate this Brotherhood so much anyway? They hurt someone you know?"

My jaw tightened because I could relate to having someone close to me getting hurt, especially when I knew it was my own fault.

Peaches looked back towards me over her shoulder, "No and yes? Maybe if you count that they killed some Enclave soldiers, sure. They killed my "brotherhood", you could say," She frowned facing back ahead again. "Besides those greedy dirt bound ponys hoard technology. Even stealing it from others." Peaches scowled with disgust.

Stopping in front of an old school that we would soon come to find not so abandoned. Both of us going completely silent. The first thing we noticed was the graphic art of ponys. Now, these ponys were nailed down above the entrance of the school showing off their grand hall of fame in all its glory. These ponys had their stomachs opened up, with their guts strewn about, with most of it hung limply. The rotting flesh filled our nostrils, reminding us both of how disgusting it was.

A shattered concrete fountain in the center of the foyer that once had water spring out with a steady stream of fresh spring water that ponys would toss bits in. In hopes that their wish, would one day come true. "I wish for good luck," I whispered softly having a sense of Déjà vu wash over me.

When my mane used to be longer in length and would rest comfortably draped over my shoulders.

Meanwhile, as I was busy musing within my thoughts, I had failed to notice the small nudge I was given against my side. After that I got a slightly more forceful nudge, looking over to see what had nudged me. It was probably Peaches.

But, I was surprised seeing Ruby my sister there, looking up at me with huge adorable eyes. "Now throw the bit in! So that way, it will have to come true!" Ruby exclaimed excitedly with a wide smile, brushing her side against mine affectionately. Only she had a backpack on, and I didn't. Looking back in front of me I saw a golden bit floating directly in front of me, covered in my dark blue aura. Helping the golden shining coin keep afloat. Black stars appearing and disappearing as my magic flowed around it like water itself. Ruby giggled at my side, holding a hoof to her mouth. She loved it when I showed her magic. A curious little earth pony... listening to her words I smiled, tossing the single bit into the water that was contained in the concrete fountain. Plucking delicately into the water splashing a little water on myself, but I didn't mind. Sighing in satisfaction as I saw the coin sink into the cool blue pool of water.

"So, why aren't you coming to school with me?" Ruby asked giving me a curious, but also puzzled look her legs giving a slight shake, a sign of her nervousness.

My ears pinned back with guilt. In truth, I didn't want to leave her alone. I wanted to go with her so that she wouldn't have to feel so nervous. Sometimes I might act like a hardass, but that was only because I cared.

"I... I have to work," I said placing a hoof gently on her forehead, messing up her adorable mane. "Besides, someponys got to put food on the table," I said with a sad smile, rubbing her mane with my hoof messing it up further. But Ruby didn't mind when I did it, and I she kinda liked it.

"We don't need a table! And we don't need school! Come on Rooooosssey!" Ruby whined. "I want to go with you!" Yeah, sometimes she would give me the nickname "Rosey". I found it cute actually. But, if somepony else were to call me that... that would be a whole 'nother story.

Shaking my head I placed a kiss on top her disgruntled mane. "Sorry sis, but you got to get an education. Now don't worry your pretty little head about me, princess," I said nonchalantly with a smug look making her blush.

Looking up at me with those cute adorable eyes of her's, since she was a foal. "But Roooosseey! It's scary! I don't know anyone but you, and I don't want to go in alone!" She stomped her little hooves in frustration, puffing out her cheeks.

Sighing I levitated towards her, a rather large envelope. "You're going in, and that's final young lady." Yeesh, I was starting to sound like our mom. "This contains your documents alright? So don't lose it." I spoke sternly giving her the most serious look I could muster at that very moment. But on the inside, I was trying my very best to hold back my tears. I didn't want to let her go. . . "G-give it to the principle and then they should take care of the rest. . . okay?" I asked with an audible sniff. "When you get released for the day I'll be waiting, right here for you. At this very spot," I said nuzzling her cheek. "I'll even bring you something a little special too," I remember when I had to forge paper documents so that Ruby would be able to attend school and not get taken away to one of those *shiver* orphanages...

She nuzzled me back asking quietly, "You promise?" Her muzzle brushed against mine.

Nodding my head confirming her question, "I promise." A single tear rolled down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. Out of sight because I was supposed to be the strong one here, I was the oldest after all. It was now my responsibility, to look after her now...

Smiling Ruby found her reason to go inside, looking forward to getting that "special" thing I promised right now. She took the envelope in her mouth and made her way up the school's office door. I watched her go with a sad smile on my muzzle. When she finally reached the door she stopped unsure how to open the door, since it looked to have only been made for unicorns in mind. But she didn't have to ponder for too long because I was way ahead of her. Grabbing the handle with my magic I opened a door for her. Turning back to me Ruby gave me a small wave letting out a muffled "Bye, Rose". At least that's how I interpreted it. Her voice muffled from the brown envelope she had clenched between her teeth.

Then she faded away, shoving me back to reality with Peaches waving a hoof in front of my eyes. "Heeellllloooooo! Are you alright?! Why were you talking to yourself? Can I leave nooowwww?!" The Pegasus asked me, getting right in my face.

Shaking my head I stomped a hoof sternly. "No, we have to go in," I said with a scowl. Now confused on what was going on. "This shit again?"

"B-b-but th-there could be raiders in there! Don't you see that savage work?!" Peaches pointed towards the dead ponys who were nailed down along the school's foyer and hallways that connected, "We c-can't-t g-go in there! Are you insane?!"

Growling at Peaches I grabbed her roughly in a headlock. "Shut up!" I hissed in Peaches ear. "If the monsters that did this are here, you just might alert them of our presence!" Nodding her head in a quick session I released the stupid pegasus. Having her stumble back a few feet with a meek expression on her face. I was getting more and more paranoid the longer I was out here in the wasteland.

The fizzing that my AP bar was doing was getting upsettingly worse. Now instead of the constant fizzing, it was now turning staticky, making the AP bar now unreadable.

Without warning, I entered the elementary school, with Peaches hot on my tail. This was the place where I had sent Ruby, and I regretted it... dearly. And to think that this was the best school for her at the time... never would I make that same mistake again.

Inside the school was just how I remembered it. The foyer was box-shaped, And straight ahead was the main office. Off to the left was where the cafeteria was located. While to the right was where the colt's and filly's restrooms were located. The top right corners of the boxy foyer had two other hallways that led to the classrooms. It was a fairly small school.

I remember a long time ago, being upset. Storming down the hallow shadowy hallways with my blood boiling with rage. But most of it was directed towards myself more than anypony else.

A cackle of manic laughter echoed throughout the halls as if to spite me. "Well what do you know, someone else is here."

Shaking besides me Peaches whispered desperately in my ear. "R-r-raid-ders! We can't stay here!"

But I ignored her. Anyways, If these "raiders" did "those things" to the ponys outside. Then, I would have to put them down... for good. Because if I didn't then they would surely hurt more innocent ponys.

"Please, let's leave while we still can!" Peaches hissed desperately in my ear starting to shake. "We're horribly outnumbered!"

"No, I'm going to slaughter them all," I chirped darkly back to my "chicken servant" giving her a toothy smile.

Peaches eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks, beginning to shake even more. She snapped her neck left to right in quick succession as a worried look crossed her features. "N-no, you can't be serious." She muttered closing her eyes shut tightly bitting her lower lip, ears flopping to the sides of her head.

Rolling my eyes while keeping my smile, "Lighten up, You're making this place feel depressing," I joked at the irony patting her on the shoulder reassuringly.

Peaches looked around head swiveling on her neck. There were pony skeleton's strewn about. Lot's of foal skeletons that greatly outnumbered the adult skeletons. "M-m-me? D-depressing?" She scowled proving to me that I had offended her. Great. Offending ponies is fun.

"Boop," I chirped pursing my lips bopping the scared pegasus on the nose with the barrel of my plasma rifle causing her to jump back, tail tucking between her legs. "I said so. So, you have to now. You owe me. Remember." It wasn't a question and she knew that...

We followed the sinister laughter through the right hallway first. My objective was set: I was going to kill all those sick bastards! Besides, where there were killers, there were weapons. In theory anyway.

The deeper we traveled into the school, the more we could hear. The laughing, the crying, the shooting... it didn't slow me down in the slightest. All it did was the opposite in fact. It pushed me forward by motivating me. These sick fuckers were going to die. As we passed by each classroom I would take a brief peek through the small square shaped window that each door had installed, while also at the same time using my pip-buck's E.F.S. to make sure no one was hiding in any of the classrooms.

The lights that once shined a beautiful white, were now turned off and broken. Leaving the hallway in a shroud of depressing grays and blacks monotone. Where the walls used to be an impressive yellow, but instead were now a rotten yellow, that was peeling away almost completely unrecognizable. It looked nightmarish! Like as if; I had visited a horror film in real life.

But when I looked through the small window in the doorframe that led to a specific classroom I stopped. I grit my teeth tightly, feeling the tension in my muscles. I saw myself fighting... but I looked to be in the losing end of the stick. A one V seven. Me vs seven. But, I had something that they didn't, and that was rage. Pure animalistic rage. I had lost it when I saw her, my sister. I just wanted to see them all dead. The fear in her eyes... the hopelessness... the sadness.. it broke my heart.

"Y-you okay-y Rose?" Peaches asked beside me, startling me out of my thoughts. I shouldn't have been daydreaming! I could have gotten myself killed! By doing something so STUPID! Dammit Ruby. Teaching me how to dream!

"Yeah, just this place... it brings back some memories..." Growling bitterly I carried on through the narrow hallway, stepping over papers that were haphazardly strewn about over the dusty floor, an occasional locker would be laying on the floor or tilted against the wall. And even the common unicorn bones that would lay about lazily. The bones didn't affect me in the slightest. I don't care who died, the only ones I cared for was for my sister and my merc company. I didn't have time to feel bad for somepony, that I don't know.

Bumping into no raider so far, I was starting to get anxious. My brain telling me to get started with the killing already! But, I knew that I had to be patient. You only live once, one shot to the head, and that was it.

Reaching the end of the hallway a sign hung above the two twin brown double doors reading: "Gymnasium" or "Gym" for short. Me personally I had never been this far into the school before. I only got within at least 1/4 into the school before beating the crap out of certain unicorns.

Stupid school, making a fool out of me!

My emotions got the better of me. Before I could stop myself when I barged into the gymnasium bashing a stallion in the process with the door, effectively breaking his nose. Without thinking I started to attack, firing my plasma rifle while Peaches... well, I don't know where Peaches went. If she ran, I swear I was going to kill her for abandoning me. Figuratively speaking of course. Couldn't blame her for not wanting to do this. At this rate, I might have gotten her killed. I deserve this...

"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" A stallion screamed panicking.

"My ARM!" Another cried out.

They had a bloody camp here! There were huts made out of coats... pony coats! Pony skin...

I screamed slaughtering the unprepared raiders, that were unlucky enough to be out in the open.

"GOD DAMN IT! I LOVE VIOLENCE!" A large stallion chanted. He wore Hoofball pads and a helmet with the colors being yellow, black and red. He rushed towards me stomping loudly without stutter. In just seconds he was upon me.

I was surprised by how fast he had gotten within my personal space, narrowing eyes, I tossed myself out of his way rolling away behind cover with my rifle floating along after me.

The large Hoofball stallion didn't have enough time to slow down. The inevitable crash into the neatly stacked bleachers echoed throughout the gym. The sound made me cringe in sympathy. Phantom pains shooting through my body. It felt like I was the one who had crashed and broke.

These raiders were clothed in makeshift metal armor, some parts of auto wagons tires, and some with normal clothing. That was bypassed easily with my plasma rifle. There only defense was the makeshift cover, that was their camp.

The bleachers on both sides of the gymnasium were stacked or pulled in? I don't know how to explain it. The bleachers here were the kind that would mechanically extend out so ponys could sit down, and when not in use to be moved out of the way. Giving ponys free room to move around. The old wooden floors still looked recently waxed, the reason being that of the abundant amount of spells placed on the floor. Glass bottles, dirt, dust, blood and trash littered the floor. Oh and raiders too.

Being foolish enough, I didn't bother to take a head count on the number of enemies I had left before I rushed out into the fray. Not knowing how many there were, I just stuck to shooting everything that was red on my E.F.S. This thing came in handy finding the little fuckers.

The tents or "huts" that were all made of pony skin were all neatly lined up beside the bleachers on both sides. With a small opening apart from each other. My only guess was so that they could have some sort of personal space? But then again these savages were still ponys. Just crazy ones at that!

Jumping behind a loose fire barrel that was right smack dab in the middle of the gymnasium, now using it as cover. Using my magic I grabbed random objects around me to use as cover. From a toaster, a couch, and a metal locker. I levitated them all around me as a makeshift fort of sorts.

The raiders had makeshift weapons as well. Their weapons were made out of literal "crap". Mainly consisting of pipes. Which were just that... pipe rifles! Now, here was the kicker! Now, those rifles... are you ready for it? Okay, those rifles, are, single shot... This was going to be a piece of cake! I made these things as a filly!

"I love it when they go down with a fight!" A mare screamed tackling me from my side. Slamming my head to the floor dazing me, whilst also causing me to drop my weapon. "Ooooh~ a pretty one!" The raider mare giggled dragging her tongue against my cheek. Forcing me to cringe when I saw her sickly yellowed teeth. Her breath smelled like cigarettes, which equally smelled like shit that's for sure! "Eww, never mind your eyes are ugly." Narrowing my eyes dangerously my horn flared to life and the mare on top of me found herself being thrown off me. Picked up, by the tail, launched straight for some raiders who were wielding melee weapons. Picking up the plasma rifle that I had previously dropped.

At one edge of the gymnasium that wasn't occupied by huts, there where cages that littered the back walls. Walls that mostly consisted of skeletons, and some that had nothing at all, but pools of dried blood. But in one particular cage, I spotted a stallion who was crying. He was my new side objective. But this wasn't any charity work. I expected something back in return, nothing came free in this world of business. And no I didn't believe in that philanthropy crap either.

Rolling to the side behind a wall of uh... pony hide? Yup definitely! I was now using it as cover. Though I felt stupid at how "thin" my protection was. I only had a wall of skin and a uniform to protect me! What the hell was I thinking? My way to him was blocked by 8 raiders that were spread out, and that wasn't even counting the raiders that were behind me making it out to be around 5. Making it nearly impossible for me to peak out of cover. I was trapped.

I've gone and done it this time...

When all hope looked lost, Peaches then decided to join the party. Flying over the raiders dropping magical energy grenades, like if they were bird droppings. The hot pink light was almost blinding, but yet so beautiful! Vaporing the raiders and their weapons... "Noooooo," I hung my head solemnly. There goes my payday... This just got harder.

The air around me turned bitterly cold as a laugh echoed through the air. The same laugh that had haunted me... from that very stable, stable 248. "Oh, no." My blood ran cold in my veins. It felt like I was choking for air. My lungs felt heavy with ice. So I did the next best thing and ignored the ignorant laughter. My problem right now was the raiders! But, that did little to calm my nerves.

The gunfire continued small arms were these raiders top "arms". So, I wasn't in any immediate danger or was I? But how could I have been so stupid? Running in here like that! What would Ruby say if she were here? And then I waited... but nothing came. While the raiders started to destroy my cover around me, I looked around hoping to see Ruby and interrupt my train of thought but she didn't appear. Confused I sat there. Holding my head in my hooves, I closed my eyes and sighed loudly. Trying my best to ignore the laughter that echoed through my head. My instincts going into overdrive. She. it. This mare must be close by. But what did it want with me?

Grabbing a metal apple sitting beside me, which I knew was a "grenade" pulling the stem and tossed it over my cover. Waiting for the-

"Oh, shit." A small raider colt muttered with a dumbfounded expression. Eyes growing wide with shock.

*BOOM*

All that was left of him and another raider was a bloody mess of paste. "There we go." I said rolling out of cover while they were all "busy".

"Holy crap we did it!" Peaches cheered in the air. Hovering over the piles of ash. Blowing the ashes everywhere. I used my magic to keep the raiders filthy ashes away from me. "You were all like: Grr! I'm an evil unicorn! Slaughter, slaughter, slaughter! Pew-pew-pew! Tzzs-tzzs!" Peaches squeaked enthusiastically making the disintegration sound effects, whilst she flapped her wings in excitement. Rolling my eyes I went over to the cages that had a stallion left alive.

He looked towards me and Peaches with hope in his eyes. "You will now work for me," I said with a serious look. I knew I had to break the ice as soon as possible this wasn't free. I wasn't some sort of charity.

"Please, let me go. I don't want to be here anymore," The stallion begged.

"Did this idiot even hear me?" "Uh... excussseee mmmeeeee... will you work for me or not?" I asked sternly leaning in close to his cage. He shook his head, now I was officially done playing nice... I didn't have time to waste convincing him otherwise, not that I cared. His death would be satisfying, I didn't want anything to do with him. If bad ponies were after him then it was best not to bring his problems along with me, especially if he was not going to contribute to helping me out. "Alright," I said picking up a rusted kitchen knife from the floor, the ashes flaking off the knife.

"So I'm free to go?" Seeing my knife in my magical grip he started to push himself against the back of his cage, "W-what are you-?" He didn't even get to finish when I plunged the knife into his neck, twisting it before ripping it out of his throat cutting open a large gash. He pressed his hooves desperately against his neck. Starting to choke in his own blood, he stared straight into my eyes, and I did in his. Smiling back at him, my face would be the last thing he saw before he died. Oh~ how satisfying that was! To have someone at the mercy of your own hooves! Or at least... that's what I said to other ponys so that they would fear me. But I really didn't care. I hardly knew him, so his death didn't affect me.

"Sweet dreams bucky-boy," I said seeing the life drown from his eyes, turning around I saw a dumb stricken Peaches. In doing so would keep Peaches in her place and not question me and would keep her distance from me and not make any attachments. "What? He didn't want to work for me." I said turning away from her. Trying to shrug off the presence of her stare and that thing watching me. By that thing from the stable. Maybe, just maybe it was all only an illusion and this was all in my head... or I've been a bad pony and got sent to Tartarus for my sins. Getting tormented by my little sister... oh god no... Celestia... Luna... have mercy on my soul.

"What did you do that for?!" Peaches screamed in shock. "We could have let him go! He didn't need to di-!" I punched her in the face knocking her into the sea of ashes, that were once raiders. Who were once Ponys. I mean Garbage. Raiders didn't deserve that title.

Glaring at my servant I replied: "You either work, or you die. He was of no use to me, so he would have been, of no use as a free pony." My voice echoed through the gymnasium freezing Peaches in place, by my icy cold words freezing her very being. "Understand, that I also put him out of his misery," I added looting the dead corpses that weren't ashed and the supplies that stored inside the huts. Trying to get my mind distracted from the sickening laugh of that mare.

I felt less scared now that I had someone with me. But, Peaches was naive! Didn't she hear the laughing?! Was she bucking deaf?! Finding another potion I looked over back to well... my back. That had all my supplies still on... I had forgotten about them. Alright, I knew what to do... looking back over at the potion at hoof. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a mare's face looking back at me through the reflection. The details of the face were... unrecognizable... Shaking my head, rushing out of the hut.

Seeing Peaches across the gymnasium watching me with concern and warranted caution. "C-can't you hear her?!" I snapped out at the pegasus.

Taken aback Peaches shook her head in stunned silence. I did a couple 360 spins trying to zero in on the laugh even checking my E.F.S. just in case. But, I got nothing. I didn't know who or what, but someone had to be playing some sort of sick joke on me.

"Oh, not at all, not a joke at all." The unknown mare said gleefully giggling at my expense. Wait a minute, did she just read my bloody mind?! "Your mind? That simple thing?" Okay. Yup. I was toast. My brain has betrayed me! Ruby say something! Please make the monster go away! "Your Ruby is no more..." The mare laughed.

The word struck me like lightning, echoing throughout my very being. As if little vibrations shook me to the very core. "Why did this bitch have to be so blunt about it?! My little sister meant everything to me! And she was mocking me?!" "Shut your big ugly mouth, you bitch! Come on out and show yourself! I'm sick of your cowardice! Flank!" I shouted huffing and puffing only to get laughed at in response. The unknown mare didn't show herself. "That's right run you coward!"

Peaches just stared at me checking around herself, for the pony I was challenging in question. Well, I was successful in scaring the Enclave chicken. "Who are you calling out exact-" I cut her off with a glare.

"Shut your mouth hole! And get back to looting!" I snapped out at the Enclave pegasus. Who nodded quickly getting to work, picking things up examining them, throwing things around. If the object was lucky enough she would store it away, to be used later.

I didn't feel so good after the sinister laughter left. I felt nauseous and anxiety, my body didn't feel like it could go on much longer. I needed rest, I was exhausted, and starting to sweat. Killing these raiders was a great exercise, yet I felt terrible for killing them... but didn't I say I hadn't? I did right? Yeah. But, I guess it never sat right with me... its the "in the moment" sort of thing. You have to get angry and aggressive to kill. Because if you're not. You hesitate and you die... or you get someone else killed.

I sat on the hard uncomfortable floor closing my eyes, sighing when I leaned my back against the folded up bleachers. The eerie ringing sound quietly started to whine in my ears. Doing my best to ignore it as best I could.

The hallow gymnasium suddenly went quiet, the wild cackling of smoldering fire subdued quietly going out without a trace but ash. Peaches mouth moved open and closed. Only reaching deaf ears. Not a sound escaped her lips. I couldn't hear anything.

My fur stood up with my skin crawling with goosebumps. The sensation of small tiny ants crawling over my body filled my senses. I shook my head trying to get the dreadful sensation out of my mind. "Peaches we need to get out of here, I don't feel so good..." I muttered out queasy my knees buckling beneath me. My face hastily greeted the floor with a kiss.

When I got grabbed I instinctively flinched in response, but when I noticed it was Peaches who had grabbed me. I visibly relaxed sighing in relief. She carried me throwing me over her back. Using her wings as latches to keep me in place. "Thanks..." I muttered out quietly closing my eyes. I was just so tired.

Then I was at peace. In my own little world... Nothing but the empty expanse of darkness... nothing. What was happening to me? Nothing was making any sense. What was I doing here? What was the point... of life? What was I doing here? What happened here? How did this happen? This all couldn't have happened overnight.

"Ruby?! Where are you?!" I heard a familiar cry. Opening my eyes, I was surprised to find myself outside the school once again. But this time it was different. The sun was low in the sky, wait the sun? Could it be? That the sun has finally come out? Breathing in the fresh air was intoxicating. All I wanted to do was to suck in all of the clean, cool, crisp air.

My eyes locked onto the school with the concrete fountain that was placed at the center of the courtyard. It all looked to have been never touched by the bombs at all. The sick place practically sparkled, and I hated it. The dismembered ponys that were mounted before were now gone. The blood washed away to never be seen again.

*Sniff*-*Sniff* A quiet whimper reached my ears. The sound coming from the direction of the school. I stood by the gate that kept me out. A couple of yards away from the fountain.

The sound of hooves clip-clopping on the pavement drew my attention. Turning around I was greeted with the sight of a mini Rose/me. She was huffing and puffing out of breath. When she stopped right in front of the opened gate she then panted heavily trying to regain her lost breath. Mini Rose looked about to pass out at any moment. Her appearance was something else entirely. It appeared as if someone had beaten me up, her erm... my body was bruised all over.

"Come on! Ruby pleaseee come on out! You just got to still be here!" The younger version of myself looked about to cry. She looked everywhere in the courtyard for little Ruby. Even banging on the locked doors that were the main entrance to the school. But nopony answered. "Ruby..." She sat at the top of the stairs shoulders slumping, burying her face into her hooves. "No. No. No. No..." Then sobbing.

My ears pinned back at the sight. And then... *sniff*. At exactly the same time me and the other me's ears shot up faster than lightning. It was the same sound from before!

"R-rub-by... is th-that y-you?" The young small Rose squeaked out slowly gulping nervously. Whilst the whimpering sobs answered her back. Her breath hitching, "Rub-by? Licking her dry cracked lips. Earlier that day my younger self looked prim and proper as much as a young filly could get. Having long blue flowing locks. A mane once long was now cut short. She was bruised all over, her once clean shining coat now dull covered in dirt and grime.

I walked behind my younger self, watching over her shoulder. Seeing the young Rose step closer towards the fountain where the sobbing was coming from; the air around us became denser, The thought to turn back and go home crossed our minds. We were one and the same, after all. But we knew that we didn't have a home to run to. "Could my past-self feel what I could? Or was the feeling mutual?"

Her head spun from side to side noticing that she was the only pony here. Not once noticing me nearby. This was daydreaming correct? Where there were sobs there was bound to be somebody making the noise. The ambient sound of nature went quiet as if frozen in time. It all seemed to add to my young self's nervousness.

When she reached the fountain stopping right in front of it hesitant. Whimpering sobs were coming from within the bowel that held the water. The top of the fountain shooting water straight up, only to fall back down in continuous streams of clear liquid. Sounds of water crashing against each other. Filled with fear the young Rose took a quick peek over the cement base of the fountain. She gasped loudly in surprise, "RUBY!" Young Rose squeaked out eyes going wide as saucers.

The small filly flinched away from my outburst. I looked over my young self's shoulder to get a better look. Shame and deep regret crossed over my features. The young Rose jumped into the fountain after the cold wet filly. Ruby was shivering so much that it scared me! She faced away from me... away from the younger me...

Ruby's coat was soaked with water! Her wet mane draped over her eyes. "Ruby you're scaring me! Say something!" I screamed desperately hugging the icy cold filly. Now I was in the body of my past self. I could feel everything the temperature of the water, the beating of my heart, the guilt... Ruby was freezing cold! "Hey, you're cold! You're going to be sick!" I spoke urgently frightened for my small sister's health.

My little sister didn't respond. Shying away from me, scared. This reaction of hers just crushed my heart. Guilt and shame passed through me, making me feel sick to my stomach, that twisted and turned. "Know what?! I don't even care!" It was a lie because I did care, but right now wasn't the time. Right now I needed to get her somewhere safe. "Don't worry I'm getting you out of here!" Grabbing Ruby by the shoulders forcing the earth pony filly to face me. "Look at me-!"

Stopping in my tracks when I saw a bloodied and bruised Ruby. She had a black eye that was swollen shut. Blood leaked out of the corner of her mouth and nose. Now that I got a good... horrible look at her, I was quick to notice that her jaw was broken! The fear of the unknown started to build up inside me.

Jaw tightening I hugged the cold wet filly gently. Trying to warm her up as best I could. She only made whimpering sobs, she couldn't speak in her current condition. She probably couldn't even if she wanted too. Picking up the filly with my magic frightening Ruby. Climbing out of the fountain, placing her softly on my back. Looking over my shoulder seeing my sister on my back, I saw something strange with one of her hind legs. Shaking my head I would find out later. Finally taking a not so last look at the school glaring daggers towards the accursed building.

But most of all... most of it was directed towards myself. How could I have let this happen? Why did I pick this school for her?! Did she get hurt because I came late?! I know I was like a couple of hours late, but come on!" Whoever that disgusting pony it was that did this to her, I'm going to kill them myself! How dare they make a fool out of me!

In my rage-filled delusions, my vision slowly began to fade into black darkness. Eyes opening once again, I woke up to find that I was in a classroom. resting on top of a styrofoam alphabet mat. Surrounded by three walls of wooden book holders. Even spotting Peaches asleep with a fire blanket over herself. Checking myself out there was a tablecloth draped over my back. Used as a makeshift blanket.

Wanting to get a good observation of the room, I got up. Quick to find out that I was in a classroom. We never left the school... which didn't bode well with me. The feeling of dread washed over me once again, my black coat going pale just by the thought. The dead bones made me cringe in disgust. The children's bones were harshly swept up into one corner mixing all the dead together making each pony impossible to identify.

Turning away from the horrid scene I stalked through the class. Seeing the desks that were surprisingly still stationed naturally ready for class. Undisturbed by the dead around them. My mind worked against me. Forcing me to conjure up images of the foals last moments of life. But how were they dead? I had to shake my head to get the disturbing thoughts out. When I was done with that ghastly images of foals began to appear... just like Ruby... except I didn't know these ponys. Trying my best to ignore them as they cried.

All of them hugging in the corner with all the bones. Coughing up blood from their mouths, crying out tears of blood that streaming down their cheeks. Blood seeping down from their ears as well. They were talking to each other but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

It was obvious that I personally hated this place. This was the first time that I had ever failed majorly as a sister. Hate was how I felt towards this horrific place a long time ago, but now as an adult. I didn't know whether to hate it or love how all the students died. But, deep down I knew that these weren't the ponys who wronged me... wronged Ruby.

Now, the saddest part of it all... was helping her get around. Now, this was before the ministry mares: Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and last of all... Fluttershy. We didn't have the medicine, equipment, or the spells we did now to help Ruby. For the rest of her life, she wasn't able to walk again. Especially when the hospital found out that Ruby couldn't pay for treatment, they kicked her out. A filly! I was so scared that the thought of her death frightened me. I didn't want to be alone.

In my panic, I ran into the woods with my sister riding on top of my back unconscious. Nearly tripping over sticks and stones that were littered across the forest grounds. Ducking and dodging trees heading for the camp we were staying at. The "money hunters" took us in, as I called them. Well mostly me. Promising them that I would learn to be like them and be an extra body for the company. To grow the numbers of the group. Because they lose members from shootouts, needing young people to replace the dead.

When I got there my mentor was willing to help me, after I rambled about Ruby being hurt badly. She probably didn't understand a single word, but seeing Ruby did all the talking she needed to hear. The only downside was that there wasn't a doctor here at the camp, instead, they/we had a medic. Curious I asked him on what the difference was between a doctor and a medic.

So my mentor explained to me darkly that medics were just there to help you die comfortably, so that the one injury, wouldn't die alone when they pass. My jaw dropped when he finished chuckling at my expression. Had I doomed my sister to this medic? Shouldn't I have been the one to be her medic?

Sitting alongside the money hunters on a log around a firepit that was currently cooking food that was in a pot that was suspended up a bit. Later that day I would soon learn that they were mercenaries. They talked around me with each other as I waited to hear the end of Ruby. She was going to die... all... because of me. How could I have been so selfish?! Shouldn't I have sent her to an orphanage instead? She would have been safe and none of this would've happened. And then...

Getting a gentle pat on the shoulder from a colt. Who had been with the mercenaries for a couple of months as far as I knew. Telling me that my sister had made it. Ruby... made it... the feeling of weight lifting off my shoulders. Hopping up with a smile a giddy hop in my step. Rushing over to the tent that had an emblem stitched over the tent extensively. On the front of the two opening flaps had the emblem. It had a white square background with the red cross over the background.

Rushing inside I called out my sister's name with a bright smile on my face. But, didn't get a response. The tent was empty except for a bed that was covered in blood with Ruby laying on top it. A few metal tables stood up with equipment strewn about messily.

Now starting to become doubtful. Was... was she dead? Had I just been hearing things? Ears feel back against my head, falling on my knees. Closing my eyes shut, the pitter-patter of tears striking the dirt floor echoed throughout the tent. "Rose," a soft angelic voice brushed softly against my ears.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I-I just wanted you to be happy." I sniffled opening my eyes creeping closer towards the still Ruby. She was facing away from me. Facing the back wall of the tent. Mounting the bed anchoring both forehooves onto the bed, getting closer to the battered filly. Now that I had gotten a good look at the damage, it sickened me to see her this way. Taking the time now to see her made a pit form in my stomach. When I had seen her hind legs. It was horribly obvious that they were broken. But how? was the question.

Just looking made my hindlegs cringe with sympathy. A phantom pain traveled down my spine straight down into my back legs. We shared the same pain just by being near each other. Grinding teeth together I looked down and up Ruby's body. Eyes stopping around her head area. I couldn't bring myself to see her face. Remembering the swollen shut black eye, and the broken jaw. Just thinking about it brought tears to my eyes.

Not paying attention, something bumped my muzzle unexpectedly. Blinking rapidly to regain my senses in response. Once my senses were regained I noticed Ruby looking straight up towards me. Her black eye covered by her ruby colored mane, that shined like the shiniest gem in the universe. From the top of her head to her lower jaw, there were layers of bandages rolled over repeatedly.

We just started towards each other silently. Why didn't she say anything? Why didn't I say anything? Didn't I hear somepony call my name? Then who did? The bandages were restricting her from speaking because she looked to be having trouble breathing through her mouth. I placed my hoof below her jaw pushing it up softly to keep it in place. Even if she wanted too, her jaw was busted.

Out of nowhere, Ruby bumped her muzzle with mine again. Our noses touching together. Ruby's face strained with a pained expression, blood started to leak out of the corners of her lips. Staining her bandages and fur a bright red. A crooked smile filled my vision. Then she hugged me.

She hugged me... but why? Shouldn't she have been mad?! This didn't make any sense! I came late! I forgot that gife I had promised her! Now I'm a liar and a terrible sister! Why... why did she love me? Not noticing what I was doing I hugged her back crying into her shoulder.

Ruby never looked at unicorns the same way after coming to this place. She would often cling to my arm often before always wanting me to be in bed with her when going to sleep. Never slept with the light off. To save money on the electric bill, I would buy nightlights that I would connect to an outlet on the wall. Lighting up the apartment that would always change. My company of mercenaries would move around Germaney to catch bounties and some odd jobs.

Before bed each night I would tell young Ruby stories of angels. Coaxing the young filly telling her that the guardian angels were watching over her. My intentions were to give her something to dream about before bed, and for her to feel safe when I wasn't around. She didn't have many friends and was only comfortable around me and nopony else.

After my first telling of angels. Ruby was obsessed with the thought of their existence. Her excitement stopped me from crushing her beliefs. Now she was obsessed with angels, even mistaking pegasi for angels. I would chuckle and ruffle her mane, while she would complain and swipe at my face, her cheeks flushed red. Telling me to shut up. "Oh, the good old days. So what was I doing now? Adventure? Is this what this is? I don't even care for this world anymore... there really isn't any meaning. I lost my meaning... no Ruby... means no Rose..." I moved the plasma rifle in my hooves pointing the barrel directly in my face contemplating suicide- I slapped myself. "Mom, Dad, would be so disappointed if they saw me do that." I shook my head grinding my teeth together. Then what was I supposed to do?

[Level Up]
Level 6!

Skill Index

Barter -16
Big Guns-16
Magical Weapons- 3
Energy Weapons - 24 +4
Explosives - 22
Lockpick - 22
Magic - 23 +2
Medicine - 32
Melee Weapons -29
Repair -19
Science - 19
Small Guns -26
Sneak - 27
Speech - 29 +3
Unarmed - 16

Perks:

Cold Heart - Cut off loose ends to stop future complications

Inventory
[Healing Potions X2]
[MREs X13]
[Plasma Rifle]

Radio Stations

[Enclave Radio]
[Sparkle-Cola Family Radio]
[Brotherhood Distress Signal]