Chapter 1: So it Begins [Remake]View OnlineTies With The PastChapter 1: So it Begins [Remake]All six of these ponies were dressed up nicely in complete suits to give off the aura of professionalism, and going a step further to wear pants as to cover up their cutie marks. Each pony consisting of armor except for one, their leader. Who wore a suit without protection, only sporting a stylish pair of black shades not even bothering to cover her muzzle up with a mask to decrease the chance of recognition. Except for two other ponies who would work getting the loot out in another automobile auto-carriage. Who wore dark-colored shades to keep their "identity hidden" while at the same time looking like business ponys with nothing out of the ordinary. To the best of their ability, however. The "Get Away Driver" had just a concealed protective vest underneath his suit jacket but covered most of the white suit beneath, he along with two other ponys had this. The last two had lots of armor on, stuff that was snatched and bribed away from military personnel. One was bigger than the other. The small pony got the armored vest that went over her suit but got protection around her chest, shoulders, barrel, legs, and flanks, which slowed her mobility drastically. And lastly, the bigger pony had an EOD Suit a suit that was built for defusing bombs as some seem to call the "Iron Stallion" though it was only good for taking pistol rounds, and a handful of a higher caliber rounds would punch through with ease. Each of them had each of their own unique masks or helmets to wear. Like how the earth pony mare in armor whose code name was Dandelion had a helmet on of a smiling unicorn princess that had a gold tiara on top it's head lopsided at the same time with its eyes derpy with one eye looking up and the other looking down. On her back, she had a battle saddle with two sub-machine-guns strapped snugly at her sides "CR 805B". Each SMG had attachments that consisted of a Military Laser Module which was a gadget that had a laser sight and a flashlight all in one to weigh the barrel down slightly giving her weapons more stability by keeping the weapons down, a CAR Quad stacked Mag that would allow her to fire sixty-rounds from each gun. The Iron Stallion was his code name, he had the complete suit of armor with a helmet, he looked like he worked for the police bomb squad. He had an Industrial Buzz Saw attached to his back along with a Striker Shotgun that was also known as a "Street Sweeper". He would be able to hold in his magic since he was a unicorn. Each shell loaded in was a "Dragon's Breath Round" which was a fancy word for "Incendiary Round". The Barrel Exit was as he named it "King's Crown Compensator" which is also called in a less flashy way "Muzzle Breaker" giving the weapon more accuracy and creates a louder noise, something that was good for scaring civilians. One of the two unicorn fillys had a single USS Vega (AK-17) Standard Assault Rifle code name: Blossom even though her name was Blossom... she had a drill kit on her back, meanwhile the youngest of the unicorns had a Micro Uzi that is highly concealable sub-machine gun with a monstrous fire rate. However, this combination of firepower and concealability comes at a price; the Micro Uzi is terribly inaccurate and difficult to control, especially in fully-automatic mode. While the ponies were fitting on their clothes and armor and weapon checkups the young filly nervously walked up to their leader who was currently looking over a set of blueprints that was sprawled out onto a table with a circle coffee cup stain on the corner of the valuable document. "Auntie Fallen... why do we have to rob a bank again-n?" Without looking Fallen replied to the young filly who was only eleven, "to make money sweetheart." This confused the young unicorn filly who was enthusiastic about being able to shoot a gun down at the range, but now that she was going to have to use it on somepony, it didn't sit right with her. "I stole before... but I don't see how robbing a bank has anything to do with good..." "Sweetheart it bad ponys run this bank," she looked over her shoulder, "which is why we got to make rich ponys bleed and the perfect way to do that is, do you know? The perfect way to do that? Do you remember what I've told you, Rose?" "Um... make their wallet bleed?" Rose said with uncertainty. "That's my girl! Exactly!" Fallen turned around to wrap her arms around the young filly. "Make their wallets bleed money! Because the money they have is dirty money," the mature mare explained. "But, doesn't that mean you're stealing from the ponys who work hard and store their money there?" Rose kept up on questioning the morality of it all, she didn't know how to feel about it. Smile growing at the corner of Fallen's lips, "don't fret none Hun, banks are insured by the princess by law. So the princess will pay back the money to the people we take the money from." Tilting her head Rose continued to question further, "but doesn't that mean that you're stealing from the princesses?" Fallen shook her head speaking in a lower voice, "No-no-no, she's giving the money back to the ponys whom it belongs too, she gives because she agreed to it. It's a win-win for us. Because the princesses are good ponys. And so are we." She explained logically as the filly interpreted it that way. "And we are going to make those evil rich ponys know that we know what bad they are doing, and that we will stop them, and that there isn't a damn thing they can do about it!" She finished with a confident smile that was infectious causing the filly to smile right back. "And remember kiddo, no real names only-" "-fake names," the filly finished for her mom. "Yeah, fake names..." they hugged. "Remember my fake name?" The filly nodded her head, "Angel!" "And yours is, Nightmare!" The mature mare began to send the filly a barrage of kisses in front of the others causing the filly to squeal in surprise. "Mama STOP!" The others laughed at the spectacle. Laughing her ass off the older mare backed off hoofing over the fillys mask to her, a dragon mask. ***** Clicking a flashlight on the pony held it in his mouth, using his magic to hold a Flathead Screwdriver and bobby pin on the lock that locked him out of the fuse box's internal wiring. After a couple of seconds of fidgeting with the lock. It clicked, causing the stallion to smile. Six ponys waited in a large auto carriage that was being driven by one of the six heading for a specific destination in broad daylight. The auto-carriage had black tinted windows so that nopony would be able to look inside and had the windows be made out of ballistic glass so that it could stop bullets from entering the vehicle. Each pony wore an earpiece so that they could all stay connected through comms, there was also backup on the other end, a stallion that went by the alias Gallows. This stallion was always at the ready to bring in some extra help by reaching out to contacts. From back up getaway drivers or diversions or digging up information that they might need. Fallen/Angel their leader began to speak while looking out the window whilst her team listened to her words intently, "robbing banking banks is fun, especially the ones that have been robbing the ponys blind. Some say we are 'modern day Robin Hoods', and others just don't understand that we have a choice. Are we criminals? I don't think so. Everypony needs a job right? Everypony needs a payday." Shortly after the auto-carriage pulled up into the parking lot beside the bank. Quickly as they came, the ponys unloaded out the auto-carriage, guns at the ready. "Cut the power," Angel voiced into the comms to the other team. The stallion at the fuse box pulled down a lever switching off the bank's power, starting to tear apart the fuse box's intestines to make it difficult to repair. In a lined formation the five ponys entered the building. First was the armored ponys: Iron Stallion, next was Dandelion with her crazy princess unicorn mask, third was the filly Nightmare who wore a dragon mask, last was Angel watching their backs. Once, Iron Stallion entered the building he walked the first security guard he saw with the stock of his shotgun. Knocking the guard's lights out causing the uniformed stallion to do a quick twirl before toppling over the floor like a sack of potatoes. The auto-carriage drove off in a hurry drawing a lot of attention from bystanders going about their business drawing the attention of most of the city cops. The innocent civilians watched in shock as they entered the building. Iron Stallion demanded strongly, "EVERYPONY GET DOWN ON THE GROUND, GET DOWN ON THE 'FUCKING GROUND!" All five ponys moved in for intimidation in numbers, even if two of the robbers were children. Telling all of the civilians that were going about their business to get down. "EVERYPONY, DOWN ON THE GROUND! RIGHT NOW-DOWN ON THE GROUND!" The ponys gasped in surprise shocked to see armed ponys pointing lethal weaponry directly at them. See two ponys not doing what they were told he got up at them, "You. Down. NOW!" Causing them both to jump from a sudden outburst and fall on their bellies. Iron Stallion was the intimidation of this operation as well as the heavy bullet sponge if push came to shove. The heisters began to spread around the room. A banker mare behind her workstation pressed a button beneath her desk alerting the authorities. "Get down on the ground!" The filly Nightmare growled at an adult stallion who whimpered in fright. Having an Uzi pointed at his face by an eleven-year-old. Dandelion the second armored earth pony in the group who had the wacky unicorn princess mask spoke up, "Mares and gentlecolts we are robbing this bank, not you. Comply and you live." Blossom a small filly, wore a Templar helmet, "Resist, and you die." Just as they were done speaking a pony stood up, "I will not stand for this! I work hard for my money!" "Really?" Dandelion sucker punched the pony knocking her down. Sirens outside could be heard from outside telling the heisters that the Manehattan police were soon going to come down on them. "Stop you are under arrest!" I security guard jumped out from behind a pillar holding a gun in her mouth aimed in the heisters direction. The guard was shaking in fear, especially when all guns were turned on him. "Don't move or I'll shoo-" He dropped before he could finish his sentence with a neat hole between his eyes. All their eyes turned to Angel who had her suppressed pistol floating beside her. "Three minutes, move," Angel said without a hint of emotion. "Bank vault, now!" Iron Stallion jumped over the banker's desk taking her as a hostage along with the manager, heading towards the back where the vault was located. "Come on, let's go, MOVE!" Dandelion and Blossom hopped over the banker's desk following after the moving hostages. Angel and the Nightmare filly stayed with the mass of hostages in the main lobby. Fallen calmly addressed the hostages, "Please remain calm, and nobody will get hurt. We are only recovering, money that has been stolen by First Equestrian Bank from the Equestrian people." "Dandelion tie her up." Once in the vault, Iron Stallion and Dandelion began to tie together the banker's legs placing horn inhibiting rings on the unicorn bankers, to stop them from using magic. Blossom removed the drill from her back and started to drill a hole through the metal vault with a giddy smile beneath her mask. "They took your money that lies in their pockets and convinced you that it was for your benefit. We do not wish to harm you. Think about your family, think about your friends." In the vault room, the Iron Stallion and Dandelion loaded up the money into blue gym bags while Blossom told with the hostages, something that would scare ponys for life in a stressful situation. A foal playing with a gun. Blossom waved the assault rifle around pointing it in their faces. "La-la-le-la-la!" She chanted laughing like a maniac. Back at the lobby, a mare began to raise her head from off the cold marble floor. "I said stay down! Do not. I repeat. Do not be a hero now." The mare instantly pressed her face against the floor crying when Angel's pistol was pointed at her direction. Dandelion took charge in the vault room, "Alright times up, leave it." Taking what they had finished looting and stored into a bag, they left the room without the hostages. Heading down in the maintenance tunnels with the money bags. "Pizza filly on her way to delivery!" Blossom chirped through comms informing their getaway driver. "Come out with your hooves up!" The police demanded through a megaphone. "Nightmare, mount me like a whore," Angel said with a straight face getting on her knees. Shortly after giving that order the filly came running with the sound of little hooves. Hopping onto Angels back, the mare took off running right after with the small filly holding onto the older mare. Jumping over the banker's desk heading to the back of the bank, only to come in contact with a SWAT team aiming weapons at her. "Freeze!" A SWAT mare shouted. "Hold your fire! She's got a filly!" A SWAT stallion added. The armed unit glared at them through their fiberglass faceplates. "Rose kill them." Angel's voice spoke within Nightmare's head. "No! I can't! They're good ponys!" The cops pressed, "Put your gun down! And surrender to the law!" "They'll kill us first if they don't outright lock me up in prison, taking you away from me, and putting you in one of those horrid foster homes. And what about your sister?[i/] "I... I ca-NO!" Angel jumped to the side lighting up her horn. Nightmare doing the same, while Angel created a protective shield around the filly and herself, Nightmare open fire with her Micro Uzi. At the sudden movement, the police fired right back. Rose/Nightmare clutched at Fallen/Angel's suit for dear life while her gun went to work howling death. The bullets from the outside were blocked but the bullets coming from the inside passed through. The screaming police who writhed in agony were prominent after the Uzi's magazine was spent. Some lie dead while the other suffered. Nightmare panted from the stress of her decision caused her to squeeze the trigger, causing her to crush the weapon from the amount of force she put on the Uzi. Seeing what she had done her eyes widened in horror shaking her head in denial. "No... no... no... NO!" She grabbed on tighter to Angel beginning to cry. Angel aimed her silenced pistol on each officer and ended all their lives. The ones not moving, she put a bullet in their heads too. Just to make sure. Why? Just in case. Angel ran down the maintenance tunnel. Meeting up with her crew shortly after in the second auto-carriage. Hopping into the vehicle, and that was it, they had escaped... "Home free baby!" Dandelion cheered. Iron Stallion butting in, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" Angel/Fallen cradled the troubled filly in her hooves rocking her gently, pulling off the dragon mask to expose the vulnerable young filly beneath. Putting away her shades, she laid her head on top the filly cooing comforting words into her ear, hugging her. Meanwhile, Blossom watched the spectacle with a raised brow rolling her eyes whilst she patted her assault rifle, "Sucks that we didn't get to use these babies." "I know, but it's better this way. Less blood to clean, you dig?" Dandelion chuckled winking at the filly. "Whatever," Blossom scoffed. "Aye buddies, what do you say I buy us some drinks and a few soda pops for the kids?" The driver asked with a smile of his own, his job so simple, that he was going to be paid handsomely for. "I'm down," Iron Stallion agreed. Everypony began to ease up. Feeling safe. Taking off their masks. Suddenly a loud popping sound caused everyone to jump in their seats. Before the vehicle began to swerve. "Everypony, hold on!" The getaway driver informed his passengers before the vehicle slammed into a pony then another carriage causing the auto-carriage to roll over multiple times. ***** A mare in front of a desk that had the brand name "Manehattan News" she began to give the rundown of today's news with a stoic gate, "Just reporting in, police have intercepted a band of bank robbers from escaping, Pay St." Live footage began to play from the air, the camera aboard a Helicopter, the video showed a downed auto-carriage that was expelling black smoke set ablaze. Just as a firefight was outgoing both figuratively and literally. Fire from the vehicle was spreading and the robbers were firing off their weapons at the police who fired right back. "A single unit of swat members have been brutally murdered in The First Equestrian Bank. Is this an inside attack on Equestria from Zebrican sympathizers, the Striped Menace themselves? Or is this just some run of the mill hoodlums? We'll get more back to you after this commercial break." In the year 2077, Equestria was in the midst of a resource war with its neighboring country, the Zebricans. The land of the Zebras. Who's top recourse, the zebras had plenty of. coal while The Ponys of Equestria did not. Equestria had gems of plenty, but fossil fuels of few. The majority of its power came from imported Zebrican coal. These Zebricans needed gems to perform rituals of plenty. So when did this problem come from? Where did this conflict start? Well, the Zebras are a very religious bunch. Perform rituals, fought in a strange combat art that had them stand on their hind legs, they create potions that would make a pony alchemist jealous. And they despised the mare in the moon, Nightmare Moon. And when she came back to Equestria, most if not all zebras were furious that Equestria was harboring the wicked villain of eternal darkness. Stories upon stories were told, passed down from their great ancestors. These stories would explain how ruthless and vile Nightmare Moon was. While the Zebras respected and admired the Sun Goddess Princess Celestia but not her young sister Princess Luna. Relations between nations strained when Princess Celestia would not give up her young sister Princess Luna or finish her to an execution. When an attack on Littlehorn, a school for gifted unicorn. A gift from the Sun Goddess to the Moon Goddess. The public was outraged on the attack on children and called for blood. Relations became thin, shortly after, peace shattered like glass. Celestia's heartbreak caused her to step down from the throne, handing it over to her sister, Luna. At this news, the Zebras retaliated, declaring war on Equestria. At this, the Dragons hid in their mountains and the Griffon Nations stayed neutral, yet most of the griffons becoming mercenaries, to take advantage of the war. Fighting on either side, just as long as they were getting paid, working for the highest bidder, and whoever had their contracts. Saddle Arabians were allied with Equestria, while the Yaks stayed out of the war. In the end, none of this mattered because the warheads were launched. Megaspells that were created to heal soldiers on the battlefield were weaponized to destroy. The Zebras with their stealth technology got their spies to intercept and reverse engineer these into Balefire bombs. What was the point of this? Religion? Money? Power? Greed? Envy? Jealousy? Fear? Perhaps something else??? ***** "President Snow Mare, what will you have me do?" A stallion asked a small spherical glass camera that resembled a robotic eye that's color was a blue light. "Take an infantry ground unit and a light airborne unit. They have an ancilla that is so very valuable to our cause. This can not, under any circumstance, fall into the wrong hooves. This rightfully belongs to us, True Equestria. Once the ancilla is acquired, destroy that Hardware Town. Make sure to eliminate those power armored boy scouts. Don't want them escaping to inform their Scout Master. And remember, no witnesses." The robotic eye ordered, watching the stallion intently. "Yes, ma'am," the sand colored pegasus stallion saluted the robotic eye. "I will get it done Ms. President." "As you were Captain." He visibly relaxed walking out of his quarters with the robotic eye constantly following his every move. Only getting some privacy when his quarter's door closed behind him. "Honey round up White Nectarine and the little one. We got some work to do." His wife sighed kissing his cheek briefly before heading off to find her children and inform them of their new assignment, donning a disturbed look in her eyes. ***Later*** Skimming through his power armor setting whilst he sat within the hull of a Verdibuck who's engines were prepped and ready to go, all he was doing now was waiting on his daughter. Who always seemed to shrink on her responsibilities. Always late. She was apart of the ground infantry unit, something that had her deploy below the cloud cover as a reconnaissance unit for the Wasteland and the other in an aerial unit, his son, White Nectarine, was outside the Verdibuck instructing a squad. After a few minutes keeping everypony waiting Peaches came running whilst in her power armor, "I'm here! Come on let's go!" She exclaimed, whilst the ponies that were currently in the hanger watched her intently with hawk-like eyes as she passed by, knowing her as the "spoiled fuck up" something she was actually quite good at mind you. Hopping into the Verdibuck with her dad. Seeing his daughter inside and ready to go he ordered the pilots to get going, shaking his head embarrassed by his daughter tardiness. Popping off her helmet, his daughter started to fidget with her Ground Infantry Helmet clumsily. Cleaning the visor so when it got dirty it would be faster to clean. Or so she thinks. These Ground Infantry Helmets looked oddly like an owl in perspective, the ears of a pony wearer would be required to have their ears in a 45-degree-angle facing back just to fit within the helmet. Both the armor and helmet were painted black in color, yet the eyes that the helmet, the visor had an orangy-goldish tint to them. And on the mouth there was an air filter with a voice modulator combined with a bit of armor plating, making it look like a birds beak. The Armor was bulky, and could hardly fly since it was just that heavy, so heavy in fact that there had to be a frame for the armor to be mounted on top of as to not crush the pony wearer and to help mobilize the suit of armor. The suit was then built for high drops, and for that reason, there were shock absorbers attached to the bottom of the metal hooves with the help of a couple of talismans. Normally, a Ground Infantry units were unheard of. But, that because the Enclave had spread it's units all over the world to reclaim lost technologies and civilizations to bring them closer together and unite them all under a single banner, of peace... There were bases stationed at The four Commonwealths in Equestria, The Griffon kingdoms, and even in the Dragon Lands, yet have few in Zebrican Lands. There were divisions among the Enclave, as too split the work up and increase efficiency. While the main Enclave Army would be focusing on Equestria solely. This division would be conducting their focus on a different part of Equestria, a part were pony kind originated from. Long ago... ponys seceded away from this part of land, to get away from the Wendigoes' frosted cold. It was soon recognized as Equestria's parent land, and since then, ponys visited their past as tourists bringing revenue to the poor land, that split off into their own counties, creating their own unique identity. This division's army was solely reliant on robotic soldiers to fill in the gaps in pony power. And this mission was to acquire a unique processing brain, to help run more combat units to help stabilize the Enclaves control in this area. Aiming to overtake the Brotherhoods control over the parent lands that were dubbed by many the: "Mother Land". The two other ponys in the Verdibuck just pretended not to be there. Since her dad was there, they knew it was bad news if they were caught messing with the offspring who's parent was hanging around. The captain placed a hoof on her heavily armored shoulder to stop her from shaking, "Relax this will just be another sweep. Your brother and I will do the recovery," he nodded his head briskly to reassure his shaking filly. He noticed the shaking from her exposed head, her body remained still and stoic, covered behind thick heavy chunks of metal. She nodded her head in agreement, except the fright in her eyes said that she wasn't comfortable going on another ground op. She disliked old Equestria, especially old Equestria's momma. Life above the clouds was paradise compared to everything down there. "Just stay behind everypony, and next to walls. You could use those as cover and-" "I knnowwww daddddd," she grumbled looking down and away from her father. The Captain looked down as well just wanting to get his orders over with. He really didn't like doing these kinds of sweeps. To ease her suffering she laid her helmet over her head turning on her MP3 player through the power armors built-in software. Using the helmets internal speakers as headphones of sorts. "And if you get lost... play dumb sweetie... and remember... stay away from ponies..." Her Dad informed her, even though she was completely ignoring him. Song A short amount of time passed as the instruments slowly hummed in her ears, "Everypony knows that a war is coming~ Everypony knows deep in their hearts~" The Verdibuck soared through the wasteland sky just below the cloud cover descending downwards closer to the ground. Whilst the Captain's daughter looked out at the dead Wasteland below, that was still contaminated with mutated life. "Everypony knows~ that the talks are over~ Everypony knows thisis just the start~" She examined her plasma rifle inserting a microfusion cell into her weapon causing the plasma rifle to purr to life. Not lucky enough to get a plasma cartridge. Shooting microfusion cells out of a plasma gun is bad. Since the plasma rifle drains through microfusion cells quicker since the weapon demands more charge input to fire. "Everypony knows it's all over this~ Some gems and-some coal traded by the rich That's how it goes~ Everypony knows..." The stallion singing sang softly almost putting Captain's daughter to sleep. But this next part woke her up, the sudden hit of a drum, "Everypony knows there were children bleeding~ Everypony knows how many died... Everypony had their empty feeling~ Turn into a burning hatred INSIDE!" Looking out from the Verdibuck she saw down below a town getting burnt to the ground with ponys screaming while ponys wearing scraps of leather and metal pillaged the town. "Everypony goes to up sign up TODAY! Take up your ARMS~, to make them PAY! For those crying woes~ Everypony knows..." "Everypony knows what he did to save her~ Everypony knows what a hero he was~ Everypony knows that we'd do almost anything~" Memories of films that showed what had happened to Cloudsdale went through my head. Fire. Fire everywhere. "Even break all of nature's laws~ Everypony knows who discovered it first~" To see the pegasi all obliterated in one single blow cemented our fear of showing our true home. "A spell so STRONG that we could do our worst If the need arose~ Everypony knows..." She teared up knowing the reality of it all. We were all pawns in our lives and there was nothing we can do about it. "Everypony knows~, everypony knows~ That's how it goes~ Everypony knows~ Everybody knows,~ everypony knows~ That's how it goes~ Everypony knows~" "Set her down here Echo 4-19," the Captain ordered when they were near their objective. The Verdibuck slowly descended further down in a 90-degree angle. Landing on the dead ground floor. She looked down to see a deep dark cave that was within a mini mountain. "And everypony knows that we will survive THIS! Everypony knows which Stable is theirs Everypony knows who would be their last kiss~ If there wasn't room for them down there..." She and the two other Heavy Ground Infantry jumped out electing a loud boom where their armored hooves hit the ground. They all marched into the cave as another Verdibuck landed behind them with more heavy infantry units coming out to group up. "Everypony knows that Zebras have it~ Everypony knows but just will not admit. How the war will close... Everypony knows..." They all stopped in front of the huge metal gear shaped stable door. Of course, she listened to her father and waited behind the others as instructed. The two in front closes to the stable door were equipped with a pair of miniguns while the rest of the troops had plasma rifles or even laser rifles. Some even duel-wield. "And everypony knows that the FIRE'Scoming~ Everypony knows time is running out~ Everypony knows now it's just preparing... For when all the Megaspells will RAIN DOWN!" The captain wore a Pip-buck checking it over tapping it. Waiting then when the screen lit up he tapped some more whilst we waited. "Everypony knows that hope is dead. That you'll be there lying helpless in your bed... When you see the glows~ That everypony knows..." A loud eerie loud sirens began to blur alerting them all to the immense opening of the heavy door. "And Everypony knows that if you survive this. There could be much worse still in store for you~ From the burning earth and boiling oceans. Would you even want to see it through~?" The door got pulled back electing a loud screeching sound of metal. "Everypony knows it's coming apart~ Say one last prayer if it's still in your heart~" The metal door then moved over to the side. "Before it blows... Everypony knows..." The silhouettes of ponys were shown as the darkness was now illuminated by the stable. "Welcome!" Ponys greeted them. *Click* ***** An earth pony mare with a red mane, which had a bright white highlight that had appeared around a year ago since I first noticed it's appearance, her coat was a pale yellow. She asked a question, "So when do you think you'll be back? And how much time do you need, to... um... reconsider?" Her cheeks flushed red. "Just give me time alright... you're too young for this sorta thing," I spoke carefully choosing my words wisely, forcing out each and every word out as if my throat were a cheese grater. She looked down and I did the same, we each couldn't meet each other gaze, while she gave me a hug, the earth pony muttered sadly, "Be safe, I'll be waiting here, so don't stay away for too long." Chuckling I nuzzled her cheek, "It's just two weeks, you can survive without me," she kissed my cheek while I kissed her forehead. Since I had a horn she had to kiss my cheek. Though I always found it weird, it was a bit too close to my mouth which made me uncomfortable all the time, those kisses that I was given made me feel empowered all the more to protect her. "Remember no colt-friends," she almost growled which kinda caught me off guard, finding it kinda cute at the same time. What was she on about? "Or filly-friends," she added into her warning, giving me a nuzzle in turn for good measure. "Oh... 'kay?" I laughed nervously rubbing the back of my neck. "I left everything in the..." I leaned in close to her ear. "In the suitcase for you," she nodded her head blushing by how close I got. I opened the door looking back at my sister. It sucked to leave doing a stable test thingy. Suppose I was going to get paid a lot for testing a freezer for two weeks. "Bye, little sis!" I waved, she waved back starting to cry. It broke my heart to see her like that, especially since we rarely ever split up. I took her almost everywhere with me, but at a safe distance when need be. "BYE ROSE!" My baby sister blurted out, bursting into a fit of tears, waving her hooves wildly, practically hopping up and down in place. "See you later Ruby!" I called back to her flashing a reassuring smile her way. I left to meet up with two of my other associates. I had to shake myself off to stop from crying myself. Being a pony I couldn't hold back my own tears, I was walking and crying. To combat this, I looked up at the pure blue sky, taking in the fresh air. I felt scared and alone. Was this how it felt to be a grown-up? How was I supposed to feel? I only took a small bag of bits with me and had a small hidden pistol in my short cropped tail, and a small knife in my mane that was disguised as a small mane pin. This was going to be a long and uneventful ride. Well, sleep looks like the best option right about now. I'm going to have to mess with freezers later. ***** Shaking is all I could do, breathing heavily, I trembled in the cold damp cryo-pod. The pod was small around me, making it very uncomfortable. Like a small metal coffin. Laying on my back upright, feeling disoriented, lost, confused, with a sick feeling that crept over me. My fur was wet matted down with water that came from the freezing process. Slowly coming to notice the small glass square shaped window in front of me. Maybe if I tried I would be able to see through it. Squinting, I leaned forward, trying to make out what was or is outside the pod. But it is too blurry to see through with all the condensation pressed against the glass window. Just then the cryo-pod door whirred to life in front of me lifting itself up, so fast, in fact, it made my heart skip a beat in surprise. The opening of the door was like a gateway back to the living world. Now that the metal door was out of the way, I could finally see somepony standing before me. The pony in front of me was dressed in a stable 248 security armor. Complete with the helmet that had a protective glass faceplate. That was currently lifted up at the moment. She was prodding me with a black baton that she held loosely in her mouth. "Yeh okey?" She asked with her mouth full. "C-C-C-CO-O-O-LD-D-D-D, I need heat! warmth!" I stuttered out with a frozen voice, my body shaking in an attempt to stay warm. Taking my time to look around to see what in the HAY was going on, but the stable security guard pony brought my attention back to her with the prodding of her baton. Once she knew she had my attention, she placed her baton back at her side. Beginning to gingerly help me out the pod. Gritting her own teeth from how cold I was. Placing me down on my own hooves, she draped an unarmored wing over my shivering shoulders. Utilizing the observant skills I was blessed with by birth, my eyes swept across the room, scanning each and every smidge of detail. Slowly being able to make out cryo-pods laid out against the walls placed around the room. The walls were a dull metallic gray color. There are two other stable security guards waking up the other residents, who also had just woke up, just like me. Both of the stable guards gave me uneasy expressions, as they passed me by. Wondering what was the meaning of this, I carried on with the same guard, who was leading me to a heavy magnetic door that was a "bulkhead". Something that I vaguely remembered coming through from earlier. I was just glad to have been in that freezer for just a night. Just as the bulkhead door had risen up, I was momentarily swarmed by fellow stable dwellers. With thundering voices of flashing blinding lights. "C-C-COL-D, p-please l-let me-e-e th-th-through, I n-nee-ed heat," I was barely able to stutter out, right after being swarmed by the stables inhabitants. "Welcome back to the land of the living!" A stallion cheered with an excited smile shaking my hoof without my consent. Only to have him shoved away shortly after by my escort, "Buck off Blitz," the stable security guard said with a hint of authority in her tone. Pushing through the crowd of ponies who were barraging me with question after question. Getting through the thick of it, the guard escorted me the rest of the way through the dull metallic corridors, the obnoxious ponys getting distracted by the rest of the ponys who were waking up, moving away from me to question them instead. In the corridors I walked through, I noticed that everything was gray besides me, the lights, the security pony, and the occasional yellow strip on each and every magnetically sealed bulkhead door. Finally arriving in the medical wing, there was barely anypony currently there, which was probably a good thing, except for a small foal getting a check-up by a doctor who had a nurse standing by at the ready. The nurse mostly watched the doctor do his work. Checking the foal's heart with a stethoscope. Listening intently to the foal's heartbeat rhythm. The stable security guard that lead me out of the cryo-pod earlier, helped me up onto a medical bed. The guard then bonked me on the nose, causing me to go cross-eyed "See you later Grandma~" she sang before snickering into a hoof exiting the room, leaving me alone to wait patiently for my turn to get a check-up wrapping myself around in a blanket, desperately trying to keep myself warm. I was going to get a check-up too right? The foal squeed when the doctor handed her a lollipop for being a good filly. Quickly running out with the lollipop following right behind her held afloat in her magic. After that, a silence came over the room as the Doctor and Nurse went back to work. Not noticing me at all. They must have been very distracted by the foal then. After a couple of minutes later when the nurse smiles towards me sheepishly, finally coming to notice my petty existence. The nurse canters over with a towel beginning to dry me off. "Sorry miss got distracted, foals you know... so adorable!" sighing dreamily she continued her work on drying me off. Looking over the room like a hawk taking in every single little detail. Noticing that some of the white square shaped medical boxes had a trio of pink butterflies stamped on them; at the corner of the boxes. All the medical equipment was neatly resting upon metallic surgical trays while the rest was stored away somewhere nearby. Taking notice of the nurse's work the doctor came over to stand beside the bed and nurse, greeting me halfway, "Hello, Ms. Lady... erm..." he looks over his clipboard searching for my name. Not wanting to be rude towards the medical staff I complied to cover up the Doctor's blunder: "Ms. Midnight Rose, and where am I, and what is going on here?" I ask the doctor my mind feeling fuzzy, I was having trouble remembering a few things... still, I remained cautious "And why did that guard call me grandma?" Having a lot of questions I did, hoping to get at least some answers. The longer I was awake, the more questions I had, at the same time my body felt groggy and sluggish. That just so happens when you wake up from a long cold wet nap... I hope most of that damp area of my lower body isn't piss. But I woke up cold, like nothing I had ever experienced before. It was almost as similar as waking up in a bathtub filled with cold water. Not that I know how that feels like anyway because being in that cryo-pod was colder than the arctic! Nodding his head he continued hearing me say my name at the same time finding it on the clipboard, "Ah, yes Ms. Rose. I am Doctor Petroleum. Now to answer your question Ms. Rose I'd advise that you stay calm... this might be shocking-okay," the nurse beside me gave a reassuring hug. Radiating a calm feeling in the room, which did little to lessen my worries. The cold in the air was overwhelmingly stale. My brain thumped in my skull telling me that I needed "fresh air". "To be honest, we don't know what happened to you, but what we do know, is that you were frozen, in some sort of cryo-pod. And since you're wet, I could only assume that you have been frozen," the doctor explained. "Why you were frozen is unknown to us, the security mare that brought you in here, found you and the rest of the frozen ponys behind a maintenance wall or something like that. Skywalker her name was, always exploring the stable, very skittish, but what do you expect from a caged pegasus. She's the one who found the tunnels that connected to the other stables. Stables 249B, and 251A" The nurse then chimed in "When she called you "Grandma" She was most likely... no. Was just being a pain in the flank. Besides we didn't even know you were a resident here in our lovely stable until after she found you." Scowling the doctor continued "The overmare approved of your unfreezing. So don't, misbehave, Ms. Rose." The doctor finished sourly with a judging gaze, before going back to a calm demeanor again which made me roll my eyes at his bad attempt to intimidate me. "Welcome to stable 248!" The nurse exclaimed draping an extra blanket over my shoulders. "Just rest up for right now, we'll get you situated once you're all better~ We'll have a jumpsuit ready for you when you wake up!" The cyan nurse cheered brushing a strand of her green mane back, "Why you're not wearing one right now is beyond me." "Can I have something warm to eat and drink before I go to sleep then? Oh and please not those skin-tight jumpsuits like the ones you're wearing," I smile sheepishly, "Something more casual...?" Nodding her head the nurse agreed: "Alright, I believe I can do that," walking off into another room that had a sign on the wall right beside the door that read "STAFF ONLY!" in bold red letters. The doctor headed into another room opposite from the nurse. With a neon sign stuck out with the word "OFFICE" stamped on it in bold black letters, leaving me alone. Not long after that, the entrance to the infirmary opened up. Entering the infirmary were two ponies who were guiding a gurney in. A pony laid on top covered with a piece of white cloth were some spots were stained with red splotches. "Another accident, another day," one stable dweller said not noticing me in the room. The other stable dweller agreed: "That just so happens when you don't know how to fix a spark generator. Poor kid, sand on her tenth-birthday too." Listening quietly to the conversation waiting for the nurse to come back, with what I had asked for. After a few long dragging minutes, the nurse finally came back from the "STAFF ONLY" room, balancing a tray professionally on her back, smiling sheepishly she slid the tray onto my lap. What was in the tray were two bowls and one glass of water. The main course was in the largest of the two bowls and was colored orange. The aroma reached my nostrils helping me remember a small part of my life back at a restaurant where I frequently used to dine at when I was younger, always getting the health choice by my mom in the cold winter months. In the second bowl that was noticeably smaller, had three packets of salted crackers. "Hope you enjoy your stay, Ms. Rose," the nurse said shyly backing away to help the doctor who nonchalantly looked over the dead filly from under the bloody covers. Why was he so cold about it? Why wasn't he in shock? A normal pony would have been in shock, then again.. he was a Doctor and a Doctor saw plenty of death I would think. Was death really common in the stable? The door that the gurney and I had come from lifted up again, but nopony had come through which confused me greatly. I began to eat my warm food greedily wanting the cold to go away. After finishing my food and water, the nurse raised up two outfits beside my bed, a doctor Lab Coat on the right that had a trio of pink butterflies embedded into the corner of the coat, then on the left laid an Equestrian Army uniform that was currently in a plastic bag. I look at both and quickly declared confidently and if a bit childishly, "I'll take the Army uniform!" With a big toothy smile chugging all the water down. Giggling at my joyous reaction, the nurse smiled retracting the doctor's coat. "We're going to have the Equestrian Military visit soon, so please be on your best behavior. We were told that some special ponies of the old world's military would be coming to evaluate the stable. I'm going to-" she pulled out a pip-buck, "-give you this. You're a stable resident now or uh... still are, and you should be able to work now-after you recover of course!" She hastily added, "I know that the overmare is supposed to be the one to give you this, but she is currently busy at the moment," The nurse chuckled nervously eyes falling to the floor. Just then the stable speakers blurted on with an enthusiastic mare's voice: "Everypony our visitors are here! Drop what you're doing an come on down to the Stable Atrium so we can greet our visitors!" The nurse smiled as everypony began to filter out and leave the room, talking amongst themselves. Taking a glance back the nurse sheepishly smiled back at me almost forgetting all about me. These ponies weren't very good at attention, "Will you be okay all alone?" She asked me. "Yeah, I'm going to hit the hay now," I answered placing the tray by side of the bed onto a squared box machine thingy, that was currently not being used. Rolling myself together like a donut taking the pillow where my head would be resting and pulling the blanket over myself starting to sleep. Leaving the pip-buck on top the squared box machine beside the bed. In my sleep, I could hear a faint chorus of a sound that was so quiet and distant it sounded like a whisper that was a continuous humming sound. An image of the Equestrian Army swarmed my mind's eye, creating a mental image that invaded my dreams. [Sometime Later] Waking up again feeling refreshed I opened my eyes coming to find the bed covered with privacy bed curtains blocking my view from the rest of the room. Feeling nonchalant about exiting the bed. I first put on the Equestrian Army uniform. Only missing the boots and helmet which brought a frown to my face, but was still glad to have a comfortable uniform to help keep me warm from the cold metallic room. Not a pony in sight besides the bed curtains that were closed in around me. Sitting on the bedside waiting... waiting was all that I could do. It's not like I had a right to touch or explore without any permission, so I waited for the doctor, nurse, or at least somepony that would walk through that door. But nopony came slowly losing my patience and begin to look towards the "pip-buck" the nurse had given me earlier. Grabbing the pip-buck from the box-shaped squared whatever it was, strapping it to my left foreleg. The cushion made the arm computer snuggly fit along my foreleg. The pip-buck purred to life causing the screen to light up with scrolls of text to run along the screen, shortly after booting up to show a happy stallion in a stable jumpsuit smiling towards me giving me a wave with the words below him "loading..." My pip-buck screen was now consumed with pop up in a green text asking: "Would you like a tutorial?" With two words below the question. "Yes / No". I selected [No] already knowing how to operate the pip-buck. Instantly the happy stable stallion was replaced with a happy stable unicorn mare. The pip-buck had three buttons below the screen. STATS, ITEMS, DATA. Checking my "STATS" to see how well my body was doing. S-6 P-7 E-5 C-5 I-6 A-5 L-3 With more data that I will not go into detail right now, but just know that it's there. My vision was now then consumed with a large hud interfacing with pip-buck made me feel a bit nauseous. Which I had to adjust using the pip-buck. Now making the health bar smaller so that it didn't obstruct my vision. That was at the bottom left corner. And had the E.F.S [Eyes. Forward. Sparkle] a compass that I adjusted to the top of my vision so that it didn't become a nuisance and clog up my vision keeping it down with the rest of the hud features. Then to the bottom right corner, I could see the AP bar which was fizzing about for some reason. Shaking my head looking around the room beginning to investigate. Getting out of bed, looking over each surgical instrument with precise accuracy. Looking over the medical supplies within the room. Coming to realize that plenty of medical supplies. From 5 Potions, 12 Painkillers pills and syringes, 6 Dash inhalers, 7 Buck short stubby plastic bottles containing tablets that looked like vitamins, 60 Rad-X, and lots and I mean "LOTS" of RadAway that went up to 26! That was only counting the medical drugs in this room! Moving to the STAFF ONLY room. I was able to find the room filled with locked lockers and some more medical supplies that I could take or just leave alone. No one was here to observe me, so would it really matter if I were to take something? But what good would it be to take something I didn't need? Nothing. It would do me no good so I would just leave it alone. Even finding a couple of white saddle-bags bearing the universal red cross on either side of the bags. Finding nothing else of interest, I exited the STAFF ONLY room, which was probably just supposed to be a staff room, but I keep referring it to as the "STAFF ONLY" room. Lastly, I entered the Doctor's office. Inside I found a desk that had a terminal resting on top. Two twin filling cabinets on the left side of the small boxy room. There was even a bed in the room right beside the desk. The office was the doctor's living quarters as I come to notice. And at the footrest of the bed was a small footlocker. A couple of books were strewn about on top of the desk. One book was wide open showing random digits of symbols and characters, that made me assume that it was some sort of code. Strolling up to the bed which had a mirror beside the headboard, peering at my reflection. Standing in before me was a unicorn mare that wore an Equestrian Army uniform, who had a black coat sporting a blue mane with a few black highlights... or would the black be lowlights? You know because of the color-whatever. I straightened my uniform wanting to look nice and sharp for my social interactions in the stable. As much as I didn't like being social, this was part of the job description when I had signed up for testing. Ears perking up when I heard the sound of a bulkhead door at the entrance of the infirmary lifted up abruptly. Alerting me to the presence of somepony entering the infirmary. But being in the office I was clearly not supposed to be in... I was either going to have to confess and expose myself or hide. Metallic whirring was heard alongside heavy metal hoof steps echoed throughout the infirmary Looking down in my vision focusing on my E.F.S. [Eyes. Forward. Sparkle.] a setting I only knew was because of somepony I once knew had one himself. I was really surprised to find out that two bright red bars were closing in on my position. Red was an obvious symbol for "bad". The steps started to get louder as whoever it was, is getting closer. Sweat started to form on my brow. I didn't want to go out like this! Anything but this! I did the only thing I could or... wanted too... I hid under the doctor's bed just as the steps grew louder. I was going to be in so much trouble! Is it because I broke into the Doctors office?! I'm sorry! Won't do it again! Please! I started shaking under the bed. I was defenseless! No... that's not completely true... I had my horn! I wasn't utterly defenseless now! I had the power to fight back! Just as I was gaining the courage to fight back, the door to the doctor's quarters was lifted up and open for the two hostile visitors to enter. Peeking out from beneath the bed I was able to observe two ponies in some sort of odd-looking power armor that was bulky and heavily armored. It was like nothing I had seen before. Their helmets looked oddly like an owl because of the ears of the pony having to be in a 45degree angle facing back just to fit on the helmet and with the bird beak looking mouthpiece. Both of their armors were painted black, but their eyes that the helmet had an orangish-goldish tint to them. Both ponys were obviously pegasus because of their wings! Which were both covered with this piece of protective plating. Both pointing their weapons toward the back of the room. Gulping nervously from beneath the bed, I was sure that they would find me out sooner or later. They both each had a plasma pistol on their left and a plasma rifle on their right, which was connected to a battle saddle that was built into the power armor suit. But they weren't as big as the power armors I had come to know. They were huge... deadly for sure. Pointing their weapons in my direction in utter silence, just then, THEY OPENED FIRE! I could feel the heat coming from the spent plasma as their shots struck the bed. The bright searing light blinded me causing me to shield my eyes with my hooves, a high pitched screech reached my ears. Confused I moved my hooves away to see a giant cockroach that was the size of my hoof screeching with a green pile of goop behind it and that it was missing a leg. Trying to retreat away from the powered armor menace, but they didn't show the roach any mercy, disintegrating the roach into green goop. Confused and panicked I stayed put under the bed shaking in fear. What could I do against these armored killing machines? I wasn't that great with magic... but I sure as hell was good with a gun... but I didn't seem to have one at the moment. In the span of 15 seconds, they walked past me and were gone. THEY WALKED PAST ME! Like as if I had never existed in the first place! But that wasn't possible! All power armor had a built-in Eyes Forward Sparkle! Unless their E.F.S and mine were fucking up? And were these armored ponies not an enemy and my pip-buck were just malfunctioning and playing games with me? Why they were here I wasn't sure, but they left in a hurry without a second thought. They came and killed a roach that I didn't even know was in the room, they took something then. And left. Hearing the rhythm of the metallic whirring of machinery as they left metal thuds in their wake. Then, nothing, utter silence. After a few ungodly minutes that felt like hours. Finally having the courage to come out from under the melting bed, the acidic smell was strong lingering from the green pile of shit that was the giant cockroach and bed. Maybe the armored ponys weren't so bad? They didn't seem to have any interest in me, they just didn't notice me at all. But if I could see them doesn't that mean they could see me too? Looking over the desk I noticed that the book with all the random digits of symbols and characters was gone. Whelp now I know the reason why they came here for. But, that was probably only the small part of the big picture. Where was everypony? Well, wherever they were I was going to be the one to find them, or maybe they'll find me. Taking a couple of shaky breaths I straightened my uniform in front of the mirror again for the second time. But, left my messy mane alone. I liked my mane just the way it was, nice and short. Since I was sure nopony would come back on such short notice I decided to check what was on the doctor's terminal. Hopping onto the doctor's swivel chair I got to work unlocking the computer. With its password nearby on a sticky note stuck on the monitor itself... like really? You didn't even bother hiding the sticky note. The stupid doctor just put it on the screen itself. Well, his loss. My gain! _________________ [Server 6 - Doctor] M33ti^g )*th T*e Unlock Safe Open Passage [________________] I selected the first option the {>Meeting With The Outsiders}. but only got a: ERR: network connection failed. Aggravated I selected the other option: {Unlock Safe} then getting the all good: Safe is unlocked. Even hearing the soft hiss of the safe opening was some good news. Following the noise, I found that the mini safe was built under the desk. So small that I hadn't noticed it earlier. Opening the case eagerly wanting to see what prize I could snatch up. The nostalgic feelings I felt from the thievery I was committing, I felt like the Goddesses' Celestia and Luna were gazing down upon me, blessing me with trash... are you KIDDING ME?! Yes, I wasn't very pleased to find a "switchblade". Yeah, the goddesses want me to fight with this garbage?! They knew me so well! Just you wait, Celestia, I'm going to shove this so far up your royal plot, you'll be wishing that fucking with me was only a dream! Growling insults under my breath I took the switchblade regardless. Though I could always use a scalpel... that shit was sharp as hell. But it wouldn't be able to cut through metal. Better luck next time I suppose. Moving on to the last option in the terminal: {>Open Secret Passage}. Getting the sweet sound of the wall moving to reveal a "secret passage" indeed. But was it really necessary? Those ponys didn't attack me. Should I really be snooping around? Was this a mistake? Fuck... I wanted to be on the safe side, and the safe side was to not get caught by anything red on my pip-buck. "You only live once right?" I told myself with a small smile shrugging my shoulders. Climbing into the newly opened passage, that was a small cramped maintenance shaft. There was a button that I pressed curiously, quickly finding out that it closed me off from the infirmary. "I probably should have taken those saddle bags... and maybe some supplies..." I bit my lower lip what was I doing snooping around the stable? Did I even have a right too? The doctor did say not to cause any trouble. And the nurse told me to wait right? Well, I actually don't remember... I felt exhausted then. And now I feel... so lonely and out of touch. I remember when my senses were much more keen than dull how they are now. Shaking my head, I crawled through the cramped passageway. Making me very claustrophobic, there was a very little wiggle room to move through. The only thing to be heard the bumping of my elbows and knees against my metallic prison. Other than that it was deadly quiet on the outside. There was still the same lingering thought that would come from the back of my mind "was I doing the right thing? Should I have listened?" "Well, only one way to find out!" I told myself trying to bring back some of my lost confidence. When I reached the end of the tunnel there was another button. I waited until I was ready to press the button that was on the wall beside me. Taking a deep breath after a minute long break, I pressed the button opening the new passage just like before. A supply closet it seemed to be. Without a second thought, I climbed down expertly making sure not to step into a bucket and trip like an idiot. There was a time and place for everything after all. Looking around I saw a variety of things. Mostly detergents, some nails, turpentine, and even a lone spark battery; in gray metal cube boxes. But, I didn't have time to loot! I had to find some answers to my questions! First of all: Where is everypony? Who were those ponys in that black power armor? Were they the Equestrian Army? Why was my pip-buck acting up? My AP bar was fizzing about with static and it only seemed to grow worse. The longer I took to get out of here the more I felt uncomfortable. My pip-buck was more than likely just faulty, nothing more. That's probably why they appeared to be colored red on my pip-buck. Stupid machine! Why did it have to be me? Why did I have to get the busted one? Sighing deeply I slowly opened the supply closet door that was surprisingly enough, not a bulkhead door but was instead a thin metal door with hinges that squeaked loudly, making me cringe when I poke my head out of the supply closet. Looking both ways left and right like if I was about to cross a street. Sighing in relief when I noticed nopony in sight, telling my brain that I wasn't going to get into any trouble. I Moved out into the short hallway. To my left was a neon green sign with black text: "Restrooms". And to my right, there was a complete copy of the signs: "Overmare" and "Living Quarters" with an arrow pointing right. With two more signs below it: "Atrium" and "Armory" there was even a sign below that one that read "infirmary" pointing left. "The Overmare? Yes, that's it!" I quickly made my way towards the neon signs. Taking a sharp right turn heading for the Overmare's office. "Maybe she's still here besides why would she leave her office? She was supposed to be overseeing everything down below... or that's how I saw it. I didn't really know much about stables, to be honest. I saw lots of rooms from left to right there were bulkhead doors. Checking my E.F.S. I wasn't surprised that nopony appeared. Not a single green bar in sight or red for that matter. Moving onto the room opening every single room. For somepony, for something... but I found no hint on where everypony could be. Taking me about fifteen minutes to finally reach the Overmare's office, with a terminal connected to the wall beside the bulkhead door. Pressing the button beside the door expecting the door to open. Only to be surprised that the door didn't open. Muttering a curse under my bed I moved over to the terminal connected to the wall, using my magic to press a button so that the keyboard would come out from underneath the terminal. ______________________ [Server 10 - Overmare ] Unlock Door [______________________] Having nothing better to do I selected the only option in the terminal: Unlock Door. Getting the message of relief: Overmare door unlocked. Walking into the Overmare's room frowning. I felt uneasy when I didn't find the Overmare here. The E.F.S. told me everything I needed to know... nopony was here... moving over behind the back of the overmare's desk. Sitting down on the overmare's rolling chair. The desk was littered with papers, the pencil scratches over the papers. Doing a 180 spin to face the giant master terminal control panel, that was right behind the overmare's desk. The giant terminal screen had a number of smaller monitors beneath it. Giving it, it's meaning as overmare... the one mare that oversees all... The only downside was that all the screens were busted as in somepony shot the screens up. All of it was busted, "something isn't right at all," I muttered to myself my ears pinning back, "what is happening?" To the left of the room, there was a circular window that looked down into the atrium, moving to see the atrium I was able to see blood... oh god the blood... everything... everything was red. Suddenly behind me, I heard the bulkhead door behind me slide down; closed. "Because he made you," A mare's voice from behind me. Confused I did a quick spin facing the only entrance to the room. I was surprised to see nopony around. Startled I pulled out the switchblade, holding it steadily in my magic directly in front of myself as if it were my only line of defense. "Where are you?!" I asked loudly my eyes roaming across the room cautiously. Having nowhere to go since my back was against the circle window. "Who are you?!" "Your worst enemy..." The mare's voice whispered into my ear the warm breath brushing against my ear startling me. Jumping in surprise I slashed the switchblade to my left. Only to cut through air. My heart started to race ever so slightly, the unknown was beginning to scare me. So, I did the only thing I could in my panic. I made a mad dash for the door, only to hear the mare's voice burst out into a fit of laughter. Pressing the button beside the bulkhead the door had risen without a problem. But what I saw utterly scared me the most. Blood... blood was everywhere... Ponys were covered in blood littering the floors. How DIDN'T I NOTICE THIS?! WHAT IS ALL THIS?! WHAT IN TARTAROUS IS HAPPENING HERE!" I screamed with my eyes starting to water. Running that's the only thing I knew I could do... the mysterious mare's laughter echoed throughout the halls as I ran. Slipping on the bright rose red sea of blood falling muzzle first into a pony. "Do you really think you can run away from me?! Hahaha!" Pulling my face away from the pony I saw who I had fallen on. What I saw shocked me, having me shake my head wide-eyed. "Oh~ oh~" I moaned but, not in pleasure oh no... not pleasure... it was anything but pleasant. What I had fallen on was the small filly who I first saw in the infirmary, that I remember was so happy to get a stupid sugary treat. I started to cry feeling a coldness start to spread through me. Whatever it was it was coming from behind me. That voice, who is it? I don't remember that voice, it doesn't ring a bell! What the in Tartarus would she want with me?! What is even happening?! What did I do?! Hearing the feminine voice again cackling madly made me shiver so bad I was paralyzed with fear. Everything around me was red! Grabbing the sides of my head shaking my head trying to free myself desperately. She was getting closer and whoever it was it would be bad news if she got me! Getting up I ran as my vision began to swim. Running through the small narrow corridors that just seemed to get narrower and smaller the longer I ran. Finally entering the atrium. The dead ponies everywhere. With nowhere left to go, I gunned it out the stable. Finding that the STABLE DOOR WAS MISSING!!! Crying I ran out into the cave. Running through the sea of spent 5mm casings. The cave was so dark that I had to activate my pip-buck's lamp in order to see where I was going. Stumbling over rocks in the dark. Because the green light that was being illuminated from the device on my foreleg did little to aid my vision. Just as I was starting to lose the last of my waning hope, I saw a small light at the end of the tunnel. That was it! If there was light then, there was a way out! My vision started to go heavily blurry swimming so bad I was starting to lose my focus. "You know, if you wanted light, you could always just looked my way!" The mare giggled. She read my mind?! Panting heavily I leaped towards the light that would lead outside! Bright light, that's the only way I could describe it. ***** "Come on Rose! I'm so borrrreeeedddd!" The filly outside my room whined loudly. The wooden door stood strong and firm against the small filly. Hunched over my father's desk with pieces of his 10mm pistol neatly laid out. every crook and cranny of his gun. There would be no secrets that this weapon would hold from me. "Roooooooosse! Come on! Open up!" The small filly called from outside my door, startling me; having me jump in my seat that was my father's. Cursing insults quietly under my breath I marched towards the door hearing the filly whining behind the oak wood door. Using my magic I unlocked the door, then swung it open. "No, now stop bothering me!" Growling at the smaller filly I scowled harshly, but my intimidation must have been non-existent because she just latched onto me; hooking her arms around my neck. Burying her face deeper into my neck nuzzling it startling me further causing me to blush embarrassed. "Yay! I just knew you would come out! Now we can be friends!" She squeed loudly, so loud, in fact, I thought my eardrums would pop! Her little arms constricting tighter around my neck like a snake, effectively suffocating me. After a few more seconds of embarrassment, she finally let me go. Taking a few steps back, then went right back to bouncing up and down on her hooves. Sporting a huge grin, which kind of creeped me out. The little earth pony filly who was about a year and a half younger than me. She had a ruby red mane and a bright yellow shining coat. Shaking my head at her annoying antics. "I'm sorry Ruby but we can't be friends," I said rearing my head back on instinct in fear of the smaller filly who might choke me out. I'd had never seen her lash out before and I wasn't too keen on finding out now. Ruby immediately stopped her bouncing, now standing still. Her shoulders slumped the same going for her posture as well. Where her happy grin was, was now replaced by nothing more than a frown that just seemed to droop at the corners of her lips. Then every slowly her small form began to tremble ever so slightly, "b-but you promised..." She stuttered out weakly with a look of disdain her eyes beginning to water. "YOU PROMISED!" She screamed with her eyes closed, tears now flowing down her cheeks like miniature running rivers. Cringing with a twinge of regret I quickly caved in, "No-no, I-I didn't mean it like that!" I said moving closer to her reaching a hoof out to her only for Ruby to pull away from me. Seeing Ruby sad just made me sad... was this what friendship was? family? I didn't really know what friendship was. Besides, I liked to spend every minute either alone or with my mom and dad. Both of whom were busy at the moment. "Then what did you mean?!" Ruby retorted not quite believing my words. Even I didn't believe my own words either they just sorta came out. And I too didn't want to lose my one and only friend. She was too special for that, she just radiated this warmth that just made me just want to smile. Being lonely sucks. "I.... uh... what I meant to say was-we're best friends!" I blurted out, mentally picturing myself digging a bigger hole for myself. Stunned Ruby started to calm down her sobbing into a more manageable volume. "Y-you really m-mean it?" She asked with snot leaking out of her nose. Using my magic I levitated over a box of tissues for the little earth pony. Helping her clean up her pretty little face with a tissue. Doing all the work for her, it was my fault that she was crying after all. So, it was now my responsibility to clean her up. The only thing I could do was nod. My mouth would not open to produce a sound, so my body did all the talking through body language; nodding my head. Ruby immediately perked up throwing herself towards me sobbing openly into my chest wrapping her arms around my back just below my arms. I hugged her back awkwardly not knowing what to do at this moment. ***** The light was blinding yet so pure, as I was bathed in its warming glory. Toppling over, laying on the ground like an exhausted animal huffing and puffing. Having my eyes sealed shut. Catching my breath. I... I had won. I was alive so I must have won, right? That was my goal, stay alive and I had succeeded, so I must have won, surely I had won. My mind repeated in near endless loops. Truth be told I didn't know how long I had been resting under the sunlight that started to burn a hole through my back. It felt like a desert, but I wasn't really sure at the moment, even before my vision was terrible. But, now was the perfect time to see wha-. Opening my eyes I was immediately blinded by the sun's shining holy light. It was like walking out of a dark movie theater then going outside only to have your eyes slowly burned by an inferno of light, having to adjust your eyesight to the light. When my eyes finally did adjust after about four minutes I had just experienced one of the most mind-numbing moments I had ever had in my short life. Everywhere as far as I could see... was a complete and utter desert... "I didn't now that there was desert here. Hope my garden is okay." Some buildings and homes had, funnily enough, withstood the elements for a long time. Standing tall and somewhat firm. Other buildings and homes were not so lucky having caved in, or partly for the most part. I take that desert part back this place looked more like a wasteland now that I think about it. Looking around I noticed that I was on a low mountain that was about 57 meters tall. So it wasn't that high up. Making my way down thinking about my previous encounter with death or whatever it was. What the hell was that thing and what happened to all those innocent ponies? Something wasn't right about that place and I for sure would steer clear of that place in the future. I just wanted to go home and see my sister again. ***** "Come on lets play! It'll be fun!" Ruby hopped up and down with a pleading smile. Shaking my head at her childish antics. She practically wanted me to play princess with her, I had to face hoof so bad at her foolishness. "No, I'm not playing princess with you. Besides, don't you have someplace better to be? Like oh, I don't know... at home?!" I snarked... Ruby only giggled at my response getting a little to close for comfort rubbing her side against my chest. "Then what would you rather play instead, huh?!" She asked bumping the tip of her muzzle with mine making my cheeks flush red. She was WAY to close for comfort. "Something challenging! You know a game that has a winner and a loser!" I quickly blurt out my mind going into overdrive, she was too CLOSE! "Oh, but it's not about winning, it's about fun!" Ruby said nuzzling my cheek forcing my cheeks to heat up further. Rearing my head back I asked: "What's that?" Wanting to get as far back as I could from this filly. Giving me some space not seeming to care at how close she got to me she continued her explanation: "Fun is when you... fun is... it's like... it's kinda... sorta like a ..." She kept pausing to think unsure all of a sudden which surprised me. "What is fun?? HERE... Let me spell it for you!" She then cheered all of a sudden remembering. Music began to play out of thin air as she began to sing, having you sway in sync with the rhythm. "'F' is for Friends who do stuff together~ 'U' is for You-" She pointed towards me with a hoof then at herself. "-and Me~ 'N' is for Anywhere and every time at all!" She exclaimed cheerfully so much so that it was infectious having me smile along with her. Finishing her song with the words: "Down here in Germaney!" The music continued to play after she was finished so I decided to chime in cheerfully. "'F' is for Fire that burns down the whole town. 'U' is for UNHAPPY... PONIES! 'N' is for No survivors~ When you-" Before I could continue further the music cut out with a disappointed Ruby. "Rose those things aren't what fun is all about! Now, do it like this, 'F' is for Friends who do stuff to-" Only for me to cut off the annoying Ruby back. With a scowl, I snapped out: "-Never! That's completely idiotic!" Not wanting to back down Ruby started up again more chipper than before. "Here, let me help you... 'F' is for friends who do stuff together. 'U' is for You and me, TRY IT!" Ruby encouraged with her beaming infectious smile. Uncertain if I should run or not I did as I was told by the smaller filly. "'N' is for Anywhere and anytime at all. Down here in Germaney!" She finished with me sporting a happy smile getting me to sing along. "Wait... I don't understand... I feel all tingly inside... should we stop?" I asked feeling weird. Ruby only beamed brighter getting right in my face. "No! That's how you're supposed to feel!" Smiling with her, just not as much. "Well, I like it! Let's do it again!" "Okay!" Ruby cheered singing the song together as... friends... sisters... ***** *Crunch* The hoof sized roach insides came spilling out after I was done squeezing it in my magic. "Bucking disgusting." I scowled at the filth. Never did like roaches... and now this pest got a few inches bigger? This just wasn't my day... That's when I heard it... the sound of buzzing wings. My eyes widened but with my instincts kicking in I ducked to the side just as something flew past my head. Checking my E.F.S. I was quick to find the three red bars. "The little bastards tried to sneak up on me!" Upset at their shitty assassination attempt. I used my telekinesis without looking to throw the roach's guts over my attackers. To stun them if possible. I would have taken out my switchblade at an opportunity like this, but I had lost it during my mad dash to the exit; so I was once again weaponless. Picking up a small rock with my magic, I rolled out of my cover that consisted a small rock that I had just been using as cover. It didn't even cover most of my body it was a poor choice of cover. So, it was a good thing to abandon it so quickly. Now being able to see my enemies that shocked me. What was in front of me where three monstrosities that were once parasprites, but were not the cute parasites I was used to seeing. No, these things were a sickly green color with unnatural bulges popping out here and there it was disgusting! The once cute creatures were anything but their former selves. Their bodies look like bloated spheres. Just then one of them fired a long spine towards me. Acting fast I grabbed it midair with my magic. Tossing it back at the ugly bug, killing it instantly as it popped sickeningly. Not going to bother and take a chance of getting hit by these monstrosities I scrunched up my face in concentration when I forcibly squeezed the mutated parasprites into paste. "I need a weapon..." [LEVEL UP!] LEVEL 5! S-6 P-7 E-5 C-5 I-6 A-5 L-3 Skill Index Barter -16 Big Guns-16 Magical Weapons- 3 Energy Weapons - 22 +2 Explosives - 22 +1 Lockpick - 22 Magic - 23 Medicine - 29 +3 Melee Weapons -29 Repair -19 Science - 19 Small Guns -26 Sneak - 27 Speech - 26 +3 Unarmed - 16 Perks: Contract Killer - Collect ears to trade in for money Past Memories - Help you reflect on ideals and philosophy Reputation- Neutral Vault Renegade
Chapter 3 [Remake]View OnlineTies With The PastChapter 3 [Remake]Right after Peaches woke up we left together. In search of food. Lucky for us, I somewhat knew the layout of the ruined town. It was likely that ponys looted almost everything by now. Hence why we followed the yellow brick road. But in all seriousness, it was a cracked and anything but yellow. It was it's same old faded gray roads. On our quiet walk, I struck a conversation with Peaches. Wanting to make amends after I had slapped her. Didn't want to give her more reasons to resent me and stab me in the back later... and to justify to her on why I had killed the stallion. "Peaches," I suddenly say aloud not thinking it through. I didn't really know how to put this kind of apology into words at the moment. I was bad at apologies... "Yeah?" The pegasus replied meekly turning her head slightly to look towards me, yet at the same time keeping her guard up. Eyes scanning over the ruins for any possible threats. "What's up?" Sighing audibly I kicked a stray tin-can on to road out of my way. "I'm sorry about yesterday, it was... uncalled for." I finish lamely, unable to bring myself to say what I did wrong hopping for her to fill in the gaps on her own. "I sort of snapped on you. Never again okay?" My apologies were always so pathetic. You could even ask Ruby she would tell you how-alright I'm just going to shut up now. I hung my head in shame. "Oh, that?!" Peaches blushed. "N-no no don't worry about that. It's fine. I can kinda understand where you're coming from," she nodded her head sympathetically. "It's probably battle stress mixed in with some wasteland stress. Is it really starting to get to you?" Peaches asked me earnestly concerned. "Because I don't want you to lose it and leave me all by myself to fend for myself. I'm only good at following orders, not giving them." The Enclave soldier explained shyly rubbing a leg. "Wait, wasteland stress?" I asked the pegasus curious on the term. She saw this place as a wasteland like how I did. "Wasteland stress is what happens to us ponys who get stressed from all the wastelands obstacles you know... it's kinda self-explanatory." Peaches sniped with a bit of sass. Tilting my head slightly I clarified what I meant, "By why use 'wasteland' as the term?" Peaches scrunched up her face, "Because its a wasteland?" Was her answer. "I guess." I accepted the answer letting out a breath. We came across a wrecked skywagon that was on the road blocking our path. So, we took it into account when we moved around it. Ignoring the stop sign emblem it had plastered on with it's red and silver cross making a stop sign shape. And was still smoking with small embers dispersing about. Which reminded me of spent fireworks from when I was smaller. ***** *PHSSS~* The sparkler hissed in my magic as I waved the thin stick around, while 1/4 of the stick was sparkling with light. My dad warned me not to touch it or let it get on my coat because it could burn me. I did as I was told, never did I go against his warnings or my mother's. I loved them both so much. Watching the light show in fascinated awe as it sparkled and burned in my magical grasp. Hearing the sound of my little sister giggling, I tore my gaze away from my sparkler to see Ruby in my mother's lap. My mom's using her magic to hold a sparkler in front of the small earth pony. Didn't want to baby pony burning herself especially since she didn't have a horn to keep the burning stick at a safe distance. Unless we get her a bigger stick to hold then maybe? We always were quite protective over Ruby. She was an earth pony that just came into our lives out of nowhere. It was just one morning I went outside and there she was. "Ready to light better fireworks Midnight?" My dad asked me ruffling my mane. I beamed up at my dad when he brought out the "big pony fireworks" they were still small. Nothing that was used for shows, so nothing too fancy. It was something that was more exciting than a sparkler but I'll never forget. Not a worry in the world. "Ready!" Nodding his head just as enthusiastic my dad pulled out some fireworks. I liked the novelties and all especially then but most of all I like the mortars and cakes! The firework cakes! They aren't actual cakes. . . but is a box that shoots small fireworks up in the air and with a loud screeching noise. My favorite novelties where the small figurine unicorns that you light from the tail and then a firework shoots out from their miniature horn. I remember me and my dad playing soldiers like small children. Yes, my dad was being the weird one. But that's what made him GREAT! "General I've loaded the mortar! Now, light it up!" Saluting dumbly towards me, whilst I laughed lighting up the mortar bomb's wick. Ducking beneath my dad, how he wrapped his hooves around me caringly. While I covered my ears with my hooves until I heard the muffled "BOOM"! Looking up into the sky to see the firework exploded. Illuminating the sky. I smiled as my dad rubbed my back. "Wow, nice shot General!" "It's beutiful~," I said in awe nuzzling my dad. Chuckling he picked me up placing me on his back, "Now let us get back to lighting up some more General!" "Yes, sir!" I saluted proudly. ***** So all was forgiven or was she brushing me off??? I wasn't good around other ponys. Except for my sister. She was so easy to talk too, Celestia damn it! Peaches did say not to worry, but then again. She's been in the military, she might have even been trained to play mind games with me. But then why isn't she giving me her army serial number thingie? Ohhhh~ Someponys breaking the rullleeesss~ somepony court marshall this little pegasus. Unless she's a special op lying to me? But then why would she need me? Couldn't she have just killed me? And flew back home? She's got wings, after all, then again she did say that she didn't want to be left alone. So she's scared of being alone? Kinda reminds of poor sweet little Ruby. I was Ruby's only sister, friend, sort of mother figure. But, I prefer the big sister title. Being her mother figure is kinda weird if I think of it in that way. My mom was her mother figure for a couple of years. Never did know where Ruby did come from. Though that didn't really matter because I loved her as family all the same, and I would have it any other way. Sisters gotta stick together after all, but... I abandoned her... did I not? I've been gone for I don't even know how long... it is still unclear to me. I didn't know where she was. If she was safe or hurt or... wherein this "wasteland". There were wild raiders running around everywhere and I had left her all alone to face it all by herself. IM A HORRIBLE SISTER!!! "Hey what's wrong?" Getting gently nudged on the shoulder by my new companion. My now one and only companion. Did I really lose everything in an instant? Possibly but I didn't know for sure even though it did sure feel that way though. I had to turn away from her caring eyes. They were just something I couldn't bring myself to meet. They reminded me of Ruby by so much... the intentions behind those eyes. Care. And I hated it! So this wasteland really was Hell. And now I'm here for all the sins I have committed. Is this place just really here to torture and torment me? I believe so. But maybe, just maybe, I could turn this Hell into Heaven. In all do time of course. In all do time... My answer was vague, "Oh... yeah, just remembered something. That's all." I brushed off Peaches concern. "No hard feeling Wastelander!" Peaches beamed sticking her tongue out at me playfully trying to lighten my dire mood. Rolling my eyes at her trying to be likable I try to resume a productive conversation that would give me valuable information. "So, Enclave. What's your rank, peach mare?" "Easy!" Peaches beamed, "I'm a Corporal!" With her response she placed a hoof over her chest that was swelling with pride, her face now doing a dorky smile, she extended her wings out from her sides majestically. Taking me a moment to look over the peach-colored mare. A small filly's laughter echoed around us, which went unnoticed by Peaches. "Look Rosey an Angel!" The filly squeed excitedly. -"And if I'm lucky, I'll even get to the rank of Sergeant!" Peaches stated loudly with passion behind her words. "If I don't die that is..." Her prideful stance wained visibly. "Anyway... thanks for the save back when we met. For not leaving me behind back there, trapped inside my power armor." Peaches blushed looking away. "Kinda embarrassing. I was in my Ground Infantry model of APA short for Advanced.Power.Armor. I just can't get over the fact that we were taken down so easily." Briefly, she went quiet, groaning the phrase in dismay, "my CO is going to chew me out for losing my equipment.. especially my power armor. My Dad's going to kill me." I chuckled openly at her dissatisfaction to return to her "Enclave" erm... place. I knew what she meant by CO because when I was younger the company of mercenaries that I was in told stories from their past. One of the things I learned was what CO meant. It was quite simple actually. It really just meant "Commanding Officer". "Maybe that's why you should be like me. A Lone Wolf. Doing what you want, whenever you want," I explained nodding my head fluidly. "Do you follow?" I cocked my head to the side. Peaches nodded glumly. Oh no. MARES! AND THEIR SADNESS! It's like a plague I swear! Making me feel like shit. Only my sister had exclusive rights to that! And I didn't care if she made me feel sad! I loved my sister with all my heart! Family over strangers! ALWAYS! "Stop that," I commanded smoothly, yet held back the bite in my words. I sounded like an upset, annoyed, angsty teenager. Celestia damn it! I'm not good at talking to random ponys! I'm not a social pony! It was always either the job and my sister. Peaches gave a sad, confused look in my direction. "Stop what Rose?" "Being all moody. It's... distracting! Don't do that." I said patting her on the head awkwardly as we walked. Face turning red, Peaches pulled away a hoof's reach away, out of my head patting range. "I'm not moody! Besides, it's just so depressing without any sun down here..." The pegasus trailed off meekly. I face hoofed when she had just admitted to being moody. The keyword being [depressing] and the phrase [it's just so depressing]. It was simply breaking down her response. "I like being up there." Peaches pointed up towards the grey clouds floating above. "At home, where the sun shines and everypony doesn't have to worry about raiders and other ponys possibly starting some evil crime." "Pegasi are immune to becoming raiders?" I asked skeptically at their being no crime up above the clouds. "Well, not raiders necessarily... more like robbers but they aren't as bad as the ponys down here. They sometimes kill. Murders, rapists, robbers yeah we got some, but they are tame compared to the ponys down here. Ponys down here... are not all that right in the head. More so than the pegasi up there." She pointed up with her wings for emphasis. I learned to have accepted it. But, Ruby, I abandoned her. Now I'm going insane seeing memories and apparitions of her and it all feels so real! Like a movie reel! You know how you use your imagination and you know that what you're doing is fake. But I don't know if what I'm thinking up is my own doing or somepony else doing. My little sister was my main objective. To see her again even if she really was nothing but bones and ash. I had told her that I would have been gone for a week or two and not to worry. But I could see how wrong I was. Looking all around me was sand, dirt, rubble, blood, and changed ponys. This world wasn't how I remembered it. Ponys were either savage like those raiders. Or were militarized like Peaches and even that other faction that was the "Brotherhood". What has our world come to? I turned away from the pegasus uncomfortably ashamed by the way I had acted back at the school, I still couldn't over the fact that I had hit her for something so small, there was always a better way to handle a situation like that. Not good around other ponys. "An-nyw-ways why is the sky covered in cloud?" The only reason why I asked that question was that 1: I was curious & 2: I wanted to stop thinking about personal conflict. Taken by surprise Peaches started talking about stars instead of the cloud cover, that I dubbed the "Snow Blanket" it covered the entire sky as far as I could see. Shunning the sun away from us dirt dwellers below. "The stars, they're the most beautiful things I've ever seen." "What about the clouds? Why is it blocking out the sun?" That was something that had been bothering me for quite some time. "What is it? And don't try to change the subject missy." I said sternly. Was the creation of that cloud clover really complex? I really didn't see what the big deal was. I didn't know how to feel about that now cautious look she was giving me. "It was just a question." I muttered, expecting not to get an answer out of my feathery companion. "We covered the sky." Peaches answered simply, yet so vague at the same time. I wanted to know more so I asked, "who do you mean by 'we'? And why cover the sky? That doesn't make a lick of sense." And now I'm talking weird. Overall I was curious to know what had happened while I was frozen/asleep either or, is a valid answer. "You mean you don't know?" Peaches asked questioningly before her face became one of shock. "Oh! Yeah, you're an uneducated Wastelander! You see, after the war-" Hearing that short simple phrase caused my heart to stop in my chest. "after the war". I tripped over my hooves falling over. "-Oh my gosh are you okay?!" Peaches asked deeply concerned helping me back up to my hooves. "A-after?" I asked for clarification shocked. I felt so weak like I would fall apart at any second. "Are you okay?" Peaches asked concerned once again, except this time she wrapped her wings around me to console me. "Hey, what's wrong? You can tell me, please, I want to help." After? Why? How? When? These were the questions swarming my thoughts. I just couldn't wrap my head around it all. This just wasn't making any sense. "Why are you acting like this? Is it something I said?" The Enclave mare asked taking me down to the ground with her so that we could both sit down. "How long was I gone?" I whispered to myself. Peaches must have heard me because she became quiet. ***** It bothered me to know that these mass atrocities were committed during the end of the war while I was, so graciously put under. And for some odd reason, I somehow felt responsible for it ending so poorly, like if I had something to do with it. And finding out about how many years I had been away... it crushed me... After a while of sitting down in the calming embrace of the peach-colored pegasus, I got moving unsteadily. We were here standing in front of the old and decaying Super Duper Mart. I seemed to have lost my sense of purpose my stance when I would walk making it clear. My world felt like it was crumbling in around me. What was I doing? I felt like keeling over and dying. I felt like just going asleep forever and never waking up. I felt useless. Worthless... the only reason I was still standing was because I had one pony who currently needed me, and that pony was Peaches. She was the reason for me still standing. And she needed me. Just by looking at her, I knew she wouldn't last a day out here without me. She oddly reminded me of my sister. That's probably why I felt so close to her. Like if I knew her already. The Super Duper Mart was exact place we needed to scavenge for food. Because I would prefer to not eat ponys thank you very much. That was just disgusting and plain wrong. Besides... why would somepony eat the flesh of a fellow pony? Meat is disgusting and is what only bad ponys do! "Do you think they got fish in there?" Peaches asked me suddenly "That can wait," I said abruptly successfully shutting her up. "Right now, we need to make sure that this place's rid of possible hostiles." After my command, she gave me a serious expression along with a slight nod of her head, silently agreeing. We didn't know if we were completely safe out here. Anything could happen in this hostile world. I remember when Equestria was full of peace. ***** "Da-da-da~ de-la de-la." The blue-maned mare sang as she watered her garden. Her coat was a faded red color. Her mane went down just slightly below her shoulders. She hummed sweetly looking down. "Now you try." She spoke softly nuzzling the small filly on top the head. Who was between her mother's legs. Eagerly the filly grabbed the small water pail that was in front of her, using her mouth. Slowly walking up to a small flower that was lonely in the grass. Beginning to water the small flower with care. "Now, the trick is to water the flower at the roots instead of watering from above sweetie." Looking up at her mom the filly obliged following her mom's instructions, watering the small flower by the roots instead of watering from the top. "Buw why mummy?" The filly asked cutely. "Because all flowers have roots remember?" The filly nodded her head following along. "So the roots are like itty-bitty straws, that suck up water and nutrients. Nutrients are food that plants get from the dirt." The mom chuckled at the unicorn filly's confusion. "That's enough, you fed the baby flower enough sweetie." The mom said with a knowing smile. "Awww, but baby flowa still hungwy!" The small foal whined. Giggling the motherly mare continued, "Do you really want to give the baby flower a tummy ache?" She asked in a cutesy voice whilst she wore a knowing smirk. The small filly shook her head with an alarmed look. The mare laughed picking up her daughter. "It's lunchtime, let's get some food my little Rose." The mother said kissing the filly repeatedly to the face. Causing the filly to burst out into a fit of giggles. Then full out laughter when she tickled the filly by kissing her neck rubbing her face along it. "Mummy top! You tickle!" The filly squealed loudly. "But mommy loves her little flower! Om-nom-nom." The mother said playfully pretending to eat her daughter who only laughed harder. ***** I smiled fondly at the memory before I was brought to reality when I had almost tripped over a fallen shopping cart. We were going to a do a sweep of the place while looting for anything useful. We would look through the cash registers and loot the golden bits. Storing it within a rotting cardboard box that Peaches forced me to carry on my back. I did most of the carrying while she did most of the looting. It was only fair I guess. Her pegasus eyes were better suited to finding things. Most of the time though, I think Peaches was just hoarding everything. She would tell me "This might be useful later" and "We might need this". Like, come ON! We don't need glass bottles! And we don't need a newspaper! And don't get me started on the burnt books. Which made no sense to me. How could the books be burned if everything else around it wasn't? Peaches the pack rat. So this is how stallions feel when a mare forces them to hold their shopping bags. *Huff* I can officially relate. -After moving away from the front of the store. We moved into the individual isles searching for something useful, but we were mostly met with empty rusting tin cans that littered the store by looters from the past. For the most part, the shelves were picked clean. Except for one ironically can of "peaches" which said Peaches made me hold the peaches. Ha-ha, this is stupid. Since when did I become the servant in this scenario? Damn social skills! This wasteland is making a pussy out of me! Or maybe I was daydreaming and got so happy, I was even starting to act nice. By complying instead of resisting. Then again Ruby made me a pussy... but my sister made me the softest. She was my weakness, yet my powerhouse that pushed me. The reason I fought harder. Each and every day I was going to see her again, and that was a promise. Even if she was nothing more than a pile of bones. A promise is a promise no matter what. Peaches put a hoof to her lips blowing a quiet breeze, "Shhh." Instructing me to be quiet just as I started to hear voices bickering with each other up ahead. We weren't alone and it was likely that there was more than one. I followed close behind the peach colored pegasus. Together we scuttled silently across the floor on the tips of our hooves. Doing our best to remain as silent as possible. Taking care to move around empty bottles and any obstacles that varied in debris. When we were both close enough to hear two ponys converse we stopped, hiding behind a shopping cart. A shopping cart that practically gave us no cover at all since it consisted of holes and gaps that made up the cart. "Are you serious Puma?" The mare that spoke sounded frustrated. "Put... the pre-war cake. DOWN!" The pony ordered sternly. The earth pony that's name was "Puma" currently had a mountain of snack cakes stacked on her back. Her coat was black similar to mine, whilst her mane was also black except her's was longer than mine. Styled in a more feminine way. Meanwhile, my mane style was considered tomcoltish and I accepted the title. "Why? It's free for the taking! Besides, it's not like anyone is going to take this." Puma replied smugly gesturing to her own back that held strawberry flavored snack cakes. You could tell what flavor it was because of the red plastic packaging. Both of the ponys wore black armor and both had their helmets off. The two of them had had gas masks that were colored pitch black. Their uniform just might even rival the enclaves formal black color schemes in armor. They both had 2 pairs of boots. Looking at their battle saddles I see that-wait, they didn't have battle saddles... and they were both earth ponys. So how were they going to use their "M16A4 rifles"? I'm a gun nut and I get it from my dad. But each of them had their rifle's slung over their necks with a sling which was connected to their rifle's so that they could hang. Their secondary pistols were strapped to their chest in a sturdy looking holster so that they could quickly grab with their mouth if they needed too. Not to mention the ammo pouches neatly lined up on the chest. "This food is irradiated you, idiot!" Puma just shrugged in response dumping the snack cakes into her black colored saddle bags. "Your loss Sparta," Puma said smugly, grabbing her helmet placing it on while her goggles were placed on the forehead of her helmet meanwhile the respirator hung near where Puma's muzzle was. Her gas mask and goggles where two different pieces while Sparta's was just a one piece. The unicorn that was "Sparta" rolled her eyes. "Yeah-yeah whatever." Looking at each other, Peaches and I talked without words. The look in our eyes told us everything we needed to know. I was the first one to step out from our "cover" which gave little to no cover having so many openings. The first thing I did was clear my throat, gaining their attention. Startled they both drew their weapons towards me. "Hello, who are you two anyway?" My question came out quick and was straight to the point. "Who are we? Who are you?!" Sparta growled towards me, with her 1911 pistol held tightly in her mouth. This mare wasn't being too friendly towards me. Not that I really cared what others aggressively asked me, but sometimes you need to teach ponys how to respect others. Also, I had Peaches life on the line as well. I was responsible for her health while she was serving under me. Respect meant a lot to me. Now the dangers of that mare holding the 1911 pistol is that it's a pretty good gun and nice to look at. Well, as long as you don't count the magazine capacity... it's quite small, and you have to constantly clean the weapon often with care if you plan to use it for very long. I remember my dad always wanted one, but he stuck to his "Luger P08" but you know, he just called it a "Luger". But the sights for it were trash, my dad had to mod his to make his own better. Then there was my grandpa's "Mauser C96" now it's damage as a pistol was legendary! It was intriguing to see the inner workings of that gun. Too bad I don't have one... but HEY! A Plasma Rifle beats both of those guns combined! Except... I kinda prefer bullets. It's probably just the nostalgia of me and my family always using bullet based weapons. Besides, this plasma weapon is kinda, overpowered. And don't get me started on the smell! The scent of burnt flesh isn't very appealing. I can tell you that much. The pony who's name was Puma holstered her weapon calmly. This weapon is a "Beretta 92F" to be exact. It was alright to look at, an "okay" in design. Now, this weapon used 9mm ammunition. That gun was easy to disassemble, I've used that weapon myself a few time before. It was a cheap gun to buy. Well, by cheap I mean like at a discount price... used by the content of Solace were many of the great nations were located, but Solace also used many other pistols that were created as competition between each other. A gun that was now being sold to the public so that they could make some room for newer better pistols. Having relics from war was like a dream come true. Collecting old war weapons showing off my impressive collection to the other mercenaries that accepted me into their group and little Ruby too. Soon I would be able to buy the best weapons money could buy. Even if I had to get those weapons from the black market. "What do you want Wastelander?" The calm Puma asked me like a normal pony. Before I could respond, Peaches too came out of her hiding spot standing tall beside me. "Wastelanders." Puma corrected herself. "We were just looking for food... that you seem to be hoarding all for yourself." I point towards her accusingly. Face heating up Puma laughed nervously, "Yeah about that!" Rubbing her face embarrassed, but before I could go further and make her feel more guilty, Sparta, her friend came to her aid. Stomping an annoyed hoof Sparta looked frustrated. "Names! NOW!" She demanded aggressively her tail rising angrily, it looked like a viper getting ready to strike at a moments notice. Since my HUD was in my vision synced with my body. It was easy to see my E.F.S. which told me that she was becoming hostile, yet becoming friendly at the same time? Her green rectangular block was flickering from green to red repeatedly. Which meant I had to act fast to avoid a conflict. I didn't want to get into a gunfight and get Peaches killed or even myself! "Calm down, we're not going to hurt you," I say doing my best to ease the twitchy mare. Didn't want to have a firefight for something this stupid if I could help it. -Peaches examined her hoof as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. She even began to whistle a little tune. Ignoring the grown-ups talking. "Come on Sparta. I'll just give them some food and they can be on their merry way and we can be on ours." Puma suggested not wanting this situation to shift straight into a violent one. Even placing a hoof on her comrade's shoulder. "It doesn't have to come to this... there's always a better way." "Yeah what she said," Peaches muttered uncomfortably. So she was paying attention... good to know. Grunting the earth pony named Sparta agreed, yet she continued to watch us cautiously. Puma gave us some snack cakes, then the duo said their goodbyes and left. Peaches was the smarter one of our duo. Group. Thingie. Ish. Somethings I was smarter at and somethings she was smarter than me at certain things. Finding two worn saddlebags for her and myself, so that we would have a better way of storing our supplies. A better alternative than having a cardboard box stuck to your back holding your belongings... how embarrassing. We dumped an equal amount of weight to help lighten the burden of our loads. Thank you Pip-buck. Yeah, my leg mounted computer helped a lot. It's very good at weighing things I can tell you that much. Continuing our search for supplies. Since we would never know when we would get another chance to restock on supplies again. A shame it was not being able to get more information on the whereabouts of some remnants of civilization. It just made me wonder, had all of the civilization turned into military factions? Let's see here... we got the Enclave, Brotherhood, and whatever those two ponys that let us go were and raiders. Possibly? Where raiders a military faction? More of a militia. They were both decked out in gear, so they must be some more military ponys. Unless they were mercenaries that I could possibly join up with? It could be possible... I suppose. Moving to the back storage room. Where we were lucky enough, to find more supplies. From food to medicine. But, there wasn't a lot to scavenge. Other ponys had the same idea in the past. Probably looting when this place became the way it is now... ponys most have gone crazy... looting, killing, and much, much, worse. There was little supply of anything left. "Hey look what I found," Peaches chirped curiously in my direction waving me over. Curious I came over. "Whatcha find?" No words were to be said when I saw what she found so interesting. It was an ugly, rotting, smelly, looking pony that was, very dead. "I know right, uuugglyyyyyyy~" Peaches sang bumping her shoulder with mine. The pony looked almost unrecognizable. Its coat was missing most of its fur except for a few select patches. This pony had little to no fur anymore! And don't get me started on the mane and tail. Most of that was gone, this pony corpse was balding. Ewww. "I wonder what happened to this pony," I said aloud since I didn't know what else to possibly say. "Probably died from the fallout with all those harmful particle thingies." Peaches suggested. "Didn't know that it would sorta mummified ponys though. Kinda weird that the pony in that school were all bones, but here this thing." She pointed to the rotting corpse. "Is a rotting poop." Peaches finished dumbly. "Or maybe this pony died recently. Like maybe a few months ago? It couldn't be too recent and those two we saw earlier couldn't have done it. They didn't want trouble." Peaches snorted, "That mare with the anger issues didn't seem to care she wanted trouble." Shaking my head, disagreeing. "No, she was just suspicious. That pony, Sparta was just looking after her friend. Why don't you think she started firing when she had the chance?" "Because... uh... good point?" Peaches muttered turning away from me. "She didn't want to risk starting a fight and having her friend injured or worse. Killed." I finished explaining my analysis bumping Peaches shoulder with a hoof. "Why upset? Mad that I proved you wrong?" Smirking smugly at Peaches silence. "No actually, I was trying to open up this floor door thing." Peaches said moving aside gesturing towards two heavy metal looking cellar doors. There was a chain wrapped around the handles with a silver master lock, locking the chain in place. "Pegasi." I scoffed sarcastically rolling my eyes. "Let the pro's handle this." "Sure, whatever, you do that." Peaches rolled her eyes as well. Not caring about my little teasing jab at her pride. Now we didn't have have a key to unlock it, and we also didn't have anything to pick the lock. No bobby-pins, and no screwdriver, and no lock picking tools. I don't even think you could pick a lock of this kind, but I preferred it that way. Using my magic, by stuffing the locking mechanism with my aura. I was going to bust this lock open by ripping it apart from the inside out. "Pretty..." The pegasus commented craning her neck in to get a better look at my magic at work. She looked like a giraffe it was cute. "That's the power of magic for yea-." Before I could finish my companion cut me off. "Ugly,pretty ugly." She smiled back at me poking fun at my pride. A pegasi's pride is their wings while a unicorn's pride is their horn and an earth pony... that would be their strength... and whatever makes you as a pony would be your pride. At least that's what I think anyway. Don't quote me, I could be wrong. Yeah, that's something I don't like is when ponys do that. Quote me. Because sometimes I find flaws in my previous statement, and sometimes don't even believe what I'm saying. So, I change it. But, no one else knows that except yourself, and they won't even give you a chance to defend yourself if they disagree with you. A soft clicking sound was heard when the master lock released it's locked hold on the chain. Throwing the chain and lock aside I threw the two metal cellar doors wide open. "HEY ROSE!" A teen Ruby wearing a red dress jumped out of the dark cellar scaring the shit out of me. My back slammed against the cold concrete floor, and not to mention the back of my head as well. My vision blurred from the sudden impact, whilst my ears were ringing. I think I had a concussion. A blur of peach towered over me. "Heeeey are you okay?!" Peaches asked alarmed. She came into focus and out. Sort of like some camera that was having trouble focusing on the picture. Gurgling for a few seconds words finally were able to escape my lips. "Whhhhaaaatt haaaaapppppeennneeddd?" My brain felt like it was split in two like an egg ready to be made into an omelet. Just thank Luna that my brain didn't feel scrambled. Wait are omelets even scrambled? My brain probably is scrabbled if I can't even remember that much... "I could ask you the same thing." Peaches said with her face full of concern. Come on don't give me that. Uncomfortably I sat up with the help from peaches to see nopony there. It was just us two. I was seeing things it would seem... and my HUD wasn't helping any better static was getting worse... was my Pip-buck malfunctioning? What is even happening? Never had a Pip-buck before so I didn't understand what was happening. Why am I always shit out of luck? Getting up back on my hooves shakily I shook my head quickly regretting it when a head-splitting headache came back full force. "N-nothing just, just, just forget about it," I repeated grinding my teeth together in pain. "Just got jumpy that's all." Peaches did something that I didn't expect to happen, she scowled at me in a not so friendly way. It almost wanted me to cower into a corner in fear. Almost. "Why are you lying?" My winged companion asked me dangerously, eyes narrowing. "I'm not lying. I just don't want to tell..." my reply came out sounding lame. Puffing her cheeks out, Peaches opened her mouth about to retort but I cut her off. "I wonder what's down there." I pointed down towards the cellar. How did I know it was cellar? Well, two things. Common sense and my Pip-buck told me where the door would lead me. How did the Pip-buck know? I don't know, magic? Then a thought ran through my mind, but first I entered the cellar. Didn't like her asking questions. "Now, time for you finish telling me how 'we' covered the sky. And who is 'we' anyway? You only told me that the war ended my total annihilation by bombs but what happened next?" Peaches followed me too into the deep inky black abyss that was the cellar. Activating the amber light that came from my Pip-buck to illuminate our surroundings. To see another rotting pony corpse. The floor was dirt while the walls around us were concrete. The only light source was coming from my Pip-buck. Rusty metal shelves and crates lined up against the walls. Now I was curious to see what was inside the crates. The shelves had tools and stuff like duct tape and glue, lame stuff. But it did remind me when I would try to build my own weapons as a small filly. My wooden plank rifle would shoot out rubber bands. "Um, why do you want to know so bad?" Peaches asked uncomfortably brushing her right foreleg against her left foreleg. Poking the smelly corpse with interest, "Because I want to find out what happened to my world. Is it really so wrong for me to want to know?" I reason back. "Well, when you put it like that. It kinda makes sense." Sighing loudly Peaches began her exposition. "To start with your question on 'we'. By that, I mean us pegasi. We covered up the sky." Quirking a brow I gave her a questioning gaze wanting her to go on. She looked down at the rotten pony corpse. "We did it to hide from zebras. After they had successfully bombed Cloudsdale." She spoke slow somberly. "In our haste, we shut out all the other ponys down below. We couldn't risk getting targeted next, so we hid in the sky. Using the infamous cloud cover as a smokescreen of sorts. The zebras couldn't shoot something they couldn't see. And now we're making our come back to help you grounded ponys since we are at full strength while all of you are divided. We are united. We as pegasi well make things right." Just when I was about to respond to her explanation a loud feral scream echoed throughout the entire cellar. Confused I looked down the dark corridor shooting a stray plasma shot. So that I could get a look at this screamer. Now the green light passed over several rotting corpses but the thing that shocked me the most was that they were all standing! "Oh shit," I muttered jaw-droppingly. "If you have a god I'd start praying!" Peaches shouted frightened by the sudden cries for blood. Beside me throwing a plasma grenade down the narrow dark corridor. The sound of scampering hooves scared the hope out from under us. The grenade exploded into a green light show. Melting limbs off the rotting beasts that were once ponys. Some of the metal containers in the cellar with us were melted as well, revealing their trapped contents within. Then Peaches cried out in pain when the rotting pony that laid beside us latched its disgusting jaw onto her right foreleg. She pulled her leg away causing more flesh to get ripped off in the process. The sweet red nectar leaked out of the injury. Causing the Enclave soldier to start crying. "I don't want to die!" She cried helplessly not having any other weapon except for a knife and a few plasma grenades but she was currently in shock. Acting out on instinct I used my magic to force the zombie's jaw open wide, while I fired shots down the deep dark corridor with my plasma rifle. Peaches yelped jumping back clutching her bleeding foreleg hugging it whilst she cried loudly. Making my heart feel heavy with guilt. I've seen enough zombie movies to know where this was going. Now was the part to kill her too right? She was going to turn into one of those things! I don't want to be zombie chow too! Sorry Peachy but you're going to have to go. "I WANT MY MOMMY!" The pegasus wailed loudly causing even more of those monstrosities to follow suit. But lucky for me the area they had to run through was small. The narrow passage in the cellar resembled a bottleneck passage. So thin in fact that the zombie ponys would trample over each other desperately trying to get over to me and the peach mare. That was soon to be zombie. I kept my back to Peaches knowing that once she would have stopped crying she would now be one of them. That was going to be when I would put her out of her misery. "WHY?! I DON'T WANT TO BECOME LIKE THEM!" Using my magic I yanked out a fresh plasma grenade from within Peaches saddle bag. How did I know this would be in there? A lucky guess. So I tossed the grenade into the incoming horde, making sure to press down on the trigger that was on the top at the very tip of the grenade in the process. It exploded into a shockwave of green plasma. More of the zombies getting obliterated turning into a glowing green gooey substance. The words from a stallion echoed through my head as I saw the explosions in slow motion, "Good shot General!" My father's voice echoed within me. I embraced the afterglow of the heat, the cellar's temperature rose greatly especially with the two pockets of heat created by two plasma grenades. In the midst of battle, I didn't notice that I had successfully achieved a melted barrel. I face hoofed. When all was quiet I turned towards my winged companion who was still crying in pain. Time to finish of Peach over here... if I don't do it now... she would surely become a zombie now... and would savagely eat me. She had to go. Sorry angel. I looked over the plasma rifle slowly as I stood right in front of the crying pegasus. I began twisting the barrel of my weapon until it unscrewed off. It was made this way to easily replace common parts. Pointing the now plasma pistol directly in front of Peaches face. This went unnoticed by her since she was in shock, holding her foreleg tightly with her eyes closed leaning back against the wall. But, would killing her really be the best course of action? Surely there was another way? I was supposed to look after her... and now she was bitten. It was already too late to save her. I was always too late... she was going to turn and there was nothing I could do about it. This was my fault. Why is it always my fault?! Why does everypony get hurt around me?! Why everypony else?! Why her?! She didn't deserve this! Nopony does. I've read too many comic books to know what happens next. What's the point of believing in Goddess Luna or Goddess Celestia if whatever they do change nothing? But we met the princess once. It was only one princess. I don't believe, I know. One princess rose the sun and the other rose the moon, and for a time one rose the sun and moon. Also for a time unicorns rose and lowered the sun and moon. Why believe in somepony that couldn't do anything for the better of all of us? How gullible were us ponys? Those goddesses can't do anything now wherever they are! ***** "Rose, do you think I could ever be an angel too?" The sweet voice that was my sister's asked forcing me to stop in my tracks. "B-because... you said angels are beautiful, and uh... you said I was... *cough-cough* beautiful..." Ruby spoke in front of me where Peaches had been and now the background changed. My little sister was now a mare at 16 years old. She was blushing too. "Um... can we go dancing? Who knows... maybe we might find a special somepony." But too me, she would always be a little filly in my eyes, my little sister. Chuckling my past self-rubbed my sister's cheek with a hoof. "You were an angel the day you were born, a heart made of kindness. You are just as great, maybe even better than our goddess." I said closing my eyes hugging her. "Don't you ever forget about me when you find yourself a nice stallion to settle down with sister. "Um, settle down?" Ruby asked confused a cross look forming on her face. In truth, I didn't want her to go out with anypony, but I knew that soon I would have to let her go. Start her own life. I face hoofed, "Alright forget I said anything." She still didn't know how foals were made and I didn't want to explain it to her. It made me uncomfortable. A very touchy subject with me, but I was only alright joking around the subject. Stupid mercs always talk about that shit. Those idiots most of the time, don't care. Most have no honor. That was why I was going to change that. I was an honorable mercenary. My sister nuzzled my face, "You're quite the guardian angel yourself. Always looking out for me." She giggled letting me go, backing away. Turning around going through a suitcase. We used suitcases often because we moved from place to place. My mercenary work was the main reason for us moving. Ruby didn't have many friends, actually, she didn't have any friends at all. I was her only sister, so there was no need for friends. We were very isolated from other ponys. And I liked it that way. Didn't want anypony hurting her, at all. But in the end, that's what would end up happening? I don't know... I left her behind now. "So, are we going out to dance tomorrow?" Ruby asked pulling out a brush from her suitcase starting to brush her mane, sitting down on the bed. Since we were in a hotel. We left the house together since I take her everywhere with me. We explored Equestria as sisters. Always curious about what we would see next. Every day felt like an adventure. Deep in thought, I nodded my head not really paying attention. "Yeah, sure." She squeed excitedly jumping in place dumping the suitcase's contents onto the bed. I was going to take down a very unlawful stallion tomorrow. Some stallion who thought it was alright taking the law into his own hooves. The pay was great. Dead or Alive the contract said. And the price would be the same for either or. Death was what this pony was going to get. It was far easier. An in and out mission, but nothing never ever went that smooth. Only time would tell. ***** "P-please Luna... gu-uide m-me," I whispered out closing my eyes slowly hearing the crying dying out. Now I was scared to even crack my eyes just a bit open. Had she turned? Would she jump out at me in a jump scare? Did she just bleed out and die? Multiple questions entered and left my head. I didn't know what to think. This was all just happening so fast! "R-r-r-r-o-o-ose... p-p-plea-ase d-d-on't k-kill me." Peaches whimpered out weakly. Opening my eyes I saw Peaches cradling her injured leg protectively. "I-I-I, I don't want to die!" She looked so distraught that it just pulled at my heartstrings. I couldn't leave her like this! I shouldn't have done that! I pulled the gun down stuffing it back into my saddlebags. What was I doing? Why would I threaten my own comrade with a weapon? She trusted me! "Hey, no I wasn't going to hurt you," I said taking a step closer only for her to cower away whimpering in fear. I've gone and done it this time! I should have had least helped her enjoy those last few moments of life before she eventually turned into a mindless zombie. That was a sensible thing to do, wasn't it? She continued to protest but I forced her to lay on my back. I carried her deeper into the cellar. Finding a gap in the wall. So this is where those monsters came from. Huh. Since I cleared out most of the beasts. Doing the sensible thing I think. I made my way through there. My thought process told me that since those zombie creatures were attracted to noise, as far as I know. Because when one zombie howled. More of its disgusting kind came. Unless they smelled our fresh meat? I don't know these were just theories on the observations I took. But, it sucked knowing that zombies exist now in our world and not just in movies. Was never really fond of such creatures. I liked to do the decapitating myself not the other way around. -Dark, dark, tunnels. That's what we went through. Coming across Nemours rats scampering through the tunnels. "Come on talk to me," I begged the mare on my back that was crying like a little filly. "How can a soldier like you be crying over something like this?" This was my attempt to baiting her into a conversation. Peaches kept crying while I continued running through the dark tunnels. When another zombie jumped out at me from the darkness ahead. All I saw was a disfigured pony lunged at me throwing its whole body at me. Trying to tackle me. Acting on instinct I grabbed the rotting meat bag in my magic and throwing the zombie into a wall beside me breaking its neck killing it instantly. To think that this monster was once a pony was unheard of. So real... it left a bad afterthought in my head. Was it morally wrong to kill these things? No. It was either them or us/me. Peaches was done for already. That was a given. Just thinking about it made me grind my teeth uncomfortably. Don't think about it. That's future Midnight Rose's problem. Present Midnight Rose needs to get out of here. I jumped down into a hole that led into another cavern. Continuing my run that became very boring and uneventful. Until a small light was ahead of the tunnel I was just in. When I was close enough I saw a small like I mean small hole. "Peachy come on, talk to me." I gave her a pet name to try to ease her nerves sitting beside the small opening, setting my companion down beside me. "Please?" Inching closer desperately wanting her to understand that I was sorry. Because without her I would go insane. Well... I'm practically already going insane seeing all this freaky shit, and now my past coming back to haunt me isn't very fun. "Just give up!" A mare's voice thundered throughout the bleak black abyss that we had come from. The ground shook beneath us as the walls shook dirt, causing some to fall from the ceiling. This place looked like it was about to cave in! From all the dirt falling I was starting to panic. Now this voice startled me causing me to jump scaring the pegasus beside me. She squeaked flapping her wings that annoyingly enough slapped me in the face with, and the voice was now gone. The Equis stopped shaking, the dirt stopped falling, but my heart continued beating, I was still alive. "Why did you do that?! YOU SCARED ME!" The Enclave soldier barked towards me punching me in the face. And let me tell you. I should have really seen that one coming. And I kinda deserved that. Her punch literally rocked my head since her hit launched my face into the dirt wall. I think I broke something. Hearing a crunch wasn't very comforting to hear, but when I grabbed my bearings. I was relieved to find my horn okay, running a hoof along my horn shivering from the contact. I really didn't like touching myself like this... especially in front of somepony else! This was the equivalent of masturbating! And was only okay to use specialized equipment in spas'. A memory of myself little dealing with my horn began to appear in my head but I quickly shut it down changing the subject. Now, where did the crunch come from? I checked my face over running my hooves across it. Surprised that I was unable to find the source of the crunch I turned my head to face a scowling Peaches who still had tears streaming down her cheeks. She looked angry and scared at the same time. "Why would you betray me like that?! You were planning on killing me! Weren't you?!" She accused quite accurately. Her words stabbed my pride deeply. It felt as if she had a knife and plunged it deep into my chest. Opening my mouth that now felt drily unable to answer. So, I closed it. Damn your mouth! I never liked you anyway! Mentally in my head, I screamed in frustration. Why couldn't I talk to other ponys?! Mercenaries where easy to talk too. So why couldn't I talk to Peaches? Probably because I don't really apologize to others? Mare, this sucks. I looked down ashamed for my previous actions. All this was just too much to take in all at once. "TELL ME!" Peaches demanded an answer. She puffed her cheeks out in rage face turning red as a tomato. I had to look away to stop myself from laughing at how adorable some ponys could be when they were angry. Ruby was always cute when she got upset but she never got angry. My little sis was either disappointed or upset. Those were the negative emotions. She looked the most adorable when she was either happy or crying... okay, that might sound a little weird but the opportunity to comfort her and win affection for being there for her was the most rewarding. Seeing her smile was what made killing ponys worth it... I remember when soldiers and killers would say. Once you saw your victims face it was over for you. From then on, till the end of your days, you would be forever haunted by those you've murdered. But, when I scored my first kill by gunning down a police officer or swat. I felt bad for a bit but I gradually got over it. There wasn't any emotional attachment between us. He was the one between me and the money that could be used to feed my little innocent sister. I wanted to keep her innocent for as long as I could. I really disliked the idea of prostitution, and to think that in pony culture that getting one's cutie mark in that was acceptable? How stupid where ponys? Everypony in my eyes were blinded by their destinies. My cutie mark told me that I was good at combat. That I could overcome any battle as long as I didn't give up. Hope was meaningless to me now. There was no hope. Because there was no future for me. Or for somepony else. Never really did think long term, that what Ruby was for after all. All these things I keep making up. Goals. Fake goals. Do I really think I could build an empire to free ponys from this hellish nightmare? No. Do I really think I can overcome all of this alone? No. Would losing Peaches my one and only friend destroy me? Well? Yes or No? My mind refused to answer. I liked to tell myself "No" but then, why was I feeling more in favor of "Yes"? Is this what having nothing to fight for feels like? Always thinking about the present that I forgot to plan ahead for the future. How could I have been this dumb? I placed my head in my hooves shaking my head. I got slapped again getting my head out of the clouds was Peaches, holding my face in her hooves glaring daggers deep into my soul. "WELL?! GOT ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF?!" She barked louder than an Equestrian Drill Sergeant! "I'm sorry... I-" Just as I was trying to apologize she punched me again bruising my cheek. Why didn't I block that? Why did I let myself get hit?! I berated myself. "Hey! Why did you hit me?!" I growled upset at her. Sneering at me the pegasus explained her reasoning, "I didn't hit you! My hoof did!" Peaches shouted sarcastically getting in my face until we were muzzle to muzzle our noses touching together. My confidence was quickly draining from my body from how close we were. Also since I couldn't kill her or want to for that matter, I felt completely helpless. I didn't know what to do in a social affair such as this. "Luna help me," I whispered out actually afraid to meet her gaze so I looked straight down. Now my fear wasn't just directed towards her but the thought of her leaving me. Was that a rational fear? Being alone? But did it really matter? In the end was I just being a big coward? ***** Sitting at my desk as my teacher started a boring lecture on math. You know... easy stuff. Like: Geometry, Algebra, Calculus, and other boring pointless stuff that schools teach because they like being boring. What was my teacher teaching at the moment? I don't know. I just know I'd get the work done. I rested a hoof on my cheek whilst my elbow was firmly planted on my desk. Using it as a bipod to hold my head up. I was so bored I was having trouble staying awake. Eyes steadily growing heavier and heavier losing focus on what the teacher was lecturing about. Just as I was about to drift off peacefully off into the land of dreams. Something pushed my arm holding my head, causing my elbow that was firmly planted on the desk slip. Forcing my body to do this weird jerking motion. My body trying to bend in a weird "U" shape, the key word being "weird" it was odd, to say the least. To bystanders especially since everypony around me burst out laughing. I tried my best to act cool, calm and collected. Stroking my mane trying to act normal. My long mane I always thought was annoying. Since it sometimes got really itchy if I didn't clean it correctly. I had the same mane style like my mom's. Mom forced this style onto me. While my dad in the other hoof had like the coolest mane EVER! It was like- "Midnight Rose, did you fall asleep during my lecture?" The teacher asked me. I hated when they did this. You didn't know if they knew or that they didn't, and why ask when they already know the answer? Trying to see if I'd lie? I see your game here. You want me to play? FINE I'll play! Innocently as I could muster I shook my head. "No, sir. Somepony threw something at me." I lied obviously since I didn't like my teacher. He could shove his meter stick up his flank hole for all I cared. Raising a brow the teacher picked up his signature meter stick that was a yardstick/meter stick I didn't know what to call it so sometimes I call it both of those things. "Who threw something at little Ms. Midnight Rose?" He asked the class. When no one answered he shook his head. "Alright so as I was saying-" He continued his lecture which completely threw me off. Wasn't he going to get somepony and at least blame them for being responsible? Wait something pushed my arm! Somepony pushed me! Why didn't I say that! It could have been a push from a hoof or magic for all I know. This room was all unicorns so I'd have to say magic. The nerve someponys have! "Shut up." The white-coated filly with flowing red mane sitting beside me whispered towards me smugly. Her color scheme was the polar opposite of my own, and so was her attitude. She was a bucking bitch. How did I know that bad word? The word "bitch"? My dad, he made a lot of jokes he's funny, but mom kicks his flank whenever she catches him saying words like that. Then she tells him: "You're aren't getting any tonight," like whatever that means. Then he whimpers giving her the cute eyes that all ponys give when they're begging for something. Like when my dad and I go to the gun shop, and I ask for kevlar armor, but he surprised me instead with his uniform giving it to me. His cadet combat armor that he trained in when he was my age. The armor he gave me was way cooler because it was my dad's! And now I was wearing it! So it made it even greater! "What do you want?" I whispered back to her with a scowl. At the same time keeping my eyes trained on our teacher. Making sure that he doesn't spot me talking to her. She giggled softly that made me on edge. "Oh you know... the typical day for you. Ugly negro." She grinned widely. Whilst I glared at her. ***After * Class*** My body ached but I kept up the illusion that none of it hurt me. Resisting the urge to shake or breath heavily. If they heard me out of breath they might strike. So, if I acted like I wasn't tired at all. They might think that I was still in fighting shape. Only if I was lucky. But you know a broken nose kinda made it hard to look intimidating. Tears wanted to brim in my eyes but I had to suck it up and look angry. "Just give up already!" Little Ms. Bitch screamed sitting in a swing. Swinging back and forth annoyed be me not giving up. "Take her down, or no candy for the rest of you!" Hearing that there could be a reward. Some of the other children had a short boost of motivation, but before they could get time to think it over. I struck first throwing a punch here throwing a buck there. Hearing the first crunch of bone in my life. Then crying. I made a colt cry. He cried loudly holding his hoof but I didn't care. They all deserved worse than what they got! In my mental blind rage-filled rant, I didn't pay attention to getting bucked in the gut tossing me into the air. Then slamming into a metal beam beside Ms. Filly Bitch. This time I actually stayed down. My back hurt. . . so much in fact that I had to stay down. To not show everypony else that I was crying. Because tough ponys don't cry! I was shaking on the floor my bruised back burned. Everypony laughed at me, "Did you see me buck that stupid filly?!" A colt named Hard Hitter cheered giving a high hoof to one of his pals. "You scored a touch down with that one Hard Hitter!" His friend cheered. Hearing the swing stop making it's eerie whines that it made when swung, I heard hooves hop off then walk near me. "Well, well, well, quite the show you put on there Rose." Ms. Bitch gave me a generous kick to the ribs. "Alright let's go get some candy!" I then heard the sound of money being thrown. "Huh? What about you?" Another filly asked confused on why their cruel leader wasn't going with them. Smugly she replied casually, "I'll meet you all there. Me and Negro' Rose here have some unfinished business." She gave me another kick to the ribs for good measure. Forcing me to let out another gasp of pain my shaking intensifying. Shrugging they all left the school playground that was now abandoned leaving me alone with. . . her. . . "Up." She said demanding me to move. But in my condition, I didn't even think I could if I wanted to. "I said UP!" She shouted kicking me in the stomach. Causing me to cry out in pain. Pony kicks were weird. Kicks only work either when you kick back or to the side. If in the air you would have more maneuverability. Being able to swing your body and legs in any which direction. But, let me tell you: I hate getting kicked. The safest thing to do is never get behind somepony. Because a hind leg kick is what hurts them more than any punch could. Begrudgingly I got up with my eyes closed. I didn't want to show her that I am crying. "Oh don't be like that." Ms. Bitch giggled nuzzling my cheek, violating my personal space. "Come on go into the castle, it's just going to be me and you." She hugged me making me freeze up. "Now move your cute flanks over there, or I'm going to make you." She whispered into my ear biting the tip of it. Causing my other ear to flick uncomfortably. Now I had no choice I couldn't run. I couldn't so much as move. The adrenaline in my body was dying down. My body now felt like a heavy unmoving rock. I started to get up slowly shaking on weak hooves. I felt completely at the mercy of her hooves. "Faster!" She commanded kicking my leg making me tumble to the ground. I was going to get up again but instead, she used her magic dragging me over the playground floor as punishment. But who is to say that she wouldn't have just done that anyway? When we were both alone in the "castle" that was made of plastic, metal, and some other materials that I didn't know. But one thing was for certain that it hid us from view. Nopony could see in or out. The perfect place to do despicable. What was she planning? This place was about the size of my restroom which wasn't very big. This place was more empty of anything but filled with space. I got roughly shoved into a wall which made me cry out in pain. "Now we can get started! Negro, dirt pony, lover." She hissed getting right in my face. I kept my eyes shut not wanting to look at her. The only reason I knew she was this close was that, her voice and her warm breath that tickled my face. "Open your eyes!" She shouted causing me to flinch instinctively refusing to meet her demands. "Come. . . on. . . we're friends! Remember?!" She chuckled nuzzling my face. I wanted to groan at how disgusted I was from her touch. In truth, we were once friends. She was my only friend and I was only hers. We stuck together until she changed. Or was always this cruel. Most unicorns were to earth ponys. Every pony race just seemed to spit on them. They were like the butt of every joke the lowest of the low. The lowest social class. The only other ponys that knew their pain were the bat ponys. But, saying "bat ponys' is racist. You had to say "Threstal", "Thestral"? Yeah, I don't know how you say it. My mind can't really remember with this filly in my face. Her name was Morning Star. Power Corrupts. After her family got rich after winning a lottery she's been snobby ever since. Who knows, I could be wrong, I'm not perfect. Especially when she found out about my sister. When she first heard that I had a sister she got excited, but when she met her she got furious. I was so scared that she might hurt Ruby that I ended our friendship before it could come to that. Even mom agreed, refusing to take Ruby to school in fear that somepony might hurt her. So mom homeschool Ruby. We were actually kinda moving somewhere else. Maybe to the crystal empire, or maybe Prance, or maybe even Appaloosa where earth ponys were common. The earth ponys there had a reputation for being kind-hearted folks. "HEY! PAY ATTENTION TO ME!" Morning Star screamed in my face angrily. Her face contorted in rage. As if catching herself trying to calm herself down she got away from me pacing across from me. Taking deep steady breaths trying to calm her nerves. After a while of silent pacing and the white redhead filly muttering to herself. She came right back on over to me, fixing her mane as she did so. Sighing she got close to me even hugging me. "Negro' Rose." Morning Star inched her face closer to mine narrowing her eyes. "Do you know why I brought you here? Don't you remember what this place was? To us?" Now I don't remember much. Or what had happened after that. I've seemed to have forgotten, but what I do know is that she was crying. And now I was mad. That was all I remember. I know I didn't hit her or anything like that. But it bugs me to this day. What happened? What did I say? What did she say? I don't even know what she was talking about. Did we use that place when we were close friends? Is it sad that I don't remember at least that much? I should probably feel ashamed for forgetting. ***** I opened my eyes to be greeted with the same old mad Peaches. What was I supposed to say? I broke her trust. Wait. She trusted me? I said I would kill her! Then why is she trying to hurt me? Did I hurt her with the thought of killing her? Did she want to die? Did the bite override her fear or was it betrayal? "When I do something wrong. The best thing to say is that I'm sorry." Ruby said beside me staring directly into the wall that I had my back against for some reason, she wasn't even looking at me this time. Completely different from what she usually did. So I just ignored her sense of direction but taking her message to heart. Ruby was good at being a good example of a pony. Wait what? Ruby's here again? But after I finished blinking she was gone. Typical insane people. I was losing it. "Um... Peachy?" I slowly drawled out hoping that it was okay to use the pet name I gave her earlier. Trying to drain away her killer attitude towards me. I didn't want to hurt her, and I didn't want her hurting me. Besides I needed her, she was crucial to my survival of sanity. Snarling in my face she punched me again this time knocking me to the floor. Again... I deserved that. "DON'T CALL ME PEACHY YOU UGLY FAT MAGGOT!" She screamed at me. The irony, she was anything but peachy! Was that supposed to be an insult? Like, come on. You could do better than that! Like my bully called me worse things than that! Like: hoarse, slut, cum sock, cum rag, filly dish, cum muncher, meat taker, stick lover, cream lover, fucker, filly licker, condom tasting uh... yeah, half1 of those insults I don't even know what Morning Star meant by them. I needed a bully translator for that. But nah... waste of money that would be so I took those name in stride. No, actually those insults didn't anger me. What angered me was that I didn't know what those insults meant. More than those words hateful meanings. The other children didn't know what she was saying either and just laughed along with her insults in fear. Come on Peaches, fat and ugly? Is that the best insult you have? It was difficult trying to hold back my laughter when she was screaming the dumbest insults I've ever heard. She was so serious! This was rich! "IF I HAD A FACE LIKE YOURS I'D SUE, MY PARENTS!" Alright, watch it, missy! Don't you DARE TALK ABOUT MY PARENTS THAT WAY! Peaches continued her verbal assault. "DO YOU JUST PRACTICE BEING THIS UGLY?! I'VE SEEN SOME PONYS LIKE YOU BUT I HAD TO PAY AN ADMISSION FEE!" Oof my pride. "MIRRORS CAN'T talk." Ah... finally, she's going to calm down now- "Lucky for you, THEY CAN'T LAUGH EITHER!" Are you serious?! Still going at it! I'm not that ugly! Enough was enough I gave this bitch too many chances! "Hey!" I stood up pushing her away to give me some space. "Enough!-" I thought I was going to be able to stop her but she had a different idea in mind instead of peace. "You're the reason the gene pool needs a lifeguard." Peaches growled scruffing her hoof along the dirt floor, moving dirt around. It looked to have been her getting ready to do a charge attack. "Stop being mean!" I retorted my horn now glowing a dark blue aura with black stars, helping me give off that intimidating vibe. Luna, I sound like a foal saying that! Let me rephrase that. "Stop being a bitch!" Hmm. . . better? Nah I made myself sound cringe-worthy. "YOU ARE SO UGLY THAT YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF GETTING LAID IS TO CRAWL UP A CHICKEN'S BUTT AND WAIT!" She just kept roasting me with these insults. But I got to admit that the last one was pretty good. But I had to get through to her. Maybe... what if I cut her infected leg off? Then she could live! Besides what's the point of walking when you had wings! Genius! "Calm down Peaches, I'm sorry okay! Are we good? I thought we were friends!" I stomped a hoof to enforce my statement. "If I meant to kill you like I said, then you wouldn't be alive right here, right now," I reasoned. Which actually caused her to stop and think. "You stupid potato." My friend weakly insulted me, so I must have been doing something right. Now, what was I supposed to do now? I had her this close to coming back to my side. How would I give her that extra push to bring her back to friendly? So I waited for an answer hoping Ruby would come back. I waited and waited yet she didn't come to the rescue as I thought she would. Why couldn't my insanity at least be useful for once?! Forced to do something and quick before the good side of this conversation loses it's momentum and turns back towards tragic. Time to wing it I guess, so here I go: "Peaches, I'm sorry. I was just scared for you... I didn't want you to suffer. Becoming one of those things is a fate worse than death. Okay. I was just thinking about your own well being. So we good now? Because I really don't want to hurt you, and I'm sure that you didn't mean to hurt me." I chuckled gesturing to my face. I was responsible for her retaliation so no killing. She didn't do this on her own accord. The only reason why she did this was because of me. I created this situation so I was the one to make things right. If things were the other way around, she would be dead. Taking a deep steady breath and losing her charging stance she got into a causal calm stance. Peaches visibly relaxed nodding her head. I let out a breath that I didn't even know that I was holding. "But only on one condition." "Uhmm okay? What is this condition of yours?" I asked just as cautious. "You don't decide my well being! I'm my own pony and my own adult! I make my own decisions! No one decides for me!" Peaches stated her terms. Terms that kinda defeated the purpose of my servant "contract". The debt that she had for me. But was sacrificing a contract really worth friendship? I... Yes, yes it was. I nodded my head, "Sure, you can even be the owner to hold the gun." I said placing the plasma pistol on the floor sliding it over to her. She picked it up cautiously walking over to me with a smile. Then she hugged me even started to cry for whatever reason. I was also relieved to see the static in my vision start to relax slightly stupid faulty Pip-buck. Needed a new one now. It was the problem right? This computer is connected to my nerves system and all that scientific stuff. WAIT! If I can't think for her well being then how could I possibly save her?! "I'm sorry for the names I called you!" She sniffled pressing her face into the crook of my neck. Which tickled me. I literally wanted to shove her face away from my neck. That's how ticklish I was. Making numerous odd faces. She was also being a baby. Like, come on! Who says sorry like that? It sounds so childish! I stroked her back as reassuringly as I could. Only hoping that I didn't come across as creepy. "It's okay. You forgive me and I forgive you." My voice sounded strained but she didn't seem to notice, as she nodded her head nuzzling my neck. Oh LUNA! I wanted to buck her into a wall. My neck itched now! I needed to scratch this! I shuddered nodding my head as well. "Uh-huh-yeah-yup!" I pulled back away from her. "FOLLOW ME!" I said a little too loudly crawling into the tiny hole that a light was coming out from. Once I went through to see the other side I was surprised to find that it had a lot of supplies. But not supplies fit for a pony like me... but maybe for Peaches... "Whoa... is this the basement of a pet shop? Pet store?" Peaches asked after she crawled through after me. Still holding onto her injured leg. -"How would you know that?" Yeah, I was curious. She looked over at me as if I was dumb, "We have stores in the sky you know, we aren't just raised by birth to be soldiers I went to school too. While some pegasi can have a normal civilian life or they can become a soldier. I have a military family so I have two brothers. You see-" Peaches kept going dumping information into my brain lucky for her I'm not an idiot. "-since we're in the sky we have a low limit amount of resources. Civilian families usually have one and rarely two foals. While us military families get two and sometimes three like me! I'm the youngest of my family. And the reason why us military families get an extra foal is because of our low chance of survival. Like my squad down there getting ripped apart by those disgusting dirt ponys. . ." She finished grumbling out her hate towards the shiny metallic power armor ponys that were the "Brotherhood" as far as I knew. "Anyways..." I spoke quietly not wanting her to be mad when she was thinking about her enemies. Else she might just snap at me. Spotting the stairs with a door leading up I went over to it, climbing the stairs then unlocking the door at the top. Just to scout out what was outside and that the door would work. Outside of this basement was a normal store with a broken front door. So that was going to be our quick getaway. Locking the door I crept back down to Peaches who was yet again, hoarding things that we really didn't need. "Are you serious?" I face hoofed. "You never know when we just might need it!" The peach pegasus retorted taking numerous leashes and dog foods. Shaking my head I pushed a shelf to cover the small hole where we had entered with a loud crash, that caused Peaches to squeak and jump in the air. Cursing out about her injured hoof. Now I couldn't cut off her infected leg. But, maybe there was a cure? Then no time to wait! We need to find a doctor! A town! We need more information about this apocalypse. "Peachy you know we don't have much time until you become one of those mindless zombies," I stated stomping a hoof. "And we still haven't treated your leg. We need to find a town and ask if that there could possibly be a cure. You know since it's been such a long time there is bound to be a cure somewhere." "NO! I'm not going to turn into one of those freaks! I'm not that useless!" She argued her eyes starting to water. "It's just a bite! Who knows, what if I'm immune or something!" She looked away from me frightened at the idea. Sighing I tried to ease her mind, "Let's say you are immune to the bite if your leg is infected. Then the infection will kill you." Peaches started crying falling to the floor. Great job dumb ass. Regretfully I looked around finding a medicine cabinet that had the same trio of pink butterflies. Inside were supplies including, rubbing alcohol, antibiotics, and even healing potions that were a healthy blue. I just swooped in and took everything rushing over to Peaches. "Don't worry maybe we can kill the zombie virus with some disinfectants!" I tried my best to cheer her up. Damn socially awkward child! Why was I so stupid?! Even what I said sounded cringy even for a wasteland setting still sounds retarded in my mind. I really just can't grasp the concept. She raised her head out slightly to see what I was doing. "Um, beautiful? Hold out your leg out please." I said trying to ease her nerves. I think I succeeded when she blushed and obliged holding out her injured foreleg which I took. First I applied the rubbing alcohol on the wound which caused her to scream. So loud that I had to cover my ears accidentally spilling the whole bottle on her wound. "SWEET CANDY MUFFINS!" She screamed crying from the pain. When she was done screaming and just whimpering I hugged her, "Come on now, now to heal the wound I found some potions that will heal your wound closed." I said stroking her mane reassuringly while I held her close. She nodded quietly pressing a small health potion to her lips. Downing, its contents slowly like if she was drinking water. We watched together as her leg healed, but not all the way so I wrapped bandages around the wound. "I-i-it wo-orked!" Peaches cheered kissing me on the lips which surprised me. She closed her eyes while mine were wide in surprise. After a few seconds, she pulled back with a loud smack of our lips parting. She started hopping around the basement. "I'm going to live! I'm going to live! You hear that everypony I'm going to live! Woohoo!" She saw my bewildered expression giving me a confused look. "Hey, you alright Rose?" She asked me confused frowning before smiling again. "Anyway thank you, Rose! I really don't know how to express my thanks. You really saved me!" I really wanted to I don't even know. But one thing kept bugging me. She kissed me! And she could still be infected! You couldn't just kill a zombie virus by dropping a bottle of pure alcohol on a wound! Peaches waddled over to me nuzzling my face, "You cawwed me beutifwl rigggght?" She asked fluttering her eyelashes before falling over her hooves. Wait what? She giggled on the floor rolling around like an idiot. "Shh... or they miwght hearw uws." She whispered to me then quickly burst out in obnoxious laughter. "Peaches what is wrong with you?!" "Quiwet pwtty pony." Peaches slapped my muzzle with her wing while she rolled her the floor causing my eyes to roll at her stupidity. Wait was she drunk? I know I dumbed the rubbing alcohol on her leg but that should have just burned her really bad not getting her drunk! Maybe the healing position had something to do with that? It a healing potion speeds up the healing process maybe it sped up the drunkenness that the alcohol brought? I don't know I'm not a scientist or a doctor. Well since she kissed me, I could use this as an excuse for this. Taking from one of the cabinets was a muzzle that I carefully applied to Peaches. Just in case she might turn into a Zombo killing machine. Now she looked like a drugged dog. A mare's muzzle was smaller than a stallion's and a dog of her size. So the muzzle she was wearing was a bit too large for her snout but hey it works. I tightened it just enough so that it wouldn't come off and that it wouldn't hurt her. I know it was wrong but I really needed her. I needed to find this cure before it was too late. She was the last friend I had. The last hope for this world. I've only heard stories of those who have fallen before me. In Germaney there is a huge record of ponys turning bad. But maybe, just maybe I could change all that. I would stay good the whole way through. Not lose my way. Now I'm starting to sound like a storybook character with all my ramblings will all my bark not getting backed up with some good ol' fashioned bite. I came before this wasteland so I would be considered old. Well, you know what they say about old ponys. They're full of wisdom. With Peaches now on my back the heavy burden greatly pulled me down. But the hope I had to cure her and the love of a friend is what pushed me onward. I would make my mark on this world. I trudged up the stairs that I seemed to have no trouble going up. Feeling my load lighten slightly from my side confused I turned my head to look, what I saw was a filly. Ruby was there holding my bag up with her head using it to lighten my load. Turning back ahead I unlocked the door. Making my way out when I turned to look again to look back she was gone. But all the weight I was carrying felt lighter. I was going to find that a cure even if it killed me. But there was always that small chance of this being for nothing. Who knows we might even get lucky. Outside the store, the sun's rays of light were still shining through the cloud cover. Feeling like Celestia was watching over me I began my walk following the road that led back home. My home. I don't know why. But I just wanted to see what happened to it. Besides, I didn't know where to start looking. Making up my mind now stopped me from wasting time. Good-bye shit town and hello Wasteland. On the cracked road, I flicked on my radio. Hearing the cheerful music from the Enclave. "Hello again this is your President, Snow Mare." I don't know what it was, that made me grow so attached to the voice of the Enclave president. It was nice and charismatic to listen too. Especially on the lonely quiet road. It was like if she was talking right beside me lecturing me, teaching me about the Wasteland. Since I was new listening to her was Useful. It was like she was my guide. Now I must admit, I really didn't know what to believe since I only had this one-sided point of view on the Enclave. So I really couldn't make a final judgment on the other factions. That would just be bias and unfair. I was fair, I was kind-hearted, now don't go on and tell anypony about that. I was tough I was cruel only to those that deserved it. Only now this was just the beginning of this long and painful path that the wasteland had created. I could either overcome this or get swallowed whole.
Chapter 2: Schools Out [Remake]View OnlineTies With The PastChapter 2: Schools Out [Remake]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]
