Chapter 7

Upgrading For The Hunt

(Diamond Dog Town)
(Location: AJ’s office)

“I’m a bit shocked if not surprised to see you walking about in this Celestia forsaken land.” Applejack said as she handed the group of hunters coffee. “After what happened two hundred years ago with the raid on the zebra compound in the Everfree Forest, we thought you and Shining Armor were dead...Unless you’re alive and Shining Armor is dead?”

“Shining Armor is alive, but I don’t know where he is. He wasn’t in the cryogenic pod when I woke up, so I’m guessing he must be out in the wastelands or something.”

“I’m not surprised. He was always the type to make a hasty escape in situations like this. I’m sure he’ll pop up somewhere in this dirt pile of a homeland.”

“Um...if you don’t mind me asking. But how do you two know each other?” Littlepip asked as she scratches the back of her head in confusion.

“And how the hay are you alive? The history archives said that you disappeared two-hundred years ago..Unless you’re either a ghost or a robot.” Sunny said which caused AJ to chuckle a bit as she walked over to the window and looked down at the town.

“To answer your first question sugarcube, Flare Warden was introduced to me by my friend Twilight before the war between Equestria and Zebracan. If I’m not mistaken, weren’t you part of the Ministry of Arcane Science as a guard?”

“For a while yes, but was soon assigned back to Canterlot due to the war that was happening.” Applejack said as she took a seat at her desk. “As for how I’m still alive. Let’s just say the elements of harmony are more than just trinkets that turn evil ponies to stone or something like that.”

“And the elements of harmony are?” Vanessa asked as Applejack raised an eyebrow at her. “We lived outside of Equestria, so sorry if we don’t know much about this land when we decided to come here to hunt.”

“Well that answers a few of my questions.” She said before clearing her throat to continue. “To make a long story short, the elements of harmony are what we use to defend Equestria from evil ponies, darkness, etc. What I didn’t know about them, is that they grant the user immortality. Which might’ve been a good thing to know after being dead for two-hundred.”

“Interesting. I mean I’ve read that the elements of harmony were magical, but I didn’t imagine they would be that magical to give you immortality.” Sunny said as she starts typing this in her pipbuck.

“Do keep in mind that I prefer not to have anypony know about this. Less we want Red Eye to hear about this and send his goons to try and gather them for his evil plans.”

“Is he that bad of a pony?” Littlepip asked as Sunny and Applejack nodded.

“You would have a death wish if you even think about crossing hairs with him. Especially with the amount of power he has in his city and most of the wastelands. Which doesn’t help in your case seeing how you stole one of his trains that he use to trade slaves for.”

“There’s no rules in the wastelands saying that we couldn’t do that. Plus, we’re not a huge fan of ponies being slaves.” Rebecca said as Applejack took a sip from her drink.

“Which I can understand. But you should be careful on who or what you’re stealing from. Hence the reason why I’m having the dogs paint over the train so that nopony outside of this town will notice.”

“Makes sense. So how long until they’re done?”

“Given how it’s from Red Eye. I say about a day given the size of the thing. But if y'all are planning on going through here, y'all have to put the train in reverse.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“With the new creatures appearing from out of nowhere. They bring problems to the wasteland. Specifically when they appear near a town like ours. There this huge crab like monster that’s been making the runs near the ruins next to the town. Seems like this monster found where we keep the fresh water supply and is trying to get to it.”

“This crab monster. What does it look like?” Vanessa asked as Rebecca pulled out a book and began to look through it while listening.

“Well it's like a giant crab. Only it has a red grayish color, larger claws, and uses a skull of a dead monster as a means of a shell on it’s back.” She said as Rebecca stopped what she was doing and tossed the book over to Applejack who caught it.

“That crab you’re speaking of is a Zenith Daimyo Hermitaur.”

“Zenith Dai...what?”

“An evolved version of the Daimyo Hermitaur that are larger and more dangerous than their counterpart. Their red shells have heavily developed to be colored with a red grayish color. The old large pincers have also been heavily developed to become larger with a solid mineral color and have grown spikes on the lower pincers. The Monoblos shell on their backs strangely has a longer horn and different coloring due to it being intensely weathered to an extraordinary shape. Their antenna grew longer while their eyes turned green through development.

“....Wish we had this when we first encounter it.” The mayor said as she started to look through the information on this monster. “So how do we get rid of this varmint.”

“Getting it to leave would be an issue. Seeing how it’ll just keep coming back due to being the only source of water within the area. And something tells me that the water out in the wasteland isn’t the best.”

“So our only option is to kill it?” Applejack asked as Rebecca nodded. “Alright, so what’s the plan? I know we have to kill it, but how are we going to do it?”

“Compared to a normal Daimyo Hermitaur. Zenith is much bigger, faster, and has more attacks under its belt for when it enters rage mode. We need to lower it’s mobility, defense, strength.”

“Which means we need traps to cripple it’s movements, weapons that can pierce and damage it’s claws and the skull on its back.” Vanessa added as she looked over hers and Rebecca’s weapons. “Which might be hard given the weapons we have on us.”

“I might be willing to oblige on giving you what you need.” Applejack said as the group looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. “I know a mare who might be willing to help you with upgrading your gear. This is a flea market after all. Meaning we dabble in trades and selling goods. If yall want something with more bang for your buck, go to the weapon smith at the center of Town to get what you need. Just tell her that Applejack sent you.”

“Alright, sounds like a plan.” Rebecca said as she began to make her way over to the door while motioning the others to follow. “We’ll come back once we have what we need.”

“Take your time. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

(Diamond Dog Town)
(Location: Flea Market)

“Okay, AJ said that we’ll find the weapon’s dealer in the center of the flea market. Any ideas on where to look team?” Rebecca asked as Vanessa began to scan the area.

“Kinda hard to start looking without getting a detail on what the place looks like.” Vanessa said as she continued to scan the area they’re in. “We should’ve asked what she looked like before leaving.”

“I think I might’ve found it.” Sunny said as she pointed over to a stand with a mare wearing slightly revealing clothes. “Mostly because of the gear in that mare’s stand.”

“You sure she’s the one Applejack mentioned?” Littlepip asked as she eyed the mare up and down. “She seems rather...odd.” She said while squinting her eyes at the mare. “She looks awfully familiar.”

“Come one, come all. Get your weapons, armor, and gear needed here at Sweetie Belle’s smithy!” The robotic mare yelled as she scanned the flea market. Only to notice Rebecca and her group as she grins. “You there! I take it you all are new to this town correct?”

“Are you the mare that owns this shop?” Littlepip asked as the mare nodded.

“Yep! Welcome to Sweetie Belle’s Smithy! How can I help you all today?”

“The mayor of this town said that we might be able to get some better gear for the hunt we’re planning on doing.” Rebecca said as Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow at her.

“Really now. And who might the mayor be then?” She asked as the pegasus walked over to her and whispered Applejack’s name into her ear. Sweetie Belle eyes widen as she looked back at the group and nods.

“Follow me inside if you would.” She said as Rebecca and the group followed after the robotic mare inside. Once they were inside, she quickly close the door behind them with her magic as she turns her attention on them. “I take it you are friends with the mayor of Diamond Dog Town?”

“Well, a member of our group is somewhat a friend of Applejack. Flare Warden is the mare’s name.”

“Flare Warden is alive? How? From what I’ve read, she along with Shining Armor were reported missing during the war between Equestria and the Zebrica.”

“Long story short. She was put on deep freeze and used as the Zebra’s testing subject. We actually found her when we raided the train we came on to get here by accident.”

“That’d explain the sound of the train coming here. That and the diamond dogs painting it a different color. Welp, seeing how you’re here. I take it you’re here to be the new guards or you’re here to deal with that giant crab near our water supply?”

“Applejack hired us to deal with the giant crab problem. That and it would pay off the debt we kinda owe her due to the paint job she’s doing for the train.” Sunny said while looking around at the items in the shop. Mainly the odd looking weapons. “Did you make all this?”

“For the most part. Some are from trades with other ponies in the wastelands or from different cities. Handguns, rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, and body armor are made by me. Melee weapons and other stuff are trades from folks around the flea market.”

“Alright, that makes sense.” Rebecca said as she started to look around the shop. “Get what you need for the hunt. We’ll head back over to Applejack’s office once we’re finished here.”

“How do we know what we need to take on the Zenith Daimyo Hermitaur?” Littlepip asked as she eyes the collection of sniper rifles off to the left of her. “Do we need rounds that can pierce armor or something?”

“You might need that given how hard that crab’s shell is.” Sweetie Belle answered as she reached underneath the counter she was behind to pull out a long looking suitcase. “And this weapon will be able to do that.” She said before opening the case to reveal what’s inside it. Before Littlepip could respond to what she was seeing, Sunny Day pushed her out of the way as the mare's eyes widened and sparkled a bit.

“T-T-This is Spitfire’s Thunder...H-How did you come across something like this?” She asked while trying to reach for the weapon, only for Sweetie Belle to pull it away from her.

“Spitfire's Thunder along with its sister rifle Soarin's Lightning, were hoof built by a pony named Walter for their respective pegasi. The gemstones were enchanted by Trixie Lulamoon. Walter only ordered the gems and their enchantments, the choice for Trixie to enchant them was made by an unknown pony. The rifles never got delivered and due to security concerns, were stored in the Bank of Equestria for the past two-hundred years. This magically enhanced anti-machine gun should be able to pierce through that monster’s hard shell.”

“Such marvelous piece of history and weaponry. Lost in time, but now founded!” She said blinking and looking back at Sweetie Belle. “Wait, you have Soarin’s Lightning as well?”

“Yep! Who would’ve thought that both weapons would be in the bank vault. Would give it to you, but Spitfire’s Thunder will do for your hunting mission.”

“Huh!? Why only give us that? Don’t you know you have a weapon that should be displayed in a history museum?”

“And do you know how much both weapons cost on their own?”

“Five-hundred thousand?” Vanessa answered as Sweetie Belle shook her head.

“Close, seventy-five hundred thousand caps each.”

“What!? That’s way too much. Not even the ponies in New Appaloosa have that much, especially with the budget the research committee is given.”

“Lady this weapon is one of a kind in the wasteland. A magically enhanced anti-machine gun which fires much faster than a non-magical model, can’t jam on itself, and have an enchanted lightning gem as fuel source for her power is something that you rarely see in this part of the wasteland. Be grateful that i didn’t say it was worth one-million caps, and I’m willing to part with just Spitfire’s Thunder for free.”

“Why you little-” Before Sunny Day could finish, Rebecca quickly moved over to cover the mare’s mouth with her hand as she looks over at Sweetie Belle. “We’ll take the gift without any problems. Thank you.”

“Nice to see somepony is more level headed than others.” The bot said with a smirk as Sunny Day glared daggers at her. Sweetie Belle looked over at Littlepip as she handed the weapon over to her. “Fair warning. This was meant to be used by pegassi seeing how it has a recoil suppressor to prevent knockback when firing in the air. Don’t know what it’ll do for you on the ground, but I’m sure you can handle it. Though you might want to practice aiming with it for going out into the wasteland with it.”

“Does this place have a firing range for her to practice at?” Vanessa asked as Sweetie Belle shook her head.

“We don’t have one. We mostly just use an open space and practice shooting there. The target is pretty much glass bottles, rocks, or anything that you can find to use as a means of a target. hell you can even use dead bodies to target.”

“Is that even allowed?”

“It’s the wastelands darling. No rules besides the ones in the towns or city you go into can tell you what can or can’t do.”

“Fair enough. Got any weapons that we might like?” Rebecca asked as the robot mare looked over her, Vanessa, and Sunny Day who pulled the pegasus hand away from her mouth. The robot mare’s eyes glowed for a split second before smiling and making her way towards the back of the store.

“I’ll be back in a bit. Have a look around the shop if you need anything and I’ll add it to the list.” She said before vanishing from their sight.

“I don’t like that mare.” Sunny said while browsing around the shop. “Charging relics like that should be a crime against history itself.”

“Look on the bright side. At least we have one for you to look over later on.”

“No, Littlepip has it. I don’t like taking things that are given to somepony. And even though what Littlepip has would be a huge help with the research committee, I can’t take something that isn’t mine.”

“Didn’t think you would have some standards of your own given how much of a scientist you are.”

“Of course I have standards. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be out here doing my job.” She said while glancing over at Spitfire’s Thunder. “Still, hard to believe that a weapon like that is owned by the shop keeper of this place...Her name is Sweetie Belle right?”

“Yeah, that’s her name...why? Do you know her?”

“Not her personally...but her name sounds familiar somewhere. Just don’t know where.”

“Maybe we can ask Applejack once we head back with the stuff we got from here.”

“Yeah. I’ll do that.” Sunny said before looking over at Vanessa and Littlepip. “See anything that you might want?”

“Other than a couple of ammo clips for our handguns, shotgun, coating for Vanessa’s arrows, and a couple of med kits.” Littlepip answered. “We’re pretty much set on ammo and some healing supplies in case of emergencies. All we need now are the weapons.”

“Which are right here darlings~” The group turned their attention at the counter as Sweetie Belle made her way back from behind the counter as she placed a Switch Axe, Bow, and a revolver. “Here are some weapons I can give you for free that I’m willing to part ways with.” Rebecca walked over to the weapons as she picks up the charge blade. While she was doing that, Vanessa and Sunny Day walked over to the bow and revolver as Vanessa picked up the bow and Sunny picked up the revolver.

“Whoa. I was not expecting you to have weapons like this.” Rebecca said as she examines the switch axe and begins to swing it around a bit.

“The bow is a bit heavy then the one I have, but the string feels so flexible and hard at the same time. How is that even possible?” Vanessa said as she places an arrow on the string and pretends to fire it. “Gonna take a while to get used to the added weight, but still good from what I’m feeling.”

“Strange that this revolver has two firing holes.” Sunny said as she opened the chamber to the gun. “Wouldn’t it cause you to use up more ammunition?”

“These are weapons that folks in the flea market aren’t that interested in. The axe that can transform into a sword & the bow have fire elemental attributes fused into them. Basically causing fire damage to monsters that are weak to fire or ponies in general. The gun I found in the Equestria Bank Vault in Canterlot, just like with most of the stuff I st-found...yes found.” She said while clearing her throat a bit. “Magically enchanted weapon with unlimited bullets from what i read in the archives of the bank.”

“....Okay how is that even possible?” Vanessa asked as she and Sunny Day stared at the gun in surprise.

“It’s equestrian magic. Not that much to explain on how it’s possible. It was made by the ministries of wartime technology and arcane science along with Soarin’s Lightning and Spitfire’s Thunder.”

“Fair enough.” Rebecca said before placing the switch axe onto her back. “This should do for when we need to get ready to hunt down Zenith Daimyo Hermitaur.”

“Should we get some better armor then the ones we have on?” Vanessa asked as Sweetie Belle shook her head.

“I would give you some, but sadly I don’t have the materials to make stuff like that. And getting somepony to trade materials for weapons is hard to do seeing how most of my weapons are expensive, and I’m picky with who I sell my stuff too.”

“Well maybe if you didn’t sell your weapons that cost an arm and a leg, then maybe you get somepony to trade or sell you stuff.” Sunny comment as the bot glared at her.

“Okay, I’m about five second of stomping a mud hole up your ass if you keep doing the backhanded comments.”

“Oh like to see you try you cheap tin can!” Sunny yelled as Sweetie Belle’s eyes glowed bright red as a pair of mini turret guns appeared on her shoulders and aimed themselves at the unicorn while Sunny Day aimed her new revolver at her.

“We should possibly leave before they end up killing each other.” Littlepip suggest as Rebecca and Vanessa nodded in agreement. While the two were distracted, Littlepip’s horn glowed as she fired a bolt of magic at Sunny Day. Upon impact the mare soon collapsed to the ground as the turrets on Sweetie Belle’s shoulders quickly vanished.

“We’ll take our leave. Thanks again for the new weapons as well as the supplies.” Rebecca said as she walked over to pick up Sunny Day and placed her over her shoulder.

“You’re welcome...is she going to be like that everytime she visits here?” Sweetie Belle asked as the group shrugs in union.

“Maybe. She is from the research committee in New Appaloosa, and she is passionate about her job in a way.”

“Reminds me of Twilight…” She said before shaking her head at the thought. “Anyway, stop by here any time if you want some new weapons or resupply on your supplies.”

“We will. And again thanks.” Rebecca said as she, Vanessa, and Littlepip made their way out of the store with an unconscious unicorn on Rebecca’s shoulder.

Once they left, Sweetie Belle walked back behind the counter as she opens up her chestplate to pull out a rusty looking locket. Once it was out she opens it to reveal two torn up but visible pictures. One with Rarity and Sweetie Belle hugging each other, while the other side would have her with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom running down a dirt covered road having fun and carefree.

“That mare has that passion for science like Twilight. There’s no mistaking it...but she has the same stubborness of Scootaloo when it comes to an argument.” The mare ran a finger along the side that had Scootaloo and Apple Bloom’s face on it. As she looked intently at the picture, she noticed small drops of water spilling onto the picture as she blinks in surprise by this sudden water droplets of water. “Guess even turning myself into a machine can’t block out one's emotions from the heart...what I wouldn't give to see you girls one last time before you go.”

Author's Note

Rebecca's Weapon: Feza Axe

Vanessa's Weapon: Elek