Subterranean Freedom

Chapter 4

Restocking For The Coming Disaster

(Regent HQ)

Regent HQ. Home to the Regents and leaders of The Rangers HQ down in Ponyville Borough . They uphold the law and protect the citizens of Equestria from both monsters and agents of Trinity. Inside the iron stone clad building were seven mares sitting at a round table looking over the security camera that caught the fight between Sunset Shimmer and the War Genic that took place not to long ago in the low sector.

“Fluttershy, what was it that the prophecy said about pony kind again?” Applejack asked, looking over at the cream color pegasus wearing a pure white dress with pieces of metal armor on it, golden gloves, and a bowstaff folded onto the holster on her back.

“Ponies will gain wings and the sky will return to the world as it was during the olden days of time forgotten. It was a clear vision, but I do not think it’s time for ponykind to gain their wings.” Fluttershy answered, which caused Rainbow Dash to snort in amusement.

“For once I’m in agreement with you Fluttershy. I don’t see ponykind growing wings any time soon. Fools, doomed to their fate.” The cyan pegasus said as Rarity shook her head.

“Looking down upon others is a grave mistake Rainbow Dash. You of all ponies should know that.”

“What do we do? Should we take care of the problem ourselves?” Pinkie Pie asked as everyone turned their attention to the white alicorn pony.

“We shall see what the pony in question will do. Right now I sent the order to eliminate the cargo that the pony has. If she is who I think she is, then we will take action into our own hands.” Celestia said as she folded her arms. “For now, we wait and see where this may go.”

“Agreed, we can’t rush into something without getting the facts beforehand.” Twilight said as the others agreed with her statement.

(EndSector: Junk City)

As the door to the next sector slid up, the trio made their way to a small little sector filled with a couple of ponies of different ages spanning from little fillies & colts to mares & stallions that were either in between the ages of twenty or thirty depending.

“Thank faust. A place to rest.” Aria said sighing in relief as she walked through the doorway.

“This is good. Not only can we stock up on supplies, but we’re almost to where we need to be.” Sunset said as she and Obsidia followed after Aria through the mining site.

“Eager to turn me in to the Ranger’s huh?” Aria said with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s not that. I-It’s just that maybe I can get some answers into what happen to Obsidia. Plus you said that we should work together until we make it out of this place. Or did you forget that?”

“Relax, I haven’t forgotten. Geez, you can’t take a joke can you?” The Earth Pony said as she continues to make her way around the mining site. “But it really is a good thing that we found this place. Because if we were to keep on going like this, then we would possibly be weak from hunger or faust knows what.”

“Do we even have enough bits to get what we need?”

“How much do you have on you?” Aria asked as Sunset began to reach into both her jacket and pants pockets. To her misfortune as she pulled her pockets out, the only thing she had in them was just a button that she found on the ground that looked pretty neat to her. “You don’t have any bits on you? Aren’t you supposed to be like an elite ranger or something?”

“Not everyone gets paid the same price as most rangers do….I’m kind of a low rank ranger….been one for the past few years or so.”

“.....Your life must have been horrible if that’s the case.” Aria said as the ranger deadpans at her comment. “I’ll take care of the funds seeing how this will be the last time we work together.” She said as she motions them to follow her. As they began to head towards Junk City, a gray colored pegasus mare greets them with a simple smile and wave.

“Welcome to Junk City mares and little filly. Home to scraps and Low-Ds alike.” The mare said before looking over at Sunset. “Oh, hi Sunset!”

“Hey Derpy.” Sunset said before Aria turned her attention to the bacon haired pony.

“You two know each other?”

“We've done some missions a few times before Captain Vector Zero stationed her here in Junk City. Most Low-Ds that can’t afford a place to live in Ponyville or can’t do their duties for Ranger HQ, are sent here to Junk City.”

“....That’s just not right.”

“It’s not so bad really. I mean I don’t have to fight so much of the monsters outside of Junk City. And I can keep an eye on Dinky, so it’s a win in my book.” Derpy said, still smiling as cheerful as ever.

“...I’m still saying that it’s not right. But you’re okay with it, then who am I to say what you Rangers do or not.”

“So what brings you two here to our….cramped little home of ours?”

“We’re just here to stock up on some food supplies and stuff before heading over to HQ.” Sunset answered.

“Um...I don’t want to be rude or anything. But why go to HQ with somepony that’s with Trinity? Unless you were able to convince her to join. Which might be a bad idea, because low-ds don’t get paid much nowadays.”

“She’s not joining us. She’s just with me to help us get back to HQ.”

“Us?” Derpy looked over at Obsidia with a surprised look on her face. “Oh my. I-I didn’t know you two were in that kind of a relationship.”

“What!? N-No we’re not dat-”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me~” The pegasus said as she place a finger to her own lips meaning she would keep it a secret.

Come along honey, we got some shopping to do~” Aria said in a teasing tone as she walks off into the small city. “Um...where do we go to get what we need?”

“Aloe and Lotus Blossom. The Blossom sisters. They’re usually found here or someplace else in the lower parts of Equestria.”

“And what do they look like?”

“Aloe is the earth pony with pink fur and blue mane. Her sister, Lotus. Who is also a earth pony with blue fur and pink mane. They also have matching clothes but they’re the opposite color from each other.”

“.....And I thought Sonata was weird when she tried to do the whole clone sister thing with me. Please tell me that they don’t finish each other sentences?”

“Not that I know of. I rarely stay long enough or seen them do that. But that’s besides the point. Let’s just get what we need and head out of here.” She said before she and Obsidia continuing to follow Aria through Junk City. As the trio make their way through, Obsidia took notice to some of the ponies looking at her. Mainly her wings. She then looked at some of the pegasi wings, then back to hers, then back to them. This went on for a while before she decided to get Sunset’s attention by tugging at her arm. “Something wrong Obsidia?”

The mare nodded as she pointed over at the nearby pegasi’s wings before pointing over to her own set of draconic like wings.

“Oh, I take it you’re wondering why your wings are different then how their wings look like?” Obsidia simply nodded as Sunset scratched the back of her head awkwardly. “Well, that’s a bit of a complicated question really. It’s not that I don’t want to answer your question. It’s just that I have no idea on why you have wings like that. Hence the reason why we’re going to the Ranger HQ to see if they might know something about you.”

“Which I’m still saying is a bad idea.” Aria said as the duo looked over at the earth pony. “Rangers with secrets like this don’t take kindly to their own trying to get to the bottom of this. It’s not too late to turn back the way we came from and head back with me to Trinity HQ.”

“Look I know you mean well, but you can’t expect me to trust somepony right off the bat. Especially when they’re part of Trinity of all ponies. If things don’t work out with the Rangers, then I’ll consider heading over to seek assistance from Trinity. Sounds fair?”

“Fine...but I will hold my “I told you so” when the time comes when the rangers turn on you the moment they see you with the kid.”

“I’ll take my chances when that happens.” Sunset said as she continues to follow after Aria for a while before noticing Aloe and Lotus at the top of the platform above them. “For now let’s head over to Aloe and Lotus to get what we need.” She said as the three of them make their way upstairs to where the blossom sisters were located. Upon looking at them, each were wearing the same style of clothes only the color of it would match the opposite of each other.

“...Wow….You weren’t kidding about the whole matching clothes thing.” Aria said before the two sisters took notice to them walking up to them.

“Welcome!” They said in union. “How can we help you three today?”

“We need to stock up on some supplies. You have anything food wise and ammunition?” Aria asked as the duo nodded.

“Yep, we have almost everything that you folks need.” Aloe said as she reaches into the giant book bag that they were sitting on as she pulls out what looks to be silver colored bags as she hands a few of them over to them.

“What the hell is this stuff?” The Siren asked as Obsidia sniffed the bag that was given to her and begins to bite it, only for Sunset to gently pull it from out of her mouth causing her to pout.

“Dehydrated rations. We stole….I mean borrowed them from the Rangers when they were throwing them out in the trash cans in Ponyville Borough.” Lotus said with smile on her face as if trying to pass it off like it was nothing.

“....You do know that stealing from the rangers will get you put in jail, or worse right?” Sunset said with a deadpan expression.

“It’s not stealing if you don’t get caught doing it~” Aloe said as she looks over at Aria. “Would you like to have some more of it along with some water to rehydrate it?”

“Might as well seeing how this will come in handy for us. Also add in a few clips of ammunition if you could.” Lotus nodded as she along with Aloe pulled out a bag and began to fill it up with food, water, and other stuff that they might need.

“You sure you have enough to cover this? It looks like it could cost too much.” Sunset asked as the siren rolled her eyes.

“Oh and you have enough to cover the cost? I told you I can cover whatever it is that they’re asking for. So quit your bitching and be grateful that I’m doing this out of the kindness of my heart.” She said before looking over at Aloe and Lotus. “So how much is this going to be?”

“Ten thousand bits please.” Both mare said as Aria’s eyes widen with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

“Ten thousand bits just for that stuff!?”

“Well originally it was going to be five hundred. But seeing how you don’t have anything to carry your supplies in, we gave you a bag that allows you to carry them in without the worry of added weight to your travel.” Aloe said as she extends a hand towards them to show them said carrying backpack.

“Wait, isn’t that another thing from Ponyville Borough?” Sunset asked as the sisters shrug in union.

“One pony’s trash, is another pony’s treasure. Now that will be ten thousand bits please if you would?” Aloe said as she and Lotus extended their hands towards Aria. The siren grumbled in annoyance upon hearing the asking price as she reaches behind herself to pull out a sack which was about the size of a pony’s head. She paused for a moment before looking over at Sunset and Obsidia.

“You two owe me big time for this.” She said before handing the bits over to the Blossom sister and in turn they give her the backpack full of supplies.

“Pleasure doing business with you al! Feel free to stop by anytime for your quality needs!”

“Yeah whatever. Come on you two. Let’s get the hell out of here before I change my mind about this.” Both Obsidia and Sunset quickly followed after Aria, only for the siren to pause and look back at the sisters. “Hey, you two know how to get out of this place?”

“The lift to the Endsector Liftport is to your right. Just take the lift up and you’ll be out of here in no time.” Lotus said before Aria began to walk again as the unicorn and pegasus following after her.