Fallout: Equestria - A Pair of Striped Wings

My muscles ached and my lungs screamed for rest as I galloped along the ruined street, not daring to look back for fear of losing moment. Not that I needed to, I could hear the loud crushing of concrete and rubble behind me. Then I could feel the heat in the air as the flames stretched closer and closer. Twisting, I almost fell to the floor as I changed direction into an alley, hoping that it would be tight enough to buy me some time. Rushing forward I half noted the rubble that blocked it off and sped up over it, up there I made a choice and dogged to the left as flames once more flew past where I once were.

The second floor in some ruined building, the floor wouldn't hold for much but it didn't matter. I half ran and half glided across the broken remains of some ancient bathhouse, stopping time again and again as i tried getting my bearings. There was no actual destination, my only direction was away from the monstrosity that was chasing me. Hoping that getting further into the building would make it harder for it to keep track of me I ignored the pain as best as I could.

"STARS TAKE YOU!!"

I shouted in frustration, and immediately regretted it as a gigantic cloud of flame rolled in through every opening of the ruin. So up and sprint some more, next room: a pool filled with murky and probably poisonous water. Still, better than being immolated.

So I jumped, closed my eyes and dived. Feeling my tail on fire as my hooves touched the dirty water, then I plummeted into it. Realizing that I forgot to take a deep breath beforehoof I soon after emerged from the opaque surface, gasping for air. Only for me to half hear half feel another wall of burning death coming this way.

A deep disgusting breath and I dived once more. This might not have been the best choice in hindsight, but it kept me alive so I reluctantly held on to it. The next time I broke the surface I tried staying as silent as I could, learning about the virtues of stealth as I ignored my instinct to hurl insults into its general direction.

Rumbling, the whole building shook and the disgusting liquid I was in made waves, as I heard an inequine roar of frustration and hunger. Yep, it did actually sound like it couldn't get in here or at least refused to for some reason. OK, not thinking about THAT possibility. Nope, not thinking about it!

Then something distracted it, that much I could figure out. Poking my head with my hooves a little I tried to get my ears clean enough to hear what was going on.

BAM PZEEEEUUOW BAM PZEEEEUOOW

"Fireworks?"

I stretched my ears and listened to the noise as it continued, and was followed by the noise of some heavy weaponry being fired. Flare guns, and probably steel rangers. To think that I would be saved by them, within the city limits? To be fair, they would probably shoot me as well if they knew I was here. Which was extremely unlikely.

Swimming to the end of the pool with the ladder I began getting out of the muck I had taken refuge in. Even if they had E.F.S. and could see that someone was in here, they would just assume that I was another scavenger and leave me be. I felt disgusting, and probably smelled just as bad. At least, now I would be difficult to track.

Still, I would rather get it all off me. And here, the stars smiled upon me for once. I found a shower room, and it looked mostly intact. Logically, the piping should have long since broken down. Fortunately, logic didn't really factor into Vanhoover all that much. Turning one of the valves in the room I actually got water out of one of the shower heads, and it looked even somewhat clean.

Being happy that I hadn't brought any books with me from the stable I dumped my saddle bags on the floor. Food, water, bits, potions, just practical stuff really. And nothing that would take any proper damage from water, so I cleaned them off. Removing my battle saddle I intended to make sure there was nothing that got stuck in them, fortunately I had paid attention in gun class.

Then I said fuck it and removed my barding and got the first proper shower in a while, and it was just what I needed to clear my head of all these worries and fears. Did I remember to pack any shampoo? Of course I did, I am a stable dweller after all and expect some standards in terms of hygiene in the world.

Remembering about my two companions I toggled on their tags, and they appeared to be pretty close by. Or at least one of them. They probably just followed the wake of destruction that had been chasing me. Which meant that I could expect a lecture about how shooting a full grown dragon to distract it was bad idea and that I should not do in the future. Eh, it saved their coats so I regret nothing.

"Windstriker! You still alive??"

"Yeah, in here!"

"Thank Luna..."

Then Tart fell silent, confused I looked at her. Look, she was blushing again.

"WHAT'RE YOU DOIN'??"

"Uhm, I'm showering?

"You hav'to doing this on purpose!"

"Doing what?"

She wasn't making much sense, was the stress getting to her? Probably.

"sigh. Look, you clearly need a shower as well."

"But... but...hostile territory!"

"No one is dumb enough to get close to a fight between a dragon and steel rangers."

"But!"

"No buts, you need a break. Come on."

Seriously, what was the big idea? Didn't the rangers have communal showers?

She was blushing furiously as I was helping her with the mane, and I asked her about it.

"We do but... you're a lesbiab..."

"What?"

"Lesbiam..."

"Huh?"

"Less bien..."

My eyes blinked in confusion before I got what she was saying.

"OOOH, that was what you were expecting?"

She nodded furiously.

"Should I... stop?"

"No..."

"What was that?"

She turned her head and looked at me, nervous eyes through her wet purple mane. And this time I was the one who blushed. Damn, she looked cute like that. The way Tart was staring at me was getting me in the mood and my wings were definitely reacting, which added confusion to the emotions in her light blue eyes.

We sat there, staring at each other, unsure of what to do next. I opened my mouth to comment, which she took as an invitation to kiss me, knocking me over in the process. Which was when I learned a certain aspect of pegasus sex, laying on your back really doesn't work, due to wings getting in the way. Fortunately, she was very receptive to the idea of me taking the lead from that point onward. Not that I had more experience in the matter, although my ranger appeared to be very satisfied with my performance.

***

"So, is this when I start calling you Raspberry?"

"Why would you?"

"A nickname of course!"

"Why would I have a nickname?"

"Isn't that something couples do?"

"How should I know? Are we even a couple?"

"You're the one with all the rules and regulations, isn't it your job to know stuff?"

"Steel Ranger regulations doesn't state anything about nicknames!"

"Which means that it is up to me, and I say that we are and that you do."

"Hold on a moment, I can't enter a relationship with a random zony. If this whole political situation doesn't work out i could get court martialed for fraternizing with the enemy. I'm not even sure I can talk with anypony about it!"

Her half panicked voice made me ignore the random zony comment, instead I hugged her and brushed short mane. And tried talking to her in a soothing voice, as best as I could.

"Hey, Tart. Its okay... You'll be fine."

She hugged me back, and slowly calmed down. The hardened ranger, fearless and disciplined. Utterly terrified at the prospect at having a relationship. I wondered who I would have to shout at or beat up in order to fix this? Because I most certainly would do so if I had to.

After a minute or so she calmed down enough for us to start travelling again.

"Where did your zebra go by the way?"

"Check the tag."

Getting a hunch I realized something.

"Wait, no need. Come on, Xera, we are going!"

In the corner of my eye a shadow moved on the third floor of some ruin, then the zebra stepped out in the light and began jumping down across the rubble piles. Remarkably athletic I noted. Now we should get back to figure out our path towards the interiors of the city. As Tart had explained it there were two rough directions you could pick, the southern one which was arguably safer but led past the old M.W.T. hub which was heavily fortified and patrolled. And the northern one towards the trade post known as Northtrade, which was where we were in theory going.

Then I noticed Xera sniffing the air when they got closer.

"I see."

That was all they said as they looked between the two of us, but it was enough for Tart to turn red again. Shaking my head I tried getting it back into the game and focus on the fact that we were potentially surrounded by armed ponies or monsters.

"Xera, please stop teasing Tart. We need to focus, oh and did you notice something weird while you were away?"

"Yes, weird and deadly. Shall I show you?"

"Please do."

We trotted along the cobbled road as it curved downwards to the sea, some old shopping boulevard by the looks of it. With an overgrown tree in one corner that had crawled across two shops with shattered windows. There was something about the little corner of the city we were in, it distracted me. A soft breeze fluttered past, bringing equine whispers.

"It was absolutely terrible..."

"You unicorns..."

"Ètoile, you owe me a gala...

"I know, I know...

"Ah, miss Starlight..."

"Diva, you performance last night..."

The air seemed colder, and calmer somehow

"Wait up, there is something here!"

My head felt fuzzy and I squinted towards a terrace with half rotten remnants of furniture. It was subtle, but I could see the the outlines of ponies. Not static, they moved and appeared to have a discussion of sorts, then the unicorn glanced my way and another breeze blew them away likes leaves. This was, odd...

"Uhm... please tell me that you saw that too?"

"Saw what? Was it a threat?"

"Shadows of ghosts."

Both of us turned to look at the zebra, expecting an explanation.

"... What?"

"Please tell me this is normal."

Xera shrugged, very helpful.

"Hey, Windstriker... I looked around when you stopped there was nothing there."

"No, there was definitely some kind of weirdness there. Looked and sounded like ponies."

"Is this some zebra nonsense?"

"Hey, I am at most one eight zebra!"

"No, not zebra magic. City is cursed."

"Look, Xera. I think all three of us knew that, but do you know anything about what is going on?"

The zebra frowned and then took a deep breath.

"I know not much about Vanhoover, only legends. Ponies and zebras have courted stars in quests for power and magic. Vanhoover was never touched by war, never attacked by our empire, it was already damned. And best left to alone. Most likely, I am first zebra to visit it."

To say that we were baffled by their unexpected rant would be an understatement, I just thought they didn't know much equish. Evidently that wasn't the case, although the zebra looked... drained by it.

"Hey, have you always been so... verbose?"

"Been what?"

"Able to speak so much Equish?"

"I can understand pony, speaking is... difficult."

"HOW is it difficult."

Their face just sort of scrunched up in an awkward expression, it looked like a mix of pain, confusion and frustration. This was definitely not normal, and there was most assuredly something going on. The question was if this had always effected them or if it was recent.

"There is a spell on you, isn't there?"

Xera looked like they attempted to nod but failed, the eyes said that I was right on point.

"Recent?"

Subtle, but again yes.

I facehoofed and shook my head, this was something I should have realized earlier.

"Starlight?"

Similar reaction but more painful and fearful.

"Hold on, how are you understanding the zebra?"

"You can't?"

This was weird, which I guess was expected.

"Oh..."

Our zebra had an epiphany.

"What?"

"Too late for you, pony."

Well, that wasn't the least bit ominous?

***

"Please please please tell me we aren't actually supposed to go this way."

"We are, it is the most direct route to Northtrade."

We had found what Xera wanted to show us. It was some public park, the trees were very much still alive and remarkably healthy. Except for the... webs. Shimmering like it was made out of metal, and not in the regular shapes you expects from something created by actual spiders. None the less it stretched from the walls to the trees to the ground and the street. Some of it looked like spears driven into every surface, other parts like it was some form of razorwire.

The sun was setting, the shadows were getting eerily long in the streets and everything was bathed in a crimson light. Which only served to make the strange strands of metal even more suspicious as it looked like they were about to drip with blood.

"So... we are not going through that.

"No, Windstriker. We are not."

"Want me to fly you over it?"

"And make us a target to every pony with a rifle out there? And with the gargoyles?"

"The what now?"

"Gargoyles, can't kill them. You can break them, but they regenerate eventually."

"Never heard of them!"

"Well, they exist and they have wings as a rule."

"Scratch that then, what's plan B?"

"Going around it all probably... But we need a place to camp for the night."

That was less of an issue, we picked one of the ruined buildings that was reasonably intact and made camp in the most difficult to reach room we could find. Hidden from the road and most nearby buildings, there was still enough space to check on the road and the park if needed. And of course, the freaking metal web of mystical doom was glowing in the otherwise black night.

Thankfully, Luna watched over my dreams that night and there were no nightmares and most certainly not the dreams of a certain other mare. Just regular fantastic dreams, optimistic even. About a day when the sun was back, when Vanhoover wasn't a nightmare, and although I wouldn't admit it out loud... About Tart, and three foals. Oldest one was a filly a lot like me but purple instead of black in her mane and wings. Middle one was a buckish earth pony filly, grey with a blue mane and a bit like Tart in personality. Then there was the third tiny thing, a white and pink filly with a crystal sheen. To be fair, my impression about how foals look might be influenced by growing up in the most diverse stable in Equestria.

As a result I was in a good mood when it was time for my watch, and I decided to not shoot or bother the scruffy looking pony that trotted about the street, instead I just watched them as they went towards one of the ruins. Then a weak light was shining in the ruin for a short moment, and the pony soon after disappeared from my E.F.S.

"Well, that was weird."

Seeing as I had people under my care who counted on me, I restrained my impulse to fly down and check it out. The endeavor became a lot easier when I heard wing flaps and something flew past, not registering in my E.F.S. at all. And a while later I heard pony screams and gunfire in the distance.

So gargoyles, are a thing. Not sure what yet as I decided to stay hidden.

Stuff that refused to appear in my Pipbuck enhanced vision freaked me out.

When dawn came things were quiet again, too quiet. A mist had rolled into the old ruins and it was difficult to see more than a few meters ahead of us. Even with E.F.S. travelling in this weather was risky. And as I explained my experiences in the forest I insisted that we stayed very close to each other. Still, we decided to check out the place where I saw the wastelander.

"What do you know..."

"What? What is it?"

"Entrance to the tunnels."

"Sewers?"

"Maybe, but this is Vanhoover."

"So a way through?"

"Hopefully."

"Tunnels, star cursed city. You ponies are crazy."

We looked back to Xera who was shaking their head in disbelief.

"Tart, have you traveled through the tunnels before?"

"Once, it was about as bad as the surface. More frustrating to navigate."

Then the ranger looked out towards the misty street.

"Usually at least."

Both of them had a point, going underground felt like a bad idea. Walking around on the surface somehow felt like an even worse idea, and waiting out the mist wasn't a practical option. From what I heard it could stay for weeks on end if it decided to.

"So one vote for staying up here and one vote for going down?"

"Voting? What are you? A griffin?"

"Point is, I guess it is up to me."

Tart facehoofed and looked extremely frustrated, muttered about the situation.

"A teenager and a rookie, in Vanhoover..."

"Don't worry Tart, I decided to go for your idea."

"Why doesn't that fill me with hope?"

"Because you are a pessimist! Come on!"

I removed the overturned table that hid the round hole in the floor and the ladder and as I jumped headfirst into it.

"I am NOT a pessimist!"

"Then you are a grump!"

I shouted back.

***

I had expected sewers like those in a comic book, or some claustrophobic dark catacombs. Instead I was met with a large tunnel that could arguably fit multiple trains in it, with functioning lights at some points and burning trash cans at other places. Apart from the smell and the musky air it was quite comfortable. It was however easy to get lost with all the side tunnels and doors, and how it went downwards in some directions.

Still, all we needed was a route westwards and then upwards. In theory that was easy enough.

"So what are we expecting down here?"

"Apart from more freaky horse apples? Raiders, scavengers and the like. Most of the ponies in the city live underground. Easier to hide and away from the dragon, the gargoyles and our patrols."

"Wait, is that why we haven't seen ponies upside?"

"Yes, and fortunately these tunnels should go all the way to Northtrade."

"Why do they exist in the first place? This looks like train tracks."

"Could be, all I know is that they stretch all around the place."

"Oh, and should we expect a fight?"

"At least be ready for one, but I rather bet on your weird charisma."

Hold on, my what?

"My what now?"

"Just focus on what we are doing..."

It took about ten minutes until we discovered the first wastelander camp down here. Presumably the one the pony had went to. They had blocked off most of the passage with rubble and wooden walls. There was a pony on lookout who shouted to us to stay where we are. Within a few seconds there were half a dozen of them poking their heads and rifles out over the wall.

"We're not looking for trouble."

I said as calmly as I could as half a dozen ponies aimed guns at me.

"You with the rangers?!"

A buck with an air of authority shouted.

"Do... I look like I am with the rangers?"

I spread my wings as I proudly as I could, hoping that the bluff would work.

"You are armed like rangers!" A scruffy looking buck shouted.

"Shut it, that is one of the Institute ponies."

Technically a zony but I ignored it as they continued arguing.

"That is even worse, didn't you hear? They are all changelings!"

Hold on, there was something about that voice...

"Just what do you know about changelings?"

"I'm from New Pegasus."

No, you're not. That is not a southern accent.

"And there are changelings there?"

"Point is, I say we just shoot them."

Hold on a moment!

"Hey! Can you just point us in the direction of Northtrade and we will be on our way."

"Yeah. It would cost you though, a toll and a guide and all that."

"Fair enough, we'll pay."

Then the scruffier one of them interjected again.

"Look at their stripes!"

Oh for Celestia's sake...

"They will just shoot us as soon as we lower our guards, I say we shoot first."

"Hold on, nobody-"

BLAM

The other buck fired and the rest of them fired on instinct as they heard the gunshot. We dived for cover, and moments later a bottle flew over and lit the tunnel on fire. Or at least the spot where we had been. I tried to shout over the gunfire but even the reasonable pony was firing now.

Glancing to Tart on other side of the tunnel she made some movements with her hoof that I had no idea what they were supposed to mean so I made a dramatic shrug. She looked exasperated and pointed at me, then at them. Xera seemed to understand and returned fire. Which promptly turned all of their rifles towards the two of us.

BRATTATATAT

The roar of the heavy machinegun deafened all other sounds and the skirmish was over in a second. As I tried to work through what just happened, I heard a "FUCK" being shouted and recognizing the voice I responded. With words that he probably didn't expect.

"Xera, get him. ALIVE."

The zebra rose and leaped across the burning floor in an impressive jump and crossed the fortifications a heartbeat later. Whoever that buck was, he wasn't escaping. I had questions and I wanted answers. Tart's expression had changed from frustration to shock at my tone. Probably expecting me to let him go.

***

I was disgusted at the perforated corpses as we walked into the camp. This really could have been avoided, but I didn't blame the soldier who killed them. This specific buck that intentionally riled them up and was probably the one fired the first shot however...

"Windstriker..."

"Don't worry about it, not your fault."

Then I puked up my breakfast at the smell.

"Shall I move the bodies?"

"Please do..."

In hindsight, dropping the pony corpses in the fire was a bad idea. It smelled even worse.

Turning and trying to focus on the stallion in the scruffy cloak I noted that his leg had been hit by a bullet, and he had a knife at his throat. But there wasn't any fear in his eyes, mostly hatred and a bit of confusion. Removing his cloak I noted his pair of wings, Enclave. Most likely at least, that or changeling.

After making sure he didn't bleed out from the leg wound I sat down and looked at him while Tart worked with removing the corpses. When she returned I began the interrogation.

"So... why did you want us dead?"

"Buck you."

"You wish, and you know what? I think you wanted me specifically dead."

"Whatever you say."

"Which makes me wonder why."

"Fuck you, that's why."

"I don't have that many actual enemies. Honestly? I don't think I have anyone who actually wants me dead in all of Equestria, and yet you wanted me dead. Me, specifically. And from what I gather it is because my wings, which is weird as you are also a pegasus."

"..."

"As far as I know there isn't anypony in New Pegasus that wants me dead. Not that you actually are from that place. The accent is all wrong. Guess the locals couldn't tell the difference."

"..."

Oooh he looked angry, I was right on point.

"Which raises the question of who you are and where you are from."

"Do your worst."

Both Tart and Xera looked like they were prepared to do so if I asked them to. Not that I intended to, I had a few tricks up my sleeves. So let's try that first, this was going to be interesting and amusing if it works.

"Gentle Wing."

I said flatly, and there was a flash of recognition in his eyes.

"That is the pony I resemble, I know that much. And you know her, kind of a bitch if you ask me."

He stared at me in silence, the fact that he refused to even open his mouth pointed towards me being on the right track. Which meant that he might know something about a question I wanted answered.

"And that means you know Violette. She is a friend of mine, saved her in the wasteland. Alone, traumatized, wingless."

His poker face cracked with a look of shock. I continued.

"Anyhow, Gentle suggested that it was their mother who did that. You wouldn't know anything about that?"

"She wouldn't..."

"Really? 'Cause Gentle sounded really sure about the whole thing."

"Look, the one thing Pearl cares about is her daughters. She never touched a strand of hair in their manes, and she would kill anypony else who tried. Spoiled them rotten if you ask me."

Wow, this was turning out easier than I thought.

"Hm... Yeah, I can see that. Still, the point is that Violette has gone through hell and I want to know who should pay. Even if it was her own mother... And you are telling me Pearl didn't do it?!"

"She wouldn't! Neither would anypony else in the S.S.O. Do you have any idea how terrifying she is? When Heaven Song deserted she went after him herself and silenced anypony who dared ask any questions. Only pony who would dare cross her would be Gentle!"

"And I am telling you she didn't do it. She was surprised by the whole thing, and amused... So then WHO? Because I want to beat SOMEPONY to death and all I have right now is YOU!"

I pointed my wing at him, and was very proud that I had gotten under his skin. For one reason or another he viewed me not as a wastelander, but as an enclave pony. Not that I were, but as long as I could keep him off balance he wouldn't remember that part. And he had just told me what he was afraid of: domineering mares with a violent streak.

"The fuck do I know? Nopony in the S.S.O. would do it."

"Then it is somepony outside of the S.S.O. but I still have no idea who."

"Ask her yourself!"

"Who? Violette? She freaks out the sight of my wings. Pearl? You think she wouldn't have me shot for resembling her daughter? After I bring news about what happened to Violette?"

"The fuck is up with that anyway?"

"Single mother, figure out the rest."

The less I said, the more he would fill out in his mind.

"Didn't know even Song was foolish to cheat on the commodore..."

"Obviously he was. The point still stands, who the fuck should I go after so Pearl doesn't have my hide??"

"As I said, I have no idea."

"Somepony higher up?"

"Could be."

He was almost amiable at this point, should I get the most out of him? And kill him afterwards? The idea didn't sit right with me, maybe I could fool him completely and let him go.

"Any ideas? Because I am too distracted by the stink of this place."

"Maybe one of the councilors, some of them supposedly have their own elite troops."

"Could be, but still. That is one hell of a thing to do to a mare who isn't even a dashite."

"Yeah... they wouldn't do it openly, politicians are all cloak and dagger. And yes, I realize the irony of the statement."

"Then we at least know what to tell her, even if it means I won't get the pleasure of delivering payback myself."

"At least it is something... where is Violette by the way?"

"At a safehouse, can't risk any further attacks."

"Good. And did you have to shoot me?"

"You shot first, and I wasn't sure who I could trust."

"And these two?"

"They're with me."

He looked skeptical but was far past the point of reasonable doubt.

"Now what?"

"I got still got my orders, what about you? Seeing as your little infiltration ended in a massacre."

"Eh, isn't the first time. I got a hideout. Retreat, recuperate and return to the action and all that. You fine with me leaving this little fiasco out of my report? Got a career and all that."

"Yeah, you do that. I'll try to figure out how to do this without tanking my own... Xera, let him go."

The knife was removed from his throat, he scratched it and rose to his hooves. Made a salute and began walking away. Tart looked like she was going to pepper him with lead in order to keep him from escaping. I was tempted to let her, but it was still wrong.

"Stand down soldier."

"Yes ma'am..."

She didn't like it one bit.

***

There were other ponies down here, we saw their shadows and the E.F.S. picked them up, but most of them trotted away at the sight of the stripes and pipbucks. Those who didn't still didn't want to be seen with us, muttering something about if they were caught by steel ranger spies. So We had a mostly private stroll towards our present destination, which was very much appreciated as I had things to ponder and Tart had questions.

"You mean your father was enclave?"

There was a look of nervous uncertainty on Tart's face as she talked.

"Most likely, would explain why mom never mentioned him."

"Is there a risk she is... compromised?"

"Nah, she just have bad taste in ponies."

Dear Luna, does she has bad taste...

"How can you be so sure?"

"She's boning Golden Starlight."

"SHE WHAT?!"

And yep, that was my reaction as well when I finally realized it.

"Yep, at least that is what grandpa said."

"I... Uhm... Are you sure SHE isn't enclave? I mean, it's the leadin' theory amon' the rangers."

"Pfft, nah. I already told your superiors about that."

"Told'em what?"

"She is a 200 year old sorceress, a Van Hoof and has links to the Ministry of Image."

"... Hold on. WHAT??"

"Yep, found evidence in Flood Town, back home and I even confronted her about it."

"And you are somehow still alive?"

"..."

"You okay, Windstriker?"

"Yeah, I guess. She did threaten me and probably thinks she scared me off."

"... You know... You're kin' of bad ass."

I was however distracted by an entire different line thoughts. Never had siblings before, and I was really not sure how to handle that. And the list of subjects I needed to have heated discussions with my mother about... It just grew a lot longer. For the first time in my life I actually wondered who exactly my father was, and I was honestly disappointed that I never got to meet him. Oh, and I had some evil stepmother who was a high ranking enclave officer (commodores are high ranking right?).

"sigh So much crap to figure out..."

I stopped and closed my eyes as I tried to get a grip on the emotions.

"First priority when I get back is to tell mom and Violette, and to convince mom that she is responsible for her."

Both of them waited patiently for me to finish figuring it out.

"Then I want to know if there is anything my dad left me. No idea what I should do if I run into Gentle again though... She did kick my flank a while back, enclave pegasi are just straight up better flyers it seems."

Maybe the griffins can give me a few lessons on aerial combat...

Level Up

Skill Note: Speech - 100%

Perk Added: Empath

You have developed a supernatural sense of understanding of other individuals, and can read them like an open book. As a result you know how ponies would react your words even before you say them, and can sense lies and ambushes with ease. Praise the stars...