The loud shouting outside of my window suddenly ended. It wasn’t the worst way I had to start my morning. Or was it noon? It was hard to tell with this stupid clouds always covering the sky. And as much, as I’d love to just lay here for the rest of the day, there is some business, I have to attend in town. I walked to a mirror, to assess the damage done by the week-long trip and yesterday’s events. Dear Celestia I’m a mess. My mane looked, like I was just hit by a balefire bomb and I could barely make out which colour my coat was under all that dirt and dust.. It took me almost fifty minutes, to make myself look, like a normal pony, most of it was me trying to hide that damned white stripe in my mane. After I finished cleaning myself, I quickly finished my breakfast from a box of Sugar Apple Bombs and a Sparkle-cola and went outside. The thick grey cloud layer was as welcoming as always, and ponies occasionally passing by weren’t much better. And in that atmosphere of friendship and happiness, I have to begin my business. Well, it’s not, like I wasn’t used to it. First on my to do list was Striker. Well, technically it was his shop, not the guy hi… Why the fuck am I thinking about that?! Anyway It was a long time since I saw the old bastard, and we have a lot of catching up to do, but it will have to wait until evening. After a rather long walk across the town I finally saw the sign that read “Striker’s Doom & Gloom Death Emporium”. I opened the surprisingly nice and clean looking door and found myself in what could be described as an insane caleidoscop of chaos and colours. Or at least that’s what sompony who didn't know anything about Striker would say. Completely random at first glance there was more to his design choices, than just madness. The shop was divided into two parts, one was painted bright orange and the other deep blue, every stand with weapons had its own colour as well. Magical energy weapons were in the white stand, firearms in the dark green one, and they were put on the blue side of the shop, while grenades and melee weapons were put in bright pink and yellow respectively and appeared to be on the orange side. In the middle of this mess stayed the huge earth pony with a black coat and matching mane.

“Midnight! Come in! Come in! It’s been awhile. I thought you were going to return next week.”

“We took the route through the canyon. While the raider’s activity is a bit higher there, the chief took on a special delivery so we decided to take the risk. I’m glad you’re still alive and kicking, though.” I smiled at him and looked around noticing a few large crates with what I assume are containing new weapon shipments he's supposed to get from The Special Source. If my guess about its content is correct, than I could use something like that in my next job. Usually he likes to keep the information about his deals rather close, so I need to be careful. “By the way, how’s business?”

“Same as usual. And don’t even think about it, this is not for sale… yet.” He replied with a smirk. Oh, come on! Was I that obvious?

“What? I never…”

“Yes you did. Don’t you think you can fool me. I know you for way to long.”

“But… ugh, alright, when can I give it a look?” I replied evenly.

“I don’t know. I’m still waiting on the word from my supplier about a more... delicate part of the shipment” Now that is just cruel. That is definitely going to keep me up at night now. But if he decided to keep it a secret for now, there is no power in the whole wasteland that can convince him to tell it.

“Anyway, here’s what I need for my next trip” I gave him list of supplies, I prepared on my way back. “I have a few days before the next caravan will departure, will you manage?”

“Sure, no problem, come tomorrow noon, and all should be set,” He said, with his usual smile. “So would you tell me how everything went?”

“I have few more places I need to be, so why don’t we meet at the bar later this evening and discuss everything there?” I suggested, while thinking where to go next. He frowned a little and growled.

“Ugh… alright I guess, but I can’t stand those damn paintings! They’re so tacky and tasteless.” Yeah, you the one to talk. “Well at least they serve pretty good beer.”

“I’ll meet you there then!” I said as I exited the shop.

“Sure! Just try not to involve yourself into something dangerous!” He shouted as I closed the door.

After a short walk down the street I decided to go to Sparky’s place. He reserved a large storage space in the most South-West part of the town, far away from the usual town noises and shenanigans. The guy might be a bit eccentric, but…

“Hi, Midnight!” I froze in place as the small colt appeared in front of me. “Here, this is for you.” He gave me very fancy looking envelope. I stared at it with my eyes wide open. I was so surprised, that I almost forgot to breath, trying to parse this situation in my head.

“Who gave it to you?” I asked once I regained my ability to coherently speak.

“I don’t know. I just was told to give this envelope to…” he pulled a small note from his saddlebag. “Deep Blue mare, with a Black mane who goes by the name of Midnight. And it just appeared to be you!” He made a quick move with his hoof and the note suddenly disappeared. And before I could process what the fuck just happened, he decided to follow the note’s example with a quick “Goodbye!” and ran away. After a few seconds I finally manage to turn my gaze from the envelope and looked around to see where he went. But there was no trace of him. Ultimately deciding, that standing in the middle of the street with a weird envelope isn’t the best decision, I went straight to Sparky's place. When I entered what he called “Office” and navigated through the piles of electronic junk lying on the floor to the backdoor, I knocked three times and shout. “Sparky! Come out it’s…” I sighed “Delivery service” I muttered. While for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why he did make those stupid labels for the ponies who come to visit him, but I know better, than arguing with it. After a minute of silence I've heard movement behind that door, and the sound of something big falling on the floor. Finally the door opened and a familiar head with electric blue mane that looked like it just had a small balefire explosion inside of it, reared itself.

“Midnight! I’m so, so happy to see you! How have you been? Are you alright? Have you been followed?” His shrill tenor combined with rapidfire manner of speech never ceased to give me a headache, but everypony who knew him, was aware which question Sparky cares about the most.

“No. No I haven’t been followed. And it’s nice to see you too,” He finally showed himself full, his blue coat even more pale, than I remember. “I see you’ve been busy.”

“I was, I was! So much fixing needs to be done, it’s insane! I was able to work on your armor, though in my spare time. Say, you look kind of puzzled today, did something happen?” Considering his paranoia I think it would be better, to leave the envelope incident behind.

“No, no I’m fine. Just hadn’t woke up fully yet. Do you even have a spare time, though?”

“Of course I have! How else would I have enough time to finish your order? Wait a minute.” With that he disappeared in his… well whatever it was behind that door. Usually ponies weren't allowed past this point, so what was actually happening behind it was known only to him. Something fell off again with a loud ringing sound and clicking noise. After a few more minutes, he appeared again with a small crate in his hooves. “Finest set of armor on this side of the wasteland! Made by the famous Jade Spark himself! Well technically I just reinforced it and changed the material they used for leg parts, so you could move a bit more freely. But considering the state it was in when I got it you can say, that I as well made a new one.” He beamed at me with a huge grin on his face, and opened the crate.

“Indeed. It looks pretty good,” It was basic caravan guard’s armor you'd been given by their recruitment center once you have accepted the job, except this one was pure black as opposed to usual brown and if Sparky is to be believed (and I don’t have any reason to think otherwise) should offer much better protection.

“Pretty good? It looks amazing! I doubt you can find anything even remotely like that at this stupid store of theirs,” He blurted out with the indignant look on his face.

“Of course it does. Pristine Protection has nothing on you,” I said reassuringly going behind one of the counters and changing into my new outfit. It fit extremely well, much better than any other armor I wore before. I have no idea how Sparky always managed to make high quality barding out of complete junk, I wonder why he choose to make his living by fixing and making electronic and radio accessories. He could’ve made a lot of caps by selling his stuff to some mercenaries, or even guards. Doesn’t seems like he minds it though, so who am I to Judge? “Thank you so much!” I said after walking back and forth for a bit to get more comfortable. “It feels great! Can I leave my old barding here, for now? There is some unfinished business I have left, and I’d rather not wander around the town with it.”

“Sure! Just try not to get involved with anything dangerous,” he nodded and turned around to go back into his lair.

“I won’t” I smiled back. “I will pick it up in the evening, take care”. With that I left his little laboratory of sorts. The last pony I needed to meet today was Grifter. The dread of the idea that I have to talk to him was mixing with the feeling of excitement when I was imagining how I’ll shove this stupid documents down his throat. The problem was I had no idea, where he could be, so I decided to visit the one pony who knew almost everything that was going on in this town. The increased amount of ponies in the streets meant, that it should be around noon by now so I decided to speed up a little bit, before it got too late. Finally I was standing in front of a building, that was almost as remarkable, as the pony living inside. Unlike any other structure in town (sides Striker’s store front), it was the only one that was properly painted, and decorations on windows and nameplate “Moonlight Feather” hanging above the door, almost made it look like the war never happened. I knocked on the door, and almost immediately, I heard shuffling hooves and her cheerful coloratura soprano (the only reason I know the term in the first place is that I used to hanging out with her when I was younger).

“Hold on, I’m coming!” The door opened and I entered the most clean room I've ever seen. Everything was washed, dusted, and accurately put in its place. I felt kind of bad walking in with my dirty hooves, but before I managed to say a word, Moonlight already pulled me in. “Oh, Eclipsa! What a pleasant surprise! Sit over there I’ll fetch us some wine and Snack Cakes” She was one of the few ponies who still called me by that nickname. I watched her, as she trotted to the kitchen. Moonlight looked as stunning, as ever her emerald green mane carefully tailored around her shoulders. The slinky blue dress shoving curvy lines of her toned body, perfectly complementing her athletic hips and round chest. I doubt even pre war ponies were able to move with such grace. Her wings slightly opened from anticipation. Being a pegasus in a world where everybody hates you just because you have wings are tough. Being born a pegasus in a family of the unicorns fixated on purity of their heritage, in that world… I still don’t know how she managed to go through that and not turn out a socio-phobic psycho, but that just gave me more reasons to admire her. Moonlight returned with an old looking bottle and a couple of delicious snacks, and poured red liquid in a couple of glasses standing there before sitting down besides me. “Well, may I ask you the reason of your visit? Or did you just come to have a good old chat with your friend?”

I took a sip from the glass and barely could hold a moan of joy. Damn, where did she gets this stuff? “Well… as much as I’d love to I do have some business, I’d like to get over with. Do you know where I can find Grifter?” Her beautiful muzzle scrunched in contempt at his name.

“Oh that…” she seemingly struggled to find a word that wouldn’t be harsh profanity. “…ruffian? I’ve heard he should have a meeting with somepony at the bar in about twenty minutes. But be careful, last night he was spotted nearby the old armoury in very suspicious company.” I envied her ability to somehow know all the latest gossip. “So try not to get involved into something dangerous, alright?” Why does everypony seemed to be insisting on telling me that today?

“Armoury, you said?” I replied taking a bite out of Snack Cake.
“Didn’t I just tell you to not invol-”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m very sorry, but I really need to do, how about I stop here tomorrow and we have that good old chat?” She nodded, with a thin smile.

“I’ll be waiting. Farewell.”

“Bye!” I said as I left from the clean and comfortable room to a dirty and noisy wasteland. Well, knowing what that bastard is up to might proof itself useful, when I found him. I still had a little time before that meeting and knowing him that should take quite a while. So I began to trot towards the armoury to see, what I could find there. Whatever it is, if Grifter was interested in it, it can’t be anything good.

Author's Note

Well, it took me way longer than it should, but chapter 1 is finally out! I hope the next one wouldn't take me so long to write. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it and, if you have any criticism or feedback, it's more than welcome!
Huge thanks to Kkat for creating this amazing world. And special thanks to Heartshine Who help a lot during the "planning stage" and just overall an amazing person!
UPD: Yay, Kitana762 edited this chapter, now it's at least somewhat readable. Make sure to follow their DeviantArt for some amazing FOE and other content!