“The Fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends”
*click, click, click*
The final sound of Equestria before the bombs fell, as the last 3 stables finally sealed their doors.
Moments later, all across Equestria the bombs began raining down on every significant city, town, and village. The hardest hit places were Hoofington and Canterlot in a desperate bid by the Zebra to wipe out the enemy and their evil “Nightmare Moon”.
Canterlot:
Meanwhile, in Canterlot the princesses held the shield as long as they could until Celestia who was already weakened by the poisoned gas finally fled from her sisters now dead body. Knowing that all was already lost and that Luna really was a rightful ruler having given her life, protecting their beloved city. As she left the protection of the shield she suddenly felt regret, feeling like she was abandoning her sister once again to a cruel fate. She turned and tried to go back but her thick pink cloud prevented her.
Feeling guilty that once again she had let her sister take the punishment while she'd run away. She finally wept as she fled to the only other safe place she knew, the old castle in the Everfree Forest.
It was clear the area was untouched by the devastation of the bombs as she flew over. Either the zebra's had thought it was not a target, or simply had forgotten the place Tia and Luna had first ruled from as Alicorns. Finally, she landed at the ruin of the castle of the two sisters. It was a ruin but it was still standing. Back before the war, Rarity had tried to salvage and repair some of the fabrics. However, from the bare walls, it was clear they were never returned. Obviously, other everyday things in life had taken over long before the war started.
Everyday life? That was a laugh. Ever since the coal incident, normal had gone out the proverbial window. Damn that Goldenblood! She should have known from the moment he'd spoken up that he was going to be trouble. All because he was both worth listening to, but not remotely trustworthy just like his uncle Blueblood. She'd actually ignored his advice and taken that damn coal. Of course, this was before his suggestion to Luna about the fabled ministries.
Since the moment she confided in him about stepping down after that attack at the school. He'd betrayed and blocked her at every step! Oh, she'd known about his role running the O.I.A and she herself had minor invested interests in some of his secret plans, plans that the 6 girls hadn't known about in their Ministry's. They were known as the Ministry Mares, but she still called them girls because to her they were still so young, but they had managed to achieve soo much even before the start of the war.
She'd even tried to reach them to reason with each of them but Golden and his O.I.A had put a stop to her. She'd only wanted to put them back on the correct path. Rarity with Image butchering the stories that every foal should learn. Applejack with the technology companies running amuck. Pinkiepie with her drug-ridden twisted sense of Morale. Fluttershy, Celestia had learned had still tried to stay true to herself despite her attempted act of Treason. That was one of the few stories Goldenblood had willingly shared with Celestia in the privacy of her retreat.
Then there was the 2 biggest let downs in Equestria. Twilight her faithful student who had gone mad looking for ever greater spells. To try and turn the tide of the war whether they were used as weapons or not. It didn't matter, Twilight had lost sight of the true power of magic. Finally, there was Rainbow Dash. As she sat there crying her eyes out again, Celestia remembered most how Rainbow Dash had been the biggest let down of all. All that money and resources wasted on a failed project, a project it was now too late to realize. It was all over, all of it gone. The Element of Loyalty had been the final betrayal of Equestria in the end.
“No!”
She whispered to herself. Maybe there was still some way to for Rainbow Dash to redeem herself in Celestia's eyes. What was it Rainbow Dash had called it? The Single Pony Project. Rainbow Dash had told Celestia in a letter once that Goldenblood had let through to her. It had said something like that only the Ministry Mares and the Princesses could access the SSP hub for the foreseeable future. At least until Rainbow Dash could locate a suitable candidate to run it. She'd had Twilight personally prepare the protection bubble as a precaution because she'd not wanted “Goldie to get his hoofs on another stinking inch, or another bit of money from the M.o.A.'s lead project.” It was supposed to be nearly complete. Maybe there was a chance to still use it somehow, even though Celestia had no idea what it actually did.
Celestia wiped her eye's as she'd finally run out of tears to cry. Though she felt cold on this castle floor and looked even smaller than normal. She finally realized it was time to stop running and try to do what she could to save Equestria. Do whatever she could for Equestria for when the Stable doors did finally open again.
Slowly she got up off the floor and stretched her wings. Then she walked over to a dust-covered statue of herself and Luna whispering “Goodbye sister, I know you visited this place many times since your return and you long ago bid this place goodbye. Now it looks like it's my time to finally say goodbye to our old home.” With that, she leaned forward and gave the statue of Luna a gentle kiss on the cheek before flapping her wings and rising up towards the sky.
The pegasi had already many hours ago already closed up most of the sky, except around the Everfree Forest. So Celestia met no resistance of any kind as she rose above cloud level and kept flying higher. She didn't want to be seen doing this because this might have made her look like she was running away. She kept flying until even the clouds were far beneath her and the air was thin. Finally, she found her direction and flew towards Neighvarro the home of the SPP. As she flew over the city she found the magical shield entrance. Darkness at the end of the day was already beginning to fall. The first time night had naturally descended on Equestria in over a 1000 years.
The evening patrols were chaotic and scattered, easy enough for Celestia to swoop down and walk in through the shield without any pony seeing her. Every pony was still reeling from the news of both the attack on Cloudsdale and the following destruction rained down on the rest of Equestria.
Of course, ponies were strong, it wouldn't take more than a day or 2 before they rallied and re-organized. Pegasi were resilient ponies after all. However, it would probably be decades before some parts of the surface became habitable again. In her now confidant haste, Celestia almost bounded across the foyer of the SPP into the next room. Looking around she plugged herself into the computer pod. Too late, she realized she had put herself into an unplugged part of the Crusader Mainframe. Pushing the control access she had, she realized didn't even have the power to pull herself out of the computer. She was trapped, and all she could do was watch. So she cried again, trapped in her pod as the first rainfall fell on Equestria below the clouds since the bombs fell.
Stable 2 Ponyville: 5 Hours Previously
“Applejack, I didn't think you were going to make it! Your the last one, I was about to seal the stable.”
“Ahm sorry Sweetie Belle, I got here as fast as I could, but it's not easy when your a ministry mare to get anythin done.”
“That's ok AJ, but you'd better get in here quick. Bloom would have my hide if I didn't let you in, or at least she would if she could. She was supposed to make it to a stable and contact me but all the lines went dead a half hour ago. I should really have closed the door 40 minutes ago but I figured you were coming and I've kept all the inner-doors on lockdown to reduce any rad leakage.”
Applejack quickly trotted into the stable before turning and said into the wind.
“Goodbye Applesnack, I'll come back for you one day I promise!”
The door finally slid shut behind her not to be opened again for a very long time. Finally, Sweetie Bell spoke up.
“I'm sorry Applejack but that probably won't be possible. As possibly now the only surviving C.E.O of Stable-Tec, and the designated Overmare of this Stable. I can't authorize the re-opening of that door until it's safe. Besides if Applebloom is somewhere alive out there, she'd kill me for even thinking of letting you go out there again.”
Applejack turned to look at Sweetie Bell “Sweetie, Ahm Pregnant.”
“Well good for you, we need population breeding.”
“But he's still out there, I left him all alone in Zebra town.”
Sweetie Belle sighed and cleared her throat for what sounded like a well-rehearsed line
“I'm sorry for your loss Applejack, but let's work together to keep this stable working, so maybe we can rebuild Equestria someday.”
Applejack finally shed a tear.
Outside Canterlot: 1 day earlier
An exhausted Rainbow Dash emerged from the shadow of Canterlot. Unknown to anyone at the time she was the last person with the exception of Celestia to enter or leave Canterlot's boundary for 20 years. She had only just managed to escape as the spell barrier was formed. Having been nearly touched by the pink, she'd seen first hand what the exposure to the poisonous gas could do. She had kept away from it as much as possible but there had been a couple of very close calls
An hours flight later, she was approaching Maripony to check on Twilight's last known location. If anyone else would have survived, it would be Twilight. As she sat down to rest on a rock outcropping tired from the long flight. As she began to close her eyes out of tiredness, a voice asked behind her.
“So are you done with your little errand?”
Keeping her eye's closed Dash replied back “Seriously Gilda? You want to do this now?”
“Why not? It looks like your already a dead mare flying. I'm in no hurry to get the bounty I can wait you out. So what the hell are you up to anyway?”
“I'm looking for Twilight if you must know. If anyone is still alive, it's got to be her. I can only hope it was quick and painless for everyone else. Oh and Fulfilling a promise to Pinky and 'apparently' making a new friend in the future.”
“The future? Seriously? What kind of friend do you expect to make before I'm supposed to kill you?”
“Hey, I never said I'd be alive to see it. It's just something Pinky predicted with her freaky future magic, you know she's always been weird like that even before the drugs.”
“Don't remind me. She always drove me up the wall, still that recipe she gave me when you 2 came to Griffinstone though, Good stuff.”
“Haha, yeah. You know Gilda, Since I'm not going to be around to see this friend, I'm getting passed it.”
“What you want me to wait around for this pathetic future friend of yours? Forget it!”
“No Gilda, I don't want you to wait for this friend to get the message. You know, I never told you this Gilda, if you were a male pony or if I was a female Griffin, do you think we could have ever, you know? Got together?”
“Are you saying you've got a crush on me? Hell of a time to spring this one out of the bag.”
“Hey” Rainbow Dash finally opened her eyes and looked at Gilda perched on another rock. “You always knew I was bi-curious.”
“Sure sure, you were always bi-sexual, not bi-species. You're crazy!”
“Gilda, look, The way Pinky was talking, Littlepip and her friends might take some time to get here, and I'm not talking about weeks. It sounded like its going to be years maybe even Decades. Like they're stable Ponies who survived. At least if Pinky is right, it means the little squirts project worked. There is at least One Stable somewhere out there that actually worked. So it maybe lots and lots of years, like maybe a couple of centuries. So I'm not asking you to look out for her. I'm asking you as a friend, a best friend. Have some kids, maybe name one after me or something and tell them to wait, and look out for a torchbearer, or a light bringer something like that called “Little Pip”
“You're insane. That fog I saw in Cantalot must have clouded your brain Dash. How do I know that you're not bat shit crazy?”
“Junior Speedsters are our lives Gilda. I'm not crazy, although I can't say I didn't go crazy trying to work with that damn O.I.A crawling over everything.”
“Dash, do you remember you once told me when I came to see you on your birthday that one time? Was it Baldblood? That O.I.A. Director? That one who kept apparently interfering with your work. What was your work by the way? Cause Ministry of Awesome sounds like a stupid name, and you never seemed to do anything either.”
“Goldenblood, although he was finally replaced about a month ago I heard. And Gilda I was working on Cloud Control, oh and all those damn pegasi suits of armor. One, I noticed you'd got your hands on a converted an early prototype. Don't think I don't notice my own hoof work”
Gilda pouted. “Well I think it fits nicely”
“That's because the one your wearing, I designed that specially for you Gilda. Specifically for you not for any other damn stupid Pony or Griffin. But I guess now it's going to have to be my going away present. Take good care of that thing you hear? It's only a prototype but It's basically the same as my own shadow bolt armor without the pip-buck. I couldn't get authorization from those damn pests to let me add one to the Griffin Mark 1 Armour. Well 'Griffin Integrated Legitimate Defence Armour. G.I.L.D.A”
“So are we going to fight? They're going to want a body we might as well make it look like you put up a good fight.”
“Give 5 minutes to have a power nap. I know they say you'll sleep when you're dead. But I can't put up a decent fight show without some sleep. You have no idea how much not sleep I've had in the last week.”
“Fine, you can have your five minutes, and then this is on. Your either coming back half dead or you're going down into that radiation pit!”
Stable 29 Manehatten: 2 weeks later
Vinyl sat in her room, the lights were low on the nighttime schedule. It had obviously become known quite quickly after the bombs fell what had happened. The Stable wasn't completely quake-proof but most ponies had felt something from the shock waves penetrating the ground from the bomb that blew up at Tenpony Tower.
Unbeknownst to everyone else in the stable Vinyl was a part of one of Goldenblood's secret projects. Much to Goldenblood's own annoyance he'd allowed Vinyl to name the project after she'd only agree to do it on that condition. Project Accordion. On the plus side of the project, it was so low key as to have virtually no funding needed either on or off the books. Goldenblood had provided Vinyl with a complete map of the Stable, and everything between it and Tenpony tower. He'd also had Vinyl begin to learn a teleportation spell.
Goldenblood knew that the post-war Equestria was going to need some guidance and so Project Accordion was basically an escape plan from Stable 29 for Vinyl once the bombs had fallen so that she could be the “voice in the wasteland”. However to avoid being detected entering or leaving the stable that Stable-Tec had insisted on putting a Mainframe into. The only time Vinyl could leave without being detected was in the mornings where the Stable thought she was sleeping from over partying.
It had taken her months of practice and finally, she was ready. The spell platform in Tenpony tower was waiting and ready, however over the distance required, no matter how she tried she was never able to smuggle more than just herself and her stable barding between the two places.
Either way today was the day for DJ-Pon3 to finally get back on the air. There would, of course, be someone waiting from the M.A.S to make sure her trip was successful and to bring her up on the latest news. But only she, THE Vinyl Scratch could broadcast as DJ-Pon3 on Equestria's airwaves.
Sometime she'd have to fix that and find a spell some other pony could learn to imitate her voice so that there would always be a DJ-Pon3 as long as she was needed. Although she'd first have to find someone who could even begin to imitate her style.
The M.A.S representative was waiting for her, she was still not sure how 'Goldie' had persuaded the Ministry Mare's own Ministry to work behind her back on this one. Still, It was all part of the plan to help rebuild Equestria after the fall. What was it that one Pony had called it. “The Voice in the Wasteland”
A flash of light and a *pop* later, Vinyl stood in the Foyer of the MASEBS. Blinking in the stark bright light that filled the room.
She whistled “wow, that actually worked, I didn't think it would.”
“Welcome DJ-Pon3, indeed the spell worked perfectly,” said a smooth voice behind her.
“Nah, just call me Vinyl or Scratch. So the tower survived then, I was half expecting to teleport into a ruin.”
“I thought you meant the teleportation spell.”
“Oh that, it's just like riding a bicycle, although damn it feels like I've had an all-nighter making out with Octy, damn I'm getting old” as she sat down on her rump. “So what's the news and oh yeah. What's your name?”
The stallion blushed just thinking about Vinyl Scratch and Octavia although it was nothing new in Equestria from their old talk show before the war.
Stuttering a little he gave a little bow “I I I'm Doctor Helpinghoof, at your service Ms. Vinyl. The EBS is ready for your use. Twilights old quarters are now free for your use. It seems she never made it out of Maripony. We've also assigned you an assistant to run errands for you, it might cause some panic and confusion if you were seen wandering the lower floors.”
“So tell me Doc. What's the news and is this pony assistant hot?”
“Well I'm more of a stallion lover myself so I wouldn't really know, but I understand she's the grandniece of your old friend Ms. Octavia and a Unicorn.”
“Sweet Celestia, a new mini Octy unicorn, heheheh, Oh that'll be fun! So anyway's what is the news for my first report?”
“I'll let her you tell you herself, she's waiting in the EBS and please excuse me I must get back to my patients. We may have survived the explosion but it will be weeks before we get some of the injured up and walking I was only actually here to greet you, but I'm sure I'll be seeing you again along with the other M.A.S. staff at some point.”
With that, he trotted off into the elevator leaving Vinyl still sitting on the floor. Eventually, she managed to gather the strength to get her hoofs back under her and she trotted towards the EBS.
Kicking the door open Vinyl called out “Hello Equestria, Mumma's here!”
Sitting in front of the desk was a young filly pony who looked almost exactly like Vinyl imagined Octavia must have looked like as a filly. working some controls and watching lots of screens diligently before turning her head towards the door.
“You must be Ms. Vinyl Scratch, the DJ Pony. I'm Ms. Melody but you can call me whatever you want.” she began to drool a little spotting Vinyl's flank.
“Hey, you're a little bit too young for me kid.” Vinyl retorted snapping the young pony out of it. “But maybe we can work on it some time. But for now, I need you to give me the lowdown. Hey, not that kind of low down!”
This brought the filly's attention off her flank again.
Sitting down beside the young mare Vinyl was close enough to stop her flank looking and bring her attention back to the screens.
“So tell me what's been happening for the last fortnight? I've got a broadcast to make, some tunes to set running and then maybe after that you can help me find that bed the Doc told me about? Deal? After that, I've probably got to get back to 29 before they miss me so you'll be running things here ok?”
“eep! Well from what I can make sense of these pictures. Every Stable has been locked down since the explosions, Of those people who didn't make it, it looks like 95% of them are dead from radiation poisoning or the initial explosions. The remaining 5% are trying to band together in small groups away from BR centers. Well, everywhere except Hoofington and Canterlot” she said as she flipped through the notes on the clipboard.
“BR centers?” Vinyl replied with a quizzical look.
“Bomb Radiation Centers. Where the bombs exploded and left a ton of rads.”
“Oh, cool. Nice and simple, BR centers, I like it. Now, what's up with Canterlot and Hoofington? Because from what I can see here of Manehatten I sure wish the princesses could fix up this crap. But I'm guessing that given that I was called in, they didn't stand a chance.”
Trying not to seem so heartbroken having been reminded of the princesses, the little filly plowed on. “Well Canterlot got hit bad, real bad. From what the grumps say, it got hit by a bomb that was snuck inside the city.” she pressed a few buttons and the views changed to show Canterlot covered in a big pink bubble like a giant piece of bubblegum.
“It seems toxic and the only ponies who seem to have had any exposure to it so far died within a few hours, I think we've still got the footage on the hard drive if you want to take a look?”
“I'll pass for now thanks, somehow I've got a feeling I'll see worse before I'm done today.”
The filly pressed a few more buttons. “Now Hoofington is the statistical anomaly. Despite being hit and hit hard, a lot of the bombs hit the shield but a lot also got through. Although there are still a couple which haven't gone off yet like the one that hit Hightower Prison, although the sensors say it's still leaking a lot of rads, but the prison itself is in total lockdown. No-one is getting in or out until that bomb explodes. The other survivors around Hoofington though keep spiking up and down. It's like they keep disappearing and reappearing every few days. A couple of minor settlements have already begun to take shape but who knows what's happening out there. It's not like they're just hiding underground, the people are completely disappearing off the radar. I think the doc calls it 'being in flux'”
Just then a red warning light started flashing.
“Woah, what's that?” cried Vinyl
“Sweet Celestia” the filly cried. “The computer program was set to detect any movement around Canterlot I never expected it to find anypony.”
Quickly some buttons were pressed and the camera returned to Canterlot and began focusing down towards Zebra town far below.
“Ram Luna's Horn up my ass” Vinyl called out when the tiny figure became visible. “That's a bloody Steel Ranger. I'm guessing from the way he's glowing pink he got hit by the poisoned wave that hit Zebra town.”
The filly looked up at Vinyl “You sound like you actually care about Zebra town?”
“Despite what you've probably been told little one, they are not all bad. Remember we had a long time of peace before the war and don't let those snobs downstairs tell you that pony's and zebras can't be friends. Your aunt and me had plenty of problems that we had a zebra help us out with back in the old days before the war. I even 'nearly' got to make out with one once.”
“What happened?”
“Well between Zecora spurning my advances and Octy hitting me over the head with her Cello I never got any further. Next thing I knew I woke up in the hospital because apparently, some delivery mare dropped a piano on my head. Poor Ditzy, she got blamed every time someone got hit over the head but it was only one time she actually dropped a Piano. You know I think the doctors caught on pretty quickly and so they came up with “Dropped Experimental Repeat Pony Error. It was quite cute really. Hence her nickname quickly became Derpy.
“Wait a minute, Error doesn't have a Y in it.”
“Well no but it was a bit of an in-joke because in her younger days that sweet little thing was a bit clumsy. At least until she met the pony with the hourglass cutie mark, I never did get his name. Doctor Something I think?”
“Did you seriously flirt with just about every mare everywhere?”
Pouting, Vinyl replied “No of course not, just the pretty ones. And besides between Spitfire and Octavia, they wouldn't let me get away with it... I miss Octavia, I haven't spoken to her since she got blacklisted, I don't suppose you know what happened to her?”
“No, I'm sorry Vinyl, the family lost touch with her the same time you did.”
“Oh well” Vinyl wiped some tears from her eyes. “I guess we'd better make our first show a good one in tribute to her and all the other good ponies we lost. Now I know there aren't many people out there now but let's see if we can't try and reach them anyway?”
Wiping her own tears away the younger unicorn nodded her head in reply but said. “OUR first show?”
“Of course, I may not need a co-host but I still need my trusty mini Octavia assistant to help me, and besides someone will need to stand in for me one day. Those teleportation jumps really take the wind out of you and I'm not getting any younger.”
Vinyl finally found the broadcast switch.
“GOOOD MOOORNING EQUESTRIA! This is the devious DJ Pon3 herself broadcasting from my eye in the sky here in Tenpony Tower. First the latest news and then on to some tunes...”
10 minutes later she finally switched off the live broadcast with the music playing in the background. It seemed like half people in the wasteland who had any kind of radio device had been listening in from the monitors as the broadcast had cut across most of the static. Even the Steel Ranger looked like he'd been able to tune in and thanks to the advice on the habitable places still remaining he was trotting on his way towards the nearest safe Steel Rangers camp, those tough buggers.
Vinyl gave a yarn and wrapped an arm around the filly's shoulders. “Now let's go find that bed, and if you're lucky I might tell you about a few of the stories about when I used to make out with your aunt Octy.”
“Eew, I'm too young for that!”
“I'll be the judge of what you're too young for little miss!”
Author's Note
This is my first attempt at a MLP Fallout fic, i don't expect that it's brilliant writting but feedback is welcome. There are a few "inconsistancys" between my story and FE and FE:PH which i'm basing this on. I hope to address these in later chapters asuming this gets through moderation.
To the moderator, My fic does not currently have a central character as i am currently trying to tell lots of smaller stories in the grander scheme in the early chapters building up to maybe having a central character later.
Small house on the outskirts of Ponyville: 2 Days before the bombs
A Pink Unicorn with a pink and white striped mane in a closed room accessed a terminal.
“This is Agent A reporting in. All things are set here.”
She had just joined a secure video call meeting that had already begun.
“Thank you" cough "for reporting as soon as you could Agent Ashley. It seems project Remembrance is going as scheduled." Goldenblood replied
Another younger grey unicorn mare with a purple mane and pink highlights chirped up
"All things are set here in Baltimore too. Wow, it's hard to think that after all this work it'll finally over in 2 days" she yawned. "maybe now I can finally get some much-needed rest. I don't think I've hardly slept since we outfitted that cave for the dragon. And that was years ago."
“Hush Agent S!” The first mare responded. This may be a secure line, but you still never know who is listening.”
A third mare, a purple Pegasus with a black mane who had been scribbling away on some paper finally spoke up. “Agent S is right, it's good that it's finally over, But your also right Agent A. This is a secure line, we are all in secure rooms and if anyone had hacked us, it would be too late. Isn't that right Agent Gold?”
cough "As astute and blunt as ever Agent C. Indeed the time is upon us, and all preparations are now ready. Whatever awaits all of us, may Celestia forgive my actions and yours are not in vain. While this has been the smallest of all our projects, I sincerely hope that Project Remembrance is the most long-lasting. As you all know, I've kept this project even from my hidden projects. None of you will be remembered for your work and I thank you all for your service to Equestria, now and always. Project Remembrance has always been to find ways to preserve and one day restore Equestria if at all possible. Good luck to you all, and I hope to see you all in the next life."
Agent A butted in. "Just one moment Agent, I mean Goldenblood. Are you sure everything is all set to lock yourself away in the Castle?"
"Yes, my dear. Agent S was most helpful, getting the equipment I needed all set up. I hope my passing will be as peaceful as all of yours, however, you wish to end it"
click Goldenblood left the call.
“So?” Agent S spoke up. “I guess this is the last time we will ever see each other? We had some fun times together.”
Agent C spoke again. “Yeah. That one time at the Grand Galloping Gala, it was a hoot. Good times.”
Agent A cried a little. “I would give both of you a hug if I could. I just can't believe it's all over.”
Agent S replied “You know there is still time to get here to Stable 50. It's not much, but at least we could be together?”
Agent A replied. "I'm really sorry S, I would love to, but while our work is done, both myself and Agent C still have too much to do where we are. And you've got to watch over Baltimare. I love you both. I decided not to apply for the Stable here, I plan to face the end on the surface, that way if I survive I can help rebuild civilization here. If it doesn't work out here, I've already picked out a new settlement halfway between here and Appaloosa. I'm thinking of naming it New Appaloosa."
Agent C spoke up again. "I've also decided not to take up a local stable place as you both know. But I calculate it's going to be 50 years before it will be safe to cross back to Mainland Equestria. S, We don't begrudge you going into a Stable. We've told you before, but we both feel like it's our duty to rebuild from the outside."
Agent S humbly replied "I know, I don't know how long the stable will be closed for, it depends what this Overmare is going to be like. I love you both, and if things go well, I will see you for my 70th as we arranged. Just a shame this 20th is such a bummer today, I've already got the champaign bottle picked out and labeled."
Agent A politely smiled as did Agent C.
"We'll see you there then Agent S, save us a glass if you can. Good Night to both of you Agents S, C. This is Agent A signing off for the last time."
click
Hoofington: 2 days After the bombs fell
A young Pony named Comet Strikes stumbled out of the shadow of a ruined building. It was one of the few shadows cast from a stray beam of light filtered through a hole in the clouds. The Pegasi by now having covered up nearly the whole sky. The last few days had been sheer hell. Not the fire and the screaming and all the horrible things he'd seen. It was the nightmare hangover from all the drink he'd had to try and forget it all.
He was supposed to be on detachment from the Ministry of Image from Manehatten and had only been here for 2 weeks. He was actually asleep in his room when the bombs fell, (He'd found cheap lodgings above the pub of which ruins he stood in), having now spent the best part of two days draining the stock.
But he'd run out a few hours ago and was down to drinking radiated water to drown his sorrows. He was also feeling really hungry because he hadn't eaten anything for days, having not eaten after his work night shift, he'd been too tired to grab a bite.
It was at this moment through his radiated and intoxicated eyes that all the bodies around him began to start looking edible. In a drunken stupor, he took a hungry bite, then another.
It was several hours until he finally woke up from the drunken haze and saw the chewed bodies around him and felt his over full stomach that he realized what he'd done. He immediately threw up attempting to empty his stomach. The odd thing was that it really didn't taste that bad throwing up. He noticed it because once he was done the taste lingered like a bad memory that wouldn't go away. He tried to wash it away with some water, but it tasted foul and just make him throw up again. It left him feeling weak and exhausted.
It took him a while to recover and gather his strength, but when he had, he went around some of the other nearby buildings to see what food and supplies he could find. He reasoned that it wasn't like the owners would be likely to want them anymore, seeing as they were dead, and if their relatives wanted anything, they could sue him later. And it's not like anyone wanted to mess with a Ministry of Image employee.
Having finally gathered enough supplies over the next few days, he strapped his overflowing saddle bags on and strained a little at the weight. But he was now confident that he had enough food and clean water to make it all the way back home. He had spent the time looting thinking about the fact that no-one else had come along, he had quickly concluded that every major settlement must have been hit. Otherwise, there would have been military forces descending on the city by now whether they be Pony or Zebra. So with the rest of the ministry probably having been destroyed, there was no point going back to Manhattan or Canterlot. It was finally time to head home to Coltchester.
The Crystal Empire: 1 day after the bombs fell
A shield rose surrounding the crystal empire. “So it's done?” asked Shining Armour. “The last time that spell was cast was...”
“Yeah, I know!” cut in Flurry Heart who breathed a sigh of relief. “That is quite a spell to cast. But it should definitely hold for a good while on its own. Are all the scouts back?”
"The last came through just as you cast the spell," said Princess Cadence yawning as she walked up. "So how long do you think it'll hold? No-one knows about how long the spell will last as you do."
"Well let's see, it'll have to be recharged every so often but I would say it'll probably be good for maybe 40 years longer if we don't keep having to keep opening a door to send out scouts. Trust me, no-one will be able to see the city. If anyone comes knocking it'll be like we're not here.
“Soo?” Cadence said. “Since we're now cut off from the rest of Equestria, the people are going to need something to raise their spirits.”
"Oh Celestia. Mum. No! We talked about this?"
“huh? What?” Shining chimed in.
"Oh come on? You've been dating for what? 20 years? It's not like he doesn't have our approval. He's even been a regular member of your fathers' Ogres and Obblet's game nights."
Shining followed the conversation like a tennis match before slowly trying to step away.
"What do you think hunny? Do you think they should finally tie the knot?" Cadence said as she magicked a wall for Shining to back into to stop him from walking off."
"You can't be serious!" Flurry retorted. "I'm not ready for that, besides, a wedding. No. Just no!" with that Flurry teleported away."
"Oh dear," Cadence said turning to Shining. "So what do you think?"
“Well, err, uh, I don't know. But you look like you need some more sleep.”
flash Light had been examining some food at a street store when he found himself in a nearby alcove kissing Flurry. When he was finally able to break the kiss he said: "You know I love you Flurry, but could you give me some warning next time?"
“Don't be silly, I teleported around first and made sure you were free to kidnap.”
“So what's up? You seem pretty flustered.”
Flurry rolled her eyes. "Mum's at it again. Talking about 'marriage' and how now that we're cut off from Equestria again that we 'need something to lift people's spirits'."
"Hmm," Light said. "Well, a big event to lift people's spirits would be a good idea."
Flurry threw her hooves up in disgust. “Not you too?”
Light booped Flurry on the nose. "You didn't let me finish. I was going to say is a wedding really the best idea they have?"
“Exactly” Flurry replied, I knew you'd get it. “Now that reminds me, I wanted to show you something, it's a new spell I found in the library. If I'm right it means we can be together forever as we are now, and then I won't have to worry about anything else.”
"Wait, wha" flash Flurry teleported them both into the royal library “t?” Light face-hooved. “What did I say about warning me next time?”
“What am I supposed to do? Pull your tail?”
The pair looked around to re-orientate themselves before Flurry trotted over to a table she'd previously been reading at before she got the summons. The scroll still laying open on the desk next to an old book.
“The private royal collection?” Light spurted out. “I've never been allowed in here. Your mum is going to kill us if she finds out.”
Rolling her eyes again, despite having her back to Light, Flurry said "Yeah, and? If this spell works it won't matter because you'll practically be an immortal royal yourself."
She turned the book around for him to see as he stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he read the spell.
Several minutes later after reading and re-reading the spell several times "Wow, that is quite a spell. I'd love to get my dad to have a look at this first, except you know we can't exactly share it can we?"
Slightly horrified Flurry said "Hell no, I shouldn't even be showing you, if mum found out I was even looking for a spell like this. Well..."
"Hmm, I wonder," Light was still reading the spell again. "Before we try casting such an old and specialized spell, I really do think maybe my dad should have a look at it first to make sure it's safe? I'm not saying show him the spell, but what if we were to break down the spell a bit? Maybe give my dad a few pieces we're not sure about so he doesn't work out what it is and so my mum doesn't start getting any idea's?"
"Good idea, your mum does not exactly have a good history when it comes to powerful spells."
"Don't remind me, even dad has to be careful cleaning up his work to make sure she doesn't find a spell that she's not supposed to see."
It was now Flurry's turn to re-examine the spell in the book “Taking parts of the spell and mixing it up? That... could... maybe work? I'd have to carefully transcribe it through to make it look like something else?”
“That sounds awesome. Just one thing honey? How do I get out of here without tripping the alarm?”
"Oops," Flurry said having forgotten about it in her haste to show off the spell. "Well either I can teleport you out, or maybe I can keep you here," she said slyly.
Light booped Flurry on the nose again. “Out please, or I'll be sleeping in the barracks tonight. You might not have any duties but I'm scheduled on guard duty in a couple of hours and it's not going to look good if I'm late.”
Flurry pouted “Your no fun today, but fine!” With a flash of magic, Flurry teleported Light back to the market before taking some paper to begin spell writing.
Meanwhile, in the market, Light suddenly appeared in the middle of the road upside down and several inches above the floor. Light had just enough time to realize what had happened enough to say "damn alicorn magic" to himself before Gravity finished reasserting itself on him and he hit the floor.
MASEBS Hub Tenpony Tower: Two weeks after the bombs
Vinyl stepped into the studio quietly, looking back to see the little foal curled up in bed. After Vinyl had her "powernap" She's kept the kid entertained with stories of herself and Octavia's misadventures. Nothing too racy, just enough for the kid to fall asleep dreaming of two young mares with a radio show with some amazing and wild guests.
Turning back to the controls, there was a blinking red light from an incoming call. Vinyl paused. How could someone be calling the MASEBS? Unless someone had managed to rig up their own set of equipment. She composed herself as she sat down, taking a deep breath before accepting the call.
"Hello?" Slipping into an age-old routine "Your calling the Vinyl Scratch, what can I help you with?"
There was static, a jumbling of sound and flashes of Purple and green until a young alicorn sized dragon appeared into view.
Vinyl almost fell off her chair.
"Woah, a dragon!" She narrowed her eyes, "Wait, Spike? Is that you?"
"Hello Vinyl, yeah it's me. I heard your broadcast. I thought you were in a Stable, I've been trying to contact you on a secure channel for hours, I was beginning to think something had happened?"
"Nah, was just taking a power nap and foal sitting my 'assistant'. Officially I am In a stable and I should be heading back there soon. But go figure, somepony thought I should be hosting a radio show instead. How about you?"
"Well, I suspect that same pony thought it would be a good idea for me to keep watching over Equestria too since I'm probably going to live through until most of the stables re-open. Although no-one is supposed to know what I'm doing in my cave. Oops, I shouldn't have said anything. I guess it's just nice to see an old face from Ponyville, it's been years since I've had anyone properly friendly to talk to."
Vinyl laughed “Don't worry about it, my lips are sealed. We're probably about the only two real ponies left, well pony and dragon anyway working for the ministries.”
“Yeah about that, you mentioned your assistant?”
"My little Octy clone, yeah. What about her?"Spike looked oddly until Vinyl explained."Oh, sorry yeah. She's Octavia's niece or something, except I would almost say she looks just like a filly Octavia. So what about her?"
"She may be practically family to you Vinyl, but I think that we should keep our conversations a secret. I trust you but I don't need others knowing anything about what I'm hiding up here just in case, and if your assistant talked and word got out that I had something valuable..."
"I gotcha, maybe I can spread the word that your mountain is to be avoided, maybe not at all costs, but under advisory precaution of being eaten?"
"I don't eat ponies, you know that."
"Sure, but how long do you think people will remember a friendly dragon in these times?"
“Point taken.”
Sometime later, after spending some time talking about the past and Spike pointing Vinyl to keep an eye on certain parts of Equestria that Spike was more concerned with, they ended the call. Vinyl stifled a yawn and looked at the clock on her pipbuck.
"Oh shooting horse apples. I've got to get back to the stable. I'm scheduled for a party in a couple of hours."
With that, she trotted back into the main foyer just as the Doctor happened to be walking back in.
"I've finished my rounds, Every pony seems stable for now. How about you? I've done my broadcast, and the bed was helpful. I look forward to maybe talking with you some more sometime, Don't mind the kid, she's asleep, best not to wake her, I've set the newscast to repeat every couple of hours until a news update is added to the cycle. Now if you'll excuse me Doc, I'm due back at the stable for a party set."
"Of course, don't want to keep your fans waiting. Just one thing, you might want to take this pill. I forgot to give to you sooner. It'll help with the teleports. It's nothing special, but it's just a small energy booster we had to develop to keep the ministry mare and her personal Staff going on some of their long nights. For a party pony like you, I'm sure you had your own way of managing."
"Actually back when we were young, we didn't have anything like this, so we just had power nap cycles. So this will come in really handy, thanks."
Vinyl took the pill and the glass of water being offered and downed it quickly before taking up the position in the middle of the hall and teleported away back to the stable.
Doctor Helpinghoof sighed "There's just no helping some ponies who don't want to be helped."
He then trotted up to the bedroom to check on the young Melody before heading back down to update the other Ministry employee's who were in a private meeting to discuss their new course of action.
Cloud City of Thunderhead: Two weeks after the bombs.
Rainbow Dash darted from cover to cover in the mid-afternoon sun before her target entered their home. She softly landed on the balcony.
Looking through the fly net she called “Lightning”
Lightning dust was taking off her helmet and turned to look at the balcony. She stepped through the netting to join Rainbow Dash outside.
"Well look what the cat dragged in, you scrub. You're supposed to be dead. You definitely smell it."
Lightning Dust wrinkled her nose
“Sorry I've had a bad couple of weeks”
“Where the hell have you been? And why in Celestia's name did you come to me? You know we've got orders to shoot any dashite on sight right?”
“Dashite? That's what they call people like me? Hmm, that sounds kinda cool I guess.”
"You know I'd be right there wanting to sign up to the cause to rebuild Equestria. I've got friends down there. But anyone who disobeys the council is being sent to facing a firing squad. I may be a Senior Lieutenant but that doesn't stop the bullets flying."
Just then, a couple of younger voices called through from another room "Mum, we're home from school."
"Shit" whispered Lightning Dust. "I'll be there in a few minutes kid, I've just got something to do first"
Rainbow looked at Lightning. “I didn't take you for a mother type.”
“Look, a lot happened after you got me booted out of the academy. I did a lot of wondering and you know how many other stupid things, but I eventually found this really nice stallion and we settled down about 15 years back. But you still haven't answered my question. Why come to me? Why now?”
"I'm still a ministry mare, being a ghoul hasn't changed that. Equestria may be gone but I still have work to do, to rebuild what's left of it."
"Oh great, and this work apparently includes me right? You know I turned down your goon's offers a bunch of times right?"
"I know, but they were ordered to recruit you into the Shadowbolts. I could have done with a wing pony who could keep up with me without me needing to make a slipstream. And for that matter, someone who could lead them when I couldn't. That's why we were reduced to emergency response only. But that's beside the point, I'm here now asking for help. I'm not asking you to fight, although you're clearly signed up for that already."
“Then what are you asking anyway?”
“They've given you control of the SSP tower. I need access to it. I have some old gear I need but I can't get past the guards without being, well you know shot on sight.”
"How the hell do you know that? I only just came from the meeting they decided it myself."
"I'm the ministry mare. It takes a lot more than a couple of fudge jobs to lock out my security codes. You know the meeting room has camera's and mics right? Anyway, I need to get inside and I need some help. There is a hatch on the top level that I just need to be opened. Once inside I can get started on my own, Unfortunately, the hatch has an internal lock. I hadn't planned on being security guarded out of my own tower."
“Once I've done that, we're done?”
“Hell no. I still need you, but I don't know what for yet, once I can get my mare-do-well suit, it'll become easier to move around.”
“Muuum, I'm hungry” came one of the voices.”
An agitated Lightning Dust called back "I said I'll be there soon, try the fridge if your dad hasn't eaten everything yet!" turning back to Rainbow "What are you even trying to do?"
"If I can keep the enclave from gaining too much power, keep the towns in competition, sooner or later they'll have to return to the surface for resources. I'm apparently a ghoul now, I know there are lives I can't save, but I'm thinking long term here."
Lightning Dust whistled "That is seriously long term, you know who they appointed as head of the council? It'll take forever to boot that bitch and her followers out of office."
Rainbow looked glumly "I know, but I need to do something, I can't save everyone, but maybe I can maybe start to rebuild Equestria for when those vaults re-open? It's a long game Lightning, will you help me get started?"
Lightning tilted her head towards the door “Kids, would you come in here a minute, there's some pony I'd like you to meet. A hero of Equestria and an ooold friend of mine.”
As she did so she pulled aside the fly netting. A few seconds later the study door burst open and two young fillies bowled across the floor.
“A real equestrian hero?” One of them asked as they untangled themselves.
Lightning Dust smiled as she turned to Rainbow Dash who was frozen in surprise. “Would you like to come in for a bit? Meet my reason for helping you. It's because I want them to have a future they can be proud of.”
The second child said “she looks funny”
The first added, "and smells it too."
“Sorry kids, I've not had time for a bath for a couple of weeks.” Rainbow dash replied
rustle of paper
“It sounds like what you need is a team."
A pony who had been sitting in the corner reading the paper so quietly that no-one had noticed him.
"Don't scare me like that Thunder!" Lightning dust said. "Also what have I told you about hanging out in my study?"
"Sorry mum, but I wanted somewhere quiet to read without being interrupted."
Thunder shot a glare has his two younger siblings.
Turning to address Rainbow Dash he said "If you want to rebuild Equestria then you're going to need a team working on your side. Special ops kind of team."
Rainbow raised an eyebrow "Just how old are you kid?"
Thunder replied "Old enough that I signed up to apply for the Shadowbolts a day before the bombs."
Rainbow Dash whistled while imagining how good a flier Lightning's son must be.
Lightning Dust face-hoofed. "And just when were you going to tell me about the Shadow Bolts? I thought you told me you applied to join the Ministry?"
"You have to apply through the Ministry to join." Rainbow explained. "You never realized that it was Ministry personnel coming to ask and not some kind of guard?"
"I always figured it was because you were being nice. I am, well I guess was part of the peace core, not the active front line."
Thunder spoke up again.
“I'm in. I know you may not approve mum, but the Ministry mare is asking, and while you may not agree to it, I can get into the tower. I can show them my provisional pass telling them I left some stuff in my locker when I signed up. They're still letting civilians with passes access, I then just need to give them the slip, which should be easy when I name drop and they see I'm their commanding officer's oldest child. Who doesn't want to impress the boss's kid?”
“That is Awesome” Rainbow replied
Thunder looked at his two younger siblings. "That means you can't tell anyone what we're up to right? Not a peep to anyone at school, not anyone unless we say is ok to tell all right? You've seen it on the news when they're rounding up people who don't agree."
Lightning finished "Your as bad as your father when he gets an idea in his head. But I guess there is no stopping you. Why don't we discuss a proper plan over dinner?"
Lightning turned back to Rainbow Dash "You will join us right? It's been a long time since we talked, and you do still eat right?"
"You know, I honestly haven't thought about food in over a week, I can't promise I'll be able to eat much but sure, I'll give it a go."
Lightning pointed "The bathroom is that way, you might want to clean up first." before she began organizing a meal.
Author's Note
Authors notes:
Not sure how relevant this will be for future but for now Thunder's colors are coincidently the reverse of Lightning Dust's. Amber Coat and Turquoise Mane
You might be able to work out whose Light parents are. It's not written in the chapter but his full name is Light Flare.
I have put in a couple of references into this chapter which I think fit in smoothly. There are elements such as Vinyl being the DJ at Tenpony Tower, which does not fit into canon but I plan to resolve in later chapters.
I admit Spike was also not originally scheduled for a scene in this chapter which is why his part might feel a little contrived.
Special thanks go out to Hedgefox Kitsune (not a Brony) for proofreading this chapter and to anyone else who points out mistakes which do not line up with Fallout Equestria or Project Horizons cannon. Also Special Thanks goes out to Kkat and Somber for writing Fallout Equestria and Project Horizons respectively.
Small revision to the mini-chapter in Hoofington with Comet Strikes. It was only on 9th June 2019 in a conversation with the above mentioned Hedgefox that I was finally able to figure out where that bit of writing didn't work.
